testimony_n we_o have_v also_o most_o pregnant_a example_n in_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n chap._n 9_o we_o read_v that_o abimelech_n the_o son_n of_o gideon_n by_o a_o concubine_n be_v assist_v by_o a_o band_n of_o wicked_a counsellor_n who_o be_v prevalent_a and_o lead_v man_n in_o shechem_n and_o by_o the_o help_n of_o vain_a and_o light_a person_n which_o he_o hire_v to_o be_v his_o follower_n with_o money_n which_o they_o give_v he_o do_v usurp_v the_o kingdom_n after_o the_o death_n of_o his_o father_n and_o slay_v his_o seventy_o brethren_n who_o have_v more_o right_a to_o reign_v than_o he_o and_o what_o a_o curse_n and_o plague_n by_o so_o do_v they_o prove_v to_o he_o and_o themselves_o and_o to_o their_o city_n and_o country_n the_o event_n show_v for_o he_o be_v the_o bramble_n in_o his_o brother_n jotham_n parable_n and_o they_o the_o tree_n which_o anoint_a he_o to_o be_v king_n over_o they_o and_o by_o a_o evil_a spirit_n which_o god_n send_v between_o he_o and_o they_o 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of_o wicked_a counsellor_n among_o who_o achitophel_n be_v president_n which_o animate_v absalon_n to_o become_v a_o traitor_n to_o king_n david_n his_o own_o father_n and_o to_o raise_v up_o in_o rebellion_n all_o israel_n against_o he_o 25._o which_o as_o it_o be_v a_o heavy_a plague_n to_o david_n and_o a_o curse_n to_o his_o family_n and_o kingdom_n so_o especial_o to_o themselves_o for_o achitophel_n the_o precedent_n hang_v himself_o and_o the_o rest_n with_o absalon_n be_v destroy_v in_o battle_n and_o miserable_o perish_v the_o like_a misery_n do_v rehoboam_n band_n of_o heady_a counselor_n and_o ill-affected_a follower_n proud_a young_a man_n bring_v upon_o he_o and_o his_o kingdom_n for_o be_v lead_v and_o rule_v by_o their_o counsel_n his_o kingdom_n be_v woeful_o rend_v ten_o tribe_n forsake_v he_o and_o great_a calamity_n fall_v upon_o he_o and_o upon_o jerusalem_n the_o royal_a city_n which_o be_v by_o this_o rent_n leave_v naked_a of_o defence_n and_o sheshak_n king_n 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the_o spoil_n of_o they_o be_v send_v to_o damascus_n and_o the_o king_n himself_o be_v leave_v by_o the_o enemy_n in_o sore_a disease_n be_v slay_v by_o his_o own_o servant_n and_o this_o be_v the_o plague_n and_o curse_n which_o his_o wicked_a counsellor_n by_o who_o he_o be_v lead_v bring_v on_o he_o and_o themselves_o 2_o chron._n 24._o we_o read_v also_o in_o the_o prophecy_n of_o jeremiah_n that_o king_n zedekiah_n be_v altogether_o lead_v and_o rulâ—d_a by_o a_o band_n of_o wicked_a counsellor_n prince_n priest_n and_o false_a prophet_n which_o at_o length_n overawe_v he_o when_o they_o have_v bring_v he_o into_o great_a strait_n jer._n 38.24_o 25._o these_o be_v the_o man_n who_o persecute_v jeremiah_n for_o prophesy_v to_o they_o from_o god_n lay_v wait_v to_o catch_v he_o in_o his_o word_n smite_v he_o put_v he_o in_o the_o stock_n and_o cause_v the_o king_n to_o cast_v he_o into_o the_o dungeon_n what_o curse_a man_n these_o be_v and_o what_o dreadful_a vengeance_n and_o wrath_n of_o god_n follow_v they_o and_o their_o family_n the_o prophet_n show_v ierem._n 18.21_o and_o 20.11_o 12._o viz._n that_o their_o child_n shall_v be_v deliver_v up_o to_o the_o sword_n their_o wife_n shall_v be_v widow_n and_o a_o cry_n shall_v be_v hear_v from_o their_o house_n god_n vengeance_n shall_v be_v see_v on_o they_o and_o their_o everlasting_a confusion_n shall_v never_o be_v forget_v what_o a_o plague_n and_o curse_n they_o be_v to_o the_o king_n to_o his_o son_n and_o to_o his_o city_n and_o kingdom_n the_o same_o prophet_n testify_v they_o make_v he_o and_o his_o people_n reassume_v their_o dismiss_a bond-servant_n and_o break_v the_o covenant_n of_o god_n ier._n 34_o 11._o yea_o and_o the_o oath_n of_o god_n which_o he_o make_v to_o the_o
