For as God takes care to set up the Magistrate , not suffering any vacancy , whereby as Moses falls a sleep , he proclaimeth arise Joshua , so ought all the people to see God in the same power , and thankfully acquiesce in submitting accordingly .

Which that in reference to his Highness Richard Lord PROTECTOR , this may in some good measure be truly discovered , let us in God's Name take notice .

I. Of the means by which his Highness Richard Lord PROTECTOR , was called to the said Government .

As Godsaid by the Prophet Samuell , I have provided mee a King , among the Sons of David , 1 Sam . 16. 1.

So God putting it into the heart of the late Parlament , to present the Petition and humble advice to his late Highness LORD PROTECTOR , of renowned Memorie ; his Highness Richard now PROTECTOR , was Elected to succeed his Father in the said Government .

Though this might be looked upon as state policy , yet so much of the said Petition , and humble advice doth participate of the nature of heavenly revelation , as that wee find it no less wise then Religious , in that

The said Lord Protector doth swear to profess the Reformed Protestant Religion , by which means Heresiesa , nd Scisms stumble , and become too light in the Ballance .

How wonderfull is the long-forbearanee of our God how fixed is his eye on a people that turn their eyes from beholding of him . Oh blessed profession of the most holy Reformed Protestant Religion ; The Old way made New in Christ to 〈◇〉 people that so much turn away their eyes from beholding of him , and their feet from following of him .

Oh blessed profession ! of the most holy Reformed Protestant Religion : How may all men see that it is a plant indeed of our Heavenly Fathers planting in thoese long since fore seen and renowned Isles of the Gentiles .

How immortall is the seed of grace , in that the Lord notwithstanding all the blasphemous Heresies , Christ-dividing scismes , damnable profaness , and Carnall security , in the midnight darkness

Yet notwithstanding God is pleased as you see even to visit us oncemore from on high , and to move us , nay ingage us of his goodness , to look after the great work of Reformation .

And that all men may see , somwhat more then of an ordinary providence in raising up his Highness to up hold the same cause , and that wee might be more informed thereof , of Gods good will and pleasure in his Election .

It 's observable , that at , or about that juncture of time ( as for as I could be informed ) when the Devill put it into the heart of diverse conspirates to plot to have cut of his late Highness , and to have blown up the Chappell at White Hall .

That then before the same came to light , or that the same Conspirators were discovered , the Lord was pleased to reveal himself to a servant of his , and did constrain him to declare .

That the Lord would defend the late Lord Protector , and bless him against all Conspirators , that should be raised against him , and raise up his seed to succeed him in the Government .

1. That in some revolution of time , this should bee fulfilled as we see this day , hath lately given occasion to renew the remembrance of the same . Oh! how zealous is God 〈◇〉 defending of his exalted servants , whom he chooseth 〈◇〉 his vicegerents , that if any shall murmure against ●●se● in the Camp , and Aaron the Saint of the Lord , that 〈◇〉 as formerly , the Lord will manifest his wrathfull displeasure against such ( let them be what they will be , they cannot be stronger then God ) though they shall walk in the distructive paths of former Malignancy , in that they sin against the light , and known experiencies of God's Election , and gracious presence , which is more visibly Illustrated , As

Secondly , God's presence is , or may bee apprehended by the Power wisedom & goodness that appeared in the carrying on of this great work , both at , and before the proclaiming of his Highness , and in the disposing , and conquering of all to peace , or affection ; for if

First , the said power had not appeared , by which God did support and incourage in time of darkness , and weakness , I mean when his late Highness the LORD PROTECTOR departed from us ; how should wee have been cast down , and troden under the feet of our enemies . If the Lord of hoast had not sent many legions of Angels mighty in power , with a charge to have thrust their swords thorow the hearts of all men whereby they did conquer more men at his Highnesses death , then ever was conquered by the said Lord Protector , though there was never in the Christian world so great a conquerer .

Without this power of God , what panick fears might have seized on some which did befall the Papists at St. Maries Church in Oxford , upon the report that the Town was sired , that they could not get out for the crowd , nor yet stay within to do God any service .

2. That the presence of God was not wanting , in wisdom , how may all men see , that nothing was done in relation to the first engagement , but by the counsell of him that is called the great counseller , in order to whose infinite wisedom , as Heathens use to say , A Jove principium , to begin all with God ; so Christians in Nomine Domini , desire that all be done according to God's approbation .

