Concerning Unequal Marriage, Postscript – Title page
A Postscript.
To the most able and Religiously affectionate Commissioners of the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, Tending to Pacification betwixt the two Nations, concerning the present State proceedings. Mercy unto you, and Peace, and Love, and Truth be multiplyed from the King of Saints, and Prince of Salvation; who worketh all things after the counsel of his own Will, and doth all things well, expecting that Wisdom be justified of her children.
REverend Sirs, behold now, the proposer of this Question hath taken upon him to interrogate your General Assembly a word in the cause of God, and his people, even as cause hath seemed to require; knowing well how much it behoveth, and becometh all those that make mention of the Lord, not to keep silence in the day of Jacobs trouble; if a necessary word seasonably spoken, may become any way instrumental, unto the breaking forth of light in these days of darkness and gloominess; days of clouds, and thick darkness: And seeing God doth not altogether hide from seeing eyes, and hearing ears, and understanding hearts, what he is about to do: The wonderful and unwonted daily occurrences, do seemingly declare, That the Lord of hosts is doing his work, his strange work; and bringing to pass his act, his strange act of removing the Diadem, and taking off the Crown, overturning, overturning, overturning it, that it may be no more, in as much as the horrid and grievous sin of Tyranny hath found out the guilty, capital Delinquents; to allude to that which is prophetically denounced, see Ezek. 21. 25, 26, 27. God thus thundering and speaking as it were from Heaven; who can but tremblingly speak? If children should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out?
Hence the said proposer hath taken upon him also, to propound a few words unto your learned and solid wisdoms, who are the choice and eminent Commissioners of your General Assembly, and to pray you of your gentleness, to hear with patience, some advertisement, for the stirring you up to contribute your best assistance in this perplexed, conjuncture of Affairs in our three Nations, in helping the Lord against his opposites.
Right worthy Sirs, It manifestly appeareth by the return of the hearty thanks of the Estates of your Parliament, for your Testimony against Toleration; and likewise their concurrence with it; that ye have singular interest in the Estates of Parliament. May it please you therefore, to improve your interest, by suggesting and perswading them (that whereas this your Parliament was extraordinarily summoned, and the form and frame, or materials in great part, regulated by such of the Estates and Souldieries, who sought the real welfare of your Church and Nation, in the extream exigencies thereof, without the command or direction of any legal Monarch, to give order thereabouts, and as indeed your case seemed absolutely to require) they would now deeply ponder, and bethink themselves of the best expedient for the settlement of Truth and Peace, as may tend to the lengthening of your tranquillity, in the liberty of true Religion, and also Ecclesiastical and Civil Government, for the suppressing of Popery, Prelacy,. Heresie, Schism, and Prophaneness; which otherwise will infest your Nation, as well as others, whether neighbors, or more remote. If ye) as Mordecai sent Queen Esther word) do altogether hold your peace at this time, Deliverance and Enlargement may come some otherway, but ye may not expect the comfort thereof. And who knoweth, whether your favor in the eyes of the Estates, be not for such a time as this? Now howbeit, the generality of the Reformed Christian World, studious of Zions peace, are not ignorant of your abundant and excellent sufficiencies, in the managing of the weighty concernments of your own Countrey: Yet your humble advertiser, inquisitive, and solicitous of your entire, faithful deportment, presumeth it will not be vexatious unto you, to be put in remembrance of such truth, as ye well know, and are established in: Which remembred, and made use of, may become serviceable in this time of need. Be pleased therefore, to take notice and observe these few hints.
