A Cordial Confection to Strengthen the Heart, Discourse (2 of 3)
A Queſtion ſomewhat like one of thoſe which you propounded to me, was propoſed by David, when he ſaid, When the Foundations are overthrown, what ſhall the righteous do? but he himſelf thereto implies an Anſwer, in the words next following; for there he ſheweth, what GOD will do, and what will at ſuch times be the portion both of thoſe who have righteouſly or unrighteouſly acted: GOD give us Grace to conſider it. To prevent, what I feared, would come upon us, I have added my ſpoonfull of Water, from time to time (as occaſion was offered) toward quenching of the Flames which I ſaw kindling, and have ſent abroad many Remembrances and Caveats, which have been as ineffectual, as if I had written to the mad men in Bedlam to perſwade them to be ſober; and yet I am ſtill moved by ſomewhat, which will not let me be quiet (notwithſtanding my late reſolution to the contrary) to adventure my Notions toward their cure, ſometimes in private, as I do at this preſent to you: And, ſince the late Rupture, have looked ſeriouſly toward thoſe four Winds, kept by four Angels, who are commanded to let them breathe, or reſtrain them, as GOD ſhall permit them to be active, together or apart, either according to their own natural power, or as he ſhall pleaſe, by his extraordinary complyance, to make them a furtherance or an obſtruction to our Settlement. And, now, in regard many men depending much upon meer natural Cauſes, have raiſed expectations from them, according to their ſeveral hopes and affections; I will inform you, what upon inquiry into their ſelf-ſufficiency, may probably come or not come from them reſpectively, (leaving GOD's unrevealed determinations to his own good Pleaſure) there are, I ſay, four Mountains, from whence mens Windy Hopes iſſue, and they are theſe: 1. Charles Stuart, and his Party: 2. The Parliamentary Authority, which was, and ſeems in a poſſibility of reviving again: 3. The Body of the People, whom they repreſented: And laſtly, the Armies now in being: of which Four, I will diſcourſe in order, and declare what I perceive probable to proceed from them, according to my underſtanding; and leave it to be conſidered, and cenſured, as you and they ſhall pleaſe, to whoſe view it ſhall come.
The coming in of Charles Stuart, is much deſired and wiſhed for, by thoſe who aim at their preſent, quiet and perſonal, or worldly advantages onelyonly, becauſe they neither underſtand nor care for that which will be moſt for GOD's Glory, or the publick Welfare hereafter, ſo they may have a ſpeedy Settlement upon any terms, which will put quickeſt end to our preſent Troubles. But, his coming with ſuch a conſequence as they dream of, will neither be ſo ſpeedy, nor the Sequel ſo ſatisfactory as they imagine; for though the late Breach ſhould make the way eaſier then it was; Yet if he come by force, he will find a rugged paſſage, and long and dangerous marches before he arrive at White-hall; and may be ſtaid a while alſo, to ſee ſome playing at Duck and Drake, upon the great waters in his way hitherward, and what Wagers will be tride about diving and ſwimming before he comes on ſhore. The Pond over which he muſt paſs, is ſo great, that he will hardly finde means to waft himſelf and all the Beggers and Baggages that muſt be brought along with him, unleſs our good Friends the Hollanders help him; who, we hope, will either be more honeſt, or at leaſt ſo politick, as to conſider, that if Spain and France, (as the report goes) will aſſiſt him, upon a deſigne to propagate their Religion, and uphold Monarchy, as well their Commonwealth and Religion, will be in danger, as ours; and that if they of France and Spain, or either of them, prevail to ſettle an obliged Friend to their Cauſe on this ſide of them, to hold the Dutch play upon the Water, they will hew out a paſſage well enough on the other ſide by Land, to the Spaniſh Kings old Inheritance, to which no Preſcription is a bar, by a Royal Maxime: But, though France & Spain, the Dutch, Dane, and Devil to boot, ſhould aſſiſt him, yet he may come ſhort; and I believe, moſt of thoſe who long for his coming, will looſe much of their preſent enjoyments, and of their faireſt future hopes alſo, before Charles Stuart arriveth here in peace; and perhaps ſpeed worſe then ſo, before he be ſettled: For, they, who have paid dearly for what they conquered from his Father, will ſell it at a rate much dearer, before they forgo their intereſt: And it is infallibly evident to every man of underſtanding, that if he comes in by force, it cannot be without their Forraign Ayd, which over and above thoſe many thouſands of diſcontented, debauched and beggerly Scots, Iriſh and Engliſh-men (which wait for ſuch a time) will ſpue out after them into theſe Iſlands, all the Bandetti, Thieves, Rogues, needy Perſons, and unuſeful Souldiers which over-burthen their Countries already; ſo that this place will then be an Epitomy of Hell, where all ſhall be tormented by thoſe Furies and Devils incarnate, which will be brought in thereby: For, it will be impoſſible then, to make diſtinction between Friends and Foes to the Commonwealth, who have not Swords in their hands; neither will it be regarded, if they have any thing to looſe; and if he prevail at laſt by a Forraign Ayd, the beſt that can be expected by the greateſt part of the Natives, is to be enſlaved under all manner of Servititudes, both Spiritual and Temporal; the apprehenſion of which, will make all thoſe who have either Religion, Honeſty, or Love to their Country, or to Themſelves, fight it out to the laſt man: and theſe things conſidered, there will be no probability of a happy or ſpeedy Settlement, if Charles Stuart come in by force.
But, it is hoped by ſome few, that he will come in by compact and conſent, upon ſuch terms as will render his coming acceptable. Well, admit this, and alſo grant that his Afflictions had prepared his heart, to offer or accept of ſuch conditions as may preſerve the Temporal and Spiritual Freedoms, due to the people by the Laws of GOD and Nature; and that he would covenant to ſecure us in a future enjoyment of our Eſtates and Conſciences under a Righteous Government; in ſuch manner, that he and we by GOD's Bleſſing, may be happy in each other. Grant alſo, there were a willingneſs and a reciprocal Condeſcention on both ſides, without Fraud, to all reaſonable Propoſitions; and that his Party now in exile, would be contented with ſuch a reaſonable allowance, as might not be over-burthenſome to the Commonwealth, whereto the neceſſities of ſome, and the generoſity of others, may poſſibly incline them to accord: Yet how ſhould ſuch an Agreement be begun, proſecuted or ſecured? I know no ſafe Medium whereby this may be made feiſible. Stones and Sand will never make a Building without Lime, or ſome other glutinous matter. If the Dutch ſhould interpoſe, they might perhaps mediate more for their own advantage then for his or ours: ſo probably would the French and Spaniard alſo, whoſe Deſignes would be more advanced, by our continuing diſagreements, then by our reconciliation: and we ſhall find a pad of miſchief in the ſtraw, if they have any hand in it; and receive, it may be, a Snake into our boſome, if he ſhould be admitted by their mediation: for it may rationally be ſuſpected, that they will not appear for him either in an amicable or hoſtile manner, without hedging in ſome concealed Engagement of his to them, or to one of them, which may be hereafter diſadvantageous to our Spiritual or Temporal Freedoms, or both: and if he ſhould be ſecretly reconciled to the Church of Rome, during his abode, among them, by thoſe opportunities which they have had to work upon him, and then come over, ſeaſoned with this Principle of theirs, That no Faith or Contract, is to be kept with Hereticks, (and we then appear to be ſuch in his eſteem) what ſecurity ſhall we have, whereupon we can ſafely depend?
