God in the Mount, Treatise · Floating text 8 – Floating text 11

God in the Mount · Treatise · Floating text 8 – Floating text 11

p. 72Januarie, 17^th, being Munday, 1641.

A Declaration of the Houſe of Commons, touching a late breach of their Priviledges, ſet forth by themſelves.

VVHereas the Chambers, Studies, and Truncks of Mr Denzill Hollis, Sir Arthur Haſlerigg, Mr John Pim, Mr John The great deſigne of Ian. 4. 1641. exactly deſcribed.Hampden, and Mr William Strode, Eſquires, Members of the Houſe of Commons, upon Munday, the third of Januarie, 1641. by colour of his Majeſties Warrant, have been ſealed-up by Sir William Killigrew, and Sir William Flemen, and others, which is not onelyonly against the priviledge of Parliament, but the common liberty of every A Serjeant at Arms ſent from the King to apprehend the five Gentlemen accuſed of high treaſon.Subject. Which ſaid Members, afterward, the ſame day, were, under the like colour, by Serjeant Francis, one of his Majesties Serjeants at Arms, contrary to all former preſidents, demanded of the Speaker, ſitting in the Houſe of Commons, to be delivered to him that he might arrest them of high Treaſon. And whereas, afterward, the next day (being the 4^th of Januar. 1641.) his Majestie in his royall perſon came to the ſaid Houſe, attended with a great multitude of armed The King himſelf went to the Parliament with 500 attendants Papiſts & others.men in war-like manner, to the number of about five hundred, both Souldiers, Papists and others, all of them armed, with ſwords, and Piſtols, and other weapons, who all came up to the very doore of the Houſe, and placed themſelves there, and in other parts and paſſages neer to the ſaid Houſe, and divers of them preſſing to the doore of the ſaid Houſe, thrust away the doore-keepers, and placed themſelves between the ſaid doore and the ordinarie attendants of his Majestie, The Souldiers demeanour about the Parliament-door.holding up their ſwords, and ſome holding up their piſtols ready cock'd, neer the ſaid doore, and ſaying, I am a good marks-man, I can hit right I warrant you, and they not ſuffering the ſaid doore (according to the custome of Parliament) to be ſhut, but ſaid they would have the doore open; and if any oppoſition were against them, they made no question, but they ſhould make their partie good, and that they would maintain their partie; And, whenſoever any Members of the Houſe of Commons were coming into the Houſe, their attendants deſiring that room might be made for them, ſome of the ſaid Souldiers anſwered, p. 73A Pox of God confound them: and others ſaid, A Pox take the The Souldiers moſt audacious and accurſed ſpeeches.Houſe of Commons, let them come and be hang'd, What adoe is here with the Houſe of Commons. And ſome of the ſaid Souldiers did likewiſe violently aſſault, and by force diſarm, ſome of the attendants and ſervants of the Members of the Houſe of Commons, waiting in The Parliament attendants and Servants about the doore diſarmed by force.the room, next the ſaid door, and upon the Kings return out of the ſaid Houſe, many of them by wicked oaths, and otherwiſe, expreſſed much diſcontent that thoſe Members of the Houſe (for whom they came) were not there; And others of them ſaid, When comes the word? but no word was yet given. As they thus ſtood without, at the door, to the great terrour and disturbance of all the Members then ſitting, and according to their dutie in a peaceable and orderly manner treating of the great affairs of England and Ireland, and his Majestie having The King placed himſelf in the Speaker of the Parliaments chair.placed himſelf in the Speakers chair, he demanded of them the perſons of the ſaid Members to be delivered unto him, which is a high breach of the rights and priviledges of Parliament, and inconſistent with the liberties and freedom thereof. But the King not finding thoſe foreſaid Members, whom he came for, in the Houſe (for they The plot bleſſedly croſt by the abſence of the gentlemen.were purpoſely abſent, with the conſent of the Houſe on ſtrong ſuſpition of the ſaid intended event) as he expected; thereupon, he roſe out of the Speakers chair, and departed from them without any farther The King departed out of the Parliamentmolestation; whereupon, the Souldiers and Cavaliers at the door, ſeeing the King coming forth, cried out, a lane, a lane, and ſo went all away. After which, ſome of them being demanded what they thought the ſaid companie intended to have done; anſwered, That, questionleſſe, The main intention of this great & grievous deſigne.in the posture they were ſet, if the word had been given, they ſhould have fallen upon the Houſe of Commons and have cut all their throats (horreſco referens; Quis enim talia fando, temperet à lachrimis.) All this being fully proved to be most true, upon ſeverall examinations taken the ſame Januarie the 7^th, before a Committee, then appointed by the Houſe of Commons to ſit in London. In which A Proclamation publiſhed at Weſtm. againſt thoſe Parliament-Worthies.interim, a printed paper, in the form of a Proclamation, bearing date, the 6^th of Jan. 1641. iſſued out, at Weſtminster, or Whitehall; for the apprehending and impriſoning of them, therein ſuggesting that through the conſcience of their own guilt, they were abſent and fled; not willing to ſubmit themſelves to justice. The Parliament did therefore declare, that the ſaid printed paper is falſe, ſcandalous and Voted to be a ſcandalous & illegall paper.illegall, and that notwithſtanding the ſaid printed paper, or any Warrant iſſued out, or any other matter yet appearing againſt them, or p. 74any of them, they may and ought to attend the ſervice of the ſaid Thoſe worthy gentlemen juſtified by the Parliament.Houſe of Commons, and the ſeverall Committees now on foot. And we do further declare, that the publiſhing of ſeverall Articles purpourting a form of a charge of high treaſon againſt the Lord Kimbolton, one of the Members of the Lords Houſe, and against the ſaid Mr Hollis, Sir Ar. Haſlerigg, Mr Pym, Mr Hampden, and Mr Strode, by Sir Will. Killigrew, Sir Will. Flemen, and others in the Innes of Court and elſe-where, in the Kings name, was a high breach of the priviledge of Parliament, a great ſcandall to his Majestie and his government, a ſeditious act manifestly tending to the ſubverſion of the peace of the Kingdom, and an injurie and diſhonour to the ſaid Members, there being no legall charge or accuſation against them.

A brief congratulatory for Gods merciemercy in this their ſo great a deliverance.Recollect now then (good Chriſtian Reader) thy ſad and ſerious thoughts, and muſter-up thy moſt exquiſite meditations on this ſo ponderous and weightie a paſſage of Gods admirable providence, and protection of his own parliamentarie-Worthies (for ſo, me thinks, I may fitly call and count them) and tell me whether God was not wonderfully ſeen here in the Mount of ſtraits, to turn it (in a moment) to a Mount of deliverance to his faithfull Servants; yea, and in them, to the whole Kingdom? whoſe weal or woe (as we all are or ought to be moſt ſenſible) was wrapt-up in them, being the repreſentative Bodie thereof; And when thou haſt fully and feelingly recogitated and ruminated on this exuberant parliamentarie-merciemercy, tell me, I pray thee, whether thou and I and all true Engliſh-hearts have not moſt redundan… reaſon and copious occaſion with bleſſed Moſes, a little before his death (and dying mens words ought to make deep impreſſion of credence Deut. 33. 26, 27.Deut 33:26Deut 33:27in our hearts) to confeſſe and acknowledge, That there is none like unto the God of Jeſurum, who rideth upon the heavens in the help of his beloved-ones, and in his excellencie on the skie. The eternall God is their refuge, and underneath them are his everlasting armes, Pſal. 109. 27, 28.Ps 109:27Ps 109:28and he ſhall thruſt their enemies before them. And they ſhall know that it was thy hand (O Lord) and that thou onelyonly haſt done it; and that though they have curſed, yet thou haſt bleſſed, and that when they aroſe thou mad'st them aſham'd, but haſt cauſed thy ſervants to rejoyce. Exod. 19. 4.Exod 19:4Yea and haſt carried them on Eagles wings (far and free from danger) and haſt brought and placed them neer to thy ſelf. Yea, I ſay, again, now, if ever, thoſe noble and renowned parliamentarie-Worthies p. 75found that of Solomon moſt true. That the Name of the Lord is a ſtrong towre: the righteous run into it, and are ſafe. To conclude this, therefore, let the gratefull and gracious conſideration of this ſo great a deliverance cauſe me and thee, and them all whom it ſo neerly and peculiarly concerns, to break-out, with holy David, that ſacred and ſugred Singer of Iſrael, and to ſay, O give thanks unto the Lord, and call continually upon his Name. Sing Pſal. 105. 1, 2, ….Ps 105:1Ps 105:2unto him, O ſing Pſalms to his great Name, and talk of all the wondrous works which he hath done, and all the glorious judgements of his mouth.

The Parliament adjourned and turn'd into a Grand-Committee at London in the Grocers▪Hall.Now after this ſo terrible affront and diſturbant affright to the Parliament, it pleaſed thoſe pious and prudent Worthies of both Houſes for a ſpace to adjourn their ſitting at Westminster, and to turn Both-Houſes into a grand Committee, and for their greater ſafetie and aſſurance from Popiſh-plots and combinations, to ſit in the Citie of London, in the Grocers-Hall. Where, by Gods merciemercy and moſt ſafe protection they were moſt cheerfully guarded every day by the train'd-Bands of the Citie, and extraordinarie lovingly entertained, and moſt reſpectively uſed according to the high merit of their worth and work, and unto theirs and our high content and ſingular comfort.

The Miniſters of London petition the Parliament for an Aſſembly and a monethly Faſt.In which interim of their ſitting in London, very many of the well-affected and faithfull Ministers of London unanimouſly petitioned the Parliament, both for choice of an Aſſembly for ſetling Church-diſcipline, and for the ordering of a Monethly faſt throughout the whole Kingdom, untill the diſtreſſes of Ireland and the diſtractions of England were by Gods merciemercy graciouſly quieted and compoſed. Which petition of theirs in both thoſe materiall branches thereof, was moſt favourably entertained by the Parliament, and received a deſired anſwer; the Aſſembly of Divines being now by vote in Parliament fully reſolved on, and all An aſſembly of Miniſters reſolved on in Parliament.of them nominated for all the Counties throughout the Kingdom for their adviſe to the Parliament for ſetling and ordering the pure worſhip of our God, and true Apoſtolicall diſcipline; Wherein, the Lord grant they may all be as meek-hearted▪ gracious, and faithfull as holy Moſes was, to do nothing therein (no not in the leaſt particular thereof, eſpecially in Gods worſhip) but moſt punctually according to the pattern of the Apoſtles practiſe and precepts, no queſtion fully and ſufficiently to be p. 76A monethly Faſt proclaimed all over the Kingdom.found in Gods Word. The Monethly faſt alſo was ſpeedily put in practiſe all over the Kingdom, which being as it were a ſpirituall Militia (as a reverend and learned Divine of our Citie calls it, moſt properly) puts the Kingdom into a ſpirituall posture of a God-pleaſing holy warfare (if religiouſly kept both for ſin and from ſin) that we may, as it were, even fight and contend with God by prayers and tears, by ſighs and groans, as good Jacob was ſaid thus to wrastle with God, yea and may be prevailers with God for a bleſſing on our Land, our King and Parliament, Church and State, and thus alſo at length, may prevail with men, even againſt all the enemies of our peace and proſperitie both domeſtick and forrein. Domeſtick, I mean our imbred ſins, baſe luſts, and corruptions; Forrein, that is, treacherous projectors, and clandestine malignant emulatours of our happineſſe both at home and abroad. And are not here two parliamentarie-mercies more of moſt high concernment; and ſuch as give us ſtrong and irrefragable Rom. 8. 31.Rom 8:31aſſurance that God is with us, and will be with us (if they be rightly and religiouſly managed) and then we need not fear who is 2 King. 6. 16, 17.2 Kgs 6:162 Kgs 6:17against us. Yea, then (as the Prophet ſaid) They are moe that are with us than thoſe that be for our enemies. Yea, even the Lords legions of chariots and horſemen of fire round about us, to defend us, and to conſume them. Whereby we may even alreadie triumph and exult with pious Paul, and truly ſay, Thanks be unto God who 1 Cor. 15. 57.1 Cor 15:57hath given us victory; yea and made us more than conquerors through Christ, in whom he hath freely loved us. But to proceed.

In this time alſo of the Parliaments ſitting in London by a grand-Committee of both Houſes, the ſtout-hearted and well-minded Ship-maſters and Marriners to ſhew their love and loyaltie to the King and Parliament, exhibited their Petition to the grand Ship-maſters and Sea-men petition the Parliament, and proffer their ſervice to it on all occaſions.Committee, and therewith alſo their votes and deſires full of courage and candor to ſerve his Majestie and the Parliament to the utmoſt of their power; which their readineſſe and cheerfulneſſe, therein, was moſt lovingly regarded, both by the Lords and Commons, and ſhortly after a fair and fit occaſion was offered to make uſe of their love and ſervice therein, which they moſt really manifeſted to the full, as now you ſhall hear.