Oh blessed work , the settlement of peace and blessing of our Nation ! How shall the ship of the Common-wealth ever sinck that hath such steer men , that hold their Compass moved by no other loadstone , then the all seeing eye , so that what was applied to Queen Elisabeth , may now in reference to his Highnesse Counsels , wise ordering of all things at the first be applied , Nullum numen abest , si sit prudentia : They can not want Gods presence that are acted with prudency , for want of which , as he that forsooke the old mens Counsell , and followed the young , we couldnot have prospered .

It 's wisdome that buildeth the house , having at the first hid the foundation . In which respect there was nothing wanting , and therefore there wanted not Gods presence to make all things succeed accordingly , whereby one depth called upon an other ; or hereby there was a further manifestation of ,

3. The goodnesse of God . In reference to his Highnesse Government .

This is the ocean of mercy , Love makeing peace , Reconciling God and man whereby the mistery that the Earth , or the World should help the woman or Church , is revealed , that though the church be gathered out of the World , they should both share together in outward prosperity , in being peacably united under the present Government .

This is of God , that creates our peace , that can onely put up the Sword into the scabbard , and put a Hook into the Nostrils of Leviathan ;

Oh , the ●bisse of the goodness of the Lord , which was hard in the mixed voice of Heaven and Earth , which made the earth to ring again when his Highness was proclaimed Lord Protector of England , Scotland , and Ireland , &c.

Hereby the mistery , which was hid from the eyes of the Heathen , immagining that Jupiter descended in a Golden Fleece , we Christians do find it in God's Gracious presence , for hereby God gives us the Golden Fleece ; or Riches peace and plenty , is showred upon us , through God's creating of Love and peaceablenesse amongst us , which is experienced in his Highnesses succession .

Oh , the said goodnesse of God , how is our soules bound up in the bundle of myrhe , how much with the bundle of Myrh is our soules refreshed , how hath the Lord compassed us about with his loving kindnesse , as with a shield ? how securely do we lye under the Figg-tree of common protection .

Our Oxe is strong to labour , there is no leading into Captivity , nor no complaining in our streets , happy are the people that are in such a case , yea happy are the people that have the Lord for their God : But if the case had been altered , if wee had sown the Serpents teeth , how should wee have been the hissing , scorn , and prey of our enemies .

If Ephraim , had risen against Manasses , and Manasses , against Ephraim , and both against Judah , how might all people have been our enemies , and how should we have been enemies to our native Country , to have kinled a fire which would never have been Quenched .

Without question , the severity of God's wrath would have been inexpressible : God's waiting time for Reformation would then have been expired , and we should have filled up the measure of our iniquitie .

But the presence of God in his goodnesse as we have hard otherwise appearing , how shall we not therefore prune the Tree that it may bring forth fruits of reformation . This must needs be laid to heart , if we have any hearts to God in us ; which leades me to speake of

Secondly . The meanes , by which Gods presence in retained ,

It is no less virtue to keep a thing , then there was at the first required to obtain it .

For though God hath promised his presence , wee see that it is but conditionall ,

Thus Solomon , was told by God himself : twice , and once by his own Father David , 1 Kings 3 chap. 13. 14. 1 Kings 9. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7. ver . 1 Kings 3 3 , 4. ver . So that Solomon not answering Gods mind , or not performing accordingly ; God would have totally taken the Kingdom from him , if he had not remembred his Covenant with David his Father , for whose sake he reserved , for him some rule in the Nation , 1 Kings 11. chap.

And if some Kings , or superiours that ruled in the Nation , had that power in their hands , which they once neglected , to put forth to the advancement of Christian religion , were raised again from the dead , they would preach this Doctrine and Tell us plainly , that they stood against God , when they resisted his dispised Prophets , that spoke unto them , and the Preachers of the Gospel that stood for Reformation .

And they would make all to know , that ever since God put the Ax to the root of the Tree of Antichrist , or that Antichrist was designed , or appointed of God to be destroyed , that Kings , superiour Majestrates , or Potentates , are ordained of God , as his selected instruments to do him that great service : And if there needed any witness , to witness the same , by certain experience : If Queen Elizabeth were alive she would readily tell us .

That in this way , that is to throwdown Antichrist , shee was called in this way , shee was a Nursing Mother to the Church , through making it her businesse to promote Church-Government : in this way she prospered and lived out all her dayes , and in this way all Supreames , ( God being unchangable in his decree ) that will experience the like mercie must imitate her steps , with further improvement of the same , by way of reformation , as they have attained .