Moreover, it is conſiderable, that to make an honourable and laſting reconciliation, he muſt not onelyonly come in with the love and aſſent of that part of the people who will inſiſt upon the preſervation of their juſt Freedoms claimed; but he muſt alſo firſt renounce that pretended Right which he claims as due from his Progenitors: for, if he ſtill think that to be a right inherent in himſelf, as many abſurdly do, (becauſe they neither underſtand right Reaſon or Law) and if the people ſhall receive him without abjuration of that Claim, they do thereby make voyd the Sentence which GOD hath given on their part, at the Trial by Combat; & give away for ever, that which they recovered by Conqueſt: and ſo, by our Atonement, we ſhall but prorogue our Troubles at beſt, till he or his poſterity have acquired power to renew the old quarrel upon this falſe Maxime, Nullum Tempus occurrit Regi; thoug the truth is, Nullum Tempus occurrit populo, no time or Preſcription, is a juſt bar to the Peoples Right; for whoſe ſake, Kings (being but their ſervants) were at firſt ordained. Though I have ſhewed it before, yet I will here again briefly touch upon the ſtate of our Cauſe, becauſe it is not well enough heeded.
This people lately claimed their natural Freedoms, which the King had uſurped: the King claimed, likewiſe, his long uſurped Prerogatives: after a tedious conteſt on both ſides, they at length joyntly appealed to GOD, to give ſentence according to Juſtice, upon a Tryal by Combate, as it is manifeſted by the Words, for Diſtinction, given out by both Parties, when they joyned Battel: GOD, by making the Peoples Champions Conquerers, gave Judgment on their behalf: Thereupon the King and his Party quitted the three Kingdoms, and left the Conquerors in quiet and abſolute poſſeſſion; and all the Kings and Commonwealths of Chriſtendome taking notice both of the proceſs and ſucceſs, witneſſed that Reſtauration of their juſt Rights, by making Addreſſes to them as the Soveraign Power: all which undeniably demonſtrate, a Conqueſt, whereby all the pretended right of Charles Stuart and his heirs, was as peremptorily cut off, as ever the like Claim was heretofore from any Family or Perſon, at the tranſlation of any Government from one perſon or Family to another, in any Kingdome or Empire, ſince the World began. And, whatſoever can be alleaged to the contrary, or, whoſoever murmurs againſt this Verdict, or ſhall aſſiſt him (if he be of this Commonwealth) to poſſeſs his pretended Claim to theſe Iſlands, is a Traytor to his Country, and a Reſiſter of GOD's doom; and none but preſumptuous, ignorant, debauched or ſlaviſh-minded perſons, will perſevere after all this evidence, and finall Decree in GOD's Court-Martial, (from whence (as I ſaid) there is no appeal) to oppoſe the Conquerors Title, or reproach them as Rebels and Traytors, as yet ſome impudently do. This is briefly, the true ſtate of that Cauſe, which is in deciſion termed by our Adverſaries, (and ſcornfully by ſome Cox-combs) who are Enemies to themſelves) The Good Old Cauſe: and this being duly conſidered, Charles Stuart hath, in my underſtanding, no more Legal Right to theſe Iſlands, then I have to France and Spain.
He cannot juſtly be admitted hither, but on ſuch terms as may preſerve the Peoples Interest, unleſs GOD in wrath admit him, for a puniſhment of our ſins, and to be a plague to thoſe who deſire it in contempt of his diſpenſations; which otherwiſe, neither our preſent diviſions, or the power of all his Confederates beyond the Seas, would be able to effect, notwithſtanding the Superlative ſottiſhneſs of ſome among us, who ſeem fit to be governed by none but a Tyrant; and by whom Charles Stuart himſelf would be ſufficiently plagued, whether he be tyrannically inclined or not, if the Government of them ſhould be on him impoſed: For, though ſome deſire his coming, it is not in love for his own ſake; but, in hope to enjoy under him, a licentious Freedom; and upon the leaſt failing of their expectations in that hope, they would cry Crucifie him, the next day after they cryed Hoſanna; and wiſh for thoſe again, whom they now revile: For, many of them, are the ſame perſons who oppoſed, reviled, and purſued his Father even to his death; and againſt him, who ſhould rule over them piouſly and righteouſly, they would be much more exaſperated. This is not a raſh cenſure, founded upon paſſion or conjectures; but, a probable concluſion, on that long experience which I have had of the giddineſs, malice, and bruitiſh condition of that inconſiderate Rabble, which makes the loudeſt Clamours, and who are tranſported with the greateſt madneſs.
No private intereſt makes me a verſe to Charles Stuarts admittance, neither have I any diſaffection to his perſon; for, I never received in jury by him: But my averſeneſs, is meerly in relation to my Country, which, in my underſtanding, cannot enjoy a happy Peace, together with his perſon, as affairs now ſtand, in relation to Him, to his Confederates, and to this Commonwealth. I deſire nothing, by endeavouring to bar him, or any other, from that which he, or they ought in Juſtice to poſſeſs; and, though I may ſuſpect that my Actings againſt him for preſervation of the Common Liberties, will render me liable to his fury, and to the rage of his Party, I ſhall be no more afraid of him, though re-admitted to morrow, then he is now of me, though he ſhould come, both with an unreſtrained Power, and a revengeful Mind; becauſe, I have diſcharged a good Conſcience, even in doing that which may moſt offend him. Nay, upon Conſiderations of another nature, I ſhall have no cauſe to fear him, or to think I ſhall be more cruelly dealt, withal by him, then I have been by thoſe in power, among whom I now live, though he ſhould take away my Life: For, though I have ſerved the late Powers faithfully, with my Eſtate, Perſon and Credit; yet, by their long neglect of Juſtice, in ſome things, and by their actual Injuſtice, in ſome other things, they have ſo expoſed me to contempt, and ſo nigh ruined me, both in my Eſtate, and Credit, without which Life is little worth; that, Charles Stuart, cannot be ſo unmerciful to me as they have been, except, when I am quite deprived of my Livelyhood and Reputation, he ſhould ſuffer me to live, until I ſaw likewiſe, the deſtruction of my Family and the Commonwealth, whoſe welfare is to me more precious then Life; though, for all my Contributions and Services, (to the endangering of my Life, Eſtate and Credit) I could not obtain ſo much favor, toward the relief of my Oppreſſions, as to have one Petition read in her Grand Aſſemblies during above nine years continual Sollicitations. In brief; as in relation to my ſelf, I have no reaſon to reſpect any one of the former Powers more then the other; for, as the Porter ſaid, Whoſoever were King, he ſhould be but a Porter; ſo, I may ſay, if they who ſhall come hereafter, be not more righteous then they who ruled heretofore, I am ſure to have but little Favour, and much Miſchief: and as for Charles Stuart in particular, if he comes hither by that paſſage, which we are likely to make for him at this time, and ſhall walk in ways no better then his Progenitors, and our late Governours have trod, I cannot have ſo much cauſe to dread him, as he will have to be afraid of himſelf; and I ſhall do him better ſervice, perhaps, (if I live to ſee him here in power) then any one of them, who moſt deſire his coming: For, as I did to his Father, and his Succeſſours, I will make bold (though with as little thanks or belief) to tell him plainly and truly, what will befal him and his Poſterity; and then, I think, my work will be at an end, and I ſhall leave the Stage.
