God's work in founding Zion, and his peoples duty thereupon. A sermon preached in the Abby Church at Westminster, at the opening of the Parliament Septemb. 17th 1656. / By John Owen: a servant of Jesus Christ in the work of the Gospell.
         Owen, John, 1616-1683.
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A90269 of text R203086 in the  English Short Title Catalog (Thomason E891_2). Textual changes  and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more  computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life.  The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with  MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.  This text has not been fully proofread 
       Approx. 93 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 29 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images.
       
         EarlyPrint Project
         Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO
         2017
         A90269
         Wing O758
         Thomason E891_2
         ESTC R203086
         99863167
         99863167
         115351
         
           
            This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of
             Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal
            . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.
          
        
      
       
         Early English books online.
      
       
         (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A90269)
         Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 115351)
         Images scanned from microfilm: (Thomason Tracts ; 134:E891[2])
      
       
         
           
             God's work in founding Zion, and his peoples duty thereupon. A sermon preached in the Abby Church at Westminster, at the opening of the Parliament Septemb. 17th 1656. / By John Owen: a servant of Jesus Christ in the work of the Gospell.
             Owen, John, 1616-1683.
          
           [8], 48 p.
           
             Printed by Leon: Lichfield printer to the University, for Tho: Robinson,
             Oxford, :
             1656.
          
           
             The first leaf bears the order to print.
             Annotation on Thomason copy: "8ber [i.e. October] 25".
             Reproduction of the original in the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Bible. -- O.T. -- Isaiah XIV, 32 -- Sermons.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
       A90269  R203086  (Thomason E891_2).  civilwar no God's work in founding Zion, and his peoples duty thereupon.:  A sermon preached in the Abby Church at Westminster, at the opening of the Pa Owen, John 1656    16064 6 50 0 0 0 0 35 C  The  rate of 35 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 
        2007-06 TCP
        Assigned for keying and markup
      
        2007-06 Aptara
        Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images
      
        2008-04 Elspeth Healey
        Sampled and proofread
      
        2008-04 Elspeth Healey
        Text and markup reviewed and edited
      
        2008-09 pfs
        Batch review (QC) and XML conversion
      
    
  
   
     
       
       
       
         
           God's
           Work
           in
           Founding
           Zion
           ,
           AND
           His
           Peoples
           Duty
           thereupon
           .
           
             A
          
           SERMON
           PREACHED
           IN
           THE
           Abby
           Church
           at
           Westminster
           ,
           at
           the
           opening
           of
           the
           PARLIAMENT
           
             Septemb.
          
           17th
           1656.
           
           By
           JOHN
           OWEN
           :
           a
           Servant
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           in
           the
           Work
           of
           the
           Gospell
           .
        
         
           
             Walk
             about
             Sion
             ,
             and
             goe
             round
             about
             her
             ,
             tell
             the
             Towers
             thereof
             .
             Mark
             ye
             well
             her
             Bulwarks
             ,
             consider
             her
             places
             ,
             that
             ye
             may
             tell
             it
             to
             the
             Generation
             following
             .
          
           
             For
             this
             God
             is
             our
             God
             for
             ever
             and
             ever
             ;
             He
             will
             be
             our
             guide
             even
             unto
             death
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             48.
             12
             ,
             13
             ,
             14.
             
          
        
         
           OXFORD
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             LEON
             :
             LICHFIELD
          
           Printer
           to
           the
           University
           ,
           for
           
             THO:
             ROBINSON
          
           1656.
           
        
      
       
       
         
           
             
               Wednesday
               the
               17
               of
               September
               1656.
               
            
          
        
         
           ORdered
           by
           the
           Parliament
           ,
           That
           Mr
           
             Maidston
             ,
          
           and
           the
           Lieutenant
           of
           the
           Tower
           ,
           doe
           give
           the
           hearty
           Thankes
           of
           the
           House
           to
           Doctor
           
             Owen
             ,
          
           Deane
           of
           
             Christ-Church
             ,
          
           and
           
             Vice-Chancellor
          
           of
           the
           Vniversity
           of
           
             Oxford
             ,
          
           for
           his
           great
           pains
           taken
           in
           his
           Sermon
           Preach'd
           this
           day
           in
           the
           Abby
           Church
           at
           
             Westminster
             ,
          
           before
           His
           Highnesse
           the
           
             Lord
             Protector
             ,
          
           and
           the
           Members
           Elected
           to
           Sitt
           this
           present
           Parliament
           .
           And
           that
           he
           be
           desired
           to
           print
           his
           Sermon
           .
           And
           that
           no
           man
           presume
           to
           print
           it
           without
           his
           Leave
           .
        
         
           
             Hen
             :
             Scobell
             Clerk
          
           of
           the
           Parliament
           .
        
      
       
       
        
         
         
         
           TO
           HIS
           HIGHNESSE
           THE
           LORD
           PROTECTOR
           ,
           And
           To
           The
           PARLIAMENT
           Of
           the
           Common-wealth
           of
           England
           ,
           Scotland
           &
           Ireland
           &c.
           
        
         
           ALthough
           I
           need
           plead
           no
           other
           Reason
           for
           the
           publishing
           of
           the
           ensuing
           discourse
           ,
           but
           your
           Order
           and
           Command
           for
           my
           so
           doing
           ,
           yet
           because
           I
           know
           that
           your
           peculiar
           Interest
           ,
           as
           Governors
           of
           this
           Common-wealth
           ,
           in
           the
           severall
           stations
           wherein
           you
           are
           placed
           of
           God
           ,
           is
           truely
           stated
           therein
           ,
           in
           the
           pursuit
           whereof
           ,
           your
           Peace
           ,
           and
           the
           Peace
           of
           these
           Nations
           will
           be
           found
           to
           lye
           ;
           I
           crave
           leave
           to
           adde
           that
           consideration
           also
           .
           Being
           fully
           acquainted
           ,
           in
           ,
           and
           with
           what
           weaknesse
           it
           was
           composed
           and
           delivered
           ,
           I
           cannot
           but
           conclude
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           meerly
           for
           the
           truths
           sake
           therein
           contained
           which
           is
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           its
           suetablenesse
           through
           his
           wise
           
           providence
           ,
           to
           the
           present
           state
           of
           things
           ,
           in
           these
           Nations
           ,
           that
           it
           found
           acceptance
           and
           entertainment
           with
           you
           ,
           which
           also
           makes
           me
           willing
           to
           be
           therein
           your
           Remembrancer
           a
           second
           time
           .
           From
           the
           day
           wherein
           I
           received
           a
           command
           and
           call
           unto
           the
           service
           of
           Preaching
           unto
           you
           ,
           unto
           this
           issue
           of
           it
           ,
           wherein
           it
           is
           cloathed
           anew
           with
           obedience
           to
           your
           Order
           ,
           I
           found
           mercy
           with
           God
           to
           have
           that
           caution
           ,
           of
           the
           great
           Apostle
           abiding
           in
           my
           heart
           and
           thoughts
           ,
           if
           I
           yet
           please
           man
           ,
           I
           am
           not
           a
           servant
           of
           God
           ;
           Hence
           I
           can
           with
           boldnesse
           professe
           ,
           that
           influenced
           in
           some
           measure
           with
           the
           power
           of
           that
           direction
           ,
           I
           studiously
           avoided
           what
           ever
           might
           be
           suggested
           ,
           with
           the
           least
           unsuitablenesse
           thereunto
           ,
           with
           respect
           either
           to
           my selfe
           or
           others
           .
        
         
           It
           was
           for
           Sions
           sake
           ,
           that
           I
           was
           willing
           to
           undertake
           this
           duty
           ,
           and
           service
           :
           rejoycing
           that
           I
           had
           once
           more
           an
           opportunity
           to
           give
           publike
           Testimony
           to
           the
           great
           concernment
           of
           the
           great
           God
           ,
           and
           our
           deare
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           in
           all
           the
           concussions
           of
           the
           Nations
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           peculiarly
           in
           his
           wonderfull
           providentiall
           dispensations
           ,
           in
           these
           wherein
           we
           live
           .
           And
           here
           as
           the
           summe
           of
           all
           ,
           touse
           plainesse
           and
           liberty
           of
           speech
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           If
           there
           be
           any
           thing
           ,
           in
           any
           person
           whatever
           ,
           in
           these
           Nations
           ,
           that
           cannot
           stand
           with
           ,
           that
           can
           stand
           without
           the
           generall
           interest
           of
           the
           people
           of
           God
           pleaded
           for
           ,
           let
           it
           fall
           and
           rise
           no
           more
           :
           And
           the
           Lord
           I
           know
           will
           send
           his
           blessing
           out
           of
           Sion
           ,
           on
           what
           ever
           in
           singlenesse
           of
           heart
           ,
           is
           done
           in
           a
           tendency
           to
           the
           establishment
           thereof
           .
        
         
         
           Farther
           I
           shall
           not
           need
           to
           suggest
           any
           thing
           of
           the
           designe
           of
           the
           ensuing
           discourse
           :
           they
           who
           take
           themselves
           to
           be
           concern'd
           therein
           ,
           will
           acquaint
           themselves
           with
           it
           ,
           by
           its
           perusall
           ▪
           I
           shall
           only
           adde
           ,
           if
           the
           generall
           principles
           asserted
           therein
           be
           in
           your
           hearts
           ,
           if
           in
           pursuit
           thereof
           you
           endeavour
           ,
           that
           in
           no
           corner
           of
           this
           Nation
           it
           may
           be
           said
           ,
           this
           is
           Sion
           that
           no
           man
           careth
           for
           ,
           but
           that
           those
           who
           love
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           in
           sincerity
           ,
           and
           are
           by
           faith
           and
           obedience
           separated
           from
           the
           perishing
           world
           ,
           following
           the
           Lamb
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           light
           which
           he
           is
           graciously
           pleased
           to
           impart
           unto
           them
           and
           ingaged
           by
           the
           providence
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           that
           work
           which
           he
           hath
           undertaken
           to
           accomplish
           amongst
           us
           ;
           be
           not
           overborne
           by
           a
           spirit
           of
           prophanenesse
           ,
           and
           contempt
           of
           the
           power
           of
           Godlinesse
           ,
           raging
           in
           the
           Earth
           ;
           that
           they
           may
           be
           preserv'd
           &
           secured
           ,
           from
           the
           returne
           of
           a
           hand
           of
           violence
           ,
           and
           encouraged
           in
           the
           Testimony
           they
           have
           to
           bear
           to
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Christ
           ,
           in
           opposition
           to
           the
           World
           and
           all
           the
           ways
           which
           the
           men
           thereof
           have
           received
           by
           Tradition
           from
           their
           Fathers
           ,
           that
           are
           not
           according
           to
           his
           mind
           ,
           you
           will
           undoubtedly
           in
           your
           severall
           conditions
           receive
           blessing
           from
           God
           ;
           which
           also
           that
           you
           may
           in
           all
           your
           concernments
           ,
           is
           the
           daily
           prayer
           of
        
         
           
             Your
             humblest
             Servant
             in
             the
             work
             of
             our
             dear
             Lord
             Jesus
             JOHN
             OWEN
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
       
       
         
           
             ISAIAH
             .
             14.
             32.
             
          
           
             What
             shall
             one
             then
             answer
             the
             Messengers
             of
             the
             Nation
             ?
             That
             the
             Lord
             hath
             founded
             Zion
             and
             the
             poore
             of
             his
             people
             shall
             trust
             in
             it
             .
          
        
         
           THe
           Head
           of
           the
           
             Prophetie
             ,
          
           whereof
           these
           words
           are
           the
           
             close
             ,
          
           lies
           in
           .
           v.
           28.
           
             (
             in
             the
             year
             that
             King
             Ahaz
             died
             was
             this
             burden
             )
          
           which
           gives
           us
           the
           
             season
             ,
          
           and
           just
           time
           of
           its
           
             Revelation
          
           and
           delivery
           .
        
         
           The
           Kingdome
           of
           Judah
           was
           at
           that
           season
           
             low
             ,
          
           and
           broken
           .
           Forraigne
           
             invasions
             ,
          
           and
           intestine
           divisions
           had
           made
           it
           so
           ;
           An
           account
           hereof
           is
           given
           us
           .
           2
           
             Chron.
          
           cap.
           28.
           throughout
           ;
           as
           it
           is
           especially
           summ'd
           up
           .
           v.
           19.
           of
           that
           Chap.
           
             For
             the
             Lord
             
             brought
             Judah
             low
             ,
             because
             of
             Ahaz
             King
             of
             Israell
             ,
             for
             he
             made
             Judah
             naked
             ,
             and
             transgressed
             sore
             against
             the
             Lord
             .
          
        
         
           Amongst
           their
           oppressing
           Neighbours
           that
           took
           advantage
           at
           their
           
             low
          
           and
           divided
           condition
           ,
           their
           old
           enemies
           the
           
             Philistines
             ,
          
           the
           posterity
           of
           
             Cham
          
           in
           
             Canaan
             ,
          
           had
           no
           small
           share
           ,
           as
           v.
           18.
           of
           that
           Chapter
           .
        
         
           The
           Philistines
           also
           had
           invaded
           the
           Cities
           of
           the
           low
           Countrey
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           south
           of
           Iudah
           ,
           and
           had
           taken
           Beth-shemesh
           ,
           and
           Aialon
           ,
           and
           Gederoth
           ,
           and
           Shoco
           with
           the
           Villages
           thereof
           ,
           and
           Timnah
           with
           the
           Villages
           thereof
           ,
           Gimzo
           also
           and
           the
           Villages
           thereof
           ,
           and
           they
           dwelt
           there
           .
        
         
           In
           this
           
             state
          
           of
           things
           ,
           God
           takes
           notice
           of
           the
           
             joy
             ,
          
           and
           triumphing
           of
           the
           whole
           
             land
             of
             Palestina
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           the
           Country
           of
           the
           
             Philistines
             .
          
           In
           that
           the
           
             rod
          
           of
           him
           that
           
             smote
             them
             was
             broken
             :
          
           that
           is
           the
           power
           of
           the
           
             Kings
          
           and
           
             Kingdome
          
           of
           Judah
           ,
           which
           for
           many
           generations
           had
           
             prevailed
          
           against
           them
           ,
           especially
           in
           the
           days
           of
           
             David
             ,
             2
             Sam.
          
           5.
           and
           of
           
             Vzziah
             2
             Chron.
          
           26.
           6.
           and
           kept
           them
           under
           ,
           was
           made
           weak
           and
           insufficient
           for
           that
           purpose
           ,
           v.
           29.
           
           
             Rejoyce
             not
             thou
             whole
             land
             of
             Palestina
             ,
             because
             the
             rod
             of
             him
             that
             smote
             thee
             is
             broken
             .
          
        
         
           It
           is
           no
           wonder
           ,
           if
           
             Palestina
             ,
          
           that
           was
           to
           be
           
             smitten
             ,
          
           and
           broken
           by
           the
           rod
           of
           God
           among
           his
           people
           ,
           rejoyce
           at
           their
           
             perplexities
          
           and
           distresses
           ,
           when
           we
           have
           seen
           men
           so
           to
           doe
           ,
           who
           pretend
           to
           dwell
           in
           
             Iudah
             .
          
        
         
           To
           take
           them
           off
           from
           their
           
             pride
          
           and
           
             boasting
             ,
          
           
           their
           triumph
           and
           
             rejoycing
             ,
          
           the
           Lord
           lets
           them
           know
           ,
           that
           from
           the
           
             people
          
           whom
           they
           despised
           ,
           and
           that
           
             broken
             rod
          
           they
           trampled
           upon
           ,
           their
           desolation
           was
           at
           hand
           ,
           though
           they
           seemed
           to
           be
           
             perplexed
             ,
          
           and
           forsaken
           for
           a
           season
           ,
           v.
           29
           ,
           30
           ,
           31.
           
           
             Rejoyce
             not
             thou
             whole
             Palestina
             ,
             because
             the
             rod
             of
             him
             that
             smote
             thee
             is
             broken
             ,
             for
             out
             of
             the
             serpents
             root
             ,
             shall
             come
             forth
             a
             Cockatrice
             ,
             and
             his
             fruit
             shall
             be
             a
             fiery
             flying
             Serpent
             ,
             and
             the
             first
             borne
             of
             the
             poore
             shall
             feed
             ,
             and
             the
             needy
             shall
             ly
             downe
             in
             safety
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             kill
             thy
             root
             with
             Famine
             ,
             and
             he
             shall
             slay
             thy
             remnant
             .
             Howle
             O
             Gate
             ,
             Cry
             O
             Citty
             ,
             thou
             whole
             Palestina
             art
             dissolved
             ,
             for
             there
             shall
             come
             from
             the
             North
             a
             smoke
             ,
             and
             none
             shall
             be
             alone
             in
             his
             appointed
             times
             .
          
           That
           it
           is
           
             Hezekiah
          
           who
           is
           principally
           intended
           in
           these
           lofty
           
             Allegoricall
          
           expressions
           ,
           that
           was
           then
           rising
           up
           from
           the
           
             broken
             rod
             of
             Iudah
             ,
          
           is
           evident
           .
           He
           is
           termed
           a
           
             cockatrice
             ,
             and
             a
             fiery
             flying
             serpent
             ,
          
           not
           from
           his
           own
           nature
           ,
           which
           was
           
             tender
             ,
             meek
             ,
          
           and
           
             Gentle
             ,
          
           wherein
           the
           comparison
           doth
           not
           at
           all
           ly
           ,
           nor
           hold
           ;
           but
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           
             mischiefe
          
           that
           he
           should
           do
           unto
           ,
           and
           irrecoverable
           
             destruction
          
           that
           he
           should
           bring
           on
           the
           land
           of
           
             Palestina
             :
          
           which
           accordingly
           he
           performed
           ,
           2
           Kings
           18.
           8.
           
           
             He
             smote
             the
             Philistines
             ,
             even
             unto
             Gaza
             ,
             and
             the
             borders
             thereof
             ,
             from
             the
             tower
             of
             the
             Watchmen
             to
             the
             fenced
             Cities
             :
          
           That
           is
           he
           
             wasted
          
           and
           destroyed
           the
           whole
           land
           ,
           from
           one
           end
           ,
           even
           to
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           it
           seems
           ,
           no
           
             new
          
           thing
           ,
           that
           the
           season
           
           of
           the
           Enemies
           
             rejoycing
             ,
          
           built
           upon
           the
           
             outward
             appearance
             ,
          
           and
           state
           of
           things
           among
           the
           people
           of
           God
           ,
           is
           the
           
             beginning
          
           of
           their
           disappointment
           and
           desolation
           ;
           The
           Lord
           make
           it
           so
           in
           this
           day
           of
           
             England's
          
           Expectation
           ,
           that
           the
           rod
           of
           it
           may
           be
           strengthened
           againe
           ,
           yet
           to
           smite
           the
           
             whole
             land
             of
             Palestina
             .
          
