An Anniversary Memorial, Text

An Anniversary Memorial · Text

p. 1PSALME 48.7, 8.

7. As with an East wind, thou breakest the Ships of Tarshish; so were they destroyed.

8. As we hauehave heard, so hauehave we seene in the Citie of the Lord of Hoasts, in the Citie of our God: God will establish it for euer. Selah.

AS in all well-gouerned States there are publike aaforeign siue foreign Ezr. 6.2. Et foreign siue foreign Ester 6.1. & Ezr. 4.15. foreign. Hesych. Archiua; quae & Tabularia Ciceroni pro Arch. & Virgilio Georg. l. 2. vbi actus publici continentur. Seru.Ezra 6:2Ezra 4:15Registers, and Records, that the memory of Iudgements and Acts may not perish: So hath God in mans Soule erected a Register, to wit, the facultie of bbMemoria est vis animae accepta retinens, praeterita repetens, elapsa re colligens. Aug. nom. de sp. & an. c. 37. Omnium rerum thesaurus, & custos est memoria. Ibid. c. 34. Memory is the storehouse of the Soule, and the Register of the Minde. Morton threefold state of Man, l. 2. c. 4. §. 1. The Memoratiue facultie is the Gardian and Register of all species and images apprehended by the sense, and reserued and sealed vp by the Imagination. Charron of Wisdome, l. 1. c. 12. Hoc est quod Scalig. de subtil. exerc. 307. §. 2. Imaginationis Memoria seruatrix est. Acceptas enim species ab imaginatione reponit, conditque in thesauris.Remembrance, for the preseruation of such occurrents, as are of weight, and may be of vse for the direction of mans life.

p. 2But this Register is very much abused by the greatest part of those that hauehave the custody of it. For if the Records that the most enter therein, and keepe there, were surueyed, ccSee Bern. serm. parv. 1. Morton ibid. §. 2. and Marbury of Repentance.there would be found filed there large rolls fraught with friuolous and froathie stuffe, of little weight, and lesse vse, yea (it may be) with much filthy, and vnsauoury matter, ddEphes. 5.3, 4.Eph 5:3Eph 5:4not once to be mentioned, much lesse to be remembred: scarce any script, or scroll of ought, that is ought worth, or worthy to be entred in soeeArchiuum planè regium, imò etiam diuinum. royall a Register.

Now if any thing deserue to be there carefully recorded, that it may by that meanes be transmitted to posteritie, it should be ffPsal. 105.5. & 111.2, 3, 4. Malac. 4.4.Ps 105:5Ps 111:2Ps 111:3Ps 111:4Mal 4:4Gods word, and his works, his extraordinary Acts especially either of Iudgement, or of Mercy. For the former, the Prophet Ioel willeth the people of his time, both to record them themselues, and to cause their Children to record them, and them also to relate them to their posteritie. ggIoel 1.2.Joel 1:2Tell it you to your Children; and let them tell it to their children; and their Children to those that rise in their roome. Of the latter saith the Psalmist, hhforeign Asaphi Psalmꝰ. Iun. A Psalme of Asaph. Reg. Bibl. for Asaph. Genev.Asaph, or who euer he were; iiPsal. 78.5, 6.Ps 78:5Ps 78:6He commanded our Fathers to teach it to their Children, that posteritie might know it, and the Children that are yet vnborne might declare it to their Children hereafter; that Gods works might not be forgotten.

In which kinde the pious, and religious Act of kkM^r Thomas Chapman.the Founder of this Exercise is very much to be commended, who hauing culled out three principall Acts of Gods extraordinary Mercy exhibited to the Land wherein we liue, as great as any euer vouchsafed p. 3to any State whatsoeuer, hath established a llforeign.solemne Anniuersarie Memoriall of them to perpetuate them to all posteritie.Occasion.

To my Lot is fallen that mmOctogesimꝰ octauus mirabilis annus Clade Papistorum; faustus vbique p…js. Fulk. in Rhem.admirable Deliuerance in 88. from thatnnThe inuincible Nauie. See Hackluits relation. Inuincible Armado, as it was then stiled and termed.

For the remembrance whereof, and of Gods mercy in it, I hauehave made choice to intreat of some ooPsal. 48.7, 8.Ps 48:7Ps 48:8parcell of this Psalme, not vnbefitting (as you may soone see) the present occasion.Text.

The Psalme, is a Psalme (not so much ppPiscat.foreign,Summe of the Psalme. as foreign, and qqIunius.foreign) of Praise and of Triumph.

Of the praise of God, and his goodnesse to his Church.Parts 2.

Of triumph ouer Gods enemies, and the enemies of his Church.Part 1.

The rrVerse 1.-5.Praise of God, Praise.and his goodnesse to his Church, is laid downe from the first verse to the fift.Part 2.

The speciall ground of this praise ssVerse 5.-10.a victorie through his assistance atchieued against his enemies, Triumph.and the enemies of his Church is, by way of triumph, related from the fift verse to the tenth.Relation.

And in the Relation hereof there is,1. Attempt.

First ttVerse 4.the enemies Attempt; and therein

1. Praeparatio; their preparation; 1. Preparatiō.Conuenerunt pariter; they met together.

2. Expeditio; their expedition; 2. Expeditiō.Progressi sunt pariter; they went on together.

Secondly, the issue, and euent of it:2. Euent. not like that p. 4of Casar, uuSueton. Caes. c. 37. Sic de Pompeio Atheniens…s, foreign.Veni, vidi, vici; I came, I saw, I ouercame: but, venerunt, viderunt, veriti sunt, victi sunt: they came, they saw, they were ouercome, with astonishment, with feare, with defeature.

1. xxVerse 5.Contemplati sunt; they but viewed the Land that they came to inuade.Degree 1.

Degree 2.2. Obstupuerunt, they wondred that they were able to make head against them.

3. Conturbati sunt; they were troubled, disaraied, disappointed.Degree 3.

Degree 4.4. Festinauerunt; they made all the haste they could to be gone.

Degree 5.5. yyVers. 6.Timor eos apprehendit; they were full of feare, & affrightment, when they found not free passage.

Degree 6.6. Et dolor, vt dolores parturientis; they were surprised with paines, being thus cast into such streights and distresses; like a woman in her trauell.

Degree 7.Lastly, zzVerse 7.Euro conteris naues Oceani, they were discomfited, and destroyed, as the Ships of the **foreign vnde Grae. foreign, quasi foreign, Brought. Oceanus, sed peculiariter Mediterraneus, à regione Tarsis, i. Cilicia, quam alluit.Leuant Seas are, when with a furious East-wind they are bruised, and battered, and broken to peeces against the rocks.

Application.If I should say no more, but adde only the words following: aaVerse 8.Prout audiuimus, & vidimus; What we hauehave heard with them, we hauehave seene done for vsus; it were a very pregnant description of this our deliuerance. But somewhat more must be said, that we may learne what vse to make of it.

