The Tombstone, Sermon · Part 2

The Tombstone · Sermon · Part 2

p. 90The ſecond Ʋſe, of Reprehenſion, and that

1. OF all thoſe that do not bow down, and proſtrate before this Lyon of the Tribe of Judah. Such as receive not the Lord Jeſus Chriſt to be their King, but reject him. That ſay, as thoſe Ephraimites, Hoſ. 10. 3. We have no King, becauſe we feare not the Lord. Or, as thoſe malignant Citizens, that hated Chriſt, and ſent him this meſſage: We will not have this man to reign over us. Luke 19. 14. or in the Language of thoſe Heathen Kings, and mutineers. Pſal. 2. 2, 3. That take Counſel together againſt the Lord, and againſt his Annoynted, his Chriſt, ſaying, Let us break their bonds in ſunder, and caſt away their cords from us.

But are there any ſuch? ſo deſperatly rebellious? Let that be tryed. The deſigne p. 91of a reprehenſion is not to charge at all adventure, but to convince, There goeth more to make a ſubject of Chriſts Kingdome, then a naked, and formall profeſſion. All men, and Women in the world are under Chriſts Kingdome of power, and that Whither they will or no. But the queſtion is, art thou a ſubject of Jeſus Chriſt in the Kingdome of grace? I will give you ſome ſignes of tryal, whereby you may prove that. Knowledge. All that Signe. 1.are the Subjects of Jeſus Chriſt, they know their King: As it ſhall be at Chriſts ſecond comming againſt men: Every eye ſhall ſee him. Revel. 1. 7. So is it in the Kingdome of grace, when Chriſt comes into men: every eye ſees him. They know Chriſt their King: his Natures, Perſon, Offices, Laws, his graces, and excellencies. No ignorant perſon is Chriſt's ſubject. God delivers thoſe, from the power of darkneſſe. 1. Of Ignorance, whom he hath tranſlated into the Kingdom of his dear Sonne. Col. 1. 13.

Go no further then this Character, and alas! how few Subjects hath Chriſt? how many are there that know nothing of Chriſt more then his bare name, Jeſus▪ That they can ſweare by: uſe it for a Charm, and bow to it; put of the Hat, and p. 92make a legge, ot a curt'ſy. But aske them any thing of his Perſon, Offices, Lawes, of his Incarnation, Paſſion, Reſurrection, Union with Chriſt, &c. and they have nothing to anſwer, but as Nabal did to Davids ſervants:—Who is David, and who 1 Sam. 25. 10.1 Sam 25:10is the Son of Jeſſe? who is Chriſt? who is the Sonne of David, who is the Sonne of Ieſſe? They know him not.

Loyalty: Fidelity, Syncerity: to give Signe 2.him the whole heart.

It ſtands in Renouncing all other power, Serving of him, and none elſe, Loving of him with all the heart, and truſting in him in Kiſſing the Sonne, Pſal. 2. 12.

But alas! what abundance of diſloyalty is there? how little true faith? It hath been formerly obſerved, that many were ſworne ſervants to the King of England, that yet underhand were Penſioners to the King of Spaine. So are there multitudes who took Iuramentum fidelitatis, the oath of Allegiance, and fidelity to Chriſt the Lyon, the King, in their Baptiſme: but they are Penſioners to the Devill: they ſerve him wholly, by ſinning, Lying, Swearing, Killing, Stealing, Sabbath-breaking, Adultery, &c. There are diſloyall wives, whoriſh women: who as they p. 93they ſit at table, will looke their Huſbands in the face, and ſmile: and at the ſame inſtant tread upon the Toe of their Adulterous Lovers. So may the Lord, who is the Husband of the Church, complaine: as Ezek. 6. 9. I am broken with their wheriſh heart, which hath departed from me; and with their eyes which go a whoring after their Idols. They ſeem to fix their Eyes upon Chriſt: yet run after their Covetouſneſſe, and ſinfull pleaſures: contrary to the faith which they have plight with Chriſt, whom they call Husband.

Honour, and feare. Honour the King. 1 Pet. 2. 17. My Sonne feare God, and Signe 3.the King. Prov. 24. 21. Heer is the Character of a good ſubject, to honour, and fear his Prince.

Queſt. But whereby is this Honour, and feare manifeſted?

Anſw. By ſervice, and obedience. Serve the Lord with feare. Pſal. 2. 11. They that dwell in the Wilderneſſe ſhall bow before him. All Nations ſhall ſerve him. Pſal. 72. 9. 10. According to this Rule, come to the tryall of your ſelves and alas, how few are there that are true, and faithfull Subjects to the Lord and King Jeſus Chriſt? how few bow to this Lyon? p. 94Do not the moſt ſay? if not in down right Language, yet in their practiſe, do they not ſpeak as Pharaoh? Who is the Lord that I ſhould obey his voice? I know not the Lord, Exo. 5. 2.Exod 5:2neither will I let Iſrael go.

May not the Lord write it before them in Eſa. 30. 8, 9.Isa 30:8Isa 30:9a Table, and note it a Book: that this is a rebellious people? They many of them know the Lawes of their Prince, and yet tranſgreſſe againſt them, and walk contrary. Chriſt ſaith, thou ſhalt not be angry with thy Brother raſhly: but they will continue malicious, and revengefull. Chriſt Matth. 5. 22.Matt 5:22ſaith, Thou ſhalt not look upon a Woman to luſt after her: but they have eyes, and Verſ. 28.hearts full of Adultery. Chriſt ſaith: ſwear not at all: but they upon every light Verſ. 34.occaſion, upon no occaſion, blaſpheme the name of God, and take it in vaine. Chriſt ſaith: Love your enemies, bleſſe them that curſe you, do good to them Verſ. 44.that hate you; but they continue full of malice, returning rebuke for rebuke, curſe for curſe, wrong for wrong, evil for evill. Chriſt ſaith, He that will be my Diſciple, let him Deny himſelfe: they make ſelf their Matth. 16. 24.Matt 16:24God. Chriſt ſaith; Let my Diſciple take up his Croſſe, and follow me: They ſay, as the reviling Paſſengers! if thou be the p. 95Matth. 27. 39, 40.Matt 27:39Matt 27:40Son of God, come down from the Croſſe, free us from the Croſſe, or we will not follow thee? Chriſt ſaith, Learn of me to be meeke, and lowly, but they are fierce, and proud. Chriſt commandeth faith, and love: Theſe are the two great Goſpell-Lawes; 1 Joh. 3. 23.1 John 3:23but the moſt of the Children of men are full of unbeliefe, and haters of the Brethren. O, what a little Kingdome is Chriſts Kingdome!

Sign. 4. Faithfull payment of Tribute; as Auguſtus Caeſar, ſo the Lyon of the Luk. 2. 1.Luke 2:1Tribe of Judah, Chriſt, the King of his Church, doth lay Taxes upon all his Subjects. And it is the Character of a right Subject, to render Tribute, to whom Tribute Rom. 13. 7.Rom 13:7is due, and to give to Caeſar, the things which are Caeſars. And according to this rule, how ſmall is Chriſts Kingdome in compariſon? There is a Tribute of our time due to him; every ſeventh day is his: but alas! How many prophane perſons give away that day to the Devill? Yea (which is more ſad) how many are there in theſe daies, that mask under the name, and ſhape of Saints, that deny this Tribute altogether, and maintain it, that there is no ſuch day due to Chriſt at all now under the Goſpell: The morality of the Sabbath p. 96is gone, every day is a Sabbath, no day is a Sabbath. This is the Doctrine of Devils, and Rebels againſt Jeſus Chriſt. There is a tribute to go out of our time every day we live. There is a certain Kingdome (I remember not the name of it at preſent) in which there is ſometimes (but rarely) a Fiſh taken; which by reaſon of the greatneſſe, and excellency, and rarity, is the Kings Right, and Royalty, and therefore called the Kings Fiſh. The King alwaies gives the bulck and body of this Fiſh to thoſe that catch it; but he reſerves to himſelfe Capita, & Caudas, the heads, and the tailes, as a tribute, and acknowledgment, that all was his, & due to him. In like manner, precious time, it is all Chriſts own, all due to him: yet he gives his Subjects the body of time; the body of the week, the body of the day: he reſerves to himſelfe onelyonly capita, & caudas, the ends of time, the Morning, and the Evening, and what other convenient time may be redeemed, theſe are his tribute: But how few pay this Little faithfully? How few, who give to Jeſus Chriſt a Morning Sacrifice? How few with Iſaac, go out to meditate in the Evening? How rare is it, to finde a man, that with David, will pray, p. 97and cry aloud, Evening, and Morning, and Pſal. 55. 17.Ps 55:17at Noon.

There is a Tribute due to Chriſt our King, out of our Eſtates; and here the poore Members of Jeſus Chriſt are his Receivers. Withhold not good from them to whom Prov. 3. 27.Prov 3:27it is due. The poore are (in a ſenſe) owners of ſome thing in our hands, we are but ſtewards under Chriſt, to diſtribute to them. I perſwade my ſelfe, this kind of tribute, I mean Almes, is as unjuſtly, and brokenly paid in this City, and in this whole Nation, as it is in any part of the Chriſtian World: and this, I feare, Chriſts Collectors, and Receivers will witneſſe againſt this hard-hearted Generation.

There are extraordinary Taxes, upon extraordinary occaſions; you are pretty well acquainted with them. Such there are in the Kingdome of Chriſt; in times of trouble, and perſecution, Chriſt calls for thy Goods, Liberty, Life, for thy deareſt blood. Tell me, art thou willing to part with theſe, when Chriſt requires them?Sign. 5.

A good Subject will fight for his King: If my Kingdome were of this World, ſayes Chriſt, then would my Servants fight, that I ſhould not be delivered to the Jewes, Joh. 18. 36. But alas! alas! how few Champions p. 98hath the Lord Jeſus Chriſt? Nebuchadnezzar made a Degree, that every People, Dan. 3. 29.Dan 3:29Nation and Language, which ſpeake any thing amiſſe, againſt the God of Shadrach, Meſhach, and Abednego, ſhall bee cut in peices, and their houſes be made a dunghill: But now Hereticks that ſpeak amiſſe of God, and of Chriſt, and of the Scriptures; and moſt horrid Blaſphemers do ſwarm; and are, I had almoſt ſaid, tolerated, and cheriſhed. Who fights againſt them? Who oppoſeth them? Who contends for the Jude. 2.Jude 1:2faith, for the truth, and for the honour of Jeſus Chriſt? To endeavour the increaſe, and honour of his Kingdome. In the multitude Sign. 6.of people is the Kings Honour, Prov. 14. 28. He that is a right and faithfull Subject, will endeavour with all his might to bring in Subjects to the Kingdome of Jeſus Chriſt. I will put you upon examination now. Let Magiſtrates ask their owne hearts, whether they in their places by executing Judgment, do ſeek to leſſen Satans Kingdome, and to enlarge the Kingdome of Chriſt. Let Miniſters aske their owne hearts, whether they in their places, by preaching, and practiſe, by life, and Doctrine, do endeavour to leſſen Satans Kingdome, and advance the Kingdome p. 99of Jeſus Chriſt. Let Parents, and Maſters aske their owne hearts, whether they in their places do endeavour by private inflructing of their Families, to bring their Children, and Servants, and all committed to their charge, out of the Devils Kingdome, into the Kingdome of Jeſus Chriſt. Andlet all that are before me this day, aske their owne hearts, whether they do (outof a zealous deſire of the increaſe, and honour of Chriſts Kingdome) inceſſantly pray, that all thoſe that are held in captivity under Satan, under chaines of darkneſſe; that the Lord would tranſlate them out of the Kingdome of darkneſſe, Col. 1. 13.Col 1:13into the Kingdome of his deare Son. Do they daily pray, thy Kingdome Come?

7. For a ful-do. And not ſo much a new ſigne, as the ſum of all before: Is ſin? Is Satan caſt out? Hath Jeſus Chriſt his Throne in thy heart? Doth he rule in thee altogether? art acted, not by Satan, not by the World, not by the Fleſh, but by the Spirit of Ieſus Chriſt; then thou art his Subject.

But they that are not ruled, and governed by Chriſt, by his word, and Spirit, they reject Chriſt, and ſay, we will not have this Lyon, this King to Reigne over p. 100us. Theſe are under another King; Sin Rom. 6. 12.Rom 6:12reignes in them, and they have a King over them indeed; it is the Angell of the bottomleſſe Pit, whoſe name is Abaddon, and Apollyon, Revel. 9. 11. The Devill is their King, and they are his Vaſſals. Theſe lye under the wrath of God: And how dreadfull that is, Solomon will tell you; The Kings wrath is as the roaring of a Lyon, but his favour is as the dew upon the graſſe, Prov. 19. 12. And do they ſay? we will not have this King to reigne over us; they ſhall be ſubject at the long-run; if they will not bend in time, they ſhall be broken; if they will not come into the Kingdome of grace, they ſhall be ſubdued by the Kingdome of his power. I have ſworn by my ſelfe, ſaith the Lord; the word is Rom. 14. 11.Rom 14:11gone out of my mouth in righteouſneſſe, and ſhall not return, that to me every Knee ſhall bow, Iſa. 45. 23. They that here will not kiſſe his golden Scepter, ſhall at the laſt, and dreadfull day, be daſhed in peices with his iron Rod. Then ſhall he ſay to his mighty Angels: Thoſe mine Enemies that would not that I ſhould Raigne over them, bring hither, and ſlay them before me, Luk. 19. 27. Thoſe that in time will not proſtrate to this Lyon of the Tribe of Judah, he will be p. 101to them at laſt, a fierce, and furious Lyon; and will rent, and teare them to peices, when there is none to help.

Reprehenſ. 2. Is Jeſus Chriſt the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah? This checks not onelyonly the arrogance and boldneſſe, but alſo the madneſſe and folly of all ſuch as provoke this Lyon, and riſe up againſt him. There are ſuch, fighters againſt God, who oppoſe themſelves, and exalt themſelves above Act. 5. 39. 2 Theſ. 2. 4.Acts 5:392 Thess 2:4all that is called God. This is Antichriſt. And as Saint John ſpeaks in his firſt Epiſtle, Chap. 2. 18. Even now there are many Antichriſts, whereby we know that it is the laſt time. Not onelyonly that Antichriſt, the great Revel. 17.Rev 17Whore of Babylon, ſitting upon ſeven Mountaines, with a Golden cup in her hand, full of abominations and filthineſſe, and drunken with the blood of the Saints, and with the blood of the Martyrs of Jeſus. But all Hereticks and Blaſphemers that riſe up againſt this Lyon, Viz. Such as riſe up againſt the very perſon of Chriſt, ſome againſt his Divinity, others againſt his Humanity, and many againſt whole Chriſt: Such as riſe up againſt the Scriptures of God, crying them downe for a meer humane invention; ſuch as riſe up and fight againſt the truth of Chriſt, the p. 102Goſpel of Chriſt, all the Ordinances of Chriſt, the Government of Chriſt. Theſe my Beloved! Chriſts Goſpel, Truth, and Government, are his Scepter: The rod of his ſtrength, which hee ſends out of Zyon: Pſal. 110. 2. Revel. 1. 16.Ps 110:2Rev 1:16Theſe are the ſharp two-edged Sword which cometh out of the mouth of Chriſt, whereby he conquers and rules in the midſt of his enemies: And all ſuch as oppoſe the truth, Ordinances, and Government of Jeſus Chriſt, they ſet up their power againſt the power of Chriſt; they draw out their, Sword againſt Chriſts Sword. Againſt theſe the Lyon of the tribe of Judah will roare, yea he will tear them in peices.

But eſpecially he will be feirce and terrible againſt them that hurt, and kill his Whelps. But who are the Whelps of this Lyon? The old Patriarch Jacob ſhall tell you: Judah is the Lyons Whelp, Gen. 49. 4. Judah: that is, the Church and people of God: The annointed of the Lord, his Prophets, and his Saints, Pſal. 105. 14, 15. And here I may turne my reprehenſion into lamentation: Oh God! the Heathen are come into thine inheritance, thy holy Temple Pſal. 79. 1.Ps 79:1have they defiled, they have layd Jeruſalem on heaps. The blood of thy Saints have they ſhed like water round about Jeruſalem. We p. 103Verſ. 3.are become a reproach to our neighbours, a ſcorn & deriſion to them that are round about us. The Lord hath ſent Prophets, & wiſe men, and Scribes, and ſome of them have they killed, Matth. 23. 34.Matt 23:34and crucified, and ſome of them have they ſcourged, and perſecuted from City to City.

I ſaw the ſoules of them that were beheaded for the witneſſe of Jeſus, and for the Revel. 20. 4.Rev 20:4word of God: and which had not worſhipped the beaſt, neither his Image, neither had received his marke upon their foreheads, or in their hands.

But it may be ſayd, as the King anſwered Eſter, Who is he? and where is hee that Heſter. 7. 5. Verſ. 6.Esth 7:5durſt preſume in his heart to do ſo? And Eſter ſayd, The Adverſary and Enemy is this wicked Haman. Hee was a great Favorite, politick, and potent; and hee preſumed upon his owne greatneſſe. So may I ſay, the Adverſaries and Enemies that have done theſe things, are a wicked Generation; but how dare they doe theſe things? How dare they not? They are great in power, and riches, and ſtrength, able to cruſh all that ſtand in their way; they are politick and crafty, who can over-reach them? they ſtand ſtrong, and who can bring them downe? They have ſayd, Wee will prevaile, who is Lord over Pſal. 12. 4.Ps 12:4us?

p. 104But can they prevaile againſt the Lyon of the tribe of Judah, whoſe Whelps they have injured and killed? Let me tell theſe deceitfull and bloody men, two or three things.

1. That there is no creature more tender of their young ones, then the Lyon: the Lyon will defend his Whelps from injury till he fall downe dead; I have read ſo much in approved Authors.

2. Let me tell them, they are indeed Lyons themſelves, baſe ſavage Lyons of the Foreſt. Davids cruell Perſecutors were gaping, ravening, and roaring Lyons. Nero was a Lyon, and ſuch are all Tyrants. Pſal. 22. 13. 2 Tim. 4. 17.Ps 22:132 Tim 4:17But the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah is ſtronger then they: Hee is the ſtrongeſt among Lyons: and a King againſt whom there is no riſing up, Prov. 30. 30, 31. He is a foole that will contend with one that is mightier then himſelfe, Eccleſ. 6. 10.

3. Let me tell them yet further; the Lyon may ſeem to ſleepe a while, even whileſt his Whelps ſuffer; but hee will rouſe up and roare. Some write, that the Lyon never ſleeps, but often ſeemes to ſleep when he is moſt awake. I am ſure the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah doth neither Pſal. 121. 4.Ps 121:4ſlumber nor ſleep: Hee may ſeem to ſleep, p. 105but hee will awake as one out of ſleep, and like a mighty man that ſhouteth by reaſon of Wine: And he will ſmite his Enemies in the hinder parts; he will put them to a perpetuall reproach, Pſal. 78. 65, 66

4. And laſtly, let me tell them a Story which I have read in a learned and approved Geſner de Quadruped.Author, which he relates, and affirms to be true: his end is to prove, as the ſtrength, ſo the wiſedome of the Lyon, above other creatures.

A Lyon and a Lyoneſſe, having Whelps, went both out to hunt for prey: In their abſence a Beare entred their Den, tore and killed the young Lyons, not able to defend themſelves; ſoon after the old Lyon, with the Lyoneſſe, returned to their Den, and finding their young ones ſlaine, they were filled with bitter grief and great rage: out they go together to finde out the Enemy, and be revenged; they quickly eſpyed the Beare, yet bloody, and purſued it: The Bear, to eſcape their fury, climbed up into a tree, and ſo got out of their reach for the preſent: The Lyonneſſe ſtood ſtill at the root of the tree: the other Lyon went away, and ranged up, and downe in the Mountaines; till at laſt, he came where a man was hewing of wood. p. 106He makes to the man; the poore man in feare let fall his Hatchet, and began to run away; after haſtens the Lyon, gets to him, caſts his tayle round about him like a Girdle, embraced him and licked him; and by the ſtrength of his tayle pulled him (led him, ſayes my Author) whither hee would or no: Firſt he brought him to his Hatchet, and pointed to it with his foot, to have the man take it up: he underſtood not the Lyons language: the Lyon then took up the Hatchet in his owne mouth, and ſo carryed it, leading the man into his Den. There he layd downe the Hatchet a while, looked upon the man, and then looked upon his murdered Whelps, made piteous moane, and then wound his tayle about the man againe, tooke up the Hatchet in his mouth, and (having ſhewed him that dolefull ſight) led him directly to the tree where the Bear was on the top, and the Lyoneſſe ſtanding at the root. The Lyon looks up, ſhewed him the Bear; and then the man began to ſuſpect, that it was the Beare that had done the wrong to the Lyon: He takes his Axe, heweth the tree, downe falls the Beare, and the Lyon and his mate fall upon him, and tare him to peices: that done, the Lyon carryed the p. 107man, with the Hatchet, juſt to the place where he found him, and there left him unhurt, to hew wood againe.

This is credibly related: I will not warrant the Story to be Goſpel, but I will warrant the application to be no leſſe. Tyrants and Perſecutors, that murder the Whelps of the Lyon of the tribe of Judah, that maſſacre the Saints of Chriſt, are uſually called Bears in holy Writ.Dan. 7. 5.Dan 7:5

For their ſecurity and ſafety they climbe up their tree; and their towre is the arme of fleſh: their greatneſſe, their multitudes, their amunitions, their military skill, their riches, their freinds The rich mans wealth is his ſtrong City, and as a high wall in his owne conceite, Prov 18. 11. They think in their ruffe and gallantry, that none can pluck them down; they vaunt, who ſhall us controule! How ſoon can the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah fetch Hewers out of the Mountaines, and hew down their Tree wherein they truſted, and teare them in peices, when there ſhall be none to help? Jeſus Chriſt can ſoon call in Carpenters, to Zech. 1. 20. Verſs. 1Zech 1:20cut and ſaw of the hornes which have ſcattered Judah, Iſraell, and Jeruſalem.

And he will certainly do it. I will paſſe their doom (yet not I, but the Lord) and p. 108ſo leave them. Therefore the Lord will bee unto them as a Lyon, as a Leopard by the way he will obſerve them: He will meet them as a Beare that is bereaved of her Whelps, and will rent the Caule of their heart, and there will he devoure them like a Lyon, the wild Beaſt ſhall teare them. Hoſ. 13. 7. 8.

From hence I ſhall ſlip to the third Uſe: Ʋſe. 3.viz.

Exhortation; And here I ſound the Trumpet again: Behold!

p. 109Christo Duce Sequimini.

p. 110Behold! the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah! The Lyon couchant was the Enſigne of Judahs Tribe, and Family. And the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah, is the Enſigne of his Church. And in that day, there ſhal be a root of Jeſſe, which ſhall ſtand for an Enſigne of the people: to it ſhall the Gentiles ſeeke, Iſa. 11. 10. Behold this Child, the Child Jeſus, is ſet foreign for a Signe, or Banner, for many in Iſrael, for the Church.

Then follow, follow your Captain, your Enſigne. Eye him by knowledge, by faith walk after him: tread in his ſteps, imitate him. Chriſt is now lift up, here he ſtands Judic 7. 17.Judg 7:17as Gideon, and ſaith to you all, Looke upon me, and do likewiſe: Or as Abimelech, Judic. 9. 48.Judg 9:48what you have ſeen me do, make haſt, and do as I have done.

And here I muſt crave liberty to branch out my Exhortation: and that I may, as a faithfull Steward, divide to every one in Gods houſe their part, and portion; I ſhall direct my Exhortation

1. To the New-elect, and the other Magiſtrates.

2. To the Miniſters of the Goſpell.

3. And laſtly, to all promiſcuouſly.

p. 111My firſt addreſſe is to the New-elect, 1.whoſe Inauguration we celebrate, and who this day enters upon the chief place of Magiſtracy in this City; and alſo to the reſt of the Magiſtrates preſent, whether of the City or Country, that in his charge they may heare theirs.

Worthy Praetor, you are aſcending this day to the higheſt place of Government in this place, where God hath laid out the bounds of your Habitation. Behold the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah: Behold your King, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; and follow him, ſtep after ſtep: Be you a Lyon alſo. Judah the Prince, and Governour was 1 Mac. 3. 4.1 Macc 3:4a Lyon. Judas Macchabeus, that Worthy, hee, in all his acts, was like a Lyon, and like a Lyons whelp roaring for his Prey. The Roman Emperours, and Biſhops, were called Leones, Lyons. Many Kings, and Common-Wealths have the Lyon for their Armes. This was ſymbolized by the ſteps 2 Chron. 9. 17. 18. 19.2 Chr 9:172 Chr 9:182 Chr 9:19of Solomons Throne: The King made a great Throne of Ivory, and over-laid it with pure Gold: And there were ſix ſteps to the Throne, and ſtaies on each ſide of the ſitting place, and two Lyons ſtanding by the ſtaies; and twelve Lyons ſtood there, on the one ſide, and on the other, upon the ſix ſteps. And even p. 112you alſo give for you City Armes, a Lyon, with your Caſtle.

Matth. 8. 34.

p. 113The Lyon is a rare Creature, not bred in many places; neither ſhall we ſee in the Common-wealth many Lyons: indeed many beare in their Banners and Eſcoucheons the Lyon, but in their Adminiſtration they perform none of thoſe things, which are propounded in the Lyon.

Be you a Lyon, let the reſt be Lyons; carry your ſelves like Lyons. Let me ſpeak to you, as the Prophet did to the Altar, Iſa. 29. 1. O Ariel, Ariel; that is, Leo Dei, the Lyon of God, ſo was the Altar called, becauſe fire came down from Heaven ſuddenly, as a Lyon out of his Den, and conſumed the Sacrifice. Let fire come down from Heaven upon your heart, even the fire of true love to God, and zeale for God. Ariſtotle attributes to the Lyon a round face. and makes it to repreſent the Sun, the ſhaggy haire not being unlike the glorious rayes. Be you alſo like the Sun, ariſe, and ſhine. Let your light ſo ſhine before men, that they may ſee your good works, and glorifie your Father, which is in Heaven, Matth. 5. 16. And this you ſhall do, if you will take forth theſe following, and ſhort Inſtructions.

1. Behold! behold the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah. Eye Chriſt in all your Government; p. 114go forth in the ſtrength of Chriſt, and follow him ſtep, after ſtep. Ever think with your ſelfe, how Chriſt would govern if he were in my room. He loved righteouſneſſe, and hated wickedneſſe. A Scepter Pſal. 45. 7.Ps 45:7of righteouſneſſe, is the Scepter of his Kingdome, Heb. 1. 8. He defends the poor, and fatherleſſe; he doth Juſtice to the afflicted, and needy: He delivers the poor, and needy, and rids them out of the hand of the wicked. Follow, follow your Enſigne.

2. Jeſus Chriſt is the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah, the King of his Church; that's his charge, as Mediator. Follow your Banner; be a Lyon in the Church: Put forth your greateſt power, lay out your chiefeſt care for the Church of God, defend the Miniſters, and people of God, let not them be made a prey, provide faithfull Paſtors for every Flock: Paſtors according to Gods own heart, which may feed the people with Jer. 3: 15.Jer 3:15knowledge, and underſtanding. Chriſts firſt care was to open the Book. Bring into the City ſuch able Divines, as may open Gods Book, and declare the will, and counſell of God concerning mans Salvation. Give to faithfull Miniſters countenance, and maintenance. O Norwich if thou periſheſt, it is thine own fault: Can you ſpend ſo p. 115much upon Gorgeous Rayment? So much upon Sumptuous Feaſts? So much for State; and no man ſaith, who ſhall open the Book to us? who ſhall unlooſe the Seales thereof? What ſhall I part with all, to ſit under a Soule-ſaving Miniſtry? Chriſt was King of Mount Zion. Let your main Pſal. 2. 6.Ps 2:6care be of the Church; Be a nurſing Father, be all nurſing Fathers to the Church.Iſa. 49. 23.Isa 49:23

3. Jeſus Chriſt was a Lyon, be you ſo, in the City, in the Country, in the Common-wealth: be a Lyon, be Lyons.

Not in all things, I pray, take heed of that. In ſome reſpects, you muſt ſtrive to be unlike to Lyons, viz.

1. The Lyon hath a faire out-ſide. His Coat is Or continually, of yellow colour, and ſhines like Gold; but what's his inſide? He hath interiora Canis, Entrals like a Dog. Take heed of baſe Hypocriſie: to Geſner.carry a faire face, a glorious out-ſide to Godly Miniſters, and Godly People; and yet within to retaine a dogged heart to them. Take heed, of being a Saint in the Congregation: and a Devil in thy Family, and with thy Private, and familiar Aſſociates.

2. The Lyon is ſtately, Majeſtical, comely in his fore-parts, but he degenerates towards p. 116his hinder parts; the more backwards, the more uncomely. So Magiſtrates ordinarily, in the former part of their yeare, their Government is comely, very commendable, they ſhew ſome zeale for God; they roare againſt the Sins, and Scandals of the City: againſt Ale-houſes, prophanation of the Lords day, and contempt of the word: but the hinder part of their yeare is often very ugly; they are remiſſe in puniſhing ſin, and in the adminiſtration of Juſtice. They may be ſaid to be like the Month of March: they come in like a Lyon, and go out like a Lamb; they are juſt like the yeare; when the Sun enters into Leo, in July, then the ſeaſon is hot, and vigorous, but afterwards the yeare declines altogether, to an Autumne firſt, and then to a cold Winter. Even ſo, too too many Magiſtrates, at their firſt comming to a place, they ſhew ſome heat of zeale for the beſt things, but in a little time they decline in all goodneſſe. I have ſeen ſome Magiſtrates at their firſt coming into the place, have roared as Lyons againſt ſcandalous Miniſters; and ſilly dumb, or at leaſt unprofitable Miniſters, and have threatned to caſt them out of the City, and to get able, and godly p. 117Miniſters into their room. But I have obſerved to the end of the yeare, and what then? Truely ſome of the moſt godly, and able Miniſters, they have worried, but the ſcandalous, and unprofitable, ſtill continued in their places, as they were. Well, ſome Magiſtrates, if they be Lyons, they are like that Lyon, in the 1 King. Chap. 13. verſe 28. The Lyon ſlew the Prophet indeed, but had not eaten the Carcaſſe, 1 King. 5.1 Kgs 5nor ſlain the Aſſe. So there are too many that make away with the faithfull and true Prophets of the Lord; but they meddle not with the Carcaſſe, nor with the Aſſe.

Some have been better to meet (viz. At their firſt comming on, then to follow (viz. after their going off.) But as for you, whom God hath lifted up to the chiefe place of Magiſtracy in this City, be you better to follow then to meet: leave a good example, and let your laſt works be Revel. 2. 19.Rev 2:19more then your firſt.

3. The Lyon hath a foule mouth and a ſtinking breath, and a harſh tongue, like a Cat, or rather like a fire: Farr be it from you to be like the Lyon in theſe: Take heed of a foule mouth, let your very language be clean and holy: Let your ſpeech p. 118be alway with grace, ſeaſoned with Salt, that Col. 4. 6.Col 4:6you may know how to anſwer every man: Light ſpeech, vaine ſpeech, rotten ſpeech, is a ſigne of a rotten heart; a ſtinking breath comes from putrified entrailes. The words of a Magiſtrate will be watched, and his ordinary diſcourſes will be a great ornament, or a great deformity to him. And take heed of a harſh tongue, I know you will meet with many provocations in your adminiſtration of Juſtice; yet ſtrive againſt anger and choler, and let your tongue be ſmooth. Let all bitterneſs and wrath, and clamour, and evill ſpeaking, be put away Eph. 4. 31.Eph 4:31from you, with all malice. They are Lyons of the Foreſt that have ſuch foul mouthes, and harſh tongues: But learne you of the Lyon of the tribe of Judah: full of grace are his lips. Learne of him, for hee is Pſal. 45. 2. Matth. 11. 29.Ps 45:2Matt 11:29meek and lowly in heart.

4. The Lyon never ſeizeth upon any, except hee be hungry or angry: and then they ſpare neither men women nor children; but ſatiati, innoxy; But when their bellyes are full, they do no more hurt. I fear too many Magiſtrates are ſuch Lyons, if they be angry at any mans perſon, they will ſeize upon him and puniſh him ſeverely for a ſmall fault; but another Delinquent p. 119of a greater magnitude, being their friend, ſhall go Scot-free: And are there not hungry Lyons? Yes ſurely, and when they are hungry they will range about, and roare againſt Swearers, diſorderly houſes, and prophaners of the Sabbath by buying and ſelling; but when they have gotten a prey, a few Barrells of Beer, or Runlets of Wine, or Capons, or bread in ſecret, Prov. 9. 17.Prov 9:17when they are ſatisfied with ſome pretty handſome Bribe, they can be as quiet as Lambs: But farr be it from you to be ſuch a Lyon: Be you a hater of covetouſneſſe, to do the will of God faithfully, and enjoy the light of his countenance, let that ſatisfie Pſal. 4. 6:Ps 4:6you.

They write that in ſome Regions there are black Lyons to be ſeen; too many ſuch I feare have been ſeen in our City: I beſeech God, I beſeech you, that we may ſee no more of them.

I have ſhewed you wherein you ought not to be like Lyons: I ſhall endeavour next to ſhew you wherein you are to be like Lyons. Be like the Lyon of the tribe of Judah in all things; yea, be like the ordinary and common Lyon in theſe following properties, qualities, and deportments.

p. 1201. The Lyon is vigilant, a waking and a watchfull creature: The names in the Hebrew and Greeke import ſo much: foreign of foreign Videre, foreign of foreign, Video. The Lyon is of ſharp ſight, and ſleepeth with his eyes open: Herein be you like the Lyon; yea, be like the Lord, whoſe eyes run too and fro throughout the Zach. 4. 10.Zech 4:10whole earth: Let your eye be every where, as farr as it can poſſibly reach; have your eye about in the Church, mark what is done there: Let your eye be about in the Market, to ſee what meaſures and weights and wares are there: Let your eye be about upon the Sabbath dayes, in the ſtreets and open places, to take notice how the day of the Lord is prophaned: Let your eye be about in every Inn and Alehouſe to obſerve what diſorders are there: Make uſe alſo of the eyes of others that will be faithfull: How can you ever reforme what is amiſſe, if you doe not know and ſee what is out of order. The Lyon of the tribe of Judah, is foreign, 1 Pet. 2. ult.1 Pet 2Viſitator: I will Engliſh it in Daniels words, A watcher, and a holy one: Be you ſo.Dan. 4. 13.Dan 4:13

2. Juſtice appeares notably in the Lyon, in diſtributing, and in puniſhing.

p. 121The Lyon is very juſt in diſtributing the Prey, he doth not feed one, and leave the reſt hungry: but the Lyon doth teare in peices Nah 2. 12.Nah 2:12enough for his Whelps: for every Whelp enough, and alſo for his Lyoneſſes.

The Lyon is alſo juſt in puniſhing, Nunquam ſe vindicat ultra modum, ſo they write: Hee doth never take revenge beyond the meaſure of the injury he hath received: if any man throw a dart at him, and yet hurt him not; the Lyon will throw him downe that threw the dart, but not hurt him; if any man wounds the Lyon, the Lyon will wound him, and no more hurt; if any man kill a Lyons Whelp, the Lyon will kill him.

And herein be you a Lyon: All Magiſtrates! be you Lyons, learne righteouſneſſe, to execute judgement and juſtice. It is ſayd of the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah, The Scepter of his Kingdome is a right Heb. 1. 8.Heb 1:8Scepter, or a Scepter of righteouſneſſe.

Be juſt in your diſtributions, Viz. of your favours and rewards; ever countenance and cheriſh thoſe that are good, and feare God: let your frownes be upon thoſe that doe evill. It is obſerved of the Lyon that he is benigne to men, but fierce againſt beaſts; be you ſo. To men, Firſt p. 122to ſuch as are good, extend your favour, but to Beaſts, to a beaſtly generation, be ſevere. For Rulers are not a terrour to good Rom. 13 3. 1 Pet. 2. 14. Dan. 6.Rom 13:31 Pet 2:14Dan 6works, but to the evill. Governours are ſent of God, for the puniſhment of evill doers, and for the praiſe of them that do well. The Lyons in the Den will teach you what to do, not to hurt Daniel, but to flye upon falſe witneſſes, and perſecutors of the ſervants of the Lord; to roare and be terrible unto them.

Be juſt in puniſhing offenders, to correct in a proportion: If the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, the Judge ſhall cauſe him to lye downe, and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault in a certaine number, Deut. 25. 2. that is according to the proportion of his ſin. They were to moderate the puniſhment according to the nature of the treſpaſſe, and the Delinquents ability to beare the ſtripes. Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot Exod. 21. 24, 25.Exod 21:24Exod 21:25for foot. Burning for burning, wound for wound, ſtripe for ſtripe. The Law of retaliation is an exact law: God doth all his works of Juſtice, as well as his works of power, in number, weight, and meaſure. Learn Juſtice of the Lyon.

3. The Lyon is eminent for mercy: For p. 123mercy, in giving: the Lyon is liberall in giving, it eates not the prey alone, but divides it to other creatures which cannot hunt for themſelves: Alſo for mercy, in forgiving: The Lyon ſpares all that proſtrate and bow to him. The Lyon of the tribe of Judah is gentle and mercifull: Behold Matth. 21. 5.Matt 21:5thy King cometh to thee, he is meek: Be you alſo mercifull.

Shew mercy in giving, diſtribute liberally to the neceſſity of the Saints of Chriſt. The Lyon of the tribe of Judah: what did he give to relieve, and ſave your Soules? He gave himſelfe. The bread that I will Joh. 6. 51.John 6:51give, is my fleſh, which I will give for the life of the World. Hath Jeſus Chriſt given his fleſh, and blood for you, and to you, and will not you give common bread to his poor Members, to comfort their bodies, in theſe pinching times?

Shew mercy in forgiving. Parcere proſtratis ſcit nobilis ira Leonis. Tu quoque, fac ſimile.

The Lyon did not tyrannize over the 1 King. 13. 28.1 Kgs 13:28Carkaſſe when it was down, nor tear the Aſſe being an innocent thing. The Ruler muſt have mercy, to ſhew compaſſion to the oppreſſed, to uſe mildneſſe, and lenity to penitent Offenders, to remit, and foreignmitigate the rigour of the Law.

p. 124Parcere ſubjectis, as well as Debellare ſuperbos.

You ſhould conſider, that even you are not without your Infirmities. All Authors agree in this, that the Lyon hath a continuall Feaver, a quartain Ague. The reaſon they give is this; God hath ſo provided, becauſe he is a fierce Beaſt: and if he had no Infirmities of his own, he would not only inſult over, but devoure alſo all the Beaſts of the field. So alſo God hath provided, that the beſt Chriſtians, and the higheſt in place, ſhall ever have ſome Infirmities, and Fraileties, which may temper, and allay their ſeverity againſt others. Be not ſo hot in the Execution of Juſtice, as to rent, and teare every Delinquent, that hath, perhaps, failed in ſome petty matters. Conſider your own Infirmities. Brethren! If any man be overtaken in a ſault, Gal. 6. 1.Gal 6:1yee which are ſpirituall reſtore ſuch an one, in the ſpirit of meekneſſe, conſidering thy ſelfe, leaſt thou alſo he tempted. The Lyon Heb. 2 17.Heb 2:17of the Tribe of Judah was made like unto his Brethren. God only knowes how ſoon you your owne ſelves may ſtand in need of mercy: and that, not only from God, but even from men alſo. What you would that men ſhould do to you, the ſame do to p. 125them. This is Chriſts golden Rule: And know, yea and remember it too, That hee Jam. 2. 13.Jas 2:13ſhall have Judgment without mercy, that hath ſhewed no mercy.

4. Have an eſpeciall care of your train: I meane your Aſſociates, your Counſellours, your Officers that attend upon you: Exod. 18. 21. Pſa. 16. 3. Pſal. 101.Exod 18:21Ps 16:3Ps 101ſet them be ſuch only as feare God, love the truth, and hate Covetouſneſſe. Let your delight be in the Saints, and ſuch as be excellent. Do not vouchſafe to know a wicked, deceitfull, proud, lying perſon. Let your eies be upon the faithful of the Lord, that they may dwell with you; who ſo walk in a perfect way, let them ſerve you. And I ſhall endeavour to perſwade you to the greater care herein, for your Credits ſake. Index animi Plin.cauda, the motion of the Lyons taile, ſheweth what is in the Lyons minde. When his minde is quiet, his taile moves not at all; but when you ſee him wag his taile, as a Dog when he fawnes, it ſhewes great affection cauda blandiri.to ſome Creature before him: when you ſee him beat the earth, and his back violently with his taile, it diſcovers anger, wrath, and that he is about to do ſome miſchiefe. Juſt ſo it is with a Magiſtrate: people will judge the motion of his heart to be ſuch as the motion of his p. 126Viz. of his Train, his familiars, and followers: If his Train moves Heaven-ward, they will conceive that he doth ſo too; if his Train wag, and fawn, if they ſhew reſpect, and love to godly Miniſters, and godly people, they will think that he himſelfe loves the Saints. But if the taile of the Lyon ſtrikes againſt godly Miniſters, and the power of Godlineſſe; and fawn upon ill-affected, and diſorderly perſons, all men will ſay, he is a Malignant, what ever he pretends; we may ſee the motion of his heart, by the motion of his Train.

For the Cities ſake, have a care of your traine: There is nothing more miſcheivous about the Lyon then his tayle; it being very long and very ſtrong: I have been told of the Lyons in the Tower, that though they have been within their Grate, yet they have put out their tayle at one of the open places, and done much hurt to a by-ſtanding Spectator: So it may be with you, O Magiſtrate! O Magiſtrates! you may be in your houſes, in your Courts of Juſtice, when your traine may be abroad doing miſcheife: They may do diſſervices in checking and ſnibbing godly Miniſters, and godly people, and cheriſhing and heartning the ill-affected and diſorderly: p. 127They may be ſeducing; and although they be your Servants, yet they may be the Devils agents. Behold, the great red Dragon; Revel. 12. 4Rev 12:4that is, either the Devill himſelfe, or elſe ſome eminent inſtrument of the Devill: his tayle drew the third part of the ſtarrs of Heaven, and did caſt them to the Earth: that is, brought them downe from minding heavenly truths, and heavenly things, to minde Diabolicall errours, and earthly things. The Prophet that teacheth lyes, he Iſa. 9. 15.Isa 9:15is the tayle: So are Incendiaries: The Foxes they are indeed crafty and ſubtle for themſelves, and greedy of prey; yet I conceive that of themſelves they are not Incendiaries; but yet you know if they have a fire-brand in their taile, they will ſet the whole field on fire, and cannot helpe it.

Yea have a care of your train, for your owne ſoules ſake, leaſt you be drawne away your ſelves to that which is not good. Many creatures are guided by their tayle and traine: and ſo are Lyons, I feare, too often. Rehoboam was a ſtately Lyon, but he forſooke his old traine, the counſell of the 1 King. 12. 8.1 Kgs 12:8old men; of the grave, wiſe, religious, experienced Counſellours of State, and got him a new traine: Hee conſulted with the p. 128Upſtarts, the young men that were grown up with him. And this was the ruine of ten parts of his Kingdome. Heare, and feare, and beware: let the Lyon look to his taile.

5. The Lyon is eminent for Courage, and Magnanimity: A Lyon is ſtrongeſt amongſt Beaſts, and turneth not away for any. Be you ſo, be a Lyon. Give me leave to ſpeak to you, as the Lord ſpake to Joſhuuh; when he entred upon his place to be Lord-Generall, Joſ. 1. 18.Josh 1:18under the Lord of Hoſts. Bee ſtrong and of a good Courage, be not afraid, neither be thou diſmaied. For the Lord thy God is with thee whereſoever thou goeſt. Be valiant for the Lord, be not Cowed, nor over-crowed. They write that there is a baſtard, adulterate race of Lyons, which are begotten of the Female Libbards, which are degenerate, heartleſſe, and cowardly; they will ſhake, and tremble at the ſight of fire, at the ſight of a white Cock, and great Cocks-comb, and at the crowing of a Cock, at the noiſe of empty Chariot-wheels. And if I be not miſtaken, ſuch a Brood have I ſeen both here, and otherwhere. I cannot but remember the Praelaticall Perſecution (not ſo many yeares ago.) The word given to the Magiſtrates, p. 129was. Stand out againſt ſuperſtitious innovations, ſtand for your godly conſcientious Miniſters. Alas! alas, ſay they, what would you have us do? My Lord Biſhop will be angry with us; the King will be informed of us, we ſhall run into danger: and upon this account you let in all Popiſh traſh, and packed away your moſt faithfull Miniſters. Any baſe thing that is impoſed upon the City by great ones, is it not received? Who amongſt you will ſtrike down a diſorderly Ale-houſe; if the Brewer that ſerves it be an Alderman, or a rich man, or a Friend? How many are there of you (ſome few there are, I confeſſe, and but a few) that dare countenance a godly Presbyterian Miniſter, or an Orthodox Divine? O no, the times will not beare it: So they might quickly be out of favour indeed. Who dare adventure to puniſh ſin, adultery, drunkenneſſe, ſwearing, Sabbath-breaking: if it dwell in the houſe of a great man, or a great-friended man? Are theſe Leonem larva terres.Lyons, that will bee ſcared with Vizards, and Hobgoblins? Theſe are the baſtard brood of Lyons. Harts, and Hares, timourous above other Creatures. The generous Lyon hath ſharp teeth, p. 130crooked, and ſharp Tallons. But as for theſe they will neither bite, nor ſcratch. In one reſpect your City Armes do very well befit you. It is a Lyon with a Caſtle over it. Many of you can be Lyons, very Couragious, ſo long as you have a Caſtle over you, protection, and countenance; but take away the Caſtle, and who will expoſe himſelfe to danger? What a ſordid thing is this? There is a Lyon couchant, indeed, but that is not the poſture of feare, but of triumph; having conquered firſt, and now lyeth down by the Prey. But never yet did I read of a Lyon Crouchant, or current. It is worthy the obſerving in the generous Lyon, that he will run apace through the Woods, and range ſwiftly through the foreſt after the prey; but when he is purſued & chaſed by hunters, he compoſeth himſelfe, and is paſſant altogether, keeping his pace, and turneth not his head a ſide for any, but walks on, as ſcorning, and contemning all danger. Remember that of Solomon, The wicked flee, when no man purſueth, but the righteous are bold as a Lyon, Prov. 28. 1.

6. There be three things which go well, yea foure, which are comely in going. The Prov. 30. 29. 30.Prov 30:29Prov 30:30Lyon is the firſt, and chiefeſt of them: The p. 131Lyon hath a ſtately gate, majeſticall, orderly, and reſolute: he turnes not aſide his head for the greateſt that he meets, not for the vaſt Elephant, he will dye before he will degenerat into a diſorderly pace. And herein, give me leave to exhort you to walke as the Lyon walkes. How is that? Firſt, in regard of your whole Converſation; let your going be ſtately, not with proud phantaſticall affectation, but humbly (an humble gate is a ſtately gate) ſoberly, holily, with all Gravity: walk as the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah: be you holy, as he is holy. Only (ſaith Saint Paul) Let your Converſation be ſuch as becometh the Goſpel of Chriſt. Phil. 1. 27.Phil 1:27Take heed that you do no uncomely thing, that you ſet not a ſtep awry: Have a ſutable carriage, and deportment, both to the profeſſion of Chriſtianity, and alſo to your place of Eminency. Will it become a chiefe▪ Magiſtrate to walke with vaine Perſons? to walke to ſcandalous houſes? to walke on in any ſinne. When one profer'd unto Scipio a beautifull Harlot, he ſaid to him, Vellem, ſi non eſſem Imperator, were I not a Governour, I would. Let all that are before me this day take forth this Leſſon, let your Converſation be ſuch as becomes the Goſpell of p. 132Chriſt: move in a higher Sphere then the men of the World. Let your Converſation be in Heaven. Walk like Angels: They Phil. 3. 20. Ezek. 1. 12. Revel. 1. 6.Phil 3:20Ezek 1:12Rev 1:6went every one ſtrait forward; whether the Spirit was to go, they went. Remember you are Kings, Chriſt hath made us ſo. Then let your going be King-like. A King may be known by his Majeſticall gate, and deportment. What manner of men were they, Judic. 8. 18.Judg 8:18ſaid Gideon to Zebah, and Zalmunna, whom yee ſlew at Tabor? And they anſwered, as thou art, ſo were they; each one reſembled the Children of a King. Finally Brethren, Phil. 4. 8.Phil 4:8whatſoever things are true, whatſoever things are honeſt, whatſoever things are juſt, whatſoever things are pure, whatſoever things are lovely, whatſoever things are of good report: if there be any vertue, and if there be any praiſe, think of theſe things.

And as I call upon you, to walk as the Lyon, ſtately, gravely, and holily in your whole courſe of life: So let me exhort you, without offence, more particularly, to walk as Lyons, even in regard of outward ſtate, and pomp. The Lyon is the King of Beaſts, and is of a comely, and ſtately preſence, adorned with ſhaggy locks, buſhy haire, a golden and bright ſhining Mane which crownes his head, p. 133and as Robes do cloath his neck, back, ſhoulders, and legs: and truely the Lyon would be a great deale more contemptible, if he were barbe'rd, and ſhaven. I ſay, be Lyons; Keep your haire, and skin; maintain your power, and ſtate, and the Enſignes of your Authority. King Agrippa came to the Judgment Seat with great Act. 25. 23.Acts 25:23Pomp. And there is good uſe of theſe trappings to the common people, Ad populum phaleras. Theſe procure ſome reverence, awe, and terrour in the people. And I do the rather inſiſt upon this, becauſe I ſee there is an Anabaptiſticall, Enthuſiaſticall, levelling Generation, ſtart up; who attempt very ſubtlely, Leonem radere, to barb, and ſhave the Lyon: to overthrow all Magiſtracy. And they do not go about directly, but ſlily, and with wiles. They would perſwade you at firſt, only to lay aſide your Robes, and your Solemnities, as either being ſuperſtitious, or elſe not agreeable to the ſimplicity of the Goſpell. Have you not lately been preached out of your Scarlet Gownes? and have you not very obediently left them off many times? Do they not inveigh againſt all manner of Solemnity upon this very day of Inauguration: well, what will p. 134the end be? If they can but once ſhave off the Lyons majeſtick haire, and flay of his skin: it wil be a poor contemptible Carkaſs that is left. I dare ſay, though outward ſtate, and Pomp be but a Complement, yet take that quite away, and the very Magiſtracy will ſoone follow. Maintain your State and Power. It is obſervable in the Lyon, that when he walkes upon ſtony, rocky, and rough places, that he contracts and pulls up his Tallons, to preſerve them; for if they ſhould be broken, he could never after ſeize upon his Prey▪ Your Power, and the Enſignes of your Authority, are your Tallons: be carefull to preſerve them, elſe evill doers will contemne you; and you will never be able to give them ſo much as a ſcratch.

7. Know where your ſtrength lyeth. The Lyons ſtrength is in his head, and in his breaſt chiefly. And there lyeth your ſtrength, a good head, and a good heart, make a good Magiſtrate. Labour therefore for a good head; for knowledge, and a good underſtanding. Hearken to the word of the Lord: This book of the Law ſhall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou ſhalt meditate therein day, and night; that thou mayſt obſerve to do according to all that p. 135is written therein; for then thou ſhalt make thy way proſperous, and then ſhalt thou have good ſucceſſe. And above all, labour to have a good heart, an honeſt heart, a ſanctified heart, an obedient heart. Such a heart as David had; even an heart according to Gods own heart. Which that you 1 Sam. 13, 14.1 Sam 13:14may attain unto, do as Solomon did, pray, pray. Go unto the Lord, and ſay, And now oh Lord, my God, I thy Servant am in the midſt of thy people, which thou haſt choſen, a great people: Give therefore thy Servant an underſtanding heart, to judge thy people, that I may diſcern between good, and bad: For who is able to judge this thy ſo great a people? 1 Kin. 3. 8. 9.

Beare away with you theſe few words of Exhortation; and that you may the better remember them, I ſhall preſent all before your eies in a little Embleme. I am Gods Herauld, and I wil give you a Coat of Armes, an Eſcoucheon, which if you will own, you will ſhew your ſelfe a generous Lyon.

You ſhall beare, not Or, or argent: No no; you muſt not be carried away with Silver, or Gold, or ſuch earthly, and tranſitory things; but you ſhall beare Azure, blew, caeleſtiall: Have your Converſation in Heaven.

p. 136Let your charge be a Lyon: Now, as for the poſture of your Lyon, I have ſpent ſome ſerious thoughts.

It muſt not be a Lyon dormant. I beſeech you do not ſleep, neither at the Church, nor on the Bench.

It were a ſhame to have it, either crouchant, or fugient. Never yet was ſeen ſuch a Coat, as a Lyon current. To flee is a reproach: do not flee away, do not turn your back on Gods truth, on Gods cauſe, and Gods people; and all for cowardly feare: ſtand to the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, to the laſt drop of blood.

Neither ſhould the Lyon be over-rampant: Rampant ſheweth his geſture in ſeizing on the Prey. The Prey that a Magiſtrate purſueth, are evill doers. Purſue this Prey, be rampant, but not over-rampant, not over-rigorous; mingle mercy with Juſtice in your Government. Be not righteous over-much, Eccleſ. 7. 16.

I had thought a Lyon paſſant might have done well. The paſſant Lyon ſheweth but halfe his face as he paſſeth by: this poſture ſheweth much confidence, and reſolution: It ſheweth alſo much moderation. Be you paſſant towards the faithfull Miniſters, and Servants of God: if for conſcience, p. 137and pure conſcience, they cannot ſwallow all things impoſed by the State, paſſe by it, connive; do not turn your head aſide to teare, and deſtroy a man, that is precious in Gods ſight; onelyonly becauſe he will not ſin againſt his Conſcience. The Prelates were Lyons indeed, but not paſſant: and therefore the Lord hath paſſed over them, even over their faire Hoſ. 10. 11.Hos 10:11neck, and brought them low.

The Lyon therefore which I ſhall commend to you, and charge your Shield withall, is paſſant guardant: The Lyon paſſant guardant ſhewes his whole face; which notes not only Courage, and Reſolution, but Vigilancy alſo, and circumſpection. Before this Lyon is a flame of fire: behind him an empty Charriot, the wheels ratling: over his head a white Cock, with a great red Comb, and crowing: under him Dogs opening their mouths againſt him, and barking. Yet he keeps on his way undaunted, not changing his pace, or turning his head aſide for feare of any. And the word,

p. 138Non retrogradior.

p. 139So go on, oh you Lyons of our Forreſt, you Magiſtrates of this City And more eſpecially you that are this day to be a Lyon aſcendent, to riſe up to the chiefe place of Magiſtracy. Be faithfull, and zealous for the Lord.

Be vigilant in your great Office, not dormant; be ſalient, nimble, active, and induſtrious. Bee juſt in diſpencing puniſhments, and rewards. To wicked, and obſtinate Offenders be rampant; and divide the Prey in a juſt manner: diſtribute rewards, and praiſes to every one that doth good, according to the proportion of their deſerts.

Be mercifull in giving, and in forgiving. And to the Conſcientious, that cannot ſwallow every Impoſition, be paſſant, go by and let them alone.

Lyon! look to thy taile; take heed of a ſecret malignant traine.

Be bold as a Lyon, Couragious, let nothing turn you away from God, from the truth of Chriſt, from his Miniſters, and Servants.

Walk ſtately; let your whole Converſation be humble, ſober, grave, holy, and as becomes the Goſpell: And maintain your State, and Power, and Enſignes of p. 140your Authority. You are a Lyon, let no Anabaptiſticall ſhavers flay off your skin, and cut off your haire. Know where your ſtrength lyeth, labour for a good head, and a good heart; then in the end you ſhall Couch with honour, and be Leo quieſcens.

You ſhall reſt from your Labours, and your workes ſhall follow you.Revel. 14. 13.Rev 14:13

Now the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah ſtrengthen you with his might, protect you with his power, guide you with his wiſedome, imbrace you with his mercy; and give you reſt, and reward in the latter end. Amen.

Exhortation 2.

To the Miniſters of the Goſpell. One of the Elders ſounds the Trumpet in the care of Iohn the Apoſtle, and Evangeliſt; calls upon him to behold, to eye this Lyon of the Tribe of Judah. q. d. I charge you to mark this Lyon well: And why? Even that he may compoſe himſelfe to the example of this great Prophet in all things; in the execution of his Miniſteriall Function. Miniſters muſt be Lyons. It is an old conceipt: & conſtat ex pictura, ſed non ex p. 141Scriptura. That the foure living wights, cap. 4. 7. did repreſent the foure Evangeliſts. Matthew was the Man, Luke the Oxe, John the flying Eagle, and Marke the Lyon. It is certain, that thoſe Creatures import the properties of Angels, and are Revel. 2. & 3.Rev 2Symbols, as of Magiſtrates, ſo of Miniſters. The Miniſters of the Goſpell are Angels, and they muſt be Lyons too. In all things comfortable to the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah.

1. The Lyon of the tribe of Judah came and tooke the Booke out of the right hand of him that ſate upon the throne, Verſ. 7. So the Miniſter of the Goſpel, he muſt take the Book in his hand: The Book of God, the holy Scriptures: he muſt deliver nothing to the people, but what he finds in that Book: thence he muſt fetch the will and counſell of God. Search the Scriptures, John 5. 29. Hold faſt the forme of ſound words, which thou haſt heard from me, 2 Tim. 1. 13. The Miniſter muſt take what Saint Paul writes, what the Spirit of God holds forth in the holy Bible. There is a numerous generation now in theſe dayes, that caſt the written word aſide, and pretend altogether to inſpirations and revelations; the Spirit, the Spirit. To theſe I p. 142ſay no more but this, if they have any inſpirations or revelations contrary to the Book that Chriſt took into his hand, I beleeve verily they are from the Spirit; but it is from the evill Spirit, from the Devill.

2. The Lyon of the tribe of Judah, when he had taken the Book, he opened it, and looſed the Seales thereof. So the Miniſter of the Goſpel, when hee hath taken the Book, hee muſt open it: And when doth he take the Book? When a Miniſter is ordained, and ſet apart by the impoſition 1 Tim. 4. 14.1 Tim 4:14of hands, and ſent to do the work to which God calleth him, a Bible is given into his hand by the Preſident of the Preſbytery: And then, and not till then, hee takes the booke, and having taken it hee muſt open it; that is, he muſt expound it, and apply it: So Ezra the Scribe, he tooke the book of the Law, and opened it in the ſight of all the people: Hee read in the booke Nehem. 8. 5. 8.Neh 8:5Neh 8:8diſtinctly, he gave the ſenſe, and cauſed them to underſtand the reading. And juſt ſo the great Maſter of the Aſſemblies, the Prophet and Doctor of his Church: He came Luk. 4. 16, 17, 18, 20.Luke 4:16Luke 4:17Luke 4:18Luke 4:20to Nazareth, went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day, and ſtood up to read: And there was delivered unto him the book of the Prophet Eſaias. And when he had opened p. 143the book, he read his Text out of Iſa. 61. 1. And then he cloſed the book, and preached unto the people, ſhewing how that Scripture was fulfilled that day, and making all plain and clear. Saint Paul gives Miniſters their charge, 2 Timoth. 4. 1. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who ſhall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing, and his Kingdome. V. 2. Preach the Word, be inſtant in ſeaſon, out of ſeaſon: reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long ſuffering and doctrine. Miniſters are Lyons, Lyons muſt not be mute.

3. The Miniſter muſt be a Lyon, bold and couragious in the execution of his office. This he muſt looke for, to meet with great oppoſition, and eſpecially from the great men of the World, if he ſhall rebuke them and tell them of their ſins plainly: But the Miniſter of Chriſt muſt not feare the faces of men; but with liberty and freedome of ſpeech utter the meſſage of the Lord, And keepe nothing of Gods Act. 20. 27.Acts 20:27counſell back. He muſt lift up his voyce like a Lyon, and roare in the eares of Kings, Potentates, and the greateſt States-men. The Lyon muſt roare, though the Doggs bark, and the Wolves howle, and all the Beaſts of the Forreſt do yell and grin. A p. 134ſoule-ſearching Miniſtry is gall and wormwood to unreformed perſons. Miniſters that caſt the Pearles of reproofes before Doggs and Swine, muſt expect that ſuch brutiſh creatures will fly in their faces, and if it be in their power, will rent and teare them. But what ſaith the Lord? Thou ſhalt go to all that I ſhall ſend thee; and whatſoever I command thee, thou ſhalt ſpeake. Be not afraid of their faces, for I am with thee to deliver thee, Jer. 1. 7, 8. Make thy face ſtrong againſt their faces, and thy forehead ſtrong againſt their foreheads, Ezek. 3. 8. Miniſters muſt have undaunted reſolutions, ahd be as bold as Lyons.

4. Miniſters of the Goſpell muſt not forget the ſtately gate of the Lyon: The Lyon is comely in his going. Miniſters ſhould be carefull above all others, to walke as becomes the Goſpel of Chriſt: A holy walking, that is the comely walking. I beſeech you behold how the high Prieſt is adorned, and how he walks: He had a plate of pure Gold upon his forehead, and upon that Plate was ingraven, Exod. 28. 36. Exod. 23. 30.Exod 28:36Exod 23:30HOLINESSE TO THE LORD. Upon his Breſtplate the URIM and the THUMMIM, Viz, the light of knowledge, and the perfection of holineſſe; theſe were p. 145upon Aarons heart, when hee walketh, when he goeth in before the Lord. He had a Robe down to his feet, and towards the bottome, beneath upon the hemme of it a golden Bell, and a Pomegranate, a Golden Bell, and a Pomegranate round about. Exod. 28. 34.Exod 28:34The golden Bell ſignifies the ſound of pure Doctrine, and the Pomegranate a ſweet, and ſavoury fruit, notes that holineſſe of Converſation that was in the High-prieſt: view him well, and you ſee him adorned with holineſſe Cap a pe, from head to foot. It is the duty of Miniſters, Vivere concionibus, & concionari moribus, to live Sermons, Melius docemur vita quam verbo, Examples prevaile more with men then Precepts. In all things ſhew thy Tit. 2. 7.Titus 2:7ſelfe a Pattern of good Workes (ſaith Paul to Titus) in Doctrine, uncorruptneſſe, gravity, ſincerity. In the frame of the Temple upon the borders, were painted, and ingraven 1 King 7. 29.1 Kgs 7:29Lyons, Oxen, and Cherubims: To ſhew what kind of perſons they ought to be, who ſerve in Gods houſe. As Angels for knowledge, to dive into the Myſteries of the Goſpell; laborious and painfull as the Oxe. They muſt be Lyons alſo for courage, and boldneſſe, and they muſt be comely in their going, their Converſation muſt be holy, and lovely.

p. 146I ſhall commend at this time but one thing more to my Brethren of the Miniſtry, and that is Prayer: Let us be much, and earneſt in Prayer. Alas! we ſhall never be able to open the Book, except the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah help us, verſe 4. John wept much, becauſe none was found worthy to open the Book, and to read it; We muſt weep, and pray, pray, and weep, that we may be enabled to open the Booke: For there are ſublime things in the Book, and hard to be underſtood. Alas our hearts will faile us, and we 2 Pet. 3. 16.2 Pet 3:16ſhal be afraid of the faces of men, if the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah do not ſtrengthen us, and put Courage into us, & keep up our Spirits; to him therfore we nought to make our Addreſſes. Yea, in this let me beg help for my ſelfe, and others: wel-beloved, I ſpeak to you all that are before me this day, in the words of Saint Paul, Eph. 6. 18. Pray alwaies, with all prayer, and ſupplication of the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perſeverance, & ſupplication for al Saints. 19. And for me, and for all the faithfull Miniſters of the Goſpell, that utterance may be given unto us, that we may open our mouths BOLDLY, to make known the myſtery of the Goſpell.

p. 147Exhortation. 3.

I paſſe on now to the third Exhortation, and that is to all in generall, men, women, and young ones. And there are various, and ſundry duties which I ſhall endeavour to perſwade you to.

And firſt, Is Jeſus Chriſt the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah? Then proſtrate, bow to B…e Subjacts.this Lyon, tremble at his voice. Is Chriſt the King of his Church and People; then come all in, ſhake off all other yoakes; Satans Dominion, and Sins Reigne: and liſt under this King, be his Subjects, kiſſe his Scepter and kneele to him, know your King; be loyall to him, give him your whole heart, honour, feare, and obey him. give to Caeſar that which is Caeſars, pay him all his Tribute; of time, of your Eſtates, of every thing. Fight for him; contend for the faith, the truth, the honour of Jeſus Chriſt: Let the Lord Jeſus Chriſt have a Throne in all your hearts; ſay, We have no King but the Lord Jeſus Chriſt.

To move you hereunto, conſider the excellency of this Kingdome, above all other Kingdomes in the World.

p. 148It hath the beſt King, He is fairer then Pſal. 45. 2.Ps 45:2the Children of men. He is the ſupream, the abſolute King of himſelfe, all other earthly Kings are but Vice-roys, Lord-deputies. All other Kings are but meer men, he is God, and man; all other Kings have but a little peice of earth to ſet their feet upon: he is the great Monarch of Heaven and Earth; all other Kings weare but a corruptible 1 Cor. 9. 25.1 Cor 9:25Crown, but his Kingdome endureth for ever. Such a King, there is not another. What the Queen of Sheba ſaid of Solomon, the Type, hath its Complement, and perfection in Jeſus Chriſt: Happy are the Servants, and Subjects of this King. 1 King. 10. 8. 9.1 Kgs 10:81 Kgs 10:9Bleſſed be the Lord thy God, Oh thou Lyon of the Tribe of Judah! which delighted in thee, to ſee thee on the Throne of Iſrael, becauſe the Lord loved his Iſrael for ever; therfore made he thee King. It hath the beſt Scituation, I have ſet my King upon my holy Pſal. 2. 6.Ps 2:6hill of Zion. There is the nether Zion, and the upper Zion, both pleaſant. Of the nether, or lower Zion (the Pilgrim Church upon Earth) it is ſaid; Beautifull for ſcituation, the joy of the whole Earth is Mount Pſal. 48. 2. 3.Ps 48:2Ps 48:3Zion, the City of the great King. And what is the beauty thereof? The preſence of God dwelling in the midſt his people, and p. 149protects them. God is known in her Palaces for a Refuge Of the upper Zion (the triumphant Church in Heaven) it is ſaid, Yee are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the City of the living God, the heavenly Jeruſalem, and to an innumerable company of Angels, to the general Aſſembly, and Church of the firſt-borne which are written in Heaven; and to God the Judge of all, and to the ſpirits of juſt men made perfect, and to Jeſus. Heb. 12 22, 23, 24.

It hath the beſt Lawes. What Nation is Deut. 4. 8.Deut 4:8there ſo great, that hath Statutes, and Judgments ſo righteous, as all this Law which I ſet before you this day? Deut. 4. 8. In the Lawes of other Kingdomes, in humane Lawes, there is the wiſdome of men; but in Chriſts Lawes there is the wiſdome of God. Humane Lawes may be unjuſt, Chriſts Lawes are all righteous, and holy. The Lawes of other Kings may be burdenſome, and tyrannicall, Chriſts Yoake is ever eaſie. Matth. 11. 29. Pſal. 19. 7.Matt 11:29Ps 19:7All other Lawes are imperfect, but Chriſts Law is perfect, converting the Soule. Other Kings they can write their Lawes in Tables, and hang them up upon …ſts, and Pillars, but they cannot ſway the hearts of their Subjects to obedience: but Chriſt puts his Law in their inward parts, and p. 150writes it in their hearts. Jer. 31. 33. Yet more; In this Kingdome are the beſt Honours, Preferments, Dignities, and Priviledges. There are all Favourites, they have ever the Kings mouth, and eare: They ſtand before him and hear him ſpeak to them in the Goſpell, and by the ſecret whiſperings of his Spirit in their Soules. And he alwaies holds out the Golden Scepter to them; his eare is ever open to Eſter. 5. 2.their Prayers: And is it a ſmall thing to be Favourite to ſuch a King? In the light of the Kings Countenance is life, and his favour is as the latter raine, Prov. 16. 15.

They are, and ſhall be all Kings. They are already Kings in a ſtate of grace: Chriſt hath made us Kings, Revel. 1. 6. And they have a better Kingdome in reverſion, they ſhall be Kings in the Kingdome of glory. Feare not little Flock, it is your Fathers good pleaſure to give you the Kingdome. Luk. 12. 32.

Come in then, all you that are yet under the tyranny of the roaring Lyon; follow the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah: And that you may …o ſo, hearken to the voice of his Heraulds; he ſends them abroad to invite into his Kingdome: The miniſters of the Goſpel are his Meſſengers, by them p. 151he ſends forth the rod of his ſtrength, Pſal. 110. 2.

Pray, pray, Thy Kingdome come, Matth. 6. 10. You have taken the Oath of Allegeance, and Supremacy already, all of you have put your Seale too in your Baptiſme; Now take heed that you revolt not, come and joyne to the Tribe of Judah: The Trumpet is blown, now look to it; who is of the Lords ſide?

2. Is Jeſus Chriſt the Lyon of Judah, the annointed King of his Church? Then be exhorted, in the next place, to partake of his Annointing; take you alſo Kingly honour, be you all Kings. The men of Judah, 1 Joh. 2. 27. Bee Kings.1 John 2:27yea and the women too, even the whole Tribe were Lyons. Behold the people ſhall riſe up as a great Lyon, and lift up himſelfe as a yong Lyon; he ſhall not lye down, untill he eate of the Prey, and drink the blood of the ſlaine. Numb, 23. 24.

And here I ſhall give you a Commiſſion to be as bold as Apame, the Kings Concubine, in the Apocryphall book, Shee 1 Eſdr. 4. 30. 31.took the Crown off the Kings head, and put it upon her own; yet in the mean ſeaſon the King gaped, and gazed on her, and ſtill grew more fond. Do you ſo, take the Crown of Chriſt, and put it on; not to depoſe him, p. 152but to communicate with him in his Kingly Office, yea in all the parts of it. For this Lyon of the Tribe of Judah hath made us Revel. 5. 10.Rev 5:10unto our God Kings, and we ſhall reigne on the Earth, as you have it in the 10. verſe.

Do you communicate with Chriſt, in the buſineſſe of Vocation; he gaines and gathers his Subjects by calling them in: Do you ſo; let Miniſters of the Goſpell in their holy Function, and let every man and woman in their private Station, endeavour to gain, and gather Subjects out of Satans Kingdome into the Kingdome of Jeſus Chriſt: Do what thou canſt to make thy Flock, to make thy Children, to make thy Servants, to make thy Friends the Subjects of the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah. Let the Miniſter do this by preaching, the private perſon by education, inſtruction, and all by Prayer for thoſe under their charge. When thou art converted, ſtrengthen thy Brethren, Luk. 22. 32.

Communicate alſo with Chriſt, in the work of ruling: rule well in your ſeverall charges: Let the Elders rule well their Flocks; Let the Houſeholders keep good 1 Tim. 5. 17.1 Tim 5:17rule in their Houſes and Families; and in eſpeciall manner ſet up Chriſts Government p. 153in your hearts; rule your unrulely Paſſions, and Perturbations, and keep them in good order.

Againe, Chriſt as a King protects his Church, his Subjects. He is a ſhield to them that truſt in him. Communicate with him Prov. 30. 5.Prov 30:5in this part of his Kingly Office alſo: Be every one of you, according to your power and places, a defence, and a countenance to the true, and poore people of God; Magiſtrates by their Authority, and all people by their Purſes and Prayers; let them be as the clefts of the Rock, for Chriſts Song. 2. 14.Song 2:14chaſed Doves to hide and ſhelter in. And you muſt be Kings for War: Chriſt had many ſharp, and ſore Conflicts: you alſo muſt fight, and be ever in the field; you muſt take up Armes againſt Satan, againſt ſinfull luſts that fight againſt the 1 Pet. 2. 11.1 Pet 2:11Soule. You muſt war againſt your owne corrupt wills, and carnall reaſons; yea, you muſt fight againſt ſelfe, deareſt ſelfe. If any man will come after me (ſaith our King, and Captain) let him deny himſelfe, and take up his Croſſe and follow me, Matth. 16. 24. Beat down rebellious and ſtirring Affections. Exerciſe judiciary power, deſtroy your Malefactors; ſlay, mortifie your members which are upon the earth, fornication, p. 154Col. 3. 5.Col 3:5uncleanneſſe, inordinate affections, evill concupiſence, and covetouſneſſe.

Once more, Communicate with Chriſt in his Kingly Office, in reſpect of his triumph and Royalty. When he had conquered, When he aſcended up on high, he led Captivity Captive, and gave gifts unto 2 Sam. 24. 23.2 Sam 24:23men, Eph. 4. 8. Araunah gave as a King: Chriſt hath made you Kings, you partake of his Annointing, give gifts unto men: give Almes, ſpirituall Almes, corporall Almes; This is a Character of a ſpirituall King. He hath diſperſed abroad, he hath given to the poor: his righteouſneſſe endureth for ever, his horn ſhall be exalted with honour, Pſal. 112. 9.

Thus let me perſwade you to be Kings; For if you partake of his Annointing in grace, you ſhall alſo reigne with him in glory. There are multitudes that will not ſtrike a ſtroke for Chriſt, but let the ſtrong man go away withall. But as for you my beloved, be as the Tribe of Judah, Lyons, Kings. Ephraim compaſſeth me about with lies, and the houſe of Iſrael with deceit, ſaith the Lord; But Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithfull with the Saints, Hoſ. 11. 12.

3. Jeſus Chriſt is the Lyon, becauſe p. 155King, and Governour of his Church. So all other Kings, and Magiſtrates, they are Lyons; Hieroglyphically repreſented by that generous, and magnanimous Creature. Are they Lyons? then be exhorted to proſtrate to them alſo. The Prince of the Tribe of Judah is a Lyon: then, his Fathers Children ſhall bow down before him, Gen. 49. 8.

Let every Soule be ſubject to the higher Powers, Rom. 13. 1. Give to Caeſar the Matth. 22. 21.Matt 22:21things that are Caeſars; Honour, Obedience, and Tribute. Submit your ſelves to every ordinance of man, for the Lords ſake; whether it be to the King as ſupream; or unto Governours, as unto them that are ſent by him, for the puniſhment of evill doers, and for the praiſe of them that do well. Feare God, honour the King, 1 Pet. 2. 13. 14. 17. Couch to the Civill Magiſtrate. The Donatiſts, and their Succeſſors, Anabaptiſts, and Libertines take away all Magiſtracy out of the World; they are Children of Belial, that will not be ſubject to any Yoake. Though ſome of them be conſtrained to acknowledge Magiſtracy under the old Teſtament, yet they maintain it unlawfull among Chriſtians, under the new Teſtament. But you have heard it p. 156from Chriſts own mouth, and Pauls Pen, That Magiſtracy is a Goſpell Ordinance, and a great bleſſing. Take away Magiſtracy, and the World will ſoon ruine. I exhort you therefore, that firſt of all, Supplications, Prayers, Interceſſions, and giving of thanks he made for all men, for Kings, and for all that are in Authority, that we may lead a godly, and peaceable life, in all godlineſſe, and honeſty, 1 Tim. 2. 1. 2.

4. Chriſt is the Lyon: thereby is ſignified his Propheticall office, as well as his Kingly. He ſhall roare like a Lyon: Saith the Prophet Hoſea: cap. 11. 10. That is, ſaith the gloſſ: Chriſt ſhall cauſe the ſound of the Goſpel to ſound all the world over. All God's faithfull Miniſters are Lyons alſo. Then be exhorted to hearken to the Prophets of the Lord, when they ſpeak in the name of the Lord: I ſay to thee, the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah roares in thine ears. The Lyon hath roared: whats that? The Lord God hath ſpoken. Amos 3. 8. who will not feare, who will not tremble?

You ſhall meet with a remarkeable ſtory in the firſt Book of the Kings, cap. 20. 35. One of the Prophets ſaid unto his Neighbour in the word of the Lord: Smite mee I pray thee: a ſtrange command, one would p. 157think: and the man refuſed to ſmite him. q. d. I will obey you in ſomething elſe, but not in this. What ſaith the Prophet to him: becauſe thou haſt not obeyed the voice of the Lord, behold, as ſoon as thou art departed from me, a Lyon ſhal ſlay thee. And as ſoon as he was departed from him, a Lyon found him, and ſlew him. Did the Lord ſhew this ſeverity, for not obeying one word ſpoken in his name by his Prophet, and that ſo unuſuall a command: what ſhall the end of thoſe be that contradict the Prophets of the Lord? that ſpeak in the language of thoſe, Ierem. 44. 16. As for the word that thou haſt ſpoken unto us, in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee. What ſhall the end of thoſe be, of all thoſe, that in theſe dayes hate, deſpiſe, and contemne the Miniſters of the Goſpel? yea, and the very office of the Miniſtry, and make it their deſigne to root it out. I feare, I feare, my beloved! that we may read England's doome. 2 Chron. 36. 15. And the Lord God of their Fathers ſent to them by his Meſſengers, riſing up betimes, and ſending: becauſe he had compaſſion on his people, & on his dwelling place. 16. But they mocked the Meſſengers of God, and deſpiſed his words, and miſuſed his Prophets: until the wrath p. 158of the Lord aroſe againſt his people, till there was no remedy: if the Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah be not hearkned unto, nor regarded when he roares in the preaching of the Goſpel: he will ſoon roar againſt thoſe Rebells in fury, and rent them in pieces, and there ſhall be none to help.

5. Jeſus Chriſt is the Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah; that is, lineally deſcended out of that Tribe, from the loines of the Patriarch Iudah. Then be exhorted to have reſpect to that Tribe; love, and honour the Jewes: What a deare love had Saint Paul to his Country-men! He calls Chriſt to witneſſe, that he had great heavineſſe; and continuall ſorrow in his heart. That he could wiſh himſelfe accurſed from Chriſt for his Brethren, his Kinſmen according to the fleſh. And why? Becauſe they are Iſraelites, and the adoption, and the glory, and the Covenant pertaineth to them. But eſpecially, becauſe of them, as concerning the fleſh, Chriſt came. Do you love the branch, and wil you not love the root? yea, though it be but the root of his humanity?

Ob. But ſome will ſay, the Jewes did crucifie the Lord of life, and therefore deſerve to be deteſted. And do we not ſay well, we hate ſuch a one, as we hate a Jew?

p. 159Anſw. Take heed of malice, and bitterneſſe againſt that Nation. They did ſlay the Meſſiah the holy one, its true; but they did it ignorantly in unbeleife; and therefore Chriſt prayeth for them, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do, Luk. 23. 34.

And they have ſuffered abundantly for their ſin; as their wickedneſſe was exceeding great, ſo the Lord hath been very ſevere to them. The blood of Chriſt lyeth heavie upon them, and upon their Children: They are ſcatter'd in all Lands, and are for a reproach, and a hiſſing unto this day. But hath God caſt off his people? God Rom. 11. 1.Rom 11:1forbid. God will deale more favourably with the Jewes. afterward. They have fallen by the edge of the Sword, and are led away Captive into all Nations, and Jeruſalem ſhall be troden down of the Gentiles, til the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled, Luk. 21. 24. Now they are troden under foot, but its onelyonly for a time. They are, as you ſee, miraculouſly preſerved in all Countries, though hated, and oppreſſed: And God will not forget his Covenant made with Abraham, and his friend ſo many ages ſince. It is not for nothing, that Chriſt is ſtiled the glory of the people Iſrael. Luk. 2. 32.

p. 160And doubtleſſe they ſhall have a glorious Reſtauration. As for the dream of another temporall, pompous Monarchy on Earth, I leave it to the fanaticall Millenaries; but that there ſhall be a ſpirituall converſion of the Jewes, which ſhall exceed in glory, I conceive it to be moſt plain. The Redeemer ſhall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from tranſgreſſion in Jacob, ſaith the Lord: As for me, this is my Covenant with them, ſaith the Lord; My Spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, ſhall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy Seed, ſaith the Lord, from henceforth, and for ever. Iſa. 59. 20. 21.

For I would not Brethren, ſaith Saint Paul, that yee ſhould bee ignorant of this Myſtery, that blindneſſe in part is happened to Iſrael, untill the fulneſſe of the Gentiles be come in, and ſo all Iſrael ſhall be ſaved: As it is written, there ſhall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and ſhall turn away ungodlineſſe from Jacob. Rom. 11. 25. 26. Since therefore, they are broken off but for a time, ſince we look for their reſtauration, and that ere long there will be one Sheepfold under one Shepheard, ſince we hope to meet a…remnant of them, according to the p. 161Rom. 11. 5.Rom 11:5election of grace (as God ſhall call) in the Kingdome of Glory: Let us do nothing to exaſperate them, and ſo to hinder their Converſion, but let us love them, as the root of the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah; and pray for them, that God would perſwade Shem to dwell in the Tents of Japhet.

6. Behold, Heer I ſound the Trumpet yet again: Behold! and in the ſixth place I ſhall endeavour to quicken, and ſtir you up to behold the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah. My laſt word of Exhortation is, to perſwade you to eye the Lord Jeſus Chriſt with all diligence, and intention.

Look upon him, that you may imitate, and conforme your ſelves to him in all things. As I have obſerv'd it in the Limner when he drawes a Picture; his eye is ever and anon upon the Perſon whoſe ſimilitude he takes: a line, and then a look, and all, that he may draw it to the life. So ought you ever to eye Chriſt, ſet his example before you continually, that you may be ſo many living Repreſentations of Chriſt; that all that behold you, may ſay, that Chriſt liveth in you. The Lyon was Judahs Enſigne, which they followed in their war-fare; Jeſus Chriſt is our Enſigne, p. 162and Banner: Follow, follow your Colours.

Follow the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah, in His

Kingly Vertues, Graces.

Stately Deportment.

1. In his Kingly Graces; Learn of me, ſaith Chriſt, that I am lowly and meek, Matth. 11. 29.

Hee is wiſe, and be you renewed in knowledge, in wiſdome according to his Image, Col. 3. 10.

He is ſtrong as a Lyon; be you ſo: Be ſtrong in faith, Rom 4. 20. Be ſtrong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, Eph. 6. 10.

He is juſt, & merciful, I wil put them he together. And herein he is a pattern to thee: He hath ſhewed thee, oh man! what is good, and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do juſtly, and to love mercy, and to walke humbly with thy God, Micah 6. 8. Put on therefore (as the elect of God, holy, and beloved) bowels of mercies, kindneſſe, humbleneſſe of minde, meekneſſe, long-ſuffering. Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another. Coloſſ. 3. 12. 13.

p. 1632. Behold, follow the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah, in his ſtately Deportment, walk as hee walks; the Lyon hath a comely gate: Let your whole practiſe be conformable to the example of Chriſt, I have given you an example, that you ſhould do as I have done, Joh. 13. 15. Let us walk honeſtly, ſaith Saint Paul, Rom. 13. 13. The foreign. compoſite.word ſignifies decently, compoſedly. How is that? verſe 14. By putting on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. 1. By expreſſing the life of Chriſt in your lives. Chriſt is repreſented to you here, as your King, and Captain: behold your King, and as you ſee him do, ſo do you. In every Action ſet Chriſt before your eyes; and ever think with your ſelves, how would Jeſus Chriſt act if he were in my room. Art thou a Magiſtrate, and going to the Bench: think thus with thy ſelfe, how would Chriſt proceed in executing Judgment if he were in my room? Art thou a Miniſter, and going into the Pulpit? think with thy ſelfe, how would Chriſt preach of this ſubject if he were in my room? Art thou a Tradeſ-man, a Husbandman, a Servant, a Child? Think with thy ſelfe, how would Chriſt carry himſelfe in my Calling, in my Relation? Art thou to treat with thy p. 164Adverſary about reconciliation? thinke with thy ſelfe, how would Chriſt temper himſelfe? how hath Chriſt carried himſelfe to us when we were Enemies? You are Rom. 5. 10.Rom 5:10now going from hence to a ſumptuous Feaſt; oh! think with your ſelves, what would Chriſt do if he were at the Table? in what meaſure would he eat, and drink? what divine, and holy diſcourſe would he have? When you are at your rich Diſhes, and full Cups: Behold! the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah. Do all things according to the pattern ſhewed thee in the Mount, Heb. 8. 5. Do not feed your ſelves without feare. Chryſoſtome wiſheth that people at their Feaſts, and Cups would think of Hell, and feare. The Lyon trembles at fire: Herein be Lyons, think of the fire of Hell, and be afraid.

Yet further, the Lyon loves, and frequents the tops of Mountaines: So did the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah, often, Luk. 6. 12.Luke 6:12very often; whole Nights together he was in the Mountaines praying: Mount Olivet was his Chappell of eaſe, his Oratory. Follow the Lyon to the Mount, be much in retirement, in ſecret prayer, and communion with God.

One thing more let me commend to p. 165you, and then I ſhall ceaſe exhorting. The dolefull times call for it; the Lyon is compaſſionate and liberall: he will diſtribute of his Prey not onelyonly to his Whelps, but Geſner.alſo to Beaſts of another kinde, if they be hungry. So the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah, he is a compaſſionate King, and a mercifull High-prieſt: he went about doing good, healing diſeaſes, viſiting the Matth. 4. 23. Matth. 14. 15, 16, &c.Matt 4:23Matt 14:15Matt 14:16ſick, feeding the people, thouſands of them that were ready to faint in the Wilderneſſe. Herein I beſeech you, behold the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah! When you are full, diſtribute of the Prey to thoſe that are hungry, and for whom nothing is prepared, you that are now aſcending to the higheſt Seat of Authority in this City, and the reſt of the Magiſtrates, I beſeech you have compaſſion of the poor: Look into the poor ruinous diſmal Towers, and Cottages; mark the many pale and wanne faces, and the trembling hands, think of the hungry and almoſt-ſtarved multitude: In the name of the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah, take care for them; let ſomething be diſtributed amongſt them, to refreſh their bowels. I, but perhaps you will ſay, you talk of Coſt, and this will ask a deale of labour, and take us off from our worldly p. 166Affaires; be it ſo, let me tell you in anſwer to your Objection, your labour ſhall not be in vain, your coſt ſhall not be loſt: what you do for the poore Members of Chriſt, Chriſt takes it as done to himſelfe. The King ſhall ſay, in as much as you have done it unto one of the leaſt of theſe my brethren, yee have done it unto me, Matth. 25. 40. The Lyon is the moſt gratefull Creature in the world: And here give me leave to inſert a Story, both for the remarkableneſſe of it, and alſo for the aptneſſe of it. (as I apprehend) to our preſent purpoſe: A. Gell. Noct. Att. Relates the ſtory from Appion Polyhiſter: Who did affirm to him, that in the City of Rome he ſaw the thing with his own eyes, he was a Spectator. There were in Rome many monſtrous and ſavage Beaſts: Above all the reſt there was one Lyon, who for vaſt magnitude, incredible ſtrength, dreadfull roaring, long, and buſhy haire waving about his head, neck, back, and legs, was terrible to behold, and ſtrook the Beholders with amazement. A Conſul's Servant, whoſe name was Androdus for an offence was brought forth to this Lyon, either to fight with him, and conquer him, or elſe to be torn in peeces by the Lyon, and nothing p. 167elſe could be expected. When this fierce Lyon ſaw Androdus afar off, hee made a ſudden ſtand, as it were in admiration! afterwards by little, and little hee comes on to the man, tanquam noſcitabundus: as if he thought he knew him, and were deſirous to know him more perfectly. Then he wags his taile after the manner of a fawning Dog, rubs his body againſt the body of Androdus (who was almoſt dead for feare) and gently ſtrokes his thighs and hands with his tongue: Upon this kindneſſe of the Lyon, Androdus begins to recover his Spirit, and fixing his eyes upon the Lyon, he, and the Lyon, as knowing one another, began to renew acquaintance, and rejoyce, and play together.

Hereupon there was a ſtrange admiration, and ſhout. Androdus was called before Caeſar; and the cauſe enquired why the moſt fierce, and barbarous of all the Lyons, ſhould ſpare him, and none elſe. Then Androdus gave a full account of the whole matter. I was a Servant, ſayes hee, to a Proconſul, a Lord-deputy in Africa; there having hard uſe, and continuall ſtripes from my Maſter. I was forced to run away. Wandring in ſolitudes, that I p. 168might not be found again by my Maſter: about Noon-tide in a hot ſcortching day, I enter'd a Cave for coolneſſe; preſently after, this very Lyon came into the ſame Den with a halting, and bloody foot, ſighing, and moaning, and as begging pity. At the firſt ſight of the Lyon I was terrified; but the Lyon ſoon eſpying me in a corner of his Den, came towards me in a peaceable manner, held up his wounded foot, ſhewed it me as craving my helpe: I pulled out of the plant of his foot, a great Stirpem ingentem.thorne, or ſhiver that ſtuck in it, nipped out the blood and corruption, cleanſed the wound, and healed it. The Lyon finding eaſe, and cure by my induſtry, reſted his foot in my hand. And from that day I lived three yeares in that Den, with this Lyon: and we had the ſame dyet. For when the Lyon had hunted, and caught his Prey, he would bring the fatteſt, and lovelieſt peeces to me; and becauſe I wanted fire, I roſted them againſt the Sun, dryed them, and eat them. But growing weary of that kind of life with the wilde Beaſt; when on a day, the Lyon was gon out after Prey, I left the Den, and ran away: and after ſome three daies wandring, I was taken by the Souldiers, and p. 169brought to Rome to my Maſter; he preſently condemned me to be thrown to this Lyon. And I underſtand, that as ſoon as ever I was parted from the Lyon, the Lyon alſo was taken in his ranging abroad, and brought to Rome: and now ſhewes me this kindneſſe for his cure. Appion ſaid, he heard Androdus make this relation. It was ſoon publiſhed abroad: and all the men petitioned Caeſar that the man might be pardon'd, and ſet free, and that the Lyon might be given to him. And upon the requeſt of the people, it was granted. Afterwards, ſaith Appion, we ſaw Androdus leading the Lyon about the City by a ſmall Cord, from Tavern to Tavern: the people gave him money, and all as they met him, would ſay, Hic eſt Leo, hoſpes hominis, Hic eſt homo, medicus Leonis. Here is the Lyon the mans Land-Lord, and here is the man, the Lyons Surgeon.

The Story hath been ſomething long, I will give you the Application ſhort and quick: The man plucked a thorne out of the Lyons foot, the Lyon gave the man his life for a reward: And will not the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah do more then a Lyon of the Forreſt? Doſt thou ſee in any of Chriſt poor Members, a thorne? a thorn p. 170of extream poverty, and want? a thorn of miſery, that they are ready to periſh? Pull out the thorn, eaſe them, help them, refreſh their bowels: Chriſt will give you life, even eternall life for your reward. He will feed and protect you here, and glorifie you hereafter.

Here what this Lyon, this King, this Jeſus will ſay to you when he ſhall come in his glory. Come yee bleſſed of my Father, receive the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and you gave nee meat, I was thirſty, and you gave me drink, I was a ſtranger, and you took me in, naked, and you clothed me, I was ſick, and you viſited me, I was in priſon, and you came unto me, Matth. 25. 34. 35. 36. Bleſſed are the mercifull, for they ſhall obtain mercy. Matth. 5. 7. You have heard the word of Exhortation; now followes the fourth, and laſt.

Ʋſe 4. Of Conſolation, Jeſus Chriſt is the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah; the Almighty, and eternall King of his Church. This opens a wels-ſpring of comfort to all the Lyons true-bred Whelps, to all the Subjects of Chriſts ſpirituall Kingdome. Pſal. 97. 1. 8.Ps 97:1Ps 97:8The Lord Jeſus Chriſt reigneth, let the p. 171Earth rejoyce, let the multitude of the Iſles be glad thereof. Zion heard, and was glad, and the Daughters of Judah rejoyced, becauſe of thy judgments, oh Lord. Various, and manifold are the Conſolations, I will propound them to you, that your joy may be full, and as ſhortly as is poſſible, becauſe I haſten to a concluſion, and deſire not to treſpaſſe too much upon your patience.

Conſel. 1. Againſt all the Churches Enemies. The Church, and people of God, may alwaies ſing that Pſalme: O Lord how are my Foes increas'd? And eſpecially Pſal. 3.Ps 3at this time. Now doubtleſſe, Rome, and Hell, all Jeſuited ſpirits, all Hereticks, and Sectaries (who love to fiſh in troubled waters) are buſily plotting the overthrow of our Religion, and Peace: But this is the comfort, the Church is not without a King, a p…ent King: For the Lord Jeſus Chriſt is our Judge, the Lord is our Law-giver, the Lord is our King, he will ſave us, Iſa. 33. 22.

He may ſeem a Lyon dermant for a ſeaſon, he ſlept till the tempeſt was very high, Matth. 8. 24. But the Lyon is awake, even when he ſeemeth to ſleep. He that keepeth Iſrael ſhall neither ſlumber nor ſleep. Pſal. p. 172121. 4. The Lord ſhall awake as one out of Pſal. 78. 65. 66.Ps 78:65Ps 78:66ſleep, and like a mighty man that ſhouteth by reaſon of Wine; and he ſhall ſmite his Enemies in the hinder parts, and put them to a perpetuall reproach. All attempts againſt the Church are vain. The Gates of Hell ſhall not prevaile againſt it: The Lord Jeſus Matt. 16. 18.Matt 16:18Chriſt will be a Lyon to them, and rent, and teare Zions Enemies in peeces, and there ſhall be none to help. For hee muſt reigne till he hath put all Enemies under his feet, 1 Cor. 15. 35.

Conſol. 2. Againſt our ignorance and blindneſſe: The poor Chriſtian complaines as Agur, Prov. 30. 2. Surely, I am more brutiſh then any man, and have not the underſtanding of a man. 3. I neither learned wiſdome, nor have the knowledge of the holy. And for this he weeps, and laments: But heare what the Elder ſaith, Weep not, behold the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah hath prevailed to open the Booke, and to looſe the ſeven Seales thereof. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt is appointed of God, to reveale the decree, the whole will, and counſell of God concerning mans Salvation. He is made unto us wiſdome, 1 Cor. 1 30. No man hath ſeen God at any time: the onelyonly begotten Son, which is in the boſome of the Father, p. 173hee hath declared him, John. 1. 18. There followed great joy, Songs, and Muſick in Heaven, when the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah had taken the Book; and undertaken to open it.

Conſol. 3. Againſt all our ſpirituall Enemies, the Enemies of our Salvation: Sin, Death, the Devill. The Lyon of the Tribe, of Judah foreign, Vicit, hee hath overcome, and prevailed; He hath vanquiſhed Death, Hell, and all the power of the Adverſary. The Lyon of the Tribe of Judah hath ſpoyled the roaring Lyon, that walketh about, ſeeking to devoure us. He overcame in dying, and ſo obtained high Dignity, and became Lord of all. Now he coucheth as a Lyon, and none can drive him from his Prey, which he caught out of the Dragons Pawes. Saint Paul is Herauld to the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah, proclaimes his Victory, and declares him Conquerour, with a word of triumph, and ſolemnity. Death is ſwallowed up in Victory: Oh death! where is thy Sting? Oh Grave where is thy Victory? The Sting of death is ſin, and the ſtrength of ſin is the Law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us Victory through our Lord Ieſus Chriſt. 1 Cor. 15. p. 17454, 55, 56, 57. All the ſtrength of death and the Devill, was from ſin, but Chriſt hath taken that quite away. Here in this verſe Iohn heares of Chriſt as a Lyon, but in the next verſe he ſeeth him as a Lamb ſlain, ſacrificed: and he is the Lamb of God, which taketh away the ſin of the world, Ioh. 1. 29. He made peace by the blood of his Croſſe.

