EVery faithful Minister of Christ, sustains the relation of a Watchman unto the nation wherein he lives, Ezek. 2. [...]7 Act. 20.2 [...] as well as of a Pastor to the particular flock over which the Holy Ghost hath set him; and therefore not only ought to be of a publick spirit, to observe the first approaches of National calami­ties; but also of a couragious and faithful spirit, to give warning of them. Being thus a debtor to my dear native Country, and hear­ing round about me the noise of bloody Papists rallying together, and preparing themselves to make a slaughter; and finding the fears and jealousies of the Nation (lately awakened by the flames of London; and the instrument of cruelty there discovered) begin­ning to abate, though their dangers are still encreasing upon them; I could not but present to the publick view, these awakening considera­tions and counsels following; if happily thereby true zeal for the Protestant interest might be provoked; and the growing design of the common enemy detected and retarded. For alas! [...] How can I endure to see the evil that shall come upon my people, and upon my kindred? As Esther said in a like case of common danger: yea, were I sure of personal safety in such a day of slaughter and desolation, yet how terrible a thing would it be to stand upon the shoar and see so glorious a Vessel as England is, to be cast away! the Golden Candle­stick removed, and the Doctrines of Devils preached and professed in those places where Jesus Christ hath been so purely and sweetly wor­shipped.

O England! God hath set watchmen upon thy walls who will not hold their peace day nor night: Isai. 62▪6. and though men have [...] [Page] [...] they will cry [...] when [...] see thee in danger.

If thou enquire of thy Watchmen in this night of thy trouble, as it is, Isai, 21.11, 12. [...] verum si­mul cum illo venit [...] ista crassier a [...] terribili [...]r Muscul in I [...]o. 1 King. 28.41. Watchmen, what of the night? they all with one voice return the same answer, The morning cometh and also the night. There is indeed a glorious morning of Salvation and Mercy, which will shortly dawn upon thee England; but before that, there will be a night of dismal darkness and distress upon thy Children: For we have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace; we see every man with his hands upon his lo [...]s, as a Woman in travail, and all faces, are turned into paleness: alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it, it is even the day of Jacobs trouble; but he shall be delivered [...] of it. They speak unto thee as [...] spake to Ahab, arise, get thee up, for there is the sound of abundance of Rain; and there came a shower indeed: and that there is a sound of Judgement and wrath coming upon us will appear, if you have any regard, either first, to the predictions of friends, or secondly, to the preparations of enemies; or thirdly, to the present state and posture of things among our selves at this day.

1. As for the predictions of friends, you have had many, both ordinary and extraordinary.

First, Ordinary, upon the observations which the Messengers of God have made of year barrenness, wantonness, and unchristian divisions, under the fullest Gospel-light and liberty, that ever was enjoyed by an unthankful Nation, amongst which I cannot omit what a grave and worthy Divine upon the ground fore-mentioned, for divers years past, gave us warning of: And O that we had been so wise and happy to have improved such a seasonable admonition! his words are these▪

‘ [...] 2 d [...]. p 429Consider where you are, and among whom; are you not in your enemies quarters? If you fall out, what do you but kindle a fire for them to warm their hands by? aha! so would we have it say they; the Sea of their rage will weaken this bank fast enough; you need not cut it off for them. The unseasonableness of the strife betwixt Abrahams hardsmen and Lots, is aggrevated by the near neighbourhood of the Heathens to them, Gen. 13.7. And there was strife betwixt them, and the Cananites and [...] dwelt in their land. To fall out when these Idolaters look on, this would be Town talk presently, and put themselves and their Religion both to shame. And I pray who have been in our Land all the while the people of God have been scuffing? those that have curiously [...] [Page] [...] among [...] World of it, such as have wit and mallice enough to make use of it for their wicked purposes; they stand on tip-toe to be at work, only we are not yet quite laid up and disabled (by the soreness of those our wounds which we have given our selves) from with­standing their fury; they hope it will come to that, and then they will cure us of our wounds, by giving one if they can, that shall go deep enough to the heart of our life, Gospel and all. O Christians! shall Herod and Pilate put you to shame? they clapt up a peice to strengthen their hands against Christ; and will not you unite against your common enemy? 'tis an ill time for Marriners to be fighting, when an enemy is boring a hole at the bottom of the Ship.’

How often have you been told both from the Pulpet and Press, what the sad fruit and issue of these things would be? and as God hath given you timely warnings of this enemy by your faithful Watchmen in an ordinary way, so that he vouchsafed us some ex­traordinary ones too, amongst which I cannot here omit a strange and remarkable passage, which for divers years since, fell from the pen of an English Prophet; and because I live to see one part there­of sadly verified, and the other disposing it self towards it's accom­plishment (if providence step not out of it's ordinary path to pre­vent it. I shall transcribe some of the most remarkable and bearing passages of it for you, my Author having reproved the wantonness and vanity of Professors, particularly those of London, breaks forth into this threatning and terrible prediction.

