His faithfulnesse to deâ—er no longer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys Tom. 4. Epist 1. I say in such an exigence God must helpe He stands bound to it You have protested to take Him for your God He hath protested to take you for his people You have sworne and by the good hand of God upon you you vvill stand to the Oath and He hath sworne by what By Himself by all that is in Himselfe and He is all You vvill stand to your Oath that 's supposed He vvill stand to His Oath that must not be doubted You rejoyced at the Oath He vvill rejoyce over you to do you good It must be so ye have strucke hands together Ye may say The Lord must remember me How with the favour He heareth unto His people d Ps 106. 4. He must visit me now with His Salvations that is with a great Salvation When I am at the pits brinke one shocke throwes me downe then vvith reverence be it spoken He must deliver me He must come-in at the fourth-watch when there is no helpe from Earth then the Arme of the Lord must be revealed from Heaven I am His and He my God a God in Covenant The OATH of GOD is betwixt us by His good hand upon me I will stand to it and then He must stand by me I am thine â— save Ps 7. 1. me It vvâ—s Davids argument and prevailed still SAVE me for I TRVST in THEE The Church saith it had beene a vvonder if God had not done for you even so for you are His sworne Servants The Church commands me now to proceed on in declaring this wonderfull worke vvhich the Lord so strangely and as graciously by your meanes brought about To bring your selves and the Nation into Covenant with Himselfe I shall not meddle vvith the severall heads or charges in the same vvhich vvould take up more roomth then herâ— can be allowed Religion is the chiefe head there are the spirits and a great binder it is it bindes a people to their God and God to the people I proceed herein in this order first 1. What this PROTESTATION is to you and all that stand to it 2. What a discovering note it is to your Adversaries 3. The Church will put-up a short prayer to her God 4. Then a Supplication to you In all this you shall have but an Abstract out of a large Volume or Theame rather nothing taken thence but an addition thereunto ¶ 1. A Rocke of DEFENCE to the Righteous THis PROTESTATION is to you and all that have taken it and will stand to it b 2 Chron. 34. 32. a SELA-HAMMAHLEKOTH c 1 Sam. 23. 28. a Rocke of Separation betwixt you and your Adversaries nothing shall be able to reach you to doe you hurt Should the Lord fill all the Inhabitants of the Land even the Kings and the Priests and the Prophets with drunkennesse so He hath done for the sinnes of a Nation as He threatneth d Ier. 13. 13. Should He dash them one against another even the Fathers and the sonnes together e ver 14. for so He threatens also in the same place Why yet you should be safe none of all these shall come neare you to hurt you Why so Because you are a people in covenant with your God and He with you Looke you to it how ye stand to it for this followes TROVBLED ye may be on every side f 2 Cor 4 8. no doubt of that and so you may say you shall say withall yet not DISTRESSED PERPLEXED ye may be not knowing what way to take or what to doe but not in DESPAIRE PERSECVTED yee shall bee but not FORSAKEN CAST-DOWN ye may be but not DESTROYED ye may be set as on fire round about ye shall not be consumed Why so The same answer and it answers all Arguments even the Jesuites their fire and sword the hardest words and most violent deeds ye are in covenant with your God nothing shall come unto you to doe you HVRT No Plague shall come to your dwelling as a plague Though great Letters are written upon your door yet the Plague is not there for all that God is with you even YOVR GOD He will save you even from that Destroyer it shall but reach your body at the furthest The time will come when you will say your head akes and your heart too nay it fainteth and yet heare what the Lord saith The Inhabitant shall not say I am SICKE g Esa 33 24 Why so The people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity h I beare any thing now my sins are pardoned Mâ—â— ad in vita Lutheri p. 168. â— â— Ps 73. 2â— Looke ye there My flesh and my heart faileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever â— That stils and quiets all God at peace with me and all is peace God in Covenant with me in Christ reconciled to me if so I am not SICKE my sinnes are forgiven all is well with me for God is with me and HE is ALL health strength riches All. See how efficacious this Covenant is if we STAND to it nothing shall stand against us nothing shall come unto us to do us HVRT that is first ¶ 2. As Sibboleth to the Wicked It discoveres the Priests and their People It hampers the Malignant though like possessed Men No Cords will hold the Papists Their obstinacy in Gods house how to judge of the Legality of an Oath THis PROTESTATION or sacred covenant is a Destinguishing character Thereby you shall know who is a true English-man Who a Treacherous Priest Papist or Malignant person Give it to a right English-man a True Israelite in whom is no guile He goes cleare and smooth away with it He takes it with all his heart and stands to it rejoyceth at the Oath k 2 Chro. 15. 15. that is he pronounceth it right Give it to the Priests they will refuse it or fumble at it they cannot frame to pronounce it right â— Present it to the Papist you shall see vvhat he will doe anon This is to the Priests the two Armies of them to the Papists also as SIBBOLETH to the Ephraimites l Iud. 12. â— Now you shall know whose eyes are evill against you because your eye is good and you are resolved to doe the thing that good is Now yee shall see who they are that puffe at you deride you blow their nose at you b Luk 16. 14. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Because you vvould have them protest to take God for their God and not their bellies to bind themselves in covenant with Him as the very word Religion imports But see how their mind and affection stands They protest to take God for their God! no not they Their belly ease profits pleasures are their gods these and other Lords have ruled over them and they shall rule by their meanes So now you know them their
they vvould have So he said What were these gods Stocks and Stones some of them Divels few did him a little good at somtime in conceit the most a great deal of hurt but he offered so liberally to all because he would please all that some might do him good others might doe him no hurt d Aust de civit l. 8 13. Placâ—ndi sunt Dij mali ne laedâ—nt boâ—â—i invocandi ut profiâ—â— Enquire now and so thou shalt understand His Will the better VVhat is thy God As we reade The God That made the Heaven and the Earth The Father of the Lord Jesus Christ the God before whom thou dost walk b Gen 49. 25. the God Who hath fed thee all thy life long unto this Day The God Almighty Who hath blessed us with the blessings of Heaven above blessings * Gen. 4. 15. of the deep that lieth under blessings of the brest and of the womb But when I have said God I have said all Mercy goodnesse wisdome power riches all only this was not said That He so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Sonne c. What wilt thou do now for this God and His Christ Thou wilt understand what His will is first Thou dost well So thou shalt His will shall be cleared unto you as the Sunne beame This is His will even thy Sanctification c 1 Thes 4. 3. His will the very Law of His will but His will is His Law an holy Law and His will revealed is our Law that wee should sanctifie His Name aâ—d His Day heare His word aâ—d doe it that is His will walke as people in Covenant with Him as children of the light honestly d Rom. 13. 13. as in the Day soberly righteously and godly in this present world e Tit. 2. 12. not in rioting and drunkennesse not in strife and envying not as Arabians Sabeans and Chaldeans Papists and Atheists men without God in the world robbing spoyling pillaging not as the fishes in the Sea where the greater devoure the lesser a Hab. 1. 14. not as Devils b 1 Tim. 2. 12. slandring each other not as his eldest sonnes children of Beliall breaking yoakes and casting away bands and girdles under a pretence of being freed from fetters not so for this is after the lust of the Divell most contrary to the will of God which is as was said Holy just and good It is impossible we should be ignorant of it Why then Thou knowest what the will of thy God is and Thou seest Who steere their course thereafter by the helpâ— of God and the Law You see who doe contend for the Faith for Religion for thâ— Gospell call it what you will It is that whereto the Prophets and Apostles have sealed and so transmitted it to the generations following and from them it came streaming downe unto us in the blood of the Martyrs under the shadow whereof this Church hath enjoyed her Sabbaths rest and peace these foure-score yeares and upward So long have we set in peace under this coveâ—ing For this the Nobles have contended and are resolved to resist the opposers of it unto blood And is it not Gods will they should so doe Yes more cleared unto them then if it could have bin written with the Sunne beame And is it not their bounden duty so to doe No question to be made of that when it is clearly the will of God But I would rather their children shâ—uld answer here Certainly haâ— these Nobles failed at this point had they not given out their Male their strength in the managing thiâ— great businesse had they not contended here then had their Descendents put up a complaint against them doubled the same as we reade Bloody Fathers have ye bin to Exod. 4. 25. us bloody Fathers ye are Yee contended not for Religion ye neglected that ye were carelesse thereof and so of the good estate of future times unnto which ye knew ye must transmit and commend-over us your dearest pledges bloody Fathers ye are so they had complained Blessed be God they knew the will of their Lord and their bounden dutie and have done thereafter they have contended for this Faith and they will contend what is their life to them oâ— what regard to a new bâ—rne son If ICHABOD where is the glory that is gone They will contend for the Glory they will keepe it they are resolved so so to contend even as for life Ob. What contend against their King Is that the will of God An. A sillie Objection I had almost said wicked They contend for the King for the maintaining his Crowne Peace and Dignitie They contend for the maintenance of Religion and that is like the maintaining a Ship in a Tempest a sillie willâ—ull man and let him perish if he be not a sleepe that will not put forth his hand to maintaine the Ship now in distresse of weather if that lives he lives if that drowns be drownes Truly I have said all I can saie They that contend to maintaine Religion doe as those who contend to save their ship save that and that will save them The Nobles doe contend to maintaine Religion that ship and in so doing they contend for their King his life and peace for his everlasting Crown for the peace and honour of his people for the safetie of his Kingdomes that they may be the head and not the tailâ— the most honourable of Kingdomes All this they doe contend for for they contend for Religion that ship which carries three Kingdomes in it at once peace safetie lives liberties and all And is it not the will of God they should so contend It were folly to answer for it is blasphemie to doubt Then what wilt thou doe to helpe them and their cause against the Mightie It is the greatest the most hopefull cause the best the plainest and clearest as cleare as the Sunne beame the most legible cause that ever was heard or read of in the world What wilt thou doe now to rescue thy King from out of the hands of Murtherers The Land from out of the hands of spoylers The Laws of God and man from sons of Belial who would make all void What wilt thâ—u doe to helpe the Lord against these Nimrods mightie huâ—ters What wilt thou doe I say to helpe God and the cause of Christ Neither of them both do need thee He Whose cause it is can manage it without thee But so He is pleased to honour His Servants by calling them forth to helpe Him against the mighty And what wilt thou doe for Hâ—m and His cause Who was made a curse for thee gave His blood for thee what wilt thou doe for Him It is His will and command both that thou shouldest give in thy helpe the Male of thy flocke thy strength and chiefe of thy substance to Him and thou hast heard what an Heathen will doe in such a case then thou wilt
