Three Decades of Sermons, Decade 2 · Sermon 6
The Feaſts of Purim:
OR, Two Solemn Feſtivals inſtituted, & ordained in remembrance of that wonderfull Deliverance from Hamans bloody Plot, applyed to our Anniverſary Commemoration of Gods gracious Deliverance from the GUN-POWDER TREASON.
upon Eſther c. 9. v. 27, 28.
The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their ſeed, and upon all ſuch as joyned themſelves unto them, ſo as it ſhould not fail, that they would keep theſe two dayes, according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year.
And that theſe daies ſhould be remembred and kept throughout every Generation, every Family, every Province, and every City, and that theſe dayes ſhould not faile from among the Jews, nor the memoriall of them periſh from their ſeed.
THE Text and Solemnity of this day of Thanksgiving anſwer Serm. 6. at St. Maries Oxon. Nov. 5. 1654.each other, as in water face anſwers face. The Jews having obtain'd a ſignall deliverance from a barbarous Maſſ…cre, plotted and contrived by Haman the ſonne of Hammedatha the Agagite, their inveterate and implacable Adverſary, ſet apart by way of gratulatory Commemoration, the fo…rteenth and fifteenth day of the Month Adar, that they ſhould make them daies of feaſting and joy, and of ſending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.Ver. 22.
And wee of this Nation, being wonderfully delivered from a Romiſh, Devilliſh deſign of the Gun-powder Treaſon, are here on purpoſe met to commemorate with thankfulneſſe this fifth of November, when the Blow was intended to be given, but through Mercy was diſappointed. Some Parallels might eaſily be drawn between Hamans hortid Aſſaſſination, and the bloody Butchery intended this day, though in many things this Popiſh Plot wants a parallel: Haman was an old enemy to the Jews; he was an Ag…gite, of the Family of Agag King of Amalek, and therefore, upon an old grudge, the greater enemy: And this Haman was a …avo…rite in the higheſt deg…ee of King Ahaſuerus, and ſo in a fitter capacity to bring his miſchief to …aſs. The occaſion of the firſt quarrel, was but a petty, triſſing, inconſiderable matter, Mordecai did not bow, nor do reverence to Haman: The want of a bended knee firſt blew Eſ…h. 3. 2.the co…l of contention, fir… incenſed Haman againſt Mordecai. Several Queſtions are raiſed, whether Haman expected from Mordecai more than a civil worſhip? or whether Mordecai refuſed to do reverence becauſe Haman was a Perſian, and (as their cuſtome is) had the Sun pictured in his breaſt? or becauſe he was of the Family of Amalck, with whom God would have War from generation to generation? Exod. 17. 16. Hence there are raiſed ſeveral diſputes, and many cōjectures, neither is it neceſſary to be too peremptory in our determination, ſeeing the Scripture is ſilent; but Human thought ſcorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone, Eſth. 3. 6. Aquila non …aptat muſcas; he aims at the utter ruin of Mordecai and all his people: Tutum eſt neſcire quod tegitur. Ambr.He complains to the King againſt the Jews, pleads an argument, ab inutili, that it's not for the Kings profit to ſuffer them, Esth. 3. 8. The King gives Haman his …ing, and gives the Jews into his hand, ver. 10. The Scribes write the Letters, the Poſts carry them with expedition, the day of their Maſſacre was appointed, viz. on the thirteenth day of the Month Adar. The news hereof was cauſe of great ſorrow and perplexity to the Jews; Eſther and her Maids faſted, Mordecai cries and rends his cloathes, but withall Mordecai puts Eſther in mind to do what ſhe could for prevention, Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdome for ſuch a time as this? Eſth. 4. 14. A very good argument to make the beſt uſe of that providence and prize put into her hands, to bee the Jews Advocate: After faſting and praying, ſhe is ſteel'd with courage and heroick reſolution, and ſo ſhe reſolves, then will I goe in unto the King, which is not according to the Law, and if I periſh, I periſh, Eſth. 4. 16. She goeth into the inward Court, the King holds forth the Golden Scepter, he asks her what her requeſt was? ſhee invites the King and Haman to a Banquet, the King and Haman go to her Banquet, the King bids her make her requeſt, ſhe invites the King the ſecond time, and in the mean time Haman braggs of that great honour put upon him, whereas the banquet indeed proved but a ſnare to him. The Queen impeacheth Haman of a bloody Plot, the King was wroth with Haman, they cover Hamans face, the Chamberlain informs of a Gallows that Haman had made for Mordecai, by the Kings appointment hee was forthwith hanged thereon: Further yet to reverſe the miſchievous device of Haman, upon Eſthers ſupplication the Scribes were called, and the Poſts ſent with letters to give liberty to the Jews to ſtand upon their guard. Hamans ten Sons were hanged; ſo that the devices of that wicked Haman fell upon his own pate: now the day of ſorrow being turned to a good day, from a day of mourning to a day of joy and rejoycing, it's high time to ſet a ſpecial mark upon ſo ſpecial a deliverance, to ſet time apart for the commemoration of ſo eminent a deliverance; and this was their practice in the words of the Text.
The Jews ordained, &c. which words containe an inſtitution of Diviſ.two Feſtivall daies in memorial of that wonderfull deliverance from Hamans intended maſſacre, wherein you have, firſt, the names 1. The Names.given to the ſolemn Feaſts, or Euchariſtical dayes, Purim (i.) Lots, Pur the Perſian word ſignifies a Lot, in Hebrew it ſignifieth to diſappoint, and in Greek it ſignifieth fire; the Lot was caſt for deſtruction of the Jews, but it fell not on thoſe upon whom the enemy would have caſt it, it was diſappointed, and therefore (as a Learned B. Andrews.man wittily obſerves) that the God of the Hebrews gave an Hebrew Pur to the Perſian Pur, diſappointing the Perſian Lot, ſo though it was caſt it was not ſuffered to light upon the people of the Jews; and foreign which ſignifieth fire, which was intended to blow up the Parliament (bleſſed be God) did not ſinge any of their garments, neither did the ſmel of fire paſſe upon them.
