REBELLION UNMASKED OR A SERMON PREACHED At Poplar in the Parish of Stepney (in the new Chapel there lately erected by the Honourable Society of the East-Indie-Company) upon occasion of the late Rebellious insurrection in London.  
WHEREIN Is opened the resemblances between Rebellion and the sins of Witchcraft and Idolatry, as also the pretences for Rebellion Answered.  
By THOMAS MARRIOT, M. A. of Kath. H. in Cambridge, and Chaplain to the East-Indie-Company.  ROM. 13.1.2. 
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers, for there is no power but of God, the powers that be, are ordained of God.  
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God, and shall receive to themselves damnation.  
LONDON, Printed by I. R. for Thomas johnson, at the Golden Key in S. Paul's Churchyard, 1661.   

Imprimatur.  
jan. 18. 1660. Reverendo in Christ. Patri D. D. Gilberto Episc. Londinensi. Sacellanus Domesticus Georg. straddling.   

An Advertisement to the READER.  
THese are to let thee understand (Christian Reader) that this Sermon was not in its first framing intended for public view, only composed for the benefit of a private and plain auditory, and indeed had it not been desired by some, and had I not had strong convictions on my spirit concerning the present necessity of the Subject, it had gone no further than those to whom it was first preached; let the shortness of the time, I had to compose it, plead something for its plain garb in which it doth appear, it being preached on the 13. jan. the Lords day next following the Rebellious insurrections in London, it being likewise a more than ordinary busy week with me upon some other occasions. I am not unsensible how many uncharitable censures I am like to bear from some for it, but let such know that by the peace I have in my own conscience I am provided to bear them all; and like a Christian, consider, if thou shalt judge the Author rashly, it will most redound to thy own hurt, and be an addition of guilt to thy own conscience. Some few words I have changed in the printing of it, but nothing of the sense of what was delivered, and some few lines (though very few) I have added in one or two places for illustration sake; also one head which (being cast upon the straits of time) was through haste omitted, is here inserted. The rest is entire as it was preached both for sense and words. Be not  the more out of love with truth, though thou meet it in a plain dress, read without Gall or prejudice, study and seek the Church's peace, so shalt thou approve thyself to be a true servant of the God of peace, if thou seest any thing of humane frailty, cover it with the mantle of love, read, and not only read but practise what is here from God's word discovered to be thy duty. The Lord add his blessing.  
Thine in the Lord. THO. MARRIOT.   

To the Right Worshipful Sr. Andrew Riccard Governor, the Right Worshipful Sr. Tho. Chamberlain Deputy, and the rest of the Commit of the Honourable East-Indie-Company, Grace Mercy, and Peace.  
IT is not very long (right Honourable) since the condition of England was much like unto that of the jews in their captivity; of whom it is said the children of Israel, 
jer. 50.33.  and the children of judah were oppressed together, and all that took them captives held them fast, they refused to let them go. At which time when we seemed to be e'en at the last gasp it pleased Almighty God in mercy to visit us, and in the restauration of our gracious Sovereign to give no small hopes of our restauration to peace both in Church and State, and Oh! how joyful and pleasant asight is it to all sound-hearted Christians to see the Walls of our Jerusalem building again? yet hath it likewise fared with us as it did also with the people of God, after their Captivity, that no sooner could they begin to build, but Satan stirred up those who did endeavour to hinder this Glorious work, who combined in a Plot and conspiracy against God's Church, 
Neh. 4.11  and designed before they should know any thing, or see them, to come into the midst of them, and slay them, & cause their work to cease, which we have once more with our eyes beheld to be attempted in our time. It is this malice of the Devil against the peace of our Zion, which hath occasioned me to handle this Subject, looking upon it as my duty hereupon to open the heinousness of this sin of Rebellion from the word of God, and to give answer to the Pleas of discontented persons, that if it be possible, the erroneous might be reduced, and the like sad unscriptural attempts might be for future prevented; I doubt not but some may be much displeased, at what is herein contained, especially those who are touched in the sore place. Even wholesome food is unsavoury to the palate of such as are distempered, but we must please God rather than men. The Lord knows, the peace of the Nation and Church in which we live, is the main end why I have taken the boldness to expose this Homespun Sermon unto public view. (peace is that Jewel which set in the ring of the Church makes it sparkling & glorious, though it be the design of Satan to rob it of this its glory, of this its jewel) Accept therefore (Right Honourable) of this plain Sermon with all humility begging your protection, and unto whom indeed could I more properly Dedicate it then unto your Honours,) by whose encouragement it is, that both it and the rest of my labours in this place have received their very life and breath, but unto you; whose bounty in building us a Synagogue, and care in promoting the Gospel of peace among us in a place where otherwise in all likelihood, many souls would have starved for want of food, whose charity, I say, in erecting and induing an Almshouse, wherein to feed and clothe the bodies of the poor, and in erecting a Spacious Chapel among us (even in the midst of those times when others made it their work to throw down Churches) where many hundred souls are continually fed thw the bread of life, a high expression of your love to the God & Gospel of peace, such renowned acts as are worthy to be remembered, and may serve as eminent examples to following Generations. Oh! how many souls in this place are bound continually to bless you, and to bless God for you? besides indeed the particular favours I have received of you, have engaged me to present you with these first Fruits, as a small expression of my thankfulness to you, for those many undeserved favours conferred upon me; all that I humbly petition of you is your acceptance, praying that the Lord would abundantly bless you, with spiritual blessings in your souls, and prosper you in your affairs in this world, and at last advance you to be of the Company of the Glorious Saints in heaven, which is the constant Prayer of him who is,  
Your Honours obliged servant though unworthiest among the Ministers of Christ. THO. MARRIOT.   

REBELLION AS WITCHCRAFT and IDOLATRY.  1 SAM. 15.23. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For Rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft, and stubborness is as iniquity and Idolatry.  
THat which God gave in commission to his Prophet Esaiah. 58.1. is well known unto you, Cry aloud spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of jacob their sins. What kind of people these were, against whom God doth commission the Prophet with this tart and severe message, you see partly in this verse, more fully in the following verses; They were a Generation that did make a great profession of Religion; They seek me daily, saith God, they took delight in approaching to God, and in the following verses you see how they fasted. They were a sort of people that made a great show of Saintship [they sought God] high pretences there were to Religion, but in the mean time they made their Religion but a cloak to their wickedness, they lived in gross crying sins against God; now God being exceedingly displeased with, and highly provoked against these hypocritical wretches, he sends his Prophet to cry aloud, or (as the word notes) to cry in the throat, and not to spare. What? Cry aloud against such Saints as these, who were thus Religious, and sought God after this manner? Yes, Cry aloud, saith God, fear them not, spare them not for this, 
Calvin. in loc.  lift up thy voice like a Trumpet, (which doth not only note the loudness of the voice, but the tartness of the reproofs with which he was to scourge these notorious hypocrites) show my people their iniquities, and the house of Jacob their sins. 
