The Looking Glass of the Holy War, Chapter 26

The Looking Glass of the Holy War · Chapter 26

p. 104CHAP. XXVI. Gods Miniſters the diſpoſers of this ſacred Counſell.

BVt as the word of God muſt dwel plenteouſly, ſo it muſt be uſed wiſely; So ſaith the Apoſtle, in all wiſedome. As this word is Gods ſpeciall treaſure, whereby he diſpoſe… all his mercies towards his; ſo he hath ordayned diſpoſe… and diſpenſers of his ſacred wiſedome, namely, his Ministers, who are to ſtand betweene him and his people in things appertayning to God. Hence it followeth that ſuch ſtewards muſt diſpoſe this counſell, aſwell in war as in peace. As Kings hauehave their Counſellours, and Courts hauehave their learned Counſell, to giuegive them the law: ſo God maketh choyce of theſe, and calleth them from amongſt the ſonnes of men to be his Counſellours and Embaſſadours, to deliver his will, and counſell to their bretheren.The neceſſitie of ſuch diſpo…ets, and the reaſōs.

The neceſſitie of ſuch in war ariſeth from theſe grounds. Firſt, from the depth of the miſtery, which they are to diſpoſe, and the greatnes of the worke they doe undertake: for who is ſufficient for theſe things? Secondly, from the indiſpoſition of man to underſtand, or teach, this miſtery, except a man be ſent from God to informe him: how can I (ſaith the Enuuch) underſtand, except I hauehave a guide? Ananias muſt be ſent to Paul, and Peter to Cornelius, that they may be inſtructed. It is a mad conceit of many in this age, that they know as much as the Miniſter can doe; yea, ſome will ſay they can teach as well as he, though they be not called of God; which indeed is to deſpiſe the gift of propheſy. I ſpeake now of ſuch an one as is called of God; for otherwiſe, many private men, are better to adviſe with. But it is not learning p. 105barely, or an aptneſſe to diſcourſe, but there muſt be a ſet…ing a part of the man, with an endowement of power and authoritie, with a holy ſkill, to wound, to heale, to cast downe, to raiſe up, to inſtruct, rebuke, correct. In a word, to caſt downe every ſtrange thought that ſetteth it ſelfe againſt God. God calleth not every man to this; he gaue ſome to be Paſtors, and ſome to be Teachers, not all. Thirdly, great are the enormites, that doe accompany warre (as I hauehave ſhewed) both in Commanders and in ordinary ſouldiers; Bello nulla ſalus.and therefore, they had neede to be hedged in by the Lords huſbandmen, with the pale of the word. Fourthly, from their excellency, they are the greateſt gift; ſaue Christ that ever was giuen to man, A Prophet will I rayſe up from among their bretheren, D…ut. 18.18like unto thee. In which words, though Christ be eſpecially meant as S. Luke applyeth them, Acts 3.22.23. Yet they neceſſarily imply the giving of others, though Christ be the chiefe. God by the Prophet Ieremie; ſpeaking of the deſolation of his people, whereunto they were fallen by their owne ſinnes, and wickednes of their for-lorn Prieſts, telleth them of a great bleſſing, Jerem. 23.4.Jer 23:4That he will ſet up sheepheards over them, that shall feede them. Such are called Gods in the booke of God. I hauehave made thee a God to Pharao, Exod. 7.1.Exod 7:1(ſaith the Lord of Moſes) namely, in bringing judgements, and removing of them. They are ſaid by God himſelfe in Ieremie, to stand in his counſell. Ier. 23.Jer 23And for their ſervice with God, pietie and holines towards him, they are called Angells,

Fifthly, for their induſtry & fidelitie, they are called Seers, Watchmen. Elisha kept Centinall againſt the King of Aram, over the King of Iſrael, when he ſlept. So the men of God in the armies of God, whether they ſleep or wake, they are alwayes at Centinall. For though they ſleepe as Salomon ſaith, yet the heart is awake; In this reſpect Miniſters may well be called the foure beasts full of eyes, before and behind, Rev. 4.Rev 4being round about the throne to watch and diſcover. As for their induſtrie and watchfulnes, they are the ſureſt guard; ſo for p. 106their fidelitie and plainneſſe they are the ſafeſt counſell. Kings with Antigonus, and warriours with Severus, may all in thoſe dayes goe out of the Court, out of the Counſell, and out of the Camp to ſeeke truth becauſe they cannot find it; but they ſhall find it with the watchmen of Iſrael. There were never indeed more vile and wicked flatterers; both in Courts and Camps: for as flesh-flies and other Vermin, are bred out of the putrifaction of ſome humid matter, by unnaturall heat; ſo this kind of vile vermin is bred and fed out of the corruption of the times. What a ſwarme of Munkies, and Marmozets and Ianglers, and Gnatoes are every where… It is not my purpoſe to particularize their differences, but this may be ſaid of them all, they are the corrupters and ruine of King… and Kingdoms. To buſie the reader with inſtances of this nature, were but to prove that which no body denyeth: for Diocleſian one of the worſt men that ever was, was ſo peſtered with thoſe flyes, that from an Emperour he turned a Gardener; & hauing obſerved (as Flavius Vopiſcus obſerveth) of him, all their villainies, he concludeth thus; A good wiſe and vertuous Prince is bought and ſold by this people; 2. Sam. 15.2 Sam 15Yea David, a man after Gods owne heart, holding out againſt the curſing of Shemei was overcome with the flattery of Zyba. Yet this one thing, is no leſſe lamentable then remarkcable, that though they be ſuch ravenous vipers, and hauehave eate out the bellies of ſo many great Ones; yet ſtill they creepe into their boſomes, and are nouriſhed by the ſelfe ſame heat which they doe extinguiſh; Yea, they caſt King, and Court, and good counſell, and State, firſt in a Maraſmos, or deadly Hectick, and then out at dores; yet for all this, who but they? Comineus giveth one cauſe of this, becauſe ſuch doe beſt pleaſe the humours of Princes. Princes love better thoſe that are of Placentia, then thoſe that are of Verona. They love the things that pleaſe, better then thoſe that profit. …b. 1. c. 21Plutarch rendereth another cauſe, namely, they are often touching that ſtring that Princes much affect, namely, their owne prayſes, in things many times not p. 107praiſeable, which flatterers can cunningly effect, by palliating their vices, with the ſeeming vicinity of ſome vertues: As the deſpiſing of his people, they wil term it a Princely inawing of them; the impoſing of what he pleaſeth upon them, an improuement of his prerogatiue Royall; the doing of all out of his own deviſe, the ſingularity of wit, or quinteſſence of policy. Secondly, they vvill make them beleeue, they are affected and praiſed of others, and then it is as wel as can be, when indeed there is nothing leſſe.

But to leaue their ſhifts, and the great Ones evils that accreweth upon them; my purpoſe is to point out the remedy, and the Phyſitian; namely, that plain-dealing Word, from the mouth of the man of God; againſt the venome of thoſe Aſpes, and the poyſon of all the ſinnes which they louelove to palliate; I know no better Phyſitian then a good Minister. That ſaying of Gordianus is moſt true, and worthy the memory, That miſerably is that Prince from whom the truth is concealed. And Lewis the 11, complained that this one thing wanted in his Court. Yea, ſundry great Princes hauehave gone in private manner amongſt their ſubjects to un-boult the truth. But this is the way for Court and Camp, to hauehave the Trumpet of truth in it, that dare not, nor will not lye, or flatter. This impartiall dealing and plain courſe, is ſet forth at large in Deuteronomy, where Moſes, by the ſpirit of propheſie declareth the excellency of the Tribes, and the bleſſings that ſhould be upon them; upon Levi (as he ſheweth) ſhould be Vrim. and Thummim; yea, he ſhould ſay of his father and his mother; I reſpect him not▪ Ch. 33.1.9.10.and his brethren he acknowledgeth not, and his ſonnes he knoweth not. Where, as there is an alluſion, both to the commandement, Lev. 21.11.12, and to the execution of the idolaters, Exod. 32: ſo the morality of it, is his, that Gods Miniſters, gifted with light and perfection; ſhall giuegive every one his portion from the Word without partiality; yea, neither Highneſſe, nor nighneſſe, ſhall p. 108make him play the Huckſter with the word. Papinian the Lawyer was never ſo plaine with Caracalla, nor Ephestion, ſo free with Alexander; nor Mecenas, ſo faithful to Auguſtus; as Eliah was plaine with Ahab; Iohn Eaptist free with Herod, and Nathan faithfull to David.

One inſtance amongſt many is worth the noting. When the Goſpel of God in the Northern parts of this Iland began to be ſet on foot, the devill beſtirred him exceedingly in the enemies of the Goſpel; Queen mother, of the houſe of Guies, with the Scottiſh Papiſts, and her French Forces, did ſo overtop the Lords, and others of the Congregation, that with griefe enough they were compelled to quit Edenburgh; and to goe to Sterueling: where a man of God made a worthy Sermon, in his application much lamenting the confuſion that was come upon them, but more their ſinnes vvhichwhich were the cauſe. And as he had the Duke; and other Nobles for his Hearers, ſo he gaue him and all the reſt their portion, ſhewing their particular faylings in that buſineſſe, which they all intertained as from God; and acknowledging their ſinns, they were mightily encouraged, and began to wax ſtrong, ſo that by Gods mercy in the end they prevailed, as hereafter you ſhall hear.

