AN ALARUM TO LONDON: OR, The Famous LONDON's blowing up by LONDONERS. SOUNDED, Not to Fire their Buildings, but to Quench their Burnings. IN A Letter to MAjOR general BROWNE. LONDON, Printed by Matthew Simmons, next door to the gilded lion in Aldersgate Street, 1650. An alarum to LONDON, Not to fire their Buildings, but to quench their Burnings. In a Letter To Major general BROWNE. SIR, I Am bound by the duty I owe to old Israel, to make inquiry after Joseph's portion; The Birthright of the commonwealth OF ENGLAND. Religion and Liberty, and good Laws, and Reformation, were the blessed Inheritance bequeathed and promised to England and London; and you, Sir, were one of the Feoffees left in trust, to take care that Simeon and Levi (brothers in blood and cruelty) might not murder him: The knife (Sir) was lately at Joseph's throat, and you were then, a Reubenite, to bestride him from the intended cruelty of Treacherous men, at the first assault, and TREATY OF THE BROTHERS. Joseph (Sir) is newly taken out of the Pit, and yourself (with some others of the DIVISION OF Reuben) standing at the pits brink, discontented that Joseph is raised. It hath pleased the Divine Power to secure the young man in that deep and dark place, and hath already begun to exalt Joseph against the unkind desires of Israelites and Aeyptians: Sir, you may believe it, that the same good hand will lead on the commonwealth OF ENGLAND (as much hated and shot at, as ever Joseph was) through the deep red Sea (of England's blood) and through she wilderness, and through Divisions, and through Contradictions, and through Murmurings. This (Sir) is the present estate of England's afflicted Joseph; and this (Sir) will be done with an outstretched arm, and England shall have passage from the red Sea, and Egypt, and the wilderness, and arrive safely in the Land of Canaan, and rest; and shall have powerful Victories over all Gods, and their Enemies. Of this and other Nations, and all people, good and bad, far and near, shall gaze and stand amazed, to see and hear the rare and unheard-of executions, yet unfinished. Be pleased to read the Record underneath; being the Will and Testament of good and great Men, great Prophets, and consider of it, and do unto Joseph what right you can, without more violence, and persuade your Friends so to do; for your own sake, and for your friend's sake, and for the city's sake, and for Joseph's sake (Joseph advanced to a commonwealth) for the commonwealth of England's sake; and shun all prejudice in the reading of it, for Benn's sake; whereby you fully gratify his desires, and good will to Joseph, your self, and this great City. Yours, for the sake of Joseph, BENJAMIN. The hand of old Jacob upon the head of young Joseph, THE commonwealth OF ENGLAND. Gen. 49. 22, 23, &c. ENGLAND is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a Well, whose branches run over the Wall. The Archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him and bated him: But his Bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob. Even by the God of thy Father who shall help thee, and by the Almighty who shall bless thee with the blessings of Heaven above, blessings of the deep, that lieth under, blessings of the breast and of the womb. The blessings of thy Father have prevailed above the blessings of my Progenitors; unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills, they shall be on the head of ENGLAND, and upon the crown of the head of him that is SEPARATE FROM HIS BRETHREN. The Rod of Moses, and the red Sea (the red Sea of English blood) divided, for the safe return of afflicted England out of Egypt, now sojourning in a wilderness of wild Beasts, and stinging Serpents. Deut. 23. 13, &c. Blessed of the Lord be his Land for the precious things of Heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath. And for the precious fruits brought forth by the Sun, and for the precious things brought forth by the Moon, and for the chief things of the ancient mountains; and for the precious things of the lasting Hills. And for the precious things of the Earth, and the fullness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelled in the Bush: Let the blessing come upon the head of England, and upon the top of the head of him that was SEPARATED FROM HIS BRETHREN. The glory of ENGLAND is like the horns of unicorns, and with them he shall push the PEOPLE. The Waters of Jordan divided; And ENGLAND upon his advance to Canaan. Joshua 10. Sun stand thou still upon Gibeon, and thou moon, in the Valley of Ajalou, and there was no day like that. And Joshua said, Bring out those five Kings unto me, and he said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near and put your feet upon the neck of these Kings. Fear not, nor be dismayed, for thus shall the Lord do to all your Enemies against whom you fight. For my Honoured Friend, Major general BROWNE. SIR, LIberty of all enjoyments is near to life, and as much as that amounts unto, I do acknowledge that to be the just sum of my Obligation to you; for I bear you witness, you were that vigilant governor of Abingdon, that did (by Exchange of me for another Prisoner) give me my freedom from a harsh Imprisonment at Wallingford, when a little longer stay there, would have made me as miserable, as the malice of an enraged Enemy could make me. Sir, The Obligation (wherein I stand bound) is double; you were faithful then to the public, you were friendly then to me; I have therefore endeavoured to make my suitable address unto you; the one was private, to thank you, the other is public, to acknowledge you. Sir, It is emminently