GODS worke must not be done to the halves, it is not enough to the discharge of dutie, to doe part of his will, and leave the rest unfulfilled: God hath most glory, and man the greatest comfort, when we ob­serve not onely part of, but all his Commands: ye are my friends, if ye doe not something, but whatsoe­ver I command you, Ioh. 15. 14. It will not be sufficient plea for us in the last day, that we endevoured to secure our owne soules, by hearkening to Gods call, and coming out of Babylon our selves, that we be not partakers of her sinnes, and that we receive not of her plagues, as it is given in charge to the Church, vers. 4. of this Chap. but we must al­so [Page 2] (for our brethren, and posterities sake) reward her even as she hath rewarded us, and double unto her according to her workes, in the cup which she hath filled we must fill to her double; as it is in the words of my Text. It will not suf­fice that we come out of Babylon, and be safe, but we must also drive Babylon out of the world, both in name, and be­ing, that others be not endangered, or defiled. To spend time in clearing, that by Babylon (of whom this whole Chap­ter and Text treats) is meant Rome in her state Papall, and Antichristian Apostasie, is altogether needlesse; being a­bundantly affirmed, and proved in the labours of the godly learned; and at this day scarce either questioned, or denied by any, but either Atheists, or Papists, or both; in heart at least, if not in profession: I shall therefore wave all discourse that way de industria, and take it pro confess [...]. The words then in the generall, containe in them a strict Iniunction, or Charge, concerning the powring out of furie, and indigna­tion upon spirituall Babylon, or Rome collapsed, and be­come Antichristian. The Obiects of which Charge, or the Instruments of this furie, we may see noted, vers. 4 as they are there styled the people of God, and called upon to come out of her. And these (I say) must powre upon her furie and destruction. For by this treble precept of rewarding her as she hath rewarded you, of doubling unto her according un­to her workes, in the Cup which she hath filled, of filling to her double, none of any reasonable capacitie will once imagine, that she must berewarded with Idolatrie, for Ido­latry, that she must be double unto in superstition, as she hath beene superstitious, that in the Cup of error she must be filled too double, as she hath beene erroneous. No, certainly the words doe clearely respect and enforce the ruine and utter overthrow of the Antichristian state of Rome, where­unto the people of God must put their hands, and be help­full, for the accomplishment of that Prophecie of the An­gel, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, as we have it vers. Quest. 2. Where (for clearing of my way) it will first be de­manded, Why the holy Ghost both in this Chapter, and all [Page 3] along the Prophecie points out the state of Rome lapsed and Antichristian, by the name and title of Babylon, and not rather by its owne name Rome; that since this is a Reve­lation, we might have had it plainly, and clearely revealed, who and what is meant?

To omit all other answers for the present, Answ. I pitch upon this, as most satisfactorie. That the reason hereof is, because God in this title or name, Babylon, had an especiall aime, to hold out unto his Church, all the enemies of his people, and opposers of his truth. For as Babylon of old, was a great and grand Adversarie to the Church and people of God: so here, under that name, the holy Ghost sets forth unto us, the condition and end of all spirituall Babylonians, they are bloudy persecutors in their times, and their end is to be destroyed. And that this is the reason, will appear. For if the Lord had onely said. Rome the great is fallen, is fallen; and, reward Rome as she hath rewarded you, it had beene of too narrow a compasse for expression of the minde, and meaning of the holy Ghost, and the instruction of the Church, what to thinke of, or how to deale with her ene­mies. For if Rome in the letter had beene once destroyed (which the Church might possibly have attempted, and soone atchieved) then all her other persecutors would, and might have boasted themselves as out of the verge, and list of them who by this Prophecie are noted, and voted to de­struction. But here it is apparent that they are all Baby­lonians, where ever they inhabite, and drinke of Romes poisoned and cruell Cup, of error and bloud. And this is it the Church must doe to them, Reward them as they have rewarded her. She must double unto them according to their workes, in the Cup that they have filled, she must fill to them double; pointing out rather what the Church must doe against Romanists then Rome, aiming equally at men of Romish spirits, as well as Romes Denisons and Inha­bitants: for not to dwell in Rome, but to have Rome dwell in us is a sinne, and the high-way to destruction.

It is all one in this case, whether they be English or Ita­lian [Page 4] Babylonians. So that (as I conceive) the purpose of God in the Text, is the impartiall cutting downe of Church ene­mies, as well those of the Romish partie, and faction, as Synagogue and profession. And hereupon, if these words be compared with those of vers. 4. (as of necessitie they must be referred thereto for the supply of the sense) then without all further either scruple or curiositie, the Doctri­nall conclusion from the words as a Basis of that which en­sues, will be this.

It is the dutie of all those who have escaped Romish cor­ruption, The summe of the Text in one generall do­ctrine. to be instrumentall for Babylons compleat fall and ruine.

The witnesses I shall produce to prove, The first proofe of the point in a discovery of command from Jer. 50. 8 14, 15. and make this good, are of unquestionable veritie, and authoritie: as first, you may see it cleared in a discoverie of Command parallel to this in the Text, Ier. 50. at the 8. vers. compared with the 14. and 15. For first in way of escape the Lord en­joynes his people to remove out of the midst of Babylon, and to goe forth out of the Land of the Chaldeans, and be as the he-goats before the flocks: and this certainly hath an eye to the escaping from spirituall filth, and pollution as well as the slaverie, and bondage of that captivitie; for it is one of the punishments which the Lord threatens the Church in the wildernesse withall, that if they doe sinne and commit wickednesse against the Lord, then the Lord will bring them and their King which they shall set over them, unto a nation which neither they nor their fathers have knowne, and that there they should serve other gods, wood and stone, Deut. 28. 36. and this we see urged upon some as their most bitter portion in that land of Chaldea to fall downe and wor­ship the golden Image which Nebuchadnezzar had set up, Dan. 3. 15. And to say truth, what is all corporall restraint, if compared with temptations and provocations to spiritu­all uncleannesse, which the people of God shall certainly meet with, whiles they remaine in the hands, and under the power of Babylonians? so that (as I take it) the Lord chief­ly aimes at Sionsridding, and acquitting her selfe from the [Page 5] sinnes of, and in Babylon: for to what purpose is it, to be Iewes in habitation, and Babylonians in opinion and con­versation? And we see clearely, that it cost the godly a­mong the Iewes a great deale of care, and paines, to get the Congregations purged from those sinnes the people brought back from Babylon, at their returne out of that captivitie: as it is upon record, Nehem. 5. 6. 13. & 9. 38. & 13. 15. Well then, suppose we the people of God ready, and prompt, both in respect of sinne and sorrow, to come up to God at his word, and make removes from▪ Babylon as he here com­mands, is this all they have to doe, may they rest content with this their locall and spirituall separation? No sure, there yet remaines somewhat more for them to doe, they must look back upon Babylon: but not (as many times they did upon Egypt) with hearkening after returnes to her car­nall contentments. No, it must be to execute, and take vengeance, for all the sinnes wherewith she hath offended against the Lord, and all the sufferings she hath formerly laid upon his people: for so it is given in charge, Put your selves in aray against Babylon round about: all ye that bend the bow shoot at her, spare no arrowes, for she hath sinned a­gainst the Lord: shoot against her round about, she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her wals are throwne downe: for it is the vengeance of the Lord; take vengeance upon her, as she hath done, doe unto her, as thus it followes in the afore quoted 14, & 15. vers. of the 50. of Ier. Whiles the Church forsakes her in heart, she must strenuously, and sedulously act against her with her hands: and thus of the discovery or proofe of the point from command.

