Epistle to the Three Nations of England Scotland and Ireland, Letter (1 of 3)

Epistle to the Three Nations of England Scotland and Ireland · Letter (1 of 3)

p. 6PARALELLOGRAMMATON. An Epiſtle Exhortatory and Premonitory to all the Nations in the three Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, with the Dominions and Territories to them belonging.

The Muſes language ſuits with few of thoſe

Who moſt need this; I therefore now in Proſe

Expreſs my mind. My Pen, LORD, ſo direct,

That what I write may have ſome good effect.

GEORGE WITHER, an unworthy Servant of Jeſus Chriſt and of all his Servants, (called through that Annointing of the holy Spirit, whereby every true Profeſſor of Chriſtianity is qualified for the work of his Generation) wiſheth Grace and Peace in the ſame Chriſt Jeſus, to all the Inhabitants of England, Scotland and Ireland, with the Colonies and Territories to them belonging. Providence, dearly beloved Brethren, hath ſo diſpoſed of me, that I have neither Civil nor Martial employment, as heretofore; nor Parochial, Congregational, or Oeconomical charge incumbent upon me, or ſo much as any certain place of Reſidence upon Earth, (except a Priſon) confining me to a local or particular duty relating to others; nor Eſtate or Affairs in the world to intangle me: Therefore, being a Freeman in the Spirit, though in corporeal Bands for diſcharging my Conſcience, and obeying p. 7GOD rather than Men; (and left at large in reſpect of other obligations) I conceive my ſelf bound to beſtow the little remainder of my life in ſome National Services, whereby GOD may be glorified, my Brethren edified, and my Country preſerved from Deſtruction. I am not altogether unknown unto you: For, I undertook long ſince, to be a Remembrancer to theſe Iſlands of Great Britain, with a Reſolution to execute that Office, whilſt I lived, as juſt occaſions and opportunities ſhould from time to time be offered, ſo far forth as GOD ſhall give me Grace; And I do now by this Premonitory and Exhortatory Epiſtle, exhibite to your ſerious conſiderations, that which Providence hath lately offered unto mine; preaching in my Laymode, the Doctrine of Repentance, which is to us as neceſſary to prepare the way of our LORD Chriſt at this near approach of his ſecond Coming, as it was in that Generation whereto it was preached by John the Baptiſt at his firſt Coming in the fleſh. That Premonitor was ſingle in his work, being thereto extraordinarily deſigned and qualified: I am but one among many, thereto fitted in ſome degree by GOD's ordinary diſpenſations: Nevertheleſs, by a Medium, having an Alluſion to his imitation, though much differing from it: For, as he was prepared for his work in that Generation, by returning from converſing among men, into a deſolate place or Wilderneſs; ſo, I have been prepared for that which I have to do, by converſing among men in the world; And, as he finiſhed his Life and Teſtimony againſt the corruption of his Generation in a Priſon, ſo peradventure muſt I; yea, without peradventure, if GOD himſelf prevents it not, with whoſe good pleaſure I ſhall be well pleaſed. Suffer me therefore with your patience to proſecute p. 8my work, and let it not be ſuppoſed that I have herein acted without Commiſſion; nor let this Alluſion to John Baptiſt, be miſconſtrued, as if I thereby arrogated or ſought to inſinuate an opinion that I am ſomewhat more than I am; for, I conceive my ſelf to be one of the least in the Kingdom of Heaven, and to be by the Grace of GOD onelyonly that which I am, having neither Miſſion nor Commiſſion, but that of GOD's Word and Spirit, whereby every true Servant of his is qualified, called, and authorized, to proſecute the particular Services, whereto he is appointed in his Time and Place.

During five or ſix eminent Publick Changes for about ſixty years together, I have had place, means and opportunity (otherwhile as a private, and ſometimes as a publick perſon) to be an occular or an earwitneſs of many of the moſt ſignal tranſactions in theſe three Nations, relating to their general well or ill being; and was alſo a diligent Obſerver (ſomewhat ſooner than moſt other men of my years) of the Peoples Manners in private, aſwell concerning GOD as Men, even in perſons of all Degrees and Profeſſions from the higheſt to the loweſt incluſively; as may partly appear, by thoſe Obſervations, Oriations, and Reproofs, which I have heretofore publiſhed from time to time; and for which I began to ſuffer, as I now do, nigh fifty years paſt. But, my Endeavours having had little good effect hitherto, notwithſtanding the various and manifold inter-changes of Judgments and Mercies, wherewithal GOD hath provoked us, (nor by the frequent Applications which his Miniſters have made of them, as occaſions were offered) I not thinking my ſelf diſcharged from what I undertook, am willing to adventure the loſs of more labour to prevent p. 9(if it be poſſible) that which I fear may enſue: And to that end am induced to add this Expedient, hoping and believing, that ſome of this Generation will be hereby awakened out of their ſecurity, when they have herewithal conſidered in how many evident Particulars, GOD hath verified my Preſages to theſe Nations, lately and long ago publiſhed, when there was little fear of ſuch Events. The Generality, in my apprehenſion, is more infatuated and much more wicked than when I firſt took notice of the world, and ſo inſnarled with all manner of Confuſions in things both Divine and Civil, that, unleſs we ſpeedily and more ſtrenuouſly return to GOD by Repentance, Faith and Prayer, that we may be diſentangled, all the great hopes of the Temporal Proſperity, which is by ſome lately conceived, will quite fail them, and all the ſevere Judgments heretofore inflicted upon our true Types, Judah and Iſrael, will be ſhortly executed upon us. I heartily pray we may eſcape them, and to that intent, forewarn you by theſe Preſents, before it is too late; Not being thereto moved by ſuch Phanatick Impulſes, as thoſe are by ſome judged to be, whereby GOD hath enclined many of his Servants (on whom you impoſe contemptible names) in various Modes, to awaken you out of your dreams and ſecurity: But, I have attempted it, upon thoſe Motives, whereby they and I have been warrantably provoked to be Remembrancers for your weal and ſafety, though maligned and perſecuted for our good will: and that which inclined me to write unto you in this manner, was thus occaſioned.

I lately making uſe of my ordinary Contemplative Object, the written Word of God, the better to preſerve my Faith and Dependance in and upon him in p. 10theſe my Bands; and having in particular refreſhed my memory with what the Prophets left recorded touching the Prevarications of the Children of Iſrael, and the Inhabitants of Judah and Jeruſalem, on whom the Judgments fore-declared were afterward inflicted for their obſtinate impenitence; I perceived them to be ſo like us, and we ſo like them, both in our tranſgreſſions and wilfulneſs, that the Contemplation thereof moved me to make this Premonitory Addreſs; and to preface it with ſuch Preoccupations as I thought needful; and a brief Recapitulation of thoſe Omitions and Commitions, wherewith I found the Jews to have been charged by their own Prophets: hoping, the Exemplification of ſuch Premonitions, ſo authorized, and having ſuch notorious Events, ſhall ſo prevail, that when you have obſerved, what they did, what you have done, (and find it teſtified by your own Conſciences, how you parallel them in the ſame and the like ſins) you will not be ſo ſtupid, as to think, if you continue in them, that you can poſſibly eſcape the like Judgements; in regard, as the Crimes are the ſame, or equivolent, ſo, you have the ſame Accuſers, and the ſame Judge, with not a few Witneſſes and Aggravations of your Guiltineſs. Reade, hear and heed then what Impeachments the Prophets of GOD have in ſeveral times drawn up againſt his own choſen People, with what was threatned and befel them afterward, for their perverſneſs and impenitency.

The Prophet Iſaiah perſonates the LORD, accuſing them to be, Rebellious Children, an ignorant inconſiderate People, laden with iniquity; A ſeed of evil doers corrupting each other, perverſe in their wayes to the provoking of his Anger and ſtill more p. 11and more apoſtatizing, notwithſtanding their frequent corrections and fatherly admonitions. That, they were head-ſick heart-ſick, and unſound in every part from head to foot. That, nothing would work upon them to amendment; inſomuch, that but for a Remnant, which he had preſerved among them, they had been like Sodom and Gomorrah. The ſaid Prophet teſtifies, that they had made their Worſhip of GOD, their Sacrifices, and all their outward ſervices of him (even thoſe which he himſelf had commanded) to be as abominable, or as little regarded, as thoſe which he required not at their hands. That, their Princes and Judges were rebellious, the companions of Robbers; lovers of Bribes, and Oppreſſors of the Poor, the Fatherleſs and Widows. That, they polluted themſelves with bloody defilements; were guilty of a whoriſh unfaithfulneſs to GOD; were covetous and cruel to Men; Truſters to Vanities and Lyes; wicked in their Imaginations and Practices; and that by their manifold Tranſgreſſions they had made a ſeparation between GOD and them. Iſa. Ch. 1. he upbraids them, with following the vain cuſtoms and faſhions of other Nations; with multiplying (their Militia) their Gariſons, and with their groſs Idolatries. Chap. 2. he reproves them for their hauty looks, for the iniquity of their words & actions; for their impudence in ſinning; for the inſolency of their Children, and for the imperiouſneſs of their Women, upon whoſe petulancies he much inſiſting, reckons up at leaſt twenty of their feminine Gewgaws and Baubles, ſuch as with us are multiplied into almoſt twenty times as many; not omitting, their diſcover'd necks, their wandring eyes, their affected gestures or paces, nor the tingling of their ſhooes or p. 12ſlippers; as if ſuch vanities in their Women were to be a ſign to other Nations in after Ages, that ſome deſtructive Change, was approaching unto them, whoſe Women were become extraordinarily immodeſt, and addicted to new fangles. Chap. 3. he brands them, with bringing forth Oppreſſion, when Righteouſneſs was expected; with the ſin of depopulation, by laying Houſe to Houſe, and Land to Land, until there was no place left for the poor; with their early riſing to be drunk, and continuing at the Wine till night; with exceſs in Feaſtings and Muſick in times of general Calamity, without conſidering the neceſſities and afflictions of GOD's People, or what he had done for them; he reproves them, for their ſcoffings, for their ſlighting the Works and Counſels of the Holy One of Iſrael; for calling good, evil, and evil, good; for putting darkneſs for light, and light for darkneſs; for being wiſe in their own conceits only, and for juſtifying the Wicked, and condemning the Innocent. Chap. 5. He blames them, for not returning to GOD when he chaſtiſed them, and impeaches their Princes and Prophets, for leading the People to deſtruction, chap. 9. He impeaches their Paſtors and Watchmen of Blood-guiltineſs and Ignorance, terming them greedy, ſleepy, and dumb dogs, hunting after game, and filling themſelves with ſtrong drink. Chap. 46. He reproves their neglect of Juſtice and Mercy, their hypocritical Faſts, and meer formal Humiliations. Chap. 58. He charges them alſo, with muſing vanities, with plotting miſchiefs, with ſpeaking lies, with ſwiftneſs to ſhed innocent blood, with neglecting GOD's wayes, and proſecuting their own crooked paths, Chap. 59. This is part of Iſaiah's Charge; and p. 13wherefore was it recorded but for our warning and inſtruction?