known unto you, what a great turn of Providence there is visible amongst us, since that time; and how strange and amazing it hath been (and yet is) to the Inhabitants of this Island, as if there had been a total and perpetual eclipse of the Sun of England's glory; you know also, how it hath pleased the wisdom of God, to suffer the judgements of good people, to vary about this matter; and how dangerously their opinions have diversified them into very unkind speeches and behaviours one towards another, and I hope neither of them will forget what fat advantages were given thereby to the Enemy, yet how rawny and lean they grow still upon the variety and full mouthfuls of them, they could never thrive, but were so cursed upon the top of them all, that it was usual to observe, they could never come off without the loss of a head, the breaking of a neck, or the battering of the bones; some mischief or other did still post after them, from place to place, Kent, Essex, the North, &c. Where ever they went, they could never keep off the Gentleman upon the pale Horse, but vengeance would over the Wall, and pull them out by head and shoulders. Sir, It is acknowledged, you did manifest much wisdom and courage in the first part of your Actings for this Nation, but it is also said that in the latter part of your adventures, the more you excelled in boldness and abilities to speak, the more of danger it did portend: I did never yet know any that did suspect (much less impeach) your INTENTIONS as retrograde (for the main of them) or declining from the first integrity of them, but there doth lie a BLAME upon you, that you did not so soon or seasonably submit unto the wisdom of God, that hath, it seems, against your declared will, made better provision for you and us too, than it was possible for you to make for yourselves, or for us, by all the wisdom you could put forth. Sir, Let us extol and speak well of that wisdom, that doth restrain the dangerous results of our counsels, and of that Providence that cures our improvidence; the good God (we may see) is so much the more careful of us, by how much he espyeth our weakness and shallowness to be the more in dealing for ourselves with a subtle Enemy, and in providing for our own safety. Sir, The wisdom of God, hath wonderfully (next to a Miracle) determined, that England's Joseph could not come home safe by a Treaty, nor yet be ever restored to his Father with Life and Honour, before his cruel and treacherous Brethren were brought upon their faces, put in ward, and made to acknowledge their great trespass; we are verily guilty concerning our Brother. Sir, It is manifest, that the Patriarchs were (almost all of them) very ill affected to Joseph. Steven notes as much in his Confession▪ Acts 7. 9 and there files up their Malignity upon Record. And the Patriarchs (moved with envy) sold Joseph, &c. There was but one amongst ten, but voted against Joseph, but voted him a bondman in Egypt, and you well know that Israel's Joseph was a type of England's Joseph, sure there is an English Israel, and doubtless there is an English Joseph too, and the parallel that runs along in all the veins of the troubles, and preservation of them both goes as free from halting, as any I have read of. Indeed there is some disproportion between the number and the virulency, of the haters of the one and of the other, Israel's Joseph had but nine against one that hated him, but England's Joseph, can make their Vnits, tens, their Tens, hundreds, their Hundreds, Thousands, and these within us too, besides those many without us, and these Patriarchs too, English Patriarchs, and for the implacability of their Envyings, ours observe no measure or limitation of time or condition but are beyond compare. Those in Dothan did weep and take on in Egypt (now that they saw their younger Brother was preferred) that they dealt so ill with him in Dothan; ours in England weep millstones, nay when stones weep, they be dry, Joseph in anguish, they rejoice, Joseph advanced, they malign still, and do reach after him; and though he be advanced above the Sun, yet do bark, (though in vain) as dogs that will wawle against the Moon. Sir, I would begin with Israel's Joseph, and with the Archers that shot at him first, you do remember the sacred History, had the Patriarchs any cause to hate Joseph, yet did they not resolve his death? and did they not cunningly contrive his ruin? indeed Reuben is honourably recorded for his willingness to save him, and to restore him to his Father, but alas! the man is more to be commended for his affection, than his discretion. True, Reuben doth bestride the Child, and very manfully delivers him at the pit, and pleads, O do not kill him, shed no blood, lay no hand upon him, Here's a pit, throw him there. Honest man! Joseph is more beholding to thee for thy good wish, than thy great wit▪ What? throw him into a pit, Reuben? Is that all the liberty thou canst obtain for Joseph by a Treaty? what dost think thy Brothers be Children? or be they babes? and will they so soon be pleased? and can they forget the dream? or are they strangers in Dothan? or do they not know the way to the pit where Joseph is? Alas Good man! Thou knowest is not, thy Brothers are too revengeful, and too deep for thee to deal with, for life and liberty by a Treaty, what cares Simeon and Levi for conditions and promises, when they resolve to be Treacherous? have they not Swords by their Sides? what do they care for a Treaty; Treaty them no Treaties, hatred and revenge for Joseph's Vision are settled upon the Lies; what if the Malignant Tribes return when thou art