EVery faithful Minister of Christ, sustains the relation of a Watchman unto the Nation wherein he lives,Ezek 3.17 Acts 20.28 as well as; of a Pastor to the particular flock over which the Holy Ghost hath set him; and therefore not only ought to be of a publick spirit, to observe the first approaches of N [...]tional calami­ties; but also of a couragious and faithful spirit, to give warning of them. Being thus a debtor to my dear native Country▪ and hear­ing round about me the noise of b [...]oody Papists rallying together, and prepar [...]ng themselves to make a slaughter; and finding the fears and jealousies of the Nation (lately awakened by the f [...]ames of London ▪ and the instruments of cruelty there discovered) begin­ning to abate, though their dangers are still encreasing upon them; I could not but present to the publick view, these awakening consi­derations and counsels following; if happily thereby t [...]ue zeal for the protestant Interest might be provoked, and the g [...]owing design of the common enemy detected and retarded. For alas! [...]ow can I endure to see the evil that shall come upon my people, Esth. 8.6. and upon my kindred? As Esther said in a like case of common danger: yea, were I sure of personal safety in such a da [...] of slaughter and deso­lation, [Page 2] yet how terrible a thing would it be to stand upon the shore and see so glorious a Vessel as England is, to be cast away! the Golden Candlestick removed and the doctrines of Devils preached and professed in those places where Jesus Christ hath been so purely and sweetly worshiped.

Isa. 62.6. O England! God hath set Watchmen upon thy walls who will not hold their peace day or night: and though men have endea­voured to muzele and gagg [...]hem, yet like Cr [...]sus his dumb Son, they will cry out when they see thee in dan [...]er.

If thou inquire of th [...] Watchmen in thi [...] night of thy trouble as it is, Isa. 21.11, 12. Fingit res­pondere custo­dem despera­tis civibus, & augere dolo­rem. Watchmen, what of the night? they all with one voice return thee the same answer; The morning come [...]h and also the night. There is indeed a glorious morning of salvation and mercy, which will shortly down upon thee England; but before that, there will be a night of dismal darkness and distress upon thy children:Luth. veni [...] quidem mane verum simul cumillo venit nox ista [...]rassio [...] ac terribiliar Muscul. in [...]c. For we have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and no [...] of peace; we see every man with his hands upon his lo [...]ns, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness: alas! for [...]hat day is great, so that none is like it, it is even the day of Jacobs [...]; but he shall be del [...]vered out of it. They speak unto thee as [...] spake to Ahab, arise, get thee up, for there is the sound of a und [...] in; and there came a shower indeed: And that there is a sound of judgment and wrath coming upon us will appear, if you have any regard either, first to the predictions of friends or 2 dly, 1 King. 18.41. to the [...] of enemies; or 3 dly, to the present sta [...]e and p [...]st u [...]e of things among our selves at this day.

1. As for the predictions of friends, you have had many both ordinary and extraordinary.

First ordinary, upon the observations which the Messengers of God have made of y [...]ur barrenness, wantonness and unchristian divisions, under the fullest Gospel-light and liberty that ever was enjoyed by an unthankful Nation; amongst which I cannot omit what a grave and worthy Divine upon the ground fore-ment [...]oned, for divers years past, gave us warn [...]ng of: And [...] that we had been so wise and happy to have improved such a se [...]sonable admonition! his words are these:

‘Gurnels. Christian armour 2d. part p. 429.Consider where you are, and [...]mong whom; are you not in your enemies quarters? If you fall out what, do you but kindle a fire for them to warm their hands by? aha! so would we have it say they, the Se [...] of their rage will weaken this bank fast enough; you [Page 3] need not cut it for them. The unseasonableness of the strife be­twixt Abrahams herdsmen and Lots, is aggrevated by the neer neighbourhood of the Heathens to them, Gen. 13.7. And there was strife betw [...]x [...] them, and the Cananites and Per [...]z [...]tes dwelt in the land. To fall out when these Idolaters look on, this would be Town-talk presently, and put themselves and their Riligion both to shame. And I pray who have been in our land all the while the peop [...]e of God have b [...]en scuffling? those that have curiously ob­served every uncomely behaviour among them, and told all the world of it such as have wit and mallice enough to make use of it for their wicked purposes; they stand on tip-toe to be at work, on­ly we are not yet quite laid up and disabled (by the soreness of those our wounds which we have given our selves) from withstanding their [...]uty; they hope it will come to that, and then they will cure us of ou [...] own wounds, by giving one if they can, that shall go deep enough to the heart of our life, Gospel, and all. O Christians! shall H [...]od and Pilate put you to shame? they clapt up a [...]eace to st [...]engthen their hands against Christ; and will not you unite against y [...]u [...] common enemy? 'tis an ill time for Mariners to be fighting when an enemy is boring a hole at the bottom of the [...]hip.’

