A Cordial Confection to Strengthen the Heart, Discourse (1 of 3)
A CORDIAL CONFECTION Againſt the fainting of the Heart in theſe diſtracted times: BEING The true Copy of an Epiſtolary Diſcourſe, written occaſionally by Major George Wither to Mr. R.H. Merchant, in relation to the hazardous unſettlement of this Commonwealth, by the late diſſolving of the Parliament, October 13. 1659. and compoſed the 24 day of the ſame October.
Pſam 39. and Job 32.
I ſaid, I would keep my mouth with a Bridle, while the wicked are before me; I held my peace, even from good, till my ſorrow was ſtirred, and till my heart was hot within me; and then my muſings burned within me, and I ſpake with my tongue. Hear me, therefore: for (as Job 32.) I will neither accept any mans perſon, nor will I flatter; leſt my Maker take me away ſuddainly.
SIR,
I Have learned, that, he who, judges a matter before he hears it, is culpable of that Folly, which makes him liable to ſhame: Therefore, when you lately demanded my Judgement concerning the Armies diſſolving the Parliament, on Thurſday laſt was ſennight, and what Conſequences I thought would probably enſue, I told you, That I would not anſwer to thoſe Queſtions, until I heard what Reaſons they themſelves alleaged for their Juſtification, and what proſecutions they thereupon intended; neither of which, being to me known, I am not warranted to declare my opinion in relation to thoſe Demands; nor have I ſo high a conceit of my own Judgment, as to think I ſhall then be able to give a ſatisfactory anſwer: For, though I rightly pre-conjectured of many things heretofore, upon foregoing ſymptomes, which made it eaſie enough for any rational man to diſcern their Conſequences, without an extraordinary Revelation; yet my fore-ſight, at this time, is very dimme, as to conjecturing what that Action will produce; and, it will require a Metaphyſical Apocalypſis.
Nevertheleſs, leſt, before that ſhall be divulged by the Army, whereon rational Conjectures and Concluſions may be grounded (for, I pretend no higher) the Common-peace, or your private Tranquillity may be diſturbed, by things feared or proſecuted, the mean while; I will hereby, give you an Accompt, upon what conſiderations I keep my own heart quiet, and from rendring thoſe things worſe, by prejudicacy, which I cannot make better by cenſuring what is acted or purpoſed beyond my sphere, how irregular or unwarrantable ſoever they do appear. This moderation, I think my duty binds me unto, until I know certainly upon what Principles, or upon what Neceſſities, they are voluntarily executed, or unwillingly conſtrained; eſpecially when they are done by perſons, who have conſiderable Intereſts to hazard, and a repute of being conſcientious, rational, moral, pious and prudent men; and more eſpecially, in ſuch prevaricating times as theſe, wherein the ſincerity of ſome, and the Hypocriſies and Apoſtacies of others, do, as it were, compel GOD and Men to diſpenſe with their ordinary Laws; and when ancient Foundations, are made deſtructive to thoſe ends for which they were firſt ordained; even to be hinderances to the injoyment of humane ſociety, to the true worſhip of GOD, and to the ſafety of the people, through the petulancy, or arrogance, of ſome in power, who, by their adding of unſound Principles, or perverting of thoſe which are ſound, for a wrong uſe; or, by diſguiſing their Form, with unbeſeeming dawbings, or by raiſing upon them burdenſome Superſtructures; do employ themſelves for their private advantage, in patching, pulling down, and re-building, as their ſelf-intereſts incline them, though it be to the overthrowing or endangering, of their well and ſafe being, for whoſe ſakes onelyonly, thoſe Foundations were laid.
What induced them thereto, who were Actors in the late Innovation; or what they now deſigne to proſecute, and by what Rules or Means they hope to accompliſh it, we ſhall know when GOD and they pleaſe, if it be known to themſelves, whereof I am ſomewhat doubtful: But, whether they have done raſhly or adviſedly, warrantably or unwarrantably, the evident hazards wherein the Commonwealth is at this preſent, being made greater then they were, as well by the diſtractions which that Breach hath unhappily occaſioned, as by thoſe preceding it, (to the encouraging of Domeſtick and Forraign Adverſaries) obligeth every Lover of his Country to apply himſelf, rather to thoſe endeavourings which are healing, and may probably ſecure it from their malicious intendments, who unqueſtionably ſeek the total deſtruction thereof, then to contribute to thoſe miſchievous Deſignes, by weakning our ſelves, through dividing our Power, and waſting it in oppoſing thoſe who have been approved Friends to the ſame Cauſe which we own; and I hope will ſo continue, though they have wheeled about into an Extravagancy. For, it may be they have diſcovered ſome Stratagems, or Ambuſcadoes (not appearing to us) which may deſtroy them, and the peoples intereſt alſo, if not ſpeedily prevented; and thereupon conceived themſelves neceſſitated to that diverſion, and to proſecute a defence and ſettlement of the Common Cauſe, in another manner then heretofore, upon juſtifiable Conſiderations. If this be their Judgement in ſincerity (as the experience I have had of ſome of them, inclines me to hope) they are, at leaſt, excuſable, if not altogether Blameleſs: and, as our Affairs now ſtand, I think it ſafer to keep our Friends by palliating their failings, then to make them our enemies by Exasperations; though we have another way, whereby we may be ſafe, notwithſtanding the Army ſhould quite deſert us; as I ſhall demonſtrate unto you hereafter: But I will firſt expoſtulate, and offer to conſideration, ſome things concerning Them and us, which their late attempt hath occaſioned me to weigh in my own heart.
If it ſhall be objected, that they have heretofore been changeable, and do now again proceeed both contary to Order, and to their own Engagements, Declarations, Votes, Profeſſions and Reſolutions, thereby rendring many (even of their beſt Friends) to be jealous & doubtful of their ſincerity and conſtancy to that Cauſe which they have heretofore owned and vindicated; (which is true enough) An Anſwer in part, to that Objection, may be implyed toward the Extenuation thereof, by asking, what other Party, or Perſons impowred to ſerve the Publick in Place and Affairs of high Trust, hath not as much failed in like manner, and receded from former Votes and Reſolutions with connivence, when either they who ſhould have called them to an accompt for it, were as much guilty? or, when it could not be done without hazarding the Common Peace, in regard of the Delinquents power? Whether alſo it be not more agreeable to Juſtice, and a good Conſcience, to vary our Purpoſes, or counter-act to our former Engagements, then to proſecute them, when we find they will deſtroy that end, for which we firſt engaged? And whether we have not more cauſe to confide in thoſe without ſuſpect, who are changeable upon that ſcore, then in them who fooliſhly think it a point of honour, wilfully to perſevere in what they have promiſed, (right or wrong) though it be deſtructive to them unto whom their promiſes were made; yea, and to the Popular ſafety, againſt which no Promiſe or Engagement is obliging? What perſons intruſted have not been ſometimes inforced to mutability, either by emergent accidents, or by diſagreement among themſelves; or by the counter-actings, of thoſe to whom they were ſubordinate, or with whom they were co-ordinate, or by ſome other diſtinct power? But, though neither their Judgment, nor their Conſcience, nor a real neceſſity inclined the Officers of the Army, to what hath been lately done; but, that a Souldier-like Indignation, onelyonly provoked by the apprehenſion of ſome undeſerved affront or diſrespect, had raſhly tranſported them; yet, their and the publick interest are ſo complicated, that they being conſidered as men in whom humane infirmities are to be expected; and then, at this time, as (Cauſa ſine qua non) the perſons who have now the moſt viſible power of this Commonwealth in their hands; it would, at ſuch a Juncture of Affairs, evidence more madneſs (in my judgment) then prudence, not to comply with them in an amicable manner, to ſecure that which IS, rather then to deſtroy it, by quarrelling about that which IS NOT; and which was likely enough (as in effect it did) to have deſtroyed it Self, the Army, and many other, if it had much longer continued.
