Justice Triumphing, Application
foreign or an Application of the whole to the Gunpowder Treason.
For our cleerer and quicker dispatch, be pleased to walke with me through these three Stages. The enemies worke, Gods work, our worke; what they would have done, what God did doe, what we should and ought to doe. The worke of mischief in which they were snared. The worke of judgement wherein, if ever, God was known. Our work of duty, now and ever to be performed.
1 The adversaries work. Opus mirabiliter singulare, & singulariter mirabile. Such as the present age may well admire, the future age will hardly believe, and no former age can parallel. A treason without a reason; yea to use St. Hieroms expression, of the face of the fourth Monarchy, without a name, quia crudelitas fine modo, cruelty without measure. A worke without a match, though to have been acted by a Match; in a word, a plot so odious, a Tragedy so direfull, that the actors would not have owned it when effected: but as Nero fathered the burning of Rome on the Christians, so had they prepared a Proclamation to cast it on the Puritans.
If you aske who were the authors of this worke, the word in the Text well fits them, they were wicked, seditious, yea traiterous troublers of Israel; the word is singular in the Text, and it was one wicked incendiary, Faux Orci, a Firebrand of Hell, that should have put the consummatum est to this horrid worke. But withall the word is taken collectively, and there wanted not a combination of wicked men in this designe; those in the Text are called in the former verse Heathen; these in the plot were Papists; so much the worse, because pretending Christians.
We shall doe no wrong to that Caiaphas, high Priest of Rome, and man of sinne, not caput, but canda Ecclesiae, if we attibute, at least, the encouragement of the worke to him, as being, though not an actor, yet by his Buls an abettor of it; such have their Popes indeed ever been, their Vrbanes Turbanes, Pii Impii, Clements Inclement, Hildebrand Helbrands.
We shall do as little injury to the Jesuites, Jebusites, Judasites rather, if we impute to them the contrivement of the worke. These indeed are the onelyonly Schoolmen that fetch argumets out of the Shambles, and conclude all their Syllogismes in Ferio; the best Pulpit men to strike to the heart with dead, not lively, occisory, not operatory Sermons. They may well be called Cen…iniani, as having a singer in every State, and know no better way to build up their Church, then by blowing up Kingdomes. Theirs was the head worke, and tongue worke in this plot, to absolve, resolve, pray, prophecy. You have heard their Psalmody, The memory of novelties shall perish with a cracke. That when it had come to passe, it might have been said, The mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. They were the men who justified as lawfull, nay sanctified as pious, yea, would have glorified as meritorious, this hellish worke.
The actuall managing of the worke, was by a certaine number of English Gentlemen, but with Romish hearts, who drew together like an Impostume to an head; theirs was the handworke to hire a Cellar, digge through the wall, buy in the provision, and execute the project; and so the accomplishment of the worke was theirs; the Jesuites as the Poet, and they as Actors in this Tragedy.
If you inquire what moved them to the designe, they tel us in their Confessions, Religion, Necessity, Conscience; wicked men indeed to defend slaughter with conscience, cover mischiefe with necessity; patronize Rebellion with Religion; no wonder their rage was fierce, when grounded on a false zeale. It is the worst madnesse insanire cumratione, nay religione; to be madde with an opinion not onelyonly of reason, but religion; men are never more violent, then when they thinke God is of their party; and as charity is accounted coldnesse of Religion, so a pretended zeale of Religion causeth coldnesse of charity.
But what was the intent, or rather extent of their worke? In sum it was a Parliamentary breakfast, an irrevocable writ of dismission to that high Court; our Enemies will tell us where our strength lyeth; it was to have cut off head and taile, root and branch in one day as the Prophets expression is. Esay. 9.14. One hath well presented the marke these wicked shot their arrowes at in five words.
Rem, Regem, Regimen, Reginam, Religionem.
The King apparreld in his Royall Robe, with an Imperiall Crowne on his head, holding a Scepter in his hand, sitting in his Throne▪ in the midst of all his State, should have beene deposed from his Majesty, nay, exposed to their cruelty.
The Queen his consort in wedlock, shou…d have beene his consort in woe, and the Prince at their knees, heire apparant to nothing but their misery. Briefly, the hope of succession, oracle of wisdome, Chariots of Israel, butteresses of strength, guardians of justice, Masters of Assemblies, glory of Nobility, and flowre of the whole Kingdome, should have been cropt, out off, destroyed, had this worke succeeded.