Now, I have done with Charles Stuart, unleſs GOD's indignation ſends him thither; and then I muſt endure the Storm, (as well as GOD ſhall enable me) which will iſſue from that Mountain (and I verily believe, that will be well enough, becauſe (though I affect them not) I am uſually ſafeſt in Storms; and thrive beſt, by GOD's mercy, when my greateſt Enemies, think they ſhall irrecoverably undo me.) I perceive, that neither ſuch peaceable Gales, as many expect, are likely to proceed thence, nor ſuch dreadful Tempeſts as are by ſome feared, if we make them not great by our own defaults: and therefore, I will turn toward the next Mountain (the late diſſolved Parliament) if I know where to finde it; which will he a very hard matter; for, the Father of it is dead; the Mother upon which it was begotten, knows not whither it is departed; and in the place where it was born, lived and acted, I find here and there a Limb; but, of ſo many united, as may make them a Parliament, I cannot hear any news; no nor ſo much as a Paper from any one Member, laying claim to their loſt power. All I hear, of it, is but Ecchoes, which ſignifie little; or, ſome raging ſounds, implying that wrathful indignation, which will never accompliſh the will of GOD; or, elſe ſcurrilous Invectives, ſcattered by we know not whom, without names; and raiſed perhaps from private Suppoſitions, conducing onelyonly to an inlargement of the late Breach, as if deſigned by the Common Adverſary to that end; and by ſuch as are acceſſary to that endeavour GOD, who raiſed up Lazarus, when he was dead, buried, & ſtunk, may (if he pleaſe) once again reſtore it; and what he will do, no man knows; but, in common Reaſon, we can have little hope of it, or, of having any Deliverance from our hazards, by that, whereto we can make no Addreſs, and which had not power enough to ſave it ſelf, when it had a viſible Authority. The Horſes, which drew their Chariot, like thoſe in the Fable of Hippolitus, being frighted, hath overthrown it, daſht it into pieces; and ſo ſcattered their Members, that ſhould Aeſculapius undertake the cure, he could not ſet them together again. When they were in being, and had Authority de Facto, (though ſome think not de jure) we were obliged to be obedient whilſt that Being laſted, becauſe there was no other viſible power, to preſerve the Comon Peace. We had then ſome hope they might (though made lawful by neceſſity onelyonly, have been a means of conſtituting a better Parliament, then they themſelves were: but, what can we now hope for from them? Or what ſubjection owe we to that, which if it had ſome being, can give us no protection in our obedience? Or unto whoſe uſe ought thoſe Fragments and Fractions of the Power, which was delegated and intruſted by them into particular hands, be now imployed, but, to their uſe, and for their ſafety, by whom that now-inviſible Repreſentative, was intruſted? Let us not then, deceive our ſelves with Shadows, and run after Voyces in the dark, which come we neither know whence, or from whence, leſt we fall into a bottomleſs Pit.
That Mountain is now quite breathleſs; there breathes no Wind from it, nor can, unleſs GOD extraordinarily breathe again into it; and therefore we are to addreſs our ſelves to that viſible Power, which GOD hath permitted to riſe up in the ſtead thereof, by what means ſoever it was advanced: for, though perhaps it was treaſonably acquired, that which ought not to have been done, being done, is of force; and it was juſtly permitted of GOD, though unjuſtly acted by men; and the Act was of GOD, though the obliquity of the Act, was their who perpetrated the ſame; as the rending of Ten Tribes from the houſe of Solomon, was of GOD, though it was treaſonably proſecuted by Jeroboam: and they who armed themſelves to reduce them to their former ſubjection, (as perhaps we now intend to do) were ſo told, and thereupon deſiſted from their purpoſe. This conſidered, they who at this preſent, exerciſe the ſupreme power over theſe Nations; and they alſo, who received heretofore power by Commiſſions from the late Repreſentative whilſt it was in being, muſt (as well for the ſafety of the whole Commonwealth, as for their own ſecurity) preſerve that Power, as intire as they can, for their ſafe-guard, whoſe ſafety was thereby primarily intended; and ought not to ſacrifice it, either to Revenge, or to the Ghoſt of that Body, whereto they have now no Obligation; and eſſentially violate their Truſt to the People, under colour of preſerving fidelity to the ſhadow of their Inviſible Repreſentative, leſt they finde at laſt, they were deluded by their own Corruption, or by a deceitful Spirit: And they in particular, who have aſſumed the Soveraign Power, inſtead of that which is aboliſhed, or ſuſpended, ought not to deal ſeverely with ſuch as not out of wilfulneſs, but rather in Conſcience, and through want of due information, ſhall not comply therewith, until they have means to be fully informed, what in honour and juſtice, they are obliged unto, in ſo extraordinary an Emergency. In the whole, I could diſcover no likelyhood of help, in our preſent neceſſities, from that Mountain; and, perhaps, GOD hath buried it, as he did the Body of Moſes, no man knows where, leſt they who truſted overmuch in it, might commit Idolatry again therewith, and think he could no way elſe deliver them from their Oppreſſours, but by that Parliament.
The third Mountain, which with the Wind from thence blowing, will be next conſiderable, is the Grand Body of the people, whom they repreſented, whoſe Limbs, are now ſcattered. From this Mountain, I hear as it were the ſound of a mighty Wind, but can perceive no product likely to be anſwerable to the noiſe it makes, nor any birth at preſent more conſiderable then a Mouſe. It is expected perhaps, that the people will be avenged upon thoſe who have deſtroyed their Image, and offered violence to their late Repreſentative; but Cui bono, to what purpoſe, if it were of GOD? They will raiſe up a Power, ſome think, to proſecute alſo their Cauſe. That's a dream, (if not an impoſſibility) likely to produce ſuch an event, as the rage of the men of Ophra had againſt Gideon, when he brake down the Image of Baal; and we may as well endeavour to gather all the drops of a Showre into one Bucker, & aſſoon imbody therewith the ſparklings of Char-coa…s, and the ſprinklings of Dew lying upon the graſs tops, into an Electuary: For, the Members of that Body, are ſo many, ſo ſcattered, and ſo divided into Factions, by their differing Judgments, Aſſertions and Intereſts, that, without an over-ruling Power, they will never be brought to agree upon any Medium to preſerve themſelves; much leſs to vindicate that Parliament, which the greateſt part of them, would not acknowledge to be their lawful Repreſentative, whilſt it continued in Power: For, many of them ſought the ruine thereof, when it was in being; rejoyced when it was deſtroyed, (as they think it to be) and were ſorry for nothing, ſo much, as that the Army was not alſo therewith annihilated. Yea, not a few of thoſe who faithfully ſerved that Parliament, and conſcientiouſly did their beſt endeavour to preſerve it, were ſo diſſatisfied with their partial and unjuſt proceeding in ſome things; with their neglect in other matters, and with the dubiouſneſs of their Authority, that they adhered thereto, for no reſpect ſo much, as becauſe they had thereto engaged themſelves, and knew no other viſible means under GOD, ſo likely to prevent a general and destructive Confuſion; or, elſe, for that they thought them impowered at firſt by GOD's permiſſion, and graciouſly reſtored after their long Interruption, (for that purpoſe which they themſelves have pretended) until this people ſhould be prepared (by thoſe Changes wherewith he will further prove them) for ſuch a Government, as will be moſt for His Glory, and their good. In expectation of this Mercy, they, who were their Friends, now wait upon GOD, and think themſelves not obliged to endeavour an avengement upon thoſe, who have done GOD's Work, for ought they know to the contrary; and, moſt of that part of the People who diſaffected the late Parliament, will not engage againſt the Infringers of it, in hope to ſee their own malitious Deſigne againſt the Commonwealth, to take place by the removal thereof, by the diſtractions, or miſcarriages, of the Army. Upon theſe, and ſuch like Conſiderations, I concluded, that, from this Mountain, (until it were put into a better capacity) nothing could be expected anſwerable to a rational Expectation; but, ſome mad Combinations, in ſeveral parts of the Commonwealth, for and againſt reviving the late Parliament, which is doubtleſs deſigned, and will be fomented by the Common Adverſary, to make him an Inlet, and bring at laſt to his ſide, one part of their diſſenting Forces.