How often have you been told both from the Pulpit and Press, what the sad fruit and issue of these things would be? and as God hath given you timely warnings of this enemy by your faithful Watchmen in on ordinary way, so that he vouchsafed us some ex­traordinary ones too, amongst which I cannot here omit a strange and remarkable passage, which for divers years since fell from the pen of an English Prophet; and because I live to see one part there­of sadly verified, and the other disposing it self towards its accom­plishment (if providence step not out of its ordinary path to pre­vent it I shall transcribe some of the most remarkable and bear­ing pass [...]ges of it for you▪ my Author having reproved the wanton­ness and vanity of professors, particularly those of London, breaks forth into this threatning and terrible prediction.

‘London was Troy nova [...], Mr. Reeves Gods plea for Nineveh; [...]nted about eight years since. it is Troy le grand; [...]il will be Troy l'extinct. p. 2.7. I see you bringing Pickaxes to digg down your own Walls and Springing mines to blow up your own houses, and kindling sparks that will set al [...] in a flame, pag. 223. They which were rich owners, must then wander abroad for relief, and be glad to beg gratuities, or be glad to kise [...]he feet of the adversarie [Page 4] for an almes, out of his own fulness; and happy were I, if I could here make an end and the last post were arrived. But af­ter all other extremities, conscience at last comes to her punish­ment, this must be made a captive. Men are not only lockt out of their houses, but out of their Temples; their goods are not only enforced from them, but they are deprived of the Pearl; their libe [...]ties are not only lost, but the freedom of the Ordinances, pure doctrine, worship and faith are in bondage, and the soul en­thralled. Men that will not permute a God, and suffer their faith to be new stamped, must either run or die for it: Your looking-glass wi [...]l be snatcht away your bright diamond shiver'd in pieces; this goodly City of yours all in sheards; ye may seek for a thre­shold of your ancient dwellings, for a pillar of your pleasant ha­bitations and not find them; nothing left but naked streets or na­ked fields of shelter, &c. But this is but the misery of stone­work, of arches, dormans and roofs; but what will you say, when it comes to skin work, arms, necks and bowells? Ye which have walked the streets in state, may then run the streets in destractions, with one leg or half an arm, they may beg the pre­servation of the rest of your members: What inventions will ye then be put to, to save your lives? your tears will not rescue, nor your gold reedeem you, but your veins must weep as well as your eyes; and your sides be watered, as well as your cheeks; when they allow you no showers of rain, but showers of blood to wash your streets, when you shall see no men in your Corporation but the man led Citizen; and hear no noise in the street, but the cryes, and shreeks, yells, and pants of Gasping, dying men: when ye shall see your kindred slain in one place, your wives in another, your children in a third, and your selves at last (it may be cut in two, to encrease the number of the dead carc [...]sses.’

‘As popolus as ye are, ye shall then [...]e numbred to the Sword; as puissant as ye are, the valiant shall be swept away; as fine fed as ye are, ye shall be fed with your own flesh, and made drunk with your own blood▪ your polititians can no longer help you▪ but have their subtil brains dasht in pieces with yours; nor your Lectu­rers can no longer save you; but you must meet together at the Congregation near the Shamb [...]es, when this great City shall be but a great Chopping, board to quarter out the limbs of sinners, or the great Altar where in a whole City is to be sacrificed. Oh dole­ful day! when your breasts shall try the points of Spears, your [Page 5] sides the keenesse of the Swords, your heads the weight of Poleaxes your bodies made footstools, and your dead Carcasses stepping­stones for truculent foes, to tread and trample on; when there will be no pity upon the aged, nor cmpassion upon the young: but heaps upon [...]eaps: tumbling of garments in blood, and Swords made fat w [...]th slaughter. Oh! see what a Crimson City, Crimson sins will make!’

‘If you escape the dint of the Sword, and your lives be given you for a prey; Shall no [...] your goods be made a prey? yes, [...] me may be reserved out of the greatest Massacre; when men are weary with killing, a re [...]reat may be sounded, and called off from the slaught [...]r? yet [...] ye then challenge your own houses, or bri [...]g yur Keyes to your old Chests? No, your Titles gone, your Interest lost ye have tra [...]ed your sel [...]es out of your Estates, or sin­ [...]ed your selves out of your Propri [...]ties: The Enemy is now hous­keepe, Land-holder; ye have forfeited all to the Sword; farwell Inheritances, Purch [...]ses, Leases, Wares, Wardrobe, Furniture, Jewels. As you have gotten these goods unjustly, so they shall be taken away unjustly; and if they be no sla [...]n in the heap, yet they do but [...]ive to see their own m [...]sery, their sins have made them Bankrupts, they are undone; ruin'd▪’

‘And Oh! if the loss of money were the greatest mischief; bnt there is a treasure of great [...]r value in danger; there is not an abso­lute conquest made, till the inner [...]an be in fetters; thou must be a slave in principles: Oh! it is an hard thing at that time to be a Ie [...] inwar [...]ly to keep the girdle of tru [...]h about thy loins; th [...]u must then bare the fruit of the degenera [...]e p [...]ant, or strange vine: pour out the drink off r [...]ngs of other Sa [...]rifices, follow the sorcery of the Mistriss of witchcrafts, or learn Magick with them that are brought up in the Doctrine of Devi [...]s; thou mu [...]t limp with the halting age: fit thy mouth to answer [...]he general shout▪ [...]hat great is Diana of [...]he Ephesians: thou must taunt thy own Father, spit in the face of thi [...]e own Mothe [...], and [...]iss away all thy true Bre­thren: thou must be divorced from thy own Fai [...]h, though never so chaste, and deny [...]arah to be thy Wife, though thy Espousals with her were never so solemn. There will be no safety inconta­minate faith: thou wilt be either a Nicodimus to come to Christ by [...]ight: [...]r if with Daniel thou open the windowes to­wa [...]ds Ierusa [...]em, thou wil [...] [...]e cast in [...]o the Den of Lyons.’ Thus far he.

