A WORD IN SEASON TO ALL IN AUTHORITY. WITH Weighty CONSIDERATIONS what PERSONS, PRACTICES and THINGS, doth chiefly cause DIVISION and CONTENTION, RENDING of KINGDOMS, and distress of NATIONS.  
AS ALSO, A Plain DISCOVERY of those THINGS and that ministry, that will bring BLESSINGS and UNITY, with Deliverance from BONDAGE, into LIBERTY; and instead of STRIFE, WARS and FIGHTINGS, righteousness, RECONCILIATION and PEACE in the Land of our Nativity.  
Published by a Lover of Truth and the kingdom's Peace, J. C.  
LONDON, Printed for Robert Wilson, at the sign of the Black-Spread-Eagle, and Windmill in Martin's near 〈…〉.   

A word in Season.  
YOu Rulers and Chief in Authority, I have Written this unto you, that you might▪ Read and understand, what and who is the cause of Strife, and War, and Division, and Rending of Kingdoms, Governments and commonwealths, and causing Distraction amongst people, and heartburning, and Murder, and Revenge one Brother against another, and one Neighbour against another. And farther that no Ruler not governor, nor Government can be Established, nor firmly settled, until these things are removed, which is the Ground of Unsettledness, and which hath unsettled Kings and Parliaments, and divided them and dashed them one against another.  
Now they that Preach for Hire, and Divine for money, whose maintenance doth depend upon their Office, and their Office doth depend upon Persons, and Forms, and Times; so that if their Office be taken away, their Maintenance fails; and if their Form be disliked, their Office comes in question, and their Maintenance in danger; and through these Men, and these Things have been the cause of all the late War, and expense of Blood and Treasure. And all People who have trusted in them, have been deceived by them, and cheated, and betrayed, and brought to misery, whilst they have feasted and been ready to turn with all Times to serve themselves.  
For now consider, that before the Wars, when Idolatry and Superstition grew amongst people under Episcopacy, (so called) and profaneness, and licentiousness became tolerated by that generation, and all the conscientious zealous people for God became persecuted, and hated and made a prey, so that it were a hard matter for any man to live without suspicion of 〈◊〉 dangerous, who made Conscience of any thing, especially in the worship of God; But they who were Lovers of Pr●de and wantonness, letters up of maypoles, Bull-baitings, Revels. Wakes, and such like; by which many people did assemble together to be drunk, and to Riot & Blaspheme the Name of the most Holy God. And if the Spirit of the Lord was grieved in any to see these things committed, and a Testimony borne against it by any) How were such made a reproach, their goods spoiled by the Officers of the than called Spiritual Courts? and that kind of ministry that tolerated and partaked in such wickedness, they were the men set up, countenanced and entrusted, and bore all the Rule amongst people everywhere; and many years was the Spirit of the Lord grieved, and his righteous Soul vexed with these abominations, and often called them to return, but they would not hear; but hardened their hearts in their wickedness, and went on in their Rebellion against God, until his w●ath waxed hot against them, and the Contest began between the King and the Parliament, and increased until a great War began, as is well and b● woeful experience unto many to this day remembered; and the Bishops being near unto the KING, and well discerning that if by force they were not able to uphold their Office they must fail, and their great yearly Revenue, which depended upon their Office would be lost, and they not doubting their strength, because of the KING, and the greatness of their number, forgot God, who saveth, not by many, nor by few; and then they preached up the KING, and their Office, their Form of their Service, upon 〈◊〉 of Damnation to all that should resist them, calling them Rebels, and traitors, and Heriteks that should oppose.  
Another sort of clergymen, who were then something more refined, and were indeed many of them more zealous and conscientious, they prayed against the prosperity of the KING, and his Party, and against the Bishops, with the rest of their Train, and so when one Blessed, another Cursed; and so men according to their affections sided, and both were upon pain of damnation, and here the Leaders of the people caused them to err, and many thousands that were thus led were destroyed; and with great difficulty did the War go on for a long season, and the victory inclining to neither; But the Army of the King and his party grew numerous, and still they who were called the Ministers, ceased not on either part to Preach up the interest they had undertaken, though never so much blood might be shed in the prosecution thereof, until the King and that party was worsted and overthrown: And then some began to see that it was not honesty, but interest that made them so eager; So than they called Ministers of the Parliaments part, many of them seeing that their gain was in danger by reason of that prevailing party which then had overthrown the King and his Army, they (to wit the Ministers so called) began to drive on new designs, so that they can never cease fomentinng of division, except their interest be at top and they themselves always divided amongst themselves, by reason of their great number, that some of them always wants room, so that they have leisure and liberty, ability and opportunity to devise new stratagems to carry on new divisions, that they may supplant one another to make room.  
