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ANTICAVALI ERISME, i
o<K, fe
TRVTH PLEADINGl
AS WELL THE NECESSITY, |
As the Lawfulnefle of this prefent Warre, |* for the fupprefsing of that Butcherly *p>
brood of Cavaliering Incendiaries, who are
now hammering England, co make an ST
tRELANDOFIT: f>
WHEREIN |»
ALL THE M AT E%1 A L L%
ObjeBions againjl the lawfulnejfe of this under~ %>
taking) are fully cleared and anfaertd, |£
§» And all men that either love God. Themfelves, or $<>
Good men, exhorted to contribute all maner of afliftance hereunto. |r>
f
By Jo: Goodwin. S
Be not afraid of them : Rewfcmber the treat Lord and fcarefHti>and fight for yonr Brethren^ ^T your Sons, 4ndjonr Daughters, your Wives, andyour Houfe:. Nehem. 4. 14.
Alltlm take tlx Svwrd, frail perijh with the Snerd. Ma*. 26.52. $-><*
D ec Rex Legi, quod Lex Regt, .». Imperiumacpoteftatem. £&
London Printed by G.B. and R. W. for Henry Overton, and are to bee &
Sold at his Shop in Popes-Head- Alley. 1642. . 9*
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i,NTICAVALIERISME,
o %,
RUTH PLEADING AS WELL
The Lavvfulnefle, astheNecefsityofthis
HAT which fome in the Gofpell fpake in great amazement, by way of glorifying God, upon occafion of an unexpected breaking out of his goodneffe and power, in a miraculous cure, It upm xcv.tr jeen fitter (ttchafaftjion (Mar. :. 1 2.) may now be uttered by the Inhabitants of this Kingdome, with aftonifhment, to the everlafting fbame and infa- my ot men; upon occafion of the late breaking out of that fire of rage and cruelty, which yet burneth in the midft of the bowels of it, and threatens to confume the very foundations thereof, except it bee feafonably quenched by a gracious rain from on High. And as all that ythat inhumane butchering and quartering out into pieces of the Levites wife by her owne sband, cryed out, and faid, !T^r<? Was no fuel) thing done or feen, ftnee thi time that th Children IfrAclcame uv out of the Landofcs£gyptt untiM that day} J udg. 19. 3 Q. So doubtleflc whofoe- rfhallconfiderwh t bloody and horrid intendments and attempts againft this Nation, have (Ted the hearts and hands of fome of her owne Children, may truly fay, There hath no fuch ngbeendoneorfeenin the Land, fince God firftcaufed men to live on the face of it. What ihalhvethinkeofthat Legion of Devils (I had almoft called them) who now poflefle :Land and after the manner of Devils indeed, feeke all to rentandteareit in pieces ; I mean at Colluvies, that heape, that gathering together of the fcum, and drofle, and garbage of the ind, that molt accurfed con!ederacv, made up of Gcbal, and y/w«w, and Amdeci^* Phi- r;ms with the Inhabitants efTjrc, of J efuites and Papifts, and Atheifts , of ftigmaticall and in- ■nousperfonsinallkindes, with that Lloody and butcherly Generation, commonly knowne the name of Cavalieres * Have they not through fome blacke art or other gotten the iefc treafure of the Land, the King, into their pofleiTion, fetting him /till in the Froncofall urdefperatedefignes; which are thefe, and their fellowes ; i. To pull thoie Stars out of the rmament of the Laud, to dilTblveand ruine that AfTembly, winch is by interpretation, orre- sfentation (which you will) the whole Nation. 2. When they have opened this doore of hope to themfelves, to turne theLawes, and prefent trame of Government upfide downe. 3. To akehavockand defohtion, to roote out the Generation of the Saints rufh and branch, men d women, young and olde (earing Gud, »ut of the Land. 4. To make rapine and fpoile of the goods and poficiTions, at leaft of all chofe that withftand them, and are net brethren
A 2 in
AntiXavdimfme.
in iniquity with them. $. To build up the Walls of Jericho, to pat Lucifer againe imoheav I meane, to advance the tyrannical! Thrones of the Hier archie to their former heighch , higher , if they knowliow. •; 6. :&y their authoricy and^nowcr to excommunicate ana caft a]lthcpureandpreciotas€)#din«rke^ofGodout of his- Homeland to ftrpply this defe;V\ Antichriftian , and fpurious inftitutions. 7. To ipread that Veile, or covering of Antic {tJandarknefTeagaine over the face of the Land', whflrh God by a mod gracious hand of c vidence had rent and taken off many yearesTincej :o leaven the whole lumpeofthe Land, fecondtime,, with. the foure leaven of i^Tum erjour.andffuperftition. 8. And- laftly, a< much to be feared, when thevhave feryed their rutins with, and upon the King, and ufed I as an Engine to. get all the ftones together for their building;, then to make rubbidge of him, if they had honoured him Sufficiently, to caufefuch facreddefignes as thefe to paffe through hands, and made him inftrumentall, or any wayes accefibry in fuch Angelicall atchievemei Doe wee thinke that the light ofthe knowledge of God (nines! in the hearts and confeience thefemen { Have thefe men the mindt of Chrfc amongft them ? Doe they know who is Lord .? Or doe they not thmke rather, that Baal, cr Belial is he f Have all the workers iniquity (faith David) no knowledge, that they eat up my people as they eat bread i Pfkl.iq i. e. That they injure, vexe, and confume them with no more remorfe, regret, or touch of c fcience, then they eate and drinke to preferve their naturall lives : as if fuch men as thefe, people of God, were made for the fame end and purpofe to them, that bread is, ziz» to 1 eaten up and devoured by them. Have they no knowledge, (faith the Prophet) that theyd attempt fuch a thing as this ? Implying ("as it mould feemc) that to vexe, m ..left, pcHec _:e, ? deftroy the people of God, argues the moft profound ignorance, and thickeft darkneffe in mindesand underftandings of men , thatcan likely be found there - and that the we.ikefti preffionsor glimmerings ofany true light of knowledge, would keepe. men from dafhing th foote agairift this ftone howfoever. If men had but as much knowledge of God, as Vilatcs w fead in a dreame; they would take heed of having any thing to doe with juftmen. And th things (faith our Saviour to his Difciples concerning thofe that mould kill them, and thir they did God fervice therein J thefe things (faith he) chey (hall doe unto you, becaufe they hi not knowne the Father, nor me, ^ohn 16. 3. If men had the leaft degree of the true knowled of God in Chrift, they muft needs have fome knowledge of his People and Children alfo : a if they know thefe, tins knowledge would be as a hooke in their Nofe, or a bridle in their Lips, keep them from falling foule upon them, as the knowledge of Chrift the Lord of glory, woi have kept the Princes of this world from crucifying him, had it been in them.
Andfince we are fallen upon the mention of thofe men who are ready in a pofture ofhatn and -malice, and revenge, with other preparations anfwerable hereunto, to fall upon us, a our lives and liberti6s> both fpirituall and ■civill, upon our Eftates, our Gofpell andReligh and all that is, or ought to be dcare or precious unto us ; and in our miferiesand ruines, to r< der our pofterities more miferable then we, and have advanced their defigne this way to t maturity and heighth, which we all know and tremble to thinke of : Give me leave in tl which remaines, to excite and ftir you up, from thegreateft to the leaft, both young and ol< rich and poore, men and women, to quit your felves like men, yea, and ('if it be poflible) abo die line of man, in this great exigency and ftrefle of imminent danger that hangs over yc heads, and threatens you every houre. Oh let it be as an abomination unto us, as the vc ihaddow of death to every man, woman, and childe of us, not to be active, not to lie out a ftraine our felves to the utmoft of our ftrength and power in every kinde, as far as the Law God and nature will fufFcrus, to refift that high hand of ipiquity and blood that isftretchedc
agar
AntiXavalierifine.
ag?inftus; to make our lives, and our liberties, and oar Religion good againft that acctzrfei Gener.tio.i ;.hacnowrna:;mfie:.hthemfe! es, to make a prey and fpoileofrftem, to make havoclc and defolation ofiiiem all at once, if the Lord (hall yet pleafe to deliver us out of their hands. Let not our Lives, our Liberties, our Eftates, beat all precious or deare unto us in this behalfe, 10 expek them, be it unto the grea.tft danger, to prevent the certaine and moil unqueftionable ruine of them otherwife; let us refoive to puc all in the hands of Go J, to prevent the falling ofali, or any thing into the hands of thefe men. There is neither man nor woman of. us, neither young nor old, bui hath fomewbat or other, more or kffe, a Mite or two atleaft to cafl: into the Treanj.ry of the P ub.i!;e fafetie. Men that have ftrength of body for the War, and fin- gers tht know how to fight, let them :o the Bade, and not reare tolookethc enemy in the face. Men and women that have onely Purfes and Eftates, let them turne them into men and fwords for the Battle. Men that have heads, but want armes, and hands for outward execution, let thefe ftudy and contrive methods and wayes of proceedings : Head-work is every whit as ne- ceflary in fuch a time and exigent, as hand-worke is. They that have neither hands, nor heads, nor Eftates, let them finde hearts to keepe the Mountainc of God, to pray the enemies downe, and the 4rnr.es oftht Lord up : Let them finde tongues to whet up the courage and refolutions of Others. This is a fervice wherein women alfo may quit themfelves like men, whofe prayers commonly are as mafcuiine, and doe as great and fevere execution, as the pray- ers of men. As for little Children that know not the right hand from the left, and foareun- capable .fcx' ion, or putting on this way by their weakneflTe and innocency ( innocency
I meane, as concerning the enemies, and giving them the lead: caufe or colour of their bloody intendments, as likcwife in refpeil of the crying fins, and horrid provocations of other men) they doe every whit as much towards the furtherance of the fervice, as men doe by their ftrength, by their wifdqme, by their eftates, or otherwife ; as wee fee in the cafe of G o d $ fparing Niniveb. The fixfeore thoufand Children that knew not their right hand from the left, were the great interceffors, and chiefe mediators in the behalfe of the City with hinflj Yea, the bruit beafts themfelves , the Cattell, their cafe and condition working upon the 300.J- nefle and gracioufnefTe of God, were contributors too in their nature towards this fervice: As is to be feen in the laft claufe of the place cited from the Prophet Jonah. And jhould n»t I fpareNiniveh,&c, — — and alfo muck Cattell. Therefore now I befeech you that arc capable of the great evils and dangers that threaten you , and are even at your doore , be net you want* ing and backward in any thing that is in your hand to doe, if it be pofTible , and as far as in you lyeth, redeeme your lives with your lives, your eftates with your eftates, vour Religion with your Religion, out of the hands of thofe men, fet them all to worke for their owne mainte- nance & prefervation :yea if you know how to create more ftrength then you have, or to improve your felves feventy times fevenfold above the proportion of any your pre fent abilities, 1 befeech you do it; at leaft be w/V/;W(as the Apoftle beares the Corinthians witnelTe they were in a cafe not altogether unlike ) above that j ottareabJe, that fo you may be fure to give out your felves to the utmoft of your ability, the more freely.
Give me leave to fet an edge upon you, to quicken and encourage you, to ftrengthenyoutf hand to the worke, by the tender onely of two motives, or confederations unto you.
I. Confider that the caufe, wherein you are defired andexhorted to appeare, and to engage your felves to the utmoft, is like unto the Law of God it felfe in thofe excellent qualifications of it : it is juft, and holy, and good ; there is nothing in it that fhould make you afhamed either before God, or juftly- judging men, nothing that needs make you tender, or holding off in point of confciencc.Vou are to ftand up in the defence of your Lives,your Liberties,your Eftates,
A 3 your
AntuCavalierifrne.
your Houfes, your Wives, your Children, your Brethren, and that not of this Nation only, bat of tfcofe two other Mations likewife united under the fame government with this, the defence of chofe Religious and faithfull Governours, that Honourable Aflembly of Parliament, whofe pow- er and priviledges you ftand bound by your folemn Vow and Protection unto God, (befides many bands of conference otherwife) to defend and maintaine with your lives, power, and e- ftates. Vea, in defence of his Majefties roy all perfon, honour, and eftate j all which are now in eminent danger to fuffer by that accurfed retinue of vile perfons that are gathered about him, as I vie about an Oake, which never fuffers it to thrive or profper, till it be tome off from k. This, men that have their eyes open, may eafily fee and difcerne; though others make a mock and a fcorne of fuch an affercion, as ridiculous : But fo did Lots fons in Sodome, by that faying of his unto ihcm,That tlx Lord -pcot-slddc fro y the place and City where they were, Gen.i9.1q. which yet was a ferious and folemne truth : Vea, and further,y ou are exhorted to ftand up in defence of the true Protefhnt Religion/or the name and honour of your God,your Ordlnances.and (which ought to be of very deare and precious confideration to youj for the fafe conveyance ofthac great tre^fure of the Gofpell over unto your pofterities that are yet unborne. Here is nothing in all this but what the manifeft L?.w of God, and the common light of nature, not only warrant- ethandallowethinallmen, but even leadeth, pcrfwadeth, yea, urgeth and preffeth them unto. Now how fhould not the goodaeffe, equity, and righteoufnefle of the caufe be as precious feed, out of which a generation of fons and daughters fhall be raifed up unto it K Vea, and be fpiric and life to the undertakers thereof ? And encouragement unto them, to plead it with the higheft hand ofmeanesand endeavours they are able to lift up i When there is a caufe thathaththe image and fuperfenption of God upon it, fo full and lively as this hath, is it notpittyit fhou Id want Oratours to plead it , that ic mould fuffer and fall to the ground, and none bee found to take it up £
Indeed if there were any occafion to make a ftand in matter of confeience, if there were any thing doubtfull in the caufe recommended to you, any thing to detaine your judgements and confeiences in fufpence, whether it were lawfull for you or no, to appeare in it, there were juft caufe to fpare and to forbeare you, at leaft for a time, till you fhould be fully fatisfied. But now the righteoufnefle hereof being as clcare as the light, or as the Sunne at noone day, why tarry you ? why are you not up in your might before this , to maintaine it to the ut- termoft {
Yea, but fay the Rabbies and great difputers that ftand by your enemies and ftrengthen their hand that they cannot depart from their wickednelfe, that cover, but it is with the covering of theflefh,andofthefpirit of the world, not with the covering of the Spirit of the L^rd : It is not lawfull ( fay thefe menj for you to oppofe them, nor to contend any wayes by force again!! them, becaufe by oppofing them, yourefift the King the Lords anointed, whom God com- mands fhould be obeyed and fubmiued unto. H you conceive him to be your adverfary, yet you ought to oppofe him, ('or rather the adverfedifpofition of his againft youj only with pray- ers and teares, and fupplications unto Gcd for him, and with petitory and humble addrefments unto himfelfe, but to make no outward refiftance at all.
To this I anfwer,
i. By .rayofconcefTton that the ftngisto bee obeyed, and that by the expreffe commande- rpentofGvd. Submit your felves to every Ordinance of man for the Lords fake, whether it bee unto th? King, ac fuyr earn? > or unto Governotrrs, at nnto thrn that are fent by hint for the punijbment ifewB doers, drc. r Pet. 2. 13. Here is fubmifTion to the King required in expreffe termes , and they that yecld not the fubmifTion here required, refift the Ordinance of God (as the Apoftle
Paul
Antio Cavalier ifme.
TahI fpetkes, /J0W.13.J and by fuch refinance (hall receive to themfelves (vi^ without repen- tance) *f\iiA judgement, or condemnation .• God will feverely judge or puuifh them for this refiftance. And for my part, I from my foule could wifh and defire that the fad diffractions and comeftations beiweene the two oppofing parties in the L?nd, might come to a comprimife, and be iffued and ended upon this point : Thac party that makes moft confeience of keeping that Commandement of God which requires fubmilTion and obedience unto Kings, to be fub- mitted unto by the other ; and chat to yeeld,and fit downe, which is moft defective this way, and in whom lcffe confeience of fuch obedience appeareih. Only two things I defire may be ta- ken notice of from this Scripture where 1'ubmiflTion to Kings is commanded : Firft, that a King or Kingly Government, is tti&fnrm mat an ordinance of man, or an humane creation (as the OriginaJI properly fignifiethj which vet we know n no lelTe generally then impudently, and in the face of cxprciTe Scripture to the contrary, denyed by the Divinity and learning of the ma- lignant faction, who by fwelling the Prerogative of Kings to a monftrous & moft unnaturall pro- portion, as if they had a minde [o make it crack before they had done, have confulted all maner ofmifei esand calamities to the world, as well to Kings themfelveS, as to their People. Submit to every Ordinance of man (faith Pettr) for the Lords fake, whether it be uuto th Kinnr, &c. Therefore he fuppofeih the King, or Kingly Government to be the Ordinance, or creation, or creature of man. And it is evident that fo he is j for there were Kings over the heathen Na- tions, with the forme of whole government God did no wayes intermeddle by way of any command orappointment concerning it, long before there was any King over * Ifrael. Nor *<;_., was it the order or command of God, that there fhould be any King over Ifraell , but he was il.ia highly offended with the People for deflring it. Is it not now Wheat harvefl ? ( faith Samuel to the People) I v ill call upon the Lord, and he (hall fend thunder, and raine, that you may perceive and fee, how that yotcr mefyedtteffe is great, which ye have done in the fight of the Lord in r.sleir.ir jou 4 King. And though he condefcended in a pa (five wav, that they fhould have a King as they de- fired, yet as he tells thsm by the Prophec Hofea, Ileg.r.ethmaKing in his wr ath, and bid them in effect take him rt their perils, if they would needs have him, hee fhould deale but hardly by them. He Would take thir fons, and daughters, and make th?m fervile to him, as you have ir, 1 Sam. 8. 11. It is true, va thisfenfea King, or Kingly power and government may be faid to be from God. I-'irft, Inagenerall or indefinite confideration, as it is a government, not fimply.or in icfelfe unlawful! : For it is the will and appointment of God, that there fhould be fome government or other in every fociety of men, yet not any government neither, not anythatisunjuft, unreasonable, or tyrannicall ; And in this fenfe all formes of government that are lawfull and juft, whe her they bee fimple, as the three commonly knowne by the names of Monarchy, Ariftocracy, Democracy ; or whether they be mixt, having fomewhat of two, or ofallthefefimpiesimhem, are equally or indifferently from God : not any one of them determinately, or with exdufion of the reft. For fuppofe all Nations and Societies of men intheworld, from the foundations thereof unrill now, fhould have fet up and exercifed only one and the fame forme of government amongft them, as vi<. That which wee call Arifto- cratica'l (like that in the Low-coumryes , by fome chofen amongft them , whom they call States J fo that neither the Monarchical!, or Kingl^Government, nor yet the Demo- craticall, nor any other government whatfoever had beenc ever praclifed in the world untill this day, we muft not thinke that theworld had herein finned , innotufing any other , no nor yetneglected any Ordinance of God. Becaufe it is no ordinance orappointment of God that any particular Nation or Society of men, fhould have either this or that fpeciall form.' of Government amongft them, but onely that they fhould have fome kinde of Government
which
A4
AntlXmcditrifnve*
which isjuft and law full. Therefore Kingly Government is no Ordnance of God in tkis fenfej^ viz.. as impofed upon any Nation or People by way of duty or precept to ufc and fee up a- mongft them. But being fee up in any people, it is warranted, and countenanced by God as lawfull, and obedierccand fubjeAion ftreightly en']oyned thereunto, and therefore the Apoftles ex^reHTian, Rom. 1$. I. is very exprelTe and pnnftuall this way. Let every Cottle be ft*b)e& unto the highrr powers for there u no power (i. no juft and lawf 11 forme of govern- ment) but i; front Go&y the pou ers> d at re, arc ordained (or rather ordered maytAtat) of God. The powers that are : Why doth he lay the powers that are, are ordained, or ordered by God i DoubtleiTe to (hew, that there are f me p vers or formes of government, in atttt fignato, ( as the Schoole-men fpeak^ that is, in refpecf. of theft- fprcies or kirde, which are not inattu exercita, actually exercifed or taken up, nor neede the . be t*ken up by any State or Peoplein the world. But for thofe that are. i. that are de fail* eftabiifhed, and fet up by snv People among themfelves, (Tpeaking onely of thofe that are lawful 1) thefc ( faith hee ) are ordained, or rather ordered by God.r.God by fpeciall inftinct. and worke of Providence {of) inclines the hearts of feverall Nati- ons, fometo imbrace and fail upon one. and foihe upon ano:her,fome upon that which is Monar- chicall.or Kinglv, others upon that which is Anftor raticall, fome upon that which is Demccrati- call, Sec. and withall commands, that ht which every Nation arl'ecple choofeth for it felfe, (hould be obeyed and iubmitted unto by thofe that have chofen it, and live under it, fo long as it continueth : For the time is comming, when Chrift will put downe all rule, and all au-. thorny, and power. And this is another fenfe wherein Kings or Kingly Government may be faid to be from God, or to be the Ordinance of God. viz,, becaufe where it is eftabiifhed and fet up, hee had a fpeciall hand m ordering and guiding the hearts of the People to chofeit, before others, and withall commands it to be obeyed, as a Government that is lawfull and ao- thorifed by him, not as commanded and enioyned by him.
