Gods Providence in Delivering the Godly, Title page – Dedication
Iehovah Iireh: OR, GODS PROVIDENCE IN DELIVERING THE GODLY. Opened in two Sermons in the Citie of BRISTOLL, On the day of publike thankſgiving in that Citie, March 14. 1642. For the deliverance of that Citie from the Invaſion without, and the Plot of Malignants within the City, intended to have been acted the Tueſday night before.
With a ſhort Narration of that Bloody and abominable Plot.
Preached by IOHN TOMBES, B. D.
It is this two and twentieth day of Aprill, Anno Dom. 1643. ordered by the Committee of the Houſe of Commons in Parliament concerning Printing, that this Booke intituled, Johovah Jireh, or Gods providence in delivering the godly, be printed.
John White.
London Printed by Rich. Cotes, for Michael Sparkes Senior, 1643.
To the Noble and right worthy Patriots, Colonell Nathaniel Fiennes Governour, Colonell Richard Cole, Colonell Alexander Popham, and to the reſt of the worthy Commanders, and Souldiers in the City of Briſtoll.
AS it is a certaine truth, that no events happen without God, ſo it is moſt certaine that all events are ordered by Gods wiſedome to excellent purpoſes. The utmoſt and meet end of all Gods actions is himſelfe, that as all things are of him, and through him, ſo all things may bee to him, Rom. 11. 36. The ſubordinate and nearer ends are many and various as the Almighty ſees conducible to his glory which is the utmoſt. And thus are wee to conceive that in the ordering of the preſent commotions of this Land the Lord hath ſundry ends, whereby he will in fine ſhew himſelfe great in counſell, though as yet we can hardly diſcerne whereto they tend. Among many other ends he hath, theſe two ſeeme moſt apparent, the diſcovery of men, and the diſcovery of himſelfe. For whereas on the one ſide the bloody minded Papiſts, the proud ſenſuall Libertines, the jugling deceitfull Prieſts and Prelats had gotten the reputation of honeſt men, and on the other ſide the ſincere, zealous and faithfull Chriſtian ſuffered all indignities under the imputations of hypocriſie, covetouſneſſe, faction and ſuch like calumnies; now by theſe preſent tryalls the integrity, faithfulneſſe and courage of the one, the hypocriſie, falſehood, and wickedneſſe of the other are made manifeſt. And whereas the frequency of prophane oathes, and Atheiſticall perjuries, the ſcorne of Religion, deriſion of Piety, and contempt of holineſſe had worne out the apprehenſions of God, and imboldned men to play with him as a contemptible name, God hath begun to diſcover himſelfe, and yet further will in time appeare to be the great Lord of Hoaſts, and the protector of his deſpiſed, and oppreſſed people.
In reference to the later of theſe forenamed ends God hath vouchſafed to diſcover many Plots, to give many deliverances, to doe great things in theſe few yeares laſt paſt for the vindicating of his owne Name, the worth and innocency of his people▪ and declaration of the malignitie of ungodly ſpirits.
Among which that which he did in preſerving of this city in the late deliverance hereof is not the leaſt, being in the apprehenſion of thoſe that know all the circumſtances and the concurrence of Gods providence therein, a very remarkable & memorable thing.
In the commemoration and acclamation thereof it pleaſed God that by the appointment of one of you I ſhould have a part, having by Gods providence bin driven hither for ſhelter againſt the unreaſonable & impetuous violence of ſuperſtitious people enraged by the inſtigations of bloody minded Papiſts, corrupt Prieſts, and looſe Libertines. Since which time I have been ſollicited to publiſh theſe ſubitany Meditations: though the matter deſerves a more full diſcovery and an exacter commentary. Nevertheleſſe that the remembrance hereof might not die, and that ſome light might bee added to them that ſeeke out Gods workes as having pleaſure therein, I have yeelded to their requeſt. And foraſmuch as the deliverance in the firſt place belonged to your ſelves as firſt deſtinated to ſlaughter, and my worke in the T…ankſgiving proceeded from you, I have conceived it meeteſt to tender theſe Sermons to you for your acceptance and uſe, praying the Almighty ſtill to preſerve your perſons and to direct your wayes for the publike good and your own ſalvation. In both which to ſerve you continueth
Yours in all humble obſervance, JOHN TOMBES.