The time being now expired, and the laſt day of the Parliaments Tueſday, Ian▪ 11. 1641.adjourning from Westminster being now come, Jan. the 11. 1641. being Teuſday, and their just jealouſies and fears being p. 77many and great, eſpecially by that ſo late high breach of priviledges of Parliament, mentioned, Jan. the 4^rh, and our Worthies, now, of neceſſity to return to Westminster, the noble and renowned City of London moſt cheerfully and voluntarily proffered their beſt ſervice and abilities to attend and guard them by land to the Parliament at Weſtminster, and by Gods aſſiſtance to ſecure them from danger all the way by land, to which purpoſe the City Captains had commanded their train'd-bands and Officers Our Parliament-Worthies moſt bravely attended to Weſtm. by land.at armes to prepare themſelves thereunto, and their Muſketteirs with powder and bullets, and pikemen with gliſtering arms, which was performed in a most gallant and martiall manner; and thus our parliamentarie noble, grave Senatours both Lords and Commons were in their coaches ſafely (by Gods merciemercy) conducted and attended to the Parliament by land. By water alſo the And by water.ſame day, the ſtout and couragious Ship-maſters and Marriners had ſuddenly and moſt bravely made ready a great number of long-boats and ſuch like veſſels furniſhed with peices of Ordnance, Muskets, and other Sea war-like inſtruments, their veſſels alſo A brief deſcription of the brave carriage of the Souldiers and Sea men by land and water.gallantly adorned with flags and ſtreamers, together with Martiall-muſick, Drums and Trumpets; ſo as it was a moſt admirable rare ſight to ſee and hear their carriage all along, and when they came to Whitehall and the Parliament Houſes, and underſtood that the parliament-Worthies were ſafely there arrived. O how bravely did the train'd-bands by land, make their thick and quick volleys of ſhot eccho in the ayre, and the valiant Sea-men let flie their thund'ring ſhot both great and ſmall by water, their trumpets ſounding, and their Drums beating in ſuch a triumphant and congratulating manner, as could not poſſibly, but ſtrike-dead with terrour, amazement, and vexation the hearts of the Popiſh, prelaticall Terror to the malignant partie; But joy and comfort to the godly.and malignant partie, that either ſaw or heard it, or heard of it, but contrariwiſe, as muſt needs extraordinarily exhilarate and rejoyce all the loyall and honeſt hearts of Gods people that beheld it, or heard of it. And as this was a ſingular teſtimonie of the cordiall affections of the Citie and Sea-men, and highly advancing the glory of God, who thus put into their hearts to expreſſe their faithfulneſſe and thankfulneſſe to God, our King, and the Parliament, The legality of the acts aforeſaid by land & water.under whom, and by whom, we enjoy the Goſpel of peace and peace of the Goſpel, in ſuch rare and fair tranquillitie and ſerenitie above all Nations in the world. And for the ratification p. 78of all this to be warrantable and legall to be done; I have thought fit here to inſert the Vote of the Parliament publiſhed by their authority.

Ian. 8^th, 1641.

At the Committee of the Houſe of Commons appointed to ſit in London to conſider of the ſafety of the Kingdom and Citie of London, and of vindicating the priviledges of Parliament.

Reſolved upon the Queſtion.

THat the actions of the Citizens of London, or of any other perſon whatſoever, for the defence of the Parliament, or of the priviledges thereof, or the preſervation of the Members thereof, are according to their dutie, and to their late Proteſtation and the Laws of this Kingdom. And if any perſon ſhall arrest or trouble any of them for ſo doing, he is declared to be a publike enemie of the Common-wealth.

Reſolved upon the Question.

That this Vote ſhall be made known to the Common-Councill of the City of London.

Nay, yet to make the beautie and brightneſſe of that foreſaid Tewſdayes ſunſhine of comfort, yet more glorious to our eyes and Buckinghamſhire men came riding into the City, to petition the Parliament.hearts; That very ſame 11^th of Jan. I ſay, being Tewſday, came a numerous multitude of Buckinghamſhire men, both Gentleman, Ministers, and others of that County, on horſ-back, in very fair and orderly manner with the Protestation in their hats and hands, partly in the behalf of the moſt worthie Knight of their Shire in Parliament, Mr Hampden, but eſpecially to petition the Parliament for the reformation of evils in Church and State, the juſt puniſhment of Delinquents, the timely relief of Ireland, the ſweet and harmonious concurrence of both Houſes againſt Eſſex, Hartford and other Counties come to London in great multitudes to petition the Parliament.all ſiniſter obstructions, and the expulſion of Prelates and Popiſh▪Lords out of the Parliament, and to aſſure their beſt ſervices and aſſiſtance to the King and Parliament, on all juſt occaſions. And ſince which time, even immediately after, mightie multitudes out of Eſſex, divers thouſands out of Hartford-ſhire, Barkshire, Surrey, and other Counties of the Kingdom; in brief, from all Shires and Counties of the whole Realm, came ſtill one after another p. 79to London, to exhibite their petitions to the Parliament in the cauſes aforeſaid, from all parts ſwimming in one ſtream of affections and petitions, all having one deſire, all, I ſay, as one man unanimouſly conſenting in this one thing, namely, a ſerious and ſetled reſolution to petition and pray a ſpeedie refining and reforming of perſons and things amiſſe among us.

God on the Mount.And was not the Lord Jehovah ſeen in this rare Mount of Meries alſo? Thus to knit the hearts of the people together ſo far diſtant in habitations from one another, according to that faithfull promiſe of his mentioned by the Prophet. I will give Ier. 32. 39.Jer 32:39them one heart, and one way, ſaith the Lord, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them and of their children after them. And now, good Reader, take thankfull notice and cognizance, to the everlaſting praiſe and glorie of the Lord, the onelyonly God that hears prayers, and grants gracious returns unto them in his due The Biſhops are quite voted out of the Parliament for voice and place.time, that upon theſe confluences of unanimous deſires of the Kingdom from all parts thereof the Biſhops were voted againſt from having any intermedling with temporall affairs and dignities, and ſo uncapable of votes in Parliament, it having pleaſed the Lord our moſt wiſe God, firſt to catch them in their own nooz, to entangle them in their own ſnare whereby their perſons were (even by themſelves) firſt ſequeſtred from the Parliament by Law, they being faſt locked up in priſon in the Tower▪ For, on Febr. 5. 1641. the noble Houſe of Commons paſt a Bill (nemine contradicenti) againſt their having any vote in Parliament, which being ſent to the renowned Houſe of Lords▪ thoſe prudent Peers mended the ſaid Bill and added, that they ſhould The Houſe of Lords make the Bill againſt the Biſhops moſt full of comfort to us all.have no ſeat or place neither, as well as no voice or ſuffrage among thm, which was moſt gratefully entertained by the Commons with particular thanks to the Lords for their wiſdom and love therein to the Common-wealth; and ſo it paſt again moſt currently with them, and being now return'd to the Lords, it paſt clearly among them alſo immediately. And thus on that happie fifth of February, was the Church of God moſt mercifully freed of that peſtilentiall diſeaſe wherewith it had long been infected and infested, namely, the Antichriſtian tyranny of our Engliſh Prelates by reaſon of their princely pomp and lordly dignities, and familiar intermedling and tampering in temporall affairs to the continuall provocation of the wrath of p. 80Matth. 20. 26.Matt 20:26God, and the derogatorie diſhonour of Chriſts will and preſcript pleaſure in their miniſteriall function. It ſhall not be ſo with you. Note this.And now let the godly Reader, here ſee and conſider the admirable equitie and juſtice of our wiſe and moſt holy God, meeting Biſhops, who had no heart nor voice for Chriſt, have, now, no voice nor place for themſelves in Parliament. 2 Chron 21. 20 Note this alſo.2 Chr 21:20them full in their own wayes and works. They, who being Lords and Barons (forſooth) in that high Court of Parliament, yet could ſeldome or never find a heart or voice for Chriſt and religion, but freqently againſt Chriſt in his holy members, and againſt the power and purity of religion; have, now (moſt juſtly) no voice or place in Parliament to help themſelves, but are thruſt out, as men not deſired, like that wicked King Jehoram, who departed this life, without being deſired. And take this note alſo, by the way, before we leave them; That, they, who in themſelves and predeceſſors (ever ſince the time of glimmering reformation Non-ſubſcription ſilenced many godly Miniſters: now their ſubſcription hath impriſoned and almoſt unbiſhoped our proud Prelates. Prov. 5. 22.Prov 5:22even in Queen Elizabeths dayes of ever bleſſed memorie, to this very time, all along, without intermiſſion) had ſilenced, ſuſpended, impriſoned, and impoveriſhed many hundreds, if not thouſands, of holy, painfull and profitable Preachers for Non-ſubſcription; have now, by an act of ſubſcription, impriſoned themſelves in the Tower of London, and almoſt quite deveſted themſelves of their Prelaticall arrogated ſuperioritie over their fellow-Ministers. Thus God hath taken them by their own iniquities, and hath held them with the cords of their own ſin. Thus Goliah is ſlain with his own ſword, and Haman is hanged upon his own gallows. And thus was their former furious and moſt injurious carriage and courſe a juſt preſage and omen of their totall ruine and downfall, which, in ſubſtance, is now bleſſedly come to paſſe, in this their denudation, ſtripping and whipping from their lordly dignities, haughtie honours, and buſie intermedling in ſecular affairs, the reſt I hope and pray will perfectly be effected in Gods due time.

Now, then, ſee here and obſerve (good Reader) with a wiſe and moſt gratefull heart (both in regard of the thing it ſelf, and alſo of thoſe two materiall circumstances, ſo obſervable, therein) God in the Mount.whether the Lord was not admirably ſeen in the Mount of MercieMercy▪ to his poore Church, in this ſo rare and ſingular freedome of it from future fear of Prelaticall tyrannie. And give me Iſa. 51, 7, 8, 9, 11.Isa 51:7Isa 51:8Isa 51:9Isa 51:11leave to uſe the Prophets own words, by way of exulting gratitude to the Lord our God. Hearken unto me (dear Christians) p. 81ye that know righteouſneſſe, the people in whoſe heart is the law of the Lord. Fear ye not the reproach of men▪ neither be ye afraid of their revilings; for, the moth ſhall eat them up like a garment, and the worm ſhall gnaw them like wooll; But my righteouſneſſe ſhall be for ever, and my ſalvation from generation to generation. Awake, awake, put on ſtrength, O arm of the Lord, awake as in ancient dayes, and as in the generation of old. Art not thou it that hath cut Rahab (the Prelates of England) and wounded the Dragon (the whore of Rome)? Therefore do the redeemed of the Lord return and come with ſinging to Zion, and everlaſting joy ſhall be on their head. They ſhall obtain gladneſſe and joy, and ſorrow and mourning ſhall flie away.

The Kingdom put into a poſture of defence.About this time alſo it pleaſed the good hand of God to direct the hearts of our prudent and provident parliamentarie-Worthies to take notice of the moſt dangerous diſtractions of the kingdom, and as juſt as great fears of inteſtine turmoiles which might ariſe among us by the Papists and malignant-partie, if not timely prevented; and therefore to reſolve, according to the joynt deſires of the Subject in all their petitions exhibited in Parliament to ſettle a Militia by Act of Parliament, for a certain time, namely, untill it might pleaſe the Lord happily to compoſe our differences, and to put a bleſſed end to our domeſtick and forrein fears, that thus by putting the Kingdom into a poſture of defence, we might by Gods merciemercy be the better ſecured both from Sir Iohn Byron, Leiftenant of the Tower, diſplaced.homebred treacheries and tranſmarine invaſions. For, which purpoſe, they reſolved, in the firſt place, to diſplace Sir John Byron from his Lieutenantſhip of the Tower of London, and to put in Sir John Connyers, a man, in whom they had good aſſurance, they might confide, both for his fidelity and martiall abilities; Sir Iohn Conniers made Leiftenant by the Parliamentwhich, though with much ſtrugling, at laſt they obtained of his Majestie, to theirs and the Cities full content in that particular.

