til V/JH ... ■PTJT-Nrn-p.frmvr -nt t v ** PRINCETON, N. J. Collection of Puritan Literature. Division Section Number :SC^- t ': A PLEADER TO THE NEEDER WHEN A READER. c: 1 AS all, my friend, through wily knaves, full often suffer wrongs, Forget not, pray, when it you've read, to whom this book belongs. Than one Charles Clark, of Totham Hall, none to't a right hath better, A wight, that same, more read than some in the lore of old W«eA-letter. And as C. C. in Essex dwells — a shire at which all laugh — His books must, sure, less fit seem drest, if they're not bound in calf ! Care take, my friend, this book you ne'er with grease or dirt besmear it ; While none but awkward puppies will continue to " fhall parley? no, oppreftion is too venemous a Cockatrice to be thus charmed ; Senacherlb is deaf to all Accommodation , he muft be his own Arbitratour , or elfe no pacification will be confented to. MeflTengers are fent, but they might have ftaydat home, EmbafTa- dours are difpatched, but Skat. 6 • raplunt conamlnaventi, Tfcb. They do but poure their treaties into the ayrc, they do return not with articles of agreement in their hands, but with briniih tears in their eyes. Behold the Mejfehgers fhallcry without, the Embajja- dours jhall weep bitterly, v. 7. And what then are the confequents of this fiuitlefle mediation? what but wofull skars?Refolve fuch an implacable enemy, Venturum excidlo LybU , — ■-- To come to the utter deftiuilion of the Land. Then have at Tra- vellers , Merchants , Nobles,Monuments , Kings Palaces , Kin^s Parks, Kings Woods, neither highwayes, ft ree.s, fields , forrefts are free from danger. There is nothing to be fecn a!l the Country over, but the lufulleftface of mifery , that mans eye could behold, Rabfhakehfaid, that he did come from God, but if all the Eume- nldts had made him Captain General, could he have been the Au- thour of more difmal outrages ? No place, right , calling,covenant, matter, or man were regarded ; for The high-wayes lay wafb, the waf-faring man ceafeth , he hath broken the Covenant , he hath dtfpifed Cities, he regardeth no man, and tJye earth mourncth,and fangu'fheth, Lebanon is ashamed and hewen down, Sharon is like a wilder n?fs, and Bafhan, and Carmel fhake off their fruit s. v. ,2.$, Calamity enough, but is this mifery cndlefs? No,God whofe nam: had becnabufed , his covenant violated and his people oppreffed, tt bi\ doth look down upon their mthes-, and rife up for their re* dreffe, Now will I rife faith the Lord , now will I be exalted , now will I lift up my f elf V.i o. Though a long time their coiki ive- ments had been fuccesfull, yet at laft their policies rhould be fnarcs, t\\c\ tn*eif defigns fetters, yea , they {"hbuld'but kindle a -fire to burn thvir fclvcs to anhcSp for yc [hall conrehe chafe , and bring forth flnbble^ ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. 3 ftubble,your breath as fire fhall devour you. The people fhall he a* t fa burning of lime, as thornes cut up fin all they be burnt In the fire. V.i 1. 1 2, yea the judgement {hall be lb terrible, that it iliall be the bruit of the earth, Rumor iV, er magnum fermonibus occupM orbem, Ovid.6. For Hear ye that are far off, what I have done , and ye that are Me '« near acknowledge my might. V.i 3. It's true , Temporizers and Neiicers had fad apprchcnlicns , as if this dolefull ftate could never be altered, they cry out, Funditus occidimus,nec habetfortuna regrejfum. ©M 1 * We arc utterly undone , and the profpcrity of the Nation can ne- *™ ttd ' ver hare a return; ,the fire is kindled, and all will be confumed in this wading flame. The [inner s in Sion fhall be afraid, fearfulnejfe hath furpri fed the hypocrites, who amongst us fhall dwell with the devouring fire ? who amongst: pu fhall dwell with the everlasting burnings? V.i 4. Bit fhall there be no more aufpicious thing to be expected by the righteous ? yes, they that have not wavered in this time of tryal , but have done , and fpoken that which do become true Patriots, and fincere ProfeiTours,which neither were difmayed with accidents, nor have followed the hurle in State , not lurched any thing out of the common cafualty , nor brained men with the pole-axe of the a^e , but had lived like fteady , invariable , & incorrupt perfons , not skilled in thepinching,and bribing arts of the times , but tender over mens eftates , and bloud , thefe men iliall have ample, and ftable felicity , for He that walkjth rightc- oujly, and hath fpoken uprightly, he that defpifeth the gaine of op- prejjion , and hath fhaken his hands from taking of bribes , that floppeth his eares from hearing of bloud, and fhutteth his eyes from feeing of evill, He fhall dwell on high , his place fhall be the muni- tion of roekj, bread, fhall be given him, and his waters fhall be fur e. V.i 5. 1 6. Well,hcrc are phdges for the peoples happinefle , but vv'.-iu newes for the King? What mull he alwayeslive in Rrcights? no , his enemies iliall be difpevfed ftrangely, and he in a miracu- lous manner refbred. Senacherib came in upon the fpurre, but he iliall be drawn back with a hook. Senacherib fhall vanifh , and He^ekiah than appear ; He fhall be looked upon as a King , and as a King in pomp and fplendouf , the age iliall be ratifhed to fee his Majeiikk eflate , and be in a trance to fee a depreiTcd Prince B 2 raifed 4 ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. raifed up to the height of fublime dignity , for they {"ha II not on- ly fee him a King, but a King in his Beauty. Thine eyes fhall fee the King in his Beauty. In the Text confider with me, 1 . The opening of a Cabinet , or a Thine eyes fhall fee clear manifestation, I 2. The Gemmc prefented , ? The King 3 . The luftre of the fame , J In his Beauty. Firft, for the opening of the Cabinet , or the clear manifesta- tion, Thine eyes (hall fee. Gods Cabinet had been fruit , but he would unlock it , people had lived in the daik , and though they might hope for much , yet for the prefent they difcerned nothing, but this black sky fhould not alwayes laft , there fhould come a time of light and fight , though thy eyes do not fee, yet thine eyes fhall fee. Thine eyes (hall fee. From hence obferve, that thefweet- neffe of a bleffingis in the actual fruition ofthefame,\\ot to have it promifed, but prefented, not hoped for, but enjoyed. Ovid. longa mora est nobis, qua gaudia differt, Retarding, which doth delay a bleiTing,is very iikfome to us, y mt , t i h&vTefiimv, y.inofli ve'u%, Iliai.t. To expect long, and at laft to return empty is tedious, and vcxa- Tetrarck. tiov.s. Nunquam exfetlatio tranquillitafque fimul cohabitant. dial, i io. Long waiting, and fatisfaclion do never dwell together. The hope that is deferred doth afflict the foul. The brests of confolation yield tis no fweetneffe , till we milk^ out, and be delighted with the abundance of glory. Lf.65. n. Efpoufals do not fatisfy a bride, but actual wedding.The Israelites had many a fad grone till they entred the Land of Canaan , and Noah till the Arke refted upon the Mountains of Ararat. Better is the fight of the eyes , then the ypandring of the defire. Ecclef.<5. o. The wand ring of the defires is pain, and grief , but the feeing with the eyes is contentment, therefore David praifed God that he fet one upon his Throne , his eyes feeing it. i Kings i. 48. And God did comfort up his dear •Ma/.itj. people , that their eyes fhould fee , that God would be magnified from the border of Ifrael. Senfiblc comforts are moft fatisfactory, not ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. 5 no: thofe which have their prediction, but their production, fuch as are come to an accomplithment , and are brought to eye-fight. Thine eyes fhall fee. 1. This doth fltevv firft that God Is the God of fights, the thing ~*N l * that it hid he can bring forth to light. Job 28. 11. He canfhew wonders in tlje Heavens , and the Earth. Joel 2. 28. yea fo de- light our cares, and affect our eyes , that we fhall {land in a kind of amazement , and fay, Who hath heard fuch a thing ? and who hath feen fuch things. E{.66. 8. How great arc his jignes? how mighty are his wonders? Dan. 4. 3. oh then we that are all for rare things, and ttrange fights,wh-y do we not cleave clofe to God ? is there any which can fo dazle our eyes ? Is not he the God of ob- jects ? yes , he is the^reat ©*«rt^Tfyy©*,Wonder-\voikei, dedit 0- Mfr cutis, quodvix comprehendere potest oculu*. He hath given fo pf ratm much to the eye , that the eye cannot comprehend it. If we would triumiie. be Spectatours of bright things , then we fhould never feparatq our rum. felves ftom him who doth make every thing to fhine with radiant beames, no, we fhould frui Deo, f cut luce oculm , enjoy God, as ^«£« l*- the eye doth the light. If we provoke the- eyes of his glory , he will de c . iVlt * yex our eyes with fad fights, but if we do that which is acceptable " in his eyes , he will do that , which fhall be delegable to our eyes. We are enemies to the joy of our lives , and not worth the eyes in our heads, which do incenfe God; for this is that which do hinder us from many glorious things, which we might behold. Doth God ufually tranfport. the wicked? no,they fcarce fee an admirable thing in their life-time; the extafying fights are for the righteous , they are the pure eyes which fee ravifhments , God doth referve his prime Objects for his Hidden Ones, for them that are unto him as the apple of his eye, or cleanfed eyes , let us then be the pleafurc of his eyes, becaufe he is the God of our Objects; it is he that faith , I will delight thy fenfes , it is he that faith , Thine eyes fhall fee. Secondly, this doth {hew us that we may depend upon God for *• wonders, the eyes of all things look^ufon thee, and they may,for he is the God of the eyes , and hath the curious , and marvellous . fights for them. The pictures. with orient colours do hang in his gallery, the exquifite ,polifhed, elaborate matter-pieces arc to be feen in his Providence. Totm manm eft ? He is all hand. Dens i# ^ una CIO 6 ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. Dknyf.ie HH a existent ia omnia prahabet. God in his one exiftcncy hath the Div.nom. anticipation of all things which can be (hewn. Totam perfect lo- Jiquln. nem e jf en Ai in fe contlntt. He doth include the perfection of every 18.3.4. a. being in himfelf. For other things it may be faid that unumquod- 2- ffWt eft bonum fuo bono , Every thing is good by his own proper B ^- and particular good , but God hath goodnefte in hirfi not by way oflimitation, determination, order, fpecies, ormeafuie;butby in- divifion, eminency , and exceife , he being the Ab(lra6t of all the Dionyf.de concrete excellencies in the world, for he is not hoc , ant hoc , fed Vivm. omnia, this, or that, but all things. He is Immerfz vlttutis v\vens % c *' & pot ens , The living, and powei full thing of an unlimited virtue. Hilar 1%. There is in God unlverptatis admlrabllis pulchrltudo, the admi- re Trin. rable beauty of the whole univetfe , therefore thofe things which ^iug.in come from him are not onery good, but valde bonajvery good. God Zybir. then can thew us better things , and greater things i and brighter things, then ever we yet beheld. If potent man (as thou thinkeft) can make thee fee itrange things, what can the Omnipotent God ? he can prefent to thee terrible things (that is, admirable things) which thou lookedfi not for, even fill thy eyes with Wonders ; that thouihalt fay , whence come the fe Objects £ who ever thought tt> have feen fuch things ? oh the mysteries of Divine Providence! oh the fplendour of Gods- ablings '.The like was never feen in Ifrael, Mat. 9.3 ?. they were all amazed, and glorified God,faylng,ivC ne- ver f aw it on this fort. Maik 2.12. who is llkj unto the oh Lord simongfb the Gods f who is Hhjunto thee , glorious in holineffc, fearfu'l inpraifes, doing- wonderf?hzod.i 5. 1 1 . As if there were not in the whole wovld tongues lowd enough to fing. out Gods praifes,or eyes bright enough to fee the admiration which (hine in his works. When thou feerr nothing but tears, God can moke thee fee triumphs ; when thou fecit nothing but Chains, God can make thee fee Crown*; when thou feerr nothing but Wounds , God can make thee fee Wonders.He is notonely 'jebovah-Sbalom,the Lord our P e ace. Jud.*. 6. 2 4.0V Jehovah- Nlffi, the Lord our banner, but Jehovah-Jlreh , our feeing God, or the God that will forefee for ■us, for the Lord feet h, or will fee for us. What flialt thou not fee, if the Lord will but fay , Thine ryes ft all fee ? Thou flialt fee a change of all thy .miftrics , an end of all thy try i Is , all thy old difa-fters are gone , God will create all things new things. If.45- ENGLAND'S BTAUTY. 7 1 9. and call thee by a new name, If.6 2.2. and build new gates to the Hottfeofthe Lord. Jer.26. 10. and unto the Jewes fhall arifc a new light, and joy, and gladneffe, and honour .Efttr.8. 1 6. let not the faces of thy prefent enemies too much daunt thee, for the Egy- ptians whom thou haft feen to day , thou (halt fee no more here- after. Exod.14. 1 3. Let not the afflicted condition of profeilion too much perplexe thee, for thou irialt fee Jehofhuah put off his fil- thy garments , and behold a fair Diademe let upon his head , and rich garments put upon his back. Zach.3 . 4.5 . Let not the fcattered ftoncs of Sion too much trouble thee , for thou fhalt/^ Sion have her ft ones laid with Carbuncles, and her foundations with Saphlrs, her very windows fhall be made of Emeralds , and all her gates of (hiningftones. If.54.11. 12. thou fhalt/Ve Jerufalema quiet habitation, the City of folemnltles,and fet up as thepralfe of Na- tions. Talk not too much of the bloud , and hunger , and flavcry which have been endured in the Nation , for ye fhall not fee the fword,and famine, and yoak^any more ; be not fo much dejected to fee the lamp of religion even extinguished, for what fee sir thox> and If aid I looked , and behold , a Candleftlck^all of gold ^ and a bowle upon the top of It , and feven lamps, and feven pipes to the lamps , and two olive trees, the one on the right fide of \tbe bowle, and the other on the left fide of the bowle to empty themfejr'jss Into the pipes .Zach.4.2 .3 . After a grievDUS defoiation , there may be a. glorious reftauration; afcer thou hail feen as fad lights as mans :y::s can look.upon, th?u maift fee as charing , dehghtfull fights as mans eyes can behold ; thou maift fee a new face, a new fafhion, a new form, a new frame , a new Church , a new State , God may bring forth thefirft Dominion , ralfe up the Tabernacle of David that if fallen, clofe up breaches, and build It as In the dayes .of old. Amos 9.1 1 . fhe that was called Defolate, Forfaken, may be called Heplozslbah, Beulah , my Delight is In her, or my amiable fpoufe. If.6 2 . 4. fhe that hath been quenched to the laft fpark may prone a firebrand In the fheaf. Zach.12. 6. fhe that hath been duink.n with miferks may turn to be a cup of poyfon to all them that art roundabout her. Zach.12. 2.. fhe that have lain a?nongsb the puts may havefilver wings given her, and feathers like gold .Pf. 6 X . 1 3. Sion that hath been beaten with instruments of iron may a- rJfeand threfh. Micili 4. j 3. Jeiufalem that lay in the dull may hay j. V % ENGLAND'S BEAUTY; have her old old waft places repaired,cjr foundations laid for many generations. EC. 5 8. 12. When the Sun of a Churches profperity hath part the Meridian line , and it is even about to fet, yet God can make the fhadowes to ret vim back^ many degrees, as he did up- on the Dyal of Ahaz, j when a grievous drought hath remained many years amongft the Saints, God can make a little cloud to ap- pear, and though at firft it be no bigger then a mans hand, yet iii time it may overfpread the whole heavens , and there may follow after it a great rainc,as it happened in the dayes of Achab;wt have never feen our Lift of favours , if God pleafeth not to reft rain his Providence : for when our hand is paft working , can Gods hand effect nothing ? yes, Arife, arife^ put onftrength oh Arm of the Lord, arlfe as in the old time , as in the generations that are paft. Art not thou the fame that cut in pieces Rahab ? and wounded the Dragon? If. 5 1 . 9. God cannot be maftered with the greateft difficulty , all State-tricks, and politick defignes are to him but as rotten cords, and fpiders webs. K now e sir thou not me , faith the Lord f The Lord is a man of war, his name is Jehovah, Exod. 1 5. 3. Oh he, which meafure the wateis in his fift , fpan the heavens, comprehend the duft of the earth in a meafure , weigh the moun- tains in fcales, and the hils in a balance, which doth dry up rivers, cleave the rocks , break the heads of the Dragons , which doth ac- count all the Inhabitants of the earth but as grafhoppers to him, and doth but look upon the earth , and he maketh it to tremble, what can refill: his will? or oppofe his power ? no, after thou haft fpent out a life in groanes and tears , he can adorn thee with ta- brets; afcer thou haft been wafted with wars, and thine own dwel- ling-place hath caft thee out,he can lead thee into thine own houfe, and make thee fit under thine own vine,and thine own figge-tree in peace. Rely upon this God then , and expe£t Wonders from him; when thy eye-bals have aked to behold any thing that is com- fortable, and nodiing thou coiildft difcern , though thy eyes were ready to fall out. Dcut. 28. 6 5. yet then he may tell thee that happy fights are at hand , yea fay unto thee , Thine eyesfhall fee. Thirdly , this doth iliew that God is to have the honour of all rich bleffings. Doth this appertain to man ? 2 Sam. 7. 19. t0 man to gratify the world with fights ? no, it is Sod onely that faith, Thine ENGLAND'S BEAUTV. 9 thine eyes (hall fee. Oh then that we are apt to turn our eyes the wrong way,even to fixe them upon man,rather thenGod/ For man we fee,and think that by him we onely fee , that none prefents ob- jects to our eyes, but this Inferiour Deity. Thus we commit Idola- try with rhefc petty-gods , and facrifice to-thefe earthly Numcns; as if we would bury all the honour of happy things in du/t-heaps, or make the Sun-glafle more excellent then the Sun it felf. This hath been mans dim fight ever to fee nothing but the face be- fore us, or to magnify the dream in ftead of the Spring-head , fo that whereas we fhould adore God , we have mens perfons in ad- miration. Jude 11. and for giving him in Heaven the juft glory of all his free favours wc beftow upon men flattering titles. Job 32.22. whereby in (lead of afcribing praife to the true Authour of our felicity, wc deify the Crcature;this hath alwayes been mans vanity, or rather impiety to worfoip at the wrong Altar, or facri- ticc to our own nets, and to burn incenfe to our own yaine,juft as Hellefpontius who would needs hare Xerxes to be Jupiter in the NerodU.7. ihape of a Perfian, or the Athenians, who becaufe Demetrius Po- liorcetes won Munychia from Caffander , whereby they were freed from the Macedonian tyranny, would needs have him received into SabelL the number of the gods, and appointed a particular Pricfi: tofacri- 1.7, fice to him, faying, that he was the onely god to them that was a- £»««<*• waken , and all the reil of the gods were afleep ; and Tribonian, ** r . who becaufe Justinian had been very fuccesfull in all his enter- „£„'■ prifes called him an immortal creature , promifing him that he iliould never dye , but carry hisflefh with him into heaven. But when man hath plaid the Parafite never fo long with his fellow- creature, is it man that is the principal Agent ? no, God knows, he cannot of himfelf make one hair white, or blacky God is fuch an *'Mo? abfolute former of all things , thattft? pluvi a paffidn u P on compaflion. Qpkawd toleran- w. dum^quicquid operandum, pondus diet , & aflus fufiinendafunt. Greg, Every thing is to be endured, every thing waited for,we muft un- hom.11. dergo the heat, & burthen of the day before we catch at a blerTing. inEvang. ^ ft^jy Profeffour , if he cannot have his defires inftantly fatif- dhrhts ^ cc *> non V ror uat ad exceffum murmur atlonis , muft not break out frxlu, into the exceffe of murmuring. Accelerating defires are ill guides •' faid ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. n fa id Socrates , rafh defires are as bad as rafti fouldiers , Feflinatio th$> improvida eft & c&ca. Too much fpccd is both improvident, and ^ ecad - blind; therefore faith the faithful! , We haved waked for the in the way of thy judgements. If.2<5. 8. that is they were not too ea- ger to have the judgement over tilJ'God thought it fit. As the huf- bandman doth wait for the precious fruits of the earth , fo jfhould wc for Gods precious favours. We muft not rip up the dugge for milk , not force the child out of the womb till the hour of delive- rance be come , not launch forth till the tide be come in, not defire to taft of fiuits till Gods Sun-beams have ripened them; a fair hand muft be written leifurely, a curious picture is long in the drawing ; it is the torment of reiigion to be too paffionate upon blcffings, they arc fickChriftians which are williing for light before the day- ftarre do appear. Tiue Saints hatch mercies, and donor defire to hear the bird chit ping , till the fhell be broken ; and they endure their winter-agues patiently , till the running of the bloud at fpring-tide. None entertain favours with more fervour, nor expect them with more faith. And this is according to the rule , for He that bel'ieveth fhall not make hafie.l{'.iS.i6. It is a tumult againft Heaven to with to be happy before Gods time , thefe unfeafonable defires are both -irrational., and irreligious. Such importunate fui- tors are troubled with Rachels impatience, who muft have chil- dren at her own call , or clfe fhe is ready to dye. Thefe are thofe which would drink wine out of the green clufters , or be efpoufed to Gods favours before the Virgins are man iageablc: But can God endure fuch a rape upon his bldlings ? or that men fhould break open the doors upon him for an almes > Thefe arc fturdy Begcr ars indeed , and fitter to be carried to the whipping-poft , then to re- ceive Boones. The (till child doth deferve two breads, but the cla- morous child doth fcarcely defeive to be fed at all. Wraftlc as much as ye will for blcflings , but do not feek to get them with chiding and^ raving ; that is a bad tongue which is ftridulent a- gainft Gid , which would make him a Dcbtour rather then a Do- nour.Thou muft endure to have thy faith to be tried, as well as de- lire to have thy wants lupptyed ; thou muft live with expectation, till Gods time of exhibition come ; for the Vifion is yet for an ap- pointed time, though it tarry, wait. Habbac. 2 . 3 . It is ajj» to limit the HolyoneofJfraeL Pf.78.41.to confine (Sod to our own fea- C 2 |bnc 12 ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. Tons, orpun&ilioes. As if (Sod muftfccd us according to our own appetites, or elfe we are ftarved , or he muft deliver us when we call for freedome, or elfe he does put a [word into our enemies hands to flay us. Exod. 5.2 1 .Is not this the general cry, wc are not helped, we ihall not be helped; we do not fee, we ihall not feepyes, then the cafe is remedileffe, all is given over, as loft. Oh what adoc had we not long fince to quiet the penfive / and to filence the difcontented / Our cnemi:s perfecution was not worfe then our friends inipatience; nor the defpight of the one, then the defpair of the other. Oh our Gavery hath thus long continued , we arc a lofi people, This is of the Lord , why jhould we wait upon the Lord Any longer} 2 Kings £.33. What do our Statef-men comfort us ? do our pulpits bid us hope for better times > both of us feemed but as Impoftours to them; Sure I am,for our felves,that if we preached unto them , that upon true repentance they might yet expect a re- demption out of all miferies, they were ready to deride us,and defy us, and to count us feditious, yea to call us Templc-Lunaticks, and infatuated, and intoxicated Royalifts. But hath not God lliamed this incredulous generation?yes,and taught them confidence in the midft of exigents. Affiance is the bed: Diet-bread to live upon in tribulation. Hopes feeds the exiled. Whatfoever fad Progno(ticks there be for the prefent, yet Th&criu Coelxm adhuc volvltur , Heave* is yet turning about. The Poles fland not more firmely, then Gods decrees ; the accede of the Sun to die Tropicks is not more certain, then the morion of Gods unchangeable purpofes.Can Gxi for ever foi fake the uue members of the Church ? no Hell- gates fhall not prevail again ft them. This is unto me as the waters of Noah. If. 54.9. The promifes of God are yta,avd Amen. That which h not now apparent may afterwards be manifeftcd , that which is not now feen may 1:1 a fhoit time be feen, Thine eyes fhall fee. $ . Fifthly, this doth (hew the high joy that there ought to be upon the enjoyment of a fight. Was it but laid, Thine eyes fhall fee^nd do thine eyes fee ? then where are thine eyes ? had thou the defire of thy eyes , and is there not the delight of thine eyes ? oh yes, the light ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. 13 light of the eyes rejoyceth the heart, Prov. 15. go. For wherefor c hath God made the feeing eye, but that when it doth fee , what it would fee, it Should fee it with a tranfportment I then the eyes Should be lift up to Heaven , and they Should look upon the Au- thour with an exultation ; then there Lhould be the magnifying tongue for the feeing eye, and a thankfull heart for the joyfull fight ; then there Lhould be p:aifc for the fmit of Divine Provi- denee,and bleffing for a bhlling. For docs God vilic us,and are we not fenfible of his prefencef does he put an Object to our eyes, and know we not what it is to be Eye-witneffes of his goodnefle , and kindneffefwhat ftupid Spc£tatours are we? how blind are our eyes? then we deferve not fuch a prefent, nor to have fcen fuch a mercy. Contempt, penury , thraldome had been fitter for us to have looked upon, tfacn peace, fafety, profperity. Do ye thus requite the Lord oh foolifh people} thus, for breaking your yoake, ridding you from hard bondage, and fctting your feet in a large place? Hath he filled your land with fongs, and can ye not hear ? hath rie replenished the Nation with aftoni (liable fights,and can ye not fee ? Is this your entertainment ofbleflings? is this your glee upon mercies ? I find more fparkles , and glowing incentives then thefe in the brcfts of Heathens ; the jEgincts when they returned from Troy, their kindred which never thought to have feen them again (lb many viut. of their fellows being dcLtroyed, with the wars , and tempefts) o- Grscan. pened their doors to them , and well-comed them home with fo- 4"*A lcmneFea{ts,and facrificed Sixteen dayes to Neptune with dances. The Grecians which had been a long time in the wars of Cyrus^ ViC jf: 1 ;. 14 ' when they had liberty to return home to their own Country, they Bl t0 ' u no fooner came to the light of the Euxine Sea, but they Shouted as if they would have Shaken down the woods. FUmimus by the found of Trumpet proclaiming liberty to the Coritithhns,Euboiaiis jfJJ? Phoccnfes, Locrcnfes , Achaians , and the grcateft part of Greece, when they expected nothing but bondage, their acclamations were fo loud that they were heard from the Ifthmian games to the Sca- fhore ; and have we neither heart-it rings, nor tongue-flrir.gsto make melody upon fuch occafions? where then is our grace ? where is our zeal ? know we not what it is to come out of a Correction- houfe ? know we not what it is to lay aiide fetteis ? oh that God Should deliver fuch a people, as underftand not the worth of liber- ty.'. 1+ ENGLAND'S BEAUTY.. ty / or bleffe fuch a people as have not eyes to fee the bleffing '5 what?fenfelefTe in what we do feel? and blind in what we do fee > can there be more flinty hearts ? and atrofied eyes? But thus it is, we are fick for many things when we want them , and furfeted when we do enjoy them ; we would give millions for them when they are abfent, but fcarcely a gale of praifes for them , when they are prefent; as fweet things periih with the taft , fo happy things with the fight ; we look on them once , and never caft an eye to- wards them after. We are much the better for Gods favours, but what is he the better for our intereft in them ? Who would think, that this were the Land, where God had fhot out his arrow of deli- verance,brought people out of horrible (la very ,broken the ftaffof the wicked, hath given the anfwer of peace , commanded the bloudy fword into the fcabbard, raifed up a hill of bleffings,lighte«l*up his candle, made a waft ground to flouriih again as the rofefVVhat ho- noyr hath God for all thefe large mercies ? what but a few fmiles and frolicks , rantings and chantings , fcaftmgs and plumings, a little good language, and a little good ftudying of old principles ? are there fewer riots, oathes, bribes, frauds in the Nation then for- merly ? what confeiences are renewed , or hearts changed by the fenfeof all thefe bleflings? what.? are the Church, or the Univerfi- ties, or the captives, or the poor the better for the change of the times .? Do every one now emulate who iriall be the nobler Bene- faclour? or exceilmoft in pious works ? where are the Characters of our thankfulneflepor the monuments that we have raifed up to Gods blelfings? Are there many of thefe hallowed portions offered up to Heaven ? are there many of thefe religious Dedications ? no, I am afraid that in ftead of the fruit of the BleiTing,there is nothing but the benefit and advantage of it minded , to lay hold on rich offices , and to fall to trading with a kind of eagernefle , and to build Banquetting-houfes for Libertines to recreate themfclves together ; but there is not a trowel yet provided for God , nor a Caivcr fpoken to fct up a graven piece to Heaven. Where then is our eying of Gods blcifing? no,we did fee it, but we did but de- fire a glance of it , we have viewed it enough , we are weary with looking on it. But if we be no better Obfervers of Objects, is there not a defect in our eye-fight? yes,there is either a diftemper in the Conjunctive of the eye, or fome tubercle in our eye-lid ,' or fome ob- ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. is obftru&ion in the primal , there is either a phthifis, or Strabl[mns % or Hippos, whereby an Ophthalmy, JEgilops , Pl&hia, MydriafiS) or Cataract is gotten into tfie eye , for we cannot fee what we did fee, .we cannot fee, what is yet plainly to be feen. Oh therefore let us betake our felves to fome good Oculift , that we may recover our fight, for it is a ihame to be fo bad-fightcd in difecrning blef- (ings. There are many which maligne us this happineiTe, their eyes rowle to the corners that they might not look upon it, there is this OchIpu nequam in the head of every Sedtary, or Phanatick ; now though there be llthiajts-^ox epiphora in our Adverfaries , fothat they feem like goggle-eyed, or fquint-eyed perfons looking with a diftortion upon our profperous condition , yet £hall there be ern- phlfma, or myopia in us that we fhould be dark-eyed , or narrow- eyed in feeing our own felicity ? no, that which we defired to fee with fo much vehemence , let us now look upon it intenfively ; oh let us embrace that Rachel with all manner of affection, for which we endured fo many years of hardship to obtain her. Oh that our God went at a great price with us, that we would weigh him out a National gratitude according to the value of his favours , that our apprehennon were as fignal as his goodnefs/ We can never Arithme- tically requite him, let us give him fome Geometrical proportion. Let us confpire together to fend him a bountifull prefent, yea fay, here Lord take a freewill-offering for the benefit of our liberties, liYeSjConfciences. Thou haft given us a Kingdom-redemption,ac- cept of a Kingdom-retribution.Oh that we knew how to retaliate/ to weigh out God a recompenfe according to the jfhekcl of the Sanctuary / that every one of us would ftrive who fhould have the moll devout heart, or the moft thankfull hand.Will we be fparing tofucha munificent God? can there ever be enough given for fuch Halcyon-dayes? What have ye gained by them? ihall God rife up a loofer? no,lct the extenfion of our commemoration, and remunera- tion anfwer the latitude of (Sods benevolence and benediction, h becometh well the juft to be thankfully then what degree of thank- fulneffc do we owe to God Almighty? ye that arc ftricl in your engagements, and deftre to fatisfy every man to a Dencere,rcmem- ber your obligation to Heaven, and pay God his debt,his prclerva~ tion-debt. The felicity of the Nation is manifeft, the piety of the Nation is tried ; We are the happyeft people upon earth 5 let us be the j6 ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. the holyeft people upon earth ; wherefoever Gcd hath his fpiritual race, let the Englifh-man be the Saint ; Let every one of the Re- formed Church, be a transformed Proteftant. It is a fhame, that here fliould be a Libertine, or that any Sectary , or Papift (liould excell us in purity. Gods mercies require more innocency at our hands , the brightneflfe of his favours oblige us to brightnefle of fan£tity,yea that the Kingdom all over (hould ihine in the radian- cy of grace. Oh therefore let us enamel our bleflings , and as we have reigning mercies amongft us , fo let us fet a Crown upon the head of them. Let here be the new creatures, the children of light, the lively ftones,the feed of the blefTed, the trees of righteoufneiTe, the people that are partakers of the divine nature , that have a lot amongft them which are fan&ified , that are bought from men, men that this world is not worthy of,yea let the whole Land be turned into a Kingdom of Priefts. We ought to do this for our very fights fake , our Objects do require us to be fuch Ornaments, and our mercies fuch Mirrouvs. What fhould be feen in us, when fo much is feen by us? We fee that which we did not fee , we fee that, which we were once afraid we fhould never have fcen;Though we be now in fruition , and our eyes do fee , yet let us remember how remote this happinefTe was , at what a diftance the Object was placed from us , we had it but in expectation, or our greateft propinquity to it was in a promife,the fight referved to the future, Thine eyes fh all fee. 2 Part. The Kin*. o I have done with the opening of the Cabinet, I now come to take out the Gemme. Seeing there is a fight I would fain fee what it is ; Is it the beft of the Nation > then I wipe mine eyes to look upon him. Hath he been. hid in a cloud? then it will be pleafure to fee him, when God does prefent him. Hath he not for many years been feen, and is now the feeing time come ? then I can no longer with-hold mine eyes from him ,no I paifionately dedrc to fee the King. Thine eyes foall fee the King, The King. From hence ob- ferve, that A King is the perfettion of all earthly Objetls. Of all defireable and delectable Sights that this world can afford, a King is the fplendonr of them. Thine eyes (hall fee the King. He ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. 17 He is publici decoris I amp as, the lamp of public^, bright n?fe; Cceli- CafnoL turn egregitts labor , the Mafter- piece of the divine Artlfan;Ex- ^" eC y a ** cubitor communis jalutis^l\\z Watch-man,o: Sentinel of the com- Matthias monfafctv; magnum regn'i columen, the great pillar of the King? *4grit- dom; o^'w®- tyoo-®*, the heavenly dew to water a Nation; Caput t<»s. quod ab alto providet , The head which from above doth provide w ,ll ~ for multitudes ; OcuIhs innate corpori, the eye fee in the head to Henr ^ look for the 'generr 1 good ;Perittts Gubemator,t\\e skilful! Maninjer Homer. which doth prefer ve the whole birk from periling; P^.v/7/^ reipu- Greg, in ^ bliCit^thz ftay,or fuppocter, uvon which hang the weight of a whole P*P°**h* Commonwealth;/^^ qui urit,cr lucempr&betff\\z fire w r hich doth ^ j e burn up all the wicked^and doth give light to all the Godly .Yea,the ojf.reg. Ancients knowing the high benefit of fuch a fupreme Governour PhUo know not how to beftow Elogies > and Encomiafticks- enough up- **^ e on him ; And doth not Scripture concur with thefe , and fet out a C ^* m 'j e King with as great luftre ? yes, / have [aid ye are Gods, Pf.82.6. uf' a y u r As if a Kin£ were Giowm, the Medal , wherein Gods own Image g>-ad.6. is rcprefented, Alte r Dens In terris, another God upon earth. For Procop.ix (me think) I fee in a King a fcmblance of Gods infinite being, his Gene f- Zm quickening fpi-it, his out-ft retched arm,and his glorious Majefty. rer ^£ He is not the Divinity , but a SynopGs of the Divinity , ''ty*>tfst $ chryfoft. 0fO7?j7®-, a God exemplified, or effigiated. Why are Kings Go p r o- mifed to Abraham, Kings (hall come out of thy loines, and 10 pro- phefied of by 'Jacob, Judah (hall have a Scepter, and fo pafiionate- ly defired by the people, Give us a King^wd fo confirmed by God Almighty, by an Inftitution, an Oath, and by the holy oyle, yea, why is God himfelf called the great King, the King of glory, and the King of K'ings , if there were any thing upon earth more emi- nent then a King ? As it is the grcatcft curfe upon earth to want a King ; For many dayes fhall pajfe in Ifrael without a King. Hof.3. 4. and becaufe we feared not the Lord, therefore we have no Ki,:g. Hof.10.3. So it is the greateft blefling to have a King , for the (ho ut of a King is amongst thejn. Num. 2 ^.21. and the Lord hath given yon a King. I Sam. 12.15. and, IVhy do ft thou cry out ) is there not a King in thee } Micah 4. 9. as if a King weijS jjici c, all were well. When I read of fo much reverence, & awfuil fubje: 1 enjoyned to Kings , that we muit fubmit to them for the Lords fak?<> an ^ not reft ft them for fear of damnation , that we mult not D 18 ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. provohjjhem to wrath , not ft and in an evil thing againft them, not curfe them in our bed-chambers ; how do I think that Kings are prjceleUely tendered by God Almighty , and that they are his chief Favourites/yea,wherefore does he command fo many prayers and (applications .to be made for them , and that with a f**A<$w, efpecially, as if he would have the lips of a whole Nation to facri- fice for their fafety and welfare , if Kings were not the principal perfons, which God had under his proteSion,and tutelage ? Well then if either Gods love,or his lawes , his titles, or his priviledges, his million, or commiflion, his confecration, or confervation , his impreffe, or his Image, his watchfull providence, or his irefull ven- geance concerning Kings be to be regarded , we cannot imagine any perfons more confpicuoas or precious , excellent or eminent then Kings. No,mans eyes can fee no more exquifite, and magnifi- cent Creature upon earth then a King , for Thine eyes (hall fee the King, mtyptic* 1 .This ferves fiift to fliew us the high frns of this Nation,which for many years deprived us of this happy fight .Did we not provoke the eyes of Gods glory ? yes, we maydifcern it by the judgement upon our eyes, We faw not a King. God is deeply incenfed,when he doth take away the Diademe. Lzech.2 1. 26. and people have been Tranfgredours to purpofe , when it may be faid to them, Where is thy King that fhould help thee in all thy Cities ? Hof.i 3. I o. yea, when the Crown is fallen from their head , they may cry wo unto us roe have finned. Lament. 5. 16. Have they not broken Gods Lawes grievoufly , when the breaker fh all come up before them, and lay hold upon him thatfitteth in the Throne, fo that the King fh all go out before them , and the Lord fhall be upon their heads ? Micah.2. 1 3. oh God is ready to difannullthe Covenant, which he made with his people , when he doth breakjhis ftaffe of Beauty. Zach.i 1 .10. would to God then, that we were as fenfi- ble of our Sins as our Sufferings , and our wickedneffc , as our wretchedneffe. We loft the fight of a King for our guilty eyes,and have we not gained the fight of him again with the frm: crimi- nal eyes ? have we fo minded and mortified , revieved and re- nounced our known corruptions , that we welcomed the King into a cleanfed Land ? were there none but Penitents , which fetched kirn in ? It is true, that though there be corruption in the wound, yet ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. 19 yet there is health in the medicine , but do not we cany our old Uvuht- ulceus about us , infomuch that though we have been wounded, fffiwut ve refute to apply a plaifte forcure,fo that our former botches '» we ^«- itmaiding, wc hrve bat broUgbt home the King to a LiZeihouk? **J ur ^ d ' Oh that we had had as mi:ch defire to renew our consciences, as to chryf.de renew ate State , and to take away the cords cf our iniquity, as to^ar/.}, take oft our fetteis, and to fee the face of Chiift, as to lee the face No;, qui of the King; hut I doubt,that there have been few of thefe defires, JyJJJ^. or few of thefe eyes; we had eyes to look onely to our deliverance, bUg ar i ' not to our duties,to the change of cur miferies, not of our manneis^aww *Lycon the fcholar otStraton could fpeak fo eloquently that he was ***«'*- callcd Glycon, (tact fpcech, but he wrot fo haiilrly , that no man ']j£ m * would read what he penned ; So we are curious Rhetoricians tOserm.de fpeak of good things , but the worft Sciibes in the world to write drcumcif. out accurately in our conventions , what we have delivered ele-* Ztert. gantly with our tongues, What we were at the beginning of our ••!• miferies the fame we are ft ill, and have gotten no more mortifica- tion by palling through variety of calamiues,then fillies do get in- to them any fait tail by fwimming a long time in brackillr Sea- wateis, or then Eunomns did get any purging from his corrupt hu- ^ollo** mours,by taking two and twenty potions of Hellebore. Oh inflext- .^Xar ble. hearts f oh fruitleiTe judgements / It were well therefore , that we would difperfe that cloud that kept the light of the Sun fo long from us;do we lufYer thefe thieves to range up,and down at liberty, till they have robbed us once more of our Gemme? This had ne^d to be the contrite Land , when our impenitency hath done us fo much mifchief. Oh kt us know the trefpatfe by the puniiliment; our fins fti ipt us of much honour, and left the Land naked , when they plucked the R :>be of Majefty from the back of it. Let us know at laft that our Sins are old Chafers , when they drove a King out of the Land , it is a judgement to be deprived of a King, when i: is an happinefle to fee a King. Thine eyes (hall fee the King. Secondly, this doth fhew that the want of a King is the Inlet of 2 all infelicity. For how can that Land be happy, where the eyes do not fee a King? no, then fervants ride on horfeback^. io.Ecclef.7. The people fhall be opprejjed every one of another \and every one of his neighbour , the children fhall pre fume againft the ancient , and D z the zo ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. the vile again ft the honourable. If. 3 . 5 . for v hen the Kings are fallen, Hof.7. 7. all welfare fall with them, then prefcntly they are mlxt with fir angeworfhip strangers devour their fire ngth^& gray hairs are here and there upon them, Hof.7. 8. 9. vea > ™ben Princes are hanged up by the hand,then the young are taken to grind, and the children fall under the wood , the Elders ceafe fram the gate, and the young men from their fongs, the joy of their heart is gone, and their dance is turned into mourning. Lament. 5.1 2,1 3,14,1 5. nay God doth no fooner remove the Crown, but the Kingdome is no more the. fame it was, then prefently God overturn, overturn,o- vert urn. Hitch. 2 1 .26.27.when the true Shepherd is removed,then there is nothing to be feen in the Nation,but the instruments of a foolifh Shepheard,oi fuch a Shepheard, which will not look^for the thing that is los~h, nor feeh^ the tender Lambs, nor heal that which & hurt , nor feed that which ftandetb up } but he (hall eat theflefh of the fat, and tear their clawes in pieces. Zach. 11. 15.16. Take away fuch a Shepheard , and the poor flock goeth to woefull deso- lation , for Arife oh Sword upon my Shepheard, and upon the man that it my fellow , that is, Gods immediate Vicegerent, and what then } and the fheep are f can ere d, and God turn his hand upon the little ones y And in all the Land faith the Lord two tarts therein (hall be cut off \ and ^.Zach. 1.5.7. 8.S0 tnat where a King is want- ing, whit but diforder,diftra£t.ion, devah:a:ion,and defolation is to be expected? And have not we had experience of it? yes,fofoonas a King was^one, how did eveiy one wear the Crown , and fit in &fc* Ch'iir of State ? peafants were Princes, and Mechanicks Mo- - T^rcHs- never fuch a fpnwue of new Lords, nor a litter of upftart lldiejs«feeni paradoxus were principles, and Sanctity was little bet- ter then South-fo ying.,the Temple Was £ kind of THng-room,liber- cy v s Ier ; £;.nng,free trade was purcha£ngD:lmquents E(tates,and allegiance was conspiracy. Were there eve<- lb many fundamen.al 'Ldwes overthrown^} many families rmn:d,fo many millions fpent, fo many bowels torn out in five hundred years wirhinthis Realm, • s there were in this Inort fpace'of King-routing ? alas confcienccs, e(tatcs,priviledges, Speeches, looks, affections, labours, lawes , lives fyere all fu bjecl: to the will of the intuiting Conquerour. So that as SabeU. Pyrrhus faid of Sicily in rcfpe£t of the Romans , * and Carthagi- ».^£*.4. nians , fo might it be faid of this Land in refpc&pf our faftious Rulers, ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. fi Rulers,it was but the Stage where mad men plaid their pri&ts'^nd as Ate is faid to be caufe of all the labours of Hercules , fo our e- je6ting a King was the Original of all the miferics of the Nation. In thofe dayes when there was no King in Ifrael , every man did that, which was good in his own eyes. judg. i J.6. and we found it, for humour was then order,power was law,and divination was the Divinity of the times.The Fox-burrow of Triers took away mens gifts, the Cutpurfc-hall of a Committee of Indemnity took away mens lights, and the bloudy Shambles of an High Court of Julticc took away mens heads.Oh fad age of arbitrary commands / oh dif- malReigne/oh miferable Realm without a King / will ye ever engage again to be ruled without King,or Houfe of Lords ? will ye ever be ready to take an oath of Abjuration again againft a Tingle Perfon ? Then be ye for my part fingle, and lingular , defperatc, and wilful! Bondmen. For it is to make the whole Nation a Have to be deftitutc of a King, the prefence of a King being ' the prefervation of a Kingdome , for Thine eyes (hall fee the King. Thirdly , this doth ferve to exhort us to be chearfull Seers. For 3. have ye got a King again to look upon ? vifum mirabile Cunclis. _ Vn g- It is a fight that the eyes of a whole Nation might behold with ad- miration. Do ye not bleife your eyes then, that ye are feeing that, which ye have been fo long feeking for ? Do ye not know -a hat yc, could not fee,what ye would have feen,what ye do fee? Do the de- light of a Kingdom grieve you f doth the defre of your eyes offend you? Have ye not what can be feen? can ye fee a better ? If thine eye then offend thee plucky it out , pluck out that evil g'.aucome out of thine cye.The eye vs the light of the body. Have ss clear an eye, as can be to fee fo bright an Object. Is there a difeafed eye here ? oh cure the malady. Are there any moles here ? away with fttch Blinkardsrarc there any Bats here ? away with fuch unLicky birds;- Did the fight of Oitiiches offend you , and fhall not the figh: of a . . Phoenix pleafe you ? Every man is delighted when he doth fee the deUtlatur light, and what is a King,but the Light of our eyes? The eye doth cum /«- receive the beams of the Sun in afpiritual manner, & fo do ye the m e* vi- fight of a King, that glorious Sun. Was Jacob fo delighted when deat - lie heard that his Son Jofeph was alive, that his heart failed or prepare men 24 ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. men for Gods judgement fear ? They which fhould teach all the Land obedience,do they teach nothing but mutinies,infurrecfcions, tumults, factions, defections, confpiracy, difloyaky ? Thou which fayss~b thou knoweft Gods will, and allowesl of the things that are excellent, and perfwadefi thy felf , thqt thou art a guide of the blind , and a light to them that are In darkneffe , an inflrucler of them that lack^dlfcretlon, a teacher of the unlearned, which haft the form of knowledge, and of the truth in the Law. Thou which teachefl another ,teachefl thou not thy fe If? Rom. 2.1 8, 1 9,20,21. If thou thy feif been 1 a Wolf,how wilt thou get Lambs ? Chrift ne- ver fent his Meifengers to be Mutter-matters, or Matter-Gunners. A Preacher of all others fhould be the great Phyfician , Breach- clofer, Peace-maker upon earth;Chrifts patience,the Marty: s afhes, the coimfel cf peace in his lips , and the blelfed Sacraments in his hands fhould teach him this. As he is a Watch-man he fhould not be a Match-man , as he is a Matter-builder , he fhould not be a Mafter-pioner, as he is an Angel of the Churches , he fhould not be an Angel of the bottomleffe pit. Is rebellion any of the fincere milk which fhould be fucked out of his bigfts ? any of the pure oyle which fhould burn in his lamp?any of the fat tbings,and fined things at his fumptuous Featt ? any of the fragrant fmels amon^tt bfs fweet odours ? Is this for Chritt to be the Star, the Vine , the Shepheard, to ride upon a white Horie,and to hold the four winds in his hand? Is this for Chrift to eat butter , and bony , not to cry, nor caufe his voice to be heard in the ftreets,to weare a feame- lcffe coat, and to be led dumb before the fhearers? where is Chrifts innocency, meekneflc , his rebuking his Difciples for calling for fire from Heaven, his commanding St Jeter to put up his fword in any of thefc things ? If the weapons of our warfare be not carnal, 2 Cor. 1 o.4.thcn why are fpi ritual men fo aclive in 2 carnal war- fare ? thefc may prophefy in Chrifts name, but it is to be doubted whether they fhall not be turned off with a Nefclo vos , I know ycu not. In it is vain to talk of the profound myfteries of Chritt, when thefe depths of Sathan are amongtt them. All the drugs in their fhop arc fufpe6ted by this one box of Aconite. Thefe may have Chritts Croffc often in their mouths, but did they ever lay it upon thci r ihouldcrs ? they may have drunk of his new wine, but can they drink his fpungc full of vinegar ? they may hold his keyes in ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. 25 in their hands , but can they endure to put hisyoak about their necks ? they have preached things upon the houfe-top, lut can they put their mouths in the duft ? they can fhew their confident faces to Congregations, but can they give their backs to the fmiters,and their cheeks to the nippers , and not hide their faces from fhame and fritting ? no, they may be men of very great parts,but I doubt "not of very great patience. God is io tender of the peace of the Church , that he do;h charge the daughters of Jerufalem by the 'roes, and hinds, that they filrre not up , norvpakjnhis love untlll (he pleafe. Cantic.3.5. but pleafe , or not pleafe, upon the lead: difcontent they care not to waken and fright her too ; if ihc will not awake of her felf they will blow trumpets in her ears,and make her open her eyes with a peale of Ordnance. So that they feem *Quomodo not to be Preachers of pacification , but Le6turers,under the flag of convenit^ defiance, and Chaplains of the Gun-roome. Now whatfan£tity ° E P hori can there be, where there is fedition ? what conference where there tot J" ve ' is conlpiracy ? they which care not to violate a manifeft precept, d^e.qiii" whatlawes of God can they be thought truly to dread f this is zfuam "fin fo odious that the very Heathens have abhorred it. When the 'Pfa* P* m *Ephori would have committed the ftrength of their Country into m *w- * the hands of a rebellious Leader, faith Agis , why do ye trufl him tfj t - m with any thlng^tvho hath betrayed his own Country ? When Clll- Lacon. con had betrayed the Prlennenfes as he nVetchcd to receive his Ifta m4- meat, Theagenes cut off his hand , faying , thou (halt not have a nu *■■ right hand to betray another City. When Archldamus woul4jL ff f^ have inticed Nlcostratm to betray his Country,oh faith he, boafb n am c i v i- no more of thy high pedigree , for thou feemeft not to be of the tatentjEr flock^ of Hercules , becaufe thou dost tempt me to fo bafe a thing. **f>l*$* How iharply did Artaphernes reprove HiftUtu for making the c 'f' fhoe of rebellion for thclonians , that Arlfiagoras might put it H end. on. Xerxes becaufe Arlbar^anes rebelled againft him, he took 1.6. him,& crucified h'un.Apollonldes becaufe theStymphallans rebelled $*idar. a^ainlt Caffanderjnz fubduing them burnt them ail to a fhes. ;£*»/- Diod - i&bwr after he had conquered ? erf em taking many Romans which ']?' » had been Rebels again/I their own Country, he caufed them to be MexJL.^ trampled to death by Elephants. The Amphytlions after the battel ci$. with Xerxes taking the PhocenfesvAio hadfided with the enemy **»/«*»'* rgainft the Grecians, and robbed the Temple of Apollo y they flcw/? p * w ** E many 26 ENGLAND'S BEAUTY, many of them , rafed three of their prime Cities , caufing thein to dwell afterwards in villages,^ laid a taxe of threefcore talents year- ly for the repairing the Temple. Oh then that that fin which hath been held a horrid crime amongft Heathens iliould be accounted a prime virtue amongft Chriftians / is it not a (liame that the light of Nature fhould iliine brighilier then the light of the Gofpelfis it not a fcandal that God fhould provoke luch Profeflburs to jealou- fy by a foolifti Nation? Shall Gentiles teach Chriftians Divinity? how will thefe juftify their felves at the laft day , when the Hea- thens fhall rife up in judgement againft them ? If ye are then to look upon a King , as a King , beware of Salomons winking eye, hlm\< When ye have not faithful eyes to look upon a King,ye will foon in iQhan. ^ ave treacherous feet, yea amiffls oculisfruflrafunt pedes , if your eyes have loft their reverence to a King , your feet will foon have loft their obedience to him.I tiuft our King hath none about him, which are troubled in their eye-fight, if he fhould,thenthofe which have bad eyes , will foon have bad hearts. I wifh them all to have good optick nerves , good Cryftalline humours,good vifory fpirits. Pity it is, that there iliould be any vermine at Court,any fpiders hanging upon the Kings rafters , that there iliould be any bad tongues nigh to the Kings eares , any bad eyes nigh to the Kings face;no,though there may be fome diftempered fights in the King- dome, yet it were fliame and horrour , if there ihould be a Poly- phemus , and a Cyclop, howfoever a Tlrejias and a Hypfea. What they which eat the Kings bread, and are fworne to preferve the Kings perfon,not clear-fighted to fee his honour? then they defervc neither the eyes in their heads , nor the necks on their ilioulders. The Furclfer is the fitceft Oculift to cure fuch bbud-lhotten eyes. And as I would take all bad eyes out of the Court,fo my defire is to free the Kingdome from fuch bad-fighted people. Rebellion is an high defect in the eye of Subjection , therefore let all beware how they comply with the fand-blind , ftark-blind generation , for If the blind lead the blmd both mil fall into the ditch. Therefore if there be a King , then amongft you give him the reverence and light of his Name , that is , be ye Loyal to him. Do ye all then make a Covenant with your eyes not to looh^ upon a maid y that beautifullDamofelofdifloyalty ; if flie with her ftir fpeech can make you to yield , and with her flattering lips intice you to ftep ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. t 7 ftcp in to her, ye go like an oxe to the (laughter , and like a fool to the flocks of correction, till a dart doth ftrike through your liver, or ye be as a bird, which hafteneth to the fnare, not .knowing that it is for your life. Beware therefore that ye do not commit for- nication with that noted proftitute , ilie will bring you to a morfcl of bread, and hunt for your precious life; howfoever a wound, and di (honour ye {hall get , and your reproach fTtall never be wiped away. Keep therefore a chad: heart to your own Bridegroom, and feek not after ft range fleih. If ye do commit uncleanneffe, ye may thank your wandring eyes, and your eyes full of adultery, Monar- chy is that Government, which ye ought to be efpoufed to. Look therefore where ye (hould look, and fee whom ye (hould fee, and that is a King; See him to be a King , and fee him,as a King ; for that duty is that which mull compleat the delight of my Text,T7?/W eyes frail fee the King. Fifthly, this doth lerve to reprove thcmjvhicb would quite ta^e a Kirg out of the world, which would not have one King for any eye to look upon ; thefe arc the right Bafiliskes to tting to death the Bafiiic calling. "Bewtels a King (hall be fo farre from being /3«crx? , the foundation of a Commonwealth, that he {hall be /Wi/** the mifchief , and deftru6tion of a Commonwealth. Good Com- monwealth-men they are in the mean while, which take away the honour and Ornament of a Commonwealth. For a King in a Commonwealth is like the heart in the body , the root in the tree, the Spring in the ftream, the Eagle in the skye , the Sun in the fir- mament, & thefe pink-eyed people look upon a King not only with difdain, but defiance. Ntque mel, neque apes ; They like not Tryphofo the hony of Government , nor the Bee that (hould afford it them. This wild colt that he might not be backed at all neigheth up and down in the world againlt the Rider, and faith , Tolle calcar take Ariftoph* away the very Spur. To fuch a King is an hcart-gripe,an eye-fore, yea they can look upon their Fawnes, and Satyres, An^kjms, and Zanz,ummims, Arbahs, and Afhbibenobs with more delight then upon a King.What need have we of a King? what doth a: King a- mongft us? They have cried themfelves fo long to be the free-born people of England , that they would not onely be free in refpect of liberty , but free in refpec"t of So veraignty . Oh this fame Mo- narchy (fay they) is the great bondage of the world/ Xing-fhip, £ 2 and 28 ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. Virgil, and Gofpel-fhip cannot {land together. Cur non Mopfe? why not brother of Chrift? How can Chrift be a King here, when he faith, that his Kingdom is not of this world ? doubtlefife thefe perfons make thcmfelves Angels which expect Chrift to Reign over them? Why may not Kings here exercife authority,when Chrift fuffered them ? He paid tribute to C vate , In a fhort time we may know better , then if any Prophet foretold it. Poft rem devoratam ratio ? When all is devoured, Seneca t fhall we then confult how to prcferve our felves?ls not the hazard at this time great ? yes , men cannot eat with comfort , nor trade withfafety, nor walk with onfidence,nor fleep with quiet fo long as the Canaanite is in the Land. The Kingdom cannot have peace till the head of Sheba be caft over the walls. Let us not truft their foft fpeeches, till they have made us fpeechle(fc,nor their pak faces,till they have made us look with grifly faces.I read of Maho- metane Hemiits which lived in woods as men dead to the world , till they had gotten difciplcs enough about them,and they fet upon the King of Fez,, and Morocco, and deprived him both of Crown KnalUiln and life. So this critical, hypocritical generation willfo long in- 7" J?J fatuate us with their tender confeiences till they cut in pieces our *J' ^ tender heart-lid ngs. Robes,and Rochets, Stars,and Collars of S.S. look to your felves, if they give but one twitch more at you , they will do their beft to pluck them quite off, and then deride you for your Indulgence. Look not to their pretences , but to their Para- doxes, not to their Magical charmes, but to their bloudy Maximes. Shall we never know their tenets till we have learned them with friivered skuis , nor underhand their principles till they be printed upon the Countrycs dead carkafTes ? They which want good man- ners we fhall find little morality from them ; they which will not ftir their hats to us,they are (taking at our heads; they which have nothing but Thou in their mouthes,they do count us bafe , and tell us by that fcorning word, that they are ready to fhew themfelves barbarous. A little of their fa vage nature is made apparent,but they have [even abominations in their hearts , which were never yet difcovered to the world. Thus much we may evidently, and expe- rimentally conclude concerning them , that they would deftroy all Lawye s,gibbet all Nobles, crucify all Bifhops,rmd decoll all Kings, and for a fair tsyles fake fliall we fuffer thefe Panthers to go fcot- free ? (hall chey cut our throats with aenigmaes ? and wring off our necks with Hieroglyphicks ? Ah this fame new Monarchy doth threaten to root out all old Monarchies / and thefe fame Anaba- ptifts will hazard to rebaptize the Land in her own blood. What do they dream of, and what may we dread but a general Maffacrc? Are 3 z ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. Are our wounds then fcarce healed, and Shall we tender fuch ftah- beis ? Is common bloud-fhed daily puniShed with death, and i"hall we Spare fuch incorrigible Murthereis? If they could but repent, I would teare the heart out of my bofomeif it fhould want mercy towards them. If Saul would become Paul, I would -then embrace him as a convert,as a Saint; all the ha vocks which have been made in the Church j and the cruel outrages for me fhould be forgotten, and forgiven; but when their principles are no King, no lawes, no Miniftery,nofuperiority,no propriety, I cannot count th'efe ten- der consciences, nor carry a tender confeience towards rifeemi. Till they 1 enounce their opinions, I do renounce them , and cannot think but all their fair words do but prepare , and fore-run (what in them ly) a foul day c They may make themfelves inftantly Se- cure , if they pi cafe , they would have made us abjure all Kingly Government to be lawfull , if they will but abjure that as an exe- crable opinion,and give reall aSTurances, that they abhorre it,then all anger,and fear is at end,but if they perfift in thisTragical tenet, I know not how to pity them , which pity none but themfelves ; till this be done all their Declarations are but Incantations, Fiflula dulce canit > The pipe indeed doth play fweetly,but it is at the Fowlers lips, and let the Birds look to their necks. If they will give us no pledges of their converfion , and fidelity , I know not why we Should put any confidence, or affiance in. them; for the queftion then isonely this, whether the fecurity of Confpiratours , or the fecurity of the Nation be more requisite ; whether it were better to prefervethe lives of lawleffe Malccontents, or the life of a lawfull King ; if the Sages of the Nation can fave themfelves, let them Save them ; but if all true-hearted Subject live in daily fright of them,it were bet- ter that they fhould groane under juStice , then that we Should groan our laft. Becattfe [entence again ft anevill worsts not executed fpeedily , therefore the hearts of the children of men are fully fet to do evill. JEcclef. 