Irelands Advocate, Sermon
Irelands Advocate: OR, A SERMON PREACHED AT A PUBLIKE FAST HELD BY Authoritie, July the 27. in behalfe of bleeding IRELAND.
BY John Geree, Paſtour of Tewkesbury, in GLOCESTER-SHIRE.
2 Chron. 19.11.
Deale couragiouſly, and the Lord ſhall be with the good.
Publiſhed by Authoritie.
Printed at Dublin, and re-printed at London for William Bladen, 1642.
TO THE HONOVRABLE Sir John Temple Knight, MASTER OF THE ROWLES, and One of His Majeſties moſt Honourable Privie COUNCELL.
SIR,
THis pious Advocate of ours (like the good Samaritan at a dead lift ſtirred up by God to be ſo charitable) doe I with the more humble boldneſſe thus ſend abroad in your Honours Name, that (in ſo great a worke) it may help to further Him, who (to my knowledge) much honours it, (both in Your own Perſon, and honoured good friends in England.) His own Worth makes him moſt welcome where ever he is knowne, (his ſweet diſpoſition and great gifts:) Here (where he is a Stranger) Your Honours Countenance will ingratiate him to all pious mindes, and every where much advantage the Cauſe that he hath in hand. Which I recommend to Gods Bleſsing, together with Your Honours Zeal, Praying for more Bleſsings thereon, than to
Your Honours many wayes much bounden Servant, Joh. Harding.
Irelands Advocate: OR, A Sermon preached at a Faſt held by Authority July 27. in behalf of bleeding Ireland.
IUDGES 5.23.
Curſe ye Meroz (ſaid the Angel of the Lord) curſe ye bitterly the Inhabitants thereof: becauſe they came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord againſt the mighty.
THe ſpeciall Occaſion of this dayes ſolemne Aſſembly, is for the People and Cauſe of God in Ireland. Great Might is there rayſed againſt Gods people; and ſo againſt the Lord. They ſue for help to Our dread Soveraign and Parliament. Help is ſpirituall or temporall. This latter is reſtrained to fewer; the former belongs to All. Both have their ſeaſons. On this day we are aſſembled by the gracious Command of Authoritie to yeeld our Brethren ſpirituall help: which that we may be earneſt and hearty in what can be more moveing then this cenſure of the Holy, Ghoſt againſt all that deſert God and his Church in the times of grand Oppoſition. Curſe ye Meroz, &c.
Theſe words are part of Deborahs foreign, or Song of triumph for their victory over Siſera. Wherein
1 Chief Glory is aſcribed to God as the Author of all the good which they received, which is amplified by the greatnes of their miſeries before deliverance. verſ. 2.8.
2 Due thanks and praiſe is given to the inſtruments of this deliverance, which is illuſtrated by their freenes, they were all Voluntiers. verſ. 9. &c.
3 There's an expoſtulation with the Tribes who did not put their helping hands to this work. There's an Action of unkindneſſe (as it were) commenc'd againſt them. And yet becauſe they were not without excuſe, by reaſon of diſtance of place, there's no ſevere cenſure denounc'd againſt them. verſ. 15.16, 17.
4 There's more ſharp dealing with Meroz, a City (it ſeemes) neare; who had opportunitie and wanted onelyonly heart to the work, ſo there was either coldneſſe or falſeneſſe, and therefore their burthen was heavie, as you heare, Curſe ye, i.e. pronounce miſery and miſchief upon her from God; ſaith the Angel of the Lord, that is, Barac, ſay ſome; All that are indued with the Spirit of God, ſay others; Or, what if we underſtand here the Angell of the Covenant, the Redeemer of his Church, who appeared to Joſhua with a drawn ſword, as the Churches Deliverer and Avenger. Joſh. 5.13, 14, 15. whom ever we underſtand in particular: it imports thus much in the generall, That this was no …arnall Curſe, flowing from any carnall ſpirit of revenge, but dictated by the Spirit of God. And as it was not carnall, ſo neither was it raſh, for it is reiterated and aggravated, Curſe ye bitterly, Let her undergoe the bittereſt cenſure without remorſe. But what's the Reaſon of this ſo great ſeveritie? Were the Merozites perſecutors? or abettors of the malignant partie? No, there's no ſuch intimation. But they were not helpfull. They went not forth, they would be at no coſt, paines or danger to help the Lord. Why hath the Lord need of help? or was the warre againſt him? Anſw. The warre, in as much as it was againſt the Lords people, was againſt the Lord. And God, as in an ordinary way he works by meanes, may be ſayd to need help, that is fit inſtruments to ſerve his Providence to effect his pleaſure. His Church needs help, and that is the Lords need. And here againe is a rhetoricall repetition, or muſicall expolition, to the help of the Lord againſt the mighty. The Greatnes of the enemies, that made help needfull, its likely diſcouraged theſe faithleſſe cowardly Merozites, that they pul'd in their hornes, as many now adayes doe; being afraid to ſhew themſelves in the Lords Cauſes againſt the mightie. So then, here you ſee 1. A Curſe denounc'd. 2. The injoyner of it; which ſhewes the Purity and Validity of it, The Angel of the Lord. 3. The iteration of it with aggravation, Curſe ye bitterly, ſhewing the ſeriouſnes and certainty of it. 4. The Object, Meroz and her inhabitants. Vrbs & Civitas; as though Meroz ſhould be made like Iericho, deſolated in regard of building and inhabitants, unleſſe we underſtand a Metonymie in the firſt. 5. The Cauſe; for not helping the Lord againſt the mighty. I will not now inſiſt upon all the points that this Text holds forth. I will not ſtand to inlarge my ſelf on this, That the Churches enemies and battles and needs are the Lords. Nor will I ſtay to ſhow you, that the enemies of God and his Church are many times mighty. Though points neither unuſefull nor impertinent, would the time permit the handling of them. But being it is now the latter end of the day, I ſhall ſtudie rather to be lively than long, and therefore content my ſelf with this one obſervation.
