The Covenanters Looking Glass, Title page – Dedication
THE COVENANTERS Looking-Glaſſe.
Diſcovering His duty and dignity with ſundry Motives and Directions tending to further our keeping Covenant with God.
ALSO An Epiſtle containing an exact Relation of all the moſt principall things done in the Parliament of England ſince their firſt ſitting to this preſent day.
WITH Divers other materiall things very uſefull for all ſorts both for the preſent and future times.
By Thomas Mocket Mr of Arts and Preacher of the word of God.
ECCLES. 5.4.
When thou voweſt a Vow unto God, deferr… not to pay it; for he hath no pleaſure in fooles.
DEUT. 29.9.
Keepe therefore the words of this Covenant, and doe them, that you may prosper in all that ye doe.
foreign
Greg Nazion Orat. 53.
LONDON, Printed for C. Meredith at the ſigne of the Crane in Pauls Church-yard. 1644.
TO THE HONOVRABLE THE HOVSE OF COMmons Aſſembled in the Parliament of England. foreign.
Honourable and Right worthy Patriots:
GIve me leave I beſeech you; under your name to preſent to the World, the humble and hearty acknowledgement we owe to Almighty God, the Kings Majeſty, the Right Honourable Peeres, and you the Knights and Gentlemen, now moſt ſeaſonably aſſembled in Parliament, for the many great and worthy things that have been done by your meanes for the publike good.See the Remonſtrance, publiſhed Dec. 15. 1641. Who have eaſed our backs of that illegall burden of Ship-money, Coat, Conduct-money, and other military charges. Suppreſt all Monopolies, Taken away arbitrary government, the root of theſe evils. Much quelled evill Councellours, and other malignant perſons, by execution of juſtice on ſome, impriſoning others, and cauſing others to fly, out of the conſciouſneſſe of their owne guiltineſſe. Setled a trienniall Parliament in-ſtead of a trienniall Viſitation, and provided for the continuance of this,*A wonder of mercy. till all our greivances are heard and redreſſed, and all evils be removed, which is of unſpeakable conſequence, becauſe they ſecure a full operation of the remedy, and afford a perpetuall ſpring of remedies for the future. Put down the High Commiſſion Court, which in ſome reſpects (through the abuſe of ſome, and over-ruling of others, was made too like the Spaniſh Inquiſition, which ſuſpended, ſilenced, and outed many of the moſt able and godly Miniſters out of their livings and freeholds, and ſo undid many a whole family; a Court, which indeed at firſt was erected to ſuppreſſe Papiſts and Popery, as the Spaniſh Inquiſition was to curb the blaſphemous Jews; but was now, as that, turned againſt pious Proteſtants; Have put down the Star-chamber; Taken away other Courts, the forges of miſery, oppreſſion and violence; Diſmounted the Canons that were mounted to batter down Religion and the power of godlineſſe together with the late curſed Oath in them; Damned the Oath ex oſſicio, by means whereof they tortured many conſciences with ſtrange quaries and forcing unnaturall ſelf-accuſations. Freed Church-wardens from a dangerous Oath. Limitted the immoderate power of the Councell Table. Puniſhed and terrified ſome Miniſters and others that were of ſcandalous life, or Authors of Innovations in doctrine and ceremonies. Reduced the Forreſts by good Laws to their right bounds. Reformed the incroachments and oppreſſions of the Stanery Courts. The extortion of the Clerk of the market. The compulſion of the Subject to receive the order of Knighthood againſt his will, or paying ſines for refuſall. Recalled the baniſhed Exiles that had undergone the brunt, the chief let in the Prelats way to Rome. Setled a happy peace betwixt us and our Neighbour Nation, which the malignant Enemies of both, endeavoured to imbroile in civil wars which are grievous, yea which is worſe, of Proteſtants againſt Proteſtants, one ſervant againſt another, and one brother againſt another, till both were conſumed. Opened the Preſſe for publiſhing the good and profitable labours of the godly; And inhibited popiſh bookes and pamphlets tending to reconcile us and Rome, or rather, as the truth is, to reduce us to Rome. Order for weekely lectures. Order for baniſhing Romiſh Prieſts and Jeſuites, the grand Incendiaries in Church and ſtate; And for ſecuring the Papiſts, the profeſſed enemies of King and Kingdome, Church and ſtate. Removed the Biſhops from voting in Parliament, and all Clergie men from temporall offices, which like a falſe byas in a boule, wheel'd them quite out of the way of preaching. Ʋoted downe Deans and Prebends, which were (many of them) too like the drones which eat up the hony which the painfull Bees ſhould live on. And ſince by ſeverall Acts of both Houſes, aboliſhed the Hyerarchy roote and branch; The ſole ſeat of Antichriſt as ſome learned men do conceive. Ordered the ſuppreſſion of Innovations in all Churches and Chappels in and about the worſhip of God. The removeall and aboliſhing ſuperſtitious pictures, images, croſſes and other Reliques and Monuments of Idolatry and Superſtition. The advancement of Gods