word of God they can attain unto, how soon would these tumults cease, the enmity in point of Religion be slain, and all things be in peace? and for my part I cannot expect that the swords should be beaten into plowshares, and spears into the pruning-kooks, that nation shall not rise against nation, neither shall they learn war any more, which is a thing which the mouth of the Lord hath spoken of, untill that be accomplished which should occasion it, which is [expressed] by the Prophet in these words, For all people will walk every one in the name of his God, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever. Micha. 4. 3, 4, 5.

And as his forcing of men for their conscience sake, cannot stand with the peace of a Nation or Commonwealth, so neither can it stand with the liberty thereof, as those two instances Rev. 13. 10. and 15. 16, 17, together with daily experience, doe lively demonstrate, in which Scriptures it is plain to be seen, that whilst the Beast reigneth, through the power of the Kings of the Earth, all are restrained of their liberty, and brought to conformity, they cannot buy nor sel, unless they conform to the Beast, no not the great ones. Kings and Rulers themselves, they shall rather cease to be Kings than cease to conform, when once they have given their power to him, for then they have not been able to stand before him, as Emperors, Kings, Princes and Governors have by wofull experience (through a sad hand of God) found to be true. And as by the righteous judgement of God, they that have upon this accompt killed with the sword, must have a time also to be killed with the sword; so they that have led into captivity, must also be led into captivity; so that by this it appears, it cannot stand with the liberty of a place and Nation.

And that it cannot stand with the prosperity and safety therof will appear from a twofold consideration, the first whereof is with respect to piety, the second to policy.

That which is taken from piety is this, If the matter be duly considered and weighd, it cannot be expected but that this outward constraint or restraint of men in matters of conscience, & for the worship of God (in this present evil world, and by the powers therin) must chiefly

reflect, and light upon such as being called out of the world, can neither conform to worldly vanities, nor worldly worships, but to the pure voice and word of God, and to the testimony of Christ Jesus the Lord, which if true, as indeed it cannot be denied, then it will easily appear to be both unsafe and unprosperous for a state or nation to be found medling herein, for as much as the Lord of hosts hath said, he that toucheth you, toucheth the aple of mine eye, Zach. 2. 8. and again, Touch not mine anointed, and do my Prophets no harm, 1 Chron. 16. 22. and King David had well observed concerning the Israel of old, that the Lord suffered no man to do them wrong, but even reproved Kings for their sakes, Psal. 105. 14. And if the Lord of hosts who is full of bowels of compassion, be so taken with the oppression of the poor, and sighing of the needy, that he will not long forbear, but will arise, relieve him, and set him in safety from him that puffeth at him, or would insnare him, Psal. 12. 5. shall he not much rather avenge his own elect, which give him no rest, but cry night and day unto him? Luk. 18. 7. yea, I tell you (saith Christ) he will avenge them speedily. And now how unsafe and unprosperous it is for a Kingdome, or State, to ly thus open to the vengeance of God, which if it breaks forth is like to overturn, overturn, overturn it as the prophet speaks, Ezek. 21. 25, 26, 27. will not be a hard thing to discern.

Again it cannot well stand with the prosperity and safety of a State, or Nation, upon a politick ground or consideration. For it best suits with policy (be the power in the hands of Kings and Princes, but especially of States and Commonwealths) 1. To engage (not only one party or sect alone, but) all parties therein to the present power, and to the supporting thereof. 2. To do this (not by giving away any part of the power to any party or sect to oppress or inforce others to their way for their carnal and private respects, for that (as hath been shown) is the way to lose it themselves, except they conform, yea to be brought to conformity, but) to afford its protection equall to all without respect unto any, at least in this, sci. keeping them thereby safe, under God, in respect of their persons, names, and estates; 3. And to engage them all

upon the strongest engagements, which are not carnal outward advantage, (they being oftentimes so far from advancing the same, that they prove notable means to make the obstruction) but this, wherein one man may be as wel assured that he shall not be forced to another mans understanding and conscience, as that another shall not be forced unto his. Which indeed is an engagement that is stronger than death, the voice of each mans conscience being to him as the voice of his God; by this means shall all parties be deeply obliged to the utmost of their lives and estates, to bear up that power, without which they cannot expect to enjoy peace, liberty, and safety themselves, so shall the rulers also have somewhat more vacancy to consider what it is that the Lord of hosts doth require at their hands, which is to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before the Lord, Mic. 6. 7, 8. And whereas it is added (every man being such &c.) which is to shew that whether such liberty as this should be granted or not in this present world, yet it concerns, and also well becomes the servants of Christ, not to alter their course, but to be still found keeping the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus, and to be bearing in mind what is said, Rev. 12. 11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death; harkning also for his voice, who saith Rev. last 20. Surely I come quickly, with the like closing therewith as there is exprest. Amen, even so come Lord Jesus.

LETTER

FROM CERTAIN MINISTERS AND OTHERS OF NEW ENGLAND TO CROMWELL, UPON HIS APPLICATION TO PERSONS HERE TO SETTLE IN IRELAND.

[The following letter is copied from the third volume, second series, page 360, of Ellis's Original Letters on English History. The Editor refers to the original thus, "Mss. Soc. Antiq. num. 138. art. 34. Orig.," and remarks: "The Letter here introduced to the Reader was the answer to one of the expedients proposed by Cromwell for gradually improving the condition of that country [Ireland]. Whether any

of the New-Englanders absolutely settled in Ireland, in consequence of Cromwell's proposal, the Editor of these volumes is not aware. Some other correspondence probably exists upon the subject. The warmth with which Cromwell's butcheries are applauded in this Letter affords matter of astonishment." Hutchinson, Vol. I. p. 190, says: "Cromwell had been very desirous of drawing off the New-Englanders to people Ireland after his successes there, and the inhabitants of New Haven had serious thoughts of removing, but did not carry their design into execution." It may doubtless be affirmed with truth, that Cromwell's plans as regards the people of the Colony of Massachusetts were equally unsuccessful. C. D.]

RIGHT HONOURABLE

As the state of England hath bene pleased to call you to cheife place of civil and military Command in Ireland, so hath the Lord to admiration prospered your undertakings there and made you a glorious Instrument of the execution of his just vengeance upon those bloody monsters of mankinde, and therein heard the cries of his dyeing and liveing people in Ireland, together with those of his Saynts in both Englands, who have cryed in his eares for vengeance against the inhuman murtherers of his poore people in Ireland; and what can the remnant left of his people there, or the rest of their bretheren in both Englands doe lesse, than thankfully acknowledge amongst