A Brand Taken out of the Fire, Part 1

A Brand Taken out of the Fire · Part 1

THE Romish Spider.

THE FIRST PART. The weauing of the Webbe.

Psal. 64.

Vers. 5. They encourage themselues in a wicked purpose, they cōmune togeather to lay snares priuily, and say, who shall see them?

6. They hauehave sought out iniquities, they hauehave accomplished that which they sought out, euen eueryevery one in his secret thought, and the depth of his heart.

THe holy Ghost, hauing in the latter VVicked, suddaine, and and fearelesse in treasons.end of the former verse, set out the desperate resolution of the wicked, in their attempts against the Lords Annointed, by two Circumstances; The one, That they are suddain in execution, implying their desperatenesse; The other, That they feare not, arguing their boldnesse and confidence in their proceedings, doth in the two next verses yeeld a reason, Because they vse many policies thereunto.for this their desperate confidence, by discouering their diuelish policie in the maner of their practising, as also in the varietie and secrecie thereof. For whereas of all other p. 2sinnes, the sinne of treason hath cause most to affright the heart of man, not onelyonly in regard of the maiestie of the Prince, who carries the Image of God, full of terror and astonishment to the wicked, but also in respect of the haynous punishment that attends the same, (not to omit In that this sin beeedeth feare.the racking of the conscience in the horrour of the sinne) may it not therefore seeme strange, that wretches should not feare to commit so great a sinne, that Subiects should runne of boldly, and desperately to lay hands vppon the Lords annointed? The Prophet Dauid was so affected, 1. Sam. 24.1 Sam 24when hee had but cut off the lappe of Saules garment, a wicked and reprobate King, that his heart smote him with conscience of some great euill, in lifting vp his handagainst the Lords Annointed. And when the Amalekite 2. Sam. 1. 15.2 Sam 1:15brought newes vntounto Dauid, that he had slaine his enemy Saule, hoping to receiue some great reward, the good King was so farre from delighting in the death of his enemie, as that rather remembring him to bee the Annointed of the Lord, hee not onelyonly bewailes his death with a great lamentation, but further reprooues the Amalekite with this seuere checke: How wast thou not affraide to life vp thy hand against the Annointed of the Lord? and rewards him with such wages, as so haynous a murther did require. To feare then in attempting against the li…e of a Prince, as there is great reason, in regard of the haynousnesse of the sinne, and the Maiestie of the person against whome it is committed, so there had neede be great policie vsed to banish this feare.

What this policie was, the holy Ghost proceedes to relate vntounto vsus, in these two verses following: leading vsus Foure Policies of the wicked to giuegive them encouragement in their mifchiefes.to the consideration of diuers notable points of policie, in the practises of these Traytours against their Soueraigne, to make them confident and secure therein, that so they may bee taken in the pit, which they hauehave digged for others.

The first whereof, respecteth the manner of their plotting, and it is here set out vntounto vsus to be two-fold.

p. 3First, (saith the spirit) They encourage themselues in a wicked purpose, they commune together, wherein the meaning of the holy Ghost is, to lead vsus to a policie verie vsuall in great and desperate attempts, that they are vndertaken 1. Leagues and Confederacies.and prosecuted by combination of all sorts of strength, as so many helps to further the accomplishment thereof.

Secondly, whereas close carriage & conueyance is an especiall helpe to further dangerous designes, therefore the holy Ghost addeth, that the speciall matter of their counsell was, how they might lay snares priuily, signifying therein, that they did not onelyonly encourage themselues by mutuall 2. Secrecie.aduise, laying of their heads and purses together, but that a speciall part of their aduise was this, so to carie their Treasons, that none might see them: hoping by this manner of plotting, to hauehave speedie, and suddaine execution, and discouering therein the ground and moouing cause of all these desperate practises, namely, they say in their hearts, who shall see them, that is, they say in effect, there is no God.

Now, because malice is insatiable, and yet iealous too, doubtfull to be discried, and yet desirous to preuaile; therfore behold, a second policie in these traiterous practises, both to delude secrecie, and more effectually to preuaile, they hauehave sought out iniquities (saith the blessed spirit) that is, they hauehave deuised store of snares, to entrap the life of the King, that so if one should faile, the other might take 3. Varietie of Plots.effect, if some be discouered, and so breed securitie, (as vsually they doe) the other, that lye hid might come more suddenly, and surprise more fearefully, without auoidance.

The snares being thus cōtriued in such secrecie & varietie, 4. Confidence and presumption of good successe.that if the secrecie should faile in some, yet the rest might afterward preuaile. Here vppon doth vsually follow a double effect. The one in the wicked, whose property is, not onelyonly to set a good face vppon a bad matter, but further also, in regard of such exquisite cūning, which p. 4they hauehave vsed therin to grow secure, and confident in the executiō of their intended attempts, vndoubtedly perswading them selues of such successe therein, as that they shall hauehave their full desire against the seruāts of god. This doth the holy Ghost further expresse vntounto vsus, whē he saith that they hauehave accomplished that, which they sought for, euen eueryevery one in his secret thought, and in the depth of his hart, signifying vntounto vsus thereby, thus much; that what plots were layed by the wicked against the life of the King, were contriued with such secrecie, and managed with such skill & variety, as that the Contriuers thereof, made full account that they should preuaile, though not in the profession of their mouths, lest they should be descried, yet in the depth and secret of their hart, wherein they flattered themselues.

And herevppon followeth another effect in the Saints The godly on the contrarie, feare the worst.of God, who being wise to see the plague which is cōming vppon them, notwithstanding the secret and cunning conueyance thereof, finding their sinne iustly to hauehave deserued no lesse, and the malice of the wicked ready to inflict vppon them much more, doe herevpon grow to a distrust in them selues, that surely so far as they see, there is no meanes to escape; and so in respect of their sinnes, submit them selues vnderunder the mightie hand of God, and manie times in their infirmity, do not sticke to complaine that they shall certainely be ensnared with the practises of the wicked. And so also the words may be referred as being spoken in the persons of Gods children assaulted with these troubles.

Wherein we may behould the admirable wisdome of the lord, who hauing certainly determined to free his seruants These contrary effects make away to the manifestation of Gods mercy and iustice.from the rage of the wicked, in disappoynting their practices, & turning them vppon their owne pates: doth by these two effects, of the cōfidence of the wicked, and despaire of Gods seruants in them selues, prepare a notable way therevnto: For, concerning the distrust of Gods children in themselues, seeing no meanes frō flesh to auoid the danger, as this must needes cause them to p. 5renounce all confidence in the flesh, so doth it more confidently cast them vponupon God, and prouoke them more earnestly to call for his assistance, the more they see them selues stripped of all helpe from man: Wherby it cōmeth to passe, that calling vponupon the Lord in the day of trouble in this full affiance of helpe in him alone, they are deliuered by him, that so they may glorifie him, As for that securitie Psa. 50. 15.Ps 50:15of the wicked, grounded vppon the secrecie and multitude of their mischiefes, what is this else but a messenger of their distruction? and the more confident they are in the successe of their proiects, the nearer is their confidence to the confusion & subuersion of them; yea herein will the Lord reiect their confidence, that a suddaine destruction 1. Thes. 5. 3.1 Thess 5:3shall come vponupon them, and they shall not be able to auoyd it. For so it felloweth in the next words.

But God shall shoot an arrow at them suddenly &c. Wherin VVhichWhich is most wonderfully discouered in cōfounding these seuerall policies of the wicked.marke I pray you the wonderfull power and wisdome of God, in meeting with their seuerall policies, by his most iust and answerable Iudgements.

For are the wicked wise, and deliberate in plotting their enterprises? are they long in weauing, & warie in cō triuing? behold, the Lord doth cōfound this their wisdom 1. Their deliberat plotting is confounded by sudden defeature.by coming vponupon them suddenly, that they which had such store of wisdome to cōtriue mischeife against others, shall now be to seeke of any wisedome for the auoiding of such sudden arrowes of Gods vengeance as shall come vponupon them. Behold here their wisedome turned into folly.

Againe, are the wicked subtill in deuising many stratagems? 2. Their manifold snares with one terrible blow.behold, the lord will with one blow cut them of at once. Affliction shall not rise vppon them the second time; who had hoped many times to hauehave ensnared the Saints of God: Behold here the multitude of their wicked conspiracies confounded with one stroake of Gods righteous vengeance.

