Peace protected, and discontent dis-armed. Wherein the seventeen queries (with the addition of three more, postscript-wise) lately published, partly to allay the discontents of some about the late revolution of government, but more especially to guide every mans feet into the way of peace, as well his own, as the publique, are reinforced with replies unto, and animadversions upon, such answers, which some (it seems) have given unto them, to invalidate their purport and intent. Together with four new queries superadded. By the author of the said seventeen queries.

Query VI.

Whether was that supposition of Moses without sufficient reason, or gronnd, when, upon his aveng∣ing one of his Brethren by smiting the Egyptian, who oppressed him, he SUPPOSED that his Brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them? Or were not his Brethren dull and slow of heart in not taking the kindly impressions of such a providence, and not understanding, that pregnant inti∣mation from God, that his Counsel and Will was, to appoint and make his Servant Moses a Prince or Ruler over them, and this in order to the vindication of their liberties, the freedom of their persons from oppression, and to their further benefit and good otherwise? or do not they shew themselves to be altogether unexperi∣enced in the speech and language of high Providen∣ces, or at least to be either but dull and drowsie, or else cross and froward, Interpreters of the most sig∣nal dispensations of God, who do not understand that his will and pleasure is, to appoint such a person toties quoties, by whose hand he vouchsafeth unto a People a long continued series of extraordinary de∣liverances, for a Prince and Ruler over them? Or do not that people reject the Counsel of God against themselves, who say unto a Person so commended unto them, and appointed over them, by God, who made Thee a Ruler or a Judg?

For answer to this Query, we have another, but altogether ir∣relative * 1.1 to it; viz. this, Whether had Moses been worthy the name and honour of a Prince and ruler, if, instead of guiding the people into Canaan, he had for his ease and pleasure sake turned

again into Egypt? If Moses had built again the things, which he had destroyed, he had made himself a Transgressour.

Here is nothing at all in this answer, to the tendencie or pur∣port * 1.2 of the Query. And i•• had been (upon the matter) as much to the purpose, to have answered by querying thus; If Moses had been a martherer of his Father, and of his mother, and had committed inc••st with his sister, had he been meet to be appointed a prince or a Ruler over the people of God? For doubtlesse he was as farre from turning back again into Egypt for his ease or pleasures sake, as he was from committing these abominations. Indeed the foolish, froward, and discontented people, were lay∣ing their heads together, and consulting, to make them a captain, who should lead back again into Egypt. And they said one to a∣nother, let us make us a Captain, and return into Egypt a 1.3. But Moses was a man of another spirit: he was on••ly for the leading them forward towards Canaan, not for the carrying them back to wards Egypt. Or,

2. If the intent of the said Anti-querie be to insinuate against the Person minded in the parallel of Moses, in the Queree, any such unworthinesse, as if he were a man, who for his ease and pleasure sake meant to re••i••s••ave the people of this nation, the reflexion is not onely groundl••sse (and in this respect, scandalous, and un-christian) but likewise is, 1. Contrary to the verdict of common sence, which dictateth, that there is neither ease, nor pleasure, but care and trouble, and wearisomnesse both of flesh and spirit, to be expected in that station of Government, wherein God hath placed him; and 2. To the very tenor and purport of those Arti∣cles, or Constitutions of the Government, to the observation whereof he hath solem••ly sworn; which are calculated and fram'd as it were on purpose for the preservation and maintenance of the publique liberties of the people, and this with as much wisdom and contrivance, as can reasonably he expected from men; of which somewhat further in one of the additional Queries.

3. (and lastly) It is not necessary that he who builds again the things, which he destroyed, should make himself a transgressour by his new building them. It was said of Paul to his great ho∣nour, by the Christians of his times: He which persecuteth us in times past, now preacheth the Faith, which once he destroyedb 1.4

However, if these words in the Answer, If Moses had built a∣gain &c. be reflexive upon him, whom God hath given (Moses-like) for a Ruler unto this Nation, as if he should now be about to build again the enslavement of the people, which he hath here∣tofore destroyed, the reflexion (as hath been already said, in ••ffect) is papably and putidly calumnious, and not fit either for the heart, or mouth, or p••n, of a Christian.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Answer.
• * 1.2

  Reply and A∣nimadver∣sion.
• a 1.3

  Num. 14. 4
• b 1.4

  a Gal. 1. 23.