The covenant acknowledged by an English Covenanter, and the manifested wants of the common prayer, or divine service, formerly used, thought the fittest for publique worship by one vvhose hearty desires are presented to all the lovers of peace and truth in these nations, and shall be the prayers of a wel-wisher to both, and a very much obliged servant to all the promoters of this just cause, E.M., Mason.
         E. M., Mason.
      
       
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             The covenant acknowledged by an English Covenanter, and the manifested wants of the common prayer, or divine service, formerly used, thought the fittest for publique worship by one vvhose hearty desires are presented to all the lovers of peace and truth in these nations, and shall be the prayers of a wel-wisher to both, and a very much obliged servant to all the promoters of this just cause, E.M., Mason.
             E. M., Mason.
          
           [2], 20 p.
           
             Printed for John Marriot ...,
             London :
             1660.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Public worship -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
       A52167  R7635  (Wing M913).  civilwar no The covenant acknowledged by an English Covenanter: and the manifested wants of the common prayer, or divine service, formerly used, thought E. M., Mason 1660    7134 2 5 0 0 0 0 10 C  The  rate of 10 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           THE
           COVENANT
           Acknowledged
           by
           an
           English
           Covenanter
           :
           
             AND
          
           The
           manifested
           wants
           of
           the
           
             Common
             Prayer
             ,
          
           or
           
             Divine
             Service
             ,
          
           formerly
           used
           ,
           thought
           the
           fittest
           for
           Publique
           Worship
           ,
           by
           one
           ,
           VVhose
           hearty
           desires
           are
           presented
           to
           all
           the
           Lovers
           of
           Peace
           and
           Truth
           in
           these
           Nations
           :
           
             AND
          
           Shall
           be
           the
           Prayers
           of
           a
           Wel-wisher
           to
           both
           ,
           and
           a
           very
           much
           obliged
           Servant
           to
           all
           the
           Promoters
           of
           this
           Just
           Cause
           ,
           E.
           M.
           Mason
           .
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ,
          
           Printed
           for
           JOHN
           MARRIOT
           ,
           and
           are
           to
           be
           sold
           in
           
             Fetter-lane
             ,
          
           next
           doore
           to
           the
           Golden
           Faulcon
           .
           1660.
           
        
      
    
     
       
       
       
         
           To
           the
           moderate
           Reader
           or
           others
           ,
           whose
           chance
           it
           may
           be
           to
           meet
           with
           these
           few
           leaves
           following
           .
        
         
           I
           Am
           perswaded
           that
           some
           men
           will
           be
           offended
           with
           me
           because
           I
           should
           appear
           upon
           Paper
           ,
           and
           I
           desire
           to
           give
           them
           some
           of
           my
           weak
           reasons
           in
           way
           of
           satisfaction
           ;
           as
           being
           an
           engaged
           
             Covenanter
             ,
          
           who
           oftentimes
           have
           had
           some
           sad
           reflections
           upon
           my
           Spirit
           ,
           for
           being
           so
           silent
           thorow
           fear
           ,
           whether
           it
           did
           not
           make
           me
           ,
           and
           divers
           others
           ,
           accessary
           to
           the
           Death
           and
           Bloud
           of
           the
           late
           
             King
             ;
          
           which
           thing
           I
           ever
           abhorred
           in
           my
           thoughts
           ,
           he
           being
           
             Gods
             Vicegerent
             ,
          
           and
           by
           him
           set
           over
           us
           ,
           and
           by
           him
           alone
           to
           be
           judged
           ;
           who
           by
           a
           poor
           ague
           or
           grief
           of
           his
           distressed
           heart
           could
           have
           silenced
           him
           ,
           but
           left
           to
           try
           us
           Covenanters
           ;
           and
           also
           having
           protested
           to
           God
           with
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           in
           a
           
             solemne
             League
             and
             Covenant
             ,
          
           not
           to
           diminish
           his
           just
           Power
           and
           Greatness
           ,
           much
           less
           his
           Life
           ;
           and
           with
           it
           such
           a
           destruction
           both
           of
           Church
           and
           State
           ,
           which
           I
           have
           lived
           to
           see
           to
           my
           great
           grief
           ;
           and
           done
           by
           professing
           Christians
           ,
           those
           that
           Covenanted
           also
           as
           we
           did
           ,
           not
           with
           Man
           but
           with
           the
           dreadful
           God
           ;
           and
           for
           private
           ends
           ,
           I
           fear
           ,
           and
           as
           now
           it
           doth
           plainly
           appear
           by
           the
           fruits
           this
           Self-interest
           hath
           brought
           forth
           ,
           (
           for
           the
           good
           of
           the
           whole
           Nation
           these
           many
           years
           .
           )
        
         
         
           Otherwhiles
           I
           have
           had
           thoughts
           of
           the
           words
           that
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           said
           to
           his
           Apostles
           ,
           that
           
             A
             Sparrow
             falls
             not
             to
             the
             ground
             without
             the
             will
             of
             God
             ;
          
           and
           it
           was
           his
           will
           to
           bring
           these
           heavy
           afflictions
           upon
           the
           
             Church
             ,
             State
             and
             King
             ;
          
           As
           the
           sacred
           Scriptures
           in
           divers
           places
           shew
           ,
           how
           the
           glorious
           Majesty
           and
           all-commanding
           power
           of
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           hath
           done
           for
           the
           sins
           of
           divers
           Nations
           ;
           all
           whose
           wayes
           and
           judgments
           are
           perfect
           Justice
           ,
           and
           uncontroulable
           Truths
           .
        
         
           And
           so
           likewise
           I
           had
           thoughts
           at
           other
           times
           ,
           of
           the
           gracious
           goodness
           of
           our
           merciful
           Father
           ,
           in
           ordering
           a
           way
           for
           the
           Redemption
           of
           lost
           man
           ,
           by
           the
           death
           and
           precious
           bloud-shedding
           of
           his
           righteous
           Son
           ,
           that
           holy
           Oblation
           :
           But
           I
           observe
           that
           
             Judas
          
           had
           a
           hand
           in
           betraying
           his
           righteous
           Master
           ,
           for
           self-ends
           or
           envy
           ,
           but
           he
           perished
           with
           his
           ill-gotten
           monies
           ,
           and
           not
           alone
           :
           For
           also
           in
           that
           relation
           I
           find
           divers
           persons
           of
           rank
           and
           quality
           ,
           both
           Priests
           and
           learned
           people
           too
           ,
           seeking
           divers
           wayes
           by
           their
           Emissaries
           ,
           how
           they
           might
           put
           him
           to
           
             death
             ,
          
           and
           not
           without
           the
           consent
           of
           many
           of
           the
           
             Commons
          
           also
           ,
           with
           whom
           they
           used
           such
           artifices
           ;
           being
           Joynt-confederates
           ,
           that
           the
           whole
           gang
           of
           them
           cry
           out
           ,
           
             His
             Bloud
             be
             on
             us
             and
             on
             our
             children
             ;
          
           and
           it
           stuck
           so
           close
           to
           them
           ,
           that
           the
           whole
           Nation
           felt
           the
           sad
           issues
           of
           their
           fearful
           Imprecations
           .
           The
           good
           God
           deliver
           us
           from
           the
           same
           Judgements
           ;
           we
           having
           slain
           our
           King
           ,
           and
           taken
           possession
           ,
           and
           banished
           his
           Posterity
           ,
           toplease
           or
           share
           with
           a
           Party
           of
           self-interested
           men
           ,
           in
           the
           ruines
           of
           Him
           ,
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           the
           Nations
           Laws
           and
           goods
           ,
           after
           a
           solemn
           
             Covenant
          
           made
           with
           hands
           lifted
           up
           to
           the
           most
           high
           God
           ,
           and
           contrary
           to
           the
           consent
           of
           most
           of
           the
           whole
           Nations
           ,
           who
           had
           no
           hand
           in
           his
           Death
           ,
           nor
           means
           to
           prevent
           it
           ,
           but
           by
           Weeping
           to
           see
           
           and
           hear
           what
           a
           few
           Armed
           men
           ,
           and
           their
           Complices
           ,
           would
           violently
           do
           ,
           contrary
           to
           known
           Law
           or
           right
           ,
           by
           a
           new-devised
           
             High
             Court
             ,
          
           by
           them
           called
           
             Justice
             ,
          
           set
           up
           by
           the
           tyrannizing
           Sword
           to
           destroy
           
             King
             ,
             Nobles
          
           and
           
             Law
             ,
          
           to
           satisfie
           their
           own
           bloud-thirsty
           designs
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           had
           also
           divers
           debates
           in
           my
           mind
           ,
           about
           some
           scruples
           that
           were
           often
           there
           ,
           when
           I
           could
           not
           sleep
           ,
           about
           the
           Covenant
           ,
           and
           the
           Hanging
           of
           it
           up
           in
           our
           Churches
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           were
           a
           thing
           seriously
           to
           be
           performed
           ,
           or
           as
           a
           Testimony
           against
           us
           ,
           being
           so
           solemnly
           taken
           in
           his
           holy
           Temple
           ,
           once
           made
           to
           the
           God
           of
           all
           the
           earth
           ,
           who
           is
           able
           in
           a
           moment
           of
           time
           to
           destroy
           us
           poor
           crawling
           worms
           ;
           and
           so
           earnestly
           prest
           also
           upon
           the
           people
           by
           the
           Divines
           ,
           and
           by
           them
           and
           us
           so
           little
           regarded
           ,
           as
           if
           God
           were
           to
           be
           jested
           with
           and
           Mans
           Conscience
           would
           perpetually
           be
           injured
           ,
           and
           yet
           be
           silent
           or
           wink
           at
           such
           high
           deceiving
           subtilties
           .
        
