Inquiries into the Causes of our Miseries, Title page – Table of contents
INQVIRIES Into the cauſes of our miſeries, whence they iſſue-forth upon us: And reaſons wherefore they have born us down ſo low; And are like to carrie us yet lower.
The Independents and the way of worſhip, they ſtand-up for, is renderd clear of this grievous charge, That they hold forth the licentiouſneſſe of wicked conſciences; Tolerations of all ſorts of moſt deteſtable Schiſmes, Hereſies, and Religions, as Idolatries Paganiſme, Turſ…ſme, Judeiſme, &c. ſo opening a floodgate to let in this inundation of ſins, and ſorrows upon the Land.
This charge is drawn-up againſt the Independents, by three worthies, men, I think, of name, all (1) D. P. P. P. Pryn Eſquire; But more fully and with more devouring words, if more can be, by Dr. A. Steuart in his laſt book, which, in reference to the Brethren, thouſands in Iſrael, reliſheth as does the Gall of Aſpes, or Adders poyſon under the tongue.
In ſix Sections. Whereof the firſt onelyonly is here; A Juſt vindication of the way of worſhip very commonly miſunderſtood; very falſly interpreted; but very truly called Independent.
Moſt humbly devoted to the Honour of Almighty God; and King of Saints; preſented to all the three Aſſemblies in all the three Kingdoms, in Parliament now, with hearts engaged upon the great matters of the Kingdom: but before and above all, to beat out a way of worſhip, holding forth to the world, a ſutableneſſe to the Great God, full-up to His Mind and Rule in His Scriptures: humbly preſented to all theſe, and to all Chriſtian people whoſe habitation is on earth, and converſation in Heaven.
By Hez. Woodward.
Prov. 25. 18. A man that beareth falſe witneſſe againſt his neighbour, is a ma…le and a ſword, and a ſharp arrow.
Job 42. 7. My wrath is kindled againſt thee, and thy two friends, for ye have not ſpoken of Me the thing that was right.
Iſa. 2. 23. Wo unto them that take away the Righteouſneſſe of the Righteous from him.
Warranted by the God of Heaven, being ordered according to His Churches book on earth; and publiſhed for His Churches ſake in the very cloſe of this year 1644.
Section I. VVHere the Reader is ſatisfied in point of Licencing books, Informed in the meaning of thoſe words Dependent Independent: And the men ſo called, are cleared from the cavils of the froward; Miſtakes of the ignorant; heavy charges of knowing men; with other grace matters worthy all mens ſad and ſerious conſiderations.
Section II. Some praecognita matters already known, and granted are premiſed; As that the evils of Sin and Puniſhment are from our ſelver; Puniſhments are merae, mearly ſo where Gods Hand is immediate, and Man paſſive; or mixtae, where Gods Hand is and mans alſo; what God dies, and Man does, Gods Hand has the preheminence; Gods End and Mans Ends, how differents Gods End the Glory of His excellent Goodneſſe, His Churches Glory alſe, Some things granted in point of Reformation, how active the Divell with his ſervants are in Reforming times, and have been alwayes, as at this day, &c.
Section III. Enquiries touching Peace, what it is; how we improve the Peace we have. Who they be that petition for Peace, and of whom; whether not of thoſe who world, but cannot give it: And of thoſe, who if they could, will not give it while the world ſtands, being adverſaries and enemies to their own peace; to the peace of God and good men; and true Religion of God, the worſhipping of Him in ſpirit and truth. All this declared and confirmed by two moſt notable ſtories out of the Chronicles of God.
Section IIII. Concluſions …uching war, that it is an evill, an onelyonly evill; that our war is no more unnaturall, than it is for fire to burn; nor a civill war, as when a Kingdome fights againſt it ſelf; but ſacred, when the kingdome of darkneſſe fights againſt the kingdome of light, as now it is.
Enquiries touching the Battels of the Lord, what they are; who fight theſe Battels; and what Souldiers they ought to be; how furniſhed; What hinders victory; what brings it as upon Eagles wings.
Section V. Enquiries touching our keeping Covenant, and Faſting dayes; what we do, and what our Miniſters ſhould do before us.
Section VI. Enquiries touching our evill Doctrines, and what may be the cauſes thereof; and whether the remedies uſed for the removing theſe Cauſes are ſoveraigne, having the ſtamp of God upon them, and warrant from His mouth.