SO wonderful are the searching and unmask­ing Providences of the Lord, which of late appeared amongst us, together with the mani­fold and woful miscarriages of those who once seemed to be well qualified, and were by what was discernible judged to be meet in­struments for the carrying on the Lords work in these Nati­ons; That unto all who would be kept pure, blamelesse, and steddy in their most holy faith, till this oppearing, whose coming is as a refiners fire, &c. Renewed and fresh occa­sions are given at this day, to be diligently observing the operations of God in the Earth, and seriously and imparti­ally to be reflecting upon their own hearts and spirits to try and prove whether the principles they are at present in, they practise or retain a sufficient Character or symptome of that anointing which abides and qualifies the soul to make good proof of its integrity & faithfulnesse to the Lord, when brought to the Test in the face of greater temptations then herberto hath been met with, or probably is expected by many.

And it being none of the least concernments of these for whom the Lord hath (not withstanding their unworthiness) once more stretched forth his mighty Arme to be found ex­ercising themselves therein; unto them therefore of what rank, quality, or sort soever they be (as well Governours as Governed) by way of more special a dvertisement, its [Page 4]judged what followes may not be unseasonably presented.

Sirs, Though doubtlesse the design of the Creator at first in making man of nothing and raising him unto that Estate wherein he was before the fall, had in it a tendency of fur­ther light and glory to have been communicated & brought forth unto Adam, yet we have (though wofully) experience that the none improvement of that ability light and life, to the end for which it was given, occasioned no lesse then the losse of all the Excellency and Dominion propounded to that Estate, changed the liberty of the whole Creation into bondage from which it still groanes to be delivered, and were it not that the Lord in exceeding wisdome & grace set the regoining to himself the works of his hands by a new and living way, the present hope and earnest expecta­tion of the Creature had been eternally void; but ever blessed be his name, that as sin abounded his grace abound­ed much more.

And should we thus gradually descend to take notice of the manifold examples of like nature extant in Scriptures or otherwise from the days of Abell until now, how might the burthen of their calamities, which befel such as answered not the design of God in their day according to the oppor­tunities given them so to do, serve to awaken all in whom there remaines any kind of desire to be meeting the Lord in his comings forth to reduce the Nations to himself, to a serious watchfulnesse, lest at any time through the temp­tations of the flesh they should be found opposers of him who will not fail one day to reckon with all the Sons of Anti­christ, for all their evil deeds, hard speeches, and secret con­sultations against the Lord and his Anointed.

The too too manifest appearance of such things in our day calls for more then an ordinary lamentation at the hands of English men, that after so many eminent and sig­nal demonstrations of the Lords intentions to work a mighty work such as hath not been usually heard of amongst us, there should yet be found so much resolute implacable enmity in the heart of this Nation, which stouts it self out [Page 5]to the perfecting its rebellion (and consequently their destruction who are acted by it) against the Council and solemn determination of the most high to set his mountain a top of all the mountains, &c.

But it is observable that the peremptory inraged at­tempts and breakings forth of those Children of disobe­dience, in whom the old Enemy or Prince of the Air thus worketh, to do all the dispight they can to the simple and pure interest of God, ever precedes its own downfal and ruine; as being thereby fitted, ripned, and prepa­red for destruction and shame; and yet unto this degree of ungodliness and impiety it seldome worketh until by some seeming pretence of zeal for truth, it hath very much interessed and twisted it self into the Hearts and Loines of such as are intrusted with Dominion and power to rule and govern for God in the Earth.

So that its humbly conceived of all men, persons placed in Authority are most lyable (though but for a miserable reward) to become the servants of sin, (viz) the great sin of setting up the great abomination that maketh deso­late; and therefore it can hardly be expressed how deep­ly it concerns all such, especially those in this Nation where the Lord hath so often and so highly signified his displeasure against the disobedient, stubborn, and perverse contrivances of their predecessors, to be exceeding careful, least through an evil heart of unbelief they are led away to the same (if not a greater) excesse of Riot, with those who for want of ability to follow the Lamb wheresoever hewent have perished in the mid-way.

