Discourses Upon Several Divine Subjects, Discourse
A DISCOURSE Upon the Fifth of November.
PSAL. cxviii. Ver. 24.
This is the Day which the Lord hath made, we will rejoyce and be glad in it.
THIS Pſalm is ſuppos'd to have been compil'd by the Royal Pſalmiſt, when, after a long Series of Troubles and Perſecutions, he was at laſt both ſafely plac'd upon the Throne of Iſrael and Judah, and had alſo ſubdued the proud Lords of the Philiſtines, together with their Allies and Confederates; *2 Sam. 5.who, in hopes to have cruſh'd him before he grew too powerful, had rally'd their Forces, and invaded the Land. He had long grappled with the indefatigable Malice of his envious, blood-thirſty Maſter; long encountered the fierce Oppoſitions of Enemies abroad, but eſpecially of Adverſaries at home, ſome of which (as he complains Pſalm 64.) were Men of ſuch ſneaking, ſlaviſh, mercenary Souls; of ſuch beggarly, diſingenuous, unmanly Spirits, that not daring to appear in the Gallantry of open Enemies, they betook themſelves to the little Arts of skulking Revenge; endeavoring by all the ſiniſter methods of clancular hatred, by a long train of ſecret Calumnies and Reproaches, to blow up his reputation, and at one Blaſt to deprive him both of Life and Crown. But now at length had the good hand of Providence put a joyful period to all theſe Troubles and Afflictions, and made him glad with the Joy of his Countenance. His haughty Neighbours humbly pay him Homage, and he tramples upon the Necks of his Domeſtick Adverſaries. The Greatneſs of his Dangers endear him to the People, who from his ſo many miraculous Eſcapes, conclude him the Peculiar Favourite of Heaven and therefore receive him with the hearty and joyous Reiterations of Acclamations and Hoſanna's. Wherefore in a due ſenſe of theſe great bleſſings, he is not contented to offer only his own Sacrifice of Praiſe, but likewiſe in the beginning of this Pſalm excites all the people with their Doxologies and Allelujahs to aſſiſt and joyn with him in theſe his grateful acknowledgments. O give thanks unto the Lord, ſays he, for he is gracious becauſe his mercy endureth for ever. Let all the Tribes of Iſrael, let the Prieſts and Levites; yea let All them, that fear the Lord, confeſs, that he is gracious, and that his mercy endureth for ever. You need not recount the Wonders he ſhew'd for your Forefathers in the Land of Egypt nor recall to your Memories how after a Succeſſion of Mracles for forty years in the Wilderneſs, he at laſt with a mighty Hand and ſtretch'd-out Arm drove out the Nations before them, and gave them this pleaſant Land for an Inheritance; Look only upon me, and you will ſee a moſt lively Inſtance of his Mercy and Goodneſs. For when mine Enemies ſwarm'd about me like Bees, and as one Man, conſpir'd with all their Might and Cunning to throw me down from the Throne to which I was advanc'd; when I was invaded by vaſt Multitudes from abroad, and undermin'd by the ſecret Treacheries and Machinations of more dangerous Adverſaries at home; even then, when there ſeem'd no poſſible way for my Eſcape, was the Lord my Helper, and is become my Strength, and my Song, and my mighty Salvation. So that the Stone which theſe unskilful Builders would have rejected, as unfit to be uſed, is, you ſee, become the head-ſtone in the Corner, whilſt (notwithſtanding all the Attempts of mine Enemies to the contrary) I ſit this day ſafely on my Fathers Seat. Now then, it ever, preſent your ſelves joyful before the Lord the King, and come with me into his Courts in the voice of Thankſgiving; for This, of all others, is the Day which the Lord himſelf hath made; we will therefore rejoyce and be glad in it.
Thus you have, in ſhort, the occaſion of theſe Words, which I ſhall no longer inſiſt upon, as they reſpect the circumſtances of David; but conſider them wholly, as they reflect Luſtre upon the Solemnization of this preſent Day. A Day, which, if any, may moſt properly be ſaid to be made by the Lord, ſince it bears the livelieſt Characters and Impreſſes of his Power and knowledge, of his Wiſdom and Goodneſs, and of all thoſe other glorious Attributes whereby we are aſſur'd, that he governs the World. For trace the Hiſtories of ancient Times, turn over all Authors both Sacred and Prophane, and (the Day of our Spiritual Redemption excepted) produce me a Day like This, ſo memorable in its Circumſtances, ſo glorious in its Iſſue, and ſo unparallel'd in its Conſummation. Of all thoſe Deliverances God in paſt Ages vouchſaf'd his Church, methinks none ever amounted to the Wonder of this Day, when I conſider;