         
           And
           chancing
           to
           read
           in
           the
           Turkish
           History
           ,
           in
           the
           reign
           of
           
             Amurath
          
           the
           sixt
           King
           of
           the
           Turks
           ,
           who
           seeing
           the
           great
           slaughter
           of
           his
           men
           ,
           and
           all
           brought
           into
           extreme
           danger
           ,
           
           and
           beholding
           the
           Picture
           of
           the
           
             Crucifix
          
           in
           the
           displayed
           Ensigns
           of
           the
           Christians
           ,
           pluckt
           the
           writing
           out
           of
           his
           bosom
           ,
           wherein
           the
           League
           of
           the
           Christians
           was
           comprized
           ,
           and
           holding
           it
           up
           in
           his
           hands
           ,
           with
           his
           eyes
           cast
           up
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           said
           :
        
         
           
             Behold
             ,
             thou
             crucified
             Christ
             ;
             This
             is
             the
             League
             thy
             Christians
             in
             thy
             name
             made
             with
             me
             ,
             which
             they
             have
             without
             cause
             violated
             ;
             now
             if
             thou
             be
             a
             God
             ,
             as
             they
             say
             thou
             art
             ,
             and
             as
             we
             dream
             ,
             revenge
             the
             wrong
             now
             done
             unto
             thy
             Name
             and
             me
             ,
             and
             shew
             thy
             power
             upon
             thy
             perjured
             people
             ,
             who
             in
             their
             deeds
             deny
             thee
             their
             God
             .
          
        
         
           Shortly
           after
           the
           Turks
           got
           the
           victory
           ,
           and
           the
           poor
           Christians
           miserably
           put
           to
           the
           slaughter
           ,
           and
           
             Julian
          
           one
           
           of
           the
           Cardinals
           ,
           Author
           of
           the
           breach
           of
           the
           Christians
           Articles
           (
           though
           fled
           )
           found
           mortally
           wounded
           and
           near
           dead
           ;
           who
           was
           sharply
           reproved
           by
           an
           eminent
           Christian
           ,
           
             Gregory
             Sanose
             ,
          
           but
           left
           to
           perish
           unpitied
           in
           a
           Desart
           ;
           in
           which
           fatal
           Battle
           were
           slain
           such
           huge
           numbers
           of
           men
           ,
           that
           the
           hills
           and
           mountains
           ,
           raised
           with
           the
           bones
           of
           the
           slain
           in
           this
           Battle
           ,
           to
           this
           day
           bear
           witness
           ;
           as
           saith
           the
           same
           Author
           of
           the
           
             Turkish
             History
             .
          
        
         
           Then
           ,
           good
           Friends
           ,
           what
           may
           we
           fear
           when
           the
           great
           God
           makes
           inquisition
           for
           Bloud
           and
           breach
           of
           Vows
           ?
           both
           of
           the
           Clergy
           that
           had
           the
           charge
           of
           our
           souls
           ,
           and
           should
           have
           given
           us
           true
           counsel
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           of
           the
           poor
           Laity
           ,
           who
           have
           been
           led
           as
           sheep
           to
           the
           slaughter
           ,
           when
           the
           Alarums
           have
           founded
           out
           of
           the
           Pulpits
           in
           the
           beginning
           of
           these
           Times
           ,
           
             Curse
             ye
          
           Meroz
           ,
           
             curse
             ye
             bitterly
             the
             Inhabitants
             thereof
             ,
             because
             they
             came
             not
             to
             the
             help
             of
             the
             Lord
             against
             the
             mighty
             :
          
           
           and
           others
           violently
           reproching
           the
           Liturgie
           or
           Prayer-book
           of
           our
           Church
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           owned
           it
           Malignants
           and
           Opposers
           of
           the
           Reformation
           .
        
         
           Besides
           ,
           I
           being
           called
           ,
           though
           very
           unfit
           and
           more
           unserviceable
           for
           any
           publick
           duty
           ,
           and
           voted
           down
           or
           turned
           away
           
             February
          
           9.
           1659.
           from
           the
           discharge
           of
           our
           duties
           and
           Conscience
           enjoyned
           by
           Oath
           ,
           for
           the
           publick
           service
           of
           the
           City
           ,
           (
           which
           that
           hasty
           Vote
           did
           not
           dissolve
           .
           )
           And
           I
           humbly
           conceiving
           it
           might
           be
           somewhat
           more
           than
           man
           that
           brought
           things
           so
           about
           ,
           that
           such
           a
           poor
           
             Mushrome
             ,
          
           as
           my
           unworthy
           self
           ,
           should
           be
           at
           all
           thought
           on
           for
           such
           affairs
           ,
           when
           divers
           of
           more
           knowing
           worth
           ,
           degree
           and
           fitness
           were
           forgotten
           .
        
         
           But
           thus
           being
           put
           into
           the
           traces
           ,
           and
           my
           dull
           senses
           lasht
           by
           divers
           able
           mens
           disputes
           ,
           about
           our
           
             Nationall
          
           and
           
             City-priviledges
             ;
          
           and
           hearing
           Mr.
           
             Barbone
          
           a
           justing
           those
           members
           (
           in
           these
           words
           )
           now
           sitting
           to
           be
           the
           Parliament
           
           of
           
             England
             ,
          
           and
           the
           same
           men
           that
           acted
           there
           the
           last
           Summer
           ,
           and
           were
           so
           by
           the
           City
           and
           Nation
           acknowledged
           ,
           and
           the
           Taxes
           then
           leavyed
           by
           them
           ,
           gathered
           by
           us
           ,
           and
           why
           not
           now
           being
           the
           same
           Parliament
           of
           
             England
          
           now
           sitting
           ,
           it
           was
           a
           wonder
           to
           him
           ,
           being
           lasht
           ,
           as
           I
           said
           before
           ,
           and
           this
           Gentlemans
           words
           ,
           so
           touching
           my
           galled
           Conscience
           ,
           began
           to
           winch
           ,
           and
           being
           prest
           by
           its
           discharge
           ,
           I
           like
           blind
           
             Bayard
          
           said
           :
        
         
           My
           Lord
           Mayor
           ,
           
             The
             Gentleman
             that
             spake
             last
             concerning
             the
             Parliament
             of
          
           England
           ,
           
             as
             he
             calls
             the
             Gentlemen
             now
             sitting
             ,
             surely
             mistakes
             the
             sense
             of
             this
             Court
             ;
             for
             truly
             ,
             my
             Lord
             ,
             I
             am
             perswaded
             there
             is
             never
             a
             Member
             here
             but
             honours
             the
             Parliament
             of
          
           England
           ,
           
             and
             will
             lay
             their
             hands
             under
             their
             feet
             ,
             and
             sacrifice
             thier
             lives
             and
             estates
             to
             do
             them
             service
             ,
             and
             we
             honour
             these
             that
             now
             are
             set
             at
             the
             Stern
             as
             men
             of
             worth
             and
             quality
             :
             But
             ,
             my
             Lord
             ,
             we
             cannot
             say
             by
             these
             Gentlemen
             ,
             though
             by
             us
             once
             freely
             chosen
             ,
             because
             they
             were
             d●ssolved
             by
             the
             late
             Kings
             death
             ,
             as
             by
             Law
             hath
             been
             undeniably
             proved
             ;
             but
             ,
             my
             Lord
             ,
             divers
             of
             these
             did
             desert
             their
             Trust
             that
             we
             reposed
             in
             them
             ,
             and
             went
             to
             the
             Army
             ,
             and
             brought
             in
          
