That man that will be signally instrumental in a National Reformation,
must look for a great deal of opposition; Of all work,
Reformation work the Dexil both ill will at. Thirdly, That the upright
in heart when they fall into any distress, their great help is to entitle
God to their cause. O God, wilt thou not judge them. And from
the words themselves he raised two Doctrines. 1. That the undertakings
that we engage in, may be very good, when yet the difficulties
that we meet withal therein, may he very great. What greater and
better work, then the reforming a Nation, yet here you see the [unr]
of A[unr] Mock, and Mount Sair, rising up against it. 2. That
it is many times usual even for the upright themselves when great, and
[unr] pected difficulties do surround them, to be overturned with great
misgivings sad, and desponding thoughts, as if their were no door
be so open for them to escape.
Dr. Goodwin, Rom. 15. 8. 9. Now, I say, that Jesus Christ was a
Minister of the Circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises
made unto the Father, and that the Gentiles might glorisie God for his
mercy, &c.
Friday 31 Octob. 1656.
The House ordered thanks to be refoced to Dr. Omen, Dr. Goodwin,
and Mr. Griffith, for their great pains in their Sermons yesterday before
the House, and that they he desired to print their Sermons, and
have the usual priviledge.
Some private Bills were read and committed.
A Bill against Vagrants and Wandring, idle dissolute persons, was
this day read the first time.
Upon information made to the House of the Blasphemies, and great
misdemeanors of, James Naylor, and others, now in prison at Bristol;
the same was referred to a Committee to send for them and to examine
the matter and witnesses, with power also to send for such Magistrates,
as they should finde to have been remiss in their duties herein, and to
prepare some remedy to be offered to the House against this evil. As
also to send for and examine the complaint against one Mr. Joseph Cosh
of Huntingdonshire.
A Petition was exhibited, by the Inhabitants of the Parish of Antholins,
London, touching the carrying on of that good work begun
by diverse godly and charitable persons, in making Feoffeet for buying
in Impropriations for the maintainance of Ministers, setting up Lectures,
maintaining poor Schollers at the University, and the like.
Which good work, in the time of the late King, was broken by a Decree
in the Excheqner, at the prosecution of the then Attorney General,
Which Decree was by Judgment of Parliament declared illegal
and unjust;