And for the better putting of life into the ſad and bad affairs of Ireland, and the more ſpeedie and certain ſubduing (by Gods A fair and famous project of ſubſcription for relieving of Ireland moved and promoved in Parliament.aſſiſtance) of thoſe moſt barbarous and inhumane Rebels and accurſed idolaters of Rome; It pleaſed our moſt wiſe God to infuſe a fair and famous project into the hearts of divers heroick and worthie Citizens of London, firſt to proffer, themſelves, by way of ſubſcription of certain ſummes of money, to be paid in at ſeverall payments, by them and other well-affected Subjects p. 82both in Citie and Countrey: Whereunto (the thing being moved by petition, and ſingularly approved in Parliament) the Lords and Commons in both Houſes gave admirable encouragement, by their free and forward ſubſcription of great ſummes, and all their moneys ſo laid out to be repaid and ſatisfied out of the Rebels lands, when by Gods aid and aſſiſtance they ſhould A general collection ordered alſo to be over the Kingdom for the diſtreſſed Engliſh inhabitants in Ireland.be totally ſuppreſſed and deſtroyed, and not before, nor by any other wayes or means. And, ſince that (by reaſon of the moſt a…rocious and unparralleld cruelties of thoſe Romiſh-rebels in Ireland) very many of the diſtreſſed and beſpoiled Engliſh-Proteſtant inhabitants, eſpecially women and children, who were neceſſitated to flie thence, carrying their lives in their hands, and glad (poore ſouls) they ſo eſcaped to Dublin, and ſo over-Sea into divers parts of this Kingdom, being thereby plunged into deplorable povertie and miſerie) It was, I ſay, further ordered by our truly charitable and pious Parliament, that there ſhould be a generall collection or contribution over the whole Kingdom, for and toward the preſent relief and ſupplie of ſuch diſtreſſed men, women and children, as could hardly ſubſiſt without preſent help and relief. Which ſaid collection was ſo fully and freely advanced The moſt liberall collection for Ireland at Aldermanbury in London.in this our noble and renowned City of London, that at one Church therein, viz▪ Aldermanburie, under reverend and religious Mr Calamies fruitfull Miniſterie, upon his pious and patheticall motion and inſtigation to his willing people, a Collection was made and gathered, at the Church-doores and pariſhioners houſes, which amounted unto between 600 and 700 …. at the leaſt.

Toward the latter end of Februarie alſo, 1641. It pleaſed the Lord to blow-off all clouds of diſpleaſure from the Kings royall A gracious anſwer from the Kings Majeſtie touching the Liturgie and Church-government.heart, and to cauſe his countenance to ſhine ſo ſerenely on the Parliaments proceedings, that he ſent the Houſe of Lords a moſt gracious and comfortable anſwer, intimating his royall concurrence and deſire of correſpondencie with both Houſes, both in paſſing thoſe Bils then exhibited to his Majeſtie, and alſo referring all matters touching the Liturgie and Church-Government to the wiſdom and pietie of the Parliament to ſettle and reſolve on.

And, here, again (good Reader) let us reflect our eyes and ſerious thoughts, and ſee whether the Lord does not ſtill carryon his works of merciemercy to us, by his own ſtrong-arm, and almightie power and providence; that thus we ſhould now have ſuch ſtrong and heart-chearing hope of a happie and long deſired rectifying and reformation of our Liturgie and Diſcipline, two tickliſh peices to be tampered with, on pain of higheſt indignation and diſpleaſure in by-paſt times, but now you ſee and hear of talk yea reſolution of reforming them. Hereby ratifying and confirming his moſt righteous word and promiſe, by the Prophet, in ſhewing himſelf unto our Kingdom a moſt reſplendent Za…h. 2. 5.glory in the midſt of us. Making good alſo that old promiſe of his to his ancient people of Iſrael, namely, I will turn my hand upon thee, and will purely purge away all thy droſſe, and take away all thy tinne. O that we therefore in the way of thankefulneſſ… would ſincerely perform his holy and just deſire of us, namely, in deed and in truth to obey his voice, and cheerfully to do all that he hath commanded us!

Yet, ſee, the (ſtill) invincible and inveterate malice of the malignant partie, who notwithſtanding that they cannot but evidently ſee the hand of God againſt them croſſing all their counſels, turning their perniciouſly boiling obstrisctions to their The malignant partie, ſtill, plotting, firſt, in London.own deſtruction in the iſſue: yet ſtill, I ſay, they manifeſt (right Pharaoh-like) more flintineſſe and hardneſſe of heart, preſumptuouſly ſpurning at (as it were) and deſpiſing all Gods moſt wiſe and over powering proceedings againſt them; thereby moſt clearly treaſuring-up wrath and confuſion unto themſelves againſt the day of Gods vengeance and heaping up coals of calamity on their own heads againſt the day of the Lords burning jealouſie. A ſeditious Petition framed and preſented to the Parliament againſt the Militia of the City, & other things of dangerous conſequence.For, much about this time a moſt pernicious and ſeditious Petition was forged and framed by ſome of the grey-headed but not grave-hearted Citizens of London, which was boldly preſented to the Parliament by them. A Petition, I ſay, much tending to ſedition, and the overthrow of the Parliaments proceedings, eſpecially concerning the Militia of the Citie, ayming therein at the overthrow of the ſaid Militia, and the ſure defence of the whole Realm (under God) which they had formerly moſt firmly ſetled over the whole Kingdom. In which ſeditious plot and devilliſh deſign of theirs, though many of no ſmall or mean rank and qualitie in the Citie, yea and ſome of the higheſt degree thereof had deep hands and ſpotted hearts to p. 84further it, and therefore had ſubſcribed to it: yet, one or two moſt pragmaticall ſpirits among them, were chief agents and active inſtruments openly and audaciouſly appearing and perſiſting One Mr. Binion a mainſtickler in the foreſaid ſeditious Petition.in it, namely, one Mr Binion, a Silkman in Cheapſide, who carried himſelf moſt proudly and inſolently therein from firſt to the laſt. But the truly godly, grave and loyally-affected Citizens of London underſtanding thereof, diſavowed it, immediately, joyned together againſt it, in another moſt honeſt, fit and fair A counter-petition exhibited by the honeſt Citizens againſt it.Petition clean contrary to that other, exhibited the ſame in Parliament, deſired the justice of the Parliament againſt …he other, which was received with ſingular approbation of both Houſes. Whereupon, the other was not long after caſt out of The malignant Petition cenſured.the Houſe, condemned to be burnt by the hangman, as a moſt ſcandalous and ſeditious paper; and the foreſaid Mr Binion himſelf (perſiſting in his obſtinate and malevolent misbehaviour, was made an example of terrour to the reſt (who more wiſely ſhrunk-in their heads, and recanted their former overſight) being Mr. Binions cenſure:for his foreſaid inſolencies and miſdemeanours fined 3000. l. diſfranchiſed from the immunities of the Citie, made uncapable of ever bearing any office in the Common-wealth, and impriſoned for two yeers in the Caſtle of Colcheſter. And yet, again, notwithſtanding all this, I ſay, yea this ſo freſh and modern admonition (as a man might have thought) to thoſe malignant ſpirits; The Kentiſh malignant Petition.They, not long after brake out again into a like miſdemeanour in the Countie of Kent, by the main inſtigation (as it is conceived) of Sir Edward Deering▪ late a Member of the Houſe of Commons, Sir Edw. Deering. Sir Edw. Deerings book of his Speeches printed.who at the beginning and for ſome continuance of this Parliament was well reputed and reported of, but at laſt brake-out into a moſt violent and virulent oppoſition of the honourable and pious proceedings of the Parliament, which he further moſt undiſcreetly proſecuted by printing and publiſhing a book of all his former and later Speeches in Parliament, and one, eſpecially not ſpoken, Himſelf and his book cenſured.but onelyonly intended to have been ſpoken in Parliament. Whereupon the ſaid Sir E. Deering was call'd to the Bar, ſent priſoner to the Tower, caſt out of the Houſe from being any longer a Member among them, & his ſaid book condemned to be burnt▪ The Authors opinion of him and his book.Which book, though it cannot be denied, but muſt be ingenuouſly confeſt, did render him a Schollar, and wittie acute r…etori…ian, yet was full fraught with palpable expreſſions of an illaffected p. 85heart not onelyonly to the moſt wiſe, worthie and untainted negotiations of the Honourable Parliament, but even to religion and the power of godlines. A gentleman he was, whom I muſt acknowledge, I my ſelf much honored for the good things I conceived to be in him at firſt; but when I had read this his book (which I did, all-over, as adviſedly and impartially as God enabled me) I found therein, even almoſt in its very portall or introduction to the matter of it and ſo along, ſuch an unjuſt and immeritorious eulogie or elogie and hyperbolicall praiſe of the Archprelate The Arch-Prelates conference with Fiſher a Ieſuite.of Canterbury in generall, and of his book (if his) of his conference with Fiſher the Jeſuite, in ſpeciall: A book moſt full of pregnant expreſſions (yet cloudily couched) of the ſaid Prelates Popiſh rotten-heartedneſſe, as a moſt ſound and learned Replie to it, A Replie to the ſaid Conference. Wittie, but irreligious ſcoffing at pietie and godlineſſe in Sir Eds. book.hath copiouſly and clearly diſcovered to all judicious and impartiall Schollars that have read it) together with his affected wittie je…ring and ſcoffing at true pietie in ſome places, and irreligious ſublime juſtification of groſſe Popiſh ſuperſtition in other ſome; I could not, hereupon, I ſay, (God knows my heart) but greatly grieve for his ſake, thereby ſo diſhonoured, and bluſh at mine own ſo clear miſtake, who had willingly harboured ſo good opinions of him before. But to leave him to his great Lord and Maſter to whom he muſt either ſtand or fall, with my heartie prayers for his true and timely retractation, I return to my purpoſed matter, from which I have a little digreſſed, but I hope not much tranſgreſſed therein.

The ſeditious petition of Kent was much countenanced by the Earl of Briſtow and judge Mallet.Another ſeditious Petition (I ſay) was hatched and contrived in Kent, wherein (I ſay) tis more than conceived that Sir Edward Deering had a deep hand, which contained matter much to the ſame effect with the former of London; Which alſo it ſeems was much countenanced and encouraged by the Earl of Briſtow and judge Mallet, and for which they were both ſent priſoners to the Tower of London; which Petition being on the 29^th of April, 1642. brought to the Parliament by ſome of the prime The Petition brought to the Parliament.malignant-ones (the reſt of that rout being ſome certain thouſands remained at Blackheath for an anſwer, but were fain to depart with a flea in their cares) they received moſt foul (but moſt juſt) diſgraces at their entrance into the Citie, the gate at Their uſage in the delivery of their petition.the Bridge-foot was ſhut againſt them, they themſelves were diſarmed, their weapons being there taken from them, two of p. 86their prime leaders, having exhibited their Petition in Parliament, were committed to ſafe cuſtodie till fit opportunitie of further examination of this their high contempt and arrogancie. The Honeſt partie of Kent petition againſt the malignant partie.But immediately after, the truly religious, honest, and well-affected partie of the ſaid County of Kent unanimouſly alſo united themſelves in an honeſt and loyall Petition, therein utterly diſavowing and protesting against that other ſeditious and ſcandalous one, who were all, together with their Petition moſt courteouſly and lovingly entertained, and diſmiſſed with great thanks from the Parliament, for that their ſo honest and peaceable demeanour.

And was not the Lord Jehovah ſeen here in the Mount of God in the Mount.MercieMercy, in thus both timely diſcovering and diſcountenancing theſe very dangerous deſignes of theirs (as much as in them …ay for the preſent) extremly to blend and diſgrace the just, fair and faithfull proceedings of the Parliament; and though they moſt ſecretly and ſubtilly carried and contrived their deſignes therein, yet the Lord graciouſly cauſed them to be ſtifled in their birth. … Tim. 3. 8, 9.So that we may moſt fitly take up that of the Apoſtle Paul, who ſpeaking of the perillous times that ſhould come in the last dayes, after a recitall of a ragged-regiment of malignant and illaffected perſons, brings in Jannes and Jambres (two audacious and arrogant companions) who obſtinately and proudly withſtood Moſes, reviling and ſpeaking evill of the truth; men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they ſhall not proceed (ſaies the Apostle) for, their folly ſhall be manifested to all men. As tis now with ours, bleſſed be the Lord our moſt wiſe God for it, and all their malice and miſchief is fallen ſtill upon their own hoads. Pſal. 115. 1, 2. 3.Ps 115:1Ps 115:2Ps 115:3Wherefore, we may, nay we muſt, with holy David, moſt gratefully acknowledge, Not unto us, Lord, not unto us, but unto thy Name be all the glory given, for thy merciemercy and for thy truths ſake▪ Who hast not ſuffered the heathen (or wicked) to ſay, where is now their God? But our God is in heaven, and hath done whatſoever he pleaſed.

