Corne some wicked amongst many good Children yet if thy vice deface not thy vertue if the weedes ouer-grow not the Corne and the wicked doo not ouercome the good thou hast no cause to suspect thine ouerthrow So long as a disease take not the head possesse not the hart nor runne through the whole body there is great hope of cure no daunger of death The scarre of vice is not high in thy face it standeth low and serueth as a foile set vnder to set forth the vertue of thy Queene which is thy eye wherein thy beautie doth consist Thy greatest wound is in thy inferiour parts where if it will not be cured what is the worst Ense rescidendum est Ouid. Meta. ne pars sincera trahatur If by the salue of mercie it cannot be healed which often is as often it should be applyed by the sword of iustice it must be launced that the sound parts may be preserued which course being held as it is held so that the poyson of the wound feaster not too farre thou mayest be assured that the Lord God which often spareth the wicked for the sake of the good and neuer punisheth the iust for the faults of the vngodly will in mercy hold thee vp that thou shalt not fall VVhile thou art subiect to thy head which is so carefull of thy health that contempt of the maiestie of God she doth cut off and will not suffer sinne and iniquity to grow vp within thee thou art safe vnder her gouernment by his protection from all thy enemies As the mighty Oake fastened by the strength of his rootes so doest thou stand fast blow the wind where it shall it shall but blow downe thy withered leaues But that cannot euer be what hath beene vnited must be dissolued and nothing is more sure then that the Sunne shall set which once doth rise no man knowing how soone the brightnes thereof may be darkned with a cloud That being true yet is it no lesse true that as all Creatures were in their first creation so are they all both in their preseruation and destruction still subiect to the will of their Creatour hee hath set them a race which they cannot choose but runne what he doth order is not in their power to alter neuerthelesse his own hand is not shortened he is able to cut short and to prolong he can stop and turne the course how long and which way his pleasure is Iosu 3 4. The waters of Iordan comming downe from aboue he stayed so as they rose vpon a heape vntill the Priests bearing the arke of the couenant and all the Israelites went through Iorden Iosua 19. and passed ouer dry And when the Lord fought for Israell against the Amorites he stayed the Sunne in Gibeon the Moone in the valley of Aialon vntill the people auenged them selues of their enemies So as the Sunne abode in the middes of the heauen and hasted not to goe downe for a whole day and there was no day like that before it nor after it In like sort it is greatly to be hoped which aboue all things with feruent prayer is to be desired that the same God will stop the streame of whatsoeuer may hurt thy Soueraigns health and stay the course of her life so long that no health no life of any mortall Creature shall be like vnto hers that shyning amongst the Princes of the earth as the Sunne amiddest the starres of heauen she may giue light and life vnto his church for a long while be very late if not the last in going downe No doubt as it was the pleasure of the omnipotent God to deliuer her out of the hands of her aduersaries in miraculous sort and to rayse her to her princely seate ouer thee and as of especiall and exceeding fauour he hath in wonderfull wise euer sithence preserued her from the mischeeuous practises and dangerous attempts of many enemies abroade and at home first that she might be since for that she hath been a careful nurse of his church and tender mother of his children and so hath blessed her with honour and riches that her breasts flow with milke and her bones runne full of marrow to the continuall feeding and strengthning of his Gospell So mayest thou be well assured I speake what I hartily wish and am verily perswaded that that good God by whom she now liueth and raigneth in Maiestie will shew his power to the worlds wonder in the length of her dayes and glory of her kingdome if for the rebellion of thy people against him he take not her to him selfe as more worthy to raigne with Angels in heauen then to dwell with sinners wicked and vnruly sinners in denying God and disobeying her vpon earth Beware therefore thou prouoke not the Lord thy God by presumptuous sinnes to change his countenance and to turne his face away from thee Remember that for the transgression of the Land there are many Princes thereof Let thy people feare God so shall they not feare the losse of her vnder whom by his goodnes infinit blessings they enioy and thou art famous aboue all Nations Ierusalem is fallen and Iudah is fallen downe sayeth the Prophet and why because their tongue and works are against the Lord to prouoke the eyes of his glory That which was sayed concerning Ierusalem and Iudah thinke to concerne thee and know that if thou committest the like fault thou art like to feele the like smart for he that spake it is one and the same yesterday to day and for euer Num. 23. He is not as man that he should lye neyther as the Sonne of man that he should repent If thou cast behind thee his goodnes Psal 73. if thou settest thy mouth against heauen and not desiring the knowledge of his wayes thou sayest out of the pride of thy hart who is the Almighty that I should serue him Iob. 22. and what profit shold I haue if I should pray vnto him and because thou hast no changes Psal 55. therefore thou doest not feare him Thou shalt not onely dry vp the fountaine of his goodnes and dew of his mercy towards thee but shalt kindle the fire of his wrath to consume thee Iere. 44. So shall he take from thee thy stay and thy strength and visite thy people as he visited Ierusalem by the sword by the famine by the pestilence thy Citties shall be burnt with fire Strangers shall deuoure thee in thy presence and thou shalt be desolate Thus farre hath loue which stirred me vp carried me on and heere doth not suffer me to stay but forceth me further to put forth the best strength I haue whereby to remoue out of the minds of thy people that heauy block of grosse ignorance which may hinder them frō the knowledge of God and hasten destruction to fall vpon them For he not being by them honoured they cannot be by him preserued wherein before they can
