Some things are unchangeable and indispensable amongst men, supposing them to live answerable to the general prin-
DISMISSTOK TO REST. 459
ciples of their kind : as that a government must be ; without which every one is the enemy of every one, and all tend to mutual destruction, which are appointed of God for mutual preservation ; that in government some do rule, and some be in subjection ; that all rule be for the good of them that are ruled; and the like principles that flow necessarily from the very nature of political society.
Some things again are alterable and dispensable, merely upon the account of preserving the former principles, or the like : if any of them are out of course, it is a ' vacuum' in na- ture politic, for which all particular elements instantly dis- lodge and transpose themselves to supply ; and such are all forms of governments amongst men, which if either they so degenerate of themselves that they become directly opposite, or are so shattered by providential revolutions as to become useless to their proper end, may and ought to be changed, and not upon other accounts : but now for other things in government, as the particular way, whereby persons shall be designed unto it, the continuance of the same persons in it, for a less or greater proportion of time, the exercise of more or less power by some sorts, or the whole body of them that are ruled, the uniting of men for some particular end by bonds and engagements, and the like occasional emergen- cies, the universal disposal of them is rolled on prudence to act according to present circumstances.
(2.) Love to his people. This was the second qualifi- cation, wherein Daniel was so eminent. And our deceased friend, not to enter into comparison with them that went be- fore, had clearly such a proportion, as we may heartily de- sire that those who follow after, may drink but equal draughts of the same cup; that as his pains, labour, travail, jeopards of his life, and all that was dear to him, relinquishment of relations and contentments, had sweetness and life from this motive, even intenseness of affection to his people, the peo- ple of whom he was, and whose prosperity he did desire, needs no farther demonstration, than the great neglect of self and all self-concernments which dwelt upon him in all his tremendous undertakings: 'vicit amor patriae,' or certainly he who had upon his breast and all his undertakings self- contempt so eminently engraven, could not have persisted wrestling with so many difficulties to the end of his days :
460 THE LABOURING SAINT's
it was Jerusalem, and the prosperity thereof, which was pre- ferred to his chief joy. Neither,
(3.) Did he come short in righteousness in the adminis- tration of that high place whereto he was called ? nay than this, there was not a more eminent stone in that diadem which he had in the earth. If he lay not at the bottom, yet at least he had a signal concurrence in such acts of justice, as antiquity hath not known, and posterity will admire. Neither was it this or that particular act that did in this be- speak his praise, but a constant will and purpose of render- ing to every one his due.
I shall not insist upon particulars, in these and sundry other personal qualifications, between the persons mentioned a parallel may lie.
2. As to employment, that of Daniel was mentioned be- fore : it was the receiving, and holdingr out from God, visions of providential alterations, disposing and transposing of states, nations, kingdoms, and dominions ; what he had in speculation, Avas this man's part to follow in action; he was an eminent instrument in the hand of God in as tremendous providential alterations, as such a spot of the world hath at any time received, since Daniel foresaw in general them all: and this, not as many have been carried along with the stream, or led by outward motives, and considerations far above their own principles and desires, but seeingly and knowingly, he closed with the mind of God with full pur- pose of heart, to serve the will of the Lord in his generation. And on this account did he see every mountain made a plain beforehand, by the Spirit of the Lord, and staggered not at the greatest difficulties 'through unbelief, but being steadfast in faith, he gave glory to God.' And to complete the parallel, as Daniel's visions were still terminated in the kingdom of Christ ; so all his actions had the same aim and intendment. This was that which gave life and sweetness to all the most dismal and black engagements that at any any time he was called out unto. All made way to the coming in of the promised glory. It was all the ' vengeance of the Lord and his temple.' A Davidical preparation of his paths in blood, that be might for ever reign in righteousness and peace; but be he so or so, the truth of our proposition is confirmed towards him : That there is an appointed sea-
I
DISMISSION TO REST. 461
son when the saints of the most eminent abilities in the most useful employments shall receive their dismission, &,c.
I shall briefly open the rest of the words, and so take up the proposition again, which was first laid down.