The Arraignment of Licentious Liberty, License – Dedication
Die Jovis, 25, Febr. 1646.
ORdered by the Lords in Parliament assembled, that Mr. Hardy is hereby thanked for his great pains taken in his Sermon preached yester day before their Lordships in the Abbey-church Westminster, it being the Monethly Fastday: And hee is hereby desired to cause the same to be Printed and published, and that no person whatsoever doe p…esume to print or reprint the same, but by warrant under his own hand.
John Brown Cler. Parliament.
I do appoint Nathanael Webb and William Grantham, to Print my Sermon.
Nath. Hardy.
THE ARRAIGNMENT OF LICENTIOVS LIBERTY, AND OPPRESSING TYRANNY. IN A SERMON Preached before the Right Honourable HOUSE of PEERS, in the Abbey-church at Westminster, on the day of their solemn Monethly FAST, Febr. 24. 1646.
By NATHANAELL HARDY, Mr. of Arts, and Preacher to the Parish of Dionis-Back-church.
I will get me to the great men, and will speak unto them, for they have known the way of the Lord, and the iudgement of their God: but these have altogether broken the yoke and burst the bonds,
Ier. 5.5.
They chose new Gods; then was war in the gates,
Iudg. 5.8.
Pertinet ad innocentis Magistratus officium, non solùm nemini malum inferre, verùm etiam à peccato cohibere, & punire peccatum, aut ut ipse qui plectitur corrigatur experimento, aut alti terreantur exemplo.
Aug.
Disciplina est magistra Religionis, magistra verae pietatis, quae non ideo increpat ut laedat, nec ideo castigat ut noc eat.
Idem.
Remota justitia, quid sunt regna nisi magna latrocinia, quia & ipsa latrocinia quid sunt nisi parva regna.
Idem.
LONDON, Printed by R. L. for Nathanaell Webb, and William Grantham at the signe of the Grey-hound in Pauls Church-yard, 1647.
TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE The HOUSE of PEERS Assembled in PARLIAMENT.
Thrice Noble Worthies:
IF any thing were presented in this subsequent Sermon, meriting your Honours acceptance; it must be that despised Jewell of plain-dealing. The truth is; Considering on the one hand, the Auditors dignity to whom I spake, my desire was to avoid rudenesse of Expression; Remembring, on the other, JEHOVAH'S Majesty in whose Name I spake, my endevour was to use faithfulnesse in Admonition.
I well know, Reprehension to Great men must be wrapped up (as wee do Pils) in Sugar,Obiurgationi semper aliquid blandi commisce; sacilius penetrant verba quae mollia vadunt quam quae aspera. Sen. that it may more easily be swallowed, and work before they think on it. We must come to your Lordships byssinis verbis with soft and silken Phrases, as the Mother of Cyrus charged him who was to speak to the King. But yet withall, the Great GOD who hath advanced you to Nobility, hath engaged us to Fidelity: it is no time for Ministers to be cold or silent, when sins are bold, and sinners impudent. That commission given to the Prophet Isaiah, Isa. 40.1. Praedicator veritatis tacens confumitur; flagellat con s…ientia usque ad consumptionem illum qui homines quando opus est vetatis verbere non fl… gellat. Lyr. Interveteres Philosophos verbum non vulgariter celebratum, tres deform…s filias à tribus sormosis matribus oriri, à p…ce otium, familiaritat… contemptum à veritate odium.and in him to all Gods Messengers, was never yet revoked: Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, to tell Judah of her sins, and Israel of her transgressions. It is true, Preachers by their faithfull boldnesse will find enemies as Moths to their persons, and Worms to eat up their credits; but by their treacherous silence they shall procure a worse Moth to their souls, and Worm to gnaw their consciences. Freenesse in speaking truth, may occasion hatred from men without; but it will certainly procure love from a gracious God above, and peace from a serene breast within.
My Lords; It was the unhappy lot of this Discourse, when preached, to meet with many Auditors whose eares were hedged about with thorns, and tongues have since been sharp as swords: These have branded both it: and the Author, (probably in your Honours hearing) with the scandalous reproach of Malignancy, and what else might render the one fruitlesse, and the other odious: For what reason I know not, except (that for which St. Paul was accounted an enemy by the Galathians) telling the truth: Gal. 4.16.As if flattery were the badge of amity; and they who are faithfull to your Souls,Haec est conditio ve…itatis, … eam semper inimicitie consequuntur, sicut per adulationem pernitius…e amiciti…e conquiruntur; l…bent…r quod d…ect… auditur, & offendit omn… quod nolumus. Hier. Infoelix amicitia quae illum quem diligit, ta cendo trad…t diabolo. Carthus. Magis amat obiurgator sana…s, quàm …dulator dissimulans. Aug. must therefore be reckoned as false to your Cause. But sure I am, in the end, these seeming Friends will appear your worst Enemies, who would tickle your Honours with flatteries to the death; whilst your seeming reputed Enemies will approve themselves your best Friends, who by gentle blows of Reproof on the eares, endevour to rouse you out of the swound of Security.
For my own part, I hope I shall ever abhorre as well verball, as reall Symony; and rather choose, proveritate convitium, quàm pro adulatione beneficium; To expose my self to byting Detractors, than incurre the just censure of a fawning Flatterer.
For these envious Whisperers, I shall become an hearty petitioner in my Saviours words, Father, forgive them: And if by my removall, yea, ruine, (though too unworthy) any thing may be contributed to the setling of Sions bound, I shall thank them for doing me such a favour against their wils; and my hope is, their wrathfull calumny poured out like mud to defile my Name, shall prove like water to clense my ways the more.
For your HONOURS, I blesse God that you were the Eare-witnesses and Judges of my doctrine; neither doubt I but your Wisdoms will discern malice to be the spring of those slanders cast upon my self.
As for these Labours, (which if weighed in the ballance of a severe judgment, I confess are too light) it hath pleased your Lordships to allow them some grains of your charity, in a favourable construction; and find them weight, to set the stamp of your Authority upon them, and make them currant Coyn for the Presse. Them, together with my self, I lay at your Honours feet, and in submission to your command have committed to the Worlds eye.
Some illustrations of the Text, which I then omitted, lest I should tyre your patience, I have now inserted, lest I should injure the Sermon.
Give mee leave (my honoured Lords) to end with one request to You, for GOD; to GOD, for You.
To you: That however I may deservedly be cast out of your memories, yet the sacred Truths herein contained may be imprinted on your breasts.
For you. That the LORD of Lords would strengthen your Honours hearts and hands, to the preservation of Purity and restauration of Unity: That so in your Noble Persons and Families, you may be the happy Subjects; to the Church and Kingdome, honourable Instruments, of many choice and precious Blessings. To which he shall ever say Amen, Who is,
Your HONOURS Vnworthy, yet Faithfull Servant, NATH. HARDY.