for maintenance of his life he was driuen to striue with the earth which though he trod vnder his feete he could not subdue without the strength of his hands and the sweate of his browes In the example of Adam the poure of God is to be seene of all sorts Heere of all sorts the power of the God omnipotent is to be seene the poorest are not of lesse value nor the basest of meaner account then dust which was raysed to the possession and commaundement of all worldly things the richest and greatest haue not more nor more aucthority then had he which was owner and ruler of all between heauen and earth from the vttermost bounds and round about the compasse of the same who notwithstanding became naked banished and forced to labour or not to liue After the sinnes of the world with the Sonnes of men growing to be infinite and infinitely to exceede in contempt of God and heighth of pride God to make knowne to all the people of the earth that he could both destroy and preserue both call together and scatter asunder Genes 7. at his pleasure he first opened the windowes of heauen The flood and brake vp the fountaines of the deepe whereby all the mountaynes vnder heauen were couered and the whole earth ouer-whelmed with water and none saued aliue but onely Noah with such few as in his arke by the commaundement of God were preserued and when being encreased and multiplied they went about to erect a Tower which standing on the earth should reach vp to heauen Gene. 11. as if they would clime vp to the highest and sit with him aboue he made their owne tongues the instrument of their owne punishment by confounding their owne language in such sort as speaking they were heard and not vnderstoode whereby they were scattered their weaknes appeared and the building was left vndone but standing high The Tower of Babilon a monumēt of mans vanity and Gods omnipotency as a monument of their vanity and of his omnipotencie farre and neere to be seene VVhat diuersity then was there betweene the rich and the poore the mighty and the weake when all of all sorts were drowned eight onely not for wealth or dignity but for iustice and vertue excepted Or what preheminence had any when all could speake and none deliuer his minde all heare and not one vnderstand The rich soyle about Sodom brought forth great sinners Gene. 13. It followed that the rich soyle about Sodom and Gomorra which was as the Garden of the Lord before it was destroyed brought forth wicked and exceeding sinnes against the Lord. But was their riches their raunsome their power their defence Gene. 18. Nothing lesse onely righteousnes might haue beene if amongst thousands it had beene found in tenne which not being and the cry of their sinnes ascending vp to heauen the Lord rayned fire and brimstone out of heauen vpon the two Citties wherby they were ouer-throwne and the inhabitants of them destroyed all saue onely iust Lot Gene. 19. with his wife and two daughters which immediatly before were by the Angels taken by the hands and set without the Citty Gen. 25 27 Though Iacob had gotten the birth-right and his Fathers blessing from Esau yet when he departed from his parents to goe to Laban it doth not appeare but that he went alone VVhen he slept Gen. 28.29 he layed a stone vnder his head and desired of God onely meate and apparrell and being come to Laban he serued twice seauen years for Rachell first vpon agreement secondly constrained by deceipt wherefore poore was his estate his condition base and paines with patience his onely meanes to recouer his right Gen. 30.32 Yet being contented and depending vpon the goodnes of God he became rich aboue measure and was named Israell because he had power with God and should preuaile with men Gen. 37.39 Ioseph stript out of his coate was by his brethren cast into a pit from which being lifted out he was first sold to the Ismalites after by them to Potiphar lastly being falsly accused of his Maisters wife Gene. 41. he was cast into prison But he fearing the Lord and the Lord being with him whatsoeuer he did did prosper till at length he became ruler ouer all Egipt Great was the pouerty and the miserie extreame Exod. 1 2 3 8 9 10. which the Israelites did suffer vnder Pharao a King but proud and hardned in hart against the great King of heauen and earth VVhile they poore soules were cruelly afflicted The misery of the Israelites vnder Pharao all manner of bondage being layed vpon them to make them weary of their liues Pharao affying in his owne strength scornfully asked who is the Lord that I should let Israell goe And seeing the miracles performed by his Sorcerers and vvise-men which were done by Moyses and Aron hee persisted in rebellion against God and cruelty ouer his people and albeit the Enchaunters perceauing their skill to fayle when they could not turne the dust into Lyce were enforced to say vnto him this is the finger of God and he saw the Lyce to be ouer his land vpon man and beast the morraine to fall vpon the cattell the plague of