holy word in all parts or the Kingdome. Paſſed other Acts alſo for the removing and puniſhing ſcandalous, corrupt and malignant Clergy-men and blind guides; And ſequeſtring their Benefices for the maintenance of godly and painfull Miniſters, in which there hath been an happy progreſſe made already, wherby you have refreſhed the bowels of many of us, and the ſoules of thouſands of the people, bleſſed be God and you for it! againſt Pluralities and Non-reſidency, For the due ſanctification of the Sabbath, cryed down by the Popiſh and prelaticall party in their preaching, printing, and practiſe. You have Given libertie to tender conſciences, burthned with unneceſſary and ſcandalous Ceremonies, Opened a way for godly Miniſters to exerciſe their miniſtery, to which God and man hath ſet them apart, ſo that many thouſands may heare the joyfull ſound againe in their eares, who were deprived of ſuch bleſſed ſilver Trumpets, inſtead whereof they had but Rams hornes, (too good a compariſon for many of them) which many times ſounded as terrible an alarum in their eares, as they ſometimes did to them of Iericho. You have procured from His Royall Majeſty a Monthly Faſt, publiſhed by His Majeſties Proclamation, in which like the New Moones Faſt or Feaſt of Trumpets, the ſilver Trumpets of the word are ſounded, and the ſacrifice of prayer and praiſe are offered up unto God. Your great care for the ſafety and peace of the Kingdome, For the reliefe of now gaſping Jreland, For ſupply for our Armies, Ordinance for ſecuring Malignants the Papiſts great friends, and ſequeſtring their eſtates that they may not be imployed againſt, but for the publique good.
The oath for diſcovering of Papiſts,Pits were digged for the Righteous, gallowſes provided for Mordecai's, becauſe they would not how to Hamaus, dens of lyons for Daniels, becauſe they would not leave praying,; fiery furnaces for the three children, becauſe they would not worſhip the golden Image; dungeons for Ieremy's, becauſe they would preach the truth with boldneſſe. Mr Cal Feb. 23. in his Serm. a very neceſſary inſtrument; You have given a call to our deare brethren of Scotland, who we hope through Gods bleſſing, will be a great meanes of reducing publike enemies to due obedience, or juſtice, and ſetling an happy peace with truth in this and the other Kingdome. Called an Aſſembly of grave, learned and godly Divines, in whoſe good (though ſlow yet ſafe) proceedings we much rejoyce. Your indeavours to ſuppreſſe erronious opinions tending to libertaniſme, which we humbly deſire may be more vigorouſly proſecuted before it be too late. The happy concurrence of the Right Noble Peers, with the truly honourable Houſe of Commons in their Honourable proceedings. Whoſe faithfulneſſe to God, their King and Country (when many rotten and treacherous hearts have deſerted the Publike Cauſe, their truſt, and conſciences) makes you ſo much more honourable in the eyes and hearts of all the godly and well affected in all the 3 Kingdomes, I may ſay in all Europe, and them more infamous to all ages. The happy and timely diſcovery of many grievous ſnares, broken by your great vigilancy and induſtry and the prevention of many moſt deſperate deſignes againſt this Kingdom, ſo that our Iſacks are delivered and the Rams are caught in the buſh, and as the wiſe man ſaith,*Pro. 11, 8. The Righteous is delivered out of the trouble, and the wicked cometh in his ſtead. And to name no more the renewing of our Nationall Covenant, to which adde alſo, our late ſolemne league and Covenant, for which, we hope, the preſent and future generations will have cauſe to bleſſe God for you and our Renowned Brethren of Scotland (ſo prudently made and commended to us by your Honorable Houſe) to bring back againe all Iſrael to worſhip the Lord their God in Ieruſalem, who were too many of them making a Captain and turning back again into myſticall Egipt, which Covenant gave the riſe to this enſuing plaine, unpolliſhed diſcourſe*This was publiſhed formerly with the Epiſtle, and now at the requeſt of ſome, ſome what altered in the Epiſtle chiefly. Homo ſum, errare poſſum, …ereticu…eſſe nolo. (fitted and intended only for a country Auditory, where it is a commendation to ſpeake in the moſt plain and vulgar terms) which in all humility I preſent unto you (worthy Patriots) not as Patrons, for if it be the truth of God, as I truſt it is, he is the Patron of it and will defend it: if any errour be found in it, I diſclaim it, and think the work it ſelf too ſlenderly performed, for ſo judicious perſons as you are known to be, but only, as his handfull of water to a great*Artaxerxes. Prince, the widdowes mite, a little goats hair, as a teſtimony of my humble obſervance and thankfull acknowledgement of the unwearied labours, continuall care and zealous endeavours of the Noble Peeres and your ſelves (who ſtill continue faithfull and cordiall with this preſent Parliament) for the publick good, as alſo for the particular favour of divers worthy Members of your Houſe towards my ſelfe.