Thirdly, were they so secret in the contriuing of their mischiefes, that they gaue it out confidently that none shall see: behold the spirit of God giues them the lie, and tels p. 6them playnely, that All men shall see it, yea, they who had thought so cunningly to hauehave caried their wickednes, as to hauehave gone clearely away with it, the spirit tells them they shalbe discouered, and to confound them the more, in this discouery, he tells them plainely, that their owne tongues shall fall vppon them. They that say, their tongues Psa. 12. 4.Ps 12:4are their owne, who is Lord ouer them? shall now see, that the mighty God ouer-rules their tongues, and makes them the instruments of his glory, in the discouery of sinne, and the executioners of his vengeance, in the punishment of the sinner. Behold their secrecie, euen confounded from their owne mouthes.

Lastly, do the wicked strengthen themselues in their mischeifes by confederacies and leagues? Loe, the Lord 4. Their Confederacies scattered.will scatter their companies when he comes to Iudgment against them, so that whosoeuer doth see them shall flye away: Behold here the disvniting and breaking of their confederacies.

The practices of the wicked thus wonderfully defeated, Here followeth the vse that is made thereof. 1. Generall, All men shall see it.and they being iustly met with all in their mischeifes, by answerable iudgments, what now is to be done by those that are deliuered? what must we repay vntounto the Lord for all his wonderfull mercyes?

The holy Ghost proceedeth in the two next verses to informe vsus in such duties as concerne vsus in this case, All men shall see it (saith the blessed spirit) that is, the eyes of all men shalbe fastened vponupon it, to obserue and behold the wonderfull workes of God. And whosoeuer shall duely obserue these great workes of God, and shall giuegive him the reuerence that is due vntounto his name, for the execution of so great iudgments, his mouth shalbe opened to 2. Shall declare it.declare the worke of God, he cannot be silent in a day of so good tydings, nay, he shall not onelyonly speake of what is done, but his vnderstanding shalbe convinced, that it was not the arme of flesh but the Lords owne doing, nay, he 3. Vnderstand it to be Gods doing.shall further vnderstand the greatnesse of the deliuerance, he shall vnderstand (sayth the holy Ghost) what God hath p. 7done. And this vse shall euerie one make of great deliuerances. But the righteous, who onelyonly hath true interest 2. Particular to the saints.therein, when he hath apprehended in his iudgement the greatnesse of this merciemercy; when hee hath attained in some measure to a large knowledge thereof; then shall his heart bee enlarged to reioyce-therein, and finding it to 1. To reioyce.be the Lords doing, which is maruailous in his eyes, this shall bee a meanes to make him trust in God, and thereby 2. To trust in God.finding his heart vpright vntounto the Lord his God, hee shall againe reioyce in the greatnesse of his merciemercy. Thus shall the righteous doe, whose hearts are vpright in the Lord. Thus shall a great deliuerance bee entertained by them.

Now, that wee may approoue our selues to bee of the number of these, hauing thus briefly deliuered the sum of the Scripture, let vsus turne backe againe, and consider the seuerall lessons therein contained, that so we may lay them vntounto our hearts, as they lye in order, and make further applicatiō of them, to our building vp in Christ Iesus.

And first, let vsus consider the policies, whereby Rebels and desperat persons so animate themselues in their traiterous practises, that they are fearelesse, and exceeding presumptuous in the deuising, and prosecuting thereof.

They encourage them selues &c. (saith the holy Ghost) 1. Obseruation The wicked strengthen and encourage thē selues in their wickednesse, and why?in a wicked purpose: That is, they vse all outward and carnall meanes to strengthen, and confirme them selues therein, that so they may not be daunted, & driuen from their purposes. A policie very vsuall among the wicked in plotting of desperate attempts, and indeede uery necessary to the effecting thereof. For where the conscience of so great euill must needs disharten them, there all outward encouragements will proue litle ynough. And herein doth appeare the wisedome of the world, that what is wanting in the inward approbation, shall outwardly be supplied by carnall comforts. But aboue all the cunning of Satan, is heere most liuely discouered, who, purposing to bring thē to confusion by these desperate practises, doth p. 8therefore oppose these outward encouragements, to the inward checkes and discouragements of the conscience, that so the checks of the conscience might in some sort be counteruailed, and therby neglected: and the hart being by this meanes hardned, and so in the end made past feeling, 4. Ephes. 19.the wicked may break out more desperately in their attempts, as being now possessed with a deadly securitie, whereby, hauing made vp the measure of their sin, when they shall say peace, and securitie, and feare no euill, then shall 1. Thess. 5. 3.1 Thess 5:3a suddaine destruction come vponupon them, and they shall not be able to auoide it.

Loe, heare the wisedome of the wicked in this encouraging of themselues; and yet behold a further depth of their wisedome in the meanes, and manner of this encouragement, and yet all tending to their further confusion.

These meanes I hauehave obserued to be of two sorts; The first are carnall, seruing onelyonly to satisfie the flesh; but the Two sorts of meanes, wherby the wicked doe encourage themselues.second are spirituall, pretended to satisfie the minde in these lawlesse and monstrous actions, and so to giuegive colour of iustifying the same.

The Carnall furtherances, to these desperate attempts Carnall, and they are two.are of diuers sorts. First, a combining and vniting of forces together, by leagues, and associations; and that for diuers ends. First, to giuegive credite vntounto their attempts in regard Leagues and Confederacies.of the multitude; secondly, to breed terrour of their purposes, as proceeding frō so many; & lastly, that what cannot be don secretly, may by force openly be maintained. So did the nations of the earth, band thēselues against the Lord, and against his Annointed. So did the Tabernacles of Edom Psa. 2. 2.Ps 2:2cōspire with the Israelites, Moab with the Ammonites, Gebal, Amelech, the Philistines, and the rest, when they sayd: Come & let vsus cut them off frō being a nation, & let the name Psa. 83. 3.Ps 83:3of Israel be no more in remembrance. So did the enemies of God, combine themselues in that vnholy League, euen in our age, for the rooting out of the poore Church of God. And so did that viperous brood, thus incourage it selfe by secret leagues and associations at home, and abroad, to ruinate, p. 9and destroy vtterly the most excellent estate of the blood Royall, the Church, and Common wealth.

And shall the wicked be thus wise in their generation, to strengthen themselues in their mischiefes, against God, and his Church, by combining their forces together: and shall not wee which are the children of light, much more be knit together in the bond of peace, that wee may ioyntly bend our strength against the common enemie? shall the the shadowes separate vsus, when the substance is endangered? It was a comfortable speech of Iudah vntounto So let vsus strengthen our selues against thē. Iudg. 1. 3Judg 1:3Simeon his brother; Come vp with me into my lot, that wee may fight against the Canaanites, and I likewise will goe vp with thee vntounto thy lot, (so, saith the spirit) Simeon went vp with him. So should brethren ioyne together; Brethren against the common enemie, that his force may be weakned. Oh that Simeon and Iudah would thus ioine together for good; as Simeon and Leui are brethren in euill. OnelyOnly let vsus be carefull, that we be not yoaked vnequally, that so our cōiunction being in the Lord, it may be blessed of him.

A second carnall meanes, whereby the wicked are encouraged in euill purposes, is a gift in the bosome, some present 2. Carnall meanes are gifts and rewardes. Leut. 16. 19.pay before hand: wherby, they are not onelyonly blinded in the true iudgement of their sinne, but in regard thereof, they are also drawn on to aduenture such punishments as may befall the same. So was Balaam attempted to curse the people of God: So was Iudas hyred to betray his master: Num. 22. 18. Mat. 26.Num 22:18Matt 26So was Lopas enduced to poyson his mistresse; & so hath the forrain gold, deceiued many of our Italianated Diuels.

Oh that we could be as bountifull to good purposes, as these are to bad, that wee could be as willing to employ This teacheth libe ality to good purposes.our treasure for the good of the Church, as these are open handed for the spoyle thereof, that we could be as forward in aduenturing, for the sauing of soules, as these Pharisies are compassing Land and Sea, sparing no paines, neither Mat. 23.Matt 23thinking any cost too much, to make one of their profession; though when hee is made, they make him two-fold more the child of hell, than they themselues. Certainly, if we be not; p. 10the thirtie peeces of siluer, shall one day condemne vsus, and Least the wicked condemn vsus. Math. 26. Exod. 32. A third carnall meanes, is hope of Honor & prefermēt.Matt 26Exod 32the earings, & bracelets of the people, which they willingly imparted to Idolatrie, shall at the day of Iudgement giuegive sentence against vsus.