sores vpon the people and thunder and haile and lightning vpon the ground whereby men beasts hearbs and trees were smitten and broken to peeces and Grashoppers strange and innumerable to couer the ground and to deuoure whatsoeuer was left and darknes by the space of three dayes to be in all the land of Egipt that not a man during that time could see an other or rise vp from the place where he was yet God being willing to get honour of him he hardned his hart so as he still pursued Israel Exod. 14. But they flying and he pursuing The great power of God in deliuering Israell and punishing Pharaoh the Sea was diuided and brought together againe that Israell might escape and hee be drowned with all his Hoast VVhich variety of greeuous punishments partly by base and conetmptible creatures and partly by fearfull vnusuall meanes inflicted is an argument that God is able sondry wayes and can vse as well the least and most silly instruments as the greatest and most terrible weapons to punish the sinnes of men and amongst men to pull downe the pride of the highest and to ouerthrow the strength of the greatest and that he so doth to make it knowne that none is like vnto him in all the earth and where the Sea was made dry land and the same the bottome of the Sea againe it appeareth that both Sea and land are readie to execute his wil and serue to shew his power no lesse in destroying his enemies then in preseruing his chosen howe poore hovve weake how distressed soeuer VVherfore the Israelites being afraid when the Philistines went vp against them and hauing no hope by their owne strength to escape being
powers with the windes the messengers of his anger as with the breath of his nosthrils shaked scattered and consumed those earthly meanes wherein that worldly Prince reposed his trust A great example of the weakenes of man of the might of God to teach the Princes of the earth not to bee resolute in their purposes nor ouer confident in their owne forces but to seeke for helpe where it may bee found assuredly without failing and powerfully beyond all resisting of flesh and blood The like of late yeeres euen before our eyes The ouerthrow of the Spanish fleet 1588. and touching our selues hath euidently appeared in the happy ouerthrowe of that Spanish fleet prepared to inuate the kingdom of England and to make a blody conquest of the Nation and supposed and sayd by the setter and sender of it forth to be inuinsible VVhat successe it had we saw they felt the world knoweth and time will neuer forget but all places and all ages the farthest and the last shall remember to the glorie of God whose work it was to the renowne of Queene Elizabeth whose Lieuetenant she was and to the honour of Englishmen whose souldiers they were Char. Lo. Howard of Eff. commaunded by a noble Admirall the happy leader of that fleete all manfully fighting vnder the banner of Christ for the defence of his Gospell the maintenaunce of their own fayth and safetie of this noble Realme Therein that mighty King may see what he did and know what he can doe Hee sent to conquer the kingdome but with his owne ouerthrow gaue honour to the Nation he meant to destroy the people but killed scarce a man His Admirall sawe the Ports but could not land a shyp his Nauy went round the Realme but found no creeke to rest in Chased it was beaten it was it felt the rage of the windes The elements seemed to cōspire against the Spanish forces the furie of the Sea and the torment of fire as if both fire and water and ayre had conspired to fight against him which sought to possesse that earth which vvas none of his So the Lord God high and mightie stretched foorth his arme to make his strength knowne that all the world might learne to feare honour his holy name especially that hee vvhich was proude in his owne forces and lifted vp in his owne eyes might see and vnderstand that God fauoured not th' ambition of his hart and the greedinesse of his desire and that his strength was weaknesse and his greatnes nothing God bending his countenaunce putting out his hand against him And that wee which were defended kept safe with the shield of his mercy might euermore with thankfulnes acknowledge his goodnes and vvith continuall prayses sette forth his euerlasting glory to the vttermost parts of the world if it may bee and to the worlds end But if he proceed as Pharao did in the hardnesse of his hart it is to be thought that the purpose of the Lord is to get more honor of him And if wee forget as Israell often did to walke after his Law and to serue him aright it is to be feared least before we come to the Land of Canaan we shall feele the bitternesse of famine the sharpnes of the sworde and the destruction of many thousands amongst vs. The Lorde GOD which hath done so much for vs make vs mindful of him and carefull of our selues which wee shall be if truly we think of him and of our selues that is if in his fauour and not in our owne power wee repose our safetie if wee sette our strength in his arme and looke for defence from his right hand resoluing that all flesh is corrupt feeble and fraile and that euen the purest the soundest the mightiest consisting thereof as a flower in the fielde is easily pulled vp and as the greatest Oake is cutte downe in an hower the one assuredly to wither the other neuer to growe againe So when the mightiest Prince of the earth affying in himselfe maketh warre against vs and threatneth with fire and sword to deuoure vs wee may with comfort thinke and say with assurance to our selues as dyd the Athenians when Xerxes with his huge and vnmatchable armie Herodo Polimma came to conquer Greece his quarell being specially to them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that