Thus you have the firft thing made piaine to vou, which was obferved from the place in Peteri which was, that Kingly power or authors is directly and properly the creation or ordinance of man, though there be that in it alfo, which in a fenfe may give it the denomination of an Ordi- nance of God i'vUh i. As warranted or countenanced by him. a. As ordered and taken up by thofe Nations, who have fubjected themfelves unco it, by the fpeciall difpofall and worke of his providence. *
The fecond thing I defire you would take notice of from the fame Scripture, is this, that fub- ordinate Authority, and inferior Magiftracy and power is as much the Ordinance of God, as Soveraignty and fupreme Authority it felfe is : and that God by one and the fame command, requires us to fubmit our fe Ives to inferiour Magiftrates or Governours, as well as hee doth to Kings themfelves. R cade the paflage againe. Therefore fubmit your fclves to all manner ofOr&* nances of man, wheikr-, &c. So that it is a finne of the fame nature, and renders a man ob- noxious to the fame danger or difpleafure from God,to be fouud in difobedience to fubordinate Rulers under the King, as to the King himfelfe. But this for anfwer to the Obje- ction in the firft place, by way of conceffion or grant, That the King doubtlefle is to be o- beyed.
But fecondly, by way of exception I anfwer further, that though the King be to be obeyed and fubmitted unto, yet this obedience was never intended by God to be univerfall, butjwitb li- mitation, viz,. In fuch commands wherein a mans obedienee to the King, fliouldnot be found defobedience againft God: for in thefe cafes, That of the Apoftles Pf/er and John to the Ru- lers, Eiders, and chiefe Priefts muft take place, Acts. 4. I p. whether it be right in the fight of God to obey jotter at her thwG W, judge yee.Tht debt of obedience to God muft always be paid?whofoever
loofeth
^Anti-Ca^alierifme. jj
tofcth by the hand : Though the truth i*,that there is no cre.,ture,Kuig nor other, that can lofe y thing due to hi rr^by any mans obedience unto God. The A po(Ue$fWere lb confi- jentofthe righteoufncffe uf their caule in difobeying their Rulers in that, wherein they obeyed God,that they feared not to make their Adverfaries themfelves their Judges there- in : Iudge yee.li a King mould command me not to pray for the generall good , or peace of :he Church or State where I live, ortoforbearc the doing of any thing, which I conceive [ am bound in confcience unto God to doe for the publique good, I am not in this cafe any whit more bound to obey the Kings command , then the Anoftle Peter and Iohn were to c- Dey the command of the Rulers and Elders who charged them to give over preaching the 3ofpell, or then SbadrAckejJMefbacb^ndcsffodnego were, to worfhip the Golden Image, xcaufe NebuchAdnezztr commanded it. This limitation is plainly enough exprefiTed in :hat very Scripture^herein we heard obedience unto Kings commande%lr,<i.T'f>3r.i 3. Stik- nit your [civet ( faith the Apoftle ) to every Ord'wazce cfman^for the X&ds SakclfiHs ought :o fubmit for the Lords Saks*** Either foi :thatlovewebcarctohimfcoroptofcoafcie<nce of :hat obedience wh:ch we owe unto him , we ought not to fubmit in any thing whereby Crjd may bedifhoncured ordilobcyed.lt is fenfelcffe tothinke,that any thing cansor ought :o be done for the Lords Sake.which cannot bedone but to his dishonour, or (which is the rame)with difobedience to him.
Yea, but it will ftill be objected, though it be true,that Kings are not to be c bey ed in any afthofe commands thar are unlaw full , in an active way , vvearcnctalwayes to doe what :hey would have us doemor to ceafe or 1 orbeare the doing* of what they would have us for - beare;yet are they even in fuch cafei to be obeyed paffively : Men are to fuffer patiently any punifliment they defire to ihfliA Upon them , for rcfufing any (uch obedience j or however, :hey are not forcibly to refill*
To thefe things likewife I anfwer3i.That the unlawfull command of a King, may pofllbly be of that nature and condition,that a Subject cannot difobey it , but by a ftrong hand, and :akingup of Armest. hough not propeily or directly againft the King,yet againft thecommad Df a King.In fuch acale,difobedience to Kings by a ftrong hand.and with forcible reliftance, Is not only Iawfuli,but even matter of duty and obedience unto God. Foi inftance,A Chri- stian hath folemnly vowed & protefted before Go J,to defend the lives of his godly and taich- full Govemours to the utmoft of his power : or whether he hath made fuch a Vow and Pro- bation or no, it is not much materiall in this rcfpect,becaufc he (lands bound in confcience ">therwi»e,ind by the Law of God3to doe it. Now fuppofe fuch a'man cannot performethig i/ow,or doc that which is his duty to doe otherwife therin, but by a ftrong hand and taking ip Armes ; in this cafe, if a King commands fuch a man not to fake up Amies in relation to uch a derence,it is tvi ent that this unlawfull command ofa King cannot be diic beyed,but y takingup Armes :giinft rt.Therearc many other caies of the fame confiderationand rule vivh tlii?.
2.1 a ifvver further,That it is one thing to offer violence to the perfon ofa K:nj;,or RuIcr,or paf tempt the taking away of liislifc-,another tofjeure a mans own lire,orthe lifeofanotherj .horn we know to be innocent, and much more the publike fafcty,by lirengihning am. r.s e!fc to withlbnd th : violent cxecurion of .my unjuft command from a King, by thufo that mve no right or lawfu!l autho. if y at clf,co doe any (uch execution upon us. As for offering lolcncetotheperfonof aKinp, or memptinr, to take away hit lire, vvele^ethe prooieof helawfu'neiTeof thif.to thole profqunddifputtrs the Jcfu"ts,who fraud in 1 . rhc te-
t>ur of their profefled Doctrine and p kegoodtHci; fe thereof^or
Ifc Co leave theinfelves and their Religion an abhorring and hiffing utuo *nc world \i fcrna
B who
jj nAnti-Cavalierifme .
who never travelled with any defires or thoughts that way, but abhor both mother and daughter,doftrin and praaife together, we conceive it to be a M Prerogative of the Perfons of Kings in what cafe (ocver,tobe fee ure from the violence of meh;and their lives to be as con- fecrated corne, meet to be reaped and gathered only by the hand of God himfclfe. Davids conference fmote him,when he came but lb nearethe life of a King,as the cuting off of the lapof his garment.
But as concerning a forcible withftanding,or refiftance making,againft a violent execution of any unjuft command from a King, attempted by thofe that have no rightfull or lawful au- thority to do fuch execution either upon us or others , yea though the King himfelfe be at hand to fecond his inftruments in the execution, of ilich c6mands,we have fufficient warrant for the lawfulnefle hereof in the Scriptures themfelves. When Ahab fent a Cavalcer (you may call himjamanbf bloudjto take away the Prophet£Y//&« /head,as he fat in his houfe amongil j the Elders,* Ki 6.$2.dld Elifia fct open his doore for him.ani fit ftil til he took off his head in obedience to the King 1 No, he beftirred himfelfe for the fafeguard of his life5*nd called upon others to ftand by him, and affiit him againft that outrage and violence intended againfl hirotyea and this without any brand or blemifh of any rebellion or difobedience to thtK'ngj yea though he fpake fomewhat roundly ancl freely of thcKing himfelfe. St<je wraith he tc the Elders that were with himj how tbufon of a murtherer(mc*nmg no beggars,no ieffe then Ahab himfelf9the King)fc* thfent to tak* away »«' head?Taks heed when theMe^engtr commetk mdjbut the doore^and handle him roughly * At the dooreils not the found ofhu Maftenfeet behin* znpH foWSureW he that went thus far,for the fafety of his life, when he was bur in danger of beinf it opprf ■ affaulted,would have gone further if occafion or neceflky had beenjand in cafe the Kings but- SJjKii/ cher had got in to him befbrethe doore had been (hut,if he had been able, and had had no O' J2 ther rneanes to have faved his own head,butby takipg away the others,there is little queftior c«pi- to be made>but he would rather have taken , then given a head,in this cafe.So when Ssw/th «iic jun. j^-mg wouid ncccj8 naye had Jonathan put to death, ye3, and had bound himfelfe with an oatl I Jnm' or curfe to have it fo (yea and that twice over for failing) the people knowing that Ionathat i had committed nothing worthy of dcath(though the King thought he had Jbut that contra rily he had defcrved well of the State, and had mightily delivered Ifracl, (as the words of th. Text are)delivered him by a ftrong hand out of the hand of Saul, i Sam.14. 45, Neither i there the leaft afperfion or imputation caft upon this People for this faft of theirs, as if the] had been any wayes injurious or difobedicnt to their King. Nay it appeares by the fequell o the Story ,that Saul himfelfe,though a man not ofthc beft difpofition, when the turbidum in urvallum r the fit of paffion was over, took it no wayes amine at the hands of the people, tha they had refifted him,in that unreafonable and inconfiderate defigne of his againft Jonathan hut went on,and raigned peaceably over thtmSDavidm like manner,being un juftly perfecu ted by Saui^ and thofe graceleffe and bafe flatterers that affifted him in that ungracious de figne,and being in dangsr of his life by them,did he either fit ftill,to fee whether God woulc in an extraordinary and miraculous way profed him or no >Or did he fubmit himfelfe tc| Sauls mercy ,and lay down his life at bis feet?No,but on the contrary, he provided himftlf | with Weapon%thebeft that were to be had. 1 &oft2 1.8,9. And willingly entertained for th fafeguard of life,and to make refiftance againft Sauhnd his party,al the help of men he cokL come by,making himfelf an head or Capraine over th*m,i£*w. 23.x And yet all this whil David was but one {ingle man,and that of a private and mean condition in comparifon.
And this^my Brcthren)is the very cafe that is now before you,or if there be any differenc In refpeft of a juftifiablesefTe in the one above the other, all the advantage, which certainly i v*ry much3lies onjour fide>your fcaleis much the better weight* There are Tonnes of Bdi*
tha
^Anti-Ca^alierifme* 9
tkat are tifen up againft you, full of a fpieit of hatred and revenge againft you,who partly in phinc words, and without Parables, partly by their infolent carriages and behaviours to- ward! others of the fame (pirit and caufe with you, threaten you w ith the utmoft infolencies they can execute upom you, and (in efftft) to (ketch the line of raifcrable and wofull JrdanA over you and your City,and whole Nation. Thefe cither have,or pretend to have a Warrant orCommiflionfromtheKingtodoewhat they doe, tomakeprey andfpoileof you, your live?,and hberties,and all that you have ; juft as the Meffenger had from e/*W»,that was fent to take away the Prophets head ("as you heard) or as thofe had from <SW, that went to lay hold oilonathan to put him to death.Now then the queftion is,whether it be lawfull for you to ftand upoo your guard in this cafe,and to fceke the prefervation of your livts;and of thole that belong unto you,wives,and little ones, &c. and if there be no other likely meanes for your fafcty,to deftroy the lives of thofe that feeke to deftroy yours; whether the command of the King(fuppofe fuch a thing were, which yet I much queftion)to wicked inftruments to take away your lives.or the lives ofthofe whom you are bound.by Oath or otherwife to pro- tect ; whether(I fay)fuch a command ought more to prcvaile with you to fit ftill and fuffer the deftroyerto execute his CommiiTjon upon you,to take away your lives, or the command of Cod and nature which lies upon you to defend your lives, and the live* of fuch others,ai we fpake of,when they are a(TauIted,or in danger of aflault > This fairely and unpartially is the State of the prefent queftion. The great Prophet Elijha fas we heard) and the people of Ifrtel under Saul^nd the man according to Gods own heart , refolvcd the qocftion clearly enough by their praftfe.
If it be here objefted and faid,k is true, fuch afts as you have related were indeed done by thefe men : bat,Quo jure, whether they did well, or lawfully in fo doing,is yet in queftion : An aft done by a good min,fear ing God,is not therefore good, or lawfully done>j becaufe fuch a man doth it: The ancient Fathers were generally Polygamiftsjyet the plenty of their praftifc is but a defeftive proofe «f the lawfulnefle of Polygamy. In like manner,the action* raentioned.having no teftimony of approbation from the Scifiptures, may very pofliblybe workes of darknefle , though done by children of light ; yea^though there he no exprcfli brand of unlawfulneiTe fct upon them by God : for Polygamy it felfe hath this negatiae td- ftimony of its innocency .
To this I anfwer,firft in generall : That though the goodncflc and hoKncfle of the perfon be not fufficient to authorize an aft for lawfnli , yet whilft the unlawfulneffe of it be clearly evifted by a contrariety in it to fome command of God, it is a ftrong preemption, that an aft performed by fuch a perfon, is lawfull : To the inftance of Polygamy in the Fathers : I anfwer, that it was apparently a breach of the feventh Commandemenr, and contrary to the firft inftitution of mairiage by God ; the tenour whereof,accor ding to our Saviours own extraft out of the ancient Record , runsthuf, Mat. ig.^. Am A thy tvnine(\\ot they threc,or they foure,or more)/W/ be oneflrfi. And befides,it is plainly branded and condemned by the Spirit of God.as finfull,/*/rf/.2. 1 4, 1 5-as the generall vote of interpreters upon this place car- ieth it. But there is not the leait intimation given throughout the whole Scriptures, of any thing Gnfull or difpleafing unto God,in what either EliJbatoT the p«ople,or David did,in the particular* mentioned:
Thofeafts of .SVw»0w,commanding Joab and Shimei to be put to death, without any try- all or due proccflfe of Law againft them.i A'/'»:2.and fo that of David, giving away CMephi* hjhrths eftate to 2^*,onely upon a difpleafure conceived againlt him , with fome others of other Kings of Iudah t of like confideration , fmelling too ranke of prerogative Oyle, are much more queftionablc in point of luvfulneflc, andoffarre more difficult reconciliation
B 2 wiLb
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with principles of reafon and equity,and wich the Law of God it felfe then thofe other. But, 2.T0 the particular I anfwer.Firft'for the fad of the Prophet Elifi^ filing out to thofe that were with him,to lay hands upon him ttat came armed with the Kings awhrrityand ccmni3iid9to take away hishejd , and to thuc thedoore againft him ; th .t in this hedid no- • thine Lxit what waiplearing unto God,aj.peires from the circuailtance of time and thatpo- ftmeof fpirit,w herein the Prophet thus contended for his head againli him that would needs have had it from him.He was now f»ll of the Spirit of God, and of prophecy .- and was in that very inftant,w herein his head mould have been taken from him,ready to cry out as a wo- man intravaiie,and to be delivered of that gracious meflage , which imrr.tdiatly follower in the bagi nuing of the fucceeding Chapter. Now that (b holy a man, and io great a Prophet, mould in that very .p'ointandinftint of tims, wherein he was full of the Spirit of God, and ready to deliver a meflage from him of that high importance and unexpected grace to his peopMall into the foule fin of rebellion againlt his lawfull King, is doubtlefle an incredi- bility of the ficft maghitade.
Secondly ,t he Eiders or Stataf-meo of the Kingdome, who were prefect,' comply ed with him in his rrt>don,aria\artifted him in his oppofition againft th* Kings mt'ffenger, who came forhishead-jlaid hariris upon him,and iuflfcred him not to enter:which appearesfrom hence, becanfe the Prophets head flood ftill upon his (houldiers. And this is yet a further confirma- tion of the law tul neue of that refift3nce,which he made, becauie ic is unreafonable to think, thatperfon&of that qualit^and who cannot be conceived but to have understood themfelves Sufficiently in a bulinefle ofthat nature,beiug the peeres or chiefe officers of the Kingdome, fliould haveinvoWedihetnfelvesin therdangerand guilt of rebellion, againft the King: which (doubtlefle) they had done- bad that aft of the Prophet, whereof they wereabettors,had any ftreine or touch of Rebellion in it.
