may know chiesty if not onely Christ and him crucified Å¿ and see him as the Galathians did in Pauls Ministery blâ—eding gasping dying crucified amongst us t * 2 2. In prayer whatsoever was by Christ and his Apostles left arbitrary binde it not on as necessary t will be a vail What on the contrary is objected holds as well against the Apostolicall and first primitive Church and is sufficiently salved by a directory 3 3. In the Sacraments Those things that argue Christ imperfect in his institution That suffer the Dogs to eat the childrens bread and that have a shew of countenancing Christs enemy these remove that in this speciall Ordinance Christs lustre may especially appear and that these skreens keep not his spowse from immediate Communion with him u 3 3. Unveil Christ in point of discipline you have removed the Maskers and false Christs out of his Family which like Theeves or Cavaliers commanded with insolence the house that they had invaded by suttilty or violence Now there are many Antichrists x though one principall take heed instead of one of setting up another Let serious inquiry be made what Officers Christ hath set in his Church and what work he hath appointed for them and these settle 4 4. Unveil him in the Conversations of men that Heathens may see in Christians Papists in Protestants Formalists in Professors Christ living cating drinking trading pleading fighting that they may not seek but have offered a proof of Christ speaking in us and may be convinced by all That he is in us of a truth to their conversion or conviction 5 5. Lastly Set him over the Kingdom as Nebuchadnezzar did Daniel Lay the Key upon his shoulder unto whom the Government belongs Let him be acknowledged not as an honourable guest but as the sole Master over his own house for it is part of his inheritance so the donation runnes I will give thee the Heathâ—n for thine inheritance and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession and thou shalt rule them be yee instructed now therefore yee Judges of the earth and kisse the some give him this Symbole of snlmission least he be kindled and ye perish y First then set him over the State in casting the whole body of the Law with reference to this end the advancing of Christ That the civill controversies may be subordinate to the spirituall Peace So Paul regulates the Law Suites of the Coriâ—thians by the discipline of Christ Else though we may be Christians in the state yet not a Christian state which is not presently for every Law made in favour of Christ but when the whole Levell of them referre to him as their sole scope and so may trudy receive denomination from him as their end neither will this unsettle the former principle of our and all Laws Publike safety for In him we shall have peace * a perpetuall one Which no man shall take from us yea * even when threatned with a most bloudy warre yet then our Text assures us This man shall be peace 2. In the Schools both Triviall and Academick That whereas these are the waters that either make bitter or sweeter the City of God and many times are like those of the dead Sea not only savourlesse but mortall Throw in Christ as Elisha did Salt into the waters of Jericho and they will become Fountains of living water To this end put them upon the study of the mystery of Christ which is so great that it cannot be well seen into till we wholly give our selves to it Hierome professes his neglect of other learning for many years that he might as it seems attend this not but that other knowledge is necessary but so That the handmaid be not so long served that there be not sufficient for attendance upon the Mistresse 3 3. In Innes of Court That whereas too often it falls out that the hopes of Parents Schools and Universities almost ripe are there blasted in the green fruit because this sonne of righteousnessc shines so obliqucly either in teaching or discipline now through your care there may be ground of expectation That your posterity there formed for publike service may go on with your work and set up the Pinacles of that Temple the Walls whereof you have raised to so great a height 4. In negotiations of warre and peace Whether at home or abroad The raising up of the seven Shepheards that should wast the Land of Assyrian with the sword in the Text It was by authority of Christ and his Church for so it follows after the mention of them T is added thus He shall deliver from the Assyrian The warre was by direction from him and order to him State policie hath oftentimes betrayed the publike to a false peace by not putting Christ into the treaty Let nothing be concluded now that may make the heart of the righteous sad by yeilding to any thing dishonourable to their Master creditable to his Enemies or frustrancous to their hopes who have held and set you up they are the Pillars of the earth * sinke them not 2. Advance Christ over the Church that 's more immediately his own house * Let no man usurpe to himself an intruding power here you would not indure it in your own Let additions or detractions here incurre your curse as well as Gods z If they can not shew That they have received of the Lord that which they deliver unto you * let it be Anathema These things if you do Christ will be peace in the Common-wealth whereas now nothing but bloudshed Peace in our Schools of learning whereas now nothing but contentions