1. The black and diſmal nature of the Deſign, which was this Day fram'd againſt us. And,
2. The Strangeneſs and Unexpectedneſs of our Deliverance from it.
1. I ſay, It will appear, that of all thoſe Deliverances God in paſt Ages vouchſaf'd his Church, none ever amounted to the Wonder of this Day; and conſequently, that this Day, of all others, may moſt properly be ſaid to be made by the Lord, if we conſider the black and diſmal nature of the Deſign, which was this Day fram'd againſt us. As the Heavens rejoyc'd and the Earth was glad to ſee the glory of the Lord in the uncorrupted Light of the Goſpel after a long Night of Ignorance and Superſtition ariſe in Brightneſs upon us; ſo thoſe reſtleſs Spirits, who always bore Evil-will to our Zion, as though they had received a ſecond Downfall, in their undiſcerned Habitations vented themſelves in nothing, but Lamentations, and Mournings, and Woe. They ſaw the unparallell'd Beauty of her Countenance, which, tho' long mask'd and clouded with the Veil of Widowhood, did now at length break forth in ſuch Splendour and Brightneſs, that the Gentiles were coming to her Light, and Kings to rejoyce in the Brightneſs of her Riſing. That therefore in this holy Mountain there was no Den for ſuch Beaſts of Prey, but that they muſt either forego their beloved Dainties, and peaceably lie down in the Paſtures with the Lamb, or for their own Security betake themſelves to harder ſeeding in the barren Receſſes of the Wilderneſs. Wherefore, impatient both of Reſtraint and Exile, they incontinently breathed out our Deſtruction; and to ſupport and underprop their ſinking Intereſt, at ſundry Times, and in divers Manners, endeavour'd to overturn the Foundations of our Felicity; ſometimes, with the factious Son of Sheba, they blow'd the Trumpet of Rebellion, diſclaim'd their Right in David, and endeavoured by good Words, and fair Speeches, to perſwade others alſo, that they likewiſe had no Inheritance in the King. Sometimes, on the contrary, by the terrible Aſſaults of Anathema's, Curſes, and Excommunications, they laboured to ſcare and fright us into a Compliance. But when they found, that (notwithſtanding all their Craft and Subtlety) their Deſigns were ſtill defeated and unravell'd, and all their moſt cunningly contriv'd Enterpriſes dwindled into continual Diſappointments; that their ravenous, woolfiſh Nature, tho' never ſo cloſe cover'd with Sheeps-cloathing, was always diſcovered, and that none therefore dar'd to come in to their Standard, nor, tho' led on by the Infallible Hero himſelf, to enter the Field againſt the Lords Anointed; ſo that neither their Armado's from Spain, nor falſe Witneſſes from St. Omers, nor all thoſe dreadful Thunderings and Lightnings from Rome could prevail any thing at all; but that the Virgin, the Daughter of Zion, deſpis'd them and laugh'd them to ſcorn, the Daughter of Jeruſalem ſtill ſhook her head at them; as Men even encouraged by Diſappointments, and emboldned by Repulſes they ſtart anew, and rather than be for ever fruſtrated, are contented to deveſt themſelves utterly of their Humanity, and to embark into ſo barbarous, ſo ſavage a Deſign, as will make the ears of all Poſterity to tingle. Many Waters cannot quench their burning Rage, neither can the Floods, how deep ſoever, drown their Fury; but they reſolve to tear in pieces the more excellent Prey, and one way or other to take their Paſtime in Rivers of Royal Blood. Flectere fi nequeunt Superos —Since Heaven and Earth, Angels and Men, are againſt them they deſcend into the Regions of Darkneſs and Obſcurity, as if they deſign'd to ask Counſel of the Powers of Darkneſs. And indeed whoever accurately contemplates the nature of this curſed Deſign, muſt needs acknowledge it to bear all the marks of a helliſh, diabolical Off-ſpring. For where, but in the diſmal Regions of everlaſting Malice and Cruelty, could be hatch'd ſo barbarous, ſo villainous a Conſpiracy? A Conſpiracy ſo black and deteſtable, ſo hideous in its Circumſtances, ſo fatal in its Conſequences, that 'tis hardly poſſible to imagine, that it could have been invented by Man, unleſs (what the Jews of old thought of their Daemoniacks) they had really been converted into the Nature and Subſtance of fierce, implacable, deſtructive Daemons. A Conſpiracy, which, if it had taken effect, would have utterly extinguiſh'd the Light of our Iſrael, and overſpread the Nation again with thick Darkneſs of Ignorance and Superſtition: which would have murdered the Lord's Anointed, and accompliſh'd the ſavage Tyrants moſt execrable Wiſh; at one Blow cutting off the Head even of three Kingdoms: nay in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, have entirely deſtroy'd both Root and Branch, King and Parliment, Prince and People, Peers and Prelates, Lords and Commons. A Conſpiracy, that would have involv'd us all in Blood, expoſed our Wives and Children to the mercileſs Fury of our Enemies, and enſlav'd our Lives and Fortunes, Souls and Bodies, to the imperious and domineering Lords of monopolizing Rome. Laſtly, A Conſpiracy it was whoſe teeming Womb was ready to bring forth the ghaſtly Iſſue of Blood and Fire, and pillars of ſmoak, which would either have rendered our beautiful Cities a Wilderneſs, or (which is worſe) an Habitation of Dragons, and made Jeruſalem a Deſolation. Alas! Theſe unrighteous and cruel Men did not deſign only to ſhake off the Leaves, or to lop off the Branches of this fruitful Vine, but entirely, to pluck her up by the Roots *Pſ. 137.7.foreign, Lay her waſt, and down with her even to the ground, was all the Cry. So that not only our Land would have mourn'd for the Loſs of her Gracious Soveraign, our Cities of their wiſe and prudent Governours, our Countries of their vigilant and powerful Guardians (which alone would have rendred us the Wonder and Aſtoniſhment of Men and Angels) but (which is yet worſe, if any thing can be worſe) our pure and undefil'd Religion had alſo been loſt in the general Devaſtation. Thoſe inſatiable flames, which had devour'd her noble Patrons, would likewiſe unmercifully have prey'd upon her drooping Vitals, till they had rariſy'd her Subſtance into a mere empty Shadow, and chang'd the Spirituality of her Worſhip into external, cumberſome, impertinent Ceremonies. In ſhort, Whatever the very Quinteſſence and Elixir of all villainy and Barbarity, of Superſtition and Idolatry, of Miſchief and Immanity could have impos'd upon us, muſt (unleſs the Almighty hand of God would have wrought a Miracle for their Reſcue and Deliverance) have been endured by our Poſterity throughout all Generations; ſo that this Church, (I ſay) which is now the Perfection of Beauty, and the Joy of the wholy Earth, had unhappily became the very Scorn and Deriſion of her Enemies, and their Song all the day long. But (Bleſſed be God) our Soul is eſcap'd, as a Bird out of the Snare of the Fowler, the Snare is broken, the Deſign blaſted, the Plot unravelled, and we thereby moſt wonderfully delivered. Which brings me to my Second Particular, which is to ſhew, that it will likewiſe appear, that of all the Deliverances God in paſt Ages vouchſaf'd his Church, none ever amounted to the Wonder of this Day; and conſequently, that this Day, of all others, may moſt properly be ſaid to be made by the Lord, if we conſider the Strangeneſs and Unexpectedneſs of our Deliverance.
