A Serious and faithfull representation of the judgments of ministers of the Gospel within the the province of London contained in a letter from the to the general and his councell of war / delivered to His Excellence by some of the subscribers, Ian. 18, 1649.
      
       
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             A Serious and faithfull representation of the judgments of ministers of the Gospel within the the province of London contained in a letter from the to the general and his councell of war / delivered to His Excellence by some of the subscribers, Ian. 18, 1649.
             Gataker, Thomas, 1574-1654.
          
           [2], 14 p.
           
             Printed at London, and re-printed at Edinburgh by Evan Tyler ...,
             [Edinburgh] :
             1649.
          
           
             Contains on p. 13-14 a list of 47 subscribers to the "Representation", headed by Thomas Gataker.
             Reproduction of original in the Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.
             Includes bibliographical references.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Church and state -- England.
           Great Britain -- History -- Civil War, 1642-1649.
        
      
    
       A59254  R37368  (Wing S2605).  civilwar no A serious and faithfull representation of the judgements of ministers of the Gospel within the province of London. Contained in a letter fro [no entry] 1649    6414 2 10 0 0 0 0 19 C  The  rate of 19 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           A
           serious
           and
           Faithfull
           REPRESENTATION
           Of
           the
           Judgements
           of
           MINISTERS
           OF
           THE
           GOSPEL
           Within
           the
           PROVINCE
           of
           
             LONDON
             .
          
        
         
           Contained
           In
           a
           Letter
           from
           them
           to
           the
           General
           and
           his
           Councell
           of
           War
           .
        
         
           Delivered
           to
           his
           EXCELLENCE
           by
           some
           of
           the
           Subscribers
           ,
           
             Ian.
          
           18
           .
           1649.
           
        
         
           Proverbs
           24.
           11
           ,
           12.
           
        
         
           If
           thou
           forbear
           to
           deliver
           them
           that
           are
           drawn
           unto
           death
           ,
           and
           those
           that
           are
           ready
           to
           be
           slain
           :
        
         
           If
           thou
           sayest
           ,
           Behold
           we
           know
           it
           not
           ;
           doth
           not
           he
           that
           pondereth
           the
           heart
           consider
           it
           ?
           and
           he
           that
           keepeth
           thy
           soul
           ,
           doth
           not
           he
           know
           it
           ?
           and
           shall
           not
           he
           render
           to
           every
           man
           according
           to
           his
           works
           ?
        
         
           Printed
           at
           
             London
             ,
          
           and
           Re-printed
           at
           
             Edinburgh
          
           by
           
             Evan
             Tyler
          
           Printer
           to
           the
           Kings
           most
           Excellent
           Majestie
           ,
           1649.
           
        
      
    
     
       
       
       
         
           A
           LETTER
           From
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           within
           the
           Province
           of
           LONDON
           ,
           whose
           Names
           are
           Subscribed
           :
           Delivered
           to
           His
           Excellency
           by
           some
           of
           the
           Subscribers
           ,
           
             January
             18.
             1649.
             
          
        
         
           With
           desire
           to
           have
           it
           communicated
           to
           the
           Generall
           Councell
           of
           the
           ARMY
           .
        
         
           May
           it
           please
           your
           Excellency
           ,
           with
           those
           of
           your
           Councell
           :
        
         
           WHereas
           of
           late
           divers
           Applications
           have
           been
           made
           ,
           as
           well
           in
           writing
           as
           by
           verball
           Messages
           ,
           inviting
           the
           Ministers
           of
           
             London
             ,
          
           or
           some
           of
           them
           ,
           to
           meet
           with
           the
           Officers
           of
           the
           Army
           ,
           in
           their
           consultations
           about
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ;
           We
           ,
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           within
           the
           Province
           of
           
             London
             ,
          
           hold
           it
           our
           Dutie
           ,
           as
           then
           to
           refuse
           any
           such
           meeting
           as
           was
           proposed
           ;
           so
           now
           to
           give
           your
           Lordship
           and
           your
           Councell
           the
           Reasons
           of
           that
           Refusall
           ,
           least
           by
           our
           silence
           we
           should
           seem
           to
           be
           wanting
           in
           that
           ingenuity
           and
           Candor
           which
           becomes
           all
           ,
           but
           especially
           the
           Ministers
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           .
           And
           understanding
           that
           some
           of
           our
           Brethren
           ,
           at
           one
           Conference
           before
           your
           Lordship
           and
           some
           of
           your
           Councell
           ,
           
             a
          
           and
           at
           another
           with
           some
           of
           your
           chief
           Officers
           ,
           
             b
          
           have
           already
           
           manifested
           their
           dislike
           ,
           both
           of
           your
           late
           Actions
           towards
           many
           of
           the
           Worthy
           Members
           of
           the
           Honourable
           House
           of
           Commons
           ,
           and
           what
           likewise
           you
           have
           published
           in
           your
           late
           Remonstrance
           and
           Declaration
           ,
           as
           your
           intention
           for
           setling
           the
           Affairs
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           (
           as
           we
           were
           informed
           by
           some
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           willed
           thus
           to
           signifie
           ,
           )
           We
           thought
           fit
           hereby
           to
           manifest
           our
           Concurrence
           with
           those
           our
           Reverend
           Brethern
           ;
           Humbly
           desiring
           ,
           That
           while
           we
           use
           that
           Plainnesse
           and
           Freedom
           which
           becometh
           the
           Abassadors
           of
           Christ
           ,
           this
           our
           performance
           may
           not
           be
           misinterpreted
           ,
           either
           as
           a
           transgressing
           the
           Law
           of
           Christian
           meeknesse
           ,
           or
           an
           exceeding
           the
           Bounds
           of
           Ministeriall
           liberty
           ;
           We
           being
           commanded
           to
           cry
           aloud
           ,
           and
           to
           lift
           up
           our
           voices
           as
           Trumpets
           ,
           to
           shew
           the
           People
           their
           Transgressions
           ,
           and
           the
           house
           of
           
             Jacob
          
           their
           sins
           .
        
         
           Had
           a
           Conference
           been
           desired
           with
           us
           onely
           to
           have
           given
           you
           resolution
           ,
           whether
           the
           wayes
           wherein
           at
           the
           present
           you
           are
           walking
           ,
           are
           agreeable
           to
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           (
           which
           Case
           indeed
           had
           been
           sutable
           for
           private
           persons
           to
           have
           propounded
           ,
           and
           for
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           to
           have
           resolved
           )
           We
           should
           most
           willingly
           and
           freely
           have
           delivered
           our
           Judgements
           (
           as
           our
           forementioned
           Brethren
           have
           done
           )
           concerning
           these
           your
           practises
           ;
           and
           have
           given
           you
           this
           our
           Advice
           ,
           grounded
           upon
           Scripture
           ;
           Namely
           ,
           That
           in
           stead
           of
           proceeding
           further
           in
           such
           unwarrantable
           courses
           ,
           you
           should
           have
           testified
           your
           timely
           and
           godly
           sorrow
           for
           what
           (
           so
           clearly
           against
           the
           direct
           Rule
           of
           the
           Word
           )
           you
           have
           already
           acted
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           onely
           for
           the
           clearing
           of
           this
           Case
           ,
           a
           Conference
           had
           been
           desired
           ,
           It
           was
           from
           the
           first
           professed
           that
           we
           should
           be
           ready
           and
           willing
           to
           meet
           ,
           where
           and
           with
           whomsoever
           ,
           to
           assert
           and
           maintain
           our
           Judgemnet
           therein
           .
           But
           as
           if
           the
           justnesse
           of
           your
           way
           were
           already
           granted
           by
           us
           ;
           We
           were
           onely
           invited
           to
           contribute
           our
           assistance
           in
           prosecution
           of
           what
           you
           had
           undertaken
           ,
           which
           we
           conceive
           to
           be
           out
           of
           your
           Sphere
           ;
           And
           for
           us
           to
           have
           joyned
           in
           any
           consultation
           of
           this
           nature
           ,
           would
           have
           made
           us
           accessary
           unto
           them
           ;
           guilty
           of
           the
           evill
           which
           is
           in
           them
           ,
           and
           even
           
             partakers
             of
             other
             mens
             sinnes
             ,
          
           contrary
           to
           the
           Apostles
           rule
           ,
           
           who
           bids
           us
           
             abstain
          
           even
           
             from
             all
             appearance
             of
             evill
             ,
          
           and
           
             have
             no
             fellowship
             with
             the
             
             unfruitfull
             works
             of
             darknesse
             ,
          
           
           
             but
             reprove
             them
             rather
             .
          