I will not defend any mans arregular actings, of whoſe Irregularities I know not the Motives; nor will I abſolutely condemn them: For, though it be my Principle, not wilfully to act contrary to Rule, becauſe, I never had Motive internally, nor warrant externally ſo to do by any compulſive neceſſity, or otherwiſe: Nevertheleſs, I know there have been heretofore, and that poſſibly there may be now and hereafter, (when the people of GOD are in extraordinary ſtreights) ſuch impulſes of ſpirit inducing other men at ſome times, to extraordinary Executions, that I dare not judge them to be performed with an evil conſcience, or without Divine approbation; becauſe I am not privy to the ſecret paſſages which are or may be betwixt GOD and the Proſecutors; and becauſe alſo, I finde, that the Holy-Ghoſt hath juſtified many in undertakings of that nature; as Phineas, Rahab, Jael, and others remembred in Holy Scripture; who were active, ſo repugnantly to common Rules of juſt proceeding, and to the literal ſence of Laws morally and ordinarily obliging; that, I ſhould have thought them worthy to have been condemned for Murther, Treaſon, Truce-breaking, and barbarouſly infringing the Law of Hospitality, if the Spirit of GOD had not by Sacred Writ, informed me, that thoſe Proſecutions, were effects of their Faith. The example which many do take from theſe aforenamed, to precipitate themſelves into the like actings, by a deluding Spirit working upon their Corruptions, who read the Scriptures with an unſanctified heart, is nevertheleſs to be carefully heeded and a voyded; and there are many Symptomes and concemitant Circumſtances obſervable (ſome of which I have enumerated in one of my private Addreſſes, heretofore made to Oliver late Protector upon occaſion offered) whereby, every man may diſcern infallibly, whether a good or an evil Spirit hath inclined him to ſuch undertakings: and I do believe, that there have been in theſe latter days, as well as heretofore, good cauſes why GOD ſhould vouchſafe extraordinary diſpenſations.
For, I have been an Eye-witneſs, (and according to my underſtanding, a diligent Obſerver of what GOD and Men have done in theſe latter times) by being conſtrained to reſide moſt part of my life, where Affairs of publick Concernment were managed; and was bound to that attendance, which gave opportunity to be aſſured of what I have heard and ſeen; as alſo, to be thereupon moved to publiſh Remembrances, bearing witneſs (for this, and for future Ages, as I believe) touching the Controverſies which GOD had with theſe Iſlands, during the Reigns of King Charles and his Father; with Memorials of the Prevarications that then were; of the Interchanges of Judgements and Mercies, whereby GOD viſited them; with timely Fore-warnings, of what hath ſince befallen that Family and theſe Nations, in many particulars, wherein GOD's Juſtice is evident, with what mind ſoever it was proſecuted by the Executioners thereof. I have likewiſe, for the moſt part, been continually Reſident, ever ſince the beginning of the Parliament laſt ſitting, and lately diſſolved, where I might and did, take notice of their moſt ſignal Tranſactions, (not without being made ſenſible of ſome of them.) I was perſonally known to the greateſt number of them (as likewiſe to very many of the following (onventions called Parliaments) and had ſo many occaſions to know them, that few private perſons of my degree hath had experimentally a more perfect cognizance, of what they were, or of what they did: And, I do profeſs, in the fear of GOD, that I conceived, the few right-principled and conſcientions men among them, were able to do ſo little good, and the reſt to act ſo much evil, that (as I have ſometimes publickly intimated) I expected nothing from them, but an encreaſe of Confuſions, likely to produce inevitable Deſtruction; until the late Reſtoration of the firſt Parliament: on whom, I for a while hoped GOD's extraordinary Mercy to them vouchſafed, might have ſo wrought, that it would have produced extraordinary good effects.
But, that miraculous Reſtoration, was forgotten ſo quickly, by too many of them, that it produced little of that fruit which was expected; though juſt proſecutions were (as I believe) ſeriouſly intented and endeavoured by ſome among them. Their needleſs neglect of common Juſtice to diſtreſſed Suppliants ready to periſh, and their groſs partiality was ſo apparent; their time ſo waſted by impertinencies; their proceedings otherwhile ſo ſlow, and another while ſo raſh; the Notions of ſome ſo metaphyſical, and of otherſome ſo meerly carnal; their Reſults ſo wavering or contradictory; interferings ſo frequent, and their puzlings ſo many, to the dayly enereaſe of private and publick Grievances, with ſmall redreſs of any; and the people ſo generally diſcontented to ſee their burthens multiplyed, without any regard of making good their Securities and Engagements: that obſerving all this, and ſeeing ſix moneths conſumed without effecting any thing conſiderable, in a time threatning ſo many dangers, and neceſſitating their endeavour to preſerve the good affection of their old Servants: I was confident (as appears by my Epiſtle at Randome, publiſhed ſix weeks before their diſſolution) that another Change would ſhortly follow, if they did not ſpeedily better improve their time, and ſeaſon their endeavours for the Publick, with Juſtice and more works of private Mercy. And I feared a worſe thing would have happened, though, that which is come to paſs, will be bad enough, if GOD be not more merciful then we deſerve.
And I am perſwaded, that a principal Cauſe of their late diſſolving, was their continual neglect of mingling ſome Acts of private Juſtice and Mercy, with their endeavour for the Publick, according to their Engagements made to thoſe, by whom they had been preſerved in their greateſt need and danger; which duty they ſlunk from, under a pretended Zeal to ſettle thoſe Affairs which required ſpeedy proſecution: whereas, it was well enough perceived, that they could finde many days and opportunities, to take into Conſideration many Petitions, which concerned Themſelves, their Relations and Favourites, who were not deſtructively grieved, even when the Commonwealths Preſſures were moſt conſiderable; not caring how thoſe ſores which pained the meaneſt Members of the Body, whom they repreſented, might poſſibly Gangrene at laſt, to the deſtroying of the Vital parts thereof. For, the Commonwealth conſiſts of Individuals; which being neglected one by one, brings on by degrees an unheeded Conſumption, and diſmembring of the whole. A Body Politick having no affections, cannot have Cognizance of its own, or other mens wants and hazards, but by the natural Faculties and Aff…ctions of the ſingle Members thereof: And doubtleſs, when GOD, who hath care of every private mans Oppreſſions, obſerved, that (notwithſtanding his late exemplary Mercy to them vouchſafed) no ſad Remonſtrances of poor men, deſtructively grieved and wronged by them and others, though often exhibited, and proſecuted, with no leſs importunities, then thoſe which prevailed with that unrighteous Judge, who neither feared GOD, nor cared for men, could move them to more conſideration then heretofore; but, that as formerly, private Petitions were ſtill excluded from week to week, and from monethmonth to monethmonth many years together, till great numbers of oppreſſed Petitioners were dead and undone: this, ſo provoked Divine Wrath (aggravated by the many pre-caveats which they had) that, when they ſhewed more diligence and reſolution, to ſecure themſelves, and the common Intereſts, then in ten times ſo many days formerly, GOD permitted what was then done, to be an occaſion of removing themſelves once again, out of the Throne; that, it may appear how invalid and unacceptable mens beſt endeavours are, when Juſtice and Mercy are groſly neglected Their vain excuſe by ſome of them alleaged, of wanting Time and Treaſure, to ſettle the Government, and ſupply the Commonwealths neceſſities, made them not excuſable: For, GOD, and I, and many other men, know, that much time, and great ſums of money were ſpent, which might have been better beſtowed, to preſerve ſome of them from ruine, to whom they had long owed it: And, they were put in minde, that the poor Widow, who made a Cake for the Prophet in his neceſſity, before ſhe provided one for her ſelf and her hungry Child (when there was ſcarce enough left to make another) had a miraculous ſupply of Oyl and Meal, for a reward: and ſo ſhould they have had, if their Faith and Charity had been but half ſo much as hers.