But then when the Army had gotten the upper hand, and that the general begins to appear as if he might be at the Stern, and that he countenanced those who at that time the Lord had opened their eyes, and they discovered the rottenness of them called Ministers, than they set themselves as it were wholly against him by all manner of means; Labouring by Plotting, Preaching, and Printing against them, believing in their minds, that if he should once be at rest, and in full power, he would certainly have plucked down their tithes: So from time to time, the fear of losing their great income on the one side, and the Pride and Ambition of the other side, they never in no time want matter wherewith to blow the ●ire of contention, still crying out against one or other sort of people that stand in their way, and so labouring to remove them out of their way by cruelty towards them, having time and opportunity to fill people's hearts and minds with evil, by Preaching up the wickedness of their own hearts, laying it upon others whom they'll not suffer to answer for themselves, by that means laying such loads of bitter Persecutions upon people, that have forced many to be enemies to those against whom they had no thought of evil, for who is there but will stand for his life? So in that time when the then general had subdued them all, and brought them into subjection, how soon did they Court him with Flatteryes, endeavouring to promote him to the highest honour, and so blinded his judgement, and he suffering them to breathe a while, and not executing judgement speedily, their hearts had another mischief to devise, and so then preaching up his Government as Jure divino, and then both they that had joined with the King, and stirred up people to fight for the King, and for the Service-Book, and the rest of that stuff, and them also who had fought against the King and Service-Book, they soon became one, and they preach up Oliver to be Protector, and they all make use of his Authority, they took the Engagement against King or House of Lords, and so then he was the only man, and this was the only Government; But still there was a few people, who still saw their deceit and Treacherous dealing with all sorts, and these could not cease to make mention of it, their souls being grieved with their abominable deceit, and then they make it their whole business in all places to stir up the Rulers and especially the Protector to cut off such from the earth; and they labour to create Parliaments to their mind, and all sorts of Rulers to their mind, never ceasing by all means to cut off this people: But Oliver the Protector being by the Righteous hand of God cut off, because he had not executed the thing for which the Lord raised him up, but suffered the people of the Lord to be sorely afflicted, and the same oppression to remain upon the free people of this Nation as before. His Son Richard he came in his stead, how then did the men called Ministers hasten with their addresses from their several towns and Corporations to congratulate the young Protector, and to give unto him the greatest stile that could be thought upon? so that to some he was the Orient Star that was risen to give them light, and such like; and so having lifted up the young man's heart, they then thought themselves secure, and then they with him call a Parliament according to their own hearts desire, whom they thought were fitted to do the work which they long had desired, but when they had as it were brought that work to maturity, that was to have cut off all those from the earth) which would not bow to their Image, the Lord overturned their Counsels in one 
* The old Parliament.  day, & brought up another people in their stead, into whose hands the Lord delivered them; for that they (many of them) had long cried against the Protectors Oppression, and Usurpation, and had promi●ed to execute the judgement which God expected should be done upon those who had kept his people in bondage; but they likewise forgot the day of their adversity, in which they cried unto the Lord, and he heard them; and they likewise began to lay more heavy yokes upon God's people, 
* Voted up tithes,  and the Lord overturned them likewise, and set up another sort; 
* The Committee of Safety.  but their hearts being not right in the sight of God, and had no mind to execute his judgement upon these who still held the people of God in bondage, the Lord gave them no rest, but brought in their enemies upon them as a flood, his long-suffering being at an end, and the measure of their transgression finished, he hath now delivered them into the hands of their enemies; that as the Lord sent his Servants to cry unto them, and to wa●ne them, and they had no regard unto the sufferings of his people, yet the Lord often warned all sorts of them of the evil day that is now come upon them, and they would not hear, nor regard the cry of the Oppressed; but the men called Ministers, they preached peace unto them, and said no evil should happen unto them, and they cried that the Lord had not sent these men, but they were deluded, until sudden destruction came upon them, as is seen, even pain as upon a Woman in travel.  
And now what is become of these men called Ministers who (as I said) before the war, and in the war, preached and Prayed against the King? who made it as it were their work, and the Cause of God, to f●ght against the King; the same men against the Protector, and for the Protector, who were so zealous for the Government of the Protector, that they imprisoned, and whipped, and cried out in the ears of Magistrates where ever they came, against a poor despired people, that they were Enemies to the Government, and were suspected that they met together to plot against the Government (of the Protector I mean,) and stirred up the Rulers and they got soldiers, and they (called Ministers) with the soldiers and rude people broke their meetings, and accused them as being dangerous to the Government, having a design against the Government, and so cast into prison, and all this in Zeal to the Government of the Protector, and these were Ministers (so called) of all sorts, as well of them who had been formerly for the King, and those who had likewise been against him, were become one for the government, and one against the people of God, which discovered their deceit, and the Protector, as it's well known, and his government, was the only Man, and Government that stood in opposition both to the Person and Government of the King; yet all this, and much more that might be said, was then done by that sort of men in behalf, and by virtue of that Government, and these are the men that now (as it were with one heart, and with one consent,) Preach up, and cry up the King.  