Thirdly,and laftly.the King Wmfelfefit feemsj commi*g very fhortly after into the place where the Prophet and Elders were,finding the execution, which in hotbloud he had com- manded, not done, the heate of hispaflion being fomewhat over and abated,fate down a- mongft them land never fo much as reproved either Prophet or Elders, for making the re- finance they did to his meflenger : which it is like he Would have done , and that upon high te:mes,had he conceived either the one or theotherto have been within the verge of a Rc- bellioa ; or any other" injury or indignity offered either to his perfon, or to his Crowne and
•dignity.
Againrfecondly for the people who delivered Ionathan out of the hand ofSau/, there is no colour to conceive any thing unlawfull or unjuftifiable therin. Evident it is that them- felves looked upon thi6 fact before it waid :ne, net onely as a thing law full for them to doe,
conceived that it had beene a finne of a very high nature in them, if they fhould not have appeared for his re (cue and deliverance, whom they not only knew to be innocent, 'and to have done nothing worthy ofdeath,butalfo. to have wrought with God for their deliverance Nor Is it eafie to conceive what other ground or motive mould h jve* induced this people to run the hazird of the Kings difpleafurein /o^r/'d/f-f protect;ion,then confidence only.though its true.there is no intimation given of any complaint mademor of any offence conceived \ y Saul igiintii the people for this faftoftheir?5 which is another argument of the law fulnefifc thereof,yea aod of the ur.prejudicialnefle or in-ofienfiveneiTe of it to Sauls kingly Throane vxd dignity, confidering how tender an \ jealous Sattf.wtt of thefej and how impatient of
the
Anli-Cayaherifme* f 1 1
trie leafttoncb ( yea though but imaginary ontly ) in them, as aprearcs in the fcqucllof bi3 Hiilory, efpecially by his violenc perfection of 'David , upon very light and loo'e grounds of (u fpition -this way.
Laltly, concerning Davids gathering a ftrengthof m<n and armestohitn 3 whereby r* make re(iihnceae4nit.SW,or rather againlt that bloudy aiTociation which co. faired v. i.ii him in a moft uniuft w*y,to cake away his hfe;evidtnt it is,
1. I hat David , all the time of this his unjuft perfecution by SauUnA his complices, beingftllin eminent danger of his lift, was more fott and tender confcienccd then ordi- nary, andmcreafrid uliini.ing gainft God ; yea and prayed both more frequently and more fervently unto Gad to be p; efervtd f.omiinne, then at other times ; as appeares by many Plaints compofed by him, during this his tnUl. Now it is a thing altogether in- credible, that a man other wile According to god; owne Heart , under the bed and ioiuil frame of fpiritand confcicncc 5 chat ever hee Lv'd in, and whiht hce made it his earneir prayer unto God dally to be kept from iinne,(ru-ttld iq fuily mifcarry, as to live in the fin of Rebellion againft hisiawfuil King without repentance.
2, That he refpe&cd and honoured Saul very highly , and was very tender of doing bim theleaft harme. I is laid, that his hear t [mote him , becaufe he had cut off but the lap or shirt of his garment t iSam.2^%. LIfing moreover the fe words to his Tenants, whole fingers itch'u to have made fare worke with -Saul) The Lirdjorbid t:;at I jhouil'doe this thingamy mafter the Lords an tainted, to jlretch fertb mine hdnd again ft him , fining 'he is the anowted of the Lwi, veil* 6. Therefore certainly David in defending him felfe againff^W^ Cava- leers with Armes and Men, neither offended God, nor wronged JVw/hhnfeJfeintfccleaft meafure,Yca,
$.Saul himielfe overcome with t his expreffion of Davids love and faithfuJnefTe unto hirrj acknowledged his innocency,and the uprightntfle ot his heart toward* \am#ifrmitos$$s tlj voycejny fonne £><*WV faith SaufyaqB lift up his vojee and wept. And faid to D av'idjheu art mo e righteous tkn I : fir thou haft rendrcd me good^ and I have rendred thee evill. And thou haft fiewedihis day that thou haft dealt well with m; &c, Sauldii not only acq lit him from thole high crimes, of treafon,rebtUion, fedition, &c. But from all manner of injury or injuftice at alldonetohirr.. And if iWagainftwhom the offence (if any )had been committed, jufti- fieth him,who (hall with any colour of equity condemne him ?
Laftly(for this particular Jthe holy Ghoft himielfe gives this exprclTeteitimohy concer- ning David ; That he did that which was right in the fight of the Lord^ and turned from nothing that he commanded him all the dayes of his life , fave onely in the matter of Vriah the Hittite, \ Kings 1 5.5. Whercas,if that faft ofb.s3defending liimfejfe by force ofarmeijagainft SauUnd his confederates in bloudagainit him, had been of any fuch interpretation as fome would make it, (by making other a fes like unto it jat either uea(bn,rebellion:or the like^dotihtJcflc^ this had been an higher and greater matter oUxceptionagainit him,then the matter of Vriah itfelf.Butyct firther that their pra<5L(e in theparticular mentioned refpedively a:dfoycur?, being only conformable thcreunto,was, and is every way cs juiUfiablc ; .ind oi perfect con- fidence with the rules of reafbn,equity and all good confcienccand no w.iyes derogatory to K'ngly power arid authority. I rerronftrate and prove by this one confederation.
Men that have no hwfull authority or power to takeaway the lives or goods of men,may very lawfully be refilled in any attempt they ihall make, to doe citlvr ; mc if their lives mil- carry in Inch attempts,they have their meanes in their own hands, (as we fay) heir bloud is upoiuheirownjheadt. Tha I fuppolc.is a pregnant and knowne principle both in rc.ifon
E 3 a&d
1 1 Ami' Cavalimfme*
and religion.If a man alTaul:s an ther upon the high way,and feeks to take away his money or Hie from him ; if the perfon afTauIted flayes the other/*- dtfendo (as the Law fpcaks) there is neither Law nor conldence wil take hold on, or reprove bim for it. This proportion is manifctt. I go on therefore and addc.
But men can hare no lawful authority or power , by any warrant or commiflion from a King to take away the lives , or goods , of thole that are innocent and have not tranfgreffed the Law , no not of thofc that are not in a lawful way convi&ed for tranfgreffbrs of the
Law.
Therefore fuch men as thefe may lawfully be refilled in any attempts they Qui make either upon our lives, or our goods, notwithstanding any warrant, consmifTion, or command they have or pretend to have, from a King to do it. And take that along with you which appa- rently follows from hence : If fuch perfons fo aflfaulted may lawfully refift fuch aflailants, then may they every whit as lawfully provide themfelves beforehand of fuch means, where- with they may be able to make the refinance when time comes. At if it be lawful for a Tra- veller to kil a thief upon the way in the defence of his life,or money; certainly it is lawful for him to ride with a Sword,Piftol,or the like, wherewith he may be able to do it ; It is rid leu- 1 jus to grant the la wfuIneB of an end,and to deny a lawfulnes of means neceffary and fufficN cot Co attain that end*
But fome (it may be) wil deny that propofition,which affirmeth,that thofc men have no lawful power or authority to fcize upon mens lives or goods who are innocent , and as yet fo reputed by the Law , having the authority and command of the King to do it. That therefore no unjuft,or unrighteout command of a King,can enable any man with any lawfal power to put in execution ?ny fuch command, I thus demomftrate (though in deed it be a thing evident enough in it felf without any demonftration) no King can derive any power or authority to another, to any minifter, officer, or the like, but only that wherewith himfelf it inverted, and pofTeffcd of, either formally , or by way of eminency and furpluflage. But no • King is himfelf inverted with any authority or power to do any thing which is un/uft,or un- righteous: therefore he cannot impart or give any fuch power to another : and consequently thofe that attempt or do any thing by vertue of any un juft command from a King,had eve- ry whit as good do the thing upon their own heads and authority , without any warrant or commifiic n from the King at all : the f aft as touching the lawfufnefle of it, is but of one and the fame confederation in both cafes. Now that a King himfelf hath no power or authority at all, to doe any thing that is unjuft or unequal, is yet more evident then the former , thus : All power that a King hath in point of government } is derived upon him, either by Gcd,.or by rrep,or both : but ic is a truth of the cleereft evidence that neither the one, nor the other, neither God , nor roan conferre th any power upon him to do un juftly. Concerning God, trlerVfc *iiot the lead qtisftion to be made : he gives no man authority to fin , but laies his au- thority and command upon all the world to do righteoufly : and as for men, fuppofing they be but reasonable men that have conferred the power upon a King, it cannot be thought , or once imagined, that they flnculd give a power out of them(elve5,againft tbemfelve*; a power to injure, or to wrong either them or their pofterity. And though they fhould be conceived to do a thing fo inconfiftcnt with reafon and even common fence , yet fuch an act of theirs, were a meere nullity : the King was pe*er the more polTeft of any fuch power, becaufe they that are fuppofed to have conferred it upon bim, had it not in thcmfelves, northe Jeaft right or power to deriveit upon any other.
iea, but (wil the rnalignantTDoftorsJ-ftil objeft and reply, whofhal be Judge in this
- cafe,
Anti-CaVAherifme. 1 3
tale. Whether the command or commiffion of a King, given to ah Officer,or other fubj . t> , to he put in execution,!* unjuir,or no ) Is it net fit, that rather the King himfelf (hould be j.idge in this cafe , then every private man ? Is it fit to give way or allow , that every private man (hould lean, examine, Judge, and determine either the righteoufmiTe or un right con fnclTe or the Kin|.s command r Doth not fuch a liberty as this tenn to diiToIve the bands of obe- dience to Superiours 1 To poure contempt upon Kings and Rulers, and to fill the world with confufionr
To this I anfwer, Firft, that for many things that are commanded by Kings and Superi- ours, there needs little or no ex imination or fitting, whether they be lawful, or no.Their un- lawfulnefle is written (as it werej in their foreheads, with fuch Capital Letters, that he that runs any read it. A man needs no skil either in Arfthmetique or Geometry, nor the uie of any rale or fquare , to try cither whether the bow be (freight , or the firing bent and crooked. Half an eye is fufficient provifj on for this decifion. The command of that Idolatrous King Nebuchadnezzar with his Nobles, that men mould worfhip his golden Image, was fo noto- riously wicked, that thole three (ervants of God,Shadrac^ Mejbacl^, and tAkednego, were not s artful to anfwer the King concerning it. Dax,%.i6. that is, they would never take time to fludy or conflder whether they fhould obey it, or no. Such was the command of the Elders and Rulers to V(Ur and J h», When they commanded them thai in no wife they fbould fyeak^ or te<tck in the >{ante of leftu^Alb. 3. i83i ^.Befidcs many others both upon Sacrcd,Ecclcfia(tick, and Civil Record,of like condition and importance.
2. If it be not lawful for inferiours to examine and eHquirc into the commands of Kings, and other their Superiours , whether they be lawful or no; then is there a nccefiity lying upon men by way of duty , to make men equal with God, and to judge them as unerringly, as univerfally righteous and holy,as he $ which a man of confidence wil hardly forbeare to call blafphemy. The fequel is evident ; Becauie men can rife no higher in their thought! and apprehenfions of God himfelfe in this kinde, then to judge him absolutely and unquestionably righteous, worthy to be obeyed, in whatfoever he (hall command,whhout examination.
5. If men were cither bound to, or lawfully might obey their Superiours without all exa- mination.tbere would be no place left for that command of our Saviour,wherein he prohi- bites his fi lends and fertante, to fearc thofe that could only kill the body j meaning by fuch, either only.or principally Kings and Rulcrs,who arecoraonly faid tohivcpotejtatemziu & neci'j power of life and death. There is no reafon to think,that either Kings or Rulers (hould take away the livesof thofc that wil comply with them in all theirdefires and commandsrand as little reafon is there for any man to think.that men (hould run the hazzard of being killed, by difobeying the commands and wil of Kine?,if they might fafely, and with the peace of a good confcienccobey and comply with them.
4. It is nomorcdifparagemencordimonourto Kings or Rulers to have their commands examined by thole to whom they arc directed and givcn,thcn it was for Paul and the reft of the Apoftles to have their preachings and doctrines examined by the infer iour fort of Chri- ftians that heard them. Thefe were every whit as great (if not far greater) in Spiritual autho- rity and dignity, as Kings themfelvesare in politique and civil. Now the Holyi3hoit is (b far from reprovingthofe,who examined the things which they heard fromTwtf/himfclf, that he hath left it upon record as matter of fpecial commendation to them, That they daily /ear- thed* the Scriprnres , whether things were fo or no, as he had taught them, A&. 1 7. 1 x. Yea the Apoftles themfelves were fo far from looking upon it, as any matter of prejudice to them or
their
1 4. rfnti'Qivalierifme*
their reputations, that u hat ihey delivered and taught, mould be brought to the touch-ftone by thole thit heard them.that they requred this at their hands by way of duty,and exhorted them unto it. See 1 C5r.10.14. 1 Thtfcai^&c. And yet far greater reafon isthere, why the teachmgof the Apoltle^fliould have been «>u;rt'&u/a,.r.priviledged from account, then the commands of Kings: becaule they had a promife of fuch a prefence of the Spirit of truth with them, thmt he fbtmld lead them into the way ofatt truth 5 whereas Kings , both in the framing and pubiifhing of their commands , are left to an arbitrary aluftance from Heaven , after the manner of other men.
5. The wrath of God hath hen revealed from heaven^ J, hath been fhewed in very remarks* ble and exemplary manner,up on thofe who have fwallowed the commands of Kings,and fub- mi ted unto them in things unlawful. Thofe Officers that obeyed King Nebuchadmzxjers command in cafting thofe three innocent fervants of God into the fiery Furnace, were fud« denly confumed by the flame that came out of the furnace j whereas thofe that ftreined at the Kings comniand,and exchanged it (as the Scripture phrafe is) meaning (I conceive) for the commandement of God,obey ing this in the ftead,remained untouched of the fire in the midft of the furnace/Z)**^-!!. So the men of Ifrael that had obeyed thecommaBdemcnc of Saul in giving their affiftance to him for the perfecuting oi^David , were punimeu together with •SW,neeing and falling down wounded "before the Phililtins,as Peter Martyr hath wel obfer- ved upon 1 Sam.$ 1 . 1. So of that great Hoft of Aflyrians , that jeyned with their King in an unlawful war againft the Church and People of God, tree were 185000. (lain in ore night by an Angela Kir.19. 3 5. To pafle by all other examples of the feverity of God in this kind, that ismoft worthy confederation, which is recorded..2 ^rc^.24, It is CdXd^tr.ijJT hat after the death offehoida3the Princes of Iuda came arid did reverence nnto the Kingt and that the King hearkned to then?. Not long aftt r, They confpired together againft Zachartah, a faithful Prophet of the Lord, for dealing faithfully with thttn,andat the Kings commandement ^ftoned htm with ft ones in the Court of the houfoof the ZW,ver.2i. 2r#f(faithcheftory9ver«23.) it came to page at the end ofthejeere^ thai the Hoft o/Syria.came up againft him: and they came tc Ifida a<dJeru~ fa Icm^ar.d leftrcyed all the ^Princes of the fftfie from among the people , ef-c. The juft revenging hand of God,fingling out from amongft many thoufands, thofe perfons by name who had obeyed the King in a way ofunrighteoufneffe,though they were the chiefeft and greateft of them, and in that refpecl (in all likelihood) kept farther! off from the danger, and had more outward provifion for their fafety, then other?.
d.(And 1 aftly for rrw)If this liberty we fpeakof.of examining the commands of Kings and oiheiSi:reriour;3\7ere granted Mr to.,andufed by thofe that are in fubje&ion,it would not de- yefl: c r here ive Kings orRulers of any obedience at all, tha: were worth the having or receiving from mentor thit were truly honourable or fafefoi them to receive. All that in rea- fon it c <u'd be conceived to do in this k n lis to prevent and cut off all fuch obedience from Firgs. which would endanger their cutting off, and their States an J Kingdon-:cs with them. Iff hisl'b.rtv.or di :y rarhtr^oi txaminirgthea -mnv.nds ofSupei'iojirs, hid been preached and preffed upontheporffciefCat ofenen wi th that authority and pqwer,wbichthetiuthanr| rv'gh conccrntrerr o' it wil beaFCg or rather (indeed) required, thofe Crownes might hive flpu'Klied upqg^he heads of K:ngs , which now begin to riroopean 1 larguim ; and thofe K^rinn^ er joyed ihuTctjnce of peace under them , the foundations of whofe/afety arc now G"; alien. Epbraisn is 01 ■ :!^v in judgment , becaufe he wiltiugly fc-uoircdthe corny
quinde.msnt>'vi<r. o<K .?*?.' who commanded the wor (hipping of the golden Cclfe.
