Englands Parliamentary Chronicle, Chronicle · Floating text 23 – Letter 57
The Marqueſſe of ARGYLES Speech to the Grand Committee, concerning Propoſitions of Peace to be ſent to his MAIESTY.
My Lords and Gentlemen:
THough I have had the honour to be named by the Kingdome of Scotland, in all the Commiſſions which had relation to this Kingdome, ſince the beginning of this Warre; yet I had never the happineſſe to be with your Lordſhips till now, wherein I reverence Gods providence, that he hath brought me hither at ſuch an opportunity, when I may boldly ſay, it is in the power of the two Kingdomes, yea, I may ſay, in your Lordſhips power to make us both happy, if you make good uſe of this occaſion, by ſetling Religion, and the Peace and Union of theſe Kingdomes.
The worke of Reformation in theſe Kingdomes is ſo great a worke, as no Age nor Hiſtory can parallel ſince Chriſts daies, for no one Nation had ever ſuch a Reformation ſet forth unto them, much leſſe three Kingdomes; ſo that this Generation may truly thinke themſelves happy, if they can be inſtrumentall in it. And as the worke is very great, ſo it cannot be expected but it muſt have great and powerfull Enemies; not onelyonly fleſh and bloud which hate to be reformed, but likewiſe Principalities and Powers, the Rulers of the darkneſſe of this world: and ſpirituall wickedneſſes in high places. As the dangers are great, we muſt looke the better to our duties, and the beſt way to performe theſe is to keep us by the Rules which are to be found in our Nationall Covenant, principally the Word of God, and in its owne place, the example of the beſt Reformed Churches; and in our way we muſt beware of ſome Rocks, which are temptations both upon the right, and upon the left hand, ſo that we muſt hold the middle path. Upon the one part we ſhould take heed, not to ſettle lawleſſe liberty in Religion, whereby in ſtead of Uniformity, we ſhould ſet up a thouſand Hereſies and Schiſmes, which is directly contrary and deſtructive to one Covenant. Upon the other part, we are to looke that we perſecute not piety and peaceable men, who cannot through ſcruple of Conſcience come up in all things to the Common Rule; but that they may have ſuch a forbearance as may be according to the VVord of God, may conſiſt with the Covenant, and not be deſtructive to the Rule it ſelfe, nor to the Peace of the Church and Kingdome, wherein I will inſiſt no further, either to wrong your Lordſhips patience or judgements, who I doubt not will be very carefull to doe every thing according to our Covenant.
As to the other point concerning the Peace and Union of the Kingdomes, I know it is that which all profeſſe they deſire, I hope it is that all doe … at; ſure I am, it is that which all men ought to ſtudy and endeavour. And I thinke it not amiſſe to remember your Lordſhips of ſome former experiences, as an argument to move us to be wife for the future. If the Kingdome of England in the 1640. yeare of God, then ſitting in Parliament, had concurred, as they were deſired, againſt the Kingdome of Scotland, no queſtion we had been brought to many difficulties, which bleſſed be God was by the wiſdome of the Honourable Houſes prevented. So likewiſe when this Kingdome was in difficulties, if the Kingdome of Scotland had not willingly, yea cheerfully ſacrificed their peace to conc…e with this Kingdome, your Lordſhips all know what might have been the danger. Therefore let us hold faſt that Union which is ſo happily eſtabliſhed betwixt us, and let nothing make us againe two, who are ſo many wai…s one▪ all of one Language, in one …and, all under one King, one in Religion, yea one in Covenant; ſo that in effect we differ in nothing but in Name (as Brethren doe) which I wiſh were alſo removed that we might be altogether one, if the two Kingdomes ſhould …; for I dare ſay, not the greateſt Kingdome in the Earth can prejudice both, ſo much as one of them may doe the other.
I will forbeare at this time to ſpeake of the many jealouſies I heare are ſuggeſted, for as I doe not love them, ſo I delight not to mention them, onelyonly one I cannot forbeare to ſpeake of, as if the Kingdome of Scotland were too much affected with the Kings intereſt. I will not deny but the Kingdome of Scotland, by reaſon of the Raigne of many Kings his Progenitors over them, hath a naturall affection to his Majeſty, whereby they wiſh he may be rather reformed then ruined; yet experience may tell, their perſonall regard to him has never made them forget that common Rule, The ſafety of the People is the Supreame Law. So likewiſe their love to Monarchy makes them very deſirous that it may be rathe… regulated than deſtroyed, which I hope I need not to mention further to your Lordſhips, who, I truſt are of the ſame minde.
