ENGLAND'S APOLOGY, for Its late CHANGE: OR, A SOBER PERSUASIVE, Of all Disaffected or Dissenting persons, to a Seasonable ENGAGEMENT, for the Settlement of this COMMONWEALTH.  
Drawn from  

The Workings of Providence.  
The State of Affaires.  
The danger of Division.   
LONDON, Printed by Matthew Simmons, and are to be sold in Aldersgate-street. 1651.   

Impartial Reader  
I Intent not to make a Preface that may swallow up this short Treatise; Epistles are commonly but the clogs, and burdens of Books, and express little more than the Title page. Others have spoke enough to the argumentative part of our Affairs, and have proved by reason what God hath acted by providence; this discourse is rather directed to the consciences, than the fancies of men, and may serve as a serious memorial of what God hath done for us, and an aviso to men in their rash, and bitter censures, that this state and change, which though it be new, that it may not seem strange, God hath ushered it in with the greatest ceremonies of providence, and put extraordinary characters of his presence and glory in it. I have no more to trouble thee with, but the reading of it, which yet may be profitable, if not persuasive, which is the end of the discourse.   

ENGLAND'S APOLOGY FOR ITS LATE CHANGE.  
THough it is not probably to be expected that any argument or reason should be forcible to persuade the hearts of men, when so many wonderful providences, and glorious appearances of God have made no impression, or that words should prevail, where things are undervalved. Yet because every Christian ought to endeavour to make his own heart, and others sensible of public miseries or mercies, and seeing the intent of this discourse is to unite, not divide, and that it is high time to leave off quarrelling with persons, and actions, it is possible this paranetick may not be in vain, if either the miseries of a civil war (which hath almost ruined this Nation) or the horror of dead carcases lying always in our way; if the cry of blood, which hath been poured out, not from one, but every vein of this Nation; if the desolations of Towns, and Cities, the mournings of widows, and Orphans in every corner, the mischief of factions, and divisions in our own families; if lastly, the effectual workings of the very finger of the Almighty, if all or any of these were fit to work on our affections, to thirst after a settlement of this State, and to persuade m●n to acquiesce in what God hath done for this Nation, and to comply with the Parliament in securing this Commonwealth, we needed no paper-exhortation, and this might well have been spared. But it's to be feared, and lamented, that God's works among us, as his Word hath had different, and sometimes contrary effect, some are hardened under the dispensations, others softened, and that most of this Nation are under a judicial blindness, and stupidity, which will hardly be remedied, but by the ruin of this generation, who have so highly provoked God, in opposing his great designs in the latter days; for though God hath walked up and down in garments of blood for this almost ten years, and hath not spared the flesh of Princes, and great men, and hath showed himself directly against that royal party which at first began these miserable wars, and shown forth most eminently his indignation against that person, and family, with all that have adhered to them, yet (which is most sad) not only are their hearts hardened, and their necks stiff against the Lords work, but in any who acted at first with vigour and vehemency against that party, have turned their faces, and have been of late the most dangerous opposers of this Parliament and Army, and are become the hopes of the common enemy, yea many lost in prejudices, and discontent, have wholly espoused others, are courting that interest, as if they would unravel all these lines of providence, whereby we have been blessedly led into a Commonwealth; And like the children of Israel would rath●t turn back to eat Garlic and Onions, under Pharoahs' bondage, then be led by providence under the conduct of Moses, though to Canaan.  
It is from these secret quarrels and murmur, and disaffections (among godly men) (which have though they had their first rise from private animosities,) yet they have been form, and aggravated by close, and subtle enemies) from these are the foundations of our ruin, and of our enemy's designs, and hopes, who (while we are discontented among ourselves, for trifles) are preparing engines to cut us off both at once, many essays have been used to that end, which had not God from heaven disappointed, had taken effect ere this, and occasioned the sad repentance of the mistaken actors.  
And doubtless, among all the hardships this Parliament and Army hath gone through, either in opposing the common enemy, or working out their own distempers, they have met with nothing more sad, and dangerous, than the slight, and disrespects of these, who were once, and should be still friends; who have but one, and the same common enemy still, how ever we may subdivide into several parties, rather by the delusion of names, than reality of differense.  
But it's better to bewail these distempers with our tears, then express them; my intent is not to open our wounds, but to cast in some Balm to heal them; we have too long been petting, and objecting, while God hath been acting, and doing us good, without our observance, or notice; the great design of this paper is but to mind us what God hath done for us, to press all honest hearts to an improvement of our mercies, with sense of the worth of them; And to persuade honest, and enquiring men to a compliance in time with this Commonwealth, lest they come to unite with the common enemy, who is yet acting in both Nations, in one more visibly, to ruin us by our divisions.  
It's worthy consideration what we have been doing all this while, and why we are disquieted with the present State, seeing these things have been brought forth among us, which have not been the events of long contrived plots, but of special administrations of God's wisdom, and respect to this Nation, and merely acted by God, beyond the policy, and engagements of the wisest men; yea the whole series of workings in these affairs hath been demonstrative, that it was not of men, nor of their wills, but of Gods. And how ever particular observances may judge of things, yet if the whole be viewed, and the harmony of every part in this great work, all dissenters must needs have their consciences under conviction, while their interests are unsatisfied.  
Let us take a short account only, for to help our memories of our first principles, and Gods actings, to improve them, and we shall see that few of us have eyed what we first undertook, or what God hath (beyond our thoughts) done for us.  
Our first principle we acted from, and from which we stated our Cause (from which we had then no dissenters but Malignants) was to bring Delinquents to condign punishment, (who had abused this State by the Royal Consent, and Authority) and to oppose the tyranny of the King, and flattery of the Countiers. A principle large enough to work on, and to take in by consequences of affairs the utmost improvement; upon this ground all the Parliamentary party acted together, (not being able to see, or hope for any thing more than a reformation) (and that of the grossness of actings) and so firm were we in this, that we never changed our thoughts, until the delays in war; and the influences of the Court, together with wearied, and neutral friends, and the thoughts of places and preferments, made men to study new ways of compliances, and to leave the first principle for the present enjoyments. But God (who overruleth the counsels of men, and had a further design) will not suffer so good a beginning to make a fatal end. And according to his usual way, from small beginnings brings forth his greatest glory, acting things beyond our first thoughts, or designs. The King was first opposed universally in his personal capacity, and reserved in his public, in these who fought against him, this went down currant, and without any demur among us; and upon this we waged war; but God (who still meant to carry on a higher design) keeps us equal and fair for a long while together, now giving the advantage to us, now to him, still making drawn battles, (while there was a lesser piece of royalty opposing a greater) owning the Cause so fare as not to discountenance that side he meant to honour at the last; but no effectual work was done, but honourable retreats, and days of thanksgiving for non-routing, and security, rather than for any victory we ever had over the King's party, except especially that of Marston-Moore, (wherein the chief instruments of the new model were agents) (which was soon recruited) and balanced by our own party's negligence in the South, and their diligence over their affairs. God kept all this while a kind of equality, persons were engaged of different tempers, not of different principles, and it had been well (for all our reports then at London,) that we kept our ground, into such straits we were then brought, (though we seemed to have a great and potent Army) that nothing could serve in the view of the whole Parliament, but a wise disbanding that Army, and framing a new Model, (which was a cause of strange necessity at that time) and a hopeful way of our ruin by many, even in Parliament, who gave their votes for it out of another end, who are since discovered) but it hath since proved the ordinance of God. This is the poor Army that the great repine and discontents are made from: This Army, which hath been preserved by God's right hand, who have done that work which is wonderful to relate) against this Army all the arrows of malice and design are shot, to wound either their persons or names; It's sad to think that our eyes should be evil, because Gods is good; that we should repine at instruments, when God doth the work? let us as men that would feign see into God's ways, consider what hath been done since that change, what a continued continuation of providences (I might say miracles, if they had not some means to produce them) have we had since that despised model. The thoughts of these things are only repeated for our conviction: There are two things very remarkable in these affairs since our first engaging against the late King (each of which shall have their due consideration.)  
