The Voice of the Turtle, Chapter 2 · Part 2

The Voice of the Turtle · Chapter 2 · Part 2

p. 25How this ſacred Ordinance may be uſed and applyed as a ſoveraigne Medicine to heale the unhappy diviſions of this diſtracted Kingdome, and to cure and compoſe theſe deſtructive diſſentions and contentions between the King and Parliament.

1. THat a Treaty, time and place be appointed, if the Prince and Parliament ſhall be ſo pleaſed, apt and able perſons on both ſides ſelected, and authorized, truly to ſtate and ſet down all things in difference betwixt the King and Subject; Secondly, that particular Propoſitions, both concerning his Majeſties and the Parliaments deſires and demaunds, by them be drawne into particular heads, whereby what is expected by each from other, may more clearly appeare. Thirdly, that all Propoſitions may be ſo ſtated and ſet down as that they may tend principally and onelyonly to theſe ends, 1. That the glory of God may be advanced and maintained in matter of Religion and Church-government.

2 That his Majeſties honour may be preſerved in his juſt Rights and Prerogative.

3 That the Peace and happineſſe of the Kingdome and Subjects may be produced by eſtabliſhing of the Lawes of the Land, confirmation of the Liberty and property of the Subject and juſt priviledges of Parliament.

Theſe are the three principall, fundamentall; and cardinall grounds out of which all particular Propoſitions can ariſe, iſſue, or proceed.

Zech. 8.19. Hoſ. 6.6.1, 2, 3. Mercy is prepared for the Land, if the people prepare to receive it at the Lords hand. Ezr. 8.21. Levit. 23.27, 28. Exod. 19.10, 11 Eſth. 4.16.Zech 8:19Hos 6:6Hos 6:1Hos 6:2Hos 6:3Ezra 8:21Lev 23:27Lev 23:28Exod 19:10Exod 19:11Esth 4:16That three ſolemne dayes or ſet times of Humiliation, faſting, prayer and praiſe, be publiſhed and proclaimed throughout the whole Realme to be ſet apart and celebrated, for our preparation to meet the Lord in this way of his direction; that we may ſeek of him a right way for deliverance from the judgements that do threaten the Land: ſuch a Faſt as was preſcribed by Ezr. 8.21. may be a faire preſident for this Land to proceed by. Alſo like that Exod. 19.10.11. Moſes commanded to ſanctifie the people for three dayes, and on the third day (for on that day the Lord will come downe in the ſight of all the people) to have them ready prepared to meet the Lord.

Queen Eſther enjoyned a Faſt to be kept, when ſhe was to go into the King for the Jewe deliverance; Gather together all the Jewes (ſaith ſhe) and neither eat nor drinke for three dayes, night nor day, When Lorts were caſt for their deſtruction, but fell for their deliverance, whence the Feaſt of Purim was ordained to be celebrated by them and their poſterity to all perpetuity.

When diſſention was ariſen between the ſervants of Iſaac, Gen. 26.20, 21.Gen 26:20Gen 26:21and the ſervants of Abimelech touching the Well of water, Iſaac's ſervants digged three Wells before the contention was concluded: the names of the firſt and ſecond Wells were Eſek and Sitnah, ſignifying Contention and hatred, for that they ſtrove together; but the third was Shibah ſignifying an Oath or covenant of reconciliation that was then and there made between them, becauſe by Oath or Covenant the contentions between Iſaac and Abimelech, and their ſervants were p. 26then concluded. Thence the City was called Beerſh…ba, i.e. the Well of the oath or covenant of concluſion.

Prayer, preaching, & praiſes to be as peace-offerings for Prince, Prieſt and people to make reconciliation for them, Ezek. 45.Ezek 45That on the firſt day by all of what degree, quality, or profeſſion ſoever, hearty prayers be ſent up by Prince, Prieſt and People to the ſearcher o… all hearts, for his holy and heavenly bleſſing on the endeavours of thoſe who are on both ſides ſelected for conſultation about theſe great affaires of the Kingdome, that God who is wonderfull in counſell, and excellent in working, would be pleaſed to be preſent with them, and aſſiſt and direct them in the compoſing of ſuch particular Propoſitions as conduce to his glory, the Kings honour, the Kingdomes happineſſe, and not to any their own particular ends and before purpoſes, and that God would by his remembring Spirit put into their minds whoſe preſence they ſtand, and ſo make them wiſe and carefull to conſider for what they ſtand, and from whence the ſentence and judgement of their demands and deſires is to proceed, even from the omniſcient Lord, who tryeth the hearts and reines,We know not what to do, but our eyes are towards thee. 2 Chr. 20.12.13 Said Jehoſhaphat, & al Iudah when they proclaimed a Faſt, and gathered together to aske counſell and inquire of God. 2 Chran. 19.6, 7.2 Chr 20:122 Chr 20:13 ſeeth their inmoſt ſecreteſt thoughts, is a God of pure eyes, and cannot endure iniquity, impiety, nor injuſtice; and of moſt perſpective ſight, diſcerning the moſt ſubtill devices, and cannot be deceived by any State-ſtratagems, nor deluded by mentall reſervations, or ſubtill policies.

Theſe conſiderations ſadly premeditated, will prevent all illegall and unjuſt Propoſitions and promote the way of proceeding by faire and cleare particulars, Propoſitions and demands; None will dare to make unjuſt demands if they conſider who is the Judge and diſpoſer. And as Iehoſhaphat to the Judges, ſo give me leave to ſpeak to both ſides; take heed what ye doe, for the tryall is not appointed by the judgement of man but of the Lord, and he will be with you in the cauſe and judgement: wherefore now let the feare of the Lord be upon you; take heed, for there is no partiality with the Lord our God, neither reſpect of perſons, nor receiving of reward.

The neceſſity of the uſe of Gods Iudgement by divine Lott, being ſo juſt, equall and impartiall. As Azariah, to Aſa, and all Judah and Ben…amin. 2 Chr. 15.1.2 Chr 15:12 That the Preachers and Miniſters whom God hath made to be ſtars in the firmament of the Church, to lead and guide the feet of the people in the waies of peace, declare and unfold to the people the authority, happineſſe and holineſſe of this way of proceeding, ſhewing who was the originall author and the only diſpoſer of lotts, for what end God ordered them, and what comfort may thence ariſe to the three Kingdomes: Controverſies will be concluded, peace produced, and the further effuſion of blood prevented.

3 That the Paſtors admoniſh the people to prepare themſelves to appeare before the Lord as Moſes did at the delivery of the Law. Thus will I do unto thee, and becauſe I will do ſo; therefore prepare to meet thy God, O Iſrael. Iſa. 57.14.40.3. Iſ. 62.10. Go through go through the gates: prepare thou the way of the people; Caſt up, caſt up the high-way, gather out the ſtones, take up the ſtumbling block out of the way of my people. Lift up a Standard for the people. This way is not unlike that way, Iſa. 35.8. prophecied: There ſhall be a path and a way, and the way ſhall be called holy; the polluted ſhall not paſſe by it &c.

4 That praiſe be rendred to our gracious God for directing us ſuch a divine p. 27way of determining theſe unhappy differences and diviſions which continued would bring the Kingdome to deſolation and deſtruction,Say among the Nations, the Lord reigneth: ſurely the world ſhall be ſtable, and not move, and he ſhall judge the people in righteouſneſſe, vid. Pſa. 93.1.94.14.15.96.10. to the end. Pſ. 97.1, 2.98.9.99.1.102.13. to the end.Ps 93:1Ps 93:94Ps 93:14Ps 93:15Ps 93:96Ps 93:10Ps 97:1Ps 97:2Ps 97:98Ps 97:9Ps 97:99Ps 97:102Ps 97:13 Iſa. 42.10.11, 12.44.23.25.29, 27. Eſa. 59. Zech. 7.5. Almighty God at firſt revealed this holy and happy way to his own people only; therefore David after he ſaith. The lott is fallen unto me in a faire ground, &c. preſently addeth, I will bleſſe and praiſe the Lord who hath given me underſtanding to know and acknowledge ſo great mercies. Iſa. 58.2. They ſeem to ſeeke me, and delight to know my wayes as a Nation that did righteouſly, and forſook not the ordinance of their God: they aske of me ordinances of Juſtice, they take delight to approach unto God, &c.

5 Cautions for Faſts, that they be not performed ſingly and ſeverally, each ſide and party at ſeverall times, and for themſelves ſeverally, and one againſt the other as hitherto it hath been, which (it may be feared) hath cauſed God to with-hold his hand of mercy from us, in regard we have without charity rather prayed for ruin, then reconciliation one to another faſting for ſtrife and debate, to ſmite with the fiſt of cruelty, having our hands defiled with blood,God by his Prophet complaines of ſuch faſts, as alſo of the contemners of his Ordinance of Peace and Iuſtice. Iſa. 58.2.Isa 58:2 our feet ſwift to ſhed bloud, not knowing, not willing to know the wayes of peace: ſuch faſts God hath not choſen, with ſuch ſacrifices of bloud God is not well pleaſed Iſ. 1.15. When ye ſpread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when yee make many prayers I will not heare, for your hands are full of bloud. Your faſts, feaſts, prayers, praiſes. Aſſemblies, oblations, ſacrinces, Sabbaths are all vain; not valued, but vilified; not accepted, not reſpected, but rejected as hatefull deteſtable abominable Iſ. 1.11.

But our Faſt, muſt be an univerſall and unanimous Faſt, throughout the three Kingdomes joyning all in hearty prayer for the forgiveneſſe of the crying ſins of the Kingdomes, for the remiſſion of the ſins of each place, and perſon therein, and with ſingle and ſincere hearts forgiving each other, forgetting all wrongs and renouncing all revenges, even as God for Chriſts ſake ſhall forgive us being members of one body, whereof Chriſt is the head, brethren in Chriſt, God being the Father to whom alone belongeth revenge: ſuch ſacrifice (we may believe) will prove acceptable.

In the ſecond day that the like duties, preaching praying, and praiſing of God, as on the firſt, be performed religiouſly: but Dove-like mourning, and Bear-like roaring cannot well accord before the Lord; We roar like Bears, and mourne fore like Doves, ſaith the Prophet Iſ. 39.11. We look for judgement, but there is none; for ſalvation, but it is far off.

Neither our praying, faſting not preaching, can prove acceptable in the ſight of God the ſearcher of all hearts and tryer of reins, unleſſe the madneſs of our malicious minds be mitigated, the hardneſſe of our cruell hearts be mollified and the act of violence be out of our hands. If we outwardly pretend to appear before God in the forme of Doves, with a ſhew only of ſimplicity ſorrow and innocence, but in hearts be ravening Wolves, ſtinging Serpents roaring Beares, ready to teare and devour one another. What fruit can faſting produce?

It is ſaid 1 Chr. 10.13, 14. of Saul, that he died in his tranſgreſſion which he p. 28committed againſt the Lord and his Word in that he asked not counſell of the Lord therefore he ſlew him, and turned the Kingdome to David.

To put on the ſhew of a ſilly ſheep the habit of a harm leſſe Lamb yet inwardly to be ſubtill foxes, and greeey wolves, ready to ſupplant to worrey to r…, to deſtroy one another cannot but make our faſts or other ſacrifices rather deteſtable then delightfull, rather abominable then acceptable: this is not the fall that God hath choſen: and we may juſtly feare that the Lord hath protracted our peace making with-held, the happineſs of union from us, only for our Cain like cruelty, bloudy-mindedneſſe to our brethren: Our faſts have not found the hoped for fruit, our prayers have not prevailed for Peace, nor hath our preaching been proſperous in the purpoſes, and thing whereunto it was ſent and appointed.

In the Civill law all appeal is denied from the ſentence of a Lott, becauſe it is the ſentence of the Lord, who hath no ſuperiour.That after the holy duties religiouſly performed to prevent revolting from the judgement which God ſhall give by Lotts, and revenging private wrongs paſſed before between particular parties; that all, both Prince and people Commanders and Souldiers, Paſtors and Flocks, unanimouſly joyn in Covenant with Almighty God willingly to ſubmit to that judgement which God ſhall give by lotts, without any repining, repugnancy, or reſiſtance thereafter, and really to remit all wrongs without retaining any malice, or mentall reſervation of revenge hereafter.

A judicio ſortis appellari non poteſt. Baldus Bartol. Jaſon apud Go. 2. ad Taur. Le. 38. Greg. Toloſſ. appel. l. 2. Hee ſhall call the heavens, that hee may judge his people. Pſal. 50.5. Call my Saints together unto me, thoſe that have made a covenant with me. The heavens ſhall declare his righteouſneſſe, for God is judge himſelfe. Nehem. 10. A pattern for the Covenant, Ezra 10.5. Exod. 19.5, 6. If ye will keep my Covenant, then ſhall, ye be my chiefe treaſure above all people, and yee ſhall be unto me alſo a kingdome of prieſts, and an holy Nation.Ps 50:5Neh 10Ezra 10:5Exod 19:5Exod 19:6And whereas we have joyned in Covenant and aſſociation, one ſide againſt the other, even to the death and deſtruction one of another: Now all make Covenant each with other, una voce, uno animo, uno corde, Altogether with heart tongues, and hands in thoughts words and deeds, to maintain and preſerve the glory of God in the true Proteſtant Religion, the honour of the King in his juſt rights and Prerogatives, and the welfare of the State and Kingdome in the Lawes of the Land, the Liberty and property of the Subject, and priviledges of Parliaments according as Almighty God by this his judgement ſhall declare and decree to renew our league of brotherly love and Chriſtian amity, to live in love endeavouring by all poſſible meanes to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace, all profeſſing, proteſting and covenanting before Almighty God to defend, and with their lives and eſtates to maintain Gods glory the Kings honour, and the Kingdomes peace againſt revolters Jer. …1.6. Proclaim all theſe words in the Cities of Judah, and in the ſtreets of Jeruſalem, ſaying, heare ye the words of this Covenant and do them. v. 3. And ſay thou unto them thus ſaith the Lord God of Iſrael curſed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this Covenant. 2 Chron. 15. When Iſrael had for a long time bin without God without a Prieſt and without the Law and there was no peace to him that went out or in but great vexations on all the inhabitants of the Countries. Nation deſtoryed of Nation, City of City, and God did vex them with all adverſity. Aſa their King upon the Prophecie and advice of Azariah aſſembled and gathered togther all Iudah and Benjamin, and the ſtranger out of Ephraim Manaſſeh and Simeon to Ieruſalem in the third month the 15th year of his raign; and they ſacrificed p. 29and entred into a Covenant to ſeeke the Lord God, with all their heart, and with all their ſoule, that whoſoever would not ſeeke the Lord, ſhould be put to death, ſmall or great, man or woman; and they ſware unto the Lord and all Iſrael rejoyced at the oath: for they had ſworne with all their heart, and ſought him with their whole deſire, and hee was found of them and the Lord gave them reſt round about. And there was no more war unto the thirty fift yeare of the reigne of Aſa: Whence may be concluded how much ſo holy a Covenant conduceth to the peace of a divided Kingdome. Let this be like that Covenant, Num. 18.19 a Covenant of ſalt, ſure, ſtable, incorruptible.

