Two Sermons, Sermon 2
THE VTTER RVINE OF Romish AMALECK.
EXODVS 17.14.
And the Lord said to Moses, Write this for a remembrance in the booke, and rehearse it to Iosua, for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amaleck from under Heaven.
THis Chapter setteth downe two great perils, which tooke the children of Israel presently upon their deliverance from the red sea: (for the way to our Canaan is strewed with crosses) The former was of thirst to the eighth verse. The lattter of warre: for seeing their thirst made them contend with God, God doth justly raise them up enemies to contend withall.
In this warre are three things.
1. The circumstance of
1. Persons, Amaleck rose against Israel.
2. Place, Rephidem, vers. 8.
2. The manner of the warre, which was partly,
1. By power and Armes, vers. 9, 10, 11, 12.
2. By prayer of Moses: If Iosua be on the vallie, Moses must be on the hill; meanes must be used, but not trusted in, and prayer without use of meanes, where appointed and afforded, is but a mockerie.
3. The events of this doubtfull warre, and they be three:
1. The overthrow of Amaleck by the sword of Ioshuah, vers. 13.
2. Gods decree of destroying utterly the whole nation of the Amalekites.
3. The building of an Altar for a trophee, and the perpetuall memorie of so happie a victorie.
The verse read, containeth the second of these events, namely the severe decree for the utter destruction of the whole nation of Amaleck.
Where are two generall points:
1. The record or registrie of the sentence.
2. The reason: For I will utterly put out the remembrance, &c.
The record hath two parts.
1. The writing of it, write this.
2. The rehearsing of it, to Iosua.
In the writing are foure things.
1. Who must write it? The Lord said to Moses, Write this. Moses a Prophet of God: Hee must make Canonicall Scripture of it. And being so written, it is unalterable and permanent. It is sealed with the Kings ring, as were the lawes of the Medes and Persians, and is irrevocable.
2. What must hee write? This: that is, the whole narration of Gods dealing for his people against the Amalekites; 1. De rebus gestis; What God had done in the miraculous defeating of them already by the power of Moses his prayer. 2. De rebus gerendis; What God had further to doe in the finall destruction of this cursed Nation.
3. Where must Moses write this? In a booke.
Quest. What booke is this?
Answ. Some thinke it a booke now missing, although the Scriptures yet extant be sufficient; but this booke was no other than this present historie of Exodus, and other his historicall Commentaries in his five bookes, in the which this same storie is more fully repeated, as Deut. 25.17.
4. Why must he write this in a booke? for a remembrance: Israel saw the great works of God, at least all Israel could not but heare of this, and yet this is not enough; it must be written to live in their memories, and in the eyes of their posterities and after-generations.
Ob. But seeing Israel had many great and miraculous deliverances, besides and above all this: why is this so directly appointed to be written in a booke above the rest?
Answ. Israel had received a farre greater deliverance a little before from the Egyptians, chasing them in the bottome of the sea, and the Lord would not have this deliverance drowned in that, but would have a thankfull memory of this also preserved, and would have the glory of it maintained even above other great workes, both by a booke and an altar, and by a name. God appointed it to be enrolled in parchment; and Moses enrolles it in the stones of his Altar.
2. Other great workes were lesse dependant, and more transient in the present passages of them, but this is dependant and must bee registred for future memory and use; for divers passages of Scripture depend upon it: and not only the present people of God then living, but even the after ages descending of them, must take knowledge of this fearefull sentence denounced against Amalek for these ends.
1. That they might never make league or peace with them all their daies, because the whole Nation stood accursed before the Lord.
2. That they might be ready in aftertimes whensoever God should command their kings, to offer themselves cheerefully to the execution of this sentence in the utter extirpation of this hatefull people.
3. That they should ascribe the honour of truth and iustice to the Lord, when in aftertimes they should see King Saul reiected for failing in this execution, and not destroying those sinners the Amalekites as the Lord had commanded him, and the kingdome given to David who was better than he, in that he effected the Lords whole decree, in doing what Saul had omitted, 1 Sam. 30.17.