           Oliver
           
             the
             great
             Oppressor
             to
             invade
             our
             Rights
             ,
             and
             with
             his
             and
             their
             Adherents
             by
             force
             secluded
             most
             of
             our
             Trustees
             ,
             and
             were
             themselves
             also
             dissolved
             so
             by
             him
             and
             his
             Complices
             ,
             though
             they
             acted
             with
             and
             for
             him
             a
             long
             time
             ;
             and
             now
             ,
             my
             Lord
             ,
             your
             Honour
             and
             all
             us
             well
             know
             ,
             that
             the
             same
             force
             that
             pull'd
             down
          
           great
           Olivers
           Son
           ,
           
             set
             up
             these
             that
             now
             sit
             by
             the
             Lord
          
           Lamberts
           
             assistance
             ,
             and
             by
             his
             force
             were
             the
             third
             time
             dissolved
             ,
             and
             now
             by
             the
             strength
             of
             an
             Army
             are
             again
             set
             in
             power
             to
             act
             as
             our
             Representatives
             ,
             although
             not
             new
             elected
             or
             chosen
             by
             us
             ,
             according
             to
             our
             Laws
             and
             English
             Birth-rights
             ,
             as
             hath
             been
             throughly
             debated
             in
             this
             Court
             by
             divers
             worthy
             Citizens
             of
             able
             knowing
          
           
           
             judgments
             ,
             that
             intended
             no
             hurt
             to
             these
             Gentlemen
             that
             now
             sit
             ,
             but
             the
             right
             and
             good
             of
             all
             the
             Nation
             and
             themselves
             .
             My
             Lord
             ,
             this
             that
             hath
             now
             been
             plainly
             said
             is
             truth
             ,
             and
             Truth
             seeks
             no
             corners
             ,
             nor
             these
             Gentlemen
             a
             Parliament
             by
             us
             chosen
             .
          
        
         
           The
           substance
           of
           these
           words
           was
           offered
           at
           the
           
             Guild-hall
          
           in
           the
           Council
           of
           the
           
             Commons
             ,
             February
          
           8.
           1659.
           when
           the
           Army
           was
           new
           come
           to
           
             London
             .
          
        
         
           The
           next
           Friday
           being
           the
           10.
           of
           the
           same
           Moneth
           ,
           the
           Gates
           of
           the
           City
           were
           broken
           down
           ,
           and
           our
           Posts
           and
           Chains
           pluckt
           up
           ,
           and
           divers
           of
           our
           Members
           sent
           Prisoners
           to
           the
           
             Tower
             ;
          
           and
           our
           sorrowful
           hearts
           overwhelmed
           with
           grief
           ,
           dreading
           the
           fearful
           issue
           following
           ;
           yet
           trusting
           still
           in
           God
           ,
           our
           alone
           
             great
             Deliverer
             ,
          
           who
           comforting
           our
           drooping
           hearts
           by
           his
           gracious
           appearance
           in
           a
           merciful
           measure
           for
           us
           ,
           on
           Saturday
           the
           II.
           of
           the
           same
           Moneth
           ,
           on
           which
           night
           was
           great
           joy
           expressed
           by
           many
           of
           the
           younger
           sort
           by
           Bonfires
           in
           every
           eminent
           street
           ;
           and
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           the
           elder
           sort
           ,
           both
           Laymen
           and
           Divines
           ,
           sacrificed
           divers
           humble
           Prayers
           and
           hearty
           thanks
           to
           the
           most
           high
           God
           our
           whole
           deliverer
           ,
           whose
           heavenly
           smiles
           did
           then
           graciously
           glimmer
           upon
           us
           his
           poor
           distressed
           creatures
           ;
           whose
           holy
           Name
           be
           eternally
           praised
           by
           all
           that
           fear
           him
           ;
           whose
           goodness
           we
           hope
           will
           now
           perfect
           our
           now
           new
           begun
           joy
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           lived
           to
           see
           our
           
             Moses
          
           and
           
             Aaron
             ,
          
           the
           defenders
           of
           our
           Faith
           and
           Church
           ,
           with
           their
           friends
           and
           adherents
           suffer
           ;
           and
           I
           may
           yet
           live
           to
           see
           the
           Troublers
           of
           our
           Peace
           and
           Church
           ,
           with
           their
           
             Corah
             ,
             Dathan
             ,
          
           and
           all
           their
           
             Abiramists
             ,
          
           overwhelmed
           ,
           or
           as
           I
           desire
           ,
           converted
           .
        
         
         
           Then
           let
           not
           our
           Faith
           fail
           us
           ,
           but
           stand
           still
           and
           see
           ,
           how
           our
           God
           will
           deliver
           us
           ;
           and
           remember
           when
           his
           servants
           ,
           the
           distressed
           Sons
           of
           
             Jacob
             ,
          
           were
           at
           the
           brink
           of
           the
           Sea
           ,
           and
           
             Egypts
          
           Host
           fiercely
           pursuing
           ,
           and
           
             Israels
          
           fainting
           spirits
           sinking
           ,
           and
           their
           doubtful
           thoughts
           breaking
           out
           into
           doleful
           expressions
           ,
           
             Because
             there
             were
             no
             graves
             in
          
           Egypt
           ,
           
             hast
             thou
             brought
             us
             forth
             to
             die
             in
             this
             wilderness
             ?
          
           
           Therefore
           take
           courage
           ,
           dear
           Brethren
           ,
           of
           this
           City
           ,
           and
           the
           bottomless
           sea
           of
           our
           distrusts
           may
           become
           walls
           to
           our
           fainting
           spirits
           ,
           and
           our selves
           though
           going
           through
           these
           troubled
           seas
           in
           this
           night
           of
           our
           afflictions
           ,
           we
           may
           yet
           stand
           upon
           the
           shore
           of
           safety
           ,
           by
           the
           power
           of
           our
           God
           ,
           and
           see
           these
           furious
           Conjurers
           and
           
             Pharaoh-like
          
           Task-masters
           floating
           upon
           the
           deep
           waters
           of
           Despair
           ,
           helpless
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           the
           same
           
             Jehovah
             ,
          
           who
           saved
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           that
           will
           deliver
           us
           ;
           and
           be
           confident
           the
           Arke
           of
           his
           Truth
           ,
           which
           we
           trust
           in
           ,
           will
           tumble
           down
           the
           
             Dagon
          
           of
           their
           Injustice
           ,
           let
           them
           set
           it
           up
           never
           so
           often
           ;
           and
           let
           us
           belive
           with
           faithful
           
             Abraham
             ,
          
           that
           
             The
             Judge
             of
             all
             the
             earth
             will
             do
             right
             .
          
           
        
         
           I
           have
           been
           also
           often
           grieved
           to
           hear
           and
           see
           such
           a
           dull
           and
           negligent
           garb
           of
           Publick
           Worship
           as
           is
           now
           used
           in
           divers
           Churches
           .
        
         
           Over
           that
           reverential
           form
           of
           Publick
           Worship
           was
           that
           I
           had
           the
           happiness
           to
           see
           ,
           before
           these
           times
           of
           Trouble
           and
           Confusion
           ;
           which
           ,
           if
           at
           all
           offensive
           to
           any
           ,
           might
           by
           skilful
           Workmen
           have
           been
           handsomelier
           mended
           ,
           than
           by
           such
           self-conceited
           Bunglers
           thus
           ill-favour'dly
           patcht
           up
           ,
           and
           pestered
           with
           Sectaries
           of
           all
           kind
           of
           colours
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           intended
           to
           make
           it
           like
           my
           Lord
           Husons
           Fool
           :
           But
           the
           holy
           Scripture
           saith
           ,
           
             When
             the
             blind
             lead
             the
             blind
             ,
             we
             must
             needs
             fall
             into
             the
          
           distressed
           
             ditch
          
           of
           our
           confused
           Fopperies
           .
        