Peace in the Church where now nothing but Schismes Peace with or prevalency over forraign Nations whereas now it may be feared they are in preparations of warre against us and that upon great advantage It was Abijahs encouragement unto victory and peace by it against Jeroboam That the Kingdom Church and worship of God was in that frame that God had set it a Object If it be objected that this Christening as it were the whole body of the Church and State in an universall dedication of it unto him is not feasible We answer Resp. That if Satan amongst the antient Heathens moulded the Common-wealth to the square of his worship and Mahomet rules in the state among the Turks as well as in Religion and Antichrist amongst his vassals hath been able to sway the Scepter as well as the Miter Shall these be the strong men and Christ the weak Sure we are that Gods own people had their Common-wealth squared according to the Church and the Government of the Prince regulated by the precept of God as at large is set down by Moses in the Law touching the King b Howsoever If you do what your duty is withall your soul and with all your might This
Christians as soon as they had Laws as under Maximinus * and Valentinian * the reformed Churches * our own Bishops as Jewell Abbot Bilson Andrewes and Princes as Queen Elizabeth * King James * and His present Majesty in His expedition to Rochell but this Argument being fully handled by others we here passe it Thus farre we have considered the parts of the Text severally now consider them joyntly and so there will flow this 5 5. Observ. That When such an adversary as was the Assyrian shall invade such a Nation as was this of Judah at that time Christ will then be peace to such a people To cleare this consider 1. what kinde of adversary the Assyrian was 2. Who the people of Judah were 1. The Assyrian was of Cham the accursed seed t 2. A proud insolent enemy full of scorn and contempt of the people of God u 3. Full of blasphemy against God x 4. Pretending Gods authority for what he did y 5. Pressing the consciences of Gods people with the most horrid crimes that might be against God and man against God overthrow of his worship z against man rebellion a 6. A cruell adversary as was shewed before b 7. An unreasonable enemy that nothing would satisfie but religion bodies and estates c He would carry them out of their own Land 8. A persidious adversary for having accepted of Hezekiahs satisfaction he yet returns with his Army d 9 A seditious adversary appeals to the people e 10. A flattering and fair promising Adversary f but ayming at ruine of Law Religion Liberty Estates g 11. A slanderous adversary against those that stood for the publike good calling them deceivers and imposters h 2. The people of Judah were 1. The people of God who had Christ among them in the legall worship 2. At this time an humbling and reforming people both in point of Gods worship and of themselves i 3. A people submitting to any reason k 4. A resolved people to keep the Religion Law and Liberty God had given them l and industrious thereunto 5. Prudent to take all courses for their security and to prevent any advantage to the enemy m 6. A people that rested upon and were obedient unto under God those of whose fidelity they had proofe n 7. Lastly A people that carried it in a religious way so as to keep God with them depending especially upon him and resigning themselves up to him o 2. Further proof of this by testimony of Scripture we shall omit and onely hint to the reasons which may be Reason 1 1. Gods honour is engaged both in respect of his people I Wrought for my names sake that it should not be polluted among the heathen in whose sight I had p brought thee out three times repeated in that Chapter 2. In respect of the enemy shall not my soul be avenged on such a people at this p 2. Gods truth only which always even upon humiliation hath promised deliverance as multitudes of Scripture testifie q much more when the adversary provokes him to do it as Sol speaks of rejoycing at an enemies hurt that a man so doing does provoke God to turn his hand from him r 3. Gods constancy being he hath once done it we may not doubt him for he is without variablenesse or shadow of change The Jews plead this to Pilate to do as he had ever done Å¿ and Christ himself our fathers trusted in thee and thou didst deliver them t The Vse is for incouragement and exhortation The enemy hath done half our work by being so bad Let not us by our hardnesse of heart loose the benefit by not doing the other To conclude therefore There remains a rest for the people of God u and a Judgement written for his adversaries x Let not us be as the old Israelites whom God was forced to consume before hand that they might not see the good he would do for his people y This do therefore and live Humble we our selves this day under the mighty hand of God God z That he may lift us up apply we our selves unto This man the Lord Christ that he may be our peace Resolve we to stand to our Protestation of defending him with our Lives Liberties and Estates And then in that day it shall be said This to wit This man in the Text is the Lord and we have Waited for him and we Will rejoyce in his salvation for in this place shall the hand of the Lord rest and Moab the false Brethren and implacable Adversaries of the Church shall be trodden down as Straw is trodden down for the dunghill a Errata PAg. 3. Line 11. For Gods read God with a Comma p. 6. l. 19. Put out so Same page last line but one for thus this r. thus this pag 7. lin. 4. fax Chaldee Kings r. Chaldee Kings p. 21. l. 23. put out with p. 25. l. 8. adde if there were an before Ahab and for will r. would l. 10. after matters adde there were an and after Ahaz for will r. would p. 27 l. 28. after he adde Papist and Cavalier p. 28. last line but one for mouth r. master p. 30. 