EVery weeke produceth new Mercuries, bringing no better Newes then meerely Messa­ges of the Kingdoms increase of Miseries, relating nothing but the sad Rumours of a bloody unnaturall Warre, and the fearefull fruits and effects thereof, rapine, ruine, death and destruction. This Mercury presents you with a soveraigne Medicine to helpe and heaale these your miserable Maladies, prescri­bed by the Great Physitian of both soule and body, and pickt and fetcht out of that Garden [Page 2] of his, where the most pretious and choyce herbes of Grace, & plants of goodnesse grow.

Vnder the Law, he that was not able to bring a Lambe for Sacrifice, was permitted to offer a Turtle-Dove or young Pigeon: In the Gospell a mite freely given, renders a poore Widow liberall; Though Almighty God hath not lent me an hand so large, yet hee hath vouchsafed me an heart inlarged with as much faithfull loyalty to my Soveraigne, and true love to my Countrey, as any subject in the Kingdome, which I shall ever be ready really to expresse even with the sacrifice of my life, and all that is mine.

In this deplorable time of distraction, what good subject, true Christian, and hearty well wisher to the happinesse of the Com­mon-wealth, can enjoy an heart not desir­ing, an head not devising, and an hand not endeavouring to produce something which may conduce to an happy conclusion of these unhappy dissentions. Every hand hath brought some stickes of sinne to increase this flame; Let every heart and soule send sighes and grones to Heaven, & wish with Ieremiah [Page 3] their heads Fountaines, and their eyes Rivers to poure out the teares of true contrition; For the quenching and extinguishing the consuming fire of these Controversies, that the voyce of the Turtle may againe bee heard in our land, that the Alarmes of warre may no longer sound in our eares, that there be no more leading into captivity, no more complaining in our streetes, but the Lord may give us beauty for ashes, and the gar­ments of gladnesse for the spirit of heavi­nesse.

In publishing this ensuing tract, I desire the integrity of my meaning may not bee mis-interpreted, I presume not to advise or direct, but humbly present to the serious consideration of the learned and grave Sages and prudent Pillars of the state of this dis­joynted Kingdome, such Texts of holy truth as it hath pleased God by his Spirit to direct me unto, and to point out unto me, and such propositions as by assistance of the same Spi­rit I have deduced thence, conceiving them materially conducing to an Accomplishment of an happy conclusion of the unhappy [Page 4] and destructive differences now depending betwene his Majesty and the Parliament I trust none will be so uncharitable as to con­temne or condemne my purpose herein, as too presumptuous for tendring propositions tending to so great a blessing as peace; nor a­ny so malitiously impious as to deride or des­pise so divine a direction because presented by a weake and sinfull instrument, God is pleased oftentimes by men and meanes, in humane imagination, most unworthy and infirme to bring to passe weighty and won­derfull matters, out of the mouth of Babes he or­deyneth strength, and revealeth to such, what he concealeth from the worldly wise and prudent. Tis as easy with God to worke with­out meanes, as with and against them, as by either, tis all one to God be cleane or go wash; yet we are not so much to depend on his will hidden, as to neglect to practise his will revealed; so to doe is rather a badge of rash presuming then any notable courage of faith. Againe good Counsell is not to be va­lued by the person, saepe etiam holitor valde op­portuna locutas, the proverbe tells us. And [Page 5] surely he's sicke to the ruine of himselfe that refuseth a Cordiall, because presented in a spoon of wood, we think not the worse of Gold because presented in a bag of leather; Good wine is as wholsome taken in an ear­then cup, as a Goblet of gold. God to whom the hearts of all men are open, knoweth that my sole, and principall intention herein, is onely his glory, and the good and Peace of His Majesty, His Parliament and Kingdoms.