Note.  When (such especially who make high pretences to Religion, and keep a howling at their prayers, yet commit horrid, crying sins; Gods Prophets and Ministers are then engaged by commission, and duty to cry aloud and not to spare such for fear of their pretences to Piety and Holiness, but to lift up their voice like a Trumpet against their horrid impieties, and wickednesses. What this last week hath brought to light concerning the horrid transactions of hypocritical professors, (blasphemously intitling God to their murders, and Rebellions, impudently fight the Battles of the devil, though pretendedly under the banner of Christ, whilst rebel's against God and their King, and Traitors to their Country, yet calling jesus their King) is too well known to all of us. If ever we that are Ministers are to cry aloud in the Pulpit, it is when wickedness cries aloud, when the blood of Innocent's cries aloud in the streets: shall such Rebellious designs and practices, and massacres be carried on, and executed under pretences of Religion, and Gods Prophets not cry aloud? Shall we hear the name of God openly blasphemed, see the people of God openly, and murderously massacred, the name of Christ wickedly and devilishly profaned, and not cry aloud against such wickedness? Better that our tongues should for ever cleave to the roof of our mouths, then that we should not at such time stand up for our Lord and master jesus Christ, whose Ambassadors we are. What hath been the occasion of all our former disturbances for several years together? was it not Rebellion, and Rebellion under a mask of Religion? and shall we see the same Rebellious designs on foot, nay practices yet more black, horrid and Barbarous, under the same cloak and pretences of Religion, and not cry aloud against such wickedness? Sure, if Ministers should not now cry aloud the very stones in the streets would cry out against us. If we should not now cry aloud and plead the cause of our Lord and master jesus Christ, how shall we ever appear before him with comfort? For Rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and Idolatry.  
These words may be considered two ways, either Relatiuè as they stand in relation to what goeth before, denoted by this word [for] in the forefront of the Text: or else leaving out this word [for] they may be considered Absolute as a distinct and entire proposition by themselves, Rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft, and stubborness as iniquity and Idolatry.  
Let us first in a word look upon them in their Relation to what goeth before. God had sent unto Saul by his Prophet Samuel to go against the Amalekites, and gave it him in his Commission to slay all. When Saul had obtained the victory, you find he spares and saves Agag alive, and spares also the chief of the , thus rebelling against that God that had advanced him; where we see by the way, how dangerous a thing it is for Kings and Princes to save those alive who are by express command of God to be executed; nor is it to be passed over without observing, how Saul doth endeavour to palliate this his Act of Rebellion, and to cover it with a Mask of Religion: he tells Samuel, 
Vers. 21.  he had kept all the commands of God, and in that the people had saved the  alive it was only to Sacrifice with them unto God in Gilgal, v. 21. upon which Samuel sharply reproves him, 
V 22.23.  And Samuel said, hath the Lord as great delight in burnt-offerings and Sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold to obey is better than Sacrifice: and to hearken then the fat of Rams. For, Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubborness is as iniquity and idolatry.  
Leaving out this first word [for] we shall consider them as an entire and distinct proposition by themselves [Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, etc.] where we shall first speak something as to the reading and explication of the words, and so we shall proceed to the more full and particular handling of the odiousness of this sin of Rebellion from the words.  
Rebellion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some read it pugnare, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  to fight is as the sin of witchcraft, which if meant of fight either against God the King of Heaven, or against our earthly King, is the same in sense with our Translation, which hath more properly rendered it, Rebellio, Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft: of Rebellion there are several sorts: Rebellion may be considered as a Genus with several species contained under it.  
There is a Rebellion against God, 
Several sorts of Rebellion.  the God of Heaven, the King & Sovereign of all the world, when God who is the great King & Sovereign of Heaven and earth doth lay his Commands upon the children of men, and they shall follow their own counsel, prefer their own humours and wills before the will and command of God their Sovereign, pertinaciously prosecuting the Dictates of their own wicked hearts in opposition to the known, just, holy, righteous commands of God. This is Rebellion against the God of Heaven and King of all the earth. There is likewise a Rebellion against the earthly God, 
Psal. 82.6.7.  for so the lawful Kings & Magistrates of the earth are called Gods. I have said yea are Gods, but ye shall die like men, this may be called for distinction sake a Civil Rebellion, as being against the civil Magistrate and earthly King, (though otherwise it is uncivil enough) when persons will kick and spurn against their King whom God hath set over them, and will not be governed by the laws of their Sovereign though never so equitable, and agreeable to the Laws of God, but will be perverse, restless in their designs and attempts to throw down Magistracy to destroy their King and Sovereign, to bring all (as of old) into a rude Chaos, and Hellish confusion; this is civil Rebellion, & yet this Rebellion against an earthly King if collaterally considered is also Rebellion against the King of Heaven, whose Vicegerent the earthly King is, and to whom we stand obliged by the Law of the great God: 
Of Rebellion several degrees.  of this Rebellion against our earthly King and governor's there are likewise several Degrees, some of a higher nature, some of a lower, some being contrivers, projectors, and actors of Rebellion, others abetters and wellwishers; now for a man or woman any way to abet, encourage, or wish well in their hearts to such Rebellious designs, to the success of such Rebellious designs and practices, this is also Rebellion though of somewhat a lower degree than the other. Now Samuel tells us from the Lord that Rebellion is as the sin of withcraft: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi peccatum ariolandi, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vulg. Ar. Mont.  some translate it, as the sin of soothsaying: Ar: Mont. peccatum divinationis the sin, or as the sin of Divination, and so the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth properly signify Divination, a dealing with the Devil in the black art, Rebellion is as divination, or as Witchcraft, for this Divination here, is properly such as is by the help of the Devil, and so Witchcraft.  
1. Rebellion is [as] the sin of Witchcraft, some there are that think this to be a sicut aequalitatis, an [as,] of equality, as if here Rebellion (by the spirit of God) should be set forth unto us to be a sin of as heinous a nature as the sin of Idolatry.  
2. Others there are that take it to be a sicut similitudinis, an [as] of similitude or likeness. 
Aq. 2.2 dae Q. 105. A. 2. 1m.  so Aquinas, Comparatio non aequalitatis sed similitudinis, quia inobedientia redundat in contemptum Dei, sicut & Idololatria, licet Idololatria magis. A comparison or [Asdruball] not of equality, but of similitude or likeness, because Rebellion doth redound unto the contempt of God, as Idolatry doth, though Idolatry more.  