But it will be said, The second proofe of the point in a dis­covery of pro­mise. Icel 3. 7, 8. this place of Ieremiah puts others up­on acting against, and taking vengeance upon Babylon as much, if not rather more, then Iuda and the people of God, that have been captives there, and now are delivered. For answer hereto, see the point further confirmed, in a discove­ry of promise to the Church in speciall for this purpose; Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will returne your recompence upon your own head, [Page 6] and I will sell your sonnes and your daughters into the hands of the children of Iudah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeant, to a people farre off; for the Lord hath spoken it. Ioel 3. 7, 8.

And yet if any sticke at, The third proofe of the point, in a dis­covery of bles­sednesse. or question the truth of the point, see it once more, in a discovery of blessings, or happinesse, that shall fall upon those, who are instrumentall to compleat Babylons fall and mine. O daughter of Babylon who art to be destroyed: Psal. 137. 8, 9. Happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us; Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy lit­tle ones against the stones. Psal. 137. 8, 9. And who are so fit to doe this worke, and share in this blessednesse, as they upon whom God hath done his worke, and blessed them with a discovery of, and an escape from Babylons filth and pollutions?

But perhaps, 1. Reason to confirme the point, from Gods devoting of her to ruine. these testimonies are not convincing enough, some men must have reason to confirme, and settle them, in the beliefe of such a doctrine as this; To condescend to them therefore; see the point established and bottomed upon such arguments as these. First, God hath devoted Babylon to ut­ter ruine and destruction; it is that which the Lord hath de­creed and determined, yea he hath recorded it in the Court­rolls of heaven, that Babylon shall fall, and come down to utter shame and confusion. And not onely so, but he hath made known, and discovered his will and pleasure to the Church. For so he looks upon it, as a known truth, and re­ceived principle of old; O daughter of Babylon which art to be destroyed, Psal. 137. 8. the Church makes no question, but it shall be, and the truth is, we need not doubt it. For the motions and counsels of Gods minde continue still, and are stable without change, or variation; and this is his will con­cerning Babylon, both literall and spirituall, (so farre as can be knowne by his word) that it shall utterly perish and come to naught. Isaiah 13. 19, 20, 21, 22. And great Babylon came in remembrance before God to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fiercenesse of his wrath, Revel. 16. 19. And a mightie Angel tooke up a stone, like a great milstone; and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus, with violence, shall that great citie [Page 7] Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. Revel. 18. 21.

I would draw up this into forme of an Argument thus. That which God hath determined and made known to his Church in his word concerning the ruine of Babylon, it behoves all those who have escaped Romish corruption to be instrumentall for the accomplishing and bringing to passe.

But God hath determined, and in his word made it known to his Church, that Babylon shall fall and come to ut­ter ruine, and that by the Church. Ergo.

The minor proposition is cleare, from that which is above said, and the major cannot be denyed, except men will con­ceive and plead it lawfull for them, either to goe against, or come short of Gods will revealed to them in his word. I shall end this reason in this proposition.

That as the unbeleeving Iews, through ignorance and un­beliefe, did performe Gods determinate counsell and will, in putting to death the Lord Iesus Christ, the Lord of life and glory; so it behoves the beleeving Gentiles, through faith and knowledge, to performe Gods determinate coun­sell, and will, in the utter overthrowing of Antichrist, that man of sinne and sonne of perdition, with all his glory and pompe, that they may descend with shame and sorrow in­to everlasting infamie and oblivion.

Secondly, 2. Reason from Gods precedency or going before us in the work. we have not onely Gods vote, but his worke to argue from, in this case; for he goes before us, and begins to his people in this businesse of Babylons fall and ruine; so that it is no shame for us to follow; nay, it is a sinne, if we doe not, when we have such a leader. Now the Lord pro­fesseth of himselfe, with a note of observation and remem­brance; Behold, I am against thee, oh thou most proud, saith the Lord of hosts, for the day is come, and the time that I will visit thee, Ier. 50. 31. And what will be the conclusion or upshot of this visitation? A very bitter and intolerable end to Babylon, for so it follows, vers. 32. And the most proud shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up: and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it shall devoure all round about him. The Lord will make an end of all, he will leave her nei­ther [Page 8] name nor srup. Yea, the Lord is yet more full and cleare in this particular, for if the Church (in remembrance of the wrong Babylon hath done her) complaine to God, and tell him, Nebuchadnezzar the King of Babylon hath devoured me, he hath crushed me, he hath made me an emptie vessell: he hath swallowed me up like a Dragon, he hath filled his belly with my delicates, he hath cast me out; The violence done to me and to my flesh, be upon Babylon, shall the Inha­bitant of Sion say, and my blood upon the Inhabitants of Chaldea, shall Ierusalem say. The answer then of the Lord is this, for the comfort and refreshment of his people; There­fore thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee, and I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry, non of her defences shall be a securitie for her, when the Lord on Sions behalfe comes against her. And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwelling place for Dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing without an inhabitant. Here is the Lord doing, and doing to purpose, in way of avenging Sion upon Babylon, good reason therefore it is, that Sion should be up and acting, seeing the Lord is not onely with her, but before her in the worke, even to the making of Ba­bylons fall compleat and full. For as we have heard before, Ier. 51. 34, 35, 36, 37. So the Lord goes on, further to note what he will doe, vers. 57. I will make drunke her princes, and wise men, her captaines, and her rulers, and her mightie men, and they shall sleep a perpetuall sleep, and not wake, saith the King, whose name is the Lord of hosts. It is no good signe of a good souldier to shrinke back and take to his heeles when his captain is valiant in the battell. It were a most re­proachfull thing to the people of God, if they should faint, be cowardly and give out in acting for Babylons compleat fall and ruine, when they have a King to lead them, a king who wants neither counsell, strength, or means to defeat and con­quer his enemies. For his name is the Lord of hosts.