Achitophels Treason against King David, the …alerian Schoolmasters treachery against the Noble youth of that City H…mans conspiracy against the people of the Jews, were short of this; which was to have swallowed up King, Nobles, Commons, all; So that as Asia was called the grave of Rome, for the many Nobles buryed there, Westminster would have been the grave of England.
A desperate attempt, and no lesse dangerous the meanes of atchievment; it was a worke of no small labour, a worke of their Palmes; no lesse secrecy. It was not to be effected by force of Armes, that is manifest, nor by stab of Dagger, that is visible, but by an insensible element, and that mos… fierce of all others, fire, and that most hellish of all fires, Gun-powder, couched in a dark vault, inclosed in Barrels, invi…oned with Irons,Psal. 142.3. invellopt with wood, and coale, all fiery fewell. Insidiantur in abscondito to use the Psalmists expression, they say to the earth cover us, as fearing least the whistling winde, or singing fowls of the aire should reveal… it; —Itum est in viser a terrae.
Those hellish Pioners spare no pains to digge out the bowels of their Grand-mother, Earth, that they might gnaw out the bowels of their Mother Country, and this just under the upper house of Parliament; that where the Lawes (said they) received their life, the Law-givers might their death. A death never to be painted out to the life, a brewing such as never the like was tun'd up for the destruction of three estates; a designe that should uno actu, tactu, ictu, nictu, with one touch, in one moment have sent those worthies of our Israel to the Grave, yea, in their intention to hell it selfe.
See here a cruell intent to shed bloud, a bruitish cruelty to te…re bodies in pieces, a devillish bruitishnesse to do it by powder, nay, indeed more then devillish; for whereas the Devill is said to sweep with his taile the third part of the Stars of Heaven these would have darkned the Sun,Revel. 12.4. turn'd the Moon into bloud, yea, swallowed all those gli…tering Stars of this Horizon, then united in an happy constellation, in obscurity.
That this worke of their hands may be the more prosperous, they sow up their lips, swear a silence, and back that Oath with the Sacrament. Catilines immanity and inhumanity need be no wonder, who made his souldiers pledge each other in a draught of mans bloud; these drinke the bloud of God; and, as they conceive it materially; that they may strengthen their hands in their bloudy designe, Pauls enemies vowed neither to eat nor drinke naturall food till they had kill'd him; these eate and drinke Sacramentall food to speed the slaughter of thousands; and among the rest of him that was more then ten thousand of us. What wickednesse will not men attempt to atchieve their intended malice?
How neere this work of darknesse was to have been brought to a fiery light judge you! It was not according to Jonahs Prophecy 40 dayes, nor 4 dayes, nor scarce so many houres; nox una interposita one night betwixt, and but a part of that neither, ere the terrible blow had been given, and we destroy'd.
The hand of mischief was ready to have done the work, before it was known to be lift up; the snare on our heeles, before it was discovered to be laid; the poyson almost at our throats, before we could see what maner of liquor it was. We might well say with David, 1 Sam. 20.3. there was but a step between death and us; and apply that of Anacharsis concerning those that were in a ship 4 fingers from the water; there was but 4 fingers between them and death; a step, a finger of that Caitiffe of the Cave might have laid all our honour in the dust.
See, all things are in a readinesse, the plot contrived, actors designed, Cellar hired, Engines provided, Powder hid, a train laid, and that black-bird of hell at hand, with the match to have put a period to the treason. How doe these audacious confederates applaud themselves in their pregnant hopes; and promise all their own. The next heire is designed; Proclamations prepared, Honours divided, Instruments of cruelty▪ provided; not so much as the garments of the new Dukes and Earles but are made up. The letter said▪ God and Man are agreed to punish the wickednesse of the Times; but stay there: Man was agreed, God was not (blessed be his name) he was at, but not of their counsell: true indeed there was but a tantum non and the flames had gone over our heads. We were at the pits brinke in the jawes of destruction, there wanted nothing but thrusting in of the Falx, sickle to cut us down, or Fax fire to blow us up: a touch of Guy Faux to have rent us in piecss, but Noct… pluit tota, redeunt spectacula mane.
