time Remember not against us our former iniquities forgive them and forget them pitie us and pardon us Be pleased with us for the sake of Christ Jesus in whom thou art well pleased Now LORD this day is appointed for the Battell and every battell of the warriour is with confused noise Isa 9.5 and tumbling of garments into bloud Wee know that he that girdeth on his harnesse 1 King 20 11 must not boast as he that putteth it off The prosperous successe of all good enterprises is to bee looked for from thee It is as easie for thee to save by few as by many and therefore we all heere armed for thy honour depend onely upon thy assistance Wee trust that according to thine infinite goodnesse thou wilt bee powerfully vvith us and for us who stand heere ready to lay down our lives at thy feet for thy glory the good cause for that holy Covenant which wee have made with thee and which now we minde to seale with our bloud Though wee deserve to bee deserted of thee because of our manifold sinnes and great ingratitudes yet for the honour of thy Name Let not thine Israel this day shamefully turne their backe before the enemie Deut. 32.27 O LORD fear the bragges of thy foes who if wee be tread downe will scornfully say where is now their God and where is their Covenant and where is their good Cause they will surely say Ibid. Our hand is high and the LORâ— hath not done all this Seeing now LORD vve are presently for to rencounter with the forces of men and for to set our breasts before the Canon Musket Sword and Spear in this valley of the shadow of death be thou our Captaine Psal 23.4 goe before us give us wisedome and courage and strength take the hearts from our enemies make their hands faint and their knees feeble make thy promise good five of you shall chase an hundred and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight Lev. 26.8 O LORD the protector of thy servants make all feare of death now flee farre from us give us the boldnesse of David with his good successe in going out against these uncircumcised enemies of thy truth They come out â—â—ainst us with the force of Men â—â—d Munition vvith Horses Svvordes Speares and Shields but vvee goe against them under thy standart in the name of the LORD of hostes the GOD of Armies of Israel Through thee we shall do valiantly But LORD if for such causes as are knovvn to thee it be thy will that at this time an end bee made made of any of our lives let it please thy sacred Majestie to receive our soules into the bosome of thy love Though our bodies fall into the hands of men Let our soules fall into the hands of God vvhose compassions faile not Now Father into thy hands we commend our Spirits Now in thy Name under thy Banner we thy Servants and Souldiers goe to this chocke O Lord be our captain and go before us and fight for thine own cause Generall Moses wordes to his Armie in a great strait at the red Sea Exod. 14.13 Feare yee not stand still and see the Salvation of the LORD which he will shew to you the day Calebs wordes of courage to Israel concerning the Cananites Numb 14.9 They are bread for us their defence is departed from them and the LORD is with us fear them not Captaine Joabs wordes to Abishai immediatly before the Battell against the Syrians and the Ammonites 2 Sam. 10.12 Be of good courage and let us play the men for our people and for the Cities of our GOD and the LORD doe that which seemeth him good Asas wordes when Zerah the Ethiopian came in Battell array against him with a thousand thousand men and three hundred Charets 2 Chron. 14.11 And Asa cryed unto the Lord his God and said Lord it is nothing with thee to help whether with many or with them that have no power Help us O LORD our GOD for wee rest on thee and in thy Name we goe against this multitude O LORD thou art our GOD Let not man prevaile against thee Hezekiahs prayer after that he had received King Senacheribs blasphemous letter full of threatnings 2 King 19.14 And Hezekiah received the letter off the hand of the messengers and read it And Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD and spread it before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD and said O Lord God of Israel which dwellest between the Cherubims thou art the God even thou alone of all the Kingdomes of the earth thou hast made heaven and earth Lord bow downe thine ear and heare open Lord thine eyes and see and heare the words of Senacherib which hath sent to reproach the living God Of a trueth LORD the Kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands And have cast their gods into the fire for they vvere no gods but the work of mens hands wood and stone therefore they have destroyed them Now therefore O Lord our God I beseech thee save thou us out of hâ— hand that all the kingdomes of the earth may know that thou art the Lord God even thou only Davids prayer against his Enemies Psal 68.1 Let God arise let his enemies be scattered let them that hate him flee before him As smoke is driven away so drive them away As waxe melteth before the fire so let the wicked perish at the presence of God Victory promised to the Church Mic. 4.11 Now also many nations are gathered against thee that say let her be defiled and let our eye look upon Zion 