Grapes Among Thorns, Sermon

Grapes Among Thorns · Sermon

p. 1A THANKSGIVING SERMON before the Honourable Houſe of Commons.

PSAL. 50.23.

Whoſo offereth praiſe, glorifieth me; and to him that ordereth his converſation aright, will I ſhew the ſalvation of God.

THe worke of the Lord in theſe times, and his word in this Pſalme, do appeare unto me much alike: in our firſt warre the Lord made it his worke to aaIſa. 30. v. 28.Isa 30:28ſift theſe three Nations ſomewhat generally, and as it were, with a wider and courſer ſieve: ſo wide and courſe it was, that much chaffe and ſtraw went through it with the wheat, and onelyonly the groſſer traſh, as ſtickes and ſtones, did ſtay behinde. I meane (generally) the open profane and ſcandalous party in theſe Lands. And there was a ſpeciall providence in that, for ſhould the firſt ſieve have been too ſhy and fine, it might have kept back ſo great a maſſe and weight on that ſide, as might have borne and broken out the bottome or floore of the ſieve. Therefore the Lord did then ſort and ſift us as the worke would beare at that time. But now, behold in this ſecond warre, he is ſifting the ſifted againe with a much ſiner rince: The profane party was then ſand out; but now he is ſeparating between the faithfull and the formaliſt. Like that worke, runneth this Pſalme: for it bbAnalyſis of the Pſalm.containeth the great Aſſiſe or Arraignment of the hypocrite. In which,

I. We read the convention of the Court, xxThe Seſſion.and ſitting downe of the Bench: the witneſſes are the whole earth, which is called from Eaſt to Weſt, v. 1.from the ^c riſing of the Sunne to the p. 2going downe thereof. The place is out of ddv. 2.Sion, the perfection of beauty. The guard and executioners, eev. 3.a fire ſhall devoure before him, and it ſhall be very Tempeſtuous round about him. The Aſſiſtants, ffv. 4.heaven and earth. The ggv. 1.6.Judge, El, Jebovah, Elohim; if you will, the whole Trinity: The Lord is Judge himſelfe. And the ſummoned delinquents or malefactors, in generall, viſible hhv. 5.Saints and facrificing Covenanters.

2 The proceſſeII. The Proceſſe, or proceedings upon them: And theſe are of two ſorts, according to the number and kindes of the arraigned.

1. Sort of the Arraigned are called the Lords owne aav. 7.people, his Iſrael, and he their God: And that as ſome conceive, in the ſtricteſt ſenſe, they were bbEtſi in ratione cultus errarunt, animo tamea erant ad colendum Deum verè ac ſincerè dedito &c. Muſculus ad loc.ſincere hearts though too carnall in leaning too much upon bodily exerciſes and outward duties of religion, upon ſacrifices and burnt offerings, in ccv. 8, 9.Bullockes and Hee Goats. To theſe he hath two words.

1. A reproofe of their meere carnall, at leaſt too ddv. 8.9.carnall and extrinſecall ſervices or forme of godlineſſe, in which they did reſt and bleſſe themſelves too much, neglecting (meane while) the inſide and power thereof. And the reaſon is, becauſe God is not as a man or a beaſt, as a Bell and a Dragon, that eev. 13.needeth to be fed with carnall oblations, with meate and drinke: Nay, if he had need or deſire to ſuch brutiſh ſacrifices, he hath enough of his owne, he has them all in his hand and power, he needeth not to beg or borrow from them, ffv. 9, 10, 11, 12.All beaſts and cattell, all fowle and wild beaſts, they are his, or with him. And therefore,

2 He doth exhort them to ggCompoſitum jus, faſque animi, ſanctos que receſſus Mentis, & incoctum generoſo pectus honeſto. Perſ. Sat. 2.reall, ſpirituall, inward ſervices. Of which ſort three ſpeciall ones are named, viz. 1. The oblation of praiſe. 2. The payment of vowes. 3. The prayer of faith. All theſe are ſuch hard and ſolid ground that if you try a founderd formaliſt upon them, and put him to it, you ſhall ſoone finde him halting, though he ſeemed to runne nimbly in ſome ſofter and eaſier duties.

1. hhv. 14.Offer to God thanksgiving; this is no worke for hypocrites: no, iiPſal. 64. v. 10.Ps 64:10The righteous ſhall be glad in the Lord, and ſhall truſt in him, and all the upright in heart ſhall glory. But the unſound p. 3heart is as an Aſſe to this Harp. kkIob. 27. v. 10.Job 27:10Will he delight himſelfe in the Almighty?

2. And pay thy vowes to the moſt High. The hypocrite is as forward in promiſing as any, yea commonly more large than the reall Saint, becauſe he doth purpoſe to give llVerba dare.no thing but promiſes.

3. mmv. 15.Call upon me in the day of trouble. Herein alſo the hypocrite will quickly tire, if he doth beginne it at all; nnIob 27. v. 10.Job 27:10Will he alwayes call upon God? King Iehoram wore ſackcloth for a while, when Samaria was diſtreſt, oo2 Kings 6. v. 30, 31.33.2 Kgs 6:302 Kgs 6:312 Kgs 6:33but how ſoone growes he impatient and rayleth? This evill is of the Lord, why ſhould I waite for the Lord any longer? Theſe are the Lords proceedings with the better party of theſe Indicted ones.

2. Sort are called the aav. 6. foreign expers omnis timoris dei & verae pietatis &c. Mollen.wicked, 1. inwardly; And yet a kinde of profeſſors too, for they doe declare his ſtatutes and take his Covenant into their mouthes, though in reall practice they are wide enough, for they are bbv. 17.haters of inſtruction and they caſt his words behinde them. Thus they were rotten at the core, and therefore it is not long before it comes out into the Skinne, yea they proceed to breake the ſecond Table, though not in the moſt groſſe degree and manner; they ccv. 18.conſent with the thiefe, they are concealours and acceſſories, though not principals; they partake with adulterers; that is, ſecretly under hand they ſtick not to act ſuch abominable wickedneſſes, or at leaſt ſome way to ſhare in the profits and commutations. In ſhort, they ddv. 19.give their mouthes to evill, and frame deceit with their tongues, Yea, finally they eev. 20.fit in the ſeat of the ſcorner, and doe ſlander their owne brethren and neereſt kinſmen. And that which doth incourage: them in all this, is the Lords ſilence, and patience, becauſe ffEccleſ. 8. v. 11.Eccl 8:11ſentence againſt their evill works is not ſpeedly executed, therefore they are ready to juſtifie themſelves, and condemne the Lord. But, ſaith he, ggv. 21.I will reprove thee, and ſet them in order before thine eyes, I will bring them forth, and marſhall them againſt thee in battell array. And hence

3 The ſentence.III. The verdict and ſentence upon the whole matter, which according to the two parties is alſo twofold.

p. 41. A cenſure of terrour to the laſt and worſt ſort of delinquents, in caſe they continue in their impenitency: hhv. 22.Now conſider this yee that forget God, leſt I teare you in peeces, and there be none to deliver you.

Explication of the words.2. A cordiall and promiſe to the former and better ſort of the arraigned, if they returne to reall duty, and a well ordered way. iiv. 23.Who ſo offereth praiſe glorifieth me, and to him that ordereth his converſation aright, will I ſhew the ſalvation of God.

There is not much to doe about the reading of the words.

[Who ſo offereth praiſe] Or, he that ſacrificeth confeſſion. There is a aaConfeſſio gemina eſt, aut Beccati, aut laudis. Auguſt. in Pſal. 29.Ps 29twofold confeſſion; of ſinne, and of praiſe; ſo above, bbv. 14.Sacrifice or offer unto God a confeſſion. And by [praiſe] in the text, we are to underſtand the whole inward worſhip of God.

[Glorifieth, or honoreth mee] The ccforeignGreeke thus, the ſacrifice of praiſe, in the abſtract, ſhall glorifie me.

[And to him that ordereth his converſation aright] In the Originall, that putteth, compoſeth, diſpoſeth the way: for that word Way is left in its full latitude in the originall. But others read this in a farre different ſenſe, thus, And there is the way in which I will ſhew the ſalvation of God. Thus the Papiſts generally, from their ddEt illic iter quo oſtendam, vel ibi eſt via in quaoſtendam.Vulgar, and out of the eeforeignSeptuagint. Their difference and miſtake (I conceive) did ariſe from the likeneſſe of two Monoſyllables in the originall; ffforeign ibi, illic.One of which being an Adverb doth ſignifie, here, there, or thence. The ggforeign poſuit, appoſuit, compoſuit.other, a defective verbe ſignifies, to put, order, compoſe, as before. But we follow the fountaine, and reade it as in our laſt tranſlation, To him that ordereth the way &c.

[I will ſhew] Or, I will make, or cauſe him to ſee. And that not flatly or barely, but with affection and delight: as elſewhere, hhPſal. 112. v. 8. Quaſt iucundo frui ſpectaculo.Ps 112:8His heart is eſtabliſhed, he ſhall not be afraid, untill he ſee his deſire upon his enemies.

[The ſalvation of God] By it underſtand we, either extraordinary great and divine ſalvation, as, iiPſal. 104. v. 16.Ps 104:16The Trees of God, and the kkPſal. 34. v. 6.Ps 34:6Mountaines of God, that is, faire and eminent ones: Or, that God will aſſure and make good this ſalvation unto p. 5all ſuch: Or, he ſpeakes in the third perſon that the emphaſis may be the greater.

Diviſion of the words.The text, if we looke upon it without dependence, doth containe the whole twofold end and duty of man; with the proper and ſpeciall meanes to each of thoſe ends, and theſe cannot well be divided.

1. The Principall and Ultimate end of man, in reſpect of God, is to glorifie him.

And the meanes to that end, is all duty, but eſpecially that of praiſe and thankſgiving; Who ſo offereth praiſe glorifieth me.

2. The next principall end of man, in reſpect of himſelfe, which is alſo ſubordinate to that former end, is to be ſaved, or to ſee the ſalvation of God.

And an eſpeciall meanes unto this end, is the right ordering of the way. Thus the words doe containe [the praiſe of Thanksgiving.]

Who ſo offereth praiſe, glorifieth me.

This is true of every inward and right ſervice that is performed by any ſonne or ſervant of God. aaMalach. 1. v. 6.Mal 1:6A ſonne honoureth his father, and a ſervant his maſter. But it muſt needs be eminently true of the ſervice of Thanksgiving, which alone is here expreſly named in the words, and called a glorifying or honouring of God. Hence Obſervation. Thanksgiving to God, is a very glorious and tranſcendent ſervice.

There is a threefold Crowne or Emphaſis put upon the head of this ſervice in this Pſalme and Text.

1. It is put (in this Pſalme) in the front of thoſe three Criticall trying duties which are ſet up as the ſtandard to weigh all profeſſors by them; namely, Praiſe, Payment of vowes, and Prayer. And the firſt of theſe you ſee is Praiſe, bbv. 14.Offer to God thanksgiving: therefore it is a duty of the firſt and higheſt forme; ſuch a Key as no hypocrite can ſo counterfeit, but that he will eaſily be eſpyed; though he hath the fiddle (as he ſaid) yet he wants the ſtick: And therefore that [Lord I thank thee] of the ccLuk. 18. v. 11.Luke 18:11Phariſee, is not a praiſing of God ſo much as of p. 6ſelfe, not a thankſgiving but an ddSaturatus ructabat. Auguſt. in Pſal. 49.Ps 49eaſing of himſelfe, ſaith one: yea every one that readeth him ſpiritually, findeth him tripping at the threſhold.

2. Againe in the text, praiſing is put as I ſaid, for all inward and ſpirituall worſhip, and is oppoſed to all thoſe carnal ſacrifices and burnt offerings before mentioned, as if it were the touchſtone of all inward ſacrifices; [Who ſo offereth praiſe;] as if he had ſaid, every one that doth and can praiſe me aright, aaPſalme 69. v. 30, 31.Ps 69:30Ps 69:31he can doubtleſſe performe all other parts of worſhip as he ought. Yea this is the ſurpaſſing ſervice; I will praiſe the name of God with a ſong, this alſo ſhall pleaſe the Lord better then a Bullock that hath hornes and hoofes, better then a calfe that is overgrowne, or of a bbMich. 6. v. 6.Mic 6:6yeare old.