2. Rehearse it to Ioshua.
Quest. Why to him?
Ans. Because Ioshua must be Moses his successor, and served to these two purposes.
1. That hee for his time also should alwaies stand out in hostility against them, not as a revenger of private wrongs and iniuries offered them, but to beare in minde, and publiquely to execute the iudgements of God which were charged upon them.
2. That it might be an encouragement to him, who was to bee the Lords Captaine, and to leade out his people in the Lords battells, against all the rest of the Nations; in that hee seeing these enemies which made the first attempt and onset upon Israel so mightily revenged by God, might hence assure his faith, that God would goe on with him, as he had now begun, untill hee had given them actuall and full possession of that good land which he had promised them so long, and so often.
Now from this first part of the Text wee may note,
1. That in our way to heavenly Canaan, we must make account of many Amalekites; as Israel cannot set forth towards Canaan but Amalek will meet them. Israel going into Egypt had no enemies; but in their way to Canaan never wanted them. A man may goe to hell merily, and never meet with Amalekites to hinder him; hee hath wind and tide with him. But let all the Israel of God resolve in their way to meet with Amalek, to fight with Amalek, to overcome Amalek, else there is no hope of ever seeing Canaan; wee must not expect rest till we be thorow the Wildernesse.
2. We hence learne, to write up Gods mercies and deliverances in a booke of remembrance; and as Israel keepes a Register and Catalogue of Gods mercies and favours towards us, our friends, our countrey, our Prince, our Magistrates and Ministers; yea build up altars in our hearts, to hold the mercies of God before our eies.
For, 1. Nothing can more hearten our faith, than the view of the monuments of Gods favour and gracious dealing of God with us.
2. The renewing of them upon our selves and memorie, perpetuateth every gift of God, and makes us as thankfull as if we had newly received them.
3. Nothing doth more binde the Lords hands from doing us good than the oblivion of his mercies: when as every thankfull acknowledgement of old favours is but the invitation of a new; so as it is a gainefull dutie.
Many have beene our deliverances publique and private, of the Church and kingdome, of our Prince and people, of our own persons and estates, when many Amalekites have risen against us; But where are our bookes of remembrances? where are our Altars or our Sacrifices? where is our Iehova Nissi, in which we proclaime God to be our banner and covert, as the words import? It was but one of ten of the Lepers that returned to give thankes for his cleansing.
For I will utterly put out the name of Amalek from under heaven.
In this second part of the text are two things.
1. The Author of the reuenge.
2. The severitie of it.
The Author or person executing this reuenge, is the Lord, who saith here, I will doe it. His arme is strong, and power unresistable; Who can turne him backe? Yea although he appointed and raised meanes to doe it, as Saul and David, yet hee challengeth the revenge to be his owne.
2. The severitie of this revenge, in that the Lord will utterly destroy him with a totall and finall destruction; and is not satisfied in overthrowing the kingdome and dominion only, unlesse he put out the name and memorie of them from under heaven. All which noteth a great detestation and an utter abolishing of this people.
Quest. Why? what cause was there of such severitie in this execution?
Answ. The cause was the fierce wrath of Amalek, against Gods people the Israelites; if Amalek bee fierce against the people of God, God will bee fierce against Amalek. Now the fierce wrath of Amalek appeared against Israel, because,
1. It was unnaturall, for Amalek was of the same bloud and neere kinred with Israel:Gen. 20.12. Amalek was the sonne of Eliphaz, the sonne of Esau by Tymnah his Concubine; as Esau and Iacob were brethren: so as they forgetting bloud and kinred, nourish an unnaturall wrath, and raise an unnaturall war against the people of God.