First, That all our affairs were hardly kept in aequilibrio, in a fair and right correspondency until this new Model; but that the King got more ground by his influence, than we by our Armies; the Army under the Lord of Essex, being a petty Royal Army, made up of all sorts of humours and Confederates of either side, rather kept the Parliaments credit, than gave them any use for the●r money: and we never had a battle fought by him; but we came off, and that barely, and with loss as well as the King.  
2. That never since this poor, (at first despised; though now envied Army) was modelled, we never either received a considerable loss or check in our proceed, though the action of this Army hath been in three Nations, and accompanied with miserable discouragements from all parties, and difficulties, that other Nations would have thought insuperable, and so acted, that nothing but God hath visibly appeared: It cannot, it must not be forgotten, it will be written in marble (if not in our hearts) and the place itself will be made immortal to all posterity) the first testimony of God to the first action of this Army at Naseby, when all Politicians were securing of themselves; and our wisest friends fearing what the issue would be, and the royal power at the greatest height, and going on in the fullest carrere, what a glorious turn was there given to the designs of the Enemy, and reviving to the hopes of this Nation; God never before so peculiarly, and in our low condition owning his poor people; and ever since God set up his Standard there, he hath made bare his arm, and never suffered one eminent, nay hardly any defeat to be given to this Army, making that the earnest of the Conquest of God's Enemies in these three Nations, whereas in all our former Battles, we could never say we had a victory (except some special formerly named) which had their recruits very soon) from this time (I say) as if God had the idea of this Army in his eye, and had with his own hands framed the model of it, and culling out the Army he meant to bless; he hath ever uninterruptedly afforded his presence, though the difficultyes, and multitude of Enemies have been more than could be expected, or then ever Army underwent, who served a State in such transactions. What eye cannot see the plots and contrivances, both of the common, and secret Enemies, how many ways have been used to overthrow this Parliament and Army, and what humours have been predominant among themselves to ruin that body: yet how strangely, and beyond all men's thoughts, have they been carried through; if we were delighted in viewing divine actings, or had a design to make a History to astonish all the world. Let us follow the Army from Naseby, up and down England, at home; from thence after two Wars, the second more dangerous than the first, being upon more cunning pretences, and made out of our divisions among ourselves, and especially leveled against the Parliament, and Army, a war that divided the Army, as well as the first confiding instruments; yet with what wonder of glory did God break forth their deliverance; for after God had helped them to drive the K. into the Scots Army (a presage of his sons reserve) new Insurrections are in the most special Counties round about the Parliament, which first began more remote in Wales, that they might more insensibly supply the whole, and the design might be thought more barbarous, and less considerable, while stronger and more effectual influence were operating nigher hand, yet this poor Army must through all; the General in Kent and Essex, the Lieut. General in Wales, and major-general Lambert in the North, having all their hands full, and the Scots under Hamilton, when the conjunction of Langdale, and the old Malignants, making up the harmony of malignancy, though in a discord: No sooner had our now worthy General ordered the affairs of Wales, but new work was provided for him. In the North Major General Lambert had long expected him; and though he had by his wisdom and valour kept his own ground, yet the Enemy (who grew like a snowball by going) got mighty advantages: and taking their way through Lancashire, a place they thought good Quarters for their Army, as to find capable and zealous Subjects for their design: but God (who ever appears in the best opportunity) to show forth his continual displeasure against any conjunction with the royal party, upon what pretence sooner,) brought up then Lieut. General Cromwell to join with the Major General, who both with all their Forces, could not make a third part of the Army they were to encounter withal; but God so appeared, that they routed that vast Army, which carried with them the highest design, and had more advantages of power, and plea, than any Army of such a mould that ever came into England.  
What can be more immediately from God than such overtures; will God justify the wicked so positively, and perpetually against the godly (and that by his own power, not only by permission.) Is there nothing in these affairs can take our hearts? Doth God do strange and unexpected things for to be disrespected? Let any Nation show a parallel, and not draw such conclusions as we now draw. It's true, (and it must be one cause of our daily humiliation) that we have not answered God in our duties, suitable to those manifestations; but yet the neglect on our parts should not annihilate, or darken the glory of God in his own actings, but rather shame us, and heighten God's goodness unto us, who is so in love with England's liberties, that our unworthiness, & unsuitableness cannot stop him in his course of grace, and mercy. Let us, if we must needs take our prejudices, and satisfy them as to all God's actings in England: yet when we look on Ireland, and it's sad condition before, and how, and when restored, and by what instruments, and then let malice act to the utmost, if there be but a spark of honesty, or any glance of a spiritual eye left, and we must needs stand amazed, though discontented at God's go with these whom we despise; How have we cried out against these bloody rebels (as we had just cause) for how many years were monthly public fasts throughout the Nation kept for poor Ireland? (besides all the private unknown bleeding of the souls of many Saints in corners) and yet no fruit considerable that we could call an Answer, until God appeared by himself (when this Army was on the Seaside in readiness to be transported) and in what a manner, and method of miracles, God hath appeared, there is not to be expressed at a distance: God gave in the first wonder at Dublyn by that ever to be honoured, Coll. Jones, ere the Army came over, that they might not have their flesh and blood too much discouraged, both at home, and abroad, and yet would have them ready ere he began, that they might improve, and finish it.  
What of design had the Parliament in this Expedition, to divide their Army, which was so small at home, among so many enemies, or what hopes could that part of the Army have to encourage them to leave their own Nations without God had moved them; when they lay at the water side ready for a wind to sail from their own Nation, where God had made them so prosperous against the common enemy, and to leave all their friends, and to arrive at a a Nation, wholly engaged and enraged against them, and but two Towns, Dublyn and Derry, that were left as receptacles of them, or earnests of hopes, and these both besieged by fare more than the full Number of this Army could Muster, and yet how willingly did they go, and how gloriously did God appear, making a whole Nation, both of bloody rebels, and royal Malignants, to be overthrown by them, not suffering them to give them one defeat, though they had multitudes of advantages, and in one year almost to reduce that Nation to a new obedience: and were that History of Ireland well printed, how fare would it exceed all the Relations of its first Conquest by this Nation, when little else save ambition of domination, and of enlarging our power, not to execute Gods righteous judgements against bloodthirsty men, did put them upon endeavouring the Conquest of that Nation.  
What of flesh and blood can be demonstrated to be predominaut in these transactions, but love, and zeal, in the instruments, to free the Protestant party from further cruel miseries by the Popish, and royal party there, (who became soon one) & power from God to back these undertake. Are we sorry because God employs not these instruments that suit with our particular humours, and stated interests? is the work of God the less to be eyed, because he useth despicable, and poor instruments? or moves beyond our Model? the generations to come, will remember these things, and take them in, though we, through the clouds, made by the vapours of our own engagements, and factions, see little in them: Ireland's Protestant's will doubtless keep a Chronicle of these acts, and bless God for the instruments when they are entombed in the blood of the enemies of the Gospel, and who knows, but Ireland, who hath never yet soiled the Gospel, but have been under the sad persecutions for the little light they had in it, and have not yet extracted factions and divisions out of God's mercies, to advantage the common and watchful enemy.  