‘ London was Troy novant, it is, Troy le grand, it will be Troy l'extinct. p. 227. M▪ Rreves Gods [...] I see you bringing Pickaxes to dig down your own Walls, and Springing Mines to blow up your own houses, and kindling sparks that will set all in a flame, pag. 223. They which were rich owners, must then wander abroad for relief, Dr. Vsher. and be glad to beg gratuities or be glad to kiss the feet of the adversary for an Almes, out of his own fulness; and happy were I, if I could here make an end, and the last post were arrived. But after all other extremities Conscience at last comes to her punishment, this must be made a Captive. Men are not only lockt out of their houses, but out of their Temples; their goods are not only enforced from [...], but they are deprived of the Pearl; their liberties are not only lost, but the freedom of the Ordinances, pure Doctri [...] Worsh [...]p and Faith are in bondage, and the Soul en­thralled▪ Men [...]hat will not permute a God, and suffer their Faith [Page] to be new [...] either run or [...] for it. Your looking-glass will be snatcht away, your bright Diamond shiver'd in pieces; this goodly City of yours all in sheards; ye may seek for a threshold of your ancient dwellings, for a pillar of your pleasant habitations, and not finde them; nothing left but naked streets or naked fields of shelter, &c. But this is but the misery of Stone-work, of arches, dormans, and roofs; but what will you say when it comes [...] skin work, arms, necks and bowels? Ye which have walked the streets in state, may then run the streets in destractions, with one leg, or half an arm, they may beg the preservation of the rest of your members: What inventions will ye then be put to, to save your lives? Your tears will not rescue, nor your gold redeem you, but your veins must weep, as well as your eyes; and your sides be wa­tered, as well as your cheeks; when they allow you no showres of rain, but showres of blood to wash your streets, when you shall see no men in your Corporation, but the mangled Citizen; and hear no noise in the street, but the cryes and shreeks, yells and pants, of gasping, dying men: when ye shall see your Kindred slain in one place, your Wives in another, your Children in a third, and your selves at last (it may be) cut in two, to encrease the number of the dead carcasses.’

‘As popolus as ye are, ye shall then be numbred to the Sword; as puissant as ye are, the valiant shall be swept away, as fine fed as ye are, ye shall be fed with your own flesh, and made drunk with your own blood; your polititians can no longer help you, but have their subtile brains dasht in pieces with yours; nor your Le­cturers can no longer save you, but you must meet together at the Congregation near the Shambles, when this great City shall be but a great Chopping board, to quarter out the limbs of sinners, or the great Altar wherein a whole City is to be Sacrificed Oh dole­ful day! when your breasts shall try the points of Spears, your sides the keeness of the Swords, your hands the weight of Pole-axes, your bodies made footstools, and your dead Carcasses stepping-stones for truculent foes, to tread and trample on; when there will be no pity upon the aged, nor compassion upon the young: but heaps upon heaps: tumbling of garments in blood, and Sword made fat with slaughter. Oh! see what a Crimson City, Crim­son sins will make!’

‘If you do escape the dint of the Sword, and your lives be give you for a prey; Shall not your goods be made a prey? yes, some may be reserved out of the greatest Massacre; when men ar [...] [Page] weary with killing a retreat may be sounded, and called off from the slaughter? yet can ye then challenge your own houses, or bring your Keyes to your old Chests? No, your titles gone, your interest lost, ye have traded your selves out of your Estates, or sinned your selves out of your proprieties: The Enemy is now house-keeper, Land-holder; ye have forfeited all to the Sword; farewel Inheri­tances, Purchases, Leases, Wares, Wardrobe, Furniture, Jewels. As you have gotten these goods unjustly, so they shall be taken away unjustly; and if they be not slain in the heap▪ yet they do but live to see their own misery, their sins have made them Bankrupts, they are undone; ruin'd.’

‘And Oh! if the loss of Money were the greatest mischief, but there is a treasure of greater value in danger; there is not an abso­lute conquest made, till the inner man be in fetters; thou must be a slave in principles: Oh! it is an hard thing at that time to be a Jew inwardly to keep the girdle of truth about thy loins; thou must then bare the fruit of the degenerate plant, or strange vine: pour out the drink-offerings of other Sacrifices, follow the sorcery of the Mistriss of Witchcrafts, or learn Magick with them that are brought up in the Doctrine of Devils; thou must limp with the halting age: fit thy mouth to answer the general shout. That great is Diana of the Ephesians: thou must taunt thy own Father, spit in the face of thine own Mother, and hiss away all thy true Brethren: thou must be divorced from thy own Faith, though never so chaste, and deny Sarah to be thy Wife, though thy Espousals with her were never so solemn. There will be no safety inconta­minate faith: thou wilt be either a Nicodemus to come to Christ by night: or if with Daniel thou open the windows towards Je­rusalem, thou wilt be cast into the Den of Lions.’ Thus far he.