12 But they know not the thoughts of the LORD neither understand they his counsell For he shall gather them as the sheaves into the flooore 13 Arise and thresh O Daughter of Zion for I will make thine horne yron and I will make thy hooves brâ—sse and thou shalt beat in pieces many people and I will consecrate their gaine unto the LORD and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth Mica 4.11 Now also many nations Are gath'red against thee That say let her now be defil'd On Zion cast our eye 12 But they the Lords thoughts do not know Nor yet his counsell pure For he by force shall gather them As sheaves into the floore 13 Arise O deare daughter Zion Thine enemies to threin For I will now make thine horne yron And will make thy hooves brasse And I unto the Lord of Hostes Will consecrate their gaine And to the Lord of the whole earth Their substance will ordaine A thanksgiving after the Victorie O Lord what thy servant Moses said in his song at the red Sea that may we all say this day Exo. 15.3 The Lord is a man of warre the Lord is his name Thy name O Lord is glorious and worthie to be praised the sorrowes of death had compassed us and the floods of ungodly men had made us afraide but thou hast been our strength and our stay in the day of our danger In the valley of the shaddow of death thou hast beene our Captaine and defender Psal 23.4 Through thee we have done valiantly and thou hast treade our enemies under our feet by thy strength we have pushed them dovvne the safetie is ours but all the glory shall be thine Zach. 1.3 vvho art the Lord of Hosts vvho by thy mightie arme hast brought low the high lookes of these who trusted in their Horses and Charets which thou hast teared in pieces thou hast driven them away as smoake Psal 68.2 and hast made them to melt like waxe before the fire O LORD by thy almighty power vve have run through their troupes and put them to a speedie flight Wee have pursued our enemies and overtaken them neither did vve turne againe till they vvere consumed vve have vvounded them that they vvere not able to rise they are fallen under our feet for thou hast girded us with strength unto the Battell thou hast subdued under us these that rose against us thou hast given us the necks of our enemies We have beaten them small as the dust before the vvind vve have cast them out as the dirt of the streets Thy gentlenesse hath made us great By thee this day is ours vve most heartily acknowledge all the matter of our joy to be from thee O LORD who is like unto thee who is GOD save the LORD or who is a rocke save our God The Lord liveth and blessed bee our rock let the God of our salvation be exalted Psal 18.34 who hath taught our hands to warre Let all creatures praise the Lord praise him from the heavens praise him all yee his Angels and Hostes praise him yee Sunne and Moone and all ye Starres of light praise him from the earth fire and haile snow and vapour heat and cold rivers hills and vallayes all weapons of warre swords speares musquets and conons and all other things that have beene steadable to help the Lord to help the Lord c. Judg. 5.23 With all these we the whole body of this armie with our hearts to heaven do sing Hallelujah most humbly acknowledging both the victorie and every one of our particulare safeties to be from thee who art God over all things blessed for ever and ever Amen Psal 57.12 Thy vowes are upon us O God we will render praises unto thee Let us now in a most heartie thanksgiving sing the eighteenth Psalme from the 33. verse untill the 39. 33 He did in order put my hands to battell and to fight To break in sunder bars of brasse he gave mine armes the might 34 Thou teachest me thy saving health thy right hand is my tower Thy love and familiaritie do still increase my power 35 And under me thou makest plain the way where I should walk So that my feet should never slip nor stumble at a balk 36 And fiercely I pursue and take my foes that me annoy'd And from the fields do not return till they be all destroy'd 37 So I suppresse and wound my foes that they can rise no more For at my feet they fall down flat I strike them all so sore 38 For thou dost gird me with thy strength to war in such a wise That they be scattered all abroad that up against me rise The Lord hath done great things for us to him be glory for ever Amen FINIS
THE SWORD OF THE LORD AND OF GIDEON To this is subjoined a Prayer for an Armie going to Battell and a thanksgiving after the Victorie By M. Zachary Boyd preacher of Gods word at Glasgow Prov. 21.31 The horse is prepared for the day of Battell but safety is of the Lord. Printed at Glasgow by George Anderson 1643. UNTO HIS EXCELLENCE MY LORD GENERALL LESLY EARLE OF LEAVEN c. Please your EXCELLENCE MOre then fifeteene hundred yeares ago Christs beloved Disciple heard a loud voice saying in heaven Wo to the inhabitants of the earth the reason is subjoined Rev. 12.12 for the Divel is come downe having great wrath because he knoweth that he hath but a short time his time is now shorter therefore his rage is increased for this cause hath he taken the Antichrist the man of sin by the hand 2 Thes 2.3 who with all his followers breath nothing but crueltie It is storied of the mother of