Now for that the Lord hath once more put opportuni­ty into the hands of such as have the over-sight of rule and Governance in England to be pressing forward, by all that they are or may be, to answer the design of God in their day, by exalting justice, judgement, and equity, and to cause Righteousnesse and truth, (in truth) to run down like a mighty stream amongst us; and in all their under­takings for liberty, to have faithful respect to the pure liberty of the Sons of God.

[Page 6] The remnant of the Woman-seed the faithful servants of the most high, are therefore not onely engaged in an expectation of it, and earnestly, and affectedly to be im­ploring from them a daily manifestation of such fruits as are conduceble to the advancing this interest (viz.) the liberty of the Sons of God, above and beyond all other private interests that would be upper most and have the preheminence in the world; but also if for these things (under what pretence soever or that the time of building the Lords house is not yet come) shall seem to be least of all concerned, or so strive to order the matter if any thing (must be squezed, from them towards the building the Lords house) so do it as it may conduce to the advancing their own houses also & not otherwise; then it becometh all that are in expectation of their Lot in their inheritance of the Sons of God, to be found in the discharge of their duty towards their rulers by dealing plainly and candidly with them, laying before them not onely, the sad and woful effects that hath in times past been produced by a carelesse and corrupted appearance in the work of the Lord, but also as opportunity and ability is given to be spreading forth the evil and dangerous consequents that are like to attend their putting far from them the day of God, and the retardings of his work, especially when no lesse then a continued series of providences from time to time [...]ear after year, holds forth so high a testimony for the Lord, and a discovery of his design as in this Nation it hath done.

As therefore, good reason it is, we should as well in respect of the glory of God, the honour and safety of our superiours, as for our own peace and advantage in our more special, and spiritual concernments, to be found in a timely and faithful discharge of what is so much in­cumbent upon us.

Let it not then be ill taken by any who are restored to their former stations and places of trust in power (and thereby to greater opportunities of following the Lord [Page 7]more fully) that in such a manner for that end they are so often solemnly and faithfully addressed unto by the poor despised and bruised people of the Lord in this Nation, begging, intreating, and perswading, by all the arguments of love and terror, that either the Scriptures of truth, the dispensations past, or such as we are at present under can furnish them with, that a hardned heart of ingra­titude and impiety might not be found amongst them, with which instead of bearing rule for God, men too oft appear in the exercise of their own wills, and that they may gain unto themselves or Families, a portion in the beggerly perishing vain Glory of this world that ere long must passe away like a scroul, too far proceed in a denial of the Lord that bought them, but rather a meekned, softned frame of spirit apt and ready to take what further impression the Lord hath to imprint upon it, lest the con­trary bring upon us an over-flowing scourge, and inunda­tion of such calamity as hath not been experienced or late­ly heard of: for our mercies hath exceeded, and the spirit of God will not alwaies strive with man, and who knows how soon such as will not that Christ should Raign over them, may for their unworthy refusal of that honour be either exposed to shame, bondage, and contempt, or else called for to be brought forth and slain before his face.

Were the thoughts of these things, and for what end the Lord suffered the Parliament to be interrupted at first and now recalled to their former authority, together with the many special circumstancies that hath attended those transactions, more seriously and generally with them, then as it may be feared it is, surely the effects thereof would be otherwise then yet we have (or by the good wills of many) are like to experience. But the just Lord who yet exerciseth his patience and long-suffering towards the sons of Men, if hapily they will feel after him and repent, &c. will not be mocked at last. Be wise therefore O yee Kings and be instructed O yee Judges of the earth, stand [Page 8]in awe sin not, serve the Lord with fear lest he speak to you in his wrath and vex you in his sore displeasure.

