A superb sermon preached in the heat of the English Civil War under the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell by Nicholas Lockyer [1611-1685], who would become Cromwell's Chaplain.

The Presbyterians and other Puritan Independents and Congregationalists were engaged in a heated philosophical debate regarding the right of more fundamentalist Presbyterians to utilize their new-found power to establish a Covenanted Kingdom based on establishment of something very like Scotland's Solemn League and Covenant. It would, by default, mean persecution of Anglicans, Baptists, and of course Catholics at the National level. 

Some of the Presbyterians were so-inclined, which led to Rogers Williams labeling them as no better than the Priests & Popes with their persecuting and narrow spirit. 

Lockyer was of the stronger-handed variety. He subscribed to the Covenant, later became Cromwell's Chaplain, and was often asked to preach the Fast Sermons before Parliament, then dominated by Presbyterians.

A robustly pro-Christian Government sermon. 

Lockyer, Nicholas. A Sermon Preached before the Honourable House of Commons Assembled in Parliament: at their late solemn fast, October 28. 1646, in Margarets Westminster. London. Printed by Matthew Simmons, for John Rothwell, at the Sun and Fountaine, in Pauls-Church-yard, and Han[nah] Allen, at the Crowne in Popes-head Alley. 1646. 32pp. 

EXTRACTS: 

I judge a free Parliament, the most natural Ordinance (and the nearest that Divine government which once was) for the true good of a Nation that would not be slaves to sin and man’s will, of any yet known, or in use in the world; and if my Judgement were of any weight in a business of this nature, I would think those the more unnatural to themselves and others, who otherwise speak and act amongst us. Our lusts would be Laws and Judges of them too, and may, as well one as tother; ’tis thus with us, ’tis thus with you; ’tis so in Divinity, ’tis so in morality, ’tis so in the first Table, ’tis so in the second.

Christ meant civil Government really, when he bade us submit to it, and pray for it, and practised it himself by giving to Caesar the things which were Caesars; if in these last and worst days we need it less than then, I do not yet understand it. Wild beasts love no bound, but if this should be, then all the world would be a wilderness, and where should we live without tearing in pieces? I think just Government in a Turk to be a beam of God, and we admire it abroad, and trample upon it at home.

He further adds direct counsel to Christian politicians for the proper execution of their duties, etc. 

Very nicely preserved complete English Civil War sermon from the Cromwellian era. Complete as issued, removed from a larger sammelband at some point with relevant flotsam on spine. Small ex library stamp on title as shown. Textually crisp. Rare on the market.