Illustration.The Relation of this Victorie atchieued for them by God (for bbPsal. 44.2, 3. & 115.1.Ps 44:2Ps 44:3Ps 115:1to him alone it is ascribed) is here ccVerse 8.further illustrated.

p. 51. By a report of what was past:1. Report. the words seeme to hauehave reference not to the ddAb adiuncta praedictione, & promissione diuina. Piscat. Ita & R. Kimchi. Amb. Apollin. Aug. Ruffin. Theodoret. Euthym. Lomb. Cassiod. Hug. Lyr. Bucer. Brent. Moller. Strigel. Loss. &c. vnde Aug. O beata Ecclesia, quodam tempore audisti; quodam tempore vidisti: audiuit in promissionibus, vidit in exhibitionibus. Verum isti plaerique sensum mysticum sequuntur.ddAb exemplis antegressis. Chrysost. Beza. Buchan. Hessec. Sic Psal. 44.1. vtrumque ponunt Calv. Muscul. Iun.Ps 44:1predictions of Gods Prophets, but to former examples rather of the like done for Gods people: What we hauehave heard done in our fore-fathers time for them, we hauehave seene done in our daies for vsus.

2. By a promise of further future protection. God will establish it for euer.

And their thankfulnesse followeth in eeVerse 9.the next Verse: 2. Promise. Thankfulnes.(that which we through Gods mercy suruiue to doe this day) We recount, or meditate on thy mercy, ô Lord, in the middest of thy Temple, that is, in the middest of the Congregation there gathered together.

Thus you see briefly the Summe, Transition from Distribution to Instructions. Instructiō 1.and the Substance, as of my Text, so of the former part of the whole Psalme.

I come now to some Instructions that out of it may be obserued.

The first of them is this. ffforeign. Hesiod. oper. l. 1. Prou. 11.27.Prov 11:27Quaerunt ruinam, qui ruinam cogitant. They bring destruction vponupon themselues, that seek the ruine of Gods elect. ggPsal. 37.12, 13.Ps 37:12Ps 37:13The wicked (saith the Psalmist) practiseth against the righteous; and seeketh occasion to slay him. But the Lord the whiles laugheth him to scorne: for he seeth that his day is comming. hhIbid. 14, 15.The wicked hauehave drawne their sword and bent their bow, to ouerthrow, and destroy those, that be of an vpright conuersation: But their sword shall be sheathed p. 6in their owne side; and their bow shall be knapt in two iiIsai. 41.11, 12.Isa 41:11Isa 41:12All that prouoke thee (saith God by the Prophet Esay to his people) shall be confounded, and brought to nought; all that contend with thee, shall perish. Thou shalt seeke them, and shalt not finde them. All that striue with thee shall be as nothing: all that warre vponupon thee, as a thing of nought. And kkZech. 12.2.Zech 12:2I will make (saith God by the Prophet Zachary) Ierusalem as a cup of rancke poison to all those that besiege her; which when a thirstie man lighteth vponupon, and swalloweth downe suddenly, hee findeth his bane in that, that hee hoped to quench his thirst with. llIbid. 3.I will make Ierusalem an heauie stone to all people; such a one as mmMatth. 21.44.Matt 21:44shall crush to peeces all that attempt to lift it, or to remoue it: so shall she teare to peeces all that attempt to stirre her, though all the nations in the world should ioyne together against her. nnZech. 12.6.Zech 12:6I will make the Princes of Iuda like coales of fire among seare-wood, and like a firebrand in a sheafe; & they shall deuoure, & destroy all the people that beset them on the right hand, and on the left.

The Reason hereof:

Reason 1.1. Dei qui Ecclesiam impetunt, Deum petunt. They that fight against Gods Church, ooforeign. Act. 5.39. & Tertull. ad Scapul.Acts 5:39fight against God himselfe. ppNon tam vos, quàm Christum in vobis persequuntur. Saluian. de prouid. lib. 8. cap. 4. Patitur enim in vobis Deus. Martial. epist. 2. c. 18.They persecute not you so much, as Christ in you, saith Saluian. qqAct. 9.4.Acts 9:4Saul, Saul (saith our Sauiour) why doest thou persecute me. And in so doing, they doe but as one (saith the Comick) rrVerberare nol… lapidem n… laedas manum. Plaut. Curcul. 1.3.that beateth a stone, and spoileth his hand; or ssActs 9.5. foreign. Aeschyl. Prometh. foreign. Pindar. Pyth. 2. foreign. Eurip. Bacch. Quae inscitia est, adu…rsum stimulum calces … Ter. Ph…rm. 1.2.Acts 9:5as the beast that p. 7spurneth at the goade, that he was pricked with; ttforeign. Schol. Aeschyl. Si stimulos pugnis caedis, manibus plus dolet. Plaut. Trucul. 4.2. vide & Chrysost. in Psal. 11.Ps 11he maimeth but his foot by it, & getteth a worse wound; or uuforeign. Greg. Naz. ad Eunom. 5.as the Boare, that runneth fiercely vponupon the Speare, and so receiueth into his body the whole weapon that the Hunts-man holdeth. xxPsal. 2.1, 2.Ps 2:1Ps 2:2Why (saith the Psalmist) doe the Nations rage, and the people keepe such a coile to no end? The Kings of the earth band themselues together, and the Princes assemble themselues together, against the Lord, and against his Anointed? Therefore against the Lord himselfe, because against the Lords Anointed. And as yyQui insurgit in Christum Domini, insurgit in Dominū Christi. Sic Psal. 89.51.Ps 89:51he that riseth against the Lords Anointed, riseth against the Lord by whom hee is anointed: So they that rise against the Church of God, rise against God himselfe, whose Church it is; zzEsai. 37.29.Isa 37:29Because thou ragest against mee (saith God to Senacherib) therefore I will put my ring in thy nose, and my bit in thy iawes, and bring thee backe the same way thou camest. aaPsal. 17.8.Ps 17:8Keepe me (saith Dauid) as the apple of thine eye: hide me vnderunder the shadow of thy wings. They that deale with them, deale with those that are as deare vntounto God, as the very apple of his eye, that that the eye-sight consisteth in; And therefore saith God, bbZach. 2.8.Zech 2:8I will be as a wall of fire about Ierusalem (hee saith ccNon saxeus, non aheneus, sed igneus, qui & cominus arceat, & eminus terreat. Theo. in Zach.not, saith Theodoret, a wall of stone, or of brasse, but of fire, that it may both fray afar off, and keepe off too at hand; that may not onelyonly protect them, but destroy those that assault them) because ddZach. 2.5.Zech 2:5he that medleth with you, medleth with me, euen with eeAd exprimendam teneritudinem p…etatis suae, tenerrimā (sed & charissimā) partem humani corporis nominauit, &c. Saluian. de prouid. l. 8. c. 4.the apple of mine eye.