Not to yeeld aid to the Lord againſt the enemies of the Church is a moſt accurſed Sin. Doct.This omiſſion expoſeth to the ſevereſt judgements. Iudg. 8.6, 7. When Gideon had diſcomfited the Midianites, and was in the purſuite of his victory, he and his men waxed faint, and he required help from the men of Succoth, but they rejected him: wherefore they were firſt threatned, and after felt a moſt fearefull puniſhment, being torne with thornes and bryars of the wilderneſſe, verſ. 16. to teach them, more to reſpect the Lord in his battles. Into the ſame ſin ranne the men of Penuel, verſ. 8.9. And they received anſwerable miſery, verſ. 17. Iudges 20. When ſuch folly was committed on the Levites Concubine, and the Tribes were aſſe nbled to put away ſinne from Iſrael by puniſhing the ſinners, which was to be done by Warre, becauſe the Benjamites would take upon them the protection of their brethren, children of Beliall, verſ. 12.13, 14. The children of Iſrael then vowed a vow, that whoſoever came not up to help the Lord, ſhould be put to death Iudg. 21.5. And the men of Iabeſh Gilead being found delinquents, verſ. 9. They fell every mother and mothers ſon; none were ſaved but 400. young Virgins. So unworthy a thing was it eſteemed, not to help the Lord againſt the mighty. Deut. 23.34. There's an heavie curſe layd upon the Ammonites and Moabites, verſ. 3. and why? becauſe they help'd not the Lord in his Church; they met not his people with bread and water, verſ. 4. But hired Balaam againſt them.
Reaſ. 1. Becauſe not to help the Lord in his Churches quarrel s diſcovers a trayterous and rebellious heart againſt the Lord and his people. And you know treaſon and falſenes againſt a King and his leige people, how odious and dangerous it is: it drawes the weight of the Kings diſpleaſure on the guilty. And Chriſt our King hates treachery, as much as any. He that is not with me, ſaith Chriſt, is againſt me, Mat. 12.30. And he that is againſt Chriſt, doth deſerve and will not avoid his Curſe. He whoſe heart is right, accounts Chriſts cauſe his owne, and cannot chooſe but be active. Want of help diſcovers then a trayterous heart to Chriſts Kingdome. By the like reaſon, in this preſent Iriſh Rebellion, if any will not put his hand againſt the Rebells, may we not aſwell conclude, his heart is with them; and ſo it is trayterous to Gods people, and in them to the Lord.
Reaſ. 2. He that commeth not to the help of the Lord, doth, aſmuch as in him lyeth, expoſe the Name of God to diſhonour, and the Church to ruine; and ſo will be Acceſſorie to all the diſhonours of God, by the inſultation and blaſphemie, and all that the Church ſuffereth by the cruelty of their enemies. Qui non vetat peccare cum poſſit, jubet; he that hinders not when he may, commands; and he that helps not the Lord, hinders not his enemies. Here, for ought that the Merozites did, the Church might have continued under the bondage and crueltie of Iabin King of Canaan; and the Lord thereby under reproach and blaſphemy. Yea, Barao and Deborah might have been overthrowne in this ſervice, their innocent bloud ſhed, the Tyrants more enraged, and God more diſhonoured, if every man had ſit at home like the inhabitants of Meroz. And is it not a ſinfull and accurſed thing not to help the Lord againſt the mighty?
Reaſ. 3. He that comes not to the help of the Lord in the quarells of his Church, breakes many bonds and engagements. We are the work of Gods hands; made after his own Image; in him we live, move, and have our being; we profeſſe Redemption by him; are in league with him; and ſhould we deſert this Lord? what ingratitude were that? For Subjects to deſert a gracious King, in a good cauſe, wherein he will take good care for their indempnitie; how vile were it? ſo is the caſe between us and Chriſt. And is it not an accurſed thing not to help the Lord? Beſides, we alſo neglect the bonds and engagements between us and the Church, which are many, great and precious.
Reaſ. 4. Neglect to help the Lord comes from ſuch evill Cauſes as do diſcover it to be an accurſed ſin. For whence ariſeth it, but either from Hypocriſie, when our perſons are with the Church, but our hearts with the enemies? Or from prophanenes, when men are not affected with the diſhonours of God or his Cauſe; as it is like the men of …abeſh Gilead were not, Iudg. 21. Or from an heart hardened againſt the miſeries and moanes of the Church. Or from carnall feares, ariſing from the enemies greatneſſe; as it is like it was with the men of Succoth, Iudg. 8.6. Or from diffidence of Gods protection. All which rootes are of ſo hatefull a nature to God, that he cannot chuſe but caſt his curſe on ſo foule a ſin flowing from them.