         
         
           The
           good
           Lord
           give
           us
           grace
           to
           return
           and
           humbly
           beg
           mercy
           through
           the
           merits
           of
           our
           dear
           Saviour
           ,
           whose
           offended
           Father
           we
           have
           most
           egregiously
           provoked
           to
           displeasure
           ,
           before
           his
           fierce
           deserved
           warth
           break
           in
           upon
           us
           ;
           and
           seek
           our
           God
           in
           sincerity
           by
           humiliation
           and
           true
           imitation
           of
           the
           
             Ninevites
          
           unfeigned
           Fasts
           ,
           and
           lay
           by
           our
           hypocritical
           vizards
           with
           which
           we
           have
           so
           long
           deceived
           the
           Nation
           and
           our selves
           ,
           and
           walk
           no
           more
           by
           Sathans
           Dark-lanthorns
           ,
           but
           revive
           the
           former
           pure
           lights
           that
           shewed
           us
           the
           right
           wayes
           to
           Unity
           in
           perfect
           forms
           of
           divine
           Worship
           ;
           which
           teacheth
           us
           to
           pray
           for
           the
           Governors
           his
           goodness
           will
           be
           pleased
           to
           set
           over
           us
           ,
           and
           for
           one
           another
           ,
           that
           our
           Church
           and
           State
           may
           once
           again
           flourish
           in
           unity
           and
           concord
           ,
           with
           due
           respect
           to
           tender
           Consciences
           that
           are
           not
           factious
           .
        
         
           And
           then
           it
           were
           but
           equity
           ,
           if
           rightly
           considered
           ,
           in
           my
           weak
           apprehension
           ,
           for
           to
           suffer
           us
           that
           would
           joyn
           together
           in
           the
           praising
           of
           the
           Almighty
           glory
           with
           our
           interlocutory
           voices
           ,
           in
           acknowledging
           and
           humbly
           confessing
           our
           manifold
           sins
           before
           the
           great
           God
           of
           Heaven
           and
           earth
           ,
           Angels
           and
           Men
           ,
           in
           his
           publick
           fit-to-be-done
           Worship
           ;
           and
           ,
           because
           it
           best
           suits
           with
           our
           Consciences
           ,
           and
           the
           rules
           of
           Righteousness
           in
           the
           holy
           Scripture
           ,
           which
           saith
           ,
           That
           
             At
             what
             time
             soever
             a
             Sinner
             doth
             repent
             him
             of
             his
             sins
             from
             the
             bottom
             of
             his
             heart
             ,
             I
             will
             put
             away
             all
             his
             wickedness
             out
             of
             my
             remembrance
             ,
             saith
             the
             Lord
             :
             and
             likewise
             ,
             When
             two
             or
             three
             are
             gathered
             together
             in
             my
             Name
             ,
             there
             will
             I
             be
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             them
             .
          
        
         
           And
           humbly
           may
           I
           say
           ,
           and
           cannot
           otherwise
           think
           ,
           but
           that
           when
           so
           many
           multitudes
           of
           People
           ,
           at
           the
           known
           divine
           Worship
           of
           the
           immortal
           God
           in
           publick
           ,
           but
           that
           there
           be
           divers
           that
           worship
           him
           in
           
             Spirit
          
           and
           
             Truth
             ,
          
           and
           do
           not
           conceive
           it
           an
           Idol-worship
           ,
           (
           as
           I
           have
           
           heard
           Mr.
           
             Pernes
          
           out
           of
           his
           Pulpit
           call
           the
           
             Common
             Prayer-Book
          
           an
           
             Idol
             )
          
           although
           they
           knew
           the
           words
           they
           were
           to
           praise
           God
           with
           before
           they
           met
           ,
           rather
           than
           unpremeditated
           disgustings
           ;
           remembring
           the
           rule
           of
           a
           wise
           man
           ,
           
             God
             is
             in
             Heaven
             and
             thou
             art
             on
             Earth
             ;
          
           and
           also
           well
           knowing
           that
           
             The
             spirit
             is
             willing
             but
             the
             flesh
             is
             weak
             .
          
        
         
           Therefore
           the
           Confession
           used
           in
           our
           well-ordered
           Church
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           Congregation
           might
           bear
           a
           part
           in
           the
           humble
           acknowledgment
           of
           their
           many
           faults
           ,
           meekly
           kneeling
           upon
           their
           bended
           knees
           ,
           with
           holy
           adorations
           to
           the
           Almighty
           glory
           ,
           clapping
           their
           trembling
           hands
           upon
           their
           sorrow-smitten
           breasts
           ,
           humbly
           begging
           pardon
           for
           our
           manifold
           transgressions
           of
           him
           who
           onely
           can
           grant
           us
           pardon
           ,
           and
           hear
           our
           petitions
           ;
           and
           most
           likely
           ,
           when
           so
           many
           millions
           of
           sin-sick
           humbled
           souls
           shall
           be
           invocating
           Heaven
           with
           one
           consent
           in
           the
           same
           words
           ,
           betwixt
           the
           hours
           of
           9.
           and
           12.
           upon
           his
           dayes
           and
           places
           appointed
           for
           his
           publick
           Worship
           in
           the
           three
           nations
           ,
           over
           it
           is
           now
           in
           our
           Churches
           ;
           when
           but
           one
           in
           a
           Congregation
           ,
           and
           that
           what
           he
           pleaseth
           ,
           and
           many
           times
           so
           low
           that
           few
           can
           hear
           or
           learn
           ,
           the
           matter
           being
           changed
           so
           often
           ,
           and
           many
           times
           so
           thin
           ,
           that
           it
           slides
           away
           unheeded
           ,
           and
           without
           an
           
             Absolution
          
           also
           of
           our
           sins
           ,
           though
           never
           more
           need
           .
        
         
           Nor
           can
           I
           be
           of
           Mr.
           
           
             Pernes
          
           opinion
           ,
           who
           directed
           his
           Auditors
           to
           pray
           in
           their
           Families
           although
           their
           folks
           laughed
           at
           them
           ,
           when
           so
           many
           well-formed
           prayers
           are
           extant
           for
           poor
           Penitents
           to
           follow
           ,
           without
           oftentation
           ,
           or
           vain
           Fantasies
           of
           their
           own
           giddy
           brain
           ;
           as
           that
           Prayer
           of
           prayers
           taught
           us
           by
           the
           blessed
           lips
           of
           our
           dear
           Redeemer
           ,
           wherein
           all
           things
           needful
           at
           once
           are
           begged
           in
           that
           holy
           Epitomie
           ,
           which
           teacheth
           us
           how
           to
           pray
           ,
           
           and
           to
           whom
           ,
           and
           by
           him
           commanded
           ,
           
             When
             you
             pray
             ,
             say
             our
             Father
             which
             art
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             &c.
          
           and
           yet
           by
           divers
           not
           at
           all
           used
           ,
           for
           what
           reason
           I
           never
           yet
           heard
           ,
           nor
           can
           I
           think
           ,
           unless
           they
           think
           it
           is
           too
           mean
           or
           too
           common
           for
           their
           high-gifted
           Fantasies
           ,
           or
           would
           help
           the
           Enemy
           to
           obliterate
           it
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           do
           us
           more
           evil
           .
           Pardon
           me
           ,
           I
           pray
           ,
           all
           you
           that
           neglect
           it
           ,
           for
           it
           doth
           make
           the
           common
           people
           too
           too
           much
           slight
           it
           by
           such
           eminent
           examples
           .
        
         
           Nor
           would
           I
           be
           herein
           mistaken
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           like
           and
           allow
           of
           
             voluntary
             prayers
             ,
          
           which
           ought
           to
           be
           often
           seriously
           practised
           before
           publiquely
           used
           by
           devout
           souls
           ,
           it
           being
           the
           onely
           remedy
           for
           the
           saddest
           complaints
           of
           any
           afflicting
           conscience
           ,
           to
           make
           his
           timely
           addresses
           to
           his
           offended
           God
           ,
           for
           the
           quieting
           of
           his
           sorrow-troubled
           soul
           ;
           and
           was
           alwayes
           allowed
           in
           our
           Churches
           before
           and
           after
           Sermons
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           often
           heard
           before
           these
           times
           ;
           and
           now
           praise
           be
           to
           the
           highest
           Lord
           ,
           by
           divers
           rarely
           gifted
           Divines
           ,
           as
           the
           Angel
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           St.
           
