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constant, immoveble, and abound in this work of the Lord, that we may not start aside, or give back, or go on uncom fortably, there is a twofold grace or qualification to be laboured after.

1. We must get courage, spirits that are bold and resolute. It is said in Haggai, that the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people, and they came and did work in the house of the Lord. The work of God's house, reformationwork especially, is a stirring work: read stories, you find not any where, reformation made in any age, either in doctrine or discipline. without great stir and opposition. This was foretold by the same prophet. Chap. ii. ver. 7. the promise is, He will fill his house with glory. But what goeth before, ver. o. Yet once it is a little while and I will shake the heavens, and the earth. and the sea, and the dry land, that is all nations, as in the words following. This place is applied Heb. xii. to the removing Jewish rites, the moveables of God's house. The like you find in the apostles' times, Acts xvii. the truth being preached, some believed, others did not: here beginneth the stir, ver. 6. Those that believed not, took unto themselves certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set ail the city in an uproar; and when they had done so, complained of the brethren to the rulers, as men that turn the world upside down, ver. 6. read also Acts xxi. 27, 30, 31. In such a work therefore, men had need be of stout, resolute, and composed spirits, that we may be able to go on in the main, and stir in the midst of such stirs, and not be amazed at any such do. ings. It may possibly happen, that even amongst yourselves, there will be outcries, Sir, you will undo all, saith one, you will put all into confusion, saith another; if you take this course, saith a third, we can expect nothing but blood: but a wise statesman, like an experienced seaman, knoweth the compass of his vessel, and though it heave, toss, and the passengers cry out about him, yet in the midst of all, he is himself, turneth not aside from his work, but steereth on his course. I beseech I beseech you, let

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it be seriously considered, if you mean to do any such work in the house of God as this is; if you mean to pluck up what many years ago was planted, or to build up what so long ago was pulled down, and to go through with this work, and not be discouraged, you must beg of the Lord this excellent spirit, this resolute stirring spirit, otherwise you will be outspirited, and both you and your cause slighted and dishonoured.

2. On the other hand, we must labour for humility, prudence, gentleness, meekness. A man may be very zealous and resolute, and yet very meek and merciful: Jesus Christ was a Lion and yet a Lamb also; in one place he telleth them, he cometh to send fire on the earth: and in another place, rebuketh his disciples for their fiery spirits, Luke ix. 59. There was the like composition in Moses, and in Paul; and it is of great use, especially in this work of reformation. I have not observed any dis putes carried on with more bitterness in men's writings, and with more unsanctified heat of spirit, yea, and by god. ly men too, than in controversies, about discipline, Church. government, ceremonies, and the like. Surely, to argue about government with such ungoverned passions, to argue for reformation with a spirit so unreformed, is very uncomely. Let us be zealous, as Christ was, to cast out all, to extirpate and root out every plant his heavenly Father hath not planted; and yet let us do it in an orderly way, and with the Spirit of Christ, whose servants we are. The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose, 2 Tim. ii. 24, 25. We solemnly engage this day our utmost endeavours for reformation; let us re member this, that too much heat, as well as too much coldness, may harden men in their ways, and hinder reformation.

Brethren, let us come to this blessed work with such a frame of heart, with such a mind for the present, with such resolutions for the time to come; let us not be wanting to the opportunity, God hath put into our hands this day; and then I can promise you, as the prophet, consider this day and upwards, even from this day, that the foundation

of the Lord's work is laid, consider it, from this day will I bless you, saith the Lord. Nay, we have received as it were the first fruits of this promise; for as it is said of some men's good works, they are manifest before hand, 1 Tim. v. even so may be said of the good work of this day, it is manifest before hand. God hath as it were before hand testified his acceptance; while we were thinking and purposing this free-will offering, he was protecting and defending our army, causing our enemies, the enemies of this work to flee before us, and gave us a victory, not to be despised. Surely this Oath and Covenant shall be Judah's joy, the joy and comfort of this whole kingdom, yea, of all the three kingdoms.