he is not a God but a man which warreth against Greece and that neither is or euer shall be any mortal creature voyde of euil from the hower of his birth and that the greatest to the greatest mischiefe is subiect and therefore beeing a mortall man he may faile of his purpose But further they which knew not but the God vnknowne may we which know serue the true God and Lord of all with ioy and comfort say and pronounce to our Leaders as Hesekiah dyd to his Captaines when Senacharib inuaded threatned Iudah Be strong and couragious feare not neyther be afraid for the king of Ashur neither for all the multitude that is with him for there be more with vs then are with him with him is an arme of flesh but with vs is the Lord our God for to helpe vs and to fight our battaile Euen so no doubt said that princely Lady aboue all Ladyes and Princes to bee renowned to her Generalls and Commaunders when being by a mighty King threatned iniured sundry waies she was prouoked Not by malice of reuenge Her Maiesties owne words then which better cannot be in her prayer to God when she sent her forces to Cales in the yeere 1596. nor quittance of iniurie nor desire of bloodshed nor greedinesse of lucre to put forth her strength but of a heedfull care and wary watch that no neglect of foes nor ouersuertie of harme might breede either danger to her or glorie to them And so resoluing humbled herselfe before the most omnipotent maker and guider of all the worlds masse and prayed victory from him for the suretie of her Realme and the glory of his Name with the least losse of English blood VVherefore that mighty Iehoua to whom shee bent her hart heard her voyce fauoured her enterprize gaue a speedy happy victory to her forces with best fore-winds sent them out brought them home the blood of very few being shed and that not spilt but well bestowed no valour wanting nor policie forgotten before the conquest and all temperance vsed mercy shewed after the victorie by those her noble Generalls which with exceeding vertue to their euerlasting fame discharged the great trust reposed in them and the most honourable place they serued in VVherefore her Highnesse is thorough the power of the Highest safe without feare to be surprized at home as Craesus was for his greedines of the Persian treasure hath not beene ouerthrowne and put to flight at Sea as Xerxes was pursuing his reuenge of the Athenians nor discomfited and vexed by the fury of the windes as Charles was indeuouring
subiect to all danger and easily ouerthrowne Our neighbour Countries haue seene the sodaine fall of their Princes by the bloody hands of cruell murtherers euen of late in these last dayes of the world dayes of disobedience of treason of vnnaturall affection and of all sinne and iniquitie vnworthy to be graced with the light of heauen whose purenes if it were possible would be defiled with the noysome vapours of wickednes arising daily from the face of the earth The great power and goodnes of God in the preseruation of her Maiestie But yet notwithstanding all malitious conspiracies trayterous practises and dangerous attempts against the annoyted of the Lord our most excellent Soueraigne Queene Elizabeth she liueth and raigneth in safety and in glory to the glory of him by whose goodnes no lesse carefully then by his power miraculously she hath beene preserued her wicked enemies by the feruencie of his displeasure as stinking mists by the burning beames of the Sunne being dispersed consumed All Princes may seeme to haue meanes sufficient by their owne strength of their owne defence being furnished with strong guardes euer attending and many eyes still watching to fore-see what is intended against them so as nothing can be thought so subtill or secret which is not like to be discouered and preuented but all will not serue where GOD is vnwilling to preserue All meanes of meÌ„ without the help of God are vaine Psalm 127. If GOD doe not keepe the Cittie they labour in vaine that watch it their eyes are dimme and their eares deafe manifest daungers passe by their sight and neuer come to their vnderstanding So many are the deuises of mischiefe and so cunningly disguised vnder the colour of loue and pretence of friendship God onely searcheth and seeth the hart Iâ—ue Saetyr 1 that God alone who searcheth the hart and seeth the inward thought is able to discerne the malitious minde of a wicked man It was not said without cause fronti nulla fides no trust to the outward countenance and in animis hominum multae latebrae multi recessus in the minds of men there are many darke corners and secret places for there are not by many so many furrowes and wrinkles in the forehead to be seene as vnder the scull neere the braine there be priuy corners and close angles which the eyes of an Eagle are vnable to pearce into VVherefore when man through the corruption of his nature inclining more to ill then to good is not so ingenious in the deuise nor so industrious in the practise of good as of ill no meruaile it is if euill conspiracies ouercome good counsailes Faythfull counsellors the surest defence of the King and designes of mischiefe goe beyond all meanes of defence Faithfull counsailers louing truth and hating couetcousnes are the surest strength of the Kings life and best instruments of his safety for not being delighted with lyes they are not deluded by flatterers To loue truth be liberall fit for Counsailers to Kings nor by gifts or rewards are they blinded which are not coueteously disposed But truth possessing their harts and their hands being full of liberallity they aduise faithfully without feare and wisely without error and so cleere are their eyes that they see farre and neere For