THough it is not probably to be expected that any argument or reason should be forcible to perswade the hearts of men, when so ma­ny wonderfull providences, and glorious ap­pearances of God have made no impression, or that words should prevaile, where things are undervalued. Yet because every Christian ought to en­deavour to make his owne heart, and others sensible of pub­lique miseries or mercies, and seeing the intent of this dis­course is to unite, not divide, and that it is high time to leave off quarrelling with persons, and actions, it is possible this paranetick may not be in vaine, if either the miseries of a civill warre (which hath almost ruin'd this Nation) or the horror of dead carkasses lying alwayes in our way; if the cry of bloud, which hath been powred out, not from one, but every veine of this Nation; if the desolation [...] of Townes, and Cities, the mournings of widdowes, and Or­phanes in every corner, the mischiefe of factions, and d [...]visi­ons in our own families; if lastly, the effectuall workings of the very finger of the Almighty, if all or any of these were fit to work on our affections, to thirst after a settlement of this State, and to perswade m [...]n to acquiesce in what God hath done for this Nation, and to comply with the Parlia­ment in securing this Common-wealth, wee needed no pa­per-exhortation, and this might well have been spared. But its to be feared, and lamented, that Gods workes among us, [Page 2] as his Word hath had different, and sometimes contrary ef­fect, some are hardened under the dispensations, others soft­ned, and that most of this Nation are under a judiciall blind­nesse, and stupidity, which will hardly be remedied, but by the ruine of this generation, who have so highly provoked God, in opposing his great designes in the latter dayes; for though God hath walked up and downe in garments of bloud for this almost ten yeares, and hath not spared the flesh of Princes, and great men, and hath shewed himselfe directly against that royall party which at first began these miserable warres, and shewed forth most eminently his indignation a­gainst that person, and family, with all that have adhered to them, yet (which is most sad) not onely are their hearts hardned, and their necks stiffe against the Lords work, but in any who acted at first with vigour and vehemency against that party, have turned their faces, and have been of late the most dangerous opposers of this Parliament and Army, and are become the hopes of the common enemy, yea many lost in prejudices, and discontent, have wholly espoused others, are courting that interest, as if they would unravell all these lines of providence, whereby wee have been blessedly led into a Common-wealth; And like the children of Israel would rath [...]t turne back to eate Garlick and Onions, under Pha­roahs bondage, then be led by providence under the conduct of Moses, th [...]ugh to Canaan.

It is from these secret quarrells and murmurings, and dis­affections (among godly men) (which have though they had their first rise from private animosities,) yet they have been formed, and aggravated by close, and subtile enemies) from these are the foundations of our ruine, and of our ene­mies designes, and hopes, who (while wee are discontented among our selves, for trifles) are preparing engins to cut us off both at once, many essays have been used to that end, which had not God from heaven disappo [...]nted, had tooke effect ere this, and occasioned the sad repentance of the mi­staken actors.

And doubtlesse, among all the hardships this Parliament and Army hath gone through, either in opposing the com­mon [Page 3] enemy, or working out their owne distempers, they have met with nothing more sad, and dangerous, then the slightings, and disrespects of these, who were once, and should be still friends; who have but one, and the same com­mon enemy still, how ever wee may subdivide into severall parties, rather by the delusion of names, then reality of diffe­rense.

But its better to bewaile these distempers with our teares, then expresse them; my intent is not to open our wounds, but to cast in some Balme to heale them; wee have too long been petting, and objecting, while God hath been acting, and doing us good, without our observance, or notice; the great designe of this paper is but to minde us what God hath done for us, to presse all honest hearts to an improvement of our mercies, with sence of the worth of them; And to perswade honest, and inquiring men to a compliance in time with this Common-wealth, least they come to unite with the common enemy, who is yet acting in both Nations, in one more visibly, to ruine us by our divisions.

Its worthy consideration what wee have been doing all this while, and why we are disquieted with the present State, seeing these things have been brought forth among us, which have not been the events of long contrived plots, but of spe­ciall administrations of Gods wisdome, and respect to this Nation, and meerely acted by God, beyond the policy, and engagements of the wisest men; yea the whole series of work­ings in these affaires hath been demonstrative, that it was not of men, nor of their wills, but of Gods. And how ever par­ticular observances may judge of things, yet if the whole be viewed, and the harmony of every part in this great worke, all dissenters must needs have their consciences under con­viction, while their interests are unsatisfied.

Let us take a short account onely, for to helpe our memo­ries of our first principles, and Gods actings, to improve them, and wee shall see that few of us have eyed what wee first undertooke, or what God hath (beyond our thoughts) done for us.

Our first principle wee acted from, and from which wee [Page 4] stated our Cause (from which wee had then no dissenters but Malignants) was to bring Delinquents to condigne punishment, (who had abused this State by the Royall Con­sent, and Authoritie) and to oppose the tyranny of the King, and flattery of the Countiers. A principle large enough to worke on, and to take in by consequences of affaires the ut­most improvement; upon this ground all the Parliamentary party acted together, (not being able to see, or hope for any thing more then a reformation) (and that of the grossenesse of actings) and so firme were wee in this, that wee never changed our thoughts, untill the delayes in warre; and the influences of the Court, together with wearied, and neutrall friends, and the thoughts of places and preferments, made men to study new wayes of compliances, and to leave the first principle for the present enjoyments. But God (who o­verruleth the counsells of men, and had a further designe) will not suffer so good a beginning to make a fatall end. And according to his usuall way, from small beginnings brings forth his greatest glory, acting things beyond our first thoughts, or designes. The King was first opposed uni­versally in his personall capacity, and reserv'd in his pub­lique, in these who fought against him, this went downe currant, and without any demurre among us; and upon this wee waged warre; but God (who still meant to carry on a higher designe) keepes us equall and faire for a long while together, now giving the advantage to us, now to him, still making drawne battailes, (while there was a lesser piece of royalty opposing a greater) owning the Cause so farre as not to discountenance that side he meant to honour at the last; but no effectuall worke was done, but honourable re­treats, and dayes of thanksgiving for non-routing, and se­curity, rather then for any victory wee ever had over the Kings party, except especially that of Marston-Moore, (where­in the chiefe instruments of the new modell were agents) (which was soone recruited) and ballanst by our own par­ties negligence in the South, and their diligence over their affaires. God kept all this while a kinde of equalitie, per­sons were engaged of different tempers, not of different [Page 5] principles, and it had been well (for all our reports then at London,) that wee kept our ground, into such straits wee were then brought, (though wee seemed to have a great and potent Army) that nothing could serve in the view of the whole Parliament, but a wise disbanding that Army, and framing a new Modell, (which was a cause of strange ne­cessitie at that time) and a hopefull way of our ruine by many, even in Parliament, who gave their votes for it out of another end, who are since discovered) but it hath since proved the ordinance of God. This is the poore Army that the great repinings and discontents are made from: This Army, which hath been preserved by Gods right hand, who have done that work which is wonderfull to relate) against this Army all the arrowes of malice and designe are shot, to wound either their persons or names; It's sad to think that our eyes should be evill, because Gods is good; that wee should repine at instruments, when God doth the work? let us as men that would faine see into Gods wayes, consider what hath been done since that change, what a continued continuation of providences (I might say miracles, if they had not some meanes to produce them) have wee had since that despised modell. The thoughts of these things are only repeated for our conviction: There are two things very re­markable in these affaires since our first engaging against the late King (each of which shall have their due considera­tion.)

First, That all our affairs were hardly kept in aequilibrio, in a faire and right correspondency untill this new Modell; but that the King got more ground by his influence, then we by our Armies; the Armie under the Lord of Essex, being a petty Royall Armie, made up of all sorts of humours and Confederates of either side, rather kept the Parliaments cre­dite, then gave them any use for the [...]r money: and we never had a battle fought by him; but we came off, and that bare­ly, and with losse as well as the King.

