The Saints Declining State Under Gospel Administrations, Recommendation – Dedication
THe Saints are cloathed with the Sun, yet often under a Cloud. Their path is like the morning light, ſhining more and more unto the perfect day, yet they often decline. Cloudings are their affliction, and Declinings are their ſinne. To prevent or remedy either, is a great worke. Both are aimed at in this little Treatiſe: wherein the caſe of a Spirituall declenſion is diſtinctly ſtated, and the ſymptomes of it clearly repreſented. So that the Chriſtian Reader comparing his heart and life with this diſcourſe, may either praiſe God for his growth, or pray away his decayes in grace. Soul-declinings are too viſible among the Saints in England: And therefore I judge it ſeaſonable to make this or any faithfull Diſcovery and cure of them legible.
June 9. 1648. Joſeph Caril.
THE SAINTS Declining ſtate UNDER Goſpel Adminiſtrations. OR The caſe of Deſertion briefly ſtated in a few Conſiderations; with ſeveral Symptomes of the Saints Decreaſing and Declining in Spirituals. Very uſeful in theſe times, wherein there is much of Notion, and little of the Power of Godlineſs manifeſted. By William Troughten, Miniſter of the Goſpel, at Wanlep in Leiceſterſhire.
LONDON, Printed by J. M. for Livewell Chapman, at the Crowne in Popes-head Alley, MDCLII.
To his Excellency the Lord Fairfax, Generall of the Parliaments forces.
Noble Sir;
THE God of Armies hath done great things by you as an inſtrument, for the peace and ſecurity of his people in this bleeding Kingdome; I may ſpeak it (without flattery) that you are the glory of England, and ſo you will be ever eſteemed by all true Engliſh-men; your place is honourable; your birth is noble: but much more your ſpirit which God hath raiſed and fitted for great and honorable acheivements. When Saul was made King of Iſrael the Lord gave him a royall ſpirit fit for Kingly government; and ſurely when your EXCELLENCY was appointed Generall of the Parliaments Army; a fourefold portion of the ſpirit of wiſdome, courage, and meeknes, was poured out upon you; that you might be as bold as a lyon, and yet as meek as a lambe; which two excellent vertues have ſhined forth in your converſation.
The Lord hath given large teſtimony to your faithfulneſſe by many unparelled ſucceſſes, ſo that the Army under your EXCELLENCIES command ſince they were firſt modelt'd have not been fruſtrated in any warlike attempt; and however ſome diſcontented ſpirits that are engaged to a faction) cenſure your proceedings, yet I am confident there is no man that hath a drop of true Engliſh blood runing in his veines, or that hath a right underſtanding of the privileges of the ſubjects of England but will bleſſe God for you, and make an honorable mention of the very name of the Lord Farfax, and the army under his command.
You are yet on the ſtage, and many eyes are upon you; he that hath hitherto enabled you to play your part wiſely for the preſervation of three bleeding Kingdoms, will (I doubt not) in his own good time bring you off honourably, and all thoſe under your command that are acted by the ſame principles of publique intereſt.
Tis true (deare Sir) there are divers members of your Army (as there will be in ſuch a numerous body) that are ſlight-ſpirited and hold many heterodox and unſound opinions, which no ſober Chriſtian can approve of; yet this I can ſpeake (uppon mine owne certaine knowledge) That there is a pretious publique ſpirited people in your army; a people that mourn for the diviſions of the times; a people that ſeeke the glory of Chriſt and not their owne honour; a people that walke much with God and have a cloſe communion with bin; and who recount continually (with much thankfulneſſe) the ſweete providences and diſpenſations of God towards them and the whole Kingdome by them.
As for your Excellency. It hath pleaſed the Lord to try you ſeverall waies not only by the malitious ſlaunders of open adverſaries, and by your … weakneſſes; but alſo the unChriſtian and ungratful cenſurings of pretended friends: and of theſe their are two ſorts (i) thoſe that are riged in their opinions and practice touching, Church goverment, and (2) another ſort who are or were lately members of your army that pretend to be above formes, and to have an extraordinary knowledge of divine miſteries but to ſpeake the truth, they are low and carnall and diſobedient to lawfull authority both civill and martiall: and indeed the power of our good God hath wonderfully appeared, in carying you through theſe great temptations and difficulties with much ſettleneſſe and chearfullneſſe of ſpirit: If the Lord had not been on your ſide (may you ſay) you bad been ſwallowed up ere this; and the proſperity, and happineſſe of three Kingdomes in you: Let the Lord have the glory of this, as hee hath had of his other mercies from your Excellency.
Sir, I am bold to tender this little treatiſe to your Excellency: if I did not look on you as humble and ſpirituall, I ſhould not preſent it to you, for it is not ſutable to the wiſdome and greatneſſe of the world, but to the experience of humble Saints; with whoſe hidden priviledges and comforts (I doubt not) you are well acquainted. Now the Lord ſtabliſh you in the truth, and bleſſe you and yours with all ſpirituall and heavenly bleſsings in Chriſt.
Your EXCELL. humbl: and faithfull ſervant W. T.