MERCURIUS PACIFICUS, OR, VOX TURTURIS. A Dove in this Deluge of Division Sent from GOD'S ARK, TO Present a Peace-Offering upon the Altar of JEHOVAH SHALOM, Humbly Proposing A Divine Direction for Composing of Controversies according to Gods Revealed will. Prov. 18. 18. Contentiones submovet sors & inter Robustos dirimit. By E. M. Gent. Psal. 85. 8. I will hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace unto his people. Psal. 29. 12. Jehovah in diluvio. The Lord sitteth upon the flood; The Lord sitteth King for ever; The Lord will bless his people with peace. Psal. 34. 14. O pray for the peace of jerusalem. LONDON, Printed in the year 1644. MERCURIUS PACIFICUS; OR, VOX TURTURIS, etc. EVery week produceth new Mercuries, bringing no better News then merely Messages of the Kingdoms increase of Miseries, relating nothing but the sad Rumours of a bloody unnatural War, and the fearful fruits and effects thereof, rapine, ruin, death and destruction. This Mercury presents you with a sovereign Medicine to help and heaale these your miserable Maladies, prescribed by the Great Physician of both soul and body, and picked and fetched out of that Garden of his, where the most precious and choice herbs of Grace, & plants of goodness grow. Under the Law, he that was not able to bring a Lamb for Sacrifice, was permitted to offer a Turtle-Dove or young Pigeon: In the Gospel a mite freely given, renders a poor Widow liberal; Though Almighty God hath not lent me an hand so large, yet he hath vouchsafed me an heart enlarged with as much faithful loyalty to my Sovereign, and true love to my Country, as any subject in the Kingdom, which I shall ever be ready really to express even with the sacrifice of my life, and all that is mine. In this deplorable time of distraction, what good subject, true Christian, and hearty well wisher to the happiness of the Commonwealth, can enjoy an heart not desiring, an head not devising, and an hand not endeavouring to produce something which may conduce to an happy conclusion of these unhappy dissensions. Every hand hath brought some sticks of sin to increase this flame; Let every heart and soul send sighs and groans to Heaven, & wish with jeremiah their heads Fountains, and their eyes Rivers to pour out the tears of true contrition; For the quenching and extinguishing the consuming fire of these Controversies, that the voice of the Turtle may again be heard in our land, that the Alarms of war may no longer sound in our ears, that there be no more leading into captivity, no more complaining in our streets, but the Lord may give us beauty for ashes, and the garments of gladness for the spirit of heaviness. In publishing this ensuing tract, I desire the integrity of my meaning may not be misinterpreted, I presume not to advise or direct, but humbly present to the serious consideration of the learned and grave Sages and prudent Pillars of the state of this disjointed Kingdom, such Texts of holy truth as it hath pleased God by his Spirit to direct me unto, and to point out unto me, and such propositions as by assistance of the same Spirit I have deduced thence, conceiving them materially conducing to an Accomplishment of an happy conclusion of the unhappy and destructive differences now depending between his Majesty and the Parliament I trust none will be so uncharitable as to contemn or condemn my purpose herein, as too presumptuous for tendering propositions tending to so great a blessing as peace; nor any so maliciously impious as to deride or despise so divine a direction because presented by a weak and sinful instrument, God is pleased oftentimes by men and means, in humane imagination, most unworthy and infirm to bring to pass weighty and wonderful matters, out of the mouth of Babes he ordaineth strength, and revealeth to such, what he concealeth from the worldly wise and prudent. 'tis as easy with God to work without means, as with and against them, as by either, 'tis all one to God be clean or go wash; yet we are not so much to depend on his will hidden, as to neglect to practise his will revealed; so to do is rather a badge of rash presuming then any notable courage of faith. Again good Counsel is not to be valued by the person, saepe etiam holitor valde opportuna locutas, the proverb tells us. And surely he's sick to the ruin of himself that refuseth a Cordial, because presented in a spoon of wood, we think not the worse of Gold because presented in a bag of leather; Good wine is as wholesome taken in an earthen cup, as a Goblet of gold. God to whom the hearts of all men are open, knoweth that my sole, and principal intention herein, is only his glory, and the good and Peace of His Majesty, His Parliament and Kingdoms. And thus much I do with sincerity of heart protest, and to use the words of Saint Paul, Rom. 9 I say the truth in Christ I lie not, my conscience bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, that I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart, For these disconsolate divisions in the Kingdom, and could wish myself sacrificed for the accomplishment of an happy union between his Majesty and Parliament, and without ceasing always have made mention thereof in my prayers, beseeching the God of Peace, who maketh men to be of one mind in an house, by such means as to his omniscient wisdom shall seem most meet to unite them, and to work a speedy reconciliation between them; And that after often fasting, Humiliation, & hearty prayers for an happy Accommodation, I was directed unto these texts of Holy Scripture herein