World She could stand still waiting the salvation of her God though indeed she sâ—w plainly That she was in a wildernesse where she saw no path Then the Church remembred the Lord and was comforted He is wonderfull in all His Administrations but especially in these which He worketh in a wildernesse Now the Church could leane on her Beloved O how willingly did she reach forth her hand to Him who is given a Leader and Commander to the people a Isa 55. 4. Marke that He is a sure Leader to His Church Who The Lord Christ for He commands her The Church heares no other voice obeyes no other but as commanding from His mouth and leading unto Him This in passage But I say how willingly and confidently did the Church reach forth her hand to this Leader and Commander she did assure her heart a 1 Iohn 3. 13. He would leade her because He doth command her He could and is able to leade her because He maketh a way in the Sea and a path in the mighty waters He bringeth forth the Charet and the Horse the Army and the Power b Isa 43. 15 16. c. The Lord did the same thing now He made a way in the Wildernesse and Rivers in the Desart So He lead His people even those Ver. 19. that are commanded by Him The manner how commands our Marke He brought the blinde by a way He lead them in paths that they have not knowne He made darknesse light before them and crooked things straight These things He hath done unto them and not forsaken them c Isa 42. 16. Truly This Scripture is this day fulfilled in our eyes The Church commands us to observe it in these particulars wherein it will appeare That the Lords Thoughts Thoughts of Mercy and of Peace were as high above mine or yours nay above the Churches Thoughts as the Heavens are above the Earth It appeareth d Isa 55. 8. â— thus SECT III. What our Thoughts were how high the Lords thoughts were above the Churches thoughts ¶ 1. OUr eyes were in the Heavens as in such times it is our manner a Sol nisi cum de sicit speâ—tatorem non haâ— â— c. Sen. â—nd behold they were very darke and covered with thick clouds Our thoughts were and strait-way thus we said there will be a great storme So it was a Starme indeed haile-stones and coles of fire beating sore â—gainst all expectation upon the hairy scalpe of the wicked Man but a sweet shower to the City of God sweetely and seasonably refreshing them as the after-raine the parched ground We looked up againe to Heaven whether else should we looke for peace seem'd to be taken from the Earth but behold it was very red I purposely speake in the Almanack-Mâ—kers Dialect strait way we said for such our Thoughts were it will be wind and so it was against all expectation and that which was threatned b Ier. 4. 11. a wind indeed but not a dry wind for it did fan and cleanse even a fâ—ll wind â—gainst high places scattering the wicked as with the breath of Gods mouth and so they did flee as the chaffe before the vvind or as they fled from before the Earth-quake c Zach. 14. 5. So they did flee but hearken what the Lord such He that fleeth of them shall not flee away and he that escapeth oâ— them shall not be delivered d Am. 9. 1 2 3. Thus the Lord hâ—th said for after-time and thus He hath done now ever blessed be His Name ¶ 2. VVE heard of warres and nothing but rumors of warres preparation thereto on every side strait way we said for our thoughts were The Sword will be bathed in Heaven e Esa 34. 5. it will be made drunke vvith the bloud of the slaine And so it was in part but it was in the bloud of the Men of blouds that were to call forth to battle and to be leaders thereunto A wonder this also and wrought by Him Who spake of old and made it good now Behold they shall surely gather together but not by Me whosoever shall gather together against Thee shall fall for thy sake f â—sa 44. 15 16 17. c. ¶ 3. VVE beheld here a Troope and there a Troope straight-way we â—aid Lord these are called forth to destroy Thy Iudah and to curse Thy Israel And it was so in the intention of the Adversary and a â—â—kely choyce he had made for they were of that number and choyce ones for that purpose to vvhom their spirituall Fathers so they will be called because they savour so much of the Spirit gave an Advousion of liberty and choyce of sports cryed downe by the Heathen g Aug. de civ Dei cap. 31 32 33. vvhich they might take on the Lords-day Certainly said Dion h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dion Orat. 79. speaking of Liberty Hee made bad Lawes indeed he gave a wicked Liberty and writ grievousnesse who prescribed such Decrees and gave such a Liberty which could please none but the bad Such a Liberty was this on the Lords-day which the Bishops gave to the people And see the luck of it the Bishops grant was too large it gave the people more scope then in manners they would take on the Lords-day and so thus they requited their great Dons vvhen it vvas expected that these people vvho had such an Advousion of Liberty as this from the hands of their good Lords should now gratifie the said Lords in fulfilling the whole pleasure of their will they did cleane contrary for vvheras they were called out to curse even these in their manner blessed altogether i Num. 23. 11. and threw-out vvhat the Bishops had brought-in the Rails and Mock-gods there What this people did more needeth not my Relation â—t is vvell known every vvhere all the Land over and vvell observed it vvas even as a vvonder in the eyes and ears of all ¶ 4. VVE saw some of these Troopes hasting towards the North gathered into a mighty body there Instruments of cruelty prepared and sent downe All meanes used vvhich Achiâ—ophel could suggest vve remember vvhat his councell vvâ—s even to make an irreconcileable difference betweene Father and Sonne all to set Ephraim against Manasses and Manâ—sses against Ephraim both against THY IVDAH And so it vvas in the intention of the Adversary But to say so now as one hath done vvhen he praid too vvere a bold arrogant and impious speech if not blasphemous for behold to the admiration of the vvorld Angels and Men the Breach made up a peace concluded and so concluded That it is a Statute now and an Ordinance in Israel That Iudah must rejoyce and Israel must be right glad So they vvill and they vvill tell it to their children and so down-ward and not barely so and no more but they vvill speake thereof vvith rejoycing vvhat the Adversary intended how the Lord disappointed
integrity obedience more beautifying then a Crowne performed to Gods command in sincerity This will doe it even all the fore-mentioned And we are convinced hereof by a common light and naturall principles and can conclude therefrom when we are our selves that vve should give out our strength and be most active for the first and last thing in the PROTESTATION To maintaine RELIGION in it's purity and the BROTHER-HOOD in Sincerity for therein are contained the very strength and spirits of the Covenant as hath been said and cannot be to often thought upon But now vvhat blunts the edge of our indeavours and affections this way comes now seriously to be considered on ¶ 3. Our Priests who pretend to lead us mislead us destroying all that the Church doth for our building up to the subverting of our soules and the putting out of a common light by their common and unclean conversation The Church points us to a more excellent way VVE are naturally blind and cannot see farre off * 2 Pet. â— 9. We are not instructed to discretion not so discerning as to approove the things that are excellent much lesse to contend for them And a great cause hereof is we are naturally stupid and blind a spirit of infirmity naturally boweth dovvne but I say a chief cause is without us in our guides and leaders for the most part blind and yet they leade us Many of them preach once in a Yeare perhaps some of them once a Moneth and not a sound word of Doctrine then comes from them but their TEXT Their practise is as bad it corrupts like a canker We observe that and nothing else we see they oversee nothing amongst us with any care or diligence but their Easter-booke and their Tythes all the yeare after That hath been the complaint against Bishops from Dayes of old to this present Day a See Hist of the Councel of Trent 2. p. 252. p. 216. Non magis de paÌ„scenâ—o grege cogi tant quam sutor de arando Pastors now a dayes the werst part of the think no more of feeding the flock then a Cobler do's of the plough Cal Ins 4. cap. 5. Sect. 1â— 13. And if our SEERS doe so we think and are perswaded we may do so too mind Earth and do well enough for Heaven for they do so and yet they know better and see farther then wee can see for they are called Seers The Lord unscale their eyes and unvaile their hearts and deliver His people from these murderers because of whom the Churches soul is wearied b Ier 4. 31. The Lord stirre up your hearts to pitty the Countryes round about yet more For vve are in a sad condition if we saw it Our Teachers are as you heare and the People content to have it so Truly had not the Oppressor touched us in that we make our god outward profits and Priviledges vve should never have complained what violence the Priests had done to the Law of God to the House of God to His vvorship there we regarded not but what violence the Judges did to the Laws of Man that we regarded and then vve could howle Truly we mind not what bands you have broke nor what yoakes c Facile est quicquid in praesenti seculo nocet illud grave illud perniciosum quod in aeternitate iugulabit Salv dâ— Eccl. Cath. l 2. 410. you have taken off the necks of Ministers Nor that you have advanced the Scepter of the Lord Christ and that worship which is according to the Rule and mind of God these things we mind not No nor that you have troubled the troublers the Achans That you have searched their Tents and found out the Babilonish garments We regard these things no more then Gallio did the beating of Sosthenes for so we are instructed Our Prophets for the most part prophesie to us of wine and strong drinke which pleaseth the sense well and our walking is thereafter we regard only our Oyle and Wine And yet upon sadder thoughts vvhen we think as men we are halfe convinced That this our walking is not right That rivers of Oyle and wine i. e the marrovv and fatnesse and fullnesse of the world is but emptinesse and will â—ot satisfie All this reacheth but to the body no farther and vvill leave us or vve them on this side the grave We can consider sometimes that vve have a Spirit within us vvhich is called the soule a vast large and capacious thing It can measure and graspe all the fore-mentioned all the things in the world and when all is done find but an emptinesse in all We are able to consider That the vvorld cannot satisfie this soule no more then can the East-wind the stomach It is Heaven and the great things there which can satisfie this great capacity vvhich can vviden and stretch forth it selfe like the Heavens The soule may goe from creature to creature as the Bee from flower to flower and be as restlesse still and as unquiet in its motion as is the needle not pointed right and so must be till it be pointed stedfast to Heaven All this vve can consider and upon due consideration approove the things that are excellent But then we behold our Priests and are quite off againe seeing them vvalke like men nay many of them more like beâ—sts I would rather my tongue were silent in darknes then it should cast a note of contempt upon outward civility These have not so much but as beasts could they phancy happines would place it in fat pastures and sweet waters so do these droves and heards of men This is a mighty snare unto us lead not so much by rule as by example * Persuadeâ— lingua iubet vitae Athan. ad Monachos The Tongue perswades the life commands We consider not what ought to be done but what is done by our betters and thereafter we practise as our leaders do as if what they did vvere well done and as if outvvard things could inwardly satisfie This digression is necessary declaring how our minds stand Now I must shew That the Church is of another mind and so make vvay to the scope ¶ 4. The Church desires to prosper as her soul may prosper Contends for the advancing of Christs Kingdom prefers inward enlargements before outward priviledges ESaues ENOVGH a Gen. 33. 9. Gen. 6. will not content the Church though that be much or a great deale Iacobs ENOVGH b Gen. 33. 9 1â— only contents her which inwardly satisfies and fills up the vast capacity of the soule This God alone doth Who is Iacobs ENOVGH for HE is ALL. The Churches Sons and Dâ—ughters looke after those things which may further them in their way Heaven-ward such things as will make their soules to prosper are to their mind and heart They looke after spirituâ—ll enlargements they would have their Lord Christ to be highly â—dâ—anced in the world It would rejoyce them at the heart to see