Laſt of all, the neceſſity of ſuch doth appear, in the happy ſucceſſe of ſuch Warres, as hauehave made uſe of them. Was not Eliſha better to the King of Iſrael…, then all his ſtrength and counſel beſide? Eleazar was joyned with Ioſhua, the Prieſts bare the Arke and blew the Trumpets in the Lords warre; for that was the Lords appointment, Numb. 1.10. & 31.6. One inſtance may ſerue for many, namely, of that great battel betwixt Abijah King of Iudah, and Ieroboam King of Iſrael: Where Ieroboam had the oddes in forces, to the number of three hundred thouſand men; yet Abijah by his oration, ſheweth that he was confident he had the better: And why? 2 Chro. 13.12.2 Chr 13:12Becauſe (ſaith he) God is with us for our Captaine; and his Priests with ſounding Trumpets, to cry alarum against p. 109you. Where you ſee that Abijah conceived and that truely …at he had great oddes of Ieroboam, even in this particular, …at he had the Prieſts of the Lord, and they the Prieſts of …ols. We may ſee how much the Prieſts and Prophets are …ſteemed in warre, even of the wicked, by Bala…ms deſiring …f Balak to come and curſe the people of God. The ho…ourable eſteem that Bala…m had of Ba…a…k, Num. 22.36.Num 22:36appeare…h in this …at he went out to meet him: Yea, the Iewes in their rebelli…n againſt Adrian, the Emperour, had their Bar Cochab, that …, the ſon of the Starre. And ſo hath the Romiſh Iebuſites. And as to the Iewes finall undoing, he proved Bar Cozibae, the …nne of falſhood; ſo ſhall the Ieſuites proue in the end, when …heir ſeduced Crue ſhall ſee themſelues deceived. Who …ught Ioaſh the King of Iſrael, to ſmite his enemies, but …e Prophet Eliſha, 2 King. 13.14? I will add but one inſtance more very memorable and admirable. In the warres … Scotland, for the eſtabliſhing of the Goſpel, the Proteſ…nt Army being nigh S. Andrews, reſolved upon …eliberation not to goe thither, by reaſon of the Queens …reat forces in and about it: that godly Miniſter ſpoken of …efore (being with them in all their troubles) told the Ar…y that he was reſolved to preach there the next day, being …e Lords day. According to which reſolution he taketh his …ible, and goeth on. When he came to the Citie, the Queen …nd her forces were fled for fear. That night, and the next …ay, he taught; laying open the haynonſneſſe of the ſin of …dolatry, preſſing the Magiſtrates with the ejecting of it, …d erecting of Gods true vvorſhip; which ſo wrought up…n their hearts that the effect followed. Yea, that very act by Gods bleſſing, was the very break-neck of Babel in thoſe …arts.

Thus you ſee the grounds cleared for the neceſſity of ſuch …cred Councellours in Gods Warres; wherein I hauehave been …e larger, becauſe (howſoever this is univerſally ſlighted …ver, as a matter of leaſt moment) yet if it be judiciouſly p. 110and religiouſly weighed, it ſhall proue a point of … greateſt importance.

Doth reaſon direct men to provide good ſouldiers, a go… Generall, good Officers, a good Phiſitian, a good Chi… gian, and ſhall they neglect the providing of a good Miniſter, of whom I may ſay truely, that in an Army he is bo… Fabius and Marcellus, a ſword and a bucklar?

But by how much the neceſſity of ſuch is the greater, Application.… much the more is the neglect and contempt of ſuch to b… regrated. Neither in peace nor warr are the Watchmen … God in their deſerved eſteem. The counſell and comma… of ſuch, by men of all ſorts (as it is from God) ſhould b… obeyed and followed. God commandeth us to obey ſ… as hauehave the overſight of us, and to hauehave them in ſingular estee… for the works ſake. They that murmur againſt ſuch, the… murmur againſt God; and they that reject ſuch they reje… God. If Eliah be found out, he is charged to be the en… my of the State, becauſe he ſpeaketh the truth. They th… be indeed the troublers of Iſrael, doe falſly charge it upo… the Watchmen of Iſrael. Time-ſerving Amaziah will conju… Amos from the Court, and the Kings Chappell. Lyi… Hananiah will not ſtand to conteſt againſt God himſe… ſpeaking by Ieremiah. If Micaiah will not ſooth with a h… to deſtruction, hee muſt be hated and beaten for th… truth, Zedekiah giveth him a bok on the ear, and … ther ſetteth him packing, or faſt by the heeles.