Of what would be the Event upon thoſe Failings, I fore-warned ſome of them, both in private, and publick, if not amended: which I now mention, rather to glorifie GOD's Juſtice, then to aggravate their Shame. And I do not thus plainly expreſs what I know of their former acting, becauſe I think you will keep it private (for I am content you communicate this Epiſtle to whom you pleaſe;) nor have I done it, becauſe I think their power is ſo annihilated that it will never be viſible again: For, I will not recant this, though they ſhould be reſtored; which (though unlikely) is not impoſſible: For, as well the Mercies as Judgements of GOD; are unſearchable, and His Mind no leſs difficult to be found out in the one, then in the other. His ways are not as mans ways, nor his thoughts as ours. If, as I believe (and know in my own particular he hath done) He reſtores to Grace loſt, many ſingle perſons, ſeveral times, why may I not hope, He will be as merciful to the Repr ſentative of three whole Nations, in vouchſafing a third Probation? If he would have ſpared five wicked Cities for the ſakes of ten rightcous men, why may I not believe, that he will reſtore a Parliament for the ſakes of ten righteous perſons, or a proportionable number thereto, if there be but ſo many among all the Members of that parliament, or in the Counties, Cities and Towns whom they repreſented? And why ſhould not I have the ſame belief concerning the Army, though they have now prevaricated, and many times heretofore? Verily I believe there are and were many righteous men Members of the late Parliament, and of this Army, who would have proſecuted the peoples Cauſe, in another manner, and to better effect, if the ſelf-mindedneſs of ſome other, had not obſtructed them; and I believe alſo, that the greateſt part of the Officers of the Army, whether that which they have lately done be altogether of GOD or not (or whether there be in it a Traiterous Deſigne againſt the Parliament contrived by ſome of their Chiefs) had a good intent;and as once many of the Iſraelites being called by Abſolom, under colour of a Vow to GOD, when he rebelled againſt his Father, did joyn unto the reſt in ſimplicity of heart, not conſcious of ought miſ-intended: ſo perhaps did they. If it indeed be ſo, their Seducers will ſpeed like Abſolom; and they who were ſeduced, will return obedience to them, unto whom their obedience is due, as the Iſraelites did to David; & our great hazard thereby occaſioned, will become a means of our greater ſafety; that which hath been obſtructed, will be carried on with leſs interruption; our Governours will better heed, what GOD's purpoſe was in that which he hath done for theſe Nations, and how they ought to have proceeded heretofore: which I heartily beſeech his Almighty Majeſty they may timely perform, that further effuſion of blood in a hoſtile way, may be prevented, and that he would be ſo merciful to every Party among us, now diſagreeing and divided from each other, that we may be made happy in a timely Reconciliation to Him, and to each other.
A main Cauſe of our Wandrings as it were in a Wilderneſs, (wherein we have been like ſo many Beaſts and Serpents to each other) and of GOD's bringing us as it were back again toward Egypt, when we were well onward in our way to the Land of Reſt, was the not underſtanding, or not regarding to obſerve and proſecute, what he intended; and our adhering to humane policy, rather then to Divine Indictions, like Jeroboam and Jehu, who when GOD gave unto them their Maſters Kingdomes, (with conditional promiſes, to ſettle them upon their poſterities) loſt them with diſhonour for their diſobedience and unthankfulneſs. And as thoſe two Kings truſted to their own Policy, ſo did our Parliaments and Protectors, though they were told upon what conditions the Kingdoms of their Maſters were conferred upon them: and they have added this to the reſt of their ſins, that they have endeavoured to improve GOD's Donations, another way and to another end, then was providentially intended, by that Decree of GOD, which was written in Red Letters at a Trial in his Martial Court, with points of Swords.
For, when that great Controverſie, which had depended many Ages betwixt this people and their Kings, concerning the uſurped Prerogatives of the One, and the Spiritual and Temporal Freedoms of the Other, which (laſt mentioned) are Rights ſo due to the People by the Laws of GOD and Nature, (though long uſurped) that none, there of make queſtion, but Tyrants and their Paraſites, or perſons of a bruitiſh, ſenſual and ſlaviſh Qualification: when (I ſay) thoſe Claims had been after ſeveral days of hearing (as it were) argued in the high places of the field, between the late King and that part of the People, who thought it more noble to be Free-men, then to have badges of their ſervility clapt upon them as Titles of Honour; when they had upon a joynt Appeal and a Trial by the Sword, according to the known Common Law of England, and the Law in force throughout all Nations, a Verdict at a Court from whence there is no further Appeal, (and when likewiſe, that Trial was paſt, and quiet poſſeſſion thereupon given to the Conquerors) Reaſon required proſecutions of another Nature then thoſe which were afterward begun and pretended, thereby to ſettle the people in a future enjoyment of their Liberties and ancient Rights: For, they ſhould immediately have repealed or altered all thoſe Laws, which had relation to a Tyrannical Government, and laid a new Foundation proper to the Popular Intereſt; yea (as the Gentiles heretofore, in like Caſe, uſed to conſult with their Apollo) they ſhould have conſulted the Oracle of GOD, and ſearched after ſuch Directions as He commanded his people the Iſraeiites, to follow, when he made them Conquerors of Canaan: which, would rightly have inſtructed them what courſe they ought to take. Among which Directions, thoſe that I remember as moſt conſiderable in our caſe, are to this effect: They were neither to ſerve their GODS, nor to obſerve their LAWS; nor make peace with thoſe among them, who ſhould adhere to their former Idolatries, and heatheniſh Cuſtomes; nor spare ſo many of them, (for politick ends, or through fooliſh pity) as might endanger their own ſafety; nor root them out all at once; nor permit any of their own Tribes to enjoy an inheritance there, who had not aſſiſted their Brethren in the Conqueſt; with ſuch like: which, if our Governours had heeded, and made uſe of ſo much of thoſe Cautions and Precepts as were pertinent to our obſervation and practice, doubtleſs our troubles had been ended long ago; or, at leaſt we ſhould not have had ſo many thorns in our ſides, as at this day we have.