The King having unhappily left his Parliament, ſends Meſſages to them.Now after theſe things, the King having preſt the Parliament, with divers Meſſages in his unhappie departure and diſtance from it (as by and by ſhall be more fully and particularly ſet forth) and thereby conſtrained our prudent Worthies in Parliament to clear their integritie to his Majestie, and the whole Kingdom, yea and to the whole world alſo, if occaſion were offered; they ſent to his Majestie, and afterward ſet forth in print divers Declarations, Remonſtrances, and Meſſages from both The Parliaments wiſdom and moderation in their anſwers to them.Houſes of Parliament, all of them written and penn'd with ſuch prudence, pi…ti…, and humilitie toward his Majestie, as moſt apparently evidenced their great and godly care for the preſervation of his Honour and the Kingdoms welfare, to the great and unexpreſſible comfort and content of all Gods people, eſpecially in the moſt ſweet continued ſymphonie and harmonious concurrence of Both Houſes which now began to be more and more ſtrongly increaſed, notwithſtanding the great and even mountan… obſtructions and terrible diſtractions of the times mightily moleſting and retarding their moſt important and weightie affairs, ou… moſt prudent and pious Peers ſtill ſhewing themſelves (as was The ſweet unanimity of both Houſes notwithſtanding their great diſcouragements.toucht before) more forward, if poſſi…ly it might be, in all good motions than the Houſe of Commons. A merciemercy, which (things and times conſidered) we are not able ſufficiently to prize and praiſe the Lord for, it being that bleſſing of the Kingdom which was ſo long and ſo earnestly deſired by the univerſall confluence of the Petitions of the whole Kingdom; yea that great bleſſing, I ſay, which the Apoſtle Paul ſo heartily and vehemently deſires 1 Cor. 1. 10.1 Cor 1:10among his beloved Corinthians, That they might all ſpeak the ſame Concordiâ re… parvae creſ…unt, Diſcerdiâ magnae dila…untu….thing, and that there might be no diviſion among them, but that they may be perfectly joyned together in the ſame mind, and in the ſame judgement. Yea that rare bleſſing which the Prophet David cannot ſet out ſufficiently without a note of admiration, in the excellencies of it, when he ſaid▪ Behold how good and joyfull a thing Pſal. 133. 1, ….Ps 133:1it is brethren to dwell together in unity. Yea (ſayes he) tis like the precious oyntment upon Aarons head, diſtilling thence to his beard and running down to the skirts of his garment. Such a pr…io… oyntment, may I truly ſay, is this unity and concord in theſe two Concord … ſweet oyntment to a Kingdom.honourable Houſes of Parliament, poured on the head of our Soveraign, diſtilling thence on the comely beard of his Kingdom, this renowned Parliament, and ſweetly ſtreaming thence down to the skirts or garments of the Land the people and inhabitants thereof. And now ſee, I pray, the bleſſed effects of this happy union and precious complacencie between the King and Both Houſes of Parliament, at this time. For about the 9^th of April, the Lords and Commons in Parliament reſolved to ſet upon the p. 88The Liturgie and Church government voted to be reformed.reformation of the Liturgie and government of the Church, wherby Gods worſhip and ſervice ſhould be more purely performed than formerly it had been, and diſcipline more piouſly adminiſtred. And for this purpoſe they paſſed Votes in Both Houſes, and moſt prudently pitched upon certain eminent godly, grave and learned Divines out of every Shire and Corporation of the Kingdom, who ſhould meet together at a time appointed to diſcuſſe and conſult among themſelves what ſhould be moſt apost…licall, orthodox and neereſt to the truth of Gods word, and ſo to adviſe the Parliament for the ſetling of the ſame, as by their order printed and publiſhed by their authority may and doth more fully appear, which here I have thought fit to inſert and mention to thee.

The Order of the Lords and Commons touching the Liturgy and Church Diſcipline. Apr. 9. 1642.

THe Lords and Commons do declare that they intend a due and neceſſary reformation of the government and Liturgy of the Church, and to take away nothing in the one or other but what ſhall be evill and justly off nſive, or at the leaſt unneceſſarie and burthenſome. And for the better effecting thereof, ſpeedily to have conſultation with g… ly and learned Divines. And becauſe this will never of it ſelf obtain the end ſought therein; they will therefore uſe their utmoſt endeavour to eſtabliſh learned and preaching Ministers with a good and ſufficient maintenance throughout the whole Kingdom, wherein many dark corners are miſerably destitute of the means of ſalvation, and many poore Ministers want neceſſarie proviſion.

Now then tell me (good Reader) whether the Lord appeared God on the Mount.not in a Mount of MercieMercy, in this ſo unexpectible an act of long deſired reformation in this kind? In theſe two ſo extremly deified Acts 19. 28.Acts 19:28Diana's of our Engliſh Epheſus, ſo long ſetled upon their ol… lees, and ſo generally applauded by the Pontifician and other ignorant and malignant partie of our land, ſo as it was thought a thing almoſt impoſſible to be effected. Yet ſee, I ſay, what ou… God can do, what mountains of difficulties and diſturbances he is Iſa. 46. 11, 12, 13.Isa 46:11Isa 46:12Isa 46:13able to remove, when he, once, reſolves it according to that of the Prophet: I have ſpoken it, (ſaith the Lord) I will alſo bring p. 89it to paſſe, I have purpoſ'd it, I will alſo do it. Hearken unto this ye ſtout-hearted that are far from righteouſneſſe. I will bring neer my righteouſneſſe, it ſhall not be ſo far off, and my ſalvation ſhall not carry, and I will place ſalvation in Sion for Iſrael, my glorie. Yet, ſee, ſtill, the malignancie of the ſerpentine-brood, breeding and breathing more and more threats and vexations to the ſacredſeed of the woman. For, not long after, that aforeſaid hopefull The King, by his ill-affected Counſellors grows into diſcontent with his Parliamentamiable ſymphonic of ſweet accord between the King and his Parliament began to be beſmeard with the black-coal of evil counſell, and his Majesties affections to be ſo alienated and estranged from his grand and grave Councell of Parliament, that in diſcontent he moſt unhappily ſequeſtred his perſon from it, almoſt as far as his affection, even from the Southern toward the Northern parts The King departs from London.of his Kingdom, to the univerſall and great grief of his loyall Subjects who made their earnest deſires poſte as faſt after him by their humble Petitions to return to his Parliament, but alas, all in vain, for in deep diſcontent his Majeſtie goes on in his journey, The King takes the Prince along with him.takes the Prince along with him, was accompanied or attended on by a company of furious Cavaliers, who ſhewed themſelves in an hoſtile manner about Hampton Court and Kingstone upon Thames, paſt on thence to New-market, and ſo into the The King comes into the North. Hull attempte… to be taken for the King. But prevente… by Sir John Hotham. The K: came to Hull and required it to be delivered up to him. On refuſall thereof was declared to be a traitor. Propoſitions made to the Gentrie of York. Swords draw….North, where an attempt was made by the Earl of Newcastle to have taken in Hull, and the full fraught Magazine thereof, varietie of martiall ammunition, for the Kings uſe, but he was prevented, and Sir John Hotham a worthie Member of the Houſe of Commons was put in poſſeſſion thereof, for the uſe of his Majeſtie, and the good of the whole Kingdom. Not long after the King went himſelf in perſon to Hull, requiring the rendition of the Town and Magazine into his Majeſties hands, but Sir John Hotham having order to the contrary from the Parliament, refuſed ſo to do, and was therefore by his Majeſties command declared a traitor. Propoſitions were made to the Gentrie of York to aſſiſt his Majeſties proceedings againſt Sir John Hotham for the taking in of Hull into his Majeſties poſſeſſion by compulſion, ſince he could not obtain it of him by perſwaſion. About which time▪ Sir Francis Worthly and divers others ſiding together, and pretending themſelves to be for the King, with their ſwords drawn in an unaccuſtomed and unexpected manner, demanded who was and would be on the Kings ſide? By this evill act p. 90act of theirs in an eſpeciall manner manifeſting themſelves …o be truly of the ſerpentine-ſeed, and therein imitating their father the devill, that grand ſeedſman of all ſedition, whoſe main plot Divide & impera.is and ever was to divide and ſeparate what God hath united. Making a falſe and fooliſh diſcrepancie and difference, firſt between A falſe and fooliſh diſtinction made between the King and Parliament.the King and the Parliament, which ought not to be; and ſecondly between the Parliament and the people, which cannot be. For what is the Parliament but a repreſentative-Bodie of all the people in the whole Kingdom; and therefore to make men beleeve that the Parliament intends to wrong the people, by bringing in an arbitrarie government (the thing which they mainly hate and Inſanire cum ratione.labour against) is to make men mad with diſcretion, to make us think the Parliament labours to undo themſelves with us, and to Who is for the King, and who for the Parliament? interpreted.provoke us madly to ruſh on them to our own certain ruin. To ask a man therefore whether he be for the King or the Parliament▪ is to ask him whether he be for the King or for himſelf▪ See then (diſcreet Reader) the drift of this devilliſh deſign and falſe diſtinction, which is meerly to make men fall together by The gentrie at York aſſembled again.the eares, and to ſheath their ſwords in one anothers bowels. But now the King receiving no content in this their fruitleſſe meeting, the Ge…trie (but not Free-holders, which was taken ill) were again ſummoned to aſſemble together before the King, May the 23^th being Friday, to reſolve upon a guard of horſe and foot to ſafeguard his perſon; this alſo was a long time fruitleſly The King reſolved for Ireland, but contradicted therin by the Parliament. Freeholders of Yorkſhire diſcourteouſly uſed. The Militia interdicted (to be exerciſed) by the King.agitated. About which time or not long before, his Majeſtie publiſhed his reſolution to go in perſon to Ireland to ſubdue the Rebels, which was utterly diſliked by the Parliament as a buſineſſe of very dangerous conſequence. The Gentrie, Yeomen and Free-holders of York again are ſummoned together to York, but the honeſt yeomen were diſcourteouſly and uncivilly uſed by many of the Cavaliers or attendants about his Majeſtie; complaints were made thereof to the King, but not anſwered to their deſire. His Majeſtie much about this time alſo forbade the exerciſe of the Militia, contrarie to the Parliaments conſtitution over the Kingdom, and about the 15. or 16. of May, 1642. directed his Letter to Captain Philip Skippon, Sergeant Major Captain Phillip Skippon ſummoned to York to the King.generall for the Militia of the Citie of London, a brave and expert old Souldier and Commander in Arms, and a moſt pious and vertuous Gentleman, requiring his perſonall attendance at York, all excuſes ſet apart, and that there he ſhould know his p. 91Majeſties pleaſure: But this command was inhibited and contradicted to the ſaid Captain Skippon by the authority of Both Houſes of Parliament, as is afterward more fully declared. After this, about May the 26^th, the King ſending a letter to the Lord The K: ſends to the Lord Keeper to remove Midſommer Term. The L. Keeper and divers other Lords leave the Parliament.Keeper to remove Midſommer Term from London to York: this alſo was oppoſed by the Parliament, as ſhall alſo be farther declared in its proper place. Much about this time alſo or not long after this, the ſaid Lord Keeper and ſeven or eight other Lords left the Parliament on a ſudden, and without the conſent thereof, and departed from London to York, to the King. In all which time, the Parliament ſending many ſubmiſſe Meſſages and humble Petitions to his Majeſtie at York, all of them full of wiſdom, pietie and patience, yet receive auſtere and unpleaſing replies, even as his Majeſtie found unſatisfactorie returns to his expectation and deſires in all or moſt of his negotiations in thoſe Northern parts ever ſince his unhappie aboad there. But An objection.what is all this (it may be objected) to the preſent intention of parliamentarie mercies to be manifeſted to us? I anſwer, this The Anſwer.fore-paſt brief diſcourſe ſerves greatly to ſhew us, in the first place▪ a mightie fume and ſmoak now readie to break out into a moſt combuſtuous and furious flame, by the perverſe and moſt Gods over-powring wiſdom and merciemercy ſtill preventing our haſtning miſchiefs. Inſtrumentally by the pious & prudent demeanour of the Parliament.pernicious counſell of the malignant partie about the King (as the Parliament had often enformed his Majeſtie in ſeverall Meſſages) if the Lords over-powering providence had not caſt on the water of op…rtune qualification and timely quenching of the ſame, by the admirable wiſdom and ſingular moderation of this pious and prudent Parliament, hindring the boyſterous breaking-out thereof, both by their modeſt, grave and gracious Declarations, their moſt humble Petitions, their prudent and provident Votes and Orders, and their patient and moſt ſubmiſſe Meſſages to his Majeſtie at York; eſpecially by thoſe two Declarations or Remonſtrances of Both Houſes, March, 12. and March, 23. their moſt humble, wiſe and moderate Petition March, 26. About which time alſo it pleaſed the Lord to ſtir up the hearts of the The Lords & gentry of Ireland petition his Majeſties return to London. So do others.Nobles and gentrie eſtated in Ireland, but then reſiding in London▪ to petition his Majeſties return to London, and gracious agreement with his great and higheſt▪ Court of Parliament. Together with the Gentrie and Commons of the County of Lincoln, Staffordſhire, and Munmouth in Wales; as alſo a moſt excellent p. 92and patheticall Petition from thoſe of Cheſhire, and another cut of Lancaſhire; all of them with an unanimous concurrence of Votes and ſuffrages, beſeeching and imploring his Majeſties Our dear Brethren of Scotland alſo mediate with his Majeſtie to return.ſpeedie and propitious affection and return to his Parliament. Yea our ever to be honoured, and intimately to be loved Brethren of Scotland alſo were not wanting in their love and loyaltie to ſend their faithfull Commiſſioners, and among them the noble and renowned pious and prudent Lord Louthen to adviſe and beſeech his Majeſtie to return and liſten to his loyall and faithfull The gentry & Commons of Yorkſhire petitioned his Majeſties return to London.Subjects in Parliament. The Gentrie alſo and Commons of the County of York moſt humbly and earneſtly beſought and petitioned his Majeſtie, April the 30^th, to reflect his favourable and princely affections on his great Councell at London, and to cohere and adhere to their wholeſome and honourable adviſe for his Majeſties honour and welfare: Together with the Knights, Gentlemen and others of the County of Yorks wiſe and modeſt anſwer to his Majeſties demands of them, not long after, in theſe words.