And ſurely if you go on with all good ſpeed to procure and adde theſe things to all the reſt, which are humbly deſired, viz. To provide for the comfortable ſubſiſtance of thoſe godly, painefull orthodox Miniſters, who lye under much diſcouragement and diſtraction through a miſerable incompetency. And Provide, That Prieſts and Jeſuits be quite baniſhed the Land. And that Church Papiſts (the moſt dangerous enemies and underminers of Church and ſtate) may be diſcovered by the late Oath in your ordinances for Sequeſtrations. And alſo all other ſuſpected perſons, And that the Lawes be duly executed upon Papiſts. That Notorious offenders in Church and Common-wealth whatſoever they be, eſpecially wicked Counſellours and deſperate oppoſites to the Parliament, (the Achans that hinder the indeavours of Joſhua and I ſrael, the great Remora to the publike undertakings, and the great cloud that hides the face of God from us) be ſpeedily tried, cenſured and puniſhed according to the qualitie of their crimes; for what ſucceſſe can be expected ſo long as the Achans live? That Idolatry and Superſtition, eſpecially the abominable Maſſe be totally rooted out of this Kingdome, as you have in part done, bleſſed be God:Rome, Iezabel myſticall, Revel. 2.20. and 18.5. For what peace ſo long as the whoredomes of Jozabell remain in this Land. That evill Councellors, the raiſers and fomenters of the great troubles and diſtempers of the Kingdom, and of the abſonce of His Royall Majeſty from His Parliament, &c. (which all good Subjects are greatly greived to ſee) to be removed from His Royall Perſon with the firſt opportunity. That diſtreſſed Ireland, whoſe condition is very much to be lamented, eſpecially ſince the late horrid Ceſſation, be ſpeedily releived with an ample ſupply, where, as here, the blood of many thouſand ſonles cry to Heaven for vengeance, and to you for help againſt the mighty. That the peace of the Kingdom, that the power and priviledges of Parliament, the lawfull Rights and Liberties of the Subject be firmly ſetled. That conſiderable places be fully ſecured by approved men, and ſo trading quickned, to the relief of many thouſands that now languiſh greatly under want. That none may be put into the Miniſtery or admitted to places in the Miniſtery, or in the Militia of the Kingdom, or any other places of truſt, but ſuch as do willingly take the late ſolemne League and Covenant, though ſome have made no conſcience of violating that ſolemne obligation. That the bleſſed work of Reformation, with all good ſpedd, go on and be perfected. That the Sacrament by ſome good proviſion may be kept from being polluted by unworthy perſons, and all Ignorant perſons be for their ſoules good compelled to learn the grounds of the true Proteſtant Religion. And that henceforth one patterne containing all the fundamentals of true Chriſtian Faith and Obedience were made, which would be of manifeſt and good uſe. That your grave wiſdom with the advice of the learned and godly Divines Aſſembled, would be pleaſed with all convenient ſpeed to provide, that the people might have a ſure rule to walk by in their worſhip of God, according to the word of God, that their minds may be ſetled and conſciences quieted to a cheerfull obedience, which would be a great inducement to many to joyne with us, who otherwiſe, I feare, will hardly ever be perſwaded, That the reſidue of dumb, ſcandalous and Malignant Clergy men may be ſpeedily and thorowly proceeded againſt, and godly and learned orthodox men placed in their roomes. And that your wiſdome would think of ſome good way for the admitting of godly and hopefull young men (who have prepared themſelves and are willing) into the Miniſtery. That the lawes and Ordinances againſt ſwearing, drinkenneſſe, whoredom and prophanation of the Lords day, (crying ſinnes, with which the land is filled, defiled, and under which it mourneth) be duly and ſtrictly put in execution, by appointing and inabling ſpeciall Officers therunto. That you with the reverend Aſſembly of Divines would with all ſpeed haſten the work of Church Reformation in point of Government and Diſcipline, as well as Doctrine and worſhip, That you would go on vigorouſly in the proſecution of your late Solemne League and Covenant and the Ordinance of both Kingdomes, publiſhed January 20 1643 and particularly for the thorough ſuppreſſion and rooting out of all Sects, Schiſmes and erroneous doctrines, deſtructive to ſound doctrine and the power of godlineſſe, and tending to libertiniſme and diſobedience to God and man. That our