The Prophet Jeremy adding his Teſtimony, witneſſeth their Ingratitude, Apoſtacies and Oppreſſions. Chap. 2. Mentions their ſottiſh unaptneſs to every good act, and their proneneſs to that which is evil. Chap. 4. Accuſes them particularly, of Perjury, of ſwearing by falſe Gods, of Fornications, Adulteries, and aſſembling by troops in Brothel-houſes; and expreſſes the bruitiſhneſs of their luſts, by neighing after their Neighbours Wives, like full-fed horſes. He brands them, as Iſa did, for being a rebellious people, fearleſs of GOD, betrayers and inſnarers of Men; for having uncircumciſed ears; for being covetous, diſaffected to the wayes of GOD, and for out-acting even the wicked in their wickedneſs. Chapters 5, and 6. he charges them with confiding in Lyes, with depending upon a meer formal Profeſſion of Holineſs, and with a vain conceit, that their having the Temple of the LORD among them, ſhould ſanctifie them and make them acceptable, notwiſtanding all their Hypocriſie, Idolatry and Prophaneſs. Chap. 7. he upbraids them with perpetuated back-ſlidings, obſtinate impenitence, with ſurpaſſing brute creatures in their brutiſhneſs, with ſelf-conceit and ſelf-will, to the rejecting the Wiſdom of GOD; and with being, from the higheſt to the loweſt, even Prieſts and Prophets, falſe and deceitful in their hearts, tongues and practices; in regard whereof, he adviſeth every man to beware of his neighbour. Chapters 8 and 9. And in his 10th Chap. complains, that both People and Paſtors were brutiſh. He complains alſo, that they encouraged each other to ſmite him with the tongue, that is, to ſlander him, (probably p. 14like thoſe in our dayes, who conſederate in defaming the Servants and Meſſengers of GOD, that their premonitious Reproofs and wholſom Cautions might be the leſs regarded. Chap. 18. he records the cancelling and burning his Roll of Prophecies, by the hand of their King (which was as well done, as by the hand of the Hangman) with an intent to ſuppreſs his Teſtimony againſt their Wickedneſs, publiſhed by him upon a day of humiliation, wherein they hypocritically pretended to ſeek GOD by Prayer and Faſting. Chap. 36. he teſtifies againſt their hypocritical asking counſel of him concerning their departing out of their own Country into Egypt, and then doing the contrary to what he adviſed them in the Name of GOD; and declares the malepartneſs of their Women, in juſtifying their Superſtition (and Idolatrous huſwifery) in making ſpice Cakes for the Queen of Heaven (blaſphemouſly ſo called) and their wicked aſcribing to that Idol, the bleſſing of Plenty, which they enjoyed (by GOD's mercifull long-ſuffering and bounty) in the times of their predominant I dolatry and Prosperity, Chap. 44.

The Prophet Ezekiel brought in a large Impeachment alſo, againſt them, and by a Commiſſion from GOD, arraigned them for Rebellion and Stubbornneſs, chap. 2. Accuſed their Prophets of Folly, Deceit, lying Divinations, and of pretending to ſpeak as from GOD, when he had not ſpoken by them: Charges them with neglecting to make up the Breaches of Iſrael; daubing with untempored mortar, and deluding the People with promiſes of Peace, when Deſtruction was imminent. Chap. 13. he indicted them of Ingratefully giving thoſe good things, which GOD had graciouſly beſtowed on them, to his p. 15Enemies, and to ingratiate themſelves with their Adultrous Lovers; laying alſo to their charge the horrible ſin of ſacrificing their Children to Molech, Chap. 16. and, with imputing Injuſtice to GOD, as if he puniſhed men for ſins not committed by them; and children, for thoſe tranſgreſſions of their fathers whereof they were not guilty. Chap. 18. He accuſes the Princes of Bloodſhed, the People of Diſobedience to Parents, of oppreſſing Strangers, the Fatherleſs and the Widow; of diſpiſing and prophaning Holy things; of making Debate by Tale bearing; of Inceſts, Fornications and Adulteries; of unſatiable Luſtings; of Extortions, Uſury, and of wholly forgetting GOD. Chap 23. He complains, that they pretended to Godlineſs, and to a deſire of being directed and taught by GOD's Prophets, whereas they intended it not, neither gave much more regard unto them, than to Balladſingers and Fidlers, (or in words to that effect) chap. 33. He teſtifies, that their Shepherds fed themſelves with the fat of their Flocks, and clothed themſelves with their wool; but neither fed thoſe that were hungry, nor ſtrengthened thoſe that were weak, nor cured thoſe that were ſick, nor bound up that which was broken, nor ſought out that which was loſt, nor brought home that which went aſtray; but, ruling over them by force and cruelty, cauſed the Flocks to be ſcattered, and wander throughout the Earth, Chapt. 34. Conſider to whom this may be applied; and who, as they did, have ſet their threſholds by God's threſholds, and their poſts by his poſts, as it is ſaid the Jews did, Ezek. 43.

The Prophet Daniel confeſſeth in his Prayer, that their Kings, their Princes, their Fathers, and the p. 16whole houſe of Iſrael, had been tranſgreſſors againſt GOD's Laws, and despiſers of his Prophets and Servants.

The Prophet Hoſea calls them, the Children of Whoredom, and Covenant-breakers. Hoſ. chap. 2. He charges them, with being inconſiderate of their own wayes, corrupters of their Kings, by making them ſport, and rejoycing their hearts with wickedneſs, and delighting their Princes with lyes. That, upon their Feſtivals they made their Kings (or themſelves, or both) ſick with Bottles of Wine; meaning as I conceive, that they were drunk: For, it is uſually ſaid that Great men are ſick, when they are diſtempered with drink; and poor men drunk; and peradventure they then drank healths, as in theſe times, until they had by drinking healths to others, drunk away their own health. The ſame Prophet ſayes alſo, that they cauſed their Kings to ſtretch out their hands to Scorners: which may peradventure ſignifie the giving of their hands to be kiſſed by unworthy perſons, as a teſtimony that they are in their favour. He further charges them, to be Adulterers, heated with Luſt like Ovens; and that their Kings and Judges were apoſtatized through neglect of GOD. Chap. 7. That they had likewiſe ſet up Kings which he intended not to ſet over them, and ſuch Princes as he approved not of, (which ſin Samuel laid alſo to their charge, when they deſired a King like other Nations.) Moreover, he impeaches them for Covenant-breaking; for tranſgreſſing againſt the Laws of their Maker, and being forgetful of him, and become ſtrangers unto him; for building ſuch Temples, and making ſuch Fortifications as he approved not of, Chap. 8. And addeth, that they were a Vine p. 17bearing fruit to themſelves onelyonly; That, they had ſworn falſly in their Covenants, plowed for wickedneſs, reaped Iniquity, fed upon the fruit of Lyes, and confided in their own ſtrength and Policy, chap. 10.

Joel particularizeth ſuch Judgments as were approaching for their ſins; and exhorts them to ſpeedy Repentance.

Amos complains, that neither Judgements nor Mercies prevailed to reform them; That, their ſins had made their Faſts, Oblations, and other pious duties, abominable to the LORD; That, they deferred the evil day, and cauſed the Thrones of Oppreſſion to be exalted: That, they ſtretched themſelves upon their couches and beds of Ivory, chearing their hearts with variety of Muſick, whilſt the People of GOD were oppreſſed, and their ſufferings by them unregarded.