        
         
           It
           is
           already
           sufficiently
           known
           (
           besides
           all
           former
           miscarriages
           )
           what
           Attempts
           of
           late
           have
           been
           put
           in
           practice
           against
           lawfull
           Authority
           :
           Especially
           by
           your
           late
           Remonstrance
           ,
           and
           Declaration
           published
           in
           opposition
           to
           the
           proceedings
           of
           Parliament
           ;
           As
           also
           by
           seizing
           and
           imprisoning
           the
           Kings
           person
           ,
           without
           the
           knowledge
           and
           consent
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           and
           by
           that
           late
           unparalled
           violence
           offered
           to
           the
           Members
           of
           it
           ,
           forcibly
           hindering
           above
           one
           hundred
           of
           them
           (
           if
           we
           mistake
           not
           the
           number
           )
           from
           sitting
           in
           Parliament
           ,
           Imprisoning
           many
           of
           their
           Persons
           ;
           though
           many
           of
           them
           are
           known
           to
           us
           to
           be
           men
           of
           eminent
           Worth
           and
           Intergrity
           ,
           and
           who
           have
           given
           most
           ample
           Testimony
           of
           their
           reall
           Affections
           to
           the
           good
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ;
           and
           besides
           all
           this
           ,
           there
           is
           an
           intent
           of
           Framing
           and
           contriving
           a
           new
           module
           ,
           aswell
           of
           the
           Laws
           and
           Government
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           as
           of
           the
           Constitution
           of
           a
           new
           kinde
           of
           
             Representative
          
           (
           as
           you
           call
           it
           )
           in
           stead
           of
           this
           and
           all
           future
           Parliaments
           ;
           and
           this
           to
           be
           Subscribed
           throughout
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           under
           the
           notion
           of
           an
           
             Agreement
             of
             the
             People
             ;
          
           as
           is
           Declared
           in
           your
           late
           Remonstrance
           ,
           of
           
             November
             ,
             16.
             1648.
             page
          
           67.
           
           All
           which
           practices
           we
           cannot
           but
           judge
           ,
           to
           be
           manifestly
           opposite
           to
           the
           lawfull
           Authority
           of
           those
           Magistrates
           ,
           which
           God
           hath
           set
           over
           us
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Duty
           and
           Obedience
           ▪
           which
           by
           the
           Lawes
           of
           God
           and
           Man
           ,
           and
           by
           our
           manifold
           Oathes
           and
           Covenants
           ,
           we
           stand
           obliged
           to
           render
           to
           them
           .
           And
           therefore
           we
           judge
           it
           our
           Duty
           ,
           rather
           to
           testifie
           our
           utter
           dislike
           ,
           and
           detestation
           ,
           then
           to
           give
           any
           (
           though
           but
           implicite
           and
           interpretative
           )
           approbation
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           We
           remember
           the
           advice
           of
           
             Solomon
             ,
          
           
           
             Fear
             thou
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             the
             King
             ,
             and
             meddle
             not
             with
             them
             that
             are
             given
             to
             change
             ;
          
           And
           that
           of
           
             Paul
             ,
          
           
           
             Withdraw
             from
             every
             Brother
             that
             walketh
          
           
             *
          
           
             disorderly
             ,
             and
             not
             according
             to
             the
             Traditions
             which
             you
             have
             received
             of
             us
             :
          
           Of
           which
           this
           is
           one
           ,
           
             Put
             them
             in
             minde
             to
             be
             subject
             to
             Principalities
             and
             Powers
             ,
             and
             to
             obey
             Magistrates
             :
          
           And
           ,
           
           
             Let
             every
             soul
             be
             subject
             to
             the
             higher
             Powers
             ,
             for
             there
             is
             no
             power
             but
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             Powers
             that
             be
             ,
             are
             Ordained
             of
             God
             :
             whosoever
             therefore
             resisteth
             the
             Power
             ,
             resisteth
             the
             Ordinance
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             they
             that
             resist
             ,
             shall
             receive
             to
             themselves
             damnation
             .
          
           The
           fear
           of
           God
           therefore
           (
           whose
           Ordinance
           is
           
           violated
           ,
           when
           Magistracy
           is
           opposed
           )
           makes
           us
           afraid
           of
           medling
           with
           those
           who
           without
           any
           colour
           of
           Legall
           Authority
           ,
           meerly
           upon
           the
           presumption
           of
           Strength
           ,
           shall
           attempt
           such
           Changes
           as
           these
           are
           .
           A●●
           We
           cannot
           but
           be
           deeply
           affected
           with
           grief
           and
           astonishment
           ,
           to
           see
           that
           an
           Army
           ,
           raised
           by
           Authority
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           for
           the
           preservation
           of
           the
           Priviledges
           thereof
           ,
           and
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           Laws
           and
           Liberties
           ,
           should
           contrary
           to
           their
           Trust
           ,
           and
           many
           Ingagements
           ,
           do
           that
           which
           tends
           to
           the
           manifest
           subversion
           of
           them
           all
           .
        
         
           We
           have
           not
           forgotten
           those
           declared
           Grounds
           and
           Principles
           ,
           upon
           which
           the
           Parliament
           first
           took
           up
           Arms
           ,
           and
           upon
           which
           We
           were
           induced
           to
           joyn
           with
           them
           ;
           (
           from
           which
           We
           have
           not
           hitherto
           declined
           ,
           and
           We
           trust
           through
           Gods
           grace
           never
           shall
           .
           )
           We
           remember
           ,
           That
           when
           the
           King
           ,
           with
           a
           multitude
           of
           Armed
           men
           ,
           demanded
           but
           a
           small
           number
           (
           in
           comparison
           of
           those
           now
           secluded
           by
           you
           )
           of
           the
           Members
           of
           Parliament
           :
           It
           was
           deemed
           such
           an
           horrid
           violation
           of
           their
           Priviledges
           ,
           and
           an
           act
           so
           injurious
           ,
           and
           destructive
           to
           the
           good
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           as
           had
           not
           (
           then
           )
           any
           precedent
           or
           parallel
           ;
           And
           of
           what
           nature
           it
           was
           judged
           to
           be
           ,
           by
           a
           Parliament
           then
           free
           and
           full
           ,
           may
           appear
           by
           the
           Order
           of
           the
           House
           of
           Commons
           of
           
             January
          
           3.
           1641.
           
           When
           ,
           hearing
           but
           of
           a
           purpose
           in
           the
           King
           to
           seize
           upon
           some
           of
           their
           Members
           ,
           they
           Declared
           ,
           
             If
             any
             Person
             whatsoever
             ,
             shall
             offer
             to
             Arrest
             ,
             or
             Detain
             ,
             the
             Person
             of
             any
             Member
             of
             this
             House
             ,
             without
             first
             acquainting
             this
             House
             therewith
             ,
             and
             receiving
             further
             Order
             from
             this
             House
             ,
             That
             it
             is
             lawfull
             for
             such
             Member
             ,
             or
             any
             Person
             to
             assist
             him
             ,
             and
             to
             stand
             upon
             his
             or
             their
             Guard
             of
             Defence
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             resistance
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Protestation
             taken
             to
             Defend
             the
             Priviledges
             of
             Parliament
             ;
             and
             by
             the
             Declaration
             of
             
               January
            
             17.
             1641.
             