Secondly, the ſtrict obſervation of thoſe daies, it's ſaid, ſhould 2. The obſervation of the dayes.not fail among the Jews, &c. The 70 render the words, foreign. They take care that they and their children after them, every Generation, Family and Province, and City ſhould keep theſe dayes; thus they hand them over to Poſterity, and tranſmit theſe Records of Deliverance to their childrens children, and would have the memory of them perpetuated from generation to generation.
Thus you have heard the deliverance, and the duty enſuing thereupon, from the example of the Jews in my Text, I commend one obſervation unto your practiſe, which compriſeth the ſenſe of the Text:
That its the duty of a delivered people to keep mercies upon record, and make a thankfull remembrance of ſignall deliverances, and Doct. perpetuate the memoriall thereof from generation to generation.
This takes in the ſcope and drift of this Text: It's a word ſpoken …n due ſeaſon, the Lord make it as profitable for us as it is ſpoken ſeaſonably unto us: Neither doe we tread in untrackt p…ths; I might enlarge my ſelf in a cloud of witneſſes: We have many Parallel examples of Nations and perſons delivered, who in perpetuam rei memoriam have ſet a mark upon the place, and upon the day, reſolving never to let ſlip the remembrance of the mercies or deliverances vouchſafed; never to paſs an Act of Oblivion of the loving kindneſs of the Lord. As for inſtance, the Iſraelites made Songs of Thankſgiving in memorial of their deliverance from Pharaoh, Exod. 15. and from Jabin and Siſera, Judg. 5. Jehoſhaphat and his people met together at the valley of Beracah to …raiſe the Lord. Goliahs ſword was kept as a trophy of victory, 2 Chr. 20. 26.The Iſraelites ſet up ſtones as Pillars for the remembrance of the drying up of Iordan: they uſed to ſet a mark upon the place, and call it Eben-ezer, 1 Sam. 7. 12. And for perſonal deliverances, ſometimes they gave ſignificant names, as Laeah called her fourth Sonne Judah, Now (ſaith ſhe) will I praiſe the Lord. Hezekiah made a Poem of gratitude, Iſ. 38. 9. David made multitudes of Pſalmes for peculiar deliverances, as we may read, Pſal. 7. Pſ. 18. Pſ. 34. Pſ. 52. Pſ. 54. Pſ. 57. Pſ. 59. and leaſt his memory ſhould faile, the 38 Pſalm and the 70 Pſalm have one and the ſame inſcription, A Pſalme of David to bring to remembrance: I need adde no more examples, you have here given you good meaſure, full preſt, and running over: Let us goe and do likewiſe.
Likewiſe we have variety of Scripture precepts in this particular; theres a ſpecial injunction Deut. 32. 7. Remember the dayes of old. There was a ſpecial command, Deut. 16. 1. Obſerve the Month of Abib: And to remember Amalek, as we may read Deut. 25. 17. 18. compared with Exod. 17. 14. The ſelf-ſame numerical day muſt be Chronicled, Ezek. 24. 2. Balack's and Balaam's miſchievous plot are to be remembred, Mich. 6. 5. … Chronicle is required, Pſ. 102. 18.
And now let's enquire into the grounds of this Doctrine: Some reaſons thereof may be theſe.
1. Becauſe the name and honour of God is from eternity to eternity; Reaſ. 1. Becauſe Gods name and honour is from eternity to eternityand its an evidence of our love to God, when wee deſire that Gods name may out-live ours. Wee poor creat…r…s, duſt and aſhes, live but a little while in this world, and whats our life but a vapour, a hands-breadth, a flower, ſwiſter than a Weavers Shuttle? …e muſt therefore tell of the goodneſs of God in the ears of our children, and let them tell it in the ears of their children; let's make a Chronicle of Gods deliverences, and leave behind us a ſtanding Record, that when we are dead and rotten, the memo…ial of Gods deliverances may be reviv'd. and the remembran…e of them never faile. The Mariners uſed to hang up after their deliverance, Votivas Tabulas, as Monuments of gratitude for their deliverance. VVhat are we to offer but Thanksgiving? Pſ. 50. 14. what are wee to render but the Calves of our lips? Hoſ. 14. 2. No… if wee thus I bour to eternize Gods name, he will have regard unto our names: if we honour him, he will honour us: ſo he declares, Them that honour me I will honour, 1 Sam. 2. 30.
Secondly, a gratefull commemoration of Mercies and Deliverances Reaſ. 2. Thankfulnes is Gods Tribute.is that Tribute that God requires, that Homage due unto him. VVe are all indebted to God, nec ſolvendo ſumus, whatever we can doe at the beſt, holds no proportion with the mercy received, yet the Lord is pleaſed to accept of a thankfull heart, and where it is, graciouſly rewards it. VVhat ſpeciall notice doth Chriſt take of the thankfull Samaritan? and the Apoſtle joynes unthankfull and unholy together: what a brand of infamy lyeth on the ungratefull? Impudence and Ingratitude goe together: How many are like Swine, that eat the Acorns, but never look up to the Tree? what great ingratitude was charged on Ieſhurun, to forget the Ro…k that made them, and lightly eſteem of the Rock of their ſalvation? Now what a poor pittance is this Rent-penny, and acknowledgment to vouchſafe unto the father of Mercies? Shall we not return a drop of Praiſes for an Ocean of Mercies? wheres Davids, Quid retribuam, What ſhall I render? &c. Pſal. 107. 8.