die_fw-la mercurij_fw-la januar._n 29_o 1644._o order_a that_o sir_n thomas_n dacres_n and_o master_n whitacre_n do_v from_o this_o house_n give_v thanks_o to_o doctor_n wincopp_n and_o master_n walker_n for_o the_o great_a pain_n they_o take_v in_o the_o sermon_n they_o preach_v this_o day_n at_o the_o entreaty_n of_o this_o house_n at_o st._n margaret_n westminster_n it_o be_v the_o day_n of_o public_a humiliation_n and_o to_o desire_v they_o to_o print_v their_o sermon_n and_o they_o be_v to_o have_v the_o like_a privilege_n in_o print_v of_o they_o as_o other_o in_o the_o like_a kind_n usual_o have_v have_v h._n elsing_n cler._n parl._n d._n com._n i_o appoint_v nathaniel_n webb_n to_o print_v my_o sermon_n george_n walker_n a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o honourable_a house_n of_o commons_o at_o their_o late_a solemn_a monthly_a fast_n january_n 29_o 1644_o wherein_o these_o four_o necessary_a consideration_n be_v plain_o prove_v and_o demonstrate_v out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n viz._n 1._o the_o band_n of_o the_o brethren_n in_o iniquity_n the_o pernicious_a bramble_n the_o plague_n and_o curse_v of_o a_o land_n and_o kingdom_n 2._o all_o the_o brethren_n in_o these_o band_n sharp_a prick_n of_o the_o curse_a bramble_n sharer_n in_o the_o sin_n and_o subject_a to_o the_o destruction_n thereof_o 3_o the_o righteous_a keep_v by_o god_n from_o the_o full_a sense_n and_o feeling_n of_o the_o mischief_n which_o they_o be_v sharp_o set_v and_o cruel_o bend_v to_o bring_v upon_o they_o 4._o the_o terrible_a sudden_a and_o total_a destruction_n of_o the_o bramble_n and_o every_o hurtful_a prick_n thereof_o by_o god_n dreadful_a storm_n by_o george_n walker_n bachelor_n of_o divinity_n pastor_n of_o john_n evangelist_n london_n and_o one_o of_o the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n publish_a by_o order_n of_o the_o house_n of_o commons_o london_n print_v by_o t._n b._n for_o nathaniel_n webb_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v in_o paul_n churchyard_n 1645._o to_o the_o honourable_a house_n of_o commons_o now_o assemble_v in_o parliament_n renown_a worthy_n when_o i_o receive_v your_o message_n send_v to_o i_o by_o one_o of_o your_o worthy_a member_n that_o you_o have_v appoint_v i_o to_o preach_v before_o you_o at_o the_o monthly_a fast_n than_o next_o to_o come_v my_o insufficiency_n a_o year_n age_n and_o weakness_n of_o body_n begin_v immediate_o to_o put_v a_o just_a excuse_n â—â—_z my_o mouth_n but_o the_o strong_a obligation_n in_o which_o the_o whole_a land_n be_v oblige_v unto_o you_o be_v the_o only_a powerful_a b_o 21._o saviour_n under_o god_n of_o church_n and_o state_n from_o ruin_n and_o destruction_n when_o they_o be_v already_o overrun_v and_o at_o the_o point_n to_o be_v swallow_v up_o by_o the_o band_n of_o antichrist_n do_v silence_v all_o excuse_n beside_o i_o be_v afraid_a to_o incur_v the_o blame_n or_o suspicion_n of_o ingratitude_n to_o they_o who_o have_v deliver_v i_o from_o the_o paw_n of_o the_o lion_n which_o thirst_v after_o my_o blood_n and_o have_v set_v