gone, and kill Joseph in the pit, when no man sees it to tell the old Man? hath not thy wisdom provided well for thy young Brother, to make a Grave for him? and to save the Tribes the labour of digging one? and to save Old Jacob funeral expenses for his Beloved Joseph, what have thy Brothers more to do now, but a knock, and a shovel of Earth, and Joseph is not. Ah Reuben, Reuben, I love thy pity, but I fear the Pit, there is but little good like to be of this Treaty, however Joseph thanks thee for thy good meaning. And Judah (Sir) would be thought a friend to Joseph too, but it is easy to prove him an Arch Malignant, indeed his enmity glides along in smooth Language, and runs away in a still channel, without noise, which argues the depth thereof: we have nothing but his own words, and his own Declaration, that speaks him a friend, and these neither speak him any other but a Comparative friend, he would not be thought less than an Enemy to Joseph, but only not to be so bloody, as the rest were, or would have been. Then all his deeds be Acts of Hostility▪ Oh it is Joseph! our Brother, our flesh and blood, yet let us sell him, save his blood, bit sell his body, save his body in Doth in, but damn his soul (if possible) in Egypt; if this be all thy kindness (Judah) thou wilt kill thy Brother with kindness. Judah, Sir, was a dangerous Enemy to the budding commonwealth of Israel, I am more than half persuaded, that it was he which gave his brother's Commission of Array, to do what they did, indeed we could not find his Packet of Letters, but we find him in the head of the bloody Crew, and the Orator upon all occasions. He was that Noble Tribe, that had many Kings in his loins. He was a declared Royalist, and it fell to him by Eldership, to be their general upon this design: Reuben (the Eldest) was too honest for their purpose, and had declared his good affection to Joseph, at the first Assembly of the Brothers. His vote went that Joseph should go home, he should go home and be a comfort to old Israel. Simeon and Levi (next in years) had carried the generalship from Judah, but that they had before discovered their incapacity to manage such a Command, by their rash and treacherous dealing with the Sichemites, after they had yielded unto certain Articles in a Treaty with them, they had made themselves and the Old man to stink before the Inhabitants of the Land, and therefore are now by the others judged unfit; Judah is the man that must direct them in their counsels, and lead them on, A man of incomparable parts and Majesty. He was one that knew how to play his game well, it is he that animates against Joseph, in the Cabinet Whisperings, it is he that pleads for Joseph in a more open council. What ever they do with Joseph, home he shall not go, that he resolves against Reuben, and for the down right killing of him, he will not yield to that neither, that he urgeth against Simeon and Levi. He ●●rsiwades rather to a Treaty and gives the Ground and Reasons of such an Accommodation. He is our brother, and what profit in his blood? rather save his life and sell the young man. he hath not the spirit of a soldier, but of a Butcher that delights in blood. It is confessed Judah's pleading for Joseph was very pathetical and seasonable to save present execution, but withal, there was much cruelty and selfishness in the bowels of those bowels. What profit in his blood? The blood of Joseph might have stuck upon their shepherd's coats in Dothan, there was danger in that, what profit? It seems gain and other self-ends might have prevailed very far upon Judah's good nature to make him forget Joseph was any kift or kin to him. Those sacred Records leaves a stain upon his very kindness. But to speak truth, what could Judah do or say less? How could he do so little for him? A stone could not retain its hardness to see such anguish as was upon Joseph's soul, they do confess afterwards in the Ward, that they did see much of it but were hardened, and that they confess was their sin, surely none but such as had quite blown out the glimmering light of nature, and had forgotten they were men, but would have melted long before, with that abundance of tears that ran down Jesephs' cheeks, but would have been moved with all those moving pleadings that Joseph had to pour forth. They confess them to be very piercing and visible to be seen, but themselves hard and impenetrable. Joseph's Plea for his Life. ANd shall I never see my dear Father again? But must I lose my Life? or (that which is as near) my Liberty? And will brothers be my Executioners? Will Israelites be bloody? O! Brother Judah help! why brother Levi, brother Zebulon; It is the day of Joseph's trouble: hath Joseph no brother, will not Nepthali, will not Gad, will not Asher know or pity him? why, I am the son of your Father, I am Joseph, I came in duty and kindness to see you, and shall I be killed for my kindness? Am I not worthy to live for my love? Let me know my fault that I may be sorry, that I may repent before I die. Is it because I did tell you my Dream? Truly (brothers) it was a real vision, and no idle fancy; Is it because your sheaf was lower than Mine? It is not possible that your sheaf should be the lower for Josephes' sheaf; Is it because the Sun and Moon did obeisance to me? why? what ill can that presage to you? can those HONOURED LUMINARIES be eclipsed by Josephes' Glory? or can your native Luster and brightness be lessened by any splendour of his? And alas what profit will arise unto you out of a Dead carcase, and a little coat? will not a loud Conscience for the blood of an Innocent, sting more