Dominicus who after became a greaâ— patron of Monks that when she waâ— with childe of him she dreamed thaâ— she had in her womb a wolfe witâ— a burning torch in his mouth sucâ— indeed be all Babels beasts that camâ— out of the Antichristian den tâ—â— whelps of that great beast of Româ— they are all Ravenous wolves Mat. 7.15 thâ—â— have nothing in their minde but fiâ—â— and Gunpowder to blow up Kinâ— and Parliaments and if that suâ—ceed not to make havock of all renting the head from the member even the King from his most faithfuâ— Subjects whom they at this time â— being the loyall Catholick Subjectâ— declare to be but traitours and râ—bels as if the Fox would make tâ—â— flock believe that the shepheards dâ— were their great enemie and did dâ—prive them of many faire Prerogâ—tives but if he were in his place thâ—â— should have all according to the Good will and Pleasure This is the maine quarrell of Briâ—aine this day Satan in great wrath with the forces of Antichrist are in â—he open field The Lord is going to Battell against them and he hath â—hosen your Excellence to be his Gideâ—n Heer is the Sword even the Sword of the Lord and of Gideon I offer it to your Excellence as â—eartily as ever Jonathan gave unto David his Sword and his Bow 1 Sam. 18.4 My alleagance to my dear Master Christ necessitates all my endeavoures to help forward the Good Cause both by tongue and pen that man is happy of whom men may truely say that which Christ said of the Woman that powred the ointment on his head Mark 14.8 she hath done what she could This little book even that which I could is come to your Excellence to beg a look of favour It is not from any presumption of its worth that it durst look so high a lower patron might well have served higher meditations but love whiles maketh folke too forward it made Mary to strivâ— to get Christ in her armes when iâ— was not lawfull to touch him Joh. 20.17 Your Excellence loyaltie couragâ— and zeal still levelling at Gods glory maketh you so dear to all his faithfuâ— servants that glad would we all bâ— to have any thing that might be tâ— you for a testimonie of our sincerâ— affection towards you A mite of love is better than a million of complements While in modestie I disparagâ— this worke as it is from mâ— selfe yet I can not in nicenessâ— altogether deny but GOD hatâ— made my penne to hit upon diverâ— things which may bring profitâ— to the Reader What ever thâ—â— worke bee after it hath been both preached penned and printed if it bee not so precious as purple and blevv silke vvhich the richeâ— sort did affoord at the making of the Tabernacle yet let it bee but like Goats-haire the poore mans gift I vvith a most willing minde offer it to the Lord vvho accepted as vvell the poore mans pigeon as the rich mans ox for a Sacrifice Lev. 12.8 This being such an offering for GOD I humbly desire that by the vvay it may get a favourable glance of your Excellence eye under vvhose patronage it may be respected in the going forth by your honourable authorising though it come far short both of your Excellence desert and of mine ovvne desire the treatise is small but it is an Earnest of more that little I have or am is most sincerely at your Excellence service for vvhom the Urims and Tummims of Levi in this land shall daylie bee presented before the Lord our altars shall still reeke vvith the incense of hearty prayers for your prosperitie and happinesse While at the Battell of Amaleck Joshuah fought in the valley Moses prayed on the mountaine Exod. 17 11 So vvhile your Excellencâ— Gods Joshuah shall in the valleâ— fight for GODS Israel againâ—â— Papists Prelats and Arminians Satans black Squadrons vvâ— the servants of the LORD vviâ—â— climb the hill and hold up ouâ— hands by prayers unto God sâ— that your Excellence may boaâ—â— Gods enemies and say unto them as Abijah threatned the idolateâ— of King Jereboams armie 2 Chro. 13 12 Behold God himself is with uâ— for our Captaine and his Priest with sounding Trumpets to crâ— alarme against you Novv Christ that great Jehovah the Captaine of the Lord host the God of Battels protect youâ— person perfect your graces prospeâ— your vvayes prolong your dayes direct your armie make you still victorious comfortable to your friends Cant. 6.10 terrible to your foes as an armie with banners that after yee vvith honour have finished your course 2 Tim. 4.7 and fought the good fight on earth yee may get glory in heaven vvith all these faithfull Commanders these noble vvarriours these great Generals of Gods armies Moses Joshua Barak Gideon Jephte Samson and Samuel and all others GODS vvorthies vvhose names are vvritten in the Booke of life Your Excellence most humble servant M. Zachary Boyd From Glasgovv the 27 of November 1643. THE SVVORD OF THE LORD AND OF GIDEON Psal 60. vers 11. Give us help from trouble for vaine is the help of man 12. Through GOD wee shall doe valiantly for he it is that shall treade downe our enemies THat was a worthy speach of S. Augustin Aug. conf 6. Deus unicum habet filium sine peccato nullum sine flagello God hath one Son vvithout sin but none vvithout suffering The righteous are onely Gods children and these are the men of many troubles Psal 34.19 many are the troubles of the righteous Note By this means their soules are bleached Dan. 12.10 and as Daniel saith are tryed and made vvhite As for the wicked whose best fruites on earth are but stincking hemlocks Am 6.12 Psal 73.5 they both bud and flourish they are not in trouble like other men neither are they plagued like other men the paltry pleasures of the earth make them to forget God their Saviour Christ and the precious soul that lieth in their
