YOu Rulers and Chief in Authority, I have Written this unto you, that you might▪ Read and underſtand, what and who is the cauſe of Strife, and War, and Diviſion, and Rending of Kingdoms, Governments and Common-wealths, and cauſing Diſtraction amongſt people, and Heart-burning, and Murder, and Revenge one Brother againſt another, and one Neighbour againſt another. And farther that no Ruler not Governour, nor Government can be Eſtabliſhed, nor firmly ſettled, until theſe things are removed, which is the Ground of Unſettledneſs, and which hath unſettled Kings and Parliaments, and divided them and daſht them one againſt another.

Now they that Preach for Hire, and Divine for mony, whoſe maintenance doth depend upon their Office, and their Office doth depend upon Perſons, and Forms, and Times; ſo that if their Office be taken away, their Maintenance fails; and if their Form be diſliked, their Office comes in queſtion, and their Maintenance in danger; and through theſe Men, and theſe Things have been the cauſe of all the late War, and expence of Blood and Treaſure. And all People who have truſted in them, have been deceived by them, and cheated, and betrayed, and brought to miſery, whilſt they have feaſted and been ready to turn with all Times to ſerve themſelves.

For now conſider, that before the Wars, when Idolatry and Superſtition grew amongſt people under Epiſcopacy, (ſo call'd) and prophaneneſs, and licenciouſneſs became tollerated by that generation, and all the conſcientious zealous people for God became perſecuted, and hated and made a prey, ſo that it were a hard matter for any man to live without ſuſpicion of 〈◊〉 dangerous, who made Conſcience of any thing, eſpecially in the worſhip of God; But they who were Lovers of Pr • de and wantonneſs, letters up of May-poles, Bull-baitings, Revels. Wakes, and ſuch like; by which many people did aſſemble together to be drunk, and to Riot & Blaſpheme the Name of the moſt Holy God. And if the Spirit of the Lord was grieved in any to ſee theſe things committed, and a Teſtimony borne againſt it by any) How were ſuch made a reproach, their goods ſpoyled by the Officers of the then called Spiritual Courts? and that kind of Miniſtery that tollerated and partaked in ſuch wickedneſs, they were the men ſet up, countenanced and intruſted, and bore all the Rule amongſt people every where; and many years was the Spirit of the Lord grieved, and his righteous Soul vexed with theſe abominations, and often called them to return, but they would not hear; but hardned their hearts in their wickedneſs, and went on in their Rebellion againſt God, until his w • ath waxed hot againſt them, and the Conteſt began between the King and the Parliament, and increaſed until a great War began, as is well and b • woful experience unto many to this day remembred; and the Biſhops being near unto the KING, and well diſcerning that if by force they were not able to uphold their Office they muſt fail, and their great yearly Revenue, which depended upon their Office would be loſt, and they not doubting their ſtrength, becauſe of the KING, and the greatneſs of their number, forgot God, who ſaveth, not by many, nor by few; and then they preached up the KING, and their Office, their Form of their Service, upon 〈◊〉 of Damnation to all that ſhould reſiſt them, calling them Rebels, and Traytors, and Heriteks that ſhould oppoſe.

Another ſort of Clergy-men, who were then ſomething more refined, and were indeed many of them more zealous and conſciencious, they prayed againſt the proſperity of the KING, and his Party, and againſt the Biſhops, with the reſt of their Train, and ſo when one Bleſſed, another Curſed; and ſo men according to their affections ſided, and both were upon pain of damnation, and here the Leaders of the people cauſed them to erre, and many thouſands that were thus led were deſtroyed; and with great difficulty did the War go on for a long ſeaſon, and the victory inclining to neither; But the Army of the King and his party grew numerous, and ſtill they who were called the Miniſters, ceaſed not on either part to Preach up the intereſt they had undertaken, though never ſo much blood might be ſhed in the proſecution thereof, untill the King and that party was worſted and overthrown: And then ſome began to ſee that it was not honeſty, but intereſt that made them ſo eager; So then they called Miniſters of the Parliaments part, many of them ſeeing that their gain was in danger by reaſon of that prevailing party which then had overthrown the King and his Army, they (to wit the Miniſters ſo called) began to drive on new deſignes, ſo that they can never ceaſe fomentinng of diviſion, except their intereſt be at top and they themſelves alwaies divided amongſt themſelves, by reaſon of their great number, that ſome of them alwayes wants room, ſo that they have leiſure and liberty, ability and opportunity to deviſe new ſtratagems to carry on new deviſions, that they may ſupplant one another to make roome.