           
             Dunstans
             ,
          
           and
           many
           others
           ,
           whose
           heavenly
           expressing
           language
           pours
           forth
           the
           dictates
           of
           the
           holy
           Spirit
           ,
           filling
           their
           Auditors
           ears
           with
           such
           soul-ravishing
           meditations
           ,
           as
           if
           the
           Cloven-working
           power
           had
           inflamed
           their
           zealous
           hearts
           with
           heavenly
           firing
           raptures
           .
           And
           it
           was
           well
           with
           us
           when
           such
           men
           steer'd
           the
           helm
           of
           publick
           Worship
           ,
           that
           being
           alwayes
           most
           for
           Gods
           glory
           :
           Although
           private
           Worship
           ought
           to
           be
           in
           great
           esteem
           ,
           as
           best
           pleasing
           to
           God
           ,
           which
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           doth
           direct
           ;
           those
           secret
           Closet-confessions
           of
           a
           broken
           and
           contrite
           heart
           ,
           with
           all
           the
           sorrow-shaking
           throws
           of
           a
           distressed
           soul
           ,
           pouring
           forth
           his
           saddest
           griefs
           before
           the
           heavenly
           throne
           ,
           that
           onely
           can
           help
           in
           time
           of
           greatest
           need
           ;
           which
           our
           old
           enemy
           knows
           is
           likeliest
           to
           prevail
           with
           God
           ,
           whose
           
           merciful
           goodness
           hath
           said
           ,
           
             Come
             unto
             me
             all
             ye
             that
             are
             heavy
             laden
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             give
             you
             rest
             .
          
        
         
           But
           the
           subtile
           betrayer
           of
           our
           weak
           performances
           ,
           is
           apt
           to
           suggest
           his
           old
           cunning
           sophistries
           into
           our
           soondeluded
           souls
           ,
           as
           he
           did
           our
           first
           Mother
           ,
           These
           meditations
           in
           publick
           ,
           amongst
           the
           gifted
           Brotherhood
           would
           make
           thee
           highly
           esteemed
           and
           accounted
           wise
           ,
           in
           letting
           your
           inspired
           new-tinded
           Lights
           be
           seen
           before
           religious
           men
           ;
           for
           the
           most
           
             tear-melting
             Hypocrite
             ,
          
           that
           is
           best
           able
           to
           deceive
           himself
           and
           others
           ,
           is
           the
           
             Saint
             ,
          
           that
           liketh
           him
           best
           :
           
             (
             Herod
          
           had
           the
           applause
           ,
           that
           
             It
             was
             the
             voice
             of
             a
             God
             and
             not
             of
             a
             man
             .
             )
          
           
           For
           he
           by
           no
           means
           would
           have
           us
           take
           counsel
           of
           our
           most
           endearing
           Saviour
           ,
           nor
           follow
           his
           examples
           ;
           who
           often
           withdrew
           himself
           apart
           to
           pray
           unto
           his
           all-guiding
           God
           ,
           to
           hold
           an
           heavenly
           conference
           with
           his
           Almighty
           Father
           about
           the
           great
           work
           of
           our
           Redemption
           ;
           and
           he
           hath
           also
           directed
           us
           
             To
             enter
             into
             our
             Clossets
             to
             pray
             in
             secret
             to
             our
             heavenly
             Father
             ,
          
           where
           we
           should
           unburthen
           our
           sin-guilty
           souls
           with
           the
           grones
           of
           his
           heavenly
           Spirit
           ,
           no where
           else
           so
           sufficiently
           to
           unfold
           our
           troubled
           minds
           and
           the
           distresses
           of
           our
           dejected
           spirits
           ,
           before
           a
           powerful
           forgiving
           God
           ,
           who
           knows
           the
           secret
           thoughts
           of
           our
           deceitful
           hearts
           ,
           before
           our
           tongues
           or
           brinish
           tears
           unfold
           our
           shameful
           griefs
           ,
           not
           fit
           for
           others
           ears
           to
           hear
           .
           Nor
           can
           such
           grief-expressing
           mones
           be
           made
           by
           a
           truly
           Penitents
           throbbing
           breast
           in
           publick
           ,
           but
           our
           old
           enemy
           will
           be
           distracting
           our
           thoughts
           with
           his
           subtile
           delusions
           ,
           which
           spoil
           the
           meditation
           of
           the
           serious
           prayers
           that
           we
           poor
           weaklings
           can
           perform
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           others
           .
           The
           Lord
           preserve
           us
           from
           his
           trecheries
           ,
           whose
           whole
           work
           is
           to
           deceive
           us
           .
        
         
           Therefore
           a
           known
           form
           of
           publick
           Worship
           ,
           that
           all
           may
           use
           ,
           is
           surely
           requisite
           :
           For
           may
           we
           not
           observe
           by
           
           the
           vile
           things
           now
           done
           by
           divers
           ,
           what
           want
           there
           hath
           been
           of
           the
           due
           observance
           of
           the
           great
           commands
           of
           the
           everliving
           God
           ,
           delivered
           upon
           Mount
           
             Sinai
          
           by
           the
           voice
           of
           the
           powerful
           Master
           ,
           when
           the
           Heaven-shaking
           thunders
           made
           the
           earth
           to
           tremble
           ,
           and
           
             Jacobs
          
           whole
           posterity
           to
           quake
           to
           hear
           what
           indignations
           the
           wilful
           breakers
           of
           these
           Heaven-given
           Laws
           should
           be
           punished
           with
           ;
           yet
           now
           for
           more
           than
           12.
           years
           in
           divers
           Congregations
           not
           read
           to
           the
           people
           nor
           observed
           ,
           as
           our
           duty
           binds
           us
           :
           whereby
           our
           transgressions
           (
           we
           may
           observe
           )
           are
           multiplied
           ,
           our
           great
           Gods
           commands
           too
           much
           dishonoured
           ,
           and
           by
           many
           falsly
           worshipped
           ,
           his
           Name
           violently
           taken
           in
           vain
           by
           our
           too
           too
           many
           
             Oaths
          
           and
           breaches
           of
           
             Covenants
             ,
          
           and
           
             hypocritical
             Fasts
             ,
          
           breaking
           of
           
             Sabbaths
             ,
          
           marching
           of
           armed
           men
           
             all
             dayes
          
           alike
           ,
           
             dishonouring
             our
             Magistrates
          
           and
           
             Parents
             ,
             Murthering
             our
             King
             ,
             Priests
          
           and
           
             Commons
             ,
             odious
             Adulteries
          
           used
           among
           us
           ,
           and
           many
           
             false
             Witnesses
          
           for
           Sequestrations
           ,
           and
           unneighbourly
           dealings
           too
           frequently
           used
           amongst
           us
           ,
           and
           too
           
             covetous
          
           of
           all
           manner
           of
           our
           
             Neighbours
             goods
             .
          
        
         
           But
           when
           those
           heavenly-breathed
           Petitions
           were
           poured
           out
           by
           all
           the
           Congregation
           to
           the
           Almighty
           glory
           ,
           
             Lord
             have
             mercy
             upon
             us
             ,
             and
             encline
             our
             hearts
             to
             keep
             this
             Law
             ;
             and
             also
             ,
             Lord
             have
             mercy
             upon
             us
             ,
             and
             write
             all
             these
             thy
             Laws
             in
             our
             hearts
             we
             beseech
             thee
             ;
          
           O
           what
           acclamations
           of
           joy
           those
           men
           breathed
           Petitons
           made
           against
           the
           walls
           of
           heaven
           ,
           and
           entered
           into
           the
           holy
           ears
           of
           the
           Almighty
           ;
           which
           by
           experience
           we
           may
           and
           ought
           to
           know
           ,
           when
           his
           holy
           ,
           glorious
           blessings
           preserved
           our
           Governours
           and
           Nation
           with
           tranquility
           and
           peace
           ,
           both
           from
           domestick
           and
           forreign
           foes
           ,
           for
           many
           score
           years
           together
           ,
           when
           those
           forms
           of
           publick
           Worship
           were
           continued
           ,
           wherein
           all
           had
           a
           share
           :
           But
           our
           old
           enemy
           
           (
           with
           his
           busie
           instruments
           ,
           who
           were
           long
           ago
           about
           to
           slight
           this
           work
           )
           knew
           well
           ,
           that
           as
           long
           as
           God
           was
           so
           worshipped
           by
           those
           constant
           forms
           of
           so
           well
           an
           instructing
           Church
           ,
           his
           labours
           were
           to
           no
           end
           :
           But
           at
           last
           he
           found
           Feoffees
           indeed
           he
           could
           trust
           ,
           who
           with
           their
           schismatique
           hammers
           and
           destroying
           Pickaxes
           of
           Division
           would
           now
           up
           with
           Root
           and
           Branch
           ,
           and
           take
           the
           
             Bramble
          
           for
           the
           
             Vine
             ,
          
           whose
           government
           he
           well
           knew
           would
           sufficiently
           scratch
           both
           
             Church
          
           and
           
             Common-wealth
             ,
          
           into
           the
           sad
           condition
           he
           long
           ago
           wished
           for
           ,
           as
           our selves
           and
           the
           distressed
           poor
           stript
           Sons
           of
           the
           Church
           by
           woful
           experience
           can
           testifie
           .
        