Cautions in this Covenant, to beware of mentall reſurvations, malevolent thoughts and murmurings, remembring ſtill in whoſe preſence they ſtand, the preſence of that Lord who underſtandeth their thoughts before they are conceived in their minds; who is omniſcient, omnipotent, omnipreſent, we cannot deceive, we cannot reſiſt, we cannot evade nor eſcepe his puniſhments, his judgements, his revenging hand: We ought with David to acknowledge, that Righteous art thou, Pſal. 119.137. Jer. 50.5.Ps 119:137Jer 50:5O Lord: and juſt are thy judgements. And in Pſal. 119.126. I have ſworn, and will perform that I will keep thy righteous judgements. Jer. 50.5. Come let us joyn our ſelves to the Lord in a perpetuall Covenant. Now I purpoſe to make a covenant with the Lord God of Iſrael that he may turne away his wrath from us 1 Cor. 29.10, 11. Iſ. 59.21. As for me, this is my covenant with them, ſaith the Lord, &c. Eſay 61.8. If we ſhall covenant with God, with ſubmiſſion to obey his judgements, then the Lord will keep his Covenant with us for remiſſion of our ſins, releaſe of our miſeries, and ſhewing abundance of mercies, Hoſea 2.18. And in that day will I make a covenant for them, &c. and I will breake the bow, and the ſword, and the battell out of the earth, and I will make them to lie down ſafely, Iſa. 2.4 Job 5 23. Mic. 4.2, 3 4 5. and Hoſ. 2.18. You and performe unto the Lord your God let all that are round about him, bring preſents unto him that ought to be feared, Pſal. 76.11.

3 That on the third day or time on which the Lotts are to be caſt the Sacred act from which we are to expect the declaration of Gods divine will for reſolving of ou… doubts, and diſſolving and determining our dangerous and deadly differences, the holy duties of praying, preaching, and praiſing God, as on the two former dayes were preſcribed, be alſo now performed.

That the Min ſters in a more ſpeciall manner ſtir up the people to a moſt ſerious and hearty conſideration, as of the greatneſſe, ſo of the goodneſſe of God, as of the incomprehenſible glory, ſo of his incomparable mercy, as of the infallible juſtice of God, ſo of his infinite piety and pitty towards his people, giving them to underſtand, that as Almighty God vouchſafeth his teſtifying preſence in an oath, ſo his Majeſty is pleaſed to vouchſafe his determining preſence in a more immediate manner in this divine way of his own inſtitution.

We read not of divine Lotts uſed by any of Gods ſervants, but in caſe of greateſt conſequence, and alwayes with moſt religious reverence exhort the people as David in 95. Pſal. v. 6. Come let us worſhip and fall downe, &c. In the election of Matthias by Lott, the Apoſtles form of proceeding is a perfect preſident, Act. 1.15. The Election is begun with wholſome exhortation: Surgens Petrus in n…sdio Fratrum p. 30dixit, &c. Peter ſtood up in the midſt of the Diſciples, took a text, preached and perſwaded the conveniency, nay, neceſſity of a new election by lot, to make up the number of the twelve. Secondly, the election proceedeth with devout Prayer and p… ſupplication; the perſons and lotts being provided, v. 24. And they prayed, … ſayd, &c. Thirdly, the election was determined by divine revelation. v. 26. B…vecidit ſors ſuper Matthiam, The lott fell on Mutthias: which was as Aret. ſaith, Divinae vocis inſtar, ſplendor quidam divinus, as Dionyſ. Per quens oftende batur M… thiam in apoſtolatum eſſe aſſumendum.

He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his waies judgement: a God of truth, and without iniquity, just and right is he, Deut. 32.4. He whoſe dwelling is in the higheſt heavens, whom the heaven of heavens is not able to containe, will bow the heavens, and deigne to come downe, not in thunder and lightning, as in the giving of the Law with terrour and aſtoniſhment to the people; but with mercy and comfort, ſun-ſhine of favour, beames of affection, after theſe terrible ſtormes of tempeſtuous troubles, will be intreated to dignifie his owne divine ordinance with his gracious preſence, will humble himſelfe ſo, as from the height of his Majeſty, to behold the depth of our miſery, deſcend to weake wormes of the earth, and by this divine way of his owne direction and inſtitution decide our diſtractive differences, and determine our deadly diſſentions, and ſo deliver us from imminent, nay almoſt inevitable ruine and confuſion. He that is the King of Kings, Rex terrorum, & terrorum Regum; The primitive of principalities.

He from whom all dominion is derived, that ſtandeth in the Congregation of the mighty, and judgeth among the Gods; He at whoſe preſence the Mountaines of the mighty leap like Rams, and the Jeſſer hills of the haughty skip like Lambs, The boyſterous waves of waters fled and, and the ſwelling Seas fell backward, at whoſe lookes the earth trembleth and if hee touch the mountaines they ſm…ke; The Great Creator of heaven and earth will vouchſafe to take the judgement of an earthly cauſe into his heavenly hands,Pſ. 104.32.Ps 104:32 with righteouſneſſe will he judge the world and the people, and their matters with equity. They know not, neither will they underſtand, that they walke on in darkneſſe, who delight in diviſion, and deſire the Sword for their arbiter umpire or judge. All the foundations of the Land are diſſolved, and diſordered, it muſt be the Lord Gods worke, to eſtabliſh the Pillers thereof. The Lord is known by executing judgement, ariſe therefore, O God, and judge thou the earth, for thou ſhalt inherite all Nations, Pſal. 82.8. I will heart what God will ſpeake, for he will ſpeake peace unto his people &c. he maketh warres to ceaſe in all the earth. Pſal. 76. In Judah is God known, &c. In Salem is his tabernacle: there brake he the arrowes of the bow, the ſhield the ſword and the battell. Thou art more bright and puiſſant than the mountaines of prey; The ſtout-hearted … ſpoiled, and none of the mighty men have found their hands. Thou didst cauſe thy judgements to be heard from heaven. Surely the wrath of man ſhall turne to thy praiſe: the remainder of their rage ſhalt thou restrain. Awake, A…ſe, put on thy ſtrength. O Albion, put on thy garments of beauty, O Br…ttain truſt in God alone by Abrahams example, Iſa. 51. Heare ye that follow righteouſneſſe, looke unto the p. 31rocks whence yet are hewen, &c. hearken unto me, for a law ſhall proceed from me, and I will bring forth my judgement for alight of the people, v. 4. My righteouſneſſe is neer, I will judge the people: the Iſles ſhall wait for me, and truſt unto me. Ariſe, O England, be bright, O Brittain; for thy light is come, the glory of the Lord is come, Awake as in the ancient dayes, as in the generations of old: remember and revive that ancient ordinance of the Lords owne inſtitution directed, for compoſing of contentions. Remember and bee aſhamed, bring t…againe to mind, O ye R unagates, remember the former things of old. Iſa. 35.8.9. Ier. 31.9. Via Divina, non devia non Diabolica, ſicut illa Sauguinolenta. Zach. 4.6.7.Isa 35:8Isa 35:9Jer 31:9Zech 4:6Zech 4:7the glory of the Lord is riſen upon thee, Iſa 60.1. Awake, awake, and ſtand up, O Jeruſalem which haſt drunk at the hand of the Lord, the cup of his wrath, thou haſt drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out. There is none to guide thee among all the ſons whom thou haſt brought forth: neither is there any that taketh thee by the hand, of all the ſous that thou haſt brought up. Theſe things are come unto thee, deſtruction, deſolation, and the ſword, therefore heare this now, thou afflicted: Thus ſaith the Lord, the Lord, and thy God, that pleadeth the cauſe of his people. Behold, I have taken out of thy hand the cup of trembling, &c. Iſa. 5.1.17, 18. &c. What have I here, ſaith the Lord, that my people is taken away for nought, and they that rule over them, cauſe them to howle and lament: Therefore my people ſhall know my Name; behold, therefore they ſhall know in that day, that I am he that doth ſpeaks, behold is is I. How beautifull upon the mountaines are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publiſheth peace, that ſaith unto Sion, thy God reigneth. Iſa. 52.5.6.7. That giveth to the Lord his due glory, by committing their cauſe, and caſting their burthen upon the Lord, and leaving the determination of their differences to his divine judgement by that holy way that he hath preſcribed in his holy Word, rather then the deſtructive way of the bloody Sword, if the Lord will pleaſe to ariſe and have mercy upon Sion; The Prophet Zachary will ſhew you how, non in ex…rcitu, &c. Not by army, nor by ſtrength, but by my Spirit, ſaith the Lord, and they ſhall bring forth the principall ſtone with ſhouting, and crying, Grace, grace unto it.

That the Miniſters doe admoniſh the people humbly to wait on God in his holy ordinance, implore his aid for our reconciliation, and reſt, and rely on his ſaving ſentence; he will give a perfect lott, and juſt judgement, whereby we ſhall be delivered from the heavieſt of his temporall judgements, the Sword.

The conſideration of Gods greatneſſe may humble the haughty and hardened hearts of the people: The meditation of his mercy may mollifie their malicious and bloody minds, to be more tender-hearted one towards another, being children of one Father. and brethren in Chriſt Jeſus, following the precept and pattern of our Saviour, Be ye mercifull, as your heavenly Fathen is mercifull, ſo their Faſt will be more religious, their preaching more profitable, and their prayer more acceptable, whileſt they forſake their courſes of cruelty, and follow the way of love, truth, peace and unity. O this wor unity is the foreign, the onelyonly word of comfort that can make us happy. Albion can have no hope of recovery, till ſhe heare of the ſweet names of Peace and Unity, which of an Albion ſhe is like to become an Acheldama, of an Eden Garden, a gaſtly Golgatha, cruelty and diviſion cry her down, exinanite, exinanite, down with her, down with her, even to the ground, cry the bloody brood of curſed Cain, and have drawn the line of vanity, of cruelty over her: God is pleaſed in mercy to reveale, and revive this holy way of reconciliation, whereby to recover, reſtore, and raiſe her up again,Ier. 29.11.Jer 29:11 vid. Iſa. 46.13. and 49.7, p. 328 9 & adfinem. Their ſpeech bewrayeth them (as they ſay to Peur) to be of Aſhdod, or Egipt, that bring into the Church of Chriſt, the way of the Sword, to be of the bloody brood of cruell Cain, or curſed Corah, who preach and teach that the foundation of the Church of Chriſt,Chriſts church not to be built in or by bloud. who is the Prince of Peace, ſhould be layd in the blood of the members of his body, that pretend or intend to ſettle and reforme the Chriſtian Religion by the ſlaughter of Chriſtians, the true, faithfull ſervants and Saints of God, in whoſe ſight their death is right deare and pretious. Theſe new Builders, like thoſe of the old world, to get them a name upon earth, make brick of their own deviſing, and build them a Babel, a Tower that they hope, may reach up to heaven; yet when they have all done, they ſhall have but brick for ſtone, and ſlime for morter, and the end will be confuſion: So too too many in theſe times, to get them a name and opinion of being more holy then other men (touch me not, I am of purer mold then thou art) to make themſelves greater, and raiſe themſelves higher, make brick of their owne pretended purity, ſeeming ſanctity and forme of godlineſſe, endevouring by cruelty and policy, to build them a Tower, a Babel of power and ſupreme Authority, that ſhall gaine them the kingdome of Heaven, and kingdomes on Earth, and when they have all done, it is but the brick and ſtime of mortall corruption, and haughty ambition and vaine fruſtrated imagination; And they can prognoſticate to themſelves no fairer end then Babels was, confuſion in concluſion.

Diſſentions are workes of darkneſſe, wrought by the prince of darkneſſe the Divell,Let us caſt away the works of darkneſſe, and put on the armour of light. Rom. 13.12. 1 Cor. 1.10.11.16. thence comes warre; And if needs there muſt be warre, and that war be Gods, and concerning his cauſe (as 'tis or hath been profeſſed) in ſuch a warre 'tis fit to uſe ſuch wayes and weapons, ſuch rules and orders as the onelyonly wiſe and invincible Generall, the Lord of Hoſts directeth and preſcribeth. In ſuch an holy warre, The noble Army of Martyrs, the chiefeſt ſervants of God alwayes uſed holy Armes, divine Artillery, arma ocelefiae; they put on the armour of God, their loynes girded with verity, their feet ſhod with the preparation of the Goſpell of peace, they had on the breſt-plate of righteouſneſſe, but above all, they tooke the ſhield of Faith wherewith they were able to quench all the fiery darts, and evade the violent vollies of ſhort, which their moſt deadly enemies could diſcharge againſt them; Why then may not in this, unhappy warre the arme of God rather then the arme of fleſh bee happily uſed? Why not the holy ſword of the Spirit, rather then the bloody ſword of ſinfull fleſh? Why not divine points of heavenly doctrine to penetrate and illuminate and convince the faculties of the ſoule, rather then endevour to beat religion into the braine with a Pole-axe, or pierce the heart by Pike or Piſtoll? Why not the holy ordinances of a mercifull God, Canons of comfort tending to peace, and converſion. Before the murdering preces of mercileſſe man hurrying to perdition and confuſion, under which ſad and lamentable condition the three Kingdomes have for a long ſeaſon layne languiſhing. The Prophets Quere; Is it becauſe there is no God in Iſrael, that we goe to inquire, &c. How long ſhall the ſword devoure, know ye not that it will be bitterneſſe in the end? Should not a people inquire at their p. 33God? to the Law, the teſtimony, the Ordinance, the Oracle of God; If they go not his way of peace, 'tis becauſe there is no light in them; He that hateth his brother is in darkneſſe, 1 Jo. 2.9, 10, 11. where then ſhall he appeare that murdereth his brother.

