A Cordial Confection to Strengthen the Heart, Discourse (3 of 3)
Though I have hitherto publickly contributed my endeavours in vain, yet I will privately, as I do now, employ my Talent to preſerve the Common Peace, in hope to bring in (by a more acceptable hand) thoſe things which I conceive pertinent to conſideration; and which will be a means to ſtir abler Inſtruments, to become active toward eſtabliſhing ſuch a Righteous Government, as is yet poſſible; or at leaſt to prevent ſome of thoſe miſchiefs which Anarchy threatens: For, if all the Premiſes were duly conſidered by thoſe whom they concern, and what Reſults may rationally be deduced from them, they would diſcover an Expedient, (and the onelyonly Expedient now loft) if they be capable of any wherein they themſelves may be active; by which, theſe Nations, Charles Stuart, our Governours that are or may be, and all the Princes of Europe, may be happy; make all their Subjects and Neighbours partakers of the ſame happineſs; and eſcape that Doom, which they are in danger to undergo with that Scarlet Whore, by whoſe Cup of Fornications, they have been made drunk. I will declare without reſpect of perſons, what that Expediont is; though I know it will be derided, if communicated in publick. But, he, who pretends to aſſiſt men that are in an intricate Labyrinth under ground in the dark, where are many crooked turnings and returnings, and gives him directions in a Paper only, leaving them no light whereto they may accuſtome their eyes a while, nor whereby they may ſee how to read what is given, (or, what Paſſages they muſt avoid or take) may juſtly be thought to mock them: Therefore, before I ſhew my Expedient, I will endeavour to remove ſome Prejudicacies, relating to my ſelf, and other men, by declaring what it is, which will hinder every Party afore-mentioned, from putting it into practiſe; and that is included in this brief ſentence, Non videmus id manticae quod in tergo eſt; which applying to my ſelf in the firſt place, I thus Engliſh in the ſingular number:
I partly ſee what's in my Neighbours Pack;
Not that part of the Wallet at my back.
I confeſs, I feel it very heavy, and do more then gueſs what is in it: Some of my Neighbors, who know not ſo well as I, what I carry, take upon them, as if they knew thoſe things to be therein, which my Conſcience aſſures me are not. …f they think otherwiſe, let them ſearch it, and diſcover what they finde offenſive to GOD, to them, or to my ſelf, ſo it be with as much Charity, and to as good purpoſe, as I have told ſome of them, what is in their Budgets; and I will take them to be my Friends, and thank them. It is too true, that by humane frailty I have in my beſt endeavours more inclined to ſelf-ends, then I ought; and by ſeeking to preſerve my Eſtate and Credit in the world, neglected ſometimes to perform my duty ſo as I ſhould have done to GOD and to my Country; and that alſo, I ſhould not have ſo far forth diſcharged it, as I have imperfectly done, if I had not been purſu'd with Storms heretofore, and caſt as it were into a Whales Belly as now I am: however, GOD's grace is ſufficient for me; and therefore, though I have many failings of mine own (hoping they ſhall not make my endeavors altogether ineffectual) I will proceed to declare what the chief cauſe of obſtruction is, which muſt be taken away, before my Expedient can be put in practiſe, by thoſe Parties whom it will concern: and that is, the not duely examining the true ſtate of thoſe Cauſes which they proſecute; and their looking ſo much after each others failings, that they heed not their own Prevarications. They are very ſenſible of wrongs done unto themſelves, but not ſenſible in the leaſt degree of thoſe injuries which they themſelves do to other men: and I having been an Obſervant by-ſtander, above threeſcore years, without any prejudice or partial reſpect to any Party, think it my duty, to declare in part, what I have obſerved in relation to them, and their reſpective Cauſes now in controverſie, ſince my remembrance; and by what means I became informed of thoſe Quarrels and Proceedings on both ſides, which occaſioned the ſad Conſequences that have enſued.
I having (as is before intimated) no cauſe to prejudice either of thoſe Parties, out of hope any way to advantage my ſelf thereby, or for any ſiniſter reſpect to either of them, (but loving and wiſhing them well, joyntly and apart) took ſuch ſpecial notice, (as is aforeſaid) both in the times of King James and King Charles, how the Peoples Liberties were encroached upon, and what farther Slaveries were likely to enſue, that I am well aſſured, the Peace and Plenty, which is by many magnified as effects of their good Government, was acquired by GOD's bleſſing upon the Peoples Induſtry in Queen Elizabeths raign, and during the time wherein thoſe forenamed Kings, made uſe of thoſe bleſſings to get ſettlement of power upon themſelves, rather then by their juſt and prudent Government: For, I ſaw them waſt and conſume in vanities, ſo much of the Publick Lands and Treaſures, to accompliſh their ends, and fulfil their luſts, as might (if employed as it ought) have made this one of the moſt happy and renowned Empires in the world. I obſerved how they conferred their Titles of honour, and part of the Publick Revenues, with vaſt ſums extorted out of private mens Eſtates (by Monopolies, unlawful and baſe Projects) upon perſons of ignoble extract, and debauched manners, to make them inſtrumental in their deſignes; and perhaps it might be ma…e probable (if not evident) that if a ſtop had not been put to their proceedings, here might have been ere this, as horrible a Maſſacre of Proteſtants, as was in Ireland. I perceived, (as miſcrable as we are now made) that, things were plotted, and in part executed, which in likelyhood would have brought us to a more miſerable condition in proceſs of time, then we are now in; and into which we are plunged by their occaſioning that which we were lately enforced unto, for prevention of their increaſing Oppreſſions and Incroachments: and, though our preſent ſufferings have cauſed moſt of them, who lived before the late Wars, to forget what was then impoſed, attempted and purpoſed; I, and many other have not forgotten it. Though likewiſe, King Charles deceaſed, is both by his own Party, and by thoſe among us, who are depraved (or, elſe were born too late to know what he was) impudently magnified as a Martyr for Religion, and an Aſſertor of the Peoples Freedoms; yet, they, and I, to whom the ſeries of his tranſactions and endeavours, is well known, cannot be deluded, by Fictions and Impoſtures, as many now are, and as more may perhaps be hereafter, by thoſe Books of Devotion compiled by his flattering Clergie, and fathered upon him: though other of the Royaliſts compile Volumns to deceive after-Ages, ſtuft with Vanities; and ſcatter ſeditious Pamphlets, and ſcurrilous Invectives (which, coming abroad without names, no wiſe man regards) thereby to render thoſe odious, who have moſt faithfully endeavoured to vindicate the Peoples Rights, and to make ignorant perſons eſteem them Rebels, Traitors, Barbarous Murthere…s of their King, and wilful Overthrowers of Government both in Church and Commonwealth: which imputations, many are apt to believe, in regard of ill ſucceſſes, occaſioned both by the Common Enemies default, and by thoſe among our ſelves, who were under-hand their Abettors; yet, un…yaſſed men, do plainly enough ſee their falſifications, & whereto they tend: Moreover, though the Adverſaries of Common Welfare, do ſcandalize the Parliament, as perfidious Breakers of their Promiſes, Proteſtations and Engagements; and particularly for taking away his Life, whom they pretended to make a glorious King, and in changing the Government; Nevertheleſs, I conceive (though ſome individual perſons among them may be premeditately guilty of all this) that the Parliament is not juſtly lyable to theſe miſ-imputations: For, upon good grounds, I do verily believe, that the Parliament unfeignedly intended what they profeſſed in that kind, and would accordingly have performed their Engagements, if the King would have accepted of thoſe terms whereby he might have been a King and not a Tyrant; and would have raigned in Righteouſneſs, as by the Laws of GOD and Nature, he was obliged to do: For, it cannot be reaſonably imagined, but that thoſe were the implicite conditions of all their Proteſtations and Engagements. But, he ſo obſtinately perſevered in his wilfulneſs, even when there was a Treaty for Reconcilement, that he diſobliged them from all their promiſes, and compelled the proſecution of that which afterward enſued, and was not at firſt intended: And, I do here to the Glory of GOD aver (though I know it may be to my perſonal diſadvantage) that GOD's doom was juſtly executed upon him for his own ſins, and the ſins of his Fathers houſe, with what intent ſoever, and with what juglings ſoever it was proſecuted by men; and, that, the Peoples Cauſe, was, and is a Righteous Cauſe, though it was not ſo prudently and righteouſly managed, as it might and ought to have been: and I believe it is too evident, that ſome of both Parties, by ſeeking to ſcrew in perſonal advantages to themſelves, at the Treaty, and at other times, were the Cauſers of all that miſ-befel both to the King and to the People.