         
           But
           since
           the
           constant
           Prayers
           for
           all
           occasions
           of
           our
           well-ordered
           Church
           were
           put
           out
           of
           use
           ,
           how
           hath
           all
           things
           looked
           like
           the
           
             Antipodes
             ,
          
           as
           if
           a
           
             Chaos
          
           of
           confusion
           had
           infatuated
           all
           our
           Councils
           and
           actings
           ,
           that
           nothing
           cometh
           to
           good
           :
           And
           since
           the
           Pale
           of
           our
           distressed
           
             Sion
          
           and
           
             National
             Government
          
           was
           broken
           down
           by
           our
           schismatique
           Factions
           ,
           
             England
             ,
             Scotland
          
           and
           
             Ireland
          
           have
           all
           suffered
           a
           just
           deserved
           affliction
           ,
           by
           the
           loss
           of
           uniformity
           in
           Prayer
           for
           Magistrates
           and
           people
           :
           And
           also
           those
           unhappy
           hands
           who
           set
           about
           this
           fatal
           work
           ,
           in
           making
           way
           for
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Rome
          
           to
           unkennel
           her
           subtil
           Foxes
           to
           destroy
           ours
           ,
           with
           the
           help
           of
           our
           
             long
             tusked
             Bores
          
           with
           their
           
             basket-hilted
          
           swords
           ,
           who
           have
           rooted
           out
           and
           thrown
           down
           the
           
             Vineyard
             ,
          
           and
           laid
           waste
           the
           inheritance
           of
           our
           
             dear
             Mother
             ,
          
           and
           are
           like
           to
           destroy
           the
           rest
           of
           her
           tender
           plants
           ,
           if
           God
           in
           mercy
           prevent
           it
           not
           .
           But
           Gods
           divine
           vengeance
           ,
           whose
           Judgments
           have
           fallen
           upon
           divers
           of
           them
           ,
           our
           eyes
           have
           seen
           ,
           that
           are
           roled
           into
           their
           graves
           with
           reproch
           ,
           and
           their
           names
           recorded
           in
           infamy
           for
           after-Ages
           to
           abhor
           ,
           that
           nulled
           these
           heavenly
           petitions
           ,
           
             From
             Plague
             ,
             Pestilence
             and
          
           
           
             Famine
             ,
             from
             Battle
             and
             Murther
             ,
             and
             from
             sudden
             death
             ,
             Good
             Lord
             deliver
             us
             .
             From
             all
             sedition
             and
             privy
             conspiracy
             ,
             from
             all
             false
             doctrine
             and
             heresie
             ,
             from
             hardness
             of
             heart
             and
             contempt
             of
             thy
             Word
             and
             Commandments
             .
             Good
             Lord
             deliver
             us
             :
          
           the
           which
           in
           all
           likelihood
           by
           our
           humble
           addresses
           ,
           and
           with
           our
           hearty
           united
           prayers
           ,
           and
           truly
           compunctious
           tears
           to
           his
           heavenly
           Majesty
           ,
           might
           have
           moved
           our
           gracious
           God
           to
           have
           had
           compassion
           on
           us
           ,
           and
           our
           
             King
          
           and
           all
           his
           people
           ,
           which
           now
           lie
           languishing
           in
           woful
           distresses
           ,
           because
           we
           have
           rejected
           those
           usual
           means
           ,
           by
           which
           for
           many
           years
           his
           gracious
           goodness
           was
           pleased
           to
           deliver
           our
           Land
           and
           Governors
           from
           Plague
           ,
           Famine
           ,
           and
           intestine
           Wars
           ,
           and
           from
           factious
           Schisciomites
           .
        
         
           What
           a
           decent
           sight
           it
           was
           to
           see
           the
           people
           so
           reverently
           worshiping
           the
           mighty
           Lord
           ,
           when
           they
           warbled
           forth
           with
           joynt
           consent
           ,
           
             O
             come
             let
             us
             sing
             unto
             the
             Lord
             ,
             let
             us
             heartily
             rejoyce
             in
             the
             strength
             of
             our
             Salvation
             ;
          
           and
           those
           eternal
           dues
           from
           all
           the
           Earth
           ,
           in
           the
           
             Landamus
             ,
             We
             praise
             thee
             ,
             O
             God
             ,
             we
             acknowledge
             thee
             to
             be
             the
             Lord
             ,
             &c.
          
           that
           all
           the
           people
           ,
           both
           young
           and
           old
           ,
           rich
           and
           poor
           ,
           are
           in
           duty
           bound
           reverently
           
             to
             worship
             the
             Father
             everlasting
             ,
          
           whose
           infinite
           Majesty
           gloriously
           commands
           all
           the
           whole
           world
           :
           And
           yet
           we
           poor
           Underlings
           ,
           the
           sinful
           Sons
           of
           
             Adam
             ,
          
           must
           be
           tongue-tied
           ,
           and
           may
           not
           bear
           a
           part
           in
           those
           heavenly
           Hallelujahs
           to
           our
           most
           gracious
           preserver
           and
           powerful
           Redeemer
           ,
           because
           a
           few
           of
           our
           tender-conscienc'd
           brethren
           will
           not
           allow
           us
           that
           freedom
           to
           discharge
           our
           eternally
           obliged
           duties
           without
           offending
           them
           ,
           who
           under
           the
           name
           of
           
             Liberty
             of
             Conscience
          
           do
           manage
           all
           kind
           of
           mischiefs
           ;
           
           witness
           the
           direful
           Petition
           
             Febr.
          
           9.
           1658.
           
        
         
           When
           these
           decent
           Orders
           were
           used
           in
           our
           well-disciplined
           
           Church
           ,
           with
           what
           reverence
           did
           my
           eyes
           behold
           both
           old
           and
           young
           adore
           their
           holy
           Maker
           ,
           and
           since
           this
           named
           
             Reformation
             ,
          
           how
           unreverently
           do
           most
           demean
           themselves
           in
           his
           sacred
           Temples
           ,
           the
           place
           of
           his
           divine
           worship
           ,
           where
           children
           ,
           boyes
           and
           unmannerly
           servants
           clap
           on
           their
           hats
           before
           their
           Masters
           ,
           Magistrates
           ,
           Ministers
           ,
           Judges
           and
           all
           degrees
           of
           men
           ,
           and
           yet
           forbear
           it
           at
           home
           ,
           but
           presume
           to
           affront
           God
           with
           as
           much
           unhandsom
           worship
           as
           the
           Reformation
           is
           pleased
           to
           suffer
           to
           avoid
           Superstition
           .
           When
           I
           have
           observed
           in
           inferiour
           Courts
           ,
           as
           at
           Sessions
           and
           elsewhere
           in
           cooler
           air
           before
           men
           ,
           onely
           earthly
           Judges
           and
           upon
           wooden
           benches
           ,
           highly
           reverenced
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           were
           some
           great
           fault
           to
           be
           covered
           before
           them
           ,
           who
           are
           but
           the
           Keepers
           of
           the
           laws
           of
           Men
           ,
           when
           our
           ever-living
           God
           ,
           who
           made
           the
           glorious
           heavens
           ,
           with
           all
           the
           mighty
           vast
           movables
           ,
           who
           keep
           their
           course
           for
           the
           observation
           of
           times
           and
           seasons
           ,
           ever
           since
           the
           Creation
           ,
           with
           the
           massy
           globe
           we
           trample
           upon
           ,
           which
           he
           hath
           hung
           in
           the
           air
           by
           the
           power
           of
           his
           all-commanding
           word
           ,
           with
           the
           proud
           waves
           of
           the
           great
           Deep
           ,
           who
           keep
           their
           violent
           ebbings
           and
           flowings
           in
           their
           appointed
           channels
           ,
           round
           the
           circumference
           of
           the
           earth
           with
           admiration
           and
           wonder
           :
           And
           yet
           this
           infinite
           incomprehensible
           all-powerful
           God
           ,
           that
           giveth
           us
           all
           good
           things
           here
           ,
           and
           eternal
           life
           hereafter
           ,
           is
           so
           unhandsomly
           served
           by
           us
           his
           poor
           creatures
           ,
           and
           may
           not
           be
           suffered
           without
           offence
           (
           forsooth
           )
           to
           tender
           Consciences
           to
           use
           our
           dear
           Mothers
           decent
           dressings
           in
           her
           humble
           ornaments
           to
           do
           her
           divine
           adorations
           to
           this
           glorious
           King
           ,
           for
           fear
           of
           ushering
           in
           Superstition
           ;
           as
           if
           rational
           men
           might
           not
           teach
           their
           children
           and
           servants
           such
           respective
           observations
           in
           holy
           worship
           (
           to
           our
           great
           God
           ,
           before
           whom
           the
           Cherubims
           and
           glorious
           Angels
           
           tremble
           when
           they
           come
           before
           him
           )
           as
           in
           civility
           we
           do
           to
           one
           another
           ,
           and
           before
           our
           earthly
           Judges
           which
           die
           like
           men
           .
        
