PROVERBS and PARADOXES Breaking forth in the day of Contention between the Parliament and Army, to prevent the dividing of the Army, and the Apparent Deluge of blood, so long endeavoured, and now brought to pass by the Jesuit and King's Party, using the Presbyterian and Parliament men, as the Monkey the Cat's Paw, but hath lingered in the Birth by needless Importunities, stepping into the Press before them. PROV. 28.2. For the Transgression of a Land many are the Princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the State shall be prolonged. I. NOt Governors but Government is the delight or grievance of a Nation. Government. II. It is not a King, It is not a Parliament, It is not an Army that makes a Nation happy, if the Government be bad. III. Government is a Systeme, or Body of Laws, Statutes and Judgements, containing the duties both of Governors and Governed. iv Good Government makes good Governors, and rejoiceth the Governed: Pro. 18.3. Pro. 28.4.12.15.28. Pro. 29.2. but bad Government maketh bad Governors, and the Governed mourn, V. Good Government is unchangeable, but bad Government, safety no longer than the Power of the Sword. VI Good Government is only from God, but bad Government is only from men. VII. Governments invented by men, tend always to their own Interest. VIII. When Governments depend on Governors, they last but a shore time of Life: the first part deducted for Incapacity, and the latter part oftentimes cut off for disability, or Infidelity. IX. When Government depends on Governors, they change with every Person, and every Passion. New Lords, new Laws. X. Government is more than Governors, as the whole is more than a part; when therefore Governors will be greater than Government, Mat. 24 24. it swells them up into a bubble, and they break. Gnatts' cannot swallow Camels. XI. When Governors will be greater than Government, they straighten Government, and squeeze the People, to the capacity and bondage of their Lust. XII. Such Government disquiets every ambitious Spirit, to contrive how he may get next into the Saddle, and his friends are Parasites of the same mould, with their Attendants, fraud and cruelty. XIII. Governors and governed might make up a Government, as parts make up a whole. But because Governors and governed can never meet together in one, nor agree together if met; therefore it is impossible for men to make a complete Government, although when all is done, it were but humane, if God be left out, and far below the Government of God. XIV. The framing of a Government is called a Law-giving or Legislative power, but that (if good) is not in man. Legislative Power. Luc. 18.19. XV. He that wakes Laws for men must be above man. And he that will make them perfect, must himself be without imperfection. XVI. A man cannot make a Law more perfect than himself. Nor impartial, because he is a Party governing or governed. XVII. The Laws of Medes and Persians, and all the Governments of Arbens, Rome, and Venice, etc. were and are imperfect; some profane, some superstitious; Ours, All. XVIII. The man above man, Christ Jesus is our one Lawgiver, Ja. 4.12. who is able to save and to destroy. XIX. He is our King, he is our Law giver, he is our Judge, If. 33.22. he will save us. XX. They that will vie for Legislative power, must necessarily rival Jesus Christ. XXI. They that will rival Jesus Christ, can only do it in this life. XXII. The Legislative power of Jesus Christ is only in this life, Heb. 9.27. 2 Cor. 5.10. Rev. 20.12. Mat. 16.27. 1 Cor. 15.28. for after death cometh Judgement, that every one may receive the things done in his body, to be judged out of those things which are written in the Books, according to their works. And afterwards shall the Son himself be subject to the Father, that God may be All in All. XXIII. They that will Rival Jesus Christ, or his Legislative power, must necessarily find fault with Gods Law. XXIV. They that find fault ought to amend, and they that think to amend God's Law, make themselves wiser then God. XXV. They that think themselves wiser than God, Prov. 26.12. are but so in their own conceit, and there is more hope of a Fool, for the foolishness of God is wiser than men. 1 Cor. 1.25. XXVI. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, Job 28.28. Prov. 1.7. Psal. 119.98, 99; 100 his Commandments make us wiser than our enemies, and give us more understanding, than our Teachers. The keeping of his Precepts make us understand more than the Ancient. XXVII. When men acknowledge God, than they are godly, no man doth acknowledge God that doth not obey his Law. 1 Jo. 2.3. XXVIII. His Law is perfect, LAW. Psal. 19.7, 8, 9 his Statutes are right, his Judgements are true and righteous altogether. So that none may a Dent. 4 2.12.32. Prov. 30.6. Rev. 22.18, 19 add nor diminish. Nor b Jos. 1.7. Deut. 5.32.17.20.28.14. turn to the right hand, nor to the left. Nor have any c Exod. 12.19, 49. Leu. 24.22. Numb. 15.16. Exod. 20.10.23.9.12. Leu. 16.29.17.12, 15, 18.26.19.10, 34.23.22.24.16.25.6.35.47, 48. Numb. 9.14.15.14, 15, 16, 26, 29, 30.19.10.35.15. Deut. 1.16.5.14.10.8, 19.14.21.17.15.23.7, 20.26.21. Deut. 29.11.31.12. Jos. 8.33.20.9. other Law for the stranger, then for the home-born. XXIX. The Law is a Royal Law, Ja. 2.8. Rom. 7.12, 14 Ja. 1.25. Ja. 2.10, 11. Spiritual, Holy, Just and Good. A perfect Law of Liberty, so perfect, that whosoever shall keep the whole Law, and yet offend in one Point is guilty of all, and the reason is, because that he that commanded one commanded all. XXX. Man cannot possibly invent another Law, save only in disobedience, and opposition of the Law of God. XXXI, God himself keeps his own Law, and with all his Saints and Angels will keep them for ever in the Heavens. XXXII. By keeping this Law, the People of Israel were a peculiar Treasure unto God above all People, Exod. 19.5, 6. Deut. 1.10. and were to be a Kingdom of Priests, and an holy Nation, and were multiplied as the Stars of Heaven, 1 King. 4.20. and as the Sand which is by the Sea for multitude, and were eating and drinking and making merry, 25. and they dwelled safely, every man under his Vine, and under his Figtree, and Silver was as the Stones in Jerusalem, 1 Chron. 10.21.27. it was nothing accounted of. XXXIII. The People prospered always, and fared well, 1 King. 4. Jos. 24.31.2.7. 2 King. 17.1. Chap. 23.24. Jos. 2.11, 12, 13, 14, 15. keeping this Law, both in the time of Kings, and in the time of Judges; but they fared ill when they forsook it, both in the time of Kings, and in the time of Judges. XXXIV. The united Provinces, living under the shadow of this Law, are multiplied exceedingly, and are eating and drinking and making merry, with great plenty of Gold, Silver, and all other abundance, prospering in all their Labours, and far better than all the Kingdoms, and Commonwealths in the whole World, if then we will envy them, and far better than they, let us live up closer to these Laws of God than they, and we shall prosper more than they. XXXV. The basis of Tyrant's Laws, are Lust and Selfwill. The basis of Laws by Parliament are Yeaes and Nays. XXXVI. In what a tottering condition is that Nation, whose Being and wellbeing depends upon the Ebb and Flow of YEA's and NAYS. XXXVII. Though men have not Legislative Power, Council. yet Council and Wisdom is necessary to the Order and Execution of good Government. XXXVIII. The wisdom of a Nation is in choosing a godly Council, and the safety in a multitude of Counsellors: Pro. 11.14, 15, 22, 24, 26. where every man's Reason (like a public Treasure) contributes to safety, so they be not executors of their own Counsels. XXXIX. The strength of a Nation is in multitude of People, Pro. and the wealth of a Nation in frequent Trade and Traffic. XL. One chief Council or Authority must be over all, for Appeals and Difficulties. XLI. As it is presumption in the chiefest Councils to Rival the Lord Jesus Christ in his Legistative Power: so it is below them to descend to less than appeals or the most difficult Case. XLII. When Supreme Councils are but representatives of the People, it obligeth them to obey whom they represent, and be to them accountable (which would be thought a soloecism) but if they judge for God, Deut 1.17. Deut. 17.19. they represent God, and aught to obey him, and be accountable to him. XLIII. When Supreme Authority, Council, and Governors, do not represent God, in judging for God, their highest title can be but to represent the people, though that be but a fallacy. For the people are never consulted with, nor scarce suffered to petition. But the shadow will be more considerable than the substance. The Representative will act both parts, disposing of Estates, Lives and Liberties of the Represented and their Posterities at pleasure. XLIV. A wise Counsel establish the People. But a foolish Counsel establish themselves. XLV. Whether the Supreme Council or Authority be few or many, or whether Appeals be to many or few, is not worth the dispute, much less one drop of blood, so a true Government be settled. For then an Eldership of seventy, or a Kingship of Solomon do alike make the people happy. Then the great dispute o● Monarchy, Aristocracy, Democracie, Olygarehy, Polygarchie, Anarchy, (which affrightens the common people like an exorcism) do all fall to the ground as groundless disputes. Though all the quarrel hitherto hath been, not What Government, but Who shall govern? XLVI. If the Supreme Authority be wicked, it is better have one Tyrant then many. If it be good, 1 Cor. 12. 2●. it is better have many helps then few, like two strings to a Bow. XLVII. The Election of Governors, Election. is given by God unto the people to have a share in. XLVIII. The excellency of Venice, Deut. 1.13.16.18.17.15. Act. 6.3. and other places, is but the wisdom and order of election. XLIX. As many are best for Counsel, so few for Order. Order. L. Want of order breeds confusion; 1 Cor. 14.33. but God is the God of order. LI. It is a breach of Order to begin a second business, before the first be finished. And to grasp at all, perfecteth nothing. For all cover, all lose. LII. Where there is concord and unity in council, there is strength and honour. But where there is discord, there enters contention and ruin. Mat. 12.25. For a house divided cannot stand. Concordiâ parvae res crescunt, disc●rdiâ maxi●●● dilabuntur. LIII. Only through pride comes contention. Pro. 13.10.28.25.25.4. But take away the wicked from the Council, and Government shall be established. LIV. Whether Governors in Authority be few or many, Governors. they are but a part of Government. LV. Every man naturally affecteth Government, and would be alone, or (at least) upper most. LVI. Every man by nature will be flattered and adored. LVII. Every man's way is right in his own eyes. Pro. 21.2. Pro. 12.15.14.12.26.25. LVIII. Till men can submit to Government, they are not fit to be Governors. LIX. Such as the Governors are, such are the People, whether it be to Wisdom or Folly, Pro. 19.12. Virtue or Vice, Regis ad exemplum. LX. Ambitious Governors destroy the People, and covetous make them miserable. We have had both. LXI. Unlimited Governors are like Lions let lose into the Wilderness of their own Passions, Pro. 28.15, 16. where Lust (like hunger) minding them of their prey, they seize on all that is next them. LXII. Governors who are supreme above men, have none above them but God. If therefore they have not the Word of God to limit them, they grow boundless. LXIII. Where Kings are Governors, 1 Sam. 8. 1 Pet. 2.13. Deut. 17.14, 20 they are supreme, yet they are limited by the Word of God. And the people are limited who desire them. LXIV. When Kings forsook the Laws of God they became Tyrants, Pro. 28.16. 1 Chro. 11.14. and God stirred up enemies against them, sometimes strangers, sometimes their own people, sometimes private men: For when Governors alter their Properties, they are no more Governors; no more than when a wise man becomes a fool or Madman, can be any longer a wise man. LXV. Whosoever destroyed a Tyrant, was himself rewarded with their Crown, or might have been so rewarded. LXVI. Places make not men, but men make Places. Place. LXVII. Places make not men wise, nor honest, but discover what they are, Magistratus Ostendit Virum, non facit. LXVIII. Men may be as wise and honest out of Council as in Council, out of Parliament as in Parliament. LXIX. A Fool in a wise man's place, a private Spirit in a public, Eccl. 10.6, 7, 17 Is. 1.23. Servants on Horseback and Princes on Foot, and Princes to be companions of Thiefs, loving Gifts, and following after rewards, makes a lean and deformed Commonwealth. LXX. Nevertheless, 1 Cor. 6.4. the least esteemed Christian is sufficient for a Judge, and the simplest meaning man for a witness: since no man ought to witness or judge beyond what he sees or hears, Deut. 1.17. Leu. 19.15. unless it be in discerning of a false witness. LXXI. Governors are not Governors without a Sword, Sword. Rom. 13.4. nor ought they to wear it in vain, but to punish evil doers. LXXII. Against the Righteous man there ought to be no Sword, for the Law itself is not made for a Righteous man. 1 Tim. 1.9. LXXIII. Every Sword is a Sword of Justice or Injustice, whereof the first is only of God. LXXIV. The ordinary Sword is for the Magistrate in time of Peace, the extraordinary for the Sold●er in time of Warr. LXXV. The abuse or neglect of the Sword of Peace draws forth the Sword of War, Eccl. 8.11. for because Sentence against an evil work is not speedily executed, therefore the heart of the Sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. LXXVI. When offenders are greater and stronger than Magistrates, and do resist them, than an Army performs the work of a Magistrate, LXXVII. When the War is ended, the Sword ought to be put up in a peaceful Scabbard. LXXVIII. An Army in time of Peace is a badge of slavery, which in time of war and danger is a means of deliverance and safety. LXXIX. Nevertheless, when soldiers have done their work, they ought to be paid and cherished. LXXX. When soldiers have purchased Freedom and Peace to a