Somewhat of this Nature, and to the like purpoſe, I offered to their conſideration, whom it concerned to take notice thereof, but with little or no regard; for, not remembring that but a while ſince, ſome of themſelves, then in power, were as inconſiderable perſons as I am, they were ſo elevated, that they thought it a diſparagement to take advice in ſuch matters, from ſo obſcure a perſon: yet, knowing my ſelf concerned in the Publick Welfare, I perſiſted in endeavouring what I thought pertinent thereto: And when Oliver Cromwel late Lord Protector had taken upon himſelf the Supreme Authority, (thereto providentially admitted both for his own Probation and our) I ſubmitted (according to my Principle grounded upon Divine Precepts) to that Power which was in being, and complyed with him in things tending to preſervation of the Commonwealth, in hope to inſinuate thereby, ſomewhat into his Conſideration, for Publick Advantage: And, becauſe, I had not ſuch a meaſure of the Spirit which reſted upon Elias, as might warrant me to ſay unto my Soveraign Prince, in plain terms, Thou art wicked, (when I ſaw him prevaricate from what he had profeſſed) yet I endeavoured, as Paul did to work upon King Agrippa, firſt, by publiſhing ſomewhat whereby I might preſerve and encreaſe a good opinion, without any ſor did flattery, (though ſome who miſunder ſtood my Poems, have conceived otherwiſe) and then I ſought by private Addreſſes, to ſcrew into him a ſerious Conſideration of his Duty, in many particulars relating to GOD, to the People, and to Himſelf; declaring boldly and plainly (not a little to my perſonal diſadvantage) that the power conferred upon him was not vouchſafed for his own ſake; but, that he might thereby glorifie GOD, and ſettle upon his People thoſe Rights, which were ſo anciently and naturally their due, that no Preſcription could be a juſt bar to their Claim. And though perhaps he ſurreptitiouſly and unjuſtly haſtned to get poſſeſſion of that power which GOD had deſigned him, (as Hazael did, after the Prophet of GOD had foretold him he ſhould be King) yet I perceiving, by his honourable new Title, and by other Circumſtances, that GOD had permitted a more abſolute Arbitrary Power to be devolved upon him, then any of our Kings ever had, becauſe without ſuch a Power, it was impoſſible for him to bring us to a perfect Settlement, (being ſo unſettled and divided as we then were, and yet are) I preſumed both to declare unto him, to what intent that exorbitant Power was permitted; how long he was to enjoy it; in what manner he ſhould thereby proceed; and what would follow if he employed it to any other end.
But, (before I had preſumed ſo far, or declared any thing, to the making ineffectual my good Intents, by ought which might be diſtaſtful) I then perceiving he took as little notice as the Parliament had done before their firſt Interruption, of that courſe which I tought pertinent to the introducing of a Righteous Government; and that he probably intended rather to eſtabliſh it for his own and his Poſterities advantage, then for the Peoples Accommodation, (or elſe, that he might trifle away the Opportunities then given, by proſecuting his own Deſignes until they were loſt.) I ſignified unto him in a Diſcourſe prepared in form of a Declaration to theſe Nations, how he might ſettle a Righteous Government (as I believed) with ſafety and honour, if he would engage himſelf to the People, by publiſhing a Remonſtrance to that effect for their ſatisfaction. This Overture being made at a time wherein his fears and hazards were very great: Though that Diſcourſe was very large, he with much ſeeming Contentment, heard me read it over to the laſt word; and then proteſted, according to his uſual manner, that it anſwered to his heart, as the ſhadow of his face in the Glaſs (then hanging before him in the room) anſwered to his face; and pretended he would publiſh that Declaration, and act accordingly, aſſoon as he with one in whoſe diſcretion he much confided, had conſidered what alteration it might need, (or words to that effect) and then received it of me, promiſing to return it with his final reſolution, within a week.
At the weeks end, or thereabout, he, or Mr. Thurloe then Secretary, (who ſeemed alſo to approve thereof) delivered back unto me my Papers; and the Protectors Anſwer, which then was, That he himſelf, together with the ſaid Secretary and my Self, would within a few days, examine it over, to ſee what verbally, might require alteration, or what addition would be neceſſary; and that being done, he would then without fail, take order for Publication thereof. But, afterward he apoſtatiz'd from that Reſolution, to his own diſ-advantage, and to the occaſion of what hath ſince befallen to the Publick Detriment; yet, pretended many moneths together, a firm adherence to what he had ſeemingly reſolved on, keeping me all that time in attendance; gave me the Key of his Cloſet at the end of the Sheild Gallery in White-hall, (wherein his Books and his Papers lay) to retite unto when I came thither; carried me often to his own Table; frequently diſcourſed with me concerning my Propoſal; and appointed many ſet days wherein to review the ſaid Papers, but failed always in performance; wherewith I being a little diſcontented, told him, I thought his mind was changed; and giving him back the Key of his Cloſet, purpoſed never to wait again upon him, in relation to that buſineſs. He then, with very reſpective words to me, excuſing his clays, aſſured me that at ſix of the Clock next morning, he would ſend for his Secretary, and diſpatch that which he intended, before he would admit any other perſon into his preſence. I came before the appointed hour, but was then alſo put off, until a little paſt three in the afternoon, at which time …attended till paſt four; and then, hearing that He, and his Secretary, were gone forth in a Coach to take the Air, I purpoſed to depart, and looſe no more time on that occaſion: and as I was leaving the room, one informed me, that about the ſame hour, in which I was appointed to attend Him and his Secretary, their necks were both in hazard to be broken, by the Protectors uſurping the Office of his Coach-man; and that they were both brought in ſo hurt, that their lives were in danger. Of that imprudent, if not diſgraceful attempt miſ-befeeming his perſon, I endeavored to prevent as much of the diſhonor, as I might, by a little Poem, as I thought it my duty, in regard he executed the Supreme Office at that time. After this, he called on me again, a… if his mind had not been wholly changed, and referred the ſaid Papers to his Privy-Council, who referred them to a Sub-Committee, of which Sir Gilbert Pickering being one, gave it a high approbation, and was pleaſed to ſay he did not flatter me; but from that time forward, I heard no more of it. Another ſervice I did, which much …n…ed to His and the Publick Safety, whereto Sir Gilbert Pickering is privy likewiſe; an… in conſideration of the fore-mentioned ſervices, the ſaid Protector having, without my asking that, or any thing elſe, (oct to be relieved according to Juſtice from my oppreſſions, which I could not obtain) gave me the Statute-Office, and afterward made it little worth unto me, becauſe (as I conceive) I expreſt my thankfulneſs for it, in declaring unto him thoſe Truths, which he was not willing to hear of. Pardon this digreſſion, for it is ſomewhat pertinent.
Thus, both the ſaid Protector and the late Parliament, either through over-ſight, wilfulneſs, or miſunderſtanding the ſtate of the Peoples Cauſe, (or how far forth for the Commonwealths beſt advantage, they ought to have proſecuted the execution of that Sentence which GOD gave on her behalf) acted not onelyonly repugnantly to the Welfare thereof, but alſo, by endeavouring a means impoſſible to be effected. For, to ſay the truth, they were nor, nor now are, nor ever can be, in a capacity to have an orderly proceeding toward a Peaceable Government, much leſs an eſtabliſhment thereof, in a Parliameatary mode, according to the old conſtitution of Parliaments: yea, I will confidently affirm (though it will ſeem a great preſumption) that, as Affairs now ſtand, the People cannot by any ordinary means be reduced to ſuch a poſture, as may bring them to agree upon, or admit of, any ſettled Government whatſoever agreeable to the Laws now extant, or otherwiſe, by reaſon of the irreconcileable differing Judgements, Factions, Diviſions and malignant Diſaffections, which are begot and fomented more and more among them, by the habit of licentiouſneſs, which they have now gotten. Nor will their turbulent Animoſities be ever calmed, until there ſhall be ſome Foundations firſt laid, by an unreſiſtable Arbitrary Power, depoſited for a while, in one or more perſons, whereby an orderly proceeding toward ſettling a juſt Government, may unreſiſtably take place. This conſtrained the Roman Senate to conſtitute otherwhile, in ſuch caſes, a Dictator, who had ſuch an abſolute Power, for a time. This is the natural Cauſe (if violent motions may properly be called natural) why the Determinations and Beginnings of moſt Governments, Monarchical and Popular, in all times and places, were derived from the Sword; which (how diſpleaſing ſoever it be to thoſe whom it may concern) is the remedy to which we, and all Nations in out condition, muſt ſubmit, before they can have a laſting Peace. The Sword of War is the onelyonly Umpire in all ſuch extreams, and it muſt be endured until we are brought to ſuch a temper as will make us governable by the Civil Sword; and that it may preſerve us, in the mean time, from Dom ſtick Inſurrections, and Forraign Invaſions. And indeed, there is no ſuch cauſe to fear it, as we pretend; for, it is not the corruption, violence, and want of ſincerity, which is uſual in Armies, that endangers us half ſo much as our ſins in general: For, whilſt they are unrepented & encreaſe, even the beſt Government, & moſt Righteous Governours on earth, ſhall not ſecure us: and when we are as we ought to be, the worſt ſhall not be able to harm us. The LORD of HOSTS, who is our GOD, is Generaliſſimo of all the Armies in the World; nothing is acted for, or againſt any People, but by his command or permiſſion; and if we diſpleaſe Him, who ſhall protect us? If our Ways and Deſignes be ſuch as He approves, who can hurt us? He is our Supreme, yea, ſole Judge in all cauſes triable by Combate, and by the Sword of war, in a peculiar manner; and none who love Righteouſneſs, need be affraid of his doom.