Queſt. How many wayes may help be afforded to the Lord in his Church?
Anſw. Help to be yeelded to the Church is either Spirituall or Temporall. Spirituall are Preces & lacrymae, Prayers and Teares.
1. Repentance. Lacrymae, Teares for ſinne. The worſt enemies of the Church are her Sins. Their Sins ſtrengthen their enemies, and weaken their friends. Dan. 8.12. An Hoſt was given the grand enemy of the Church to caſt the truth to the ground: and why? becauſe of tranſgreſſion. And he practiſed and proſpered. See; Tranſgreſſion makes Errour to prevaile againſt Truth. So Iſa. 59.1, 2. Sin weakens Gods hand, as it were, who is our beſt friend. Hence Pſa. 78.58, 61, &c. for the ſuperſtition and prophanenes of his people, Gods ſtrength is ſaid to be delivered into captivitie and his glory into the enemies hand. They then in the firſt place doe the Church great aſſiſtance, that help to take a courſe with Sinne; that drowne ſinne in the Sea of penitent teares; that kill it by mortification. For were it not for ſinne, one would chaſe a thouſand. Deut. 32.30.
2. Preces. Supplication to ſet God on work. God can overcome, if he would but ſtirre: but he will not ſtirre for us, unleſſe he be ſet on work by us. We muſt overcome God by our prayers, and then we ſhall overcome by Him. Gen. 32. When Eſau was comming with an Army againſt Iacob, Iacob ſtaies behinde, as is conceived, to wraſtle with God in prayer, and thereby he prevayled with God, and ſo with men. See Gen. 32.24, 28. Hoſ. 12.4, 5. When Iſrael was fighting with Amalck, Moſes did ſo help by holding up his hands, that victory depended more on that, then on Ioſhua's Valour. So thoſe that can Pray well, are as the Horſemen of Iſrael and the chariots thereof, and help the Lord againſt the Mighty.
There is alſo Temporall help; which is either, 1. in the purſe, by gift or loane, to ſupport the oppreſſed, or to maintaine the warre. For which God will give you opportunity ſhortly for Ireland. Or 2. It may be in perſon, when men are called, as Barac. Yea, Deborah would goe rather then faile. And the Princes and Tribes are prayſed that offered themſelves willingly. All may help ſome of theſe wayes: and ſome may help in all of them.
The Caſes where in God hath need of help, are either of an higher nature, as in open murthering warres: or of inferiour alloy, as when the Chriſtian and Antichriſtian party are ſtriving in our land, like twins in the womb of Rebeccah, who ſhall have the upper hand, and advance the Cauſe they profeſſe.
Ʋſe 1. To informe us what a Curſe this land in generall lieth under: which to take off ought to be one ſpeciall work of this day. There's a quarrell this day in Ireland, between the limbes of Antichriſt, and the Lord Ieſus in his truth and members. And the Lords enemies are mighty; if not in their particulars, yet in their multitude. Inſomuch that the Lords flock is driven away, and the Lord hath been (as I may ſay) put to the worſe. And have we help'd the Lord againſt the mighty? or help'd in any meaſure conſiderable in reference to our ability and ingagements? Oh no! my brethren, I tell you a ſad thing, not fit to be mentioned, but (as St. Paul ſpake of the profaneneſſe of ſome Phillipians) with teares; Our Brethren in Ireland have fled into divers parts, not only three months from before their enemies (which was one of the great burthens that put David into ſuch a ſtrait. 2 Sam. 24.13.) but almoſt twice three moneths now; And we have been as the waters that faile; Nay as Aegypt that broken reed, that did not ſupport but wound thoſe that ſtayed on her: Even ſo in ſome reſpect and degree have we been to them. Reade that excellent Speech of one of the Worthies of our Nation, the renowned Pim, which he had before the Lords at a Conference, and you will ſee confirmed what I ſay. How long have their and our Brethren of Scotland, (Chriſtianly forgetting the ſupplies that Ireland raſhly offered againſt them in the day of their calamity, truely honourable for that forgetfulneſse) How long did they ſtand offering aſſiſtance, before it was effectually accepted? Was this to help the Lord, to delay the help of others? Are not our delayes the cauſe why Ireland may ſadly lament before the Rebells, as David before Abſalom, Pſal. 3.1, 2. Lord how are they increaſed that trouble me? Many are they that riſe up againſt me. Many are they which ſay of my ſoule, there is no help for him in God. Selah. Are not our delayes the cauſes of thoſe many heart-cutting inſultations of the Rebells over the Loyall? Where's your aid from England, your hope, your God? Have we not had a Call from God, aſwell as Barac and the Princes of Iſrael? Have not their moanes and cryes come in their Petitions to King and Parliament? Did not they rely on Ʋs? Are not we ingaged to them? and is not the quarrell Religion, and ſo the Cauſe the Lords? Are not we then in Meroz her ſin? Oh! may not much of the bloud of Ireland, and Gods diſhonour there be charged on England for want of our comming forth to help the Lord? And what ſhall I doe now? make