than that can heal. Besides, What if Joseph's dream proves a Vision indeed? and your brother become such a Prince as may require such bendings? as may deserve such honour, from a Family so illustrious and honourable as is the family of Jacob? what if you my Lord Judah and the rest of my brothers should see cause to bow before me? would Joseph be stiff while you bend? And could his eyes be dry, while yours be wet? do you think Joseph so unnatural, and undutiful both? I beseech your Excellency to consider, you may rather weaken than strengthen the family of Jacob, by the ruin of Joseph, Besides the errand I come about deserves not such entertainment; I come to inquire after your WELFARE. Ah let me go home again, that I may do my errand to the old man, our Father, that I may tell him I did escape the wild beasts, and did see my loving brothers in safety upon the plains of Dothan. And now sir, could a general say less? or could a nobleman do so little for Joseph, as Judah did for him? a man that had so much elegancy in his lines, and of excellency in his loins, could he use less courtesy in his behaviour? What was it for him to say, Simeon hold, Levi be not rash, Joseph is our brother indeed, and his blood will do us but little good, a child's coat will be but little booty, no such plunder here, as you had of the Sichemites when you put them to the sword in Shalem: Sir, this is one of the best of all those cursed resolves amongst the worst of enemies. No profit in the Carcase of a commonwealth. It is a principle that sways with the most moderate of the Degenerate kind of Catiline, yet rather than fail in their Design of mischief and violence, let Joseph, the joy and comfort of Old Israel be sold to Pharaoh, nay, let him go to the devil (so far as they can doom him) they'll do their best to send him thither, so they may have Joseph's portion of honour and estate; his portion of honour in Jacobs' family; and his portion of estate in Jacobs' flocks: they regard neither the Life nor Liberties of young Joseph, nor old Israel, if they may have but coin by making their Coffins, Sir, I have now my purpose, now that I have minded you of those ancient Treaties, and Treacheries; and prayings, and pleadings; and stirrings, and strivings; and good meanings too (a few of them) touching Israel's Joseph: that I have minded you of the little number of Joseph's friends. It is one of the least of numbers, if you reckon him at home, and him abroad at the Treaty too, that I have given you a review of the multitude of Joseph's enemies, even amongst patriarchs, and how cunningly they did work against Joseph; To let you see that neither cunning nor cruelty could ever prevail upon innoceney first and last too, but Truth hath always had the day after hard Skirmishes, that you might observe how honest hearts may be undermined, and prevented in their intentions to preserve Joseph. It was Reubens' Case, he had by Treaty, provided a Pit which (though dry) was safe neither for himself nor Joseph, How excellently enemy's act according to their Principles. Judah doth far exceed Reuben in Abilities to treat, Joseph's bondage is judah's aim, and a dark Dungeon is Joseph's fate. It is not so with Reuben, a plot could not succeed worse to Reuben then this did, for he tore his hair. In the interim, sir, there is an old catching for Joseph, the Tribes will kill him, but Reuben catcheth him, The Tribes do sell him, but God doth send him: And now sir, here we find a third party as well in Israel then, as in England now, a party sir (and a gallant one too) that was no more dreamed of by the old patriarchs (but only what Joseph saw in his vision) then was of late thought on by the young patriarchs of England: Good and bad men with us (all of them) miscarry alike in their counsels concerning Joseph, Reuben (with us too) beats off Simeon and saves Joseph, Judah he cousins Reuben, and sells Joseph, GOD befools them all and sends the man in a dispatch of his own to Egypt, there to provide food for Israel. And thus the wisdom of God Deludes crafty Judah, and secludes king Reuben (though he was for the cause) from his wiser counsels. Nay it pleased PROVIDENCE to cage them up both in Ward together in Egypt, with their particoloured counsels, as if they had been both alike enemies to his Great stateliness, and as being equally destructive in their judgements, and purposes, to his own sanctity and Israel's safety. Sir, I thought to be more short, but the way I took to follow Joseph, I find to be rough and intricate, and the way I find, is longer too, from Dothan to Egypt, and from thence backs again to England, than I could imagine, I was forced to go somewhat about, because I discovered a variety of Engagements, and Holds, and Garrisons. I saw, sir, pits and petitions, and treaties and treacheries, and cries and counsels, and clamours, and accusations; and dungeons, and dangers by the way, and so I could not wait upon Joseph through all these, and return to you so soon as you might expect, however my presumption is your candour, and I though you would not take offence that I tarried so long, for that the occasion of this wearisome length of lines was not only in loyalty to Joseph, but in love to you, sir, and if I fail something in method and memory, you will remember I went through a thicket, and forest of wild beasts, and will soon excuse my failings, while only love and thankfulness to yourself and Joseph doth guide the pen. Sir, It hath been the good will of him that dwelled in the bush to go as well before England's Joseph as Israel's, and hath led him on through a wilderness of pits, a