2. ffforeign. Pythag. an Radamanth. Aristot. ethic. lib. 5. cap. 5.Lex talionis verè lex aequissima. Reason 2.The Law of p. 6duplicate page p. 7duplicate page p. 8retaliation, or like-recompence, is most equall. ggforeign. Pindar. Nem▪ 4. Quod quisque fecit, patitur. Sen. Herc. fur. 3.2. Non est iniuria pati, quod prior feceris. Sen. de ira, lib. 2. cap. 30. - neque enim lex iustior vlla est, quam necis artifices arte perire sua. Ouid. art. l. 1.It is not euill, that they suffer euill, that hauehave done euill to others. hhIam. 2.13.Jas 2:13There shall be iudgement (saith S. Iames) without mercy to those that would shew no mercy. iiforeign. Cleon apud Thucyd. l. 3.It is no cruelty to vse them cruelly, that hauehave shewed cruelty to others. For kkMisericordiam qui non praestat alteri, tollit sibi. Petr. Chrysol. ser. 42.he excludeth himselfe from mercy (saith Chrysologus) that denieth it to another. llforeign. Pythia Glauco apud Herodot. lib. 6.But they stand guilty of destruction that hauehave mmDecreuisti facere? iam perfecisti. August. de verb. Dom. 43.a purpose to destroy. For nnVoluntas faciendi reputatur pro opere facti: & actionis crimine cogitatio condemnatur. Pel…g. ad Demetr.the bare will alone goeth with God for the work, and the very endeuour, desire, yea or ooNam scelus intra se tacitè qui cogitat vllum, Facti crimen habet. Iuuen. sat. 13.thought, for the deed. ppIosu. 24.9.Josh 24:9Balak rose, and fought with Israel, saith Iosua. And yet the story saith nothing so. But qqFieri dicitur, quod tentatur aut intenditur. Riber. in Amos 9.5.Amos 9:5that is said to be done, that is either intended, or attempted, saith Ribera. He did it not, only because he durst not: and the woman (saith the Heathen man) rrQuae quia non licuit, non facit, illa facit. Ouid. amor. lib. 3. el. 4. Non dicam pudicam, quae aut legem, aut virum timuit: non immeritò in numerum peccantium refertur, quae pudicitiam timori praestitit, non sibi. Sen. de ben. l. 4. c. 14.that doth not euill, because shee dare not, when she would do it, if she durst, though she doe it not, yet she doth it. ssMatth. 5.28.Matt 5:28He that looketh but on a woman to lust after her (saith our Sauiour) ttforeign. Clem. Rom. constit. Apost. l. 1. c. 1.hath already in his heart committed adultery with her. And, uu1 John 3.5.1 John 3:5He that hateth but his brother, (saith S. Iohn) xxQuantum ad te pertinet, occidisti, quem odisti. Aug. homil. 42.hath already murthered him in his heart. yyRes mira: ille viuit, tu tamen homicida …; illa casta est, tu tamen adulter es. Aug. de verb. Dom. 46. & de 10. chord. 3. & de temp. 237. & homil. 5. & 40. & 42. sed & C…ncil. Tolet. 11. c. 4.A strange matter (saith S. Augustine) the man is aliue still, and yet thou art a murtherer: the woman is honest, and yet art p. 9thou an adulterer. zzLatro est etiam antequam manus inqu…net, qui ad occidendum armatus est, & habet spoliandi, atque interficiendi voluntatem. Sen. de benef. l. 5. c. 13. Illo …s homicida venenum quo misces die. Idem de constan. c. 7.The minding then of destruction, maketh a destroyer. aaPotest aliquis nocens fieri, quamuis non noc…at. Omnia scelera ante effectū operis, quantum culpae satis est, perfecta sunt. Sen. ibid.He is guilty of it that doth but intend, or attempt to destroy: and deserueth himselfe to be destroyed. bbDeut. 19.19.Deut 19:19If a witnesse (saith God) shall rise against a man to take his life away from him, you shall euen doe vntounto him (not, as he did, but) as he would hauehave done vntounto his neighbour.

The second point of Instruction: Creaturae Deo dilectis militant.

Gods creatures fight for those that are Gods; for those that louelove him, and whom he loueth;Instructiō 2. against the enemies of his Church. ccExod. 8. & 9. & 10.Exod 8The Frogs, Flies, Lice, Locusts, &c. fought for Gods seruants against Pharao, and his people. ddIudg. 5.20, 21.Judg 5:20Judg 5:21The Starres from heauen fought in their courses against Sisera: and the riuer Kishon swept his armies away, as the Red Sea had done Pharao's before. eeIosua 10.13.Josh 10:13The Sunne stood still to assist Ioshua in the pursuit of the Canaanites: and ffJoshua 10.11.Josh 10:11the haile-stones slew more of them than the sling or the sword did. ggVers. 7.And as here with the East-wind doest thou dash to peeces the Ships of the Mediterranean Sea;**Exod. 14.27, 28. & 15.4.Exod 14:27Exod 14:28Exod 15:4 So hhMilites nobis qui aderāt, retulerunt, extorta sibi esse de manibus quaecun que iaculabantur, cùm à Theodosit partibꝰ in aduersarios vehemens ventus iret; & non solum quaecun que in eos iaci…bantur concitatissimè raperet, verume…iam ipsorum tela in eorum corpora retorqueret. Aug. de ciuit. l. 5. c. 26.the winds fought for Theodosius in that famous battell against Maximus, carrying the darts, and arrowes of his companies full into the faces of their enemies, and returning backe those of their enemies vponupon their owne bodies: That which euen iiA Christi nomine al…enus. Aug. ibid.an Heathen Poet admiring, brake out into that speech; kkO nimium dilecte Deo, cui militat Aether; Et coniurati veniunt ad classicaventi! Te propter gelidis Aquilo de monte procellis Obruit aduersas acies, renoluta que tela Vertit in autores & turbine reppulit hastas. Claudianus 3. Coss. Honor.O how highly art thou beloued of God, whom the heauens fight p. 10for; and the Winds as thy confederates come in to assist thee! To thine aid came the boisterous North-wind downe from the Hills, and bare downe before thee the troopes that came against thee, with whirling blasts repelling their speares, and retorting their arrowes, and darts vponupon their owners.

The Reason hereof.

Reason 1.1. The Saints are in league, and confederacie with God. llPsal. 50.5.Ps 50:5Gather me my Saints (saith he) that hauehave made a league with me. Now as Princes that are in league of amity together, may hauehave the mmforeign. Eurip. Electr. & Phaeniss. & Orest. Amicorum inter se communia sunt omnia. Ter. Adelph. 5.3.free vse of either others forces at need: nn1 King. 22.4. 2 Chron. 18.3.1 Kgs 22:42 Chr 18:3My horses (saith Iehosaphat to Ahab) are as thy horses; and my people as thy people: thou mayest vse them as thine owne. So the godly being in league with God, may hauehave all his forces, and armies for their helpe, and assistance, whensoeuer need shall be. And what are all the Creatures but Gods hoasts? He is ooDominus exercituum. Amos 4.13. verse 8.Amos 4:13the Lord of Hoasts: and (as ppVide Dauidem Kimchi in Radic.the Rabbines well obserue) hee hath two generall troopes, as his horse, and foot, qqforeignthe vpper troope, and rrforeignthe lower troope, or ssCopiae tam inferiores, quam supernae. Mercer.the creatures aboue, and the creatures beneath, all ready prest to be employed, in warres, either defensiue, or offensiue, for the safegard of his fauourites, or the destruction of their opposites. Euen ttPsal. 34.7.Ps 34:7the Angels themselues (saith the Psalmist) pitch their tents about those that feare God, &c. uuPiis assident; impios obsident. Ambros. in Psal.they lye in garrison, about the godly, to defend and deliuer them; they lie in campe against their enemies to offend, and to destroy them.

