PROVERBS and PARADOXES
Breaking forth in the day of Contention between the Parliament and Army, to prevent the dividing of the Army, and the Apparent Deluge of blood, so long endeavoured, and now brought to passe by the Jesuite and Kings Party, using the Presbyterian and Parliament men, as the Monky the Catts Pavv, but hath lingred in the Birth by needlesse Importunities, stepping into the Press before them.
For the Transgression of a Land many are the Princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the State shall be prolonged.
I.
NOt Governours but Government is the delight or grievance of a Nation. Government.
II.
It is not a King, It is not a Parliament, It is not an Army that makes a Nation happy, if the Government be bad.
III.
Government is a Systeme, or Body of Lawes, Statutes and Judgements, containing the duties both of Governours and Governed.
IV.
Good Government makes good Governours, and rejoyceth the Governed: Pro. 18.3. Pro. 28.4.12.15.28. Pro. 29.2.but bad Government maketh bad Governours, and the Governed mourn,
V.
Good Government is unchangeable, but bad Government, safety no longer then the Power of the Sword.
VI.
Good Government is only from God, but bad Government is only from men.
VII.
Governments invented by men, tend alwayes to their own Interest.
VIII.
When Governments depend on Governours, they last but a shore time of Life: the first part deducted for Incapacity, and the latter part oftentimes cut off for Disabilitie, or Infidelity.
IX.
When Government depends on Governours, they change with every Person, and every Passion. New Lords, new Lawes.
X.
Government is more then Governours, as the whole is more then a part; when therfore Governours will bee greater then Government, Mat. 24 24. it swells them up into a bubble, and they break. Gnatts cannot swallow Camells.
XI.
When Governours will be greater then Government, they streighten Government, and squeese the People, to the capacity and boudage of their Lust.
XII.
Such Government disquiets every ambitious Spirit, to contrive how he may get next into the Saddle, and his friends are Parasites of the same mould, with their Attendants, fraud and cruelty.
XIII.
Governours and governed might make up a Government, as parts make up a whole. But because Governours and governed can never meet together in one, nor agree together if met; therefore it is impossible for men to make a compleat Government, although when all is done, it were but humane, if God be left out, and far below the Government of God.
XIV.
The framing of a Government is called a Law-giving or Legislative power, but that (if good) is not in man. Legislative Power. Luc. 18.19.
XV.
He that wakes Lawes for men must be above man. And he that will make them perfect, must himself be without imperfection.
XVI.
A man cannot make a Law more perfect then himself. Nor impartial, because he is a Party governing or governed.
XVII.
The Lawes of Medes and Persians, and all the Governments of Arbens, Rome, and Venice, &c. were and are imperfect; some profane, some superstitious; Ours, All.
XVIII.
The man above man, Christ Jesus is our one Law-giver, Ja. 4.12. who is able to save and to destroy.
XIX.
He is our King, he is our Law giver, he is our Judge, If. 33.22. he will save us.
XX.
They that will vie for Legislative power, must necessarily rival Jesus Christ.
XXI.
They that will rival Jesus Christ, can only do it in this life.
XXII.
The Legislative power of Jesus Christ is only in this life, Heb. 9.27. 2 Cor. 5.10. Rev. 20.12. Mat. 16.27. 1 Cor. 15.28. for after death cometh Judgment, that every one may receive the things done in his body, to be judged out of those things which are written in the Books, according to their works. And afterwards shall the Son himself be subject to the Father, that God may be All in All.
XXIII.
They that will Rival Jesus Christ, or his Legislative power, must necessarily finde fault with Gods Law.
XXIV.
They that find fault ought to amend, and they that thinck to amend Gods Law, make themselves wiser then God.
XXV.
They that thinck themselves wiser then God, Prov. 26.12. are but so in their own conceit, and there is more hope of a Fool, for the foolishnesse of God is wiser then men. 1 Cor. 1.25.
XXVI.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, Job 28.28. Prov. 1.7. Psal. 119.98, 99; 100. his Commandments make us wiser then our enemies, and give us more understanding, then our Teachers. The keeping of his Precepts make us understand more then the Ancient.
XXVII.
When men acknowledge God, then they are godly, no man doth acknowledge God that doth not obey his Law. 1 Jo. 2.3.
XXVIII.
His Law is perfect, LAW. Psal. 19.7, 8, 9. his Statutes are right, his Judgments are true and righteous altogether. So that none may Dent. 4 2.12.32. Prov. 30.6. Rev. 22.18, 19. adde nor diminish. Nor Jos. 1.7. Deut. 5.32.17.20.28.14. turn to the right hand, nor to the left. Nor have any Exod. 12.19, 49. Lev. 24.22. Numb. 15.16. Exod. 20.10.23.9.12. Lev. 16.29.17.12, 15, 18.26.19.10, 34.23.22.24.16.25.6.35.47, 48. Numb. 9.14.15.14, 15, 16, 26, 29, 30.19.10.35.15. Deut. 1.16.5.14.10.8, 19.14.21.17.15.23.7, 20.26.21. Deut. 29.11.31.12. Jos. 8.33.20.9. other Law for the stranger, then for the homeborn.
XXIX.
The Law is a Royall Law, Ja. 2.8. Rom. 7.12, 14 Ja. 1.25. Ja. 2.10, 11. Spirituall, Holy, Just and Good. A perfect Law of Liberty, so perfect, that whosoever shall keep the whole Law, and yet offend in one Point is guilty of all, and the reason is, because that he that commanded one commanded all.
XXX.
Man cannot possibly invent another Law, save only in disobedience, and opposition of the Law of God.
XXXI,
God himself keeps his own Law, and with all his Saints and Angells will keep them for ever in the Heavens.
XXXII.
By keeping this Law, the People of Israel were a peculiar Treasure unto God above all People, Exod. 19.5, 6. Deut. 1.10. and were to be a Kingdome of Priests, and an holy Nation, and were multiplied as the Stars of Heaven, 1 King. 4.20. and as the Sand which is by the Sea for multitude, and were eating and drincking and making merry, 25. and they dwelt safely, every man under his Vine, and under his Figtree, and Silver was as the Stones in Jerusalem, 1 Chron. 10.21.27. it was nothing accounted of.
XXXIII.
The People prospered alwayes, and fared well, 1 King. 4. Jos. 24.31.2.7. 2 King. 17.1. Chap. 23.24. Jos. 2.11, 12, 13, 14, 15. keeping this Law, both in the time of Kings, and in the time of Judges; but they fared ill when they forsook it, both in the time of Kings, and in the time of Judges.
XXXIV.
The united Provinces, living under the shaddow of this Law, are multiplied exceedingly, and are eating and drincking and making merry, with great plenty of Gold, Silver, and all other abundance, prospering in all their Labours, and fare better then all the Kingdomes, and Common-wealths in the whole World, if then we will envy them, and fare better then they, let us live up closer to these Lawes of God then they, and we shall prosper more then they.
XXXV.
The basis of Tyrants Lawes, are Lust and Selfwill. The basis of Lawes by Parliament are Yeaes and Nayes.
XXXVI.
In what a tottering condition is that Nation, whose Being and well-Being depends upon the Ebbings and Flowings of YEA's and NAYES.
XXXVII.
Though men have not Legislative Power, Councill. yet Councill and Wisdom is necessary to the Order and Execution of good Government.
XXXVIII.
The wisdom of a Nation is in chusing a godly Councill, and the safety in a multitude of Counsellers: Pro. 11.14, 15, 22, 24, 26. where every mans Reason (like a publick Treasure) contributes to safety, so they [Page 6]be not executors of their own Counsells.
XXXIX.
The strength of a Nation is in multitude of People, Pro. and the wealth of a Nation in frequent Trade and Traffique.
XL.
One chief Councill or Authority must be over all, for Appeales and Difficulties.
XLI.
As it is presumption in the chiefest Councills to Rivall the Lord Jesus Christ in his Legistative Power: so it is below them to descend to lesse then appeales or the most difficult Case.
XLII.
When Supreme Councils are but representatives of the People, it obligeth them to obey whom they represent, and be to them accomptable (which would be thought a soloecism) but if they judge for God, Deut 1.17. Deut. 17.19. they represent God, and ought to obey him, and be accomptable to him.
XLIII.
When Supreme Authority, Councill, and Governours, do not represent God, in judging for God, their highest title can be but to represent the people, though that be but a fallacie. For the people are never consulted with, nor scarce suffered to petition. But the shadow will be more considerable then the substance. The Representative will act both parts, disposing of Estates, Lives and Liberties of the Represented and their Posterities at pleasure.
XLIV.
A wise Counsel establish the People. But a foolish Counsel establish themselves.
XLV.
Whether the Supreme Councel or Authority be few or many, or whether Appeals be to many or few, is not worth the dispute, much lesse one drop of blood, so a true Government be setled. For then an Eldership of seventy, or a Kingship of Solomon do alike make the people happy. Then the great dispute o [...] Monarchy, Aristocracie, Democracie, Olygarehy, Polygarchie, Anarchie, (which affrightens the common people [Page 7]like an exorcism) do all fall to the ground as groundlesse disputes. Though all the quarrel hitherto hath bin, not What Government, but Who shall govern?