O you that are now Rulers; Are these men to be trusted? Are these men to be followed as leaders? Are these men to be regarded as to teach the way to eternal life? Are they not guilty of all the bloodshed in these Nations? Can any Government be secure whilst they are the men set up, and their ways upheld after such a manner as now it is? Did not the King and that party follow them, and were guided by them in their council, and had their blessing, and were taught by them, that they were in the Truth, and that they should prosper? And did they not prove false Prophets unto them, and were deceived by them, and led into destruction? Whereas on the contrary, if the King had removed the yoke off from the Consciences of people, and had set people's Consciences free, and have had his ear open to have heard the cry of them who were afflicted by the Cruelty of the than Bishops, and their Courts and Clergy, and had eased the burden from off their shoulder; why then might not the King have lived in peace, and ruled over the people, and gone to the grave in peace? And again, after, if the Parliament had not fought to enslave this people, and have brought a greater yoke upon the Consciences of those who sought after God in sincerity of heart, might not they have remained, and their names been honourable, and they gone to their graves in peace? and likewise the Protector, if he had done the thing he promised and engaged for, and had broken the yoke of the Oppressor, and removed the Oppression, to have taken away tithes, and set the consciences of all people in their Worship to God free; might not his Kingdom been established, and his Name been perpetually honourable? For now consider, that it was never Names, as Kings, or Judges, or Elders, or such like that the Lord owned, not the name of the thing one more than another, but the thing itself, that is to say, the Ruler called by what name he would; he that ruled for God, neither the right as by succession, or not so, if he ruled for God, he established him; as Saul whom the Lord chose, yet when he did not obey the voice of God, the Lord rent the kingdom from him, and gave it unto his Neighbour, for it is Righteousness and just judgement, and the breaking the staff of the Oppressor, it is this that establisheth the King and the kingdom, and that King whose heart is wholly set to seek the Lord in sincerity, and to establish judgement and Justice in the earth, and to remove oppression, It is he and his kingdom that shall be Established, and this cannot be done, as long as the men called Ministers are thus set over the people, and can exact by force so large a maintenance from them, for there is no sort of people whatsoever that can carry on Plots and designs to overturn Governments as they can, for they being scattered over all the Nation in every Parish, having so large a maintenance, they have leisure, and know the minds of every person in the Parish, how they stand affected, and to whom, and they themselves under pretence of Fasting and Praying have opportunity to meet, and by that know the minds of every one amongst themselves, how they stand affected, and by this means they can poison a whole Nation, and leaven them with malice, against whom they please; for as is the Priest so is the People, or the most of them, who are their followers, and so then if their interest be upheld, they will uphold them that uphold it, whatsoever they are, they will preach peace unto them, and promise them prosperity, though the judgements of the Lord be at the door, and their interest are so differing one unto another, that they one stand in the destruction of the other, for the Old Protestant so called, he cannot stand with the Papist, nor the Presbyter with the Protestant, nor the Independent with either, and the pride of their hearts, and the greediness of their gain, that causeth them that they always envy one another, for because of the greatness of their profit and pride of life, and the ease of their flesh, there is so many that seek after it, and so this blinds the minds of them, (the God of us World) and so they cry up that man and that Government that will stand for them, and uphold their gain though to the destruction of all others besides themselves.  
So it is altogether inconsistent with the safety of the people, and the well being of the Ruler or Rulers, the upholding and maintaining a Ministry by a forced maintenance, It oppresseth the poor, burdeneth the Conscience, stirreth up strife and Contention, brings God's wrath upon people, and that is the reason that so many of the worst of People get to be Ministers, because whether they be good or bad, if they love Pride and Wantonness, and Lust, and Pleasure and Luxury, here if they can but use a means, either directly or indirectly to get the place, they know their strength, whatsoever they are, or whatsoever they do, they are sure to be provided for, having a Law to enforce it; and so many people where there is any fear of God (though they are such as follow that kind of Ministry, yet when they see such a one loose and profane) they grieve and murmur in their minds, and God's witness in their Conscience testifies both against them and their Minister, and troubles them, and so here is fear and doubt, and then they seek abroad for satisfaction, than the Ministers (so called) rages and he stirs up the rest of the people against the man who is not satisfied in his Conscience under the Ministry of (it may be) such an Ignorant, Blind, profane, Covetous, Proud, Unruly, Wanton Wicked man (as a Minister) who they believe can never lead them, or reach him the way to Heaven, who himself never went a step therein, but is in the broad way to eternal destruction, and so if the blind lead the blind (he knows) both must fall together: So than the man called Minister, he pre●ches to the rest of his ignorant profane Congregation, and he sets their minds on fire of hell against him, and then he complains of him to Authority, and he hath enough to join with him to be evidence against him the poor man, and then under the Notion of an heretic, or a dangerous person or principle to the Government, they proceed against him, and rack and torture him; and than all them in whose hearts there's any feeling or compassion or honesty, they conclude this man doth not deserve this, and that both Ruler and Minister hath not dealt well to punish after such a manner such an Innocent man, and say in their hearts, if this be their Law, how shall we live amongst them? And here division ariseth and increaseth, and the bond of peace is broken; but if the Magistrate be such a one as hath any zeal or tenderness towards God, and will not join with the Minister (so calledt) o invent a way, and wrest a Law to punish the poor dissatisfied man, but perceives the Minister to be such a one as rather deserves punishment, Then the Minister rages in his mind against him, and he secretly deviseth mischief against him, and goes to others whose ears he thinks will be open, and he leavens their hearts against the other Magistrate, and than what one will punish, or who one of them will punish, another will uphold and in time seek a remedy, and complains one against another to him or them that are over them, and here the bond of Government is broken & here begins strife, division and contention, and heartburning, & waiting for iniquity one against another, and so into rents, and parties, and siding & still the Ministry blows the fire, and drives on furiously, and it may be, get such a one to be cast out, and then he is dissatisfied, and many more, they see it is but for doing justice that he is so dealt withal, and then people fear how they shall live or be governed, when honest men are cast out of favour, and than whosoever is found to question such things, and the Minister (so called) hear thereof, he begins to threaten again, and here is a yoke which cannot be borne, but people will break it, though they break themselves with it; And after this manner have Nations, countries, kingdoms, and Governments, been plucked up; and now I appeal to any unbiassed-man, whose understanding is any thing open, whether these things, and much more that might be spoken of this nature be not true? and whether the men called Ministers be at any time with any Government all satisfied? and whether their siding do not lead people to side? and whether there hath been any war in a Nation and the Ministry (so called) had not the chief hand in it? and whether after one party is worsted, they are not the first that comply to that person or Government which before they might preach it damnable to join with? and whether they be not the most Treacherous, perfidious, changeable, deceitful people of any sort of men? and whether the ground of all this be not the large maintenance which is settled upon the Office, and so a Law to force it? This makes them afraid on the one hand, lest such a Party will pluck it down, and so stir, up strife amongst the other, because they will hold it up; and when that Party can hold no longer, than they are the first that turn to the other, because they may be by them held up; for if they may be held up, there is no fear but to make them, or the most of them of any religion that the Powers will establish; as was manifestly seen in the time of Edward the 6th. and Queen Mary and Elizabeth, where many turned from being Protestants to Papists, and from Papists to Protestants; and in our days from the commonprayer to the Directory, and from the Directory to the commonprayer; and this is well known, The same that preached up a King for a Maintenance, preached up a commonwealth for a Maintenance, and a Protector for a Maintenance, and now a King for a Maintenance: And so I say again, It is altogether inconsistent with the safety of the people, and well-being of the Ruler, or Rulers, the upholding or maintaining a Ministry by a forced Maintenance.  