A third Reaſon ſhall be drawn from the excellency of the duty: Reaſ. 3. From the excellency of the duty.to record Mercies, to ſpeak good of God, and bleſſe his name, to tell what God hath done for thy ſelf, and for others, what national, what perſonal mercies he hath heaped on thee, and to be exuberant in the praiſes of the Lord, this is an excellent ſervice: To ſet thy Hoſannahs and Hallelujahs on the higheſt Key, and to break forth into the praiſes of God: This is a good thing, Pſal. 92. 1. and as it is a good thing, ſo it is a pleaſant thing, Pſal. 147, 1. further, it's a comely thing to tell of Gods mercies, and to ſay, bleſſed be God, is in diſcourſes a comely Parentheſis. The Apoſtle tels us, Eph. 5. 14. that filthineſs, fooliſh talking, and jeſting, are unſeemly, and inconvenient; but what's to be uſed in their room? it followeth, but rather giving of thanks, but adde further, praiſe is permanent; for praiſe is to all eternity, we ſhall for ever be praiſing of the Lord, we ſhall ſing praiſe, honour, and glory unto him that ſitteth on the Throne, and unto the Lamb for evermore: David profeſſeth, Pſ. 146. 2. that he will praiſe God whilſt he hath any being: we ſhould thus exerciſe our ſelves in that language on earth, which will be our employment unto all eternity.
Reaſ. 4. Drawn from many obligations. 1 A Bond of Creation.A fourth Reaſon ſhall be drawn from thoſe many obligations that lye us upon: As
1. Vinculo creationis, God it is that made us, and not we our ſelves, Pſal. 100. 3. Now we ſhould be to the praiſe of God, and ſet forth his praiſe, we ſhould be thankfull unto him, and bleſſe his name: as Rivers return unto the Sea whence they firſt came; ſo wee ſhould returne all wee have to the praiſe and ſervice of God: Auius Fulvius ſaid to his Sonne when he found him in Catilines conſpiracy, Non ego te Catilinae genui, ſed patriae: So doth God ſay, I gave thee not a ſoul and body to ſerve ſin withall, but to ſerve me withall. Quot membra tot ora, So many members of our body, and ſo many faculties of our ſoules are as ſo many mouths to call upon us to praiſe the Lord.
2. Vinculo Redemptionis, here's matter of praiſe for ever, and eternity 2 A Bond of Redemption.will be too little to praiſe God for Jeſus Chriſt our Redeemer, who hath delivered us from our enemies to this pur…oſe, That we might ſerve him in holyneſſe and righteouſneſſe all the daies of our lives, Luk. 1. 74, 75. So that Thankſgiving is a ſpecial ſervice due unto God. Quot inimici tot ora, ſo many enemies as we are delivered from by Chriſts death, call upon us to ſerve Chriſt for ever, and to bleſſe God for the riches of his mercies in Jeſu Chriſt.
3. Vinculo Gratitudinis, Quot beneficia tot ora, wee receive mercies 3 A Bond of Gratitude.at our lying down, and ri…ng up, we are compaſſed about with varieties of mercies, mercies on the right, and mercies on the left hand: mercies for our bodies, & mercies for our ſouls; ſo that every mercy is a mouth to call upon us to be thankfull. Haman plotted moſt miſchief, and was counterplotted, and the Jews accounted themſelves bound even by the bond of gratitude to keep a ſolemn remembrance of ſo great a deliverance; ſo the Romiſh …un-powder …rayto…s plotted the deſtruction of Proteſtants, and layed their deſignes as low as Hell. God hath vou…hſafed a gracious deliverance unto the land of our Nativity; wherefore the very bond of Gratitude engageth us to keep this day, and offer unto God praiſe and thankſgiving d…e unto his name.
4. Vinculo gloriae divinae promovendae. What lyeth in us, we ſhould 4 A Bond to promote Gods glory.unite all our members and faculties to advance the glory of God: Now this is a way of gloryfying God, he is gloryſied by the praiſes of his people: …or he that praiſeth God gloriſieth him: Pſal. 50. 23. Now put all theſe together, and you'll conclude what good reaſon we have to keep in memory divine Deliverances, and aſcribe unto the Lord the praiſe and glory of his Deliverances.
I ſhall inſiſt no longer in this proof of the Doctrine, but make a Applicat.ſeaſonable improvement thereof in ſome uſefull Application: I ſhall onelyonly inſ…ſt on three …ſes, for Info…mation, Caution, and Exhortation, and accordingly apply the point unto the ſolemnity of the day: Lend me (I pray) your patient attention, whilſt I make a ſuitable application of all.
1. This ſerves to inform us of the warrantableneſſe of our preſent Uſe 1. For information.meeting upon this day, and what good grounds we have to ſet apart this day for an Anniverſary Thanksgiving: Gods people formerly upon like occaſions, kept a day of remembrance; ſo did the Jews here in the Text keep the Feaſt of Purim; and truly we of this Nation have as great cauſe as ever any had to keep this memorable day, wherein the hand of God was eminently ſeen in our deliverance, wherein his own right arme wrought a glorious ſalvation for us. Now to make you more ſenſible of the greatneſſe of the deliverance, I con…eive it very proper to my buſineſſe that lies before me, to make a brief Narrative, and acquaint you with the …iſtory of this day. In purſuance whereof I ſhall obſerve two heads, into which I ſhall caſt my following Narration.
1. We are to conſider a Popiſh, Deviliſh deſigne and plot contrived.
And ſecondly, a ſeaſonable and gracious deliverance vouchſafed.