2. Many and glorious (I confeſs) have been the Deliverances which God in paſt Ages has vouchſaf'd his Church. He has often deſeated the Deſigns, infatuated the Counſels, and brought to nought the Devices even of her moſt powerful Enemies, upholding her, when juſt ſinking by the hand of his Providence. But yet when I ſeriouſly reflect upon the diſmal Circumſtances of this Day's Deſign, how ſecret the Conſpiracy, how little Proſpect of a diſcovery, and how ready the Execution, I am forc'd to acknowledge, that This, of all others, was the Lord's own doing and that 'tis altogether marvellous in our eyes. The Church of God indeed, in the Perſian Monarchs time, was deſtin'd to Ruine, and the black Decree ſeal'd with the King's own Signet. But then (you know) the Deſign was divulg'd, and the Day of Slaughter deferr'd, ſo that the Jews had time to contrive means for their Preſervation, which accordingly we find they did, and turn'd the fatal Stroke upon the Heads of their Enemies. The Primitive Chriſtians likewiſe were often perſecuted and devoted to Death. But then they always, with the Prophet, foreſaw the Cloud that threatned them. The Emperours were Heathens, and ſo they could expect no better Uſage from them, and conſequently had warning to provide for themſelves. But now the caſe of our Church was quite different at this time. Her Security was her greateſt Danger, and her implicit Faith like to have ended in her Ruine. No Storm threatned from abroad, neither did any Cloud ſeem to gather over our Heads at home; but our Air was as ſerene and quiet, as free from Storms and Tempeſts, as the ſuperlunary Regions. The Mercy of our peaceful Solomon, like the Sun-beams, did (as we ſhall ſee more at large by and by) ſo plentifully diffuſe its kind Heat and Warmth to all ſorts of Men, that 'twas generally thought, he had melted the obdurate and inflexible Hearts of his moſt virulent enemies into reciprocal Tenderneſs, Loyalty and Obedience. But, alas! the Event moſt truly Demonſtrated, that ſome of his beſt Subjects did not more frequently than juſtly tell him, that he was merciful even to a Fault; and kind, tho' it were to his own and the Kingdoms Danger. For when by theſe Means we were too eaſily perſwaded, that our Enemies were reconcil'd to us, and become our Friends, ſo that we ſhould never ſee the Sons of the Giants returning to defie our Iſrael any more; and upon this account not only intoxicated our ſelves with preſent pleaſure, but entertain'd our thoughts likewiſe with the fair, delightful Proſpect of our future Felicity. Even then I ſay, when we thought our ſelves moſt ſecure, was the Enemy within our Walls, and the fatal Sword hanging over our Heads. The Snares of Death encompaſs'd us about, and our Souls were even hard at Deaths door. Strangers ſought after our Life, and we knew it not; yea they had caught us in their Nets; yet we perceived it not. There was indeed in the Kingdom a confus'd Notion, and obſcure Knowledge of ſome great thing, that was ſuddenly to be done; But then, as King *K. Jame's Works, pag. 291.James aſſures us, 'twas only amongſt the Papiſts, who likewiſe, for ſecrecies ſake, were not to be intruſted with the Particulars. But that the King and Parliament were to be deſtroy'd, and that by the quick diſpatch of Gun-Powder. That the Enemy had ſo long ſate brooding upon this wicked Deſign, that the direful Off-ſpring was almoſt come to the birth: This was a thing of that nature, that no Proteſtant either fear'd, or ſo much as ſuſpected it. 'Twas lock'd up only in the Breaſts of the Conſpirators, who likewiſe, for the greater Concealment, had bound themſelves by an Oath of Secrecy; yea, under the ſeal of the Holy Sacrament, not to reveal it directly not indirectly to any without common Conſent. So that as to all external Helps, our Caſe was as deſperate as poſſibly it could be, and we were even, like Sheep, bound ready for the Slaughter.
Now then, did our own Strength or Policy bring Salvation to us, or our own Right-arm obtain us this Victory? Did the wiſdom of the Kings Counſellours, the Care of his Magiſtrates, the Subſidies of his Friends, the Fidelity of his Servants, or the Courage of his Soldiers work for him this Deliverance? No. We only ſtood, ſtill and ſaw the Salvation of God. Tho' our hands were tied, God fought from Heaven for us, the Stars in their courſes fought againſt our Enemies. When the Harveſt was come, and they were juſt putting in the Sickle, he turn'd the Edge againſt themſelves, and cut them down in their Wickedneſs. He ſo infatuated their Counſels, and turn'd their deepeſt Policy like Achitophel's into ſo great Fooliſhneſs, that when they might ſecurely have let in the Floods upon us, they turn'd the Stream directly againſt themſelves, ſo that the Waters went over their own Soul: Had they but gone on with the ſame Privacy they began, and not ſuffered the direful Project to wander beyond the Limits of their own Breaſts it had undoubtedly been crown'd with wiſh'd-for Succeſs. But as tho' the mighty Secret was too big to be long confin'd within ſo narrow a Compaſs, and, like a boiſterous Vapour ſhut up within a cloud, ſtrugled and was reſtleſs, 'till it tore its way through; of their own accord, when no Man either deſir'd, or compell'd them, they diſcloſed their own Wickedneſs; for by a Letter from one of them to the Lord Mounteagle (which yet was wrapt up in Terms as dark and aenigmatical as the Aegyptian Hieroglyphicks (was the whole Matter moſt happily diſcovered, and this horrid Deſign, which had long been contriving, and was now juſt brought to a head, in a moment moſt miraculouſly blaſted and confounded.
