Job in the West, Sermon (3 of 3)
But I muſt goe yet higher, to other kinds of ſpirituall Scorpions, 3. Ordinances lost.to other Irons that doe enter into the ſoules of Gods people in thoſe parts: What thinke yee, Brethren, of the loſſe of the Arke and Ordinances? 'Tis a ſad death to dye for want of bodily food; but what thinke you of Amos his Famine? not a famine of bread, Amos 8.11.nor a thirſt for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. This ſoule-dearth is come upon them (I beleeve) above all parts of the Land beſides; for they doe, in a moſt literall ſenſe, Verſe 12.wander from ſea to ſea, and from the North even to the Eaſt; they doe run to and fro to ſeeke the word of the Lord, and cannot find it; but are forced to gather ſtubble in ſtead of ſtraw: the multitude of their Teachers were long ſince driven into corners, Iſai. 30.20.where their eyes could not behold them: and of the gleanings that ſtayed behind, ſome are impriſoned and dead, others condemned to dye, (two in Exon) by their Councell of Warre: ſo that there is ſcarce a conſcientious preaching Paſtour to be found in a whole County; onelyonly, perhaps, here and there is left an old complying Prophet of Bethel; 1 K…n. 13. 11, 12, &c.who if hee hath ſome embers of grace in the nether-moſt corner of his heart, yet they doe lye hid under ſo much cold earth and policy, that his Miniſtery is not like to warm a ſoule in many yeares. But, the multitude of their Prieſts, in thoſe parts, are of the vileſt of the people, in all reſpects, and doe ſend out prophaneneſſe over all that Country; and to the ſervants of God they are Wolves and Butchers, rather than Shepherds. But now, oh how beautifull would be the face, yea, the feet of one of the leaſt of their old Miniſters? how ſweet would be the weakeſt of thoſe godly Sermons, which (perhaps) wanton hearers have ſometimes deſpiſed? Have you ever obſerved, Brethren, an halfe-ſtarved beggar, or priſoner, that picketh up a caſt cruſt of bread in the ſtreet, how haſtily, how heartily hee doth eat it down in a corner, without wiping it? Juſt ſo precious is the bread of life, amongſt the halfe-ſtarved ſoules in thoſe Counties; if they can get but a ſtale fragment of ſome old Sermon-notes, a piece, a bit of a Doctrine or of an Uſe, oh! how ſweetly doth it goe down upon the heart? there is honey come into it; for the Enemy doth martyr all the old Sermon-notes that hee can meet withall: and as for new Sermons there are very few; the Sanctuary is deſolate, the Church-doores have been ſhut up in divers places, for many moneths together.
Object. Yea, but (may ſome ſay) there are many Churches ſtill open, and doubtleſſe there is ſome food to be pickt out of thoſe Ordinances, ſuch as they are.
Anſw. I grant it, that there are many ſuch doores open; but, will you know what food thoſe places doe afford? Surely, (1.) the people are fed with poyſon in ſtead of nouriſhment; not only a ſtone, that is, a ſtroke is given them in ſtead of bread, but for fiſh they have a Scorpion, death it ſelfe is in the Pot; I mean, Doctrines of Libertiniſme and Superſtition. (2.) They are fed with ſnares; like that ſnare upon Miſpeh, Hoſ. 5.1.and like that net which was ſpread upon Tabor: Not onelyonly the Lords Table is made a Snare unto them, by Altaring and Worſhipping of the elements, there uſed and enjoyned; but almoſt every other Ordinance is poyſoned, and made a bait unto the Receivers. Shall I inſtance? Firſt then, The ſolemne and extraordinary holy exerciſe of Prayer and Faſting is not onelyonly denyed to the godly in private, Publike Faſting,in their owne families, upon periſt of intolerable ſcoffes, riots, impriſonments; but even publike Humiliation alſo, though it be the Lords marking Ordinance, whereby hee doth marke out his mourners for preſervation in evill times, Goe through the midſt of the City, Ezek 9.4and ſet a marke upon the fore-heads of the men that ſigh and cry for all the abominations that are done in the midſt thereof. Even this cho…ce Ordinance is denyed unto the Saints, and is now utterly put downe, though it were formerly ſet up by his Majeſty himſelfe, with the conſent of his Parliament: The Enemy will not give Gods people leave to weep and mourne for his ſinnes, and for the ſinnes of the Land. Neither are thoſe adverſaries of Re…entance content to over-turne that ſetled courſe of humiliation; …ut, which is yet worſe, they doe imitate Jeroboam, who, when …ee had with-drawn the ten Tribes from the true God, and his …ight Ordinances, did ſet up two Calves in ſtead of the Temple-…orſhip, and new holy-dayes in ſtead of the Lords owne Feaſts: …eroboam ordained a Feaſt in the eight monethmonth, 1 Ki…. 12.28, 29, 31, 32, &c.on the fifteenth lay of the monethmonth, like unto the Feaſt that is in Judah: So theſe …en, in his Majeſties name, have ſet up an Anti-faſt, (as well as an Anti-Parliament, and an Anti-Covenant) and, conſequently, an Anti-God againſt the God of the Round-heads: And all this is made as a Shibo…ch, for the diſcovery and entanglement of the upright in the Land. Thus the very Faſtings of Gods people are turned into a Snare unto them. This cruell Decree is moſt ſeverely executed in the Weſt, Secondly. Hearing of the word preached.As for that onelyonly ordinary ſoule-ſaving Ordinance of Preaching, and other publike Exerciſes of the Congregations, thoſe in the Weſt are made to be as a bait and a traine to conſhiracy and perjury; for the common practice of the Enemy in thoſe parts is this: Upon the Lords day, when there is a full Congregation met together, to ſeeke the publike food of their ſoules, (they being ſtript and plundered of all their outward and bodily comforts) then the Civill, and Military Magiſtrates and Commanders doe uſually ſend their ſevere Warrants and Orders, requiring that firſt the Church-doores bee ſhut up, 4. Horrid Oaths enforced.and ſtrictly guarded by armed Souldiers, (onelyonly the women and children are firſt let goe) then the cruell Officers are ſent in to the people with a new Oath, which is exactly, in all points, contrary to our Covenant, and to that ſolemne Proteſtation which all thoſe poore ſoules have taken already in that place: And here the trembling wretched creatures are put to this miſerable dilemma, or choyce, either to take that perjurious Oath, and ſo to ſweare that they will fight againſt their Religion, Parliament, Lawes and Liberties, to their utmoſt; or elſe, to receive a brace of bullets from that Carbine, or Piſtoll, which is there preſented to their breſts. Brethren, what think you of ſuch a choyce as this? Doe not thoſe men make the place of Gods publike worſhip (which themſelves doe ſeeme ſo much to reverence) to become ſuch another Shambles as Jehu made in the houſe of Baal? you know the Hiſtory: King Jehu, by a ſtratagem, 2 Kin. 10.25.