But thirdly, 3. Reason from the end of escaping Romish pollu­tions. this is the end why the people of God are fetched out of, and delivered from corruptions; that there may be some meetly qualified, disposed and fitted to worke her fall and ruine? we cannot thinke that God hath caused [Page 9] light to arise out of obscuritie, that there should be no acting against the children of the night and darknesse. If he have discovered unto us the filthinesse of the whore, it is that we may hate her, and burne her flesh with fire, and give her blood to drinke. It is no wonder, that our forefathers hands were bound, and that they did little, or nothing against the Beast and the Babylonians: for their eyes were blinded, they were in the darke, and could not see to worke, much lesse to fight. But that we having cleare visions, and full discoveries made of the Beast and her abominations, should sit still, be carelesse, and suffer her for ever to play her beastly prancks, it is a most notorious shame and staine unto us; true fire hath its heat, as well as its light, and true grace doth not onely en­lighten, but also ennoble our spirits: it doth not onely make us to know, but to doe the will of God. It puts us upon acti­on, it cannot be otherwise, but that where the love and life of God is, there will be working and endeavouring, to ruine and bring under all the enemies, and opposers thereof, as well those open, and in the view of the world, as those more secret, and shut up in the heart of a Christian. We have the true and saving knowledge of Christ, that we may be the more quickned, and encouraged to act against, and to bring down Antichrist. It is a shame not to do Gods work that he hath designed us unto; especially, when he affords us day­light to accomplish it in. Our light is lent us, that the king and kingdome of darknesse may be troden down, not onely amongst our selves, but where ever he hath subjected the souls of men to Babylonish thraldome and slavery. For though we cannot give others light, yet we may, we must endeavour their libertie.

But fourthly, 4. Reason form the pray­ers of Gods people. I shall presse the point, by an argument ta­ken from the prayers of Gods people; It is the dutie of all them who have escaped Romish pollution, to be instrumen­tall for Babylons compleat fall and ruine; that so (as farre as in them lies) they may speed, and hasten an answer to their own prayers, concerning her fall and ruine, when their spi­rits are stirred up, to act towards the accomplishment of their own desires, and requests. The men of Israel are beaten [Page 10] before the Inhabitants of Ai; the cursed Canaanites can both repulse, and kill Israelites; the reason is (though not then known) because there is an accursed thing in the camp; Ioshua betakes himself to the old and sure way; the souldi­ers fall before their enemies in battell, the Commander fals down before his God in prayer, (Ioshua 7. 5, 6.) he enquires after the cause, and reasons out the case with his God; and this is good so farre: but this is not enough, there must be some what more then prayers, to set all right againe; Ioshua must up, and act, he must finde out, and put out of the Camp the accursed Achan, the troubler of Israel: So we and our forefathers have prayed, and doe pray, againe and againe, for the ruine of Rome; have not we like those souls under the Altar, flaine for the word of God, and for the testimony which they hold, cryed with a loud voyce, saying, How long ô Lord, holy and true, doest thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? Revel. 6. 9, 10. But what can prayers doe? it is confessed, they are of great pre­valencie with God, but for all our prayers, enemies are ene­mies still, Babylonians are Babylonians still, Antichristians are Antichristians still, men are implacable, inexorable in their evils still; especially, those they act against the Church, and people of God. To our prayers therefore we must joyne, and adde our spirits, and let it appeare, that our prayers have so had power with God, as to encourage our hearts and hands to warre against Babylon. We make our prayers to God, that he would avenge us of our enemies, yea saith the Lord, I will, but you must help to avenge your selves, you would have Babylon down, you shall, it shall be so; your de­sires and prayers are granted, onely you must venture and hazard a little blood, let us see, can you spare a life, that Baby­lonians may die, I will doe my part, but I will have my peo­ple to doe theirs also, put your hands to the worke, and I will not pull back mine, reward her as she hath rewarded you, if you will have me to doe your will in heaven, doe you my will on earth, my people and I are both of a minde, we would have Babylon brought down, and totally routed, and ruined, onely here is the difference, they would have me to [Page 11] doe all, and I will have them to doe some. Let them but up and act, and it shall soon be seen, that the Lord is their help.

Again lastly, 5. Reason from the en­gagements that lye upon the people of God to this service. I shall clearely confirme the point from the consideration of those engagements, that lye upon the peo­ple of God to be active in rewarding Babylon as she hath re­warded them, in doubling to her according to her works, in the cup that she hath filled of filling her double: and the ob­ligements are many, but these shall serve at present.

An obligement of profession is upon them, 1. Engage­ment. they publish to the world, that they are the servants and souldiers of the Lambe, and therefore they must bestirre themselves, that their Lord may overcome; they must not onely enter and list themselves, take pay, we are their colours, and live upon the provision of the camp, but they must play the men and fight also. It is observable, Revel. 17. 14. that those who were with the Lambe (when he makes warre with the ten horns, that receive power as kings at one houre with the Beast) were called, and chosen, and faithfull▪ this is the commen­dation of a souldier indeed, not onely to be called, and cho­sen, but that also, in all, and above all, he be found faithfull. and our fidelitie to Christ cannot more be seene, or better ex­ercised, then when not onely as men, but Christians also, we act valiantly and constantly against the Antichristian brood in the world, who wage warre against our King and Gene­rall Christ.

They have assurance that in the blood of the Lambe they shall overcome, 2. Engage­ment. Revel. 12. 11. My brethren, who dares or can be a coward, that hath it ascertained unto him, upon un­questionable warrantie, that without doubt, he shall get the better and overcome in the battell? that whether he kill or be killed, he shall be looked upon and honoured as a conque­rour? yea, certainly he shall triumph and see his captivitie led captive. And this is the condition of all the faithfull soul­diers in the Lambs warre against the Beast and his partie. For there is that blood already shed, that hath overcome them all for us. Suppose those we are to encounter be kings, their strength is broken, crushed, and made weake, we have our feet upon their necks, whiles we goe forth to the warre.

[Page 12] Our Ioshua hath conquered, and we goe after him onely to take the spoile, and triumph. For he is king of kings, and Lord of lords, Rev. 17. 14. the field is fought, and wonne, we onely goe forth to fetch in the trophies of victory.

We have comfortable and abundant experience of and from the people of God, 3. Engagement. who in this businesse of rewarding Babylon as she hath rewarded them, have out of small be­ginnings come up to great and honourable atchievements: Time would faile me to relate many instance of former dayes, doe but reade over Gods dealings, with his Church in these seven last yeares within the compasse and confines of Great BRITAINE, and tell me whether there be not experience upon experience herein, even to no lesse then wonders and miracles. Scotland weake, and poore, anima­ted into a Covenant to stand out in this worke, against all thwarts, plots, armies, men, and devils I had wel-nigh said. In England God using meanes that his banished be not expelled from him; the righteous brought out of trouble; and the wicked coming in their stead. Courts full of vexa­tion, if not injustice, tumbled downe into their first princi­ples of non entitie. In warres for the most part the Parlia­ment successefull, or not utterly destroyed, able still to doe something for God and his cause, even to the envie of the adversarie. And in the beginnings of reformation, more suc­cessefull and blessed, then in formerly expected periods. We would heretofore have thought our selves happy, to have en­ded where we now thinke there is scarce a beginning. But to come to Kent, for whom, and with whom I have to doe in this service, how were we (unworthy) prospered in sub­duing (not over a twelve-moneth since) a desperate insur­rection, without either skill, or helpe almost in any, but our God? who till a considerable number of faithfull ones were gathered, Great raine at the time of the rising in Kent. and till the heart and strength of the wicked, was wel-neare broken and scattered, continued his raine, of love to his people, but of wrath and confusion to his enemies: and hath twice since then, defended us from the invasions of cruell and bloud-thirstie men. Oh that we could never forget these mercies, to serve God, according to the engage­ments [Page 13] they lay upon us, and that here we could (as David from remembrance of the Lion, and the Beare) gather heart to act further and further against the brood of babylonians, because we have cause to beleeve, that he who deliver­ed us from so great deaths, and doth deliver us, will also in Christ Iesus deliver us to and in the end.