2. It was causelesse; we reade not of any cause given them by Israel, but such an old canker as was from the beginning in Cain against his brother Abel: such an inbred envie of Gods mercy towards his servants, joyned with a malicious desire of spoyling them, resteth with wicked men at this day, that some of them will not looke on a godly man so much as on a mastive; or if they doe, it is with a Cains countenance, cast downe on their brethren. Yet can they devise no cause more than Amalek could, only God giveth more testimony to Israel than to Amalek.
3. As it was without cause, so it was without example: Amalek was the first enemie that set upon Israel, after they came out of Egypt: this began to all the rest, and were first in the unjust vexation of Israel; and therefore God will make them examples to all nations under heaven, according to that prophecie of Balaam, Numb. 24.20. Hee looked on Amalek and said, Amalek was the first of the Nations, namely, that came out against Israel. But his end shall be destruction.
4. It was Crafty and Cowardly done: they give Israel no warning, nor offer faire termes of war, but steale upon them, and fall upon the weakest; and when they were weake and weary, and scattered the remnant of Israel, Deuteronomie 25.20. Thus because they ioyne with force, fraud in spoyling Israel, the Lord taketh his peoples part, and scattereth them with a terrible revenge.
Doct. In this dreadfull menace of so severe a revenge against Amalek, wee note that the destruction of all the enemies of Gods people shall be both certaine and severe, as might specially be exemplified in Pharaoh, Haman, Zenacherib, Herod, Iudas, Iulian, and other noted enemies, whom neither greatnesse nor power, nor any other meanes could save from the severest strokes of Gods revenge: for,
1. As Amalek riseth up against the people of God, so doe all the rest of the enemies: and this neere relation betweene God and his people, maketh this sinne out of measure sinfull, and procureth a most severe revenge. How furiously doe great Princes vse to revenge upon those that deface their Images in their coines? But there is not the meanest of Saints, upon whom this great King of glory hath not stamped and engraven his owne Image. With what severity are the lawes executed upon Burglaries, that breake into mens houses, to rob and spoile? especially upon sacrilegious theeves that breake into, and rob Churches and Oratories? The Church is the house of God, and the Temple of God: if any man destroy the Temple of God, him will God destroy. How fiercely did David revenge upon Hanun and his countrey, for offering abuse to his servants? and are not the Lords servants as neere and deare to him, as Davids servants were to their Lord? and yet there is a neerer relation: for the Church is the Lords spouse, his wife, the delight of his eies. What, saith Ahashuerosh of Haman that proud Amalekite, will he wrong the Queene in my sight? and immediatly they covered his face. Much more shall their faces be covered with shame, that wrong the Spouse of Iesus Christ before his face.
2. The malice of the enemie is levelled against God: whatsoever they pretend, the ground of the hatred is God himselfe, the light, the Image, and grace of God; against whom they reach as high as they can. This is directly noted in Amalek, who yet had other pretenses, Deut. 25.18. He feared not God: and he that feareth not to wrong Gods people, feareth not God himselfe: Now because wicked men are fighters against God himselfe in his people, and touching them, they poare in the apple of his eie; he taketh all the wrong done to them, as done against himselfe, and bringeth the mischiefe as an arrow shot upward, upon their owne heads with such severitie, as is due to the high blasphemous and stout Giants, who challenge the Lord himselfe into the field.
3. The iustice of God cannot but bring perdition upon his enemies, 2 Thess. 1.6. It is iust with God to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you. They are mercilesse to the Church, and the Lord shutteth up his mercy from them; as they have measured to others hee measureth unto them. What law can be more iust than the law of retaliation and requitall? The Tyrants themselves cannot but acknowledge the iustice of it, as Adonibezek, As I have done so God hath rewarded me. Now if it be just in the Lord to bring the crueltie of a wicked man executed upon other as wicked as himselfe upon his owne head (which was the case of Adonibezek) how much more in the fierce revenge of the wickeds malice against the innocent servants of God?