             That
             the
             Arresting
             of
             any
             Member
             of
             Parliament
             ,
             by
             any
             Warrant
             whatsoever
             ,
             without
             a
             Legall
             proceeding
             against
             them
             ,
             and
             without
             consent
             of
             that
             House
             ,
             whereof
             such
             Person
             is
             a
             Member
             ,
             is
             against
             the
             Liberty
             of
             the
             Subject
             ,
             and
             a
             breach
             of
             Priviledge
             of
             Parliament
             ;
             And
             the
             Person
             which
             shall
             Arrest
             any
             of
             these
             Persons
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             Member
             of
             the
             Parliament
             ,
             is
             Declared
             a
             publick
             Enemy
             of
             the
             Common-wealth
             .
          
        
         
           And
           this
           violation
           of
           their
           Priviledges
           ,
           was
           that
           which
           did
           occasion
           
           first
           a
           Guard
           ,
           and
           was
           afterwards
           one
           Reason
           of
           raising
           an
           Army
           :
           But
           that
           an
           Army
           thus
           raised
           by
           their
           Authority
           ,
           and
           for
           their
           Preservation
           ,
           should
           now
           so
           far
           exceed
           that
           Act
           which
           was
           then
           esteemed
           without
           parallel
           ,
           could
           hardly
           have
           been
           imagined
           by
           us
           ,
           had
           not
           our
           eyes
           been
           Witnesses
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           although
           both
           Houses
           of
           Parliament
           (
           who
           are
           joyntly
           together
           with
           the
           King
           ,
           intrusted
           with
           the
           Supream
           Authority
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           )
           saw
           cause
           to
           take
           up
           Armes
           for
           their
           own
           Defence
           ,
           against
           the
           attempts
           made
           upon
           them
           by
           the
           King
           and
           his
           evil
           Councellours
           ;
           and
           for
           the
           Preservation
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           established
           (
           which
           was
           then
           indangered
           by
           the
           growth
           of
           severall
           Errours
           and
           Innovations
           ;
           )
           and
           for
           the
           securing
           of
           the
           Fundamentall
           Laws
           and
           Constitutions
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           which
           they
           apprehended
           then
           to
           be
           undermined
           by
           severall
           illegall
           incroachments
           :
           Yet
           this
           cannot
           be
           pleaded
           as
           any
           justification
           or
           precedent
           for
           you
           (
           who
           ,
           in
           reference
           to
           the
           Power
           of
           Magistracy
           ,
           are
           but
           private
           persons
           )
           to
           usurp
           an
           Authority
           over
           King
           and
           Parliament
           ,
           and
           to
           intermeddle
           with
           affairs
           which
           belong
           not
           to
           you
           .
           For
           the
           Laws
           of
           God
           ,
           Nature
           ,
           and
           Nations
           ,
           together
           with
           the
           Dictates
           of
           Reason
           ,
           and
           the
           common
           consent
           of
           all
           Casuists
           allow
           that
           to
           those
           which
           are
           intrusted
           with
           managing
           the
           Supream
           Authority
           of
           a
           State
           or
           Kingdom
           ,
           which
           they
           do
           not
           allow
           to
           a
           multitude
           of
           private
           persons
           ,
           though
           they
           have
           strength
           in
           their
           hands
           to
           effect
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           moreover
           ,
           although
           the
           Parliament
           thus
           took
           up
           Arms
           for
           the
           defence
           of
           their
           Persons
           and
           Priviledges
           ,
           and
           the
           Preservation
           of
           Religion
           ,
           Laws
           ,
           and
           Liberties
           ;
           Yet
           was
           it
           not
           their
           intention
           thereby
           to
           do
           violence
           to
           the
           Person
           of
           the
           King
           ,
           or
           devest
           him
           of
           his
           Regall
           Authority
           ,
           and
           what
           of
           right
           belongeth
           to
           him
           ,
           (
           as
           appears
           by
           their
           many
           Declarations
           in
           that
           behalf
           :
           )
           Much
           lesse
           was
           it
           their
           purpose
           to
           subvert
           and
           overthrow
           the
           whole
           frame
           and
           fundamentall
           constitution
           of
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           Kingdbm
           ,
           or
           to
           give
           power
           and
           authority
           to
           any
           persons
           whatsoever
           so
           to
           do
           .
        
         
           And
           therefore
           we
           apprehend
           our selves
           obliged
           thus
           to
           appear
           for
           the
           maintenance
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           Laws
           and
           Liberties
           ,
           together
           with
           the
           Constitution
           ,
           Power
           and
           Priviledges
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           and
           the
           setled
           Government
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ;
           both
           ,
           on
           the
           one
           hand
           ,
           
           against
           all
           Malignant
           Counsells
           and
           Designes
           for
           the
           introduction
           of
           an
           Arbitrary
           and
           Tyrannical
           power
           in
           the
           King
           ;
           and
           ,
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           against
           all
           irregular
           licentious
           proceedings
           of
           private
           Persons
           ,
           tending
           to
           the
           subversion
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           introduction
           of
           Anarchy
           ,
           Confusion
           ,
           Prophanesse
           ,
           and
           Irreligion
           .
        
         
           And
           we
           are
           the
           more
           strongly
           engaged
           thus
           to
           adhere
           firmly
           to
           these
           our
           former
           just
           Principles
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           severall
           Oaths
           and
           Covenants
           generally
           taken
           throughout
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           as
           by
           the
           
             Protestation
          
           of
           
             May
          
           5.
           1641.
           wherein
           
             we
             do
             in
             the
             presence
             of
             Almighty
             God
             promise
             ,
             vow
             and
             protest
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             duty
             of
             our
             Allegiance
             to
             maintain
             and
             defend
             with
             our
             lives
             ,
             power
             and
             estates
             ,
             His
             Majesties
             Royall
             Person
             ,
             Honour
             and
             Estate
             ,
             and
             the
             Power
             and
             Priviledges
             of
             Parliament
             .
             As
             also
             by
             the
             
               Vow
            
             and
             
               Covenant
               ,
            
             wherein
             the
             Lords
             and
             Commons
             have
             declared
             ,
             that
             there
             had
             been
             a
             treacherous
             and
             horrid
             design
             to
             surprize
             the
             Cities
             of
             
               London
            
             and
             
               Westminster
            
             with
             the
             Suburbs
             ,
             and
             by
             Arms
             to
             force
             the
             Parliament
             :
             And
             finding
             by
             constant
             experience
             ,
             that
             many
             wayes
             of
             force
             and
             treachery
             are
             continually
             attempted
             ,
             &c.
             
             
               Required
               ,
            
             That
             all
             that
             are
             true-hearted
             and
             lovers
             of
             their
             Country
             should
             binde
             themselves
             each
             to
             other
             in
             that
             sacred
             Vow
             and
             Covenant
             ,
             wherein
             we
             declare
             our
             abhorring
             and
             detesting
             the
             said
             wicked
             and
             treacherous
             designe
             ,
             and
             that
             we
             would
             according
             to
             our
             power
             and
             vocation
             oppose
             and
             resist
             the
             same
             ,
             and
             all
             other
             of
             the
             like
             nature
             .
          