The continued darings, 4. Engagement. challengings, and provocations of the Antichristian party. For besides their wondering after, and worshipping of the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast, who is able to make warre with him? Revel. 13. 4. have they not gathered together in Armes, and Armies against the Lord and against his Christ? Nay, are they not daily more and more mad, and desperate in their mischiefe conceived against the Church? Doe they not hourely beat up their Alarmes, and bid defiance to the people of the most High? Do they not rob, spoil, and plunder all where ever they come? and are these things, with many more of the like nature, any other, then so many callings out of the godly, and well-affected, to take up their Armes, draw and use their swords in the Lambs cause against the Babylonian beasts, and beastly Babylonians? Not that I would encourage any man to Duell it, in his owne avengement, or for his private honour, (for that argues basenesse of spirit, and begets a blot with all truely noble and generous ones) I would hese have every Chri­stian to stand upon his reputation, and after and amidst so many and so proud challengings, not to discover pusillani­mous and ignoble spirits. What hath Antichrist done for them they dare be so bold? and what hath not Christ done for us, that we should now in these dayes of darings be dastardly, hen-hearted and effeminate?

But enough for confirmation, 1. Vse. the poynt would be ap­plied, and may first informe us who and what man­ner of men they are, whom we must looke upon, and ex­pect to be most active, and instrumentall against the Anti­christian partie, viz. Those that either have not drunke of, or else have vomited up, the wine of Romes fornications: whe­ther we respect her Cup of, first, Idolatrie, or secondly, Li­bertie: 1 for this hath ever beene the policie of that strumpet, 2 [Page 14] to hamper men in the bonds of Idolatrous and superstitious worship, and to enlarge them in the way of licentious pro­fanenesse: it is enough, if Satan can make men zealous accor­ding to his principles of religion and devotion, although they be most remisse and carelesse in the things of Gods comman­dements: these men are so ensnared and fettered, as that it is their very death, to part with their bands, the gyves are so fastened upon their hearts, and hands, that there is no expecting any thing in way of Sious, enlargement from them.

Wonder not to see men of this world slow to a warre a­gainst 1 Antichrist. 2. Vse. For this were to act against, first, their owne interest, for here they have their portion, Psal. 17. 14. the creature is the totall stay and support of their hearts: it is not possible that these shall doe any thing in a warre a­gainst Antichrist, but thoughts presently arise, of the givings out, and emptyings of their God: their good, is in the en­joyment of earthly supports; let these be called for and ta­ken away, and their heart is down, they give up all as lost, because their goods are called for, they instantly conclude their God is gone; they know no other, and therefore they can doe no better.

2 Secondly, if these should act, it were to move against their owne ends; the purposes and determinations of their hearts, are to eate, drinke, and take their ease; they are devoted ser­vants of the flesh, and therefore may not act against those waies and things, that give them full leave and libertie to make provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts of the same. If they act against Babylon, they can neither grow great, nor enjoy pleasures, in their sense. And hence it is, they pity her, rather then act against her, as in their owne language we read, Revel. 18. 19. Alas, alas, that great Citie, where­in were made rich all that had ships in the sea, by reason of her costlinesse; for in one houre she is made desolate. Let it not trouble us that great Doctors, and profane Proctors with &c. doe not act against, but for Antichrist: their interest en­gageth them, and they must be all true and faithfull to their base and carnall ends. Their ships are forth in a voyage for [Page 15] lust, and lucre, and they would not for a world they should misse of their fraight, or perish in their adventure for trading and commerce with Babylon: the truth is, selfe-seekers are no fit men to act against Babylonians.

Hence we have a discoverie of the reason, 3. Vse. why the Anti­christian state stands so long, and strong in the world. And that is because the people of God generally, and for the most part have done but one halfe of their dutie, if so much, against Babylon. We should have used the sword, and the speare, as well as the pen, and the pulpit, in seeking her demolish­ment and fall; we should have had battels fought, as well as bookes written; she should have beene disheartened, as well as discovered; we should have dashed in pieces her carnall, as well as her spirituall props. We should have overthrowne her towers, as well as her tenets. We ought to have dis­charged our cānons, as well as our consciences against her. We should have used our armes as much, nay more, then our ar­guments against her. For these would have overcome, when those could not perswade. We should have dispatched, and not disputed her out of the world: we have not done all our worke, and why should we expect all our wages in the fall of Babylon?

But is not this a piece of strange, and harsh, if not false doctrine? may some men say. Shall we from the pulpit per­swade men to use their armes, and that to the utter destru­ction and ruine of others? I know it will be thus objected, but what of that? I matter not the murmurings, or mutter­ings of men, so long as I have a warrant from the word to back me and beare me out. And therefore here,

Fourthly, the people of God have a commission not onely for a defensive, 4. Vse. but an offensive Militia, and posture of Warre. I know many have taken great paines, and to good purpose, to prove it lawfull, in the present cause of God, the king­dome, and Parliament to take up and make use of Armes, in the defence of Religion, the Church, and the truths of God therein: but by the light of my Text and Doctrine, I shall make bold to goe one step further, and not onely to preach, but presse the Saints to put on, keepe on, and use manfully [Page 16] weapons of offence against the brats of Babylon. And I shall hence and here boldly affirme, that he who now startles and staggereth, delayeth, and refuseth, with the Parliament and their partie, to beare and use Armes, against the Prelates, Papists, and Atheists, with all the frie of Antichristian factors and panders, is no other then a rebell and traytour against God. For let these men cry up as much as they can, and with as wide and loud a mouth as they are able, the Protestant, I am sure they have never knowne or beene acquainted with the Christian Religion. For to forbeare, or be mercifull to these Babylonians, is both injustice and cruelty, to the Church, our selves, and posteritie.

1 To the Church of Christ. For these are her open ene­mies, who have endevoured, and are still a plotting, how to withdraw her from her stedfastnesse in the faith, that they might estrange her heart from her husband Christ, to doate upon, and to paramoure it with that grand Idoll of Rome, and to make her of the Temple of God, the Synagogue of Satan. And how such as these should be used, read Deut. 13. per totum.

But you will say, Obiect. we are referred to the doctrine of Mo­ses and the Old Testament for proofe in this case; and that concerns not our times, and the state of the Church under the Gospel.

But first: Answ. I am glad that it is acknowledged for a piece 1 of Scripture; and then I am sure that Whatsoever was writ­ten aforetime, was written for our learning. And

2 It hath no more nor lesse in it concerning the severe and strict punishing of seducers of old, then my Text hath against them now in the Gospel times.

3 Heretiques now are of as dangerous consequence as heretofore.

4 As an husband now, will not endure the corruption of his wife by an adulterer, any more, then a Iew under the Law: so will not the Lord suffer the wrong of alienating the heart of his Evangelicall Spouse, any more, then of his Legall one, if I may so speake.