mony which often dazeleth The force of money and darkneth the eyes of the taker as often bringeth light sight to the giuer many secrets are made known many practises layd open from euery quarter aduertisements are giuen to such as will drawe theyr purses and are not sparing of rewards Doores and locks are easily had to keepe money in but to hold it out hardly can a locke or a doore strong enough be found Precium si grandefer as custodia victa est Tib. 2. Eleg 4. Nec prohibent claueis et canis ipse tacet Bring mony store the keepe is ouercome The keyes let in the barking dog is dombe VVherefore right happy is that Prince whose counsailers and seruants loue truth and hate couetousnes As without such it is impossible for a King to sit safe in his kingdome so by the meanes of such as great safetie is had as by the help of man can bee obtained for they are friends that flatter not and watchmen that sleepe not and such alone as for friends watchmen are to be esteemed But be they in all as they ought to be yet are they but men doe they what they can without the help of him that sitteth in heauen all is in vaine If God be not their guide they runne astray following theyr owne wayes they easily misse the path of truth fall into the pitte of error though greedilie they seeke and hunt after truth as a most precious iewel Yet truth being buried in the deepe Truth buried in the deepe and couered ouer with many pleasing vaines of right shewe but counterfaite substance they stick in the shallow fall in liking with the deceitful shadow of that they desire For by nature being slow to conceaue and dull to vnderstand we soone turne away from matter of difficultie lay easily holde on easie and ready things which euer-more are the worst both in respect of themselues in respect of the hurt they bring to the possessors of them Lyes errors vices are the smyling baytes whereby wee are quicklie caught and willingly carried away to mischiefe myserie The baites of mischiefe misery Lyes are ill tolde but well heard errors dangerous guests but entertained as deere friends vices the bane of al our happines but vsed fostered and delighted in as the only pleasure comfort of our liues All which being the seed of the Serpent our auncient and first enemy creepe into vs as hee dyd into our old beginning Parents whose posteritie we are and are deceiued as they were by the alluring face of ease and glory Men drawn to il by ease and glory An easie thing to eate an Apple and what more glorious then to be as God in the knowledge of good and euill But it was a lye that first was told and beeing beleeued ignoraunce was our vnderstanding and our knowledge error then vice gotte the possession of our harts and rule of our mindes so were wee of our selues not Gods but deuils in the world and so are we still if by the spirit of God we be not lightened and guided in the wayes of truth wisedom vertue wherewith who so is endued is in some measure enabled to discerne truth froÌ„ falshood knowledge from ignoraunce vertue from vice and by meanes thereof not beeing deceiued is deliuered from the malice of sathan and from all the practises of his wicked ministers be they neuer so secret subtile and mischiuous VVherfore it is the goodnesse of God which onely can and assuredly doth saue and protect as well Princes as others out of the hands of theyr enemies so as he which sayed Seneca Thebais
Eripere vitam nemo non homini potest euery man may take away the life of any man sayed most vntruly and false and foolish is that opinion that who so is carelesse of his owne life is maister of another mans As if that desperate wretch which doth not regard to be killed had power to kill whom hee would It might be so if mens actions were framed of themselues and that by no other guide then by their own nature they were directed Then might a trayterous seruaunt or a disguised stranger approching neere the person take away the life of the greatest Emperour who beeing of innocencie without feare magnanimity without suspition could not but lye open to the wicked will of the vildest caitife in the world And then should not a good Ruler liue amongst sinfull and vngodlie men He seeking to correct their faults and to bridle their disordered desires and they to be voyd of punishment endeuouring to remoue him from amongst them But farre otherwise it is mens harts are not in their own hands neither are their hands directed after their owne wills God mooueth the one and carryeth the other and stayeth both the one and the other according to his pleasure Marius being declared an enemy to the people of Rome Appian de billis ciuilib lib. 1. and put out of the protection of Lawe so as any that would that could I should say might take his goods and his life impune safely without feare of punishment a French souldiour offering himselfe for the purpose was sent by the Magistrats of Minturna with a sword in his hand to kill hym in his bedde he to hide himselfe lying secretly in a poore house of that Citty But the French man comming to performe the deed when he saw him and heard him say Darest thou kill Marius hee ranne like a mad man out of the chamber and cryed out that to kill Marius was not in his power Calphurnius Crassus Dion Cass lib. 68. in vita Ner. conspyring with others the death of Nerua the true patterne of a good Emperour Nerua knowing their conspiracie placed thē at a publique shew next vnto him and not fearing danger being strengthened with a great mind and a cleere conscience deliuered swords ready drawn vnto them and asked them whether they vvere sharpe enough who hauing the swords in theyr hands wherewith they might haue killed him had not the courage to lift them vp against him Ehud Iudg 