Should the time of the foresaid interruption, or that which too justly occasioned the shaking of the rod in that manner, be but a little reminded or enquired after, would it not appear too manifestly, that with many of them, who suffed that contradiction, it was a season of security and slothfulnesse to any thing the voice of that day called for on the behalf of the Lords work so eminently begun and set a foot amongst us, for whose sake many worthy and renowned victories were given, and much honour done to many that adheared thereunto; yet I say, do but a little reflect upon the passages of that time, and what selfishness, covetousnesse, pride, and wantonnesse, will appear to be the charge and guilt of that day; and what advantage and opportunity was thereby given unto others to become what they ought not to be, greatning and magnifying them­selves above their fellows, and under the pretence of re­moving the aforesaid evils, Acted too much the evil ser­vants part that said in his heart, my Lord delays his coming, and to do such things as brought a very sore and grie­vous reproach upon the very name of Religion profest by English men.

But this as a deceitful usurpation for that it was not im­proved to the end for which it was pretendedly acted, escaped not the lash of the Lords just and righteous hand; and so as that it may even serve to convince us if we be not altogether stupid.

That now the Lopping of a few superfluous over reach­ing Branches is not all such attempts exposeth the trans­gressour in that kind unto, but the Axe is laid to the root of the Tree, and that the ambitious endeavours of man to leave himself a name in the Earth, is the onely way to be written Childlesse in the honour and trust of Govern­ment.

What of this kind of blasting or disappointment hath apparently passed upon the like projections of such as [Page 9]once were serviceable to their Countrey in the day of Battel, wants not its evidence to prove it, and that the eyes of the Lord are towards the footsteps of men, strictly weighing and obser­ving all their motions whether they are such as duly an­swer the end of providence or keep any pace with his design or not, and accordingly will bring to light the secret intenti­ons of their hearts and wherein they are a contriving to doe injury to the cause and interest of Christ, that evil he will cer­tainly cause to descend upon their own pates: it begins to be more commonly received for truth, that he who digs a pit for another shall fall into it himself.

And it may be as rightly conjectured that the hurt of many (whose persons and reputations are too justly under a cloud at this day) took being with the change of their names and titles, for Colonels to Lords, from less to more, from O C. to O P, &c. Let it therefore be the wisdome of the people and their heads this day, by other mens harms to beware of doing or contriving any thing that may revive or give length of daies, to the tottering interest of the beast and false Prophet: for to run greedily after the errour of Balaam for reward, hazards a perishing in the gainsayings of Core. Twas the safe­ty of Laban and Esau that Jacob became a Prince, prevailing with God and with men, it would have been Pharaoh's advan­tage, had he been so conquered, twas his destruction to follow Israel to the Read Sea, it will be the still peace and pros­perity of Rulers to give the Lords people liberty, to follow him wheresoever he goes.

A shew or flourish of this seemed not long since to present it self amongst us as if our Magistrates intended to be first in bringing the greatnesse of their treasures to Christ, and were now resolved upon all terms to joyn issue with him and be­come nursing Fathers to his people, &c.

It's well it proves more substantial and that the occasion the Lord hath once more taken (by the rebellion of others) to roul away that reproach from the remnant of his poor people in England, be observed according to the manifest decision it hath made between the true friends of Israel and the trou­bles or Achans of our day, and their Abettors.