2. That never since this poore, (at first despised; though now envied Army) was modell'd, we never either received a considerable losse or check in our proceedings, though the [Page 6] action of this Army hath been in three Nations, and accom­panyed with miserable discouragements from all parties, and difficulties, that other Nations would have thought in­superable, and so acted, that nothing but God hath visibly appeared: It cannot, it must not be forgotten, it will be written in marble (if not in our hearts) and the place it selfe will be made immortall to all posterity) the first testi­mony of God to the first action of this Army at Naseby, when all Politicians were securing of themselves; and our wisest friends fearing what the issue would be, and the royall pow­er at the greatest height, and going on in the fullest carrere, what a glorious turne was there given to the designes of the Enemie, and reviving to the hopes of this Nation; God ne­ver before so peculiarly, and in our low condition owning his poor people; and ever since God set up his Standard there, he hath made bare his arme, and never suffered one eminent, nay hardly any defeat to be given to this Army, ma­king that the earnest of the Conquest of Gods Enemies in these three Nations, whereas in all our former Battails, we could never say we had a victory (except some speciall for­merly named) which had their recruits very soone) from this time (I say) as if God had the idea of this Armie in his eye, and had with his owne hands framed the modell of it, and culling out the Army he meant to blesse; hee hath ever uninterruptedly afforded his presence, though the difficul­tyes, and multitude of Enemies have been more then could be expected, or then ever Armie under-went, who served a State in such transactions. What eye cannot see the plots and contrivances, both of the common, and secret Enemies, how many wayes have been used to overthrow this Parlia­ment and Army, and what humours have been predomi­nant among themselves to ruine that body: yet how strang­ly, and beyond all mens thoughts, have they been carryed through; if we were delighted in viewing divine actings, or had a designe to make a History to astonish all the world. Let us follow the Army from Naseby, up and down England, at home; from thence after two Warres, the second more dangerous then the first, being upon more cunning preten­ces, [Page 7] and made out of our divisions among our selves, and especially levelled against the Parliament, and Armie, a war that divided the Armie, as well as the first confiding instru­ments; yet with what wonder of glory did God break forth their deliverance; for after God had helped them to drive the K. into the Scots Armie (a presage of his sons reserve) new Insurrections are in the most speciall Counties round about the Parliament, which first began more remote in Wales, that they might more insensibly supply the whole, and the designe might be thought more barbarous, and lesse consi­derable, while stronger and more effectuall influence were operating nigher hand, yet this poor Army must through all; the Generall in Kent and Essex, the Lieut. Generall in Wales, and Major-Generall Lambert in the North, having all their hands full, and the Scots under Hamilton, when the conjunction of Langdale, and the old Malignants, making up the harmony of malignancy, though in a discord: No soo­ner had our now worthy Generall ordered the affairs of Wales, but new work was provided for him. In the North Major General Lambert had long expected him; and though he had by his wisdome and valour kept his own ground, yet the Enemie (who grew like a snow-ball by going) got mighty advantages: and taking their way through Lanca­shire, a place they thought good Quarters for their Army, as to find capable and zealous Subjects for their design: but God (who ever appears in the best opportunity) to shew forth his continuall displeasure against any conjunction with the royall party, upon what pretence sover,) brought up then Lieut. Generall Cromwell to joyne with the Major Generall, who both with all their Forces, could not make a third part of the Army they were to encounter withall; but God so appeared, that they routed that vast Army, which carryed with them the highest designe, and had more advantages of power, and plea, then any Army of such a mould that ever came into England.

What can be more immediatly from God then such over­tures; will God justifie the wicked so po [...]itively, and perpe­tually against the godly (and that by his owne power, not [Page 8] only by permission.) Is there nothing in these affairs can take our hearts? Doth God doe strange and unexpected things for to be dis-respected? Let any Nation shew a pa­rallell, and not draw such conclusions as we now draw. It's true, (and it must be one cause of our daily humiliation) that we have not answered God in our duties, sutable to those manifestations; but yet the neglect on our parts should not annihilate, or darken the glory of God in his owne act­ings, but rather shame us, and heighten Gods goodnesse un­to us, who is so in love with Englands liberties, that our un­worthinesse, & unsutablenesse cannot stop him in his course of grace, and mercy. Let us, if wee must needs take our prejudices, and satisfie them as to all Gods actings in Eng­land: yet when we look on Ireland, and it's sad condition be­fore, and how, and when restored, and by what instruments, and then let malice act to the utmost, if there be but a spark of honesty, or any glance of a spirituall eye left, and we must needs stand amazed, though discontented at Gods goings with these whom we despise; How have we cryed out against these bloudy rebells (as wee had just cause) for how many yeares were monethly publique fasts throughout the Nation kept for poore Ireland? (besides all the private unknowne bleeding of the soules of many Saints in corners) and yet no fruit considerable that wee could call an Answer, untill God appeared by himselfe (when this Army was on the Sea-side in readinesse to be transported) and in what a manner, and method of miracles, God hath appeared, there is not to be exprest at a distance: God gave in the first wonder at Dublyn by that ever to be honoured, Coll. Jones, ere the Army came over, that they might not have their flesh and bloud too much discouraged, both at home, and abroad, and yet would have them ready ere he began, that they might improve, and finish it.

What of designe had the Parliament in this Expedition, to divide their Army, which was so small at home, among so many enemies, or what hopes could that part of the Ar­my have to encourage them to leave their owne Nations without God had moved them; when they lay at the water [Page 9] side ready for a winde to saile from their owne Nation, where God had made them so prosperous against the com­mon enemy, and to leave all their friends, and to arrive at a a Nation, wholly engaged and enraged against them, and but two Townes, Dublyn and Derry, that were left as recep­tacles of them, or earnests of hopes, and these both besieged by farre more then the full Number of this Army could Muster, and yet how willingly did they goe, and how glo­riously did God appeare, making a whole Nation, both of bloudy rebells, and royall Malignants, to be overthrowne by them, not suffering them to give them one defeate, though they had multitudes of advantages, and in one yeare almost to reduce that Nation to a new obedience: and were that History of Ireland well printed, how farre would it exceed all the Relations of its first Conquest by this Nation, when little else save ambition of domination, and of enlarging our power, not to execute Gods righteous judgements a­gainst bloud-thirsty men, did put them upon endeavou­ring the Conquest of that Nation.

What of flesh and bloud can be demonstrated to be pre­dominaut in these transactions, but love, and zeale, in the instruments, to free the Protestant party from further cruell miseries by the Popish, and royall party there, (who became soone one) & power from God to back these undertakings. Are wee sorry because God imployes not these instruments that suite with our particular humors, and stated interests? is the worke of God the lesse to be eyed, because he useth de­spicable, and poore instruments? or moves beyond our Mo­dell? the generations to come, will remember these things, and take them in, though we, thorough the clouds, made by the vapours of our owne engagements, and factions, see lit­tle in them: Irelands Protestants will doubtlesse keepe a Chronicle of these acts, and blesse God for the instruments when they are entombed in the bloud of the enemies of the Gospel, and who knowes, but Ireland, who hath never yet soild the Gospel, but have been under the sad persecutions for the little light they had in it, and have not yet extracted factions and divisions out of Gods mercies, to advantage [Page 10] the common and watchfull enemy.

If Irelands wonders will not make you in love with Gods actings, (which was nothing else but the prosecution of the same cause beyond the Sea) yet let the harmony and continuance of Gods appearances to owne this cause, and this Parliament in the three Nations (the motions in each) deserve a particular History) let the universall proportion of divine actings (for I dare not call them otherwise pardon­ing mens insirmities) be a confirmation of each other; for what ever the pretences and pleas have been either civill or sacred in England, Ireland, or Scotland, yet God hath drawne one line of providence thorough all, and given, an equall, and astonishing successe against every party, in each, which have but appeared against them. If wee passe by all the rest and come into Scotland, a priviledged place, and, one would thinke, holy ground, yet when once they came to dally with malignancy, and comply with the royall party, though they had the Temple of the Lord written in their foreheads, and the Covenant on the palmes of their hands, and used it as their Phylacteries, yet opposing this designe (which God hath put into the Parliament to prosecute by their Armie, how hath God owned them in the face of their chiefe de­spisers. I am not now in kindling fire of diffention, (mise­rable man is he that lets fall a sparke willingly to contri­bute to this fire) but to lay before honest and inquiring men, what reason wee have to stand and pause upon Gods actings, and mollifie our hearts by these continuall drop­pings.