A third carnall means to encourage the wicked in their traiterous purposes, is the hope of such honors and preferments as may afterward befall them. Great is the abiectnesse which is incident into pride, and the slauerie which ambition is subiect vntounto, is intollerable. What wickednesse is there which the hope of honour will not digest? what danger is there, which it will not cause to aduenture? Let our first Parents, be but tickled with this hope that they Genes. 3. 45.Gen 3:45shall be like vntounto God; and they will not sticke to commit that, whereby they become subiect to the Diuell. Let Diotrephes hauehave this spurre, and hee will easily make shipwracke 3. Ioh. 9.3 John 1:9of a good conscience.

Oh that our climing heads would consider this: that such pleasant baites, hauehave such deadly hooks! And seing there Use. 1. 2. Teaching vsus to seeke heauē as carefully in wel-doing, as these hunt sha dowes with sinne. 2. Cor. 14. 17. Least otherwise they be our Iudges. Spirituall encouragements to resolue the conscience.is an eternall weight of glorie reserued for vsus in the heauens, which onelyonly may bee compassed by good and holy means; Oh that the hope of a certain, and euer-during honour, might so far prouoke vsus to well-doing, as the hope of this vaine, and transitorie shadow, preuaileth with the wicked to whet thē on to euill! Well, let vsus trie our selus hereby, least otherwise they condemne vsus in the day of Christ. And so much of the Carnall meanes.

Now it followeth, that we speake of the spirituall means. By spirituall meanes we vnderstand such, whereby the mind and conscience is in some sort resolued, and seemingly satisfied; but indeed deceiued, in the doing of so great, and outragious mischiefes. For in vaine should Satan offer all these carnall meanes, to perswade the attempting of such monstrous, and horrible actions vntounto those, that pretend conscience, and boast of exquisitie perfection in all their actions; if now the conscience were vtterly vnresolued in the lawfulnes thereof. What policy then doth Satan vse to perswade the conscience. Surely, as he is the Lords executioner p. 11to blind the minds of such, who not obaying the truth Being indeed but strong delusions of Satan. 2. Cor. 4. 1. Thess. 3. Esay. 5. 1, Rom. 28. Ioh. 16. 2.2 Cor 41 Thess 3Isa 5:1John 16:2are therefore iustly giuen ouer to be deceiued by strange delusions, so as God of this world, doth he blind the minds of Infidels, not only making thē to shut their eies against the truth, but further also infatuating their iudgments, that they shal call darkenesse light, and light darkenesse, and so their iudgements being peruerted, he worketh vponupon their affections, not onelyonly to mooue them to doe such things as are most inconuenient, but further so to flatter themselues in the doing thereof, that in so doing, they shall doe God good seruice. So hath that great deceauer bewitched his followers, not And Antichrist. 1 That it is lawfull.onelyonly perswading the lawfulnes of that act of the murthering of Princes, although contrary to the word of God, and common law of nature and equitie, but further aduancing the fact to an high degree of merit, yea aduancing the authors 2. Nay meritorious.(if they will beleeue him) to an extraordinarie measure of glorie, for this their abhominable act of the murther 3. Of extraordinarie glorie to murther Princes. 1. Iustified by Buls.of Princes. And that nothing may be wanting to encourage them thereunto. Behold he hath his Buls to release them of their loyaltie, as if hee were able to loose that on earth, which is bound in heauen: and that their disobedience may not be discouered, here serue his dispensations to tolerate their obedience so long, till oportunitie shal serue 2. Dispensations.to effect their mischiefe. And when the wickednesse is to be accomplished; behold then he bindes them to the same euen by the straightest bonds of their religion. We read of the souldiers that lay in wait for Paul, that they bound themselues by an oath, that they would not eat, before they And bound thereto.bad depriued him of his life. But this man of sinne, is not content only with an oath, but their vowes must further 1. By Oathes.be in heauen (as Parry acknowledgeth:) yea, to make vp the measure of their wickednesse; Behold, they must confirme 2. Vowes.themselues by the sacrament of the body and blood of our Lord Iesus, that so they may more desperatly shed 3. Sacrament.the blood of the Lords Annointed.

Oh that we were wise to consider these things! That seing the verdict of the cōscience is the warrant of eueryevery p. 12action, and yet the conscience may be so informed, as to Learne hence to hauehave the conscience rightly informed. Rom. 14. 1 By the word. 2. Thess. 3. 2 And obedi… therevnto.Rom 14:12 Thess 3:2giuegive ayme to such vile and abhominable practices: wee would therefore labour for the true information of the conscience, that so it maye giuegive in a right verdict. Certainly as there is no knowledge to the worde of God, so there is none to this, to informe the conscience. And seing that obedience to this blessed word of God, is the only meanes to hauehave this sauing knowledge continued vntounto vsus, labour wee in the feare of God to make conscience of this obedience, that so the conscience may not be giuen vp to such strong delusions; And seeing that the knowledge of the 2. Thess. 2.2 Thess 2Gospell is the doctrine of obedience, oh let vsus not harken to that diuelish polycy, which sayth, that where the people are ignorant, there they may be best ruled, but where they are full of knowledge, there they grow busie, and will prooue seditious. But let vsus endeauour, that the word of God may dwell plentifully among vsus; that therin performing obedience vntounto God, we may also be blessed in our obedience vntounto man: Let it no more be said, that ignorance is the mother of deuotion, but let it now appeare that ignorance is the mother of rebellion. And if this be a case of conscience to lay hands vponupon the Lords annoynted. Oh let vsus take …ede of the Take wee heed of such cloakes and feare wee not such curses.cloake of religion, which may be a broker to such vile practices. Let vsus not feare the curses of such an accursed religion, whose vowes and sacraments imployed to the strengthening and encouraging of such damnable mischeifes, do necessarily draw downe a curse, & not a blessing therevpon. Yea detest we vtterly such an abhominable religion, whose foundation is treason, and whose practice is blood-sheding And in the name of God proceede wee couragiously to the rooting out thereof: that so, the more they curse, and rage against the Lords ordinance, the more the Lord may blesse, and prosper the same, Psa. 910. 28.the more they fome and breake out in the discouerie of their damnable enterprizes, the more may they rypen and make vp the measure of their sinne, that so the Lord may consume thē with the power of his cōming. Distrust we p. 13from hence forth all popish holines, which is to be approoued But detest wee the religion and power of Roome.and gained by such impious practices. And seeing this is the fruite of all forraine subiection; from the bottome of our hearts renounce we all such vsurped power, which thus exaltes it selfe aboue all that is called God, & thus controwling the woorde, and abusing the meanes of Gods worship to such horrible purposes, presumeth and iustifyeth the remoouall of the Lords annoynted. It followeth.

They commune togeather to lay snares priuily, and say, who shall see them.

Behold, here a second policie, whereby the wicked confirme A second poli cy of secrecit.them selues in their desperate practices against the Lords Annoynted, namely, the secret plotting, & conueyance thereof. And this very fitly, in regard of the sinne, and also very iustly in respect of the sinner. For as eueryevery sin is Rom. 13. 12. Ioh. 3. 20.Rom 13:12John 3:20a worke of darknes, as well in that it hates the light, and delights to be cōmitted in darkenes, as also, in that it is Satans That which sinne delights in. Mat. 25.Matt 25power, to bring vsus to vtter darkenes; so, is also this sinne of treason, and rebellion aginst the Lords Annoynted. And, as other sinners desire to be hatcht in darkenes, both To auoyd shame. Ioh. 24. And punishment.in regard of the shame, which otherwise the light would bring with it, and also in respect of the feare of punishment which attends the same: so also in these respects, this sin of treason, delights in secrecie, both, in that it is an odious and monstrous sinne, and therefore is ashamed to be knowen, but especially, because, how soeuer other sins may go scotfree in this life, yet this hath a seuere punishment iustly assigned therevnto, the feare whereof doth necessarily impose this secrecie: And herein especially That which Satan espe…ia… labours, eitherdoth Satans cunning appeare; that, whereas he hath a purpose by this sin, to bring traytors to their vtter confusiō, therefore, doth he principally further this their secrecie heerevnto. For, whereas sinne being not iudged in this life, shall certainly be iudged in the life to come: therefore, by this secrecie, doth he flatteer these monsters, for the auoiding of temporall iudgments, that so, either auoyding thē p. 14here, they may be sure to meet with them in another life; That notheing punished here, may receiue it wages in bell.or if so be (as likely it doth not misse,) that they shalbe met withall in this life, by the sword of the magistrate, yet their secret cariage of the mischeise, breeding securitie, and so excluding repencāce, though they shalbe iudged of man: yet because they do not iudge themselues, they shall not escape the iudgment of the Lord. Herevpō it is, that the holy Ghost, entending to shew, how the wicked encouradgethemselues in an euill purpose, hauing declared in the former poynt, their policy in combining, and strengthening themselues, by carnall and spirituall meanes, to giuegive the better onset to so desperate a practise, doth now proceed to lay open the meanes, whereby they hope to goe clerely away with it, in regard of the suddainesse and vnexpectednesse of the same: and also that the contriuers thereof, hauing accomplished their wicked purposes. may yet notwithstanding auoid such punishments as are due vntounto them. They commune together to lay snares priuily, and they say, who can see them? That is, they consult together to doe their feat secretly, and in their vnknowne practises, they blesse their soules, and say, that none shall see them, Treshams Letter to the Lord Mounteagle.They shall not know who hurt them.

