I Suppose the Summons that hath been instrumental to bring you hither, gives you well to under­stand the cause of your being here. Howbeit, having some things to impart, which is an In­strument drawn up by the con­sent and advice of the principal Officers of the Army, which is a little (as we con­ceive) [Page 2]more significant, then that other of Sum­mons: we have that here to tender you. And we have somewhat likewise further to say to you, for our own exoneration; and we hope it may be some­what further to your satisfaction. And therefore seeing you sit here somewhat uneasie, by reason of the scantness of the Room, and the heat of the Wea­ther, I shall contract my self with respect to that.

I have not thought it amiss, a little to mind you of that Series of providence, wherein the Lord hither­to hath dispensed wonderful things to these Nations, from the beginning of our Troubles to this very day. If I should look much backward, we might remember the state of affairs as they were before the short, and that which was the last Parliament: in what a posture the things of this Nation stood, doth so well, I presume, occur to all your memories and knowledges, that I shall not need to look so far back­ward, nor yet to the beginning of those Hostile acti­ons that past between the King that was, and the then-Parliament. And indeed, should I begin this labour, the things that would fall necessarily before you, would rather be fit for a History, then for a Dis­course, at this present.

But thus far we may look back: You very well know, after divers turnings of affairs, it pleased God, much about the midst of this War, to winnow, as I may so say, the Forces of this Nation, and to put them into the hands of men of other Principles then those that did engage at the first. By what strange providences that also was brought about, would ask more time then is allotted me, to remember you of. Indeed, there are Stories that do recite those [Page 3]transactions, and give Narratives of matter of fact: but those things wherein the life and power of them lay, those strange windings and turnings of Provi­dence, those very great appearances of God, in cros­sing and thwarting the designes of men, that he might raise up a poor and a contemptible company of men, neither vers'd in Military affairs, nor having much natural propensity to them, even through the owning of a Principle of Godliness, of Religion: which so soon as it came to be owned, the state of affairs put upon that foot of account, how God blest them, and all undertakings, by the rising of that most improbable, despicable, contemptible means; for that we must for ever own, you very well know.

What the several successes have been, is not fit to mention at this time, neither; though I must con­fess I thought to have enlarged my self upon this Subject, forasmuch as the considering the works of God, and the operation of his hands, is a princi­pal part of our duty, and a great encouragement to the strengthning of our hands, and of our faith for that which is behinde. And then having given us those marvelous dispensations, amongst other ends, for that was a most principal end, as to us, in this revolution of affairs, and issues of those Successes God was pleased to give this Nation, and the Au­thority that then stood, were very great things brought about; besides those dints that were upon those Nations and places where they were carried on, even in the Civil affairs, to the bringing offen­ders to Justice, even the greatest; to the bringing the state of this Government to the name at least of [Page 4]a Commonwealth; to the searching and sifting of all Places and Persons; the King removed, and brought to justice, and many great ones with him; the House of Peers laid aside; the House of Com­mons, the Representative of the people of England, it self, winnowed, sifted, and brought to a handful, as you may very well remember.

And truely God would not rest there, (for, by the way, although it be fit for us to entitle our fail­ings and miscarriages to our selves, yet the glori­ousness of the work may well be attributed to God himself, and may be called his strange Work.)

You may remember well, that at the change of the Government there was not an end of our Trou­bles, although that yeer were such things transact­ed, as indeed made it to be the most memorable yeer (I mean, 1648.) that ever this Nation saw; so many Insurrections, Invasions, secret Designes, open and publike Attempts, quash'd in so short a time, and this by the very signal appearances of God himself, I hope we shall never forget.

You know also, (as I said before) that as the ef­fect of that memorable yeer 1648. was to lay the Foundation of bringing Delinquents to punish­ment; so it was of the change of the Government: although it be true, if we had time to speak, the carriages of some in trust, in most eminent trust, was such, as would have frustrated to us the hopes of all our Undertakings, had not God miracu­lously prevented: I mean, by that Closure that would have been endeavoured by the King, whereby we should have put into his hands all [Page 5]that Cause and Interest we had opposed, and had had nothing to have secured us, but a little piece of Paper.

But things going out, how it pleased the Lord to keep this Nation in exercise both at Sea and Land, and what God wrought in Ireland and Scotland, you likewise know, until the Lord had finisht all that trouble, upon the matter, by the marvelous salvation wrought at Worcester.