called Hebrews after from Jaâ—obs wrestling were called Israelits And last of all from Judah the son of Jacob were called Jews The â—nd of Aram which was Siria â—ad manie parts as Padan aram Gen. 28.2 1 Chro. 19 6 Gen. 24.10 â—nd Aram Maacah and Aram of â—amascus here we have Aram â—aharaim so called from the Heâ—rew word Nahar that is a flood 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 beâ—ause it did lye between the two â—â—vers Tigris and Euphrates for his cause by the Greeks it was â—alled Mesopotamia that is the â—nd between the rivers here also made mention of Aram-Zobah which was a countrey neere the â—ther unto these were joined Eâ—om the posteritie of Esau who â—as called Edom that is red because â—hen he was borne he came out â—ed all over like a hairie mantle Gen. 25.25 â—hese Edomites joined with the other Syrians came against Davâ—â— in hope to have Canaan whicâ— as they esteemed belonged bâ— better right unto the posteritie 〈◊〉 Esau who was the elder bâ—â—ther mention here is onely maâ—â— of twelve thousand Edomites kiâ—led the rest of the historie is 〈◊〉 downe at large in the eighâ— chapter of the second booâ— of Samuel The place where this battâ—â— was foughten is called the valâ—â— of Salt a place as some thinâ— neere unto the lake Asphaltiâ—â— where Sodome and Gomorah weâ— before their destruction aâ— where Lots wife was turned iâ— a pillar of Salt Gen. 19.26 Gen. 14.3 In Genesis tâ— valley is called the valley of Sâ—dim which is the salt Sea a plaâ—â— by God in a manner sown wâ— salt and made barren by Goâ— curse Psal 107.34 who when he is angrie pâ—teth a fruitfull land to Saltneâ— that is to barrennesse Deut. 29.23 for Salt causeth barrennesse The division of the Psalme THe parts of this Psalme are chiefly three In the first part David complaineth of GODS hard dealing with his people O GOD saith he thou hast cast us off thou hast scattered us thou hast beene displeased c. Of this untill the fourth verse In the second part from the fourth verse untill the ninth he comforteth himself in GOD Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee c. In the third part from the ninth verse untill the end he powreth out wishes and prayers for help in his troubles and at last endeth the Psalme with a most couragious resolution to fight for the glory of God and for the liberties of the Kingdomâ— Through God we shall do valiantâ—â— This Psalme is most fit for a dâ— of Battell the Lord teach me tâ— day with Habakkuk to say Hab. 2.1 Iâ— stand upon my watch and set me uâ— the tower and will watch to see wâ— God will say unto me The division of the Text. IN the wordes of the text thâ— bee two chiefe parts In tâ— first part we have Davids praâ—er Give us help from troubâ—â— for vaine is the help of man the second part wee have Daviâ— couragious resolution Throuâ—â— God wee shall doe valiantly 〈◊〉 hee it is that shall treade doâ— our enemies I. PART Davids Prayer THe Prayer of David heer is contained in these wordes Give us help from trouble for vaine is the help of man In this prayer we have two things first a petition secondly the reason the petition is in these wordes Give us help from trouble the reason is subjoined in these wordes for vaine is the help of man 1. The Petition Give us help from trouble THe help he seeketh from God is that God would help him from trouble The troubles of this world are of two sorts the troubles of the wicked and of the godly As for the wicked they for a time have their good things heere Luk. 16.25 during this time they are strong and stuâ—dy they are so brawned and searâ—â— and sealed up with senselesnesse oâ— Gods wrath that they seeme oâ—ly happy If at any time theâ—â— conscience begin to grumble muâ—ter or make a noise they anoâ— drowne the voice with earthâ—â— sounds like the Israelites drumm in their Sacrifices to Molocâ— which hindered them to heâ—â— the pitifull squeels of their children burning in the fire of Topheâ— They all have an eating worâ— in their Conscience Mark 9.44 which the feed with earthlie comforts aâ— men feed with raw flesh the wolâ— or feaster in the armes or legges but oh when the dayes of the ease is expired and these raw flesâ—ly comforts removed there be nâ— troubles like their troubles whichâ— are filled with such strong anâ— strange ingredients of feares anâ— Bedlam fits that they like Aâ—pen leaves tremble at their owne shadow Hell is already within them when they begin to be thus gnawed with the worme that dieth not they are so tared and tortured that they imagine hell on earth to be worse then hell below Note Thus desperate Francis Spira said often That hee envied Cain Saul and Judas wishing rather any of their roomes in the dungeon of the damned then to have his poore heart so rent in pieces with raging terrours and fierie desperations