3. a man lame of his right hand killed Eglon King of Moab but it was the will of God it should bee so for he styrred vp Ehud for a sauiour to deliuer the Children of Israel out of the hands of the Moabits But Abishai going downe with Dauid by night to seeke Saul and finding him a sleep 1 Sam 26 and being minded to smite him with a speare to the earth so as he should not neede to smite him againe yet had not the power to touch him because hee was told by Dauid No man may lay his hand on the Lords annointed be guiltlesse whose hart was directed by the Spirit of God that no man could lay his hand on the Lords annointed and be guiltlesse VVherein diuers dyd appeare the will of GOD to be towards those wicked Kings in destroying the one and sauing the other but euer-more to be full of goodnes and full of power God euer good to his as hauing all power ouer the actions of man and vsing the same alwaies to the good of his chosen Eglon in his Court amongst his friends in his parlor amidst his greatest strength The wicked neuer in safetie by the left hand of a lame man lost his life he saw Ehud come but dyd not foresee nor could auoid the mischiefe hee brought with him On the other side The good in the midst of danger defended by the hand of God Saule a sleepe enclosed with his enemies was not suffered to fall into their hands but was in danger vvithout feare and in safetie without defence beeing then by the will of God ruling the hart of Dauid and leading the hande of Abishai strongly defended when in no sort hee could defend himselfe And both Eglon was killed to deliuer Israell from the seruitude of Moab Saule preserued to teach Israell obedience to the Lords annointed but reserued withall to be distressed of the Philistines and to fall vpon his owne sworde God vseth the wicked against the wicked for the good of his without good to themselues that thereby might appeare the exceeding goodnesse of God in vsing the hand of the wicked against the wicked for the safegard of his people whereby what good soeuer ariseth to thē no more turneth to such instruments therof then came to the builders of the Arke they being drowned in the displeasure of God when Noah alone with his thorough the worke of the others hands The goodnes of God towards Princes and Rulers continueth to the end 1 Reg. ca. 2. was saued aliue In other sort the Lord dealeth with good Princes and Rulers hee standeth by them while they liue and doth not forsake them when they die Dauid after that he had raigned many yeeres ouer Israell in Hebron Ierusalem and had established his soone Salomon in his throne beeing olde and striken in yeeres slept with his Fathers and was buried in the Cittie of Dauid 1. Reg. cap. 11. Salomon although his hart turned after other Gods and was not perfect with the Lorde his God as was the hart of Dauid his Father yet for Dauids sake he made him Prince and kept him safe in his kingdome all his life long so as hee raigned fortie yeeres ouer all Israell at the last slept with his Fathers 2. Chr. cha 17 18 19 20. and was buried in the Citty of Dauid Ichosophat walked in the first waies of his Father Dauid and sought the Lord God of his Father and walked in his commaundements and lifted vp his hart vnto the waies of the Lorde wherefore the Lord established the Kingdome in his hand and gaue him rest on euery side and hee raigned fiue and twenty yeeres in Ierusalem then slept with his Fathers 2. Chr. cap. 27. and was buried with them in the Cittie of Dauid So Iothan became mightie because he directed his way before the Lord his God and his lyfe ended hee slept with his Fathers and was buried in the Citty of Dauid 2. Reg. ca. 18 Hezekiah raigned many yeeres and had exceeding much honor and riches and prospered in all things he tooke in hand for he trusted in the Lord God of Israell so that af ter him was none like vnto him amongst all the kings of Iudah neither were there any such before him wherefore hee slept with his Fathers and was buried in the highest Sepulchre of the sonnes of Dauid 2 Chr. cap. 32. and all Iudah and the inhabitants of Ierusalem did him honour at his death Good
Kings are fauoured of God and through his goodnesse enioy infinite blessings both of lyfe and death No practise no enterprize of the wicked is able to preuaile against those whom God protecteth The iudgemēt of God against wicked Princes 2. Reg. ca. 1 It was Ahasiah which consulted with Belzebub that fell thorough the lettice windowe in his vpper chamber and dyed Iehoram that wrought euill in the sight of the Lord which was killed by the hand of Iehu both ill sonnes of an ill Father 2. Reg. ca. 9. and by God were punished no lesse for their owne then for their Fathers iniquitie Ioash it was against whom his owne seruants conspired and whom they slew in his bedde because he fell to Idolatrie killed Zacharie and forgat the kindnes which Ichoiada his Father had doone vnto him 2 Chr. c. 15 Amaziah against whom treason was vvrought in Ierusalem after he had turned away from the Lord who flying to Lachish 2. Chr. c. 26. was pursued and there slaine Vzziah that was a Leaper vnto the day of his death and dwelt as a Leaper in an house a part because he was cutte off from the house of the Lord. It was Ahab 1. Reg. c. 22 who sold himselfe to worke wickednesse in the sight of the Lord vvhose blood the dogges licked in the place where before they had licked the blood of Naboth 2 Reg. c. 28. Benadab which had doone wrong and much hurt to the people of Israell who by Hasaell his seruaunt was stifled when he lay sicke on his bedde Acts 13. And Herod it was that wicked Herod vvho imprisoned beheaded Iohn the Baptist and despised and mocked our Sauiour Christ vvho sitting on the iudgement