THE MOST NOBLE ROBERT EARLE OF ESSEX AND LO: GEN OF THE FORCES FOR K PARL THE SAINTS Support in these sad TIMES Delivered in a Sermon at Tiverton in Devonshire in the time his Excellencies army raised for King and Parliament quartered there By Tho. Palmer Minister to the Honourable Major Generall Skippons Regiment Imprimater Joseph Carrill LONDON Printed by M. Okes for William Ley and are to be sold at his shop at Pauls Chaine 1644. To His EXCELLENCY Robert Earle of Essex Viscount Herreford Barron Ferrars of Chaâ—tly Lord Bourcher and Lovaine one of his Majesties most Honourable Privy Counsel and Generall of the Army raysed by the Parliament in defence of the true Protestant Râ—ligion His Majesties Person the Lawes and Liberties of the Kingdom and the Priviledges of Parliament Great Generall I Take the boldnesse to stile you what God himselfe hath certainly made you Surely as yet God never honoured any man with so great a prize as hee hath now intrusted your Excellency with God hath put you into his owne place God hath graced you with his owne Name Lord of Hosts Geneâ—all of Armies God in our appearance hath committed unto your care what is preciâ—us to himselfe A precious Gospell precious Ordinances a precious Parliament a precious people God hath called forth your Excellency as a choise worthy to be his Generall and the Champion of Iesus Christ to fight the great and last Battell with Antichrist in this your Native Kingdome Laâ— confident your Excellency is not so little read in Divine history or such a stranger to the worlds experience as to thinke this Church-workâ— this thing called Reformation will be found a matter of ease and pleasure No it is a businesse of the greatest difficvlâ—y in the world Antichrist wâ—l ingage the Kings of the earth and set the whole world in a combustion before he will leave his hold It is the nature of the devill to rage horribly towards his end It is the property of a dying Beast to give one great struggle when life is departing why may not God now make this Good in this Roman Beast amongst us Great Generall thinke not lesse of God â—r worse of this Cause for one foile Joshuahs Armie may flee and fall before the men of Ai though he had good warrant to fall on and the designe wisely managed Israel may lose two battells together before Benjamin when God had them goe Iesus Christs owne Disciples may meete with a crosse gale when they goe about his businesse Now it being within my owne verge to opâ—n Scrâ—pture I tâ—kâ— this liberty to hiâ—t unâ—o your Excellency the meaning of God in this strange dispensation and further to let your Excellency know that God haâ—h much sweet in this bitter much good in this seeming evill Israel was routed fled and fell before Ai that plundering Achan might be found out and punished Israel fell in two Battells together before Benjamin that thâ—y might learne more seriously to seeke and trust God upon the first undertaking Aâ—d the Disciples must be in a hopelesse helpelesse perishing storm that their faith in Christ though by a miraculous experience might be firmely established Little did I thinke when first I preached and writ out these collections that God intended to mâ—kâ— them so suitable to the condition of your Excellencies Armie as now I conceive them It is not the least of my thoughts in this to looke at my selfe but my aime is alone Gods glory I am not unacquainted with your Excellencies goodnesse as well as greatnesse ever discerning an unwonted humility in so great a personage which is my strong encouragâ—ment to present unto your Excellency this small tender of a most reall affection If your Excellency be pleased to peruse it it beares the character of a right Souldier and I know you wil not love it the worse for that Your Excellency will here finde a sincere heart and an undaunted Spirit in a plaine and meane Presse Flattery is fitter for the Kings Court then the Lords Campe Be pleasâ—d then great Generall to honour mee in the acceptation Protect it as you approve it and I have my desire The great God prosper his great woâ—ke in your handâ— and make your Name glorious to succeeding Ages Most Noble Generall in the Name of the Lord goe on and hee will yet do mightily for you You will expâ—esse your greatnesse in over-looking difficulties And certrinly a Generall of so many faithful prayers cannot miscarry You may yet assure your selfe Gods people have you in a high-esteeme The Saints aâ—e daily begging at the Throne of Grace of you Question it not but God will make a sweet and full returne of all the prayâ—rs teares wrongs and Blood which hath so long cryed to heaven This is the desire and the expâ—ctation Of your Excellencies most faithfâ—lly devoted in the Worke of Jesus Christ Thomas Palmer A Support for the SAINTS in these sad times PSAL. 37. vers. 40. He shall deliver them from the wicked and save them because they trust in him VArious and promiscuous are the Lords dealings with the Godly and wicked in this life God doth not infallibly feed his choisest Saints with the sweet-meates of prosperity and let the wicked onely lye under the lash of biting calamity woe and misery No for if prosperity did ever wait upon Gods people and adversity attend the ungodly then we might easily find out the wayes of God and know peâ—fectly who were his But sayth Solomon No man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them for that all things come alike to all there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked c. Eccles. 