I know likewiſe there are many jealouſies and unjuſt aſperſions caſt upon our Armies in England and Ireland, I can, if it were needfull, preſently produce heads of a Declaration intended by the Army in England, for vindicating themſelves from ſuch injuries, and ſhewing the clearneſſe of their reſolutions and integrity, both in the Cauſe, and towards this Kingdome, wherein their undertakings and comming in at ſuch a ſeaſon of the yeare, their hard ſufferings, and conſtant endeavours ſince may be ſufficient teſtimonies. Therefore I am the more bold to deſire your Lordſhips, that ſo long as they ſtay in England (which I wiſh may be for a ſhort time) they may be ſupplyed with ſome monies, and their Quarters enlarged, leaſt their lying in too narrow Quarters make the burthen inſupportable to that exhauſted corner of the Country where they now remaine, and ſo beget outcries againſt them, when they are not able to diſcharge their Quarters, as other Armies within the Kingdome.
As for the Army in Ireland, I have been an eye witneſſe to their ſufferings, and ſo may ſpeake of it likewiſe upon certaine knowledge, That never men have ſuffered greater hardſhips who might have been provided, for they have lived many times upon a few Beanes meaſured out to them by number, and never had any other drinke but Water. And when they were in ſome better condition, they had but an Iriſh peck of rough Oates for a whole weeke. And now at their beſt condition, when they are quartered upon the Country (which is able to entertaine them only for a very ſhort time) they have only an Iriſh peck of Oatmeale, or a ſhilling in the ten daies, both for meat and drink. Therefore according to the many deſires given in to the Honourable Houſes for that end, I humbly entreat that your Lordſhips will take care to provide for them, ſo long as it is thought fit they remaine in that Kingdome.
For a renewed teſtimony of our earneſt deſires to comply with the Honourable Houſes for ſetling the peace of theſe Kingdoms ſo much longed for, we doe returne unto your Lordſhips the Propoſitions of Peace (which we received on Tueſday laſt) with our conſent thereunto, wiſhing they may be haſted to his Majeſty, who hath ſo often called for them. And I likewiſe offer to your Lordſhips the Copy of his Majeſties Letter to my Lord of Ormond, diſcharging him from any further medling in any Treaty with the Rebels in Ireland, I hope in order to his Majeſties further condeſcending to the ſetling of that Propoſition concerning Ireland, and the reſt of the Propoſitions now to be ſent unto him. Another Paper there is which concernes the ſupplying of the Scottiſh Armies in England and Ireland, and the perfecting of the Accompts between the Kingdoms, together with a Letter from Generall Monro to the Committee of Eſtates of the Kingdome of Scotland, concerning the ſtate of affaires in Ireland. All which when your Lordſhips have conſidered, I truſt you will take ſuch courſe therein as may ſatisfie our juſt deſires, may put an end to our preſent troubles, and ſettle theſe Kingdomes in a happy peace.
A Paper delivered in from the Commiſſioners of Scotland concerning the PROPOSITIONS.
IT is a twelve monethmonth ſince we did earneſtly preſſe the ſending of Propoſitions to the King for a ſafe and well-grounded Peace; In anſwer whereunto the Honourable Houſes were pleaſed to acquaint us, That they had reſolved Propoſitions ſhould be ſent to his Majeſty, but did intend to make ſome alterations in the former Propoſitions, and after eight or nine moneths deliberation, we received from the Honourable Houſes ſome of thoſe Propoſitions; and though we did finde therein very materiall additions, alterations, and omiſſions, which for their great importance, and the intereſt of the Kingdome of Scotland therein, might very well have required the delay of an Anſwer untill the Eſtates of that Kingdome had been conſullted; yet ſo unwilling were we to retard the meanes of Peace, that in a fortnights time we returned an Anſwer upon the whole Propoſitions; and the Houſes of Parliament not reſting ſatisfied therewith, in leſſe than ten daies we prepared a further Anſwer; wherein we did very much comply with the deſires of the Honourable Houſes, eſpecially in the matter of ſetling the Militia of England, and Ireland, and in other things did ſhew our readineſſe to heare, or propoſe ſuch expedients as might determine any differencer, ſo that in a whole yeares time the Propoſitions have not remained in our hands the ſpace of foure weekes, which we onelyonly mention to cleare our proceedings from miſtakes and aſperſions; and the Houſes having now after two moneths farther deliberation delivered unto us upon the 23. of this inſtant June, all the Propoſitions they intend to ſend to the King at this time; We doe, without any delay, returne ſuch an Anſwer and reſolution thereupon, as will be unto the preſent and future Generations, one undeniable teſtimony (beſides many others) of the integrity and faithfulneſſe of the Kingdome of Scotland in their ſolemn League and Covenant, of their love to Peace, and earneſt deſire to ſatisfie their Brethren of England in thoſe things which concerne the good and Government