If Ireland's wonders will not make you in love with God's actings, (which was nothing else but the prosecution of the same cause beyond the Sea) yet let the harmony and continuance of God's appearances to own this cause, and this Parliament in the three Nations (the motions in each) deserve a particular History) let the universal proportion of divine actings (for I dare not call them otherwise pardoning men's infirmities) be a confirmation of each other; for what ever the pretences and pleas have been either civil or sacred in England, Ireland, or Scotland, yet God hath drawn one line of providence through all, and given, an equal, and astonishing success against every party, in each, which have but appeared against them. If we pass by all the rest and come into Scotland, a privileged place, and, one would think, holy ground, yet when once they came to dally with malignancy, and comply with the royal party, though they had the Temple of the Lord written in their foreheads, and the Covenant on the palms of their hands, and used it as their Phylacteries, yet opposing this design (which God hath put into the Parliament to prosecute by their Army, how hath God owned them in the face of their chief despisers. I am not now in kindling fire of diffention, (miserable man is he that let's fall a spark willingly to contribute to this fire) but to lay before honest and enquiring men, what reason we have to stand and pause upon God's actings, and mollify our hearts by these continual droppings.  
God knows with what heart that Expedition was undertaken, and with what little provision of outward advantages it was managed on our side; for after our March into the North, with so much leisure and delay, to see what overture might be offered from heaven to prevent us, (which was passionately longed for by the General and his Officers) when we came to the borders, and marched through Berwicke, we had not three day's provision, nay not one day, neither could there either for love or money be obtained a present necessary supply, as if we were rather going to visit our friends, and to help them, then to fight; and yet if all circumstances be duly weighed, God's actings by this Army in Scotland are farther, and more glorious progresses of his wisdom and power in the same principle, and a clearer demonstration of Gods owning this Cause, than any which have been yet.  
Let us consider first, whom God appeared against, not the Irish rebels, nor the absolute malignant party, but those who professed to walk under the shadow, and protection of the Covenant, who were thought by all dissenters, not only to be Patrons, but principals of all reformation; a people who had only professed opposition to this Parliament, and Army, and that for the most part in spiritual pretences, these who had first invented the names of shame and odium on the Army, as Sectaries, yea who had annihilated this Parliament, and its Authority, and set a King over them and this Nation, in the exactest idea; to which if we add the state of our Army among them, with their height and confidence, all the world must see that no power but of the Almighty's, could have done it for us.  
For our Army, (though they have had more opportunity of action, which they delighted in) yet were they never brought to such extremities, to so low an ebb, by both want of victuals, and all necessaries: neither have any former example of Gods appearing with them in England after such a manner; for though they were oftentimes fewer in number then their enemies, yet never reduced to such a disproportion, as at Dunbarre. In England, yea, and Ireland, they fought against Forts, and Bulwarks, stout and perfect enemies; but there they fought against hunger, and cold, sickness, and diseases, and lost their natural spirits, and strength, when they should have had most use of them. None can express the low condition they were in, their men falling sick, and dying like rotten sheep, their Horses hardly able to carry their riders, and yet were their beasts provided for better than themselves; the most part of their work all the while they were in Scotland until the battle, was but a continual march; from Mussleborough, and Penclan hills unto Dunbar for necessary provisions; But that God (who hath still done all for us) might exalt his own name, and give a demonstrative testimony not only of his continual presence with them, but a sign for unbelief; he brought them as low as it was ordinarily imaginable, and the enemy as high, and confident, as flesh and blood could make them; all relations of our necessities at that instant, with the circumstances of it, can be but as the painting of hungry and starved men, with a few open mouths, and pined faces; and on the contrary as the enemy had, by all the policy and stratagems of war endeavoured to being them into this condition, by waving to fight them, so they then thought they had their end, and the blessed opportunity was instant; nothing else was expected but to have them all devoured at one morsel; and that they might not fail in their assurance, they made the covenant their word (then as formerly their pretence) as the infallible earnest of a full victory, and some of their eminent Officers called in scorn to some of our men, that now was the day come the Covenant should be avenged of the Sectaries, and that their name should be blotted out from the earth; thus did they triumph through the covenant, and play with that sacred bond.  
But that all good people may see at what a height of confidence, not only the Army, but Kirk were attained unto, and how God appeared both against Ecclesiastical prophecies, and civil designs; I shall relate a story of as great credit as wonder; on the same day this glorious mercy was wrought for us at Dunbar, one of the Ministers of Edinburgh (I take it his name was Hagoe) was preaching to a great congregation in that City railing on our Parliament, and Army, raising the expectations of th' people for to expect some more than ordinary vengeance, and that from Heaven on them, and (like a false Prophet) told them to stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, and whereas he and his fellow Ministers, had often told them of this Army, and of their wickedness, and denounced the judgement of God on them, they should now see, and that (it may be) ere they went from that place, that God would confirm the words which he had so often spoken by the mouth of his Ministers to them concerning this cause, (for he knew in what straits we were, and what their hopes were that day, but he knew not the counsels of the Lord) Immediately as he had finished his prophecy, or at least ere he had done his work, God sends in some men that came from the battle, all bloody, and with sad countenances, which was seconded by fresh witnesses; all the congregation is amazed, the Minister silenced by his own mouth, and so trembling that he could not hold the Bible in his hand; and though there were some children to be baptised, yet he could not do it, and thus abruptly left the Congregation, with horror for his false prophecy against God's people.  
This relation hath its confirmation from the Scots themselves, and multitude of hearers in Edinburgh, and it may well be believed without witness, if we knew the temper of most of the Scots Ministers, and how much given they are to such a method of prophecy; But the Gentleman might have considered that they had not the King's malignant, or Hamiltons' false Army to excommunicate; but an Army (I may say) form, I, and helped by the Lord. What shall we say to these things, If God be for us, who can be against us? It's dangerous meddling with those whom God owns. Shall all these things be forgotten, and spilt as water on the ground, is there nothing of glory sparkling out through these manifestations, that may convince us of our opposition, and disaffection to these proceed? It cannot be, but some men conquer their convictions, as the Army hath done malignant persons, who yet hate them because of their own interests.  
But to go on, how gloriously hath God appeared ever since; while the enemy beyond the water have been studying with what solemnity to Crown their Kings, God hath crowned our cause with many Diadems of his glory, and mercy; for after that Battle at Dunbar, and the strangeness of the issue contrary to all their faith, and assurances, and many who were accounted the honest party, began to reflect on their former principles, and carriages, and having rallyed in the West, by their friends add more strength, and remonstrate against the State for their tampering so much with the King, and their juggle among themselves, which they have largely expressed in print, whereby they show some sense of God's hand against them, yet nevertheless, what ever thought they had of their own party at home, they continued their enmity against us, and not withstanding all overtures made to supple their spirits, and improve these convictions, (which if truly weighed, are from the same principles with ours, and no more difference then of a Scots and English interpretation of the same thing) notwithstanding all these fair, and cordial affections we to the utmost expressed to them, yet they cunningly watched their opportunities) First, to slip into England (of which they were prevented; and then Secondly, to fall upon a part of our Army in their quarters, where God appeared again, and both took their chief Leaders, and scattered their whole party; this great, and further appearance of God wants not its circumstances to make it an eminent mercy, and to strike deep into our spirits; for First, they were the Army which had most of the hearts of the godly with them, as being separated from the grossness of the royal principles, protesting with more zeal and honesty for the Kirkes' interest, and so would have gained more than ordinary on men's spirits; and again they had the great command in the West, whereby they did great damage to our Army, and had advantages of stealing into England, both to withdraw part of our Army from them, and stirring up new fires among us, which would too soon have been effected by their Covenant pretences; besides the manner of their overthrow is as remarkable, (God striving in all this war to leave signal characters of his own hand in every of our mercies) for when the General had marched a great way from Edinburgh towards the West, and sent express orders to the Major General, to meet him without fail at such a time in such a place, where the General came according to his appointment with a great body of Horse, and foot, they could not hear any news of the Major General's approach, the weather being so bad, and provisions so scanty both for horse and man; his Excellency was forced to march back with all his forces, and frustrate his own intentions; the Country people hearing of the General's retreat, run to Kerr and his party, tell them of the estate of things, and how his Excellency was returned to Edinburgh, and that Major General was left alone: Kerr seeing his advantage (which he had long waited for) presently falls on his Quarters, promising himself a full defeat of that party; But they being in readiness, received them valiantly with some few Troops, and quite routed him, and pursued and took, and shattered all his confidents, whereby we may see, how every deliverance, and victory, is circumstantiated with some beam of peculiar glory and providence.  