9.1 2. That is in the common dispensation of outward things during the time of Gods plâ—asure Outward providences at all times are no infallible rules to judge by Gods wisedome is above our reach we cannot say presently that any are in Gods favour because they thrive and prosper nor conclude others under a curse because that misery and trouble doth still attend them True it is the children of God may more justly expect freedome and mercy from the hand of their Father then the servants of Satan can doe the Saints have the Word and the precious Promises of God to build upon and by which God as I may say is ingaged to his faithfull ones which the other have not yet the Lord in his wisedome and by his power is pleâ—sed so to order all that for the exercise of graces and the tryall of faith he often puâ—s his people to it he many times brings them very low he knocks away all their self-props that Gods precious ones many times seemingly lye under clouds of displeasure whâ—n the wicked may be thought to have all at their hearts desire This experienced truth hath staggered not a few and even strange beleevers Davâ—d who was indued with almost unparalleled graces confesseth it of himselfe that upon
God will not nay God cannot be worse then his word God will not deceive those that trust to him that depend upon him Deliverance may be deserved but it shall not faile The needy shall not alwayes be forgotten the expectation of the poore shall not perish for ever Psal. 9.18 God in his wisedom may see cause to withhold deliverance from his afflicted Saints but he doth not forget them they shall not perish under their burden God will come in with deliverance and a seasonable deliverance too he will not stay an houre too long with it It shall come in due time 1 Pet. 5.6 It shall come in a time when it shall doe them most good Amongst men one that carries the esteem of an honest man will have a great care to keep his word his promise though it may be to his losse if he promise he will make it good This is one of the marks which David describes a godly man by He that sweareth to his own hurt and changeth not Psal. 15.4 And doe you thinke the great God of heaven and earth will fall short of a godly man No it was a speech of Christ Heaven and earth may pâ—sse but my wordâ— shall not passe away Mark 1â— 31 That is the very Fabrick of the world may be dashed and broken yet God will not break his word with the Saints for though all these meanes were away God of himselfe is able to make good his promise and will doe iâ— And hereupon the Apostle calls it a sure word of promise This is the second reason 3. Reas. The third reason is grounded upon the power of God in himselfe The Churches deliverance shall certainly coâ—e for God will doe it himselfe The Lord â—â—all helpe them and deliver them the very words before my text in the same vers. Indeed if the Churches deliverance did lye upon men and the like outward helpes truely there werâ— small hopes There is so much basenesse and treachery even amongst many of those who pretend themselves on the Churches side that she is in more danger by bosome friends then open enemies Holy David spake prophetically of this and he made it a grievous complaint You may see the place Psal. 55.12 13 14. But here is the Churches the Saints happinesse God hath the managing of the businesse himselfe hâ— will make good his promise and deliver his people in despight of all let secret enemies seeke to prolong let open enemies plot prepare and watch yet God will discover the one disappoynt the other and destroy them all He hath said it and he will make it good He will build up his Church and the gates of hell shall not prevaile againts it Mat. 16.18 Nay I will tell you further the the Church of God shall not onely out-stand all power and persecutions of the wicked but shall over-power them and destroy them I will onely open one Scripâ—ure and I will close up the reasons It is Dan. 2.44 And in the dayes of these Kings shall the God of heaven set up a Kingdome which shall never be destroyed and the Kingdome shall not be left to other people but it shall breake in peeces and consume all these Kingdomes and it shall stand for ever These words aâ—e full and to the purpose if you mark them well In this image which here Daniel interprets to the King of Babilon He tells the King that under those foure different parts of the image was