In a word, if the man of God with the Apoſtle Paul, de… ver painefully, faithfully and freely, the whole counſell of God, he … preſently charged with conſpiracie, againſt the State, & the land cannot beare the words of ſuch an one. God indee… hath given ſuch counſellers, but the rebellious of this time cannot brooke them; eyther they choake them, or chop them on the cheeke. Our caſe and Iſraells is much alike, I rayſed up your ſonnes for prophets (ſaith God by Amos) & you …ong men for Nazarits, but how doe they uſe them? They p. 111gaue their Nazarites wine to drinke, Amos 2.11Amos 2:11and commanded their Pr… …bets ſaying propheſie not. It is holden a great policie now for Micaiah, that his word be like one of the reſt, and that he ſpeake …ood, whatſoever come of it: but a Micaiah indeed dare not …ally for a world, but whatſoever the Lord ſaith that he will beake: Men had beſt looke to it, for whoſoever he be that …eepeth backe one iote of Gods counſell, for feare of the …ce of a mortall man, ſhall never be able with Paul to make a …omfortable account of his Embaſſye to God, which is far …etter for a Miniſter then life it ſelfe. Yea, this huckſtering of Gods counſell, is the very way to bring the Miniſter to a …earfull, viſible and exemplarie confuſion. The ſpeech of God to Ieremie, ſhould be the word in the Miniſters Banner: …ird up thy loines and ariſe, & ſpeake unto them all that I command …ee, be not diſmayed at their faces, leſt I conſume thee before them.Ier. 1.17.Jer 1:17

Indeed the faces of Kings and great Ones, eſpecially Generals in a field, are full of feare and terrour to weake …llie men, that carry no Armes but the Word. To this pur…oſe the Sermon of one Gregory, Preacher to Fredericke, Duke …f Saxon, (a man much approved by Luther) is not unworthie your view. This man dealing roundly in the Dukes …udience againſt the ſinnes of the time, being ſomewhat …fraid to ſmite at the Princes ſinnes in a publique place, he …ame home to him very handſomely, with this ſimilitude. A Preacher (ſaith he) is not unlike to one that uncaſeth a Hare; it is an eaſie matter to uncaſe or take the ſkin of all the body; but when he cometh to the head, there is all the difficultie, there it taketh him tugging: even ſo, a Preacher may freely reprove the ſinnes of the people, for in that there is no matter of feare; but whē he commeth to the head (pointing his hand to the Prince) there is the difficultie, there matter of feare preſenteth it ſelfe, & yet it muſt be done aſwell as the reſt. The like freedome of ſpeech; did Frederick Biſhop of Vtricke, uſe by way of parable, to Lodovi…us Pius the Emperour, as he ſate at dinner with him, being p. 112newly conſecrated Biſhop, the Emperour willed him … remember his office, without reſpect of perſons: for whi… admonition, the Biſhop humbly thanked him, and aſke… him forthwith whither he ſhould begin with the head … that fiſh that was before him or with the tayle; the Emperour replyed with the head, as the chiefeſt member. It is we… ſaid the Biſhop, then breake you of your inceſtuous Match with Iudith: Raunlph. in Polychronic lib. 5. cap. 29. Anno 1363which the Emperour did for a time, but the Pope upon a penitenciary mulct of ſome thouſands of Crowne… made up the Match againe, and Ieſabel cauſed the Biſhop for his freedome of ſpeech to be ſlaine in the Church Theſe were honeſter mē, though the one a Dominick Mon…e & the other a Biſhop, then that Protean Bandog Spalato, whoſe Dalmatian Pal hath proved but a P…, Lib. 1. de rep. Euch: pag. 28. Sect. 13.to the Engliſh Church. Amongſt the reſt of his Sicophantiſh knaveri…s he hath this flat againſt the Word, That the faults of Princes may not at any hand be taxed in publique, by whatſoever authoritie: wherein, ſure he ſhewed him ſelfe a greater friend to his owne f… guts, then to the ſtates and ſoules of Princes. And yet we… want not ſuch Black-birdes in our owne Purpits, who under the name of White, Serm. in Rom 13 pag 18.Rom 13vent this blacke poſition, that Miniſters are not to inforce Gods commād upon Princes. Iudge you by this what fearfull times we live in, indeed the high Creaſt of authoritie thinketh much to ſtoupe to the word of a weake man (as they conceve it). What ſaucie fellows did Pharao eſteeme… Moſes and Aaron, that they ſhould will him from God to let his people goe. Shall the worlds Minions deified with flattery; or Mars his favorites, adorned with trophees, and attended with triumphes, ſubmit and render at the blaſt of a trumpet? yes indeed, that word that can make the blind to ſee, the deaf to hear, the lame to goe, yea the dead to riſe, can command the greateſt Commander in the world. Yea, if a man were commander of the vvhole vvorld, he muſt eyther by this vvord be Commanded, or condemned. See the proofe of this in that powerfull diſcourſe of Paul before Felix. As he p. 113reaſoned of rightouſnes, temperance, and judgement to come, Act. 24 25Acts 24:25Felix trembled. Tertullus, and all the ſmooth-tounged pick thankes under his governmēt, could not hauehave kept him out of this fit.