יהוה GOD IN THE FLAMING-BVSH EXOD. 3. 2. Moses looked and behold the Bush burned with fire and the Bush was not consumed EXOD. 3. 3. And he said I will now turne aside and see this great sight why the Bush is not burnt DEUT. 33. 16. Blessed of the Lord be His Land for the precious things of Heaven And for the precious things of the Earth and for the good-will of Him That dwelt in the Bush ESA. 63. 9. In all their affliction He was afflicted and the Angell of His Presence saved them Published for a memoriall of the first wonderfull yeare The day of the LORDS vengeance and yeare of Recompences for the controversie of Zion THE CHVRCHES THANK-OFFERING To GOD Her KING and The PARLIAMENT FOR Rich and ancient Mercies Her Yeares of Captivity Her first Yeare of IVBILE THAT IS For the Marvelous Deliverances Wrought with God the first Wonderfull Yeare since the Yeare 88 beginning at September 1640. and ending the ninth of the same Moneth following In all which time The Lord appeared for His Church as in the dayes of old out of the middest of the BVSH so the Church burn'd with fire and was not consumed In the PREFACE The THANK-OFFERING is vindicated and set free from all the Cavills and Charges against it Where also it is cleared To be as every Mans Duty so every Mans purpose To Offer Willingly now who doth not make full proofe that he falls short of Pagan Papist or Atheist and is wilfully resolved to walk crosse to the most SUPREME Law The HIGHEST Reason and The unquestionable WILL of GOD. 1 Chro. 17. 19. O Lord for Thy Servants sake and according to Thine own heart hast Thou done all this greatnesse in making known all these great things Psal 1â—6 17 I will offer to Thee the Sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call upon the Name of the Lord. Nehem. 5. 19. Thinke upon mee my God for good according to all that I have done for this people London Printed for T. V. at the signe of the Bible in Wood street 164â— TO THE LORD the most high GOD Possessour of Heaven and Earth TO IESUS CHRIST His only Son our LORD Prince of Peace King of Saints To the blessed SPIRIT the Truth and leading thereinto BLessed be Thy glorious Name which is exalted above all blessing and praise Thou alone workest wonders and in so doing hast magnified Thy Selfe and honoured man Thou shewedst signes and wonders upon Thy Adversaries for Thou knewest they dealt proudly against Thee So didst Thou get Thy selfe a Name as it is this Day and herein didst Thou use man as an instrument Dust and Ashes he is give him grace to magnifie Thee Blessed Saviour Rock of our Salvation Desire of the Nations Hope of Israel in time of trouble Thou wast content to be made of no esteeme that Thy people might be greatly beloved to be made a curse that Thy people might become a blessing content to be made low that Thou mightest exalt man So Thou hast done Thou hast exalted him even to sit in Thrones next to Thy selfe Give him an heart to exalt Thee to honour Thee to love Thee much for Thou art worthy Blessed Spirit Thou hast done great things and marvellous not by a Nihil aliundè mutuatur Deus ad Ecclesiae suae conservationeÌ„ ergò vult sibi Vni acceptam referri Ecclesiae satureÌ„ Cal. humane might nor by power but by Thy selfe b Zach. â— 6. Nec tamen omnia immediatè per se agit Deus sed tantum ostendere vâ—lâ— Ecclesiam erigi et conservari non humano vulgari modo sed mirabiliter praeter omnes spes sensus nostres Cal. in locum ô blessed Spirit saith the Lord of Hosts take to Thy selfe the Glory even all Almighty Father Sonne and Holy Ghost Trinity in Unity and Unity in Trinity unspeakably Three in One and One in Three One in Authority Will and Worship of all Three King of Kings Lord of Lords Spare Thy Servant according to the greatnesse of Thy mercy Thy hand-maid is recording Thy ancient thoughts of Grace and Peace towards Thy Servants her Sons and her Daughters Ancient mercies towards them when they lay in their blood for that was a time of love c Ezech. 16. 8. Mercies toward them exceeding Mercies when they were in the fornace of affliction for then Thou didst DWELL with them and they had ENOVGH Mercies towards her Land and People this former yeare strange Rescues wonderfull Deliverances admirable Discoveries what then can Thy Servant say now Even as Thou shalt be pleased to open her Mouth and give her inlargement She would take with her words d Hos 14. 2. but from Thy owne mouth and of Thy owne chusing Thou must give first for all things come of Thee and of Thine owne have we given Thee e 1 Chro. 29. 14. Thy servant must now speake Thy high Praises then Thou Lord must tune my spirit and raise it up else it will flag or like a Bird without wings now up and presently down How insufficient Thy Servant is for so high and excellent an imployment Thou knowest for Thou even Thou onely knowest the hearts of all the children of men f 1 Kin. 8. 39. At this present indeed now that I have some high thoughts of Thy glorious excellencies Thy Servant can speake as one brought downe to the ground whose speech whispereth out of the dust yet as one presently stolne away from her selfe she can with that Sorcerer thinke her selfe some GREAT ONE g Act. 8. 9. Lord rebuke this proud spirit and cast a spewing upon Selfe-glory h Hab. 2. 16. for truth Lord something it would be and something it would doe though a thousand experiences have told us that nothing it is nothing it can i Ier. 3. 5. but sinne against Thee Thy grace in us doth all no more power in selfe no more canning except the contrary way then can the instrument of late held in the worke-mans hand but now cast-out or lying by him Lord leave me not no not a little worke all in me and for me then worke by me for what we give to Thee is from Thy own hand to us first And though flesh and bloud would share here yet suffer it not but say where Thy voyce is there is power it shall not be so and so take to Thy self Thy proper right all the glory Let not so excellent a thing as the Spirit is so vast and capacious be lost in selfe which is nothing but let it runne forth to Thee and though it will be lost there also amidst such an Ocean yet there it finds a proportionable good even all in Thy self for Thou art All. Behold now I have taken upon me to speake unto my Lord that am but aust and ashes Thou wilt suffer this once and leade me into Thy Treasure-house to behold Thy mercies there which I am no more able to understand then I
not onely because they doe set their faces unto Thee to seeke by Prayer and Fasting c Dan. 9. 3. a great and good signe that Deliverance is comming-on that Thou art appearing in Thy glory d Ps 102. 16 17. because the Fatherlesse the Destitute pray unto Thee for this thing and are resolved to give Thee no rest But there are other Reasons why we should set our hope in Thee and that it is Thy meaning we should so doe which we shall speake of before Thee now and if it could be in the eares of all the Christian world for they are legible in all the peoples sight and most commanding we thinke to draw in others that are not willingly ignorant and to make them fall downe kisse Thy Sonne and trust in Him 1. We humbly conceive that Thine Adversary and Enemy shall proceed no farther Surely we say that is Thy meaning and purpose of Thy Heart because His folly is manifest unto all men e 2 Tim. 3. 9. 2. We conceive that Thy Adversary a Legion hath beene at the highest his verticall point and we see he is fallen thence Truth Lord he fals slowly now when his fall is like a milstone f Rev. 18. 21. with violence then it shall be mighty quicke and irrecoverable there is that in his fall now which in our haste we call slacknesse and we say in the same haste we may fall before him If so yet so as we shall rise with more strength and in more glory but he never to rise againe to that same point We conclude so for so Thy manner hath beene when the Adversary begins to fall he shall fall yet lower g Est 6. 13. when he ascends againe if he falls not low in humiliations it is up the Gallows h 7. 9. 3. The Adversary hath been proud as Moab VERT PROVD i Esa 16. 6. exceeding proud k Iâ—r 48. 29. as proud waters which went over the heads of the righteous We humbly conceive now they must be brought LOW VERIE LOW now they must be made Base EXCEEDING BASE even now 4. Prayer hath commanded wee looke above all meanes to Thy glorious Right-hand as strange a standing still of the starres in one place of the HEAVEN as was the standing still of the Sunne upon Gibeon and the Moone in the valley of Aialon l Iosh 10. 12. We humbly conceive Thy meaning thereby is and Thou wilt have it published to the whole Christian world That the great Court of Nobles and Worthies shall not arise from their place till Thou dost arise in all Thy peoples sight to avenge Thy selfe upon Thy Adversaries for all the dishonours they have done to Thy House Thy Day Thy Servants Thy Service c. Come Lord Jesu Thy Servants wait Thy comming Praise waiteth for Thee in Sion The souls under the Altar say COME multitudes we cannot number thousand thousand souls on the Earth wearied out because of these Murderers * Jer. 4. 31. all these say come The sighing of the needy and the oppression of the poore saith come Thy Day so prophaned saith come The spirit so grieved saith come Thy Spouse so often forced before Thy face saith come and because of the present feeling she doubles it Come Lord Jesus come quickly ease Thy selfe and Thy poore flocke of those Adversaries who have fed themselves and fleeced Thy Sheepe have made void Thy Law have taken peace from the Earth have valued precious soules no more then they doe old shooes * Am. 26. Come Lord Jesus come quickly and worke so that a man shall say verily there is a reward for the Righteous verily He is a God That iudgeth in the Earth Ps 58. 11. Thy Servant hath spoken doe Thou according to the greatnesse of Thy power and mercy for Thy words sake Thine owne sake Thy Names sake Thy Christ His sake Thy Churches sake His deare one the price of His blood His neare one as the Apple of His eye His only one His beloved one the Crowne of His sufferings the Glory of His shame and then will the Church ascribe power riches wisdome strength honour glory blessing to Him Who is worthy to receive all this for of Him and through Him and to Him are all things to Whom be glory for ever Amen TO THE HIGH COVRT OF PARLIAMENT The LORDS and COMMONS there assembled NOw the Church hath tendred Homage to her Lord you will give me leave to be her mouth to you and to neglect Titles when your workes render you truly Noble and Right Honourable so praising you in the Gates I know not how to give flattering Titles said Job a Iob 32. 27. for in so doing my Maker would soone take me away Since Thou wast precious in mine eyes Thou wast honourable b Esa 43. 4. saith the Lord and you will beleeve Him I cannot crave your Honourable Patience neither to heare me out let that be as your leasure serves I must doe my duty and being the mouth of the Church whose heart is full and thoughts not so composed I cannot so contract as I would others may reade who need information and receive benefit there-from while you worke Follow on your worke in Gods Name you worke for a good Master whose wages are sure and like Himselfe He gave an Heathen King for serving a great service no lesse then a great Kingdome the wages for his worke c Ezek. 29. â—8 You have done a greater service you may expect greater wages A Kingdome that cannot be shaken for so God will honour you We say surely you have honoured Him so blasphemed in the world so sleighted and dis-regarded there You have got your selves a Name Verily we conclude you have wrought singly and purely to advance the Glory and to get Christ a Name in the world which as it is the end so should it be the worke of the whole life Worke-on You shall prosper yet more though you have prospered already to a miracle and know for encouragement if you needed any That while You are so working not Man only but God also is Recording whose Records are never laid aside being ever in His eye While you are giving out for the publike Good all good people are giving in to you PRAYERS and THANKS great matters both The one turnes and wheeles about things to Admiration being the strongest engine in the world and the greatest stocke you have upon Earth alwayes gaining because always trading Heaven-ward Certainely the PRAYERS of the Church of all her Sons and Daughters all the world over are for you a mighty consideration these onely make Prayers the other party speake onely or curse rather they doe not pray And all their BLESSINGS as mighty and prevailing now as were the BLESSINGS of the Tribes that stood upon Mount Gerizzim are upon your heads and endeavours a Deut. 27. 12. shower of blessings Much may be gathered touching the strength and noblenesse of
