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were against the Lord, and their hearts could not endure, neither could their hands be strong.
I shall give some instances in their undertaking against the Lord : — (1.) In their declared enmity to the ministry of the gospel; — not to the persons of ministers, because engaged in some faction in the state, wherein, perhaps, many may be opposed, and that from the Lord ; — nor yet because of their persuasion for the administration of ordinances after this or that form; which often ariseth to very great animosities, — the Lord pardon them unto his people : but because in general they do administer ordinances. Now, certainly there is so much of God in that administration, that if they be opposed, not for other causes, or upon other pretences, but " eo nomine," as adminis- trators of ordinances, that opposition is made to God himself. It was part of the end of Christ's ascension, that he might bestow those gifts u]3on them which they do enjoy, Eph. iv. 8. And shall the fury of men make the work of God, the purchase of Christ, of none effect ? Doubtless in this respect God will make as many as are sincere " a fenced brasen wall," Jer. xv. 20. Men may batter their hands, and beat out their brains against them; but they shall not prevail. It is true, as many of them are pleased in these days to engage themselves in several parties; so, if they do close and act with them that are per- nicious to the commonwealth, all inconvenience that lighteth upon them is from themselves, — their profession gives them no sanctuary from opposition : but when they are envied, " eo nomine," as adminis- trators of ordinances, not in such or such a way, but as ordinances, — shall not the Lord plead for this thing ? Now, that this was aimed at by some, I suppose none can doubt. The Lord open the eyes of them who in this deliverance have received deliverance, but will not see it ! I fear some men had almost rather perish, than be delivered not in their own way. Envy in some men will outbalance safety. Alas ! we are proud beggars, when* we will refuse the mercy of God if we may not appoint the hand whereby it shall be bestowed.
(2.) Against the spiritual ordinances of God themselves. These are the carved work which they aimed to break down with their axes and hammers. Christ hath said, " I will build my church." Their voice was, " Down with it ! down with it even to the ground ! " Poor creatures ! they dashed themselves against the rock. Is this a time, think you, to engage against all ordinances, when the Lord Jesus is joining battle with all the world for their abuse of them; and is vin- dicating them in order to more purity, beauty, lustre, power, efficacy, and peace, than ever yet he adorned them withal? You were not wise, poor souls, to discern the seasons. What! no time to pluck down, but when Christ himself is building ! Ah ! turn your weapons against Babylon ; it will prove far the more thriving warfare. Let
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Zion alone, if but for your own sakes. Jerusalem will prove a burden- some stone to all that take her up. You have received more loss in a week of days from Christ in this nation, than you would have done in a week of years from Antichrist in another. God will make them that shall go for Ireland sensible of this truth. See Ps. xlvhi. 1 2-1 4.
(3.) Principally and immediately against magistracy ; if not in the abstract, yet openly as established in the hands of those whom the Lord hath owned in the darkest day that ever this nation saw. It is the hope of my sou], that the Lord hath borne witness that they have the sixfold qualification before mentioned. And why would they have at once destroyed the Parliament and their own commander? Look upon the end of their common workmen: was it not that every one might have enjoyed their lust for a season? Of the more crafty: was it not to get themselves power to attempt their folly, and exe- cute their fury? Look upon the end of the work: was it not to have wrapped us in confusion for a few months, and then to have given us up to the revengeful will of enraged enemies? So that, truly, there is but one thing wonderful to me in all this business, that God should take away the hearts and hands of these men in this enterprise ; and that is, that he should do it in mercy for such an unthankful, unwor- thy, unbelieving people as we are. In this is he for ever to be ad- mired and blessed. At thy rebuke, 0 God of Jacob, both the chariot and the horses have failed.
Use 2. If this be the cause why " they have slumbered their sleep," be instructed, ye that are rulers of this nation, in the ways of peace, protection, and safety ; — be in the ways of God, and do the things of God, and no weapon that is formed against you shall ever prosper. Many protections and deliverances you have had in your actings for him. Hath he not deserved at your hands to be trusted and feared all your days, with all your power? As my heart hath always been towards the governors in Israel, who willingly offered themselves among the people ; so truly my heart never more trem- bled over them than now. Oh ! where shall we find hearts fit to receive so many mercies as have been given into our bosoms? Oh! where shall we have hearts large enough to receive all these mercies ? The oil ceased when the vessel would hold no more. All my hope and confidence is, that God will work for his name's sake. I could exhort you to sundry particulars, and lay down several paths of God, walking wherein you shall be sure to find peace and safety ; as espe- cially, that you would regard that which God hath honoured, where- unto the opposition which he had resolved to make void was made.