Reason 2.2. What are the Creatures, but Gods Sergeants at Armes to arrest, and attach Rebels? xxPsal. 119 91.Ps 119:91All the creatures (saith the Psalmist) are at his seruice. yyPsal. 104.4.Ps 104:4The p. 11winds are his messengers, and the fire and flame his ministers. And zzPsal. 148.8.Ps 148:8the haile, and snow his officers, and the executioners of his word: they serue him all, and they do his will, though aaNec operis sunt consciae. Bern. de grat. & lib. arb.they know not what they doe. But they rebell against God himselfe (as we hauehave heard bbPoint 1.before) that are vp in armes against any of those that be his:Reason 1. whom he hath vndertaken the protection of; and concerning whom he hath giuen so expresse a charge by the Psalmist, ccPsal. 105.15.Ps 105:15Touch not mine Anointed; that is, any one of mine holy ones. The place is commonly misvnderstood; not spoken of Kings directly (though dd1 Sam. 24.7. & 26.9, 11.1 Sam 24:71 Sam 26:91 Sam 26:11concerning them also, as being in a more speciall maner eePsal. 89.20.Ps 89:20Gods Anointed;) but to Kings (ffPsal. 105.14.Ps 105:14 He rebuked euen Kings for their sakes) in the behalfe of his Saints, by him gg2 Cor. 1.21.2 Cor 1:21spiritually anointed to be hhApoc. 1.6. & 5.10. & 20.6. 1 Pet. 2.9.Rev 1:6Rev 5:10Rev 20:61 Pet 2:9Kings, and Priests to him. These being in such maner his, the Creatures are all as his Purseuants, and his Sergeants at Armes to apprehend, and attach them all that make head against them, and iiInsectantur vos & in vobis Deum. Saluian. de prouid. l. 8. c. 4.against himselfe in them; and either to bring them in, or to make his charge good vponupon them, by destroying them, as he did kkEsai. 37.36.Isa 37:36Senacheribs hoast, in the place.

The third Point of Instruction.

Est ciuitas Dei, Deus quam protegit.

It is the Citie of God, that llEsai. 37.35.Isa 37:35God thus protecteth.Instructiō 3. mmVerse 8.In the Citie of the Lord of Hoasts; (saith my Text) in the Citie of our God. And before, nnVerse 1.Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the Citie of our God: ooVerse 3.In her Palaces it is that God is knowne for a sure retreat. It is ppZech. 2.5.Zech 2:5Ierusalem, that God is a wall of fire about. And vponupon them it was that qqApoc. 20.9.Rev 20:9fire fell downe, p. 12and deuoured them, that beset the beloued Citie.

The Reason hereof.

Reason 1.1. It is the place of Gods residence, where hee especially resideth, rrPsal. 132.14.Ps 132:14This is my rest for euer (saith he) Here will I dwell, for I take delight in it. And Princes, though they hauehave a generall care of their whole kingdome, yet ss2 Sam. 5.9.2 Sam 5:9a more speciall care of the places of their principall abode.

Reason 2.2. It is Gods inheritance. ttDeut. 9.29.Deut 9:29They are thy people and thine inheritance, saith Moses. And we know how loth men are (witnesse uu1 King. 21.3.1 Kgs 21:3Naboth the Iisrelite) to lose, or to depart with their inheritance, or any part of it.

Reason 3.3. It is Gods Vineyard. xxEsai. 5.7.Isa 5:7Surely the Vineyard of the Lord of Hoasts is the house of Israel; and the men of Iuda his pleasant plantation. And his Vineyard hee saith yyEsai. 27.3.Isa 27:3he will keepe, and watch continually night and day, without any moment of intermission, that no enemie assaile it, that none breake into it, to make spoile and hauocke of it.

Reason 4.4. It is Gods Garden. zzCant. 4.12.Song 4:12My Sister, my Spouse, is as a Garden inclosed. And we know how carefull men are of any place to fence and pale in their Gardens, whatsoeuer place else, field, or Orchard, they suffer to lie open. Nor let vsus thinke that God hath any whit lesse care of his, which hee delighteth so much in.

Obiection.But how commeth it to passe then (may some say) that the Psalmist complaineth in that manner? O Lord the Heathen are come into thine inheritance, they hauehave made Ierusalem an heape of stones, &c.

p. 13I answer.Solution 1. 1. aaThe house of God. Gen. 28.19, 22.Gen 28:19Gen 28:22Beth-el sometime becommeth bbThe house of vanitie. Hosh. 5.8. & 10.5Beth-auen. ccEsai. 1.2….Isa 1:2The faithfull Citie sometime turneth Harlot. And it is iust with God then ddEsai. 50.1. Ier. 3.8.Isa 50:1Jer 3:8to cast her off; eeHeb. 8.9.Heb 8:9Shee kept not couenants with me, and I cast her off, saith the Lord.

2. Gods children sometime grow ffHosh. 4.16. Tanquam indomita iuuenca. Quae velut latis eq…a trima campis ludit exultim, metint que tangi. Horat. car. 3.11.wanton, and prouoke God to wrath.Solution 2. In which case God vseth the wicked as ggVtitur Deus creatura rationali, sed maleuola tanquam disciplinae virga. Bern. de lib. arb.rods, and scourges to correct them with. hhEsai. 10.5.Isa 10:5Ashur (saith God by the Prophet Esay) is but the rod of my wrath. iiEius consiliis militant, etiam qui eiꝰ consiliis repugnant. Greg. mor. l. 6. c. 14.Euen they also (saith Gregory) worke for him, yea, and for them (though kkEsay 10.7.Isa 10:7they are not aware of it) that in such case fight both against him and them.

3. Euen in the deepest of their distresses God ceaseth not to regard them:Solution 3. llDeus suos nō negligit cum negligit.Hee neglecteth them not, when hee seemeth most of all to neglect them. Though mmEsai. 49.14.Isa 49:14Sion complaine that God had forgotten her: yet God assureth her that nnIbid. 15.he could no more forget her, than any Mother could her childe. ooIbid. 16.He carried her picture about him engrauen on the palmes of his hands, and her wals were euer in his eyes. And, ppEzek. 11.16.Ezek 11:16Albeit (saith God) I hauehave cast them far off among the Heathen, and hauehave scattered them into many countries, yet will I be as a little qqEsai. 8.14.Isa 8:14Sanctuary vntounto them in all places, wheresoeuer they shall become.

And so passe we to the fourth, and last point of Instruction.

Ecclesia Dei, nunquam dimouebitur.

