SO soon as the Kingdome of Israel was delivered from Absolons trea­son, there arose another Rebell against King David, whose name was Sheba, who tooke occasion from the emulation and hot contention, which was between the ten Tribes,2 Sam. 2 [...] concerning the bringing back of the King to Jerusalem, even to blow the bellowes, and kindle the fire of division be­tween [Page]them, whiles the coles were hot, and to proclaime with sound of Trumpet in the name of all the ten Tribes, We have no part in David neither have we inheritance in the Sonne of Jesse, to your Tents O Israel

So that by the instigation of this one wicked man, there was a great di­vision made between many thousands of Brethren and Friends, who dis­cended all of one stock, even a revolt of the ten Tribes, and so a rent of Davids Kingdome.

As this Sheba being here described by his brethren and kindred to be the son of Bichri and of Benjamins Tribe, as King Saul was, so was he of Saul spightfull disposition, still retaining the bitter taste of the old caske of Sauls Court, which is also noted of Shimei, by his reviling of David, when he was driven away by Absolon; both which old Courtiers, had not yet layed aside their old grudge against David and the State of his Kingdome

The vigilancy and activity of this treacherous Sheba is thus noted, that when he seeth David at the weakest, then he taketh most advantage in the pursuance of his designe to be strongest, draweth the ten Tribes into his faction, and betaketh himselfe to Abel a strong and walled City, whereof Joab (the chiefe Captain of Davids host) having intelligence, he presently layeth siege to the City, destroyeth and casteth downe the walls thereof being (as it seems) provoked thereunto by the Citizens, standing out a­gainst the siege in a wrong cause, even in defence of the Ttraytor Sheba under colour of defending their City.

Whereas Joab (it appeares) had no quarrell at all to the City, it being a branch of the King his Masters Kingdome, but onely as it was an obstru­ction to hinder his pursuit against one Rebell and his faction in the City who had thus highly offended the King; so that there is a distinction here to be made between the Citie it selfe, and the traiterous faction of con­spirators which were sheltered therein, whereof this Sheba was the head.

Upon this fierce assault by Joab, thus provoked in his zeale for the weale of the Kingdome, and for avoiding of further strife and division, it plea­seth God (in his tender compassion of the City) to move a woman of the City, to cry from the wal to Joabs Souldiers, that Joab would come near and speake with her; by this her desiring a parle, and the event thereof, she is called (as she truly deserveth) a wise woman, because she taketh the wisest and best course to preserve the City, as doth appeare also by the effect.

Whereas if she had not by her wisdome broken off both the folly of the Citizens, and the furie of the Adversaries, it might have possibly been turned to ashes, and by that meanes many thousands therein who knew not the right hand from the left, (as well as others of greater age) might [Page]have been brought to great miserie, if not speedy destruction: So that to stand out in defence and maintenance of Traytors and Enemies to the common weale, under the specious pretence of defending a City, and not render them up to justice, upon just and lawfull demand, is enough to pro­voke both God and man to punish the whole City, for so many wicked and traiterous Sheba's as be sheltered therein.

We read of this very Tribe of Benjamin formerly,Judg. 19.20, 21. Chap. that for their unjustly maintaining and not justly punishing that horrid fact of those sons of Belial amongst them, who abused the Levites Concubine to death, all the other Tribes of Irael rose up in armes as one man, and revenged it upon them to their destruction, though they were their brethren, and that for their wicked obstinacy in that hainous sin, without any repentance or god­ly sorrow: so that of five and twenty thousand mighty and valourous men, onely six hundred escaped to tell newes.

And if for want and refusall of doing justice in such a particular case, the ten Tribes rose up and destroyed almost a whole Tribe, and that by the Commandement of God himself, seeing those who were guiltless, took part with the guilty, and so the whole lump leavened alike: then how is a whole Kingdome engaged to take revenge of any part thereof, which doth labour and maintaine notorious Traytors and malicious Enemies to the Common-wealth, when justice is demanded of them? For as God ha­teth all wickednesse, injustice, tyranny and oppression, amongst particular or private men, so how much more doth he hate treason and treachery, against a whole Nation or Common-wealth?

But howsoever, whether they either forbeare or doe their endeavour, though hand joyne in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: such grievous designes doe never go scot-free, but are revenged of God or his instruments, without speedy repentance to prevent such deserved judge­ments: and no Nation in the world can shew more famous examples in this kind then England, it being so often attempted to be betrayed both by strangers and others, but still preserved of God (to his everlasting praise.) Insomuch that a famous man said of England, Regnum Angliae, Polydor. Virgil. Regnum Dei, the Kingdome of England is Gods Kingdome, for none ta­keth any true of reall care of preserving it, but God only.

One word by the way, the Author of this Dictaum living in England, did well observe what a carelesse, wicked, and selfe-betraying State it hath ever been, consisting of a mixt people gathered out of severall Nations, and therefore he attributed to God alone, the many and miraculous de­liverances of this sinfull Nation, as we have far greater cause now then he had then, to acknowledge in all these seven yeares Occurrences, especi­ally [Page]by the miscarriage of that bloody Petition, which should have been de­livered by thrice forty thousand armed men, for which the wars began; the deliverance at Edge-hill, Newbery, & Brainford, when we should have been absolutely betrayed, had not God onely been on our side, and shewed him­selfe to be the Lord of hosts, and God of battells, in so mightily rescuing and delivering us out of the jawes and clawes of all our mighty and strong enemies, who were ready and bent at all those occasions to devoure and swallow us up from being a people any more.

But to adhere to our intended purpose: this wise-woman taketh cou­rage, and speaketh to Ioab: Was not this a wonder, that there was never a wise man in this City? But God who oftentimes saveth both by weake instruments, and despised meanes, was pleased to make this woman the in­strument of thus using the meanes in saving a besieged city in Israel, from all the power and forces of a great King; even as he made that poor wise man spoken of by Salomon, Eccles. 9. the instrument of delivering another City, who therefore declared, that wisdome was better then weapons of warre, and yet no man regarded (much lesse rewarded) that poore wise man.

As Abigail the wife of Nabal was a happy instrument to pacifie the fury of King David and all his followers against her husband for his churl­lishnesse,1 Sam. 25. so was this woman to asswage the fury of Ioab the chief Captain of all his forces here against this city: and it pleased God so to blesse the means which those two women used, that both the King and Ioab heark­ened to their good counsell, and were contented to depart in peace, without offering injury or violence to any: So that it is good not to sleight the wholsome advice of an inferiour, more then an equall, or a superiour. If Naaman the Syrian had despised the good counsell of his own wise ser­vant, and not washed himselfe in Jordan,2 King. 5.19 according to the direction of the Prophet, rather then in the rivers of Damascus, he might have returned home, and died in his leprosie; yea and besides, he had not been so well con­firmed and perswaded in his faith against his former ignorance and impie­ty, which he confessed upon his cleansing, and thankfull returning to the Prophet, who cured him. If King Ahab had not hated Micaiah, and pre­judged his wise and good counsell,1 King. 22. against his going up to Ramoth-Gile­ad, he had not lost his life and kingdome: but he following the wicked advice of false Prophets, who stirred him up to make a new warre, was one cause both of his owne, and his posterities ruine.

As false Prophets are known by many other bitter fruits, so chiefly by these two speciall marks. First, they are alwayes eager and thirsty after blood, both like their father the Devill that murderer from the beginning, and that Whore mentioned in the Revelation. And next, they are no wise [Page]so hot for just peace, as for unjust warre. Was not Jerusalems destruction the more deserved, because they hearkened to false Prophets, that spake lies in the name of the Lord, and despised the true Prophet Ieremiah, who spake as the Lord immediately directed him. And did not that zea­lous King Iosiah himselfe, after all his matchlesse reformation, receive a mortall wound for going out inconsiderately to battell against Pharoah Neho king of Egypt (as is likely) without advice either of God,2 Chron. [...] 34, 35. or Ie­remiah the Prophet? yea and distrusting that Pharoah came not forth a­gainst him, but his enemies the Assyrians: and though his intention was just and good, even to defend his own Land, yet for this his trespasse of teme­rity and rashnesse, he was punished with temporall death, but being so worthy a King, there was more mourning and greater lamentation for him, then any King that ever was in the world: Oh for such a good King as Josiah, and such a grave Parliament as the Elders of Judah and Je­rusalem were in his daies! then we should have a blessed and glori­ous Reformation not only in word and shew, but in deed and substance, to some purpose.

But to proceed, this woman is not like too many now adaies, who claime unjust titles, for she well deserveth her title to be called wise, be­cause she is so indeed, in that she thus loveth a just peace, and hateth an unjust warre, which is the main end and scope of her parle with Joab; and is she is very excellent in the pacifying of Joabs furie by forcible argu­ments, so is she no lesse active and resolute in perswading the people of the City by sound reasons, to yeeld to her just desires, both for their own safety and that which is their bound duty, even to deliver the head of Sheba that Traytor, who so troubled the Common-wealth of Israel.

And therefore as God blessed her as a peace-maker, in prevailing with Joab, so also with the people, (for they finding her reasons to be just and right, ordered to cut off the head of Sheba, and to cast it over the walls to Joab, which accordingly was done) so Joab blew the Trumpet, retired from the City, and every man to his Tent: Thus by the meanes of those unto whom God giveth wisdome to order things aright, how con­temptible soever they be in the eyes of the world, both good duties may be timely performed, evill consequences wisely prevented, yea and hea­vy judgements removed, as we see also by the happy issue of Phineas his zeal in the execution of Zimri and Cosbi, even in the very act of their hainous sin of Adultery. And without the execution of justice, here de­manded by Joab, there is no peace with Joab, yea no peace with God; for if he (the Lord of Hosts) be offended and no meanes used nor followed whereby his anger may be asswaged, as he is a just God, and the true owner [Page]of vengeance, he must needs be revenged, and hath all the creatures at his call, alwaies to execute his Will, as by one Angell hee smote a hundred fourscore and five thousand of Senacheribs Army in one night; howso­ever wicked men (who he oftentimes catcheth in the very same snares which they lay for others) thinketh that he hath neither number enough of instruments, nor magazine great enough of judgements to catch them in the height and pursuit of their sins.

What a vaine question was that of Joram to Jehu? Is it peace Jehu? What peace answered he, so long as the whoredomes of thy mother Ie­sabel, and her witchcrafts are so many? God would have justice done up­on the bloody house of Ahab, and upon Iesabel for Naboths blood, what peace can be then till this be done? So here was a wicked Sheba, a Tray­tor to the State, who with his strong faction intended the overthrow of Davids Kingdome, which was a type of Christs Kingdome, and like­wise to nullifie the priviledges and liberties of the free-born people, for his owne coverous and ambitious ends.

This wise woman likewise professeth her selfe to Ioab, to be one of them that are peaceable and faithfull in Israel, and this she doth not for her own private respects only, but much more for the common-weale of Abel her City: To bee peaceable is very commendable, but especially in one who also is faithfull; for, peacablenesse hath most respect to man, but faithfulnesse both to God and man; to God, in holding forth his truth, and to man, in giving good example by holy conversation, that men seeing the good workes of faith (which are wrought by love) may glorifie God, and (through his grace) become of the same profession: And faithfulnesse also to man doth consist in the discharge of all duties, es­pecially of that trust which those who have undoubted power, do commit to the charge of those whom they chuse: and the other do not onely undertake, but faithfully vow and promise to performe with all their pow­er for the publike good: and herein, if they be either remisse, corrupt, or false, doe they not falsifie their faith, and betray that great trust, by bend­ing all their affections, and imploying all their studies for their own private ends: so that by this meanes they transforme themselves from being any more Trustees, but become a faction of Traitors to the people who depu­ted them, not to advance themselves as masters, but the Common-wealth whereof they are servants, excepting so farre as their owne share is in­cluded.

This faithfulnesse both to God and man finds so little favour and enter­tainment now adayes, that it is accounted rather a vice then a vertue, ex­cept onely among such as be also faithfull and well-principled: and al­though [Page]though they who hate faithfulnesse and faithfull men doe in word and shew pretend peace, yet in deed and substance they hunt after warre, like to those deceitfull Prophets that bite with their teeth and cry peace, but he that putteth not into thir mouthes, they prepare war against him, even as now their brethren those popish Priests and English tythe-mongers, doe still in these sad daies of Englands misery.

And as this wise woman is peaceable, so she is faithfull, and so peaceable and so faithfull, that the peace she seeketh is so just, and the faith she ma­nifesteth is so true, that she permitteth neither of them to putrifie by rest­ing at home with her selfe, but so imployeth them in the works of love, that they extend themselves and run like cleare rivers abroad unto others, and that not to a few friends, neighbours, nor familiars, but to the whole City where she liveth.

Another point of her wisdome may be observed, first, in the wise and sure foundation of her arguments from Gods Word, and next by the judi­cious stating thereof by way of interrogatories or questions, as the most choice and pregnant wayes to daunt the fury either of friends or adversa­ries, and that even by giving them some hint of their own fault in their ve­hement pursuance of revenge, otherwise (as it seemeth) then by due or­der, especially when there is no other forcible nor probable means of re­sistance, as appeareth by the story.

She chargeth Ioab (as it seems) with a breach of Gods Law, where it is forbidden (Deut. 20.10, 11.) to fight against a City untill peace be offered unto it, which (belike) he had not done, and therefore apprehending his own ignorance or negligence, was touched by the truth, sense, and force of her words; as also she thus pleadeth; as if she should say, how­soever others may out of their unadvisednesse make some resistance to Ioab and his Army, contrary to her mind and will, yet she (not being able to amend nor hinder them) for her own part, is one of them that are peaceable and faithfull in the City, yea and a mother in Israel: and there­fore why would hee presume or offer to destroy the inheritance of the Lord?