(pretending a great ſacrifice) did draw the Prieſts of Baal into Baals houſe, and having gotten them together, did cauſe them to be there ſacrificed to their god; ſo turning the place of their worſhip into a ſlaughter-houſe. Such another butchering place of ſoules doe theſe men make of their Churches. Or, is not this act of theirs like that of a bloody Italian, of which I have heard? An Italian, ſtudying an high degree of revenge againſt one that had offended him, did reſolve upon this cruell ſtratagem; himſelfe being armed, way-laid his unarmed enemy in a ſolitary place where hee was to paſſe, and riſing againſt him at an advantage, doth put him to this choyce, Either (ſaith hee) doe thou preſently curſe God, and abjure and blaſpheme Jeſus Chriſt, in theſe and theſe words, (high enough you may be ſure) or elſe thou ſhalt dye immediatly by this ſword; withall offering the point thereof unto his breſt: The poore defendant thus helpleſſe, and fearing the face of ſudden death, doth chooſe (wretched creature) the farre worſet part, namely, to blaſpheme his God, and forſweare his Saviour; which hee had no ſooner done, but the witty bloudy aſſaylant doth immediatly thruſt him through, with theſe words, Now will I kill ſoule and body together. Doth not the fore-mentioned act, of the cruell Enemy in the Weſt, come up full to this barbariſme? Is it not a killing of ſoule and body together, when they doe firſt enforce men, for feare of preſent death, to forſwear themſelves, and to abjure their God and Goſpel, and then by vertue of that perjurious Oath doe immediatly require, and carry them away to the warres, where they are cut off in the midſt of that perjury, whilſt they are fighting againſt God and their owne conſciences? And yet ſuch is the terrour of preſent imminent death, (the King of feares) that divers godly perſons, through infirmity, have entangled themſelves, verbally, with that bloudy combination: but, after the taking thereof, ſome of them have been diſtracted with the terrours of their clamorous conſciences; others have loſt their comfort and activity, the very wheeles of their ſoules, and doe lock up themſelves in darkneſſe. Brethren, there are divers Hoſpitals in this City, for ſuch ſouldiers as have been wounded and maimed in theſe warres, where there is proviſion of food, phyſicke, and Chirurgeons, made for their bodies; and doubtleſſe that worke is an act of much equity, prudence, and mercy: But alas, alas! how many Savoys and Bartholomews, I mean, Hoſpitals and Spittles, ſhall wee need for wounded conſciences, and maimed ſoules in the Weſt? Surely, I am perſwaded, that if ever the Lord doth turne our captivity, and brings us backe into thoſe parts, wee ſhall meet with ſpirituall wounds, ulcers, and broken bones, of all ſorts and degrees: there wee ſhall have one crying out, (like hopeleſſe Spiia) I have denyed God before men, and now am I ſure to be denyed of him before his Angels in heaven; the wound of mine Apoſtacy is incurable. Another roaring out becauſe of his perjury, and ſaying, Which ſide ſoever is in the right, I am certainly a forſworne man; becauſe I have taken Oaths that were directly contrary: and therefore, I am marked out, like Cain, with a trembling conſcience: I have ſold Chriſt and his Cauſe, like Judas, for gaine and ſafety; and this my ſin was committed both with knowledge and againſt it: yea, I have ſinned preſumptuouſly; and then the Scripture is cleare in my ſentence, For, if wee ſinne wilfully, Heb. 10.26, 27.after that wee have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more ſacrifice for ſinne, but a certaine fearfull looking for of judgement, and fiery indignation, which ſhall devoure the adverſaries. And, perhaps, a third man, that was once a Profeſſor, Acts and Monuments.but laſt an eminent Actor for the Enemy, will, like that Judge Hales, (if I miſtake not) lay violent hands upon his owne body, and become Executioner to himſelfe, by drowning, burning, or hanging: Yea, ſome cryes and carriages of this kind, have been uttered and acted in thoſe parts already. And they are but according to the deſires of ſome of the Enemies, who are ſaid to have wiſhed, Oh that they could but kill the ſoule of a Round-head! This was the laſt and higheſt of Jobs three kinds of Affliction, namely, the plundering of him in Spirituals. And thus have I done with my Parallels.
And now, if all theſe conſiderations both of Weſterne ſins and ſufferings doe not lie heavie enough upon our hearts, to breake them before the Lord this day; then I have yet one talent of Lead more which I would caſt in; and it may alſo be digged out of my Text, Some eſpeciall unhappineſſes of the Weſt; as ineven out of this laſt clauſe, and cloſe thereof: For the hand of God hath touched me; That is, the Lords ſpeciall, peculiar, immediate afflicting hand was upon him, and againſt him; my meaning is (Brethren) to commend unto you, with reference to thoſe words, this conſideration, namely, that the eſpeciall, immediate, and (me thinkes) extraordinary hand of God is againſt the poor Weſt above other parts and quarters of the kingdome. I know that every Country and perſon is apt by nature to thinke 'its owne burthen to be the heavieſt, but therefore I ſhall ſpread my reaſons and arguments before you, that ſo your ſelves may conſider of it, Iudg. 19.30.take advice, and ſpeake your minds. Mine arguments to prove the ſingularity, and tranſcendency of the Weſterne forrows and ſufferings; and to evince, that the hand of God is eſpecially againſt thoſe Countries, above other parts, ſhall lie in theſe three following Conſiderations:
Firſt, 1. The Riſe of their deſtruction.conſider the riſe and originall of our deſolations. The Weſt is in great part a kind of great promontory, or ſomwhat like a Peninſula; it is a Country partly hugg'd in the armes of the Ocean, upon the North; partly ſleeved up by the narrow ſea, upon the South; ſo that for people and ſcituation, it was like unto that Aegyptian Alexandria, Nahum. 3.8.which is thus deſcribed by Nahum: Art thou better then populous (or nouriſhnig) No, that was ſcituate among the rivers, that had the waters round about it, whoſe rampart was the ſea, and her wall was from the ſea? Our ſhips and Ocean were heretofore accounted (and too much gloried in) as the ſtrength of great Britaine; and we were wont to ſay, that this Iſland had a wall of wood, and a moate of ſeas about her; but the Weſt above other parts might have boaſted of her greateſt ſhare in this defence; for it was a Country by ſcituation (as it were) cut out for ſafety and ſecurity; ſo that I have heard ſome wiſe Eaſterne men ſaying, that they did even envie our Geographicall happineſſe, in the beginning of theſe troubles; and indeed wee had litle cauſe to feare either any commotion from within, all the five Counties ſtanding generally right at firſt; or any invader from without, *Devon & Cornwall.two of theſe five Counties, and a part of the third *Somerſetbeing almoſt cut off from the whole kingdome, and onelyonly a neck of land, litle more then *from Lime to Bridge. water.twenty miles over, doth unite them as a Peninſula to the maine. Hence it was, that many of our people did ſtand ſtudying which way 'twas poſſible for an enemie to come in, and over-run us; yea, and generally we of the Weſt may now take up that of the lamenting Prophet in this point: Lamen. 2.12.All the inhabitants of the world would not have beleeved, that the adverſary and the enemie ſhould have entred into the gates of [our] Ieruſalem. And, to give glory to God, wee muſt all confeſſe, that this ſea-confidence hath been one great ſin of this kingdome: and as the whole land is now ſcourged for it, by a ſword coming out of 'its owne bowels; ſo eſpecially the Weſterne parts, where a litle cloud like a mans hand, ariſing out of that unhappy *Sherborn.caſtle, and meeting with many vaporing exhalations in Cornwall, did in a ſhort time darken our heaven, and anon was poured downe upon all thoſe Counties in a ſhower of blood; in which, the garments of our miſerable Country-men are lamentably rouled to this day; yea, and although wee did continually endeavour with our prayers, perſons, purſes, as with ſo many buckets, to draine and ſtanch our diſtreſſed Counties; yet did the waves ſtill flow in and ariſe from the ancles to the knees, from the knees to the loynes, Ezek. 47.untill they became ſuch a river as could not be paſſed. And thus hath our affliction ariſen as it were out of the duſt, our deſtruction (as the kingdomes) was (ſtrangely) of our ſelves, Iſai. 45.6, 7.and our caſting downe from the midſt of us: and all this is happened unto us, That men may know (ſaith God by his Prophet) from the riſing of the Sunne, and from the Weſt, that there is none beſides me: I am the Lord, and there is none elſe. I forme the light, and create darkeneſſe: I make peace, and create evill: I the Lord doe all theſe things,
