This (my brethren) hath been the condition of many of us; there hath bin that effeminateness of spirit in us, that we have bowed down our necks, yea, our souls to those that would go over us; yea, (as it is there in 51. Isa.) they made themselves the very street to them that went over them, their very consciences were trampled upon by the foot of pride, and all for the enjoyment of a little outward accommodation in their estates, in their shops, and in their trading, Oh they must not venture these, rather yield to any thing in the world. And truly we were afraid not long since that God was calling us by the name of this daughter Loruhamah, in regard of our effeminateness of spirit, that the Lord was departing from our nation. But blessed be God that now here hath begun to be a rising of spirit among us, especially among our worthies in Parliament, and their warmth, vigour, & life, hath put warmth, vigour, spirit, and life, into the whole Kingdom. Now our Kingdom will never bow down and submit their Consciences,1 nor Estates, nor liberties to that bondage and oppression that heretofore hath been. No, they had rather die honourably then live basely. But why do I make such a disjunction? die honourably, or live basely? Had we spirits we might free our selves and posterity from living basely, and we need not dye at all; for the malignant party hath neither spirit to act, nor power to prevail, if we keep up our spirits and be strong in the Lord we are safe enough, yet we shall not have our name Loruhamah, but Ruhamah, the Lord will have mercy upon us. 1 King. 14. 15. God threatens to smite Israel, that they shall be as a reed shaken with the wind: 2and then mark what followeth, and then he would root them out of this good land which he gave to their Fathers. If this judgement be upon England that our spirits be shaken as a reed with the wind, that we bow and yield to any thing in a base way, the next may justly follow that the Lord may root us out of this good Land. As it was with Israel before their destruction, they grew effeminate, so it was with Judah too before theirs, Isa. 3. 3. when God intended judgment against them, you may observe there that He took away the mighty man & the man of war, the prudent and the ancient, the Captain & the honourable man & the Counsellor.
This (my brethren) hath been the condition of many of us; there hath bin that effeminateness of spirit in us, that we have bowed down our necks, yea, our souls to those that would go over us; yea, (as it is there in 51. Isa.) they made themselves the very street to them that went over them, their very consciences were trampled upon by the foot of pride, and all for the enjoyment of a little outward accomodation in their estates, in their shops, and in their trading, Oh they must not venture these, rather yeeld to any thing in the world. And truly we were afraid not long since that God was calling us by the name of this daughter Loruhamah, in regard of our effeminateness of spirit, that the Lord was departing from our nation. But blessed be God that now here hath begun to be a rising of spirit among us, especially among our worthies in Parliament, and their warmth, vigour, & life, hath put warmth, vigour, spirit, and life, into the whole Kingdome. Now our Kingdom will never bow downe and submit their Consciences,1 nor Estates, nor liberties to that bondage and oppression that heretofore hath been. No, they had rather die honorably then live basely. But why do I make such a disjunction? dy honorably, or live basely? Had we spirits we might free our selves and posterity from living basely, and we need not dye at all; for the malignant party hath neither spirit to act, nor power to prevail, if we keep up our spirits and be strong in the Lord we are safe enough, yet we shall not have our name Loruhamah, but Ruhamah, the Lord will have mercy upon us. 1 King. 14. 15. God threatens to smite Israel, that they shall be as a reed shaken with the wind: 2and then mark what followeth, and then he would root them out of this good land which hee gave to their Fathers. If this judgement be upon England that our spirits be shaken as a reed with the winde, that wee bow and yeeld to any thing in a base way, the next may justly follow that the Lord may root us out of this good Land. As it was with Israel before their destruction, they grew effeminate, so it was with Judah too before theirs, Isa. 3. 3. when God intended judgment against them, you may observe there that He took away the mighty man & the man of war, the prudent and the ancient, the Captain & the honourable man & the Counseller.
- 1Viri fort•• est aut pul chrevivere aut fartiter mori.
- 2After base yielding to slavery follows ruin.After base yeelding to slavery follows ruine.
