The Voice of the Turtle, Title page – Errata
VOX TURTURIS vel COLUMBA ALBA ALBIONIS. THE VOICE OF THE TVRTLE, OR, ENGLANDS WHITE DOVE In the deluge of Diviſion, the ſecond time ſent forth from Gods Arke, to preſent a Peace-offering upon the Altar of Jehovah Shalom.
Humbly propoſing that divine direction, which the God of Peace hath revealed in his Word of truth, for determining Differences by an holy Ordinance of his owne Inſtitution, wherein himſelfe is the ſole Judge, Proverbs 16.33. Prov. 18.18.
Shewing how by this Divine way of Gods Judgement, not onelyonly the great differences here in Church and State depending, may ſpeedily and happily be determined with glory to God, Honour to the King, and happineſſe to the Kingdomes, but alſo all the greateſt Controverſies, both Civil and Sacred throughout Chriſtendome may be Compoſed, the Effuſion of Blood prevented, Many Prophecies conducing to an univerſall Peace fulfilled, the happy uſe of this holy Ordinance made knowne, and the name of God thereby manifeſted, and magnified among all Nations, which by Cruelty and bloody Diviſion is Blaſphemed even among Heathens.
Per E.M. Arm. Chriſti ſervorum minimo minorem.
Should not a people enquire at their God? to the Law and the Teſtimony, if they ſpeake not according to this word, 'tis becauſe there is no light in them,
Iſa. 8.19, 20.
Hearken, and give eare to me, O my people, for a Law ſhall proceed from me, and I will bring forth my Judgement, for the light of the people.
Iſa. 51.4.
When I ſhall take a convenient time I will judge righteouſly, the earth, and all the Inhabitants thereof are diſſolved, but I will eſtabliſh the pillars.
Pſal. 75.2.3.
Per ſortem Deus ipſe in judicio ſedet. Sicut enim Deus per Jethronem conſulait ut cauſis levioribus ab aliis judicibus dijudicatis difficiles Moyſis Cognitioni reſervaretur: Sic Deus inſtituit, ut quae nulla cujuſquam ingenii, vi & perſpicientia cauſa dignoſci poſſet, ad ſe per ſortim judicium deferretur▪
Cartw. in Proverbs 16.33.
LONDON, Printed for T.W. 1647.
To the Gentle, Judicious, religious Reader: The humble addreſſe of the harmleſſe Dove.
THis Dove, like that of Noah, at the firſt ſending forth found no reſt for the ſole of her foot, no place for her peace-offering; as in Meſech, and the tents of Kedar, whileſt the Dove perſwades, and pleads for peace; propoſed and preſſed an holy and happy way of peace; the Serpent prevented and perverted the progreſſe therof and preparation was made for war: She looked and laboured for peace, but there was no good and for the time of healing but behold trouble Jer. 14.19. The Land remained like a glaſſie ſea mingled with fire; Rev. 15.2.Every field of our Albyon ſo called quaſi Olbyon, becauſe happy and pleaſant, was become like that place called Armagedon (1) craftineſſe of deſtruction as it is interpreted, Rev. 16.16. The whole land over-ſpread with waters of Marah and Meribah of bitter ſtrife bloody diviſion; Waters like the fountaines on which the third Angell poured out his Vials and they became blood like the rivers of Egypt (which was their firſt plague) all turned into bloud or like that Sea on which the ſecond Angell poured his Vials of wrath ſo that it became as the bloud of a dead man and every living thing died therein Rev. 16.3.4. So deplorable was this deluge of deadly diſſentions,Exod. 7.20.21. that the Rod horſe and his rider who had power to take peace from the earth, and that they ſhould kill one another, &c. Rev. 6.4. may be ſaid to have run a race of ruine through this wretched Land; and foure of thoſe ſeven Angels which ſtood before God with ſeven trumpets, might ſeeme to have ſounded in theſe three ſorrowfull Kingdomes Rev. 8. that ſeeming but a propheſie, the performance whereof is manifeſted in our unhappy Calamities: at the founding of the firſt of which Angels trumpet, there followed haile and fire mingled with bloud which falling on the earth▪ the third part of the trees and all green graſſe was burnt up; are not a third part of our trees our ſtrong men, our young men our proviſions and fruits of the earth conſumed? The two ſtaves of beauty and bonds are broken, mentioned Zech. 11.7.10.11. the Bonds of unity and beauty of orderly government