seat arrayed in royall apparrell was suddainly striken with the Angell of the Lord because he gaue not glory vnto God so that he was eaten with wormes gaue vp the Ghost VVherby manifestly appeareth the different estate of good and badde Rulers the bad beeing by the iustice of GOD though not in the course of their life yet at the howre of their death assuredly punished as the good by his goodnesse are if not while they liue at the least vvhen they die most graciously protected VVhich when the vvorser sort happen to obserue and consider although they hate to liue the lyfe yet do they wish to die the death of the righteous and to haue their end like vnto theirs Numb 23 24. As dyd Balaam the vvicked Prophet when from the toppe of the Rocks and from the hills hee beheld Iacob and that the multitude vvas as the dust and that no man was able to number the fourth part of Israell notwithstanding all the malice and the might of Balaack against them they being still prescrued by the blessing of GOD so as hee could not curse them but vvas enforced to confesse that if Balaack vvoulde gyue him his house full of Siluer and Golde hee could not curse whom GOD dyd blesse nor coulde passe the commaundement of the Lord to doe eyther good or badde of his owne mind VVherfore safe is the seate and singuler ought to be the comfort of all good Princes and Rulers beeing by the powerfull hand of the omnipotent and euer-liuing GOD protected They may bee assured that without his sufferance who is theyr defence no power no practice of man or of sathan can preuaile against them Chap. 7. That God is good to the worser sort but to their greater hurt and that good men should not be greeued thereat but receaue comfort thereby WHen it pleaseth God in the secrecie of his iudgment to afflict good men and to suffer the wicked to flourish in this world such is our weaknes that we stagger in mind and seeing it often so to come to passe we often fall into doubtfull and vndutifull conceites euen of God him selfe as if eyther he were not or regarded not the dooings and deseruings of men which vniust surmise springeth out of that old roote of vnthankfulnes wherewith mankinde was corrupted at the first whereby fond opinions grow vp in the minde and shadow the light of reason so that we cannot discerne true things from false and good from euill for so blinded by the darke mist of ignorance Ignorance causeth men to ascribe to fortune what is don by God Fortune we make Fortune the Author of that whereof God is the dooer and ascribe to Chaunce whatsoeuer is performed by the prouidence of the Almightie Her wee call a Goddesse which is more often bad then good and is neuer so like her selfe as when to her selfe she is most vnlike now fauouring now frowning euer the same and neuer the same constant in nothing but that she is vnconstant in all This men say of her and yet beleeue in her when with the best it goeth ill and well with the worser sort Res humanas ordine nullo Sene. Hyppo Fortuna regit spargitque manu Munera caeca peiora fouens Mens matters quite out of order Fortune doth rule and gifts scatter Blindly fostering the worser If courage preuaile against feare Audentes fortuna iuuat Virgil. aneid 10. Fortune helps the hardy If cowards triumph valiant men goe downe O fortuna viris inuida fortibus Sen. Her Fure Quam non aequa bonis praemia diuiolis O fortune that of valiant men enuious art How ill dost thou reward men of desart Are men raysed from base account to honor Ex humili magna ad fastigia rerum Iuuenal Sat. 3. Extollit quoties voluit fortuna iocari From base to place of highest sort Fortune doth lift disposed to sport Are they spoiled of their goods fall they from high to low estate Nempe dat et quodcūque libet fortuna rapitque Ouid. trist 4. Irus et est subito qui modo Craesus erat Fortune doth giue and take at her pleasure Now poore which but now had infinite treasure Is the course of the worlde obserued often to change and that it is with men of eyther part now well now ill Passibus ambiguis fortuna volubilis errat Ouid. trist 5 Et manet in nullo certa tanaxque loco Sed modo laeta manet vultus modo sumit acerbos Et tantum constans in leuitate sua est VVith doubtfull steps Fortune wauering doth wander In one place she standeth neuer still or fast But now doth smile and now againe doth lower And constant onely is in leuitie at last So that he sayd trulie which said Sunt qui in fortunaeiam casibus omnia ponunt Iuue. Sat. 13 Et nullo credunt mundum rectore moueri There are which fortune say by chance all things to guide And therein doe the Ruler of the world deride They accuse Fortune of iniustice but they beleeue in her power they blame her as a blinde dispenser of her gifts but they extoll her as the onely disposer of worldly goods they say shee is vnconstant full of leuitie and
of our weakenes which ought not to be doubted of in regard of his vprightnes often is if not euer wont to lay open his iudgement by some notable way of punishment eyther vpon thēselues or vppon theyr heyres before the eyes of men which is blindnes not to see and wickednes not as a good lesson giuen for our instruction thankfullie to receiue Great were the Emperours of Rome and the Tyrants of Greece but as wicked as they were great for the most part Slayd de 4. Monarchijs The miserable death of the wicked Romaine Emperors and therefore of the Romaines thirtie were slaine by those in vvhom they dyd or in likelihood might repose their trust being seruaunts or souldiours chyldren or wiues vnto them and foure being fearefull of theyr enemies or wearie of theyr owne lyues became murtherers of themselues beeing all iustly punished by the hand of God who wickedly had prouoked the