         
           And
           why
           those
           decent
           postures
           of
           humbly
           kneeling
           when
           the
           Sacrament
           is
           received
           ,
           and
           those
           known
           prayers
           fitted
           for
           that
           posture
           said
           ,
           as
           
             The
             body
             of
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             which
             was
             given
             for
             thee
             ,
             &c.
          
           and
           likewise
           those
           agonizing
           words
           ,
           
             The
             bloud
             of
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             which
             was
             shed
             for
             thee
             ,
             &c.
          
           all
           those
           known
           prayers
           used
           by
           all
           the
           Communicants
           ,
           to
           keep
           the
           evil
           one
           from
           hindring
           our
           serious
           meditations
           ,
           and
           humble
           invocations
           upon
           our
           bended
           knees
           ,
           whiles
           others
           were
           singing
           those
           
             hallowed
             Hymns
             ,
          
           while
           the
           holy
           sacrificed
           Oblation
           was
           remembringly
           performed
           by
           all
           the
           believing
           Communicants
           ;
           over
           that
           that
           I
           have
           seen
           of
           late
           by
           divers
           ,
           who
           are
           very
           observant
           to
           see
           how
           the
           deliverer
           prayes
           and
           receives
           ,
           whilst
           divers
           are
           at
           gaze
           to
           see
           what
           others
           do
           ,
           more
           than
           seriously
           I
           fear
           to
           consider
           the
           
             great
             work
          
           we
           are
           about
           which
           brings
           
             life
          
           or
           
             death
             .
          
           Truly
           I
           like
           not
           the
           new
           way
           though
           performed
           by
           able
           men
           ,
           but
           will
           have
           none
           but
           their
           select
           permitted
           ,
           when
           they
           cannot
           see
           into
           the
           hearts
           of
           men
           more
           now
           ,
           than
           the
           inspired
           Apostles
           could
           ,
           who
           charged
           us
           
             to
             examine
             our selves
          
           upon
           great
           penalties
           .
           The
           people
           would
           indeed
           go
           up
           to
           
             Jerusalem
             to
             worship
             ,
          
           after
           the
           accustomed
           manner
           ,
           and
           
             Jeroboam
          
           would
           devise
           a
           new
           way
           to
           restrain
           their
           old
           way
           of
           Sacrificing
           ,
           but
           it
           became
           a
           fault
           ,
           I
           pray
           God
           it
           may
           be
           none
           to
           our
           Restrainers
           from
           the
           usual
           Sacraments
           .
        
         
           Likewise
           ,
           I
           have
           wondred
           why
           the
           Birth
           of
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           should
           not
           be
           solemnized
           ,
           (
           as
           formerly
           it
           was
           )
           by
           as
           wise
           and
           learned
           men
           as
           are
           now
           ,
           to
           keep
           in
           memory
           a
           day
           for
           his
           birth
           ;
           since
           God
           so
           miraculously
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           own
           goodness
           ,
           hath
           been
           pleased
           to
           discover
           how
           our
           
           God
           was
           made
           man
           ,
           and
           that
           holy
           born
           man
           made
           God
           to
           redeem
           us
           ,
           and
           therefore
           in
           my
           weak
           judgment
           fit
           to
           be
           kept
           in
           perpetual
           memory
           to
           all
           generations
           of
           Christian
           men
           ,
           until
           the
           Resurrection
           ,
           when
           there
           will
           be
           no
           distinction
           of
           Gods
           :
           At
           last
           I
           did
           conceive
           it
           was
           the
           old
           enemy
           of
           mans
           happiness
           ,
           that
           would
           obliterate
           the
           great
           Gods
           Birth-day
           ,
           under
           some
           reforming
           pretence
           ,
           that
           in
           time
           he
           might
           bring
           in
           Infidelism
           ,
           and
           by
           degrees
           damp
           the
           light
           of
           the
           holy
           Scriptures
           ,
           the
           great
           work
           he
           is
           now
           about
           ;
           the
           Lord
           prevent
           him
           with
           the
           birth
           of
           our
           dear
           Saviour
           whom
           he
           would
           have
           forgotten
           :
           Then
           let
           him
           alone
           to
           bring
           several
           gods
           amongst
           us
           ,
           as
           
             Ashteroth
             ,
             Molech
             ,
             Mahomet
             ,
          
           or
           any
           of
           those
           heathenish
           Baboons
           ;
           but
           God
           ,
           who
           is
           alwayes
           good
           to
           his
           ,
           is
           now
           raising
           up
           one
           instrument
           or
           other
           to
           keep
           the
           memory
           of
           his
           holy
           Childs
           birth
           on
           foot
           ,
           as
           may
           be
           spoken
           to
           his
           glorious
           honour
           ,
           and
           the
           immortal
           praise
           of
           that
           vertuous
           Lady
           
             Parthenia
             Lowman
             ,
          
           who
           hath
           given
           to
           St.
           
           
             Dunstans
          
           west
           ,
           and
           two
           or
           three
           adjacent
           parishes
           100
           l.
           apeece
           ,
           the
           improvement
           whereof
           she
           hath
           ordered
           to
           be
           given
           to
           glad
           the
           hearts
           of
           the
           Poor
           upon
           the
           Birth-day
           of
           our
           blessed
           Lord
           ,
           with
           a
           commemoration-Sermon
           also
           to
           continue
           his
           sacred
           memory
           to
           all
           succeeding
           generations
           .
        
         
           What
           offence
           likewise
           to
           any
           did
           that
           soul-ravishing
           Emphasis
           and
           general
           applause
           of
           all
           the
           Congregation
           to
           the
           honor
           of
           our
           most
           endearing
           God
           ,
           
             Glory
             be
             to
             the
             Father
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             Son
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             holy
             Ghost
             ,
             &c.
          
           fit
           to
           be
           acknowledged
           and
           used
           by
           all
           the
           sincere
           Worshippers
           of
           God
           throughout
           the
           whole
           world
           .
           And
           this
           interlocutory
           Doxology
           holy
           
             David
          
           did
           allow
           ,
           and
           sure
           his
           judgment
           was
           right
           ,
           being
           by
           testimony
           of
           holy
           Writ
           ,
           
             A
             man
             after
             Gods
             own
             heart
             ,
          
           when
           he
           breaks
           forth
           into
           holy
           raptures
           in
           
             Psal.
             67.
             
             Let
             all
             the
             people
             praise
             thee
             ,
             O
             God
             ,
             let
             all
             the
             people
             praise
          
           
           
             thee
             ;
          
           and
           with
           this
           promised
           blessing
           ,
           
             ver.
             6.
             
             Then
             shall
             the
             Earth
             bring
             forth
             her
             increase
             ,
             and
             God
             ,
             even
             our
             God
             ,
             shall
             give
             us
             his
             blessing
             .
          
           To
           speak
           the
           very
           truth
           ,
           there
           are
           so
           many
           holy
           sentences
           ,
           and
           heavenly
           ejaculations
           ,
           and
           divine
           prayers
           for
           all
           occasions
           ,
           that
           it
           makes
           my
           amazed
           soul
           to
           wonder
           and
           tremble
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           neglect
           ,
           nay
           with
           contempt
           slight
           and
           cast
           out
           ,
           such
           a
           well-framed
           form
           of
           publick
           worship
           ,
           that
           instructed
           the
           simple
           and
           unlearned
           to
           rightly
           worship
           God
           ,
           by
           her
           constant
           rules
           of
           publick
           worship
           .
           But
           I
           have
           done
           :
           This
           is
           a
           work
           indeed
           for
           some
           Angelick
           Orator
           ,
           to
           let
           us
           ignorant
           know
           the
           heavenly
           use
           might
           be
           made
           of
           such
           a
           mercy
           we
           once
           enjoyed
           ,
           though
           now
           slighting
           that
           
             Manna
          
           so
           wisely
           provided
           for
           us
           .
        