Government being a goodly and honorable Ordinance of God, instituted for the Weal of all Nations, and humane Societies, in the latitude of the fifth Commandment, and first of the second Table of the Decalogue; yet the constituting, and exercising of it for its kinde, whether supream or subordinate, seemeth in the Scripture language to be an humane Ordinance or Creature, even as right reason may dictate, and sway any society, to choose and comply withal, according as divine providence, and effectual ordering, and permission, may be discerned; when the state and condition of occurrences requireth a new moulding and fashioning, as sometimes it doth, see 1 Pet. 2. 13, 14. compared with 2 Sam. 5. 1, 2, 3. 1 Kings 12. 1, 15, 20, 24. Hushai his speech (who was a great Counsellor of State) seemeth to be a reasonable and just political Maxime; viz. Whom the Lord, and his people, and all the men of Israel chuse (to be supream) his will I be, and with him will I abide, see 2 Sam. 16. 18. And to say nothing what humane writings tell us, touching political Government in its kindes or species; as likewise, touching their rules given in the main of them practicable in any kinde of lawful policy; whether it be Monarchical, Aristocratical, Democratical, or mixt of these. Nor yet to say nothing of Church Government, by Presbyteries and Synods, in any Common-wealth, as being directed unto, in the Word of God; and is therefore unchangeable (de jure) in the substantials of it, in all ages and times of the Church. That which is to be remembred and taken notice of, is touching Political Government of Common-wealths; which according to the divine story in Scripture, written for our learning, Rom. 15. 4. hath been variously changeable, in various ages and periods of times. viz. From Adam to Moses, it was in one kinde, even by Patriarks; from Moses to Samuel, it was in other kindes, even by Moses, Joshua, Elders, Heads of Tribes, and Judges; from Samuel, until the Captivities of Israel and Iudah, it was again in other kindes, even by Kings, variously promoted unto the Government by Gods designe, viz. Either elected by the people, or by descent approved amongst the people, or by conquests; from the return of the Jewish captivity, until new Testament times, it was yet in other kindes, even by Princes, Governors, Captains, or Roman Deputies; and the same judicial, penal Laws, of divine institution and enacting, did equally and respectively serve in one kinde of Government, as well as another; for the preservation of life, livelihood, and liberty, in a due way of administration. So that such passages of Scripture, well observed and remembred, it may seem, That our Lord Christ is no more a friend to Monarchical Government, then to Aristocratical, or Democratical, or mixt of any of these. Moreover, let it also be remembred, That after the return from the captivity, when preceding Monarchy had ceased (and yet Jacobs Prophetical prediction failed not, Gen. 49. 10.) and the Government was changed through divine dispensation of times and seasons which the Father hath put in his own power; yet such after-Government, did flourish and prosper greatly: And although the external pomp and splendor of the Common-wealth was not in all things so illustrious, as formerly at some times; by how much a deficiency was of some special means and accommodations, as had been for the structure of Solomons Temple, and magnificent Kingly Palaces, &c. Yet the latter condition, both of the Temple re-edified, and Common-wealths posture, wanted not altogether their glory and encouragements; yea, and in that which was most considerable, even spiritual dignity, and welfare; it had the preference and preeminence, see Hag. 2. 7, 8, 9. True it is, when strange and sudden changes do happen in the state of Nations; it is no great marvel, if mens spirits be much moved, and greatly troubled. If the good and grave Prophet Samuel, did mourn for King Saul in such sort, as he did (and yet God himself did therefore reprove him, see 1 Sam. 16. 1.) yea, when he was rejected from being King, for his disobeying God, and governing the people unworthily: It is the less to be wondred at, if the Scots, after a succession of 107 Kings, a total eclipse ensuing, or like to ensue, should be exceedingly moved in their mindes. But however it may be, may not the same reproof and complaint be applyed to them, as was to Samuel for his mourning for Saul? when now a door of hope, as it were in the valley of Achor, is opened for the taking away of the offender and troubler of Israel, for the better fruition of just freedom. Sirs, ye are not ignorant what pressures and oppressions have been on your Nation, from sundry tyrannical persons, from generation to generation, whatever garnishing is now adays of pretended, glorious, Kingly remembrances among you. But for brevity sake, as the concernments have been latest, and therefore more sensibly affecting, mention shall be onelyonly made of King Iames, and King Charls his son, principled by his Father, treading in his steps, and in some things, doing worse then all that were before him, as was said of King Ahab, see 1 Kings 16. 