interceſſion againſt England, as Eliah ſometime did againſt Iſrael? Rom. 11.2. What ſhall I ſay now? Curſe ye England? O God forbid! We are come together for deprecation of evill, and not imprecation. But I muſt tell you, or I ſhould not deale faithfully; that the Curſe of Meroz hangs over England for this, till it be bewayled and deprecated. Oh then now bewayle this ſin, pray God to pardon this Omiſſion this day. If we truely bewayle it, God may make this ſinne find out the Actors of it, and we may be free: but unleſſe it be bewayled, it's Englands ſinne. We have this to comfort Us: The King of England cryed, haſte, haſte, (when he was yet in Scotland) or els Ireland will be loſt. The Commons of England offered aid more then Ireland asked, within as ſhort a time as could be expected. The Petitions from all coaſts cryed for ſpeedy help for Ireland. This is ſome cleering of the Nation; yet, help was not afforded, where was the ſtay? Popiſh Lords and Prelates (hearken yee Petitioners for Prelates) ſtayed all in the Lords Houſe. So the Lord in Ireland was not help'd againſt the mighty: England did not help, though many in England would have holpen the Lord. This ſin then is committed in England, and will be the ſin of England till it be bewayled. Oh then, above all ſins, lament this day this deſertion of the Lord. What if a forreine enemie had come in all this while, where had Ireland been? Nay, where England? Under what guilt and danger? Therefore lament this omiſſion. Unleſſe we do lament it, God will not reſpect our Prayers this day of Interceſſion. If we pray mercy for Ireland, yet we ſhall pray none for our ſelves. This Curſe will prevaile againſt the Bleſſing. Blot it out therefore with Teares of Repentance.
Ʋſe 2. For Terrour and Reproofe of ſuch as help the mighty againſt the Lord. They muſt need be ſubject to a double curſe, having double guilt. But are there any ſuch? Anſw. Yes, Too many; and they of divers ſorts.
1 Thoſe Popiſh Lords and Prelates, and all that malignant party, that have laid blocks in the way to hinder help from Ireland, hindering thence either men or money. Thoſe help'd the Rebells in Ireland, Incouraging and ſtrengthening the hearts and hands of thoſe Murtherers, and giving them opportunity to act their cruelties, and increaſe their party; But greatly diſcouraging the hearts, and weakning the hands of the Lords ſide, (of Gods poore people and party there.) Thoſe therefore are worſe then Meroz.
2. Thoſe, that (when help had been long delayed, and the Houſe of Commons had diſcovered the maine cauſe of the ſticking of this, and other of Gods cauſes to be the oppoſition of the Popiſh Lords and Prelates in the houſe of Peers) would yet petition for the Prelates, and ſo labour to keep up thoſe, that hindered help for Ireland, and ſo did themſelves hinder God, and help the mighty; (To ſay nothing what mightie enemies many of them have been againſt the Lords Servants and Ordinances in this Nation;) They were part of the Mightie againſt Ireland. Nor will their plea of not-Petitioning for the evill, help here: for in this cauſe they muſt light a candle to find out a good in their office (not to prejudice their perſons) unleſſe they may poſſibly be thought to be on the Lords ſide, that are juſtly in durance for Proteſting againſt the Parliament, [the maine Refuge, as things ſtand, both for Ireland and England.] And therefore, Brethren, (I ſpeak not in paſſion, but compaſſion) Thoſe that have endeavoured to uphold them, have help'd the Mighty againſt the Lord. The onelyonly Plea left is Humiliation and Confeſſion, which we in this place have cauſe to be carefull in this day; becauſe, notwithſtanding our light and profeſſion, yet (by what meanes you know) we have been deep in this tranſgreſſion. Blot out (this day) this guilt and ſtayne with penitent teares.
3. Thoſe people that goe on impenitently in any crying ſinnes, Drunkennes, whoring, ſwearing, &c. Thoſe Magiſtrates, that protect and countenance ſinners, (Whores, Drunkards, Sodomites, Murtherers, &c.) Theſe help the Mighty. Our ſinnes ſtrengthen our enemies, weaken our friends, as we have ſhewed from Dan. 8.12. Iſa 59.1, 2. Therefore ſinners that repent not, help the Mighty againſt the Lord. Sinnes make God as a Mighty man that cannot ſave, as appeares by Jeremyes complaint, Cap. 14. Queſt. Why ſhouldſt thou be as a Mighty man that cannot ſave? and Gods reply, verſ. 10. Thus have they loved to wander; Therefore the Lord doth not accept them. As holy Prayer doth hold Gods hands that he cannot ſtrike, Exod. 32.10. Let me alone: So foule ſins hold him that he cannot help. He is burthened with our ſinnes, Amos 2.13, 14. Good Magiſtrates, by puniſhing ſinne, ſave the Lords flock; as Phinchas did; and then thoſe that protect evill, make them a prey. Now thoſe that bring ſpirituall or temporall weakenings, help the Mighty againſt the Lord. Oh conſider this! To be more guilty then Meroz; deeper under Gods Curſe then they, what an evill thing and bitter is this? Oh lay it to heart and repent!