[Page 6] Dr. Ushe [...].An inundation of Popery was also predicted by the Learned Bi­wop of A [...]magh, immediately before his death, as is well known to many. And where is the hearr that hath any spiritual sense, or tenderness in it, that trembles not in afearful expectation of these things?Amos 3.7. Surely, the Lord will do nothing, but he revealeth his secrets to his Servants the Prophots. This is one ground of fear.

2. And your fears cannot chuse but encrease, when you consider the preparation and progress these Enemies have already made; Have they been sleeping; think you, all this while? no no they have dig­ged as deep as hell in their Counsels, their numbers among us are already formidable, their combinations strong, their confidences high,Ier. 4.17. Isa. 9.11. and their Forraign assistants ready. As the keepers of a fi [...]ld, so are our enemies round about us; the Syriane before, and the Phi­listines behind to devour England with open month. Two considerable advantages t [...]ey have already obtained: ( [...]irst,) The removal of so many able and Godly Ministers out of the way. This is done to their hands by a sa [...] providence: It is an old and true ob­servation, That whosoever will attempt the overthrow of Religion, must begin with the Ministery first. [...]hese are set for the a [...]ence of the Gospel. It was the counsel that Adam [...]onizen (a deep-pated Achitophel of theirs) long since gave in this case; Suppres (saith he) the Ministers; (Et error cui pat [...]acinium deerit, sine p [...]n [...] con­cidet) and then the error that hath none to patronize it will fall of it self: So he calls the precious truth of Jesus Christ; I dare not affirm that this was intentionally done to open a door of opportu­nity to them; but that eventually 'its like to prove so, who that ex­ercises reason sees not? When so many pious Ministers went off the Stage, it was apparent enough what an opportunity these men had to ascend it and act their part.

2. Secondly, The destruction of our Famous City, the strength and glory of the Nation, whi [...]h they have laid in the dust; a designe no douht, contrived in the Pop [...]sh Conclave: they well enough knew how able London was to give check to their designes.

My heart bleedeth for thee London to see thee made of a City, an Heap, of a Defenced City a Ruine; a Palace of strangers to be no City. And if they can have their will, that which follows in the text should be added; It shall never be built If Parliaments will hea [...]ken to them, they will perswade like Rehum and Shini [...]ai, Ezra 4.14. that it may lie sti [...]l in its Ashes, and upon the same pre­tentions, [Page 7] let search be made (say they) in the Book of Records of thy Fathers, so shalt thou find in the Book of Records, and know that this City is a rebellious City, and hurtful unto Kings and Prov [...]nces, and they that have moved sedition within the same of old t [...]me; for which cause it was destroyed. But I trust the Lord will make our Rulers wise, to discover their bloody intentions; how speciously so ever palliated with pretences of Loyalty and Fi­delity.

But mean while London is ruined!A Lamentat [...]on for Londo [...] that goodly mountain laid was [...]ed the most glorious City in all respects, that ever the Sun looked upon, now a desolate Wilderness! O London! who can sufficiently bewail thy misery! for mine own part, as the Orator so­lem [...]izing a sad Funeral, desired to have learned Mortality from a­nother [...]ubject, rather then that of Scaliger: So (might it have pleased the Lord) I should have been glad to have learned the vanity of all worldly glory from another example, then that of Lon [...]n.

How doth the City sit solitary, Lam. 1.1. that was full of people? she that was great among the Nations, and Princess among the Provinces! O London! Lam. 2.15. Ezek. 28.15. Ezek. 16.14. thou sealest up the summe and wast perfect in beauty: Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day thou wast created untill in [...]quity was found in thee. Thy renown went forth among the Hea­then for thy beauty, for it was perf [...]ct through the comliness thy God had put upon thee. Ezek. 28.1 [...]. Ezek. 28.18. But thy heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou d [...]dst corrupt thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness. There­fore the Lord hath cast thee to the ground, and brought forth a fire from the midst of thee, which hath brought thee to ashes. London hath grivously sinned, therefore is she removed; all that know thee among the people,Lam. 1.8. are astonished at thee, thou art terrour to them. London may now sit down by her Sister Ierusalem in the dust, and say,Lam. 1.12. Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by, see and behold, was there ever any sorrow li [...]e unto my sorrow: which is done unto me, wherewi [...]h the Lord hath affl [...]cted me in the day of his fierce anger [...]? They have heard that I sigh, there is none to comfort me▪ all mine enemies have heard of my trouble, Lam. 1 21. they are glad tha [...] thou hast done [...]; thou wilt bring the day that thou hast called, and they shall be like unto me. ver. 2 [...]. Jer. 1 [...].34. Let all th [...]ir wickedness come before thee, and do unto them as thou ha [...] done unto m [...]. Mine enemies have dev [...]u [...]ed me, they h [...]ve crushed me, and made me an empty vessel; they have s [...]al­lowed me up like a Dragon, ve [...]. 3 [...]. The violence done unto me and to my fl [...]sh [Page 8] be upon Babylon, shall the Inhabitants of London say. Remember O Lord, the Inhabitants of Babylon, in the day of London, who said, [...] 137.7 ver. 8. Raser, rase it even to the foundations. O daughter of Baby­lon, that art to be destroyed, happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee, as thou hast se [...]ved us.