But then when the Army had gotten the upper hand, and that the Generall begins to appeare as if he might be at the Stern, and that he countenanced thoſe who at that time the Lord had opened their eyes, and they diſcovered the rottenneſs of them called Miniſters, then they ſet themſelves as it were wholly againſt him by all manner of means; Labouring by Plotting, Preaching, and Printing againſt them, believing in their minds, that if he ſhould once be at reſt, and in full power, he would certainly have pluckt down their Tythes: So from time to time, the fear of looſing their great income on the one ſide, and the Pride and Ambition of the other ſide, they never in no time want matter wherewith to blow the • ire of contention, ſtill crying out againſt one or other ſort of people that ſtand in their way, and ſo labouring to remove them out of their way by cruelty towards them, having time and opportunity to fill peoples hearts and minds with evill, by Preaching up the wickedneſs of their own hearts, laying it upon others whom they'l not ſuffer to anſwer for themſelves, by that meanes laying ſuch loads of bitter Perſecutions upon people, that have forced many to be Enemyes to thoſe againſt whom they had no thought of evill, for who is there but will ſtand for his life? So in that time when the then Generall had ſubdued them all, and brought them into ſubjection, how ſoon did they Court him with Flatteryes, endeavouring to promote him to the higheſt honour, and ſo blinded his judgment, and he ſuffering them to breath a while, and not executing judgment ſpeedily, their hearts had another miſchief to deviſe, and ſo then preaching up his Government as Jure divino, and then both they that had joyned with the King, and ſtirred up people to fight for the King, and for the Service-Book, and the reſt of that ſtuffe, and them alſo who had fought againſt the King and Service-Book, they ſoon became one, and they preach up Oliver to be Protector, and they all make uſe of his Authority, they tooke the Engagement againſt King or Houſe of Lords, and ſo then he was the only man, and this was the only Government; But ſtill there was a few people, who ſtill ſaw their deceit and Treacherous dealing with all ſorts, and theſe could not ceaſe to make mention of it, their ſouls being grieved with their abominable deceit, and then they make it their whole buſineſs in all places to ſtir up the Rulers and eſpecially the Protector to cut off ſuch from the earth; and they labour to create Parliaments to their mind, and all ſorts of Rulers to their mind, never ceaſing by all meanes to cut off this people: But Oliver the Protector being by the Righteous hand of God cut off, becauſe he had not executed the thing for which the Lord raiſed him up, but ſuffered the people of the Lord to be ſorely afflicted, and the ſame oppreſſion to remaine upon the free people of this Nation as before. His Son Richard he came in his ſtead, how then did the men called Miniſters haſten with their addreſſes from their ſeverall Townes and Corporations to congratulate the young Protector, and to give unto him the greateſt ſtile that could be thought upon? ſo that to ſome he was the Orient Star that was riſen to give them light, and ſuch like; and ſo having lifted up the young mans heart, they then thought themſelves ſecure, and then they with him call a Parliament according to their own hearts deſire, whom they thought were fitted to do the work which they long had deſired, but when they had as it were brought that work to maturity, that was to have cut off all thoſe from the earth) which would not bow to their Image, the Lord overturned their Counſels in one The old Parliament. day, & brought up another people in their ſtead, into whoſe hands the Lord delivered them; for that they (many of them) had long cryed againſt the Protectors Oppreſſion, and Uſurpation, and had promi • ed to execute the judgment which God expected ſhould be done upon thoſe who had kept his people in bondage; but they likewiſe forgot the day of their adverſity, in which they cryed unto the Lord, and he heard them; and they likewiſe began to lay more heavy Yoaks upon Gods people, Voted up Tythes, and the Lord overturned them likewiſe, and ſet up another ſort; The Committee of Safety. but their hearts being not right in the ſight of God, and had no mind to execute his judgment upon theſe who ſtill held the people of God in bondage, the Lord gave them no reſt, but brought in their Enemyes upon them as a flood, his long-ſuffering being at an end, and the meaſure of their tranſgreſſion finiſhed, he hath now delivered them into the hands of their Enemyes; that as the Lord ſent his Servants to cry unto them, and to wa • ne them, and they had no regard unto the ſufferings of his people, yet the Lord often warned all ſorts of them of the evil day that is now come upon them, and they would not hear, nor regard the cry of the Oppreſſed; but the men called Miniſters, they preacht peace unto them, and ſaid no evil ſhould happen unto them, and they cryed that the Lord had not ſent theſe men, but they were deluded, untill ſudden deſtruction came upon them, as is ſeen, even pain as upon a Woman in Travell.

And now what is become of theſe men called Miniſters who (as I ſaid) before the war, and in the war, Preach'd and Prayed againſt the King? who made it as it were their work, and the Cauſe of God, to f • ght againſt the King; the ſame men againſt the Protector, and for the Protector, who were ſo zealous for the Government of the Protector, that they impriſoned, and whipped, and cryed out in the ears of Magiſtrates where ever they came, againſt a poor deſpired people, that they were Enemies to the Government, and were ſuſpected that they met together to plot againſt the Government (of the Protector I mean,) and ſtirred up the Rulers and they got Souldiers, and they (called Miniſters) with the Souldiers and rude people brake their meetings, and accuſed them as being dangerous to the Government, having a deſign againſt the Government, and ſo caſt into priſon, and all this in Zeal to the Government of the Protector, and theſe were Miniſters (ſo called) of all ſorts, as well of them who had been formerly for the King, and thoſe who had likewiſe been againſt him, were become one for the government, and one againſt the people of God, which diſcovered their deceit, and the Protector, as its well known, and his government, was the onely Man, and Government that ſtood in oppoſition both to the Perſon and Government of the King; yet all this, and much more that might be ſaid, was then done by that ſort of men in behalf, and by vertue of that Government, and theſe are the men that now (as it were with one heart, and with one conſent,) Preach up, and cry up the King.