The ungodly were many nights digging a pit for us, and before morning they fall into it themselves he that was foreign a present refuge, opportune helper, stept in, entrapped them in their own snare, and discovered his justice in detecting their malice, which leads to the second particular.
2 Gods worke dignus vindice nodus, a knot fit for a God to untie; not man but the Devill devised it; not man but God defeated it; foreign, it was not in the brains of men to prevent it, so far indeed from our prevention, that it could not come into our imagination, it was not in the Arms of men to oppose it; no band of men could have rescued from the devouring fire, onelyonly in the knees of God, so that in this, if in any thing, the Lord was known as a just Judge.
Be pleased a while to trace the severall steps of the discovery, and you shall plainly behold it was not, it could not be any other but Gods finger that manacled their hands, and snared them in their work; for tell me
What was it that extorted the meanes of revealing from his pen, whose to…gue had sworne concealement; that made him, who was acting the ruine of many, to consult for the preservation of one? not any innate pitty in the traitor, but the over ruling Soveraignty of God; What was it that inclined the heart of that Noble Lord, to publish and communicate the letter which detected the treason? Not popery or carnall policy; but the all-disposing providence of God. What was it inspired (I can call it no lesse) the brest of that Royall King, other…ise free from jealousie (as a badge of tyranny) to suspect the danger; and by a violent unnaturall construction of a phrase to finde out the violent unnaturall destruction that was hatching; not so much his own prudence (though otherwise great) but the wisdome of the Almighty. What was it, that infatu…ted the traitours who (while the plot was but suspected) had opportunity to escape, that they should try the utmost, and afterward sharpened the edge of all mens spirits against them where they came to kill some, surprize the rest; even before a Proclamation could overtake them, but that just severity of God? Finally, what was it that prevented the surp…ziall of that Noble Lady Elizabeth, and insurrection of the Papists, when those Rebels whispered the feare of a Massacre into their eares, but the mercifull goodnesse of God; so that all the attributes of God were concentred, and met together in this dayes deliverance; and which is yet more remarkable in it selfe, and sutable to the Text, those Antichristian Mole-warps were taken in their owne pit; those Romish fowlers caught in and by their own net. Was it not a worke of one of their hands and pens that first gave cause of suspition, and was the meanes of discovery; did not their owne tongue fall upon them, when the Colloquie betweene Garnet and Hall at the Tower proved the clearest Testimony against them, in a word, did not the Powder sinne flye in some of their faces? when among others two of the Traitors were wounded accidentally by Powder in an house, and afterward both killed by a shot; so truly was this Scripture fulfilled in this example before the eyes of all men. And surely, were not our Romish Proselytes drunke with the wine of Sodome, and nurs'd with the milke of Dragons they would behold, beleeve and repent. The Papists call much for a Judge of controversies between them and us, but why take they not notice, how God hath time by time shewed himselfe a righteous Judge, pleading our cause and preventing their plots? but I feare a spirit of delusion is fallen upon them, and therefore I shall betake my selfe to that which concernes us to doe, the
3 Last particular, our worke. I know you have long looked for an end, much speaking is a wearinsse to the flesh, and long hearing offensive to your patience, yet spare me but a few Minutes while I teach you your duty, and I hope you will have cause to say, the latter end of the Sermon is better then the beginning, let then our meditation continually fixe it selfe on both these objects.
1 On the Enemies work, and that so long till it have wrought in us an impression of these following duties; even till it have flamed us wi…h a fiery zeale, awakened us to a cautelous vigilancie, and engaged us unto mutuall unity; of each a word.
1 Let it inflame us with a fiery zeale and holy indignation against the scarlet impudent whore of Babylon; who is ever in travell with a Babel of our confusion; Oh let us detest with a perfect hatred their practices, whose mercy is cruelty, Religion faction, devotion sedition, whose zeale is fire, Martyrs are traytors, and Saints devils; and not onelyonly their practices, but their principles, which are the wheels that move them to these cursed executions: I meane those Jesuiticall Doctrines wherewith mens hearts being once poysoned they care not what villany they attempt. Among which I observe three principall Engines, that are no small enducements to treasonable projects. The Popes power to dispence with Oaths, the legality of murthering Princes, and a Toleration of various Religions; observe but the Powder plotters, and you shall finde their despaire of obteining a free toleration, their opinion of the lawfulnesse of killing Kings, and blowing up Parliaments, were the strong incentives to this mischiefe; and that all of these devillish opinions, are the plain assertions of the Jesuites; I need not stay long to demonstrate.