Loe here, a second policie of the wicked in laying their snares, that which they doe, shalbe done secretly, that so it may clenly, and without danger be conuayed. And that wee may perceiue it is a matter of importance, the holy Ghost tels vsus, that it is not don, without great aduise, They commune together in their best aduizements. Thus did the Iewes often consult together, against our Sauiour Christ, and the manner of their councell was, to surprise him priuily, As did the Iewes.and to remooue him secretly, (as building on that false God, that if hee stood, their Kingdome must needs downe) because both they feared the people, and therefore durst not openly at the first set vponupon him, and indeed standing vponupon the credite of their seeming holinesse, they would if so they might, hauehave auoyded the open shame, as to bee counted the murtherers of so holy a man. And p. 15so for the same cause those murtherers of Princes, howsoeuer And so doe our aduersaries carrie their mischiefs secretly.it be a ruled case in the books of their diuelish policy, that all power, that spurnes at that vsurped Hierarchie, & will not bowe to their triple Crowne, must necessarily bee▪ remooued (as being conuinced in their conscience with that true ground, that the ordinance of God which is lawfull gouernement, will certainely ouerthrow their vsurped tyrannie:) yet neither will they be seen (if it may be,) in so horrible a practise, neither will any of their wiser Patrons openly iustifie the doing thereof, but vponupon the vnhappie successe of the same. And the reasons are; 1. Least they which professe humilitie should openly be taxed with pride and ambition. 2. Least they which professe holinesse, should be openly charged with such horrible impietie.first, least that they which (in the greatest) professe so great humility, (as to be the seruant of seruants) should openly discouer their vnsatiable ambition, that they will be exalted aboue all that is called God. And secondly, least they which professe so great holynesse, and teach such strictnesse of obedience vntounto others, should apparantlie be conuinced of such monstrous impiety & disobedience.

And as their religion is nought else but a mistery of iniquity, cloaking sinne from the eye of the world; so in their seuerall policies for the managing of that Kingdom, and in those manifold weapons of their warfare, whereby they mantaine their Diadem, & resist all opposite powers, we shall find that secrecie hath been an espetiall poynt, which herein they hauehave aymed at, that they might not be That they delight in secrecie, appeareth in their weapons.seen in these their stratagems. It was the policie of the Iewes that they might not be seen in the fact, or else devolue the hatred & enuie vponupon others, to execute their malice against our Sauiour Christ by others. So did they hyre Iudas to betray Christ vntounto them: so brought they in Pylate to giuegive sentence vponupon him. And surely such hath been the cunning of these Antichristian Locusts, if wee In the manner of their inquisition.shall obserue the manner of their bloody inquisition. Accused we must be, and yet we shall not know by whome; tormented wee shall be, and yet not see by whome. Yf any be seen herein, it shalbe some of our owne house, either some weake Protestant, that hath yeilded for feare p. 16of torture, or some damnable Apostata, that hath been corrupted with bribes, that so our greife may be the more, and their enuie the lesse: they may be free from the imputation of cruelty, we loaded the more with the abuse of our profession. Thus as their practice hath been to lay their snares secretly, & to accomplish their malice by the deputation of others: so that their posterity might hauehave a president of such practices, and hauehave continuall warrant to the accomplishment of the like, behold their deuelish subtilty in incorporating of their cruell lawes, into the lawes of such nations, among whōe they hauehave erected their Their incorporating of their Canon law into the lawes of nations. To cloake their wickednes by lawes of the state.Kingdome, that so their bloodie and tyrannycall proceedings might be countenanced by such estates, whose ouerthrow by the same they principally entended. So that if at any time their proceedings should be called in question, they may hauehave this cloake to keepe of the raine, that it was not the high priests but Pilates doing, it was the law of the Land, and not of the Pope. And as this hath been an ordinary course of their policy, for the more clenly cō ueyance of their mischeiuous practices, against the Saints of God: so, when I do consider the weapons of their warfare, wherewith especially they fight, for the vpholding of Their secrecie… further is discouered in their weapōnstheir Kingdome, me thinke I see secrecie especially aymed at therein. The weapons wherewith this man of sin hath vsually strouē, for the vpholding of his triple crowne; I do finde especially to hauehave been these three. First, combining with Satan to destroy by charmes and sorceries; Secondly, VVhichWhich are 3. 1 Sorcerie. 2. Poysoning. 3. Gunpowder.attempting of life by variety of poyson; And thirdly, laying secret traynes of gunpowder to take away the same. In all which, as that purple strūpet hath been most fruitfull, & desperatly prodigious, so by the nature of these weapons, it may easily appeare, that as she principally laboured this, not to bee seen in her mischeifes: so, in not being seen, her glory might be the greater in that opinion of holines, which would redownd to her hereby, in that her enemies were so confoûded by such inuisible meanes, Thus as the weapons of her warfare imploy her secrecy: so p. 17shall this cūning yet further appear into vsus, in the diuelish managing of these desperate weapons. To attempt the life by poyson may admit great secrecie, but if we consider Prooued by their weapon of poysoning.the manner and ordering of this weapon, herein shall we see a depth of wickednesse, hardly to bee sounded by common wisedome. To take life away speedily by this desperate In the tempering thereof, that it may not kill speedilie.engine, this may breed suspition, and prooue dangerous vntounto vsus. And therefore this practise of the Monke of Swinstead, is now counted foolishnesse, and vnaduised malice in any to take such a course: because by tasting and such like meanes the snare may be discouered. How then shall we doe to lay this snare priuily, that it may take effect, and we be out of danger? Here consider I pray you, the depth of Satan: the poyson shall be so tempered, as not to effect this operation vntill some time afterward, that so if we take part, yet by some present Antidote the infection may bee killed, and others not suspecting the danger, as not yet perceiuing the same, may so suffer the contagion to preuaile by degrees in the bodie, that though afterwards it be perceiued; yet speedily seazing vponupon some vitall part, it may not by any phisicke be corrected or cured. When I doe consider the poysoning of the saddle, Infecting holy things therewith, that so not s…specting danger, wee might be the sooner and yet more secretly deceiued.and doe remember withall that policie of the poysoning of the host, that breaden God which the Papists worship: me thinkes I see therin yet a further depth of Satans cunning in vsing this weapon to the maintenance of his kingdome, and a further height of wickednesse, breaking out in this case. That ordinarie meat should be subiect to this infection, that apparell and such like, should be infected therewith, this, as it is a matter suspitious, so is it prouided for, by tasting, ayring, perfuming, and such like: but who wold euer suspect such abhominable impietie in so principall a part of their diuine worship? what charitable or religious heart, would once dreame of any snare couched in so holy misteries? their tasting is not vsed, because there is no suspition, there danger is not feared, where so great deuotion is pretended. Well learne wee hence, to what p. 18vse serues this great Idoll in Poperie, and consider we by Learne here by the way what account and to what vse se…ue their holy things.this, what reckoning these Atheists make of their religion, what is the principall scope and end thereof, and take wee heede that at no hand, wee drinke of their cup, lest though we meet not with this poison to infect the body, yet we find a farre more dangerous, to destroy both bodie and soule. I must not heere forget that which I trust we shall alwaies remember, that other weapon of this least, wherewith it defendeth it Kingdome, a weapon inuented and framed euen in their owne forge: I meane Gunpowder, and such instruments as are employed therewith. Proued se…ōdly by their weapons of Gunpowder.That this is a weapon of the Popish Kingdome, and principally vsed, in regard of the secret mischiefe thereof, I hope we now hauehave had new comfortable experience, the Lord make vsus wise to discerne these traines. And let vsus neuer forget the secret conueyance of the snare, that some may not be secure in the greatest calmes; and yet let vsus not feare, though the trayne shall bee layde as deepe as hell, seeing our God raignes there, to discouer such mischiefes. As for the other weapon of secrecie and And thirdly by thei… weapons of secrecy and en…hauntments.witchcraft, as this is a maine pillar of their Idolatrie and lying Miracles, so hath it been also a new desperate weapon to defend their kingdome, witnesse the manifold practises by this engine, against the life of Queene Elizabeth, and blessed be our God, who hath deliuered our gracious Soueraigne from the like snare. Is not this a vsuall arrow of the Popes quiuer?