Vſe 3. To reprove thoſe that help not the Lord againſt the Mighty enemies in Ireland, (or elſewhere.) That help not ſpiritually or temporally. For Temporall help to Ireland we have had yet but little opportunity. And therefore I ſhall more preſſe our defect of ſpirituall help. They then are reproveable that labour not to kill their own ſins. The Sinnes of Ireland and England, theſe are the greateſt enemies; and our Repentance is their death. It was never ſaid, that the Lords hand was ſhortned that it could not help, Iſa. 59.1, 2.in regard of the ſtrength, rage, or plots of enemies; but in regard of the ſinnes of the Church. They then that ſuffer ſin to live and ſway, help not againſt the moſt dangerous enemie. Is not it help to diſarme Enemies? the ſting of ſinnes is their guilt; which repentance takes off, and ſo diſarmes them they can doe no more hurt. Will you ſuffer then a ſting in the hand of the Lords enemies? You then that repent not of Perſonall and Nationall Sinnes, eſpecially the growth and countenancing of Popery, which hath given Papiſts advantage to riſe up, arme, and plot againſt us, and may move God to ſell us into their hands, you I ſay help not the Lord. You alſo that play not the Jacobs, ſtriving with God in Prayer for Ireland. You that have not held up your hands with Moſes againſt Iriſh Amalekites. You that have not with Nehemiah fasted and prayed, nor journeyed neither for the Church of God, you have not yeelded all that help to the Lord which was within your ſphaere. You are guiltie of that ſin that holy Samuel put an abſit, a God forbid, upon. 1 Sam. 12.23. God forbid that I ſhould ceaſe praying for you. Hearken to this all ye that have not counted Germane, and eſpecially Iriſh miſery, a juſt Occaſion of humbling and praying you have not help'd the Lord; and how will you avoid Meroz Curſe? Oh then, ſee your ſinne in this, and repent; yea, cary this home to your Neighbours, that would not ſet this day apart, nor here afford their preſence. Tell them, I ſay, that this was a day appointed for the help of the Lord againſt the Mighty, and they not coming forth to it, they are ſurely and juſtly under Meroz Curſe; preſſe them therefore to feare, repent, and reforme ſo foule, ſo dangerous a neglect.
Vſe 4. To preſſe all upon all occaſions in all wayes to help the Lord againſt the mightie. Should we not fly all ſinne, but eſpecially ſuch as be Crying, as this is? Should you not feare, and avoid the Curſe of God, eſpecially ſuch a bitter one? then help the Lord. Would you not be found falſe in the Brotherly Covenant with the Church, Amos 1.9. nor treacherous to the Lord Chriſt? then help the Lord. What are you when your day comes without the Lords help? With what face can you expect or challenge help from God, when you have deſerted him? Oh then help the Lord againſt the Mighty with all manner of help within your power.
1 Yeeld ſpirituall help by Repentance, diſarming and killing ſin; and by Prayer, awakening, ſetting God on work. This day is ſet apart for this purpoſe, (think not much with it, though a Market day, if it be imployed in humbling and prayer; it will be better in regard of ſoule and ſafetie then a Fayre-day.) Improve then this day for the bewayling of thine owne ſins, and the ſinnes of others. Pray God for the pardon of Englands and Irelands ſinnes; to ſanctifie their ſufferings and tryalls for refining, that ſinne this day may be vanquiſh'd, and then the work is the better-half done. Play the Iſraelites this day; deſerve the title of the Iſrael of God, Gal. 6.16.by wraſtling this day even to prevayling over God. Take from him the burthen of your ſinnes, Jer. 14.9. Pſal. 62.11.that make him as a man that cannot ſave. Oh, if you thus behave your ſelves, God will be grieved for you, and deliver you. Power belongs to God. His will overrules all: and this is the way to rule with our God. If the work be not done this day, other Faſt dayes will ſucceed; and when they come, remember then that they are part, a chief part of the help of the Lord againſt the Mighty: See you doe not dare to be weary of them, or neglect them, for feare of the Curſe of Meroz.
2. Help the Lord with your purſes. You will be called on ere long for gift or loan to Ireland. Remember when that comes, it is to help the Lord againſt the Mighty. And then can you, dare you be ſparing? Is it not the Lord that gives all, keepes all, bleſſeth all; and can blaſt all; or take away all? and dare you be hand-bound? If you look no higher then poore Ireland, you know what the Apoſtle ſaith, 1 Joh. 3.17. He that hath this worlds goods, and ſeeth his Brother in need, and ſhutteth up his bowels of compaſſion, how dwelleth the love of God in him? Would not this move you? But it's to help the Lord in Ireland against the Mighty. Will you not be glad of an Opportunity to expreſſe Bounty? Its the Lord (who hath not made you Proprietaries, but Stewards of what you have) that calls now to you to lay out for him in Ireland. Can you be ſlack, and not unfaithfull? We reade 1 Chron. 29. of a voluntary Contribution, (and it was a mighty one) and when it was effected, the people rejoyced, and eſpecially David, and bleſſed God moſt affectionately, that gave them firſt ſubſtance, and then hearts to offer. Now there's as much Neceſſity in this offering, as Excellency in that; and ſhould not we be as forward as they. Reade and ſtudie that Chapter, and it will enlarge your hearts, (or fill your faces with bluſhing) by your forwardnes in this to give your Soveraign and Parliament occaſion to rejoyce in you, to bleſſe God for you, as they did to David. Nay, you of this place have one peculiar way of helping your Brethren in Ireland, without hurt, it may be with benefit to your ſelves. For, behold here an Ordinance of Parliament, for ſuch as carry any proviſion into divers ports of Ireland, to receive their mony for it in convenient time out of the Chamber of London. And therefore let this incline you to traffique that way, to help your Brethren in want and your ſelves at once.