Then, I lifted mine eyes toward that other Hill, from whence many men look for help: to wit, the Army; for, though I expect ſalvation from that Hill onelyonly, which over-tops all Mountains, I conſidered that alſo; and, at the firſt fixing of mine eyes upon it, I ſaw many doubtful and terrible Appearances, which did a little affright me. It reſembled, me thought, a Hill with three tops, ſeemingly divided, with ſome ſlaſhes of fire, and ſmoakes breathing and iſſuing out from between them, which portended ſuch miſchiefs as many feared would enſue their diſſolving of the Parliament: For, this is the Hill which juſtled aſide that Mountain, and I was jealous it might rather prove to be Mount Ebal, whence Curſes were pronounced, then Mount Gerazim, from whence Bleſſings could be expected; and it may poſſibly be unto us as GADS-HILL, which hath been a Hill of Robbors, as well as GODS-HILL, notwithſtanding any thing, that I can abſolutely warrant to the contrary. But, I hope better: for, as the ſins of the Iſraelites, made GOD incline Davids heart to diſcover the pride which was in it, by numbring the people; and then for a puniſhment of that offence, brought him into ſuch a ſtreight, that he himſelf was to chuſe whether his Penance ſhould be the Sword, Peſtilence or Famine; and upon his reſigning himſelf with penitence, to GOD's good pleaſure, had a Correction, vouchſated in mercy, which gave occaſion of purchaſing that piece of ground, whereon the Temple was afterward erected: So, perhaps the Army, or the Officers thereof, having in ſome ſpecial manner ſinned againſt GOD; and, they, and theſe Nations being mutually occaſions of tranſgreſſions in each other, which have provoked GOD againſt both, we are brought into the like streights; which, if they produce true Repentance, with an unfeigned Reſignation of our ſelves to GOD, he will not onelyonly correct us in mercy, but, make this Breach likewiſe, an occaſion of erecting ſuch a Government, as will together with advance of our Welfare, make ſome preparation for that Kingdome, which will glorifie him throughout all Nations.
Upon theſe, and ſuch muſings, that Mountain, which before appeared to me as contemptible as a Mole-hill, and to ſend forth diſcomfortable blaſts, ſeemed to have a more venerable Aſpect: yea, to have much Holy Ground in it, and to breathe forth refreſhing Gales. It then appeared to me, like that Mountain, in ſome reſpects, on which the Iſraelites beheld Clouds, Flames and Smoke; from which they heard a Trumpet and Thunders, and which the People were enjoyned not to touch, on penalty of being ſtoned. Methought alſo, I ſaw appearances of GOD upon it, and the Popular Mountain laſt mentioned, to move gradatim toward the ſame, & therewith incorporating into one ſtrong Hill, which if our ſins hinder not, will be joyntly active and paſſive, according to my apprehenſion, in the profecution of that Expedient which is moſt heroick, and which will produce many future Experiments, teaching us better to know GOD's, our own, and other mens intentions, and the way to both our ſettlement, & to that Kingdom which hath no end This Courſe, if the Army, and they who have pretended to GOD's glory, and the common welfare, have reſolution and faithfulneſs enough to purſue as they yet may; they ſhall thereby wipe off, all former and preſent Aſperſions, with everlaſting honour: the upbraidings and reproaches of their Malignant Detractors and Oppreſſors, ſhall effect no more againſt them, then the barkings and bawlings of Dogs againſt the Moon: their former failings, will be means of prevailings hereafter: every Stumble, ſhall ſet them two ſteps forwarder: though they were more diſabled then yet they are, the united powers, of all their mighty Adverſaries abroad and at home, ſhall be to them, but as a Field of ſtubble before a Flame; and their over-powering them with multitudes, ſhall be but like heaping up ſtraw and dry brambles, to cover a ſtrong Fire: For, GOD ſhall return into their Camps with invincible Auxiliacies, lodge in their Head-quarters, and rejoyce in protecting and enabling them as heretofore, to the producing of miraculous effects, and to the reterting on their Adverſaries (who are puffed up with vain hopes by their Diviſions) that ſcorn and confuſion which they expected ſhould befall theſe Iſlands are long: and I have here averred no more then GOD will perform on his part, if the Armies, and they who pretend for the common Intereſt, ſhall not apoſtatize from what is to be performed on their parts.
Let them take heed to this: for, it is the effect of thoſe promiſes, which are made conditionally to all men throughout all Generations, and recorded to be transferred and applyed particularly and univerſally as occaſion is offered: and, that which is contrary to what is here averred, will befal them, who falſifie their truſt, or engagements for GOD's or their Countries Cauſe, even to their own inexpreſſible ſhame and deſtruction. For, as when the ways of men pleaſe GOD, he makes troubles to be their advantage, and their greateſt Enemies to be their Friends: ſo, when they wilfully diſpleaſe him, he makes their beſt Friends to be their Enemies, their ſtrength to weaken them; their wiſdome, to befool them; their prevailings to overthrow them; and that, wherein they take moſt delight, to be their greateſt vexation: yea, if they perſevere in their wickedneſs, he will make them at laſt, to be their own deſtroyers, as were the Jews, whoſe deſtruction, GOD ſaid, Was of themſelves. So, is our deſolation likely to be: for, we are as like them, in all things, as if we had been patterned out by them; yea, as well in other particulars as in our manners, as appears by what follows.
There is a diſtinct being among us, reſembling that of Judah and Iſrael; and we are both ſeparated and mixt, as they were, in relation to Temporal and Spiritual Concernments: our Friends and Enemies round about us, were in every reſpect typified, by their Friends, Adverſaries and Confederates: we are as obſtinate as they, in proſecuting our carnal Deſignes: we dote as much upon our own Cuſtoms and Traditions, as ever they did: like them, we deride and proſecute, thoſe who are ſtirred up by GOD, to declare his Will, to reprove our ſins, and to forewarn us of his Judgments: like them, we prefer our preſent profit, and a temporal Kingdom, before a Spiritual: as many Factions, we have among us, as they had, a little before, and at the time wherein Jeruſalem was deſtroyed: and if Chriſt were in the fleſh among us, as he was with them, we are as likely to prefer a Murderer before him, and to crucifie him. VVe deſerve therefore to be rejected as they were; nay, far greater Judgements then fell upon them, becauſe, what they did, and what thereon enſued, is recorded for our inſtruction and forewarnings. But, no Examples, of ancient times, nor thoſe which we have ſeen in our days, will work upon us, or move us to any conſiderable amendment; rather, on the contrary, we delight in lies, and take pleaſure in deriding the moſt ſacred things, yea, in abuſing each other, and in hearing each other abuſed, by ſcurrilous Invectives: and methinks I ſee, with what ridiculous Geſticulations, and vain rejoycings, our Adverſaries beyond the Seas, peruſe our ſcurrilities. Theſe, we can finde time enough to read or hear: but what may tend to edification, reconciliation or performance of our duties, we have neither money to buy, nor leaſure to peruſe, nor will to take notice of, though it be put gratis, into our hands: but, we keep them in our pockets, as Caeſar did that Letter, which might have prevented his death, till the miſchief whereof we are forewarned, comes upon us. OH LORD! Deliver us from all our Enemies in this time of our hazard; eſpecially deliver us from our ſelves, without whoſe prevarications, no other enemies could hurt us.