        
         
           The
           words
           of
           my
           
             Text
             ,
          
           are
           the
           result
           of
           things
           ,
           upon
           Gods
           dealings
           and
           dispensations
           before
           mentioned
           .
           Uncertain
           it
           is
           ,
           whether
           they
           ought
           to
           be
           
             restrained
             ,
          
           to
           the
           immediate
           
             prophetie
          
           before
           going
           concerning
           
             Palestina
             ,
          
           or
           whether
           they
           relate
           not
           also
           ,
           to
           that
           in
           the
           beginning
           of
           the
           Chapter
           ,
           concerning
           the
           destruction
           of
           the
           
             Assyrian
             ,
          
           which
           is
           summed
           up
           .
           v.
           24
           ,
           25
           ,
           26.
           
           
             The
             Lord
             of
             Hosts
             hath
             sworn
             ,
             saying
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             thought
             so
             shall
             it
             come
             to
             passe
             ,
             and
             as
             I
             have
             purposed
             it
             shall
             stand
             :
             That
             I
             will
             break
             the
             Assyrian
             in
             my
             Land
             ,
             and
             upon
             my
             Mountaine
             tread
             him
             under
             foot
             :
             then
             shall
             his
             yoke
             depart
             from
             off
             them
             ,
             and
             his
             burden
             from
             off
             their
             shoulders
             .
          
           It
           is
           the
           ruining
           of
           
             Sennacharib
          
           and
           his
           army
           in
           the
           days
           of
           
             Hezekiah
             ,
          
           that
           is
           foretold
           .
           Yea
           and
           
             this
          
           seems
           to
           claim
           a
           peculiar
           share
           and
           influence
           into
           this
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           or
           triumphant
           close
           ;
           because
           
             eminently
          
           and
           
             signally
             ,
          
           not
           long
           after
           ,
           messengers
           were
           thus
           sent
           from
           
             Babylon
             ,
          
           to
           enquire
           of
           the
           health
           ,
           and
           congratulate
           the
           good
           successe
           of
           
             Hezekiah
             .
          
           And
           well
           had
           it
           been
           for
           
             him
             ,
          
           and
           his
           
             posterity
             ,
          
           had
           he
           given
           those
           
             messengers
          
           the
           returne
           to
           their
           
             inquiry
             ▪
          
           which
           was
           here
           prepared
           for
           him
           ,
           some
           years
           
           before
           .
           His
           mistake
           herein
           ,
           was
           the
           fatall
           ruine
           of
           
             Judah's
          
           prosperity
           .
        
         
           Let
           not
           then
           that
           
             consideration
          
           be
           excluded
           ,
           though
           the
           
             other
          
           insisted
           on
           ,
           be
           principally
           intended
           .
        
         
           The
           words
           you
           see
           have
           in
           them
           ,
           an
           
             Enquiry
          
           and
           a
           
             Resolution
          
           thereof
           .
           I
           shall
           open
           them
           briefly
           as
           they
           ly
           ,
           in
           the
           Text
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           
             What
             SHALL
             one
             :
          
           what
           
             shall
             ,
          
           or
           what
           
             ought
             ?
          
           what
           is
           it
           their
           
             duty
          
           to
           
             doe
          
           or
           to
           
             say
             ?
          
           or
           what
           
             shall
          
           they
           ,
           upon
           the
           evidence
           of
           the
           things
           done
           ,
           so
           doe
           or
           say
           :
           either
           their
           
             duty
             ,
          
           or
           the
           
             event
          
           is
           denoted
           ,
           or
           
             both
             ,
          
           as
           in
           such
           predictions
           it
           often
           falls
           out
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           
             What
             shall
          
           ONE
           ?
           that
           is
           
             any
             one
             ,
          
           or
           
             every
             one
             ;
          
           the
           answer
           spoken
           of
           is
           either
           the
           
             duty
          
           of
           
             every
             one
          
           to
           give
           ,
           or
           it
           will
           be
           so
           evident
           that
           
             any
             one
          
           shall
           be
           able
           to
           give
           it
           .
           The
           word
           
             one
             ,
          
           I
           confess
           is
           not
           
             expressely
          
           in
           the
           originall
           ,
           but
           is
           evidently
           included
           in
           the
           
             verbe
          
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           :
           what
           shall
           be
           
             answered
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           by
           
             any
             one
          
           what
           ever
           .
           There
           is
           no
           more
           in
           the
           
             translation
             ,
          
           then
           is
           eminently
           infolded
           in
           the
           
             Originall
             expression
          
           of
           this
           thing
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           
             What
             shall
          
           one
           THEN
           ?
           that
           is
           ,
           in
           the
           
             season
          
           when
           God
           hath
           disappointed
           the
           
             hopes
          
           and
           expectations
           of
           the
           enemies
           of
           his
           people
           ,
           and
           hath
           
             strengthned
             their
             rod
          
           to
           bruise
           them
           again
           more
           then
           ever
           .
           That
           is
           a
           
             season
          
           wherein
           great
           inquiry
           will
           be
           made
           about
           those
           things
           ;
           what
           shall
           one
           
             then
          
           answer
           ?
           This
           word
           also
           ,
           is
           includded
           
           in
           the
           
             interrogation
             ;
          
           and
           much
           of
           the
           
             emphasis
          
           of
           it
           ,
           consists
           therein
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           Answer
           the
           Messengers
           :
           That
           is
           
             men
          
           coming
           on
           set
           
             purpose
          
           to
           make
           
             inquiry
          
           after
           the
           State
           of
           affairs
           among
           Gods
           people
           ;
           Embassadors
           ,
           Agents
           ,
           Spies
           ,
           Messengers
           ,
           Enquirers
           of
           any
           sort
           ;
           or
           the
           word
           may
           be
           taken
           more
           
             largly
             ,
          
           for
           any
           stranger
           that
           came
           
             to
             Jerusalem
             .
          
           The
           septuagint
           render
           these
           words
           ,
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ;
           the
           Kings
           of
           the
           Nations
           ,
           what
           
             shall
             they
             say
             ?
          
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ;
           what
           shall
           they
           answer
           ,
           or
           say
           ?
           so
           that
           word
           is
           somtimes
           used
           :
           some
           think
           ,
           that
           for
           ,
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           which
           they
           should
           have
           rendred
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           or
           messengers
           ,
           they
           read
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           or
           
             Kings
             ,
          
           by
           an
           evident
           mistake
           :
           but
           all
           things
           are
           cleare
           in
           the
           
             Originall
             .
          
        
         
           5.
           
           Of
           the
           NATIONS
           :
           That
           is
           of
           
             this
             ,
          
           or
           
             that
          
           Nation
           ,
           of
           
             any
          
           Nation
           that
           shall
           send
           to
           make
           inquiry
           :
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           of
           the
           
             heathen
          
           say
           some
           ;
           those
           commonly
           so
           called
           ,
           or
           the
           Nations
           
             estranged
          
           from
           God
           ,
           are
           usually
           denoted
           by
           this
           word
           in
           the
           
             plurall
          
           number
           :
           yet
           not
           alwaies
           under
           that
           consideration
           :
           so
           that
           there
           may
           be
           an
           
             enallagy
          
           of
           
             number
             ,
          
           the
           
             nation
          
           for
           the
           
             nations
             ,
          
           which
           is
           
             usuall
             .
          
        
         
           
             What
             shall
             one
             answer
             them
             ?
          
           they
           come
           to
           make
           enquiry
           after
           the
           
             work
          
           of
           God
           among
           his
           people
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           
             fit
          
           that
           an
           answer
           be
           given
           to
           them
           :
           Two
           things
           are
           observable
           in
           this
           interrogation
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           
           The
           Nations
           about
           will
           be
           diligently
           enquiring
           after
           Gods
           dispensations
           among
           his
           people
           ;
           
             besides
             
             what
             reports
             they
             receive
             at
             home
             ,
             they
             will
             have
          
           Messengers
           ,
           Agents
           ,
           
             or
          
           Spies
           
             to
             make
             enquiry
             .
          
           
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           issues
           of
           Gods
           dispensations
           amongst
           his
           people
           shall
           be
           so
           evident
           and
           glorious
           ,
           that
           every
           one
           ,
           any
           one
           though
           never
           so
           weak
           ,
           if
           not
           blinded
           by
           prejudice
           ,
           shall
           be
           able
           to
           give
           a
           convincing
           answer
           concerning
           them
           ,
           to
           the
           enquiries
           of
           men
           .
        
         
           Something
           shall
           be
           spoken
           to
           these
           propositions
           in
           the
           process
           of
           our
           discourse
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           There
           is
           the
           resolution
           given
           of
           the
           
             enquiry
          
           made
           in
           this
           interrogation
           ,
           hereof
           are
           2.
           parts
           .
        
         
           
             1.
             
             What
             God
             hath
             done
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             What
             his
             people
             shall
             ,
             or
             ought
             to
             do
             .
          
        
         
           Wrap
           up
           at
           any
           time
           ,
           the
           
             work
          
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           
             duty
          
           of
           his
           people
           together
           ,
           and
           they
           will
           be
           a
           sufficient
           answer
           to
           any
           mans
           
             enquiry
          
           after
           the
           state
           of
           things
           amongst
           them
           .
           As
           to
           our
           wisdome
           in
           reference
           unto
           
             providentiall
          
           dispensations
           ,
           this
           is
           the
           
             whol
          
           of
           man
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           first
           thing
           in
           the
           Answer
           to
           be
           given
           in
           ,
           is
           the
           
             worke
          
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           
             Lord
             hath
             founded
             Sion
             .
          
           Sion
           ;
           that
           is
           his
           
             Church
             ,
          
           his
           
             people
          
           his
           chosen
           ones
           ,
           called
           
             Sion
          
           from
           the
           place
           of
           their
           solemne
           worship
           in
           the
           days
           of
           
             David
             ,
          
           The
           figure
           and
           type
           of
           the
           Gospell
           Church
           .
           Heb.
           12.
           22.
           
           
             Yea
             are
             come
             unto
             Mount
             Sion
             ,
             and
             unto
             the
             City
             of
             the
             living
             God
             ,
             the
             heavenly
             Jerusalem
             .
          
        
         
           It
           is
           generally
           
             used
          
           not
           for
           the
           whole
           
             body
          
           of
           that
           people
           unless
           as
           they
           were
           
             typically
          
           considred
           
           in
           which
           respect
           they
           were
           all
           
             holy
             .
          
           But
           for
           the
           secret
           
             covenanted
          
           ones
           of
           that
           people
           ,
           as
           is
           evident
           from
           all
           the
           promises
           made
           thereunto
           ,
           yet
           with
           
             speciall
          
           regard
           to
           the
           
             Ordinances
             of
             worship
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           This
           God
           hath
           
             founded
             :
          
           founded
           ,
           or
           Established
           ,
           strengthened
           ,
           that
           it
           shall
           not
           be
           removed
           ,
           
             Psal.
          
           87.
           is
           a
           comment
           on
           these
           words
           :
           He
           hath
           
             founded
          
           it
           ;
           that
           is
           in
           faithfull
           promises
           ,
           and
           powerfull
           performances
           ,
           sufficient
           for
           its
           preservation
           and
           establishment
           .
        
         
           Now
           this
           expression
           ,
           
             [
             The
             Lord
             hath
             founded
             Sion
             ]
          
           as
           it
           is
           an
           
             Answer
          
           to
           the
           enquiries
           of
           the
           
             Messengers
             of
             the
             Nations
             ,
          
           may
           be
           taken
           two
           wayes
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           As
           giving
           an
           account
           of
           the
           
             work
             it selfe
             done
             ;
          
           or
           what
           it
           is
           that
           God
           hath
           done
           ,
           in
           and
           amongst
           his
           people
           .
           What
           is
           the
           work
           that
           is
           so
           
             fam'd
          
           abroad
           ,
           and
           spoken
           of
           throughout
           the
           World
           ?
           That
           being
           
             attempted
          
           in
           many
           places
           ,
           &
           proveing
           abortive
           ,
           is
           here
           accomplished
           ?
           This
           is
           it
           ,
           shall
           
             one
          
           say
           :
           God
           hath
           
             established
          
           his
           people
           and
           their
           
             interest
             ;
          
           it
           is
           no
           such
           thing
           as
           you
           suppose
           ,
           that
           
             some
          
           are
           
             set
          
           up
           ,
           and
           some
           pull'd
           downe
           ;
           that
           new
           Fabricks
           of
           Government
           or
           Ruling
           are
           erected
           for
           their
           own
           
             sakes
             ,
          
           or
           their
           sakes
           ,
           who
           are
           interested
           in
           them
           .
           But
           
             this
          
           is
           the
           thing
           that
           God
           hath
           done
           ;
           he
           
             hath
             founded
             Sion
             ,
          
           established
           his
           people
           and
           their
           
             interest
             ,
          
           in
           despight
           of
           all
           opposition
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           As
           giving
           a
           Reason
           of
           the
           worke
           done
           ;
           whence
           is
           it
           that
           the
           Lord
           hath
           wrought
           so
           
           
             mightily
             for
          
           you
           ,
           
             amongst
          
           you
           ,
           in
           your
           
             behalf
             ,
          
           praeserved
           you
           ,
           recover'd
           you
           ,
           supported
           you
           ,
           given
           you
           
             successe
          
           and
           Victory
           ,
           When
           all
           Nations
           
             conspired
          
           your
           ruine
           ?
           why
           this
           is
           the
           Reason
           of
           it
           .
           
             God
             hath
             founded
             Sion
             ,
          
           He
           bore
           it
           good-will
           ,
           hath
           taken
           
             care
          
           of
           the
           interest
           of
           his
           Church
           and
           people
           .
        
         
           The
           words
           may
           be
           taken
           in
           
             either
          
           sense
           ;
           the
           issue
           of
           their
           intendment
           as
           to
           
             our
          
           instruction
           ,
           will
           be
           the
           same
           .
           This
           is
           the
           Answer
           to
           be
           given
           to
           the
           
             messengers
             of
             the
             nations
             ,
          
           who
           perhaps
           expected
           to
           have
           heard
           of
           their
           strength
           and
           
             policy
             ,
          
           of
           their
           Councellors
           and
           Armies
           ,
           of
           their
           wealth
           and
           their
           Riches
           ,
           of
           their
           triumphs
           and
           enjoyments
           ;
           no!
           
             God
             hath
             founded
             Sion
             .
          
           And
           well
           had
           it
           been
           for
           
             Hezekiah
             ,
          
           had
           he
           given
           this
           answer
           prepared
           for
           him
           so
           long
           before
           ,
           to
           the
           
             Messengers
          
           of
           
             Babilon
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           
             The
          
           great
           designe
           of
           God
           in
           his
           mighty
           works
           ,
           and
           dispensations
           in
           the
           world
           ;
           is
           the
           establishment
           of
           his
           people
           ,
           and
           their
           proper
           interest
           in
           their
           severall
           generations
           .
        
         
           Give
           me
           leave
           to
           say
           ;
           it
           is
           not
           for
           
             this
             ,
          
           or
           that
           form
           of
           government
           ,
           or
           civile
           administration
           of
           humane
           affaires
           ;
           it
           is
           not
           for
           
             these
             ,
          
           or
           those
           Governors
           ,
           much
           less
           for
           the
           
             advantage
          
           of
           
             one
          
           or
           other
           sort
           of
           men
           :
           for
           the
           Enthroning
           of
           any
           
             one
             ,
          
           or
           
             other
          
           perswasion
           ,
           
             gainfull
             ,
          
           or
           helpfull
           to
           some
           
             few
             ,
          
           or
           
             more
             ,
          
           that
           God
           hath
           wrought
           his
           mighty
           workes
           amongst
           us
           .
           But
           it
           is
           that
           Sion
           may
           be
           
             founded
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             generall
             interest
          
           of
           all
           the
           
             Sons
          
           and
           
             Daughters
          
           of
           Sion
           be
           
           preserved
           ;
           and
           so
           far
           as
           any
           thing
           lies
           in
           
             a
             subserviency
          
           thereunto
           ,
           so
           
             far
             ,
          
           and
           no
           farther
           is
           it
           with
           him
           accepted
           .
           And
           
             what
             ever
             ,
          
           on
           what
           
             account
          
           soever
           sets
           up
           against
           it
           ,
           shall
           be
           broken
           in
           peices
           .
        
         
           What
           answer
           then
           should
           we
           give
           to
           Enquirers
           ?
           that
           the
           Lord
           
             hath
             founded
             Sion
             .
          
           This
           is
           
             that
             ,
          
           and
           
             that
             alone
             ,
          
           which
           we
           should
           insist
           upon
           ,
           and
           take
           notice
           of
           ,
           as
           the
           
             peculiar
          
           worke
           of
           God
           amongst
           us
           .
           Let
           the
           reports
           from
           other
           
             Nations
          
           be
           what
           they
           will
           ,
           let
           them
           
             acquaint
          
           the
           
             Messengers
          
           of
           one
           another
           ,
           with
           their
           
             Glory
             ,
          
           Triumphs
           ,
           Enlarging
           of
           their
           empires
           and
           dominions
           .
        
         
           When
           it
           is
           inquired
           what
           he
           hath
           done
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           let
           us
           say
           ,
           he
           
             hath
             founded
             Sion
             .
          
           And
           he
           will
           not
           leave
           untill
           every
           man
           concern'd
           in
           the
           worke
           shall
           be
           able
           to
           say
           ,
           we
           have
           busied
           our selves
           about
           things
           of
           no
           moment
           ;
           and
           consumed
           our
           dayes
           ,
           and
           strength
           ,
           in
           setting
           up
           
             sheaves
          
           that
           most
           bow
           hereunto
           .
           This
           is
           the
           
             main
          
           of
           Gods
           intendment
           ,
           and
           whilst
           it
           is
           
             safe
             ,
          
           he
           hath
           the
           
             Glory
          
           and
           end
           of
           his
           dispensations
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           other
           part
           of
           the
           
             Answer
          
           relates
           to
           the
           people
           ;
           
             the
             poor
             of
             his
             people
             shall
             trust
             in
             it
             .
          
        
         
           The
           words
           containe
           either
           their
           
             duty
             ,
          
           they
           
             ought
          
           to
           doe
           so
           ,
           or
           the
           
             event
             ,
          
           they
           
             shall
          
           doe
           so
           ;
           or
           
             both
          
           joyntly
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           
             The
             poore
             of
             his
             people
             .
             v.
          
           30.
           they
           are
           cald
           the
           
             first
             borne
             of
             the
             poore
             and
             needy
             :
          
           That
           is
           ,
           those
           who
           are
           very
           poore
           .
           Now
           this
           expression
           may
           denote
           either
           the
           
             people
          
           in
           generall
           ,
           who
           
           had
           been
           
             poore
          
           and
           afflicted
           ;
           and
           so
           the
           
             poore
             of
             his
             people
             ,
          
           is
           as
           much
           ,
           as
           
             his
             poore
             people
             :
          
           or
           
             some
          
           in
           particular
           ,
           that
           
             partly
          
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           their
           
             Low
             outward
          
           condition
           ,
           partly
           on
           the
           account
           of
           their
           
             lowlinesse
          
           of
           minde
           ,
           are
           called
           the
           
             poore
             of
             his
             people
             :
          
           and
           so
           the
           words
           are
           excellently
           
             paraphras'd
             .
          