Secondly, 2. The progreſſe of it; Loſt labours inconſider the growth and progreſſe of our ruine: Oh the great labours, both in doings and ſufferings, that were laid out by the people of the Weſt! Oh the vaſt treaſures that were by them expended, for the defence of this cauſe and themſelves! and yet, alas, all theſe labours (me thinks) have been (as the Prophet ſpeaketh) but as labouring in the very fire: Hagga… 1.6.all thoſe treaſures have been put into a bag with holes, or a pierced bag; for wee have ſcarcely purchaſed, by all this, ſo much as a generall thorough perſwaſion in the hearts of the well-affected of the Eaſt, that the Weſt hath abundantly done, ſuffered, expended. Let us therefore now looke into this matter more fully; partly for the farther ſatisfaction of ſuch as doe deſire true information; but chiefly for our owne farther humiliation under that heavie hand of God, which hath extraordinarily touched us. 1. Fortifications.Firſt then, ſhall wee looke to our ſtrong and labourious fortifications, and the ſuccesleſneſſe and loſſe of thoſe, that therein wee may read (as our owne activitie, ſo) the Lords diſpleaſure againſt us? Then give me leave ſhortly to view ſome of the works of the five Weſterne Counties: Cornwall.And 1. as for lamentable Cornwall; I muſt ſay of that, at preſent, as ſometimes Jacob of his loſt Ioſeph: Cornwall is not, though even that County was not loſt without ſome hearty ſtruglings of the honeſt party; and therefore I hope to ſee 'its riſing againe, as life from the dead. Devon.2. As for the greateſt of all theſe five Counties, in it one large City, and foure great Townes, all accounted as maritime, were ſtrongly fortified and well defended; but that labour hath proved but a labouring in the fire, all thoſe places being now loſt, except one poor Plymouth onelyonly. 3. In the third County, Somerſet. Briſtoll. Taunton & Bridgwater.(which is the ſecond in extent) there, that greateſt City of the Weſt, with other her two daughters, which are p…tty Cities alſo, were with great ſummes of money made garriſons; but every of them ſince that time, (as well mother as daughters) have been taken, ſack't, undone; though the Lord hath given us back the ſhell, the neſt, I meane the dwelling houſes or buildings of *Taunton. Dorſet. Poole. Wareham. Dorcheſter Weymouth, Lyme.one of thoſe Townes againe; but alas the kernell, the birds, the ſubſtance are gone and flowen. 4. In the fourth County, (to proceed Geographically) five Townes neere the ſeacoaſts were made defenſible and garriſon'd; I might call them the Parliamentary Cinque ports of Dorſet: but of theſe the greater number and the ſtronger have alſo been taken by the enemie, though God hath given them to us againe. 5. And finally, Marleberough.as for the laſt of thoſe Counties, 'its beſt defended, and the moſt fighting towne, is now made a principall quarter of the Enemie: So much concerning fortifications. Or ſecondly, ſhall we ſpeake of faithfull and valiant endeavours of ſelf-defence, for the Parliamentary cauſe, 2. Valiant ſelfe-defence, in ſuſtaining of ſieges. Exon.by ſuſtaining of long ſieges? even herein the Weſt may compare (if compariſons be not odious) with moſt Cities, Townes, Caſtles, or houſes in the land. Take an inſtance in every of thoſe three: 1. Amongſt City-ſieges, remember that of Exon, which for the ſpace of about fifteen weeks together, did faithfully conflict and ſtruggle with a double diſeaſe: partly with a ſtrong, crafty, peſtilentiall enemie, encompaſſing her without; and partly with a Malignant putrid fever in her owne blood within; and all this in the loweſt and moſt hopeleſſe juncture of time, that ever this Parliament did ſee, or I hope ſhall ſee, untill our perfect deliverance: Deut. 22.26, 27.and therefore that City, though it be now raviſhed by ſtrangers, may truely be ſaid to have kept her virgin-honour and *Fidelis in aternum.motto ſtill, becauſe ſhee cryed out for help, though no man came to her reſcue. Amongſt Towne-ſieges, I might ſay much concerning the ſtoutneſſe and longanimity, of Poole and Dartmouth, and perhaps of ſome other places; but becauſe I have promiſed but one inſtance in this particular, let our Chronicle of theſe times bid poſterity to give the Crowne of perſeverance to conſtant Plymouth; Plimouth.whoſe ſiege may beare almoſt the ſame (that is as long a) date as the preſent wars. It is now about two yeares ſince (as I remember) that the habituall Leaguer, or, rather, Plantation of the enemie before that towne did begin: and although there have been ſome intermiſſions, yet I doe queſtion, whether thoſe (as the Lord diſpoſed them) have made more for the greater reliefe or diſtreſſe of that place: And in all this time, both flatteries, treacheries, and violence of all kinds were uſed; yea, and the preſence of abuſed Majeſty it ſelfe, was brought to prove and crowne the wiſedome, ſincerity, courage of that Garriſon. Finally, amongſt Caſtle-Sieges, Warder Caſtle.that of Warder in Wilts will be famous to poſterity, both for paſſive and active valour, to the utmoſt. So much concerning length of Sieges.
But once more, Marleborough.if you look to hot ſervice and fiery ſtormings (as they call them) then take but two inſtances: Firſt, in the tempeſt at Marleborough, that was admirably ſuſtained, untill the defendants were over-power'd with lead, fire, and numbers. But chiefly in that great wonder of little Lyme in Dorſet, Lime.which having in it but eleven hundred Souldiers, did not onelyonly ſuſtaine, but ſhamefully repulſed a Leaguer of no leſſe then (by their owne confeſſion) ſixe thouſand Enemies; whoſe Demi-cannon, and other Ordnance played unceflantly upon their weake and thin line, for full 8. weeks together; whilſt the Souldiery in the Towne, having digged pits, (or graves rather) for themſelves, under their line, in the earth, to ſhelter themſelves from the Ordnance, did there eate, and drinke, and lodge, and dwell in mire and clay to the end of that ſiege; So that not onelyonly their owne judicious, The Lord Admirall. Maurice.and noble friend, (beholding that line of theirs after the ſiege) is ſaid to have profeſſed, that he never ſaw ſuch paper-works defen…ed by men; but even the repulſed Prince their enemie is ſaid to have acknowledged, that, had not the defendants been rebelis (as he miſcalled them) every man of them did deſerve to have Command. Many more particulars, with their inſtances, might be added, to ſhew the extraordinary endeavours of the Weſt to preſerve it ſelfe for King and Parliament. But that which ought to breake our hearts in all that hath been ſaid, is to conſider, that, notwithſtanding all this labour, charge, courage, heartines, wee have ſpent our ſtrength in vaine and for nought. Our fore did ſtill run, and ceaſed not, untill wee were become (as at this day) the moſt miſerable parts of the Kingdome; ſo that the Weſt muſt neceſſarily and ſpecially cry out, The hand of God hath touched me. This was the ſecond Conſideration.