upon the bed of death Whereupon he at another time being asked if he feared more torments after this life Yes said he But I desire nothing more then to be in that place where I shall expect no more These and such are the troubles of the wicked below when their sleeping worme is wakened theâ— are such that they imagine thaâ— their troubles in hell shall give ease unto their tortures on earth for this reason diverse doe desperatly either hang themselves or throw themselves downe from high precipices as for the troubles of the godly whereof I have to speake chieflie in this place they are very many and painefull though ever mixed with mercy The troubles of Gods servants here below are of two sorts either inward or outward The godly inwardlv will be horribly hemmed in with sorrowes and sore vexed with dreadfull desertions having their wounded hearts all bleeding under the lashes of the Law Mic. 6.7 so that they would give their first-born for their transgression the very grief of hell will lay hold on their soules in a manner with their Master Christ they will descend into hell but after many painfull wrestlings they having received a Certificate of mercie at last by his Spirit they victoriously ascend into heaven and so triumph over all their troubles As for their outward troubles here below the Church on earth is like a ship on the sea tossed to and fro with winds and waves of this our pure Church of Scotland hath wofull experience this day Our whole land is now in trouble manie godly hearts are pricked with great perplexitie our watchmen all cry Zeph. 1.14 The great day of the Lord is neere it is neere and hasteth greatly even the voice of the day of the Lord vers 15. a day of wrath a day of trouble and distresse a day of wastnesse and desolation a day of darknesse and gloominesse a
off his head and â—he palmes of his hands vers 4 onely the â—mp of Dagon was left to him â—fter that where ever Gods Ark â—emained prisoner the Lord smot â—is enemies on the hinder parts â—ith Emrods they had no rest â—ntill they sent it back againe â—â—us the Lord most gloriously â—elped his people from trouble If we will continue in sinceritie to fast and pray there shall 〈◊〉 be a stone in the field but shall be like that stone of Samâ—el which he called Eben-ezer tâ— stone of help in whatsoeâ—â—â— danger we shall be we shall 〈◊〉 with Samuel 1 Sam. 7 12 Am. 4.1 Hitherto hath 〈◊〉 Lord helped us hear this word yeâ— of Bashan who push with yoâ—â— hornes against Gods dear sâ—â—vants as though God did 〈◊〉 regard or could not give us from trouble The 2 use The 2. use Let this serve reproofe to these base and beaâ— bodies whose names are wriâ—â—â— in the earth Jer. 17.13 who have neitâ—â—â— heart nor hand nor tongue foâ— help Gods Church from trouble thâ—â— have not a thought of pitie thâ—â— know not what it is to be gâ—ved for the affliction of Joseâ—â— they have made their hearts an Adament-stone Amo. 6.6 they are 〈◊〉 and beastly Zach. 7.12 they have no courage in their hearts they have â—o hands for the good cause â—heir tongue by their words as â—y a Sibboleth bewrayeth them Jud. 12.6 â—at they are not on Gods side 〈◊〉 send such to hearken Deborah 〈◊〉 her song cursing bitterly all â—hose that come not to help the â—ord Jud. 5.23 to help the Lord against the mightie If Meroz was cursed because â—hey came not to help the Lord â—ll the curses of Ebal shall like fire â—nd brimstone raine downe upon â—ll these who for a short glance â—f proseritie for a vaine hope of preferment for a vanitie of â—anities for a golden dreame â—ome against the Lord for to â—urt the good cause a cloud of wrath a world of woe a hell â—pon earth shall one day come â—pon all these who rejoyceing â—n the Churches desolations say â—th so would we have it Psal 35.25 such shall either perish by fire wiâ—â— that companie of Corah or swallowed up with Dathan shall die by the sword with â—laam or shall burne themselvâ—â— with Zimri or shall hang theâ— selves with Judas and Ahitophâ— the Lord shall set wicked nâ— over them Psal 109.6 7.8 c. Satan shall stand their right hand when they shâ—â—â— be judged they shall be condeâ—ned their prayers shall be turâ—â—â— into sinne their dayes shall few and another shall take thâ— office their children shall be â—â—therlesse and their wives widowâ— their children shall be vagaboâ—â— and beg the extortioners shall caâ— all that they have c. In a vvoâ—â— their possessions shall be made tâ— breeding of nettles and a perpetâ—â—â— desolation Zach. 2.9 all the imprecatioâ— that David made in that Psalâ— against his enemies shall come â—pon these that refuse to help tâ— LORD and his Church from trouble The vvord trouble here is in the Hebrew Tsar 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth straitnesse or distresse as vvhen a man is so driven into some narrow place that he knovveth not to vvhat hand to turne him When God being angry at King David for numbering the people ordained his Prophet Gad not in a smooth and silken Court-sermon but in a divine authoritie to give the King his choise of seaven yeares famine or of three moneths flying before the enemies or of three dayes pestilence David the King said unto the Prophet 2 Sam. 24 14 I am in a great strait in