3. Help with your Perſons. You that are preſt, or may be preſt, or may have friends in that ſervice, ſee, it is to help the Lord, our great Soveraigne, our beſt friend. He is in diſtreſſe in Ireland in his members; withdraw not, goe cheerfully, doe valiantly. You ſee, rather then the Lord ſhould be deſerted, Deborah (a woman) would goe forth to Warre, Judg. 4.8, 9. and who ſhall withdraw? You are not now going (through miſtake) againſt the Lord, as in the Scottiſh expedition. Wherein, you and we may bleſſe God and his inſtruments, as David did Abigail, 1 Sam. 25.32, 33. that prevented ſhedding of Bloud. But you are to goe againſt Antichriſtian, bloudy, unjuſt, filthy, barbarous Iriſh Rebells, many of whom have deſerved an hundred deaths. You cannot fight, dye, or overcome in a better, or more honourable quarrell. Now every good Chriſtian will pray, Gods bleſſing on you. They will honour you returning proſperous, pity and help you and yours, ſuffering. It's next to martyrdome to dye in ſuch a Cauſe; and the moſt glorious and comfortable Victory to overcome in ſuch a quarrell; and therefore let all be incouraged, that have a juſt call, with Zebulum and Nephtali, Judg. 5.18.to jeopard their lives in the high places of the field; becauſe it is to help the Lord againſt the Mighty,
Need you any more Motives then this, that it is for the Lord? Shall I not diſparage and diſpleaſe you, if I ſhould think you need further encouragement? yet, when the Spirit is willing, the fleſh many times is weake; and therefore, give me leave to adde a few Conſiderations more to quicken you to the help of the Lord againſt the Mighty in Ireland.
1 Conſider, In helping Ireland you help your ſelves. For you cannot or need not be ignorant, what Iriſh Rebells aime at; or what they threaten. If England help not Irelond, then Ireland is utterly undone; loſt: and what will become of England? but to be the next bit; all our Priviledge will be to be devoured laſt.
2. Conſider the forwardnes of the Scots; willing of themſelves, and praying that their help might be accepted, as the Macedonians in another caſe, 2 Cor. 8.3.4. May not then the forwardnes of the Scots be made a Motive to VsUs, to help the Lord in Warre, aſwell as the Macedonians Example was uſed by the Apoſtle, to excite the Corinthians to relieve the Saints in want? 2 Cor. 8.8.
3. Hereby we ſhall eſpecially manifeſt our pietie and charitie: that, to the Lord; this, to his Church. And ſo we ſhall much refreſh our Brethrens ſoules; and occaſion much prayer and thankeſgiving to God, as the Apoſtle excellently expreſſeth the fruit of help and ſupply to Chriſt in his members, 2 Cor. 9 12, 13. All charitie and merciemercy is precious; but that is beſt, where need and miſery is moſt; and ſuch is theirs that are under the Oppreſſion of the Mighty.
4 Conſider what a mercy it is unto Us, that it is our part to help Others. God might have made it our lot to have needed help. Therefore ſince we are ſet on the better ſide, ſhall we not be carefull and cheerfull in diſchargeing our dutie?
5. Conſider how God hath help'd us, to ingage us. God hath done for England above all the Nations under the Sun. Many a time have we been in ſtraits, but did God ever leave us in the ſuds? Remember 88. The 5. of November: The 4. of Iannary; all the Plots and attempts of late; yet we live, we prevaile, we flouriſh. And ſhall England deſert God in the Oppoſition of the Mightie? God forbid! Rather let us ſay with David againſt the oppoſitions of carnall Michal, 2 Sam. 6.21It was for the Lord who choſe me, &c. So let us ſay, Its for the Lord who hath choſen us to profeſſe the truth, and protected and holpen us ſo many times; therefore (by help of his Grace) we will be forward, anſwerable too, yea (with the Macedonians) above ſtrength, 2 Cor. 8.3.in the help of the Lord againſt the Mighty.
