A DISTRESSED NATION

Edward Burrough (1634-1663) Quaker preacher, wrote a pamphlet and published it in 1659 called, ‘To the Present Distracted and Broken Nation of England, and to All Her Inhabitants.’

“Oh! poor distressed Nation, and full of Troubles; How art thou broken and divided? How hath Divisions and Distractions compassed thee about, and entered into thy Bowels? And how are thy Inhabitants and thy People divided, even to hatred one against another? … And how is the Wisdom of thy Wise men turned into Folly, and their Union into present Contention? And how do they seek the Overthrow one of another? And how do they lie in wait to be avenged one against another?”

“We are not for Names, nor Men, nor Titles of Government, nor are we for this Party, nor against the other, because of its Name and Pretense; but we are for Justice and Mercy, and Truth and Peace, and true Freedom, that these may be exalted in our Nation; and that Goodness, Righteousness, Meekness, Temperance, Peace and Unity with God, and one with another, that these things may abound.”

“Such a Government are we seeking and waiting for, wherein Truth and Righteousness, Mercy and Justice, Unity and Love, and all the Fruits of Holiness may abound; and the contrary be removed, cast out, and eliminated.”

He might write this to our nation… “How art thou broken and divided?”

“Every kingdom that is divided against itself will be destroyed. And any city or family that is divided against itself will not continue.” Jesus