The sad apprehension of which words, made such a deep impression in Ioabs heart, that he very soberly and discreetly cleared himselfe, by the reality and integrity of his intentions, saying, God forbid; God forbid it me, that I should devoure or destroy it: the matter is not so, but a man of Mount Ephraim (Sheba the sonne of Bichri by name) hath lift up his hand against the King, even against David, deliver us him onely, and I will depart from the City: and the woman said, Behold his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall.

Then the woman went unto all the people with her wisdome, and they cut off the head off Sheba, the Sonne of Bichri, and cast it to Ioab, then he blew the Trumpet, and they retired from the Citie, every man to his Tent and Ioab returned to Jerusalem unto the King.

To prevent an Objection here, in the wise womans speech to Joab, she saith thus, they spake in the old time saying, they should aske of Abell, and so have they continued; now whether she meaneth onely the place, men­tioning the same by the name, that those who besiege a City (as the City Abell) ought first to offer peace to that City, as is formerly observed, of that Joab and his souldiers ought to have asked of the City Abell, whether or no they would deliver Sheba, and to have offered them peace upon de­liverie of him, and not to have broken down the wall without any such question or condition, contrary to the Law of God, common sense and custome, which may be drawne from these words of her speech, and so have they continued, or that they should aske concerning the person Abel, calling to mind his innocent blood, alluding to the people in the City, who had not procured such an assault, by any misdemeanour proceeding from themselves, either of which senses or interpretations, may be per­tinent enough to the scope of what she intended, in her dispute or speech to Ioab.

And the reason why Ioab was so easily pacified from all his fury, and getting justice onely against one Traytor, though there were a number of others in the City, he himselfe declareth in the Historie, that the intent of his coming was to have justice onely against one man, and the cause was formerly shewed, even that he was the ring-leader to all the rest in rebel­lion; according to the old true proverb, which a Member of the Parliament for once repeating in the House (where oftentimes truth hath no place nor admittance) pereat unus potius quàm unitas, it is better that one (or a few) perish, then a multitude, Corporation City, or Nation, was com­manded to the barre and committed to prison, where he continued for a whole yeare at least.

Now all that is to be inferred from what is here spoken, doth briefly tend to this effect, there are many opinions concerning the intentions of our renowned Army, especially for their advancing to this City: Why? whats the matter? Doth it not consist of very rationall men? And doe not you think, but they have many strong reasons and both weighty and urgent causes for what they doe: We not only know by report but feel by experience, that there is not only one Sheba among us, but too many ring-leaders of rebellion, incendiaries of sedition, and raisers of anew warre, which the Army doe demand and persue, that they may be deliver­ed [Page]up to the law, and tryed according to justice, which is the first and most speciall and effectuall meanes to recover both our Lawes, peace and liber­ties; out of which all the free-born people of England are like to bee stript naked, and so are in a most dangerous capacitie of slaverie and miserie.

And if there be such treacherous enemies to the Common-wealth and betrayers of there trust concerning the recoverie and defence of our Lawes and liberties, detained sheltered and maintained in and about the Citie of London, as that Rebell Sheba was in the Citie Abell, is there so much as my shew or colour of reason to the contrary, but that the whole people of the land as one man (if it were possible) should seek all lawfull and time­ly redresse for justice: as in the case of the ten Tribes, against that of Benja­min before cited, and of Achan, Iesabel and many others.

Therefore whosoever or how many soever shall oppose them in so law­full and needfull apursuit, will manifest themselves to be as great Traytors and enemies to the Commons of England as the other, who are thus impea­ched, yea and if it were in the way of revenge, failing of ordinary justice, (as this act of Joabs pursuing Sheba may seem to be) it is neither cruelty nor war, but rather a seeking of justice, and consequently of peace, in so following after it.

One thing is to be feared, and another to be wished; the first is, that the Citizens are not so diligent to treat with the Parliament for doing of justice, as they are with the Army for yeelding to peace without justice: for this woman was as carefull to deale with the Citizens, as she was with Jo­ab, so soon as she knew his mind: And the next is, that neither Parliament not City permit their Clergie any more to preach war in the City; and peace in the Army, nor that such Incendiaries nor deceivers (as those Priests and their followers) be suffered any more to intice and poyson, yea and undermine the weaker sort of the Army, but be quite returned.

As this wise woman undertaketh, begineth, procedeth, and prospereth, in this great businesse, as appeareth by Ioab and the Citizens both hearing and following her councells, because they all attend to justice, so by that most powerfull, effectuall, and commendable meanes, which she useth, it pleaseth God so to order the businesse, that thereby justice is duly and spee­dily executed, and so all is made quiet, even as when Ionah was cast into the sea, the powerfull raging thereof was changed into a great calme.