of this Kingdome; being further reſolved touching the Kingdome of Scotland, That as nothing of ſingle or ſole concernment to that Nation did engage them in this Warre, ſo nothing of that nature ſhall continue the ſame. Although theſe Propoſitions now to be ſent doe much differ from the Propoſitons formerly agreed upon by the Parliament of both Kingdomes, and the moſt materiall additions, omiſſions, and alterations are in ſuch particulars as concerne the joynt intereſt, and mutuall conſidered and … of both Kingdomes, which were as we conceive much better provided for, and ſtrengthned by the former Propoſitions him by theſe. Although the particular Propoſitions preſented by Ʋs, concerning the Kingdome of Scotland are not yet agreed unto by the Houſes of Parliament, as was offered in their Papers of the tenth of Aprill. Although divers Propoſitions of joynt concernment be now ſuper… ded, and the ſending of them delayed to a more covenient time, as is … preſſed in the Votes of both Houſes of the twenty ſixth of March; and … though (which is to us more than all the reſt) thoſe Ordinances of Parliament unto which the fifth and ſixth Propoſitions doe relate, (and were therefore communicated unto Ʋs upon our deſire to ſee what the Houſes had already agreed upon concerning Religion) doe not containe the eſtabliſhment of ſuch a Reformation of Religion, and uniformity as was expected, and was the chiefe end of our engagement in this Warre; and as all theſe Ordinances put together come ſhort of what we wiſhed, ſo there are ſome particulars which we conceive to be inconſiſtent with the Word of God, and the example of the beſt reformed Churches, and therefore cannot in our conſciences conſent unto them; which particulars were expreſſed to both Houſes in the Remonſtrance of the Commiſſioners of the Church of Scotland of the date, March 26. 1646. Yet nevertheleſſe we doe ſo earneſtly deſire, and ſo highly value the eaſing of the heavy Preſſures under which both Kingdomes groane, and the bringing of this bloudy laſting warre to a ſpeedy and happy …nd, conſidering with-all that not onelyonly the Booke of Common Prayer, and the Prelaticall Government are aboliſhed, and a Common Directory of Worſhip eſtabliſhed in both Kingdomes, but that likewiſe the Ordinances afore mentioned doe containe divers Parts of a Poſitive Reformation, and uniformity in Church-Government, unto which we formerly gave our conſent in our anſwer upon the whole Propoſitions of Peace, of the 20. of April, and for ſo happy beginning, and ſo good a foundation laid for the future, we heartily thanke God, and doe acknowledge the Zeale, Piety, and Wiſedome of the Honourable Houſes therein, remembring alſo that thoſe Ordinances doe not containe the whole moddell of Church-Government, and that the Houſes had been pleaſed to expreſſe [that it cannot be expected that a perfect Rule in every particular ſhould be ſetled all at once, but that there will be need of ſuppliments, and additions, and happily of alterations in ſome things, as experience ſhall bring to light the neceſſity thereof] upon theſe Conſiderations as we doe cheerfully conſent to many materiall Parts of theſe Propoſitions, ſo we Reſolve to make no let, but to give way to the ſending of ſuch other particulars therein contained, with which we are unſatisfied in the matters for the Reaſons formerly Repreſented to both Houſes, of which ſome ſtill ſtand in force, though others of them be taken away by the new expedients, it being alwaies underſtood that our not Diſſenting from, nor our oppoſing of the ſending of the Propoſitions as they now ſtand, ſhall be no prejudice nor impediment to all or any one of the Articles of the Solemne League and Covenant, eſpecially to the firſt Article, concerning the preſervation of the Reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland in Doctrine, Worſhip, Diſcipline, and Government, againſt our common enemies, the Reformation of Religion in the Kingdomes of England and Ireland in Doctrine, Worſhip, Diſcipline, and Government, according to the Word of God, and example of the beſt Reformed Churches, and the bringing of the Churches of God in the three Kingdomes to the neareſt conjunction and uniformity in Religion, Confeſſion of Faith, forme of Church-Government, Directory for Worſhip, and Catechiſing; which thing both Kingdomes are by Covenant obliged ſincerely and really to endeavour, and that not for a time, but conſtantly, ſo that neither of the Kingdomes can be looſed or acquitted from the moſt ſtrait and ſolemne obligation of their continued and conſtant endeavouring theſe good ends ſo farre as any of them is not yet attained, it being alſo underſtood that our concurrence to the ſending of the Propoſitions ſhall be without prejudice to any Agreement or Treaty between the Kingdomes, and ſhall not infringe any engagement made to the Kingdom of Scotland, nor be any hinderance to our inſiſting upon the other Propoſitions already made knowne to the Houſes; and it being underſtood that it is not our Judgement that every particular and circumſtance of th…ſe Propoſitions is of ſo great importance to theſe Kingdomes, as Peace and Warre ſhould depend thereupon.