Hoft, 5. 1 u Here is the fruit of che forward^efii: of a NrJon to obey and comj lv u:th an
Idolatrous
*Anti- Ca\>alterifme. \ j
idolatrous King, even to be *fr»ifcd nnd broken in judgment , i. Not only to be forely i jffl ifted. I>at utterly ruined and deftroytd,and that in a courie of juftice, and of the righteous procee- dings of God againft thcm.In this cup of trembling and aftoninWnt which they were com- .pclkd to drink from the hand or Ood;there was none other ingredient,but their own VfaW and that which it fecms was predominant in the misfure, was their forwardmfTeto fide with their King, in that falie religion and worfhip which he maintained. And for the mine and deftrucYtoa oi Jcroboamjnimklt and hii houfe, that is much confidcrable from the pen of the holy Ghoft, that it is not afcribed fo much to his fin and wickednefs in commanding I- dolatry,as to the fin and wickednefs of the people in obeying. And this thing (faith the hill o- ry , fpeaking cileroboams Calf, and command given to the people to woilhip their. I A'r>. 1 2.30.) turned to fin^ meaning to a provocation of a very high nature, to iuch a im,wbicb iven rooted out anddefiroyedthe houft of leroboamfrcm the face of the earthy. 13.34 But how,or by what means did leroboams Calves and Idolatrous commands concerning them, turn to fuch a fin or provocation^* was his ruin? he holyGlioii afcribes this to the obedience of the peo- ple in this behalfe ; Andthis thirty turned to fn: for the people went to TV&r/bip before the onejven unto D ^.Clearly imply ing,thac that fin which was the ruin and rooting out ofleroboam and his houle, was not lo much his wicked and Idolatrous command., considered fimply and in it ■felfbut as it found obedience and fubje&ion in the people. The people in true account, who magnified leroboam in his commands,above God in his, were they that ruined both lerobtam and his Houfe.And generally >ail that Kings and Princes gaine,by an unlawful fubjeaionand obedience from their people, is little elfe but the kindling of the fire of Gods jeloufie againft them, lam the Lord (faith God,£fc. 42.8.) this is my Name: and my glory rrillnot aive to . fberjil wil not fuffer it to be given to,nor to be received by another ; I wil fell it deare to him that (hal own it,and wil reeover it out of his ruin. We know Herod was fmitten by an Angel from heaven , and fooncaft up that morfell of divine honour which he had fwallowed,by a miferable, mameful,and loathfome death. As thofe that make Images of wood, Hone, filver, gold, or the like, to be adored and worfhipped , dee threaten1 injury that may be to thofe poore innoceBt creatures; they expofc them to the fury and jeloufie of God , whereby they commonly fuffer a riiffolution of their being before their time, a£ tic braffe whereof the bra-
:he great God of heaven and earth, to cloath Kings and Pi ina s , or whomfoever , with the Tpoiles of his Name, as all thofe c'oe, who obey them with difobedience unto God, as in one ence they make them god? , fo in another , by making them gods, they make them indeed r,o: e men then they wenynore obnoxious to his difpleafure,tt ho ru th the command of their He and breath. Confiderthat pa{Tage(to omit many others oflike imp ortance) which you Iwl find, £/2r. 1.3 1. And tie fircv?. .. '. theldoll, either becaufeinthe idolaters conceit/it is Irong like a god, or rather iirong, in refpeft of the tirmneiTe and durablenes of the matter of Kyfhail-bc as Tow.andthc maker thereof MS a (fa»kjt I ' both burn tcacther, and r.tv
iunchtkem. Mark wel : Howilrongand durable fcever the matter is, whereof the Idol! O nade,whether it be the belt heart of Oake that can be gotteu,or the iftfdcfr and firrr.eft tfone, ilver,goId, or the like, or it there be any thing more durable, and more rt lifting corrupt r, hen thefe,yet being made an IdoIl,it becomes as Towj. of a very weak and perifliable nature: ndthc maker of it i faith he) (h*H be as a Spa^k, vi*. to fct this Tow on fire •, ir amine that he I the caufe both why that good fublhnce, which wai made into an Idol, pei ifhe Qfily3and likewife of his own pci iOiing by the hand and judgement of C c
C w
1 6 tAnti- Cayalierifme .
when men or women (hal make idol* of Kings and Princes, and great aien,a«d fall ddwe be- fore them, and worfliip them with divine worQiip, as all they in t fte& do, who yeeld obedi- ence unto them againft God, what do they elfe but (hake the very foundations of their live?, and prefcnt beings in the World , and call for the fire of Gods jealoufie from heaven to con- fume them r Whereas on the contrary, thofe that foberly and out of ccnfcience rcfufe to obey them upon fuch terms.I mean, againft God, they do them as good fervice,ii they would pleafe fo to apprehend and interpret it,a$ Mordecai did to King^Wwrr/^when herevealed the treafon of the two Eunuchs againft him. He that rcfufeth to obey a Superiour in an un- lawful! commandjgiveth notice to him, that his foot is in a fnare of death, and that hw pre- fervation ftands in his defining and repenting.
I (hall mention only one objection more wherewith that unhappy learning of the con- trary fidijuftth to be very importune, and to triumph much in it. The Chriltians in the pri- mitive times ftibmkted themfelves with patience to thofe moft unjult and cruel! commands «f the heathen Emperors, when they fent their Officers to put them to execution.and to take their lives from them : they never refifted, nor flood upon their gu*; d but tooke even death it felf, yea, and many times torments worfe then death, patiently. And whereas this might o- thfrwife befufficiently anfwered, that they made no refiftance, becaufe they were notable, they hid no considerable ftrength to make good any refinance; to take away this anfwer,thcy uftuily cite a place out of one of the Fathers, TertuHian by name, wherein hedifcLumestbis lindiees grolmcJ 0f their patience in fullering, writing unto the States or Senators of the Empire.affir- 3Sj«i'- ming, that they had a confidcrable party ofChriftiansin their Dominions, whereby they cfcTnobis wer€ able to have made refinance againft their.
vis\utr.c- Becaufe this objection is macter of fo much confidence and triumph to the adverfary , 1 Sum ? thai defire leave to examine it the more thoroughly, and to fearch the bottom and foundatz- — k' rer'ni onS 0f \t [n my anfwer to it, / (hal firft {peak to the teftimony propounded, and conilJer the Sdte'ont validicy or likelihood of the truth thereof ; and fecondly,(for argument fake) the truth of it n=a impic- being ^ranted or fuppofed,we Pnall endeavour to (hew of how little force or concernment it ur'b^' is,any°waies todifablcthctruthof thatpofition we have in hand , which jiiftifietharefi- iofau*, fancc againft the violent execution of any unjuft command from Kings, in thofe that arc "urfki pia, alLulted under pretence thereof ; therefore as concerning the teftimony o{ Tertulli an fcuch- rondiii. J : 2 fa f fliciency of ftrength the Ghriftians in :his time mould have to relift the EmperotH?
bih.rtfra & . ■* , a
ipf35ftc. and all njs power. /aniwer,
iSitoflrf Firlfyhat this Father might eafily be miftaken in taking the proportion, and making the *" p£m-' eftimate of the ftrength and power of Chriftians within thecompalTe of theRoman Empire, Fmik*' in cemparifonofthe ftrength ohhofe that were ready tooppofethcm.This was no pcintot Yrmx' faitbjior of ChriHian Religion; and therefore a devout Father might cafiiy fall under a miP- clp°l7' prifiou hereirv The common faying indeed \%yt\izturAcmefHein arte fun credendumj.e. every man is to be belceved in his own art or profctfion, but no rule of charity or reafon binds us to be'eeve another in any thing which belongs to the art or profefiion of another, and wh rein himfclf h little vcrfedcr exercifed. Now to weigh the ftrcngth of aKingdome, S .it.cj: E:npire,f as it were) in a ballance, and to mafceaoeftimatcofjansl compare together Lhe po#cr of fcverall parties ordivifionsofpeoplein|twithfomucheXc;c'fc1jei7e, astodetcr- nr.hit which is the (\ronger,and which the weaker,belongsto theproftflionand imploymenc ,,(" a St tel-nnn.not of a Divine.or Miniftcr of theGofpel,of one that {its 2t thefterneof the E:),:virc,not of one whoft heart, and time, and ftrength, aretakenup with theftudy of the m . It ries or" hcven > ea tor a Statef-man himfelf to be able upon fufheient grounds, precifely to deter miiiciiicB differences as we fpeakoCIme^n between the ftrengtb and ftiength of dif- fer eel;
Rjenira Sc b*ftne<. crtos,nci: tantum
*Anti- Cavdierifme. 1 7
ferent parties in a State, where there is any necrneffe or appearance of an equality ,wtl require both double diligence and treble (ufh'ciency in him othcrwife.
2. How eatily might he miitake and mifcarry in a matter quite befides his profeflion and cou:fc,who not long after rnifcarryed iogrievoufly in his own , as to turn Montanijt , who called himfelf the holy Ghoft5and to approve of the drearrs and furious fancies of thofe two vile women, M*ximllx and Prifca(Afo*taKttt his wicked affochtes)for true prophecies. Yea flayed not here neither, but joyned himfelf with thofe heretiques called Catapbryrts, who condemned fecond marriages as adulterous and prohibited by God : befides divers other mifprifions in his own profeflion, which would take up too much time to infill: particularly upon : a memorable example and warring (as it were) from heaven, how unfafe and dange- rous it is to build upon the authority of men.
3. It is well obferved by one,that there: is an aptnelTe and p^onnefle of inclination in much devotion,in perfons devoutly given, to ovt r- value the workes and piety of other men. Now this Father outof fuch a principle or inclination as thisi^defirous toextoll and magnifie the paticaceof Chriftians , might eafily draw in fuch a ciicumlUnce as this for fuch a purpofe upon very weakand (lender grounds foric
4. It is generally observed and known by the writings and records of thefc times, that e- ven in the pious and Orthodox Fathers themfelves there were fome touches andftreine% fomeJ»£r*of that root of bitterne/fe which afterwards grew ranke,ani flouriftied above raea- fure in the times of Popery,yea and brought forth fruit abundantly unto death.I mean an in • clination to credit aid countenance their religion in the fight of the heathen and the world about them,by very (lender reports and relations of things, as of Miracless Vifions, flrange accidcnts,&c. which are generally rejected, as fabulous and falfc, by the founder and more confederate knowledge of thefe latter daies.
5 . Suppofe there might be confiderable numbers of men of the Chriftian party in the Em- pire(though to me it is one of the things I leaft beIceve)to Withftand the heathen party there- in, yet doubtlcfle thefe were kept under,as t he Ifraelites were in is£gjpt% when they began to multlply.lt is no waies likely ,that if they were any Waies formidable for their uumbers,that they fhculd be fufFered to have any proportion of armes or means,either of offence or defence in cafe they were aflaulted.lt being contrary to allreafonand rule of Srate,to fuffera party of an oppofite Religion to jrhe State, and worshipping another God then the State al owed, growing to any confiderable numbers within them , to have farther any fuch preportion Or- am uity of weapons,armes,or means in any kind4w hereby they might endanger and become formidable to the State. Now then granting 'that which this Father (pake concerniug the numbers ofChriftians amongft the heuhens3that they had number for numb:r,man for man, and in this refpeft might feem to ballance thcm,and be able enough to refill them; yet want- ing armes and other means of defence, where with it cannot be conceived but that the jdverfc party abounded,it had been in vain for them to have made refiftauce when violence was offe- red unto them.And thus much for the flrft part of my anfwer5to fliew the queftionablenes or rather indeed the great unlikelihood of the truth of that t«u"iraony,which is brought to fup- portthe objeftion propounded, which otherwife would fall to the ground of it felf.
I go OB to the fecond part of my anfwer,which is to prove and to flicw , th«t though the teftimony be admitted for truth,yet the objeftion wil not reach the que(Hon,or cafe in hand.
Therefore fuppofe we the Father that fpake as we have heard, via. That the ChriftLns under the heathen Emperours mould be abletnough to have defended themfelve8,yea to have oppofed the Empirour himfelf with his party5fpakc nothing herein but the truth; yet it doth but follow, that all thofe of his profeffion 1 I mean all the Chriftianstha; were fcattered up
C 2 and
1 8 <tAnti-- Cavalierifme .
and down the face of the Empire (hould have the fame apprehenfions with him herein,fhoul4 think themfelves ftrong enough to rciift their adverfaries.in cafe they were oppofed. Thofs particular perfons that were called out here and thcre,fome after others^to furler, might very prqbably, yea , could not lightly but conceive and think, that if they {hould have made any re.iftance againft them that came to lay violent hands upon thera3and to put them to death, they mould have but enraged their malice againft: them the more, and lb have encreafed their own torments.-yea,and happily have provoked the heathen party , to rage fo much the more againft their Chriftian brethren,who yet remained amongft them. So that in thofe that were called to fuffer, it had been both want of wifdome,in relpeft of thcmielves,and of cha- rity in refpeft of others, if they mould have made the ieaft refiftance againft thofe unjuft and bloody ofncers,that were fent againft them to take away their lives.
If it be here replyed and faid jyea but the whole body and party of Chriftians throughout the Enapire,haying mfficientitrength might have agreed to have rifen up at once, and have fupprefied their adverfaries, if they had judged lawfull.
To this,anfwer hath in part been made already : as fir ft , that it is no waies probable that they had any fufficiency of ftrength , no not of men , to have made good fuch an attempt, it u :h leflTe that they had any competent provillon of means othcrwife, which had been re- rcq^fitethcrcuntQ.
Secondly, that though it mould be granted , that they had a fufficiency of ftrength both waieSjyet is it no waies neceffary that therefore they Ihould all be of the fame mind & judgr ment|touching this fufficiency jthat they mould all be perfwaded that their party were ftrong enough to deale with their-adverfarief.We know that many attempts,projeds, and underta- kings which hivebeenin treaty and agitation.havebeen deserted and laid <• fide.only through the different Judgments and apprehenflons of thofe that were concerned , and to have been engaged thtrein6touching.i:he expedience or feaceablenefle of them. As that projeft oiAcbi- 3tT7' tophdior the immediate and clofe following of David>\N&& defertcd by Abfshn} and his par- ty, and not put in execution, becaufe of the different advife which Hzjhai the Architgave* A lateinftar.ee hereof we had like wife amongft our felves:that dangerous defigne of bringing up the army out oi the North againft the Parliament,proved abortive^he execution of it ne- ver feeing the ligb' oTthe.Sun^thrcugh the different opinions of thofe that were,and were to h?vt baen in fpeci$ "manner concerned therein ; fome conceiving it to have been a project defervihs the name q.{ none fuch -7 oth?rs no waies daring to adventure themfelves, their 'lives, i d {biminesjnor fome(peih-.psjiheirconf:iences5upon it. In like manner for the Chriftians flVins within the R.orr:*n j&pir&to have made\ead and rU'en^up againft the main body and ftaWofctte Bmr in to fupprtffc roerojiad been an emerprife of that dangerous and griev con^qucnce'in cafe it had rnifcarryed ; ctpecially the grounds of the fucccfle of it being to r^tair^arid wealths tncy were,th;t it hath riot the leaft appearance or (hew of likelihooi. - evtr it mould be generally cor fe. ted unto by the whole fociety of the GhnftianSiWith- hfet was :io at* erupting the puttingof it into execution, . ; this may be added:
pole the Chriftians we-fpake of had been generally confident of their
■ and had made little qneftion but ihit they might have carried it againit che-
fhi! .r having no invitation, c-ja&rcnance or command from.any Authority,
in thc.Empire :o attempt any fuch thing,, their cafe was farre differing
untenanced , encouraged, andfome wayes commanded b as
fry as this ihv hath any, to doe what you have been exhorted"
ao^ auii^thi ! v&leiice of that, malignant aed bloud-thirfty generation,
who
Jnti- Calaherifme* ip
who having ftollen away the heart of the King, make ufeof his name to make havock and ipoile of your Lawes, Liberties, Eliates, Lives,Religion,yea of the Peace.Honour,and fafery of the whole Kingdome. It is the exprefTe command and ordinance of God that inferiour Magiftrates,and Rulers fhouH be obeyed as well as K:ngs,as we obferved formerly out of that of Peter yz Pet. i.iy^.Thtref ore fubmit your fe/ves unto every jr all manner cf ordinance of mat*, for the Lords fake , whether it be unto the King as unto the Superiour , «r unto governors as . that arefent ofhimjor thefuniftment ofcvill doers^c.bo thatinferiour Governors are by the exprefTe Commandementof God to be obeyed, as well as the Superiour.Now then put 'he calc that the inferiour Governour requires that whtch i> oncly honeft, agreeable to the Lawes of God and of Nature,as, vU. tint we fhould doe our beft to defend our fclves again ft thofe that contrary to all Law and confciecice aflault us : the fuperiour, that which is con- trary to both, viz. to fitftill whilert our Lawes5LibertieiJEaates3Livc?5fiiends godly Ma- gMrates,and Religion itfelfe,arcindangercd,and ready to be taken from us 5 the queiiion in this cafe , whether we are to obey the iuferiour or fuperiour Authority ; ( the command of God indifferently extending it for obedience unto eicher,in things that are lawfull) is ea!> ly re folved, except men will complaine and (ay it is darke at noone day. VV hen it mail be fufc- ftantially proved unto us,that an unlawfull command from a fuperiour Magistrate, dlfTolves and makes void that Commandement of Go< Vwherby we ft and bound to obey the inferior in that which is lawtull ; We may then have cauie to make a demur touching the goodnetfc of the caufejbut till then we may be bold to fay,it is day, when the Sun fhineth.This then is a difference very confiderable5between the cale of pnmitiveChriftians^andourSjin the point in hand, fuppohng they had power to defend themte:ves agaicft the perfecting agents and and inftrumenrs of rhe Emperour , yet had they not any countenance or command from any Authority in that Itate-to doe it, which we have in ours. .
fcStill foppofing/that which yet is never to be granted, till it be better proved) that the Primitive Chnmans we fpake of, had a luffkiency of power, to have defended thcmfelves a- gainft the perfecting Emperours,and did it not,yet there may be this reafon given why th< 7 fhould rather patiently fuffer, then make ref ifLncc.becauic whileft they were yet heathen and unconverted to theCbtiltian Haith, 1 hey contented to that power or authority in the Era* perou^whereby he made thofe blouciy Edicts for the perfecting and murthering of poore Ghriftians.Now it had been a very unreadable thing and juOIy o&nfive,both in the eye? of God and men,if the faoieperlons who had ubblittied a power or authority in the handofa Ruler mould have refilled or oppoled him.or his Agents and Miniiters in the execution of it, A fervant ot Go6ttbougbhefryares or bargains tobis oWn hurt, yn mnft he;;>r change, as yc 11 have iijCaU 15.4. But we are under no fuch ingagernents, or bandstand therefore have a li- berty which they had not: For though a mans confent to an unlawfull power, bcinab- foluteandiimpleconfiderationamevre nullity, and fuch a power never the more lawUiUi- zed thereby ; yet by alhules of reafon and equity, fuch a confent ought tobeabaracunft him that hath given it,that he (hi! not for any carnail benefit or advantage,break out auainft him that exercifeth this powc- 1 y \ ertueor* fuch confent,roeerly for fach exei cife fake.