God knowes with what heart that Expedition was un­dertaken, and with what little provision of outward advan­tages it was managed on our side; for after our March into the North, with so much leisure and delay, to see what overture might bee offered from heaven to prevent us, (which was passionately longed for by the Generall and his Officers) when wee came to the borders, and marcht thorough Berwicke, wee had not three dayes provision, nay not one day, neither could there either for love or mo­ney be obtained a present necessary supply, as if wee were [Page 11] rather going to visit our friends, and to helpe them, then to fight; and yet if all circumstances be duely weighed, Gods actings by this Army in Scotland are farther, and more glorious progresses of his wisdome and power in the same principle, and a clearer demonstration of Gods owning this Cause, then any which have been yet.

Let us consider first, whom God appeared against, not the Irish rebells, nor the absolute malignant party, but those who profest to walke under the shaddow, and pro­tection of the Covenant, who were thought by all diffen­ters, not onely to be Patrons, but principalls of all refor­mation; a people who had onely profest opposition to this Parliament, and Army, and that for the most part in spiri­tuall pretences, these who had first invented the names of shame and odium on the Army, as Sectaries, yea who had annihilated this Parliament, and its Authoritie, and set a King over them and this Nation, in the exactest idea; to which if wee adde the state of our Army among them, with their height and confidence, all the world must see that no power but of the Almighties, could have done it for us.

For our Army, (though they have had more opportu­nitie of action, which they delighted in) yet were they ne­ver brought to such extremities, to so low an ebbe, by both want of victualls, and all necessaries: neither have any former example of Gods appearing with them in Eng­land after such a manner; for though they were oftentimes fewer in number then their enemies, yet never reduced to such a disproportion, as at Dunbarre. In England, yea, and Ireland, they fought against Forts, and Bulwarkes, stout and perfect enemies; but there they fought against hunger, and cold, sicknesse, and diseases, and lost their naturall spi­rits, and strength, when they should have had most use of them. None can expresse the low condition they were in, their men falling sicke, and dying like rotten sheepe, their Horses hardly able to carry their riders, and yet were their beasts provided for better then themselves; the most part of their worke all the while they were in [Page 12] Scotland untill the battell, was but a continuall march; from Mussleborough, and Penclan hils unto Dunbar for necessary provisions; But that God (who hath still done all for us) might exalt his owne name, and give a demonstrative testi­mony not onely of his continuall presence with them, but a sign for unbeli [...]f; he brought them as low as it was ordina­rily imaginable, and the enemy as high, and confident, as flesh and bloud could make them; all relations of our necessities at that instant, with the circumstances of it, can be but as the painting of hungry and starved men, with a few open mouths, and pin'd faces; and on the contrary as the ene­my had, by all the policy and stratagems of war endeavoured to being them into this condition, by waving to fight them, so they then thought they had their end, and the bles­sed opportunity was instant; nothing else was expected but to have them all devoured at one morsell; and that they might not faile in their assurance, they made the covenant their word (then as formerly their pretence) as the infalli­ble earnest of a full victory, and some of their eminent Offi­cers cal'd in scorne to some of our men, that now was the day come the Covenant should be avenged of the Sectaries, and that their name should be blotted out from the earth; thus did they triumph through the covenant, and play with that sacred bond.

But that all good people may see at what a height of con­fidence, not onely the Army, but Kirk were attained unto, and how God appeared both against Ecclesiasticall prophe­cies, and civill designes; I shall relate a story of as great credit as wonder; on the same day this glorious mercy was wrought for us at Dunbar, one of the Ministers of Edenburgh (I take it his name was Hagoe) was preaching to a great congregation in that City rayling on our Parliament, and Army, raising the expectations of th people for to expect some more then ordinary vengeance, and that from Heaven on them, and (like a false Prophet) told them to stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, and whereas he and his fellow Ministers, had often told them of this Army, and of their wickednesse, and denounced the judgement of God [Page 13] on them, they should now see, and that (it may be) ere they went from that place, that God would confirme the words which he had so often spoken by the mouth of his Ministers to them concerning this cause, (for he knew in what straits we were, and what their hopes were that day, but he knew not the counsels of the Lord) Immediately as he had fini­shed his prophecy, or at least ere he had done his worke, God sends in some men that came from the battel, all bloo­dy, and with sad countenances, which was seconded by fresh witnesses; all the congregation is amazed, the Minister si­lenc'd by his own mouth, and so trembling that he could not hold the Bible in his hand; and though there were some children to be baptized, yet he could not doe it, and thus ab­ruptly left the Congregation, with horror for his false pro­phecy against Gods people.

This relation hath its confirmation from the Scots them­selves, and multitude of hearers in Edenburgh, and it may well be believed without witnesse, if we knew the temper of most of the Scots Ministers, and how much given they are to such a method of prophecy; But the Gentleman might have considered that they had not the Kings malignant, or Hamil­tons false Army to excommunicate; but an Army (I may say) formed, I, and helped by the Lord. What shall we say to these things, If God be for us, who can be against us? Its dangerous medling with those whom God ownes. Shall all these things be forgotten, and spilt as water on the ground, is there nothing of glory sparkling out through these mani­festations, that may convince us of our opposition, and dis­affection to these proceedings? It cannot be, but some men conquer their convictions, as the Army hath done malig­nant persons, who yet hate them because of their owne in­terests.

But to goe on, how gloriously hath God appeared ever since; while the enemy beyond the water have been studying with what solemnity to Crowne their Kings, God hath crowned our cause with many Diadems of his glory, and mercy; for after that Battel at Dunbar, and the strange­nesse of the issue contrary to all their faith, and assurances, [Page 14] and many who were accounted the honest party, began to reflect on their former principles, and carriages, and having rallyed in the West, by their friends adde more strength, and remonstrate against the State for their tampering so much with the King, and their juglings among themselves, which they have largely exprest in print, whereby they show some sence of Gods hand against them, yet neverthelesse, what ever thought they had of their owne party at home, they conti­nued their enmity against us, and not withstanding all over­tures made to supple their spirits, and improve these con­victions, (which if truly weighed, are from the same princi­ples with ours, and no more difference then of a Scots and English interpretation of the same thing) notwithstanding all these faire, and cordiall affections we to the utmost ex­prest to them, yet they cunningly watched their opportuni­ties) First, to slip into England (of which they were preven­ted; and then Secondly, to fall upon a part of our Army in their quarters, where God appeared againe, and both took their chiefe Leaders, and [...]cattered their whole par­ty; this great, and further appearance of God wants not its circumstances to make it an eminent mercy, and to strike deep into our spirits; for First, they were the Army which had most of the hearts of the godly with them, as being sepa­rated from the grossnesse of the royal principles, protesting with more zeale and honesty for the Kirkes interest, and so would have gained more then ordinary on mens spirits; and againe they had the great command in the West, whereby they did great damage to our Army, and had advantages of stealing into England, both to withdraw part of our Army from them, and stirring up new fires among us, which would too soone have been effected by their Covenant pretences; besides the manner of their overthrow is as remarkeable, (God striving in all this war to leave signal characters of his own hand in every of our mercies) for when the General had marched a great way from Edenborough towards the West, and sent expresse orders to the Major General, to meet him without fail at such a time in such a place, where the General came according to his appointment with a great [Page 15] body of Horse, and foot, they could not hear any newes of the Major Generals approach, the weather being so bad, and provisions so scanty both for horse and man; his Excellen­cy was forced to march back with all his forces, and fru­strate his own intentions; the Countrey people hearing of the Generals retreat, run to Kerr and his party, tell them of the estate of things, and how his Excellency was returned to Edenburgh, and that Major Generall was left alone: Kerr seeing his advantage (which he had long waited for) pre­sently fals on his Quarters, promising himselfe a full defeat of that party; But they being in readinesse, received them valiantly with some few Troops, and quite routed him, and pursued and took, and shattered all his confidents, whereby we may see, how every deliverance, and victory, is circumstantiated with some beame of peculiar glory and providence.