Dothan of dangers, & a Dungeon of Difficulties, hath so cleared the pits of water, the Dungeons of darkness, the wilderness of Serpents: Serpents of their stings, hath so taken out the malignity of every wild beast in the way from Dothan to Egypt and from thence to England, knocking out great teeth, breaking jaw bones, chopping off HEADS, so that England's Joseph as well as Israel's, is now beyond the reach of his cruel brothers, preserved in the midst of Israelites and Egyptians, Malignants are either in ward, or else have learned to pronounce our English shibboleth without faltering, they begin to say my Lord Joseph and make low congees and humble addresses To the supreme AUTHORITY OF THE NATION; TO THE council OF STATE, TO THE KEEPERS OF THE LIBERTIES OF ENGLAND, The Lord's Commissioners, and to all these, RIGHT honourable. Those greater LUMINARIES that would not do obeisance to our Joseph, are utterly darkened, the Sun of this lower orb, is gone quite Retrograde more degrees then that in the dial of Ahaz, 2 King, 20. And the other of our dark world's greater LUMINARIES the MOON (the very emblem of mutability and change, being most full of spots in her greatest fullness) for her ILL WILL TO JOSEPH, is Commanded sistence, and standing still in the VALLEY OF AJALON; in a Country of valleys, and there amazingly made to behold and gaze upon the rare and unheard of execusions of the GREAT JEHOVAH, done by his despised Joshua's, and the most glittering stars that will not bend shall fall down, and whatever be their Luster or largeness, the fall of Lucifer shall be their fate, it is manifest to all beholders, that a Divine hand hath set a crown of Glory upon the HEAD of England's Joseph, and that sun or star that shall dare reach after Joseph's crown, now in his Glory. Believe it, Sir, the despised Saints, will but triumph at their Treason, and they will do no other but utter a Song of praise to God for their plagues amongst men; BABYLON is fall'n, is, fallen; How art thou fallen, Lucifer, Sun of the morning? This, this will be the song of Saints (Honoured Sir) so long as the Sun hath a course to give, or England an Age to live. I will not stand to run the parallel, I humbly crave that to be the fruit of your Meditations. It is now vacation with you there, though it be term time with us here: Indeed, Sir, they are most happy that have least to do with a deceitful world, that are most vacant from the businesses of an uncertain Age, unless they have their eyes the better, and are of a more quick sight, to see their work before them. But now Sir, who ever malign that the COMMONWEALTH OF ENGLAND begins to be Illustrious, surely no English heart, no Reubenites should do it; yet there are great thoughts of heart for the divisions of Reuben; for the discontents of Reuben, the contradictions & murmurings of this friendly Tribe; It is not Ireland's Rabsheka, but it is England's Joseph that is honoured; He is not an English man, but an Irish man, that hates the young LAD. believe it Sir, (or suppose it possible) The wild Irish, the savage Orcades will go near to turn Round in half an Age, will engage to submit to the Commonwealth of England, if our Joseph will protect them; And what a base dishonour will it be to our English Cavalry; (and to some of the division of Reuben too, it will be no credit: That they will be younger brothers to Pagans and Papists, and to the moors, and to the worshippers of Mahomet, in their duty of submitting to England's Joseph; will it not be a blushing shame to such as are not quite brased against it, to think that the barbarous Irish should be sooner disarmed of their bloodthirstiness, than our wretched Cavalry can be brought in by kindness and freedom: O how soon will the succeeding Age that is already treading upon the heels of this, befool, and (pittyingly) behest the pride, and ignorance and wretchedness, and stubbornness of this present Generation. I said indeed there were some that could already frame themselves to say, My Lord Joseph; but it is as sure that many of these (I would I had not cause to suspect them all) I say most of the s●, do but pour out their old malignity into new bottles, have, and will act against young Rubenites upon old principles of hatred and revenge, because Reuben delivered Joseph at the pit. I do very well know the men that now lie in the pit upon that very account. But Sir, my purpose is to mind you that what ever their hopes may be, they do sumbmit in point of Act unto Joseph, they dare not for their lives take up Arms again, unless they be men of base and broken fortunes, and are desperate, because Joseph is a Prince, a Potentate: He is the Commonwealth of England. And because the LORD OF HOSTS hath made him a Father to Pharaoh, not to Pharaoh mystical, Joseph will be a ruin to his kingdom, but Pharaob natural, to black and swarthy complexioned people; I am persuaded our Joseph will soon enlighten and interpret their Dreams, that those dark people in the darker places of the world, may not for ever perish in the years of death and darkness, for want of Interpreters, for want of such an Interpreter as Joseph will be; When Magicians are silent, Joseph will such an Interpreter as Joseph will be; When Magicians are silent, Joseph will speak truth and prophecy. He will be an Enemy to no Nation. He will be a friendly Neighbour to the (late oppressed, now the) High and Mighty States of the Low Countries, and Lords of the united Provinces. He will be an Enemy to none, but to the lowest Country of all, the Principality of blackness and darkness for ever. Joseph will be a scourge to all the