5 The carriage of all Heretiques and Idolaters in all Ages, [Page 17] in their prevailings hath beene too cruell to the Church, and the Church on the contrary hath beene too favourable and mercifull unto them; as experience teacheth both to our sorrow and sufferings.

Lenitie and mercy moves not, they are not one jot the 6 better, but much more hardened in their sinne and mis­chiefe, by all the lenitic and favour shewed them: they will still labour to seduce and subdue the Church and people of God. Let us hence learne and labour to subdue them.

By sparing these, men are most cruell to themselves: for 2 he who can now pitie the bodies of Babylonians, will one day find, if they prevaile, that they will neither pitie bodies, estates, or soules, (so farre as lieth in their power) to cor­rupt or spoyle. If we like Ahab, spare Benhadad under no­tions of brotherhood, the reward shall be, that our lives shall goe for those we spare, and their charge (in the day of advantage) shall be like the Assyrian Kings; Fight neither with small nor great, but with the King of Israel. With none but the godly partie, that now scruples and boggles at the destroying of those, that cannot, shall not, avoid determined indignation.

And as for posteritie, they may have cause to sit downe 3 and curse the day, when we neglected the opportunitie put into our hands, of breaking the Babylonian yoake totally, and universally from off our necks, that so it may never be put upon theirs, either in poperie or slaverie; which in all pro­babilitie must needs be entailed by us to after Ages, if now in this nicke of time, we sit still and doe nothing, or not to purpose; if we looke upon, and dash not in pieces the bones of Babylons brats, thus boldly and bloudily, con­trary to law and reason, risen up amongst us; and against us, and Gods true Religion professed by us. Brethren, it is a shame to finne against opportunities; God hath now put in­to our hands a possibilitie of ruining and casting off more Babylonians in way of warre, within the compasse of a day, then our forefathers have had abilitie to subdue in this Age of reformation.

[Page 18] But must we put men to death for their religion onely, Obiect. be­cause they are Papists?

The objection in these times is most frivolous. Answ. For thou art not hereby put upon killing them for what they professe, but for what they practise; not for their opinions, but for their persecutions; not for what they thinke, but for that they act: for so saith the Text, reward her, as she hath re­warded you; and truly my sentence is, that God armes them with courage, strength, and weapons against his people, be­cause heretofore, and now also, they have and doe find too much favour at our hands. For if we will not doe Gods will upon his enemies, he can give them strength, and heart to execute his will upon us and ours, for this our present en­mitie. For we are no other then Gods enemies, whiles by a base neutralitie and parcimonie, we declare our selves Ma­lignants friends.

Hence we may learne, 5. Vse. how little good to expect from treaties of peace, accommodations, and overtures for paci­fication, with the enemies of our Church and State, the Ba­bylonish brood that now is gone forth in battell against the godly party throughout these Kingdomes. Surely nothing that is worth calling good, nothing that we can rightly name a child of desires and delight. I speake not this to be wise a­bove measure; or to preoccupate the results of their coun­sels, who sit at the Sterne, and know best, which way to steare the Ship: yet if I were in another Auditory (as one that I hope hath obtained mercy to be faithfull) I should in this case be very large; onely, for the present I give these reasons why the people of God must looke for no good this way.

1 This is quite crosse to Gods command concerning Baby­lon, I need not be large in that a second time; it was the first proofe of my Doctrine.

2 It is crosse to Gods maine end, and aime concerning Ba­bylon, in these commotions, and gatherings together against the Church: if Scripture may enlighten, this their gathering together against the Church, is that they may full for her [Page 19] sake, Isa. 54. 15. Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: Whosoever shall gather together against thee, shall fall for thy sake. Certainely God hath not suffered them thus to combine into a beesome, to sweepe and purge the Church, that afterwards they may make conditions of peace, and sit downe safely, to enjoy the good of that land, they have thus barbarously robd and spoiled.

It is crosse to their deserts, they have merited a Cup of bloud, and why should they not have their due? in point of 3 justice they must have their earned wages; the workman is worthy of his hire, and why should they not have bloud to drinke, for they are worthy? Revel. 16. 6. they have not me­rited peace to themselves, that have broken out in a time of peace, into warre against the Lord and his Christs.

Pacifications are crosse to our duties: for I pray God it be 4 not the sinne and punishment of the reformed, and reform­ing Churches, that we thrust down Antichrist and Antichri­stians so slowly: doth it not argue our want of faith in God, that we set up carnall reason as an onely engine to undermine and overtop the tottering Babel of Antichristianitie? and is it not just with God to befoole us in this worke, and lay ob­struction upon obstruction in our way, because we will not take them at their own word, and weapons, and cudgell them into a peace?

It is no small discourtesie to after ages, to neglect the oc­casion 5 presently given, and to leave them to lugge it out with Antichrist, who otherwise (were not we in fault) might freely, and comfortably follow the Lambe whither soever he calles and goes. Make peace with them now, and they will soone make warre with us and ours, when time and advan­tages serve their turnes. It is true, that there is no peace with, as well as to the wicked. For so faith the Prophet, Psal. 120. 7. I am for peace, but when I speake they are for warre.

Their Treaties are not for us, but themselves, either to get 6 time and meanes to make an end of us, or to declare it to the world, that if swords could, treaties should not make us mi­secrable. The words of his mouth were smoother then but­ter, [Page 20] but warre was in his heart; his words were softer then oyle, yet were they drawn swords, Psal. 55. 21.

Hence then, 6. Vse. since the people of God doe know their Masters will, let them be perswaded to do it, that they may be blessed in so doing.

But how must we in this businesse doe our Masters will, Quest. in what measure, and with what proportion?

My Text is your guide and standard, Answ. here is the modell and line of your worke. Suspension for suspension, degrada­tion for degradation, deprivation for deprivation, imprison­ment for imprisonment, banishment for banishment, seque­stration for sequestration, spoiling for spoiling, blood for blood; nay double unto her according to her works, faith my Text. If they have illegally troubled the people of God, be­fore a Prelaticall high Commission, (high onely in the com­mitting of iniquitie) let them have legall censures for all their mischiefes before the Parliament or other Courts of Iustice. If they have cut off Gods peoples eares, I see no reason, but by this rule, we may warrantably cut off their heads. And sure I am, if this law of like for like, be firme and good, (as it must needs be, if divine authoritie be suffi­cient to backe and make it so) then there is no reason, why ere a Prelaticall priest of them all, should be a Pastor to Gods people. For they did what they could that none of the Mi­nisters of the Lord should feed or lead his redeemed ones, why then should they lead any of the flocke that drove away the Shepheards? But because men are generally backward to act fully and to purpose, in this businesse of bringing Ba­bylon to a compleat fall and ruine; I shall yet prosecute this exhortation with hinting.

1 The impediments that stand in our way.

2 Some further Motives to quicken and stirre up the hearts of men, to this so honourable and acceptable a duties.

And first for Hindrances, take these, as in serious obser­vation, they have been presented to my thoughts, and may possibly serve to character, and set out to thine own view, the inward state, and temper of thy heart.