Gretzer expresly asserts concerning the Oath of fidelity, that the Pope may free his Catholike Subjects from it when their King rules tyrannously. The sandy foundation on which he and the rest built it, is the power of binding and loosing given to Peter, and indeed to all Ministers of the Gospel by Christ, to wit of sins, not Oathes.
The Mutthering of Princes is a common tenet indeed, these two, Deum comedere, Regem occid…re, to eat their God, and kill their King are the abhord Maxime of these unreasonable men. Mariana accounts it a moderate way to poyson a Chaire, or garment for the killing of Kings. Francis de Verone commends the act of that desperate wretch who assaulted Henry the fourth of France, as just and Heroick; nay, one of their Popes, Sixtus the 5th made an Oration in praise of that Fryer, who murthered Henry the third of France (though no Protestant) saying a true Fryer had kill'd a counterfeit. Yea, had his Cardinals been as forward as he, they had Canonized him for a Saint; what need we goe farther then this present businesse? in Paris, Oldborne and Garnet, that were executed in England for this Treason, are enrold in the Catalogue of Martyrs, and certain English Priests censured for praying for their souls, as though they doubted of their Crown of Martyrdome: as that valiant Papistomastix in his time,Doctor Featly his Clavis Mystica, p. 574. Doctor Featly hath left upon record that he saw the former, and heard the latter credibly reported.
As for Toleration, it is true, it is far from their own practice where they have power; witnesse their cruell Inquisition, (indeed none are more tyrannous where they beare rule, then they that plead for this licentious liberty, where their own way cannot be authorized) but yet they maintain it lawfull and indeavour to attaine it where their Religion prevails not.Doctor Featly his Clavis Mystica, p. 464. Thus Father Parsons, Cardinall Allen, and William Bishop a Seminary Priest, doe all of them assert both in Thesi that Religions fundamentally differing are consistant in the same Kingdome; and in Hypothesi that it is not onelyonly lawfull and convenient but honourable for the King of England, to permit the free exercise of the Rom…sh profession. I hope the bare recitation of their damnable Doctrines is to us a sufficient confutation. All I aime at is to warne us that while we declare an utter Antipathy against the Romanists; we doe not Sympathize and joyne issue with them in any of their cursed opinions. Oh farre be it from us to thinke that any humane power may dispence with, and make what construction it pleaseth of the many Oaths and Protestations we have taken; particularly that Solemne Covenant, wherein we have lift up our hand to the high God. Farre be it from any …f us to have a malicious thought against our Liege Soveraign; rather let us make Prayers and supplication for him. And (which I wish there were not too much cause of) beware we that none of us defend or indeavour that intolerable toleration of all Religions.1 Tim. 2.2… It was the course Julian the Apostate tooke to root out the very name of Christianity by setting open the door to all Hereticks and Schismaticks. I say no more, but know that Religion is the Soul of the body of a Common-wealth, and guesse your selves what a monster that Kingdom will be that is informed with an 100 Souls; yea, undoubtedly the toleration of many will prove in time the subversion of the one Orthodox Religion in that Church wherein it is granted.
I have onelyonly one request before I leave this exhortation, to you famous Citizens (it will be a work well becomming your thankfull hearts; and a part of answer to Davids question; what shall I render) that now while you are piously consulting to settle,Psal. 116▪ 12. and advance the maintenance of your preaching Ministers? you would take into your thoughts, the erecting and endowing a Colledge or Society of able instructed Scribes, who with their pens dipt in the Nectar of Sacred Writ; may (as with swords) cut off all superstitious Idolatry, and the head of that Hydra of Heresie which riseth up so fast in this declining age.
The Crocodiles about the Banks of Nilus, if rub'd or but prickt with a Quill of Ibis, are so stupified that they cannot stir, and the pens of Orthodox Writers are the presentest remedy against the poyson of errours; how might this prove as a Towre of David, where the Horsmen of Israel might have Shields and Targets to fight the Lords Battails.
