(2.) In point of ordinances, and Christ-purchased privi- leges. Here it is dangerous encroaching indeed.^ God exactly measured Canaan because it was to be the seat of a national church. If you love your lives, if you love your souls, be tender in this point. Here if you meddle with that which belongs not unto you, were you kings, all your glory would belaid in the dust; 2 Chron. xxvi. 18. Woe to them, who
» Nere primus Christianos ferociit, tali dedicatore daninationis nostrae etiam glo- riaraur, qui enim scit ilium, inteliigere potest, non nisi aliquod bonum grande b Ne- rone daranatura. Tertul. Apol.
OF ESSEX COUNTY, AND COMMITTEE. 119
cut short the saints of God in the least jot, of what he hath allotted to them in spirituals. Is it for any of you, O ye sons of men, to measure out God's children's portion, long since bequeathed them by Christ ? Let them alone with what is given them. If God call Israel out of Egypt to serve him, shall Pharaoh assign who, and how they shall go, first men only, then all without their cattle ? ' Nay,' says Moses, * we will go as God calls ;' Exod. x. 26.
Was not one main end of the late tumults to rob God's people of their privileges,to bring them again under the yoke of superstition ? What God brake in war, do not think he will prosper in peace. If you desire to thrive, do not the same, nor any thing like it. Take they any thing of yours, that belongs to Csesar, the civil magistrate, restrain them, keep them within bounds. But if they take only what Christ hath given them, O touch them not, harm them not. The heap is provided for them, let them take for themselves. Think it not strange that every one should gather his own manna. The Lord forbid that I should oversee the magis- trates of England taking away liberties, privileges, ordi- nances, or ways of worship, from them to whom the Al- mighty hath made a free grant of them.
(3.) If in taking what God hath measured out for them, they should not all comply with you, in the manner and measure of what they take, do them no harm, impoverish not their families, banish them not, slay them not. Alas !' your judgments, were you kings and emperors, is not a rule to them. They must be tried by their own faith. Are their souls think you more precious to you than themselves ? You say they take amiss ; they say no ; and appeal to the word.** Should you now smite them? Speak blood, is that the way of Jesus Christ? Should it be as you affirm, you would be puzzled for your warrant. To run when you are not sent, surely in this case is not safe. But what if it should prove in the close, that they have followed divine directions? Do you not then fight against God, wound Jesus Christ, and prosecute him as an evil doer ? I know the usual colours, the common pleas, that are used for the instigation of autho-
a Nova et inaudita est ista j.raBdicatio, quse verberibus exigit fidera. Greg. Epist. 52.
>> Magistrum neminem habemus nisi solum Deum; bic ante te est, nee nbscondi potest, sed cui nihil faicere powts.
120 A MEMORIAL OF THt DKLIVEKANCE
rity to the contrary. They are the very same, and no other^ that have slain th^ saints of God this twelve hundred years. Arguments for persecution are dyed in the blood of Chris- tians for a long- season; ever since the dragon gave his power to the false prophet, they have all died as heretics and schis- matics. Suppose you saw in one view all the blood of the witnesses of Christ, which hath been let out of their veins, by vain pretences; that you heard in one noise the doleful cry of all pastorless churches, dying martyrs, harbourless children of parents inheriting the promise, wilderness-wan- dering saints, dungeoned believers, wrested out by pretended zeal to peace and truth ; and perhaps it may make your spi- rits tender as to this point.
Use 2. See the warrantableness of our contests for God's people's rights. It was Jepththa's only argument against the encroaching Ammonites; Judg. xi. By God's assistance they would possess what the Lord their God should gire them. If a grant from heaven will not make a firm title, I know not what will. Being called by lawful authority, cer- tainly there is not a more glorious employment, than to serve the Lord in helping to uphold the portion he hath given his people. If your hearts be upright, and it is the liberties,, the privileges of God's saints, conveyed from the Father, purchased by Christ, you contend for, go on and prosper, the Lord is with you.
XII. Observation. The works and labours of God's people are transacted for them in heaven, before they once under- take them.
The Israelites were now going to Canaan, God doth their work for them beforehand, they did but go up and take pos- session. Joshua and Caleb tell the people, not only that their enemies' defence was departed from them, but that they were but bread for them. Numb. xiv. 9. not corn that might be prepared, but bread, ground, made up, baked, ready to eat. Their work was done in heaven. * Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world ;' Acts XV. 18. All that is done here below, is but the writing of a visible copy for the sons of men to read, out of the eternal lines of his own purpose.