You that have God for your Pilot if Hee steere your course certaine enough He does what ever straits or rockes there be you shall not dash against them Yea but there is the Leviathan he takes his pass-time in this Sea A mighty and grievous Adversary we meane LEGION for he is Many They heare and see that the walls of Jerusalem are made up and the breaches begin to be stopped f Neh. 4. 7. They will be as then they were very wrath As then the Adversary reported faining out of his owne heart That Nehemiah was King in Judah and the Jewes thinke to rebell very likely he will say as much now for malice boyles as hot in his heart now as then Therefore such scumme must run over at his mouth You have tormented him casting him forth and so have cheared the hearts of the Righteous and gauled the wicked yea cut them to the heart you doe expect now they will gnash on you with their teeth k Act 7. 54. and bite yea swallow you up if they can for they will speake devouring l Ps 5â— 4. words their mouth being an open sepulchre m Ps 5. 9. and the poison of Aspes under their tongues But let malice draw her bow with full strength and shoote forth her arrowes yet she shall not be able to wound you or if she doe these considerations will yeeld you soveraigne balme whereby to cure the venome thereof or to turne it into balsome and that is better 1. It hath been the manner alwayes To take away the Righteousnesse of the Righteous from him m Isa 5. 23. A notorious wrong that A little consideration will serve here for there is but one way to turn now ye will TURN to the LORD our RIGHTEOUSNESSE n Jer. 23. 6. That is a garment which all the unclean spirits in the world cannot defile There is one Consideration 2. Here below things are miscalled now as in former time The greatest Idolatresse and Murderesse that ever was in the world She had killed all the seed Royall excepting one and he was wonderfully rescued and preserved in the ISLE of PROVIDENCE calls out TREASON TREASON what was the matter This and no more she heard a noise saying GOD SAVE THE KING singing and praysing for all the people of the Land rejoyced and the City was quiet This was Treason doubled from her 2 King 11. mouth TREASON TREASON So also True Piety a sense of Duty is called Rebellion This opprobry hath been cast like dyrt into the face of all the true Ministers of Christ with this addition that 7. times washing in Jordan shall not wash it off No what had the Ministers done They would not proclaime a liberty for sports * Siccine exprimitur puâ—licum gaâ—â—iam per pâ—â—lâ—cuâ— deâ—ecâ—â— c â—eâ—tul cap. 37. on the Lords day c. Well you have been judge in this case you have outed that blasphemer his places shall know him no more You have cast him out where the unsavoury salt is for he is not like unto it but the very same So let all thy Adversaries be cast out O Lord who blaspheme Thy Name daily calling good evill and evill good Thy servants by their OWNE d Exulem me de suo nomine vocat Cicer. Parad. Name and that is as bad as can be But now this is the point we have in hand how persons and things are miscalled here below Loyalty is called Treason and so backward Oppression is called Justice that which is truly Law is called Violence and Violence is called Law The vile person is called liberall and the churle bountifull e Isa 32. 5. The Messengers of the Churches and the glory of Christ are miscalled blasphemed as we heare and reade Thus we call things and persons now It shall be otherwise here on earth towards the end of the world as it was in the beginning when every thing shall be called by it's proper name and according to it's nature The vile person shall be called as he is and the churle as he is And as it shall be done here below on earth so it is now done above in Heaven That consideration yeelded much comfort to the servants of God in ancient time and so it will do now f Quae hic mala putantur haec sunt in coelo bona Lact. 5. 15. 3. We reade of Petilians tongue as fiery a flying serpent as any is now in the world It stung Augustine exceedingly it scorched the Church as it could Augustine seems either not to feele it or not to care for it two strawes for using another Metaphor he sayes thus Petilian blowes hard but all his wind blowes away nothing but the chaffe Thanks be to God PETILIANS TONGUE IS NOT CODS Lingua Petiliani non est ventilabrum Dei FAN He will not loose one graine of wheate by all this blustering wind That was his consideration then and very comfortable it was then it is yours now and it is as comfortable now 4. Consider Dayes of old since man was created upon the earth and you will find the proverb true An unjust man is an abomination to the Just g Pro. 24. 21. and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the h Isa 32 5. wicked And so though you cannot ward off a blow from the tongue for it wounds suddenly and undiscerned and more deeply then any sword i Quovis gladio acutior calamnia c. Lips Orat. de Calum being as an arrow shot out k Jer. 9. 8. yet you know a Dogs tongue is healing if he be not mad and grant he be so and so goes about the City grinning yet these considerations yeeld you balme enough to cure the poison thereof You have but Anger 's first weapons l Prima semper irarum tela maleâ—â—cta sunt quicquid non possumus imbecilli optamus irati Salv de Gub. l. 3. pag. 81. yet Devouring words you must expect violent hands hard and ungodly deeds whole Armies against you while you are for Christ Troopes after Troopes from all quarters such a Muster or Combination rather as you reade of m Psal 83. for the Lord Almighty hath taken to Himselfe great power and hath reigned What then It followes And the Nations were angry n Rev. 11. 17 18. So they are now and for the same reason very angry and full of wrath Consider now the Lord Christ is King be the earth never so unquiet Yet he raigneth then most gloriously amidst His enemies o Ps 110. When they make a tumult and speake in their pride Zion shall be defiled and our eyes shall looke upon her p Mich. 4. 11. Consider now what that zealous Reformer said who set his face like a flint Be not afraid remember the LORD who is GREAT q Neh. 4. 16. great in power great in wisdome c. This answers all Great tumults great rage
and will contend for the Truth and yet not one Rev. 11. 7. Iesuited HEL-HOWND it is a Kings word contending with a Cardinall not one Catholicke murderer in our Hoste so hee hath bin accounted in all times and places making no more conscience to out his Kings throat then to cut a peece of bread These Irish Romish Catholiques universally bloody and monstrous Savages all the world over so brawned in cruelties are accounted now the only loyall Subjects ever since the Lord Christ hath taken to Himselfe great Power reigning more visibly upon the Earth demanding His Rights there And His faithfull Servants are resolved to give these Rights unto Him Whose they are not with-holding a hoofe nor dishonourably compounding His matters so forfeiting Truth for Peace but resolving to maintaine both with honour or an honourable warre ever since this contestation for Christ and His Truth Rebellion which is as the sinne of Witchcraft against God and His Christ hath been accounted obedience and loyall subjection And a true sense of Dutie to God and man and to doe thereafter even what God commands and will have done is accounted Rebellion and Treason both The comfort is Wisdome is justified of her children yes and in this point of all that are not unreasonable and wicked men The Truth is I could not beare this at such a time as this being to render a THANK-OFFERING in the Churches Name but I must Preface to it against such contradictions of Sinners and render the THANK-OFFERING free and the Churches Servants as cleared of these blackes as was the Snow in Salmon And what is wanting here shall be supplied else where for I will goe on from this Preface to another Treatise where by the helpe of God And His Law I shall cleare this very way wherin the Nobles have walked so spoken against now and blasphemed as a way of Rebellion and Treason to be the very way wherein all the Nobles that ever were in the world have walked who walked uprightly with God dealt faithfully with His people not treacherously and as Traitors to King and Kingdome and their owne souls for I have a most comprehensive mercy to treat on and enlarge upon which I may call the Abridgement of this last yeares wonders containing as in a most fruitfull wombe all nationall blessings which the Nobles and Worthies have hitherto or their children after them shall travell with and bring forth to the Nation And this they are compleating and in so excellent a way as that though we shall never say of it in this world the worke is done and compleated of that comprehension it is yet I say they have so orderly proceeded in it by that line and plummet afore-said of all the truly Noble that ever were on the Earth as that it is fully to the Mind of the Lord and the heart of the Nation And now let the Devill rage and his Servants roare for in that they glory though by a wofull prolepsis here in sport for hereafter in earnest when they and their King of the bottomlesse pit shall roare there to all eternity Let the Arabian Dukes with their companies of Sabeans let the noble Monsters of these dayes so they were called anciently who are Gentile and noble in the root but monstrously degenerate in the fruit of their conversation d Nequitiae sordibus imbuta Nobilia portenta Valer Max. l. 3. c. 5. let these doe their worst rob spoyle pillage shed bloud to their power yet by the helpe of God and the Law the worke shall be carried on and the work-men shall prosper and overcome by the bloud of the Lambe e Rev. 12. 11. But what is our worke now Worke and Pray or pray and worke no matter which is first so both goe together Worke with hand and mouth and heart and all We have a noble paterne before us of Work men who blessings be upon them both from above and beneath have offered themselves willingly to this worke and will very gladly spend and be spent for us in this worke though they may reade on the more abundantly they love us the lesse they are beloved f 2 Cor. 12. 15. But we have our patterne and we see our dutie worke we as men who can very gladly spend and be spent for this cause for it is His cause Who did say indeed and did as He said for Hâ—â— zeale eat Him up He was a whole burnt-offering I VVILL VERY GLADLY SPEND AND BE SPENT for you so it was indeed the cause of the Lord Iesus Christ Who was made for us a curse once That He might make us as He is blessed for ever having such an example before us and such a cause in our eye we will worke now or never VVorke we now as we are able and let the Lord worke as He pleaseth He will worke like Himself Truly He worketh wonderfully in all His peoples sight But if He wrought in the dark as sometimes He doth if His foot-steps are in the waters as M Bradford expresseth it a man can see no prints where His Hand is or which way His feet goe whither towards us or against us yet said that good man My hand and my spirit should worke after Him for I am sure I am in the way though I see it not my God goes right though I discerne not the path Worke we I say as we can and let the Lord worke as He will He doth worke gloriously and in sight worke wee and pray too else our worke is vaine and to no purpose worke we but say BLESSED BE GOD first Blessed be Thy Name for the Governours among the people and for them that offered themselves willingly It was because Thou commandest and so it is the North gives and the South keepes not backe Sea and Land comes in for Thy Churches helpe peace peace be to her helpers to deliver us from the Heathen that we may give thankes to Thy holy Name and glory in Thy praise Amen Now Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall still prosper that love her Pray in Prayer pray earnestly our children shall reape the fruit thereof if we doe not now for now we have reaped what our fore-fathers have sowne the fruit of the prayers of many Generations Pray we That the Lord would owne His owne cause certainly He will and so He doth but He must be sought unto for this and enquired after That His eyes would be for good upon His Children and servants all over the world for their eyes and hearts are set stedfast towards Him and His Jerusalem here below and there they fix waiting what God will doe at such a time as this and hearkning what God will speake now It is their confidence He will speake peace and doe according to His owne word give His Servants the opening of the mouth that the enemies may know HE IS THE LORDs The Churches all over the â— Ezek. â—â— 21. world are resolved now to