Secondly, let it awaken us to a cautelous vigilancy, we need not a Prophet to tell us what is spoken in the King of Syria his Bed-Chamber, 2 Kings 6.12.I meane, the Popes conclave. Remember the Powder-Plot, Garnets aufer to Gentem perfidam; and you may smell their intentions. True it is that vault of darknesse was discovered, but there is another vault of wickednesse in their hearts; and one depth will call for another; one fire kindle another; and one like beget another. Equo ne credite Teucri. The Aspe lies in her hole, and doth but waite for the warme Sunne. The Gyant lurketh in his Den; and watcheth but a fit season, the devils Powder-Mils are still doing; store of this Coyne is minted daily at Rome, and new exploits forged on the Anvils of Jesuites Braines. They had no small hand in our late sad divisions; Oh let us never be too secure, if we mean to be safe. These Chamelaeons will take any colour, these Proteus like will turn themselves into any shape. Aske among their friends, what a Jesuite is they will tell you, every man, and with their Father the Devill, care not to transforme themselves into children of light, and though ravenous wolves to appeare i… sheeps cloathing. Oh let us never cry Peace, whil'st our Enemies have their Bowes ready bent, and Arrowes prepar'd to shoot at the upright in heart.
3 Let it engage us to mutuall unity; and now, Oh that I had the Silver Oratory of Demosthenes, or rather the Golden mouth of Chrysostome; nay, yet rather the heavenly tongue of Angels, that I might charme you into a sweet harmony! But what speak I of charming your eares unlesse God perswade your hearts? Oh thou God of Peace, work in us a love of Peace, and then work for us the blessing of peace.
Consider I beseech you, could not the wicked works of our Enemies hand be able to snare us, and shall we snare our selves by our own works? have not their swords been able to pierce us; and shall we sheath our swords in each others bowels? doe we this day rejoyce in their destruction and shall we give them cause one day to laugh at our divisions? hath not Rome and all her confederates been able to blow us up, and shall we undermine our selves? shall England and Scotland doe that each against other which the Kingdoms round about could never yet accomplish? Oh let it not be told in Gath, and published in the Streets of Ascalon; let it never cause a Festivall in Rome, and holiday in Ireland, that they shall heare the two Nations are tearing each other in pieces. Let us remember whose part it is, even the envious mans, to sow the tares of dissention. He endeavoured a rent between God and Job by that Calumny,Job 1.9. doth Job serve God for nought? Nay,Mat. 4.3. to make a Schisme in that blessed unity betweene the Father and the Sonne, by tempting CHRIST to goe beyond his Commission. Oh let not us, who call the Church our Mother, have the Devill to be our Father; I entreat, I obtest, I adjure, by all the bands of union between us, the oneness of that faith we live in, King wee live under, Covenant we are obliged to, that we may be one: for the confirming of this with our brethren▪ and obtaining it among our selves. Oh you who are the vigilant Governours and peaceable Inhabitants of this Metropolis; let your purses freely contribute, counsels maturely act, Prayers to God, humble Remonstrances, and Petitions to man be still continued; least otherwise, if we should take up the sword againe to fight each with other, we put such a sword into our Catholique common enemies as wil not easily be wrested out: nay, (which is far worse) a sword into the hands of our God to avenge the quarrell of his Covenant, and we may justly fear, God will say of such a crying iniqu…ty▪ (should it ever be acted, which his mercy avert) it is revealed in mine ears, and it shall not be purged from us till we die.
Isay 22.14.2 Let our meditation dwell on Gods worke, and that so long till it have elevated us with a joyfull gratulation, encouraged us to a confident expectation, and strengthned us in earnest supplications.
1 Let it elevate us with joyfull gratulat…on to that God who as on this day mercifully declared himselfe both a protector of Sion, and a detectour of her enemies. Indeed whom should we magnifie if not God? and for what, if not for this? I may well use St. Austines words, quisquis non videt caecus est; qui videt & non g…udet ingratus est; he that beholds not Gods wonderfull, both mercy and severity, in this deliverance is grosly blind; He that beholds and blesseth not, is ungratefully dumbe.
Had this monster, which was come to the birth, bin brought forth, this day would have bin Englands Vespers, and Romes Mattens, our Funerall, their Festivall; instead of this pure worship, these blessed opportunites we now enjoy, we might either have bin plung'd into grosse superstitions, such as cringing to Crucifixes, adoring Images, turning over beads, babling to Saints, wandring in Pilgrimage, or else have bin drag'd to a Rack or stake, the proper Engines of that Romish Antichrist.