1 6 for partly Gods r. ply God p. 31. l. 10. for him r. God p. 39. l. 17. for him r. my holy hill l. 27. after Pilate adde who l 28. for because r. becames FINIS * â— Act. 13. * Isai. 45.17 * Isai. 9.6 * Isai. 9.6 * Isai. 66.9 * Gal. 6.9 Introduction to a 2 cor. 6.1 b Iob. 33.17.23 c 1 cor. 7.20 d luc. 12.57 e 1 Thes. 5.11.14 f Bph. 4.11.12 1 Tim. 4.15 Rom. 13. 6. g 1 Tim. 5.22 cap. 4.14 h Tit. 2.15 * Paul being to write to the Romans in the very first words proposes his vocation Rom. 1.1 a luc 12.42 b 2 Tim. 2.15 c â— Ezâ—k. 13 â—â—iâ—cium d Iam. 5 13.14 e 2 Tim 3 15. The Text â—opened from 1 the time of this Prophesy a occasion a 2 King 18.9.13 cap. 24 10. 3 scope 4 Arguments 1 humbling from 1 their sinne in the 1 variety of it 2 degree 3 universall a cap. 3.1 b cap. 7 4. c cap 3.3.5 4 wilfull d cap. 2.1 5 Incorr rigible a Cap. 3.11 b Cap. 2.6 2 Arguments humbling from the judgements 1 Many 2 Gâ—ievous 3 Vniversall 4 Deliberate 5 Determined 2 Consolatory where 1 A caution premised c cap. 1.3.4 C. 7.13 2 Arguments of comfort propounded by promises 1 Secondary 1 Fundamentall in christ who is d Cen. 3.15 a 2 Cor. 1.20 b Psal. 89.3 1 Described from His place of birth 2 Person 3 Office 4 Time of appearing c Ier. 306. d O siander in 〈◊〉 5 Performances for the Church 1 In Generall a Applyed to the comfort of the Church in the present straight mentioned in the text whereof the 2 Comfort
apply and practise such parts of the word as their present estate whereunto providence hath brought them cals for d because the word conteynes the whole Councell of God concerning us e and the workes of providence are the finger of God pointing to that portion wee have need of now This is a time of Iacobs troubles wherein hee knowes not what to doe but his eyes are towards God and a word from him saying this is the way walke in it will be welcome now and it is a time of Rachels weeping for her Children and some oyle to this wound of Spirit would bee suppling now And it is a time of Ionahs unfeared perils and a voice of rowsing would bee usefull here to save a drowning Now all these the Prophet Micah will helpe us to in the Text now read which must be first opened to our understandings and then from thence somewhat observed for our use and practice First Wee shall understand it in some measure if wee consider first the coherence which will be playner if wee reflect upon First the time when and the persons to whome this prophesie was spoken that was in the dayes of Iotham Ahaz and Hezechiah Kings of Iudah the history of whom you have 2 Kings cap. 16.17 18.19 and 2 Chron. cap 27 28.29.30.31.32 Secondly the occasion of the Prophesie and that was the provoking sins and the pressing calamities viz. The Assyrian invasion and the Babilonian Captivity inevitably hanging over the head of that people the former whereof came to passe in the fourth and fourteenth yeare of Hezekiah the latter in the time of Iohoiachin Kings of Iudah Thirdly the scope of the Prophet which is 1 generall to all viz the awaking of them from security in sinning to a seriousnesse in repenting 2 special 1 in respect of the wicked their conviction that being warned they might be without excuse 2 in regard of those that belong to God their humiliation conversion consolation and preparation for the evill day certainly comming upon them Fourthly the arguments he useth for the attayning this end which are of two sorts I such as serve for conviction and humiliation and they are taken from I their sinne by opening I the variety of it I against Gods corruption of his worship by Idolatry cap. 17. and the contempt of his word cap. 2.6 Secondly against men by cruelty and oppression cap 2. 2. treachery and dissembling cap. 6.12 Thirdly against themselves intemperance cap. 2.11 and pride cap. 2. â— and there is added by Hosea who Prophefied in the same time and to the same people divers other sinners Secondly the degree their Idolatry so grosse that it was in a spiritual as whoredome yea professed Harlotry in a bodily way cap. 1.7 their oppression so horrid that it was like plucking of the skin tearing the flesh and breaking the bones cap. 3.2 their intemperance so sottish that they thought the Prophets that did not countenance it unfit for that imployment as cap. 2. 