8. 1 1 . Vnto the horfe belongeth a whip, and to the ajje a bridle , a»d a rod to the fools bacl^. Prov.2 6\ J. If the wicked be worthy to be beaten, the Judge (hallcaufe him to ly down, and to be beaten before hi* face. Deut.2 5.2. Well, if for all this thefe muft live , and live with this cancer in their brefls, or rather with this fteelctto in their conScienci-s , yet let them go live where ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. . 31 where they may do no mifchief,and may not be a continual Dread. Seeing they are fo ready to fight againft their own Country-men, fend them to fight againft the great Turk;or they which are fo fet upon killing, let them be conveyed into fome Ifland , where they may turn Huntfmen to kill wild beafts, for according to their pre- fent principles , they are fitter to go live amongft Savages , and Wolves then amongft men of morality , and Chriftianity. Or yet further if the mercy of the Land muft be the mifery of the Land , that here they mult continue if not to our death (perhaps) yet to our terrour, then let all beware how they do confort with them, or in the leaft manner comply with them , for they are the pcfts of States,and prodigees of Nations , they approve of no Government* they reject all Kings.And can there be greater Monfters in humane fociety, then iuch fword-men againft authority, and Headfmen to Kings? no, thefe are the worft eyes that can be in the head of a Nation, becaule the beft eyes do delight in the prefence of a King, and count it an happinlTe to fee a King, for Thine eyes (ball fee the King, 5. Part, In his Beauty. Now let us come to the luftre of the Gemmc , the Beauty of the King , Thine eyes (ball fee the King in his Beauty, From hence obferve , that the glorious King is the King (bining in thefplex- dour of his Royalties; not onely when an excellent title,but excel- lent Majesty is added to />/V#.Dan.4 # 36.not onely when the Land is the Land of his inheritance , but the Land of his Dominion. 2 Chron.8. 6. no: onely when he hath the chief place amongft men , but when he hath the chief power amongft men , when he doth rule over men. 2 Sam. 2 2. 3. It is not the Crown , but the Crown-right, which doth make a King, othenvife Kingfhip is but nohilisfervitusy a noble kind of fervitude. Nihil beatumjine li- p w* bertate. Nothing can be called bleffed without liberty. Magni- re *\ '*' ficence without juft power is but a golden chain. When the title r 'l\ is with one, and the command with others , this is rather to look Erafm.in upon Kings,then to live aKing.Therefore was it faid of Vefpafian^ **pofh. • that when newes was brought him concerning the accidents which ^ ietWttn had happened x it i s not fitting rtliquias Regis jacere inhonoratas , that the /.3.C i. very Reliques of a King inould remain without honour , as PW. Maximum faith concerning Perfes. Trafe as, though a great Prieft in Rome was accufed,becaufe he was not prefent in the beginning Tacit. of the yearto take the folerrm Oath to the Emperour , nor did ap- 1. 16. pear at the publication of the publick vowes for his health. So any thing which tends to the diminution of a Kings honour is repre- henfibile,and criminal. Cicero pleading for Deiotarus a King,faith, Tull.QYdt. Semper in hac civitate regium nomen fanflum fuit. The name of fro Deio- a King was ever holy in this City. So that is the beft City and utQi Country, where the name of a King is mod Sacred, & the perfon of a King moft reverenced. Wherefore doth the Scripture hy^Fear God, and honour the King, i Pet. 2. 17. but that God would have a King to be honoured, as well as himfelf to be feared? There was a cultome in Lacedemonia that men fhould rife up to none but the tieracli- K'mo^iTid the Ephori, and doubtleffe a dirtincl veneration do be- cedem. ' ^ 0I1 o t0 Kmp. He that doth take away from a /Gng his prepoten- rej>. cy and Supremacy had as good fteal the Crown Jewels. The Voon, that is the / which doth fight ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. 35 fight againft him with an armed hand. A wife counfcl is requi- site for a JGng , but counfcl had need have in it two grains of modefty to one of direction. If it troubled David fo much that he had cut off the lap of Sauls garment,then how may it trouble them which cut off half of the Robe of Majefty , Authority Principe Tacit.I.t. nata eft ex metu & admiratione. The authority of a Piince isnnnaL begotten of fear , and admiration. When a -King then hath loft his dread and reverence he is but a painted Sun. Vulgm facile in- iUCurt ¥ folefcit. The vulgar is apt to grow infolent, but this audaciouf- neffe is to be rcprefted. Therefore Ariftotle would not have too Ar \ai % %i much honours given to Subjects , left they fhould hold themfelves^ /*v. Compeers with their Vrince.Periculofuw femper eft nomen priva- c.\ i. ti hominis fupra principle attolli, It is ever pciillous for the name ^ t0 ' c ?p % of any private man to be equalled , or preferred before the Prince. "' Majeflas in Principe eftvelut anima regni. Majefty in a Prince Seneca. is as it were the foul of the Kingdom. Ouam tut a navigatio eft y l.i> de uhi naut& gubernatori non pare ant } what fafe fay ling is there cie . m ' where the Mariners do not obey the Ship-Mafter ? Contempt is^ *° CA * v as great a feeds-man of rebellion as he tied, for the one is begotten hifior. of ambition as Well as the other of difcontent. It was contempt which raifed up Arfacesa°a.in{\ Sardan*palus,Dion againft -D/0- nyjiusfyrtu againft Aflyages, and Senthes againft Amadocns, oh it is an heavy thing when , fubverfa jacebit Tlttt.in Priftina Ma]es~bas foliorum, Rom - **' When the Majefty of Thrones come to be fubverted. Cotumix *{?£ b Quayle faith Hefychiiu doth come of kotI&> ,and fyy^both which y revi £„ words do fignify a bird , as if a Quayle were the bird of birds, rituram, now one of thefe Quayles righting with many birds remaining inqu&vi* Conquerour over all , Erothetuthz Procuratour of Egypt bought, rt P nnctm and thinking that it was as good in tart, as in fighting, he kild it-W^ and eat it , which Augustus Cxfar hearing of, he fent for Ero-^uius them and nailed him to a fhipmaft,becaufe for his appetite he had^rew,c deftroyed a Victorious Bird. If he were fo feverely punifhed which'"??*™* abufed a Royal Bird, then what may they deferve, which abafe,and£ e e fe ^* vilipend Royal Dignity }Petrus Crinitus hath a notable difcourfe, v.Crinii ■ that when Anacharps came to Athens , and faw the Princes hwzl.i.deho- onely giving counfcil for things to be done,& the people -decreeing **&•&/** F 2 all,*™ * 36 ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. all,he cried out,Oh Commonwealth in afhort time coming to ruin y where the Princes pr •of ound things, ayid the people determine them! So if a Prince be not Superiour in command ir is to take in pieces the joints of a Throne, and to bring down a King that ftiould or- der all to the wills of Inferiours.Let as much honour as can be be given to faithfull Counfell , but ftill let th: Prerogative be invio- lable. It is good advife, if well liftened to , which is given in the 8 .of Ecckt.i. I advert if e thee to take heed to the KingsCommand- ment, and that in refpetl of the Oath of God , becaufe God hath precepted, and fwore a whole Kingdom to the Commandement of a King.For wherefore is he a King,if he ftiould ftand by to fee his Commands vilified, and neglected ? would a mafter of the an vile, or theawle, or the frippery wares be thus ufed? Let every one then have his iig\\t,honour to whom honour belongeth, Royalty to whom Royalty belongeth.If a King doth want his juft authority he is but an appellative King. For what is it. to fee a King weare Robes, fit m a Throne, bold a Scepter , if he doth want his Sovereignty? this is but to fee a King in his Bravery , and not a King in his Beauty. In beauty there mud be no skarre,fo in the Government no reftraint of juft authority. He is never a compleat King , till jt m h. there be inconcuffa Libert as, unfhaken liberty in governing. Leo Tetrarcb. ubicunque eft, Leo eft, A Lion wherefoever he be,he is a Lion;fo a King wherefoever he be he muft be reigning. The King muft give the word to the whole Nation, all muft incline t a* follow hintk Judg.9.3 • they rnuft be ** his bidding, r Sam.2 z.i^.At his wor4 they muft go out, and at his word they muft come /W.Num.27.2 i„ They muft move forward,& backward,as he doth give the charge. A rcfplendcnt King is he which is Imperial , which is povterfull in having his Mandates bbferved , This is a King in his beauty. Thine eyes (hall fee the King in his Beauty. Abvlic F^ft* tnat tne tr * a ^ °£ BleiTings is in the beauty of them; not the ' enjoyment of a thing,but the qualification of a thing is that which makes it comfortable; many things-are pofTefled, but the heart tafts not the true fwectneffe of them, for they come maymed , or defe- ct./, 1. 6t.ivc. Tully doth call that Decorum,* comely thing,which hath in *jf- it that which is natura confentaneum,a°Yecab\c to the nature of it, for if there be not ro *-{c*-«r, that which is convenient, there can- not be to tlrtuor, that which is beautiful! ; the Hebricians doe de- rive ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. 37 live beauty from congruity , fo that which do come ihort of the Kifdron jult aptitudes doth fuffer an high diminution in the nature and ho- a nour of a bleifing. And how many of thefe half-faced bldlmgs a ' c C aretlicie? as God gives a man wit,and no difcretion ; birth, and nogcnciofity of fpirit; gifts,and no faith;zeale,and no confcience; do not the Scripture fpeak of fuch unhappy bleffings? yes, of houfes without a man, 9. Ii.6. of a womb, but barren, Q.Hof.14. °ffa e p without a fhrpheard. Num.27. 1 7. of a man to whom God, hath given riches, treafures ,and honour , and he wanteth nothing for his fo til of all that it defreth , but Godgiveth him not power to eat thereof, but a flranger eat it up. Ecclef.6. 2. how then can thefe be proper bletfings ? no, they have a blcmifh , & quod eft de- forme nihil ornare potest, That which is deformed nothing (in the (late that it is in) can adorne it. Search thy bleffings then,whcther they be true bleiTings; thou main 1 enjoy fome things , that may be iicknefles to thee , yea cockatrices egges hatched to fting thee to death ; a fire not blown may con fume thee in the pofTeiTion of them. Job 20. 26. God may caft abominable filth upon thee by them. Nahum.2. 6. ye may be able to feaft richly,and your Tables may be made afnare, and your prof peri ty a mine. Vi.69^22.. ye may be heirs to plentifull efiates , which your progenitours have gotten by ufury, bribeiy, extortion , facriledge, and God may lay the for row of the Fathers upon the children. Job 2 1 . 19. ye may have fortified your felvcs in wicked courfes ,. and drawn in the ftrength of the Land to defend you in damnable dengues., and yet ye may be cast down in the midst- y Micah d.14. and though ye 'have had never fo many HeEtors on your fide , yet your puiffant Stabbcrs may become pufillanimous,for the flout -hearted arc fpoyl- ed , they have Jlept their (leep , aadall the men of might have not found their hands. Pf.76.5. ye may have raifed up. falfe worfhips in the Nation, and have had notable fuccelTe in beguiling linkable fouls, but your forccreffe Je^abel may be call out ?t the window; For they (hall prevail no longer , but their madneffe jhall be made manifest to all men. 2Tim # 3.£. The t home , and the thistle may come upon your Altars. Hof.io. 8. Bleffe not your felves then in every thin^ , which doth carry the appearance of a blef- fing , for I do read that God docs turn many bleffings into curfes. Mal.2.2.. 3 S ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. To a man that is now called lhiningly happy there may inftant- ly come fad changes. Alexander wrot letters in the height of his fortunes :o Antipater by a McfTengcr called osfthlittjj Diogenes /landing by when the letters were delivered, what faith he , do:h Brufon Alexander fend letters by ^Athlim} this doth (hew that he will /. 6. be unfortunate, for Athlim ad Athlium per Athlium^ He which will be unfortunate doth lent letters to him that may be unfortu- nately him, that is named Unfortunate. So a mans welfare that wants the complexion ofGods blefling in the face of it,let him com- mend it to one of his deareit Complices , yet Athlim carryes the meflage , and there is nothing but unfortunate to be expected to the man, or his Adherents.Sufpect thy bleflings then,till thou haft examined the vifages of them , and thou fmdeft them by God to be made truly amiable; elfe they may be too hot for thy hands,thou maift drink poyfon in a fweet draught , thou maift (wallow down a hook with the bait, the moth may be got into them , the line o£ confufion may be ftretchcd over them ; as great heaps as thou haft gathered together God may fan in the gate of the Land ; as fair locks as thou haft,God may bring his rafour upon thy head;as boy- irerous as thou haft been , God may run upon thee like a Gyant ; he may blow upon all that thou haft, make thy heels bare,and fend thee to go feek thy bread out of defolate places. It is not the blef- fingthen, but the Beauty of the blerTing which doth make it tru- ly happy; a mifhapen blerTing is like Moab , a vefj ell wherein there is no pleafure.]QY. for , How great is his goodneffe ! and how great is his beauty! Zach.9.1 7.that is,the goodneffe of his mercies, and the beauty of his benefits; his favour is fplendour , his bounty is beauty , Oh that we would be good we fhould find God goodnefTe it felf. The hand of the Lord is upon all them that feek^ him in goodneffe . Ezra 8. 22. they which feek^the Lord want nothing that is good.Vi. 34.1 o. He giveth to all men liberally, and reproacheth no manjamzs i.J.He loadeth ns with benefit s.T*{.6%. 1 9. he will pour out bleffings till there [hall be no room to receive them.Mzl.j.io. They which diligently obey the voice of the Lord, and obferve, and do all his Commandments, all thefe bleffings (hall come upon them, and overtake them. Dcut.28.1 ,2. yea where,and in what fhall they not be bleffed? They fhallbe bleffed in the Clty y and In the field, in the fruit of their body, and In the fruit of their ground , In their basket , and In their dough, and in their ftore- houfes, and in all that theyfet their hand unto\the\r enemies that rife up agalnSt them (hall fall before them , they fhall come out a- gainft them one way, and flee from them f even wayes,they (hall be the head,& not the tail, above, and not beneath,be able to lend, and not to borrow, yea their God will open his good treafure , and leave fttch char aft erlfing markj of his bounty , that all the people of the tarth 4 o ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. earth fh all fee that the name of the Lord k called upon by them, and they (hall be afraid of them, Deut.2 8 . i o. or as it in If. 6 1 .p. Their feed (hall be known among ft the Gent lles,and their buds a- mongft the people. All that fee them,(hali know them, that they are the feed , which the Lord hath bleffed. If.d i . 9. yea , it is Gods goodneffe which maketh him fo appetible, goodneffe is the proper object of his will, as if he had not a will in him , but to communi- cate the effluxes of his kindnefTe , and favour to his dear ones ; by that he is not onely a free Agent, and fo doth nothing out of ne- ccflity , but a liberal Agent, becaufe he does a£r, good with an erai- nency. God is love, John 1. 4. becaufe he hath nothing but love in , j him, there is praiceptum, Con/ilium, & operatio boni in Deo , Pie- t * ,^. cept, counfel , and operation of good in God. Yea,whercas many rf.u. other affections are but 411 God interpretatively, according to the fimilitude of the erFe&,love is God properly ,and cffentially , for it is the fiih 1 motion of his will; yea^ joy and delight,defire and hope are not fo properly in God as love , becaufe all thefe are but ema- nations of it, they having love for their fpring, or root. It is fuch a fweet property , that whercfoever it doth arredl it cannot but be difpeifing, and exhibiting , for amare nihil eft , nifivelle bonum xKq.io' a ^ lCHt -> t0 l° ve IS nothing but to will good to another. Therefore «f.2. love is implanted into God , and hath a neceffary connexion with ^tfsidet him, for fo long as he is a God,he cannot but be a beneficent God; JDe0,Cr a ^ e e ^ €( ^ s °f tn * s l° ve are f° num erous and confpicuous , that the T^'pfo memor y °f Gods favours, is worl^enough for all the vertues. Find necefsitu- m e out Gods true Favourites , and I wil foon fhew you their rich dine con- Largeffes, like Noble-mens children they never walk^ abroad , but jim&d. ffoey carr y their Jewel of honour about their neckj. Cleomenes, ttyfi- 1 * and PtolomtHs , which had the firnamcs of Euerget& nunquam deponunt,veluti nMiutis fignum circumfereme; , ey often. tantts.Chryfbom.i.ad Pbilippenfet. lteined ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. 41 £tined by hispenfions. Oh then that ye would feive God, what mio-ht ye not receive of his bounty?ye might mount upon the high places of the earth , the Crownes might then be to Helem. Tiie golden phial with rich treafure which JEmllius bellowed upon pj„ # . in Tubero for his fervicc in die waragainft Perfeus; the golden hand VaAo M- which Boleflaus the third of Hungary gave unto Zellflaus for a "»#* hand which he had loft in a fight againft the Moravians ; the Crmtr < golden bullock , which Lucius Minutius received for deftroying ^ a ^// # Sf. Melius ; the high priviledges , and prefents which Cyrus feat /. s . £«.$< to the Arimafp for their.relieving him at an exigent; the infinite Diodor. gifts which Xerxes beftowed upon Pythius the Phrygian for en- * f * /,I 7* tertaining his whole Army, weie never like to the Donatives , and £n ' ' Benevolences which we might receive from God. But here is our bafenefle, that we look for every thing that is beautifull , but will do nothing which is beautifull , where is our beautifull repentance, innoccncy,devotioiij watchf'»lnefTe,medi:ation?alas no,the Apoftlc may fay,Ifany things be comely feeJ^afur thofe things ',lut we are not for thefe vovft, and fpecious things, whereby we might affe& Gods eyes, or enflame his defires towards us ; we are very prompt at filthy things, filthy fpcech, filthy Iufts,filthy vomits, filthy lucre (our confeiencesare defiled , and our conventions difteined) but for doing any thing which might be acceptable and amiable,which might plcafe Gods fight, and ingratiate us into his favour,we have no skill in it. So that ye fee what it is that does diminish your feli- city , and make you walk up and down with your femi-profperity, namely , becaufe ye will not be eminently Godly. There is not a more aufpicious thing in the world then Religion. Oh ye muft fetch welfare into the Nation with your watery eyes, and oended knees, and mortified brefts , and cleanfed confeiences, and regene- rate fruits ; your zeal in your Churches , and clofets , and bed- chambers would do more good, then all counfel-chambers. A few penitents, and Saints would be better Patriots then all the States- men in the Land. If ye would forfake your brutifh Iives,and fen- fual courfes, your hypoenfy, and faition,your Chuich-fpleen,?nd LitMrgy.fpignt^reftore your ill-gotten goods , and fac« ilegious pof- fefTions, build Hofpitals, ereel: Colledges,found Churches/»ee your /hops from fraud,and your Tribunals from bribery,havc left p. ide, and mare charity aniongft you , what a glorious Kingdom might G yc 42 ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. ye here have ? Is not the Kingdom fo happy as ye could wifli it to be f then leave accufing of Governours , and prefcribing of rules, and profecuting your feditious bents , and fettle the Nation upon the firft foundation ftone upon which it was called a Reformed Church. I believe thofe bleflfed Martyrs had in them more purity, . then all the Saints that have come after them , it is no good man- ners to fay that the fore-Fathers wanted a little of the childrens wit, or integrity.Had men paft through their flames,I would think they might equal them in fervour and fincerity , but I cannot en- dure whole skins to rectify that which their Ancefrours bequeathed to after-ages withfuch a flaming facrifice.ThofeMartyrsftakesare more precious to me , then all the holocauftsofzeal which I have feen upon the Altar fince. I would wifh no other Heaven then they do enjoy, nor dedre any purer Religion , then they preached to fucceffion out of that flagrant pulpit ; give me Etias mantle, which he left behind him , when he was carried away in the fiery Chariot. I would think to fee a prime Kingdom, if I could fee the primitive Protcftant. There were never fuch fervent Preachers fince, neither can we iTr.d fuch Zelots. Away then with the lan- guage of Afbdod, and let us fpeak the tme language of Canaan ; a- way with pafTion againft innocent Ceremonies , and let us double this indignation againft branded hypoCrify , and curfed impiety. Let. us renew the Martyrs fanctity , and this Land may be the joy of the whole earth. Virtue would adorn the Nation , grace w r ould beautify it , let us be bcautifull Saints , and God hath beautiful! blefrln^s for us , even a King in his beauty. Thine eyes .(hall fee the King \ n his Beauty, 1, Thirdly , this doth fhew that there is no G over now -amiable , -which doth want Beauty. There is no ill face like to an ill Govcr- nour, there is no deformed Morian,or Monftcr like unto a wicked Ruler when the wicked are in authority the people figh.Vrov.29.2. ch it is a wofull thing when Princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves. If.i .2 3 .for then They hunt every man his brother with 4 m.Micah.7.2. and The wicked devour eth the man that is more righteous then himfelf. Hap. 1 . 1 3 They pant after the dust of the :nnh over the head of the poor, and turn ajidethe way of the meel^. Amos '2.7, They drinl^up the de'ep waters, and f ovale the rest with r/^Ezccn^.'iS.T* their shim isfomdnhc B.I 'audi af\ the ouls ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. 4S fouls of poor Innocents. Jer.2. 34. when wicked men rife up men hide themf elves. Prov.28. 2%. There is a lamentation upon the hoHfe-tops.]z\\4% .38 .All faces gather blacknefs. Joel 2.8 .They eat their bread with quaking , and drlnkjhelr water with trembling, Ezek. 1 2. 2%. Their nights ofpleafurc are turned Into fear. It. 2 1 .4. anp! well may they,for not man feemeth then to be the Ruler, but fofhe favage Bcaft, a Leopard watcheth over the Cities. Je .j.6.A Lion teareth In pieces for his whelps , andflranglethfor his L\on- nejfc, and fillet h his holes with prey , and his dens -with ravine. Nah.2.1 2. Then nihUabfurdum, quod W/?,nothing isabfu.d,that Thutyi. is profitable , and Inlmicl ffiml funt qui llbertatl patroclnantur,^ ' . They are counted mod fpightfull againrt authority which do de- foii 1.2. fend their liberty. Satellites funt commune maleficlum, The fol- ^ppian. diery are then a common bane. Such a Ruler ambltum fuum bra- hide ehlo metltur , doth meafure his ambition by his arm,if he doth not od.civ. want force, he will want neither title nor tYcafarcOptlmis Invldet, V m ? * deterrlmis dtletlatur , He is ever envious againft the worthyes and Get. delighted raoft with Mifcreants.Then with CaracalU their fword Herod, is their Rent-gatherer , and with Slmomdes they had rather want '-J- friends then mony , then they fprinkle (with Mlthrldates their Xt f h%l - '** hofpital gods) with bloud,and with Vltelllns they think no odour c< f vt; which would fettle us in'pcace by laying us in prifon, and fend us to Heaven by climing Gibbets .Now is there any Beauty in this Government? as much as there is in a viper,&nd k Crocodile. Whenfoever ye have fuch Uilirpevs enter your houfes G 2 look +4 ENGLAND'S BEAU TV. look to have your kcycs vfoiimg out of your hands, whenfocver fuch Fxecutioners come expe£t nothing but the loffc of your necks. Oh meddle not with them then thai are given to- change Jot not Con- federates with them , which would fet up an unlawfull Governour, for yr had as good -bring into the Nation a Tormen tour , or an Headfman ; an unjuft Ruler can never be amiable, no, the true Beamy is in the legitimate Magistrate, the King. Thine eyes jhall fee the King in his Beauty. 4- Fourthly , this doth fiiew that a right King is a rare Beauty. For can the eye of man behold a more choice Object, upon earth, then alawfull and righteous King ? no, when the righteous are in authority the people rejoycej?cov.i<)ii . for fuch an one is the Mi- nister of God for good. Rom. i 3. 4. when a King doth reign in ju- ftice, and Princes rule in judgement , that manfhallbe an hiding place from the wind , and a refuge from the tempeft- y as rivers of water in a dry place, and as the (hadow of a roek^in a weary Land, the eyes of the feeing (hall not be (hut , and the eares of them that hear fh all hearken, thejieart of the foolish (hall under ft [ and kjtow- 'edge, and the tongue of the ft utter ers jhall Ppeak^diftlnclly, If. 3 2 . 1,2,3,4. yea, and itfolloweth in the 16,1 7,1 8.v. of that chapter, that in fuch a Kings dayes judgement (hall dwell in the depart, and juftice fhall remaine in the fruitful! field, the worh^of juftice fhall be peace, even the work^ of juftice, and quietneffe, and afju- ranee for ever, yea the people (hall dwell in the tabernacle of peace and in fur e dwellings, and fafe refting-places. Now thefe words though they be fpoken myfttcally of Chrirt, yet literally they are meant of "any good King; for a good King how beneficial is he ? A King by judgement malntalneth the Countrey. Pro. 29. 4. for lie knoweth that he is therefore conftituted King, that he might do equity, and right eoufneffe 1. Kings. 10. 9. and therefore is a Copy of the Law put into his hand, that he may learne tofeare the Lord his God, and keepe all the words of the Law, and the Or- dinances. Deut. 17. 19. Such a King will be like David, who fed Jacob his people and Jfrael his inheritance, with a faithful I and true heart, and ruled them prudently with all his power. Pf. 78. 7 2 . 1^. Or lil^e Afah who made a covenant with his people to [teethe Lord God of his Fathers, with all their heart, and with fill their fouL infomnch that he that would not Peek^the Lwd God of ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. 4 > af Ifrael (houid be flayte, whether he be [mallear great •, 3,7;?;/, or woman, 2. Chron. 15. 1 2. 1 :. or like Jehofaphat who walked 'in the fir ft- wayes of his Fa: her David , and fought the Lord God of ^ *?*. his Fathers, and walhjd in his Commandments, and not after the tem T€ ~% trade of Ifrael. 2 Ch ; 'oii.i 7. ?, 4. A good King doth chiefly look viroopth to have his Throne esltblifhed by right eoufneffe. Prov.2 5. 5. and r f°- V am that his people under him may lead a peaceable, and a quiet life in*. & °t~ allgodlincffe,and honejh'.i Tim. 2. 2. This is a good King, and in- ^ ri a ,, 3 _ deed his worth,, and value is -fcarcely known ; A good King is like Utie. 1. 1 . agood Sp.ing,i good mine,a °ood corncr-ftonc,a good Magazine, T 'j^ or in \ a good Angel,which made Aristotle to fay,that it were hfXt&tfor$Z nu l utl a-City to be governed by the best man , then by the best law , be- u ',. n „ caufe his life is a Liw , and th:re need no o:her precept , but his/oj^jfa ■ precedent. He is the rare Painter which makjth his while King- cietn , vt~ dom a picture drawn out with Orient Colours. Hz is io transformed fu into God , that (as Ludovicw Craffus withed his fon) the people ta ™ >.m to- tart imi-' may fee the immortal fudge fitting in him. Which made Paul its y ie ] an c0 , Jovius to fay that Kings had distinct eyes from other men,heca.utt brum ho- they look out with their Princely eyes minding onely the general **ft*i* benefit. Such a Prince doth remedy the crrouvs of former Govern- ffanc ments, as Micerlnus did the high enormities of Cheops, and Che- J f r Y \ n a u . phren which reigned before him in j£gypt. In fuch an ones Go- regis I* a. vcrnment people leave groaning , and there are nothing but Uta tit.i. & faufia, pleafantand delightful] things to be feen,at it was faid Sedcnteitt of \ Sit alee s ; or all grievances being removed, the Nation livethy i/^JE «&*$, w xnm€*tev7*s y without fear,or perplexity ,as it was fa id of C e />. La- 46 ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. Lacedemonia) and if God fend an heire , for the Fathers virtues they are willing to have the childs name called Demur nthm , the peoples Darling; And well may it be fo,for a good King doth take his Crown out of Gods hand,and doth wcare it for his honour; his heart is in Heaven, and his eye is upon the Church ; he doth fuft feek for the purity of religion , and is carefull that faciifices with- out blemitli be brought to the Altar;he doth look to conquer rather with his bended knees,then his armed hand; he doth love his No- bles, and not defpife his Commons ; he doth prefer a penitent be- fore a Peere , and a jult. liver before an high-borne Grandee ; he doth defire to have his Pdefts undefiled,and his Judges uncorrupt; he doth want no Ma jetty , and yet doth abound in humanity;his fpeech is gentle, and his hand is foft;he is pafTionate againrt incor- rigible finners, and yet companionate to remorfe-full enemies ; he grieveth at intemperance, and hateth blafphemy; he liketh neither the laughing Proje6tour, nor the weeping Sectary ; : he would have his Sanctuary without indevotion , and his treafury without in- jury; his watchful confeience is the Squire of his body,and his de- precatory petitions hisbefl: Life-guard ; his innocent life is his in- graven Image, and his pious examples his richeft Medals ; he doth iriine like a Sun himfelf, and doth wiffi to have none but bright Stars about him ; next to his own pure heart he doth endeavour to have a pure Court ; he doth ftand upon his own prerogative , but catch at none of his people liberties ; he had rather gild a King- dom, then his Exchequer ; his Crown-land doth fatisfy him better then breaking an Inclofure ; he can fee a Vine-yard out of his Pa- lace-Window without proclaiming himfelf Owner of it by an A- hubs evidence; he would have the liberrl Arts to flourifh,a»d make (if it were polTlble) every Mechanick a Lord of a Mannour; he gi- vcth all furtherances for free Trade , end quick Merchandire ; he hoch affect none but the generous , and fcorn none but the proud; he doth commiferate the wanrs of the poor,and he would have the rich to build them Alms-houics; he is wife,and not vain glorious, valiant, and yet would never fight, chart , and yet not ari Hermit, fobcr, and yet no water-drinker, liberal , and yet not profufc ; he is ofteneil: at his Chappel, and oft at his Council-Table; he hath a lirtcning ear to jui\ petitions, but not to pragmatical motions ; his heart is fee upon nothing more then repairing decayed places, and erecling ENGLANDS BEAUTY. 47 eroding Monuments*; he would leave behind him a -glorious Church , and a fetled Kingdom ;. he doth govern for God upon earth , that he may Reign with (Sod in Heaven. Now is not the prefence of fuch a King an Heavenly prefent ? hath the rich hand of Gcd a dearer pledge of favour to beftow upon his Bofome friends ? are all the lplendid Spectacles of a Kingdom like to the face of fuch a Prince ? no, doubtlcffe he doth furpaffe them all as far as light doth excell darhneffe ; oh then how may all his Sub- jects have delight under his fhadow, and clap their hands together that they live to fee fuch happy dayes , his name may be pleafure, his Reign Triumph , for when their eyes fee fuch a King , they fee a King in his Beauty. Thine eyes [hail fee the King In his Beauty, Fifchly, this doth reprove the blind rage of a Confer at our in oppojing fuch a King Joe dothflrike at the Beauty of the Land.Vot is there a King in his Beauty} then why do fuch an one endeavour to pluck away from the eyes of a Nation the moft glorious fight that can be beheld? What would fuch people have? when will they be contented ? wherein fhall they find fatisfaetion ? is there any thing upon earth,which can keep them long quiet ? for except they would have their own wills, be Lords of all Titles,Proa!ratours for all general affairs , Di'dtatours to rule all by themfeives : hold the helm of States in their hands , order Gods Providence , hold no Crown fit to be worn , but that which their well-guiding hands fhall fet on, be Supreme, and Kings themfeives, can they defireto be more happy ? Do they corned with God , becaufe he hath made a people fo bleiled ? may not God' fay to them, as he doth in the Gofpel? Is thine eye evil ^becaufe mine is good-} : For if they had not evil eyes,and evil heads, and evil hearts,and evil hands,they would never thus quarrel with Gods will, and wifdome, and goodneffe. What?are they weary of a Banquet? doth a calm oftlnd them ? is Sun-nSine grievous to them?is a gemme tmubleiorrie 'to-'them to en- joy? is a King in his Beauty vexatious to them h fee? alas poor fick eyes, and litigious, refra diary fririts , it is* pity that ye were not all Secretaries of State , and that God did no: fend his Decree? to you to have your.pregfta , nt approbation. But 'this is mans turbulent, . murmuring nature, tltatthe belt things are' divers times the greateft grievances , and'ttat tlify -which canny* govern thcrhfelye* muft be *s ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. be continually querulois againft Ruleis. Te take too much upon you faid Corah and his complices. Num. 16.3. why hasl ferved us thus>&id the men of Ephraim to Gideonf&A they chocie with him (harpty. Judges 8.1 .How (hall he fave us} and they defplfed him, and brought him no presents. 1 Sam. 10.27. See thy matters are good and righteous , but there is no man deputed of the King to hear thee, oh that I were made a Judge In the Land , that every man which hath any matter, or controverfy might come to me, and I might do hlmjuftlce, faid ^bfalon of Davids Government, 2. Sam. 1 5. 3, 4. So that there is no Government , or Govemour Plnt.in will pleafe many men. Thus ^Arlftodemus liked not the Govein- ^poph, ment of o/fntlgonus King of Macedonia, becaufe he was :oo libe- ral, and the Court oiLyJlmachus muft be found fault with, becaufe there were none tut dlfyllabl , men with two (y Habits in their jlthin, names (as Bythes, Paris , &c.) which had all the auihoiity under /.i4.c.j. him. Augustus Ctfar, becaufe he would never call the Praetorian bands fellow-foldiers , but foldiers (he never deflnng to make ufe of them , but when he was contained) and becaufe he was ib li- idcrob. beral to the Citizens , and rcfpe6tive to the Senatours,and de- n.c.j. lighted much in finging, he was by Tlmagenes, Labeo y and P0III9 and fome others not thought fit to govern. So we have a genera- tion of men ftill left amongft us that are apt to afperfe the moft meriting Prince , and not onely to ftretch out their flanderous tongues , but their barbarous hands to pull him down ; what fava<>c waishave we had in this Nation waged in a blind rage , and not onely till the Land hath been fprinkled with the bloud of her Na- tives , but the Scaffold died with the Bloud of a moft Innocent King ? and this King-killing will be a Trade, if God from Heaven do not ftrike an horrour , and dread of fuch an impious a6t into their hearts. Oh ye wild Furies then confidcr what ye have done, confidcr what ye are about to do ; Chriftians ye arc not, are yc men ? what ye live in a Country, to appal a Country ? to trouble her peace? waft her treafure?to deprive her of the light of her eyes? what is a family without a Mafter ? what is a kingdom without a King? Repent then for what ye have done , and do not think that a pardon keafily gotten $ an A St of Indemnity may fave your necks, but it muft be an high expiatory A61 that muft fave your fouls • Jf David weptfo bitterly forthemurtherofone^r^, ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. 49 ye had need have Davids penitential teares, and his penitential Pfalm for the thoufands that yc have flaiirc , and efpecially for the murthcr of that one King that was worth ten thoufand of us. Yc have immodeft chcekes if they have no fhame, ye have flinty hearts if they have no rcmorfe, as ftupidly as ye parte over fuch a guilt , it is well if eighteen years repentance , nay a ftridt penance of your whole lives can procure you a reconciliation in Heaven; there is a great difference between a difpenfation of your partial Prophets, and juftification at the white Throne of the Judge of quick and dead. What then? have ye ft ill dry eyes? and will ye {lied no tears? yes, fprihgs might gufh out of the rocks, hearts of adamant might cleave zfundev.Ahab might go foftly, and Judas out of honour of confcicncc might cry out Ihave finned in betraying Innocent Blood. If yc have not A h ab s cow{\z\ nations , and Judas'/ eyes , ye will have frights, and ftings, and ycllcs enough in Hell. There is yet a means ofattoncment,an opportunity of hcalin^jifyc be not of the number of them, which have hearts that cannot repent. Rom. 2. 5. try what Suppliants, and penitents ye can be,ye had need ^p water every Camp , where ye have fought your bloody Battles , and to moiftcn the ground of that Scaffold where that execrable murther was committed with fhowres of fait water. And if ye can work out your peace raife not another war in your confcicnces, if ye can be made whole !\n no more. Your fwoidsare fhcathcd,draw them not again ; ye are lent home quietly , hang not out a new flag of de- fiance/What have ye to do to be Statcf-men? follow your callings, and look to take the enormities out of your own lives, what are ye to meddle with errours of Government ? no, leave politicks to o- thcrs , neither yc , nor your great Maftcrs have any thing to doe with a Kings actions, except it be by way of humble advife. For, Where the word of a King is there is power , and who (hall fay t» him, what dosh thou } Ecclcf.8.3. What have Subjects then to defcant upon a KingsGovernmcnt,asif they were his Supra -vi fours, and Guardians ? The Lawes of God allow no fuch authority, and it is but a State inchantment to fay that the fundamental Lawes of this Kingdome have impowred any to call a King to a violent account.He hath onely God for his Jndge,and all the people under him as Liege-men. Beware therefore of thole puling groanes, oh here is a Tick State , come along with us to adminifter phyfick , if H the 5^ ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. the King will not frame up fuch a Government as we defire , we will teach him hew to rule by the edge of our fwords. Thefe are not Phyficians, but cut-throats. God hath allowed no fuch Para- celfians in a Kingdom to cure a Kings diftempers. For if a King may not be provoked to wrath,he may not be fo far provoked as to fight for his life ; if he may not be fpoken evil of,or curfed,his ma- ladies are not to be remedied by cutting orF his head. This is rather to be Executioners , then State-Do&ours ; I never yet read , that there could be a Lienor, or a Spiculator, or a Cainifexfor a King. Let the grcateft Subjects then bufy themfelves in preparing Lawcs for the Commonwealth, and not in prefcribing rules to a King; in remedying the grievances of the Country , and not in avenging grievances , which may be fufpe£t,ed by a King ; in binding the people to obedience, and not in bringing a King to account; For they are but Subje£t,s,and they cannot adde to themfelves one cu- bit above their ftature.Xf ye comply with fuch politicians, ye do but pleafe a company of feditious perfons , and incenfe the Nation in general, for ye cannot do a greater injury to your Country, nor of- fer a greater indignity, and violence to true Patriots , then to di- sturb the peace of the Land, and to {hike at a King. For the Kings fafety is the Kingdomes Triumph, The Nation hath no greater joy then to fee the King in his Beauty. Thine eyes fh 'all fee the King m his Beauty. Sixthly^his ferves to exhort all good, Subjects not to disfigure the face of Ma]effiy£ox if the Beauty of a King be the brighteft thing, that a Nations eyes can be fixed upon, then what a dark Kingdom is there when a King does not fninc out in Royal Splendour ?^If every one would have his right, that the Cottager,and Commoner would not lofe his Country tenure , nor the man of noble bloud, and hounourable family would not lofe his peerage , then why Oiould not the King have his fur a regalia, his Crown-rights ? I confeflc the Propriety of the Subject, and plead for it , but I find like wife , and am an Advocate , that there may be Hammelech MelechJThe Right of a King, i Sam. 8.1 1. it is a Right of great antiquity, no fundamental Law can vy Seniority with it;no,?##/- torumfeftorum Jovisglandes comedit,\t doth derive the pedigree a Nannafo , there are antiquiores dipthther•£.$. Cedamus Phoebo cr monitl mellora fequamur. £mid. A Prophet that hath undiifbndin^ in the vifions of God is not to be believed in this,no, If an Angel from Heaven fhould come, and preach otherwlfelet him be accurfed. Giteth. 1.8. Well then, what is the Beauty of a King? what but his power?Take a King without power,and what is he,but a Ghoft without life, a meer Phantafme, and Apparition ? How can he do any thing that is Kingly, either in fetling Religion , prote&in^ the Church , adminiftring juftice, making leagues , drawing his people to Humiliation for their fins, in maintaining the lioerties of his people at home , or propuliing the violenccs,and affronts of Adverfaries abroad? no,he muft fit by With tears in his eyes , and deplore ail exorbitances, and fad acci- dents, but no: :^e able to remedy them; he hath a fympathy, but he hath no Soveraignty;he hath a will,but he hath no power; he hath a face but he hath no Beauty in it. A Kings authority then is the true Majefty of a King, till he can command like a King , he doth but perfonate a King. Oh then that the policy cf many men H 2 is 52 ENGLAND'S BEAUTY, is but to defigne againft the power , that their chiefeft drift is not in- honouring and obeying a King , but in retraining and regu- lating a King, that when their purfes are empty , then they fill them by a Crown-quarrcl;that when their high parts are not con- sidered, then they will be obferved to be Mafter-wits in feeking to maftcr authority ; and to filence fuch a Mutiner,a Challenger by many a good King muft be preferred , when many a loyal Cham- pion of as good endowments and better worth muft ftand upon low grouivl,and this popular Earc-wig creep to his defired height. But away with thefe new dogmatizing principles of State-magick , whereby Kings arc conjured into politicians Circles , or confined lo their anguft limits. This may be a Science , but I am fure it is none of the liberal Scicnces.lt is a pitiful thing, when a King come to be tutoured under fuch Pedagogues, he is then rather a Difciple, a pupil then a King, for he muft do nothing, but what is prefcribed him,nor order any thing but according to commenfurations. And this is rather Geometry , then Monarchy,or to make a Mathemati- cal,rather then a Majeftical King. Let the people have their birth- rights,Liberties, Privilcdges,but let not liberty eat up Royalty, nor birth-right,Crown-right, nor priviledge Prerogative, for then the judgement in j£gypt is fallen upon the Land , that the leankjnc have eaten upthefat^nd what then but a famine can be expected? The people may be amiable, but the King hath no Beauty , or the foul of the Kings power is defunc>,and by a Pythagorean tranfmi- gration is paft into the body of the people. And how willNatives then difregard fuch a King? and how will Forreigners infult over him? he fhall be able to a£t nothing neither at home, nor abroad. The thick fmoak in the form of a cloud which was raifed by one Jovitis burning of beanes might more terrify Charles the fifth, and tran- t.l7-hift. c/^the firft at rtllafrank^they thinking that a Navy of the Turks Tlut.in fad b ccil coming , and the very dead ftatue of Alexander at the ~4Iexan* -p erri pj e f ^ \l at Delphos might make Cajfander fooner trem- ble then the prefence of a King will beget awe or reverence in fuch a Nation. But fome will fay that Kings ought to have Counfcllcrs, and he muft be guided by them.Ought,and muft are high words. It is convenient I confeffe that Kings fhould have Coun fellers, for in the multitude of Counfellers there is health (Salomon the wife was not without than) but then thefe Counfellours muft not be Com- pelleifv ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. 53 pellers , the King muft be the Head of the Counfel , a King muft not be fubjected to their cxcentrical humours (if any fuch things ihould happen) or to their f elf- willed , and felf-ended aymcs , for thcfe ihould then be rather projcctouvs then Counfellouis,orDi£r,a- tours,then Direcliours; all the Beamy ihould then be in the Coun- fellours cheeks , and not in the Kim's face. Let there be as many Counfcllours then as ye will , but ft ill let the King have the liberty of election, to accept , or rejedt what in his Princely wifdome he think sfitting,for conftraining advife belongs rather to headftrong, furly Subjects , then to true Counfellours. A King no doubt may as well refufe ill counfel, as ill meat, ill weather , ill lodging. Bad company is dangerous , and fo likewife is bad counfel. Is a King bound to walk in the dark ?. to take receipts of all Empiricks ? to fail with all windspto go out of the way, if his. guides miflead him? no, w»;w e^«|U?(7z yes Senacherlb ranged over this Country , awd made all the Land to tremble,that hammer of the earth dallied all in pieces , for he,and his Rabfihakjhs^nd RabfarnTcs,and Tartans made a Land that was like the Garden of Eden like a defolate wildernefTe, nei- ther high-wayes, nor high Rulers, fields nor Forrefts , Cicies nor Catties were fecure, but our wards and our woods , our heritages and our honours, our labours and our lawes , our reputations arid our religion, our beafts and our beds , our tillage and our Tables, our Tabernacles and our Temples , our backs and our necks were fubjc6t to the fury of our Advcrfaries , for what were we but an harraffed Land , a plundered. Nation, a fequeftred people ? Our enemies 56 ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. enemies ruled over us with vigour , "and made our lives bitter unto us,Cities were turned into heaps,and the houfes of Ivory perifhed, the fliield of the mighty was vilely call away,and nothing amongft us but walks and groancs,chaines and gibbets, all the mirth of the Land was gone,and the very Songs of the Temple were turned in- to howlings, we even ftood amazed under our difafkis , and even deipaired ever to fee better dayes. Many a Cord was let down to pluck us out of mifery , but Hie funis nihil attraxit , This rope drew nothing, many means ui'td to preferve us in the ftorm , but Deus prtvertit anchor* jatlum , God prevented the calling forth of the Anchour, fo that abfumfta falus, nee fyesjamreftat 1'uli, All fafety feemed to be taken from us , and there was no hope ap- pearing to repair our broken fortunes , our hearts even failed us, and we were ready to ly down in our confufion , for when any gave us comfortable words to expect yet happier , we accounted them. velut *gri [omnia vana, As fick mens dreams , and gave no other but a kind of diffident anfwer. Alas who (hall Hve when God doth thefe thingsfNum.2^. 2 3. Yet how hath God cleared the Land of Senacherifa^i faved us by a mighty deliverance ? Senacherib is vanifhed,and Hez,ekjah y defired Hez,ekfah , admired He&ekjah , Hez,ekjah the King of high prefervations , He&ek^ah the King of confpicuous qualifica- tions doth appear, we may carve the whole Text,giavcn in capital Letters,golden Charackrs,and celcltial imprefles upon our hearts, for, We have feen, and we have fee n a King , and We have feen a King in his Beauty. Oh Heaven hath prefented to us this fight, this is the Objetl of Miracles. We may draw nigh , and fee this great fight. Exod .5.2. Hath this been done before , or in the dayes of your Fathers} Joel 1 .2. no there hath not been the like,neithcr {hall there to many generatiens,we may count it as one of the chief of the wayes of God ; for a King tha: could not enter the Land, norfafcly fct his foot upon any comer of the Nation , now with Hezekjah , he may fee the Land afar off , and walkAipon the length and bredth of the Land.#/w hath heard fuch a thing} who hath feen fuch things ? li.66. 8. doubtleffc that in Num. 2 2.23. may be applycd to us Recording to this time it (hall be f aid ofja- cvb, ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. 57 cob, and Ifrael, what hath God wrought} what? an incredible, an ineffable, and an invaluable thing.B/ejfed be the Omnipotent God, and blejfed be his potent Champion , which hath made the Land happy in the fight of a King, & in the fight offuch a King;! lay of fuch a King,who cometh to us with a right Title;one Uil'rper more would have quite broke the hen rt-ft rings of the Nation ;& with the right Religion; a Papi(t,or a Phanatick would have after fo many fa&ions & fractions fhivcred the Church into nothing but fherds; & with the right Princely endowments, who hath in him a treafu- ry of moralities,& may be a pattern to all the Princes of his time for true virtue. An Hereditary King, an Orthodoxe King, a Com- plcat King,what can the eye of the Nation look upon with more fatisfa£tion? no, Our eyes do fee a King in his Beauty ; we do fee him fo in his perfonal Beauty, and God forbid but we fhould give him all the National Beauty that may be.ConfefTe his right , and give him his right , welcome him home with melody , and beftow Majefty upon him ; make him as great , as he doth defire to make us mighty; we were never happy before he came , we are unhappy, if we know not how happy we are fince his coming , he hath re- deemed us out of errour, out of bondage, out of defpair. O Redeem- ing KinglLcz us not ferve him now as the Ifraelites ferved Mofes, who were ever groaning till they had a Deliverer , and ever mur- muring after they had a Deliverer. No, let our joy in him be an- fwerable to the comforts he hath brought along with him ; and ourpeerlcfTe efteem of him be anfwerablc to his pi izelefle worth ; Confider his devout Heart, and his divine Lips, what zeal he doth bear to the truth, and what hatred he doth carry to an Oath, how he hath preferved his Religion amongft. the Jciuits,and is come to his Subjects to tell them what a PiOtcftant lie is; confider his chaft eye,and his fober Palate, his foft bowels and his juft hand ; how he is flagrant with almfdeeds , and doth fhine in wifdomc ; how he was patient under afflictions, and is humble in profperity; how he hath forgiven hisenemies,and is daily preferring his Friends; how the whole Land doth not exceed him in Candour , nor the whole earth in valour ; confider what he hath done for your confeiences, what for your liberties , what for your Lawcs , what for learning, what for a flourishing tiade, and what for a fctled peace ; confider if he be not the prime man that could have comforted you , if he I be 5 S ENGLAND'S BEAUTY. be not the onely man which could have made you happy, and will ye open your eyes, and not open your lips ? give him your accla- mations, and not give him your affections? (hall Englitn-men have the beft King, and be the worft Subjects ? be the fcrventefl Defi- reis of a King, and the fickleil Rcverencers of a King ? what ftill fquint-eycd,rank-breathed,half-hearted? ftiil Cenfuveis, Maicccn- tents,Mutiners ? Send for Senacherlb then again, if Hez,ekjah do not pleafe you. Oh the variable,and unftablc fpirits of men .' what Scepticks are we in politicks ? what Criticks in Government ? we do but defire to enjoy a Ble(Ting,and then complaint of wants; we do but defire to fee a King,and then fpy faults; we are glutted with a tafte, and heavy-eyed with a fight ; take a gun 1 , and iliut up our lips; flare a little, and then turn away our eyes ; pleafe our fancies, and affecl: no longer; delight our felves with a gaze and then dif- daine. But oh beloved were we fick for a King, and are any now weary of him ? no , very Efau me think fhould fall upon the neck offuch a Jacob fit weep at the meeting; very Shimeis mouth fhould leave foming, and he fhould fall down at the feet of fuch a David, and ask pardon when he fees him returning; the molt heart-brent enemies that ever the King had methink fhould give over all their fpleen and rancour , and admire his clemency and magnify his graces. If the fe fhould hold their peace theflones would fpeak^ fo if thefe will not prize fuch a King , very Infidels would honour him. Oh therefore let every Subject in the Realmc know their own King, their lawfullKing, and give him cordial refpeel , faitbfull obedience,and an eminency of affe6tion.Let Noble-men love him, for as he is the Fountain of their honours, fo he hath reftored their honours to them ; let Clergy-men love him ,for he is a Sanctuary to the Sanctuary ; let Judges love him, for he hath put life into the Lawcs, and given them a refurre6Uon; let Merchants love him, for they which were ready to turn Bank-rupts , may yet again turn Bankers; let all the Land love him, for there is not a corner of the Nation , but he hath filled it with joy, and replenifhcd it with blefiings.Well let us all gather together,^; weep for joy that after fo many miferics we live to fee fuch Halcyon dayes, and fing for joy, that after fo many difmal fights , we have eyes in otfr heads to fee this one fight, this onely fight, this reviving, ravifhirig fight, even xo fee the King in his Beauty Thine eyes jhall fee the King in hk Beauty. And ENGLAND'S BEAUTY* 59 And as we hn vc feen the fight , fo let us. not lofe the fight , that after we hive feen the King in his Beauty , we fhould fee a King in Bloud; no,if the Lawes of,God,and the Mercy of the King can- not quench Fi - e-brands,but there fiiould happen to be new flames, new wars , let all faithful Subje&s be difmembred rather then one Mcmber.of his Sacred Perfon iliould be wounded , and let every loyal Hand in the three Nations be cut off, rather then the traite- rous hand ilioul4 touch his Royal H:ad. For if we fhould be de- prived again of the King in his Beauty, the Beauty of the Land is gone, and the mifcry of the Land will renew , we fhall have old plundring , and rifling , and fequeftring,and imprifoning , and braining,& gibbetting again; if the King luffer, let not us think to fcape fcot-free ; if the King dye, let not us think to live long after him, no,Ict us refolve of a general Maflfacre , and a Funeral of the whole Nation. Now that King and Kingdom may be fecure,let us make furc of him that is the Keeper pf Ifrael , oh how fafe might we be under his everlafting Armcs / He would be the jheild of otir help, and the [word of our excellencies. Oh therefore let us not provoke the eyes of his glory, and he will watch for our defence, let us not break hisLawes,& not a bone of us {hall be broken,let us weep out our former corruptions with tears , and lliew our felves' to be alive from the dead by our regenerate faces ; let every Roya- lift turn the greatcft Penitent and trued Saint ; as we account our felves the moft O thodox Pi'ofefTours , fo let us declare it by our mortified lives, and pure confeiences; So may we defy all the ene- mies in the Nation, for in defpight of all their fury and maugre all their malice, Jerufalem fhall be a quiet habitation , a Tabernacle that cannot be removed, her ftakes fhall not be taken away, but wc fhall here long fee a King in his Beauty , and hereafter fee a King in his Glory, which that wc may do,the Lord grant for his mercies fake, Amen. FINIS, A DEAD MAN SPEAKING, Or the Famous memory of king CHARLES the I. Delivered in a Sermon upon the 30 th of Ian: laft,in the Parifli Church of Walt ham %^ibbey. (By T h o. R £ e v e , D. D % Treacher there. Ecclef. 4. 1. ^ A good Name is better then precious oyntment, 7 he memory of the juji is bit (fed. San&us non occiditurfed eripitur.C/p. L o jv d o jsr, Printed by /.*. for the Authour, 1661 TO THE Uluftrious, and highly renowned Prince JAMES DUKE OF YORK His humble Suppliant wiflicth to him, His Grandfathers wifciome, his Fa* thers wivtVLCyAbeis facrifice, andChrifts fatisfa&ion High and mighty Prince, He righteous is more excellent then his neigh* W, Prov. 12. 26. The holy feed is the fub- J^ 1 /^ fiance of the earth. Efai. 6. 13. The Lords *«*« W portion is his people. Deut. 32. 9. Godly men 2k>g.i Q are fo precious, that at lafi God^illmake them up among his Laerr.1.9. jewels. MaL 3-17. They are fuch pious men , TM&btJS^L are the portraitures of the divine effence^nay the very Im- *£*? ages of God. Holy men area treafure hard to be found , yea - lQ xi m ' they are the perfons, which have a compendiaryTvay toglo- Adgiori- ry. What a bright luftre then was your religious Father jJ5J $ "f a once to this Nation \ how did he adorne the Kingdome . ? compen- he was a; great a Saint as a King, and as refplendent in *Jg^ innocencyasMajefty. * 2 Ri-\ t i.c.is. -Ripheus juflifsimm unus, Rfitit £>uifuit tn Teucris, & fervantifsimus a qui \ AroyallGemme, a religious mirrour,the Lands Omar tnenty the Churches Phenix ; there were many potent Kings in his time, but he was the true Sacred Majefty up- on earth ; we may ftill rejoyce, that we were the Sub- je&sof fuch a King, and you may ftili glory that you \tferethe Sonoffuch a Father^lofe not your Birth-right, your Fathers Graces honour you as much as his bloud Royal; you are a Prince of renown beeaufe you can de- rive a pedigree from fuch a linage of virtues : it is never dying fame to you, that you can fay. tfr*. 4. -Pater eft Thymbreus Apollo, Bnud. that fuch a Saint was your Father. But where now is thisPearleof the Land, and ftarreof the throne > He that doth anfwer this queftion muft doe it rather with tears , then fpeech ; for we had him , but we have loft him; Oh irreparable, and ineffable lofle, we did not value his graces, nor imitate them, and fo we are depri- ved of thefight,ufe, andbliffeof them. Buthowcame he to be taken away, could any heart be fo rancorous, or any hand fo cruel , as to offer violence to fuch a pious Prince \ yes, virtue hath no armour of proof againft blind and precipitate malice. AsheTrhich ivas born after the flejb perfecuted bim, Tthich is borne after the Spirit , even fo is it noH> .Gal. 4,29* For the T^orie that is right a man is envied of his or who were their natural Fathers ? who were their ghoftly Fathers > what breads did they fuck at? what lips were they infpired with ?are thefe their principles? are thefe their revelations ? thefe gifted men then are edge-tooles,thefe new lights are fierce Comets; thefe fift-Monarchy men are fierce Monarchy men, thefe Levellers are leviathans, thefe quakers may make all the earth to quake.They may now pretend to be the metkeof *£fMr/£,butIam,rurf they were the Murtherers of the carth,they mayprofefs that they have mortified fpirits,but fure I am, they had mortal hands ; they may have peace in their lips, buttheyhave war in their hearts* they may call themfelves Lambs? but they are more fiery then the evening wolves. Truft them who will, I can but yield *3 them my my pitty, not my confidence, though it may be mercy to pardon their crimes, yet I think it were no great wif- dometoput affiance in their gentle, peaceable Natures. If their principle be no King, what King fits furc in his throne where there are fuch paradoxesHs notthelifeofa King threatned, where his authority is renounced ^how many of thefe were in a&ual armes,and a&ive toruine their native Country, and to fhedthe bloud of their na- tural King ? what >King-skinners and yet true to the per- fon and power of a King > can the authority, or piety of any Prince reftraine their fury ,when they have flaine fuch a juft King, fuch aceleftial Saint ? Let them inchant whom they can, yet they (hall hardly infatuate us that e- ver they will be fincerely loyal; for they have driven us to heart, grief, yea drawn out our heart blood, & taken away the life of him , who was worth ten thoufandof us. T 'he breath of ournoBrils , the Anointed ef the Lord T*>as taken intheir nets, oflvhom "toe [aid , undir his sha- doi»i»e shall be preferved alive. Lam. 4. 