And if the delivery of Edinburgh Castle, (that impregnable Fortress) were added, and the manner of obtaining it, it would bring forth a new matter both for praise and conviction, but I intent not this for an exact history.  
Thus it hath been from first to last, and every victory like one star that differs from another in glory; and however there may be a difference between persons, and parties, in respect of profession or holiness, as there was between the Army under Kerr, and that under Lieut. General lesly, the former being more purged, and professing of principles, with more zeal, and indeed we may justly call them a Sectarian Army, opposing, and divided from the public proceed of Kirke and State, yet they are all one looked on by God as to help, and prosperity, when they either with others or by themselves have lifted up their hands against this cause, a consideration which is not slightly to be rejected, and which may well make men wary of second actings against them.  
God hath yet made that good in these Nations, to this Commonwealth and Army (so fare as they have had sincere intentions in the management of this war) which he did once to Israel; No weapon that is form against thee, shall prosper; though carved, and whetted by the fairest glosses, and religious instruments. We have hitherto in sum (and as in transitu) given the Reader an account of the series of God's workings for us, since he thought fit to make use of this Army against the common enemy. Let us now reflect with wonder, and astonishment at the dulness of our apprehensions and strangeness of the opposition and inward murmur of many, otherwise observant, and godly, against this Commonwealth, and Army; for which God give us leave a little to expostulate with their spirits; with whom are you angry? who hath done all these things? is there nothing of the image of God's mercy, power, and wisdom written on any of these victories? could so small a bulk of flesh and blood destroy such potent Armies, storm such brazen walls, climb such high places, with so little loss, if the Almighty had not seconded, and engaged his right hand with them? These are fare from Rhetorical, but they are real expostulations? Are we angry that God hath heard our prayers which we so long time put up to him for subduing the common enemy, in the three Nations, or that he hath done his own work without our mediums? What shall be said, shall all these actions of God's power in, and so much goodness, be buried in a discontented humour, and the glory of them blasted by a designed prejudice? God forbidden: the ages to come shall remember our insensibleness with tears of blood, and own themselves to be our children, as high-raised up-starts do their poor parents, who blush when they are named.  
But if any spirit be so slight as to say, all these are but events, and no proper declarations of the truth of a good principle, they being oftentimes occasional, and permissive by God to a bad as a good cause. I answer in general, that its true, that commonly and ordinarily God keeps such an even course in the universe, that all things fall alike to all, and the same event unto both the bad, and the good cause; thus God suffers it for a long time, for the hardening some, and destroying others, and to draw off the hearts of his front depending on these enjoyments, or advantages in this world, yet at the same time he would not have his people put the right of their sufferings or his enemy's prosperity, on ●o large and indifferent a supposition, but to look into the Will of God in thus disposing of their states, and to find-out the particular end of God to them in it.  
But as there is a general and special providence of God in the World, so there are events suitable; these special Providences of God call on all men for serious observation, for in them God goes out of his ordinary course, and they do show either his special owning, or disrespect, whether to a person or party, and are ofte● distinctions of the truth of Principles and Actings; and if there were nothing to be seen of God more by these then other manifestations, the World might grow careless and secure from expecting any evil from the hand of God, or any punishment for iniquity more than what a godly man himself may have by the same strokes: And if this principle should be true, what reason have the Malignants or Papists to look any more into God's hand on them, or tò think their cause the worse because Providence overthrows their Armies, why should any cry out on them for hardened and obstinate persons, saving they have no more but events to convince them, being still confident of the justness of their cause: And to what end have we kept so many days of  for Victories, if there be nothing in the issues of affairs testifying to the Truth of things, it can be nothing else but a mocking of God, to give him solemn praises for that which can neither show us the goodness of our cause, or Gods peculiar respect to us more than our enemies; for we have no more witness to the Truth of our Principles then they have, save our confidence, which is as firm and established in them as us: Let our Brethren look and remember what expressions they used formerly in their  sermons, both before the Parliament, in the City, and up and down all the Kingdom, for any show of a Victory, when the Army was commanded by the Lord of Essex, when any party was routed under Sir William W●ller, or any of the first Commanders, though we lost it as soon as we gained it, and they were far from the Victories are now despicably called Events of War; with what affection and zeal did they prove the equity of our fight against the King by these mediums; it became a common expression at such days, That our God was not as their God, our enemies themselves being Judges: and by what should our enemies be judges against themselves for us, but by Gods appearing against them, and ordering the issue of things beyond all their height of confidence and expectation. Many other such like expressions have been with much heartiness expressed in such days, blessing God for owning his people in a day of need and making a difference between them and their enemies the testimony of all which they gathered from particular succes●es.  
But why trifle we in a matter of such consequence? are all these actings in England, Scotland, and Ireland for these many years so negligently to be taken notice of only as Events of ordinary actings? What can then be called Glorious Appearances of God in this World or what Victories can we have so much conscience as to write Gods Name as on these? How can a model of the workings of God for his people be drawn in fairer and clearer colours? Had God acted with these that dissent and by these instruments which they had sanctified for the work, though far lower than he hath door wi●h these whom they despise, the world should have another account, and these providences should have been proclaimed in other names than accidents and events, if not the persons canonised long ere this in every Church and Chapel; and if God had permitted such an overture, that the Scots had beaten and overcome our Army at D●nbar (which would have been the saddest day that ever Englishmen saw) we need not question but the name of all these former eminent and con●icued Victories both in England and Ireland, would be blotted out from the earth, (except these hear●● in whom the glory and mercy of them were engraven with the same finger that wrought them) and nothing else but the just judgements of God declared to be executed against the Sectarian Parliament and Army, by God's faithful and Covenant-keeping people; who can imagine that triumphant conclusion that would then be made of the wickedness of our Cause, Principles, and Persons, of the truth of men's rail, and the reason of their discontents; how would all men be exhorted from henceforth to beware upon penalty of the like judgements of God, to withdraw from any compliance or conjunction with these who were the declared enemies of God, against whom he had bend his Bow utterly to destroy; telling all men to consider ●ow God had at last found his secret enemies, and vindicated the cause of his Covenant, especially in Scotland where it was made and preserved; we may easily without uncharity guests that a thousand such inferences would soon be drawn from such an event: But seeing God hath given us the use of such an argument, and added that mercy to all the rest with a clearer representation of his face towards us than ever before, why shall we think them common or unclean? are our Victories less precious to us than thei●s would be to them? are we more glad to see another Nation conquer us, than we to defeat them in their Designs against us? or can we rejoice that God useth foreign Instruments in his work, rather than these of our own Nation? How are we degenerated? how surprised in our affections, that we should desire more for the Scots to conquer us than for the English to preserve us from them? If we have lost our consciences, yet let us retain our natural affections; and if this Government be evil in our eyes, yet let us have so much wisdom and self-love left, as to prefer it before a Scottish Tyranny; if our mercies be not in every point and circumstance fashioned according to our model, let us not throw away the substantials of our Liberties, by maligning and opposing those which are the visible preservers of them.  