1 The first let therfore is the rockie flintinesse of a hard [Page 21] heart, and that under a double notion or consideration.

First, want of pitie and compassion to our brethren. We doe not remember those that are in bonds as bound with them, and them that are in adversitie as being our selves also in the body. Heb. 13. 3. we thinke not upon mangled Chri­stians; in their members and estates, upon wives defiled, maids ravished, husbandlesse windows, fatherlesse infants, whole towns both Northward, and Westward plundered and dispoyled, Congregations deprived of godly Ministers, whole prisons filled with precious Saints, & there reproached and abused; but why should I here proceed? for if we would but let our hearts looke upon decay of trade, disappointment of our hopes, and the generall exhausting of the treasure, and lessoning of the strength and honour of the Nation, and all this occasioned by the plots, and practise of the Babylonians, how could we as men, as Christians, as Protestants, as Eng­lish men, as men of Kent, sitstill with our hands bound? but here is the answer and reason, our hearts are bound through want of commiseration, and how then can our hands be loose to the Churches help? an imprisoned heart, cannot have an enlarged hand.

Secondly, in sensuall securitie, or rather senselesse stupidi­tie. We cannot, we will not be perswaded, that the cup of trembling, and blood shall passe over unto us: the hearts of many men have said and doe say, with those sinners of old, Isa. 28. 15. We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at an agreement, when the overflowing scourge shall passe through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falshood have we hid our selves. When men can blesse themselves under the sentence, and execution of the curse, there is little hope that they will up and act for the Church against Babylon. Because for the presens they are safe, they conceive and conclude they shall be so for ever, and therefore they matter not how low the Church sinks, nor how high her enemies mount and get a­bove her [...] men safe in their own sense, have no sense of other mens dangers and distresse.

An overporing upon the means already used, 2. Hindrance. to bring [Page 22] down the enemies of the Church; and so shifting off the work to others. There hath been (say some carelesse ones) so much money brought in, so many men have gone forth, and we have so many armies for present in the field, and so ma­ny souldiers in pay, that if these will not doe the worke, let all sinke and perish: if this and that, and the other, had been well husbanded, the worke might have been at an end be­fore this; and for their parts, they see as little hopes now as when the businesse began, and therefore are now resolved to give out, and helpe no more: not considering that God may in justice emptie us to the last drop of blood in our bodies, and the last penny in our purses, because we have too much Idolized our men, and monies, as though these could helpe, when the Lord stands aloofe from our troubles.

An overvaluing of that which we our selves have been forcibly constrained to do for the publique Service of God, 3. Hindrance. against his and our enemies. We have been good Arithme­ticians in our own particular, it is the common plea of the vulgar, None of my neighbours hath born so sore a burthen as I, none have been so deep sessed as I, if every man were but proportionable to me, I know how it would be, and then I could be more willing to come to the worke againe; thus men magnifie their by-past actings, though there was no­thing at all of free will in them to the worke then, and this is but to shift it off for the future; while we thinke on, and prize that highly, that (by compulsion) we have done against Babylon, we are resolved to doe no more: what would these men do if God should meet them and answer them thus in their prayers, You have cōstrained me to do much for you, but now henceforth, I will withhold my hand, I will relieve you. I will protect you, I will be mercifull unto you no more.

A conceipt that those who are risen up against God and his Church, 4. Hindrance. are, or will be friends to us, that they will pro­tect our houses, that have none of their own; that our goods shall be safe in their hands, that have banished all goodnesse from their hearts; that they will be a defence and safeguard to us, our wives, and children, who are versed in blood, to the spoyling and butchering of whole kingdomes. Edom thinks [Page 23] she is safe, if she can helpe the Chaldeans against Israel, but she perisheth for her labour. Obadiah vers. 15.

A desperate hatred of the power of godlinesse: 5. Hindrance. the puritie of Religion is the onely thing, they set themselves most bit­terly against: to be bound up, and hampered with the rules and lawes of Iesus Christ his Kingdome, is that which they cannot endure. In this they conclude, let their bonds be broke, and as for these yokes we will cast them from us. If we act against the Babylonians, it will produce our own en­snarement, let these Belialists be once brought down, and the hand of authoritie will be turned upon us, our liberties to sinne, will then be straitned, the occasions and opportunities of nourishing our lusts will quite be taken away, we shall be hampered with the strictnesse of a reformation: one can­not keepe his whore at pleasure, nor another be drunk with­out punishment, nor a third profane Sabbaths without con­troll, nor a fourth blaspheme God and his truth, without ob­servation and correction. Ministers cannot be non-residents and pluralists, to heap up mammon & murther souls without censure, and people cannot live as they list, and doe what is right in their own eyes; but all must be under the curb, and raigne of Reformation: and this is one grand reason, why men are so unwilling and backward to a warre against Baby­lon; because they are enemies to Gods great worke of ma­king all things new. Let the devill and Antichrist bring in as many new things as they will or can devise in way of super­stition, idolatry, and profanenesse, they are then up and act­ing: but if the Lord begin to create new heavens, and a new earth, wherein dwels righteousnesse, then they startle, and draw backe, and if there be any need of their hands and help in this businesse, all they will doe, shall be to retard and ob­struct it, not to prosecute and promote it. Shortly thus, men wallowing in sinnes defilements, will have no minde or care of Sions victory and triumphings in and for the truth: if they can enjoy themselves in their lust, they matter not though the Church and her glory be utterly lost, and put to the worse by the blood-thirsty Babylonians.

A base and slavish feare of humane frownes, 6. Hindrance. in case we [Page 24] set our selves to doe Gods worke, and helpe him aginst the mightie. Carnall friends and malignant allies, are strange and strong gyves, not onely upon the hands, but hearts of many men in the worke of God now in hand, Oh sayes the wretched spirit of some convinced ones, if we shall act in this cause (which we know to be of and for God) then we shall be losers by it, at the death of a father, and our name will cleane be blotted out in such and such a rich friends will: yea possibly for all this, the King may yet get up, saith ano­ther, and overtop the Parliament, and then I shall be called to an account for all the money I have lent, for all the horses, and men I have sent forth, and for my own appearings in the cause; and therefore in respect had to after times, it is good for me to be quiet, if I can possibly slide through the world, unobserved and undiscovered in my neutralitie, Let them talke of the Cause, and the Cause, I shall thinke my self hap­py, to sit still and doe nothing. This is the result of these mens thoughts, though the whole kingdome be on fire, if they can but slide up and down, and neither be signed not burnt, all is well, their cares are for none but themselves.