3. ccforeign. Chryſoſt. ad loc.This duty eſpecially is here ſaid to glorifie or honour God: this is an high and hyperbolicall expreſſion indeed, for honour wee ſay, is in the ddHonor eſt in honorante non in honorato.honorer not in the honored; and what? can the poore worme man give or add any thing unto God? it is elſewhere called a eePſal. 103 1.Ps 103:1bleſſing of God, Bleſſe the Name of the Lord, O my ſoule: Now ſaith the Spirit to the Hebrewes, ffHeb. 7. v. 7.Heb 7:7The leſſer is bleſſed of the greater. Nay once more, it is called in the Word a magnifying, that is, a greatning of God; an exalting, that is, an heightning of his name: ggPſal. 34. v. 3.Ps 34:3O magnifie the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

Demonſtra∣tions. Queſt. But how can theſe things bee? Anſ. The Lord takes it as an honour, and men looke upon it as a giving of honour to God when wee doe ſo record, declare, proclaime, the greatneſſe and goodneſſe of the Lord, whether of his being, or workes, that others do ſee more of him and in him then ever they did perceive or believe before; hhPſal. 26. v. 6, 7.Ps 26:6Ps 26:7Sing praiſe to the Lord which dwelleth in Sion, declare amongſt the people his doings. That I may publiſh with a voyce of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous wooks. But for methods ſake, which is the mother of memory, the ſpeciall excellency and tranſcendency of this ſervice, may be demonſtrated in theſe particulars.

1. From the comprehenſiveneſſe and perfection of this duty.1. They appeare by its comprehenſiveneſſe and perfections. It is the Sea, that is, both the fountaine, and receptacle of all other duties. The Preacher ſaith of the ſea, iiEccleſ. 1. v. 7.Eccl 1:7all the rivers run p. 7into it, yet the ſen is not full, unto the place whence the rivers come thither they returne againe: that is, all rivers runne into the ſea, and (as ſome ſay) from the ſea they ariſe againe. Though this bee quarreld in Philoſophy, yet I am ſure it is true in Divinity, concerning the ocean of thanksgiving. Let us lay our inſtance in the continuall duty of prayer, which (as one ſaith) is the bread and ſalt at every ſpirituall meale; for it muſt be one whatſoever is the other. Behold, thanksgiving is both the roote and fruit, the beginning, middle, and end; yea the both ends of this ſervice. The beginning, aaColoſ. 1. v. 3.Col 1:3We give thanks to God and the father of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, praying alwayes for you: there it is to prayer as the needle to the thred. The middle, bbColoſ. 4. v. 2.Col 4:2Continue in prayer, and watch in the ſame with thanksgiving: there are the three conditions of prayer, Perſeverance, Watchfulneſſe and Gratitude. And unto this laſt ( ccD^r Davenant. ad loc.ſaith one) we are alwayes bound, whether wee looke to Gods gifts, promiſes, delayes, or denials; there is cauſe of thankſgiving for every one of theſe, and he is mercifull in them all towards his Saints. The like place is, ddPhilip. 4. v. 6.Phil 4:6Bee carefull in nothing, but in every thing, by prayer and ſupplication, with thanksgiving let your requeſts be made knowne unto God: there it is as the Axle-tree upon which the duty of prayer doth turn it ſelfe. Yea, ſee it at both ends of prayer, eePſal. 105.1, 2.Ps 105:1Ps 105:2O give thankes unto the Lord, call upon his name, make knowne his deeds among the people; ſing unto him &c. Nay we are commanded this duty in all caſes. ff1 Theſ. 5. v. 18.1 Thess 5:18In every thing give thanks, for this is the will of God in Chriſt Ieſus concerning you: In every condition, ſay ſome; but I thinke it cloſer Divinity and Expoſition, to ſay, and with every duty, for praiſe is the beſt ſawce to God and man in every Goſpell ſacrifice: and therefore is put for the whole. ggHeb. 13.15.Heb 13:15By him therefore let us offer the ſacrifice of praiſe to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks unto his name.

2. From its Actors and Subject.2. This ſervice is glorious and tranſcendent in reſpect of its actors and ſubject; It is not every one that is fit to learne Muſique; neither the witleſſe, nor the wicked foole can performe or counterfeit this duty artificially. There is not any p. 8other outward ſervice of religion (that I remember) which I cannot ſhew you ſome profane ones or groſſe hypocrites have been acting it handſomely in Scripture, whereas I never finde them (and I think I am right) medling with this; King Saul was at his ſacrificing, though unſeaſonably; at his Altar building, and enquiring of the Lord; and all this to get victory and ſucceſſes, ſome of which he did obtain, as againſt the aa1 Sam. 11. v. 11.1 Sam 11:11Ammonites, againſt the bb1 Sam. 14. v. 20.1 Sam 14:20Philiſtines, againſt the cc1 Sam. 15. v. 7.1 Sam 15:7Amalekites. But doe yee ever read a word of his Thanksgivings? King Ahab did beleeve the Prophet and dd1 Kin. 21. v. 27.1 Kgs 21:27humbled himſelfe, and was rewarded according to his worke; but what thanks did he ever return? No, no, the formaliſt that can go (as I ſaid) ſoundly and roundly in the ſmoother and ſofter ground of other duties, becauſe they may have more of ſelfe in them, yet turn him upon this grand ſervice of thankfulneſſe and he will halt. Saith the Holy Ghoſt, eeIob 27. v. 10.Job 27:10Can he delight himſelfe in the Lord? It is almoſt an uncounterfeitable ſervice. And hence it is that the Saints of the higheſt forme are called upon for this performance. ffPſal. 22. v. 3.Ps 22:3Ye that feare the Lord, praiſe him. And, ggPſal. 113. v. 1.Ps 113:1Ye ſervants of the Lord, praiſe ye the name of the Lord. hhPſal. 33. v. 1.Ps 33:1Praiſe is comely for the upright. iiPſ. 149. v. 1.5.Ps 149:1Ps 149:5Praiſe ye the Lord, ſing unto the Lord a new ſong, and his praiſe inthe congregation of Saints. Let the ſaints be ioyfull in glory. No marvail then if now adaies the profane beaſts amongſt the people, doe ſcoffingly bid the ſaints and holy ones, to keep their Thanksgiving Daies. kkGen. 14. v. 18, 19, 20.Gen 14:18Gen 14:19Gen 14:20It is a ſervice for a Melchiſedeck, a King of Peace, and a Prieſt of the moſt high God, for an Abraham, the father of the faithfull; for a Moſes, Aaron, Miriam, for a Deborah, Baruck, &c. The truth is that the holieſt and higheſt Saints on earth, are too low, they are bunglers for this duty, whilſt here beneath; and their choiceſt ſongs are but a tuning of the inſtrument, towards perfect praiſes. The heaven of heavens is the proper Quire, and the Choriſters are aaHeb. 12. v. 22.Heb 12:22innumerable companies of Angels, and the ſouls of iuſt men made perfect: It is to be their everlaſting work and wages to ſing Hallelujahs before the Throne, and unto the Lambe. See them at it, in their glory. bbRev. 7 v. 9, 10, 11.Rev 7:9Rev 7:10Rev 7:11Amen, Bleſſing, and glory, and wiſdome, p. 9and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever, Amen. Thus Thanksgiving is the onelyonly Celeſtiall, Angelicall, eternall ſervice and Ordinance. So as what Paul ſaith of Charity amongſt, yea beyond other graces, that may I apply unto Thanksgiving beyond, above, all other religious duties, cc1 Cor. 13. v. 8.1 Cor 13:8Thanksgiving never faileth, but whether there bee prayers, they ſhall faile, whether there bee preachings, they ſhall ceaſe, whether there bee Sacraments, they ſhall vaniſh away; thankſgiving, like Moſes his rod, ſhall devoure, and eat up all other Ordinances, and therefore the greateſt of all is thankſgiving.

3. Becauſe of its ſpeciall ends and effects.3. This ſervice is ſo glorious, in reſpect of its ſpeciall ends and effects. It is a moſt unbottoming, unſelfing, humbling, melting, kindling duty. It ſtrikes out the bottome of fleſh and nature, carrying out all unto God. Joy (they ſay) is an affection that carryeth out al the blond and ſpirits from the heart and inward parts towards the object, as it were, to meet and welcome it. Heare Iacob a little in his begging thankſgiving at Mahanaim, ddGen. 32.9, 10.Gen 32:9Gen 32:10O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Iſaac, the Lord which ſaid unto me, Returne unto thy Country, and to thy kindred, and I will deale well with thee: I am not worthy of [or, I am leſſe then] the leaſt of all the mercies and of all the trueth which thou haſt ſhewed unto thy ſervant; for with my ſtaffe I paſſed over this Iordan, and now I am become two bands. Do you not ſeeme to ſee the good Man holding his cudgell in his hand, and humbly looking downe upon it, whileſt hee ſpeaks to this purpoſe? Alas! I was not worth this ſticke in all the world when I was forced to flee for my life, on foot, alone, from my fathers houſe, and was faine to take up an hard Stone-burrough for my pillow, and the blew heavens for my Canopie, and now ſee what a little Army the Lord hath made me? Oh if one could have exchanged hearts with Iacob for an houre at that time, how would his heart have warmed ones breaſt! Nothing to Iacob, (ſaith hee) Nothing to Jacob, but all to Iehovah.

But the example and expreſſions of good old David in ſuch a like caſe, are ſo raviſhing, that you had need to looke p. 10to your hearts, and gird them up, before you turne to the place. It was when he had been caſting about to glorifie God by building him an houſe: his will is accepted for the deed, and to boot the Lord ſends a very glorious promiſe by Nathan concerning the building of Davids owne houſe. aa2 Sam. 7. v. 118.2 Sam 7:118Then went King David in and ſate before the Lord. Good old man! was he ſo aged that he could not ſtand or kneele? Or rather, had the Lords mercifull meſſage ſo carryed out his bloud and ſpirits as to weaken his heart within? Sure I am this was not an uſuall poſture, to ſit before the Lord. But we muſt conceive him creeping and panting by the way, from his owne houſe, unto the Lords; and ſo al-to-be-melted, and halfe breathleſſe, he falleth downe into his chaire, and ſaith, Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my fathers houſe, that thou haſt brought me hitherto? Who am I? What, had David forgotten his own name? or did he not know himſelfe, that hee doth aske, who he is? I read of ſome that through length of time and brutiſh ſenſuality have forgotten their owne names. But ſurely neither of theſe had befallen good David; no, he had onelyonly loſt himſelfe and all his fathers houſe in the ſea of the Lords preſent goodneſſe: he is amazed to thinke how hee got up to that condition, That thou haſt brought me hitherto? and to conſider whither the Lord was now farther carrying them; ver. 19.And this was yet a ſmall thing in thy ſight, O Lord God, but thou haſt ſpoken alſo of thy ſervants houſe for a great while to come; and is this the manner of man, O Lord God? Lord, ſaith he, I am banckrupt, I am broken with the former debt that I owe unto thee, I have nothing at all to pay my arrears, for old unſpeakeable favours and mercies; and wilt thou truſt me, and mine with more, greater, and future favours? Surely this is not the courſe of the world; for men doe require us to pay one ſcore when we make another. But mee thinks his next words (if we could looke thoroughly into them) are the moſt paſſionate and emphaticall of all: aaver. 20.And what can David ſay more unto thee? Every word hath its weight, and his interrogation and appeale, have their eſpeciall weight; But the principall thing to be noted is, that he doth name his owne name unto God, p. 11which is an unuſuall and ſurpaſſing ſtraine of rhetorick, though ſometimes taken up in the moſt melting petitions, and bbGen. 14. v. 23.Gen 14:23earneſt expoſtulations.

The ſame ſelf-emptying effect of this grace of thanfulneſſe is to be found in other Pſalmiſts, ccPſal. 5. v. 1.Ps 5:1Not unto us, ô Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give the glory. He doth empty himſelf wholly, and as it were ſhakes the bag by the bottom after all was out; he thruſteth away ſelf-glorying with both hands, that he might be ſure that nothing of the creature ſhould be left behind. And in the next Pſalm, that thankfull Saint doth ddPſ. 116. v. 12.Ps 116:12catechize his own heart, and caſteth up his eſtate to ſee if there were any thing in it worth the giving unto God, ddPſ. 116. v. 12.Ps 116:12What ſhall I render to the Lord for all his benefits towards me? He doth turn the diſh (as we ſay) for a bit worth the preſenting, and at laſt not finding any thing that he can think good enough, he doth give the whole unto the Lord. eev. 16.O Lord, truly I am thy ſervant, I am thy ſervant, without a complement, and the ſon of thy handmaid, thou haſt looſed my bonds; I am doubly thy ſervant, both by birth and redemption, thy creature, thy captive. This is the reall effect of thankſgiving.