One thing, comes now ſuddenly to mind, not impertinent, which I will here inſert, leſt it be forgotten; and it will concern you, (whom I believe to be one of GOD's Elect in this City of London) to put other men in mind to be be heedful thereof: I have obſerved ſo many wicked Spirits, to be lately conjur'd up, and let looſe among you, and now poſſeſſing the greateſt number, as well of the richer ſort, as of poor Artificers Tradeſmen, Apprentices, Clerks, and other debauched, deſpicable, and giddy-headed perſons, whoſe hearts are filled with malice, and their mouths overflow with helliſh Curſes, direful Imprecations, and ſcandalous Language againſt their Superiors, and thoſe things which they underſtand not, manifeſting in them, a proneneſs to deſperate Mutinies and Inſurrections, when occaſion ſhall be offered, that it is GOD's great mercy, this great City hath not been in a Flame long ſince: and, I am perſwaded that a great Judgement hangs over it, which had ere now deſcended, if a conſiderable number of righteous men, had not ſtood in the Gap to divert it; and for whoſe ſakes, GOD, hath hitherto ſpared it. There ſeemed to me, a Forewarning Symptome thereof exhibited on or about the 23 day of June laſt, at which time a Prodigious Meteor (the like not heard of by me heretofore) was ſeen by the effect, which ought to have been more heeded then it was. A Flame deſcending in a Whirle-wind, about two Furlongs Weſt-ward from the Suburbs of your City, conſumed to the roots, the ſtumps of the Sun-ſcorched Graſs on the ground, many poles every way (which I ſaw, and have mentioned in another occaſional Diſcourſe) not without obſerving GOD's mercy to the City, in reſtraining it from paſſing a little further Eaſt-ward, where was combuſtible matter enough, which by feeding it, might, as the Wind then ſate, have made it a more dreadful, and a more obſervable Forewarning.
But, that which laſt precedeth, hath brought another Mountain to my conſideration, from whence there may poſſibly, iſſue ſuch Winds, as will be of more conſequence, toward the ſettling or unſettling the Common peace, then from any one of the four afore-mentioned, conſidering the poſture we are in. It lies neither Eaſt, Weſt, North or Southward; but, is that Hill, even that great City, wherein you are. I dare not expreſs, what I either hope or fear, as in relation thereunto, leſt it may be more offenſive then profitable: and therefore, ſmothering my thoughts, I will onelyonly pray to GOD, ſo to qualifie their ſpirits, who are diſtempered, and ſo to direct them, who are peaceably minded among you; that, in the great Tryal of their prudence, which is now at hand, they may proſecute what will be moſt expedient for their own and the publick ſafety, ſeaſonably, faithfully, and with courage: for, the turning of the Balance to the wrong or right ſide, will now (next under GOD) be in their Power; and the greateſt future honour or ſhame, will accordingly be their portion.
From that, which I have here haſtily ſcribled, out of thoſe many Notions which lay confuſedly in my heart; (and which like an Olla podredae, will afford ſome Refection, though the whole diſh be not for every mans diet) you may pick out thus much at leaſt, that, I hope GOD, who makes light ſpring out of darkneſs, and produceth good effects from evil, will be pleaſed ſo to diſpoſe of what ſhall iſſue from theſe Mountains, or from that which ſome of the Army have irregularly done, (whatſoever they intended) that it ſhall advantage us at the laſt; and that he will in the mean time reſtrain both the City and Commonwealths Forces from that Engagement againſt each other (which our Friends fear, and our Enemies hope for) by making them conſider what ſad effects may elſe follow, to the ruine of their Country, and to their own ſhame and diſtraction; that he will give them grace, to preſerve that Power intire, which was at firſt put into their hands, for the ſafe-guard of the People and their Rep eſontative, (and ſince they have aſſumed a Supreme Power, inſtead of what was intended to be ſubordinate) to make that uſe of it, whereto they are obliged in Gratitude, Conſcience and Juſtice, even to preſerve the Common Peace, and to ſtrengthen their hands, whom GOD ſhall ſtir up, and endow with ſuch a portion of his Spirit, as may enable them, to ſettle a Righteous Government, by reducing thoſe things into order, with a ſtrong hand, which are not otherwiſe reducible by humane wiſdom; and then reſigne again the Military Sword, to be returned into the Scabberd, and continue in quiet ſubjection to the Civil Sword, as in times paſt, when the Peoples Repreſentative had it at command.
If this you think to be my hope, as indeed it is, you may then ask me, how it ſhall be effected: if you do, all I can tell you, is onelyonly of another branch of that hope, which, is, that the Commonwealths Armies, who have now the viſible Power in their hands, will become of one minde, and being lovingly and firmly united, will either ſpeedily reſtore, (if it be needful and poſſible) thoſe whom they have ſcattered, or, reſigne it cordially to ſuch as GOD ſhall providentially call together, and fitly qualifie for ſo great a work; and from whom the ſaid Armies (having ſo delivered up that ſupreme Power) may receive back a ſubordinate Authority, to be faithfully and obediently aſſiſtant according to their commands in their ſeveral places of truſt for the future: for, though it may ſeem abſurd or improper for them, who once had the greateſt power, to make others greater then themſelves, and then to receive back a leſs power; yet, that, is but ſuch a denial of themſelves as is juſt; and no new, or ſtrange thing, ſeeing the People in whom is virtually the Soveraign Power, do conſtitute their Repreſentative to be the ſupreme active power, of the Commonwealth; and then are again in ſeveral Parties, and diſtinct Capacities, re-impowered thereby, as their various occaſions and ſervices require it.
You may then ask me, likewiſe, whether ſome of the chief Officers of the Armies, may not have a ſecret intention of advancing themſelves to the publick wrong, and by having an influence upon the common Souldiery, render them to be more ſerviceable to themſelves, and their purpoſes, then to the Republick, as it hath happened otherwhile heretofore. I hereto anſwer, that, GOD, hath a more prevailing influence upon Armies, then their Officers can have; and he being the LORD of HOSTS, can turn the hearts of their Officers and Souldiers (if any be depraved) or make the Souldiery, by their Officers late example, to caſt off their obedience to them, as they did caſt off their obedience to the late Parliament, and perhaps with as good or a better Conſcience, then ſome of them have ſo done, though they were thereto really neceſſitated: For, if the Souldiery ſhall be jealous of any ſelf-ends, in their Officers from whence the late Innovation might ſpring; or are not convinced in their Conſciences, that the late defection was warranted by GOD, and by an unqueſtionable neceſſity apparent to them; and ſhall withal, perceive that it will plunge them into a Bloody Engagemem againſt each other, both to the deſtroying of themſelves, and to the endangering of their Country, as probably it will: I hope, they will conſider, by whom they are paid their Wages; for whoſe defence and ſervice, they are imbodied; that, they are a part of the ſame Body which is to be ſecured, & which is expoſed at this time to hazard; and that they are not obliged to obey thoſe who abuſe their truſt, contrary to that end for which they had it conferred upon them; and that then they will deliver up their Delinquent Officers, and not make themſelves guilty of other mens crimes, leſt they hazard the whole Army, as the Benjamites did their whole Tribe, by not delivering up the Delinquents of Gibea, who did abuſe to death, the Levites Concubine.
But, if the Parliament cannot be reſtored; or if (though they may) the ſaid Parliament cannot confide in the Army; or, if the Army being reconciled, ſhall be perſwaded in Conſcience, that the late Parliament was not capable of making a firm Settlement; and that their Officers, having with good warrant, done that which they did, and knowingly intend ſuch a courſe, as will more conduce to an Eſtabliſhment of the Peoples juſt Liberties, and ſafety, then that which the Parliament proſecuted; and that it will be alſo more ſpeedy and more honourable both to theſe Nations and to them: what muſt we then do? Doubtleſs, we muſt then ſubmit to the preſent neceſſity, and to that expedient which they will proſecute; and thoſe men of underſtanding, courage, honeſty and piety, who believe it to be ſo, and rake notice what a hazardous and deſperate condition this Commonwealth is viſibly and unqueſtionably in, at this time, (being called together, and impowered by thoſe on whom the ſupreme Power is now devolved) muſt act for our preſervation ſo far forth as they are able, notwithſtanding any Law heretofore made to diſcourage them; and leave the event to GOD: for, no man that acts for common ſafety, when the Sword hath abſolute power, and ſhall alſo command it, can juſtly be queſtioned afterward, for acting contrary to any former Law, which could be binding no longer then during that time wherein the Civil Sword had Soveraignty. Indeed, if during that time he acts contrary to ſuch Laws as were made for a Legal Government, and to the deſtroying thereof; or, ſhall not conform again to thoſe Laws, when a Military Juriſdiction is to be laid aſide: he is a Traytor, is lyable to condign puniſhment, and not for acting that which neceſſity required, when the Sword ſuperſeded the Law formerly in force.