           Zeph.
           3.
           12
           ,
           13.
           
           
             I
             will
             also
             leave
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             thee
             an
             afflicted
             ,
             and
             poore
             people
             ;
             and
             they
             shall
             trust
             in
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Lord
             :
             The
             remnant
             of
             Israel
             shall
             not
             doe
             Iniquity
             ,
             nor
             speake
             lies
             :
             neither
             shall
             a
             deceitfull
             tongue
             be
             found
             in
             their
             mouth
             ,
             and
             none
             shall
             make
             them
             afraid
             .
          
           We
           may
           take
           the
           words
           in
           a
           sence
           
             comprizing
          
           both
           these
           :
           namely
           for
           the
           
             poore
             preserved
             remnant
             ,
          
           caried
           through
           the
           
             fiery
          
           triall
           ,
           and
           preserved
           to
           see
           some
           
             comfortable
          
           issue
           of
           Gods
           dealing
           with
           them
           ,
           though
           yet
           wrestling
           with
           
             difficulties
          
           and
           
             perplexities
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           What
           shall
           they
           doe
           ?
           
             they
             shall
             trust
             in
             it
             ;
          
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           and
           
             in
             it
             they
             shall
             trust
             ;
          
           that
           is
           ,
           being
           
             in
             it
             ,
          
           they
           shall
           trust
           ,
           confide
           ,
           
             acquiess
             ,
          
           namely
           in
           the
           
             Lord
             ,
          
           who
           hath
           wrought
           this
           work
           :
           or
           in
           it
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           either
           in
           the
           
             work
          
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           in
           
             Sion
          
           so
           established
           by
           God
           .
        
         
           The
           word
           here
           used
           for
           trusting
           ,
           is
           sometimes
           taken
           for
           to
           
             repaire
             ,
          
           or
           to
           retreat
           to
           any
           thing
           ,
           and
           not
           properly
           to
           put
           trust
           ,
           
             affiance
          
           or
           confidence
           ,
           and
           so
           it
           is
           rendred
           in
           the
           
             margine
          
           of
           your
           books
           :
           they
           shall
           
             betake
             themselves
             to
             it
             .
          
           So
           is
           the
           word
           used
           
             Judges
             .
             9.
             15.
             
             Psal.
          
           36.
           7.
           
        
         
           So
           the
           
             intendment
          
           is
           ,
           that
           the
           poore
           
             preserv'd
             people
             of
             God
             ,
          
           seing
           his
           designe
           to
           found
           
             Sion
             ,
          
           and
           
           to
           establish
           the
           
             interest
          
           of
           his
           chosen
           ,
           shall
           leave
           of
           all
           other
           
             designes
             ,
          
           aymes
           and
           contrivances
           ,
           and
           winde
           up
           all
           on
           the
           same
           
             bottome
             ;
          
           They
           
             shall
          
           not
           ,
           at
           least
           they
           
             ought
          
           not
           (
           for
           I
           told
           you
           the
           words
           might
           denote
           either
           their
           
             duty
             ,
          
           what
           they
           
             ought
          
           to
           doe
           ,
           or
           the
           
             event
          
           what
           they
           
             shall
          
           doe
           )
           set
           up
           
             designes
             ,
          
           and
           aymes
           of
           their
           owne
           ,
           and
           contend
           about
           
             other
          
           things
           !
           but
           betake
           their
           hopes
           to
           that
           which
           is
           the
           main
           
             intendment
          
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           Establishment
           of
           the
           interest
           of
           his
           people
           ,
           and
           cast
           all
           other
           things
           in
           a
           
             subserviency
          
           thereunto
           .
           The
           summe
           is
           ,
        
         
           It
           is
           the
           duty
           of
           Gods
           poore
           preserved
           remnant
           laying
           aside
           all
           other
           aimes
           and
           contrivances
           ,
           
           to
           betake
           themselves
           to
           the
           work
           of
           God
           ,
           founding
           
             Sion
          
           and
           preserving
           the
           common
           interest
           of
           his
           people
           .
        
         
           Of
           the
           Propositions
           thus
           drawn
           from
           the
           words
           ,
           I
           shall
           Treat
           severally
           ,
           so
           farre
           ,
           as
           they
           may
           be
           
             foundations
          
           of
           the
           inferences
           intended
           .
        
         
           The
           First
           is
           this
           :
           
             The
             Nations
             about
             ,
             will
             be
             diligently
             enquiring
             concerning
             Gods
             dispensations
             among
             his
             people
             ;
          
           Their
           eyes
           are
           upon
           them
           ,
           and
           they
           will
           be
           enquiring
           after
           them
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           handling
           of
           
             this
             ,
          
           and
           all
           that
           followes
           ,
           I
           humbly
           desire
           ,
           that
           you
           would
           consider
           in
           what
           
             capacity
             ,
          
           as
           to
           the
           discharge
           of
           this
           
             work
             ,
          
           I
           look
           upon
           my selfe
           ,
           and
           You.
           
           As
           you
           are
           
             hearers
          
           of
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           (
           in
           which
           state
           alone
           at
           present
           ,
           though
           with
           reference
           to
           your
           designed
           employment
           ,
           I
           look
           upon
           you
           )
           as
           
           you
           are
           not
           at
           all
           distinguished
           from
           others
           ,
           or
           among
           your selves
           :
           but
           as
           you
           are
           
             Believers
             ,
          
           or
           not
           ;
           Regenerate
           Persons
           ,
           or
           coming
           short
           thereof
           .
           And
           on
           this
           account
           ,
           as
           I
           shall
           not
           speake
           of
           my
           
             Rulers
          
           without
           
             Reverence
             ,
          
           so
           I
           shall
           endeavour
           to
           speak
           to
           my
           
             hearers
          
           with
           Authority
           .
           I
           say
           then
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           There
           are
           certain
           
             Affections
             ,
          
           and
           Principles
           ,
           that
           are
           active
           in
           the
           
             Nations
             ,
          
           that
           will
           make
           them
           restlesse
           ,
           and
           alwaies
           put
           them
           upon
           this
           
             enquiry
             .
          
           The
           people
           of
           God
           ,
           on
           
             one
          
           account
           or
           
             other
             ,
          
           shall
           be
           in
           all
           seasons
           a
           
             separated
             people
             .
             Num.
             23.
             9.
             
             Lo
             the
             People
             shall
             dwell
             alone
             ,
             and
             shall
             not
             be
             reckoned
             among
             the
             Nation
             ;
          
           yea
           they
           are
           
             seperated
          
           from
           them
           ,
           whilest
           they
           are
           in
           their
           
             bowells
             ,
          
           and
           dwell
           in
           the
           
             middest
          
           of
           them
           :
           
             Micha
          
           5.
           7
           ,
           8.
           whether
           they
           are
           amongst
           them
           ,
           as
           the
           
             spring
          
           of
           their
           mercies
           ,
           or
           the
           
             rise
          
           of
           their
           destruction
           ,
           (
           one
           of
           which
           they
           will
           alwaies
           be
           )
           yet
           they
           are
           not
           of
           them
           .
           No
           sooner
           then
           is
           any
           
             People
             ,
          
           or
           
             portion
          
           of
           them
           ,
           thus
           dedicated
           to
           God
           ;
           but
           all
           the
           
             Nations
          
           about
           ,
           and
           those
           amongst
           them
           not
           ingaged
           in
           the
           same
           way
           with
           them
           ,
           instantly
           look
           on
           them
           ,
           as
           
             utterly
          
           sever'd
           from
           them
           :
           having
           
             other
          
           ways
           ,
           ends
           ,
           and
           interests
           then
           they
           ,
           being
           built
           up
           wholly
           on
           another
           account
           and
           foundation
           :
           They
           
             reckon
          
           not
           of
           them
           as
           a
           
             people
          
           and
           a
           
             nation
             .
          
           The
           Conclusion
           they
           make
           concerning
           them
           ,
           is
           that
           of
           
             Haman
             :
             Esther
             3.
             8.
             
             There
             is
             a
             certain
             people
             scattered
             abroad
             ,
             and
             dispersed
             among
             the
             people
             in
             all
             the
             Provinces
             of
             thy
             Kingdome
             ,
             
             and
             their
             Lawes
             are
             diverse
             from
             all
             people
             .
          
           Not
           their
           
             Morall
          
           and
           
             judiciall
             Laws
             ,
          
           which
           were
           the
           summe
           of
           that
           perfection
           ,
           which
           all
           Nations
           aimed
           at
           ;
           on
           which
           account
           they
           said
           of
           them
           ,
           
             Surely
             this
             great
             Nation
             is
             a
             wise
             and
             understanding
             People
             .
          
           Deut.
           4.
           6.
           and
           the
           keeping
           of
           those
           Laws
           was
           
             their
             wisdome
             and
             understanding
             among
             all
             Nations
             :
          
           nor
           yet
           meerly
           the
           
             Laws
          
           of
           their
           Religious
           worship
           :
           but
           the
           whole
           
             way
             ,
             interest
             ,
             designe
             ,
          
           profession
           of
           that
           people
           ,
           is
           comprized
           in
           this
           expression
           ,
           they
           are
           diverse
           from
           all
           people
           .
           Looking
           on
           them
           in
           this
           
             state
             ,
          
           they
           have
           principles
           (
           as
           I
           said
           )
           that
           will
           carry
           them
           out
           to
           an
           
             enquiry
          
           into
           their
           
             state
          
           and
           condition
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           They
           are
           full
           of
           
             Envy
          
           against
           them
           ;
           
             They
             shall
             be
             ashamed
             of
             their
             envy
             at
             thy
             people
             .
          
           Isaiah
           .
           26.
           11.
           looking
           on
           them
           ,
           as
           
             wholly
             separated
             from
             them
             ,
          
           and
           standing
           on
           
             another
             account
          
           then
           they
           doe
           ,
           they
           are
           full
           of
           
             envy
          
           at
           them
           .
           
             Envy
          
           is
           a
           restlesse
           passion
           ,
           full
           of
           enquiries
           and
           jealousies
           ;
           the
           more
           it
           
             finds
          
           of
           
             poyson
             ,
          
           the
           more
           it
           
             swells
          
           and
           feeds
           .
           It
           will
           search
           into
           the
           
             bottome
          
           of
           that
           which
           its
           eye
           is
           fixed
           on
           .
           The
           transaction
           of
           the
           whole
           businesse
           between
           
             Nehemiah
          
           and
           
             Sanballat
             ,
          
           gives
           light
           to
           this
           consideration
           .
           See
           
             Neh.
             
             Ch.
          
           4.
           1
           ,
           2
           ,
           3
           ,
           4
           ,
           5
           ,
           6.
           
        
         
           And
           ever
           the
           
             nearer
          
           any
           nation
           is
           to
           this
           people
           ,
           the
           greater
           is
           their
           Envy
           .
           It
           was
           
             Edom
             ,
          
           and
           
             Moab
             ,
          
           and
           
             Ammon
             ,
          
           the
           nations
           round
           about
           ,
           that
           were
           most
           filled
           with
           
             wrath
          
           and
           Envy
           against
           Israell
           .
           Yea
           when
           that
           People
           was
           
           divided
           among
           themselves
           ,
           and
           the
           true
           worship
           of
           God
           remained
           with
           
             Judah
             ,
          
           and
           they
           became
           the
           
             separated
             people
             ,
             Ephraim
          
           was
           instantly
           filled
           with
           
             Envy
          
           against
           them
           .
           Isaiah
           .
           11.
           13.
           
           The
           
             Envy
             also
             of
             Ephraim
             shall
             depart
             ,
             and
             the
             adversaries
             of
             Iudah
             shall
             be
             cut
             off
             .
             Ephraim
             shall
             not
             envy
             Iudah
             :
          
           For
           there
           must
           be
           a
           desire
           of
           the
           same
           thing
           ,
           as
           something
           answering
           it
           (
           which
           befalls
           in
           proximity
           of
           habitation
           )
           that
           a
           man
           is
           
             envied
          
           for
           ,
           in
           him
           that
           
             envy
             's
          
           him
           .
           This
           is
           one
           
             fountain
          
           of
           the
           nations
           enquiry
           after
           your
           affaires
           .
        
         
           Through
           the
           
             providence
          
           of
           God
           ,
           you
           
             dwell
          
           alone
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           as
           to
           your
           main
           designe
           and
           interest
           .
           You
           are
           not
           
             reckoned
             among
             the
             nations
             ,
          
           as
           to
           the
           state
           of
           
             being
          
           the
           people
           of
           God
           ;
           so
           far
           ,
           and
           under
           that
           consideration
           ,
           They
           count
           you
           not
           worthy
           to
           be
           
             reckoned
          
           or
           esteemed
           a
           Nation
           .
           They
           
             envy
          
           to
           see
           the
           men
           of
           their
           contempt
           
             exalted
             ,
          
           blessed
           .
           The
           same
           is
           the
           condition
           of
           
             Ephraim
          
           amongst
           us
           ;
           men
           not
           engaged
           in
           the
           same
           
             Cause
             ,
          
           and
           
             way
          
           with
           you
           ,
           they
           are
           full
           of
           
             envy
             .
          
           Wherefore
           doe
           they
           enquire
           of
           your
           wellfaire
           ,
           of
           your
           state
           and
           condition
           ,
           of
           your
           affaires
           ?
           is
           it
           that
           they
           
             love
          
           you
           ,
           that
           they
           desire
           your
           
             prosperity
             ,
          
           that
           they
           would
           have
           you
           an
           
             established
          
           Nation
           ?
           No
           ,
           only
           their
           
             envy
          
           makes
           them
           restlesse
           .
           And
           as
           it
           is
           in
           generall
           :
           so
           no
           sooner
           doth
           any
           man
           upon
           a
           
             private
             account
          
           separate
           himselfe
           from
           the
           
             publick
          
           interest
           of
           the
           people
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           he
           is
           instantly
           filled
           with
           
             envy
          
           against
           the
           managers
           
           of
           it
           .
           And
           notwithstanding
           all
           our
           
             animosities
             ,
          
           if
           this
           hath
           not
           
             befallen
          
           us
           ,
           in
           our
           differences
           and
           divisions
           ;
           I
           no
           way
           doubt
           a
           peaceable
           composure
           ,
           and
           blessed
           issue
           of
           the
           whole
           .
           If
           
             Envy
          
           be
           not
           at
           work
           ,
           we
           shall
           have
           
             establishment
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           A
           second
           
             principle
             ,
          
           whereby
           they
           are
           put
           upon
           their
           
             enquiries
             ,
          
           is
           
             Feare
             .
          
           They
           
             feare
          
           them
           ,
           and
           therefore
           will
           
             know
          
           how
           things
           
             stand
          
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           what
           are
           the
           works
           of
           God
           amongst
           them
           .
           Hab.
           3.
           7.
           
           
             I
             saw
             the
             tents
             of
             Cushan
             in
             affliction
             ,
             and
             the
             curtains
             of
             the
             land
             of
             Midian
             did
             tremble
             ;
          
           I
           saw
           it
           ;
           when
           God
           was
           doing
           the
           great
           
             work
          
           described
           in
           that
           Chapter
           with
           many
           lofty
           allegoricall
           expressions
           ,
           of
           bringing
           his
           people
           out
           of
           
             bondage
             ,
          
           to
           settle
           them
           in
           a
           new
           
             state
          
           and
           condition
           ;
           the
           
             nations
          
           round
           about
           ,
           that
           looked
           on
           them
           ,
           were
           filled
           with
           
             affliction
             ,
          
           feare
           and
           trembling
           .
           They
           were
           afraid
           whither
           these
           things
           would
           grow
           .
           Psal.
           48
           ▪
           1
           ,
           2
           ,
           3
           ,
           4
           ,
           5
           ,
           6.
           
           
             Great
             is
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             greatly
             to
             be
             praised
             in
             the
             City
             of
             our
             God
             ,
             in
             the
             mountain
             of
             his
             holinesse
             ;
             Beautifull
             for
             situation
             ,
             the
             joy
             of
             the
             whole
             earth
             is
             mount
             Sion
             ,
             on
             the
             sides
             of
             the
             north
             ,
             the
             City
             of
             the
             great
             King
             ;
             God
             is
             known
             in
             her
             pallaces
             for
             a
             refuge
             .
             For
             lo
             ,
             the
             Kings
             were
             assembled
             ,
             they
             passed
             by
             together
             ;
             They
             saw
             it
             and
             so
             they
             marvelled
             ,
             they
             were
             troubled
             and
             so
             they
             hasted
             away
             ;
             For
             feare
             took
             hold
             upon
             them
             there
             ,
             and
             pain
             as
             of
             a
             woman
             in
             travail
             .
          
           The
           close
           of
           all
           the
           considerations
           of
           these
           Kings
           ,
           and
           their
           attendants
           ,
           is
           ,
           that
           
             feare
             took
             hold
             upon
             them
             .
          
           Feare
           is
           
             sollicitous
          
           and
           enquiring
           ;
           it
           
           will
           leave
           nothing
           unsearched
           ,
           unlooked
           into
           ,
           it
           would
           find
           the
           
             inside
          
           and
           bottome
           of
           every
           thing
           wherein
           it
           is
           
             concerned
             .
          
           Though
           the
           more
           it
           finds
           ,
           the
           more
           it
           is
           
             increased
             ,
          
           yet
           the
           
             greater
          
           still
           are
           its
           enquiries
           ;
           fearing
           more
           what
           it
           
             know's
             not
             ,
          
           then
           what
           it
           know's
           ,
           what
           is
           behind
           ,
           then
           what
           appear's
           .
           This
           put's
           the
           nations
           upon
           their
           inquiry
           ,
           they
           
             are
             afraid
          
           what
           these
           things
           will
           grow
           to
           .
           Psalm
           .
           126.
           2.
           
           
             Then
             was
             our
             mouth
             filled
             with
             laughter
             ,
             and
             our
             tongue
             with
             singing
             ,
             then
             said
             they
             among
             the
             heathen
             ,
             the
             Lord
             hath
             done
             great
             things
             for
             them
             :
          
           They
           are
           the
           words
           of
           men
           
             pondering
          
           their
           affaires
           ,
           and
           filled
           with
           
             feare
          
           at
           the
           
             issue
             :
          
           If
           God
           doe
           such
           things
           as
           
             these
          
           for
           them
           ,
           what
           think
           you
           will
           be
           the
           
             issue
             ?
          
           I
           dare
           say
           of
           the
           proudest
           adversaries
           of
           the
           people
           of
           God
           at
           this
           day
           ;
           notwithstanding
           all
           their
           anger
           they
           are
           more
           
             afraid
          
           then
           
             angry
             .
          