I confess to you, I am very much troubled in my spirit, that the necessity of affairs doth require that I should be so short in these things, because I told you before, This is the leanest part of the transaction, to wit, an Historical Narration; there being in every Dispensation, (whether the King's going from the Parliament, the pulling down the Bishops, purging the House at that time by their going away to assist the King, change of Government) whatever it was, not any of those things, but hath a remarkable point of Providence set upon it, that he that runs may read. Therefore I am heartily sorry, that in point of time I cannot be particular in those things which I did principally designe this day, thereby to provoke and stir up your hearts and mine to gratitude and confi­dence.

I shall now begin a little to remember you the passages that have been transacted since Worcester-fight; whence coming with my fellow-Officers and Souldiers, we expected, and had some reasonable confidence, that our expectations should not be fru­strate, That the Authority that then was, having such a History to look back unto, such a God that appeared for them so eminently, so visibly, that even [Page 6]our enemies many times confess'd that God himself was engaged against them, or they should never have been brought so lowe, nor disappointed in eve­ry undertaking: for that may be said (by the way) had we miscarried but once, where had we been? I say, We did think, and had some reasonable confi­dence, that coming up then, the mercies that God had shewed, the expectations that were in the hearts of all good men, would have prompted those that were in Authority to have done those good things, which might by honest men have been judged a re­turn fit for such a God, and worthy of such mercies, and indeed, a discharge of duty to those, for whom all these mercies have been shewed, that is, the Inte­rest of the three Nations, The true Interest of the three Nations.

And if I should now labour to be particular in e­numerating some businesses that have been transact­ed from that time, till the dissolution of the late Parliament, indeed I should be upon a Theme would be very troublesome to my self. For I must say for my self and fellow-Officers, we have rather desired and studied healing, then to rake into sores, and look backward, to render things in those colours that would not be very well pleasing to any good eye to look upon. Onely this we must say, for our own exoneration, and as thereby laying some foun­dation for the making evident the necessity and duty that was incumbent upon us, to make this last great Change, I think it will not be amiss to offer a word or two in that, not taking pleasure to rake into the business, were not there some kinde of necessity so to do.

Indeed we may say, without commending our selves, I mean my self and those Gentlemen that have been engaged in the Military affairs, that upon our return we came, fully bent in our hearts & thoughts, to desire and use all fair and lawfull means we could, to have had the Nation to reap the fruit of all that blood and treasure that had been expended, in this cause, and we have had many desires, and thirstings, in our spirits, to finde out wayes and means, where­in we might any wayes, be instrumentall, to help it forward, and we were very tender, for a long time, so much as to Petition, till August last, or thereabouts; we never offered to Petition, but some of our then Members, and others, having good acquaintance and relation to divers members of the Parliament; we did from time to time sollicite, that which we thought (if there had been no body to prompt them, no body to call upon them) would have been listed too, out of ingenuity and integrity in them that had opportunity to have answered our expectations; and and truly when we saw nothing would be done, we did as we thought according to our duty, reminde them by a Petition, which Petition, I suppose the most of you have seen which we delivered, either in July or August last, what effect that had is likewise very well known; the truth is, we had no return at all, that the satisfaction for us, was but a few words given us, the businesse petitioned for, most of them, (we were told) were under consideration; And those that were not, had very little or no considera­tion at all.