May it pleaſe your moſt excellent Majeſtie.

The Knights, Gentlemen & others of Yorkſhires Anſwer to his Majeſties demands.VVE ſhall all be ready to defend your royall Perſon from violence, by all ſuch wayes and means as the Law and our dutie bind us. And as for the means to vindicate your Majesties honour, and to put you into poſſeſſion of your own; we conceive that the beſt adviſe that we can offer to your Majeſtie is, humbly to deſire you to hearken to the counſell of your Parliament, who we aſſure our ſelves will be carefull of your Majesties perſon and honour, and to whom your Majeſtie hath already been pleaſed to direct a Meſſage to that purpoſe.

The Declaration or Remonſtrance, May 19. 1642.Again, a full and fair Declaration or Remonſtrance was ſent to his Majeſtie from Both Houſes of Parliament, and to the whole Kingdom, bearing date, May, the 19^th, wherein were expreſſed the ſeverall Depoſitions of divers, about the bringing in of the Armie (formerly in the North, and then intended againſt ou… Brethren of Scotland) to London againſt this Parliament. And ſince that, another Declaration or Remonſtrance, bearing date Another Declaration or Remonſtrance, May 26. 1642.May 26^th, 1642, in anſwer to one under his Majeſties name, concerning the buſineſſe of Hull, ſent in a meſſage to Both Houſes of Parliament, May 21. In which Remonſtrance was fully p. 93ſet forth the Kings of Englands deep tye of regall ſtipulation to rule the Kingdom according to the fundamentall Laws made by the Commons thereof or people of the Kingdom, and ratifying and maintaining the Subjects immunities and freedoms, to the reciprocall and harmonious happineſſe of King and Subject. Therein Sir Io Hotham cleared from the imputation of treaſon laid on him. The Magazine brought to the Tower of London. The Popiſh & pernicious plot againſt Hull timely diſcovered.alſo fully and fairly clearing Sir John Hotham from the imputation of treaſon in his holding the town of Hull to his Majeſties and the Kingdoms juſt uſe and welfare. The ſafe tranſportation and removall of that great Magazine of warlike ammunition from Hull to London, notwithſtanding the Kings interdiction of the ſame. The timely and happie diſcoverie of that dangerous plot againſt Hull by one Thomas Beckwith, gentleman, a Popiſh-recuſant, and an inhabitant of Beverly in Yorkeſhire and others his confederates, ſignified moſt fully and exactly by Sir John Hothams own letter to a worthy Member of the Houſe of Commons, and publiſhed in print, June 3, 1642. Both Houſes of Parliament ratifying and confirming by their Orders unto The exerciſe of the Militia ratified by the Parliament in York, Lancaſ. &c. Serjeant Major Skippon cleared by the Parliament.York, Lancaſ. and all the whole Kingdom, the exerciſe of the Militia, for the better ſecuritie and ſafeguard thereof both againſt homebred conſpiring Popiſh recuſants, and forrein confederating Romiſh invaders of the land. The Parliaments clearing of that moſt worthie and pious gentleman Captain Phillip Skippon from any legall diſobedience to his Majeſties command, in not tender ng his perſonall attendance on him at York; which was confirmed by 3. ſeverall Votes in Parliament, which for the Readers more full ſatisfaction I have here inſerted.

May 17^th, 1642.

Parliamentarie Votes clearing Serjeant Major Skippon.1. THat this command of his Majeſtie to call Captain Phillip Skippon, Serjeant Major generall of the Forces of London, to attend his Majesties perſon at York, is againſt the Law of the Land, and the liberties of the Subject.

2. That this command of his Majeſtie to call Captain Phillip Skippon, Serjeant Major generall of the Forces of London, to attend his Majesties perſon, being employed by Both Houſes to attend their ſervice, without their conſent, is against the priviledge of Parliament.

3. That Captain Phillip Skippon, Serjeant Major generall of p. 94the Forces of London, ſhall continue to attend the ſervice of Both Houſes according to their former commands.

The ſame day alſo, which was, May, 17, 1642. It having been rumoured that Midſommer-Term ſhould be adjourned to York, and the Parliament underſtanding thereof, the Lord Keeper was required to declare whether he had … any command from his Majeſtie to that purpoſe, which being anſwered See here one notable advantage of the legall continuation of this Parliament.and ſatisfied by him to the Lords, that he had ſuch a command, and the Lords conceiving how inconſiſtent the ſame was to a Parliament ſitting at Westminster (not to be diſſolved or adjourned without their conſent) the Records being carried to York, whereof Both Houſes were to have daily uſe; and that the Judges (whoſe adviſe and aſſiſtance the Houſe of Peers daily required) ſhould be ſo remote from them. They therefore voted.

Midſommer Term not to be adjourned from Weſtm. to York.That the Kings removeall of the Term from Westminster to York▪ the Parliament ſitting at Westminſter, is illegall: And therefore further ordered, That the ſaid Lord Keeper ſhould not iſſue-out any Writs, or ſeal any Proclamation for adjourning the ſaid Term from Westminſter to York, as aforeſaid.

Delinquents to be proceeded againſt.About the 20. or 21. of May, 1642. a Committee of Both Houſes was nominated to conſider how they ſhould bring to con dign puniſhment, thoſe parties who are Delinquents and yet …protected againſt proceedings in Parliament. At which tim alſo the Houſe took into conſideration his Majeſties ſummons of the 14. of May, commanding the gentrie to appear before him in their equipage▪ And thereupon voted;

Votes of Parliamēt againſt the Kings proceedings in York.1. That it appeared that his Majestie ſeduced by wicked Counſe… intends to make war againſt the Parliament, who in all their conſultations and actions have propoſed no other end unto themſelves, but the care of his Kingdom, and the performance of all dutie and loyaltie to his perſon.

3. That whenſoever the King maketh war upon the Parliament▪ it is a breach of the truſt repoſed in him contrary to his Oath, and tending to the diſſolution of this government.

Two Acts of Parliament in Ric. 2. & Hen. 4. proving ſuch proceedings to be flat treaſon.3. That whoſoever ſhall ſerve or aſſiſt him in ſuch wars are traitors to the fundamentall Laws of this Kingdom, and have been ſo adjudged in two Acts of Parliament, namely, 11 of Ric. 2. and 1 of Hen. 4. and ought to ſuffer as traitors. Which ſaid two Acts, taken out o… the Records in the Tower of London, containing divers Articles … p. 95treaſon then exhibited in the Parliament, againſt the Archbiſhop of York. Michael de la Pool and others, in the time of Ric. 2. most exquiſitely and punctually depainting the preſent ſtate of things with us now, were by Both Houſes of Parliament voted to be printed and publiſhed in French, Engliſh and Latine on May, 26, 1642. Since this, about May, the 25▪ a diſpatch was made from the Parliament, to their Committee at York, with an An Ordinance of Parliament ſent to York touching their train'd-bands.Ordinance of Parliament, to be publiſhed in all Market-towns over that whole Countie, declaring that the Train'd-bands ought not to be raiſed by his Majeſties perſonall command, as the affairs of the Kingdom now ſtand. And on May, 27. and 28. Two Orders of both Houſes ſent into Lancaſ. and to all Counties in England and Wales.1642. two Orders from both Houſes were printed and publiſhed. The one to all high Sheriffs and all other Officers within the Countie of Lancaſter, and in generall to all the Counties of England and dominion of Wales; Both of them, to this effect, that, In regard of their juſt jealouſies and grounded-fears, that his Majestie ſeduced by wicked Counſell intended to make war againſt the Parliament, therefore, no Arms and Ammunition ſhould be conveyed toward York. And for To oppoſe the illegall proceedings at York.keeping a ſtrict watch within their ſeverall limits and juriſdictions, and to ſearch for and ſeize on all ſuch arms and ammunition, and to apprehend all ſuch perſons going to York with any ſuch; and to ſuppreſſe and hinder the raiſing and coming together of any Souldiers, horſe or foot, by any Warrant or Commiſſion from his Majeſtie alone, without the adviſe and conſent of his Parliament. By this and all other fore-mentioned means to ſtop and hinder the breaking out of civill broils and diſſentions in the Kingdom, and to maintain and propagate the bleſſed and happie peace thereof; yea the care and The Parliaments care to ſee to the arms and ammunition of the Kingdom.providence of this Parliament continually contriving and casting about for the welfare of the King and Kingdom, gave order that the ſeverall Societies of Sadlers, A…mourers and Gun-ſmiths ſhould forthwith certifie to the Houſes of Parliament▪ what numbers of Arms and Sadles they were to provide weekly, and for whom. And have been moſt vigilant and circumſpect to cauſe their Ordinance for the Militia of the Kingdom (for the better ſtrengthening of it) to be put into execution in Lincolnſhire, which his Majeſtie had oppoſed by a Proclamation, which Ordinance The Militia exerciſed in divers Counties.of Parliament was, notwithſtanding, obediently obſerved and exerciſed, in Buckinghamſhire▪ Middleſex, Eſſex, Leiceſterſhire, and other Counties. And about the 29. or 30. of p. 96An Ancient of Sir Ioh. Hothams impriſoned at York.May, 1642. It having been enformed to the Parliament that an Ancient of Sir John Hothams was apprehended and impriſoned at York; the Parliament preſently ſent to the Committee there to know the ground of his detenor, and if for being in the ſervice of both Houſes then they hold it an act of hoſtilitie againſt the Parliament, and are likewiſe to return the names of all ſuch Members of the Houſe as are at York, their preſence there, tending to countenance the war intended againſt the Parliament. And The 19. Propoſitions ſent to his Majeſty from the Parliament for an accommodation.about June the ſecond, this moſt pious and prudent Parliament ſent a moſt ſubmiſſive Petition, with 19 Propoſitions from Both Houſes of Parliament, all of them containing matters of high concernment for the ſingular good (as they providently conceived) both of Church and Common-wealth, which in their moſt religious and prudent aymes might extraordinarily tend to a moſt bleſſed, happie and deeply deſired accommodation and reconciliation of differences and miſunderſtandings betwixt his Majestie and them, proteſting and ſeriouſly aſſuring his Majeſtie that if he would vouchſafe to grant thoſe their moſt humble and behoofefull requeſts, they would with all alacrity of mind and celerity of endeavour apply themſelves ſo to regulate his Majeſties revenues, and to ſettle ſuch an extraordinarie and conſtant increaſe of it, as ſhould be abundantly ſufficient to ſupport his royall dignitie in majeſticall honour and princely plentie, beyond A harſh meſſage returned to the Parliament in replie to their 19. Propoſitions.the proportion of any of his Subjects grants to any of his Majeſties predeceſſours. But this ſo humble ſubmiſſion, theſe fair propoſitions, and this ſo loyall a proteſtation of fidelity and integritie toward his Majeſtie conceived and brought forth ſhortly after, a very harſh and unpleaſing replie unto them, to theirs and our no ſmall ſorrow and continued, yea and aggravated grief and diſcontent.