Thus did He alone, who ſtilleth the raging of the Sea, curbing the Inſolence of its proud Waves only with Reins of ſand ſtem likewiſe the impetuous Torrent of our Enemies Fury, and ſet it its Bounds, which it could not paſs. Thus did He (I ſay) alone, who ſilenceth the raging Tempeſt, and commands the fighting Winds to leave off their Contentions, ſnatching the Mariner, when at his Wits end, from the devouring Jaws of the Deep, by the ſame Almighty Fiat ſtill the ſtorm that was about us; after all its Rage and Fury, gently wafting us to the Haven where we would be. Tho' we walk'd on ſtill in Darkneſs, 'till the Foundations of the earth were almoſt out of courſe, yet Hell was naked before Him, and Deſtruction had no Covering. Theſe black, obſcure Chambers of Death were as clear to him as the Light; and theſe gloomy Regions of inextinguiſhable Malice as bright as the Noon-day. He therefore laught at their Attempts, derided their Counſels, and only therefore ſuffered them to bring us into the utmoſt Extremity, that when he ſhould in due time deliver us, and we ſhould ſafely look back upon the Danger we had eſcap'd, we might not poſſibly communicate the Glory of our Preſervation to any thing upon Earth, but be forc'd to attribute it wholly and entirely to His Goodneſs who alone giveth Salvation unto Kings, and delivereth his Servants from the hurtful Sword.
And thus does it appear, both from the black and diſmal Nature of the Deſign, which was this Day fram'd againſt us, and alſo from the Strangeneſs and Unexpectedneſs of our Deliverance from that Deſign, that 'twas the Lord himſelf who was on our ſide when Men roſe up againſt us, and that we were delivered from theſe Dangerous Waters,Zechar. 4.6. as God ſpeaks to Zerubbabel, not by Might, nor by Power, but by his Spirit alone, which mov'd upon the Face of them, and that therefore upon all Accounts we may ſay, This eſpecially is the Day which the Lord hath made, and conſequently that we ought to rejoyce and to be glad in it. And ſo I come to the duty contain'd in my Text, viz. the Obligation incumbent upon us of rejoycing, and praiſing God for the Deliverances he vouchſafes us, imply'd in theſe latter Words: We will rejoyce and be glad in it.
Now I ſhall not encroach ſo much upon your Patience, as ſuperſlouſly to enlarge upon the Obligation of this Duty, which I rejoyce to find already acknowledg'd. But ſince your Chearfulneſs and Alacrity in its Performance has left me nothing elſe to do, than to encourage and applaud you in ſo good a Work, I ſhall only crave leave to propoſe two or three things to your conſiderations, whereby, I humbly conceive, you may moſt properly diſcharge it.
1. Then. We cannot better expreſs our Joy and Gratitude to God for the tranſcendent Mercy of this Day, than by declaring our deteſtation and Abhorrence of that Doctrine, which as tho' its Foundations were laid upon the Traditions of Devils rather than of Men, countenanceth, nay, encourageth Men in ſuch black, Antichriſtian undertakings. Of that Doctrine, I ſay, which, under the venerable and ſacred Veil of the beſt Religion in the World, authoriſeth its Profeſſors to perpetrate ſuch Villanies, as the Pagans themſelves would bluſh to have committed. Many indeed are the Outrages and Barbarities committed by the Janizaries, and 'tis as ordinary for them amongſt the Turks, as 'twas of old for their Fellow-Praetorian bands amongſt the Romans, to deprive their Emperour of his Crown firſt, and then of his Life. But not to ſay, that theſe are only ſingle Perſons, or at fartheſt but particular Orders of Men; the things they commit will admit of Excuſe and Extenuation. They never pretend to do them upon the account of Religion, but purely for Politick Ends and the Good of the State. Their Lawrels fade and wither under the malignant Influence of the preſent Governour, whoſe Fortune (like a direful Comet) threatens Subverſion to the Empire, wherefore in the Tempeſt of their Souls they ſet up another in his place, whoſe happier Conduct, they hope, will repair the Ruines they have ſuffered and ſettle the Greatneſs and Grandeur of the ſtate upon a ſure, laſting, and immoveable Baſis. But now for a whole Sect of Men to be ſo biggotted and infatuated, as to be even oblig'd by the Principles of their Religion to dye their hands in the Blood of their Brethren; for Men of Reaſon, Learning, and Conſcience, to make it their Buſineſs to throw Kingdoms off their Hinges, and to tumble them into a ſtate of Anarchy and confuſion: For Chriſtians even in cold blood to ſtab the ſacred Perſons of Princes, and piouſly to Triumph in the Ruines of States and Nations. This when done, (and This, you know, the Papiſts have often done) is enough to make the Sun once more to draw in his Beams, and the Angels to veil their Faces in Abhorrence and Deteſtation.