Finding the people dissatisfied, in every corner of the Nation, and bringing home to our doores the none performance of those things, that had been promised, and were of due to be performed, we did think our selves concerned, we indeavoured as be­came honest men, to keep up the reputation of ho­nest men in the world; and therfore we had divers times, indeavoured to obtain a meeting, with divers Members of Parliament; and truly we did not be­gin this, till October last, and in those meetings did in all faithfulnesse and sincerity, beseech them, that they would be mindfull of their duty to God and man; and of the discharge of their trust to God and man: I believe these Gentlemen that are many of them here; can tell, that we had at the least ten or twelve meetings, most humbly begging and beseeching them, that of their own accords, they would do those good things, that had been promised, that so it might appear, they did not do them, by any suggestion from the Army, but of their own ingenuity, so tender were we to preserve them in the reputation and o­pinion of the people, to the uttermost. And having had, many of those meetings and declaring, plainly that the issue, would be the judgment & displeasure of God against them; the dissatisfaction of the Peo­ple, and the putting things into a confusion: Yet how little we did prevaile, we well know, and we be­lieve is not unknown to you; at the last when we saw indeed that things would not be laid to heart, we had a serious consideration amongst our selves, [Page 9]what other way to have recourse unto; And when indeed we came to those close considerations, they began to take the Act of the new Representative to heart, and seemed exceeding willing to put it on, the which, had it been done, or would it have been done, with that integrity, with that caution, that would have saved, this Cause and the Interest, we have been so long ingaged in; there could nothing have hap­pened to our judgments, more welcome then that would have bin; but finding plainly, that the intend­ment of it was not to give the people that Right of Choise, althought it had been, but aseding right ei­ther the seeming, to give the people that Choice in­tended and designed, to recrute the House, the bet­ter to perpetuat themselves: And truly having di­vers of us, spoken to, to that end that we should give way to it, a thing, to which we had a perpe­tuall aversation; which we did abominate the thoughts of, we alwayes declared our judgements against it, and our dissatisfaction; but yet they would not hear of a Representative, before it lay three years before them, without proceeding with one line considerably in it; they that could not endure to hear of it, then, when we came to our close consi­derations, then instead of protracting, they did make as much preposterous hast, of the other hand, and ran into that extremity, and finding that this spirit, was not accoridng to God, and that the whol weight of this Cause, which must needs have been very dear unto us, who have so often adventured our lives for [Page 10]it; and we believe is so to you, when we saw plainly that there was not so much consideration how to assert it, or to provide security for it; and indeed to crosse these, that they reckoned the most troublesome people they had to deal with, which was the Army, which by this time was sufficiently their displeasure: when we saw this, truly, that had power in our hands to let the busines go to such an issue as this, was to throw back the cause into the hands of them we first fought with, we came to this first conclusion amongst our selves, that if we had bin fought out of it, necessity would have taught us pa­tience, but to be taken from us so unworthily, we should be rendered the worst people in the world, and we should become traytors both to God and man: and when God had laid this to our hearts, and that we found the interest of his people was grown cheap, and not laid to heart and if we came to com­petition of things, the cause even among themselves, would even almost in every thing go to the ground, this did adde more consideration to us, that there was a duty incumbent upon us, and truly I speak it in the presence of some that are here, that were at the close consultations (I may say) as before the Lord, the thinking of an act of violence was to us worse than any Engagement that ever we were in yet; and worse to us than the utmost hazard of our lives, that could be, so unwilling were we, so tender were we, so desirous were we, if it were possible, that these men might [Page 11]have quit their places with honur: And truly, this I am the longer upon, because it hath been in our hearts and consciences, our Justification, and hath never yet been imparted thorow to the Na­tion, and we had rather begin with you to do it, than to have done it before, and do think in­deed, that these transactions be more proper for a verball communication, than to have put it into writing; I doubt whosoever had put it on, would have been tempted to have dipt his pen, in an­ger and wrath, but affairs being at this posture, that we saw plainly and evidently in some Criti­call things, that the Cause of the people of God was a despised thing, truly then we did believe that the hands of other men, must be the hands that must be trusted with it, and then we thought high time for us, to look about us, and to be sensible of our duty. If I should take up your time, to tell you, what instances we have to sa­tissie our Judgements and Consciences, that these were most vain imaginations, and things that were petitioned for, but that fell within the com­passe of our certain knowledge, and sence; should I repeat these things to you. I should do that which I would avoid, to rake into these things too much; onely this, if any body were in com­petition, for any place of reall and finall Trust, how hard and difficult a thing it were to get a­ny [Page 12]thing to be carried, without making parties; without things indeed, unworthy of a Parliament. And when things must be carried so in a Supream Authority; indeed I think, it is not as it ought to be: but when it came to other Trialls, in that Case of Wales, which I must confesse, for my own part, I set my self upon, if I should inform what discountenance that businesse of the poore people of God, there had, who had watchings over them, men like so many wolves, ready to catch the Lamb, assoon as it was brought out into the world: how signally they threw that businesse under foot, to the discountenancing of the honest people there; and to the countenancing of the malignant party of this Common-wealth. I need but say, it was so; many have felt by sad expe­rience it was so: who will better impart that bu­sinesse to you? which for my self and fellow offi­cers, I think it was as perfect triall of their spi­rits, as any thing, it being known to many of us, that God kindles a seed there, indeed hardly to be paralel'd since the Primitive times, I would this had been all the instances; but finding which way their spirits went, and finding that good was never intended to the people of God, (I mean when I say so) that large comprehen­sion of them, under the severall forms of god­linesse in this Nation; when I saw that ten­dernesse was forgotten, to them all (though it was [Page 13]very true, that by their hands and means, through the blessing of God, they sate where they did) and affrayes, not to speak it boastingly, had been instru­mentally brought to that issue they were brought to by the hands of those poore creatures, we thought this an evil requitall, I will not say they were at the uttermost pitch of Reformation, although I could say, that one thing, the regulation of the Law so much groaned under in that posture it now is in; there was many words spoken for it, we know many moneths together, was not time enough, to passe o­ver one word called Incumbrances: I say, finding that this was the spirit and complexion of them, that though these were faults, for which no man should have dared to lift his hand, simply for their faults, and failings, when yet we saw their Intendment was to perpetuate themselves, and men of this spirit for some had it from their own mouths, from their own designs, who could not endure to hear of being dis­solved, this was an high breach of Trust, if they had bin a Parliament, never violated, sitting as free, and as clear as ever any sat in England; yet if they would go about to perpetuate themselves, we did think this to be so high a breach of Trust, as greater could not be; and we did not go by guesse in this, and to be out of doubt in it, we did, (having that conference among our selves, whereof we gave accompt) we did desire once more the night before the dissolution, and it had been in our desires, some two or three dayes be­fore, that we might speak with some of the principal persons of the House, that we might with enuity o­pen [Page 14]our hears to them, to the end we might be either convinced of the ground of their principles, and in­tentions, to the good of the Nation; or if we could not be convinced, they would heare our offer, or ex­pedient to prevent this mischeif; and indeed we could not prevail for two or three dayes, till the night before the dissolution; there is a touch of this in that our Declaration; we had often desired it, at that time, we attained; there were above twenty of them who were members not of the least considerati­on, for interest and ability, with whom we desired to discourse those things, & had discourse with them; & it pleased the Gentlemen Officers of the Army to de­sire me to offer their sence to them, and indeed it was shortly carried thus, we told them, that the rea­son of our desire to wait upon them, was that we might know from them what security, lay in the way of their proceedings, so hastily with their Represen­tative, wherein they had made a few qualifications (such as they were) and how the whole businesse should be executed, we have no accompt of, and we desired them they would be pleased, and we thought we had an interest in our lives, estates, and families, as well as the worst people of the Nation, and that we might be bold, to ask satisfaction in that; and if they did proceed in honest wayes, as might be safe to the Nation, we might acquiesse therein: when we prest them to give satisfaction in this, the answer was made, that nothing could be good to the Nation, but the continuance of this Parliament, we wondred that we should have such a return, we said little to that.