For the manner of making, drawing, and uſing of Lotts, I find not, either in Gods word or other Divine writings, any certain preſcript forme or rule of neceſſity to be practiſed and followed; The uſe thereof being frequent among the people of God, and many other Nations, the forme of making and uſing the Lott in ſuch, or ſuch a manner or way, hath bin left to humane deſignement. For though the Lott be Gods immediate ordinance, God himſelfe being the originall author thereof, and the ſole and onelyonly diſpoſer of the event thereof, as 'tis before manifeſtly and plentifully proved: yet where God leaves a matter indifferent in the manner of uſe, the reſtriction of this indifferencie is left to ſecondary cauſes; as in caſe of the Lot; It is left to humane diſpoſure for the manner how, and the materialls whereof Lots may be made, whether written or printed, in Paper, Parchment, or the like, Vellam; or cut in wood, or the barke of a Tree, as ſome have uſed it, or ingraven in any mettall, Bone, Ivory, or other matter.In. act. 1. Maier. The moſt Ancient (as by a late learned Writer is obſerved) uſed Beanes, black or white, Letters of the Alphabet, or Globules which were either gilded or ſilvered, as among the Venetians, or covered over with wooll, as among the Gemcans, &c. as Petrus Gregorius ſheweth in tit. de Elect.

Pet. Martyr, in his common place, chap. 8. part 1. of Vrim and Thummim. Where it is to bee noted, that only the King, or elſe the father of the Conſiſtory had power to conſult, or propoſe the matter to the Prieſt: the Prieſt only had the power to reſolve, and ſecondly the matter propoſed muſt not be triviall, but of moment & great difficulty.It is obſerved by Peter Martyr, out of an old expoſitor of the Law, called Kimhi, upon Judges 20.27. that it was the manner among the Hebrews, when they asked any queſtion or counſell of God by Lott, touching publike or weighty matters, to come to the Prieſt apparelled with his Ephod garment, and ſtanding before the Arke of the Lord, upon whoſe Ephod were ſet twelve precious ſtones, wherein the names of the ten Tribes were engraven, together with the names of the Patriarks Abraham, Iſaac and Jacob; and alſo all the letters of the Hebrew Alphabet: It behoved him that asked a queſtion, to turn his face to the Prieſt, and his ſpeech was neither to be ſo lowd as he might plainly be heard; nor yet ſo low, as if he had only prayed with his inward cogitations: but in ſuch wiſe as Anna prayed, 1 Sam. 1.13. where it is ſaid, that ſhe only moved her lips, and ſaid nothing that might be heard. After this the Oracle was ſhewed to the Prieſt in this manner: By the power of the holy Spirit certain letters did ariſe, and eminently appeare above the others; as ſome ſay, the letters which gave the anſwer were foreign. An example is taken from 2 Sam. 2.1. when David asked the Lord, Shall I go up into any of the Cities of Judah? the Lord anſwered, foreign, go up. Here (it is ſaid) foreign appeared out of the name foreign Schimeon: as foreign out of the name of foreign Levi: and foreign out of the name of foreign Jehudah. Others affirm, that the letters which repreſented the Oracle, were foreign i.e. that they did after a ſtrange manner joyne themſelves into perfect ſyllables, and entyre words, and made the anſwer compleat. And this is that Vrim and Thummim which is mentioned in the holy Scriptures. Which Peter Martyr calleth Lot, and reckoneth the Vrim and Thummim among the ſeveral ſorts of divine Lotts, and ſtileth that way of conſulting with God, Lotts, by which Gods counſell was asked, as in the 8. chap, before cited appeareth.

p. 34Rabbi Solomon thinketh that ſuch was the manner of Lotts, as that the names of every of the Tribes were written in ſeverall Scrolls; which being thrown into a pot, were afterward drawn by the chiefe Prieſt.

Cicero in his book de Divinations affirmeth, that when Numerius Suffecius had cut in ſunder a flint ſtone, the Lotts made in an Oak leaped out, and that at the ſame time an Olive tree d…d ſweat Hony; and that therefore a little Cheſt was made of the ſame tree, into which the Lotts were caſt: Theſe were called Preneſtine Lots, which were very famous in times paſt. In Plautus wee read of Lotts made of Firre and Poplar trees, which were caſt into a veſſell of water; and according as every Lott aroſe, firſt or laſt from the bottome, ſo the matter was decreed. Pauſanius ſaith, that Lotts were wont to be done out of a pot made of Clay, and that one Creſphon in the diviſion that was made of Peloponneſus, to handle the matter, that the field of Miſſena might fall out to his ſhare, he corrupted the Prieſt Temenus; for he dried other Lotts by the Sun, but Creſphons by the fire: and therefore Creſphons Lotts being longer before they were made wet, he obtained the field of Miſſena. In a word, it is evident from what hath been ſaid, that Lotts have been of frequent uſe in all ages, and among all Nations, eſpecially Gods owne people, and are very juſtifiable by the Scriptures of the Old and New Teſtament, even in ſuch caſes wherein the one party holdeth his right and intereſt in the matter controverted to be unqueſtionable, as may be certainly concluded from the practice of Samuel, who knowing aſſuredly that God had appointed, and he himſelfe had annointed Saul to be King, yet doubted not to commit the matter unto Lotts, as being aſſured of the infallible juſtice of that ſacred Ordinance, wheras another perhaps would have ſaid, ſhall a matter of ſuch weight be put to hazard? perhaps the Lotts will fall out otherwiſe, and ſo will exclude this man from being King, as Peter Martyr well obſerveth,Pet. Martyr. loc. com. c. 8. part. 1. but his faith was firmly reſolved and aſſured, that the Lord was juſt and holy in all his Oracles, his Ordinances, his wayes, his judgements. Moyſes in the ſame manner in his own cauſe, upon the matter of Corah and his company in their Rebellious carriage, charging Moſes and Aaron with aſſuming a larger extent of prerogative then the Lord had lent them,Num. 16. The rods with the names of each Tribe written thereon, were no other then Lotts. Num. 17.Num 16Num 17 a g…eater Commiſſion then God had given them; Yee take too much upon you Moſes and Aaron, Marke hereupon the meeke demeanour of Moyſes, you ſonnes of Levi (ſaid he) ye take too much upon you, and therefore let each one take his Cenſer [his Lot, &c.] and goe before the Lord, and let God be the juſt Judge, whom he hath choſen, let God ſhew by the Cenſor, to whom he hath given the Authority of King, Prieſt, &c. Is our Religion, our lives, our eſtates, liberties, or what is more deare and pretious to us, in Controverſie; if we diſtruſt not the juſtice of our cauſe, why ſhould we doubt the Judgement of our God?

But to proceed to the manner how the differences now depending, may be determined by the Lords judgement by Lott: When upon a treaty the differences in particular ſhall be truly ſtated, and for each ſide and part by the perſons appointed, for that purpoſe certainly ſet down; that briefe heads or titles of each particular propoſition in difference to be written in ſeverall ſmall papers or Parchments cut p. 35into equall proportions, and two Lotts written with the ſeverall briefe titles of the ſeverall Propoſitions; And for diſtinction, to diſcern, which is for his Majeſtle, and which for the Parliament, two ſeverall Motto's be appointed and nominated to be written with the ſeverall titles of the ſaid Propoſitions in the ſaid papers or parchments reſpectively, wherein the ſeverall Propoſitions are inſcribed:foreign lea. 23.6. The Kings own Motto, Dieu & mon droit (if to his Majeſtie it ſhall ſo ſeeme meet) to denominate his demand or Propoſition: And, Jehovah Tſidkenn. The Lord our righteouſneſſe, for the Parliament: (if to the Parliament it ſhall ſo ſeem good.) And in reſpect that both parts profeſſe the maintenance of the ſame matters, and both appeale to God (though in a wrong way, it may be doubted, by the ſword) to declare who is in the right, this divine way may happily not ſeem unſutable to the preſent occaſion, and being the ſame it pleaſed God to put into my thoughts. I humbly pray it may be without oſtence, either to my Soveraigne, or his Parliament) to publiſh.

For example in ſome particulars, of compoſure of the Lotts, thus viz.

If the propoſition in difference be, whether Epiſcopall, or Presbyteriall government, or the way of Independency (as 'tis termed) a divine way not to be deſpiſed, be the moſt right in Gods ſight, the King maintaining Epiſcopacy, the Parliament Peesbytery: His Majeſties Lott may be thus, Dieu & mon dr…it, Epiſcopall government: the Parliaments thus, Jehovah Tſidkenu, Presbyterian government: The Independants thus, Jehovah Jizeh, Diſcipline and doctrine according to Gods word.

In the Controverſie touching the proper right of the Militia, thus the Kings Lot, Dieu & m…n dr…it, Militia mihi regni: The Parliaments thus Militia Regno, & ſic decateris. For all other matters in difference two or more Lotts as the caſe requireth, may be compoſed in the ſame manner. Thus all chiefe Officers of truſt for Church Kingdome and State may be elected;Lotts for all in competition Blanks for all but one, and that to have this inſcription: Whom God ſhall chooſe. ſo the Election being left to the wiſe and juſt diſpoſall of God, all ſiding partiality and other differences and deceits will be avoided. Thus Delinquents may have their Clergy, their lotts for their lives, and ſo their death or life ſhall be left to the pleaſure of the Lord, not the humour of revengefull men. The like touching pecuniary mulct upon their eſtates, vid. Nunth. 15.33.

Now of the caſting or drawing of Lotts, whether into the lap, the pot, the bagg or urn, non refert, 'Tis meerly matter of indifferency. But touching the manner how the Lotts may be caſt, and drawn upon the preſent occaſion.

Thus the Lord God hath directed me, that after the Celebration of the third ſolemne day of faſting and prayer in ſome ſpacious Church, or place which the Lord ſhall chooſe, Dout. 17.8, 9. appointed for that purpoſe, on the Communion table there be ſet, three Chalices, and the Lotts; one for his Majeſtie, another for the Parliament be provided for every particular difference.

As 1 Chron. 24.6. Shemaiah the ſonne of Nathanael the Scribe of the Levites, wrote the Lotts before the King and the Princes, and the high Prieſt, and the chiefe Fathers of the Prieſts and the Levites; So that one particular perſon be appointed, or more, for making any writing the ſeverall Lotts in the preſence of King, Parliament, and Clergy, or other indifferent men on both ſides, who are to ſee to the equall compoſing of them, that no outward diſtinction may be diſcerned by the p. 36party or parties, who are ſelected to draw indifferently between both parties: for which purpoſe ſome of the chiefe of the Clergy, who are eſteemed moſt religious, upright, and conſcionable, may happily be moſt fit, of thoſe not above one, to each part, and theſe to draw by turn, and neither of theſe to ſee the Lotts, not ſpeak with any concerning them, untill they have drawn them out of the Chalice or Cup, into which they are put to be drawn.

That only two Lotts at one time (or three Lotts, as in ſome caſes occaſion may require) which concern the ſame point in difference, be caſt into the middle Chalice on the Table; and then the Lott which is drawn, and taken to be put into the Chalice which ſtandeth at the upper end of the Table, and the Lott which is left behind in the middle Chalice, to be put into the Chalice at the lower end of the Table. That the particular Lotts be put into the middle Chalice ſucceſſively two or three at a time, and thence drawn, one for each party, by one of the two perſons appointed for that purpoſe, untill the Lotts be all drawn.

Then the Lotts in the upper Cup to be opened; whereby it may appeare what Lotts are by God given to the King, and what to the Parliament; thus there will be no feare or danger of the deceit either of Compoſers or drawers.

Let murmurers againſt Gods judgement herein, and deſpiſers of his Divine direction, remember the ſevere puniſhment that was inflicted by God upon Gorah and his Company.

And unto this people thou ſhalt ſay: Thus ſaith the Lord, Behold, I ſet before you the way of life, and the way of death. I call heaven and earth to witneſſe, I have herein ſet before you life and good, death and evill, chooſe therefore life, that the Land may be preſerved from Ruine.Jer. 21.8. Deut. 30.19.Jer 21:8Deut 30:19

Who is on the Lords ſide, let them come unto the Lord, cleave unto the Lord, commit their cauſe to the Judgement, ſentence and decree of Juſtice it ſelfe, the great Judge of heaven and earth, who will in the firſt place ſettle Religion and Church-government in ſuch fort as ſhall conduce to the glory of God: Give to God the things that are Gods: Exod. 32.26.Exod 32:26and wil give to the King, to Caeſar the things that are Caeſars, in his juſt rights and prerogatives: and to the Kingdome, Parliament, and People what is their juſt dues in Lawes, Liberties, Priviledges, and properties, by this divine, holy, happy way, without effuſion of blood, or further Contention.

The Doves expreſſions, and intentions, being but ſutable to the nature of Doves, truly ſimple, and innocent, ſhe deſires the integrity of her meaning, may not be blemiſhed by miſ-interpretation, ſhe is aſſured the Lott is a divine way of determining differences, and a farre more holy and happy way, then any of humane deſignment, which her Author will be humbly ready before the right Honourable, the high Court of Parliament, or the reverend Aſſembly of Divines, by divine authority to make good, but the forme for the uſe thereof, ſhe leaves to the learned and religious to reform if they pleaſe. Si qd noviſti rectius iſtis, Candidus nuperti, ſi non haec temnere noli.

Having ſhewed (though with much weakneſſe) how divine Lotts may be uſed and applyed for compoſing the preſent Controverſies depending in Church & State, between his Majeſty, and his Parliament, and the form of making and drawing the Lotts, as the Lord was pleaſed to put into my mind (a more pertinent, compleat, and p. 37perfect manner and way then which, no doubt the wiſe and learned may find out.) It reſteth now that ſomewhat be ſaid touching the lawfulneſſe, holineſſe, and happineſſe of this way of determing differences, and of the Sacred neceſſity and conveniency of the uſe thereof, in caſes of greateſt difficulty Civill or Sacred, rather then the Sword, or any other humane way or meanes, not onelyonly here, but alſo throughout Chriſtendome, and all parts of the world, where God Almighty is acknowledged as the great and juſt Judge in Heaven and Earth, and how the holy uſe thereof may be an happy fulfilling of divers Prophecies in the book of God contained.

The lawfulneſſe of this Sacred Ordinance, I hope and believe no religious or learned man, no good and true Chriſtian will preſume to oppoſe or deny, eſpecially in caſes of ſuch difficulty, as by legall meanes cannot otherwiſe be happily, juſtly, and clearly decided and determined.

Firſt, in regard it is an holy Ordinance originally inſtituted by God himſelfe for ending of differences: And alſo an holy Oracle ordained for the diſcovery of hidden matters by humane indeavours inſcrutable and uninveſtigable, as in the firſt chapter of this diſcourſe is plentifully proved and confirmed by divine authority ancient and moderne.