3. The continuance of the Weſterne deſolations.Laſtly, let us conſider the continuance and ſettlement of our miſeries to this day, 2 Sam. 1.and that, for all this, the Lords wrath is not turned away, but his hand is ſtr…tched out ſtill. Is not the Weſt at preſent, nay, hath it not been for a long ſeaſon, as the Mountaines of Gilboa, in compariſon to other places? that is, the Country upon which eſpecially neither dew of comforts, not raine of ſuccour doth deſcend? Are not we alone as a people born out of due time? the utmoſt Eaſtern parts of the Kingdome have not at all ſeene and felt the preſent war: the No…th hath felt it indeed, but is in a manner now quite delivered: and as for the middle parts of the Land, though the ſhower be not as yet wholly blowne over; yet there is many a ſtrong wind that is driving away the clouds, many a bucket that is laving off the waters from them; I meane, there are many potent armies fighting valiantly in thoſe Counties for their relief, onelyonly the poor Weſt that was the [primū moriens,] one of the firſt in this death, is like to be the [ultimum vivens] the very laſt in the reſurrection, whenſoever theſe troubles ſhall have an end, it being to this day fartheſt from the fountains of help, viz. London, and the North; and neereſt to the fountains of harme, viz. Ireland and France. I doe not quarrell with inſtruments, but ſhall leave them all to the Father of Spirits, and the Searcher of hearts; onelyonly my deſire is to affect mine owne heart and yours with the conſideration of that hand of God that doth eſpecially touch us; and in that ſence I ſhall goe on to ſhew you this branch of Weſterne unhappineſs in theſe three caſes: The laſt Branch of of the Weſterne unhappineſſes, farther aggravated is 3. Caſes. 1. Caſe. Iudg. 18.28.Firſt, in caſe of petitioning and begging help and reliefe for our Country. Me thinks, the Lords providence hath ſtill way-laid us, and as it were hedged up our waies with thornes; God hath ſo ordered the frame of publike affaires, that little water (as they ſay) hath bin ſpared to our mill: ſome cauſe of this unhappineſs may (perchance) bee the diſtant ſcituation of our Country from theſe parts, and ſo it is like unto that Laiſh, of which 'tis ſaid, And there was no deliverer, becauſe it was farre from Sidon, and they had no buſineſſe with any man. So the Weſt perhaps hath ſeene the fewer deliverers, becauſe it is farre from London, and hath now little buſineſſe with the children of the Eaſt: It is neceſſary (I confeſſe) that the parts neereſt the heart be firſt preſerved, and it is ordinary (I find) for thoſe poor people to be ſerved laſt, which are fartheſt off from the doore. Another cauſe of this our unhappineſs may be the more importunate interpoſition of other ſuitors, that, like Jacob, doe get away the bleſſing from us, whilſt we are hunting for veniſon to procure it by; and ſo we and our Country are like that lame man in the Goſpel, that lay neer the pool of Betheſda, expecting a good time for healing, who thus complaineth to our Saviour, Sir, Iohn 5.7.I have no man when the water is troubled to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another ſteppeth down before me. The text needeth no application; this is the firſt Caſe. But ſecondly, in caſe of obtaining, 2. Caſe.and procuring the help which was petitioned for, I meane when armies and treaſures, have been procured, and ſent for our reliefe; yet, even then, the Lord hath eſpecially blowne upon them and us; ſometimes by turning, and over-turning our Counſels, ſometimes by fruſtrating our active endeavours: I will inſtance but in one moſt remarkable diſappointment. You have not forgotten the time when his Excellencies army was ſent for reliefe of the Weſt: we might have ſaid of that army untill that time, as much as David in his Funerall Elegy ſaith of valiant Saul and Ionathan, 1 Sam. 1.22.From the bloud of the ſlains, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not backe, and the ſword of Saul returned not empty: To this both Keinton and Newbury, the firſt and ſecond time, and all other Eaſterne, Northerne, and Southerne fields can witneſs: but when once this ever before-victorious army marched into the Weſt, then behold (as if the fate of that unproſperous Country had wrought upon them) the Scene is changed, and we might alſo change our note, Ve…ſe …7.as David doth afterward in that ſame Song, How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of warre periſhed? That Virgin Army (as it was well called) had never its nakedneſſe uncovered, in any other Field or County, but onelyonly in the moſt Weſterne Cornewall. 3. Caſe.This is the ſecond Caſe. But thirdly, once more, in caſe of accepting and (for a time) enjoying the help obtained and procured, yet the Weſt hath been the more unhappy: My meaning, in plaine Engliſh, is this; When ſome Armies, Brigades, and Parties have been ſent down for our reliefe and reſtauration, they have rather proved (by accident, and in event) an occaſion of our Countries greater miſeries and bondage; for, upon their coming into thoſe parts with help, and promiſes of continuance, the wel-affected have the more freely engaged themſelves; that is, ſome men that had before walked ſo prudently (yet honeſtly) that the Enemy had no great advantage upon them, did actively diſcover themſelves: others, that had laine hid in woods and pits, or were fled to the next Gariſons, came forth, and brought out with them all their treaſure and proviſion, which they had hidden from the Midianites; and all theſe (you may ſuppoſe) doe now take the Covenant, doe draw in their friends to their Party, and, in a word, doe imbarque both their perſons and whole remainder in the preſent Bottome: But loe, upon a ſudden, (to follow the Metaphor) either the Veſſell is ſplit, and ſo they are wrackt; or the wind is turned, and ſo the Barque drives away; leaving them (as that wandring Aeneas left his Dido) to diſpaire, cry out, and periſh. Even thus have many of our intended helpers proved unto the wel-affected of the Weſt but as an Egyptian reed, but as a piece of new cloth ſet upon an old garment, whereby the rent hath been made worſe; or, (to ſpeake but this once, though I can hardly ſpeake ſufficiently in this point) but as Gaal the ſonne of Ebed proved unto the men of Shechem: Let us looke ſadly upon that Example; It is ſaid, Judg. 9.26, 27.And the men of Shechem put their confidence in him: And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, and made merry, — and curſed Abimelech. Why? what might be the cauſe of this great confidence and merriment? Surely, Gaals boaſting, and his promiſe of protection to them. Verſ. 28, 29, 40, 41, 44, 45.And Gaal the ſonne of Ebed ſaid, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that wee ſhould ſerve him? — And would to God this people were under my hand; then would I remove Abimelech. But what is the event both of his big words and their great hopes? It is this in ſhort: firſt, Gaal is worſted, and ſo leaveth them; then cometh Abimelech with his Army, and fights againſt the City, and takes it, and flayeth the people that were therein, and beateth down the City, and ſoweth it with ſalt, &c. Wee have divers ſuch Shechems in the Weſt; as thou forward Barneſtaple art one witneſſe: And though Taunton be lately relieved, (bleſſed bee God, and all that had a hand in that worke;) yet, even ſince that relieving, my native Chard is another ſad witneſſe of this truth.
Object. But ſome may object; Such miſeries as theſe are the inſeparable, unavoydable accidents of warre.
Anſw. Yet give mee leave, even in thoſe accidents, that is, acts of extraordinary providence, ſtill to obſerve how the Lords eſpeciall hand doth touch the Weſt: And ſuffer mee to ſay with ſorrow, that few other parts of the land have had ſo great a ſhare in this kind of unhappy accidents, a… thoſe five Counties towards the ſetting of the Sun.The laſt additionall aggravation of eſpeciall Weſtern unhappineſſes, Loſſe of Pillars. Iſat. 3.1, 2, 3.