But seeing they would not give us that which might satisfie us, that their way was honest, and safe, they would give us leave to make our Objections; We did tell them, that wee thought that way they were going in would bee impracticable, we could not tell them how it would bee brought to passe, to send out an Act of Parliament into the Country, to have qualifications in an Act to be the Rules of Electors, and Elected, and not to know who should execute this; Desired to know whether the next Parliament were not like to consist of all Presbyters? Whether those Qualifications would hinder them? or Newters? and though it bee our desire to value and e­steem of that Judgement, only they having been as wee know, having deserted this cause and Interest, upon the Kings account, and upon that closure between them and the Neighbour Nation, wee do think wee must professe wee had as good have delivered up our Cause into the hands of any as into the hands of interessed and byassed men, for it is one thing to live friendly and brotherly, to bear with, and love a person of another judgement in Religion, another thing to have any so far set into the saddle upon that account, as that it should bee in them, to have all the rest of their Brethren at mercy; Having had this discourse, making these Objections, of bringing in Neuters, or such as should impose upon their Brethren, or such as had given testimony to the Kings party, and objecting to the danger of it, in drawing the concourse of all people, to arraign every individuall person, which indeed did fall obviously in, and the issue would certain­ly have been, the putting it into the hands of men that had little affection to this cause. The answer again was made, and it was confessed by some, that these objecti­ons did lye; But answer was made by a very eminent person, at the same time as before, that nothing would [Page 16]save the Nation, but the continuance of this Parliament, this being so, we humbly proposed an expedient of ours, which was indeed, to desire that the Government being in that condition it was, and things being under so much ill sense abroad, and so likely to come to confusion in every respect, if it went on, so wee desired they would devolve the trust over to persons of honor and integrity, that were well known, men well-affected to Religion, and the Interest of the Nation, which we told them, and was confessed, had been no new thing when these Nations had been under the like hurly burly and distractions, and it was confessed by them, it had been no new thing; we had been at labour to get presidents to convince them of it, and we told them these things we offered out of that deep sense we had of the good of the Nations, and the Cause of Christ; And being answered to that, nothing would save the Nation but the continuance of that Par­liament (although they would not say they would per­petuate it) at that time least of all.