Let no man think that I endeavour to obscure the righteous Hand of God, which is to be own'd and trembled at in such a judg­ment. Though London must acknowledge his justice in all that is come upon her; yet the wickedness of Instruments, is not in the least to be excused thereby: God and man may concurre in the fame action, and yet neither his holiness have any fellowship with their wickedness; nor their Injustice, be excused by his Righteous­ness; Idem quod duo faciunt non est idem, His work is perfect, for all his wayes are judgment; a God of truth, and without iniquity; just and right is He, they have corrupted themselves, Deut. 32.4.5. Wilt thou not confess, London, that thy sins were the sparks that kindled thy flames? doubtless thou wilt such was thy pride, Epi­curisme Formality, and Barrenness, under such precious waterings as thou once enjoyedst, above all the Cities in the world, that thou mayest say, it is of the Lords mercy, thine Inhabitants had not all perished with their Habitations; and that God had not made thee like Sodom; for what couldst thou expect when thy Lots were going, but that devouring flames were coming?

But to return from this sad (though necessary) digression; here­by it is manifest the common Enemy hath obtained a singular and long expected advantage to their design; often have they in vain at­tempted it; but now God hath delivered it into their hands: Well might they rejoice (as they did) to see its flames ascend, and drink healths to its ashes. For upon divers politick considerations it might easily be demonstrated, that their cause and interest is revived and warmed by that fire.

3. Lastly, it cannot but much more heighten our fears, if we consider the sad posture we are in at this day of our Eminent Danger. Three or four sad particulars I shall here suggest▪ and let none think it to be a laying open of our nakedness and weak­ness to the Enemies; for I shall tell them no News, in telling you that.

1. They are much encouraged, in that the Ceremonies of their Religion find such acceptation among us: It was long since obser­ved, That as the morning ushers in the day, so the Ceremonies of [Page 9] any Religion, serve to bring in the Religion it self; If we are heartily resolved against Popery, What do we with their Garments, Gestures, Altars Crosses, Liturgies, and Officers among us? up­on this reason the Divines of Hamburgh withstood the Cerimonies of INTERIM; of which they gave this account to Me­lancthon. ‘These indifferent things (say they) are nothing else but the seeds of corruption,Ep. ad Mel. the nerves of Papistical Superstition, and the little passages, by which the Adversaries endeavour to creep in­to our Churches, that they may turn them off the foundation.’ To the same purpose the Divines of Saxony speak; ‘Satan (say they) from those small beginnings of the Ceremonies,Contet. Saxon edit. 1560. makes progress to the corruption of Doctrine it self.’ If any say these are but ground­less surmises, a fighting with our own shadows; the papists them­selves are more charitable then such Objectors, and cannot but know, that although we use these Ceremonies, yet not in the same sense that they do. Pray hear what a Jesuit hath observed con­cerning it. ‘Protestanisme (saith Mr. Chillingworth in his Pre­fa [...]e, Sect. 20.) waxeth weary of it self, the professors of it, they especially of greatest Worth, Learning and Authority, Love, Temper and Moderation; and are at this time more unresolved where to fasten▪ then at the Infancy of their Church. [...]heir Churches begin to look with a new face, their Walls to speak a new language, their Doctrines to be altered in many things.’ If it be again objected, this is but the groundless construction of a pee­vish ad [...]ersary. To conclude the controversie: here what a Pre­late of our own saith in the case,Doct. Usher of the Ce [...]e [...] pag. 209. they are the words of the learned Primate of Ireland. ‘The Kings and Queen of England (saith he) imposed these Ceremonies, that thereby they might decline the charge of Schismaticks, wherewith the Church of Rome laboured to brand them, seeing it did appear hereby, they only left them in such Doctrinal points, wherein they left the truth. Again, hereby they would testifie, how far they would stoop to win and gain them, by yielding as far as they might in their own way: But (saith he) the exp [...]rience of many years hath shew'd, that this condescention hath rather hardened them in their errors, then brought them to a liking of our Religion; this being their usual saying, if our Flesh be not good, Why do you drink of our broth?’