1. For the Popiſh deviliſh deſigne, we are to conſider theſe eight particulars: v. z. Length of time in pro…ecting: Ʋnwearied Induſtrie: Cunning Conveyance: Inveterate Malice: the Perſons active: the Perſons that were intended to be paſſive: the place or ſtage whereon they acted: and the horrible cruelty intended. Review but theſe eight circumſtances, and follow me as I goe along, and you will conclude it to be a Treaſon not to be paralleld in our Age, not the like to be heard of by the eldeſt perſon that is alive.
1. Lets conſider the length of time in projecting: This Treaſon Circumſt. 1. Conſider the length of time in projecting.was a long time a brewing, and the Traitors were as long with child of this Treaſon, as an Elephant was with young: the Treaſon was originally intended againſt Queen Elizabeth; ſhee deſied the Pope, and made ſtrict Laws againſt the Papiſts: whereupon Pius quintus (more properly, called Impius quintus) to ſhew his deteſtation of her, ſet forth his Bulls, one whereof was fixt upon Londonhouſe, and he excommunicated the Queen, and under an Anathema abſolved the people of England from their obedience: The firſt deſigne was to bring in an Army, Anno 1601. Garnet wrote to Creſwell the Legier Jeſuit in Spain, and Winter and Teſmond were employed to negotiate with the King of Spain to invade England: Firſt the King of Spain entertain'd the motion, withall the Pope ſent two Bulls to Garnet, and gave his Bleſſing both to the Clergy and Laity of England, that were Catholicks: But before they could ripen their deſignes, the Queen dyed, and then, being diſappointed of their firſtintention, they thought of this helliſh deſigne of blowing up the Parliament with Gun-powder: For the firſt deſigne was not againſt King James chiefly; for in the two firſt yeares of his Reign, he did nothing againſt them, but it was firſt of all deſigned againſt Queen Elizabeth; but becauſe they feared that the King would act againſt them, as that renowned Queen his Predeceſſor did; and likewiſe ſome of the Jeſuits rayſed a loud Lye (the common trade they drive) which was carried up and down, that there was a deſigne on foot to cut all the Catholicks throats; wherefore, though the Queen was dead, yet they reſolved to goe on in their deſign.
In the ſecond place note their unwearied induſtry; they digg'd Circumſt. 2. Unwearied pains.a long time under ground; theſe Romiſh Pioneers were indefatigable in their endeavours, they wrought oftentimes both night and day; they ſtuck at no paines, nor coſt, no… charges; their labour might be called Labor improbus in the moſt pro…er ſenſe, theſe wicked perſons wrought a deceitful work.
3. Note their conveyance, the Traitors took an Oath of ſecreſ…e, Circumſt. 3. Cunning conveyance.neither directly nor indirectly to diſcloſe their deſign. They wrought under ground, layd Barrels of Gun-powder in faſhion of Barrels of Beer, covered them with Faggots, hired a Cellar on purpoſe, that ſo they might work without ſuſpi…ion; theſe were their Romiſh deeds of darkneſſe: Here are under-ground villanies, wickedneſſe in the dark, Myſteries of Iniquity, a Vault, a Cellar, a cloſe Cavern in the earth, where they might act their wickedneſſe and not bee ſeen nor diſcovered by any man: Juſt like thoſe adverſaries of the Jews, mentioned Nehem. 4. 11. and thoſe Pſal. 10. 8, 9. and ſo confident was Faux, that Arch-Pioneere of the Devill, of the ſucceſſe, in that he feared no diſcovery, as the words of his Letter run, that they ſhall have a great blow, and rot know who hurt them; the danger is paſt as ſoon as you have burnt the Letter.
4. Note their inveterate malice, it was prepens'd and implacacle; they were enraged againſt Proteſtants, and cried againſt the Circumſt. 4. Inveterate Malice.Proteſtant Religion, as the children of Edom did in the day of Jeruſalem, Down with it, down with it, even unto the ground. The Popiſh Traito…s acted from a Principle of Malice and h…tred ag…inſt the Proteſtant …eligion: they reſemble the Scorpions, who (as Pl…y writes) put forth their ſting every moment, ſo they are continually p…tting forth their ſting, and would fugn ſting to de…th the … ſt…nt Religion: Ga…net being askt whether it was lawfull to de…oy the inno…en… with the no…ent? peremptorily reſolved, no …oubt it was, if the good comming thereby m…g…t make recompenſe: …ee never thought of the Apoſtles …ule, We may not doe evil, that good may come thereof, Rom. 3. 8. But he, and the reſt of his devilliſh f…ternity, were acted by th… principle which Aug…ſt…ne ch…rgeth upon the old Hereticks, the Manichees, Pereant amici, modo pereant inimici. A ſuitable, blaſphemous ſpeech I have read of a bloody Aſſaſſinate, Occidite eos omnes, quia Deus novit quinam e us ſint.