But in regard the matter is historicall, and needeth litle illustration, or scarce any application, it being so suitable to our present condition, there­fore I will adde a simile for conclusion; this whole Kingdome at the be­gining of this Parliament, may be parallelled with Gedions Army of two and thirty thousand, when he went to battel against the Midianites, not in re­gard [Page]of our greater quantity or number, but rather of our quality and na­ture, this Nation being a mixed people, like Gideons Army of good and bad souldiers, able and unable, whereof the greatest part were the open enemies of our peace, and so verie unfit to fight for our lives, Lawes or Liberties, at least whilest they were under that banner.

But those two and thirty thousand being fined, and a party singled out from amongst them, extending to ten thousand, which were not alto­gether so timorous, and therefore somewhat more likely to carry on the worke in the day of battell: this party is like our mixed Parliamentary multitude, being chosen by all sorts, or rather several dispositions of people as appeareth by the fruit and effect proceeding from the cause, and as eve­ry living creature doth naturally produce and bring forth others both of the same kind and similitude.

And these ten thousand of Gideons Army who were thus fined, being still unfit for the intended businesse notwithstanding, therefore they were refined to three hundred, which may be accounted those military members of valourous and victorious Souldiers of our Army, by whom as the Lord hath done great works to his endlesse praise, so our hope is, that the same God will do yet greater works against both our open and secret enemies, yea and pretended friends, to his owne glorie and all our comforts who trust in him, either by them or others.

We blesse his divine Majestie, that like this wise woman he hath made this City so wise, as to send forth some of their Aldermen and other anci­ents to parle with that renowned Army concerning the present expedi­tion, of whose wisdome and fidelity both to the City, Parliament, and Common-wealth, as they have had already very sufficient, so shall they have (no doubt) abundant satisfaction; yea and will (we hope) crown the same with such happy and gratious effects to the joy of all faithfull and true-hearted English, both of this age, and all succeeding ages, as never King nor Parliament together nor apart did the like, since England was first a plantation, before it began to be a Nation.

AMEN.

MAy not England now say, behold and see, all ye that passe by, is there any sorrow like unto my sorrow? Is not this our our fruitfull land, like to become a barren wildernesse, even for the wickednesse of the Inhabitants? Is not this fearfull judgment of new wars justly deserved, both for the crying sins and great abominations which so powerfully raign [...] all estates, even from the highest to the lowest? And that not alwaies nor altogether by meanes of professed enemies, but rather as often, and sometimes much more of pretended friends, yea even of a strong party in our own houshold of Commons: for that House being (as it were) the salt to season all the unsavoury practices and proceedings of others, by their assembling for that businesse, in the behalf of all the Commons of En­gland, if they themselves should lose the savour, wherewith shall they bee salted? Will they in such a case be good for any thing, but to be cast out is corrupt and rotten Members?

What people or Nation did ever more freely not only adventure, but even sacrifice their lives, blood, livelihoods and estates in the defence and for the maintenance both of the Parliaments owne lives, Priviledges and estates (even when they had neither Army nor Guard) so long as they seemed to stand for our Lives, Lawes and Liberties, which they have so of­ten promised, protested, declared, vowed and sworne to recover and de­fend, and we so long expected, yea and have so much deserved, as well by the right of purchase, as of birth and native inheritance.

Long have we and our Predecessors sighed and groaned under the hea­vy burdens of former oppressions, by meanes of cruell task-masters, even for a Parliament of six months, (never so much as dreaming of seven years) and that to have had our just Petitions granted, and our unjust grievances redressed, all wicked Lawes abolished, and good Lawes established, wee [Page]looked for comfort, but behold sorrow; we have only a charge of op­pressors, but still the same oppressions, though under other notions.

And did not our owne House of Commons, whom we both choosed and trusted to defend our Lawes and liberties, at their first sitting so aboun­dantly encourage us, both by their legall practises and faire carriages, that we could not with any conscience of our duties, or sense of our miseries, deny to adventure our lives, nor bestow our estates for their help, mainte­nance, and assistance? For did not they release the prisoners, bring home the banished, utter many excellent speeches in the defence of our Laws, Liberties, Persons and estates? Did not they abolish the Star-Chamber, High Commission, and Councell-Table Monopolies, and Ship-moneyes? Did not they demolish many Crosses, May-poles, and high Altars? And, did they not make many Fast-dayes, and begin to bring wicked men to condigne punishment?