Gods Church maugre the rrPsal. 25.19.Ps 25:19malice of all her ssPsa 3.1. & 69 4.Ps 3:1Ps 69:4many, and ttPsal. 18.17. & 69 4.Ps 18:17Ps 69:4mighty aduersaries, Instructiō 4.shall neuer be vtterly rooted out, or destroyed. uuPsal. 125.1.Ps 125:1They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Sion, that standeth fast, and can p. 14neuer be remoued. xxMatth. 16.18.Matt 16:18VponUpon this Rocke (saith our Sauiour) will I build my Church, and the gates of Hell shall neuer preuaile against it. The yyApoc. 2.5.Rev 2:5Candlesticke may be remoued from place to place; but zzEsai. 60.19, 20.Isa 60:19Isa 60:20the light it selfe can neuer be put out. The aaApoc. 12.14.Rev 12:14Woman may be hunted, and chased into bbHeb. 11.38.Heb 11:38the Wildernesse; but neuer driuen vtterly out of the World. In the very Wildernesse will ccApoc. 12.14.Rev 12:14God prouide a place for her, where she… shall be safe; and finde succour, till it please him to bring her abroad againe.

Reason 1.The Reason hereof.

1. ddVerse 8.God establisheth it, (saith my Text) and therefore standeth it fast for euer. eePsal. 46.5.Ps 46:5God is in the middest of it: and therefore shall it not stir. Yea ffZach. 2.5.Zech 2:5he is not in the middest of it only, but round about it too.ggPsal. 125.2.Ps 125:2 As the Hilles stand about Ierusalem, so standeth God about his people from henceforth and for euermore. He is about it to protect it; in the midst of it to support it. Hee that vpholdeth the Heauens, vpholdeth it: for this is indeed his hhCoeli sancti & iusti: sanctae animae omnes, in quibus habitat Deus, & quae factae sunt sedes eius. Aug. in Psal. 18. & …9. & 67. & 96. & 122. Esai. 57.15. & 66.1, 2. Coelum Ecclesia est. Tychon. in Apoc. 11.19. & 12.1.Ps 18Isa 57:15Isa 66:1Isa 66:2Rev 11:19Rev 12:1Heauen vponupon earth. And as soone may men, or deuils pull downe Heauen itselfe, as destroy it.

2. iiMatth. 16.18.Matt 16:18Christ himselfe hath built it, and he hath founded it vponupon himselfe.Reason 2. For kk1 Cor. 10.4.1 Cor 10:4hee is the llPsal. 18.31.Ps 18:31only true Rocke, the mmEsai. 26 4.Isa 26:4Rocke of eternity; the only ooEsai. 28.16. Q…od Bellarm. blasphemè Papa tribuit in praefat. ad lib. de Pont. Rom.Isa 28:16sure foundation, that his whole Church is built vponupon. And what he buildeth can by no created power be pulled downe againe;nn1 Cor. 3.11.1 Cor 3:11 the house that is built vponupon that Rocke cannot be ouerthrowne. ppMatth. 7.25.Matt 7:25Though the winds rose, and the raine fell, and the flouds came, and beat all together vponupon that house, yet the frame fell not, because it was founded vponupon that Rocke. It is Christs Masterpeece; p. 15that that he would shew his Deity, his diuine Power in. Would you hauehave me (saith Chrysostome speaking to the Iewes) proue vntounto you, that Christ Iesus is God? what needs it? qqLuke 21.…4. foreign. Chrysost. quod Christus Deus. Ejus ipsius, cuius fuerunt negatores, persecutores, interfectores, vbique sunt testes. Aug. epist. 59 & in Psal. 39. & 56. & 58. & de temp 31. Nulla turpior seruitus grauiorque, quam seruitus Iudaeorum, quam quocunque ierint post se trahunt, & vbi que Dominos offendunt suos. Bern. de consider. l. 1.Luke 21:4Ps 39You your selues wander vp and downe, the whole world ouer, preaching, and publishing his Deity to all those that consider in what sort you continue, and yet continue too, euer since that impious act of yours, in the crucifying of him. You goe branded with deepe and conspicuous markes of his wrath, and vengeance wheresoeuer you abide. But would you yet see some other pregnant proofe of his Deity? Let this one serue for all. rrforeign. Chrysost. quod Christus Deus.What he razeth, none can reare againe; what he reareth, none can raze againe. He pulled downe your Temple, and it could neuer be built againe. He hath built him a Church, and it could neuer be pulled downe againe. It is a memorable story, and the more remarkable, because recorded (besides diuers others of ssGreg. Naz. in Iulian. orat. 2. Chrysost. contr. Iud. orat. 2. & quod Christus Deus, & in Matth. hom. 4. Ambr. ad Theodos. epist. 29. Theodoret. hist. eccles. l. 3. c. 20. Cassiod. hist. tripart. l 6. c. 43. & alij.our owne,) by ttAmmian. Marcellin. hist. l. 23.an Heathen man also, one no friend to Christians, a traducer of Constantine, and an admirer of Iulian. Iulian, that wretched Apostata, to spite the Christians, whom he had professed himselfe formerly to be one of, but now hated most extremely, uuGreg. Naz. Chrysost. & Theodor.called the Iewes to him, and asked them, why they did not now sacrifice as in times past they had wont to doe. They made him answer, that by their xxDeut. 12.5, 6, 12, 13, 14.Deut 12:5Deut 12:6Deut 12:12Deut 12:13Deut 12:14Law they might not sacrifice any where but in the Temple p. 16at Ierusalem: which since therefore it was ruined, they had ceased to sacrifice, and must so doe till it were reedified. Hereupon Iulian told them that they should hauehave their Temple eft-soones built againe, if they would; and to that purpose yyTemplum instaurare sumptibus cogitabat immodicis, negotium que maturandum Alypio dederat. Cùm itaque rei idem fortiter instaret, iuuaretque prouinciae rector &c. Ammian. l. 23.hee sent one Alypius into those parts furnished with much treasure for the dispeeding of the worke, and withall caused the Gouernour of that Prouince to assist him all that might be therein. Nor were the Iewes therein backward, zzforeign. Theodor. l. 3. c. 20. foreign. Greg. Naz. stelit. 2.who flocking together out of all quarters, raised a great masse of money, and prouided abundance of materialls, for the setting forward of so much, and so long desired a worke. But aaforeign. Chrysost. contr. Iud. 2. foreign. Esai. 14.27. Ibid.Judg 2Isa 14:27no might, or industry of man is able to preuaile against God, or to effect that, that he will not hauehave done. When all things were prepared now, and they began to fall to their businesse; First there arose bbforeign. Theodor. l. 3. c. 20. Vis magna ventorum repentè spirans, tempestatesque ac procellae subitò factae, quicquid congregatum fuerat, disperserunt. Cassiod. l. 6. c. 43.strange stormes, & whirle-winds, that dissipated, and spoiled their materials. And after that, when yet they attempted to doe something, ccforeign. Chrysost. quod Christus Deus. foreign. Ibid. Metuendi globi flammarum propè fundamenta crebris assultibus erumpentes, fecere locum exustis aliquoties operantibus inaccessum. Ammian. l. 23.fearefull balls of fire, not falling downe from heauen, but bursting out of the very ground beneath, and that so oft as they assayed to go on with their work, ripped vp what they had wrought, and burnt vp the work-men, in so much that none durst any more approch the place, and so the very ddHo… que modo elemento destinatius repellente cessauit inceptum. Ibid.elements (saith that Heathen man) obstinately making head p. 17against them, they were at length enforced wholly to giuegive ouer their enterprize. Thus was no power of man able to raise what he had ruined; nor shall any power euer be able to ruine what he hath raised. In stead of the Temple that he ruined hath he erected his Church; which vnlesse the Rocke may be remoued that it is built vponupon, shall no power of man, or deuill be able euer to ouerthrow. Though all the wicked in the world, and all the Deuils in hell to them, conspire together in one, yet as soone shal they be able to driue Christ himselfe out of heauen, as to destroy vtterly and root out his Church here vponupon earth.