4. The Lord himselfe undertaketh to see execution done upon the wicked, as here upon Amalek; and therefore it shall bee done to purpose. For, 1. God writeth in a booke of remembrance, all the cruelties of wicked enemies against his people, as here in Amalek, both in respect of God to punish, of Iosuah to revenge, and of Israel to rejoyce in the Lords care and partaking with them. 2. God writeth their persons to destruction: partly by his threatning, Gen. 12.3. I will curse them that curse thee. Ier. 3.2. Israel is an hallowed thing, all that eat it shall offend, evill shall come on them, saith the Lord. And partly by his oath, for the Lord hath sworne (as against the rich men of Israel that oppressed the poore) by the excellencie of Iacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works, neither can remember them, but to destroy their names, and blot out their memories from under Heaven.
Vse 1. To terrifie the enemies of the Church: seeing their hatred of Gods people is a token unto them of perdition, and nothing can save them from the curse of God, and that irrevocable sentence, Ezech. 35.5. Because thou hast a perpetuall hatred, and put the children of Israel to flight, as I live, saith the Lord, I will prepare thee unto bloud: and bloud shall pursue thee. Which was no truer against Mount Seir, than shall be certainly verified of all the enemies of God and his people.
Now, whereas most men harden themselves against such burdens of the word of the Lord, by sundrie delusions and misconceits, it will not bee amisse to meet with some of them; that the rubs being removed, and the way cleered, this our exhortation may be the more successefull.
Many sowre enemies of the Church suppose themselves out of the reach of this reproofe; because they doe not by open force waste the Church of God, as Saul did, nor are up in armes against it, as Turks and Papists, and such as stand in open hostilitie against the truth, they cannot be perswaded that they are enemies. To whom I answer; that there be millions of secret and under-hand enemies, besides these who with Amalek raise up forces against the Israel of God, and these enemies I range into three ranks.
For they are either
1. Mentall.
2. Verball.
3. Actuall.
1. Thou mayest be an enemie in affection and desire, as when out of hatred thou wishest and desirest evill and hurtfull things to befall the people of God, in whole or in part. Thus Balaak did but desire and affect to curse Gods people, and this is called a warre against Israel. Cain shewed himselfe a cursed enemie, as well in casting down his lookes upon his brother, as in rising up to slay him.
2. Thou shewest thy selfe an enemie also▪ when in words thou doest utter and pronounce hurtfull speeches against godly men: David saith of his enemies, that they invented words against him. Doest thou bely the Saints, cast names of reproach upon them, raise or revive reports against them; and art thou not an enemie? Was not Haman that proud enemie hanged on his owne gallowes, for such inventions and suggestions against Israel?
3. Thou mayest be a cruell enemie, and carrie thy selfe closely in many under-hand practises, though thou marchest not so furiously under Satans standard, as some other professed enemies doe: as if thou beest a scoffer, a derider, and mocker of godly men or their godly practises.Gal. 4.29. Ismael laught at Isaak, and this is called a persecution. Christ was flouted and mocked on the crosse, and this was not the least part of his passion. If thou canst vex the childe of God in his trouble, & persecute him whom God striketh, adding affliction to his bonds, or secretly say to thy selfe, So, so, thus would wee have it, thou mayest easily discerne thy selfe an enemie. 2. If thou doest unfit and disable them from doing good, or settest hand to cast them out of their godly course, thou expressest not the smallest enmitie. Nebuchadnezzer shewed his hostilitie, not onelyonly in swallowing up the Church as a Dragon,Ier. 51.34. but also in making her as an emptie vessell, and casting her out. Pilates wife would not have her husband shew himselfe an enemie to Christ, by having an hand against him. Wouldst thou not be an enemy then? have nothing to doe against any innocent and godly man. 3. If thou defendest not godly men in godly wayes. Ierico strucke never a stroake against Israel that wee reade of, but because Ierico opened not the gates to Israel, it is said to warre against Israel. Meroz was cursed as an enemie,Iudg. 5. because shee came not out to helpe Gods people. He that gathereth not with Christ scattereth, and the threatning is, that not onelyonly those that warre against the Church shall fall, but those also that stand not out for it. Whosoever then thou art, that according to thy place and meanes servest not the Church, that art not readie to put both thy hands under the feet of it, to doe it all the good which is laid in thy power to doe, thou canst expect no other but to be reckoned & ranged among the Churches enemies, for truth hath spoken it, that the Nations and Kingdomes that will not serve the Church shall perish, Esay 60.11.