And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 stubborness as iniquity and Idolatry, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Taken verbaliter & nominaliter. Burdors. Ar. Mont. Vulg. jun. and Trem.  the word in the Heb. may be taken either verbaliter as a verb in Hiphil, or nominaliter, as a noun, and is both ways used in Scripture. Wherefore some translate it verbally, & transgredi, to transgress, as iniquity and Idolatry: others translate it nolle acquiescere, not to be quiet, is as iniquity and Idolatry: others translate it nominaliter as a noun, repugnantia; so jun. & Trem. the language will bear both, and they all come to the same sense and meaning, to transgress, not to be quiet, or stubborness, a persons persisting in his own wicked way, obstinately and stubbornly to the disturbance of the peace of Church and State, prosecuting his own fancy and humour in contradiction to the Law of God and man; this [stubborness] is as iniquity and Idolatry [is as iniquity,] 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ar. Mont Note.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ar. Mont. translates 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here mendacium stubborness is [a lie] and so the word will bear very well; which doth serve to set forth the nature of Rebellion and stubborness. Rebellion is a lie, it is a lie as being contrary to the Command of God, and giving God the lie; and it is a lie in respect of the contrivers, plotters, and practisers of Rebellion, for whilst such persons do usually please themselves with great success in this their stubborn humour, for the most part God doth blast them, and so in the effect of it, it is a lie.  
If we look into Scripture, 
Gen. 15.16.  we shall sinned all sin and unrighteousness to be called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iniquity. So Gen. 15.16. the [iniquity] of the Amorites is not yet full. 
So Rom. 4.7.  So Rom. 4.7. blessed are they whose (iniquities) are forgiven. But in this sense, how stubborness may be said to be as Iniquity, is not easy to conceive, and therefore by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iniquity, some understand the aberration of men from the right rule of God's worship, (and in that it is here joined with Idolatry this to me seems to be the most genuine and proper interpretation of it) and answerable to this translate it Superstitio; & sicut Superstitio repugnantia: 
jun. & Trem.  and stubborness as Superstitition and idolatry: and here, it is very considerable that whereas our generation of rebel's started up among us, 
Note.  make I know not what suppositions, and suspicions concerning the introducing of superstition and idolatry, as the pretended ground of their Rebellious designs and practices; they hereby fall into as bad a sin, or at least a sin bearing great likeness and resemblance to this superstition and Idolatry, they seem so much to abhor and detest: for Rebellion and stubborness is as superstition and Idolatry: [and Idolatry 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Teraphim the word i● in the Hebrew in judge 17.5. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 17. judg. 5.  it is there said that Micah had a house of Gods, and made an Ephod and Teraphim, now these Teraphim were a special sort of images, distinguished by that name from all other sort of images, 2 Kings. 23.24. 
2 Kings 23.24.  Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images (the word in the Hebrew is the Teraphim) and the idols did josiah put away. It seems these images called the Teraphim had the shape of men. 1 Sam. 19.13. And Michael took an image (or Teraphim) and laid it in the bed. 
1. Sam. 19.13.  This had the shape of a man, and it is more than probable they made use of these Teraphim as oracles, and received from them answers what to do in doubtfulcases. Ezek. 21.21. 
21. Ezek. 21.  Where it is said that the King of Babylon stood in the parting of the way, and used divination, and consulted with Images, or Teraphim: so Zach. 10.2. the Idols or Teraphim have spoken vanity; 
Zach. 10.2.  so that here, the meaning of the expression in the Text, seems to be this; stubborness is as Idolatry or Teraphim, as if a man went to an image where the Devil doth fill the Image, or speak in the Images, it is as the consulting with the Devil, and worshipping the very Devil himself, thus stubborness is as superstition and Idolatry,  
The words you see are a famous portion of Scripture wherein the Lord himself doth set forth the odiousness and devilishness of the sin of Rebellion. Which I shall handle chief as relating to our earthly King and show you how it is as the sin of Witchcraft and Idolatry. I shall not alter the words, they are an entire proposition, That Rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft and stubborness as iniquity or superstition and Idolatry; now here in the prosecution of the Text and proposition, I shall first show you the similitude or resemblance between the sin of Rebellion and the sins of Witchcraft and Idolatry, 
Resemblance between Rebellion and Witchcraft and Idolatry.  and then I shall give answer to the pleas and pretences of those who carry on Rebellious designs and practices among us: and so we shall come unto the Application.  
First, the Resemblance between the sin of Rebellion and the sins of Witchcraft and Idolatry. Now these two sins of Witchcraft and Idolatry do in several things agree, where I shall speak of them jointly and show you how Rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft and Idolatry. There are some things wherein these two sins of Witchcraft and Idolatry differ from each other: and here I shall speak of them distinctly and show you the resemblance that this sin of Rebellion doth bear to either of them.  
First to show the Resemblances between the sin of Rebellion & the sins of Witchcraft and Idolatry, 
Jointly.  jointly, take this in 5. particulars.  
First, Witchcraft and Idolatry, 
Rebellion against the light of nature.  are sins against the very light of nature; they are both of them sins that the very light of nature doth detect and abhor, very nature will teach that there is nothing more contrary to God than the Devil; and that God is to be loved, obeyed, served, and not the Devil according as Witches do leave God, disown God, and adhere to the Devil to serve him. And as for these Teraphim or Idolatry, taken as a worshipping of the Images themselves, 
Idolatry against the light of nature. Plut. in vita Numae Pompil.  or the Devil in these Images, or the true God by Images, it is also a sin against the very light of nature itself: and therefore Numa Pompilius according to the doctrine of Pythagoras (as is noted by Plutarch in his life) did abhor the worshipping of Images, and the worshipping of the true God by Images whither made in the likeness of man as these Teraphim, or in any other likeness whatsoever; yea many of the heathens themselves have scoffed at this Idolatry and Image worship. This the learned Varre (as Augustine witnesseth) both bewailed and utterly condemned: 
Sat Walt. Ralegh. Hist. World. p. 166.167.  how it was derided by Seneca is evident speaking concerning these idolaters, saith he Simulachra Deorum venerantur, illis supplicant, genu posito illa adorant, they worship Images, they pray unto them, with bended knees they adore them & fabros qui illa fecere contemnunt, and yet despise and contemn those that made them. Thus likewise did Sophocles teach how pernicious this was unto the souls of men; it was likewise condemned for impiety by Lyourgus the Lacedaemonian law giver; nay it was also of old forbidden by the brahmin's in India. Witchcraft and Idolatry are sins against the very light of nature; so is Rebellion as Witchcraft and Idolatry, it being a sin against the very light of nature. Rebellion against God the King of Heaven, Rebellion against our King and lawful Magistrates is a sin against the light of nature; Rebels against their King are so many monsters in nature. Very nature shows that without government the world could not subsist, nay, and that of all Governments none like to that of Monarchy or Kingly Government; See how in the body natural all the members of the body have care of each other, but especially of the principal, which are for the Government of the rest, The head and the heart. If the head do but ache, it is noted how the humours of the arms run to the head, & therefore the arms become small and slender, because deprived of their proper Nutriture; and so if the heart be sick, or in danger, or in fear, the outward heat retires inward to comfort the heart, so that the body looks outwardly pale; yea, if the head or heart the ruling and governing members be in danger, the other members will hazard limb and lise to save them. See we not by the dictates of nature in the members of the Body natural, what an unnatural sin Rebellion is? for the members of the same body politic to sight against their King and Governors: even nature itself shows what a care all the members of the body politic should have of their head and Sovereign, and how unnatural a sin it is to Rebel against their King and supreme Magistrate. Even the very heathen themselves have been sensible of the vileness of this sin though they never saw beam of Gospel. light.  