give their Lord no rest till He shall give them rest The Lord hath given His people thâ— greatest mercies which they prayed not for ELECTION before time His SON in the fullnesse of time How can He with Him denie His people any thing They forsake not their confidence there ore they are importunate with their friends as they have beene in former yeares the day of Jacobs troubles and treading downe saying Pray pray pray Pray for the King That the Lord would deliver his soule from the snare of the Hunter And pray for the Parliament who have sought the peace of the King and his Kingdomes as their â—wne peace nay more then so they have preferred it before their owne And seeing 't is cleare to every man that will see that thus they have done They have sought and wrought effectually for the peace that containes all of their King or the Salvation a comprehensive blessing of King and his Kingdomes for maintaining this Ship RELIGION wherein our lives our liberties our estates our peace and the Churches all over the world and our Generations after us are bottomed and maintained seeing I say their Care Piety Zeale is manifest to all men in the maintaining this Ship And all this by the line of the Law the Plummet of right Reason the Rule of their Lords will Seeing we know it to be so and doe know also in all our hearts and soules That not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord hath spoken concerning His people Nor any of Iosh 24. 14. 1â— the evill things which He threatned against His enemies but all came to passe We will close with the word of the Lord which He hath spoken to the heart of all His faithfull Servants in all Generations I VVILL BLESSE THEM THAT BLESSE Gen. â—2 3. THEE and CURSE HIM THAT CURSETH THEE even so Lord let the curse they have called for fall upon the wicked but Thou hast promised this goodnesse unto Thy Servants Now therfore Let it please Thee to blesse the house of Thy Servants that they and their house may be before Thee for ever For Thou blessee 1 Châ— 17. 26 2â— O Lord and it shall be blessed for ever Amen and Amen THE CHVRCHES THANK-OFFERING To GOD Her KING and the PARLIAMENT CHAP. I. Recording thanking praising an high imployment who fit for it how great the engagement to it who the fountaine of mercies whence received thither returned SECT I. Thankes-giving and praise a sacred imployment THe old manner was that a certaine number were appointed to record to thanke and to praise the Lord God of Israel a 1 Chron. 16. â— These must bâ— Levites such as did minister before the Arke of the Lord. It was a sacred imployment a worke as some Psalmes are of Degrees To Record was the lowest and required little clevation of spirit To Thanke was an higher Degree and commanded more life of affection To Praiâ—e that it to sing the high praises of our God there comes in Selah a winding-up of the spirit to the highest It may be said What need all this Such a livelinesse of affection Such an activity of spirit to thank and to praise God It is as ordinary a thing and as easie a worke as is done in the world Kings of the Earth and all people Princes and all Iudges of the Earth both young-men and Maidens Old men and children b Ps 148. 11 12. All these doe as they are commanded they thanke the Lord and praise Him too if we could heare the afore-mentioned speaking one after another we should heare nothing but Thankes and Praise I am in health saith one I thanke God I am increased and prosper in the world saith another I praise God I have had many crosses and troubles in the world I blesse my God They have well spoken in all that they have said but ô that there were such an heart c Deut. 5. 29. All creatures praise God for so they are commanded Dragons and all deepes c. Beasts and all Cattell creeping things and flying soule all praise Him in their kind But man is a more excellent Creature he stands charged to doe it in a more excellent manner els as good not done he hath a tongue for that end and called his glory and yet the fewest of all doe praise God as they should and all because they thinke it so easie and ordinary a worke to praise Him whereas tongue and heart both must be well tuned for this work for it is the most heaven-like of all the services perform'd by Man here below As to Praise is comely so is it a clean pure heavenly lasting action None but the Righteous whose hearts are cleansed from sinne and emptied of Selfe they onely doe it the upright in heart d Ps 33. 1. Ps 119. 7 and what they doe now on Earth they shall doe hereafter in Heaven it is their worke to all Eternity SECT II. Who the Person is that is fit for this worke VVE must then find-out a fit person for this worke so high an imployment a person that can doe it to purpose decently and in order that ministers before the Lord continually they that walke with Him cleave to Him trust in Him the people of God such as feare Him onely serve Him onely so walking in his wayes These many are but one one House one Body so single they in conversation so usefull they in their communion each with other as members one of another And so I shall take them all under a single Notion as one person whom I shall properly call the Church The Church indeed e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 having more then a name for that and no more is nothing She hath a Name that she lives and she doth live and this life is the more spiritfull and active because as light was brought out of the wombe of darknesse so her life from death She was dead but she is now alive and lives for ever her life being hid with Christ in God f Col. 3. 3. A very fit person for such a worke an heavenly worke an heavenly person who might she deliver her own words with her own mouth would doe it exactly well but howsoever she will doe it decently and in order after she hath told us her ingagement to the worke how she doth record it and to whom she payeth the tribute of praise and thankes SECT III. The Churches engagement to record to thanke to praise HItherto all fits very well the Person and the Worke. Now see the engagement thereunto that 's very strong and binding For behold how great the loving kindnesses are how rich the mercies how marvellous the workes which the Lord hath done for this Nation whereof in due place and conveyed to it through the hands of man It is God Who makes two of one mind in one house and the same God Who hath made two Houses one to goe together
as one man hand in hand heart with heart in the same way perfectly joyned together in the same mind and in the same judgement g 1 Cor. 1. 10. I shall then take these many under one single Notion also as one person and so goe on to tell the Churches engagement but to her God first As the King said if the Lord doe not helpe whence could he helpe out of the Barne-floore or out of the wine-presse h 2 Kin. 6. 26. The same may be said touching all created power if the Lord had not helped neither this nor that could have helped The proud helpers doe stoope under Him i Iob 9. 13. But when the yeere of Recompences for His Zion is come k Esa 34. 8. when He will be avenged of His Adversaries who have made voyd His Law when He workes salvations l 1 Sam. 11. 13. in Israel as He hath done this Day when He doth arise to judgement to save all the meeke of the Earth m Ps 76. 9. What then Then He breaks the Arrowes of the Bow the Shield ver 3. and the Sword and the battle aye God doth it and so doth it that all may say The hand of the Lord is here He hath done it of a truth Then he spoyles the stout hearted then he cuts off the spirit of Princes so as when they would oppose the way and worke of the Lord those men of might shall not find their hands but it shall be with them as once it was when the Charet and Horse were cast into a dead sleepe ver â— 6. and then the weake shâ—ll say They be strong n Ioel 3. â—0 their Armour though as contemptible in mans eyes as David and his Armour was is of proofe and shall doe exploits upon His Churches enemies He goes not unweaponed that carries the revenge of God along with him though he carries but a sling a scrip and a pibble * Sam 17. 40. Such despicable instruments are chosen of God whereby He will performe exploits so as He may have all the glory putting into them Heroicall Motions for atchieument Surely all this hath the Lord done for His people this last yeare all these Scriptures have bin fulfilled in our eyes How hath Hâ—e disappointed the Hopes and Helpes of the Adversary how did Hee rise uâ— against the helpe of evill doers p Esa 31. 2. how did Hee starve the gods of the Earth how did Hee make the faces of the wicked as flames q Esa 13. 8. And that this last may not be forgotten how did He set the face of the Righteous like a flâ—nt against the faces of them who turned thâ—ir backs upon God and went contrary to Him in all His commands Truly it is wonderfull in our eyes but behold we therin the Churches engagement to their God Surely if we shall well consider what deliverances the Lord hath wrought this yeare we must say of this day as was said in ancient dayes The Lord hath wrought Salvation in Israel But we shall r 1 Sam. 11. 13. find our Deliverance exceeding that Salvation and paralell with that Deliverance in the following Chapters where we reade thus That the Philistines had so beslaved Israel that they had neither weapon nor Smith left amongst them * â— Sam. 13. 19. And yet in this miserable low condition This naked peeled people marched on two leading the way and over-comming the difficulties therein for the terrour of the Lord went before and then no matter whether few or none followed after against a mighty Legion a numeâ—ous and well furnished Adversary thirty thousand Charriots and six thousand Horse-men and people in multitude as the â—aâ—d on the Sea shâ—re t â— Sam 13. 5. and returned from those adâ—ersaries laden with armâ—s and victâ—â—y â—oth The â—hurches victory over her Adversarâ—es this last yeare equals that in some things and exceeds it in other some There the Lord â—rmed a naked people with the revâ—nge of a God and behold they did exploits Here He did as much for He raised up the fallen spirits of a beslaved Kingdome also He wroâ—ght exâ—loits by a few chosen instruments and put into their heâ—res heroicall motions for atchievement so as a few went out against mighty Legion a numerous and proud adversary against light and treacherous Prophets against heards and droves of Priests and of Malignants as thâ— sands of the Sea-shâ—re are for multitude But being â—rmed with the revenge of a God they did explâ—its as appeares this day So farre the Salvation wrought then and now runne paralell Here now our Salvation exceeds for behold the Lord wrought the greatest Salvation by contrary meanes such as threatned a sore desolation and so onely a God can doe Who at the first brought light out of the wombe of darknesse By a most idolatrous Service-booke composed of purpose to establish that abomination hath he confounded that Idolatrous Service and cast it out By the works of an imperious whorish woman u Ezra 26. 30. such were the works of the Bishops hath he confounded them and their works By the strength of the Adversary He hath trod downe his strength By giving Scope to the foot of pride He hath spoyled the proud and stout-hearted By lawlesse men their violent deeds and devouring words He hath wrought forth the redemption of our Lawes and establishment of the same By a Popish Party a most malignant generation He hath confounded them and their abominations By sonnes of Belial who know no yoake nor will beare any He hath wrought for the vindication of our Religion Lives Lawes Liberties Thus Iehovah can doe The great and dreadfull God He can by most contrary meanes and Wils bring to passe the good pleasure of His owne Will He can by such cursed Instruments which threaten dâ—solation to a Land worke forth Salvations for the same Thus God can doe and no god besides Him For man to say that so he will doe by out-lawed men maintaine the Lawes were blasphemy in his mouth Thus far to shew the Churches engagement to their God The Church will tell her engagement to you but first she blesseth God Who hath instructed you to discretion That you doe so well understand your engagement to Him which is To walke before Him and to be perfect God hath wrought gloriously by you ye will walke honourably before Him The Church is confident you have engaged your hearts upon this thing x Ier. 30. 21. Ye are workers together with God ye will labour to be Holy as He is Holy What yee condemne in others ye will hate in your selves knowing well He that will cast a stone at an offendor must be free himselfe otherwise he condemnes and executes himselfe in anothers person Ye are as good Samuel was he did first cleare his owne Innocence ere he duist charge the people with their sinne y 1 Sam. 12. Innocency and uprightnesse becomes every man especially