Let us once again look back upon God's providences for us, and mind the series of them, with the variety and manner of bringing them forth, and study more the nature of them, for they deserve the most refinedness of our thoughts to be set on them, and the purest place in our hearts to have them registered; if every fly and gnat, every piece of dung and filth shows forth something of God to be observed by us, what do these choice unparallelled workings of him against the Powers of this world, who stand in his way to the advancement of his Son's Throne?  
God writes his mind sometimes in his Works, as well as in his Word, and there are many overtures in Civil affairs which the Word doth not so positively direct, but providence and the necessity of affairs must be the rule in; and how ever the providences of God are not demonstrations a priori (as they say) yet they may very well be a posteriori; though they do not state things, yet they do distinguish them; and as God will rather have heaven and earth to pass away, then one iota or tittle of his Word to fail, so he will have all men to give him the glory of his Works, else he will destroy all the civil Heavens and earths which men sets-up; and God blames his people as often for not observing his Works as for disobeying his Statutes: If the permissive acts of God's justice in the world ought to make all men fear and tremble, how much more these positive and errectual assistances of Instruments in executing his righteous judgements? the children of Israel were blamed for nothing more, than that they forgot the wonders of God at the red Sea, and in the Wilderness: But that we may not look on these things at large, let us view what have been accompanying all our transactions in these last years, which make them more than events to convince our spirits. First, all that God hath yet acted for us, hath been from the smallest and contemtiblest beginnings, that even wise men have been afraid of their own Acts, and our enemies have laughed in secret at us, seeing our ruin in our first foundation; and so weak we were, that we were rather objects of the pi●y of our friends, and scorn of the contrary party; who would ever have imagined that such a new Model should have thriven better than so great and well accomplished Army which preceded? or what could wise men either foresee, or Christians▪ believe concerning any great matters to be accomplished by such Pigmies?  
Secondly, As God took the lowest condition to begin this work, so he ever brought our estates unto the greatest straits ere he appeared; to point out to all men, that he would be alone seen in the prosecution of this cause, and that he would have the glory of making this Nation a Commonwealth. In England remember especially Naseby, when the King was the ●ighest that ever he was since the war began, where was the first experiment of Gods engaging with them; at Kent, Essex' Wa●es, especially at Preston, when the Nation was most divided, and incensed against these proceed, and our Army scarce a third part. In Ireland, when all was lost but two Towns, Dublin and Derry. But above all in Scotland, when we fed on our Vital Spirits more than Bread, and lived by our courage and Gods support more than food; how hath God helped? I have often looked on it as an absolute and general observation in God's actings, that he never brings his enemies into straits to help them, but it is his usual way where he means to make his providence glorious, and his people most praising, to let them be past saving in their own sense, and their enemy's hopes: and truly our Victories were seldom given, until not only our means, but almost our faith failed us.  
Thirdly these successes have been uniform and universal in every part, and against every party which have upon any pretence whatever banded themselves against this State and their transactions; yea so eavenly hath God gone forth, and so impartially, that how ever we may at first question the principles, we cannot deny the acts but to be from God: Yea not only height of Royalty, and the grossness of Malignancy, but the flourishes of the best precenses have been blasted and overthrown by these manifestations, the Church as well as the World have been under a Divine censure for opposing themselves, and complying with the first or new modelled enemy against this State; which may make all godly hearts serious and wary, if not to tremble at their fire and heat in their reflections on these things. If these things be not timely considered, but our obstinacy grows with God's admonitions, the next work will be Excommunication.  
Fourthly, all these works we now see, have been begotten and brought forth in the midst of the plots of open and secret enemies; plots laid so secret and sure, that nothing but he that discovers the hidden things of darkness could discern or prevent; and so hath God ordered and casted the season of our deliverances, that they have been beyond the enemy's designs and perfectest persuasions, and our expectations of the most observant spectators, that God might have all the glory: Who could imagine what hath been working in hell, and the corners of darkness, against this work of God now in part brought forth, and yet all disappointed and frustrated, with condignet punishment on the heads of principal Authors  
It will be endless to run over the variety of these discoveries, and other circumstances, which if well considered, are as much as the mercies themselves amount unto.  
The last great demonstration of God's presence with this Army in Scotland, may serve instar omnium to Uniting our confidences, if all the rest be of no value; which was, God's determination of the iustness of our Cause after solemn appeal to God on both sides, especially on ours; this being the public expression of our Army in that candid Remonstrance, ere they entered Scotland; that they did appeal to God, the righteous Judge of quick and dead, if their hearts were not sincere in what they remonstrated, and in their affections to that Nation, and did moreover put it only on God, if ever they came to engagement (pardoning human infirmities) to deal with them, according to the justness of their Cause, and the truth of their hearts, I quote this especially, because as it was the most solemn appeal to Divine Justice, so what God did in this, was the confirmation of all the rest of his public actings by them, and the Umpire only left to God to own them or destroy them as his wisdom, and justice saw their hearts, and cause; how was God's arm made bare for them at last, though he carried himself a long while, as if he meant to make good the reproaches of their enemies against them. It must be confessed, Appeals are of a very high, and dangerous nature, if not done with the greatest seriosity, and upon the surest grounds; and they do either argue abundance of carnal confidence, or integrity and pureness of spirit; that they ought not to be frequent, and common, but where no other way is or can be found out of deciding controversies of a high and controvertible nature, where confidence on both sides are equally positive, and  by mediate arguments: yea, It is without question, trivial and common affairs cannot be grounds of Appeal to God, there being thousands of other ways at hand to determine them. But in matter of war, and the grand decisions of the justice and equity of taking up Arms and entering Nations or opposing persons in great power in the world, where arguments are strong on both sides, and parties violent, if in such case Appeals be solemnly made to God, the issue of such affairs are to be accounted higher than nature, and truly to be judged as revelations of Gods will, at least at present, and to that affair which they appealed to God in; as only righteous to give verdict unto by his own appearance, since all other means of conviction failed. Much of the same nature is that determination by lots, though it be more mediate, and not so solemn, being but generally used, and often without sense from whom the disposal of them are, yet the issue is judged to be from God, and an absolute express of his mind and will, not of blind Fortune or Chance; much more than may we say of the issue of that Appeal, which was made with as much sense of unworthiness, and vileness in themselves, as confidence of their integrity, and willingness to let God judge; as also when it was made, in dealing with these who had laid all the reproaches that malice could invent, or fiery zeal vomit upon both their Cause and persons, what ever the secrets of God may be which are infinite depths (or what ever he may permit in the general rule of the world, yet if men are put to such straits in actings, their names so vilified that none but God can right them, and men have at the same time so much sense of God's justice, and faith in his truth as to make him sole umpire, God will not in justice condemn the righteous, and spare the wicked; for these appeals as they are extraordinary ejacusations of our spirits in the most difficult and doubtful cause so they are press of the Almighty to let forth the beams of his wisdom and justice, to convince the sons of men, after all experiments of nature and reason; and God is so put to it (if I may humbly express it) to give forth righteous judgement, that even the heathens and his enemies have found his appearance, when they have appealed to him against the Christians who owned God, and had not dealt justly with them. I would not be thought to circumscribe the wisdom of God or his justice, that it must of necessity always be manifested immediately on such Appeals but I affirm that it is Gods usual way, and the events of them are to be weighed and remembered again and again, as the most probable clearing up of hard and formerly questionable enterprises; when the Army went into Scotland ●ow were they vilified by that Nation? ●e●en with reproaches of the highest scan●a● and infancy, slighted with the basest contempt, as men given over by God, hating his truth and people, and now at last invading them, to show their utmost malice to that Nation the A●●y f●y to heaven, leave all to God, and desire his 〈◊〉 power to determine whether these things were not quite contrary, the Lord looked on their condition and hath helped them, in the sight of their enemies; what can we conclude on these things? are these only acts of▪ permission towards us, and of mere pa●ience and long-suffering? what can be more apparent that we acted upon right and just principles and to honest ends; seeing God himself, who was made the Judge, hath given the sentence?  