4. For the extent of its matter.4. Finally, Thanksgiving is tranſcendent for the largeneſſe and extent of its matter. ff1 Theſ. 5. v. 18.1 Thess 5:18In every thing give thanks; for all, that is in God, and for all that cometh from God. ggPſ. 119. v. 68.Ps 119:68Thou art good, and doeſt good, and every good thing is matter of praiſe: as, Firſt, all his ſpirituall mercies, hhEph. 1. v. 3.Eph 1:3Bleſſed be the God and Father of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt who hath bleſſed us with all ſpirituall bleſſings in heavenly things, in Chriſt; and afterwards he doth reckon up particulars: aav. 4.Election, bbv. 5.Adoption, ccv. 7.Redemption and forgiveneſſe, ddv. 11.an inheritance, with the eev. 13.ſealing and ffv. 14.earneſt thereof. And all this ggv. 6.12.to the praiſe of the glory of his grace. Secondly, all his hhProv. 16. v. 4.Prov 16:4creating and providentiall mercies. The Lord hath made all things for himſelfe, even the wicked for the day of evill. All creatures ſhall bee for the praiſe of his mercy or juſtice, every tree ſhall ſerve him for fruit or firing, every head ſhall give its milke, fleece, or fleſh. iiExod. 14. v. 17.Exod 14:17I will get me honour upon Pharaoh. kkIoſh. 7. v. 19.Josh 7:19My ſonne, give glory to God. Yea, all his works in heaven and earth they are matter p. 12for this ſervice, they were made for this llPſal. 148.Ps 148end. There is a ſhort Pſalme, that doth containe a Syſteme or Epitome of the whole Creation, which is there ſeverally called upon for this duty: the top or higheſt round of that ladder doth reach to the higheſt heaven, the foot ſtandeth upon the earth below. Let us ſpeedily runne it up, it beginneth mmver. 1.Hallelujah Hallelujah, firſt calling upon them in heaven, where there are three ſtories; In the firſt, nnv. 2.Angels; in the ſecond, oov. 3.Sun, Moon, and Starres; in the third, which is the ppv. 4.heaven of heavens, qqCoeli Coelorum dicuntur in fimi Coeli, ut ſervus ſervorum eſt infimus & abjectiſſimus ſervus. Foord ad loc.below, there are the clouds. And all theſe are ſummoned to rrv. 5, 6.praiſe the Lord. Next all on ſſv. 7.earth are called upon; all ttv. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.Elements, meteors, places, plants, living creatures, fiſh, beaſts, fowl, reaſonable creatures, high & low, young & old, men & women, that is, all ranks, ages, ſexes. In ſhort, as faith hath promiſes and experiences as its ground: feare hath threatnings: Love hath all that is lovely: ſo every good thing is matter of praiſe, yea all theſe and every other uuColoſ. 2. v. 7.Col 2:7grace. Hence the purblind xxHaec eſt enim una virtus non ſolum maxima ſed etiam mater virtutum omnium reliquarum. Quid eſt pietas niſi voluntas grata in parentes &c. Cicer. pro C. Plancio.Heathen could ſay, that this one virtue (virtue was grace with him) is not onelyonly the greateſt, but the mother of all the reſt: for what is piety (ſaith he) but a thankfull heart towards ones parents? Who are good Patriots, but ſuch as are mindefull of the kindneſſe of their Country towards them? Who is holy, but he which payeth his thankes unto the gods? Yea this duty-grace, ſhould runne through all our very naturall actions too. aa1 Cor. 10.31.1 Cor 10:31Whether therefore yee eate or drink or whatſoever you do, do all to the glory of God. Nay & through all our actions, ſpeeches in generall, bbColoſ. 3.17Col 3:17And whatſoever yee doe in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, giving thanks unto God and the Father by him. There is yet a more full expreſſion from the ſame Apoſtle; ccEpheſ. 5.20. foreignEph 5:20Giving thanks alwayes, for all things, unto God. And good reaſon, ſo long as there is a promiſe that ddRom. 8. v. 28. Application. 1. Reproof.Rom 8:28All things ſhall worke together for good to them that love God.

Then, Firſt, I muſt take leave to reprove all that are enemies or backe friends to this duty, and to tell them from God; that he taketh their ingratitude for a diſhonour to himſelfe: To tell them from nature and the very heathens, that their ſinne is too bad for a aaIngratum dixeris, omnia. dixeris.name; it is the bbIn quo vitio nibil mali non in eſt licecoEpitome of all ſinne. But p. 13that I may ſpeake diſtinctly and juſtly, there are two ſorts of Offenders that muſt here beare a reproofe.

1. To malignant enemies.I. Such as out of meere wickedneſſe and malignity, are enemies to our thankſgivings; ſuch profeſſed Antipodes, to whom our high Noone, is a midnight; that ccLam. 1. v. 7.Lam 1:7mocke at theſe our Sabbaths, and like that ſcornfull daughter of King Saul, doe dd2 Sam. 9. v. 16.2 Sam 9:16looke thorough their windowes upon theſe dayes, and deſpiſe us in their heart for dancing before the Lord with all our might. But let all ſuch Michals know, that eever. 21.It is before the Lord which choſe us before them and their party, and therefore wee will play before the Lord, and will be yet more vile then thus; yet at laſt, ſhal we be in honour, whilſt perhaps their forces and hopes ſhall goe with barren wombes and dry breaſts unto their graves. I confeſſe the ſpirit of ungratefull malignity is now riſen to that height in theſe parts, that it is ſcarcely an act of greater valour to get a victory, then to dare keep a thanksgiving for it. I have heard that in France, the Papiſts do account all as Huguenots and Heretiques that do praiſe God by ſinging of Pſalmes, which is in our language to ſay that a Prayſer and a Puritan are both one: ſhall we come up to that degree?

Queſt. Queſt. But what may be the cauſe of ſuch an horrid ſudden ſpirit of blaſphemous ingratitude? What ayles the ſcorners?

Anſ. 1 Anſ. Surely it is the abounding of unholineſſe that cauſeth this aboundance of ingratitude, ffver. 22.Vnthankfull, and unholy, 2 Tim. 3.2 Tim 3do uſually goe together. And this is obſervable, that the more of Devill there is in any man, the greater enemy is that man to all holy praiſes; yea Satan himſelfe is not ſo much inraged againſt any or all duties of the Saints, as againſt their Thankſgivings. He can better beare their prayers, faſtings, hearings, readings, becauſe he knoweth whilſt they are at theſe, they are but begging, plowing or ſowing; but when they are prayſing he knoweth they have then received their almes, and are returning home bringing their ſheaves with them.

22. But the enemies have their pretences of reaſon, nay, religion, inducing them to abhor this duty they ſay; let us heare and anſwer them.

p. 14Object. Our victories (ſay they) are but lies and deluſions, they are mockings of of God and men, and therefore intolerable.

Sol. 1 1. Doth not this language runne well like that of Rabſhakeh? 2 Kings 18.28.2 Kgs 18:28then Rabſhakeh ſtood and cryed with a loud voyce, Let not Hezekiah deceive you &c. But

2If it bee falſe, why are you ſo troubled, impatient, inraged? Surely we gather that you do ſecretly beleeve our newes even whilſt you cry it downe for lies. Divines ſay, that one good argument againſt Atheiſts, which pretend they beleeve there is no God, is their owne continuall clamours, diſputings, and railings againſt the Deity; which ſeeme to argue ſome ſecret he ſitations and doubting qualmes in their owne ſpirits concerning that point.

3The trueth is, men will not know, nor beleeve, nor ſee, the truth of our good tidings and ſucceſſes; Theſe things they are willingly ignorant of, 2 Pet. 3.3.2 Pet 3:3as Peter ſaith of his ſcoffers. And becauſe they are wilfull, and as I conceive abſent, I ſhall ſpend no more time upon them; but doe onelyonly deſire to ſend them a Token by ſome Neuter or other (for theſe two are much together) whom I deſire to turne downe a leafe, and to ſhew it them at next meeting, Iſa. 26.10.Isa 26:10Let favour be ſhewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteouſneſſe: The men confeſſe they have received more favour at our hands then ever we ſhould have found at theirs: But doth this worke upon them? No, In the Land of uprightneſſe will he deale unjuſtly, and will not behold the majeſty of the Lord. ver. 11.Lord, when thy hand is lifted up (whether to ſtrike or beare the Banner) they will not ſee. Marke, the defect, the fault, is not in their heads or eyes, but in their hearts, and wills, and there is no argument ſo fit to confute we will not, as, you ſhall; But they ſhall ſee; aaProv. 10.13.Prov 10:13a rod for the backs of fooles) they ſhall ſee, and be aſhamed for their envy at the people, or towards the people, yea, the fire of thine enemies ſhall devoure thom: That is, as bbIudg. 8.16.Judg 8:16Gideon taught the Neutrall and Malignant men of Succoth with briers and thorns of the wilderneſſe; ſo the Lord will teach and convince theſe men, by devouring fire at laſt, if they will not ſee by its light, they ſhall feele its heat. And becauſe ſome bitter, winking enemies p. 15will beleeve none other arguments: let us leave them to the Lords convictions, and to the ccforeign. Hippoc. Sect. 8 Apbor. 6. Amos 7. v. 4. Ezek. 2…. v. 13. Object. 2.Amos 7:4Ezek 2:13Aphoriſme of the great phyſitian which ſaith, what things ſoever medicins doe not cure, thoſe Iron cureth; what Iron doth not cure, that fire cureth; what fire doth not cure, thoſe things are to be judged incurable. God hath tryed to heale the land, and eſpecially our enemies, by his word and by his ſword in our firſt warre, and now he contendeth by fire, that is, by ſharper, cleerer, works and diſcoveries then ever; and if this will not doe, woe unto them for incurable. Thou ſhalt not be purged from thy filuhineſſe any more, till I cauſe my fury to reſt upon thee.

But ſuppoſe your victories true as you report them, (ſay they) yet wee will not, cannot joyne to give thanks unto God for the ſhedding of bloud, and for the killing of men?

Give mee leave to anſwer theſe, as Chriſt did thoſe Jewes, ddMat. 21. v. 24.Matt 21:24with ſome other Queſtions.

Sol. 1 Firſt; Canſt thou reade? haſt thou a Bible? (for this is commonly the objection of the illiterate and profane perſon) then turne to a place or two, and thou ſhalt ſee what Gods Spirit and Saints have ſaid, and done in this caſe. eeIudg. 5. v. 2.Judg 5:2Praiſe yee the Lord for avenging of Iſrael, when the people willingly offered themſelves. This thankſgiving was by authority, Ver. 1.Then ſang Deborah and Baruk on that day ſaying. Yet that day of a ſong, was a day of much bloud, to Siſera and all his hoſt.

Queſt. But the Canaanites were ſtrangers, and open enemies; we fight againſt our owne Country men and neighbours.

Anſ. 1. ffLuk. 10. v. 36.37.Luke 10:36Luke 10:37He that ſheweth no mercy he is the veryeſt ſtranger. 2. Thoſe Canaanites had been ggIud. 1. v. 4, 5.Judg 1:4Judg 1:5conquered by Iſrael before; but for Iſraels ſinnes, and through their owne treacheries, were growne conſiderable againe, yea and hhcap. 4. v. 1, 2, 3.mightily oppreſſed them, wherefore Iſrael doth fight and breake them the ſecond time, and bleſſeth the Lord for their victories over them, and his vengeance upon them. Nay, the Spirit of God elſewhere doth warrant, promiſe, command, ſuch thankſgivings: aaPſal. 58. v. 3.Ps 58:3The righteous ſhall reioyce when he ſeeth the vengeance, hee ſhall waſh his feet in the bloud of the wicked.

33. Who is it that doth ſhed bloud, and kill m…n? The Aſſayllants, p. 16or the defendants? they that offend us, or we that defend our ſelves? what, when a ſort of men have beene beaten and conquered the firſt time, and being conquered have received many confeſſed favours from their Conquerors; have promiſed, covenanted, ſworne (thereupon) never more to beare Armes againſt them, were ſuffered to live peaceably amongſt them; but after all this doe rebelliouſly, ingratefully, treacherouſly, ariſe in armes, ſurpriſe Caſtles, cut the throats of them that were quiet in the Land; and are by Gods juſt juſtice and immediate hand diſappointed, cut off in battell a ſecond time: Will you call this a bbQui jubet, is facit ſcelus. Sence.ſhedding of bloud, and a killing of men, for which the Lord muſt not be praiſed? Is ſelfe-defence to be called murther? or execution of juſtice to be accounted man-ſlaughter?

Doe but looke I pray you impartially and ſeriouſly upon thoſe famous examples and proceedings of wiſeſt Solomon towards Adonijah his elder brother; and ſay, have we not uſed theſe men as brethren? cc1 King. 1. v. 5.1 Kgs 1:5Adonijah had committed a firſt fault, in uſurping the kingdom in his fathers life time, but upon his ſubmiſſion was pardoned by Solomon, upon a condition, or with a proviſo, Ver. 52, 53.If he will ſhew himſelfe a worthy man, there ſhall not an haire of him fall to the earth; but if wickedneſſe be found in him, he ſhall die. And he is ſent away with this condition. After this, Adonijah is found faulty again, at leaſt in a cloſe plodding pernicious deſigne, to the old end: Hee would have Abiſhag the Shunamite to be given to him to wife. 1 King. 2. v. 15. 16, &c. Ver. 22, 23, 24, 25. Ver. 26, 27.1 Kgs 2:151 Kgs 2:16For this ſecond attempt hee dyeth. Yea and ſome of his old complices doe fall with him, though it is not expreſt that they had their hands in this ſecond deſigne. Abiathar the Prieſt, hee is ſequeſtred and ejected out of his place, though hee hath his life given him for former good ſervices. And Joabs old crimes, Ver. 32, 33.they are remembred and puniſhed. It is worth the while, to repeat the grounds, upon which Solomon proceedeth againſt them. Fall upon him, ſaith hee, that thou mayeſt take away the innocent bloud which Joab ſhed, from me, and from the houſe of my Father, and the Lord ſhall returne his bloud upon his owne head, who fell upon two men more righteous p. 17and better then hee, &c. Laſtly, rayling Shimei, Ver. 42, 43, 44.commeth to an account, and juſtice findeth him out in his old age, by his owne help and directions, becauſe he kept not the oath of the Lord, and the commandement that Solomon had charged him with. Now tell me, O thou adverſary of our Thankſgiving dayes, how much doe the crimes of our vanquiſhed enemies exceed thoſe of Adonijah, Abiathar, Joab, Shimei? And how much is the mercy of our State above the ſeverity of Solomon?