Thus, as secrecie is the cloake to the accomplishment So hauehave they labour ed secretlie when the fact is done, to auoyd the hatred & punishment.of their mischiefes, as heretofore hath beene declared by the former circumstances; so for conclusion, let vsus consider in a word, what policie is vsed in the cōcealing of these snares, that though they be discouered, and take effect, yet for all this they bee buried. Certainely, the sinne of Rebellion is most odious, and detestable; yea, though it doe take effect, yet leaues behinde it a verie hatefull blot of perpetuall infamie, which would not willingly be vndergone, though I louelove the treason, yet (the rule is true) I p. 19hate the Traitor, because we will doe the like vntounto me, as he hath done vntounto others, yea, there is a fearefull punishment following at the hecles of the same, which we would gladly auoid. Say then the Plot bee discouered, and the Treason knowne; how shall I now preuent this blot of Infamie? how yet shall we auoid apprehension thereby? Behold here againe the depth of Satan, and marke well how would carrie his snares in secrecie.

It is not treason, but religion thus to doe, here is a large cloake to hide this mischiefe. It is our glorie to deliuer 1 Here the cloakes are pretences of religion.the Church out of slauerie, yea, though it rest the best blood that shall withstand it: here's a goodly pretence of deliuering the Church, when indeed our purpose is by remoouing gouernement, to doe eueryevery man euen what hee listeth. And that wee may escape apprehension and punishment, obserue we yet further Satans subtiltie: To denie the fact impudently, to forsweare it damnably, these 2 Impudent denying and forswearing.thus are ordinarie and vsuall in this case, to out-face the matter boldly; yea, to threaten desperately, if we be not fauourably vsed: these things hauehave not been wanting to free our selues from torment. That may not be discouered, 3 Threatning. 4. Refusing of oathes. 5. changing of our names. 6. apparell.we will refuse an oath, that we may not discouer others, we will bind our selues by an oath, we will change our names, that so we may not change our sinne, and our kinde, and condition shall be dissembled by strange apparell, and all this to carrie in snares secretly; yea, that we may doe mischiefe more desperately, and yet auoide the outward hatred thereof, wee will hauehave visors and anticke 7. Putting on of Visors.cloakes, bloodie execution of the Saints of God. And if all this will not serue the turne, then behold a further depth of Satans malice. Is there any in disgrace and vnderunder the burthen alreadie, behold our iniquitie shall bee posted ouer vntounto them, and they shal beare the hatred and 8. Laying the fault on the weakest, and accusing true religion so the fact of supers…tion.vnderunder-goe the punishment, of what we hauehave committed. Thus when Nero had set fire on the City of Rome, he laid all the blame vponupon the Christians. Thus when any calamitie befell the Empire, presently the fault was layd vppon p. 20the Christians, they cried, to the rack to the fire, to the mynes with the Christians, this is longe of them. And thus had these deadly enemies purposed (if their plot had taken effect) which God forbid; to hauehave fathered it vponupon those, who endeauour to serue the Lord with a pure heart. But blessed be God, who is good vntounto Israel, euen vntounto those that Psa. 75. 1.Ps 75:1are pure in heart. And blessed be the name of his Maiestie for euer, who hath preserued his Annointed, and his seede from these fatall engines, and hath iustified the innocencie of his seruants in the sight of their enemies. And let this now be the subiect of our ordinary meditations, great deliuerāces giueth he vntounto Dauid his king, & to his seed for euer.Psa. 18. 52.Ps 18:52

As for these policies of our enemies, in laying their 1 Learne here, not to iudge by the shew, but the substance.snares priuily, as this may teach vsus to iudge them by their workes, and manner thereof, They hate the light, and therefore their workes are euill; that wee may not be bewitched with their abhominations: so let vsus learne not to be affraide of their snares, howsoeuer they be cunningly and secretly conueyed. Certainely, howsoeuer they may hide them from the eye of man, yet our God, who watcheth ouer vsus for good, and them to disappoint them: he beholdeth 2 Nor to feare their secrecie.their practises, and his secret is with the righteous to bring to nought the deuises of our enemies, and to hide his seruants in the secret place of his pauilion from the pride of men. He that would not hide from Abraham, what concerned the destruction of the wicked, that so his brother Psa. 27. 5.Ps 27:5Lot might escape the danger; hee will not hide from his children such dangers, as are comming towards them, but will open their eyes to see the plague, that so they may hide 3 So that wee do not wilfully shut our eyes, or blindfold Gods workes.themselues vnderunder the shadow of his wings. OnelyOnly let vsus not wilfully shut our eyes by presumption or securitie, lest hereby we betray our selues wilfully vntounto the subtiltie of our enemies. Let not foolish pity, or policie bleare vsus, in seeing these snares, or iudging slightly of them. Let not loosenesse in our selues, take away courage from vsus, that so wee may not dare to take notice of the practises of the wicked, lest the conscience vponupon this knowledge be amated, and p. 21deiected, and so possessed with a fearefull expectation of thē. Let vsus not depriue our selues of that true light, which may informe the conscience herein, lest otherwise we bee giuen vp to be blinded by the enemies. Let vsus not imitate 4 Nor Imitate this policy in our secret cariage of our owne sinne.the wicked heerein, either seeking for the darkenesse, to commit sinne more securely, or in vsing any carnal cloakes to hide the same: lest our secrecie in sinne giuegive power to their secrecie in plotting such punishments as are due to the same. Let vsus not presume of impunitie, though wee VVhatsoeuer cloaks we may hauehave for the same.hauehave committed sinne secretly, seeing what we hauehave done couertly the lord wil opēly discouer to our greater shame: and when man ceaseth to punish, then the Lord himselfe will awake to execute vengeance. If we may hauehave a cloake for sinne, to carrie it clenly: if authoritie may out-face, or money buy it out, if wit will defend it, or impudencie denie it; if example may colour, or custome extenuate: Oh let vsus not be deceiued by any of these cloakes, seeing there is nothing Seeing they will deceiue vsus. Luk. 8. 17.Luke 8:17so hidden, which shall not be reuealed, and the more we hauehave cloaked our sinne, the more wee shall inherite shame and confusion, when it shall be discouered: yea, the very cloakes which we vsed to hide our sinne, shall one day be meanes to lay open the same, and the rust of that riches which we hauehave vsed wrongfully, shall at the day of iudgment Ia. 5. 2.giuegive in euidence against vsus: and be a means to consume vsus with fire. Oh consider this you that forget God and say in your hearts; the Lord seeth not. Behold your owne iniquities shall finde you out, and such weapons of vnrighteousnesse, Ezech. 8. 12.Ezek 8:12wherewith you hauehave fought against the Lord, they shall now prooue his weapons to be auenged of you. Remember that …he Babilonians, with whom Israel plaide the harlot were the scourge of God appointed to strippe her As did the Babilonians the Iewes Ezech. 23.Ezek 23naked, and fearefully to spoyle her, who while she was faithfull with her God, was a terrour to all our enemies. Oh let vsus therefore take heede of daubing with our enemies, take wee heed in any case of buying our peace, by committing abhomination with them, lest it come to passe, that as we hauehave serued our selues of them, by taking part in their filthinesse, p. 22so they shall serue themselues of vsus, by making a spoile of vsus. And the Lord shal serue himselfe of vsus both, & purging vsus by them of such dregs as remaine, & hardning them by vsus to their final confusion. Oh let vsus therfore cleaue vntounto our God, that he may stil keep the city, and preserue Rather let vsus make God our hiding place by true repentance. Psa. 127. Psa. 21. So shall he either discouer, or deliuer vsus out of the secret snares of our enemies.Ps 127Ps 21his Church among vsus: & then vndoubtedly, though many snares be laid for vsus, yet the lord wil awake to discouer thē vntounto vsus, yea, this blessing shal a faithfull king receiue at the hand of God, that his hand shal find out all his enemies, and his right hand shal find out thē that hate him, So it pleased his Maiestie to direct the heart of our Annointed to apprehend this mischiefe, and principally out of the Letter contrarie to all grāmaticall, or reasonable constructiō to scan the same, yea though the snares might happily take hold vponupon vsus, yet wil the Lord arise to deliuer him that is snared, the snare shall be broken, and we deliuered. As for our enemies that hauehave thus secretly layd these snares. Behold the Lord will raine snares vponupon them, and so take them in the pit, which they hauehave digged for others, onelyonly let vsus Psal. 11.Ps 11trust in God and wait vponupon him, so when the iniquitie of our enemies shalbe discouered and disappointed, there shall our righteousnesse all come foorth as the light, and our wel doing as the noone day, that the Lord may bee glorified in the iustifying of his children, and wee comforted in the experience of his protection. It followeth. And they say, who shall see them?