Nation, they ought not to be debarred of it themselves. Nor ought to be disbanded till they are made capable of the same Peace and Freedom they have procured to others. LXXXI. Soldiers, Exod. 18.21. Deut. 1.15. who are Magistrates in time of War, may more easily be Magistrates in time of Peace. And as the Magistrates Sword neglected made the Soldiers, so the Soldiers Sword improved makes a Magistrate. LXXXII. The wisdom and conduct of War is in the Officers, the strength and execution in the private Soldier. LXXXIII. There is as much reason or more to pay the private Soldier, as the Officer, by how much his labour, danger, and want is greater. LXXXIV. There is as sufficient subsistence for private Soldiers in time of Peace as in time of War, and as all men far better in time of Peace than War, so ought the private Soldier. LXXXV. Sudden disbandings renew a War, or fill the high ways with violence. LXXXVI. Warr is not ended till a Peace be settled, nor peace settled but by a true Government. LXXXVII. There can be no true Government by the enemies of Truth and Government. LXXXVIII. England hath many enemies, many such enemies both powerful and dangerous. LXXXIX. The dangerous enemies are at home, the powerful are abroad. XC. The enemies abroad lose their power, if we subdue or convert our enemies at home. XCI. The enemies at home will never cease so long as the contention is about who shall Govern. XCII. If the Army are our Governors, they can reform no more than the Parliament, till they have a better Rule than the Parliament to reform by. XCIII. There can be no better Rule than the Rule in the Word of God. XCIV. God is able to overturn Armies as well as Kings, Parliaments, and Protectors. XCV. God will overturn Armies if they set up themselves in the place of his Son Jesus Christ. XCVI. If the Army do own the Legislative power of Jesus Christ, the Lord Jesus Christ will own them and establish them; 2 Chro. 20.20. Is. 7.9. but if they believe not they shall not be established. For those that honour me I will honour, saith the Lord, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. 1 Sam. 2.30. XCVII. If the Army Proclaim the Laws of God, what man dares fight against the Laws of God, though the Jesuit and Lawyer together should encourage them? for their own conscience would sight against them. Rom. 2.14. XCVIII. If the Army Proclaim not the Laws of God, though they had the Ghost of Lycurgus, Numa Pompilius, and Mahomet to boot, and should pen their Laws from the Tongue of men and Angels, they should neither satisfy the conscience of their Friends, nor deter the courage of their enemies. Gal. 1.8, 9 XCIX. What party soever (though a King's party thus low, though a Parliaments party thus broken, though an Army party divided) shall first Proclaim the Laws of God, with any probability of settling them, though they dissemble, yet shall they prevail, by how much the very title of the quarrel is far more high and honourable than all other titles whatsoever, and the burden of men's Laws so great? How much more if they mean in earnest. C. The very title of the Laws of God will unite all parties, but the wicked and profane: and who would willingly hazard his Soul with the wicked and profane? CI. The wicked and profane (both unwise) will never set up the Laws of God, Deut. 16.18. though the wicked and profane dare never openly contradict them. CII. The setting up of the Laws of God will settle Judges, Recorders, in every City or Town Corporate, whereby the Town and Cities will be obliged, not only in conscience, but in gratitude and sense of their own benefit, to adhere to those that shall first proclaim Gods Laws. CIII. The setting up of Judges and Recorders accordingly, will save above two or three millions to the people yearly, beside Vexations and Troubles. CIV. The setting up the Laws of God, will settle all men in a peaceful Possession of their own, whether it be Houses, Land, or any other Possession. CV. The setting up the Laws of God, will take away the strife of Titles and false witness. Rewarding evil doers with the evil they meant to have done. Deut. 16.19. CVI The setting up and proclaiming the Laws of God, need no other Council then alone to proclaim them, being already penned by the Finger and Penman of God. CVII. The Curses of the Law of God, Deut. 28. are provided for all those that oppose the Laws of God: And the blessings for all those that love and obey them. Add this after Proverb LX. Supreme Officers ought to be changeable, Mat. 7.12. Lue. 6.13. that they may equally share in obedience as well as command, and not forget to do as they would be done by. Psal. 68.1. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered. FINIS.