5. Conſider the perſons acting in this buſineſs, and they are Circumſt. 5. The perſons acting.Jeſuits, and other Papiſts, inverate enemies to the Proteſtant Religion. The names of the principal Counſellors were Garnet, Teſmond, Creſwel, Gerrard, Hammond, Hall, and other Jeſuits with them were joyned, fit Agents for the villany, Birds of the ſame Feather, Faux, Winter, Catesby, Rockwood, Piercy, Digby; and theſe acted according to the counſel of Garnet, the Superiour of the Jeſuits; and to theſe thus acted by the Jeſuits counſell, wee may apply that common Prove b, They muſt needs goe whom the devil drives. Faux was a deſperate …ngineere of Satan, Catesby ſuch another, of whom this character is given of him, Erat homo ſubacto & verſuto ingenio & profundâ perfidia, and ſo fitter for the ſe…vice: For the more wicked they were, they were the more fit inſtruments to doe the Devill ſervi…e in this deſign. Faux after his apprehenſion profeſſed, that he repented for nothing more, but that he had not done the fact; and had he not been ſo ſuddainly ſurpriſed, he would have given fite to the powder, though he knew that he ſhould be burnt in that ſlame; and its the ſpecial remarkable hand of God to diſcover this Helliſh plot; for had it took effect, the Jeſuits, who are Ma…ers of the Art of Lying, would have layd all upon the Puritans (although none more abhorred ſuch villanies than the Puritans did) but God prevented this their wicked intention likewiſe; and though ſome few were onelyonly apprehended and executed, yet the whole Conclave of Rome, Pope, Cardinals, Jeſuits, Prieſts, even all that black Regiment of Hell joyned hearts, heads, hands to promote this deſign for the good of the Catholick cauſe: How many Maſſe…, how many Prayers did their Prieſts put up? The Actors were abſolved, had the Popes bleſſing, they ſhould have been Canonized for Saints: nay Faux is put long ſince (as its reported) and ſo ſtands to this day (for ought I know) in the Romiſh Calendar. Strange kind of Saints theſe, who were indeed Limbs of Antichriſt, and Members of the Synagogue of Satan; but its no new thing for Hereticks and Sectaries to look upon their Patrons as Saints; Ignatius Loyola, Becket, &c. ſuch are the Papiſts Saints, Machiavel the Politicians Saint, John of Leyden the Anabaptiſts Saint, Henry Nicholas the Familiſts Saint: If ſuch as theſe Circumſt. 6. Note the perſons againſt whom.be Saints, I know not what are Incarnate Devils: Such kinde of Saints (falſly called Saints) inlarge at…ns kingdom.
6. Note the Perſons againſt whom all this miſchief was fram'd, againſt King, Queen, Prince, Lords, Judges, Knights, Citizens, Burgeſſes; and after they were deſtroyed, their deſign was to deſtroy the Proteſtants throughout the Land; what elſe doth that prayer of Garnet intimate; Gentem auſerte perfidam credentium de finibus, ut, Chriſto laudes debitas perſolvamus alacriter: They would have deſtroyed the Proteſtant Religion root and branch that (as farre as in them lay) there might be no memorial thereof. What Amilcar, the Father of Hannibal ſaid of his ſonnes, may bee applyed to Seminary Prieſts and Jeſuits, hee confeſt that hee bred them, tanquam Leoninos catulos in perniciem Romani Imperii, as Lyons Whelps for the deſtruction of the Roman Empire: Hannibal when he was but nine yeares old, ſwore upon the Altar, that he would be a deadly enemy unto the people of Rome. So the …eſuits are Con…urati Hoſtes Eccleſiae & Reipublicae Proteſtantium, and therefore they leave no ſtone unturned to deſtroy Proteſtantiſm; through the ſides of both Houſes of Parliament they ſhot at the whole body of Proteſtants throughout the kingdom.
7. Note the place which they purpoſed to blow up, and that Circumſt. 7. Note the place.was the Parliament Houſe, firſt built by Edward the Confeſſor; their rage was not only againſt men but walls: within the Parliament wals many ſevere Laws and juſt were made againſt them, and therefore their rage was againſt thoſe very walls. Thus Polymneſtor ſtruck blind, out of rage to Hecuba, ſought to murther all the women he could meet withall. Thus Fulvia, by thruſting Needles into the Tongue of …cero, after he was dead, ſought revenge of his ſharp Invectives againſt her Husband Anthony; and Anthony himſelf after Caeſars death, warred againſt the very walls of the Senate… …ouſe of Rome; this was the mad humour of theſe ſavage beaſts, to deſtroy buildings and walls.
8. And laſtly, note their cruelty: an Epithete I cannot ſ…udy Circumſt. 8. N…e heir cruelty.bad enough: Shall I call it Savage, Farbarous, Stupendious, nay rather, Romiſh, Jeſuitical, Devilliſh: This was their deſigne at one blow to deſtroy Kings, Lords, and Commens. This exceeds Hamans cruelty, they were to be put to the ſword, ſo it was poſſible that ſome might ſcape, here all had gone at a blow; theſe Senatours had been ſerv'd as Nero would have ſerv'd his, even all had been cut off at one blow, not one had eſcaped. The Sicilian Veſpers, the Pariſian Maſſacre were monſtrous cruelties, but ther ſome eſcaped with their lives, and were brands pluckt out of the burning; here it was moſt probable (had the blow been given) not one could have eſcaped. Abimeleck ſlew with one ſtone threeſcore and ten perſons of Gideons ſonnes, yet Jotham eſcaped. Saul flew fourſcore and five Prieſts, yet Abiathar eſcaped. Athaliah deſtroyed the Seed Royall, but Joaſh eſcaped. The Devil himſelf left one Meſſenger …live alwaies to tell Job bad tydings. Job had more favour from the Devil than the Parliament ſhould have had from theſe deſperate villaines; but heres ſuch a mercileſſe cruelty, that not a man had eſcaped, had this Plot took; what a Veſuvius, an Aetna, an Aceldama, a Golgotha had there been? What huge piles of torn bodies, what havock of Royal and Noble blood? What multitudes of Cark…ſſes ſo mangled, as not to be diſcerned whoſe they were? This fact beſpeaks them not men but Monſters, not Monſters but Tygers, not Tygers but Incarnate Devils. The Rhetorick of Oratours, the fabulous phanſies of Poets are here at a ſtand, and out-ſtript in their own art. Hell was broken looſe, and all the Devils in Hell were the inventors of this horrid Treaſon: Had this took place it had exceeded Joels day of blood, it had brought all the Kingdome into a Chaos, it had been the moſt diſmall, ghaſtly ſight that ever eye beheld; and when we had been in a maze and perplexity, even at our wits end, then ſome forraign force had invaded the land, and captivated it to Popery, this was the deſign, thus was the plot layd according to the eight forementioned circumſtances: It was layd as low as hell, but when we know not of any danger, then appeared deliverance; and though we ſlept, the Keeper of Iſrael neither ſlumbred nor ſlept: Inter pontem & fontem, inter calicem & labra, between the match and the powder, the Lord himſelf appeared, and wrought a great ſalvation for us,