5. Be it granted thac the Chriftian party in the Romane Empire was very great (as is pretended)yet could it in no fence be called or looked upon as the whole (rate 01 bod ) the Empire,as the Parliamentary AfTcmbly is amongd u«. this in a reprefentativeand !ega]| confideration3is the who'c body ofthcNation, andofall theperfons init.huvingthe r power and authority by Law, and in cogence too>to do every whit as much inevci v ref- peft, as the whole Nation.andall the parucular perfons therein could have/iUhty wtv'e met ' together. Now that may be lawfuii for an entire body or fociety of perfoRS to.dCe,
fi-S 11.
Anti' Cavalierifmcn
may not be lawful! for a parlor fome few of the fociety, fave onely in conjunction with the whole.The Parliament ( we know)being interpretatively, and in confideration of Law, the whole body ofthe Kingdorae,hath a lawfull powcr,both to do and command many things, which a far greater part oc number of men in theKingdome have not ; no,all the Kingdom bHides hathnofuch povper,as they : and many things may be done very lawfully, and with a good confcience,by vertue of their appointment and command,which could not be done upon any fuch termes without it,though a thoufaad times more men or perfons then they are mould command them. ^
6. Sappofing they had iuch a power as we have oft fuppofed (but never granted pofitive- ly ) and that it was lawfull for them to have made refiftance accordingly , yet may God by way of fpeciall difpenfation,and for very great and conliderable ends of his, hide this liberty k\c fpeake of from theiF eyes ; that they mould not fee it to make ufe of. We know there were many in the Apoftles time, who eat hearbs ,when as yet it was as lawfull for them, in refpeft of any command of God to the contrary, to have eaten fleih 5 but yet they did better to con- tent themfelves with hearbs, when God had not revealed and cleared up this liberty unto them. And yet they did as well as they too,who feeing their liberty in this kind by the clears light of the Goipell, did take it.and eate flefh.Confidcr that pafljge of the ApoftIe,fow» 14. in He that obfervcth a daj9obferveth it unto the Lord : and he that obferveth not a day$obferveth it not unto the Lord. Be that eateth%eateth M*to the Lord '.for he giveth Cjod thankj : and he that e'ateth %otz'a*thnot unto the Lord, andgiveth Godthankes^VVhercby it is evident that the for- bearance of fome a&ions by fome men wherein they approve themfelves unto God,dotfa not at all prejudice or gainfay the like acceptation of oihers in their doing them .- yea that fbme men may be bound in confeience to forbeare that , which another with a good confeience may doe. And this doubtleffe is(if the teftimony of Ttrtttllian mentioned be true ) the cafe between thofe Primitive Chriftians,and Chriftians in thefe dayes.They might out of tender- ntffe of confcienccand out of an apprehension of fome unlawfulnefle in it,forbeare to vindi- cate themfelves againft thofe bloudy butchers, that were fet on worke by the Emperours to deftroy them : and yet Chriftians in thefe dayes, feeing their liberty in thi9kind,may as law* fully refift thofe that (hall come againft them in the like manner,as the other forbare it. * If it be here objefted and faid that it is no wayes like that the Church of God mould generally be ignorant of fuch a liberty as we fpeak of and challenge , if there were any fuch liberty indeede 5 is it credible that God (hould hide fuch a point of truth as this from them all .
I anfweriirtt, it is not ncceiTary to fuppofe that it (Should be hid from them all without ex :eption ; it is furEc'ient for our purpofe if it were hid from their teachers , and thofe that ivere leaders to the reft,upon whofe judgment(in things of this nature)the generality of peo- ple then muth depended.But lecondly , if there were many Minifters of the Gofpell and tea- chert, even in the Apoftles times themfelves, that were ignorant of that liberty which the Gofpell brought with iuo the world,for the eating of flcm, the non-obfervation of dayes and of circumcifion; &c. or at leaft were fo far ignorant,that they were not able to inforrre and fatisfie the generall fort of Chriftians therein, it may very well be conceived, that fomc hundreds of yeares afrer,wher. the light began to darken and wax dim fin comparifon<) they might now be generally ignorant of fuch a point of liberty as this we now fpeake of, at leaft €0 far ignorant,a3 not to be able to fatisrie the generality of their people therein. Efpccially if vveconfider, &
Thirdly, that from the dayes of the Apoftles, until! their numbers and ftrength were rai- fcdaiid increased to tncluppolcd pitch of a fufficiency to relift ( which was nos lelTc then
nec:e
Ami- Cay alter ifme*
neere ioo,yea*s ) there was no occafion, of ftudying, or looking into tFi? point : they had been in never the better cafc.whctaer they had had that liberty we fpeak of or nojand there- fore it is no mirvaile if they neglected the fearching after it. And whencafei of confcience(as this was )lie unftudied and uninquiredirito,neither is it any marvaile iftherefolution or itate of the trach in them, be not generally known.
Fourthly,that Spirit of courage, patience and conftancy , which God poured out abun- dantly upon his Church and fervants in thofe times, whereby they were fo ftrengthned and incouraged to fuffer,that martyrdomc feemed a dcfirable thing unto them,might be a fpeci- allreafon and meanes to take them off from inquiring into > or fo much as thinking what their lawful! liberty might be in the cafe we fpeakc of. Men that have a fulleftatein faire rcnts,as much as they can well fpend and as their heart dcfireth,are not likc,have no occa.'icn to bulie themfclves in ftudying the cafe ofufury.as whether it be lawfull to take increaiefur the lone of money ,or no ; which he that hath his eftate in money , hath. Whilft the IJra I tr • were fed by God in an extraordinary way by Manna from Heaven, there was no nccelfuy or occaiion for them to plough and fow. So whilft Chriftiani were furnimed with an extraor- dinary ftrength from Heaven, to ofTer themfelves up in martyrdom, their edge muft needs be taken offhereby, as from feekingmeanestoefcapeit, fo from ftudying cafes and oueftions about the lawfulneffe of efcaping.
Fiftly,whilft there lay a confef&d neceflky of fuffering upon Chriftians, *Atifl the fuppo- fed ftrength of rcfiftance came to them ((which as was noted before,could not be much leiTe then 2oo.yeares) Marty rdomc was fo extolled and magnified by the generall acclamationsof the Minifters,and continuall panegyricks, and orations made in praife thereof, that it is 1 jJre no man would for a long time be enduredjthat (hould teach any do&rin that might any way s fceme to take men off from the defire thereof. As there are many doctrines and points of Re- ligion amongft our felvcs that have been a long time taught with fo high an hand, and gene- rally received with fo full anapplaule,that it is not fafe for any man to appeare fo much as in a feeming oppofition to them,(though with never fo much modefty and tenderneiTr . ) But,
Sixtlyfand Jaftly for this ) whether God was pleafecfto make ufe of one or both of their p ii ticularslaft mentioned,or any other like unto them,as a mcanes to hide that liberty of re- finance we fpeake of from the eyes of the primitive ChriftianSjOr no ; eertaire it is , that sfce fame and tenour of his after difpenfations,did requiresthat fuch a liberty (hould be hid f orri them , or at leaft that they mould not make ufeof it ; as on the contrary, the nature : nd pur- port ofthofedifpenfations which God hath now in hand,reqnires that this liberty (bould \ z manifeficd and made known unto Chrifiians. We know that according to the counfcll ard foreknowledge of God, Antichrift was thento come into the world r as now we know that he is about to be deftroyed and caft out of the world. Now this is a generall ru'e.looke w hit truthes were neceiTary to be (hut up and concealed from the Chinches of Chrift, that Anti- chrift might palTe by,and get up into his throane -, the difcovery and letting out of the fame into the world,are neceiTary for his puling downe.Forcertaine it is, that /Antichrift could nev. r have gotten up into that throane.whercn he ja fits and ffcewes bimfelrcin his f sciilrgi- ous glnry,had not God by fpeciall difpenfation fuffered him to make many truths hisfoot- flo >le.Ff all truths had beene clearely taught in the Church of Chr hi, -.nd accordingly ret i h , ve land beIievcJsit had beene impoffible that ever fuch a nv titer, Qtoold havegi tten into the Temple oi GmJ.that (hould (xalt himfelfc above all that which is CJ.'lni (;.-,{. Bet God Caufing adeadfleepe(asitwere):ofallupontho(qtruthes,whichr:K nil in fpeciall manner have op- pofed him,he had the opportunity without much contradiction ornoyfe to lleale and c n- vcyhimfelfe Into that CAtbcdrampeftilmU, that cluire of papall ftate, which yethfrx f-
klLh
.v.
w
a
4 til I *
mi %
M
M
-
iHHHii « •
/f» ti" Cavalierifme.
22
poffeflkh^o^Blienft many other truths that were of neceiTity to belaidaflcepe, for the
paffing of this beaft unto his great power and authority , and for the maintaining and fife-
jgnarding of him in the poiTcLUon hereof3this is one of (peciall coniideTationjthat ChriiHari*
lawfully in a lawful! way,ftand up to defend thernfelves,in cafe chey be able,agaiQ& any
unhwm'.l afTault$;by what afiailants 5 or by what pretended Authority foever m* .
thenvFor had this opinion beenetimeottfiy enough,, and fubftantially taught in the Church,
i: w-i:id certainly have caufed an abortion in Antichrifts birth , and fo have difappointcd
let 11 of his nri borne.Had no: the fpirits,and judgemcnts,and confeiences of men been
.as it were cowed and marvellouflj knbaiedand kept under, (and fo prepared for antichrifts
Jnre/by doctrines and tenenis^exceiUvely advancing the power of iuperiours, over inferiors,
and b inding Iron yokes and heavy burthens upon thofe that were in fubje&ion, doobtldlc
«hey would never have bowvei down their backes fo low as to let fuch a beaft goe over them,
ihey would neve: ^ tmems and co-'feiences into the hand of fuch aipi-
.:! tyrant as he. So thatyc c - w«« a fpeciall neceffity for the letting of Arntich$iii
. the world^ea and for the con muance of him in his Throne s that no fuch opinion as
which we fpeake of.whetbtr truth or untruth fhould be taught and believed ; I mcane,
wh : ateth and maintaineth,the jail rights^nd liberties,aad piivikdges of thofe that
i nJer authority ,and tub; ftion unto ©the
new on the contrary » th i "Gods preordination and purpofe, for the
of Ant: .wingneere, there is a kindeofneceiCcy,thit thofe truths , which
many yeares,(hould now be awakened : and particularly that God mould re-
. unto his foithfull Minifters, and other his fervants the ] utt bounds aBd li-
v errand cenfequendy the juft and full extent cf the la wfull liber- .
A thofe that livei: .on. Evident it is,that they are the commonalty of Chriitians,
I tDi raakc and quality that {hall be moftadive^nd have the prin-
tiralih. _ Tients of God upon the Y*rhore.Gonnder that place, Rz.
~, 5 5. Ami 1 i . t sfher my pecvlejhat yee be not par-
: r her fins are come up unto Heaven,
. 7e7*jardbereveit as foe htth rewarded] ox , anzgiveber
d&. :hat
e ; God by them(Chriilians I mean of under rariri and qaa-
es,or commands cf thofe Kings and Princes -under whom they
b ch LT.med iatly foliowes3i erfe g. And the Kin^s of:
ber^
- er btmwgAt is evident that the people of God fpoken cf Se-
; Kings , that mould bswaiie the whore in her ruiac; for they are
- ?.; which could not fre, except they had 1; - " thofe Kings
m their Kingdom t whore, and b ;- . Babylo-
tad £ct up. And that th -. . f them J
. .v bore by their fu bjcct?,it is e.ident by this;
•r,wheniheisdc. nainthe
7-i 7*) ly bfm it to
t it it fold J hat tkrjiffould bate. -tandwa^e
. tivethis h not meant ofthe :ir StatcsaodKind . of the prorraliry of th:.
rVdconfcna: .aguageelfe-
m i
■ii
*Anti Cay.: me.
bjDaka, King-
keo and oonWcdJbentafaaLty to^ncd by their beads, 2s CM domes by Siop Jtcas we haic had ocean* iormah oobfem 4~ dnosdkvexaUinftancn Grose ^wofifciia«lofplBdfc,IMIffcrihep«dBr''
irflodw Temof Satoe who«thci«e«aM»of fpeiSit fc«d j fewifa iJfwetakthewo^Ings^roperJy^ prechely f or
-;;/ ..";.•/.'-; . \ .'-':' l: :':' " :'-'~^-^ ■ V-^- -*- ::.7f|
landed hvweber wkkprt^riiloocbcmrnkhciM
by the Kings oi tbe Earth chat derftaoiethCardiiuils-Archf _ ic feKE«h not probable ;I rather ■nf x«u »*i-r #'.r- krUpns] i *.- /» krrr ?xr «w rxc^by chat lose c bfliniffccomnodmrf Therefore they fins li* ing within the rrn Km^rli mm i^_
& L hjtttne Whore aodaakehefdefcbtr. aad prediction of God
cbcfe co be the
-V-
r
the.
tetters of thoieeatiivi: »
. then we iee * gnund aid reason toRy i3tntaftory , bock
le PrinJtif e timet, w kOiA AnJLmui. was in con ber:>,theknow;edee whereof wc*£d hare kept htm old now be rrreakd by God and
thrown iown. Aad this tor Asrfirer to die Objr&oa la* promenaded
•:.-:^-r • -. • A v: : . :'-s - - . ~\- . =. . - .
:*::a-isin r: - ..\.r : ~r: ..r ■ .: ; •. -:. :£r '■ : :- - - " - *'• -•:::-::-■". -:;:-i. . : rjt .- '. : in \ Z
aether, beir :
nnnnnn ^r* can pac-nn
Ann
toyraj
2 z Anti' £avalierifme*
pofTeffeth.Now^nonft many other truths that were of neceffity to belaidafleepe, for the palling of this bead unto his great power and authority , and for the maintaining and fafe- guarding of him in the poiTelfion hereof,this is one of fpeciall confiderationjthat Christians .may lawfully in a lawfull way,ftand up to defend themfelves,in cafe they be able5againft any unhiwfull auaultsjby whatafiailants, or by what pretended Authority foever made upon thcraFor had this opinion beenetimeoufly enough, and (ubftantially taught in the Church, it would certainly have cauled an abortion in Antichrifts birth , and fo have difappointed the dcvill of his firft borne.Had nor the fpirits,and judgements,and confciences of men been .as it were cowed and marvelloufl)- imbafedand kept under, (and fo prepared for Antichrifts lure J by do&rines and tenems,exce(Tively advancing the power of fuperiours, over inferiors, .and b inding Iron yokes and heavy burthens upon thole that were in fubje&ion, doubtkfle they would never have bowed down iheir backes fo low as to let fuch a beaft goe over them, ihey would never reii^ncd up thctJ ju dements and confciences into the hand of fuch ai*pi« .ritual! tyrant as he. So that you lee,i here was a fpeciall neceflity for the letting of Antichjift into the world,yea and for the con inuance of him in his Throne 9 that no fuch opinion as this which we fpeake of3whethcr truth or untruth mould be taught and belfeved j I mcane,
which vindicateth and maintaineth,the jult rights,and libercies,and ptiviledges of thofe that
mder authority ,and fub; ftion unto other?. '
Whereas , now on the contrary , that time of Gods preordination and purpofe, for the downfall of Antic hrlu\drawingneere, there is a kindcofnece(Tity,that thofe truths , which liaveflspt for many yeares,fhould now be awakened : and particularly that God mould re- veale and difcover unto his faithfull Minifters, and other his fervants the juft bounds and li- mits of authority ,and power^and confequently the juft and full extent cf the lawfull liber- . ties of thoie that live in fubje&ion. Evident it is9that they are the commonalty of Chriftians," I meane Chriftians of ordinary ranke and quality that (hall be moftadtive,and have the prin- cipal! hand in executing the judgements of God upon the Whore.Confider that place, Re, l 8i4j5 6. And I heard another voyce from heaven fay^goe out sfher my people,that yee be not par- takers in her Jinnef9and that yeerecehe not of her plagues. For her fins are come up unto Heaven, avdGodhath rem.mbredher iniquities. Reward her even as (he hath rewarded [you , and give her dozble according to her workesjindin the cup that jbe hath fUledtoyou.fill her the double,Now that thisfervicefhallbe performed unto God by thcm(Chriftians I mean of under rank and qna- Jicy jcontrary to the will,defires,or commands of thofe Kings and Princes under whom they live,kappeares.by that which immediatly followes,^;*/*^. And the Kings of "the Earth /ball kswaile her and lament for htr^ -which have committed fornication and lived in pleafure with her-, rrhenthej Jhallfe thefmiakj of her burning.lt is evident that the people of God fpoken ofSe- fore,were fubjefts tothefe Kings , that mould bewaile the whore in her mine 5 for they are fuch as come out oiBabyhn^ which could not be, except they had lived under thofe Kings that were BabyIoniih,and had given their Kingdomes to the whore, and by whom Babylo- c ifme had been countenanced and fet up. And that thefe("or a; leaft the greaieit part of them J fhculd noways confent to thedeftru£ionor the whore by their fubjefts,it is evident by this; ibey mould waile andl.im-nt over /^r,when fhe isrdeiiroyed- As for that which is found in the former Chapter concerning the ic. Kings {Rev. 17.17.) Into whofe heart Godhathput it to . their Kins -1cm; orp t»*r toth.^Beafi^htrt it 18 Ca\d,that thrjifhould hate the whore and make her d- folate, and naked^wi eat her jUJbtar,d burn her withfire*! conceive this is not meant of the p^rT; nscfKin£?3butoftheir ScatesandKindorr.iS,*.^. of the generalicyof their people un« th?m. The exprcdbn/vT. fairely3 and with foil confeaancy to the Scripture language elfc-
where
irfnti-Catalier'ifme. ty
where carry this fence »nd interpr«„io,,ithe:bcdi«offtate. or Kingdoms indefinitely ta- ken and c0„fidW«d)be,ngufUaIlyfign,fied by their heads, a, Dukedome, by Duke,, King- domes by Kings.Scc.as we have had occafion formerly to obfetve more at large when weTro- duced leverall inftanccs from the Scripture, of .his kind of phrafe.I (hall (for the prefentYbe yourremembranceronlyofthato„e,;cf.7.17.witnv„.23.wherevtr.t^ l7JfoHr?>™ B/4'u T St ,°A fT l"S1 ,h?l'J'U4rif< °«> "f>>" «">h. Yet verfe 2 3. it is faid thai rA,
,1 the other three Kmgdoms formerly «xp,effed by three Kings. I ciuld dire* y^Tol £ ra I other Text, of Scripture where the (,me manner of fpeaking i, found ; but that I haften. a.jf we take the word, Kmg,, properly,,:,, precisely for the plrfon, tha are the head, and chteferulmof Rmgdomsanthat Scnpture andwillfay , that theftj»rfW»*,JS ZTd makfbrr dtfoltte, &c.\ apprehend no portibi ty ( for the prefent ~) of reroncilin. rhi. Z„. with tha.othermentioned,^ ybJL^&^Tff^S^
<.«,and to burn, £r mtifr,^ not bewaile her, nor lament ov r her, £r fuctfa manner at 1, farther expreffed in that which followes in this Chanrer Ai C, thJs ZlTa.i ma"n"
S' ^ ^r^ cJr ^reieh£ti^u,d £™^»-lS^^-^^i^^^^2^
derftandethCard.nall»a^chB1fl1op8,BimopS,&c.whointhehportandpompeare«Tn« it feemeth not probable ;l rather conceive thef. to be the WLr/tfS^™£Z&
u W» nchby that long trade and trafique they had had with be wor"d,Tn thofe Ba- bdomfh commodnicTherefore they are the ten Kingdom* indefinitely confined .7 D„. £"l ■ h VT w h" '"vKmgdomesjpot the ten Kings perfonally and properly taken fha ft II hate the Whore and make her delolate, and burne her flefh with fire Now th Tpromife and predion of God concerning thedeftrnaionoftheVVhorebyChriftiansofinS ranke a?d qmllfy.can hardly be conceived however it ftould be fulfilled or take place ««£ the ,u igmmts and confcience, of men ftould be loofed and fet at liberty from the banS fetter, of thofeennaving Doftrine, and apprehenfions, wherewith they had been formerlv opprefled and made fervileabove meafnre.to thofe r !,«„..„, :„ „1 .. '■._._ IO™eny
■ • " v " — > " "uii>.uuu wa> in comming, miEht well be vnnnm nf,i,,, 1:
berty.the knowledge whereof would have kept him from" his ThXe, ^Xwhy ha H b,rty (hould now be revealed by God and taught unto hi, people ; the ianorance whereof wou'd ft.li keep and con.mueb.mupon hi.Throne.when God, Will and Pleafurei, that hi ftall be thrown down. And th., for Anfwer to the Obj.aionlaft propounded ; and fort he Uxtparticular,bywayofAn[wertothemaineObj'eaion.Bur eu.anarottoe
_ ?;. (And.lalD1 Owhatfoever the credit or authority of TmJlU* may be for theHlr^nnh of
ClirimanMn ftimitivetime^tomakerelnlanceagunft their enemies, and hoi^Sb^e or Commendable foeve. thepat.cnce and lubiertion of thefe Chrinian, in fuffer n«a they did may be by fomeconcerved to bee, Ibppofiog thty had (uch a power to have ffi£ fe yes.aS ., uppofed;yet >r.o 1 ce, tune it ,,,„,« as well the auSority of the one a, the li.h million ofthe other, yea and b.th together, beinebm^ Aiwerinh.ll ,r.l! 1" if - .