I may rationally believe this, becauſe I had opportunities to diſcover much of their ſiniſter actings on both ſides, tending to the trapanning of each other, (if I am not miſ-informed) which juſtly provoked GOD, and occaſioned Confuſions, to the inſnaring of many well-meaning men, to the involving them in guiltineſs, troubles and hazards, from which they will not eaſily be delivered. I many times adventured (not without danger to my ſelf) to inform the King what I had obſerved; and when he was Priſoner in the Iſle of Wight, ſignified by what means he might then unqueſtionably have made his peace both with GOD and Men, (as I have done without regard to his Succeſſours) but, he adhered ſtill to his evil Counſellours; or rather, to his own wilfulneſs (which was enough to have depraved them, if they had been good) and inſtead of complying with his Parliament, ſo endeavoured even when he was their Priſoner, by corrupting the Scots, and a great number of the Parliaments Members, with large Promiſes, that he was likely, by plowing with their Oxen, either to have cheated them, of all the Peoples Freedoms, or to have plunged the three Nations, into a new War: and this cauſed the Armies firſt extraordinary attempt, at which the Royal Party and their Confederates have ſo much railed, as a high breach of the Parliaments Priviledges, and of the Peoples Freedoms; whereas, they could not at that time have been any other way preſerved in humane underſtanding: And therefore, then, and not before, that part of the Parliament, which was true to the truſt repoſed in them by the People, did with the Aſſiſtance of their Army, ſeeing (as I conceive) no way elſe but removing him out of the world, to prevent the treacheries of their corrupt Members, and the Kings Destructive Deſignes, carried on by their complyance; they out-witted him at his own game; and (Stratagems being as lawful againſt an Enemy, as Force) got poſſeſſion of his perſon; brought him to a Legal Tryal, and condemned him to death A Legal Tryal was it? (you will ſay perhaps) by what Law, or by what Authority? Truly, I was heartily ſorry for him, when he was condemned; and ſo far from having any hand therein, or aſſenting thereto, that I drew a Petition to the Parliament to forbear from executing the ſentence of the Court, by reaſon the rarity of ſuch an Act, made me then abhor it: but no Member daring to preſent it; and I having thereby opportunity to conſider better of my intention, was ſatisfied in my Conſcience, that he was Legally condemned by that Law, which makes it Treaſon for a Servant to ſeek the deſtruction of his Maſter who had truſted him; that he was no more but a principal Servant to the People, juſtly queſtionable for breach of his Truſt; and that by the ſame Authority, whereby the People might raiſe any one from among themſelves, to be their Supreme Officer, they might for his ingratitude, and violation of the truſt repoſed in him, judge, depoſe or condemn him to death, as his Crime, and the neceſſity of preſerving the Common Peace or Safety, ſhould require: and the Son of him whoſe Predeceſſours had for many Generations been Steward of a Princes Family, and who was executed for his Treaſon thereto, may as juſtly claim, that he and his Poſterity ſhould be ſtill Stewards thereof, becauſe his ſaid Predeceſſours had been injurious and falſe unto it, for many Ages together, as Charles Stuart, may claim to be King by inheritance over theſe Nations.
Upon theſe Conſiderations, it ſeemeth to me, and may appear to others, that the Peoples Cauſe hath been unjuſtly ſcandalized; and that a falſe opinion derived unto the late King from his Progenitors, ſettled in him by long Uſurpation, and confirmed by the Flatteries of his Courtiers, Chaplains, and other Paraſites, made him believe that GOD had given him a right to all that which he claimed: though it were contrary to the poſitive Law, whereby he had commanded Kings to be regulated; and repugnant alſo to that Law which was written in his heart, until he had blotted it out: For, none but they, who are more worthy to be made Beasts then Men, can imagine that our ever-wiſe, juſt, and moſt merciful GOD (except by permiſſion, when a Nation depraved by their own vanity, fooliſhneſs and ſlaviſh mind, deſires it) would have conſtituted ſuch a deſtructive Monſter as an unlimited Governour, and advance a few men in every Generation (yea, and ſometimes the vileſt out of the vileſt among them) to ſubject all the reſt to his luſt and ambition upon a juſt Title; as if all the reſidue of man-kind had been created for the ſake of Tyrants, Doubtleſs, no reaſonable Creature can imagine this; or think it impoſſible (as in appearance many do) that, they cannot be well governed without ſuch a gay Bable, as they uſually make of it; or that it is diſpleaſing to GOD, that, when he hath given them power and opportunity ſo to do, a People ſhould endeavour to ſhake off their Fetters, and eſtabliſh ſuch a Government, as may preſerve their Temporal Rights and Freedoms, without admitting ſuch Diſturbers of humane ſociety, for the time to come. Theſe, and ſuch things as theſe, muſt be well conſidered by Charles Stuart, to prepare his heart, before my Expedient will be pertinent and profitable unto him.