And thus much I doe with sinceritie of heart protest, and to use the words of Saint Paul, Rom. 9. I say the truth in Christ I ly not, my conscience bearing me witnesse in the Holy Ghost, that I have great heavinesse and continuall sorrow in my heart, For these disconsolate divisions in the Kingdome, and could wish my selfe sacrificed for the accomplishment of an hap­py union between his Majestie and Parlia­ment, and without ceasing alwayes have made mention thereof in my prayers, be­seeching the God of Peace, who maketh men to be of one minde in an house, by such meanes as to his omniscient wisedome shall seeme most meet to unite them, and to work [Page 6] a speedy reconciliation betweene them; And that after often fasting, Humiliation, & hear­ty prayers for an happy Accommodation, I was directed unto these texts of Holy Scrip­ture herein specified, as it were by the imme­diate finger of God, and have received since Revelations hereunto conducing, dictated (if I may so speake) by Gods good Spirit unto me, which I never yet disclosed to any per­son, nor doe I thinke fit at this time to pub­lish, but shall hereafter (God directing me) being required, declare them. Now these things which I write concerning Lotts, before God I lye not, I neither received them of man, nor ever till now imparted them to any man, neither was I taught them but by the revelation of God, the Father of lights, who hath continually incited me by the motions of his holy Spirit, to publish the same, touching and checking my conscience for concealing, & not sooner divulging ther­of: God is my witnesse, my aime is not vain­glory, or any other reculiar end for mine own purposes, but the Peace and the happinesse of the Kingdom, and his alone glory, to whom [Page 7] onely all honour, power, and praise, is to be ascribed as most justly due. I will blesse the Lord who hath given me counsell, my reines also instruct me in the night season, Psa. 16. 7. Dominus portio partis meae, & calicis mei, tu sustent as sortem meā. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance, and of my cup; Thou shalt maintaine my Lot.

The first Text of holy Writ which Almigh­ty God was pleased to point out unto me, is recorded by the Pen of the Holy Ghost, in the hand of a Prince, whose wisedome is war­ranted by Gods word to be the onely gift of God.

The 2. text pointed out unto me was this;

Hence we may learne by what power Lotts are governed & disposed. To say or be­leeve they are ordered by fortune is a vaine imagination, by spirits or divels a superstiti­ous supposition, by the heaven or the starres a ridiculous cogitation, A Deo solum temperan­tur, They are wholly, and onely governed by God. Hence Saint Augustine the most learned, and most orthodox of the Fathers, preventing an objection which might arise concerning the use of Lotts, that it may seeme to be a tempt­ing of God: saith Ne (que) vero periculum est ne vi­deamur tentare Deum, is enim est, qui sortes dirigit.

Now three things are principally considerably in Lotts.

• 1. The nature of them according to their description. in Scripture, the Fathers and other writers.
• 2. The lawfulnesse of them set forth by the Antiquity, Authority and In­stitution thereof. Proved by presidents in the old and new Testament by Gods direction, command and approbation.
• 3. The use thereof
  • 1. The thing, matter, or cause, about or concerning which they are to be used.
  • 2. The time whē to be used.
  • 3. The manner how to be u­sed.

Concerning the nature of Lotts, ab effectu, They cause contentions to cease, and determine dif­ferences [Page 9] betweene the mighty, Prov. 18. 18. Saint Augustine upon psal. 30. saith, Sortes nihil aliud esse, quā in dubitatione humana, divinae voluntatis indicium. Lotts are nothing else but a decla­ration of Gods divine pleasure in humane dubitation: a divine resolution of humane doubts. Peter Martyr to the same purpose saith, Sortiri nihil aliud esse, qnam aliquid agere, ex cujus even tu rem incognitā possumus deprehen­dere, Casting lotts is the meanes from whose event, wee discover unknowne and hid­den things. Aretius and other Interpretors upon the first of the Acts, affirme the ele­ction of Matthias into the place of an Apostle by lott, to be a divine voyce, and a divine choyce; Quod sors cecidit super Matthiam divinae vocis instar est, ut ille non minus à Deo electus habe­retur quam reliqui undecem.

Secondly, concerning the lawfulnesse of the using of Lots.

The world is a circle, God as it were the center of that circle; The wayes of men are lines deduced from this center; If the event of Lotts bee not expected of divels nor of stars, nor of any force of For­tune, [Page 10] but looked and prayed for to bee dire­cted by God, as before is shewed, and by God iustituted and appointed, as herein hereaf­ter will appeare; Certainly 'tis lawfull to use Lotts; That God hath appointed the use of Lotts to be a meanes of consulting his sacred Majesty for determining of differences of in explicable difficulty in humane understand­ing, appeareth not onely by those places in the 18. and 16. of the Proverbs, but 'tis presi­dented by many speciall Examples practised and used by Gods expresse direction and com­mand in his holy Word, Iudaei jubbente Domino Pet. Mart. de Sort. cap. 7. in rebus gravissimis usi sunt sortibus; The land of promise was divided to the children of Isra­el by Lott, Numb. 26. 55. Ios. 14. and 15. chapt. and Achan thereby discovered with the accursed thing to be the troubler of Israel, Ios. 7. The scape Goat discerned and dismissed by lott, Levit. 16. The offices of Priesthood placed by lott; Zachary his lott was to burne Incense, Luk. 1. 9. Ionathan and Ionas deprehended by lott. Saul the first King of the Iewes elected by lott, 1 Sam. 10. and Matthias elected to his Apostleship by lott, 1 Act. 1. That God hath [Page 11] appointed the deciding of deepe and doubt­full differences by lott, is not Solomons sole or single position we see, but a truth confirmed by many weighty and worthy presidents in holy Writ, And that the use of lotts is a divine direction instituted by God himselfe, and accordingly made use of by the greatest, gra­vest, and wisest Kings, Princes, Prophets and Apostles, in matters both spirituall and tem­porall of much importance, and cases of greatest consequence.