And if the delivery of Edenborough Castle, (that impregnable Fortresse) were added, and the manner of obtaining it, it would bring forth a new matter both for praise and convi­ction, but I intend not this for an exact history.

Thus it hath been from first to last, and every victory like one star that differs from another in glory; and however there may be a difference between persons, and parties, in respect of profession or holinesse, as there was between the Army under Kerr, and that under Lieut. General Leslye, the former being more purged, and professing of principles, with more zeale, and indeed we may justly call them a Sectarian Army, opposing, and divided from the publique proceedings of Kirke and State, yet they are all one looked on by God as to helpe, and prosperity, when they either with others or by themselves have lifted up their hands against this cause, a consideration which is not slightly to be rejected, and which may well make men wary of second actings a­gainst them.

God hath yet made that good in these Nations, to this Common-wealth and Army (so farre as they have had sincere intentions in the management of this warre) which he did once to Israel; No weapon that is formed against thee, [Page 16] shall prosper; though carved, and whetted by the fairest glos­ses, and religious instruments. Wee have hitherto in summe (and as in transitu) given the Reader an account of the se­ries of Gods workings for us, since he thought fit to make use of this Army against the common enemy. Let us now reflect with wonder, and astonishment at the dulnesse of our apprehensions and strangenesse of the opposition and inward murmurings of many, otherwise observant, and godly, against this Common-wealth, and Army; for which God give us leave a little to expostulate with their spirits; with whom are you angry? who hath done all these things? is there nothing of the image of Gods mercy, power, and wisdome written on any of these victories? could so small a bulke of flesh and bloud destroy such potent Armies, storme such brasen walls, clime such high places, with so little losse, if the Almightie had not seconded, and enga­ged his right hand with them? These are farre from Rheto­ricall, but they are reall expostulations? Are wee angry that God hath heard our prayers which wee so long time put up to him for subduing the common enemy, in the three Nations, or that he hath done his own worke with­out our mediums? What shall be said, shall all these actions of Gods power in, and so much goodnesse, be buryed in a discontented humour, and the glory of them blasted by a designed prejudice? God forbid: the ages to come shall re­member our insensiblenesse with teares of bloud, and owne themselves to be our children, as high-raised up-starts doe their poore parents, who blush when they are named.

But if any spirit be so sleight as to say, all these are but events, and no proper declarations of the truth of a good principle, they being oftentimes occasionall, and permissive by God to a bad as a good cause. I answer in generall, that its true, that commonly and ordinarily God keepes such an even course in the universe, that all things fall alike to all, and the same event unto both the bad, and the good cause; thus God suffers it for a long time, for the hardening some, and destroying others, and to draw off the hearts of his front depending on these injoyments, or advantages in this world, [Page 17] yet at the same time he would not have his people put the right of their sufferings or his enemies prosperity, on [...]o large and indifferent a supposition, but to look into the Will of God in thus disposing of their states, and to find-out the particular end of God to them in it.

But as there is a general and special providence of God in the World, so there are events sutable; these special Provi­dences of God call on all men for serious observation, for in them God goes out of his ordinary course, and they do show either his special owning, or dis-respect, whether to a person or party, and are ofte [...] distinctions of the truth of Principles and Actings; and if there were nothing to be seen of God more by these then other manifestations, the World might grow careless and secure from expecting any evil from the hand of God, or any punishment for iniquity more then what a godly man himself may have by the same strokes: And if this principle should be true, what reason have the Malignants or Papists to look any more into Gods hand on them, or tò think their cause the worse because Providence overthrows their Armies, why should any cry out on them for hardned and obstinate persons, saving they have no more but events to convince them, being still confident of the justness of their cause: And to what end have we kept so many days of Thanks-giving for Victories, if there be nothing in the issues of affairs restifying to the Truth of things, it can be nothing else but a mocking of God, to give him solemn praises for that which can neither shew us the goodness of our cause, or Gods peculiar respect to us more then our enemies; for we have no more witness to the Truth of our Principles then they have, save our confidence, which is as firm and stablished in them as us: Let our Brethren look and remember what expressions they used formerly in their thanks-giving sermons, both before the Parliament, in the City, and up and down all the King­dom, for any show of a Victory, when the Army was com­manded by the Lord of Essex, when any party was routed under Sir William W [...]ller, or any of the first Commanders, though we lost it as soon as we gained it, and they were far from the Victories are now despicably called Events of War; [Page 18] with what affection and zeal did they prove the equity of our fighting against the King by these mediums; it became a com­mon expression at such days, That our God was not as their God, our enemies themselves being Judges: and by what should our enemies be judges against themselves for us, but by Gods appearing against them, and ordering the issue of things beyond all their height of confidence and expectation. Many other such like expressions have been with much heartiness exprest in such days, blessing God for owning his people in a day of need and making a difference between them and their enemies the testimony of all which they gathered from parti­cular succes [...]es.

But why trifle we in a matter of such consequence? are all these actings in England, Scotland, and Ireland for these many yeers so neg [...]igently to be taken notice of only as Events of ordinary actings? What can then be called Glorious Appear­ances of God in this World or what Victories can we have so much c [...]nscience as to write Gods Name as on these? How can a model of the workings of God for his people be drawn in fairer and clear [...]r colours? Had God acted with these that dissent and by these instruments which they had sanctified for the work, though far lower than he hath dore wi [...]h these whom they despise, the world should have another account, and these providences should have been proclaimed in other names then accidents and events, if not the persons canoniz'd long ere this in every Church and Chappel; and if God had permitted such an overture, that the Scots had beaten and overcome our Ar­my at D [...]nbar (which would have been the saddest day that ever Englishmen saw) we need not question but the name of all these former eminent and con [...]icued Victories both in England and Ireland, would be blotted out from the earth, (except these hear [...] in whom the glory and mercy of them were engraven with the same finger that wrought them) and nothing else but the just judgements of God declared to be executed against the Sectarian Parliament and Army, by Gods faithful and Covenant-keeping people; who can imagine that tryumphant conclusion that would then be made of the wick­edness of our Cause, Principles, and Persons, of the truth of [Page 19] mens railings, and the reason of their discontents; how would all men be exhorted from henceforth to beware upon penalty of the like judgements of God, to withdraw from any com­plyance or conjunction with these who were the declared ene­mies of God, against whom he had bent his Bow utterly to destroy; telling all men to consider [...]ow God had at last found his secret enemies, and vindicated the cause of his Covenant, especially in Scotland where it was made and preserved; we may easily without uncharity guess that a thousand such infer­ences would soon be drawn from such an event: But seeing God hath given us the use of such an argument, and added that mercy to all the rest with a cleerer representation of his face towards us than ever before, why shall we think them common or unclean? are our Victories less precious to us than thei [...]s would be to them? are we more glad to see another Nation conquer us, than we to defeat them in their Designs against us? or can we rejoyce that God useth forraign Instrume [...]ts in his work, rather than these of our own Nation? How are we degenerated? how surpris'd in our affections, that we should desire more for the Scots to conquer us than for the English to preserve us from them? If we have lost our consciences, yet let us retain our natural affections; and if this Government be evil in our eyes, yet let us have so much wisdom and self­love left, as to prefer it before a Scottish Tyrannie; if our mercies be not in every point and circumstance fashioned ac­cording to our model, let us not throw away the substantialls of our Liberties, by maligning and opposing those which are the visible preservers of them.

Let us once again look back upon Gods providences for us, and mind the series of them, with the variety and manner of bringing them forth, and study more the nature of them, for they deserve the most refinedness of our thoughts to be set on them, and the purest place in our hearts to have them registred; if every fly and gnat, every piece of dung and filth shews forth somthing of God to be observed by us, what do these choise unparalleld workings of him against the Powers of this world, who stand in his way to the advancement of his Sons Throne?