Secondly, becauſe not onelyonly the holy word of God doth likewiſe confirme the lawfulneſſe of the uſe thereof by Gods ſpeciall direction, and the practiſe of the Patriarkes, Prophets, and Apoſtles, but alſo the opinion of the beſt Divines, both ancient and moderne, and the frequent and happy uſe thereof upon ſeverall occaſions, both in former, later, and even in theſe times doe manifeſtly atteſt the ſame;The Apoſtles uſe thereof cleares that. Prov. 18.18. Iſa. 5.16. The Lord of Hoſts ſhall be exalted in judgement, and the holy God ſhall be ſanctified in juſtice. Iſa. 48.11. Let Mount Zion rejoyce, and the daughters of Judah be glad, becauſe of his righteous judgements. Pſa. 50.6. The heavens ſhall declare his righteouſneſſe, for God is judge himſelf.Prov 18:18Isa 5:16Isa 48:11Ps 50:6 as in the ſecond chapter appeareth.

Thirdly, this is no Typicall thing or Ceremony of the old Leviticall law, which by the comming of Chriſt vaniſhed, or was to be abrogated or aboliſhed, but is ſet downe, and prefixed in the firmament of Gods word, as moſt happy and uſefull in a Maxime, Axiome, ſtatute, and Rule of morall, and ſo perpetuall divinity among the Proverbs of Salomon, which are no leſſe Canonicall then any other part of holy Writ, being all holy Canons of ſound morall divinity, as Maſter Cartwright, a religious and learned Expoſitor of that Booke, in his Preface thereunto affirmeth, and if any ſhall object and ſay 'tis there expreſt as a preſcription, not a precept, and ſo may be a matter of meere indifferency, for to be uſed or not uſed; I conceive (under favour of the learned) that all divine directions in Gods word may be ſaid to amount not onelyonly to inſtructions, but even to Injunctions, eſpecially where the direction is given for uſe of any of Gods Ordinances, and the ends of the uſe and practiſe thereof tends immediatly to the advancement of Gods glory, and the good and happineſſe of his Church and people. As herein it muſt needs follow, by making God the Judge and Peace-maker betweene his people; which divine direction if they ſhall refuſe to make uſe of, amounteth to at leaſt a contempt of this counſells, if not a Rebellion againſt his command, as it muſt be, if Gods preſcriptions ought to be received as precepts. I put theſe caſes, if an obſtinate Patient refuſe the preſcription of the learned Phyſitian, all men will confeſſe p. 38he wilfully and deſervedly ſuffereth loſſe of life. The great Phyſitian of Heaven preſcribeth a cure for our contentions, if we neglect or reject it; who can deny, but porditio tua ex te. Hoſ. 13.9.Hos 13:9ô Albyon, will be a proper motto, for ſo obſtinate a Nation, this deſtruction is of thy ſelfe O England, but in God is thine helpe.

Againe, in the other caſe reſembling this of ours, if a loving Maſter ſhall graciouſly offer himſelfe to be Umpire, Arbiter, or Judge between his divided Servants, to determine their differences, and they ſhall ungratefully and ungratiouſly reject ſo Fatherly a favour, and fall to the Sword, what ſhall we call this but Contumatious diſobedience, if not Rebellion, yea, the Lord by his Prophet Iſaiah is pleaſed to pronounce them Rebellious and that with a witneſſe too, even a woe therunto annexed, Woe to the Rebellious, that take counſell, but not of me, that cover with a covering, but not by my ſpirit: we ought not to believe, but to try the ſpirits, whether they be of God or no,1 Jo. 4.1.1 John 4:1 who brag ſo much of the ſpirit, and yet dare take the Sword out of Gods hand, and with confidence in the Arme of fleſh, in a ſenſuall divelliſh manner fly in the face of God, by defacing his Image, deſtroying their Brethren; Surely (as our Saviour ſaid in another caſe) ye know not of what ſpirit yee are, Ibid. v. 7.8.12.20.21. Gen. 9.6.Gen 9:6which deſpiſe the ſword of the Spirit, the way of peace preſcribed by the word of God, and deſire to be tried by the deſtructive ſword of malitions man. To deny, deſpiſe, or neglect the uſe of this holy Ordinance is an argument that wee diſeſteeme Gods word, or vilifie his Ordinances, and account them matters of indifferency, to be uſed, or not uſed at our pleaſure: or that they are unneceſſary, vaine, ſuperfluous, unprofitable and uſeleſſe, which even to thinke is a prophane and blaſphemous opinion.

Againe, in the fourth place, God is a God, nay, the God of Peace, he delighteth in nothing more then Peace, Vnity, and Amity among his People, and the word of God is a perfect word, a moſt compleat Treaſury, wherein are contained all things conducing to his glory, and the good and welfare of his Church and people; Now as nothing is more diſtaſtful to God, nor prejudiciall to his people then diviſion and diſſention,Is there no balme in Gilead, &c. ſo nothing more acceptable to God, nor beneficiall to them then Peace▪ Can it then be doubted or denied, but that our good God hath in his word (the Treaſury of Truth) preſcribed ſome cure for Contentions, and ſome means to ſettle Peace;Pſal. 85.8. Pſa. 50.1.4.5.6 God ſhall judge his people: and thoſe that are his wil not refuſe his judgement.Ps 85:8Ps 50:1Ps 50:4Ps 50:5Ps 50:6 And if we will with holy David hearken what the Lord God will ſay; we may find that he will ſpeake peace to his people, ye may heare the Lord tell you Proverbs 18.18. The Lott cauſeth contentions to ceaſe, and ſettleth peace between the mighty. There are mighty differences, between mighty perſons, the King, and the Parliament, there is no Supreme Court or perſons for either party to make appeale unto, but the Court and Lord of Heaven, and what Judge I pray you? what Arbiter? what umpire more fit to decide and determine theſe mighty differences betweene theſe mighty parties, then the moſt mighty, moſt mercifull, moſt wiſe, moſt juſt Judge of Heaven and Earth? and by what way more proper and impartiall then this way of the Lord, the Lott, whereby the whole diſpoſition of the buſineſſe, is done by the Lord, not by the Lott: For although the Lotts and Propoſitions are compoſed and propoſed by man, Deus ipſe ſedet in judicio per ſortem, p. 39God ſits in judgement by the Lott, and diſpoſeth of the event thereof, The Lott is caſt into the Lapp by man, but a Jehovah eſt totum judicium, tota ratio, tota diſpoſitio, The whole judgement reaſon, and diſpoſition of the event is of the Lord. It then this Sacred Ordinance being of Gods owne ordination and inſtitution, were never abrogated nor aboliſhed, but remaines morall and perpetuall, ſo lawfull, ſo uſefull, ſo divine, ſo holy ſo happy, tending immediatly to Gods glory, in leaving the concluſion of our differences to his divine Judgement, what reaſon can be ſhewed why the Sacred uſe thereof ſhould be rejected, and the devouring Sword received and preferred before the Lord in his owne way, ſeeing bloudſhed is not onelyonly univerſally throughout the Scripture prohibited, but alſo fearfull threatnings thereunto added, as the moſt crying ſinne which pierceth the Heavens, and pulleth downe upon the offenders inevitable maledictions, and execrable puniſhments.

Many Prophecies may be fulfilled by the uſe of this ſacred Ordinance, this holy way of God. There ſhall be a path and a way, and the way ſhall be called holy: the polluted ſhal not paſſe by it, for he ſhall be with them, and walk in the way,Iſa. 35.8, 9, 10.Isa 35:8Isa 35:9Isa 35:10 and the Fooles ſhall not erre. There ſhall be no Lyon, nor noyſome beaſt, &c. A ſtraight way wherein they ſhall not ſtumble, Jer. 31.9. By this holy way of the Lords Judgement in Controverſies, the loweſt and weakeſt in eſtate, degree, or underſtanding, ſhall not be oppreſſed, deſpiſed, or injured; ſo the loftieſt and worthieſt ſhall not be preferred, accepted, or exalted, but juſt judgement ſhall be executed. And the neglect of this ſacred way in caſes convenient is an argument of Gods high diſpleaſure, and an evident ſigne of the univerſall confuſion of the cruell contemners thereof, as in the 24 h of Ezech. 6. God ſets it downe as a ſigne of epidemicall deſtruction to that bloudy City, where the uſe of the Lott is denyed to them. Wee on the bloudy City, &c. let no Lott fall upon it.

Alſo for the old way, which is the good way, walke therein, and ye ſhall find reſt unto your ſoules. Jer. 6.16. Iſa. 35.8 9.10. Jer. 31.7.9. This holy way the Saints will not refuſe, but the wicked either ſhall not have the happineſſe at all to uſe it, or elſe ſhall for a time, till God call them, oppoſe it, but the righteous ſhall revive and receive it, with glory to God, good and gladneſſe to themſelves. 'Tis a way of righteouſneſſe, in reſpect of God and man; In reſpect of the righteous judgement thereby given by God, and ſecondly of the righteouſneſſe that men are taught thereby. For when Gods judgements are abroad on the earth, the Inhabitants will learne righteouſneſſe, Iſa. 42. Chriſt Jeſus, to whom God, Jo. 3.35. hath committed all power and judgement, ſhall by his judgement ſet all things in order upon earth.Ier. 23.5.6. A King ſhall reigne and proſper, and execute judgement and Iuſtice on the earth, &c. Judah ſhall be ſaved; and Iſrael dwell ſafely, and they ſhall call him the Lord our righteouſneſſe Servants, Prophets, Prieſts, blind, deafe, dumbe, Mat. vide Iſa. 29. ver. 13. to the end of the chapter.Jer 23:5Jer 23:6Isa 29:13

Behold my ſervant, &c. Hee ſhall bring forth judgement to the Gentiles, Iſa. 42.1. He ſhall bring forth judgement in truth. He ſhall not faile till he have ſet judgement in the earth: And the Iſles ſhall wait for his Law, v. 34. and v. 10.11. God chargeth the Inhabitants of the Iſles, and the Townes of Kedar (a place of irreconcileable contention by the Prophet David's relation) to give glory unto the Lord, promiſing v. 16. to bring the blind by a way of his owne; To make darkneſſe light before them, and crooked things ſtraight, blaming his ſervants for their p. 40blindneſſe, his Meſſengers for their deafneſſe, and thoſe that ſhould be lights of others for their darkneſſe, either for their ignorance in not diſcerning the Lords way of judgement, or negligence in not directing his people that way, or wilfull obſtinacy in cleaving and adhering too, and confiding in humane counſells wayes or courſes, rather then the Lords divine directions, telling the people that he is willing to magnifie and exalt the Law, for his righteouſneſſe ſake, as in the enſuing verſes of this chapter appeareth, together with heavy threatnings againſt his owne people, becauſe they walked not in his wayes, nor were obedient to his Law, to the end of the chapter.

If this way of the Divine Lott be a way of the Lord, a Judgement, Sentence, Decree,Acts 17. God hath appointed a day in which he will judge, &c. Jer. 33.14.15. Behold the dayes come, ſaith the Lord, that I will perform the good thing which I have promiſed, &c. I wil cauſe the branch of righteouſneſſe to grow up, & he ſhall execute judgement & righteouſneſſe, &c. At that day a man ſhall look to his Maker, and his eyes to the holy one of Iſrael, and not to the Altar, the workes of his hands, or fancies of his own braines, &c. Iſa. 17.7. Acts 17.31. Jer. 25.15, 16. Blood purged out of the mids of Jeruſalem, as the Lord promiſed, Iſ. 4.4. Iſa. 43.7. Jer. 31.19. It ſhall be to me a name, a joy, a praiſe and an honour before all the Nations of the earth.Acts 17Jer 33:14Jer 33:15Isa 17:7Acts 17:31Jer 25:15Jer 25:16Isa 4:4Isa 43:7Jer 31:19 Statute, Law, and Ordinance of the Lord, wherby Chriſt Jeſus may gaine glory to himſelfe from all Nations of the earth, by making them one flock, under one Shepheard, by the way of his owne judgement, bringing Jewes and Gentiles, Chriſtians and Turks, Heathens and Infidels, to be of the ſame ſheepfold under his government, as by this Prophecy may be intended: If Chriſt ſhall not faile till he have ſet Judgement on the earth, Pſal. 94.15. Iſa. 42.4 viz. ſet all things in good order. The whole earth, for the moſt part, eſpecially Chriſtendome being at this time in terrible tumultuous turmoiles, combuſtions and bloody contentions concerning Religion, and other matters of civill government: Doubtleſſe it may be a bleſſed fulfilling of this Prophecy, if all the differences both concerning Church and State being truly ſtated, were referred to the judgement and reſolution of the Lord himſelfe by this way of his owne preſcription. By this meanes the barbarous way of warre the heavieſt of Gods judgements more fit for heatheniſh brutiſh people then Chriſtians would be avoided, effuſion of bloud prevented, and the glory given to the Lord alone, to whom it is onelyonly and juſtly due, and for which end God made man, and ſo the name of God being ſpread ever the face of the earth. All Nations might be taught it, and brought to the uſe of this bleſſed way of Reconciliation. To difpiſe or neglect this way of the Lord, and goe the way of cruelty and violence, the way of the Sword, is to change the Judgements of the Lord into wickedneſſe, and to refuſe and contemne the Judgements and Statutes of the Lord, as the Lord by his Prophet complaines, Ezek 5.5, 6, 7.

Surely the way of Cain like cruelty, Bloudy butchering of our Brethren, can be no way acceptable, but rather deteſtable to the God of Peace, no ſatisfactory way of Judgement to the conſciences of men, no ſound foundation whereon to ſettle Reformation, or build the Church of Chriſt. The judgement of Chriſt in this way of divine Lott, will appeare more conſonant to the Word, and will of God, more Pious and proſperous among men. If we ſeriouſly conſider theſe enſuing Prophecies.

Iſa. 9.5, 6, 7. Surely every battell of the warriour is with noiſe, and with tumbling of Garments in blood: but this ſhall be with burning, and fuell of fire. For unto us a Child is borne, a Sonne is given; the government is upon his ſhoulder: and be ſhall call his name wonderfull, Counſeller, &c. the Prince of Peace. The increaſe of his Government, and Peace ſhall have none and: Hee ſhall ſit upon the Throne and p. 41kingdome of David, to order and ſtabliſh it with Judgement and Iustice. Jer. 23.5, 6. Jer. 33.14. Behold, the dayes come, ſaith the Lord, that I will raiſe unto David a righteous Branch, and a King ſhall raigne and proſper, and ſhall execute judgement and juſtice in the earth. In his day Judah ſhall be ſaved, and Iſrael dwell ſafely, and this is the Name whereby they ſhall call him the Lord our righteouſneſſe.