But, who hath Authority to levy money, for payment of the Souldiers, and to defray other contingent expences, that a proceed may be made toward ſettling a Government; and that Plunder, Free quarter, and the common Enemies attempts may be prevented the mean while? I will imply an Anſwer to theſe Queſtions, by asking who is not authorized to do it in ſuch a caſe as we are in, or may be in, if he be actually in Arms, and ſufficiently ſtrengthned ſo to do? eſpecially if commiſſioned by thoſe who have the moſt viſible ſupreme Authority, to ſecure the Publike Intereſt? Or, who, though not commiſſioned by any, is not warranted, if he be enabled, (and ſhall do it ſincerely) to endeavour preſervation of the Common ſafety and intereſt, by an Arbitrary Proceeding, in a time of univerſal danger, and when it cannot be done in a legal manner? May any man come without blame, and with thanks, to help ſave a ſingle City, endangered by a raging Fire, and take Inſtruments uſeful thereto out of any mans poſſeſſion? Yea, enter into his houſe, and pull it down if need be; or, burn the Suburbs of a City, whereby an Enemy may be advantaged in laying a Siege thereunto, and the ſaid City be loſt? And, ſhall it not be allowable for any man to do as much for preſervation of the whole Commonwealth, conſiſting of many Cities, Counties, Towns and Villages, yea, of three populous Nations, when they are in danger to be deſtroyed, or (which is worſe) to be inſlaved? Are not all the Goods, and Lands, yea, and the Perſons alſo, within a Commonwealth, her Goods and Lands, and Perſons; whoſe ſoever they are, or in whoſe occupation, propriety or poſſeſſion ſoever they be? This cannot be denyed: and may ſhe not then take her own to ſecure her ſelf, whereſoever ſhe findes it? Verily it may lawfully be taken by the Law of Nature, and Salus Populi, which is the Supreme Law whereto all other humane Laws are ſubſervient: and curſed is he, above all other Tranſgreſſors of humane Laws, who either abuſeth this Law by neglecting to put it in execution, ſo far as he is able, when need requires it; or who ſhall pretend to a neceſſity, when there is none; or make it ſeem greater then it is, to advantage his private Deſignes to the oppreſsing of other men: and wicked and unjuſt is that Commonwealth o… Ciyt, which, when the danger is paſt, doth not contribute out of the Common Purſe a reaſonable repair of their particular damages, whoſe goods were ſeized or ſpoiled to prevent a general detriment, by an Arbitrary or irregular Act.
One Objection more may be yet made, which is implyed in this Verſe of the Poet:
Nulla fides, pietaſve viris, qui caſtra ſequuntur.
No Faith, or Piety, is in their words,
Who, have no living, but their Swords.
Armies, are as dangerous and unſtable, as the Seas; ebbing, flowing, calmed, inraged, turning and returning, as Windes and Tydes move them. They are but an Arm of Fleſh, you will ſay, and we can have no aſſurance of their conſtancy, whereby we may be confident thereof; and, our Army, may ſet up, one of their own Officers, or call in Charles Stuart, or make ſome other uſe of their power at laſt, for their own advantage, to the deſtroying of the Peoples intereſt; and, what ſhall we then do? Truly, we muſt then do as, I hope, you and I do now, and ever ſhall do, in proſperity, and adverſity. We muſt do as the Iſraelites did when they were oppreſſed. It is recorded, that, when for their ſins, they were (as we now are) at ſuch and ſuch a time, ſo, and ſo oppreſſed, they cryed unto GOD, and obtained deliverance. They cryed, and were delivered; and ſinned again, and cryed again, and were again and again delivered; as we have often been. Yea, though their hearts were not right, and their cries proceeded more form a ſenſe of their Oppreſſions, then of their ſins; yea, though they cryed and prayed, but as Ahab once did, and as (I fear) moſt of us have often done; yet, they had temporary deliverances; and they returning to their ſins, the puniſhments again returned, increaſing from ſeven years bondage, to ſeventy years captivity: and, we ſtarting aſide as they did like a warped Bow, are in danger of the like Chaſtiſements: For, our verbal profeſſion of truſting in GOD; our loud vocal Prayers, and ſometimes a days abſtinence from food, prevails very little, except there comes therewith, a ſtill voyce from the heart, which cries for mercy, as Abels blood cryed out of the earth for vengeance. To tell the greateſt part of men, that they muſt truſt in God, is in their apprehenſion (though they ſeemingly receive it as good counſel) as if they were plainly told that there is no hope of their deliverance: For, they feel their hearts cannot truſt in him, except we ſhew them ſome other thing left wherein they might truſt, if GOD ſhould fail their expectation, as they fear he will, when he looks into their hearts, and ſees that they truſt him no longer, then thoſe outward things continue whereon they placed their confidence. If we cannot truſt GOD with our Army, who is the LORD of Armies, except we may be aſſured our Armies will prove truſty, or, unleſs we ſee ſome other earthly reſerve to rely upon if that ſhould be falſe; we muſt then ſuffer for our unfaithfulneſs, without remedy; and may be likened to a fooliſh man, who having an excellent ſtout Horſe able to bear him to the Lands end, is afraid he may miſcarry in a Journey of ten miles, unleſs he hath alſo, a wooden Hobby-horſe to be a Reſerve. He, that could caſt down the VValls of a ſtrong City, with the ſound of Rams-horns, can ſave us without an Army, and in deſpight of the moſt puiſſant Armies in the world; and, he hath deſerved better of theſe Nations, then to be diſtruſted by them.
For, what People under Heaven, hath had more Experiments of GOD's timely aſſiſtance in all extremities, then hath been vouchſafed by him unto us both in times paſt, and within our remembrance? Nay, what Hiſtories record a Mercy vouchſafed to any Nation ſince the beginning of the world, like that which we enjoy at this preſent amidſt our Confuſions? We are a living active Body without a Head: A burning Buſh that is not conſumed: A People without a Government, yet not embrewed with each others blood; which I believe (though few of us heed that mercy) is a wonderment to all our Neighbours round about us; and is a token undubitable that GOD is yet in the Buſh, and will gather us together as Chickens under a Hen, to be brooded by him, if we were not wilful: for, if I ſhould enumerate (beſide our three late ſignal Changes without Bloodſhed) thoſe other late mercies, which but I my ſelf have taken heed of in my time, have been ſo extraordinarily linked to each other, that we had been utterly deſtroyed, if any one of thoſe Links had been broken off, it would amount to a large Volumn; or, if I ſhould commemorate, how many of thoſe outward truſts have failed us, whereon we relyed, it would appear, that all other Dependencies are empty vanities. I will particularize a few of them, that we may be more mindful how we have been deceived by thoſe other helps wherein we truſted, and learn henceforward, to think GOD's Protection is all-ſufficient.