The authority of lotts being confirmed, it remaineth that the manner of using thereof be in some part explained, and application made according to the present purpose, For although this manner of consulting, and de­siring Gods direction for concluding of Controversies may lawfully, yet it is not ha­stily, rashly, or unadvisedly to bee underta­ken but with great reverence, singular piety, and most fervent prayers.

We may not use Lotts in affaires ordinary, but in cases of necessity, when as the businesse cannot otherwise be transacted; then mans [Page 12] extremity is Gods opportunity, Cum Ratio ac consilium humanum non amplius locum habent, nec longius progredi possent tunc sortes adhibere, &c. When humane Counsels are puzled, hu­mane reason non plust, and all humane en­deavours prove fruitlesse; Tunc modus hic con­sulendi Deum adhibendus est, then to commit the cause to Gods determination by Lott, will doubtlesse prove most profitable. Necessitas autem judicanda est si quid occurrat, &c. That Peter Mart. cap. 7. de sor­tibus. is to be adjudged necessity where any diffe­rence arising, the composing whereof may much conduce to the glory of God, the edification of the Church, and the prevention of some great evill, which by humane Pru­dence cannot bee otherwayes composed, or if it might, yet wherein veterate ma­lice, envie, and other evils and inconvenien­ces cannot otherwise bee declined, then the Lords divine direction by lott is most proper to be used for determination thereof.

God had appointed, and annoynted Saul by the hand of Samuel to be King of Israel, yet to take off the suspition of partiality, or affe­ction, which might have been supposed by [Page 13] the people to be in Samuell towards Saul, and also to prevent the sedition, and dissention which might have arisen among the tribes if the election had beene left to the suffrages of the people, (each 'tis probable would have beene willing to have exalted his owne tribe, and Saul who though the loftiest in stature yet of the lowest tribe and family, should not have beene sent for from seeking his Fathers Asses to sit as supreame, and sway the scepter over so proud and potent a peo­ple) God performes his owne purpose, prevents division among the tribes, and cleeres Samuell of that aspertion, which the people might have cast on him, and directs the election to be made by Lott, which the Prophet accordingly performes, wherein we may note the excellent faith of the prophet, who after he had annointed Saul to be King, yet feares not to commit the election to lott; and admire the riches of the wisdome of the only wise God, who directed such a way to avoide contention.

To bring my discourse neerer home, from Israel to England, how dolefull are our dissen­tions? how lamentable our divisions? and [Page 14] how much a determination thereof is to be desired? how great a necessity there is of a speedy reconciliation betweene the King and Parliament, I wish wofull experience did not too plainly manifest. Have not all hu­mane endeavours hitherto beene frustrated? how many Petitions, Propositions, Messages, Answers, Declarations, Remonstrances, and Protestations, have passed, to beget a right understanding betweene the King and his Parliament? Yet all have rather exasperated then appeased, rather increased then any way extinguished the flame of this contention; How many dayes and monthes of humilia­tion, have beene solemnized? how heartily and earnestly hath the Lord of Heaven beene solicited, and importuned, by prayer fasting and mourning? and which is most deplora­ble, how much blood, unnaturally spilt? how many barbarous tragedies acted? how many thousands (many of them not of the meanest) miserably massacred and murthered? and yet the raging sword not sheathed, nor these destructive divisions determined, no Balme is found in Gilead, no Phisitian to heale the gasping wounds of this bleeding Kingdome.

Now the Lord hath sent his word to heale us, he maketh wars to cease in all the earth, why should not then this pacificall proverbe and salutiferous sentence of wise Salomon be now seasonably received into con­sideration? why should not that divine di­rection delivered, devised. and disposed by God himselfe, and practised by his ser­vants, Kings, Princes, prophets, and Apo­stles be now used, for the ceasing of these con­suming contentions betweene the King and his parliament?

Forces are continually raised on both sides, and stratagems daily devised for ruine and destruction, whereas both pollicy and pow­er, might be better imployed to procure a comfortable reconciliation. For the happy ac­complishment, whereof, God hath prescri­bed this way of his owne institution, where­by he may give the Iudgement according to the iustice of the cause without respect of persons; cast your burthen upon Him, devolve Psa: 37. 3. 6. super Iehovam viam tuam: Committ your waies unto the lord, and trust in him and he shall bring it to passe, he shall bring forth your righteousnesse as the light, and your Iudgement as the noone day.