It is reported of the old Kings of Peru that they were wont to use a Tassel or Fringe made of red wool which they wore upon their heads, 
Levinus Apollon. de Regno Peruano apud Spencer. Floril.  and when they sent any Governor to rule as Viceroy in any part of their Country, they delivered unto him one of the threads of their Tassel, and for one of these threads he was as much obeyed as if he had been the King himself. Obedience to the King that God doth set over us, is a duty so natural as that even the Heathens were easily drawn to it, but by one poor Thread. Sure then Stubborness and Rebellion in any, so as that they will not be drawn to Allegiance and Obedience without Ropes and Halters must needs be eminently against the very light of nature itself, 
Rebellion contempt of God.  and thus Rebellion is as Witchcraft and Idolatry.  
Secondly, Witchcraft and Idolatry are sins which do both of them cast contempt upon the Majesty of Heaven. What greater contempt can there be from a husband to his wife, then to leave the bosom of his wife and embrace a whore, or from a wife to her husband, then to leave her husband & follow strangers? The like, and worse contempt to the Majesty of Heaven are the sins of Witchcraft and Idolatry: thy maker is thy husband, saith God, by his Prophet, to leave God, and cleave to the Devil, as all Witches and Idolaters do, is to contemn the Sacred Majesty of Heaven in the highest degree. Now in this respect is the sin of Rebellion as the sins of Witchcraft and Idolatry, it being a high contempt of the great God, the same God that made us, is he that hath also made and appointed Kings and civil Magistrates to rule over us; 
13. Rom. 1. V 5.  the same God that made us is he that hath commanded allegiance & obedience to them, and that for Conscience sake: 13. Rom. 5. to rebel against the King is not only contempt to the person of an earthly King, but high contempt to God the King of the world, 
Rebellion more peculiarly a Devilish sin.  by whose appointment it is that King's reign. And thus Rebellion is as the sins of Witchcraft and Idolatry.  
Thirdly, Witchcraft and Idolatry are sins desperately, and more peculiarly above other sins, Devilish, and Diabolical. They are sins that smell more of Hell than other sins do. As for Witches it is known by their own confessions that they are in compact with the Devil, he hath them in special bonds above other sinners of other ranks and degrees. And so for Idolaters they have more immediate relation to the Devil than others, and the Teraphim were Images in which the Devil spoke, and by which they consulted with the Devil, as hath been showed before. Thus is Rebellion as the sin of Witchcraft and Idolatry; it being nothing else but an instigation of the Devil, who to his power is as much for murder and confusion as God is for love and for order. Rebellion is a sin that doth more smell of Hell than other sins, as Witches and Idolaters are most like unto the Devil, so are such as rebel against their King and Magistrates, and endeavour to throw down civil and Ecclesiastical Government: The first Rebel against his King was the Devil. Who rebelled against his God and King, this was the Devil's sin, & as Witches and Idolaters drive a peculiar trade with Hell, so do Rebels the same. Rebellion is a special Trade driven with Hell, and is a sin eminently transforming persons into the likeness of the Devil himself. Thus Rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft and Idolatry.  
Fourthly, 
Rebellion a plague as well as fin.  Witchcraft and Idolatry are not only sins but extraordinary plagues too. Witches and Idolaters are the very plagues of a Nation, thus is Rebellion as Witchcraft and Idolatry: Rebels are the woeful plagues of a Nation. What greater plague can light upon a Nation then the plague of Sedition and Rebellion, a plague which strickes immediately at the very life and Vitals of Church and State. Like as it is in the members of the body natural, a man may lose an arm, an eye, a leg, etc. and yet the body live, but the head cannot be struck off without present death. It was not without good advice that the Israelites preferred the life of David their King above ten thousand of their own lives, 
2 Sam. 18.13.  ten thousand of them might lose their lives, and yet the life of the body politic continue, if inferior members be cut off, the body may live and do indifferently well, but if the head be taken off, if the King through Rebellion be laid aside, if Magistrates and Governors in Church & State laid aside, actum est de Republica, actum est de Ecclesia. That Church and State cannot long stand, thus Rebellion is as the sins of Witchcraft and Idolatry.  
5. 
Rebellion a spreading sin.  Witchcraft and Idolatry are sins of an exceeding spreading nature, all sins are spreading, but above others, these sins are spreading and infectious, one Witch will make a great many as hath been experienced and confessed; and as for Idolatry, we see through the word of God in many examples of what a spreading nature it is. How soon were thousands of the Israelites infected with Idolatry when Moses was in the Mount? How soon did this spread over the ten tribes of Israel? and how is it at this day spread over great part of the Christian World? it were easy to enlarge upon it, in this, Rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft and Idolatry; Odious and abominable to God, as these sins are. How suddenly will seeds of sedition and Rebellion spring up? How soon will a few rebel's increase, and cover a whole Nation: 
Num. 6 Particularly.  one Corah with a Rebellious design soon draws in two hundred and fifty into his Rebellious Conspiracy.  
Secondly, I come now to show you more particularly, and distinctly, wherein this sin of Rebellion is as the sins of Witchcraft and Idolatry.  
And first, wherein Rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft: 
Rebellion as Witchcraft.  now Rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft in three particulars, First in the cause of it, Secondly in the natural effects of it, Thirdly in the prognostic of it.  
First, In the cause or ground of it, 
In the cause.  the cause or ground of Witchcraft for the most part is extraordinary spleen, malice, inveterate Envy and irreconcilable hatred conceived against a person. This upon experience hath been found true, and been confessed by several that have been Witches and Wizards, and have dealt in this vile, unnatural way with the Devil; when they have been asked how they came to be Witches, they have confessed that they had upon injury received, etc. conceived implacable malice and hatred against some person on whom they sought Revenge, but had not power to accomplish it, on which occasion Satan hath appeared unto them, and hath upon conditions and Contract between them, to satisfy their envious and malicious humour given them his assistance. Now in respect of the cause and ground of this sin, Rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft; the cause and ground of it being Ambition, and Envy, stirring up inveterate hatred and malice, and so seeking of revenge on those persons whom they have thus hated, see this in those notorious rebel's you read of in the Numb. 16. 