11. is intimated their deceit so abhominable that no relation naturall or civill could be a barre unto it cap 7.5 Thirdly the universality and spreading of it I Over the civill state the Princes hated the good love the evill a the rest of the people the best of them a Briar and the most upright a Thorne b Secondly over the Ecclesiasticall covetousnesse of the Priests and Prophets as the end flattery and cruelty as the meanes c Fourthly the willulnesle of their sinne they transgressed not in passion but with deliberation They imaginea msthese upon their beds d Fifth lastly the incorrigiblenesse of their sinne and security in it the Heads judge for reward and the Priests taught for hire and yet say Is not the Lord amongst us none evill can come upon us a And therefore when reproved for these things by the Prophets they said Prophesie not to them that prophesied b A second sort or humbling Arguments are taken from the judgements determined upon their sinnes which also may be proportioned to them First they were Various warre having in the wombe of it all other calamities Secondly Grievous Zion shall be ploughed as a field Ierusalem shall become heapes and the Mountaine of the house as the high places of the Forrest Cap. 3. 12. Thirdly Vniversall The incurable mound had not onely laid the land waste Cap. 7. 13. but was come up unto Iudah even to the gâ—â—e of Ierusalem Cap. 1.9 Fourthly it was deliberate judgement pronounced long before the execution Fifthly and lastly an inexorable judgement called therefore a Decree Cap. 7.11 Cap. 3.4 Secondly for the comforting of Gods people the Prophet doth First intimate a caution viz. that he would not be understood as if they were to expect a totall avoidance of the affliction for the comming of it was a determined thing c that which they were to expect was only comfort and incouragement against it and that he first doth by proposing many promises of supportation in deliverance from and glorious times after the affliction of those dayes Cap. 4. throughout Secondly By laying downe the ground and giving a pledge of those promises in that fundamentall one touching the Messiah Cap. 5. 2. who was both the meanes and the earnest of consolation in and deliverance from all their adversaries and adversities for that seed of the woman was one day utterly to breaks the Serpents head d and in the meane time the Serpent should never be able to doe more then bruise his hâ—â—lps according to that all the promises of God are in him yea and in him Amen a That is sealed and delivered to the Church hence the Psalmist being to improve the promises of deliverance laies that as the corner stone Thou hast made a Covenant with thy chosen thou hast sworne unto ' David thy servant b That is unto Christ whose Type David was as Peter expounds it Acts 2. 30. Now that our Prophet might the more convictively set this encouragement on First he describes him particularly 1 From his place Thou Bethlelem Iudah art not the least among the thousands of Iudah for out of thee shall come c. Cap. 5.2 2 From his person 'T is he whose goings out were from everlasting either in respect of his eternall generation or in regard 't is he that hath been alwayes proposed to the Church as the anchor of its hope Cap. 2.3 3. From his office that he should be the Ruler and Shepheard of his people Ver. 2. 4. 4 From the time when he should be more fully manifested and that was when she that travelled should bring forth Ver. 3. That is either the time of the comming in of the Assyrian or else the Babilonish captivity and that following time till Christ which should be so grievous as if men were in travell
there be something of late by you in this kinde published yet it is left Arbitrary an exact urging of it under a serious penalty and more large and particular expressions is that we sue for and that by example of the Scriptures named in one whereof the mulct of noncovenanting was no lesse then death r And for this we may take these few Motives 1. The Land hath not been expiated of the blood Idolatry Persecution Luxury and Profanenesse wherewith it hath been long desiled because there hath been no particular formall and Nationall humiliation enjoyned for them 2. Sin will be much restrayned mens hearts will tremble and their faces blush to commit those sins which before God and man they have renounced 3. The Covenant of Grace it self whereof such as this are but branches would be better thought on and more looked into 4. It would certainly recover us because this course never failed as appears in the former examples thence that of Shecaniah We have trespassed against our God yet there is hope in Israel concerning this now therefore let us make a Covenant Å¿ 5. Gods Honour would be recovered which by our sins we have so much blemished and caused the enemies of his Truth to blaspheme 6. Our fear would be secured by a certainty of Gods presence and protection against all perills Enter into covenant With the Lord thy God and unto his Oath that he may establish thee to day for a People unto himself and that he may be a God unto thee t And yet this people as those formerly named were in generall Covenant with God before 7. Our consciences howsoever will be cleared and especially yours in whose hands alone this power resides when we have done that Which is our duty to do whereof this in such exigencies as these as was shewed before is a speciall part 8. It will be a great prevention of totall separation from this Church whose main Argument is That we are Christians at large but come to no particulars which they conceive essentially necessary Hence 9. Lastly The godly Ministry would be better enabled to discern and repell Communicants and the Brethren to admonish one another By this the Church of England might become as one Congregation in serious profession separated from the world as that of Gods ancient people was united to Christ and enjoying holy Communion with him 2 2. Retain Christ by stablishing