That is, They say in effect, that none shall see them, and so they doe put out the eie of Gods prouidence, and thereupon conclude indeed, that there is no God. Such was the groūd of Rhamaes oppressiō, Who is the Lord, that Exod. 5.Exod 5I should heare his voice, and let Israel goe? Such was the ground of the Idolatrie of the Iewes, they say, the Lord seeth vsus not, the Lord hath forsaken the earth. Such was the ground of the persecution of the wicked, that he, not only Ezech. 8. 12. Psa. 10. 3.Ezek 8:12Ps 10:3thinketh alwayes, There is no God: but further also, he contemneth God, and saith: God hath forgotten, he hideth away his face, and will neuer see. And this doth the holy p. 23Ghost yeeld to be the reason, why the Gentiles were giuen vp into a reprobate minde, whereby they became full of vnrighteousnesse, euen because they regarded not to acknowledge God. And surely as the professiō of Poperie is a flat deniall of the power of God, as being a voluntarie and perpetuall worship, plausible to the sence, and agreeable to reason, so the practise thereof is nothing else, but a maine Sea of impietie, framing out iustly it owne shame, and confusion. Thus hath their spirituall fornication against God, and his ordinance, brought forth that fruitfull sinne of carnall Fornications, and vncleannesses of all sorts. And thus hath their desperate rebellion against the Lord, & against his Annointed, exalting themselues aboue all that is called God, brought forth that cursed Monster of treason, and rebellion against Gods Lieutenant vponupon earth. It being a certaine consequent, that they do not louelove God whome 1. Ioh. 2.1 John 2they hauehave not seene, who hate their brother whom they see dayly: It being a righteous thing with God, that their sinne of treason against his Maiestie should be knowne, & discouered by their treason against the Magistrate, that how the Magistrate may bee iustly prouoked to fight against the beast, both for the safetie of their estates, and for the glorie of God, vtterly to destroy the Kingdome of Antichrist.

Who so is wise, let him consider this, and in this glasse of Rebellion, let him obserue an heart of Atheisme. And if this Atheisme be so easily to be discerned in her brood, as wee may not looke for grapes of thornes, or figges of thistles, any better fruit, from so cursed a tree; so let vsus in the name of God disclaime, that so Satan which in the root and fruit, fights against God and man.

And discerne wee wisely the truth of that Religion, which ioyning God and man so graciously together, doth teach vsus not to separate those, whome God hath ioyned, but to maintaine this holy Vnitie, euen with the losse of our deerest blood; and in the feare of God cleaue we vnspeakably vntounto that holy truth, which teacheth vsus to giuegive p. 24vntounto (not to take from) Caesar, the things that are Caesars, and vntounto God, the things that are Gods, that so honouring Caesar aright in giuing him his due vnderunder God, wee may vnderunder Caesar, liue a quiet and peaceable life, in all godlynesse 1. Tim. 2.1 Tim 2and honestie.

And seing there is not a more effectual meanes to prouoke vsus to obedience, than that the eye of God is continually vponupon vsus: As this was a spurre vntounto our aduersaries for their treason against the Lords Annointed, that God should not see them, so let it bee a continuall motiue of our conscionable obedience vntounto God and man; namely, that the Lord our God looketh continually vponupon vsus. And that we may not want a liuely euidence for the same, let vsus onelyonly consider how the Lord watched ouer vsus in this deliuerance, that if he had been on our side, and watched ouer vsus, when these snares were priuily layd against vsus; surely, they had swallowed vsus vp quick, when their wrath was kindled against vsus. Yea, the waters had drowned vsus, and the streame had gone ouer our soules. Oh that this deliueuerance Psal. 124. 2. 3.Ps 124:2Ps 124:3may for euer stoppe the mouth of Athiesme, and roote out that cursed brood, which exalts it selfe against the Lord. Certainely, if the defeature of such mischiefes shall not now open our mouths to acknowledge the power, and merciemercy of God vntounto his Church, the practise wherof hath opened the mouthes of the wicked, to say, there is no God: Let vsus looke that as the Lord hath iustified himselfe against them, by deliuering vsus out of their hands, so will he also iustifie himselfe against vsus, in laying further punishments vponupon vsus, euen by exposing his people as a pray vntounto their enemies, that they may learne to giuegive him the honour that is due vntounto his name. If the feare of his rodde will not cause vsus to depart from euill, we shall feele the smart of his holy indignation, and the shaking of the rodde shall not serue the turne, if by it we hauehave not returned vntounto the Lord our God. Oh Lord, it is not in man to walke, and to direct his steps. Turne thou vsus vntounto thee, and then wee shall bee turned. For why should the wicked say, p. 25Where is now our God? Why should thy Children complaine, that thou hast forsaken them. Oh Lord, thou art our God from euerlasting, and world without end: thou hast magnified thy selfe in the sight of our enemies, and put to confusion those that hate vsus; Oh, let vsus therefore draw nere vntounto the Lord our God; let vsus renew our couenant with thy Maiestie to the finall confusion of our enemies, and to the preuenting of all such further mischiefes, that they shall practise against vsus. It followeth. They hauehave sought out iniquities.A third policie of multiplying snares.