That this good , and necessary work may be done , and that all may submit to the Magistrate indeavouring the good work of Church reformation .

These Doctrinall conclusions , concerning Liberty , or no Liberty of Conscience , must be considered .

The Magistrate may tolerate any mans conscience , if he do not preach or teach his opinion , or that the opinionists be not too Numerously dangerous , Blasphemors , or Idolaters , by which meanes the Magistrates tender Conscience , personall security , with the cause of Christian Religion , is violated , and endangered , the Magistrate ought not , ( notwithstanding what is said ) exempt , tollerate , or free any man , to forbeare or not constantly to heare the word preached , and keep the sabbath ,

Because , though men cannot be compelled to believe yet may they , & ought they to be compelled by the Magistrate to wait on the meanes of Believing , for the superiour Magistrate which is the Nursing Father of the Church , is sworn to Protect , and promote the reformed protestants Religion , by the doctrine of which we are taught of God , and by daily experience , that this is the way , or meanes whereby Christ would have his Flock , Lambs , and sheep , to be sed by his pastors .

In this sence then it is the Magistrates duty , and ought to be his tender Conscience , to put his Sons , and Daughters , to their spiritual Nurses to ( suck even as it is prophecied of Kings , ) the Breasts of the Church Ordinances , whereby they may be kept at the School of Christ , where all ought to waite all their life , in regard though they have attained to faith they are then but best fitted to make up a Body to worship God in his Congregation , where they ought to have their pure mindes put in way of remembrance of the grace received , that the Magistrate therefore should not suffer any to contemn God and the meanes of their own salvation , is as reasonable as it is for the Magistrate , to bind a mans hands that would stab himself , for which cause Augustine saith , that superiour Magistrates , were girded about with a Sword , with a double edged Sword , to intimate that they should defend both the soules , as beforesaid , & bodies of all the people by peaceably protection .

Now that this ought so to be done with which Gods presence usually appeareth , we may take information from ●ehemiah , who for preventing of Gods Judgments said ●nto the people .

What evill thing is that you do , and profane the Sabbath ; did ●ot your Fathers thus , and did not God bring all this evill ●pon us , and will ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profa●ing the Sabbath

And though this be required of God at the hand of the Magistrate to put forth all his power to make and cause ●ll to observe worship , preaching , and Sabbath , and to take ●are that the Church have a Generall overfight , whereby ● may be united without which , Churches , are sinfully ●ismaticall .

Yet , must not all be laid upon the Magistrate , for to re●ain Gods presence , how must Ministers herein be pillars of supports , and Master builders , in putting forward by ●ll their indeavours , that the Lords Table , or Christian ●ltar , may as freely be attended , as the Sacrifices were of●ered upon the Altar , whereby Christ to day as yesterday , ●ay be daily communicated , in which way all our ancient Christians have hitherto experienced ; God that dwelleth in love ; his speciall presence : the people also were kept obedient , and conscientious , far from the gain-saying of Corah , &c. the spirit of the Fifth pretended Monarchists .

Yea , the Lord knowes how useful it might be ( not onely to pray a little now & then at Sermon times ) but that some were set apart to mourn and pray continually for the procuring and retaining of the presence of God , the life of the truth , and peace of the Nation , under the supream Magistrates Government ; But no more of this for the present .

Furthermore , it is the duty of all Ministers , and people in case they hold any opinions contary to the supream Magestrates tender Consciences , or are in a word Scismaticall , which in England is a greater sin then in some respect then to be hereticall , which made Augustine to say , a Heretick I may be , but a scismatick I never will be ; Then let them consider , that Christ is not onely thereby divided , and blasphemed but ( as it caused Edward the 6th to weep when he was pressed to tolerate Queen Mary ) it must needs be a burthen to the Mgistrate that schismes abounds , of which as any shall be found guilty , or if the Magistrate find cause to suppresse them , or command them no more to preach ; then if the people would retaine Gods presence , they must not disturbe the peace of the Church , within the supreame Magistrates dominion ? but being persecuted in one City , they must flee into another , and so flee out of those Magistrates Dominions , in that God doth not move their hearts to tolerate them : So much should we obey Christ , and live peaceably , for all men ought to believe , that if ever God owne their cause , he will raise some Magistrate first to owne it , because God hath decreed that the dominions of Saints , and all the great works of God , propagation of the Gospell , Scripture Episcopacy , or , Church-Government , downfall of Antichrist , must not be done by a proud , disorderly