him 1. In Corroborating the Laws already made for him This will be taken by him , as a speciall entertainment For 1. then he will see he hath some assurance of continuance 2. In every Law there is authority and in all authority a vein of Soveraignty so that this will be as the putting of the Crown upon his head 2. By enacting one Law for the execution of the rest and especially this of urging the Covenant before mentioned at certain set times as at every Sacrament or as to your wisedomes shall seem fit Thus when Christ hath assurance of quiet possession he will set himself to do the Kingdom good and of this we have proof in the Churches of Scotland and Geneva yea in the example mentioned above in the time of Asa upon the main Covenant they made another That whosoever Would not seek the Lord and stick to the Covenant they should die the death whether small or great man or Women u 3 3. Advance Christ The higher sphere the Starre moves in the greater influence it hath upon the inferiour Orbes hence when an excellent spirit was found in Daniel he was set over all the Province of Babylon where Christ is lowest there is least peace Witnesse Ireland Wales and the Northern parts of this Kingdom And here might I take leave I should present a Table not of direction but remembrance in many severalls of our humble wishes in this particular much of which though proper to the Ministry in point of advice and execution yet all belongs to you in regard of injunction and authority 1 1. Then give him more room that he may expatiate Himself persons of great ability must have large Provinces to command and act in cast him into Ireland Wales and the Northern parts and see if his fruit be not peace The Lamps in these Earthen Pitchers when they break will encourage Israel and confound the Midianit's x Let no Candlestick then be without a burning and shining one if it may be nor any place without a Candlestick some spheres are too large for the Agent too great Congregations are more for the Priests then the Ministers or Peoples benefit T is true here We must divide if rule 2 2. Make provision for him 1 Plentifully T is not thrift but folly to starve the light Once indeed and in one place upon a speciall scandall The Apostle Labours working with his own hands but else where he saith That God hath ordained that those that preach the Gospel as well as those that did the Law should live of it and that Without muzling or straitnesse y A little oyl makes a dym Lamp a small entertainment makes the guest suspitious of his welcome But 2 2. Prudently We desire you should know his quantum and proportion Our moderation must be known to all men z and the Ministry especially must shew that the Kingdom of God is not in meat and drink nor of this world they especially must exercise the life of faith for themselves and theirs and having competency be there With content a those that will not are unfit for this service They must be like Birds that sip a little and look upward But this note may seem to some superfluous here that think this honourable Assembly means not onely to pare the nails but cut the flâ—sh Notwithstanding we doubt not but that of crrours you will decline the left hand one as well as tother 3 3. Furnish him with Instruments Christ here was peace but the means of Communicating it was by the seven Shepheards and eight principall men Fit Christ with servants 1. By principling those places of education Schools and Vniversities with him That they may have more of Christ in them and lesse of the children of strangers b especially youth till they know how to refuse the evill and choose the good All sects season their Disciples first with the Tenets of their Master according to the story of the Abbot that reproved the young Fryer for reading the Testament bidding him first acquaint himself with the rule of Saint Francis here if anywhere that of Solomon holds Train up a childe in the way he should goe c 2. Those that are inclined to Christs service in the Ministry let them have tuition and direction in that as well as learning in other faculties yea and common trades besides generall abilities men take speciall information in divinity theirs much more need because the consequence is farre more dangerous and
Court and your persons shall be guiltlesse And the Kingdom if they will not have the Lord Jesus to raign over them shall know That there have been Prophets to teach and a Parliament to establish Christ among them That there is a more tollerable for Sodome and Gomorrah then for this nation hanging over them Shake off the dust of your feet it shall be a testimony against them I began the exhortation to this honorable Assembly with some Motives to the advancing of Christ so let me end it Consider therefore That Christ hath done for you what in this kinde he requires of you 1. He hath brought you into a relation of his own which is of publike and common persons He is the chief representative person that ever was being from all eternity given a head unto the Church c In like manner each of you stand for multitudes some for hundreds some for thousands and some for ten thousands t is Christ that hath bent the heart of so many for to him is all power committed d over the hearts of men to commit their lives posterities and estates yea souls to your faithfulnesse wisedom and courage 2. He hath continued you when