But finding their indeavours did directly tend to it, they gave us this Answer, that the things wee had of­fered were of a tender and very weighty consideration; they did make objections how wee should raise mony, and some other objections; we told them, that that wee offered as an expedient, because wee thought better, then that for which no reason was, or thought would be given; wee desired them, to lay the thing seriously to heart, they told us, they would take consideration of these things till the morning, that they would sleep upon them, and I think that there was scarce any day, that there sat above 50 or 52 or 53. At the parting two or three of the chief ones, the very chiefest of them, did tell us, that they would indeavour the suspending the proceedings of the Representative, the next day, till they [Page]had a further conference, and we did acquiesce, and had hope if our expedient would take up a loving debate, the next day wee should have some such issue of our debate, as would have given a satisfaction to all; they went a­way late at night, and the next morning wee considering how to order that which wee had to offer to them, when they were to meet in the Evening, word was brought they were proceeding with a Representative, with all the eagernesse they could; wee did not beleeve persons of such quality could doe it; a second and a third Messenger told us, they had almost finished it, and had brought it to that issue with that hast that had never been before, leav­ing out the things that did necessarily relate to due qua­lifications, as wee have heard since, resolved to make it a paper Bill, not to ingrosse it, that they might make the quicker dispatch of it, thus to have thrown all the liber­ties of the Nation into the hands that never bled for it; upon this Account, wee thought it our duty not to suf­fer it, and upon this the House was dissolved.

This wee tell you, that you may so know, that what hath been done in the dissolution of this Parliament, was as necessary to be done, as the preservation of this cause; and that necessity that led us to doe that, hath brought us to this issue, of exercising an extraordinary way, and course, to draw your selves together upon this accompt, that you are men who know the Lord, and have made observations of his marvellous dispensations, and may be trusted with this cause. It remains, for I shall not ac­quaint you further with that that relates to your taking upon you this great businesse, that being contained in this paper, in my hand, which I doe offer present­ly to you, to read, having done that which wee thought to have done upon this ground of necessity, which we know was not feigned necessity but real, and true, to the end the Government might not bee at a losse, to the [Page 18]end wee might manifest to the world the singlenesse of our hearts, and integrity, who did those things not to grasp after the power our selves to keep it in a military hand, no not for a day, as far as God enables us with strength and ability, to put it into the hands that might be called from severall parts of the Nation; this necessity I say, and we hope may say, for our selves, this integrity of laboring to divest the Sword of the power and authority in the civill administration of it, hath been that that hath moved us, to conclude of this course, and having done that, wee think we cannot with the discharge of our consciences but offer somewhat un­to you, as I said before, for our own exoneration, it hav­ing been the practice of others who have voluntarily and out of sense of duty divested themselves, and divolved the Government into the hands of others, it having been the practice, where such things have been done, and very consonant to reason, together with the autho­rity, to lay a charge, in such a way, as wee hope wee do, and to presse to the duty, which wee have a word or two to offer to you. Truly God hath called you to this work, by (I think) as wonderfull providences as ever past upon the sons of men in so short a time, and truly I think, tak­ing the arguments of necessity, for the Government must not fall, take the appearances of the will of God in this thing, I am sure you would have been loath it should have been resigned into the hands of wicked men, and enemies; I am sure, God would not have it so, it comes therefore to you by way of necessity, it comes to you by the way of the wise Providence of God, though through weak hands, and therefore I think, it coming through our hands, though such as wee are, it may not be taken ill, if wee offer to you some thing as to the dis­charge of that trust which is incumbent upon you; and al­though [Page 19]I seem to speak that which may have the face of a charge, it is a very humble one, and he that means to be a servant to you, who are called to the exercise of the supreme authority, to discharge that, which he conceives is his duty, in his own & his fellows names, to you I hope who will take it in good part, and truly I shall not hold you long in that, because I hope it is writen in your hearts, to approve your selves to God only, this Scripture I shall remember to you, which hath been much upon my spi­rit, Hosea 11 and 12 verse, Yet Judah ruleth with God, and is faithfull among the Saints, it is said before, Ephra­im did compasse God about with lies, and Israel with deceit, how God hath been compassed about with fastings, and Thanks-givings, and other exercises, and transactions, I think wee have all to lament; why truly you are called by God, to rule with him, and for him, and you are cal­led to be faithfull, with the Saints, who have been some­what instrumentall to your call, he that ruleth over men (the Scripture saith) hee must bee just, ruling in the fear of God.