Ʋpon theſe grounds which we make knowne only for clearing our conſciences, and for diſcharging Our ſelves in the truſt put upon us, without the leaſt thought of retarding the ſo much longed for Peace; We condiſcend and agree that the Propoſitions as they are now reſolved upon be in the name of both Kingdomes preſented to the King, whoſe heart we beſeech the Lord wholly to incline to the Councels of Truth and Peace.
June 25. 1646.
Die Veneris 26. Iunii, 1646.
ORdered by the Lords in Parliament Aſſembled, that the Marqueſſe of Argyles Speech, with the Paper concerning the Propoſitions be forthwith printed and publiſhed.
John Brown Cler. Parliamentorum.
And at the ſame time with the foreſaid Paper there was another Paper delivered in unto the Parliament, being a Letter from his Majeſty to the Marqueſſe of Ormond, in Ireland, diſcharging all further Treaty with the Iriſh Rebels (for thus now bleſſed be God, His Majeſty was pleaſed to terme them, not Catholike Subjects, as formerly) and this being a buſineſſe of ſo high and eminent concernment, I have here alſo thought fit to give the Reader a Copy thereof, which was as followes.
CHARLES. REX.
His Majeſties Letter to the Marqueſſe of Ormond.RIght truſty, &c. Having long with much griefe looked upon the ſad condition which our Kingdom of Ireland hath bin in theſe divers years through the wicked and deſperate Rebellion there, and the bloody effects which have enſued thereupon, for the ſettling whereof we would have wholly applyed our ſelves, if the difference betwixt us and our ſubjects here had not diverted and withdrawne us, and not having bin able by force (for that reſpect) to reduce them, we were necesſitated for the preſent ſafety of our Proteſtant ſubjects there, to give you power and authority to treat with them, upon ſuch pious, honourable, and ſafe grounds as the good of that our Kingdome did then require, But for many reaſons too long for a Letter, We thinke fit to require you to proceede no farther in Treaty with the Rebells, nor to engage us upon any conditions with them after ſight hereof, And having formerly …ound ſuch Reall proofes of your ready obedience to our commands, We doubt not of your care in this; wherein our ſervice and the good of the Proteſtant ſubjects in Ireland, is ſo much con…erned.
From New-Caſtle the 11. of June, 1646.
The Propoſitions for Peace ſent to the King.And upon the 29. of this inſtant June, the Lords and Commons in Parliament held a ſerious debate and Conſultation about the the time, and perſons by whom to ſend away the Propoſitions for a happy Peace among us (which now they had quite finiſhed, and as was forementioned our Deare Brethren of Scotland had fully and fairely aſſented unto) for his Majeſty to ſign and confirm unto us. And now all theſe late and laſt admirable paſſ…ges of Divine provicence thus ſweetly and amiably concurring to make us a moſt happy (o-that they may make us a moſt holy) people by our gracious and gratefull improvement of them to the beſt advantage of Gods glory and our beſt good both for Soule and body, I will now moſt joyfully and thankfully cloſe up all with that of the bleſſed Prophet David, Pſal. 30 11, 12that ſacred and ſugred Singer of Iſrael. Thou O Lord, haſt, for us, turned our mourning into Dancing; thou haſt put off our Sackcloth, and girded as with gladneſſe. To the end that our Glory may Sing praiſe to thee, and not be ſilent; O Lord our God we will therefore give thankes to thee for ever and ever.