In caſes of difficulty and difference, the Prince of peace, the wonderfull Counſeller, the true King of the Iſrael of God, may well be a more competent, and covenient Judge, then the bloody Sword, which though victorious, yet cannot by its Conqueſt ſo convince the minds & conſciences of men, as therby to inveſt the Conquerour with a true right and juſt title to things therby obtained. Peace, amity, unity, how pious, how pretious, how proſperous among Brethren, both Gods Teſtaments are a plentifull teſtimony, and if no Text to prove it might be produced, yet the wofull experience of the want thereof, would ſufficiently confirme it. But if jarres, diviſions, diſſentions, dangerous, doubtfull difficult ariſe, (as offences will and doe come) why ſhould not the determination thereof be referred to the judgement of Juſtice it ſelfe.

If the rod of Pride bud, and ſpread, and cauſe and raiſe contentions among the ambitious ſonnes of men; Then ſhall the bud of the Lord be beautifull and glorious, Iſa. 11.1. And there ſhall come a rod out of the ſtock of Iſhai, on whom ſhall reſt the Spirit of the Lord, the ſpirit of wiſdome and understanding of counſell, and ſtrength of knowledge, &c. And he ſhall judge, but how? not after the manner of men, after the ſight of his eyes, or hearing of his eares. But with righteouſneſſe and equity ſhall he judge the poore, and meeke of the earth; and hee ſhall ſmite the earth with the rod of his mouth, &c. Iſa. 2.11. to the end. The haughtineſſe of men ſhall bee humbled, Iſa. 11.1.Isa 11:1the loftineſſe of men ſhall be abaſed, and the Lord onelyonly ſhall be exalted in that day. Ceaſe yee from man whoſe breath is in his noſtrills for wherein is hee to be eſteemed. Iſa. 3.13, 14. The Lord ſtandeth up to plead, yea, he ſtandeth up to judge the people. The Lord ſhall enter into judgement with the ancients of his people. Iſa. 4.2. And what ſhall bee the fruits of his Judgement, why Juſtice being the girdle of his loynes, &c. The wolfe ſhall dwell with the lambe, the leopard ly down with the kid, the calfe the lyon▪ and fat beaſts ſhall reſt together, and a little child ſhall lead them, &c. They ſhall not hurt nor deſtroy in all his holy mountaine [his Church:] for the earth ſhall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, &c. Jer. 31.34. Bleſſed fruits of a more bleſſed ſtocke, When the Lord ſhall waſh the fi…hineſſe of the daughters of Zion, and purge the bloud of Jeruſalem out of the middeſt thereof by the ſpirit of judgement. Iſa. 4.4. That Iſrael may be glad and the daughters of Judah rejoyce becauſe of Gods righteous judgements. Jer. 23.5, 6.…3.14.15, So ſhall the heathen feare, when the Lord ſhall build up Zion, and ſhall appeare in his glory, vid. Zech. 4.6.6 12, 13.15.8.21. Jer. 33.9. Pſa. 165.12. cauſe his power to be knowne to the ſonnes of men, &c. If a bitter root bearing wormwood and gall ſhall be found among you, to whom will ye ſeeke for health and helpe; why in that day, the root of Iſhai ſhall ſtand up for a ſigne unto the people, and the Nations ſhall ſeeke unto it, and his reſt ſhall be glorious. In caſes of bitter contentions p. 42and bloudy diviſions; This tree of life, whoſe fruit healeth the Nations, hath directed us to appeale to his judgemen… for reconciliation, he will thereby compoſ… our Controverſies, and make his owne Name glorious by concluding and ceaſing controverſies among his people, and by that meanes bring all Nations to ſubmit to his divine judgement.

Anſwerable hereunto is that of the ſecond of Iſa. 2▪ 3, 4▪ 5. where 'tis propheſied, that in the laſt dayes, the mountaine of the Lord ſhall be upon the top of the mountaines, and all Nations ſhall flow unto it. And he ſhall judge among the Nations, and they ſhall beat their ſwords into mattocks, and their ſpeares into pruning-hookes, and ſhall fight no more, &c. vid. Jer. 3.17, 18. They ſhall follow no more the hardneſſe of their heart, the houſe of Judah ſhall walke with the houſe of Iſrael, and they ſhall come together out of the land of the north &c. Now what judgement is intended by theſe Prophecies and whether this divine way of Gods judging in caſes of difference may not be received within the compaſſe of theſe Prophecies, I would be glad to learne? Seeing there is not (that I can find) in the whole booke of God any other imediate way of divine judgement, whereby differences may be decided, particularly provided and ordained by God himſelf to that end, but onelyonly this ſacred ordinance: In holy Writ I find but two divine Oracles or ſacred wayes of conſulting with Almighty God in caſes of extreme difficultie, whereby a certaine plaine viſible, and immediate reſponſe and reſolution might be received (videlicet) Urim and Thummim, and the Lott. The former was a more myſticall and obſcure way; this not unlike that way before mentioned, Iſa. 35.8, 9. for by Lott a plaine, certaine, and imediate reſolution was alwaies returned, prompt and facile to any ordinary capacity: That way of Urim and Thummim is aboliſhed, but this ſacred way of the Lott (no leſſe Antient and holy then the former) as a moſt uſefull, holy, and happy way of Gods divine judgement, ordained for determining of doubtfull, difficult and dangerous differences is ſtill retained, as by theſe pacificall Proverbs, of the 16.33. and the 18.18. appeares, being both Canonicall and Morall Scripture, and ſo perpetuall divinity; beſides many preſidents, both Ancient and moderne, of the uſe thereof before herein premiſed. And truly, I beleeve this may be juſtly ſaid of this ſacred Ordinance, that it was never piouſly uſed and performed, nay, when by irreligious Infidels practiſed, but it ever brought glory to God, and good to the uſers thereof; that all men may ſee and confeſſe, that the Lord is holy in all his wayes, and juſt in all his judgements.

And doubtleſſe this holy way is of eſpeciall happy uſe, for reſolving of doubtfull caſes, diſcovering of hidden and recondite matters, and determining of difficult and mighty differences among mighty perſons; For where Controverſies by humane endevours cannot be decided and the parties on both ſides ſo ſtout, that otherwiſe they cannot be appeaſed, by this meanes the matters may be compoſed, and the men pacified.

In caſes of this nature, thoſe that have the beſt cauſes, and the cleareſt conſciences, will deſire to have their differences thus decided. For he that is confident of the juſtice of his Cauſe, needs not doubt the judgement of God: and the way of p. 43the Lord is ſtrength to the upright man: but feare ſhall be for the workers of iniquity, Prov. 10.29. They ſhall goe into the holes of the rocks &c. Iſa. 2.19 20 21.

In caſes of this difficult condition, when they ſay unto you Iſa 8.19. Enquire at them that have a ſpirit of divination, and at the ſouthſayers which whiſper and murm…r. The divine ſpirit will tell you that thoſe divinato…y ſpirits are deceitfull, and have no warrant from the divine word of God. That both North and Southſayers are more ſubtile then ſolid, and their words are but wind. A dry mind not fit to fan or cleanſe Jer. 4.11. That whiſperers are lyers, and murmurers againſt Gods divine direction, deſerve to have their mouthes ſtopt. Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counſels &c. Iſa. 47.12, 13.14. That a woe is pronounced, by the Prophet againſt them that take counſell but not of the Lord: that cover with an hypocritis all covering, not of his ſpirit. That State po…icies are often State fallacies and that divine directions, though delivered by a ſimple Dove, are to be preferred before any Machiavilian machinations contrived by ſubtill Serpents, if you would be adviſed, who ſo wiſe as the Wonderfull Counſeller, the Prince of Peace? who is wonderfull in counſell and excellent in working,Ier. 32.10.Jer 32:10 he will direct you to him that hath the ſpirit of wiſdome and counſell &c. Iſa. 11.2. Iſa. 45.11.21.22.23.24. Thus ſaith the Lord, &c. Aske of me things to come, &c. aske after the old way, &c.

Should not a People inquire at their God? from the living to the dead? will ye deviate from the way, of the living Lord, to the dead Letter of your owne lawes? from the divine law of the Lord, to the humane lawes, counſells, and deviſes of the crafty Achitophels of the Land? will ye deviate from the way of Peace to the way of Warre, to the Law of Armes, of Harmes? God directs you to goe to the Law and to the Teſtimony, to the ſtatute judgement, ordinance preſcribed by Gods word: If they ſpeake not according to his Word, it is becauſe there is no light in them. He that hateth, or indeavoureth to ſupplant or oppreſſe his brother abideth in darkneſſe, and he that deſpiſeth Gods Counſell and Ordinance conducing to Peace remaineth in the ſhadow of death. Doe ye eſteeme the heavenly wholſome counſell of God in his word of truth? or the crafty cruell courſes and counſells of men more? Iſa. 50.10.11. If God be God follow him, but if Baal be hee, If Mars or Machiavel, be your Gods, the bloudy ſword or State ſtratagems follow them. Is it becauſe there is no God in Iſrael, that ye goe to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Eckron? Is there no balme in Gilead, no Phyſitian there? Is it becauſe the Lord hath preſcribed in his Word no holy way of ending Controverſies, that the curſed way of Cain-like cruelty muſt make the concluſion? How long will it be before ye reſtraine the people from perſecuting and oppreſſing their brethren? know ye not that it will be bitterneſſe in the end? Is there no efficacy in the ordinances of God and yet ſo much eminency in the ordinances of men? Are the judgements of men ſo righteous and ſhall not the Judge of the whole world doe right? Shall the ordinances of men be commended and commanded and the Ordinance of God contemned, and condemned as uſeleſſe or illicite? Heare p. 44the Lords expoſtulation with his owne people: Have I that brought you out of the land of Egypt and led you through the wilderneſſe Have I been as a wilderneſſe unto Iſrael or a land of darkneſſe? Jer. 2.31.Jer 2:31Wherefore ſaith my people then Wee are Lords we will come no more to thee? Iſa. 45.19. I ſaid not in vaine unto the ſeed of Jacob Seeke ye me. v. 22. Looke unto me yee ſhall be ſaved: all the ends of the earth ſhall be ſaved. Will ye forſake the Fountain of living waters, which will never faile ye? and dig ye pits, broken pits of your owne power and policies, which may prove fallacies and will hold no waters of true continuing comfort?

Truly the hope of the hills is but vaine, nor the multitude of the mountains, but in the Lord our God is the health of Iſrael,Jer. 3.13. The high look of man ſhall be humbled, and the Lord onelyonly exalted, Iſa. 2, 11.12.13.14.15.16.17.19. Iſa. 51. I, even I am he that comfort you. Who art thou that feareſt man, &c. and forgetteſt the Lord thy maker, &c? v. 12.13. No perfect Peace in our caſe without conſulting, & receiving the reſolution of the great Peace-maker. Zech. 8.3. A City of truth. 1 Cor. 3.…1. Pſa. 147.2.14. Quo facilius preceptum eo gravius peccatum.Jer 3:13Isa 2:11Isa 2:12Isa 2:13Isa 2:14Isa 2:15Isa 2:16Isa 2:17Isa 2:19Isa 51Zech 8:31 Cor 3:1Ps 147:2Ps 147:14 not the hills of our haughty ones, nor mu…titudes nor mountaines of our Mighties can make us happy; All our Powers and policies, wealth and Armies, without a pious Peace cannot preſerve us from ruine. And for a firme and well-grounded Peace, wee cannot be aſſured, nor ever ſecured, except the Propoſitions for Peace bee confirmed, ſetled, and perfected by the Judgement, ſentence, and decree of the great Peace-maker, who is our peace, who is more puiſſant then the Mountaines of prey: and in pious Policies more wiſe then all the wiſe men of the world combined and conjoyned; who will nullifie and diſappoint all their counſels even when he pleaſeth catch them in their craft, and ſnare them in their own net.

Jeruſalem is builded as a City at unity in it ſelfe; Niſi Dominus Aedificaverit other foundation can no man lay, except the Lord whoſe Tabernacle is at Salem, build Bethſalem, Jeruſalem all humane labour is but loſt. And in this reſpect there is a ſacred neceſſity of the uſe of this holy Ordinance, there being no other way of Gods judgement for the perfecting of our peace preſcribed in Gods word. Zech. 4.10.7.6. Who hath deſpiſed the day or way, of ſmall things? This way of the Lord preſcribed by his Word however deſpicable in the eyes of ſinfull mortalls. Who art thou ô great mountaine? thou ſhalt be a plaine: for neither by an Army, nor by ſtrength but by my Spirit, by my ſelfe, by the way of my Word ſhall the work of Peace be finiſhed ſaith the Lord of hoſts, vide Iſa. 2.11. to the end of the chapter.

In a ſecond reſpect, there is alſo a ſacred neceſſity of the uſe of this holy way, in reſpect of the equall and impartiall proceedings for tryall of differences depending betweene King and Parliament. 1. In regard the King is under Chriſt the next and imediate Supreme Governour of theſe Kingdomes, and the Parliament the ſupreme Court of Judicature in theſe Kingdomes. Now neither Party can appeale to any perſon or Court ſuperiout to them but Chriſt and the Court of Heaven. And for either party to become Judges in their owne caſe is hardly conſiſtent with the lawes of God or man. And therefore wee muſt needs conclude Chriſt under God to be the moſt equall, convenient, and juſt Judge for determining the differences.

Third…y in reſpect of the Covenants, Vowes or Oathes, which have paſſed on both ſides, which being made before, and to God (I conceive under favour) p. 45cannot by any humane meanes conſent compulſion or Authority bee diſpenſed withall, diſſolved or diſanulled; nor the conſciences of thoſe men, that made,It may be ſeared, leſt for oathes the Land mourneth in teares of bloud, when ſo many lives have been ſhed and ſpilt. or tooke ſuch Covenants, Vowes or Oathes ſatisfied or cleered untill they ſhall be convinced by this or ſome other Divine way of the Lords judgement concerning the truth or falſity, juſtneſſe or unjuſtneſſe of their owne Tenent and demands, which they have Covenanted, vowed, and ſworne to defend and maintaine, eſpecially when the parties on both ſides have Covenanted expreſly and directly one againſt the other, to maintaine things diametrically oppoſite, there the one party cannot without breach of his Covenant, or violation of his vow or oath yeeld to the other in that particular, neither ought by the rules of reaſon or Religion, or any warrant which I find in the word of God, to be forced or compelled thereunto.