Micaiah, chargeth thoſe who were in Authority with meditating miſchiefs upon their beds, at night, and executing it in the morning; as alſo with coveting and violently taking away other mens Houſes and Inheritances, Chap. 2. He charges their Princes and Rulers with ignorance in Judgment, with hating that which is good, with loving that which is evil, with plucking the skins of the People from their fleſh, tearing the fleſh from the bones, and quite devouring them. He accuſes their Prophets of leading the People into errors, of being contentious and quarrelſome with ſuch as fed them not according to their unſatiable longings; of building up Sion with Blood, and Jeruſalem with Iniquity. He affirmed, that the Heads of the People judged for reward; that the Prieſts taught for hire; and that their Prophets p. 18propheſied for money, Chap. 3. He impeached the Nation of fraud and lying, of deceitfulneſs in their Trading, and of uſing falſhood in their weights and meaſures, Chap. 6. He complained, that good and righteous men were periſhed out of the Land; that, they lay in wait for Blood, hunting their Brethren as with Nets, and plaid upon both hands in their proſecutions of evil: That, their Princes were greedy of Gifts and Bribes, plotters of miſchief, and the beſt of them but a Bryar or a Thorn. That, Children diſhonoured their Parents; That, Kinſmen were treacherous to each other; That, the moſt dangerous Enemies were men of the ſame houſhold; and, that neither Friends, Guides, Guardians, or they who lay in each others boſoms, were to be truſted, Chap. 7.

The Prophet Zephaniah atteſted, that their Princes were like roaring Lyons and ravenous Wolves gnawing the very Bones of the People: That, their Prophets were light treacherous perſons, their Prieſts violaters of the Laws, and polluters of the Sanctuary, Chap. 3.

Haggai upbraids them, with neglect of GOD's Houſe, and ſuffering that to be waſte, whilſt they were curiouſly trimming up their own habitations.

Zechary declares, the hypocriſie of their Faſts, affirming that they were deaf to all good Counſel, and that, becauſe they would not liſten unto GOD, he would not hearken unto them, Chap. 7.

Malachi charges their Prieſts both with offering polluted Bread, and with making the Table of the LORD contemptible; which laſt mentioned crime is now almoſt epidemical.

Theſe Preſentments were made and recorded by p. 19twelve good and lawful men, and are a Breviate but of ſome of thoſe Tranſgreſſions which are enumerated in the books of the Prophets, and charged upon the Jews by their Mouths and Pens, before and after the Babyloniſh Captivity, even whileſt interchanges of Judgments and Mercies were frequently diſpenſed to reclaim them, to the manifeſting of GOD's wonderful patience and long-ſuffering during their Prevarications. Of his Patience we have had the like experience, as alſo how unjuſtly ſome of his Meſſengers whom he hath ſent to reconcile us unto him by Repentance, are traduced and perſecuted as ſeditious perſons, troublers of the common Peace, and diſaffected to Civil Governments. To the ſins aforementioned, I might add the manifold Provocations of the Kings, Princes, Prieſts and People of that Nation, in thoſe dayes wherein they ſeemed to ſerve GOD with moſt uprightneſs. The Patriarchs when they were but one Family, during the life of Jacob, failed groſly; and Moſes gave a true character of their Poſterity in his time, as alſo what they would afterward prove: So did the Prophet David in his Generation, who, though he was a wiſe King (and probably endeavoured their Reformation as much as in him lay) complained, that there was no good man left; that, there was no truſt to be repoſed in Princes; and charged them, who were in Authority, with eſtabliſhing wickedneſs by Law; particularly enveighing (in Pſal. 82.) againſt the corruptions of thoſe Congregations of the Mighty, which I conceive were equivolent with our Parliaments, Councils, and ſupream Judicatories, as being extreamly depraved; yea, he perſonates GOD himſelf, ſtanding where he beholds their proceedings, and ſharply reproving them, for p. 20their unjuſt accepting of the perſons of the wicked; for negligence in executing Juſtice on the behalf of the Needy, the Fatherleſs, and the Widow: For being wilfully ignorant of their duties; for obſtinatly walking on in darkneſs; and for deſtroying even the foundations of Righteous Government. Many other great ſins was that Nation guilty of, from the day of their deliverance out of Egypt, until their ſettlement in the Promiſed Land; and likewiſe from that time, ſtill growing worſe (except otherwhile when they were under the Rod) till they committed the great ſin of crucifying the Meſſias, for which they were ſcattered throughout the world, to be preſerved for a univerſal Memorial both of GOD's Juſtice and Mercy to his People in all places and Generations (until their Reſtoration and the fulneſs of the Gentiles) according to David's prophetical Imprecation, Scatter them, but deſtroy them not, leſt my People forget it. Signal were their Murmurings, frequent Idolatries and Rebellions in the dayes of Moſes Joſhua and the Judges. Likewiſe, notwithſtanding GOD's daily miraculous Preſence among them in a Cloud and a fiery Pillar, feeding, protecting and providing for them forty years together, in an extraordinary manner amidſt their Enemies and in deſolate places, they were ſottiſhly diſtruſtful of him, and deſired to return back again to that Bondage from which he had delivered them by a ſtrong Arm. And, (as if they had a natural propenſity to ſlavery, and were neceſſitated to be ſlaves one way or another) when GOD had performed his Promiſe, by ſetling them a free People in a good Land; They (being weary of the Government by Him eſtabliſhed, which was to have been a Preparatory unto his Government, to whom alone all the Kingdoms of p. 21the world belong) craved to be ruled after the mode of ſuch Heathen Kings as he had deſtroyed for their ſakes.

Great were their failings and tranſgreſſions alſo, when they had Kings according to their own deſire; And ſuch Kings as they were deſirous of, occaſioned their extirpation out of that good Country which GOD had beſtowed on them. In the dayes of David, Solomon, Aſa, Hezekiah, Joſiah, Jehoſaphat, (the beſt of their Princes) they were guilty of great Provocations, and of much greater during the Reigns of their worſt Kings; eſpecially, of wilful and fooliſh Jeroboam, who made Iſrael to ſin by his State-policy and obſtinateneſs therein; when, notwithſtanding GOD's extraordinary advancement of him from the rank of common men, to a Kingdom (yea, to be a King over his own People, of whom he had rent ten parts in twelve from the Poſterity of his beloved David) with a conditional Promiſe to eſtabliſh his ſeed for ever on the ſame Throne, did neglect the performance of that Condition: And we are thereby taught ſeriouſly to conſider how difficultly they will be reclaimed, who ſeek to accompliſh their ends by Statepolicy, rather than by conforming to divine Counſels and Commands. For, GOD proved him (as he hath tryed others in the like manner in theſe dayes) by no leſs than three Miracles in one day; manifeſting two of them upon his own perſon, yet they took no effect. If with the fore-expreſſed Prevarications, I ſhould conſider all the ſins of theſe Nations comparatively, illuſtrating the Parallel as I could, to ſet forth what reſemblance our ſins, in this Generation only wherein I live, have unto their tranſgreſſions, and how liable we are made unto the ſame Judgments which were p. 22inflicted on them (even to be caſt out of our Country, and be made Vagabonds throughout the world, as they long ſince were, & ſome of us have lately already been) it would either provoke us to a ſpeedy amendment, or ſtupifie us with amazement. For, ſince I firſt knew the world, men of all degrees, profeſſions and relations, Princes and Subjects; Peers and Commons; Husbands and Wives; Prieſts and Lay-men; Parents and Children; Tutors and Scholars; Maſters and Servants; high and low; rich and poor, are in my Judgment much more depraved than formerly they were; And many among us, have ſo little regarded what GGD hath done for us, or againſt us; ſo often reſiſted the Holy Ghoſt, and ſo hardned our hearts, that all Premonitions being rendred fruitleſs, it may be feared that ſome of us will be found, as guilty of the Blood of Jeſus Chriſt and of his Prophets, as the Jews were: And as by long continuing in their ſins, and by proceeding from one ſin to another, they at length, by the juſt Judgment of GOD (who deſervedly makes them quite blind who will not ſee when they may) hardned into ſuch an impenitency and blindneſs, that when their promiſed King and Meſſias came to make them a glorious and a happy Nation, they deſpightfully rejected, ſlandered, perſecuted and crucified him: So, I fear ſome of us may ſo parallel them, that at Chriſt's ſecond coming (which now draws near) they will be liable to ſeverer Judgments, than have befallen to the Jews; which I heartily beſeech GOD to prevent.