And thus, I a poore weake and moſt unworthie inſtrument, the meaneſt, I ſay and moſt unable of many thouſands, having now, by the good hand and helpe of Divine providence, even by the only ayde and aſſiſtance of the Lord my good God, led you on (my Deare Chriſtian brethren) thus farre in the full and faire view and peruſall of this ſo famous and renowned hiſtorie (though I confeſſe in a very plaine and unpoliſht ſtyle) and in the moſt bleſſed and beautifull ſight of this admirable and amiable wonder of the Burning-Buſh, Ehen-Ezer.hitherto Ʋnconſ…med, yea, hitherto, I ſay, even moſt miraculouſly proſpered & preſerved even to a ſtrongly hoped period of our bloody wars, and happy enjoyment of ſweet and precious Peace, I ſay, if now at laſt Pride & wanton ingratitude to God and men (I mean mainly, our Loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland) cut us not ſhort therof in the haven of our hoped happineſſe: not withſtanding all the moſt violent flames of malice, and virulent furie of unreaſonable and outragious men, yea of ſuch Epheſian Beaſts as the holy Apoſtle Paul was forced to fight with for the vindication of his great Maſters immaculate Cauſe, unſported Truth: what ſhall I ſay more unto you all, my deare Brethren, the honeſt and happy Readers of this honourable Hiſtory, the bleſſed eye-witneſſes, and poſſeſſors of all theſe rich and rare forementioned mercies?The ſummary uſe of all. I will now moſt thankfully ſhut up all with a word or two (and but a briefe word or two) as having in all my former parts of this Parliamentary Chroni…le ſaid ſo much already in this kinde) of Chriſtian Caution, Caution and Exhortation.and Exhortation to you all in generall, as to mine owne ſoule in particular; Firſt then, hath our good God out of his meere merciemercy and free favour and grace in Chriſt Jeſus onelyonly,1 Caution. been ſo bountifull unto us, a ſinfull Nation, as thus to load us with his love, even then when we have been loading him with our ſins and provocations? Hath he thus remembred us in our low eſtate, as not onelyonly to let us be, as at this day, a Nation, a People; but a beloved Nation, yea even as it were a people deſired? Hath the Lord not onelyonly given us our lives as a prey unto us, but alſo given our cruell-hearted and bloudy-minded enemies, as bread for us to eate and devour? And,Zechar. 10. 5. herein fulfilled and made good his Word and Promiſe to his people; That they ſhall be as mighty men which tread downe their Enemies in the mire of the ſtreets, in the battaile, and that they ſhall fight becauſe the Lord is with them, and that the Riders on Horſes ſhall be confounded; Hath the Lord, I ſay, done all this for us to the full, and yet ſhall we ſtill goe on to breake his Commandements, Ezra 9. 6.and ſay in our hearts, we are delivered to doe all kinde of wickedneſſe and abhomination? Would not the Lord then be very angry with us, till he had conſumed us, ſo that there ſhould be no remnant, no aeſcaping for us? Should we not thus too juſtly cauſe that complaint of Moſes againſt the Children of Iſrael, to come fully againſt us.Deut 32. 6. Doe you thus requite the Lord, O fooliſh and unwiſe? O what will all our Victories and ſucceſſes availe us, and what a moſt miſerable Conqueſt will it be u…to us that all our Kingdomes enemies are conquered unto us; if our own Souls, if our own Conſciences be conquered and led captive at the Devills will, by our inbred baſe luſts, and unconquered corruptions? O will not theſe, thinke you, gangrene our ſoules and bodies too, and bring upon us a farre worſe and Epidemicall deſtruction both to our bodies and ſoules; yea, I ſay, to our whole Kingdome and Eſtates,Ier. 37. 10. and make our late v…nquiſhed enemies, though thus ſmitten, weake and wounded, to he raiſed up againe againſt us (as the Lord threatned by the Prophet) if we ſecurely and rebelliouſly retaine our old ſins and tranſgreſſions againſt him? O let us then moſt ſeriouſly, yea, I ſay, frequently and ſervently thinke upon that known Caution of our moſt bleſſed Saviour himſelfe, to the Lame man whom he had healed of an old infirmity,Iohn 5. 14. Sinne no more, leaſt a worſe thing come unto thee; leaſt having been clenſed from our former old Jeſuiticall and Prelaticall tyrannies over our ſoules and conſciences, and Monarchicall Arbitrary oppreſſions and vexation… over our Eſtates and Liberties; leſt I ſay, being healed and diſpoſſeſſed of theſe Devils incarnate, we grow ſupine and careleſſe, yea ungratefull and graceleſſe,Mat. 12. 45. and ſo God ſuffer thoſe Satans to returne, who finding all both in Chu…ch and State ſwept and garniſht with ſecurity and impiety, they enter againe into our hearts and houſes, with ſeven other Devils worſe (if poſſible) than themſelves, and then our laſt condition prove farre worſe than the former.