specified, as it were by the immediate finger of God, and have received since Revelations hereunto conducing, dictated (if I may so speak) by God's good Spirit unto me, which I never yet disclosed to any person, nor do I think fit at this time to publish, but shall hereafter (God directing me) being required, declare them. Now these things which I writ concerning Lots, before God I lie not, I neither received them of man, nor ever till now imparted them to any man, neither was I taught them but by the revelation of God, the Father of lights, who hath continually incited me by the motions of his holy Spirit, to publish the same, touching and checking my conscience for concealing, & not sooner divulging thereof: God is my witness, my aim is not vainglory, or any other reculiar end for mine own purposes, but the Peace and the happiness of the Kingdom, and his alone glory, to whom only all honour, power, and praise, is to be ascribed as most justly due. I will bless the Lord who hath given me counsel, my reins also instruct me in the night season, Psa. 16. 7. Dominus portio partis meae, & calicis mei, tu sustent as sortem meam. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance, and of my cup; Thou shalt maintain my Lot. The first Text of holy Writ which Almighty God was pleased to point out unto me, is recorded by the Pen of the Holy Ghost, in the hand of a Prince, whose wisdom is warranted by God's word to be the only gift of God. Proverbs 18. 18. Contradictiones comprimit sors, & inter potentes dijudicat The Lot causeth Contentions to cease, and maketh a partition among the mighty, On which the marginal note in the Bible hath this observation; If a controversy cannot otherwise be decided, it is best to cast Lots; for that appeaseth their controversy, which are so stout, that otherwise they cannot be pacified. The 2. text pointed out unto me was this; Prov. 16. 33. In Grenium coniicitur Sors â jehouâ autem est tota ratio ejus, The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposition thereof is of the Lord. Hence we may learn by what power Lots are governed & disposed. To say or believe they are ordered by fortune is a vain imagination, by spirits or devils a superstitious supposition, by the heaven or the stars a ridiculous cogitation, A Deo solum temperantur, They are wholly, and only governed by God. Hence Saint Augustine the most learned, and most orthodox of the Fathers, preventing an objection which might arise concerning the use of Lots, that it may seem to be a tempting of God: saith Neque vero periculum est ne videamur tentare Deum, is enim est, qui sorts dirigit. Now three things are principally considerably in Lots. 1. The nature of them according to their description. in Scripture, the Fathers and other writers. 2. The lawfulness of them set forth by the Antiquity, Authority and Institution thereof. Proved by precedents in the old and new Testament by God's direction, command and approbation. 3. The use thereof 1. The thing, matter, or cause, about or concerning which they are to be used. 2. The time when to be used. 3. The manner how to be used. Concerning the nature of Lots, ab effectu, They cause contentions to cease, and determine differences between the mighty, Prov. 18. 18. Saint Augustine upon psal. 30. saith, Sorts nihil aliud esse, quam in dubitatione humana, divinae voluntatis indicium. Lots are nothing else but a declaration of God's divine pleasure in humane dubitation: a divine resolution of humane doubts. Peter Martyr to the same purpose saith, Sortiri nihil aliud esse, qnam aliquid agere, ex cujus even tu rem incognitā possumus deprehendere, Casting lots is the means from whose event, we discover unknown and hidden things. Aretius and other Interpreters upon the first of the Acts, affirm the election of Mathias into the place of an Apostle by lot, to be a divine voice, and a divine choice; Quoth sors cecidit super Matthiam divinae vocis instar est, ut ille non minus à Deo electus haberetur quam reliqui undecem. Secondly, concerning the lawfulness of the using of Lots. The world is a circle, God as it were the centre of that circle; The ways of men are lines deduced from this centre; If the event of Lots be not expected of devils nor of stars, nor of any force of Fortune, but looked and prayed for to be directed by God, as before is showed, and by God iustituted and appointed, as herein hereafter will appear; Certainly 'tis lawful to use Lots; That God hath appointed the use of Lots to be a means of consulting his sacred Majesty for determining of differences of in explicable difficulty in humane understanding, appeareth not only by those places in the 18. and 16. of the Proverbs, but 'tis presidented by many special Examples practised and used by God's express direction and command in his holy Word, judaei jubbente Domino Pet. Mart. de Sort. cap. 7. in rebus gravissimis usi sunt sortibus; The land of promise was divided to the children of Israel by Lott, Numb. 26. 55. Ios. 14. and 15. chapped. and Achan thereby discovered with the accursed thing to be the troubler of Israel, Ios. 7. The escape Goat discerned and dismissed by lot, Levit. 16. The offices of Priesthood placed by lot; Zachary his lot was to burn Incense, Luk. 1. 