And have we not grounds for our fears, think you now? if we are blamed for our jealousies, we must blame them, that give cause [Page 10] for them. Would Bishops cast out those Popish Ceremonies, our fears of Popery would be so much abated; but those that nurse up these Romish brats, we cannot but suspect to have too much love for that Harlot that begot them.

2 We are at this day persecuting and suppressing the faith­ful in the Land▪ even those that stand in the gap to intercede for it; and are the most considerable persons, both for Parts & Piety, to op­pose the designs of this enemy. How are we hacking at the bow we stand up [...]n? and pulling down our wall, whiles the Enemy lies round about them? Is this the time to stop the mouths of so many able and faithful Ministers? to drive them into corners and not only so, but to pull them out of those corners too; and thrust them out of the breach, where they stand with prayers and tears, which are their only weapons, and the Nations best Defence against the common Enemy? VVould any Physician that regards the life of his Patient, having to do with a weak consumptive person that hath but little blood, and few spirits left, open a vein, and let out a drop thereof? it may be you lookt not upon them so, but rather as the disease of England, than the good blood thereof: but God judges otherwise concerning them: The innocent preserve the Island, and it is delive­red by the pureness of his hands, Job 22. ult. You think if you were once rid of these, you should quickly be a prosperous Nation: But verily, except the Lord of Hosts had left unto us a ve [...]y small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, we should have been like unto Gomorrah, Isa. 1.9.

Ah! how little do our bold informers think whose work they are doing! little do Constables think they are breaking down of the Walls and Gates of the Nation; when breaking up the peaceable Meetings of Gods people. Poor men! did you but see how the Papists laugh among themselves, to see their work so industriously performed by your hands, it would surely cool your courage▪ and check your irregular zeal: Alas! they are not so much afraid of your Swords, as of these mens prayers. That Popish Qu [...]en of Scot­land spake out and professed she dreaded more the Prayers of Mr. Knox (a godly Noncon [...]ormist) the [...] an Army of ten thousand men. And will you so officiously serve them, by disarming so many ten thousands of your friends of their best weapons? Oh ungrate­ful England! dost thou thus requite the Saints for all the good they have been Instruments to procure unto thee? wi [...]t thou make them enter an appeal in Heaven against thee, in the words of [Page 11] the Prophet? Ierem. 18 20. Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have d [...]gg [...]d a pit for our souls; remember O Lord, how we stood before thee to speak good for them; and to turn away thy wrath from them.

3. Are not the professing part of the Nation at this day divided, both in their judgments and affect [...]ons? add what a singular advan­tage the enemy hath; thereby is obvious to every considering per­son; we have been often told, that except the sgirit of love did speedily close up those unchristian breaches, the common adversary would enter in at them. It was a worthy speech of B [...]entius, when the Divines of Germany were scuffling one with another, in the midst of the Popish party; ‘Tollenda merito, &c. let all quarrelling and bitter­ness be laid aside, and let us subject our judgments to our Lord Je­sus Christ: Our Adversaries yet live and are daily more bold; night and day they labour to extinguish the light of the Gospel which is risen among us, and to bring back the ancient darkness; mean while we who in the beginning, by the grace of God; professed the Gospel unanimously▪ turn our weapons one against another, and exhibit a grateful spectacle to our Enemies; who place more trust and confidence in our contentions, than in the vain foundation of their own Cause; and all their own art and power:’

I have a long time looked upon our contentions as upon a Bla­zing Comet, portending utter desolation, if the Lord heal it not speedily. Think upon this, you that fear the Lord, and tremble at his judgments: How have we beaten our fellow servants? unsaint­ed those that jump'd not with us in our opinions? this Saint was too high, and that too low; but here is an Enemy, that like Procrustes the tyrant,P [...]oc [...]u [...]es. will cut you all of a length: If you were ten thou [...]sand more then you are, you were no match for them, as long as you lie in this posture. How easily did Gideon with his little hand­ful, vanguish the huge Hoste of the Mediantes; w [...]en every man set his sword to the breast of his fellow, and instead of opposin [...] him, shew every man his brother? Iudg. 7.22 I make no question but the Papists have blown up these sparks of discention among u [...], to warm their own fingers by our flames; they have anima [...]ed and fo­mented that spirit of bitterness and wrath among us as one that s [...]ts two Cocks a fighting [...] that having kill'd each other, he may sup upon them both at night. This was the sad posture of Ierusalem when the Enemy entred in her Gates. O England! England! thy de­struction [Page 12] is of thy self. If the hearts of the fathers be not turned to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers, what can we expect, but that God should come and smile the earth with a curse? Mal. 4. ult. Lord heal the breaches of England, for it shaketh Psal. 60 2.