God writes his mind somtimes in his Works, as well as in [Page 20] his Word, and there are many overtures in Civil affairs which the Word doth not so positively direct, but providence and the necessity of affairs must be the rule in; and how ever the pro­vidences of God are not demonstrations a priori (as they say) yet they may very well be a posteriori; though they do not state things, yet they do distinguish them; and as God will rather have heaven and e [...]rth to pass away, then one iota or tit­tle of his Word to fail, so he will have all men to give him the glory of his Works, else he will destroy all the civil Heavens and earths which men sets-up; and God blames his people as often for not observing his Works as for disobeying his Sta­tu [...]es: If the permissive acts of Gods justice in the world ought to make all men fear and tremble, how much more these positive and errectual assistances of Instruments in execu­ting his righteous judgements? the children of Israel were blamed for nothing more, than that they forgat the wonders of God at the red Sea, and in the Wilderness: But that we may not look on these things at large, let us view what have been accompanying all our transactions in these last yeers, which make them more than events to convince our spirits. First, all that God hath yet acted for us, hath been from the smallest and contemtiblest beginnings, that even wise men have been afraid of their own Acts, and our enemies have laughed in se­cret at us, seeing our ruine in our first foundation; and so weak we were, that we were rather objects of the pi [...]y of our friends, and scorn of the contrary party; who would ever have imagined that such a new Model should have thriven bet­ter than so great and well accomplish'd Army which prece­ded? or what could wise men either fore-see, or Christians▪ believe concerning any great matters to be accomplished by such Pigmies?

Secondly, As God took the lowest condition to begin this work, so he ever brought our estates unto the greatest straits ere he appeared; to point out to all men, that he would be alone seen in the prosecution of this cause, and that he would have the glory of making this Nation a Common-wealth. In England remember especially Naseby, when the King was the [...]ighest that ever he was since the war began, where was the [Page 21] first experiment of Gods engaging with them; at Kent, Essex' Wa [...]es, especially at Preston, when the Nation was most divi­ded, and incensed against these proceedings, and our Army scarce a third part. In Ireland, when all was lost but two Towns, Dublin and Derry. But above all in Scotland, when we fed on our Vital Spirits more than Bread, and lived by our courage and Gods support more than food; how hath God helped? I have often looked on it as an absolute and general observation in Gods actings, that he never brings his enemies into straits to help them, but it is his usual way where he means to make his providence glorious, and his people most praising, to let them be past saving in their own sense, and their enemies hopes: and truly our Victories were seldom given, un­til not only our means, but almost our faith failed us.

Thirdly these successes have been uniform and universal in every part, and against every party which have upon any pre­tence whatever banded themselves against this State and their transactions; yea so eavenly hath God gone forth, and so im­partially, that how ever we may at first question the principles, we cannot deny the acts but to be from God: Yea not only height of Royalty, and the grosness of Malignancy, but the flourishes of the best precenses have been blasted and over­thrown by these manifestations, the Church as well as the World have been under a Divine censure for opposing them­selves, and complying with the first or new modell'd enemy against this State; which may make all godly hearts serious and wary, if not to tremble at their fire and heat in their re­flections on these things. If these things be not timely consi­dered, but our obsti [...]acy grows with Gods admonitions, the next work will be Excommunication.

Fourthly, all these works we now see, have been begotten and brought forth in the midst of the plots of open and secret enemies; plots laid so secret and sure, that nothing but he that discovers the hidden things of darkness could discern or pre­vent; and so hath God ordered and casted the season of our deliverances, that they have been beyond the enemies designes and perfectest perswasions, and our expectations of the most observant spectators, that God might have all the glory: Who [Page 22] could imagine what hath been working in hell, and the cor­ners of darkness, against this work of God now in part brough [...] forth, and yet all disappointed and frustrated, with condignet punishment on the heads of principal Authors

It will be endless to run over the variety of these discoveries, and other circumstances, which if well considered, are as much as the mercies themselves amount unto.

The last great demonstration of Gods presence with this Army in Scotland, may serve instar omnium to Uniting our con­fidences, if all the rest be of no value; which was, Gods de­termination of the iustness of our Cause after solemn appeal to God on both sides, especially on ours; this being the publique expression of our Army in that candid Remonstrance, ere they entred Scotland; that they did appeal to God, the righteous Judge of quick and dead, if their hearts were not sincere in what they remonstrated, and in their affections to that Nation, and did moreover put it only on God, if ever they came to en­gagement (pardoning human infirmities) to deal with them, ac­cording to the justness of their Cause, and the truth of their hearts, I quote this especially, because as it was the most solemn appeal to Divine Justice, so what God did in this, was the con­firmation of all the rest of his publique actings by them, and the Umpire only left to God to own them or destroy them as his wisdom, and justice saw their hearts, and cause; how was Gods arm made bare for them at last, though he carried himself a long while, as if he meant to make good the reproches of their enemies against them. It must be confest, Appeals are of a very high, and dangerous nature, if not done with the greatest se­riosity, and upon the surest grounds; and they do either argue abundance of carnal confidence, or integrity and pureness of spirit; that they ought not to be frequent, and common, but where no other way is or can be found out of deciding con­troversies of a high and controvertible nature, where confi­dence on both sides are equally positive, and immoveable by me­diate arguments: yea, It is without question, trivial and com­mon affaires cannot be grounds of Appeal to God, there being thousands of other wayes at hand to determine them. But in matter of war, and the grand decisions of the justice and [Page 23] equity of taking up Arms and entring Nations or opposing per­sons in great power in the world, where arguments are strong on both sides, and parties violent, if in such case Appeals be solemnly made to God, the issue of such affairs are to be ac­counted higher then nature, and truly to be judged as revelations of Gods will, at least at present, and to that affair which they appealed to God in; as only righteous to give verdict unto by his own appearance, since all other meanes of conviction failed. Much of the same nature is that determination by lots, though it be more mediate, and not so solemn, being but generally used, and often without sense from whom the disposal of them are, yet the issue is judged to be from God, and an absolute express of his mind and will, not of blind Fortune or Chance; much more then may we say of the issue of that Appeal, which was made with as much sense of unworthiness, and vileness in themselves, as confidence of their integrity, and willingness to let God judge; as also when it was made, in dealing with these who had laid all the reproches that malice could invent, or fiery zeal vomit upon both their Cause and persons, what ever the secrets of God may be which are infinite depths (or what ever he may permit in the generall rule of the world, yet if men are put to such straits in actings, their names so vilified that none but God can right them, and men have at the same time so much sense of Gods justice, and faith in his truth as to make him sole umpire, God will not in justice condemn the righteous, and spare the wicked; for these appeals as they are extraordinary ejacusations of our spirits in the most difficult and doubtful cause so they are pressings of the Almighty to let forth the beams of his wisdom and justice, to convince the sons of men, after all experiments of nature and reason; and God is so put to it (if I may humbly express it) to give forth righteous judgement, that even the heathens and his enemies have found his appear­ance, when they have appealed to him against the Christians who owned God, and had not dealt justly with them. I would not be thought to circumscribe the wisdom of God or his ju­stice, that it must of necessity alwayes be manifested immediat­ly on such Appeals but I affirm that it is Gods usual way, and the events of them are to be weighed and remembred [Page 24] again and again, as the most probable cleering up of hard and formerly questionable enterprises; when the Army went into Scotland [...]ow were they vilified by that Nation? [...]e [...]en with reproches of the highest scan [...]a [...] and inf [...]y, slighted with the basest contem [...]t, as men given over by God, hating his truth and people, and now at last invading them, to show their utmost malice to that Nation the A [...]y f [...]y to heaven, leave all to God, and desire his [...] power to determine whether these things were not quite contrary, the Lord looked on their con­dition and hath helped them, in the sight of their enemies; what can we conclude on these things? are these only acts of▪ permission towards us, and of meer pa [...]ience and long-suffering? what can be more apparent that we acted upon right and just principles and to honest ends; seeing God himself, who was made the Judge, hath given the sentence?