But so soon as they by these plausible, powerfull and effectuall meanes, and the Clergies eloquence, had got into their hands the Common-wealths moneyes, plate, and all things else, which might either encourage or main­taine a number of souldiers to bring home the King with some bad Coun­sellors from Yorke to the Parliament, they so tasted the sweetnesse and benefit thereof, that they not onely used all forcible and effectuall means to get more and more of the Kingdoms money at their dispose, untill they not onely made themselves rich, and the Common-wealth poore, but out of their abundance did divide the spoile, which cometh by the ruines of the people liberally amongst themselves, and send upon all conuenient oc­casions beyond the Seas, so that these our Trustees at Westminster, are quite changed and degenerated from their first love, and have betrayed that great and publike trust which all the Commons of England have reposed in them, which was chiefly to rectifie all kind of Tyranny and Oppression, but therein are so short, that they are become the greatest Tyrants and Oppressors themselves.

For, do they not only hate and discountenance all who have been their best and truest friends, in their greatest both wants and other extremities, but preferre to all places of trust, power and command, both in Parlia­ment and Common-wealth, even those who have assisted their and our e­nemies in these times, and have been alwayes refractary to all goodnesse? Do they not still reject (as they have done for a long time) all worthy Petitions for Englands Liberties, and very thankfully accept all that are destructive, crosse or contrary thereunto?

Do they not onely advance those who seek to undermine, sell and be­tray both us, themselves and posterities, with all our freedomes, for some [Page]preferments, base or private respects, to fulfill their owne lusts, but like­wise imprison, threaten and revile the other well-affected party, calling them factious and seditious enemies to the State, and the like, who do pe­tition for such lawfull priviledges as is their due to have, and the Parlia­ments duty to give, yea and condemne some of those honest and peace­able peoples best Petitions, which do contain all Englands liberties, to be burned by the common Hang-man?

And did they not onely most unjustly and undutifully reject the just and humble Petitions of divers worthy Counties lately for the same Liberties? Do they not still oppresse the poore, and grind their faces, by paying of Excise, rather then subside according to Law and reason, to lay such burdens for the publike good on the rich, who have lands and abilities to beare and indure them? and yet notwithstanhing, the publike debts and Souldiers are unpayed, widdowes, fatherlesse and maimed souldiers unprovided, and the publike treasurie emptied.

Yea and which doth reach highest of all, they are growne to such an impudency both of injustice and ingratitude, against that worthy and re­nowned Army who preserved their lives, and secured their estates, that when they were addressing themselves to petition their own Generall, concerning very modest and reasonable requests, that he might (if he thought expedient) present them to the House, they declared highly a­gainst that just Petition of the Army, and all the Army themselves, calling them enemies to the State, and the like, if they proceeded any further therein, and endeavoured by all possible means either to disband, divide, or delude them, though since (upon not prevailing, and the Armies standing) they have recalled that Declaration, without any regard either to justice, honour, sin or shame, thinking thereby to have given the Army some kinde of satisfaction, by such counterfeit repentance, and forced humiliation, e­ven as if the Army, who have the sword to act, and they but the word to vote, would have been deceived by them, as they have cheated the Com­mon-wealth.

But to be short, because we are all like to be assaulted with a stronger temptation then ever we were heretofore, and that very speedily, we have great need therefore to cast our greatest care and confidence on God, and then we need not care nor feare what man can do, we will be dealt with­all either by flatterie or force, if not by both, to go up (as it were) to Ba­math-Gilead and prosper, even to take up armes against our owne beloved brethren and countrey-men, flesh of our flesh, and bone of our bone, that most terrible Army with Banners, who through God, have done valiantly in subduing all our open enemies: but we must altogether refuse, upon [Page]whatsoever tearms offered or pretended, least in obeying the lusts and arbitrary wills of wicked, covetous, ambitious and time-serving men, who thirst after blood, thinke to escape in the presse, and still fish in troubled waters, we fight against God, be traytors to our Countrey, guilty of much innocent blood, absolve the wicked, condemne the just, and shew our selves (both by evill example and otherwise) both unjust and unthankfull, even in rendring evill for good, as now the Parliament doth to us.

For as this Army, when former Armies could not, have been the chiefest instruments of delivering us from regall oppression, so they are the most hopefull worldly power to free us from Parliamentary corruption, to see the time of each Parliament limited, and how often to be called, just li­bertie for tender consciences provided, just Lawes made and executed, un­just Lawes abolished, our just Petitions received, read and granted, our grie­vances redressed, this Parliament from all corrupt Members purged, all our just Liberties recovered, all who are unjustly imprisoned, justly relea­sed, and their illegall sufferings of all others since the Parliament be­gan, legally repaired, the great accounts of the publike Treasurie required, widdowes, fatherlesse, maimed souldiers, and all other sorts of poor main­tained, just men advanced to places of trust, both in Parliament and Com­mon-wealth, and unjust men deposed and punished, so shall it bee well with us, and our posterity throughout all Generations.