The ſumme of all theſe former paſſages conſidered together.Now the ſumme of all theſe premiſed particulars ſo ſummarily mentioned together comes to thus much; that all theſe many weightie and various premiſes ſeriouſly conſidered, and impartially preponderated, cannot but moſt copiouſly diſcover and lay open to the eyes of all that are not wilfully and obſtinately blind and too extremly incredulous (even againſt cleareſt ſight, ſenſe, and moſt reſplendent demonſtrations) on the one ſide, the moſt ſturdie and untyred (though, hitherto, bleſſed be the Lord, moſt fruitleſſe) projects, plots and craftie contrivements of the malignant p. 97partie, under a ſpecious colour and pernicious pretence of advancing A clear deſe… ption of the ayms of the malignant partie.regall authority, prerogative, and the Kings proſperitie, and yet all of theſe (by them) moſt egregiouſly injured and abuſed to the ſlie ſubverſion of both King and Kingdom. Firſt (as a moſt eminent, worthie and pious Member of the Houſe of Commons lately related it moſt pithily and pertinently) by weakning 1Mr Denzell Holles, in his moſt excellent Speech to the Lords. June 15. 1642.and invalidating the proceedings and power of the Parliament, and making way for the utter ſubverſion of it. Secondly, for this end, by gathering forces together at York▪ under a pretence of a guard for his Majeſties perſon, but purpoſely to make oppoſition againſt the Parliament▪ and thereby alſo to ſupport Delinquents, to ſlight and ſcorn the power and orders of the Parliament, 2and to make them of no eſteem or reputation. Thirdly, to ſend out bitter invectives, and unjuſt aſperſions, in his Majeſties 3name as Declarations and meſſages from him, onelyonly to perplex the Parliament with …edious expenſe of their precious time to anſwer them, and thereby alſo by falſe colours and gloſſes to make the people diſaffect the Parliament, yea (and if poſſibly) to ſtir them up to deſtroy it (and all Parliaments for ever) and with it, themſelves, their wives and children. Fourthly and laſtly, to draw the 4Members of both Houſes away from their dutie and attendance on them, and to go down to York▪ thereby to make the Parliament, as it were, bleed to death, and moulder to nothing, and thus to blemiſh the actions of Both Houſes of Parliament, as done by a few and inconſiderable number, and rather a partie than a Parliament, and perhaps to ſet-up an Anti-parliament at York. A deſperate and moſt dangerous practiſe, utterly to ruinate all. But all in vain, I truſt in the Lord, as hitherto, we have happily ſeen, in all their deſignes, for ever bleſſed be the Lord our God for it.

The loyall & laudable ayms and ends of … the Parliament in all the forecited particulars.But, on the other ſide, we may moſt apparently perceive, and clearly behold by all thoſe fore-mentioned particulars on the Parliaments part, the moſt admirable and even onelyonly-heaven-inſpired wiſdom, moderation, prudence, pietie, patience and indefatigable vigilancie of our ever to be honoured, and everlaſting renowned Peers and Commons in Parliament, moſt humbly demeaning themſelves alwayes toward his Majeſtie, moſt wiſely and courageouſly againſt the malignant partie, moſt religiouſly and faithfully to Church and State in generall, and moſt graciouſly, tenderly and affectionately, as ſo many fathers of their Countrey p. 98to all ſingular petitions and petitioners deſiring their aid and aſſiſtance, in a fair and fitting way for the good of Church and State; which was moſt undeniably evident by the moſt ſweet An irrefragable teſtimonie of the Parliaments integrity.reciprocall reſulta…ce and concurrent confluence of hearts and affections of all in City and Countrey, over all the whole three Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, that had any ſpark or glimpſe of true grace, yea of but meer common-grace and goodneſſe, to the infinite praiſe and glorie of the Lord our God, be it A moſt bleſſed marriage twixt Peace & Truth. 2 Kin. 20 19.2 Kgs 20:19ſpoken, and to the unexpreſſible joy of our ſouls, even of the ſouls of all thoſe that cordially love and deſire to live to ſee the glorious and moſt happie eſpouſals and never-again-to be-ſequ…ſtred-union and marriage twixt Peace and Truth, the grand and gracious deſire of that good King Hez…kiah, the main, if not onelyonly ayme and …nd of this prudent Parliament; and which ought to be alſo of every true godly Christian with them.

Now, therefore, friendly Reader, I ſay all thoſe fore-mentioned particulars conglomerated into one bodie of ſerious animadverſion, thoſe clouds of witneſſes atteſting this truth, ſay, was God in the Mount.not thy wonder-working God, the Lord Jehovah moſt admirably, moſt gloriouſly, even far beyond all humane apprehenſion or expreſſion, ſeen in the Mount of mercies for Englands mightie Deliverance? Tell me, good Reader, ſpeak thy conſcience freely, hath not England found, yea hath not this bleſſed Parliament 2 King. 6. 11, 12.2 Kgs 6:112 Kgs 6:12found our God raiſing up one Eliſha or other to reveal, and timely to diſcover all the wicked plots and deviſes of the malignant partie, (even now and of late, and indeed all-along) againſt the happie hope-breathing condition of our greatly envied Church and State? So that we may ſay of England, (now adayes, eſpecially within this yeer and a half) as Balaam, once, ſaid of the children of Num. 23. 23.Num 23:23Iſrael. Surely, there is no enchantment againſt Jacob, neither is there any divination againſt Iſrael: for, according to this time, it ſhall be ſaid of Jacob and of Iſrael, What hath God wrought? So, certainly, we have all ſeen it, and the very adverſe and malignant partie No enchantment againſt England; no divination againſt the Parliament.muſt needs confeſſe it. Surely, there is no enchantment againſt England and Scotland, nor is there any divination of the wicked that can proſper againſt the Houſes of Parliament for, according to theſe times of our wonderfull deliverances, It ſhall be ſaid to ſucceeding posteritie of England and of Scotland; O what hath our moſt gracious God freely wrought for us? Nay, let me ſpeak in particular to thoſe of the malignant faction, or let me p. 99rather ſing it out with moſt emphaticall joy, as Moſes did in his ſweet ſong of Gods high praiſes, and let them denie it if they can. Their Rock is not as our Rock, even they our enemies themſelves being Deut. 32. 31.Deut 32:31judges. For, had their rock, or rather Egyptian-reed been able We have a Rock to reſt on, our adverſaries have but an Egyptian Reed to relie on.to have over-powred our celeſtiall-Rock, we had (undoubtedly) long ere this, been made moſt wofull ſpectacles, to them and theirs, of ineffable ruine and implacable wrath; whereas we are, now, moſt hopefully happie ſpectators of their moſt black ſhame, ſorrow and precipitating confuſion. Even ſo, Amen, Lord Jeſus haſten it for thine elects ſake.

Now then theſe things being thus, how can we but with holy David, break out into over-flowing cordiall-gratitude, and ſay with his heart and tongue. What ſhall we render to the Lord for all his bleſſed benefits toward us? We will take the cup of ſalvation and call on the Name of the Lord. We will pay our vows (of univerſall true obedience) unto the Lord, in the preſence of all the people. Yea, I ſay, how can we forbear to break-forth into pious King Davids excitation and ſtimulation of our hearts to infinitely obliged thankfulneſſe, but with ſincere rouzed-up ſouls to ſing. Bleſſe the Lord, O my ſoul, and all that is within me bleſſe his holy Pſal. 103. 1, 2, 3, 4.Ps 103:1Ps 103:2Ps 103:3Ps 103:4Name. Bleſſe the Lord, O my ſoul, and forget not all (or any of) his precious benefits. Who hath forgiven all thine iniquities, and healed all thy great and grievous diſeaſes: Who hath redeemed thy life from deſtruction, and hath crowned thee with loving kindneſſe and tender mercies.

The ſumme of all. A fourfold Vſe or Obſervation.In ſumme, therefore, to wind-up all briefly, let me beſeech thee, good Chriſtian Reader, to make this four-fold holy uſe and obſervation of all theſe premiſes, theſe remarkable and unparalleld parliamentarie-mercies to England, to unworthie, ſinfull England. Firſt, to admire and adore the infinite and free merciemercy of our good God, who hath done all theſe great things for thee, 1Obſervation. To admire & adore Gods free grace and merciemercy. Ezek. 36. 22, 23.Ezek 36:22Ezek 36:23even for his own Name ſake, becauſe this ſo glorious a wonderworking attribute of free-grace and merci? pleaſeth him best of all. Know O England, that it was not for thine own ſake, that God hath done all theſe things for thee, but for his holy Names ſake, which (alas) thou hadſt moſt extremly profaned. But thy God was willing to ſanctifie his own great Name, which thou, I ſay, hadſt profaned, and becauſe he would make the wi…ked and ungodly among thee to know that God is the Lord, and that he will be ſanctified in you, before p. 100Iſa. 16. 11, 1….Isa 16:11Isa 16:1their eyes, and that they may ſee that the Lords hand is liſted u… againſt them though they will not ſee, yet they ſhall ſee and be aſhamed of their envie at Gods people, when the fire of Gods wrath devoures his enemies, and when they ſhall perceive that the Lord onelyonly hath ordained peace for his people, and hath wrought al his works in us and for How to look on our ſins.us. Let us not therfore (my dear Chriſtian Engliſh brethren and friends) ſo much look on our ſins as to dead our hearts, or to damp our faith, by ſaying one to another; O, but our ſins are greater than other Nations, and therefore, ſurely, the Lord will not (yet) ſave and deliver us, till we are fitted for merciemercy. Alas, alas, if God ſhould not be mercifull to us till we are fit for merciemercy, Mark this wel. Deut. 7, 6, 7, 8.Deut 7:6Deut 7:7Deut 7:8certainly, he muſt never be mercifull to us. But, here we ſee, and Moſes confirms it farther to us, that oftentimes) God ſhews not merciemercy to a people becauſe they are greater in number, or better in condition▪ or fitter for his merciemercy than another people, but becauſe the Lord freely loved us above or before all others ou… neighbour Nations round about us, and that he might keep his Pſal. 50, 15.Ps 50:15word and promiſe made of old, to ſave his people when they called on him in the day of their trouble, that ſo they might glorifie him. And moſt undoubtedly for this very end the Lord hath Gods way of ſaving a people by free mercy.poured on his people of England (within theſe two or three yeers) an extraordinarie ſpirit of grace and prayer or ſupplication, in theſe dayes of their diſtreſſe and great calamitie; yea and notably manifeſted by all theſe fore-mentioned returns of prayer, even far beyond their hopes and deſires, that he is a God hearing prayers▪ and ſo hath encouraged his people (notwithſtanding their ſins) to come unto him, and hath clearly let them ſee that tis not in vain to call on our God, and to wait till he have merciemercy. Hence, therefore, I ſay, let us learn to admire and adore the bounteous and open-hand and enlarged bowels of love and compaſſion of our good God and indulgent Father, who hath done all theſe ſo great and ſo good things for us, even of his own meer merciemercy Pſal. 147. 20.Ps 147:20and free favour, and becauſe merciemercy pleaſeth him. Since, then, 2it is moſt true and unqueſtionable, that God hath not ſo dealt Obſervation.with every Nation, nay I may juſtly ſay, not with any Nation, as he hath with us of England: O let us all ſeriouſly endeavour to out-ſtrip every Nation round about … Thankfulneſſe and Thankfulneſſe and obedience.Obedience, which is the ſecond Obſervation I deſire to make of theſe remarkable parliamentarie mercies to us. Thankfulnes, I ſay, p. 101firſt to our good and gracious God, who hath been the onelyonly author and fountain of all theſe full and fairly over-flowing mercies 1to us. Who hath thus bleſſed where the enemie hath curſed. To God.Who hath, thus, made the plots and deviſes of our adverſaries, the main means of their own ſhame and ſmart, of their own certain ruin and deſtruction. Yea who hath thus firmly and faithfully performed all his good word and will unto us hitherto, and Pſal. 115▪ 1.Ps 115:1therefore with holy David to cry out and ſay, Not unto us, Lord, not unto us, but unto thy Name give all the glory, for thy merciemercy and for thy truths ſake. Yea to raiſe and rouze-up our ſouls to the highest peg and pitch of holy extaſies of praiſe and thankſgiving to our God, and to break-out as the ſame holy David did. My Pſal. 108. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.Ps 108:1Ps 108:2Ps 108:3Ps 108:4Ps 108:5heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed, I will ſing and give praiſe, even with my glorie. Awake pſalterie and harp (yea, awake ſoul and heart) I my ſelf will awake right early, yea and right earnestly. I will praiſe thee, O Lord, among the people, and I will ſing praiſes unto thee among the Nations. For, thy mercies are great above the heavens, and thy glorie above all the earth. Set up thy ſelf (therefore) O our God, more and more, above the heavens, and thy glory above all the earth. And let not this our thankfulneſſe be meerly Thankfulneſſe muſt produce univerſall obedience.a work of lip-labour; but let it alſo (yea eſpecially) produce an effectuall work of life-labour▪ of true obedience, which, indeed, is better than ſacrifice. Obedience, I ſay, to all Gods commandments, univerſall-ſubmiſſion to the whole will of God. Which is mainly ſeen in breaking-off from our ſins (thoſe great blocks) that ſtand in the way, and hinder Gods good things from us; accurſed ſin, I ſay, which locks up all the gates of Gods goodneſſe and True repentance is the golden-key to open the door… of Gods treaſurie.ſweetneſſe from us) by true and cordiall repentance, by hating and forſaking our cloſeſt and ſ…ylieſt inſinuating darling ſins our boſome-Dal…lahs, which is the onelyonly-golden-key to open the doores, to▪lift-up the flood-gates of all Gods rich treaſury of grace and over-flowing favours and mercies to us.