And truly it is better to pray for you than to counsell you in that, that you may exercise the judgment of mercy, and truth; I say it is better for you to do it, than to advise you to aske wisdome from heaven for you, which I am confident many thousands of Saints do this day, and have done, and will do, through the permission of God and his assistance, to advise you; onely truly I thought of a Scrip­ture likewise that seems to be but a Scripture of common application to every man as a Christian, wherein he is counselled to ask wisdome, And he is told what is that Wisdome that is from above, it is pure, peaceable, gentle, Easy to be intreated, full of good fruits, without partiali­ty, without hypocrisy; and my thoughts ran thus upon this, that the executing of the judgment of truth, for that [Page 20]is the judgement that you must have Wisdom from above for, and that is pure, that will teach you to execute the judgement of truth, and then if God give you hearts to bee easie to bee intreated, to bee peaceable spirits, to bee full of good fruits, bearing good fruits to the Nati­on, to men as men, to the people of God, to all in their several stations, this wisdom wil teach you to execute the judgement of Mercy and Truth; and I have little more to say to this, I shall rather bend my prayers for you in that behalf (as I said before) and I know many others do also. Truly the judgement of Truth will teach you to bee as just towards an Unbeleever as towards a Beleever; and it is our duty to do so. I confesse I have often said it foolishly, if I would miscarry, I would rather do it to a Beleever than to an Unbeleever, perhaps it is a Paradox; but let us take heed of doing it to either, exercising inju­stice to either; if God fill our hearts with such a spirit as Moses and Paul had, which was not only a spirit for the Beleevers among the people of God, but for the whole people, hee would have dyed for them, and so Paul to his Countrymen according to the flesh, he could have dyed for them, truly this wil help us to execute the judgement of Truth and Mercy also.

A second thing is, to desire you would bee faithfull with the Saints, and I hope, whatever others may think, ought to bee to us all matter of rejoycing, that as one person our Saviour was touched with our infirmities, that hee might bee pittifull, I do think this Assembly thus called, is very much touched with the common infirmi­ty of the Saints, and I hope that will teach you to pitty others, that so Saints of one sort may not bee our inte­rest, but that wee may have respect unto all, though of different judgements; And if I did seem to speak any thing that might seem to reflect upon those of the Pres­byterian [Page 21]Judgement, I think, if you have not an interest of love for them, will hardly answer this faithfulnesse to his Saints; I confesse, in my pilgrimage, and some exer­cises I have had abroad, I did read that Scripture often in Isaiah 41. & 19. When God gave me and some of my fellows, what hee would there and elsewhere, which hee performed for us, and what would hee do? to what end? That hee might plant in the Wildernesse the Cedar, and the Shitta tree, and the Mirtle tree and the Palme tree together. To what end? That they might know, and consider, and un­derstand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this; And that the Lord hath created it, that hee wrought all salvation and deliverance, which hee hath wrought, for the good of the whole flock; therefore I beseech you (but I think I need not) have a care of the whole flock, love all the Sheep, love the Lambs, love all, and tender all, and cherish all, and countenance all, in all things that are good; And if the poorest Christian, the most mistaken Christian, should desire to live peaceably and quietly un­der you, soberly and humbly desire to lead a life in god­linesse and honesty, let him bee protected.

