II. We have here, a Pressing Exhortation to obey this Command, which (to make it stronger) is thus doubled, Seek ye the LORD while He may be found: And, Call ye upon Him while He is near.

III. The Disposition requisite for our Seeking the LORD so, as to find Him in Mercy; and Calling upon Him so, as to be heard, and graciously answer'd by Him. And this proper and happy Disposition is a parting with our Sins, and Returning unto GOD by Amendment of Life: Which is plainly express'd by these Words, Let the Wicked forsake his Ways, and the Unrighteous Man his Thoughts; and let him return unto the LORD.

IV. & lastly, To the Duty herein prescribed, there is a gracious Promise made of Pardon to the Penitent, who shall find Acceptance with Almighty GOD: For having said, Let the Wicked forsake his Ways, &c; And, Let him return unto the LORD, &c. He adds this sweet, this comfortable, and most encouraging Assurance, in these two Synonymous Expressions. He will have Mercy upon him, and He will abundantly Pardon.

And on Friday last the 30th instant being the Anniversary Day of the Martyrdom of the Blessed King Charles the First, I did again Preach to the Condemn'd Prisoners, and others there present; taking my Text out of the Epistle for the Day, viz. 1 Peter, 2 Chap. 13th & 14th Ver. Submit your selves to every Ordinance of Man, for the LORD's s: Whether it be to the King, as Supream; O unto Governours, as unto them that are sent by Him, for the Punishment of Evil-doers, and for the Praise of them that do well.

From which Words, first paraphrastically explain'd, and illustrated by several other Scripture-Texts, expresly injoining the same Duty, I then proceeded to shew;

I. In what Things we are to Submit to, and Obey, our Supream Governour, and all others in Authority: And that is,

1st, In All Things (whether relating to Church or State) which GOD has Commanded.

2dly, In All Things that GOD has not evidently Forbidden, and are of an indifferent Nature; i. e. Neither Good, nor Bad in themselves; but cease (indeed) to be so, when Commanded, or Forbidden; in which Case, our Obedience becomes necessary and indispensable, as well with respect to Spiritual, as to Civil Matters.

II. Why we are thus Oblig'd to submit and to Obey: And that is for these Reasons Principally, viz.

1st, Because GOD has commanded it; which, without doubt, were of it self a sufficient Obligation, tho' there were no other Reasons for it. But there are. As,

2dly, Because GOD has not only injoyn'd this in his Written Word, but in those Precepts of Reason, which He has by Nature imprinted upon every Man.

3dly, Because no Government can subsist without Obedience to it, neither would Men be Just, Honest, Quiet, and Happy without it: And,

4thly, Because Our Obedience both to the Divine and Human Laws, greatly tends to the Honour of GOD and the Good of Mankind; and Disobedience thereto is absolutely contrary to both.

III. What is the End of Government: And that is twofold, as our Apostle shews; viz.

1st, For the Correction and Restraint of Evil-doers; And,

2dly, For the Protection and Encouragement of Them that do well; i. e. Such as are Obedient both to GOD, and to his Vicegerent. From all which I prov'd,

IV. & lastly, The absolute Necessity of Government; because there can be no Publick Service or Worship of GOD duly perform'd, nor any Moral or Civil Good done or promoted; nor indeed any Ill restrain'd or prevented in this World, without it. For it is more than probable, that without a lawful Government, and a dutiful Obedience to Governours, there should be nothing but Confusion, Oppression, Rapine, Injustice, and the like, in the World; all good Order and Peace shou'd then be banish'd from the Face of the Earth, and no Man could enjoy any thing quietly or safely, but must deliver it up to a stronger than himself: So that he that could kill his Neighbour, or otherwise get the Power over him, might tke his Possessions too; and by such means, the World would soon become a Den of Thieves.

Therefore it plainly appears, That there must needs be a Government among Men; and, That they ought to submit to Governours appointed by Almighty GOD to inforce