That is, they hauehave studied and inuented diuers sorts of mischiefes, to accomplish thereby more certainely their desires. Behold here a third policie of the wicked to supply that which may bee wanting in their former deuise of secrecy: that though one plot be discouered, another might take place, and still another might bee one foote, though a former were preuented. A verie desperate and most effectuall And that very dangerous.policie to bring their purposes to passe: not only in that this varietie of stratagems, tyres out policie, and carnall wisedome, and puts it to a Non plus in preuenting so many mischiefes; but further also great terrour, and distraction ceaseth on the hearts of weake ones, in regard of such strange and manifold snares: yea, by this meanes, those whom God hath giuen vp to these snares, are heere appalled with wofull despaire, and so hereby lye open to the snares, as hauing giuen ouer all hope to auoide the same. We may finde some steps of this corruption, euen in the Saints of God. When Dauid saw, that there was no end of Sauls malice, but stil he was followed with new pursuits, the holy Ghost signifieth, that it wrought this effect 1. Sam. 27.1 Sam 27in him, that he sayd in his feare, as des…airing of deliuerance: I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul, and thereupon be…ooke himselfe to a most desperate course euen to flye for succour vntounto the enemies of God. For where feare doth possesse vsus, that mal…ce is endlesse, and her mischiefes so many, that they cannot be auoided there care will faile vsus, for the preuenting of them, as thinking p. 26our labout lost, against such vnauoydable snares. And so being carelesse in the danger, we lye open thereunto: and are either betrayed by desperate securitie in the end vntounto the same, or else seeking to auoide them by vile and impious courses, we doe hereby exclude our selues from the protection of the Lord: and so cause the malice of our enemy to light more heauily vponupon vsus. It hath been no new This is ro…e… polic…e, b…t vsed of ola by the wi…ked against the godly.thing with the enemies of God, thus to multiply their snares against the seruants of the Most High. Infinite was the malice of Saul against the Annointed of the Lord, and as was his malice, so were his snares accordingly. The first occasion to the snares was the euill spirit, as no maruaile if the Diuell be the beginner of all mischiefe. And behold the notable cunning of Satan, in laying a snare in the calling As by Saul against Dauid. 1. Sam. 16. 14 23.1 Sam 16:14and profession of Dauid, that whereas hee was skilfull to play vppon the Harpe, and therefore was required of Saul to alay the furie of his torment; comming into Sauls presence to ease him of his anguish, he might be exposed to the rage and malice of his enemie: and verie hardly did 1. Sam. 18. 11, 17.1 Sam 18:111 Sam 18:17he many times auoide this snare. Secondly, his wife was intended a snare vntounto him, and her dowrie also was layd as a snare, that the hand of the Philistines might bee against him. These secret snares being broken, then follow open 1. Sam. 24. 241 Sam 24:24practises: and here was malice as endlesse, as it was causelesse. How was the poore seruant of God hunted vp and downe, as a Partridge vponupon the mountaines, being neuer in safetie of his life, till his enemie was depriued of his. Thus was Dauid followed with manifold snares, by his By Satan and his instrumēts against Dauids Lord.enemie Saul, and so was Dauids Lord, by Satan and his most malicious instruments. Marke (I pray you) how Satan sets vponupon him. First, he layes a snare of distrust, perswading him to make bread of stones, as if God were not Math. 4. 5.Matt 4:5otherwise able to prouide for him in the wildernes. Whē that would not serue, he laies a contraria snare of presamption, wishing him, To cast himselfe downe from the pinnacle of the Temple, that so hee might exclude himselfe out of Gods protection. When this would not preuaile, yet hee p. 27layes a third snare of worldly pompe and glorie, moouing him thereby to fall downe and worship him, that so hee might robbe God of the glorie, that was due vntounto his name. And as was the father, so were also the children, euen the nation of the Iewes, whose saluation he laboured. Their malice did not cease against him, so long as hee was capable of it, and for the acting thereof, they wanted not store of mischiefes, when they could not preuaile by smiting Math. 6. 15.Matt 6:15him with the tongue, then they fell to stone him with Ioh. 10. 31.John 10:31stones, when they could not draw him within the compas of rebellion against the state, then they accused him of blasphemie Math. 22. 17. Math. 27.Matt 22:17Matt 27against God, when themselues durst not openly bee seene for feare of the people, then they corrupted one of his owne house to bring him to his end: sometimes they Math. 26.Matt 26made vproares against him, that he might be oppressed of the people: sometimes they accused him of compacting Math. 12.Matt 12with Satan, that so they might make him odious and abhominable to the people: sometimes they propounded curious Math. 22.Matt 22question to entrappe him in his words, other while they would wrest and peruert his gracious speeches. And when they had caught him, their malice was yet vnsatiable. Buffeting Luk. 22. Math. 27.Luke 22Matt 27would not serue, but further, they must whippe him, and to greeue his righteous soule the more, he must be clothed in purple, to bee scorned and derided of them. This Ioh. 19.John 19will not serue, but he must be crowned with thornes, that so his torment might bee yet encreased: yea, further yet to lengthen out their malice and his paines; behold they deuised a lingting, and yet most shamefull torture, to bring him to his end. Nayled must he be on the crosse, to encrease his paine, and yet to lengthen out his life, and he must be hanged betweene two theeues, and accounted among euill doers, that so together with his bodie, his good name might be killed. Thus was our head Christ Iesus persecuted by his owne: And thus must all his members looke to be dealt withall Not to trouble you with rehears…ll of forraine stories, neither to seeke furth…r in our owne, than what is fresh in our memories; how did the enemies of the p. 28Gospell multiplie their snares against vsus, in this late practise And by our adversaries against vsus in this conspiracie. Esay. 9.Isa 9for the restoring of their Kingdome. To take away the life of the King, this was but an entrance. Nay, we must cut off root and braunches too, if we shall make sure worke, was this all? Nay, the esta…es of the Land, they must also be cut off, that so strength and councell being remooued, and the heads being cut off, the Conquest might be the easier, and the confusion the greater. Is this yet all? Nay, the life of the Kingdome true Religion, must be extinguished, and all the Professors thereof, vtterly rooted out; that so Idolatrie may take sure footing againe. And to make vp the measure of their mischiefe: the execution of all this practise must bee layd vponupon true Religion: that herein their malice might reach to heauen, and in some measure insult and triumph ouer God himselfe.

Behold heere the trauaile of the wicked, which is to bring forth mischiefe: behold the fruitfulnesse of malice, which can deuise store of snares: see the propertie of the VVhat doth this teach vsus.wicked, they are restlesse in commiting euill, and neuer wearie of practising against the Saints of God. They cannot 1. The nature of the wicked frui…full and restlesse in sin. Prou. 4. 16. Mich. 2. 1.Prov 4:16Mic 2:1sleepe, except they hauehave done euill, and their sleepe departeth, except they cause some to fall: Nay, they will spare their sleepe, that they may imagine mischiefe on their beds, and when the morning is light, they practise it: Euen as the wilde Asse vsed to the wildernesse, that shuffeth vp the winde by occasion at her pleasure, who can turne her backe: So the wicked Ierem. 2.Jer 2runne on without controwlement in the multitude of ther mischiefes, and it is their sport, and pastime to commit sinne with greedinesse. Let vsus therefore trie our selues by this propertie of the wicked. To commit sinne, is an infirmitie 2. To trie our selues whither this nature be changed in vsus. 1. Ioh. 1. 8. Psa. 103. 3.1 John 1:8Ps 103:3incident to the most regenerate, but to make it our studie, and delight, to commit sinne with greedinesse and to continue therein; this cannot stand with a sanctifyed nature. I delight in the Law of the Lord concerning the inward man saith that chosen Vessell Saint Paul:) and therfore, 4. Eph. 19. Rom 7. 22. 20. vers.Rom 7:22Rom 7:20if I doe that which I would not, it is no more I, but sinne that dwelleth in me. Ohlet vsus, howsoeuer we cannot choose p. 29but sinne, yet notwithstanding delight in the law of the Lord, that so our sinne may not be imputed vntounto vsus. Once hauehave I spoken (saith holy Iob) but I will answere no more, yea Iob. 39. 38.Job 39:38twise, but I will proceede no further: If we hauehave once oftended, 3. To be plentifull in good workes, not to bee wearie of well doing.let vsus doe so no more, lest otherwise a worse thing happen vnio vsus. And if so be the wicked are so fruitfull in mischiefe, and vnwearied in euill to gaine hell therby; oh let vsus neuer bee wearie of well doing; let vsus bee plentifull in good workes, seeing if we faint not, wee shall certainely reape an euerlast…ng reward in heauen. Lastly, seeing the enemies of the Gospell are neuer wearie of mischiefe, but still are deuising and practising against the Iust. Oh let vsus not be secure of them, nor hope to winne them by gentlenesse, seeing conniuencie at their wickednesse, is but a spurre to further mischiefe, as giuing them respite and oportunitie to commit the same. If we shall wisely stand vponupon the guard, and keepe this enemie at the staues end, though happily his malice might hereby bee encreased, yet seeing his sinne is by this meanes ripened, & when the Haruest is ripe, the sickle shalbe put in, his practises shalbe so … from preuailing against vsus: as that Psa. 37. 15.Ps 37:15the pit which hee hath digged, hee shall fall into himselfe: Psa. 9. 15.Ps 9:15his owne s…ord shall enter into his owne heart, and his bowe shall bee broken: and in the s…are which hee priuily layes for vsus, shall his owne foote bee taken. It followeth.

And they hauehave accōplished that which they s…ught for &c.

