A Second Voice from the Temple to the Higher Powers, Title page – Dedication
A Second VOYCE FROM THE TEMPLE TO THE Higher Powers. WHEREIN Is proved that the Decrees and Inſtitutions of Popes, and Popiſh Counſels, which have been eſtabliſhed by the Law of the Land, and have been continued and confirmed throughout divers Ages, by ſeveral Acts of Parliament, againſt Jeſus Chriſt, in the way and order of the Goſpel (the ſame yet ſtanding) ought by the preſent ſupream Authority of this Nation to be taken away.
MOREOVER; Here is ſhewed, ſome particular Decrees of Popes, which have been eſtabliſhed by ſeverall Acts of Parliaments, viz. A Nationall Miniſtry, Tythes, Prohibiting men from publick Preaching of the Goſpel, unleſſe Elected and Ordained after a Popiſh manner, &c. All which, as they are the Inſtitutions of Popes, formerly confirmed by the Law of the Land, ſo now, to be abrogated.
By JOHN CANNE.
LONDON: Printed by M. Simmons, and are to be ſould at his Houſe next door to the Gilded Lyon in Alderſgate ſtreet. 1653.
TO THE SƲPREAM AƲTHORITY OF THIS NATION, The PARLIAMENT of the Common-wealth of England.
SIRS;
WHo knowes whether ye are called to the Common-wealth for ſuch a time as this? It is a ſingular mercy, when the Lord in the way of his providence, calls men himſelfe to imployment, and puts a faire opportunity into their hands, to Act for him. Your Call to this preſent work was more then ordinary, and there is ſomething more then ordinary expected now to be done by you.
I would think you ſhould never be ſitting in that Houſe, but be thinking ſtill on thoſe who ſate there before you, whom the Lord hath laid aſide, as diſpiſed broken Idols, and veſſels wherein his ſoule had no pleaſure; and why? ah they knew not their Generation-work, neither were faithfull to the intereſt of Jeſus Chriſt. God is no reſpector of perſons, as men ſow, ſo they ſhall reap.
Charles King of Naples, was ſir-named Cunctator, Delayer, becauſe he ſtayed till opportunity was paſt: but Fabius the Sheild of Rome, was ſo called, becauſe he onelyonly ſtayed till opportunity was come Truly my deſire and prayer to God is, that you may be like Fabius: As for the opportunity, its come, its before you, and in your hands: doe ye aske, what? The Lord is now taking vengeance, and doing execution upon Babylon: in order whereunto, he hath ſtained the power and pride of the Prelates deſtroyed their Courts Canons, and other abominations. This work he is ſtill carrying on, for it muſt be wholly deſolate, not a ſtone left upon a ſtone, which ſhall not be throwne downe. And as before he made uſe of the Higher Powers, for the effecting of what was then done: ſo he will doe for the reſt, command his ſanctified ones, and call his mighty ones, to fulfill all his pleaſure upon the great whore.
It is true, as the work behind is more choice, high, and ſpirituall, ſo he will ſingle out men of clearer principles, greater zeale, and larger affections and love to him, and his Son, for it. Whether you be the men whom the Lord will honour in this worke, I know not, but this I know, it is ſpeedily to be done; for Sion is in travail, and ready to bring forth. Is it not a goodly thing, to behold in Poets, Jupiter, who hath forſaken his fiery Chariot, and rainged Horſes, letting all goe at randome, in the mean time to buſie himſelf in painting upon the Clouds, ſometimes Goats, Apes, Centaures, &c. To deliver my mind plainly (for I deſire to be plain) if you ſtick not to the intereſt of Chriſt, and ſet upon his worke in good earneſt, which is to deſtroy the Antichriſtian Kingdome (ſo far as your power and place extends) as for other things, comparatively (I ſpeake it) they are but as Jupiters paintings on the Clouds, ſoon paſſe away, and the remembrance of them hereafter, will adminiſter ſmall comfort to you.
I remember Chriſts words to his Spouſe, Riſe up my love, my faire one, and come away, for lo the winter is paſt, the rain is over and gone. If you ſpeak to a Mariner, in winter, why he keeps at home, and lets his Veſſel lye ſtill in the Harbour, he hath ſomething to ſay in reaſon for himſelfe, viz. the unſeaſonableneſſe of the time, but in ſummer he cannot excuſe himſelfe ſo: If a man ſhould have ſpoken to you 10 or 20 yeares paſt, about this Nationall Miniſtry, & Tithes, and to have men preach not ordained by Biſhops, you might have ſaid then, it's winter, we are not Parliament men, nor in a capacity to help the Lord againſt the Mighty; well, it is otherwiſe now with you, and therefore ſuit your ſelves like men, and doe the Lords worke, whiles it is to day. Let not this Voyce from the Temple, paſſe through your eares, without taking ſome impreſſion your hearts: The which is the deſire of
Your humble Servant, in the work of Sion. JOHN CANNE.