Of the Third.

THe Third Thing to bee opened in this Matter is to shew, that as the Aime of the Magistracy and Ministery in their severall Spheres, doth oblige them to intend the per∣formance of these Duties in order to the Mani∣festation of Gods Glory; so all the Meanes whereby they are inabled to effect the work it self are in their hands; so that nothing is wan∣ting but the Actual Contrivance of the Course, which may be followed in applying their Abi∣lities unto these their proper Uses. This Means is the power of the Parliament, able to set them∣selves and all others in such a way of Acting for Page  27 the Publike Good, as is most expedient for their owne Happinesse. It is needlesse to speake of the Al-sufficiency of Humane Abilities bestow∣ed upon this Parliament by the blessing of God for our Reformation. It is evident that our Leaders now fitting in it, have received from Him all Right and Supreame Authority to Or∣der all things without controule within this Kingdom. This their Right and Authority is setled upon the Undoubted faithfulnesse and fulness of Counsel, which is in their Assembly; and is backed with all Competency of outward Meanes and Instruments; to attend the execu∣tion of their decrees, which this Nation is fur∣nished withall, as much as any in the World. Nor is there any Power apparent, or in being, able to let or hinder any thing, which upon ma∣ture Deliberation they shall determine to bee done. They are not limited to any Objects of Deliberation, but such as they shall propose unto themselves; and such no doubt they will take readily into consideration, which shall be offered unto them, by fit Instruments, and in a fit way for the best Ends: Therefore if these Objects can be but fitly insinuated unto those that are most Conscionable, grave and zealous Page  28 for the Publike Good and Glory of this Nati∣on, that by their Meanes others may bee seaso∣ned throughly with this necessity of Aiming at such a Reformation (as being the Main Service wherunto God doth call Us at this time) and if upon such an effectuall insinuation the Way to introduce and settle by little and little the per∣formance and execution of these Duties by Authority of Parliament, can be proposed void of all exception; there is no cause to doubt of the successe of this Enterprise in due time. All the matter of difficulty will bee in these Two Things: First, How to make the Proposall free from Prejudice, and from the respects of Hu∣mane Partiality. And Secondly, How to bring the Way of Deliberating upon these matters in the Houses; into a just frame and course, which may at fit seasons and intervalls be con∣tinued and renewed to carry on the Designe with that stedfastnesse which the importance of the Worke deserveth. And truly whether we look upon God, or upon the Work, or upon our Unsetled Condition, or upon the Parlia∣ment and the Power and Abilities in it, which are under God to be the Meanes of our Happy Settlement, there can be nothing conceived or Page  29 proposed of greater importance, and more be∣fitting the thoughts of Wise and Conscionable Men in Parliament, then the Determination of these Duties. If therefore any respect either to God, or to Our selves, or to Posterity, can raise Mens thoughts above Particular and Pri∣vate Interests, to minde the settlement of a Publike Good, in a Way which is unblamable, the worth of these Duties, and the obligation whereby God doth engage Us all, but chiefly our Leaders to desire the fulfilling of them, should raise both their and our thoughts to the entertaining of such deliberations, Cer∣tainly Gods Aime in bestowing upon Us this Parliament, and upon the Parliament all Power and Ability to Act whatever it will in the King∣dom, is none other then this, to make them and Us, under Himself Instrumentall in Our owne Felicity, by serving him in his Kingdom: but if we should not care to minde the settlement of his Kingdome amongst Us, are we not unwor∣thy of all these blessings? And shal they not be taken from Us deservedly? if wee serve our selves only; or a particular Party of Men which wee affect; with our Interest in the Publike Power; and if we make Use of the Means which Page  30 we are intrusted withall, and set our thoughts onely to finde Wayes thereby to make Our selves and Our Party great; we shall be found in the day of Accounts Unfaithfull Stewards, and naughty Servants to so good a Lord and Ma∣ster: For it is most Undeniably apparent, that these fore-mentioned Duties are the true and proper Workes of his service whereunto wee are called: and the onely Meanes to deliver Us from the danger of our Confusions, will bee to Deliberate maturely of the performance ther∣of. Therefore as Mordecai said to Ester in ano∣ther case, so we may say with a small charge of the expression, to those that fit in Parliament, He said to her, And who knoweth whether thou art come to the Kingdome for such a time as this? But we must say to Our Senators, And Who knoweth not, that the Kingdome is come unto You for such a Work as this? Therefore You are bound to mind it, and use Meanes to ad∣vance it; and if You will not, know neverthe∣lesse that this dispensation is committed unto You; and that God will find some others to do this Work without You; but that You and the People which is led out of this Way, will cer∣tainly be destroyed. But wee will cheerfully Page  31 Hope, and by the Grace of God confidently Expect that upon a more full discovery and faithfull Insinuation of the Way How to proceed in the prosecution of this Enterprize: there will bee ho neglect in the Undertaking, nor impediment in the execution. Let Us then proceed to the Fourth and Last Point in hand, to shew How the Parliament should apply their Authority, Counsell and Abilities, to the ac∣complishment of these Duties; and this we shal intend to doe (if God permit) by shewing the true Contrivement, the right Use, and the In∣credible Advantages and Benefits of an Office of Publike Addresse, which may be easily and without delay erected and set afoot among Us.