           And
           likewise
           by
           the
           
             Solemn
             League
             and
             Covenant
             for
             the
             Reformation
             and
             defence
             of
             Religion
             ,
             the
             Honour
             and
             Happinesse
             of
             the
             King
             ,
             the
             Peace
             and
             Safety
             of
             the
             Kingdomes
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           Wherein
           we
           have
           Covenanted
           ,
           
             That
             we
             will
             sincerely
             ,
             really
             and
             constantly
             in
             our
             severall
             Vocations
             ,
             endeavour
             to
             preserve
             the
             Rights
             and
             Priviledges
             of
             the
             Parliaments
             ,
             and
             Preserve
             and
             Defend
             the
             Kings
             Majesties
             Person
             and
             Authority
             ,
             in
             the
             preservation
             and
             defence
             of
             the
             true
             Religion
             ,
             and
             Liberties
             of
             the
             Kingdoms
             ;
             that
             the
             World
             may
             bear
             witnesse
             with
             our
             Consciences
             of
             our
             Loyalty
             ,
             and
             that
             we
             have
             no
             thoughts
             or
             intentions
             to
             diminish
             His
             Majesties
             just
             power
             and
             greatnesse
             .
          
        
         
           In
           all
           which
           obligations
           ,
           though
           the
           matter
           of
           them
           may
           be
           in
           part
           ,
           of
           Civil
           concernment
           ,
           yet
           the
           bond
           and
           tye
           of
           an
           Oath
           and
           Covenant
           is
           Religious
           ,
           sacred
           ,
           and
           inviolable
           .
           Which
           though
           some
           
           may
           esteem
           no
           more
           then
           an
           
             Almanack
             out
             of
             date
             ,
          
           yet
           we
           look
           upon
           it
           as
           the
           Oath
           of
           GOD
           ,
           in
           whose
           Name
           we
           have
           sworn
           ,
           and
           who
           will
           certainly
           require
           it
           at
           our
           hands
           .
        
         
           We
           know
           with
           what
           a
           jealous
           eye
           ,
           and
           severe
           hand
           ,
           the
           LORD
           avenged
           the
           quarrel
           of
           his
           Covenant
           made
           by
           
             Zedekiah
          
           to
           the
           King
           of
           
             Babylon
             ,
          
           though
           extorted
           from
           him
           ,
           and
           prejudiciall
           to
           him
           .
           
           
             Shall
             he
             prosper
          
           (
           saith
           God
           )
           
             shall
             he
             escape
             ,
             that
             doth
             such
             things
             ?
             Or
             shall
             he
             break
             the
             Covenant
             ,
             and
             be
             delivered
             ?
             As
             I
             live
             ,
             saith
             the
             Lord
             ,
             seeing
             he
             despised
             the
             Oath
             by
             breaking
             the
             Covenant
             (
             when
             so
             ,
             he
             had
             given
             his
             hand
             )
             he
             shall
             not
             escape
             .
             Therefore
             thus
             saith
             the
             Lord
             God
             ,
             As
             I
             live
             ,
             surely
             mine
             Oath
             that
             he
             hath
             despised
             ,
             and
             my
             Covenant
             that
             he
             hath
             broken
             ,
             even
             it
             will
             I
             recompense
             upon
             his
             own
             head
             .
          
           We
           dare
           not
           therefore
           (
           when
           we
           have
           lift
           up
           our
           hands
           to
           the
           most
           High
           God
           )
           by
           the
           violation
           of
           a
           more
           righteous
           Oath
           ,
           provoke
           the
           wrath
           of
           the
           LORD
           against
           us
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           searcher
           of
           all
           hearts
           ,
           and
           to
           whom
           we
           must
           give
           an
           Accompt
           at
           the
           Great
           Day
           .
        
         
           Instead
           therefore
           of
           joyning
           in
           Consultation
           with
           you
           ;
           We
           do
           earnestly
           intreat
           you
           in
           the
           name
           of
           our
           Lord
           and
           Master
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           whose
           Ambassadors
           we
           are
           ,
           That
           you
           would
           commune
           with
           your
           own
           hearts
           ,
           Consider
           the
           evil
           of
           your
           present
           wayes
           ,
           and
           turn
           from
           them
           ;
           Remember
           from
           whence
           you
           are
           fallen
           ,
           and
           repent
           and
           do
           your
           first
           works
           .
           You
           were
           once
           honourable
           and
           precious
           in
           the
           eyes
           of
           us
           and
           others
           of
           Gods
           servants
           ,
           while
           you
           kept
           in
           Gods
           way
           ,
           and
           within
           your
           own
           spheare
           ;
           you
           had
           our
           hearts
           ,
           our
           help
           ,
           and
           our
           Prayers
           for
           successe
           therein
           :
           But
           alas
           !
           you
           have
           eclipsed
           your
           own
           glory
           ,
           and
           brought
           a
           Cloud
           over
           all
           your
           excellencies
           .
           You
           are
           now
           walking
           in
           by-paths
           of
           your
           own
           ,
           wherein
           we
           dare
           not
           say
           ,
           
           
             The
             blessing
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             be
             upon
             you
             ,
             We
             blesse
             you
             in
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           nor
           
             bid
             you
             God
             speed
             ,
             lest
             we
             be
             partakers
             of
             your
             evil
             deeds
             .
          
           Instead
           of
           preserving
           the
           Truth
           and
           purity
           of
           Religion
           and
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           ;
           we
           fear
           you
           are
           opening
           a
           door
           to
           desperate
           and
           damnable
           Errors
           and
           Heresies
           against
           the
           Truth
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           many
           licentious
           and
           wicked
           practises
           against
           the
           worship
           and
           ways
           of
           God
           .
           How
           is
           Religion
           made
           to
           stink
           by
           reason
           of
           your
           mis-carriages
           ,
           and
           like
           to
           become
           a
           scorn
           and
           a
           reproach
           in
           all
           the
           Christian
           world
           ?
           How
           are
           the
           faces
           of
           Gods
           faithfull
           servants
           covered
           with
           shame
           ,
           and
           their
           hearts
           filled
           with
           sorrow
           and
           grief
           〈◊〉
           thereof
           ?
           How
           is
           the
           Golden
           
           Cord
           of
           Government
           broken
           in
           sunder
           ?
           the
           Honour
           and
           Authority
           of
           Magistracy
           laid
           in
           the
           dust
           ?
           How
           hath
           the
           Parliament
           ,
           which
           sustained
           the
           force
           and
           opposition
           of
           professed
           Enemies
           for
           many
           years
           ,
           been
           made
           contemptible
           and
           torn
           in
           pieces
           by
           professed
           friends
           in
           one
           day
           ?
        
         
           You
           cannot
           but
           know
           how
           fully
           and
           frequently
           Gods
           Word
           commandeth
           and
           inforceth
           obedience
           &
           submission
           to
           Magistrates
           ,
           forbidding
           also
           and
           condemning
           ,
           (
           and
           that
           under
           pain
           of
           damnation
           ,
           )
           such
           practises
           as
           these
           of
           yours
           are
           .
           As
           likewise
           what
           severe
           threatnings
           and
           exemplary
           judgements
           from
           God
           have
           been
           denounced
           against
           ,
           and
           inflicted
           on
           the
           Contemners
           and
           Opposers
           of
           this
           his
           Ordinance
           .
           You
           know
           what
           a
           Brand
           the
           Apostle
           
             Iude
          
           sets
           upon
           those
           that
           
             despise
             dominion
             and
             speak
             evil
             of
             Dignities
             .
          
           
           
             Wo
             unto
             them
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             for
             they
             have
             gone
             in
             the
             way
             of
          
           Cain
           ,
           
             and
             run
             greedily
             after
             the
             errour
             of
          
           Balaam
           
             for
             a
             reward
             ,
             and
             perished
             in
             the
             gain-saying
             of
          
           Corah
           .
        