are broken, and we may feare the breach of the ſtaffe of bread comes marching towards us like Jehu, furiouſly, fearfully. At the ſounding of the ſecond Angels Trumpet as it were a great mountain burning with fire, was caſt into the Sea, and part of the ſea he came bloud. and the third part of the living creatures which were in the ſea died, and the third part of the ſhips were deſtroyed. In this mare mortuum, and dead ſea of diſſentions, 'tis to be feared we have ſuffered ſhipwracke, of at leaſt the third part of our martiall men, Munition, and mony, the three ſinews of a State, beſides the decay of Trading and Merchandizing, &c. At the ſounding of the third Angel, there fell a great ſtar from heaven, burning as it were a lamp and it fell upon a third part of the rivers, and fountains of waters, and the name of the ſtar was called Wormwood, and the third part of the waters became wormwood, and many men died of the waters, becauſe they were made bitter: The Lord having permitted that grand Impoſtor the divell, a dangerous deceiver from the beginning, Lucifer in the ſhape of an Angell of light to mix wormwood with the fountaines of living waters the holy word of God; Many men by the wormwood of miſ-interpretation, and gall of miſapplication thereof, have ſo imbittered thoſe ſweet and pleaſant waters that they are to too many become aquae mortis deſtructive and deadly; which in truth in themſelves are the cleere Aquae vitae waters of life quickning and reviving the drooping dying ſoule; At the ſounding of the fourth Angel, the third part of the Sun was ſmitten: Chriſt the Sun of righteouſneſſe obſcured by the pride and infidelity of men; the third part of the Moon, the Church; and the third part of the Stars the Miniſters and teachers; ſo as the third part of them was darkened; and the day was ſmitten, that it ſhone not, for a third part of it▪ and the night likewiſe; the light of the Goſpell clouded by the night of blacke ignorance. Alas! I.om. 4.1, 2.how is the gold become dim? how is the moſt fine gold changed? the ſtones of the Sanctuary are poured out▪ are ſcattered in every place in every corner of every ſtreet. The ſons of Zion comparable to fine gold how are they eſteemed as earthen pitchers the worke of the hands of the potter? The Prince, the Peers, the Prieſts, all ſlandered and ſleighted, derided, deſpiſed deſtroyed. The whole Land is filled with bitterneſſe and made drunke with wormwood.Lam. 3.15. Iſa. 51.19, 20. The mighty have ſtumbled againſt the mighty, and both are fallen together. The whole body is ſicke, and the whole heart is heavy. The Lord hath taken his peace from this people, Jer. 16.5. From the crown of the head, to the ſole of the foot there is no whole part nothing but wound, and bruiſes and putrifying ſores, Iſa. 1.4 5 6. We may with griefe of ſoule heare Englands voyce on high (like the voice in Rama…. Rachel weeping and that bitterly not to be comforted for her caeildren becauſe they mere not) lamenting the invaluable loſſe of the flower of her Nobility,Jer. 4.31. Gentry and Commonalty in their bud of gallantry wallowing and weltring in duſt and bloud. Thus lofty Lucan;
Bella per Albinios pluſquam civilia Campos,
Juſ que datum ſceleri, canimus, populum potentem
In ſua victrici converſu… viſcera dextra
— Quis talia fando nefanda
Temperat a lacrimis? —
—En quô diſcordia triſtem,
Perduxit populum? funeſtos reddidit agros,
Vaſtavit que vias exhauſit civibus urbes.
So that it may be ſaid of England, what the faithleſſe, and therefore fearfull men, which were ſent to ſearch the Land of Canaan, reported thereof to Moyſes, 'tis … Land that cateth up the Inhabitants thereof, Num. 13.33. And that which ought …ot ſteightly to eſcape Chriſtian conſideration for the building of this Babell of bitterneſſe continuing of theſe Babyloniſh broyles,Num. 14.17. theſe Contentions carrying us headlong on … confuſion) the ſimple and ignorant multitude, as naturall bruits made to bee taken and deſtroyed, not knowing what they did, as ſilly ſheep led unto the ſlaughter, Pſal. 44. they were killed all day long, and accounted as ſheep appointed to bee ſlain; they were forced on both parts to tread morter, made and moyſtened with their owne bloud.