Theſe Counſellours are not to be ſlighted, becauſe the contempt of them, is not onelyonly a fearfull prognoſtick of fu…ure ruine, but alſo a main moving cauſe, vvhy the Lord vvil …eſtroy both Prince and people.

Amongſt many others, Cha: 36.15 16.there is a pregnant place for this in …he ſecond booke of the Chronicles, And the Lord God of their fathers ſent to them by his Meſſengers, riſing up betimes and fending them, becauſe he had compasſion on his people, and on his … welling place: but they mocked the meſſengers of God, and deſpiſed …his words and miſuſed his Prophets, untill the wrath of the Lord …aroſe againſt his people till there was no remedie.

The worth of a worthy Miniſter, is not knowen but in time of diſtreſſe, and not then, but to thoſe whom the Lord hath taught how to eſteeme of him, heathens, Pagans & papiſts, may challenge us of our neglect of this. Were ten Neſtors ſo much worth to Agamemnō, one Sopirus to Darius, one Cineas to Pirrhus, what is Gods Aaron to his people? what is Nathan to David, and Elisha to Ioash? The Grecians would not part with their Orators on no condition. The Romanes had a great care of their Dogges that kept their Walls. Sagaciſſimos caues in turribus nutriebant. Viget. lib. 2 cap. 26. Anſcribus cebaria publice lo antur in Capitolio. Cic: pro ſex…o RoſſioSo the Geeſe that with their cry did awake the watch, when the enemies were about to ſurpriſe the Capitol, were in great eſteeme with the Romanes, inſomuch that their food was allotted by a publique decree, wherewith they were to be fed in the Capitol. Yea in great ſcarſitie of food, they would not touch them. Will you ſee what honour Balac the King of Moab, did to Balaam the falſe prophet; he goeth out to meete him, euen to the outmoſt border of his land. Deut. 22.36. What honour were Baals prieſts in, that eate bread at the Kings table? The papiſts glory much, and giuegive us often in the teeth, with that honour they giuegive to their ſhavellings. Gondomar, (for an inſtance) made great bragges of this, that p. 114though he were the Embaſſador of the great King; and beſide… that he had a breech that was not very bowable; yet he miſt not an inch of his manners to Blackwell in the tower. Falſe Prophets are with the wicked alwayes moſt in requeſt, becauſe they ſerve their luſts and pleaſe their humors. Balac… would not let Aaron hauehave ſo much as a bit of bread, or … draught of water; but Balaam I warrant you wanted no dainties. Ioash King of Iſrael was no good man, and yet how did he honour, & louelove, with the beſt louelove he had, Elisha the Prophet. 2. King. 13 14.2 Kgs 13:14When the man of God was a dying he commeth to him, & vveeping over him, cryeth out, Oh my father, my father; the chariot and the Horſmen of Iſrael. Alexander the great came dovvne from his horſe and entertained Iaddo the high Prieſt of Hieruſalem vvith all reverent reſpect.

All theſe and many more examples, may condemne the neglect of this in the Profeſſors of Chriſt. Applicatiō.But vvee had beſt looke to it: for neglect or contempt of Gods Meſſengers in time of peace, maketh a vvoefull vvant of them in time of vvar, eſpecially vvhen the good ſpirit of God hath left the ſoule. Saul in his peace vvould hauehave no Prophet, but ſuch as vvere of his ovvne ſtampe, and pleaſed his humor; therefore inſteed of Samuel, he had none but the devill to anſvvere him in the day of his diſtreſſe: could all Baals Prophets, and his full-fed trencher-chaplaines, ſay nothing to him? No never a vvord, they vvere all to ſeeke. A falſe deceiving Hananiah vvith his hornes; a Doeg or doglike Amaziah accuſing the bretheren; a furious boxing Zedekiah ſmiting Gods Miniſters on the mouth, vvill prove but miſerable comforters in the day of danger. Therefore they muſt be Gods Miniſters indeed; and not barely in name, of the Lords ovvne ſending, that are Counſellours in vvarr. As of al the heavenly creatures, that ever God made, a good Angell is the beſt, but a bad Angell is become the vvorſt; ſo of all the ſonnes of men, a good Miniſter is the beſt, and therefore called an Angell; but a bad Miniſter the vvorſt and p. 115therefore may bee called a Devill. As all Gods Saints are his peculiar Iewels; ſo his Meſſengers are the Starſhining-Diamonds amongſt the Iewels. A mans ſtate is but weak when he pawneth or putteth away his Iewels. But it is a note of ignominie for a Prince to pawn his Crown. Gods faithfull Miniſters are the Crowns and Iewels of the Kingdom. All the Iewelrie of Venice is not worth one of them.