We may remember, and know the nature and ominousness of Appeals with trembling, by Gods actings to the late King, and his, who to make his designes take the better with the people, in every declaration Appeals to God so to deal with him, and his, as he was true to the Protestant Interest, when he had Papists in his bosom as his cheif Councellors, and that he never intended to raise war against the Parliament, when all his end of with-drawing from them, was to form an Army against them; How hath God Judged both himself, and his, for it ever since, never leaving to follow him with Judgements, untill he had made himself a Publique specta­cle of his justice, and hath now laid aside all his Fa [...]ily: God may for some secret ends let his enemies prosper for a long time over his people, to afflict and chastise them, and make them partakers of his glory; but he never, or very sel­dom after manifold deliverances, and absolute appeals to his righteousness, hath afforded them assistance; especially when its among his own people in their controversies, and truth is on the one side, and prejudice on the other. I could (if I were a challenger) dare all the world to show an instance after an immediate Appeal, whether God hath not either eminently given the sentence on the right side, or at least, whether upon such is [...]ue all men have not so interpreted it: hath God nothing [Page 25] to do with this world? Hath he given over his Supremacy to Fortune and Chance? Or when can God be seen in De­terminations, if not after such Addresses to his peculiar Moderation? Where shall the Righteous fly when they are condemned? Or how shall men know that Vengeance only belongs unto God, but by such Divine Conclusions? But we must leave the conclusion to God to confirm, as the Determination in it self; There was much to be observed in the Scots Answer to that Clause of our Appeal, ra­ther leaving us to do it, and threatning us upon it, than putting their Cause and Confidence on Gods approba­tion and issue; for whereas they were positive and perem­ptory enough in their Charges; yet they were very faint and staggering in the manner of Appeal to God, as either fearing their Cause through inward conscience of car­nal complyances, or assurance of their own strength to do the work by themselves; it is enough what God hath done, he will in his time either convince or de­stroy men.

But besides all, (which seems to be more considerable than any yet, after not only Appeals, such yet may be too confident) but after the contradicting prayers of his own people, God hath cast the scale on this side, and made answer according to the Requests of the vilified Party; never was heaven so much troubled with interests, and opprest with contrary Petitions (if we may modestly ex­press it) then in these few yeers; the Saints formerly have made but one publique cry, How long, Lord Je­sus? Come quickly; and there hath been a pure harmo­ny in their Addresses to God, though in different con­ditions; but now heaven suffers a strange kind of vio­lence, the violence of Truth and Error in the same Pe­titioners; but God hath made the Heavens Brass, and his Ear heavie to all the Prayers even of many of his own People in these Affairs, and ordered Events contra­ry to their prayers; I know in what causes God may do this, but when Saints and Saints shall pray and God an­swer only the one, the other may well look round about them.

If aay one question why I put so much right on this? It's answered, that there is nothing more cleer, that where his People are engaged in several parties, some by mistakes and ignorance of Gods mind, others out of Truth, and they both pray to him, God will alwaies hear th [...]se prayers which are most according to his mind, and give forth issues answerable; for all our prayers are no farther to be expected to be answered, then they are according to Gods Will, and that Will of God doth manifest the truth of our prayers; when prayers clash in heaven, it is the same with opinions and judgements of Saints on earth concerning Gods mind, which have but one truth to rule them, and according to the consonancy of apprehensions to that, God owns or dis-owns all their actings.

It is most sad and dangerous to do any publique act wherein any which are godly shall dissent, much more that which any of them shall pray against; and this ve­ry consideration hath made this Parliament, and the Ar­my to make so many pausings in their actings, as fear­ing themselves and their own mistakes, when so many good men seem to be against them; yet it is as sad, and should be much weighed, that God should conti­nually answer one sort of prayers, and quite neglect the other, when they come both from godly persons whom God loves: What one petition hath God ever seemed to receive as made by his own Spirit against these pro­ceedings? but hath cleerly demonstrated that at least he is angry with the dissenting Prayers of his own people: I leave these things on mens Consciences, how they can interpret Gods actings against their prayers, and how they can digest Gods hearing of these they judge their enemies, at the same time, and work out contrary issues. All these considerations put together, may suffice to work us to a meditation at least of what God hath done, and to parley with our own hearts, why we should yet refuse our full consent to the establishment of this Common­wealth; shall any that professeth the name of Christ main­tain [Page 27] secret war and malice against his actings, or think to prosper by helping the common enemy.

But if nothing yet said will move us to have better thoughts of these Transactions, let us once again consider in what times these things are dore, against whom, and by whom: First, all these workings have been in the latter days, when God is throwing down the old heavens and earth, and hath his notable designs to effect, and all these mysteries of Pro­phesies to open, which have lain hid for many ages, and seemed formerly quite buryed in the prosperity of the Kings and Princes of this world.

Secondly, against whom hath God appeared, but against those persons both in Church and State, who hath adorned this Nation with the raggs of Popery and Antichristianisme, or with Tyrannie and Oppression; and as they have raised themselves, God hath discovered them; and as they have shifted their Quarters, God hath followed them with his just displeasure and indignation against any complyers with them.

Thirdly, however God may permit for a long while his enemies to tryumph, yet when ever he begins, he will make an end; and these principles which seem general and easie at the first, God will improve, and hath done, beyond all our intentions; for it was hardly possible in the multitude of these overtures, to lay any deep plot before-hand of them, new and unexpected emergencies of their designes, and Gods providence alwayes on a sudden breaking fo [...]th, which were not only difficult to fore-see, but sinful to withstand. And truly, those that think of plots deeply laid before-hand to bring out these great things, may as well suspect the Providences by which they have been necessitously led into them.

Fourthly, for however we may make little account of pro­vidences, yet they are the most exact comments on divine pro­phesies of any other, and are the special visible key whereby God opens all those seals that are in that book: and what ever special inspirations we may have from heaven to guess at Gods intent, yet the words are so dark wherein God hath [Page 28] written his mind of these affairs, and so blurred by Anti­christ, that until God come to open them by his actings, we know not how to interpret them with safety or comfort; hence it hath come to pass, that many pages must now be blotted out of many worthy and learned (and in most things) cleer Comments on Daniel and the Apocalypse, because every day God acts beyond their present thoughts, and gives occasion of reforming their own confident apprehensions of the nature and issue of those prophesies; so that if Gods providences, com­pared with his words of prophesie be not looked into, we must still be in the dark, as to the understanding of these great my­steries; by what can we hope that God is about to fulfil his word concerning the destruction of Antichrist but by his keen and severe prosecution of every limb and member of that bo­dy, yea and beginning first among his own people, that the e­nemies may not have cause to reflect, and tell God to reform first at home; how can we know that God is pouring out the via [...]s of his wrath, and upon whom, but as God discovers it by his terrible actings among the sons of men, by which he cals on all men to hear and obey, not to murmure or dissent? But if the manifestation of God (notwithstanding all this) seem un­cleer and unperswasive to dissenters to gain their full consent to this Common-wealth, let our own interest prevail upon us and if heaven be too light, let earth be added to it to weigh down our judgements; God hath given us an opportunity against our wills to make our selves the freest and happyest Nation on this earth, and we are the first of so large a Continent that God hath advantaged with such a blessing; our Ancestors for these 500. yeers have bin strugling to get but the name of free­dom and liberty, and have for this end deposed one King, and set up another, who had commonly a worse title and reign, but God hath given us our choice, whether royal bondage, or En­glish liberty; were we ever so nigh the regaining our conquer'd priviledges as now? what is there but a name between us and a Free-State, and nothing wanting to perfect all (besides Gods assistance to prosecute what is begun, and direct what is not done) but our own election of what may make us happy, which happiness if we imagine consists only in the title of a king [Page 29] among us; let us remember what we have spent on that name already, of our measure of bloud, and how God hath made it contemptible.