What heart not altogether adamantine, can doe leſſe, then take up the Prophet Jeremies lamentation;Jer. 14.17. Let mine eyes run down with teares night and day, and let them not ceaſe: Lam. 1.16.2.1…For the virgin, the daughter of Zion is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow. There is no healing of thy bruiſe, thy wound is grievous: all that heare the bruit of thee, Nahum. 3.19.will clap their hands over thee.
In this ſad and deplorable condition have theſe three Kingdomes now for a long ſeaſon laine languiſhing: like an Oake cleft in ſhivers by wedges of its own body, like the mad Philiſtines, and as in the dayes of Midian, the Lord ſet every mans ſword upon his neighbour, Judges 7.22. And the people were as meat to the fire, no man ſpared his brother, Judges 7. Iſa. 9.Iſa. 9.19. What will ye doe now in the day of viſitation, and of deſtruction? to whom will ye flee for helpe? and where will ye leave your glory? to whom will yee ſeek, and of whom will ye take counſell? Iſa. 10.3.4. Gather together on heaps,Iſa. 10. gird your ſelves, ye ſhall be broken in pieces; take counſell together, it ſhall be brought to nought, pronounce a decree, and it ſhall not ſtand, Iſa. 8.10. If ye will be ſafe, Then ſanctifie the Lord, let him be your feare, and let him be your dread, Iſa. 8.9, 10.and he ſhall be as a ſanctuary, &c. Bind up the teſtimony, ſeale up the Law; ſhould not a people inquire at their God? to the law, and to the teſtimony, if they goe not according to this word, there is no light in them. Iſa. 13.14 Is there no balme in Gilead? is no Phyſician there? Jer. 8 22. Pſal. 10.8, 9.The way of the Lord is an holy plain way, wherein the ignorant cannot erre, Iſa. 35.8.9. A ſtrait way wherein they ſhall not ſtumble. Ier. 31.9. vid. Deut. 17.8 9.15.
If the Lord have in his compleate Treaſury of truth revealed a Divine way for curing our Contentions, and ſetling peace among the Mighty,God enjoynes ſtrict obſervation of his ordinances, Deut. 5.1.35.4.2.5.6.16.17.7.11.12.11.1.6.17.8, 9. to refuſe that pious perfect way, and rely on our owne humane powers or policies, is an argument either of ignorance and blindneſſe, there is no light in us, or of pride or arrogance, that wee will not ſeeke after God, Pſal. 10.4. That we take counſell, but not of the Lord, and had need beware the woe that waites on all ſtubborne contemners of Gods counſells, Iſa. 30.
Obſerve the Lords gracious invitations and incouragements by language of love, to come and conſult with him, and he cured by his divine direction and preſcription; Come unto mee all weary and heavy laden, I will eaſe and refreſh you. Commit thy cauſe to the Lord he will bring forth thy judgement as the light;Pſa. 37.5, 6, 7.33. and thy righteouſneſſe as the day. Caſt thy burthen on the Lord &c. Aske of me things to come: ſtand in the waies, and behold, and aske for the old way, which is the good way,Iſa. 51. and walke therein, and ye ſhall find reſt to your ſoules. Jer. 6.16. There is none to guide thee, none to lead thee one of the mire of thy miſeries, none to take thee by the hand, of ad the ſonnes that thou haſt brought up. Mans extremity, Gods opportunity, Iſa. 63.5.59.16. Eſa. 42.10, 11, 12.15, 16, 17, 18, 19.21.23.24.25. Jer. 33.6.9. Eſa. 40.3.4.5.23.27.41.1.4.5.12.27. This righteous branch may returne this Dove with an Olive Branch of Peace and truth, being ſent out with a proſperous ſeed of Peace, Zech. 8.12. The day propoſed in this Trtatiſe is a turning & ſeeking to God, conſulting with, inquiring of, relying and waiting on God in his, owne ordinance, all which are both commended &c commanded by God in his Word. Sors Intermentia divine predeſtinationis, non fortune famula. O…gen. Homil. 23. in Joſh.Thy ſonnes lye in the heads of the ſtreets, … as wild bull in a net: Heare now, miſerable and dranken, not with wine, but diviſion: Behold, I will take the cup of trembling out of thy hand. Hearken and give care to me, O my people: for a law ſhall proceed from me, and I will bring forth my judgement, for the light of my people. Behold, I will give them health and amendment: for I will cure them, and will reveale unto them the abundance of peace and truth: And it ſhall be to me, a name, a joy, a praiſe, and an honour, before all the nations of the earth, &c. Behold, the daies come, that I will performe the good thing which I have promiſed; I will cauſe the Branch of righteouſneſſe to grow, and he ſhall execute judgement, and righteouſneſſe in the Land. Jer. 33.14.15. I will raiſe up a righteous Branch, and a King ſhall reigne, and execute judgement and juſtice in the earth, Jer. 23 5, 6. The Lord is our judge, the Lord is our Law giver, the Lord is our King, he will ſave us, Iſa. 33.22. The Lord will not faile his people, nor forſake his Inheritance, for judgement ſhall returne to juſtice, and the upright in heart ſhall follow after it, Pſa 94.14 15. He ſhall not faile till he have ſet judgement in the earth, and the Iſles ſhall waire for his Law, Iſa. 42.1.3.4. And againe, Iſa. 2.4. an univerſall peace is there prophecied to be performed by the Lords Judgement between the Nations. Swords to be beaten into mattocks and ſpeares into pruning hookes, and no more fighting; and in the preceding Prophece…t it is ſhewed that God by Chriſts judgement ſhall reſtore the ſtate and government of things to their right uſe and order.