O you that are now Rulers; Are theſe men to be truſted? Are theſe men to be followed as leaders? Are theſe men to be regarded as to teach the way to eternall life? Are they not guilty of all the blood-ſhed in theſe Nations? Can any Government be ſecure whilſt they are the men ſet up, and their wayes upheld after ſuch a manner as now it is? Did not the King and that party follow them, and were guided by them in their Councell, and had their bleſſing, and were taught by them, that they were in the Truth, and that they ſhould proſper? And did they not prove falſe Prophets unto them, and were deceived by them, and led into deſtruction? Whereas on the contrary, if the King had removed the Yoak off from the Conſciences of people, and had ſet peoples Conſciences free, and have had his eare open to have heard the cry of them who were afflicted by the Cruelty of the then Biſhops, and their Courts and Clergy, and had eaſed the burthen from off their ſhoulder; why then might not the King have lived in peace, and ruled over the people, and gone to the grave in peace? And again, after, if the Parliament had not fought to inſlave this people, and have brought a greater yoke upon the Conſciences of thoſe who ſought after God in ſincerity of heart, might not they have remained, and their names been honourable, and they gone to their graves in peace? and likewiſe the Protector, if he had done the thing he promiſed and engaged for, and had broken the Yoak of the Oppreſſor, and removed the Oppreſſion, to have taken away Tythes, and ſet the conſciences of all people in their Worſhip to God free; might not his Kingdom been eſtabliſhed, and his Name been perpetually honourable? For now conſider, that it was never Names, as Kings, or Judges, or Elders, or ſuch like that the Lord owned, not the name of the thing one more then another, but the thing it ſelf, that is to ſay, the Ruler called by what name he would; he that ruled for God, neither the right as by ſucceſſion, or not ſo, if he ruled for God, he eſtabliſhed him; as Saul whom the Lord choſe, yet when he did not obey the voyce of God, the Lord rent the Kingdome from him, and gave it unto his Neighbour, for it is Righteouſneſs and juſt Judgment, and the breaking the ſtaffe of the Oppreſsor, it is this that eſtabliſheth the King and the Kingdome, and that King whoſe heart is wholly ſet to ſeek the Lord in ſincerity, and to eſtabliſh judgment and Juſtice in the earth, and to remove oppreſſion, It is he and his Kingdome that ſhall be Eſtabliſhed, and this cannot be done, as long as the men called Miniſters are thus ſet over the people, and can exact by force ſo large a maintenance from them, for there is no ſort of people whatſoever that can carry on Plots and deſignes to overturn Governments as they can, for they being ſcattered over all the Nation in every Pariſh, having ſo large a maintenance, they have leiſure, and know the mindes of every perſon in the Pariſh, how they ſtand affected, and to whom, and they themſelves under pretence of Faſting and Praying have opportunity to meet, and by that know the minds of every one amongſt themſelves, how they ſtand affected, and by this meanes they can Poyſon a whole Nation, and leaven them with malice, againſt whom they pleaſe; for as is the Prieſt ſo is the People, or the moſt of them, who are their followers, and ſo then if their intereſt be upheld, they will uphold them that uphold it, whatſoever they are, they will preach peace unto them, and promiſe them proſperity, though the judgments of the Lord be at the doore, and their intereſt are ſo differring one unto another, that they one ſtand in the deſtruction of the other, for the Old Proteſtant ſo called, he cannot ſtand with the Papiſt, nor the Preſbyter with the Proteſtant, nor the Independent with either, and the pride of their hearts, and the greedineſs of their gaine, that cauſeth them that they alwayes envy one another, for becauſe of the greatneſs of their profit and pride of life, and the eaſe of their fleſh, there is ſo many that ſeek after it, and ſo this blinds the minds of them, (the God of us World) and ſo they cry up that man and that Government that will ſtand for them, and uphold their gaine though to the deſtruction of all others beſides themſelves.