a,a,nft,heauth„ntyofthep,jf„-e,^H4rea(pP 'w om^ ^ S
the Kings Meftei < tier. r hat v*/ -- .,-, hinmr, \ l:.i?„ ,/ . »™nceagainlt
D
%± vAnti- Cay alter ifme .
yea and with ^«//u6jfwort.Uo doom, to4«»rend hlmkifcspafnft theunjuii nd bloody perfc CUtioDofJ,4«/)bothwaJcli<-Ximpk-(re d> others oHckelir-porrancejareCanonic-ii.'.f/i/^ mutt not be cenfured as an, evil -doctor Drvtd cow ennxd f^ r a Tray torpor rebel J3*k her be- cause icrtuUifti fiith,thit there were Chriltiirt* ejough l\ the Roman -Empire, to make their party good agunrt the Eaiperov and .1 1 i s ^v 'Uke j-jattrLmcr.tStfior yet beraufe tbe& Chilians did not Hand up in their own defence, hawing fankienJay of ttrength to have done r.Thos vvc fee there is nothing at ai in the^paiier.ce or lubmLfEou ar.ths pri^itivi.Clirifliaoj^o much ur- ged ani infixed uponjodilcounun ance thatc.aairiajjdienuce,^ herein your beft concurrence hath b:en deiired, cr any confidetation or cftncernrnenc that uay. to rife up in your owne defence,in the defence of your lives, youretfatej, your liberties, your wives, y oar children, your fricnds,your Lawes,your religion agaj nit thofc,who without any lawful! Authority or warrant either ofQoff or men,*re nfeu up with all their mighv andrall rf&ir^Yertc*K>akr havock,and fpgifcaad i'uine of ali , is no wayei of&niiv* cither- 'in the rigfat ut'God, or ba» fonable men. . **
And(toconcJudeJ.if any man be afraidriwtMar.tyrdjoineihould fufTer by t-hls., either that the glory hereof (Should be eclipfed.or that all orJportuarties of expreffwg ouc feiucs un* to God and Jefvw Ghtittin fiicha CeiJvkc^ftTduldfaeLarco^anu eaten away:$y-f«rfiratf bpfe oion.I anfwer,No:{ JihdgloE)! and "praifei6fiilaTtyrdoiiie4»iteret3Hi«f as cnare , wlrfitbi* Do&rine9as witfeoiffr)*i.«idthe opportunities or mewing^r film in our loveaaUtehfu!* nefleunto Gbrift in fuebsa fervice^wjll bo wayesbe dimimfbed heicby.-.-
For Firft 5 thegtor/aad praiic of Martyrdoms or ft.'ffeting for Chri(t3doth notconfift in lying down>and fufferirig proud and wicked men to ride r^erswir heads, in fitting ftill whi- left our eftateiJibertieSjivi^eafcUikireh, friends, sremteed & deAroyed before out fac€s?wnea God puts an opportunity into buir-hand to defend trhem j the name and Gofpeil of Jeftis Chrift would rather fuffer loffe.by fccha patience as this then any wayes gaine ;it were more Infidell-like,then Chriftiao>not to make the beft proviiion we can,for the iafety of thoft that are fo neare to us in fuch a cafe-But the grace and glory of Marty rdome lyetftfcfhif % Ffc ft, when a man is refolvlcd to profefle themme5and Faith of Chrift , what dangerToeVer he in* curs,what loffe foever he fuft aines,or is like to fuftaine by it. Secondly, When it comes to the neceifity of fuffering that he baulkes not, nor faulters with Chrift : that he k not any wayes afhamed of him,or any of his words,or wayes. Thirdly, when a man diideignes deliverance upon any bafe termers,or by unworthy meanes, that fcornes to fly away for the eajoyment of any reft,except it be with the wings of aDove(the Scriptures Emblem ofmnocency)^/^ is caveredrvitbfilver wiagsfa'D \ivik fpeakes).*«d berfeathtrs Hk* yellow gelk It is ever honou- rable to fly with fuch wings as thefe.
Fourthly (and laft ly)when God doth not open a doorc of lawful 1 efcape unto him, either by fl'ghc or otherwife,but hedgeth him up(as it were) with thornes into the hand of the per- fecutorj that he patiently and with meekeneffe and compofedneffeoffpirit," without any breakings out in one kind or other,without any expreffion of difeontent either againft God or man^lubmitteth himfelfe unto the ftroke,in what kind foever it falls upon him.
And fecondly, for opportunities of Marty rdome,of fuffering for Chnft.and that in num- bers more then we defire,they will not be wanting^ hough we {hall not fufrtr every bafe Ca« valeer, that faith he is for the King to cut our throstes3or to plunder our Cities, Townes,or Houfe, to commit outrages and incolencies upon Wives3Children,Friends3&c.
I. It is a fuff.-ring for ChriuCand fo a degree or kind of Matty rdome)co fuffer thofe things which we doe,in fea:cs,in dangers,in diftracrion?, in runnings, or removings up anddowne, iadi^ppointm:ntsofouraffaircs3in the lofTe, expence2 or forbearance of our eftates , by
thoje
<*Anti- Cctoalierifme. 2 5
thofe men of Belialjhat are as Thornes in oar eye?,and fcourges in our (idei, only or chiefly becaufe we will be that in open and conftant profeffion, which by the grace of God we arc inwardly and in the truth of our fbules j becaufe we will not proftitute our confciences to the lufts of their Father the devill/we will not give the right hand of fellowfhip to them, in thofe deiperatt courles ofwickedaeffcandprophanneile wherein they arc cngag<rd} and wherein (it feeme8)they meane to weary ,yea and weare themfelvei out before they will give over.
2. We !ie open to the hatred and malice, to the mockings and fcoffing8,to the rayling and revilingMo the fl indcrs and lyingi of the whole malignant party round about us -t and that becaufe we hold forth the Lord Jefiis Chrift in his holinefle and purityjn his power andau- thority over the world,in his truth,and faithfulnefle,in his mercy.and gooine(Te,in his glory, and Ma jetty, in our lives, and Conventions. And this is a Martyrdome too,or fufFcring for Chrift.
3.(And laftlyjtveknow not how foon or fuddenly we may be called out by God,to fuffer even a perfeft and compleat Martyrdom indeed; to lay down oar lives for Chriftjwhen God will hedge up every way of efcapeagainft us wHhthornes, and leave us in Peters (freights, To flretch forth our hands^nihtve Another togirdus, and to lead xi whit her we would not Johu ai.iS.Sothat wefhall leave occafions and opportunities enough,even as many as God him- felfe ever made, for the exprcflingofour love and fairbriilnefTe unto Chrift and hisGofpell in wayes of (lingering though we (land up like men an d quit ou felves with all o.ir raight,and allourftrength, againft thofe affki nates, andfworne Swora-men ofthedeviil,who have confpircd the death and ruin of all that fearer K God n the Land.
Only for a clofe of all that I have to fay in this point, let me addethis one thing by way of caution, that opportunities of fuffering Martyrdome wil not aiwayes continue in the Church for the (ervants of Ood:yea5the time draweth nea:e>whcn they (hall c*afe and be no more. The (aid retinue of t he fi/fi things, ; *$ 'hey are called rW.20.4.)which hath been a long timein parting by,even for many Generations, is no.v almoft quite paffed j God IS bow bringing up the recre of this hoft of loirowes,and when this is pa(Ted,he wil turne the wheele of his providence and difpenfation?,(- et weene his own Church,and the Synagogue of Satan. That flic which hath been down hitherto, (hall be upward5 and that which hath been above, ftnll be below ; No'.v thedevi!lsfaints3 and the Chlidrcn of the Whore, even zlfeart full and H«belin.'Vg ones^ndabwinable^ and murtherers}and Whoremongers \,ani Sorcerers^andall hars9
felves. \nd who they are that (hall now lead into captivity,and (lay with the fword,you may informe yonr felves,/?."-". 18.6 7. Reward her, even as fie hath rcwurdedjou : you,t >fcjq your Bretll have walked in tltfftepi of the fane faith and holinefle u ith yc u : Andcive
' " :s the honour which the Saints fall have, to execute the \::dvcmcr.t th.it
to writtrn, ttpon the Whore*
vther motive to ftrengthen your hand the fame way.may be to confider.that as thecaurc, r mended to you is evej y wayes Juftifiable, fo is ic a matter of the highell & decpeft con- cerimtntu; t > you to (land by it >nd advance it to the utmoft you are able,yea(if it were pof- \\ Mr).-.bcve and beyond vvhat you arc able to do. AH your intercfls relations and concern- ments in this world are b»-und up in it: yea, ic narrowly concernesyouin relation ro the I \viiichistocome,yourtvcrlaftingclt.ite and condition is not lightly concerned in St.
Firir,what have youinthii world amongft althat which you oil yours, any wayes dcareor precious unto yoo,biK that the line of this caufe , v. hatioever it proves, is like to be flrct
D 2
2 6 zAtrii- Cavalier ifme .
upon it : the caufe which is now depending and pleading between you and your adverfariesj will certainly be either the fifing or tailing of it.
i. For your Ellates , thefe are already deligned, by ) o 'renemies,for a reward and recom- pence of their labour and travellin procuringyour ruin. Your lilver,and go!d,your Houfts,& lands with all your precious and pleafant is things befides, mi:ftcallyou Matters no more,
• r £.11 :_►„ ►!,- u ,„-!<. nfr\>*C Arvntirfrs. If rhev nrevai's.rhev will belike a fT*/>**inn vs.i*
this kinduvhat fpoyle and rapin they make of the precious fubftance of your Brethren,ivhere they are have opportunity to tall ; notwithstanding they are not yet in a po (lure to their rninds,to follow this occupation of ruine and fpoile, astheydefireand hope to doe. They have a bridle of fome feare in the jawts of their fury , they cannot ftay by their worke, they cannot gather in their harveft fo cleane as they defirc. But if they do thefe things being but yet in the valley ,what wil they doe,if they fhould make good the mountaine?if they commie fuch infolencies as thefe in the day of their feare«,what will they doe in the day of their pow- .er if ever this Sun (hould arife upon them >I befeech you confidcr this5you that have Jived at eafejand in all fulneffe hitherto,and have wanted nothing of all th^t your hearts could deiire, to make your lives comfortable unto you;that have had food,andiayment, and lodgmg,and harboDr,upon fuch termessthat your fle(h it felfe, though apt enough to murmare and com- t>laine5hath yetbeen afharacd to complaine of any want or fcarcity in any kind; tell me how, or what wil you do in fuch a day, wherein your f aire necks, that never had yoke upon them •o this day,fliall be wrung and galled, and tome with thofe Iron yokes, of poverty ,naked- n*ure,hunger,cold,contempr,want of al things? Will aot the dayes and yeareb of your former plenty and fulneffe be feen upon you in abundance of forrow anefcxtremity ? And it is not in vaine for you to thinke that this cup (hall pafTe by you , that you drinke not of it,if ever it be In the power of thofe enemies of yours we fpeake of,to make you to drinker Doubtleffe they muft want oftheir will if you doe not drinke, yea and fuck oat the very dregs of it. Where- as on the contrary , if you (hall onely this one time make good your (landings againft them, and breake this enterprife , as far as humane teafon is able to Judge , and according to the ordinary courfe of God3 adminiftration of things in the world, they are never like to rife up againft yon, nor to endanger the peace of your outward enjoyments thefecond time. If you will now beperfwaded to give out your felves like men, to advance the caufe in hand , that which you doe is like to be a bul worke, and an impregnable defence for the time to come, to your pofTetfions, and eftates, againft all violence and oppreflion of men in
this kind. ■•■»#-'/«'
a.For your liberties,this is another precious pouelhon of yours in the world. I (peak here ©nely of your civiil or politick liberty, which is of equall accommodation and defirablenefife (if not of fuperiour) with your eftates : and this likcwifc will certainly be opprefTed and fei- aedupon.and turned into a miferableflavery and bondage, if that bloody generation (hall carry the clay againft you, and make themfelves Lords over you.ThatcfT^r^ Prf.3.19. h like to come upon you in this cafe : cfnhomfoever a mjin is overcome^] 'the fame hs is brought into bondage. Tt may be you are not generally fo apprehenfive and fenfibie of the pretioufnes , and fweetneffe of your liberties , as of your eftate^ yoa do not place fo muchof your out- ward comfort and contentment in the one, as in the other.The reafon whereof f conceive to be partly becaufe pre are generally born free, and therefore take no care or pains to come by ^whereas many are born poore , and to inherit iittle but what they can get by the fweat of their brewes.-partly becaufe liberty is as plentiful amongft us. as Giver was in Salomons daies 5
which
dnti-Cayaherifme. z y
which wis therefore little efteemed becaufe it was at }ler>tif»ll at the fiones mthefiretttandas the wld Figtrees that grew ahundAntlj in ibefUw j there is none arpongfr U6 but is a! free aj a- ixrtker ; but there is great dift'cience in refpeft of eitate ; partly aliabccaule we fee few in any flfteringor hard condition, weheire few cries or cou plaints for wantWliberry, whereas we both heare and iee daily what hardfhip and things grievous to rLfti and bJood are endu- red by many, both men, women a..d children, tor want ot means, and an outward eitate. Haply forthefe and other reafons that might be given, our liberties are not fo high prifed ■with us astnatterofeftateis; but if we did judge righteous judgement («.« our Saviour (peaks) or if we had but the Jcnfible advantages and quicknings toraiieour thoughts and apprchenlions concerning our liberties, which we have in reference to our eftates and which many others in the world have , in reference to liberty it felt • Wc would think our liberties every whit as worthy to be placed atour right hands a'sour eftaef. I mull not ihnd to difcourfe the benefit and (weetneiTe of this bleffine of li- berty j concerning which , many great and excellent things might be ipoken. 1 (hal onely fay tnis, that if we lived but a while in thofe States, where the poorembjed is yo- ked with an Iron yoke of bondage , and bowesdown the back, and groans under the heavy preffere of ufurpation and tyranny,as under the great Turk,or in the State ofPerJiaiyc* or in FranceitleK (whichisneereat hand) and did but obfervc the miferable and hard termes and conditions, that by reafon of fuch (livery and bondage they live under then a dram of that liberty which yet we enjoy, would be as precious to us9 as a drop of cold water would have been to the rich man in heil,when he was fo grievoufly tormented in thofe flames. Now then this is that which I hold forth unto you in this motive to be confidertd of , that if ever you (hall fuffer the hand of the Maligaant party, which is now up in rage, and great fury a- gainft you,to find their enterprife , if the day fals to be theirs , you muft look to be deale withall in your liberty , as in your eftates ; there will no partiality be fawn by chefc men between them, they that will not (pare you in your eftatei , neither wil they favour you in your liberties, they have bands , and chains, and letters already prepared for your hands and feet,and Irons that wil enter into your foules. You maft know that tbey are ani» mated arid acVdagainft you, with the fpirit of that fourth bcaft in D aniel, which tvas Hnlilet M -to all the othtrsjveryfearefull, whofc teeth was of 'Iron >y and hit nailes ofBrajfe, which devoured brake in feces, and fiampt there]} under hk feet. They are of a Lordly, infolent, domineering and ty ranizing fpirk,fporting themfelve* in cheir cruelties , and delighting to ride over the heads ef men,that they can get under thcm.Thercfore now confider (I befeech you) bow in- tolerable and gi iev us a thing it is like to be unto you to beare the yoke of that [cruel! bon- dage and flivery which thefe men hive prepared for your necks; to live by the lawes of their lufts and plcafures , to be at their arbicriments and wils in all things, to do and to fuf&r, to have andfo poffeiTe as they fhall appoint and think meet for you ; how intolerable a condi- tion f I fay)this is like to prove unto you, who have been free men and women all your daics and have had the difpofall of your felves and of all your waies, and of the coed things that the providence of God {hath caft in unto your labours or otherwife. Oh you will rind the change very (harpc and terrible, beyond what I am able to ex preffe, or your felves for the prefent , able to apprehend. Whereas on the contrary, ifycu (hall holdcutthis oneimpreflbnand onfet which they are now making upon you, and nuke good the ground you (land on againft them; you (hal break their cords in (under, and calt their bands from you for ever 5 youfhalmakefuchanintailementof this precious inheritance wc (peak of, your liberty, to your children arid childrens children, rtutthey (hall never be able to cut off.Ifthey be but now broken.they aec not like ever to make tbrnjclva whole again*. if
you
2 S Anti* £avalierifnie*
you will be pcrfiraded to be men of wifdom once , you may be men of comfort and peace
ever after.