As, I had means to be rightly informed of the Kings Cauſe, ſo I had of the Parliaments alſo, by being thereby called to a Military Command in their firſt Army; to the execution of Civil Magiſtracy in the Commonwealth, and by being inforced to attend almoſt 18 years at the latter end of my life, in hope to obtain Juſtice from them or their Interruptors: For, by theſe means I knew the greateſt part of them ſo far forth as Trees are known by their Fruits, which may accidentally be made better or worſe: Thoſe three Employments, gave me opportunity to obſerve how our Parliaments, our Protectors, our Councils, our Armies, our Committees, our Miniſters, and the People behaved themſelves toward GOD and each other in the management of their Cauſe. And to ſpeak truth, without lying for them, or againſt them; if I had been a ſtranger to their Cauſe and the Kings, and muſt have judged whether had been moſt righteous, by the manners and actings of the men, I ſhould have given judgement againſt the Peoples Cauſe: For, the Royal Party, whom we call Cavaliers, proſecuted their Evil Cauſe like men, and like ſuch men as they made ſhew to be: But the Parliament Party, (ſome few excepted, whoſe burthens and vexations were the greater, and makes them worthy to be the more pitied and honoured) managed their Good Cauſe like—like—like—(to tell you truly) like I know not what; for I can deviſe nothing under heaven, and above ground, whereto I may liken them: and it is no wonder that ſo many thouſands fall off dayly from them, and that our Enemies judge of our Cauſe, and of Us, as I hear they do. I ſhould not have thought it poſſible, that men profeſſing and pretending ſo much good, ſhould have been ſo evil, if GOD had permitted me to have lived ſo obſcurely in a Country Village, as I much deſired, where I ſhould have known no more of the one Party, or of the other, then common Fame had informed, to whoſe rumours I give little credit. And knowing me ſo well as many of thoſe men do, if they had not been infatuated, they would have done me Juſtice (though not for Juſtice ſake) to have ſent me thither, (being reſolved to do as they have done) where I ſhould not have had means to be a witneſs againſt them for that injuſtice and partiality which I have obſerved. I engaged for the Parliament out of conſcience, elſe I might have had as good means to know experimentally, the manners of the Kings Party, whereof I am informed, but by report onelyonly: For, being by ſome of them, thought more conſiderable, then I am by thoſe to whom I voluntarily adhered, I was invited to that ſide by two Letters from the Lord Butler (which I think are yet among my papers) who thereby engaged to ſettle immediately upon me half his Eſtate, and that it ſhould be but an earneſt of a far greater gratitude in future from the King, if I would come unto him then at Oxford: yet I conſtantly adhered to the Parliament, and do not repent it in this day of our confuſion, though in requital of my faithfulneſs in adventuring my Life, Credit, and all my Eſtate for it, they have expoſed me and my Family to ſcorn and poverty, as well by other injuries done, as by neglect of Juſtice, and by not making good their Securities, and Engagements, which occaſioned my Engagements to other men.
I mention theſe things, that being ſome way brought to their Conſideration, it may prepare them to be capable of another extraordinary Mercy, in this their greateſt need; and not out of revenge: For, I know Vengeance belongs to GOD, and that I ſhall but burn my own Fingers, by endeavouring to pull down hot Coals upon the heads of mine Oppreſſours: Therefore, my ſmitings are but friendly blows, and my corroding Expreſſions applyed but to eat out the dead fleſh which may hinder the operation of a healing Balſame: and, it is very needful: for by all thoſe Parties afore particularized, and even by us who pretend to the beſt Cauſe, many things have been acted or connived at, which were ſo imprudent, ſo unjuſt, ſo unmerciful, and indeed ſo barbarous, that we are a plague to each other, and a laughing-ſtock to all our Neighbours round about us: and, inſtead of repenting, and endeavouring to amend what is amiſs, in a rational and poſſible way, we behave our ſelves like Whores in a City-Alley: They firſt fall to ſcolding, railing, belying, impeaching and abuſing each other by all opprobrious words; then, to tear and ſcratch, and at laſt to grow ſo mad, that they ſet each others houſes on fire, to the undoing of themſelves and their neighbours. We, and our Enemies, inſtead of looking to our own ways, and proſecuting that which might deliver us out of thoſe confuſions and ſtreights, whereinto our ſins and follies have brought us, do ſpend much of our time in ſowing ſeeds of diſcord, and in ſcandalous Imputations, as if that juſtified our ſeveral Cauſes. It is written, that Michael the Arch-Angel when he contended with the Devil, (as bad as the Devil was) durſt not bring a railing Accuſation againſt him; but ſaid onelyonly, The LORD rebuke thee. Such Accuſations, I confeſs, were even theſe of mine, as were not allowable, if they were untrue; and no better, though they be true, if I intended them maliciouſly to bring any one to deſtruction or ſhame, and not in true Charity to ſave men from ſhame and deſtruction by repentance. We on both ſides cannot be contented to object matter of Fact, ſo far as we know or believe it to be true, in juſtification of our Cauſes, but endeavour alſo to make it ſeem good by doing that which is evil, and affirming that which is untrue, or ſo doubtful that it ought not to be peremptorily averred: yea, we ſometimes make bold to intrude into GOD's ſecret Judgements to diſparage our Adverſaries Cauſe, or to juſtifie our own thereby; and often-abuſively miſ-apply GOD's Word to our own wicked purpoſe.
Our Antagoniſts, think to juſtifie their Cauſe by an Argument drawn from our unſtableneſs, boaſting that they have not been ſo fickle and diſobedient to their Governour or Government, as we have been to ours; but that, they have in all his, and in their own dangers and troubles continued conſtant both to their first Principles and to their King: which is partly true, to our ſhame, but not much to their honour, and no whit to the juſtifying of their Cauſe: For, mans corruption makes him to adhere more firmly to that which is evil, then to that which is good. And, it is not ſo much their vertue, as their neceſſity, perhaps, which keeps them conſtant. They, have no other means of ſafety and ſubſiſtence for the moſt part, elſe (as many of them have done, who had another Reſuge) they, it may be, who brag of their Conſtancy, would have deſerted him alſo, ere this day: Moreover, many of them are the perſons whoſe evil Counſels was the undoing of their King and of his Father, and of themſelves. They had gotten thereby great Eſtates and Titles of honour, which they could not elſe have obtained; and which being now loſt, cannot be re-poſſeſſed but by adherence unto him, until his condition grows deſperate, or until they can be better provided for: ſo their faithfulneſs and perſeverance doth probably proceed rather from ſelf-reſpects, then from love to their King, or from the juſtneſs of his Cauſe. But, indeed, the greateſt ſtumbling-block, and ſtone of offence, which will obſtruct my Expedient in taking good effect among the Common People, are thoſe Events which have enſued upon miſ-underſtanding our Cauſe, and upon our miſ-proceeding therein; and thoſe obſtructive Objections, are caſt in, and raiſed partly by the Royalists, and partly by ſome ignorant and malevolent perſons among our ſelves, who perceive not from whence thoſe Events do more naturally proceed.
To make the Peoples Cauſe appear unjuſt, and therefore their proſecutions thereof unpleaſing to GOD, and to make the vulgar ſort think the Kings claim to be righteous, they object that therefore we can ſettle upon no Government without him, and that we have no good and lawful Foundation to build upon; and that therefore, GOD blaſteth all our endeavours from time to time: whereas that iſſues not from the evilneſs of our Cauſe, but from the imprudence or ſelf-mindedneſs of the Proſecutors. To fright ignorant perſons into a belief or ſuſpition of the goodneſs or lawfulneſs of our Claim, they tell them of one Parliament-man that hanged himſelf; how theſe and theſe, came to ſuch and ſuch Tragical ends, and what befel to ſome other eminent perſons who were Patrons thereof; as if that proved the Cauſe which they owned, to be unqueſtionably evil; all which are but Childiſh Bug-bears, and Fanatick Hob-Goblins, which are eaſily charmed into nothing. What a ridiculous Argument is it to prove the unjuſtneſs of a Cauſe, to alledge that one of the Proſecutors thereof hanged himſelf! There were but twelve Apoſtles, and one of them hanged himſelf; doth that any whit diſparage the Apoſtolick Faith? perhaps as theſe do, the malitious Jews made uſe of it to the like purpoſe, though by his own confeſſion, they knew that Judgement fell upon Judas, not becauſe he was one of Chriſts Followers, but for that he was a Traitor to his Maſter, and had betrayed an Innocent into their hands. There were above 400 Parliament-men, of which but one made away himſelf; and we knowing not upon what ſecret Motive, what can be thereupon inferred? Indeed, if all the 400, or ſo many of them as owned the peoples Cauſe, had banged themſelves, except one, we might have concluded as our Adverſaries do. The Conjurers up of thoſe deluſive Apparations, do not remember, that thoſe 18 perſons upon whom the Tower fell, and they whoſe blood-Pilat mingled with their Sacrifices, were no greater ſinners then other men; and that they who conceived hardly of them, ſhould alſo periſh unleſs they repented: nor do they take notice, that the like ends have happened to as many, or to more of their own party; and that it would be as valid an Argument againſt their Cauſe, as againſt ours. Nor, do they know, (or elſe will not know) as we do, who have obſerved their actings & deportments, that moſt, if not all of them, on our ſide, who have been particularized as men purſued by Divine Vengeance, ſuffered not by the hand of Common Juſtice, or by a ſecret Judgment, in outward probability, for their deſerting the Kings Cauſe, or for being inſtrumental in removing him; but, for that they were Traytors to them by whom they were truſted, and falſe to the peoples Cauſe, which they ſeemingly owned; and either betrayed it, or would have betrayed it, if they had not been timely cut off. And, whereas the many extravagancies relating both to Religion and the depravation of Manners in theſe times are objected, as effects of our evil Cauſe; it is to be conſidered, that thoſe are the uſual products in times of War, of that licentiouſneſs which is in men of corrupt minds and principles, who then diſcover that pravity which lay hid in them formerly; and not from the Cauſe in Controverſie.