displeasure of God by pride coueteousnes or cruelty So of all the Tyrants of Greece Aelian lib. 6. three onely left their progeny heires of their tiranny The tyrants of Greece punished in their posteritie Gelon in Sicilia Lencamor in Bosphorus the Cipselides in Corinthus the will of God being to reuenge the Fathers sinne by cutting off the children and not suffering them to raigne Of all Nations examples are to be found of the constant course of Gods iustice towards wicked and vngodly men be they neuer so great euermore shewed either vpon them selues or their houses in rooting them out from the face of the earth Some haue beene visited in their owne persons by foule and lothsome diseases whereby they haue beene made vnwilling to liue and yet vnable to dye as Sylla Hadrianus and Maximianus Some fed vpon aliue Pluta in Silla Dion Nicae Pompon Latus Iosep Naucle Baptis Egna Iustin. Egesippus and gnawne till they were dead by wormes and lyce as Herodes Ascalonites Honoricus King of the Vandales and Arnulphus the Emperor Some tormented in mind liuing in horrour of conscience and dying in base and fearefull sort as Atalus King of Pergamus and Aristobulus Sonne of Hyrcanus Some also when they were in health and strength sodainly and miraculously taken away as Fabius the proud Senator with a hayre swollowed in milke Abbas vrsper and Pope Adrian the fourth after that he had accursed Frederick the first choked with a flye in a draught of cold water VVhich sharpe corrections of God in so maniefold wise inflicted serue to shew that his meanes are as his power is infinite to chastice and scourge the proudest and greatest vnder heauen offending against him VVhereby the fairest and goodliest of body may learne to know that being vngodly they stand in danger by greeuous diseases or vile creatures to be consumed the soundest of vnderstanding to be tormented in minde the richest in treasure to be spoyled in an houre the best in health to be deliuered vnto death by many and straunge wayes not to be feared or suspected which if they happen to escape yet haue they cause still to feare that what is held from them is layed vp for their children The Parents feele paine in the after punnishment of theyr children 1. King c. 14 2 Chro. 13. who being part of them selues proceeding from out their loynes as they fore-see they cannot but fore-feele their owne present paine in the future punishment of them Iereboam rebelled against God and did cast him behind his backe by whom he was exalted and made Prince ouer his people Israell VVherefore the Lord God albeit he was made strong by vaine and wicked men gathered vnto him did not onely smite him before Iudah The bitter sentence of God against Ieroboam and his posteritie and plague him that he dyed but pronounced a fearefull iudgement against his house that he would cut of from him him that piffed against the wall and would sweepe away the remnant of his house as a man sweepeth away dong till it be all gone and further that the doggs should eate him of Ieroboams stock that dyed in the Citty and the fowles of the ayre him that dyed in the fielde VVhich sentence prouoked by the wickednes of Ieroboam was by the iustice of God performed accordingly vpon all saue onely Abiah who was suffered to come to the graue because in him there was found some goodnes towards the Lord God of Israell 1. Kin. c. 16. The like was threatned by Iehu the Prophet and executed by Zimri against the posterity of Baasha because being by God made Captaine ouer Israell hee walked in the way of Ieroboam and made the people to sinne 1 Kin. c. 17. Ahab sold him selfe to worke wickednes in the sight of the Lord yet hauing humbled him selfe before the Lord euill was not brought in his dayes but in the dayes of his Sonne it was brought vpon his house The Lord God hath sayed it and it cannot be but true Exod. 20. that he will visite the sinnes of the Fathers vpon the children vnto the third and fourth generation of those that hate him VVhat comfort then can the vngodly haue in their greatnes when they see by the example of others what is like to happen vnto them selues Can the high Tower of prosperitie wheron they stand be delightfull vnto them when they behold the deepe dungeon of miserie before them whereinto they are ready to fall and cannot but fall continuing in their sinne The life of the wicked cannot be but sorowfull The whole body is out of frame if the least member thereof suffer paine how then can the minde be at rest and take delight when it is vexed with griefe and tormented with feare of that which no feare can auoide Is it possible for that man trauailing on the way to haue a pleasing thought who is enforced to think that the ende of his iourney shall be the beginning of his calamity that his place of rest must be the bed of sorrow his passage vnto it the way of shame and that for his sake his whole trayne as him selfe shall haue entertainment alike The threatning of that onely so blacke a cloud to fall in this life might seeme sufficient to make men lay aside the glorious and rich attire of pride and wantonnes which serueth to no good vse and to put on the sober habite of vertue and torne cloake of true repentance which like the Vine leafe might serue both to let in the shining beames of Gods mercy and to defend the sharpe shower of his wrath in this world But if that preuaile not to withdrawe them from their sinfull waies The punishment in this life nothing to that which is to come thē is that punishment nothing in comparison of the torment that is behind that as a cloud passeth and like a shower scattereth and is soone done The thred of life is quickly cut asunder be it spunne how long so euer The blow is sharpe but short