What this Dove propoſeth and preſſeth, is no other, then that the determination of the great differences depending between his Majeſtie and the Parliament, might be referred to the Lords judgement by divine Lott, being an holy way originally inſtituted by God himſelfe to that peculiar end of ending Controverſies, as by Prov. 18.18. and many preſidents in holy writ, and the authority of Divines both ancient and moderns is plentifully proved. Neither is there any other way revealed in Gods word, whereby ſo apparent, and immediate a judgement may be ſaid to be given by God, as by this way of the divine Lott; And howſoever, by reaſon of the ignorance of ſome who know not, and therefore neither conceive, nor conſider the holineſſe and happineſſe of this divine way; The infidelity of others, who either doubting of the truth of Gods word, (or perhaps diſtruſting the juſtice of their owne cauſe) dare not truſt the judgement of God in the diſpoſition of the Lott; The arrogance and ſelfe conceited obſtinacy of others who preferre their owne wiſdomes, counſells or wayes, before the judgement, Oracle, and ordinance of God: And becauſe of the ſelfe-ſeeking ends of others, who principally proſecuting thoſe deſignes which conduce to their owne private purpoſes, profits and preferments, and ſo grow careleſſe of promoting Gods glory, and the Kingdomes peace, but rather protract it) Although I ſay, by reaſon of theſe Remoraes, this ſacred Ordinance, Judgement, and Decree of God, may want its due reſpect among the worldly wiſe (as the beſt and moſt divine matters and ordinances, which concerns Gods glory, and the peoples good, uſually meet with ſtrangeſt oppoſition) (the Devill and his agents labouring the prevention of all proceedings tending to that purpoſe) yet the harmleſſe Dove humbly deſires, that all true lovers of Gods glory, the Kings honour… and the Kingdomes peace and happineſſe, would be pleaſed throughly to peruſe this Treatiſe (penned and publiſhed to no other end, then the glory of God, and peace of his people) and ſeriouſly to conſider the matters eſpecially thoſe Texts of holy truth therein contained, and the happy effects which by the holy uſe of this ſacred Ordinance may be produced and then doubtleſſe they will confeſſe the uſe hereof in this Kingdomes caſe, to be not onelyonly convenient, but neceſſary, and to be prefer…ea before any way or meanes of humans deſignment, in theſe ſeven ſeverall reſpects.
1. In reſpect of the glory of God which will hereby be more advanced not onelyonly by committing of our doubtfull and difficult differences to his divine determination, making and taking God for our onelyonly Judge, ſaying with Jehoſhaphat, and the men of Judah; Wee know not what to doe, but our eyes, hearts and hands,2. Chron. 20.12. are towards thee, but alſo by the juſt, holy, and happy Judgement which the Lord will give by his owne way of the divine Lott; Whereas if peace be procured by humane powers and policies, wee are apt to attribute moſt to the arme of fleſh, and ſacrifice to our own nets, and the Lords glory is too often layd aſide, as the Lord by his Prophet Jeremy complaines; Wherefore ſay my people, Jer. 1.31.we are Lords, we will come no more to thee?
2. All motters in difference, both Sacred and Civill, in Church and State will be ſetled according to the will of Jeſus Chriſt, himſelfe being Judge, which will be more pleaſing to God profitable and ſatisfactory to men.