A pretending and pleading conscience, 7. Hindrance. to keepe them from doing good: a strange world that we are now fallen into, in point and case of conscience. Oh the purenesse, and tendernesse of conscience now adayes! what a happy time doe we live in, that men who never made conscience of bur­thening, and breaking the kingdome with all manner of [...] and ungodlinesse; are now so conscientious, that they dare not take Covenants and make Vowes to serve God, and save kingdomes? oh the brasen-faced hypocrisie of these mens hearts, who dare christen the base malignancie of their spi­rits with the name of conscience? will not these men know, that conscience truly called so, is universall, and carryeth an adequate and equall respect to all Gods commandements? conscience doth not startle at the doing of good, but evill: and if yet they question, whether it be go [...]d or no to make warre against Babylon; I referre them to my Text (part of the new Testament as they call it) a Scripture now much in request with them, and there I leave them: and yet not leave [Page 25] them, for though this conscience of theirs, in not taking Co­venants through obstinacie, be starke nought, and indeed not conscience, but wilfull pertinacy: yet (if any comparison here may be made) it is farre better with them, then those who rashly bind themselves in Covenants to doe for Sion against Babylon, and instantly enquire after and resolve upon wayes of breaking and falsifying thier Covenants. Oh the wretch­ednesse of these men! God sees the one obstinate, and the other perfidious.

Horrible ignorance of the true Religion, 8. Hindrance. while men pro­fesse themselves Protestants, they know not what it is to be a Protestant. All of most mens religion, hath been bound up in a Booke of Common Prayer, begun and ended with a morning and evening service, as they call it; as for the Do­ctrines and Principles of Religion they know them not. Men have thought themselves excellently religious, if in publique they could pray that the rest of their life hereafter might be pure and holy, and as soone as they have departed the Assembly, both spoken and acted against both puride and and the pure ones Now, that we have hopes to part with those formes (the nurses of ignorance and profanenesse) men have no spirit or heart for God: it were an excellent way to fetch in men and monies to the Parliaments aid and defence, to assur them, they should have a Masse booke in­stead of Common Prayer and Bibles, and that every fat belli­ed, covetous, wanton priest of Baal, should have three Li­vings in place of two? oh, how men would vent and spend both persons and purses, were they nourished with hopes of such wretched dayes and things as these? but if every man in his place shall be required to know God, and serve him in sinceritie and truth, their hearts rise, their milts swell, and their spirits are so bigge, that their hands can doe nothing: they are so distempered, distracted, and discontented in thier inwards, that they cannot compose themselves to helpe the Lord and his people in and to their right. Papists, and most of our common sort of people, are so allied to one another in point of Religion, that ours by no means will be perswa­ded to act against the cement of their kindred, Popery.

[Page 26] Base and unworthy love of the things of this world, 9. Hindrance. gold is mens God, and therefore not to be parted with, the heart and eyes of many men are down-wards upon the earth, and therefore they cannot, they will not lift up thier hands and draw their swords to evenge Sion upon Babylon: their one­ly trouble in these times is, that trading is obstructed, and that their incomes are so few, and disproportionable to their imbounded greedings and gripings after perishing substan­ces: here it sticks, they cannot act for heaven, because their minds are onely set upon shings earthly and below.

An obstinate shutting of mens eyes, 10. Hindrance. against the plaine and cleare discoveries of the truth: most men speake themselves wilfully obstinate, and that they will not heare with both eares, they cannot be perswaded to reade on both sides; God hath in justice blinded their eyes, that they should beleeve alye, because they receive neither the knowledge nor love of the truth: many have onely looked upon Declarations and Protestations from Oxford, though possibly penned with the cheating spirit of some dissembling Priest or Prelate, with a purpose onely to deceive some poore and unstable souls: that by giving them faire words (as the proverbe hath it) they may make fooles faine, untill they have drawn them into some bloody acts of desperate mischiefe and villany; but as for those Remonstrances and Declaration of Parliament; holding forth the right of things to the view of heaven and earth, these men have lived in an other world, they have ne­ver heard of them, but the truth is, though they have heard of them, yet they would not read them, and so by obstinacie and stiffenesse have preoccupated thier own enlightning, and conversion: yea, their hearts tell them they have been afraid of conviction and coming over to the truth; and if this be not a tricke of Popery, and the grand policie of the panders for the Babylonish strumpet, to keepe men doting upon her painted deformities, while they can keepe them hood­wineked from beholding true and reall beauties, let the world judge. Oh how are we here also striking in with Rome & Romanisme, who would be thought the onely Pro­testants of the world? No marvell if he will not act for the [Page 27] truth that is resolved, and hath determined with himselfe, not to know it.

Personall guilt that lies upon the soule unexpiated. 11. Hinder­ance. When sinne rests upon the heart unpardoned, oh how it makes the knees to smite, the joynts to tremble, and the hands to be feeble in such service as this, of rewarding Babylon as she hath rewardedus! Oh saith one, I would goe forth in these warres, and fight too, but sinne within fights against me. Oh if I should be killed in the battell, I should everlastingly pe­rish; I have my wherecome, drunkennesse, Sabbath break­ing, blasphemies, scoffings at the power of godlinesse, and a numberlesse number of other transgressions upon my con­science; they are unpardoned; I have not got them washed away in the blood of Christ: and if I should goe forth and be slaine, all these would follow me to hell; and therefore I conclude it is best to stay at home, and make up the measure of my sinnes in this wickednesse: also, that I dare not act in Gods cause, because I am wicked. I deny not but some, yea too many sinners are too desperate, and doe least feare hell, though they have most cause to dread it yet this also I am confident of, that guilt and the terrour that attends it, is a great obstacle in the way of many: for how shall be dare to fight for God, who considers that there is no reason that God should right with him and for him, but against him? if soul­diers were lesse guiltie, our warres would be more successe­full; it is not how many men, but how many good men we send forth to the warre: that we [...] say of our war­riours, as David of Ahimaaz, he is a good man and cometh with good, 2 Sam. 18. 27. guilty men will never be godly souldiers: but such as these godly ones we looke for, and require in this warfare against Babylon. He will fight best a­gainst Baal abroad, who hath overcome Belial at home; sub­due thy lust, and thy enemies) cannot be unsbdued Deut. 28. 7. The Lord shall cause thine enemies, that rise up against thoe, to be smitten before thy face; They shall come out a­gainst thee one way, and flee before thee seven wayes.

A pretence of the cause of the King, 12. Hinder­ance. when the truth is, [Page 28] men are false hearted to the cause of God. And here I shall make bold (since I am fallen upon this rocke, not in any way of disloyaltie, but (if it be possible) for satisfaction of those who want, or will not use more learned helps) to deale with oru staggerers and stumblers, in way of querie: and that which I shall now propose to them, you may call it (if you please) the Malignants Catechisme. First therefore I de­mand and require them upon their consciences as they will answer before God, and his elect Angels, to give in replies, according to the truth of the light that is in them.

Is not our King, 1. Querie. or at least wise should he not be sworn, and bound, to governe according to the Law of the Land?

Did not all good people generally before the sitting of this Parliament groane, 2. Querie. and grieve for want of that Govern­ment?

Wherein hath the Parliament denied the King the benefit of any old established Law? 3. Querie.

In making, or proposing new Lawes, 4. Querie. wherein have they gone contrary to the Kings will, but (according to the Vote of both Houses) for his, and the Kingdoms good, both spi­rituall and corporall?

It is reasonable in our State, 5. Querie. that the will of the King should be preferred before the Vote of the Kingdome?

