510 Christ's kingdom and
[3.] For the rules which I intimated, I shall but namn them, having some years since delivered my thoughts to the w^orld at large on this subject;^ and I see no cause as yet to recede from any thing then so delivered. Take then only for the present these brief directions following.
1st. Labour to be fully persuaded in your own minds, that you be not carried up and down with every wind of doctrine, and be tempted to hearken after every spirit, as though you had received no truth, as it is in Jesus. It is a sad condition, when men have no zeal for truth, nor against that which is opposite to it, whatever they seem to profess ; because indeed having not taken in any truth in the power and principle of it, they are upon sad thoughts, wholly at a loss whether there be any truth or no : this is an unhappy frame indeed, the proper condition of them whom God will spew out of his mouth.
2dly. Know that error and falsehood have no right or title, either from God or man, unto any privilege, protection, advantage, liberty, or any good thing you are intrusted withal: to dispose that unto a lie, which is the right of, and due to truth, is to deal treacherously with him by whoili you are employed : all the tenderness and forbearance unto such persons as are infected with such abominations, is solely upon a civil account, and that plea which they have for tran- quillity, whilst neither directly nor morally they are a dis- turbance unto others.
3dly. Know that in things of practice, so of persuasion, that are impious and wicked, either in themselves, or in their natural and unconstrained consequences, the plea of conscience is an aggravation of the crime : if men's consci- ences are seared, and themselves given up to a reprobate mind, to do those things that are not convenient, there is no doubt but they ought to suffer such things, as to such practices are assigned and appointed.
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,
* Discourse of Toleration. ;
THE magistrate's POWER. 511
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, with all that fear the Lord ; let the glory of Christ be the end of all your undertakings, &-c.
SERMON XII*
GOD'S WORK IN FOUNDING ZION,
AND HIS
PEOPLE'S DUTY THEREUPON.
» This sermon was preached in the abbey church at Weslniinster, at the opening of the Parliament, Sept. 17, 1656.
TO HIS HIGHNESS
THE LORD PROTECTOR,
THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF ENGLAND. SCOTLAND, AND IRELAND, &c.
Although I need plead no other reason for the pub- lishing of the ensuing' discourse, but your order and command for my so doing; yet because I know that your peculiar interest, as governors of this common- wealth, 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 will be found to lie ; I crave leave to add that consideration also. Being fully acquainted in and with what weakness it was composed 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 re- ceived a command and call unto the service of preach- ing 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 man, I am not a servant of God.' Hence I can with boldness pro-
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514 THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY.
fess, 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 willing to under- take this duty and service, 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 concussions 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 liberty 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 will send his blessing out of Zion, on whatever in single- ness of heart, is done in a tendency to the establishment thereof.