XLVI.
If the Supreme Authority be wicked, it is better have one Tyrant then many. If it be good, 1 Cor. 12.2 [...]. it is better have many helps then few, like two strings to a Bowe.
XLVII.
The Election of Governours, Election. is given by God unto the people to have a share in.
XLVIII.
The excellency of Venice, Deut. 1.13.16.18.17.15. Act. 6.3.and other places, is but the wisdom and order of election.
XLIX.
As many are best for Counsel, so few for Order. Order.
L.
Want of order breeds confusion; 1 Cor. 14.33. but God is the God of order.
LI.
It is a breach of Order to begin a second businesse, before the first be finished. And to grasp at all, perfecteth nothing. For all cover, all lose.
LII.
Where there is concord and unity in councel, there is strength and honour. But where there is discord, there enters contention and ruine. Mat. 12.25. For a house divided cannot stand. Concordiâ parvae res crescunt, disc [...]rdiâ maxi [...] dilabuntur.
LIII.
Only through pride comes contention. Pro. 13.10.28.25.25.4. But take away the wicked from the Councel, and Government shall be established.
LIV.
Whether Governours in Authority be few or many, Governours. they are but a part of Government.
LV.
Every man naturally affecteth Government, and would be alone, or (at least) upper most.
LVII.
Every mans way is right in his own eyes. Pro. 21.2. Pro. 12.15.14.12.26.25.
LVIII.
Till men can submit to Government, they are not fit to be Governours.
LIX.
Such as the Governours are, such are the People, whether it be to Wisdom or Folly, Pro. 19.12. Vertue or Vice, Regis ad exemplum.
LX.
Ambitious Governours destroy the People, and covetous make them miserable. We have had both.
LXI.
Unlimited Governours are like Lions let loose into the Wildernesse of their own Passions, Pro. 28.15, 16. where Lust (like hunger) minding them of their prey, they seize on all that is next them.
LXII.
Governours who are supreme above men, have none above them but God. If therefore they have not the Word of God to limit them, they grow boundlesse.
LXIII.
Where Kings are Governours, 1 Sam. 8. 1 Pet. 2.13. Deut. 17.14, 20 they are supreme, yet they are limited by the Word of God. And the people are limited who desire them.
LXIV.
When Kings forsook the Lawes of God they became Tyrants, Pro. 28.16. 1 Chro. 11.14. and God stirred up enemies against them, sometimes strangers, sometimes their own people, sometimes private men: For when Governours alter their Properties, they are no more Governours; no more then when a wise man becomes a fool or Madman, can be any longer a wise man.
LXV.
Whosoever destroyed a Tyrant, was himself rewarded with their Crown, or might have been so rewarded.
LXVII.
Places make not men wise, nor honest, but discover what they are, Magistratus Ostendit Virum, non facit.
LXVIII.
Men may be as wise and honest out of Councill as in Councill, out of Parliament as in Parliament.
LXIX.
A Fool in a wise mans place, a privat Spirit in a publick, Eccl. 10.6, 7, 17 Is. 1.23. Servants on Horseback and Princes on Foot, and Princes to be companions of Theeves, loving Gifts, and following after rewards, makes a lean and deformed Common-wealth.
LXX.
Nevertheless, 1 Cor. 6.4. the least esteemed Christian is sufficient for a Judge, and the simplest meaning man for a witnesse: since no man ought to witnesse or judge beyond what he sees or heares, Deut. 1.17. Lev. 19.15. unlesse it be in discerning of a false witnesse.
LXXI.
Governours are not Governours without a Sword, Sword. Rom. 13.4. nor ought they to wear it in vain, but to punish evill doers.
LXXII.
Against the Righteous man there ought to be no Sword, for the Law it self is not made for a Righteous man. 1 Tim. 1.9.
LXXIII.
Every Sword is a Sword of Justice or Injustice, wherof the first is only of God.
LXXIV.
The ordinary Sword is for the Magistrate in time of Peace, the extraordinary for the Sold [...]er in time of Warr.
LXXV.
The abuse or neglect of the Sword of Peace drawes forth the Sword of Warr, Eccl. 8.11. for because Sentence against an evil work is not spedily executed, therfore the heart of the Sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
LXXVI.
When offenders are greater and stronger then Magistrates, and do resist them, then an Army performes the work of a Magistrate,
LXXVII.
When the War is ended, the Sword ought to be put up in a peaceful Scabbard.
LXXVIII.
An Army in time of Peace is a badge of slavery, which in time of war and danger is a means of deliverance and safety.