4. Fourthly and lastly, that which much appals and daunts my spirit, is, they find us as deeply guilty of the abuse of the best mer­c [...]es, as ever any Nation was. So that I am afraid this enemy will prove the H [...]gel um Dei, the scourge of God, (as Totila of old, from his cruel persecution of the Christians was called) to avenge our unthankfulness for those choice favours, which Heaven hath showered down upon this ungrateful Nation. Saint Ierom [...] speaking of the Churches enemies, By our sins (saith he) our enemies are made str [...]ng; and History tells us, that when Ves [...]asian had conquered Ie­rusalem, he refused to have the Crown set upon his head, saying I ind [...]ed am the rod in the hand of God, but it is their sins onely that have subdued them ▪ Vpon what Nation under Heaven hath God more richly heaped his blessings, than upon England and [...]ha [...] peo­ple have more wantonly abused them? or more comtemptuously spurned at the tender mercies of him that conferr'd th [...]m? what blessing is it, which deserves to be stiled matchless, transcendent, glo­rious, that England hath not enjoyed? If [...]eace be it, we have had it: if Plenty, we have had it: if the Light of the blessed Gospel shining in its Meridian Splendor be it, we have had it: But Iesurun waxed fat, and kicked; O dreadful fore runner of Natio­nal ruine! What was it that gave the Sa [...]acen [...] footing in the East­ern Empire, but the wantonness of those Churches, abusing the Light which they enjoyed? how impatiently did the people of God in former times, thirst for liberty to worship God purely! and when they had obtained it, What was the use they made of it? horresco referens, I tremble in speaking it; Did we not play with our Light, fight with our brethren by it, till God blowed out the Candle? and so (I wish I could say) ended the quarrel.

We may say of our liberty, as the Philosopher speaks of waters, Suis terminis diffisile continentur, they are difficultly kept within their bounds; why, brethren did you think that God could suffer such precious mercies to run at the waste spout much longer? Did you think he was weary of his mercies, to continue them to such as little regarded them? or that it was not as grievous to the blessed God, that his children should smite one another, as to see the Ene­my [Page 13] smiting them? no darkness is more formidable then that of an Eclipse, which assaults the very vessels of light: no taste more unsa­voury, then that of sweet things when corrupted; and no sin more hideous, then that which darkens the brightness of Gods love, and corrupts the sweetness of his mercy. O England! thou hast abu­sed a darling attribute of God, thou hast sinned against the most d [...]eply ingraven Principle, and Law of Nature: The very irrational creatures, yea, the heaviest and dullest among them, the Ox and Ass are not so deficient in gratitude to their owners, as thou hast been to thy God, Isa. 1.3. justly therefore may he upbraid thee, and say, be astonished O ye Heavens at this, and be ye horribly a­fraid &c. Sic ne repend [...]s? Is this thy kindness to the God of thy mercies? marvel not then if God pluck up the hedge of his prote­ction from about thee, and let in cruel foes upon thee, to chastise thee for thine ingratitude; and though he will not make a full end of thee; yet may he say, concerning thee, as of Israel, 2 Chro. 127, 8. I will not utte [...]ly dest [...]oy them, but will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishack; nevertheless they shall be his servants, that they may know my service, and the service of the Kingdoms, of the Countries. The Lord I tru [...]t will not utterly forsake his dwelling place in England; but verily I fear he may permit Antichrist for a time to afflict us, that we may know the difference between the sweet and easie yoke of C [...]rist which we would not endure, and the yoke of Antichrist that shall gall our necks and consciences with cruel servitude: And because we served not the Lord our God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things, that therefore [...]e shall serve our enemies, which the Lord shall send ag [...]inst us, in hunger, and thirst, and nakedness, and the want of all things; Deut. 28 47. that so we may return to God with the Church, and say, as it is Isa. 26.19. O Lord our God, other Lords besides thee [...]ave had dominion over us, but by thee only, will we make mention of thy Name; and as Hos. 2.7. I will return to my fi [...]st husband, for it was better with me then, than now.

These are some of the principal grounds of Englands fear at this day, in reference to the Popish Party. Let the serious and con­sidering Reader lay them together, allow them but a just and even ballance, and doubtless it will hereby appear, that how great soever our fears are, yet our dangers much exceed them.

[Page 14]Having thus hinted the grounds of our fears what remains but that next I address my self to the principal work design'd i [...] these Papers; which is to call upon England to awake out of her destructive secu­rity, and not to suffer her enemies to surprize her sl [...]eping? and I would do it in the words of the Prophet, Zeph. 2.1, 2. Gather yourselves together yea, gather together, O Nation no [...] desired; before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaffe, before the fierce anger of the [...]ord come upon thee. O that I could [...]ound this Admonition so loud that all in the Nation might hear it! Had I any hopes that these poor Papers might be honoured with a glance of His Majesties Eye, I would, as it were, prostrate my self at His feet, and cry as that wo­man did, 2 Kings 6.26. Help my Lord, O King!

An humbl [...] Address to the King.Great Sir, the Lord hath done great thin [...]s for you, and You are scarcely capable doing a g [...]eater service for him and his people; then v [...]go [...]ously to withstand the Attempts and Encrochments of thi [...] subtil and formidable Enemy; in that it hath pleased the Lord to move Your heart to send forth Your Royal Proclamation aginst them, we accept it alwayes and in all places, with all thankfulness; and pray, That he would not only secure Your Royal Pe [...]s [...]n from their attempts, but also make You a Shield to his people in these Nations.