[Page 10] The fruits of whose vexatious Spirits, so plentifully gratify­ing the Ballad singers imployment, which are insufficient to vindicate their innocency or any waies conceal their agree­ment with death, however they think its taken for graunted that the late abominable design of War was onely grounded upon a Cavaleer bottom, (viz. the interest of the old Roya­list) but the parallel proceedings and pretences of Dunbar, Worcester, and Westchester, give (especially to such as have es­caped their snares) too much cause to judge otherwise, and that they send not their old Loyalty a mourning for nothing, be­sides the manifold distgustings, shaking the head and gnashing the teeth in this City and else where at the Churches and o­thers for their conformity to the Parliament together with their tauntings at the independent, that now they had discove­red themselves, by joyning with the Anabaptists and others, further demonstrates the spirits and principles of that Gene­ration of men. And it may also serve to induce our rulers otherwise then at present they do, to encourage such as in the face of difficulty and reproach, have proved themselves faith­ful to the Lord and their Countrey, for it will be taken but for a slender argument of respect or true kindnesse unto any to be called upon for assistance in the day of trouble, and as soon as the storm is but a little past again to be slighted and rejected, but better things are hoped, or at least wished for to be the reward of friends, &c. And seeing the Lords hand appear'd sar towards the demolishing some stately boothes amongst us of late let it move us to presse forward in the seek­ing after a City whose builder and maker is God,☞ and to cease tabernacling in the concernments of a lower nature, least through much striving for mastership and dominion in Israel, it be discovered we are yet ignorant of the first prin­ciples of the Kingdome of God. And therefore be it known unto all that judge themselves concernd, that as the greater is not comprehended of the lesse but the lesse of the greater, so the spiritual is not comprehended of the civil interest but the civil of the spiritual, and ere long, (however our being emptied from vessel to vessel hath no more prevailed with men) it will appear that, that which formerly hadan excellency [Page 11]in it, hath now none because of that which doth excel, and then so much the more dangerous will it be for a Nation to be lift­ing the heel against the Lord when his design is to make them a people more excellent then their neighbours. It could be wi­shed therefore, that it were not with many now, as with Saul in times past who when he knew that the Kingdom must be rent from him, coveted to have the name of walking in end out before the people, so that with men only ambitious of honour, when none other can be (obtained) a shew of dignity & dominion will serve till by having recourse to some false guides, or old maximes of state policy given by Aristotle, Matchavil, and the like, they judge themselves in a capacity to sttruggle for something more, whilest the seed of the true Mordecay onely addressing it self to the father of spirits re­ceives encouragement to despise the vanity and haughtinesse of Haman in the gate, and are strengthned to believe that if, (after much intreating and patience) by persons in authority opportunities are neglected, the substance of true honour and deliverance shall come to them another way, and then such as have not been faithful in a little, will not be judged worthy to be made rulers over much.

Therefore all yee in this Nation (whether in Parliament, Council, or Army) whom God hath exalted that yee might magnifie him, and exalt his name before the people be then every one of you, yet prevailed with, ere it be too late (if there be any hope, any beauty, any excellency, any consolation or salvation in the interest and Kingdome of the Son of God, to mind these things: let not your hearts (in opposition to the approachings and drawings near of his glory) be set upon things that perish, it was the miscarriage of others, let it not be yours, to put too a great price upon what you are or have, rather let a due improvement thereof be made to the honour of his most holy name, in whose hands all the hearts and lives are to dispose of at his pleasure, who hath once more taken occasion to try and prove yours, by putting such opportuni­ties into your hands to redeem the times past, that if ye should grow carelesse, negligent, or remisse therein, 'Twill surely be accompted for, and what damage and detriment is thereby oc­casioned to the interest of the Lord and his deople, will cer­tainly [Page 12]be required at your hands who are found guilty of such neglect, be you ever so highly exalted in the interest and pomp of this vain glorious world, for the Lord raigns he hath clothed himself with Majesty, and with strength wherewith he girds himself, to reckon with all the wicked and proud doers of the Earth, this discourse or faithful advertisement proceeds not from any evil will disrespect or prejudice the Author re­taines against any mans person now in Power, but a sense of the evil of our doings in times past, and the face of things too much reflecting upon what was not then acceptable, much lesse in a day of further light Creates a jealousie for truth, and the welfare of such as are and ought to be concerned for it, fearing least by agravating our former offences we bring upon our selves and others the greater damnation or judgement, &c. And though it may be truly asserted that it is the concernment of English men in general, this day, to follow hard after a thorogh or more excellent reformation, yet its not intended here by any means, that a slighting or undervaluing whats re­ceived in order thereunto, (be it ever so small) should be be­gotten in the hearts of any, no, far be it from every one that feares the Lord so to do, rather let all study thankfully to im­prove what we are made partakers of, to its right use and end that God may be glorified and our selves redeemed from the corruption and bondage of this sinful world, into the precious liberty of the Sons of God, which ought to be the onely aim of all our leaders, and is the excellent deliverance both longed and hoped for