This will be a ſweet comfortable Cordial, to thoſe innocent and honeſt men, who through humane infirmity, are frighted by the Diſtractions of theſe times, and dread what our Army may do; if their profeſſions ſhould be hypocritical; or if they, who are yet ſincere, ſhould fall from their uprightneſs: and this being well conſidered, will terrifie them, who truſt in an armed power, and hoped that would protect them in all their Falſhoods, Oppreſſions and Wicked Deſignes. This will alſo be unpleaſing to them, who would by their own power, their own way, and to their own ends, eſtabliſh a Government at this time among us; and no leſs diſguſt them, who aſcribe Divinity to Kings, or make Idols of Parliaments, as many have done, and ſome yet do among us; and of which ſuperſtition, I my ſelf (being educated under a Tyranny, which kept me ignorant of what I was born to) have hitherto been guilty, as may appear by many ſtaggering and dubious Expreſſions, ſcattered here and there in my Writings, which I am content ſhould remain upon Record, to teſtifie that I think not my ſelf infallible; and that I do not impoſe my Aſſertions Magiſterially, with expectation that they ſhould be ſubſcribed unto, without due examination. Nevertheleſs, let not that which will 'bide the Test, be rejected.
As there are many among us, who cry out for Kings again, thinking them to be more then of humane Extract or Inſtitution: becauſe they neither know that they were the Peoples Creatures, made originally but to be their principal Servants, to ſee thoſe Laws duly executed which they themſelves made; nor take notice, how by degrees, they have made them who were their Maſters, to become their Slaves; nor do remember; how they have oppreſſed them; nor conſider how much more they intend to oppreſs them, nor how they will again oppreſs them, if they be re-admitted; nor that they were the cauſe of all thoſe Burthens, which at this time lye upon them, and for which they clamour againſt thoſe who would remove them: In like manner, many do as inconſiderately cry out for Parliaments; which if they be not well conſtitute, may be more deſtructive then their Kings. But, they would have Free Parliaments; and ſuch they call Free, as ſhould be formed of the wiſeſt and honeſteſt men among us, as near as is poſſible, made Members thereof, at the choyce of all perſons who have a conſiderable intereſt in the Commonwealth, freely admitted to elect; which would be ſuch a Parliament as may poſſibly be hereafter, when a Foundation whereon to fix it, and an orderly Medium for ſuch Elections is provided: but ſuch a Parliament was never yet in being (if before my remembrance Knights, Citizens and Burgeſſes in Parliament were elected, as they have been in many places, within the time of my knowledge) and it is the great Mercy of GOD, conſidering how many were brought in by the Court-Faction for their ends, and how many ſcrew'd in themſelves for their own ends, that ſo much of our Spiritual and Temporal Freedoms is yet left.
That which is now interrupted, and againſt whoſe imperfection and unlawfulneſs, ſo many have lately clamoured, was as good and legal a Parliament, all things conſidered, (even when it was at worſt) as any heretofore, to all intents and purpoſes, whilſt it had being and power; and every Act thereof, till it be repealed by its own or by another abſolute Power, is as binding as the Acts of any other Partiaments: For, a powerful being in the Members thereof, gives it Eſſentiality according to the nature of that being for which it was ordained, as truly as the reaſonable Soul in a Body of fleſh gives being to a man, who, whether he be lawfully or unlawfully begotten, or born with too many or with too few Members, or whether he be maimed by others or by his own default, is nevertheleſs a Man whilſt the Soul and Body continue together. Whilſt, power (which is the Soul of a Parliament, or at leaſt, that by which a Soul is know to be in it) remained in that which was lately interrupted, if not totally deſtroyed, it might have performed what would have been neceſſary for the preſent, to ſupply thoſe defects, which may elſe deſtroy the Body whom they repreſent; and during the time vouchſafed by GOD for their ſecond Probation, it might (if not again interrupted) have been a help to prepare a more perfect Medium toward eſtabliſhing a Government, then yet we have any, and which might have given unto future Parliaments a Conſtitution more likely to preſerve it, then ever they had heretofore: For, all our Parliaments formerly convened, were conſtituted by Tyrants, or Princes little better. They were their Creatures, and not the Peoples: They were called, prorogued and diſſolved at their pleaſure: were made up of ſuch Perſons, and of ſuch a Number as they liſted: were choſen by, and for ſuch places, and out of ſuch orders of men, as they priviledged to that purpoſe; and were originally ordained, for no other intent, but to preſerve the Peace of other men ſo long and ſo far forth onelyonly, as it might uphold their Grandeur, and make the people Inſtruments to enſlave themſelves thereunto: though, through GOD's Mercy, the People have by degrees, acquired means in Parliaments to recover ſome part of their loſt Liberties, much againſt the wills of their Kings and Creators: But their Liberties will never perfectly be recovered, until a Foundation be laid by the Power of the Peoples own Sword, in the hands of faithful Truſtees, whereupon a juſt Government may be erected, with out-works to defend it from Innovators; and whereby Parliaments may be ſo regulated, that the peoples Civil, Natural and Spiritual Proprieties and Freedoms, may be preſerved without violation, as much as poſſible.