30, &c. It seemeth therefore, it is now high time for you to call to remembrance those former days, in which ye endured a great fight of afflictions. First through King Iames his tyrannical oppressions, who was the notorious Covenant breaker, as your frequent sighing and groaning complaints, both in publiks and private, have spoken in the ears of the Lord, and of his people; and he who did rend in sunder the Kirk of Scotland, as in his nonage, in a sullen and peevish fume, he rent of his Hanks head; even as his Tutor G. Buckanan on that occasion, and throughly acquainted with his untoward disposition, sagaciously presaged. So wilt thou rend the Kirk of Scotland. The precious names of Master Andrew Melvin, Master David Chalderwood, Mr. John Sharp, and many, many other glorious Confessors; together with the infamous Articles enacted at the pretended Assembly at Perth, 1618. do give full and pregnant evidence hereunto: Besides, the havock made of the Ministry of many, many hundred Worthies of the Lord in England. Secondly, through King Charls his oppressing and vexing tyranny, who fiercely assayed at the time of his Coronation in Edinburg, 1633. the introducing of spiritually poysonous means, for prevailing of Hierarchy, and superstitious Conformity, not so fully taking place there, as in England; howbeit, he was at that time repulsed therein; the Parliament at that time suffering aborsion. But his expectation being disappointed, and many Common-prayer Books, and other English superstitious utensils drowned, and himself in greater danger of drowning also; he returned into England full of rage and fury, posting with great hast, even in four hours space from Berwick to Newcastle, which is fifty long miles; where assoon as he came, his breathing himself was, in breathing out in a cursing way, threatning, and persecution, to the true religious Ministery; not onelyonly not conforming to Hierarchy, but conforming also, if any whit zealous Preachers, both in England and Scotland; as some of Newcastle being present, did with grief of heart, report unto their friends. Ever after which time, he either by open hostility, or by subtil undermining imposture pursued that his malicious designe (as many woful instances might be mentioned, if need required) until when, there was no remedy, the sword of justice drawn out in England for his blood-gueltiness, gave a stop to the swift and violent torrent of blood, issuing from many many thousands of English, Irish, and Scots, which had cryed in the ears of the Lord of hosts for vengeance. And O that your remembring hereof, may be more and more effectual unto you, for your hearing the rod, and who hath appointed it for giving instruction; if probably, ye may escape the danger of a giantly generation; and if after such threatning storms, ye may safely arrive in the Harbor of wel-grounded Peace. To this end, observing the Lords proceedings, alluded unto Ezek 21. 25, 26. above mentioned, compared with Mal. 2. 12. Ye may do well to serve Gods providence in the use of means, in becoming followers of our English Parliament, and in walking so, as ye have them for an ensample, who have also had the united Netherlands, in casting of the Spanish tyrannical yoke, for their example in obtaining freedom: A course approved and justified throughout all the Reformed Churches in Europe, contributed unto from the first, all along by the English, to this day in a special maner. And as touching the sound mindes of the Orthodox Theologues, expressing their sense of Scripture, according to Scripture: It is presumed, that ye do certainly like well what venerable Master Knox, and others heretofore, and of late of your own Countrey, have suggested and published, touching the lawful warrantableness of present necessary undertakings; besides, what forraign Professors of Divlnity have written, and commended to the Christian world. Let the judgment of judicious and faithful D. Paraeus, in stead of many, suffice for instance, who was a man of God, highly reverenced and accepted in the Reformed Churches of Christ, and was evidenced, as otherwise by his learned and pious Commentaries; so by his Letters, and advice, inserted in the Acts of the Synod of Dort, 1618. touching the five controverted Articles, debated and determined there; however, his most approved and learned Exposition on the Epist. to Rom. suffered Martyrdom in England, being burnt at London, and elsewhere, by the tyrannical persecution of King Iames, for its opposing tyranny. This worthy man in his way of resolving doubts on Rom. 13. touching civil Anthority, in a second Proposition there, hath five Reasons; the last whereof in special, from sacred examples and others, speaks fully in vindication of our matter in hand, whether the Reader is referred to see further.
Object. Buy whereas it is vehemently objected by your Nations Commissioners, in their Papers, and otherwise represented to our Parliament; and likewise it is suggested by your Correspondents of London Province, in a little Pamphlet stiled, A Vindication of the Ministers of the Gospel, in, and about London, subscribed with divers names, as if they had promoted the bringing of the King to justice, (do they not blush in so speaking?) The purport whereof is, As if an unlawful and unjust course was used for the doing of justice, and judgment on the King (notwithstanding all the blood guiltiness, which by you and them, was charged on him, and most substantially by witnesses evidenced, for the more compleat satisfaction of his Judges; which proof also, had been publikely managed, had he pleased to answer to the Charge.) And as if thereby likewise there were a notorious breach of the Solemn League and Covenant. Will ye be pleased to weigh and consider, what is offered to your view in the short ensuing Answer, tending to satisfaction and resolution.
Answ. 1. Be it known unto the Objecters, whether Scots, or English, that at least some of the prime promoters, endevorers, and contributers unto the doing of justice and judgment on the capital Delinquent, and Delinquents; are persons truely fearing God, exercising themselves, to have always consciences voyd of offence, towards God and men; partaking in their measure, of all the properties and marks of true Church members, asserted in Psal. 15. And who have not forgotten God, nor delt falsly in his Covenant; so that whatever cometh on them, they will not, they may not suffer their integrity to be taken from them.