In the next place (as I promiſed) lets in two or three particulars diſcover what a gracious deliverance the Lord was pleaſed to 2. A great deliverance.vouchſafe unto our fore-fathers. And here wee are to note,
1. The means of Diſcovery, and that was firſt of all by Auricular 1. The means of Diſcovery.confeſſion: I well remember what I heard this day fourteen years in this …lpit, by the learned and worthy Primate of Ireland, how that Delrius wrote five years before of the Powder Treaſon, and tels of this diſcovery by Auricular Confeſſion—Conſitotur maleficus ſe poſuiſſe pulverem in tali limine, & magnum inde periculum venturum. Dr. Iames Ʋ …er. A. B of A…magh.It's much to be obſerved, that Auricular Confeſſion which they layd as a Net to catch others, caught themſelves:
—Lex non eſt juſ…ior ulla Quam necis Artifices a rte perire ſua—
2. Obſerve the ſeaſon…bleneſs of a full diſcovery of this ho…rid 2. The ſeaſonableneſſe of the DiſcoveryTreaſon; that which was diſcovered by Auricular Confeſſion …id not mention the particul…r place but the night before this horrid villany was to be acted, th…ough the miſcarriage of a Letter, and the Kings Interpretation thereof againſt Grammatical conſtruction, this was diſcovered, and the Devils grand …ioneere, Guido Faux, apprehended.
3. Obſerve the juſt retribution of Gods judgments unto evil men, 3. Juſt retribution.cauſing their iniquities to f…l upon their own pa…e, ſo that deſtruction befell them who aimed at the deſtruction of the Parliament. It's recorded of a prophane P…ince, that he ſaid, that he would ride his horſe up to the belly in the blood of the Lutherans; but through the juſt, and ſeaſonable revenging hand of God, the ſame night hee was cho…kt with his own blood. Thus Haman was hanged on the Gallows which he had prepared for Mordecai. This is the Lords doing, and it ſhould be marvellous in our eyes: This is the day which the Lord hath changed, from mourning to joy, from deſtruction to ſalvation: If we then forget the memory of this day, may our tongues cleave to the rooſs of our mouthes.
But I proceed to a ſecond Uſe, which is for abundant Caution: Ʋſe 2. For Caution.Beware of men (ſaith the Apoſtle) Beware of the leaven of the Scribes and Phariſees, ſaith Chriſt. Beware of the leaven of Popiſh Doctrines; I will not now make a Catalogue of the Murthers, Adulteries, So…omies, Witch…rafts, of Hildebrand, Boniface, Silveſter, and other Popes; neither wil I at the preſent rake into the Dunghil of the lewd & abhomin…ble lives of many …rieſts and Jeſuits, &c. To …nſack this …age of unclean birds, this den of Theeves, to rake into this Augaeum ſtabulum, being ſo filthy and loathſome, as it is, will require a large volume. I referre you to whats recorded in the Acts and Monuments, there you will find their Murthe…s, Treaſons, Perſecutions: Bonner, Gardiner, Story, and other Popiſh blood-…ounds are recorded in that Marian Quinq…unrium, who hungred after the v. …ox Act. & Monum Maryes reign.fleſh, and thirſted after the blood of Proteſtants, and perſecuted them with fire and faggot: I referre you likewiſe to Platina, who writes of the lives of the Popes: like wiſe you may ſee more of the Papiſts Lives and Tenets in the Romiſh Bee-hive, and in a Book called the Genealogie of Monks and Friers; there are many more that Lewis Owenmight be named, but I forbear quotations of other Authors beſides thoſe I have by me, & have had occaſion more or leſſe to peruſe. What ſhall I ſay further? beware of Popery, beware of Idolatry, ſave your ſelves from this wicked Generation, Enter not into the way of theſe wicked men, avoyd them, paſſe not by them, turn from them, and paſſe away. But it will be ſaid, There is no fear of Papiſts now adaies; I would there were not: For hee's a meere ſtranger in Iſrael, that knows not what broyls & diſorders Jeſuites have made, and are ſtill a ſomenting in this Nation. Sir Edward Coke, that learned Lawyer profeſt in his Speech at the Araignment of the Gunpowder Traytors, That there was never any Treaſon committed See Sir Edw. Cokes ſpeech.in England, but a Popiſh Prieſt had a hand therein. Do not Jeſuites ſet people together by the ears? Doe not the Hereſies and damnable opinions of theſe licentious times gratifie the Jeſuites? Theſe are meat and drink to them. Doe not they love to fiſh in troubled waters, hoping to catch a prize for the Popes coffers? Do not Jeſuites go up and down like the Devil, encompaſſing the earth, acting in Courts, Cities, Countries, Univerſities? Will they not become Church-members (as one Ramſey was lately detected at Newcaſtle) that ſo they might promote the Catholike cauſe? I will repeat to you the words of a dying man upon the Scaffold, not an hour before he was to give up his account to God: his words are theſe, The Pope (ſaith he) had never ſuch an harvest in England ſince the Reformation W: Lawd A. B. of Cant.as …ow, for by reaſon of the errors and opinions of the times, the Kingdome is like an Oak cleft in pieces with wedges made of its own body: But of the increaſe of Papiſts Ile give you a late, and (queſtionleſſe) a true information, in a Speech ſpoken by a great Perſonage; theſe are the words, even totid…m verba, We know very well, that Emiſſaries of the Jeſuits, never came in thoſe ſwarms, as they L Prot. ſpeech, Sept. 4. 1654.have done ſince theſe things were ſet on foot, and I tell you, that divers Gentlemen here can bear witneſſe with me, how that they have had a Conſiſtory abroad, that rules all the affairs of things in England, from an Arch-biſhop with other dependants upon him, and they had in England (of which wee are able to produce the particular inſtruménts in moſt of the limits of the Cathedrals) an Epiſcopal power with Archdeacons, &c. and had perſons authorized to exerciſe and diſtribute thoſe things which pervert and deceive the people: Theſe things being ſo atteſted, wee had need look about us; we had need be circumſpect, and not aſſociate our ſelves with Papiſts; we had need take heed leſt we bite at the devils bait: lets not be ſo Fool-hardy as to venture into their companies, leſt (as Peter ventured into Caiaphas his hall) we return with a wound upon our conſciences.