I think I need as little advise you concerning the propa­gation of the Gospell, and incouraging such Ministers, and such a Ministry, as be faithfull in the Land, upon whom the true character is, Men that have truly receiv­ed the spirit for such a use, which Christians will be well able to discern, and doe, men that have received Gifts from him that ascended on high, and led Captivity Cap­tive, for the work before mentioned and truly the A­postle Romans 12 when hee had summoned up all the Mercies of God, and the goodness of God, and hath dis­coursed of the foundations of the Gospell, and of the se­verall things that are the subject of his discourse, in the 11 first Chapters, after he hath besought them to offer [Page 22]up their Soules and Bodies a living sacrifice to God, hee beseecheth not to esteem more highly of themselves than they ought, but that they would be humble and sober minded, and not stretch themselves beyond their Line, but they would have a care to those that had received Gifts to these uses there mentioned. I speak not, it is farre from my heart, for a Ministry deriving it self through the Papacy, and pretending to that which is so much insisted upon to be succession, the true successi­on is through the Spirit, given in that measure that the Spirit is given, and that is a right succession; but I need not discourse of these things to you, I am perswaded you are taught of God, in a greater measure than my self in these things; indeed I have but one word more to say, and that is, though in that perhaps I shall shew my weaknesse, it is by way of incouragement to you, to goe on in this work.

And give mee leave to begin thus, I confess I never looked to see such a day as this, it may be nor you, when Jesus Christ shall be owned as hee is this day, and in this world, Jesus Christ is owned this day by you all, and you own him by your willingnesse in appearing here, and you manifest this (as farre as poor creatures can) to be a day of the power of Christ by your willingnesse, I know you remember that Scripture in Psalm 110.3. The people shall be willing in the day of thy Power; God doth manifest it to be a day of the Power of Jesus Christ.

Having through so much blood and so much trialls as have been upon these Nations, made this to bee one of the great issues thereof, to have a people called to the Supreme Authority upon an avowed Account, God hath owned his Son by this, and you by your Willing­nesse doe own Jesus Christ, and therefore for my part I confesse I did never look to see such a sight, perhaps you [Page 23]are not known by face one to another; but wee must tell you this, that indeed wee have not allowed our selves in the choyce of one person, in whom wee had not this good hope, that there was Faith in Jesus Christ, and love unto all his Saints and people: And thus God hath own­ed you in the face and eyes of the world, and thus by your coming hither have you owned him, as it is in Isaiah 43.21. It is an high expression, and look to your own hearts, whether now or hereafter God shall apply it to you: This people (saith hee) I have formed for my self, that they might shew forth my praise. It is a memorable place, & I hope not unfitly applyed, God apply it to each of your hearts. I shall not descant upon the words, they are plain, you are as like the forming of God as ever people were, if any man should ask you one by one, and should tender a Book to you, you would dare to swear, that neither directly nor indirectly did you seek to come hither; you have been passive in comming hither, in being called hi­ther, and that is an active word, This People I have for­med, Consider the circumstances, by which you are called together, through what difficulties, through what stri­vings, through what blood you are come hither; Nei­ther you nor I, nor no man living, three months ago, had a thought to have seen such a company, taking upon them, or rather being called to the supream authority, and therfore know your are called.

Indeed I think, as it may be truly said, that never was a supream authority, consisting of so numerous a Body as you are, which I beleeve are above 140, were even in the supream authority, under such a Nation, in such a way of owning of God, and being owned by him, and therefore I say also, never a people formed for such a purpose (so called) if it were time to compare your standing with those that have been called by the suffrages [Page 24]of the people, who can tel how soon God may fit the People for such a thing, and who would desire any thing more in the world, but that it might bee so? I would all the Lords people were prophets, I would they were fit to be called, and fit to call, and it is the longing of our hearts to see them once own the interest of Jesus Christ, and give me leave to say, if I know any thing in the world, what is there like to win the people to the Inte­rest and love of God? nay, what a duty will lye upon you to have your conversation such, as that they may love you, that they may see you lay out your time and spirits for them? Is not this the most likely way to bring them to their Liberties? and do you not by this put it upon God to find the time and the season for it? by powring forth his Spirit, at least by convincing them, that as men fearing God have sought them out of their thraldome, and bondage, under the Legall power, so men fearing God rule them in the fear of God, and take care to admi­nister good unto them; but this is some digression. (I say) own your call, for indeed it is marvellous, and it is of God, and it hath been unprojected, unthought of by you and us, and that hath been the way God hath dealt with us all along, to keep things from our eyes, that what wee have acted, wee have seen nothing before us, which also is a witnesse in some measure to our integri­ty; (I say) you are Called with a high Call, and why should wee bee afraid to say, or think, that this way may bee the door to usher in things that God hath promised and prophesied of, and to set the hearts of his people to wait for, and expect? Wee know who they are that shall war with the Lamb against his Enemies, They shall be a people, called, chosen and faithfull, and hath in the Military way (wee must speak it without flattery) I be­leeve you know it, hee hath acted with them, and for [Page 25]them, and now in the Civil power and Authority, and these are not ill Prognostications for that good we wait for; indeed, I do think something is at the door, we are at the threshold, and therefore it becomes us to lift up our heads, and to encourage our selves in the Lord, and we have some of us thought it our duty to endeavour this way, not vainly looking on that Prophecy in Daniel, And the Kingdom shall not be delivered to another people. Truly God hath brought it into your hands, by his owning, and blessing, and calling out a Military Power, God hath perswaded their hearts to be instrumental in calling you, and this hath been set upon our hearts, and upon all the faithful in the Land, it may be that it is not our duty to deliver it over to any other people, and that Scripture may be ful­filling now to us, but I may be beyond my line.