Before I conclude this ſad Point, concerning the ſingular unhappineſſe of the Weſterne parts, give mee leave to mind you but of one aggravation more; namely, That the hand of God hath been very heavie upon many of our excellent Weſterne Leaders: Hee hath pluckt away divers of our Supporters from us, and hath ſmitten ſome of our Shepherds. Brethren, you know that dreadfull commination againſt the Jewes, wherein the Lord threatned to take away from Jeruſalem the mighty man, and the man of warre; the Judge, and the Prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient; the Captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the Counſellor, and the cunning Artificer, and the eloquent Orator. I know not the loſſes of other parts of the Land; ſure I am that the Weſt hath been a deep loſer in all theſe kinds. What City, what Town, nay, what Pariſh (almoſt) of eminency is there in thoſe parts, in which there is not ſome one or more uſe full man dead? Some ſuch perſons have been ſhine by the ſword; others have died of the diſeaſes of the Armies; and a third ſort have had their hearts broken by the Oppreſſors. Many other men are better acquainted with divers of the Weſterne Townes than my ſelfe; and yet, even out of my little knowledge, I could reckon up ſome very eminent ones, which the Lord hath taken away from every of the five Weſtern Counties but aDorſet, — C…neri gloria ſera venu.one, ſince this Parliament did begin. Why ſhould wee deny honour to the dead? Why ſhould wee neglect a powerfull meanes of humbling our owne hearts? Firſt, give mee leave to remember you of our loſſes of Parliamentary State-pillars: 1. In Parliament,What a precious paire (to begin at home) of excellent inſtruments hath Devon loſt? Surely, the bJo. Upton Eſquire.one of them was no leſſe than [the ſtay and the ſtaffe] of that County: and the cTho. Wiſe Eſquire.other might juſtly be called, The prudent man; though in yeares hee was not the ancient: and both were taken away, by a kind of dThe ſmall Pox.imperillous diſeaſe, in our times of greateſt need. Next, what thinke you of the loſſe of that eSir Fran. Popham, Knight.greateſt, and moſt cordiall Knight of Somerſet? was not hee by an eminency [the ancient and the honourable?] And to him adde fSir Peter Wroth, Knight.another honeſt worthy Knight that ſerved for the ſame County, who was likewiſe called away in the midſt of the worke: Theſe two were (I take it) the onelyonly paire of right Parliamentary Knights of that County. Alſo in Wilts wee may reckon gSir Henry Ludlow, Knight.another precious and worthy Knight, which the Lord hath ſnatched away from his Country. Nay, laſtly, even Cornwall it ſelfe may complaine, that of her little handfull of good members, which doe hold faſt to this Cauſe, ſhee hath loſt a principall hSir Rich. Buller, Knt.finger: All theſe were Parliamentary Supporters of the Weſt. And wee doe all know, that when the owner of an houſe doth pull away the poſts and pillars thereof, it is a ſigne that hee doth intend either to build it better, or to demoliſh it.
2. In the Aſſembly.But this is not all; wee have had a deplorable loſſe in Prophets too: Three of the five Weſterne Counties had but five of their Miniſters ſitting in the Aſſembly of Divines; and …, aMr Henry Painter, of Exon. Mr Peal, of Dorſet.two of thoſe five hath the Lord taken away from us in theſe parts: even a paire of workemen that were ſome of the charets and horſemen of the Weſt; both of them were eminent for piety and abilities: But give mee leave to mourne eſpecially over that bMr Painter, B.D.eldeſt pillar of fire, which did for ſo many years ſupport and enlighten the true Religion in the Weſt: give mee leave to call him [the mighty man and the Counſellor;] that is, the Champion, and the Oracle, of perſecuted Miniſters, and people in thoſe parts; yea, the hammer of Schiſmaticks, and the ſalt of the moſt Weſtern City; which did not onelyonly preſerve it (in great part) from the putrefaction of Prophaneſſe, but from the rawneſſe of Novelties. In a word, hee was ſo publike a good, that for him that whole City hath cauſe to weare blacks. Thus the Lord hath taken away from us the Prophets. And now (to fill up our ſorrowes) I could tell you, finally, of the loſſe of [the man of warre, and the Captaine of fifty;] that is, of ſome conſiderable Martiall pillars: 3. In the Armies, Col. Wil. Gould. Lievt. Col. Martin.I could inſtance, upon knowledge, in that precious piece of activity, upon whoſe good name biting Envie may breake her teeth, but ſhee ſhall never be able to devoure it. And in that other pious Commander in the ſame Town, who having defended his Charge to the utmoſt, yet afterwards died with griefe, becauſe hee could doe no more. But I forbeare to draw forth this threed any farther, becauſe the clue is growne ſo big already. Thus have I done with the Cauſes for which wee ought really to pity our Weſtern Brethren, with all thoſe excitations and incentives to compaſſion, which that Generall did afford us.Secondly, Means and inſtructions to direct us in the duty of pitie, viz. 1. In generall, from the example of Iobs 3. friends. In their viſit, note,
Secondly, we come now to the meanes, by which we may pitie the Weſt to purpoſe: And this Generall (as I promiſed) muſt yeeld us ſome inſtructions and directions in that brotherly, Chriſtian duty. Theſe inſtructions may be of two ſorts: 1. Some more generall, and borrowed from the example of the friends of Iob, mentioned in this hiſtorie. 2. Others more particular, and as it were independent, taken onelyonly from the ſubjects, or inſtruments of our compaſſion.
Firſt in generall: as we have already found in this book of Iob, a paterne, and parallel of miſerie; ſo may wee fetch out from thence a Copie of compaſſion, even from the pitie of Iobs three friends; it is deſcribed Chap. 2. in three Verſes, viz. Verſe 11, 12, 13. They doe containe the viſit of Iobs friends: in which we may obſerve, 1. The occaſion. 2. The ground 3. The end, and intendment of their coming.
The occaſion of their viſit, 1. The occaſion. Verſe 11.was the report of all the evill that was come upon Iob: Now when Iobs three friends heard of all the evill that was come upon him, then they came: This may hint unto us the duty of enquiring, and liſtning after our diſtreſſed friends and Country, which ſhall be the firſt branch of reall pitie.
The ground of this viſit was a mutuall agreement, 2. The ground.or a voluntarie compact made between them; for they had made an appointment together to come, &c. This doth intimate unto us, the duty of aſſembling, and conſulting together, for the good of our afflicted brethren, which will be the ſecond branch of friendly pitie.
The end, 3. The end, hence.and intendment of their viſit, is expreſſed to be twofold:
1. To communicate with him in his ſorrows; to mourne with him.
2. To communicate to him their comforts; and to comfort him. Then their ſolemne mourning is expreſſed through the next verſe, v. 12. and the cauſe thereof. ult. But theſe laſt two verſes, I ſhall not touch upon: onelyonly let us run thorow the former three branches of reall compaſſion.
The firſt branch of reall pity, 1. Duty, Enquiry, &c. Iob. 2.11.is to hearken out, and make enquiry after our diſtreſſed brethren. Thus Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, were induced to pitie Iob, by the hearing of their eares: When they heard of all this evill that was come upon him, then they came every one from his owne place, &c. Marke, the very hear-ſay, or report of the afflictions of friends ought both to take our eares, and to move our hearts. But, alas for the Adder-like deafeneſſe of multitudes now amongſt us, that will not heare in that eare (as we ſay) for feare leſt their hearts, and then their purſes ſhould be pickt open; for they doe interpret every ſad relation, to be the preface to a petition: Yea, many men are (like the people neer the falls of Nylus) growne deafe by the continuall noiſe of dolefull reports: Surely the Lord will boare ſuch eares at laſt. Others there are, which doe account it a cheaper and a wiſer way, not to beleeve any ſad reports at all but generally to cry them downe, as falſe and uncertaine pamphlets, rather then to be at the paine of letting them into their hearts; and theſe are like churliſh Nabal, which did chooſe rather to call David a run-away, and to ſuſpect the truth of his meſſengers, then to be at the charge of rewarding and relieving them. The ſword may one day find out theſe men alſo.
But chiefly wee muſt obſerve from this duty of enquiry, that wee ought to have our eares open to receive, yea, our mouthes open to enquire after all the evill that doth come upon our friends. Good Nehemiah did not only hearken what tidings from Ieruſalem, but (ſo great a Courtier as he was) he made enquiry after newes: Nehem. 1.1, 2.And I asked them concerning the Jewes that had eſcaped, which were left of the captivitie, &c. It ſeemes he was both earneſt and buſy, in his interrogatories; for ſo you may read the words; I asked concerning the Jewes, concerning the remnant, concerning Jeruſalem: Here is queſtion upon queſtion, and another upon that againe, concerning, concerning, concerning; juſt as your vehement inquiſitors uſe to doe; yea, he doth enquire after every particular too, as the Jewes, the remnant, Jeruſalem: Let this example ſhame the faces of all ſuch Epicures, as cannot liſten after the condition of their ſuffering fellow-members: Surely themſelves are but as the belly in the publike body, Venter auribus caret.of which wee ſay, that it hath no eares; and I ſhall leave with them that juſt proverb of the holy Ghoſt: Prov. 21.13.Who ſo ſtoppeth his eares at the cry of the poor, he alſo ſhall cry himſelfe, but ſhall not be heard. But as for us, (my brethren) let us be like unto pious old Ely, who, although he had loſt his eyes, yet doth uſe his eares to the utmoſt, in liſtning after the condition of the Arke, and Iſrael in the field: Ely ſate upon a ſeat by the way ſide, watching: 1 Sam. 4.14, 15.Yet it is added; his eyes were dimme, that he could not ſee. A ſtrange watchman that had no eyes; but it ſeems that he did watch with his eares, to heare what newes from the armies; ſo let us even pant with trembling hearts after the publike occurrences: And here I cannot but complaine, and grieve, to conſider how much the ſtream of perfect and true intelligence (that ſhould be to our dayly prayers, as water to the mill) is continually obſtructed, defiled, and broken in this great City, by manifold printed malignities, falſities, and miſtakes. This was the firſt branch of the reall pitie, from the example of Iobs three friends.2. Duty, aſſembling, &c.