Num. 16  where you read of Corah, Dathan, and Abiram, and their adherents, for it seems they had made a considerable party to carry on their Rebellion. Two things at present I shall touch concerning this design, first their design and project, secondly the cause and ground of it.  
First, Their design and project was Rebellion against their Superious and Governors, their Magistrates and Ministers. 
Vers. 3.  Vers. 3. They gathered themselves together against Moses and Aaron. Moses was their Magistrate, God's Vicegerent, he that under God did Rule and Govern the Civil State; Aaron was their Priest, and chief Minister, now these persons lay a Rebellions design, they gather together and rise up against Moses and Aaron, their magistrates and Ministers, as our late rebel's against the King their lawful Magistrate, and against the Ministry and Rulers of the Church.  
Secondly, And what was the ground of this Rebellion against their Governors in Church and State? the cause and ground of this was the very same as the ground of Witchcraft, [Envy] they saw how Moses and Aaron were honoured by the people; because they were above and themselves below, because they moved in the higher Orb of Government, and themselves, in the lower Orb of Subjection, hereupon they Envied them for that state of Superiority wherein God had set them, and hence their Rebellious design and practices. All their fault was, God had advanced Moses and Aaron, not that they had opposed God, or hurt Israel, so that indeed the trouble of the Rebels, was not the badness of their Governnours, but the goodness of God. this you have clearly expressed Psal. 106.16. 
Psalm 106.16.  They Envied Moses in the Camp, and Aaron the Saint of God. Thus is Rebellion as the sin of Witchcraft in respect of the cause and ground of it.  
Secondly; 
Effects.  Rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft in respect of the proper effects of it: what is the proper work & business of Witches? are they not altogether bend upon mischief? Casting away of Ships, making away their neighbour's , murdering their neighbours against whom they have conceived spleen and hatred, these are the natural and proper effects of the sin of Witchcraft, in which respect Rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft; for what is the work of rebel's, their natural and proper work, but to fire, and kill; slay, murder, massacre, and to do all manner of Hellish wickedness.  
Thirdly, 
Inrespect respect of its Prognostic.  Rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft in regard of the prognostic: Witchcraft, of any sin next that against the Holy Ghost is the brand of a vild reprobate Wretch given over to destruction and Damnation. God's power is infinite, but scace in an age that you hear of a Witch, converted; so near is the Conjunction between Witches and the Devil, that it is hardly to be found where any of them are convinced of their sin, reduced, converted. In this respect also is Rebellion as the sin of Witchcraft it is a woeful Prognostic of a Reprobate wretch and firebrand of Hell one destined to Damnation, when given up to the sin of Rebellion & stubbornness. Mistake me not, I undertake not positively to determine of the eternal State of every one that hath a finger in Rebellious designs and actions, nor any way dare I undertake to limit God as if he were not able to make a Traitor, a good Subject, and a Rebel to become Loyal; he that is Almighty can do all things, yet I know not through the Scriptures many more dangerous Prognostics of a firebrand of Hell, and one given up to a Reprobate sense then for one to be a Rebel against God and his King, against Governors of Church and state. 1 Io. 3.15. Rom. 13.2. Thus you see more particularly how Rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft.  
I now come to show distinctly how this sin of Rebellion and stubborness is as the sin of Idolatry, 
Rebellion as Idolatry. Rebellion looks like Religion.  now this will eminently and evidently appear in this one particular; (for I shall forbear launching out farther into these resemblances, lest I be prevented in what I have further to deliver) Superstition and Idolatry of all sins is a sin that carries the fairest Varnish of Religion upon it, in so much that many are deceived, & take Superstition and Idolatry for true Religion and Piety: as I doubt not many may be deluded to take Rebellion for Religion. Idolatry I say is a sin that carries a brave varnish and high pretences of Religion upon its and so doth this sin of Rebellion, it is a sin for the most part Varnished with Religion, it is an old trick of the Devil to varnish over the vilest actions with Religion; fair glozing words, Saint like words, and pretences to carry on his Hellish designs. In nomine Domini incipit omne malum, but especially this evil of Sedition and Rebellion, you know how it is with the Papists, those Idolatrous Rebels, who will kill Kings and tell you they do God good service, murder Magistrates and all under a notion of Religion. 
Cambd. Eliz.  It is observed by Cambden concerning Parsons that Arch Traitor and Rebel, when he was hatching mischief against his King and Country, set forth as if he had been wholly made up of devotion an excellent piece of Christian Resolution) and now, for Zions' sake, I will not hold my tongue, saith one, so saith another, so a third: Zion at the tipp of the tongue, and Babel at the root of the heart. Religion without, Rebellion within; so, 
Num. 16.3.  those Rebels before mentioned, Numb. 16.3. their design was fowl; but their pretence was fair: yea take too much upon you, seeing all the Congregation are holy every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Wherefore lift you up yourselves against the Congregation of the Lord? See here, how Religion is the cloak, for their Rebellion against Moses and Aaron. Religion was all the Cry, but Rebellion was all the design. This was the Snake under the grass. Idolatry is a sin that carries a fair show of Religion upon it; thus Rebellion comes under the mask of Religion and holiness. Thus you see the first thing promised sc. How Rebellion is as Witchcraft and Idolatry: by which you may see what a heinous and odious sin, the sin of Rebellion is.  
I now come to the second thing promised, and that is to give answer unto the several pretences under which many in the world carry on, their Rebellious designs and practices, to the ruin of King and Country, Church and State, as much as in them lies. 
1. Pretence for Rebellion wickedness of Governors.  Which I mention, and answer not so much for the [strength] of their Arguments, as for the [weakness] of many Christians who are deluded and cheated by these fair pretences. I shall particularly speak to four.  
And first, the first pretence for Rebellion is usually the naughtiness of the person or persons governing in Church or State. A Generation there are that take upon them to whisper into the Ears of one another, as if our 
* Like that of the Donatists vid. apud Aug. count. petil, l. 2. c. 92. p. 174.175.176. in 8. whom S. Aug. answers at large. Answer.  King were a wicked King, and as if our Bishops that are now to govern the Church were wicked men, and therefore they look upon it as their duty, to remove such Governors as these are. Now, I shall say some thing particularly to this pretence, and show you the falsehood of it, and the unwarrantableness of this ground to raise sedition, and to Rebel against our King and Governors Civil or Ecclesiastical.  
I shall chief speak to this as Relating to our Sacred Sovereign. If a private person and neighbour be prejudiced we are bound in our places to vindicate him, when but his private good name is taken away, much more when there are such wicked suspicions and whisper concerning our King, are we bound to vindicate him, these tending to the prejudice of the whole Church and State.  