           The
           like
           also
           may
           be
           said
           concerning
           their
           
             wrath
             ,
             revenge
             ,
          
           and
           curiositie
           ,
           all
           pressing
           them
           to
           such
           
             Enquiries
             .
          
        
         
           This
           is
           the
           
             issue
          
           of
           this
           proposall
           .
           If
           we
           are
           not
           a
           
             separated
             people
          
           unto
           God
           ,
           if
           our
           
             portion
          
           be
           as
           the
           portion
           of
           the
           men
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           
             We
          
           are
           also
           as
           they
           ,
           reckoned
           among
           the
           
             nations
             ,
          
           if
           we
           have
           had
           only
           
             nationall
             works
             ,
          
           in
           the
           execution
           of
           wrath
           on
           men
           fitted
           thereunto
           amongst
           us
           ;
           woe
           unto
           us
           that
           we
           were
           ever
           
             engaged
          
           in
           the
           whole
           affaire
           that
           for
           some
           years
           we
           have
           been
           
             interested
          
           in
           .
           It
           will
           be
           
             bitternesse
          
           and
           disappointment
           in
           the
           latter
           end
           .
           If
           wee
           be
           the
           Lords
           peculiar
           Lot
           ,
           separate
           unto
           him
           ,
           
           the
           Nations
           about
           ,
           and
           many
           amongst
           our selves
           ,
           on
           the
           manifold
           
             accounts
          
           before
           mentioned
           ,
           will
           be
           enquiring
           into
           our
           state
           and
           
             condition
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             work
          
           of
           God
           amongst
           us
           .
           Let
           us
           consider
           what
           we
           shall
           
             answer
          
           them
           ,
           what
           we
           shall
           
             say
          
           unto
           them
           ,
           what
           is
           the
           account
           we
           give
           of
           Gods
           dealings
           with
           us
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           mighty
           works
           amongst
           us
           ?
           What
           is
           the
           profession
           we
           make
           ?
           If
           we
           seek
           our selves
           ,
           if
           we
           are
           full
           of
           
             complaints
          
           and
           
             repinings
          
           one
           against
           another
           :
           If
           every
           one
           hath
           his
           own
           
             aimes
             ,
          
           his
           own
           
             designes
             ,
          
           (
           for
           what
           we
           
             doe
             ,
          
           not
           what
           we
           
             say
          
           is
           the
           Answer
           we
           make
           )
           if
           we
           measure
           the
           work
           of
           God
           by
           its
           
             suitablenesse
          
           to
           our
           private
           interests
           ;
           If
           this
           be
           the
           issue
           of
           all
           the
           dealings
           of
           God
           amongst
           us
           ,
           we
           shall
           not
           have
           
             wherein
             to
             rejoyce
             :
          
           but
           of
           these
           things
           afterwards
           ,
           The
           second
           Proposition
           is
        
         
           Ob.
           2.
           
           The
           issue
           of
           Gods
           dealing
           with
           ,
           and
           dispensations
           among
           his
           people
           ,
           shall
           be
           so
           perspicuous
           and
           glorious
           ,
           that
           one
           ,
           any
           one
           ,
           every
           one
           ,
           shall
           be
           able
           to
           give
           an
           answer
           to
           them
           that
           make
           enquiries
           about
           them
           .
           
             What
             shall
          
           one
           
             then
             say
             ;
             whether
             it
             be
             for
          
           judgement
           ,
           
             or
          
           mercy
           ,
           
             all
             is
             one
             :
             He
             will
             make
             the
             event
             to
             be
             evident
             and
             glorious
             .
             He
             is
             our
          
           Rock
           and
           his
           work
           is
           perfect
           ;
           
             and
             he
             will
             have
             his
             works
             so
          
           known
           ,
           
             as
             that
             they
             may
             all
          
           praise
           
             him
             .
             Be
             it
             in
          
           judgement
           ;
           
             see
             what
          
           issue
           
             he
             will
             bring
             his
             work
             unto
             .
             Deut.
          
           29.
           24
           ,
           25.
           
           Even
           all
           nations
           shall
           say
           ,
           wherefore
           hath
           the
           Lord
           done
           thus
           unto
           this
           Land
           ?
           What
           meaneth
           the
           heat
           of
           this
           great
           anger
           ;
           Then
           men
           
           shall
           say
           ,
           because
           they
           have
           forsaken
           the
           covenant
           of
           the
           Lord
           God
           of
           their
           Fathers
           ,
           which
           he
           made
           with
           them
           ,
           when
           be
           brought
           them
           forth
           out
           of
           the
           land
           of
           Egypt
           .
           
             MEN
             shall
             say
             ,
             ordinary
          
           men
           
             shall
             be
             able
             to
             give
             this
          
           sad
           account
           
             of
             the
             Reason
             of
             the
             works
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             his
             dealings
             with
             his
             people
             .
             So
             also
             as
             to
             his
             dispensations
             in
          
           mercy
           .
           
             Isaiah
             .
          
           26.
           11.
           
           Lord
           when
           thy
           hand
           is
           lifted
           up
           ,
           they
           will
           not
           see
           :
           but
           they
           shall
           see
           ,
           and
           be
           ashamed
           for
           their
           envy
           at
           the
           people
           ,
           yea
           ,
           the
           fier
           of
           thine
           enemies
           shall
           devour
           them
           .
           
             He
             will
             not
             leave
             the
             work
             of
             his
          
           favour
           
             towards
             his
             people
             ,
             untill
             those
             who
             are
             willing
             to
             shut
          
           their
           eyes
           against
           it
           ,
           
             doe
          
           see
           
             and
             acknowledge
             his
             hand
             and
             councell
             therein
             .
          
        
         
           I
           do
           not
           say
           this
           will
           hold
           in
           every
           
             dispensation
          
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           all
           seasons
           ,
           from
           the
           
             beginning
          
           to
           the
           
             ending
          
           of
           them
           .
           In
           many
           works
           of
           his
           power
           and
           righteousnesse
           ,
           he
           will
           have
           us
           bow
           our
           
             souls
          
           to
           the
           
             Law
          
           of
           his
           providence
           ,
           and
           his
           
             Soveraignty
             ,
          
           Wisdome
           ,
           and
           goodnesse
           therein
           when
           his
           
             footsteps
          
           are
           in
           the
           
             deep
             ,
          
           and
           his
           pathes
           are
           not
           known
           ;
           which
           is
           the
           reasonablest
           thing
           in
           the
           world
           .
        
         
           But
           this
           
             generally
          
           is
           the
           
             way
          
           of
           his
           proceedings
           ;
           especially
           in
           the
           
             common
             concernments
          
           of
           his
           people
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           disposall
           of
           their
           publick
           interests
           ;
           his
           Work
           his
           Will
           and
           Councells
           therein
           shall
           be
           
             eminent
          
           and
           glorious
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           chiefly
           from
           our
           
             selves
             ,
          
           and
           our
           own
           
             follies
          
           that
           we
           come
           short
           of
           such
           an
           acquaintance
           with
           the
           works
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           able
           to
           
           give
           an
           
             Answer
          
           to
           every
           one
           that
           shall
           demand
           an
           account
           of
           them
           .
           When
           
             David
          
           was
           staggar'd
           at
           the
           works
           of
           God
           ,
           he
           gives
           this
           reason
           of
           it
           ,
           
             I
             was
             foolish
             and
             as
             a
             beast
             before
             him
             .
          
           Psal.
           73.
           22.
           
           That
           thoughtfulnesse
           and
           
             wisdome
          
           which
           keeps
           us
           in
           darknesse
           ,
           is
           our
           
             folly
             .
          
        
         
           There
           are
           sundry
           
             things
          
           that
           are
           apt
           to
           cloud
           our
           apprehensions
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           
             mind
          
           of
           God
           in
           his
           dealing
           with
           his
           people
           .
           As
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           
             Selfefulnesse
          
           of
           our
           own
           private
           
             Apprehensions
          
           and
           designes
           ;
           a
           private
           
             designe
          
           and
           aime
           ,
           in
           the
           works
           of
           providence
           ,
           is
           like
           a
           private
           
             by-opinion
          
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           .
        
         
           You
           seldome
           see
           a
           man
           take
           up
           a
           
             by-opinion
             ,
          
           (
           if
           I
           may
           so
           speake
           )
           but
           he
           instantly
           layes
           more
           
             waight
          
           upon
           it
           ,
           then
           upon
           all
           Religion
           besides
           .
           If
           that
           be
           not
           
             enthroned
             ,
          
           be
           it
           a
           matter
           of
           never
           so
           
             small
          
           importance
           ,
           he
           scarce
           cares
           what
           becomes
           of
           all
           other
           
             Truths
          
           which
           he
           doth
           imbrace
           .
           When
           men
           have
           fixt
           to
           themselves
           ,
           that
           
             this
             ,
          
           or
           
             that
          
           particular
           ,
           must
           be
           the
           product
           of
           Gods
           providentiall
           dispensations
           ,
           That
           alone
           fills
           their
           
             aimes
          
           and
           desires
           ,
           and
           leaves
           no
           room
           for
           any
           other
           Apprehension
           .
           Have
           we
           not
           seen
           persons
           in
           the
           days
           wherein
           we
           live
           ,
           so
           fixed
           on
           a
           
             Raigne
             ,
          
           a
           
             Kingdome
             ,
          
           I
           know
           not
           what
           ,
           that
           they
           would
           scarce
           allow
           
             God
             himselfe
             to
             be
             wise
             ,
          
           if
           their
           minds
           were
           not
           satisfied
           .
           
             Give
             me
             this
             Child
             or
             I
             dye
             .
          
           Now
           is
           it
           probable
           ,
           that
           when
           mens
           whole
           Soules
           ,
           are
           possessed
           with
           a
           
             designe
          
           and
           desire
           of
           their
           own
           ,
           so
           fully
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           cast
           into
           the
           
             mould
          
           of
           it
           ,
           are
           transformed
           into
           
           the
           image
           and
           likenesse
           of
           it
           ,
           they
           can
           
             see
             ,
             heare
             ,
          
           think
           ,
           talk
           ,
           dreame
           nothing
           else
           ;
           That
           they
           shall
           be
           able
           to
           discerne
           
             aright
             ,
          
           and
           acquiesse
           in
           the
           generall
           issue
           of
           Gods
           dispensations
           ,
           or
           be
           able
           to
           
             answer
          
           the
           
             Messengers
          
           of
           the
           Nations
           ,
           making
           enquiry
           concerning
           them
           .
           
             Feare
             ,
             hope
             ,
             wrath
             ,
             anger
             ,
          
           discontentment
           ,
           with
           a
           rabble
           of
           the
           like
           mind-darkning
           affections
           ,
           are
           the
           attendants
           of
           such
           a
           frame
           .
           He
           who
           knows
           any
           thing
           of
           the
           power
           of
           
             prejudices
          
           in
           diverting
           the
           minds
           of
           men
           ,
           from
           passing
           a
           right
           
             judgement
          
           on
           things
           proposed
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           the
           efficacy
           of
           disordered
           
             affections
             ,
          
           for
           the
           creating
           and
           confirming
           of
           such
           prejudices
           ;
           will
           discern
           the
           power
           of
           thus
           
             darkning
          
           disturbance
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Private
           
             Enmities
             ,
          
           private
           
             disapointments
             ,
          
           Private
           
             prejudices
             ,
          
           are
           things
           of
           the
           same
           consideration
           ;
           Let
           a
           man
           of
           
             a
             free
          
           and
           large
           
             heart
          
           and
           Spirit
           ,
           abstract
           his
           thoughts
           from
           the
           
             differences
          
           that
           are
           among
           the
           people
           of
           God
           in
           this
           Nation
           ,
           and
           keep
           himselfe
           from
           an
           
             engagement
          
           into
           any
           particular
           designe
           and
           desire
           :
           it
           is
           almost
           impossible
           that
           he
           should
           winke
           so
           hard
           ,
           but
           that
           the
           
             issue
          
           and
           Reason
           of
           Gods
           dealing
           with
           us
           ,
           will
           shine
           in
           upon
           his
           understanding
           ;
           so
           that
           he
           shall
           be
           able
           to
           give
           an
           
             account
          
           of
           them
           ,
           to
           them
           that
           shall
           make
           enquiry
           .
           Will
           he
           not
           be
           able
           to
           say
           to
           the
           Messengers
           of
           the
           Nations
           ;
           &
           all
           other
           observers
           of
           the
           providentiall
           alterations
           of
           the
           
             late
          
           times
           that
           have
           
             passed
          
           over
           us
           :
           the
           people
           of
           God
           in
           this
           Nation
           were
           
             despised
             ,
          
           but
           are
           now
           in
           esteeme
           ;
           
           they
           were
           under
           subjection
           to
           cruell
           taske-Masters
           ,
           some
           in
           
             prisons
             ,
          
           some
           
             banish'd
          
           to
           the
           ends
           of
           the
           earth
           ,
           meerly
           on
           the
           accont
           of
           the
           
             worship
          
           of
           their
           God
           ;
           the
           consciences
           of
           all
           enthrall'd
           ,
           and
           of
           many
           defiled
           and
           broken
           on
           the
           scandalls
           laid
           before
           them
           ,
           whilest
           
             iniqui●y
             and
             superstition
          
           were
           established
           by
           Law
           .
           But
           this
           is
           that
           which
           God
           hath
           now
           
             done
          
           &
           accomplish'd
           :
           the
           
             imprisoned
          
           are
           at
           Liberty
           ,
           the
           
             banish'd
          
           are
           recalled
           ,
           they
           that
           have
           
             lyen
          
           among
           the
           
             Pots
          
           have
           got
           doves
           whings
           ,
           Conscience
           is
           no
           more
           enthralled
           ,
           their
           sacrifices
           are
           not
           mixed
           with
           their
           blood
           ,
           nor
           do
           they
           meet
           with
           
             trembling
          
           in
           the
           worship
           of
           God
           .
           O
           ye
           
             messengers
          
           of
           the
           nation
           this
           is
           that
           which
           the
           Lord
           hath
           done
           !
           Who
           (
           J
           say
           )
           not
           
             intangled
          
           with
           one
           
             prejudicate
          
           ingagement
           or
           other
           ,
           may
           not
           se
           this
           with
           halfe
           an
           eye
           ?
           But
           such
           is
           our
           
             state
          
           and
           condition
           ,
           such
           our
           
             frame
          
           and
           temper
           ,
           so
           full
           are
           we
           of
           our
           owne
           
             desires
             ,
          
           and
           so
           perplexed
           with
           our
           owne
           
             disapointments
             ,
          
           that
           we
           can
           
             see
          
           nothing
           ,
           know
           nothing
           nor
           are
           able
           to
           give
           any
           word
           of
           accont
           ,
           that
           may
           tend
           to
           the
           Glory
           of
           our
           God
           ,
           to
           them
           that
           enquire
           of
           us
           ;
           But
           every
           one
           vents
           his
           owne
           
             discontentments
             ,
          
           his
           owne
           fears
           ,
           his
           owne
           perplexities
           .
           The
           Lord
           looke
           down
           in
           mercy
           ,
           and
           let
           us
           not
           be
           found
           dis●isers
           of
           the
           work
           of
           his
           power
           and
           goodness
           .
           Ah!
           how
           many
           glorious
           Appearances
           have
           I
           
             seen
             ,
          
           of
           which
           I
           said
           under
           the
           
             shadow
             hereof
             ,
             shall
             we
             live
             among
             the
             heathen
             ?
          
           but
           in
           a
           short
           space
           they
           have
           passed
           away
           .
           Shall
           we
           therfore
           
           chuse
           us
           a
           
             Captain
             ,
          
           &
           goe
           down
           again
           into
           
             Egypt
             ?
          
           The
           Third
           proposition
           ensues
           .
        
         
           The
           great
           design
           of
           God
           in
           his
           mighty
           works
           and
           dispensations
           ,
           
           is
           the
           establishment
           of
           his
           people
           and
           their
           proper
           interest
           ,
           in
           their
           severall
           generations
           .
        
         
           To
           make
           this
           
             clear
             ,
          
           some
           few
           things
           are
           previously
           to
           be
           considered
           ,
           as
           :
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           
             proper
             interest
          
           of
           the
           people
           of
           God
           ,
           is
           to
           
             glorify
          
           him
           in
           their
           severall
           
             places
             ,
          
           stations
           and
           Generations
           ;
           none
           of
           us
           are
           to
           
             live
          
           unto
           our selves
           .
           It
           is
           for
           this
           
             end
          
           that
           God
           hath
           taken
           a
           
             peculiar
             people
          
           to
           himselfe
           in
           this
           world
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           be
           
             glorified
          
           by
           them
           ,
           that
           his
           name
           may
           be
           borne
           forth
           by
           them
           ,
           and
           upon
           them
           .
           This
           is
           the
           great
           end
           whereunto
           they
           are
           
             designed
             ,
          
           and
           that
           which
           they
           ought
           to
           aime
           at
           only
           ,
           even
           to
           
             glorify
          
           God
           .
        
         
           If
           this
           be
           not
           
             done
             ,
          
           they
           fall
           of
           from
           ,
           and
           are
           
             besides
          
           their
           proper
           interest
           .
           Besides
           innumerable
           
             Testimonies
          
           to
           this
           purpose
           I
           might
           give
           
             evidence
          
           to
           this
           Assertion
           ,
           from
           Gods
           
             Eternall
             electing
             love
          
           towards
           them
           ,
           with
           his
           intendment
           therin
           ;
           from
           their
           
             Redemption
          
           out
           of
           every
           
             Kindred
             ,
             tribe
             and
             family
          
           under
           heaven
           ,
           by
           the
           blood
           of
           Christ
           ,
           from
           their
           
             separation
          
           from
           the
           world
           by
           their
           effectuall
           calling
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           considerations
           ;
           But
           I
           have
           the
           
             consenting
             voice
          
           of
           them
           all
           in
           
             generall
             ,
          
           and
           of
           every
           individuall
           in
           particular
           ,
           crying
           out
           ,
           this
           is
           
             our
             ,
          
           this
           is
           
             my
             proper
          
           interest
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           
             glorify
          
           God
           ;
           faile
           we
           ,
           and
           come
           short
           in
           this
           ,
           we
           come
           short
           ,
           
           and
           
             faile
          
           in
           the
           
             whole
             :
          
           so
           that
           I
           shall
           not
           need
           further
           to
           confirme
           it
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           God
           is
           the
           only
           proper
           and
           
             infallible
             judge
          
           in
           what
           
             state
          
           and
           condition
           his
           people
           will
           
             best
             ,
          
           and
           most
           
             glorify
          
           his
           name
           ,
           in
           their
           severall
           generations
           .
           I
           thinke
           I
           need
           not
           insist
           on
           the
           proof
           of
           this
           Assertion
           ;
           
             should
             it
             be
             according
             to
             thy
             mind
             ,
          
           saith
           he
           in
           Job
           .
           
             Cap.
          