I know there are ſome, who have the Confidence to tell us, that this is not the Doctrine of the Catholick Church, but the Preſumptions only of ſome private Perſons. But not to reply, that 'tis at leaſt the Tenet of the Jeſuits, and the concurrent Doctrine of all their Caſuiſts: Theſe objectors would do well to let us know, what one ſolemn Declaration that Church ever made againſt it. Alas! It was always ſo far from being diſcountenanc'd or exploded either by their Holy Father himſelf or any General Council, that for ſix hundred Years at leaſt it has been, as it were the diſcriminating Mark of that communion from all others. It hath been adopted into their Laws both Eccleſiaſtical and Civil; and highly approv'd and abetted by the Supreme Authority and Infallible Judgment of their Popes and Councils. Elſe how came it to paſs, that two of the Jeſuits, which were conſcious of this Plot, upon their Arrival were made, one the Pope's Penitentiary, the other a Confeſſor in St. Peter's at Rome? that Garnet's Name as *Appen. p. 150.Widdrington witneſſeth, was inſerted into the Engliſh Martyrology; and tho' he confeſs'd himſelf, that he died for Treaſon, and dehorted all others of his Perſwaſion from ſuch pernicious Practices, yet that his Bones were kept for Reliques, and his Image ſet over Altars, as that of a holy Martyr? In ſhort, 'Tis plain, that 'tis not ſpurious, but truly genuine, ſince it has been abundantly confirm'd by the general Practice of that Church, there being ſcarce any Kingdom, or People, or Nation, where ſhe has unhappily landed, but what bears the moſt ample and indelible Characters of this Fundamental Article. Witneſs the woful and lamentable Stories of the Roman Inquiſition in Spain, and that brutiſh Slaughter of the innocent Waldenſes in France, when (as 'tis prov'd by our very Learned and Pious †De Stat. & Succeſs. Eccleſ. cap. 10.Uſher from their own Authors) they were, upon no other account whatever, but purely for the ſake of their Religion, butcher'd by theſe Blood-hounds in the ſpace of 36 Years to the Number of One hundred and four Thouſand ſeven hundred fourty and Seven. Witneſs the frequent Attempts upon our Soveraign of Bleſſed Memory, Queen Elizabeth, after Pius the Fifth had inſolently thundred out his Anathema's againſt her, and by a Bull fix'd up by ſome Prieſts in London pretended to abſolve all her Subjects from their Fealty and Allegiance. Witneſs that Unfortunate Prince, Henry III. of France, who within the Compaſs of this laſt Century, was ſtabb'd by one of his own Subjects, James Clement a Monk, only for favouring the Proteſtant Religion. Which, tho' an Execrable, Villainous, and Diabolical Act, was ſo far from being cenſur'd or condemn'd by Sixtus Quintus then Pope, that his Holineſs both approv'd, and alſo highly extoll'd it in a long Conſiſtory Oration, calling it an excellent, glorious and memorable exploit, not atchiev'd without the ſpecial Providence and Appointment of the Great and Good God, and the Suggeſtion and Aſſiſtance of his moſt Holy Spirit. Witneſs that grievous Maſſacre, which in our own memory, the Huguenots ſuffered in France, which, tho' equalling at leaſt the heat of any of the ten famous Perſecutions by the Heathen Emperors, was yet applauded by Innocent the Eleventh as a thing pleaſing unto God, a Sacrifice of ſweet ſavour, which would advance that bloody Tyrant to a very eminent Station in the Regions of Immortality. 'Twould be endleſs to run through all the Butcheries they have committed. No Deſign ſo horrible and bloody, no Attempt ſo miſchievous and treacherous, no Enterprize ſo baſe and cruel, but what you may find committed by them under the ſacred Name of Religion and Conſcience. For Witneſs, laſtly, the black, unparallell'd Undertaking of this Day, when againſt all the Laws of God and Man, of Juſtice and Gratitude, of Humanity and Reaſon, one of the Beſt of Kings and moſt Indulgent of Princes, was with the Queen and Prince at one Thunder Clap to have been ſent to Heaven.
