of the
kingdom the which to come we daily pray (as Perkins shews well). We must
not now before men mince, hold up, or conceal any thing necessary for
this testimony; all these would seem to me to be retiring and flying,
and not to flow from the high spirit of the Most High, who will not
flinch for one hour, nor quit one hoof, nor edge away a hem of Christ's
robe royal. These would seem effects of desertion, tokens of being
ashamed, afraid or politically diverted; and all these and every degree
of them, Sir, I am confident will be very far from the thoughts of every
one here, who by their votes and petitions, according to their
protestations at their entry, have shewed themselves so zealous and
forward to give their testimony, albeit they easily saw it would not be
very acceptable to the powers on earth, who would hamper, stamp and
halve it. But would ye answer to that question, If this were a
parliament, and if it was a full and free one, would he not, and should
he not be esteemed a great breaker of privileges, and _contemptor
curiae_, albeit we are not so wise, yet let us be as tender and jealous
in our day and generation. Truly, Sir, I am confident you will not be so
in love with a peaceable and external profession of any thing that may
be granted to the church, as to conceal, disclaim or invert your
Master's right. That were to lose the substance for a circumstance, to
desert and dethrone Christ, to serve yourselves and enthrone others in
his place: a tenant doing so to his lord or landlord forfeits all. Ye
are commanded to be faithful in little, but now ye are commanded to be
faithful in much; for albeit the salvation of souls be called _cura
curaru_, the welfare and happiness of churches (made up of these) is
far more; but the kingdom of Christ is _q. d. optimum maximum_, and to
have it now under your debate, as it is the greatest honour God doth
bestow upon an assembly, so it is the greatest danger: For according now
as God shall assist or direct you, you may, and will be the instruments
of the greatest good or evil on earth. Let us do all in, with, for and
by Christ. Remember the account we have to make to him, who subjects the
standing or falling of his crown in this island to our debate. I speak
_humaniter_, for _diviniter_ I know it is impossible, and albeit we
should all prove false and faint-hearted, he can, and will soon raise up
other instruments to assert, publish, and propagate his right to a
_forum con