For my part, I am not a whit out of heart, by the preſent diſtractions; by the ſcandalizing of our Cauſe; by the Obſtructions it hath met withal; by the hazards it is now in; by the multitude of powerful Adverſaries; or, by the failings of thoſe that manage it: Nor do I judge the goodneſs of any mans Cauſe, to be more or leſs by Events, whether proſperous, or unproſperous, at the firſt, leſt as David ſaid, I may condemn the Generation of the Righteous, or juſtifie the Wicked: nor do I judge of any thing, by the outward pomp, or baſe aſpect, which it hath in the eye of the world; nor by the continuance which it can plead by Preſcription: For, Tyranny, hath been ever ſince Nimrods raign. The Mahumetans Impoſtures, (which is an uſurped Antichriſtian power without the Pale of the Church) hath tyrannized almoſt a thouſand years. The Roman Hierarchy, which is the Antichriſt, in the viſible Church of Chriſt, hath perſecuted above ſix hundred years: our Norman bondage hath continued above five hundred. The Children of Iſrael, when they were brought out of Aegypt, where they had been enſlaved above three hundred years, and then advanced in hope to be made Poſſeſſors of a Country inhabited by powerful Nations, were doubtleſs as much derided for that Attempt, as we are by our Neighbours, and by ſome among our ſelves, who in deriſion and ſcorn call our, The Good Old Cauſe. They, had as many longings and lookings back toward Aegypt, as the greateſt part of this people hath at this day to return to their old Task-maſters, to their Garlick, Onyons, Fleſh-pots, and ſuch other Carnal Accommodations, as thoſe which we prefer before our Birth-rights, and value leſs then a Meſs of Porrage. They tempted GOD, and provoked him by their Idolatries, Fornications, Murmurings, Rebellions, Avarice, Backſlidings, and Self-ſeekings, as we do: So, they mutined againſt their Superiors; ſo, they diſcouraged each other, by miſ-reporting that Good Land, to which GOD was carrying them; by repreſenting formidably the ſtrength of the high-walled Cities, and the mighty Giants who were therein; and thoſe diſcouragements proceeded from ſome of the moſt eminent perſons among them, even from no leſs then ſix to one of thoſe who were choſen to ſpy out the Land: ſo, alſo, were they for their unfaithfulneſs, and other ſins, waſted and delayed as we have been, even forty years in the Deſarts, as we have been almoſt twenty years already, as it were in a Wilderneſs of Confuſions, for our prevarications and miſ-belief: and our Faith and Patience, is at this preſent exerciſed with many Fears, Doubts, Wants, Troubles, and Powerful Adverſaries in the Paſſage toward the recovery of our long-loſt Freedoms; and yet (as theirs was) our Cauſe is nevertheleſs that Good Old Cauſe, of which we ſhould neither be aſhamed or diſtruſtful.
If we may cenſure the Righteouſneſs of a Cauſe, by the mean beginning, by the outward deſpicableneſs, by the tedious and difficult progreſſions, by the contemptibleneſs of the Proſecutors, or by the unproſperous ſucceſſes during many years; no Cauſe in the world, might be ſo…lyable to miſ cenſure, as our Chriſtian profeſſion, which for many Ages together, was the ſcorn not of the baſe and fooliſh, but alſo of the nobleſt and wiſeſt perſons in the Worlds eſteem. The Profeſſors of it, were no better thought of then as Fanatick Dreamers, at beſt, and as Vagabonds, hunted through all Nations and Countries, by ten ſignal bloody Perſecutions, many hundreds of years, diſpoiled every where, of Livelyhood, Liberty and Life, And, our Cauſe, being in the principal ſcope thereof to be proſecuted for a Preparatory toward eſtabliſhing that Kingdome of CHRIST, for which the Saints have now waited in patience above ſix hundred fifty and eight years, and arrived (as I believe) within forty years of compleating that ſix hundred ſixty and ſix years, which numbers out the time limiting the Kingdom of the Beaſt; it is no wonder that it meets with ſo much delay, hardſhip and oppreſſion, whilſt the Souldiers of the LAMB are but raw, undiſciplined, not fully trained, liſted, ſealed, or formed into ſuch a well-ordered Body, as muſt fight his Battels. But, though our ſufferings, and the time of our warfare ſeems long, it is very ſhort, conſidering the perp…tuity of the Kingdome which we ſhall at laſt conquer, and wherein, we ſhall individually reign with the Supreme Soveraign thereof: For, whereas all the Kingdoms of the world have not laſted ſix thouſand years; that Kingdom is everlaſting without end, and communicated not to a few, (making the reſt Slaves) but to every follower of the LAMB in that Expedition; who will make them that overcome, Pillars in his houſe, never to be removed; yea, they ſhall be Kings and Prieſts to GOD, ſitting with him upon his Throne, ſubjecting the Nations, and raigning with him for ever and ever.
Since I have mentioned that Kingdom whereto our Cauſe relates, and of which I hope our future Government ſhall be an appurtenant, I would gladly, without offence, though it ſeem a digreſſion, hint ſomewhat in this place, ſince it now comes into my mind, as not impertinent, to thoſe who call themſelves (or are called by others) Fifth Monarchy Men, who I think call that Kingdom the Fiſth Monarchy, leſt in ſome things they may be deſtructive thereunto, in proſecuting the ſettlement of our Government. For, though I believe there are many of thoſe, and of other congregated Churches, who are truly zealous of advancing the Kingdom of CHRIST, and that a Government ſhould be modelized that might be ſubſervient thereunto; and whereby carnal men might be reduced to order as well under a Spiritual, as under a Natural Government: yet, (if I have not been miſ-informed concerning the Judgments and Opinions of ſome among them) there are not a few who having a Zeal without Knowledge, do fancy ſuch a Kingdome, as neither conſiſts with the Divinity of CHRIST, nor with the Humanity of men; and that poſſibly ſome other (as in all Diſpenſations it hath happened) who are ſtirred up by the Devil, or by their own ſelf-mindedneſs, to hinder the coming of this Kingdom, by pretending in their m…de to advance it; and who, to exerciſe the Faith and Patience of the Saints a little longer, will be making Linſie Wolſie, and plowing with Oxen and Aſſ…s together, in hope thereby to reduce us again to a meer earthly Foundation, or to build Caſtles in the Air, as they would do, who underſtand not that the Dimenſions, Materials, and other Appurtenances of the New Jeruſalem, myſtically deſcribed in the Revelation, are Evangelically, and not Literally to be underſtood. As for inſtance in particular: The pavement ſhall be pure Gold, transparent as Glaſs; whereby, I underſtand, the Citizens of that City, ſhall be free from Covetouſneſs, treading more precious Gold under their feet, then that whereof a varitious Tyrants make their richeſt Ornaments for their heads; and that their walkings, will be evidently pure to all beholders.