Loousts that come out of that bottomless pit: The legates alatere of that infernal Hierarchy; these darken the Christian world; Their general Vicar, the Pope. The FLYING FIERY SERPENT Copp, and that wretched Ly-monger the Man in the Moon; These be the Pests of the Commonwealth of England; these came in the smoke, Rev. 9 2. Joseph will be a Friend to Enemies, much more a Friend to Friends, now that he hath power; but than Friends must be Friends, and sign the engagement; and Enemies must give a pledge too, that they are not spies while Joseph doth nourish them; Judah must take the engagement, as well as Reuben, and Simeon too, as well as Judah, and confess their trespass too (such as are faulty) before they can be trusted in a place where there is such variety of good food, and abundance of great treasure. Israel's Joseph would nourish no Spies, no more will England's Joseph, if an engagement can tie them from Treachery. I do see there is one provided, that must either bow them or break them; will either mend them, or end them. But now Sir, There are great thoughts of heart, for, and in the divisions of Reuben; Deborah and Baraak, are pensive at this sad conceit, in that stately Song of their Triumph: It is now Reubens' case to be put in ward, by the command of that Joseph, whose life he was a means to preserve at the first onset of England's Cavalry. I do wish much tenderness of heart may be showed to those that are of tender consciences, that are not yet assured of Joseph's safety; if they be of Reubens' division, and not Simeonites. And will Joseph require his friends thus? It were no pity to see Simeon and Levi tied neck and heels together, and to put Judah in a fright; but for Reuben to be clapped up in ward, and for him to be ranked with rank Malignants, seems strange. Malignants rejoice at that, and Reubenites mourn for that, and all be divided, and offended at that; yet Sir, you see, Providence will have it so; I pray submit to it. Sir, I would the consideration hereof, might serve for a helmet, and a breastplate both, to keep you entire, and unwounded in those two principles of life, the head and the heart; believe it Sir, Saints themselves are shot in the mouth, and do speak boldly, and I fear bloodily. I have sent you therefore a larger piece of Joseph's party coloured Coat, & have used the more expressions that it might be unto you as so many quiltings to make you shot-free, and to keep you from the Malignity of these revolting times. That though (it seems) you have fainted somewhat in the conflict, yet you may not utterly fall in the Exit. And will Simeon take the engagement, and not Reuben? will Reuben tear his hair? what will he do it now? now that Joseph is safe? He might have done it at the Pit, but will he take on like a mad man at the Court? It had been a suitable deportment for wretched Simeon and Levi so to do; for Cop, the Pope, and the Man in the Moon so to do; but men wonder to see Reubenites divided about the matter of Joseph's glory. O how do wicked men hiss? How do most Taverns and alehouses, and how do all Stews and Brothel-houses, laugh and dance at this evil report? I could herein exceed, but in my exceeding, I should fall abundantly short of what you, and all the world, know to be, but too true. I believe you would give me leave to conclude, but shall I be bold to come nearer to you? would you know the mystery? It is this, God is gone by you (and others too of Reuben's division) unseen, and hath taken Joseph along with him in all the haste: There hath been much snatching amongst us, in the Parliament, in the Army, in the City, Country. This hath made great noise everywhere. And shall not the wisdom, and Power of God have one snatch amongst us. He will have something as well as we, He hath catched what he could get, and was worth the taking, and this he hath done without much noise, wisdom is deep, the more Divine, the more deep; man's wisdom is shallow, and from hence proceed the great stirs, and the clutter that is amongst us. Sir, Joseph was taken from you, and from your counsels in the night, and went in ways untrodden with a good guide. Quick sighted men could no more see him in his march to Pharaoh's Court then blind men. Hence all our discontents, fears, despairs. Hence it is, that Joseph's good friends that was kind to him on his bed of sickness, do now draw the curtains upon him as if he were dead Religion, and laws and all good order, Learning, Trading (all) utterly defunct, friends, and enemies too agree together about this. It is so, it must needs be so, Joseph is not, Jacob is bereaved, some evil beast hath eaten up the child. This was old Israel's fear, though his internal eyes were very good, and by the help of a prophetical prospective could see so many Generations after him, yet he could not tell what was become of his son. he was so subtly, and secretly conveyed away to Court that neither he, nor Reuben, not little Benjamin could tell, or believe any other but that he was dead. No hold, but the old man and Reuben would go after him, one to the pit, the other to the grave, and there will never want malignant Tribes to settle the conceit of Jesephs' death fast upon Israelites and Reubenites, for say the old ones, see his Coat if it be not so, a bloody, torn, party coloured coat, look on it. The New Tribes are, as if they were spit out of the old one's mouths. O what a bloody, particoloured Coat, do they hold forth, and show to the world. The wild beasts did do it, but who were those wild beasts? They poor harmel●sse creatures, did not tear nor besmear the coat with blood, no not they. See