2. Others thinke it good swimming with the streame, and that it is good policie to joyne with the stronger side: they see the enemies set up aloft, and magnifie themselves, because they have power in their hand, and grace of times to bring about all that they desire. On the other hand, they see the poore Church under hatches, without helpe in herselfe, or from others, and therefore tread over the hedge where it is lowest, to speed themselves the better in their owne projects. But to these enemies I say, 1. That all their combinations with the wicked, be they never so potent, cannot stay them from perdition, unlesse they be stronger than the Lord; and though they magnifie themselves against the Church, and seeme to beare all downe before them, yet must they fall: for what God hath written hee hath written. All their power is but the power of chaffe against mightie whirle-winds; all their glorie and advancement against the poore members of the Church, is but as the strength and stinke of dung unto him, as is said of the Midianites, and Iabin, and Sisera, who perished at Endor, 1 King. 14.10.and were made as the dung of the earth, Psal. 83.10. Who can now (besides the enemies themselves) beleeve that they stand on the stronger side, while they stand against that side, with whom the strong Lord standeth? 2. As far are they deceived in their conceit, that thinke the Church is helplesse and friendlesse, while they see few or no great ones step in to take her part.Ier. 51.5. For is Israel a widow? or hath the Lord forsaken her? No, no, her husband leaves her not, nor dieth away from her, as other husbands doe; but ever liveth, and ever loveth her, and will suffer no man to doe her wrong unrevenged; but will rebuke even Kings for her sake.
3. Others see no great danger in all these threatnings, they are none of the greatest friends of these strict professors, neither doe they see it safe to be so forward, and yet they thrive and prosper well enough: to whom I answer;
1. That the Lord is not so unmindfull of his threatnings as they suppose; Is it to bee prosperous to be stricken with blindnesse of minde, and hardnesse of heart, and so goe on blindfold as Pharaoh to destruction? or is it such happinesse for a malefactor, ready for execution, to have his eies covered by the hangman?…sa…. 69. Holy David could desire no greater revenge against most desperate enemies, than that their eies might be blinded.
Besides, when the Lord vexeth them with many secret pulls and pinches in themselves, both inwardly by terror of conscience, and selfe accusing thoughts; as also outwardly in their estates, or names, or friends and posterity; might they not discerne (if they were not wilfully blinde) that Gods iustice sleepeth not, but is in his way, and that one way or other hee powreth out present wrath upon the families that eat up Iacob, Ierem. 10.25.
2. Forbearance we say is no payment, so as if the Lord for the time of his patience, suffer wicked men to goe on to fill up the measure of their sinnes, yet the longer the blow is a fetching, the heavier it will be, the smart whereof is so much the more grievous, as it commonly overtaketh them in their rest, and in their rust, and watcheth to heare them say, Peace, peace, and then suddenly falleth upon them: for God will avenge his elect which crie unto him night and day; yea though he suffer long for them; I tell you (saith Christ) he will avenge them quickly.
3. Thou that hast present peace in thy pursuit of godly men, little knowest thou what God is brewing and bringing on thee: Pharaoh said a great while, Who is the Lord? but the Lord was preparing to make him know him. Haman in his bitter hatred of the Iewes may bee invited to the Queenes banquet; but little knoweth hee how neere mischiefe is unto him. Herod went on a while stretching out his hand against Peter and Iames, but little knew he that God was preparing lice to eat him up. Shemei cursed David with an horrible curse, and carried it a great while after Davids death; but at length he knew that hee had spoken it against his owne life. And most memorable was that example of the Iewes, who carried the death of the Sonne of God forty yeares, and never bethought themselves; but when they thought all was forgotten, then came the Lord like a lion upon them, and teared, and spoiled, and paid them once for all, and wasted and scattered them with so fearefull a curse as never befell any Nation under heaven: the which lieth upon them and all their posterity even till this day. Let this move all men to feare to offer the least reproach or injurie to the least of Gods Children. Wise men are afraid to incurre the Kings indignation; and therefore it is said, that in Hesters time the feare of the Iewes fell upon the land; so let the feare of Gods children fall upon thee, whosoever hast formerly distasted them: and let it binde thy hands and thoughts, from conceiving or acting the least evill or hard measure against them.
