to see the Lords Day sanctified l l l Ibid. He caused piety to be observed and God to be worshipped in his armies He procured the holy Scripture to be dispersed every where In fine he maketh this profession of himselfe m m m Hunc mihi prae omnibus finem praepositum esse debere judicavi ut in sanctissima Ecclesiae Caetholi cae multitudine una fides sincera charitas consentiens erga Deum omnipotentem religionis cultus conservetur Euseb de vit Constant l 3. I acknowledge that this end above all others is to be set before me that in the holy company of the Catholique Church one faith sincere charity and an uniform worship towards almighty God be preserved Much also might be declared of Theodosius and other ancient Christian Emperours care about matters of piety The made many edicts and lawes thereabouts n n n Solicitudo clementiae tuae in Catholic â Ecclesiâ nihil impacatum nibil vult esse diversum Leo Papa ad Theodos Epist 12. An ancient Bishop of Rome thus writes to Theodosius The care of your Clemency will suffer nothing in the Catholique Church to be tumultuous nothing factious Yea o o o Pro integritate fidei Catholicae Christianissimum Principem oportet esse sollicitum Idem Epist 10 the same Bishop saith that It behoveth a Christian Prince to be carefull for the integrity of the Catholique faith I would the latter Popes of Rome had beene and still were of that opinion If they were they would not usurpe such authority as they have done and still do over Christian Princes to the disturbance of their States But to come to our owne time and country King Henry 8. put downe the Popes Authority and began a reformation of Religion Edward 6. perfected that reformation Queene Elizabeth restored it King Iames and King Charles continued it Thus by the divine providence this title Defender of the Faith is most justly put into our Kings stile To this end namely to defend the faith maintaine religion and advance piety hath God given them that supreme authority which they have to be in all causes temporall and ecclesiasticall over all persons in their dominions under Christ supreme Governours p p p 2 Chro. 9. 8. He hath set them on his throne and given them his owne title For he saith of them q q q Psal 82. 6. Ye are Gods children of the most high And to shew that their authority is not onely for State-policy but also for Church-piety they are stiled r r r Isa 49. 23. Nursing Fathers of the Church and they are made keepers of both tables Thus both their power and their place require of chiefe Governours an especiall care of publique piety whereby they shall give evidence of their owne pious intention and affection and also draw on others under their government to be like minded * * * See § 40. See also Dearths Death on 2 Sam. 21. 1. §. 15. As this putteth Magistrates themselves in mind of their duty so it teacheth subjects to pray for them that they may do what by vertue of their place they are bound to do and by their obedience to such pious orders as their pious Governours prescribe to encourage them in their pious care §. 75. Of giving publique praise for publique deliverances II. * * * See §. 71. PVblique praise is to be given to God for publique deliverances Such was the praise that for the publique a Exo. 15. 1 20 21. deliverance from Pharaohs tyranny was given by Moses For it is said that Moses and the children of Israel and Miriam and all the women sang praise unto the Lord. The women came out with timbrels and dances and answered the men so as it was most publique b b b Iudg. 5. 1 c. Such was Deborahs and Baraks kind of praising God and c c c 2 Chro. 20 26 Iehosaphats after his deliverance from the Moabites Ammonites and Inhabitants of Mount Seir. Such are many of Davids Psalmes The phrases of praising God d d d Psal 22. 22. in the middest of the congregation e e e 26. 12. in congregations f f f 35. 18. in the great congregation among much people g g g 116. 18 19. in the presence of all Gods people in the courts of the Lords house in the middest of Ierusalem By this kind of praise God himselfe is more glorified our owne hearts are more quickned and others are incited to imitate us They who content themselves for publique blessings with an inward ejaculation of the heart or with secret praise in a secret place betwixt God and themselves or with private praise in a family or among some private friends though what they do in this manner they do well yet come short of that which they ought to do O let our hearts be filled with such zeale towards God as to take the occasions which by the divine providence are offered us of setting out Gods praises in the most solemne and publique manner that we can Thus shall we shew that we can distinguish betwixt Gods blessings and in some measure carie our selves answerably to him that as he blesseth us not only with private but also with publique blessings so we will praise him not only privately but also publikely Of publique praise see more in The Saints sacrifice on Psal 116. § 91 114 116. Of directions for solemne praise see The whole Armour of God on Eph. 6. 