By what warrant they term the Kingdome of CHRIST the Fifth Monarchy, I know not. It may be called the Fifth, in relation to thoſe four Monarchies which are mentioned as preceding it in the Prophecy of Daniel, if you reckon the Roman Empire, and the Beaſt which ſprung from it but for one; Alexander and his four Captains, two Monarchies; and begin to reckon after the Babylonian Monarchy was tranſlated to the Medes and Perſians. But, to ſay truth, whether we may call the Kingdom of CHRIST upon Earth the Fifth, Sixth or Seventh Monarchy, it is to me doubtful, when I conſult with Daniels Prophecies: For, by Nebuchadnezzars Image, which conſiſted of five parts, Gold, Silver, Braſs, Iron, and Iron mixed with Clay, which laſt is the Kingdome of Antichriſt, wherein were ten Kingdoms there typified by the ten toes, and by ten horns in the Revelation; it ſeemeth to be the ſixth grand Monarchy in the world. If the Kingdom of the Beaſt, and that of the Roman Empire, be to be accounted but one, and the Grecian Monarch and his four Captains two Monarchies, then it will be the Fifth Monarchy, after Daniels Viſion of the four Beaſts, leaving out the Babylonian Monarchy, which was paſt at the time of the Viſion, and but the fourth Monarchy from that time, if Alexander and his Captains be reckoned but one Monarchy, as indeed they were no more, in regard that of the Captains was a Tetrarchy, not a Monarchy, and but the ſame Monarchy branched into four. But, if you make (as ſeveral Expoſitors do) that of the Babylonians one, the Medes and Perſians the ſecond, Alexander a third, his four Captains a fourth, the firſt Roman Empire a fifth Monarchy, and the Clay and Iron Kingdom, which branched out of it, to be a ſixth; then the Kingdom of CHRIST muſt be the ſeventh Monarchy. Therefore, to give it the moſt proper Attribute, it is the Alpha and Omega, the firſt and laſt abſolute Monarchy, that was, is, or ſhall be, though Tyrants have had for many thouſands of years the moſt viſible power upon Earth: For GOD, and CHRIST in him, (though not manifeſted to the world) have inviſibly governed during their uſurpations, and concurred in governing during the Paternal Monarchies of Adam and Noah, until Nimrods intruſions, and afterward; and after that, in governing the Children of Iſrael by his Vice-gerents, Moſes, Joſhua, and the Judges, until the people rejecting his Government, deſired a King like other Nations: for which folly and ſin, they were under a Tyrannical Government, even when it was at beſt, until CHRIST came in the Fleſh; and ſo ſhall we alſo, if we admit of Charles Stuart, or of any other Governours upon the old Terms and Conſtitutions, (after GOD upon tryal hath declared us free) until CHRIST comes to Judgement; whoſe Government, if we embrace in the mean time, we may be happy and free indeed; for his Yoke is eaſie, his Scepter a righteous Scepter, and his Government whilſt we are in the Fleſh, will be ſuch a Government as Fleſh and Blood (whoſe frailty he knows) may ſuſtain, and be regulated by: For his raign upon earth, will not be without Laws agreeable to the humane Nature, nor without Magiſtrates impowered to govern under him; but, a Government reſembling in ſome reſpects, (but in an Evangelical and more excellent manner) that of the Jews, governing his people, and by ſuch humane Laws of their own as are not repugnant thereto, as the Jews were governed by their Judges, and by their Ceremonial and Judicial Laws, together with that Moral Law, which was univerſally obliging. And as GOD and the People, had then a concurrence in the Election of their Magiſtrates; ſo it will be, when the Kingdom of CHRIST, is ſettled among us. LORD, Haſten the coming of it; and let not the many ſtruglings of thy people in theſe Nations, at this time, to make way for it, be altogether in vain.
You muſt pardon my Immethodical Ramblings, to remove ſuch Obſtructions as I conceive may hinder my Expedient; and bear with my ſuddain ſtepping aſide otherwhile from the matter in hand, to do that which I think pertinent to my purpoſe, whilſt it is in my remembrance: for the diſorders of theſe times do not afford me leaſure to order my own muſings; but having expreſſed as much as I can at preſent think on by way of Preparative, I will now apply my Expedient to thoſe whom it may concern. I am grieved to perceive how witty moſt men are to raiſe Arguments againſt Truth and their own Peace; and ſhould be glad that our greateſt Enemies might be reducible to that happineſs which they have loſt; and that they who are expoſed to many Temptations by dwelling in Meſech, and ſojourning in the Tents of Kedar, might have a more comfortable habitation: For, I believe ſome among them, who oppoſed our Cauſe, acted in their underſtanding upon a principle of Juſtice or Honour, which they thought obliged them unto what they did; which makes me much pity their misfortune. I never heard any diſhonourable mention of the two Brothers of Charles Stuart, or that they acted againſt this Commonwealth maliciouſly; but were active onelyonly ſo far forth as they thought themſelves in Conſcience, Alleageance, and Natural Affection obliged to their Brother; and I wiſh they might enjoy the Conveniences whereof they are deprived, with our ſafety: and though their Brother hath acted upon his own accompt, and yet proſecuteth ſuch things as are deſtructive to our Peace; and, though by that which we are informed of his inclination, we have cauſe to be ſuſpitious that thoſe prejudices and affections which are ſettled in him, will never be ſo clearly removed, as to make him capable of any Expedient which may bring him hither in Peace, and to the advantage of theſe Nations: yet, not knowing, how that GOD, who hath all mens hearts in his hand, may pleaſe to ſanctifie his afflictions, and thereby prepare him to what ſeems elſe impoſſible; and conſidering that all the other Parties aforementioned, are as unable as he to perform of themſelves the conditions of my Expedients, without ſpecial grace, they ſhall have a Latitude as well to comprehend him reſpectively, as any other whom they may concern, that he or they who ſhall firſt conform thereto, may firſt have benefit thereby, without reſpect of perſons. I have declared, what Prejudicacies muſt be removed before they can be effectually entertained; and therefore now I come to the Expedients themſelves, which I communicate to you in private, rather then by Publication; becauſe what I have heretofore offered of that nature, hath been little regarded; and becauſe I know that if any of the Parties aforementioned ſhall be capable of them, GOD will either by you, or by ſome other hand, cauſe them to be ſeaſonably brought to their Cognizance, or direct them thereunto by his immediate grace.