the Hebrew it is Tsar-li as if he had said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I am besiedged on all sides I know not to what hand to turne me I doubt of what plague to make choise Observe heere The Doctrine vvhat is often the condition of Gods dearest children their life heere is full of troublesome turnings their condition of life is to be driven into great straits this vvas the complaint of the Church They have often afflicted mee from my youth Psal 129.1 and againe immediatly after they have often afflicted me from my youth the doore of heaven is called the straite gate and the vvay thereunto is called the narrow vvay Mat. 7.13 Satans rage is restlesse his trade is a trade of blood he is that old spevving dragon vvho casts out of his mouth floods of venime after the Church Rev. 12.15 vvhat is Christs Church on earth but like a scorched heath or a root in dry ground All these that novv sing in heaven have mourned heere before they came to these mansions of joy they all past thorovv the valley of Baca a vvorld of teares and troubles S. John in the Revelation saith that one of the Elders of heaven came unto him and said Rev. 7.13 What are these that arc arraide in vvhite robes men all filled with joy S. John could not tell what kinde of men they were Sir said he thou knowest then the Elder said to John these are they which came out of great tribulation vers 14 there be no soules in heaven now but first on earth they have beene in great tribulations they in great terrours and anxietie have all cryed Give us help from trouble in the day of their small things they all have beene in a great strait Zach. 4.10 The 1. use The 1 use Let us all heere learne that in this world many swarmes of sorrowes and vexations are prepared for us that minde the way to heaven the best hearts below are often crammed with sighs and groanes the grief of minde consumes their marrow chills their bloud wasts their spirits shortneth their life maketh them pale and wanne that we should not startle in our feares Christ hath foretold and said Joh. 16 33 In the world yee shall have tribulation Againe the vvorld shall laugh Joh. 16.20 but you shall vveep the divel the Prince of this vvorld Joh. 12.31 still goeth about to fasten his fangs upon redeemed soules and to spite fire bals at the faces of best Christians the church by Zacharie is compared to mirtle trees in a bottome Zach. 1.8 or low valley that is in a low base and contemptible condition heere is not our rest and therefore let us not thinke among so many dogged Doegs cursed Curres to come to heaven but by a way that is straite narrow and troublesome a way of deepest sighs and saltest groanes a way strovved vvith losses and crosses Satan can not forget his trade of tempting and of spewing floods of troubles against the Saints the word of God tells us that he hath fearful depths Rev. 2.24 2 Cor. 2.11 craftie devices and strange plotted wiles to bring a mischief upon all these that truely feare God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eph. 6.11 If we live godly in Christ let us resolve to
the Lord Arise O Lord c. In the second part wee have the petitions of his prayer which are foure in number 1. Arise 2. Disappoint him 3. Cast him downe 4. Deliver my soul from the wicked which is thy Sword Let us now come to the glosse and interpretation of every part of the text I. PART To whom the Prophet here maketh his Prayer HEE to whom the Prophet heere maketh his prayer is the Lord Arise O Lord. Observe heere the wisedome of David when he is in distresse The doctrine he goeth to the right hand even directly to the Lord As for Abraham he knew him not and therefore he spake not a word to Abraham to Jsaac or Jacob Psal 73.25 in any of his troubles whom have I in heaven but thee was his saying unto God The 1. use The 1 use Let us learne here in whom to trust at all times it is in the LORD All other things whatsoever will faile but the Lord faileth never Some helpers faile in will though they may they will not and some faile in power though they will they may not but the Lord is sure on all sides there is nothing that may doe us good but God is able to doe it looke how able he is in power he is as willing for our well If we want any thing that we desire it is either because we aske it not Jam. 4.3 or because wee aske amisse that wee may consume it upon our lusts or because what we aske is not expedient for us wee often seeke from God and weepe for things which we would have as children weepe for knives which their parents will not give unto them because they would be hurtfull unto them Many of Gods children have crying desires for wheate Psal 4.6 wine and oyle this worlds wealth and ease but God knowes that many would be hurt thereby and therefore grants not unto them their desires The Lord forbid that God had suffered us to get our hearts desire at all times the best of us had been in hell ere now if God had given us all our will a yeares peace or plentie O what a change maketh it among a people O how hurtfull is it to the souls of many who crammed with hypocrisie can crake of pietie and soulder their gracelesse doings with great ostentation The 2. use The 2 use Let this serve for reproofe to Papists who