Let us therefore for this purpoſe,2 Exhortation remember our late ſolemne Covenant to our God (whatſoever any prophane Eſaus, and Sons of Belial: or decei…full hearted Sons of Schi… and S…tion impiouſly be…ch or broa…h againſt it) of a Nation…ll and Perſonall Reformation; Reformation both Nationall and perſonall.and let us now deale ſeriouſly (as then we ſeemed to promiſe) and be in good earneſt with our God, in a ſpeedy and effectuall building of his Houſe after the cleareſt Scripture manner, a…d with the pureſt Reformed Churches of the world.Building of Gods houſe. O therefore, that our renowned Parliament would ſeriouſly and ſincerely doe ſomething herein, eſpecially for the purging of Gods Houſe, at this time,Schiſme and Errour petitioned againſt. from dangerous and damnable Errours, Schiſmes and blaſphemous Opinions of too audacious and moſt impudent Sectaries, who (if not timely and truly removed) will, like mortiferous gangreenes,The danger of it briefly deſcribed. indeed, prodigiouſly ulcerate, and moſt peſtilentially vulnerate, even to the very heart, the whole Body of Church and State; for indeed, no diſeaſe is ſo dangerous both to ſoule and body as that in Religion, which infects the ſoule, and offends God moſt of all;The building of Gods houſe petitioned. Errour (I ſay) obſtinate Errour being that ſtiffenecked Strumpet which moſt odiouſly adulterates the Marriage-bed of Faith, and cauſes the moſt dangerous divorce twixt Chriſt and his Spouſe, Heſt. 6. 3.the Soule. O therefore I ſay, that our moſt worthy Parliamentary Patriots, the Kingdomes able Phiſitians, would ſeaſonably and ſeriouſly ſet upon this great cure, by ſetling a Church-Government among us, according to the tenour of our holy League and ſacred Covenant; O that theſe our moſt renowned Parliamentary Scaligers, having made that honeſt, righteous, and juſt objection or ſcrutinie among themſelves, which Heathen Ahaſuerus made to himſelfe and his Nobles, touching noble and welldeſerving Mordecay. But what honour and dignitie hath been done for him? So they, but what extraordinary thing, what due dignity and honour have we done for our beſt-deſerving good God, that hath ſo admirably haſtned to build the Houſe of our State and Kingdome? And would now thereupon ſeriouſly haſten effectually to build his Houſe, The great fault and …ayling of theſe times.and (caſting away with true Chriſtian courage and confidence all curſed carnall pleas, and graceleſſe and groundleſſe falſe feares) truſt God with the iſſues and effects, as all-ſufficient to patronage and protect his owne acceptable worke (as this unqueſtionably is) maugre the mal…ce of malignant or fraudulent oppoſers whomſoever.
Now what reaſons they have hereunto, yea what grounds and encouragements beyond expreſſion, they have extraordinarily to ſtimulate and ſtir up their hearts to this ſo noble and renowned a worke, who (certainly) ſees not, Who wilfully and wickedly blindes not his eyes? Yet notwithſtanding, a little more (now at laſt) to rub up their memories,Scripture Eye-ſalve. and cleare up the eyes of my Chriſtian Brethren with a little Scripture-collyrium, or Eye-ſalve of evidences; I ſhall deſire the godly Reader, with pious patience, ſeriouſly to conſider and peruſe theſe few following▪ 2 Chron. 16. 9 Gods eye of providence over us.Textuall teſtimonies. Firſt, have not the eyes of the Lord (ever ſince this Parliament began) in a moſt eminent and evident manner) run too and fro, throughout England, Scotland, and Ireland; yea, and into France and Denmarke too, to preſerve us, and to prevent our enemies intended miſchiefes againſt us, and thus, ſhewne himſelfe moſt ſtrong and moſt wiſe in the behalfe of them (though a ſmall remnant in England, Scotland, and Ireland) whoſe hearts were perfect toward him? Hath not the Lord (as he promiſed by the Prophet) turned our daies of faſting, Zeche. 8. 1…. Our Faſts turned into Feaſts.and of humiliation, into daies of feaſting and congratulation; even the faſt of our firſt Month and Yeare, and the faſt of our fourth and fifth month and yeare as I may ſay, to be to us his Engliſh Judah, joy and gladneſſe, and cheerfull feaſts and times of great and glorious Thanksgivings; O therefore, O therefore I ſay, That we would cordially and conſtantly love the Truth and Peace. Againe, hath not the Lord made good that good word of his unto us,Num. 23. 