18. § 73. §. 76. Of memorials of Gods mercies III. * * * See §. 73. MEmorials of Gods mercies are to be made Besides the names a a a §. 65. before noted for memorials of Gods judgments which import also his mercies towards his people as well as judgements on their enemies there are many others which directly point at his mercies As many b b b Gen. 4. 25. 5. 9. 17. 19. names given to children which the Lord as an especiall blessing gave to his Saints and c c c 17. 5 15. 32. 28. other names which as memorials of speciall favours God gave to men and women and d d d 16. 14. 32. 2. 2 Chro. 20. 26. names also of places which were given as signes and evidences of more then ordinary benefits conferred on Gods people and other visible monuments of memorable mercies as e e e Exo. 16 32 33 The pot of Mannah f f f Ios 4. 9 20. the stones which were set in the mid dest of Iordan and in that place where the Israelites having passed thorow Iordan encamped g g g Lev. 23. 42. The booths which were appointed every yeare to be made h h h 25. 54 55. Freedome of servants in the yeare of Iubile and sundry other like to these yea all the Sacraments instituted in the Church By such memorials the memory of Gods
two Bulls to interdict all claime or title to the Crown of England though never so directly and nearly interessed by discent to all such as would not by their best endeavours promote the Catholique cause and by solemne and sacred oath religiously subscribe thereto But God who approveth our Religion and detesteth their superstition or rather idolatry made all their hopes utterly frustrate For in the setting of one Sun immediately arose another and that in full brightnesse to the unspeakable Occubult sol nox nulla secuta est comfort of all true hearted Englishmen and to the utter astonishment of all popish enemies of this flourishing State In the same morning wherein Queene Elizabeth died Queene Elizabeth died about two in the morning About eight King Iumes was proclaimed at Court about eleven in Cheape-side An Dom. 1603 Reg. 1. was King Iames first at the Court gate and then at the Crosse in Cheape side with wonderfull great acclamations and all manner of manifestations of joy proclaimed King An especiall evidence of the divine providence 2. In the first yeare of his Majesties raigne before he was solemnly annointed and crowned Watson and Cleark two Romish Priests conspired with others some noble men some Knights and some Gentlemen to surprize King Iames and Prince Henry presuming on forraigne forces for aid and assistance thereby to alter religion and to set up such Officers of State as they thought best But their plot before it came to execution was discovered they condemned some of them executed others spared thorow the Kings clemency 3. Garnet and Tresmond Iesuites with Catesby and Tresham before mentioned notwithstanding the death of Queene Elizabeth when they saw that King Iames defended the same faith continued to solicite the King of Spaine to send an army into England to joyne with the forces of Papists here for extirpation of Religion But the King of Spaine being then in treaty with the King of England about peace refused to hearken to any such motion Thereupon they together with other unnaturall and traiterous subjects plotted the matchlesse mercilesse devilish and damnable gun-powder-treason whereof before § 67. If ever the The day appointed to blow up the Parliament with gun powder was 5. Nov. 1605. Reg. Iacobi 3. eye of the divine providence did shew it selfe watchfull for the safety of England it was in the discovery of this plot before it came to execution Wherefore among other deliverances this is to be had in perpetuall remembrance 4. If we consider the great hazard wherin blessed Charles then Prince now our royall Soveraigne was in going to Spaine and returning from Spaine on land and sea and withall if we well weigh the admirable and unutterable benefits which we enjoy by his happy raigne over us we shall find just cause to put the day of his safe arrivall to England 6. Octob. 