LXXIX.
Neverthelesse, when souldiers have done their work, they ought to be paid and cherished.
LXXX.
When souldiers have purchased Freedom and Peace to a Nation, they ought not to be debarred of it themselves. Nor ought to be disbanded till they are made capable of the same Peace and Freedom they have procured to others.
LXXXI.
Soldiers, Exod. 18.21. Deut. 1.15. who are Magistrates in time of Warr, may more easily be Magistrates in time of Peace. And as the Magistrates Sword neglected made the Soldiers, so the Soldiers Sword improved makes a Magistrate.
LXXXII.
The wisdom and conduct of Warr is in the Officers, the strength and execution in the privat Soldier.
LXXXIII.
There is as much reason or more to pay the privat Soldier, as the Officer, by how much his labour, danger, and want is greater.
LXXXIV.
There is as sufficient subsistence for privat Soldiers in time of Peace as in time of Warr, and as all men fare better in time of Peace then Warr, so ought the privat Soldier.
LXXXV.
Sudden disbandings renew a Warr, or fill the high wayes with violence.
LXXXVI.
Warr is not ended till a Peace be setled, nor peace settled but by a true Government.
LXXXVII.
There can be no true Government by the enemies of Truth and Government.
LXXXVIII.
England hath many enemies, many such enemies both powerfull and dangerous.
LXXXIX.
The dangerous enemies are at home, the powerfull are abroad.
XC.
The enemies abroad lose their power, if we subdue or convert our enemies at home.
XCI.
The enemies at home will never cease so long as the contention [Page 11]is about who shall Govern.
XCII.
If the Army are our Governours, they can reforme no more then the Parliament, till they have a better Rule then the Parliament to reforme by.
XCIII.
There can be no better Rule then the Rule in the Word of God.
XCIV.
God is able to overturn Armies as well as Kings, Parliaments, and Protectors.
XCV.
God will overturn Armies if they set up themselves in the place of his Son Jesus Christ.
XCVI.
If the Army do own the Legislative power of Jesus Christ, the Lord Jesus Christ will own them and establish them; 2 Chro. 20.20. Is. 7.9. but if they beleive not they shall not be established. For those that honour me I will honour, saith the Lord, and they that despise me shall be lightly estemed. 1 Sam. 2.30.
XCVII.
If the Army Proclaim the Lawes of God, what man dares fight against the Lawes of God, though the Jesuit and Lawyer together should incourage them? for their own conscience would sight against them. Rom. 2.14.
XCVIII.
If the Army Proclaim not the Lawes of God, though they had the Ghost of Lycurgus, Numa Pompilius, and Mahomet to boot, and should penn their Lawes from the Tongue of men and Angells, they should neither satisfie the conscience of their Friends, nor deterr the courage of their enemies. Gal. 1.8, 9.
XCIX.
What party soever (though a Kings party thus low, though a Parliaments party thus broken, though an Army party divided) shall first Proclaim the Lawes of God, with any probability of setling them, though they dissemble, yet shall they prevail, by how much the very title of the quarrel is farr more high and honourable then all other titles whatsoever, and the burthen of mens Lawes so great? How much more if they mean in earnest.
C.
The very title of the Lawes of God will unite all parties, but the wicked and prophane: and who would willingly hazard his Soul with the wicked and pr [...]phane?
CI.
The wicked and prophane (both unwise) will never sett up the Lawes of God, Deut. 16.18. though the wicked and prophane dare never openly contradict them.
CII.
The seting up of the Lawes of God will settle Judges, Recorders, in every City or Town Corporate, whereby the Towne and Cities will be obliged, not only in conscience, but in gratitude and sense of their own benefit, to adhere to those that shall first proclaim Gods Laws.
CIII.
The setting up of Judges and Recorders accordingly, will save above two or three millions to the people yearly, beside Vexations and Troubles.
CIV.
The setting up the Laws of God, will settle all men in a peaceful Possession of their own, whether it be Houses, Land, or any other Possession.
CV.
The setting up the Lawes of God, will take away the strife of Titles and false witnesse. Rewarding evil doers with the evil they meant to have done. Deut. 16.19.
CVI.
The setting up and proclaiming the Laws of God, need no other Councel then alone to proclaim them, being already penned by the Finger and Penman of God.
CVII.
The Curses of the Law of God, Deut. 28. are provided for all those that oppose the Laws of God: And the blessings for all those that love and obey them.
Adde this after Proverb LX.
Supreme Officers ought to be changable, Mat. 7.12. Lue. 6.13. that they may equally share in obedience as well as command, and not forget to do as they would be done by.