           33.
           34.
           or
           according
           to
           the
           minde
           of
           God
           ?
           should
           the
           disposall
           of
           things
           be
           according
           to
           his
           
             will
             ,
          
           or
           ours
           ?
           whose
           End
           is
           to
           be
           obtain'd
           in
           the
           issue
           of
           all
           ?
           is
           it
           not
           his
           Glory
           ?
           who
           hath
           the
           most
           wisedome
           to
           order
           things
           aright
           ,
           he
           or
           we
           ?
           who
           hath
           the
           chiefest
           
             interest
          
           in
           ,
           &
           
             right
          
           unto
           the
           things
           contended
           about
           ?
           who
           sees
           what
           will
           be
           the
           event
           of
           all
           things
           ,
           hee
           or
           we
           ?
           might
           men
           be
           judges
           would
           they
           not
           universally
           
             practically
          
           conclude
           ,
           that
           the
           Condition
           wherin
           they
           might
           best
           
             glorify
          
           God
           would
           be
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           have
           
             peace
          
           and
           rest
           from
           their
           
             Enemies
             ,
          
           union
           and
           a
           good
           understanding
           among
           themselves
           :
           that
           they
           might
           dwell
           peaceably
           in
           the
           
             world
             ,
          
           without
           controll
           ,
           and
           have
           the
           necks
           of
           their
           Adversary's
           under
           their
           feet
           .
           This
           in
           
             generall
             .
          
           In
           
             particular
             :
          
           that
           
             this
             ,
          
           or
           that
           
             perswasion
          
           that
           they
           are
           peculiarly
           ingaged
           in
           ,
           might
           be
           always
           
             enthron'd
             ,
          
           that
           their
           proper
           
             sheafe
          
           might
           stand
           upright
           &
           all
           others
           bow
           thereunto
           ,
           and
           that
           nothing
           is
           contrary
           to
           the
           
             Glory
             of
          
           God
           ,
           but
           what
           
             disturbs
          
           this
           Condition
           of
           affaires
           .
           I
           know
           not
           what
           may
           be
           accomplished
           
           before
           the
           
             End
          
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           from
           the
           
             beginning
          
           of
           it
           hitherto
           for
           the
           most
           part
           the
           thoughts
           of
           God
           ,
           have
           not
           bin
           as
           
             these
             thoughts
          
           of
           ours
           :
           He
           hath
           judged
           otherwise
           as
           to
           the
           condition
           wherein
           his
           people
           should
           
             glorify
          
           him
           .
           God
           is
           
             judge
          
           himselfe
           ,
           Let
           us
           I
           pray
           you
           leave
           the
           determination
           of
           this
           difference
           to
           him
           ;
           and
           if
           it
           be
           so
           ,
           as
           to
           our
           
             generall
          
           condition
           ,
           much
           more
           is
           it
           so
           ,
           as
           to
           our
           peculiar
           
             designes
          
           and
           aimes
           ,
           wherein
           we
           are
           divided
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           
             Providentiall
             dispensations
          
           are
           discoveries
           of
           the
           wisdome
           of
           God
           in
           disposing
           of
           the
           condition
           of
           his
           people
           soas
           ,
           they
           may
           best
           glorify
           him
           .
           To
           dispute
           against
           the
           condition
           wherin
           at
           any
           time
           we
           are
           cast
           by
           his
           
             providence
             ,
          
           is
           to
           rise
           up
           against
           his
           
             wisdome
          
           in
           disposing
           of
           things
           to
           his
           own
           Glory
           .
        
         
           These
           things
           being
           premis'd
           ,
           it
           is
           easy
           to
           give
           light
           and
           evidence
           to
           the
           Assertion
           laid
           down
           .
        
         
           I
           might
           goe
           through
           the
           
             story
             's
          
           of
           Gods
           dealings
           with
           the
           
             Nations
          
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           his
           own
           people
           amongst
           them
           ,
           and
           manifest
           in
           each
           particular
           ,
           that
           still
           His
           design
           was
           ,
           the
           establishment
           of
           his
           peoples
           
             proper
             interest
             .
          
           But
           instead
           of
           instances
           take
           two
           or
           three
           Testimonies
           that
           occure
           .
           Deut.
           32.
           8.
           
           
             When
             the
             most
             high
             divided
             to
             the
             Nations
             their
             inheritance
             ,
             when
             he
             separated
             the
             Sons
             of
          
           Adam
           ,
           
             he
             set
             the
             bounds
             of
             the
             people
             according
             to
             the
             number
             of
             the
             children
             of
             Israell
             .
          
           From
           the
           
             begining
          
           God
           hath
           so
           order'd
           all
           the
           
             Nations
          
           of
           the
           world
           that
           they
           
           may
           beare
           a
           
             proportion
          
           to
           what
           he
           hath
           to
           doe
           with
           his
           people
           ;
           that
           he
           may
           so
           order
           and
           dispose
           of
           them
           ,
           as
           that
           his
           design
           towards
           
             his
             own
          
           may
           be
           accomplished
           .
           Amos.
           9.
           9.
           
           
             For
             lo
             I
             will
             command
             and
             will
             fift
             the
             house
             of
             Israel
             among
             all
             Nations
             like
             as
             corne
             is
             sifted
             in
             a
             sive
             ,
             yet
             shall
             not
             the
             least
             grain
             fall
             upon
             the
             earth
             ;
          
           All
           the
           
             stir
             's
          
           and
           commotions
           that
           are
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           are
           but
           Gods
           siftings
           of
           the
           Nations
           ,
           that
           his
           chosen
           ones
           may
           be
           
             fitted
          
           for
           himselfe
           ,
           and
           not
           lost
           in
           the
           
             chaffe
             ,
          
           and
           rubbish
           .
        
         
           
             Heb.
          
           12.
           26
           ,
           27.
           
           Whose
           voice
           then
           shook
           the
           earth
           ,
           but
           now
           he
           hath
           promised
           saying
           ,
           yet
           once
           more
           I
           shake
           not
           the
           earth
           only
           ,
           but
           also
           heaven
           ;
           And
           this
           word
           ,
           yet
           once
           more
           ,
           signifieth
           the
           removing
           of
           those
           things
           that
           are
           shaken
           ,
           as
           of
           things
           that
           are
           made
           ,
           that
           those
           things
           which
           cannot
           be
           shaken
           may
           remain
           :
           
             All
             the
          
           shakings
           
             of
             the
             Nations
             are
             ,
             that
             the
          
           unshaken
           interest
           
             of
             the
             Saints
             may
             be
             established
             :
          
           Isai.
           51.
           15
           ,
           16.
           
           
             But
             I
             am
          
           the
           Lord
           thy
           God
           that
           divided
           the
           sea
           whose
           waves
           roared
           ,
           the
           Lord
           of
           hosts
           is
           his
           name
           .
           And
           I
           have
           put
           my
           words
           in
           thy
           mouth
           ,
           and
           have
           covered
           thee
           in
           the
           shaddow
           of
           mine
           hand
           ,
           that
           I
           may
           plant
           the
           heavens
           ,
           and
           lay
           the
           foundations
           of
           the
           earth
           ,
           and
           say
           unto
           
             Zion
          
           thou
           art
           my
           people
           .
           
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             earth
             ,
             and
             all
             things
             therin
             ,
             are
             disposed
             of
             ,
             that
          
           Sion
           
             may
             be
             built
             and
             established
             .
             All
             Gods
             works
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             lye
             in
             a
          
           subserviency
           
             to
             this
             end
             and
             purpose
             .
          
        
         
           Doth
           God
           at
           any
           time
           
             prosper
          
           an
           evill
           or
           a
           wicked
           
             Nation
             ?
          
           an
           
             Anti-christian
          
           Nation
           ?
           is
           it
           
           for
           their
           
             owne
          
           sakes
           ?
           doth
           God
           take
           care
           for
           
             Oxen
             ?
          
           hath
           he
           delight
           in
           the
           prosperity
           of
           his
           Enemies
           ?
           No
           :
           it
           is
           only
           that
           they
           may
           be
           a
           
             Rod
          
           in
           his
           
             hand
          
           for
           a
           litle
           moment
           ,
           and
           
             a
             staff
             for
             his
             indignation
          
           against
           the
           miscariages
           of
           his
           people
           .
           Isai.
           10.
           5
           ,
           12.
           
           
             O
             Assyrian
             ,
             the
             rod
             of
             mine
             anger
             ,
             &
             the
             staff
             in
             their
             hand
             is
             mine
             indignation
             .
          
           This
           in
           such
           a
           
             season
          
           is
           their
           proper
           interest
           ,
           to
           glorify
           God
           in
           distresse
           .
           Doth
           he
           
             breake
             ,
          
           ruine
           and
           destroy
           them
           ,
           as
           
             sooner
          
           or
           latter
           he
           will
           leave
           them
           ,
           neither
           
             roote
          
           nor
           
             branch
             ?
          
           all
           that
           he
           doth
           to
           them
           ,
           is
           a
           
             Recompence
             for
             the
             controversy
             of
             Sion
             .
          
           Isai.
           34.
           9.
           for
           it
           is
           the
           day
           
             of
             the
             Lords
             vengeance
             ,
             and
             the
             yeare
             of
             recompences
             for
             the
             controversy
             of
          
           Sion
           .
        
         
           We
           see
           not
           perhaps
           at
           this
           day
           ,
           wherein
           the
           
             concernments
          
           of
           the
           remnant
           of
           Gods
           people
           doth
           lye
           ,
           in
           the
           great
           
             concussions
          
           of
           the
           Nations
           in
           the
           World
           ;
           we
           know
           not
           what
           designe
           in
           reference
           to
           them
           ,
           may
           lye
           therein
           :
           Alas
           !
           we
           are
           poore
           
             short
             sighted
          
           creatures
           ,
           we
           know
           nothing
           that
           is
           before
           us
           ,
           much
           lesse
           can
           we
           make
           a
           
             judgment
          
           of
           the
           work
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           the
           
             darknesse
          
           and
           confusion
           ,
           that
           is
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           untill
           he
           hath
           brought
           it
           to
           perfection
           .
           All
           
             lyes
          
           open
           and
           naked
           to
           his
           
             Eye
             ;
          
           and
           the
           beauty
           of
           all
           his
           works
           will
           one
           day
           appeare
           .
           The
           true
           and
           proper
           
             interest
          
           of
           his
           people
           ,
           so
           as
           they
           may
           best
           
             glorify
          
           him
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           is
           that
           ,
           which
           he
           is
           
             pursueing
          
           in
           all
           these
           dispensations
           .
        
         
         
           The
           
             Grounds
             ,
             Reasons
             ,
          
           and
           foundations
           of
           this
           Truth
           ,
           in
           the
           Counsell
           ,
           from
           the
           Love
           ,
           and
           Attributes
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           Redemption
           in
           the
           blood
           of
           
             Jesus
             ,
          
           I
           must
           not
           now
           pursue
           ,
           this
           one
           thing
           I
           shall
           only
           offer
           .
        
         
           The
           
             state
          
           of
           
             Sion
             ,
          
           of
           the
           people
           of
           God
           ,
           being
           much
           to
           depend
           upon
           the
           
             disposalls
          
           of
           them
           ,
           whom
           God
           by
           his
           providence
           raiseth
           up
           to
           rule
           and
           Government
           among
           the
           
             Nations
             ;
          
           though
           sometimes
           he
           sets
           up
           
             men
             ,
          
           whose
           hearts
           and
           minds
           are
           
             upright
          
           with
           himselfe
           ,
           yet
           he
           will
           not
           trust
           his
           owne
           to
           their
           mercy
           ,
           and
           the
           variablenesse
           of
           their
           Wills
           in
           generall
           :
           But
           will
           so
           
             dispose
             ,
             alter
             ,
          
           weaken
           and
           strengthen
           them
           ,
           so
           set
           them
           up
           ,
           and
           pull
           down
           ,
           that
           it
           shall
           be
           their
           
             interest
             ,
          
           to
           which
           they
           will
           alwaies
           abide
           
             faithfull
             ,
          
           so
           to
           deale
           with
           his
           people
           ,
           as
           he
           will
           have
           them
           dealt
           with
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           best
           
             glorify
          
           him
           in
           their
           generations
           .
        
         
           If
           it
           be
           in
           the
           
             infinite
          
           wise
           counsell
           of
           God
           ,
           to
           give
           his
           Saints
           in
           this
           
             nation
          
           peace
           and
           tranquility
           ,
           they
           shall
           not
           have
           it
           
             precariously
          
           upon
           the
           wills
           of
           men
           ;
           For
           he
           will
           not
           leave
           
             moulding
          
           and
           disposing
           of
           the
           affaires
           of
           the
           
             nation
             ,
          
           untill
           it
           find
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           its
           
             proper
             interest
          
           to
           
             give
             ,
          
           and
           measure
           out
           unto
           them
           ,
           what
           is
           to
           the
           mind
           of
           God
           .
           All
           that
           hath
           been
           done
           amongst
           us
           ,
           all
           that
           we
           are
           in
           expectation
           of
           ,
           turnes
           on
           this
           
             hinge
          
           alone
           .
           But
           lastly
           ,
        
         
           Ob.
           4.
           
           It
           is
           the
           duty
           of
           Gods
           preserved
           remnant
           ,
           laying
           aside
           all
           other
           aimes
           and
           contrivances
           ,
           to
           betake
           themselves
           to
           the
           work
           of
           God
           ,
           founding
           
           Sion
           ,
           and
           preserving
           the
           common
           interest
           of
           his
           people
           .
        
         
           God
           hath
           founded
           Sion
           ,
           and
           the
           poore
           of
           the
           people
           shall
           trust
           therein
           ,
           or
           betake
           themselves
           unto
           it
           .
        
         
           We
           are
           apt
           to
           
             wander
          
           on
           hills
           and
           mountains
           ,
           every
           one
           walking
           in
           the
           imagination
           of
           his
           own
           heart
           ,
           forgetting
           our
           
             resting
             place
             .
          
        
         
           When
           God
           was
           bringing
           the
           power
           of
           the
           
             Babylonian
          
           upon
           his
           people
           ,
           the
           Prophet
           
             Jeremiah
          
           could
           neither
           perswade
           the
           whole
           nation
           to
           submit
           to
           his
           
             Goverment
             ,
          
           nor
           many
           
             individualls
          
           among
           them
           ,
           to
           fall
           to
           him
           in
           
             particular
             .
          
           And
           when
           the
           time
           of
           their
           
             deliverance
          
           from
           that
           
             Captivity
          
           was
           accomplished
           ,
           how
           hardly
           were
           they
           perswaded
           to
           imbrace
           the
           Liberty
           tendered
           ;
           notwithstanding
           all
           
             incouragements
          
           and
           advantages
           ,
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           them
           abide
           in
           that
           place
           of
           their
           
             bondage
          
           to
           this
           day
           .
           So
           hardly
           are
           we
           brought
           to
           close
           with
           Gods
           
             peculiar
             work
             ,
          
           and
           our
           own
           
             proper
             interest
             ,
          
           although
           his
           
             glory
             ,
          
           and
           our
           own
           
             safety
          
           lye
           therein
           .
           The
           Reasons
           of
           this
           
             frame
             ,
          
           I
           have
           in
           part
           touched
           before
           ,
           I
           shall
           adde
           but
           
             two
          
           more
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           
             Discontentment
          
           with
           our
           peculiar
           lot
           and
           portion
           ,
           in
           the
           work
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           
             common
             interest
          
           of
           his
           people
           .
           It
           is
           with
           us
           ,
           in
           our
           
             civile
          
           affaires
           ,
           as
           the
           Apostle
           saith
           it
           is
           
             not
          
           in
           the
           
             naturall
          
           body
           ,
           nor
           ought
           to
           be
           in
           the
           
             spirituall
             ,
          
           or
           Church
           body
           :
           The
           
             foot
          
           doth
           not
           say
           ,
           because
           I
           am
           not
           the
           
             head
             ,
          
           I
           am
           not
           of
           the
           body
           ;
           no
           ,
           it
           doth
           not
           ;
           but
           is
           content
           with
           its
           own
           
           
             place
          
           and
           usefulnesse
           .
           It
           is
           so
           with
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           members
           that
           are
           more
           
             noble
             ,
          
           and
           yet
           are
           not
           the
           head
           neither
           .
           It
           is
           otherwise
           with
           us
           :
           I
           enterpose
           not
           my
           thoughts
           ,
           as
           to
           your
           present
           constitution
           ,
           and
           the
           order
           of
           things
           amongst
           us
           .
           I
           speak
           no
           more
           then
           I
           have
           sundry
           years
           since
           ,
           sundry
           times
           complained
           of
           ,
           to
           a
           
             Parliament
          
           of
           this
           
             Common-wealth
             .
          
           Every
           
             one
             ,
          
           if
           not
           
             personally
             ,
          
           yet
           in
           Association
           with
           them
           ,
           of
           some
           
             peculiar
             perswasion
          
           with
           himselfe
           ,
           would
           be
           the
           
             head
             ;
          
           and
           because
           they
           are
           not
           ,
           they
           conclude
           they
           are
           not
           of
           the
           
             body
             ,
          
           nor
           will
           care
           for
           the
           
             body
             ,
          
           but
           rather
           endeavour
           its
           ruine
           .
           Because
           their
           
             peculiar
             interest
          
           doth
           not
           raigne
           ,
           the
           
             common
             interest
          
           shall
           be
           despised
           ;
           and
           this
           hath
           been
           the
           
             temper
          
           or
           rather
           
             distemper
             ,
          
           of
           the
           people
           of
           God
           in
           this
           Nation
           now
           for
           sundry
           years
           ;
           and
           what
           it
           may
           yet
           produce
           I
           know
           not
           .
           Only
           for
           the
           present
           the
           work
           of
           God
           in
           
             founding
             Sion
             ,
          
           in
           purseuing
           his
           peoples
           
             common
             interest
             ,
          
           is
           despised
           ,
           thought
           light
           of
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           pleasant
           things
           thereof
           trodden
           under
           foot
           .
           Unlesse
           God
           end
           this
           
             frame
             ,
          
           my
           expectations
           ,
           I
           confesse
           ,
           of
           an
           happy
           issue
           of
           the
           great
           work
           of
           God
           amongst
           us
           ,
           will
           wither
           day
           by
           day
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           suffering
           of
           our
           
             Wills
          
           and
           
             Judgements
             ,
          
           as
           to
           the
           products
           of
           providence
           ,
           to
           run
           before
           the
           Will
           of
           God
           .
           This
           ,
           the
           Experience
           of
           these
           daies
           hath
           taught
           us
           .
           Those
           who
           have
           a
           forwardnesse
           in
           prescribing
           to
           
             God
          
           what
           he
           should
           doe
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           
             modus
             ,
          
           or
           manner
           of
           the
           
           work
           ,
           which
           at
           any
           time
           he
           hath
           to
           accomplish
           ,
           Are
           stubbornly
           
             backward
             ,
          
           in
           closing
           with
           what
           he
           doth
           actually
           produce
           .
           These
           and
           the
           like
           things
           ,
           which
           might
           be
           in
           large
           
             Catalogues
          
           reckoned
           up
           ,
           one
           after
           another
           ,
           detain
           the
           minds
           of
           men
           ,
           from
           acquiescing
           in
           the
           common
           
             interest
             of
             Sion
             ,
          
           whose
           preservation
           is
           the
           whole
           peculiar
           designe
           of
           the
           
             great
             worke
          
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           any
           place
           or
           season
           .
           These
           
             foundations
          
           being
           laid
           in
           the
           words
           of
           the
           
             Text
             ,
          
           let
           us
           now
           see
           what
           inferences
           from
           them
           may
           be
           made
           ,
           for
           our
           advantage
           and
           instruction
           .
        