20. How can we think of them with contentment , or fpeake of them with pacified fpirits,whcnthe joy of our hearts is gone, and our dance is turned into mourning, And the Cro^n is fallen from our heads) Lam. 5* 15,16. When fuch fervants ruled over us,and we gat our bread with the peril of ourlives, when Princes where hanged up by the hand, and the faces of Elders were not had in honour; when they took the young men to grinde, and made the children to fall under the wood ; when they have fe- queftred, imprifoned, ftarved,gibbited, baniflied,flain in the field, (hot to death in the ftreets multitudes , it is an hard thing to forget fo many indignities, and outrages; no, they may have their A& of indemnity, but hardly their Aft Aft of Amnefty. Or if we could rafe out of our brefts all our private injuries, how can wee bury in oblivion the blood of fuch a rarely accomplished, and gratioufly qua- lified KingJthey which could pluck offfuch a Crown,& ftrike off fuch an head, what bloody hearts 3 andfatall hands muft we needs conclude then to have ? Have they not here given us occafion of dread,and grief *yes, This is a Lamentation and shall be for a Lamentation . For if the death of lofiah which was (lain in battel was lamented fo bitterly, that it was called a long time after, the mourn- ing oiHadadrtmmon in the field of hiegiddo.&czW the Fami- lies of the Land did weep tor him apart, then for a King by his own fubje&s to be chafed, captived,arrainged,con- demned and executed, what fobbs, tears, shrikes,plaints, paffions, deteftations, defiances are enough to bewaile, and execrate fuch barbarous inhumanity, andimmanity* If the Chalcedonians kept the one & twentieth day of eve- Suidas« ry month as a day of much fadnefs , becaufe the prefe£t of Darius then made their children Eunuchs, and carried them away (laves to Fcrfia ; then how ought we to keep that day as a folemn day of Humiliation which is theAn- niverfary of the moft direfull murther ( next to our Savi- ours crucifing) that ever was committed upon the face of the earth, w hen our good King loft his life , and we loft our liberties for many years after ? oh black day ! oh bloody A&! oh diabolical Amours, ^A day of Tribulation rebuke t andbltsphemy Ef. 3 7. 3 . Write the name of the day even of this fame day Ezech. 24. 2. Tea.ho^land cry y and fay^o be unto this day Ezech. 30. 2. Can your Highnefs think of it with patience \ or hear of it without ire and indignation I your Fathers dead head doth it not make both the eyes in your head to fparkle \ your Eathers roy- al! all blood gufliing out of his veines ,doth it not make eve- ry drop of blood in your Princely heart to kindle & flame? Tot our high fame you have won many a pitcht battel,& /hall fueh bafe bloodfuckers conquer your noble heart to forget the horrid murther of fuch an admired King, to whom you have fo neer a relation both in blood and ho- nour J No, though I do notftirreyou up torevengcyet I do to a deteftation both of the Aft and Adours. Where- fore are you a Kings fon, but to abhorre all them which dare (hike at a Kings head, or cut off a Kings head? where- fore is any one a King, if his perfon be not free from vio- Icnc&yeSiWho shall lay his hand upon the Lords anoint ed& be guiltlefft I Why .is a King called a fupreme if he hath a- nyfupreme above him ? or named Lawgiver, if he him- felf be liable to law i wherefore doth he hold a fcep- ter, if his own fides may be beaten with it I or wear a Crown, if it cannot prefervehis own head forbear the fword , if it may be thruft into his own bread ? Is he to be the head of theTribes to ftand in danger of his own neck? is the Government to belaid upon his (houlders, & ycta blood axe to be laid upon his flioulders?are not thefe con- tempts againft Soveraginity ? and contradictions to loy- alty \ hath reafon any fuch folaecifmes, or madneffc any fuch Phrenfies \ did Baalam , Caiaphas, \^ichitophel ever give fuch Counfel, or teach fuchmaximes? Isthere a precedent of the like (hameful attempt to be found a- mongft the civil Romanes* or wild Scythians jht tyrants of K^ithens y or the King.hunters of Scotland, where learned our people this Divinity J or who were the leading Pro- teftants which firft praftifedit \ where began this out- rage i who took up the firft armes i whobroughtthe firft Artillery into the field > who cried out of an hor- rid rid rebellion in Ireland,^, yet cried up afanftified plaging of prizes in England) Can a man think that there paffed no Letters of Correfpondency between thefe and the Iefuits I Sure I am they never learned this dottrine of re- fitting Kings by force of armes out of Canonical Scri- pture, the primitive martyrs, or the ancient Fathers , but out of Mariana, Suarez,, Stapleton* Sanders, &c. If they be no Romifli Iefuits, they are Proteftant Iefuits. They and thefe are both Gunners, the queftioniswhoisthe Mafter Gunner. The fiti of Novtmbcr cannot but with a kind of impudence be kept by thefe,for there is a new Gunpowder treafon upon record , they are both of them Salt peter men; I wonder how thefe men donotfufpefl: themfel^s to be in fome meafure guilty of Popery , or to have let up an altar after the fafhion of the alter ofDamafi cus. Supremacy they fay is Popery, and what not to hold the fupremacy of a Parliaments a Magifterial Aflembly till they have fought down foveraignty fo low that eve- ry Commoner fliall be checkmate to a King i Praying to Saints and Angels is Popery ; and what not to rely upon fuch Saints, and Angels which lead people into the fin ot Lucifer ? Purgatory is Popery , and whatnot to make their Country more flaming then mount ^£tndi Auricular ConftfTion is Popery, and what not to bring all Communicants to Examination, that they might know withthefecretsofconfcience,the fecrets of Fami- lies, and if they finde them not well affe&ed to give them aClaftical expulfionout of the Land i Tran(ut>ftantiati- on is Popery, and whatnotto tranfubftantiate away the authority of a King, till nothing do remain bur bare ac- cidents, gay cloaths, and a good hunting horfe ? Merits are Po£err$and what not to merit the name of a Patrior, **i a a pure Saint upon earth, and a bright, thrice bright Saint in heaven by ruffling with Kings and by throwing them upon their backs, it not breaking their necks r In the Landof tumult, fcdition , commotion, and playino- of Prince-prizes, whoisthe mod honourable Common* i*nfm « wealths-man but the moft infolcnttraytour: Zenophon ^hn. the Corinthian who wasfixty times Conquerour at the Tindar. Olympian games , TSljcon who won at that place 1400 ij. od. Crowns were never more famous > then their redoubted Heroes, who could pluck a King by the collar, or pluck out his throat: was not the Image of the firft benefaft. our to therebellionfetup with his Saracens face in the Church? and was not the firft Rebel-General honoured if not with a glorious Statue, yet with a moft vJlh-glori-' Ous Sermon I though his falfe mafters paid him his wa. ges with aconite, yet the falfe Prophet lighted him to heaven with a pulpit-torch. There is akinde of holy Brother which doth love a Traytouraswellasthe ho- ly Father. Well then, leave all diffembling and let fel- low Papifts go together, for Rebellion againft Kings is more fufpicious,nay more perfpicuous 6c pernicious Po- pery , then Cap» Cope, Surplice, Tippet, Rochet: If the one fhould be conceited to be tayleof the Beaft, the other may be concluded to be the clawes and jawesof , the Beaft. Oh then that this brutifli fin fhould be ha'low- Mart. 1.7. . ... —■''>■ _ • ed as a prime virtue ! no, Virpejsimus omnium Carinas. This fame Regicide is the Bafilick among allSepents* there is not the leaft goodneiTe,ornoblenefleinhim, unlefs. fyvil, 1 6 ' fyf° fi e t er * s motiwinc Tereus Ma am. Credit ur efo Pius , laudemque d criminefumit, Thcheight of villany dothgoforthehcight of piety, and and the blacked crime is efteemedihe trucft credit. If there had never been traytour in the world rill thefe laft warres,y ct we have occafion enough for this very action, to abominate this rough-skin'd Creature, becaufe fo in- humanely he executed fuch an eminent, and invaluable King. Oh how much virtue was there murrhered J how many graces were there at one blow beheaded i K^belis dead. But though dead, yet not quite dead; no( renowned Prince) you have not altogether loft your Father ,thc Rebel might killtheKing, but not the Saint. Abel being dead yetfpeaketh.^&o murtherer could utterly deftroy fuch a righteous King, Cain himfelf might open his veines, butnot flop his mouth, ftrike him but not ftrike him dumb. Your Highnefs though you can- not fee your Fathers face, yet you may hear his voyce; he made not his laft Speech upon the Scaffold,^/ he fpeaketh,yez hefpeaketh fo loud that he may be heard throughout the whole Court, the whole kingdome, the whole worldly his Faith, Sacrifice, innocent life, & pattern death he doth fpeak to all his Friends, to all his E- nemies, to the Slaughtered Martyrs , and his crucified Redeemer. Thus defiring to fhedan Ocean of com- fortsintothe breaft of your Royal Highnefs by the re- membrance of your Fathers pretious memory upon earth, and his glorious reign in Heaven proftrating my felf at your Highnefs feet , fubmiffively I take leave and reft. ' Waltham Abby Your HighneJJes humble fervant, who doth in fines. earneftly Sacrifice, that yon may be your Fathns true Mourner and bright Mirronr^ . (O The Dead Manfpcaking, &c. Andb]ithebeingAead,jetfpeaketh,}lzb. 1 1.4. Am this day to prefent you with a Deaths-head , no veiy pleafing fight. If it be mors atra , blac\^death y then a Deaths-head is Spettaculum [qualldum , * grifly , hideous ftettacle ; a Gorgons head, and a Deaths-head, are much alike ; yea Caput mortuum , the Deal head y which by the Chymifts is called terra damnata, the dam- ned earth doth carry fome femblance with it , only here is the dif- ference , that there all virtue is extracted , but here much virtue doth remain ; for this Deaths-head doth ft>eak, yea fpeak with- out a tongue. It is rare to hear the dead fpeak, efpecially to fpeak when the Organ of fpeech is wanting ; for living men to be dumb , is a judgement, for dead men to fpeak , is a wonder. The Brazen head of Albertus Magnus, fpeaking, fo aftonifhed Thomas Aquinas, that he brake it in pieces , and his Mailer gave him a bitter check for it , faying, that he had deftroyed the work of thirty years invention ; The head of Memnon which fpake , and fung by the Sun-beames fhining upon it, was the admiration of the age ; but thefe heads fpake by Arts, and Artifices ; but here is an Head, which fpake without any help, and contrivance ; it was Abel's head , and it fpake by the virtue of Abel's graces ; wicked men fpeak but till death , a righteous man doth fpeak af- ter death ; fo that a holy man is never tongue-tyed , no la ft gafp can make him fpeechleife , no grave-ftone can filence a Saint. Now then the Deaths-head being a fpeaking head, the aba&ment, and confternation is much mitigated ; for there is honour and iplendor mixed with the horrour, and fray of fuch an head ; though it cannot but be grief and anguifh , to think that Abel is dead \ yet it cannot but be exultation, and cxtafie , to think that A qnl % A dead man /peaking. qui moritur, loquitur , that he which is dead fpeakjth , yea that when all natural fpeech is taken from him , he hath a fupernatural way of fpeak ing , for adhuc loquitur , he yet fpeakjth ; By it being dead, he yet fpeakjth. This difcourfe is of Faith , and here (he doth fit like a glorious Queen in her Chair of State with all her Maids of Honour attend- ing upon her ; for all the priviledges , and perfections that the Saints had by faith are here defcribed , and it is fhewn, that whatfoever they were celebrated for , it was faith which was their •• loud-founding Cymbal, their Trumpet of fame which made their pames to refound with honour , For By it our Elders obtained a good report, ver. 2. Amongft the reft of the glorious Lights 9s4bcl doth thine forth, as the Thofphorm , the bright Morning- ftar ; he offered an excellent Sacrifice , and this made him excel* lent to all pofterkies ; this Sacrifice doth fecm to have a relique y ibr though the Sacrifice be fpent , and the Sacrificer confumed , yet the afbes both of the Sacrifice and Sacrificer do feem (till to be prefer ved. oyfbel is dead, but the memory of his Sacrifice is not dead , we may find it fmoaking upon a new Altar ; yea the Sacrifice doth give -aAbel both life, and fpeech ; for though na- ture cannot make him to fpeak , yet the Sacrifice doth make him to fpeak , for By it he being dead, yet fpeakjth. So that, what is the heft language ? thou that travelleft about the world to learn tongues, wouldeft thou this day be skilled in the beft language ? then goe to ayfbel's Academy, do thou ftudy the Art of Sacrificing. The Spanish , Italian, Arabick^, JEthio- pick^ Tongues are not comparable to this. Thou wilt be alter tjplato , ISjjftore facundior , Magnus Apollo by it. All the e- loqucnce upon earth is not like that which doth flow from a Saints lips ; Grace is the purcft Rhetorick, Devotion doth fpeak in the lofticft Idiome , Tunc ipfa fapientia vhit , Wifdome it felf doth feem then to live, and fpeak. All the wifdome of the Egyptians is inferiour to it , Athens it felf hath no fuch ftile , let who $*i for A dead man fpeaklng. 5 for it doth make a man fpeak under ground,fpeak when he is dead, For by it he being dead , yetfpeaketh. But how doth Abel's Sacrifice make him to fpeak, being dead ? becaufc he did offer a better Oblation then Cain ? then Cain > what ? is Cain found offering ? Is Saul among ft the Prophets } Is CW»amongft the Sacrifices } yes, wicked men have their forms of worfhip , they cannot inchant the world , unlefs they have the Sorcery, and Magick of devotion , they muft fecm religious , though they be Devils incarnate , therefore Cain doth Sacrifice as well as Abel. Community in worfhip is no certain argument of integrity , I do fufpeft. a wicked man when he cbth perfoliate a Saint , I do tremble when I do fee Cain at the Altar. Sic not us ZJlyffes} Is Vlyffes no better known ? Is not an hypocrite mod dange- rous when he is lifting up his hand to Heaven ? or holding obla- tions in his hand ? Is there not a great difference between the worfhip of a wicked, and a godly man } Yes, Cain here Sacrificed cut of cuftome , but sAbel out of confeience ; Cain out of for- mality, Abel out of faith. Cain wanted faith,and he had as good have wanted a Sacrifice. Will I eat Bull's-fleili ? will God tafl: of the oblations of thefe Oxen in Religion? no, Cains Sacrifice lay like a cold diirefpected thing upon the Altar , not a fpark from Heaven fell upon it to coniume it ; but Abel doth bring a Sacrifice , and doth bring faith along with him , and this faith doth fetch fire from Heaven to turn the Sacrifice into allies ; faith is a kindling virtue, or it can make God to fire where flie doth prefent an offering ; for what a flame was there upon the appear- ance of faith ? there was a fmoak rrifed to the honour of Abel's Sacrifice. It was the excellency of faich, which did make Abel's Sacrifice fo excellent. By faith Abel offered a better Oblation then Cain , by which he obtained witneffe that he was righteous , God teft'ifying of his gifts. Well, Cain is judged to his face, doth not this convince him ? no, the more exafperate him ; for he was wroth, and his countenance fell, Gen. 4. 5. Not he was humbled, and his tears fell , but he was worth , and his countenance {ell. W r icked men infiead of contrition, have fury, and inftcad ofre- morfe, rancour ; Cain was not offended that he was fo hypocriti- cal , but he was enraged that Abel was fo holy. Purity of Reli- gion 4 A dead man /peaking gion is a general quarrell , the Altar doth fet all in a tumult, the more excellent Sacrifice doth beget a general fewd. The Saints are Genus Invlfum , The flighted race, Dum eletl'i proficlunt re- £r<£. probl ad r able m fur oris excitant ur ; The eminency of the EleB is the rage of Reprobates. If thou be'ft more righteous then an hy- pocrite thou muft look for his rankled breft, and his menacing brow. But if Cain be told of this, will he not forbear > no, God expostulated vfith him, why art thou wroth, and why is thy counte- nance fallen ? If thou do ft well, (halt thou not be accepted ? If t how doft l fly fin lyeth at the doore, Gen. 4.6,7. But he is never the bet- ter, he goe^h away filent, and fullen. No reafonings will take place with fome men , though fin lyeth at the door , yet they doe not cry out againft fin , but remain fenfeleflfe, and ftupid ; all the perfume of the Sanctuary will give no fragrant fent to fome mens noftrills,, the fweeteft odour is but the favour of death, unto death ; to inform, admonifh a wicked man , is but Excocjuere lapldem , To [often a ft one by feethlng ; he doth remain obftinate in his fin, though his guilt doth lie before his eyes , and vengeance doth lie at the door. Cain doth not yet lament, that he is that hypocrite , but onely doth torment himfelf that Abel Aiould be accepted as that righteous man , that he obtained witneiTe that he was righteous. But I hope that all doth but end in a diftafte , that there is no more but a fecret grudge , and a grievance ; oh yes, emulation doth bring forth difmal effects , malice doth end in mifchief , when thy Religion is once fpighted, look to thy perfon , look to thy head , the enemy of the Altar is the mod favage Oppofite. Indeed Cain doth treat with Abel, for Cain talked with his brother ay4bel , but beware of fuch treaties. Thou art never more in peril , then when the Adverfary of thy faith can draw thee into a confuta- tion , thou had'ft better fly his perfon, then meet with him at a conference ; for Cain doth draw Abel from a parley into the field , ( a field bufinefTe it muft be ) and then what are Cain's ar- guments but ftones, or clubs ? he doth fight no longer with reafons but mortal engines , the man can no longer walk courteoufly , or ralk gently , or fit patiently , but Cain rofe up, and flew his bro- ther Abel, Gen. 4. 8. Slew him ? oh that Cain fhould have an neart in his bofome to think of fuch a wretched defign , or a foot to walk about fuch a mifchievous project, or an eye to fpy out fuch an A dead man [peaking. £ an hatefull invention , or an hand to lay on fuch a fatal ftroke. What, Cain kill Abel} no, mcthinks he ftiould have faid, we are fons of the fame Father, we believe in the fame God, we have joyncd together in the fame wovftup , therefore Cain will not be guilty of this horrid acl: ; no, Cain lhould have faid, J will fight for him , rather then be his heads-man , or whofoever deftroy him, I will not kill him, for he is my brother , my fellow Pro- feffor , one that Heaven hath acknowledged to be a man of an excellent fpirit for his excellent Sacrifice. But all' bands of na^- ture, links of Religion, incentives of grace are forgotten , where men are blinded with paffions , or diftempered with the phrenzy of malevolency. Well, Abel is (lain , his dead head doth lie in the field , or his bloud doth ftick upon the (tone , but is Cain for all this fecure ? no, Dulce pomum cum abefl cuftos ; $\ ntt The apple is fweet when the Gardiner Is abfent , but when the Keeper doth come to examine what wafts have been made , he will teach fuch an Orchard-robber as Cain , what it is to pluck fuch fruit. Super te h&c omnia Leparge. Oh Cain, all thy mis- chievous devices will return upon thine own head. For Cain is queftioned, where is thy brother Abel, Gen. 4. 9. Cain, thou doft not mifs Abel , but faith God , I do want him , therefore where is he ? when did'ft thou laft fee him? what did'ft thou laft to him ? where did'ft thou leave him ? what happened at the parting ? I muft have an account of him , therefore where is thy brother Abel ? where is he, faith Calm ? where he pleafeth him- felf, he hath feet of his own to carry him whither he will, he hath eyestofpy out the beft place for his conveniency , he hath hands to defend himfelf : my brother Abel \sful juris, at his own liberty to goe , and do as liketh himfelf; he can tell thee whither he is retired , I cannot tell , charge not this upon me , for it is beyond my authority and commilTion , I have no tutelage of A- bel , I am his brother , I am not his Guardian , Am I my bro- thers Keeper ? Thus wicked men cauterize the wound, what they have committed with impiety , they do defend with impudence. But it is not the denial of the fa£t , which will ferve the turn , God doth profecute the crime , and reprefent :o Cain his menftrous wrctchednefs. what haft thou done ? art thou not confounded with what is* done ? what haft thou A 5 done ? 6 A dead man [peaking. done ? could a more horrible thing be done ? -what haft thou done } thou wouldft needs be at work , and thou haft a£tcd a prodigie. what haft thou done ? thou haft done that, that all Generations to come fhall curfe thee for the deed , and be curfed, if they imitate thee in the action, to the worlds end there fhall be no more wretched pathes to walk in, then the wayes of Cain. What haft thou done ? haft thou not done hellifhly , to make thy felf a prefent horrour, and an everlafting abomination ? what haft thou done ? thou haft done that, that thou art afhamed to confefs , and art afraid to have k told thee , and wilt tremble when it fhall be discovered, what haft thou, done ? fomething is done , nothing can be done, but I am privy to it ; I was with thee at the fhft mo- tion in thy breft , at the firft motion of thy feet, at the ircfull motion of thy brow , at the direfull motion of thy hand. What? hide a thing from thy God > canft thou cloud any thing from his all-feeing eye ? yes I know, and can tell , and will repeat what thou haft done. It is not thy clofe acting , nor the naked field , that can conceal thy doings , thy difmal doings from me. I have my fpies in all corners , I have Intelligencers, which do bring me news from all quarters of the world. Acknowledge what thou haft ac~ted , fpeak out, what thou wert not afraid to attempt, what? did'ft thou not once want a malicious heart, inchanting lips, and a bioudy hand , and doft now want a confeience , and a tongue? oh the fhamc and confufion of fin , how i: makes a man at laft amazed, and fpeechlels / Well Cain, thou wilt not fpeak , but I have an Informer come into my Court , thou wilt not accufe thy felf , but I have an indictment preferred againft thee , I can draw nothing out of thee, but I have a charge drawn up againft thee. Thou (ayeft, Am I my brothers Keener ? no, thou art thy bro- thers Cut-throat, asfbel cannot cry, but his blond doth cry , Thy brothers blond doth cry to me from the ground. That doth cry , and thou fhalt cry ; thou irayeft live , hut thou (halt live as an execration ; nothing lhali profpei that thou doft undertakc,thou fhalt ufe infinite means to thrive, but nothing fhall be fucccflcfuP, but ominous to thee , For thou art cur fed from the earth , which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brothers bloud from thy hand, Gen. 4. 10. And as thy endeavours fhall be unfortunate , fo thy perfon lliali be unhappy : Thou haft many places to repair to , but thou A dead manfpeaking. 7 thou fhalt not know where to reft , thou flialt be like a diffracted creature , chafed up and down wich fears, and furies , thy ftatc jfhall be as the ftate of a Fugitive; a runagate and a vagabond Jh alt thou be upon the earthy Gen. 4. 1 2 . Thou haft taken thy brother off from his legs , and thy feet (hall not know where to nx fafely, thou fhalt be caft out of the pre fence of the Lord^Gzn. 4. 16. and no prcfence fhall be pleating , or fafe-guarding to thee ; all places (hall be an horrour to thee , and thou fhalt be a dread to thy felf. Thou fhalt be as a palfy creature , a mark^fhall be fet upon thee , Gen. 4. 15. A Cain's mark , which fhall (as St. Chryfofiome faith ) cany a continual trembling with it , day and night , thou fhalt be afraid to be killed , and though thou mayeft not be killed , yet like a man that forbode {laughter thou fhalt live in wards , yea, be ready to double thy guards about thee ; Oh Cain, where fhalt thou be fecure ? no , thou fhalt clofe up thy felf in ftone walls , build thy felf a City, Gen. 4. 17. Thy old habitation fhall be frightfull to thee, thou muft change places, and goe live in the land of Nod, And when thou art dead , all plagues lliall not end in thy perfon , but the curfe fhall reach to thy pofterity , an infamous generation thou flialt leave behind thee , there fhall not be a more hated and i no, pity it is that his righteoufnefs {hould be forgotten ., or that his Sacri- fice (hould not be eternized ; a double Sacrifice, one that came out of thy flocks , another that came out of thy veins ; thou did'ft exercife righteoufnefle , thou did'ft die for righte- oufnefs ; thou didft offer a Sacrifice , thou wert made a Sacrifice , oh we facrifice to thy honour / thy actions were pious , thy name fliall be glorious ; thy fufferlngs were bitter , thy memo- ry fhall be fweet ; we do prize thee , we would immortalize thee ; thy bloud is fpilt , but it Ilia 11 not be dryed up ; Cain flew thee , but we will embalm thee ; thy Remains fhall be facred to us, thou ihalt have thy Anniverfary , thou fhalt have thy tuft a , thy Fu- neral rites , we will honour thee as a Martyr ; Thou art dead , but thou fhalt not die;thou art fpeechlefs,but thou fhalt ftill fpeak ; we will do our duty , but thou needed not our fervice ; thy per- son is fo pretious , thy perfections fo peerlefs , and thy virtues fo confpicuous,that thou canft not but be eminent to the worlds end; Thou art dead , but there is a perfume come out of thy grave , thou art dead, but thy allies are turned into coftly Spicknard ; thou doft fmell under ground, thou doft fpeak under ground , the ears of the Saints are daily charmed with thy name , the audible voice of thy never-dying fandlity is ftill heard in the Church. Abel yet liveth, Abel yet fpeaketh. By it he being dead > yet fpeaketh. Ye are this day invited to a Funeral , though ye be not all in blacks, yet I befeech you be yc true Mourners , do you folemnize the exequies oiAbel (our righteous Abel, our royal Abel ) a man that died for Religion , that ilied his bloud for God's caufe , which was a Confeffour for the Faith , a Martyr for the excellent Sacrifice ? Oh fhall fuch an one have no Threnes, nor groncs at his Tomb ? yes, HeElora flemns , Wc lament our valiant Hector \ we bewail our Champion of piety , one that being dead, Religion half died with him, for what a confufion was there in the Church till the dayes of Seth\ Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord, Gen. 4. z6. Oh therefore fhall the lofs of fuch a Jewel not trouble the family ? yes, though his pcrfon be buried, let not his name be interred, and incinerated ; let us magnify his faith, f extol A dead manfpeaking. 9 extol his Sacrifice , yea, honour him as a Sacrifice. Didft thou ( Oh Abel ? martyred Abel ! ) die for thy faithfulnefs , and fer- vency towards Religion , becaufe thou wouidft not abrogate the Rule, nor alienate any thing from God's pure worfhip ? then ab- horred be the day when thou didft fall , and curfed be the hand by which thou wert cut off: oh thy courage, and conftancy can- not be furficiently valued , let the thought of thy bloud be dread , and the fight of thy bloud caufe many a bleeding heart. Oh bloudy defign / oh bloudy day / was fuch a righteous man (lain , one that did heautifie the Land with his graces , and fan6Hfy the Land with fufferings ? oh then let every gratious creature lift up a cry , and fay Alas , Alas ; Ah my Brother / Ah *Abell ihall there be none to bewail fuch an accident ? yes, doubtlefs Invenles aliquem qui mefttfpiret ademptum y Cfli. t» There will be fomc pious foul that will fwim in tears at fuch a fad Trill. cafualty. We lliould not ftand dumb fpe&atours at fuch a we- ft U fpe&aclc , but we (hould wail and howle , even lacrlmis urgere Seputchrum, Trop.l.4, bedew the Sepulchre , and endeavour to melt the (tones of it with eye- water. Is this a time to take Vineyards, and Oliveyards, and. Fig-trees ? Is this a time for pleafure, and paftime , melody, and jollity ? no, we fhould now lay afide Oyntments,and Ornaments; Tiffues, and Timbrells ; and put afhes upon our heads , cover our loyns with fackcloth, mourn fore like the Doves, That as the Turks fay , that the Angels intermitted their Layes, and Hymns in Heaven for the the great (laughter, which they faw in the Plains &*onlet of Caffovia , fo we fhould intermit all delights , and our fongs T *'*- Should be fighes , and our hymns amazement , and aftonirhment. ? Giace then,where are thy prickles ? Zeal, where are thy fparkles > PaiUon,where are thy pangs ? Companion, where are tny bowells ? This iliould be a time onely to keep filence , and to rend , and to caft away, and to break down, and to pluck up that which is plant- ed, and to be far from embracing, for pain and perplexity , deje- ction and dolour, terrour and tears , anguifh and agony. For art thou dead, oh z/fbel, and fhalt thou not have thy dead-right > fhalt we bury fuch a man, fuch a Saint , fuch a Martyr without fob- bings, and throbbings, condolings, and conflicts, elegies, and-eju- lations ? Oh thy death, was it not a difaftcr ? may we not call it B the i & A dead mdn [peaking. the fate of the age , the tempert of an incenfed God , the eclipfe of worfhip , and the burning feaver of Religion > oh what a fick Patient were we by it ? how nigh were we to our winding-uHeet > In the death of One, how many held their lives in uncertainty ? for if &4bel could have no pity fhewn him, who fhould have been fpared, that was of <*AbeTs judgement, or bare affection to Abel} no, the difeafe was mortal in ^Abel y and it might have proved Epidemical. ^Abel we cannot but honour thee , thou wert the figh: eye of profeiTion, the top-branch of fandtity , thy Sacrifice was excellent , thy (laughter was execrable , thy grace was timely, thy grave untimely ; though we cannot enjoy thy quick body , yet we -will weep over thy dead corpfe, though we fpilt not our bloud with thee , yet we will moitten the place where thy bloud was fhed , though we cannot figh enough at the Sepulchre , yet we will write an Epitaph upon thy Tomb, Here lyeth Abel the right eo hs , whofe faith was admirable , and Sacrifice was acce- f table , whom Cjod honoured, and Cain murthered ; Oh the emi- nency of thy life /oh the enmity againft thy life /oh pmiousAbel ! Oh barbarous Cain I Thou art dead, but we will caufe a refur- re£Hon of thee in our prayfes ; thou art dead, but we will preferve thee alive by our veneration, all holy men fhall give up the ghoir, all zeal to righteoufnelfe fhall expire v before thow fhalt be quite dead, thou {halt eccho in our eftimation, tpeake in our reverence, Abel is dead; Abel is not dead; the Saints can fpeake of Abel , Abels graces can yet fpeak, Abel yet fpeaketh,. By it he being dead, yet fpeaketh. In the Text condder , i . The f acred virtue, Faith , By it. 2. The fad accident , He being dead. 3. The perpetuated honour , Yctfpeakcth. By It he being dead , yet fpeaketh. Fkft, for the facved virtue , Faith , By It, From hence ob- ferye, that Faith mufl confecrate to us all our religious expreffions. If we would do any gratious thing, it mult be by It, The ju/l man doth live by faith Hab. 2 . 4. that is his vital principle, without faith it k impoffible to pleafe Cod. Heb. 1 1 . 6, that is our ingra- tiating A dead man Jpeaking . 1 1 dating virtue.I will not fct the Graces at contention, but doubtlefs of all the 3. Theological virtues Faith is the Queen ; i: is die fiifl " - in order, and the chicfc in difinthralling from linne. Tho % Aqui- nas doth often fay, that it \sprincipium fpiritualisv'it&, & fun- dament um tot i us xdificij; the beginning of our fpi ritual life, and the foundations of the whole building : it onely doth beget in us the knowledge of God, and direct the intention, and pacify the confciencc, and expelleth all doubts , and kindlcth our fervour, and raifeth up in us our fpiritual magnanimity ; the eminency o^ it is that it can believe thofe things which it doth not difcern , the proper object, of Faith being non vlfum^. thing not feen, -j-for f ^PP a ' things apparent belong not to faith, but to acknowledgement. It is IS?/? the lingular vertuc of appiehenfion, re vda t ion , and certa inty ,/#?# ence arc but undc -Graduates to faith ; next to the hypoftatical vatt ^' union , there is nothing more knitting then the hypoftafis ( the fubfiftence I may call it ) of faith , for it unites God and the foul ; the understand ing, & fecrets ; the confeience, and Chrift's merits ; it is the beft to fearch myfteries, and promifes , and the wounds of the Redeemer ; it liveth firft , and worketh fooneft , and watcheth mod, and ftandeth firmlieft, and flieth higheft, and perfecteth the Pilgrimage laft ; it muft needs be a Singular virtue, becaufe it doth refine the understanding , the nobleft faculty upon earth , and is fupplied by vifion , the high beatitude in Heaven 5 yea, that muft. needs be the greatefi: virtue , becaufe the oppofite - ™"* to it, infidelity is the greateft fin. It is generally by the Fathers ^gj^ m called the Mother-grace , becaufe all virtues have their conception tes mfi in her womb , and fhe travelleth with them in birth. * ^411 vir- prafupps- tues are nothing unleffe Faith be prefuppofed. We do but feek^'*^* for divine things in the dark without the torch-light of Faith , fo? J *& ' r " ■j- Without Faith nothing can be found : Theophylacb upon the 3d. j. sinefi'- di Nah. faith, That we can no more ftir in any fpiritual mo- it ntkil tions till Faith hath taken away all obstructions , then the Grafs- inyeniri hopper can move till the Sun hath dried the dew and froit upon ffffi her win^s.Doth not the Scripture afcribe all the honour to Faith in y ^;' lz gratious thin^s?ycs,it is called the faith of Gods Saints, Rev.i 3. 10. , n 1 Tim. B 2 The Jffl 12 Adeaimmfpeaking. . The faith of the eleft, Tit. i . i . By It we overcome the world t i Jo. 5. 4. and arc intitled to the family of God , it being cal- led no other then the houfhold of faith , Gal. 6. 10, By i: we ftand, 2 Cor. r. 24. And are eftablifhed, Col. 1.23. And are kept , 1 Pet. 1.5. Itpurifieth our hearts, Alls 15. o ; Procures our peace with God, Rom. 5. 1. And is our fhield and breft- plate , Ephef. 6. Chrift defired to preferve this unfhaken in Sz.Peter ? L//^. 22. 32. And will fearch for it moft at the latter day of judgement , for when the Son of man comes, fhall he find, faith upon earth ? Luh^. 1 8.8. It was moft eminent in the woman of Canaan , for oh woman, great is thy faith, Mat. 15.28. And it was that, that St. Paul triumphed in , namely, that he had kept the faith, 2 Tim. 4, 8. It is often called in Scripture the faving virtue, for, By grace are ye faved through faith , 2 Ephef. 2, Thy faith hath faved thee, Luk^. 7.50. And the end of our faith is the fa I vat ion of our fouls, 1 Pet. 1.9. If we refpedt therefore either the knowledge of God, or an intereft in God ; pardon , or peace , the operation of grace^or the growth in grace, a confident end, or a bleffcd reft, what more neceffary then faith ? yes, ye are to get it before all things, to keep it ftriftly, and to aft wholly in the ftrength of it. It was Abel's root and fap , formal princi- ple, and Archkeftonical inftrument , the engine of all his prime fervices, and perfeftions,.for By It.* This doth reprove them which would do high things without a right qualification, which would be prime without a primordial vertue,which fiift fcek for confequent virtues before they mind the confecrating virtue. Muft faith fanftify all the works of grace ? then how unhallowed are many pretending Believers ? for is faith the tAlpha in their Religion ? the fiift fruits which they do offer in their profeflion ? the firft-born of their Chrift ianity ? no, a younger brother, and perhaps none of the births in the whole pro- geny of their virtues ; faith doth not ftand in the Front , but is ufually brought up in the Reere , men ftrikc up the bargain with- out laying down this earneft-permy r they profefs , and pray , and frequent the Ordinances, and pretend mortification without faith ; here is fervency, and forward nefs without faith. All men have not faith , no, few men have faith ; wifdome if ye will , but not faith; affeftioris, but not faith ; duties, but not fai i\ ; much crying A dead manfpeaking. ij crying Lord, Lord, and feeking the Lord dayly , and coming as people ufe to come , and drawing near with the mouth and howling upon their beds , and disfiguring their faces , and blow- ing trumpets, and uflng their forms of godlinefs , and teeming to be religious , and faying that they arc Jews, and wearing fheeps clothing , and having horns like the lamb , and making a fair i"hcw in the fleflh , but very little faith, they build without a foun- dation {\ont , and grow up without a root. Faith is not the head- fpring that feeds all their ftreams , nor the Captain with the lead- ing-ftaffe in the hand, going before the Army of their religious exercifes in the fpiritual march , no, Poflrema immani carpore Plfirlx , Vkg. 3 : Faith, that is of the greateft valew, and validity doth come up in & ni( *> the laft place. Myforum ultimus navigat , Of all ProfefTburs the fakhfull man is- the laft that fct up failes. Or if men have faith, it is but the faith of difcovery , and not of dependence ; of infight , and not of intereft ; of affirmation, and not of affiance; of atteftation and proteftation, and not of apprehenfion and appli- cation ; they may have a notional faith, but not a pacifying faith; a magnifying, but not a juftifying faith; a talking, but not a feeling faith. Thou haft a long time been a Gofpeller , but when wilt thou be a Believer ? thou feemeft to have had many virtues , but when wilt thou have faith ? thou prefenteft many of the hand- maids, or fifteis in Religion, but when wilt thou have the Mother- grace ? or haft thou fallen down at the knees of thy Mother , and asked her btefling at thy uprising in Chriftianity ? oh can any thing be congruous in Religion without faith ? no, every thing is • ,., irregular, nip per juftitiam fide! emendetur , unlefs it be reclined x t^, by the juftice of faith. Hoc folum ad operis tui frntlmm , & vir- Amh. IJe tntis propcit mercedem. This only is available for the fruit of Cm cp thy obedience, and the reward of thy virtu?. Nip pdes teneatnr jibei \ nullo modo adfpiritfialem amorempertingitttr , If there be not a »j£l nofseffion of faith , there is no way to attain to fpiritual love. Faith then muft be thy principal Agent, and do all thy works, for By it. Now if ye would know whether ye have any true faith in you, give me leave to put you upon a trial , the experiment that I will make upon you (nail be by <±/[beH three characters. 1 , If ye be per- 14 & &&& man [peaking, perfons of integrity. 2 . If yc count nothing to dear for your God, 3. If your reliance for fouls- bli tie be meevjy upon divine approba- tion. Lay down your naked confcienccs,§c lurFer me to- diffect them. 1 . Fiiti, Whether ye be perfons of integrity. ^Arlftotle could fay, Simplex thai Simplex eft qwjd eft vacuum for mis , the timpie thing is that eflvacLm wmcn * s vo ^ of fonns, for true timphci:y doth prefe/ve unity in formis. Ufelf, multiplicity fignify a competition ; oh would to God now ^rift. we had this intirene{Te,and indivitibiljty in our Religion, that we Tbeol.JE- held us to tinglenetie of heart, and chat fimplicity, and godly zyptJ* 4. pureneffe , which the Scripture doth require at our hands , but ca ^' ' I doubt we are compounded Chritiians , and are addicted to too many formes ; and where then is the reality and integrity of our ^vetr. in profefliqn ? no, ^Averroes could fay of a moral man , that it was izMetap, fincerity onely, qua hominem facit abfolutum , which doth make ca P : 37- the ab folute man. Was a morai man to be lb , and not a religious Zrl • . ?« man ? yes,he which doth change himfelf into diverfe arts is rather us com. afubtle man, then a fine ;re man , he practice Legerdemain, and tnatat. ie- ufe the Heights of men , and work wilily , rather then defireto be rou. in an ffraelite inck r -L , in whom is no guile. Sure I and my ay^hel J' had none of ;\^i: conning devices in his religion , no, he obtain- ed wicnelTc th it he was righteous, and what is that but upright ? a man that is «&a®-, without any mixture, his vertue running as pure from his conicience, as water from the fpring, or milk from the breft f And fuch candid clear fpirited creatures lliould we be , for Religion muft have no collution in it, nor piety any circumvention, but there muft be in us the fimplicity of the Dove, the tingle eye , our loyns mutt begirt about with the girdle of truth , we mull walk in our integrity, be Jews inwardly ,cha{teVirgins,have pure hearts, and faith unfeigned. For Malpu cumfe Jimulat effe bonum^tunc pefiimtti eft , An evil man , when he doth counterfeit himfelf to be good, then he is wovft of all. What then fhall become of ou;- Crafts- mafters in Religion I the Sophtfters in the Church ? what are thefe but the Mountebanks in Chriftianity ? and the Cheats of the Aee ? thefe are eager upon reformation to y ring in their own Pa- radoxes , and arc palTionate upon pure worlriip to fweep away the Church-patrimony , and cry up no King, that they might get tbc legiflative power into their own hands , and every enlightned bro- ther might hold a Scepter in his hand , and would throw down all A dead man [peaking. 15 all Bifhops , that cveiy fdedt Congregation might preach up Treafon freely , and having no coercive power over their tender confeiences , they might abrogate all the ancient ufages of the Church , model up blafphemy into Orthodox Divinity, and con- ^re^ate a fecrct Army to fight for their new Lights, under pretence of rcvelations,and the powerfull impulfes of the fpirit within them. Oh the hunting of mens fouls / oh the diverfe and ftrange doctrines / oh 'the corrupting of mens minds from the fimpli-- city that is in Chrift Jefus / oh this ftumbling from the ancient paths / oh this walking in the fpirit of falfhood i oh this wearing a rough garment to deceive with ! oh this biting of people with their teeth / oh this miftrefs of witchcrafts,^ well-favoured harlot/ oh this fpeaking half in the language of the Jews , and half in the language of Ajhdod ! oh this Leaven of the Pharifets ! oh this merchandizing of the word / oh thefc fnarcs w^onM'ncfeh! broken pits, crrings in virion, making lyes a refuge , itrong delufions , ly- ing divinanons, depths of Satan / is not this the fpirit of giddinefs that is able to make thoufands to (tagger f is not this Jez,abels bed of fornications, that is able to make leachcrous confeiences to lofe the chaftity of their firft faith ? if the Serpent fhould preach again, could he with more tempting doctrine put the forbidden fruit into our mouths f if the Devil iTiould transform himfelf into an An^el of light, could he with more dazcling beams corufcate,and inadiate men into Hell f When I meet with fuch a new Gofpeller, I count him fuch an Epiccrne, that I fcarcely know what Gender to make him of, or fuch an Heteroclite that I know not how to decline him, fuch a Scholar doth learn ftrange Grammatical rules of his peda- gogues, they are like the Artifts of thefe dayes which teach without", grounds , or by fuch grounds as Were never heard of before ; Pa- racelfian Phyfick,& Evthufafllcal Divinity are much zWk^Balta- **r's Academy was nothing like to their Rutilant , Limpid,Tranf- lucid,Sun-rayed Gymtjafium. Sure I am every difciph which comes from them doth feem to be a Seer, a Prophet ; but rather a Divi- ner, a Lymphatick an Inchanter, a Sphinx s tot us ambignu* , u\ ti9n wholly in his ambiguities, inftcad of the reality of Religion, there is nothing but vifio yhantafmatis, the virion of a phantafme. Now Greg is this to be a Saint ? no, it is to be a Seducer , piety admits of no impofture. No, Wot be to him which goeth typo manner of wayes. A i6 A dead man fotakmg. A true religious man muft be an Abel, a righteous man, that is, a perfon of integrity. 2 . Secondly , Whether ye do count nothing too dear for God Al- mighty. Abel offered an excellent Sacrifice, the Firfl lings of the flock^ and the fat thereof; fo we fhould offer not onety the firft- lings of our mind , and the fat of our devotion , but the princi- pal of our {lock, and fubilance ; for if Sacrifices be the reprefen- tations of our fouls , then as the Sacrifice is, fo is the foul ; if they £*<*- be the protestations of our faith and zeal , then we are fuch Be- dam Code- ^ evers anc ^ helots, as our Sacrifices terrify us to be ; even our ex- tateDeo teriour actions do declare our interiour intentions ; yea, if they adbarca- be the attingcncies,whereby by a * kind of participation,or fociety ■"*• we do cleave to God Almighty, then we had need to be very feri- •^S* * . ous,and folemn in our Sacrifices, that we might have an intereft in /.i s. c.6. G°d 5 or an intimacy with him. Why. is a Sacrifice fo called ? Gabriel, if it be xrnntd Sacrificium quaft facr urn factum , as if an holy Albertus thing made , or Sacrificium quia facr os msefficit , It doth make Magnus, us holy, then how excellent had that Sacrifice need to be , that lunMis°' ^ ou ^ either make a thing, or our fclves holy ? ^Aflaxanus faith, a uo homo that it is an a & of the will j whereby a man doth deliver up himfelf fetradit to the fervice of God ; But that is a ftrange kind of reiigning up dmuo ob of a mans felf to God , where the principal thing is referved, and ' e J!! t0 ' . fubft racked to himfelf., and God is turned off with any manner i Sum. i. °^ Sacrifice. as tnc cn i e ^ § ooc i 5 nothing mull be held too excellent Milderbm. t0 g a i n tne mo & excellent God ; for our Sacrifices are our value , and appretiation of the great God ; fhould we not then in them exprefle our high cftimate of God? and declare the inward honour, and reverence of our felvcs ? yes, or elfe they are no Sacrifices of righteoufnefs^D cut. 3 ^.io.Nor fhall theyG?/>*f up with acceptance upon Gods aAltar, Efa. 6c. 7. But where now is ^Abcl? where is this excellent Sacrifice f no, a Cain's Oblation , a few light iTieaves, or fome lean bead , the worftlings rather then the firfl- lings ; the leanlings rather then the failings ot what we do poiTefs: though nothing be fair and fat enough for our felves, yet any wi- thered A dead man [peaking. 17 thered eares, or decayed heart are good enough for our God, though we receive all from him, yet God fhall receive as little as we can from us : Oft the name of a great family, and the leaving a rich pofterity is ten thoufand times dearer unto us then our immor- tal fouls, or that blelTed God, by whom wc do flouriih upon earth, and with whom we would reign in Heaven. It do appear, too too evidently appearc. For though our houfes may be never fo richly burnilTied, yet Gods Temple moil not be too much adorned, though our Agents, and Favours may have never fuch bountiful! allowances, yet Gods Miniftcis muft not have too great Salaries ; thcugh our tides of honour may be fet out with all the fplendour that may be, yet the Church may not have too high titles , nor fhine too brightly with honour ; though vaft fums may be bellow- ed upon the Capital Houle , or the Mannour Houfe, yet beware of the like cxpcnccs upon an Almes-houfc , or an Holpital ; no , thefe houfes uiually are built very low, and few there arc, that though God hath raifed them out of tatters, and fetched them out of fhuds, and cottages, which can find fpare-money enough to re- g.atiate God with fuch a building , for all the gorgeous manfions he hath bellowed upon them : I fee many goe in ruffes, and gold- chains ( which not long fince were Sithy-coats ) but none of thefe Heaven -roofs, or Souls-ftruchires , or Kingdome-fa' ricks do they mind. Are thefe the times of magnificence? is this the Age of Chriftian bounty ? no, a man would think, that our Gofpel taught us nothing but propriety, and to look after the liberties of the free-So rn peoole of Engiand'. We care not what we bellow upon lulls, riots, ambition,malicc, but no fuch bounty isiriewn in Oblations, and Sacrifices ; no, the Altar muft not have too m ich colt beftowed upon it, people cannot endure to be charged in the fervice of God ; we are fumptuous to the one, penurious to the o- ther ; we will give our ear- 1 tings to make a caif, but fcaic:iya loofe frangle to beautify a -Sanctuary ; we wiU beftow bag^e up- on bagge upon our o or pre- fent unto him the refufc ? a prefent for the potter ? Therefore when ye are facrificim* to your God , ye fliould with Alexan- der caft in incenfe with both hands, or with the old Athenians, offer your beft Jewels ; elfe Cod will not take an offering with good will at your hands, hut fpread the Aung of your facrlfices upon your faces, A true Profeffour, with aAbel, muil be known, by his oblations, not by the excellency of his titles, endowments, formal expretfions, long prayers, disfiguring fafts, lifting up his hands to heaven, holy leagues, &c, but hy the excellency of his Sacrifices ^ the firftlings and the fat appearing there are bet- ter then larded devotions, according to the new rules of Cookery. Thirdly, whether your reliance for foul-bliffe bemeerlyupon J. Divine approbation. For ^Abel was onely defirous , that he might obtain Cjods wltneffe, and that he would teflifie concerning his gifts, And fo indeed a true Saint fhould do all to have praifc of God, i Cor, 4. 5. and that he might accent of his work, Ec- ■clef. 9. 7. For a (Irange thing it is, that many men fhould do all to make the world a Numen, which do derue to have no fire fall upon the faciifice, but the flame of popular applauie ; that men might have their perfons In admiration, and give them flattering titles. I doubt this hath been the affectation of many magnified Gofpcllers in thefe latter dayes, that their chief a6Hvenefie hath been to be cried up by their own Parties, and to have the fhouts of their zealous brethren to be Champions of a new device, and tlevotion. Now is this pure fpirit ? no, it is pure popularity, it is to be puffed up with aflefhly mind, of the juft bent of Zeieklah y ^AmazAah, and all the falfe Prophets and inchanting Statesmen which have been in former times. For what is it but to put to- turn frulium In laude homlnum, the whole f:uit of all our Religi- Jug* ous pretentions in the praifc of men ; or, venarl glorlam merce- Uremr. r,arlam, to hunt after a mercenary vain-glory. As if they ap- C 2 proved 2o A dead man /peaking. proved of the made depredications of their own Adherents, and the paiafongs of their own parafitical Teachers, more then they did of the Hofannahs of Saints, the Halelujahs of Angels, or the fire that ihould fall from Gods own hand to confume their oblations ; I mean, Divine acceptance, justification, and bene- diction. But a true godly man ftandcth onely upon his Record in heaven, and doth deiireno more to atteft the lawfulnerTe of all his actions, then the fentence of Gods own mouth. Abel is one- ly for divine approbation. This then is faith, and this is the right fruit of faith, namely, an excellent facrifice. Oh thus let us believe, let us have Abels faith, and Abels facriiice ; let us lay afide all nominall, titular in- ventions and circumventions, and let us ingratiate our felves to Jbe Gods Favourites by this Divine virtue, that we may get Gods face, and favour by it. By it. Now let us come to the fad accident, He being dead. From hence obfervc, that Death is a certain lot. Our years are not unlimited, for Are not his dayes determined ? the num- ber of his moneths are with thee, thou haft appointed his bounds which he cannot pajfe, Job. 14. 5. As faft girt as we keep this fleih unto us, yet we mult be abfent from the body, i Cor. 5. 4^ Oar legs will be too feeble ere long to {{.and upon , for man lyeth down, Job 14. 12. Our Progemtours are , ftept before us into deaths vault, and we are haftening after them, even to be ga~ Mortem thered to our Fat hers, Gen. 15. 1 5 . Heroes, and He&ouis, can- inmdedi- not alwayes march here ; for, How are the mighty fallen ? 2 Sam. nant^ue- u 2 5. They which do ride poft fhall be but the fooner at their . ' journeys end ; they which do phyfiek their bodies never fo much 6 ad Hal] ca " take no antidote againft the grave ; we are no fixed ftars, but yidtnm* ft el U cadentes, falling ftarres ; we muft all parte the Ecliptick Horat. \'mc,, and have the Winter Solftice come upen us. tvfr lift men Nemo eft) ^ l ec i\ ne death^ they do haft en it. Dum loquimur,fugerit in- mitfek vida&tas. W hi Ift we fpeak^, life is flying away.. Every gafp morte non doth call on the laftgafp. I hear of redeeming of Captives, but vji d'yi there is no man which doth redeem himfelf from death, not the tesy Jmb, r ' ic fo^ Bloud-royal will be congealed, the Scepter will drop out of ml.' de the hands of the greater! Conqucrours and Commanders ; of the Valen.in. fpiightlicft Wight, or brighteft Spark, ere long it will be faid, He being dead. This A dead man fpeaktng. jff This doth reprove this infatuated age, an indocible fcho'ar it jjpp[„ is, which can leavn any principle rather then the dying Maxime; it is an apparent truth, but fecurity hath turned it into a paradox; nature cannot teach thee it, nor the mod infpired Teacher cannot preach it home to thy confeience. Thou walked: by many a grave with very quick fpirits, and doft depart from many a Funeral Sermon with a defying brow , readier to grapple with the living, then to go rot with the dead ; or to follow thy plea lures, then to follow thy Anccftours. The rich Carle doth talkjaf dalntiesiSoul ? e e ' C y* take thy eafe, eat. drinks and be merry ) whe n they were at hand, c „ m p rce _ which that night fhould take away his foul, Sq men feaft, and flo aderant build, and purchafe, and defign, as if the arrow of death (honld l ui ani \ never flick in their bofomes, or the Puriivant of the grave fliould n?am * v '" carry them to prifon. The foul mofi unwillingly doth leave the^ x 'f or ] body. We are loth to fee any fymptomes of death, or howfoevcr j e dh. a- we hold them not prognofticks of an approaching d involution, varo. Men that have dimme eyes, deaf ears, weak joints, purfive lungs, ^mma. in- wrimpled foreheads, yet think themfelves far from the grave. I do * lt * C9r f not ask thee, whether thou haft fearched natures deca yes, but whc-^ rj * ther thou haft fearched thy confeience ; not whether thou haft ckryf. bequeathed thy eftate r but whether any more then under a Scri- kom. 87. veners pen, thou haft bequeathed thy foul into the hands of Al- mIch *»> mighty God ; not whether thou haft laid out thy winding-fheet, but whether tho^i haft manifefted thy mortification. For the want of the apprehenrion of death, repentance hath but few tears, de~ votion few fparks, regeneration few fruits. We are Iuftful, fpight- ful, covetous, ambitious, treacherous, facrilegious, becaufc we look not into the graves mouth. But will we nlll we, death cannot be Velimu^ far off \ Thefe vaunting mouths of ours will have their clappers »o//m»j, drop out, thefc politick heads will be but dead skulls, thefe fweet m ^em complexions will be but. gra ve-duft. We may be dead before the "j*/?"** next Moon doth change, before the next morning doth dawn. We re „ m ]J are the living, we muft be the dead. He being dead. Heliod. But Secondly, is <%yfbel dead ? From hence obfervc, that the 2 oyr moft righteous men are not priviled^ed'from death. God doth de- fir oy the f erf eEl with the wicked. Do not all go to one place ? what -preeminence hath the wife above the fool ? The Father? - fall afleep , and do the Prophets live for ever f no , all ly. C 3 down- 2% A dead man [peaking. down alikj in the duft y Job 21.26. Where is T^oah that Preacher of righteoufneffe, that was kept alive in the Ark at that great Fu- neral of the world to new-people the earth ? Where is osfbra- ham the Father of the faithfull^znd that Friend of God? Where A\U\\ «- * $ 7°^-> wm ch was ^* righteous, chat there was not the like unto ftra ca him u P on eartn ? Where is cJ^/kf, which fpake with God face to dunhUat- face ? Where is John the Evangelift, which leaned in Chrifts bo- wer* fa- fomc ? and was ravilhed in the fpirit ? Alas, thefe trees of rightc- tifcunt. oU f ne fl* e are withered, thefe chofen veffels are fliivcred, thefe chil- dimit a dren of light have left fhining, thefe new Creatures are become gebenna, mortal Creatures, and have hid their regenerate faces under a fidnona grave-ftone. The whit eft flowers do fall, the goodly UfrCarbles fepulcbro. wear away. Grace doth redeem pis from hell, but not from the C e $h$*vt fcpulchre. ^ e h ave rea( l °f holy and per feci men y who being full ros c °f Aayes, ended their dayes^ and departed. Ye may fee thofe eyes perfeclos, clofed which did flow with tears, and thofe lips ftlent which in- pUnos di- fpired the age, and thofe hands cramped which wrought miracles, trumab- an( j tno f e f aces grifly which were radiant with graces. Thebeft & ' A£tours at laft do leave the ftage,the fweeteft fruits do drop from Ber.fer. the tree, the brighteft lamps at laft arc extinguished. nAbel, that 677 M er had fuch an eminent faith, and offered fuch an excellent facrifice 06m f him } That he was fuch an one, it doth pertain to tbit. VaU hr* admiration ; that he proved mortal, it doth pertain to humane fragility. A dead man [peaking. 2 3 fragility. aAdeodatus was a pious Bifhop, but what faith T/^- tlnaol him? The holy man died lamented of all. This is the P"" /*«- fate of the bed men, that they fliould feel the craze of nacure, ^' l f itm(n and as their laft comfort fhould leave their' virtuous friends with 7™'*^ foaked eye-balls for the want of them. BlefTe their graces, for mmbtts y how happy are ye that ye can but fix your eyes on fuch Oma-P!«.« ments, but fix not their Rations here, for this world is not worthy ^deod. of them ; make the beft life of them whilft they are prefent, for ye have but a fhort time to enjoy them. They which arc (locked with the Ingots of the fpirit, and have in them perfections more precious then the Topaz of BLthiopla, yet they do but carry theje treafmes In earthen veffels. The pureft Saints muft turn into pit- duff, gravc-gelly, the moft memorable men are but mortal men, Abel is dead. He being dead. But thirdly, is Abel dead? how dead ? made away, murthered, 3. Obfl for becaufc he obtained wltneffe that he was righteous, he is hated with a witnefTe, that God tefilfied his gifts, he is mafTacred for his gifts; for his excellent Sacrifice he is made a Sacrifice ; an AfTarTinate difpatched him, Cain flew him, He is dead, thus dead. • From hence obferve, that Zeal to the truth is expofed to great ha- zards, a man cannot live t:> God, but with the peril of his life. . He that depart eth fr tun-iniquity lyeth open to the prey, ye (hall ■ be hated of all men for my names fake, they (hall lay hands on you, and draw you before Councils, and kill yon. tJMen hazard their lives for the name of the Lord lefus, Acls 15. 2 6. The Saints refifl unto bloud, Heb. 12. 14. They are fain for the word of God, and the teflmony^'R.Qv. 6, 4. There are In heaven the fouls of them which were beheaded, Rev. 2 0.4. This warfare *****"'• cannot oftentimes be waged fine ferro, £r f anguine, without the^^ QSm fword, and bloud. ProfefTours are Chrifts Voluntiers, and thefe cidt jttflos muft not think to be accounted Souldiers barely by having their adproba- names recorded in the Muiter-book ; no, God doth permit fome f lum:m , them to be jlaln for the trlall of the truth. The Standard of the C L r ,r:J Gofpcl cannot be fet up without fome falling in the field. The 95 .py; Church is Gods wineprefTc, ProfefTours are the grapes, and diversr/c* vini ■ times in flead of wine they pour out bloud. The AJtar of Godf*"* 1 *™™ hath not oncly oblations out of the flock, but God doth fcarch^Y** his-own fold for an offering, Saints are Sacrifices ; Abel the firft f f j^', 1 * Martyr 2 4 \A dead man f peaking. Martyr after his excellent Sacrifice is thus laid upon the Altar, he is thus dead, j ^ This doth fhew in the firft place, that profedion is in peril. n/fppl. W h thenfta?d we alwayes in jeopardy I Cor. 15. 