The Second, was to aſſemble and conſult together, for the good of our afflicted brethren: Thus Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, did make a mutuall appointment together to come, &c. Learne wee hence, the neceſſary leſſon of voluntary meetings, for the benefit of our diſtreſſed abſent brethren and Country.
Jobs friends were neither conſtrained nor called together, but their act was both free and unanimous. Let all our unſociable, untuneable Weſterne exiles, conſider this patterne; even all thoſe that are backward to friendly conſultations and deliberations for the good of their native Country; but too forward to cenſure and prejudicate all ſuch as doe promote them: Surely, there were not more excuſes made by thoſe ungratefull gueſts, Luke 14.18, 19, 20.which were invited to that Goſpel marriage feaſt, then may be heard from ſome of us, when we are invited to meet together for the publike good: the purchaſe, the oxen, the wife, pride, profit, and pleaſure, doe all bring in their ſeverall put-offs; One man will tell you before-hand, that the meeting will be to no purpoſe: Who made him a Prophet? but if thou art ſure of that (O diviner,) then thou oughteſt the rather to come thither, or at leaſt to appoint ſome other place, thereby to make up an effectuall meeting. Another man takes exception, becauſe ſuch a one did appoint the conſultation: But why hadſt not thou prevented him? Beſides, I thinke it is lawfull for any man to beſtow his paines freely towards the dreſſing of a common field. A third man objecteth (pettiſhly) that he never heard of the meeting before, neither hath hee as yet been told the buſines. Why, who was bound to be the beadle to give you notice? who is paid for that ſervice? Me thinks thou might'ſt rather account it a mercy from God, and a courteſie from man, that thou doeſt by any meanes heare of any opportunity of doing good at any time; nay, (as I conceive) thy ſelfe art bound to aske and inquire, after ſuch occaſions of ſerving thy Country; and me thinks there is Scripture for it, Whatſoever thy hand findeth to doe, Eccleſ. 9.10.doe it with thy might. Doth not [finding] imply and ſuppoſe a [ſeeking?] nay, is not the promiſe of finding made to ſeeking; Mat. 7.7.Seeke and yee ſhall find? A fourth perſon will not come together with others by appointment, becauſe (forſooth) ſuch a man will be there whom he hateth (perhaps as Ahab hated Micaiah,) for his round dealing. A rod, a rod; have we not yet done with this old peeviſh Weſterne humour? cannot all our Countries miſeries, and our owne hitherto, nip this rankeneſſe of ſpirit? Will we needs have another whipping with ſcorpions for this ſin? Well, marke the iſſue, the Lord hath not as yet ſpent all his plagues upon us, but we ſhall find that if he loves us, he will not leave us, before he hath bowed or broken our pettiſh ſtomacks. Finally, the laſt ſort of men, they cannot come, becauſe of other private gainfull buſineſſes of their owne, or perchance ſome hollow viſit for pleaſure: To this I anſwer, Ionah 4.6, 7, 8.Have we yet ſome Jonah's gourds left us, to ſhelter and delight our ſelves under them after our former wrack for thoſe ſelfe ſame ſins? Take heed, leſt the Lord doth provide a worme in the heat of the day, to ſmite thoſe gourds alſo untill they are withered, and, after the worme, ſome vehement blaſt to beat upon our heads till we faint againe. In a word, let me ſpeak to all ſuch Exiles in generall, in the language of Mordecai to his kinſwoman Queen Heſter, Heſt. 4.14.If ye altogether neglect this duty at this time,—then ſhall there enlargement and deliverance ariſe to the Weſt from ſome other meanes, but yee and your fathers houſes may be deſtroyed; and who knowes whether we are come to this City for ſuch a time as this?
But as for you, my dearly beloved, who are willing to doe, to ſuffer, or to bee, any thing, or any where, ſo as the Weſt may live againe; to you I would recommend, as a Legacy, that golden portion of the author to the Hebrews: Let us conſider, Heb. 10.24.that is, with much prudence: One another, that is, the diſpoſitions, gifts, experience, vertues, and faults of one another: To provoke unto love, and to good works; that is, ſtriving who ſhall be firſt, and moſt in doing, and receiving of good: Verſe 25.Not forſaking the aſſembling of our ſelves together; that is, both by Church-aſſemblies, and Chriſtian meetings, for the ſpirituall and civill good of our Country, our ſelves, others, ſoules, bodies: As the manner of ſome is: that is, of Schiſmaticks, Apoſtats, Cynicks: But exhorting one another, (by word and example) and ſo much the more, as yee ſee the day approaching: that is, the day of generall and particular judgement, the day of publike and ſpeciall tryall; and theſe dayes we ought to look unto, as at the doore, at all times, but eſpecially then, when the plague is begun, 3. Duty, Communication of good and evill.when one foot of it is over the threſhold. This was the ſecond branch of the reall pitie of Iobs friends: viz. their appointed meeting together to viſit him.
The third branch of their friendly viſit, is contained in the End thereof, and that is expreſſed in the Text (as I ſaid) to be two-fold:
1. To communicate with him in his ſorrows, To mourn with him.
2. To communicate to him their comforts, And to comfort him.
But theſe two, for brevities ſake, we will twiſt together: they are indeed the both hands of reall friendſhip; the one is the giving hand, with which we doe freely ſtrip our ſelves of any of our comforts, reaching them forth to our diſtreſſed friends; this is commanded by the Apoſtle when he ſaith, Diſtributing to the neceſſity of the Saints: Rom. 12.13.The other is the receiving hand, with which we doe take off their burthens, laying them upon our own ſhoulders; and this alſo is enjoyned by the ſame Apoſtle, when he commandeth, Beare ye one anothers burthens, Gal. 6.2.and ſo fulfill ye the law of Chriſt. It is one great commandement, or law of Chriſt, that wee love one another: It is another, that wee doe to others, as wee would they ſhould doe to us. Iohn 1….34. Luke 6.31.Both theſe lawes doe bind us to both thoſe duties of communicating: And indeed, as the lawes, ſo the example of Chriſt doth enforce the ſame thing; for with one hand he doth reach forth unto his Saints both his merit, and Spirit; and with the other hand he doth beare our iniquities, and takes upon him our infirmities. Let us therefore make him our Lord and patterne, in labouring to doe the offices of Chriſtian friends to our diſtreſſed Country-men with both hands; not contenting our ſelves onelyonly with ſtripping our ſelves of our owne comfort, and to give it unto them, 1 Sam. 18.4as Ionathan (in token of friendſhip) ſtript himſelfe of the robe that was upon him, and gave it unto David, and his garments, even to his ſword, and to his bow, and to his girdle; but let us alſo make the ſorrowes, and ſufferings of our afflicted brethren, to be our owne. But of this kind of compaſſion, I have ſpoken ſomewhat already in my excitations: The reſt that remaineth I ſhall bind up together and threſh out in the
2. … particular,Second Generall which I promiſed, was called the more particular means of reall pitie; & it may be amplified by the ſpeciall members and weapons, by which our compaſſions are acted and expreſſed. In few words then, would we perform the duty of friendly pitie in deed and in truth? Then we muſt do it, Corde, Ore, Opere; with our hearts, with our mouthes, with our hands or actions.