Thus you see then these foure Points of Instruction plainly, and euidently proued vntounto you.Recapitulatiō. Points 4.

1. That they seeke their owne ruine, that seeke the ruine of Gods children.Point 1.

2. That Gods Creatures are ready prest to assist those that be his.Point 2.

3. That it is the Citie of God, Point 3.that God thus protecteth.

4. That this Citie, Point 4.or Church of God shall neuer be vtterly ouerthrowne.

Let vsus now proceed to the Vses that of these Points may be made.Vses 4.

And first this Text may be to the enemies of Gods Church, Vse 1. of Point 1.as eeDan. 5.5.Dan 5:5those knuckles of a mans hand were to Baltasar, to write them their destiny; or as ffIbid. 24, 25.Daniel was to him, to reade it vntounto them; to informe them, what the end and issue shal be of all their plots and proiects against the Church of God. In plotting, and proiecting the ruine of it, they **Suo sibi iumento arcessunt malum. Plaut. Amphitr.plot and proiect p. 18but their owne confusion: Nor shall their plots, and proiects take (as they hope) against it, but they shal take (which they, it may be, little deeme, or once dreame of) against themselues. ggPsal. 9.16.Ps 9:16God will shew himselfe to be God indeed by executing of Iudgement, in causing them to be hhforeign. Apolinar. foreign. Dolscius.ensnared, and caught in the worke of their owne hands, iiPsal. 9.15.Ps 9:15in a snare of their owne setting, kkforeign. Theodoret. dialog. 1. c. 24.in a net of their owne weauing: in causing llEster 7.9, 10. Prou. Ebr. Cippum occupauit ipse, quē fecit, faber. Drus. decur. 1. adag. 4. Et Lat. Gestat faber, quas fecit ipse, compedes. Auson. foreign. Theogn.Haman to be hanged on that Gibbet himselfe, that for Mordecai he had erected, & bringing him, and mmEster 9.10, 13, 14.his whole House to destruction by those meanes, whereby nnEster 3.6.he sought the destruction of the whole Iewish Nation.Application.

In this kinde may we well say, ooVerse 8.Sicut audiuimus, sic & vidimus; What wee hauehave heard we hauehave seene; both in that deliuerance that through Gods goodnesse this day we suruiue to celebrate, and in ppThe powder-plot &c.diuers others also. They that came to sinke vsus, were sunke themselues. They that thought to blow vsus vp, were some of them blowen vp themselues. They that plotted the ruine, and confusion of our estate, brought ruine and confusion vponupon themselues, and theirs. qqIudg. 5.31.Judg 5:31So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord. But let those that louelove thee, and stand for thee, be as the Sunne when he shineth in his full strength.

Vse 2. of Point 2.Secondly, it may serue as to discourage the Aduersary, so to encourage the godly. As to discourage the wicked from attempting ought against Gods Church, (rrPsal. 21.11.Ps 21:11 They intended euill against thee, saith the Psalmist; but they were not able to effect it) so to encourage those that ss1 Sam. 18.17.1 Sam 18:17fight Gods battels; they cannot want helpe. Heauen and earth fighteth for them. p. 19Though they may seeme the weaker side, and to hauehave fewer assistants, yet tt2 Cor. 12.9.2 Cor 12:9Gods power is perfected, and appeareth most in mans weaknesse: And if wee had eyes to see it, we might see uu2 King. 6.16. 2 Chron. 32.7.2 Kgs 6:162 Chr 32:7more with them than against them: xxQuocunque se verterit, ibi te videat. Sen. de benef.which way soeuer they turne themselues, they might see helpes alwayes at hand; yyPsal. 46.1.Ps 46:1God himselfe, and all the zzJob 5.23.Job 5:23creatures of God, ready prest at Gods becke aaPsal. 91.11.Ps 91:11to attend them,bbDan. 10.12, 13.Dan 10:12Dan 10:13 to assist them, ccPsal. 34.7.Ps 34:7to guard them, ddIudg. 5.30.Judg 5:30to fight for them, eeExod. 23.28.Exod 23:28to oppose those that fight against them.

And here we may againe sing,Application. ffVerse 8.Sicut audiuimus, sic vidimus; What we hauehave heard we hauehave seene. ggQuam benè te, ambitio, mersit, vanissima, ventus? Et tumidos tumidae vos superastis aquae? Quam benè totius raptores orbis auaros, Hausit inexhausti iusta v…rago maris? Theod. Beza.The winds, and the Seas fought for vsus, when time was; the one dissipated and scattered, the other swallowed vp, and deuoured those, that came with hope to hauehave dissipated, and hhPsal. 27.2. & 124.3.Ps 27:2Ps 124:3with open mouth to hauehave swallowed, drowne, and deuoured vsus. iiPsal. 124.6.Ps 124:6Blessed be God, that gaue vsus not vp as a prey vntounto their teeth.

Thirdly, is it the Citie of God, Vse 3. of Point 3.that God thus protecteth? Then learne we the reason hence why God hath in this manner done for vsus. It is for his Church among vsus, his Name called vponupon, his Gospell professed by vsus, his worship retained with vsus. And certainly (obserue we, and we shall vndoubtedly find it to be so that) since Gods truth and Gospell established with vsus, and that Romish Idolatrie expelled from among vsus, this Iland of ours hath enioyed the quietest, the peaceablest, the most prosperous times, that euer it did, for so long time together, at any time, that any memory of man, or record of story can be produced of, notwithstanding all the power that p. 20that kk2 Thess. 2.3.2 Thess 2:3Man of sinne, and all his adherents were able to raise vp against vsus. And as many strange deliuerances hath God vouchsafed vsus, as euer any Nation vnderunder the cope of heauen had. Oh that our thankfulnesse to God were in any good measure proportionable to Gods goodnesse towards vsus. But it is to be feared, that that of Saluian is too too true of vsus; llDeus bona dat, vt boni simus. Nos vbi bona accepimus, mala cumulamus. Saluian. de prouid. l. 3.God giueth vsus good things, to make vsus good: but wee when we hauehave receiued good from God, returne euill againe to him. And that of Hosea, mmHosh. 4.7.As they were increased, so they sinned against me: and I will turne their glory therefore into shame. Which if it be so; let vsus remember, that as the same Saluian saith, nnIdeò deteriores sumus, quia meliores essè debemus. Saluian. Ibid.Therefore are we worse than others, whom God hath not done the like for, though we be no worse, if but as bad only, because we ought to be better. So, as the Centurists obserue, ooIngentia beneficia, ingentia flagitia, ingentia supplicia. Magdeburg. in prafat. ad Centur. 5.great blessings, seconded with grieuous sinnes, will at length draw downe extraordinary iudgements. And it had beene better for vsus neuer to hauehave had such deliuerances, if we be not carefull to shew our selues truly thankfull vntounto him, that hath wrought so great deliuerances for vsus.