9 jonathan and jonas deprehended by lot. Saul the first King of the jews elected by lot, 1 Sam. 10. and Mathias elected to his Apostleship by lot, 1 Act. 1. That God hath appointed the deciding of deep and doubtful differences by lot, is not Solomon's sole or single position we see, but a truth confirmed by many weighty and worthy precedents in holy Writ, And that the use of lots is a divine direction instituted by God himself, and accordingly made use of by the greatest, gravest, and wisest Kings, Princes, Prophets and Apostles, in matters both spiritual and temporal of much importance, and cases of greatest consequence. The authority of lots being confirmed, it remaineth that the manner of using thereof be in some part explained, and application made according to the present purpose, For although this manner of consulting, and desiring God's direction for concluding of Controversies may lawfully, yet it is not hastily, rashly, or unadvisedly to be undertaken but with great reverence, singular piety, and most fervent prayers. We may not use Lots in affairs ordinary, but in cases of necessity, when as the business cannot otherwise be transacted; then man's extremity is God's opportunity, Cum Ratio ac consilium humanum non amplius locum habent, nec longius progredi possent tunc sortes adhibere, etc. When humane Counsels are puzzled, humane reason non plust, and all humane endeavours prove fruitless; Tunc modus hic consulendi Deum adhibendus est, then to commit the cause to God's determination by Lott, will doubtless prove most profitable. Necessitas autem judicanda est si quid occurrat, etc. That Peter Mart. cap. 7. de sortibus. is to be adjudged necessity where any difference arising, the composing whereof may much conduce to the glory of God, the edification of the Church, and the prevention of some great evil, which by humane Prudence cannot be otherways composed, or if it might, yet wherein veterate malice, envy, and other evils and inconveniences cannot otherwise be declined, than the Lords divine direction by lot is most proper to be used for determination thereof. God had appointed, and anointed Saul by the hand of Samuel to be King of Israel, yet to take off the suspicion of partiality, or affection, which might have been supposed by the people to be in Samuel towards Saul, and also to prevent the sedition, and dissension which might have arisen among the tribes if the election had been left to the suffrages of the people, (each 'tis probable would have been willing to have exalted his own tribe, and Saul who though the loftiest in stature yet of the lowest tribe and family, should not have been sent for from seeking his Father's Asses to sit as supreme, and sway the sceptre over so proud and potent a people) God performs his own purpose, prevents division among the tribes, and clears Samuel of that aspersion, which the people might have cast on him, and directs the election to be made by Lott, which the Prophet accordingly performs, wherein we may note the excellent faith of the prophet, who after he had anointed Saul to be King, yet fears not to commit the election to lot; and admire the riches of the wisdom of the only wise God, who directed such a way to avoid contention. To bring my discourse nearer home, from Israel to England, how doleful are our dissensions? how lamentable our divisions? and how much a determination thereof is to be desired? how great a necessity there is of a speedy reconciliation between the King and Parliament, I wish woeful experience did not too plainly manifest. Have not all humane endeavours hitherto been frustrated? how many Petitions, Propositions, Messages, Answers, Declarations, Remonstrances, and Protestations, have passed, to beget a right understanding between the King and his Parliament? Yet all have rather exasperated then appeased, rather increased then any way extinguished the flame of this contention; How many days and months of humiliation, have been solemnised? how hearty and earnestly hath the Lord of Heaven been solicited, and importuned, by prayer fasting and mourning? and which is most deplorable, how much blood, unnaturally spilt? how many barbarous tragedies acted? how many thousands (many of them not of the meanest) miserably massacred and murdered? and yet the raging sword not sheathed, nor these destructive divisions determined, no Balm is found in Gilead, no Physician to heal the gasping wounds of this bleeding Kingdom. Now the Lord hath sent his word to heal us, he maketh wars to cease in all the earth, why should not then this pacifical proverb and salutiferous sentence of wise Solomon be now seasonably received into consideration? why should not that divine direction delivered, devised. and disposed by God himself, and practised by his servants, Kings, Princes, prophets, and Apostles be now used, for the ceasing of these consuming contentions between the King and his parliament? Forces are continually raised on both sides, and stratagems daily devised for ruin and destruction, whereas both policy and power, might be better employed to procure a comfortable reconciliation. For the happy accomplishment, whereof, God hath prescribed this way of his own institution, whereby he may give the judgement according to the justice of the cause without respect of persons; cast your burden upon Him, devolve Psa: 37. 3. 6. super jehovam viam tuam: Commit your ways unto the lord, and trust in him and he shall bring it to pass, he shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgement as the noon day. 2. We must expect the event of the lots from God alone, Proverbs. 16. 33. the lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposition thereof is of the lord So then he that doth not fear the justice of his cause, needs not doubt the judgement of his God in disposing thereof by lots, non enim re quiescet virga improbitatis super sortem justorum, the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous Psalm. 