So than the way to preserve the people in Peace and safety, and the Government in security from danger, and to establish it, is this, To give unto every judgement (so called) toleration in the matter of his Worship towards God.  
And that every Society, Congregation, or judgement among themselves maintain their own Ministry, in and after what manner themselves can or shall agree amongst themselves, and maintain their Places of Worship themselves amongst themselves; so no one sort of people should be burdened, nor their spirits grieved and vexed by another: But this, in this particular fulfils the Law and the Prophets, in doing as they would be done by; for the conscience of every individual man and woman ought to be free unto God, and none to have or claim Lordship over another's conscience, and so that Government that settles this, the people under it (every one) watcheth for the good of them or him that governs; because by him, or them, they are kept in peace, and their consciences free, and so this, every sort of people, if they did but once taste a while, all people would delight therein; especially those who fear God, and cannot be injurious, nor seek the hurt of their Neighbours; and here every one might sit under his own Vine, and under his own figtree, and this is so reasonable a thing, and so agreeable to the Scripture of truth, and to the Law of God written in the heart, that if it were put in practice, all mouths would be stopped, and envy durst not open her mouth, and strife would cease, and love and unity amongst people would grow and increase, and the Revengeful Murderous nature amongst people would be starved and die within them; because they would want the matter, which is the Law, which forceth the conscience to feed it. And all they that now mind earthly things, that serve not the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own bellies, would be stopped, and have nothing to do, but to seek some honest calling, in which they might labour, and be serviceable in the Creation: And here, none but such who in conscience and zeal towards God would be Ministers; for there's many who are now called by a great maintenance would then be without a call to Preach; for this sort of men do no good at all to people, who labour for their Bellies. Who do they turn from the evil of their ways? But on the contrary they are so perfidious and changeable, Preaching up so much Faction and Division, according to their several fancies, that they cause people to be Truce-breakers; for whatsoever Government comes that will serve their interest, and will do what they will have them, kill whom they would kill, and save alive those whom they would save alive, that's preached up: But if any sort or faction of them be not countenanced, as that they cannot be, for one must go down, if the other go up; then they set themselves against that Authority, and secretly begins to smite, and so the same Government which they preach up, and all traitors and Rebels which shall deny it, in a little time they Preach, and cry all traitors and Rebels that hold it up: And thus the people under them, are carried by them.  
For now, were it not that there is so large a maintenance settled upon them by a Law, which yet depends upon Authority; they would not be such meddlers with Authority, and cause such Rents and Divisions amongst people; but because they are still in fear of losing that, or that Authority will countenance those whom they fear, but if the Law were taken away that forceth the Maintenance, than they that Preach, would Preach the Kingdom of God to people, and turn people towards god, that their hearts might be opened towards the Lord, and to his truth, that they that minister, might seek that which is lost, and which is driven away, and not seek the Fleece, and seek to kill and destroy; and so when people were brought to God, and returned from their lost estate, they who were the Lord's Messengers need not fear a maintenance, For the Lord careth for Sparrows, and feedeth the Ravens; and so these have little faith who cannot believe him, and cast their care upon him.  
And have they not proved false Prophets, Antichrists, Deceivers, to all ●o t● of Powers that hath been within these few years? Did not they prophesy Peace and Prosperity to the King and his Party, and did they not deceive him? And when they were overthrown, and the King suffered, and his Friends; did not they start aside and preach Peace unto the Parliament against the Army, calling them Rebels; and did they not deceive them likewise? And then did not they turn to the Army and Protector, and preached Peace and Prosperity to them, and deceived them likewise? And now are they not turned to the King, and Preach Peace unto Him, and set all their old servants at nought? Surely there is not a more dangerous thing to the settling of a Government, than the setting up of a forced Maintenance; and that is the thing that the Lord expected should long since been done away: The continuance of which Oppression, and the many corrupt laws made and continued to infringe the LIBERTIES of the CONSCIENCES of the free people of this Nation in their Worship towards God, hath been the Cause of so many, and so great Overturnings; neither can there be any true peace and settlement in these Nations, until these things are removed out of the way.  
For if a people were left free in their consciences to worship God according unto that which God makes manifest, than all occasion of strife touching religion were ended, and every one that fears God satisfied, and the breach made up: And likewise, if all forced Maintenance of Ministers were taken off, than both People and Ministry were free, and so that occasion of strife would cease, and that breach made up, and here every one would watch for the good of him or them that govern.  
And so such a one, on whom the Lord laid a necessity to preach, would preach, but they that preach only for a maintenance, who are not Servants of Christ, but serve themselves which are the cause of Strife, Debute, Division, and Contention, as is before showed, their work would be ended, and then people would be turned from the evil of their ways, because they that preach would be in God's Counsel, and in his power; for now what ever people do imagine, they that will not preach without a maintenance provided and settled by a Law, these preach for a maintenance, and so they preach themselves and not Christ Jesus the Lord, neither are they his Servants, nor Ministers, nor sent of Him, neither serve they Him but their bells, and never can teach the way to life, or bring people into the way, but keep people out of the way, though they may have many enticing words which man's wisdom teacheth; for every one that enters into God's kingdom must be borne again of the Spirit, and he that is borne again must be begotten by the immortal living Word; now he that preacheth for a maintenance, serves himself, & is not Christ's Servant, not entrusted with his Message, but goes in his own Message, and abuses his name for a maintenance, and the living mortal word he hath not, which begetteth the birth that enters into God's kingdom, because he never sent him, and so people are not profited, but are kept out of the way to life by them, which hath the letter to get a maintenance, but hath not the spirit which giveth life.  