One might reaſonable expect to hear of ſome unuſual Provocation, that rais'd theſe Mens Spirits to ſuch an incredible height of Immanity. But, alas! the moſt enraged of them never ſeriouſly alledg'd any; and if they had, the very Stones in the Wall would have found a Voice to have condemn'd them. For if Mercy and Goodneſs if Kindneſs and Benevolence, if Paternal Care and Royal Indulgence, have any Charms or Endearments, they all concentred in that Excellent Prince they thought to have deſtroy'd. Paſt Experience had richly demonſtrated, how impatiently theſe Blood-hounds thirſted after Royal Blood; yet ſo gloriouſly did his Mercy triumph over his other Virtues, that he not only wink'd at their Miſdeeds, but gave them likewiſe free Acceſs to his Perſon, honoured ſome of them with particular Dignities, and (as he declares *Pag. 253.himſelf) ſo animated and encouraged them by his as much unexpected as undeſerved Favours, that they did directly expect, and aſſuredly promiſe themſelves Liberty of Conſcience, and Equality with his other Subjects in all things. And yet (as tho' we muſt firſt ceaſe to be Men, before we can commence Papiſts; and renounce both our Reaſon and Conſcience, to become ſervants to his Holineſs) tho' under the benign Influence of his ſo happy Reign they bask'd themſelves in the pleaſant Rivers of overflowing Felicity; tho' (I ſay) they ſat under his Shadow with great Delight, whilſt his Banner over them was Love, the poyſonous Seeds of that peſtilential Hereſie, had (as appears from their own Confeſſions) ſo infected, or rather quite choak'd the good Seed of Nature, that (notwithſtanding all the Obligations that Heaven and Earth could lay upon them) Hell got the upper hand, and they thirſted after his Blood. Good God! That Men, who profeſs themſelves the Diſciples of a poor, deſpis'd and crucifi'd Saviour, whoſe Life, tho' he had all the heavenly Hoſt at his Command, was one continued Lecture of Humility, Meekneſs, and Self-denial, and whoſe whole Doctrine reſolvable into this one Precept, Love one another, ſhould be ſo far from following his Example in ſaving Mens Lives, and doing all the Good they can, that they go about with his Profeſs'd Adverſary, ſeeking whom they may devour. That the Profeſſors of that Religion, which is made up of Purity, Piety, Peace and Holineſs, ſhould delight in cruel Treacheries, bloody Maſſacres, and tragical Murthers, nay think by ſo doing foreign, as our *Joh. 16.2.Saviour ſpeaks, even to offer a Sacrifice to God, as tho' he would be pleas'd with that ſort of Worſhip which the moſt barbarous and brutiſh part of Mankind us'd to give to the Devil. Does it not ſeize you with Amazement, to think that the Servants of the Prince of Peace ſhould delight above all others to imbrue their hands in Blood, and that the Followers of the meek Lamb of God ſhould degenerate into ravenous Wolves and Tygers! That the Vicar of Chriſt, who expreſly declares that his Kingdom is not of this World, ſhould magiſteriouſly take upon him to diſpoſe of Crowns and Scepters, and inſolently to trample upon the Necks of Kings and Emperours? Certainly, if theſe things are indeed conſonant to the Principles of Chriſtanity, I know no Reaſon that great Statiſt Machiavel had to complain that it rendered Men unfit for cruel Undertakings; or why thoſe Heathen Emperours, which Perſecuted it moſt, ſhould not be canoniz'd for Saints, ſince they undoubtedly did the Office of good Patriots in endeavouring to rid the World of ſuch Men who made it their buſineſs to turn it upſide down. But, Quid Chriſtiani laeſerant Regna terrena? How the Chriſtians had caus'd any Moleſtation or Damage to the Kingdoms of the Earth, was juſtly demanded by St. Auſtin. For tho' from their frequent Diſcourſes of that Kingdom which they expected hereafter, their Enemies erroneouſly ſuſpected them to be diſaffected to the Government, 'tis abundantly evident both from their Writings and Practice, that they were Caeſar's beſt Friends. They did not indeed with his other ſubjects exalt him above the Level of deſpis'd Mortality, and therefore they neither gave him Sacrifice, nor ſwore by his Genius but (what really became good and pious Men) they fought his Battels, honour'd his Perſon, rever'd his Power, paid his Tribute, offer'd up Prayers for him, and obey'd his Laws, unleſs where they evidently contradicted the Laws of Chriſt and where they did, ſubmitted to the moſt cruel Penalties they laid upon them, with the greateſt Calmneſs and Serenity of Soul. And when, notwithſtanding all this, they were accus'd (as indeed they often were) as Enemies to Caeſar, they thought it highly concern'd them for the Honour of their Religion, by all means poſſible to wipe off theſe Stains, which were falſly laid upon them; and accordingly we find them in their Apologies and other Writings with all the Zeal imaginable vindicating themſelves from ſuch malicious Aſperſions. foreign, *Cat. 10.ſays St. Cyril, foreign We beſeech God for the common Peace of the Churches, for the Quiet of the World, for our Kings, their Souldiers, and Auxiliaries. And †Ap. c. 30.Tertullian, Precantes ſumus Omnes ſempèr pro omnibus imperatoribus, and ſo on, i. e. We all do continually pray, that God would give our Emperours a long Life, a ſecure Empire, a ſafe Houſe valiant Armies, a faithful Senate, a good People, a peaceable World, & quaecun que Hominis & Caeſaris Vota ſunt, and whatſoever Caeſar either as a Man or Emperour, can wiſh. 'Tis manifeſt then, that theſe Primitive Chriſtians never thought it their Duty to aſſaſſinate Princes, tho' Pagan or Heretical, for the Cauſe of Religion, or to excite their Subjects to Rebellion for the Intereſt of the Goſpel. They did not illuminate Mens Underſtandings with Fire and Faggots, nor convince or ſilence Gainſayers by the uncontroulable Arguments of Apoſtolical Dragooners. As their Battels were Spiritual, ſo neither were their Weapons Carnal. 'Twas the peculiar Honour of their Profeſſion, that it grew victorious by Sufferings, and triumph'd in Perſecutions: That Tears were its Jewels, and its Chains its chiefeſt Ornaments: That whereas all other Religions, in the World did by a multitude of Sacrifices as it were, train up and inure Mens Minds to Blood and Deſtruction it was always (like its great Author) upon the Paſſive; not by Swords and Daggers, by Fire and Faggots, by Plots and Caballs, but by enduring all things, by bearing all things, recommending it ſelf to the World. Now then, is the Church of Rome this meek and gentle ſpouſe of Chriſt, which is therefore comely as the Curtains of Solomon, becauſe black through the Heat of Perſecutions? Is ſhe, I ſay, that Church whoſe Foundations are laid on the Blood, not of her Enemies, but deareſt Friends? However Bellarmine might pride himſelf in his Notes of the true Church, yet ſurely her red and bloody Garments ſpeak her to be either that Beaſt in the Apocalypſe, that kills all thoſe that will not receive his Mark in their Foreheads, nor worſhip his Image; or that great Babylon, the Mother of Harlots, and Abominations of the Earth, which St. John ſaw drunken with the Blood of the Saints, and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jeſus. O my Soul then, come not thou into her ſecret, and unto her Aſſemblies mine Honour be not thou united.