Vse 4. of Point 4.Fourthly, it may teach Gods Children not to be dismaid, if the enemies of Gods Church seeme sometime ppDan. 8.24, 25. Apoc. 13.6, 7.Dan 8:24Dan 8:25Rev 13:6Rev 13:7to preuaile against it. For qqIer. 31.35, 36, 37. & 33.20, 21, 25, 26.Jer 31:35Jer 31:36Jer 31:37Jer 33:20Jer 33:21Jer 33:25Jer 33:26they shall neuer be able to root it out for all that. Gods Church is as rrExod. 3.2.Exod 3:2the bush, that burnt, and consumed not, as ssforeign &c. Plut. sympos. l. 8. q. …the Palme-tree, that spreadeth, and springeth vp the more it is oppressed: as ttforeign. Sibyll. Mergitur interdum, sed non submergitur vnquam. Merses profundo; pulchrior euenit. Luctere; multa proruet integrum Cum laude victorem. Horat. Carm. 4.4.the bottle, or bladder, that may p. 21be dipped, but cannot be drowned: as uuDuris vt ilex tonsa bipennibus per damna, per caedes ab ipso ducit opes animum que ferro. Ibid.the Oke, that taketh heart to grace from the maimes and wounds giuen it, and sprouteth out thicker than before. xxSanguis Martyrum semen Ecclesiae. plures efficimur, quoties metimur à vobis. Semen est sanguis Christianorum. Tertull. apolog. Sparsus est sanguis iustus: & illo sanguine tamquam seminatione facta seges surrexit Ecclesiae. August. in Psal. 39. veritas per orbem terrae pullulauit faecundius, cùm in Martyrum sanguine sereretur. Idē Ciuit. l. 22. c. 7.Ps 39The bloud of the Martyrs is the seed of the Church; it springeth againe as yyV… est quae reparet, seque ipsa reseminet ales. Ouid. met. l. 15. Faecunda reparat sic morte iuuentam. Claudianus in Stilic. l. 2. De Palma quadam in Chora mirum accepimus, cum Phoenice aue, quae putatur ex huius palmae argumento nomen accepisse, emori, ac renas…i ex seipsa. Plin. hist. nat. l. 13. c. 4. Hinc error Tertulliani enatus, qui illud Psal. 92.12. foreign Graecè, de aue (non arbore, Hebraicae linguae ignarus) intellexit, quae se funerans renouat, natali fide decedens atque succedens iterum. Lib. de resurr. Si tamen vt creditur de sua morte renascitur. Aug. de orig. anim. l. 4. c. 20. Vide & Clement. Apost. constit. l. 5. c. 7. Plin. hist. nat. l. 10. c. 2. Oppian. de ancup. Orum in hieroglyph. Claudian. & Lactant. nom carm. de Phoenice &c.Ps 92:12the Phoenix doth out of her owne ashes, or as bbNon hydra secto corpore firmior vinci dolentem creuit in Herculem succisa serpens caede se reparans sua. Sen. Med. 4.1.the Hydra rather repaireth her selfe out of her own losses with a much more plentifull increase. ccExod. 1.12. Sic foenum graecum qu… peius tractatur, prouenit melius. Plin. hist. l. 18. c. 16.Exod 1:12The more Pharao oppressed the Ebrewes, the more they increased, and the mightier they grew. The Children of God in the Word are compared especially to two sorts of silly creatures, to ddCant. 2.14. & 6.9. Matth. 10.16.Song 2:14Song 6:9Matt 10:16Doues, and to Sheepe. eeVt fugit accipitrem penna trepidante columba, Vt solet accipiter trepidas vrgere columbas. Ouid. Met. l. 1.No fowle more preyed vponupon by Eagles, Haukes, Vultures, and other birds of prey, than the poore Pigeon. And yet, ffQuantum vult consumat edacitas vulturum, tamen maior est numerus columbarum. Optat. contr. Parmen. l. 2.let those rauenous fowles (saith Optatus) consume neuer so many of them, there will be a greater number of Doues still, than of any kind of them. There is more Doues than Haukes, or than Kites, for all that. Againe, for the Sheepe, it is one of the silliest creatures that is, and most vnable to defend it selfe: neither is it vnknowne to vsus (to spare to speak ggIer. 50.6. Esai. 56.9. 1 Sam. 17.34. Ezek. 34.5. In praedam lupis ferisque r…liquis exp…siti sunt cum primis ouium greges. Spin. de prouid.Jer 50:6Isa 56:91 Sam 17:34Ezek 34:5how they are preyed vponupon in those places where p. 22Wolues, and Beares, and Lions, & other wilde beasts are rife) how many of them are hhPsal. 44.11, 22. Ier. 12.3. Ouium homini cibꝰ frequentissimus, vt nullus fere alius in lauienam veniat. Spin. ibid.Ps 44:11Ps 44:22Jer 12:3slaine for mans vse; no one sort of creatures commeth so frequent to the Shambles as they; they come not by one, or two, but they are driuen by troopes thither; as also how many of them die by diseases; they are subiect to iiSaeuissima inter eos pestis gr…ssatur. Ibid.rots, and murreons, that kkIlla cateruatim dat stragem. African. in Geopon.make hauocke of them by whole sale; nor are they naturally so fruitfull as many other beasts are, and those of prey by name, some of them, as the Fox and others, that bring diuers at a litter, whereas llVnicum duntaxat quotannis parit. Spin.the Ewe hath vsually but one. And yet for all this wee see what mmNullum animal frequentius in agris accurrit. Idem.plenty there is eueryevery where of them. We may see **Oues olim mite pecus, nunc tam indomitum & edax, vt homines deuorent, oppida diruant. Th. Morus Vtop. l. 1.Sheepe eat out men in many places among vsus; and whole Townes by them depopulated and turned into Sheepe-walkes. Such a prouidence of God is there in the preseruation, and increase of that Creature that so nnPsal. 23.1, 2. & 74.1. & 77.20. & 79.13. & 80.1. & 95.7. & 100.3. Esai. 40.11. & 63.11. Ier. 23.1, 3. & 31.10. & 49.20. & 50.6.Ps 23:1Ps 23:2Ps 74:1Ps 77:20Ps 79:13Ps 80:1Ps 95:7Ps 100:3Isa 40:11Isa 63:11Jer 23:1Jer 23:3Jer 31:10Jer 49:20Jer 50:6oft he compareth his Church and Children vntounto, whom he hath taken into his speciall and peculiar protection; and whom therefore their cruell Aduersaries shall no more be able to root out, than the Haukes able to destroy all the Doues that are, or the Wolues to woory, and slay all the Sheepe in the World.