What would be the effects of giving Liberty at this preſent (as it is by the greateſt number deſired) for any man to chuſe, or to be choſen a Member of Parliament, but the deſtroying of Propriety, Morality and Piety, together with all the juſt Liberties of the people, which they have ſo dearly paid for, and were likely to recover when almoſt quite loſt? For the worſt men are moſt numerous, and the greater part of them conſiſting of thoſe, who by conniving at, or complying with Tyrants and Oppreſſours (under whom they ſhall enjoy moſt Licentiouſneſs) were the chief Cauſers and Continuers of our late and preſent Troubles; and theſe having, ſtill their hearts wholly inclined to renew them, how eaſie will it be, for them, by indirect means, to bring into a Parliament, Members like themſelves, more then enough; yea, doubly, to over-vote thoſe who are elected by that part of the People, who ought to have chief Benefit of that Conqueſt which GOD lately gave them? For do we purſue and apprehend Theeves and Murderers, who have robbed and ſlain honeſt men, to make them and their Abettors, ſharers in the goods they catried away, when they are again recovered? Or, do we make them keepers, or diſpoſers of our perſons or eſtates? Did Gideon make them to be partakers of his Victory, when he overcame Zeba and Zalmunna, who, when he was in purſuit of them, derided him inſtead of relieving his fainting Army with bread? Verily, they ought to be rewarded like them, who have oppoſed the Common Cauſe, by their hands, tongues or pens; and even they alſo, who have not therein aſſiſted their brethren, rather then to be vouchſafed partnerſhip in their Freedoms: And it would not only manifeſt theſe Nations to be very imprudent, if without good aſſurance, of their being better affected to their juſt Cauſe then heretofore, they do admit them both to an equal enjoyment of that and all other Freedomes with themſelves, and to a capacity, upon their imprudent claim thereof, to be their Lawgivers, the Keepers of their Liberties, and Diſpoſers of their Eſtates and Perſons; But, it would imply alſo, a high contempt of GOD's late Diſpenſations, to communicate the benefit of them to his Oppoſers. The right of chuſing, and of being choſen Members of Parliament, is now in thoſe onelyonly, who have gotten it by Conqueſt; the Law of Conqueſt is paramount to all their humane Laws; it is nor onelyonly Municipal, but Catholick, and gives juſt Liberty to the Conquering Party, to make new Laws as they pleaſe, and to continue, ſuſpend, abrogate, or reform all other humane Laws within their own Territories, as they conceive them to be helpful, or a hinderance to their Common Welfare. It is that Law by which the LORD of HOSTS hath decided our Cauſe, as I ſaid before: it is that by which all the moſt famous Monarchies of the world in all Ages, were firſt conſtituted and ſettled, before they could ſafely lay the Sword aſide, to be governed by other Laws; and they who are diſſatisfied with that ſettlement, are not to be regarded.
That, therefore, which the Parliament ſhould have done, (in my judgement) when the power of the Sword was in their hands; and that which their late Succeſſours ought to have proſecuted, when for the Parliaments failings the ſame power was tranſlated to them, was not to employ their Authority, and the Revenues of the Commonwealth thereby graſped, that they might advance themſelves; build up what GOD hath broken down, trifle away precious opportunities, and conſume the publick Treaſure in making an Image of the BEAST formerly adored; or in patching up that which was uſeleſs, and not poſſibly repairable, and would more encreaſe then diminiſh the Peoples Grievances: They ought not under a pretended Zeal to the Common Welſare, inſtead of contriving a Government, whereby Juſtice might be indifferently and impartially adminiſtred to all, (and every man been thereby equally made capable of honour and profit, according to his merit, for an encouragement to Vertue) to have plotted how to model it ſo, as, that Employments and Dignities, whereby the publick Honour and Safety, may be moſt advanced or hazarded, ſhould be continued to themſelves, conferred on their neareſt Relations, and derived to their Poſterity: But, on the contrary, they ſhould have improved GOD's appearing for us, and the power thereby acquired, like magnanimous Conquerers, to ſettle in deſpight of oppoſition, ſuch a Government as GOD would have given them a pattern of, had they ſought it; and, whereby Juſtice and Mercy ſhould have been duly adminiſtred. They ſhould have exerciſed that power in making (as it were) a new Heaven, and a new Earth, by eſtabliſhing the Superior Orbs in motions tending to Pious and Righteous Diſpenſations; and by confining every part of their inferiour Globe, to ſuch Rules of obedience to their Governours, and to ſuch Agreements among themſelves, that good Influences might reciprocally deſcend and aſcend to preſerve the honour and well-being of both; Which by prudent men, having courage, fearing GOD, and hating covetouſneſs, might have been effected by the power which they had once, yea, oftentimes, in their hands; and made up theſe three Nations into one well-tempered Body, though conſiſting of many thouſands diſagreeing in Judgements, Manners, and Affections, (ſome good, ſome evil, ſome indifferent) ſo that they might have peaceably been made ſerviceable to GOD, and to each other, as a skilful Apothecary makes a wholſome confection, by mixing many Simples of contrary qualities; even of Vipers, Serpents, and ſome Drugs poyſonous in their own nature, which in Compoſition, make the beſt Ingredients the more vertuous. To this end, was an Arbitrary Power put into their hands, by the Sword, which if they had known how they ſhould have uſed it, would have been a comfort to good men, and a terrour to the wicked partial ſelf-ſeekers onelyonly, to whom it hath been hitherto moſt advantageous.
We fought to preſerve our Freedoms which were left, and to recover thoſe we had loſt; yea, we fought for our Laws; but, not for thoſe which were impoſed upon us, by their prevailings, who had corrupted, or over-voted our Truſtees by a Party of their own, and eſtabliſhed wickedneſs for a Law; by which means our Laws that are magnified by ſome, as if it were more haynous then Sacrilege, to ſeek to have any of them reformed, are become (in their execution at leaſt) more oppreſſive then the Sword: For, I am confident, that the needleſs expences, thereby yearly occaſioned, do amount to much more, then all that which is yearly charged to maintain the States Fleets and Armies; and that as many, if not more, are impoveriſhed thereby every year, as were in any one year by plundering, during the late War. It would fill a Volume to enumerate the Practiſes and Formalities, occaſioning the vaſt expence and intolerable Vexations, whereto, men plunged into that miſery, are liable, eſpecially ſuch as are compelled to travel above 200 miles, four or five times in a year from their habitations. Yea, even our Trials by Juries (which is applauded as one of theſe moſt equal ways of determining Controverſies) is no leſs injurious then any, by reaſon of the Ignorance and Corruption of Juries, packt by as corrupt Officers; as alſo, by the ſhortneſs of the time whereto a great number of Cauſes at times of trial, are limited, both at London and Weſtminſter, as alſo, at the Aſſizes in the Counties; where, by the ſtraightneſs of the place otherwhile, and by other conſiderable defects, Trials are frequently, ſo ſuperficially and haſtily ſlubber'd over; Parties, and Witneſſes, (on whoſe Teſtimony the whole Livelyhood of Perſons and Families depend) ſo thronged, interrupted, diſcountenanced, or negligently heard and examined, that a Caſt at Dice would have given a cheaper and a more righteous Verdict, then is paſſed in ſome Cauſes. But this is beſide my Text, and not added out of any diſaffection to our Laws or Lawyers; for I honour the Laws, and the Profeſſors thereof, who are unreproveable.
It may be for theſe, and other Oppreſſions of that kind, (whoſe removal ſome grand Gown-men are thought to obſtruct) GOD hath ſtirred up the Sword-men to take notice of that Grievance; and ſeeing it more likely to be enlarged then removed, or made leſs, one ſin ſhall be puniſhed by another. Or, the Officers of the Army, fearing perhaps that the disbanding or diſablement of their Brigades and Regiments, was intended by ſome in Parliament, for their better carrying on of Deſignes advantageous to their own Perſons or Factions, to the publick detriment (in which practice it is thought ſome of them can hardly be over-gone) or peradventure, they perceive that timely proviſion to ſecure this Republick from the Common Enemy was neglected; and, that not onelyonly their Eſtates, Families and Perſons might therewith be ruined, but that the diſhonour likewiſe, of all the evil Conſequences thereof, would at laſt be imputed to them, & upon theſe, or on ſome other Conſiderations have reſolved to aſſume the management of the peoples Cauſe, into their own hands for the future, and ſo to proceed in the Courſe hitherto neglected, that they may clear their beſported Reputations, by uſing the Military Sword to eſtabliſh the Civil (as others at firſt ſhould have done) and then to ſheath it up again, and lay it aſide; which I pray GOD may be the worſt part of their Deſigne; and that whatſoever be deſigned by them, he will be pleaſed graciouſly to make uſe of it for the good of theſe Nations, and pardon what was well intended, though irregularly acted.