All thoſe Parties in general, muſt reſolve in the fi…ſt place, to deny themſelves, and act more for GOD's Glory, and for the Publick Welfare, according to his revealed Will, & to the Dictates of a rectified Conſcience; ſo, muſt Patriots in particular more faithfully then they have done for the moſt part heretofore: among which, I have leſs hope of them, who by their deportment, words and actions, ſeem to call out as Jehu did to Jehonadab, Come & ſee my zeal for the LORD, &c. Governours, by what Title ſoever they are called, who deſire to be at peace with their Neighbours and their Subjects over whom they reign, or to recover that Dignity and Authority which they have loſt, (or to be made happy and contented without it) muſt conſider, that GOD, the LORD of HOSTS, who is Soveraign Paramount over all Kingdoms and Republicks in the world, beholds all their unrighteous Deſignes proceeding from Ambition, Luſt or Avarice; that notwithſtanding all their hypocritical Pretendings to Religion and Juſtice, he knows when they regard it no further then it may advance their corrupt intereſts; that he heeds their bruitſh buſtlings, and diſſembled complementings one with another; their barbarous and inhumane devaſtations of their own and other Countries, to ſatiate their revenge, or to uphold their pomp by Fire, Sword and Rapine, to the deſtroying of Humane Society, and to the making millions of men miſerable, who might have lived comfortably, if they who were advanced for their Weal, had not made themſelves a plague to Man-kind by tyrannizing no leſs over their Conſciences, then their Eſtates and Perſons, under pretence of being GOD's Vice-gerents, whereas they do rather make true the Devils vaunt, who boaſted that all the Kingdoms of this world were at his diſpoſe: which implies, that they are then his Vice-roys and Deputies. They muſt alſo conſider, that GOD's Long-ſuffering permits their extravagancies, not as prerogatives juſtly due unto them, but, that every thing ſhould for a time onelyonly manifeſt it ſelf in its own nature, to be purged in its own fire; that evil men, may be mutual Corrections for their own ſins, that by inter-wrangling Judgements and Mercies, he may bring them, if poſſible, to timely repentance and amendment: and that if they bring not forth fruits at laſt anſwerable to his expectation, he may be glorified in executing Juſtice; call them to a ſtrict account, and with his Iron Mace break them in pieces like a Potters Veſſel, which can never be ſet together again; as lately and often heretofore he hath done to other Tyrants and Oppreſſours. Having duly conſidered theſe things, with ſuch like, they muſt then reſigne to GOD, his Throne in mens Conſciences, and permit his People to enjoy the Liberties due to them by the Laws of Grace and Nature, ruling for the future in Righteouſneſs. By practiſing this Expeent, and continuing conſtant therein, they ſhall be eſtabliſhed in Power and Peace both at home and abroad, as Vice-roys and Vice-gerents to the King of kings, and Lord of lords, with more honor then a Tyrant can acquire by an Univerſal Monarchy, and unlimited Prerogatives: yea, if they can but get hearts willing to embrace this Expedient, after they are irrecoverably caſt out of their Governments or Kingdoms, they ſhall be as happy and as well contented, as if they were again reſtored.
This is my Expedient for all Governours in general, and it will be pertinent to Charles Stuart in particular: But, there may ſomewhat more be added, which will ſpecially belong to him; and I could wiſh it might be to him ſo ſeaſonably, and reſpectively communicated, that not being entertained as a jeering of him in his affliction, (which baſeneſs my Soul abhors) he might at leaſt make ſome good uſe of it to fit him for a Coeleſtial Kingdome, if it cannot make way for his recovery of thoſe which he hath loſt in this world. His beſt Expedient will be, ſincerely to humble himſelf to GOD (who to that end hath outwardly humbled him) for his own ſins, and the ſins of his Fathers Houſe, and for which his Father and He, were caſt out of theſe Kingdoms. He muſt bewail them heartily and voluntarily, not by compulſion and feignedly, as perhaps he did in Scotland, and was thereupon actually thrown out of that poſſeſſion which he then had. He muſt ſeriouſly conſider what Freedoms do naturally and reaſonably belong to Man kind, and to every man as a man, that he may do as he would be done unto, being a private perſon. He muſt conſider how vain the promiſings, pretended friendſhips, and help of Princes, and of all degrees of men are; how little hope there will be for him by the aſſiſtance of all his Allies and moſt powerful Confederates, to poſſeſs what he claims, if upon the repentance of theſe Nations, GOD be ſtill on their ſide; and how great a plague (if they continue as they are) he and they would be to each other, if he ſhould obtain the Soveraignty over them; eſpecially, if reſtored by a Forraign Aid, whereby unſpeakable calamities would enſue both to him and them. He muſt take notice, that the two main Cauſes of the Quarrel betwixt his Father and theſe Nations, being for his uſurping a Negative Voyce upon thoſe Laws which the people ſhould chuſe; and his denying the Militia to belong to them in chief, was injuriouſly given by his Fathers default, in regard the chuſing what Laws they pleaſed (not repugnant to the Law of GOD) is not onelyonly rationally and naturally due unto them, but alſo by the common-Law of England long before the Intruſion of Duke William of Normandy; and that they had alſo a right, by continued Claim, and Practiſe, to chuſe the Sheriffs, who had Poſſe Comitatus, which is the Militia, in every County; and therewith he ſhall do well to conſider, that ſuch a Kingdom as his Predeceſſours had, and as he deſires to repoſſeſs, is one of the Horns of that Beaſt which muſt ſhortly be deſtroyed; and, but one of the Kingdoms of this World, which the Devil claims to be in his Gift; and uſually beſtoweth upon them, who will fall down and worſhip him, apoſtatizing from GOD, to be his Vaſſals; that it is but ſuch a Kingdom as Fools and wicked men, may as well poſſeſs as wiſe and good men; and that it neither makes the one wiſer, or the other better, but oftentimes makes a wiſe man a fool, and good men to be evil: that he, who had three ſuch Kingdoms yeſterday, may not have the next day three foot of earth in them to reſt upon: That, it brings more trouble and danger, then peace and ſafety: That, it ſets a man upon a Throne in the morning, and brings him down to a Dungeon ere night; and that the people who lye proſtrare before him, adoring him as a god, this moment, may ſoon after trample on him, and cut off his head with diſhonour. All theſe things being well conſidered, will make him a greater Conqueror by conquering himſelf, and ſubduing his paſſions and inordinate deſires, then if he had ſubdued theſe Nations; make him a more glorious King then any of his Predeceſſours; and conſtitute a better and a more abſolute Empire in his little Iſle of Man, then he could have enjoyed by the recovery of all that he hath loſt. His Courtiers, and perhaps he himſelf alſo, will deride this Expedient; but, all their policy, cannot contrive him a better: For, if he will make proof of it, and with patience under GOD's viſitation, make uſe of the charity of his Friends abroad, and live a peaceable private life, in performing as a Probationer all Moral and Pious Duties, till GOD ſhall provide better for him, as he did for Jehoiakim King of Judah (even by thoſe who had caſt him out of his Kingdome) GOD, to whom nothing is impoſſible, whatſoever bars are ſet againſt him, may bring him hither in mercy, both to him and to theſe Nations; yea, and will, if he ſhall be humbled and qualified according to his Expectation; and then the ſooner he comes, the better welcome: nay, though he be not ſo qualified, and ſhall come both to our deſtruction, and his own, GOD, may probably bring him; for, we are at this time, preparing him a ſmoothe way, paved in Checker-wiſe, with our ſins and follies.