1623 Reg. Iacobi 20. into the catalogue of daies of memorials of Gods mercifull Providence over this Kingdome From that day the crests of Papists fell downe especially after the downfall of many An Dom. 1623 26. Oct. stilo vet 5. Nov. stilo novo of them at a Romish Priests sermon in Blacke-Friers London Of the forementioned deliverances much more is recorded in Camdens Annales Bishop Carltons Collections Speeds History and other Chronicles of England For my purpose it is enough to have pointed at the heads of them Yet because contraries laid together do more lively set out 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dixit Arist Rhet. 3. 2 each other in their owne proper colours Hereunto shal be annexed another briefe catalogue of such troubles as in former Princes times from the Conquest for to go higher is not much requisite have fallen out to the great prejudice of Kings and Kingdome that thus Gods blessing on us under the raignes of Queene Elizabeth King Iames and King Charles by whom our light and life the Gospell is still continued among us may be the better discerned §. 95. Of the troubles of England from the Conquest to Queene Elizabeths time 1. WIlliam Duke of Normandie surnamed The Conquerour 1066. Oct. 14 got the crowne with much bloud having slaine Harold the King immediately before him two of his brothers and 67974 English men He changed many of the lawes and customes of England He defaced many Churches and depopulated sundry townes to make a forrest for beasts where two of his owne sonnes were strangely slaine The Danes to recover the Crowne in his dayes invaded the land burnt Yorke and slew 3000 men The Scots likewise about the same time made great spoile in England and spared nor sex nor age Much trouble was in the land all his time Being in France and there setting a towne on fire he rode so neare the fire as his horse with the heat therof gave such a leap as it brake the rimme of his belly whereof he died in the 21. yeare of his raigne and 64 of his age Being dead he was denied buriall till much mediation was made and a great composition paid 2. William Rusus son to the Conquerour having an elder 1087. Sep. 9. brother then living came not without difficulty to the crowne He had much warre both with his elder brother Robert and also with his younger brother Henry In his time were many warres with the Scots and Welch much English bloud spilt and himselfe casually slaine by one of his subjects with an arrow shot at a stag in the 13. yeare of his raigne and 43 of his age His corps were caried towards Winchester in a colliers cart 3. Henry 1. youngest sonne of William the Conquerour 1100. Aug. 1. put Robert his elder brother by the crowne whence arose many broiles He getting the mastery over his brother imprisoned him and cruelly put out his eyes He had much warre with the Welch All his children but Mawde his daughter with 160 persons were drowned together He died of a surfeit in the 36. yeare of his raigne and 65. of his age 4. Stephen with perjury usurped the kingdome from the 1135. Dec. 2. fore-said Mawde Besides some warres abroad he had continuall civill jarres at home by reason whereof he was taken prisoner and forced in the end to leave the heire of his opposite to be his successour He died of an Iliacke passion mixed with the Emeroids in the 19. yeare of his raigne His body after it was interred was taken out of the lead and cast into a river 5. Henry 2. sonne of the foresaid Mawd thorow his incontinency 1154. Oct. 25. with Rosamond set his owne wife and children against him which caused perpetuall unquietnesse in his kingdome In one battell at Edmondbury 20000 were taken and slaine He adopted his sonne who laboured to disthrone him in the government and having much embroiled the kingdome he grew so discontented as he curst his children and the day of his birth and in much perplexity ended his daies in the 35. yeare of his
entred into Ireland joyned with the Rebels caused a great insurrection but to the overthrow of himselfe and all that tooke part with him 14. Robert Parsons Edmund Campion and other Seminaries An. Dom. 1581. Reg. 23. and Incendiaries were sent by the Pope from Rome into England to draw the Queenes subjects from their allegiance to prepare them to a change and to take part with forraigne powers when they should be sent into England Campion Sherwin Kirly and Briant were convicted and condemned of high treason and answerably executed But their divelish attempts turned to a greater restraint of Papists in England and a greater security of the Queenes Majesty and her State 15. Iohn Somervill was apprehended as he was comming An. Dom. 1583. Reg. 26. in a desperate manner to kill the Queene being moved thereto as he himselfe confessed by reading certaine popish