An inundation of Popery was also predicted by the learned Bishop of Armagh, immediately before his death, as is well known to many, Dr. Vsher. And where is the heart that hath any spiritual sense or tenderness in it, that trembles not in a fearful expectation of these things? Surely, Amos 3. [...]. the Lord will do nothing, but he revealeth his secrets to his Servants the Prophets. This is one ground of fear.

2. And your fears cannot chuse but encrease, when you consider [...]he preparation and progress these enemies have already made, Have they been sleeping, think you all this while? no, no, they have dig­ged as deep as hell in their Counsels, their numbers among us are already formidable, their combinations strong, their confidences [...] and their Forraign assistants ready. Jer. 4.1 [...] As the keepers of a [...] [Page] are our enemies round about us; the Syrian before, and the Philistine [...] belieud to devour England wi [...]h open mouth. Jer. [...].17. Isai. 9.11. Two considerable ad­vantages they have already obtained: (first) the removal of so many able and godly Ministers out of the way. This is done to their hands by a sad providence: It is an old and true observation. That whosoever will attempt the overthrow of Religion, must be­gin with the Ministry first. These are set for the defence of the Gospel. It was the counsel that Adam Contzen (a deep pated Achitophel of theirs) long since gave in this case; Suppress (saith he) the Mi­nisters; (Et error cui patrocinium deerit, sine pugna concidet) and then the error, that hath none to patronize it, will fall of it self: So he calls the precious truth of Jesus Christ; I dare not affirm that this was intentionally done to open a door of opportunity to them, but that eventually it's like to prove so, who that exercises reason sees not? when so many pious Ministers went off the Stage, it was apparent enough what an opportunity these men had to as­cend it, and act their part.

Secondly, The destruction of our famous City, the strength and glory of the Nation, which they have laid in the dust; a design no doubt, contrived in the Popish Conclave: they well enough knew how able London was to give check to their designes.

My heart bleedeth for thee London to see thee made of a City, an Heap, of a defenced City, a Ruine; a Pallace of strangers to be no City. And if they can have their will, that which follows in the text should be added; It shall never be built, If Parliaments will hearken to them, they will perswade like Rehum and Shimsai, Ezra 4.14▪ that it may lie still in it's Ashes, and upon the same preten­tions, let search be made (say they) in the Book of Records of thy Fa­thers, so shalt thou finde in the Book of Records, and know that this City is a rebellious City, and hurtful unto Kings & Provinces, they that have moved sedition wi [...]hin the same of old time; for which cause it was de­stroyed. But I trust the Lord will make our Rulers wife, to discover their bloody intentions; how speciously so ever p [...]lliated with pre­tences of Loyalty and Fidelity.

A Lamen­tation for London.But mean while Lond [...]n is ruined! that goodly mountain laid wasted the most glorious City in all respects, that ever the Sun looked upon now a desolate Wilderness! O London! who can sufficiently bewail thy misery! for mine own part, as the Orator solemnizing a sad Funeral, desired to have learned Mortality from another Subject, rather then that of Scaliger: So (might it have pleased the Lord) I should have been glad to have learned the vanity of all world [...] [Page] glory from another example, then that of London.

How doth the City sit solitary, that was full of people? [...] she that was great among the Nations, and Princess among the Provinces! O London! thou sealest up the sum and waste perfect in beauty: [...] Thou wast per­fect in thy wayes from the day thou wast created until iniquity was found in thee. Eze. 28 17▪ & 28.18. Thy renown went forth among the Heathen for thy beauty for it was perfect through the comliness thy God had put upon thee. But thy heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou didst corrupt thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness. Therefore the Lord hath cast thee to the ground, and brought forth a fire from the midst of thee, Lam. 1.8. which hath brought thee to ashes. London hath greviously sinned, Lam. 1.12. therefore is shee removed; all that know thee among the People are astonished at thee, thou art terrour to them. London may now sit down by her Sister Jerusalem in the dust, and say, Is it nothing to you, Lam. 1.21 all ye that pass by, see and behold, was there ever any sorrow like unto my sor­row: which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger? They have heard that I sigh, ver. 22. Jer. 15.34 there is none to comfort me: all my enemies have heard of my trouble, they are glad that thou hast done it; thou wilt bring the day that thou hast called, and they shall be like unto me. Let all their wickedness come before thee, ver. 35. and do unto them as thou hast done unto me. Mine enemies have devoured me, they have crushed me, and made me an empty vessel; they have swal­lowed me up like a Dragon. The violence done unto me and to my flesh be upon Babylon, shall the Inhabitants of London say. Remember O Lord, the Inhabitants of Babylon, in the day of London, who said, Psal. 137.7, 8. Rase it rase it, even to [...]he foundations. O daughter of Babylon, that are to be destroyed, happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast ser­ved us.