We may all now see how Gods great design is to bring to nought the Princes of this world, and hath his principal quar­rel with them, because they have bin the greatest shedders of the bloud of Saints that cr [...]es under the Altar, and the only mighty upholders of the throne of the Beast, and are still those that lies in Christs way to his royal Throne, and the glorious exercise of his Kingly power shall be first on the Powers of this world who have combined together against the Lord and his Anointed and have bin the most undermining and profest ene­mies that Christ and his Saints have had in the world; and all those that seek to underprop that tottering state, must expect to fall with it; for God hath either laid aside or destroyed the best sort of men, who (though with never so much tenderness or zeal) put forth a hand to uphold this Monarchy; and if ever Haman begin to fall before Mordecai, he never riseth more but to his utter ruine. What is it that lies so weighty on our spirits, that no providence, no argument can ballance? I wish it were not to be feared of many, they have made snares for their Consciences, and then catch themselves willingly in them. Are not the dayes of Mourning for the late King yet expired, and our hearts refreshed by what God hath acted since in these three Nations? Its now high time for us to wean our hearts from the flash ravishments of Names and Titles, when we have so long suffered for our affections; Surely if we were impartial Judges of that Act (which I may call the first cleer and thorow Act of Justice that ever was executed in the Western World) and if we did (like good and wise men) observe the nature and fruit of Actings, we shall find, that as never an Act of Justice w [...]s accompanyed with more remarkable ob­servations, and blest with more happy Testimonies of Approbation, then the beheading the late King. Be­sides the righteous grounds upon which they gave sen­tence of death against him, which when looked into, [Page 30] we had rather need to wonder such a Head should s [...]nd on his shoulders, then that it was solemnly se­vered from it, being one who was the Author of the shedding so much blood in three popolous Nations, meerly for his prerogative tyranny, for all other things he might have had, and much of that also, with the hearts of all good subiects.

But the circumstances (if they doe not deserve a bet­ter name) in his execution may inform us somthing more then ordinary if we shut not our eyes.

First that God should so order it to bring him to his death, and shed his blood before that very place where the first blood in this war was shed, while he looked out through that window with sport: God doth somtimes write mens sins in their punishments.

Secondly that in so populous and vast a City, among millions of his most intire, and desperate friends, there should not be found the least tumult, or motion, or in­surrection for to rescue him, all men being under a divine restraint, and awed by the dreadfulness of Gods justice in such an act; what was that poor Army who were disperst up, and down the City, to the legions of enemies that were against them, who might have destroied them in a moment and eat them up at one morsel?

I am loath to strain these things too far, but only to name them to make us consider, that they are not or­dinary, It was one of the great circumstances named in the childrens of Israels deliverances out of Egypt, that not a dog did bark at them, but doubtless never was such an act of such concerment done since that time in the world with less noise, and silence then that, which argues that something more then humane, was at the doing of it; and which may not be omitted, God hath not suffered the least hair of the heads of any of the prime Instruments in that glorious piece of service, to be touched by any Assassinate, notwithstanding all the threatnings and bloudy malice that works strongly in dis­solute and desperate spirits.

And if we have had but any eyes to view the consequen­ces, and issues of it, we cannot say but that there is at least occasion of seriousness, and ponderousness of spirit, ere we have a thought amiss concerning the lawfulness and justness of it, for as until that time, we did but trifle, and dally with the sword, and were but off and on, up and down, more in hazards then hopes; so from that day hath God blest us, and without intermission or halt, freely fought our battels, and intirely engaged himself in England, Ireland, and Scotland; and which is more hardly a drop of blood hath been spilt in England on that Quarrel ever since, as if God should say, the sacrifice is offered up, the Achan is destroyed, my wra [...]h is appeased, all the blood you shed before was an aggrava­tion of your sin, while that person who was the Author of all and the common person, and head to give life and mo­tion to all the rest was untouched; in such a dialect God seems to speak to open and attentive ears by all his actings since; I leave these as considerations to employ second and more serene thoughts upon: yet if any be of so tender Conscience in that particuler that they still scruple, let them not judge others who are clearly satisfied; they have their liberty of dissent, yet let them know they are bound to present dutyes, which if we had but a faculty of arguing, how easie might we draw the necessity of cutting of the late King? com­mune with your own thoughts; was not he guilty of all the blood which hath been so prodigally spilt among us? It must either ly on him or the Parliament, if on the Parliament, we condemn our selves for joyning with them, and we are par­takers of the same murther; if it lay on the King, what way had we to free this Nation of the guilt, but letting him bear his own punishment, all other acts of friendship would be but contracting of his guilt on us, for as there be two ways of making a man guilty, either by his own personal act, or by complyance with another, which is done by countenancing the malefactor, as by coacting with him, as he that keepes a murtherer in his house, and gives him any coun [...]enance, is in law made equally guilty with him; It would have been thus with our Parliament had they gone on in any other way then [Page 32] to preserve this nation, but by revenging blood with blood: for how ever publique wars may seeme to be an excuse and mitigation of guilt of killing of man, yet its the cause that gives the advantage of innocency and righteousnes in these acts, & the wrong cause make all the rest murtherers in Gods sight, and he will prosecute them as murtherers, especially the prime agents in such affairs; yet all meanes was used to the utmost, until we had almost lost our selves, and the sence of our cause; again let us seriously contemplate what good we could have of such a person after all his high and bloody actings against this Nation, when he refused to grant the propositions of the Par­liament so necessary for this Nation, and only shewing a wil­lingness to grant some of them, and that only for time which would of it self pass away, and which he meant by all designs to cut as short as he could; the best advantage that ever we could have hoped to have by that persons life, was but a cessa­tion of our miseries, until he had recruited and persected his designes, and patcht a peace, with the utter loss both of the sense and fruit of the first undertakings; and here let us make a stop, and pause with sad, and mournful hearts on the condition of poor Germany, who after all their powerful wrestings with tyranny in a long and horrid war, have got nothing but a miserable peace, and the protestant interest left to shift for it self, and strangers that came first to help them have made up their own gaines with their utter ruine; let Bo­hemia especially speak, where the Protestant, hath [...]ardly an article for their prosperity, but what is general, of little ad­vantage, and the Emperour, and Sweeds, (like the Sco [...]s, and their King,) divide all among themselves; the Papists, and great men most followed the Emperour, and the Protestants the Swede, for friendly assistance and brotherly pretence, and now they have made a peace both for themselves; and thus would it have been with us if God had not raised up some in­strument to have no respect of persons; let Germanies example be an occasion to us to think on the King and the Scots; while we slight the mention of a Common-wealth, which God hath given us all advantages to make not only sure, but the freest and choisest in Europe. [Page 33] And if any be affrighted at the change, as that which seems to be dangerous and unlawfull, and putting by the heire of the Crowne; I hope they are not ignorant, how many changes have been in England by the tyranny and u­surpations of Kings, and of forraigne powers over us, but never yet had we the happinesse to change into a Common­wealth, although our best histories tell us, that the first of this Nation when they were most free, was without Kings; but we need not be so stumbled at this change, seeing the ne­cessity and conveniensie of it, and that it is only change of persons and not of the Lawes, and priviledges by which we are governed, which were long since, and yet at divers times purchased by the blood of our auncestors, rather then the goodnesse of our Princes; and if we look warily, we must needs see all the series of Gods actings have directly led us to this change, which we have been prest unto by the neces­sity of our owne affaires, and the continual dictates of Gods providences; and who hath resisted his will, we see by ex­perience, that God changes all mens states, as they oppose, or fall in with it; But yet if the thoughts of the Covenant be brought in as the main objection, why many cannot so free­ly joyn in with the Common-wealth; I must commend the tendernesse of their consciences, but not their wisedome, and understanding, in making a difference between things, and persons, and judging of the nature of obligations. No former covenant can hinder me from obedience to a present duty, and serving my generation according to speciall op­portunities; obedience to oivill powers, is a duty at pre­present, and must not be superseded by any former engage­ment, without I make two sins instead of one; a sin in omit­ting my duty, and a sin in covenanting not to doe it; As for that clause in the Covenant of maintaining the Kings Person, its sufficiently explained, and limited in the next words (in the preservation of Religion, and liberties) both which have been publickly Voted inconsistent, and the one positively necessary for preservation; And when we Cove­venant to maintain his person; we suppose to find in it such a capacity as not opposite to Religion or liberties, nor to be [Page 34] found in the lest Article among delinquents against the State, which we have covenanted to endeavour to bring to condigne punishment, under which capacity the Parlia­ment have found the late King; and his Son CHARLES STƲART; and under that account prosecuted him, and kept the Covenant, as every honest Christian must doe in all the rest of the Articles, that seem to be dark without they be made the interpreters one of another; and howe­ver we may gnaw on the Covenant, and rifle it to maintain our prejudices, yet, we may better take the Engagement to this Common-wealth, notwithstanding the Covenant, then take up Armes against the King notwithstanding the Oath of Allegiance; for that Oath did absolutely, without any li­mitation (as is fully exprest in the Covenant) bind us to the maintainance of the Kings Person, and Heires, yet when our dissenting friends, came to perswade the people to helpe the Parliament against the King, they could make little of that Oath, yea, could goe quite against the letter of it, to prevent a mischiefe, and raise a necessary war against his per­son, while they kept their Oath to defend his person; and is that lawfull and honest to take up Armes, and raise a dreadfull war against his personall capacity, notwithstan­ding a solemne▪ Oath in such distinguishing termes, onely out of pretence to preserve his publique capacity which is greater, that is the state; and is it not the same, and may it not be done with as good conscience to remove his person, to preserve Religion, and liberties, both which if they were not in eminent danger, let all men judge; in a word, no more doth the Covenant hinder me from taking the En­gagement, then the Protestation did men from taking the Covenant, though there were many other words of a different dialect inserted into it.