For, I hope, whether their former proceedings have been juſtifiable or not, they are not perſons of ſo little Conſcience and Humanity, that they will perſevere in what is amiſs done, when they are convinced of their errour, and that the Power which the people by their Repreſentative, firſt gave them; which is yet maintained at their coſt; and which GOD hath, at this time, permitted to reſide in them onelyonly, (and is no where elſe viſible) ſhall not be wilfully employed to the deſtruction of thoſe who truſted them, though it be a while exerciſed contrary to order, and their good liking from whom they received it: For, ſuch an Ingratitude, will be anſwerably avenged, and they would thereby become the moſt infamous Army that ever was in the world; becauſe, they have pretended to more Piety and Juſtice, then ever any Army did heretofore. The Falſhood and Perfidiouſneſs of other Armies, was but the Falſhood and Perfidiouſneſs of Heathens, Turks, or de baunched Chriſtians, and it made them infamous as meer carnal men onelyonly: But, this being an Army conſiſting of perſons not onelyonly profeſſing Chriſtianity, but, having the repute of Saints alſo, their perfidiouſneſs will render them as abominable as Devils; and even they who to their own advantage make uſe of their perſons, will hate them in their hearts; be always diſtruſtful of them; and not onelyonly ſcatter them aſſoon as poſſibly they can, but expoſe them alſo to ſuch a condition, as may diſable them to be further miſchievous hereafter, and to be juſtly abhorred of all men whereſoever they live. But, as that experience afore-mentioned which I have of ſome in this Army, makes me preſume they will not wilfully deceive our hopes of them: So their Knowledge of the many occaſions which have been given to make Them and Others juſtly jealous of the Common Safety, inclines me to think it poſſible, that what they have lately and heretofore done, contrary to order, may (as to ſome of them) deſerve more then an excuſe: For, when I conſider GOD's Diſpenſations of old, with ſuch undertakings as have been proſecuted, when his honour and the ſafety of his people required them; and how the one is blaſphemed, and the other endangered at this time, I conceive that it may proceed partly from a Divine Impulſe; whereof (though I cannot be ſo aſſured) they who have been Leading Actors therein, may be aſcertained by what Spirit they were moved.
Whilſt I was writing this, I caſt mine eyes upon a Copy of thoſe Papers aforementioned, (then lying before me) which I preſented to the firſt Protector, and wherein are expreſſed thoſe Concomitant Circumſtances, which be requiſite to warrantize an irregular Act: Therefore, I will here inſert them, word for word, as they are there) becauſe, perhaps it may come to the knowledge of ſome who will now need thoſe Cautions, as much as the Protector did heretofore. They are theſe ten.
Firſt, there muſt be an unfeigned, and an apparent neceſſity of deviating from Rule and Order; at leaſt ſuch a neceſſity as is apparent to the Actor, and which may, or might have been apparent to others, who had like means to be informed thereof.
Secondly, it muſt be for preſervation of a nobler Intereſt, Authority or Command, then that which is thereby violated.
Thirdly, it muſt be practiſed in Faith, without any ſelf-end or by-reſpect to private Intereſts, (ſuch onelyonly excepted, as are ſo naturally therewith wrapt up, that they cannot be ſeparated.)
Fourthly, there muſt be warrantable Example in holy Scripture, of like practiſes in like caſes.
Fifthly, there muſt be an outward calling thereto, by the Office of the undertaker, either Spiritual, Civil or Military, or an extraordinary calling evidenced by ſome gift or qualification proper to that undertaking, or by an appearance of GOD's preſence with him, by ſome evident work of Providence not common.
Sixthly, there muſt be a viſible power in ſome meaſure, enabling the Proſecutor in probability, at leaſt, to begin, continue and finiſh his part of the enterprize.
Seventhly, it muſt be done in Charity, without Envy, Hatred, Malice, or a Revengeful mind.
Eighthly, there muſt be an internal Energie of the Spirit of GOD, witneſſing to his Conſcience that he aims onelyonly, or at leaſt chiefly, at His Glory; and ſtrengthning him, to ſuffer undauntedly, contentedly, and modeſtly, with ſubmiſſion to GOD's Will, if the Enterprize miſcarry; and not with that dejectedneſs, impatience, or deſperateneſs, which is in Impoſtors and Malefactors.
Ninthly, he muſt not willingly permit any other to bear the outward penalty due by the Law for his irregularity, but rather offer his own perſon to thoſe who are to preſerve order, and depend on GOD onelyonly, for the reward of his undertaking; ſeeing, men cannot take notice of GOD's ſecret diſpenſations; for it is ſin againſt the outward Rule, to do evil that good may come thereof, as well-meaning men ſometimes do; though it be a greater ſin to do good, that evil purpoſes may take effect, as Hypocrites often do.
Laſtly, He that acts to the Breach of at Law by a Divine impulſe, will nevertheleſs finde in his heart, ſuch a reſpect to Order, that he will unfainedly be induſtrious to reduce all things to their priſtine orderly Courſe, aſſoon as the neceſſity which conſtrained his irregularity, is ſo evidently removed, that it may be ſafely done; except it ſhall ſo come to paſs, that Providence, from thenceforward, ſhall change the old Foundations, and order all things anew, as ſometimes it is pleaſed to do.
Without theſe afore-written Concomitants, the Proſecutors of irregular actings, (though their intentions may poſſibly be good, and their attempts be permitted by Divine Juſtice, to prepare her way, to what ſhall afterward be executed according to GOD's purpoſe) are deluded by the Devil, or by their own Luſts and Paſſions, to be brought to condign puniſhment for ſome known or ſecret ſins formerly committed, rather then warrantably called: Yea, and when men are duly called to ſuch attempts, and the main work which GOD intended thereby, is outwardly accompliſhed for his glory and the publick welfare, yet if there be a defect of any ſuch Circumſtance or Qualification as is eſſential to the ſanctification thereof, or at least, any falſhood or hypocriſie unrepented of, relating thereto, in the Actors, they will thereby loſe much of their honour and reward. Thus much is tranſcribed out of the forementioned Addreſs.
Now whether that which was acted enormouſly by the Officers of the Army, was accompanied with the fore-mentioned Circumſtances, or not, it will more concern them then us, to be aſſured of: We can have no certainty of it, becauſe it is a Tranſaction between GOD and their Conſciences onelyonly; but of this we may be certain, to preſerve in us a charitable hope of them, that there may be ſometime extraordinary actings contrary to ordinary ſtanding Laws and Orders, agreeable to the well-pleaſed Will of GOD, both internally and externally warranted: For Phineas upon his ſingle knowledge of a tranſgreſſion committed, executed Juſtice upon the Offenders without an ordinary Commiſſion, yet he was highly honoured and rewarded for it; and Jehu ſlew the King his Maſter, which by Our Law made him guilty of a double Treaſon, and High Treaſon it was queſtionleſly accounted by the Jewiſh Law; yet GOD recompenced it with a Kingdom; which his Poſterity ſhould have inherited for that ſervice, if he and they had but performed thoſe conditions whereupon it might have been confirmed. If it be alledged, He was viſibly anointed to that purpoſe by a Prophet; I may anſwer, That of little force his anointing had been, if there had not been alſo, a spiritual anointing, much more effectual, poured out in viſibly, upon him, and his Companions: for Jehu in himſelf, was conſiderable for nothing (that we know of) but his furious march: and his Companions (as their own words imply) judged the Prophet who anointed him, to be a mad fellow, by his deportment: and (for ought I perceive) the Jews, for the moſt part, in thoſe and future times, had no better opinion of their Prophets, then men have in theſe dayes of the Quakers, and of ſome other among us, becauſe many of their actings, whereby they were made ſignes, to that Generation, appeared to them as ridiculous, as thoſe which are perhaps permitted at this time, to be ſignal to us. And what would then the viſible pouring forth of Oyl have effected, without a spiritual anointing, which like the white ſtone, mentioned in the Revelation, is onelyonly known to him that hath it? This conſideration, with ſuch-like, makes me think fitter, to look to my own Actions, and Warranties for them, then to judge of other mens proceedings, whoſe Warrants I cannot know.