Let no man think that I endeavour to obscure the righteous Hand of God, which is to be own'd and trembled at in such a judg­ment. Though London must acknowledge his Justice in all that is come upon her; yet the wickedness of Instruments is not in the least to be excused thereby: God and man may concurre in the same action, and yet neither his Holiness have any fellowship with their wickedness; nor their Injustice, be excused by his righteous­ness; Idem quod duo faciunt non est idem, his work is perfect, for all his wayes are judgement; a God of truth, and without Iniquity; just and right is He, they have corrupted themselves, Deut. 32.4.5. Wilt thou not confess London, that thy sins were the sparks that [...]indled thy flames? doubtless thou wilt, such was thy pride, Epi­ [...]urism, Formality, and Barrenness under such precious waterings [Page] as thou once enjoyedst, above all the Cities in the World, that thou mayest say, it is of the Lords mercy, thine Inhabitants had not all perished with their Habitations, and that God had not made thee like Sodom; for what couldst thou expect when thy Lots were going, but that devouring flames were coming?

But to return from this sad (though necessary) digression; here­by it is manifest the common enemy hath obtained a singular, and long expected advantage to their design; often have they in vain at­tempted it; but now God hath delivered it into their hands: Well might they rejoyce as they did) to see it' [...] flames ascend, and drink healths to it's ashes. For upon divers politick considerations it m [...]g [...]t easily be demonstrated that their cause and interest is revived and warmed by that fire.

3. Lastly▪ it cannot but much more heighten our fears, if we con­sider the sad posture that we are in at this day of our Emi [...]ent Danger. Three or four sad particulars I shall here suggest, and let none think it to be a laying open of our nakedness and weakness to the Enemies; for I shall tell them no news, in telling you that,

1. They are much encouraged, in that the Ceremonies of their Religion finde such acceptation among us: It was long si [...]ce obser­ved, That as the morning ushers in the day, so the Ceremonies of any Religion, serve to bring in the Religion it self; If we are hearti­ly resolved against Popery▪ What do we with their Garments, Ge­stures, Altars, Crosses, Liturgies, and Officers among us? upon this reason the Divines of [...] withsto [...]d the Cerimon [...]es of IN­TERIM; of which they give this account to [...] ‘These ind [...]ff [...]rent things (say they) are nothing els [...] but the seed of cor­ruption, Ep ad Mel the nerves of Papistical Superstition, and the l [...]ttle p [...]ssages, by wh [...]ch the adversaries endeavou [...] to deep in [...]o our C [...]u [...]ches, that they may turn them off the founda [...]ion’ To th [...] same purpose the Divines of S [...]xon [...] speak; Contet Sa [...]on ed [...]t 1560 ‘Satan (say they) from t [...]ose small beginning of the Ceremonies, makes progress to [...]he co [...]uption of Doctr [...]ne it self’ If any say these are but groundless [...], a fighting with our own shadows; the P [...]p [...]st themselves a [...]e more charitable then such Obj [...]cters, and cannot but k [...]ow, that although we use these Ceremonies, yet not in the same sense that they do. Pray hear what a Jesuit hath observed consern [...]ng it▪ ‘Pro [...]est­anism saith Mr. [...] in his Preface S [...]ct. 20) waxeth weary of it self▪ the professors of it, they espec [...]lly of greatest Worth Learning and Au [...]hority, Love, Temper and Moderation and are at this time more unresolved where to fasten then at their [Page] Infancy of their [...] new face, their Walls to speak a new language, their Doctrines to be altered in many things.’ If it be again objected▪ this is but the groundless construction of a peevish adversary. To conclude the controversie: here what a Prelate of our own faith in the case, they are the words of the learned Primate of Ireland. Dr. Vsher of the Ce­rem. pag. 209. ‘The Kings and Queens of England (saith he) imposed their Ceremonies, that there­by they might decline the charge of Schismaticks, wherewith the the Church of Rome laboured to brand them, seeing it did appear hereby, they only left them in such Doctrinal points, wherein they left the truth. Again, hereby they would testifie, how far they would stoop to win and gain them, by yielding as far as they might in their own way: But (saith he) the experience of many years hath shew'd that this condescention hath rather hardened them in their errors, then brought them to a liking of our Religion; this being their usual saying, if our Flesh be not good, why do you drink of our broth?’

And have we not grounds for our fears, think you now, if we are blamed for our jealousies, we must blame them that give cause for them. Would B [...]shops cast out those Popish Ceremonies, our fears of Popery would be so much abated; but th [...]se that nurse up these Romish brats we cannot but suspect to have too much love for that Harlot that begot them.