We may remember, and know the nature and ominousness of Appeals with trembling, by God's actings to the late King, and his, who to make his designs take the better with the people, in every declaration Appeals to God so to deal with him, and his, as he was true to the Protestant Interest, when he had Papists in his bosom as his chief Councillors, and that he never intended to raise war against the Parliament, when all his end of withdrawing from them, was to form an Army against them; How hath God Judged both himself, and his, for it ever since, never leaving to follow him with Judgements, until he had made himself a Public spectacle of his justice, and hath now laid aside all his Fairily: God may for some secret ends let his enemies prosper for a long time over his people, to afflict and chastise them, and make them partakers of his glory; but he never, or very seldom after manifold deliverances, and absolute appeals to his righteousness, hath afforded them assistance; especially when it's among his own people in their controversies, and truth is on the one side, and prejudice on the other. I could (if I were a challenger) dare all the world to show an instance after an immediate Appeal, whether God hath not either eminently given the sentence on the right side, or at least, whether upon such issue all men have not so interpreted it: hath God nothing to do with this world? Hath he given over his Supremacy to Fortune and Chance? Or when can God be seen in Determinations, if not after such Addresses to his peculiar Moderation? Where shall the Righteous fly when they are condemned? Or how shall men know that Vengeance only belongs unto God, but by such Divine Conclusions? But we must leave the conclusion to God to confirm, as the Determination in itself; There was much to be observed in the Scots Answer to that Clause of our Appeal, rather leaving us to do it, and threatening us upon it, than putting their Cause and Confidence on God's approbation and issue; for whereas they were positive and peremptory enough in their Charges; yet they were very faint and staggering in the manner of Appeal to God, as either fearing their Cause through inward conscience of carnal compliances, or assurance of their own strength to do the work by themselves; it is enough what God hath done, he will in his time either convince or destroy men.  
But besides all, (which seems to be more considerable than any yet, after not only Appeals, such yet may be too confident) but after the contradicting prayers of his own people, God hath cast the scale on this side, and made answer according to the Requests of the vilified Party; never was heaven so much troubled with interests, and oppressed with contrary Petitions (if we may modestly express it) then in these few years; the Saints formerly have made but one public cry, How long, Lord Jesus? Come quickly; and there hath been a pure harmony in their Addresses to God, though in different conditions; but now heaven suffers a strange kind of violence, the violence of Truth and Error in the same Petitioners; but God hath made the Heaven's Brass, and his Ear heavy to all the Prayers even of many of his own People in these Affairs, and ordered Events contrary to their prayers; I know in what causes God may do this, but when Saints and Saints shall pray and God answer only the one, the other may well look round about them.  
If aay one question why I put so much right on this? It's answered, that there is nothing more clear, that where his People are engaged in several parties, some by mistakes and ignorance of God's mind, others out of Truth, and they both pray to him, God will always hear th●se prayers which are most according to his mind, and give forth issues answerable; for all our prayers are no farther to be expected to be answered, than they are according to Gods Will, and that Will of God doth manifest the truth of our prayers; when prayers clash in heaven, it is the same with opinions and judgements of Saints on earth concerning God's mind, which have but one truth to rule them, and according to the consonancy of apprehensions to that, God owns or disowns all their actings.  
It is most sad and dangerous to do any public act wherein any which are godly shall descent, much more that which any of them shall pray against; and this very consideration hath made this Parliament, and the Army to make so many pausings in their actings, as fearing themselves and their own mistakes, when so many good men seem to be against them; yet it is as sad, and should be much weighed, that God should continually answer one sort of prayers, and quite neglect the other, when they come both from godly persons whom God loves: What one petition hath God ever seemed to receive as made by his own Spirit against these proceed? but hath clearly demonstrated that at least he is angry with the dissenting Prayers of his own people: I leave these things on men's Consciences, how they can interpret God's actings against their prayers, and how they can digest Gods hearing of these they judge their enemies, at the same time, and work out contrary issues. All these considerations put together, may suffice to work us to a meditation at least of what God hath done, and to parley with our own hearts, why we should yet refuse our full consent to the establishment of this Commonwealth; shall any that professeth the name of Christ maintain secret war and malice against his actings, or think to prosper by helping the common enemy.  
But if nothing yet said will move us to have better thoughts of these Transactions, let us once again consider in what times these things are door, against whom, and by whom: First, all these workings have been in the latter days, when God is throwing down the old heavens and earth, and hath his notable designs to effect, and all these mysteries of Prophecies to open, which have lain hid for many ages, and seemed formerly quite buried in the prosperity of the Kings and Princes of this world.  
Secondly, against whom hath God appeared, but against those persons both in Church and State, who hath adorned this Nation with the rags of Popery and Antichristianisme, or with Tyranny and Oppression; and as they have raised themselves, God hath discovered them; and as they have shifted their Quarters, God hath followed them with his just displeasure and indignation against any complyers with them.  
Thirdly, however God may permit for a long while his enemies to triumph, yet when ever he gins, he will make an end; and these principles which seem general and easy at the first, God will improve, and hath done, beyond all our intentions; for it was hardly possible in the multitude of these overtures, to lay any deep plot beforehand of them, new and unexpected emergencies of their designs, and God's providence always on a sudden breaking fo●th, which were not only difficult to foresee, but sinful to withstand. And truly, those that think of plots deeply laid beforehand to bring out these great things, may as well suspect the Providences by which they have been necessitously led into them.  
Fourthly, for however we may make little account of providences, yet they are the most exact comments on divine prophecies of any other, and are the special visible key whereby God opens all those seals that are in that book: and what ever special inspirations we may have from heaven to guests at God's intent, yet the words are so dark wherein God hath written his mind of these affairs, and so blurred by Antichrist, that until God come to open them by his actings, we know not how to interpret them with safety or comfort; hence it hath come to pass, that many pages must now be blotted out of many worthy and learned (and in most things) clear Comments on Daniel and the Apocalypse, because every day God acts beyond their present thoughts, and gives occasion of reforming their own confident apprehensions of the nature and issue of those prophecies; so that if God's providences, compared with his words of prophecy be not looked into, we must still be in the dark, as to the understanding of these great mysteries; by what can we hope that God is about to fulfil his word concerning the destruction of Antichrist but by his keen and severe prosecution of every limb and member of that body, yea and beginning first among his own people, that the enemies may not have cause to reflect, and tell God to reform first at home; how can we know that God is pouring out the via●s of his wrath, and upon whom, but as God discovers it by his terrible actings among the sons of men, by which he calls on all men to hear and obey, not to murmur or descent? But if the manifestation of God (notwithstanding all this) seem uncleer and unpersuasive to dissenters to gain their full consent to this Commonwealth, let our own interest prevail upon us and if heaven be too light, let earth be added to it to weigh down our judgements; God hath given us an opportunity against our wills to make ourselves the freest and happiest Nation on this earth, and we are the first of so large a Continent that God hath advantaged with such a blessing; our Ancestors for these 500 years have been struggling to get but the name of freedom and liberty, and have for this end deposed one King, and set up another, who had commonly a worse title and reign, but God hath given us our choice, whether royal bondage, or English liberty; were we ever so nigh the regaining our conquered privileges as now? what is there but a name between us and a Free-State, and nothing wanting to perfect all (besides God's assistance to prosecute what is begun, and direct what is not done) but our own election of what may make us happy, which happiness if we imagine consists only in the title of a king among us; let us remember what we have spent on that name already, of our measure of blood, and how God hath made it contemptible.  