But I thank God I have my hopes exercised in these things, and so I am perswaded are yours; truly seeing that these things are so, that you are at the edge of the Promises and Prophecies, at least if there were neither Promise for this nor Prophecy, your coveting the best things, endeavouring after the best things, and as I have said elsewhere, if I were to chuse the meanest Officer in the Army, or Common-wealth, I would chuse a godly Man that hath Principles, especially where trust is to be committed, because I know where to have a man that hath Principles; I beleeve if any man of you should chuse a Servant, you would do so, and I would all our Magistrates were so chosen, that may be some effects of this; it is our duty to chuse men that fear the Lord, to praise the Lord, yea such as the Lord forms for himself, andhe expects not praises from others; this being so, it puts me in minde of another Scripture, Psal. 68. which indeed is a glorious Prophecy, and I am perswaded of the Gospel, or it may be of the Jews; also there it is Prophesied, He will bring his people again out of the depths of the Sea, as once he led Israel through the red Sea; and it may be some do think God is bring­ing the Jews home to their station from the Isles of the Sea, surely when God sets up the glory of the Gospel-Church, it shall be gather­ing people out of deep waters, out of the multitude of waters; such are his people, drawn out of the multitudes of the Nations, and people of the world. And that Psalm will be very glorious in many other parts of it, When he gave the word, great was the company, of them that published it; Kings of the Armies did fly apace, [Page 26]and she that tarried at home divided the spoyl, and although ye have lain among the Pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a Dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold. And in­deed the triumph of that Psalm is exceeding high and great, and God is accompl [...]shing it; and the cloze of it, that closeth with my heart and I am perswaded will with yours also; That God shakes Hills and Mountains, and they reel, and God hath a Hill too, and his hill is as the hill of Bashan, and the Chariots of God are twenty thousand of Angels, and God will dwell upon this hill for ever. Truly I am sorry that I have troubled you, in such a place of heat as this is, so long; all that I have to say in mine own name, and in the names of my Fellow Officers (who have joyned with me in this Work) That we shall commend you to the Grace of God, and to the guidance of his Spirit, having thus farre served you (or ra­ther our Lord Jesus Christ in it) we are, as we hope, and shall be, ready in our stations, according as the Providence of God shall lead us, to be subservient to the Work of God, and the Authority (which we reckon) God hath set over us. And although we have no For­mal thing to present you with, to which the hands and outward vi­sible expressions of the hearts of the Officers of the three Nations are set, yet we may say for them, and we may say also with confidence for our Brethren at Sea, with whom neither in Scotland, nor Ire­land, nor at Sea hath any Artifice been used to perswade their Ap­probations to this work; yet we can say, That their consent and af­fections hath flowed in to us from all parts beyond our expectations, and we are confident we may say with all confidence, That we have had their approbations, and full consent, unsought indeed to the o­ther work, so that you have their hearts and affections in this; and not only they, but we have very many Papers from the Chur­ches of God, throughout the Nation, wonderfully both approving what hath been done in removing Obstacles, and approving what we have done in this very thing. And having said this I shall trouble you no more, but if you will be pleased that this Instrument may be read, which I have Signed by the advice of the Councel of Offi­cers, we shall then leave you to your own thoughts, and to the gui­dance of God, to order and dispose of your selves for further Mee­tings as you shall see cause.