2. We are at this day persecuting and suppressing the faithful in the Land, even those that stand in the gap to intercede for it; and are the most considerable persons, both for P [...]rts and P [...]e [...]y to oppose the d [...]si [...]nes of this Enemy. How are we hacking at the Bow we stand upon? and pulling down our Walls, while the Enemy lies round about them? Is this the time to stop the mouthes of so many able and Faithful Min [...]sters? to d [...]ive them into Corners, and not only so, but to pull them out of those Corners too; and thrust them out of the breach, w [...]ere they stand with P [...]ayers and Tears, which are their only weapons, and the Nations best Defence against the common ene [...]y? Would any Physician that regards the l [...]fe of his Patient, having to do w [...]th a [...] person that hath but little Blood and few [...], open a vein, a [...]d let cut a d [...]op thereof, it may be you lookt not upon them so, but [...] as the d [...]sease of Engla [...]d, then the good blood [...]: but God j [...]dges otherwise concerning them: [...], Job [...]2. ult. You think if you were once [...] of these, you should quickly be a prosperous Nation: But verily▪ [Page] [...] Lord of [...] unto [...], we should have been as Sodom we should have been like unto Gomorrah, Isai 1.9.

Ah! how little do our bold informers think whose work they are doing! little do Constables think they are breaking down of the Wall and Gates of the Nation; when breaking up the peaceable Meetings of Gods People. Poor men! did you but see how the Papists laugh among themselves, to see their work so industriously performed by your hands, it would surely cool your courage, and check your irregular zeal: Alas! they are not so much afraid of your Swords, as of these mens prayers. That Popish Queen of Scot­land spake out and professed she dreaded more the Prayers of Mr. Knox (a godly Nonconformist) then an Army of ten Thousand men. And will you so officiously serve them, by disarming so ma­ny ten Thousands of your friends of their best weapons? Oh un­grateful England! dost thou thus requite the Saints for all the good they have been Instruments to procure unto thee? Wilt thou make them enter an appeal in Heaven against thee, in the words of the Prophet? Jerem. 18.20. Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for our Souls; remember O Lord, how we stood before thee to speak good for them; and to turn away thy wrath from them.

3. Are not the professing part of the Nation at this day divided, both in their judgements and affections? and what a singular ad­vantage the enemy hath; thereby is obvious to every considering person; we have been often told, that except the spirit of Love did speedily close up those unchristian breaches, the common adversary would enter in at them, It was a worthy speech of Brentius when the Divines of Germany were scuffling one with another, in the midst of the Popish party; ‘ Tollenda merito, &c let all quarrelling and bit­terness be laid aside, and let us subject our judgements to our Lord Jesus Christ: Our adversaries yet live and are daily more bold; night and day they labour to extinguish the light of the Gospel which is risen among us, and to b [...]ing back the ancient darkness; mean while we who in the beginning, by the grace of God; professed the Gospel unanimousl [...] turn our weapons one against another, and exhibit a grateful spectacle to our enemies; who place more trust and confidence in our contentions then in the vain foundation of their own Cause, and all their own art and power.’

I have a long time look [...]d upon our contentions, as upon a Bla­z [...]ng Comet, portending utter desolation, if the Lord heal it not speed [...]ly. Think upon this you that fear the Lord, and tremble [...] [Page] his judgements: How have we beaten our fellow-servants? unsainted those that jump'd not with us in our opinions? this Saint was too high, and that too low; but here is an enemy, that like Procrustes the tyrant, will cut you all of a length: Procrustes▪ If you were ten thous­and more then you are, you were no match for them, as long as you lie in this posture. How easily did Gideon with his little handful; vanquish the huge Hoste of the Medianites, when every man set his Sword to the breast of his fellow, and instead of opposing him, slew every man his brother? Judg. 7.22. I make no question but the Pa­pists have blown up these sparks of discention among us, to warm their own fingers by our flames; they have animated and fomented that spirit of bitterness and wrath among us, as one that sets two Cocks a fighting; that having killd each other, he may sup upon them both at night. This was the sad posture of Jerusalem when the Enemy entred in her Gates. O England! England! thy destruction is of thy self. If the hearts of the Fathers be not turned to the Children, and the hearts of the Children to the Fathers, what can we expect, but that God should come and smite the earth with a curse? Mal 4. ult. Lord heal the breaches of England for it shaketh. Psal. 60.2.