We may all now see how Gods great design is to bring to nought the Princes of this world, and hath his principal quarrel with them, because they have been the greatest shedders of the blood of Saints that cr●es under the Altar, and the only mighty upholders of the throne of the Beast, and are still those that lies in Christ's way to his royal Throne, and the glorious exercise of his Kingly power shall be first on the Powers of this world who have combined together against the Lord and his Anointed and have been the most undermining and professed enemies that Christ and his Saints have had in the world; and all those that seek to underprop that tottering state, must expect to fall with it; for God hath either laid aside or destroyed the best sort of men, who (though with never so much tenderness or zeal) put forth a hand to uphold this Monarchy; and if ever Haman begin to fall before Mordecai, he never riseth more but to his utter ruin. What is it that lies so weighty on our spirits, that no providence, no argument can balance? I wish it were not to be feared of many, they have made snares for their Consciences, and then catch themselves willingly in them. Are not the days of Mourning for the late King yet expired, and our hearts refreshed by what God hath acted since in these three Nations? It's now high time for us to wean our hearts from the flash ravishments of Names and Titles, when we have so long suffered for our affections; Surely if we were impartial Judges of that Act (which I may call the first clear and thorough Act of Justice that ever was executed in the Western World) and if we did (like good and wise men) observe the nature and fruit of Actings, we shall find, that as never an Act of Justice w●s accompanied with more remarkable observations, and blest with more happy Testimonies of Approbation, than the beheading the late King. Besides the righteous grounds upon which they gave sentence of death against him, which when looked into, we had rather need to wonder such a Head should s●●nd on his shoulders, then that it was solemnly severed from it, being one who was the Author of the shedding so much blood in three popolous Nations, merely for his prerogative tyranny, for all other things he might have had, and much of that also, with the hearts of all good subjects.  
But the circumstances (if they do not deserve a better name) in his execution may inform us something more than ordinary if we shut not our eyes.  
First that God should so order it to bring him to his death, and shed his blood before that very place where the first blood in this war was shed, while he looked out through that window with sport: God doth sometimes write men's sins in their punishments.  
Secondly that in so populous and vast a City, among millions of his most entire, and desperate friends, there should not be found the least tumult, or motion, or insurrection for to rescue him, all men being under a divine restraint, and awed by the dreadfulness of God's justice in such an act; what was that poor Army who were dispersed up, and down the City, to the legions of enemies that were against them, who might have destroyed them in a moment and eat them up at one morsel?  
I am loath to strain these things too far, but only to name them to make us consider, that they are not ordinary, It was one of the great circumstances named in the children's of Israel's deliverances out of Egypt, that not a dog did bark at them, but doubtless never was such an act of such concerment done since that time in the world with less noise, and silence then that, which argues that something more than humane, was at the doing of it; and which may not be omitted, God hath not suffered the least hair of the heads of any of the prime Instruments in that glorious piece of service, to be touched by any Assassinate, notwithstanding all the threaten and bloody malice that works strongly in dissolute and desperate spirits.  
And if we have had but any eyes to view the consequences, and issues of it, we cannot say but that there is at least occasion of seriousness, and ponderousness of spirit, ere we have a thought amiss concerning the lawfulness and justness of it, for as until that time, we did but trifle, and dally with the sword, and were but off and on, up and down, more in hazards than hopes; so from that day hath God blest us, and without intermission or halt, freely fought our battles, and entirely engaged himself in England, Ireland, and Scotland; and which is more hardly a drop of blood hath been spilt in England on that Quarrel ever since, as if God should say, the sacrifice is offered up, the Achan is destroyed, my wrath is appeased, all the blood you shed before was an aggravation of your sin, while that person who was the Author of all and the common person, and head to give life and motion to all the rest was untouched; in such a dialect God seems to speak to open and attentive ears by all his actings since; I leave these as considerations to employ second and more serene thoughts upon: yet if any be of so tender Conscience in that particular that they still scruple, let them not judge others who are clearly satisfied; they have their liberty of dissent, yet let them know they are bound to present duties, which if we had but a faculty of arguing, how easy might we draw the necessity of cutting of the late King? commune with your own thoughts; was not he guilty of all the blood which hath been so prodigally spilt among us? It must either lie on him or the Parliament, if on the Parliament, we condemn ourselves for joining with them, and we are partakers of the same murder; if it lay on the King, what way had we to free this Nation of the guilt, but letting him bear his own punishment, all other acts of friendship would be but contracting of his guilt on us, for as there be two ways of making a man guilty, either by his own personal act, or by compliance with another, which is done by countenancing the malefactor, as by coacting with him, as he that keeps a murderer in his house, and gives him any countenance, is in law made equally guilty with him; It would have been thus with our Parliament had they gone on in any other way then to preserve this nation, but by revenging blood with blood: for how ever public wars may seem to be an excuse and mitigation of guilt of killing of man, yet it's the cause that gives the advantage of innocency and righteousness in these acts, & the wrong cause make all the rest murderers in God's sight, and he will prosecute them as murderers, especially the prime agents in such affairs; yet all means was used to the utmost, until we had almost lost ourselves, and the sense of our cause; again let us seriously contemplate what good we could have of such a person after all his high and bloody actings against this Nation, when he refused to grant the propositions of the Parliament so necessary for this Nation, and only showing a willingness to grant some of them, and that only for time which would of itself pass away, and which he meant by all designs to cut as short as he could; the best advantage that ever we could have hoped to have by that persons life, was but a cessation of our miseries, until he had recruited and perfected his designs, and patched a peace, with the utter loss both of the sense and fruit of the first undertake; and here let us make a stop, and pause with sad, and mournful hearts on the condition of poor Germany, who after all their powerful wrest with tyranny in a long and horrid war, have got nothing but a miserable peace, and the protestant interest left to shift for itself, and strangers that came first to help them have made up their own gains with their utter ruin; let Bohemia especially speak, where the Protestant, hath hardly an article for their prosperity, but what is general, of little advantage, and the Emperor, and Sweeds, (like the Sco●s, and their King,) divide all among themselves; the Papists, and great men most followed the Emperor, and the Protestants the Swede, for friendly assistance and brotherly pretence, and now they have made a peace both for themselves; and thus would it have been with us if God had not raised up some instrument to have no respect of persons; let Germanies example be an occasion to us to think on the King and the Scots; while we slight the mention of a Commonwealth, which God hath given us all advantages to make not only sure, but the freest and choicest in Europe. And if any be affrighted at the change, as that which seems to be dangerous and unlawful, and putting by the heir of the Crown; I hope they are not ignorant, how many changes have been in England by the tyranny and usurpations of Kings, and of foreign powers over us, but never yet had we the happiness to change into a Commonwealth, although our best histories tell us, that the first of this Nation when they were most free, was without Kings; but we need not be so stumbled at this change, seeing the necessity and conveniensie of it, and that it is only change of persons and not of the Laws, and privileges by which we are governed, which were long since, and yet at divers times purchased by the blood of our ancestors, rather than the goodness of our Princes; and if we look warily, we must needs see all the series of God's actings have directly led us to this change, which we have been pressed unto by the necessity of our own affairs, and the continual dictates of God's providences; and who hath resisted his will, we see by experience, that God changes all men's states, as they oppose, or fall in with it; But yet if the thoughts of the Covenant be brought in as the main objection, why many cannot so freely join in with the Commonwealth; I must commend the tenderness of their consciences, but not their wisdom, and understanding, in making a difference between things, and persons, and judging of the nature of obligations. No former covenant can hinder me from obedience to a present duty, and serving my generation according to special opportunities; obedience to oivill powers, is a duty at pre-present, and must not be superseded by any former engagement, without I make two sins instead of one; a sin in omitting my duty, and a sin in covenanting not to do it; As for that clause in the Covenant of maintaining the King's Person, it's sufficiently explained, and limited in the next words (in the preservation of Religion, and liberties) both which have been publicly Voted inconsistent, and the one positively necessary for preservation; And when we Covevenant to maintain his person; we suppose to find in it such a capacity as not opposite to Religion or liberties, nor to be found in the  Article among delinquents against the State, which we have covenanted to endeavour to bring to condign punishment, under which capacity the Parliament have found the late King; and his Son CHARLES STVART; and under that account prosecuted him, and kept the Covenant, as every honest Christian must do in all the rest of the Articles, that seem to be dark without they be made the interpreters one of another; and however we may gnaw on the Covenant, and rifle it to maintain our prejudices, yet, we may better take the Engagement to this Commonwealth, notwithstanding the Covenant, then take up Arms against the King notwithstanding the Oath of Allegiance; for that Oath did absolutely, without any limitation (as is fully expressed in the Covenant) bind us to the maintenance of the King's Person, and Heirs, yet when our dissenting friends, came to persuade the people to help the Parliament against the King, they could make little of that Oath, yea, could go quite against the letter of it, to prevent a mischief, and raise a necessary war against his person, while they kept their Oath to defend his person; and is that lawful and honest to take up Arms, and raise a dreadful war against his personal capacity, notwithstanding a solemn▪ Oath in such distinguishing terms, only out of pretence to preserve his public capacity which is greater, that is the state; and is it not the same, and may it not be done with as good conscience to remove his person, to preserve Religion, and liberties, both which if they were not in eminent danger, let all men judge; in a word, no more doth the Covenant hinder me from taking the Engagement, than the Protestation did men from taking the Covenant, though there were many other words of a different dialect inserted into it.  