         
           
             Vs
             .
          
           1.
           
           Let
           us
           then
           consider
           diligently
           what
           we
           shall
           
             answere
          
           the
           
             Messengers
             of
             the
             Nations
             ;
          
           some
           thinke
           that
           by
           the
           
             Nation
             ,
          
           is
           peculiarly
           intended
           the
           
             Nation
          
           of
           the
           
             Jewes
          
           themselves
           ,
           Whose
           messengers
           from
           all
           parts
           came
           to
           
             Jerusalem
          
           to
           
             enquire
          
           of
           the
           work
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           advise
           about
           the
           
             Affaires
          
           of
           the
           whole
           .
           In
           this
           fense
           
             you
          
           are
           the
           
             Messengers
          
           of
           this
           
             Nation
             ,
          
           to
           whome
           an
           Answer
           is
           to
           be
           returned
           :
           and
           because
           the
           Text
           saith
           ,
           ONE
           shall
           doe
           it
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           
             anyone
             ,
          
           I
           shall
           make
           bold
           before
           we
           close
           ,
           to
           give
           an
           Answer
           to
           your
           Enquirys
           ;
           and
           indeavour
           to
           satisfy
           your
           Expectations
           :
           In
           the
           mean
           time
           as
           the
           words
           seem
           more
           directly
           to
           respect
           the
           
             enquiries
          
           of
           other
           
             Nations
             :
          
           So
           it
           is
           in
           a
           speciall
           manner
           incumbent
           on
           you
           ,
           who
           will
           be
           especially
           enquir'd
           of
           ,
           to
           return
           an
           
             Answer
          
           to
           them
           .
           Be
           provided
           then
           I
           pray
           in
           your
           own
           hearts
           ,
           to
           give
           an
           Answer
           in
           this
           buisiness
           ;
           and
           Oh
           that
           you
           could
           doe
           it
           with
           
             one
             heart
          
           and
           lip
           ,
           
           with
           one
           consent
           ,
           and
           judgement
           .
           On
           
             whom
          
           are
           the
           
             eies
          
           of
           this
           Nation
           and
           of
           those
           round
           about
           ?
           from
           whom
           are
           the
           
             Expectations
          
           of
           men
           ?
           to
           whom
           should
           we
           goe
           to
           enquire
           what
           God
           hath
           done
           in
           this
           Nation
           ,
           what
           he
           is
           doing
           ,
           what
           are
           the
           
             effects
          
           of
           his
           power
           ,
           if
           not
           of
           you
           ?
           
             Some
          
           of
           you
           have
           been
           ingag'd
           in
           this
           work
           ,
           with
           the
           Lord
           from
           the
           beginning
           :
           And
           I
           hope
           none
           of
           you
           have
           been
           engag'd
           in
           
             heart
          
           or
           
             hand
          
           against
           it
           ;
           and
           you
           speake
           still
           with
           
             living
             affections
             ,
          
           to
           the
           old
           and
           common
           cause
           .
           If
           you
           will
           be
           able
           to
           
             steere
             your
             course
          
           aright
           ,
           If
           you
           would
           take
           one
           
             straight
             step
             ,
          
           have
           in
           a
           readiness
           an
           acquaintance
           with
           the
           
             work
          
           of
           God
           ,
           what
           it
           is
           that
           he
           
             aimes
          
           at
           ,
           by
           which
           you
           may
           be
           guided
           in
           all
           your
           undertakings
           .
           Suppose
           now
           a
           
             man
             ,
          
           or
           
             men
             ,
          
           should
           come
           and
           aske
           of
           you
           ,
           what
           God
           hath
           done
           in
           these
           Nations
           ?
           what
           he
           hath
           
             wrought
             ,
          
           and
           effected
           ?
           what
           is
           brought
           forth
           ?
           Have
           you
           an
           
             Answer
          
           in
           readinesse
           ?
           certainly
           God
           hath
           done
           so
           much
           as
           that
           he
           expects
           you
           should
           be
           able
           to
           give
           an
           account
           of
           it
           .
           Take
           heed
           that
           every
           one
           of
           you
           be
           not
           ready
           to
           speake
           the
           disquietments
           of
           your
           own
           Spirits
           ,
           and
           so
           cast
           contempt
           on
           the
           work
           of
           God
           .
           Something
           els
           is
           requir'd
           of
           you
           .
           I
           have
           sometimes
           in
           
             darknesse
          
           and
           under
           temptations
           my self
           ,
           begun
           to
           thinke
           ,
           that
           what
           
             hath
             been
             ,
          
           is
           the
           thing
           that
           is
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           no
           new
           thing
           under
           the
           Sun
           .
           As
           it
           hath
           been
           among
           the
           
             heathen
          
           of
           old
           ,
           so
           it
           hath
           been
           amongst
           us
           ;
           or
           as
           it
           was
           with
           
             Israel
             .
          
           1
           Kings
           16.
           22
           ,
           22.
           
             then
             were
             the
             
             people
             of
             Israel
             divided
             into
             two
             parts
             ,
             half
             of
             the
             people
             followed
             Tibni
             the
             son
             of
             Ginath
             to
             make
             him
             King
             :
             and
             halfe
             followed
             Omri
             :
             But
             the
             people
             that
             followed
             Omri
             prevailed
             against
             the
             people
             that
             followed
             Tibni
             the
             son
             of
             Ginah
             ,
             so
             Tibni
             died
             and
             Omri
             reigned
             :
          
           That
           a
           
             common
             thing
          
           and
           frequent
           in
           the
           world
           had
           befallen
           us
           ,
           wherein
           God
           had
           no
           
             hand
             ,
          
           but
           that
           of
           common
           providence
           ,
           in
           dashing
           one
           
             sort
          
           of
           men
           against
           another
           .
           So
           
             foolish
          
           have
           I
           been
           ,
           and
           as
           a
           
             beast
             ,
          
           so
           ready
           to
           condemne
           the
           generation
           of
           the
           righteous
           ,
           so
           
             unbelieving
          
           and
           ready
           to
           cast
           away
           the
           faith
           and
           prayer
           of
           
             ten
             thousand
          
           Saints
           ;
           one
           of
           whose
           
             sighs
          
           shall
           not
           be
           lost
           .
           But
           such
           
             fearfull
             effects
             ,
          
           sometimes
           trouble
           disquietment
           ,
           disappointment
           ,
           &
           carnall
           feare
           will
           produce
           .
           But
           certain
           it
           is
           ,
           none
           of
           the
           many
           
             cryes
          
           of
           the
           people
           of
           God
           shall
           be
           
             lost
             ,
          
           nor
           their
           faith
           be
           disappointed
           .
           God
           hath
           a
           
             peculiar
             designe
          
           in
           hand
           ,
           and
           we
           are
           to
           find
           it
           out
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           be
           able
           to
           answer
           them
           that
           make
           
             enquiries
             .
          
           If
           you
           lay
           not
           this
           foundation
           of
           your
           
             procedures
             ,
          
           I
           shall
           not
           wonder
           if
           you
           
             erre
          
           in
           your
           ways
           ;
           It
           is
           your
           
             Pole-starre
          
           and
           
             will
          
           be
           so
           ,
           by
           which
           your
           whole
           course
           is
           to
           be
           steered
           ;
           your
           
             shield
             ,
          
           which
           whilest
           it
           is
           safe
           ,
           though
           you
           
             dye
             ,
          
           your
           glory
           abides
           .
        
         
           But
           you
           will
           say
           !
           what
           then
           is
           this
           great
           
             designe
          
           of
           God
           among
           his
           people
           :
           Let
           the
           
             Holy
             one
             of
             Israel
          
           bring
           nigh
           his
           work
           that
           we
           may
           know
           it
           ;
           what
           is
           that
           true
           and
           Generall
           interest
           of
           Zion
           that
           he
           hath
           founded
           ;
           let
           us
           know
           it
           ,
           
           that
           we
           may
           be
           able
           to
           give
           an
           
             answer
          
           to
           them
           that
           enquire
           after
           it
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Aske
           themselves
           ,
           those
           who
           have
           
             prayed
          
           for
           it
           ,
           
             waited
          
           for
           it
           ,
           
             expected
          
           it
           ,
           are
           made
           partakers
           of
           it
           ,
           doe
           
             enjoy
          
           it
           ,
           live
           upon
           it
           ,
           probably
           they
           will
           be
           able
           to
           give
           you
           an
           account
           what
           is
           their
           peculiar
           and
           only
           
             interest
             ,
          
           as
           to
           these
           providentiall
           dispensations
           ;
           surely
           they
           cannot
           but
           know
           that
           which
           they
           enjoy
           ,
           and
           
             live
          
           upon
           .
        
         
           But
           you
           will
           say
           of
           all
           others
           ,
           this
           is
           the
           most
           
             unlikely
             ,
          
           and
           irrationall
           course
           ,
           a
           way
           to
           
             perplex
          
           and
           entangle
           ,
           not
           to
           informe
           us
           at
           all
           .
           Is
           it
           not
           cleare
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           divided
           among
           themselves
           ?
           Is
           not
           their
           language
           ,
           is
           not
           their
           voyce
           ,
           like
           that
           of
           the
           Jewes
           at
           the
           building
           of
           the
           
             second
             Temple
             ;
          
           some
           
             shouted
             for
             joy
             ,
          
           and
           some
           
             wept
          
           at
           the
           remembrance
           of
           the
           former
           
             Temple
          
           are
           not
           their
           desires
           rather
           like
           that
           ,
           and
           those
           of
           theirs
           ,
           who
           built
           
             Babell
             ,
          
           then
           of
           those
           who
           cry
           
             grace
             grace
             ,
          
           whil'st
           God
           is
           founding
           Sion
           ?
           Doe
           not
           many
           of
           them
           utterly
           deny
           any
           
             work
          
           or
           designe
           of
           God
           ,
           (
           I
           mean
           what
           is
           peculiar
           )
           in
           the
           affaires
           of
           this
           Nation
           ;
           and
           utterly
           fall
           away
           from
           the
           society
           of
           them
           ,
           who
           are
           otherwise
           perswaded
           ?
           And
           is
           it
           likely
           that
           we
           can
           gather
           any
           Resolution
           from
           them
           ?
           doth
           not
           the
           greatest
           danger
           of
           our
           own
           miscarriage
           lye
           in
           this
           ?
           that
           we
           may
           be
           apt
           to
           attend
           to
           their
           
             peculiar
             desires
             ,
          
           and
           so
           to
           divide
           amongst
           our selves
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           divided
           .
        
         
           And
           is
           this
           the
           
             returne
          
           that
           indeed
           is
           to
           be
           
           made
           !
           O
           that
           mine
           eyes
           might
           run
           
             down
          
           with
           water
           day
           and
           night
           on
           this
           account
           ,
           that
           my
           heart
           might
           be
           
             moved
          
           within
           me
           ,
           for
           the
           folly
           of
           my
           people
           .
           Ah
           
             foolish
             people
          
           and
           unwise
           ,
           doe
           we
           thus
           require
           the
           Lord
           ?
        
         
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           many
           at
           all
           times
           have
           desired
           the
           
             day
          
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           who
           when
           it
           hath
           come
           ,
           have
           not
           
             been
             able
          
           to
           abide
           it
           ,
           it
           hath
           consumed
           
             them
             ,
          
           and
           all
           the
           principles
           ,
           whereon
           they
           have
           acted
           ,
           and
           upon
           which
           they
           did
           desire
           it
           ;
           But
           that
           those
           who
           have
           their
           
             share
          
           in
           it
           indeed
           ,
           should
           be
           thus
           broken
           among
           themselves
           ,
           should
           
             bite
          
           one
           another
           ,
           
             devour
          
           one
           another
           ,
           and
           scarce
           allow
           one
           another
           to
           be
           
             sharers
          
           in
           the
           common
           interest
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           in
           that
           day
           ,
           this
           is
           a
           
             lamentation
             ,
          
           and
           shall
           be
           for
           a
           
             lamentation
             .
          
        
         
           But
           yet
           something
           may
           be
           farther
           pressed
           on
           
             them
          
           in
           this
           businesse
           .
           When
           one
           went
           to
           demand
           of
           the
           
             Philosophers
          
           of
           the
           severall
           Sects
           ,
           which
           was
           the
           
             best
          
           of
           them
           ,
           every
           one
           named
           his
           own
           
             Sect
          
           and
           party
           in
           the
           first
           place
           ;
           but
           
             all
          
           of
           them
           in
           the
           
             second
          
           place
           ,
           granted
           that
           of
           
             Plato
          
           to
           be
           the
           most
           eminent
           .
           The
           enquirer
           knew
           quickly
           what
           to
           conclude
           ;
           setting
           aside
           prejudicate
           Affections
           ,
           selfe
           love
           ,
           and
           by
           interests
           ,
           he
           saw
           that
           the
           judgement
           of
           all
           ,
           run
           on
           that
           of
           
             Plato
             ,
          
           as
           the
           best
           &
           most
           eminent
           
             Sect
             ,
          
           &
           which
           thereupon
           he
           preferred
           before
           the
           rest
           .
        
         
           May
           not
           some
           enquiry
           of
           the
           like
           nature
           be
           made
           of
           the
           
             people
          
           of
           God
           amongst
           us
           ?
           Ask
           them
           what
           is
           the
           
             common
             interest
          
           of
           Sion
           ,
           that
           
           God
           takes
           care
           of
           ,
           that
           he
           hath
           founded
           in
           the
           days
           wherein
           we
           live
           ,
           in
           the
           great
           transactions
           of
           
             providence
          
           that
           have
           passed
           over
           us
           .
           Say
           
             some
             :
          
           that
           such
           a
           
             forme
             of
             Church
             worship
             and
             discipline
          
           be
           established
           ,
           such
           a
           
             rule
          
           of
           doctrine
           confirmed
           ,
           and
           all
           men
           whatever
           compelled
           to
           submit
           unto
           them
           :
           herein
           lies
           that
           Kingdome
           of
           Christ
           which
           he
           takes
           care
           of
           ,
           this
           is
           
             that
          
           which
           God
           will
           have
           
             founded
          
           and
           established
           :
           And
           what
           this
           
             Forme
             ,
          
           what
           this
           
             Rule
          
           is
           ,
           we
           are
           to
           declare
           .
        
         
           That
           that
           
             Discipline
          
           be
           eradicated
           ,
           the
           Ministers
           
             provision
          
           destroyed
           ,
           and
           the
           men
           of
           
             such
          
           a
           perswasion
           Enthroned
           ,
           to
           rule
           all
           the
           rest
           at
           their
           
             pleasure
             ,
          
           seeing
           ,
           that
           notwithstanding
           all
           their
           pretended
           
             Reformation
             ,
          
           they
           are
           yet
           
             Antichristian
             ,
          
           say
           others
           .
        
         
           Say
           some
           :
           that
           a
           
             Kingdome
          
           and
           Rule
           be
           set
           up
           in
           our
           hands
           ,
           to
           be
           exercised
           in
           the
           
             name
             and
             Authority
          
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           taking
           away
           all
           
             Law
          
           and
           
             Magistracy
          
           already
           established
           ,
           to
           bring
           forth
           the
           Law
           of
           
             Righteousnesse
          
           conceived
           in
           our
           minds
           and
           therein
           to
           be
           
             preserved
             ;
          
           all
           uniting
           only
           in
           this
           ,
           that
           a
           
             soveraignty
          
           as
           unto
           administration
           of
           the
           things
           of
           God
           is
           to
           be
           theirs
           .
        
         
           Say
           others
           lastly
           ,
           that
           the
           
             people
             of
             God
          
           be
           delivered
           from
           the
           hands
           of
           their
           
             cruell
          
           enemies
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           serve
           the
           Lord
           without
           
             feare
          
           all
           the
           days
           of
           their
           lives
           ,
           in
           righteousnesse
           and
           
             holinesse
             ,
          
           that
           notwithstanding
           their
           
             present
             differences
             ,
          
           they
           may
           live
           peacably
           one
           
             with
             ,
          
           or
           
           at
           least
           one
           
             by
          
           another
           ,
           enjoying
           Rule
           and
           promotion
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           fitted
           for
           
             imployments
             ,
          
           and
           as
           he
           gives
           
             promotion
             ,
          
           in
           whose
           hand
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           
             Godlinesse
             ,
          
           and
           the
           love
           of
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           be
           
             preserved
             ,
          
           protected
           ,
           and
           secured
           ,
           from
           a
           returne
           of
           the
           hand
           of
           violence
           upon
           it
           ;
           Herein
           say
           some
           lies
           the
           
             common
             interest
          
           of
           the
           people
           of
           God
           ;
           this
           he
           hath
           wrought
           out
           for
           them
           ,
           herein
           he
           hath
           
             founded
             Sion
             .
          