But if otherwise, we yeeld now to wicked mens desires, for their owne covetous and ambitious ends, and no good to us, when we have done all we can, yea and past the bounds of our abilities, we shall have no more thanks nor reward, then now we have of the Parliament for all our un­speakable both actions and sufferings, but be made such kinde of beggars and slaves, both in our spirituall and temporall conditions, as we shall bee a proverbe and a hissing to all Nations, even as Gods owne peculiar people the Jewes were, who had many happie opportunities and gracious influences of Gods speciall favours, to have made them the most renowned, famous, yea and invincible people that ever were upon the face of the earth.

NOt to speak of the crying sins and great abominations, whereof the Kings, Parliaments, Priests and People of this Nation are guilty, even surpassing the sinnes of Sodome and Gomorah, Tyrus and Sydon, in so long injoying, and yet never receiving nor obeying the glorious Gos­pell of Christ, which if they had had, as our Saviour said of Capernaum and Bethsaidah, might possibly have brought forth better fruits then ever England did; neither to insist of the innocent blood, which cryeth from heaven against this Nation, by our betraying, under the colour of helping, that worthy and strong City Rochell, as well by cheating them of their provision in their extreame famine, when they were so straightly besieged, as by advancing their enemies with eight great ships to their utter ruine, starving and desolation, nor yet of the oceans of the guiltlesse blood spilt, and treasures spent, of late daies amongst our selves, to small pur­pose, yea and much thereof by your corruption, carelessenesse, double-dealing, and other indirect and counterfeit meanes.

Did ever any Nation give better assistance to any Parliament, then this distressed Nation have everie manner of way given unto you? Was it all done to make you Lords and Knights, and our selves but servants and slaves? Was it to set you all in Coaches, and on horse-backe, and our [Page]selves but to run at your feet? Was it not meerely that ye should redresse our grievances, and recover our Liberties, abolish wicked Lawes and esta­blish good Lawes? But have ye performed to us either one or other of these your duties? Have ye not rather made the cure more grievous then the disease, and the last errour worse then the first?

Have ye so often protested, vowed, sworne, and declared before God and the world, that you would deliver us from all oppression and tyran­nie? and yet are not ye your selves become greater oppressors and tyrants then ever we had? Have ye not against all Law, justice, reason, consci­ence and profession, both done many things ye ought not, and left a­bundance of things undone, which according to the same grounds, ye were bound to doe? Did either Petitions, Informations, or Admonitions ever prevaile with you by word or writing, but rather did you not hearden your hearts, more and more like Pharoah? Have ye not alwaies sought rather to be revenged on such as shew you your hainous sinnes, then any wise (except in hypocriticall Fasts) to amend your faults? Yea, and I appease to your owne consciences, Are not all these but meere shewes which now ye make, to rectifie some of the innumerable things that are amisse by your owne meanes, even rather for slavish and guilty feare of the Armies sword; then out of any dutifull respect or true favour to the Commons of England, who choosed and trusted you, and whom (as yee are bound) ye should both serve and respect, if ye made any conscience of Gods VVord?

MAny of you know better then I can expresse, what wise course Josuah that valiant Captaine Generall (who for a long time fought the Lord of Hostes Battells in the behalfe of his peculiar people the Jewes) did take when he saw the Lord shew himselfe so angry at the sins of the people, (though it was but of one man) that he made them both fall and fly be­fore their enemies, he searcheth diligently (either by lot or otherwise ac­cording to the custome of those days) throughout all the twelve Tribes, in which Tribe, or person of the Tribe the fault was; and finding it in the royall Tribe of Judah, and in Achan by name, through his covetousnesse, (which is the root of all evill) did punish him according to the nature of his fault.

Ye have both begun and run very well hetherto, yea and win one part of the prize, praised be God, but I pray, who lets you, that yee will not obey the truth, but seem to be weary of wel-doing: verily I say unto you, if ye sit down to eat, drink, take tobacco, and rise up to play, there will come such another alarme and unexpected judgment to waken you, as now yee seem to be to the Parliament, that may both possibly and speedily sweep you all away. Remember that the foolish Virgins who knocked at heavens gates out of time were debarred.