In all overtures, 6. Querie. hath not the Parliament faithfully coun­selled, and humbly petitioned?

Have not Parliament and people most grievously groaned under breach of p [...]edges and promises, 7. Querie. during this Session of Parliament?

It is not reason, 8. Querie. that all other Counsels should cease, and give place to the Votes, Results, and Bils of Parliament?

Were ever publike offenders against the State, 9. Querie. so pro­tected by force, from the justice of a Parliament?

Might not the Parliament (if they should deal as treache­rously with us, 10. Querie. as many have dealt with them) undoe us, and all ours for after times; both in point of Religion and Liber­tie, in Vote, and by one Law, even in a moment, with­out either the care, cost, or feare, that they are daily put unto?

[Page 29] What good thing can the faithfull members of Parliament expect to themselves and their posteritie, 11. Querie. if the Parliament were dissolved or destroyed: since to the sinne and shame of the English Nation, they have beene deserted and abused during their Session? Is it possible they should have any plot or designe but for the maintenance of true Religion, and Libertie?

Is it utterly impossible that our King should be one of those tenne, 12. Querie. of whom we read, Revel. 17. 13. that have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast?

Have we not seene the same designe driven forwards un­der diversitie of Agents and meanes? 13. Querie. Was not the Duke stabbed? Is not Strafford beheaded? Is not Finch fled? Is not Fanlkland dead? is not the Archb and plotter, (as we conceived) immured? and for all this are our miseries or feares ended?

Hath not this Parliament of all that ever sate at Westmin­ster or else-where, 14. Querie. skill enough to discerne the truth, power, and authoritie enough to command us (as some man) to rise up and defend the truth (pardon the homelinesse of the ex­pression, for mens carriages seeme to speake their hearts herein) are these the onely knaves, or fooles, that ever had the sword put into their hands? are these the onely men that want heads or hearts to weild and manage the trust committed to them for its proper ends; Gods glory, and the Kingdomes safety and good?

Canst thou in strictnesse of speech looke upon deserters of, 15. Querie. and run-awayes from Parliament in these times, under any other notion then a company of desperate, ungodly, perju­red, and forsworne wretches? But I have done with my Queries, and so passe from the first thing promised, lets, or impediments in the way of dutie, and come to the second, motives.

The certain ruine of the Kingdome, 1. Motive. under the non-expia­tion of publique guilt. We lie under the guilt which the Ba­bylonians formerly, and of late have brought upon us, we had before these dayes a guilt of Idolatrous superstitious Altar­worship, [Page 30] of grosse and horrible profanenesse, of strange and almost invincible ignorance, of contempt and opposition of the power of godlinesse; with many other crying and noto­rious transgressions; and now we have a new guilt of mur­ders, rapines, robberies, rebellions, blasphemies of the highest nature, and bloud of the deepest die and cry, (Iesus Christ excepted) for tis the bloud of the most sincere Christians, and will it not move and melt our hearts, that this ancient and most flourishing Kingdome, should now sinke and be pressed downe into oblivion and reproach, through our neg­lect, and forbearance to act against her subverters? If thou art true borne, and lovest the life of thy Countrey, at this time bestirre thy selfe; downe with Babylonians, and establish ENGLAND in its glory to the Ages of many generations.

We doe but heighten the enemies rage and malignitie, 2. Motive. under our forbearing to bring upon them the desert of their sinne: we spare them, but they doe not pitie us; the lesse we appeare in Gods cause against them, the more doe they take heart, and encourage themselves, in their mischievous ungodlinesse: how shall we dare to take rest to our bodies, when the restlesse Babylonians are desperately bent to ruine all, and to make us slaves either for bodies or soules, or both?

The present danger of losing the Christian Religion throughout al the Churches of the world, 3. Motive. if we now be care­lesse, and let slip the opportunitie put into our hands. The Lord hath set up this as a prize, but we must run for it; this is proposed as a crowne to the Saints, but they must fight for it: it is a jewel very worthy to be ventured for, though in a field of bloud. Let us invert the Babylonians word, there is good use of it, to Christians. Now or never: Now and ever. Let us learne wisdome, though of serpents.

The abundance of reall joyes that we shall reape if once we see the daies of feare and bloud past and over: 4. Motive. our har­vest will recompence all the care, labour, and cost of the seed­time: we may fight as well as plough in hope: he that hath said, A cup of cold water given unto a righteous man, in the name of a righteous man, shall not goe unrewariled; will [Page 31] surely make it manifest that he is not unfaithfull to forget our labour, love, and to suffer us lose a recompence of every drop of warme bloud, that hath beene offered to, or shed for a righteous God in his owne righteous cause, and for the safetie of his Ordinances and people.

God spared not his owne sonne, 5. Motive. but gave him to die for us, that the might overcome our enemies; let not us then thinke it much, to hazard our lives, that we may overcome his adversaries.

The impossibilitie of ending the quarrell betweene, Sion and Babylon any other way, 6. Motive. but by the sword. For hitherto all other meanes have proved ineffectuall, and let us now beat the bush and goe round about to worke; and we shall ever have Antichristians to tugge withall: for tis a Statute Law of Heavens Court; He that leadeth into captivitie, must goe into captivitie: he that killeth with the sword, must be killed by the sword, Revel. 13. 10.

We may be instrumentall to entaile Gospel mercies, 7. Motive. and glory to posteritie: and it is a most horrible shame, if we should take all the care for our childrens bodies, and have no thoughts what shall be come of, no endevours for the good of their soules, in this nick and opportunitie of time.

I grant all this: Obiect. But, I may die in the warre, and that is it which greatly troubles me.

Thou dost not certainly know that thou shalt die there; Answ. 1. and thou maiest die in thy couch as soone as in the Campe.

Others as good and as great as thou, have already sacrificed 2 their lives in this Cause; witnesse our Brooke, our Hamden, and others.

Thy blood shed thus, shall be precious in the sight of the 3 Lord; yea it is well spent if it prove the price and purchase of the Gospel; if God will self England the Gospel for thy bloud, stick not to pay it in for this bargaine; Heathens them­selves have not stuck at spilling their lives for their Coun­tries good; and shall we thinke much to spend ours for the Gospel?

We may possibly kill Gods enemies, 4. and it is a mercy to 4 [Page 32] the righteous wash their feet in the bloud of the wicked, Psal. 58. 10. & 68. 23.

It is better for us to die aborad with honour like men, 5. then be murdered at home with our hands bound like fooles.

Let all those who are in Authoritie hence learne, Last Vse. to doe justice and execute vengeance upon those Babylonians, which God hath put into their hands: doe it speedily; doe it throughly: the doing of justice upon the wicked, is the way to safegard the righteous. Without question the hand of God is upon us, and we lose many in the field, because we are too mercifull to those in the sold. Let us doe Gods will upon his enemies; and if we can but live by faith, we shall see, that he will either secure our friends; or if the enemies have pow­er and heart, to send them hence, he stands ready to receive them into heaven: and what losse is it to them, to be transla­ted from eathly prisons, to heavenly enlargements? Amen.