125. v. 3. 3 We must abandon all uncharitable conceits, and all dishonourable deceits Psal. 5. 6. The lord will abhor the deceitful man and such as speak leasing, no mental reservation of malice must be retained, no rancorous core of revenge must remain, nor any preceding passages of malevolence or envy, continue in the mind or memory. 4. We must withal possible piety, religion, and reverence call upon God in hearty prayer for his direction in, and his blessing on, our endeavours; At the election of Saul, the people ('tis said) stood all before the Lord, xpopositors render it, praying. At the election of Mathias to his Apostleship, the Apostles joined in prayer. If a solemn day of humiliation, fasting and prayer might be set apart through the whole Kingdom, humble and hearty supplications sent to heaven, if the King's Majesty, the Parliament, Prophets, Ministers, and People, (howsoever dis-jointed at this present in their opinions and actions) would all join in their prayers and affections to the Lord of hosts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the searcher and knower of all hearts; and although they distrust each other, yet would trust the only just God, and commit the judgement of their great cause to his hands, who only can and must determine it, implore his merciful and powerful aid and assistance, who is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working to decide this most unhappy dissension according to his own divine direction by Lott, why should it be doubted, but that our good Lord would show his paternal pity & mercy to this Nation, and vouchsafe an happy union. God hath not forgotten to be gracious, his mercy is not gone for ever, his compassions never fail. He that feeds the Ravens, clothes the Lillyes, takes care even for Sparrows, shall he not be entreated to magnify his mercy in taking this matter of such weighty importance into his own hands, in delivering his people by his wisdom and omnipotency from destruction otherwise inevitable. The Lord will arise and have mercy upon Zion, for the time to have mercy thereon is come, that he may hear the mourning of the prisoner, and deliver the children appointed for death. He will bring to pass his own work in his own way, and declare by casting of Lots which part he hath chosen, and whose propositions and purposes most conduce to his glory, the honour and happiness of the King's Majesty and his Posterity, the establishment of Truth and Peace in the Church and Commonwealth. jehovah jireh, the Gen. 22. 14. Lord will be seen in the Mount of his mercy, and provide his people a gracious way of deliverance from destruction and desolation; He will prevent the King with the blessings Psal. 21. 3. of Peace, and set a Crown of pure gold upon his head; And though his people Psal. 68 13. and Church have lain among the pots of black darkness and affliction, yet shall they shine as the wings of a Dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow Gold, And all men to Gods eternal glory will confess this to be only the Lords doing, and a most wonderful work of his infinite mercy. The trial by Lots is 1. the most proper way, 1. because both parts have appealed to God. and made it his cause, both profess the maintenance of the same matters, therefore God is the most competent judge. 2. This way is Gods own direction, other means hitherto used have failed and been frustrate, many devices are in the heart of man, but the counsel of the Lord that shall stand. 2. the clearest way, and most infallible, 1. Because Almighty God is a most just judge, there can be no collusion or corruption in his judgement: All partial and deceitful siding and dealing, will be prevented and excluded. 2. Because God is the searcher of all hearts, and cannot be deceived, and most upright in judgement, and he will give to Caser the things that are Caesar's, but will not endure his own glory should be eclipsed, but will have his truth still maintained, and all Christian duties to his sacred Majesty performed. 3. The happiest way, 1. Because the further effusion of blood will hereby be prevented, a thing much to be desired, laboured and prayed for. 2. God on all sides will by this means be glorified, and a blessed Peace hereby produced, which the God of Peace for his Son our Saviour's sake, the Prince of Peace, by his holy Spirit of Peace vouchsafe to grant, Amen. In Bellis civillibus omnia sunt misera, sed nihil miserius quam ipsa victoria, quoe etiamsi ad meliores venit, eos tamen ferociores reddit, Tull. ad M. Marc. Sapientis non est velle certare, & periculo se velle committere, quia & vincere non est in potestate nostra & anceps est omne certamen, Lact. lib. 6. Tale bonum est bonum Pacis, ut in rebus creatis nil gratiosius soleat audiri, nil delectabilius concupisci, & nihil utilius possideri: Spiritus enim humanus nunquam vivificat membra nisi fuerint unita: Sic spiritus sanctus nunquam vivificat membra Ecclesiae, nifi fuerint in pace unita, Augustin de Civitat. Dei. I shall conclude with these Texts of holy Writ, God is not the God of Confusion, but of Peace, 1 Cor. 14. 33. God hath called us to Peace, 1 Cor. 7. 15. Let us therefore follow after the things that make for peace, and things wherewith we may edify one another, Rom. 14. 19 not ruin and destroy one another. Fellow peace, etc. without which no man shall see God, Heb. 12. 14. Live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you, 2 Cor. 13. 11, FINIS.