But, it is your Application, not mine alone, which muſt make this propoſed Parallel effectual; and therefore I entreat you, to take it into ſerious conſideration whilſt ye may, before the day of your Probation hath p. 23an end; becauſe you have had them for an example, as alſo the ſame fore-warnings which they had, with an Addition of many other timely Precautions. Do it ſpeedily, leſt that evil ſpirit which GOD ſent between the Shechemites and their King Abimelech (and which hath already poſſeſſed many) do by thoſe Animoſities, which are ſtill fomented between the late differing Parties, render theſe Nations uncapable of being reconciled to GOD, and to each other for ever. Particularly, I beſeech you who are in Authority, to conſider, what an illegal depriving peaceable men of their Liberties, may at laſt occaſion. To conſider alſo, whether it be according to the Priviledges due to the Humane Nature (and by the Antient Claims and Charters of theſe Nations, ſo often confirmed) that upon every ſlight ſuggeſtion, perhaps of an enemy or an envious neighbour, (For the Caſe will be altered, if there be a probable jealouſie, that the Common Peace is hazarded; whereof GOD will judge and avenge, if it be feigned, or ſatisfaction not made to innocent Sufferers) whether, I ſay, ſober men ſhould be debarred of their Freedom, by cloſe Impriſonment many months and years, without lawful Tryals, or knowing their Crimes or Accuſers; yea, ſhut up without means of ſubſiſtance, ſave what they have by charity; not only their Acceſs denied, who of meer compaſſion are conſcientiouſly inclined to relieve, but their Wives, Children, Servants, and all others to them relating, reſtrained from ſpeaking with them, concerning thoſe Affairs on whoſe proſecution and management, their, and other mens Eſtates, Credits, neceſſary Livelihoods, and all their outward Comforts may depend: Not ſo much favoured as with permiſſion to write a Petition for their p. 24Relief, or left Neceſſaries to ſuſtain the healths and lives of their own perſons or families: much leſs to pay thoſe large Fees which are then exacted, and the Charges which the proſecution of Petitions to a hearing will require, where the ſucceſs alſo is uncertain. Conſider, if ſuch Grievances be among us, whether it would not be more agreeable to Juſtice, and a leſs provoking ſin, to inflict death immediately upon every ſuſpition of a crime, than to expoſe men to ſufferings which are worſe than death, contrary to Law, and without permitting them to know either the pretended Cauſes, or their Accuſers. Conſider, whether GOD or Men can be well pleaſed, that their concealed Foes (and perhaps Foes to the State as much as to innocent mens perſons) ſhould be impowered to impoſe Injuries as Laws, and be lawleſs in their own perſons, to the ruining or impoveriſhing of many thouſands depending upon thoſe who ſuffer in their own perſons and eſtates. This is to turn Honey into Gall, and Phyſick into Poyſon, Laws into Snares, and Priviledges into the worſt Bondage. Theſe Oppreſſions I never heard of among the Jews or Gentiles, or among Chriſtians, until of late: and, if they be found here, and long practiſed, it will be impoſſible theſe Nations ſhould be reformed, or their peace be renewed with GOD, or eſtabliſhed between each other: For the Relations which men of all ſorts and degrees (howſoever differing or agreeing in their Deſigns, Judgments, Intereſts or Affections) have to and with each other, ſuch Relations in their Eſtates, Alliances, Credits or Engagements; and they are ſo linked together by one or more of theſe reſpects, throughout theſe three Kingdoms, that the Diſcontents and Miſchiefs occaſioned by ſuch Oppreſſions, will extend p. 25to all at the laſt, from the higheſt to the loweſt. The diſturbing of ſtingleſs Bees and their Breed, will deſtroy the whole Hive; yea, and all the ſtalls of Bees in theſe Iſlands, and thoſe likewiſe who are gathering Wax and Honey in the remote Woods and Wilderneſſes of the Earth, for our inriching and their own ſubſiſtance, will be ſo affrighted and diſcouraged by finding themſelves and others liable to ſuch Oppreſſions, and their quiet uncertain, that they will fly to another Climate, leſt Hornets, Waſps and Drones be encouraged to diſpoyl them of their Hives, Lives, and Honey.

To help prevent it, take this Breviate which I have compoſed, and thereby compare that which your own conſciences will bring to remembrance, wherein our ſins have parallel'd or exceeded the wickedneſs of the Jews; and that this Preparative may make it the more practical, recommend it at your Meetings (whilſt you enjoy them, if you think it uſeful) to be conſidered both joyntly and apart, by every ſingle perſon and Congregation, how much it concerns us univerſally and particularly, from the leaſt to the greateſt among us: And let not the ſeeming novelty of ſuch expreſſions as I may caſually inſert (or the deſpicableneſs of my preſent condition) make you contemn them; ſeeing this is a time of Probation, wherein GOD is pleaſed to exerciſe your humility by his moſt deſpiſed Servants, and by ſuch diſpenſations and means as are denied by the wiſdom of the world.

The Theam which I have undertaken is ſo copious, and will probably draw me into ſo many pertinent collateral Muſings, ſeeming to ſome impertinent, that I muſt apollogize now and then for it, leſt you think me too immethodical; in regard when the Pen p. 26is in my hand, to ſuch or ſuch purpoſes as I firſt intend, I uſually take in by the way all Meditations which then occur, ſeeming neceſſary either to prevent Prejudicacy, or to illuſtrate my prime Intention: ſometimes alſo, that which cometh ſo in, may be as uſeful as the main Propoſition. The Apprehenſions I now have of the ſad condition and hazards which theſe Nations are in (at this preſent) ſo diſtract my Muſe alſo, in ſome caſes, that otherwhile, hardly knowing what may be fitteſt to be inſerted or omitted, I may fall into ſeeming Extravagancies. And, it is not to be wondred at, if I do: For the moſt excellent of GOD's Prophets have often (to our underſtanding) been tranſported into ſuch Raptures; and in ſuch caſes as this, ſo confuſedly expreſſed themſelves, by reiterating the ſame words and matter; by flying, as it were, on and off, to and fro, and on and on again, in what they intended to declare; that they intimate more by their dark confuſed and diſ-joynted expreſſions (to them who look as well after a ſpiritual as a literal ſenſe) than they could have done, by thoſe methodical connexions and proſecutions, which would appear moſt elegant, and more plauſible to carnal wiſdom, in the Rhetorical modes of our times. For, the Prophets taking into conſideration at one and the ſame time, the Peoples extream perverſneſs, and GOD's abominating of their ſins, together with his unſpeakable fatherly affection to the perſons of his Elect among them (for Davids and for his Promiſe ſake) they in one verſe or chapter of their Prophecies, perſonate him exceedingly inclined to Wrath or Jealouſie, and in the ſame chapter, or in the next, perſonate him as prone to Compaſſion: In one verſe threating their perpetual rejection; immediatly after, comforting and promiſing p. 27to receive them again to his everlasting favour; yea, and bitterly menacing thoſe by whom he had chaſtiſed them, for adding their Malice to his Corrections; which may ſeem, being underſtood according to the nature and common language of men, to imply contradictory paſſions or irreſolution in GOD, with whom there is no ſhadow of changing; but it the better inſinuates into our hearts an apprehenſion of that fatherly tender-heartedneſs which GOD hath toward his People; and ſignifies to my underſtanding (with reverence to his unchangeableneſs be it underſtood by others) that his People did as it were force GOD by their ſinfull frowardneſs to imploy the utmoſt of his Wiſdom and Omnipotency, to reconcile his Juſtice and Mercy on their behalf; and that it is not in the nature of humane words or language to extend unto a full and plain demonſtration of thoſe particular Notions which his Prophets divinely apprehended in relation to GOD and his People: And if it fared ſo with them, much leſs will it be in my power, to put ſpiritual and ſupernatural Contemplations into a meer natural or literal expreſſion. Diſcourſes of this kind may challenge allowance of more than ordinary liberty, by circumlocutions or digreſſions; for, like a Phyſician who is to cure a Patient who hath many complicated diſeaſes, I am to apply this to a Body which hath many contrary diſtempers, and muſt therefore make it ſuch a Catholicon, as may not more increaſe the reſt, by curing one malady: and therefore I will endeavour that which my conſcience inclines me to, with as much diſcretion as I can; and the more diſtractions you find in this Epiſtle, the more it will oblige you to a ſerious conſideration of what is in my mode expreſſed.

p. 28Conſider, whether ever you ſaw a Picture made by the moſt cunning Painter, ſo like the man for whom it was limb'd, or that any one thing can more truly reſemble another, than the Inhabitants of theſe Iſles, do reſemble the People of Judah and Jeruſalem in their prevarications; and conſider it ſo that your ſins may lead you to lay the faſter hold on GOD's infinit Mercy, by abominating the one, and a right eſteem of the other: for, GOD hath made as many gracious offers and promiſes to us, as to them. They, who had ſo many groſs failings, were nevertheleſs, his choſen People and Saints by calling, ſeparated from other Nations; and I do believe, by the fatherly compaſſion extended unto them from time to time, and by the manifold conditional promiſes and deliverances vouchſafed unto them whilſt they prevaricated (in their miraculous preſervation now they are ſcattered) that, he hath ſtill mercy for them according to his Election, giving them an Intereſt in the ſure Mercies of David; and that in their open temporal chaſtiſements, they ſhall be ſecretly purged through the hidden ſeed of Grace remaining in them; and received to his favour in the evening of the world. In like manner I believe that many among us at this day, who have in the outward man, failed very much, to the diſhonour of GOD, and of their Chriſtian Profeſſion, having externally ſuffered, to the glorifying of GOD's Juſtice, are and ſhall be by the ſame free-grace in this life, or at their tranſlation out of this life, be received into favour to the like glorifying of his Mercy in Christ Jeſus; yea, much more than it could have been done by their own Righteouſneſs, GOD having alwayes reſpect through Chriſt's merits to what they did conſcientiouſly, though it were over-ballanced by much p. 29humane corruption and frailty, yet remember ſtill, that notwithſtanding the infinit Mercy of GOD, he is to be feared, and the more to be feared and ſought unto with a filial fear, for the ſake of that infinit Mercy: And, let heed be taken, leſt preſuming upon his patience beyond our limits, we outgo the Preſumption of the Jews, or draw very near to ſuch a dangerous Extravagancy.