It is not hid from Your Majesty what a perfidious and bloody Ene­my this is, whose principles as well a practise, en [...] to the subver­sion both of Kings and Kingdoms. One of them affirms it lawfull to murder any one (though his own Prince) if the Pope hold him excommunicate;I [...]m. S [...]. and another se [...] down rules how it may be done [...] and thinks poysoning to be the best way.Mariana. What but Treason and Rebel [...]ion can flow from tho [...]e bloody Doctrines of the Popes temporal [...] risdiction over Princes; and his power to dissolve all Gathes and [...]yes of Allegiance? So that neither Your Person nor Honour can be safe in their hands; or should Your Royal Person be exempt from danger, yet if this Enemy prevaile. How many Thousands of your poor Innocent Sub [...]ects may fall by their merci­les [...] hands? What a field of blood will they make Your Kidgdo [...]? and surely the E [...]n [...]my can never co [...] e [...]v [...]il the King [...] damage herein, Esther 6.16. Most gladly at Your Command▪ would we offer our lives on the high places of the field against them; but to fall by trechery, and be butchered in our beds, [...]s horrible to think.

[Page 15]And O that God would make our Honourable Representatives in Parliament still vigilant to observe,An humble Supplicati­on to the Parliament. and zealous to oppose the mo­tions of this Enemy! we bless the Lord for what you have already done, in detecting them so far; but yet we cannot think our danger over, whilst they swarm in such numbers among us. Han­nibal was wont to say, Magis se a non pugnante, Fabio quam a pugnante Marcello timere; he more feared Fabius not fighting, then fighting Marcelus. O be as zealous for the Protestant Interest, as they are against it; if they dare to smite with the fist of wickedness we hope you will not be afraid to smite them with the Sword of Ju­stice. Remember what a matchless salvation was once given to our English Parliament, I mean from the Powder plot, that Ca­tholike Villany, as one aptly calls it: Such a delivernce as ages past cannot parallel in any History, and of which we may say, as the Historian in another case, Si in annalibus non foret fabula videre ur. Had it not been recorded in our own Annals, posterity would never beleeve it: They have indeed studiously endevoured in their late Bold Remonstrance to hide from your eyes the goodness of God in that deliverance, that so by forgetting his goodness, they might bu­ry in silence their own wickedness; we hope none of your actings against this Enemy, will be stained with luke-warmness; if justice be sprikled with a favorable hand, like a few drop of water upon fire; we doubt instead of quenching, it will rather encrease the flame. Rome is a nettle, the more gently its handled, the more it [...]ings. My Lords and Gentlemen, here is an Enemy that deserves your hotest zeale and greatest vigilance, much better then honest loyal Nonconformists, who plead with God night and day on your behalf.

'Tis acknowledged they differ in lesser matters, from the establi­shed worship of the Nation; but from the toleration of such Dif­ferences, no Publike Danger can arise. Some differences in Opini­on (saith an Honourable Author) are as the striving of one Israelite with another; and these Moses quiets and parts them fairly; and some are like the Egyptian striving with the Israelites, whom Moses smites down. It was a noble Speech of An [...]hony of Bourbon King of Navar, Ld Virulam. Oliand. Co­ment de stat. reip. & rel­cent. 16. to the Danish Ambassador; this King being a Peer of France, and first Prince of the Blood, challenged the Regency of that Kingdom during the French Kings minoraty: He told the Am­bassadour, that he hoped in a short time to procure a free passage for the Gospel throughout France; the Ambassador was pleased with it; [Page 16] but desired that Luthers Doctrine, not Calvines, might pass for cur­rent: The King replied, Luther and Ca [...]vin agree in for [...]y Points, and differ but in one. Let those ther [...]fore tha [...] follow the tenets of these two, unite their strength aginst the common Enemy, and at better leisure; in a more conveni [...]nt season, compound their own differences: Grant that Nonconformists be in an error, yet the difference is not fund [...]mental; and the Famous Emperor [...]heodosius, did not only b [...]a [...] with the Novations, but familia [...]ly consult with their Le [...]r [...]ed Pastors about Church-matters, though differing in several Poin [...]s of Dis [...]ipl [...]ne,Soz lib. 7. Cap. 12. and Constantine, although [...]e made a La [...] in-terrorem, yet in point of executi [...]on he spared them. O that with one shoulder you mig [...]t suppo [...]t the to [...]tering Interest of Christ in these Nations! and be [...]st led the Saviours of England in this time of danger; which wil [...] be a more Honourable Title, then any other you are, or can be dign [...]fied with.

Queries to the Bishops.I would also propound it as matter of serious consideration to the Prelates; Whether this be a time to vex and persecute the Consci­encious and Fai [...]hfull in the Land, for Ceremonies and Trifles, when the substance of Religion lyes exposed? Will not the late dreadful Alarms by the Popish Party sound a Retreat and put an end to this work? suffer me to propound two or three Queries to your Consci­ences.