4For whoſe bloud ſhed? For what killing of men art thou ſo offended? Surely, it is becauſe it was the bloud of Malignants, becauſe it was not the Round-heads bloud: For had that party, which is beaten, gotten the day upon us; had they ſlaine thouſands of ours, for hundreds of theirs, then thou wouldeſt have given thankes with a witneſſe, even thankes for killing of men and ſhedding of bloud: thou wouldeſt have kept ſuch a revell or wake for it, as all the tenne Commandements ſhould have been ſacrificed by thee for a thank-offering. Away, away, with this groſſe hypocriſie. God knowes thy heart, and man may ſee thee, though thou winkeſt.

5Laſtly, It is not (God is our record, it is not) for bloudſhed and killing of men (to ſpeak properly) that we give thankes: but for the proſperity of the Lords cauſe, for the preſervation of the bloud of his ſervants; tis for a further ſtep towards peace and ſettlement, by removing implacable impediments out of the way of a full deliverance and reformation, men who now let, and will let. Shall a Robber on the way, 2 Theſ. 2. v. 7.2 Thess 2:7fall upon me for my purſe and life, ſo that nothing but the loſſe of his bloud, can bee the ſecurity of mine: and muſt I not give thankes for mine owne deliverance if I beate him? Wee are wholly, unqueſtionably defenſive in this ſecond war.

2. To male-contented friends:II. There is another ſort of perſons, which though friends and brethren, in the maine common cauſe; yet through ſome diſſatisfaction, diſcontent, offence, or jealoſies, are no friends to ſo much victory, but are ſlow and cold at our Thanksgivings; nay (perhaps) doe look but ſowrely and ſuſpectingly upon ſuch p. 18as on theſe dayes, doe dance before the LORD with all their might. I remember ſome Auncients aaChryſoſtome. Auſtine. Lactantins.did condemne thoſe for Heretickes, that held there were Antipodes, that is, people inhabiting the earth juſt underneath, and diametrally oppoſite to us. Brethren, I beſeech you, let us not come to that degree of ignorance and diſingenuity, as to account all men Erroneous that are hearty and hot in affirming that we have direct Antipodes, I meane (in plaine Engliſh) that declare lowdly to the world that there are many mighty bitter oppoſites and Malignants; and doe act againſt them to their uttermoſt both in prayers & praiſes. Let me have leave to deale freely this day, eſpecially with our owne friends. Are there not many, very many amongſt us, which are like a man condemned, upon the Gibbet, ready to be preſently executed, one commeth to him and offereth him a Ladder to come downe by, and ſave his life: but he ſtandeth ſcrupling, objecting, doubting, whether the Ladder be firme or no, whether the rounds be faſt or looſe, whether they may not deceive him, or breake under him, and ſo indanger a fall? yea, but O man, O friend, what will become of thy neck if thou ſtayeſt there? Or by what other way canſt, wilt, wouldeſt thou come down? I hope not willingly by the rope? Honourable Senators, pardon my plainneſſe, and take me ſeriouſly, the neck of every thorough-godly well affected man in England is now in danger, and the breaking or ſaving of it depends upon the come-off, in which, the rounds, or nothing, muſt ſave us. Beware therefore, how wee grow ſhy or ſullen at any neceſſary lawfull meanes of ſelfe-preſervation, and ſo aaJon. 2. v. 8.Jonah 2:8forſake our owne mercies. Let us therefore put on our wedding garments, and bbNon poteſt autem quiſquam & invidere, & gratias agere: quia invidere, querentis & moeſii est; gratias agere, gaudentis. Sen. de Benef. lib. 3. cap. 1.countenances when providence doth invite us to feaſt; And beware, leſt when we pretend to avoyd Schiſmaticall Thanksgivings, wee runne our ſelves over on the other hand, into a kinde of Orthodoxe ingratitude. For mine own part, farre be it from mee, to pleade for the extravagancies of any ſort of inſtruments. I beleeve we have all had our great and ſpeciall opportunities and ſeaſons of doing much good for God, and have all neglected to improve them. Nay, perhaps wee have p. 19then ſacrificed his aaHoſ. 2. v. 5, 9.Hos 2:5Hos 2:9Corne, Wine, Wooll and Flax unto our owne bbHab. 1. v. 16.Hab 1:16nets and drags, and I am deceived if God doth not take us up and ſcourge us of all ſides, for it, and for our ſelfe-diviſions: perhaps upon the backs of one another. And then, O we ſhall be willing like fighting School-boys, to forgive each other, if our Maſter would forgive us. I ſay it againe, that all our ſelviſh ccGen. 27.Gen 27Kids fleſh will bee eaten with bitter herbs: and our dd1 Sam. 27. v. 2, 6. compared with chap. 30. ver. 1.1 Sam 27:21 Sam 27:6Ziglags will bee but as new peeces in old garments: And perhaps our ee1 Acts 15. v. 39, 40. foreign.Acts 15:39Acts 15:40Paroxyſmes may make us walke for it as farre as America, as it was with pettiſh Paul and Barnabas. But however this is not the way of amendment or compoſure, to fall out with our meate, and to caſt it from us, or to bee ſullen towards the Lord when hee ſmileth upon us with deliverances.

I reade one example of ſuch an April-Thanksgiving for a great victory in Scripture: which gives us divers proper paſſages and ſerious Obſervations. It was when ff2 Sam. 19.2 Sam 19Generall Joab and Davids Army under his command, had ſlaine Abſolom, and beaten the unnaturall Army that was with him. 'Tis ſaid, ggVer. 2.The victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people, for the people heard ſay that day, how the King was grieved for his ſonne: hhVer. 3.And the people got them by ſtealth that day into the Citie, as people being aſhamed ſteale away when they flee in battell. Here was a ſtrange kinde of victory and Thank giving indeed, conſidering the greatneſſe of the mercy received. But marke we upon it, (out of the ſame ſtory) both its cauſe, and conſequents.

1. The Cauſe.1. The principall cauſe of Davids unſeaſonable ſadneſſe was his too much good will and affections to the enemie. The iiPlurima beneficia continet patria, & eſt antiquior parens, quam is, qui ut ajunt, creaverit. Cicer Fragment.father (in him) was too hard for the Magiſtrate, and his private love toward a ſon, ſwallowed up that publike juſtice du… to a Malefactor. Are there ſome of the right party, nay and good men too ſicke of that dangerous diſeaſe? very heathens ſhall riſe in judgment againſt them. Gallant Brutus thou didſt publikely ſcourge, and then ſlay thine owne ſons for attempting to re-inſlave the Common-wealth!

2. The conſequents.2. The conſequents of Davids unſeaſonable ſadneſſe are diverſe: as,

p. 20Conſequent. 1 1. The Anſwer or high ſpeech of Generall Ioab you muſt allow, for the Souldier, the Courtier, and the kinſman, in his expreſſions, for he threatneth, he ſweareth, he chideth. We will looke onelyonly into the matter. ver. 5.Thou haſt ſhamed this day, the faces of all thy ſervants, which this day have ſaved thy life, and the lives of thy ſonnes, and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, ver 6.and the lives of thy concubines. In that thou loveſt thine enemies and hateſt thy friends, for thou haſt declared this day, that thou regardeſt neither Princes nor ſervants, for this day I perceive, that if Abſolom had lived and all we had dyed this day, ver. 7.then it had pleaſed thee well. Now therefore ariſe, goe forth and ſpeake comfortably unto thy ſervants, for I ſweare by the Lord, if thou goe not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night, and this will be worſe unto thee, then all the evill that befell thee from thy youth untill now. This bold ſpeech needeth no Comment, but there is in it a great deale of Marſhall politiques; out of which a Chriſtian may draw many prudent and ſeaſonable inſtructions. You have read the ſtory of thoſe three Brethren, the aaImmaturum virginisamorem ultus eſt ferro, citavere leges nefas: ſed abſtulit virtus parricidam, & fa cinus intra gloriam fuit &c. Flor. lib. 1. ca. 3.Horatii, how the ſiſter of the ſurviving Conquerour, weeping to ſee the ſpoyls of her lover (but an enemy) upon her Brother, was paid with bloud for her tears. The fact I confeſſe, was horrid in that Victor, but it may teach us that the ſlighting of our deliverance is a dangerous provocation to neereſt friends.

Conſequent. 2 2. Obſerve wee in that ſadneſſe of David, the perilous animoſities ariſing between Iſrael and Iudah about bringing home the King. ver. 9, 10. ver. 41. ver. 42.Iſrael chargeth Iudah with King-ſtealing, Why have our brethren, the men of Iudah ſtollen thee away? Iudah claymeth kindred in David and bearing themſelves high upon that relation, they endeavor to purge themſelves from taking any gifts, profits, places, for their ſervice. And at laſt, the great quarrel is, ver. 43.who hath the moſt ſhare in the King and ſhould have the principall hand in bringing him back. A diſpute that had like to have coſt them dearer then all the wars before.

Conſequent. 3 The third conſequent that floweth from that weeping thanksgiving, and this royall contention, is an advantage taken p. 21from both thoſe by the ii2 Sam. 20.1.2 Sam 20:1common enemy one of the old Malignant party. And there happened to bee there a man af Belial, whoſe name was Sheba the ſonne of Bichri, a Benjamite. Marke it well; The man was one of Sauls owne Tribe; ſome thinke, a Prince of that Tribe, becauſe they followed him ſo readily, yea and it is conceived, he was of the aaPet. Martyr.kindred of Saul, and was never well affected to David, and therefore now, hee blew a trumpet and ſaid, We have no part in David &c. ver. 2.Preſently he was univerſally followed, and David wholly forſaken. See, ſelfe-diviſion is the next way to ſet up the old common Enemy againe, and to bring downe the Kite upon the Mouſe and Frog. which may ſweepe away both, whilſt they are a fighting. Away therefore with all ſullenneſſe and ſelfe-diviſions, all yee that are truly godly, well affected and throughly ingaged in this common cauſe againſt the common Enemy, whatſoever diſcontents, provocations, injuries you have received from one another. Suffer not any Gangrenes to ſtrike to your wounds, for that will be noyſome indeed to others, but mortall to your ſelves, and to that good old godly Puritan Cauſe and Intereſt, with which we muſt all now ſinke or ſwim. Revenge ſheweth me to be a man, but forgiving to be a chriſtian; that, makes me even with mine enemy, but this, ſets me bbSee Pro. 20.3. Eccleſ. 10.4.Prov 20:3Eccl 10:4above him; that may be juſt, but this is ſurely truely honourable. ccPlutarch. in vita Ariſtidis.O that carriage and language of Ariſtides was truely noble, of which we reade in the ſtory; Ariſtides by the furtherance of Themiſtocles, had been baniſhed from Athens by the law of Oſtraciſme for tenne years; but within three years he was recalled againe becauſe Xerxes King of Perſia, was come with a vaſt Army into Attica; after Ariſtides his returne, Themiſtocles is choſen the only Lieutenant Generall of Athens, and Ariſtides, (notwithſtanding all former paſſages) doth alwayes faithfully aid and aſſiſt him in all things, as well with his travell as with his Counſell, and thereby wan his enemie great honour, but greater to himſelfe, for he adventured through the midſt of the enemies ſhips in the night, and with great danger got from Aegina to Themiſtocles tent, and calling him out thus beſpake him. Themiſtocles, if p. 22we are both wiſe, it is high time we ſhould now leave off this vaine envy and ſpite we have long time borne each other, that we ſhould enter into another ſort of envy more honourable and profitable for both: I meane, which of us two ſhould doe his beſt indeavour to ſave Greece: you by ruling and commanding; and I by counſelling, &c. How cleerly hath this poore heathen taught us chriſtians to ddPrivatas inimicitias Reipub. ignoſcere.bury all our perſonall quarrels in the wounds of the publike Enemy? Well, my Brethren, deceive not your ſelves with dreames, if you are godly indeed, you may agree, you muſt agree, and I dare tell you that (at laſt) you ſhall agree, either as fellow Conquerours, if you pleaſe, or as fellow priſoners, if you will ſtill be ſullen; the dogs ſhall drive you together, or eate you ſeverally. Oh do but unite ſo neere in affections as you are united in dangers, and you have undone the Devill.