the adversaries device was onely to put you out and non-Parliament you He sate in heaven and laughed them to scorn discovered their plots enervated their force and drew the hearts of the people their purses and persons to cover your heads in the day of battle T was the men onely whose hearts the Lord touched that followed Saul who was then zealous to fight the Lords Battells e 3. Christ hath advanced you to be fellow souldiers with himself in joyning the sword of the Law with that of the word to the slaying of the man of sinne and casting down his strong holds to purge his own house set up his Lamps to take off the yoak from the neck of his people to lay meat before them to execute the Judgement that is written against his adversaries Hath delivered you from the strivings of the people hath taught your heads to Councells of peace your hands to actions of warre and hath given you many glorious victories in the day of battell Though sometimes the people of God have fled before the men of Ai because perhaps there hath been an Athan in the camp or an Achitophell in the Councell or an evill and unbeleeving heart to depart from the living God not putting our trust in his help Now then for a recompence be ye also enlarged Admit retain and advance him who hath done all these for you 2. The observation will also afford a direction to the Ministry who should be sonnes of peace we preach-for peace and behold warre because we propose this opinion and that reason and the other authority but not This man Our pressing of the Law should end in Christ our exhortations to holinesse begin at him so the Apostle in the Churches Catechisme the Epistle to the Romans f 3. This truth will direct also the people who all gape for peace That they take heed they spit not out Christ for he is the Peace both to the Kingdom and if they will receive him to their Consciences but with this proviso That he himself be the peace they hope for because he that loves not the Lord Jesus though never so desirous of his benefits shall be faith the Apostle Anathema Maranatha g How can they expect peace by Christ who oppose or care not for his person Ministers Ordinances and people Thus farre the second generall of the Text the Last propounds The means or manner how Christ will be peace when the Assyrian shall come and that is exprest in these words We will raise up against him seven Shepheards and eight principall men Which we should first have opened but the discourse is much too large already referring therefore the Text to Hezekiahs time as was noted before for then only they were according to the letter delivered from the Assyrian And our Prophet was in Hezekiahs time * Observe That a state being invaded in hostile manner to the overthrow of their Laws and Liberties contrary to Covenants and Agreements by those that should protect them may defend themselves in the same Way raise up Officers and draw others into their society for that purpose This will appear by considering 1. The relation that Judah had to the Assyrians at this time which was a relation of subjection and servitude and therefore t is said of Hezekiah h when he brake this relation that he rebelled and served not 2. The occasion of this relation and that was the securing of themselves in the time of Ahaz i Father to Hezekiah against Rezin and Pekah Kings of Syria and Israel To which end Ahaz offers to Tiglath-Pilnezer King of Assyria his service and by consent of the Kingdom as it seems emancipates it to him in a perpetuall homage and league offensive and defensive whereupon he came and delivered them 3. The violation and that first on the part of Hezekiah k but that being reconciled and satisfaction made and accepted whereby the relation was again renewed and he became Senacheribs servant it was afterward broken by the Assyrian l who would have them now not as servants any more but as slaves and would have their persons and estates to dispose of at his own pleasure contrary to Covenants which extended only to hommage and acknowledgement of his superiority and seigniory Here upon the State i. e. The King with the advise of his Nobles m 1. Denies him and 2. when he labours forceably to put on what he had illegally required he resists him in the same way he came i. e. By Arms and withall solicites and obtains the Egyptians as Rabsake◠n intimates and the Ethiopians as Interpreters o conceive to assist him Judging that as they were free frō the obligation of doing so much more being a state from the necessity of suffering unlesse God had given speciall command for it as he did afterward to Zedekiah p So Ahab q when Benhadad King of Syria to whom he was tributary and his vassall q for he calls him his Lord the King r and confesses himself to be his and all that he had ſ yet when reason would not satisfie but besides the Dominion he would have possession of all they had Ahab upon the advise of the Elders and people refuses the Syrian invades they stand upon their Guard and by Gods blessing utterly rout him 2 2. It might be proved from the lesse to the greater the examples of particular men against the violence of their Princes in Scripture as of David * the people rescuing Jonathan * Elisha * the Priests resisting Vzziah * c. if time permitted might be freed from exceptions brought against them 3. From the practise of the Church downward as the Macchabees * the