is hers and She hath enough for He is all things All things in Heaven and in Earth worke for her good She looks abroad in the World and behold â—ercies before and behinde and on each hand Truly the Church cannot tell what to record next but much is to be recorded before She comes to that which is expected Indeed her good Lord blessed for ever hath dealt to her such a largesse of good things according to His rich bounty even in earthly matters under Moone comforts That She can resolve upon no other way but this being amidst a throng of Mercies which now presse in upon her even to Record Thanke and Praise the Lord for Hâ—s free grace towards her so abuâ—dantly shewed in this That He hath not charged upon her the dayes of her forgetfulnesse When She did not record and render backe according as She had received Her Lord hath forgiven much this way unto her and therefore She loveth much for how few of many Mercies are recorded and fewer yet had their full weight of Thanks and praise from her Mercies When She speaks of them She is confounded and as one in a maze Mercies cloathe her Mercies feed her Mercies uphold her every moment She lyeth downe with them riseth up with them Mercies privative Mercies positive Preventing Mercies Following Mercies Crowning Mercies Mercies to the outward man Mercies to the inward man How many Aske rather how many Sands there be and the number of the Starres But there is One for all A comprehensive Mercy indeed and the fountaine of all From Him that is from Christ All flow downe unto her and are a purchase of bloud And truly She saith heartily She is not thankfull for Christ not for that unspeakable gift not according as She hath received and that is her shame and trouble both It is her wonder and shame and sorrow all three That Mercies should be continually in her sence She sees them and tastes them and feeles them and yet so little in her mind O blessed be God Who hath not charged upon her the dayes of forgetfulnesse Recording Thanking Praising is the only Tribute Taxation or Impost which the Lord hath set upon all things He gives us richly to enjoy The Earth shall give in unto thee her fruitfulnesse not the least herbe there but is for thy meat or thy medicine So the Waters so the Ayre the variety of Inhabitants therein So the Heavens the Starres and influences there-from All shall give forth their strength besides their homage and Tribute to man their Lord But now he must remember this Tribute to God And yet how is that forgotten Heare what the Lord saith My flaxe and my Wooll all are His even the Beasts upon a thousand Mountaines are to cloathe thee My Oyle and my Wine to refresh Thee My Wheate and my Barley to be a stay and staffe unto Thee Only record these Mercies acknowledge the Giver and pay Him His Tribute Thanks and Praise Good Lord how short are we herein in rendring back Nay the Church doth say so and yet her Lord hath passed it over and in this way of loving kindnesse hath forgiven much She hath no more to say but this Therefore She loveth much And yet I must adde this for it is according to the mind of the Righteous They remember notonly Their forgetfulnesse of mercies but their unfruitfulnesse under them Their abuse of them Their security Yea and their rebellion also The more the Mercies were the more secure they were The fuller the Pasture was the more they kicked with the heele fighting sometimes against God with His own weapons But sith their God hath passed over all this Therefore they love much CHAP. III. Dayes of Affliction Dayes of blessing for so the Lord hath altered them and sweetned these to the Church SECT I. Afflictions must be reckoned among the Blessings ANd thus for Mercies which properly and in their owne Nature are so and sence can relish so Now the Church must record her afflictions and sorrowes for these She can call Mercies now Not so in their owne Nature but through the Mercy of her God so ordering her and them And this must be recorded for this She stands most bounden to Thanke and Praise She could surfeit on her sweets as we may with honey Her sorrowes allay'd the lushiousnesse thereof She expected an Heaven upon Earth her unquiet motions there told her it was not the place of her rest She had comforts upon the Earth and She would build Tabernacles upon them A Cloud overshadowed them and She feared She blesseth God for all this but more of this anon The Church then looks back and beholds Mercies and cals them so which the world cals evils Her God made them good to her and a blessing therefore must She blesse God for them in the first place accounting them fit matter to stir her up to Record and Thank Gall and Wormewood yeelded sweets to the Church She found Honey in the carkase of the Lyon Therefore She remembers the time when She said This is my death a Ps 77. 10. No indeed it was her mistake and she sees 〈…〉 â—â—r it was but her infirmity and wrought very effectually to thâ— stâ—engthning of her so that she can now glory in that she in her hâ—ste called her Death knowing that it wrought Patience and Patience Experience and Experience Hope b Rom. 5. 1 4. She recordeth the daies of her Widâ—w-hood She cannot leape over that time when she sate Desolate alone and as forsaken There she said well as forsaken for indeed there is but a sicut an as in all which she suffers and in all she enjoyes here below she weepes as though she wept not she rejoyceth as though she rejoyced not she possesseth as though she possessed not c 1 Cor. 7. 3. So also she knowes now by experience that there was but an as in her greatest sufferings as unkowne d 2 Cor. 6. 9 10. as dying as chastened as sorrowfull as poore as having nothing and so as forsaken but then God was with her working most powerfully for her establishment and most effectually for her comfort therefore she remembers that time even when she spake in griefe of heart as Iacob did All these things are against me e Gen. 42. 36. Ioseph is not and Simeon is not and yee will take my Benjamin also All these things are against me No indeed Iacob was deceived so hath the Church beene these ten times and now she sees her mistake and must record it that all these things were for her This deare child was snach'd away and this so sutable a comfort this staffe and this stay all gone and yet for all this as her long Captivity was all for her good f Ier. 24. 5. that the streame of her affections might runne the clearer to the Fountain That He Who alone is Worthy might have all all her Love and all her delight and all her joy as
but the entire Body represented and compacted together as one man And my selfe I see there though but as the foot in the Body yet there I am my interest there my estate there my liberty my Religion so farre as man can command it all is there that I have below as in a joynt stocke there it is managed and carried about by that great Body We cannot wonder now that we heare such shootings in every corner besides those we heare from the Pulpit Grace Grace a Zach. 4. 7. unto it The Good-will of Him that dwelt in the Bush b Deut. â—3 16. be upon it Lord blesse the King and the Parliament It is the highest Court on Earth it can call all other Courts to account how they have proceeded whether according to or against Law It is the great Assembly gathered from all the quarters and corners of the Kingdome whether all the people from Dan to Beersheba come up to present their sores there they looke for balme their grievances and pressures there they expect helpe and ease It is the great Councell of the Land there they consider take advice and speake their minds Every man there doe's as the purpose of the word is PARLER-LA-MENT speake judiciously his mind neither to flatter prerogative nor â—o extend priviledge c Nec praerogativis blandientes nec privilegia dilatantes L. Cooke â—p 8. be-his Reports being wisely valiant and zealously wise Therfore if I might use the Sages word christned a Parliament the highest House on Earth we cannot properly call it two Houses if we doe respect the Antiquity of it it is most venerable and ancient d Si vetustatem est antiquissim si dignitatem est honoratissima si iurisdictionem est capacissima Ep 9. if the honour and dignity of it it is most honourable if Jurisdiction and Power we remember the old saying The KING and the PARLIAMENT what cannot they doe Even what they please and wee stand still and hearken what that will be The Church is resolved already That shall be done which pleaâ—eth them for shâ—e is of the Shepheards mind That shall be done which pleaseth God and what pleaseth God pleaseth her But the Church counted it a mercy to heare newes of another Parliament If we should out-live Parliaments if a Parliament should be denied us or being granted should be destroyed then I-C ABOD where is the glory Then call the Church desolate and her Land forsakeâ— The wicked would walke on every side for the vilest men should be exalted * Ps 12. 8. The long vacation given to the high Court hath given all the advantage to the Adversary whereby to worke their owne ends in the ruine of the publike Then was their time to sow tares and to give them rooting when they could cast the Lawes into a dead sleepe when they could cause jealousies betweene Prince and people when they could raise an evill spirit their owne familiar a fire of Contention which should come forth on the left-hand and devoure upon the right and then from the right and devoure upon the left O what an exceeding Mercy to have a Parliament in England like the great day of Judgement to the wicked when by the good hand of God upon it there is a full discovery of things the waies yea the hearts of men are laid open Things represented as they are the upright person as he is The vile as he is When Mephibosheth commeth in but of late represented as an enemy unto his Prince but now sound at the heart though lame in his feet and forgetting himselfe wholy for joy that the King is in safety and his Kingdome like to prosper when there is a right understanding of things betweene the King and his Subjects The King beholding his good peoples heâ—rts truly loyâ—ll and faithfull and they the face of their King as an Angell of God O! A Parliament 't is a fundamentall Mercy So thâ— Church allowes us to call it and to put it to that head and then reckon on A great Mercy to have another PARLIAMENT a Mercy but no wonder For SECT III. Things were so farre out of frame that they could not be set as rights but by a Parliament The having one or two in one yeare is not a wonder but a Mercie COnsider we how it stood with the Church as it is commonly and 〈◊〉 be cal'â— â—nd noâ— with the Common-wealth we consider there two the Church as then it was called and the Common-wealth as then it stood a part and divided for so they are The Church standing against the Common-wealth as the one Pole against the other The Church so they were called the Governours Seers Over-seers chiefe Over seers commonly called Priests Bishops Arch-bishops and their ETCETERA'S made their loyns so strong and fortified their power so mightily as they thought they might rule with a rod of iron and still prevaile breaking in peeces the Lords Jewels as they pleased and making-up in the place thereof the basest peeces of the Earth The Holy Ghost hath fitted us with a most fit and full expression none like it Their workes were the workes of an imperious whoorish woman a Ezek. 16. 30. They were growne so impudently bold so past all shame so farre beyond all bounds of civility and modesty that they could not be longer endured They laid such loades upon the people That the stomacke of the Land was so over-charged that it must spew them out without putting finger into the throat or else die of a Surâ—et No Remedy but by a PARLIAMENT I shall be corrected a CONVOCATION you should say let the Priest correct the Priest A Convocation that were to send the Iesuite to be tryed in a Conclave of Cardinals they would never find him guilty sure The whole Body of the Land was so ovâ—r-charged with the last Convocation that thâ—y cannot thinke thereof without loathing It 's so unsâ—voury at this day There must be a Parliament if it were for no other end but to advise about this whoorish woman so imperious she was And a Covocation in all likely-hood would make her more imperiously proud They would have reformed the Church they were about it as the Reformers did in the Councell of Trent who made the greatest Deformation that ever was heard or read of in the world But it is pleaded Let Church-men determine Church matters Let spirituall men have to doe in spirituall things And let them â—o â—ut let them know that there is a Councell above them that can call them to an account how spirituall they have beene And how like Church-men they have kept to the rule in their Determinations about Church matters This is not above the Power and Wisdome of a Parliament called together to advise DE ARDVIS REGNI ECCLESIAE Then surely the Lord Christ Hiâ— Religion Worship and Service the matter and manner of it is one of the greatest and most vveighty things and of the highest concernment