13. and have we not all ſeene, and found, and felt to our unexpreſſible joy and comfort, that certainly there could be no enchantment againſt Gods Jacob, No enchanment or Divination againſt Gods Iſraell.nor any Divination againſt his Iſraelites (and who are they but princely prevailers, in Prayer, and ſacred ſupplanters of ſinfull enormities, ſome gleanings of both which ſorts, by Chriſt who hath ſtrengthened them, I doubt not but God hath found amongſt us) for, even according to theſe times it may juſtly be ſaid of Jacob and Iſrael, (of England and Scotland) what and how many admirable things hath God wrought for us,Iſa 54. 17. not ſuffering any weapon that was formed againſt us to proſper,No weapon formed againſt us hath pro… pered. and graciouſly condemning every tongue that roſe up in raſh and wrathfull judgement againſt us. Nay, and hath not the Lord, againe, on the other ſide, made good his faithfull promiſe to us his people, excellently ſet forth by holy Jeremy; that all they that thirſted to devoure us, are themſelves devoured,Jer. 30. 16, 17. Our devourers are devoured, and our ſpoyler… are ſpoyled. and all our adverſaries, even every one of them have taſted miſery; and they that ſpoiled us are ſpoiled, and all (for the moſt part) that preyed upon us, the Lord hath given as a prey unto us; but, hath mercifully (as the Prophet there excellently and moſt pertinently to our purpoſe, and caſe & condition goes on) reſtored health unto us, and graciouſly healed us of our formerly felt and feared wounds; the enemy having called and counted us out-caſts. (even Traitors and Rebels) ſaying in ſcorne and deriſion of us, This is Sion, (theſe are the faſting and Praying Round-heads) whom no man ſeeketh after, but to deride and ruinate them.Ezekiel 20. 38 The rega… Rebels purged out of the Kingdome. Againe, hath not the Lord according to his yet further moſt faithfull promiſe, by his holy Prophet Ezekiel, purged out from among us the Rebels indeed, both Engliſh, Iriſh, French, and Germane Rebels, who ſorely tranſgreſſed againſt our God; and hath forced them forth out of our Country and Kingdome, where they ſojourned (witneſſe Windebanke, Finch, Newcaſtle, Goring, both Father and Sonne, Jermine, Digby, Langdale, and the reſt) and God would not let them enter into, nor abide in our now moſt hopefull Land of reſt and peace:Iſay 66. 5. yea,The Royaliſts impious hypocriſie unmaſked. hath not the Lord (as he further ſaid of them by pious Iſaiah) accordingly made it good unto us? Your Brethren (the Royaliſts) that hated you, and ſtrugled and ſtrove to caſt you out, and pretending (but moſt falſly) that it was for my names ſake, deceitfully ſaid, Let the Lord be glorified; but this our wiſe, our righteous and good God hath contrariwiſe appeared unto our joy, and they themſelves are confounded and aſham'd. All this, I ſay, the Lord hath done for us; all theſe ample and admirable teſtimonies we have ſeene and found to aſſure us that God is with us,Great encouragements for Gods Children. and therefore we ought wonderfully to be confirmed and encouraged againſt whatſoever men or Devils can doe againſt us; wherefore from all theſe p…evalent premiſes on our enemies, and precious promiſes made good to us,Iob 5. 27. Marke this O England. we may juſtly ſay with holy Job; Lo, thus we have ſearched and ſeene; ſo it is, heare it (O England) and know thou it for thy good. The Lord is wiſe in heart, and mighty in ſtrength; who ever hardned himſelfe againſt him and hath proſpered?Iſa 19. 11, 12, 13, 14. None certainly,A true deſcription of the Kings Counſellours. for as the Prophet Iſaiah excellently to this purpoſe, ſurely the Princes and Grandees of the world, even carnall and Atheiſticall machivillian Statiſts are very fooles, and the counſell of ſuch wifeſt Counſellours is but baſe and brutiſh; for (as he goes on admirably) how ſay yee of Pharaah (ſo I of Briſtoll, Cottington, and Digby) I am the Sonne of the wiſe, the Sonne of ancient Princes and Peeres: But where are they now? Where are thoſe wiſe men? What's become of their craftieſt curſed Counſell? hence therefore we may clearly conclude with Jethro, Exod. 18. 