thy son's Coat, it should seem Joseph was Jacobs' son, but not their brother, I pray note how wicked men will shift off their sins with their relation to Joseph. The coat was Joseph's (Thy son's Coat) the particoloured coat was Joseph's, the bloody coat was Joseph's. Joseph was Jacobs' son, but now he shall be none of their brother, they had made a match, and were sworre brothers to the wild beasts; they could not then be Joseph's brethren too until the ward and some fears and frights, had purged them of some gross malignity. O how impudently do the ill affected Tribes of this age shift off their GREAT trespass from themselves, what blood they pour upon Joseph's coat? How boldly do they hold it forth and tell it? how shamelessly do they object the parti-colouredness of it, and the sad hap thereof to Jacob and Joseph: The Parliament and the commonwealth of England. Crnelty, and Injustice, and errors and irreligion, and Blasphemy and profaneness, and Divisions, and sects, (all that is bad) that is theirs See thy son's coat. Sir, Snatchings you know are the sudden catching away of things unexpectedly. Men think themselves wronged when they be thus dealt with. Such a snatcher is Providence, only it can always justify what it doth in that kind, which we can do but seldom. We are offended that things are thus snatched away from us. Sir, In these sad Conflicts amongst Reubenites, I find and have observed a threefold Provision made by the wisdom of God. First for itself, next for Joseph, then for the friends of Joseph. 1 For itself, The wisdom of God will provide that Instruments shall have their due (Truth and justice call for it) but men must wait the days of payment. Neither Men, nor angels, nor devils shall take away that which is God's, namely his Honour and Reputation in the world, That's one Provision. If Reuben had been the only instrument to deliver back young Joseph to old Jacob, O what a man Reuben had been! How Great for Courage? how wise for counsel? That hand which is most seen, carries away all the Honour. Saul hath slain his Thousands, and David his Ten thousands, but (it should seem) God stood by and did nothing. O what Gallant men had Brown, and Waller, and Essex and others been cried up to be, if they had done all the work? what had they done at Abbington! what at Newbury! what at Winchester! what at Gloucester! what in the West! What great feats they had done everywhere, this had been the talk, Sir, (Whither you will or no,) people will argue thus. And man's way of reasoning is very destructive to the Glory and ways of God. If Instruments stand in the people's light so that they cannot behold his exceeding great Glory, let the men be never so precious, they shall be laid aside for a time. God himself will bury Moses with his own hand, rather than the people shall set the man up in his place. Moses was honoured with the conduct of God's people through the red sea, as far as the wilderness, and there he is put out of Commission, and shall go no further. Joshua shall be their captain general in their March to Canaan. You yourself and other worthy Commanders were honoured to go before English Israel from Egypt, through a red sea, as far as the wilderness, and are you offended that the wisdom of God hath taken away your Commission, and buried your honour for a little time? Sir, It was come to this pass, that your Honour must be buried or Gods, your Wise doom or his, your Treaties or his counsels? and would you have his fall and yours stand? his go down, and yours go up. Downs with that spirit I pray you, or else it will sink you as low as any place God hath to put you in. Are you Angry that he makes no further use of you, when all men know you have been so? and so? so for Courage, and so for trust, &c. Why, that's the reason that Providence takes you off, It is policy to take men off when they begin to be so popular. When meant are great, God is little. London is populous, and popularity is a great temptation to by ass men; it is infinitely against the height of his spirit to overcome a world by a world, or by many in the world. God is upon a design that people will not believe. With 2 or 3 he will turn the world upside-down. he hath done so, and he will do so. That's the first Provision. And then, next, Provision must be made for Joseph too; Our of Egypt have I called my Son; The Truth of God is engaged to bring Joseph out of Egypt, He shall not for ever dwell among Egyptians, Joseph shall be advanced to a Commonwealth; Sineon shall not kill him; Judah shall not sell him, God will seize upon his goods where ever he find them; and it shall go freely from him again, for the nourishment, and preservation of Israelites; and for Interpretation to the Egyptians too. And now Sir, to come as near as I am able unto you, can it be, do you think, that the good Providence should make no provision for the friends of Joseph? What? not for Reuben? not for friendly Reuben? not for the Elder brother? not for the best brother? what, not for valiant Reuben, that withstood nine, for the cause of Joseph? Yes, Sir, care is taken for Reuben, by crossing Reuben; and there is made for him too, a gracious provision of good, by a careful prevision of evil; Sir, it is a work of Providence, admire it, and stoop to it. Ah Reuben, (England's true hearted Reuben) It is well for thee, and for all of thy division, that the Treaty at the Pit took not! It was well that Joseph was taken out, though to thy discontent. dear Reuben, It would have grieved thee to have found thy brother's carcase in the Pit, and they self thrown there to bear him company for a