33. The Saints * fieps are hunted, they are chafed fore, their perfe cut ours arefwif- ter then the Eagles, for thy fa\e are we fain all the day long, truth is a triall, faith is a fray. Here is the Shambles, and the fheep of Chrift are brought to the butchering, the birth-day of Religion was dedicated in bloud, under a crucified Redeemer the gibbet is fet up to all, every one muft take up his erode, and fome muft hang upon the crofTe. Thou that wouldft be a Goipeller, and live in all manner of fafety, and carry thy Writ of piiviledge/ and protection along with thee > as if thou ftiouldft never come in- to danger, thou wilt be infinitely deceived. This is Gofpel good enough for a Neuter, and a Time-fei ver, but not for a faithfull Mdtiflii' fervant of Chrift Jefus. Religion muft come as near to thee as dus, icr t ^y s j c j n ^ t ^ ou mu £ noc onc iy give up thy name, but thou muft give m« nesy U P ^Y nec ^ to Chrift Jefus.#> that would fave his I'fe fhall lofe it. Chryf He that doth deny me before men,I will deny loim before myFather y Tom ro. which is In heaven, whence come thefe that are arrayed in white > de txptdf t fo e y come 0Ht f g re at tribulation,Kcy. 7 .Oh under profeilion there ^ f*J are man ) 'flood* r, and terrible f urges X here is but one combate, but mttitipUci divers wayes to bring men to defirutlion. Thefe are the cxtremi- prdwnm ties of Martyrs, the Church is but a kind of Corre&ion-houfe, a num ° f 'd n ^& ne ^ teftimony of afte&ion, that a Chriftian can fhew to his laude Fellow-profefTours,is,*f hat he had rather die for other sf hen live f lAartyt. himfelf. Then the Star doth culminate,then the Phxnix doth con- t : m/ * feme with a kind of fragrancy in his bed of fweet fpices. Can ye Sclwks iU tnm k f a man triat tnus pledged his faith to Chrift and his Spoufe? ulttrnu wnicn mi ght have lived ( if he would have fubmitted to abafing chr.f. ' conditions) but chofe rather to be a fpeclacle upon a Scaftold , and bom 7. de to be baptized in his own bloud , then he would vary from 7Aa Abel is om de ij^ ™T* { 1> ^ C vowcc ^ tnat ne would never fhave himfelf till he had brought stpiDos. theAuthouis to condign puhifhrnent. So God will never lay P^4»./.8,down his (word of Juftice till they have felt the edge of it, which with malice and violence have bereaved their brethren of their Jives.. Thou thinkeft that thou art free when thy enemy is taken oUtt>f the way , no, his bloud is (fobbing thee to the heart , thou fhalt find that fight more fiercely againft thee , then his armed hand. Abel was dead, but his bloud did cry for vengeance , and fo he did yetfpeal^. esfppl. This doth lerve to fray the murtherer. Art thou Cam f hear Abel fpeaking againft thee ; art thou a bloudy man ? be an afto- niflied man ; though the image of God in thy brother could not aff ight thee, but thou haft defaced' that, yet let the vengeance of God ter-ify thee, which will purfue thee, and be felt with con- founding blows both upon thy body and foul. Oh that thou canft look down upon the earth,where thy brothers bloud doth lic,oh that thou canft look up to the heavens where thy brothers bloud doth cry / Is Abel dead f let Cain look to his head . Thou haft been a man of rage, and God is the God of recompenfes, Jer. 51. 56. Is there a man (lain ? flain in a murtherous way ? oh that thou canft look man i n the face / oh that thou canft look thy felf in the face / Thou art a man-flayer, where is thy mans nature ? how near doft thou come to a favage beaft ? thou art a man-flayer , how near doft thou come to the Devil who was a nmrtherer from the beginning ? Jo. 8.44. Oh that thy brothers. Ghoft doth not haunt thee as Sueton. in Agrippina's did Nero ,and ftrook him with burning torches , and >frr. whipt him with furies / oh that the birds of the aire do not chatter Tint defe- out t } 1 y g U1 l t? as Bejfus ftriking through a neft of Swallowes , he U 'nLsii tnol! ght they had been fo many witnefTes to accufc him for the death of his Father. Oh that thou canft eat thy meat , and not id ibid, think that thou feed thy brothers head in the platter, as Theodorl- cal. Rbod. cpm having flain Symmachus he conceived ( fitting at Table ) that /.z7.f.22. t he head of a fifli was the head rUSymmachus , and ^aped upon £ v ™»*- him / Thou haft fhed bloud, oh that bloud doth not gufli from all Goth 1. tn y members, as it did from Charles the Ninth of France after the frtneb MafTacre of Pari* ! oh that thou canft lie down at night , and not uift. fear that fome Fiend fhould caft thee out. of. bed / that thou canft A dead man [peaking. 29 canft be q'liet in thy reft , and not cry out at midnight, as if thou wert awakened with appalling virions / oh that thou canft walk alone / that thou canft think any locks ftrong eno gh for thee / that thou doft not fet ftn6t guards about thee / that thou doft not fufpe£t thine own guards / that thy brothers pile face doth not con- tinually prefent it felf with dread before thy eyes / that thy bro- thers dying groans do not continually pierce thy ears/ that dodders of bloud do not ftick upon thy garments / that bowles of bloud do not feem to be caft in thy face / that though for a while thou doft Tluti efcapt for thy murther, yet that thou doft not fear to fall into fome other grofs crime, which lhould take away thy life, or be executed for the fufpicion of fome heignous guilt , as Add gone, hut God doth remain ; his LbiUm , tongue doth not cry, but his bloud doth cry ; he is dead , but yet ** jempet fpeaketh , becaufe he is fpeaking at Gods Throne for judgement. f m c0 ™~. Secondly, He doth jet fpea\, becaufe he doth fper kin the lips Zb^tt of the Saints, which did highly honour his graces, according to the deficit U- opinion oiCarthufan, he doth fpeak , becaufe loquendl materlamw^mit nabkmlnlftrat. He doth give us occafon to fpeak^of him ; for or f komi- fhould fuch a famous Saint be forgotten ? no, * His faith and hv mmu fi ut Sacrifice do make him fo commendable, that they ought ever to be Cm ^r commemorated by us, and his pralfe ought never to goe out of our in locum, D 3 mouthes jo A dead man [peaking. mouthes to all ages. From hence obferve , That a godly man oupht *MmrA- never t0 fa t0 the Church, but the Saints remaining are to be^his 'fommo 'ho- f a ' lt M H ^ Remembrancers, The memory of the jufi {ball be blefed, more habt- P r » I °.7- Tht righteous fhall be had In everUfllng remembrance, re. Grtg. Pfal. 1 1 2. 6. For have they fo forfaken us, that they have carried X4K*Mo- a ii along with themfwhat? their virtues and their piety? no,though %*'/* they be dead to the world , yet they ihould not be to the Church ; fsolvd* tnoll gh tne y De not "* our e y es > y et tne Y foould t> e *a our brefts ; V4mu4 JU> * though we cannot falute them,yet we ihould value them, yea, ad- fendiartat, mire them, and have them in the higheft honour ; we ihould pay Uchrima*. t0 tnem tne i r j- ftipendary tears , yea, their moft holy * life ihould T^nb°d!' ^ l ^ ^* ne before all eyes , and be efteemed with the higheft price Vdtntin. anc ^ honour , as Platlne faith of St. Jerome, Thus though they *Vua e)tu, be bui ied, yet we fhould perfume their Sepulchres , though they be fa»3tf?i- d ea d 5 yet they fhould fpeak. ma mni- btttprductat) & wfncioyO 1 bonorefit, VUt. in Bomfic. 1. j(ppL ^ n * s ^ otn ^ iew inat p iec y ^ ot ^ carr y anetem i c y w ^ tn k y a ** * * " holy man fhould be a kind of an immortal man , he lhouid live in all ages by a fucceflive quickning ; for though the beft Saints may die, yet they ihould not be quite buried under ground ; no, wicked men may have nothing left of them but their Grave-ftone , their bodies may rot, and their names may rot, they minded nothing but this earth, therefore let them be written in the earth, let their breath and remembrance periih together , let the laft fpeach be of them at their Funerals, let them be nailed down in their Coffins , and none after converfe with them, but the Natives of the grave , the worms ; le: them lie filent to all the earth betides ; let their me- mory be compared to aihes, and let them leave their names as a curie ; but as for the ^odly let them be in ore omnium, & alia lln- Sauit* gua loquantur , in the mouthes of all , and fpeak^ with another tongue ; let their names refound, and their fames flourilh ; let us lament the loffe of them , as if our eyes were plucked out of our jsT^, heads, and let us reverence them , tanquam adhuc adejfent, & Deo Monod. fervlrent , as St. Aug. as if they were prefent , and flill fervlng ie BafU* their God. Though they be expired , yet let our praiics give them a new vital fpii it, let them not die fo long as there is one true Saint living ; no, though they be deader let them fpeal^, fpeaking in the lips of the Saints honouring their graces. Third- A dead man [peaking. 31 Thirdly , He dothyet fpe ^fpeaking amongft the glorified fpi- 3 . rits where he is triumphing in a ftate of immortality , according to the opinion of Haymo. Though Cain deftroyed him f 3 farre as ^ tcet '"• concerned his body , yet he could not deftroy his glory ; \\o,Abe?s Urtmz ™ better part is bright > his foul is in glory. From hence obferve , eor p r e) t4. That a Saints dying day is a glorifying day^ the birth-day of fell- mm em city. This breath is no fooner gone, but a new breath is taken in gbriam another world , fuch are no fooner dead Corps , but they become ■" P? tH,t melodious Chorifters. Duft returns to dufl , and the fpirit to r€ H ~ Cod that gave it. This Tabernacle is no fooner diffolved , but m o in lot. there is a building given of God. To day fhalt thou be with m'e in Paradife. From henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of righ- teoufneffe. They are carried out of the world , beyond the world , into a new world , tranfiated ; they leave the for- rows of the world, to work no more, to weep no more ; no, there is an end of tasks, and an end of tears , they have a quiet life , for There doth remain a reft for the people of God , and they have a pleafurable life , for they enter into their Mafters joy. Inftead of watchfulnefTe and wcarinefTe, they have reft ; inftead of their Ma- fters voke and Crofs, they have their Mafters joy ; and that not . . in iome \or\°interjtitium , and dutance ot time, but tn a mo^%^^. ment, and out of hand , ftill they are living , for God hath (hewn Mvar. them the paths of life , ftill they are living , for they are fpcaking, ringing, conquering. This doth fhew, that the Death of the righteous is accompanied osfppl. with a ftate of preferment , here they were in mifery and mole- ftation, under fpight and cruelty, drenched in tears , and wallow- ing in bloud, but there * joyful reft dothpoffeffe the people , and of- • u&± f or d them pie aftngrefting places. For oh thou blclTed Saint, ioPofulos foon as thou art quit of the world, •(■ what do remain , but that thou fries Ut*, fhouldeft highly rejoice^ and enjoy afolemn JubileefHcre thou wert-^^f * enet chafed up and down , the fole of thy foot could take no reft , be-^" % caufe thou wouldeft not confent to all impetuous and imperious de- LudeMir* niands , thy gates were thronged with tumults , thou wcrt driven tytri. from thy fetled dwelling , Janglers forced thee away , and Chal- \turidtt- lengcrswerefent after thee, no duty was exprefTed , no reafon^f'.?^" 1 could be heard , all Accommodations for peace were Incommoda- ^ ' \ n tions, all Proportions, Oppofitions, thy authority was infringed , pfti. thy 3 i J dead man f peaking. thy treafure was fiezed upon, not a Caftle, not a Ship, not a Spear, not a Child that could be laid hold on was thine own ; thou muft either be a bond-man in power , and a (lave in confeience , and fubmit to whatfoever fclf-willed and felf-ended men had decreed for their own advantage , or elfe there was no coming nigh to thine own houfe, or honours, neither law of God or man could do thee any good , for thefe were interpreted, as if there had never been an holy man that underftood Scripture , nor wife man that were skilled in the laws till thefe later times : thou mighteft \hink, that thou hadft right, and might on thy fide, but thy right was brought down to a popular Grace, and thy might was frighted away with a popular Drum ; thou hadft not a well-wifher but he was accounted a Malignant, nor an Adherent , but he was made a Delinquent ; he was the trueft Oratour which could moft afperfe thee, and the nobleft Patriot which could moft weaken thy title ; how wert thou made the an vile of contempts , and the foot-ftool of infolency / the derifion of male-contents / and the fhout of fcor- ners / thy enemies were implacable,and thy friends not very faith- full ; all thy enemies braved upon thee, and many of thy Friends betraid thee : oh what will not ambition do on the one fide , and gold on the other fide ? who would have thought here had been Chriftians ? who would have conceived here had been men ? Pa- gans and Infidels would have been more modeft and moral. It were infinite to relate all thy indignities, avilings , ftreights, difa- fters which did furround thee , and with which at la ft thou wert overwhelmed ; it is grief to conceive them , fhame to fee them a- 6led, and hori our to relate them : oh tell it not in Gath, nor pub- lish it in the ftrects of asiskelon. B/iefly, thou wert purfucd like a Felon, fold like a Captive, and executed like a Malefa6tour. Did Job (fir-named the Patient) endure in every kind fuch miferies ? Did ever any mortal man next our bleffed Saviour d. ink of fuch a bitter Cup ? Well, but after the lofs of thy reputation , thy reve- nue, thy authority, thy life , what haft thou now loft ? nay, what haft not thou now gained f are not thy joyes beyond thy for rows? and thy weight of glory beyond the burthen of thy exigents ? who would not by a Prifon come to thy Palace ? who would not by an Axe lofe an Head, to take it up again to weare thy Crown ? thy enemies would not here endure that thou ihouldcft have any luftre, but A dead man /peaking. 33 but now thou doft fliinc above the brightnerTe of the Firmament ; thy enemies appointed the baftft of men to be thy Conforts , but now the fpirits of juft men made perfect are thy Companions ; thy enemies held thee not fit to be a pin in this b ilding , but now thou art made a pillar in the Temple of God. Men would not ac- knowledge thee, but Angels embrace thee ; men would not let thee enjoy thy birth-right , but now thou art come to be a meet parta- ker of the inheritance of the Saints in light. Oh that we had but one tafte of thy hidden Mannah , that we heard but one ftrain of thy Celcftial hymns, we would then confeffe thy (late to be Maje- ftie , and thy preferment to be the prize of the high calling of God in Chrift Jefus ; for if thy graces here were fo bright, how bright is thy glory ? if thy Sacrifice here was fo excellent , how excellent now is the Sacriticcr ? if here thou didft once fpeak to admiration, how doit thou now fpeak to extafy ? yet thou fpeakeft , for now thou fbincft ; yet thou fpeakeft, for now thou Reigneft ; thou fpeakeft where there are unutterable things to be fpoken of , thou fp:ak?ft where the objects are fo rare that the joy of them can nei- ther be fuppreffed nor expreffed ; thou fpeakeft a language which neither Solomon, nor the Prophets, nor they which had the cloven tongues like fire could fpeak ; thou fpeakeft till thou art even ra- * ,. vifried with fpeaking ; though thou art not yet living yet thou timore art yet fpeaking ; thorgh thou beeft dead, yet thou fpeakeft. What monen* then ? can death annoy the Saints ? no, it is but to bring them to a M>o , cum place where they fliaU be * without fear of dying, and with eternal *[ ermtate fecurlty of living : what can all the darkneffe of this black ni^ht (s p fo of mifery damnify the godiy ? no, it doth but prepare them for the mortal. bright morning of a celcftial ftace, where they (hall all leap about Q&dgra. that great and glorious Light In the hlghefi Heavens ; nay, what ve "°^ s can all the racje of-cnemics prejudice the righteous ? no, the per- * !i ' lecutours can but carry fuch an one to the Court-gate or glory, the dem ficut Executioner can but f:nd him away to the Wardrobe :o put on his farra /«. long white Robe. Tyrant then exprefTe all thy fury , Calndo mina f*~ thy work, Abel fhall live when thou haft flain him , and fpeak 1t * rt {'* mU4 when thou think eft thou haft laid him fpeechlefle at thy feet. A„ ni4 y t ™*^ £odIy man, though he be dead, cannot be dumb , no, not if thou lumen tri- ihouldcft feai up his lips, or cut out his tongue , for he will fpeak pudiantesl rhrouqh his teeth, or focak without a tongue, or fpeak with a new N! \< er u- ■P 7 r IO. tongue , 34 A dead man [peaking. tongue , for he is gotten to the new Heavens, and there all fpeak at the fiift entrance, and fpeak, and can never lofe fpeech , fpeak and frame all the elegant Speakers upon the earth. Well then, be Abeljmd when the earth can no longer hear thee fpeak , Heaven will make the fpeak. A dead man here is a fpcaking man there ; He being dead^ yetfpeaketh. Thus then have I handled this Text as it doth concern the par- ticular hiftory, it is now rcquifite , that I (nould apply it more clearly, and fully to the particular occafion, and conclude with the work of the day, or rather the wound of the day ; a difmal work it Was, and a bloudy wound. Have we not Cain and Abel here ? yes,brethren in profetfion, though not in nature, and yet in nature, as fane as the fame Countrcy and Nation could beget a confan- guinity between them. And did not both thefe facrifice ? yes, our fain would be at the Altar as well as Abel, though he brought but his light fheaf ; our Cain was never for the firftlings, and fat, the erTential things of Religion,but onely for a few extemporary devo- tions, and aery fpeculations. And I^ray , what was the quarrel amongft us ? was it not about the excellent facrifice ? yes, Religion hath ever been the great Make-bate upon eatth, zeal for the Altars have facrificed as many men as beafts, for this there were fuch de- teftations between the Egyptians and the Hebrews, that the one might not eat with the other ; for this there were fuch tumults a- bout the Temple and the golden calves, about God and Baal. For thisthe Zelots amongflthe Jews flew as many of their own Coun- treymen, as they did of the common enemies, for this were there fuch inte/tine distentions betwixt the Arians and Orthodox Chri- ftians ; for this have the Latlnes and the Greekj been at fuch bit- ter variances , that the 7V/^hath wonne from us ChrifKans thir- teen Kingdomes and three Empires ; for this have been inve- ctives, banifhment, plucking out of eyes, Tantum Religio yotuit fuadere malorum , Religion hath been the foment of all thefe commotions, garboiles, and {laughters. It is that that is the evil Angel ( as the Turks fay) which doth trouble the Chi iftians. Sure I am, Religion was the Trumpet of feditior, that raifed this Kingdome into this unnatural diiTention , and begat this deadly fewd, it was called bellum facrum , the holy war , but the moil wicked and wretched that ever was fought , the excellent Sacri- fice A dead man [peaking. 3 5 fee was the fpighr,-^Ws purity of Religion procured all his enmi- ty j would he have forfaken that Religion which came to him out of the flames of Martyrdom? , and accepted of another that was melted Br him by another teeming fervent secal, he had efcaped all the ire and indignation which a fterwa ids followed. Bit In re ****** tarn iufla nulla debet effe confult atio, as St. Cyprian told the Pio- ? ; ^°^1 conful , In a thing fo iufi there ought to be no confutation , Abel cannot abate in his pu . i:y and piety in divine worinip , for fire had fallen from Heaven upon his Sacrifice , God had bleffed the Protcftant Ch irdi for (linking fo firmly to the fir ft grounds pf her Reformation , and it flouriftied to admiration, maugre all the rancour of the Pep: and his Romifh Emiffai ies ; but if Abel will be fo refolute, Cam will ranckle and fefter. But as angry as he is, I hop: he will keep it to himfelf ; yes , keep it to himfelf , but keep an eye upon his project and deiign. Cain wrought veiy policick'y and fu tile ly , and fo did our Cain ; the one had a trea- ty, and fo had the other ; but treaties are with wicked men but wiles, iupp'antations, ambuuhments, pitfals. Af:er all the treaties there follows the Stratagem. Cain rofe up and flew his brother Abel , a King was murthered. We have Cains club to iliew , and Abel's bloud to point at. Did Cain flay his brother Abel? Did Protcfla -.its kill their natural King ? oh mercilefTe Cain ! oh graccleffe Proteftants 1 where is the murthcr of Kings warranted in the whole Scripture ? Indeed God can loofe the collar of Kings, but who made th:e Gods Vlce-Roy^i Vicegerent? Erltisjicup £)//, Ye fhull be as Gods , wes the Serpents Divinity. A poyfonous Lefhircr, and venomors Difcipks. When thou canft create thun- der , I will think thou maift caft thy thunder-bolts upon Thrones, but in the mean time do no: imitate the Omnipotent in his incom- municable properties, and priviledges , leaft thou doft begin with Lucifer's pride, and end with Lucifer's fate and doom ; But will fome fay, the Saints ilia 11 bind Kings in chains : what Saints ? they mult be Uich c-s have an abiblute and exprefs commifTion from Hea- ven. What Kings ? Canaanltlfh Kings, Heathenlfh Princes, fuch as Slhon the King of the Amor It es , and Og the King" of Bafhan y Adon;bez,el^i\\Q King of Jerufalem , Hoham King of Hebron y Vlram King oCjarmuth , Japia King of Lachlfh , &c. Kings whi:b were direct Infidels, and God in his fecret judgement had E - deter- 3 6 A dead man /peaking. determined :o destroy them: Bu: cake heed he odor the ^ames ■ : thonta Paten: undei ". . : kill ChrifHan Ki e j as Idolatrous Kings. If all Kings to be ihin > why tktre is ao ri?K7 up y ana dlUy hi: : he Lords \ . •:■ gmitltfe } a»dhe:h- [be -vers (hall receive t§ bamfetf i*m I: is no ma:: a : hath beer, lone : . : .: : : be done. What then ? ihall Court of Juirice, and Sentenced - ...-.? oh CmIb we trem teat thy riling up, and at the iizh: of thy club. The bencr ious, and the Scaffold execrable, Tifg. io. what is this but for men Crimlmbm terrere mvis^ to appal --~ the ' : . v s. Ovid.i. fulntt terrorer-.i Met. H:: ■ MS efi, totufque perhorruit or bis ; All mankind, ill the ea rth hath horrour and attonithment at foch a dreac:" accident. SeculmmPir : quefls. This is the age . j new M Who advifed : i I tempt : fore I am I *ood Angel, nor C£r0 t? \ right Pre r-het, bu: . JMjrti/d in the grove of Eesforz JyeL -felled the Thebanes, that if they would profper, vi£hres,fi:: ■.-:•• mi) t the height of impiety. And I think that theie y*idimpit . . neight "-..;. i ;;::ous end ittedthe !!«•£/ height pft , infand, intertable, deteitable, devilliil), was heard of iince the foundations of that this Devil called Legion i"hould poiTefTe the bo- ar Nation / oh that the "W -n called fvickjdnejfe lhould " come flying with her Ephah filled with abominable iniquity to fet it c Kingdome / There have been many Proftitutes in Rel: _ but the contrary is in thee to other women in thy forr Ezek^. 1 6. ;-f. Aholibah hath exceeded Aholah, £v;r. ;;.n. Trie . exceeded the Jefuits. A- mongrt all th. v ::.-'. md T'nrone-lhakers that eve. . - in the world, was it ever heard before that an hereditary King arraigned and executed ? no, many ill fpirits there have been U.TAa- in all ag^ but this was BeUebub, the Prince of Devils. Ragvat- -->., dus Knapho r a I the ancient Swedes, becaufe he entred the A dead man [peaking. 37 nhes land, which were I •, and according to the cuftome of the C did no; fend his I ;f:>re him, they rofe upagainft him, as a publick a at r ar labor. Antifater, becaufe be heard that Alexander had Qipmmu cruelly put to dea:h ^p.vmemo and *? -is own head. ne Jo/A? Cupbearer to -4 fcr and at oifoned his own Prince. Thus F*tim -cutoff the head of Galba, his own Emperour, and Oftares flew Vitiges *»«». his natural Soverai^n at Ravenna like a Sacrifice lying upon the Tn:: ground with his face upward ; and LarJerlck^{ the great intimata--* 1 ^*** f F redegund)Y\\\td Chllyerick^ returning from hunting, arid Lcreck^ihoz to death Brerlflans the iecond, bein^ loft in a wood. *>*<"**' But thefe things were done in heat, and humour, and in a ftealth- thive, fecr :: • \ ut to fet up an imperious Court, and to appoint an impudent Judge to try a King, and :: .ife, was fuch ---: : :_ r.imfelf did never prefcribe, and I believe that thefe Clients were inforced to beftc v ; fees up- on their Counfellour of the lon^ Robe to find out fuch an inven- tion, .:: the Devil himfelf , who could have produced fuch aihadow :: i Law-point to be left upon Record as a B; cafe ? Well,: rfcred, andihallnot Religion for fa : the worlds end ? y; . King hold up thy hand, nod Mother- _ sofa loyall Na- - no, it is fuch E ng lifh as will .: • . . 1 I .11 biftc- ry, and a fna:: : 3 all generations. Our Enemies deride ls, and our Fx^ends will i us. What Jefnire will now all Pbpifli treasons are juftified. i all ourloval'; laftec . hcd. It is a marvel that theie men can cry out ag2in{t? Fold . the children of he'J, and that the. cantal coating H ;tri- -;:ng off heads. • Heic rad- ii, and a Gofpel published with a muithering- ind you- der -. : s ~ ten J owed them, and what brightnefie ii u that did irradiate their - . ... it was the Devil tra- into in Ange F:r had the Pi ? or 38 A dead man f peaking. the Apoftlcs any fuch revelations? Did they ever go with a blcud- ax in their hands ? or give commands or tolerations to Subjects to ere£t Tribunals to convent Princes ? or to prepare blocks for the necks of their lawfull Soveraigns ? Are thefe Anabaptifts ? they defer veto be baptized in their own bloud ; are thefe Fifth- monarchy men } all Monarchies ought to execrat: and extirpate them ; a true Anabaptist is an Anarchiit, and a true Fifthmo- narchy-man is an Antimonarchy-man. Seeing their principles are rebellion, and their pradtifes blond, they might jurtly have the rewards of Rebels, and the doom of bloudy men. What ho- nour is it to be an obedient Subject, if Traitors may have the like protection, and priviledges ? So long as thefe be furrered to go up and down the land with their tender confeiences, our tender bowels are in danger ; fo long as thefe have freedome to vex the Nation with their fcruples of faith, they will hazard, and do chreaten to fcruple us into our graves. Subjects look to your throats, Kings look to your heads. If they would but confeffe their errours, and unfeignedly reform them, I wifh not- the leaft trouble to them, nor to have a man furTcr for all the violences they are guilty of, for an hearty change is afufricicnt fatisfaction. But I doubt that the Blackmore cannot change his skin, that the root that hath born gall and wormwood can bear no fweet fruit ; that thefe Cockatrices will not be charmed, that they are fo hard- ned in their principles and prevarications, that their neck is be- come iron, and their browbraffe, that ic will be a long time be- fore they will come to tpharaohs acknowledgment, asfhabs fub- miffion, Judajfes confternation, or Cains dreads • they feem to be fettled upon their Lees, and frozen in their dregges ; for they cry out onely for liberty of conlcience, bur have no confeience to defie their execrable courfes; they defire to live peaceably, but it is to be feared it (hall be no longeron their parts, then till another Hydra's head can grow up in the (had of that which is cut oif. A Wolf is «qvict fo long as it is in the chair,, tut let it be Lie loofned it will worry again. I do not like this fame creeping in- to corners, and thefe meetings at midnight, fuch daik feafons do threaten that there are fome works of datknclTe flill in agitation. Well, if they be ob(tinate, and incorrigible, and do defire their freedome without our fafety, for my part, though I do not defire their A dead man fpeaking. 3 9 their necks, yet I do deiire their backs; though I With them not on gibbets, yet I vrtfh them in pinafTes, for (o long as the Cana- anires be in the land, what will they be bnt thorns in our eyes, and goads in our fides ? Therefore if they will not repent let them remove, if they will not change their opinions, let them change their ground, let thefe new lights go and ihine in their new San- ctuary, new England ; let thefe Zelots go and worfhip in that confecrated Temple, and thefe Fifch-monarchy-men fail along with the reft of their raigning Saints, and there fet up their my- iticall, and Majefticall Throne. 0\d England hath been fabled, and faeried, and frayed, and flayed enough by them ; have we not a fad precedent and fpe&acle before our eyes ? Look over the Catalogue, and fee how many thoufands they haveufed like Slaves within the land, and fold for Slaves out of the land, nay flaugh- tered, aud. butchered ; and above all have we not the bloud of a Prince, and the head of a King to look upon with as much an- guifhas aftonilhment ? Muft they flay to kill another King be- fore we fhall know them to be Cut-throats>or banifh them as Re- gicides ? This King is a King of eminent perfections, and vir- tues, but what care they for gifts and graces ? every King with them is a Reprobate, and his very calling they hold fmne, they mufl have no King but King Jefus ; every King elfc they hold an Ufurpcr, and they will either depofe him, or deftroy him. If a King could have been fpared for virtue, might we not have had our old Kins flill reigning amongjl us ? Cain flew him, but was he not zAbel? the moft pure and pious King that ever fat in a^ Throne? David and Solomon, the two Mirrou.s of Kingly go- . \ m ? f ' vernment, had thofe blemifhcs in them which he was never ftaincd r e ta „ l0 with, Except he had been born in the (late of inrioCehcy, could fa/hgio he have had more of man in him ? except he had been an Angel, prtjiitit, could he have had more of the Saint in him ? CTsfcQtvi him,but vS/ ^ on ' he flew as much righteoufnefTc as Royalty, and fonclity as Ma- V/ - v ^" 4 . jetty. * lA King that In his reign (hewed hiwfe If worthy of fuch pertifsime a government, as it wasfaid of Theodofitis the grea: ; One that aennftis a* all Princes feemed to be guided by reafon, as it is reported or the puffe of popular applaufe ? no, there have been Princes , which have been taken with the noife of thefe tink- ling Cymbals, and have defired no other Minftrelfie then the me- lodious Dulcimers of the peoples lips , as Philip had his Clifophtu who praifed his lame leg, and blind eye , and Dionyjitts his Cari- fiophus who called him the father of all virtues, and Alexander his Nicefius, who made Flyes the nobleit creatures, becaufe they fucked his bloud , and Nero his Burns, who fo admired his wit, that he (tiled him another Apollo , and the head of Nilns, and Juflinian who had his Tribonianus,vi\\o fo extolled his virtues that he promifed him they (hould free him from death , and at his departure caufe his flelh to be carried with him into Heaven. But our good King took pleafure in none of thefe Flatterers , but with Conflantine the Great counted them the venninc of his Palace , or With Sigifmund the gad-flyes , or blifter-flyes which did bite him. He took more delight in a Monitor, then a Parafite , and in a grave Bifhop then a complemental Courtier ; he loved all his Lords well (and fome too well, who rewarded him with a treache- rous heart for his Royal and real heart ) but his chief love, and pleaiing, fatisfying affection was in a Penitentiary. He va- lued not the dying fparks in Sycophants lips to burn up his Obla- tions (no, this he counted a vain fmoak, and a perilling blaze) but the delectable thing to him was to have fire from Heaven fall up- on his Sacrifice ; he preferred one teftimony of the fpirit of ado- ption above all the acclamations and applaufes of the World ; it was not mans fignet but God's feai which he (tood upon ; for he knew very well, that man could make him but eftimable , it was God onely that could make him acceptable. Therefore he Tingled himfelf from the world, and locked up himfelf to his God ; him he made his truft and treafure, comfort and confidence , the light of God's countenance was more pretious to him then the fmiling faces, and the fmooth, foothing, inchanting reflexes of Admirers browes. His glory was that he was not vain-glorious,but one high in command , but of an humble heart ; rich in graces but poor F 2 in 44 d 4t*& m wfpetiing* in fpixit ; his fan&iloquics and foliloquies, his life fpent in medi- tation and mortification tc/tify it, one that had little fclf-delight jfuiiip- h},bim, lu; much [clf-dcnial , there was in him a recefs from his r ltiS yolun- own defresyhls love of God was fuch that it brought him to an ttt- taiihwre- ter contempt ofhimfelf,He loft his life by renouncing his own wlll y c e fi°- Ba f'axdfaved It by works of piety , He dlxi tranfplant hlmfelf out of *?•?&£ the world y that He might grow the better In another foil \and kjll amor Dei theflefh ,, that, the fplrlt might have all the llfejjigour and acli- ufyue ad vlty. Was there ever a more temperate, world-skreened , flefh- Contemftu rm fed ? foul-weaned Prince? One that had his hear: wholly in fm A "l'}' heaven, and his eye fixed upon the face of God , which often pro- i£-/ 2 8.' featcd himfeif at his feet, and defiredno greater happineiTe there perdidita- tp lye. in his bofome. He fed upon the hidden Manna , and em- nimtmfa- ployed ail his Sollicitouis to make the Judge his fure Friend ; His eaking. 4 7 Firft, ConfpicHous Saint , oh that we had fuch an one / could we wifh a better } what age before yielded his Equal } He was able to teach the world. quid, diftent &ra lupnls^ the difference between the precious and the vile, he was dignns Obelijcofo emiaent that he cfcfei ved a Monument, Hie jacet A- bel, Hie jacet SanEltts Carol px, Saint Charles^ the Model of vir- tue, and the Medal of' the Spirit, which had Chrift engraven in- to his heart, and the Scripture inlaid into his converfation ; The Prince of all princely virtues, and the Prince of all faving vir- tues, which had an unfeigned faith, and undoubted righteoufnefs; one that fought for the belt, and offered the beft, whom wife men admired',and good men honoured; which carried flefh about him, but with very little corruption, and grace with very great luftre; which lived upon earth, but fpent much of his time in heaven, re- pentance was his bath, fanctity was his raiment, meditation was his diec, mortification was his phyfick, devotion was his perfume, watchfulnefTe was his Sentinel, vows were his weapons, prudence was his Counfellour, patience was his Standard-bearer, inward fecurity was his Chamberlain, fearch of confeience was his ghoft- ly Confefrour, the Saints were his Guides, the Angels were Bis Companions, the Heaven of heavens was his Crown-land, and God hinifelf was the King of glory with whom he hoped to keep Court, and to reign for ever in Majcfty. Oh precious <*y4bel! oh confpicuous Saint / But fecondly, let us not onely call him confpicuous Saint, but likewifc glorious Martyr. Martyr/ oh that the Rocks do not cleave, and the earth do not fhiver,and all eyes do not drop, and all hearts do not bleed at the thought of fuch a judgement / there might be nothing but crying Alas, Alas, from the one corner of the Land to the other ; yea, we might tafte the tires from our heads, cover our lips, lye upon the earth, eat -allies, teach our children waitings, and our neighbours lamentation, cry bitterly, . make our faces foul with weeping, gather to (JUlizpeb, and pour out water, raife up another Bochim^ weep with the weeping of Jaz,er y make a mourning like the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the field of iJVLcgiddo ; yea our very Churches might be filled withaothing but Shreiks, and thefongs of the Tcmpler. turned in- to . 4$ A dead man /peaking . to howlings,for is ^Abeljlaln ? the ^Mirrour made a LMartyr? what no more to be heard t no more to be fcen ? no more to ex- prcfTe his fairh ? to declare his righteoufneis f to after his excel- lent facrifice ? to teach the world piety ? to pray for the Bancs of the Age > to blefTe the times f what is there fuch a rich jewel pluck- ed off from the neck of the Church f is there an end of <*Abel ? oh difmayingnews / oh difmal day / oh that Cain had no more mercy then to ftretch out his hand/ oh that God had no more mercy then not to reftrain his hand / Doubtleffe the finnes of the* people were great that armed Cain, and enraged God ; In the day of affliction confider. Let the fall of s/fbel be an cxmiininc, and an exanimating judgement. Let us ftand upon our thresholds, and cry out of our mines , take hold of the pillars of the Tem- ple, and bewail our finnes, look one another in the face with afto- nifhment and remorfe, faying, wretches that we are that we could not forbear our provocations till they had fetched the beft of the flock for a facrifice, till Gods wrath broke out in bbud, till righte- ous tAbel was (lain, till the moft pious, and pure, andcomplcat King was executed. But though we thus deplore fin, and lament the judgement ( for in the loffe of fuch a King there is III as malo- mm, an Iliad of miferies ) yet not fo, as if we lhould doubt of the (late of the SurTerer,or defpair of the Martyr ; no,the accident is ominous to us, but can it be fatal to <*Abel ? can fuch a peer- leffe, and pi izeleiTe King be unhappy ? no, he may be dead to Cain, or dead to the world, but not dead to himfelf, not dead to God. We are in a fad cafe, but there is neither badnelle nor fadneffe, forrow or follicitude, fret or fray, heavinefTe or horrour that doth belong to Abel, He is (lain, but the blow could not hurt him, nor the bloud harm him ; he is now beyond fpight, paft ftones or clubs ; he did but die in the field to be caught up into Paradife, and was taken from Cain to be tranflated o the Con- gregation of the firft-born, yet he liveth, yet he fpcaketh, he doth reft, and he doth reign, he doth ring, and he doth ihine ; oh gra- tious King, thou art now a glorious King, thou haft left thy Court, and taken thy leave of all thy Princely race, and bid farewell to all thy Peers, and art entred into a more Majefticall Court, where Prophets come out to meet thee,and Martyrs rejoyce over thee,and all the crowned Kings which reigned here in piety as well as pow- er. cr,ble'iTs their fetvc* in thy focicty ; yea Quires of Angels fing Hallelujahs to enjoy thy prefence ; nay, thy bleffed Redeemer doth come forth, and off ereth to embrace thee with his crucified hands, and to lay his wounded breft to thy wounded neck ; So that now thou art the high and mighty King, the excellent King for thy excellent Sacrifice ; thou haft but changed thy Ma jetty and "Royalty, thou haft gotten a new Robe, and a new Crown, thou art a brighter Saint, and a more glorious King then ever, thou haft eaten thy Paffeovir, and are gotten out of Egypt, thou haft fuffer- ed thy Maityrdome, and haft changed it into a Kingdome ; thou haft conquered all thy enemies, and thy Scaffold is turned into a Stage of glery ; thou followed the Lamb upon mount Sion, and art dwelling in the new Jerufalem, whofe gates are all of yearly au.{ whofe ftreets are paved with gold ; 2nd there dwell, and there reign till the rcfurreccion. We being confident that fuch an Abel cannot perifh, but that though thou becft dead, yet thou haft ano- ther life, a better life ; though thy face be taken away from our fight, yet thou art to be feen ; though we do not hear thee, yet thou fpeakeft,Sy it he being dead yet fpeakjth. For our fclves dear brethren, let us for ever prize the name of" our Abel, and honour his perfections, commemorate his graces, and imitate them ; for wo unto us that ever we knew Abel, if we know but onely his name; if we know Abel and live CV#«then do we admire a Saint, when we are transformed into the likenefTe of that Saint. It is a commendable thing to acknowledge a Saint, but it is a comfortable and a fa ving thing to be a Saint, to re- ferable that Saint, to be followers of that Saint , to cxempli- fie all his virtues. Oh therefore let us make Abel our Pattern, and our Precedent ; let us iriare with him in faith, righteoufneiTe, and the excellent Sacrifice, that fo when we are dead the grave may not bury all, but wc may be yet fpeaking, have our memories,con- fciences, and heavenly intcrefts fpeaking ; that fo we may be but abfent from the body to be prefent with the Lord, and lay down thefecaithly Tabernacles to enter into our better Manfion, our true Pake:, the building of God, a houfe not made with hands, but eternal in the heavens. Which that we may do, the Lord grant for his mercies fake. s F I J^I S. N THE M A N O F VALOUR. Or the Puiffancc ofENGLANDs Great CHAMPION. Delivered in three Sermons , in the Parifli Church of Walt ham K^fbbey f upon Duke Albe- marle % coming up to London, and Decla- ring for a Free Parliament. WnkHJJi in Trial, pag, 14* little Nimium altercan- do Veri- tas amit- Polixo. Sue to a. little religion ; who was full of revelation , but not fo full of re- generation ; who f aid he did fight for the birth-rights of the free-borne people of England , and yet could rifle coffers ; who talked of i he keepers of the liberties, and yet left to the people nothing but fetters ; who told the age of a Committee of Safety, and nothing injafety , but every mans nech^ was in danger ; who cried up new lights, and yet they were new Criticifmes,J£nigmaes y Paradoxes ; this Creature had filed the land fo full of flrange fpe- culations, and figments , that there was fear ce any of the old faith left , the truth was lofl in altercations, difceptations , and captious cavils. Tet there was a notable craft , that religion was written -4itur.P in the front Ifpice of every de/ijrne , that he which did oppofe the dehgne mu/t fight againfl heaven it J elf, jujt as the Governour of Ephcfi'S tied all the gates, and walles of the City with ropes to the Temple of Diana , that whofoever battered the gates and walles fhouldfeem to wage war with the holy Goddeffe Diana. Oh the in- finite blinds andflratagems, inventions and circumventions, which we were then fubjetl to ! Auguftus Cse far fa id that the Romans mthe reigne of Tiberius would be eaten up with leane jawes , and fo were not we devoured with thin-chaps ? yes a kinde of pale- faced, meager, macilent profeffors, which talked of nothing but contempt of the world,abnegation,crucified hearts did crucify us to purpofe.Thc kanc kine did eate up thzht.Good religious fouls they charmed the hand,as if they intended nothing but the reducing us into the right way, bringing us into ihe light, opening our blind eyes, reforming a corrupt Church , but by what Evangelical Phyfick^ would they do this ? by Mercury precipitate, fteele pits , the oyle of Sco'pionSjTrochifchie vipera .They fought to convert us more with their armes, then the'r arguments, their gibbets then their pulpits, their fecjne fir ations,confif cations, decimations, then their informa- tions ; there were fewfet conferences, but many fet battels ; their Morter-pe'ices dif charged oftner in the fie Id, then their Minifters did in a Colloquy ; a rude, raging, ravening generation they were, which would neither give counfel , nor hear counfel ; which acled more by fury, then perfwafion ; we found little bright amongfi them, but bright harneffe ; nor free, but free-quarter ; ncr divine, but divination. They were much for the Gofpel, and yet a pious Tea- Teacher could fcarcely live under them\they fald they were facred, and yet they were guilty of facrl ledge ; theyboafted much of their love to their deer country, and yet they killed a King, executed Nobles, caft the Merchants into a phthlftck^and were bringing the Judges Into ulcus profundum. They Imprifoned us, as If we had been but their bondmen, and plundered us as if they would have made the whole Nation a begger, aud fl aught ere d us, as If their purpofe had been to have depopulated the Land. How nigh were we to a Maffacre ? how nigh to an exturpation f Our golden Scep- ter, and golden candleftlck^were even gone, who can reckon up the wafts they made, the millions of treasure they f pent, the flouds of blood they fhed ? They were come to thatpafjc , that no Oaths y Prlv' ledges, Lawes, Artlcles,Anclent tltles,or Ancient foundati- ons were ref peeled by them. All muft be modelled according to the frame of a new government, and the will of new Conquerours ; Co that the welfare, renown,glory, honour and very name of Eng- land was even expiring, and yet thefe our own dear Natives, and kjnde bretheren that came out of the fame mother-womb of pro- fefslon ; But God deliver us fromfuch Country-men, andfellow- proteftants ; Barbarians, Cannibals could not have ufed us worfe y as Julian fald by way of reproach concerning the ancient Chrlfti- ans, That no wild beafts could be more favage one to another, then Chriftiar.s were to themfelvcs-; fo the very fame may be affirmed Am.Mar*. concerning them. Indeed they courted us highly into prosperity, ** ! ^ ^ but fuch futers are not to be liked which come a wooing with z2 ,m.8. fwords, as the citizens of Byzantium told Philip. They which p.is3» hewed down all which would not confent to their projects, there Philoft. was little prefervatl on to be expelled from them ; no, A fecuribus nulla fecui kas, There is no fecurity from Hatchets , as Giraldus. Girald. fald of the oldlxiCh. Oh deplorable age to thinks of / ah I amen- u°£° S ' table times to fpeak^ of ! were not all places full of dread, and defpaire ? yes It was with us In the mldft of our Civil dlftraBlons as It was with Chrlftendome in the tyldft ofthefchlfmes of the. Popes. All right was confounded , there was no faith, no lawes, ^ VeD J* no peacc,no humanity ,no fhame, no fecurity ,no reft from evils.// B i er . thefe had continued I do not fay eighteen years longer, but. eighteen l-7.p.$47 months, nay eight months,what a correclion-houfe,flauhter-houft had. had this Nation been made ? Compare we then our prefent fettle- ment to our former difir action, and our prefent freedome to our former thraldome, and what may we fay, but that the yokj of our burthen, the flaffe of our fhoulder, the rod of our Opprejfour is bro- ken in pieces ? Oh ftrange deliverance ! Oh bleffed change ! And to whom under God may we afcrlbe all this but to your Grace f It if you, which have been our noble Patriot and pulffant Champion, It was your tender compaffion , Ingenerate affection , profound wifedome , vigilant clrcumfpecJlon , referved fecrecy , herolcal heart , and victorious hand, which have procured us all this joy, peace, liberty, felicity, fefilvlty, fecurlty. And to your high ho- nour be It fpokjn, you fhewed all along as much Prudence as pu- iffance, and Moderation as magnanimity,, and Humility as har- dineffe. It was an high attempt, as full of difficulty, as dignity, and hazard as honour. Now It is done, fome may make light of QcCurr. /r > but before It was done, It would have made Alexander hlmfelfe have f aid, It had been a peril anfwerable to his great mind, what an honourable workjwere you pleafed to takj into your honourable hand ? what glorious things have you been inftrumenPal to bring to perfection ? you have reflored a King, a Church, two Houfes , two ZJnlverfitles, the Courts of Juftlce , Manufactures, Mer- chandlce, what not ? It isfuch a redemption, that millions of real Captives bleffe you, you have made a duvnb Land to fpeakj, and three weeping kjngdomes to fng. whatfoever true Engllfhman is left In the Land, his heart cannot thinks of you without joy, his ears cannot hear of you without delight, his eyes cannot look^ on you without pleafure, his tongue cannot f peaks of you without ho- nour. All thefe are ready to acknowledge you their Preferver, and to call you their Deliverer ;you have wifely conquered all the Capital enemies of the Klngdome without oneflroke,and you have happily won all the loyai hearts of the Klngdome with twofpeeches; you did but cry A free Parliament, and what fhouts were there f you did but cry King Charles, and what trances were there ? for thefe things every good man do defre to carve your name upon pillars, nay to engrave It there where the Characters (hall conti- nue longer, then upon the lafilng marble ; yau fhall have the never- dying memory of fuccef/ive generations to perpetuate your renown, your Trophees in future ages will be as famous as ever were thofe of Miltiades^ Themiftocles, and your Tombe will be as much ho- noured, as whas that of Achilles by Alexander ; you fhall live I* the Zips of fame, and you fhall be buried In the bed of fame. Ton will be one of the longeft lived men of the Nation, for you will live as long as England fhall have a Chronicle \your name will be eter- nised. Onely ( noble Sir ) cafl -up your eye to heaven , and look^ Hpon the face of him, which called you forth, and gave yon cour- age, and gave you aide , and gave you fucceffe ; which not only eounfelled you to manage your enterprlfe, but lent you a key to loc\ up that counfill In your bre aft, where by you did great wonders In the fleld,difperfing a daring army without a broken head, and greater wonders in the City , diffolvlng a Frantlck^ Parliament without a broken fpear. Thofe high things you could never have dene, but by the Moft high;//- was not you alone which effctlcd them , but the Lord with you.Thls (jod therefore do you ever honour & this God. do you ever ferve, and fo may he preferve you long to enjoy the fruit of this vltlory, & perhaps re ferve you for further conauefts. And, when you come to take your laftfarwell of all earthly honours, as yon have been a blefting to the Nation, foyou fhall be bleffed out of the Nation, and be conveyed up to a new Court, and wait upon a new King, wherewith a triumphant palme In your hand, and a Robe of glory upon your back^ llkj a true conauerour you fhall Jing the fong of Mofes and the Lamb. , 4, 5. Now how could Ifrael be but in a perifhing condition £ what was there to be feen amongft them but a face of calamity f no, there was no- thing vifiblc but fcarfity, penury, waftcs, wan :s ; For Ifrael was greatly Impoverlfhed be caufe of the (^Midianites, v. 6 . They had nothing left them but a ftock of grones and lighs. It was in vain to complain to men (for enemies have deaf ears, and flinty hearts) the Midianites, Caldeans, and children of the Eaft, would rather have augmented their miferies, then taken companion upon them ) and therefore they turned their fupplicating tongues towards hea- ven, t hey cried unto the Lird,v.6. Man had no mercy, and hath God any {>ity ? they defpifed him when they were in a flou- rifhing condition, and will he now look upon them when they are in extremities ? no, it had been juft with God to have left them in their exigents. What fly to him whom they had neglected ? cry to him whom they had contemned ? What had God to do H 3 io 6 2 The man of Valour. to liften co fuch Petitioners ? might he not have deafned his ears to their cries ? yes, let them have cried ftill under the Midianites, rather then hefnould have regarded their crouchings, or yellings; Let the Midianitcs and they try it out ; if the Midianites had not made them miferable enough, let them double, and treble their fuf- fcrings. But God hath more companion then the Midianites,and will help a crying people againfl: their cruel OpprerTours. It is true, he doth not.inftantly help the Ifraelites, nor fign their Peti- tion, not give them aid upon their cry; but he doth expostulate with them, before he doth exhibit favour, and accufcthemof in- gratitude, before he doth releafe them from their thraldome. They cry, and he cry ; they cry out of indigence, and he cry out of in- dignities. For the Lordfent a Prophet to the children of Ifrael, which faid unto them, Thus faith the Lord God of Ifrael, I brought you out of 'Egypt, and brought you forth out of the houfe bondage, and delivered you out of the hands of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that opprejfedyou, and drove them out before you, and gave y oh their land, and faid unto you, I am the Lord your God, fear not the gods of the Amorites In whofe land ye dwell, but ye have not obeyed my voyce, v. 8, 9, 1 o. All this was fpoken, to fhew how neceiTary it is to have our finnes prefTed up- on our confeiences, and that we hear enough by the Prophet ; for they are not Midianitcs ufually that do convert us,but the Prophet; the threatnings of a Prophets lips may do us more good , then a thoufand ftrokes of the enemies hand. Oh happy thing when God do fend fuch upon his errand, and the Prophets, the MefTengers are not partial. A Nation is never nearer to deliverance) then when he do hew down men by his Prophets. For ufually when God hath done with his Church-work, he doth begin with his heaven- work. *Jffr f • Ccelo tandem mlferatm ab alto efl. At lair he doth fend down mercy out of his own San&uary. As here, when a Prophet doth go before, an Angel doth follow after, zmi. Hear the Prophet, and fee the Angel. Oh then that any men would be freed of their judgements, but cannot endure to hear of their guilts ; which would have the rod of the Midianitcs taken off from their backs, but have not the patience to be told of their faults. Yes, let the Chirurgcoris ufe the Lancet, for then ye have JEn. The man of Valour. 6$ have the greater! hopes of a cure, when your corrupt ulcers are cut, and fearched to the bottome ; If the Midianite can humble :hce, the Midianite. is giving his laft pinch ; if his rebukes can be but heard, thy cries may be heard ; but thou art never an accepta- ble Petitioner, till he be aneffectiial Teacher. Therefore flop not the mouth of the Miniflcr, left thy mouth doth cry to no purpofe, but fubmit obediently to his reproofs, and thy chains may be fal- ling off; Thy diftreffes may be thy enemies difafters ; the mife- ries which they have inflicted upon thee may return upon them- felvcs, yea the Ifraclites fufferings may be doubled and trebled up- on the Midianites ; for a reforming Miniftry may work a ftrange change, the Prophet may bring in the Angel. Well, the Angel is come, what news ? the Ifraelites are even at liberty already, theCe fame Midianites which had fo long tyrannized over them, he doth make pitifull creatures of them ; they had been Termagants a great while, but he makes MuLhromes, Mimicks, Minums of them, the very fcorns of the age, and contempts of the world. What are all the Furies upon earth, if God do but fend his Angel f But doth the Angel all in his own perfon f no, he doth raife up a prime Substitute, an illuftrious Agent, one called Gideon, Who is this Gideon > Eftne cUr us [anguine, an faEiis Creon f Seneca i* Is he famous by bloud, or atchievments ? tiuly his difcen: was not Oedip. defpicable, for he was of the family of the Ez,rites y but his at- chievments were peerleffe ; he did the greateft work by the leaft means, that ever was heard of; He delivered Iirael without a irroke (truck ; punTant he was enough, but he wrought all by poli- cy . He brake never a fpear in the bufineffe, he brake onely a few earthen pitchers. Alas he had but an handfull of men againft a formidable Army, yet with thefe huntfmen ( as it were ) that were fitter to follow a chafe in the Forreft, then fight with a fix^d Camp in the field, he made all the hort of the Midianites to fly. Oh Gideon; thy name is worthy, thy contrivance was fingular, thy conqueft was glorious, thy deliverance was admirable, thy fame will be immortal. But did he all this by his own ftrcngth ? no, the Angel doth tell him, that he was defigned fiom heaven to this work, the Lord had fealed him his Commilfion, he had given him his authority, and he would give him his affiftance ; Thou lhalt not 6$ T be man of valour . not goc alone Gideon, no, the Lord will goe with thee , the mighty God will attend upon fuch a mighty man of valour. The Lord t* with thee, thou mighty man of valour. In the Text confider , i . The Prince , The Lord. 2 . The Favorite, With thee. 3. The Title of Honour , Thou mighty man of valour. The Lord. Firft, For the Prince , The Lord , from hence obferve that the Lord is to be Supream in all high undertakings. An Angel here ye fee can lay no better foundation, and it is the Devil which Tcti. com. teac heth the World to be new groundfelling. Cufiodiatur cecono- " mi& Sacramentum,hct the Sacrament of aeconomy be ftri&ly kept, ^ in and doubtlefTe there is no better houfhold-government then where Ulud6. God is Pater-familias in domo fua. It is God which is Vnus TVlattk. univer fans , that one chief good from whom every particular good TaUr Ke ' doth flow. They which do promote and project without him, Ju/i M ' \ ^henagorM doth call them impios & fine Deo homines , wicked, Expof'fid. an ^ men without God, a kind of Atheifis, The fool hath f aid in ^ithenag. his heart there is no God , and thefe fools make no ufe of a God. in ^poL To take away from God his priority , or fuperiority, is aknoft ad Anton. t0 c j en y ^j s J3ivinity. A believer is to be found in his Decalogue, as well as in his Creed , in his anions, as well as in his principles. Thoufhalt have no other Gods but me , or before me , is as Theo- logical, as Credo in Deum, The Devil can affent to all the Arti- cles, but he is the right ProfelTour, which doth make confeience of the two Tables , to make God a Law-giver as well as a Tiuth-gi- ver. There is no greater Infidel then he which can fay all the Scri- pture by heart, and yet doth make Nature his guide, or hath a Ca- codemon for the dire&our of his life. I doubt whether that Lad- der be Jacob's, though it doth fecm to reach up to Heaven, which hath not God upon the top of it : or whether he be not as ill as Nebuchadnezzar , little better then a bead:, which doth not ac- knowledge that God is to have the dominion and power from Ge- neration to Generation, Dan, 4. 3 1 . What manner of Kingdome is that, where we do fit like Princes in our Thrones, and will fritter no Deity to be Crowned but our Diademed felves , and the great God muft give place to the great Craft-mafter f This arrogancy blew Thi man of Valour. 6$ blew down the top-branch in Heaven, Lucifer , and yet we muft have more of thefc Windfals. Oh we love to be killing our own hands, and to be held grand defigners and contrivers. But thofe are the brighten 1 gemmes, which have moft in them of the celeftial influence ; thofe are the refplendent anions which have moft in them of the Divine affiftence. Is God the osflpha in all underta- kings / no, we make him Zeta, Eta, Theta,v\3.y EpJilon,Omicron, we care not what, or how little. But is this to give him his God- right ? or his Bible-right .? no, who is he that hath called the ge- nerations from the beginning f / the Lord am the firfi , and the lafi, I am he, Ifa. 41 . 4. Who is Ignorant of this, that the hand of the Lord hath done all thefe things ? Job 12.9. We are deaf to hear directions , or blind to fpy out inventions without God. For [ince the beginning of the world men have not heard , nor per- ceived with the ear, nor the eye hath not feen, oh God, befides thee, Efa. 64. 4. How elfe is he the Creatour, moft High and ancient of dayes ? yet whofoevcr is great , the Lord is the glory of his ftrengtb, Pf. 89,1 7. We that preiume fo much,and affume fo much, that prefcribe fo much, and afcribe fo much ; that force and fore- caft to much, yec we can do very little , we are but as the little fin- ger to Gods great hand , for Thou oh Lord haft wrought all our worhj for m , Efa. 26. 1 2. or in us. That though they were for us, or in us, yet they arc from him. Let the Stoicks exclude Gods providence out of the world, and Valentinus be triginta Deorum Cyril. C Efa. 14. 27. No, he is excellent good at removens prohibens , removing that which doth hinder. who art thou, oh great Mountain} Zach.4.7. He weipheth the Mountains in fcales, and the Hills in a balance , Efa. 40. 1 2-. Thou cameft down , the Mountains flowed down at thy prefence 7 Efa. 64. 2. Obftacles are but trials of his greatnefle , or rather Trophces to his Omnipotency : what is not poifible then to him that isfo powcrfull ? ? Thirdly , He is moft faithfull , For whereas we have many fic- kle Agents, and mutable Undertakers, which promife high things y and afterwards are falfe to their own engagements, and decoy the world with their perfidious tongues, God is none of thefe guilefull Impoftours ; who can accufe him for violating a promife ? no , Faithful is he which hath promt fed, Heb. 10. 23. Not a word of his fh all fall to the ground, Jof. 2 2 . 14. Heaven and earth fhallpaffe away, rather then the leaf tittle of his word fh all fall. So that the faithful may be miniflied from amongft the fons of men, the The man of Valour. 67 the world may be full of Tcrgiverfa tours and Truce-breakers , but the honour of God is to keep Covenant for ever, for can he be but true, who is unchangeable ? therefore he muft needs be a fpecial Agent, who is-faithtul. Fourthly , He is watchful , Argus that had the hundred 4« eyes may be caft into a drowfy fit by Mercury's Syrinx , but 0y| '' t he eyes of the Lord do neither fl timber norfleep. Alexander might p^ ileep whileft ^ntlpater did watch for him , fo we may be fecure whileft the Lords eyes which do run to and fro through the face of the whole earth doth incefTantly overlook our perfons and actions. In that dayjlng of the Vineyard of red wine ; I the Lord do keep, and water it every moment , lefl any thing Jhould ajfail It, / do keep it day and night, Efa. 27. 2. 