was a woman once and that they may not be couzâ—ned the second time he must set upon a stoole so 't is related and before he must know himselfe to be Pope the stâ—â—ders by must know him to be Iohn not Ione And truâ—y buâ— thâ—t he goes to the stoole every day he would quite forget that he were a man for he is above the Sacred Scripture too This is the HEAD a monstrous Head he is MANY a Legion and more for I joyne the whole Body with this Head and all those Heads too be they Kings or be they Emperours or what heads you can thinke off who have given up their Head ship to this Head I meane their power unto the Pope have made themselves Servants to that SLAVE Slave What a word is that to give to such a tall Head The Pope in a voluntary humility gives himselfe that Title SERVVS SERVORVM What 's that In plaine English the basest Servant Sâ—ave for aâ— a Song of Songs is an excellent Song The God of gods is the true God the Lord of Lords is the excelling Lord thâ— Master of Masters is our Master in Heaven So a Servant of Servants is the lowest Servant the vilest basâ—st Servant a true Slave But there is the Head with all the appurtenances and adherents And see how he contrived and plotted to enlarge his Dominions to dethrone the Lord Christ to take from Him His possession not onely the ends of the Earth but the head of Kingdomes See I say how he wrought to establish mischiefe by a Law How hee sought to curse the people of God! For that purpose his Balaams were posted to every place and Altars built up there and all to curse those whom God had blessed and they must be blessed but considering the height the power the policie of this Head and yet hee could nor prevaile he could not curse that is the wonder and yet we heare not the halfe ¶ 2. VVE must descend to the TAYLE that Nadar that despicable part as that Earth is whereon the foot stands if it stands upon a muck-hill that stinging part the Text saith and we feele the sting is in the Tayle What is that the sacred Scripture interprets it The Prophet that teacheth lies he is the TAYLE b Esa 9. 15. Reader looke about thee and observe in passage where he or they are who teach Lyes They that doe so though they be dignified with Titles and Honours and Preferments though they have their Schooles and Colledges for their encouragement and to engage them the more to their God yet if they teach Lyes they shall not be called by Him Who giveth to every man his dues and right name not Seers not the Eyes of the Land but the TAYLE The Prophet that teacheth Lyes hee is the TAYLE And he is many too and how did he wriggle I cannot expresse my selfe how did he struggle and strive and contend to wriggle-in that Head the Pope to sting the Church and to curse those that stood on her side Truly this was told in Gath what What Prophets we have it was published in the streets of Askelon and the daughters of the Philistines did rejoyce and the uncircumcised did triumph True but their rejoycing was but short for the TAYLE could not sting His People Of the sting in the Taile and poyson in the mouth the Lord made a preservative a soveraigne medicine and Hee turned the curse into a blessing Blessed be His Name Now the Church prayes the Lord unscale the eyes and unvaile the hearts of those Prophets that they may see and consider what they have done and doe and pardon them according to the multitude of His compassions Amen ¶ 3. THat the marvellous workes of the Lord may be raised in our thoughts yet higher that we may have an high and honourable esteeme of them we must consider as followeth Here was a Head which thought to establish wickednesse by a Law here was Tayle-Prophets who taught lies and these prevailed so far that they brought the people on their side as the sand on the Sea-shore for multitude These made the People glad with their lyes and he was a Prophet unto them that could prophesie of wine and strong drinke a Mic. 2. 11. See here Councell and Strength is for the warre the Adversary had both and multitudes so many as we heard and yet see the over-ruling hand of the Lord Almighty these prevailed not neither by their strength nor by their councell nor by their multitudes as appeareth this Day There is the marvellous worke of God and a wonder To make the wonder yet more compleat we must take-in a third person the most chiefe and principall BEE LZEBVB their Prince and King the Angell of the bottomlesse pit hee keepes his nature still so he keepes his name still in the Hebrew ABADDON b in the Greeke APOLLYON b Rev. 9. 11. two names different in language and in sound but in signification one and the same A man slayer a Soule-devourer He hath his name so in the Hebrew because he is a mighty let to the comming-in of the Iewes no such offence to them in the world as your Images and Image-makers And hee hath his name so in the Greeke because the head of this faction mightily opposeth the compleating or filling up the number of the Gentiles For he opposeth with all his might the spreading of the Gospell the revealing that mighty arme of the Lord. We have the principall now the King and Prince we will put all together the Head the Taile the bulky-Body with the King over them What is the marvellous worke now what is the wonder This That the gates of Hell prevailed not Wisedome mighty for plotting and contriving was turned into foolishnesse Strength mighty for action was turned into weaknesse Multitudes did fall as drunkards had not so much power as women or as wounded men We have not all yet this must be considered also for this is our designe to advance the name of God in confounding such a Troope by such weake meanes The Righteous who seemed a very few a thin scattered people these spake often not only as in an evill time one to another â— but openly and to the Adversaries face These I say though Prudent men Mal. 3. 16. did not keepe silence no not in that time such an evill time * Am. 5. 13. I should goe on but here an Objection will thrust in upon me to take off from this wonder and to shorten if it could be the Arme of God even the right hand of the Almighty SECT V. The Obiection That the Arme of the People was strong here and the Arme of God not so glorious SEe the manner of Men before we heare them if we can see any cranny or chinke whereat light and comfort comes in unto us to that we will looke not minding the Sunne whose beam it is If our net be quite broken all to peeces we will scarce
of their hands neither of their murders nor of their Sorceries nor of their fornication nor of their thefts e Rev. 9. 20 2â— When men have ascended to that pinnacle and height of wickednesse seldome do we reade that they have repented But then we reade as vve now see they have beene tumbled downe thence even then and great must their fall be when the time comes that God must ease Himself of His Adversaries †2. God hath a time to raise up His People When Then when Iacob is very lâ—w very small little in all mens eyes and lesse in his owne Then when the Worme Jacob lying at the mercy of the foot of pride trampled upon insulted over Then vvhen the Gyants and proud men of the Earth said to Iacobs soule Bow downe that we may goe over and he laid his body as the ground and as the street to them that went over f Isa 51. 23. Then God raised Iacob up then He makes them Israel for then His people vvill ascribe Salvations to their God to His right-hand all the glory The Earth mourneth and languisheth Sharon is like a Wildernesse now will I rise saith the Lord now will I be exalted now will I lâ—ft up My Selfe g Isa 33. 9 10. For the oppression of the poore for the sighing of the needy now will I rise I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him h Ps 12. 5. I should be larger here wheras I have set but a marke for observation upon it ¶ 2. Now the poore Captives who beleeve will not hasten that they may be loosed i Isa 5â— 14. They can wait now Gods time for He waits the fittest time to give Deliverance when His children are fittest to receive it and to let it sinke downe into their hearts vvhich they never doe till they are emptied of self confidence If Deliverance came not vvhen they would have it yet they did not die in the pit nor did their bread faile Rescues and Deliverances did come at such a time when they vvere most sweet and seasonable Blessed is the man that maketh the LORD his trust And respecteth not the proud not how many nor how fierce they be he respecteth the Promise and waites Gods time in confident assurance that God will Ps 40. 4. come bring Deliverance with Him in His owne time that is seasonably ever the fittest time And so I pâ—sse on unto other Uses and certain Conclusions here from SECT IV. We cannot partake of the Churches Priviledges but we must be free of her Corporation NOw we will be on the Churches side too for we expect such salvations We will lay hold on her and will be called by her Name and expect the sâ—me Almighty hand to be put out for us and against our enemies Surely this is a good resolution to come under this shadow for here is safety notwithstanding all the noyse hurry and trâ—ubles that are abroad This is the sure side her Redeemer is strong He will give rest to her Land and He will disquiet the Inhabitants of Babylon * Ier. 50. 34. The Church shall stand still and behold the salvation of the Lord that is certaine notwithstanding all the shockes they shall stand notwithstanding all the contrivings and policies to bring them to the Brow of the Hill they shall escape and the nearer she is brought the more glorious vvill her Deliverance be It is our wisdome to joyne our selves to the Churches side for it is the sure side Peace Peace unto her and Peace be to her helpers for their God helpeth them But stay a little Let us not runne away with the comfort as our manner is and neglect the duty the Lord hath wrought and doth vvorke great Salvations as becommeth a great God and seasonably in the day of trouble For vvhom for His Church yea and for me and thee for His Churches sake But our comfort will be small and of small continuâ—nce if we doe not our Duty as the Church doth She hath beene delivered I say marvellously delivered that is true enough but see she prayed for this thing she vvas importunate she gave her Lord no rest Indeed He told her He would be enquired for that thing d Ezech. 36. 37. so they wrestled and wept too and prevailed as we see this day Hâ— doth guide her by His Councell Whether For that she is not carefull whethet through thicke or thin as we say vvhether through rough places or plaine she is not carefull for that her Lord hath her by the hand that 's enough Hee guides her and will bring her to glory she is sure of that Glory is the end of her way what troubles so ever are in the middle of the way and in that her heart is assured Take all with it He guides Her He leades her yes and He commands her a LEADER and COMMANDER to His people that is the point and our lesson of everlasting use Would we be a protected people would we be guided by His hand He is a sure Guide would we be carried as upon Eagles wings We must then heare His voyce we must obey Him He must command us and no other but as they command from Him and lead to Him He is a LEADER and COMMANDER to His People Take we this comfort and feed upon it but remember the duty too a LEADER and COMMANDER to His people We would be as the Church is for we would be in as safe a condition and harbour as the Church is Ai but surely a VELIETY a would so will not serve the turn There is not a Balaam in the world not such a sluggard but he hath a veliety a would so he would have plenty and peace both he would have protection and safety he vvould have it now but at his end vvhen he must be taken from the Earth then he would in good earnest No matter for plenty then but for peace O but let him lay this to heart and muse upon it vvhen he turnes upon his bed like the doore upon it's hinges expecting that salvation will come unto him and drop into his mouth If he would have peace for that containes all he must up and be doing he must stirre up himselfe with all his might he must come out of himselfe and thrust out his Idoll whether one or many his ease his profit and his pleasure His excuse will not serve the turne that there is a Lyon in the way a difficulty he cannot overcome therefore he will not indeavour it If he saith so and is resolved to be lazy and sit still I pronounce against him this Day from the mouth of the Lord That Peace shall not bâ— his portion but the contrary When he expecteth peace behold trouble he shall have wrath with his sicknesse Tribulation Eccl. 5 17. and anguish shall come upon him like an armed man and when hee vvould solace his soule with peace vvhen he would see the