all slabbered in the dirt of mans inventions most foolishly distrusting GODS good will Jon. 2.8 forsake their owne mercie in steede of crying to the LORD they court the Lâ—dy Mary which is their Queene of heaven Isa 44.7 they also run from God to the Saints as though they had a greater regard unto us or loved us better then God If we had done the thousand parts of the wrongs to them that wee have done unto God though they had beene our fathers and our mothers they had all cursed us Gen. 9.25 as Noah did to Cham Cham so farre as I can reade had but once scorned his father and for that once his father cursed him but wee have ten thousand times scorned God and yet he hath blessed us and blesseth us still His wayes are not our wayes Isa 55 8 and his thoughts are not our thoughts for as farre as the heavens are above the earth as farre are his wayes above our wayes and his thoughts above our thoughts so it is of his mercy and love Isa 49.15 though a mother forget her childe the Lord can not forget his children thus they who goe to others then to God are deceived as if men not content with the light of the Sun would goe to seeke light from the Moone who hath all her light from the Sunne Of all such God may well say as he said in the dayes of Jeremiah Jer. 2.27 they have turned the back and not the face Jonah marketh such with this black blot Jonah 2.8 These that observe lying vanities forsake their owne mercie It was not so great a wonder under the law to see men idolaters Cant. 2.9 bcause then Christ but looked out at a window and shewed himselfe through a lattesse darklie but O now in his Gospel he come out at doores clearâ— with Behold me Behold me â— for us let our refuge in all diâ—esses bee to God and Christ his Sonne Iohn 17.3 this is life eternall said Christ in his prayer only Christ is Mediator onely by him our prayers are heard many Pagans did excell in morall things but because they knew not Christ they could not finde the doore of heaven this made a father to say of that great Philosopher Aristotle August Vae tibi Aristoteles laudaris ubi non es damnaris ubi es Wo to thee O Aristotle who art commended where thou art not and condemned where thou art The second Part. The Prayer WE have heard unto whom the Prophet here maketh his prayer it is unto the Lord now let us consider the prayer iâ— selfe Arise disappoint him caâ— him down deliver my soul from the wicked which is thy sword Iâ— this prayer there be foure petitions 1. Arise 2 Disappoinâ— him 3. Cast him down 4. Deliver my soul from the wicked witâ— thy sword Angustiati animi suspiria one calleth well thesâ— foure petitions the groanes of soul in a great straite The first Petition Arise THe first thing that the Psalmist here requireth of the Lord is that he would Arise and make him ready for his help Arise O LORD When God for causes known to himselfe delayes his help he seemeth to his servants to be like a man lying or sleeping Hence are all these formes of speaches of the godly Arise Psal 3.7 O Lord save me Psal 10.1 why standest thou afarre off O Lord why hidest thou thy selfe in times of trouble Againe Arise O Lord Psal 10.12 O God lift up thine hand forget not the humble Againe Awake Psal 44.23 why sleepest thou O Lord Arise cast us not off for ever againe vers 26 Arise for our help for thy mercies sake the Scriptures are full of Arise and awake which distressed men cry unto God whilâ— he delayes to help them The doctrine Observe here first that Goâ— cometh not ever at the first unâ—to his servants in their afflictions he will have them to taste yeâ— whiles to drink of the bitter cup before he let it passe from them that afterward they may thâ— better taste and see how good 〈◊〉 the LORD Psal 34.8 when he hath delivered them Cum differt auxilium videtur Deus sedere otiosus Isa 26.16 God sometime will seeme to his servants very carelesse of their miserie as iâ— he were a man lyen down to sleep but all that is to stirre up the hearts of his servants to cry the more mightily unto him and also to let them see their owne weaknesse of faith and how that
without him they can do nothing for these ends Christ would sleepe in the ship in time of tempest Mat. 8.25 when all was in greatest danger to perish The use The use If when we are in calamitie either private or pubâ—icke the Lord seeme to delay his help and to neglect us let us not despare of his mercy but let us cry the more earnestly help O Lord though he seeme to our weake judgement to be sleeping he is not like Baal of whom by way of scorn Elijah said to his Priests crying a loud to him in their prayers 1 King 18 27 Cry a loud for he is a God either he is talken or he is pursueing or hee is in a journey or peradventure he sleepeth and must be awaked our GOD sleepeth not he that keepeth Israel will not slumber Psal 121.3 hee never lieth down he is never wearied in waiting upon us for to doe us good there is no need of a drumme of five houre bell to waken him in the morning Againe whereas the servant of God here in his fear crieth to the Lord Arise I observâ— that there is weaknesse in thâ— best of Gods servants they often in their troubles have basâ— thoughts of God it is a very base thing to thinke that Goâ— is wearied or that he is