Round-head; Were not thy brothers in Commission of Array against Joseph? and against all the friends of Joseph? Sir, Treaties near a Pit, (where men be divided, and do mistake one another, as in a place of darkness) are dangerous, especially such Treaties as are managed with such disadvantages; of nine against one, of nine against one, did I say? of ninety against one, I dare say, if you take in all the Confederacy, and such as wish well to our ill. Treaties of cunning men against well minded men; of united men in evil, against divided men, about that which is good; of bloody men against peaceable men: Reuben, Reuben, I tell thee again, I do love thy pity, but I did fear the Pit. Sir, I am more than only persuaded, that by this time, you, and we too, had known sorrow, if those Counsels had took. Your wit had gratified our Enemies, more than their courage could ever have done; yet this I know too, men are observed to be Mutineers against present Providence always, either it is too hot, or too cold; either too wet, or too dry for them; but I hope you will prove a better student of Providence, and that you will submit unto it, and that you will engage for it, against such as will make but little distinction (Less than men will imagine) between Presbyterians and Independents, and against such as have already resolved how to level all our new Names, into one heap of Rubbish. To conclude, Sir, It is against such as, you may be confident, will come with such a powder of wrath against your persons, and of hunger to your estates: (for can they ever forget how much you beat them, and how Penny your marshal used them;) that they will give no other but the same quarter to the City of London, as that merciless Powder did unto those Families near the Tower of London. Sir, they will easily take (or else take the pains to dig out) your Treasure, I speak to more than to yourself, and will kindly help you to make good (for themselves) so much of that known Proverb; Lincoln was, London (yet) is, and Montrosse shall be, &c. I cannot part with so many friends without one word more of remembrance, because my design is to awake sleepers. O London, London! How many sighs have you made? how many groans have you uttered? how many precious tears have ye shed? That the keeper of Israel, would keep you? and your God with you? and your Religion with you? and your Liberties with you? and your Wives with you? and your Children with you? and your Friends with you? and the Glory of England's Joseph with you? And now that he casts a good eye upon you, now that he hath told you of so many Treasons to prevent them; Of so many designs to blast them; Of so many Combinations and devices to scatter them, them that would soon have scattered you; Are you offended at this Providence? do you repine at this Provision? Will the Irish, or the uncertain Scots, or the Orcades, or France, or Spain, or Barbary; Will any of these do you think, give you content, if a wise God cannot do it? I pray, Sirs, think and bethink yourselves, and walk about the City, the Island, tell the towers,: mark well her Bulwarks: And in your rounds, peep under the foundations, search the Vaults, not with dark Lantherns; Guide Faux and traitors did so, they do, and have done so, that would blow you up: Londoners! Englishmen! Take the benefit of the Sun by day, and of a Torch by night. Pray be not so unkind as to send up such annoying, such choakingsmoake, to offend the pure and clear eye that England and London seem to have monopolised to itself for the safety of both, and for the preservation of all that any of us do enjoy. Video, Rideo, do ye understand and remember the old Powder Treason; it was the very Mother of this; that was the Mother, and this the Daughter. Sir, it is a Child begotten of the same Black Father, a child begotten after his own likeness, as black and dark as himself, Oh how many barrels of powder, be laid! and how many Billets, and logs, and great bars of Iron too, be laid over those barrels! Those unhappy ones in Towerstreet, were but as a boy's Squib in comparison of these Vanlts and Barrels, yet how many sweet families were blown up by that Squib? and those barrels? and that improvidence? I do melt into a brine of saltish tears at the very writing of it, but you will melt into tears of red blood at the feeling of it, if better provision be not made for you by your Guardians, and by him that guides your Guardians. Those barrels were laid, (whither in a Seller or Shop, or Warehouse, I know not) under some weak timber-houses in a street of London, these are laid under the very foundations of the strong Tower of London, the City of London, the Towns and Cities of England, and the very weal of all the Commons of England. Here all enslaved-Nations do contribute to give a sound blon indeed, The work will be the more easy if many hands be put to it. Believe it (honoured sir) the Pope hath barrels, and billets, and faggots, and Oneale hath barrels, and the Scots have barrels, & the Danes have barrels, and they say some Londoners have barrels too, I fear if you help them not with powder, yet you put fire enough at the Touch hole: but shall these blow up England? No I trust, nor yet London neither. Better provision is made for both. I hope Providence will snatch London from those barrels or those barrels from London, and take away the knife lest the child hurt himself, and prove a grief to Father and Mother: dear Londoners, engage against all powder plots, your Solitary Ben: doth give you an Alarum; And it is an Alarum of Love to London. Not to fire their Buildings, BUT, To quench their Burnings. FINIS.