2. We cannot better expreſs our Joy and Gratitude to God for the tranſcendant Mercy of this Day, than by letting it remind us of his infinite Goodneſs in calling us from the Tents of theſe wicked Men, who by teaching and maintaining ſuch pernicious Doctrines, do not only (as you have already ſeen) carry Men on to the moſt heinous Immoralities, but alſo as a natural Conſequence from ſuch Premiſes, wholly and entirely pervert the Simplicity of the Goſpel of Chriſt. To ſome unthinking Perſons perhaps this may ſeem a bold Charge; yet I need not be long in the Proof of it. For not to tell you, that theſe Men have ſet up ſuch a number of Interceſſors, that as the Prophet Jeremy, ſpeaks, according to the number of their Cities, ſo are their Gods; tho' the *1 Tim. 2.5.Apoſtle (for his Argument is levell'd againſt the Heathens, who never ſo much as heard of a Mediator of Redemption, and therefore did only acknowledge thoſe of Interceſſion) expreſly declares, that there is but One. Not (I ſay) to remind you, that tho' our Saviour in his Farewell-ſpeech moſt paſſionately bequeaths to us mutual Love and Kindneſs, and the more to endear this Duty to us, adds withal, that this ſhould be ſo evident a Mark of our Profeſſion, that hereby ſhould all Men know, that we are indeed his Diſciples; yet †Vid. Concil. Lateran. 4 Can. 3. de Haeret.Theſe Men teach, that if we will be Chriſtians indeed, we muſt rifle and plunder one another, kill and ſtab our Brethren, butcher our Benefactors, blow up Parliaments, and deſtroy Heretical Kings and States; for this is not only lawful, but alſo laudable, excellent, heroick, and meritorious. Laſtly, nor to ſay that they forbid their Prieſts to Marry, and condemn that Sacred Inſtitution in ſuch Perſons as impious, and damnable; tho' ‖Heb. 13.4.St. Paul aſſures us, that 'tis equally honourable in all ſorts of Men; nay *1 Tim. 4.1, 3.reckons the Prohibition of it amongſt the Doctrines of Devils, and the Primitive Church never thought the worſe of her Biſhops for it: What elſe ſpeak their taking the Cup from the Laity? tho' according to the poſitive command of Chriſt, that they ſhould all Drink of it, the Primitive Church (as they themſelves confeſs) allow'd it them; and rather than not worſhip an Idol or Image, their aboliſhing (as much as they can) the Commandment that forbids it? What mean their Indulgences, their Fairs and Sales of Maſſes, and frequent Prayers for the dead? by all which they have inverted the Aſſertion of our bleſſed Saviour, rendring it almoſt impoſſible for a Poor Man to be Sav'd or for a Rich Man to be Damn'd? Why have they interdicted the Uſe of the Scriptures to the People, when the †2 Tim. 3.15.Apoſtle aſſures us, that they are ſo far from doing them harm, as they pretend, that they are able to make them wiſe to Salvation? and the ‖Pſal. 1.1, 2.Pſalmiſt, in an Ecſtaſie, pronounceth the Bleſſedneſs of that Man unſpeakably great, whoſe Delight is in the law of the Lord, and who therefore with unwearied Study meditates continually therein both Day and Night? Nay when *Joh. 5.39. and Mat. 22.29.Chriſt himſelf expreſly Commands them to read them diligently, and attributes the pernicious Errors of the Sadducees to their Ignorance of them? Are theſe things indeed with their other repudiated Doctrines, built upon the Foundations of the Apoſtles and Prophets, Jeſus Chriſt himſelf being the Head-corner-ſtone? Alas! If you look narrowly into them, you will diſcern their Nature to be aliene and extraneous, ſome of them being borrowed purely from the Heathens, others from the Poſt of the Primitive Church, the Gnoſticks, and moſt of them (as they themſelves acknowledge) from Oral Tradition, there being not one Word to countenance them in all the Scriptures. But is not this to invert the Religion of Chriſt, and entirely to overthrow the fundamental and ſubſtantial Principles of our Profeſſion? Is not this, with the Phariſees, to make the Word of God of none effect by humane Traditions, or rather to preach another Goſpel than what we have receiv'd from Chriſt and his Apoſtles the which tho' an Angel from Heaven ſhould do, the †Gal. 1.8, 9.Holy Ghoſt has long ſince pronounc'd him accurs'd? How they are like to eſcape this Imputation at God's Tribunal, they would do well to conſider; I wiſh it could never be laid to their charge. To return then to ourſelves: What infinite Reaſon have we to bleſs God, who has graciouſly purg'd out this old Leaven from amongſt us, and made us a new Lump unto himſelf? Who, by the glorious Inſtruments of our Reformation, has brought us out of the darkneſs of Errour and Innovation into the true and genuine Light of the Goſpel; and for thoſe Leeks and Garlick our Souls ſo much abhorr'd, feeds us with heavenly Manna to the full? Certainly, if Heaps of Mercies both Spiritual and Temporal; If the free Poſſeſſion of your Eſtates, and the Happineſs of being Members of the moſt uncorrupted Church in the World, are things that can in reaſon pretend to our Gratitude, we, of all Men in the World, are the moſt indebted. O then, let us never, with the ungrateful Iſraelites, hanker again after theſe loathſome Fleſh-pots; nor when we have eaten and drank to the full, riſe up to play with this Harlot any more. She will often, no doubt, be tempting and enſnaring you, and by her Paints and Colours, gaudy Shows, and Pompous Pageantry, endeavour to entice you again into her Embraces. But remember, 'tis only a treacherous Syren's Voice, which only therefore courts you, that ſhe may make you her