Question.Yea but (may some say) may we in this Land then be sure euer of such safetie,Ezek. 34.22, 23, 31. & 36.37, 38. & 37.24, 26.Ezek 34:22Ezek 34:23Ezek 34:31Ezek 36:37Ezek 36:38Ezek 37:24Ezek 37:26 neuer to be ouerrunne, or rooted out?

No: It is Gods Church in generall, not this or that Church in part…ular,Answer. that is sure thus constantly to continue.Mica 2.12. & 7.14. Zach. 9.16. & 10.3. & 11.7, 11. & 1….7. Matth. 10.16. & 9.36. & 26.31. & 25.32, 33. Iohn 10.2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 15, 16, 26, 27, 28.Zech 9:16Zech 10:3Zech 11:7Zech 11:11Zech 1:7Matt 10:16Matt 9:36Matt 26:31Matt 25:32Matt 25:33John 10:2John 10:3John 10:4John 10:7John 10:8John 10:11John 10:12John 10:15John 10:16John 10:26John 10:27John 10:28 Now Gods Church is not confined to this, p. 23or that place; nor is Gods protection tied vntounto, or entailed vponupon this, or that people. We hauehave ooPsal. 119.57, 94. Ier. 2.3.Ps 119:57Ps 119:94Jer 2:3no promise of protection longer than wee continue Gods portion. Wee hauehave pp1 Cor. 10.1-12.1 Cor 10:1–12no better euidence, nor assurance than the Iewes had: qqPsal. 132.14.Ps 132:14Here (saith God) shall be my rest for euer. And, rrVerse 8.God will establish it for euer. And, ssPsal. 89.23. Esai. 41.11, 12.Ps 89:23Isa 41:11Isa 41:12I will destroy all that rise against it. And yet wee know ttLuk. 19.44. & 21.24.Luke 19:44Luke 21:24what is become of them at this day, uuMatth. 23.38.Matt 23:38Their habitation is left desolate. And xx1 Thess. 2.16.1 Thess 2:16The wrath of God (saith the Apostle) is come vponupon them to the vtmost. It is true indeed, that aaDeus nisi deserentem se non deserit, priusquam deseratur neminem deserit. Aug. ad imposs. sibi art. 7. Recessurum non deserit antequam deserat. Ibid. 14. Non enim nos deserit fons, si nos fontem nō deseramus. Idem in Ioan. 32.God neuer leaueth any, but those that leaue him. But if bb1 King. 11.7, 9.1 Kgs 11:71 Kgs 11:9Salomon leaue God, and build Temples for Milcom, and Chamosh; God will leaue him, and raise vp aduersaries on al sides against him. If cc2 Chron. 32.25.2 Chr 32:25Ezekiaes heart be lift vp; ddEsai. 39.6, 7. 2 Chron. 32.26.Isa 39:6Isa 39:72 Chr 32:26God will pull him downe againe. If eeEsai. 1.21. Ier. 3.2. & 9.2.Isa 1:21Jer 3:2Jer 9:2the holy Citie become an Harlot, or a ffFacta est vrbs tota lupanar. Iuuen. sat. 1. Vnus gurges omnium gula: vnū pene lupanar est omnium vita. Saluian. de prou. l. 7.Stewes (as he speaketh) no reason but that God should ggIer. 7.29. & 12.7.Jer 7:29Jer 12:7abandon it, and giuegive her hhIer. 3.8.Jer 3:8a Bill of diuorce, and iiEzek. 13.36, 45, 47.Ezek 13:36Ezek 13:45Ezek 13:47deale with Aholah, and Aholibah, as adulterous women are wont to be dealt with. If Gods Vine grow not kkHoshea 10.1.barren only, but beare llDeut. 32 32.Deut 32:32bitter, mmEsai. 5.2.Isa 5:2noysome, and nnDeut. 32.33.Deut 32:33poysonfull grapes; it shall be a iust thing with God to ooEsai. 5.5. Psal. 80.12.Isa 5:5Ps 80:12plucke vp her hedge, and ppEsai. 5.6. Ier. 12.11.Isa 5:6Jer 12:11lay her waste, qqIer. 9.11, 12.Jer 9:11Jer 9:12as a wilde wildernesse, or rrMatth. 3.10. & 7.19 Luk. 13.7.Matt 3:10Matt 7:19Luke 13:7to cut her downe, and ssEzek. 15.4, 6.Ezek 15:4Ezek 15:6cast her into the fire. If ttNumb. 11.5. & 14.3, 4.Num 11:5Num 14:3Num 14:4Israel begin to looke backe into Aegypt; it shall be iust with God uuDeut. 28.68.Deut 28:68to bring backe his Israel that was, into their former Aegyptian bondage againe. If the Hebrewes liue in those abominable courses xxLeuit. 1.24, 25. Deut. 18.12.Lev 1:24Lev 1:25Deut 18:12for which God cast out the p. 24Canaanites, yyLeuit. 18.28.Lev 18:28the Land that spewed out the Canaanite, shall now spew them out. If zzEzek. 5.6. & 16.47, 48.Ezek 5:6Ezek 16:47Ezek 16:48Gods owne people grow worse than the Heathen themselues; it shall be iust with God, to aaEzek. 7.24.Ezek 7:24bring the very worst of the Heathen in vponupon them, and by them, whom they bbEzek. 16.51, 52.Ezek 16:51Ezek 16:52iustifie in some sort, ccEzek. 7.21.Ezek 7:21to destroy them. Nor may ddIer. 25.28, 29. Rom. 11.…, 21.Jer 25:28Jer 25:29Rom 11we looke to fare better than they did, if we be faultie as they were. Gods Church may stand firme and stable still, though wee fall. The Lampe may burne cleare else-where, though the Light be done out with vsus. If we desire therefore to hauehave this Protection continued vntounto vsus, let vsus continue to be eeDeut. 32.9. Exod. 19.5, 6.Deut 32:9Exod 19:5Exod 19:6Gods, that ffDeut. 26.17, 18. Ier. 7.23. & 31.33.Deut 26:17Deut 26:18Jer 7:23Jer 31:33God may continue to bee ours. Let vsus bee carefull to keepe and maintaine a Church of God with vsus, ggSemen sanctum statumen terra. Esai. 6.13.Isa 6:13The holy seed vpholdeth the state. In a word, as Samuel to his people (whose words I will end all with) hh1 Sam. 1….24, 25.1 Sam 1:241 Sam 1:25Feare the Lord, and serue him with all your heart in sinceritie; and consider what great things he hath hitherto done for you.

FINIS.

End of the text · Thomas Gataker, An Anniversary Memorial (1626)