And first, for any thus to speak or whisper directly or indirectly concerning his Majesty, thereby to stir up sedition or Rebellion, is highly uncharitable, usurping the place of God, who alone is able to search or judge the heart of any, no man is able to reach the heart, it is uncharitable for to judge upon light grounds any man to be wicked, much more his King.  
2. As to what some would be surmizing and whispering, as to his Majesty's introducing of Popery, if they were not wilfully blind, his Majesty's standing fast to the Protestant Religion, when under so great Temptations to the contrary, is sufficient evidence rationally to clear him of that; nor can it rationally or honestly be in the least suspected by any that he should be Popish, whom the greatest and strongest temptations could never shake.  
3. Me thinks the extraordinary workings of God for his Majesty, the many Miraculous deliverances wrought for him, God's Miraculous Restauration of him, should be some ground to think that God would scarce have wrought so Miraculously for one whose heart is not right towards him; God doth not usually such great things, nor is at the expense of such strange deliverances for those who have not some more than ordinary Relation to himself.  
4. If the tree be known by its fruits, methinks his Majesty's Christian care of Religion since his Restauration, his faithfulness in keeping promise, his Integrity in governing by Laws and Counsels; his incomparable meekness, and gentleness, to the worst of his Enemies; his unparallelled Charity towards those that have most provoked him; his readiness to forgive and pardon so many thousands sometime desperately engaged against him, against whom he had so strong an advantage: these visible fruits might be sufficient evidences of the goodness of the Tree that bears them, had we but eyes to see them, and were not above measure censorious and uncharitable.  
5. Suppose indeed, a King were never so wicked, as Rebels will be ready to pretend, what then? must we therefore Rebel against him, and swim through a Sea of Blood to dethrone him? must we take Gods work out of his hand? is it not a work peculiar to God, I say, peculiar to God, and God alone, to set up, or cast down from the Throne? I am sure the Scripture gives it to God as his special Prerogative, Know therefore (lest any of you should be deluded) that it is unlawful for any subjects to Rebel against their King under pretence or surmise that he is a wicked Governor. Should he be wicked? Pray for him as a Christian subject, Rebel not against him, that's the Devil's work. That is a considerable expression of David: Psal. 119. v. 161. 
Ps. 119. v. 161. Note.  Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. Mark what he saith, Princes have persecuted without cause; Saul, (to whom this speech of David very likely doth relate he did persecute David to the high, he hunted him up and down as a Partridge upon the mountains, he sought all ways to ruin him, and this without cause too, David never gave him any just occasion so to do; what then? doth David say Saulis a wicked King, and therefore I will make a party and rebel against him, and dethrone him? It is not fit for such a wicked man to reign or be in such a place; do you ever hear any words of this nature fall from David's mouth? nay, though he was himself by extraordinary commission from the Lord anointed to be King, yet, not such a word; no, no, David renders not evil for evil, but overcomes evil with good; when he had Saul in his power and might have slain him, Nay, and was thereunto instigated by his servants, yet he would not, he detested, he abhorred it; when he had but cut off the lap of his Garment, Oh how did his conscience smite him? What a Hell then may we imagine would David have had in his conscience had he cut of his head. No, God forbidden that I should touch the Lords anointed. David's heart stood in awe of God's word which told him, as he answered his men, That it was not lawful for him to touch the Lords anointed.  
What saith Daniel to that wicked Idolatrous King Darius, 6. Dan. 21. Oh King live for ever; 
6. Dan. 21. Note.  though a wicked King, yet, Oh King live for ever; though an Idolatrous King, yet, O King live for ever; Though one that forced others to Idolatry, yet, O King live for ever. Though one that had unjustly cast him into the Lion's Den, and offered him personal injury, yet, O King live for ever. He did not therefore make a party to Rebel against him, because he was thus, nor did he seek to throw him out of his Throne, what was Caesar but a wicked King, an Idolatrous King? nor yet doth King jesus instigate or stir up any to Rebel against him. So that you see that pretence of the wickedness of a King or Supreme Magistrate is not a sufficient ground of Rebellion, which Pretence, yet, we have great cause to conclude is desperately wicked and false as to our particular case.  
And as to our Ecclestastical Governors. The Bishops, whereas the pretence of their wickedness must be a cloak for Rebellion, the like might be said to these as to the former, it is highly uncharitable to judge those of them to be so, whom we know not nor never so much as saw their faces most of us, and as to some of them I shall be bold to say, that it is most notoriously false; nor dare I believe other, but that some of them are of such eminent Piety and integrity, that the very Devil himself cannot have the impudence to call them wicked. But, if they were, yet the impersection of the person, destroys not the function, nor is it any just cause wherefore any should raise Sedition and Rebellion, and such will do well to consider who are over free in words of this nature (for many will presume to lash their Ecclesiastical Governors, who will scarce dare to do the same to their Civil Governor) that it is no small sin to revile a private Christian, but much more to revile God's Ministers the Shepherds of our souls.  
A second Pretence of some for Rebellion is the business of Ceremonies, 
2. Pretence Introduding of Ceremonies, etc.  Common-Prayer, and way of worship which some count and call Popish, and hence take occasion to inveigle silly people to sedition and Rebellion against their Governors' God hath set over them, and the Government they ought to subject themselves unto, under the notion of throwing down these at least the Reformation of them, too great pretence is made for Rebellion.  
Answer. To this pretence I answer first, I must needs confess (if it be my ignorance the Lord enlighten me.) It remains yet to be proved for aught I can understand, that the Ceremonies of the Church of England, or the form of public Prayer are contrary to the Scriptures, that some of them being used in the Church of Rome, should undeniably prove them Popish is an Argument so weak that it needs no answer; the rule we are to go by is to find whither there be any thing in the word of God against them; for else I know not why we may not eat a meal dressed Italian fashion, supposing there be no poison in the meat nor sauce, no doubt the Church of Rome may have something good in her, if we retain what is good and not contrary to the Scriptures shaking off what is bad, and contrary to the same I see not but that the charge of Popery is false, irrational, and unchristian.  
Secondly, It is a pitiful piece of rashness to cry down that for superstitious, and Popish which we ourselves do not presently understand.  
Thirdly, But suppose indeed, something smelling of Superstition be attempted to be introduced, is this a sufficient ground for Sedition and Rebellion? look into the Text, doth not God say, Rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft, and stubborness as superstition and Idolatry?  
I but it may be you will say it is fit such things should be prevented, and what is amiss should be reform.  
To this I shall offer these two things.  