bookes written against the Queene by Seminaries Being condemned in New gate he strangled himselfe 16. William Parry Doctor of Law made promise and An. Dom. 1585 Reg. 27. vow to kill the Queenes Majesty and for that end obtained of the Pope an absolution for the fact before it was committed But God strucke his heart with such terrour as though he had opportunity yet he put it off so long as at length his purpose was discovered and he received the just reward of a traitor 17. Iohn Ballard a Romish Priest stirred up the fiery spirits An. Dom. 1586 Reg. 27. of certaine Popish Gentlemen to undertake to kill the Queene as she should go abroad to take the aire which though they had vowed to do yet was their unnaturall treason discovered before they had the opportunity to do it At their arraignment they were found guilty of high treason against the Queenes person of stirring civill warres in the Realme and of practicing to bring in forraigne power Foureteene of them were as traitors executed 17. William Stafford a young Gentleman and one Moody An. Dom. 1587. Reg. 29. a desperate man were by a forraigne Ambassadour lying in England perswaded to kill the Queene But the plot was discovered before it was effected 19. The inveterate hatred of Philip King of Spaine An. Dom. 1588. Reg. 30. against Queene Elizabeth and his unsatiable ambition and desire of enjoying England as his owne was at length openly manifested by an huge navy supposed and thereupon intituled invincible set to sea against England But the Lord of sea and land soone disappointed their hopes The navy was dissipated on the sea and England secured 20. Rodericke Lopez a Iew Physitian in ordinary to her An. Dom. 1593. Reg. 35. Majesty upon promise of 50000 crownes to be sent him out of Spaine undertooke to poyson the Queene But before the hire came the treason was discovered and the traitor executed 21. Patrick Cullin an Irish Fencer was hired by English An. Dom. 1594. Reg. 36. runagates in the Low Countries to kill the Queene and with that purpose came over but intelligence being given thereof he was apprehended and executed 22. Edmond York and Richard Williams hired in like An. eodem manner to the like namely to kill her Majesty and to set on fire her navy with balls of wild-fire were prevented and executed 23. Edward Squire being in a ship on sea taken by the An. Dom. 1598. Reg. 40. Spaniards and brought into Spaine was there suborned and directed by Richard Walpoole an English fugitive and a Iesuite to poison the Queene by laying a strong poison which the Iesuite there gave him on the pommell of the saddle whereon the Queene should ride that she laying her hand thereon might cary the sent thereof to her nose and thereby receive it into her body which if she had done it had beene her death Never any treason came so neare to the execution as this For the traitor Squire observed his direction did the deed and that immediately before the Queene rid forth But the divine providence kept her from touching the pommell with her hand Yet the treason was discovered and the traitor received condigne punishment 24. The Earle of Tyrone an Irish man having beene some while in Spaine returned from thence An. Dom. 1599 Reg. 41. with a rebellious mind and raised by the assistance of the Spaniard and popish faction in Ireland a rebellion More damage accrued to Queene and State by this rebellion then any other way all her dayes Yet thorow the constant providence of God this rebell also was brought under and that land secured 25. There was a plot for removing some of the Queenes An. Dom. 1600 Reg. 42. chief Officers and Counsellors from her which if it had not beene prevented might have proved dangerous to her Person and State and so much the rather because there were Papists which had a great hand in that conspiracy Therein therefore was the divine Providence manifested by preserving her Majesty in safety 26. Henry Garnet Superiour of the Iesuites in England Robert Tresmond Iesuite Robert Catesby Francis Tresham An. Dom. 1602 Reg. 44 45. and others in the name of all the Romish Catholiques in England imploy Thomas Winter into Spaine to obtaine an army from Spaine to joyne with the forces of Papists in England to change the government and religion thereof There being then hostility betweene Spaine and England the motion was readily embraced by the Spaniard and 100000 crownes promised to helpe forward the businesse But before any thing could be effected Queene Elizabeth full of Queene Elizabeth was borne at Greenwich 7. Sept. 1533. and died at Richmond 24. Mar 1602. She began her raigne 17. Nov 1558 and ended her raigne with her