Should I now descend unto particulars in all the things mentioned, and insist on them, time would wholly fail me, — neither is it a work for a single sermon; and, therefore, in one word I shall wind up the whole matter, and end.
Know them, then, that are faithful and quiet in the land ; regard the truth of the gospel; remember the days of old,- — what hath done you good, quieted your heart in distress, crowned your undertakings with sweetness; lose not your first love; draw not out your own thoughts for the counsel of God ; seek not great things for yourselves ; be not moved at the lusts of men ; keep peace what in you lieth witli all that fear the Lord ; let the glory of Christ be the end of all your undertakings, etc.
SERMON X.
GOD'S WORK IN FOUNDING ZION,
AND
HIS PEOPLE'S DUTY THEREUPON.
niEFATORY NOTE.
An Etiglisli Piulianioiit was summoned by Cromwell, as Lord Protector, to meet at Westminster on the 17tli Sejjteniber 1G56. At this time Admiral Blake was jmrsuinj^ his victorious careei-, and combating on tlie ocean the inveterate enemy of England and English Protestantism, — Spain. In order to obtain the supplies rofiuisite for the maintenance of the war, the Parliament was convened, and Dr Owen preaclied on the occasion. The Parliament agreed to sujiport the Protector in tlie war, and voted him for the purpose £400,000. The sermon of Owen is remark- able for the tone of cheerful gratitude pervading it, for the peace and freedom which the nation now enjoyed. While contrasting present advantages with the evils from which the country had been delivered, he warns his audience against any course that might expose them, under the judgment of God, to the loss of privileges so deaily won, and against indulging in the strife and animosities which would " turn judgment into wormwood, and truth into hemlock." — Ed.
^y"ednesda^/, 11 th of September 165G. Orderei) by the Parliament, That Mr Maidstone and the Lieutenant of the Tower do give the hearty thanks of the H(nise to Dr Owen, Dean of C'lirist Church and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, for his gieat pains taken in liis sermon preached this day in the Abbey Church at Wcstminster,before his Highness the Lord Protector and the members elected to sit this present Parliament; and that he be desired to print his sermon; and that no man presume to print it without his leave.
Hen. t^coDELL, Clerk of the PariiauKnt.
TO HIS HIGHNESS,
THE LORD PROTECTOR,
THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COIMMONWEALTH OF ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND IRELAND, &c.
Although I need plecad no other reason for the pnhlishing of the ensuing discom-se but your order and command for my so doing; yet, because I know that your pecu- liar interest, as governors of this commonwealth, in the several stations wherein you are placed of God, is truly stated therein, — in the pursuit whereof your peace and the peace of these nations Avill be found to he, — I crave leave to add that con- sideration also. Being fully acquainted in and with what weakness it was com- posed and delivered, I cannot but conclude that it was merely for the truth's sake therein contained, which is of God, and its suitableness, through his wise provi- dence, to the present state of things in these nations, that it found acceptance and entertainment with you; which also makes me willing to be therein your remem- brancer a second time. From the day wherein I received a command and call unto the service of preaching unto you, unto this issue of it, wherein it is clothed anew with obedience to your order, I found mercy with God to have that caution of the great apostle abiding in my heart and thoughts, " If I yet please men, I am not a servant of God." Hence I can with boldness profess, that, influenced in some measure with the power of that direction, I studiously avoided whatever might be suggested with the least unsuitableness thereunto, with respect either to myself or others.
It was for Zion's sake that I was A\'illing to undertake this duty and ser\-ice, rejoicing that I had once more an opportunity to give public testimony to the great concernment of the great God and our dear Lord Jesus Christ in all the concus- sions of the nations in the world, and peculiarly in his wonderful providential dis- pensations in these wherein we live. And here, as the sum of all, to use plainness and Uberty of speech, I say, if there be any thing, in any person whatever in these nations, that cannot stand with, that can stand without, the general interest of the people of God pleaded for, let it fall, and rise no more ; and the Lord, I know, wiU send his blessing out of Zion on whatever, in singleness of heart, is done in a ten- dency to the establishment thereof.
Farther, I shall not need to suggest any thing of the ensuing discourse : — they who take themselves to be concerned therein will acquaint themselves with it by its perusal. I shall only add, if the general principles asserted therein be in your hearts; if, in pursuit thereof, you endeavour that in no corner of the nation it may
400 THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY.