The Churchs Deliverance, Tract · Chapter 2 (4 of 4)

The Churchs Deliverance · Tract · Chapter 2 (4 of 4)

p. 178That which followeth concerning the dedication of the feaſt to the memory of Heſter; Obſeru. Dedication of feaſts to the memory of perticular perſons.as it doth diſcouer the greater affection of the King towards his ſpouſe: ſo it magnifieth yet further the mercy of God toward his ſervant: who by this memoriall is commended to poſteritie, and euen highly honored of the enemies of God: which though it be no warrant for that popiſh cuſtome of dedicating feaſts to the honor of Saints, vnleſſe the fact of a wicked Prince ſhall iuſtifie the ſame: ſo notwithſtanding in the equity there of doth approue ſuch holy remembrances of the Saints of GOD, which may both put them in minde of Gods mercies towards them; and prouoke poſterity to an holy imitation thereof: as tombes, trophes, &c. Thus doth Ahaſ…uer oſh celebrate the memory of Heſter by a ſolemne feaſt, and ſo ſhall the children of God bee honored of their enemies, ſo ſhall their names and memorials be continued to poſteritie.

And yet the affection of this Monarch ſtayes not here: but yet furt her to grace this wedding of Heſter, behold, he giues rest to the Prouinces, which were euen tyred with taxes and exactions: ſo d… the wicked fare the better euen p. 179for Gods children ſake: ſo doth the Lord make away for his children, euen to be iuſtified of the wicked.

And ſurely whither he cauſed theſe nuptials generally to be ſolemnized throughout his kingdome, by ſetting a part the day thereto, that the ſubiect might bee pertaker in the Princes ioy, and celebrate his mariage with feaſting and libertie; or rather ſpared his ſubiects for the time, of ſome tribute that was due. This as it makes to the great honor and celebration of Heſters mariage, becauſe God being glorified,Obſ. 116. When the righteous are aduanced the people reioice there is peace with men; ſo it alſo ſerues to the great approbation of godlineſſe, the whole land it at reſt, when Gods Church is reſpected, when Gods children are aduanced,Prou. 29. 2Prov 29:2 when the righteous are in authoritie then the people reioyce;Prou. 28. 12Prov 28:12 then is great glory, great peace and contentment. So doth the Lord ſanctifie great 2bleſſings vntounto his children, that they may be good foundations againſt y^e day of Chriſt:I. Tim. 61 Tim 6 ſo doth he ſecure here by their tickliſh eſtates, by knitting the hearts of the people vntounto 3them, through the benefit therof. So doth he make y^e world without excuſe, when they ſhall hate that which is the 4onelyonly cauſe of their great eſt honor, ſecurity & contentmēt.

Vſe. And doth not this condemne the folly of men that complaine of righteouſneſſe, as if it were the greateſt trouble-houſe & trouble-ſtate that may be;Nehem. 2.Neh 2 that thruſt out Gods children, as the only diſturbers of their reſt & happineſſe; are not they more then blind, Iob. 21. 15.Job 21:15which ſee no profit in godlineſſe,Pſal. 4.Ps 4 but ſtill are poaring like the Sodomits, when the doore is before them: ſaying, who will ſhew vsus any good? do not they open their mouthes againſt heauen,Malach. 3Mal 3 that ſay it is in vaine to ſerue the Lord? Are not they the greateſt enemies to themſelues, that keepe downe Gods children, and hinder their aduancement; that aboue all things feare leaſt the Lord ſhould bee glorious in his Saints;Pſal. 2. Math. 10. 34Ps 2Matt 10:34 leaſt hee ſhould ſet his King vponupon his holy hill of Syon? Surely if the ſonne of GOD, Luk. 12.Luke 12bring a Sword vponupon the earth, it is not becauſe hee is not the Prince of peace, Eſay. 9Isa 9becauſe hee offers not alſo peace vntounto them:Math. 20Matt 20 but becauſe the world refuſeth peace, therefore doe they plucke downe a Sworde vponupon them, p. 180and the corner ſtone becomes a rock of offence. And if any be afra de, wherein they ſhould take moſt comfort; they are the ſinners in Ston, that are thus afraide; feare takes hold vponupon the hypocrites: theſe indeed ſhall not dwell with the deuouring fire: theſe cannot endure the euerlaſting burning.Malach. 3, 2. 3. 4.Mal 3:2Mal 3:3Mal 3:4 What fleſh ſhall endure when hee appeares; who is like a purging fire, and like Fullers Soape? Yet ſhall the ſiluer abide the touche, and be purified thereby, yea the ſonnes of Leu… ſhallbe fiaed and prepared, that they may bring offerings vntounto the Lord in righteouſneſſe. Then ſhall the offerings alſo of Iudah and Ieruſalem bee acceptable vntounto the Lord, as in old time, and in the yeares before, yea the Lord will take away the i…iquitie of the land in one day. Then ſhall many bee turned away from iniquitie,Malach, 2. and yee ſhall call eueryevery man his neighbour vnderunder the Vine, and under the Figtree. Zacn. 3 9. 10. Then ſhall Ieruſalem be inhabited without walles, for the Lord will bee unto ber a wall of fire round about,Zach. 2. 4. 5Zech 2:4Zech 2:5 and will be the glorie in the midſt of her. Then will the Lord turne to the people a pure language, that they may all call vponupon the name of the Lord, and ſerue him with our ſhoulder: Oh that the Lord would ariſe, 1. One conſent and without grudging.& hauehave mercy on Syon, that he would take out of the midſt of her them that reioyce of her pride, and are puffed up, in regarde of the holy mountaine: that the lying and aequiuocating generation were rooted out,Zeph. 3. 13Zeph 3:13 that the vile were ſeperated from the precious. Then ſhould there be an humble and poore people, and they would truſt in the name of the Lord: then ſhould there bee holy veſſels vntounto the Lord, yea eueryevery pot in Ieruſalem ſhould be holy, then ſhould not Aſhur ſaue them, neither would they ride vponupon horſes:Oſe. 14Hos 14 but in their God, the fatherleſſe ſhould finde comfort. The righteous Lord ſhall bee exalted in the ſaluation of his choſen.

Vſe. Who ſo is wiſe and hee ſhall vnderſtand theſe things, and prudent and bee ſhall know them: for the wayes of the Lord are righteous, and the iuſt ſhall walke in them, but the wicked ſhall fall therein. But of this point more fully (by Gods grace) hereafter. It followeth.

p. 181Gods grace) hereaſter, It followetb.

And gaue rest vntounto the Prouinces, Obſ. 117. Princes to the enioying of their pleaſure, are to be carefull not to oppreſſe their ſubiects, but to give ſome relaxation therevvithall vntounto them.and gaue gifts according to the power of a King.

In that this Perſian Monarch here releaſes his ſubiects of the burthen of ſubſidies and taxations, when hee and his court do enlarge themſelues in their pleaſures: herein we may ſeeke ſhadow of that ſubſtance, which is required in Chriſtian Princes: namely, that though their ſtate and fulneſſe affoord them pleaſure and eaſe, by the toyle, and labour of others, yet in the vſe thereof, they ſhould ſo indifferently behaue themſelues, as to let this oyle of gladneſſe runne downe to the skirts of the garment;Pſal. 133.Ps 133 that thoſe may taſte at leaſt of the cup of their pleaſure: who 1hauehave eſpecially troad the Wine-preſſe, and prepared the cup vntounto them: and by pertaking therein, may both better 2beare the burthen, and ſo ſtill maintaine the plough in 3going.

Little therefore do ſuch Princes know what wrong they do themſelues, when they will not ſpeake comfortably to their people, much leſſe allow them ſome immunity when they take their pleaſures: as hereby eſteeming their delight to be peereleſſe and acceptable, becauſe they are ſingular and aboue the reach of others, yea accounting their pleaſures herein the better ſeaſoned, when they are procured and enioyed with the paine & toyle of their people: And leſſe doe ſuch know what belongs to God, or the ſafety of their kingdomes, that giuegive the bridle to their ſubiects, to prophane Gods Sabaothes and contemne his word, that ſo they mighty leſſe enioy them in their godleſſe pleaſures, or elſe the better endure ſuch drudgery as they are put vntounto, when wicked Princes runne ryot. And ſurely in that herein they thinke to gratifie their ſinne, & granting pardon for any offence: this as it doth moſt diſhonor God ſo it ſhall ſurely tend, to the reproach of ſuch indulgence, as being the ſpeciall meanes of the diſobeying of gouernmēt when God is diſhonoured for the contentment thereof. Oh that gouerners were wiſe to conſider theſe things: p. 182that they would conſider how pleaſures communicated are both leſſe enuied and leſſe ſet by: and ſo both preuent danger in their vſe and abuſe alſo by wiſe intermitting the ſame. And yet y^t they would be wiſe in yeelding this liberty, not to cloake their owne abuſe, neither with the diſhonour of God, not to the iuſtifying of ſinne, nor hardning of ſinners▪ not as if hereby they would make demonſtration of their happineſſe: or baſely proſtitute themſelues to the luſt of their people: but herein wiſely acknowledging their common condition by nature, and ſo to become equall with thoſe of the lower ſort: recompencing hereby the labour of their ſubiects: and keeping herein that royal law, euen to do to others as they would be done vntounto them-ſelues: conſidering wiſely that ſeeing they are to weepe with them that weepe: Rom. 12.Rom 12ſo they muſt not reioyce to make their ſubeects heauy.Obſ. 118. Prince▪ honour conſiſts in the eaſing of their ſubiects of their continual burthens. And ſurely if we conſider this perticular wherein this heathen Prince gratifies his ſubiects, namely to releaſe his ſubiects for a time of their continual taxes; as this was eſpecially intended to honour his Nuptia's, y^t the loynes of his people might bleſſe their Prince, and his marriage: ſo we ſhall find it no ſmall part of the Princes honour, as not vnneceſſarily to exact vponupon his people, for the ſatisfying of his pleaſure: ſo euen to remitte ſomewhat of lawful exactions, to giuegive ſome breathing & intermiſſion therto. For is hee not herein a law vntounto himſelfe, when in that which is lawful, he bounds him-ſelfe, & doth not what he may, but what is moſt expedient? And ſo ruling him-ſelfe, ſhall better rule his people: Is he not wiſely to keepe ſome ſtocke in ſtore and not ſtill to bee laying forth leaſt hee hauehave not in the ſeaſon to compaſſe the market: Doth hee not heereby keepe his ſubiects in heart; that they may ſtill ſupply cheerefully whereas the King muſt looſe his right, when there is no more to bee had: And then the King muſt ſupply when the ſubiect hath it not: Whereas otherwiſe the King receiuing moderately, the ſubiect may hauehave where-withal; and ſo both ſupplyed, and contented thereby.

p. 183Surely happy are thoſe Princes that know their ſtrength; Yet more happy if they knew how to vſe it: which is not to inioy their pleaſures with their ſubiects payne, not to empty their people, to fill them-ſelues; but as to eſteeme it their glory to hauehave multitude of people: ſo wiſely to maintaine this multitude; and will they bee maintained with nothing? If they be ſtill emptied how can they proſper? And how can they then bee the glory of the Kingdome? Wel Behold our Perſian Monarch here doth not only giuegive reſt vntounto the Prouinces, but alſo.

Ga…e gifts according to the power of the King. Obſ. 119. Wicked brideled and furniſhed vvith good gifts for the good of the Church.Thus euen the wicked, when they are imployed in Gods ſeruice, for the good of his Church, ſhall not only bee bridled from much euill which they would do, but moued alſo to doe much good in ſhew, though otherwiſe they would not do: Here's no mention of drunkenneſſe, no calling for Vaſhty: as were in the former feaſt. The marriage of Gods ſeruant ſhal not be diſhonoured with ſuch abuſes. But what? here's reſt giuen to the Prouinces who were like to indure heauier burthens; & gifts diſtributed according to y^e power of the King, whoſe power is vſually ſeene in taking from his people. So doth God honour his children by reſtrayning the wicked: ſo doth hee harden the wicked in that they ſhall not want the ſhew of vertue in the ſeruice of thoſe which yet notwithſtanding onelyonly for their vertue, they doe moſt deadly hate: ſo doth he get him glory by them both in confirming hereby the faith of his children,Obſ. 120. Princes are to be liberall to their ſubiects. and ripening the wicked to their appointed damnation.

And if wee ſhall further conſider the bounty of this Monarch, in giuing gifts ſo magnifically: Doth not the Lord hereby further honour this aduancement of his ſeruant?

May not Princes learne hence to bee bountifull to their ſubiects; and inſteed of pilling of them, to beſtow ſometimes largeſſe vponupon them? May they not we ldoe it, ſeeing they giuegive them but their owne, and doe they not winne their hearts therby p. 1843. and can they ſtore it vp better then there where they may require it againe. And do they not eaſe themſelues of much care and feare.

Surely as it was the cuſtome at ſuch extraordinary kinds of ioy and feaſting, to enlarge the heart in ſuch gifts, and ſo ſhall Princes finde a great commodity herein: the people are contented, and the kingdome well fenced, vertue is encouraged, and miſerie releiued, and Princes herein do moſt come neere vntounto God, and the people are more faithfully knit vntounto their Gouernors.

But marke I pray you the bountifulneſſe of this King,Obſ. 121. Gods children ought to be liberall according to their ability and with all their power. it is ſaid, that he gaue gifts according to the power of the King: Not niggardly and baſely, but bountifully and according to his abilitie. So ought the children of God much more to extend their liberality according to their callings, leaſt this heathen Monarch riſe vp in iudgement againſt them.

And therefore they are 1. to diſtribute in faith, with warrant from the word, and looking for recompence at the hands of God,Prou. 5.Prov 5 not being wearie of well dooing. 2. They are to giuegive in righteouſneſſe, both of that which is their owne, and alſo where it may bee lawfull, not to maintaine ſinne, but for louelove of the perſon, yea where it is moſt neceſſary, to thoſe that are in greateſt want: and among them eſpecially to the houſhold of faith. 4. Wee muſt reſpect the end of all our well-doing principally the ſaluation of the ſoule and glory of God: whereby wee may both condemne all Popiſh charitie, which generally faileth in all theſe circumſtances, and ſo trie our ſelues whether we be truely charitable or no.

Thus is the mariage of Heſter ſolemnized with all the ſtate and complement ſutable thereto:Obſer. 122. Gods prouidence in vnequall matters and ſocieties of vnlike. thus is a Captiue Virgin aduanced to bee a royall Queene. Thus is vertue ioyned to vice to bridle the ſame. Thus is vice a companion of vertue, thereby to humble and ſo to trie the ſame. Thus two are in a bed, the one forſaken, the other elected: both brought together by the Lord, and by him hereby fitted to their ſeuerall ends. Behold here ſome p. 185reſemblance of the eſtate of Gods children in a viſible Church, where ſhall they ſit but they may meete with a Iudas in their diſh?1. Cor. 5.1 Cor 5 if they will not conuerſe with the vncleane, muſt they not goe out of the world? doth not the Lord hereby humble the one, and harden the other? is not his prouidence moſt admirable, in accompliſhing hereby his righteous will, in them both. But of this more fitlye by Gods grace hereafter. And thus farre concerning the aduancement of Heſter: wherein for conclusion we may note. 1. The faithfulneſſe of God, Obſ 123. The Lord faithfull in in making good his word.making good his promiſe. That whereas the Prophet Ieremis perſwaded Iechoniah the King not to ſtand out againſt Nabuchadnezzar; when he came to beſiedge the Citie, but to yeeld himſelfe willingly to the decree of God, to goe into captiuitie: promiſing him there-withall, and the people (in the name of the Lord) that if they obeyed his councell, it ſhould both go well with them in the land of their captiuitie, and after ſeuentie yeares they ſhould againe returne into their countrie. The King obeying this councell, is honorably according to his eſtate reſpected during his life; and among the reſt, this Heſter being daughter to one of thoſe that were in that captiuitie, is here aduanced to the moſt eminent dignitie, and ſo is a meanes for the moſt gratious preſeruation of the Church of God. So conſtant is the Lord in performing his promiſe: Becauſe he is God and cannot 1alter his louelove, hee is all ſufficient, and who can hinder 2his purpoſe: hee is truth it ſelfe, and therefore hath he ſaid 3it, and it ſhall ſtand▪ neither will hee for his glory diſappoint 4the expectation of his people which are his praiſe, his delight and glory.

Vſe. 1. Let therefore the faithfulneſſe of God condemne our diſtiuſt: let the wicked bee confounded, that make a mock thereat. In the experience of what is paſt, let vsus bee 2confirmed in what is behinde, & let this teach vsus to keepe 3faithfully lawfull promiſes to each other: and as the Lord 4is faithfull in his promiſes, ſo is hee alſo as faithful in his 5threatnings, and therefore let vsus feare him for the one, and p. 186louelove him for the other: and giuegive him both the glory of his mercy and his iuſtice.

Thus doth the righteous Lord make good his promiſe: but doth he not magnifie alſo his power in the means thereto? Behold through many croſſings and contrary blaſts, is this ſhippe brought to the hauen: and through many deſperate plunges is this poore captiue at length aduanced to greateſt dignity.2. Cor 4. 6. Lumene Tenebris.2 Cor 4:6 So doth the Lord worke by contrary means, that his power may be more manifeſt in making ſuch vnlikely meanes ſerue him. Whereas otherwiſe if the means were likely,Obſer. 124. The Lord accompliſheth his will by contrary meanes. he might be thought to ſerue them. That carnall confidence being confounded; faith may be encreaſed: And the Lord may hauehave the onelyonly glory of all his mercies, So, Atheiſme is wiſely conuinced, that imputes things to chance; ſeeing ſuch contrary meanes, implies extraordinary power and wiſdome in the effecting of things.

Vſe 1. Let vsus not therefore preſume, when the meanes are faireſt, neither let vsus deſpaire, when they are moſt croſſe 2and vnlikely, And though God vſe contrary meanes, becauſe 3he is able to tunic them to his pleaſure; Yet let vsus vſe 4the moſt likely, where it is left to our choice, and not deſpiſe the vnlikelieſt, when God impoſeth the ſame. Becauſe, as here the vnlikelieſt, will beſt trie our faith, ſo there the likelieſt do ſhew our obedience. 1. As being commanded of God, 2. and moſt agreable to reaſon fitteſt for our vſe, and moſt iuſtifiable in the iſſue whether we preuaile or no. Laſtly that Heſter, Obſ. 125. The greateſt afflictions profitable to Gods children to the obtaining of the greateſt bleſsings.by theſe manifold and ſtrange afflictions, is neceſſarily brought to ſo great preferment, we may here obſerue the great benefit of troubles: That they are means to worke out our greateſt happineſſe. So at that wil liue Godly muſt ſuffer affliction and by many tribulations we ſhall enter into the Kingdome of heauen. Becauſe afflictions do both purge out our droſſe,2 Tim 3. 122 Tim 3:12 and make vsus fit for mercy, Act 14Acts 14and they are good means ſo to humble vsus, y^t we may vſe happines aright. Eſay 1. 25Isa 1:25They keepe vsus from going a ſtray▪ that ſo we may come to the wiſhed hauen,Pſal. 66 11Ps 66:11 and they preſerue vsus from ſuch quickſands,Pſal. 11 9Ps 11:9 as would ſinke vsus in our iourney.

p. 187They trie vsus wiſely whether we will keepe the way or no, 5& proue very comfortable aſſociates, to preuent Idleneſſe, and 6weariſomnes. What ſhould I ſay? though the world account 7them euill, and to the wicked the proue no leſſe? yet to Gods 8Children, no bleſſing is well ſeaſoned without them: No bleſſing well obtained, but by their miniſtery.

Vſe 1. And therefore though the world …ee …ffended at the Croſſe of Chriſt, and eſteeme them curſed of God, 2that embrace the ſame;Ioh. 7.John 7 Yet let vsus take vp the corſſe, that ſo we may obtaine the crowne.2 ſ…m 2. Let vsus ſuffer with Chriſt, that ſo we may reigne with him. Let vsus looke for troubles, 3when we are about any good: let vsus diſtruſt our goodneſſe, 4if it be not ſeaſoned with trouble: and let this be our comfort, 5that our troubles are but ſhort, but our recompence is incomparable and ſhall neuer decay.

Thus Heſter is aduanced through great tribulation; and at length findes reſt in a moſt honorable eſtate.

As for her companions it is not ſo with them: Nay the King himſelfe he findes no reſt. And hath not Heſter alſo ſome affliction to ſeason her great proſperity? yea ſurely. The Kings affection growes could and his luſt enereaſeth. Verſ. 19.And therefore it followeth that The Virgins were gathered the ſecond time. To wit; for a new ſupplie of the Kings vnſatiable luſt. So vnreaſonable is luſt, ſo inconſtant carnall affection: ſo lawleſſe are the wicked: ſo ſhort is any happineſſe of perfection in this life.Obſ. 126. The luſt of the wicked vnſatiable. Thus Tyrants ceaſe not to moleſt, and ſpoile their ſubiects, that they at length may be iuſtly ſpoiled.

Vſe 1. And ſhall not the righteous feare euen greateſt happineſſe? ſhall they reſt vponupon it? ſhall they not hauehave 2their loynes girt to follow hard after the marke? Shall 3the wickeds torments hauehave an end, whoſe luſts are thus 4endleſſe? ſhall we not hate this fleſh that is ſo treacherous 5& deceitfull? ſhal we not be more watchful ouer our ſelues, and others, by how much our greateſt happines is ſubiect to ſuch foyles? ſuch is Mordecai. So it is here recorded of them.

p. 188Then Mordecay ſate in the Kings gate.

That is, he attended on his office in theſe times of Heſters aduancement, hee doth not preſently conceiue higher matters, and ſo neglect his ordinary calling (as ſome ambitious vpſtart would hauehave done:) buſying himſelfe to creepe to preferment; hauing ſo direct a meanes to raiſe him ſpeedily: but ſoberly he attends on his office; as▪ contented therewith: and for ſtate matters, he leaues them to higher powers: as for preferment, though the Lord had a purpoſe ſhortly to aduance him thereto, and therefore it might be thought ſome ſpirits might bee put into him to this end, yet wiſely doth this holy man put off the thought thereof, by accuſtoming himſelfe to his meane condition, and yet not without regarde of his aduanced Nephew; whoſe aduancement growing now iealous in regarde of this new gathering of Virgins, he is therefore ſayd further to ſit in the Kings gate, to hauehave intelligence thereof, and ſo to aduize and determine according. And ſurely in this example of Mordecay wee hauehave many notable points worthy our conſideration.Obſ. 127. Markes of Gods childrē to be contented with our callings, and walke faithfully therein.

One is that he is contented with his calling, and imployes himſelfe faithfully therein; a notable marke of the childe of God, who as he is commanded to abide in the calling wherevnto the Lord hath called him: as being fitteſt for him, and a tryall of his faith, to exerciſe his humilitie: ſo i… he to walke faithfully therein, as whereby he doth ſanctifie the ſame vntounto him, 1 Cor. 7.1 Cor 7ſhall ſee the bleſſing of God therein, and alſo make way thereby to a greater bleſſing.1. 2. 3. 4.

Vſe. 1. Which as it condemnes thoſe that will liue in no calling: Pſal. 128.Ps 128ſo it alſo reproueth ſuch as make choyſe of ſuch callings as can yeeld no contentment, Math. 25.Matt 25neither with any credit or 2comfort can we imploy our ſelues therein: and are not they 3alſo condemned hereby: y^• hauing holy & lawfull callings, 4do either baſely abuſe thē to y^e luſts of others, or elſe neglect 5thē vnneceſſarily to the ſatisfying of their own luſt? or els 6wickedly giuing thē ouer, or changing thē for others, ſurely though it be not ſimply vnlawfull to change our callings, p. 189if they will not maintaine vsus, or wee bee lawfully called to other more neceſſary, Callings how to be left and changed.fo… the Church or common-wealth, as being fitter. So we muſt looke that neceſſity and contentment, bee the meaſures of our maintenance, and that the meanes and manners of our further calling,Sect. 2. be direct and ſutable.Rules how to walke conſcionably in our callings.

As for our holy abiding in the calling vntounto which God hath called vsus, Certainely if wee doe but remember the account wee muſt make; and conſider the vncertaintie 2when wee ſhall be called thereto, if we looke for our reward 3from God, and make a good conſcience our rule to 4direct vsus therein; if ſingleneſſe of heart ſhall ſeaſon our 5paines: and caſting our care on God, be the caſting of our 6profit, if our buying to profit, bee not vnprofitable to the 7ſoule; if our ſtriuing for profit be not from a deſire of ritches; 8If prayer be the foreman of our ſhop, and thanksgiuing 9vntounto God, giuegive vp the account at night; if Chriſtian 10liberty, keepe the caſh, and con…edneſſe bee the Counter. 11Laſtly, if our laying out, bee without prodigalitie, and our 12receipts without couetouſneſſe; Theſe rules well obſerued, 13and practiſed of vsus; ſhall warrant vsus ſafe walking in theſe ſlippery places,1. Tim. 6.1 Tim 6 and be meanes to lay vp a good foundation for vsus, againſt the comming of Chriſt Ieſus.

A ſecond thing to be conſidered in Mordekay, is, that hee is not haſtie of preferment,Obſ. 128. nor ambitiouſlie ſeekes the ſame:Gods childrē not ambitious nor greedy of preferment Hee ſits in the Kings gate, hee is not fawning on Heſter, nor proaling for greatneſſe. A very true and liuely marke of the child of God: ſuch was Heſter (as we hauehave noted before): ſo was Dauid, Ioſeph, and the reſt: theſe looke higher then the earth, and therefore count theſe things 1as dung: theſe know the danger of climing high: and therefore 2they will not bee too haſtie to catch a fall. In a word; as the children of God know beſt how to vſe this aboundance, ſo of all other they hauehave leaſt need thereof: and therefore will they not bee too haſty to take this but then vponupon them, that when it is caſt vponupon them, they may 3be better able to beare it.

p. 1902Vſe. 1. Which being ſo, let haſty climers ſee what right they hauehave in heauen: let them wiſely conſider how they caſt 3off all-care of vertue, when once they begin to ride poſte 4to preferment As for Gods children let it ſuffice them, that they can clime no higher; and ſeeing they are haſtning to the citie which is aboue let them wiſely decline ſuch mountaines as may require ſome dangerous worſhip at their 5hands, and rather deſire to hauehave their life hid with Chriſt in God, ſo may they more freely imploy themſelues in the things which are aboue, which in the fleſh is kept low; & 6the pride thereof abaſed. And if they will be ſafely ambitious indeed, let them ſtriue to exceede in grace, and goe formoſt to heauen: here the more haſt the better ſpeed, and the ſeaner ſped the leſſer miſery, the longer happineſſe.

But why doth the holy Ghoſt here make ſuch preciſe mention of Mordecayes ſitting at the gate? no doubt though he attended his office, hee forgat not his daughter now being aduanced; and as a tender father, hath an eare after her; he ſits in the gate to hearken after her eſtate, and to aduize as he ſhould be called. So carefull ought fathers to bee for the good of their children. So is cur heauenly Father carefull and continually prouident ouer vsus But of this point heretofore. As alſo of the next verſe, concerning the concealing of Heſters nation and kindred, according as Mordecay had formerly aduized; onelyonly let vsus adde for the iuſtifying of this practiſe of Heſter thus much: that though ſhe lawfully conceales her country and nation to preuent danger,Obſ. 129. Aequiuocatiō damnable. yet is ſhe no warrant to Popiſh diſſembling▪ and damnable equiuocating: for ſhee conceales being 1not demanded; they beeing demanded corrupt the truth, by reſeruing truth in the minde, and vttering a lye 2with the mouth: Shee conceales for the ſafety of her ſelfe, and the Church of God, they keepe them-ſelues cloſe to 3deſtroy the Church of God. She is commanded by her Vnckle, who hath lawful power thereto: they take warrant from that man of ſinne, who hath none to giuegive. Thus is Heſter no warrant for Popiſh equiuocating, much leſſe p. 191will equiuocating warrant & maintaine Popery, The Lord will confound the lyar and the deceitfull man.

And ſeeing that Heſter now beeing ſo honorably maried,Obſ. 130. Honor doth not quench louelove in Gods children. doth yet ſo reſpect the aduice of her Vnckle, this may teach vsus, That as honour doth not quench louelove in the Sanits of God: ſo mariage alſo doth not take away obedience to Parents.

And ſurely how ſhould honour quench louelove in them, who the more pledges they hauehave of Gods louelove, the more are they prouoked to louelove one another▪ by how much they hauehave now better meanes to ſhow their louelove: the fire goe out when more wood is caſt on? and can there be 2a greater honor to honor, then to be kinde and affable to inferiors and how ſhall honour bee maintained without 3true louelove? and if wee louelove not may wee hope to bee beloued?

Vſe. 1. What comfort then can ſuch hauehave of their greatneſſe and honors, that place the glory thereof in deſpiſing inferiors, and giuing them all occaſions of hatted againſt them? what hope of continuance where louelove is not 2ſetled? Let Politicians looke to this, and ſee well to their ſtanding. Surely feare is but a ſorry keeper of honor, and iealouſie will hardly procure continuance thereto: let them hate, me, ſo they feare mee, is the voyce of tyrany: and if they hate, they will plotte deſtruction: this is the iuſtice of God. But of this point heretofore. Now.

Concerning the obedience that this gratious Queene performes to her father,Obſ. 131. Mariage takes not away obedience from parents. beeing maried away from him: this alſo teacheth vsus: that children are bound to obey their parents, and performe dutie vntounto them, though they be married from them, and ſo bee vnderunder an other gouernment. And the reaſon is, becauſe one of theſe gouernments is ſubordinate 1to the otber. & may both agree without impeachmēt to each other: yea obedience to either in their places, is that 2wherby they both are-happily maintained: & ſurely, if cō ſent 3of parents be moſt neceſſary to mariage, ought there 4not to be a reſpect ſtill to parents, euen when this bleſſing p. 192is enioyed. Thus did the Patriarches obey their Fathers, and the commandement of obedience to parents being morall, and perpetuall, doth it not bind vsus all our life long?

Indeed, Obſ. 132. Maraiage neeres bond then that o… nature.as the bond of mariage is neerer then that of nature; becauſe it both renewes the bond of nature, and aduanceth alſo nature to an honorable eſtate: yea reſemsbleth the moſt neere coniunction betweene Chriſt and his Church: ſo ought we rather to keepe this bond, then the bond of nature: if ſuch occaſion ſhould bee offered which ſhould be preferred: not that herein we breake the bond of nature, but wiſely eſtabliſh it, in ſubordinating the ſame to a more high and neerer bond. So is our Sauiour to be vnderſtood,Math. 19.Matt 19 when he faith: For this cauſe ſhall a man leaue Father and Mother a…d cleaue to his wife: meaning thereby, that mariage is a neerer bond, then that of nature: therefore of the two, rather cleaue to thy wife, if occaſion ſhould be offered whether ſhould be forſaken. The reſolution hereof ſtands in the conſideration of ſuch duties, as doe belong to theſe ſeuerall callings. Whereof ſome are common to both, others are peculiar to either. Thoſe which are common to both are either ſimply common to both, or reſpectiuely and comparatiuely. Thoſe which are ſimply and generally common to both callings, are 1. Reuerence, 2. LoueLove, and 3. Naturall affection &c. generally ſuch as ſimply reſpect their perſons, as they beare the Image of God, and reſemble his authoritie ouer vsus. Thoſe which are common to both with reſpect & prolation, are Obedience, Maintenance &c. which though we owe to both, yet are wee to performe them in their order. Obedience firſt to the husband before the Father, maintenance to the wife before the parents, yet herein alſo being lead by the chiefeſt bond. Galat. 6. 10Gal 6:10Namely to doe good eſpecially to the houſhold of faith: and wiſely diſcering the inuincibleneſſe of neceſſitie: not ſtanding on what want may bee, neither what ſuperfluouſb …e wee thinke fitte: but ſo depending on the prouidence of God: as not to neglect preſent reliefe, and therein to bee led by the neerer bond.

As for ſuch duties as are proper to either: ſuch as are p. 193due beneuolence, cohabitation, in the ſtate of marriage: theſe not concerning parents, may well be performed without impeachment to their honour. As likewiſe ſuch dueties as are not proper betweene the Father and the Sonne, may very well ſtand with the performance of ſuch as concerne the State of marriage: ſo that they all tend to the glorie of God, and principally intend the ſaluation of the ſoule.

Vſe 1. Which as it condemneth thoſe Parents that hauing aduanced their Children to this honorable Eſtate of marriage, do either baſely crouch vntounto, or by too much indulgence looſe the right in their Childrens ſubiection: So doth it conuince their extreame folly, which is the cauſe 2thereof; Namely, their parting with too great portions, or putting ouer their eſtates vntounto them: By which, it comes to paſſe, that their Children being puft vp, and hauing the ſword put into their hands, in ſteed of obedience to Parentes, do many times beate them with their owne rodde. And ſo by Gods iudgement prouoking hereby their Parents in the bitterneſſe of their ſoules, to curſing and complayning: the Lord heares their crie, and puniſheth ſuch rebellious plants, by rooting them out, and laying waſt their habitations.

And therefore alſo ſuch children may here learne their leſſon. As not ſo much to ſtand vponupon portion, or ſuch outward 3complement for their preferment: ſo to performe conſcionable obedience, while they are at home, ſo ſhall they not forget it when they are abroad.

And married folkes alſo, may here take out their leſſon, 4not to deſpiſe their aged Parents but rather now to performe them double honour, becauſe they were not onelyonly the cauſe of their beeing, but in placing them thus comfortably, a good meanes of their well being.

Yea they that are left of their Parents, to take their 5chance (as we ſay) and to get it out of the fire; theſe hauehave moſt cauſe to honour their Parents, becauſe as p. 194they can more ſufficiently requite them in that they were meanes of their being: So being now put to a more iuſt triall of the ſincerity of their obedience, and being certainely perſwaded; that as what was wanting in Parents hath beene ſupplied by the Lord: ſo his hand ſhall not be ſhortned if they enlarge theirs; euen where they hauehave no other cauſe but only for Gods ſake; when they can hope for no better pay-maiſter then God himſelfe.

And thus farre c…ncerning Heſters obedience.

But what? are all of Heſters minde to performe obedience to their ſuperiors: doth Ahaſhueroſh finde as faithfull ſubiects as Mordecai found faithfulneſſe in his aduanced Nephew? Surely no; Behold Heſter ſo highly preferred yet performes dutie to her Father, and yet ahaſhueroſh being chiefe Commander, cannot finde loyaltie in his ſubiects: but while he is wallowing in the fulneſſe of his pleaſures and bleſſing his ſoule in his ſecurity and falſe content, his life is ſought for by two of his attendants, euen thoſe that he appointed keepers of the doore, or of the entry, for his greater ſafety: ſo it followeth.

In thoſe daies when Mordecai ſate in the Kings gate, two of the Kings Eunuches Bigthan, Verſ. 21. 22.and Tereſh, which kept the doore were wroth and ſought to lay hands on the King Ahaſhueroſh &c.

In which words the ſpirit of Gods ſets downe a very ſeareful and yet vſual accident vntounto Tyrants: befalling this voluptious Prince in the glut of his pleaſures to ſauce the ſame, & ſo to make him more without excuſe: namely a deſperate treason entended by two of his ſeruants, whom he put in ſome truſt, tending to no leſſe, then the taking away of his life. Wherein we may obſerue theſe circumſtances.

1. The time when this Treaſon was committed: In thoſe dales. i. in thoſe daies of pleaſure and ſecurity, of rauiſhing and deflowring of Virgins, of enioying delight with the wronging and oppreſſion of others: then is this p. 195luxurious Prince ſummoned to his account, then is his life ſought for; then is he moſt in danger.

2. The perſon is deſcribed by whom the Treaſon is diſcouered, and the daunger preuented: who is Mordecai the ſeruant of GOD: he prooues the faithfull ſeruant to his Prince, he that is moſt deſpiſed, yet does moſt good.

Now Mordecai is here deſcribed. 1 by his faithfull attending on his office: he ſate in the Kings gate. 2. by his intelligence of the Treaſon. The thing was knowne to Mordecai. 3. by his wiſdome in the diſcouery of it. He told it vntounto the Queene Heſter and Heſter certefied the King thereof in Mordecaies name.

3. The parties are ſet downe by whom this treaſon is committed, and that. 1. by their number, they were two, Secondly by their quality, they were Eunuches. 3. by their names. they were called Bigthan & Tereſh. 4. by their office, they kept the doore. 5. by the occaſion mouing them thereto, they were (wroth.)

4. The Treaſon it ſelfe is layd open, Namely to laie hands on the King Ahaſhueroſh to take away his life.

5. The perſon is deſcribed againſt whom the Treaſon is committed, namely King ahaſhueroſh.

6. Here is ſet downe the diſcouery of the Treaſon, and that both by the Author as before, and manner of the diſcouery, namely inquiſition was made and it was found to bee ſo.

7. Here is commended vntounto vsus the execution of theſe Traitors. They were both hanged on a tree.

8. The holy Ghoſt concludes this hiſtory with a notable relation of wiſdome euen of thoſe Godleſſe men, namely it was written in the booke of Chronicles before the King, that ſo memorable a deliuetance might neuer be forgotten, and the ſeruice of Mordecai might hereafter be remembred.

Theſe are the particulars in this memorable accident. And 1. conceruing the Time when it fell out.

p. 196In thoſe daies] That is when the King is drowning himſelfe in pleaſure, and ſaith, ſoule take thy eaſe: Then doth the Lord raiſe ſome of his owne houſe to call him to an account,Pſ… 73 Obſ. 133. The proſperi… of the wicked ſlippery and ſubiect to great daungers.Ps 73 and to ſtrippe him in a moment of all his vaine confidence. So ſlippery places are great ones placed in: ſo doth the Lord ſauce their proſperity with ſuddaine and vnexpected dangers, to confound their carnall confidence therein; and thereby, to make their dotage much more inexcuſable that will build their houſe vponupon the ſands, which eueryevery blaſt will ouerturne.Math. 7Matt 7

11. Whence we may learne, not to giuegive the bridle to proſperity 2neither to ſet our hearts vponupon it: neither to enuie 3it in others, nor to be greedy of it ourſelues: but to feare 4in our ſelues, and ſeeke to eſiableſh it in our ſuperiors, by 5praier to God for them, and watchfulneſſe in our callings. 6So doth M…rdecai, he ſate in the Kings gate: he was watchfull in his calling and ſo the Lord honoreth him to be a meanes of the preſeruation of his Prince, Obſer. 134. God recompenceth the diligence and honeſt care of his children with good ſucceſſe.and liberty of his Church.

So acceptable are the labours of Gods Children in his eyes: ſo doth he win them in this life, to encourage vsus in well doing: and to ſeale vp vntounto vsus our eternall reward in the life to come.

1. Shall we then ſay it is in vaine to ſerue God,Malach 3.Mal 3 what profit 2ſhall we hauehave if we pray vntounto him? No let vsus reſolue that 3the Lord is faithfull, that he will not forget our labour, be it neuer ſo meane, and if we wll trie God further, we ſhall ſee greater things then theſe. Concerning faithfulneſſe in walking in our callings we hauehave ſpoken heretofore.

One thing we may here further obſerue from the end of Mordecaies ſitting at the Kings gate,Obſ. 135. God recompenceth out louelove to others aboundantly in our ſelues. which was to hearken how it fared with Heſter: now it went with thoſe that feared God: That he which was carefull for the good of others, eſpecially of ſuch as were of the houſe-hold of faith, hath this fruit of this his louelove redounding plentifully vponupon himeſelfe,Pro. 11. 17Prov 11:17 hee is mercifull to his owne ſoule; the LORD by this meanes offering this occaſion for his p. 197owne good and aduancement: ſo gracious is the Lord to recompence the louelove of his ſeruants, ſo thankefull is louelove to come but of our debt; ſo doth the Lord prouoke vsus hereby to mutuall louelove, ſo doth he fit vsus to perfection and glory.3 Col. 14

Vſe 1. And therefore, as he which will not be his brothers keeper, ſhall not keepe himſelfe: ſo let vsus in the name 2of God ſhew mercy to our ſelues, in being mercifull to others there is that ſcattereth and hath plenty, Pro. 11 Eccle 11. I.Prov 11Eccl 11and though we caſt our bread vponupon the waters, yet after many dates wee ſhall finde it againe.Obſ. 136. Surely Gods children in ſeeking the beſt bleſsings obtaine all the reſt.

But wherein is it, that the Lord bleſſeth Mordecai? he is better vntounto him, then he did deſire: his deſire only was that Heſter might be ſafe, and loe the Lord vſeth him as a meanes for the ſafety of the King too; yea this is turned about by the Lord as a meanes of his owne further good. So…b…untifull is the Lord to giuegive vsus more then we deſire: ſo when we ſeeke the principall, Math. 6. 33.Matt 6:33doth he caſt vponupon vsus other bleſſings alſo.

Vſe 1. Let not then the wicked bragge that they hauehave more then their heartes deſire:Pſa. 73 Pſal. 106 15 Pſal. 145.Ps 73Ps 106:15Ps 145 ſurely though they hauehave their deſire, yet God ſends leaneneſſe into their ſoules: but the Lord will fulfill the deſires of them that feare him, yea if they aske wiſdome, he will giuegive them both wiſdome,1 Reg. 3.1 Kgs 3 and ritches. Oh that we were wiſe to chooſe aright! that we would firſt ſeeke the beſt, that ſo 2we may hauehave all,Luk. 10. 42Luke 10:42 and no meruayle if the wicked looſe all that looſe the beſt.

Well thus you ſee Mordecai, is the happie man, that deliuers the Kingdome:Obſ. 137. Gods children the onelyonly …aithfull ſubiects. the righteous onelyonly are they that ſafegard Princes: they are the only faithful ſubiects: they onelyonly ſtand in the gappe to keepe out Gods wrath: they onelyonly hold GOD and his bleſſings to a ſinfull nation: none can be truly loyall but onelyonly ſuch.Eccle. 22 Eccle. 9 Moyſes. Exod. 32Sir 22Eccl 9Exod 32 For they obey for conſcience and not by conſtraint: they are led by louelove and not by feare. they onelie hauehave hope of the reward, and therefore can beare the burthen with patience, p. 198they omely feare GOD and therefore can truely reuerence men.

Vſe 1. Behold here then the cauſe of the deſolation of Kingdomes: Namely the want of thoſe that feare the 2Lord: See the policie of Satan in ſetting the world moſt againſt theſe that ſo the wicked may be the contriuers of there owne deſtruction, How vaine are Papiſts to boaſt 3of obedience: ſeeing as their profeſſion bewrayeth, that they feare not GOD: ſo their practizes do daylie diſcouer, that they will not obey men: How fooliſh is policie, 4to ſuggeſt Religion, to bee an enemie to States; and that theſe which beſt ſerue GOD, are leaſt ſeruiceable to men.

Surely let Princes ſecure themſelues in the ſafety of 5Gods Children: And let Ezechiel be a ſigne vntounto thoſe 6that hauehave their eyes in their heads. As for Gods Children let them comfort themſelues,Eecle. 12 though Amos muſt not 7come at Bethel: when all is peace,7. Amos. 2. Reg 3. 132 Kgs 3:13 yet Iehorem, ſhall ſeeke to Eliſha, When the Lord beginnes to roote. And happy is 8that Kingdome where ſuch Eliſhaes are. Yea more happie 9Sunamite that will ſtay the Prophet with her. Houſoeuer it is wiſdome is iuſtified of her Children, nay as you heard before, ſhe ſhalbe iuſtified of her enemies. But how comes Mordicai to vnderſtand the treaſon?

Surely the Lord will not hide from his Children what may concerne their good:Obſ. 138. Gods children skilfull in diſcouering of ſecrets. their apprehenſions are deepe, and obſeruations to purpoſe, their knowledge is extraordinary to boult out miſchiefes, their experience leads them to geſſe ſhrewedly at mens purpoſes, by their geſtures and countenance; their wiſdome enableth them by queſtions and conference to found the mindes of men. Howſoeuer it is. The thing was knowne to Mordecai. So happie are Gods Children by this meanes to ſecure others: ſo doth God trie the wiſdome of his Children by the iuſtice of ſuch dangerous ſecrets, for the better approuing and ſecuring of themſelues.

So did our gracious King admirably finde out the p. 199treaſon wrappēd vp very cloſely in a moſt vnlikely frame of words, and from a fooliſh ſence gathered a deſperate practize.

Vſe 1. Which though it doth not warrant preemption of extraordinary reuelations, nor ſuch ſuperſtitious conceipts 2in Popery for the intelligence of hidden matters, muchleſſe 3doth approue thoſe deuiliſh acts which make ſo many deceiuers, and falſe Prophets in the world. Yet it doth 4iuſtifie that priueledge, that doth onelyonly belong vntounto the Saints. Namely, that the ſpirituall man diſcerneth althings: not onelyonly concerning matters of ſaluation,1. Cor. 2.1 Cor 2 but euen ſo far alſo concerning this life,Amos 3.Amos 3 as Godlineſſe is profitable aſwell for this as for that other, And therefore as Princes may 5learne hence who to imploy in ſecrets; So may Chriſtians 6generally learne this leſſon.Iob. 33.Job 33 Namely in doubtful caſes and extremities, to ſeeke to ſuch interpreters, who can declare to man his righteouſnes, & diſcouer his dangers▪ that ſo he may auoide the one and embrace the other.

Well it pleaſeth the Lord to giuegive his ſeruant Mordecai notice of the treaſon:Obſ. 139. Treaſon not to be concealed. how doth he now behaue himſelfe in y^e diſcouery of this ſecret? Conceale it he muſt not, leſt he incur the penalty of the law, the ſafety of the Prince requires no leſſe: and the good of the offendors enioynes the ſame, that the body being puniſhed the ſoule may bee ſaued: and the common wealth alſo ſhall gaine hereby as being much ſecured in the detection of ſuch great miſchiefes.

Which as it iuſtifeth the equity of our law, which makes 1concealers of Treaſon, parties therein: So it diſcouers the 2notable deepeneſſe of Satan in carying theſe miſchiefes ſo cloſely that they may not be diſcouered. And hereby 3alſo ſubiects may wiſely learne, as to make conſcience of 4their company leaſt they heare what they would not, ſo to take heed, what they heare, and much more what they conceale, aſſuring themſelues, that as their is a time to couer the infirmities of their brethren, from God and men, ſo their is alſo a time to diſcouer their ſin, when the publique good requires it, and their priuate alſo will ſort therewith.

p. 200Treaſon then muſt be diſcouered: but yet waril… too: I muſt hauehave a good ground for what I report; leſt I be found to accuſe an innocent: and I muſt be able to vphold the diſcouery with ſome countenance and reputation, leaſt I be borne downe in the truth by the greatneſſe of the offendor

Behold here then the wiſdome of Mordecai. He relates not the matter himſelfe to the King, leaſt he might not be beleeued, or be out-faced by the countenance of the Traytors: and the King might be enraged,Obſ. 140. Treaſon to be reuealed in wiſdome. or deiected hereby: and ſo for this ill newes might giuegive him but ſorry recompence. But wiſely he goes to the Queene, with whom he 1was of more credit, and might more boldly reueale the 2matter vntounto her; whome he knew to be gratious wi…h her Lord, or els by this demonſtration of faithfulneſſe might renew her fauour againe. Wherein we may obſerue a manifold argument of Mordecaies wiſdome.Particulars of Mordecaies wiſdome herein.

1. He takes occaſion hereby to hauehave acceſſe to Heſter: and ſo in wiſe ſort to renue his ancient acquaintance with her. Wheras otherwiſe if he had had no other errant, his comming might either hauehave ſmelt of malepartneſſe, or of proud ambition.

2. He procures hereby credit to the Narration when it ſhalbe promoted, by honorable and acceptable a perſonage.

3. In this his wiſdome he renewes alſo his louelove to his beloued daughter, he enuies not her aduancement, and therefore will reueale the treaſon himſelfe to take away the thankes from her; but knowing that fauour was mutable and greatneſſe iealous; therefore he makes Heſter 4the meanes to acquaint the King therewith: both, that ſhe might take occaſion hereby, to performe her duetie to the King: and alſo might by this meanes renue his affections towards her. Yea Mordecai might ſafely hauehave alſo a further reach herein; namely to tire the ſincere affection of his daughter towards him, whether ſhe would make this an occaſion to his good and preferment, or p. 201rather take the glory thereof vntounto her-ſelfe.

Vſe. 1. Whereby we are taught, as rather then to conceale treaſon to reueale it our ſelues; yet if we may to vſe ſuch for the acquainting of the Prince therewith, as may procure more credit to the truth and leſſe daunger to our ſelues: Let not hope of reward here make vsus to haſty, leaſt the wrath of a King being the meſſenger of death, it light vponupon thoſe that are neereſt thereto: Oh how gratious is a word in due ſeaſon? how doth the author grace the narration: whereby we may further learne, to get true fauour to our perſons, by being gratious with GOD, and ſo ſhall we happily preuaile with men. And yet, are not to neglect the meanes of ſuch as are in fauour with men: ſo we vſe modeſty, and ſincerity therein: Let vsus eſpecially be carefull, not to abuſe them with rumours and falcehoodes: though Princes for a time are delighted with theſe; yet falce-hood will out and fauour will change: and ſo bring ſhame vponupon the ſuggeſtors, and reporters both.

Thus Heſter is alſo acquainted with this miſchiefe entended againſt her LORD. What doth ſhe now? doth ſhe conceale it as being ſicke of her Husband? diſcontent might hauehave miniſtred cauſe, and reuenge would hauehave furthered the miſchieſe. The incontinency of the King muſt needs breede iealoſie, and iealoſie is the rage of a man, therefore he will not ſpare in the day of vengeance; ſome would hauehave tickled, at this occaſion, to hauehave bene rid of a bad huſband, And luſt here would hauehave promoted the matter, by ſuggeſting hope o change, yea ambition too (by your leaue) would hauehave puft vp ſome ſuch Semiramis, that ſo ſhe might raigne alone. But gratious Heſter hath none of his fuell;Rom. 12.Rom 12 religion hath taught her to paſſe by wrongs, and to ouer-come euill with good: and therefore no doubt ſhe is glad by this occaſion to approue herſelfe vntounto her Lord; and thereby alſo to put him in mind of the vncertainty of his eſtate, and ſo to tender meanes of his reclayming and amendment, So ought a gratious wife to reſpect p. 202the well-fare of her husband, Obſer. 141. A good wife ought to watch …uer her husband & to informe him of ſuch daungers as are intented againſt him.and ſo did Abigail aduize her husband Nabal. So muſt they reueale vntounto their husbands what they know concerning there eſtates as knowing that they are one, and therefore both there good or euill doth go togeather, and that eſpecially hereby, they keepe themſelues in Gods fauour, and thefore though the husband ſhould take it ill, yet here is the comfort, the Lord commands it, and he will turne the heart of he husband, as ſhall be beſt for both.

Which as it condemneth thoſe murtherous wiues that do deſperatly ſeeke the life of their husbands either by direct engines, as poyſon, ſtrangling, &c. or by indirect meanes, as by faulſe accuſations, vnreaſonable braulings. &c. ſo it doth alſo condemne thoſe, that flatter them in their ſinne, and ſooth them vp in their wickedneſſe, and for feare of diſpleaſure dare not louingly reproue and admoniſh them therof. And here alſo my wiues learne for theſe inſtruction, to diſcharge their duties vntounto their husbands in giuing them notice of ſuch daungers, as they are ſubiectvnto, leauing the ſucceſſe to God,Ziba. who will reward there faithfulneſſe.

Thus Heſter diſcouers the Treaſon vntounto the King, But doth ſhe enuiouſly conceale the firſt author and ſo take the credit to her ſelfe? no it is ſaid ſhe certifies the King thereof in Mordecais name, i. ſhe ſignifies vntounto the King that Mordecai was he firſt diſcouerer; that ſo the Prince might take notice of his faithfulneſſe, and God might vſe this as a meanes for the aduancement of his ſeruant, in conuenient time.

Thus ought the Saints of God to right each others: in acknowledging there good parts,Obſ. 142. Gods children ought to approue and promote each other in their weldoing. yea in promoting the ſame: eſpecially they that are already promoted leaſt they ſhould appeare to doubt of the worth of their preferment, which being communicated, if it be good is thereby much bettered and encreaſed, which is herein ſecured that it hath more ſupporters: yea is the more honored, in doing honour to others.

p. 203Vſe. 1. Where is then their religion that detract from each other, where is their louelove, that thinke they do God good ſeruice in faulſe accuſations, and wrong …urmiſes, how farre are theſe from aſcribing vntounto the Saints what is there due which take that from them which they cannot giuegive them? Oh what folly is that policy which ſeekes to aduance it ſelfe by depriuing of others, what trechery that louelove which will aſcribe to others what is none of theirs;crying peace peace while it ſerues there owne turne, but if a man put not in their mouthes they prepare warte againſt him,Mich. 2. 6.Mic 2:6 Oh what ſhall become of them that iuſtifie the wicked for a reward,Eſay 5.Isa 5 and take away the righteoueſſe of the righteous from him? The ſeruant of Chriſt Ieſus is taught here an other leſſon:Pſal, 15. Namely not to ſlaunder his neighbour, nor falſely to accuſe him, but as he acknowledges GOD, ſo to giuegive teſtimony to his gifts, that the good may be encouraged, and …OD may bee gloryfied.

Laſtly in that treaſons,Obſ. 143. Gods prouidence and wiſdome moſt eminent in the diſcouery of treaſons. leſuits in the poulder tr…aſon. and moſt ſecret wickedneſſe, are thus detected and met withall, this doth notably iuſtifie the diuine prouidence in ouerruling ſuch euils, and iudging the ſame, and magnifieth alſo Gods wiſdome, in confounding the policy of the wicked, who by their ſecrecy in euill, promiſe to them-ſelues good ſucceſſe therein, whereby growing confident, and inſolent againſt the Lord who ſay they ſhall ſee them? who can preuent them? they are iuſtly met withall in their ſecurity either their owne, tonges ſhall fall vponupon them or the foules of Heauen, ſhall reueale the miſchiefe, or the wiſdome of the Saints ſhall diſcouer the ſame. All which did moſt notably appeare in he diſcouery of the Poulder treaſon, and ſo doth exceedingly magnifie the truth of Gods prouidence therein.

VſUs. 1. Which as it iuſtifieth the truth of the word, that ther is nothing ſo ſecret, which ſhall not be manifeſted: ſo it is a notable leſſon to all clookers of ſinne, not to truſt to ſuch clokes of ſhame for hiding of ſinne, but rather to p. 204conſider,Pro. 28.Prov 28 that as he that hideth his ſinne ſhall not proſper in this life, by reaſon of the hell of conſicence attending the ſame,Num. 33.Num 33 or elſe, in that the Lord will finde him our therein by ſome temporal iudgement: ſo ſhall he for all theſe things, come to iudgement, Ecel. 11.and then the ſecrets of all hearts ſhall be made manifeſt, that eueryevery one may receiue, according to his worke: And when the ſlieſt treaſons, & horible murthers ſhalbe wonderfully diſcouered, tremble thou Atheiſt at the prouidence of God,Pſa, 14. and though thou ſaieſt but in thy heart, that there is no GOD, yet remember, that this thought of thy heart, ſhall one day be diſcouered, yea the actions of thy life ſhall caſt the dart of thine Atheiſme in thy face, and reioyce not,Letter to the L. Mounteagle O thou enemy in thy malice againſt the Saintst, boaſt not, that thou wilt do them miſchiefe, and they ſhall not know who hurt them: behold, the Lord is their keeper, and he that toucheth them, toucheth the apple of his eye, and canſt thou come ſo neare God, and hope not to be met withall? Let this leſſon all ſorts, to hauehave the Lord alwaies before them, ſo ſhall they either bee kept from running into ſinne, or if they fall, by the gratious preſence of the LORD be rayſed vp againe.

Thus hauehave we heard, of the meanes and manner that God vſeth for the diſcouery of this treaſon. Now let vsus a little further conſider the treaſon it ſelfe: And .i. Obſerue we the authors of it.

It is they were two of the Kings Eunuches.Obſer. 144. Traitors vſe to band themſelues together for the accompliſhment of their miſchiefe.

Behold how ſinne delights in company: eſpecially treaſon will not be alone; the fact is horrible, and therefore company muſt needs be had to appeaſe and to embolden to the miſchiefe trembling conſcience, The attempt is deſperate, and therefore many hands muſt ioyne therein; that where one miſſeth the other may hit, And the Lord herein hath an ouerruling hand: that where one could keepe counſell, by company it ſhall be reuealed, for that carnall wiſdome might proue it owne confuſion; do bretheren in euill further each others puniſhment? ſo was p. 205the multitude of conſpirators in the Poulder treaſon a ſpeciall occaſion of the diſcouery thereof,Conference betweene Hall and Garnet in the Tower. Let ſinners learne heare to take heede of y^e multitude, let them not hope by company in ſinne to carry it more cloſely, or accompliſh it more deſperately; 1nay let them feare whatſoeuer may ſtrengthen and countenance ſinne, becauſe as repentance is hereby hindred, 2and ſecurity encreaſed, ſo vengeaunce is iuſtly haſtened 3by the ſame. Surely as fellowſhippe in euill is a note of ſinnes wiſdome and confuſion: ſo not to communicate of each others goodneſſe, is a marke of it vnſoundneſſe: And therefore let not goodneſſe dwell alone either in ſingularity or weakneſſe, let it not feare infection, Luk. 23. 32.Luke 23:32nor couer it worthyneſſe, Heb. 10. 23.Heb 10:23but let thoſe are conuerted, conuert their bretheren, and let not the fellowſhip of the Saints at any hand be forſaken: but let vsus ſupport one another by louelove,Gal. 6. 1.Gal 6:1 that grace may be the ſtronger: and let vsus take vntounto us him that is weake, Eph. 4.Eph 4least we alſo be tempted, labouring to keepe the vnity of the ſpirit in the bond of peace, that ſo we may grow vp together, As heyres of the bleſſing.

Thus we ſee the number of theſe Traytors. Now let vsus a little farther conſider of their condition; it is here ſaid, they were

Eunuches, that is, they were ſome honorable perſonages attending on the prince,Obſe. 1. …6. Great ones vſually actors in treaſons, and why. not gelded perſons as their name may ſeeme to imply: but becauſe Eunuches, did ſometime attend in ſuch places, therefore it came to paſſe, that all which were of any honorable imployment about the Prince (whether they were gelded or no) were called Eunuches.

By which it appeareth, what condition of men are vſually actors in treaſons; namely, not baſe & inferiour perſons, whoſe ſpirits are deiected, and hopes lie groueling on the ground: But men of ſort and quality, ſuch as hauehave aſpiring ſpirits, and therefore will be leaueling at the higheſt, and what more ready then treaſon, to ſerue their ambition? ſuch (I ſay) as by reaſon of their credit and acceſſe hauehave beſt p. 2063opportunity, to committee ſuch hidden miſchiefes: Yea ſuch as go not without their diſgraces and ſnubbes from iealous and licentious Princes, and therefore are prouoked to be 4auenged of them. And(which is the moſt materiall of all) Such as hauehave beene imployed by wicked Princes, in treacherous and vile oppreſſions of the ſubiect; and therefore by the iuſtice of God, do many times practiſe their leſſon 5vponupon their teachers, and ſuch as by reaſon of natures gifts and the abuſe thereof are giuen vp to commit all ſinne, euen with greedineſſe; and therefore no maruaile, if they 6will make no bones of this ſinne, by which they may hope to hauehave a protection for all the reſt: And yet are heerein met withall, by the diuine iuſtice, who many times turnes this ſinne to be pay-maiſter for all the reſt; as bringing to ſhame and confuſion the Authors thereof.

Vſe▪ 1. Which as it condemneth thoſe, that determine of ſinne by the condition of the perſon, implying that onelyonly baſe and ignoble mungrells doe conceiue ſuch monſtrous ſinnes, as for generous mindes and heroicall ſpirits it comes not once into their thoughts to commit ſuch outrage: whereas we ſee the ſchoole of Rome hath ſet downe this as a marke of the moſt heroicall ſpirit, to riſe vp againſt the Prince; and experince hath made it too apparant in the poulder Treaſon: howſoeuer Popery would hauehave daubed 2the matter: So here generally the beſt priuiledges of nature are condemned: as beeing the moſt deſperate inſtruments of ſinne, if they be not ſanctified by grace. And therefore 3here men of reputation may wiſely learne their leſſon, to ſeaſon their gifts with good education and religion: that ſo they may be kept within the bondes of obedience to God 4and man. And Princes alſo may learne here their leſſon; as not to abuſe their attendants. to the hurt of others: ſo 5not to giuegive them iuſt cauſe of diſcontent: Yea all fleſh may here learne it leſſon: Mich. 7.Mic 7not to truſt in a friend;not to put confidence in a Councellor. No not to truſt the wife that lies in the boſome▪ otherwiſe then to ſubordinate all to God: and for his ſake to renounce them all: ſo ſhal they be faithfull p. 207vntounto vsus, ſo farre as ſhall make for our good, and though they bee vnfaithfull, yet the infidelity of men ſhal not make the faith of God of none effect.

But let vsus conſider a little further of the name and office of theſe Eunuches. For their Names, they are called Bigthan & Tereſh: by which it ſeemes that one of them, namely Bigthan was ſent with others,Obſ. 147. God makes inſtruments of ſin rods to puniſh the ſame. when the King was in his cuppes, to conuay Vaſhty the Queene to the preſence of the King. And beholde hee is now one of them that cal the King to an account for that his notorious wrong done vntounto the Queene. So iuſt is the Lord to make inſtruments of ſinne, weapons to puniſh the ſame: to the magnifying of his prouidence and reformation of y^e ſame, or elſe to make him more without excuſe, to his greater confuſion: but of this heretofore.

The Office that the holy Ghoſt aſcribes to theſe Eunuchs, though their name do imply it to be diuers, yet both concurre in this,Obſ. 148. In greateſt truſt greateſt Treaſon. that it was an Office of ſome truſt: and thence we may learne not vnprofitably, that Treaſon is in truſt. Thoſe that are moſt in place of truſt, they proue many times the greateſt traytors. becauſe theſe, being Princes creatures (as they call them) new molded to their bent, the more confidence is hereby put in them, the leſſe ſuſpition there is of them. Wher-vponupon it commeth to paſſe, y^t ſecurity is bred in the Prince, & God he is robd of his honour: the ſubiect he is puft vp, and ſo prouoked to miſchiefe the Lord he avengeth his glory in giuing him vp to his luſts, & the ſecuritie of his maiſter, cries aime therto.

Which as it condemneth that complaint of fleſh & blood, 1that they are deceiued in thoſe whom they out moſt in truſt, becauſe them-ſelues are the cauſe thereof: ſo it doth 2not excuſe ſuch as are put in truſt, becauſe their ſinne is the greater, by how much the more they were the better thought off.

And yet Princes, alſo are not to be excuſed neither: 3becauſe it is much in them to preuent this miſchieſe. And therfore ſeeing there muſt be ſome, whom neceſſarily they p. 208muſt truſt:Princes to preuent treachery. That they may not be deceiued by them: Let them make God their confidence, by keeping them-ſelues in the bounds of his prouidence: as walking faithfully in their callings, and ſo bring good examples to their ſubiects, not being cauſeleſly iealous of them, nor eſtranging our ſelues from them: But vſing them ſo, that they may rather ſee they hauehave need of them, then that Princes hauehave indeed other need of their people, the what may as well concerne their good: tempering their louelove with Maieſtie, and their indignation with clemency. And though they ought to deſpiſe none, yet not raſhly admitting each one into their ſeruice before they hauehave good approbation of his zeale and loyalty, and therein alſo to make ſome tryal before they truſt, eſpecially concerning their perſon or the good of their Kingdome: And when they truſt, yet to keepe ſuch ſecrets to them-ſelues, as are not fit for them to know, nor ſafe for Princes to reueale (I meane) theſe Miſteries of gouernment, which extraordinarily, God reueales vntounto them. And when they hauehave truſted, yet not further to rely thereon, Then conſidering they now ſaile (as it were) in another bottome, ſuch as at leaſt is apt to leake, they be ſo far from remitting of their care, or yeelding to ſecurity (as the manner is) as that now rather they ought to hauehave a more vigilant eye vntounto the maine, and in all humility to caſt their care vponupon God. As knowing that the right end of the ſubiects imployment by the Prince in matter of truſt, is not to take away the care of the Prince, as if then there were no need, but rather to ſettle it more conſtantly on God: becauſe as it will be imputed vntounto the Prince for iealouſie, if hee will not truſt his ſubiect: and therefore he muſt needs put ſome in truſt leaſt hee diſcouer feare of his owne eſtate, which doth proceed from bad deſert: So wil it imply further a diſtruſt there, where there is no apparant cauſe, and ſo happily prouoke to giuegive iuſt cauſe of diſtruſt.

And therfore ſeeing thoſe whom he muſt vſe, he muſt alſo truſt, & yet in truſting of them, both giuegive them occaſion p. 209to thinke the Prince hath need of them, as alſo, that they are well conceiued and approued off: leaſt heereby ſuch might either grow to worke upon their Princes ſecrets, to keep the ſtate in awe, and thereby to get the head; Very neceſſary it is, that as Princes be wiſe, what they commit in truſt, ſo they be not ſecure in the iſſue of it: but rather watch dilligently ouer the truſt committed, and to keepe the bridle in their owne handes, by putting it wiſely to God. Whereby it ſhall come to paſſe: that the ſubiect hereby perceiuing that he is rather honoured in the caſe committed, then the Prince diſburthend of the care of his calling, will more faithfully behaue him-ſelfe to giuegive ſound contentment: And ſo the Prince being more ſecured by the loyalty of his ſubiect, will bee more ſtill prouoked to reſt vponupon God: In whoſe hands ſeeing the hearts of all men are; therefore hee cannot better ſecure the iſſue of his affaies, then by reſigning the ſame into the gratious hand of God.

Thus wee ſee who they are that intend this miſchieſe againſt y^• King. Obſe. 146. Anger incident to Courtiers.But what might the cauſe be that moued them thereto?

It followeth: they Were wroth; ſome-what had diſpleaſed them: either they were not preferred according to their deſarts and expectation, or they wanted their ſtipend, according to their places, or they were offended for the diuorcement of Vaſhty; or they were ſo full fedde, they muſt needs bee kicking. So apt are ſuch ſtallions to fume and champe the bridle: So truly is anger the complement of Courtiers: as whereby they ſhow their ſpirits and vphold their credits; whereby they obtaine their deſires and put of their dangers: Whereby they dare their enemies, and hold their friends. By it they iuſtifie their wrongs, and pay their debts. Which as it is no warrant for meane ones to giuegive the reyne to this ſinne, becauſe the greater flies will breake through, when the leſſer are intangled. And if it were not, yet we muſt liue not by examples but by lawes: ſo let euen the greateſt make this account▪ that the more they ryot in this ſinne without concealement, the deeplyer are they p. 210engaged in the ſight of God: and the more their ſinne ſerues there turne in this life, it doth the more make them indebted to it: and when they hauehave not where withall to pay, they muſt lie by it in hell, till they hauehave anſwered the vttermoſt farthing. Thus wee ſee great ones will eaſely be prouoked:Obſ. 150. Anger the occaſion of out ragious ſinne and particularly of treaſon. and ſome ſuch cauſe there might be of this wrath of theſe Eunuches, but whatſoeuer the Sire was, the baſtard is anger, and rage likely is the mother of treaſon and outragious ſinnes, becauſe as it baniſheth reaſon, and ſo giues way to all vnrulineſſe ſo …it ends in malice, and malice will hauehave bloud; yea ſuch is the progreſſe of this ſinne of anger, that it will not ſpare it ſelfe to hurt another, yea none can be priuiledged frō the furious man he makes no difference of perſons, all cauſes are a like.

VſUs, 1. Which as it condemneth natures prophets, that determine anger to be the whet ſtone to couradge,Obſ. 151. Princes marks of treaſon and rebellion. and ſo giuegive way vntounto it as a paſſion of credit and no ſmall aduantage, ſo we may learne to ſuppreſſe the ſame, being fully perſwaded, that as the wrath of man cannot fulfill the will of God, ſo much more will it make vsus vnſeruiceable to men. The way to doe this we hauehave taught before.

Well theſe Eunuches are enraged, and whome is it that they ayme at? Surely no meaner a perſon then the King: Kings are the markes for eueryevery one to ſhoot at. They are faire markes that may be eaſily diſcerned, and many times they are foule markes to betray Gods glory, and therefore he iuſtly giues them vp to be betrayed of their ſubiects yea they make buts of their people, and ſo the arrowes ſome-times rebounds on them-ſelues, ſo doth GOD tranſpoſe ſcepters without the ſhedding of innocent blood ſo when conſcience will not; euen by this feare of danger doth the Lord keepe wicked Princes in awe, that ſo they may be ſeruiceable to others, thought it tend to their further condemnation, ſo doth hee make great one more inexcuſable, that will build their neſt on ſuch ſandy foundations.

p. 211Vſe. 1. And therefore, as this may humble Princes, in the greateſt high of their happineſſe ſo it may comfort them to, that they have right in an other happineſſe; becauſe this preſent, is ſo vncertaine and ſlippery. And ſeeing by the tickliſhneſſe of the preſent, the Lord prouokes them to aſpire to the certaine happineſſe, and yet ſo, as euen by this tottering ladder they muſt climbe thereto; Oh let them learne to ſanctifie this their preſent eſtate vntounto them, that it may ſo farre be ſecured, as may further them to heauen: let them giuegive God the glory, and maintaine peace among Men by promoting his Ghoſpel, and in ioyning obedience to the ſame. So did he preſerue good Elizabeth from a world of treaſons: ſo hath he preſerued our annoynted from many conſpiracies, ſo great ſhall bee the glory of the King in the ſaluation of the Lord.

Thus we hauehave heard the ſumme of the treaſon, now let vsus further conſider the proſecution of the diſcouery thereof.

We hauehave heard heretofore, that Mordecai was the man that had the firſt inkling of it: hee relates it wiſely to Queene Heſter, and Hester to the King: what now doth the King in this caſe? doth he preſently beleeue it though the reporter were of credit? ſurely No: as Princes are not to be credulous, eſpecially of ſuch reports, becauſe they may wrong themſelues in diſcouering a needleſſe feare, yea they may wrong the innocent, who happily may be miſreported: yea though he were guilty yet might they wrong him to, if they proceeded to cenſure before the matter be throughly ſifted: So euen this heathen Prince keepes decorum herein: ſo it followeth. That after inquiſition made when the thing was found out.

Behold here the equity of this heathen Prince,Obſer. 152. Sinne not to be puniſhed before it be conuinced. Gen. 10.Gen 10 in a caſe of life and death ſo neerely concerning him-ſelfe, and the preuention wherof conſiſted in ſpeed, yet is he not haſty to credit a report, muchles to proceed againſt a ſuſpected offender before the offence be manifeſted & conuinced▪ So doth the Lord proceed in iudgement: ſo is innocency preſerued, whē only accuſation goes not currant; ſo is authority p. 2123iuſtified: when ſinne is thoroughly convinced: and the offender happily prepared to repentance. Exod. 23.Exod 23Doth our law condemne 4any before his cauſe be heared?

Vſe. 1. By which wee may learne,Leuit. 19.Lev 19 as not to beleeue reports, without due inquiſition;Iohn, 7. ſo to condemne ſuch raſh iudgements,Act, 23. which execute in the morning, and then fitte vponupon him in the afternoone.Feſtus. Pilatus. I remember policy doth aduize in theſe caſes of treaſons to ſtrike while the yron is hotte if the offender bee ſo mighty, as that he bee able to out-dare the law (as the caſe of y^e Guiſe was vnderunder Henry y^e third,) here ſaith wiſdome, its good cutting him off firſt, & then declare the cauſe for iuſtifying of ſuch execution. And ſurely if the offences of ſuch great ones bee dangerous and notorious, ſeeing the apparantneſſe thereof is a ſufficient conuiction of the ſame, it many not be euill pollicie by ſuch authority, as we may priuately cutte him off, eſpecially if he bee of power to preuent publique iuſtice. So doth God iuſtly ſtrike before the fault bee publiſhed: and ſo may earthly Princes proceed to execution, when the inquirie and diſcouery of the fact may hinder the ſame, and indanger their eſtates. OnelyOnly herein they muſt be carefull, not to pretend luſt for a law, and to make their wills a rule of it righteouſneſſe. This is a prerogatiue w^t belongeth onelyonly vntounto God. As for worldly Princes, they muſt dye like men; and therefore the liues of men ought to be pretious vntounto them, as they will anſwer an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. And therefore as ſuſpition muſt not blind them, or reports miſleade them, to call the life of their ſubiects into queſtion; ſo when reports come to them,Ierem, 41. lette them not be ſecure. It is good to feare 1when they ſee but a ſmoake, leaſt Gedaliah looſe his life, by contemning the danger: And if raking vp the aſhes they diſcouer the fire, and ſo the fact proue cleare and euident, let them ſecure them-ſelues, and deliuer the innocēt; by puniſhing the offender, according to y^e quality of his ſinne. So doth this heathen Prince very maturely proceed to execution. The thing being found out ſaith the holy Ghoſt p. 213they were both hanged one a tree. A fit recompence for Traitors, and a iuſt fruit of their ſinne, whoſe end is death,Obſ. 153. Traytors are executed for their outragious offences. and whoſe wages is damnation. And a very ſafe courſe to be taken eſpecially with ſuch offenders, whoſe ſparing as it doth hazard the life of the Prince, ſo it endaungers alſo their owne ſoules, yea encourageth the wicked, and diſcourageth 1the loyall, breedes confuſion of lawes and is indeed 2the very ſcorne of iuſtice, and gappe to all licentiouſnes: 3Whereas by puniſhment of notorious offenders: the lawes 4are eſtabliſhed, iuſtice is honored, and iniquity bridled, the wicked 5humbled, and God himſelfe glorified. So Adoni…ah being 6ſpared will rebel againe, but when he is cut of, the throne 7wilbe eſtabliſhed.1 Reg. 12.1 Kgs 12

Vſe Oh that Princes would looke to it hauehave they care to hauehave compaſſion on themſelues, while though ſoole-hardines, or fond clemency, they ſpare ſuch deſperate enemies that treaſon might hop headles and ſo loyalty might be ſecured? Surely, though there is difference to be made in a multitude of offenders: yet is the ſafety of the prince more pretious then the liues of ten thouſand. And better it is, to cut of many rotten branches, then endanger the roote, and hinder the fruit. It is but cruel mercy, that hazards y^e ſoule, and very fooliſh pitty to nouriſh a viper in my boſome, which hereafter may ſting me. But the King of Kings ſhall teach them true wiſdome, that if they be wiſe they wilbe wiſe to themſelues. Al the doubt may be concerning, theſe Eunuchs whether they deſerued this hainous puniſhment or no,Obſ. 154. The intent of treaſon diſcouered, is to be puniſhed. ſeeing they miſſed of their purpoſe, & were preuented therein. The King had no hurt; and why then ſhould they be touched?

Surely though purpoſes are ſinnes in the ſight of God: yet onelyonly actions may ſeeme liable to the cenſure of men. Who onelyonly can iudge by the out-ſide, and ſo may proceed accordingly: how ſtands it then with equity that theſe mens purpoſe is puniſhed: eſpecially ſeeing in other offences the intent is not taken hold of: ſo that the act by any meanes be hindered, or preuented: Indeed, if we do conſider p. 214ſinne in it owne deſart, ſo not onelyonly the act but the purpoſe, yea, the very thought it ſelfe deſerues eternall puniſhment: but if we meaſure ſinne by the ſubiect wherein it is, then ſeeing God hath reconciled our perſons vntounto him in Ieſus Chriſt and will remember our iniquities no more to puniſh them euerlaſtinglv: ſo neither doth he to any other end chaſtize them in this life, then may make for the good of the ſinner & the glorie of his name.

And to this end ſerue the lawes of men: Which intending the ſaluation of the ſinner in the inflicting of puniſhments: as they cannot reach to the thought (which is only Gods prerogatiue) ſo neither do they otherwiſe faſten on the purpoſe then for a greater good: vſually they are confined to the outward action, and ſo only cenſure that: and yet therein alſo, are ſo farre ouerruled by the condition of the offendor, as to admit qualification for his peculiar good: that if clemencie be fitter for him, it is not to be denied, if ſeuerity be neceſſary, yet with this intent; that by the diſtruction of the body, the ſoule may be ſaued.1 Cor. 5.1 Cor 5

The intent then of the law being the good of mankind: herevpon it followeth,Reaſons why the purpoſe of treaſon is to be puniſhed with death. that though other ſinnes be only cenſured by the act, as Murther Theft &c. Yet Treaſon is to be cenſured by the intent; Becauſe though it hath not taken effect, yet being a ſinne ſo dangerous both to the committer and the Kingdome: ſome ſuch 1courſe is to be taken by the wiſdome of the law: that ſuch deſperate miſchiefes might be vtterly preuented: how ſhall that be done?

Surely, by inflicting the puniſhment vponupon the intent: that ſo the intent being met withall, the act may be preuented, and all hope cut off from being pardoned for the act: ſeeing, the very intent diſcouered, is ſo deadly to the 2Author. And doth not the general good neceſſarylie force this ſeuerity? ſeeing the ſuppreſſing of the Prince, is the ruine of many thouſands? yea threatens the deſtruction of 3the whole common-wealth? What ſhould I tell you of p. 215the calling of the King, doth he not repreſent the perſon, and adminiſter the office of God himſelfe, who if he puniſh the thought of the heart, as being his prerogatiue, why may not the Prince alſo puniſh the intent, ſeeing he is Gods vice-ge…ent ſo to meet with ſinne as that the holy purpoſe of the Lord in his ordinance might be beſt accompliſhed, to the good of the ſinner, and ſafety of gouerment? And therefore ſeeing intent of treaſon pardoned, doth but giuegive further breath thereto, becauſe ambition is vnſatiable, and ſuch ſinners otherwiſe incorrigible, then by taking them in the blade, and ſo cutting them timely off. Is it not more then time to preuent ſuch deſperate onſets by iuſt ſeuerty, rather then to giuegive way through impunity to farther miſchiefe? And ſhall the Traitor thinke he 4hath wrong done vntounto him hereby? where thought of the leaſt ſinne deſerues eternall vengeance if he be met withal by temporall iuſtice for the determinate purpoſe of a capital crime, which may alſo be a meanes for the ſauing of his 5ſoule? And what though he faile in the execution of his miſchiefe? ſhall the Magiſtrate therefore faile in the execution of iuſtice, ſeeing there was no good will wanting ſufficient to diſcouer the daungerouſneſſe of the perſon; 6and ſo in wiſedome to hauehave him cut off? And may not the purpoſe of ſuch euils proue very hurtfull to gouerment? may it not breed Iealouſie therein, and imputation of ſome bad deſart? may it not worke deſperateneſſe in looſe gouernors and boldneſſe in the like ſinnes?

Let this be a leſſon for preuenting of ſuch purpoſes, and the Lord giuegive vsus vnderſtanding in all things.

Thus are theſe rebellious ſeruants iuſtly met withal:Obſ. 155. God vſually meeteth with treaſons in this life. And ſhall diſobedient ſeruants ſcape vnpuniſhed? had Zimri peace which ſlew his maiſter? did the ſeruants of Ammon carry their treaſon clearely?

Surely the Lord is righteous and admirable in his iuſtice, though ſome ſinnes eſpecially are reſerued to the eternall vengeance, yet hee will puniſh this ſinne of Treaſon euen in this life, becauſe it ſo nerely toucheth his p. 216Maieſty, and chalengeth his prouidence.

Vſe. And therefore let not Traytors hope to go vnpuniſhed,1 Rex. 2. though they ſcape at one time,Obſer. 156. God puniſheth euill ſeruants. yet their ſinne will find them out in the end,2 Reg. 11.2 Kgs 11 and Ioab ſhal be taken; when his iniquity is at y^e full. And are not diſobedient ſeruants here alſo iuſtly met withall? yea ſurely, Iehezi ſhall hauehave aleproſie, and theſe rebellious ſeruants do meet with a halter.

Vſe. 1. Which as it may leſſon Maiſters, to watch ouer their ſeruants, leaſt by diſobedience they fall into theſe trobles, for which they are like to giuegive an account, though in the 2meane time the ſeruant ſmart for it; ſo let ſeruants here learne to performe obedience for conſcience ſake, that ſo looking for their reward from God, and not form man, they may not be driuen to ſuch deſperate courſes. And as they muſt looke for ſuch meaſure, if they breake out into 3ſuch preſumptious ſins: So on the contrary, let good ſeruants be aſſured, that the diligent ſhall ſtand before Princes, they ſhall not want euen plentifull recompence.

Thus the traitors are executed, and Ahaſhueroſh is preſerued for the good of the Church,Obſ. 155. Gods Children not vnthankfull for ſuch kindnes as they receiue. and who made the inſtrument thereof but poore Mordecai, and gratious Heſter: two ſeruants of the moſt high God, do this good ſeruice to their Prince. And ſo is Ahaſhueroſh aboundantly recompenced for all his louelove to Heſter: he hath his life giuen him for a prey: ſo do the wicked fare the better for the elects ſake, ſo do the Children of God recompence plentifully the good that is done vntounto them. Ebedmelech the Black-a-moore ſhal hauehave his life giuen him for a prey: and the Sunamite ſhall receiue her ſonne to life for receiuing the Prophet, and Obea Edoms houſe ſhall proſper while the Arke remaines there, Godlineſſe is neuer vnthankefull to the embracers thereof; her enemies fare the better for her, and ſhal not much more her friends? ſhe hath the promiſe of all bleſſings, and ſhall ſhe not make them good? he preuailes with God, and ſhall ſhe not preuaile with men? ſhe brings peace whereſoeuer ſhe comes, and in her pleaſure is life: ritches and honor, bee at p. 217her right hand, yea durable ritches and righteouſneſſe.

Why are then the children of God counted ſuch trouble-houſes, could the world indure were it not for them? 2are not the wicked preſerued becauſe of them? Oh let vsus 3make much thē of ſuch profitable gueſts: let vsus learn to be 4thankefull of them in this point: lette vsus take hold of the 5ſkirt of him that is a Iew, and reſolue to go with him, becauſe the Lord is with him. Well the King is preſerued; and his life renued: What muſt this benefit be forgotten? ſhall Mordecaies ſeruice be buried in forgetfulneſſe? No; Behold the prouidence of God, in prouiding for his ſeruant, Marke the care of the Prince that his deliuerance ſhould be remembred. It followeth.

And this was written in the booke of daies before the King: That is this admirable deliuerance was committed to perpetuall record in the Chronicles of the Kingdome:

Behold here the faithfulneſſe of God, which forgetteth not the indeauors of his children;Obſ. 157. The Lord taketh notice of the righteouſneſſe of his ſeruants, and cauſeth the ſame to bee commended to poſterity. he hath a bottle to put their teares in, and a book of remembrance for them that feare the Lord: Hee makes inquiſition for blood, and ſo remembreth it; he cauſeth the fact of his ſeruant to bee committed to perpetual record.

Vſe. 1. Shall wee then doubt of the acceptance of our workes; ſhall wee not expect a plentifull reward thereof? Will not the Lord auenge the blood of his Saints? Wil he not wipe all the teares from our eyes?

Oh that we could beleeue! How ſhould wee be increaſed? that we would conſider wiſely how God records our wel-doings, what a ſpurre would this bee to prouoke vsus to go forward? What a comfort againſt the hard meaſure of the world? what peace of comſcience? VVhat euidence of weldoing? Seeing the Lord makes our enemies to record the ſame, yea to promote vsus thereby to a ſeaſonable recompence.

But what ſhould moue this prophane Monarch to hauehave Mordecaies faithfulneſſe and his preſeruation thus recorded to poſterity? Is this intended as a part of Mordecai his p. 218recompene? Or doth he vſe this as a meanes to put him in mind therof? That ſo in conuenient time hee might accōpliſh the ſame? Surely though it be not likely this proud Monarch had any ſuch intent, becauſe al is counted but due, & thankfulness; here is a rare bird: yet no doubt but he 1had ſome reſpect to him-ſelfe. Namely y^• recording ſo 2great a deliuerance of his owne perſon, he might both prouoke 3his ſubiects to take notice thereof, and ſo to preuent the like miſchiefes: as alſo confirme him-ſelfe the better in the hope of future good ſucceſſe, and ſo recreate him-ſelfe at his leyſure with the remembrance therof. The light of nature leades him thus far, and policy cryes aime therto: that memorable acts ſhould bee recorded to poſterity.

And may wee not profitably learne hence to helpe our memories with ſuch faithfull regiſters:Obſer. 158. Records and outward mo…aments neceſſary for the memorial & vſe of Gods bleſings. and ſo not only to bleſſe God for the Act of writing and printing: but herein eſpecially to magnifie his prouidence, that by this meanes, the word of truth hath bene preſerued, and purely conueied vntounto vsus. Surely though the ſoule be the regiſter of the bleſſings of God, yet muſt the fleſh vſe ſuch meanes to ſtir vp the heart; as humbling the ſame, in that it needs theſe outward helpes, may therby ſanctifie and continue the right vſe of God mercies, in the holy remembrance and y^e meditation thereof: let thoſe boaſt of the ſpirit, which are not clad with the fleſh, and let ſuch deſpiſe theſe helpes, as hauehave not a body of …inne to hinder ſpirituall duties. And ſeeing though the letter of the word be not the power of it, yet y^e power cannot bee conceiued, but by meanes of the letter: let ſuch deſpiſe the word writtē,Anabaptiſt that deſire not the power of it: and in the pride of their harts wil not be confined within the bounds thereof.

And doth not the ſpirit of God herein further teach vsus to record the bleſſings of GOD to poſterity;Obſ. 159. The bleſſings of God are to be recorded to poſterity. and to commend to, the generations to come the wonderfull thinges that the Lord hath done for vsus? yea certainly, this ſhal be written for the generations to co…, and the people that are created ſhall praiſe the Lord. The Lord hath commanded p. 219great mercies to be commended to poſterity,Pſal. 102.Ps 102 and hath appointed the monuments therof to be preſerued to all generations:… 18. ſo were the rod of Aaron, and the potte of Manna kept to this end,Exod. 14.Exod 14 ſo were Alters erected, Heb. 9. 4.Heb 9:4and new names impoſed,Exod 16.Exod 16 to put Gods children in mind of his mercies towards them:Geneſ 17. Geneſ, 32.Gen 17 ſo did Samuel write the office of the King in a book,1 Sam. 10. 25.1 Sam 10:25 and laid it vp before the Lord, y^• it might be a perpetual glaſſe,Num, 2…. 14. for the Prince to look his duty in: ſo are the memorable Acts of God, which hee did at the red Sea: and at the riuer of Arnon, written in a booke. So doth Iob wiſh that his words were written in a booke, that ſo y^• equity of the cauſe might remaine for euer.Iob, 19. 13. So when the Lord will publiſh his wil and hauehave it commended to the vſe of poſterity, for our better aſſurance of the accōpliſhment therof, he commands it to be written in a booke, yea in a great volume. Eſay, 8.Yea not only to a book hath the Lord committed his bleſſings,Ierem. 36. 2.Jer 36:2 but he hath called alſo the times to witneſſe the ſame,Exod, 14, he hath appointed ſpecial daies for y^e perpetuall memory of his mercies, to be kept ſollemnly throughout al generations: this care hath y^e Lord taken for the remēbrance of his bleſſings, as being worthy to be had in remembrance, and profitable for vsus to preuent forgetfulneſſe, the maine cauſe of prophaneſſe,Pſal, 78. and whereby the bleſſings of God are taken away from vsus, & we expoſed to the burthen of his Iudgements. And ſhall not this care of the Lord for the remembrance of his bleſſings bee an heauy conuiction of our vnthankefulneſſe for the ſame? Shal God thus ſtriue to put vsus in minde of his mercies? Shal he cauſe vsus to record them in bookes to poſterity? Shal he moue vsus to ſet a part a day for the memoriall thereof for euer? And ſhall we not bee ſtirred vp by this meanes to cleaue vntounto our God and to root out the name of Amelecke from vnderunder heauen? Who ſo is wiſe lette him vnderſtand theſe things, to whom the arme of the Lord hath reueald them.

FINISH

End of the text · Thomas Cooper, The Churchs Deliverance (1609)