         
           You
           know
           the
           sad
           examples
           of
           
             Corah
             ,
             Dathan
             ,
          
           and
           
             Abiram
          
           in
           their
           mutinous
           Rebellion
           ,
           &
           Levelling
           design
           against
           Magistracy
           and
           Ministry
           ,
           in
           the
           Persons
           of
           
             Moses
          
           and
           
             Aaron
             ,
             You
             take
             too
             much
             upon
             you
          
           (
           said
           they
           to
           
             Moses
          
           and
           
             Aaron
             )
             Seeing
             all
             the
             Congregation
             are
             holy
             .
          
           
           
             Wherefore
             then
             lift
             you
             up
             your selves
             above
             the
             Congregation
             of
             the
             Lord
             ?
          
           Which
           
             Moses
          
           fears
           not
           to
           call
           
             A
             gathering
             together
             against
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           and
           warnes
           the
           people
           to
           avoid
           their
           company
           ,
           
           
             Depart
             from
             the
             tents
             of
             these
             wicked
             men
             ,
             and
             touch
             nothing
             of
             theirs
             ,
             least
             ye
             be
             consumed
             in
             all
             their
             sins
             ;
          
           After
           which
           the
           earth
           opened
           her
           mouth
           ,
           and
           swallowed
           them
           up
           ,
           with
           all
           that
           appertained
           to
           them
           :
           And
           yet
           there
           were
           in
           that
           Rebellion
           a
           considerable
           number
           of
           eminent
           men
           ,
           
             two
             hundred
             and
             fifty
             Princes
             of
             the
             Assembly
             ,
          
           
           
             famous
             in
             the
             Congregation
             ,
             men
             of
             Renown
             .
          
        
         
           And
           consonant
           to
           the
           tenour
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           herein
           ,
           hath
           alway
           been
           the
           constant
           judgement
           and
           doctrine
           of
           Protestant
           Divines
           both
           at
           home
           and
           abroad
           ,
           with
           whose
           judgements
           we
           do
           fully
           concur
           ;
           disclaiming
           ,
           detesting
           and
           abhorring
           the
           wicked
           and
           bloody
           Tenents
           and
           Practises
           of
           Jesuits
           ,
           (
           the
           worst
           of
           Papists
           ,
           )
           concerning
           the
           opposing
           of
           lawfull
           Magistrates
           by
           private
           Persons
           ,
           and
           the
           murthering
           of
           Kings
           by
           any
           ,
           though
           under
           the
           most
           specious
           and
           colourable
           pretences
           .
           Which
           Jesuiticall
           Principles
           and
           Counsels
           we
           fear
           ,
           may
           have
           too
           great
           a
           concurrence
           with
           ,
           if
           not
           an
           influence
           upon
           these
           late
           transactions
           .
        
         
         
           Now
           we
           desire
           you
           seriously
           ,
           and
           as
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           God
           ,
           to
           examine
           your
           own
           hearts
           and
           ways
           ,
           and
           to
           deal
           with
           your selves
           as
           sometimes
           
             Nathan
          
           did
           with
           
             David
             .
          
           Put
           case
           some
           other
           party
           of
           men
           in
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           whose
           principles
           had
           not
           been
           concurrent
           with
           yours
           ,
           should
           have
           attempted
           acts
           of
           such
           a
           nature
           ,
           as
           those
           that
           you
           have
           performed
           ;
           as
           seising
           the
           Kings
           Person
           ,
           and
           removing
           him
           from
           place
           to
           place
           without
           and
           against
           his
           and
           the
           Parliaments
           consent
           :
           would
           it
           not
           have
           been
           judged
           by
           you
           an
           intolerable
           contempt
           both
           of
           his
           and
           their
           authority
           ?
           Put
           case
           they
           and
           their
           confederates
           had
           attempted
           the
           removall
           of
           the
           Parliaments
           Guards
           ,
           secured
           or
           inhibited
           a
           great
           number
           of
           their
           Members
           ,
           contrived
           and
           promoted
           new
           Modules
           of
           their
           own
           ,
           destructive
           to
           the
           being
           both
           of
           this
           and
           all
           other
           Parliaments
           ,
           with
           other
           acts
           of
           the
           like
           nature
           ;
           we
           appeal
           to
           your
           own
           consciences
           ,
           what
           clamours
           and
           accusations
           against
           them
           would
           from
           your selves
           have
           proceeded
           .
           And
           if
           in
           other
           Persons
           you
           would
           condemn
           the
           Fact
           ,
           the
           Lord
           grant
           you
           hearts
           to
           see
           
             who
             are
             the
             men
             .
          
           Was
           it
           once
           a
           crime
           of
           the
           higstest
           nature
           ,
           to
           endeavour
           the
           subversion
           of
           the
           fundamentall
           Laws
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           to
           disswade
           the
           calling
           ,
           or
           perswade
           the
           dissolution
           of
           Parliaments
           ;
           to
           countenance
           Arminians
           ,
           or
           connive
           at
           Papists
           :
           and
           can
           it
           be
           now
           commendable
           to
           contrive
           the
           subversion
           of
           the
           whole
           Laws
           and
           Government
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           all
           at
           once
           ;
           and
           instead
           of
           a
           few
           errours
           to
           allow
           ,
           (
           as
           we
           fear
           some
           amongst
           you
           indeavour
           ,
           )
           a
           totall
           impunity
           ,
           and
           universall
           Toleration
           of
           all
           Religions
           ?
           
             Be
             not
             deceived
             ,
             God
             is
             not
             mocked
             :
          
           He
           knows
           how
           frequently
           you
           condemn
           that
           as
           a
           great
           crime
           in
           others
           ,
           which
           you
           would
           have
           accounted
           a
           vertue
           in
           your selves
           ;
           But
           God
           who
           is
           no
           respecter
           of
           Persons
           alloweth
           no
           such
           rule
           .
           
           
             Those
             who
             knowing
             the
             judgement
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             they
             which
             commit
             such
             things
             are
             worthy
             of
             death
             ;
             not
             onely
             do
             the
             same
             things
             ,
             but
             have
             pleasure
             in
             ,
          
           (
           or
           
             consent
             with
             )
             them
             that
             do
             them
             ,
             in
             judging
             another
             condemn
             themselves
             .
             And
             thinkest
             thou
             this
             ,
             O
             man
             ,
             that
             judgest
             them
             which
             do
             such
             things
             ,
             and
             doest
             the
             same
             ,
          
           
           
             that
             thou
             shalt
             escape
             the
             judgement
             of
             God
             ?
          
           No
           surely
           ,
           
             we
             are
             sure
             the
             Judgement
             of
             God
             is
             according
             to
             truth
             ,
          
           
           
             against
             them
             which
             commit
             such
             things
             ,
             Who
             will
             render
             to
             every
             man
             according
             to
             his
             deeds
             ;
             For
             there
             is
             no
             respect
             of
             persons
             with
             God
             .
          
        
         
           We
           desire
           that
           you
           would
           not
           be
           too
           confident
           on
           former
           Successes
           .
           
           If
           God
           have
           made
           you
           prosper
           while
           you
           were
           in
           His
           way
           ,
           this
           can
           be
           no
           warrant
           for
           you
           to
           walk
           in
           wayes
           of
           your
           own
           ,
           and
           promise
           your selves
           Successe
           therein
           ;
           Nay
           ,
           if
           through
           Gods
           permission
           (
           for
           reasons
           best
           known
           to
           himself
           )
           you
           have
           had
           or
           may
           have
           Successe
           in
           an
           evil
           way
           ,
           yet
           is
           it
           no
           justification
           thereof
           ,
           nor
           incouragement
           to
           proceed
           therein
           .
           Yea
           ,
           you
           know
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           one
           of
           the
           greatest
           Judgements
           ,
           when
           God
           suffers
           men
           to
           prosper
           in
           sinfull
           courses
           .
           