Conſol. 4. Againſt Defects, wants of righteouſneſſe. Alas, ſaith the poor Creature, without holineſſe no man ſhall ſee the Heb. 12. 14.Heb 12:14Lord: And I have no righteouſneſſe, or at leaſt very imperfect, none that will juſtifie. It is true Chriſtian, if thou ſpeakſt of thine own righteouſneſſe inherent, and actuall; its at the beſt but as a ſhort Garment, and a ſpotted Cloath. Woe be to them that have no other Robe to cover them. But look up, and behold the Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah: He hath a Golden Skin to cover thee withall. I will tell you a peece of Herauldry: There are uſed in Armes Colours, and Furres. Furres are the Skins of certain Beaſts ſtripped from their bodies, and artificially trimmed for adorning of Garments for Kings, and great men. The Lyon is Iudahs Armes; The Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah is the p. 175Churches Enſigne, and Shield. Jeſus Chriſt will give thee Colours, and Furres. Colours, he will make the white by encreaſing in the more, and more the grace of Sanctification. And he hath Furres for thee too; his own Skin, his own Righteouſneſſe to cover thee, to juſtifie thee withall. Jeſus Chriſt is made unto us Righteouſneſſe and Sanctification, 1 Cor. 1. 30. Haſt thou nothing in thy ſelfe? there is enough in Chriſt.

Conſol. 5. Againſt all afflictions and troubles that the Children of God meet withall here: Poverty, Perſecution, and the like. Art thou in great ſtreights? Yes, perhaps thou will ſay, but alas, I cannot pray; yet bee of good comfort, Jeſus Chriſt at the right hand of his Father, doth pray, and make continuall Interceſſion for thee. He is of the Tribe of Judah: And you know that Judah was an Interceſſor for his Brother: Iudah ſaid, oh! do not Gen. 37. 26.Gen 37:26ſlay our Brother. And herein a Type of Chriſt, The Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah making continuall interceſſion for his Brethren. Art thou poore, and knoweſt not where to get bread? Jeſus Chriſt is thy King, and he is a Lyon, and will teare in peeces enough for his whelps, and diſtribute Nah. 2. 12.Nah 2:12it to his hungry ones.

p. 176Do thy afflictions and troubles continue? it is but for a time, it can be no longer then this tranſitory life continueth, and then Chriſt will glorifie thee, he will give you the Kingdome.

Here you have had great conſolation from Chriſts Kingly Office; againſt the implacable Enemies of the Church: againſt blindneſſe and ignorance, againſt all Spirituall Adverſaries of our Salvation, Sin, Death, the Devill; againſt wan…s and defects of righteouſneſſe; againſt all afflictions and miſeries of this life.

Ob. But haply, ſome will ſay, is Chriſt able, and willing to do all this for his people?

Anſw. To this I anſwer, and that ſhall be

Conſol. 6. He is able to do it, for he is a Lyon: The ſtrongeſt. The Alpha, and Omega, the beginning, and the ending: which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. He is alſo willing; for this end he was ſent, and for this purpoſe he took our Nature, and came into the World: he is our bone, and our fleſh. The Lyon of Judic. 9. 2.Judg 9:2the Tribe of Iudah our Kinſman, our Brother, our Husband.

Ob. But alas, will ſome poor Chriſtians p. 177ſay, all theſe things may belong to others; but we are not qualified, we are not prepared, and therefore not capable of theſe great Prerogatives.

Anſw. To this I ſhall anſwer with a Caution, with a limitation: The Conſolation doth not belong to all, onelyonly to the Lyons whelps, onelyonly to the Tribe of Judah; onelyonly to ſuch are true and faithfull Subjects of the Lyon, of the King Chriſt Jeſus. And who are they? I will tell you ſhortly, ſuch as beleive and repent, and this I ſhall add as a ſeventh Conſolation. Doſt thou beleive in the Lyon of the Tribe Conſol. 7.of Judah? in Jeſus Chriſt? be of good comfort, Sin, and Satan ſhall never hurt thee. To him, to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt give all the Prophets witneſſe, that through his name, whoſoever beleiveth in him, ſhall receive remiſſion of ſins. Act. 10. 43. Pliny writes, that if any one be annointed with the blood of a Lyon, or the fat, the bitings of no venomous Creature can hurt him. If thy Soule be annointed with the blood of the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah, ſin cannot ſting thee, and the bitings of the old Serpent cannot harm thee.

Doſt thou finde wants and defects in thine own righteouſneſſe? yet doſt thou p. 178beleive in the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah? Be of good comfort, he hath Righteouſneſs enough to juſtifie thee. I read, that Garments wrapt up in the Golden Skin of the Lyon, are ſafe from Moths. Art thou by faith, wrapt up in the glorious Robe of Chriſts Righteouſneſſe? Be of good comfort, the Moths, and defects of thy Sanctification ſhall not prejudice thy juſtification, for thou ſhalt ſtand before the Judge of all the World: Not having thine own Righteouſneſſe, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Chriſt. Phil. 3. 9.

Againe, Doſt thou repent unfeignedly of all thy ſins, and tranſgreſſions? be of good comfort, the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah will have mercy upon thee. They ſay, if the Lyonneſſe defile her ſelfe, and commit adultery with the Libbard, the Lyon will not accompany with her ſuddenly; but if ſhe go and waſh her in the water, the Lyon will receive her again. So the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah. Haſt thou defiled thy ſelf with ſin? look that Chriſt ſhall ſtand aloofe off, till thou waſh thy ſelfe in a bath of penitentiall teares, and then he will receive thee to Communion again. Waſh you therefore, and make you clean, repent, p. 179Iſa 1. 16.Isa 1:16and be converted, and your ſins ſhall be blotted out, when the times of refreſhing ſhall come from the preſence of the Lord. Act. 3. 19. Solomon tells us, that a living Dog is Eccleſ. 9. 4.Eccl 9:4better then a dead Lyon. But I ſay unto you, my Beloved, that a dead Lyon is better then all the World beſides. Chriſt crucified is this dead Lyon; unſpeakable are the Conſolations that ſpring out of the dead Tree of the Croſſe. Here is Sampſons Riddle declared; Out of the Eater came forth meat, and out of the ſtrong came forth ſweetneſſe: what is ſweeter then honey? and what is ſtronger then a Lyon? Judic. 14. 14. 18. Chriſt crucified is ſweet. Chriſt crucified is ſweet, Chriſt crucified is ſweeteſt of all.

Thus have you heard the Trumpet ſounded: The rare Sight hath alſo been preſented to your view. And by this time, verily, you think it is high time that I ſhould diſmiſſe you; I will have done by and by, yet I muſt take a little liberty more.

As the Trumpet ſounded when this glorious Shew was firſt brought in, ſo now at the cloſe I ſound the Trumpet once more. Behold, behold, behold!

I come to that which hath been my deſigne, and which I have driven at all this p. 180while; viz. To exhalt Jeſus Chriſt. Here in my Preaching I lift up an Enſigne to the people: I lift up the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah in this Standard. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, ſaith Chriſt, will draw all men unto me. I lift up the Lion of the Joh. 12. 32.John 12:32Tribe of Judah before you, that I may draw all your eyes and all your hearts to him. Eye Chriſt, know Chriſt, gaze continually upon Chriſt; and why? for this end, that you may be drawn to love, admire, and adore the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. My Beloved, My heart is inditing of a good Pſal. 45. 1. 2. 4. 8.Ps 45:1Ps 45:2Ps 45:4Ps 45:8matter, I will ſpeak the things which I have made touching the King. I will ſound forth the Praiſes of the King, of Chriſt, the bleſſed King of his Church. Thou art fairer, oh King! then the Children of men, grace is powered into thy lips. Thou art full of Majeſty, truth, meekneſſe, and righteouſneſſe, all thy Garments ſmell of Myrhe, and Aloes, and Caſſia. Jeſus Chriſt is the chiefeſt among Song. 5. 10. 11. 16.Song 5:10Song 5:11Song 5:16ten thouſand. He is the GOLDEN LYON. His head is like the moſt fine Gold, his Locks are buſhy. (So is the Nobleneſſe, generouſneſſe, and ſtatelineſſe of the Lyon diſcovered, by his ſhaggy haire, covering his head, neck, and ſhoulders.) His mouth is moſt ſweet, yea, he is altogether p. 181lovely. The tongues of men, and Angels cannot expreſſe the excellency of Jeſus Chriſt in himſelfe; therefore love, admire, adore him.

Yet eye him a little further, and behold what he is relatively, in relation to us, and then you will ſee much more to endeare you to him. Behold, he is not onelyonly a Prophet, but your Prophet, not onelyonly a Prieſt, but your Prieſt: Not onelyonly a King, but your King. Behold, your King; And what is he to you? what! Rejoice oh daughter Zach. 9. 9.Zech 9:9of Zion; Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, he is juſt, and having Salvation. He brings Salvation along with him for thee, if thou beleive in him, and receive him. He is our Mediator, our Redeemer, our Saviour: He hath called us with a holy calling, out of the Kingdome of darkneſſe, into his holy, and heavenly Kingdome. He hath given us divine Lawes, and rules us with the Scepter of the Goſpell, and with his holy Spirit. He is the Cloud, and the Iſa. 4. 5.Isa 4:5defence of his Church: A ſhelter to it againſt all Enemies, ſpirituall, and corporall. He will utterly ſubdue all the Enemies of the Church, of his people, and he will certainly glorifie them, and receive them into an everlaſting Communion with p. 182himſelfe, and make them all Kings. O then, let Chriſt be precious to you all, beleive in him, love him, honour, and reverence him. This is my aime (the Lord give me the deſire of my heart herein) to kindle in all your hearts a greater flame of love to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Antoninus Caracalla, Rom. Imp. had a Lyon, to which he gave an honourable name, he nouriſhed it, and doted on it. He would not onelyonly kiſſe his Lyon in publick, but he did admit it to his Table, and his Bed: yet doubtleſſe his Lyon was not without his ſtinking breath, and deformities. How much more ſhould you ſet your hearts on the Lyon of the tribe of Iudah, whoſe mouth is moſt ſweet, and who is altogether lovely.Pſal. 2. 12.Ps 2:12

I will do but one thing more. The chiefe Magiſtrate hath had his Shield: Now I will give to every one in the Aſſembly an Eſcoucheon, a Coat of Armes; That you may behold it afterwards, and view it for ever. Ever gaze upon it, to engage your hearts more, and more to Jeſus Chriſt. I will give you the Armes of Iudah.

The Beleiver muſt beare Mars, that is red. The charge muſt be a Lyon, Sol; that is, Gold: The Sun of Righteouſneſſe is the Golden Lyon, in a red field, a field of p. 183blood. To ſpeak plain Engliſh, the Beleiver muſt ever beare in his heart the memory of Chriſt crucified.

But as for the poſture of the Lyon in your Banner, or Shield: Let me tell you, the Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah hath gone through all poſtures, for your ſakes, for your Salvation.

He was conceived in the Womb of the bleſſed Virgin. Then he was a Lyon Latent: She brought forth her firſt-born Son: Chriſt in his Birth was a Lyon Iſſuant. Luk. 2. 7.Luke 2:7In his whole life he was a Lyon Salient. Behold, he cometh leaping upon the Mountaines, skipping upon the Hils. Cant. 2. 8. It was his meat, and drink to do his Fathers will, and to finiſh the work of our Salvation.

He was a man of ſorrowes, perſecuted, and purſued: and when he was chaſed, he was a Lyon Paſſant, he went on, and turned not his head a ſide for any.

In his Propheticall Office he is a Lyon Rugient, he roares in the Preaching of the Goſpell.

In his Prieſtly Office, upon the Croſſe, he was a Lyon Combatant, he encountred the Enemies of our Salvation. He ſpoyled Col. 2. 15.Col 2:15Principalities and Powers, he made a ſhew p. 184openly, triumphing over them in his Croſſe. He was laid in the Grave, there he was a Lyon Dormant, quieſcent, yea, to ſpeak properly, in the Grave he was a Lyon Couchant; when hee had conquered, hee laid down and reſted by the Prey, and all the Powers of Hell trembled; he couched down, as a Lyon Triumphant.

In his Reſurrection, and going to his Father, He was a Lyon Aſcendent.

At his ſecond coming in glory to judge the World, he ſhall appeare a Lyon Rampant. Then ſhall he rent, and teare in peeces his Enemies, and the Enemies of his People. Then ſhall he divide the ſpoyle, diſtribute the Prey amongſt his Whelps: Iſa. 53. 12.Isa 53:12as a King he ſhall give Gifts to his People, and glorifie them for ever. Sum up all. He was conceived for us, born for us, lived for us, ſuffered for us, roſe again for us, aſcended for us; ſits at his Fathers right hand to make Interceſſion for us, ſhall come again to glorifie us. And how ſhould all this work upon us? ſhould not our hearts burn within us? ſhould they not be in…med with ſingular love to the Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah? Should not every one of our Tongues be a Trumpet to found forth …he praiſes of our King? Let us … p. 185fulfill the Propheſie of the good old Patriarch Jacob: Gen. 49. 8. Judah! thou art he whom thy brethren ſhall praiſe. In the Hebr. there is an elegant paranomoſia. foreign which makes it more emphaticall. Let us therefore joyne with the foure living Wights, with the 24. Elders, withall the heavenly Quire. Let us take our Harps, and our golden Vials full Verſ. 8.of Odours, and ſing a new Song: Thou art worthy oh Lyon of the Tribe of Judah, to receive glory, and honour, and power. Thou art worthy oh Lamb of God, which wert ſlain, to receive glory, and honour, and praiſe. For thou art worthy to take the Booke, and to open the Seales thereof: For Verſ. 9.thou waſt ſlain, and haſt redeemed us to God by thy blood: And haſt made us unto our Verſ. 10.God Kings, and Prieſts.

Μονω Τω Θεω Δοξα

All Glory to the LYON of the Tribe of Judah.

Sing Praiſes to our KING, ſing Praiſes.

FINIS.

End of the text · John Carter, The Tombstone (1653)