Vse 1. To comfort the Church of God in these threatning times, when Gebal and Ammon and Amalek have gathered and combined their forces against this citie of God: For,
1. If we looke towards God, he hath undertaken to revenge the just quarrels of his people; that if themselves would put up the wrongs and oppressions inflicted by the adversaries, yet the Lord will not put them up, or passe by them without revenging them. Adde hereunto, that he hath written in a booke the ruine of her foes; neither can they prevaile in their purposes, so long as the Lord turneth an enemie, and fighteth against them that provoke him. Let the enemies lift up their heads and hands aloft, and speake presumptuously against the mountaines of Israel,Isa. 41.14. yet feare not worme Iacob, nor faint thou citie of God, thou hast the hand of the highest lifted up for thee, and the arme of the Almighty stretched out for thy defence and safety.
2. If we looke to the enemies, they are many and mighty, but Amalekites; we have to doe with cruell enemies, but accursed in their persons, in their enterprises, and in all the wicked meanes of accomplishing the same: and if we looke a little into the resemblance, we shall see that as Romish Amalek have notably expressed the like cruelty with these in our text; so shall they meet with the same certaine perdition: they being written by God to destruction as truly as the former. For,
Resemblance of Romanists with Amalek in 7. things.1. Amalek signifieth a smiting people, and of all Religions, never was any so fierce or smiting as Romish Amalek, their cruelty transcendeth the barbarous cruelty of Turkes or Scithians; no degrees of men could avoid their strokes with both their swords: they make no difference of men, but strike at Princes and people, Kings and kingdoms, they smite the living and the dead, and make no bones to blow up three whole kingdomes at once with one terrible blow or stroke. The blowes of the old Amalekites were gentle and soft to the blowes of this smiting Amalek.
2. Amalek then came forth against Israel presently upon their deliverance from Pharaoh, presently upon the fruition of Manna from heaven, and waters out of the rocke: Amalek cannot endure Gods grace to Israel, in those means of their sustentation, nor yet in the pillar of the cloud and fire for their safety and direction. Even so the Romish Amalekites presently encampe themselves against the people of God, so soone as ever they are gotten out of the darknesse and bondage of Egypt. Wilfull enemies are they against the grace of God, and against the word of his grace, which is the Mannah and Water of life, for our refection thorow this our wildernesse.
3. Amalek was the first enemie that Israel had, after their comming out of Egypt, and waged war against Israel to hinder them from going into Canaan, and not onelyonly by force but by fraud, they spoile the people of God; for they come as Grashoppers in multitude, and destroy the fruit of the earth, and leave no food for Israel, so as Israel was exceedingly wasted. Even so the Romish Amalek and Antichrist, was one of the first enemies of the Church of the new Testament, he began in his forerunners in the Apostles daies presently after our redemption wrought by Iesus Christ from the hellish Pharaoh, and ever since her rise, hath laid in the way of the Israel of God, to hinder them from the heavenly Canaan, and hath by force and fraud wasted the Church; sending into our kingdomes besides forcible instruments of violence, and infinite bloudshed, innumerable armies of seducing Priests and Iesuits, who would have left the people of God no food by the word and Sacraments: and not only robbed them of their spirituall meanes, but in their temporall state; by crafty conveyances carving to themselves whatsoever fat or sweet the kingdomes of the earth have affoorded.