life 24. Mar. 1602. yeares in peace on her bed ended her dayes being 69 yeares 6 moneths and 17 dayes old a greater age then any other King or Queene of England from the Conquest attained to She was about the age of David King of Israel when he died who lived the longest of all the Kings of Israel and Iudah She raigned 44 yeares 4 moneths and 7 daies Doubtlesse many more treasons were intended and plotted against her then are recorded but she was kept so sure and secure under the wings of the Almighty whose truth she constantly maintained herein especially shewing her selfe to be SEMPER EADEM alwaies the same as no open hostility no privy conspiracy ever prevailed against her Her preservation much made to our security The remembrance therefore thereof ought ever to be fresh among us that so long as the benefit thereof continueth which will be so long as true Religion continueth among us due praises may be yeelded to her and our Protectour §. 94. Of Gods Providence to England in King Iames his time 1. THe day of Queene Elizabeths departure out of this life was the day long expected by Papists as a day 24. Mar 1602. for rooting out our Religion and altering our government For Pope Clement 8. had sent the yeare before
schismaticall and prophane persons loathed Superstitious persons wish for Queene Maries dayes againe Schismatiques wish there had beene no reformation unlesse it had beene better The prophane cry out of too much preaching 5. For Magistrates abusing their authority all the complaints 5. Magistrates abuses of the Prophets may too justly be taken up against many of ours if at least this were a fit place to make complaints of their bribe-taking perverting justice oppressing the innocent using their power to their owne turnes c. 6. For Ministers perverting their function many among 6. Ministers faults us exceed the false prophets among the Iewes None greater discouragers of the upright None greater animaters of the prophane The greatest zeale which they use to shew is in their bitter invectives against such as make most conscience of sinne They are too great companions with the baseer and lewder sort 7. For trampling upon such as are fallen so inhumane are 7. In humanity Am 6. 6. many as they do not onely stretch themselves upon their beds and drinke wine in bowles while their brethren â—e groaning under sore afflictions or like the Priest and Levite passe by without succouring such as are not able to helpe themselves Luk. 10 31 32. Iob 4 6. Luk. 1. 1. 2 Sam. 16. 7 8 but like Iobs friends charge them with hypocrisie or like the Iewes account them the greatest sinners or as Shemei raile on them and so give them instead of a cup of consolation vinegar and gall to drinke 8. For conspiracy and consent in sin when was there more 8. Conspiracy then among us Great ones meane ones old young male female Magistrates subjects Ministers people rich poore masters servants all of one mind to disgrace integrity and to countenance impiety and iniquity Insomuch as the Prophets complaint is too truly verified among us Isa 59. 15. He that refraineth from evill maketh himselfe a prey 9. For obstinacy in sinne who can open his mouth wide 9. Obstinacy enough against mens stubbornenesse They are impudent and stiffe-necked They have a whores forehead and will not be Ezek. 2. 4. Ier. 3. 3. ashamed They bid a kind of defiance to God himselfe As they abuse his mercies so they despise his judgements What swearer what blasphemer what drunkard what adulterer what fornicatour what oppressour what extortioner what usurer what deceiver is reformed by this Plague So obstinate are people as God had need to make the faces of his Ministers strong against their foreheads Ezek. 3 8 9. 10. For Infidelity we Ministers have too great cause to cry out Who hath believed our report Were not this sinne 10. Infidelity Isa 53. 1. so fast fixed in mens hearts as it is much more comfort would be received from the Ministry of the Gospell and much better obedience yeelded thereto The Apostle giveth this reason of the small profit that was reaped by the Gospell It was not mixed with faith in them that heard it True faith hath a double worke where it is kindly wrought Heb 4 2. Faiths double worke 1. In generall it perswadeth the heart of the truth of Gods Word 2. In particular it brings the heart to apply that truth to it selfe as a truth which concernes him The small profit that many reape by Gods Word the little use that they make thereof sheweth how infidelity beareth sway in them Thus it commeth to passe that they are like the children in the market that neither danced to them that piped nor lamented with them that mourned Nor promises nor Mat 11. 