Ye know well enough (having such principles) how dangerous it is, to begin in the Spirit and end in the flesh; and that the more gifts ye have, the more inexcusable ye are, if your practices be not answerable; have ye both done and suffered so many things in vaine, if so be it be even in vaine? All that ye can either do or suffer yet further, shall profit you nothing, if ye suffer your selves to be corrupted, bribed, pensioned divided, or delu­ded. I wish they were even quite removed far from you, who trouble or disquiet you by doubts, surmises, shifts, or delayes; yea and are not as wil­ling and ready to act and prosecute, as ye (in your grave resolutions) are to consult, debate and proceed.

Ye both see and hear, yea and (I trow) yet feel, that there is not only one fault, and one party guiltie in the Parliament, where ye have begun to search (though not yet with a candle, nor with a small seive, but many, whereof ye accuse some: well, if ye be they who shall deliver England, we need not look for others, proceed, & go forth with courage like David, with your sling-stones in your hands, in the name of the Lord of Hosts, a­gainst all uncircumcised Philistims, and quit your selves like men as ye have valiantly heretofore done, as your enemies cannot deny, for there is not only covetousesse amongst them, but both ambition and superstition in the highest degree, besides horrible perjurie, adulterie, and all sorts of iniquitie, yea or scarce one, who is not blemished with that deceitfull Covenant, which all of them have both often and fearefully broken, and yet are so impudent and Sathanically wicked, that still they urge and tempt others to come in the same dangerous snares with themselves.

If ye be discreet, and seeke the Kingdomes good more then your own, ye will not (like standing water) lie still and stink, and rot, and bring forth venomous beasts, but shew your selves like cleare rivers which run into the Ocean, and both carry vessells for the traffique of the Nations, and bring forth wholesome and profitable fishes for mans use: Call to mind both how generous and valourous Nehemiah and his souldiers were, who built the Temple with the one hand, and fought against the enemies with the other, and Abraham also who would not take a shooe-latchet in his [Page]victories against his enemies, but onely food to the souldiers, and if yee will speedily performe now withall your power, whatsoever good your hands shall finde more to doe, (because there is neither wisdome, nor worke, nor invention in the grave whether ye go) and not put your hand to the plow, and (like Lots wife, or Israel in the wildernesse) look back, but forget what is behinde, and strive forwards towards the marke, doubtlesse the same God, who hath heretofore got himselfe honour by you, will also upon your constant integrity and fidelity, in the discharge of your duty, stir up all other needfull instruments to assist you, untill he crowne his owne worke with perfection, and bring both his, your, and our unrecoverable enemies to destruction.

WHat meanes and craft can Sathan or his instruments devise, which guilty men will not use, to save themselves from tryall, when both their own conscience doe once begin to accuse them and when a power­full party bringeth a strong accusation against them? Will not all they who are in one fault be so far from confessing, that the will not only stick together (like abush of thornes or briers) but justifie and clear one ano­ther, even to their utmost power, perswading themselves, that if a few of them shalbe brought to light, the rest cannot long escape in darknesse?

Therefore, to repent their evills, and prevent their tryalls, yea and dazle the peoples eyes, they doe not onely (since they began to be questioned) make great shewes of humiliation like Ahab, of zeale, like Jehu, and of obedience, like Saul, but likewise send forth their wise men, Councellors [Page]and Agents, (even Frogs, Machivillians, and Polititians) either to divide, delude, or disperse their accusers, like Captain Drake's ship in the midst of the Spanish Fleet.

And though they faile of their expectation herein, yet they still en­courage themselves, (as Saul did, apprehending his owne guiltinesse, he desired neverthelesse to be honoured among the people,) and with great boldnesse and impudencie, so face out the matter, that although by their secret means, some of their accusers fellowes have alreadie lost their lives, and will doe so with all the rest, so soon as they can secretly (under other notions) provide an Army, yet they are not ashamed now to owne their accusers, and provide their wages, as being flesh of their flesh, and bone of their bones, yea and offer them all their desires, onely justice, the eleven Members prisoners, and account of the Kingdomes moneyes, they will en­deavour yet to reserve, till they see who will go up with them to Ramath Gilead, and prosper against the Army.

But we hope the same God who hath freed us from regall oppression, will also free us from Parliamentary corruption; and whether he hath ap­pointed that this Army should do it, or if we should look for another, he knoweth best, who hath all the creatures at his call, to preserve or punish whom he will; only thus much, if this Army do not set God before their eyes, and have no better principles, then for a poore messe of their ene­mies poysoned pottage, to sell both all their own birthrights and liber­ties, and all the Commons of Englands liberties, for which they have so valiantly and victoriously ventured their lives, and will not persevere in well-doing, without favour or feare, especially having all the true-hear­ted Commons to partake with them, and assist them, and not crown their former victories, by sparing either fat or leane, who are guilty and execra­ble; he who is onely wise and Almighty, knoweth very well both how to deale with them, and preserve all that trust in him.

Farewell.