3. The Kings Honour will be preſerved, and his mind better ſatisfied, being wonn by divine judgement willingly to conſent, not forcibly by Conqueſt and compulſion conſtrained to paſſe or ſigne Propoſitions.
4. His Majesty will be more cleerely ſatisfied touching his juſt Rights and Prerogatives, being aſſured that the King of Kings, who is the primitive of all Principalities, by whom, and from whom all powers are ordained and derived, knowing what is juſtly due to Princes, will give to Caeſar, the things that are Caeſars, as to God the things that are Gods. And as concerning that party of the Nobility, Gentry, and Comminalty, which adhered to his Majeſty in theſe unhappy warres▪ their puniſhments both pecuniary and corporall touching their lives, liberties, and eſtates,Deut. 17.8.9.15 Gods judgement by Lott will take off all aſperſion of cruelty and oppreſſion. Num. 15.34.35 Levit. 24.12. being left to Divine diſpoſition, rather then humane deſignement, will be a way more phaſing to God, and more mercifull, pions, and ſatisfactory in the ſight of men. To this purpoſe you may pleaſe to peruſe the 2 Chron. 28. in a caſe of the like nature between Judah and Iſrael, where the Prophet Oded preſſeth for fraternall pitty and mercy to be ſhewed to the conquered brethren. And Num. 25.34. The man that gathered ſticks on the Sabbath day, and the ſonne of the Iſraelitiſh woman that blaſphemed, being convicted of their crimes, were not put to death, untill Moyſes had inquired of God, and received commiſſion from the great Judge of the world, for their execution.
5. All future …ewdes malice and reſolutions of revenge, which might remaine among Families in generations to come, will be much mitigated if not cleans remitted, when the deſpoſition of the Lord, ſhall be diſcorned in diſpatch of the differences.
6. All Vowes, Covenants and Oathes, made by either party in any matter of oppoſition one againſt the other, may by Gods judgement (declaring the illegality of the matter ſworns to be performed) be made voide, and not binding, which by no humane Lawes of diſpenſation could be diſcharged, freed, or made diſobliging to the … of the Covenanters, &c.
7. Diviſion and Effuſion of Blood, (deteſtable to God, damnable among men; To the Devill and his diſciples onelyonly delightfull) will bee prevented and avoided, … mindes touching all doubtfull and difficult differences more cleerly convinced, reſolved▪ and ſatisfied by Gods owne immediate judgement (againſt which no honeſt godly Chriſtian will preſume to murmure, diſpute, or oppoſe;) And a pious, proſperous, ſ…, firme, laſting, found and well-grounded Peace with Truth, by the Prince of Peace, who is our Peace, truly and perfectly eſtabliſhed. Which that the God of Peace by his bleſſed Sonne, on whoſe ſhoulders he hath ſet the government of Peace, with the aſſiſtance of his bleſſed Spirit of Peace, who is onelyonly able, may pleaſe ſpeedily to performe, heartily prayeth, the unworthieſt of Gods ſervants, who is humbly
Thine alſo in Chriſt Jeſus, E.M.
The Contents of the enſuing Treatiſe.
CHAPTER I. OF the ſeverall acceptations, and derivation of the word Lott; of the diviſion, and diſtinctions of the ſeverall ſorts of Lots, And of the definitions and deſcriptions of Lotts; but eſpecially the Divine Lott, which is intended for the Subject of this Diſcourſe.
CHAP. II. Of the Perſons, places, times, manner and ſubject matter, by whom, where, when, how, and upon what occaſions, Lotts have been, may, are, or ought to be uſed.
CHAP. III. Of the manner how Divine Lotts may be applyed, and happily uſed for determining the great differences depending between His Majeſty and the Parliament; and alſo all other diſſentions fit to be decided by the Lords judgement by Lott, in Church and State (not onelyonly in theſe Kingdomes, but alſo throughout Chriſtendome) may be compoſed and reconciled. And of the conveniency, equality and neceſſity of this Divine way, of concluding the Contentions of this Kingdome. Shewing alſo, how by the reviving of this Sacred way of Peace-making many Prophecies in holy writ may be fulfilled.
Errata.
Page 6. line 4. for It, read the Feaſt of Purim. Pag. 26. l. 10. read before, next after mindes in the 11. line page 35. live 20. for Iizeh read Iireh. Some other faults are eſcaped, which the Reader in his diſcretion may reforme.