Inſtruction. 2 Secondly, We have hence a leſſon of praiſes, it is worded for us by King David, aaPſal. 34.2, 3.Ps 34:2Ps 34:3My ſoule ſhall make her boaſt in the Lord, the humble ſhall heare and beglad. O magnifie the Lord with me, and let us exalt his Name together. Magnifie him we ſhould for ſpirituall mercies, and for temporall, for generall, and for particular, for former and for preſent favours; all theſe, yea, all our Parliament mercies would require the volumes of a Thuanus or Baronius, rather then this peece of a Sermon to ſet them forth. But I hope you have pennes imployed about that ſubject all this while: I hope you have appointed ſome Committee to audite the Debenters of the Lord of your hoſts, aſwell as of the ſouldiers. And let me have leave to tell you here (in a ſeaſonable parentheſis) that ſuch Records are acts of Juſtice, for Gratitude is a branch of the Law of nature: They are acts of Religion, for herein wee honour God, as in my Text, and then he hath bb1 Sam. 2.30.1 Sam 2:30bound himſelfe to honour us: They are acts of prudence and policy, for they doe knit a knot upon the merciemercy received that it ravels not out againe; and in that knot they have a ccVetus beneficium comemorando, invitas novum. Senec.hooke by which they catch in future mercies. Tamerlaine asked of Bajazet, when he had taken him priſoner, in battell, whether or no he ever had been thankfull to God for making him an Emperour? p. 23He anſwered freely, he never thought upon that matter in all his life. Tamerlaine replyeth, And why ſhould God make you, a man that hath but one eye, to be King of the Turkes? and me, a man lame in one leg, King of the Tattars, above all other men? No mervaile if thou, being ſo unthankfull, haſt loſt ſo great a Battell. Thankfulneſſe is the way to bring in more: and therefore, though I cannot lanch out, into this Sea of all our mercies, yet I would, I muſt fiſh in the river of this dayes ſalvation. May it pleaſe you to lend mee your hearts but for halfe an houre, I ſhall endeavour to warm them and returne them backe to you againe, when I have given you ſome ſpeciall peculiar Obſervations upon the mercies and victories of this dayes praiſe, and have ſet up a triumphant pillar, though but of bricke, like that aſcribed to Noahs ſonnes, to tell poſterity what the Lord hath done for your ſoules.

Obſervation. 1. upon the mercies of this day.1. Conſider the number, the multitude, of this dayes victories. They are the faireſt and greateſt cluſter of mercies, (ſo farre as I can finde or remember) that ever the Lord gave you at once. A cluſter like that at Eſchol, which the Spirit of God thus recordeth; aaNum. 13. ver. 23.Num 13:23And they came to the brook of Eſchol, and cut downe from thence a branch, with one cluſter of grapes, and the bare it betweene bbViz. Ioſue & caleb. Sic aijt Ambr.two upon a ſtaffe; and they brought of the Pomegranats and of the figs. This was a good earneſt of their neerneſſe unto Canaan, and of the goodneſſe of that land. Why may not our Cluſter be ſomewhat a like token unto us for good, even of a ſpeedy entrance into an happy ſettlement? This is the day of the Cluſter. I obſerve that the enemy, in this ſecond warre, hath never (hitherto) brought forth ſingle births, but multitudes, Gads, troopes, of inſurrections, revolts, ſurpriſals, at once. It is obſerved by Naturaliſts, that your vileſt and venomeſt creatures, doe bring forth moſt frequently, moſt numerouſly; as Rats, Mice, Serpents; whereas the ccPartus Elephantinus. Adag.Elephant is ſome years breeding, and the Royall Lion brings forth but one or two at a birth. Surely, our enemies grow more venomous and more verminous now in their attempts, plots, aſſaults: For this day wee celebrate deliverances from a numerous iſſue of miſchiefes. Your owne Order p. 24for this day, that toucheth but generalls, calleth for a ſix ſtringed inſtrument; it mentioneth a parcell of no leſſe then ſixe common-places of danger and deliverance. No mervaile if the enemy did never rage more againſt any one day of Thankſgiving then againſt this, I have found the cauſe of their fury: never were they ſo manifoldly beaten, in ſo many places, plots, attempts at once, as this day recordeth. The following obſervations will expreſſe ſome of the particulars; Meane while, let this firſt be crowned with that bleſſing, ddPſal. 68.19.Ps 68:19Bleſſed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with his benefits, even the God of our ſalvation. Selah.

Obſervation. 2 2. Obſerve the univerſality and ſpreadings of this dayes dangers and deliverances. The garment of gladneſſe reacheth over all the Quarters of the Land. It is not onelyonly for ſome Northerne, or Southerne, for ſome Eaſterne or Weſterne mercies, that we now give thankes: but the Robe reacheth from Cocquet-water in Northumberland, in the North, to Horſham in Suſſex in the South: there is its latitude. From Dover-Caſtle and all Kent in the Eaſt, to Penſands, the utmoſt part of Cornwall, in the Weſt: there is its longitude. Beſides all the Inland victories, all over the kingdome, with which this Robe is poudred throughout; to wit, in the Counties of Weſtmerland, Northumberland, Biſhopwrick, Yorke (both City and County) Nottingham, Lincolne, Rutland, Huntington, Cambridge, Norfolke, and Norwich, Suffolke, Cheſhire, Hereford, Worceſter, &c. Both North and South Wales, Kent, Suſſex, Surrey, Middleſex, and Weſt-ward even unto Cornwall. Crowne this, with that interjection. aaPſal. 107. v. 1, 2, 3.Ps 107:1Ps 107:2Ps 107:3Oh give thankes unto the Lord, for he is gracious: Let the redeemed of the Lord ſay ſo, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the Enemy, from the Eaſt and from the Weſt, from the North and from the South, the oyle of gladneſſe hath bbPſal. 233. v. 2.run down like the ointment of Aaron, from the head to the hem.

Obſervation. 3 3. Obſerve we the ſecrecy, treachery, and ſlineſſe of our dangers, and thence, the greatneſſe of our deliverance. In the firſt war the common enemy, had in him more of the Beare and Lyon, he did roare and bark when he would bite, did profeſſe p. 25himſelfe an open and armed Enemy: But now, in this ſecond war, he hath more in him of the Fox and Serpent; he cries, Peace, ccPſal. 55. v. 21.Ps 55:21peace, when war is in his heart. Their preſent hoſtilities have in them more of the Powder Treaſon than of Eighty eight; more of a Maſſacre than a war. They ſeem to ſay now in this ſecond Edition, as Sanballat and the reſt with him, againſt Nehemiah and his party; ddNeh. 4. v. 11.Neh 4:11They ſhall not know, neither ſee, till wee come in the midſt among them, and ſlay them, and cauſe the work to ceaſe. How many mines of ſurpriſes, revolts, inſurrections, had they prepared ready to ſpring and play in all parts of the Land (yea and of the Sea too) at once? OnelyOnly the Lord he did countermine them whilſt wee thought not of it. Yea, had not the Lord confounded their language, ſo that they could not time it exactly as they intended, they might have ſwallowed us up quicke. But the truth is, they marred their muſicke by ill-timing it. It was with them as they ſay it is in throwing of a Granada, or fire-ball into a Caſtle, if you throw it too ſoone, before it is ready to breake, the Enemy within may preſently caſt it backe upon you, and deſtroy you; if you hold it too long, it may flye abroad in your hand and deſtroy your ſelfe ere you can put it off. There is a certaine nicke of time to be taken, which our God, who hath all times in his hand, did hide from them, that they knew it not, and ſo their aaEccleſ. 8. v. 6.Eccl 8:6miſery was great upon them. For ſome of them did ariſe up and attempt too ſoone, others of them ſtayd too long, and ſo all were broken in peeces with, by, their owne fire-workes, according to that promiſe, bbPſal. 7. v. 16. Nec enim lex juſtior ulla eſt, quam necis artifices arte perire ſuā.Ps 7:16His miſchiefe ſhall returne upon his owne head, and his violent dealing ſhall come downe upon his owne pate. Adde wee alſo, that very many of theſe new-old-enemies were Covenanters, or ſuch as had taken the negative Oath, that is, never more to beare Armes againſt the Parliament. They were Benhadads, that had been kindly intreated, and ſent away with an oath, as he: for cc1 King. 20.341 Kgs 20:34Benhadad tooke a Covenant, or ſome kinde of negative oath: and by this meanes our credulity and their ingagements, had put into them a greater capacity and cruelty to deceive and deſtroy us. Beſides, with thoſe were joyned many a treacherous p. 26Doeg, you know hee was a kinde of dd1 Sam. 22. v. 9, 10, 22.1 Sam 22:91 Sam 22:101 Sam 22:22Spy-profeſſour, that betrayed and deſtroyed the Prieſts of the Lord. Many a ee2 Sam. 16. v. 1, 2, 3, 4.2 Sam 16:12 Sam 16:22 Sam 16:32 Sam 16:4Ziba, that belyed, betrayed, his owne Maſter, to get his ſequeſtration. Now if ff2 Sam. 15. v. 7, 8, 11.2 Sam 15:72 Sam 15:82 Sam 15:11Abſoloms pretence of a vow at Hebron, gave advantage to his treaſon, and drew with him many men, in their ſimplicity: if Benhadads taking that negative Oath, made him the more apt and able to conquer Iſrael; then what ſnares, what rages, what deaths, have we eſcaped, in being delivered from falſe and hypocriticall enemies! Let this Obſervation bee crowned with that acknowledgement, ggPſa. 118. v. 12.Ps 118:12They compaſſed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thornes.

Obſervation. 4 4. Obſerve we, that our dangers were fundamentall and radicall; I mean, they came moſt and neareſt to our head and heart, to our moſt noble and vitall parts. The tooth-ake, I confeſſe, is a very ſmart and tormenting paine: but yet not accounted mortall. The Gout is very painefull, and may prove dangerous: but yet being in the hand or foot, 'tis more ſafe than the ſtone and Collicke, which ſit cloſer and are more perillous. But yet a Malignant fever upon the ſpirits: a Peſtilence or a Gangreen, that aymes ſpeedily, immediately at the heart; theſe are accounted preſent death, and therefore a recovery from thoſe is more highly eſteemed. Now, theſe fits and diſtempers of our ſecond warre, have all, generally, ſtrucke at the heart and vitalls. Formerly, the warre kept it ſelfe more abroad, in the Weſt, or North, or North-weſt parts of the kingdome, for the moſt: and thoſe parts were reckoned by ſome, but as the exteriour members of the body. But now, as if the Enemy had learnd of King Benhadad, Not to aa1 Kings 22. ver. 31.1 Kgs 22:31fight againſt ſmall nor great, in compariſon to the heart and head: As if they had learned of Biſhop bbActs and Monuments.Gardner, that one Salmons head was worth many Herrings; they have lately made all their blowes at our Parliament, and this great City. Our inſurrections, tumults, fightings, have been in Kent, Suſſex, Eſſex, Surry, yea in very Middleſex it ſelfe. Now, the whole head was ſicke, and the heart heavy indeed; the foundations were ſhaken: Our Corps-du-guard was aſſaulted, death came up into our windowes; when p. 27our Parliament and City, the whole cauſe and party, have been ſayed downe at every ſtake, and have had ſo many, neere, and dangerous caſts throwne at them. Give me leave to deſcribe thoſe palpitations of Englands heart in a few borrowed words, cc2 Cor. 7. ver. 5, 6.2 Cor 7:52 Cor 7:6We were troubled on every ſide; without were fightings, with in were feares, nevertheleſſe the Lord, who comforteth thoſe that are caſt downe, comforted us. Remember and forget not, how death did knocke at your very doore: what, Alarms and fightings, even at both ends of London, Eaſt and Weſt? what, dangers, and talkings of ſurpriſing the Parliament where they were ſitting, of ſeiſing upon Lambeth-houſe, and planting guns upon it, to batter and annoy you in your very houſe whileſt you were ſitting? was the Powder-Treaſon nearer or more fundamentall than this? Take your pens (Honourable Senators) take your pens and write it down, firſt in your own Table books, and then in the Journall of your Houſe, and over the Chaire of your Speaker; aaPſal. 124. v. 1.Ps 124:1If it had not bin the Lord who was on our ſide, now may England ſay; if it had not bin the Lord, then they had ſwallowed us up quick whē their wrath was kindled againſt us, &c.