6 Conſider, the Lords ſide is the better and the ſtronger ſide; and therefore help the Lord. Newters you may not be, for in this caſe Newtrality is no better then treachery. Good men will take the better wiſe men will incline to the ſtronger ſide. If then you would manifeſt either Goodneſſe or Wiſedome, help the Lord. None can doubt, that the Lords ſide is the better ſide, who is not Atheiſticall. And by the ſame faith we may beleeve it the ſtronger ſide. Thoſe that are on the Lords ſide, may ſay as Eliſha to his man, there be more with us then againſt us. 2 King. 6.16. With this, Hezekiah incouraged his people. 2 Chron. 32.7, 8. With this, Iſaiah aforehand inſults over the ſtrongeſt oppoſition; Aſſociate your ſelves, &c. and you ſhall be broken, for God is with us. Iſa. 8.8, 9. The enemies may ſometimes prevaile a while for the humbling, and triall of his people, and that their own ſinnes may be full and ripe. But God in his good time will take notice of their rage, and put an hook into their noſtrils; eſpecially being ſought (as now he is) for Ireland. And therefore make ſure of victory at laſt. Though our enemies were as the Anakims, though Pope and Spain, &c. ſhould bandy together, yet ſo long as we are on the Lords ſide, we may encourage our ſelves, Numb. 14.and ſhow Ioſhua and Calebs faith, that they ſhall be but bread and ſpoile for us. The bleſſing of Gad, Gen. 49.19. ſhall be the portion of Ireland, Gad, a troupe ſhall overcome him: but he ſhall overcome at the laſt. 1 Sam. 4. The Philiſtines prevayled againſt the Lord, and carried his ſtrength into captivity: but ſee Chapter 5. and 6. could they keep it, were they not glad to give glory to God, and ſend it back? Thus God will regain his honour in the ruine of his enemies, they ſhall fall before him. And then what comfort will it be that we have help'd the Lord? what comfort and confidence have they in this Nation, who have petition'd, and have been againſt the mighty enemies of Purity and liberty, above thoſe that have ſided with them? Now we ſee God making his Servants to prevaile, and ſo will it be much joy of heart that we have help'd the Lord againſt the Mighty in Ireland. When God hath returned the captivitie of his people, and made his enemies his footſtoole, be incouraged then to help the Lord againſt the Mighty in Ireland, and every where. Becauſe we are this day eſpecially aſſembled for Ireland therefore I more particularly apply the doctrine to them. But you may in your med itations apply it proportionably to Germany, to all the Catholiks in our own Nation which are for God, to ſtirre you up to help the Lords ſide againſt the Popiſh, by all the meanes you can, power or prayers. And in our own land our Proteſtation is an inviolable ingagement. I will now adde ſome Meanes to inable to duty.
Our hearts may be holpen in this duty by theſe Meanes following.Meanes.
1. Let us conſider the near Bonds that are between us and the Lords people, in reference to whom this help is to be afforded. Between Us and All the Lords people, there is the bond of one body myſticall, and one Spirit. One Lord, one Faith, one Baptiſme, one God, and Father of all. Epheſ. 4.4, 5, 6. We all are of the ſame City, the heavenly Jeruſalem; of the ſame houſhold, the houſhold of Faith; and Brethren in that houſhold, Epheſ. 2.19. But the oppreſſed in Ireland are alſo under the ſame King; of the ſame Nation; and many of them, of our deare friends and allies. Will not ſo many bonds duely pondered, draw help from us? Undoubtedly they will. If one be oppreſt that is neare of kin to us, doe we not count it a ſhame to let him be trampled upon, and we not help him? If we be what we profeſſe, ſhall not Spirituall ingagements excite us aſwell as civill and naturall?
2. We muſt labour to get a ſympathizing heart; an heart moved with compaſſion to their miſery: a thing expreſſely required, Rom. 12.15. Nehem. 1.3, 4. We ſhall find Nehemiah firſt inquiring after the ſtate of the Church, then ſympathizing and compaſſionating, whence flowed firſt the Spirituall aid of Fasting and Prayer, verſ. 4. to the end of the Chapter, and then civill help with the expence and trouble of a long journey, and other coſtly, tedious and couragious endeavours, as largely appeares in the ſequell of the ſtory, in Chapters 2.3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Compaſſion is the root of all relief. That moves the heart, and ſhe commands in chief. Oh then, labour to have ſympathy in your hearts, and you will help the Lord in his members. And my Beloved, if you would but a little conſider Ireland, you would ſee in them all Motives of Compaſſion ſo concurrent, that your hearts cannot chuſe but be moved for them. Things that move Pitie, are 1. Ariſt. Rhet. lib. 2. ca. 10.ſome things in the evills ſuffered; as when they are (ſaith the Philoſopher) foreign destructory; as foreign, divers kinds of death; foreign unworthy beatings of the body, ſuch as St. Paul met with, 2 Cor. 11.25. foreign deforming or diſmembring the body, foreign famine. foreign to be deprived of friends. foreign to be pluck'd from friends & familiars is pitifull. Now which of theſe is wanting in Ireland? Nay, which is not there to be found in the ſuperlative degree? They are deſtroyed heapes upon heapes, and many times with fearefull kindes of death; hang'd, ſtarved with cold, famiſh'd to death, and what not? So that Ireland may complaine with Iſrael, Pſal. 79.2, 3. The dead bodies of thy ſervants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of heaven: the fleſh of thy Saints to the beaſts of the earth. Their bloud have they ſhed like water round about Ieruſalem. Their bodies likewiſe are ſomtimes diſdainfully beaten, ſomtimes diſmembred, and which is more diſgracefull and miſerable, the virgins and women are raviſh'd by barbarous villaines; and daughters of the Nobilitie and Gentrie of beſt account (and ſome Wives too) forced to be married to them. For loſſe of friends it is in the higheſt degree. They are pull'd one from another, to be ſlaughtered before their eyes: yea, the Infants pull'd out of their mothers belly to be murthered in a cruell manner with them. And how can they be free from famine being ſo many driven from houſe and home, ſtrip'd not onelyonly of ſuſtenance, but veſtments? And this to have been in the Winter, Mat. 24.20.(an aggravating circumſtance which our Saviour taught the lewes to pray againſt) when darkeneſſe, cold, bogs, water, froſt and ſnow increaſe the danger & diſcomfort of ſuch naked flight. Can any heart chuſe but be moved with compaſſion at ſuch ſufferings? If they ſhould, may not Ireland juſtly renew the Complaint, Is it nothing to you all ye that paſse by? Behold and ſee, if there be any ſorrow like unto my ſorrow, Lam. 1.12.
