(2.) In actions, and those, —
[1.] Of religion. Not only in opinion, but practice also, are we here under a vile return. We are become the lions, and the very same thoughts [are] entertained by us against others as were exercised to- wards ourselves. Are not others as unworthy to live upon their native soil in our judgments, as we ourselves in the judgments of them for- merly over us? Are not groans for liberty, by the warmth of favour, in a few years hatched into attempts for tyi'anny ? And for prac- tice, what hold hath former superstition, in observing days and times, laid upon the many of the people again ! Witness the late solemn superstition, and many things of the like nature.
[2.] For civil things, the closing of so many formerly otherwise engaged with the adverse party in the late rebellion, with the luke- warm deportment of others at the same time, is a sufficient demon- stration of it. And may not the Lord justly complain of all this ? " What iniquity have you seen in me or my ways, that you are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?" Jer. ii. 5. " Why have you changed your gloiy for that which doth not profit," verse 11. " Have I been a dry heath or a barren wilderness
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to you?" Oh, that men should find no moi'e sweetness in following the Lamb under wonderful protections, but that they should thus turn aside into every wilderness ! What indignity is this to the ways of God ! I could give you many reasons of it ; but I have done what I intended, — a little hinted that we are a returning people, that so you might be exhorted to help for a recovery. And how shall that be?
2. By your own keeping close to the paths of righteousness. If you return not, others will look about again. This breach, this evil is of you ; within your own walls was the fountain of our backsliding. AVould you be the repairers of breaches, the restorers of paths for men to walk in ? — do these two things : —
(1.) Turn not to the ways of such as the Lord hath blasted under your eyes. And these may be referred to three heads.
[L] Oppression; [2.] Self-seeking; [3.] Contrivances for persecu- tion.
[1.] Oppression. How detestable a crime it is in the eyes of the Almighty, — what effects it hath upon men, " making wise men mad ! " Eccles. vii. 7, — how frequently it closeth in the calamitous ruin of the opiDressors th emselves, — are things known to all. Whether it hath not been exercised in this nation, both in general by unnecessary imposi- tions, and in particular by unwarrantable pressures, let tlie mournful cries of all sorts of people testify. Should you now return to such ways as these, would not the anger of the Lord smoke against you? Make it, I beseech you, your design to relieve the whole, by all means possible, and to relieve particulars, yea, even of the adverse party where too much overborne. 0 let it be considered by you, that it be not considered upon you ! I know the things you are necessitated to are not to be supported by the air. It is only what is unnecessary as to you, or insupportable as to others, that requires your speedy re- forming; that .so it maybe said of you as of Nehemiah, chap. v. 14, 15. And for particulars (pray pardon my folly and boldness), I heartily desire a committee of your honourable House might sit once a-week, to relieve poor men that have been oppressed by men sometimes enjoying parliamentary authority.
[2.] Self-seeking, — when men can be content to lay a nation low, that they may set up themselves upon the heaps and ruins thereof Have not some sought to advance themselves under that power which, with the lives and blood of the people, they have opposed ; seeming to be troubled at former things, not because they were done, but because they were not done by them? But innocent blood will be found a tottering foundation for men to build their honours, greatness, and preferments iqjon. 0 return not in this unto any! If men serve themselves of the nation, they mu.st expect that the nation will serve itself upon them. The best security you can possibly have that the
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people will perform their duty in obedience, is tlie witness of your own consciences that you have discharged your duty towards them, — in seeking their good by your OAvn trouble, and not your own advantages in their trouble. I doubt not but that in this your practice makes the admonition a commendation ; other^vise the word spoken will certainly witness against you.
[3.] Contrivances for persecution. How were the hearts of all men hardened like the nether millstone, and their thoughts did grind blood and revenge against their brethren ! What colours, what pretences, had men invented to prepare a way for the rolling of their gannents in the tears, yea, blood of Christians ! The Lord so keep your spirits from a compliance herein, that mthal the bow be not too much bent on the other side, — which is not impossible.