4. Amalek forgetteth all kindred, and all bonds and respects of Nature; they regard not that they were of the same bloud with Israel, which might have beene some restraint to their fury. So the Romish Amalekites forget all naturall bonds, and most heathenishly lay themselves in the vaults & caves of blacke darknesse, for the destruction of their owne naturall and loving Prince; with purpose to spare neither root nor branch. Old Amalek would eat up and destroy their enemies countrey; these Amalekites like so many Vipers would eat up the bowels of their owne mother, and native country. Duke Medina his sword knew no difference betweene a Protestant and a Papist: no more doth the powder and iron barres, but send up suddenly to heaven as in a fiery chariot, even them of their owne Religion: such fiery zeale as carried Alphonsus Diazius out of one kingdome into another, to kill his owne brother Iohn Diazius with his owne hands, for surenesse, only because he was a Protestant. Old Amalek cannot equall these Savages and Monsters, with whom no respect of age or sex, no degree of honour or learning, no plea of Religion nor Iustice, no instinct of humanity or manhood it selfe, can prevaile for a drop of mercy or pitie from them.
5. Amalek commeth cowardly upon Israel, and smiteth the hinmost, and falleth upon the women and children in their fainting and wearinesse. The same course doe the Romish Amalekites take in their plots for seduction, and destruction. Their seducing Priests fall upon the weaker sex and sort, as the devill did at first, and overcome first the weake and faint ones, such as lag after their colours: as cowardly as the old Amalekites encountred Israel, so also doe these. Nay they come in warlike manner after they had declared themselves enemies: but these digge deepe and fetch their counsells as low as hell; and under the habit and profession of friendship and loyaltie, cowardly lay traines and engines of death, which can no more be perceived, or prevented (but onelyonly by the piercing eie of God) than can the issues of the next age.
6. Amaleks warre was ill grounded and prospered accordingly; for God turned it to the great good of his people; who were 1. Exercised by them. 2. Experienced in the goodnesse of God, and in his gracious deliverance. 3. Enriched and provided of armour, and other necessaries by the spoile of Amalek. As unprosperous have beene the wars of Romish Amalek, and their plots and projects have turned against themselves, and to the advantage of the truth, and the Churches professing the same. God hath strangely discovered the treasons against the Lords people and his anointed ones, and mightily broken their armes and powers both by sea and land. Such as have risen up against the Lord have fallen before him. And though now of late they advance themselves as if all were to their hearts desire; yet wise men see them no great gainers, and were they greater than they be, whosoever shall patiently wait to see Gods whole worke together, shall doubtlesse rejoyce to see no difference betweene their gaines and Amaleks against Israel, but onelyonly that their confusion and overthrow shall be more dreadfull and fearefull, as their sinnes have beene most Catholique and execrable.
7. As Amalek after a doubtfull war must be overcome by Israel, and written to perpetuall destruction; so the Church hath justly deserved to sustaine a doubtfull conflict by Romish Amalek: but after the triall of the Church Amalek shall be foiled, being long since written to perpetuall destruction, for when the childe is corrected, the rod shall be cast into the fire.
3. If we looke to our aids and succours, we need not feare the issue of our conflict against Amalek.
For, 1. We never want a valorous and victorious Ioshua, to lead us and fight for us against Amalek. That Ioshua was a Noble Generall, with whom the Lord was, and none was able to stand before him, so as he set his foot on the necks of five kings at once: but he was but a type and shadow of our Ioshua a mighty Captaine, and an heavenly leader, that great Michael that treadeth upon the necks of all Kings and Tyrants that rise up in armes against him and his people. That Ioshua was in the valley; but ours is upon the hill of his heavenly glory far exalted above all his enemies.