So it is altogether inconſiſtant with the ſafety of the people, and the well being of the Ruler or Rulers, the upholding and maintaining a Miniſtry by a forced maintenance, It oppreſſeth the poor, burtheneth the Conſcience, ſtirreth up ſtrife and Contention, brings Gods wrath upon people, and that is the reaſon that ſo many of the worſt of People get to be Miniſters, becauſe whether they be good or bad, if they love Pride and Wantonneſs, and Luſt, and Pleaſure and Luxury, here if they can but uſe a meanes, either directly or indirectly to get the place, they know their ſtrength, whatſoever they are, or whatſoever they do, they are ſure to be provided for, having a Law to inforce it; and ſo many people where there is any fear of God (though they are ſuch as follow that kind of Miniſtry, yet when they ſee ſuch a one looſe and prophane) they grieve and murmour in their minds, and Gods Witneſſe in their Conſcience teſtifies both againſt them and their Minister, and troubles them, and ſo here is fear and doubt, and then they ſeek abroad for ſatisfaction, then the Miniſters (ſo called) rages and he ſtirrs up the reſt of the people againſt the man who is not ſatiſfied in his Conſcience under the Miniſtry of (it may be) ſuch an Ignorant, Blind, Prophane, Covetous, Proud, Unruly, Wanton Wicked man (as a Miniſter) who they believe can never lead them, or reach him the way to Heaven, who himſelf never went a ſtep therein, but is in the broad way to eternall deſtruction, and ſo if the blind lead the blind (he knows) both muſt fall together: So then the man called Miniſter, he pre • ches to the reſt of his ignorant prophane Congregation, and he ſets their mindes on fire of hell againſt him, and then he complaines of him to Authority, and he hath enough to joyne with him to be evidence againſt him the poor man, and then under the Notion of an Heretick, or a dangerous perſon or principle to the Government, they proceed againſt him, and rack and torture him; and then all them in whoſe hearts there's any feeling or compaſſion or honeſty, they conclude this man doth not deſerve this, and that both Ruler and Miniſter hath not dealt well to puniſh after ſuch a manner ſuch an Innocent man, and ſay in their hearts, if this be their Law, how ſhall we live amongſt them? And here diviſion ariſeth and increaſeth, and the bond of peace is broken; but if the Magiſtrate be ſuch a one as hath any zeal or tenderneſs towards God, and will not joyne with the Miniſter (ſo calledt) o invent a way, and wreſt a Law to puniſh the poor diſſatisfied man, but perceives the Miniſter to be ſuch a one as rather deſerves puniſhment, Then the Miniſter rages in his mind againſt him, and he ſecretly deviſeth miſchief againſt him, and goes to others whoſe ears he thinks will be open, and he leavens their hearts againſt the other Magiſtrate, and then what one will puniſh, or who one of them will puniſh, another will uphold and in time ſeek a remedy, and complaines one againſt another to him or them that are over them, and here the bond of Government is broken & here begins ſtrife, diviſion and contention, and heart-burning, & waiting for iniquity one againſt another, and ſo into rents, and partyes, and ſiding & ſtil the Miniſtry blowes the fire, and drives on furiouſly, and it may be, get ſuch a one to be caſt out, and then he is diſſatisfied, and many more, they ſee it is but for doing juſtice that he is ſo dealt withall, and then people feare how they ſhall live or be governed, when honeſt men are caſt out of favour, and then whoſoever is found to queſtion ſuch things, and the Miniſter (ſo called) heare thereof, he begins to threaten againe, and here is a Yoak which cannot be borne, but people will break it, though they break themſelves with it; And after this manner have Nations, Countreys, Kingdomes, and Governments, been pluckt up; and now I appeal to any unbiaſſed-man, whoſe underſtanding is any thing open, whether theſe things, and much more that might be ſpoken of this nature be not true? and whether the men called Miniſters be at any time with any Government all ſatisfied? and whether their ſiding do not lead people to ſide? and whether there hath been any war in a Nation and the Miniſtry (ſo called) had not the chief hand in it? and whether after one party is worſted, they are not the firſt that comply to that perſon or Government which before they might preach it damnable to joyne with? and whether they be not the moſt Treacherous, Perfideous, Changable, Deceitfull people of any ſort of men? and whether the ground of all this be not the large maintenance which is ſettled upon the Office, and ſo a Law to force it? This makes them afraid on the one hand, leſt ſuch a Party will pluck it down, and ſo ſtir, up ſtrife amongſt the other, becauſe they will hold it up; and when that Party can hold no longer, then they are the firſt that turn to the other, becauſe they may be by them held up; for if they may be held up, there is no fear but to make them, or the moſt of them of any Religeon that the Powers will eſtabliſh; as was manifeſtly ſeen in the time of Edward the 6th. and Queen Mary and Elizabeth, where many turned from being Proteſtants to Papiſts, and from Papiſts to Proteſtants; and in our dayes from the Common-prayer to the Directory, and from the Directory to the Common-prayer; and this is well known, The ſame that Preach'd up a King for a Maintenance, Preach'd up a Common-wealth for a Maintenance, and a Protector for a Maintenance, and now a King for a Maintenance: And ſo I ſay again, It is altogether inconſiſtant with the ſafety of the people, and wel-being of the Ruler, or Rulers, the upholding or maintaining a Miniſtry by a forced Maintenance.

So then the way to preſerve the people in Peace and ſafety, and the Government in ſecurity from danger, and to eſtabliſh it, is this, To give unto every judgement (ſo called) tolleration in the matter of his Worſhip towards God.

And that every Society, Congregation, or judgement among themſelves maintain their own Miniſtry, in and after what manner themſelves can or ſhall agree amongſt themſelves, and maintain their Places of Worſhip themſelves amongſt themſelves; ſo no one ſort of people ſhould be burthened, nor their ſpirits grieved and vexed by another: But this, in this particular fulfils the Law and the Prophets, in doing as they would be done by; for the conſcience of every individual man and woman ought to be free unto God, and none to have or claim Lordſhip over anothers conſcience, and ſo that Government that ſettles this, the people under it (every one) watcheth for the good of them or him that governs; becauſe by him, or them, they are kept in peace, and their conſciences free, and ſo this, every ſort of people, if they did but once taſte a while, all people would delight therein; eſpecially thoſe who fear God, and cannot be injurious, nor ſeek the hurt of their Neighbours; and here every one might ſit under his own Vine, and under his own Fig-tree, and this is ſo reaſonable a thing, and ſo agreeable to the Scripture of truth, and to the Law of God written in the heart, that if it were put in practiſe, all mouths would be ſtopped, and envy durſt not open her mouth, and ſtrife would ceaſe, and love and unity amongſt people would grow and increaſe, and the Revengeful Murderous nature amongſt people would be ſtarved and die within them; becauſe they would want the matter, which is the Law, which forceth the conſcience to feed it. And all they that now minde earthly things, that ſerve not the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, but their own bellies, would be ſtopped, and have nothing to do, but to ſeek ſome honeſt calling, in which they might labour, and be ſerviceable in the Creation: And here, none but ſuch who in conſcience and zeal towards God would be Miniſters; for ther's many who are now called by a great maintenance would then be without a call to Preach; for this ſort of men do no good at all to people, who labour for their Bellies. Who do they turn from the evil of their wayes? But on the contrary they are ſo perfideous and changeable, Preaching up ſo much Faction and Diviſion, according to their ſeveral Fancyes, that they cauſe people to be Truce-breakers; for whatſoever Government comes that will ſerve their intereſt, and will do what they will have them, kill whom they would kill, and ſave alive thoſe whom they would ſave alive, that's preach'd up: But if any ſort or faction of them be not countenanced, as that they cannot be, for one muſt go down, if the other go up; then they ſet themſelves againſt that Authority, and ſecretly begins to ſmite, and ſo the ſame Government which they preach up, and all Traytors and Rebels which ſhall deny it, in a little time they Preach, and cry all Traytors and Rebels that hold it up: And thus the people under them, are carried by them.