To that end, conſider how GOD hath from time to time, ſought to reclaim us by the like interchanges of Judgments and Mercies; and how he hath tryed and provoked us, as he ſaid he would provoke the Jews, by fooliſh People in our eſteem; and by making his Premonitions ſignal unto us, by acting to that purpoſe, many things appearing to be ridiculous in our Judgments; as for example, by making uſe of ſuch a Dispenſation as this, and of ſuch Perſons as I am, to be your Remembrancers, by an impulſe of Conſcience, which we think cannot ſafely be reſiſted, though we are otherwhile tempted, as Jeremy was, to complain to GOD of that hardſhip whereto he hath expoſed us: For, as the Prophets of the Jewiſh Nation, being the Watchmen appointed in their Generations, to forewarn them what the ſucceſs would be, if they neglected their duties, or the People to repent, being by them fore-warned: Even ſo (as I believe) GOD hath now in ſome degree qualified me and others (as he did heretofore a Plowman, a Herdſman, and a Fruit-gatherer) to be Premonitors in theſe our times, of what we have obſerved to be miſdone or neglected, by men; and of what GOD hath done, threatned, and promiſed in his Word concerning ſuch Delinquencies as we are guilty of, and ſuch a Repentance as is expected. In conſideration whereof, I p. 30dared not for my part, but ſignifie what I have declared; leſt, though others periſh in their ſins, their blood may be required at my hands, for neglecting that, which I think my ſelf bound in conſcience to forewarn them of in my mode; which is one kind of Preaching, though not in ordinary. And though I have not the Reputation of a Prophet; yet GOD hath made me inſtrumental in fore-declaring many things pertinent to the wel-fare of theſe Nations, long before they came to paſs: And I am one of thoſe deſpiſed ones, of whom he is pleaſed to make uſe at ſuch times as theſe, after the Counſels and Forewarnings of Royal Premonitors, honourable Prophets, Ministers and Remembrancers have been long neglected; And that which I have written will evidence me at laſt, to be neither ſeditious Libeller, Madman, Phanatick, or one diſcontented with all Governments and Governours, as I am by ſome reputed, who will be of another Judgment when they come to their Wits: For, though I have not been wholly free from Errors, thoſe things which I write, are not ſuch as I have learned, like Parots taught by men; or which were attained by reading or hearing onelyonly; but, ſuch as were infuſed by GOD's Word and Spirit; and ſuch, as he hath witneſſed to my heart more certainly, than that which is made known by ſenſe only.

If it were not ſo, it had been impoſſible for me to have ſuſtained ſo many years without diſcouragement, thoſe Raylings, Revilings, Slanders, Perſecutions and Oppreſſions, wherewithal I have been exerciſed by them, who (as it befel to the Prophets, Apoſtles, and their true Succeſſors) deemed my Cautions & Remembrances to be ſeditious and ſcandalous to Authority, and falſly imputed unto me (as is aforeſaid) diſcontentment p. 31under all Governments; whereas I have been actively or paſſively obedient to every Government whereunto GOD hath ſubjected me, and reproved in general terms only (in a ſober peaceable way) that Oppreſſion and Unrighteouſneſs, which hath been and will be diſtructive to all Governments and Governours who continue them. I neither was, nor am, nor ſhall be diſobedient to the juſt commands of any Governours or Government which theſe Nations deſire, and GOD permits, (though in his wrath) but conſcientiouſly, as I now do, ſubmitted at all times to the Power in Being, and viſibly enabled to protect me, as I ever thought it my duty, whether they favoured or diſ-favoured me; neither endeavouring to ſet up or pull down any, howſoever they acquired or exerciſed their Authority: But remembred them ſometimes of their duties, as aforeſaid, whom I evidently ſaw to be forgetful thereof; doing it alſo, without factiouſneſs, and with ſuch Cautions as befitted me in my ſtation. I am neither melancholy, nor ſullen, nor delighted with contradictions: For, though I have been a man of ſtrife (as Jeremy ſaid GOD had made him to be) I am not naturally conſtituted for ſuch a work. My Converſation hath been delightful to many; my Body is as ſenſible of ſufferings as any mans; my natural Affections are ſtrong in me; my Infirmities being great and many, render me as unable by my own ſtrength, to ſuſtain the Deſertions, cloſe Impriſonments and Deprivations whereto I am and have been expoſed, almoſt from the cradle; and whereby the world ſeeks to fright me from proſecuting that, whereto my Conſcience enclines me. I likewiſe confeſs my ſelf to be naturally as willing as any of you, to take my caſe and pleaſure in thoſe deſirable p. 32things of this life, which other men affect; and might probably have enjoyed them, if I had neglected what I have done, and that way imployed the little wit I have, or would deſiſt from ſuch proſecutions for the future.

But, it muſt not be ſo: I have loſt thoſe Advantages, that I might not loſe my ſelf, or you want a Remembrancer; and am better contented in their loſs, than ever I was in their fruition. I would not fight againſt the Philiſtims in Saul's Armour; nor would my Corruption have permitted me to do my work, if I had not been ſo long diſciplin'd by ſufferings, and at laſt been ſtript out of all that I had (or might hope for in this world) as now I am; Neither could I have had ſo much experience of GOD's Mercy as now I have, in being extraordinarily (I might ſay miraculouſly) provided for, ſupported, and ſupplied, with neceſſaries for Soul and Body: Nor could I have apprehended experimentally ſuch Comforts in this life, as are diſcovered unto me in and by my reſtraint and Poverty: Nor ſhould I have believed, that GOD had ſo great a Number of People in this crooked generation, as I do now know he hath: which Diſcovery alone, is more joyous unto me, than all my loſſes and ſufferings are grievous. Therefore, if you believe me not herein, let not that which I ſeem to ſuffer in your opinion, be altogether uſeleſs unto you, for whoſe advantage, and for whoſe ſakes I have partly ſuffered them: Nor let theſe Preoccupations, or thoſe which I ſhall further add, be thought impertinent, conſidering what trivial Blocks many men ſtumble at, if they be not removed; eſpecially when men, beſotted with ſin, and blinded with ſelf-conceit, are drawn into a cauſleſs Prejudice; ſuch as theſe p. 33Digreſſions from my Text may ſomewhat perhaps prevent, and hint ſomewhat alſo, by the way, uſefull to other ends. But, when I have done, and ſaid and written all that I can, it will not wholly prevent miſconſtructions; for GOD's Word hath not eſcaped them. Howſoever I cram in ſo many Preoccupations, becauſe they may be (as I inferred before) advantagious to ſome others in the like caſes, and hint ſomewhat, collaterally pertinent to my chief Deſign, though in other reſpects, they may be of no avail to me.

There be Weeds, which will permit no good Seed to thrive in that ground where they grow, untill they be deſtroyed by often plowing; or, until the earth be prepared by a Crop of ſomewhat deſtructive to them. Malice and Envy are of the nature of ſuch Weeds; and ſuch Herbs of Grace, as Rhue or Repentance, which implies Rue thy Sin, will never take root, until they be extirpated and the heart prepared by Love. Therefore, let us lay aſide that Malice and Vengeance, which lies yet at the heart-root of many of the late Diſſenting Parties in theſe Nations, notwithſtanding the late Act of Oblivion; and conſider in what times we are, and to what Period we draw near, by being guilty of the ſame ſins (or of ſuch as are equivolent to thoſe) which in all Ages have been Symptoms and Harbengers of Deſtructive Changes: and which do, as it were, compel GOD to withdraw temporary Mercies from his own Choſen People, and to inflict ſevere Chaſtiſements in their ſtead. Heed well whether we juſtifie not them by our evil deeds, whoſe actions we have condemned in words, by our perpetrating the very ſame wickedneſs, which we exclaimed againſt in them, whom GOD diſpoiled of their abuſed Power; and whether the p. 34ſame Paths lead not to the ſame Deſtructions? Obſerve, whether our neglect of common Juſtice, of GOD's Judgments and Mercies, our Ingratitude, our Murmurings, our Rebellions againſt him, our Hypocriſies, Apoſtacies, Idolatries, Superſtitions, Prophaneſs, Oppreſſions, Spiritual and Corporeal Fornications and Whoredoms, have not been as great, as many, and as impudent as among the Jews? Whether our Thankſgivings, Praiſings, Faſtings, Feaſtings, Humiliations, and our other Formalities in Religious and Moral Duties, have not been as worthy to be rejected? Whether our Boaſtings of our Civil Juſtice, of our Just Laws, of the Glory and Purity of our National Church, be not much like their vain brags of their Laws, of the Temple of the LORD, and ſomewhat like the vauntings of luke-warm Laodicea? Whether it be not an Abomination reſembling (if not equivolent) to the Jews impious and cruel ſacrificing their Children to Molech, when we dedicate our Children, under colour of a pretended zeal of offering them to GOD in profeſſing Chaſtity (after the manner of Heathen Veſtal Nuns) when we cauſe them to paſs compulſively through the Fires of their Natural Affections, to the hazard of their Souls and Bodies, in a ſuffering which GOD requires not at their hands: For, though Chaſtity is a Moral Vertue, inforced Virginity is none, but a ſinful Inforcement in Parents, eſpecially, when, under a pretended Piety, it is intended only to ſave a Child's Portion (or the beſt part thereof) to be conſumed upon their own Luſts, or elſe to advance another Child in their dedication thereof to the world? Conſider alſo, whether we have not parallel'd the Jews as well in Civil as in Religious miſactings, and in ſome things outgone them? p. 35Whether our Alliances and Confederacies with profeſſed Enemies of GOD and his Truth, have not been contracted more for other ſiniſter reſpects, than to preſerve Peace and humane ſociety? and whether our truſt unto, and in them, and in our own ſtrength and policy, be not as evident in us, as it was in them, and as repugnant to what GOD approveth? Whether we eſtabliſh not Wickedneſs and Oppreſſion by Laws, as they did, or more barbarouſly than they; as by making ſome pay for that, whereof not they, but others have the benefit; or, by making the formality of Legal Proceedings and Tryals, ſo chargeable, that the Remedies of Grievances do often prove worſe than the Diſeaſes; eſpecially to poor men who have moſt need of Relief; the proſecutions of whoſe Petitions and Suits for Juſtice or Equity, being ſo tedious, difficult and expenſive, that the little remainder of their Eſtates which the Oppreſſors had left, is quite conſumed by thoſe Courts and Officers, which were conſtituted for a Remedy; as if they had been purpoſly ordained to enrich and maintain Oppreſſors in idleneſs, who do little or nothing for their large Fees. Thus, to the loſs of mens Eſtates, the loſs of labour and precious time is added (with vexation of ſpirit) to the undoing of many Families: Thus the Caterpillers and Locusts devour that which the Storms had left: The oppreſſed man periſheth without compaſſion, and would grow deſperate, if acceſs to GOD in ſuch ſtraits were not cheap and eaſie. For what can they poſſibly do, who deprived of all outward means of livelihood, are alſo ſhut up in Priſons, contrary to Law and Equity, both from the comfort of Relations, and from endeavouring either for their liberty or ſubſiſtance?