And now I have not instanced the several Governments and overturnings, either to justify or condemn persons, or to meddle with that, as in relation to the great transactions which hath been in these few years; But this that they who now are in Power, who have seen and felt what hath been brought to pass that they might understand what the Ground and Cause is why these things hath been thus brought to pass, that so if the Lord give them understanding, they may not split themselves upon the same Rock, which others hath; for I do not look unto men, who have been the instruments, but unto the Lord, who hath all power in his hands, who in his Righteousness and judgement for his own glory, hath brought about these things; for I do believe that the judgements of the Lord are Just and Righteous altogether, and therefore, because of the multitude of transgressions of this Nation, and because the King and his party lightly regarded the cry of the oppressed, whose Consciences (which is the Lord's ●rerogative alone) was oppressed, and greater yokes preparing by cruel laws; I say because of these things was the hand of the Lord stretched out against them, and the party, who chiefly opposed him, being in their hearts no better than the other; therefore they both long were a scourge one unto another, and to the Nation; therefore did the Lord raise up another party, whom both the other hated, who were contemptible and inconsiderable, who as Instruments in the hand of God did Wonders, and overcame both, as is well known: But afterward they forgot the Lo●● likewise, and turned against him, and did not perform the vows and Premises which they had made into the Lord in the day of their Distress, but corrupted themselves with the same abominations with which they were corrupted, whom the Lord cast out before them, and suffered many of those corrupt laws to continue in force, which they had many times (in their distress) promised the Lord, that they would take out of the way: To wit, That they would set the Consciences of all people free towards God, and remove the great oppression of a forced Maintenance for Minister; Which whilst they did in any measure persist in, the Lord wonderfully delivered them, and cut off those that rose up against them: But when power was put into their hands, and they did not do those things, but became corrupt, and oppression, and Pride, and vanity, superstition, and Idolatry grew and increased; yet the Lord sent his Messengers, calling them early, and sending them often, warning them in the peril of their lives; but they regarded them not, but ill rewarded the Lord's Messengers by many cruel and hard Imprisonments, and by making yet heavier yokes for their consciences: Yet the long-suffering of the Lord remained towards them, and not any of those Powers which the Lord overthrew, but he hath sent this Messengers to warn them, and to tell them in plain words what he was about to do; which things are in great measure come to pass, that all might know that the Lord hath a Prophet in the Land, and likewise that they might hear and fear, and learn Righteousness.  
And now thus far hath the Lord wrought, and wonderfully brought those things to pass, that every eye might see, that his own hand hath done it, that he hath not suffered the sound of the weapons of war to be heard, what is it that the Lord doth now requite of the men of this Generation? Friends, I beseech you in the fear of the Lord, consider whether that the things which are now wrought amongst you principally and most of all be that which the Lord expects, or whether he hath brought you up over your enemies, because you are more Righteous than they? or because of their unrighteousness the Lord hath delivered them into your hands, that you might execute his judgements upon them for their Treachery towards him and his people? and whether the same God hath not still reserved all power in his own hands, and can at his pleasure cast you down, as well as lift you up? for this I say unto you in the fear of God, think not that these whom the Lord hath del●vered into your hands, were greater sinners than you, but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Do you believe that the Lord takes delight in setting up of maypoles, and for so many thousands to gather together in so many places, with whooping, shouting, drinking, cursing and swearing, and all manner of Wantonness and Licentiousness? Is the Lord God honoured by these things? is the King honoured by any of this? Consider, hath not the Lord visited in judgement this Nation, as I have before showed, and overturned the workers thereof in former days, and do you think he now approves of it? Do not deceive yourselves, God is not to be mocked; and do you think now since the Lord hath overturned those who formerly hath afflicted us, as he had promised, and is rewarding them according to their works? Do you think that you do God service to kill us? Take heed of bringing any of our innocent blood upon you.  
And therefore this I say unto the King, who is now proclaimed, and that party who hath been for him constantly, I say unto them, that we ought to be protected under him in peace and safety, and in equity to have these just things granted which we stand for; for now ever since the death of his Father, we have been as well as him and them sufferers under the powers that hath been set up, and that especially in the days of the Protector, since the name of Quaker was given unto us: Who was there amongst the many ten thousands that can now cry with their mouths, and their lips, a KING a KING, make bonfires and such folly that durst open their mouths when he ruled to bear a testimony against his oppression? but joined with him in his Government, and did partake with him in his oppression, and cried against▪ us in his ears, and caused more cruel laws to be made against us then before, not a Prison I believe in this Nation free, but some or other of us have been committed, and many of us as being dangerous to his Government, and yet these men I say, many ten thousands of them that have thus done, are the only men to cry up a KING to destroy us as dangerous likewise to his Government, thus endeavouring to cover their own unrighteousness by rendering us evil, never ceasing to seek our blood. For this let it be known unto you, that we are not for Names or Titles, or for these names to set them up above the nature of the thing, for it is the Magistrate that rules for God, that executeth true judgement and justice in the earth, who hath his ear open to the cry of the oppressed, and is ready to break the staff and strength of the oppressor. It is such a one whom God will honour, and whose kingdom the Lord will establish.  