Objection. But, here, I may demand (and not impertinently I hope) May we not alſo give thanks and due commendations to our noble and renowned Worthies in Parliament, who have ſo cheerfully and ſo indefatigably ſpent themſelves and their precious time for us and the Kingdoms good?

Anſwer. Yes undoubtedly, and that moſt duely; but in the firſt and moſt, and beſt place, to the Lord our God, who is the author and fountain p. 1022of all our mercies, and unto them in the next place, as the To our renowned Parliament-Worthies. Mr Calamie in his Faſt Sermon, p. 1…. A ſutable ſimile.channels or conduit-pipes by and through whom God is pleaſed to convey theſe comforts to us. And, as a grave, godly and learned Divine of our Citie fitly obſerved; It is not onelyonly decent and comely to give them thanks, even as we would, if a Lord or great friend ſhould ſend us ſome extraordinarie gift by his ſervant; we would firſt give condign thanks to the Lord or friend that ſends it, and alſo gratifie the ſervant or meſſenger by whom twas ſent, with ſome reall expreſſion both of our high eſteem of the donor, and alſo of our gratefull hearts to the meſſenger for his pains in bringing it to us: So, without all queſtion it is not onelyonly decent (as I ſaid before) but due and equall that we ſhould Why we ought to be moſt obligedly thankfull to this bleſſed Parliament.(at leaſt) return moſt heartie thanks to theſe honourable and happie Meſſengers of our great Lord and gracious God, who hath, by them, conferred upon us ſuch and ſo many indelible monuments of mercies and admirable Deliverances; eſpecially when we conſider, I ſay, with what invincible patience and pains, what admired wiſdom and untyred ſweetneſſe of ſpirit, both Lords and Commons, have for us and our good neglected their own lives and livelyhood, their own private and perſonall affairs and juſt delights, (otherwiſe) befitting ſuch perſons and perſonages even beyond the ſlender and lanck expreſſion of my poore pen, yea of the moſt eminent parallel of any by-paſt times▪ And therefore worthie, yea moſt worthie that we ſhould praiſe and prize them, and pray for them too, that our God would repay into the boſomes of them and their poſterity all the ſweetneſſe of their love and loyaltie to God their King and Countrey, which we all have found and felt to our unſpeakable joy and comfort.

The Parliaments moſt juſt Panegyrick, or due praiſe.Which being ſo, as moſt certain ſo it is. Ah foule ſhame for ſuch as moſt injuriouſly endeavour to traduce and blemiſh (as much as in their foule mouthes and falſe hearts is) the moſt honourable name and unſpotted reputation of ſo renowned prudent Peers and pious Patriots, whoſe equals (for pietie, prudence, patience and indefatigable pains for Church and State) this Kingdom Envie and ingratitude againſt this preſent Parliaments proceedings.and Nation, never, ſince it had a being beheld. Yet ſome, I ſay, have not bluſhed nor been aſham'd to manifeſt ſuch foule effects of black and ignominious ingratitude (and therein moſt palpable impietie) as cannot chuſe but be moſt exceeding irksome and odious both to God and man. Some, ſaying they ſee little or nothing done (as yet) others convinc'd in their conſciences of what is already done, yet extremly extenuate and under-value the ſame, ſaying, what have they done in ſo long time, what is yet reformed by them that was amiſſe before? Nay are not things (ſay ſome ſpurious imps of Envie) worſe than they were The true cauſe of Parliament calumniations and ſlanders.before (for ſo they count the works of reformation alreadie wrought, and farther endeavours of pure ordinances in Religion, right rules of justice which indeed is the main thing that vexeth them, and which, they extremly fear leſt it cut them ſhort of the former libertie of their baſe luſts) This, I ſay, and much more dares black-mouth'd malignitie belch out againſt theſe our neverſufficiently to be praiſed and prized Heroes, notwithſtanding all thoſe moſt admirable and amiable white-clouds of witneſſes of their mightie and bleſſed pains and pietie, as have been by me abundantly made known in all thoſe fore-mentioned parliamentarie-mercies, wherein, as, I have fully and fairly (I think) told my Readers what they have done: So, I could yet farther tell them what more they would have done, had not the moſt notorious envie and malice of impious and irreligious oppoſers the Act. 13. 10.Acts 13:10malignant Elymaſſes of our times, and enemies of all righteouſneſſe and true goodneſſe mightily moleſted and perniciouſly What the Parliament intends yet farther to do.oppoſed their pious purpoſes and religious reſolutions therein. As namely, a full removeall of the inordinate power, vexation and uſurpation of Biſhops, the reformation of the pride and idleneſſe of many others of the Clergie, the caſing of the peoples conſciences from unneceſſarie ceremonies in Gods worſhip, the cenſuring and removing of unworthie and unprofitable Ministers, and contrariwiſe, the maintaining and ſetting-up of godly and diligent Preachers through the whole Kingdom; together with many other things of great importance for the ſingular good of the Kingdom, which long have been in propoſition and agitation in Parliament (which the Reader may ſee moſt particularly ſet forth by our **The firſt and famous Remonſtrance of the State of the Kingdom; ſet forth, Decemb▪ 15. 1641.Parliamentarie-Worthies themſelves) but, which have been extremly and neceſſitouſly retarded and hindred by plots and projects of the malignant partie; but, which God (I truſt) will in his own good time ripen and bring to maturity of a through reformation, to the praiſe of his grace and wonder-working glorie.