First, 
Suspected evil to be prevented in God's way.  Whatever we would prevent we are every one to labour to prevent in our own places, those that are private Christians are to endeavour the prevention of such things they suspect will be a miss, by their prayers, not by Rebellion. Prayers & tears were wont formerly to be the Christians Arms, not Pikes and Muskets, and be sure of this, God needs not our sin, Rebellion, Murder, Bloodshed, Regicide, to uphold or carry on his cause, it is too grossly reflecting upon his Glorious Majesty, to think or imagine that God cannot do the work he hath to do in the world without our sin, nor hath God ever appointed Rebellion as a way and means for prevention of evils suspected.  
Secondly, As to the business of Reformation; if there be any thing amiss, there is no good Christian but will hearty desire it may be reform; Reformation is indeed a fair word, but, alas, who knoweth not how cunningly, and closely Rebellion is sheltered under the wing of pretended Reformation. Where it is truly intended and endeavoured in ways warrantable and Scriptural, it is worthy to be embraced by all; but when pretended for the better carrying on men's corrupt interests, and is made use of as a Stalking horse to men's wicked designs, it is no better than (in one word) Diabolical, nor is this the first time that Rebellion hath been masked under pretence of Reformation, & hath not our own time showed us beyond all Contradiction what hath crept in under this Mask, and what hath been introduced under this cloak? was not Reformation some years since pretended as high as any can pretend to it now? and what was it? did not experience show us? In stead of one faithful Religious King, had we not a hundred Tyrants? and was this reformation? instead of one uniform way of serving and worshipping God, had we not all manner of errors, Heresies, and Irreligions introduced? was not this the reformation? Instead of order, had we not confusion? and was this indeed Reformation? while we over furiously contended about the removal of shadows did we not Tantum non lose the Substance, and ourselves too? was not this the reformation? me thinks the people of England, having so bit upon the Bridle should abhor all the like Seditious, and Rebellious practices although coming under never so specious a pretence of Reformation.  
Thirdly, 
3. Pretence Liberty of Conscience.  A third pretence for Rebellion is Liberty of Conscience, a fair cloak which many cover over their Rebellious designs withal, and whereby they delude poor silly people. Conscience is a tender thing, and Liberty is a specious pretence.  
Answer. To this I shall briefly speak these four words.  
1. That Government we are under doth not (as far as I understand) abridge any person of the liberty of his conscience, so far forth as his conscience is Regulated by the Rule of the word, you may be as holy as you will, so you keep in God's way, and what ever is not in God's way is no holiness, nor can conscience be rightly pretended for it.  
2, How easy were it to answer ad hominem? and say that indeed there is no such thing as Liberty of Conscience intended by those that make the highest pretences to it; it is nothing but a juggle and cloak for Rebellion, sure were these persons indeed conscientiously & seriously for liberty of conscience they would have given more liberty to others when time was; is this their principle indeed that every Christian ought to have Liberty of Conscience? then why did they not give liberty of conscience to others, who were as conscientious in some things as they themselves can pretend to be in others?  
3. I might further also give you to know that there is nothing more repugnant to the Scriptures, dishonourable to King jesus, destructive to Religion, pernicious to all good Civil or Ecclesiastical Government, then unbounded Liberty of Conscience: universal Toleration, and Liberty is most contrary even to the light of nature, 
Cam Hist. med. lib. 3 c. 18.  the Romans were always careful to retain their Religion and still punished those that attempted to bring in new worship and superstition, and to the same purpose was the advice of old Mecanas to Augustus; to punish those that would of their own heads attempt to bring in innovations into Religious worship, and so the Scythians as Barbarous as they were, yet upon foresight of the after claps, might follow if all men were suffered to bring in, and follow after their own pleasure new devotions, strictly forbade it and severely punished it. Nothing more directly destructive to the peace of the Church then unlimited Liberty in matters of Religion. I will appeal unto all that are enlightened with the least beam of reason, if it be not the highest piece of nonsense in the world, for any to affirm that the way to preserve the peace of the Sheep is to tolerate Wolves among them, this universal unlimited Liberty of conscience is contrary to the law of God, and to the law of nature & not to be endured into any, much less a Christian Kingdom.  
4. It is evident this day, how the pretenders to liberty of conscience make use of their liberty to the destruction and murder of their neighbours & therefore high time to restrain and limit them by good discipline, to the rules of the word.  
Fourth, 
Fourth pretence King Jesus and the Saints Reign.  pretence for Rebellion this odious and devilish sin is King jesus and his personal reign on earth. Which pretence makes my heart to tremble within me, to hear the name of my Lord and master jesus Christ thus dishonoured and blasphemed by wicked and ungodly men, who entitle the Lord jesus to their Rebellion which you have heard is as the sin of Witchcrast. This must be carried one under pretence that the Saints must rule the earth, and that jesus is their King, and I know not what, such filthy stuff not fit to be named.  
Answer. 1. To this, you may know that this opinion of Christ's personal reign upon the earth, and the Saints enjoyment of a Glorious temporal Kingdom and earthly delights and pleasures under his Government 
Vid. Aug de haeresibus.  is nothing else but an Engine of the Devil and an old Heresy, brought into the Church by Cerinthus and condemned in several Counsels; However seducers have of late again Broached it for new light.  

King jesus a peaceable King. Esai. 9.6.  2. I find, ad so do you that will be impartial that King jesus was a peaceable King; he is the Prince of Peace. Esai. 9.6. never was jesus Christ a fomenter or abetter of Rebellion: in his nature and by office, he was a Prince of Peace often pressing to obedience to Magistrates and Governors Civil and Ecclesiastical; and therefore to entitle King jesus to Rebellion, is no other than horrid Blasphemy. As to such persons who make this pretence, I shall be bold briefly to tell them these two things.  
1. That Rebels are not for King jesus, but for King Lucifer who was a murderer from the beginning.  
2. Such may further know, that it is too probable when the arm of justice hath reached them here, King jesus will also execute them hereafter without speedy and present repentance of so horrid Blasphemy and wickedness. And having spoken something to the undeceiving of the weak. I shall add a word or two of application and so conclude. The time being so fare spent, I shall only touch upon two uses.  
The first shall be by way of Exhortation to beseech you to have a care how you have any thing to do in this horrid sin of Rebellion; 
1. Use. Exhortation.  which is as Witchcraft and Idolatry. Take heed how you are tardy in the least degree of it, abetting or well-wishing in the least unto it, to press you a little to this duty of Allegiance to your King, whom God hath set over you, I shall hint briefly at four or five motives. 
1. Mot. From positive command.   
First, consider how frequently God doth urge this duty upon us. Fear God and Honour the King: honour the King, honour him in thy heart, harbour not suspicious surmises & jealousies of him, think not he is not as he should be, because he is not in every thing as thyself; honour him in thy words; speak of him as becomes a loyal, Religious subject to speak of a Gracious and Religious Prince; honour him in thy actions yielding actual obedience in all commands not contrary to the commands of God. Give unto Caesar, saith Christ, the things that are Caesar's; it is not, Rebel against him, sow sedition to the disturbance of his Government, but give unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's. 