An inſtance hereof in this caſe concerning Epiſcopacy, which the King hath vowed to maintaine, & the Parliament Covenanted to eradicate. In this caſe the King cannot yeeld unto the Parliaments demands without violation of his oath, neither ought his Majeſty, as I conceive (under favour) to be compelled thereunto, it being againſt his oath unleſſe the Lord ſhall ſo give judgement, and thereby declare the Presbyterie or other Government which the King or Parliament, ſhall propoſe to be I…re divino, or fitter to be eſtabliſhed in this Kingdome: As hereby the Lord will ſurely and truly ſhew upon Propoſitions of ſeverall formes, which is moſt conſonant to his Word and will. He will give to God the the things that are Gods. And ſurely in all Eccleſiaſticall caſes of this nature, wherein the glory of his Name is ſo much concerned, the judgement of God is more proper and fit then the judgement of man.

Againe in the caſe of the Militia, the Queſtion being deſired to whom of right the ſame appertaines, man by the Sword cannot be ſo competent a Judge as the Lord (by whom all powers are ordained and ordered,) may be by the Lett, in this caſe or any other concerning God, the King or Kingdome. He by whom Kings reigne and Princes decree juſtice. He by whom Princes rule and the Nobles and all the Iudges of the earth, is the fitteſt judge, Pro. 8.15.16. For where the ſword …ts as chief juſtice t…ere might goes away with right. There jus poteſtatis, not poteſtas juris, is predominant, there we find no power of right but that right which power obtains, bears the ſway, juſtice is juſtled out by ſtrength of hand, but by the righteous judgement of the Lord, the right of the Militia, and all other matters in difference wil be juſtly diſpoſed. We know that the judgement of God is according to truth Pſa. 19.9. Rom. 2.2.6.11. None ought to judge another (but by warrant from God) in right or title eſpecially where the Judges lay claime to the ſame thing in queſtion. He wil give to Caeſar the things that are Caeſars. Tribute to whom tribute, Cuſtome to whom cuſtome, to all and every one their proper due: In this divine judgement, as we cannot faile of right ſo we need not feare any wrong: where the Lord is Judge, there is no partiality, nor reſpect of perſons. Give me leave to aske the Apoſtles queſtion, why doſt thou judge thy brother? wee ſhall all appeare before the Judgement ſeat of p. 46Chriſt, as it is written,Warre among Chriſtians and neglect of the uſe of this Ordinance occaſtoneth the Lords name to be blaſphemed. Converſation of Chriſtians ſhould winn others to follow their faith, and glorifie God in Chriſt, Heb. 13.7. 1 Phil. 1.2.3.17. 2 Tim. 2.19 Rom. 1.21.22. Let whoſoever nameth the name of Chriſt depart from evill, from diſſention, This way ordained not in vain by the Lord, nor ſet down in his Word to no purpoſo.Heb 13:7Heb 13:1Phil 1:2Phil 1:3Phil 1:172 Tim 2:19Rom 1:21Rom 1:22 every knee ſhall bow, &c.

Why then ſhould the Heathen reproch and ſcoffe at the Chriſtian for their cruelty, and barbarous bloudy-mindedneſſe one againſt another, ſaying. Where is that God, that Chriſt that Prince of peace, which they ſo boaſt of? Cannot, or will not he reconcile them? why doth he ſuffer them thus bruitiſhly to butcher one another? cannot he be? or will they not truſt him to become their Arbiter. Umpire. Iudge to end their differences and ſettle peace among his people. Thus whileſt the name of God and Chriſt ſhould by the uſe of his holy Ordinance be magnified by ſuch as are called by his Name, godly Chriſtians, by their inhumane cruelty, and irreligious carriage in the neglect of his holy Ord…nance, his holy Name is blaſphemed and that among Turkes and Infidels▪ whereof the Lord himſelfe Iſa. 52.5. complaines; Now therefore what have I here ſaith the Lord that my people are taken away for nought and thoſe that rule over them cauſe them to howle and my Name continually is blaſphemed; as alſo the Apoſtle ſpeakes, that by ill carriage of Chriſtians, the name of God and Chriſt is blaſphemed among the Gentiles.

I ſaid not in vaine to the ſeed of Jacob; Seeke you me: I the Lord doe ſpeaks righteouſneſſe and declare righteous things: looke unto me and yee ſhall be ſaved: all the ends of the earth ſhall be ſaved for I am God and there is none other. No part of Gods word is uſeleſſe or ſuperfluous; not any ordinance of God therein unneceſſary or vaine. The wicked are ſo proud they will not ſeeke after God, Pſal. 10.45. To refuſe or reſiſt any way or ordinance of God is to fight againſt God. To neglect or deſpiſe this holy ordinance, is to diſhonour God by diſobedience to his direction.

'Tis an argument of guiltineſſe or infidelity in the refuſers: of guilt in that they dare not endure or abide the teſt▪ touch-ſtone or tryal of the truth, or elſe of infidelity in that either they doe not believe the word preſcribing this Ordinance. Or elſe they dare not or will not truſt God in the diſpo…tion of the Lott; Though the word be plaine in that point, and cleere as the Sunne, Prov. 16.33.

Reaſons why this way ought to be embraced and uſed before any humane way.

Firſt becauſe 'tis a moſt holy way in three reſpects. 1. In regard of the Author or firſt inſtituter thereof. 2. In reſpect of the ends for which it was ordained. 3. In reſpect of the meanes to attaine thoſe ends, Gods divine way of judgement.

The Author and Inſtituter is God himſelfe, as hath been plentifully proved in the precedent part of this Treatiſe.

The ends three. 1. Gods glory, which ſhould they come in competition, wee ought to preferre before the ſalvation of our ſoules.

Secondly, ending the preſent differences, preventing of future diſſentions.

Thirdly, ſetling and eſtabliſhing of a firme and laſting Peace, then which p. 47among Gods people nothing more pleaſing to God, more profitable to themſelves.

The meanes wherby thoſe ends are attained, viz. the divine judgement makes this way the moſt happy for both ſides, & for many reaſons the fitteſt to be uſed.

Secondly▪ in reſpect of the equality and juſtice of this way of proceeding and tryall, being without corruption, fraud, deceit, or guile, without force or compulſion, without any partiality.

Thirdly, becauſe the mouths of murmurers and malitious men will hereby be ſtopped, and no default or defect, deceit or miſtake, injury or falſity can be attributed to this judgement.

Fourthly, in regard 'tis ſatisfactory to the mindes and conſciences of all good men, who will believe and honour the Judgement, in reſpect of the Judges integrity, who cannot erre or doe wrong.

Fifthy, becauſe the uſe hereof is an exerciſe and an evidence of our faith and obedience; A true tryall is hereby made, whether wee believe his Word, obſerve his Ordinances, and dare truſt his Judgement.

Sixthly, becauſe this being an ordinance of God, there is as ſtrict a Precept given by God in his Word, for the due keeping and obſerving thereof, as of any the Lords lawes and Commandements,Iſa. 58.2. They ſeek me daily, and will know my wayes, even as a people that did righteouſly, and had not forſaken the ſtatutes of their God, they aske of me the ordinances of Iuſtice, they would ſeeme to draw neare unto God, &c.Isa 58:2 Deut. 30.10.15.16. and many other places of Scripture, with promiſes of plentifull bleſſings thereunto annexed, and menaces, and curſes for neglect thereof. And if humane ordinances muſt not without much danger, bee diſobeyed. I wonder how the wiſeſt and the mightieſt men dare deſpiſe the divine Ordinances of the Almighty Lord of Heaven and Earth; Conſidering that Sacred and ſevere Injunction there preſcribed, with promiſe of life▪ and good to the obedient obſervers, death and evill to the diſobedient deſerters thereof.

Seventhly, becauſe the further effuſion of blood will hereby be prevented, all parties better contented and all future malice feuds, and diſcontents among many Families and perſons in the Kingdomes forgiven, if not forgotten, removed if not obliterated, which when they ſhall diſcerne the the divine hand and judgement of God in determination of the differences, will remaine more cleerely ſatisfied touching the ſame and one towards another.

Eightly▪ all buſineſſes may hereby bee Tranſacted with glory to God, and without vain-glory, blame accuſation or diſhonour to either party. In this tryall the Victor cannot ſacrifice to his owne Nett▪ attribut any praiſe to the arme of fleſh, nor the evicted receive any foyle or diſgrace from the hand of the Adverſe party, in regard the Lord is the onelyonly agent, and the judgement diſpoſition and event is onelyonly of the Lord. Whereas if either party ſhould relinquiſh their former Tenents and condiſcend to any Propoſitions which they formerly (before the unhappy warre commenced) refuſed to aſſent unto, it might be held and accounted as an argument either of much weakneſſe or wickedneſſe in them, in not yeilding thereunto before ſo much Chriſtian bloud was ſpilt and ſo much miſery calamity diſtraction, and damage had been brought to the Kingdome by their ſtanding out.

p. 48Ninthly▪ in caſe of differences in Religion, this divine way without all peradventure will prove the moſt pious, proſperous, and moſt pleaſing to God and men, if we conſider theſe enſuing particulars.

Firſt, the glory of God is primarily and imediatly concerned, and to be conſidered herein viz. the ſalvation of his ſoule▪ which hath ſpecial relation to, and dependeth much upon the doctrine and diſcipline of that Church whereof he is a member.

Thirdly, the chiefe and continuall care of every man ought to be, firſt the glorifying of God, and ſecondly the ſalvation of his ſoule.

Now if differences ariſe touching the way which is the moſt pious and beſt way to glorifie God, and attain the ſalvation of ſoules, which is the pureſt way of divine worſhip, which Church hath the moſt orthodox doctrine & diſcipline, whether ſhall the doubting conſcience go for ſatisfaction in thoſe points? It will be anſwered to the Scriptures which are Gods Teſtaments, his revealed will, the Touchſtone of Truth. Thither we are to appeale for ſatisfaction.

But then put caſe (as in truth it is) that diverſity of Interpretations have bred diverſity of opinions and diviſions, and ſo controverſies increaſe, and grow end eſſe; Mens corrupt conſtructions have troubled the Fountaine of living waters, with the mud of their miſ-interpretations, the Word of truth, which would give light to the whole world, like the Sunne in his brightneſſe, an infallible ſtandard of true doctrine, and determiner of all Controverſies, is hid under the buſhell of mens myſtie-clouded underſtanding and apprehenſion and that which ſhould be a cure for our contentions, is by mans miſpriſion made an occaſion of further difference and determination of the differences of Interpretation? Surely he that in the beginning was the Word, and the Word that was with God, and that Word which was and is God, will be the fitteſt Judge of the Interpretation of the Word of truth: That Word by which all things were made, and without it was nothing made, muſt make peace betweene the Interpreters of the Word, or it will never be made. That Word in which was and is life, and the Life the light of men▪ the Light that ſhineth in darkneſſe, the true light that lightneth every man that commeth into the world the way, the truth and the life muſt ſhew us the true way, the way of truth, the true way of life eternall; He muſt teach us the way of Peace; Lead us in the paths of Peace, declare unto us by the light of his divine judgement, which way is moſt conducible to his glory, and his peoples good▪ which Interpretation hee beſt approveth of, which way of doctrine and diſcipline is moſt pleaſing to God, and profitable for his Church; Reveale that way of Keligion or Reformation, which is moſt agreeable to the will and word of Jeſus Chriſt,Prov. 16.11. Prov. 2.6.Prov 16:11Prov 2:6 to whom the Judgement is to be committed. None but God onelyonly can reveale the way of life. We can know nothing of God clearly and perfectly, untill God himſelfe p. 49manifeſteth it unto us, Pſal. 103.7. and 147.19.2. Dan. 3. J cauſe to walke in the way of righteouſneſſe, and in the midſt of the paths of judgement; Prov. 8.20. And without this way of divine judgement, Controverſies will rather increaſe then ceaſe, Diviſions be multiplyed rather then diminiſhed. Therefore let us pray with holy David, Ariſe, O Lord judge thou the earth, for thou ſhalt inherit all Nations. And in this point the Dove declares her ſelfe an Independent to the world.

For man by humane power or policy, without adviſing with Almighty God, and receiving his divine reſolution, to ſet up a Set forme of Diſcipline and Religion, ſuch as he in his opinion ſhall conceive moſt agreeable to Gods word, and then inforce as he in his opinion ſhall conceive moſt agreeable to Gods word, and then inforce all to fall downe and worſhip in that forme and way, or inflict puniſhment on the refuſers, their courſe is evill, and their force not right Jer. 23.10. 'tis next doore to Nebuchadnezzars Image and Idolatry: If we would have a Religion eſtabliſhed conſonant to Gods will and Word, let us conſult with the Lord, and convince the conſciences of oppoſers by the Judgement of Jeſus Chriſt, the way of the Lord, the oracle of God, preſcribed in his holy Word, not the way of the Sword, or other humane way or ordinance, which can be but a ſandy foundation whereon to ground Religion or Reformation.

A ſacred neceſſity of the uſe hereof in differences in religion, the Lord ought to be truſted with the interpretation of his own word. The Teſtator with the meaning of his Teſtament.And I thinke I may preſume, that the wiſdome of our wiſeſt men, the moſt prudent and potent Pillers of our State and Church, will nor preſume an infallibility of judgement in themſelves; a gift ſo divine, that our moſt rarely-gifted Divines will not dare to attribute it to themſelves, it being a quality ſo incompatible to, or with any ſublunary creatures; And we may feare to find errour in Scripture interpretation, aſwell as in life and converſation among the ſonnes of Levi, the moſt ſanctified Clergy, who being well adviſed, will neither ſhame nor be aſhamed of that ſacred Ordinance, which gives them that title of Clergy, but looke upon it as that Starre in the Eaſt, whereby with the Wiſe men they may be led to Chriſt, the light of the Gentiles, and the glory of his people Iſrael. Whereby the Sunne of righteouſneſſe, with healing under his wings, the day-ſpring from on high may viſit us, giving light to them that ſit in darkneſſe, and the ſhadow of death, Luke. 2.32.Luke 2:32and guiding our feet in the way of peace, Luk. 1.78.79. For he is the Fountaine of our peace and felicity, and we ſhould be zealous of his glory, which leads me to the tenth reaſon.