3. So that God is a keeper, and and a vigilant keeper, he is at his charge every mo- ment, yea day and night looking about , left any thing fhould af- fail his Vineyard. So that God is the moll apt and abfolute for cycry thing, becaufe moft watchfull. Fifthly , He is mod: indefatigable. Hercules had his twelve 5., Labours, and there is a (tint of them , but can Gods actions be li- mited f no, he heapeth benefits upon us , and there is no end of his goodneffe, he is as infinite in doing as in being. My Father worketh hithertowards and I work. When fhall there a tally be made of Gods works ? or the laft Scene or Epilogue of his works and wonders brought upon the Stage ? Hath he helped, and will he aid no further ? Art not thou from everlaftlng my Lord , my God, my holy One} Hab. 1 . 1 2 . The Current of his goodnefle and greatneffe doth never dry up. Haft thou not known , haft thou not heard, that the everlaftlng God, the Lord, the Creatour of the ends of the earth, nelher falnteth, nor is weary ? Efa. 40. 28. So that there is no Agent like unto God, for he is uncelTant and inde- fatigable. Therefore if ye would have a compleat Aclour, choofc the Lord : whofoevcr be inferiour Officers, yet now ye know your Prince, The Lord. Firfr this doth ferve to reprove them, which would take away ^/fptl. Divine providence, which hold that either God is ignorant of worldly things, or they are too inferiour for him to deal in. The Scripture doth give us Come hints of fuch kind of men, Thou falfi % how doth God know ? and can he jtidge through the dark^ cloud f I 2 Jol* 6$ . The man of \alour. Jo b 22. 15. And thou falft, doth God know ? u there knowledge in the mo ft High ? Pfal. 7 3 . 1 1 . JP0 #/tf /7w#, fr&tf fee/^ deep to- hide their coup f el from the Lord, Ef. 29.1 5. as if there were no all-feeing, nor all-difpofing God. They fay unto me, -where is the ■word of the Lord ? let U come, Jcr. 17. 5. by which they inferre, that there is no fuch thing as the will of God,or the word oF God, or the warning of God. No, it is but your Panical fear, or dif- maying fiction ; ye love to fanclifie ail your inventions and in- tentions, devifes and defigns, wkh the purpofe and pleafure, mind and mandate, name 2nd notion of a God ; for that your actions might be conlecrated to the world, thus ye hallow them ; but this is but your own fupeiirition, forcer y, forgery, to gain reputation to your politick pretences and projects, but God hath neither word, way, or work in thefe inferiour things: if God hath ever pro- nounced that he would do any thing in fuch things, let us fee him Mailer of his word. If it be the word of the Lord, let it come. Therefore they fcoffe at Gods prcfence and providence, as if he would never appear for the defence of his Saints; for they fay, Where is their God ? Joel 2. 17. and where is the God of judge- ment } Mai. 2. 1 7. as if this world had no God, or God of judge- ment. Say what ye will in the name of your God, we fhall never be the worfe for your menaces, for The evil fhall not overtake, or prevent w, Amos 9. 10. Bring forth all the curfes of the Law, ye fhall never appal us, what do ye think to daunt us with your Scriptuie-frights ? no, away with all your Bible-comminations, and intcrminations. The pen of the Scribe is in vain, Jer. 8.8. As if they would charge the Scripture with fimplicity and folly, or put a cheat or a plain ly upon the pen and pen-men of holy Writ ; for according to their opinion and exprellion, there is not a true Scribe amongft them all. This conceit is that which make them to live fo merrily in their inchanted Cattle, and ring away all dread of an avenging God with their old infatuated Canticle, pax, pax, peace, peace ; yea, they would imbrute the whole earth, andun-God this nether world, as if the fear were but an imagina- ry confternation, and the fervice of God were but furpluflage of duty and devoyre ; and repentance it felf were but a fuperftuous and unnecclTary torture and penance to afflict confeiences with, do not their wOrds teftifie as much ? yes, It is in vain to ferve the Lord, The man of Valour. 69 Lord, and what profit is there in keeping his commandements, and walking mournfully with our God? Mai. 3. 14. But all thefc things do but favour of the old opinions of the Epicureans, which heldthat all things came by chance; or of the Stoicks, which held that there was an tif&P$*-> a concatenation of all caufes, which caufed a fatal neceffity in every thing ; or of thofe which the learned call Naturalifts, which held that influences and inftinib produced every thing ; but all thefe opinions are but the foloecifmcs of diftempered wits, or the paradoxes of depraved reafon. But hath refined Religion no better Maximes ? yes, there all things arc terminated to the iuperiour regulation and difpoiition of a Divine providence. And can it be otherwife ? no, doubtlefTe he that ta- kjth the weight of the winds, and weigheth the waters by mea- fure, and hath made a decree for the rain, lightning, and thunder, Job 28.25, 26. which know all the fowls of the mountains, and thebeaflsof the field, Pfal. 50. 11. which hath his way in the whir Iwixid, ft or ms, and clouds, Nahutn. 1. 5. doth look to things of greater concernment, it cannot be but that he which doth number the hairs of our heads doth number other events. He that will notfuffer a [yarrow to fall to the ground but by his ap- pointment, he will not fuffer actions of higher moment to happen but by his order. For wherefore is it faid, that he doth fit upon the circle of the earth, If. 40.22. and that he doth tread upon the high places of the earth, Amos 5. 3. and that the earth is his footftool, If. 66. 1 . And that in his hands are all the corners of the earth, Pfal. 95. 4. And that his eyes do run to and fro through the whole earthy Zach. 4. I o. And that he is the hope of all the ends of the earth, Pfal. 65. 5 . And all the earth is called up to fear him, Pfal. 33.8. if he had not a fupreme jurifdi&ion, and a general government in all things that are acted upon earth > How can we call him Creatour, if be did look no better to the works of his hands ? or King, if his Soveraignty were no more difcerncd within his own Territories ? but he hath made all, and he doth govern all, he is King, and the fhaking of his Scepter is felt farre and nigh. Let nature then fland by as an Handmaid, and Fortune be looked upon as a Chimera, and Deftiny be ac- counted an Hobgoblin, and let all the honour be afcribed to Di- vine providence, for he is a ferious Infpe&our, and a folemn Di- I 3 rectour 7 o The man of Valour. r e&oar of all accidents in the world. S. tsfttgufline in his i . book of Retract, c. i . doth lament that ever he uled the word of For- tune, and he doth change it into -Providence. Yea Synefius /. i , de prov. faith, that Providence is like a Mother, which doth not onely bring forth a child, but doth conferve it when it hath given Qutsnon itaoeing. Who doth not feel that this world which is per felled fentiat in fuch an admirable manner, mufl needs be governed by fome bunc mm- providence ? becaufe nothing can fubfift without fome general dt*mtarn Moderatour. Providence to ^Plato was Adaftia, becaufe God JJ^ e % had an influence into all things ; and Ficinpu the great Inter- perfeflum preter of ylato , though he held there were medii fpiritus, aliqua middle {pints, which did order ail things, yet he held that Provi- providm- dence was the chief Governour. But ye will fay, what need all *'*?* this large difcourfe, when there is no man in thefe dayes which L*ftan.. ^ otn ^ en y Providence ? Yes, I have met with one in BufFe, that 3.20. was as ready to fight God out of the world, as his King out of the Throne, who held exprefly that all things came by nature, and that there was no providence ; and I doubt, that there was lately in that Army a Brigade of fuch Souldiers, for they could never have done fuch horrid things, if they had believed that there was a God which ruled in this world ; and I doubt that I may lift amongft thefe a great company of our Ruffians and He- ftours, high-witted Gentry , and quickfilver'd Difputants and Aftrologers, Chymifts, learned Phyficians, which are fo conver- fant with Nature ; and I am afraid, that many of our Hobling Divines are infected with this plague-fore. For our felves, let us beware of thefe new Dogmatizcrs, and hold nothing cafual, but hold that there is a great adminiftratory ordinating hand in hea- ven, which doth manage all the occurrences in this world. There is the Bails of all events, or the womb of all births, which do ap- pear here in time with their naked faces. There is a Spirit ( as it were ) in this Chaos of accidents, which doth bring out all things according to their diftin£t Natures ; whatfoever Angels do move upon the fides of the ladder, God is upon the top of it. The chief in ordering worldly things is the Lord. The Lord. Secondly, this doth ferve to beat down the great Idol of the 2 - Age, for how would Man fet up himfelf as a Numen ? His wit, his policy, his puifTance, his forging and fortifying, forcfeeing and fore- The man of Valour. yi Forccafting, (ketches of brain and ftratagems of action muft be adored. Thefe golden calves are worshipped from Dan to Bethel. Omne lignum habet vermem , there is no wood but hath a worm chryf. in it, and man hath a worm-eaten piece in hisbreft ; great parts are accompanied with ^rcat haughtinelfe, in (lead of f elf-denying there is nothing but felf-deifying. Vain-glory is an inward gar- Eyagr. ment that man is too much veftedwith. Many hate Popery, and yet are too much taken with their own merits. Man,with the Frog in the Fable would fwell himfelf to be as big as an Ox. Thefpirit J^^ of pride is the Waggoner in this Chariot. Tins fame *>**&«*, in hoc cur- which is an empty extolling of our felves, is too inherent in moft rueftfpi* of our natures. It is our ingenioufnefle which doth contrive,and rUH * A" our dexterity which doth a6t all. We take horns to our felves,^ '** and do facrifice to our own nets, and burn incenfc to our own yarn. But alas, what hath this atome to do to create this Moun- tain of defigns } what hath this fly that doth fit upon thefpoketo move the wheel of great actions ? \\o y . let us take out our own names out of fuccenes, and let us imprint Gods chara£r.eis. Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name let all the glory be given. What is't our potency ? no, let us afcribe greatnefTe unto him, with the Elders let us caft our Crowns at his feet , let the Sun fhine, and all the ftars lofe their light. A man by nature cannot fee his own face, let him not then eye his own excellencies. Away therefore with idolizing thy felf , the true Deity is to be a- dored, the Lord. The Lord. Stand by fervant, there is a Ma- iler fiift to be looked upon ; give leave, give way Infer iour, and fufrer thy Better to be ferved before thee, the Lord. The Lord, Thirdly, this doth ferve to reprove them which are addicted to 5 unlawful arts, which like Strunnius Crorocatta, which S. Jerome doth fpeak of,who changed himfelf fo often into a Lion,a Dragon, a Chimera, that he was called a new Beaft made of many Mon- fters ; yea, as the Telenires built Amos with the Stygian water,fo .thefe erect their defigns by any manner of helliuh projects. Let them but thrive, and they care not by what means they do profper, be it by perjury, treafon, inchantmenc, witchcraft,confulting with Magicians, Aftrologers, nay with the Devil himfelf. Abfalom^ which depended upon his s/fchitophel; Pharaoh upon his Iannes^ and Iambres ; the wife of Jeroboam which ran to BeUebub ; the King Vint. Con- Tlin I.7. c. z. Aniomn. liberal, in Met a* wrph. 4- Defenfir eft mum-, quos in cliente/a babet, Ja- cob. Sj>ie* gel. loVna I. yi The man of valour. King of Babylon, which looked into the liver ; the Israelites which took counfelof them which did peep and mutter, not woife then the Pra&itioners of thefe later times, many Statefmen ha- ving taken thcfe men of the black art for their privy Counfellours and familiar fpirits ; oh deformed vifages, more horrid then the Morians / oh Hags of Common-wealths which are fit for nothing but with their Fiends to torment Nations / like the Tbybes which Pint arch fpeaks of, which are able to infect all with their breath; or like the BythU, which killed all men with their fiery eyes. How do thcfe wicked Artifts murther all which converfe with them ? as all the women which lay with UMlnos King of Crete, were poy- foned to death by his venemous conftitution. Oh wo and alas then, that many of our Religious fcrofeflbur's are too inward and intimate with thefe / Do fuch talk of God, and have Scripture as the breath of their lips, and yet knock at hell-gates for advice, and dig to the bottomleffe pit for inventions, to get fire-brands from Tophet to burn Common-wealths, and to borrow teeth from the roaring Lion to tear in pieces their enemies ? Is not Belz^ebub the Prince of darknelte the God they pray to ? is not Magick their Scripture ? and Divination their Creed ? Oh beware of thefe men which ftudy in the dark, and make Abaddon, s^polly- on the Prefident of their councel, or the Mafter-gunncr to dif- charge their Ordnance, what from the living to the dead} from the immortal God to infernal fpirits ? Is Hell now become an Academy ? thefe are like to be bad ftudents, and vvovfe Gradu- ates. Juft Counfels are not to be fetched from the clofe Commit- tee but from Gods Counfel-table. The wife Direftour of all law- full attempts muft be the Lord. The Lord. Fourthly, this doth fliew the confidence that people may have, if God be the Patron of their caufe, Cod is the Defendant of them whom he hath under hi* protection ; he is a tutelar Numen, for If God be with us, who can be agalnfl us ? He is Ucc^fUTv?, aula flat centra omnes adverfarlos, becaufe he doth (land for us , againft all our adverfarics. What Enemy can appear before UB, or keep his ground, if the Lord arife in our defence ? David then with a ftoneout of a fling can deitroy the great GolUh ; Samf- fon with the jaw-bone of "an AiTe con lay heaps upon heaps. I read of Petrus Surra, that he fought feventeen pitched battels, and The man of Valour. 73 and prevailed in all, and that CM. Servilius got the upper hand SaUl £* in three and twenty battels ; and the Saints under the Lord, who c*. is the Lord of hotis, fhall ever come out of the field with triumph. Though Conon the great Captain of the Athenians loft a Sea-fight againft Lyfander,zn& wonne a Land-fight loon after of the fame L) fancier, yet was it ever known that the Lord had thefe various turns in war,to be fometimes winner fometimes loofer ? no, he may be called the perpetual Conquer our. O happy they then which dwell between the fhoufders of the Lord, Deut.3 3.1 2. tnat can f av > & a 4 himfelf is with us for a Captain, 2 Chron. 13. 12. For is there any fear of the fucceffe of the day ? no, their hands fhall be made firongby the mighty God of Jacob, Gen. 40. 24. The blafl of the terrible Ones fhall be likj aftorm againfl the wall, Ifa.2 5. 4. They that fight under his banners fhall be as a Lion amongfi the beafts of the forrefl, and as a young Lion amongft a flocks of fheep, if they go through, they fhall tread down, tear in pieces, and there fhall be none to deliver, Micah 5.8. They fhall not lie down till they have eaten of the prey, and drunk^of the blood of the [lain, Num. 23.24. For who can refill: the Omnipotent, or put to flight the invincible ? no, his name is the Lord, and he will be' the Lord. Conquer! is then on your fides which march under his colours, ye cannot be diivcn backward, or broken in pieces, but ye fhall come upon your enemies 3 s mortar , and bray them under your feet as the Potter treadeth the clay, ye are fure of victory, for your Cap- tain-General is the Lord. The Lord. Now let us come to the Favourite, Gideon. The Lord is with thee. With thee f with whom ? Qui f nam tu ? Who art thou ? It was Gideon, one little thought on, le(Te efteemed. For though he came of a good houfe, his Father Joafh being at that time the Father of the E^rites, and that houfe might have been of great honour and fplewdour in former Ages, yet then many Families did exceed it, though not in antiquity, yet in dignity ; for faith he, Behold my Father is poor in CManaffeh , and I am the leafl of my Fathers houfe, yet this fame half-great-man is he whom the Lord would make his whole-great Captain ; for it is notfaid that the Lord is with (ome of the Potentates, or the Princes of the Tribes, but thou Gideon art the perfon which the Lord hath fixed upon, The Lord is with thee. From hence obfervc, that the K worlds 74 The man of valour. worlds Inferiors are divers times the Lords prime Agents ; Thou, kjaowefl not the worl^ of God, which worketh all, Ecclef. II. 5. that is, thou knoweft not how , or by whom he will woik. The feeble may be as David, Zach. 12.8. The lame may take away the prey, £ia. 33. 23. The Lovd can find grapes in the wilder- nefTe , and caufe a Raven to bring meat in her bill to feed his Chui ch. The grajfe of my planting [hall be the work^ of mine own hands, that J may be glorified, Efa. do.2 1 .A little grafte God can make as fruitful as the goodiicft tree , this is the work, or fuch is the work of his own hands , that therein he might be glorified. When God will bleiie infirm things, howpowerfull are they ? the hold- ing up of hands can flake down men as well as pole-axes, the blow- ing of ti umpets c;:n (hake down walls as well as battering rammes, a very jaw-bone may (laughter enemies as well as a two-edged Sword. See Gods inftruments, very mean, and yet very effectual; and fes Gods Champions, very vulgar , and yet very victorious. God chofe one out of the Flags to fmite Pharaoh out of his Throne , and one in fack-choth to break the neck of Haman the great Courtier ; and a Shepherd with a (ling in his hand to (hike dead the great G oil ah. Thus then Oyid. 1. F lamina magna, vldesparvls de font lb us orta, rm°.d. Thou feeit great Rivers to arife from fmaU fprings, high a£ts to be Senec. cp t performed by inferiour men. In minimis rebus f&pe res magna 1 o,z. deprehenduntur , In the fmallefi things oftentimes great things are obferved ; Thofe whom the world have not the greateft opi- nion of,God divers times doth make them Mirrours. He doth take the poor out of the mire, and fet them with Princes. If thou canft raife thy Darlings, furely God can raife his Favourites. The little mi:ftard~feed may grow up to be a great tree wheyei a the Fowls of the air may build their nefts. For a Commander ±^?. by God it need not be faid , that compleat Artillery is wkh thee, or a well difciplined Army is with thee, or ftrong Caftles are with thee , but onely The Lord Is with thee , for this fame The Lord Is with thee, doth bring Ammunition, Troops and Garrifons along with it ; The Lord, and his Second /ve abk to do the work by themfclves. The Lord is not alwaies with the tryed Souldiers, or with them in the chief place, or with them that the whole Nation have admired, and eyen adored, ( for wc have feen redoubted Souldiers that have gone The man of Valour. 75 gone forth on conquering and to conquer , and won ftrange vi- „ Tories, at laft defeated, and difperfed even to aftoniilimcnt ) but the Lord is where the world doth lcaft look for his prefence , and expect his aid , the Lord is for fome latitant Commander , one that doth live in a fecret corner , under the Oakc of Ophrah , far oft* from the place where the work fhould be done , and far un- likely ever to effect it , and to fuch an one doth he yield his afli- ftence. The Lord is with thee. Gideon (hall fooner winne the field againft the Mldlanltes , then all the Heroes of the feveral Tribes. So that as we know not what God will doe for his Church, nor at what time, fo we know not by what perfon, Naiades ignorant, Ignorat & Inachtu ipfe. Ortd* r: All the Ripe heads of the world know not Gods fecrets , it is be- ***um. yend mans fcarching. Caufas penltus tent are latentes , y ■ To pry into thefe hidden caufss. If thou knoweft not the way of faiU, an Eagle in the aire , nor of a Sfpent upon a ftone , thou dort not know Arcana Imperii , The fecrets of Gods State-policy. obfeurum vobis , pleblqne Velrfga Tnims EJfe rear Thefe are oblcurities that all the Sages of the earth I believe can- not bring to fight. Here we fee , that every Tribe thought they had better Chieftains then Gideon , and yet God doth put toe leading {taffj into his hand, The Lord is with thee ; not millions of mony arc with thee, w-fildeon at this time had none ofthe rich- eft purfe ; nor the votes of the Trices are with thee, no, they would never have chofen him ; nor great Allies are with thee, no, Gideon had none of the gfeatcft Confedeiates ; nor great heirs are with thee, no, the Count; cy w:s not forward, and God was backward concerning this, for Ifrael (hall not vaunt agalnfl me, and [ay my hand hathfaved me, Judg. 7. 2. Gideon flood alon^ as ir were by himfe'if for awhile, he had none but himfelf,and one fecret Friend, The Lord , The Lord Is with thee. But Gideon ihall not be long alone, no, this one Friend will bring him Friends enough , the Lord will feech him in the confent ofthe Nacion , the confederacy of the Nation, Allies, Treafures , Troops, what not? ail things llull be with him, fo long as the Lord is with him. So that the In- feriour is made a Supei iour ; he that threfhed his wheat by the K 2 wine- 7 6 The man of Valour. wine-prefTe, and hid it for fear of the Midianites, fhall now goe r and threili the Medianites,imd make them fly out of the husk ; So that Gods Commandeis are ftrange CommandciS ; he creates mean Agents to do the moft memorable things , that as our Saviour by clay and fpittlc made a ftrange medicine , fo by ***bilia medi- camenta (as Hippocrates doth call them) ordinary receipts, he doth work foveraign Cures. He doth perfetl his praife out of weakjtefs. There was a little City and a great King came againfl it, and com- pared it about, and built Torts againfl it , And there was found tn it a certain poor wife man , and he delivered the City by his ypifdome, Ecclef. 9. 14, 1 5. Poor men may be pretious men, poor men may be potent men , bright Lamps may thine in homely fockets , rich gold may be found in a barren foyl , Pearls may be Ad*g. fiilied out in common ftreams. Th: old faying was Dithyrambus won eft,ji bib at aquam y That that man was not fit to ling fongs to Bacchus which did drink nothing but water , but they which have had no other wine-cask but the running Fountain, have been made by God the mofl melodious Chanters upon rhe face of the earth. A ia«*e beauty may come out of a flaves womb , excellent Phyftck roc y be extracted out of a Wall-flower. The Fabii , the Fabritii, rero )ud. tne Cincinnati jam? at laft to be the nobleft Families in Homeland v proy. yet they had but a very mean beginning, as- Salvian faith. He 17H hb.i. that hath no other palfrey to carry him but his feet, may at laft f Zt afcendere vehiculum , mount the Chariot, Quemadmodum in J neC £ f via,fc in vita , <*^As it doth happen in a joumey,fo in a mans life. € ap.i. "' Hz that doth carry the leaft of the worlds ponderous things upon Lud Viv. h\<± back, doth out-run him in promotion , which is moft laden with de v. jap.) 1 kh pofTclilons. Cleomenes fuperat cubile , Cleomenes doth get in °^' 3 • time better lodging, then the firft bed which he did lie upon : Tot a domus Codri rhe da, componitur una , The houfe of Codrus at the beginning was no more then one little Cart. How many great deliverances have been procured by mean Agents I how many glorious Conquefts have been wonne by the Minumes of worldly greatnefle ? the Champions of the earth have not alwaies been of the higheft defcent. Phocion the great Cap- Tht. \n um Q c Athens, glor iab at ur paupertate, ut virtute, gloried in his * 0C ' poverty as well as in his virtue or prowejje. Claudian faith that Pauper The man of Valour. jy Tauper erat Curl us reges cum vinceret omnes , claudian (furius had but a mean cftate, and yet he overcame all the Kings J Con ^' of his time. L. 7\ Exnillus the glory of Rome , who conquered p/ T ' de Greece for them, yet had no great patrimony to boaft of. Titus yir x \\ u fi. Mlnntins which attained at Iaft to high principality ; yet had not Diodor. once feven talents to redeem a beloved flave. Almohadi who was Sunt. atlaftonc of the great Miralmumims of Africk^, was at firft *?**%*£ n but a Potteisfon. Zingis who was one of the greateft conquerours ^ that ever the earth beheld, yet at firft was but a Smith. So that what iiiould we talk. of poffeflions, and progeny ? the world I con- feffe will chcofe none but thofe which are of high defcent,and high fortunes ; but in defpieht of the world's contempt they may be ho- noured which are here abafed. God ye fee doth here neither re- fpeer wealth nor womb , one of no great family was his Favourite, even Gideon ; he pafs'd by all the eminent men of the Tribes, and tell him by his Angel that the Lords prefence was principally limit- ed to him ; The Lord is with thee. Now there are many reafons to confirm this. Firft, becaufc the ordinary way is not ufually the fucceffe full way, therefore God doth choofe by himfelfe,~and doth not ty up himfelfe to mans rules, but doth follow the method ofhisownc providence. God feet h not as man feeth, nor God he/ pet h not as man helpeth. It is not an arme of flciTi , but a confecrated arme, which muft do his work; how little is done in the world noflro Marte, by our own power jfc permilTively there may, but not regu- larly, legitimately, and app; -obatively; no, wo be to our hand at. Jaft,and our handy-work, if we do not borrow a ftretch from Gods right hand. Luna radiis non mature felt hotrus , the green grape of our defignes will not ripen by the moonclTune of our endeavours,if there be not the funfhine of Gods bleiTing, Manca eft- omnium Proffer. mortallum induftrla, niji favor afpiret Divinus , The induftry of all mortals is lame , unleffe it be ftrengthened by Divine favour. Our help flandeth in the name of the Lord^ he he I pet h the arm that bath no ftrength, and is our arm every morning. Therefore thou hadft need to fay to God, Help Lord , for vain is the help of man, the help of man without thy help. Ad te confugio^fupplex tua numina pofco , jB fly to thee oh Lord, and fuppliamly implore thy fuccour. Infi- K 3 nitc. 78 The man of valour. nice waies may be ufed, and all fruitlefTc , till God doth conic to his new way,his unknown way, his own and proper way ; Many a well-wifher may be no well A&OCtf , but end with diigrace and dishonour, till God doth raife up his own Party, his Gideon. 2. Secondly , becaufe the Church iliall know that God for her fake will work miracles. For is it not a miracle to raife up fuch an one as Gideon to be the inftrument of a general good > the great Mar- tial Commanders in all the Triocs could not do it , and Gideon fhall do it ; look upon this as the work of Heaven , behold it as a miracle ; for what elfe can it be when God doth out-wit us in his actings ? and relieve us when we were at our wits ends ? fuch a mercifull, fuch a miraculous preferver have we , who is not onely great In councel, but excellent in his workj, Efa. 28. 29. Glori- ous In hollneffe, fearfull m prayfes, doing wonders, Exod. 15. 11. We cannot crufh our adverfaries with ail our power , and he doth breast he mighty without feekjng , and fetteth up others in their ftead, Job 34. 24. We cannot difpatch them in many years, and he makes a quick riddance of them. For when he draweth the mighty by his power, none is fure of his life, though men give them affurance that they are Infafety , yet they are exalted but for a little, they are gone, they are brought low as all others, they are de- ftroyed, they are cut off 'like an ear of Com, Job. 24. 22, 2 3, 24. And is not this now then fo memorable , that it may be called miraculous ? yes, God doth terrible things for us, that we looked not for, Efa. 64. 3. He doth marvalls , fuch as have not been done In all the earth, nor In any Nation , Exod. 34. 10. Have we not Precedents of this ? yes, how wonderfully were the Ifrae- lltes delivered out of the hands cf Pharaoh >,J ablnSenacherlb < was it not a miracle for God to raife up an Ehud to kili Eglon ? a Jephtha to conquer the Ammonites ? and a Sampfon to lubdue the Phlllftlnes. When all the wife States-men cannot cure a Na- tion , then God hath an^l^*?*^^*, a rare medicine of his own preparing, and compounding , which was never heard of before. Dentet »*-.Wc can have nothing gnawn afunder for us , but by tht ftrcmgefl we*, quam teeth , but God can have the teeth of a Moth to tear things in derates a- pieces for him, as well as the teeth of the Boar of the Forreft. The pn. Hugo ^ ma |j £- t j rie W01 -id can humble and confound his enemies , ns well l. durum. as tn€ & reat anc * mi g nt V- Things of wonder fhall have as little of man The man of Valour. 79 man mingled in them as may be, that in marvellous things the ^ ttnvg - power of God might onely be admired, Yea,that he might bring yftifani*- forth a work that all the world might acknowledge to be Divine, u r4 & he doch divers times have it difcerned by the Agent; he dothyfr j>oten~ find ow fudj an one as the people in genera! had the leaf! hopes *** factin- of, he doth raife up a Cjideon. God will ftand as In mount Pe- *"> A *b ra&im, and as in the valley of Gibeon ; and do his work^ hi* ftrange work^, and bring to pajfe his acl, his ftrange all, Ifa. 28.21. Thirdly, becaufe the Lo'd will lliew the world, that by one man ?• he can blefle multitudes, JEmathi* columen Felu, one Felu (hill be the pillar of all JEmathia ; fo one Agent fhall fupport a whole caufc, a whole Church. That whereas in the courfe of Nature oftentimes many cannot blefle one, here divers times by Divine providence one fhall blefle a multitude. One CMofes made a Prince and Deliverer by the hand of the Angel which appeared to him in the bufh,At\s 7. 35. One Zorobabel made a Jignet of Ornament and welfare to the whole Nation of the Jc\\s,Hag. 2. 24. Onz CMordecai appointed/-*? procure the wealth of his people, and to fpeahjpe ace ably to all his feed, Efter 10. 3. One E- liakjm made a Father of the inhabitants of Jerufalem, and of the houfe of Judah, and the k^7 of the houfe of David fhall be laid upon his (boulders, and he fhall be faftened as a nail in a fure place, and he fhall be for the Throne of glory to his Fathers houfe, and they (hall hang upon him all the glory of his Fathers houfe, even of the nephews andpofterity, Ifa. 22. 2 1,22,2 3,24. As all die names of the Tribes were written upon one ftick^, Ezek.37.15. fo all the bleifmgs of a Nation may be written upon one man. As Phocion for the high fei vices which he had done for the Atheni- ans was called Chreftus, the profitable, and Fabins for the great deliverances which he procured,was called Clypeus Romx,the Tar- get of Rome, and Valerius for the general protection which the people often received from him, was called Publicola, the prefer- ver of the Public^ fo one man may be profitable and beneficial! to the generality, yea dec us, & tutela Pelafgi JVominis. The glory and fafeguard cf the whole Nation, Secnieft th-u oh Gideon go The man of Valour. Gideon never fuch anlnferiour, yet I will make the world know the worth of thee ; the Tribes think thou art but a fingle perfon, and therefore it is but a very little good that thou canft do in fo great an extremity, but they fhall fee that they do prejudice thee, and derogate from me ; for though thou beed but One, *md the lead in thy fathers houfe, yet I will make the leaf! and greater!: be- holding to thec . Thou art onely to be their Deliverer, when up- on experiment they could not all this while deliver themfclves. Let them put all their (trength together and fee if they can cxpell the Midianites ; no, Slaves they have been and Slaves they will con- tinue, if they have no better affiitance then their own ; it is thou Gideon that muft do the work for them ; therefore to ffiew that I have rerlrained all my tutelar power to thee, I promife my p re- fence and preservation onely to thy perfon. The Lord is with thee. 4 Fourthly, becaufe the Lord would animate him unto the work. For Gideon was lo mean in his own eyes, that he thought fuch an under-Captain fhould never be able to bring any thing to perfe- ction ; but difcourage not thy felf, faith God to Gideon, for I am thine, the Lord is with thee ; therefore though thou been 1 mean, I am mighty, though thou beeft low, I am high, though thoubeelt. impotent yet I am the Omnipotent ; remember that thou doft not depend upon thine owo arm, or go forth in thine own (trength, but The Lord is with thee. How difmaid might many a man be in being the chief A&our in a great work, if he looked onely up- on his own power and puifTance, he might fly from it rather then clofe with it ; but the moft Abject in the world how fortified may he tbe , if he can be perfwaded that he hath the Lords pre- Intimtu fence going along with him, that he is made the Intimate of the cunttortun heavenly powers, as Pythla the prophctefs of Apollo told Lycur- celicela- ^ m ^ | ie ma y t ^ Qn re f i vc U p ou anv thing , yea, incounter with the rum* g rea teft difficulties, knowing that (asitwasfaid of Judah) his hands {hall be f efficient for him, Deut. J 3. 7. as God encouraged Jofuah, Be flrong and of a good courage, fear not nor faint, for I the Lord thy God am with thee whither -foever thou goeft, Jof. 1 .Q. There is fuch a league between God and his choice and chofen Paler. M.Ag cncs > that as he that fought the life of Decius Brutus ihould /. 4.C.7. feck the life of Servlus Terentius too, fo they that fcek to del troy Gods The man of Valour. 81 Gods Champion fhall feck to deftioy God himfelf ; for they two arc fo joyned together, that they are like to the facred Cohort a- mongit the Thebanes y they mingle blows in all extremities, & fuffer JJJjJ^* equally in all accidents ; yea, as it was faid of Celrickjiwd'Cleonlph two Kings of the Weil-Saxons, that they brake a fpear between them, that he that aflauked the one fhould affault the other alfo ; So God hath broken a fpear with his warlike Delegate, that he that fhikes at the Delegate fhall feemto fmite at God himfelf VTht vio- lence done to me and myflejh be upon Babylon, and what doth fol- low ? Thus faith the Lord, I will plead thy caufe, and take ven- geance for thee, Jer. 51. 35,36. God and his Champion are Confc The Lord is with thee, 6 # Sixtly, becaufe God would take all pride out of his Comman- ders heart ; for, Gideon, thou faift that thy Fathers houfe is poor, and that rhou art the leaft in thy Fathers houfe, then thou canft call in but few Voluntiers and gather few bands of thy felf ; no, it muft not be thou by thy felf, but the Lord with thee, it is the Lord that muft be thyMufter-mafterand raife the Country for thee,thou didft well therefore to lay, ^Ah Lord, whereby (ball I Jave Ifra- e I ? Judg. 6. i 5. whereby indeed ? thine own ability and au- ■ thoncy is too weak, it is not thou but the Lord with thee which i-x'hi mu ^ ^° tms § reat wor k to ^ avc a P eo P lc ' ^hey are tne keft Lea- m xn fa dei s then which take their fword at the firft out of Gods hand,. Um, am and at laft hang it upon Gods Altar. Oh it is a lingular thing to giarifam to fee an humble Commander, which in the height of his confi- txore exr d tn ce doth make the Lord his confidence. It is a rare thing to A*V ' r °~ rcat * °^ * Timoleon the Corinthian Captain, that nothing infolent *Non tint ^r vain-glorious ever came out of his mouth; * for indeed wrought fecunU to do our duty to our Country, not onely without the expectation felhm fid f fa reward of falary, but of applaufe. It was an heroical fpi- %****• rit of P. Sclplo^ that when the Romans for his great conqucft Flat, in 0YCr r ^ e Carthaginians, would have fet up Statutes for him in the 4rijbd, Scnatc-houfe^ and the pleading-places, and the chappel of Jupiter •? and The man of Valour. 8 3 and would have had his image adorned with a triumphal Orna- ment, and laid upon the bolfters of the Capitol in a Tabernacle p ^ m where they placed the Im gesof their gods, and that for his good ,„ mi y rf _ fcrvices they would have given him the Confulfliip and perpetual cufandi* Di6htourfhip, he modeftly refufed all thefe,and rejected honours honoribu* with as great courage as he gained them ; and fo indeed ought a\\f e Z e f** tf good Captains to do,not to pride thcmfelves in their great 3^Q r JLgjji to vaunt and glory in their dilcomfiting enemies, but tokifTe Gods eme rendi*, hand, and engrave their conqucfts upon Gods fword. For theVal.Max. Lord doth fight for them, and deliver their enemies Into their f.4-««*« hands, the bat tell is his, i Sam. 17. 47. He doth go before their face, 2 Sam. 5. 24. his t err our doth fall upm their adverfaries y Exod. 23, 27. He doth put them to flight, 2 Chron. 25.8. make thempoffefie their gates, Gen. 24. 60. breaks their bows, Jer. 49, 25. He doth give them the walls of their palaces, Lam.2. 7. yea give them their neckj> Gen. 49. 8. What hath the moit fa- mous and fortunate Commander to afcribe any thing to himfelf, or his own prowclTe ? no, he fhould turn all his fucceffes into fa- crifices, and all his victories into vi crimes ; that is a field well wonne, and he is the pious Conquerour, where God doth go away with nil triumphs and trophies; that man might have onely the favour of the victory, but God the fame ; man the benefit, but God the blerlm-; ; man the priviledge,but God the praife. For man is not the fole Act our in this high ac>, nor the principal but the fubordinate ; it is not mans hand which hath fcatteicd or flaugh- r.ercd, no, he may thank his good Coadjutour. It is not the Cham- pion by Jiimfeif, but the Lord with him. The Lord is with thee. This doth firft fhew, that Gods Champion Is a Saint. The *• Lo: d doth paffe by all the eminent men in the Tribes, and choofe i/fppi* onely Gideon. The Lord Is with thee, and why with him ?be- caufe he was with God ; God defignes him, becaufe he would de- flroy Baal ; he hath no great eftate, but he hath a good heart ; he was no Prince of the Tribes, but he doth cxcell all the Princes in zeal ; the zealous creature then is Gods precious creature ; God cares not for grandure but for grace ; not for pomp but for piety; net for vantage but for virtue. It is true, in this world the rich mans goods are hlsftrong confidence, but with God they arc but a L 2 very 84 The man of Valour. very weak confidence. • That which is to be dejired of a man is his gcodnejfe, and this God doth chiefly dcfirc and delight in. In the world there arc many motives to incline men to approbation, but with God there is but one, Juv.Satyr. Unica virtus, ' Virtue, and virtue alone, this is that which before him $ j ' J,c ' Intaminatisfulgethonoribus, doth fliine with unfpotted honour. The man which is efteemed in heaven.is not he which doth excel! in revenue above many, but he tyulenua which doth fear God above many ,Nzh. 7. 2. for wealth without fmevtrtw v j rtue [^fa no delight with God ; he \s a God of y'ure eyes, and hetvolu- ' tnere iS no °bje& fo pleafing to his fight as purity. * The Stock, ptatenty which God doth value is virtue. Therefore if ye would know Maxim, who is Gods Commander know it by the integrity of his Religi- Monacb.) oru jf y e can £ n( j a man yfo 1S ^^ p j nt€C { t0 Gods caufe, magna anc ^ ^* s neart nan g perpendicularly with the purity of worship, fimt wrft£ anc * keepeth his meafures Diametrically with that, that is the man tes> ^ug. fent of God. Ye may fee it here in Gideon, he had not the 110- ^Mar&.bleft family, nor the moft fplcndid means, but he had a jealous J.2.C.2. fpi r i t f or hi s God, and God chofehim for that ; God loved him becaufe he was Jerub-Baal, a prof eft enemy to the falfe deity that was Competitour with him in Divine honours. The Tribes had no fuch fervent affections in them, no, they were tainted in their inwards, the Gangrene fpread over all the Country ; who but Ba- al with them I infomuch that when Gideon had deftroyed his Image, and pulled down his Altar, they were ready to have fired the houfe upon him, or to have cut him in pieces, if they could have got him. For when the Idol was rafed, They faid one to another, who hath done this ? and it was faid Gideon the fonne of Joajh. Then the men of the city faid unto Joafh, bring out thy fon that he may die : for he hath deftroyed the altar of Baal, and cut down his grove, Judg. 6, 29,30. Yea, the people notonely fhewed this fury to promote Baals worfhip by his life time, but they fell into as great rage after his death ; for fo foon as ever they had laid G ideon underground, up mud: the altar of Baalhzizx. again. For when Gideon the fon of Joafh was dead, the children 4>f Ifrael turned away and went a whoring after Baalim, and made B aalberith their God, Judg, 8. 3. Where, if I may turn Expofu The man of Valour. 85 Expofitour, there are three things very obfervable. Firft, that the religion of many men is but a fmooth compliance ; folong as a good Governour doth live they will conform, but let but an oppor- tunity come that they can get rid of him,& my bofome Baalift doth appear ; the Israelites are one fort of men whilft Gideon is living, and another fort of men when he is dead. Secondly, that though corruption in Religion be abfolute whoring, yet thefe old Lechers will be renewing acquaintance with their old Strumpets. Third- ly,that there is nothing that doth tie the ftnot of Errour fo ftrongly as a Religious bond, for this Baal was Baalberith the god of their covenant ; oh that they had Covenanted with him,this is the con- fcience of the caufc ; there was little conscience to God, but great confidence to Boat, oh their holy Covenant ftuck deeply with them ; they bad taken an oath to God, and they care not to be perjured ; but they had framed up of themfelvcs a Covenant to Baal, and that pious Covenant miift not be violated; Baal Will hardly ever be forfaken if he be Baalberith. But thefe are but fpcculations by the way, the main thing is, that the Tribes in ge- neral were for Baal, and he was Baalberith ; now why fhould God take up a Covenanter for his Champion, or one that would perfift in the Covenant ? no, Gods Commander muft be a Saint, one that would abrenounce the Covenant and abolifh Baal, There- fore God doth leave all the Tribes and cleave onely to Gideon ^Gi- deon thou art a good Church-man, and therefore thou fhal: be Gods Camp-man. The Lord is with thee. Secondly, this doth fhew, that Religion doth give the greateft afTurance ; the Saint is the moft certain Conquerour upon earth ; he that will null the Covenant, and break B-aal into fhiveis, and turn firm and fidele to his God, that man fhall have conqueft wait upon his Eniigns ; for the Lord is with him, and his Lord will be Lord and vanquifh all the new made lords ; Committees of Safety, iliall be but Committees of Sedition,and made Committees of fer- vility, fhame, flavery, fubverfion. The Committees fliall break up and be broken in pieces ; for what are an hoft of Anakims and Zanzummims to oppofe a true Saint ? no,no weapon that is formed fhallprofper. The Midianites that have dealt fo wilily fhall have their skins plucked off, as from the backs of cunning Foxes, and fcarcely there fliall be feen any of their cubs remaining. Away L 3 Baah %$ 7 be mm of valour. Baalberith when Jerub-baal doth come. What fhould I fay > The htart of the wicked is little worthy and the hand of a Pi<>my can do as much ; but the heart of a Saint is much worth, and his hand is like the hand of nAdmi, or Ez,ni, the firft. of Davids three Wot chics, 2 Sam. 23. 10. They were the Saints which by their faith fubdued Kingdomes, of weak were made ftrong, waxed • -valiant in battel, and put to flight the Armies of Aliens, Heb, 1 1 . 34. They are the Saints which have the high afis of God in the'ir mouths, and a two-edged f word in their hands to execute venge- ance, Pfal. 149. 6. God is faid to cleanfe their J word, Joel 3. 2 1 . Yea, he does promife himfelf to be the f word of their glory, Deut. 33. 29. God is pleafed to call to fuch to arife and threfh, for he will make their horn iron and their hooves braffe, ,for they (ball be able to breal^in pieces many people, Micah4.i3. None (hall be able to ft and before them, Deut. 11.25. They (hall not ly down till they eat of the prey, and drinks the blond of the flain, Lattant. Num. 23.24. Virtus felicitas. Virtue doth carry felicity with Aug. it. Qui pr&fumit de viribus fuis, ant e quam p ugnat pr oft emit ur, He that doth prefumeupon his own fhength, is vanquished before he doth fight ; but he that goeth forth in the ftrength of the Lord, Bern.De ^oth ma ^ e bis. enemy fly when he doth but denounce war afar off. noramUi- Si hnafuerit caufa pugnantis,pugn£ exit us maltts effe nonpotefl. t'ta. If the caufe of fighting be good, there cannot be an evil end. Homer. 'Af^oTttfi &*vels ? Can there not be then a worthy Captain , but- he rruift match the beft of his times in worldly dignity? ycs,<7 1 deon was the leaftof his Fathers houfe, and yet the greater! in Godse- fteem. The Lord was with him rather then with the Princes of the Tribes. The Lord is with thee. Fourthly, this ferves to lnew that we ought never to difpair of 4, help, if we have ingratiated our felves into the Lord ; for cannot he_ when we are in a deplorable condition raifc.up a Gideon > yes, he 88 The man of valour. he hath a prefervativc againft all dangers, when we think that pe- ril is beyond prevention. He can call light out of darkneffe, and caufe things that are not to bring to nought things that are, i Cor. I. 26. wlio can find oui the Lord to perfection ? how unfearcha- ble are his judgements, and his wales p aft finding out, Rom.i 1.33. Dens provldebit in monte , The Lord fhall provide for us in the mount, fh doth know our difeafe, and will provide for us a re- ctypfift' medy. Slcut lac fine laborc , as milk doth come out of the mo- htm <%%.m t | ierS b rca fl. without any labour ; fo help doth come from the Lord * without any difficulty. Digittts Del , The finger of God can do more then the arms of Giants. 0v ^ 4< Ad op em brevis hora ferenda eft , Met, Though mifery hath continued many years,yet in a fhort hour God can caufe an happy redrefTe of all things. Stay but Gods time , and doubt not of his power. Who hath defpifed the day of [mall things} fma II things may turn to be great things : The w aft e ground may flourifh as the Rofc. Out of the Defart may be gathered a Pofey to rcfiefh thee with a fragrant fent : He that can bring forth Maz,z>aroth in his feafon, can bring forth a Deliverer, at his fit opportunity; If the Lord of Hofts hath pur po fed a thing , who (hall dlfannull it } if his hand be ftretched out , who (hall turn it back^ ? Efa. 14. 27. The brains of Politicians will ake to coniult againft the Omnifcient God , and the armes of He- roes will be fliivered to fight againft the Omnipotent God. Thou maift lay thy hand upon thy defignes , and threaten terrour to all them which do oppofe thee , but haft thou an arm like God ? and canft thou thunder with a voice like him ? Alas poor Infect of pride, Glow-worm of haughtineflfe, and Ant of vain glory/ who art thou to enter the lifts with him, who fitteth between the Che- rubims, who flieth upon the wings of the wind , and rideth upon th£ Heavens as an horfe?Hc will but call for a Fly and it fhall tor- ment thee,and hit's for a Bee, and it fhall fting thee to death. By defpifed agents God will work wonders : For In that day the Lord (hall defend the Inhabitants ofjerufalem, and the feeble (hall be as the ^Angel of the Lord before them, Zach. 12.8. Fear not oh worm Jacob,t'or he will defend a worm, and by a worm , a defpifed creature, will he deliver an afflicted creature. Help then [s far from the imgodly,but when are we to feck for help if the Lord be the Patron of our caufe ? no, if we were brought to Jehofap hat's exigent, The man of Valour. $9 exigent, that we are info reed to cry out , W ; e are not able to ft and before this great multitude which doth come out againft us, neither do we kj;ow what to do, but our eyes are towards thee , 2 Chron. 20. 12. yet it" our fi^k be truly fixed upon him , our eyes may fee (bange things. For Thorns there may grow Firre-trees , and for Nettles Myrrh-trees, Efa. 55.13. God can raife np rulnes, and build them up as in the dayes of old, Kmos 9.1 1 .When every mans hands arc upon his loins as a womanin travail,and all faces do ga- ther palcncffe, and cry alas for this day, for none hath been like it, it is even the time of Jacob's trouble , yet can God then breakjhe bonds , and grangers fh 'all no more ferve themj elves of his people , Jer. 3 o. 6, 7, 8 . When mens doovs are fhut up, and people in ge- neral lock up themielvcs, as afraid to fhew their faces for the fuc- cour of a diltreffed people , yet a door of hope may be opened in the Valley of Achor, and after penfive plaints and grones , people imyfing again as in the dayes of their youth , Hof. 2.15. Shall thefe dry bones live ? yes , as dead and as dry as they are , yet the Spirit of life may enter, and bone may come again to bone , and they may be flelhed and skinned,and become a great Army .Things are never fo fetlcd in a fad condition, but a man may (as Pythago- « « ^ ras's great word was, %oun^Jux^H9 , fee things in a new ftatc, or deFrovS. fee things which were never feen. wherefoever divine pro. z. vidence doth work^ it doth fruftrate all contrary things. Mifery rtuun u j f j r# this Nation for the great victory which he got at Dagincourt ( or *# jit/fa. as fomc, at Agin-court ) fall down upon his knees, and with tea;s, and hymncs blelTe God ; enjoyning thanksgivings for many dayes after to be kept in the Churches, and the day of Crifpin, p iyj m St Crifpinian to be annually kept in a moft facred manner to the Vtrg.l,i*t honour, and memory of the high blelTing of the day ? oh then that we like a people which know not, or will not know what do belong to tablets, Records, the mufkk of favours, and the peace- offering of deliverances do only tell ftorics, drink healths,weare plumes, put on a cap of maintenance, glifter in golden chaines, and cloth of filver, walk in exotick garbcs,and with out-ft retched necks, but know not what do belong to a facrificing duty,Church- triumphs,or an heavenly gratitude / oh have we gotten a blefsing, and loft fpeech upon it ? could we cry for it before it came^nd not fing at the appearance of it ? for hath God pricked out a fong for us, and can we not tune it out in the right ditty ? no marvel that many of us hate Church-mulick fo much , when M 2 God 9* The man of Valour. Cod hath fo few Anthemes from us ; no marvaile that many of us diflike the Liturgie, when we have forgotten our UWag- nificat, Benedicius, and die folemn Te Deum Laudamus,. Oh fhould not the whole Church be an Altar, and every foul a Prieft? It is no ordinary Canticle, that ought to be funglipon fuch an oc- cafion , but a fong of degrees, a Pfalme to the excellent Mufiti- an feduthun , or to him that cxcelleth upon Neginoth. If we fainted in the wayting for the bletTing,how ought we be to be fain tn iinging at the Commemoration of it ? If our captivity hath returned like the Riveis in the South , how ought we to be like unto them that dream when we behold a full tide for an ebb ? Alas who fo all live when God doth thefe things ! Num. 24. 2 3. And hath God done- thefe things , and do we live and fo foon as we have gotten God into our eyes lhall we lofe him out of our mouths ? no,we ought to afcribe great neffe to (7^Deut.3 2.. 2. ^i offer in his tabernacle Sacrifices of joy. PfaL 27. 6. Our mouths jhould be inlarged. 1 Sam. 2. 1. We Jhould be adorned with tabrets. Ier. 31. 4. We fhould praife the name of the Lord which hath dealt wonderfully with us. 2 Joel. 2 6. Everlafi- ing joy fhould be upon our heads. Ef. $1. if. We Jhould fing a- loud upon our beds. Pf. 149. 5. Oh therefore let us give the right accent to Gods favours, and fay, Sing unto the Lord , for he hath triumphed glorioujly Exod. 15. 21. Yea with amaze- ment let us look upon our former mifcry, and prefent releafe and fay According to this day it (hall be faid of Jacob, and Ifra- el what hath God wrought, Numb.. 23. 23. If he that offereth praife honour eth God, Pfal. 50. 23. then how ought we to ho- nour him ,which hath honoured us, and to praife him who hath perferved us ? elfe what eyes, mouthes and hearts have we ? If we finde that the arrow of Gods deliverance is foot forth.! Kings Jug.cont . t 3 # ij m there ought to be the fongs of our deliverance. Pf, *~ v, k£" 32. 7. If we are made the molt blefled people, we ought to be phetji.c.. 1 ^ m °ft bleffing people. Quid facratim efl, ejuam laudis fa. is. crificium? What is more facrcd then the facrifice of praife } Si non How are we then an holy people, if we do want the moft fa- gratum crC( j ^ j n g p It is an hard, thing, if we do not receive, thank- ttuod pra-faty T ^ at w hich we have received freely ? let us returne love for nt 4«epii,Rcd our own hearts lutts ? to turne the grace of God into wantonneflc? to feek out the delights of the Sons of Men ? to nourifh our hearts in pleafures as in a day of (laughter ? to minde nothing but riots, revenge, rapines, feeking after ftiange fleili , and ftiange apparel , blafphemey , bribery , keeping the keyes of our newgotten poffefsions , and drinking the wine of the con- demned in the houfe of the Lord See. Here is a thanklefs thanks- giving, and a praifc noway praife- worthy. What arc men come out of baniiliment from beyond Sea,and freed from inthralment at home thus to thrcfh with inftruments of iron, to beat Gods people in pieces, to caufe a rent, and a cry, to neigh after their neigh- bours wives like fed horfes, to make the Land mourne with oathes, to make fhameful fpewing their glory, and to fill the land wi:h fin from the one end to the other .? Do ye thus reqnlte tfa Lord, oh foolljh people? is this your gratitude ? is this your commemoration ? no doubtleffe, if God hath made us againe the happiefi: people, w: fhould be the holieft people ; we Should entertain fuch a guefi in a fwept roome, lay up fuch a prefent in clean linnen, and preferve fuch a Jewel in a rich Cabinet. I have heard your ftlvcr Trum- pets, I have feen your frreets hung with tapeftry,but where are your renewed hearts, and rinfed conversations ? y e have Sacrificed, but I am afraid, that a Spotted bea/t hath been laid upon the Altar. Oh obedience is better then Sacrifice , therefore walli and make clean,for the Sacrifices of the wicked arc an abominarion to the Lord, if thou bringeft the ficke and the lame is it not evil? yea one had as good cut off a dogs neck, offer fwincs bloud, and blefle an Idol ; for this is not to honour the Altar with oblations, but to co- ver the Altar with teares. Oh therefore away with all impenitency, and impurity , and let us See your contrite hearts, cleanied manners, and the ripe fruits of thofe trees which are called the planting of the Lord. If the brick-kills of Egypt could not reforme you, yet let the entrance into Canaan convert you. Oh happy blcrTing, if it can make you penitents , Saints , votaries ; Remember that i: was as high a mercy as any Nation almoSt ever enjoyed, one of the cheifeft of the wayes of God , therefore be ye as miraculous in your change, as God was in his providence. Oh let not the houfe of Ifrael go any more aftray , nor be pol- luted The man of \alonr. 95 Kited any more, but let there be fo many circumcifed fpirits, and hearts fprinkled from an evil confcicnce, and Saints cloathed in fine linnen, white and clean, that the Church may ftand aftoni- nithed at her numerous progeny, and fay, who hath begotten me all thefe ? Do ye renew obedience to God by miracle, for God hath renewed love to you by miracle. What little likelihood was there of your Deliverance when the Midianites had impoverished you fo exceedingly ? or when they had fo rifled and Gripped you, chaftifed and chafed you, that ye were not onely their prey but their derifion ; for fee how theie Hebrews creep out of their holes? they had driven you into holes, and it was a wonder that ever ye hhould come into holds, that the power of the Nation and the (trength of the Land fhouldbe rcfiored into your hands. The prefent Age could not hope for it, and an after-age will fcarcely believe it. G ideon himfelf could not credit it when he was under the Oak of Oprah, an Angel could fcarcely perfvvade him that the work was feafable : yet this is our great God which can do things againfr great improbabilities , and beyond fecming im- poflibilitics ; that which is impolTible to man is eafie to God ; Gi- deon (hall do it, and not fail to do it, yet not Gideon but the Lord with Gideon. The Lord is with thee. Now let us come to the Title of honour, Thou mighty man of valour. From hence obferve, that valour doth carry value with &/"•»• it, valour is a virtue ; if a mighty man of birth, or a mighty man Jjji *&' of wealth be to be admired, how much more a mighty man of va- Am } )< tf< j lour ? For valour is * viri liter agere, to a6t the part of a man; vir Simplic a viribns, man is called from his manhood , and what is that but BSSpt'wfli' his prowefle ? \ Ufum & infrmitatem nature tranfgreditur , He %% 1,T*T\ doth go beyond, or furpaflfe the ufe and infirmity of Nature, he is t J{ n ^ t , " the extraordinary man. A timorous man varicth with all acci- nit,forti- dents, but a. true valiant man nee augetur, nee minuitur rerum mu- tub ren~ tationibns, is neither heightned nor lelfened, happen what will. ^ at X,?^ That which lattice doth feeh out. and -prudence doth find- valour , : „„/ doth challenge, and this is a circuit of the virtues. Kali ant men tMS v /r/*- may be killed, but they cannot be bowed. For a man of valour doth tnm.Bern. offer his breft to all dangers, and ftandeth firm in the midft of all Occidifxf- accidents, he doth feek for honour and doth contemn life ; he hath^" ,f, ^ f * 1 patience in evils,and courage to remove them, he, is moft mercifull jj^ ' when $6 7 he m* gent- &dd. A valorous man then being fuch a compleat man,no marvel rat.Vegtt. that Alexander had rather have of the Prieft otTroy the fpeare of de remilit. Achilles, ix\tx\ the harpe otT arts, for what arc all the frolicks, and '• 3- c - 3°- pomps of jovial men to the trophees of a foldier? A valorous man e ™ c * e r- is fuch a perfon of repute, that he hath not onely the fame of the world, but the honour of fcripturc, for there fuch men are called men ofwarre, and fit for the battel, i Chron. 1 1. 8. Such as can ftirre up themf elves in their bregandines. Ier, 51.3. able to bear the buckler, and the [word, 1 Chron. 5. 18. To draw a bow with the fullftrength, 2 Kings 9. 24. Tea to breaks in pieces a bow of flee I, 2 Sam. 2 2. 2, 5. Men of might, 2 King. 24. 1 6. Which have in them theftrength of an Vnicorne, Numb. 22.22. Lion-. like men, 2 Sam. 22.20. Thefe are thofe which are famous throughout all the world, Jof. 6. 2J. <*And called the glory of the Forreft , Efa. 10. 18. Such were J fh ua , and Caleb, and Ehud, and Othoniel, and Shamgar, and Baraks, and Sampfon, The man of Valour. 97 and David, and David's three Worthies, and the Maccabees, and AJinaus, and AniUus, Themiflocles, Phocion, Mi blades, Leoni- dot, Pau[ania4, Epaminondas, Hamilcar, Hafdrubal, Hanibal, Curius ( Dentattis,i\\o. two Gracchi,t\\t 3 . Scipws ; yea how many for valour have been firnamed the grea: , as Alexander the great, Pompey the ° > xz'\\.,Gonfalve the greatfwhat thenflhall a man »f va- lour go without his note of eminency ? no, whofoever doth defeive honour , the Martial Hero Cantari dignus is worthy to be cele- brated ; an Angel here doth beftow upon him a glorious attribute , and that with an acclamation , Oh thou mighty man of valour. Firft,this doth lhew that the calling of a Souldier is a juft calling. 1 . For though the Anabaptifl doth fay that all war is unlawfull , be- caule our Saviour doth fay Mat. 5, Thou (halt not kjll , and rejifi not evil, but rvhofoever Jhall [mite thee upon the one cheeky, turn to him, the other alfo ; yet that killing is meant of (laying men out of Private revenge ; and (o the refitting is underftood,that men muft not be too prone to refift for perfonai injuries , and to fight out a retaliation. So faith Calvin y that here is not an Epan- orthojis and degree of perfection intended to Chriftians, that they _, . . muft be fuch abfolute men, that upon no occafion they might draw proximo a fwDrd, but onely that our neighbour fhould be ufed tenderly, & dico, quo- all friendly meanes uled before we fall into a6tsof violence. And fc* aif - Afufculus faith that our Saviour meant, that we muft not be too fff ready to work our teene for private wrongs, • but we muft forbcare JJI^p| as long as may be, even to the enduring of injury after injury, to amice com- iriew that we have minds free from revenge. What is this then a- mittitur. gainft fighting for our Countrey,or preferving our Prince againft Cal - Ab " the violenc of rebellious Male-contents, or injurious Invaders? \tf n war, which deferved to have their bioud flied > Hoc reprehendiffe Mitncb. tlmldorum eft , non*rellg\o[orum , This to reprehend it is the part jimb.de of Cowards, and not of religious men. Forth udo, qu Rev. 17. 