4. Fourthly and lastly, that which much appals and daunts my spirit is, they finde us as deeply guilty of the abuse of the best mer­cies, as ever any nation was. So that I am afraid this enemy will prove the Flagellum Dei, the scourge of God, (as Totila of old, from his cruel persecution of the Christians was called) to avenge our unthankfulness for those choice favours, which Heaven hath showered down upon his ungrateful Nation. Saint Jerom speaking of the Churches enemies, By our sin [...] (saith he) our enemies are made strong; And History tells us, that when Vespasian had conquered Je­rusalem, he refused to have the Crown set upon his head, saying I indeed am the Rod in the hand of God, but it is their sins only that have subdued them. Upon what Nation under Heaven hath God more richly heaped his blessings, then upon England? and what peo­ple have more wantonly abused them? or more contemptuously [...]urned at the tender mercies of him that conferr'd them? What [...] is it which deserves to be stiled matchless, transcendent, glo­rious, that Eng [...]and hath not enj [...]yed? If peace be it, we have had it: if Plenty, we have had it: If the Light of the blessed Gospel shining in it's Meridian Splendor be it we have had it: But Jesurun waxed fat and [...]; O dreadful fore-runner of Nation­al ruine! What was it that gave the Saracen footing in the Eastern Empire, but the wantonness of those Churches, abusing the Light [Page] which they enjoyed? how impatiently did the people of God in former times, thirst for liberty to worship God purely! and when they had obtained it, What was the use they made of it? horresco referense, I tremble in speaking it; did we not play with our Light, fight with our brethren by it, till God blowed out the Candle? and so (I wish I could say) ended the quarrel.

We may say of our liberty, as the Philosopher speaks of waters, Suis terminis difficile cont [...]nentur, they are difficultly kept within their bounds; why, brethren did you think that God could suffer such precious mercies to run at the waste spout much longer? Did you think he was weary of his mercies, to continue them to such as little regarded them? or that it was not as grievous to the blessed God, that his children should smite one another, as to see the Enemy smiting them? no darkness is more formidable then that of an E­clipse, which assaults the very vessels of light: no taste more unsa­voury then that of sweet things when corrupted; and no sin more hideous, then that which darkens the brightness of Gods love, and corrupts the sweetness of his mercy. O Eng [...]nd! thou hast abused a darling attribute of God, thou hast sinned against the most deeply engraven Principle, and Law of Nature: The very irrational Creatures, yea, the heaviest and dullest among them, the Ox and Asse are not so deficient in gratitude to their owners, as thou hast been to thy God, Isai. 1.3. justly therefore may be upbraid thee, and say, be astonished O ye Heavens at this, and be ye horribly afraid, &c. Sic ne repend? Is this thy kindness to the God of thy mercies? marvel not then if God pluck up the hedg of his protection from a­bout thee, and let in cruel foes upon thee, to chastise thee for thine ingratitude; and though he will not make a full end of thee; yet may he say concerning thee as of [...], 2 Chron. 12 7, 8. I will not u [...]terly destroy them, but will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of S [...]shak; nevertheless they shall be his servants, that they may know my [...]ervice, and the serv [...]c [...] of the Kingdoms of the Countries. The Lo [...]d I trust, will not utterly forsake his dwelling place in England; but verily I fear he may permit An [...]ch [...]ist for a time to affl [...]ct us, that we [...] know the difference between the sweet and easie yoke of Christ which we w [...]uld not endure, and the yoke of Antich [...]ist that shall gall our necks and consciences with cruel servitude: And because we served not the Lord our God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things, that therefore we shall serve our Enemies, which [...] Lord shall send against us, in hunger▪ and thirst, and [...] [Page] the want of all things; Deut. 28.47. that so we may return to God with the Church, and say, as it is Isai. 26.19. [...] Lord our God, other Lords besides thee have [...] dominion over u [...], bu [...] by thee only, will we make mention of thy Name: and as Hos. 3 7. I will return to my first husband, for it was be [...]ter wi [...]h [...]ne th [...]n, [...].

These are some of the principal grounds of Englan [...]'s fear at this day, in reference to the Popish p [...]ty. Let the serious and consider­ing Reader lay them together▪ allow them but a j [...]st and even bal­lance▪ and doubtless it will hereby appear, tha [...] how great soever our fears are, yet our dangers much exceed them.

Having thus hinted the grounds of our fears, what remaines but that next I address my self to the principal work d [...]sign'd in these Pa­pers, which is to call upon Engla [...]d to aw [...]k [...] out of her dest [...]uctive se­curity▪ and not to suffer her enemies to surprize her sleeping? and I would do it in the words of the Prophet, Zeph. 2.1, 2 Gather your selves together, yea, gather together, O Nation not desired; before the de­cree bring forth, before the day pass as the ch [...]ffe, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon thee. O that I could found this admonition so loud that all in the Nation might hear it! Had I any h [...]p [...]s that these poor Papers might be honoured with a glance of his Majesties Eye, I would as it were, prostrate my self at His feet, and cry as that wo­man did, 2 King. 6.26. Help my Lord, O King.

Great Sir The Lord hath done great things for you, An humble Address to the King. and You are scarcely capable doing a greater serv [...]ce for him and his People; then vigorously to withstand the attempts and encrochments of the subtil and formidable Enemy; in that it hath pleased the Lord to move Your heart to send forth Your Royal Proclamation against them, we accept it alwayes and in all places, with all tha [...]kfulness; and pray that he would not only secure Your Royal Person from their at­tempts, but also make You a Shield to his Pe [...]ple in these Nations.