           Aske
           now
           the
           
             people
             of
             God
          
           in
           this
           nation
           ,
           I
           say
           or
           any
           of
           them
           ,
           one
           ,
           or
           more
           ,
           at
           any
           time
           ?
           What
           
             he
             ,
          
           or
           they
           ,
           look
           upon
           as
           the
           
             chiefe
          
           thing
           aimed
           at
           in
           the
           mighty
           dispensations
           of
           God
           amongst
           us
           ;
           will
           they
           not
           every
           one
           
             answer
          
           in
           the
           first
           place
           ,
           that
           is
           aimed
           at
           ,
           that
           is
           to
           be
           
             enthroned
             ,
          
           that
           so
           doing
           is
           the
           will
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           End
           of
           his
           works
           among
           them
           ,
           wherein
           
             their
             ,
          
           or
           
             his
          
           particular
           ingagement
           and
           interest
           lies
           .
           But
           ask
           them
           now
           againe
           ,
           in
           the
           second
           place
           ,
           which
           of
           the
           remaining
           perswasions
           concerning
           the
           
             work
             of
             God
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             common
             interest
          
           of
           his
           people
           ,
           they
           would
           preferre
           next
           to
           their
           own
           :
           will
           they
           not
           all
           
             unanimously
          
           fix
           on
           that
           mentioned
           in
           the
           
             last
             place
             ,
          
           rather
           then
           any
           of
           the
           other
           .
           Is
           it
           not
           then
           evident
           that
           setting
           aside
           
             prejudicate
             affections
             ,
          
           and
           such
           determinations
           ,
           as
           may
           reasonably
           be
           supposed
           to
           arise
           from
           them
           ,
           laying
           away
           all
           
             private
             animosities
             ,
          
           and
           desire
           of
           Rule
           and
           preheminence
           ,
           with
           other
           worldly
           and
           selfish
           designes
           ;
           the
           
             universality
          
           of
           the
           people
           of
           God
           ,
           doe
           
             answer
          
           to
           them
           that
           
             enquire
             ,
          
           that
           in
           the
           last
           perswasion
           lies
           the
           
             ayme
             ,
          
           and
           
             work
          
           of
           God
           in
           our
           generation
           .
           For
           my
           own
           parte
           ,
           on
           
           
             this
          
           and
           
             other
          
           considerations
           hereafter
           to
           be
           mentioned
           ,
           I
           shall
           dare
           freely
           to
           give
           this
           
             Answer
          
           to
           the
           
             messengers
          
           of
           
             this
             ,
          
           or
           any
           
             Nation
          
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           who
           shall
           make
           inquisition
           after
           the
           
             work
          
           of
           God
           amongst
           us
           ,
           and
           his
           
             designe
          
           in
           reference
           to
           his
           people
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           no
           other
           then
           my
           heart
           hath
           been
           fixed
           upon
           for
           many
           years
           ,
           and
           which
           I
           have
           severall
           times
           ,
           on
           one
           account
           or
           other
           intimated
           ,
           or
           pressed
           unto
           the
           
             Parliament
             ,
          
           which
           first
           undertook
           to
           mannage
           ,
           and
           succesfully
           carried
           on
           that
           
             Cause
             ,
          
           in
           whose
           protection
           you
           are
           now
           engaged
           .
        
         
           This
           I
           say
           then
           ;
           God
           hath
           
             founded
             Sion
             ,
          
           he
           hath
           taken
           care
           of
           the
           
             generation
          
           of
           the
           righteous
           ,
           the
           
             children
          
           of
           
             Sion
             ,
          
           however
           differenced
           among
           themselves
           ;
           hath
           broken
           the
           yoke
           of
           their
           
             Oppressors
             ,
          
           given
           them
           
             peace
             ,
          
           ordered
           the
           affaires
           of
           this
           
             Nation
          
           so
           ,
           that
           they
           
             doe
             ,
          
           or
           
             may
             ,
          
           all
           of
           them
           enjoy
           quietness
           ,
           one
           not
           
             envying
          
           the
           other
           ,
           nor
           they
           
             vexing
          
           thē
           ,
           but
           serving
           God
           according
           to
           the
           
             light
             ,
          
           which
           he
           is
           graciously
           pleased
           to
           
             afford
          
           them
           ,
           they
           waite
           for
           farther
           
             manifestations
          
           of
           the
           glorious
           Gospell
           ;
           and
           that
           God
           hath
           broken
           ,
           and
           will
           
             break
             ,
          
           every
           designe
           ,
           that
           either
           openly
           ,
           and
           professedly
           ,
           or
           upon
           specious
           pretences
           of
           crying
           ,
           loe
           here
           is
           Christ
           ,
           or
           loe
           
             there
             ,
          
           hath
           sought
           ,
           or
           shall
           seek
           and
           endeavour
           to
           subvert
           this
           his
           work
           ,
           to
           the
           
             preservation
          
           whereof
           ,
           he
           will
           certainly
           
             mould
          
           the
           Government
           ,
           and
           
             interest
          
           of
           this
           Nation
           ,
           ordering
           its
           
             affaires
          
           in
           a
           peculiar
           manner
           on
           that
           account
           only
           :
           and
           not
           that
           he
           delighteth
           in
           
           one
           
             way
          
           or
           
             form
             ,
          
           wherein
           to
           it
           hath
           been
           cast
           ,
           more
           then
           another
           .
           And
           what
           ever
           
             high
             minded
             men
             ,
          
           full
           of
           their
           owne
           apprehensions
           and
           wisdome
           ,
           may
           doe
           ,
           to
           this
           
             worke
             of
             God
             ,
          
           the
           
             poore
             of
             his
             people
          
           shall
           repaire
           .
           And
           for
           my
           insisting
           on
           this
           
             Answer
             ,
          
           and
           this
           
             only
             ,
          
           I
           have
           these
           further
           Reasons
           to
           adde
           for
           my
           justification
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           This
           is
           an
           
             interest
          
           comprehensive
           of
           all
           the
           Son
           's
           of
           
             Sion
             ,
          
           whose
           
             founding
          
           God
           intends
           ;
           it
           excludes
           none
           that
           can
           claime
           a
           
             share
          
           in
           the
           
             City
          
           of
           the
           living
           God
           .
           God
           takes
           equall
           care
           of
           all
           
             the
             dwelling
             places
          
           of
           
             Sion
             ;
          
           Every
           dwelling
           place
           of
           
             Sion
             ,
          
           hath
           its
           beauty
           ,
           hath
           it's
           Glory
           .
           
             Isa.
          
           4
           5.
           
           The
           Glory
           of
           one
           ,
           may
           be
           as
           the
           Glory
           of
           the
           
             Sun
             ,
          
           of
           another
           as
           the
           
             Moon
             ,
          
           of
           others
           as
           the
           
             Starrs
             ,
          
           and
           those
           differing
           from
           one
           another
           in
           Glory
           ;
           yet
           each
           hath
           its
           
             Glory
             ;
          
           and
           upon
           
             it
             ,
          
           there
           shall
           be
           a
           
             defence
             ,
          
           a
           coveringe
           ,
           a
           protection
           .
           This
           is
           the
           
             Promise
             ;
          
           this
           hath
           been
           the
           
             Worke
          
           of
           God
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           This
           compriseth
           all
           them
           ,
           who
           have
           
             lived
          
           by
           faith
           ,
           and
           abode
           in
           supplications
           in
           reference
           to
           Gods
           late
           disspensations
           amongst
           us
           .
           Who
           dare
           despise
           any
           one
           of
           those
           
             little
          
           ones
           ,
           and
           say
           ,
           God
           hath
           heard
           
             me
             ,
          
           not
           
             you
             ,
          
           regarded
           
             me
             ,
          
           not
           
             you
             ,
          
           you
           have
           no
           share
           or
           portion
           in
           the
           returns
           of
           supplications
           which
           we
           enjoy
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           This
           alone
           preserveth
           the
           
             dwellers
             of
             Sion
          
           from
           offering
           
             violence
          
           one
           to
           another
           ;
           from
           taking
           the
           work
           of
           
             Babylon
          
           out
           of
           its
           hands
           ,
           and
           devouring
           one
           another
           .
           Let
           any
           other
           apprehension
           what
           ever
           ,
           of
           the
           
             worke
          
           of
           God
           be
           embrac'd
           ,
           and
           the
           first
           worke
           that
           thereby
           men
           will
           be
           engag'd
           in
           ,
           is
           the
           
             oppressing
             ,
             persecuting
             ,
             ruining
          
           of
           their
           bretheren
           ,
           which
           whether
           it
           be
           the
           founding
           of
           
             Sion
             ,
          
           or
           no
           ,
           the
           day
           of
           
             Judgement
          
           shall
           determine
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           This
           is
           that
           which
           the
           
             common
             enemy
          
           seekes
           to
           destroy
           .
           It
           is
           not
           
             this
             ,
          
           or
           that
           party
           that
           he
           would
           devour
           ;
           it
           is
           not
           this
           or
           that
           perswasion
           he
           would
           cast
           down
           ;
           his
           
           hatred
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           against
           the
           whole
           
             race
          
           and
           kinde
           ;
           this
           is
           that
           which
           he
           would
           accomplish
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           children
           of
           God
           ,
           how
           ever
           differenced
           among
           themselves
           ,
           might
           be
           ruined
           destroyed
           cast
           down
           ,
           and
           rooted
           out
           for
           ever
           :
           that
           the
           name
           of
           
             Israel
          
           might
           no
           more
           be
           had
           in
           remembrance
           :
           This
           then
           is
           that
           which
           God
           ,
           in
           their
           dissapointment
           ,
           aimes
           to
           establish
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           Because
           the
           
             founding
             of
             Sion
             ,
          
           doth
           not
           consist
           in
           this
           or
           that
           form
           of
           the
           
             civile
             Administration
          
           of
           humane
           affaires
           ,
           there
           being
           nothing
           
             promised
             ,
          
           nor
           
             designed
          
           concerning
           them
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           be
           laid
           in
           an
           
             orderly
             subserviency
             ,
          
           to
           the
           common
           interest
           of
           the
           Saints
           ;
           which
           let
           men
           doe
           what
           they
           
             will
             ,
          
           yea
           what
           they
           can
           ,
           all
           Government
           shall
           at
           last
           be
           brought
           unto
           .
           And
           who
           is
           there
           amongst
           us
           ,
           that
           in
           
             singlenesse
          
           of
           heart
           dares
           make
           such
           an
           answer
           to
           the
           
             Messengers
             of
             the
             Nations
          
           enquiting
           after
           the
           peculiar
           worke
           of
           God
           amongst
           us
           ;
           namely
           ,
           that
           it
           consists
           in
           the
           establishment
           
             of
             this
          
           or
           that
           form
           of
           civile
           Administrations
           ,
           though
           much
           of
           the
           worke
           of
           God
           lies
           therin
           in
           Relation
           to
           this
           Generall
           end
           .
           This
           then
           is
           the
           
             Answer
          
           which
           I
           shall
           give
           to
           the
           
             Messengers
          
           of
           the
           
             Nations
             ,
          
           and
           of
           it
           there
           are
           these
           three
           parts
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           God
           hath
           
             broken
             ,
          
           destroyed
           ,
           ruined
           them
           and
           their
           contrivances
           ,
           who
           made
           it
           their
           
             buisnesse
          
           to
           over-throw
           
             Sion
             .
          
           And
           to
           roote
           out
           the
           
             generation
             of
             the
             righteous
             ,
          
           not
           under
           this
           ,
           or
           that
           way
           or
           forme
           ,
           whereby
           they
           are
           differenced
           among
           themselves
           ,
           bnt
           as
           
             such
             ,
          
           as
           the
           Saints
           of
           the
           
             holy
          
           one
           ,
           and
           will
           continue
           so
           to
           doe
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           He
           hath
           given
           to
           them
           ,
           to
           the
           
             poore
          
           of
           his
           people
           ,
           peace
           ,
           liberty
           ,
           
             freedome
          
           from
           impositions
           on
           their
           
             consciences
             ,
          
           with
           much
           glorious
           
             light
          
           in
           severall
           degrees
           ,
           in
           his
           worship
           and
           service
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           He
           hath
           cast
           (
           as
           he
           hath
           promised
           )
           the
           
             power
          
           of
           the
           
           Nation
           ,
           into
           a
           
             subserviency
          
           to
           this
           common
           interest
           of
           Christ
           and
           his
           people
           in
           this
           world
           ,
           and
           hath
           made
           ,
           or
           will
           make
           them
           to
           understand
           ,
           that
           as
           the
           
             peace
             of
             Sion
             ,
          
           lies
           in
           their
           peace
           ,
           so
           their
           
             peace
          
           lies
           in
           the
           
             peace
          
           of
           
             Sion
             ,
          
           and
           what
           to
           say
           more
           to
           the
           Messengers
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           I
           know
           not
           .
        
         
           
             Vs
             .
          
           2.
           
           If
           this
           
             then
          
           be
           the
           worke
           of
           God
           ,
           let
           us
           
             repaire
             to
          
           it
           ;
           
             the
             poore
             of
             the
             people
             shall
             trust
             therin
             ,
          
           or
           joyne
           themselves
           thereunto
           .
           That
           you
           may
           doe
           this
           in
           judgment
           ,
           be
           pleased
           to
           take
           these
           
             directions
             ,
          
           which
           with
           all
           humility
           I
           offer
           to
           you
           ,
           and
           I
           hope
           from
           the
           Lord
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Ingage
           in
           no
           
             way
             ,
          
           no
           Counsels
           ,
           be
           the
           reasonings
           and
           pretences
           for
           them
           never
           so
           
             Specious
             ,
          
           which
           have
           an
           inconsistency
           with
           this
           
             common
             interest
             of
             Sion
             ,
          
           in
           this
           generation
           .
           If
           instead
           of
           
             repairing
          
           to
           the
           worke
           of
           God
           ,
           you
           should
           be
           found
           
             contending
          
           against
           it
           ,
           and
           setting
           up
           your
           own
           wisdom
           ,
           in
           the
           place
           of
           the
           wisdom
           of
           God
           ,
           it
           would
           not
           be
           to
           your
           advantage
           .
           I
           know
           many
           things
           will
           be
           suggested
           unto
           you
           .
           
             Setling
             of
             Religion
             ,
          
           establishing
           
             a
             discipline
          
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           not
           to
           
             tolerate
             errors
             ,
          
           and
           the
           like
           :
           from
           which
           discourses
           ,
           I
           know
           what
           Conclusions
           some
           men
           are
           apt
           to
           draw
           ,
           if
           no
           otherwise
           ,
           yet
           from
           what
           they
           have
           been
           
             doeing
          
           for
           many
           yeeres
           ;
           doe
           we
           then
           plead
           for
           
             Errors
          
           and
           
             unsetlement
             ?
          
           God
           forbid
           !
           God
           hath
           undertaken
           to
           
             found
          
           and
           
             establish
          
           Sion
           ,
           to
           
             setle
          
           it
           ,
           and
           he
           will
           doe
           it
           ,
           and
           I
           pray
           God
           you
           may
           be
           
             instrumentall
          
           therin
           according
           to
           his
           mind
           .
           He
           will
           also
           give
           his
           people
           
             one
             heart
          
           and
           
             one
             way
             ,
          
           And
           I
           pray
           that
           
             you
          
           by
           your
           
             Example
          
           of
           
             union
          
           in
           love
           ,
           and
           by
           all
           other
           good
           means
           may
           be
           
             instrumentall
          
           towards
           the
           accomplishment
           of
           that
           promise
           amongst
           us
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           only
           the
           
             Liberty
          
           and
           
             Protection
          
           of
           the
           people
           of
           God
           as
           such
           ,
           that
           is
           pleaded
           for
           ,
           &
           he
           that
           shall
           set
           up
           any
           thing
           inconsistent
           there
           with
           as
           so
           set
           up
           ,
           will
           lay
           the
           
           foundation
           of
           his
           building
           in
           the
           firstborne
           of
           his
           
             peace
             ,
          
           &
           set
           up
           the
           
             gate
          
           of
           it
           in
           the
           
             utmost
          
           &
           last
           of
           his
           welfaire
           .
           In
           a
           word
           ;
           the
           people
           of
           God
           may
           possibly
           in
           this
           Nation
           
             devoure
          
           one
           another
           ,
           and
           wash
           their
           
             hands
          
           in
           the
           blood
           of
           one
           another
           ,
           by
           
             widening
          
           the
           breaches
           that
           are
           among
           them
           ;
           and
           
             woe
          
           be
           to
           them
           that
           shall
           be
           instrumentall
           herein
           :
           but
           if
           ever
           they
           come
           to
           a
           
             coalescency
          
           in
           love
           and
           truth
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           by
           their
           mutuall
           
             forbearance
          
           of
           one
           another
           ,
           untill
           the
           
             Spirit
          
           be
           powr'd
           down
           from
           on
           high
           ,
           and
           the
           fruits
           of
           peace
           be
           brought
           forth
           thereby
           ;
           and
           herein
           the
           Lord
           make
           
             you
          
           as
           the
           
             mountaines
             that
             bring
             forth
             righteousnesse
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             litle
             hills
          
           that
           bring
           forth
           peace
           unto
           his
           people
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           some
           things
           that
           I
           am
           
             affraid
             of
             ,
          
           that
           ly
           contrary
           to
           what
           I
           am
           exhorting
           you
           unto
           !
           I
           wish
           the
           event
           manifest
           that
           I
           am
           
             affraid
          
           without
           cause
           ;
           However
           give
           me
           leave
           to
           caution
           you
           of
           them
           ,
           Because
           I
           cannot
           be
           faithfull
           to
           my
           
             call
             ,
          
           if
           I
           doe
           not
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Take
           
             heede
             ,
          
           least
           that
           
             evill
          
           be
           still
           abiding
           upon
           any
           of
           our
           Spirits
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           be
           
             crying
          
           out
           and
           
             calling
          
           for
           
             Reformation
             ,
          
           without
           a
           due
           consideration
           of
           
             what
          
           it
           is
           ,
           and
           how
           it
           is
           to
           be
           
             brought
          
           about
           .
           I
           wish
           
             one
          
           of
           many
           of
           them
           ,
           who
           have
           
             praied
          
           for
           it
           ,
           and
           
             complained
          
           for
           want
           of
           it
           ,
           had
           endeavour'd
           to
           carry
           it
           
             on
          
           as
           they
           might
           ;
           would
           you
           have
           a
           Reformation
           ;
           be
           you
           more
           
             humble
             ,
          
           more
           
             holy
             ,
          
           more
           
             zealous
             ,
          
           delight
           more
           in
           the
           
             wayes
             ,
             worship
             ,
          
           Ordinances
           of
           God
           :
           reform
           your
           
             persons
          
           in
           your
           lives
           ,
           Relations
           ,
           
             families
             ,
             parishes
             ,
          
           as
           to
           Gospell
           obedience
           ,
           and
           you
           will
           see
           a
           glorious
           
             Reformation
          
           indeed
           :
           what
           mean
           you
           by
           a
           Reformation
           ,
           is
           it
           the
           
             hurting
          
           of
           
             others
             ,
          
           or
           doing
           
             good
          
           to
           our
           
             selves
             ?
          
           is
           it
           a
           
             power
          
           over
           other
           mens
           
             persons
             ,
          
           or
           our
           owne
           lusts
           ?
           God
           hath
           now
           for
           sundry
           yeeres
           tryed
           us
           ,
           whether
           indeed
           we
           love
           
             Reformation
          
           or
           no
           ;
           have
           any
           provoked
           us
           ,
           or
           
             compelled
          
           us
           to
           
           defile
           the
           worship
           of
           God
           ,
           with
           ceremonies
           or
           superstitions
           ,
           and
           our
           owne
           consciences
           therewith
           all
           ?
           have
           we
           been
           
             imposed
          
           on
           in
           the
           ways
           of
           God
           ,
           by
           men
           
             ignorant
          
           of
           them
           ?
           hath
           not
           God
           said
           to
           us
           !
           you
           that
           have
           
             praied
          
           under
           persecution
           for
           
             Reformation
             ,
          
           you
           that
           have
           
             fought
          
           in
           the
           high
           places
           of
           the
           field
           for
           
             Reformation
             ,
          
           you
           that
           have
           covenanted
           and
           
             sworne
          
           for
           Reformation
           ,
           goe
           now
           ,
           
             reforme
             your selves
             ;
          
           you
           
             Ministers
             ,
          
           preach
           as
           often
           as
           you
           will
           ,
           as
           frely
           as
           you
           please
           ,
           no
           man
           shall
           
             controll
          
           you
           ,
           live
           as
           
             holily
          
           as
           you
           can
           ,
           
             pray
          
           as
           often
           ,
           fast
           as
           often
           as
           you
           will
           ;
           be
           full
           of
           
             bounty
          
           and
           
             good
             workes
             ,
          
           giving
           examples
           to
           your
           flock
           ,
           none
           shall
           
             trouble
          
           you
           ;
           be
           instant
           in
           
             season
             ,
          
           out
           of
           season
           ,
           
             preach
             the
             whole
             counsell
             of
             God
          
           without
           controll
           ;
           you
           
             people
          
           be
           
             holy
             ,
          
           serve
           God
           in
           
             holinesse
             ,
          
           keep
           close
           to
           his
           
             worship
          
           and
           ordinances
           ,
           love
           
             them
             ,
          
           delight
           in
           them
           ,
           bring
           forth
           such
           
             fruits
          
           as
           men
           may
           glorify
           God
           on
           your
           account
           ,
           
             condemne
          
           the
           world
           ,
           
             justifie
          
           the
           cause
           of
           God
           ,
           by
           a
           Gospell
           Conversation
           ;
           Take
           
             seaven
             yeares
          
           peace
           and
           plenty
           ,
           and
           see
           what
           you
           can
           doe
           .
           If
           after
           all
           this
           ,
           wee
           still
           cry
           out
           ,
           give
           us
           a
           Reformation
           ,
           and
           complain
           not
           of
           our
           owne
           
             negligence
             ,
          
           folly
           and
           hatred
           of
           personall
           
             Reformation
             ,
          
           to
           be
           the
           only
           cause
           of
           that
           want
           ,
           it
           is
           
             easie
          
           to
           judge
           what
           we
           
             would
          
           have
           ,
           had
           we
           our
           desires
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Take
           heed
           least
           
             any
          
           who
           have
           formerly
           desired
           
             the
             day
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           considering
           the
           
             purity
          
           and
           
             holinesse
          
           wherewith
           it
           will
           be
           attended
           ,
           grow
           weary
           of
           it
           and
           its
           worke
           ,
           as
           not
           being
           able
           to
           abide
           it
           ;
           and
           so
           lay
           aside
           all
           thoughts
           of
           growing
           up
           with
           it
           in
           the
           will
           of
           God
           :
           least
           any
           say
           ,
           is
           this
           the
           day
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           that
           
             Holinesse
             ,
             Godlinesse
             ,
          
           exact
           obedience
           ,
           should
           be
           prized
           ,
           exalted
           ,
           esteemed
           ;
           that
           
             profanenesse
             ,
          
           pride
           ,
           selfishnesse
           ,
           formallity
           should
           be
           despised
           ,
           consumed
           ,
           devoured
           ,
           we
           will
           have
           none
           of
           this
           day
           .
        