understood foure persecuting Kings or Monarchies beginning with him first as vers. 38.39 40. But when the Lord shall have accomplished his whole worke upon mount Zion Isa. 10.12 When the Church is fit for deliverance even in the dayes of these proud persecuting Kings while they are yet in their power the Lord will raise up a Kingdome of Saints which shall never be destroyed Againe a little after you have the same promise almost in the samâ— words The Kingdom and dominion and the greatnesse of the Kingdome under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most high whose Kingdome is an everlasting Kingdome and all dominions shall serve and obey him Dan. 7.27 Thus I hope I have now put the truth of the doctrine delivered out of dispute both by Scripture and undeniable reasons sufficiently proving That Gods people shall be the prevailing people And now by Gods help I will fall upon the Application Applic. 1. Vse of Râ—prâ— First this is enough to strike terror and amazement into the hearts of those who have any hand any way to act counsell or countenance others against the cause and people of God I could heartily wish that this portion of Gods truth might be fastned upon every doore where Malignants dwell that so this seasonable instruction might worke in them a sweet remorse for their God-provoking sins or be left without â—xcuâ—e Was there ever any truth of God more plaine Doe not you see what shall be the end the doom of all their plottings and powers counsels and armies which ever were now are or yet shall be against the Saints of God What became of proud Pharaoh and his Army were they not drownt in the Sea Exod. 14. What is become of three of the foure once poweâ—full persecuting Monarchies which in their times commanded the world as was Prophesied of by Daniel second chapter Where is bloody Nebuchadnezzar which once but Ierusalem and bore mighty sway Where now is cunning Cyrus and ambitious Alexander And I pray you what is become of Romes glory What have any nay all these got by all the blood which they have drawne from the Saints of God Have they set up themselves and pull'd downe the Churches Have they yet rooted out Religion and worne out or wasted the Saints of the most high Have they yet taken away the name of a professor as hath beene aâ—tempted out of this poor spot of the world No no blessed be God the Churches enemies are destroyed in destroying and she lives by dying Oh! If we may yet beg it that the Lord would open the eyes and soften the heart of our King to consider this Alas alas little doth the King and his party know what they lose by that they call getting that which they thinke helpes them undoeth them You may thinke I speake strange paradoxes but I will cleare it to you I say victories destroy the enemie two wayes First a victory got by the enemy fills their hearts with cruelty their mouthâ— with blasphemy and fires them on to destruction That this may not seeme a fancy of my braine I will give you Scripture proofe examples from the word A victory got by the wicked fills their heartâ— with cruelty Having once dipped their hands in blood being blooded as we said by dogs they grow bold and desperate they grow hardy and expert in murder they are lesse mercifull and more cruell every battell more then other See in the King of Babylons Army when they came against
the other side Ansâ— Alas it is the plainest thing in the world and if yet you know it not I will endeavour to cleare it and the Lord set it home upon your hearts I will not burthen your memories with abundance but only give you an infallible marke of the Child of God I pray diligently observe the words of Jesus Christ himsefe I am the good Shepheard and know my sheepe and am known of mine John 10.14 Knowne of mine will you say what 's that That is Christs Sheepe Christs flocke know him so as to heare his voyce and obey his commandâ— they will not follow strange men nor stâ—ange and unâ—arranted wayes ver. 45. They will heare Gods Word and endeavour to know Gods will in any thing and then on they goe These all speake one language looking still upon God Tâ—at which thou commandest that will we doe And whether thou sendest us thither will we goe Now then do but you consider whether of the Forces now raised in this Kingdome goes the neerest to this rule and the businesse is easily decideâ— Who is it that would submit to the Word and rule of God And who is it that would rule by prerogative Who is it that hath set upon the worke of Reformation And who it hath said they shall not and he will not Reforme furthen he pleases Who is it that are dâ—sirous to preserve the people of God and defend themselves in temple-worke by all lawfull meanes And who is it that musters up all the bloody Papists which can be got in this and other Kingdomes even making peace with proclaimed Traytors and from time to time brought them into England because they were expert murderers to destroy his owne faithfull