That you may deteſt Popery, have but a little patience, and I will tell you the opinions of ſome of their Champions.
One is, that the Pope is Chriſts vicar, head of the Church, not only in ſpiritualls, but ſometimes in temporall things: one of the Popes threw his keyes into Tybur, and took his ſword, and ſaid, If Peters keyes would not keep him, Peters ſword ſhould.
Another opinion is that the Pope hath power of binding and looſing, of forgiveing of ſinnes.
3ly. That the …ope may depoſe Princes at his pleaſure, for Hereſie, and Proteſtantiſme is Hereſie in the Popes accompt.
4ly. That Hereticall Princes (and ſo are Proteſtants in his accompt) may be excommunicated.
5ly. That Princes that are Proteſtants: excommunicated by the Bellarm. c. 5 Officio PrincipisPope may be murther'd by their ſubjects, Simanca, Creſwell, and Mariana hold this opinion: And Bellarmine tells us, Princeps ſubditus eſſe debet ſuo Epiſcop…, non Epiſcopus Principi.
6ly. That Faith is not to be kept with Hereticks: John Huſſe that holy Martyr by experience found this to be their doctrine, for he, notwithſtanding a ſafe conduct promiſed, at Conſtance was burnt to death.
7ly. That Equivocation is lawfull: and indeed Equivocation is one great pillar to ſupport Po…ery: their principle is Jura, perjura, ſecretum prodere noli: If you ask a Jeſuite, is ſuch a one at his houſe? Though he knowes him to be there, he'll ſay no, and keep a mentall reſervation, no, that is, not that he meanes to tell you of. Arrius Diaboli Primogen…tus, who was ancienter then the Jeſuites, taught v Maſon of Equivocation.them this art of Equivocation. And we may ſay foreign, he profeſt that he acknowledged the Orthodox faith, and laid his hand upon his boſome, and there were written papers hid, containing his Arrian Hereſies, which he accounted for the Orthodox faith: I he…rily wiſh that there were not a foreign of the ſpirits of Jeſuties into many of theſe times, who account themſelves Proteſtants, and yet are Interpendent, hanging between Ignatius Loyala, and Machiavell: their words are ſo amphibologicall, ſuch Legerdemain is in their actions, as a man knowes not where to have them, nor what to make of them, whether they be for you, or againſt you: you know whence that Oracle came, Ibis redibis nunquam per bella peribis. And what was the event of that Amphiboly without a comma, but to put a period to King Edward his life—Edvardum occidere nolite timere bonum est? Let all vizards be plukt off, let men appear in their colours, lets not come too near the Camp of our adverſaries, let's not act the Jeſuites part, nor pl…y their game for them. What ſhall I tell you further of their ſeven Sacraments, and other Trent Doctrines, viz, Juſtification by work…, Purgatory, Indulgences, Tranſubſtantiation, the Maſſe, praying to Saints? I would not at this time conjure up theſe devils, unleſſe I had more time to lay them down, by a particular confutation: I referre you to the learned confutations of Chamier, Dr. Whitaker, and Dr. Reynolds, each one the glory and o…nament of his …niver…ty, and our Nation: One of them kills his enemy and hewes him to peeces: Another buries him: I will give in a few Principles, which are not my judgment only, though I heartily ſubſcribe thereunto, but of many others whoſe …ookes I am not worthy to carry after them.
One is that the Pope is foreign the Antichriſt, let's not be afraid 1. The Pope is the Antichriſt. v. G. Downham.to give him his right name, a…d call a ſpade a ſpade, a Whore a Whore, Antichriſt Antichriſt.
Learned Downham in ſeverall demonſtrations abundantly proves the Aſſertion, its a book worthy your peruſ…ll. K. James ask'd Sir Francis Bacon whether the …o…e were Antichriſt, he returned this anſwer, that if a hue and cry were made after Antichriſt, and he ſhould apprehend the Pope, he would make him clear himſelf of the markes of Antichriſt before he would let him goe.
A Second Principle is this, that a Papiſt cannot goe beyond a 2. A Papiſt cannot goe beyond a Reprobate. v. Mr. PerkinsReprobate, I referre you to the Learned and ſatisfacto…y tract of judicious Mr. Perkins, who will give you (if you be as willing to re…eive) abundant ſatisfaction in this particular.