p. 36Conſider, whether even they alſo upon whom ſuch afflictions are come, and have no refuge but in GOD, do not ſtill neglect him, and ſeek rather to be delivered by the World which oppreſſed them, than by being reconciled unto GOD, from whom cometh Salvation; and whether there be not many among us, (even of thoſe in every differing Judgment, relating to Piety, Policy and Humanity) who wickedly deviſe falſe Rumours, Viſions, Apparitions, Signs, Wonders and Revelations, to delude and amaſe the People, or to diſcredit thoſe Reports which are true? and whether there be not ſome ſeduced rather by a feminine, than guided by a true maſculine ſpirit, who, like the Women Propheteſſes among the Jews, put pillows under mens arms, to uphold them in their Errours by their Gipſie-like Predictions? Some alſo, who, not only as the Jews did, hunt after vain Astrological Predictions, which they call Prophecies, & ſuch Sorcerous Preſages as mother Shiptons, but who have dependance alſo upon them, and ſeek for eaſe in their troubles, and for cure of their fears and diſtempers, as Saul did from the Witch of Endor; and who, as others did heretofore, ſend to enquire of falſe Gods, neglecting and contemning ſuch Remedies and Preſages of good or evil, as are grounded upon the infallible Word of GOD; as if they conceived that would be to them, what Micah was to Ahab; and that they could expect no good Preſages to them from GOD's true Prophets, or by ought grounded upon his Word. I perceive too evidently that it is ſo; and that this wicked Vanity is fomented by the frequent publication of lying Pamphlets, purpoſly invented to diſparage Truths. Therefore, beware of them, and try all ſpirits before you truſt them (even mine as well as the p. 37reſt) that ye may know what to adhere unto ſafely; and, neither be deluded by Impoſtors, nor deprived of the benefits which you may receive by wholſome Cautions: For, as we are in that time in which the Elect will be in hazard of being deceived; and though it is true, that, they who are not againſt us, are with us; So, it is alſo true, that, many who ſeem to be with us, are againſt us, and by that means get opportunities, to draw us into wicked, or at leaſt into uncomely and unſafe practices.

Conſider theſe things, you who forget both Piety and Humanity, and whether our Kings, our Princes, our Nobles, our Commons, our Gentry, our Judges, our Prieſts, our Magiſtrates, our Councils, our Courts or Truſtees, our Fathers, our Children, our Women, our Servants, yea, all of us in general and in particular, have not prevaricated as the Iſraelites did heretofore when they were moſt corrupt? whether we have not ſet our Threſholds by GOD's Threſholds, and our Poſts by his Poſts? whether our Bloodguiltineſs, our Thieving, our Drunkenneſs, our Curſings, our Swearings and Forſwearings, Suborning of Witneſſes, and the Perjury of Jurors, have not made our Land to mourn becauſe of Oaths, as much as their Land did? Whether we have not been as guilty by immoderate coveting to lay Houſe to Houſe, and Land to Land, to the occaſioning of depopulation? by lying and falſhood in our trading with each other; by unequal weights and meaſures; and ſome by vainly ſcatring and ſquandring away the Eſtates and Inheritances left them by their Predeceſſors? Whether we are not as culpable by Covenant-breaking, Briberies, Extortions, grinding the faces of the Poor; by ſelling them for trifles; by proſecuting our cruel Intentions, p. 38until Blood toucheth Blood; by ſeeking to cover one ſin with another; by juſtifying the Wicked, and condemning the Innocent, untill our Injuſtice cries as loud againſt us for Vengeance as it did againſt them? Whether ſome of our Nobles (as we call them) have not been Companions of Murderers and Thieves, with Indempnity? Whether we are not as guilty of perſecuting, oppreſſing, and murdering the Prophets and Servants of GOD, by ſhutting them up in Dungeons and Priſons, till famiſhed through want of Relief, under falſe pretences of Sedition, Scandals, or of being troublers of the Common Peace; as Jeremy had been, if one Conſciencious Blackamoore had not been more pitiful than all the reſt of the People in Jeruſalem? Whether we have not ſet up ſuch Governours and Princes, as GOD never intended to ſet over us, until we our ſelves would ſo have it, in imitation of our Patern the Jews? Whether our Women be not grown as malepert in juſtifying their Superſtitions, as the Jewiſh Women were in the dayes of Jeremy? and whether their feminine extravagancies in new-fangled baubles, fantaſtick habits, dreſſings, geſtures and poſtures, may not be a ſymptom of our approaching Deſolation, as it was a Preludium to their Captivity and Rejection? Whether alſo, our ſuperſtitions Devotion hath not fed and countenanced as many falſe Prophets as Jezabel did, ſuppreſſing, oppreſſing and ſilencing the true Prophets and Miniſters of GOD and his Truth; making them alſo to be objects of ſcorn and ridiculous laughter in the publick Theaters? And, whether we have not often pretended both a Reformation of our Manners, for our perſonal advantages only, and a voluntary deſire to be counſelled and directed as the Jews did, when they p. 39intended to depart from their Country into Egypt, yet, proſecuted our ſecret purpoſes, as if done in deſpight of GOD? yea, and whether, as the Judges of the Jews, judged for reward, their Prieſts taught for money, and their Prophets propheſied for hire, we have not thoſe Judges, Lawyers, and Divines, who will make both Law and Divinity to ſpeak any thing for their advantage, who may either prefer them or deprive them of their Preferments?

Conſider all theſe Particulars, and ſuch other as your own Conſciences will bring to mind as conſiderable; eſpecially what Covenants we have broken, and in what manner; and therewith take notice and remember, that I do but offer it to your conſideration, whether you are guilty of theſe ſins in particular or not, leaving the Verity thereof to your own ſearch; and the Concluſion and Application to your own Conſciences; in regard if they be ſilent, it would be to no purpoſe for me to charge them upon you, though I could evidently prove them.

I confeſs, I am very jealous we may be found guilty of all the aforementioned Crimes; of ſome of them, I know we are culpable, and of many alſo, unknown to the Jews, which theſe latter times have produced. Even in conſtraining men to act and profeſs in relation to Religion, againſt their Conſciences, (if it be according to the Cryes I hear) more cruel in that reſpect than the worſt of their Idolatrous Kings. For, though they allured men to their Idolatries and Superſtitions, I do not remember that any one of them compelled the worſhipping of Idols; no not Jeroboam (who notwithſtanding GOD's giving him a Kingdom, with many gracious promiſes to eſtabliſh it, was more wickedly politick than any other, to continue p. 40the ſame to his poſterity in his own mode) For, I do not hear that he forcibly reſtrained any from going up to worſhip GOD at Jeruſalem, or perſecuted any for not worſhipping his Golden Calves; but permitted every man that would, to build high Places, to plant Groves, and to worſhip either the LORD GOD, or Idols, at home, as he pleaſed: Neither do I reade that any of their beſt Kings or Governours made or executed any penal Laws touching the Conſcience, except only after the return from Babylon, in an extraordinary Caſe, and in relation to the obſerving of thoſe antient Laws of their Nation, by the breach whereof their Civil Peace could not well be without hazard; at which time there was a penalty threatned by Proclamation, and afterwards a Covenant voluntarily and conſcientiouſly made, or was at leaſt pretended by Prince, Prieſts and People, for the breach whereof, Confiſcation of Goods and Excluſion from the Congregation was menaced; but how far forth it was put in execution it appears not; no had any wrong been done thereby, becauſe that is no wrong which is done to a man by his own conſent; no, nor that which is done againſt his will, if it be purpoſed for his wel-being, and cannot have any effect to his hurt, nor fail of that good which is pretended; which inforcing the Conſcience can never produce, but the contrary rather: for GOD is never wel-pleaſed with any ſervice unwillingly done, though the performance be good in it ſelf; and is alwayes highly diſpleaſed with every one, who for fear, favour, or for any other end whatſoever, acteth or ſpeaketh againſt his Conſcience; and no doubt as highly offended with all thoſe who offer violence to the Conſciences of other men, in regard it is not only injurious p. 41to men, but a preſumptuous offence alſo againſt a Prerogative due and proper to Him alone.