16 . It would trouble the heads of them that hold this opinion to ftiew the true meaning of Michael and his Angels fighting with the Dragon and his Angels ; is it meant of a peribnal war between Michael and the Dragon ? no doubtleffe , but of fome eminent Saints fighting againft fome inteftine adverfaries of the Church. But I fliall not need to beftow any further pains in refelling this opinion, when the Father hath been the executioner of it. Doth the Anabaptift cry down all Souldiers ? then why hath he appeared in BufFe, worn the Steel bonnet,blown the Trumpet,been the Mafter- gunner, and the bloudieft cut-throat in the field that ever appeared upon earth ? Were Harrifon^Hewfon y lreton^Lambert y Pride^Def- brow, no Souldiers ? what were they then ? Spirits, Fiends, fent from the Angel of the bottomleflfe pit, to make a Shambles of the Nation ? Oh cunning Impoftours, nay Arch-lyars to deny that which they daily a6t. ; but the policy y (o^>hi{hy ^Legerdemain of the bufineflfe is this, The Anabaptifls would diiarm all Chriftians that they might the more readily butcher them , and take all weapons out of their hands, that they might the better cut their throats ; thofe Tbi man of Valour. 101 thofe heads into which they cannot inftill their opinions,they will daih out their brains; if they cannot corrupt their hearts, they will 11m them to the heart. Hath there been a bloudier Tigre that ran- ged upon the earth then the ^/fnabaptifi } no, infernal he was c- nough in Germany, but in this Land he hath (hewn himfelf to be twofold more the Child of Hell. Had there never been Souldier in the world before , yet we had need to raife an Army to ftrike dead fuch a defperate heads-man to Church and ftate. For his pradtifethc Souldier is neccflary , and for all his opinion the Soul- dier is lawfull, God himfelf is the Lord of Hofts, and fo there may be Hoils , and a man of valour is a man of honour, for the Angel doth here ex:ol him, Oh thou mighty man of valour. Secondly, this doth ihew that every fighting man is not a fa- ». mous man, no he muft be a man of valour. There is a great difte- *.*? , *J"» rence between a man ol valour , and a man of rancour, a man of™'*! 1 valour, and a man of tumult ; a man of valour, and a man ofp Jrum prey; there are fome that go into the field only to do rnifchcif, i»i/ei,£« and to a 6t outrages , to leave marks of their favagenefle behind rafmns. ^ them, and to fray, and flay all places where they march ; ihe Mtluesli ' fpoyles of the Country are their booties, and the cries of the^^. Country are their mufick ; now thefe arc Bafiliskes and not foul- muntim- diers ; this is is not valour , but vice ; fuch as thefe bring an moderate infamy upon the warrs , and fcandal the calling , which m'mdtf ecc4n ^' nothing but rolling garments in bloud, flaying the mother with ^Jfifc the children , to live like Ifmael by their fwords , and to gather ^smUtta- the wealth of a Nation, as one gat her eth eggs, Ef. 10. YJ^iretfpd- By fuch perfons it come to pafTe that wans arefo much exclaimed 1******* upon and have fuch odious blemilnes fixed on them; as That a man^T cannot be a fouldier , unleflehebe wicked. Soukiieis undertake 2J»r " ' the warrs, that tb:y might have a licence to fin imniDderately. It Crttddiui is called the military right, and yet there is no fhew of right in «»i»* fru- it , for they handle their own more cruelly , then the enemies. "2/"** An army cannot be looked upon without horrour. V*™ Taxn mult <£ feeler um fades. jw/. There are fo many faces of heinous finns to be feen in it. Georg. Nulla fides, pietafque vlris, qui caftra fequuntur, Lamprid. There is no equity, or piety to be feen amongft them , which, ^ t * €an - follow the Campers if it were the fink of all filth, or the dung- ± ti ^>j N 3 V\\phtarch toi The man of Valour. hil of aJl bafeneflfc, thefe think that juftice miift not be talked on fo long as the warrs continue, as Antlgonus faid, or that the Id. lawes are not to be heard, fo long as the noife of weapons rattle, as (f. Marius affirmed ; thus the fouldier by taking up amies lay- eth down confelence, and by imbruting himfelf the very virtue Tim. in of the man doth perljh y as Archldamtu the fon Zeuxldamw faid. Latin. Now fhould a true martial man do thus ? no, becaufe he doth fight for the honour of his Country, he lliould preferve the honour of his actions ; and be fpotleffe, becaufe he is in danger upon every pitched battle to be breathlelTe ; the hazards of the war should make him the moft wakeful Saint upon earth, he may dy without a ghoftly ConfefTour, and part with his laft gafpe with- out a gafpe of rcmorfe, When thou, goefl out with the Hofi a- galnfi thy Enemies, kjep theefuom all wickedneffe. Deut. 23.9. Eudamldas faid, that the {tames of all the Lacedemonian gods flood armed to fright all their fouldiers from finning, and fo in- deed fuch lhould think that God doth ftand with his drawn fword to take vengeance on them that defile his Campe, if they be the Lords foldiers, let them not provoke him, who can inftantly exe- cute Martial law upon them. The Lord ypatketh In the mldfi of the Camfe, therefore let the hofi be holy, that he fee no filthy thine in It, Deut. 23. 14. Such had need make peace with God lcfi he be their firft and nercert enemy ,and be pure in his eyes , left he ftrike them dead as the grevances of his fight, and leave them amongft the fapy carkafes as the fpots of the Army; oh that foul- diers fhould come into the field as Prodigees , and curies to the Camp , to take up Armes only to fupply their wants, and to get fpoilcs to fatisfie their corrupt Natures, which care not how they abufe the peaceable, nor how they damnifie the innocent, which fhew more fury in the march, then they do in battel, and are luftier fDidjers in their quarters, then in the Companic , and more formidable to the Country-man,thcn to the enemy, which do more mifcheife when their fword^s are in their fcabba/ds , then when they are drawn , and are more couragious in breaking up cherts, then in breaking of fpears ; wbich win more conqueft in a pitched Family , then a pitched field, and are more skilful in the feats of harmes, then the feats of armes, which have a better art in skinning of beafts, then Adverfarks, and can undo three widowes foon:rthcn kill one man, very drcadfull to them that are The man of yatour. 103 are naked, but very cowards to them that are armed ; a kind of shamelcfTe, lawleffe generation, which torment the people like fu- ries, and pofleffc all places where they come, as if they were haunted with fpirits, men groaning whilfi they behold their faces, and blclling Cod when they may fee their backes, dciired of none, but belt beloved when they remove their ftations ; fuch as none delight in their prefence, and when they arc once gon, every one willi that they may have kQn their laft of them ; now for men to demean themfclves fo, that they procure the hatred of all, and area general execration, is this to be men of valour ? yes, when Adonibez,eck^ , Rabfhakjtb,Haz.ael (hall be counted valorous, then thefe iTiall be men of valour. The man of true valour doth difdaine all thefe irreligious and inhumane courfes. For as for his God he doth feck him early, and ferve him fhicktly, he think he cannot be puiflant, till he be penitent ; nor a Conquerer, till he be a Convert ; he think he can never fhed bloud, till he hath llied tears , nor kill an Enemy till he hath mortified his finns; he doth heal up his own wounds to draw bloud , and /hake off his own fetters to get Captives ; he doth bend his knees to buckle his foes, and doth hold up his hands to heaven to lay on victorious blowcs, it is not an head-piece he knows that can de- fend him, therefore he doth defire •, that God might coter his head in the day ofbattel;it is not his own military skill that he doth tiuft too,but he do befecch God to teach his hands to warre,&, his fingers to fight ; he doth put on a pure confciencc before he doth appear in his bright harneffe , and fend up a vow into heaven before he doth denounce warre ; when he hath the ar- mour of rightcoufneffe on the right hand and on the left, he then thinks he is in his compleat< armour ; yea he doth then judge himfclf to be a true Souldier , when he is a true Saint , and thus he is towards his God ; and for man , he is the man , were fh all we finde fuch a man ? he is a man of valour, for he hath conquered his paflions , he is a man of valour for he hath conquered his defires ; he hath in him more fortitude then fury, and courage then covetoulneffe ; he will not be grevious to his friend, nor injurious to his enemy , he doth obferve the lawes of a march to the one , and the honour of a truce to the other ; the Country shall not call him Plunderer, nor the camp shall not call HMX. 104 7 he man of \ dour. call him Blood-fucker ; he hath war in his hand, but he hath not war in his heart, he will not fpare when men cry out defiance, nor he will not kill when men cry out for quarter ; he is bountifull to his Captaines, and mcrcifull to his Captives, he doth hate infolen- cy, ond difdam inhumanity ; he hath in him as much mildneffe, as manhood, and equanimity, as magnanimity, he is invariable in his trull, and noble in his conquelts, admired by his friends -, and honoured by his enemies. Now is there no difference be- tween this PhemXj and the other Harpy f yes, the other is but an Hermophrodlte y half a Man, this is your compleat Man, your true Son of Mars ; to make an abfolute fouldier he muft be more than a Man at armes he muft be a Man of valour. Oh thou mighty Man of valour. 3. Thirdly, this doth shew that valour hath her degrees, there is Virgil, a Man of valour ', and there is a mighty Man of valour ; there Seneca. [ s the fame Spirit but feveral adminiftrations, fo there is the fame virtue,but feveral eminencies in it. many may haile a name ; but not magnum & memorablle nomern. great and memoialle name; no, Quis qwrat Alclda, patrem^ who can find the like to Hercu- les , fome may be None -likes. Fama Marcelll mlcat Inter Ignes. the fame of Marcellm doth retch as high as the ftarres ; David had many renowned fouldiers, but none attained to the honour of the three ; fo fome are tranfeendent worthies,hercfore let us know the tv , and obligation of confpicuous defcrts. We are bounden to all which have been beneficial to us, and let every one have their due efteeme, but fome have been fo highly meri- ting , that we havefcarce hearts enough to valew their worth, or tongues enough to refound their honour ; letevciy ftar have its brightneiTe admired, but let there be one inine before our eyes like a Mar of the grcateft magnitude ; let every Patriot be unto us like a good Angel, but let there be one like an Archangel ; let all the fheaves of the bretheren bow to one lneaf, let the counfel of Hufhal the architc carry the preeminence , let David which hath flain the great Gollah have the lowder feng ; I will not fay but the Land hath an engagement upon it to many , who have done lingular fervice to redeem us out of our thraledome, but are we not deeply indedted to one, who not only fought, but wrought our wellfare in a new way, in an high way, in an unknown The man of Valour. 105 unknown way, in an unparallelled way; to whom wc owe our free- dome of Religion,our frecdome of trade, our la\vs,our libertics,our lives ; which helped us when we were hclplefle, which helped us when we were hopelciTe,which helped us in the dark, which helped us into the light, which helped us invifibly, which helped us incom- parably, which hath comforted us more then thoufands, which hath bicfTcd us more then all. Can we forget his name ? can we forget his title of honour? No, h% name is Gideon, and let his title of honour be valour in the higheft degree ; The Land hath many men of valour, but let him be accounted and acknowledged the mighty man of valour. This doth ferve to reprove the vilifying Detra&our, who for deferving men hatch nothing but depraving terms, or inftead of Elogies hath nothing but obloquies ; What is Gideon fuch a famous man ? no, know his houfe, it was but at Ophrah ; muft he be cri- ed up for fuch a Mirrour? we have them that are as tranfparent in worth as he, that are aspuifTant and more noble ; it is but the blandillimcnt of the times to make him fo eminent , for could no man have deferved the name of Conquerour but he ? yes, there are they that have followed the warres as long as he, and have as much skill in feats of arms as he, therefore why fhould he be voi- ced abroad to be fuch a vivl:orious perfon ? He hath the honour of the Conqueft, but others might have worn the Lawrel ; he had the Iflck of the day, but there are hundreds in the Tribes that do equal him both in Tadticks, and Stratagcticks. Should we but name our choife Sword-men,there is many a brave Spark amongft us could have done the deed ; yea Hi and He, if they had been in his place, and had had the conduct of his Army, could have made the Midianites run as well as Gideon. Oh courageous Souldiers when the victory is obtained /before the work no man durft under- take it, and when the work is done every one dare comment upon it; and inftead of being thankfull arc fpightfull,and inftead of juft admiration exprelTe nothing but barbarous emulation ; thus it is hard for defert to go without depravation, and eminency without envy; An Angel from heaven may give Gideon his title of ho- nour,but there are few Angels upon earth which will call him That mighty man of valour. Hqw difficult a thing is it for a tine va- liant man to be prized ? He never met with more enemies in the O field, 106 The man of Valour. field, then he doth in the fh'eets,nor fought a fiercer pitched bat- tel for his life then he mutt for his fame. Thefe dead flies cannot but cortt'pt the iwcet ointment, thele Alps cannot keep their ve- nome within heir lips. Oh the bafe humour of detraction / oh the ignoble fpi lit of difdain / Stout Nehemlah met with them that fought out matter of an evil report to reproch him, Neh. 6.3. David that delivered his Country from the great Giant who dtR~ ed the whole Nation, and made all th#hoft to tremble, though for theprcfent he be brought home wich triumphant fhouts, yet he •iliall find a Saul that will be his perpetual Maligner, for Saul had an eye on David from that day forward , 1 Sam. 18.9. an evil eye for a good work, Saul hated David becaufe he had been the ge- neral Prefer ver of King and Kingdome ; and becaufe he had his jult praife for his heroickattempt, not onely killing the Giant, but driving the whole Army of the Philiftins out of the Country ; and befides he met with a mercileiTe Famicide, and a reproachful! Detra6ler , Nabal, which with an impudent mouth traduced him, as if he had been a man of no worth,nor ever had done any thing which fhould deferve a name of dignity and honour in the Land, for who is this David ? who is this (on of IJhal ? there are many men now adayes which breakaway every man from his Ma- fter, 1 Sam. 25,10. Breakaway, when Nabal is run out of his wits, then David iliall be a Runagate ; when the man cannot find out a reall crime, he will take up any thing that can bear the fhew and lhadow of difgrace to afperfc his reputation withall.And though this be not generally exemplary in this Nation,for our King is as Royall in valuing omDavld, as David himfelf was noble in procuring the BleiTing ; next the happineffe, we are happy in no- thing more then in feeing a Princely Rewarder as well as an Illu- ftrious Conquerour, a peerlefle pair in their feverall degrees ; and there be likewife very many of honourable fpirits and generous hearts, which grudge no cfteem nor veneration to fuch a tranfeen- dent A£t, but would make the man invaluable and the work monu- mental, and if they could,would immortalize both ; yet there is a fplenative generation which would, and do eclipfe the one/and ob- tenebrate the other, which would neither have the man fo memo- rable nor the work fo admirable, but would if they could, make boj>h dcfpicable. H .. Ecce The man of Valour. 107 Ecce iter urn nigros corrodlt livid us ungues. | M ir^z rhe Land from fh i ::her it was provider. ;lfe in Parties, or af.: rcldneffe in an a c ever profpercd or ha j : bkned clo'e, : ifecrated from above, God g • ned : all the : : : : hands to heaven ( which we have heard af before ) dourtierTe this mans hand was lift up many Cl : them ; if their hands touched the gates of heaven, this mans hand touch: & : - 1 very Throne af God, it was lift up, i- . i : : J - : - BldTing, as rhe oldeft man, or the oldeft Z - . have heard in thefe . :e, but let Friends and Enemies (peak, ax :•;::: -rial providence. In the t . . e Land, in the fight of the whole world, hath not pr : : speared here in her tAcme ? yes, fince the Redemp : i - on . * -: - . rized providence ; and I truttthati: will be as immr-zable as it is incomparabfc ; not cnely a perrriilive, but a permanent providence, fetled and fealed to theKingdome, thai ge fhall find the comfort,and after-ages the conftancy of . : . He ■ : Jd we ever have enjoyed this^f the Lord had no: made this Land the Centre of his Divine favour ? yes, There the L*r& tfptmtei m blejjing, and I hope we may go on and fay, A*d life rjj pw ^ PH. 155.4, And I fay the Lord, for could Gideon ever Tbi man of Valour. 109 ever have done this without a fpecial afTiftance out of heaven > no, quertionleffe the Lord flood at his right hand, fent him forth, ftrengthcncd, and flickered him, gave him will,judgemcnt, courage, fidelity to frame this grand Mifter-piece of a National prefcrvati- on ; not onely good fuccefle was with our Gideon^ but the Lord was with him. He is blind which doth not fee /f , he is ungrate- c*ctu eft, full which doth not confefe It. And hath the Lord been with 7*' »o» him, and wilt not thou be with him? not value him whom die T ^ pr, "*l Lord hath prized ? not magnifie him whom the Lord hath digni- jjJJ ™„ fied ? yes, if thou wilt not honour him for the works fake, honour confiutuu him for the Lords fake. Let all take heed how they reject him, left <*»& God pronounce on his fide, and fay, They have not cafl thee arvay^ hut they have cafl me away ; for he is the man whom the Lord hath taken by the hand, and moft eminently declared him to be his Agent in this miraculous and extenflve blelhng. If for all this the haughty hearts will not leave fwelling,and the cenfuring tongues not wax filent, fcorn on till ye make your felves fcorns. If ye wil not give him his Camp-right, his Conqucring-right, yet in fpight of all your obftrcperous and obftrigillant fpirits, your Betters fliall honour him, and all the Ingenuous of the Land mall call him U- luftrious, yea doubtlefie my Gideon hath an hymn fung to him in heaven, he hath fame in that Court, he is there acknowledged un- der God prlmlpllaris , *o#tps , Captain-General. Some Angel or other will give him due and high praifes,and be his lowd-found- ing Clarion to puhlifli his title of honour , calling him Gideon the puijfant, the great Conquerour, The mighty man of valour. Oh thou mighty man of valour. Thus have I made a general explication of the feveral parts of my Text, give me leave to make a particular application to the un- happy and happy accidents which we have furfered under, and been delivered from ; fome glances I have cart upon the Subject before, but fuch a remarkable Spectacle ( and we have been made Speciaculum^ a Spectacle to the whole world ) would be looked upon with a broad eye. Is there no refemblance between our ftate and the ftate of Ifrael } yes, Face doth anfwerface in water. One balance will ferve for us both, Nee hacplus parte fedet, nee fur git ab llla^ It doth fall and rife to both alike. Sure lam the mifcries of both O 3 are no The man of valour. arc as like one to another, as the two great thunderbolts were in *ir m ' Germany, the one of which fell in the reigm of Ot h* the grcat^ and the other in the reign of ^Maximilian the firit. Thelfra- elites ferved as Slaves under the Midianites, and were not we for many years bound Apprentices under our Tyrannical! Matters ? yes, and our fervitude and thraldome much alike. * x For fnfr,as the Midianites rifled the Countrey, fo did not we live under old "Plunderers f we did fow and others reaped, wc fed beafts and others made banquets with them ; the whole wealth oS: the Land was but a State-ftock and a Camp-fee ; what devifes were there to fcrue out eftates by Excife, Taxes, Sequeftrations, Decima- tions, and what not ? never did there fuch inft rumen ts of iron threfh in a Nation, we were damped like grapes in a Wine-preiTe*. Ctcerol, 2. a s L syji a f et U p n j s fp ear? an d faid, that fpear muft be maintain- °^ s ' ed with the wealth of the Country, whereby he drew to him the riches of all good men and wealthy men ; lb we paid dearly for our Spear, the fixing of that coft. this Nation many Millions ; all the filver ftreams of our Jordan did but run into that dead Sea ; all callings were but Journimen for the ravenous and infatiable Souldier ; So that in this we did both of us Horat. -- — fpadonibtts fervlre rugojis, Epod.g. fervc under rough-skinned Eunuchs. 2. Secondly, as the Midianites fcoffed at the Ifraelitcs, See hovt thefeHebrews creep ont of their holes^io thefe poiTcfTed our houfes, and drave us into caves, and if we did but ftiew our heads we were fure to be called Creepers. We were fmittenwith their rods, Va\. M**. an( ^ froitten with their tongues. For as Valerius Cftlaximu* laid of Pompey^ that fortlffimum el erat maledlcere, His greater!: va- lour was in railing; fo fuch valiant men we met with, who were pu- iffant in checks and derifions ; they caff us out of our juft inheri- tances, and thev,caft out our names as evil ; they persecuted us with their language, as well as their ufagc. We were taken up in the lips of talkers, and the very Abjecls made Songs of rs. Bccaufc we would not yield them oureftates we were Malignants, becaufc we would not give them our confeiences we were popilhly affected, becaufe we. would not fubmit to inch lawfull Governours we were Rebels ; oh merry Age for Nicknames ! Our Midianites had the gift of mocks and fcoffes. Did ever people live under a more in- fultkig, The man of Valour. in « (biting, deriding generation ? they faid they were full of the fpirit, . but they had very little humanity in them ; they faid they had cir- ci'ir.cifcd lips, and yet they (hewed the fore-skin of taunts uncut ; they could draw out the tongue and ihoot out the lip beyond any other ; men of bitter ipirits and bitter language ; we were made gazing-ftocks among/t them, not onely by afflictions, but alfo by reproaches,//^. 10. 33. " Thirdly, as the Midianites had their fubtilties, for they vexed 3. the Ifraelites with their wiles , fo had not we cunning Impoftours ^hx, ah to deal with ? yes, as Tiberius made a law for to dcccive,fo a man ^ (x ' 3 ' would have thought that thefe had the legiflative power of cir- cumvention ; Our Midianite was the ^reat craft-matter of the world , Sifyphus interris, quo non aflutior alter . Were we not inchanted into a Free-ftate , till there were nothing but chains to be feen ? and into Keepers of liberties, till there was not one priviledge of the Subjects remaining ? and into a Com- mittee of Safety till no man was fafe , but every man ftood in fear of his life ? and into the purity of the Gofpel , till our Orthodox faith was even taken away • for our Church-doors were even upon the point to be locked up , nay our Churches to be rafed to the ground , and our Church-men to be lilenced, either with death, or deprivation ? we were brought to that mile; able plight, that it might be faid, This is Sion y th\s is the wafted Kingdome, and the ruined Church. Sat patri&^^riamoque datum , tt There had been enough of defolation to be feen amongft us to ex- #^. " tirpate the memory ofa flour iihing Countrey , an ancient King- dome, and a famous Church. For was there not the general Gib- bet fct up to execute a whole Nation ? if Lambert had returned Conqucrour out of the North, what had we been but (laves all the Land over ? We were looked upon with a foure brow, and fpoken to with fulminating lips., a fatal rumour, was fpread through the whole Land , Prxfentemque viris intent ant omnia mortem , Tjrgi All things that we faw or heard threatned nothing but immi- nent deftruction. Doubtleffe there had either been a general Ba- nishment , or a .general Maffacre. For they had given out that they in The man of Valour. they would have left never a Noble-man, Gentleman,Clcrgy-man, Judge , Magiftrate , or any man of power, which fliould counte- nance a refiftance againft them ; no, they were refolved to fettle all things for thcfuture,:hat no man nSould whifper,or peep,lift up an hand or tongue again!! them; they were fo felfe-fure,that they pro- phefied,77^ there fhonld never be an Infurreclion till t he Re fur re- Elion.Oh. bloudy resolutions / Oh doleful & difmal times to thin/c on / But when we were full of nothing but frights and ftrei^hts , rage and rapine, ruth and ruine, fears and tears ; our goods and good names, confidences and confeiences , lawes and necks lyin<* open to the ftab, and bleeding to death, every one looking with difpairing countenances, and taking their laft fad farewell of one another, as if they fhould never live to fee again any face of true welfare in this Kingdome, did not God by miracle raife up a De- liverer t yes, and me think here is Afiyanaftis imago , The very lively image, and vifageof Gideon, Did he not liv« under the Oake oiOphrah, in the tribe of CManaJfeth , at one of the farther parts of the Land , as if God from farre would fetch fafety , or no place were fo diftant , but God could bring a pre- ferving Meffengcr out of it ? Well God calls,and Gideon doth pre- pare for the journey. And what was the firft work that he took in hand I was it not the deftroying of the altar of Baal} yes,his name is Gideon fie his firname is Jcrttbbaal ; For when the faith of God was even upon the corrupting , and the government of the Church upon the altering, and the fchooles of the Prophets even upon the plucking down,did he not lay for the ground of the wane, that the old proteftant faith muft not be innovated,that the Government of the Church muft not be abrogated, that the maintenance of Clergi- men, and the Univerfities muft not be feifed upon ? oh Deliver- ance fettled upon a pious foundation / oh devout Gideon , which hadft fuch gratious motions infpired into thy heart , thou vvert Jf- rubbaal,2Xi& now Jerubmidian^ let Mldian plead for himfelf ; the breaking down oiBaal will be the bruiftng,uSivering,i"hattering of Mldian ; thou wen zealous for thy God , thy God will be jealous over thee ; his eye (hall watch over thee, his right hand fhall be ftretched over thy head to fecure thee ; thou wert thrcatned to be torne in pieces for deftroying Baal , Bring forth thy Sonne that he The man of Valour. 11 3 he may die.How great were thy dangers without the Land,& with- in the Land ? nothing but taunts, and threats againft Gideon ; they thought to have beaten thee into *s many pieces,as thouhadft done Baal ; a crufhed creature thou wert in their opinions, refolutions, and vaunts ; But in vain Is the net laid before the bird that hath eyes. The Lord watched between thee and them, the Eternal was thy refuge, and thou wert fafe under his everlafting armes, he that keeps the feet of his Saints kept thine , he hid thee in his pavi- lion, and in the fecret of his Tabernacle , he was thy ftrong wall againft the blaft of the terrible Ones ; thou beganneft with God, and he never forfook thee , thou wert continually bleffed with his providence, protection, and prefence , The Lord was with thee. And did it not appear ? yes, thou no fooner didft blow thy Trum- pet, but the Lord fent thee in an army, Vndiqtie convenlunt Teucri^ ml fit que S leant , Scotch and Englifli came flocking to thee from all parts. But as God would not have the work wrought by multitudes , left Ifrael fhould fay my hand hath faved me ; So did not God put it into the heart of our Gideon not to appcare with a numerous hoft? yes, he might have had Soldiers enough, but to fhew that he would , reft upon the arme of God, the arme of flelli was very weak. With what defpicable forces did our Gideon apearfan handful of men,the very gleanings of a Camp; who would ever have thought that fuch an halfe-faced Army fliould have dared to have appeared upon the borders, much leiTe have entred the Nation, and gone through the length, and breadth of the Land ? Leonidas at ThermopiU with a few troops (as it were) oppofe the great Xerxes with an army contayning no lefle (as Herodot. I. J.Juftin.l. 2. Sabell. I. 2. Enn. 3.) then twenty hundred thouland men , that the two great rivers of Scamander and Lyffus were not able to give his horfes water enough to drink ? So our Gideon with a legion op- pofe the Mldlanltes with numbers , ammunition , and all manner of warlike preparation? no, a man would have deemed that Gide- on with his forces had been fitter to come and viftt friends , then incounter enemies; or appear for an hunting Voyage,rather then a fet battel ; but Gideon brought the Lord along with him , and as Afah faid,/V is all one to him to fave with many , or with few. 2. Chron. 14. 11, fo it pleafed God to bleflfe this inconfiderable P Anny, l f4 The man of valour. Army , and to make it an invincible Army. We cannot think that man alone being no better manned could ever have difper- led fuch forces , no it was He, $twt(4 in Cujus nutu Jimul extreml ^i 4m * Tremuere poll, generis noflrl Jupiter auflor , Our great Creatour , at whofe beck both the Poles do tremble , which made fuch an Army give back, and turn their backs. We cannot ,. we will not afcribe it to humane ftrength barely ; no, it was the Sword of the Lord, and Gideon. Further, as the Midla- nltes had a dream that Gideon would work their overthrow, for Behold a certain man dreamed a dream, and told it to his neigh- bour, andfald,Behold I dreamed a dr earn, and a cake of barley bread tumbled from above Into the hofi of Midian , and came unto a tent, and [mote It , that It fell and overturned It, that the tent fell down. And his Fellow anfwered and (aid, this is nothing elfe fave the fword of Gideon the fonne of Joafh a man of Ifrael y for Into his hand hath God delivered Midian,~c^ all the hofi,]ud^. 7. 1 3,-14. And went there not a ft range prefage amonft our Ad- verfaries that our Gideon would be the ruine of their good old caufe ? yes, his firft riling w ! as a ftrange confternation to many of them , and his march was a dread to the ftouteft of them , though fome carried on all with vapouring and vaunting ,, and counted it a forlorn attempt , faying, that Traytors were mad to draw out them to go fetch them home to the bloud-axe , and faid that the Settlement of their caufe muft be confecrated with the bloud of their Enemies, and that royal Charles Stuart had gotten but a bad iphnter for his broken bone, and that they muft be troubled twice to conquer Scotland, and that they would bury all Rebellion under this graveftone, and that this fhould be the Coronation-fo- lemnity to fet Chrift Jefus in his Throne with Majefty , and that after that Army overthrown, the Saints fhould reign, and appear like Crowned Creatures to all the earth ; and many fuch frolicks, and infulfe boafts the high ranting Phanaticks had ; yet the more fobcr party amongft them were not halfe fo lufty and inflate, no, they heard of the newes with anguifh , and went out with an ill will, very low and calm i and flat, they were full of fufpicions, and fad predictions , and divined that this man would give the check to all their haughty undertakings , and dc- p- ive them of the glory of all their former victories , the Axe was The man of Valour. 115 brought forth to hew up the root of their flourillnng tree, the Pick-axe was at work to dig up the very foundation of their glorious ftmc-lure ; that as Caligula drcam'd that he talked with the Sea to fhew the inundation of Ana'Imates which fhould take away his life ; and Nero that failing in a lliip the rudder was wrcftcd out of his hand, which ftgnified that his Government was at an end, and Otho that the Manes of Galba vexed him , which foretold that he mi;ft die by the hands of Vltelllus for that cruel. murther ; So thefc men were full of nothing but dreams and dreads that their bloudy caufe would have a blond y end. Ah this Gideon^ this Gideon will be the fatal Conquerour over the Midiamtes ! our wafts and our wiles, our free-booty and frcc-quarter,our incroach- merits and inchantmems , our Lording it in Delinquents eftatcs and King-lands are even at the laft gafp , hlcftablt clvlllbus exltus arwis , We fhall be able to lengthen out the civil wars no longer ; we have ha raffed the Country , and like Tigers fucked bioud , but the Huntfman is come forth , and the wild beaft muft lofe his skin. Ah this Gideon, this Gideon will hinder the braved: range that e- Tcr was, we fhall not break open thefe fame Israelites doores, nor -carry away their furniture in their fight, nor lie in their beds at pleaiure, nor feaft our felves with their provifton to the fatiating of our appetites, nor drive them into their caves, nor dig in their bowels to try the points of our weapons, nor infult upon their Judgcs,nor brave upon their Priefts,nor (trip their Merchants any longer ; oh we had a brave free Mart for a while , but it is even at an end, the Mldianlte from henceforth will be a pitifull fellow, be will Icarce have a {word in his hand , or a word in his lips, but be glad to hear of all his outrages with patience, and not whifper, left his skin fmart for his tongue ; oh what a dumb and delpica- ble Daft will the imperious Mldianlte be , and for all this may we thank this Tame active (Jldeon ! ah woe and alas that ever we heard of this Gideon ; we hear of him to our difmaying, and we fhall fee him to our utcer mine. And happened it not fo ? yes, Gideon no f ooner appeared, but the Midiamtes are vaniftied , they are readier to cut their own throats, then to make a ftroke at Gideon \ An dour Gideon was no fooner feen upon the borders,but in a ihort time the whole Army was in an uproare,a general tumuk there was, P 2 Incer- u6 The man of Valour. Incertl quo fata ferant B:ing uncertain to what deftiny they were appointed, yea before they faw the face of Gideon , the Mldlanites are in a rout , they threw down their arms, and left their Commander in chief naked in the field, and he that threatned to beat the mountains to dull, to rend in pieces rocks like rotten threds, to fhake down all the pillars of the Land at a blaft, to lead the Lion in a ftring, to build a Babel that fhould reach up to heaven,to bring out of his brain a Minerva that fhould teach all the Nation new principles of fub- lime wifdome,to blow up the fundamental laws with an earthquake, and to pluck down the brighteft ftarrs in our Firmament , to have been more famous then ever was Pericles , Themlftocles, Achilles, Atlas, or Hercules the great, now like a pale, quaking, difmayed, difcruciated creature, he is at his wits end, and as ready to run as the quickeft of foot, or he that was firft in the fright or flight, yea like one confounded in himfelf he doth not know to what place to turn his face or foot, or where to hide his ominous and odious head, he doth leave himfelf to the mercy of Gideon rather then lift up a manly hand to defend his puiftant corps or pious caufe. So that the dream is true, and the interpretation of it is found in the bare field. Ah this Gideon hath left the tents of the LMldianltes em- pty / the poor Mldlanites may now go fing Dorfa damns, pedem retro ferlmus, fuga rebus confullmm x or Quo nunc fe prorlplt ? Well, now the flight ispaft,the Camp hath not a Souldier left in it, and what doth there now want for a compleat victory? no,(j/- deon is conquerour, the Lord hath been with him , and appeared for him, and what doth there now remain,but that all Ifrael fhould goc forth and meet him, and call him Deliverer, and give him his true Title of Honour, even to ftile him The mighty man of valour. The Lord is with thee thou mighty man of valour. Well, the Mldlanltes are gone , the Ifraelltes may now goe home and take poffetfion of their juft rights , they are owners a- gain, they have now reft from all their enemies , God hath broken the bow and the fword, and the battell out of the Land, and is not this a ftrange change, that inftead of cries they have fongs, inftead of taunts they have triumphs , inftead of fpoiling of their goods they have the fruit of their labours, inftead of thraldomc they have frecdome ? how could God have been more benign, Gideon more- ben efi- The man of y dour. 117 beneficial, or Ifrael 'more happy ? well then let God be praifcd, Gideon honoured, and Ifrael cleanfed. Firft, let God be praifcd, for was it God that heard the groanes of the Ifraelites , pitied their fufferings, raifed up a Gideon>znd profpered his attemps > oh then that this God fhould not be known , that he can be forgotten, that we should not kiffe his hand, and Sacrifice to his goodneffe ; yes the magnifying of God we fhould make it our full , our forwarder!, and our fer- venteft worke ; we fhould not flay too long from it, nor break off too foon, nor end too torpulently ; oh that fuch a mercy fhould be a ftilborne child, that now wc fhould not rejoyce at the birth of it, that we fhould not embrace it in our armes, that we fhould not bleffe our felves in the beauty of it, that we fhould not give it it's Chriltendome; wherefore have we hearts, eyes, tongues, and feet, if our hearts should not be tranfported, if our eyes should not be dazelcd, if our tongues fhould not chaunt, and our feet fhould nor leap at fuch a deliverance ? yes, we fhould eat our bread with joy, break forth into ringing, have the voices of them that fhout for mafterie, fet up our banners for tokens ; we fhould grave fuch a blelTing upon pillars, write it upon the ftarrs, fend our pofts in- to heaven to carry news of our gratitude. Gratiojiora funt Ca r.^i pr&coma, quam trlbuta, Our praifes are more accep:able then lg ' " our tributes, for our affections are dearer to God, then the richeft prefents we can tender to him ; not that die laft fhould be want- ing, but that the firft are moft pleafing, and precious. Pene om- Oreg. i. ne quod de Deo dicttur , eo ipfo indlgnum efl, quomodo enim el Morat - ftifficit loqnens lingua } Every thing which is Ipcken of God is unworthy of him, for how can a fpeaking tongue be ftifficient for his rich mercies ? Oh then that we that can do nothing but fpeak **&&** do remain mute under his favours,and that we which we cannot e- ^Tj"' quail them will not magnify them/ Et habere te cognofce^ & ni- nimim *' hil ex te habere^ ut nee fuperbm fs nee ingratus, Know both meam, thou haft a thing,& that thou haft it not of thy felf,that thou maid luiafinfc not be proud, nor unthankful. But how do we teftify that we have a thing, if we do not acknowledge it ? or how are we not proud in our felves, if we be unthankfull to our God ? It is an heavy thing, when Prafiita dona non n timer ant #r,Mercics vouch- Cafiod, fafed are not kept upon the tally ; or that amongft the reft of the P 3 Arithmctick ii8 The man of Vatotir. Arithmctick, which wee do life, we do not cipher up Gods fa- vours. We can do little for God, if wc cannot blefle him. Oh then for this high mercy, which God hath vouchfafed unto, us, that we iriould onely bellow the looking on it, or a greedy en- joyment of it, and have no memory of the mercy after wc have gotten the participation of it/ There are ten that are cleanfed y where are the nine ? A whole Nation hath been cleanfed, where is the generality of the Land, which hath returned to give thanks? I am afraid that many have talked of the deliverance, which have not extolled the Author for it , which have bought a new fuit for it,but not fung a new fong for it;which have drunk healths for the joy of it, but not taken the cup of Salvation to pay their vowes unto the Lord for it. God hath pleaded our caufe, but hath he his lawyers fees ? We are cured, but have we paid our Phyfician well .? are we full of the mercy of God ? then' what is this but indevotion, impudence,impiety, a fear and a curfe to be •ungratefull f to what end elfe is the zeal of profelHon ? to what end elfe are the fongs of the Temple ? we have not facrificed rightly to the blelfing, till God hath received the free-will offe- rings of our moutheS) Pfal. 119. 108. The fruit of our lips. Heo. 13.15. is better then the noife of our bels, or our muli- cal inftruments, or the roareing of our Ordnance. Then do wc confecrate the blclilng when wc glorify Gods name •, let us remem- ber, t hat God doth Inhabit e the pralfes of Ifrael. Pf. 22. 3. Oh •then hath God fetled us in our dciircd poiTeifions, and will we not fuffer him to dwell in his proper habitation ? or hath he provided us dwellings,&: will not wc permit him to have a Man/ion amon^fl us f oh let us know that our praifes are his palace , or if ye will our lips are his fan£tuaries. Seeing God then hath brought us again to goodly refting places, let us allow him houfe-room a- mongft us, and let us not lliut him out of his two leafed mufick- chamber , or deprive him of his facrcd Quire. Oh then feeing God hath vifited us with fuch a high return of bleflincs let us fay fih God pralfe waiteth for thee In S Ion. Pfal. 6$. 1. Yea if God hath beitowed a lich banquet upon us, let us thank our Feaftmaker, if he be our King, let us crown him with praifes ; let us endeavour to be called the magnifying Nation, the thankful! Kingdome ; Shame to him that hath gotten his fetters off from his Thi man of Valour. «9 his heelcs, or his keye s into his hands, or the profit of his rents, or the benefits of his laws, or an cafe from Troopers, or an ex- ereifc of his religion, and hath not paid unto God his Safety- debt, oh that for fiich a National happineffe there fhould not be a National 1 ymn / are the (JM'idianitcs gon ? how come the Country auk of tliem > they would have fixed their Stations here if the Lo;d had not railed up a Gideon. Oh then for this Land- ringing, Earth-ecchoing mercy praife God in the highefi. Secondly, let Gideon be honoured. For though God were the principal Authour, yet Gideon under God was the prime Agent. As the Man is, fo is his firength ; and as the Man is fo is his mafter-piece. Let him be called a mighty Man of valour for his mighty deliverance, it was a quick, a timely, a (hange, a gentle, a miraculous,a large and a lading deliverance. A quick deliverance, for Gideon did but appear, and the Mi- T. dianites fled ; f o our Gideon did but (hew his face, and the Army was difperfed ; their overthrow dajhed upon them like aftorme Ezeck. 38. Ortheir deftruttion came as awhirlewind, Prov. i.plut.in 27. In matters of war plurimum habet moment i celeritas, Ce- Jpofn* lerity is of high moment, then this was a true expedition, which was difpatched on the fuddain, for he did but come , and over- come , as it is faid of the victory, which Julius Cafar won of J?harnax. 2. A timely deliverance, for had the Mid lanltes prevailed at that time, the Ifraelites in all likely-hood could never have lifted up their heads with freedome and honour againc, yet then Gideon arofe,and the Midianites were fcattered. So our Gideon gave us a feafonable deliverance, even when the Granadoes were brought into 3fc City to fire it, and the Aldermen ready to be hung up in their golden chatnes, and all the loyal perfons of the Nation defigned to be either imprifoned, banifhed or executed ; yet in the midil of all thefe feares and terrours , and impending miferies we were plucked like brands out of the fire, we had a refuge in due time, even in the needfull time of trouble, HVec tampr&fentes alibi cognofcere divos, Ovid. God himferf was never prefent at a greater (height, nor with more fpeed haftened his a^ent, Vela Ztphyris^ latere pennio' — ~ Yfrg& no The man of valour^ — —fuglt ir re par tub He temp us. 3* A ftrange deliverance, for when the Midianites ovcrfpre^d the whole Land; then Gideon freed his Country. So our Gideon freed us,when we had neither an army formed, nor fhipping, nor Caftles,yet then their army disbanded, their Shipping fubmitted, and their Catties were new garrifond,what agajnft fuch a formida- ble ftrength to fubdue all ftrengths, is not this Arrange? yes, Ovid 1 a. vlfum mirablle cuntlls; Met. Every man that faw it. v "&'}} ■ Obftupnlt varia confufm imag Ine rerum. m ' A gentle deliverance, for Gideon loft not a man in the Con- 4' queft : So our Gideon had not a drop of bloud died in his vi£ta- amo Si- r y« Oh it is a comfortable, and an honorable thing to fee a vi&- cyoniiho- our hold up a white hand, and to come out of the field with nor/pit, Enfignes in their fiift dy, that not a bone hath been broken, nor a quodpa gafping creature laid upon the ground. Ufually battles are not tyrannide tnus won > but r ^ e ^ worc ^ devours till it be fatiated with bloud, tticoclis m ens carkafTes fall like dung upon the earth, the Land is foaked abfyue with bloud, the flu eld of the mighty is made red, and bloud comes ftnguine U p t0 tne Horfe-bridles. But look upon our vidtour, and he brings i, , er * vt f' , not fo much as one wounded man in his whole holt, there was no- ^trato. ' thing broken, but a few broken pitchers, al] the Midianites chaf- ed away without a bloudy fide, or a brufed limne. Oh gentle de- liverance, all this was done fine mi lit is u[n y I do not fay without the prefence, but the ufe of a fouldier. e A miraculous deliverance, for wonderfull it was that God fhould chofe Gideon to be the prefcrver of Ifrael, fo was it that God under the oak r>?Ophrah faould find out our Tutelar Heroe. can any good thing come out of Nazareth > So can any good thing come out of that inaufpicious Country > yet out of Egypt have I called my Son, out of that finifter Nation came our dex- terous Manumiftbr. That Nation which was wont to bridle Kings, and fpur them, and flay them too,now gave afllitcnce to rceftab- liih a King. What Saul among the Prophets? Scotland amongft thofe Nations who would reinthrone a King ? half the two hun- dred thoufand pounds for this very a& may be rebated ? that was the price of bloud, this was the price of life ; that fold a Crown, this was earneft-mony to buy one ; yet the Samaritan laid down his The man of Valour. 1 a* his two pence , Out of the eater there came meat, that Scotland fhould ever be fo kind it was a miracle ; fecondly it was wonder- ful that Gideon might have affaultcd the Mldlanites with two and twenty thoufand men, and yet by divine appointment he carried alon^ with him oncly three hundred men ; and as wonderfull it was "that our Gideon might have had a punTant Army, and yet God put it into his heart to appear onely with a fele6t com- pany that could lap water with their tongues , now that fo great a victory fhould be obteined by fuch weak forces, was it not a miracle ? thirdly it was wonderful , that the Mldlanites (lew one another, For the Lord fet every mans [word upon his neigh- bour, 7jofh. 22. and as wonderful it was that we fhould have a fpirit of diyiiion in the Land, when our Gideon entred , far what fractions , litigations, altercations, rancour , and deadly fetids were there between the infolent Army,and the arrogant Non- tf//>/7,fnafte,drcgs of a Parliament? they which had ca(t in their lots together & had one common purfe,& one common fword to robbe all that they met, yet now thef* old high-way men cannotagree amongft themfclves , but the confederacy break out into a conteft, and a bitter jarre , and rent. Now that fuch fworn friends fhould become fo interline and inplacable enemies , was not this, a miracle ? and that our Gideon, and Phnrah his man fhould cxpofe themfelves to fuch hazards, and yst come off fafely, and that all fhould be done in the night , the dark, that our Gideon was upon the Mldlanites before they fufpected an enemy , his in- tencions being fo referved , that he would truft none with the keeping of the key of his clofet, but his own heart ? and that by blowing of trumpets, and Iampes in pitchers, by madenoifes, and brave invented lights ( neat ftratagems being as lawful inwarre, as furious charges ) a fright fhould be ftruck into the Hod of Mi- di an, and the whole camp break up, and break in pieces, were not all thefe miracles f yes, I could fhew you /(me think ) a feries of wonders throughout the whole palTage. The Lord was with hlm y and fhon upon him with fome of his owne celeftial beames to give him clear light in all his undertakings. IW/> this appertain to Man oh Lord God ? 2 Sam. 7. * 1 9. no , humane forcfight and perfpicacity, could never have effected all thefe things in fuch a profperous and aftoniihable wzyXherc is a fpirit in a man but the Q^ infplration 1 2X The man of Valour. ittfptratioa of the Almighty glveth underftandlng, Job. 32.8. Wc may fliew the figns and wonders which the high God hath wrought towards us;how great are his figns, and how mighty are his wonders} Dan.4.2,3 # Surc I am,by the heavenly afliftence and illu- mination, never any bufineffe was carried on more privily, prudent- ly and profperoufly ; there was in it as much judgement as impor- tance, and confciencc as confequence, and fucceffe as confidence, God forbid we fhould efteem it as a vulgar work, no it was a me- morable, myfterious and miraculous Deliverance. 6. - A large deliverance, for as Gideon did not prefcrve a particular Caftle or City, but all the Tribes ; So our G I dean did not refcue a Family or a Country, but three Kingdomes. Who, farre or nigh amongft us, do not find the benefit of this victory f yes, all the Camp was fed with this Manna, or this brafen ferpent lift up heal- ed all that were ftung with the fiery Scorpions, who can count the dufi of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Ifrael f Num. 23. 10. If any one can count them, I can tell them they have a fhare in this general Dividend. What coftly Spikenard is that which doth perfume the whole houfe ? what a rare pillar of fire is that which doth conduct fo many hundred thoufands to a land of promife ? what a moft extafying Deliverer is he which hath fet three Kingdomes into a trance ? Except it be the vanquilhed Midianite,whohathnotcaufeto have gladnefTe of heart, and an . abundance of joy to fpring and fing, to leap and (hout, to lift up tdmirans bands and clap their hands, to open their mouths and inlarge their numentmj mouths, to adorn themfeives wich tabrets and to turn themfelves in- matrefque to tabrets ? For confider what he hath done, and for how many he vlrofaue, jj at h d one g 00C J # He hath brought the King to his prerogative, the 2Jf2- Npblestothei* peerage, th« Biiltops to their chairs, the Judges to htm, ml" their Tribunals* the Merchants to free-trade, and the whole Land ferabile to liberty and their native birthrights. Who then may not feci vdgw> the comfort and fweetnelfe of this high and happy work? oh it is ^^* 3 ' an univerfal b letting, a large deliverance. n ' n A lafting deliverance. For as amongft the Ifrael ites the country to as In quiet neffe fourty years in the dayes of Gideon, Judg. 8.28. So the benefit of cur deliverance may ftretch to fucceeding gene- rations. As Zeuxis hid,pl/go i^ n J £ ^ c ^ vas h ought into the City in a molt triumphant manner, and ^o illuQ c 2? vvas Fanus Cam: Urn tor {ubduing the Veil after ten years fiege ; and above all, when I read of the three famous triumphs, the mil of Thi man of Valour. 1 27 of Z.Sclplo for his conqueft over Antlochus, where there were - , ... 224. enfigns ftuck upon his chariot, the draught of 1 34. towns i 7% En,< t Which he had wonne, 1 2 3 1 . ivory-teeth which he had gotten, 234. golden crowns, and above a thoufand chefts laden with rich treafure and furniture, as the fpoils of warre ; fccondly, of Lucius Paulus lEmUlus, for that memorable conqueft which he had over Perfeus,zn\d indeed over all Greece ; for which, coming home in triumph, the people flood waiting for him all in white caffocks, all the Church-doors were fet open and decked with rich crowns, and perfumed with rich odours ; then the colours and painted tables were brought along, and all the beautifull fpoils of the Macedoni- ans, as the rich armour, drinking- veiTels of Antlochus, SeleucM, Thericlesy which Perfeus was wont to drink in. Then the Sacri- fices with guilt homs, then the Captives holding up their hands to the people to pray for them ; thirdly, of Pompey y who had three ***** '* triumphs, one for conquering Domains in Afrlck^, the fecond for conquering Sertorlm in Europe, and the third for conquering Ml- thridates in sAfia, and fo he feemed to triumph over all the world; but the laft the greateft, in which there were carried before his cha- riot vefTels of fiver and gold in abundance, and two thoufand cupsmixt with onyx-ftone provided for the fpeciall ufe of Mithrl- dates y 20000. talents of filver and gold and the Souldierspaid; then the Captives Tigranes and Zopme^ feven children of Ml- thrldateSy Cdtalces the Vice-Roy of Chalcos, (JMenander the Governour of Laodlcea, and dArlfiobulUs the King of the Jews,; and there were pictures carried before him of a 1000. Caftlcs, ^00. Cities, 800. piratical l"hips which he had taken. When I read of all thefe images, ftatues, tablets, Crowns, triumphs, which former Conquerours have enjoyed, what honours do I think that our Gideon doth deferve ? For they wonne their victories chiefly over effeminate men, but he over them that were called the Con- quering army ; they with much tedioufnelTe, he in a lriort time ; they with vaft armies, he with {lender forces ; they with grievous {laughters, he without a drop of bloud fhed ; oh then that I could fee this mighty man of valour valued according to his apparent and approved cminency. His modefty doth require nothing at your hands, nor his puiffahce need not, yet gratitude is a requiiite tirtue. He hath made a whole Kingdomc happy, let a whole King* J*8 The man ofvalottr. Kingdome exalt and illuftre him ; Bleffe ye the hour that he was "born, count him born to redeem his Country out of thraldomc, fee how many fubtil brains he hath out-wittea, how many bold ene- mies he hath dauntcd,how many Catties he hath brought into your poiTcffion, how many ihips he hath reduced to obedience, how ma- ny pernicious meetings he hath fcattered, how many dangerous plots he hath prevented, how many he hath plucked out of prifon, how many he hath fent home to their houfes, how many hundreds he hath put into places of preferment, how many thoufand glad hearts he hath made, how he doth watch for your fafety, how he doth wait to make you more glorious ; how he hath given you a free King, a free Parliament, a free Charch, and free trade ; and if it were podible he would make you free from all fpights, and free from all fears, that ye might have reft on every fide, and ipend out all your dayes in quietnerTe. Oh then, a man that is fo bene- volent, and hath been fo beneficent to you, how ought ye to have him continually in your lips, and to let him ly nearer! to your hearts ? Oh think no honour nor ornaments too much for him, re- Joyce to hear his name, reverence his face, acknowledge his aits, cxtoll his virtues, prefcrve his body, pray for his foul ; fo long as he doth live let his perfon be dear unto yon, and when he is dead let his afhes be precious ; yei, leave him not when he hath left you and all the perifning pomps upon earth, but accompany him to his grave, and weep at his grave, laying, Here lies the Guardian of his Country, the Preferver of three iCingdomes. Yea, let your affe- ction be fo firm to him, that it may live to his pofterity. It was the finne of Ifrael that they lhewed not mercy to the houfe of Gi- deon, according to all the goodnevTc which he had inewed to them, Judg.%. 35. But let it not be your blemifh or trefpafle to rafe out the memory of our Gideon in his progeny; but whofoevcr doth bear his name, let him be the heir of his reputation, and have the • fruit and blcliW of his famous works to all generations. Thus everyway in perfon, memory, and pofterity, let Gideon be ho- noured. The Iaft thing is, that Ifrael be clcanfed. For are our judge- ments gone, and inall not the filth of the daughter of Slon be pur- ged away ? yes, Thou art made whole, fin no more. Oh let us re- member that it was finne which brought in the Midianitcs, and when 7l?e man ofyalonr." 129 when the Midianites are ca(t out, let our finnes be chafed out with them ; it is much that Gods fcourge hath not reformed us, but it were heavy if his embraces fhould not renew Us ; if the miferies of the Age could not reclaim us,yct let the miracles of the Age con- vert us ; ohconfider how many Wondeis God hath done for us, and what to remain Prodigies in his eyes ? yet as farre as the Mi- are not our grapes grapes of gall ? are our Lifts, riots, blafphemies, op- preffions, old cult omes, new fafhions, anything abated.' arcwc tf/-- any thing the better for our deliverance t or having gotten liber- ret ) neH( u ty, do we not break out in a rage after our fenfuall defires ? Are &> confi- our lives faved, our priviledges reftored, our King and Kingdome ?««»<#> fetled for this ? Oh wo unto us then that ever we tafted of mercy, 3*°&J*P» or heard the founding of Gods bowels, or felt the cords of Gods'^ yetah love drawing us f Hath God deiired nothing more then to fupply Teccatnm all our neceinties, and is there in us nothing but a defire to retain obligate t* or purfue that which juftice doth forbid? As crooked as things tdrctlim- were, hath God made all things ftreightto us ? and are we fo di-J: m?w ftorted that we cannot frame up our felvcs to any recVitude ? do we wo £ po fa m pufh with our horns at him that bred us ? Hath God deferved fo mmfireg. well at our hands, and is there none to offer a facrifice to him but Aritt* one Pyrrhlas, fomc particular devout foul? where is the Tribe of"f" w ** pious fouls ? where is the whole Nation of Saints ? that there JJJjj^," iliould be one Libertine in the Land, or one prophane perfon in ^ emo 'i e _ the whole Country / what hearts have we to feel companions ? we m»rho what eyes have we to look upon miracles ? Wo be to thee Coraz,ln, borem wo be to thee Bethfalda,for If the great workj which have been immla ' done In thee had been done In Tyre and Sldon, they would have rf- Tyr ,fo. tented In facecloth and afhes, Matth. 1 1, 21, Paynims and Infi- «*, pfo R Would we not have the Midia- nites Lords over us again, then why do we not obey him who hath freed us from their Tyranny ? when Hiall God open your eyes to> fee his goodneffe, or open your lips to confclTe his greatneile, or open your hearts to have a feeling of your duties, if not by fuch a miracle as this ? oh let this miracle ? be written upon your door- pofts, upon the pillars of your Temples, upon your Tribunals, up- on your Parliament doors, in every corner of the Land, in every corner of your hearts, that ye may be the Lords by vow, by fruits, amongft the holy people of the earth, above all the holy people in the world. Confider how much there hath been of Gods provi- dence, and how much there hath been of Gods omnipotency in the Land, and walk ye aniwerably to his vifiblc cxprefTions and your fenfrble experiences ; fo may your welfare continue, your deliver- ance be fattened as a nail in a Aire place, your Jhrone be as the dayes of heaven, and your happy Government be lengthened out to the utmoft bounds of the everlafting hills ; and when ye have tried what the fweetncAeof peace, the benefit of profperity, and the bleffing of liability oi times is upon earth, ye may come to the Prince of peace, the hVirof all things, to him who hath neither beginning nor end. Which that we may do, the Lord grant for bis mercies fake. ^Amen. FINIS. S H E B A S HEAD Call over the WALL O R The Dead Scalp «f REBELLION Exprcffcd in a moderate Treatife , (hewing that K I N G S are not to be refilled by force of Armes. ^ _ ®;Tho.Reeve,D. D, Preacher of Gods word at WalthamAbby in £j?cx. nsfgalnft a King there is no rijlng up. Proy. 30. 31. Is it fit to fay to a King thou art wickjd, and to Princes yee are ungodly ? Job. 34. 