           Wise
           
             Solomon
          
           tels
           us
           from
           his
           own
           experience
           ,
           that
           
             there
             be
          
           somtimes
           
             just
             men
             to
             whom
             it
             happeneth
             according
             to
             the
             work
             of
             the
             wicked
             ;
             again
             ,
             There
             be
             wicked
             men
             to
             whom
             it
             happeneth
             according
             to
             the
             work
             of
             the
             righteous
             :
             There
             is
             a
             just
             man
             that
             perisheth
             in
             his
             righteousnesse
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             there
             is
             a
             wicked
             man
             that
             prelongeth
             his
             life
             in
             his
             wickednesse
             :
          
           
           But
           ,
           
             because
             sentence
             against
             an
             evil
             work
             is
             not
             executed
             speedily
             ,
          
           shall
           
             therefore
             the
             heart
             of
             the
             sonnes
             of
             men
             be
             fully
             set
             in
             them
             to
             do
             evil
             ?
          
           God
           forbid
           .
        
         
           And
           therfore
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           (
           which
           is
           so
           often
           pleaded
           in
           justification
           of
           your
           wayes
           )
           is
           no
           safe
           rule
           to
           walk
           by
           ,
           especially
           in
           such
           acts
           as
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           condems
           .
           God
           doth
           not
           approve
           the
           practise
           of
           whatsoever
           his
           Providence
           doth
           permit
           .
           When
           
             David
             ,
          
           in
           the
           cave
           ,
           had
           an
           opportunity
           to
           destroy
           
             Saul
             ,
          
           (
           who
           was
           then
           in
           actuall
           pursuance
           of
           him
           for
           his
           life
           ,
           )
           
             Davids
          
           men
           make
           use
           of
           such
           an
           Argument
           from
           Providence
           ,
           
             Behold
             ,
          
           
           say
           they
           ,
           
             the
             day
             of
             which
             the
             Lord
             said
             unto
             thee
             ,
             Behold
             ,
             I
             will
             deliver
             thine
             enemy
             into
             thine
             hand
             that
             thou
             mayest
             do
             to
             him
             as
             it
             shall
             seem
             good
             unto
             thee
             ,
          
           but
           
             David
          
           neither
           durst
           himself
           ,
           nor
           would
           permit
           his
           men
           to
           make
           use
           thereof
           ;
           but
           saith
           ,
           
             The
             Lord
             forbid
             that
             I
             should
             do
             this
             thing
             unto
             my
             Master
             the
             Lords
             Annointed
             ,
             to
             stretch
             forth
             my
             hand
             against
             him
             .
          
           Again
           ,
           
             when
             David
          
           found
           
             Saul
          
           sleeping
           in
           his
           Trench
           ,
           behold
           a
           Providence
           (
           might
           
             Abishai
          
           have
           said
           )
           
             God
             ,
          
           saith
           he
           ,
           
             hath
             delivered
             thine
             enemy
             into
             thine
             hand
             this
             day
             ,
          
           
           
             now
             therefore
             let
             me
             smite
             him
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           No
           ,
           saith
           
             David
             ,
             Destroy
             him
             not
             ,
             for
             who
             can
             stretch
             forth
             his
             hand
             against
             the
             Lords
             Anointed
             and
             be
             guiltless
             ?
          
           But
           if
           ,
           to
           follow
           Providence
           ,
           had
           bin
           a
           sufficient
           warrant
           ;
           
             David
          
           should
           have
           taken
           another
           course
           .
           In
           summe
           ,
           if
           this
           be
           a
           good
           warrant
           ,
           nothing
           can
           be
           a
           sin
           ,
           for
           nothing
           can
           come
           to
           passe
           at
           all
           ,
           unlesse
           the
           permissive
           Providence
           of
           God
           afford
           an
           opportunity
           .
        
         
         
           Nor
           is
           it
           safe
           to
           be
           guided
           by
           Impulses
           of
           Spirit
           ,
           or
           pretended
           impressions
           on
           your
           hearts
           ,
           without
           or
           against
           the
           rule
           of
           Gods
           written
           Word
           .
           For
           by
           this
           means
           the
           temptations
           of
           Satan
           ,
           and
           the
           motions
           of
           Gods
           spirit
           will
           be
           put
           in
           equall
           ballance
           .
           And
           we
           desire
           you
           likewise
           to
           consider
           ,
           whether
           any
           History
           ,
           sacred
           or
           profane
           ,
           recordeth
           any
           example
           of
           an
           impulse
           of
           spirit
           falling
           upon
           Multitudes
           of
           Persons
           at
           the
           same
           time
           ,
           putting
           them
           all
           at
           once
           upon
           performances
           contrary
           to
           morrall
           Precepts
           ;
           as
           also
           ,
           whether
           such
           Persons
           who
           are
           acted
           by
           an
           impulse
           of
           spirit
           ,
           can
           Command
           others
           who
           want
           it
           ,
           (
           nay
           ,
           who
           do
           not
           so
           much
           as
           pretend
           to
           have
           it
           )
           to
           do
           that
           unto
           ,
           which
           themselves
           pretend
           to
           be
           so
           incited
           ?
           We
           know
           that
           it
           is
           the
           duty
           of
           Christians
           ,
           to
           try
           such
           instigations
           by
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           examine
           how
           well
           they
           agree
           thereunto
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           accordingly
           judge
           ,
           whether
           it
           be
           the
           voice
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           the
           voice
           of
           Satan
           ,
           and
           of
           their
           own
           corrupt
           hearts
           ,
           that
           prompteth
           them
           .
           
             To
             the
             Law
             and
             to
             the
             Testimony
             ,
          
           
           
             if
             they
             speak
             not
             according
             to
             this
             Word
             ,
             it
             is
             because
             there
             is
             no
             light
             in
             them
             .
          
           
           The
           Apostle
           
             Peter
          
           directs
           the
           Jews
           to
           whom
           he
           wrote
           ,
           to
           adhere
           to
           the
           word
           written
           ,
           as
           to
           
             a
             more
             sure
             word
             of
             Prophesie
             .
          
           By
           the
           same
           Rule
           ,
           whereby
           we
           must
           
             try
             the
             spirits
             ,
          
           we
           must
           also
           try
           the
           
             impulses
             of
             spirit
             ,
          
           otherwise
           we
           do
           exceedngly
           strengthen
           the
           divils
           hands
           against
           our
           own
           souls
           ,
           and
           tempt
           him
           to
           tempt
           us
           .
        
         
           If
           beyond
           all
           this
           you
           plead
           Necessity
           of
           doing
           thus
           ,
           least
           what
           you
           pretend
           as
           a
           glorious
           work
           ,
           might
           else
           miscarry
           ,
           and
           therefore
           venture
           on
           these
           wayes
           ,
           which
           are
           by
           your selves
           confessed
           to
           be
           
             irregular
             and
             not
             justifiable
             ;
          
           We
           answer
           ,
           that
           no
           necessity
           can
           oblige
           a
           man
           to
           sinne
           ;
           God
           stands
           not
           in
           need
           of
           our
           sin
           to
           carry
           on
           his
           own
           work
           .
           
           
             Will
             ye
             speak
             wickedly
             for
             God
             ,
             and
             talk
             deceitfully
             for
             him
             ?
          
           saith
           
             Job
             .
          