3. For your wives and children.thefe (I make account)2re another part of yoHr precious inioy ments in this world: But as for thefe, neither are they like to find any better quarter in their kind from thefe bags of blood and bafenefTe^then your libei ties and eftates in their kinrf. Nay as thefe are capable of the iropreflions of more of thole vile affections which rage in thefe men (o are they like to fuffer upon terms yet more grievous, even according to the utmoft of their capacities in this kind: The rage of their lufts (I mean of many of them) is as'bat barous and cruel!,as the rage of their cruelty it (elf. And what meafure you are toexpett both in one and in the other3io luft and cruelty towards thefe, your wives (I mean) and children ; thera- felves have proclaimed in your cares aloud in thofe patterns and examples of this kind,which in feverall places of the Land, they have fet for themfelves to follow in their future courfe. I prefume you have heard of divers inlolencies and outrages of abomination committed by them with an high hand, fuch as have made both our eares to tingle in the hearing. There- fore confidcr and weigh it well with your fclves : put your hearts upon deep and fad, and fc- rious appreheniions of it,how grievous and heart-breaking and foul-cutting a fight it would be unto you to fee the honour and chaftity of your wives 1 and daughters plundered by the barbarous lufts of thofe brutim menwho are ready to poure out their abhominable filthinefle and uncleannefle where-ever they become, and when they have done execution upon their honours, with the luft oi unclcanneffe in the From , to bring up the lufts of cruelty in the Reare, to' do the like execution upon their lives and blood. AfTure your felves, that the devill hath the driving of them , and he will make them runne and keep his pace, as far as ever the ftreng hof any viler.efTeand wickedneffe in them wil hold out. And fo for your little ones that are not for their lufts.- it is much to be feared that in that refpeft, they will double their cruelties- upon them, as you have heard (I prefmme) that their brethren in IrtUn&; baptifed into the fime fpirit of bloed and abomination with them,have done.Oh,how can you beare the thoughts of fuch a day likely tocome upon you, wherein yeur yong children mail be ta- ken by the hand of an inhumane monfter,and daftied in pieces againft the ftones , or torn one limb from aRother,or tcfled upon the point of the Pike or Speare? AfTure your felves that the day of all thefe aftoniuYmg things , and perhaps of things more intollerablesndaftoniihing then thefe, is like to come upon you, except you will be perfwaded to redeem it, and buy it offjat the rate of your utmc ft endeavours, and of all you are able to do to prevent it3 if God wil vouchfafe the grace and mcrc.y to you, to let you have it at any rate.
4.That honorable Senate ofbotb Houfes of Parli nicnt.confifiingof moft of the worthies of thcLand,(I mean for men of their rank and quality)to whole unwearied labours and dill— gence,and faithfulneiTe. and z.ale, and expence,under God,you and your whole Nation ow e your live? and liberties, both fpuituall and :eniporal!,yea eftates and all your iwe* enjoy-' ments hitherto; nd in whefe peace and prefervatioU all you yet en joy,a« far i\ reafon is able to difcern and judge-, is b ■ ' Co that I may well reckon thefe amongft your temporall
cnjoyrritntOthefea-elketoperiihandtobecutofTLy the r-igh»; hand of iniquity, if that ge- neration of men whefe b'oody cruelties you both have been heretofore , and aie now again exhorted with ail your might to oppefe uV-1 ever get the upper hand. VVc know it ia th'Sa£ ferably , that have ftood by you and ftuck c\of? to your libett:es,and the truth and parity of that R.cligiouyouprofeflej thagl'crvht • ^ and defence againfl the furious imprellions of thole wicked en:? .upon you. and ail that is yojjrs ; And they know as much too. and 'ook upon them accordingly : fhey are they that have robbed thefe Beares of their whelp?, that h^ve fluken the foundation oi f o,-eryaPrelacy,and propbaneffe in the Land 5 znd :h?.t are at
otke
Anil ' Cat>alterifme< i j
worke-«ponknig!itan(iday,tom3kcitaLandofrjj;htcon{iic(rc3 whkti i-- en ejrmcm thn thefe kin i of Geaturesknow not how to live in. And in tM« re the me:: of
h rageand hatred above ot!u'i«, thefe are the mounrai; es that Hand in their way ; 2nd what wiiltlicy not do3 what will they not fuffcr to remove tfcfcftVdr'c/ft them down, and make them into a plain ? doubtloflc they are tick , and long for tl eh blocd, a. nuchas ever 'David longed for the water? of the wel or BetbLcm. And if they fhal ever be but able to dit- folvc the power and proceedings of this Parliament now fitting, the way wil! be open and .^eir-hrr ro ihtve-off all Parliament? for the futu.-e, l . is of more dange-
■.fcq :ence of the two) :o mate them th:-mfe!vcs: and fo the Su n of the glory and rcace df thfe Nation l- like co ier upon i tor ever. Therefore now confider (I bcRr'cTi y'oi.) or how l«me:-'ab!e an ^ unfupportxble a confluence ir would be, if this Sprir.g mould be r> cublcdUz S*Um>ws eolriparifon ») if thefe rightcouS mal.fa?! before thefe wicked ones 5 and C'avaleers Swqrdi drink Senators blood : And how would it be a blot upon yoilj & HfeKfe your rr.emo- riailani /amy and reproach tWrghou:: all generations.ifk fhould be faiefcthatyou Cite ft ill «nd diiflotbinpjfbuc keep up yotit money, white thefe men perifhed at your fide, who had btetta guard an J fafcty to you and to all that ycu had-yeathat laboured and travelled with tbehowtrr »M fafcty of the wftdlfc Lsrtd-. and were ready to cry out,and to have been delive. *ft*,but th« «j the very breikmg forth of thecbiidren., your covetctsfiietTe, and your unfaith- frlmfTe.aAd remifleneuebetf'a'yed them into the hands of their fnemics,who cruelly deftroy- ed both parent? and children.at once. Not to feed your cn:me ivhen he hungers, cr when he k ttojfyftot to five htm drink* ■ , 16 by the Holy Ghoft hlmfelf interpreted , to be a revenging your Irlvcs on him-, nnd whhall to be a matter, of high difpleafme and offence unto God. I be fetch ycu.'f not to fave thelife bf an enemy when icis in danger, nay ifnot to Tupply luch neccflitiesof hi«,whieh-yet perhaps do not touch his life , be a fin of that provocation in the fight of God; What fin wil that be5or by what name fhal It be callcd.or what ftul the meafure of the provocation of it in the eyes of God be3 when men fhal 1 fuffcr the greateft and fait h- fiilleft friends ttiey have,trUt for a long time together have laboured for them in the very fire night and day,in the very midft of their fore coifMs and flrivings with men,and that chief- ly for their fakes,to perifh by the hand of their enemies,when it was in their hand ajvi power to relieve thcm>*urely men muft create a new Name, and God wil create a new punifhment or hellforfuchalin.
5. (And lalHy for matter of this worlds concernment^ what do yea think of your lives themfclves ; if thofe men of blood fhall carry the day, and ever come to fet up their banners amongft you? Wil they not be fold as cheap as Sparrows were among the Jewes, five for two farthings ? Nry, wil they not be troden down and trampled upon like clay and mire in the ftreets, by the foot of the pride, and rage, andinfolency of thefe men ? Would not your flelh be as a feaft of fat things unto th:m,and your blood as new Wine? Or if they did fpare your lives, would it not be only out of a defi; e & intent fo adde unto your mifene?,to gain oppor- tunity of inflicting many deaths upon you 1 Perhaps they have learned a deliberate cruelty from that bloody Emperour Nero • who when any perfon that was accufed, and under the ftroke and dint of his power , defired of hiro that he might be difp.tched and put to death Was wont to make anfwer , Non ita tecum in graiitm red-i : ./. He was not yet lo far friends with him,as to give him leave to die; he meant to have more bcisfacVion out of them, then fc. So if thefe men give you your lives for a time, you muft not Jooke to have them given ycu upon fuch terms, as God fomctimes in common deftructions gives his fcrvanrs their lives : vs«. Firtprey^ or booty : No, they wi! be given you only as mean? or Engines wherewith to torment you. Ic may be they wil deiire to referve and keep yvu alive , to make fpe&ators of
>ou,
2 o Anti* fyvalimfme*
you ofaHthatbloodyTraRcdythcymeantoaftuponallthatbelongstoyoa, infecting your Houfes,and Cities on fire, in taking away your goods,in offering villany to your wives, & your daughters, and then mangling and maOacring them when they have done. And then when they have throughly fcourged you with fuch Scorpions as thefejt is like they wil de- liver you into the hand ot death.Ceitain it is, that the fpirit that works in thefe curfed chil- dren of difobedience which are now your adverfaries,lufts not oncly to your temporal ruinc and dcftruftion,but to youreverlafting win anddeftrucUon alfo,as far as it knows how to be aSive in it. Our Saviour himfelf feems to imply as much, JMath. 1 0.28. where he commands us not to f Are tbofe that kid the body ; but are not able to kill thifoule : as far. as they are able to go in hatred and malice againft the Saints.chey do gojhej do klUthe ^ (faith our Saviour) He doth not fay, feare not thofe thatcan kill the body , but,which ^,aaually,frequently and from time to time, ^Sthe body, but are able not to kill thefonle j doubtlefle intimating, that if :Uey were able , they would kill body and foule,and all. And fomewhat more plainly ( I conceive^ loh,\o. And I give nnto them eternaU lift -, and they JhaB never pcrijbt»cithcr Jbal any mm fUckSprfulC) them out of mine hand 5 cleerely implying, that the devill and his inftru- ments, wicked men, arc ready to pull and tug hard to get even his cleft themfelves out of his hands,out of that hand of election and grace, which he hath laid upon them,and where- by he holds them faff. Thus the ftory of the Martyrs report, that when the Popifti Prelates, at d Priefts were ready to have execution4one upon that faithfull fervant ofGod lohn Huffet they ufed thefe words , Now we commit thyfoule to the divell : And when Hierom of Prague t through longand grievous imprifontnent grew very fick, and (as himfelf thoughtjneere un- to death, defired that he might have a confeflbr (being it feems, confeientious this way) the (lory faith that very hardly ,and with great importunity it could be obtained:which (hews, that it was grief and torment to his enemies , that he fliould have any thing , that in their opinion might be a mearo to lave his foule,after he was dead; befides many other like ftreynes of the fame fpirit,which the ftory prefents unto that diligent Reader.Now then,there being a fpirit of this profound, deepdand divellifti enmity againft you, working in the bowels and inward parts of thefe men, todefirenotonely yourtcmporall , but eternal death alfo, itis none other like,but if they fufped and doubt of the ftrength of their arme, for the fending of you by death into Hell (as I make little queftion but they do , they have no great hope of hunting your foules into the bottomlefTe pit , which is referved for their own) they wil themfelves create a hell for you, as full of torment and cruell burnings a6 they can make if, and caft you into it themfelves before you die, and fo be gotten out of their reach. Sc that there is nothing to be looked for from thefe men but death , or that which is worferhen death, a life to contribute towards the increaie of the pains and forrows of your death : and fo indee i death howfoever. Therefore I befeech you confider the weight of this branch of the prtf nt motive alio. Will you thinke of keeping or faving your eftates,tothe lofiTe or im- minent danger of ycur lives ? Shal you not keep your money to make a goodly purchafe, if you bring all thefe great evils and miieries upon you thereby f Though in many other ca- fes you might make much gaiivand advantage by making the devil a Her, yet ic wil be ycur wifdome,to juftifiehirh in that his faying; ski» for skit (or rather skin after? kin,, or, ikin upon skin j and a 'I that a man hath wilt h give for hUlife% It you have fo much of men in you, (as Sathanyoi;r enemy fuppofeth (it teems) 1 hit you have) to value your lives atanyfuch rate above all your pofldlions whatfoever, Qiew it this day,2nd make a fortirkationand bul- warke ofall that yc u have for their deft nee and fiicty ; Salomon (we know)made fome hun- dreds of Target?, and Shields of Gold, it fhou'd not be grieve us to any man to facrinxehis eftate, his Gold and Silver upon the femceof his hfe, There is a time to keep ( faith Solo-
, mo w)
^Anti- Cctoalicrijme. 3 1
mon) and a time tofpend, ortocaftawayj^r^g^. Certainely of all other, that i« no time to keep, when a mans life lies at the ftake, and is in all likelihood not to be redee- med but by cafting away. Thus much for your temporall and outward in joyments, they ace all involved and concerned to the uttermoft, in the prefent occafion andfervice, which you have been exhorted, to promote and further with all your ftrength, and all your power. , •
But fecondfy, it were wel (at leaft it were lefle to be laid to heart, it were a matter of far lighter moment and importance) if your outward concernments onely, though ie were even to life it felfe, wereimported in that great occafion, which is now on foot, and hath been a- gain and again recommended unto you ; but behold greater things then thefe.Your fpiritual concernments alfo,are like to fuffer, and that in very high degree , if Gcg and Maw pre- vaile , if ever you come to be at the allowance of Cavalier?, Papifts, and Athiefts , that have taken the field againft you,for the things of Heaven. Ycu are like to have ftones inftead of bread, and Scorpions in ftead of Fifti. Thofe golden Pipes, by which Heaven and Earth are fas it werej joyned together, and have lively communion each with other j I mean your pure ordinances of worfhip, which have both the wifdome.and grace and goodnefle of God abundantly in their frame, wil be cut off, and others of Lead laid in their ftead , ordinances I mean of an humane constitution and frame, whofe chicfe fubftance , or ingredients wil be the wifdome and wil,r.f. the folly and corrupt affeftions of men by which , not Heaven but Hell, and the World will be joyned together, and the trade and traffique between both pla- ces, much quickned and advanced , ordinances which wil be ready to becaftasdung into your faces by God, when you have been excercifed in them. You muft never look to fee the goings of God in the Sanftuary, as you have done, to fee any more virions of life and immor- tality let down from Heaven unto you,in thefe houfes of vifion: thofe excellent raviftmenrs and raptures of fpir it,thofe taking up into the third Heaven by feeing him that was greater then Salomon in all his glory, wil ceafe from you. Thofe pure ftreams of the Oofpel wil be all bemired and foyled, when they are given unto you to drink: Yea happily and poyfoned too, by the influence of the corrupt minds and judgements of thofe that foal give them unte you. You muft looke to have the Gofpel turned upfide down, and to be made to ftand in perfeft conjunaion with Hell, which loofeneffe, wickedneffe, and prophanenefle , and in oppofition to Heaven, Grace and HolineiTe ; to be made a Savour of death to thofe' thac flial be faved * and a Savour of life to thofe that fhal perifh. It wil be made to frown upon thorc that are godly^nd to look cheerfully and comfortably upon loofe men. So that if your foulemalluft for thefe Summer fruits, if you ftialdefire to have communion with God , in communal and ftllou (hip with his Saints, If you mail defire at any time to be rained upon by a fhoww of life and peace from Heaven, you muft repaire again to the woods rnd mcun- t.<ines,or to the covert of fome clofe and fecret place, where you muft eat? the bre.id of y. « foules in peril of yonr lives ; as your forefathers did in Queen Mmetdik* , or with d n^er of fuffering w hacevcr the malice and revengetul ipirit of your enemies dial think good or can devifetoinf] ft upon you.
Therefore now ewi.fidu-, you that have had tkc liberty of your Sanfttmies, and of your pubhque fTemblies, that have been fedwhb honey out of the Recite^ ar.d with the fir.cfi fvhc.it of Htavcn?you chat have had an open and free trade to Heaven, and have fa < -aurnes
from them day after day, to whom the Minirtery of the Gofpel , hath been as the wingi of t,iemorning,asChariotSof fire to carry you up and down as icwerein fpirituall (htcand trtamph between Heaven rmd.earth ; Oh how wil that day be as the (haddow of death tinto y ou.whcrein you muft exchangeyour Qtjailes and Manna from Heaven, for the Garlikc and
** Onyons
\
^ x (t^nti- Cuy alter ifme .
6 v^n; of Epp , *hen y ou fh*l heare th; Pr.pe a 7 p*«acr -
,<nd JeuisCbrift with his S tottacl
;randco: r5 and
rsand the Conjmaodeaicrita of men,iu the :y of the wo
j glorious truths , which were wont to k e a&fo q of God to comfort you ; doubdeffe if ever y
• e- no he
es
lefpfh
y an
rid
m /J
ri
hid the
(to
"t-ul aod fottnd Mhmtery, »nd Itfia C
I iUveryoufmelrtwfcvororliiebyJe(uiChri:tp-:KV. Minittery fli.il be taken from you , wil be like the day u :i fbal be coverec
Sack-cloath,and the Moon turned into bio be Stti Bi»chcFi!
iheii light* the change wil be every whit as fad nnto you , as clue v. wasdiven from the Sanftuiry and prefence of God, and ampiCt* t* <=.-; m A uni make kit habitation in the Tents of 'lCfd.tr. If this ev , »•
you mult think it wil be a double wo unto youswhenth. CMfhalbetake..