18. Principi nullum alium effe judicem nifi Deum, ZiphHlm^ in Antonio. L O N B O N, Printed by z.R for the Authour, x 6 6 x. To the High and Mighty Monarch CHARLES The Second, K I NG of Great Britain, France smdlre- land , Defender of the Faith, &c. *A peaceable (fovemmem, a pro/per om <%e ign y ji glorious 1(ejt. Dread Sovereign , Hough the warres be ceafed, yet men have war in their hearts > your Act of Indemni* ty could not quell new infurre&ions. ToB bellum tumult tut. An end of one warreisnot the end of all tumults > men may have laid down their armes, but not their animofities. Cuflode, &• cur a naturapo* tentior omni, An ill nature is hardly ever ever to be cured yet wicked men may be convinced,if not converted,&to 0en cefuch clamorous ftridulent lln- ners I thinke that there is no better way then to shew them,that though their fpirits be untraceable, yet their actions are unlawful; if fin were once killed in the conlcience , it would fbon dye in the prac~tife. That there might never then Rebels be feen moreinyourKingdomel have en-~ deavoured in this Treatife to shew, that the violent refining of Princes by force of armes is not only danger rous but damnable, fo that if men have not a minde to go to hell , let them never take another march to < Kebels- heath. What I have written up- on this tubjecl, I have done my bcft to exprefleic both perfpicuoufly,and modeftly. God give a bleffing to the en- enterprife, that it may be true pre- venting phyfick. Thus leaving all to your Majefties judicious perufall and favourable conftruc~tion , upon my bended knees begging your long life and happy raign , fubmi£ lively I take leave, and reft Your Majefties fincere, and facrificing Subject T h o : Reeve, TO Duke of FomerfetyGcotgQ Duke #f Albemarle* Thomas Earleof South- ampton, lames Earle of Northampton, Lionel Earle of Midelf ex } Gcovgc Earle of Norwich, and the reft of the Nobilitie of the Kingdoms of Englandiunftained honour* and undoubted Salvati- on. Right honourable, Ou have had your (hare In the fufferings of the Times, and have found and felt, what a capital Enemy a Rebel is to your honorable families and perfons. The Noblemen of Sion comparable to fne Gold, hove have they been efleemed as the earthen pitchers , and they which have been brought up In fcarlet how have they been made to embrace the dunghill ? The Tumult uoufnefs of The times fequeflred mofl of your efiates, layd many of you in Prlfon, cut offfome Noblmens heads, braved upon your perfons, and pulled down your houfe of Veers. O brave frollckj, or lymphatlcf^prankjs of 'armed Wild- heads ! what therefore will ye be Marfhalsof the Campeto fuch male -contents ? or leaders to fuch Lunatlcks trG0 f e s ? t ^ en it "**& happen to you as It did to the Lacedemonians by their Servants tailed the Hdots,7*h& getting arms Into their handstand having fome principal men f&r their conductors , the rebellion could fcarcely \be quieted in vpn years. Paufan in Atticis. Or as it did to the Athenians, when their bond men mutined , and tookj the Caflle of Sunium , the rifng could hot be quelled till an hundred t how f and, or myriads were flam as Athen. !. 6. c. 7. Or as it did to the Romanes when the fervlle rout and the banlfhed men joy- nlng together, and crying out arme , arme, Liberty, Liberty , and drawing Appius Herdonius a rich Sabine to be their Captalne Oeneral,they took^the Capitol, made havockjn great mens houfe s, defaced defaced a great fart of the City, and at lafl could hardly by all the Jlrengt h of Rome be fubdued. Sabellic.l. 3. Ennead. 3. Oh when fuch rnferiours mount the S ah die , ye muft hold the ftirrup, Re* member that Bellum Rufticum eft tatum Procerum. Oh there- fore never let it be f aid that yon do fefler againfl your Soveraigne, or to revenge yonr private quarries , do f oft er fuch f editions, fiafti- ous mificreants,fior they do but draw you out into the field to draw far ties to them,fio fioon as they have corrtpleated an Army, they will turn you out of office, and fend you home to be derided like popu- lar Puff es and Gulls, For you to take part with finch, it is not only unChriftian, and ignoble, but the height of indificretion, and madnefife, ; ye had as good go and provide a lodging for your fielves in Bedlam , or hire ftage -players to acl Comedies of you at your Gates, or buy fetters for your childrens heels. God be pr ay- fed fome of you had the Grace, and wit to rcftft the temptation, and inchantment, whereby ye are looked upon at this day as Perjons of candid fubjetlion, and unf potted loyaltie. And I befieech you ft ill fry the name of Chrift,and the blond of Chrift , by his pure lawes, and his holy example , by the afhes of Martyrs , and the duft of your Progenitors , by your honourable Families, and the houfie of Lords, by the Kings throne, and the Kings Patent, by your folemn Oaths and your ftritl reckoning-, that a Peere be not a confede- rate with Pef ants, or that a Nobleman which fhould b* a leige-man to his King,bc not a league-man with Hindes, and Plebeians.//*?*? difhonourable was it for any of you, to offer your plate to raifie an army againfl your King, and to fend your Horfes into the field, froteftwg that ye had rather drinks in wooden difhes and walk-on foot , then fuch a righteous caufe fhould mif carry ; was this likj grave States -men ? was it Peer-like? was it for the honour of your pedigree , or the peace of your confidences ? did they ever give you thanks for it ? did they not pay you your own at laft with cudgels , did they not un-peer you? and were they not about to have divided your eftates as more proper for the meriting Leveller s?did they not drink, healths of ficorn to you in your own plate, and come curvet- ing upon your own Horfes to brave upon you at your very gates > what elfie could be exfipetled f and indeed what elfie did you defierve f Learn therefore hereafter never to take part with fuch S abjetls, dbjetisybut as ye- derive your honmrsfrma King,& by him art created Noble^fo be ye hi* feleB Noble life-guard > which that ye may be I do here ofer unto -you Scripture Grounds, which leave - ingto your prudent consideration^ and your Lor dfhips to the di- rection and tuition of the Almighty^ I humbly takf leave and rtfi Your honours in all laudable and confcionablc defires and dcfigncs. Tho: Reeve, TO TO THE Right reverend Fathers in C o D GILBERT Lord Bishop of fy$ don j Matthew Lord Bi 1 op of Ely, George Lord Biftiop of JVorcefter, Iohn Lord Bifhop of Rochefter, and to the reft of the reverend Bifliops of the Kingdoms Right reverend Fathers in God, W all quarrels the Priefl-hood is Genus invifum, the hated flocks ; whofuffer more then the Clergie- men f If any of thefe fpeak^ reafon to defperate men , prefently they fay the Prophet is a Foole, the fpiritual man is mad ; if their deflgnes be re- prehended, A fnare is laid for him that reproveth in the gate. Feriunt fummos fulgura montes , The lightnings flafh mofl andfoonefl upon thefe high mountaines,it is the Church- man that is mofl fpighted,and persecuted :Then Quaerite Athanafi- uni, Seeks out Athanafius, then Lienor poft Cyprianum, Let the Emiffary be fent out after Cyprian, / could a Hedge many inflan- cesj but what need I, ye your f elves are inflances. The fat Bulls of Bailian have roared mofl upon you,the rafour hath come sharpliefi upon your heads, the archers have levelled mofl of their arrows at your breafls, the p lowers have made the deepefl furrowes up- on your backs. The great works of perfecutton if to dig down Altars , and to flay the Prophets. How were the Church-orna- ments in this hand carried -up and down with Triumph, and the Church-men made Spetlac/es, and Ga^ivg-ftockj ? Well ( right reverend Fathers )ye have gotten your Rochets upon your backj, and the Pafloral flaves into your hands yet once again, and how might you for many years enjoy your lurifditlion freely, and ft quiet ly^ and honourably in you chair es, were it not for the difturb- S 2 ance ^"IJ *nce of the fefons ^f Belial ? That ye may never r !f God Be p lea- fed ,tafie again the like bitter fruit, that ye have formerly, I have endeavoured to plucky up this root that beareth Gall, and Worm- wood. Thus if you shall deigne to caft your favourable and fa- therly eye upon mypaines, and pronounce that I'have handled the fubjetl foberlyjt may be a great furtherance to the Treatife, that it may be acceptable to others, and efficacious to prevent future in- furretlions. Thus depending much upon your approbations, and fubmitting what I nave written to your grave judgements with all due river ence proflrating my f elf at your Honours feet I take leave and reft* Waltham Abby. Your LordiTiips moft dutifull Son in Effex, ^ mo ft obfequious Servant. Tho: Reeve; t o TOTHE Right honourable St. Robert Fojler, Lord chief Iuftice of the Kings bench Siv Orlando Bridge -man Lord cheif Iuftice of the common picas Edward y^tkins one of the Barons of the Exchequer and the reft of the , honourable Iudges. Right Honourable, and Grave J u B g b s , Hat a chafe hath there been In this Land f ye have gone a Pilgrimage from your Courts of Juftlce. The whole Land hath been pofieffed with evil fplr its , and Weft mlnfter -hall hath been a Demonlack^ I read in Scripture of fome men of your pro fefi2on that can tume ajide after lucre, wreft the Law, pervert judge - ment, turne judgement into gall , and the fruit of right eoufneffe into worme -wood, Judges that have been as firery as the Evening Wolves. Have there been fuch In the Scripture, and not fuch in the Land , yes I e labels Judges, -which have framed ft range inftruments, and pronounced bloudy decrees , the Kings-head, and many Clergy-mens neckj may be laid to the Charge of fuch pernicious , perfidious, and perjurious Judges ; they fomented treafon, and told the age, that fighting againft the King was not Rebellion, but legal magnanimity . But I truft that this Hericano is over and that this Devil is exorcised out of the Body of the Law. I believe now that the Judges are reft ore d as at thefirft^. and that there is never a Pilate, Felix, Gallic, or unjuft Judge, that neither feareth God, nor r ever enceth man fitting among you. Te are welcome then Into your Tribunals, and I pray let the King and Kl ngdome finde that there are Judges now which will tell the whole JVatlon what the Eminency, and Immunity of a King is. It would be an exqulfite, and It is almoft a recjuifite ypork^ to fear ch up all the feditlous Pamphlets, which either fub- tile States-men, Mercenary parajites, or hlgh-bralnd, halr-bramd Lawyers have publlfhed teaching the people the juftlce^necefftty, & honour honour of haughty off of tiorts againft lawful andfetledautho rity, and by your concurrent opinions and joint judgements to give "a diftintt,pojitive anfwer. It is not one alone that can work^ this cure , no J his fick^ patient had need have the counfel. and help of a whole Colledge of Phyjicians, that men may not dy in impeni- tence, as Hugh and his fellow Huguenots did, not one of them conf effing rebellion to be a (in , or asking pardon for it. Oh M'\\:on,how haft thou tnfufed that poyfon, that fcarcely any Phy- fick^ can expel ? Rebellion when it is once rooted is like and old Oal^e which cannot be blown down, but muft be chopt down. If any thing remedy this mifchiefe it muft be advice, and clear rea- fon,a Bench-cafe only will not do it, a book^cafe might efpecially Rerodot. attefted with the unanimous confent of all the fudges. Quum I, 7 . plurcs fentcntise di6tac funt, licet tanquam puram auram deligere. ^r yes, by the finding of his AfTes, by a , s am>la prefent brought to him from Mount Tabor , by the gift of prophc- 2, j, 6)9*. fie, and by beftowing a new fpirit upon him ; tnefe miracles were full teftimonies that God did author ife the calling , therefore Saul goeth ever after for Gods King , for See ye him whom the Lord l S"»«k>* hath chofen , and I have fet up Saul to be- King. And is not Da- \^ <% i>/Vfaid to be thus peculiarly chofen by God ? yes, Samuel with tlt all his wifdome, and graces, and light of prophefy could not fever him out from amongft the reft of the fonnes of Jejfe , till God sin- gled him forth , for The Lord f aid, arlfe, anoint him, this is he ; * Sam > * 6 » and God it was that gave him the fpecial endowments for the I2 ' place , for the fpirit of the Lord came upon David from that day am l6 ' forwards; yea, T>avld acknowledged it to Mlchal , It was be- ^ Sam 6 fore the Lord, that chofe me before thy father , and before thy 2 ,. fathers houfe to appoint me to be Ruler over the people of the Lord; And he makes an humble and thankfull confclilon to God himfelf, Thou haft brought me hitherto. And how came Solomon to be 2 ?am. 7- King but by divine appointment > yes, he was the youngerl , not l3 » born to the Throne,a child not fit for Government r if God had not called him even to admiration to fvvay the Scepter : it was David's pious meditation, and dying apprehenfion upon the bufinerTe , for Bleffed be the Lord God of Ifrael, who hath given one to fit on my l Kin g> r * Throne this day, mine eyes even feeing of It ; and zsfdonli ah {ub- 4 *' mits to it as to an evident and irrefiltible truth, and fo maketh re- lation of it accordingly unto Bathfhebah , The Klngdome is turn- 1 ^ing.i, ed about, and is become my brothers, for it was his from the Lord; 1 5 * yea Solomon in his Kingdomc-prayer devoutly afcribeth the enjoy- ment of all manner of princely dignity unto God, for Thou oh I ^ ^ Lord my God halt made thy fervant King in ftead of David my 7 ' * T 3 father. I so Sheba's head call eve the T»a!l. Father.! need not therefore to fearch farther, yet abundant fearch cannot be. fuperfluous in this point, for it is the fupporter of the ' Throne,& this one principal,the ground of all our future difcourfe ; for apparent it is, that the tenure of Kings is as the lawyers fay ^mbfer. fc another kind In Nttbibus, in heaven. "The Magiftrate is given 7. " of God , as Ambrofe ; By whofe appointment men are borne, inn. cc by hj s appointment Princes are con(tituted,as hen. Kings in that cuq>, i«i t j^ e y are>t [j : y are f God, as Chry. We reverence the Prince as a mortal man next to God, of whom he holdcth all things, as Hugo. Tertul. God made the Empsrour as Opt at us. Kings hold of Gm. I. *• their primer Lord, For by me Kings r eigne, Pro v. 8. 15. And dejure God giveth the kjngdome to who?7?foever he will. Dan. 4. 27. L I; c ^e ^ m P^ re * s an no -y tn ^ n g-> as ^ lt came by divine appointment. z. 1.7. So then the rii^ht of Kings is by the belt conveyance, here is the true Magna Chart a, their calling is divine. The fecond ground is that this calling is to be furnifhed with fufficiency of authority; for as in Nature if there be a defect there is but a kind of imperfeft. Creature ; fo in government if Princes have not power aniwerable to their places they are but dwarfed in there calling, and appear like a kind of Monfter, Perfettum . eft cm nihil dceft, Princes therefore being the molt perfect Go- * vernours, they rriuft want nothing for the conveniency of their xs n tj cftates ; for ,; Av«f a King come of «*»*%«& worthy in thehigherV au?. degree ; yea/k>z£ mult is alia, fed nullis tali a, for there is not on- Hofins ty foteftas , but CMajeftas ; the Lord hath commended to thee Cm/iantio Majefty with the Empire, as Hofins told Conftantlm 5 to fpeaTt apud A- of Kings in low termes is to undervalue their greameflfe, therefore tUnaf. r^fljk fulgent ius let us not be unmindful of the Kingly dignitie. d ta^ri- ^ nc c1na ^ en g e °t Henry the eight was, That he was furnifhed by tes. tnc SJooSncfe and -fufrc ranee of Almighty God wirh plenary power. Fulg.l.-. And thus indeed it rnuft be;for a King to be deftitute of any au- mn hony,and butter, and Sheep, and Cheefe , 2 Sam. 1 7. 28, $p\^ s ?"** and f° nie external thin^,and counted fuperiour to mans prefent happineiTe ; for no man choofeth his hands, or eyes, or wifdomc,. or beauty, becaufe he is born to thefe things ; but if a man choofe any thing it is fomething that Nature hath not gifted him wiihal!,and this he feeketh to and cm- braceth as a fupcrvenient comfort. God then giveth the liberty of having Kings, and we accept oi this privilcdgc as a Divine fa- vour, yea ss a greater good and happineffe then man without the heavenly Ordinance can attain to of himfelf, fo then for the thing chofen men do nor make Kings. Thirdly, people cannot make Kings, becaufe they honour Kings, and Nemo -honor at, quod ipfc % flfc fabricates man honourcth that which lie makcth himfelf; no, Nero Senutk f° r his Idol-^odscould fay, Stultc verebor. ipfe, quos faciam deos ?• Tr that came V 3 by 1 5 % Shell* headcafi over &e%4L in poprfo by Divine appointment, God never furfered fuch a popular power M>t*% t0 cro ff e w j t [ 1 tac R e gall power by way of allowance ; no, this fuere Re- re ^rvation hath not in Scripture its confecration. Secondly, not ges din- to the Law of Nature, for what infcriolir thing in Nature doth ni bu. .reform the iuperiour ? the mixt bodies doc not reform the elements, mttiiqite thefecond conco£Hondoth not re6tifie the firft, the vegetative or ^ummns ^ ei ^^ ve Acuities do not order the reasonable, the branches do not mutuant dirfufe fappc to the treeaf the root do nor, the matter do not re- mfcriores ferve power to difpofc the compofitum, if the form* , qua eslucun- Magiftrx- tnr e potentiH materia, negleit. their operations; no, Nature tu*,m leaves all government in the highelt, and fuffers no predominancy plurimi ininferiours. Thirdly, not to the Law of Nations, for in what fuereviri Nation was it ever known, that ever any King took his Crown up- piio'foit- on fuch conditions,, or that the people ( I will nor fay ufed, but ) tes t tdfibi re f ervec l f uc h a liberty as held lawfull to rile up againil Superiours ? ^ttmbfe- ^ ure * am > r ^ c Tribunes, and Confuls, and Di&atours, were more runt, ut fi' ce &r tr *cir time ; after they were out of tneir office it was a rare Kegtbtu thing for any of thefe to be called to account, but fo long as they vim uU were i n tnc ir Office, who could queftion them t no, they which °tt ' fet them up in the time of their government, could not force them Htf ' to make fatisfacYion for their errours in government. And amongft Gmitnyl. all the Kings, H:atheni(Ti, Mahumetan, or Chriftian, was it ever lJe )ure known that there was fuch a refer vation, that if the Kings did not heL ty ru i e according to fuch Laws, or conditions, they had forfeited their fact*, c.4. autri0 rity, their Subjects were difcharged of their Allegiance, and the power did revert to the people ? Indeed fome humble protefta- tions there were of form Princes, that they defired no longer to enjoy the fword, then that they fhould ufe it to the welfare of them that were committed to their charge, but that the Common- wealth ever fo conditioned, or covenanted with them, that if they failed in government, the people iliould have power to work their own remedy, it cannot be (hewn • no, the people in no Nation till this day ever yet expreffed any fuch immodefty, that their pro- ceeding was accounted juft. Shall our Kinp,dome be worfe then the molt barbarous, or our Kings move retrained in it then in the moft Elective ? no, the Law of Nations condemn this. Fourthly, slot to the Law of ordinary government, for docs the fcrvant re- form his Maftcr, or the fon his Father, or the wife her Husband ? Do Shtbts htadcafi over the 'waIL r 5 9 Do Burgers rule the Incorporation, if the chief Magiftrate be re- mil's? or the County execute Writs, if the Sheriff be defective ? no, in fubordinate governments we find no fuch power left in In- feriors to exercife power inftead of their Supcriours. Fiftly , not to the law of common rcafon, for the individuum ovfpecies do not order the Genus, or the fecunda fubflantia the prima y or the minor or conclufion, the major proportion. So then we fee that Kings if the^ tranfgrefs they are left to the conviction of their own con- fidences, there is no refer vation of power left in the people to bring them into better temper. The third Corollary nSall be, that feeing all power in a Kings* Dominion muft be derived from that fufficiency of power that is in him,that there can be no coordination.For coordination prefup- pofeth an equality , but can a King and his Subjects be equals ? no, the Scripture makes a King tranfeendent, he is to rule alone , and none to bear any fway but by his commiffion or permiffion ; For of Judah the cheif Ruler it is fa id , that His Fathers children fhall bow before him , yea he is the Lion amongft all the Tribes y and who fhall roufe him up } Gen. 49. 8, 9. Surely, not to tell him of his faults in that lofty manner , that they fhall have power to force him to better courfes ; no, Unto himfhall be the gathering of thepeople y vcr. 10. that is, all the people fubjec^ed to him; yea, the chief Ruler is to be by Gods appointment more then an equal , even to be King over them ; Deut . 17.15. if a King ever them 5 . then not a King with them , yea, Jothans parable teachem this , where The Trees went forth to anoint a King over them y and he was to be promoted over the Trees , Judg. 9.8. Nay, it was Gods direftion at the firft fetting up of a King,that the King was to have a chiefty amongft the people, for This [hall be the manner of the King that fhall reign over you y 1 Sam.8. 1 1 . and the people were not offended at this fpcech, but hid y There fhall be a King over us y I Sam 8. 19. And that appears by the two branches of his au- thority, that he (hould judge them y and goe out befofhthem y \ci\2 o. Judge them, and fo he either in his pcrfon or by his fu 1 ftitutcs to parte all the decrees in the Nation ; and to goQ out before them ? and fo not a man left to tread out the way to him , or with him , as his fellow-guide. Did not God ratify this in Saul } yes, by many teftimonics, as that he chofc him a man higher then all the people 160 Shebis head caji over the^ill. people from the fhoulders upward, i Sam. 9. 2. And lay there not a myftery in thefe natural dimensions? yes, it was to (hew that a King for ever iTiould carry a iuperiority over his people; Samuel^ ye may fee, drew this argument even from his eminent ftature , for See ye not him whom the Lord hath chofen, that there is not tht like to him amongft all the people } 1 Sam. 10.2 4. And that- -place is remarkable where it is faid,that The itefire of all the people fhould be fet upon him, 1 Sam. 9.20. as if there were not a man but he had given up his heart unto him, and fubmittcd to his authority ; and that likewife is considerable, where it is faid that he (hoitld he Captain over Gods inheritance, 1 Sam. 10. 1. as if the whole in- heritance were delivered into his hands , and configned over to him ; therefore when the whole reprefentadve body was met, Sa- muel faid , The Lord hath fet a King over yon, 1 Sam. 12. 13. And as David was his SuccefTour in the Throne, lb not in power > yes, the Lord (tates him in all the precedent privilcdges, and makes him Saul's equal in all manner of Royalties , for Thou (halt feed my people Ifrael, and thou [halt Rule over them, 1 Chron. 1 1. 2. Yea the whole Kingdome even fo many hundred thoufands afTem- bled to acknowledge his command over all , For all the men of war that could keep rank_ carne with a perfect: heart to maf^e Da- vid King over all Ifrael, and all the reft atfo of Ifrael were of one heart to make David King, 1 Chron. 12.38. So that here are the greateft as well as the fmalleft yielding fubjecUon ; nay, his own free confdfion witneflkth it , for He hath chofen Judah to be Ruler , and of the houfe of Judah, the houje of my fat her , and amongft the fonnes of my father, he liked me to make me King over Ifrael, 1 Chron. 28. 4. And infinite teftimonies there are to lhcw that this was actually performed,for The ^philiftines heard that David was anointed King over all Ifrael , 1 Chron. 14.8. And David reigned over all Ifrael, 2 Sam. 8.15. And David the fon of Jeff e reigned over all Ifrael, 1 Chron. 29. 26. And had not Solomon this general authority conveyed unto him? yes, All Ifrael obeyed, even all the Princes and mighty men , and all the fonnes of King David fubmitted themf elves unto Solomon the King, 1 Chron. 2 9. 2 3.24. infomuch that not fome of the mean- er fort, but the beft of the Nation are faid to be fubje£fced to him, for the whole Land was the Land if his Dominion, 2 Chron. 8.6. There- Shebx$ headca/l ova t he ^aH. \ 6 1 therefore is k faid that Solomon was King over all Ifrael y i King. 1 1. 42. Yea, it is enough tc confirm this, that the Throne :s called The throve of the Kingdoms, 7 King. 1. 46'. and The Throve of Ifraely 1 King. 10. 9. |S i£ 'he whole Nation were un- der the Kings command , therefore is \: faid that The Kingdoms (that is,thc whole power of the Nation) was efi^blijhed in his hand, 1 King. 2; 46. He that iittcth in the Throne, hath he not an in- communicable (tile ? yes, he is called the Chief Cover no ur, and mofl excellent ±\ Chron. 29. 22. and if Chief and moft excellent , 1 Pet. 2. 13. Who are to compare with him ? no, fo far are the people from bearing nn even height with the King , that they arc laid to be under htsfhadow, Lam. 4. 20. If ye would have any more out of Scripture, thefe pregnant places are to be weighed, who ft all lay his hand' upon the Lords ^Anointed ? 1 Sam. 26. 9. as if none could lawfully lift up an hand againft the King , or Go- vern in his Land with equal authority; for Government hath vim coacllvam^t requireth enforcement; and that place is likewife Jqtlnxs* to be considered , Let every foul be fubjetl to the higher powers^ Rom. 1 3.1 . Every foul, that is, * the fouls of the Magnates as well as-thc Infimates;yca a notable proofe it i?,that all the Ofticeis of the Kingdome arc called the King's Officers , for thefe are the Chief of ^ the mighty men whom David had^i Chr. 11.11. ^Andfuch are tauIh* called Chief Rulers about Davld^i Sa. 2 0.2 6. And all Governoursomntma- (as it was faid before ) are filled Governours fent by the King , mmamfi* 1 Pet. 2.12. J So that they have no power to order or prcfo ibe^L™" J 9 ' any thing direclively, or correctively , but by the King ; for Da- f^^^ vi d executed judgement and iuftlce to alt his people, 2 Sam. 8 1 t y.ejfert*lt- i f That though others be initrumcnts, yet the King is * principal : rftiam AU- dirtributivc juftice be the Kings, theri cfoubtfeffs" he may challenge 0ram this as his proper and infcparablc right. Seeing then the Khg is j^"? f * fo often faid to be over the people, and over all , and the Princes, ffJloGr§. L de)ure belli,&paepsi.c.4.f.6. f Mdgiflratibns tdnquam mxfi'u a Rege, tdeJt,poteflatemjU anc * tnat r ^ £ w hole Ji'ftice of the Kingdome is leap. his, there can be no coordination. For we make him Soveraign over all , in that we make him fubje£t but to God alone. u There tc is no man above the Emperour beiides God alone,which made the optat. it "Emperour;and Optatus reproves Udnatus becaufe he did net fear febif. and reverence him whom all men fhould honour next unto God. Donat.1.3- We may fpeak unto you (oh Childerlck^ faith Greg. Turon.) ifyou lift not to hearken , who can condemn you but that great God fe-jf /. / who hath pronounced himfelf RighteoufnefTe ? Kings (faith Otho cap, i. Fripngenjis) have none but God himfelf above them , whom they need to fear. Yea, "Pope Ptns himfelf iaith , Let there be an end of contention , and one principal Head to determine all temporal matters , let the occafion of perpetual debate be taken away , let men acknowledge themfelves fubject, to their Prince , and give re- verence to him whom God hath made his Vicegerent ; yea, not only Chryf. Iaith that Rex non habet par em fufer t err am , but Braflon. B ration faith that Rex non habet par em In Regno [uo , The King /. i,c. s. hath no equal in his own Kingdome , but All are under him, and 17> An* he under none, but only under God ; which is agreeable to the Ar- ticle of our profeffed Religion confirmed by Acfc of Parliament > which faith, that the Kings majefty hath the chief power in the Realm of England, and other his Dominions- unto whom the chief government of all Eftates of this Realm doth appertain ; and Sr.sd*. $i r Edward Co^avoucheth it as Law, that it appeareth as well ^l+iriel ' °Y ^ 1C anc * enc Common Law of this Land , by the rcfolutions and cafef. 40. jndgemcivs of the Judges and Sages of the Laws of England in all fucceilion of ages , as by authority of many Ac-b of Pai liament, an- cient and of later times, that the Kingdome of England is an, ab- folute Monarchy , and the King is the only Supream Goyernour, i Elixb. as wc ^ overEcdefiaftical perfons, and in Ecclenn/tical caules-, as .,,.> temporal within this Realm ; nay, the Oath of Supremacy (which iliould put every man in mind what he hath bound his foul to ) plainly Shebas head eafl over the *KaH. 163 plainly (wears the whole Kingdome, and the Parliament it felf to conreiYc, that the King's HighnelTe is the only Supream Govemout of this Realm ; no marvail therefore that Henry g.claimeth to himfclf the -whole and entire power, prerogative , and preeminence; 24/fcii.f. yea, that with difdain he rejected the motion of his Parliament , c . 11. when they would have conftraincd him, to an Act of Grace ; for when the Houfe of Commons denyed to parte the Bill to pardon the Clergy ("eing in a Premunire ) unlefle they might alfo be par- doned, he' fa id He was their Soveraign, and would not be compelled &•**&• to (hew mercy. Where there is a King then, there can be no joint v ? ^'* Commanders; no, That is necejfary in nature, and profitable to Diou.Cdfs. men, that fome fhould govern, and others obey. What power have any to execute Juftice, but by his authority ? no, It is the Office vhdo.l. ie of the King to command what things are fit to be done y and to in- ™<* Moy~ hibit what things are fit to be forborn. Other men have nothing ' xu to do, but to maintain their pi ivate intercfts , but as for Govern- ment it is wholly inverted in the King , as that wife Heathen refol- ved, To C* far belongeth the power over all , to every man elj >&«*«• but a propriety in his own. Therefore it is an enforcement upon Royal command to challenge a joynt authority in ordering a Common-wealth with a King. But to make this more mani- feft , I will adde thefc convincing reafons againft Coordination. Firft there can be no Coordination, becaufe to be a King's equals or Coordinate,enters not into the definition of a Subject,for Sub- jects are wholly to obey the laws of their Superiours , and not to make laws to them , or without them , as we faw lately how many Orders and ordinances arc forced befides, or perhaps againit the (landing laws of the King, when this Coordination is urged. Se- condly, Kings and Subjects are not under the Tame Species, and it is neceflarily required that coordinate Agents, or partial caufes fhould be ejufdemfpeciei, or elfe it is an equivocal Coordination : now though thefc be under the Came Species as men,yet not as Go- vernors , for both the Hcufes acknowledge and ftile themfelves Humble Subjects. Thirdly, where there is a more noble form , there can be no Coordination , but Kings have a more noble form then any Reprefentative Body , namely to be God's immediate Vicegerent , which is a ftile that never was, nor can be given to the two Houfes. Fourthly , that which is accidental cannot be X 2 coordinate 1 64 Sbdas head caft over the Teall. coordinate with that which is of it felf , for Quod per fe vtrjlQt. ftmp licit er> & natura fna tale eft , magis tale eft y qnam id quod eft per accidens , ant per participationem : But for a King to govern it is dTential to him, and that he take any to help him in his go- vernment it is but accidental , for many, Kings have governed Xepor without fo much as a privy Counfellour, as it is faid of the Scottlfh • Motrins. Kings for two hundred years and odd , and how long privy Counfellours and Parliaments have been in England is uncertain. - Fiftly, there can be no Coordination becaufe the King is the firft, . now nothing can carry cocquality with the firft, for the firft in e- ZibdreB. very kind is The meafure of the reft , and that which is Chief . Spin. Is the Rule of all other things. Now that the King is firft , not only in order, but in honour and Efficacy is apparent , becaufe he calls the reft, for the Reprefentative Body meet at his appoint- ment ; and now if they may meet without a formal Writ , yet it is by the Kings content , which is a conftant Triennial call , for ■. without the Kings ratification, they had had no power to hold > that great Aflcmbly. B:fides, he is not only firft in the call, but in the concluding upon that which muft pafte for a law ; for except his negative voice be denied him , any thing may be denied that is propounded , for what he doth he doth out of judge- ment and affedtion , and not by compulfion , as that great Law- yer hath well determined ; We know full well ( faith Elfmere ) "Bfrntn. from the practice of all former Parliaments , that the three E- poflnati ftates are fubordinate to the King in making lawes y wherein the f. a%. chief power confifteth 7 they may propound or confent, but it is ft ill in the Kings power to rcfxfe or ratify... Now where the King is iii ft in the call , and firft (that is chicfeft) in the concluding there muft needs be a priority, and fo no coordination. Sixthly, there can be no coordination becaufe the King is a diftincl: perfon , and to be confide! ed feparatim as the head from the whole body , now that which is limited to the Prince cannot be communicated to the fubjeft , for XJna eademejue res duohw fuppofitis non pot eft eodem * w " ' gradti excellere ,for this were then to deftroy diftincl:ions. Seeing then Gods ordination for government is ictled upon the Prince, (and that proved not only by clear teftimonies of Scripture, but likcwilc by perfpicuous rcafon ) there can be no Coordination. Thcfe grounds being laid, and Corollaries annexed, I come now to Sheba's head casi over the W/. 1 6 5 co draw the inference, which is this,that leing the calling of Kings ^. ^ is divine and the people have but an inteipretative power, in the a ^ Hm j r . making of them, and feeing there muft be a fuftlckncy of power rimm fa- in them which will admit of no : refer vation, and feeing Jll*u- '/****** thority cxercifed within their own Dominions muft be fo derived J7*™' j w from them, that there mu{t be no co-ordination, that refinance by fy \ n p^. force of Armcs a^ainft a Piincc is a thing unreasonable, and nami hunt unjuft ; for refinance is a kind of iudicial adt, yea the fevereft of in Reg»*n punifhments, for it carries in it a vindicative power , now whom**" 6 **"" hath God appointed to take vengeance upon a King ? no, it is ha y itHm a principle engraven into ail our bofomcs,jthat the liigheft is not rum.ut to be judged, and Solomon confirmes it, for who may fay unto a nee altar K ing, what doeft thou >Eccdf. 8.4, that is,not to fay whatj&eft kg*p*** thou, as I am freed of my allegiance, and can lawfully meet thee in "' . the field to tell thee thy errour in a pitched battlemo, the fentence ^ ja i ent co . of that famous Lord-keeper Elfmere is very pertinent to iV\s gtndi. purpofc, who when the Parliament in Rich, fecond's time told the N*w£«- King that if he neglected his duty and would not do that which he nmo > .*** ought to do, they could compel him to it,pronounccth thus of that n0npo r pa(Tage,that this very thing depriveth the King of all foveraignty, fuvtpro- and maketh his Governmcn: an Ariftocracy contrary to the ji ft ice cedtre nifi of our firft Kings, and the judgment of all Ages ; and it is a good •* rolun '_ obfervation of* Speed that when the Barons threatnc<] the faidj^^-" King, that if he would not come to Weftminfler, and fettle articles fr,^/^ of Peace, they would choofe another King, that they labou-^p»j, o* red not with humble words, and dutious reafons , but bc~*f#«r*- haved themfelves contrary to their allegiance, and all good older ; Vi rtin ! for to feek to compcll a King is to drew that a Nation hath an ^r"^ Armed power to force a King to juftice, But again ft a King there neC j Ue muft be no rijing up. No rinng up, and yet fomc rising up ? no futfic'wnt rifeing up, and yet rifcing up with an acute diltinCtion ? doubt- l j£jj*£* lefTe the diftindmn is as much forccd,as the infurrcction, i: being q£^* the high rape of judgmcnt,& conf cie nee ; Therefore I fay no more, r> , 4 k^; but as Solomon faith, that He that provoke: h a Kino ■ to wrath, 2. finneth againft his own Soul; Prov.2 0.2.and not only againft the bliiTc of his Soul but the peace of Ms Soul ; for there cannot but &fimere be a thoufand reluctances, bickerings , rccalcitrations , and con- Pwntti.f. 99* Sptedin thchff} Rich, 1, anwu- of h'u wgn? t what is a Kingdom?, but a great Family ? the Father is a kind of Prince at home, and the Prince, a great Fa- ther abroad ; how the Prince ought to be tendered we may know by that how,the Father ought to be refpe&ed ; for the obedience to the Father is the Index to tliew, or the Primer to learn loyalty to the Piince. Now the Father hath been a venerable perfon in all ages, infomuch that he that hath neglected his honour to the Father hath dcfiliated himfelf, & remained but as the mifcarriage of Nature, or the Abortive of duty. He that did but uncover his Fathers nakednefTe though he did not try Mafteries with him, or put in his probe into his brcaft to feai ch his heart with cold fleele, is to this day called the cttrfed Cham Gen, 9. 25. And the con- temner of his Father, that cannot look right on his Father, or had not reverence enough fitting on his eyebrowes towards him, it is faid that the ravens of the tallies fhall pick^ out his eyes. Prov. 30, 17. Yea the prefumtuous child that was procax,ox pervlcax y though he did not lock the doores upon his Father, or endeavour to brain him at his own threlTiould, yet if he fpake not in a Sonnes dialect , or did not walk compalTe with his Fatheis com- mandes he was to be carried out of the Gates of the City, &: made a publieke example,not to be killed onely, but flo ned. Deut.2 1 .2 1 . Orlgtn. Therefore faith Orlgen. Patri vel Matri nulla modo cwtmdlcere hem. ii; £ e y emH$ ^ dl C ant, faciani qu& volunt, We muft not contradict our 'Father, or Mother, though they fay or do whatiocver they pleafe. Homicide hath fomtimes been committed , becaufe man to man in general (if confanguinity do not ty him with the fir- mer links, ) holds himfelf a ftranger, but fuch is the propinqui- ty betwixt Father and Son, that Parricide was held incredible ; yea the very Heathens thought they need not ena6l any law a- gainft Sheba's head taji ovtrthe Ivall. 1 6 7 gainft it,becaufe Nature was a law to it felf.If the Father then was fo accounted of in the family, what ought the Prince to be in : he Common-wealth ? If we had childrens hearts in our bofomes, doubtleiTe we lhould know our duty better , and live in more humble fubje£tion to our nuifeing Fathers, yea thorgh they fhould hold us to ihorter meanes, or fcourge us griveoufly. The authority o£ a Father requires much at our hands, do not that then to thy Prince , that thou wouideft not do to thy Father ; thou wouldfr. be unwilling to have it faid, that thou fhouldft ftir thy Fathos bloud , then whyjyvouldft thou hazard to ilied thy Princes bloud f no, Parentis locum ebtinet^ ac vicijjim tanquam a germanis finis p^ ^ reverentiam poftulat, He ftands inftead of a Father, and jufrly vim expects reverence of his Subjects, as of his natural Children. Moifis, The fecond fnall be drawn from the firft entrances of publick government. How did God confecrate thefe with a ncceflary duty to Supcriours ? what fay ye to Mofes ? he had a people committed itrom. to his charge,but fuch as would tranfilire limites^ be out-leapers,and not keep within the boundaries of fubje£Hon, how did they feel , the fmart of their difobedience f they which murmured or muti- ned, affronted or affaulted their Governer, they went not to their graves without their vengeance-fpot feen upon them. Were not Corah, Dathan , and Ab'tram for this put into a grave m\- undigged ? yes,fo faith Chryf. Infnrrexerunt Corah, Dathan, & *fef^*« Abiram, quid ergo ? nonne illi periere ? Corah, Dathan, and A- l 1 *?t , > z * biram role up againft Mofes, what came of it ? did they not B^fil.bm: perifh ? yes, Basil, faith, quafi defcenderunt in infer nun? damna^ 9. torum, not only the earth opened and fwallowcd them up, but they were buried in Sheol it felt, in the pit of the damned, fure wc it /.hey did not dy the common dea. h of all men nor, were vljited w ththe vljitatlon of all men Ni rrv 1 6, 2 9. 3 o. but God created a new thing, even buried them net as dead caikaffes, but with their breath quick in their bofomes ; yea though this rebellion was car- ried on with ftrength, for there were two hundred and fifty Prin- ces of the AJJembly, fim&us in the Congregation, and men of reno)vn,Numo. 16. 2. even the Optimates ( as a man would fay }to be their compUces,yet God was fo incen fed at their carri- age, that he held the ground unworthy to bear them ; therefore that which iliould have been their pavement to walk on, God made it their J6% Sheba's bead caH eve the Vail, Tana jj icrroi ad •mjlff. their pitfal to finke into, Gcd hid as it were tluirnm: of tfraul underground. Why then will men renew thofe courfes that Gods judgements have punted unlawful ? why d:> they wal in thofe waies} where they may (tumble upon the Rebel ttrooke to death, with aftonilliablc rut h ? Fear they not to perifh in the gain- faying of Corah ? may not God againc create fome new thing, even raifc up Tome ftrangc judgement, that the world before was never acquainted with, to accurfe fuch a fedition withal ? yes,the Lords arme is not fhortned, he hath not emptied all his arrowes out of his quiver, he hath more fparkes of his vengeance ready to glow. I lay no more but according to the old Adage, That which is a punifhment to a few, let it be a terrour to all. Doubtleffe thefe things arc written for our own learning, if our bad matters, even our own humours have not left us indociblc; how the re- counting of thefe things may prevaile with many I know not, but they ftruck fuch a general dread into the hearts oi thole that fol- lowed cJJ/6>/>^that there was not a rebellion to be heard of in the dayesof J*f*Ay or the Judges. The Lord therefore fanctify this judgment to this Nation, that they may conjRdcr, that that is a ttrong reafon to fright men from any attempt that is drawn from Gods real cxri'diion of difpleafure upon it ; no preiidcn:,or Book- cafe like to it. The third reafon iliall be drawn from the inttitution, for after the Lord had given the world experience of inferiour Governours, he at latt brought in a Kirig,and after what fort to be ukd ? to be borne withal though intolerable ; not to be oppofed, though he did which it force rch(hnce;for though he did take away their liberties, or did , i deprive them of their Land or inthral their perfons, or potteritie [cfrtytj t0 lclv ^ e imploymcnts , yet he was to be at liberty , his Crown- obcy f and Land not to be feifea on, his Royal perfon not to be endangered ; they might no,they muft endure all thefe injurious, and vexatious carriages, *ot'efiil ns t hc lot of Government. For God knew he had not fct pure 'ml'lhad "Angels., orimpeccant Saints over them, but fuch as through the laid the height of their place, or the (Length of temptation might de- mllfmll- dine from the ftrcight rule of luftice, therefore God would not »ej?e of have their errours t >o much iniiftcd upon; no, though culpable, yet if iCingS shall run t*fnch licntioufne/fi vhich it shall not hi your part to refijl, ti %h*mthis Only thitt£ tbaU bt left to ebtj their (Qww*ndmtnt> wdtork?* t9 tbeir *Qrics c*lv , Jnjh.i^.c iof.it. not It vat called m right over t'^c people, Shebas head cast over the T»all. 1 6 9 not puniftiable, therefore there is no other redreflc then that of the Poet , Levins fit patientia , quiccjuld corrigere eft nefas, To How*. make that light by paticntcc, which cannot he othc : Ife*, p . formed without fin. For what ? right thy feif againfta King ? Jaj Rf '_ no, juftice here were inji'ftice ; all that thou canft do is to cam* £«m efc- p!ain,or toexprefTe thy griefs with earneftneiT:, but not to remedy fcribens thy felf with violcnce,or howfoever not with Gods a]lowancc,F n . on, that a King is anointed. Now do not this anointing preferve tiaptaret him fiom dangers? yes, or why are not the worthies, and grandees necde-jure elfe anointed ? Doubtleffe it is to fhew 2$ theexcellency,fo the in- g"^ tcm:iatcneiTe o:~ a Princes perfon,that it mi' ft be a moft defiled hn- &* M ™' g:r,that /hall wipe off this ovle, or ftrike at that forehead that the f ac Ji (att oyle hath touched, tor, who can lay his hand upon the Lords a- hcry/ie.ey nointed and be guilt lefe ? 1 Sam. 2(5. 9. he n [i _ -up.l a\i- ftro;klcfle xhat would be guiltkfle ; if a man hath Yn?n'?' to a guilty hand , he muft not ftretch out a bloudy hand, i J^Sk ratio yivendi pr malitiose eum perfections the Vouchers of their right ; for the name is the Inter- preter Shebas head c aft over theft all. 1 73 preter of the thing, and the Title the abridgement of power. God which taught nAdam to give apt names to the Creatures, hath not himfeif given insignificant Titles to his immediate Vicegerents ; no,ashehimfclf is known by his Attributes, fo Kings by their Ti- tles. They are called often the Heads of the Tribes ; but how are they Heads of the Tribes, if the Tribes could be Headsjor cure their Heads with a ponyard or a piftoll ? they are the lights of Ifrael, 2 Sam. 21.17. and how lights, if they can be thus eel ipfed ? or remain like the Sporades, dark fpots without a diftinguifhing beam? The fplendour of Princes is wonderfully obfeured, when if they fliine not according to their peoples liking, frarrcs of a greater magnitude do appear ; they are termed Jhields of the earth, Pial. 47. 9. and how Shields, if they cannot Shield thcmfelves from violence? if their very places cannot bear off the dint of force? Oh confider, if thefe very Titles, and infinite more that might be a!— ledged, do not preach obedience, and aw the foul from contriving or confpiringagainSt Kings. All men clfe defire to be ufed ac- cording to their Titles; for Captains, and Juftices,and Noble-men, count it an high aviling of them not to receive reverence anfwer- able to their Titles; they fwell to have their Titles undervalued,they will (pend their bloud for their Titles;oh then that the Kings Titles were precious in our account, doubtleffe they would make his per- fon fo precious, that he Should not be refitted. The feventh reafon /hall be drawn from Gods intereft in the Throne, for who hath to meddle with the Throne but he that fet- tles Princes in it ? comes not the Institution of Princes from him? doth not he gite them their Seats and Sovereignties ? yes, if they were the mod wicked Princes, yet they come from his lending and fettling, for, Set thou a wicked man to be Ruler over them. A King is not alwayes fent in favour ; no, / gave a King in my wrath, Hof. 13. 1 1, but though he come in wrath, yet he is given of God, and for his fake that fent him he is not to be mifufeci. What is it then but to derogate from Gods wifdome, or to quarrel with his juftice, or howfoeverto qucftion his right, to cxpreitc the leaft opposition againft a King ? yes, and for this very reafon, bc- - caufe the King hath none to pronounce fentence againft him, or to punilli him, or fo much as to call him to account for his govern- ment but God ; for he is a Judge amongfi gods, Pfal. 82.1. He Y 3 loofeth i -74 Sheb&s he&k caji overthe^ilL loofah the collar of Kings, and cafleth them away, Job 1 1 .1 8. He u the King of Kings, Rev. i J. 1 4. and why fo, if there were any Tett.lib. other to exercife a Dominion over them ? therefore faith Tert. We ad Seap. j- Q ma j^ e j ' im Soveralgn,that we make him (ubjetl to God alone. If Grt ^', V ^\ an y °f us ( faith Greg-, Turon. to the Kin^ of France) do paffe the c. e. 1. bounds of juflice, you have power (Oh King ) to correct him , but Ep. Lsoi, f you exceed your limit, who fhall chafllfe you ? no, he afterwards nbifupra. concludes that none can condemn him but that great God. The Clergy-men of Liege ( that I told you of before ) told the Pope plainly, that Mo man had power to chafllfe Kings , Kings may be admonlfhedby fuch as be dlfcreet, and fober men , but Chrlfl the King of Kings on earth who hath placed them in his own (lead , Otho Frif. ^ at ^° re f erve d them to his own judgement. It is a good fpcech of ep.dediccit. Otho Frljing. to this purpofe , Cum nulla perfona mundlalis inve- cmcCkron. nlatur, qndll. ons, and incenfeth others, is a murtherer, and partaketh with him \\ ho gapeth for bloud,& goeth about feeking whom he may devour. Now coniider,if we may not meddle with them that are given to change , then we may not joyn with them in their plots, nor enter a confederacy with them , or howioever not hazard with them to (heath a lword in their Sovcraign's bowels. And as thefe duties are required negatively, fo likewife there are affirmative duties,as where Fear, Prov.24.21. Honour, 1 Pet. 2. 17. Subjection, Rom.i 3.1. Tert. I. ad are enjoyned to Princes. For as Tertul faith, The Imperial Ma- Sca P- jeftie' is neceffarily to be loved, reverenced and honoured. Tea^ F t 1 we know ( faith Fulg. ) that fear i* to be given to God, honour to adTkrxf. K^gs, the ^Apoflolical Dotirine fo warning us. Therefore cap. 2. we are willing to give unto your Princely graceyour due fervice of honour , to whom we fee the top of Royal Authority to be confer- red by the bounty of God. Now what fear where we dare look our Prince in the face, as fworn enemies * what honour where we (teal away the hearts of his Subjects from him , and draw them to lift their hands againft him ? what fubje&ion , where we purfue a Prince, and chafe him in his own Kingdome , and challenge him as it were unto a duel ? If thefe violent courfes deftroy not all loy- alty, I undeiltand not the nature of duty. The ninth reafon iliall be drawn from our fervent dcfires/ or we feem to wiili all comfort to the Prince , and to defire the prcfer- vation of his life ; for is not this the accent of our gratulations ? the tone of our acclamations ? yes, we no fooner fee the face of the Prince but we are ready to cry out Vivat Rex , Floreat Impe- rator , thefe feem to be our inward pantings, the very fufpiria a- nimarum , breathings of^ur fouls , and Scripture hath taught us thus to chaunt and eccho in a Princes ears ; for All the people (houted, and f aid, God favethe King, 1 Sam. 10. 24. and in a- nothcr place, God fave King Solomon, 1 King. 1. 39. and in a third, Oh King live for ever, Dan. 3.9. Yw, thefe we feem to make a part of our Orilbns, a branch of our folcmneft prayers , and that by command , for / will that prayers and fupphcations be made for all men, e [penally for Kings, 1 Tim. 2. I. 2. And how faithful! were the primitive Chriltians to make frequent and fervent prayers for the welfare and fafety of their Princes, for their long life and profperous Reign, &c. Jufiin Martyr , Origen , Tertullian Sheb&s head cafi over the t»all. 177 TertuUian & Cyprian do diffidently teftify it. Now if thefe be our requisite dedres and necefTary prayers for Princes, then the defire H»&; of every man is the gUfs of his font ; and his prayer is the inter- A$ um ' preter of his fpirit. And fnall we feem to be contrary to our iclvcs to faldfy our dedres and dcyotions ? no,if we be but well ac- quainted with our own hearts , or fpeak not with borrowed tongues , we cannot intend mifchicf , where we have wish- ed for happinefle, nor practice to fhorten that life which we have been petitioners to God to continue. The tenth reafon iliall be drawn from the want of divine appro- bation , for whereas the Scripture is our fpiritual touch-ftone , this mull teach us compofttis incedere greffibus , to walk with ft ea( ly w'^r pafes. u For to the law,to the teftimony, if they fpeak not accord- * E r J**' " ing to this word they have no light in thcm;peace is only aflured " to them that walk according to this \w\zfiaL6.i6\t is the com- "fort of the Scriptures onely that afford us hope, Rom. 15.4. For God alTevers with a deep proteftation , that whofoever addeth f thefe things^ he will adde unto him all the Plagues that are writ- ten in this book^ Rev. 22. 18. Seeing then the Scripture hath ex- prefly bound up people to fubjc&ion, and given them no toleration for redftance , it is an evident argument that this pra£tice is un- Ktm,\\\% lawfull ; for a divine precept ( that carries damnation in the neglect of it ) muft have a divine difpenfation , as of old , in the caufe of Marriage, where they two (hall be one fie fh^ except it j^ 4U l9 be in the matter of fornication. Now whereas there is a command from God :o force obedience, and no limitation , that in fuch and fuch cafes there may be refinance, the duty to the precept is in- evitable ; for that which binds muft loofe , Vnumquodque enim folvitur eo quo ligatur , whereas Scripture then is dlen: , men ought not to bring in a devifed relaxation , for Argumentum ab authoritate Scripture negative neceffario ligat. The eleventh reafon fhall be drawn from the fruftrating of a na- tural duty , for Honour thy Father and thy UMother^ is a branch of the moral Law that nature writ in the womb, or penn'd in the cradle ; we either received it at the firft quickning when we re- ceived a fenfe, or we fucked it in with our firft milk. Into what brelt hath not God put this natural incentive?what Infant hath he not taught this primordial duty f yes, the eye no fooner can diftin- Z gutfh 178 Shtbds head caH over the Tvall. guifh the face of a Father, or the tongue call Father , but the heart finds this ingenerate motive to obedience : what is the Father there but the King } for the Paternal and Patriarchal power was Kingly, there were the cfTential things that did belong to the Regal autho- rity , though Kings were not then grown up ; they did want ly their quantitative dimenfions , ibme external, accidental cir- cnmftances, as number of Subjects, and fplendor of Government , Sr. Walter k ut %\ n f '• '• w hich is by nature ought to be (imp I 'e and. immutable, and not fome- o* 18. times thus, fometimes otherwije. That duty then, that was ever cxpreffed to Superiours ought to be conftantly pra£Hfed, for if na- tural duties could be omitted it were to nullify duty, and evacuate nature. The twelfth reafon fhall be drawn from the mifchief in it , for that which hath an infeparable evil adherent to it muft not be pra- cticed though never fo much good occaiionally fhould come of it , for We mufl not do evil, that gcad may come thereof. Now this refinance is malum infe, becaufe it overthrows order , it is malum prohibitum, becaufe it is forbidden by a pofitive law, and it is ma- lum complicatum, becaufe many other evils are irweloped in it, as diffembling with Princcs,(landering their perfons,difcontentednefs under their Govemmcnt,inveigling away Subjefts'from their obe- dience; rapine, blbud-fhed,perjuiy, yea it containeth in it mi lie a- Bus vetttos , & mille placula. Now though the good that fliould come of it fhould be never fo advantageous , yet for the evil that is annexed to it, it is to be fhunned , becaufe vertue and an acceptable duty admit of no fuch bad mixturein it , for Bonum ifi cxintegris. The Sheba's hetdcatt over theHtAll. 1 79 The thirteenth reafon <"hall be drawn from that which is lc(f c then refiftance , for if things infeviour to refiftance be forbiddcn> much more refiftance it felf, for quo iah &c. when Leopards watched over their Cities } yet what Prophet do we read of that ftirred up the people to fediti- on ? no,though their punifhments were extremities, yet they de- pended upon God, rather then forced a releafe by any turbulent courfes, and did not the Apoftles tread in their fteps ? yes, how did they moderate themfelves under all prefTures ? for they urged fub jeilion even for conscience fake Rom. 1 ? . and wiflied people rather to endure grief, then to refift authority, though theyfuffe- red wrongfully 1 Pet. 2. ip^ And for the Martyrs though their torments were grieveous, hideous, which a man Cannot think on Z 2 with- 1 80 shebas headcafl over the 'ball. without tears,nor mention almofr. without fwounding, yet how did ^ . they lay down their necks with patience, rather then lift up their 11 cant hands w "h violence f as Aug. excellently, Ifli non reffiendo in- Faufl.c. terfetti [tint , Ht potior em docerent vittoriam pro fide veritatis, 7)-7> Theie were not (lain in any rebellious courfes, but they gave ex- ample for a better victory in dying refolutely for the traejL y£ religion ; yet oftentimes they wanted not power , that if they would they might have buckled with tyrannous Princes ; for the Cyp.ad. number of our people is very great,faith Cyp.md were we difpofed Dewe/r. t0 p ra £jf c p cn hoftili .y, ihould we w? nt number of men, or force in Apo'lo- °^ armes ? Are the Mores or the Partbians, or any other nation get. more in number then we? zsTertul. If I would havebufied my Greg 1.7. felf( faith Greg, when fedition againft: his Prince wa*j lai d eptft.ep.i. to' his charge ) with the death of the Lombards^ that nation by this time fhould have had neither Kings nor Dukes, nor Earles,but all fhould have been in great confufion, and diftra&ion. Now what was that that reftraine d them from violence,whcn they were able to make their parts good againft the moft puiffant Princes upon earth > what but a fetled pcrfwafnn in their foules, Tert, uhL that the grounds of their profcfii-on would permit no fuch tumul- fupra. tuous, outragious courfes ? zsTert. clecrly profefTeth, it is more teg. u 1. ] aw ^ u j m OUr Religion to be flain then to (lay ; and Greg, more perfpicuoufly,the reafon ( faith he ) why I forneare was, becaufe I flood in awe of God, and I was ever afraid to iTied any mans blood,here was the Soulcs-check. What then ? were thefe the con- ftant pra6tifes of thefe glorious lights of profetfion in the time of perfecution, and fhall we find out a new way in declining of mise- ries ? did they reftft with their graces, and fhall we with our cor- rupt Natures ? did they fight with their prayers, and fhall we with oiir piftols ? did they go cheerfully unto racks and gibbets, and flaming furnaces, and fhall we runne to the gun-roome ? was ours, their Militia ? no, we have thrown away their fword and gantlet, and taken up carnal weapons.Now I bcieech you, do not the bloud a little rife in our faces, and our hearts chjl, and thril within us, that we have deferted thofe chofen veffels ^n their ad- mired patience ? yes, I am even agaft, and my foul trembles with- in me to think how many men fhall meet with thofe bleflfed Saints at Gods judgement feat, doubtleffc the fight of their faces will appall Sheba's head caft over the T»all. 1 8 1 appal them. For are thefe the memorable examples, that they have left behinde them for us to imitate ? no , qucftionleffc wc have chofen other prefidents, yea v;e have flopped our ears againft thefe infpired mefTcngeis, and liftned to other teachers. Men muft either therefore fufpe 61 the wifedome, piety, and rcfolution of thefe Ornaments of profctfion, or condemn themfelves of haughti- ne(Te,& an incbedicnts fpirit to be fubjedt to their diredtions.God give men grace once to turn their eyes to thefe true patcrns of obe- dience, who by their fervent doctrines, and bitter deaths taught the world that Princes by force of a? me s were not to be refifted. The fifteenth reafon mall be drawn from the fence of our finns, for if tyrants be fent as a juft punifhment for our wicked lives, as the Scripture every where teftify, then it is to remain in dcdolency, or dead-heartednelTe of our own perfonal, or National tranfgrcfTi- ons, whilrr. we refift the Prince ; yea we feem neither to regard Gods laws in the firfl place, nor his judgements i n the fecond place, but we give up our felves to the fpirit of (lumber and to a remorfelefneflc under all manner of provocations, whilft we bufie our felves about our Princes crrours,& neglcdc our own capital crimes ; the reigning drunkenne{Te,the raging lu(t,the garifh pride, the grinding oppreflion for fo many petty-Kings to exenteiate their poor tenants in the Country, the execrable blafphemy, the horrible facrilcdgc, the bribery, blindneffe, contempt of the Mi- niftry, the rife finns of the times Were fubjedts more convenient for us to meditate upon then our Princes faylings, for if a Prince tranfgrefle, or afflidt the Coun:ry,k is but the fling of our own curfed carriages. Can we bear other corrections, as Famine, Pcfli- lence &c.( as Bifhop Merx faid)and can we not a Princes evil go- vernment?Godly men durft never in former times rcfift a wicked Prince in refr^edt of their owne inown tranfgrelfions. This the- ., Clergy of Lelge told the Pope, though the Emperour fhould be as Jf Jj" bad as you report him to be , yet becaufe our finns have deferved/i^r*. fuch a Governour,we fhould be more bufie to defift from fin, then refift authority. For if we would change our conversations, God might change the heart of fuch a King,this is the courfe that Tho. Aquinas prefcribes,that we muft fly to God the King of all Kings, in whofe only power it is to mollify the heart of a Tyrant, and that men may obtain this at the hands of God, they muft ceafe Z 3 from 1 8 z Shehas head cajl over the Tball. from fin, for wicked Princes by divine permiilion are exalted" t^ Tho. A<[. punifh the finnes of the people, Tollenda eft culpa, ut cejfet Tyran- TtinT' norum pl*g a > Sin is to be taken away , that the fcourge of c. c. 6. ' Tyrants may ccafe, In the mean time th: refinance of the molt wicked Prince, what is it but a rage againft Gods juftice ? for do we hufti the cry of our fins with the noife of armes ? are thefe v the weapons to fight againft Gods judgements ? no, bended knees were more feemly then harneffed membeis, and watered cheeks then fwords and javelins. The fixteenth reaibn (hall be drawn from the nature ofproprie- ^r'tfiUi. tics.- That which is proper to a King cannot be communicated to Tc P>c-5* a Subject, for the effence, and elTential proprieties are indivisible. Nemo proprium appellat id quod pot eft alii inejfes No man calls that proper, that can be in another : for every propriety of one fpecles is incommunicable to another yp^/w really different from m™. ' IX - Now then if the fword be the Kings propriety, and the power Grot- of Armes be ( as a learned man fay ) potifsima pars Regis, then Subjects are not to invade their Princes fpecial right, for this were to transferre an incommunicable ; but the power of Armes is the Kings indubitable, and infcparable right , as may appear by that evident place of Scripture, where the King is faid to bear the fword, Rom. i J. Now if the King be to bear it, what have the; people to do without him to lay hands on it ? befides, he is to ap- point Martial Officers , For he jhaUmakj Captaines over thouf- ands, and Captaines over fifties, and go out before them, and fight their battles : i Sam. 8. 