i_o at_o liberty_n after_o two_o year_n imprisonment_n and_o vote_v a_o just_a recompense_n of_o the_o wrong_n do_v to_o i_o and_o a_o satisfaction_n from_o my_o oppressor_n for_o all_o my_o loss_n and_o damage_n by_o their_o malice_n sustain_v which_o recompense_n through_o your_o favour_n and_o forwardness_n to_o relieve_v i_o i_o have_v certain_o receive_v if_o the_o multitude_n of_o malignant_a spirit_n than_o too_o prevalent_a among_o you_o but_o now_o expel_v out_o of_o your_o assembly_n have_v not_o oppose_v and_o hinder_v the_o transmission_n of_o my_o cause_n in_o due_a time_n to_o the_o honourable_a house_n of_o lord_n i_o see_v also_o a_o special_a hand_n of_o god_n in_o call_v i_o to_o preach_v to_o so_o honourable_a a_o assembly_n and_o his_o power_n and_o providence_n in_o frustrate_v and_o bring_v to_o nought_o the_o counsel_n and_o purpose_n of_o the_o proud_a persecute_v prelate_n of_o canterbury_n 1638._o who_o on_o the_o same_o day_n of_o the_o week_n of_o the_o same_o month_n of_o the_o year_n six_o year_n before_o bring_v i_o to_o answer_v over_fw-la tenus_fw-la in_o the_o star-chamber_n with_o full_a intent_n to_o lay_v a_o heavy_a censure_n on_o i_o and_o when_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n for_o which_o i_o suffer_v do_v bear_v i_o out_o against_o all_o his_o slander_n and_o false_a accusation_n he_o most_o proud_o affirm_v and_o bid_v i_o assure_v myself_o of_o it_o that_o i_o shall_v never_o come_v in_o a_o pulpit_n to_o preach_v any_o more_o upon_o these_o consideration_n i_o do_v cheerful_o submit_v my_o shoulder_n to_o bear_v this_o burden_n though_o it_o seem_v far_o heavy_a than_o my_o strength_n be_v able_a to_o sustain_v and_o undergo_v and_o now_o you_o worthy_n of_o god_n israel_n i_o humble_o beg_v this_o favour_n at_o your_o hand_n that_o you_o will_v accept_v of_o the_o willingness_n of_o the_o workman_n to_o serve_v you_o not_o the_o worth_n of_o the_o service_n itself_o look_v upon_o the_o pure_a precious_a matter_n here_o handle_v choose_v out_o of_o a_o golden_a psalm_n of_o david_n the_o sweet_a singer_n of_o israel_n not_o on_o the_o weak_a handle_n of_o it_o i_o conceive_v it_o very_o seasonable_a for_o the_o time_n and_o occasion_n for_o the_o present_a calamity_n by_o which_o the_o lord_n call_v we_o to_o public_a and_o general_a fast_n and_o humiliation_n proceed_v from_o the_o band_n of_o the_o brethren_n in_o iniquity_n which_o be_v so_o many_o curse_a bramble_n of_o several_a sort_n pester_v the_o whole_a land_n and_o sting_v we_o with_o their_o hurtful_a prick_n which_o abound_v in_o every_o band_n sect_n and_o faction_n the_o thing_n for_o which_o we_o seek_v unto_o god_n by_o fast_v and_o prayer_n be_v deliverance_n of_o our_o church_n and_o state_n from_o the_o mischief_n which_o they_o be_v sharp_o set_v to_o bring_v and_o inflict_v upon_o all_o that_o be_v righteous_a and_o religious_a in_o the_o land_n this_o deliverance_n can_v be_v full_o and_o perfect_o obtain_v till_o the_o lord_n our_o god_n be_v please_v to_o cut_v down_o these_o curse_a bramble_n and_o to_o rid_v these_o three_o kingdom_n of_o they_o and_o this_o the_o lord_n will_v do_v very_o speedy_o so_o soon_o as_o he_o see_v we_o make_v ripe_a for_o deliverance_n by_o true_a unfeigned_a repentance_n and_o amendment_n of_o our_o life_n for_o than_o he_o will_v take_v away_o as_o with_o a_o storm_n and_o whirlwind_n not_o only_o the_o great_a faction_n of_o the_o antichristian_a papist_n atheist_n and_o malignant_n