Prey. She ſeeks not you but yours, and how Zealous ſoever ſhe may ſeem for your Welfare, the Term of her deſire is only her own. She knows the Fruitfulneſs of your Land, the Liberality of your Soil, and the Pleaſantneſs of your Dwellings. She remembers, how ſhe once rang'd without Controul over all your pleaſant Paſtures, and choſe out the fatteſt of your Lands, for her to ſport and play in; and therefore, ſince for the foul Apoſtaſie ſhe made from her Primitive Innocence, the flaming Sword and the Guardian Spirits debar her from reentring this Paradiſe, 'tis no Wonder if, the better to deceive us, ſhe transform her ſelf for a time into an Angel of Light. But I truſt the wakeful eye of Providence will ſtill diſcover her Treacheries, and not ſuffer us any more to be enſnar'd by her Smiles. And then for her Frowns, we are ſure they cannot hurt us. Thoſe Curſes ſhe ſo liberally throws againſt us, will (I doubt not) take wing and fly back upon her ſelf; and all thoſe Bulls and Interdicts, Anathema's, Curſes, and Excommunications which yearly in Paſſion Week, the better to prepare her ſelf for the Celebration of the Lords Supper, ſhe charitably denounceth againſt us, either prove Bruta fulmina, Thunderclaps, which indeed make a Noiſe, but want a killing Bolt, or by woful Rebounds turn the direful Execution upon her own Head. In a word, If we take care to walk worthy of the Vocation wherewith we are call'd, and not diſhonour Reform'd Religion by the Deformity of our Lives, maugre all the Malice of Earth and Hell, of Men and Devils, we ſhall undoubtedly be ſav'd. Damnation will not be inflicted according to mens Paſſions and Uncharitableneſs, neither will the grim Faces, and dreadful Menaces of Romiſh Emiſſaries exclude us from the Favour and Bleſſing of Heaven. Tho' they reject us, Chriſt will embrace us; Tho' they turn us out of their Synagogues, God, will receive us under his Wings; and provided we forfeit not his Protection by our Miſdemeanours, the Angel of his Preſence will undoubtedly continue to ſave us, till Time it ſelf ſhall be no more. Wherefore, that we may not peculiarly incur this Judgment by our Ingratitude, but duly expreſs our Joy and Thankfulneſs to God for the tranſcendent Mercy of this Day, let us
3. Take Care both to continue our ſelves, and alſo to bequeath to our Poſterity a grateful Remembrance of it. How near was the Daughter of Zion to be covered with a Cloud, and to be trampled under foot by her treacherous Enemies? The Net (you have heard) was caſt about her, and the Fowlers even haſting to the Slaughter. The Train was laid, all the Inſtruments of death prepar'd, and there remain'd nothing to make us an Holocauſt to the Roman Moloch, but juſt putting the lighted Match to the Powder. And yet, methinks, I hear the Church, full of Faith, ſaying, Tho' no Danger was ever like to any Danger, yet I charge You, O ye Daughters of Jeruſalem, by the Roes and by the Hinds of the Field, that ye ſtir not up, nor awake my Love, 'till he pleaſe. For how forlorn and deſtitute ſoever I may ſeem to ſome, yet I am my Beloved's, and my Beloved is mine, tho' therefore he tarries, he will not be long, but will in due time look forth as the Morning, fair as the Moon, clear as the Sun, and terrible as an Army with Banners. And indeed her Beloved came, when ſhe expected him not; He was found of her, when ſhe ſought not after him. He awaked as one out of Sleep, and look'd and ſaw there was none to help, and wondred that there was none to uphold. Therefore his own Arm brought Salvation to her, and his infinite Goodneſs alone upheld her. May then that God, who has thus wonderfully wrought for us in ſnatching us from the Mouth of the Lion, and the Paw of the Bear, be ever bleſſed; and the Remembrance of this unſpeakable Mercy never defac'd, ſo long as the Sun and Moon ſhall endure. May thoſe glorious Spirits, which before pity'd our Danger, and now rejoyce at our Deliverance, never be fruſtrated in their Expectations; but ſee all our Members and Faculties, our Lips and Lives, Hearts and Voices, harmoniouſly ſinging the Triumphs of the Lord, and in the continual Order, Concord, and Congruity, declaring the infinite Goodneſs of our God; that ſo our Candleſtick may never be remov'd for our Ingratitude, but, tho' Darkneſs cover the Earth, and groſs Darkneſs the People, This Church may ſtill be a Crown of Glory in the Hand of the Lord and a Royal Diadem in the Hand of her God, that the Gentiles may admire her Beauty, and the Sons alſo of them that afflicted her, come bending unto her: and all they that deſpis'd her bow themſelves down at the Soles of her Feet: and all the Nations round about call her the City of the Lord, the Zion of the Holy one of Iſrael, Laſtly, May ſhe be covered with the Robes of Righteouſneſs, and continually cloath'd with the Garments of Salvation, 'till the Great Year of Jubilee, the time of her final Redemption ſhall come, when God ſhall put an End to all Prejudices and Animoſities, all Struglings and contentions, and all the Elect with Crowns on their Heads, and Palms in their hands ſhall make one perfect Harmony in ſinging the eternal Praiſe of God and of the Lamb.
Which bleſſed time, God in his Mercy haſten, through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord; To whom, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, Three Perſons and One God, be aſcrib'd, as is moſt due, all Honour, Glory, Power, Might, Majeſty, Dominion, and Thankſgiving, from this time forth and for evermore. Amen.
FINIS.