Firſt, Firſt, Corde.with our hearts: The heart is the fountaine of all reaſonable living motions; and if any actions have not their riſe from thence, they are artificiall, or but brutiſhly naturall: labour wee therefore to engrave a map of our miſerable Country upon our hearts. Queen Mary is reported to have ſaid after the loſſe of Callice to the French, that whoſoever ſhould rip up her dead body, might find Callice in her heart; Her reaſon was, becauſe that laſt footing of England in France was loſt under her raigne and government. Brethren, our native Counties have been loſt in our time, and partly alſo by our ſins: Oh let us therfore carry the Weſt continually in our hearts. Queſt. What, carry it in our hearts you will ſay? What is that? How may it be done? Anſw. I meane, Anſw. let us carry in our thoughts and affections all thoſe Cards of the five Weſterne Counties, which I have drawne before your eyes already: but, becauſe that draught is ſomewhat imperfect, I would onelyonly adde unto it two or three termes of art in this place; they may be borrowed from Paul, in a verſe of his to the Epheſians: where, labouring to expreſſe the great love of God in Chriſt, Epheſ. 3.18.he giveth it ſeverall dimenſions, that ye may be able to comprehend with all Saints, what is the breadth, depth, & height of that love. There is the whole trina dimenſio, (as they call it) all the three dimenſions of miſery to be obſerved in the preſent maps of the Weſt: As namely, the [latitude] the [longitude] yea [the profundity] of their ſufferings.
Firſt, would you know [the breadth] of our Weſtern miſeries? Surely, 1. Latitude of the miſeries of the Weſt. Camden. Speed.they are as broad as a tract of land containing from Eaſt to Weſt (as our Geographers doe meaſure the five Counties) above two hundred miles; and from North to South generally the whole continent betwixt the Northerne and Southerne ſeas: In which tract there are commonly accounted five Cities, Market-Tomnes one hundred thirty and one; diverſe of which may compare with ſome of your Eaſterne, and Northerne Cities: Of Pariſhes, one thouſand foure hundred nintey, and thoſe alſo not (as in ſome other Counties) narrow and thin, but generally very ſpatious, very populous. In ſhort, the Weſterne tract that is now ſo miſerable, doth containe that whole kingdome of the Weſt Saxons, ( *Berks. Hamps.two Counties only excepted) which of old (like Moſes his rod) did devour all the other ſix kingdoms of that Heptarchy; and I have cauſe to thinke, that at this day, could there be but a competent number of helpfull forces afforded unto that Country, (like a bucket of water that is poured into a drie pump to ſet it going) it would not onelyonly be able to defend it ſelfe, but might ſend forth many comfortable ſtreams towards the refreſhment of other parts of the kingdome. Sure I am by experience, that when the ill-affected of but one of thoſe five Counties had over-flowne the Weſtern banks, which for a long time did beate back their ſtreams, they did in a ſhort ſpace turne the tide thorrow the whole kingdome. This is a touch concerning the latitude, or breadth of the Weſtern miſeries.
2. The Longitude.Secondly, would you know what is the longitude, or length of this map of miſerie? that is, how long time thoſe parts have bin over-flowne? Surely, I muſt anſwer, that the calamities of the kingdome, and of the Weſt, doe beare the ſame date; even from Auguſt in the yeare 1642. unto this preſent, hath the fire of warre been blown up and down in thoſe Counties; and ever ſince about July in the yeare 1643. when the Weſt received her deaths wound at the Devizes, hath the enemie been maſter of the field in that little kingdome: only I confeſſe ſome blood did run to the heart in Exon after that blow, and it was cheriſhed to the utmoſt by that poor beleagured Citie; there being (I beleeve) ſcarcely an hired ſouldier behind of his pay ſo much as for one week, to the laſt day. Alſo there was a ſhort ſeeming reviving in the field, but it proved but as a draught of cold water to a man in a fever, which did increaſe the after-fit: So that generally ever ſince that laſt blow, and at this preſent, the ſtate of the Weſt hath been, and is, after this manner: Note this preſent ſtate of the Weſt.Firſt in Cornwall, which is a tract of land in length 60. miles, in breadth 40. containing 23. market-townes, and pariſhes 161. there is not left us one yard of ground, wheron a known parliamentary friend can ſet his foot. In Devon, which is a tract of land in length 54. miles, in breadth 55. containing 40. markettownes, and pariſhes 394. onelyonly one poor ſingle Plymouh is left us, which ſtandeth like a kid amidſt a wilderneſſe full of wolves; for the whole Country beyond it Weſtward to the lands-end, being above 50. miles, and the Country upon this ſide of it Eaſtward, being full as many, is wholly poſſeſſed by the enemy; the conſtant Town ſtanding alone, Hoſea 4.16.amidſt them all, as a lambe in a large place. In Somerſet, which is a tract of land in length 55. miles, in breadth 40. miles, containing 29. Market-Townes, and Pariſhes 385. there is left but one poore ſingle Taunton, that ſtandeth like the burning buſh amidſt a Country full of firie flaming ſwords. In Wilts, a tract of land in length 39. miles, in breadth 29. containing 21. Market Towns, and Pariſhes 304. there remaineth, eſcaped out of the common wrack, one only Malmeſbury (as I conceive.) Finally, Dorſet, which is a tract of land in length 44. miles, in breadth 24. containing 18. Market-Townes, and Pariſhes 248. hath in it the moſt remainders of all the five Counties, and in it there are foure Maritime Townes under the power and obedience of King and Parliament. The totall in ſhort is this, that ſeven Townes are yet left us in five Counties, of which, foure are ſcituate in one County, and the other three in foure Counties more. This is the longitude, or the length of Weſterne miſeries.
3. The profundity.Would we know the profundity or depth of our afflictions? Do but remember what hath been ſaid already; doe but ſeriouſly call to mind all the forementioned methods of miſery, as plundring of temporalls by cruell ſtrangers, and unnaturall neighbours, both Caldeans and Sabeans by ſword and fire; then the corporall ſmitings, in liberties, livelihoods, lives, by ſlavery, enforcements, or preſſings, impriſonments, deaths; and laſtly, ſpirituall tortures, by the loſſe, the corrupting and poiſoning of ordinances, as faſting and the Miniſtery of the word, by inforcing of perjury, and ſo murthering both ſoule and body together, &c. And this very recapitulation will ſufficiently ſhew the depth and profundity of our afflictions, and this Map ought we to carry in our hearts.