band_v together_o and_o wage_v open_a war_n against_o we_o but_o also_o all_o the_o sect_n of_o anabaptist_n antinomian_n libertine_n and_o schismatical_a separatist_n who_o by_o oppose_v the_o reformation_n and_o union_n of_o our_o church_n with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o best_a reform_a church_n both_o in_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n according_a to_o the_o write_a word_n of_o god_n do_v act_n strong_o for_o antichrist_n and_o by_o raise_v up_o division_n and_o distraction_n in_o the_o city_n country_n and_o all_o our_o army_n do_v as_o much_o as_o in_o they_o be_v to_o weaken_v we_o make_v breach_n in_o our_o wall_n and_o to_o lay_v we_o open_a and_o naked_a to_o the_o violence_n and_o fury_n of_o our_o open_a enemy_n all_o these_o thing_n my_o text_n as_o i_o have_v faithful_o open_v and_o expound_v it_o do_v offer_v to_o your_o grave_n and_o wise_a consideration_n and_o in_o this_o sermon_n i_o have_v prove_v every_o particular_a by_o clear_a testimony_n out_o of_o holy_a scripture_n and_o in_o obedience_n to_o your_o command_n i_o have_v commit_v it_o to_o the_o press_n and_o here_o humble_o present_v it_o to_o your_o honourable_a assembly_n with_o my_o hearty_a desire_n and_o prayer_n to_o god_n for_o you_o that_o by_o it_o and_o many_o other_o most_o godly_a and_o more_o learned_a sermon_n which_o sound_v continual_o in_o your_o care_n you_o may_v take_v occasion_n to_o observe_v and_o note_v the_o danger_n in_o which_o our_o land_n be_v by_o reason_n of_o those_o many_o sect_n and_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_n which_o like_v so_o many_o curse_a bramble_n grow_v up_o and_o increase_v daily_o even_o to_o the_o overspread_n of_o the_o whole_a kingdom_n which_o when_o you_o come_v to_o do_v once_o serious_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o your_o zeal_n will_v stir_v you_o up_o to_o curb_v so_o many_o of_o they_o as_o be_v curable_a and_o to_o cut_v off_o those_o that_o be_v incorrigible_a even_o such_o thorn_n and_o bramble_n as_o david_n describe_v in_o his_o last_o word_n say_v the_o son_n of_o belial_n be_v all_o of_o they_o as_o thornes_n thrust_v away_o because_o they_o can_v be_v take_v with_o hand_n but_o the_o man_n that_o shall_v touch_v they_o must_v be_v full_o fence_v with_o iron_n and_o the_o staff_n of_o a_o spear_n and_o they_o shall_v be_v
king_n of_o babylon_n when_o he_o set_v he_o up_o to_o be_v king_n and_o they_o harden_v he_o by_o their_o evil_a counsel_n to_o stand_v out_o against_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n until_o god_n give_v he_o and_o his_o son_n city_n and_o kingdom_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o king_n of_o babylon_n who_o slay_v his_o son_n before_o his_o face_n than_o put_v out_o his_o eye_n bind_v he_o in_o chain_n till_o he_o die_v take_v the_o city_n lay_v it_o waste_v burn_v the_o temple_n lead_v the_o people_n captive_a and_o leave_v the_o land_n desolate_a as_o we_o read_v ier._n 39_o but_o yet_o there_o be_v another_o band_n and_o conspiracy_n of_o wicked_a counsellor_n unjust_a judge_n persecutiong_n ruler_n and_o ungodly_a officer_n and_o other_o instrument_n of_o violence_n more_o pestilent_a and_o pernicious_a than_o all_o these_o who_o be_v such_o a_o plague_n and_o curse_v to_o their_o whole_a nation_n that_o they_o bring_v the_o wrath_n of_o god_n on_o it_o to_o the_o utmost_a and_o 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and_o other_o