Obſervation. 5 5. Obſerve we, that thoſe dangers were new, freſh, and progreſſive. This laſt warre hath been doubly new: new in reſpect of time, and new in reſpect of the Scene and places in which it hath broken forth. For time, it is now come on, when the Land had began to reſt againe; and when we thought we had been neere the ſhoare, behold, an Euroclydon driveth us backe into the Ocean. But for its place and Scene, there is much to be obſerved. Thoſe parts of the Kingdome which had hitherto beene untoucht, the Mayden Counties, as they call them, have been now moſt of all defloured. Unconquered Kent, which had ſo long been famous for her almoſt veſtall virginity, hath had a principall ſhare of theſe troubles. And her ſiſter Eſſex, is now in the furnace. Beſides Surrey, Middleſex, Hertford, Huntington, Suffolke, and Norfolke; if they have not beene ſcorched by the flame, yet have they had ſome of the ſmoake in their eyes, whileſt their neighbours houſes have been on fire. For mine owne part, I dare not to determine, the cauſes of their freſh and new viſitation. I will not ſay, that the warre p. 28marcht into thoſe freſh-quarters (1.) becauſe God will have his bbJer. 25. v. 15. 16. &c.Jer 25:15Jer 25:16cup to goe round, when once hee begins to ſend it forth, though I read that hath been his uſuall method. Or (2.) becauſe the fire of warre and tumult had not ſo good fuell of plunder to feed it in other exhauſted Counties, as in theſe; nor ſo ready Fuellers to intertaine it; other people, like the burnt child, dreading the Coales. Neither (3.) will I ſay that it was, becauſe theſe people, like dandled children, did need a rod to teach them experimentall ſympathy and compaſſion. In ſumme, I will not dare, (as in Gods ſtead) to give the principall reaſon or cauſe of this their new ſcourge. But yet it would become the ſuffering and warned people themſelves, to conſider of all poſſible conjectures; and to examine themſelves by all interrogatories that can be ſuggeſted, what may bee the provoking cauſe of this new ſtorm upon them. What, did I call it a ſtorm? Nay, rather it is yet but a little miſt, or as ſome few drops before a ſhowre, as that aa1 King. 18. v. 44.1 Kgs 18:44cloud like a mans hand. The Lord make the inhabitants of theſe yet unplundered Counties, Cities, Townes, Pariſhes, to bee wiſe for themſelves, that they may not cry for a rod, or grow ſick of their owne peace. But let them know and beleeve, that thoſe that drink laſt of the Cup, are neereſt the bottome, and the nearer the bottome, the more ſoure and deadly; for there lye the Lees and dregs, bbPſal. 75. v. 7, 8.Ps 75:7Ps 75:8The dregs thereof all the wicked of the earth ſhall wring them and drinke them out. O pray this cup from you.

But there was much mercy even in the midſt of this new, progreſſive miſery, in that the ſword went forward into freſh Quarters, and yet was ſtaid, wherby our deliverance appeareth the more wonderfull, in that the Lord did ſo ſoone quench the fire even amidſt a multitude of freſh fuell; yea amidſt ſo much ripe corne and dry ſtraw as was about it on every ſide. Surely, God did but only fire their Beacons hitherto rather than their houſes: they were Sentinels rather than Armies that were ſent amongſt them; even enough, I hope, to alarme, awaken, and inſtruct them, but not ſo many as to deſtroy and devoure them. ccPſal. 107. v. 43.Ps 107:43Who ſo is wiſe and will obſerve theſe things, even they ſhall underſtand the loving kindneſſe of the Lord.

p. 29Obſervation. 6 6. Obſerve we, the evident unſproſperouſnes and viſible diſappointments of the Enemy, in all theſe dangers and deliveratices. The whole conflict doth looke as if it had been a pitcht battell, a challenged Duell, or ſolemne prize playd between Michael and the Dragon, God and his enemies. Like as when the Romans and the Albanes did aaMiſſo in compendium bello, ter gemenis hinc atque inde fratribus utriuſque populi fata commiſſa ſunt. Flor.Epitomize their warre, and tryed it in a combate between three Brethren, (the Curiatii) on the one ſide; and other three Brethren (the Horatii) on the other ſide: For never did the Enemy, on his part, act more numerouſly, ſubtilly, valiantly, by ſo many, ſo treacherous, ſo daring, attempts, as in this bout. Never did the Lord appeare more plentifully, more profoundly, more peremptorily, for his poore people. And ſeeing it is both the duty and delight of a Saint, to tell others what the Lord hath done for his ſoule. Give me leave to reckon up ſome of the moſt viſible and mighty paſſes or thruſts, that have been made between the Lord and his enemies, in theſe late eminent encounters. We will reduce them to three or foure heads, which are as ſo many weapons, at which Michael and the Dragon have plaid this Prize.

1. Revolts.1. How hath the Enemy put to it againſt us, by revolts? This is a miſchievous weapon indeed, it coſt bb2 Sam. 3. & 4.2 Sam 3Iſhboſheth his Cauſe, Crowne, and life, when Abner in diſcontent went over to David. And it hath ſeemed more ſuccesfull to the Enemy then all the reſt of his endeavours. But have their revolts always proſpered? Aske Pembroke caſtle, that great Center and neſt of the Revolters; Beſides Tenbigh caſtle in Wales. Aske thoſe Forces of the Biſhoprick and thereabouts, that were apoſtatizing to Langdale, but come ſhort at Cocquet water, where 'twixt five and ſix hundred horſe were taken. And beleeve it, Our God is a righteous Lord (Tam in ſalo, quam in ſolo) aſwell upon the Seas as on the dry Land. ccPſal. 65.5.Ps 65:5By terrible things in righteouſneſſe wilt thou anſwer us, O God of our ſalvation, who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afarre off upon the ſea. Therefore feare not Sea enemies.

2. Surprizes.2. The Enemy hath tryed it at ſurpriſes too; This is alſo p. 30a very dangerous weapon, as appeareth by the counſell of Achitophel the Oracle, dd2 Sam. 17. v. 1, 2, 3.2 Sam 17:12 Sam 17:22 Sam 17:3I will come upon him when he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid, and all the people that are with him ſhall flee, and I will ſmite the King onelyonly. But hath not the Lord worſted them at this weapon alſo? Aske Denbigh caſtle in Wales, where the treacherous Enemy combined with a party of priſoners and ſouldiers within, had entred, was in part poſſeſt, and yet wonderfully diſcovered, repulſed, vanquiſhed. Aske the Citie of Yorke, where the day was come, the Enemy hovering and ready to enter, but diſappointed; of Cheſter, where the neck was neere the block, yet ſcaped the blow: of Norwich (formerly) where they ſtrucke, but the blow fell ſhort, nay fell back upon themſelves: of Nottingham caſtle, in which ſome of the ſurpriſers were ſurpriſed and impriſoned. Aske that conſpiracy in the Counties of Worceſter, Hereford and others adjacents there was a whole neſt full of eggs of treaſon, which were blowne upon and daſht ſo earely, that one could hardly tell what birds were in them, whether Owles or Eagles. Surely that diſcovery and diſappointment deſerveth to have its Pillar of remembrance erected upon the banks of Severne, with the names of the active inſtruments engraven upon it. Nay aske finally, that their muſt ſuccesfull ſurpriſe of Pomfrect, hath it grown gray in ſucceſſes? did not their foot alſo ſlide in due time at Willoughby field, where their ſpoyling Band was broken, taken, ſcattered? This muſt bee cloſed up with that of David, aaPſal. 21. v. 11.Ps 21:11They imagined a miſchievous device, which they were not able to performe.

3. Inſurrections3. They have ſought with the deſperate weapon of manifold Inſurrections and Commotions. But were they Conquerours at this? I might here appeal to that Paire of Clergy, neer Stamford (but that one of them falling headlong, is burſt aſunder in the midſt) I mean that Jolly paire, that imitated Pope Iulius the ſecond, that caſt Peters Keyes into Tiber, and betooke himſelfe to Pauls ſword. I might aske, concerning them, how many houres that yong Commotion did ſmoake, and proſper? O moſt vigilant Commanders and Colonels, that ſcarcely ſlept in all the time of their command! Another p. 31Inſurrection I muſt inſtance in. It was in the uttermoſt part of the utmoſt part of England weſtward, neere the Mount, in Cornwall, 'twas Dangerous I aſſure you, though ſuddenly and gallantly ſuppreſt and quenched in the Sea, forſome of the principall firebrands themſelves, were ſo deſperate, that ſcorning mercy, they joyned hand in hand and violently ran themſelves into the Ocean, where they periſhed in the waters.

4. Battells.4. There was yet one terrible weapon more, at which our Enemies would needs fight it out with our God, and that was open, pitcht battels, and fixed Garriſons (to that ſtrength were they grown in ſome places) was not Willoughby field a ſet battell? were not Pembroke and Maydſtone, Garriſons? Beſides that Scene of the Barons warres, neere Kingſtone, and its cataſtrophe at S^t Neots. Here the hot and hardy taking in of Maydſtone would not be left out, becauſe it was the verticall and Axeltree (in probability) of all thoſe after victories, and was one of the many lives which God had given to this Parliament. Thus every where, and in every attempt, may you write theſe new, ſecond, Enemies, aaIer. 22.30.Jer 22:30Conijah-like, childleſſe, men that do not proſper in their dayes and wayes. But there are two branches out of this laſt root: I will gather the fruit of them, and I have done with it.

1. To Enemies.1. A word to the Adverſe party. Sirs, will you not yet ſee the hand of God ſtretched out againſt you from heaven, in all this ſecond warre? Will you not ſee a ſword, like that in Balaams way, meeting you at every turne? what? Croſt, diſappointed, broken, in every plot, battell, attempt? Neither Revolts, nor Surprizes, nor Inſurrections, nor Commotions ſucceed with any of you, in any place, at any time? What? will you neither heare the Lords word, nor feel his worke? How often ſhall that text be beaten into pour fleſh, bbIſa. 54.17.Isa 54:17No weapon that is formed againſt thee ſhall proſper, and every tongue that riſeth up in judgement, thou ſhalt condemne; This is the heritage of the ſervants of the Lord? O remember, how Pharaohs ſervants did give him good counſell in time, if he would have hearkned, ccExod. 10.7.Exod 10:7Knoweſt thou not yet that Egypt is deſtroyed? So I, to you; know yee not yet that Poore England, the common p. 32Mother of us all, is almoſt ruined? Nay, that many of your own companions, are already cut off? But you will deſpiſe that counſell? ſo did Pharaoh, till at laſt, himſelfe, and all his Militia, were forced to beleeve, confeſſe, and yet periſh in the bottome of the Sea. aaExod. 14. v. 25.Exod 14:25And it came to paſſe that in the morning watch, the Lord looked unto the hoſt of the Egyptians, through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the hoſt of the Egyptians. Hath not the Lord appeared for his ſervants, and againſt you, with open face, in the morning of this your ſecond war? Hath he not troubled all your hoſts, and taken off their Charret wheels that they drave them heavily? Surely, you muſt all ſubſcribe to this, that the Lord hath unwheeled all your late projects and attempts. The Egyptians ſaid, Let us flee from the face of Iſrael, for the Lord fighteth for them againſt the Egyptians. But then it was too late; they might confeſſe, to the honour of the Lords juſtice, but could not thereby help themſelves. The Lord give you all to ſee in the evening, in the Eleventh houre, of this your day, the things that concerne your peace.

2 To friends.2. Howſoever, be incouraged by this freſh and cleare experience, O all ye friends of God and his cauſe, and learne from theſe laſt and greateſt appearings of God for you, to ſee, and ſay, that bbDeut. 32. v. 31.Deut 32:31their rock is not as our rock, our enemies themſelves being Judges. I dare callenge them all, to name that one attempt, in which they have been ſuccesfull, in this their ſecond offenſive war: Or if they have ſeemed at firſt to proſper in any thing, hath it not been only ſo far as might lift them up for the greater fall? But as for you, O friends, I charge all your hearts, to anſwer me ſeriouſly, did you ever ſee ſo much of God at once? Such a viſible hand from heaven, with his Banner, and Motto in it, like that of the firſt Chriſtian ccEuſebius in vita Conſtant. Magn.Emperours (in hoc vinces:) what ſhould the Lord doe more? How would you have him to expreſſe himſelfe more plainely, unleſſe by ſome audible voyce from heaven? Nay, but that is alſo vouchſafed you, hearken to it; dd2 Chron. 15. ver. 2.2 Chr 15:2The Lord is with you, whilſt ye are with him. It was one of Gods firſt ſolemne Meſſages to you in the beginning of your Faſtings, and hath been often inculcated p. 33upon thoſe dayes. What God will doe with us at laſt, in this great cauſe, I know not: perhaps he may make us as great monuments of his Juſtice in the end, as he hath made us wonders of his Mercy in the beginning: (yet let me interline this comfort, he doth not uſe to caſt off a coming-people;) but if we ſhould periſh in the concluſion, yet we muſt ſay and confeſſe, that hitherto he hath been, and yet he is, aaIſa. 28. v. 29.Isa 28:29wonderfull in counſell, excellent in working for us.