2. Let all men know whoever they are, That Ministers of the Gospel, and people professing the Gospel, fearing God, have not been wont to esteem it, nor yet do think it any disparagement at all, to be zealous with a perfect zeal, against the crying sin of blood-guiltiness. Doth not the Moral Law expresly prohibit murther? And doth not the Iudicial Law expresly direct unto the satisfactory expiation thereof, by putting to death the blood-guilty? And is not Gods controversie with a Land, defiled with blood, … judgment be executed? Blood-guilty King Saul left unto himself, and doing execution on himself, 1 Sam. 31. 4. Had he been alive when inquisition was made for blood, by occasion of a three yeers famine; he ought to have been put to death, as well as those of his bloody house were, because of his sinister zeal in slaying his servile subjects the Gibconites, see 2 Sam. 21. 1, 2, 6. David for his blood-guiltiness, in the exposing Uriah to the sword of the Ammonites, deserved death; his own mouth conscientiously passing sentence: however, the One absolute Lawgiver, who might do what he pleased, according to the full Soveraignty of his own Will, exchanged his death for his childes at that time, see 2 Sam. 12. 5, 12, 13. All this the Objectors do know well enough, howbeit, they are someway transported to elude herein. Non tutum est ludere sacris. Cavete.
3. It is taken for granted, That the contrivers, urgers, and takers of the Solemn League and Covenant, did mean, endevor, and act, according to the sacred conditions of an Oath, prescribed in Jerem. 4 2. Thou shalt swear, The Lord liveth in Truth, in Iudgment, and in Righteousness. If otherwise, it is a taking of Gods Name in vain. An Oath may not be [vinculum iniquitatis] an obligation to sin. This plea the defendants have against the plaintiffs.
4. In the preamble unto the taking of it, it is expressed, That the end of the Covenant (as a last refuge) was the preservation of the takers of it, and their Religion from utter ruine and destruction. So that the six particular Articles of it, were intended and pretended to have a tendency to such an end, and not otherwise. Now such hath been the end, and hereunto have served the means of the defendants in this case. Let the adversaries judg, if otherwise apparent.
5. In the Parliaments Order of Septemb. 25. 1643. about the taking of it. It is required, That the Ministers who were appointed to tender it, should read it, and then explain it, and then perswade to the taking of it. This Order seemeth to imply, not onelyonly a necessity of the explaining of it, but also a requisitness in so taking of it, as explained in its just sense, and latitude, and end, and not otherwise And this also is the plea of the Covenanters, honestly and uprightly disposed; as all must needs acknowledg.
6. Whereas the title prefixed unto the Covenant, is, A Solemn League and Covenant, for Reformation and defence of Religion, the honor and happiness of the King, and the Peace, and Safety of the three Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland. The explanation must needs be, That such Reformation and defence, ought to be prosecuted, in lawful and just ways, and means, for the accomplishment thereof, and not otherwise. And in this sense, no doubt the faithful Covenanters have taken it.
7. It must needs be understood rationally, That the course for the due accomplishing of what is in the title, or more full expression of the six Articles of it, ought to have their mutual consistency, without any prejudice to any of the particulars; whether they be absolute, or conditional onelyonly; whether they be primary, or subservient onelyonly. Our Lord Christs vindicating of his Disciples, touching the keeping of the Sabbath, against the calumnies and exceptions of the Pharisees, see Matth. 12. 1, 2, 9. may vindicate the objected against, in the case in hand.
8. Touching the endevor Covenanted in the first and second Articles, it is charitably hoped, That all the takers of it, have complied therein, more or less, according to their calling, capacity, and opportunity thereunto. Every one standeth or falleth to his own master; howbeit, it is most probably conjectured, That such Parliamenteers, and their adherents, who voted against the Concessions of the King, in the treaty at Newport, in reference to Religion and Covenant, as no just ground and foundation for a good Peace; argued thereby much faithfulness to the Covenant. Ye your selves acknowledg, Testim. against Tol. pag. 12, That those Concessions, if acquiesced in, were dangerous, and destructive, both to Religion and Covenant.
9. The third Article of the Covenant, in the first branch of it, touching, Endevor mutually to preserve the Rights and Priviledges of the Parliaments, and Liberties of the Kingdoms, must be understood of known and just Rights, and Priviledges, and Liberties; otherwise, there must needs be a transgression of the Rules prescribed above mentioned, see Iere. 4. 2. Answ. 3.