Oh! let the streames of our thankfull joy flow as high, as our sorrowes (had these things come to passe) would have made them to ebbe. Since we were not as on this day made oblatio matutina igne devorationis, an early burnt offering to that Moloch of Rome, let us make our selves oblationem matutinam igne devotionis, a morning sacrifice by the fire of devotion to the God of Heaven; and since that bitter Cup passed from us, let us take the cup of salvation, and praise the name of the Lord.Psal. 11.6.13.
Nor let the Law of foreign here take place, though it be foreign, let it not be foreign, may this day never be out-yeard, but let all Generations call it blessed. Aristotle observes of the Ancient Graecians, that they placed the Temple of Thankes in the midst of the street, that being obvious to all mens eyes, it might ever put them in minde of their duty: and surely, if we shall either deprave with malice, bury in oblivion, lessen with envy, suppresse in policy, neglect in security, or reject through a novell fancy of superstition this dayes solemnity, we should eminently provoke Divine fury: no rather let the mercy confer'd, judgement executed be graven with a Pen of Iron on the posts of our doores, tables of our hearts, and hornes of our Altars for ever.
2 Let it encourage us to a confident expectation, that he which hath bin will still be known by the judgement that he executeth; former experiences are just grounds of future confidence; Gods infinite love, nec largiendo exhauritur, Isay 59.1.nec benefaciendo fatigatur; is a Sun ever shining, and a Fountaine always running; neither is his hand shortned that he cannot save his Church and destroy his adversaries. What therefore Zeresh said to Haman concerning Mordecai, Hest. 6.13.by way of supposition, let us apply in a position; ours is the Orthodox Religion, before which the Popish faction hath begun to fall, and shall so fall as never to rise againe. Though the Romish harlot cry up ignorance as the Mother of devotion, honour Traytors with Martyrdome, glory in her Bulls, and Indulgences, make Saints and Angels her Advocates; yet know the time is at hand that shee shall come in remembrance before God to give her the Wine of the fiercenes of his wrath, Rev. 16.19.18.21.and she shall sink like a milstone into the bottome of the sea.
Nor let us only be confident in regard of her, but all other enemies of the Churches Truth and Peace. I meane irreconciliable Sectaries. That how ever they act strenuously, watch cautelously, plot secretly, compasse Cities and Countries industriously, and by that means increase exceedingly; though they endeavour by cunning devices, subtill stratagems to retard our Peace, hinder our establishment, foment our divisions▪ yet the day is comming when they shall be snared in their own works, the vizard be plucked off from their face, and it shall appeare to all the World that their wisdome is but craft, humility basenesse, faith faction, zeale contention, and pretended fervour in Religion formall hypocrisie.
3 Let it strengthen us in fervent supplications, for the full accomplishment of his works, and our hopes. Let us then end this day of Praises with prayers; and what shall we pray? even that of Deborah, so (as did these Traytors, sodainly, surely, gloriously) let all thine enemies perish, O Lord, Judg. 5. ult. or more sutably to the Text, that of David, with his spirit not of revenge but zeale, Psal. 35.8. Let destruction come upon them at unaawares, and let their net which they hid catch themselves, into that very destruction let them fall, or as it is, Psal. 109.28, 29. let them curse, but blesse thou; when they arise let them be ashamed. But let thy servant rejoyce, let our adversaries be cloathed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion as with a mantle; or if you will in the words of our late solemne League and Covenant, that all Incendiaries, Malignants and evill instruments which hinder the reformation of Religion, divide between the King and his people, or one of the Kingdoms from another, may be discovered, brought to publike tryall, and receive condigne punishment; In a word, let it be our daily petition at the Throne of Grace, that all the enemies who rob our Church of her Truth and peace (between whom as Christ was, his Church is still crucified) may be detected; That God would make his enemies as a wheele, and always turn their fire-matches into halters to hang themselves, who will not bow their necks to the yoke of the Lord, that so God may still be known in that Romish Babylon for an avenger; and in our English Syon for a refuge, from one generation to another, and let all true hearted Protestants say, Amen, Amen.
FINIS.
End of the text · Nathaniel Hardy, Justice Triumphing (1648)