A queſtion was put once, what Forreignes had received the richeſt gifts out of the Tower. One anſwered, the Spaniard, another anſwered not ſo; for the Duke of Bulloin had carryed the richeſt Iewell out of the Tower, that ever was in it: yea, ſuch an one as was worth all the reſt, and the Archducheſſes inventory beſides. Thoſe Princes wrong themſelues much (ſaith a learned Author) that ſend ſuch Iewels out of the land; becauſe they may ſtand in need of them, when they cannot be had. I hauehave knowne ſome of the black crue, on their death bed, to hauehave cryed out and roared for comfort, from ſuch Miniſters, whoſe preſence in their health they hauehave hated, and whoſe perſons they hauehave perſecuted; beſides others, inſtance that Maule of the Miniſtery, and arch-perſecutor; the firſt letters of whoſe name were Sir P. M. having perſecuted in his life, with cruel perſecution, that holy Father, M. R. B. in diſpair at his death, he ſent ſundry to ſeek him, but neither the man of God, nor the favour of God could be found God giuegive others of his ſtamp to look to it in time; for as there be many haters and perſecutors of Gods Miniſters againſt the light, ſo I ſee, or reade, but of a very few reconciled to God. Of all the gifts that ever God gaue to a people, ſuch a Iewel as I ſhewed is the very beſt. Witnes that ſaying of God by the Prophet Ieremy: Amongſt many bleſſings promiſed upon repentance, hee promiſeth to giuegive them a good Pastour, as the Crown of all the reſt. Ier. 3.18.Jer 3:18And I will giuegive you Paſtors according to mine heart, which ſhall feede them with knowledge and underſtanding. But of all the plagues p. 116that ever God threatned againſt a people, or brought upon a people, a Counterfeit Iewel is the very worſt. Witneſſe likewiſe the Lord, Chap. 2.11.by the Prophet Micah. If a man walking in the ſpirit and falſhood, doe lie ſaying; I will propheſie unto thee of wine and of ſtrong drinke, he ſhall even be the Prophet of this people.

Let Gods Warriours then take heed of ſuch as God hath not ſent; of Wolues in Sheeps cloathing, beware of vile pontificall Iaſon, who for gain vvill betray the Citie and the Sanctuary to abominable Antiochus, Let Nehemiah beware of couzening Shemaiah, vvho under a colour of ſaving his life, would earn the hire of iniquity; from Tobiah and Samballet, by ſuggeſting falſe feares to diſgrace him, and to bring an evill report upon Gods Generall. So man-pleaſing Vriah is alſo to be looked to, vvith vvhom change is no robbery; namely, to chop out the Altar of God, and in the Altar of Damaſcus. Take heed likewiſe of the Turn-coat Levite, at the rate, of who will giuegive moſt. And likewiſe of the belly-god Chop-church, the Biſteepled, or Triſteepled metaphiſicall ubiquitatiue; the enemy to the croſſe of Chriſt, the maker of merchandize of Gods vvord. Never one of this crew vvill doe good, but hurt. Theſe cannot make up the breach, nor riſe up in the gap, Ezech. 13.5Ezek 13:5nor ſtand in the battell of the day of the Lord; Hoſea 9.8.Hos 9:8yea, the Lord calleth ſuch ſnares, and fowlers, in the way of the people, and hatred in the houſe of God.

In the name of God then, let Gods Lieftenants get ſuch as are of God, ſuch as are the Chariots and Horſemen of Iſrael, and they vvill teach them to ſmite their enemies, as Fliſha did Ioaſh. The ordering of the Lords Army by his own appointment, is an excellent pattern for all others in this point. Moſes and Aaron, with the Prieſts and Levites, vvere quartered about the Tabernacle, between the Sanctuary and the Tribes of Iſrael, and as they were next unto the holy place, and kept Centinal there continually, ſo they were the firſt that moved in the March, p. 117Numb. 2. Neither vvas it onelyonly ſo in the Camp of Iſrael, but alſo in the Camp of the new Ieruſalem, (vvhere God hath his Throne,) You may ſee the like, namely between Gods Throne, and the 24 Elders compaſſing it; There are foure living creatures full of eyes, glorifying God night and day, Rev. 4.5.10.Rev 4:5Rev 4:10after whom the 24 Elders fall down and worſhip God. This me thinkes ſhould be a ſtrong motiue to all Gods forces, to take this courſe, ſince none can giuegive better order for incamping then God himſelfe. Vntill the time ſuch Centinall be ſet, ſuch Watch be kept, ſuch Counſellours be followed, and ſuch Commanders in the firſt place be obeyed: giuegive me leaue to be plain: the Lord will not be with us. But if this couſe be taken, as I hope it ſhall, I durſt pawn my life for it, that Gods enemies ſhould flee before us with ſhame enough to their faces.