16 17. threatnings nor mercies nor judgements worke upon them 11. For impenitency It cannot be denied but that many yea most are so setled on their sins as they hate to be reformed 11. Impenitency Where are true fruits of repentance to be found Where shame where sorrow for sin Where turning from sin Men rather grow worse and worse Gods judgments harden their Tantam nactus Pharao lengani mitateÌ„ extremaâ— de omnibus dedit poenas Chrys ad Pop. Hom. 46. hearts as they did the heart of Pharaoh But he paid thorowly for abuse of so much patience If by any occasion their consciences be any whit rub'd and they brought thorow feare and anguish to promise amendment they quickly shew that no true repentance was wrought in them But it is hapned unto them according to the true proverbe The dog is turned to his 2 Pet. 2. 22. owne vomit againe and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire 12. For Apostasie if first we consider inward apostasie 12. Apostasie Inward which is b Rev. 2. 4 5. 2 Thes 2. 10. 11. a decaying inwardly in former love of truth too great and just cause of complaining is given Many have left their first love and become c Rev. 3. 16. Outward Apostasie lukewarme as the Laodiceans Thus a ready way is made to outward apostasie which is an open renouncing of the very profession of true Religion as this whole land did in Queene Maries raigne It is much to be feared that if a like occasion should be given a like apostasie would follow If these and other like provocations of Gods wrath among us be duly weighed we shall see cause enough to confesse that Gods wrath is justly gone out against us and that we have deservedly pulled this Plague upon our owne pates It remaines therefore that we thorowly humble our selves that we lay open our soares before our mercifull God that we faithfully promise amendment that we give evidence of the intire purpose of our heart in promising by an answerable performance But above all for the present that we crave mercy and pardon of God thorow Iesus Christ that he may offer up his sweet incense to pacifie his Father and cause his destroying Angell to stay his hand §. 47. Of the kind of plague here meant THe Effect of the fore-mentioned wrath that came from the Lord is thus expressed THE PLAGVE IS BEGVN The word translated * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 plague is a generall word that signifieth any heavy stroake of God The roote whence it is derived signifieth to strike a Exo. 21. 35. It is applied to an oxes striking or pushing to death so to other like strikings but most commonly to Gods striking of wicked men with some extraordinary judgement As where David said of Saul b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sam. 26. 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Lord shall smite him meaning so as to destroy him This word is c Exo. 8. 2. 12. 23. 12. 27. Ios 24. 5. oft used of Gods smiting the Egyptians when they held the Israelites among them as bond-slaves Yea such a word as d Exo. 9. 14. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word in my text is used to set out all those judgements which God brought upon the Egyptians called plagues The word PLAGVE in our vulgar acception
come without any intimation of any end must needs imply an immutability This interpretation of the name Iehovah I am that I am gives further demonstration of this property Immutability to be comprised under it Therefore God himself thus saith in regard of this his name I am Iehovah I change not Mal. 3. 6. 4. Iehovah implies his Fidelity For where there is immutability of essence there must needs be stability in word God himselfe declares that thus much is intended by this name For where he saith b b b Exo. 6. 3. Vide Trem. Iunij an not in hunc loc By my name Iehovah was I not knowne to them he meaneth that though he made many promises to them especially concerning their possession of Canaan yet did he not shew himselfe to be Iehovah an accomplisher of his promises That he reserved to future Generations And even then when he spake this he began to bring them out of bondage into Canaan therefore he saith when he sent Moses to them Iehovah the God of your fathers hath sent c. that is that God which made such and such promises will now shew himselfe Iehovah an accomplisher of his promises therefore he hath sent to bring you out of Egypt This is evident by this which God himselfe saith c c c Exo. 66. I am Iehovah and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians They have little skill in the Hebrew text who imagine that the name Iehovah was not knowne before God here spake to Moses d d d Gen. 24. Immediately after the first Sabbath in Paradise when God had finished all his workes frequent mention is made of Iehovah and that in Abrahams Isaacs and Iacobs dayes So as in the place where God saith By my name Iehovah was I not knowne to them not the name it selfe but the forementioned sense and meaning thereof must needs bee meant Other divine excellencies might be produced out of this name Iehovah but these are sufficient to shew the equity of that which the Law thus expressely requireth Thou shalt feare this glorious and fearefull name IEHOVAH Deut. 28. 