It is not hid from Your Majesty what a pe [...]fidi [...]us and bloody Enemy this is whose principles as well as pr [...]ct [...]se tend to the sub­version both of Kings and Kingdoms. One of them affirms it lawful to mu [...]der any one (though his own Prince) if the Pope hold him excommunic [...]ted; and another sets down rules how it may be done, Mar [...] and thinks poysoning to be the best way What but Treason and Rebellion can flow from those bloody D [...]ct [...]ines of the Popes, temporal Jurisd [...]ct [...]on over Princes; and his power to d [...]ss [...]lve all Gathes and [...]yes of Allegiance? so that neither Your Person no [...] Honour can be safe in their hands; or should Your Royal Person be exempt from danger, yet if this Enemy prevail, How many [Page] [...] innocent Subjects may fall by their merciless hands? what a field of blood will they make Your Kingdom? and surely the [...] can never countervail the Kings damage herein Esth. 6.16. Most gladly at Your Command, would we offer our lives on the high places of the field against them, but to fall by treachery, and be butchered in our beds, is horrible to think.

An humble [...]upplica­ [...]n to the ParlimentAnd O that God would make our Honourable Representatives in Parliament still vigilant to observe▪ and zealous to oppose the motions of this Enemy! we bless the Lord for what you have already done, in detecting them so far; but yet we cannot think our danger over, whilst they swarm in such numbers among us. Hannibal was wont to say, Magis se a non pugnant [...] Fabio, quam a pugnante Marcello timere. he more feared Fab [...]us not fighting, then fighting, Marce [...]us. O be as zealous for the Protestant Interest, as they are against it; if they dare to smite with the fist of wickedness, we hope You will not be afraid to smite them with the Sword of Justice. Remember what a matchless salvation was once given to our English Parliament, I mean from the Powder Plot, that Catholick Villany, as one aptly calls it: Such a deliverance as ages past cannot parrellel in any Hystory, and of which we may say, as the Hystorian in another case, Si [...]n analibus non foret fabula videre [...]ur. Had it not been recorded in our own An­nals posterity would never believe it: They have indeed studiously endeavoured in their late Bold R [...]monstrance to hide from your eyes the goodness of God in that deliverance, that so by forgetting his goodness, they might bury in silence their own wickedness; we hope none of your actings against this enemy, will be stained with luke­warmness; if justice be sprinkled with a favourable hand, like a few drops of water upon fire; we doubt instead of quenching, it will ra­ther increase the flame. Rome is a [...]ettle, the more gently it's hand­led the more it stings. My Lords and Gentlemen, here is an enemy that deserves your hottest zeal and greatest vigilance, much better then honest, loyal Nonconformists, who plead with God night and day on your behalf.

'Tis acknowledged they differ in lesser matters, from the established worship of the Nations, but from the tolleration of such differences no publick danger can arise. Some differences in Opinion (saith an Honourable Author) are as the striving of one Israelite with ano­ther; [...] and those Moses quiets and parts them fairly; and some are [...]ke the Egyptian striv [...]ng with the Israelites, whom Moses smites down. It was a noble Speech of Anthony of B [...]urbon King of [...], to the Danish Ambassador; this King being a Peer of France ▪ [Page] and first Prince of the Blood, challenged the [...] Kingdom during the French Kings minoraty: He told the Ambassa­dor, that he hoped in a short time to procure a free passage for the Gospel throughout France; the Ambassador was pleased with [...]; but desired that Luthers Doctrine, not Calvins, might pass for current: The King replyed, Luther and Calvin agree in forty Points, and differ but in one. Let those therefore that follow the tenets of these two, unite their strength against the common enemy, and at better leisure; in a more con­venient season, compound their own differences: Grant that Noncon­formists be in an error, yet the difference is not fundamental: and the Famous Empe [...] ▪ Theod [...]si [...]s, did not only bear with the Nova­tions, but familiarly consult with their learned Pastors about Church-matters, though differing in several Points of Discipline, and Con­stantine, although he made a Law in terrorem, Soz. lib. [...] Cap, 12. yet in point of execu­tion he spared them. O that with one shoulder you might support the tottering Interest of Christ in these Nations! and be stiled the Saviours of England in this time of danger; which will be a more Honourable Title, then any other you are, or can be dignified with.

I would also propound it as matter of serious consideration to the Prelates; Queries to the Bishops Whether this be a time to vex & persecute the Consciencious and Faithful in the Land, for Ceremonies and Trifles, when the sub­stance of Religion lyes exposed? Will not the late dreadful Alarms by the Popish Party sound a Retreat, and put an end to this work? suffer me to propound two or three Queries to your Consciences.