For now, were it not that there is ſo large a maintenance ſetled upon them by a Law, which yet depends upon Authority; they would not be ſuch Medlers with Authority, and cauſe ſuch Rents and Diviſions amongſt people; but becauſe they are ſtill in fear of loſing that, or that Authority will countenance thoſe whom they fear, but if the Law were taken away that forceth the Maintenance, then they that Preach, would Preach the Kingdom of God to people, and turn people towards god, that their hearts might be opened towards the Lord, and to his truth, that they that miniſter, might ſeek that which is loſt, and which is driven away, and not ſeek the Fleece, and ſeek to kill and deſtroy; and ſo when people were brought to God, and returned from their loſt eſtate, they who were the Lords Meſſengers need not fear a maintenance, For the Lord careth for Sparrows, and feedeth the Ravens; and ſo theſe have little faith who cannot believe him, and caſt their care upon him.

And have they not proved falſe Prophets, Antichriſts, Deceivers, to all • o t • of Powers that hath been within theſe few years? Did not they Propheſie Peace and Proſperity to the King and his Party, and did they not deceive him? And when they were overthrown, and the King ſuffered, and his Friends; did not they ſtart aſide and preach Peace unto the Parliament againſt the Army, calling them Rebels; and did they not deceive them likewiſe? And then did not they turn to the Army and Protector, and Preach'd Peace and Proſperity to them, and deceived them likewiſe? And now are they not turned to the King, and Preach Peace unto Him, and ſet all their old ſervants at nought? Surely there is not a more dangerous thing to the ſetling of a Government, then the ſetting up of a forc'd Maintenance; and that is the thing that the Lord expected ſhould long ſince been done away: The continuance of which Oppreſſion, and the many corrupt Lawes made and continued to infringe the LIBERTIES of the CONSCIENCES of the free people of this Nation in their Worſhip towards God, hath been the Cauſe of ſo many, and ſo great Overturnings; neither can there be any true peace and ſettlement in theſe Nations, until theſe things are removed out of the way.

For if a people were left free in their conſciences to worſhip God according unto that which God makes manifeſt, then all occaſion of ſtrife touching Religeon were ended, and every one that fears God ſatisfied, and the breach made up: And likewiſe, if all forced Maintenance of Miniſters were taken off, then both People and Miniſtry were free, and ſo that occaſion of ſtrife would ceaſe, and that breach made up, and here every one would watch for the good of him or them that govern.

And ſo ſuch a one, on whom the Lord laid a neceſſity to preach, would preach, but they that preach only for a maintenance, who are not Servants of Chriſt, but ſerve themſelves which are the cauſe of Strife, Debute, Diviſion, and Contention, as is before ſhewed, their work would be ended, and then people would be turned from the evil of their wayes, becauſe they that preach would be in Gods Counſel, and in his power; for now what ever people do imagine, they that will not preach without a maintenance provided and ſetled by a Law, theſe preach for a maintenance, and ſo they preach themſelves and not Chriſt Jeſus the Lord, neither are they his Servants, nor Miniſters, nor ſent of Him, neither ſerve they Him but their Bellys, and never can teach the way to life, or bring people into the way, but keep people out of the way, though they may have many inticing words which mans wiſdome teacheth; for every one that enters into Gods Kingdome muſt be borne againe of the Spirit, and he that is borne againe muſt be begotten by the immortal living Word; now he that preacheth for a maintenance, ſerves himſelf, & is not Chriſts Servant, not intruſted with his Meſſage, but goes in his own Meſſage, and abuſes his name for a maintenance, and the living mortall word he hath not, which begetteth the birth that enters into Gods Kingdome, becauſe he never ſent him, and ſo people are not profited, but are kept out of the way to life by them, which hath the letter to get a maintenance, but hath not the ſpirit which giveth life.