58. thy God §. 73. Of the resolution and instructions of the fifteenth Verse THe Summe of this Verse is A thankefull memoriall of a memorable victory More particularly we may note 1. The Person that makes the Memoriall Moses 2. The Kinde of Memoriall This latter is expressed 1. By a monument made He built an altar 2. By a name given to it And called the name of it Iehovah-Nissi 1. The Person Moses of whom before was the Prince Moses and chiefe Governour of the people at that time whence I collect that Chiefe Governours ought to take chiefe care for publique acts of piety 2. The Altar here built was for an eucharisticall or gratulatory sacrifice which was a publique testimony of publique built an altar and solemne thanks Whence I observe that Publique praise is to be given to God for publique deliverances 3. The giving a name to this Altar shewes that he would and called the name of it have it remaine as a memoriall Whence I inferre that Memorials of Gods mercies are to be made 4. The particular name Iehovah-Nissi hath reference to Moses holding up his hands with the Rod of God therein Iehovah-Nissi as a banner Whereby he sheweth his acknowledgement of the Lord to be the giver of that victory Whence I may conclude that The glory of deliverances is to be ascribed to God §. 74. Of the care which Governours must have of publique pietie I. * * * See §. 73. CHiefe Governours are to take chiefe care for publique acts of piety a a a Gen. 18. 19. God himselfe beareth witnesse to Abrahams care herein b b b 35. 1 c. It was also a charge which God expresly gave to Iacob whereof he tooke especiall care Where we read of altars built to worship God we shall find them erected by chiefe Governours such as c c c 8. 20. Noah d d d 12 8. Abraham e e e 26. 25. Isaac f f f 33. 20. Iacob and others who in their life time were of highest authority in the Church of God So other acts of piety were ordered by them under God g g g Exo. 3 5. 1 c Moses ordered all the duties of piety in the wildernesse David in time of h h h 2 Sam 5. 19. warre and i i i 21. 1. famine sought the Lord and k k k 24. 25. in time of plague built an altar to pacifie Gods wrath Yea he l l l 6. 17. brought the Arke to aresting place m m m 1 Chro. 23. 24. 25. 26. appointed the orders and offices of Priests and Levites and n n n 1 Chro. 28. 11. made the patterne of the Temple Salomon his sonne o o o 2 Chro. 3. 1. built the Temple p p p 4. 1 c. made all the holy vessels appertaining therto and q q q 6. 1 c. dedicated the same Asa r r r 2 Chro. 14. 3 c. reformed religion and s s s 15. 12. entred himself with his people into a covenant with God Iehosaphat t t t 17. 7. sent Levites into his cities to teach the people and in fear of danger u u u 20. 3. proclaimed a fast x x x 24. 5. Ioash tooke order for repairing the Temple y y y 29. 3 c. Hezekiah z z z 34. 3 c. Iosiah aad a a a Neh. 13. 8 9. Nehemiah purged corruptions crept into the Church redressed abuses and b b b 2 Chro. 30. 1. 35. 1. caused the holy feasts of the Lord to be observed Thus Christian Emperours Neh. 8. 9 16. Kings and other supreme Governours in their dominions have accounted it a duty belonging unto them to take care of the Church of Christ and to appoint orders for matters of religion and piety Constantine the Great who was the first Christian Emperour being established in his royall government c c c Euseb de vitâ Constant l 2. made lawes for the peace of Christians and a free profession of their religion and worshipping of the Lord Iesus Christ d d d Ibid. He rooted out idolatry every where and e e e Ibid. l 3. opposed himselfe against the errours and heresies that had crept into the Church f f f Ibid. l. 3. He convocated the first generall Councill at Nice and sate President therein g g g Ibid. He built and adorned many Churches h h h Ibid. He wrote sundry letters to Bishops time after time for well ordering matters of piety and Church-affaires i i i Ibid l. 4 He promoted sundry Bishops to their places k k k Ibid. He was carefull