Are not Papists hereby hardened in their errors, and confirmed in their cruel and tyranical Impositions upon Consciencies whilst they query 1 see you to use the same medium? what plea is left you against their Tyranny, if ever God permit them to re-kindle the Flames of Mar­tyrdome in England? If your way be good, why is not theirs? magis & minus non [...] speciem; Is there not as much strength in their Arguments of Fire and Faggot to convince you, as in your Excommunications Imprisonments▪ Mulcts, and Penalties, to con­vince us of the lawfulness of your Ceremonies? It's said of Molin [...]us Bonifacius, that his silly reasons for the Popes Supremacy did well enough, being propounded with a Sword in his hand; a keen Sword will make a dull Argument cut to the quick; and if you cannot an­swer such Arguments your selves, me thinks you should be tender of urging them against others. Sure I am Confiscations, Imprisonments, and Death are the most irrefragable Arguments for Popery; and it is a thousand pitties we should tell the world, that the reformed Religion must be supported by the like Artifices: It would better [Page] [...] in Spain, then Christs intere [...]t in England. I am su [...]e in the proper Cognizance of Antichrist: and O that it might remain with them only. Hear what a man of your own Character [...]aith, Liberty of Prophesie. [...]. 109. it is observed saith Doctor Taylor, ‘That the restraint of Prophesying and imposing upon other mens understandings, being Masters of their Consciences, and Lording it over their Faith, came in with the retinue and train of Antichrist; that is, they came as other abuses and corruptions of the Church did, when the Churches Fortunes grew better, and her Sons worse, and some of their Fathers worst of all; for in the first three hundred years, there was no sign of persecuting any man for his Opinion, though at that time there were many horrid Opinions.—A Wolf may as well give Laws to the understanding, as he whose dictates are only propounded in violence, and written in blood: and a Dog is as capable of a Law, as a Man, if there be no choice in his obe­dience, no discourse in his choice, no reason to satisfie his discourse.’

Are you not like to have the same measure, you mete to us, meted query 2 back to you again with an overplus, if this enemy prevail? and then you'l finde how good it is to afflict for Conscience sake. Certainly if you resolve to be faithful to Protestant Principles, you will escape upon no easier terms, then us.

Are not these very persons against whom you discharge your Can­nons, query 3 and woory up and down by your apparitors▪ like to prove as stiffe assertors of the Protestant cause, (if God call more blood to witness to it) as your selves? you finde them (I believe) inflexible enough to your Ceremonies, all your menacies, and punishments cannot cudgel them into conformity with them, because they finde aliquid commune cum antichristo, a spice and tang of Popish Superstition in them; and doubtless, they will as freely lay down their lives in defence of the fundamental and weightier points of Religion, as their Places, Liberties▪ and Earthly Comforts, for the lesser Circumstantial truths thereof: and is it not pity, that you should (especially at such a time as this) suppress afflict and silence such [...], whose abilities might now be improved to such singular advantag [...]

[...]But, Aquila non [...] muscas Lordly spirits scorn to [...] such mean composures, or take notice of a creeping Pamphlet; let me therefore speak to the Body of the People and especially to those among the People, who profess to fear the Lord, and tremble at his Judgements▪ Will you shut your ears to seasonable counsel also? Will you despise your dangers till you are surprized by them? O [Page] England! Wilt thou not begin to [...], till thou art [...]. Shall thine Enemies finde thee sleeping, and leave thee dead? Wretched England! here is thy misery, that thou knowest not thy time; but as the fishes are taken in an evil net, and as the birds are caught in the snare; so wilt thou be snared in an evil time, when it falleth on thee suddainly Eccle. 8.12. May I freely express my apprehensions in tht Case; I much doubt thine Enemies have so contrived and laid their design against thee, that (in their apprehensions at least) all thy struglings now, are but as the flutterings of a bird in the net, which instead of free­ing, doth but the faster intangle her. However if God at last wlll but open thine eyes to seasonable Counsel, and perswade thine heart to thy present duties, who can tell but the Lord may yet be gracious to his Land, and spare his people.

It is not so much their confidence as our impenitence that is to be feared, Human was as confident as they can be, and had cast Pur for the Jews as well as they for us, Esth. 3.7. So was Ph [...]ra [...]h too when he said I will pursue; I will pursue; God can quickly give their preg­nant designs a miscarrying womb; so that they which haue con­ceived mischief shall bring forth but a lye; and thou that fearest con­tinually because of the enemy, shalt yet praise him and say, The hea­then are sunk down in the pit that they made; in the net which they hid is their own foot t [...]ken: the Lord is known by the judgements which he exe­cuteth; the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands: Higgaion Selah, Psal. 9.15, 16. and when the enemy cometh in like a flood: the Spirit of thy God can set up a Standard against him: if men cannot, winds and waves shall fight for thee, as they have done in former exi­gencies.

Only obey the Counsels of God, and let thine ear be circumcised▪ and as ever you expect that a door of hope should be opened to you in this valley of Achor, let these following Counsels be speedily and heartily practised.