*ndDti£o» let upm itfftcad, when the diiperiations n • sof Hcareiy
werefpirit and life,the light of Gods countenance i- texchan.
ftatutes and ordinances of £<j*e,which are hkexorabs and 'hnfeher.'. but rottenneffe and dead mens bone J.I ffuch i day were now upon you. what wou buy it off? and is not the purchafe of the prevention of it worth as much ?
It may be there aic fome amongft you whofe foules and conferences were neftr yet engj- ged, either by the purity or power ot any of the ordinances : knelt
what it was to be kindly touched from Heaven by a to fucba
thefe it is like D^on may be as good as the Arlq the device* and ins c », as bean*
tifuJas favory,in the houfeand worthipof God,as thofe ordimri nielves which haft
the perfect image and fuperfcription of God npon them ; a miniftrry I o'.d and
fet in confort with the earth,and the things thereof; as that v. alculatedtcr rn<^H
dian of heaven, and breathes life and immortality in the faces of memfi u!cs. fuch at thefe lend but a did or deaf eare to the motion , a n uch as two mites if
their eihtes to cart into the treaiury of God, it i* not much to be marvelled : r yoi
that know how little the chattels to the wheat; Ibefct e this ic efij
nefle recommended to you, that when you have done the utmoft of what you art able todfl for the advancement of it,you would yet unfainedly de r .
Thirdly, to engage you yet further to give out your felvts fully and freely uTeba
exhorted, you may p!ca(e to confidtr , that as all your precious interefts, whc:h<TJn J
things of this life, or of that which is to come, arc deeply ,- in it, lb aretil thefl
interefts of all yoar brethren , the godly persons in the land concerned ! Ana
ifthecaufe fhould futfer or mifcauy,u would be a? a (word that would p a fTc .
righteous foules throughout the land; it would ' • : .-' \ >rrow, !.r Vfl
woe upon the generation of the lei van; 'arceHH
beene heard of in all ages : it will caufe all their hands
feeble & their hearts to wither as the grafleut u ill hi all t h<
with heavinefle.there will be no end ofthoie great evilla
\ the in that day.The breach that wil bemad lies of
I Sea which cannot berepatrod.lt was a night oi
1 flew in cveriehoufe one throughout the whole Lindttbe
Hgbontth ■>:Rutt; dridl
1 yet this ttroke fell not To (ore upon them neither,*! i\ jticat aftioa
\ wi
.'-. IV
Anlt- Cayaherifme.
:-J:;i:
j eak of3 would doeupon the Ifraell of God amongft us. That did but touch the I ithe !''ve?ofo",e in every Family refpe&helyrb &.
likely to I* given in theland, wherever it light, (hould it full upon the people or God;it wound them all. and that very fore3yc^ tiaion e,butii
concernments and injoyment> wh2tfoevcr,afwell in thofe which relate to this world prefent as in thofe whofc accommodations are more peculiarly for that (world which h yet to cone (as hath been (hewed already) if etcr that mountain of prophanefle, which now you are ex- ed to put your fcouldciS to remo/e}fha!l be eitiblifhtd, acubtlefle it will magmficit felfe againftal! thu is called holy i i the Lan i ; t ft ill lie heivieandopprtflc, ;f not overwhelm and bury under it, all th<t have the mark of the living God up n them. Therefore I befeech ycu conii tet what you doe:It this gi eat evil (hallcome upon the C ftui ch and people of God amongft you,and you be found dull and heavie,negligent and tcmifTe in the preventing of it and not improve your felves to the utmoft that way,* hen as it hath been fo fully and feeling- ly and frequently both reprefented and recommended J unto you, (hall ycu not bring the guilt of it all upon your heads > Shall you no; be looked upon both by God and men. asac- ceflaries ( if not principalis) in all thofe fore affliftions and calamities, which inthiscare (hall fall upon them > will not God require their forrowes,and their tears, and their troubles and their afBiaions,and all the extremity they (hall endure at ycur hands ? iThcn I fall fa vnto thi w'c^faith the Lord to his Proh het EzeleUt) Oh ni^dmanthgu (felt die the death if thou dofl: notfteakjind admonijb the wicked of his rpA> , that wichd mav Jl tf 'die for his iniquity but hit hloudrrill I require at thin; hand; £«^33 -^ 'God will requ"re the bloudofa wicked man at the hand 01 his Prophet in cafe he did not feek to prevent it by admoniming him ■ will he no mach more require the forrowes.fighings, troubles, tcares,extremities,bloud of a whole nation of Saints, at the hands of thofe, by whole unfaithiulnefle, coidnefle covet- oufnelTe, negligence in any kind, they (hall come upon them. The fin of man (faith o'ur Savi* our ) goetb bis waj as it j* itttnefhim^btttmebetothatWkinbjwbomtbeSvt of man is b><r*)+ ed: it hadbeene^-dforjh it man if that he badnrver been bornln like manner the Church and Mjtt-* people of God amongft us may yet l^r grievous things, but woe be to thofe whomfoe- '*' ver they be, be they re cr5 be they more, be they rich be they poore, by whom their pe^cc and fafety (hall be betrayed. r
Fourthly (and laftly)all our ovn concernm the concernments of all our deare bre-
thren in thefaith throughout the Land, are bound up in the bufinefle, which hath been frequently and iffcftionatelyrec rnmended unto you;fo are the like concerruneors of others of our brethren alfo.partakers of like preciouvt.iirh with yoo,'n other Land< and Kingdoms bound up hkewilc herein; though nor all (perhaps, in the fame degree. There is a com- mon report ot a ftrangejympathie between Hypocrattfi twins, that they alwaies aitd toge- ther, and laughe J together. And doubtlerk there is fomefiichij mp thie between aU there- formed Churches (ai wecallrhem) i nth eft: parti of theworl J.- am ngft whi c I / com. rchend thofe plantations oi our Brethren of this Land, in Jmeru hc« WeftWn ts, at leaft between illthatarctrul e faithfiill and found in that p. "cy mace in thefeChu: ches.I doe not fpeak hereof that inward or fptrit^uall fympathie which to relfea 11 dtfedions and mutual tendernefle i nall the true znd I'VIng^ I body ofChrilljthpugh never fo remote afiwder, but of that .mtttu idencie which the outw.rd affairs and condition of evcrtc one hath, upon the condition of the that the profperity and well eflabli(hcd peace ofany one,hath
...ce into, aad :onu ibutes more or lt(Tc t he like eftabii(hment of th
Oft the contrary, ttu fluking, trouble, ruine, ot deiiruftion of *y one weakens t
and
>■»
2 1 zAnti- Cayaherifme .
O v^nsof Eppt, when you ftul heareth; Pope and his Hierarchy preached tip to the I* *veffc,and Jcfu* Cbritt with his Saints preached down to the E a th , and made to fit at thci when your foules and coniacrcesfhal be compared about with lies and
enorsandtheCoumat) dements of men,iu the Miniftery of the word, miteadof thofe fpi- rua d nJ glorious truths , which were wont to be as fo many Angels lent from the prefence of God to comfort you ; doubtlefTe if ever you Jaw the Heavens opened over your heads by a n cffcAaaland found Miimiery, ind Itftu Cfoift •. fading at the right hand of God in glory ^Ste~ fh n did. 11 ever you fmel the favor of lire by Jefhs Ghritt preached ; the day wherein fuch a Minillery thai be taken from you a wil be like the day wherein the Sun ibal be covered with Sack-cloath,and tlie Moon turned into blood,and the Stars in the Firmament of Heaven lofe iheii light* The change wil be every whit as fad nnto you , as that wasunto David when he was d liven from. tile San&uary and prefence of God, and compelled to dwel in Mefecht and ma^e bis habitation in the Tents ofKedan If this exchange made him cry out , -wo is me: you muft think it wil be a double wo unto you,when the Ark* of God fhal be taken from you, and Dagon let up m itt ftead, when the difpenfations and adminiftrations of Heaven, which were fpirit and life,the light of Gods countenance it felf unto you.(hal be exchanged for the ftatutes and ordinances of 2towf,which are likejombs znd fepulcbcrsjiaying nothing in them but rotte«neflfe and dead mens bone?. If fuch a" day were now upoft you3what would you give buy it off? and is not the purchafe of the prevention of it worth as much ?
It may be there aie fome amongft you whofe foules and confeiences were never yet enga- ged, either by the purity or power of any of the ordinances of God : who never yet knew wha|j£ was to be kindly touched from Heaven by any fpirituall adminiftration; tofucbas thefe is is like Dagon may be as good as the Ark$ the devices and inventions of men, as beau- tifulas Gworvjid the houfe and worihip of God,as thofe ordinances themfelves which have the perfecY image and fuperfcription of God upon them ; a miniftrry that is low and cold,and fet in confort with the earth,and the things thereof as that which is calculated for the Meri- dian of heaven, and breathes life and immortality in the faces of men* foules continually. If fuch at thefe lend but a dul or deaf eare to the motion , cannot find fo much as two mites in their eihtes to caft into the treafury of God, it is not much to be marvelled at. But for you that know how little the chatFe is to the wheat ; I befeech you to have this fenfe of the bufi- neffe recommended to you, that when you have done the utmoft of what you are able to doe for the advancement of it,you would yet unfainedly delire to do more.
7iSirdly0to engage you yet further to give out your fclves fully and freely as you hare beea
exhorted, you may plcafe to confider , that as all your precious interefts , whether in the
things of this life, orofthatwhichistocome, are deeply concerned in it, (bare all the like
interefts of all your brethren , the godly perfons in the land concerned likewife. And
if the caufe fhould fufljer or miicarry.,ic would be as a fword that would pafle through all the
righteous foules throughout the land; it would bring fuch a day of forrow, !amentation,and
woe upon the generation of the (ervants of God throughout the Kingdome, as fearcehath
beene heard of in all ages : it will caufe all their hands to hang down, and their knees to wax
feeble,& their hearts to wither as the graffejit will fii ail their eyes with tears3& their hearts
With heavinefie^there will be no end of thofe great evillsandmiferies which will come upon
\ the in that day.The breach that wil bemade upon them wil be like the great breaches of the
\ Sea which cannot be repaired.lt was a night of much fadnes to the !and of Egypt, when God
flew in everie houfe one throughout the whole Lindrthe Text faith, There was a grievous cry
throtighont the whole land of Egypt upon it : But this cup was given to the Egyptians to drink:
J yet this nroke fell not fo fore upon them neither^ the raifcarriage of that great aftion
W8
Anli-Cayaherifmc*
vc fpeak of, would docupon the Ifraell of God amongft us. That did but touch the Egypti- ans in the lives of one in every Family refpcftively:but the (frokc which i^ no fi lifted up, & likely to be given in theland, wherever it light, mould ic fall upon the ;',e
neople of God/it wound them all. and chat very fore3yej and tri.t not in fome,butin -A. their concernments and injoyment> whatfoevcr,afwell in thofe which relate to this world prefenc as in thofe whofe accommodations are more peculiarly for that world which is yet to cou.e ('as hath been (hewed already) if evei: that mountain of prophanefTe, which now you are ex- horted to put your ftiouldds to remo/e,fhall be eftabhfhtd, doubtleffc it will magnified Telle aiiaiuftall thu i3 called holy Lithe Land ; It will lie heavie and opprefie, if not overwhelm ard bury under it, all th «t have the mark of the living God up^ n them. Therefore I befeech vou conliier what you doc :If this great evil (hallcome upon the Chui ch and people of God amongft you,and you be found dull and heavie,negligent and rcmilTeinthe preventing of it, and not improve your felves to the utmolt that way,5A hen as it hath been fo fully and feeling- ly and frequently both reprefented and recomraendedd unto you, fhall ycu not bring the guilt of it all upon your heads 1 Shall you not be looked upon both by God and men, asac- ceiTaries (if not principalis) in all thole fore afflictions and calamities, which in this cafe (hall fall up^n them Y will not God require their (brrowes,and their tears3 and their doubles and their afflictions, and all the extremity they (hall endure at ycur hands ? When I Jb all fay vnto the wc^f faith the Lord to his Prophet Ez^kld) Oh wickedman thou fait die the death9 if thou doff notffeakjMA admoniflj the wicked of his ypay> that wicked man JbkA die for his iniquity ' but hit bloud will I require at thins hand'y Fzek^fi, If God will requre the bloud of a wicked man at the hand of his Prophet in cafe he did not feek to prevent it by admonilhing him : will he no mach more require the forrowes.(ighing6, troubles, teares,extremities,bloud of a whole nation of Saints, at the hands of thofe, by whole unfaithfulnefle, coldneflc , covet- oufnefife negligence in any kind, they (hall come upon them. Thefon of wan (faith our Savi* our) eocthhis way as it t» itten ofhim^bntwet betothatman bj whom the Sgn of man is betr*) + ed : it had beene rt-dforjh.nman if that he had never been bormln like manner the Church and ^M,i people of God amongft us may yet igjfer grievous things, but woe be to thofe, whomfoe- verthey be.bethey re-ver, be they more, be they rich be they poore, by whom their peace and fafety (hall be betrayed."
Fourthly (and laftly)allour o vn concernments and the concernments of all our deare bre- thren in thefaith throughoutthe Land, are bound up in the buiinciTe, which hath beene fo frequently and lffecYionately recommended unto you;foare the like concernmeors of others, of our brethren alfo,partakersof like precious faith with you, in other Lands and Kingdoms bound up likewifc herein; though nor all (perhaps J in the fame degree. There is a com- mon report of a ltrange Sy mpathie between Hypocrate'i twins, that they alwaies cried toge- ther., and laughed together. And doubtlcne there is fomeluchfymp thie between all the re- formed Churches (as we calif hern) in theft parts of the world; am ngft which likewifc I com; rchend thofe plantations of oui Brethren of this Lind, in Amtr'u hei Weftern
parts, at ka.ft between -11 that arc trul e faitiifull and fuiind in that profcffion which they make in thefe Churchcs.I doe not fpeak here of that inward or iptrituall fympathic, which in refpeft of reciprocal! afleft ions and mutual tendernifTe Ir.ti ; ceaci between all the true and living members ofthemyfticali body of G'irilt5though never foi emote a (under, but of that mutuall dependence which the outw:rd affairs and condition of cvciieonchaih, upon the condition of the other, fo that the profperity and well eftablifhcd peace of any one,hath influence into, and contributes more or iefle towards the like eftablilhment of tL on the contrary, the (baking, trouble, ruine, ot deiiru&ion of any one weakens the ;
and
2 j. Antl' favalierifme*
and impsires more or ltfle the fecurity of all the other So that they muft needs all weep toge- ther and all laugh together.Now then,this is that which I fay,and hold forth toyour Chri- ftian and godly confiderations in this motive ; that the aftion wherein the church and people of Go i in the L:.nd are now ingiged,and which is yetdependlg between them and their ad- verfaries will in the iflae. clole5and tall of it, be of very remarkable concernment to all the Saints of Goa in all thofe other churches meatloned^if it falls on the right hand jt wii be tile- riches ftrength,and increafe of them ; ifon the left,it will be the diminishing fhaking,and im- pairing of them^therefore confiJer I beftech you the great weight and importance of the op- portunity thac is before you, if through your zeal and forwardneiTe, and faithfullnefle to ad- vance it,and the blcffingof 6od upon it,your prefent fcrvice (hall profper,y our light will be like the lightning which as our(Saviour id\\\i)(bineth from tie Eafl even mto the Weft the heat and warmth, and living influence thereof, (hall pierce through many kingdomes great and large, as France, Germany, tBobemiaiHuttgaria9 Polonia^ Denmark^ Sweden, with many others, and find out all the children of Godsandall that are friends to the Kingdomeof Heaven}and will be a cheering and refreshing to them:Efpecially to your brethren in their feverall plan- tations in farre countreyes ; and mod of all to thofe in thefe united and neere kingdomes, Scotland and Ireland^ it will be as a feaft of fat things, and of wines well refined : and parti- cularly to poor bleeding dying Ireland jx. will be as a refiirre&ion from death unto life. Now then in as much as God hath ftt ycuthis day, as the Sunne in the firmament of Heaven, from whence he hath an opportunist and advantage to iend forth his beames,and to furniCh and fill the world with his light and influence round about him ; fince you have the commo- dioufnes of fuch a ftanding5that you may do good to all that is Gods,I mean to all the Saints in all their difperfions and quarters throughout fo many kingdomes. and filch a considerable part of the world as hath been mentioned, fo that you may caufe them to rift up before you and call you bleffed; I beftech you doe not betray this firft borne opportunity of Hea- ven : look upon it as a great and folemne invitation from God himfelf unto you,to do great- er things for the world, at leaft for the Chriftian world, then ever you did unto this day • or then ever you are like to doe the fecond time,yea then any particular Chriftian State ever did, or i3 like to dos while the world ftands. God hath prepared and fitted a Table for ycu large enougryf you will but fpread and furnifh it5with fuch provifions as are under your hand,that you may feaft,and give roy all entertainment, to the whole houfhold of faith, almoft through- out the whole worH at once. And (hall it new feem any great thing in our ages, or be in the leaft meafure grieve us unto any manor woman of ycu .even ro lavifb his gold out of baggei, *o beftow his whole fubftance to deveit himfelf of all he pofleflTeth in this world, even to his fnoceLatchet, to furnifh and fet cut fuch anccca£onmr)isif,vi£eit fell? Shailnct the very confeience and comfortable remembrance of fuch a thing as this done with uprightnefTe ar.d fimplicky of heart bf ycu be a thoufaftd times better then any fupcrfl.iities of Silver or of gol J,or of meat', or ©f drinks, or of tioU fts, or of Jewells, or ofap irrdl, wbatfoev?! ? Nay: if we mail brin^ povertie, and nake IneiTe and r ungefttnd thirft upon our felves, to purchafe and procure it, will it not be better then an eft, ice,*" then cloathing? then meat and drinks to us? will it not take out the burning and ala'y the bi tterneffe of all thefe ? D oubtlefle the honour and confeience of the fait, will beare all the charges, and anfwer all the expence of it to the full.Ths" opportunity and occafion is forich and glorious, that it calls to remembrance (as fometimesthefhaiow do h the &bftjrice)the great opportunity that was before the Lord Jefus Chrift, for trie falvation of the wodd : We know that he beh:* rich became poo :e: that woi 1 J through him might be made rich. You have the pattern in the mount before you: ; that according to your -line and meafure you make all things like to ir.
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