Thus much I have contemplated on the behalf of Charles Stuart; for whom, whatſoever he ſhall think of it, if it comes to his hands, I have contrived no worſe an Expedient, then I my ſelf would practiſe if I were in his caſe, and knew the world ſo well as I do. Now I will offer an Expedient to the Nations in general, who are enſlaved by Tyrants, and left without all probable means to infranchiſe themſelves; which is briefly this: Let them wait patiently upon GOD for Deliverance, until he providentially makes way for it; and then thankfully take the opportunities offered, and conſtantly proſecute them: Let them conſider, that their Bondage and Oppreſſions are juſtly come upon them for thier ſins, & that they can have do deliverance but by GOD, nor any perfect deliverance by him, unleſs being reconciled to him, they break off from their tranſgreſſions by Faith and Repentance fruitful in good works, and make him their onelyonly Reſuge. This if they do, or but heartily endeavourit, their loſt Freedoms, for recovery whereof, they have hitherto in vain waſted their Treaſure, endured many Frights, Troubles and Hardſhips; undergone many Changes; ſpont their Blood; fought, prayed and faſted alſo, without Succeſs, ſhall be obtained by Prayers onelyonly; and then, they ſhall better ſee GOD's merciful intentions, and their own former miſ-underſtandings and failings; then their Governours ſhall be as Fathers: then their Armies, if they need any, ſhall be faithful; and then they ſhall enjoy their Temporal and Spiritual Freedoms fully and ſo peaceably, that they may ſerve GOD comfortably, in holineſs and righteoufneſs. all the days of their lives.
Moreover, as for the Governours and people of theſe Nations in particular, it will be their beſt Expedient, joyntly and apart, to reconcile themſelves as aforeſaid, to GOD and to each other, by the like hearty repentance of their ſins, and by laying aſide their Animoſities, whereby they dayly infeſt and exaſperate each other; remembring who hath ſaid, that a kingdome divid…d cannot ſtand: that being united, they may in true Charity, be active in ſuch a Cauſe as may rationally effect a perfect Settlement: And, if GOD ſhall again reſtore the Parliameat, or impower other men permiſſively to endeavour it, let them who ſhall be authorized be merciful as he is merciful, and once more oblige them by forgiveneſs of their former Delinquencies, who ſhall acknowledge their faults, and ſubmit, with Engagements given, for the future, to be obedient and conformable to thoſe Constitutions which the viſible power then in being, ſhall reſolve upon, with the aſſent of that part of the people, who heretofore adventured their lives and eſtates to preſerve and continue their natural Freedoms. This mercy, (which the Covetouſneſs of ſome will perhaps obſtruct) being with prudence diſpenſed to ſuch as may be capable thereof, will doubtleſs prevail much both with GOD and men, toward an Eſtabliſhment of peace; and the Provocations, which peradventure ſome have had to miſ-lead them, will require in juſtice, that this mercy ſhould be vouchſafed to ſome among them. In order hereunto, I would intimate thus much by way of Caution, (if I had opportunity to make both Parties of our now divided Army, to take the ſame into Conſideration) even this; That, if they who think they were obliged in Conſcience, for advance of GOD's Glory, and the common Safety, to diſſolve the Parliament, engage againſt the reſt of the Army and their Brethren, who conceive themſelves as much obliged in Conſcience, to continue true to that Truſt which was repoſed in them by the late Repreſentative of the People, (as not being ſatisfied with the warrantableneſs of that Fact) both Parties may then if they contend to blood, be guilty of murder, according to the Laws, yet vertually in force, as to the outward man; and that, they muſt depend upon that Indepnity onelyonly which GOD will be pleaſed to vouchſafe to the inward man, according as they have conſcientiouſly acted or ſuffered; and, it will concern them to heed, that, this (with ſome other conſequences that may follow) will require that there be a ſtrict ſelf-examination with what mind and ſecret intentions they were tranſpotted; and alſo to what Expedients they ought in prudence and juſtice, to ſubmit on both ſides for preſervation of a good Conſcience, and of publick ſafety for the future, leſt they violate both. Yea, it is with ſeriouſneſs to be conſidered, whether they may not ſuſpect the integrity of their own Conſcience (at leaſt on one ſide) when they ſearch narrowly what ſelf-ends may lye at the bottom of that which was pretended for a publick advantage; and that they will not be clear from guilt therein, if they ſhall not be willing to ſubmit to the mercy of the preſent Power, or elſe to ſuffer for what they have done irregularly, rather then the three Nations ſhould be involved again in blood, to the hazard of the whole Commonwealth. For, as it is better, that one man, or a few men, ſhould ſuffer, then that all the people ſhould periſh; ſo, it is juſt that every one ſhould ſubmit to ſuffer for his Country, who hath occaſioned the endangering of it, though he were innocent: and, indeed, not onelyonly Innocence, but repented guiltineſs alſo, ſhall in ſuch Caſes, have a recompence, more then equivalent, for all that it can ſuffer. Moreover, it is conſiderable by both the ſaid Parties, whether there may not be a Wolf or a Fox in a Lambs skin, active in the late Deſigne, to inſnare the Rams, and to bring the whole Flock within the Paws of the Lyon.
The Governours, likewiſe, who ſhall hereafter, be therewith intruſted, muſt not as heretofore, endeavour ſo to contrive a future Government, that, they may hedge in peculiar advantages to themſelves, diſadvantagious to the Peoples intereſt; or inconſiſtent with a righteous-Government; and, the People, without murmuring at them, or withholding, or withdrawing neceſſary Supplies, muſt act obediently, and with integrity, endeavour to further an Eſtabliſhment to be confirmed by a Free Parliament, juſtly conſtituted, rather then by patching up that, which when they have done all they can, will be an imperfect and qu…ſtionable Authority in ſome reſpects, diſſatisfactory to many. This, they may now do, (if they looſe not the opportunity given) and make a more abſolute and Free Parliament by the Conqueſt which they lately made, then ever they had heretofore. If any ſhall ask in deriſion (as probably they will) By what Conquest? by a Conqueſt of themſelves? I thereto anſwer, Yes; even by a Conqueſt of themſelves, which is the moſt noble Conqueſt that can be made: for, to ſubdue the diſtempers of our own Perſons, Paſſions and Factious Parties, requires all the Vertues of Mind and Body, and more Stratagems, and more manly Reſolutions, then any other Conqueſt. This Conqueſt, by GOD's aſſiſtance, hath been made, by that part of the People, which was not infatuated by their own Corruptions, or ſeduced and bewitched by the Tyrannies and Incantations of their former Oppreſſive Governours, and their Inſtruments; yea, they have conquered both thoſe Uſurpers, and that Giddy Party among themſelves, which have been Traytors to their Brethren and to Themſelves; and thoſe who were at beſt, ignorant Obſtructers of their own Freedoms and Rights, by a ſortiſh Neutrality: ſo that theſe Nations, if it be not their own fault, may be governed by Laws of their own chuſing, as men were after the Paternal Government ceaſed, by the death of Noah; and, before the Tyrannies of Nimrod and his Succeſſours began.