Armies may be quickned to be more active & follow opportunities which may be of unſpeakable conſequence: That reproachers and ſcorners of godlineſſe and conſcience by nick-names may be queſtionable and ſeverely puniſhed by a law: That you would be exceeding cautious of confiding in them about Treaties, who keep no Faith. That Arminianiſme and Socinianiſme, the enemies to free grace, and Romes Decoy-ducks to bring in Popery be timely & throughly ſuppreſt. That ſeandalous and Popiſh Magiſtrates that regard not the Execution of Juſtice, be removed, and approved juſt men, fearing God and hating coveteouſneſſe and unrighteouſneſſe, be placed in their roomes in all places. That Contemners of your former good Orders be ſeverely puniſhed▪ Wakes and unneceſſiry Ale-houſes and Play-houſes the very nurcerics of vice and randevouz for all prophane wretches, be ſuppreſſed. That the joynt conſent and happy concurrence of the Noble Peers with your Houſe, may be ſtill continued. Eſpecially that they and you would uſe all poſſiole meanes and ſpeed, that His Royall Majeſtie may have a right underſtanding of your juſt deſires and proceedings, and would with the Prince be graciouſly pleaſed to returne to His Parliament.
All which I mention not to ſhew you what to do, impute not ſuch folly to your humble ſervant, but in all humility to ſpread before your wiſdoms, what is by many thouſands heartily deſired & humbly craved, according as in your pious and deep wiſdom, ſhall ſeem moſt agreable to the rules of piety, true Chriſtian prudence and polity, which ſurely will compleat the bleſſed work of Reformation begun, make this a moſt ſlouriſhing Church and State, amiable to our God, glorious to our friends, terrible to our enemies, and make you and your Poſterities renowned while this is a Nation.
And becauſe your difficulties be very many and great, therefore heare a word of encouragement from him who greatly honours you and your Aſſembly, and whoſe duty it is ex efficio speciali, to teach, inſtruct, exhort, reprove, &c. The cauſe you are about is eminently good and of great importance, God and all good men are on your ſide, and though your adverſaries be many, mighty and politick, yet God, your Maſter whoſe work you are about, is ſtronger and wiſer then they all, and one Jacob can do more with God for you, then 400. Edowites can do againſt you. And though our enemies ſhould prevaile yet ten times*See my View of the Solemne League, p 5. &c. more yet caſt not off your confidence in God, but remember that when we are loweſt, then are we neereſt deliverance, and when our enemies are higheſt then are they neereſt deſtruction. And Honoured Worthies you have found God going along with you, ſo ſcattering your enemies, and furthering his worke, even by their wicked plots and oppoſitions, that you ſhould now greatly dishonour God and the cauſe, if you ſhould ſuffer any thing to diſcourage you, or make you feare the perfecting of the long and much deſired work of Reformation in its due time, only if Religion and the worſhip of God, and the diſcipline of Jeſus Chriſt be firſt ſetled, then other evills how great ſoever will vaniſh away, till then it cannot certainly be expected.
It is true, it is not poſſible it ſhould be done in a trice, the greatneſſe and exactneſſe of the work, the great deale of rubbiſh in the houſe of God, both wretched perſons and things; and the great oppoſitions which great and good works meet with, muſt of neceſſity make the work long. Wherefore, Noble Senators, arme your ſelves with patience and reſolution, alwayes look as upon the work with one eye, ſo at Gods glory and the publick good and upon Gods power, wiſdom, goodneſſe, promiſe, and faithfullneſſe with the other, regard not the perſon and face of any, but Juſtice, Gods glory and the Publike good, and doubt not of a deſired iſſue in due time, which is the humble and hearty deſire of him who is reſolved, to his utmoſt power, and to the laſt breath (God inabling) by all means lawfull to maintain and defend the true reformed Proteſtant Religion, againſt all Popery and Popiſh Innovations, the Kings Majeſties Perſon and Royall Poſterity and Legall Authority, the power and Priviledges of Parliament, together with their perſons in all their juſt and good proceedings, the lawfull Rights and Liberties of the Subjects, &c. And endeavour the Reformation of Religion, &c. according to our late ſolemn league and Covenant againſt the enemies of God, the King and State, and ſhall till death remain,
Your daily Oratour at the Throne of Grace, THO. MOCKET.