        
         
           And
           yet
           this
           Plea
           of
           necessity
           is
           of
           the
           lesse
           weight
           in
           your
           case
           ,
           because
           ,
           we
           fear
           ,
           the
           ends
           you
           aim
           at
           ,
           are
           no
           more
           justifiable
           then
           the
           means
           you
           use
           ;
           and
           the
           necessity
           pleaded
           is
           either
           meerly
           pretended
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           contracted
           by
           your
           own
           miscarriages
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           at
           any
           time
           a
           Precept
           of
           God
           may
           be
           dispensed
           with
           upon
           a
           Necessity
           :
           Yet
           ,
           we
           suppose
           your selves
           will
           grant
           ,
           That
           this
           necessity
           must
           be
           Absolute
           ,
           Present
           ,
           and
           Clear
           ;
           not
           Doubtful
           ,
           Uncertain
           ,
           and
           Conjectural
           ,
           as
           that
           which
           is
           alledged
           in
           your
           case
           must
           needs
           be
           ,
           it
           being
           discerned
           onely
           by
           your selves
           and
           your
           own
           
           party
           .
           It
           is
           most
           apparent
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           there
           was
           of
           late
           no
           necessity
           at
           all
           of
           these
           your
           irregular
           practices
           ;
           the
           Parliament
           being
           (
           till
           forced
           by
           you
           )
           ful
           and
           free
           ,
           acting
           what
           was
           Covenanted
           for
           ,
           and
           (
           if
           we
           mistake
           not
           )
           what
           was
           agreed
           upon
           long
           before
           by
           the
           Parliaments
           of
           both
           Kingdoms
           .
           Besides
           ,
           you
           have
           engaged
           your selves
           by
           an
           Oath
           to
           preserve
           his
           Majesties
           person
           ,
           and
           the
           Priviledges
           of
           Parliament
           ;
           and
           this
           is
           most
           clear
           ,
           That
           no
           Necessity
           can
           justifie
           Perjury
           ,
           or
           dispence
           with
           lawful
           Oaths
           ;
           That
           dreadful
           
             flying
             Roll
          
           being
           ready
           to
           seise
           upon
           him
           that
           
             sweareth
             falsly
             by
             the
             Name
             of
             God
             .
          
           
           An
           example
           of
           which
           severe
           judgement
           from
           God
           ,
           for
           the
           violation
           of
           an
           Oath
           ,
           you
           haue
           in
           
             Saul
             ,
          
           who
           though
           he
           did
           out
           of
           a
           good
           intention
           ,
           
             in
             his
             zeal
             to
             the
             children
             of
             Israel
             ,
          
           slay
           the
           
             Gibeonites
          
           (
           a
           people
           formerly
           accursed
           ,
           and
           who
           had
           fallaciously
           procured
           a
           Covenant
           from
           
             Joshua
          
           above
           two
           hundred
           years
           before
           )
           yet
           for
           
             Sauls
          
           breaking
           of
           that
           Covenant
           ,
           
           was
           the
           whole
           Kingdom
           of
           Israel
           ,
           and
           his
           posterity
           in
           particular
           ,
           most
           severely
           punished
           by
           God
           .
        
         
           We
           do
           therefore
           upon
           the
           whole
           matter
           ,
           seriously
           beseech
           you
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           God
           ,
           to
           recede
           from
           these
           evil
           wayes
           ,
           and
           contain
           your selves
           within
           your
           own
           bounds
           ,
           to
           learn
           
             John
             Baptists
          
           Lesson
           for
           Soldiers
           ,
           
           
             Do
             violence
             to
             no
             man
          
           (
           or
           ,
           put
           no
           man
           in
           fear
           )
           
             neither
             accuse
             any
             man
             falsly
             ,
             and
             be
             content
             with
             your
             wages
             .
          
           
           But
           if
           you
           persist
           in
           these
           wayes
           ,
           
             behold
             ,
             you
             have
             sinned
             against
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             be
             sure
             your
             sin
             will
             finde
             you
             out
             ;
          
           and
           take
           heed
           ,
           lest
           ,
           when
           the
           hand
           of
           God
           shall
           overtake
           you
           ,
           
           and
           turn
           the
           wheel
           upon
           you
           ,
           you
           be
           found
           to
           suffer
           both
           
             as
             evil
             doers
             ,
          
           and
           
             as
             busie-bodies
             in
             other
             mens
             matters
             .
          
        
         
           And
           when
           you
           shall
           thus
           return
           to
           your
           duty
           ;
           as
           we
           shall
           have
           cause
           to
           blesse
           God
           for
           it
           ,
           so
           we
           shall
           not
           need
           to
           fear
           those
           threatnings
           which
           some
           of
           us
           have
           received
           (
           we
           say
           not
           from
           your selves
           ,
           yet
           )
           from
           Messengers
           directed
           (
           as
           they
           informed
           us
           )
           immediately
           from
           your selves
           ,
           
           to
           some
           of
           us
           ,
           That
           
             if
             we
             persist
             to
             stir
             up
             the
             people
             to
             Sedition
          
           (
           for
           so
           it
           seems
           our
           bewailing
           your
           sins
           before
           the
           Lord
           ,
           is
           interpreted
           )
           
             and
             Soldiers
             do
             us
             a
             mischief
             ,
             we
             may
             thank
             our selves
             ;
          
           That
           
             if
             there
             follow
             another
             War
             ,
             you
             will
             give
             quarter
             to
             none
             that
             stands
             against
             you
             ;
          
           That
           
             you
             will
             spare
             neither
             man
             ,
             woman
             ,
             nor
             childe
             ,
             English
             or
             Sranger
             .
          
           But
           if
           these
           our
           Exhortations
           prevail
           not
           ,
           we
           have
           discharged
           our
           duty
           ,
           and
           ,
           we
           hope
           ,
           
             delivered
             our
             own
             souls
             ;
          
           and
           
           if
           it
           be
           our
           portion
           to
           suffer
           ,
           
           we
           trust
           we
           shall
           
             suffer
             as
             Christians
             ,
          
           and
           
             for
             well-doing
             ,
          
           and
           that
           
             such
             sufferings
             shall
             be
             acceptable
             with
             God
             ;
             in
             whose
             sight
             the
             death
             of
             his
             Saints
             is
             precious
             ;
             Who
             when
             he
             maketh
             inquisition
             for
             blood
             ,
             forgetteth
             not
             the
             cry
             of
             the
             humble
             ;
          
           and
           though
           some
           of
           us
           were
           told
           by
           one
           of
           the
           Messengers
           sent
           from
           you
           ,
           That
           
             if
             we
             put
             our selves
             upon
             suffering
             ,
             we
             shall
             have
             suffering
             enough
             :
          
           yet
           we
           know
           ,
           That
           
             the
             God
             whom
             we
             serve
             is
             able
             to
             deliver
             us
             :
          
           To
           whom
           ,
           in
           the
           discharge
           of
           our
           duty
           ,
           
             we
             commit
             the
             keeping
             our
             souls
             ,
             as
             to
             a
             faithfull
             Creator
             .
          
        
         
           And
           thus
           out
           of
           a
           zeal
           to
           Gods
           glory
           ,
           a
           care
           to
           discharge
           our
           duties
           ,
           and
           an
           hearty
           desire
           after
           the
           comfort
           and
           salvation
           of
           your
           souls
           ,
           we
           have
           freely
           and
           faithfully
           declared
           our
           judgements
           concerning
           your
           late
           and
           present
           proceedings
           .
           If
           the
           Lord
           please
           to
           make
           it
           effectual
           for
           your
           Reformation
           ,
           we
           and
           all
           the
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           shall
           have
           cause
           to
           blesse
           God
           for
           you
           ;
           but
           if
           for
           our
           sins
           ,
           and
           the
           sins
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           
           the
           Lord
           make
           you
           instruments
           of
           misery
           and
           confusion
           (
           which
           your
           present
           actings
           do
           certainly
           tend
           to
           )
           we
           will
           say
           with
           
             Eli
             ,
             It
             is
             the
             Lord
             ,
             let
             him
             do
             what
             seemeth
             him
             good
             .
          