And now I have not inſtanced the ſeveral Governments and overturnings, either to juſtify or condemne perſons, or to meddle with that, as in relation to the great tranſactions which hath been in theſe few years; But this that they who now are in Power, who have ſeen and felt what hath been brought to paſs that they might underſtand what the Ground and Cauſe is why theſe things hath been thus brought to paſs, that ſo if the Lord give them underſtanding, they may not ſplit themſelves upon the ſame Rock, which others hath; for I do not look unto men, who have been the inſtruments, but unto the Lord, who hath all power in his hands, who in his Righteouſneſs and judgment for his own glory, hath brought about theſe things; for I do believe that the judgments of the Lord are Juſt and Righteous altogether, and therefore, becauſe of the multitude of trangreſſions of this Nation, and becauſe the King and his party lightly regarded the cry of the oppreſſed, whoſe Conſciences (which is the Lords • rerogative alone) was oppreſſed, and greater Yoaks preparing by cruel Lawes; I ſay becauſe of theſe things was the hand of the Lord ſtretched out againſt them, and the party, who chiefly oppoſed him, being in their hearts no better than the other; therefore they both long were a ſcourge one unto another, and to the Nation; therefore did the Lord raiſe up another party, whom both the other hated, who were contemptible and inconſiderable, who as Inſtruments in the hand of God did Wonders, and overcame both, as is well known: But afterward they forgot the Lo •• likewiſe, and turned againſt him, and did not perform the Vowes and Premiſes which they had made into the Lord in the day of their Diſtreſs, but corrupted themſelves with the ſame abominations with which they were corrupted, whom the Lord caſt out before them, and ſuffered many of thoſe corrupt Lawes to continue in force, which they had many times (in their diſtreſs) promiſed the Lord, that they would take out of the way: To wit, That they would ſet the Conſciences of all people free towards God, and remove the great oppreſſion of a forced Maintenance for Miniſter; Which whilſt they did in any meaſure perſiſt in, the Lord wonderfully delivered them, and cut off thoſe that roſe up againſt them: But when power was put into their hands, and they did not do thoſe things, but became corrupt, and oppreſſion, and Pride, and vanity, ſuperſtition, and Idolatry grew and increaſed; yet the Lord ſent his Meſſengers, calling them early, and ſending them often, warning them in the peril of their lives; but they regarded them not, but ill rewarded the Lords Meſſengers by many cruel and hard Impriſonments, and by making yet heavier Yoaks for their conſciences: Yet the long-ſuffering of the Lord remained towards them, and not any of thoſe Powers which the Lord overthrew, but he hath ſent this Meſſengers to warn them, and to tell them in plain words what he was about to do; which things are in great meaſure come to paſs, that all might know that the Lord hath a Prophet in the Land, and likewiſe that they might hear and fear, and learn Righteouſneſs.

And now thus far hath the Lord wrought, and wonderfully brought thoſe things to paſs, that every eye might ſee, that his own hand hath done it, that he hath not ſuffered the ſound of the weapons of war to be heard, what is it that the Lord doth now requite of the men of this Generation? Friends, I beſeech you in the fear of the Lord, conſider whether that the things which are now wrought amongſt you principally and moſt of all be that which the Lord expects, or whether he hath brought you up over your Enemyes, becauſe you are more Righteous then they? or becauſe of their unrighteouſneſs the Lord hath delivered them into your hands, that you might execute his judgments upon them for their Treachery towards him and his people? and whether the ſame God hath not ſtill reſerved all power in his own hands, and can at his pleaſure caſt you down, as well as lift you up? for this I ſay unto you in the fear of God, think not that theſe whom the Lord hath del • vered into your hands, were greater ſinners then you, but except ye repent, ye ſhall all likewiſe periſh. Do you believe that the Lord takes delight in ſetting up of May-Poles, and for ſo many thouſands to gather together in ſo many places, with whooping, ſhouting, drinking, curſing and ſwearing, and all manner of Wantonneſs and Licentiouſneſs? Is the Lord God honoured by theſe things? is the King honoured by any of this? Conſider, hath not the Lord viſited in iudgment this Nation, as I have before ſhewed, and overturned the workers thereof in former dayes, and do you think he now approves of it? Do not deceive your ſelves, God is not to be mocked; and do you think now ſince the Lord hath overturned thoſe who formerly hath afflicted us, as he had promiſed, and is rewarding them according to their works? Do you think that you do God ſervice to kill us? Take heed of bringing any of our innocent blood upon you.

And therefore this I ſay unto the King, who is now proclaimed, and that party who hath been for him conſtantly, I ſay unto them, that we ought to be protected under him in peace and ſafety, and in equity to have theſe juſt things granted which we ſtand for; for now ever ſince the death of his Father, we have been as well as him and them ſufferers under the powers that hath been ſet up, and that eſpecially in the dayes of the Protector, ſince the name of Quaker was given unto us: Who was there amongſt the many ten thouſands that can now cry with their mouths, and their lips, a KING a KING, make Bonefires and ſuch folly that durſt open their mouths when he ruled to bear a teſtimony againſt his oppreſſion? but joyned with him in his Government, and did pertake with him in his oppreſſion, and cryed againſt▪ us in his eares, and cauſed more cruel Lawes to be made againſt us then before, not a Priſon I believe in this Nation free, but ſome or other of us have been committed, and many of us as being dangerous to his Government, and yet theſe men I ſay, many ten thouſands of them that have thus done, are the only men to cry up a KING to deſtroy us as dangerous likewiſe to his Government, thus indeavouring to cover their own unrighteouſneſs by rendring us evil, never ceaſing to ſeek our blood. For this let it be known unto you, that we are not for Names or Titles, or for theſe names to ſet them up above the nature of the thing, for it is the Magiſtrate that rules for God, that executeth true judgment and juſtice in the earth, who hath his eare open to the cry of the oppreſſed, and is ready to break the ſtaffe and ſtrength of the oppreſſor. It is ſuch a one whom God will honour, and whoſe Kingdome the Lord will eſtabliſh.