lyeâ— down to rest him or that hâ— hath not will to arise untill wâ— rouse him up by our cries Seâ— we not these great bodies of thâ— heavens turned about both nighâ— and day with an unspeakablâ— swiftnesse it is Gods arme thaâ— turneth them all about the greaâ— bodie of the earth hath no other ground-stone but his Almighty power what I pray you hath still so constantly borne up that great masse these so many thousand yeares onely Gods arme and yet he is not wearied he seeketh not our help to turne about these heavenly wheeles or to ease him under the burden of the whole earth it is but a very base thought to think that the Lord is lyen downe to rest him that afterward he may arise The use The use Let us learn to have great thoughts of God concerning his power and good will What is unpossible to him who is able to make a Camel to passe thorow a needles eye Mark 10 25 what will he not doe for us who gave his own Sonne to the death for us when we pray we may be sure that he will hear To him we may well say LORD thou can if thou wilt nay Lord thou both can and wilt if it be for thy glory and our well if wee thinke otherwise we may well say this is our infirmitie The second Petition Disappoint him AFter that the Prophet hatâ— desired the Lord to arise which is the first degree of his deâ—liverance he requireth that thâ— Lord would disappoint King Saul and all the rest of his enemies Sauls Doegs and dogges whom hâ— includeth all under the word hiâ— and that because they were joine all together like one man in the malice against David the servanâ— of the Lord. The doctrine First whereas here he calletâ— all his enemies him as one man foâ— their banding together I observâ— the great policie of the Divel who by all meanes possible enâ—deavoures to keepe his servants iâ— unitie that they may all doe eviâ— together as it were with one shoulâ—der for he knoweth that if hiâ— Kingdome were divided it could not stand I read in Scripture oâ— Michael and his angels Rev. 12.7 fighting â—gainst the Divel and his angels but â— can not read in any part of one Divel fighting against another â—hey are all guided by one Spirit â—nd have all their mindes one way â—ent to doe evill though they may bee called legion for their â—udge great number for the way â—o Hell hath great store of passenâ—ers yet they all agree and goe â—s it were one Divel ready with â—oth hands to doe a mischief The use The use Let us by the practise of the wicked learne to abide together and to be all as it were â—ne man it is GODS will Judg. 20.8 it is Gods commandement that we love one another Joh. 15.17 Silurus a little before his death called all his children and offered unto them a sheafe of arrowes knit together desireing any of them to breake them which when they could not he divided the arrowes and gave unto them one after another to be broken which they brake easily After that hee said unto them So shall it be with you if yee abide together in unitie none shall be able to overcome you but if yee be divided yee shall easily be overthrowne Now let us consider what the Prophet here requires it is that God would disappoint his enemies Antevertere anticipare The Hebrew word is Kiddam which properly signifieth to prevent or disappoint for he that is prevented is also disappointed All Sauls designes were how to trap David for to kill him Davids prayer heere is that the Lord would disappoint him or according as it is in the Hebrew Kaddemah panau The doctrine that he would prevent his face Observe here that great men may intend great matters against Gods servants but there is a great God in heaven who can easily disappoint them whiles by wisedome and whiles by strength As for his wisedome Dan. 2.22 he understandeth all things Daniel saith that the light dwelleth with him he is infinitly wise to prevent or avert perill or to rid us out of danger When King Saul intended to kill David in his bed the Lord by his wisedome delivered him by directing Michal his wife to lay an image in his bed 1 Sam. 19 13 having a pillow of goates haire for his bolster so when Sauls servants came to take him they were disappointed they found nothing in the bed but a Teraphim an image with a pillow of goats haire As by wisedome so the LORD can by strength disappoint his enemies when the Philistines called for Samson to make them sport Jud. 16.25 the Lord put a new strength in that blinde man whereby he drew downe the house upon his enemies who got death for their sport and so were disappointed In this land at home we have proofes sufficient of God disappointing our enemies In the eightie eight year there was nothing in Spaine to be heard but a glorious victorie against Britaine Have they not sped Jud. 5.30 have they not divided the prey to every man a damosell or two said the Spanish Ladies with the mother of Sisera All our possessions were appointed for that barbarous and cruell nation but God disappointed them All their bragging was at last turned into bâ—gging the Lord made them beggars in our land After that deliverance the Papists intended with six and thirtie barrels of powder under the Parliament house to blow up all the Royall Blood with the flowre of all our Nobilitie and Counsellours and after that MISSA massa