Subjects Truely I am ashamed to rifle into the King-fins of these times and I will forbeare onely as the Minister of God in Soule-businesse I must speake out that by my silence I become not guilty of others blood The Lord helpe you to close with the truth for I protest if God should have seene it good to have brought in Christ into our Kingdome another way it would have been the joy of my soul and many others to have spoken more better for our King then now I can But I will sweeten this bitter subject with brevity and now passe into another poynt which is much more pleasing and therefore I hope length will be delight 3. Vse of Exhort The third use is of Exhortation If Gods people shall be the prevailing people if God will worke deliverance for them then be exhorted to labour after a right an intrest in Jesus Christ or else you shall have no share with the Saints You know all the old world was drownt which was not in tâ—e Arke Gen. 7.23 So all shall perish that not saved in the Aâ—ke Christ Jesus That was a Tipe of this Nay I will come neerer to you unlesse you be incorpoâ—ated into Christ unlâ—sse he be yours there is not any thing you have will doe you any good Whatsoever God gives to the Church to his Saints will not make you happy you have no part in it That which the Saints may rejoyce in for the very same you shall grieve yea it will your sorrow even the excellency of your gifts and parts will perish you Those things which are blessings to the Saints are curses to the wicked they will helpe damne them lower in hell You may thinke I goe far but I goe not beyond my rule I have the word of Jesus Christ for what I say The Scribes and Pharâ—sees were men of admirable parts much wit great learning yea they used praying and made long prayers too yet these being not sanctified to them they were but the more able to doe evill and therefore prest them deeper into hell Who unto Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites for yâ—â— devoure widdowes houses and for a pretence mâ—ke long prayers what then therefore yee shall receive the greateâ— damnation Mat. 23.14 The like you have from Christ in another place wheâ—e he upâ—raids the Cities of Coâ—azin Bethsaida and Capernaum for their security in sin notwithstanding the rich meanes of grace which God had given to them above others and therefore tells them that their judgements shall be more sharpe then others Jesus Christ begins his speech to them Mat. 11. vers. 20. But those I will refer to your examination and onely instance and explaine the 23. vers. Christs words are these And thou Capernaum which art exalted to heaven shall be brought downe to hell for if the mighty workes which have beene in thee had beene done in Sodomeâ— it would have remained untill this day Jesus Christ speaking to the other Cities gives them their doome in the former verses but here turâ—ing â—o Capernaum he speakes to her with an Emphesis But thou Câ—pernaum As if Jeâ—us Christ should say Wâ—e unto thee Corazin woâ— unto theâ— Beâ—hsaida c. but woe woe woâ— to thee Copernaum which art exalted to heaven who hast had meanes above all the rest meanes which might have brought thee to heaven such meanes as would have converted and so saved Sodome it selfe to this day even these meanes will make thâ—e most miserable and carry thee fuâ—ther into hell thâ—n Sodomes sins will doe her It shall be morâ— tollerable for the Land of Sodomâ— in the day of judgement then for thee vers. 24. I beseech you who ever you be consider this for the Lords sake take heed of neglecting abusing either meanes or gifts What a miserable case are those in which have not Christ when parts Sermons Sacraments all increase damnation On the other side is not Christ despised Christ worth the having which helpes all gives a right to all guides in all I have here a large subject to treat off and I hope you will not expect that I should be very briefe being such a Christ-concerning poynt a soule-concerning poynt but that I should fully open it before I passe I might indeed run out into many parts but I will contract my thoughts and handle onely some particulars which shall be these First I will endeavour to discover and set out the wretched estate of the wicked who are out of Christ and then come to shew the excellency of the Saints priviledges who have a right and interest in Jesus Christ I will after this lay downe some directions for the use of the Saints as certaine speciall helpes to bring a soule to Christ and close up all with some choice Motives I must begin with the lesse pleasing part the wretched estate of the wicked who have interest in Christ But this hath its use as wâ—ll as the other Nay it will helpe much to the other The danger of the one will move a gracious spirit to looke out for the other The Law saith Paul was our schoolâ—-master to bring us to Christ Gal. 3.24 That is the terrors of the Law shew us our need of Christ the law sends us to seeke