10. Touching the second branch of the third Article, viz. To defend and preserve the Kings person, and authority, in the preservation, and defence of the true Religion, and Liberties of the Kingdoms; it is to be taken notice of, That this branch is propounded and taken conditionally, and with limitation, viz. With respects unto the ends specified. Supream or subordinate Authority is (custos utriusque tabutae) the Keeper of both Tables. Now as the Governors do act answerably to the just nature of their Offices, they ought to be honorably assisted and defended; but if they shall act contrarily, even tyrannically, then it may, and ought, be said, and done, unto them (as just means, and opportunity do serve thereunto) as Iehu said to Ioram, see 2 Kings 9. 22. 24. What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel, and her witchcrafts are so many? And Jehu drew a bowe, with his full strength, and smote Jchoram between his arms and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chair.
11. Whether the fourth Article of the Covenant, hath not been endevored by our Covenanting Parliament, and their adherents, for discovering Incendiaries, Malignants, and evil Instruments, whoever they have been, for the hindering Reformation of Religion, &c. contrary to the League and Covenant, and for the bringing them to publike tryal, and to receive condign punishment, as the degree of the offence deserveth. Let the lookers on, yea, and your own consciences judg.
12. Whether the fifth and sixth Articles of the Covenant, are not likest to be fulfilled, if ye shall do and approve, as our Parliament hath done, and doth: Let the Reader understand.
13. Lastly, Let the Apostolical retorsion be reverently observed, and made use of, viz. see Rom. 2. 13. Thou that makest thy boast of the Law, through breaking of the Law, dishonorest thou God? And likewise, the expostulation and conviction, used by Samuel against King Saul; who boasted of his performing Gods Commandment, in bringing the Delinquent Amalekites to condign punishment, when yet he had spared King Agag alive; so as he himself was necessitated to put him to death. O that that the mouths of unworthy complainants against miscensured Covenant breakers, who yet have not deit falsly in the Covenant, however calumniated, might hereby be stopped; and whereas in truth, such bitter complainants themselves, taking the Covenant in their mouths, are deep in the breach of it, &c.
The premisses duly weighed and considered, your faithful Remembrancer (observing your worthy and effectual Admonition, in your Seasonable Testimony against Toleration, to the secluded Members of Parliament, pag. 12 13. And he taking noticae, how gracious ye are, not onelyonly in the eyes of your Estates, and Ministers; but also in the eyes of very many in our Land) taketh encouragement and confidence, to stir you up, to exhort all those, in whose hearts ye are ingratiated, both in Scotland and England, to repent of miscarriage in any kinde, and degree, hitherto, and to set and prepare their hearts, fully to seek God, if yet every thing that doth offend, may be taken away; and that so the grand work of Reformation, both in Doctrine and Discipline, may be no longer obstructed, but that a great door and effectual may be opened, there being so many adversaries.
This is moved the rather, because friends do at least a little suspect; but enemies do strongly charge, the sometimes subscribing and conforming Hierarchical Ministers, in both Nations, in too great a generality of them, that whatsoever pretence may seem to be of their being Covenanters; as if they hankered still after Egypts garlick and flesh pots, under the deceiving and deluding notion of moderate Episcopacy: Sith there is such a tumultuous stir, because the Kings destructive Concessions were not accepted, nor he spared; whose expressions sounded to the last breath, Episcopacy, Episcopacy.
But to draw to a conclusion, Give your zealous Remembrancor leave, to represent in a word unto your affectionate, compassionate bowels of love to the brotherhood. What if your selves and brethren in Scotland, and by your advice, the Ministers of London Province (together with others in some Counties of this Nation, ambitious to tread in your and their steps) shall set all your hearts and hands, more and more, to understand and pursue, an holy and just way of brotherly peace, to be walked in, with those godly brethren that are otherwise minded, then your selves, in some lesser points of the Discipline, till God shall further reveal to them, whilst you that are perfect, do minde the same thing, and do endevor to walk by the same rule of Church-government, held forth in Scotland, and other Reformed Churches, and in our own Church now also? Behold how good, and how pleasant it is, for Brethren to dwell together in unity, see Psal. 133. 1.