The meaning is that they are perswaded secretly in their soules that, what they hauehave deuised shall surely take The fourth policie of the wi…ked namely … confidence and p…esum…t on of good s…ccesse. and why?effect. Noting vntounto vsus their presumpt…ous confidence, and building vponupon these their plots & p…lices. A thing verie vsuall in the practices of the wicked, to pro…ise thē selues vndoubtedly good successe therein: not onelyonly in regard of their naturall corruption; whereby they are apt to conceaue highly of their owne deuises, especially caried in such stro…g, and yet secret manner: but principally the iustice of God is seen herein, who giuing them vp to this p. 31resolute cōfidence, doth thereby prepare the way to their more fearefull confusion. So did the enemie secure themselus against the Lords Annoynted, that they had already So did Dauids enemies. Psal. 35.Ps 35deuoured him, as hauing so hemd him in with their secret and manifold snares that he could not possible escape: yea for the further confirming themselues in this confidence, because his onelyonly protection was from God; therefore so farre did they proceed in this presumption: that measuring the fauour of God by outward prosperity, they concluded herevpon falsely vponupon some light affliction that did befall him A mischeife is light vponupon him & he that Psal. 41.Ps 41lieth shall no more rise: and their reason is. God hath forsaken him: wherevpon they encouradge themselues in Psal. 71.Ps 71most confident manner, come let vsus pursue and take him, for their is none to deliuer him. Yea so blasphemously confident grow they herein, as building vponupon the strength and effectuallnes of their snares, that they euen make a mocke at Psal. 14. 6.Ps 14:6the counsell of the poore, because the Lord is his refuge, and as if so be god were not able to deliuer out of their hands, they deryde his confidence in the Lord his God, saying, he trusted in God let him deliuer him, let him saue him, seeing Ps. 22. 8.Ps 22:8hee loueth him. Implying thereby most impiously, that they had him so sure, that his confidence in God should not deliuer him out of their hands. Thus did Senacharib So did Senacharib. Esay. 36.Isa 36open his mouth against heauen; when he sent his messenger vntounto Hezechiah saying, Let not thy God deceaue thee in whime thou trustest &c. Imploying that the Lord could not deliuer him out of his hands: Thus did the mother of Sisera flatter her selfe, when shee looked out of the window So did the mother of Sisera. Iudges. 5.Judg 5and sayd, why is his chariot so long a cōming, why tarie the wheeles of his chariot, expecting indoubtedly her sons returne with victorie: and thus did her wise Ladyes answeare her with owne wordes, hauehave they not gotten and they diuide the spoyle &c. shewing also their confidence in the good successe of the battaile. And surely if we shall consider the hopes of our enemies, concerning the good successe of their desperate attempts: as their micheifes hauehave not been p. 30short of any, so their confidence also hath been with the best, For was not the Nauie which was sent against vsus in So hauehave our aduersaries been confident as by The like Practizes in 1588.88. entitled the Inuincible Armadoe, as if no force were able to scatter it. And did not their Friars tauntingly, and most blasphemously preach, that they had Pope (and Diuell) and all to fight for them, but the Hugnenots and Lutherans had none but God to stand on their fide, as if hee were no bodie, to withstand them? had they not diuided the spoyle in conceit, before they sawe the shoare, which should hauehave been gayned? had they not brought whips, and other instruments of torture to execute their crueltie vponupon vsus, as if they made account to be maisters of the field. And A…d their practizes at this time appeareth.surely consider wee the practises at this time, and we shall see their confidence to hauehave been encreased, with their malice, and their mouths, euen desparately opened against heauen, for the confirming them more assuredly in their bloody expectation. If we shall remēber the exceeding insolency and pride of these enemyes, for some few moneths before the entended execution of their practices, (a thing The…r insolencie before the day.not neglected by carefull heads,) what did it speake vntounto vsus, but their confidence in the successe thereof? Was it not written to that honorable Lord, that it was decreed by God & men, to punish the iniquitie of the time, therein, both making the Lord a party in this their damnable enterprice, & also thereby building so certainly vponupon the accomplishment theirof, as if it were the decree of God himselfe. What preparacions they had made for the aduancement of themselues, Preparations as if the…r mischiefe r…e…e a…complished.& execution of the faithfull, after the terrible blowe should be giuē: their sumptuous apparell, store of bloody weapons, proclamations and such like, all in a readynes, as if the thing were done: did it not most liuely d…scouer their confidence, that they had accomplisht that which they sought for. If we would know what might bee the reason of such The reasons of this the…r confidence.presumption, and desperate confidence: let vsus consider the resolution of their conscience, which though erronious, yet hereby the strōglier con…eited, & the more obstinatly presumptuous Resolution of conscien…e.in the successe of it owne apprehension. Let vsus p. 32remember their apprehension of the cause for which they 2 Apprehensiō of the cause.take the quarrell in hand, which being in their deceiued iudgments so iust, yea meritorious; must needs puffe thē vp with confident hope of good successe therein. Adde we herevnto the approbation of this fact not onelyonly by the conscience 3 Approbatiō of it, from their holy Father.at home, but by the Lord of their conscience abroad, whose oracles they esteme as the oracles of God, yea whome they worshipe aboue all that is called God: & therefore no maruaile if they match his decrees, with the decrees of the most high, and say it is decreed by God and men. And hauing so sure a warrant (as they thinke) for the attempting of their mischiefs; is it any wonder, if they promise exceeding good successe vntounto themselues therein? Were it onelyonly the policy which they hauehave vsed in the managing of their practices: their encouragmēts to strengthen, their secrery to entrapp, & their manifold snares to wearie 4 The notable contriuing of their mischeifes in such strength, secrecie, and variety.out, surely these so notable policyes, concurring thus together, must needs giuegive spirit to their hopes, and confidence to their practices: That seing they are so strong, that none is able to match them, how can it bee, but they should preuaile: seeing so secret, that none can see them, how can it be, that any should auoyd them: seing they are neuer wearie in deuising of mischiefes: how should any at length not be ouer wearied by them. But aboue all the wisedome and power of God is here in most euident, who meaning to giuegive his enemies a terrible blow: not only 5 Aboue all iustice of God iu giuing them vp to this confidence to their more fearefull confusion.to their bodyes but euen to their soules: & to make their fall such as they shall not be able to rise againe, doth therefore in his wisedome let them alone so farre in these their diuelish practices, that hauing brought them in a manner to ripenes, and perfection, as they could wish, they might herevpon be lifted vp with pride and confidence in the good successe thereof: that by the suddaine defaiture of these practices afterward, their confusion might be the greater both to body & soule: not onelyonly to the body in such punishments which doe attend them, but especially into their soules and consciences either breeding in them an p. 33obstinate allowance of their diuelish practices, when they shall see their expectation so deceiued, & their wisedome confounded. Oh this will make Ahitophell euen to hang 2. Sam. 17. 2…2 Sam 17:2himselfe, this is it, that will strike dispaire in the harts of these rebells, and make them euen desperatly runne vponupon their owne swords.

Maruaile not we therefore, if we see the wicked puffed And therefore let vsus not be amated at this confidence of the wicked.vp with confidence in their mischeifes: for it is the cheefest portion that they hauehave of al their iniquity, this is al the poore comfort they find theirin, namely to flatter them selues in the good successe thereof, yea this is the strōgest band wherby Satan doth hold them: Rather admire wee the wonderfull wisedome of the Lord, who prepares thē But admire the power and wisedome of God herein.by this carnall confidence, to their greater confusion; and makes the pride of their wisedome to be the break-neck thereof. And seeing it is no shame, to learne good euen of our enemyes; seeing confidence in euill is a messenger of their distruction, let vsus trie our standing in grace, by our And learne we hereby, to trie our standine in grace. To be confi.feare in sinne. Certainly as the feare of offending God, is a meanes to preuent sin: so feare in the sence of our owne vnworthynes in regard of our sinnes, working repentance not to be repented of: is the meanes to restore vntounto vsus the ioy of Gods saluation, which before we had lost: than so we may either auoyde, or sanctifie such iudgments, as are due vntounto our sinnes: And if the wicked are so confident in euill purposes. Oh let vsus not cast away our confidence & dent in weldoing. Heb. 10. 32.Heb 10:32couradge in well-doing, which hath so greatre compence of reward. Lastly seeing confidence in sinne is a note of ripenes, and when the measure is full, the vessels shall be emptied: Let vsus not be cast downe, when we see the wicked Ioel. 3. 13. To looke for the confusion of the wicked, when we see them thus confident.Joel 3:13insolent & that especially in the confidence of their wickednesse, neither let their presumtion in their mischiefs be any matter to hinder vsus in the wayes of our callings: but rather let vsus patiently waite vponupon the Lord, and commit our selues into his hands in wel-doing, as into the hands of our faithfull Creator: vponupon an vndoubted assurance, that the malice of the wicked, is hastening to an end, p. 34when wee shall see it swolne and puffed vp with pride of good successe. Though we may say in our infirmitie, vponupon view of their power and malice, as Elishaes seruant did: Alas, how shall we doe, we are but dead men: yet let vsus here 2. King. 6. 17.2 Kgs 6:17see by faith, and not by sence: and then vndoutedly wee shall hauehave Elishaes eyes, to see more with vsus, than those that are against vsus, yea, if wee can bee still, and behold the saluation of the Lord, our enemies whome wee see this day, wee Exod. 14.Exod 14shall see them no more. And if wee would desire, that the Lord would shew vsus some token for good, whereby we may see the confusion of our enemies neere at hand; we As being a certaine token offered vntounto vsus by the Lord to discerne the confusion of our enemies. Prou. 16, 8.Prov 16:8cannot hauehave any more euident, than this; that before destruction the minde is haughtie. Our enemies are secure and confident in the accomplishment of their practises. For so it followeth in the next words.