Ob. Ob. But how can that be, ſeeing we were never ſo unworthy, unwilling, unfit for mercy, as at this time? never ſo profane, divided, bitter, againſt God and one another?

Sol. Anſ. All this is confeſſed, and a great deal more, if any wil ad it: but therefore know, that we muſt not thanke our ſelves, but our enemies, for theſe ſucceſſes; not our owne goodneſſe, but their wickedneſſe is the cauſe of all our late victories. Though we are not ripe for Mercy, yet they are ripe for judgment, though God be not more ingaged for us then formerly, yet (ſure I am,) he is more ingaged againſt them. He was before ingaged againſt them as he was bbJer. 10. v. 7.Jer 10:7King of Nations, and they fought for tyranny againſt our juſt and lawfull liberties. But now as ccRev. 15. v. 3.Rev 15:3the King of Saints, he will fight againſt them for treacherie, hypocriſie, and forſworne Covenant-breaking. In ſhort, the Lord is now many wayes ingaged againſt them. (1.) As enemies againſt Reformation and civill liberties. (2.) As ungratefull to thoſe that have ſpared them. (3.) As deceitfull and treacherous againſt Oathes, Articles, and Covenants. (4.) As bitter Formaliſts againſt the power of godlineſſe. There is a comfortable Text, in this particular, in the book of Iob; ddJob 17. ver. 18, 19.Job 17:18Job 17:19The innocent ſhall ſtirre up himſelfe againſt the hypocrite, the righteous alſo ſhall hold on his way, and hee that hath cleane hands ſhall be ſtronger and ſtronger. Marke the words, Doth the Lord command or promiſe, that the innocent ſhall ſtir up himſelfe againſt the hypocrite? And will not God ſtirre up himſelfe againſt them? Yea, beleeve it, he is more ingaged againſt an hypocrite, then againſt the open profane perſon. (1.) Becauſe ſuch an one is profane, and ſomewhat more, he is as wicked within as the other, and yet pretends to godlineſſe p. 34without. (2.) Becauſe he doth cauſe the way of God to be evill ſpoken of, which is a pitch of wickedneſſe, of which the open profane perſon is uncapable: therefore the Lord doth, will, muſt ſtirre up himſelfe againſt him above all others. He addeth, And the righteous ſhall hold on his way, that is, both his way of piety, and of proſperity, but the hypocrite muſt needs hobble, lame, and tire, both in his holineſſe and happineſſe; for both are as a aaHoſ. 6 ver. 4.Hos 6:4morning cloud and an early dew that paſſeth away. Once more, he that hath cleane hands ſhall bee ſtronger and ſtronger; then what ſhall become of him that hath foule hands, whether by fleſh, earth, or bloud? Surely, he muſt needs grow weaker and weaker. Feare not therefore the faces of ſuch men (Honourable Senators) feare them not. He hath ſaid it, and you may adventure your lives upon it. Were I to chooſe mine owne enemy, I would, above all other, chooſe to fight againſt an ungratefull hypocrite, becauſe both God, and all reaſonable men, muſt needs abhor him. It is a famous example and ſentence that we finde recorded in Ezekiell. Zedekiah the King of Judah had his condition, changed, from a private man to a Prince, and with it, his name changed from Mattaniah to Zedekiah. Hereupon he ſweareth fidelity to that King of Babylon which ſo advanced him; but upon advantage, baſely brake his Oath and faith with him, betaking himſelfe to the King of Egypt for aſſiſtance. For this, God fals upon him, takes the Babylonians part againſt him, and puts theſe interrogatories. bbEzek. 17. v. 15, 16, 17, 18.Ezek 17:15Ezek 17:16Ezek 17:17Ezek 17:18[Shall be proſper? ſhall he eſcape that doth ſuch things? Or ſhall he breake the Covenant and be delivered? As I live, ſaith the Lord God, in the place where the King dwelleth that made him King, whoſe Oath he deſpiſed, and whoſe Covenant he brake, even with him, in the midſt of Babylon, he ſhall die, neither ſhall Pharaoh with his mighty Army, and great company, make for him in the warre, by caſting up mounts and building forts, to cut off many perſons, ſith he deſpiſed the Oath, by breaking the Covenant (when lo, he had given his hand) and hath done all theſe things; he ſhall not eſcape. Reade thorow the following verſes, to the end of that Chapter, we doe all know, how truly and ſadly this was fulfilled upon him, for it p. 35is at leaſt twice thus recorded in Scripture. Jeruſalem, 2 Kings 25. v. 4.5, 6, 7. Jer. 52. v. 6, 7.2 Kgs 25:42 Kgs 25:52 Kgs 25:62 Kgs 25:7Jer 52:6Jer 52:7that whole Kingdome was loſt; Zedekiah taken, his ſons ſlaine before his eyes, then his eyes put out, himſelfe bound with fetters of braſſe, and carried to Babylon, where he dyed. Nay, one example more. The Lord will take the part, even of a Turke, againſt a perfidious Chriſtian. To this purpoſe, remember and forget not, ſo long as you have to doe with this kinde of enemy, (the treacherous and perfideous Covenant-breaker) forget not the famous battell of Varna. The battell of Varna: See Turkiſh Hiſt. in Amurath ſixth King of the Turks. pag. 287.It was fought betweene Amurath ſixth King of the Turks, and Vladiſlaus King of Poland and Hungary. Theſe two after much war between them, at laſt concluded a peace for tenne yeares, confirmed it ſolemnly, by taking their mutuall Oathes: the Chriſtian upon the Evangeliſts, the Turke upon his Alcharon. This done, Amurath ſecurely withdrawes his Forces out of Europe, and leaveth his Countries there ungarded. Upon this advantage, and ſome others, King Vladiſlaus, by the perſwaſions of Iulian the Cardinall, diverſe Chriſtian Princes, and many Prelates (pretending that it would bee for the good of Religion and the Chriſtian cauſe) is induced to breake the peace and his Oath (of which Iulian abſolveth him) hee taketh up armes and invadeth the Turks dominions: where at firſt he ſeems to proſper, and carry all before him; till at laſt his Army meetes the Turkes (who by this, had made head againſt him) in the pitched battell of Varna: where the victory, almoſt all the day, inclineth to the Chriſtians, inſomuch as Amurath himſelfe was about to flee, till a common Souldier laid hand upon his bridle, and ſtayed him. The fight is again renewed, and the Chriſtians againe have the better; till Amurath now almoſt deſpairing, eſpied the picture of the Crucifix in the diſplayed Enſignes of the Chriſtians, and then, plucking out the writing that contained their laſt League and peace, out of his boſome, and holding it up in his hand, with his eyes caſt up to heaven, he ſaid; Behold, thou crucified Chriſt, Note. this is the League the Chriſtians, in thy Name, made with me, which they have, without any cauſe, violated. Now if thou be a God, as they ſay thou art, and as we dreame, revenge the wrong now done p. 36unto thy Name and me, and ſhew thy power upon thy perjurious people, who in their deeds deny thee their God. Immediately the battell began to turne for the Turks againſt the Chriſtians, and that, firſt of all, in that part where Iulian the Cardinall did command: And without delay the Turkes breake all the Chriſtians forces in peeces; King Vladiſlaus is ſlaine upon the place, Iulian, mortally wounded, dyes in his flight; beſides divers great Prelates and Commanders, with many thouſands of common men. Remember it again; God will take part with an Amurath, with an appealing Turk; againſt a perfidious Vladiſlaus, though a Chriſtian. Let us keep our Covenant in our boſome, and remember to ſhew and pleade it in like time and caſe. This was the ſixth Obſervation.

Obſervation. 7 7. And now to this halfe dozen of obſervable mercies, Behold, the Lord hath given you in a kind of caſt-over; a ſeventh obſervable, which I muſt call, a meeting-mercy: For I beleeve you ſhall finde, that the Articles of Pembrooke Caſtle, and your Order for this Thankſgiving, doe both beare the ſame date and day, even the twelfth of this inſtant. The Pſalmiſt ſaith of his prayers, Pſal. 32. v. 5.Ps 32:5I ſaid I will confeſſe my tranſgreſſions unto the Lord, and thou forgaveſt the iniquity of my ſinne. So was it in your praiſes, you ſaid that you would give thankes unto the Lord for his mercies received, and he gave you another great favour the ſame day. Let it be called a meeting-mercy, for that reaſon: As alſo becauſe the Spirit of God ſeemes to give it that very name in the Scripture; Iſa. 64. ver. 5.Isa 64:5Thou [meeteſt] him that rejoyceth and worketh righteouſneſſe, thoſe that remember thee in thy wayes. You were about to rejoyce in the Lord, and to remember his way of mercy, and, behold, he met you in your rejoycing. One ſuch a meeting-mercy, ſuch an after-caſt of meer favour, is to be eſteemed as much as a whole bargaine. It is like fruit upon a graffe, the firſt yeare of its ingraffing: For your Thanksgiving did beare the ſame day that it was ſet. Let it therefore be your care and endeavour to meet the Lord often in this way, that you may as often be met by him.

p. 373 EncouragementThe laſt leſſon muſt be a ſhort, but ſtrong incouragement. Now will you? can you? dare you to diſtruſt the Lord another time? will you warpe and waver from, or in, his way againe hereafter? I give you leave to do it, if you can finde a better Maſter, if you can meet with any other God that aaDan. 3.29.Dan 3:29can deliver you after this ſort. But if there be none ſuch to be found, then bbHeb. 3.12.Heb 3:12take heed, leſt there be in any of you hereafter, an evill heart of unbeliefe, in departing from this living God. Let the heads of theſe Leviathans be as ccPſal. 74.14.Ps 74:14meat to you in the wilderneſſe; For I beleeve we have a long way of wilderneſſe yet to goe; but feed upon theſe paſt experiences, in all your new and future Marches. Let this double breakfaſt ſtrengthen and inable you ( dd1 King. 19.6, 7, 8.1 Kgs 19:61 Kgs 19:71 Kgs 19:8Elijah-like) for the great journeys which you have yet to go. Perhaps they are not of forty dayes onelyonly, (as was his) but for many more weekes or moneths; when you are to travell through briers and thornes, before your worke, or your ſelves, may arrive at the mount of God: Wherefore ee1 Pet. 1.13.1 Pet 1:13gird up the loynes of your [mind:] All ſaints have or ſhould have but one minde, or heart. Be ſober and hope unto the end, or truſt perfectly: It is a ffforeign.word that I cannot mention without a note upon it; Truſt God to the end; to the end of meanes, as gg1 Kings 17.12.15.1 Kgs 17:121 Kgs 17:15ſhee that at Gods command gave a Cake out of her laſt handfull and little oyle: and was ſhe a loſer by it? As thoſe three worthies at Babylon, when they ſaid, hhDan. 3.16, 17, 18.Dan 3:16Dan 3:17Dan 3:18Our God whom wee ſerve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace: but the hard queſtion was, whether he would doe it? Yes, he will deliver them from the evill, or from the extremity of the evill, they beleeve; Hee will deliver us out of [thy hand] O King, i. e. He will ſo preſerve us, that thou ſhalt not have thy will upon us. But how were they ſure of that? What if he ſhould not have vouchſafed that unto them neither? But if not be it knowne unto thee O KING, that we will not ſerve thy Gods, nor worſhip the golden Image which thou haſt ſet up. As he aaNil niſi peccatum metuo.replyed to that Meſſenger I feare nothing but ſinne.

So much for the former halfe of the text, concerning the praiſe of thanksgiving.

p. 382 Part of the text.I want time and ſpirits to ſpeake to the latter part as I would, concerning [Ordering the way aright.] This clauſe ſtandeth here in the middeſt, between the God-glorifying duty of praiſe, and the men-bleſſing mercy of ſalvation; becauſe it is the top-ſtone of praiſes, and the corner-ſtone of deliverance; To him that ordereth his converſation aright, will I ſhew the ſalvation of God. Whence wee might fetch a double Leſſon.

1. That a right ordering of the way, is the perfection of Thanksgiving. And,

2. That it is the beſt ſtep to a compleat ſalvation. But to put both into one, Thus.

Doct. Right Ordering of the way is the top-ſtone of all duty, and the corner-ſtone of all deliverance. We have heard, that Thanksgiving is the crowne of duty; now Right ordering the way, or converſation, is the pearle of that crowne, and the very glory of that honour. It is ſomewhat to praiſe with the bbPſal. 63.34.Ps 63:34mouth, by ſpeaking praiſes; It is more to praiſe with the ccPſal. 77.11 12.Ps 77:11heart by meditating Thankſgivings: but it is moſt of all to praiſe in the ddEph. 1.12, foreign. Application.Eph 1:12life, by ordering the converſation aright, that we ſhould [bee] to the praiſe of his glory.

Applica. Would you then praiſe the Lord indeed? Would you certainely and fully ſee the ſalvation of God? Then for the Lords ſake, Si enim male vivis, & bona dicis, nondum laudas. Non ergo laudat, qui malè viuendo offendit Dominum. Auſt. ad Pſal. 49.Ps 49as you would honour him; for your owne ſake, as you would ſave your ſelves and the kingdome; doe but order the way aright, and then I dare promiſe you that he ſhall be glorified by you, and yee ſhall be ſaved by him.