Tenthly, It is an excellent occaſion, cauſe and meanes of glorifying God, whereof man ſhould be moſt carefull: God being the beginning from which all thing; ſpring, from whence proceedeth every good and perfect gift; the meanes by whom we live, move, and have our well being, and the end unto which all things tend; and to the advancement of whoſe glory we ſhould bend all our endeavours, purpoſes and practiſes; For his glory is moſt deare to him, Exod. 7.4.5. He will not give it to another, Eſa 42.8. and 48.11. therefore man ſhould beware leſt he intend or indeavour to rob God of his glory, by preferring humane before divine Counſells, wayes and courſes, by reſpecting mans, and rejecting Gods ordinances &c. No Peace will be on earth, no true love or good will among men, nor good will of God towards men, unleſſe glory be given to God on high, as by the doxology of the Angels appeares. Gods glory is the ſupreme end of all divine revelation, Epheſ. p. 502.7. of all his workes,So the Heathen ſhal feare thy name, and all kings of the earth thy glory. The Doves addreſſe to the Divines. Mal. 2.1, 2, 3, &c. If they had ſtood in my counſell, and had declared my words and my ordinances to my people, then they ſhould have turned them from their evil way, and from the wickedneſs of their inventions, Ier. 24.22. I create the fruit of the Lipps to bee peace, I will heal, &c. But the wicked are like the raging Sea, that cannot reſt, whoſe waves caſt up mire and durt, Iſa. 57.19.20. Iſa. 52.7. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that declareth and publiſheth peace? that declareth good things, and publiſheth ſalvation, ſaying unto Zion thy God raigneth. Chriſt is the Prince of peace, & prime & only peacemaker, if we refuſe to make him our umpire, our Iudge, we rob him of his honour, & his office. Their courſe is evill, and their force is not right, Jer. 23.10. Mal. 1.6.7.8. Mal. 4.4. Jer. 13.15, 16.57.Mal 2:1Mal 2:2Mal 2:3Jer 24:22Isa 57:19Isa 57:20Isa 52:7Jer 23:10Mal 1:6Mal 1:7Mal 1:8Mal 4:4Jer 13:15Jer 13:16Jer 13:57 Eph. 1.5.6. Jo. 11.4.48, Exod. 9.16. Pſa. 50.15. Prov. 16.4. of mans life Pſa. 6.4.5. Pſa. 9.13.14. and ſervice, Pſa. 101.1. Zach. 7.5, 6. Jo. 3.28 29. 'tis the royall Robe of his infinite Majeſty, Pſa. 104.1. And all meanes furthering the ſame, are available to ſalvation, Pſal. 50.23. Rom. 4.20.21.

Divine providence having made it my Lott (who am leſſer then the leaſt of the ſervants of Chriſt) to treat of the ſacred Ordinance of divine Lott; Let not the Divines and reverend Clergy diſdaine, if ſom texts of holy truth be directed to them from the mouth of the Almighty touching this point of glorifying God, and teaching the people his lawes and ſtatures, and ordinances. And now, ô ye Priests this commandement is for you. If yee will not heare it, nor conſider it in your heart, to give glory unto my Name, ſaith the Lord of Hoaſts, I will even ſend a curſe upon you, and will curſe your bleſſings: yea I have curſed them already, becauſe ye doe not conſider it in your heart, Behold I will corrupt your ſeed, and caſt dung upon your faces, &c, And ye ſhall know that I have ſent this commandement unto you, that my Covenant with Levi might ſtand. My Covenant was with him of life and peace; Not warre and deſtruction, not a covenant with death, and agreement with hell. The law of truth was in his mouth, and he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turne many from iniquity. He taught Gods people to know the wayes, and walke in the paths of Peace, turned their hearts from inclining to ſtrife and debate, their heads from imagining miſchiefe againſt their brethren, held their hands from ſmiting with the fiſt of wickedneſſe, or being defiled with blood, ſtopt their feet from running the race of Ruine, ſhedding innocent bloud. For the Prieſts lips ſhould pleſerve knowledge, and the people ſhould ſeeke the law at his mouth; For ye are the meſſengers of the Lord to that purpoſe; But yee are gone out of the way: ye have cauſed many to fall by the Law: ye have broken the covenant of Levi of life and peace, ſaith the Lord, Therefore have J alſo made you deſpiſed, and vile before the people; becauſe yee kept not my wayes, but have been partiall in the law. Have wee not all one Father? Hath not one God made us? why doe we tranſgreſſe every one againſt his brother, and breake the covenant of our Fathers? yee have wearied the Lord with your words, when ye ſay, &c. Where is the God of judgement?

As God, is the God, not of confuſion, but of peace, ſo he meant and ſent his Miniſters to be Embaſſadours of peace, not contention. And if God in his Law, his Word, have inſtituted and preſcribed a way, an ordinance of Peace, where ſhall the people ſeeke the knowledge of this Law, this Ordinance, this Statute, but at the mouths of his Miniſters. Is it lawfull for them to goe out of this way, to cauſe the people to fall from this Law? to be partiall touching the Law, to teach what part thereof they like, and neglect what part they diſlike; Doe ye not weary the Lord with your words and wayes, when ye deny or doubt of the way of his divine judgement. If a tender Father ſhall offer his judgement to be Umpire, Arbiter, judge, between diſſenting Brethren his children; who refuſe ſuch a Fatherly favour, and fall by the Sword, and ſo fall to the Sword; ought not the Prieſt to tell thoſe contentious brethren of their Rebellious diſobedience, and ſhew and direct then the divine way of reconciliation? Jf J be a Father, where is mine honour? if a p. 51maſter, where is my feare, ſaith the Lord unto you, O prieſts, that deſpiſe my name, and if ye aske wherein? in that ye ſay the way and ordinance of the Lord is not to bee regarded and ye offer blind and lame, and uncleane ſacrifice, humane deviſer, in ſtead of divine directions. And 1 Sam. 2 29.30. Marke the Lords expoſtulation with Eli, Wherfore have ye kicked againſt my ſacrifice and mine offering which I commanded in my Tabernacle, and honoureſt thy children above me, to make your ſelves fat of the first fruits of the offering of my people? But it ſhall not be ſo: for them that honour me, I will honour; and they that deſpiſe me, ſhall be deſpiſed. Behold, the dayes that I will cut off thine arme, and the arme of thy fathers, &c. May not the Lord ſay the like to the deſpiſers of his Ordinance? wherefore have you preferred the iſſues of your owne braines, before my Inſtituted Ordinance, to make your ſelves rich and glorious thereby? I will cut off your power and authority, &c. Remember the law of Moſes my ſervant, with the ſtatutes. Judgements and ordinances wich I commanded, &c. The Prince, Parliament, Prophet, Prieſt and People may pleaſe to obſerve and remember thoſe texts touching the Lords glory, and his ordinances.

I ſhall conclude this point with that of the Prophet Ieremiah: Heare ye, and give care, be not proud, for the Lord hath ſpoken it. Give glory to the Lord your God, before he bring darkneſſe, and before your feet ſtumble in the darke mountaines, and while yee looke for light, he turne it into the ſtadow of death, and make it as darkneſſe. But if yee will not heare this, my ſoule ſhall weep in ſecret for your pride, vide Pſal. 10.4.5. The wicked is ſo proud, he ſeeketh not for God, but worldly goods. Gods judgements are high above his ſight, &c.

Zech. 4.10. Thus ſaith the Lord; Stand in the waies, and behold, & aske for the old way, which is the good way, and walk therin, and ye ſhall find reſt for your ſoules, Jer. 6.16. Jer. 25.5. Turn again now every one from his evill way, and from the wickednes of your Inventions, &c.Zech 4:10Jer 6:16Jer 25:5'Tis a moſt holy, happy, and honourable way in reſpect of the Authority, Antiquity, ends and uſe thereof. Aske for the old way, &c. whatſoever things are written afore-time, are written for our learning &c. Rom. 14.4.

'Tis a moſt plaine, perfect, eaſie, ready way, and as full of felicity as facility, Quo facilius preceptum, eò gravins peccatum; Who hath deſpiſed the day of ſmall things. By how much the divine way; precept, or direction is more eaſie, by ſo much the neg…ect thereof, is more heavy, more ſinfull.

This judgement of the Lord will be a moſt firme foundation whereon to build Bethſalem, Jeruſalem, a ſafe laſting, and well-grounded peace. Wee may obſerve that ſhip to be moſt frequently and furiouſly toſſed and tumbled with waves and tempeſts that anchors in the mud, and ſlitting flexible yeilding earth; Wee may find it ſo in thoſe ſhips of ſtate, which anchor too terrenely, which confide in their own crackt counſells, too much in the mud of their own imaginations, the durt of their own deviſes, the brittle earthen pitcher of their own policies. That Peace is moſt ſafe that is grounded on the rock of Chriſt Jeſus his divine counſell, judgement and direction, upon God, the rock of our ſalvation; that ſtate remaines but in a weake and tottering condition, that hath not the ſalvation of the Lord for their walls and bulwarkes. But that State or People which dare caſt their burthen on the Lord, in caſe of danger, diviſion, deſtruction, commit their cauſe to his heavenly diſpoſition, and contentedly, and confidently ſay, The Lord is our Iudge, Iſa. 33.22. &c. per totum.Isa 33:22the Lord is our Law-giver, the Lord is our King, he will ſave us: they ſhall dwell on p. 52high: their defence ſhall be in the mountaint of the Rocke: ſurely there the mighty Lord will be unto them as a place of floods and broud rivers, &c. Their eyes ſhall ſee the King in his glory: Ieruſalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that cannot bee removed. Iſa. 32.16. &c.Isa 32:16Iudgement ſhall returne to Iuſtice, and all Nations ſhall fellow after it. Iudgement ſhall dwell in the deſart, and juſtice remain in the fruitfull fields. And my people ſhall dwell in the Tabernacle of Peace, and in ſure dwellings, and in ſafe reſting places. And the worke of Iuſtice ſhall be peace, even the worke of Juſtice and quietneſſe, and aſſurance for ever. I ſhall conclude with theſe Admonitions, exhortations of the Lord by his Prophet. Which the Dove humbly directs to the Prince, Parliament, Clergy and People of the Land.