Therefore friends do not hearken unto flatteries, and they who for their own advantage ſpeaks fair, for they may deceive you, but let your ears be open unto reproof, for that cannot hurt you: and be not offended at any time with thoſe that ſpeak the truth? How many thouſands have erred and periſhed by flatterers, but whoever that did hearken to reproof did amiſs? for now the things that we are againſt is every appearance of evill, and the things that we are for, is Righteouſneſs and juſt judgment, and unto this ſhall we ſtand whatſoever may be our Portion, for why now may not we as juſtly expect to be eaſed by the KING now the Righteous hand of God hath removed them, by which both HIM and US were ſorely afflicted, and ſince we both together ſuffered under them, why is it not juſt that we with him ſhould enjoy our Liberty? for indeed we cannot flatter with any, yet this we ſay, that there is no people, nor no principle amongſt people profeſt, that doth tend more, neither ſo much to the true honour of the King as we do, for now it is they that fear the Lord, that truly honour the King, for for (as I have ſaid) the King is not honoured where the fear of God is wanting; But where the Subjects in a Nation walk in the fear of God, and know Chriſt the King of Righteouſneſs to rule in their hearts, by which the Luſt (which is the ground of warrs and ſtrife) which War in the Members comes to be deſtroyed and ſubdued, ſuch can by no meanes be otherwiſe, but to the honour of the King, for if the King rule for God, and layes the Sword upon the evil doer, and praiſe ſuch who do well, which is Gods Ordinance: then ſuch who are in the Fear of God, and walk in Gods Covenant, the Law written in the heart, theſe are the ſtrength of the King; for his Sword is againſt the evil doer, and the evil doer is not his ſtrength; for God who is the higher Power, hath ordained him to be a terrour unto the evil doer, and to praiſe ſuch who do well; ſo the well doer is his ſtrength.

For what is it that we deſire, which ought not to be granted in reaſon and equity? The Thing that we deſire (as to our ſelves) is no more then this, That under him we may live peaceably, and Gods Spirit in us may have the exerciſe of our Conſciences towards God in all things; That no Law be laid upon us to force that from us which is our own; and in that caſe, both by the Scripture of Truth, and the Law of God written in the Heart ought to be at our own diſpoſe; to wit, to maintain a Miniſter which we cannot own, or a Worſhip we cannot own, for the exerciſe of the Conſciences of people, is Gods Prerogative alone, and whoever meddles with that to exerciſe Lordſhip over anothers Conſcience, he is a Uſurper and intrudes into anothers right, and he falls upon the Rock that will grind him to powder; and which hath done ſo by many, and if Gods Spirit have the exerciſe of the Conſcience in all things, whoſe Spirit is a Sword to cut down the Luſt that wars againſt the Soul inwardly, and deſtroys that in man which cauſeth war and ſtrife without, and keeps the conſcience void of offence, both towards God and towards man, whether ſuch ought not to be protected, and cheriſhed, and have the Magiſtrates praiſe? And no otherwiſe do we deſire Protection, but as we live peaceably in the exerciſe of a good Conſcience; neither do we deſire theſe things only for our ſelves; but likewiſe, that all others who deſire to live peaceably in all godlineſs, and honeſty might enjoy Freedom and Protection; for a greater abomination or Idolatry cannot be committed, then for people to be forced to Worſhip that for God, which they believe is no God, or to Worſhip in the Way which they believe in their hearts is contrary to God, or in which God is not to be worſhipped; for we do not deſire, but that others (ſuch as I have ſaid) that will live peaceably may every way partake of the ſame Liberty, which we deſire or expect. He that hath a Goſpel to preach, let it be free like unto the Goſpel of Peace, not for money or filthy lucre, that ſo people may be turned from their evil wayes, and be brought from under the power of Satan into the Power of God, that Righteouſneſs and juſt Judgement, may run through the Nation as a mighty ſtream; That ſo him or them whom God ſhall ſet up over this Nation, may have his Throne eſtabliſhed, which cannot otherwiſe be eſtabliſhed; for, for want of theſe things hath the wrath of God been revealed, and his indignation poured out againſt theſe, who in the day of his wrath, after the Lords Long-ſuffering was over, is now juſtly manifeſted: And ſo now this is written in ſhort to no other end, but that theſe things may be taken out of the way, which Gods Wrath and Vengeance is againſt: That ſo the Wrath of God may be turned away from this Nation, and that the Ruler or Rulers thereof, might be firmly eſtabliſhed; and this is the true end, and no other for which it is done.