agent_n of_o violence_n and_o iniquity_n which_o here_o i_o be_o to_o deal_v with_o that_o we_o may_v see_v most_o clear_o what_o just_a cause_n all_o nation_n and_o person_n have_v to_o hate_v abhor_v and_o spew_v they_o out_o as_o enemy_n of_o all_o righteousness_n and_o peace_n and_o the_o plague_n and_o curse_v of_o the_o land_n state_n and_o kingdom_n in_o which_o they_o rise_v up_o and_o bear_v sway_n i_o will_v launch_v forth_o a_o little_a further_o to_o discover_v the_o depth_n of_o their_o malice_n how_o pestilent_a and_o mischievous_a they_o must_v needs_o be_v wheresoever_o they_o prevail_v and_o be_v countenance_v and_o this_o i_o will_v do_v by_o three_o reason_n draw_v first_o from_o their_o original_n and_o chief_a author_n second_o from_o their_o action_n and_o practice_n three_o the_o unhappy_a event_n of_o their_o do_v reason_n 1_o first_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o all_o son_n of_o belial_n child_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o seed_n of_o the_o old_a serpent_n especial_o when_o a_o faction_n of_o they_o be_v band_v together_o be_v most_o hurtful_a and_o dangerous_a to_o the_o church_n and_o people_n of_o god_n and_o a_o plague_n and_o curse_v to_o the_o state_n in_o which_o they_o rule_v and_o have_v power_n for_o god_n have_v put_v enmity_n between_o they_o and_o the_o elect_a seed_n of_o the_o woman_n christ_n and_o his_o true_a member_n there_o can_v be_v no_o peace_n but_o perpetual_a war_n with_o they_o till_o their_o head_n be_v bruise_v and_o their_o power_n scatter_v which_o victory_n for_o the_o most_o part_n do_v câ—st_a christian_n as_o it_o do_v their_o head_n christ_n the_o bruise_n of_o their_o heel_n gen._n 3.15_o what_o a_o curse_n the_o son_n of_o eli_n who_o be_v call_v son_n of_o belial_n 1_o sam._n 2.12_o do_v bring_v upon_o the_o land_n of_o israel_n and_o on_o their_o father_n house_n we_o may_v read_v at_o large_a chap._n 2.11_o and_o chap._n 4._o the_o ark_n of_o god_n can_v not_o secure_v they_o from_o god_n wrathful_a stroke_n and_o visit_v hand_n and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o the_o covetousness_n theft_n and_o treachery_n of_o judas_n who_o be_v a_o devil_n incarnate_a do_v discover_v sufficient_o what_o mischief_n abound_v in_o the_o child_n of_o the_o devil_n now_o wicked_a counsellor_n unjust_a judge_n and_o all_o other_o ungodly_a man_n band_v together_o to_o lie_v to_o seduce_v and_o to_o work_v mischief_n in_o their_o heart_n be_v in_o the_o scripture_n proclaim_v son_n of_o belial_n child_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o old_a serpent_n so_o god_n by_o moses_n call_v they_o deut._n 13.13_o so_o david_n in_o his_o last_o word_n and_o say_v that_o they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o as_o thornes_n thrust_v away_o because_o they_o can_v be_v take_v with_o hand_n 2_o sam._n 23.6_o and_o our_o saviour_n tell_v the_o jew_n band_v together_o to_o oppress_v hurt_n lie_v slander_n and_o persecute_v that_o they_o be_v of_o their_o father_n the_o devil_n they_o have_v their_o original_n from_o hell_n the_o devil_n be_v the_o chief_a author_n of_o their_o malice_n and_o precedent_n of_o their_o conspiracy_n and_o counsel_n john_n 8.44_o and_o st._n paul_n call_v elimas_n the_o sorcerer_n who_o labour_v to_o turn_v sergius_n paulus_n from_o the_o faith_n the_o enemy_n of_o all_o righteousness_n the_o child_n of_o the_o devil_n full_a of_o all_o malice_n and_o subtlety_n act_n 13.10_o for_o indeed_o