As the croaking froggs, the Ieſuites, are the incendiaries of warre; ſo it muſt be undertaken and continued at their pleaſure. What warre by the Papiſts hath been undertaken, ſince they began to flouriſh, but they hauehave had a ſpeciall hand in it? It is true, as Remigius Nantelius, a Dane, doth diſcover, that the Ieſuites went not perſonally to warre, before the Prince of Parmes going into France, about the year, 1595, becauſe they thought it a diſgrace to their Clergie, and a breach of a Law made againſt it, ſo to doe, but with a non obſlante, ſundry enſignes of them followed the ſaid Prince, with their Chariots, and all furniture; yea, with their banners, after the manner of Princes, therunto ambitiouſly annexed: they gaped (as the Author ſaith) for honour and ſpoile; wherof they did aſſure themſelues, if the Prince had ſubdued the French: In rationali Ieſuitarum.For it ſhould hauehave been their prayers onelyonly, that moved God to giuegive the overthrow to their enemies. But they counted before their Hoſt,, and ſo they were deceived in the reckoning. Yet for all this they ceaſe not to ply it, aſſuring all that fight for the beast that it ſhal goe well with them. Their large promiſes of heaven, of p. 118victory, of pardon, of freeing of their friends out of Purgatory, and foyling and rooting out of their enemies, maketh me call to minde a blaſphemous brag of that curſe… Heretick Neſtorius, made Prelate of Conſtantinople by The… doſius, to whom he ſpeaketh thus in a Sermon. O Caeſar pur… me the land of Hereticks (meaning the true worſhippers o… God) and I ſhall giuegive thee heaven; Tripartit. hiſt lib. 12. cap. 1.help thou me to root … them, and I ſhall help thee to overcome thine enemies. For th… hee was called, foreign, or fling-fire, in French, Bon te feu. Iuſt ſo, the frogges of the bottomleſſe p… doe croak and call together the Kings of the eari… to the battle of Armageddon, with this incouragement; Root out thoſe peſtilent Heretickes, quit your Dominions of them, and beſides the peace and proſperity with plenty and obedience from your loyall Catholike ſubjects, you ſhall hauehave heaven hereafter, as ſure as the Pope himſelfe, who hath the diſpoſing of it. But how they hauehave ſped and proſpered that hauehave followed their counſell I ſhall hauehave occaſion to ſhew hereafter. And as they are of their father the Devill, and with lying words deceiue men; ſo … will aſſure you upon the word of God, who cannot lie, that if you will procure ſuch Miniſters as are of God, warranting their Call by their life and doctrine, and hearken to ſuch and obey them, as from the Lord; the Lord hath ſaid it; Deut. 28.7.Deut 28:7He ſhall curſe thine enemies that riſe up against thee, to be ſmitten before thy face; they ſhall come againſt thee one way, Eſa. 1.19.Isa 1:19and flee ſeven waies before thee. If you will be willing and obedient, you ſhall eat the good of the land. Where obſerue eſpecially, that there muſt be a willing obedience, otherwiſe both the Miniſter and the meanes can doe no good.

It is a vain thing, and the groſſeſt point of Popery, to preſume upon the ordinances, Obadiah 1.Obad 1or the work done. This is to make the Neſt in the Clift of the rock, out of which the Lord will bring every one down that ſo doth, for God thereby p. 119is robbed of his glory, and the ſoule cozened when it commeth to reckon. The Trojans truſted fooliſhly to their Pa…adium, the Aſiatickes to their Peſsimuntius, the Romanes to their Ancilia, the Papiſts to the Croſſe and holy-water; and the Iſrael of God, to the Arke of God. As the idolatrous Papiſt in any common calamity cals for the pax, and the hoſt; ſo the Iſraelites cauſed bring the Arke, and putting carnall confidence in that, without any counſell asked of Samuel, or commandment from the Lord, it muſt be carryed out to battell. They were no better here then the uncircumciſed Philiſtim, or rather worſe; for they feared the Arke more then God; and his people truſted to the Arke more then to God; but the Arke was ſo far from ſaving them, that God gaue both them and it into the hands of the enemies. Yea, for their wickedneſſe, and vain confidence, the Lord ſo abhorred his own Ordinances, that he ſuffered them to be polluted with the foule hand of the uncircumciſed Philistim, who had nothing to doe with them. In the very ſame predicament be our carnall Goſpellers, who being confident upon the profeſſion of the outward badges of Chriſtian profeſſion, as the Word and Sacraments, thinke all ſhall be well enough: they are baptized, they hauehave the Word and receiue the Sacraments, and they hauehave an excellent Teacher, and they frequent the houſe of God, and ſit before the preacher, and commend both him and the Sermon; the Word is as a louely ſong, and they ſhew much louelove to him with their mouthes, Ezech. 33.31, &c.Ezek 33:31but there is one thing wanting which marreth all; They heare the words (ſaith God) but they will not doe them.