Therefore friends do not harken unto flatteries, and they who for their own advantage speaks fair, for they may deceive you, but let your ears be open unto reproof, for that cannot hurt you: and be not offended at any time with those that speak the truth? How many thousands have erred and perished by flatterers, but whoever that did harken to reproof did amiss? for now the things that we are against is every appearance of evil, and the things that we are for, is Righteousness and just judgement, and unto this shall we stand whatsoever may be our Portion, for why now may not we as justly expect to be eased by the KING now the Righteous hand of God hath removed them, by which both HIM and US were sorely afflicted, and since we both together suffered under them, why is it not just that we with him should enjoy our Liberty? for indeed we cannot flatter with any, yet this we say, that there is no people, nor no principle amongst people professed, that doth tend more, neither so much to the true honour of the King as we do, for now it is they that fear the Lord, that truly honour the King, for for (as I have said) the King is not honoured where the fear of God is wanting; But where the Subjects in a Nation walk in the fear of God, and know Christ the King of Righteousness to rule in their hearts, by which the Lust (which is the ground of wars and strife) which War in the Members comes to be destroyed and subdued, such can by no means be otherwise, but to the honour of the King, for if the King rule for God, and lays the Sword upon the evil doer, and praise such who do well, which is God's Ordinance: then such who are in the Fear of God, and walk in God's Covenant, the Law written in the heart, these are the strength of the King; for his Sword is against the evil doer, and the evil doer is not his strength; for God who is the higher Power, hath ordained him to be a terror unto the evil doer, and to praise such who do well; so the well doer is his strength.  
For what is it that we desire, which ought not to be granted in reason and equity? The Thing that we desire (as to ourselves) is no more than this, That under him we may live peaceably, and God's Spirit in us may have the exercise of our Consciences towards God in all things; That no Law be laid upon us to force that from us which is our own; and in that case, both by the Scripture of Truth, and the Law of God written in the Heart ought to be at our own dispose; to wit, to maintain a Minister which we cannot own, or a Worship we cannot own, for the exercise of the Consciences of people, is God's Prerogative alone, and whoever meddles with that to exercise Lordship over another's Conscience, he is a Usurper and intrudes into another's right, and he falls upon the Rock that will grind him to powder; and which hath done so by many, and if God's Spirit have the exercise of the Conscience in all things, whose Spirit is a Sword to cut down the Lust that wars against the Soul inwardly, and destroys that in man which causeth war and strife without, and keeps the conscience void of offence, both towards God and towards man, whether such ought not to be protected, and cherished, and have the Magistrates praise? And no otherwise do we desire Protection, but as we live peaceably in the exercise of a good Conscience; neither do we desire these things only for ourselves; but likewise, that all others who desire to live peaceably in all godliness, and honesty might enjoy Freedom and Protection; for a greater abomination or Idolatry cannot be committed, then for people to be forced to Worship that for God, which they believe is no God, or to Worship in the Way which they believe in their hearts is contrary to God, or in which God is not to be worshipped; for we do not desire, but that others (such as I have said) that will live peaceably may every way partake of the same Liberty, which we desire or expect. He that hath a Gospel to preach, let it be free like unto the Gospel of Peace, not for money or filthy lucre, that so people may be turned from their evil ways, and be brought from under the power of Satan into the Power of God, that Righteousness and just Judgement, may run through the Nation as a mighty stream; That so him or them whom God shall set up over this Nation, may have his Throne established, which cannot otherwise be established; for, for want of these things hath the wrath of God been revealed, and his indignation poured out against these, who in the day of his wrath, after the Lord's Long-suffering was over, is now justly manifested: And so now this is written in short to no other end, but that these things may be taken out of the way, which God's Wrath and Vengeance is against: That so the Wrath of God may be turned away from this Nation, and that the Ruler or Rulers thereof, might be firmly established; and this is the true end, and no other for which it is done.  
And now unto all those who is honesty of heart shall read this, let them honestly consider, that those who are now set up, who were of late Sufferers, exiled and banished, that what deliverance is now wrought is no way the price of their blood; for whilst they strove that way, they were continually overthrown from time to time; but that the Power and the Glory might be the Lords, and that all might be returned unto him; the Lord hath made bare his own Arm, & hath brought this thing to pass, that he himself might have the Glory, and whether as well for our sakes, whose innocent bloodshed in the time of Peace within these last seven years, many Goals and other places can testify, besides the many beatings, flockings, whippings, and cruel imprisonments of us, for nothing but for crying against sin and oppression in Rulers, Magistrates, Priests and People. I say whether from those multitudes of cruel wrongs done against us by those late Powers, we may not now justly expect ease, and the redress of our grievance likewise, as well as others, who then by the same powers were made sufferers? since it is so just and so reasonable a thing, that we do desire; we seek no high Places, Promotion, nor Worldly glory amongst men: We seek no revenge as to ourselves, upon any Person or People, but that we may be protected in the exercise of our Consciences, (which is the Lord's Prerogative) in our Worship towards God; and that we may be freed from all unjust laws that blindeth the Consciences of God's free people, that he hath bought with his own blood, that as Sojourners in our own Nation, we might dwell in safety as to our outward man, as long as we live peaceably, in all godliness and honesty. And since the Lord hath visited you, and hath returned your Captivity, and is setting your Feet upon the Neck of your Enemies, thus much doth the Lord require of you, That you deliver His people, and unloose their Bonds, and break every yoke that oppresseth them; for this is all that we desire, that we may walk in the way of our God.  