the_o old_a serpent_n the_o devil_n inspire_v subtlety_n into_o man_n suggest_v wicked_a counsel_n and_o draw_v they_o into_o conspiracy_n in_o evil_a and_o the_o more_o they_o be_v band_v together_o the_o more_o he_o prevail_v in_o they_o and_o work_v more_o mischief_n by_o they_o and_o therefore_o their_o original_n and_o the_o author_n of_o their_o counsel_n demonstrate_v they_o to_o be_v such_o as_o this_o doctrine_n teach_v the_o second_o reason_n be_v draw_v from_o their_o action_n and_o practice_n first_o of_o all_o their_o thought_n be_v against_o the_o righteous_a for_o evil_a reason_n 2_o psalm_n 56.5_o they_o work_v mischief_n in_o their_o heart_n verse_n 2._o of_o this_o psalm_n devise_v it_o on_o their_o bed_n psal._n 30.4_o they_o glory_n and_o boast_v in_o it_o psalm_n 52.1_o they_o consult_v together_o to_o cast_v down_o the_o righteous_a from_o his_o excellency_n they_o delight_v in_o lie_n bless_v with_o their_o mouth_n but_o curse_v with_o their_o heart_n psal._n 62.3_o 4._o in_o the_o balance_n of_o justice_n which_o they_o hold_v as_o judge_n in_o their_o hand_n and_o under_o colour_n and_o pretence_n of_o judgement_n they_o weigh_v out_o the_o violence_n of_o their_o hand_n that_o be_v wrong_n and_o injury_n in_o the_o earth_n psalm_n 58.2_o they_o plot_v against_o the_o righteous_a psalm_n 37.12_o they_o lie_v in_o wait_n for_o blood_n 64.5_o mich_n 7.2_o they_o
from_o abroad_o he_o send_v in_o among_o we_o grievous_a wolf_n in_o sheep_n clothing_n who_o by_o fair_a show_n of_o more_o refine_a religion_n piety_n and_o godly_a life_n seek_v to_o insinuate_v themselves_o into_o your_o favour_n and_o under_o pretence_n of_o new_a light_n and_o tender_a conscience_n to_o purchase_v at_o your_o hand_n liberty_n to_o live_v as_o they_o list_v under_o no_o rule_n or_o government_n but_o every_o company_n and_o particular_a conventicle_n to_o do_v what_o seem_v good_a in_o their_o own_o eye_n without_o control_n of_o any_o superior_n other_o rise_v up_o daily_o and_o speak_v perverse_a thing_n that_o they_o may_v draw_v disciple_n after_o they_o the_o several_a band_n of_o anabaptist_n antinomiaur_n familist_n libertine_n and_o separatist_n be_v so_o multiply_v that_o they_o begin_v to_o threaten_v and_o speak_v big_a word_n and_o beside_o these_o we_o have_v blasphemous_a heretic_n or_o rather_o atheist_n who_o begin_v to_o gather_v assembly_n and_o 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among_o you_o they_o be_v the_o band_n of_o the_o wicked_a and_o the_o bramble_n of_o which_o my_o text_n speak_v which_o i_o have_v in_o the_o doctrine_n now_o in_o hand_n prove_v to_o be_v most_o pestilent_a and_o dangerous_a even_o the_o very_a curse_n of_o the_o land_n in_o which_o they_o get_v foot_v and_o increase_v and_o you_o renown_a worthy_n as_o you_o tender_v the_o good_a and_o welfare_n of_o your_o country_n and_o of_o those_o who_o have_v entrust_v you_o with_o defence_n and_o safety_n of_o their_o religion_n law_n liberty_n and_o life_n and_o as_o god_n have_v call_v you_o to_o the_o high_a place_n and_o court_n of_o judicature_n so_o let_v it_o be_v your_o first_o care_n and_o work_v of_o reformation_n to_o remove_v all_o such_o bramble_n out_o of_o the_o way_n and_o because_o some_o be_v but_o green_a thorn_n or_o prick_v seduce_v and_o draw_v into_o the_o faction_n by_o the_o sleight_n and_o subtlety_n of_o deceiver_n have_v compassion_n on_o they_o and_o put_v a_o 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