Queſt. Order the way aright? What is that?

Anſw. Let it be what it will, what it can, though never ſo coſtly, never ſo painefull, never ſo hazardous, it is worth all the charge, labour and perill, that you can undergo. Therefore reſolve upon it it at all adventures.

Queſt. But what is it then?

Anſw. Take it in ſhort; [Right ordering] doth containe theſe two things, as I finde in Scripture.

1. A right ſetting, methodizing, framing, or caſting of things into their proper order, ſhape and platforme. A putting of things into due place, and ſo it is applyed to the ordering p. 39of battels. aa1 King. 20.14.1 Kgs 20:14Who ſhall order [Heb. binde, or tye,] the battell? Hee anſwered, Thou. It is applyed to the ordering of a cauſe. bbIob. 23 4. Iob 34.18.Job 23:4Job 34:18I would order my cauſe before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. It is applyed to the ordering of the things of God. Thus Aaron and his ſonnes are appointed to order the ccExo. 27.21.Exod 27:21lampe, and to order the ddLevit. 24.3.Lev 24:3burnt offering. Thus eeLev. 1.6, 7, 8.Lev 1:6Lev 1:7Lev 1:8Moſes, the Magiſtrate, is commanded to ſet in order the Tabernacle with his appurtenances, and doth it. Thus David, ff1. Chron. 24.19.1 Chr 24:19Hezekiah, Ezra, Nehemiah, ordered ſeverall affaires abut the houſe of the Lord; tis a ggHeb. 9.10. foreign, directio, correctio; Reformation Angl.Heb 9:10right-ſetting.

2. It doth containe an eſtabliſhing, fixing, or ſetling of things in that right frame and order. As, hhPro. 4 26.Prov 4:26Ponder the pathes of thy feet, and let all thy wayes be eſtabliſhed, or, all thy wayes ſhall bee ordered aright. And elſewhere, theſe two are put together, iiCol. 2.5.Col 2:5Beholding your order and ſtedfaſtneſſe. And thus, a right ordering, is not onelyonly a putting of things into a right frame, but a fixing of them there: a right ſetting and a ſure ſettling. Would you but doe this, or doe your uttermoſt towards this, and then you might be ſaid to order the way aright.

Queſt. The way? What way?

Anſw. There are many neceſſary Cauſe wayes now to be ſet and ſettled, for want of which we wander and plunge our ſelves every where. Take ſome ſhort hints. The wayes that you are to order, are of two ſorts.

1. Particular and perſonall wayes to be ordered aright.I. More particularly, reſpecting your ſelves. And here again are two branches.

1. Labour to order the wayes of your perſons and families aright: elſe you are like to doe little good or ſervice towards the publike. The Heathen could ſay, none but a aaNemo civis bonus, niſi vir bonus. Cicer.good man could make a good Citizen. Remember Iacobs method, when he was whipt home to pay his vow, in building the Lord an Houſe at Bethel: he firſt falleth to purging his owne houſe. bbGen. 34. ver. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.Gen 34:1Gen 34:2Gen 34:3Gen 34:4Gen 34:5And God ſaid unto Jacob, Ariſe, and goe up to Bethel, and dwell there, and make there an Altar unto God, that appeared unto thee, when thou fleddeſt from the face of Eſau thy brother. Marke how he begins; Then Jacob ſaid unto his houſhold, and all that p. 40were with him, Put away the ſtrange gods that are amongſt you, and be cleane, and change your garments, and let us ariſe and goe up to Bethel, &c. And they gave unto Jacob all the ſtrange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their eares, and Jacob hid them under the Oke which was by Sichem. Remember Moſes his danger, for neglecting this method; when hee was to bring Iſrael out of the houſe of bondage, he muſt have no uncircumciſed thing remaine in his owne houſe: ccExod. 4. v. 24, 25, 26.Exod 4:24Exod 4:25Exod 4:26And it came to paſſe by the way in the Inne, the Lord met him, and ſought to kill him; then Zipporah tooke a ſharp ſtone, and cut off the foreskin of her ſonne, and caſt it at his feet, ſo he let him goe. I know the words are read by ſome in another ſenſe, but you may ſafely and profitably gather that leſſon from them, To begin Reformation at home.

2. Order your owne way aright in reference to the publike. I meane, labour to walke and act, not by ddAn paſſim ſequeris corvos, teſt â que luto que ſecurus quo pes ferat? at que ex tempore vivis? Perſ.ſucceſſes and parties, but by rules and principles. How many publike inſtruments among us are like veſſells upon the Thames, that do riſe and fall, goe out and in, according to the ebbings and flowings of the River? O this hath been our great ſinne and miſery! Men have been generally like a herd of cattle in a ſhip at Sea, when the ſtorme doth roll the ſhip to this ſide, the brutiſh herd run all over to the other ſide, thinking thereby to avoyde the toſſe; but their weight ſoone brings backe the Veſſell, and then they flee over to the old ſide again, and ſo the ſhip is overſet, and all are drowned at laſt. Let us maintaine our ground: keep cloſe to our ſtations; and ſtand upright in our places. A man in a skirmiſh, gets a bullet as ſoone by ſtooping, as by ſtanding upright: yea, and perhaps by his crouching, that bullet takes him in the head, which elſe would have hit him but in the arme or ſhoulder. aaPro. 10. v. 9. & 28. v. 18.Prov 10:9Prov 28:18Hee that walketh uprightly, walketh ſurely, and the Lord will be his bbPro. 2. v. 7.Prov 2:7buckler.

2. Publike and generall wayes.II. Concerning right ordering the publike wayes; they are divers. But let me tell you, ye have caſt your way, and your worke generally, very well, and rightly already, ye have your frames and Platforms well drawn forth, (1.) In our ſolemne League and Covenant; an holy, juſt, and good Covenant p. 41it is in it ſelfe, and ſo we took it; how ever wicked men doe turne every ſtone to abaſe it. Beleeve it, that Covenant ſhall breake thoſe that deſigne to breake it; and if any ſhall endeavour to make it as an old Almanacke, they will finde it full of red letters to them. Let us therefore ſhew our ſelves reall Covenanters without racking or lopping. (2.) The conſtant tenour of your Declarations. Oh, would you but frequently reade them over! you know to whom it was ſaid; I beſeech Your Majeſty to reade over your booke. May it pleaſe you, to get all thoſe your ſolemne promiſes and Declarations, to God and man, at leaſt the principall of them, ſuch as that of both Kingdoms, &c. to be bound up together in one book, and make that book, your Vade mecum, your pocket companion, where ever you go. Surely, this might be one effectuall meanes to order the way aright.

4. Neceſſary High-wayes, viz. ofTo binde up all. There are foure publike high-wayes that ſhould be ordered aright.

1. Religion.1. The way of Religion. Till you ſet, and ſettle that, neither God, nor good men, will be your thorow friends. Let that Arke no longer dwell in Tents, without dores; neither let it be lodged within dores, in the bed of Procrustes. The Service-book it ſelfe was firſt intended for Crutches: they ruined themſelves, and it, that at laſt, made it a paire of Stoopes.

2. Juſtice.2. The way of juſtice to Delinquents. Set and ſettle that, ſo far at leaſt, as to ſtop the mouthes of that party, which ſay, yee cannot try them, becauſe yee doe not. There is alſo a way of juſtice to your friends, that are ſunke for the cauſe of God, upon your command, and promiſe of ſupport.

3. Militia.3. The way of Defence. Set and ſettle that, for the for the ſafegard of the throats of all the godly and well affected through the Land, leſt the Enemy regaine all his loſt battels by one nights maſſacre, as Caeſar loſt all his victories in one houre, in the Senate houſe, and our **At, or neere Stonehenge in Wiltz.Britiſh Anceſtours loſt all by the Saxons skeynes or knives, which they had long kept and gotten from them by their ſwords.

4. Mercy.4. The way of Mercy. Set and ſettle that, for your poore, helpleſſe, undone friends, whether undone in eſtates, bodies p. 42or friends. Be mercifull to the poore broken families, and owners of families, of which there are ſo very many now in the Land, that have ſpent the laſt handfull of meale in the barrell, and oyle in the Cruſe, at Gods command and yours, in that publike cauſe. We Miniſters were inſtrumentall in putting them onwards upon thoſe disburſements, I pray give us now leave, to ſpeake a word, though not for their preſent repayment, yet for preſent ſubſiſtence. Be mercifull to poore broken bones: There are many ſuch pieces of maimed men, men walking like trees abroad in the Land, that want neceſſary food to ſuſtaine thoſe remainders of their bodies that are left, though here about the City, bleſſed be God, and bleſſed be your care, they are generally provided for. Be mercifull to poore broken, beheaded, and (as I may ſay) unbowelled families; Oh, how many, many, Widowes and Orphans are there, which know not whoſe to call themſelves, but Gods and yours? The husband is dead, the father is ſlaine in the Kingdomes ſervice, and the poore uncovered family hath bbPſal. 72. v. 12.Ps 72:12no helper. Yea, and many of theſe, which have moſt need, are the moſt ſilent: For the Lords ſake, let your bowels within you roll towards them. Think of ſome way to cc2 Tim. 16, 17, 18.ſeeke them out very diligently, till you finde them. And the Lord grant unto you, that you may find mercy of the Lord in that day.

I have but a few words more to adde. Make it your buſines (Honourable Senators) to follow God fully in this great Cauſe, at this needfull time, and remember that the veſſell which you doe ſteer, doth carry in her more then the eſtates, liberties, lives of three Kingdomes. For the eyes and expectations of all the Chriſtian world are towards you, the Proteſtants hoping, the Papiſts fearing your ſucceſſe; all the precious godly honeſt party in this and the other two Nations have adventured their whole eſtates, lives, poſterities upon you; yea, their Religion and Reformation with you. With you muſt we and ours ſwim or ſink. Tis not now in your power to leave us where you found us, or to land us where we did imbarque; No, no, we muſt thorow, or ſinke in the middeſt; be better or worſe then ever. Ye are ſet up for the finall fall, or totall p. 43riſing of godlineſſe, property, liberties in England; and according to your cloſure, ſo ſhall wee ſay, welcome, or farewell, for ever, to happy or unhappy Parliaments in this Land. If you by Gods bleſſing ſhall faithfully and couragiouſly cary us thorough this ſtorme and voyage, (which I doubt not if ye ſtand faſt to God and your friends) how ſhall all the Saints on earth, all the Angels in Heaven, and all the children unborne bleſſe your perſons and memories? but if thorough wickedneſſe or weakneſſe, you, or any amongſt you ſhall betray or deſtroy this glorious cauſe, (which God forbid) ſurely it had been better for you and us, that we had never beene borne: the ſinne, the ſcandall, the ruine, would bee unpardonable, unanſwerable, intolerable. The name of Religion would be abhord in England; and the name of Engliſh hiſſedat over all the world. There are many grounds of hopes and encouragement for you; remember the good old fervent prayers and martyrdomes which our godly Anceſtors have layd in for this time, ever ſince the dawning of our Reformation: Conſider the volleys of cryes, the bottles, rivers, of teares that have been powred out for you and your cauſe by all the Saints on earth ſince your ſitting, remember the wonders from heaven that your eyes have ſeen. You may, you may, you ſhall, ſave your ſelves, and us, and all, if you will. Oh, why will ye dye? Then ſtand faſt in the name of the Lord, to the great intereſt of godlineſſe, and to that holy and honeſt party, that have caſt their lives, eſtates, poſterities upon you; they are a precious though deſpiſed people, if you ſave them, you ſave your ſelves, if any of you ſhould forſake them, (eſpecially now that the ſhip is neere to a wrack, or an Anchor) ſuch apoſtats may thereby ruine themſelves, but yet that poore deare faithfull remnant have a God, who hath promiſed by a preſident that aaPſal. 27. v. 10.Ps 27:10When Father and Mother (King and Parliament) doe forſake; himſelfe will take them up. And therefore let all complementall formall Orpahs kiſſe, weep, and part, with that good old Cauſe and party, as they will, when it ſhall from a Naomi (pleaſant) be turned by miſery, to a Marah (bitter:) yet muſt every one of us ſtill doe, and ſay, unto it, as Ruth to p. 44Naomi, bbRuth 1. v. 16, 17.Ruth 1:16Ruth 1:17Intreate me not to leave thee or to returne from following thee, after thee; for whither thou goeſt, I will goe, and where thou lodgeſt I will lodge, thy people ſhall be my people, and thy God: my God and cc1 King. 13. v. 31.1 Kgs 13:31when I am dead bury me (O my friends) in the Sepulcher wherein it is buried.

Cum mihi ſupremos Lacheſis perneverit annos,

Non alitèr cineres mando jacere meos.

FINIS.