Had the Parliament imposed on the consciences of god­ly, and honest spirits any new Articles of the Creed, or an Ecclesiastical government, without any tendernesse to godly consciences, or drawne a new Model of Religion, and requi­red obedience of all unto it; this great piece of intolerable Tyranny could have no more raised the spirits of some or [Page 35] exasperated mens passions, then the imposing an Engagement to a Civil government; which hath nothing of sin in it to reflect any guilt upon the consciences of any, seing all Civil Governments are alike lawful in themselves, the convenien­cy of them, and good use, makes them profitable, yet disobe­dience to them is sinful, it being a res [...]stance of an Ordinance of God. And therefore it cannot but be worthy of much blame (though to be lamented also) that Ministers of the Gospel (those that should be the blessed Messengers of peace, and joy) should make their Pulpits Stages of bitternesse, and Satyrs against the present Authority; this hath hapned much among us of late, (through the pride of mens hearts and instigations of subtile enemies) that these good Mini­sters who in other things have had the Ʋrim and Thummim, shining with much brightnesse on their breasts, yet have made their Sermons, like the malignant sort of Diurnals, that when poore soules come hungring, and thirsting to heare something of the Lord Jesus to refresh their sad hearts, they finde little else but Histories of Civil affaires, revilings, and defamings of authorityes, and casting fire bals of sediti­on, up and downe Congregations, to incense mens spirits against the present Government.

This is one of the greatest reasons which I can by obser­vance finde out that the Ministry is so low, and in such con­tempt, because they mingle Christ and this world so pro­miscuously together, and do not keep within the bounds of the Gospel, in their publique preachings to the world. But speake more in the language the of Stage, then of a crucified Christ, and this makes many withdraw from the publique assemblies, because they can heare little but cavils in Pulpits, and Christ in private houses; I wish the honour of th [...] Mi­nistry might shine in the glory of the Gospel for other re­spects, they will finde them to be but temptations, and hin­derances to their worke.

Is there any thing else which stands in our way, (for strawes must be removed as well as reall blockes before pre­judiced eyes) are there any complaining, wee are yet un­setled, and opprest: Let these men answer themselves, [Page 36] that if they will have a settlement, they must contribute to the procuring of it; for while every one divides, who shall settle? If they cry out of oppressions; its very un­just, they should expect otherwise, who will not come under protection; as its most unreasonable any should de­sire protection, who will not engage to be serviceable to promote the Common-wealth.

I shall end with proposing some Queries to zealous, and honest men, with a word of application from what is done in Scotland, and no more trouble the Reader in this kinde.

First, Whether must there bee an act of oblivion past, for all the mercies, and victories wee have had over the common, or secret enemies of this State? or to what use shall wee put all these wonders?

Secondly, What lower improvement could there have been of so much bloud, and continuall deceipt among us, by the name of the King, and his family, but a cut­ting off the one, and racing out the name of the other? or whether ever any peace with these persons could bee sound, or acceptable, without some speciall sacrifice of them to Justice? let it lye on our consciences.

Thirdly, Whither wee can imagine that God had not higher ends then wee first proposed in our engaging a­gainst the King, or then what could bee at first by us foreseene? or whither any condescension in us could have gaind him, without hazard, and losse of our maine li­berties, and priviledges.

Fourthly, Whither the providences of God; (seeing they have been so peculiarly acted,) are not to be guides and rules to us in prosecuting a generall and indefinite principle? or how wee can with comfort satisfie our selves in civill quarrells, but by providentiall events, or what is that event wee thinke most demonstrative of Gods minde, if these are not?

Fifthly, Upon what hinge will wee turne the doore of our affaires, if not upon the continuall, and daily manifestations of God? having our end, and principle [Page 37] right? or whither any person, or power can foresee all the turnings and changes in a multiplyed affaire, with­out some leading providence of Jehovah.

Sixthly, Whether is the better foundation for action, a supposed principle with contrary actings of providence, or the like supposed principles, with extraordinary let­tings forth of Gods power, and Majestie.

But what need wee querie, humors, and discontents will soone turne all these expostulations to encourage­ments; wee are now (through Gods blessing) come to a period at home, all the expectations of our enemies, is from the broken reed of Scotland, but the vaile is now off, the malignant party is but retired there under another head, and if wee may beleeve the Scots themselves, and those which are accounted the honest party, and their Remon­strances; wee have nothing to fight against, but the ma­lignant party in Scotland, the honest party, who were first deluded, being first subdued, and now, beyond the water, they are put to the shifts of a generall complyance, which will be no discouragement to us, as formerly; for then wee fought against many pretenders to the Covenant, and who were with a conscience engaged, (and yet God e­steemed it not) but now wee have a full marke, the old enemy newly crowned, and all things made up in Scot­land to follow this designe. But I hope Englishmen can doe no lesse then the honest Scots have done, remonstrate against those proceedings, and yet God makes them know that bare Remonstrance, against that party, without union with Gods instruments, will not serve, but there must be an unanimous correspondency of all good men against these shifting zealots: And wee have now a more ground of hope against them; if God hath owned us when they see­med to keepe at a distance from the malignant party, and to fix their principle on a surer, and more cleare founda­tion, how will he now appeare for his people, when they have past thorough all delusions, and are to meete againe, with their old enemy, but what horror of spirit will fall on these good men, who will rather venture themselves, [Page 38] with malignant assistances, then comply with Gods work­ings.

I have no more to say, he that cannot trust God now with our cause, hath either too much interest, or too much ignorance, after all the wayes God hath taken to open our eyes. Let our Parliament, and Army, never doubt encou­ragement, but keepe up their spirits high for Gods ends, seeing they have none now to encounter, but their old enemies, without any pretence, that may trouble their consciences, or delay their marches; And let godly men know (who stand yet out) as God hath done all for us without them, so he will now more especially, because they are now under the first consideration, and must come under the same viall, and at least expect the sprinkling of it, while they have any conjunction with that party, which God hath devoted to destruction; if our conscien­ces be not quite asleepe, and if wee have any sensiblenesse of our present advantages, and future miseries, let us set our seales to Gods actings, and rejoyce in the Lords will so gloriously manifested, and not strive against the streame of providences, but as men convinced by God, not by men, engage our selves to maintaine this Common-wealth, which is the onely Bulwarke left us, both to keepe out ty­ranny, and preserve our liberties, which in due time wee shall have most free, and stablished, if our owne fond af­fections to strangers, and prejudices of our friends, doe not undoe all.