13. Rom.  Read over the 13th. to the Romans when you come at home; observe how the Apostle presseth obedience to the higher powers; as the ordinance of God. Upon pain of Damnation dissuading from Rebellion, V 2. 
V 2.  obey your King and that for conscience sake, in obedience to God the King of Heaven. It is a saying of Irenaeus, 
Irenaeus adversus haereses Vulentini & similium l. 5. p. 601.  Cujus jussu homines nascuntur, ejus jussu Reges constituuntur: by whose command men were made, by his command Kings were appointed. Know therefore you cannot be loyal subjects unto King jesus, unless you are loyal subjects unto your earthly King. The command of God so often reiterated in holy writ should prevail something with us that are Christians.  
A second Motive might be taken from the examples of all Real Saints, 
2. Mot. From the example of the Saints.  never any man that truly feared God, but honoured his King. Nor have we any Scripture ground to believe that that person doth truly fear God, who doth not conscientiously honour his King. The Christians of old did always look upon it as a woeful disgrace to be but suspected for disloyalty to those whom God had set in Authority over them. Tertullian doth therefore in his Apology he made for the Christians unto the Emperor, 
Tartull. Apol.  in his days, speak for them all in general, The Christian is no man's enemy, much less the Emperors. Nor indeed is he worthy the name of a Christian, that is a Rebel to God and his King; Consider the examples of all the Saints of old, let these draw you to Loyalty, and dissuade you from the least degree of Rebellion.  
Consider the sad and woeful judgements of God on those that have been guilty of this sin of Rebellion; 
3. Mot. From God's judgements on Rebels. jude 11.  think not so devilish a sin will be let pass without remarkable punishment, in the 11. of jude the Apostle doth note that those who in his time followed Corah in the way of Rebellion, did also follow him in the way of Perdition. Oh what remarkable judgements did God inflict upon that tribe of Rebels? you see how the very Elements conspired against them, who conspired against there Governors Civil and Ecclesiastic. Earth opens its mouth and swallows up some of them, fire comes from the Lord and consumes others of them, as you read Numb. 16. at large, 
Numb. 16. Prov. 24.21.  you will find it, Enemies to Government are in the end greatest Enemies to themselves. My Son, saith Solomon, fear thou the Lord and the King, and meddle not with them that are given to change, for their calamity shall arise suddenly, and who knoweth the ruin of them both. [There calamity shall arise suddenly.] i. e. there conspiracies and machinations shall speedily and unexpectedly be discovered, and God and the King will both set themselves in their power against them. It may be observed through Sacred and other History that the calamity of no sort of sinners ariseth so suddenly, unavoidably, and remarkably, as that of those who are seditious and Rebellious. Few Rebels have scaped a violent death. Witness those examples, of Absolom, Sheba, Adonijah, Zimri, Athaliah; what became of Becket, Mortimer, the Percyes, Tyler, Wyar, etc. did they not come to miserable ends? to say nothing how the Arm of justice hath of late reached, those who were Rebellious against their late King. Government, yea, and Kingly Government is God's ordinance and God will be avenged upon those who set to a finger to pluck down his Ordinance, as for those Rebels that talk so much of seeking God, let them know that God will find them out, nor shall they easily escape his Hand of justice.  
A fourth Motive might be taken from the King, 
4. Mot. From his Majesty.  God hath set over us, a pious King; a meek King, a King patiented of injuries, a King sent by the Miraculous Providence of God to rule over us, so that if any Nation may say, God hath set a King over them, we may truly say, we have a King of Gods sending, and what shall any have a Rebellious thought against such a King?  
I might argue from the Church and Nation wherein we live, 
5. Mot. From the Church.  is not the good of both involved in the welfare of the King, and doth not his welfare depend on his Subjects conscientious allegiance to him? and therefore let me beseech you as you are men, as you are Christians, if any fear of God, if any love to Christ, if any respect to the Gospel, if any regard to the Kingdom and Church in which you live, if any care of yourselves and the Eternal welfare of your precious souls, take heed of this odious sin of Rebellion; give all due honour and allegiance to the King God hath set over you.  
I shall only add a word or two by way of direction and conclude: 
2. Use. Direction.  wherein I shall lay down two or three helps against Rebellion.  
1. Take heed of the sin of Covetousness it is the ground of Rebellion, it 
* Remember the King and Bishop's Lands.  was the sin of Balaam, who for desire of reward proved a Rebel against God, desire of gain will carry a man to all wickedness; it neither fears, nor forbears any sinful course, it is the root of all Evil, and hath been the cause of our seditions and Rebellions of later years.  
2. Take heed of pride and Ambition, this is another cause of Rebellion, which you see in Core and the other Rebels. They would fain have been Uppermost themselves, and therefore rise up against Moses and Aaron whom God had set over them.  
3. Chief take heed of Seducers, of being led away into erroneous opinions in matters of Religion. No Rebels like Schismatics and Heretics, above all, Heresy is the root whence naturally springs Rebellion, and of all persons those are most cruel in their Rebellions; in the 11. of jude, you read of the seduced, 
11. jude.  and Seducers how they went in the way of Cain, the way of Cain, what way was that? why, the way of hypocrisy, the way of envy, the way of murder, the way of blood and cruelty. Here I might tell you of the Donatists what cruel Rebels they were as is noted by Augustine, these pretended much purity, as if there were no Church in the world but theirs in chat corner of afric; as many of our Rebellious persons are upon the same strain. 
Aug. Cont. Donat.  Aug. relating their cruelty tells us how that among these Donatists, the masters stood in fear of their servant that was of this Sect, and though their great plea was for Toleration and Liberty of Conscience, yet when they got power in their hands never none so cruel as they filling whole Africa with blood and desolation. Look among the Papists if heresy be not the spring of sedition and Rebellion, how desperately bend are they against Kings, if not of their mind making nothing to depose them as they are able, consider that of the Anabaptists in Germany, was there ever such a crew of bloody, cruel Rebels in the world, till this crew of our own sprung up of late and not easily to be paralleled? Nor is it wonder that those who are left of God to Schism, Error, Heresy, should rise against God by sedition and Rebellion, have a care of errors in judgement in matters of Religion, this will lead directly in a little time to Rebellion; oh, therefore you that are gone aside and separated from the Church, return, return again to that Church from whence you are fallen, they that will not return to the Church, there is little hope that they will return to their Allegiance. And thus much I have thought good in duty to my God, in duty to my Lord and Master King jesus, in duty to my King, in duty to my Country, and in duty to your precious Souls, to acquaint you with concerning the sin of Rebellion out of God's Word. From which Devilish sin and from all Plotters and Actors of it, the Lord of his Mercy deliver us.  
FINIS.