If theſe Prevarications be found among us, be it known that they are ſurer tokens of GOD's Indignation, than thoſe which we call Plague-tokens are of their near approaching deaths who are viſited with the Peſtilence: yet we have lately had other ſigns and tokens, which are both Preſignificators of the General Judgment, and of the National Calamities which will come upon particular Nations and Perſons, when their ſins grow ripe; according to what our Saviour Chriſt foretold, Luke 21. 25. where it is ſaid, There ſhall be ſigns in the Sun, the Moon and the Stars, and upon the Earth diſtreſs of Nations, with perplexity, the Sea and the Waves voaring; mens hearts failing in looking after thoſe things which are coming upon the Earth: for the Powers of Heaven ſhall be ſhaken, &c. We have ſeen theſe or ſuch like ſigns, whether taken in a metaphorical or a literal ſenſe, and the ſign alſo of the Prophet Jonas myſtically revived; in ſome of the Saints of GOD, whoſe Judgments are begun upon thoſe of his own Houſhold: and his Juſtice and Mercy have been manifeſted upon many of them in our ſight. Moreover, though we who believe his Word have therein ſufficient manifeſtations, and look for no other ſigns of what is approaching; yet, GOD hath vouchaſafed to Unbelievers in theſe dayes, what he denied to the like unbelieving and adulterous Generation heretofore, if what hath been credibly reported may be credited: For, we have heard of more ſtrange Prodigies, dreadful Apparitions, and unuſual Viſions in the Air, upon the Waters, and on the Earth, within a few years, than I have read recorded in all humane Stories ſince the coming of p. 42Chriſt in the fleſh; and, they are the more to be conſidered, in regard GOD hath been pleaſed to give us Signs of what he intends, though (as I ſaid before) he denied Signs to thoſe who deſired them: and foraſmuch as they made us no whit the better, it implies an experimental verifying of this ſaying; They who will not believe Moſes and the Prophets, will not believe one ſent from the dead. If the Signs and Wonders lately averred be true, or but in part true (as I am perſwaded they are, though I never ſaw any ſuch) then they are very conſiderable: And no leſs conſiderable or ſignificant are they, if feigned or deluſions; ſeeing they declare this Generation to be preſumptuouſly wicked beyond all before them, as daring to make, aver, and publiſh Lies of that nature. If they are true, they are the Finger of GOD, pointing to ſomewhat whereof they are Signs, and which ought to be heeded: yea, though they are but deluſions of the Fancy, they are terrible Signs of affrighted and ſelf-condemning Conſciences. Thoſe Apparitions which we ſee, or fear to ſee upon the Earth, ſhew us from whence all our troubles come, even from our Earthly-mindedneſs: and the Signs which men ſee, or think they ſee in the Heavens, invite us to look up unto thoſe Hills, from whence cometh our Salvation.

We have yet other Signs of what is approaching, and of what will certainly enſue, if not prevented by Repentance; and they are very ſignificant and obſervable, though very few heed them, or think themſelves therein concerned. GOD foretold the obſtinate Jews, that he would provoke them by ſuch as they reputed a fooliſh People; and ſo have we been provoked by ſome among us, whoſe perſons, words and actions appear unto the greateſt number of us, not p. 43only fooliſh and contemptible, but impudent and wicked alſo. Such were they and their Actings, who came naked into our Publick Aſſemblies; and by what ſpirit ſoever they were thereto moved, were Signs, which I believe GOD permitted, to ſignifie, that he will openly diſcover our Shame, and ſtrip us naked from all thoſe Fig-leaves which we have patched together to hide it; and take from us all thoſe things which we have made our chief delight, pride, and ornament. And I am perſwaded thoſe ſignal Actings of that nature, which were perſonated by ſome of the Prophets, were in their times reputed as ridiculous and ſcandalous, as the extravagancies which have been ſeen in our dayes. They likewiſe, whom ye term Quakers, and who with much reſolution and patience, do ſuſtain the Perſecutions whereby they are proſecuted in all places; Even they, as I believe, are inſtrumental by a Divine Diſpenſation, ſignally to foreſhew that Contempt which GOD will bring upon our falſe Worſhip, falſe Honour, vain Complements, Hypocriſies, Superſtitions, Formalities in Piety, counterfeit Morality, and Diſſimulations with GOD and Men. Many take great offence at them; and I do believe (becauſe it hath been averred unto me by conſcientious men) that ſome, ſo called, have profeſſed and taught erroneous and ſcandalous Doctrines; for, there is no Diſpenſation whereinto the Devil hath not ſcrewed many of his Inſtruments, to diſparage and hinder what was thereby intended; but I do profeſs, that none among all them, of whoſe Principles and Converſation I have had opportunity to take notice, hath appeared otherwiſe to me than a truly honeſt and pious man; and though their language and manners are offenſive to many, they are not ſo to me; becauſe, p. 44if they be not taken up with an affectation to ſingularity, whereof I cannot judge, unleſs I could ſee their hearts, they ſeem to me ſuch as are eſſential to their Diſpenſation; and had GOD fitted me for the ſame work, I ſhould have done as ſome of them do, though I will not juſtifie all that ſome of them do. Habakkuk in his mode, and at ſuch a time as this, was a Quaker: So likewiſe was Ezekiel the Prophet, and a ſign to the Jews, by GOD's Diſpenſation in his time; as appears, Ezek. 12. 17. The Word of the LORD came unto me, ſaying, Son of man, eat thy bread with quaking, and drink thy water with trembling and carefulneſs, and ſay unto the People of the Land, thus ſaith the LORD GOD, of the Inhabitants of Jeruſalem, and of the Land of Iſrael, They ſhall eat their bread with carefulneſs, and drink their water with aſtoniſhment, that their Land may be deſolate of all that is therein, becauſe of the violence of them who dwell in it. Let this be well conſidered, and whether our Quakers may not be a ſign of the like Judgement upon our chief City, and all theſe three Nations; yea, and to all thoſe Nations whither they have been diſperſed, if they ſpeedily repent not; for, their Actings and Sufferings are not in vain.

I have obſerved one occaſion of hardning the hearts of many in this Generation, which was not ripened until theſe latter Ages of the world; and though little notice be taken thereof, it makes many defer their Repentance, and hardens the greateſt number into a reſolute perſeverance in their wicked courſes, by a miſ-apprehending of GOD's Wayes, a miſ-belief of his Word, ignorant of his Juſtice, and a falſe Concluſion drawn from an antient and true Prophecy; p. 45by reaſon of the long continuance and prevalency of Sin, Oppreſſion and Tyranny in thoſe courſes and Poſtures wherein they have been acted. Men have walked ſo far after the Counſels of the Ungodly, and ſtood ſo long in the way of Sinners, that they are now ſeated in the Chair of the Scornful, and make a mock at Reproofs and Inſtructions, according to this Prophecy of the Apoſtle Peter: In the latter dayes there ſhall be (ſaid he) Scoffers, walking after their own Luſts, and ſaying, Where is the Promiſe of his coming? for, ſince the Fathers fell aſleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the Creation; 2 Pet. 3. 4. Into theſe latter dayes we are fallen, and by not heeding, not believing, or by not rightly underſtanding the ground of this Prophecy touching the revealed things of GOD, the Scorners of good Counſel have now fulfilled that Prophecy, to their own diſadvantage: For, to put the fear of GOD's Judgments out of their own and other mens hearts, they ſcoffingly and prophanely conclude, from the long continuance and prevalency, as aforeſaid, that Sin and Oppreſſion have had in the world, from the Creation until this day, that ſo it will be until the end of time; and deride thoſe who expect the coming of Chriſt the King of Righteouſneſs. Tuſh (ſay they) thus it ever was, and thus it will be for ever. GOD either heeds it not, or regards it not; and the Caveats, Counſels, Threatnings, Promiſes, and Premonitions of thoſe who pretend to be Miniſters and Meſſengers from GOD, are but politick Devices of their own brain, forged out of Envy and Malice, to diſturb us in our Pleaſures, diminiſh our Profit, and weaken our Power; for after above ſixteen hundred years preaching of their Imaginary Kingdom to come, we ſee as little, or leſs likelihood p. 46thereof, than was at the birth of that King whom they expect. To this effect are their Scoffs, and thereby they encourage each other in their Wickedneſs and Oppreſſions. But they, and all whom they ſhall delude, will find themſelves to have been much deceived. Therefore, in hope it may awaken ſome out of their dreams before it be too late, I will declare unto you a Mystery, by few yet heeded, which GOD hath revealed unto me in this my Confinement, to ſtrengthen my Faith, when it was exerciſed and tried by that and ſuch like Atheiſtical Arguments and Objections of carnal men, who preſume on the perpetuity of their Kingdom: and I will illuſtrate as plainly as I can, that which I have apprehended, by looking back as far as the Creation.