         
           Having
           thus
           cast
           in
           my
           two
           poor
           inconsiderable
           Mites
           ,
           the
           one
           for
           the
           
             Liberties
          
           of
           my
           native
           Country
           ,
           the
           other
           for
           my
           dear
           Mother
           the
           distressed
           Church
           of
           
             England
          
           in
           these
           troublesom
           times
           :
           I
           hope
           my
           friends
           will
           sparingly
           censure
           the
           weak
           smoakings
           of
           this
           smothering
           flax
           ;
           and
           for
           my
           foes
           to
           this
           just
           cause
           and
           me
           ,
           the
           good
           Lord
           forgive
           them
           and
           pardon
           me
           ,
           in
           time
           of
           greatest
           need
           (
           if
           any
           trouble
           come
           )
           for
           thus
           discharging
           my
           Conscience
           as
           being
           a
           
             Covenanter
          
           and
           loving
           well-willer
           to
           the
           Church
           and
           State
           .
           Pardon
           me
           also
           ,
           I
           pray
           you
           ,
           
             ye
             great
             learned
             lights
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
          
           for
           thus
           presuming
           to
           offer
           with
           my
           roughhewing
           hands
           and
           unpollished
           Pen
           ,
           in
           touching
           things
           so
           far
           above
           my
           feeble
           reach
           ,
           (
           and
           with
           the
           greatest
           ,
           accept
           of
           the
           will
           for
           the
           deed
           )
           you
           know
           the
           poor
           widow
           would
           cast
           into
           the
           Treasury
           
             all
             that
             she
             had
             ;
          
           and
           it
           was
           the
           poor
           Shepherds
           ,
           inconsiderable
           persons
           ,
           I
           humbly
           conceive
           ,
           that
           had
           the
           happiness
           to
           see
           that
           heavenly
           sight
           of
           the
           
             blessed
             Quire
             of
             Angels
             ,
          
           when
           they
           proclaimed
           
             Glory
             to
             God
             in
             the
             highest
             ,
             on
             earth
             peace
             ,
             good
             will
             towards
             men
             ;
          
           yea
           their
           poor
           
           ears
           had
           the
           honor
           to
           hear
           that
           unexpressible
           soul-ravishing
           mirth
           ,
           that
           that
           Hierarchy
           of
           Angels
           made
           at
           the
           birth
           of
           our
           dear
           mothers
           new-born
           Bridgroom
           :
           And
           we
           poor
           weaklings
           would
           heartily
           rejoyce
           to
           hear
           and
           see
           the
           Church
           again
           comforted
           ;
           therefore
           I
           hope
           you
           will
           excuse
           me
           ,
           poor
           despicable
           worm
           ,
           (
           and
           with
           humble
           reverence
           I
           'le
           but
           remember
           you
           )
           A
           
             Carpenter
          
           was
           dry
           Nurse
           to
           the
           holy
           Son
           of
           the
           most
           high
           God
           ;
           and
           divers
           mean
           men
           have
           had
           a
           hand
           in
           repairing
           of
           Churches
           though
           they
           could
           not
           perfect
           them
           ;
           and
           I
           am
           confident
           the
           Church
           with
           her
           decencies
           and
           truths
           will
           again
           be
           in
           high
           esteem
           with
           moderate
           men
           ,
           when
           these
           foggy
           mists
           of
           our
           misled
           understandings
           are
           dispers'd
           ,
           as
           God
           hath
           already
           begun
           to
           manifest
           his
           divine
           power
           after
           his
           own
           way
           ,
           
           without
           one
           blow
           strucken
           by
           man
           as
           yet
           ,
           and
           many
           of
           the
           opposers
           of
           Church
           and
           State
           
             nonplus'd
          
           or
           amazedly
           astonished
           and
           vanished
           ;
           and
           a
           great
           part
           of
           that
           prophesie
           uttered
           by
           the
           late
           King
           performed
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           rest
           of
           it
           hasting
           by
           divine
           justice
           to
           be
           made
           known
           to
           all
           the
           world
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           Kings
           Book
           of
           his
           Prophesies
           is
           foretold
           :
        
         
           
             Nor
             will
             he
             suffer
             those
             men
             long
             to
             prosper
             in
             their
             Babel
             ,
             who
             build
             it
             with
             the
             bones
             ,
             and
             cement
             it
             with
             the
             bloud
             of
             their
             Kings
             .
             I
             am
             confident
             they
             will
             find
             avengers
             of
             my
             death
             amongst
             themselves
             ▪
             the
             injuries
             I
             have
             sustained
             from
             them
             shall
             be
             first
             punished
             by
             them
             ,
             who
             agreed
             in
             nothing
             so
             much
             as
             in
             opposing
             me
             .
             Their
             impatience
             to
             hear
             the
             loud
             cry
             of
             my
             bloud
             ,
             shall
             make
             them
             think
             no
             way
             better
             to
             expiate
             it
             than
             by
             shedding
             theirs
             ,
             who
             with
             them
             most
             thirsted
             after
             mine
             ;
             who
             have
             cause
             to
             fear
             ,
             that
             God
             will
             both
             further
             divide
             ,
             and
             by
             mutual
             vengeance
             afterwards
             destroy
             .
          
           
           A
           great
           part
           of
           which
           Prophesie
           hath
           already
           been
           manifested
           to
           the
           observers
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           rest
           expected
           .
        
         
         
           But
           let
           us
           the
           lovers
           of
           
             Sion
          
           and
           her
           sacred-truths
           ,
           that
           have
           had
           the
           hateful
           names
           of
           
             Malignants
             ,
             &c.
          
           cast
           upon
           us
           ,
           move
           like
           sober
           men
           that
           truly
           fear
           God
           ,
           and
           desire
           no
           revenge
           ,
           but
           the
           love
           of
           our
           Brethren
           that
           have
           been
           too
           much
           misled
           by
           
             Phanatick
             humors
             ,
          
           (
           for
           
             love
             covereth
             a
             multitude
             of
             sins
             )
          
           whereof
           we
           are
           all
           guilty
           ,
           and
           remember
           it
           is
           said
           
             2
             Sam.
             24.
             
             The
             anger
             of
             the
             Lord
             was
             moved
             against
          
           Israel
           ,
           
             and
             he
             movedDavid
          
           
             to
             number
          
           Israel
           
             and
          
           Judah
           ;
           and
           
             Israel
          
           was
           punished
           ,
           but
           the
           holy-hearted
           King
           ,
           when
           he
           saw
           the
           people
           in
           perplexity
           ,
           cried
           out
           ,
           
             Lo
             I
             have
             sinned
             ,
             and
             I
             have
             done
             wickedly
             ,
             but
             these
             sheep
             what
             have
             they
             done
             ?
             let
             thine
             hand
             ,
             I
             pray
             thee
             ,
             be
             against
             me
             and
             my
             Fathers
             house
             :
          
           And
           how
           did
           our
           dear
           slain
           Sovereign
           ,
           that
           meek
           Christian
           and
           tender-hearted
           King
           ,
           imitate
           that
           holy
           forespoken-of
           King
           ,
           when
           he
           said
           
             pag.
          
           142.
           
           
             After-times
             may
             see
             what
             the
             blindness
             of
             this
             Age
             will
             not
             ,
             and
             God
             may
             at
             length
             shew
             my
             Subjects
             ,
             that
             I
             chose
             rather
             to
             suffer
             for
             them
             than
             with
             them
             .
             Haply
             I
             might
             redeem
             my self
             to
             some
             shew
             of
             liberty
             if
             I
             would
             consent
             to
             enslave
             them
             ;
             I
             had
             rather
             hazard
             the
             ruine
             of
             one
             King
             ,
             than
             to
             confirm
             many
             Tyrants
             over
             them
             ,
             from
             whom
             I
             pray
             God
             deliver
             them
             ,
             what
             ever
             becomes
             of
             me
             .
          
        
         
           Here
           was
           his
           Christian
           Charity
           shewed
           indeed
           ,
           whose
           blessed
           Soul
           ,
           I
           confidently
           believe
           ,
           is
           crowned
           in
           eternal
           bliss
           ,
           and
           enjoyes
           that
           full
           happiness
           there
           ,
           that
           was
           but
           promised
           
             To
             be
             be
             made
             Glorious
             here
             :
          
           But
           his
           
             Martyrdom
          
           will
           make
           his
           Name
           renowned
           to
           all
           generations
           to
           come
           ,
           and
           his
           Murderers
           as
           infamous
           to
           all
           succeeding
           Ages
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A52167e-130
           
             As
             the
             Covenant
             is
             in
             our
             Churches
             .
          
           
             Judges
             5.
             23.
             
          
           
             Exod.
             14
             11.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             18.
             25.
             
          
           
             Acts
             12.
             22.
             
          
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             
          
           
             The
             wicked
             fly
             when
             none
             pursue
             .
          
           
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
             ,
             page
             179.