That, which will be moſt expedient for the Army, is to abide contented with their pay; to do no unlawful violence; to be unanimous; to avoid mutinous ſuggeſtions, and attempting inſolent impoſings upon their Superiours; to be valiant, and faithfully ſubſervient to them, who are, or ſhall be called to make up the preſent Breaches; and to truſt in GOD onelyonly to be their defender, and the finiſher of the work deſired: and it will concern us all in the mean time, that ſpecial care be taken, by every one in power, who intends or pretends Common Safety; that, timely proviſion be made to pay the Souldiery, both of the ſtanding Armies, and Auxiliary County-Troops, together with the Mariners (as alſo, thoſe in extream want, who heretofore adventured their Lives and Eſtates, when the Common Intereſt, was in greateſt hazard) that, they may not be expoſed at this time to ſuch temptations through poverty, as will make it eaſie for the Common Enemy, to work upon their neceſſities. And it will be expedient, (leſt their wants make them dangerouſly tumultuous) that ſome competent proviſion be madè alſo for thoſe poor indigent people, (eſpecially about this City) who by the failing of Trade, or otherwiſe, are likely to be without means of ſubſiſtence during the preſent troubles. Theſe works of Juſtice and Mercy, will make our endeavours beneficial to our ſelves, and ſo acceptable to GOD, that, though I have long been over-burthened, I had rather confine my ſelf to live on bread and water, until this Storm were paſt, then that ſuch proviſions ſhould be neglected. Theſe, are thoſe Expedients, which I think fit to be now practiſed: and, though I know many will deride them, I hope ſome will make uſe of them, either toward a publick, or for their private ſettlements. OH GOD of my Salvation, if this Eſtabliſhment ſhall not be in my days, remember me in mercy, who deſire more to have the light of thy countenance to ſhine upon me, then that my corn, wine, or oyl ſhould be increaſed; or then all the enjoyments which a temporal peace can afford: and if it may pleaſe thee (to whoſe good pleaſure I ſubmit) let me before ſuch a dreadful viſitation cometh, as we are likely to deſerve, (if thy grace prevent it not) be laid aſleep in my grave, dying in a firm belief that I ſhall be vouchſafed a glorious Reſurrection, at the ſecond coming of my Redeemer: and, let my deareſt relation, and all they who ſhall ſp…ing from us, to the end of the world, (and who may perhaps be left behind me in this froward Generation) meet me with joy at his Tribunal. To which place, bring them purified with his blood, through whatſoever proſperities or adverſities, length or ſhortneſs of time in this life, ſhall be moſt for thy glory and their ſafety: and let this Prayer, be everlaſtingly in remembrance before thee, when either I ſhall forget to pray it, o… not be able to pray any more for them. I believē it ſhall be granted; and that makes me not to fear, what the wickedneſs of this age, or of any other, ſhall produce. Excuſe my digreſſion in this Ejaculation: for they who are near and dear to me, coming ſuddainly into my thought, I could not forbear it.
I muſt ſtand or fall, according as I diſcharge my Conſcience; and therefore, do now (as uſually heretofore) expreſs what I think; and as one muſing draws on another, without fear of King, Parliament, Armies or People; or of any diſadvàntage to my particular intereſts; or for any other partial reſpect: and, you may hereby know as well as I, what may be probably conjectured of our pablick Affairs. What our Armies, and their Aſſociates intend, I yet hear not: for, they have not declared it; and I have not of late been in ſo much eſteem either among thoſe who have a Military or Civil Power, as to be made acquainted with their intentions, or to be thought uſeful in their Publick Tranſactions, as heretofore, becauſe I am not able to ſerve them any longer at my own charge. And, perhaps by being onelyonly a By-ſtander, I do the better ſee how they play their Games; and ſhall not be ſo great a looſer, as I have been, becauſe I could not ſhuffle, cut and deal, as many did; and when I played and ſtaked my own money for them, who turned it more to my detriment, then all they have done againſt whom I played. But, let that paſs: for this, and ſuch digreſſions, ſlip in before I am aware. Whatſoever our Parliament, or any of their Adherers have done amiſs, I pray GOD forgive them, and reſtore it once more, if it may be for his Glory and the Common Welfare: for the worſt I wiſh them, is this, that the worſt men among them, may be better then the beſt have heretofore been. Whatſoever the Armies, or their Confederates have intended, or ſhall proſecute, I pray in like manner for them; and think it will moſt concern us to look to our own actings and intentions; to beſeech GOD, to ſet and keep them and us in a Righteous Courſe; and to reſtrain both Parties now diſſenting, from blood-ſhed: For, if a Vein be opened, conſidering what Planets are in Conjunction, what malevolent Aſpects alſo ſome other Stars have, and in what an evil Signe the Moon is at this preſent, it will be very hazardous both to thoſe Members of it, and to the whole Body of this Republick. That which you, and I, & other private men of our quality, ought to do in ſuch Imergencies, is patiently to ſuffer what we cannot avoid; to ſubmit to the viſible Power in being, whatſoever it be, or howſoever gotten, whilſt GOD permits it to rule over us, furniſhed with the moſt probable means to protect us in our obedience. We are alſo obliged, to act faithfully under it, and with it, in all Civil Truſts and Duties, whithout ſo much as ſpeaking any thing in publick or in private, which may weaken their hands, or infringe the Common Peace: yea, we muſt take as much care as poſſibly we can, not to permit our Conſciences or Judgements to be ſeduced by falſe appearances: which Grace we may obtain by Prayer, and by examining all we hear, before we entertain it with belief: for GOD hath afforded means whereby every man may be rightly informed; and calleth no man to any undertakng, whom he leaves unfurniſhed with what may enable him to effect it, ſo far forth as it ſhall be required, or may be proſecuted with a good Conſcience.
The Counſel which Gamaliel gave to the Jews, when deluded by a Zeal without knowledge, they perſecuted the Apoſtles, will be ſeaſonable for us. We ſhall diſcern in a ſhort time, whether that which the Army hath done and deſigned to proſecute, be of GOD or not. If it be meerly of Fleſh and Blood, they, or their Deſigne, or both, will come to nought, as heretofore befel to thoſe, who proſecuted their carnal and politick ends, under colour of Honeſty and Religion. If their Attempts be of GOD, they will proſper; and what ſhall we then get by reſiſting his Providence, but guiltineſs, and the juſt rewards thereof? Whereas, we, who have neither calling, nor power to prevent it, when wickedneſs is intended, may ſit ſtill without trouble to our Conſciences, or hazard to our Perſons or Eſtates, except by that which we ſhall ſuffer by other mens defaults, in the outward man. To conclude: whatſoever is intruded, or ſhall be done; GOD, who is kind to Iſrael, and to all who have an upright heart, will turn this, and every thing to their advantage at the laſt. I have ſomewhat elſe to ſay; but men cannot yet bear it, nor are they humbled enough to hear it; neither am I fully enabled to expreſs it.
Conſider well of what I have written, and communicate it, as in your diſcretion, you finde it uſefull to other men at this time, as not meerly mine, but as dictates for common good, from a better Spirit then mine own, perhaps, not to be ſuppreſſed in your hands, till it be uſeleſs, though you gave the occaſion of writing it. It fared with me in writing this Epiſtolary Diſcourſe, (and at other times when I am extraordinarily moved to expreſs my minde in things of this nature) as it fares with perſons accidentally entred into Diſcourſe, who when they began, neither knew what ſhould be the ſubject of their Communication, nor can well remember when they have done, on what ſeveral matters they talked: For, when I firſt took Pen to write this Letter, I knew not ſo much of the matter therein contained to be in my heart, with a purpoſe to expreſs it, as would have filled one of theſe Pages; and half a ſheet will hold as much as I remember of it now it is written, and as ever perhaps I ſhould remember thereof, unleſs by a review, or by putting my memory upon the rack; or, as GOD ſhall occaſionally bring the particulars to minde, when they are needful. His Grace and Peace be with us. Farewel.
My Verſifyings, thus, are turn'd to Proſe;
For, out of faſhion, Rime and Reaſon growes.
And, now, from publique Charmings I refrain,
Becauſe, Deaf-Adders, charmed are in vain.
Your true Friend, George Wither. October 24. 1659.