performe according to the PROTESTATION even the Lord shake him out and emptie him c Neh. 5. 1â— The Lord grant thesâ— Malignants thâ—se sonnes or Bâ—liall these troublers of Israel vvho will be bound by no other cord but by the cords of their owne sinnes may be cut off even all cut-off that trouble the Church those that love peace and pursue it These sonnes of Beliall cannot frame to pronounce an holy just and good Commandment ô that they vvere dealt vvith now as those persons vvere vve reade of in the Text Then they tooke him and slâ—w him at the passages of Jordan d Iud. 12. 6. The Church knowes that there vvould be a greater slaughter then was that vve reade of and there fell at that time of the Ephramites fourty and two thousand Heere comes in a doubt and it will bee easily resolved The Objâ—ction â—s Ob. The Church is a peaceable Mother in Israel her Father is the God of peace her Lord the Prince of peace her servants the children of peace then sure the Church doth not know vvhat spirit shee is of that prayes for Fire and Sword to come downe from Heaven Answ Yes the Church knows she hath the Spirit of God dwelling in her and by that Spirit she can and doth pray as afore-said â—nd will fight anon and be a peaceable vvoman for all this and a true Mother in Israel and follow the Lambe here also for in some cases and none riseth higher then this He even the Lambe hath wrath and that must be executed by her Sword Nay more as she prayeth for this thing so she can rejoyce to see this vengeance and to wash her feet c Ps â—8 10. in the bloud of the wicked and the whole City with her yea and to shout for joy d Prov. 11. 10. These are wicked persons professed enemies to God and His Christ Without naturall affection truce breakers false accusers incontiâ—câ—t fierce despisers of those that are good Traitors heady high-minded lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God not having so much as a forme of Godlinesse e 2 Tim. 3. 3 4 5. Pitty these vvicked Malignant persons and you destroy the Good shew mercy here you are cruell to the Church spare such and they will make havocke of Gods Servants as you see they doe and have done in all ages Wicked persons they and desperately bold and daring They would turne the Songs of the Temple into howlings f Amos 8. 3. She can rejoyce to see the vengeance yea and to wash her feet in the blood of these slaine And till this be done she never looks to have peace on the Earth for these are they who have taken peace from her Therefore she is resolved upon it now she vvill not onely pray but use her WEAPONS too Yes you will say PRAYERS and TEARES True for these are the Churches weapons and very prevailing nay commanding they are Prayers command God He is pleased to say so much and to yeeld g Esa 45. 11. so farre but the Church said she will fight too in a case wherein her Prince His State Crowne and Dignity is concerned for in all this the Church is concerned her Lawes Liberties Religion Life In such cases He vvill fight Let it goe it is good construction to apply a Masculine vvord to so Heroicke a spirit as I reade Queen Elizabeth did not well digest that Grammaticall nicety to be prayed for by the Title of DEFENDRESSE of the Faith DEFENDER vvas better concord in her Eares And indeed never any man Answered the Title better I was saying the Church hath another weapon which vvee call the Sword and she will make it drunke in the bloud of these Adversaries and yet doe no more then what she hath done in all Ages from the Primitive time downe-ward For though Prayers and Teares and these onely are her Sonnes and Daughters vveapons as they are private persons Yet as they are publike persons That alters the case and exalted in the Earth the Sword belongs unto them as their proper right and they stand bound to use it though then also They STVDIE TO BE QVIET h 1 Thes 4. 11. and know themselves CALLED VNTO PEACE so they may have TRVTH too i 1 Cor. 7. 15. The Church hath her Ioshaah's and they must not lye upon the face * Iosh 7. 10. wishing those even cut-off that trouble us k Gal. 5. 12. He must rise and cut-off those TROVBLERS it is his office so to doe The Church hath her Nehemiah's they may build with one hand and hold the Sword in another Shee hath her Davids the truest Subjects in the world as then hee was and yet their Hâ—ast may be as his was as the HOAST OF GOD l and all for their owne safety and to maintaine as â— Chrâ— 12. â—2 David did their Masters peace The Church hath her Princes and her Nobles and her Worthies blessed be God for them all to whom the Sword belongs and they are charged to use it for the cutting off those that trouble her and are enemies to her Lords Crowne and Dignity They are charged to be of good courage and to play the men for their King and His people and the Cities of their God and the Lord doe that which seemeth Him good d 2 Sam. 10. 12. Then in the last place ¶ 4. Private Persons must make Supplications THe Church makes her Supplication to you That you would rise up and be doing that you would avenge her of these Adversaries who have done what they can to take peace from the Earth All is contained in your Covenant every whit Remember that and you remember all and the Lord remember His Covenant with you for the darke places of the Earth are full of cruelty e Ps 74. Doubtlesse the Lord Who keepeth Covenant and mercy for ever will not breake with you now Remember f Deut. 7. 18. WELL what the Lord your God hath done for you That will give you assured confidence for the time to come Onely deale couragiously g 2 Chron. 19. 11. stand to what you have said and what in you lyeth cause the Covenant to passe through the Land and doe as the good King did vvhat you can to make the people stand to it h 2 Chron. 34. 32. and the Lord shall be with the good i 2 Chron. 19. 11. Amen for they will make their prayer to Him which cannot be in vain k Esa 45. 19. being one of the most prevailing things in Heaven or Earth but it is reserved for the time when ye as Esther l Est 4 16. commanded Prayer then it will appeare how prayer commanded for you SECT IV. The engaging the heart to God engageth God to our Businesse then they slide-on the loftinesse of Man shall be bowed downe and the â—aughtinesse of Men shall be made low Idols and Idol-men and Idoll-garments and bloody Courts shall
be destroyed Counsels hid in the dark discovered and a Breach made-up great as the Sea so as the Lord alone shall be exalted in that Day THe people that doe know that is doe feare and rely upon their God shall be strong and doe exploits So it was in dayes of old Dan. 11. 32. So it will be to the end of the World Please you we will remember a sacred Story and consider it with our whole heâ—rt and with our whole soule Time vvas vvhen our Grand-fathers dwelt in seiled houses while they let the house of God lye waste Every man ranne after that is was very earnest in his owne affaires but the affaires of the Church no man regarded much vvorke was done but no Temple-worke The Lord by His Prophet Haggai admonisheth and reproveth for this correcteth and punisheth too bids them consider the order and method they tooke whether things vvere done decently and in order all for themselves their private wealth nothing for God and the Common gâ—od and how they prospered in their contrary way vvhither God vvalk'd not contrary to them also Shame devoured their labors a Ier 3. 24. there was a SWORD and a DROVGHT b â—er â—â— 38. upon all they had and upon all they did They vvere in a deepe consumption They eat and they dranke and yet pined away c Hag. 1. 1â— â—er 6. They laboured but in the fire Wages they earned but they put it into a bagg with holes much they did but nothing prospered After many â—ore and sharpe stroakes for man vvill not be made vvise but by blowes they began to looke up and consider their vvay vvhich vvas not right yet they thought to prosper in it but it was not possible At last they considered and thought thus if God does all and gives all richly to enjoy if He be the best and highest Master and payes the best vvages The greatest reason in the vvorld His vvorke should be done first and so like wise and considering Men they fell to Gods worke ranne as fast to His House as before to their owne This the Lord tooke very kindly as His manner is and ordered it so that is His manner too for His vvrath is quickly appeased when He sees Men but look STEDFASTLY to Him and His House that their own house should not fare the vvorse they should sensibly see now a strange alteration in things as a SWORD and a DROVGHT before upon every thing so now a BLESSING a shewer of BLESSINGS Yes but they must wait for it No no waiting now Behold presently a shewer of blessings that Gods people may for after times lift up their feet in Gods way observe good order and method there still to begin vvith God and Temple-work call it vvhat you vvill Religion if you please From this Day that the Foundation of the Lords Temple was layed CONSIDER IT d Hag. 2 18. What must they consider It followes FROM THIS DAY WILL I BLESSE YOV from that moment of time when they minded Gods worke to doe it I WILL BLESSE YOU saith the LORD If ever GOD made good this Scripture to His people in after ages then now He hath fulfil'd it even in our days Every man can make application for from this Day the Lord hath blessed you you must prosper now and doe exploits for you goe on now in the strength of a COVENANT and in the strength of the prayers of all those that are in Covenant with you and that â—s an ALMIGHTIE strength Yâ—u have given forth your MALE the first Borne of your strergâ—h to manage the great things of HEAVEN assuredly from this Day the Lord hath blessed you You have found vvherein the strength and spirits of the businesse lyeth now these are contained in Religion very â—fficâ—ciâ—us in vvorking and a mighty binder as vvas said ye have bound yâ—ur selves to Gâ—d and God to you now ye shall gâ—e on as valiant men in the strength of God and with His increase and â—lâ—ssing Though you should heare in after time the multitude of many people a Esa 17. 12 13. vvhich make a noyse like the Seas and a reshing like the rushing of mighty waters Then shall ye see also that God vvill rebuke them and they shall flee faire off and shall be chased as the chaffe of the Mounâ—â—ins before the vvinde and like a rowling thing before the whirle-winde c. For it followes but I forbeare for I must keepe my selfe within the bounds of this WONDERFULL YEARE This is but to shew that you have chosen a way to walk-in and a rule to walke by called the WAY of HOLINESSE the Lord keepe you in it and to it it is a cleare an holy a sâ—â—e an uneâ—ring way The way faring men though FOOLES shall not erre therin b Esa 35. Ye may fall into the straits there as was said ye may be troubled on every side yet not distressed perplexed ye may be but not in despaire c 2 Cor 4 8. as you reade ye may meet vvith a Lyon in that way persecuted ye may be but ye shall not be forsaken The Lord whose ye are and whom ye serve and have engaged your hearts so to doe the greatest security that Earth or Heaven can give is yours now will carry you through all His NAME His GLORY is engaged too and make ye more than Conquerours at the last But for the present we are to Record yet farther what GOD hath wrought by you or vvhat you have wrought with GOD this Day vvhere you will see and take good notice what an easie passe or slide you had unto businesse as they have whom God will lead and prosper from this very Day the Lord did blesse you Take a short view of the works in the same order they were done so the Church will render you an account and an acknowledgement together very short in these particulars ¶ 8. Then from that Day ye marched valiantly ye trod down strength ye had Dominion over the Mighty d Iud. 5. ye troubled the Troublers and the Destroyer was destroyed Then no power of the adversary could with-stand you from that Day ¶ 9. Then from that Day ye found out the treacherous Priests and their Babylonish garments then you were to the poore Ministers as your good God before you you took off the yoake on their jaws and to the people you laid meat unto them h Hos 11. 4. Then you pursued your Adversaries to their strong-holds and you beat them there with their owne weapons Indeed their owne weapons weapons of unrighteousnesse were as Goliahs Sword to the Giants of the Earth as M. Dearing called them long agoe who searched the Scripture whether things were so and would take poyson from no mans hand Ye found these men overcome to your hand bound fast with the cords of their owne sinne as a wild Bull in a Net the Lord give them to feele it for their good full of