All things that GOD created, were exceeding good, even Mankind, which is now depraved, was made good and innocent, though of a conſtitution poſſibly mutable: That poſſible mutability GOD proved by an eaſie Law given in Paradiſe, without compulſatively neceſſitating, or byaſſing our firſt Parents, to the right-hand or to the left, but evenly ballancing them with a Free-will; yea, and without debarring them, until their Delinquency, from the Tree of Life in the midſt of the Garden, or from any other means whereby they might have been preſerved and confirmed in their Integrity (ſo far forth as was pertinent to a Creature left free and under no reſtraint.) In this happy eſtate they continued, until the Devil (who had corrupted himſelf without a Tempter) being moved thereto through envy, ſeduced our ſaid firſt Parents through ſubtilty: For, he perceiving them to reſt ſatisfied with the knowledge of Good only, without deſiring cognizance of Evil; firſt, by lying, prepoſſeſſed p. 47them with an injurious misbelief of GOD, and then, with a falſe and vain opinion, that they ſhould become like GOD, by knowing both Good and Evil, if they did eat of the Tree by Him forbidden. That Suggeſtion being entertained, begat in them a deſire of an unprofitable knowledge; and that Deſire being conceived, corrupted into an actual diſobedience of GOD's Command; whereupon they quickly found themſelves to be guilty, naked and miſerable. Their former free liberty of acceſs to the Tree of Life was obſtructed, as alſo the influence of many Graces formerly vouchſafed, and they were turned out of Eden into the World, to get their living by the ſweat of their brows, in painful tilling the accurſed Earth, liable both to a corporeal and ſpiritual death: And, ſince it was their own choice and deſire to know both Good and Evil, GOD determined they ſhould experimentally know them, and that Priviledge be derived to all the Poſterity of Adam, to ſatisfie their curioſity, and make them really and throughly ſenſible thereby of their neglecting his Goodneſs, of the Devil's malice, whom they believed, and of their own unfaithfulneſs, ingratitude and folly, untill the time were accompliſhed, wherein the Seed of the Woman ſhould break the Serpent's head. Divine Juſtice did ſo decree alſo, that after their excluſion out of Eden for diſobedience, there ſhould be Enmity between the Seed of the Woman and of the Serpent for ever; and a certain ſpace of time allowed, wherein both righteous and wicked men, ſhould have an actual as well as a contemplative experience of Good and Evil, by permitting Men, Good and evil Angels, to make tryal what their own power, wiſdom, folly, righteouſneſs or wickedneſs could produce, whilſt GOD ſtood as it p. 48were indifferently looking on as a Superintendent, to prevent (as occaſions would be offered) what might elſe by their miſactings, be deſtructive to the whole humane Nature, to the reſidue of his Creatures, or to his Eternal Decrees. Ignorance of this Myſtery, and not being acquainted with the concurrant Juſtice and Mercy of GOD, revealed in his Word, inclines depraved Men to think and ſay, all things continue as they were ſince the Creation; and that, ſo they ſhall continue for ever: which evidently appears to my underſtanding to be otherwiſe determined; and how that long toleration of Wickedneſs from which they extract their falſe Concluſion, ſhall ripen it unto the deſtruction of it ſelf. But, becauſe this Myſtery hath been long vailed, and is yet beclouded, I will expreſs the ſame as it hath appeared to me in this my Lonelineſs, that it may help ſtrengthen the Faith and Hope of thoſe who can receive it, as it hath fortified mine, to the making a large amends for all my Sufferings. The better to explain it, I muſt walk a little about by the way of Circumlocution, that I may fetch in ſome collateral Notions, which will be pertinent to my main Deſign. Slight them not, my dear Brethren, though in ſome Circumſtances I may differ from you in Judgement: for, if we continue in the Love of Chriſt Jeſus, and of each other, that Love will at laſt bring us into all Truth, make all, who are of one houſe, to be of one mind, and cover a multitude of other ſins, as well as our Ignorances, which are not wilfully contracted.

I proceed with my promiſed Illuſtration. GOD Almighty (all whoſe Actions are eternal) when he was pleaſed to give a being unto Time, and make a viſible World, ſeemed in ſome reſpects, to work according p. 49to the manner of men, the better to ſuit his workings, to the natures and capacities of his Creatures; as by making his Actings to be temporary, and that which he could have perfected in one moment, to be the work of ſix Ordinary Dayes. In which time, he having compleated all Created things, and put them into an orderly way of procreating and continuing themſelves by his aſſiſting Providence, and Superintendency, it is ſaid he reſted the Seventh day, and Sanctified it. Not, that he needed Reſt, or the ſetting apart of any portion of Time for himſelf, who is LORD of Eternity, but in reſpect only to mankind, and to what ſhould come to paſs about the later end of Time. The Conſideration of that Reſt, and Sanctification, dictated unto me that which I have diſcovered of the foreſaid Myſtery; in the Illuſtration whereof, I ſhall hint upon ſome particular Notions, repugnant to what hath been commonly believed by many good men concerning the Sabbath; wherein I hope to be as charitably cenſured, as I conſure thoſe, who ſincerely declare their Judgements, though they are not the ſame with mine. I am not of their Opinion, who ſuppoſe the fore mentioned Sanctification of a part of Time, did imply that Seventh day, which was afterward Commanded to be obſerved by the Jews when they were brought out of Egypt: For, it is ſaid by Moſes, Deut. 5. 15. that the Sabbath at that time injoyned to be obſerved, was Inſtituted for a Remembrance of that Deliverance, as likewiſe to preſerve them alwaies mindful to be merciful to Servants, Cattel and Strangers, as GOD was to them, in vouchſafing Reſt and Deliverance from their hard labour, and cruel Taxmaſters, in the Land wherein they had been Strangers and Servants: p. 50And (the Sabbath being made for man, and not man for the Sabbath) it was chiefly for that end Commanded. Nor do I think the Sanctifying of the Seventh day at the Creation (or that which was injoyned to the Jews) implyed the Sanctification of that which is called the LORD's Day, which is obſerved by moſt Chriſtians, according to an antient cuſtome for a day of Aſſembling together in regard upon that day of the week, our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt (with whom the Jewiſh Sabbath was buried) aroſe from Death to Life upon that day of the week. Yet I my ſelf do obſerve that day, and acknowledge the obſervation thereof (if not Judaically or Superſtitiouſly kept and impoſed) to be a pious Cuſtom and Inſtitution, as well tending to our edification in Faith and good life, by our meeting to hear GOD's Word, and communicate in other Pious Duties, as toward a fulfilling that part of the Moral Law, which is contained in the Ten Commandements, and injoyneth an allowance of competent Reſt, and corporeal refreſhment to Servants, Cattel and Strangers, who would elſe be oppreſſed by unmerciful Maſters and Owners, who either know not how to uſe their Chriſtian Liberty, or are ignorant what is due to the Creatures by the Law of Nature; and for that reaſon, proviſion hath been prudently made by the practiſe of the Church, and by Chriſtian Princes upon penalties, for allowing of certain portion of time, and they are not wilfully to be neglected, nor ſuperſtitiouſly to be obſerved; but, for conveniency, comlineſs, and order ſake, that we may aſſociate in the Service of GOD, and communicate in holy Duties, at ſuch times, to the edifying of each other: yet over and above thoſe times, GOD provided a Supplement for Moral Reſt, p. 51and ſpiritual Contemplations, by allowing to every Day, a Night wherein to reſt the body by ſleep, and to refreſh the mind by Prayer and Meditations. But, I do not find that the LORD's Day was injoyned by any Evangelical Precept to be obſerved inſtead of the Jewiſh Sabbath, and in ſuch manner as that was: Or that the ſaid Jewiſh Sabbath was given at the Creation, or at any time ſince by divine Inſtitution, to be an Univerſal Law to all Mankind, or to any of another Nation, ſave only to thoſe who became Jewiſh Proſelytes whileſt the Ceremonial Law was in force. For, had it been otherwiſe, then that ſeventh day ſhould queſtionleſs, have been univerſally made known, and kept without ſcruple by other Nations, without changing it into another day, until it had been divinely done by the ſame Law-giver, and that change declared at the promulgation of his new Covenant in the Goſpel, it being not in the power of any other to change his Ordinances, or to warrant a variation from them in the leaſt Punctilio, whether they concern Faith or Manners. The Obſervation of Dayes and Meats, with ſuch-like Ceremonies, had their end in Chriſt; and every man is left at liberty, as concerning a Religious Obſervation of ſuch things, to do as the preſent neceſſity requires, and as he thinks himſelf in his own Conſcience obliged: And therefore the Apoſtle implicitly reproving them who preſumed to judge between another mans Conſcience and GOD (to whom only he ſtands or falls as his Servant) expecteth every one to do as he is perſwaded in his Conſcience; and ſaith, Rom, 14. He that obſerveth a day, obſerveth it unto the LORD, and he who obſerveth it not, forbears the obſervation thereof in conſcientious obedience to the LORD alſo: p. 52which liberty he would not have given, had a ſet day been eſſential to the morality of the fourth Commandment. Therefore I am not offended with any one, what day ſoever he obſerveth or obſerveth not, who doth it Conſcientiouſly, not Contentiouſly; neither condemning himſelf in that which he alloweth or diſalloweth, nor judging uncharitably of others who claim the like liberty of Conſcience. And I hope the conſcientious ſanctification of Dayes piouſly ſet apart for Religious Duties, will be rather better, then leſs obſerved, by what I have hitherto, or ſhall hereafter expreſs; for there be many, to my knowledge, who are more zealous in profeſſing the obſervation of this or that day, then in truly obſerving any day as they ought to do; as alſo of many other Chriſtian Duties; and ſuch Perſons will take moſt offence at what I have expreſſed.