Jesus Christ King of the saints govern us by his Spirit, strengthen us by his power, undertake for us according as he hath sworn, even the oath which he sware to our father Abraham, that he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life, Luke i. Grant unto us also, that when this life is finished, and we gathered to our fathers, there may be a generation out of our loins to stand up in this cause, that his great, and reverend name may be exalted from one generation to another, until he himself E. shall come, and perfect all with his own wisdom: even so come Lord Jesus, come quickly, Amen.

A Speech delivered by MR ALEXander Henderson, immediately before the taking of the Covenant by the House of Commons, and Assembly of Divines.

ALTHOUGH the time be far spent, yet am I bold (Honourable, Reverend, and beloved in the Lord) to crave your patience a little. It were both sin and shame to us in this so acceptable a time in this day, which the Lord hath made, to be silent and to say nothing: if we should hold our peace, we could neither be answerable to God, whose cause and work is in hand, nor to this Church and kingdom, unto which we have made so large profession

it be seriously considered, if you mean to do any such work in the house of God as this is; if you mean to pluck up what many years ago was planted, or to build up what so long ago was pulled down, and to go through with this work, and not be discouraged, you must beg of the Lord this excellent spirit, this resolute stirring spirit, otherwise you will be outspirited, and both you and your cause slighted and dishonoured.

2. On the other hand, we must labour for humility, prudence, gentleness, meekness. A man may be very zealous and resolute, and yet very meek and merciful: Jesus Christ was a Lion and yet a Lamb also; in one place he telleth them, he cometh to send fire on the earth: and in another place, rebuketh his disciples for their fiery spirits, Luke ix. 59. There was the like composition in Moses, and in Paul; and it is of great use, especially in this work of reformation. I have not observed any dis putes carried on with more bitterness in men's writings, and with more unsanctified heat of spirit, yea, and by god. ly men too, than in controversies, about discipline, Churchgovernment, ceremonies, and the like. Surely, to argue about government with such ungoverned passions, to argue for reformation with a spirit so unreformed, is very uncomely. Let us be zealous, as Christ was, to cast out all, to extirpate and root out every plant his heavenly Fa ther hath not planted; and yet let us do it in an orderly way, and with the Spirit of Christ, whose servants we are. The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose, 2 Tim. ii. 24, 25. We solemnly engage this day our utmost endeavours for reformation; let us remember this, that too much heat, as well as too much coldness, may harden men in their ways, and hinder reformation.

Brethren, let us come to this blessed work with such a frame of heart, with such a mind for the present, with such resolutions for the time to come; let us not be wanting to the opportunity, God hath put into our hands this day; and then I can promise you, as the prophet, consider this day and upwards, even from this day, that the foundation

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of the Lord's work is laid, consider it, from this day will I bless you, saith the Lord. Nay, we have received as it were the first fruits of this promise; for as it is said of some men's good works, they are manifest before hand, 1 Tim. v. even so may be said of the good work of this day, it is manifest before hand. God hath as it were before hand testified his acceptance; while we were thinking and purposing this free-will offering, he was protecting and defending our army, causing our enemies, the enemies of this work to flee before us, and gave us a victory, not to be despised. Surely this Oath and Covenant shall be Judah's joy, the joy and comfort of this whole kingdom, yea, of all the three kingdoms.

Jesus Christ King of the saints govern us by his Spirit, strengthen us by his power, undertake for us according as he hath sworn, even the oath which he sware to our father Abraham, that he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life, Luke i. Grant unto us also, that when this life is finished, and we gathered to our fathers, there may be a generation out of our loins to stand up in this cause, that his great, and reverend name may be exalted from one generation to another, until he himself shall come, and perfect all with his own wisdom: even so come Lord Jesus, come quickly, Amen.

A Speech delivered by MR ALEXANDER Henderson, immediately before the taking of the Covenant by the House of Commons, and Assembly of Divines.

ALTHOUGH the time be far spent, yet am I bold (Honourable, Reverend, and beloved in the Lord) to crave your patience a little. It were both sin and shame to us. in this so acceptable a time in this day, which the Lord hath made, to be silent and to say nothing: if we should hold our peace, we could neither be answerable to God, whose cause and work is in hand, nor to this Church and kingdom, unto which we have made so large profession

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