We muſt pity our Countrymen with our mouthes too; that is, 2. Ore.in ſhort, by ſpeaking for them, by ſpeaking to them, by ſpeaking of them, as often and as opportunely as we may, ſpeake [for them] eſpecially to the Lord in prayer: Open thy window daily towards the Weſt, as Daniel did; yea, plead with the Lord for thoſe parts, as Abraham did plead for the Cities of the plaine, becauſe he had a Couſin Lot and his family there inhabiting; Gen. 18.tell the Lord that there is many a thouſand righteous to be found there, beſides thoſe that are baniſhed thence, and aske him with teares, Whether he will deſtroy the righteous with the wicked; yea, give him no reſt, untill thou bring downe his pardoning mercies from fifty to ten, as Abraham did. Beſides, ſpeak to men alſo, as Nehemiah did to his King and Maſter, plead for the place of thy fathers Sepulcher that lieth waſte, but eſpecially for the Sanctuary of the Lord which is deſolate: ſpeake as Heſter did to her Soveraigne and husband, though with the hazzard of her life, and ſay, Heſt. 7.3, 4.Let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my requeſt; for we are ſold to be deſtroyed, to be ſlaine, and to periſh. This is to ſpeake for them. Next, ſpeake we [to them,] if poſſibly we may by mouth, at leaſt by letters and meſſages: You know how ſweet, how comfortable a meſſenger is, that cometh with glad tidings from farre: As cold water to a thirſty ſoule, Irov. 25.25.ſo is good newes from a farre Country. We read (to our great benefit) what large letters ſome of the Apoſtles by inſpiration did write to the abſent ſcattered Churches and Saints in their dayes: Thus Paul did ſend forth no leſſe then thirteen Epiſtles (beſides that to the Hebrewes) ſome to ſeverall Churches both in Europe and Aſia; Others to ſeverall perſons, as to Timothy, Titus, Philemon. Thus Iames indited an Epiſtle, conſiſting of divers ſeaſonable inſtructions and conſolations, to the twelve tribes which are ſcattered abroad; and Peter writeth a firſt and ſecond Epiſtle generall, to the ſtrangers that were ſcattered through five diſtinct Kingdomes and Provinces, ſomewhat anſwerable to our five Weſterne Shires or Counties. Thus briefly Iohn the beloved diſciple hath by the ſpirit left upon record, both his generall and particular Letters, which are inſcribed to perſons of ſeverall ranks and ſexes, even as high as the Elect Lady and her children, and as low as his hoſt Gaius. By all which Epiſtles, and written meſſages, they being dead, doe yet ſpeake unto us this duty of preaching unto our abſent brethren, as often as conveniently wee may, by Epiſtles and Letters. Laſtly, and at leaſt, let us ſpeake [of them] whereſoever we come; let us performe that cheap duty for them, which thoſe captives in Babylon doe promiſe to their deſolate Sion in the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 137.….If I doe not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roofe of my mouth, if I preferre not Ieruſalem above my chiefe joy. When the City of Gloceſter was in diſtreſſe, it is ſaid, that ſome of her friends here in London did uſually ſtand at the doors of both Houſes of Parliament, crying modeſtly to the Members as they paſſed in and out, Remember Gloceſter, oh remember poor Gloceſter! and it pleaſed God that at that time poore Gloceſter was remembred and relieved. Oh how many Gloceſter Cities, and Gloceſter-Shires are there now periſhing, yea, halfe periſhed in the Weſtern Counties? Let us therefore unceſſantly ſcatter our cryes up and downe in all places, to all perſons, where there is any poſſibility of ſuccour, and ſay, Remember the Weſt, Oh remember the unparalleld ſufferings of the Weſt! So much concerning verball or vocall compaſſion, which is to pity them with our mouthes.
Let us pity our Weſterne Country-men in deed and action; 3. Opere.this is the beſt proofe and perfection of both the former branches of compaſſion, as Saint James appoſitely telleth us; If a brother or a ſiſter (ſaith hee) bee naked, and deſtitute of daily food, and one of you ſay unto them, Depart in peace, be you warmed and filled, James 2.15, 16.notwithſtanding yee give them not thoſe things that are needfull to the body, what doth it profit? Surely, nothing at all, either to the meere verball giver, or to the ſeeming receiver. Let us therefore ſhew our pity by our workes; that is, let us caſt in, if neceſſary occaſions doe require, even a part of the remaining duſts and drops of our meale in the Barrell, and of our oyle in the Cruſe; 1 King 17.13, 14, 15, 16.and doubt wee not but the Lord will take care ſo to bleſſe the remainder, that there ſhall be a ſufficiency for us and our family: yea, let us caſt in the two laſt mites, even all that wee have, into that publike treaſury, if need requires it, and ſo engage the Lord to maintaine us. There is, to this purpoſe, a famous Example of the Carthaginians, recorded in Hiſtory, which hath come often into my mind, and it is this; Flor. lib. 2 c. 15. de Bel. Punic. tert. Spe pa…is injecta traditam … volentibus claſſem, &c.When that people had ſuſtained their firſt and ſecond warre with the Romans, with honour and ſome good ſucceſſe, at laſt the third and fatall warre begins; in which, when the Romans, pretending articles of peace, had treated away the Carthaginian Navie, which they ſpeedily fired in the very face of the City, then offering them this onelyonly condition, [Th at they muſt all depart their owne Country, leaving it and their eſtates wholly to the Enemies:] 'Tis ſaid, that this proffer, for the horridneſſe of it, ſo enraged them, that they would rather chooſe to adventure upon the utmoſt of extremities. Hereupon all the City doe generally call to Armes, not ſo much out of hope to defend themſelves, as becauſe they had rather that their Country ſhould be deſtroyed by the hands of the Enemy, than by their owne. And now the great worke to be done by them is to build a new Navie: For the making whereof, for want of timber, they doe pull down their owne houſes; for want of iron to make bolts and nayles, they doe work up their gold and ſilver; and for want of cordage, the Matrons doe cut off their haire to make ropes and cables. Ah poore ſoules, yet gallant ſpirits, that could ſo freely caſt in their laſt all to the honourable funerals of their deceaſed Country! Brethren, this is the third, and (I hope) the laſt and beſt conflict of the Engliſh (yea, Britiſh) Proteſtants with the Antichriſtian Romans: Firſt, they did attempt againſt us by force, in 88. Next, by fraud, in their Gun-powder Treaſon: But, behold, now (and let us beware the third) in this laſt attempt, force and fraud are knit together; their Armies (in ſtead of their Armado) are combined, with their ſecond Gun-powder Treaſon, to blow up this Parliament: I ſay, with their ſecond Gun-powder Treaſon; which, for impudence, cruelty, and univerſality, doth exceed the firſt. Nay, (and to carry-on the application of my Punick Story) they have already treated-away ſome of our moſt conſiderable pieces, as Ireland, and the West of England. Let us now play the Carthaginians in hope, and to purpoſe: Let us not ſpare the reliques of our eſtates, treaſures, perſons; our houſes, gold and ſilver, haire, heads and all, to redeeme all our temporall, naturall, ſpirituall goods againe. As for the iſſues, let them be wholly left to the good pleaſure of our God; perchance it may pleaſe him to make good unto us, Weſtern Exiles, that promiſe by Zephaniah, namely, Zeph. 3.12.To leave in the midſt of the Weſt an afflicted and poore people, and they ſhall truſt in the Name of the Lord. Surely, ſuch a mercy as this would be great, and precious to broken hearts: Or, perhaps (which ſeemeth ſharper) hee hath in his ſecret purpoſe juſtly decreed, that unworthy wee, of this preſent generation, ſhall not returne to conquer or ſee againe our native Country; though, perchance, our children after us may obtaine that favour: But, though it be thus, yet let us labour to conquer our ſelves, and our own inordinate deſires; ('tis as great a mercy to want drought, as to have drinke;) let us prepare to ſee the pleaſed face of Chriſt at laſt: And for preſent, ſtrive we to attain to hearts like that of David, who, when hee was flying from his Jeruſalem, from his Kingdome, yea, from Ordinances and all, yet could ſay unto Zadok, … Sam. 15.25, 26.Carry back the Arke of God into the City: if I ſhall find favour in the eyes of the Lord, hee will bring mee againe, and ſhew me both it and his habitation: But if hee ſay thus, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him doe to mee as it ſeemeth good unto him. Such a depth of ſelfe-ſubmiſſion as this, is the higheſt ſtep of ſelfe-advancement. However, ſo long as our remaining inch of Candle ſhall be burning, (whatſoever place may be our Candleſtick) let us mightily, unceſſantly, eſpecially, pray, ſtudy, act, FOR THE WEST, FOR THE WEST, FOR THE WEST.
FINIS.
End of the text · John Bond, Job in the West (1645)