And take heed unto yourselves how you set up, or go about to establish that which God's wrath hath been made manifest against, and hath plucked down, both it and them that did uphold it; for the Lord he is God and changeth not, and his fury and his anger is against it still, and take heed how you continue that, or suffer it to stand, which is not yet cast down, which the Lord's wrath hath been of late manifest against the upholders of, whom he sent his servants unto, and warned and testified from time to time, what it was the Lord required, and what it was his judgement was against if they disobeyed, which is fulfilled and fulfilling; and now it is your time to work whilst you have the day to labour in, before the night; If there be a Heart amongst you to do any thing for the Lord, and for his people, in return of the large love of God made manifest unto you, for the day of deliverance draweth near, and all sorts have had a day, and a price put into their hands, but had not hearts to use it, And the Lord hath smote them in his wrath, and vexed them in his sore displeasure▪ And the day of your trial is come, and a time you may have now, 〈◊〉 the Lord hath driven you away, and chastised you with his Rod for your former Idolatrous Vain Superstitions, and for your Pride, vainglory, and many other great abominations which feigned amongst you: and if upon your return you forget the day of your distress, and so set up these things again and remain in your former sins, and drink in quity with greediness, what can you think will be your end, but that shame and confusion must cover you, and if you will force people to any Form of Worship, and bind them to that, so that God's fear shall be taught by men's Precepts, the Lord will proceed as formerly, to wo●k wonders, Even to destroy the wisdom of the wise, and to bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent; and when Counsel and Understanding is hid, than you will grope as in the dark, and seek the way, but shall not find him: and so misery will come upon you, as upon them that went before you: Therefore be wise in time and take Counsel, and advise amongst yourselves; for you may see that these which conquered you with the Sword, are now conquered without a Sword; Consider whereby they conquered, and whereby they fell.  
The Lord is now come to Challenge His own Heritage of the Children of Men, that is, the exercise of the people's Consciences which is his Throne and Dominion: and he will caft out, destroy and lay waste all Usurpers, that hath or shall usurp Authority in His Kingdom; for it is his own, and if he by his own strength give unto others their Right, he will undoubtedly take his own Kingdom to himself, and if men will keep him out, if those to whom he hath let his Vineyard beat his servants and kill his Son, and think the Inheritance shall be theirs; yet the Lord of the Vineyard will come at a time when they are not aware, and all these who would not deliver up the Vineyard must be brought out, and slain before his Face as his Enemies.  
And so as one who desires with my whole heart, that the breaches of this Nation (my Native Country) might be healed, and might come to enjoy true rest, and might be the glory of all the Nations, that the blessing of the God of Heaven might be upon it, day and night, to water it, that the Rulers thereof might be established, and their seed after them, that they may be honourable in their Life, and renowned in their death unto Posterity; that ignominy and shame may not follow them, I have cast in my Mite according to the ability which God hath given me, to that very end in the sincerity of my Heart, well knowing, that until judgement and Justice be established, and the yoke of Oppression and Cruelty be broken in pieces, and the oppressed set free, the Land cannot enjoy her Sabbaths: neither can the Righteous rejoice, until which time there shall be nothing firm nor lasting, but heaps of Confusion and tossing to and fro, as a Ship driven with a tempest which hath lost her Rudder, and so fear, and despair, an distrust will be amongst the Inhabitants, and one devour another, until they are devoured one of another: and so the Lord sweep them away with the B●some of destruction, and give them their Portion amongst the Workers of Iniquity, in the Lake that burns with fire and Brimstone for ever.  

The Conclusion.  
THe Lord will thresh the Mountains, and come down, that the Inhabitants of the earth shall tremble thereat. For it is his determination to purify the Sons of Levi, and to purge and cleanse the house of Judah and Jerusalem, that they may be a Royal Priesthood, a peculiar people, a chosen Generation to the Lord for ever, the people of his praise, the Glory of Nations, the Subjects of Christ's Kingdom, which shall be established in Righteousness on the top of all the Mountains of the earth, which now are risen up against the Lamb and his followers, whole government in truth shall stand over all the Heathen round about; for it is his right to reign, and he will not give his kingdom to another; Glory to our God for evermore, who hath chosen the weak things of the earth to confound the strong, by things that are not to bring to nought things that are, that the wisdom of the Wise shall be confounded yet more and more, and the understanding of the prudent turned backward. That all Nations may see that there is no confidence in Princes, nor in the arm of Flesh, which is but as grass before the Lord God Almighty, who is exalting his only begotten Son CHRIST JESUS, the light of the world to be King of the Nations, who is worthy, God over all, blessed for evermore, the King of Saints, whose kingdom is not of this world, but in Righteousness and truth over all: In which he with his followers the redeemed ones of the earth make war, not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places which leads men to destruction, going on Conquering, and to conquer, until all his enemies are subdued, that he alone may rule and reign in the earth, whose right it is to have the Heathen for his Inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possessions, the earth being the Lords and fullness thereof, though other Lords have had dominion, whose right it is not to reign; But the high and lofty ones that are exalted above the fear of the Lord, they shall be brought down, overturned and broken to pieces, and the meek of the earth they shall be exalted, who have chosen the foolishness of the Cross of Christ before an earthly Crown which perisheth and cometh to nothing; and all the greatness and glory of kingdoms shall fade as grass before the presence of the Lord and the Lamb, who is come, and coming in flames of fire to be revealed, to consume and burn up the wicked before him; for he hath determined a speedy Consumption in this Nation of all Powers, Things, and Governments that are set up, and stand not by the Authority of his eternal spirit, which is the rule of Saints, the heirs of God's kingdom: And blessed are they whose names are written in the lamb's book of life, that are faithful and true to the testimony of Jesus, the Lamb● followers they only shall reign. And all likenesses and false Coverings of Anti-christ shall be stripped off and confounded, and no longer hide him and his followers from the wrath of the Lamb, whose day is come in which his fierce wrath shall be known against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men whatsoever, under what form or notion soever without the life and power of God, in which his kingdom consists, which endureth and abideth for ever, in which our peace and safety is; though the Heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing, yet they shall know that the Lord God omnipotent ruleth and reigneth in the kingdoms of men, and giveth them unto whomsoever he will; The time is come, and for the Elects sake, he will cut short the work in Righteousness, and terrible shall that day be which is nigh at hand, wherein the Lord will sweep the Land of evil doers, and execute his fierce Wrath and Vengeance upon the Workers of Iniquity, of which the Land is full, that the Lord's Spirit is weary to bear them.  