Are not Papists hereby hardened in their errors, and confirmed in their Cruel and Tyrannical impositions upon Conscien [...]es,Quere. whilst they see you to use the same medium? what plea is left you against their Tyranny, if ever God permit them to re-kindle the Flames of Mar­tyrdom [...]n England? If your way be good, why is not theirs? magis & minus non variant speciem; Is there not as much strength in their Arguments of Fire and Faggot to convince you, as in your Excommunications Imprisonments, Mulcts and Pena [...]ties, to con­vince us of the lawfulness of your Ceremonies? It's said of Molineus Bonifac [...]us, that his silly reasons for the Popes Supremacy did well enough, being propoudded wish a Sword in bis hand; a keen Sword will make a dull argument cut to the quick; and if you cannot an­swer such Argument your selves, me thinks you should be tender of urging them against others. Sure I am, Confiscations, Imprisonments, and Death are the most irrefragable Arguments for Popery; and it is a thousand pitties we should tell the word, that the reformed Religion must be supported by the like Artifices: It would better serve their Designe in Spain, then Christs Interest in England. I am [Page 17] sure 'tis the proper Cognizance of Antichrist: and O that it might remain with them only. Hear what a man of your own Character saith, it is observed saith Doctor Taylor, ‘That the restraint of Prophesying and imposing upon other mens understandings,Liberty of prophesy. p. 109. be­ing Masters of their Consciences, and Lording it over their faith, came in with the retinue and train of Antichrist, that is, they came as other abuses and corruptions of the Church did, when the Churches Fortunes grew better, and her Sons worse, and some of their Fathers worst of all; for in the first three hundred years, there was now sign of persecuting any man for his Opinion, though at that time there were many horrid Opinions.— A Wolf may as well give Laws to the understanding, as he whose dictates are only propounded in violence, and written in blood: and a Dog is as capable of a Law, as a Man, if their be no choice in his obe­dience, no discourse in his choice, no reason to satisfie his discourse.’

Are you not like to have the same measure,Quer. you mete to us, meted back to you again with an overplus, if this enemy prevail? and then you'l find how good it is to afflict for Conscience sake. Certainly, if you resolve to be fai [...]hful to protestant Principles, you will escape upon no easier terms, then us.

Are not these very persons against whom you discharge your can­nons,Quer. and woory up and down by your apparitors, like to prove as stiff assertors of the Protestant cause, (if God call for more blood to witness to it) as your selves? you find them (I believe) inflexi­ble enough to your Ceremonies; all your menacies, and punishments cannot cudgel them into conformity with them, because they find aliquid commune cum antichristo, a spice and tang of Popish Super­stition in them; and doubtless, they will as freely lay down their lives in defence of [...]he fundamental and weightier points of Religion, as their Places, Liberties, and Earthly Comforts, for the lesser Cir­cumstantial truths thereof: and is it not pity, that you should (espe­cially at such a time as this) suppress afflict, and silence such men, whose abilities might now be improved to such singular advantage?

But, aquilia non capit muscas, Lordly spirits scorn to stoop to such mean composures,An applica­tion to the N [...]t on in ge­neral. or take notice of a creeping Pamphlet; Let me therefore speak to the Body of the People, and especially to those among the People, who profess to fear the Lord, and tremble at his Judgments. Will you shut your ears to seasonable counsel also? Will you despise your dangers till you are suprised by them? O [Page 18] England! Wilt thou not begin to fear, till thou art past hope? Shall thine Enemies find thee sleeping, and leave the dead? Wretehed England! here is thy misery, that thou knowest not thy time; but as the fishes are taken in an evil net, and as the birds are caught in the snare; so wilt thon be snared in an evil time, when it falleth on thee suddenly, Ecles. 8.12. May I freely express my apprehensions in the Case; I much doubt thine Enemies have so contrived and laid their design against thee, that (in their apprehensions at least) all thy strug­lings now, are but as the flutterings of a bird in the net, which in­stead of freeing, doth but the faster intangle her. However if God at last, will but open thine ears to seasonable Counsel, and perswade thine heart to thy present duties, who can tell but the Lord may yet be gracious to his Land, and spare his people?

It is not so much their confidence as our impenitence that is to be feared, Haman was as confident as they can be, and had cast Pur for the Jews as well as they for us. Esth. 3.7. So was Pharoah too when he said I will pursue; I will pursue; God can quickly give their preg­nant designs a miscarrying womb; so that they which have concei­ved mischief shall bring forth but a lie; and thou that fearest conti­nua [...]ly because of the Enemie, shalt yet praise him and say; The h [...]a­then are sunk down in the pit that they made; in the net which they hid is their own foot taken: the Lord is known by the judgments which he execu­teth, the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands; Higgaion [...]elah. Psal. 9. 15.16. and when the Enemie cometh in like a flood; the Spirit of thy God can set up a Standard against him: if men cannot, winds and waves shall fight for thee, as they have done in former exigencies.

Only obey the Counsels of God, and let thine ear be circumcised; and as ever you expect that a door of hope should be opened to you in this valley of achor, let these following Counsels be speedily and heartily practised.