We had a King of whom we had great hopes, as appeared by our mourning, for his long abſence in Spain, when he was Prince; and by our extravagant rejoycings at his return; and many had an extraordinary confidence in him when he firſt aſſumed the Regal Authority: yet, he became our Oppreſſour ſoon after; and much was deſigned, which might have more oppreſt us. We had afterward a Parliament, on which we ſo much depended, that we made an Idol of it, and were no leſs oppreſſed thereby. We had many eminent Perſons among us, whom we thought ſuch true Patriots, that we almoſt deifi'd them; and ſuppoſed they ſhould have been our Deliverers, from the ſervitude which we groaned under; but, many of them, apoſtatized from our Cauſe, and other ſome were taken away by death, whom we thought moſt ſincere; and both failed in our greateſt need. We had a Protector, whom ſome did compare unto (nay, prefer before) Moſes and Joſhua; and he made ſuch fair ſhews of Piety, that we much truſted in him, and thought it impoſſible he ſhould deceive us; yet, in him alſe, there was no truſt. Then the Parliament being reſtored, we again repoſed our confidence therein, and were again deceived: many have truſted in themſelves, in their power, in their eſtates, in their own piety, in their policy; and all thoſe things vaniſh away alſo like Smoke: ſome other at this preſent truſt in our Armies, in the ſtrength of men and horſes, in Forts and Fleets, with ſuch like; and now begin to diſtruſt them, feeling not onelyonly our late hopes of them to be ſhaken, but our Fears likewiſe to be by them in creaſed: and what ſhould all this teach us, but to relic on him onelyonly, who is immutable? He hath Wiſdome enough to know what is beſt for us; Power enough, to effect it for us; Love enough, to vouchſafe it; Faithfulneſs enough, to perform his promiſes; and Ubiquity and Eternity, to be preſent with us at all times, in all places, and in all extremities: yea, he hath freely engaged by his Word and Promiſes, to do all this for us, if we have but Faith enough to believe him; and will alſo give us that Faith, if we heartily ask it. If we think not this a ſufficient Reſerve to ſecure us, though our Armies, and all things elſe in the world, ſhould be falſe and helpleſs, we are worthy to be deſerted; and can have no ſecurity, until we ſearch out the Cauſe of our diffidence, and then endeavour to remove it: which Cauſe, is our many great unrepented ſins; and in ſpecial, our hypocriſie, our groſs partiality, our ſelf-ſeekings, and remiſſneſs in doing Juſtice, and in mercifully relieving the oppreſſed, the Widows, the Fatherleſs and the Friendleſs; which ſins, were the principal cauſes of the Deſolation of all Kingdoms, and Republicks, heretofore deſtroyed, in former Ages.
Our Sins, have been the ſole Cauſe, that our Kings, our Parliaments, our Protectors, our Armies, our Navies, our Counſels, our Coſt, our Conqueſts, and that we our ſelves, have been deſtructive to our ſelves, to each other, and to a happy progreſſion toward the ſettlement which we have long expected: Therefore, until theſe ſins are more truly repented, all the wiſdom and power upon earth, ſhall not avail us; but every day will encreaſe our troubles, until there be a final extirpation of all that which now hinders GOD's work: For, if our Armies reconcile to each other, an unarmed power, ſhall break them in pieces: If, by their Union with the People, who are wellaffected to their own Cauſe, we could ſecure theſe Iſlands from Forreign Invaſions, and Domeſtick Inſurrections, until our own wiſdom had contrived and ſettled ſuch a Government as we moſt deſire; yet, if our ſins remain unrepented, GOD, may make us miſerable by Famine, which would conſume us with a lingring death. If our Induſtry, were able to prevent or mitigate a Famine; he hath Peſtilences and other Sickneſſes at command, to make a quicker diſpatch; and if we had cures for theſe, he can rain down Fire and Sulpher from Heaven, as he did on Sodom and Gomorrha. GOD, is a ſure Refuge againſt all theſe, and againſt evils more to be feared then all theſe; and if we reconcile our ſelves to him in Faith and Repentance, we ſhall not need to ſeek for ſafety in the Reeds of Aegypt, or, by climing Rocks, or creeping into Dens; or by fawning upon Tyrants, Dogs, Devils, and despicable Deliverers, who cannot ſave themſelves. We ſhall then, neither fear ill News, or Mid-day, or Mid-night-miſchieſs; not the roaring of Lyons, nor the hiſſing of Serpents, nor the murmurings of the People, nor their Fury, how horribly ſoever they rage; nor the failing of our Corn or wine, nor the increaſe of our Troubles, or of our Enemies, though they incloſe us with Armies; nor ſuſpect our own Armies, nor dread the malice of the Devil, nor our own Sins, which are more dangerous then all the reſt aforementioned: For, nothing ſhall then harm us; but, even thoſe things which are moſt miſchievous in their own nature, ſhall be made our advantage and ſecurity. Moreover, when we do not truſt in any outward means of ſafety, but value them onelyonly as tokens of GOD's love for the Givers ſake, and make uſe of them as Auxiliaries from him, he will multiply and continue even thoſe outward Accommodations which our frailty deſireth; that, they may help ſupport our fleſhly part, when Faith muſt employ the Faculties of our minds and bodies in working out with him, both our Temporal and Spiritual Salvation.
I ſpeak this experimentally: for, I being ſubject to ſuch infirmities as all other men are, when I am buffered by Satan for my ſins paſt, by GOD's permiſſion, (or to prevent ſins whereinto I had elſe fallen) do, oftentimes, (like men in danger of drowning, catching hold of a Ruſh) entertain ſuch vain hopes, as may keep my fleſh quiet, and the leſs burthenſome to my Spirit; that, thereby pleaſing her ſelf a while, till ſhe be a little enured to the Affliction which lies upon us, it may be the more tolerable: and I am thankful to GOD, even for ſuch vain hopes, as come to nothing; and for that eaſe which I had by them, whilſt they laſted: But, I placed no truſt in them; for, GOD is my onelyonly truſt, whom I ſo well know by thoſe manifeſtations which he hath made of himſelf, that I cannot deſpair (though I tremble) when I contemplate the ſevereſt of his Judgements; and am ſo aſſured he is merciful, that I cannot but truſt in his mercies, how long ſoever delayed, or, how far off ſoever they ſeem removed: And, when in ſuch diſtractions, troubles, and doubtful conſequences, as thoſe wherewithal I am now exerciſed, (and which theſe Changes threaten to make greater) I feel my heart diſtempered; then, I make uſe of ſuch Cordials as David hath left in his Book of approved Experiments; and, I thus expoſtulate with my heart in his words: Why art thou ſo dejected, Oh my Soul? Why art thou ſo diſquieted within me? Hope thou in GOD; for, I ſhall yet praiſe him, who is the health of my countenance, and my GOD.
If, we get but this Reſerve, we are ſafe enough, though the Army ſhould fail us, and though neither that, nor any other earthly hope, took effect: we ſhould not then, deſtroy the comforts of the day preſent, ſo often as we do, by an impertinent vexatious caring for to morrow. GOD, ſhould then keep our Armies truſty, and ſo far forth fortifie and ſtrengthen them, that they would reſtrain their old diſtempers, and be a terrour to thoſe onelyonly, who wickedly or fooliſhly ſeek to hinder the ſettlement both of our Peace, and of their own. He would then prepare the hearts of all the People, to be deſirous of, and conformable to, what muſt be done for their wellbeing: He would qualifie and impower perſons to proſecute it for his glory, & for the conſolation of thoſe who are faithful and peaceable in our Iſrael; yea, he would then ſo clear the eye of Reaſon and of Faith, which ſin hath clouded, that many thouſands of thoſe, who can yet ſee no poſſibility of modelling any ſafe, juſt, or laſting Government, ſave according to the old mode, and by re-admitting all that hath been exploded and rejected, ſhall perceive that to be feiſible which they deſpaired; cheerfully ſubmit thereto, when it is compleated; and contribute willingly, to the means of compleating it: and, I am perſwaded that in the Mountain of Contemplation, I have had a little glimpſe of that compleat model which will take place, when the date of that Mole or Moon-Calf, is expired, which is mentioned in my Britains Genius.