Beloved Brethren, ye cannot be ignorant, That the Canaanite, and the Perizzite, even the Antichristian Papists, Prelatical Royalists, Malignant Hyppocrites, Blasphemous Hereticks, Pernicious Sectaries, and Prophane Atheists, are in these Lands, observing and making advantage of the strife betwixt holy Brethren; to harden themselves in sinful folly against Gods ways, and to consult and take crafty counsel against his people, his hidden ones in the Land, and to cut them off from being a people, that their name may be no more in remembrance. O that in this case, the children of faithful Abraham, would say as he did to his nephew Lot! We are Brethren; Let there be no strife between us nor between our Pastors. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the head of his Church, and their pattern; when he was in the days of his flesh, did suffer long and much those his Disciples that followed him in the regeneration; albeit, he did not indulge them in their infirmities, but reproved them sharply on occasion, for their dulness in understanding, and for their perversness, folly, and slowness of heart in beleeving; yet notwithstanding, he did not therefore reject them, but exercised wonderful patience towards them, instructing them with meekness, and all long-suffering, and doctrine: Yea, and he tells them, he gave them example, that they should do as he did.
My good Brethren of England and Scotland, do not count it grievous to be called on to remember your guides, who have spoken to you the Word of God, even those good old Non-Conformists to Hierarchy and Superstition, who ruled with God, and were faithful with the Saints, when Prelacy and the generality of the reputed Clergy compassed God with deceit, if ye may follow their faith; and being compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, ye may follow peace with holiness; without which, no man shall see the Lord. I shall produce for instance, two witnesses onelyonly, whom for their honors sake, I do make mention of, viz. Mr. Arthur Hildersam of England, and Mr. Alexander Henderson of Scotland, both of them of blessed memory. The one, namely Mr. Alexander Henderson of your own Nation, whose praise in the Gospel, hath been so great in the Churches abroad, and whose love so abounded at home, in all knowledg, and in all judgment, in the worst of times with you; and in special, his most prudent and unwearied acting in the Assembly of Divines at Westminster, in England, in a time of need, till preproperous death put a period to his days: I refer the reflecting of thoughts on him, to your selves, who abundantly knew the proof of him, with what natural love he served you in the Gospel. He was a burning and a shining light to walk by. Be ye followers of him, as he followed Christ, in walking in love. The other, namely Mr. Arthur Hildersam, of our English Nation; of him I chuse to speak in Mr. John Cotton of Boston his expression, in giving testimony, of him; for his singular worth, see Epist. prefixed to Lect. on John 4. He was like one of the chief of Davids Worthies; not amongst the thirty, but amongst the first three. This blessed man of God, as otherwise, and otherwhere, so in special in his Lect. 98. on John 4. August 27. 1611. handleth at large, and very effectually, (not with inticing words of mans wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power) the useful lesson for Gods people, viz. Not to reject or despise any childe of God, because of weaknesses, whether the infirmities be error of judgment, frowardness, pride, unthankfulness, slips in conversation, &c. Where he directeth likewise, unto the duties that are owing to them; and that there ought not to be a judging for difference in judgment in Church Controversies, nor an estranging in affection, nor a neglecting means of reclaiming, &c. and there prescribing also requisite remedies in this case, Vid. ibid. O therefore, that such stirring, useful inferences, from heavenly doctrine (by an Interpreter, one of a thousand) might cause our hearts to burn within us, and sway us to vow unto the mighty God of Jacob, not to enter into the Tabernacle of our house, nor go up unto our beds, nor give sleep unto our eyes, nor slumber to our eye-lids, until such time as some blessed expedient may be found, and observed, for establishing truth and peace amongst Brethren.
Now the Lord of peace himself, give England and Scotland peace always, by all means. Grace be with you all,
Amen.
Matth. 5. 9. Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God.
AN APPENDIX Humbly offered and submitted to the most faithful, prudent, and godly-zealous Patriots of the Honorable House of COMMONS, And of the English Nation, Tending to vindicate Some late actings and proceedings of the High Court of PARLIAMENT, and their puissant Army, for the promoting of blessed Iustice and lawful Liberty.
As also the alteration of set days of Humiliation, and appointing of occasional.
In certain short exemplary Observations, and present parallel applicatory Inferences grounded on some select Texts of Scripture.
1 Sam. 14. 36, 38, 39, 40, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48.
1 Sam. 15. 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 24, 32, 33.
2 Sam. 12. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14.
Zech. 7. 3, 5. and 8. 19.
Rom. 25. 4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope.
Psal. 119. 133. Order my steps in thy word, and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.