Iſa. 50.10, 11. Who is among you, that feareth the Lord, let him heare the voice of his ſervant, he that walketh in darkneſſe, and hath no light? let him truſt in the Name of the Lord, and ſtay upon his God. Behold, all you kindle a fire, and are compaſſed about with ſparkes: walke in the light of your fire, and in the ſparkes that ye have kindled. This ſhall ye have of mine hand, ye ſhall lie down in ſorrow. Ezek. 15.7. I will ſet my face againſt them, they ſhall go out from one fire, and another fire ſhall devour them. Woe to the rebellious that take counſell, but not of me, &c. Iſa. 30.1, 2, 3. vide Iſa. 10 and Iſa. 29.14, 15. Woe unto them that ſeek deepe, to hide their counſell from the Lord, &c. vid. ver. 16.17.18.19.20.21.22.23.24. Both Prophet and Prieſt doe wickedly, wherfore their way ſhall be unto them as ſlippery wayes in darkneſſe: they ſhall be driven forth, & fall therein: for I wil bring, &c. Jer. 23.11, 12. Woe is me now, for my ſoule fainteth becauſe of the murtherers, Jer. 4.31.Isa 30:1Isa 30:2Isa 30:3Isa 10Isa 29:14Isa 29:15Jer 23:11Jer 23:12Jer 4:31The concluſion of one warre, may be the commencement of another, even to confuſion. And Iſa. 51.4. Hearken unto me my people, and give care unto me, ô my people, for a law ſhall proceed from me, and I will bring forth my judgement for the light of the people. And Iſa. 45.7. I forme the light, and create darkneſſe: I make peace, and create evill: I the Lord doe all theſe things. v. 11. Aske of me things to come concerning my ſons, and concerning the workes of mine hands command you mee. And Iſa 46.8. Remember this, and be aſhamed: bring it to mind, O you tranſgreſſors. Remember the former things of old, for I am God, &c. My counſell ſhall ſtand, and I will doe whatſoever I will, ver. 9.10. Heare me ye ſtubborne-hearted that are far from juſtice, I will bring neere my juſtice, &c. ver. 12.13. And Iſa. 47.10, 11. Thy wiſdome and thy knowledge, they have cauſed thee to rebell, and thou haſt ſaid in thine heart, I am, and none elſe. Therefore ſhall evill come upon thee, and thou ſhalt not know the morning thereof. &c. And Iſa. 48 18.19. Thus ſaith thy Redeemer, the holy one of Iſrael, I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, and lead thee by the way that thou ſhouldeſt goe. O that that thou hadſt hearkened to my ſtatutes, then had thy peace been as a river, &c. For mine own ſake, for mine own ſake will J doe it: for how ſhould my Name be polluted? Surely J will not give my glory to another, vr. 11. And Jer. 8.7. Even the Storke, the Turtle, the Crane, and the Swallow know their app… ted times, but my people know not the judgements of the Lord. How doe ye ſay, we are wiſe, and the law of the Lord is with us. The wiſe men are aſhamed, they are afraid and taken: Lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord, and what wiſdome is in them. ver. 8.9. Jer. 7.27.23. But thou ſhalt ſay unto them, this is a Nation that heareth not the voice of the Lord their God, nor receiveth diſcipline, truth is periſhed, and is cleane gone out of sheir mouth, Thou ſhalt ſpeake all theſe words unto them, but they will not heare thee, &c. Jer. 7.27.28. Therefore Behold, the dayes come▪ ſaith the Lord, that it ſhall no more be called Topheth, nor the valley of Benhinnow, but the valley of ſlaughter, &c. ver. 30. O that mine head were full of water, and mine eyes a fountaine p. 53of teares, that I might weep day and night for the ſlain of the daughter of my people. Oh that I had in the wilderneſſe, a cottage of way faring men, that I might leave my people, and goe from them; for they be all adulterers, and an aſſembly of Rebells. Shall I not viſit for theſe things, ſaith the Lord? and ſhall not my ſoule be avenged on ſuch a Nation as this? upon the mountaines will I take a lamentation, &c. And I will make Jeruſalem an heape, and a den of dragons, &c. who is wiſe to underſtand this, &c. why doth the land periſh? &c. And the Lord ſaith, Becauſe of oathes the Land mourneth, their courſe is evill, and their force is not right, Jer. 23.10. God ſtandeth in the aſſembly of gods, he judgeth among gods. Pſal. 82.1. They know not, & underſtand nothing: they walke in darknes, albeit the foundations of the earth be moved, ver. 5.Jer 23:10Ps 82:1becauſe they have forſaken my law which I ſet befor them; And have walked after the counſell and ſtubbornneſſe of their own wicked heart, &c. Jer. 9.1.2.9.10.11.1….13. Woe to the rebellious, that take counſell, but not of me, &c. Jer. 11.24. They are all rebellious traytors, walking craftily: they are braſſe and yron; they are all deſtroyers, Jer. 6.28. This people hath an unfaithfull and rebellious heart: they are departed and gone, &c. Jer. 5.23. Thou hast ſtricken them, but they have not ſorrowed; conſumed them, but they have refuſed to receive correction: they have made their faces harder then a ſtone, and have refuſed to returne. Surely, they are poore, they are fooliſh for they know not the way of the Lord, nor the judgement of their God. I will get me to the great men, and will ſpeake unto them: for they have known the way of the Lord, and the judgement of their God: but theſe have altogether broken the yoke, and burſt the bonds &c. Jer. 5.3.4, 5. My people is fooliſh, they have not known me: they are fooliſh children, and have none underſtanding: The children of men are vanity, and the chiefe men are lies, Pſal. 62.9. vide Iſa. 41.28.29. they are wiſe to doe evill, but to doe good they have no knowledge, Jer. 4.22. for they have perverted their way, and forgotten the Lord their God. They have changed my judgements into wickedneſſe, for they have refuſed my judgements and ſtatutes, and have not walked in them, Ezek. 5, 6. O yee diſobedient children returne, and I will heale your rebellions, Jer. 3.20, 21, 22. Thy wayes, and thy inventions have procured thee theſe things, &c. Jer. 4.18. Therefore, thus ſaith the Lord ſtand in the wayes and behold, and aske for the old way, which is the good way, and walke therein, Iſa. …55.6, 7. Thy children ſhall be taught of the Lord, & much peace ſhall bee to them, Iſa. 54.13.Isa 55:6Isa 55:7Isa 54:13and yee ſhall find reſt for your ſoules, Jer. 6.16. Aske of me things to come, Iſa. 45.11. Should not a people inquire at their God, to the Law and the teſtimony, the Lords judgement, the ſureſt teſtimony of truth. Then ſhall ye goe out with joy, and be led forth with peace, &c. And it ſhall be to the Lord for a name, and for a praiſe, for an everlaſting ſigne, that ſhall not be taken away, Iſa. 55.12, 13. This people have J formed for my ſelfe: they ſhall ſhew forth my praiſe, Iſa. 43.21. How happy and honourable a thing were it for England to be the firſt in reviving this ordinance of the Lord for advancement of his glory. I ſhall pray pardon for my preſumption, in preſenting theſe texts of truth, to the grave and pious conſideration of the great Counſell of the Kingdome; It will, I hope,Prov. 1.5.33.Prov 1:5Prov 1:33 prove no hinderance to the happineſſe of their proceedings, to take along with them the Counſell of the everlaſting Counſeller, nor to aske counſell of that onelyonly wiſe Counſeller, who is wonderfull in counſell, and excellent in working. Where no counſell is, the people fall; but where many counſellers are, there is health, Prov. 11.14. Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evill, but to the counſellers of peace, ſhall be joy, Prov. 12.20. Many deviſes are in the heart of man, but the counſell of the Lord, that ſhall ſtand, Prov. 19.20. There is no wiſdome, p. 54neither underſtanding, nor counſell againſt the Lord, Prov. 21.30. The Lord breaketh the counſell of the heathen, the politique worlding, and bringeth to nought the counſels of the people. Pſa. 33.10.11. Human judgements are often erronious and ſinfull, Pſal. 58.1, 2. Doe ye indeed ſpoake righteouſnes, O congregations, doe yee judge uprightly, O yee ſons of men? yea, in heart ye work wickednes; you weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.Ps 33:10Ps 33:11Ps 58:1Ps 58:2But the counſell of the Lord ſhall ſtand for ever. God ſtandeth in the aſſembly of gods, he judgeth among gods: How long &c. all the foundations of the earth are out of courſe. I have ſaid ye are gods, &c. but yee ſhall die like men, &c. O God, ariſe therefore judge thou the earth, for thou ſhalt inherite all nations, Pſal. 82. vid. Pſal. 14. The Lord ſhall ſit for ever, hee hath prepared his Throne for Judgement. The Lord is knowne by executing judgement; For hee will judge the world in righteouſneſſe, and the people with equity. And they that know thy Name will truſt in thee, &c. Pſal. 9. Thou haſt not failed them that ſeeke thee.

The wicked is ſo proud, he ſeeketh not for God, he boaſteth of his hearts deſire, bleſſeth himſelfe in his owne time, contemneth the Lord in his ordinances. Yet he ſaith in his heart, I ſhall never be moved, nor come into danger; God hath forgotten, he hideth his face, and will never ſee, will not regard. Yet thou haſt ſeen it, thou beholdeſt miſchiefe and wrong: that thou maiſt take the matter into thine owne hands: the poore commiteth himſelfe unto thee, for thou art the helper of the helpleſſe: Thou prepareſt th… heart, and bend thine eare to judge the cauſe, that earthly man cauſe to feare no more: Let not man prevaile put them in feare, that they may know they are but men, Pſa. 10.

The Prophet David alſo, a man after Gods heart, adviſeth to commit our cauſe to God to caſt our burthen on the Lord, prayeth that his ſentence may come forth from the Lords preſence,Iſa. 28.15.Isa 28:15 and that the Lord may behold equity, ſhewing that by the holy waies of Gods word, he had been kept from the paths of the cruell man, of the deſtroyer. Pſal. 17.2.4. and Pſal. 16.7 ſaith, I will praiſe the Lord, David never ſet upō weighty matter, without conſulting with the Lord.who hath given me counſell▪ &c. And 'tis evident that holy David did moſt frequently in caſes of difficulty, conſult with the Lord by Lott, being aſſured that the Lord would maintain hi… Lott. And ſo did Moſes, Joſhuah, Samuel, &c. Prophets, Patriarks, Apoſtles. David preſumed not to make choice of, or ſettle any perſon of the ſonnes of Aaron, the tribe of Levi, in any place or office of the Lords ſervice in the Temple, of his own will, appointment and pleaſure, but left all both high and low to the Lords owne Election by Lott, as before is ſhewed, and likewiſe appeares, 1 Chron, 24.25, 26. chapters.

Wee read it recorded of King Uzziah that he did uprightly in the ſight of the Lord,2 Chro. 26.4, 5.2 Chr 26:42 Chr 26:5 while he ſought the Lord in the dayes of Zechariah (who underſtood the viſions of God) and when he ſought the Lord,Sudden elevated proſperity, an occaſion of ſudden ruine cauſeth forget fulneſſe of the Author and man, to truſt in themſelves, which procureth their perdition. God made him to proſper; And God did help him marvellouſly, till he was mighty. But when he was made ſtrong, his heart was lifted up to his deſtruction, ver. 15.16.

An example well worth your meditation, and ſerious obſervation, while hee conſulted with God▪ ſought God, tooke counſell of God, in all his great enterpriſes, God made him to proſper, and made him mighty; But then marke the occaſion of his fall. his heart was ſo lifted up and hee would exceed his commiſſion, meddle with matters concerning the Lords ſervice, which pertained not to his place. It perteyneth not to thee Uzziah though a King to burne Incenſe to the Lord, Goe forth of the Sanctuary, for thou hast tranſgreſſed, and thou ſhalt have … p. 55honour of the Lord God, ver. 18. Though his zeale and intention ſeemed good, yet becauſe they were not governed by the word of God, and the rules thereby preſcribed, he did wickedly, a…d was therefore juſtly reproved, and alſo puniſhed. And wee may remember what befell Vzza, for but irreverently looking into the Arke; procul hinc, proculite prophani. God alowes to Caeſar, the things that are Caeſars, but reſerveth the things of God, for God; Gods worke ought to be done in Gods way; humane helpes, humane might, meanes, manner, in divine matters, God expects not, reſpects not. Humane Formes, Rules, Traditions, Directions, Inſtruments, or Agents, not warranted by Gods word, in the execution, or uſe of divine and ſpirituall affaires, actions, or ordinances, are no where commanded, no where commended, but rather condemned.

God hath helped you marvellouſly, untill yee are become mighty,As David told his Pinces, 1 Chro. 22.5. We muſt build an houſe for the Lord, magn…ficall excellent, and of great fame and dignity throughout all Countries.1 Chr 22:5 and yee are about a mighty worke, the worke of Reformation of Chriſts Church. God hath ſent his Prophets among you, to bring you unto the Lord, as he did, 2 Chronicles 24 19. to Judah and Jeruſalem, and they make their proteſtations among you, call heaven and earth …o witneſſe, that except yee follow the Lords directions herein, yee will tranſgreſſe highly, and run into an heavy primunire, forfeiture of his favour, incurring the penalty of his diſpleaſure, and ſo be grievouſly puniſhed as Vzzah was, for medling with the Prieſts office, Chriſts office, the high Prieſt, (if I may ſo ſay) and Paſtor of the ſoules of his Saints, who is a Prieſt for ever after the order of Melchiſedech, and for uſurping his office, you will have none honour of the Lord God. They tell you the worke of Reformation is moſt ſutable to the Redeemer, and a worke not leſſe then, nor inferiour to that of our Redemption, and therefore 'tis a worke more fit for the hand of the ſupreame head of his Church, even Chriſt Jeſus, then any humane power, and to ſeeke to take that divine worke out of his Almighty hand, will prove a tranſgreſſion of an high nature, and ſo doth the word of truth tell you, 2 Sam. 7.14. to deprive him of his honour▪ will be rather prejudiciall then propitious to your proceedings. They tell you that David, a man after Gods owne heart, 1 Chron. 22.8.9. 1 Chron. 28.3.6. was not permitted to build a materiall typicall Temple made with hands, becauſe his hands had been in blood, and yet ſurely his warres were undertaken for Gods cauſe, by Gods direction, and againſt Gods enemies. Thou haſt ſhed much blood, and made great battells: thou ſhalt not build an houſe unto my Name: for thou hast ſhed much blood upon the earth, in my ſight. Behold a ſonne is borne to thee, 2 Chro. 27.9.2 Chr 27:9which ſhall be a man of reſt, for I will give him rest &c. therefore his name is Salomon, and I will ſend peace and quietneſſe upon Iſrael in his dayes. He ſhall build an houſe for my Name. Thus ſaid the Lord to David, and thus ſay the Lords Prophets to you, as Oded, a Prophet of the Lord once ſaid to the Iſraelites in a caſe of this nature; Behold, becauſe the Lord God of your fathers was wroth with your brethren of Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have ſlain them in a rage, that reacheth up to heaven; And now ye purpoſe to keepe under the children of Judah and Jeruſalem, as ſervants and handmaids unto you: but are you not ſuch, that ſinnes are with you before the Lord your God? you have made great Battells p. 56againſt your brethren,1 Chr. 22.5.8. &c.1 Chr 22:51 Chr 22:8 and ſhed much of their blood upon the earth in the fight of the Lord, becauſe therefore your hands have been in blood yee ſhall not build … houſe to the Lords Name; The worke is great, the houſe is not for man, but for the Lord God; Yee cannot, yee ſhall not build the Temple of the Lord; yee ſhall not ſettle Religion, in, or by blood. But divine Salomon, the Prince of peace, he ſhall build an houſe for the Arke of God, a Temple for the Lord; he is a man of reſt, God will give him reſt, and he will give reſt to his Church in due time from their Enemies, and ſend peace and quietneſſe upon Iſrael; In reſt and quietneſſe ſhall they his Iſrael be ſaved, their ſtrength is to ſit ſtill, and waite the ſalvation of God by Chriſt, he is our peace, the government of peace is upon him; his Church his Saints, his ſervants wait for Reformation of errors, and Reconciliation of all differences from his Wiſdome, Judgement, Sentence and Decree; and conſulting onelyonly with Chriſt in caſes of weighty conſequence, not fit for fleſh and blood to determine, pray with divine David; Let my ſentence come forth from thy preſences, That mount Zion may heare and be glad, Pſal. 84.11.Ps 84:11and the daughters of Judah rejoyce, becauſe of thy righteous judgements, Pſal. 97.8. Say among the Heathen, that the Lord raigneth, the World alſo ſhall be eſtabliſhed, that it ſhall not be moved: he ſhall judge the people righteouſly. How beautifull are the feet of thoſe that bring tydings of Peace, that declare and publiſh ſalvation, ſaying, to Z… the Lord raigneth, no perfect peace, but where the Lord is King and Judge, Who will build up Ziou, and then appeare in his glory, &c. Pſal. 102.15 16. So the Heathen ſhall feare his Name, and the Kings of the earth his glory. And now having humbly propoſed to you, though with much weakneſſ, Gods way for advancement of his glory, by compoſing Controverſies, and ſetling Peace, I ſhall ſhut up with the prayer and advice of holy David, to his ſonne Salomon, and …o the Princes of Iſrael,1 Chron. 22.12, 13.1 Chr 22:121 Chr 22:13 The Lord give you wiſdome and underſtanding, and give ye charge over Iſrael, even to keepe the Law of the Lord God. Then ſhall you proſper if you take heed to obſerve the Statutes and the Judgements, which the Lord commended Moyſes for Iſrael. And to the Princes of Iſrael, ver. 9. Now ſet your hearts and your ſoules to ſeeke the Lord your God, and ariſe, and ſo build the Sanctuary of the Lord God, Pſa. 147.14.19.20.Ps 147:14Ps 147:19Ps 147:20&c. He ſetteth peace in thy borders, &c. He ſheweth his Word, his ſtatutes, hiss judgements to his choſen Iſrael, he hath not dealt ſo with every nation neither have they known his judgements. And touching the reſpecting, or rejecting of Gods counſells, wayes, and judgements, be pleaſed to peruſe the firſt and ſecond chapter… of Proverbs, preſcribed by the Pen of the Goly Ghoſt, in the hand of Salomon, I called they refuſed, none regarded, they would none of my judgements, but ſet at nought my counſels. Therefore ſhall they eat of the fruits of their owne way, and be filled with their owne deviſes, &c. But if they will receive my words &c. then ſhall they underſtand righteouſneſſe, judgement and equity, and every good way, diſcretion ſhall preſerve them, underſtanding keepe them, and judgement deliver them from every evill way.

FINIS.

End of the text · Edward Marbury, The Voice of the Turtle (1647)