I cannot expreſs what I ſaw; but, I do believe (by the little glimpſe aforeſaid, which I had of it) that to make a Government perfect and durable, there are ſome Foundations to be laid, which muſt be everlaſting, (as in reſpect to that everlaſtingneſs, which belongs to things of that nature) and that thoſe Foundations muſt be guarded with Pedeſtals deeply laid, and barred about, that none may undermine, deface or ſhake, much leſs remove them, in any length of time, to the endangering of the whole Edifice. That, alſo, the contriving of thoſe Foundations, and of ſome of the firſt Superſtructures, muſt proceed from righteous unbyaſſed perſons, who are in unity in Spirit; or elſe it muſt be begotten by one and the ſame Father; that there may be a natural ſympathy in the whole Structure; that, all the parts thereof may be made homogeneous and adequate one to the other, to prevent oppugnancie; and that ſuch additions as muſt be raiſed and pulled down in future time, and perhaps raiſed and pulled down again as occaſions will require, may neither deform or weaken the principal Members of the Fabrick. They, likewiſe, who ſhall be intruſted to modellize our Government, to make it ſuch as it ought to be, muſt ſo frame it, that it may correſpond with, and be ſubſervient unto the Kingdom of Chriſt, by conſidering what is morally, legally, or Evangelically pertinent to all Nations and Ages; and what is but Ceremonial or Judicial, and belonging peculiarly to the Jews onelyonly in their own Country, and during the time wherein their Law was in force; leſt, they form a Jewiſh Commonwealth inſtead of a Chriſtian Government, and bring us back again by degrees to a Legal Bondage, inſtead of an Evangelical Freedom. I, contemplatively apprehended alſo, that theſe following Particulars, with ſome other of that nature, were to be unchangeable Conſtitutions in the ſaid Government. 1. That all perſons whoſoever, pretending right to a Supremacy over theſe Nations, were to be for ever excluded. 2. That no other ſingle perſon, or number of men, great or ſmall, ſhould have a Perpetual Soveraignly, but be ſometimes reducible to a condition of Subjection. 3. That none ſhould govern Arbitrarily, but by poſitive Laws, except in extraordinary emergent neceſſities, ſo long time onelyonly as the neceſſity ſhould require it, by their Judgement and Aſſent who are competent Judges of that neceſſity. 4. That no mans Propriety ſhould be infringed, but in the like neceſſity; and that, recompence ſhould be made out of the Publick Purſe, as ſoon as may be after the neceſſity is removed, to every one then damnified thereby. 5. That the Peoples Truſtees, may have election of all Publick Officers, and GOD have his choyce by lot, out of thoſe Elections. 6. That GOD's Throne in the Conſciences of men, may be uſurped by no humane Power; and that no man or men impowered, under pretence of Conſcience, or otherwiſe, may enjoy any Liberty or Priviledge, contrary to the Moral Laws of GOD; or the Law of Nature; or deſtructive to humane ſociety; or to the giving any Forraign Power, or Perſon, a Juriſdiction, within this Commonwealth; or to the obſtructing of Common Right and Juſtice. 7. That whoſoever, will not ſubmit and ſubſcribe to thoſe Fundamentals (when it is required) ſhall be as an excommunicated perſon, having no benefit of the Laws, or Protection by the ſaid Government; and ſuffer as a Traytor, if by act or word he wilfully infringe them.
Such Contemplations as theſe relating to our future Government, I long ſince had, and here and there hinted them in Publick and Private expreſſions, to ſome in Authority; and though they were then little regarded, I hear that ſome of them are lately taken into Conſideration: and I might have added more perhaps, as conſiderable as thoſe, if I had not perceived that my Overtures had been ſleighted by them, who ſaw they obſtructed what was deſigned for their private advantages.
But, why this Generation (which pretendeth much to the gifts of the Spirit that ſhall be vouchſafed to his Children in the laſt Ages of the world) ſhould be ſo averſe from thoſe Cautions, Forewarnings, Tenders and Expedients by me exhibited, I conceive not, unleſs it be out of Self-wil, and Pride of Heart. Why may not GOD, if he ſo pleaſe, ſave this Commonwealth, by a poor mans Expedient, that is not very wiſe, as well, as he did heretofore ſave a City by a poor wiſe man that was as little regarded? Some indeed have been pleaſed to ask my Advice, with ſeeming ſeriouſneſs, as if they thought it might be pertinent to their well-being, as the Jews did ſome of their approved Prophets, pretending Conformity therein; but, when they perceived it was not conſiſtent with their own D…ſignes and Self-ends, they wholly waved it, as thoſe did. If to have Evidences of my being rightly informed, by a meaſure of Divine Grace, and by what hath ſucceeded on my Pre-conjectures; there have been ſome ſuch evidences on my part. If Education may be a means of informing me, I was educated in our Univerſities, and Inns of Court. If to be a Souldier may ought qualifie me, I was a Commander in our firſt Army, ſo conformable to the Precept given to Souldiers by John Baptiſt, in reſting content with my pay, that I have not been malevolently diſcontented though nigh 1700 l. made due to me by an Ordinance of Parliament, hath been kept from me almoſt 17 years, without receiving either the Principal or Intereſt, though 700 l. thereof was money lent, and for which I have paid intereſt ever ſince; and though I may poſſibly be kept without it 17 years longer, longer. If Manifeſtations of my good Affection to the Common Safety and Welfare may make my offers conſiderable, I have contributed without compulſion, the adventuring of my Eſtate and Life. If my Religion, be of any concernment, I am a Chriſtian and a Proteſtant. If my Converſation be pertinent; who can object ought againſt it, or lay any thing to my charge? If a competency of Eſtate be requiſite to gain eſteem, I wanted not that, until I was deprived thereof, by Oppreſſion, and by the want of Juſtice and Mercy in other men. If to have converſed with Books, and to have obſerved long time the manners of men, and to have heeded the Conſtitution of our preſent times and Affairs, may be any thing helpful to inform me what may be now expedient; I have had thoſe helps alſo. Nay, if to be poor, ignorant, contemn'd, meanly gifted, and of a low and obſcure condition, are ſuch qualifications, as make men in theſe days moſt capable of illumination, and of that knowledge whereby they may beſt ſerve their Country in giving good advice; I am in all theſe reſpects as likely to be that way ſerviceable, as any of thoſe Huntſmen, Falconers, Taylors, Tinkers, Coblers, Plow-men, Brewers or Dray men, which are now, or have been heretofore, Officers of the Army, Members of Parliament, of Committees of Safety, or Counſellors of State. And if I had the volubility of tongue, which is in ſome; Ignorance enough to make me confidently ſpeak Non-ſence, and many words to little purpoſe; the ſhameleſſneſs of a Whore; the Conſcience of an Hypocrite; and the valour of an Engliſh Maſtiff, to flye upon any dangerous attempt without fear or wit; and but that advantage which two or three Officers of the Army have at this preſent: I ſhould not think it a hard matter, if GOD (as one of the Royal Party once ſaid, ſtood neuter, and as our Affairs now ſtand) to make my ſelf a King, or a Protector, or ſomething equivalent, either before next March, or elſe before Spain and France, had complemented themſelves into a firm and laſting Reconcilement, as near to a concluſion as they now think it to be.