If the diſtreſſed people in the Palatinate, Bohemia, and Switzerland, examine the cauſe of their captivity in their own land; I beleeue they ſhall finde their preſuming on the meanes, with unanſwerable walking, to hauehave deprived them of the means, and made Aſhur to lie heavy upon them; their exemplary puniſhment giues an alarum from the Lord p. 120to England and Holland, who preſuming on ſome Watchmen upon the walls, and ſome manna about their tents, thinkes the Lord will never come againſt them, nor remoue the Candleſtick: but let them know, that except the deadneſſe of Sardis, and the lukewarmneſſe of Laodicea be really repented of; the Lord will pull them out of the … of that rock. Yea, and rather pollute his own Ordinances then indure their mockerie. The Provinces may happi… preſume upon ſome purer reformation, and expulſion … the Antichriſtian Hierarchie; but I proteſt upon my knowledge, from the griefe of my ſoule, that they carry a name that they liue, but they are dead, both to the power of the the Word and Diſcipline: for beſides the infection of all plaguie hereſies, that they keep warm among… them; where is the power of the Word in Saboath keeping, family duties, gracious words, and holy walking? Where is the Paſtor that can ſay, here am I, and they who… God hath given me? Where is the power of the Miniſtery, in ſhaking, of the hearts of great Ones? Who will not, like the Nobles of the Tekoits, N…b. 3.5.put their neckes to the work of the Lord: Yea, their great ones in a manner, overtop both Word and Miniſtery; and (as their enemies ſpeak) like … many petty Popes, they make the power of both ſwords, ſerue onelyonly humane policy; which as it is a juſtling out of Gods honour, in putting the Cart before the Horſe; ſo it is a thing that God cannot bear; for hee is very jealous of his glory, and of the Scepter of his Kingdom. If the calamity of the aforeſaid people cannot work; let them and us take a veiw of Scotland, the very paragon of true reformation, where there was not ſo much as one hoofe of the beaſt left; yea, where their talleſt Cedars were made to ſtoup at the foot of Gods Ordinances: yet for want of fruits worthy of ſo great a merciemercy, the Lord caſt them in the furnace of affliction, as famine, ſickneſſe, dearth, and death; yea, which is worſt of all, he hath ſuffered the p. 121ſtinking carkaſſe of the interred whore, to be raked out of the graue, and the froggs of Aegipt to ſwarm in Goſhen, which is a great and fearfull wonder. What think you? Is Iſrael a ſervant? Is he a home-born ſlaue? Why is he ſpoyled? Ier. 2.14.Jer 2:14&c. Haſt not thou procured or deſerved the like unto thy ſelfe, v. 17. My counſell is, that Princes, States and people, both with us and them, might be humbled for this particular; for God doth threaten us if we doe not, Ier. 2.37.Jer 2:37that wee ſhall goe forth from him, with our hands upon our head; yea, he will reject our confidences and we ſhall not proſper in them.

The injoying of the meanes, without the holy uſe of them, maketh men but the more lyable to the wrath of God. The word and works that were taught and wrought in Bethſaida, made their caſe more woefull, then the caſe of Tyrus and Sydon. By how much higher Capernaaum was lifted up to heaven in the plenty of the meanes; by ſo much lower was it preſt down to hell in the abuſe of the meanes. Take notice then, it is not the Temple of the Lord, nor the word of the Lord, nor the Prophets of the Lord, that will ſerue the turn, but labour to be Temples for the Lord to dwell in; Let the word dwell plenteouſly in you; yeeld obedience to all Gods comandements, and eſpecially look to the keeping of the Saboth; hate all ſuperſtition, turn away your eyes from beholding vanity, eſpecially from ſtageplaies, the very theater of vanity, the chayre of the Devil, and the other maſſe-book of the Ieſuite. Labour as much to doe as to hear, and make much of him that brings the meſſage for the meſſages ſake, and then be ſure the Lord will bleſſe you: He ſhall bleſſe all thoſe that bleſſe you, and curſe all thoſe that curſe you; and the Viols of odours, which are the prayers of the Saints, ſhal one day deſcend upon the head of you and yours, like a precious ointment.