[Page 16]2. We must expect the event of the lotts from God alone, Proverbs. 16. 33. the lott is cast into the lapp, but the whole disposition thereof is of the Lord. So then he that doth not feare the iustice of his cause, needs not doubt the iudgement of his God in disposing thereof by lotts, non enim re quiescet virga improbitatis super sortem Iustorum, the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lott of the righteous Psalme. 125. v. 3.

3 Wee must abandon all uncharitable con­ceits, and all dishonourable deceites Psal. 5. 6. The lord will abhorre the deceitfull man and such as speake leasing, no mentall reservation of malice must be reteined, no rancorous core of revenge must remayne, nor any preceding passages of malevolence or envy, continue in the minde or memory.

4. Wee must withall possible piety, religion, and reverence call upon God in hearty pray­er for his direction in, and his blessing on, our endeavours; At the election of Saul, the peo­ple ('tis said) stood all before the Lord, xpo­positors render it, praying. At the election of Matthias to his Apostleship, the Apostles joy­ned in prayer.

If a solemne day of humiliation, fasting and [Page 17] prayer might be set apart throught the whole Kingdome, humble and hearty supplicati­ons sent to heaven, if the Kings Majesty, the Parliament, Prophets, Ministers, and People, (howsoever dis-jointed at this present in their opinions and actions) would all joyn in their prayers and affections to the Lord of hosts [...], the searcher and knower of all hearts; and although they distrust each other, yet would trust the only just God, and com­mit the judgement of their great cause to his hands, who only can and must determine it, implore his mercifull and powerful ayde and assistance, who is wonderfull in counsell, and excellent in working to decide this most un­happy dissention according to his owne di­vine direction by Lott, why should it be doubted, but that our good Lord would shew his paternal pitty & mercy to this Nation, and vouchsafe an happy union. God hath not for­gotten to be gratious, his mercy is not gone for ever, his compassions never faile. Hee that feeds the Ravens, clothes the Lillyes, takes care even for Sparrowes, shall he not be entreated to magnifie his mercy in taking this matter of such weighty importance into his owne [Page 18] hands, in delivering his people by his wise­dome and omnipotency from destruction o­therwise inevitable. The Lord will arise and have mercy upon Sion, for the time to have mercie thereon is come, that hee may heare the mourning of the prisoner, and deliver the children appointed for death.

Hee will bring to passe his owne worke in his owne way, and declare by casting of Lotts which part he hath chosen, and whose propositions and purposes most conduce to his glory, the honour and happinesse of the Kings Majestie and his Posterity, the esta­blishment of Truth and Peace in the Church and Common-wealth. Iehovah Iireh, the Gen. 22. 14. Lord will be seene in the Mount of his mer­cy, and provide his people a gratious way of deliverance from destruction and desola­tion; Hee will prevent the King with the blessings Psal. 21. 3. of Peace, and set a Crowne of pure gold upon his head; And though his people Psal. 68. 13. and Church have lyen among the pots of black darknesse and affliction, yet shall they shine as the wings of a Dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow Gold, And all men to Gods eternall glory will [Page 19] confesse this to bee onely the Lords doing, and a most wonderfull worke of his infinite mercy.

The tryall by Lotts is

• 1. the most proper way,
  • 1. because both parts have appealed to God. and made it his cause, both professe the main­tenance of the same matters, therefore God is the most competent Iudge.
  • 2. This way is Gods owne direction, other meanes hitherto used have failed and beene frustrate, many devices are in the heart of man, but the counsell of the Lord that shall stand.
• 2. the cleerest way, and most infalli­ble,
  • 1. Because Almighty God is a most just Iudge, there can be no collusion or corrupti­on in his judgement: All partiall and de­ceitfull siding and dealing, will be prevented and excluded.
  • 2. Because God is the searcher of all hearts, and cannot be deceived, and most upright in Iudgement, and hee will give to Caser the things that are Caesars, but will not endure his own glory should be eclipsed, but will have his truth still maintained, and all Christian duties to his sacred Majestie per­formed.
• 3. The hap­piest way,
  • 1. Because the further effusion of blood will hereby be prevented, a thing much to be desired, laboured and prayed for.
  • 2. God on all sides will by this meanes be glorified, and a blessed Peace hereby produ­ced, which the God of Peace for his Sonne our Saviours sake, the Prince of Peace, by his holy Spirit of Peace vouchsafe to grant, Amen.

I shall conclude with these Texts of holy Writ,