           But
           we
           hope
           better
           things
           of
           you
           ,
           and
           subscribe
           our selves
           ,
        
         
           
             
               Jan.
               17.
               1649.
               
            
          
           
             Your
             servants
             in
             the
             Lord
             ,
             
               
                 
                   Thomas
                   Gataker
                   ,
                
                 Pastor
                 of
                 Rotherhith
                 .
              
               
                 
                   George
                   Walker
                   ,
                
                 Pastor
                 of
                 John
                 Evangelist
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Arthur
                   Jackson
                   ,
                
                 Pastor
                 of
                 Michael
                 Woodstreet
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Charles
                   Ofspring
                   ,
                
                 Pastor
                 of
                 Antholines
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Henry
                   Robrough
                   ,
                
                 Pastor
                 of
                 Leonards
                 Eastcheap
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Nicholas
                   Profet
                   ,
                
                 Minister
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 at
                 Fosters
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Thomas
                   Case
                   ,
                
                 Minister
                 of
                 MaudlinsMilk-street
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Stanly
                   Gower
                   ,
                
                 Min.
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 at
                 Martins
                 Ludgate
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Andrew
                   Janeway
                   ,
                
                 of
                 Alhallows
                 on
                 the
                 Wall
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Samuel
                   Clark
                   ,
                
                 Minister
                 of
                 Bennet
                 Fynk
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Thomas
                   Clandon
                   ,
                
                 Pastor
                 of
                 Alhallows
                 Barking
                 .
              
               
                 
                   John
                   Wall
                   ,
                
                 Minister
                 of
                 Michael
                 Cornhil
                 .
              
               
                 
                   James
                   Cranford
                   ,
                
                 Pastor
                 of
                 Christophers
                 .
              
               
                 
                   James
                   Nalton
                   ,
                
                 Pastor
                 of
                 Leonard
                 Fosterlane
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Thomas
                   Cawton
                   ,
                
                 Paster
                 of
                 Bartholomew
                 Exchange
                 .
              
               
               
                 
                   Iohn
                   Fuller
                   ,
                
                 Minister
                 of
                 Buttolphs
                 Bishopsgate
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Francis
                   Roberts
                   ,
                
                 Pastor
                 of
                 Austins
                 .
              
               
                 
                   William
                   Ienkin
                   ,
                
                 Pastor
                 of
                 Christ-Church
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Eldidad
                   Blackwell
                   ,
                
                 Pastor
                 of
                 Alhallows
                 Vndershaft
                 .
              
               
                 
                   William
                   Harrison
                   ,
                
                 Minister
                 of
                 Grace-Church
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Iohn
                   Sheffield
                   ,
                
                 Minister
                 of
                 Swithins
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Matthew
                   Haviland
                   ,
                
                 Minister
                 of
                 Trinity
                 Parish
                 .
              
               
                 
                   George
                   Smalewood
                   ,
                
                 Pastor
                 of
                 Mildreds
                 Poultrey
                 .
              
               
                 
                   William
                   Taylor
                   ,
                
                 Pastor
                 of
                 Stephens
                 Colemanstreet
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Christopher
                   Love
                   ,
                
                 Pastor
                 of
                 Anne
                 Aldersgate
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Robert
                   Mercer
                   ,
                
                 Minister
                 of
                 Brides
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Ralph
                   Robinson
                   ,
                
                 Pastor
                 of
                 Mary
                 Woolnoth
                 .
              
               
                 
                   William
                   Blackmore
                   ,
                
                 Pastor
                 of
                 Peters
                 Cornhill
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Francis
                   Peck
                   ,
                
                 Pastor
                 of
                 Nicholas
                 Acons
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Stephen
                   watkins
                   ,
                
                 Minister
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 at
                 Saviors
                 Southwark
                 .
              
               
                 
                   William
                   Wickins
                   ,
                
                 Pastor
                 of
                 Andrew
                 Hubbard
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Iohn
                   Wallis
                   ,
                
                 Minister
                 of
                 Martins
                 Iron-monger-lane
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Thomas
                   Manton
                   ,
                
                 Minister
                 of
                 Stoke-Newington
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Tho
                   :
                   Gouge
                   ,
                
                 Minister
                 of
                 Sepulchres
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Tho
                   :
                   VVatson
                   ,
                
                 Pastor
                 of
                 Stevens
                 Walbrook
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Nathaniel
                   Staniforth
                   ,
                
                 Minister
                 of
                 Mary
                 Bothaw
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Iohn
                   Halk
                   ,
                
                 Preacher
                 at
                 Alhallows
                 on
                 the
                 Wall
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Iohn
                   Glasscock
                   ,
                
                 Minister
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 at
                 Andrew
                 Undershaft
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Thomas
                   Whately
                   ,
                
                 Pastor
                 of
                 Mary
                 Woolchurch
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Iacob
                   Tice
                   ,
                
                 Pastor
                 of
                 Buttolph
                 Billingsgate
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Ionathan
                   Lloyd
                   ,
                
                 Pastor
                 of
                 James
                 Garlickhith
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Iohn
                   Morton
                   ,
                
                 Pastor
                 of
                 Newington-Buts
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Ioshuah
                   Kirby
                   ,
                
                 Minister
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Arthur
                   Barham
                   ,
                
                 Pastor
                 of
                 Helens
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Ben
                   :
                   Needler
                   ,
                
                 Pastor
                 of
                 Margaret
                 Moses
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Iohn
                   VVells
                   ,
                
                 Minister
                 of
                 Olaves
                 Jury
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Robert
                   Matthew
                   ,
                
                 Minister
                 of
                 Andrew
                 Wardrobe
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
         
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A59254e-170
           
             a
             Mr.
             Marshall
             ,
             Mr.
             Calamy
             .
             Mr.
             Whitakers
             .
             Mr.
             Sedgwick
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             b
             Mr.
             Whitaker
             .
             Mr.
             Calamy
             .
             Mr.
             Ash
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             5.22
             2.
             Thes.
             5.22
             
          
           
             Ephes.
             5.
             11.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             24.
             21.
             
          
           
             2
             Thes.
             3.
             6.
             
          
           
             *
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
             Tit.
             3.
             1.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             13.
             1.
             2.
             
          
           
             Ezek.
             17.
             14.
             15
             ,
             18
             ,
             19.
             
          
           
             Psa.
             129.
             1.
             8
             2
             
             John
             v.
             11.
             
          
           
             Jude
             v.
             8.
             11
             
          
           
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
             Or
             Saints
             .
          
           
             Num.
             16.
             3.
             11
             ,
             26.
             32
             ,
             33
             29.
             
          
           
             Verse
             2.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             1.
             32.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             2.
             1.
             3
             
          
           
             Ver.
             2.
             6.
             11.
             
          
           
             Eccles.
             8.
             14.
             
          
           
             Eccles.
             7.
             15.
             
          
           
             Eccles.
             8.
             11.
             
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             24.
             4
             ,
             6
             ,
             7
             ,
             13.
             
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             26.
             8
             ,
             9.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             28.
             20.
             
          
           
             2
             Pet.
             1.
             19.
             
          
           
             Job
             13.
             7.
             
          
           
             Zech.
             5.
             4.
             
          
           
             2
             Sam.
             21.
             1
             ,
             2
             ,
             6.
             
          
           
             Luke
             3.
             14.
             
          
           
             Numb.
             32.
             23.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             4.
             15
             ,
          
           
             Mr.
             Peters
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Ezek.
             33.
             9.
             1
             Pet.
             4.
             16.
             1
             Pet.
             3.
             17.
             1
             Pet.
             2.
             20.
             
             Psal.
             116.
             15.
             
             Psa.
             9.
             12.
             
             Mr.
             
               Peters
               .
            
             Dan.
             3.
             17.
             2
             Pet.
             4.
             19.
             
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             3.
             18