2. As Israel had not only Ioshua fighting in the valley, but also Moses praying on the hill; so wee have many Mosesses lifting up hands, and praiers, which are powerfull and prevalent against Amalek. And whereas we finde much unworthinesse in our praiers, and our hands grow feeble, we have an Aaron our heavenly High-Priest, strengthning our armes and praiers, which praiers joyned with the power of Ioshua, shall bring downe the proudest Amalekites that ever ware triple Crowne, and put to rout all forces levelled against the Israel of God. When the Angell came to Gedeon and said, The Lord be with thee, thou valiant man; hee replied,Iudges 6.12▪ If the Lord be with us, why is it thus? Why doth Amalek prosper? Why doe they prevaile so long? Why doe they triumph with great hopes to goe on, to carry the victory? If Romish Amalek be a people written to destruction, why see we no meanes of their overthrow?
Answ. 1. We need not feare the braggs of those that use to triumph before victory: The end of a thing is better than the beginning, saith Salomon. The issue of the doubtfull warre shall undoubtedly joyne the Churches happy triumph with their finall overthrow.
2. After the Lord had written this sentence against Amalek, he staied execution foure hundred yeeres till Sauls time; but in the end (the time of his patience being expired) he forgat not the accomplishment. So Amalek may prevaile awhile for the sins of the Church: and we must not grudge to allow the Lord the time of his patience, which though it may wait many ages, yet at last will he assuredly rise up in most sharpe revenge, and utterly destroy the kingdome and memory of Amalek from under heaven.
3. The Church may thanke her selfe in part that Amalek prevaileth still over her. For,
1. Whereas the Lord hath commanded us to remember what Amalek hath done to us in our way,Deut. 25.17.19. and repeateth it againe, forget it not, we forget the strait injunction: we remember not what they did to us in Queene Maries daies, but have forgotten those furious flames and times. We have forgotten what Amalek did to us in 1588. and remember not that they digged a sulphureous pit in 1605. wide enough to swallow three whole kingdomes. Now while wee so easily forget that which wee are commanded to remember, what marvell if God rub our memories, by suffering them to be pricks in our sides and eies still?
2. Neither doe we remember the Lords Oath, to have war with spirituall Amalek.Exod. 17.16.
3. Neither doe we remember that it is the dutie of all the Israel of God to fight with God in blotting out their remembrance, though the charge be very strait, Deut. 25.19. Thou shalt put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven: as God taketh his Churches part against Amalek, so the Church must take Gods part in this great worke, which the Lord will effect both for them, and by them.
4. It is likely also we lift not up our hands so fervently and so constantly against Amalek as we ought. If Moses hold up his hands, Israel prevaileth.Exod. 17.…1.
5. It may be wee are wanting in encouraging and strengthning the enfeebled hands of our Mosesses. How could Israel have expected to prevaile against Amalek, if in stead of rearing up Moses his hands, they had turned him off the hill with despight and contempt, and taken up some Amalekite into his stead? How can Popish Amalek but prevaile, if Popish Priests shall finde any where better entertainement than faithfull Preachers, who are so many Mosesses, and men of God, who would stand in the gap, and are indeed the horsemen and Chariots of Israel?
Oh therefore deare brethren let us awaken our selves, and in this tempest by the loud voice of our praiers, awaken Christ who seemeth to sleepe in his ship with us. Let us ply the Lord earnestly, and binde him by his owne promise. Gods promise and his peoples praiers are mighty Canons and battery against the thicke walls and towers of Romish Amalek. While the Papists are some at their beads, and some at their swords, let us get us to our fortresse of faithfull and fervent praier, and we shall not onelyonly see the omnipotence of praier, but the impotencie and flight of Amalek. Did not our hands fall downe, and our praiers grow feeble, we should fill our hearts quickly with triumphant joy over them, our hands with their spoiles, and our mouthes would runne over with the praises of God, for our deliverances from the power and plots of such fierce and implacable enemies. Even so let thine enemies, those accursed Amalekites, perish,Iudg. 5.31. O Lord, but let them that love thy name be as the Sunne when he riseth in his might. Amen.
FINIS.
End of the text · Thomas Taylor, Two Sermons (1624)