The Lord's decree is gone forth, and he will fulfil it, That a King shall reign in Righteousness, and all they that will not have him to reign over them, shall be brought forth and slain before him, the Vials of his wrath are made ready to be povered our upon this wicked Generation of men, who reject Christ Jesus the light of the World to be their King and lawgiver, he is come a light into the world, that men through him might believe and be saved, but they would none of his counsel, Power, nor kingdom, but have hardened their hearts, stiffened their necks, and have chosen their own ways, and the Lusts and imaginations of their own hearts have they followed, which are evil continually, the counsel of the wicked have they embraced, which leadeth down to the Chambers of death, and Hell, where their Portion shall be for ever, unless they repent and turn from darkness to the light, against which all the world combines, and make strong the bonds of the wicked, because it shows men the evil of their ways, and bring the sinner and ungodly to judgement.  
How foolish and unwise is the people of this generation, to neglect so great Salvation as the living truth of our God, and choose to themselves a thing of wrought, dumb idols, that can neither see, nor go, nor speak, unto which the Beast and false Prophets with their fellows fall down and worship, for whom the Lake of fire is made ready, into which they shall be cast alive; the Bed of Torment is ready made for Babylon and her Merchants, and the Kings of the ea●th shall mourn, who have traded on her merchandise, and drunk the cup of her Fornications. A day of bitter lamentation and howling is at hand, for that great Whore the Mother of Harlots that hath drunk the blood of the Saints: And the Priests and false Prophets of this Nation shall be known and made manifest to be of the chiefest of her Merchants under the deepest coverings of Antichrist, who have long stolen the words of the true Prophets, Christ and the Apostles, and sold them for unjust gain with the divinations of their own brains, that by their lies and lightness the people have perished (under the highest form of words) for want of the knowledge of God and of Christ, whom to know is eternal life, without which they are dead in sins and trespasses.  
This painted Harlot, great are her sins, and great shall be their Plagues and judgements from the Righteous hand of the Lord God, who will have the Nations know that he is become the Teacher of his people himself, and will send forth Pastors after his own heart, in the power of his eternal spirit, to make war with the Nations, before whom the Heathen shall be confounded, and the powers of the earth broken to pieces, as a potter's Vessel. A day of trial is at hand, and judgement beginneth at the house of God that the lamb's followers may be known, who are chosen faithful and true, that deceit and hypocrisy (the mystery of iniquity) may be made manifest, that they that are called Jews, and are not, may be discovered, that such as have a name that they live, yet are dead under the Covering of the profession of truth, yet out of the life and power, may be made naked and bare before the Lord, who hates hypocrisy as a most abominable thing, and loves and requires truth in the inward parts, and with such he delights to dwell for ever, who in faithfulness follows the Lamb whithersoever he goes, who doth the will of God, in whom the Father is well pleased, on whom the Government is laid, which shall stand sure and firm for ever, against which, neither the powers of darkness, nor the gates of Hell shall prevail, and blessed are they who are made Subjects of his Government▪ who rules and reigns in Righteousness; for they shall find 〈◊〉, and a sure Rock of defence in the time of storms and bitter Calamity which is coming upon the wicked, who drink iniquity as water, and hasten to fulfil their measures, raging in the fires of their Lusts, the smoke whereof is ascended up even to Heaven, that the Lord God is provoked with this wicked and adulterous Generation, who wallow in their iniquities, and have not God in their thoughts, that his soul is weary to bear them, his spirit is grieved, and his patience and long suffering is almost at an end towards the people of this Nation, that have rejected the Lord and his ways, and have chosen lies and vanities, by reason whereof, the Land mourns, and the ●●p of the Lord's wrath is full ready to be poured forth upon this Rebellious and gainsaying people, who will not repent and return, but run on in the broad way that leads to destruction, death and hell being ready to receive them, against whom the fire of the Lord's wrath and indignation is kinded, and shall not cease until they be utterly consumed, Tophet is prepared for them of old that repent not and give Glory to God.  
And the Nations shall know that he that was dead is alive, and behold he liveth for evermore to execute Righteous judgements upon the workers of iniquity, for which he is come into the world, even for judgement, through which zions Redemption is to be known, the place of God's Habitation, the Temple made without hands, pure and undefiled, the Spouse, the lamb's Wife, which brings forth that which is begotten of God to his praise and glory for evermore. And blessed are they that are found so doing, which are the remnant that shall be saved by the Lord, when the overflowing scourge of destruction shall come upon the wicked. Oh England, England! thou who killest the Prophets, and stonest them with stones, how often would the Lord have gathered thee, even as a Hen gathereth her Chickens, but thou wouldest not! and how glorious mightest thou have been in the sight of all the Nations, if thou hadst considered and known the things of thy peace in the day of thy visitation, wherein the Lord hath visited thee with the day springing from on high, with his rich and living mercies, and thou mightest have been the first fruits of Faith and Reformation unto God of the whole earth. But as thou hast rejected and refu●●● to drink the Cup of God's Salvation, so thou mayst as the 〈◊〉 of the Nations, expect to drink the bitter cup of God's wrath and Indignation, that the Inhabitants of the Earth may learn Righteousness, and fear and tremble before the mighty God of Jacob.  
27th day of the third month. 1660, J. A.   
THE END.