11.Moſes Father in Law, and with him ſay moſt certainly, Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods, than all the moſt potent and politicke Peeres and Potentates of the world, for in thoſe very things wherein they dealt moſt proudly,Iſa 51. 12, 13. and lifted up themſelves moſt ſuperciliouſly,A juſt objurgation, and too t…ue taxation on all. he hath admirably all along been ſtill above them; Give me leave now therefore in a word or two for concluſion, to ſpeake plainely to any, to all of what ranke, order, or condition ſoever they be; Who art thou (O cowardly, carnall man, ſo leaning on the arme of Fleſh, and conſulting with meere carnall reaſon) that thou ſhouldeſt ſtill notwithſtanding all that hath been done, and ſaid, and ſeene be afraid of man that ſhall dye; yea, thus dye (as thou haſt, heard and ſeene) with ſhame and obloquie; or that thou ſhould…t dread any Sonne of Man which ſhall be made as Graſſe? And forgetteſt the Lord thy God and Maker, and haſt manifeſted too evidently that thou feareſt continually every day with ſtrange puſilanimity, unchriſtianly cowardice, fond and falſe feares and imaginary conceited Chimera's; and all this forſooth becauſe of the furie of the oppreſſour, as if he were ready to devoure and deſtroy, and yet (ſaith the Lord unto thee) where is the furie of the oppreſſour?Pſal. …6. 7, 10 An exhortation to Chriſtian courage and godly reſolution. what's become of all his braggs and boaſtings, even to this day? O let us then put on Princely Davids Chriſtian courage and reſolution, and feare and confide in the Lord alone, and with his invincible magnanimity of ſoule and ſpirit ſay, and ſay moſt juſtly, Thou, even thou alone, O Lord, art to be feared; for, who may ſtand in thy ſight when thou art angry? For thou haſt made the wrath of man (as it is at this day) to praiſe thee, and the remainder of his wrath thou haſt wonderfully reſtrained, as is moſt evident to all … eyes and underſtanding. O therefore I ſay, againe and againe to our Honourable Parliament, and reverend▪ Aſſembly, to the noble City of London, and our famous Army, ſince we have ſeene with our eyes,Exod. 19. 4, 5. as well as by the hearing of our eares, what the Lord our God hath done to our unreaſonable and incorrigible enemies on the one ſide; and how he hath moſt graciouſly borne us, as it were on Eagles wings, and brought us (in his infinite meere mercy) thus neare unto himſelfe; on the other ſide.Breake off from ſinne. O therefore I ſay to my ſelfe; to all; O that we would now at length obey his voice indeed, O that we would now break off from our provoking ſinnes, and moſt ſeriouſly break our hearts for our ſinnes, with that godly ſorrow which is unto Repentance never to be repented of: And that we would cordially▪ and conſcientiouſly remember and keepe our ſolemne … Covenant made with our God,Remember our Covenant. and with one another; and with a ſpeedy and pious reſolution would pay our vowes,B…ld Gods Houſe. eſpecially that, to build up Gods Houſe, to ſet up a Church-Government moſt ſubſtantially; that is, as neare as may be in a Scripturall Modell, Love our Brethren of Scotland.and therein lovingly to joyne with our moſt loving Brethren of Scotland, moſt worthy perpetually to be embraced by us, with all due expreſſions of moſt cordiall love and endleſſe amity;Our Brethren of Scotland were the main meane; of procuring this preſent Parliament. Exod. 19. 5. as having been (under God) the maine meanes, if not, onelyonly inſtruments of purchaſing and procuring for us this preſent precious Parliament; and ſo conſequently, of all our had and hoped happineſſe: and let us for ſhame, oh for foule ſhame let us leave off our unchriſtian, our ungratefull, our ungracious biting of them, and ſnarling at one another; thankfully and religiouſly labouring to keepe the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and pure Love; for then, oh then, and not till then the Lord will certainly make us a peculiar Treaſure to himſelfe, above all the people of the world. To this, ſay Amen, O Lord, I pray thee, by the worke of thy Spirit of Grace in Chriſt Jeſus; and let All that read and heare it together with Me, from the bottome and root of their hearts and ſoules, ſay unto it, Amen, and Amen.