This I well know, That we are in an exceeding deſperate condition; and like the Frogs and Mice preparing to a Battel, which if not prevented, will expoſe us to the Kite; nay, we are in a far greater hazard, according to my apprehenſion of it: for, we appear to my Fancie, not unfit to be reſembled (in what may probably befal us) to a great number of Bulls and Lyons; Bears and Dogs; Men and Horſes; Tygers and Goats; Wolves and Sheep; Foxes and Lambs; Swine and Leopards; Women and Children; Innocents and Malefactors; armed and unarmed; Princes and Peaſants; Paſtors and their Flocks; Old and Young; Poor and Rich; thruſt and thronged all together promiſcuouſly into the Cirque of a Theater, to be torn and to tear each other to pieces: whilſt our Neighbours, Foes and Friends, (if we have any) ſit Spectators on ſeats round about, to behold that horrible Spectacle, till we being deſtroyed, or wearied with deſtroying each other, they may come down without danger to themſelves, and divide the ſpoil of that which is left, poſſeſs our Eſtates, and make ſlaves of our perſons: yet, that Herd of Beaſts, which we call the common People, is ſo ſtupid and inſenſible of what is likely to come upon them, that like natural Fools, they ſit grinning on each other, in thoſe meeting places, where they recreate themſelves by hearing and repeating thoſe things, which are beginnings of their own deſtruction; run together with a brutiſh delight, to be Spectators of their own miſeries and maſſacres to enſue, if an over-ruling Providence prevent it not; and like mad-men, rejoyce when they think it begun. Of this I my ſelf have often took notice, and particularly upon that day whereon the Parliament was laſt interrupted. For, when by the Vollies of Shot, it was in London ſuppoſed that the Parliaments Guards, and the Armies Forces were engaged, the people who then flocked into the Temple, to look toward Veſtminſter, where they hoped that Engagament was begun, did in my ſight and hearing, expreſs their barbarous joy, with ſo much diſaffection to both Parties, and with ſuch unchriſtian Language, and unmanly Geſticulations, that being filled with grief, and tranſported with indignation, I could not withhold from openly reproving them. O GOD! By what ordinary courſe is ſuch a Frenzie curable? whoſe power can calm the rage of ſuch Waters, but thine onelyonly, who commandeſt the ſtorming Winds, and art obeyed? and when thou ſayeſt to the Seas, Proceed no further?
The Veſſel of this Commonwealth, now weather-beaten and torn, is in more danger then that, wherein jonas would have fled to Tarſus; for, though we have caſt forth a great part of our Goods to ſecure it, our danger ſtill continues, and increaſeth; and we are not ſo ſenſible of it, nor ſo much think upon GOD, or on our ſins, which are the cauſe of it, as the Heathen Mariners then did. Moreover, that Ship, had but one Delinquent which occaſioned the Storm; and his being thrown into the Sea, brought immediate ſafety: They had many Skilful Sea-men to guide it; but all our Pilots are caſt over-board, and none left in appearance, but guilty Paſſengers: This, might make me deſpair; yet my Hope is greater then my Fear, by contemplating GOD's mercy to Jonas: For, though he were a Delinquent, who had knowingly offended, as it were in a contempt of GOD; though, he were caſt out into the Sea, far from Lan…, where was no hope of eſcaping; though it was when that Sea was ſo extraordinarily enraged by a Storm, that it made ſafety leſs hopeful; and though he was then ſwallowed by a Whale, which was as it were conveying of him down quick to Hell, (as he himſelf apprehended it) from whence there is no redemption; yet he was preferved by that which was naturally, irrecoverably of it ſelf, deſtructive; and vouchſafed alſo ſo much Grace, as to be imployed again in the ſervice of him, and by him, againſt whom he had been rebellious. Oh GOD! how infinite are thy Mercies! and how exceeding merciful are the ſevereſt of thy Judgements!
Yet, becauſe GOD expects, that, in all emergencies and extremities, we ſhould uſe the reaſon and grace that he hath given us, as the Mariners and Paſſengers then did, toward our preſervation, and not as Jonas, retire into our private Cabins, nor into the Holds, and there ſleep out this Storm; I have kept my ſelf waking, whilſt other men ſlept; to look upward, inward, and round about me, every way from whence means of Salvation may come, (or, whereby, an encreaſe of danger may be prevented) that I may ſtir up my ſelf and others to meet GOD, who is alway ready to provide it, and come along with it, if he be ſought for in time. I have conſidered what ſome might have done, but now cannot; what ſome, other may yet do, but will not: what many intend, and will do, if they can, to undo us; and what we ſhould and may do, if we loſe not opportunities yet offered, by pride, partiality, ſelf-ſeeking, and conſuming that ſtrength which is left, in oppoſing each other, and them who perhaps, by an irregularity providentially permitted, are brought into a ſtraight, for the preſent, that we might be thereby inlarged for ever after; and be better ſecured by a Storm and a Whale, then by the Ship in which we were ſteering a wrong courſe; yea, peradventure by this Breach (which makes our Enemies cry, Aha! ſo we would have it!) that ſhall be occaſioned, which will cement the Hearts of our Governours, of our Armies, and of the people, more ſtrongly, and more affectionately then ever heretofore. It is not now a ſeaſon wherein to purſue Vengeance: When Shimei curſed his King, and Joah would have taken off his head for it; David thought it poſſible that GOD might commiſſion him to curſe; and whether it were ſo or not, he prudentially judged it unſeaſonable to avenge an injury done to him, and puniſh a fault in another, when he lay under a Chaſtiſement for his own, greater tranſgreſſions againſt a greater King then himſelf. GOD, hath winked at ſo many of our failings, and that ſo often, that we are obliged to wink at each others eſcapes. Our Princes, Parliaments, People and Armies, have complained of each other; but, the truth is, we are all become ſo guilty, and have ſo many ways given occaſions of provoking each other, as well as of diſpleaſing GOD; and of increaſing both our ſins and puniſhments; that, if there be not a more Chriſtian Forbearance, more Unity, Love and Reformation among us, (then yet I ſee) and a ſpeedy endeavouring joyntly and ſingly toward an unfeigned agreement, in Civil Concernments; then, as firſt the Regal, and then the Parliamentary power was deſtroyed; ſo, ſhall firſt the Army, and then the People, be deprived of their Power; and this perhaps to let in another Party as wicked as themſelves, or worſe, to be plagued and rooted out among them, to make room for a more pious and Righteous Generation, if we be not in time warned by other mens examples.