And now unto all thoſe who is honeſty of heart ſhall read this, let them honeſtly conſider, that thoſe who are now ſet up, who were of late Sufferers, exiled and baniſhed, that what deliverance is now wrought is no way the price of their blood; for whilſt they ſtrove that way, they were continually overthrown from time to time; but that the Power and the Glory might be the Lords, and that all might be returned unto him; the Lord hath made bare his own Arm, & hath brought this thing to paſs, that he himſelf might have the Glory, and whether as well for our ſakes, whoſe innocent blood-ſhed in the time of Peace within theſe laſt ſeven years, many Goals and other places can teſtifie, beſides the many beatings, flockings, whippings, and cruel impriſonments of us, for nothing but for crying againſt ſin and oppreſſion in Rulers, Magiſtrates, Prieſts and People. I ſay whether from thoſe multitudes of cruel wrongs done againſt us by thoſe late Powers, we may not now juſtly expect eaſe, and the redreſs of our grievance likewiſe, as well as others, who then by the ſame powers were made ſufferers? ſince it is ſo juſt and ſo reaſonable a thing, that we do deſire; we ſeek no high Places, Promotion, nor Worldly glory amongſt men: We ſeek no revenge as to our ſelves, upon any Perſon or People, but that we may be protected in the exerciſe of our Conſciences, (which is the Lords Prerogative) in our Worſhip towards God; and that we may be freed from all unjuſt Lawes that blindeth the Conſciences of Gods free people, that he hath bought with his own blood, that as Sojourners in our own Nation, we might dwell in ſafety as to our outward man, as long as we live peaceably, in all godlineſs and honeſty. And ſince the Lord hath viſited you, and hath returned your Captivity, and is ſetting your Feet upon the Neck of your Enemies, thus much doth the Lord require of you, That you deliver His people, and unlooſe their Bonds, and break every Yoak that oppreſſeth them; for this is all that we deſire, that we may walk in the way of our God.

And take heed unto your ſelves how you ſet up, or go about to eſtabliſh that which Gods wrath hath been made manifeſt againſt, and hath pluckt down, both it and them that did uphold it; for the Lord he is God and changeth not, and his fury and his anger is againſt it ſtill, and take heed how you continue that, or ſuffer it to ſtand, which is not yet caſt down, which the Lords wrath hath been of late manifeſt againſt the upholders of, whom he ſent his ſervants unto, and warned and teſtified from time to time, what it was the Lord required, and what it was his judgment was againſt if they diſobeyed, which is fulfilled and fulfilling; and now it is your time to work whilſt you have the day to labour in, before the night; If there be a Heart amongſt you to do any thing for the Lord, and for his people, in return of the large love of God made manifeſt unto you, for the day of deliverance draweth near, and all ſorts have had a day, and a price put into their hands, but had not hearts to uſe it, And the Lord hath ſmote them in his wrath, and vexed them in his ſore diſpleaſure▪ And the day of your Tryal is come, and a time you may have now, 〈◊〉 the Lord hath driven you away, and chaſtiſed you with his Rod for your former Idolatrous Vain Superſtitions, and for your Pride, Vain-glory, and many other great abominations which feigned amongſt you: and if upon your return you forget the day of your diſtreſſe, and ſo ſet up theſe things again and remain in your former ſins, and drink in quity with greedineſs, what can you think will be your end, but that ſhame and confuſion muſt cover you, and if you will force people to any Form of Worſhip, and bind them to that, ſo that Gods fear ſhall be taught by mens Precepts, the Lord will proceed as formerly, to wo • k wonders, Even to deſtroy the wiſdom of the wiſe, and to bring to nothing the underſtanding of the prudent; and when Counſel and Underſtanding is hid, then you will grope as in the dark, and ſeek the way, but ſhall not find him: and ſo miſery will come upon you, as upon them that went before you: Therefore be wiſe in time and take Counſel, and adviſe amongſt your ſelves; for you may ſee that theſe which conquer'd you with the Sword, are now conquer'd without a Sword; Conſider whereby they conquer'd, and whereby they fell.

The Lord is now come to Challenge His own Heritage of the Children of Men, that is, the exerciſe of the peoples Conſciences which is his Throne and Dominion: and he will caft out, deſtroy and lay waſte all Uſurpers, that hath or ſhall Uſurpe Authority in His Kingdom; for it is his own, and if he by his own ſtrength give unto others their Right, he will undoubtedly take his own Kingdom to himſelf, and if men will keep him out, if thoſe to whom he hath let his Vineyard beat his ſervants and kill his Son, and think the Inheritance ſhall be theirs; yet the Lord of the Vineyard will come at a time when they are not aware, and all theſe who would not deliver up the Vineyard muſt be brought out, and ſlain before his Face as his Enemies.

And ſo as one who deſires with my whole heart, that the breaches of this Nation (my Native Country) might be healed, and might come to injoy true reſt, and might be the glory of all the Nations, that the bleſſing of the God of Heaven might be upon it, day and night, to water it, that the Rulers thereof might be eſtabliſhed, and their ſeed after them, that they may be honourable in their Life, and renowned in their death unto Poſterity; that ignominy and ſhame may not follow them, I have caſt in my Mite according to the ability which God hath given me, to that very end in the ſincerity of my Heart, well knowing, that untill Judgment and Juſtice be eſtabliſhed, and the Yoake of Oppreſſion and Cruelty be broken in pieces, and the oppreſſed ſet free, the Land cannot enjoy her Sabbaths: neither can the Righteous rejoyce, untill which time there ſhall be nothing firm nor laſting, but heaps of Confuſion and toſſing to and fro, as a Ship driven with a tempeſt which hath loſt her Rudder, and ſo fear, and deſpair, an diſtruſt will be amongſt the Inhabitants, and one devour another, untill they are devoured one of another: and ſo the Lord ſweep them away with the B • ſome of deſtruction, and give them their Portion amongſt the Workers of Iniquity, in the Lake that burns with fire and Brimſtone for ever.