         
         
           3.
           
           Take
           heed
           ,
           that
           there
           rise
           not
           up
           a
           
             Generation
          
           that
           knew
           not
           
             Ioseph
             ;
          
           that
           knew
           us
           not
           in
           the
           
             dayes
          
           of
           our
           distresse
           ,
           and
           contending
           with
           those
           who
           would
           have
           
             destroy'd
          
           us
           ;
           who
           were
           not
           engaged
           with
           us
           ,
           in
           
             praying
             ,
             fasting
             ,
             fighting
             ,
             in
             England
             ,
             Scotland
             ,
          
           &
           
             Ireland
             ,
          
           but
           were
           unconcerned
           in
           all
           our
           
             affaires
             ;
          
           who
           know
           nothing
           of
           the
           
             cry's
             ,
             teares
             ,
             trembling
             ,
          
           and
           feares
           ,
           wherewith
           this
           cause
           hath
           been
           
             mannaged
             ;
          
           can
           we
           expect
           that
           they
           should
           be
           
             acted
          
           by
           the
           
             Spirit
          
           of
           it
           ,
           or
           have
           a
           due
           sense
           of
           what
           they
           must
           be
           ingaged
           in
           :
           what
           know
           they
           of
           the
           
             Communion
          
           we
           have
           had
           with
           God
           in
           this
           buisnesse
           all
           along
           ,
           what
           
             Answers
          
           he
           hath
           given
           us
           ,
           what
           Obligations
           he
           hath
           put
           upon
           us
           thereby
           ;
           the
           whole
           buisnesse
           is
           to
           
             them
          
           as
           a
           story
           only
           of
           that
           which
           is
           past
           ,
           wherin
           they
           are
           not
           
             concerned
             :
          
           There
           are
           such
           abiding
           impressions
           left
           on
           the
           
             Soules
          
           of
           as
           many
           as
           have
           been
           ingaged
           in
           the
           worke
           of
           God
           in
           this
           
             Nation
          
           from
           the
           beginning
           to
           the
           end
           ,
           as
           will
           never
           be
           
             blotted
          
           out
           .
           If
           a
           Spirit
           not
           sensible
           of
           former
           ways
           should
           arise
           amongst
           us
           ,
           and
           
             prevaile
             ,
          
           it
           would
           be
           sad
           with
           the
           interest
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           his
           people
           in
           this
           Nation
           :
           To
           return
           to
           my
           directions
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Make
           this
           worke
           of
           God
           your
           
             pole-star
             ,
          
           that
           you
           may
           steere
           and
           guide
           your
           
             course
          
           by
           it
           ?
           in
           all
           your
           
             consultations
          
           and
           actions
           ,
           what
           ever
           is
           proposed
           ,
           what
           ever
           is
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           let
           this
           consideration
           attend
           it
           ;
           
             but
             how
             will
             it
             suite
          
           the
           designe
           of
           God
           
             in
             establishing
             Sion
             ;
          
           men
           speaking
           of
           a
           thing
           of
           manifest
           evidence
           ,
           say
           that
           it
           is
           written
           
             with
             the
             beames
             of
             the
             Sun
             .
          
           Give
           me
           leave
           to
           tell
           you
           of
           a
           thing
           ,
           that
           is
           written
           in
           the
           
             prayers
          
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           the
           
             feares
          
           of
           your
           enemies
           ,
           the
           
             condition
          
           of
           this
           nation
           ,
           the
           councels
           of
           Princes
           of
           the
           ,
           earth
           the
           Affaires
           of
           the
           Nations
           abroad
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           all
           the
           issues
           of
           the
           providence
           of
           God
           in
           these
           dayes
           ,
           all
           which
           concurring
           ,
           I
           suppose
           will
           give
           as
           
             good
             an
             evidence
          
           as
           any
           thing
           in
           the
           
           like
           kind
           is
           capable
           of
           .
           What
           is
           this
           you
           wil
           say
           ?
           It
           is
           in
           brief
           ,
           Let
           the
           worke
           of
           God
           as
           stated
           ,
           be
           your
           guide
           in
           all
           your
           consultations
           ,
           and
           it
           will
           direct
           you
           to
           aime
           at
           these
           two
           Ends
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           To
           preserve
           
             Peace
             ,
          
           to
           compose
           Differences
           ,
           to
           make
           up
           
             Breaches
             ,
          
           to
           avoid
           all
           occasions
           of
           divisions
           at
           home
           .
        
         
           2
           To
           
             make
             up
             ,
          
           unite
           ,
           gather
           into
           one
           common
           interest
           ,
           the
           Protestant
           Nations
           abroad
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           stand
           or
           fall
           tegether
           ,
           and
           not
           be
           devoured
           one
           after
           another
           .
           That
           these
           are
           the
           things
           which
           God
           calls
           you
           to
           mind
           ,
           and
           doe
           ,
           if
           you
           will
           
             bear
          
           any
           regard
           to
           his
           present
           work
           ,
           is
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           written
           with
           
             all
             the
             beams
          
           of
           providence
           before
           mentioned
           .
           If
           the
           Lord
           should
           suffer
           you
           to
           be
           
             regardlesse
          
           either
           to
           the
           
             one
          
           or
           the
           
             other
             ,
          
           know
           you
           not
           that
           it
           would
           be
           bitternesse
           in
           the
           latter
           end
           .
           Ask
           your
           
             friends
          
           what
           they
           desire
           ,
           your
           
             enemies
          
           what
           they
           feare
           ,
           the
           
             Nations
          
           abroad
           what
           they
           are
           doing
           :
           Consider
           
             Babylon
             ,
          
           consider
           
             Sion
             ,
          
           and
           if
           one
           and
           the
           same
           
             voyce
          
           come
           from
           them
           all
           ;
           not
           to
           attend
           unto
           it
           ,
           would
           be
           ,
           not
           to
           attend
           to
           the
           voice
           of
           God
           .
           It
           is
           indeed
           ,
           an
           easy
           thing
           for
           you
           ,
           to
           gratify
           
             Sathan
             ,
          
           satiate
           the
           desires
           of
           your
           
             enemies
             ,
          
           lay
           a
           foundation
           of
           
             troubles
             ;
          
           it
           is
           but
           attending
           to
           the
           
             clamours
          
           of
           men
           without
           ,
           and
           the
           tumultuating
           of
           lusts
           ,
           and
           carnall
           wisdome
           within
           and
           the
           whole
           work
           is
           done
           .
           But
           to
           carry
           on
           the
           
             work
          
           of
           God
           in
           the
           particulars
           mentioned
           ,
           this
           is
           not
           so
           easy
           a
           task
           :
           
             selfe
          
           must
           be
           denied
           ,
           many
           glorious
           
             pretences
          
           laid
           aside
           ,
           contrary
           
             reasonings
          
           answered
           ,
           mens
           
             weaknesses
             ,
          
           miscarriages
           ,
           failings
           borne
           withall
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           
             men
             ;
          
           and
           which
           is
           more
           then
           all
           ,
           our
           own
           
             particular
             darling
             desires
          
           it
           may
           be
           let
           goe
           unsatisfied
           ,
           though
           moulded
           into
           contrivances
           for
           many
           years
           .
           The
           truth
           is
           ,
           the
           combinations
           of
           the
           
             Antichristian
             party
          
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           are
           so
           evident
           ,
           
           their
           
             successes
          
           so
           notorious
           ,
           their
           
             designes
          
           so
           fixed
           ,
           their
           
             Advantages
          
           to
           carry
           them
           on
           ,
           so
           many
           ;
           that
           to
           perswade
           with
           them
           ,
           who
           have
           
             power
          
           for
           that
           end
           and
           purpose
           ,
           to
           make
           it
           their
           
             businesse
          
           to
           keep
           
             union
          
           amongst
           our selves
           ,
           on
           all
           good
           and
           honest
           termes
           ,
           and
           to
           endeavour
           the
           
             union
          
           of
           all
           that
           call
           on
           the
           name
           of
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           their
           Lord
           and
           ours
           in
           the
           world
           ;
           were
           to
           cast
           a
           
             reproach
          
           upon
           their
           
             Wisdome
             ,
          
           foresight
           and
           zeale
           ;
           so
           that
           it
           sufficeth
           me
           to
           have
           
             mentioned
          
           these
           things
           .
        
         
           
             Vse
          
           4.
           
           Encourage
           all
           things
           that
           lye
           in
           a
           
             tendency
          
           and
           
             subserviency
          
           to
           the
           work
           of
           God
           ,
           unfolded
           and
           insisted
           on
           .
           For
           instance
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Where
           ever
           you
           see
           any
           work
           of
           reall
           
             reformation
             ,
          
           tending
           to
           the
           
             advancement
          
           of
           the
           Gospell
           ,
           discarding
           of
           old
           uselesse
           
             formes
             ,
          
           received
           by
           Tradition
           from
           our
           Fathers
           ,
           separating
           the
           
             pretious
          
           from
           the
           vile
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           severall
           measures
           of
           
             light
             ,
          
           which
           God
           in
           his
           infinite
           wisdome
           ,
           hath
           graciously
           imparted
           ;
           Let
           not
           
             needlesse
          
           objections
           and
           hinderances
           lye
           in
           the
           way
           ,
           but
           give
           in
           all
           due
           encouragements
           ,
           to
           the
           men
           of
           such
           engagements
           .
           Perhaps
           the
           businesse
           of
           carrying
           on
           Reformation
           is
           
             grievous
          
           to
           some
           ,
           who
           in
           their
           
             anger
          
           and
           wrath
           ,
           revenge
           and
           disappointment
           ,
           may
           make
           complaints
           of
           it
           to
           you
           ,
           in
           private
           or
           in
           publique
           ;
           The
           Lord
           give
           you
           
             Wisdome
             ,
          
           that
           you
           may
           never
           weaken
           the
           
             hands
          
           or
           
             sadden
          
           the
           
             hearts
             ,
          
           of
           men
           who
           are
           willing
           to
           joyne
           hearts
           and
           hands
           with
           you
           ,
           to
           save
           a
           
             poore
             Nation
             ,
          
           and
           to
           keep
           life
           in
           the
           work
           of
           God
           in
           the
           mid'st
           thereof
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           What
           you
           find
           established
           already
           in
           this
           
             kind
             ,
          
           encourage
           ,
           preserve
           ,
           improve
           ,
           that
           the
           work
           faile
           not
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Find
           out
           what
           is
           
             wanting
             ,
          
           and
           pursue
           it
           ,
           as
           God
           gives
           you
           advantage
           and
           opportunity
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           Where
           men
           under
           pretence
           of
           
             Religion
             ,
          
           make
           it
           
           their
           businesse
           to
           
             defile
          
           themselves
           ,
           or
           disturbe
           the
           civile
           peace
           ,
           and
           quiet
           of
           others
           ,
           let
           them
           know
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Sword
          
           is
           not
           borne
           in
           vaine
           .
           I
           can
           but
           name
           these
           things
           .
        
         
           Honourable
           :
           my
           hearts
           desire
           and
           prayer
           to
           God
           for
           you
           is
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           be
           the
           
             repairers
             of
             breaches
             ,
          
           and
           the
           restorers
           of
           pathes
           for
           men
           to
           walk
           in
           ;
           that
           you
           may
           be
           the
           preservers
           of
           the
           
             good
             old
             Cause
             of
             England
             ,
          
           according
           to
           the
           growth
           it
           received
           in
           ,
           and
           under
           severall
           providentiall
           dispensations
           .
           Many
           particulars
           ly
           in
           my
           
             heart
             ,
          
           to
           propose
           unto
           you
           ,
           but
           on
           very
           many
           considerations
           ,
           I
           shall
           name
           none
           at
           present
           of
           them
           ;
           but
           close
           all
           with
           some
           few
           
             Generall
             Directions
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           Secure
           your
           Spirits
           ,
           that
           in
           sincerity
           you
           seek
           the
           
             publick
             good
          
           of
           the
           
             Nations
             ,
          
           and
           the
           prosperity
           of
           the
           good
           
             people
          
           therein
           ,
           who
           have
           adhered
           to
           the
           good
           cause
           of
           
             Liberty
             ,
          
           and
           Religion
           ;
           if
           this
           be
           in
           your
           
             eye
             ,
          
           as
           that
           which
           is
           principally
           intended
           ,
           as
           you
           may
           
             pray
             in
             faith
             ,
          
           for
           the
           presence
           of
           God
           with
           you
           ,
           and
           have
           a
           comfortable
           expectation
           of
           his
           
             protection
          
           and
           favour
           ;
           so
           if
           in
           the
           pursuit
           of
           it
           ,
           through
           humane
           
             frailty
          
           you
           should
           
             erre
             ,
          
           or
           mistake
           in
           the
           choise
           of
           
             meanes
             ,
          
           paths
           ,
           
             ways
          
           tending
           to
           that
           end
           ,
           God
           will
           
             guide
          
           you
           ,
           and
           lead
           you
           ,
           and
           not
           leave
           you
           untill
           he
           hath
           made
           
             straite
          
           pathes
           for
           your
           feet
           :
           But
           if
           at
           the
           bottome
           ,
           there
           ly
           secret
           
             animosities
             ,
             selfe-will
             ,
          
           desire
           of
           
             obtaining
          
           greatnesse
           or
           Power
           ,
           on
           the
           one
           hand
           ,
           or
           other
           ;
           if
           every
           such
           thing
           be
           not
           on
           all
           hands
           subdued
           unto
           
             publick
          
           good
           ,
           Prayers
           will
           be
           
             weakned
             ,
          
           carnall
           wisdome
           increased
           ,
           the
           Counsell
           of
           God
           rejected
           ,
           and
           you
           will
           wander
           in
           all
           your
           ways
           without
           successe
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Keep
           alive
           this
           principle
           ,
           (
           which
           whether
           any
           will
           
             heare
             ,
          
           or
           whether
           any
           will
           
             forbeare
             ,
          
           I
           know
           not
           ;
           but
           this
           I
           am
           sure
           of
           ,
           in
           the
           latter
           end
           it
           will
           be
           found
           to
           be
           
           true
           :
           )
           according
           as
           you
           
             regard
             ,
          
           cleave
           to
           ,
           promote
           ,
           protect
           ,
           on
           the
           
             one
          
           side
           ,
           or
           despise
           ,
           
             contemne
             ,
          
           and
           oppose
           on
           the
           other
           ,
           the
           common
           interest
           of
           
             Sion
             ,
          
           the
           people
           of
           God
           before
           laid
           downe
           ,
           so
           will
           your
           
             affaires
          
           either
           flourish
           ,
           prosper
           ,
           and
           
             succeed
          
           on
           the
           one
           hand
           ;
           or
           
             wither
             ,
          
           decay
           ,
           and
           be
           fruitlesse
           ,
           on
           the
           other
           .
           In
           all
           other
           things
           that
           shall
           fall
           under
           your
           
             consideration
             ,
          
           that
           relate
           to
           the
           
             civile
             government
          
           of
           the
           Nations
           ,
           prudence
           ,
           conjecture
           ,
           probability
           ,
           consideration
           of
           circumstances
           ,
           and
           the
           present
           posture
           of
           things
           may
           take
           place
           .
           This
           is
           capable
           of
           no
           framing
           to
           the
           one
           hand
           or
           other
           ,
           upon
           any
           pretence
           what
           ever
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           If
           it
           be
           possible
           ,
           keep
           up
           a
           spirit
           of
           
             Love
             ,
          
           and
           forbearance
           among
           your selves
           ,
           love
           thinketh
           none
           evill
           ;
           doe
           not
           impose
           designes
           on
           one
           another
           ,
           and
           then
           interpret
           every
           thing
           that
           is
           spoken
           ,
           though
           in
           never
           so
           much
           
             sincerity
             ,
          
           and
           simplicity
           of
           Spirit
           ,
           in
           a
           proportion
           to
           that
           
             designe
             ;
          
           this
           will
           turne
           
             judgment
          
           into
           
             wormwood
             ,
          
           and
           
             Truth
          
           into
           
             Hemlock
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A90269e-390
           
             Ob.
             1.
             
          
           
             Ob.
             2.
             
          
           
             Ob
             ▪
             4.
             
          
           
             Ob.
             3.