Had the Parliament imposed on the consciences of godly, and honest spirits any new Articles of the Creed, or an Ecclesiastical government, without any tenderness to godly consciences, or drawn a new Model of Religion, and required obedience of all unto it; this great piece of intolerable Tyranny could have no more raised the spirits of some or exasperated men's passions, than the imposing an Engagement to a Civil government; which hath nothing of sin in it to reflect any guilt upon the consciences of any, seeing all Civil Governments are alike lawful in themselves, the conveniency of them, and good use, makes them profitable, yet disobedience to them is sinful, it being a resistance of an Ordinance of God. And therefore it cannot but be worthy of much blame (though to be lamented also) that Ministers of the Gospel (those that should be the blessed Messengers of peace, and joy) should make their Pulpits Stages of bitterness, and Satyrs against the present Authority; this hath happened much among us of late, (through the pride of men's hearts and instigations of subtle enemies) that these good Ministers who in other things have had the Vrim and Thummim, shining with much brightness on their breasts, yet have made their Sermons, like the malignant sort of Diurnals, that when poor souls come hungering, and thirsting to hear something of the Lord Jesus to refresh their sad hearts, they find little else but Histories of Civil affairs, revile, and defame of authorityes, and casting fire balls of sedition, up and down Congregations, to incense men's spirits against the present Government.  
This is one of the greatest reasons which I can by observance find out that the Ministry is so low, and in such contempt, because they mingle Christ and this world so promiscuously together, and do not keep within the bounds of the Gospel, in their public preach to the world. But speak more in the language the of Stage, then of a crucified Christ, and this makes many withdraw from the public assemblies, because they can hear little but cavils in Pulpits, and Christ in private houses; I wish the honour of th● Ministry might shine in the glory of the Gospel for other respects, they will find them to be but temptations, and hindrances to their work.  
Is there any thing else which stands in our way, (for straws must be removed as well as real blocks before prejudiced eyes) are there any complaining, we are yet unsettled, and oppressed: Let these men answer themselves, that if they will have a settlement, they must contribute to the procuring of it; for while every one divides, who shall settle? If they cry out of oppressions; it's very unjust, they should expect otherwise, who will not come under protection; as it's most unreasonable any should desire protection, who will not engage to be serviceable to promote the Commonwealth.  
I shall end with proposing some Queries to zealous, and honest men, with a word of application from what is done in Scotland, and no more trouble the Reader in this kind.  
First, Whether must there be an act of oblivion past, for all the mercies, and victories we have had over the common, or secret enemies of this State? or to what use shall we put all these wonders?  
Secondly, What lower improvement could there have been of so much blood, and continual deceit among us, by the name of the King, and his family, but a cutting off the one, and racing out the name of the other? or whether ever any peace with these persons could be sound, or acceptable, without some special sacrifice of them to Justice? let it lie on our consciences.  
Thirdly, Wither we can imagine that God had not higher ends than we first proposed in our engaging against the King, or then what could be at first by us foreseen? or whither any condescension in us could have gained him, without hazard, and loss of our main liberties, and privileges.  
Fourthly, Wither the providences of God; (seeing they have been so peculiarly acted,) are not to be guides and rules to us in prosecuting a general and indefinite principle? or how we can with comfort satisfy ourselves in civil quarrels, but by providential events, or what is that event we think most demonstrative of God's mind, if these are not?  
Fifthly, Upon what hinge will we turn the door of our affairs, if not upon the continual, and daily manifestations of God? having our end, and principle right? or whither any person, or power can foresee all the turn and changes in a multiplied affair, without some leading providence of Jehovah.  
Sixthly, Whether is the better foundation for action, a supposed principle with contrary actings of providence, or the like supposed principles, with extraordinary let forth of God's power, and Majesty.  
But what need we query, humours, and discontents will soon turn all these expostulations to encouragements; we are now (through God's blessing) come to a period at home, all the expectations of our enemies, is from the broken reed of Scotland, but the veil is now off, the malignant party is but retired there under another head, and if we may believe the Scots themselves, and those which are accounted the honest party, and their Remonstrances; we have nothing to fight against, but the malignant party in Scotland, the honest party, who were first deluded, being first subdued, and now, beyond the water, they are put to the shifts of a general compliance, which will be no discouragement to us, as formerly; for than we fought against many pretenders to the Covenant, and who were with a conscience engaged, (and yet God esteemed it not) but now we have a full mark, the old enemy newly crowned, and all things made up in Scotland to follow this design. But I hope Englishmen can do no less than the honest Scots have done, remonstrate against those proceed, and yet God makes them know that bare Remonstrance, against that party, without union with God's instruments, will not serve, but there must be an unanimous correspondency of all good men against these shifting zealots: And we have now a more ground of hope against them; if God hath owned us when they seemed to keep at a distance from the malignant party, and to fix their principle on a surer, and more clear foundation, how will he now appear for his people, when they have passed through all delusions, and are to meet again, with their old enemy, but what horror of spirit will fall on these good men, who will rather venture themselves, with malignant assistances, then comply with God's workings.  
I have no more to say, he that cannot trust God now with our cause, hath either too much interest, or too much ignorance, after all the ways God hath taken to open our eyes. Let our Parliament, and Army, never doubt encouragement, but keep up their spirits high for God's ends, seeing they have none now to encounter, but their old enemies, without any pretence, that may trouble their consciences, or delay their marches; And let godly men know (who stand yet out) as God hath done all for us without them, so he will now more especially, because they are now under the first consideration, and must come under the same vial, and at least expect the sprinkling of it, while they have any conjunction with that party, which God hath devoted to destruction; if our consciences be not quite asleep, and if we have any sensibleness of our present advantages, and future miseries, let us set our seals to God's actings, and rejoice in the Lords will so gloriously manifested, and not strive against the stream of providences, but as men convinced by God, not by men, engage ourselves to maintain this Commonwealth, which is the only Bulwark left us, both to keep out tyranny, and preserve our liberties, which in due time we shall have most free, and established, if our own fond affections to strangers, and prejudices of our friends, do not undo all.  
FINIS.