A 3d. Principle is, that there ought to be no Peace no …econciliation with …ome: I am herein fully of that Reverend Drs…o…inion. 3. There ought to be no peace with Rome. B. Hall.th…t there ought to be no peace with …ome (though I cannot agree with him in ſaying that Rome is a true Church, no more then I can ſay that a wom…n is honeſt, who is know… to be a common Whore) As for Caſſander of old, Sancta Clara of late, who would be reconcilers, and joyn the Ark and Dagon, Rome and England together (for ought I know) they may as well reconcile the two Poles, as unite thoſe that differ in ſeverall fundamentals: A Pottle of Tyber and a Pint of Thames will make a ſtrange Medley, Ballderdaſh, Gallimaufrie (what ſhall I call it?) Chriſt and Antichriſt will not bee thus yoaked, Proteſtantiſme and Popery, Rome and Geneva can agree, no more than fire and water,
Frigida cum calidis pugnant, humentia ſiccis,
Lead and Gold cannot agree in the ſame Furnace, no union with Antichrist, no peace with Jezabel, no reconciliation with Babylon.
A fourth Principle is this, That a Papiſt living and dying in 4. A Papiſt living & dying in the truſting to his Merits cannot bee ſaved. 5. Babylon is Rome.the opinion of his own Merits, cannot be ſaved, becauſe he overthroweth the Foundation, cuts off that Bough whereon he ſhould lean, he overthroweth the Righteouſneſſe of Chriſt, and without Chriſts righteouſneſſe no ſalvation.
5. That Babylon is Rome, Ʋrbs ſepticollis, and ſhall bee deſtroyed: Rome is that Mother of Fornications and Witchcrafts: and herein you have the conſent of the moſt Orthodox and learned Interpreters of the Revelation, who concurre in this principle: Theſe are the Principles which I am not afraid to own, and I am perſ… ded that few or none of you differ from my judgment, but beleeve theſe Principles to be true.
I will have but one word more for a cloſe of all, in my laſt uſe, Ʋſe. 3. For Exhortation.which is for exhortation, and then I ſhall diſmiſſe you: My Brethren, you have heard of the Mercies of this day, ſingular Deliverances, ſingular Teſtimonies of the loving kindneſs of the Lord: Now what eminent things ſhall we doe for God? What ſhall we render unto the Lord for all his benefits? Let me be your Remembrancer, after what manner we ſhould remember the mercyes of this day, and then I ſhall commend you to the grace of God.
1. Remember to tranſmit the memory of this day to your Poſterity. Let this Anniverſary ſolemnity be kept in record; let it bee told by the Father to the children, and to the childrens children, from Generation to Generation: Becauſe ſome queſtion the truth of the day, and look upon it but as a politick invention, and Trick of State, let us bee more diligent to keep it in memory, let us ſpeak one to another of the mercies of this day, be well acquainted with the Hiſtory of the day, and let us ſpeak of this deliverance in the houſe, in the field, at our down-lying, and riſing up, what things of old, what ancient mercies the Lord hath vouchſafed to our Fathers, and to us in them. May this day be wrote in the Kalendar in Letters of Gold, which the Papiſts would have wrote in letters of blood.
2. Remember and praiſe God for this miraculous deliverance, 2. Praiſe God for the Mercies of this day.let our mouthes be filled with the praiſes of the Lord, Pſ. 107. 8. Lets take up the Pſ. 124. and make application; let our lips praiſe the Lord, and let us ſay the name of the Lord be praiſed: let our hearts praiſe the Lord, let all that is within us bleſs his holy name.
3. Remember and be vigilant, watch againſt Papiſts, truſt them 3. Remember and be watchfull.not, we know their equivo…tions, we know their blood-thi…ſty…eſs, lets ever deprecate and …bhorre any Toleration, any connivance or compliance with them; no mo…e truſting to them than to Simeon and Levi, Brethren in Iniquity, in whoſe habitations were inſtruments of cruelty, Gen. 49. 5, 6. Be cu…telous, come not near the brinke, venture not upon Armini…n, F…miliſtical, and other mungril opinions, which partly ſpeaks in the language of the Jews, and partly in the language of Aſhdod: Give the Devil his Option, he would have for his Agent a. Familiſt as ſoon as a Papiſt: for a Familiſt can aequivocate, and tell you he means Chriſt and him crucified, when as he means not the Chriſt crucified at Jeruſalem; but a phanſie of his own addle brain, a Chriſt in him, or a Platonick Chriſt.
4. And laſtly, ſhew ſome tokens for good of your joy and rejoycing 4. Shew ſome token of thankfulneſs.in the mercy of this day. This day is a day of Thankſgiving, let it be a day of Almes-giving, to cloath the naked, and feed the hungry, that their loyns may bleſs you; ſend to ſuch for whom nothing is prepared: This day is a feaſting day, and there ought to be a ſending of port…ons one unto another: I come in a good day, I hope you will not ſay me my; there are many poo…e Houſholders, and poor Scholars too, it's farre more charity to help them than your wandring Peggars. In Florence (as I have read) there was ſpeciall proviſion made for ſuch houſholders as were poor, and aſhamed to begge; let theſe be the objects of your charity: Florioes View of Tuſcany.Doe good to all, but eſpecially unto the houſhold of Faith; this is the ſpeciall duty of ſuch a day as this is, to honour God with our ſubſtance, to diſtribute our bread to the hungry: Wherefore forget not this duty, it's a ſacrifice where …ith God is wel-pleaſed. I commend this duty unto your practice, and the Lord ſtirre up your hearts, and cauſe you to draw forth your hearts to the reliefe of the diſtreſſed, afflicted, eſpecially the poor members of Jeſus Chri…, that this may be a good day, and a day of rejoycing to you, and a good day, and a day of rejoycing to them; and let the memoriall of this day be Monumentum aere perennius. Lets imitate the Je…s in the Text, and uſe all the care we can, that ſuch dayes as theſe are, may never faile, nor the memoriall of them periſh from our ſeed.