2. Pity is moved by conſideration of the parties ſuffering, where two things chiefly move pity: one, as they are conſidered in themſelves, the other with reſlexion on us. 1. In themſelves, indignity doth move pity; when ſuch ſuffer as it is not meet ſhould ſuffer, as if godly men and women, and godly Miniſters ſuffer; ſo when the Antients and Infants ſuffer. Hence the Prophet in the Lamentations labours to move pity, Lam. 4.7, 8. & 5.11, 12, 13. and doth not this circumſtance concurre to move pity to Ireland? Are not they moſt ſubject to miſery that are Proteſtant's, and will not renounce their Religion? Are not the beſt Miniſters, and beſt people worſt uſed? There alſo neither have the young been ſpared, nor the Antient honoured, nor the Honourable reſpected. 2. If you conſider them with reflexion on our ſelves; and there two circumſtances chieſly move pity. 1. Vnity. 2. Parity. foreign Familiars.When there is nearneſse, and when men are of the ſame condition. How neare they are in bonds to us hath been formerly ſhewed; and there be amongſt them to ſuit the conditions of every one of us: to move virgines to pity, virgines have ſuffered rapes and violence: to move wives to pity, They are moved with pity foreign. Ariſt. ubi ſupr.they may heare the miſeries of wives in the loſſe of huſbands, ſuffering hainous things before their faces: ſo Fathers ſufferings may work on Fathers: Childrens ſuffering on childrens: for they may reſlect, this might, this may be my caſe.
3. Conſider the Parties that be apt and ſhould be moſt moved to pity, and you ſhall ſee ſomething in that to move pity. There be chiefly three ſorts of people that ſhould be compaſſionate. 1. They that have had experience of evill. 2. Thoſe that are ſenſible of their own infirmity and danger. 3. foreign, thoſe that are inſtructed, becauſe able to judge of miſery. Now doe not all theſe call on us for ſympathy, who have eſcaped lately, if not the feeling, yet the feare of ſuch dangers, having had not long ſince two Armies in our Nation, and many Plots againſt it? And doe we not know how ſubject we are to the like? Have not we (as the Prophet ſaid) ſinnes alſo amongst us; 2 Chron. 28 10.yea, and Papiſts too, and diſcontented ſpirits likewiſe? And hath not God afforded us ingenuous breeding to judge aright of things? you ſee then, as ſympathy will produce help, ſo how ſympathy may be wrought in us for Irelands preſent miſery.
3. Labour to ſtirre up in you zeale and love to the Lord. For where that is, what will we not doe where the Lord is ingaged? this will conſtraine us, with St. Paul, 2 Cor. 5.14 15. 2 Sam. 6.21 22.to give our ſelves to any thing wherein we may ſerve him: It's the Lord, ſaith David, to whom I am thus and thus ingaged, therefore he would doe more and more. And thus will zeale to God work on us.
4 Adde to theſe Faith and Courage. Mighty enemies are apt to ſtirre carnall feares which muſt be cured, ere we can put to our hands: by Faith we muſt apprehend Gods aſſiſtance, and thereby cure feares; grow Couragious, and then we will own and help the Lord.
Vſe. 5. Then hence (laſt of all) it will follow, that they are Bleſt that help the Lord againſt the Mighty. They doe not only avoid a blot and a Curſe, but get honour and a bleſſing. God out of his graciouſneſſe is more ready to Bleſſe then Curſe. So Iudg. 5.9, 24. The Princes are honoured that offered themſelves willingly: and Jael is pronounced bleſſed above women for putting her hand to the nayle; and ſo it is now. Bleſſed then be our Gracious Soveraigne, that hath ſo often and earneſtly called for help to the Lord in Ireland, and now at laſt manifeſted increaſe of goodneſse in offering his own Perſon willingly, to help the Lord in his bleeding Church; if the Parliament ſhall think fit, (but they wil more tender the light of Iſrael, that it be not quench'd!) Bleſſed be the Houſe of Commons, that have offered ſo largely, and been ſo ſtudious to further help to the Lord! And bleſsed be the Noble Peers, who have joyned with them in ſo good a work! Bleſſed be the Royall City, who have been ſo forward with their Petitions and Purſes to afford this help! yea, Bleſſed be they and the Shires near, who might and did offer themſelves willingly not only to Petition for Ireland, but to help the Lord in his Worthies of Parliament againſt the Plotters nearer hand! Bleſſed be they that give or lend liberally for the Lords aſſiſtance! Bleſsed be our Soveraign, that religiouſly cōmanded, and All you that have religiouſſy obſerved this day of Humiliation, to help the Lord againſt the Mighty in Ireland Bleſſed (I ſay) be all the Lords helpers, in their names, eſtates, bodies, ſoules, now and for evermore. Amen! Amen!
FINIS.
End of the text · John Geree, Irelands Advocate (1642)