The third ſerious conſideration and obſervation of all theſe rich and rare Parliamentarie-mercies, incomparable mercies and 3Obſervation.gracious deliverances of ou… land and Nation, ſo deeply deſigned p. 104To make' us more faithfull and leſſe fearfull. King Davids encouragement. Pſal. 44. 1.Ps 44:1to deſtruction, but ſo admirably pluckt (as a brand) out of the fire of confuſion, ſhould, moſt juſtly, make us more faithfull and leſſe fearfull. The Prophet David made it a ground of comfort and encouragement to him, to conſider what God had done for his Church and children in former times. We have heard (ſaies he) with our eares, O God, and our fathers have told us what works thou didst in their dayes, and in the times of old. But what a ground of comfort and heart-ſtabliſhing encouragement may it be to us, who Ver. 2. 3, 4.have not onelyonly heard our fathers tell us of Gods former wonders, but have viſibly ſeen with our own eyes, and found by our own preſent experience, how our God hath with his mightie hand and ſtretched-out arm ſupplanted our enemies, and bleſſedly begun to plant us. How the Lords right hand and mightie arm, and the light of his countenance (becauſe he had a favour to us) hath put us into much preſent poſſeſſion of our hearts deſires, and gloriouſly commanded great deliverances for us. It was alſo (and that moſt juſtly) a ſtrong ſtrengthening ſupp rtation to loyall-hearted and royally-affectionated Davids experimental faith.King David, to aſſure himſelf of an undoubted conqueſt over that ſeeming unconquerable uncircumciſed Philistine, great 1 Sam. 17. 37.1 Sam 17:37Goliah, namely, the ſweet heart-fortifying experience he had had of Gods aſſisting power and preſervation againſt the paw of the Lion, and the paw of the Bear. And ſhall not theſe our ſo many and ſo marvellous great deliverances and ſo ſweetly and ſo freſhly▪tasting-merci s cauſe us to be confident, that our God will deliver us alſo from the great Goliah-like and Philistine fears of future moſt dangerous deſignes by our moſt private and pernicious plotting enemies? O foule ſhame if they ſhould not! Certainly (Chriſtian Reader) experimentall faith muſt needs be an unmoveable, an impregnable rock, not to be daſht out of countenance, or driven from its ſo faſt hold by baſe and ſlaviſh fears, Nehem. 6. 11.Neh 6:11but to be the more ſetled and confirmed in faith. O (ſaies couragious and noble Nehemiah) ſhall ſuch a man as I am flie for fear Sweet encouragements to relie on God.of any enemies? So may I ſay to thee (good Reader) and to all my Chriſtian brethren of England, ſhall men of ſo many mercies, ſo many rare pledges of farther purpoſed deliverances, all readie put into our hands, faint and be afraid? Shall we damp and dead our hearts with baſe ſervile fear, and ſlaviſh doubts of infidelity, and, thereby, extremly diſcountenance our glorious cauſe, and mightily encourage our inſulting enemies, who would gladly triumph in our puſillanimous terrours and effeminate faintings? Ou… God forbid. Let us call to remembrance, and lay it ſadly and ſeriouſly to our hearts (for tis a moſt certain and undeniable truth) p. 105that nothing did ſo cut ſhort the children of Iſrael from entring Infidelitie a moſtdangerous means to deprive us of our happie hopes.into Canaan, fruitfull Canaan, the deſire of their ſouls (becauſe the promiſed land of peace and plentie) as godleſſe infidelity ſtill queſtioning and as it were catechiſing Gods power and faithfulnes. O, ſo, let us take great heed that infidelitie and falſe-fears cut us not ſhort of our hopes of a pure reformation (the deſire of our ſouls) and of a perfect deliverance from enſuing dangers, the promiſed heart-chearing happineſſe of us and our posterity. But here I deſire I may not be miſtaken; I have not ſo preſt this dutie of Adviſe not to be ſecure or careleſſe alſo.faithfull repoſe in God, out of former happie experiments as to caſt any of Gods children into a lethargi of ſupine ſecuritie, or improvident careleſneſſe. No, God forbid this alſo. For, I hereby forbid not all fear, but do deſire we may ſtill and over retain that godly fear which may graciouſly keep our hearts in ſuch an humble posture and diſpoſition as may preſerve us from carnall ſecuritie, as may make us fear the Lord, tremble at his judgements, What fear is requiſite in times of danger.and not dare to ſin againſt him; fear thus (ſtill) on Gods name, and ſpare not, for, doubtleſſe, bleſſed is the man that (thus) fears alwayes. But, I, hereby, deſire onelyonly to beat down and keep-under that ſlaviſh f ar and cowardly fainting of ſpirit, which I obſerve A great failing in Gods people.to be too frequent in Gods dearest children, to the diſhonour of our gracious and bountifull God, and the wonderfull weakning and wounding of ſo glorious a cauſe as we are intereſſed in, (and bleſſed be our God that ever we had a part in it) eſpecially having God on our ſide, and his ſure word of promiſe to ſupport us to back and bear us up in our ſtricteſt ſtraits. Wherefore, my Brethren, let us ſeriouſly and ſincerely often check and controul ſuch unſound and unwarrantable fears, with that fair and favourable reproof from the Lord himſelf of ſuch falſe and faithleſſe Iſa. 51. ….Isa 51fears in his children▪ Hearken unto me, ye that know righteouſneſſe, the people in whoſe heart is my Law. Fear ye not the reproaches of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings▪ For, the moth ſhall eat them up like a garment, and the worm ſhall eat them like wooll▪ but my righteouſneſſe A precious preſervative againſt falſe fears in Gods children.ſhall be for ever, and my ſalvation from generation to generation. And that eſpecially in the 12 and 13 verſes of the ſame chapter. I, even I am he that comforteth you, who art thou that thou ſhouldſt be afraid of a man that ſhall die, and of the ſon of man which ſhall be made as graſſe▪ and forgetteſt the Lord thy maker, that hath ſtretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundation of the earth▪ and haſt feared continually every day, becauſe of the furie of the oppreſſour, as if he were readie to deſtroy, and where is the furie of the p. 106oppreſſour? Certainly, good Reader, here's a moſt exact deſcription of the condition of very many of Gods children, even at this very day; O what fear of the force or fraud is there of men, yea of wicked men, who ſhall undoubtedly periſh together with their moſt deſperate deſignes and profoundeſt policie? What ſtartling is there at a baſe weak project of theirs, though our eyes have ſeen them vaniſh like a vapour and come to nought? What frights and fears are in the hearts of Gods people, even every day (as the Lord ſaies) becauſe of their ſeeming furie, but certain frenzie and madneſſe; which yet, our God hath cruſht and confounded in its higheſt ruff and deepeſt danger-threatning bluſter▪ For ſhame, therefore, for ſhame, let us labour againſt ſuch groundleſſe, ſuch cauſeleſſe fears▪ and put on godly reſolution and invincible courage, ſince the Lord is our God, and is good, and does good, and who hath done all this great good for us; Which brings us to my fourth and last Obſervation on theſe fore-mentioned 4pa liamentarie mercies, namely, That the Lord onelyonly is our Obſervation. God onelyonly is our ſalvation, therefore to wait on him for deliverance Pſal. 3. 8. Iſa. 36. 6.Ps 3:8Isa 36:6ſalvation, and hath engaged himſelf and his own great Name to deliver us, by his faithfull word and promiſe, and that therefore we ſhould patiently, wiſely, and zealouſly depend on him for deliverance. Since, I ſay, the Lord onelyonly is our ſtrength, and not the failing arm of fleſh which we know is an accurſed prop, and will deceive like the broken reeds of Egypt; let us therefore often remember that of good King Jehoſaphat, which indeed, I deſire may be a conſtant and cordiall memento to us all to ſtabliſh and ſtrengthen our hearts piouſly and patiently to wait on the 2 Chron. 22. 20.2 Chr 22:20Lord, namely, Hear me (ſaies that good King) O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jeruſalem, beleeve the Lord your God, ſo ſhall ye be eſtabliſhed, beleeve his Prophets (and promiſes) ſo ſhall ye proſper. Even ſo I ſay to thee, O England, and ye noble and renowned inhabitants of London, famous over the whole Chriſtian world for the glory of God among you, beleeve the many and moſt ſweet and precious-promiſes which God in Chriſt hath made unto you, ſo ſhall ye certainly prevail and proſper; lay hold on the promiſes, yea, rest and roul your ſelves, and even live upon the promiſes, ſo ſhall it undoubtedly go well with thee. Now, we have a ſure word of promiſe, that Babylon ſhall fall, yea ſaies the Iſa. 21. 9▪Isa 21:9Lord, by the Prophet (in reſpect of the certainty of it) Babylon is fallen, is fallen, (with an ingemination, which implies, matter of Ier. 51. 8.Jer 51:8moment) and all the graven images of her gods, the Lord hath broken to the ground. Yea ſaies the Prophet Jeremie, Babylon is ſuddenly p. 107fallen and deſtroyed. Now then, I ſay, good Reader, having ſuch a ſure word of promiſe (even from the fountain of Truth, yea Truth it ſelf) let us with Chriſtian courage, by faith lay faſt hold on it and infallibly beleeve it, for Truth hath ſpoken it; and certainly heaven and earth ſhall ſooner periſh than one jot or tittle of his precious word and promiſe ſhall not be performed. Haſt thou, I ſay, (as a reverend and learned Divine, once ſweetly Mr Carall Paſtour of Lincolnes-Inne.delivered) a ſure word of promiſe, abide cloſe by it, for, certainly, whatſoever the work of Gods providence may be (which ofttimes, I confeſſe, ſeems, even point-blank to croſſe and contradict our hopes, mainly for triall of our faith and patience) yet, ſtick-faſt to the word of promiſe, reſt and relye on it, wait with the patience of the Saints for the performing of it: For, as the Lord ſaid to the Prophet, Write the viſion, and make it plain upon tables that he may Haba. 2▪ 2, 3▪run that readeth it. For, the viſion is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it ſhall ſpeak and not lie, though it tarrie, wait for it, becauſe it will ſurely come, and it will not tarry. See here, good Reader, what ſound and ſolid grounds of Chriſtian courage, comfort and confidence is here? Who then would be afraid? Who would not ſtrongly and immoveably relie on the Lord his ſo mightie, ſo ſure foundation? See, I ſay, what an abundant Cornucopia of ſweet refection is here for the moſt drooping heart that may be, who then would Tantalize in the midſt of ſuch & ſo fair heartupholding ſtore? Alas, alas, good Reader, if, under ſuch props and ſupportations our hearts ſhould flag, and faint, and ſink, by Infidelitie is the root of ſlaviſh fear.fear and infidelity (which indeed is the bitter root of ſlaviſh fear) might not the Lord too juſtly upbraid us, as, once, he did the murmuring children of Iſrael, the ſinfull and rebellious Iſraelites? Since the Lord onelyonly is our faſt and firmly-rooted Rock, and his Deut. 32. 4, 5, 6Deut 32:4Deut 32:5Deut 32:6works are perfect, and all his wayes judgement, a God of truth, and without iniquitie, most just and right. If we thus corrupt our ſelves (with ſinfull infidelity) our ſpot is not then the ſpot of his children, but we being thus a perverſe and crooked generation, may not the Lord, then, I ſay, moſt justly upbraid us, and ſay, Do ye thus requite the Lord, O fooliſh people and unwiſe? Is not God your Father that hath bought you and eſtabliſht you? O remember the dayes of old (of thy old ſlaverie and bondage of Romiſh-Egypt, the black and palpable fogs of Popiſh idolatrie and ſuperſtition) conſider the yeers of many paſt generations, ask your fathers and they can ſhew you, your elders and they can tell you. And certainly, as good Ezra ſaid in ſuch a like caſe: If after theſe great mercies and deliverances which God p. 108hath wrought for us, and wherwith he hath ſo graciouſly crowned Ezra 9. 13, 14.Ezra 9:13Ezra 9:14us, we ſhould yet again break our covenant with God, we ſhould violate his righteous commandments, turn his ſo ſweet and precious grace into wantonneſſe, and make this his patience and goodneſſe to us a ground of our licentiouſneſſe, and looſſe living, would not the Lord (and that moſt juſtly) be angrie with us, untill he had utterly conſumed us? Yes certainly he would. For, though tis moſt true that the Lord hath proclaimed himſelf to the whole world, and all generations have found him to be, The Exod. 34. 5, 6, 7Exod 34:5Exod 34:6Exod 34:7Lord, the Lord, mercifull and gracious, long-ſuffering, and abundant in goodneſſe and truth, keeping merciemercy for thouſands, forgiving iniquiti…, tranſgreſſion and ſin: yet it is as true, that he will by no means clear the guiltie, but will viſit the iniquitie of fathers upon the children, and upon the childrens children unto the third and fourth generation. Wherefore, I ſay, let our onelyonly fear be to off…nd this God, as loving and obedient children; to diſobey ſo loving▪ ſo gracious and indulgent a Father of mercies, and God of ſo many comforts and conſolations; yea to provoke ſo patient a God, ſo loath to ſtrike when ſtirred, yea conſtrained thereunto by our unſufferable ſins; ſo ready to help and heal what ſin hath wounded. Let us, then, be ſeriouſly adviſed, ſince ſuch free favour is ſhown unto us, to behold Iſa. 26. 10.Isa 26:10the majeſtie of the Lord, and to learn righteouſneſſe, and not to do unjuſtly in the land of uprightneſſe; leſt whiles we will not learn righteouſneſſe by the hiſtorical miſeries of others (I mean Germanie and Ireland) God make us a hiſtorie of wo and wretchedneſſe …o Mr Calamie in his Sermon on the Faſt.others round about us. Yea, I ſay, let us contrariwiſe be co…ſtr…ined cordially to love ſuch a God of love who ſo d…lights to load …s with his love in ſuch unparralleld & unpattern'd meaſure as never any Nation could produce the like preſidents. But let this our love be free and filiall▪ not mercenarie, and ſo (as reverend M▪ Calamie before mentioned in his ſaid Fast-Sermon) meretricious love, onelyonly, or elſe mainly for love of reward or fear of puniſhment, but let it be pure and ſincere, and out of an honest heart and good conſcience, as unto the Lord, the onelyonly ſearcher of the heart and reins, and who is onelyonly pleaſed with ſinceritie and integrity of heart, truth in the inner-parts. And, now, to wind-up all and to conclude▪ le… holy love▪ I ſay, and perf…ct obedience be the precious r…ribution of all theſe rare and ſingular mercies of our bountifull God unto us; unto us, I ſay, a Nation ſo i…deſerving ſuch an … of ove… flowing favours, a Nation ſo well-deſerving an …npattern'd-deluge p. 109of direst deſtruction; a Nation ſo freely, ſo extraordinarily beloved, a Nation ſo meretoriouſly deſerving to be extremly hated; a Nation, I ſay, ſo fill'd and fraught and beautifide with bleſſings, and yet a Nation and people ſo defiled and ſtained with ſi…s and tranſgreſſions of deepeſt dies. In ſad and moſt ſerious conſideration whereof, 2 Sam. 12, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.2 Sam 12:202 Sam 12:212 Sam 12:222 Sam 12:232 Sam 12:24I deſire that what that good Prophet Samuel preſt on the people of Iſrael might take deep impreſſion on mine own and all my conſcionable and Chriſtian Readers hearts, Though (O England) thou be a ſinfull Nation, yet fear not, turn not aſide from following the Lord, but ſerve him (now) with all your heart. And turn not aſide O England take heed of Romiſh idolatrie and ſuperſtitious innovations.(with diſloyall apoſtacie to baſe and bloodie and blaſphemous Rome, or any of her Romiſh innovations and Nation-confounding high provocations) for then ſhould ye go after vain things which cannot profit or deliver you in the day of your diſtreſſe, for they are vain. But cleave and adhere faſt to the Lord (and to his pure and holy worſhip) for the Lord will not forſake his people, for his own great Names ſake, becauſe it hath pleaſed the Lord to make us his people above all Nations round about. And as for me your poore and unworthie brother (that I may uſe the ſaid holy Prophets own words) God forbid, that I ſhould ſin againſt the Lord, in ceaſing to pray continually for my land and nation. But I deſire (by this Prophets bleſſed direction) to admoniſh and ſhew you the good and right way, to conſerve and increaſe all theſe many and moſt rich mercies and deliverances to you and your ſpringing poſterity. OnelyOnly fear the Lord, and ſerve him in truth, with all your heart; for, conſider how great things he hath done for you. And now for a full and finall cloſe and concluſion of all, give me leave (good Reader) to uſe my moſt dear and even bleſſed Saviours holy and wholeſome exhortation to that diſp…ſſeſſed man in the Goſpel, on whom he Mark 5. 19.Mark 5:19had wrought that great miracle. Go home to thy friends (ſaith our Saviour) and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compaſſion on thee. So, I to my ſelf and all my godly Readers, Let us go home to our own hearts, to our own houſes, yea and to Gods houſe too, and tell our own ſouls, our wives, children Go tell wha… great things God hath do… for thee.and friends, yea and teach our children to tell their posterity after us, how great and how good things the Lord our God hath done for us, for England, Scotland and Ireland, three moſt ſinfull Nations; and how he hath had compaſſion on us, meerly for his own free mercies ſake, and becauſe merciemercy beſt pleaſed him. And, then, and therewithall, let us again and again ruminate and recogitate, p. 110yea practiſe and perform that pregnant precept of our great Lord and Maſter Chriſt Jeſus to that poore and infirm man, who had for many yeers together been a poore lame creeple (juſt our caſe in the ſpirituall ſenſe) and whom our Saviour had wonderfully Ioh. 5▪ 14.John 5:14cured. Behold thou art made whole, ſin no more (ſaies our Saviour) leſt a worſe thing come unto thee: So let us all ſay to our own ſouls Sin no more, leſt a worſe thing come unto thee.in particular, and to our land and Nation in generall, behold we are all (hitherto) ſtrangely ſaved and delivered out of the hands of our malicious and malignant enemies; O let us take heed and labour (by the help of Gods Spirit) that we ſin no more (eſpecially The ſin of Romiſh idolatrie a moſt dangerous ſin. A …it ſimile.that realm ruinating ſin of back-ſliding to Romiſh idolatrie and Popiſh ſuperſtition) leſt a worſe thing come unto us. For, certainly, as a wiſe husband will diſcreetly bear with many failings, yea and main faults and infirmities too in his wife whom he loves; but i… ſhe once defile his marriage-bed by adulterie, O he can by no means endure that indignity and diſgrace: So undoubtedly it is with the Lord our God, who hath married his Church and children to himſelf, who will (as we all have deep & daily experience, and as was moſt remarkably evident in King David) bear with many groſſe and foul faults, and failings in them, but if once they Luk. 22. 32.Luke 22:32defile his marriage-bed (as I may ſo call it) violate their faith (not that I think or beleeve tis * poſſible for his truly elected-ones and effectually-called-ones to fall away totally or finally from true faith, or ſoul-ſaving grace) and pure profeſſion or religion, by commi… ting idolatrie (ſpirituall adulterie) and fooliſh and faithleſſe ſuperstition, he will by no means put-up or endure this heinous, yea this hideous and moſt hatefull ſin, this infallibly puniſhment-provoking ſin, eſpecially, I ſay, if it be ſtubbornly and ſtiffely perſiſted in, but (as was notably manifeſted in King Solomon) will undoubtedly be avenged on us for this inſufferable diſloyaltie, and the fire of his conjugall jealouſie will moſt infallibly break-out upon us to our utter deſtruction without remedie. From which ſo high and dangerous an indignitie to our good God, the Lord for Chriſts ſake, by the irreſiſtible power of his good Spirit, preſerve and uphold England, Scotland and Ireland, and all tha… have by Gods gracious power and good providence, ſhaken-off and broken in pieces that heavy, yea that helliſh yoke of Romes Anti-Chriſtian tyrannie.

Amen and Amen.

All glorie be to God alone.

FINIS.

End of the text · John Vicars, God in the Mount (1642)