12. 20. How then can there be a Captain but by his authorising , or a battel fought but by his Royal order ? was not the power of the Trumpet in Mofes ? yes, none could blow the alarum to battle but the cheif Ma- giftrate. The Ifralites were in a great fright by fmiting the gar- rifon of the Phil'ftines that were at Geba, for they were had in abomination with their ad verfaries for it, yet none were fo har- dy as to fummon the Country to battle but the King, For Saul blew the trumpet through the Land faying let the Hebrews hear y I Sam.i 3.3.4.thercforc the people are faid in the next verfe/0 be called after Saul to Gilgal ; wherefore the people muft have an orderly call in matters of war , and the King muft have the leading of the Country forth to battle, for the array of the Kingdomc Shebas headcajl over the t»a/l. i 8 $ Kingdomc belongs to him. Ariftot. mikes t! e power cf armesone At'ifi. t.£ ofthemaiksof a Monarch, as Aug. faith, that CW J£ - reaping the fruits and benefits that come by his Kingly govern- ^^^ merit (for this is natural to the adeption of an end ) rather then to rcfift his authority. Thefe are the arguments, and all rhefe rcafons, Divine, Moral, and Natural, being lerioufly weighed, I truft judgement and con- fcicncc may be throughly rcfolved, that Kings within their ow» Territories are not to be refrfled by force of Armes. From the arguments I proceed to annex the blemiflies that ad- here to this opinion. The firft blemitli is, that it carries a contradiction in it fclf,and Ts there a worfe caufe then that which raifes a civil warrc in the own bowels, that commences fuit againft the own proceedings, that gainfayes it felf, and filences its own a6l ? no , a felf-repug- nancy, and an inward conviction is the greater! difgrace that can be fixed upon any caufe.Yet thus it is here ; for Kings, and re- filled, what is it but contradiclio in adjetlo ? the very folecifme of reafon, and riddle of duty ? For wherefore Kings, if not free from rfTaults ? if not fupeiiour to force? Yes, becaule they arc Kings they are not to be oppugned, but fubmitted to ; they are the Higher powers, and can have no other power cxercifed' againft them ; they are the armed authority, and fit to difarm a whole Nation, for Every opvo/ite includeth in it felf the negation of the omue »f other oppojite virtually, that when the one enjoyes full ftrength ,/>*/»*»» the other cannot have its operation ; for there cannot be Homo,'**!**'' m Cjr non homo confidered together ; fo for relative oppofites thcre-^ rtft ** m cannot be a King and Subjects bearing rule together in the lame yj ; / w £f. Sovereignty ; no, I may as well with the Papifts hold facrifici urn mmm. momentum, which notwithstanding deftroyes the nature of a ma- A a teriaii 186 Sheba 9 s head caH wet the letlL teriall facrirlce ; or with the Lutherans, hold an Ubiquity, or Omniprefence of Chrifts Sacramentall flefh, which notwithftand- ing takes away the circumfcriptibility of a body, as hold a King, and with it a potfibility in the Subjects of refinance ; for it deprives the Superiourof thatfiibje&ion which is infeparably due to his high place. Conftder this act therefore, and ye fliall find k to be nothing elfe but the jarre of reafon, yea a very feries of contradictions. The fecond blemilh is, that ic carries a contradiction in the difputc, for they which would conclude the thing, know not how to ftatc the ciueftion ; no, there is a bickering in the fettling of re- finance, as it they were unfettled in the fettling, and were at as great a refinance amongft themfelvcs, as they are at againft autho- rity. For fome hold that the Ordlnes^ the States of a Kingdome may onely rcfift ; others, that allquis ex procen'bus, even a Syn~ dlcHs or Decurlo ; others that any private man may do it, even qml'ibet exflebe. Some hold that they muft but moderate rejifte- re, rather arguing then righting with a King ; having no deflre to refift, but telling him that thefe arms are taken up rather in a minatory, then a percufTory way, as an harmlefTc fright to reduce him to his fii ft grounds of government; Others hold that they may purfue a King with violence, even to deftroy him or depofe him : Some hold that a King is not to be oppofed unlefle he be de- fertorrelyublicdt, that is, that he forfakes his Kingdome in fome imminent danger, and live in forraign parts ; others hold not this fufrlcienr, but he muft be declared to be hoflis reipublic no, a moil in- decent thing it is that he fhould preach the juftnefle, or prefls the neceflity of fuch wanes. Chrift fent his Difciples like Lambs amongft Wolves, and fhall they prove likeWolves amongft Lambs? inal! the fined wheat have fuch a rough husk ? the trees of righ- tcoufneffe bear fuch bitter fruit f ihall the ftarres in the right hand of God caft forth fuch a gleaming beam > lhall the River that fhould make glad the City of the Lord runne in fuch eddies ? whatfoever animates men to diflention, yet (hall the Preachers tongue be the clapper of fedition f no, Corrupt lo optimi pejfima. Miniftcrs that are to meditate of peace ( yea preach and pray for it ) how ought they to mediate for peace , even quench tumults with tears, and extinguifh the flames of warre with the drops of their deareft bloud ? yes, they lhould runne between armies, and endeavour to reconcile differences, and to pacific difplcafures ; this rather then to runne between Prince and people, or to runne be- twixt Nation and Nation to fow difcords, to blow the trumpet to Warre, to hold out the flagge of defiance : For what is this but a moft unpiieftly action ? yea the ignominy of the facred function > for when the Minifter tumsBoutefeau,the caufe carries the blemifh upon the brows. The feventh blemifh is, that it teaches men equivocation. For they are in arms againft their King, and yet ( they fay ) they fight for him ; they are his fworn Enemies, and yet his bed friends ; they would prefer ve him as a King, and yet deftroy him as a man ; what is this but a clew of hypocrifie, a maze of fubtilty, yea a ftrong-fentcd equivocation ? Apollo himfelf,that for his uncertain anfweis was called Ao|i**, was fcarce ever fo myfticall. For that-* men by Proteftations, Affociations, Vows and Covenants, lhould pretend the defence of the King, and yet hazard to fpill his bloud, it is a plain impofture, a neat fiction, I might fay, one of the depths of Sathan, Rome it fclf had fcarce ever fuch an invention. Now is it not a moft unworthy thing, that whereas Religion fhould be the emblem of finccrity, wherein there fhould be no* thing but yea, yea, and nay, nay, by thefc courfes there fhould ap~ peai nothing in it but a ftrong-Diaincd delufion, and an high-fto- dicd equivocation ? Equivocation is a blemifh. The Shebas head caft over the Utf#. 19 i The eight blemiib is, becaufe it confirms an Adverfary in de- sperate courfes, for where: s by the elaborate works andaccom- plifht Treatifes of many acairatc Divines, we had even (llenced treafons and cniicted rebellions ; for the Romilh Provincials had published constitutions to their Jefuitcs to meddle no more in State-matters, nor to plot any thing againft Princes ; yea, many of the more ingenuous foitamongft the Popifli Divines, had abfo- lutely branded the pra6t,ife as unlawfull, as the Rhemirts in Nov, Teft.p,ioi, Dr. Kelllfon in his Survey, Toilet, in Sum. I. 5. c. 6. Greg. Val.y^.q.6. Lejfj.z.c.9. Chrifiophorf.cont. rebeU. Serrar. Az,or.w\th many others,infomuch that we lived in great hope,that the Jcfuite would become more moderate and morigerous ; now by this unhappy accident, the very flood-gates of rebellion are again opened unco them, that they may tranfgreffe by prefident, for if they write after this copy we can cxped: nothing but a blur. Can. fuch wifli the Jefuitcs not to print that which they fee they dayly preach ? or exhort them not to hold confpiracy a part of Chriftian policy, when they fee the wifdomeof a Reformed Church hath decreed it to be fo ? Can thefe Refiflers take the ponyards out of the Jefuitcs hands, by holding them in their own? or wifh them to empty their gunpowder barrels in the vault, when they behold them filling their own in the Magazines ? or diffwade them from confederating with other States to mokfi their Native Country, when they fee they have been at an expenhve Treaty to concl.:de a folemn Covenant, wretchedly to bring in Forrcigners into their own Kingdome ? or can they terrific them from ftriking at the Lords Anointed, when they hear how they thcmfclves have dif- charged at his Royall Pcrfon and his Life-guards ? or will they command them to blufh for the rebellion in Ireland, when they know that even thefe perfons have as great caufc to change coun- tenance for upholding the fame thing in England, and Scotland} no, the JefuitsxLvc ingenious , and thefe ripe wits iliall never make them capable that it is not lawfull for them to do that which their Adverfarics pronounce juft. Oh therefore, if we ou«ht to wall^ wifely towards them which are without, ColofT. 4. 5. "and to take heed that the name of God be not blafphemed through us among/1 the Heathens, Rom. 2. 24. then fuch have been very inconfide- rate to teach the Jefuite the an of Treafon, or to juftific his prin- ciples ; 102 Shtbas headcafi over the W/> ciples ; they like not to wear a Surplifs, or a Corner-cap with him, or to fign a Child in the forhead with the fign of the Croffe, or to have fee forms of prayer , or to reherfe a Lit any y no, this is prodi- gious Popery, but to make infurrc£tions againft Kings, and to make havock of Kingdomes , this bloudy point of Popery never difquicts them. Well, the Jefuites arc never like to forfake their Popery fo long as they fee them practice it. Is this the way to feek the conversion of Jefuites ? no, it is rather to confirm them in that which is evil, and vthc confirming of an Ad verfary in defperatc courfes is an heinous blemifh. Now thefc arc the blcmifhes ; and if neither arguments to con- firm the truth, nor abfurdities that people ye fee run into by forfa- king the truth be yet prevalent enough to difcover unto the world the finfulneffe of this attempt , let me intreat all my ChiilHan Bre- thren for a further apprchenfion of this guilt to conlider certain cautions. The firft Caution fliall be that men plead not humane laws a- gainft. divine laws, for though humane laws be of great authority , as devifed by the united wifdome and counfell of a State , yet what are thefc to the laws of God ? no, the one are but Natures light with her cleared beam , but the other are Infpirationes divlni Ih- ° ' minis , Inspirations of the heavenly light , the one at mofthave but theaffiftance ; the other the revelation of the fpirit. There- fore what is the chaffe to the wheat ? no, mans laws are not fo tW abfolute , that they are exact, much lightneffc, and darkne(Te,and much (4s weakneflfe may be found in than. It is God only that is the Veritas inbormt p r lma y and his law, that is the undefiled law; either from the letter didllU* or cc 3 u * t y °f tms * aw mtJ ft a ^ Statutes, and Cuftomcs, and Prefi- 97 rather ' dents carry their juft: ftamp upon them ; Derivatives muft be tried §fbim that and examined by their Pi imitives , for Sttblato Prlmltlvo cejfat £4*e it ) derlvatlvnm, as not only Grammarians and Logicians affirm, but 1 T* i cvcn ^ u ' Edward Cook^ in point of Law, The branch mu(t not fay, that koaft * r fclf againft the root. Whatsoever then hu.nane laws have the define* of it hath almayes been held,very plaufible. Uni fttrely ko*feever they be not accepted , ( nei- ther were it expedient) as the general) and only lam , yet me flail hardly find any other ground nbereon the confidence of 'a Iudge mcty reft with eq-al fatisfaclion in making interpretation* or gvingjentence np on doubts, artfing cut ofi any iambefidts it, Sr, W.M Raleigh, lib. 2. p. i. cap. 4. $. i$. fubft rafted Shebas headcaft over the J»4ti. 1-9-3 fiib(h*a6tcd from Princes,that Gods law hath conferred upon them muft be rcftorcd for Scriptures fake , or elfc we have no rirft prin- ciple into which we fhould rcfolve our obedience. If a thoufand humane laws fhould decree that Kings may be refitted, when Gods law hath cxprefTed the contrary, we mull leave the broken pits to dig waters out of the clear fountain , for to obey iuch laws , were but to make a breach of a precept to obferve an erroneous com- mand. Let the honour of Gods laws then remain inviolate, for it grieveth me to fee the laws of the Land magnified , yea almoft a- dored, and Scripture to want its due reverence. Here then is the Royal Standard where we muff weigh all our actions, and the c la- vis fcientU, the key of knowledge , that mi:(t either open or fhut Heaven gates unto us. The fecond Caution is that that be not taken for an humane law, which may be but a humane conceit ; the fenfe of the law then and the genuine meaning murt be conhdered , which can never be found out, if he which is the chief law-maker be not permitted to give the due interpretation to his laws. Kings then being the prin- cipal in the making of laws , they fliould not be the lefle principal or only the^attentive Audi tours to lillen how a law fhould be ex- pounded ? no, to take away from Princes power to declare their laws is to takeaway the judgement of the Law out of the King's lips ; The Civil Lawyers (nttllo contradlcente) are clear in this , viz,, that the infpewtion and interpretation of laws belong properly to Princes, Lut they mud yet beard ; let us then confult with our common Lawyers , and iee what they have determined upon this point. Bratlon and Britton refolvc it pofitivelythat the King . ... muit be the Chief in affording the fenfe of the laws to the people ^ t ^ oor ia. for if a difputation do arife, the Judges cannot interpret it , buz t t*r,)Hflici- in doubtfull and obfeure matters the interpretation of our Lord the am ten Kiiv* is to be expected , for to him it belon^eth to interpret^*""*" laws to whom it bclongeth to make them , which is cited by the fc . t it-//- 1 & r iii- • • ^ 11 pretart,tn Lord El] were, and confirmed by his opinion. To make then fay^ &, fuch a conft ruction of a law as the words will ii)t bear , not the obfeuris King neither by himfelf nor his learned Council ever declared to D< ""w be the fenfe , what is this , but to take up a device inftead of a Rf £" f 5 rtf law> W"*' The third Caution is, that we prefumenot any thing t«o be tun- p matlQm B b damental, 1 94 Shehds head caji over the 7t>all. damental, which is not mamfeft and potfiblc ; for if it be not ma- nifest, how can it be forced ? the nature of a law is to be known , or elfe ignorantia juris carries no guilt ; for who can be bound to obferve that, which with all his endeavours he cannot find out to be a rule ? no, as God fbeweth unto man what is good, and what he reqmreth of him, Micah 6. 8. So mult a State make all her laws evident and confpicuous ; for cite there is invincible ignorance , and this makes a man liable neither to fin nor punifbment. A fun- damental law then mvft be known, man if .ft to the moft , or at leaft to the moft skilfull, or elfe it is a fnare, and not a law. Se- condly it muft bepoffiole, for if it enjoyn fitch things as cannot with juftice and confeience be performed, it is void in it felf , for who can be compelled to do that which ( all other meafures of duty being con fide red ) he cannot obferve ? no , this were to urge men to difcharge one fuppofed duty with the neglect of many certain duties, & fuch a kind of obedience is not credible nor ima- ginable, fure I am, not juft, not binding, becarfe it is not within the power of man fo to comply with laws , and if not within mans power, then what conformity can be expected ? no, Nemo tenetur adlmmtjfibilia. Now is not this fundamental that is fo much talk- ed, and cried up for a maine ground ( that when the remit of the two Houfes is paft, and the King refufc to concurre, that armes may be taken up without, and againft the King ) prefumed for a law ? yes, there is a ftrong conjecture for it, for where are the clear characters, & diftinguifhing cognifancies whereby it might be ac- cepted and acknowledged for a law ? Firft, is it manifeft ? if it be, why are we not fhewn, who were the politick contrivers of it, who was the impolitick incautelousKing, that confented to it , at the palling of what Covenant it was inferted , or referved as an Ap- pendant, upon what occafion it was framed, in the prefence of what witnerTes it was ratified, what afTurances were taken of King and people (by oath, or otherwife) to make the law effectual ? doubt- leffe for fuch a grand fundamental law there needed thefe and ma- ny more fundamental evidences. But when upon diligent fearch, and flri£t enquiry no fuch thing can be fhown , net by the pru- dcntefl States-men, the wifeft Judges, the moft ftudicd Roll-men , Are not the Trinity, redemption , juftifl- cation, regeneration, the refurre&ion , life cverlafting apparent f yes, or elfe we are at a lofle in the greater!: perfections of blifs,God will not judge us for any thing he hath not made manifeft ; for We have the mind of God, i Cor. 2. \6. and he hath revealed unto vts his whole counfell, A6l.20.27. and the Scripture is -profitable to all things, 2 Tim. 3. i<5. yea, tp^ fhall be judged according to thefe words at the lafi day, Joh.i 2.48. Why then may not the principles of a State be made manifeft to us, as well as the princi- ples of Religion ? ves, or elfe we make too great myfteries of them, even incomprehenfibic fecrets. Away then with that inviftbility of fundamentals , for if promulgation be of the efTenceof laws, a law muft fome way be promulgated, though not in writing,yet by a means little inferiour to writing ; if it be not as vifible as a Sta- tute-law, yet it muft be as a Cuftome or prefcription. Now a Cu- ftome muft: be undoubtedly and undeniably known, or elfe it is not pleadable.For would any man fue for a Cuftome that he couklbring no better proofs for it then are yet brought for this fuppofed funda- mental ? then he would know by his damages the rafhneffe of his trial. Fundamentals then are of high authority, but not thole that cannot be made to appear, which iriews this not to be a fundamen- tal becaufe it is not manifeft. Secondly, is it poifible ? fureiy no, for how is it pofli'ble for a man to bind himfelf to the King againft all might, power, and rebellion whatfoever, and that by the bond of an oath , and yet to be able to aflift the Parliament againft: the King, when the rediks of the two Houfes are not confirmed by the B b 2 King/ 1 ?G shebas beadcafi over the TrtlL King ? no, it is as potfible to fail with contrary winds, to fwim a- gainft the flream, to reconcile light and daiknefte, vice and virtue, to make the Arclick^Sc A ntar tllck^ poles meet together, as to obey thefe two laws. No man can ferve two mxfters, Matth. 6. 24* Chri{l doth not fay , no man can conveniently , but no man can poflibly , for if the maflersbe oppofite, he is a $&%<&* that can lend a conference to both ; the thing h impoiliole , if the fervice be orderly , for he cannot but love the one, and hate the other. A man hath not two hearts in his bofome , and therefore he cannot obey two Superiouis. And as God expefts no fuch thing , fo nei- ther can the law , for he which ftands faithfull to the fundamental law (lands perjured to the Statute law. Bzfides our wife forefathers, which required but a jr.ft fubjeclion at our hands, would never en- join obedience with perjury. They exactly knew their fundamen- tals, and tenderly preferved their fundamentals , and if this had been a fundamental, they would never have confented to fo many Statute laws ( for abfolute unlimited obedience to the King ) that lhould have rafed this fundamental. We fhould have had their exception in plain tearms , if they had thought that they fhould have prejudiced themfelvcs in any ancient unqueflionable right. Seeing then thefe wife mailer-builders which held themfelvcs to their due commenfurations, their ftridt quantums, and jufl pofitions of parts have left out this refervation , we hold it not now fit to be inferted , eipecially becaufe it carries fuch a conflict in duty, and enjoin fuch an unproportionable obedience. We cannot own that fundamental therefore which carts fuch a difparagement upon the wifdome and juitice of our Anccftours,and fo wrack the confeien- ces of well difpofed Subjects ; it doth not agree with the building, and therefore call it out of the foundation. It cannot be a fun- damental, becaufe it is neither manifefl nor pofTible. A caution then would be ufed about iuch a fundamental. The fourth Caution is that matter of fad! be not infilled upon as matter of right : For matters of fa 61 arc but done feldome, and perhaps out of a violent pailion , and therefore are not to be urged a^ainf! thefe things which God hath given, and the State acknow- ledged as the Kings abfolute rights ; if matters of fail were a jufl titlc,the King could lay plea to little ; for in diflempered Govern- ments, or when fome potent faclion hath overfwayed Parliamenta- ry Sheba's head cajl over the ^>alL 1 97 ry proceedings, how hath the Kings jult Prerogative been invaded in the Reigns of K. John, Hen. 3. Edw.z. Rich. 2 ? In the Reign of K. John it was enacted that 25 Barons elected by Parliament as conservators of the liberties, and Charters oi Magna Chart a &. Charta deforefia ihould with the Commons of the Land diitrain and enforce the King, if he fhould violate the Charters, and his Caftlcs, and Lands" to be fcLedupon; a rnoft injurious ftatute, for can a King be diitiained and enforced if he ihould violate Charters ? and his Caftles and Lands be feifed upon ? where then rs the exemption that the Scripture hath given to tyrannizing Kings ? the Pope was fo offended at this paftage , that by difini- tive fentence he* cancelled the Barons Charters, and accurfed both BulL In ' King and Barons if either of them obferved the compofition, and n * c ' f *^ Matthew Paris fo diflikes :he carriage, that he calls thofe feditious a ^ M Is not this to return back again into Egypt ? or not onely to carry the mark of the bead, but the horn of the beaft in our foreheads ? yes, it is evident Popery, nay the goring point of Popery, and doubtlcfTe many of their erroneous Tenets are not fo pernicious or fcandalous ; if ye hate Popery therefore, renew it not in iuch a capitall offence ; no, a caution here for the honour of profcflirn. The tenth Caution is , that in fetling our confeiences in this grand difference, we beare a reverend regard to the teftimony of Orthodox Divines, and that both Ancient and Modern. Ancient, for the hoary hairs are to be honoured,o!d wine is bet- ter then new ; though we make not the Fathers of the Church Authouis of our faith, yet lingular Guides ; for by whom can we be better directed, then by thole which were fo eminent in judge- ment andfincerity ? If Antiquity therefore fihould oppofe you^ it were a great wound to your confident opinion ; it is an high con- tumely to fay they underftood not our government /or they under- stood all governments, and knew what was fit to be pracliied in all Nations and Commonwealths. If therefore they maintain C c that 2Cr% Sh-eba's head c aft over the tail. that Princes ought not to be refitted, (as this they unanimoufly dc* termine) then how reprehenfible are thofe mens actions that have the voyceof Antiquity to cenfure them ? Doubtlefle thefe knew beft how to interpret Scripture,and to frame the world to due obe- dience, for they were nearer! to the Apoftolicall times;and though they writ not by infpiration, yet by afpiration,for the H:>ly Ghoft breathed upon them in a larger meafure then he doth upon us ; A caution therefore would be had not to contradict Antiquity, the Ancient Divines would be reverently refpected. The Modern Divines, and to thefe likewife a due reverence is to be exprefied, namely, in weighing the worth of Proteftant Di- vines ; that feeing fome hold it is lawfull to refill Princes,and fome hold it is not lawfull, we confider where the greateft meafure of en- dowments lieth, who amongft them were the beft-gifted and quali- fied; for it is a vain thing to embrace an opinion that isfupported but by a company of under-wits,& thofe perhaps partial in the caufe. If therefore the greateft number of Proteftant Divines be refolute for non-rcfiftance ( as manifcftly they arc ) and thefe too the Or- naments of our calling, then how do fuch war re with the Cap- rains of their faith, in taking up weapons againft Princes contra- ry to their direction ? A caution here therefore were yeiy re- quifite. Now thefe are the Cautions, and I think nothing now requiiitc to be added, except it be to fatisfic curiofity. I know there hath been never an Article of the molt facred faith, but fome fubtil wir hath fought to fhakc it or rale it ; Hereticks have ever had a ca- villing fpi:- it againft the truth. So this weighty point, which is the Briis of States, and of the quietnelfe of the fame, though it be fettled upon never fuch firm grounds, yet fome captious and fcrupulous brains will never leave battering and undermining of it ; but tJMagna efl Veritas & prxvatet. I proferTe ferioufly, I never yet faw a teeming reafon in any of the Authours of the con- trary fide, that- could raife a true doubt, but I find Scriptures moft violently wrcftcd, and grounds of Logick and State moft fophifti- cally perverted. But becaufesn Adverfary is never fully fatisfied till he hath had liberty to fpeak for himfelf, therefore I will pro- pound thofe objections that are generally made againft thisTcner, and lh:w the weaknefle and wortbkfTcnefle of the fame. Th;Z Shebas hfad caft over the malt. 2 03 The fiift objection is, that the Institution in 1 Sam. 8. was but by Gods intention meant of Sauls time, osfxf. Which if truc,then the Adverfaries muft iriew fome new Infticution ordained by God for lucceeding times, either at the beginning of the raign of Da- vid or Solomon ; for that which God fctled at the entrance of the firft King mult hold till the laft, if the Law-giver hath not re- verftd this by fome fecond order ; if thefe clear-fighted creatures can fpie out fome undifcovered ordinance of Scripture, let them bring to light that hidden rule, and thoufands will be thankfull to them, for fome direetcr means of obedience to Panels, then God prescribed in the firft Inftkution ; but till this be produced, it is in vain to cart the world into a new fquare by groundleffc conje- ctures. We expect not the fublimated conceits of their own opi- nions, we look for Divine appointment, for wc are confident God was as ftrict how to fee down Laws for Monarchy, as for Prieft- hood ; therefore till they have brought in better evidences, we count this but a frivolous objection. The fecond objection is, that this is meant of a cruell Tyrant, and not of a juft King. Anf. An high invention, but withatt a Tyrannicall inference ; for what from hence can be concluded ? not that a Tyrant -is not to be obeyed, but that they which were weary of Gods former government, muft not look to have that new platform of authority that they longed for, as the greatcft bletflng to be free from inconveniences and encumbrances ; no, whatfoever the manner of Judges have been, yet this will be the manner of a King that fhall be fet aver you ; one and another, if the perfons be not the more virtuous, will fill the Country full of trouble enough ; ye grone under Samuels fonnes, and ye may have occafion of new complaints under Monarchs that ye are fo defirous of, and is not this a mighty ftrong argument ( think ye ) to bring Kings into order? Tt is not enough to fay that this is brought bnely tofilence the Court-divinity, that Kings may take all ; for though we know no fuch Court-divinity, or joyn not in the plea, yet this we hold, that if Kings go oeyond their juft mea- fures in Deut.ij. and take all that there is in that place mention- ed, yet Subjects cannot, nor ought not, to right their fclves by the fword, rigour is not to be rcprelTed by rebellion. The third objection is, that though the Jewiih Kings could not Cc: be 264 Shebas bead ca/l over the 1»alL be refitted, for they ruled arbitrarily, becaufe they defired a King after the Manner of the Nat Ions , yet Chrifhan Kings may, where there is a mixt Government. <*Anf. This I conferTe is one of the beft objections, yet being examined, it is but a ftrein of wit, or a mecr device of fubtilty. For firft, how the Kings of the Nations ruled we know not, we have no Hiftories to record what the form of their Government was ; for though Kings at firft raigned ar- bitrarily, as Juftln and many others make it manifeft, yet whe- ther by decourfe of time Kingdomes were not come to Cuftomes and Laws( efpecially in fuch a long fpace as had pad from the erection of Monarchies, to the fetting up of the Jewilh Kings) is to us unknown, and they which have nothing but fuppofitions for their grounds, have but a tottering foundation formaximesof State, or rules of conscience, Ex Incerto enlm nihil flat uitur. Secondly, we fay that this we have certain, that the fence of that place of Scripture is u:tc ly miftaken, for they defired a King af- ter the manner of the 'Rations, to intimate that they defired of God to eftablifn a constant kind of government amongft them ; for whereas before the Jews were governed by Judges, and there was a great interflltlum between the death of one Judge, and the railing up of another (for God fen t them by miracle in a moft extraordinary way, and not till the people were wearied by op- prcfllons whereby the people conceived, that they furFered many inconveniences at home, and dangers abroad> for want of prefent help ) therefore they dcfiied to have a Bx^dj fettled government amongft them ( which was that of having a King after the man- ner of the Nations ) that might continually redrcrTc injuries at home, and fupport the State againft forraign Invaders. Thirdly, thec is no reafon that the people fhould defire a King to rule ar- bitrarily amongft them ; Firft, becaufe it was againft their defired fafety, for fuch a King might have punilned them worfe then Sa- muels fons againft whom they did complain, or any Philiftinc, or Ammonite, or Midianite, that were often troubling their Coun- try. Secondly, it was againft Gods revealed will, becaufe the toeut. 17. King was tied to this Law, and fo to rule his people ; for it (ball ^.19. be , when he Jitteth on the Throne of the Kingdome^that a copy of the Law (hall be written in a book..* out of that which is before the Priefts and Levites. And it fh^ll be with him, and he fkall read Sheb&sheadcaftovtYtht^e&U. 205 read therein all the dayes of his life ; that he way learn to fear the Lord his God, to l^eep all the words of this booh^and thefe fla- tutes to do them. Now where there \ is a Law there is a limitati- on, and a Kingfhould nor do what he pleafcth ; for a true abso- lute Prince is fuch an one as is tied to no covenants nor conditi- ons, but ruleth onely by his Royal will and pcrfonal commands, which is agreeable to the definition of Abfolutum, for Abfolutum efl quod a nullo dependet fed ab omnibus refpetlibus, O' conditio^ nlbpts liber at ur. The Tews then beins to preftnt fuch a Law to their King, and that Law in equity being to be the flint of his juft government, they could not defire a King to rule arbitrarily ; and that the Kings of Ifrael did not thus rule, it may appear by thefe clear inftances, that Sauls religious fouldiers denied to kill <*Ahl- melechzwd the reft of the Priefts at Sauls command ; for though he urged it upon them, yet the ferv ants of the King would not put forth their hand to fall upon the Priefts of the Lor v/, 1 Sam. 2.2. 17. And fecondly, it may appear by Naboths denying to give, fell, or exchange his vineyard unto ?» 0£ * an extraordinary fway, by way of councel and direction, iu the that 2C S Shebas head c*Jt over the ^dl. that whereas Aug uftms to ga in the good will of ^Anthony married Willed 1^5 lifter Ofatti* to him, who was the Widow of M. Marceilus , W \dnlt an< ^ ner t ^ mc °*" Widowhood not bein^ expired , it is faid, that this msrry t:& Marriage was ^vAz by the diipenfarioti of the Senate. Now if it 10 wvmtbs lhall be laid that thole things were done by the Senate before Ax- wtre me- g»/f»s was complcat Emperour , I grant it , but yet the Tmmvi- complisb- race Qt - yi U g u ji HS ^ Anthony , and Lepidus was but the Empire of Julius Csf.ir divided into to many parrs , and erery owz was as ■'pleat Emperour in his own partition, as Julius Cavld did not take up armes H« fcy the light of Nature, or the light of grace, but by the light of re- velation , God inftrudted and directed him in the carnage of all that bufineiTe. Samuel, Gad, Ahlmelech, and ^Ablathar , whom he was fo converfant with, are frfficient testimonies for it. If Da- vid of his own head had attempted this thing , it had firft fhewn an high defpair of God's providence, that he would not in time bring him to the Throne , or preferve him from the rage of his enemies, tut he muft fcek by indirect means for his own fecurity ; fecondiy, it bad given a miferable example to his own Sonnes, or Subjects to have betaken themfelves to annes , if when he himfelf came to reign he iliould exprtflc any ctifpleafurc againft them , ye may fee then how David in this a6r. was a priviledgcd perfon , and fo his oppoftaon can be made no president. E c The 2 \ $ Shetas head caji over the Tedl. The feventh Objection is drawn from other examples , as that Jeroboam and the ten Tribes rofe up againft Rehoboam , and that Jehu the Ton of Nimfhl rofe againft his Matter Jehoram, and that the Subjects of AmazAah did the like againft him. Anf, As i Kings f°r Jeroboam it is fa id , that God had given him the ten Tribes ; ir. 31. and for Jehu , one of the children of the Prophets was fent to him from Elifha to undertake the work , namely that he might finite 1 tn & the houfe of Ahab , for God would avenge the bloud of the Pro- phets. And for the Subjects of Ama^lah it was cxprefly by Gods appointment , for God fent a Prophet unto him to reprove him for worshipping the gods of the Edomhes after he had conquered their Coumrey , and threamed vengeance againft him for it. Thefe things therefore that had fo undoubted a warrant , even a call out of God's own mouth to authorize them,are not exemplarily to us, for fpecial Proprieties are not general Rules. The eighth Objedtion is taken out of the thirteenth of the Ro- mans, where Princes are called Ordained Powers, that is, fo and fo ordained , therefore fo and fo to be obeyed. Anf. That is neither fo, nor fo; for what branch , or particle will allow that ex- position ? It might as well be laid , that men that do refiift the Powers , fhall but fo , and fo receive damnation ; which when I find in clear Scripture I fhall give credit to the glofs , in the mean time , I fay it is ill playing at the hole of Afps , I mean, dangerous for men to (train their wits at the mouth of hell. My foul Olivers that damnation hath loft it's terrour , that when God denounces hell flames upon the neglect of a duty,mcn fhould bufie their inven- tions to teach themfelves by a fophifticated diftin£tion , a way to deft ruction. They that live in quiet obedience reft upon fa fe Gng* termes,. but refinance , perpr&clpitia mit, runnes upon precipices ; for it ventureth all upon fpeculations and imaginary grounds with- out any warrant or direction from Scripture. Let us therefore obey the higher Powers , becaufe they are ordained of God , not becaufe they are fo , and fo ordained ; becaufe God hath no re- fpecl, either to the Princes qualities , or the peoples qualifications, but onely to his own Ordinance ; for the true meaning of the place is, that he would have Princes obeyed merely becaufe they are or- dained of him. The ninth Objection is taken out of the words Higher powers y for She has hettdcafi over theT»all. , 219 for they fay by that it is intimated, that there may be many ruling at once in the fame degree of power. Anf. I have fpoken c- nough of the Coordination before , therefore I will (ay no more here but this , that there cannot be many Higher Powers where there is a Prince, but the fole command of ruling and Governing muft be in him ; infomuch that no Law can be made , or Order executed without his allowance ; and that the Apoftlc meant fo is apparent by his reftn&ion of thefe Higher Powers to a particu- lar pe'rfon , for He is the Minifter of God for thy good , and He bearcth not the fword for nought. But ye will fay , why are they then called Higher Powers in the plural number ? Anf. Not to fhew a joint-authority in the governing of a Nation , but in re- fpect cf their feveral Titles in feveral Countries, as Vayvods , Def- pots, Kings, Emperours, Sop hies, Grand Signiours, &c. intimating that no Higher Power is to be neglected , but He which rules in chief , by what Title foever he "be ftyled , is to receive all humble fubjeciion ; for whereas (ome "might have objected that our Higher Power is not called by this or that name , as King , or Emperour, or the like ; God to take away all evafions and fubterfuges for re- finance , gives no particular Title , but tells the world , that it is enough to require fubjecfion , if the perfon that rule be indeed the Higher Power. The tenth Objection is taken out of the fame chapter, where T f '^J the Prince is called the Minilter of God for thy good, out of which ,^/XJi they inferre, that Subjects are but to obey the legal commands of ence ^ t0 Princes , and not their wilfull pleafures ; or they are to obey them be render- in good things, but to refill: them in evil. edt0 ™ ne Anf, Subjects (if ye will) are to refitt: the evil , but not to refift *"' ^ them in the evil ; their corrmands ( ifunjuft ) may be refitted , 0UYS t y d(4 but not their perfons ; for if ever there had been a liber- art a fool- ty for refiftance , it had been ( when this Epiftle was written )*sb Rea- in Nero's time ; for who was more given to wilfull pleafures , and/ ower > c " 9 lefTe to legal commands, then he ? how grievoufly did he oppreffe .*? " the Senate, how barbarcufly. did he tyrannize over Chriltians ? r l9 [ St. Pan/ calls him the Lion of his age, and his proper title was dirt mingled with bloud : yet whatfoever Nero's perfonal abenations * mm * were, how duel and favage foever his reign was , yet oppoie not violence with violence ,'for the Powers that ^(that is Nero , that E e 2 at 220 Shebfi's heai caft over the^AlL at this inftant is in the Throne) are ordained of God; redd not •s>*U™k- t ^ erc ^ orc tn °f e tnat be, as bad as they be, no hoc Nero ; for even tiamdom'f' ln ^ofe ^ iTlCS fo^h the Apoftle, ye muft needs be tubjedl; needs be tiantiatn fubjc£c, and yet no need of fubjccKon ? yes, be lubject to his cai- tolerate. ling though not to his conditions; be fo fubje6t,as not to give up a tuat renunciation of your rights ,and yet not fo to maintain them as to homines* u ^ e a rfigWiiigon for them. No , the moft wicked Prince muft fedneqne be obeyed, even he that equals Nero in tyranny and cruelty ; bc- bacconti caufc he that now iharpens his Prerogative may afterwards give ma, fed ovcr n ^ eager claim , or his fuccefTours make an happy reftaura- lUfl^Tiu tlon - We are to wait therefore upon Gods providence , and not fenfamur, Co Retake our lelvcs to an untimely ,or undue reparation of wrongs. Tacitm. Or if God lhould never deliver us , yet if we dye under a fevere ^ut)uflc Magjftrate , ft ill he is the Mmifter of God for thy good , to put a g" » & nien j n mind of their finncs , to make experience of their virtues^ fiat lf»da- zn( i 'to prepare them for a better life ; For God doth but try peo- bit te , autpk under wicked Princes, and can we not endure a tryal ? yes, or jufteagen- e Jfe we want as much patience , as the Ruler doth clemency , and um «Mwf a ji as mU ch in innocency in one kind , as he doth in another. Wc will ** nrc tau S nt that the abufes of a Princes government come not onely damnat, fawn his inbrecj corruption , but Hkewiie from the juftice of God ; er Dew There are fome fecret , undifcovered finncs ( if not apparent and infuflus facing heaven ) in that Nation , where God ftirres up a cruel nroxatrit', p i • pun i lli the people »and though they have been paft over ac per hoc r . . r f r K y D ^> i ,« \ • frveda- many years in an lnienliblc manner, yet kjoc*. would then give men mnehfive* feeling of them by the ftingof his juftice ; for though the Prince abfohat, in his cxprclfions of rage do but fatisfiehis own vitious defircs, yet habebis he fecrctiy executes Gods wrath. And wilt thou rcpell the Mi- J^/^r. ni^er of his vengeance ? no, ftrange it is that thou canft not live 94 de * under a Tyrant, but inftead of running to thy God , thou runneft ump. c . 5. to thy weapon ; this may be carnal valour , but it is but Chriftian pusillanimity, it lliall have no reward, nor renown , becaufe, faith If we God, it deierves none, <* for this is thankworthy If a manfuffer lotkjothejr or £cW; not fight for good, but fuffer for good. I fay no mo. c, G°od °!t k ut if the Apoftle had meant that we iliould not any longer be ■»\U lead fubjc6t to Princes , then they are formally Minifters of God for m that we rnuJlbefubjefltotbemthdthctvetbedorniniQninpoJfef&oni aitlnngb they do nothing lejfi then that f whtcb pertainetb to the duty ofrrhecs, Caly.lnSi,U^(*iof,i^. a. 1 Fet.z. 19,10. our Shebas head cafi over the TpaIL 221 our good, there needed none of St. Paul's injunction , Let ever} foul befubjetl to the higher powers, &c. For any one can be 0- bedient to the good Prince ; it is the evil which maffes trial of the good, \£ Nero therefore prefent himfelf, thou muft not rc- fift. The eleventh objection is taken out of the 1 . Pet. 2. where Go- vernment is called the Ordinance of man, becaufe men have a pow- er to o, dain how they will have Princes to rule over them. Anfw. Men do not conltitute the Ordinance , but dzfign. a perfon to bear the Ordinance ; for if the Ordinance were not Gods (as it is called, Rom. 13.) why iTiould St. Peter require fubmitfion to it for the Lords fake ? the Lord will not countenance contrivements that were not of his own eftablifhing , but here for the. Lords fa^e fubmit, as if the Lord bare rule amongfl: men, for though the per- fonsthat governe be men, yet they are the Lords States-men. Se- ing the King therefore is fuprcam, and that by divine fanction, though he appcare man like your felves, yet he is clothed with the Lords authority, therefore {ubmit to him as to the Lord; and the true meaning of the place is, that he would have them fubmit them- felves to every inferiour Officer amongft them, as to Pretors, and Queftors ,. and Tribunes , and JEdiles , for though every one of thefe 1 e not a King, yet there is a part of the Kingly power derived unto them; St. Peter therefore would not have the meaner!: Officer difrcfpccted,?s may appearc by thole full x.zvn\ts,Submit yourjelves to every Ordinance of man whether unto the King, as Supreame, or unto Governours, as unto thofe that are fent of him. In which very place and words we may fee that God would not have Prin- ces refiftcd, becaufe he hath not left a Governour in a Kings Do- minions to attempt any thing without him, much lelTc againrt him, for Govcrnours are fent by him. He then is to delegate authority to every one within his own Dominions , and it is incredible that he v^'ovld communicate authority to any to ihake his own Throne, or to draw upon his own pcrlbn \ no, only to execute juftice to ■ his people by that fubordinate power that he hach put into his hands. The twelfth objection is taken out of that place, Render unto all what is due , therefore to the Parliament the Kingdomes power. Anfw. Power is the Kings, .andnot. the Kingdomes ; Reprefenta- E e 3 tive £%t shcbxs head ca/t over the ttAlL Uve Bodies can do nothing but in the nature of Subje&s , which is rather to t|cg a favour, or to adapt for Princely graces , then to cxercife authority \ they can (hew the wants of a Commonwealth, petition for iupply, and advife about the means of releif , but not enjoyne, or enforce help ofthemfelves, No repreientative body can have greater power then thofe that fent it, which if true, then thofe Members were never ele w %d by the Kingdoms, either to o- verrule the King contrary to his ancient rights, or to order the Kingdome contrary to known Laws ; prove the debt, and fatisfa- £tion nuift be made, for God forbid, but that that which is due fhould be rendred. This I conceive is the due of a Parliament, li- berty of fpcech, honour for their faithful! counfel, prayers for their prefervation in juft things, recompence (if they pleafe to require it) for their indefatigable pains , prefenting of new laws , punifhing of Delinquents by manifeft laws , and if this due be not rendred w r e are not worthy of life or livelihood. But to afcribe a greater due then is agreeable to their places , is to keep away a juft due by rendring a forced due. The thirteenth objection is drawn from the fixt Commandement, where thofe which are commanded not to murther,are commanded to p refer ve others from murther. Anfw. Firft, I fay that the pre- fervation of life muft be with the prefervation of duty , for I can- not prefcrve life vioUtionc debit* officii , for then in feeking to pre- vent murther I may commit murther , as I cannot kill my Father in refcuing one out of his hands whom he aflaults, neither can I murther a King in feeking to keep an oppreffed perfon from mur- ther, I may weep and kneel, and hold up my harmleiTe hands in fuch a cafe, but not ftrike ; for if this wcic to be allowed , I won- der why the people of Ifrael were not confeious of their duties in refifting Manajfeh when he filled the ftreets of Jeru(alem with bloud ; fuch kind of prefervers I fee hold it lawful! to deftroy Ty- i Sam. 8. r ants, which how erroneous an opinion it is, is not onely clear by Row. 13. Scripture, but by the judgement of all Orthodox Divines. The fourteenth objection is, that the laws of the Land, and not Divinity muft be Judge in this controverfy. Anfw. If I ihould fay, Thou haft appealed unto Cafar, and unto Cdfar thou (halt goe y I make no qucftion but C now do not they compafTe the Kings death, which may difcharge murthering-fhot at him f . do not they adhere to his enemies, who may plot, and confpirc, and fend all manner of aid to them that gather into bands a^ainft him? it is not crying they are for King and Parliament, that will free them from the fnarc of that Statute , they muft have a very favourable Tribunal, or elfe they will be found guilty of High Treafon ; and all thofe Statutes in Henry 4. and Henry 7. time, where the Sub- jects are commanded to ailift the King againft all might, power,, and rebellion whatfocver, without doubt do not countenance thefe attempts ; betides, what fhall we fay to thofe Statutes cited by His Majefty of facred memory for the array, where the Militia of the whole Kingdome is fctlcd upon the King ? thefe Statutes condemn all ads of violence ; and what can be laid to that Diary M. S. of the Parliament held in xHen.q.. where Judgements are fa id to appertain to the King only , except it be where a judgement is to be given upon a Statute made for the common profit of the King- dome,where we fee that a Parliament is not to medciic in all things, , but onely fn fiich things that are within their own cognifance, and fliewing their opinion of fomc particular S(#tutes,as the Writ faies, R ex jpf e de cjuibuf dam rebus arduls \ if other judgements appertain only *» «>/>»■* • to the King , then how can he hut again(t law feem to have hisM re /^f- right infringed ? and if the Bancus Regius was wont to be the ^ ' C *w ICings own Seat, and he there fat in perfon as Cambden averre, /i„U^ and S'wT/jo. Smith Therefore nothing can b e brought to caft a Xing out of Parliament, or to filence him in th c judgement of his raws, thc benefit, and frecdome of which, if he might enjoy, I make no qucftion but we fhould fee his Crown ful- ler of premmes then it hath been for thefe many daies. Yet for the condition of the point, I fay that the law of the Land in this point is not a proper Judge , for where damnation is threatned upon thc neglect of a duty , there Divines muft refolve what pre- tention of duty there hath been. The laws of the Land determine how^he Government is fetled concerning tributes and taxes, and to fhew what are the boundaries of a juft Government. But for the laws of the Land (asthefirft Rule) to determine whether a Xing may be refitted, or not refitted , and not to fetch their force from Gods laws, were to filence Divinity from prefixing a neceflfary duty, and to bring the bloud of our people upon our fouls for want of giving them warning. So long as the fifth Commandemenc /till remains, and the Inftitution of Xings is unreverfed , yea, the duty to Princes , that was enjoyned in the old Law is revived in the new , and in a clearer manner expounded , and in a feverer manner commanded, we muft either hold fubjedtion to Princes no Chriftian duty, or elfe with the hazard of our lives we muft preffe obedience. It is Divinity therefore, and not the laws that muft in- form the con fcience how neceffary and unavoidable this duty is. But it will belaid that Divinity cannot do this , becaufe in Scri- pture there are but only general grounds for CMagiftracy, and the laws of the Land muft ihew the particular branches of a Kings au- thority, for no particular form of Government is by divine right , but by humane confent. Anfw. Men may give the name , but not the Government ; the title may be humane , br.: the power is di- vine ; therefore wherefoevcr it be placed , whether in a Demo- cracy, <±Ariflocracy, or Monarchy, thc obedk: ice to it is neceffary. For -where people have fubmitted to a Democracy , or where a De- mocracy have fubmitted to an Ariftocracy, were it not Rebellion to refift the chief Rulers ? why not the like then for both thefe to rife up againft a Cfttonarchy ? the confene of the people in choo- fing of Governours do not take away obedience, but rather efta- biifn it ; and though there be but general, grounds cf chis obedience in Scripture , yet thefe general grounds hold with all particular States, becaufe God forefaw albkindes of Government, and hath F f given 226 Sheba's head caH over the TvaII. given but one law for all , which isfatisfaction enough, that there muft be but one kind of Subjection. Let the law therefore have its due honour , but Jet divinity be the chief plat-forme to frame Government, and manners by, clfe we (hall clafpc up our bibles to live by a Statute book. The fifteenth objection is that Salus populi is fuprema lex y therefore the Kings ordinary rights mult not be regarded when the fafety of the people is in queftion, Anf. the fafety of the people is the higheft law, but then it muft be fafety or elfe it is the bafeft law. But how (hall we out of this general word get particular fatisfaction ? for what is fafety ? are not men apt to pretend fafety to themfclves, when it may be ruine to multitudes ? yes pri- vate men have their p returned fafeties, as diverfe ftomacks have their particular appetites ; but as the wholeiomc , and not the licorous meat is molt nourishing, fo the lawful and not affected fafety is molt preferving. Otherwife the ftate of Ifrael muft have been prefcrved by letting the people go back again into Egypt ■, or by (toning Caleb and Jofuah, or by burning jeptahs houfe after his great conqueft over the Ammonites. Safety oftentimes is not only fond, but hurtful, if it fhould be granted according to the peoples carneft motions. That is fafety, that is upon warrantable grounds, and juft ends, and who fhall refolve this, but he that is appointed by God to be Judge of the peoples fafety,the Prince ? is not he intruded with the whole Nation, and made the Guardian of their welfare ? Yes, carry them In thy bofome, Numb. 1 1 . 12. and the people are given into the Princes hanc'^Dan. 2. 38. yea, all Subjects are to take their meat from this tree. If he there- fore upon full information , and mature deliberation fee a thing truly beneficial to his people, it is convenient for him to grant it, , but if according to his apprehenlion and ccnfcience he nnde the requeft unfit and immoderate, a juft denial is then the peoples true fafety ; it is not the obltreperous roare of a multitude, bellowing out give us this, or give us that, that can cry up Salm populi, but it muft be advifed refolution upon many ponderings and revol- vings that muft conclude it, Sains populi is to be a tried comfort, a birth of many months forming in the womb. Sure .1 am, three things in pra£tife,are not the fafety of the people, fuft to com- mand by arbitrary votes, for if we leave fctled lawes and betake our felves to acts of pleafurc, all orderly government is gon, and our Shebas he ad c a fi over the "ft all. 227 our eftetcs ly at th; mercy of others. Secondly to arme a Nation Without the Kings Authority ; for it can never be fafe for him nor them, that the power of armes fhould be taken from him, whereby he ihould be able to p:efevve himfelfe, and protect his people, for he that is contLained to give away the meanes of all fafety can ne- ver eftablifh true fafety. Thirdly that mens lives iliould be tajcen away by grounds of the common law, or unpublifhed prefidents, or the will of the State to interpret what it will Treafon; no,bloud is a pretious thing, and it is not to be let out, but when it is mani- feftjicoi rupt, which how cart it be known to be, but by a clear Staflfte, or a certain received ground ? The Law (they fav) is to be t2ken in the moft favourable fenfe, and not to be preflfed to a rigorors conftru&ion, efpecially in the point of life. That Tri- bunal is fit for Sylla or Marius, where men are rather murthered then executed : how can he but be innocent, whom a known Law doth not condemn ? the feveiity of a Statute is enough to takea- way a mans life, but he that dies by hidden grounds of the com- mon Law, or by moth-eaten Pi efidents, or by the will of the State, that can make a Ttaytor,whom the Law hath not apparently made a Felon, or a min-ilayer,is an heavy unchiiftian doom ; Sains fo- yuli is here Hedlical,and he muft be fome rare Paracelfian that can recover it. Thefixteenth obj'eSHon is, that the King is Singulis maj or Jout Vniverjis minor, -Anf. I Cannot fee how a reprefentative body can take away the honour of a political body, nor how this firmament of glori- ous Stars, can put out the light of the Sun. If the King hath the whole Kingdome in him, and this be his publick Regal capacity, then he cannot be brought down to a lingular capacity , except when the reprefentative body appear, the political body vanifh : fancy may conceive this, but Scripture contradicts it ; for, All the Tribes came unto David to Hebron^ and f aid, Behold, we are thy bone , and thy flefh : If all were his bone, and his flety, then this Unus is linlverfus. Let not Gods Major then be made a Mi- nor ; for doubtlelTc the word of Majcfty makes him greater then all his Kingdome : Whatfoevcr collective bodies then there be, the Commons to reprefent the Commons ; the Nobles to reprefent thenifehes ; yet none of thefc in their diftin& capacities reprefent all, but the King onely is Totnm aggregativnm ; yea, fuch a T*?- Ti 2 tw^ ~ .. 2 2 S Shtbas head caFt over the "&W/. Ordmem non dan turn, that he is Unum, & Omne. They, though never fo compa- ny* cum &cd, are Uxiftngufi, in the confidence - of private Subjects : He relatto-^ j s ^ ii n l VS yf m ^ aru | a [- 0Ye this Uni'verfe none can challenge a qmdpn- Majority, whereby they can cxcell hnn in dignity, or refill him by mum violence ; for the whole Kingdomc is but $$ a J pedes Intermedia^ Avsr. y. the King is the Genus : now Genus eft latins omnibus fuls fpecle- Uetaphjf. y HS ^ ^ a yf or jj e t tot am naturam fpeclcl ; nil the parts put together Innocent cannot equ.ill the whole, becaufe there can be no order, without a c. olim de relation to fome firft, as Aver roes faith. Make the King the prin- refiit.t cipal then, and what comparing can there be betwixt him and the fol.n.%. whole body of his Commonwealth ; efpecially to inveft themftfryes 7*. J"** in his regalities, or to (land with a fword in their hands to dare rando».<. ^im, oi*defti;oy him ? no, Maglftratus minor es nonpojfmt movere Bartol ad helium fine author it ate Prlnclpls , The leffer Magistrates can hofles.D. wage no War without the authority of the Prince, as it is confef- * f *^' fed by a multitude of Civil Lawyers. Vltior. n. 29. Cajet.fec. fe- definere CHn ^ <}• 4°. a « i« Syh m verb. bell. p. I. n. 3. Lorea dlfp. 50. ftimmim ft. 12 « ejjeimpe- The feventcenth objection is drawn from the Oath at the Co- rium ronation ,. for the Covenant they fay is reciprocal, and fo if the etiamfifs K - f a j£g € j • Oath, the Subject is quit of his obedience. rammtfl ■^■ n i- The Covenant is reciprocal m point or conicience, but promittat not in point of coercion; for though the King be bounden to God, aliqua as well as arc the People, yet the King cannot be bounden to give fubdttu an account £ l ns O at h upon earth, as the People may and ought etiam tali. to ^ e > ^ or ' m tne breach of the Kings Oath, frhcre is none to in- a qua al flict punifhment, for he is Gods immediate Vicegerent ; and if imperijn- God for his near reference to him hath acquitted him, what hath Honem, t } le People to complain ? A King lofeth nothing by the viola- P™ u ™ ant > ting of his Oath, but his inward peace, the Subject hath nothing deMr.bel. t0 ^ oe to mo left him ; for, Is it fit to fay to a King, thou art crpacis tvlchjd, and to princes, ye are ungodlj ? Job. 34. 18. no, who /. r.c.3./. may fay unto him, what doft thou ? Ecclef. 8. 4. The Princes per- * 6 ' . jury then, is a jeoparding of everlafting bliffe, not a forfeiting Dde.p'a- °f temporal right ; for a King is bound by his Oath naturally, clis L. and not civilly, as the Civilians fay ; that is, not to be refponfible Princes to his People : and the ground is notable, becaufe there \spaBum L % l ^ s . I n-walter, the marfhalof God$r ucl jp ottte army, and holy Church ; fo in the warres of Simon de CMontfortfeingerat. Earl of Leicefter againft K. H. 3. He caufed his trayterousGro.i.z.c army ( faith the hiftory ) to weare white croffes on their brcft z 9 , /» **• and back, to fhew that they fc ught for juftice, though ^ etCe fi er WmdQver and Glocefter quarrel about the dividend to fhev; that whatfoever us they pretended for the Kingdome, yet their own greatneffc, and Hollinsb. gain was the true motive of the warre ; fo the grand rebels in H. Mat.W<#. 4. time who thought to divide the Kingdome between the Dragon, the Lion, and the Woolf, Piercy, Mortimer -and GlendourfiQCcx- ding to Merlins prophecie,yct prc:ended only griveances,that the Hollinsb. publique mony was not employed upon the defence of the King- dome, and that the King fuffered too many bad tongues about him ' ■ * and profeflcd they meant nothing but the reformation of the ^ob.Fdhi^ Common-wealth,and the fecuring of their own perfons by taking an vol. up of a rmes. So Salisbury, Warwick^, and Tork^ when they en- ?*&• tended the deftruction of H. 6. yet by letters and vowes protcft Gra l tont that they had taken the Sacrament at the hands of Dr. Linwood to proferTc that they had no other intention in raifing forces but to 3 oo Shebds head caft over the T»aff. to make their way to the King to redreiTe abufes, and to withftand Courtiers, and Favourites which pi: rpofed their deft rucl ion. So in that heinous rebellion of the 40000 rufticks afTembled in Yovk-fhire, though they intended to have brought both King,and Speedin kingdomc to their lure, yet they pretended that they were s;athc- tbeltfe o/red together for the prefervatioa of C h rifts Chuich, and of the H. 8. p. King cheir Soveraign Lord, and the Nobility, Barons and Com- 96. 97. mons of the Land, as may appear by their mandates they fent to all the Subjects of Henry 8th. yea ro fhew their pure intentions their banners were painted with the Rve wounds of Chrjft, the chalice, the cake &c. and upon their fleeves was writteifrthe name of the Lord, and their attempt termed no leffe then the ho- ly Pitefimage. So in E. 6th. reign though fome ten thoufands Speedtn T, vere aflembled in the Coiniin infurrection, and purpofed a wo- *^' ful alteration in the State,as that they would leave no Juftices,nor 1092*. I. Gentlemen, nor Parks, yet at the end of their Articles which they 2i.2i. fent to the King they protefted nothing but feeming loyalty, their clofe being after all their venemous expreflions, we pray God fave f* h tf^S Edward, for we be his both body and goods. So in the Ket°fUrt j vvretched rebellion of Kett though there was nothing intended es . ' but the utter fubverfton of all lawes and government and under a pretence of cafting down Inclofurcs to bring all the command of the Kingdome into the handesof vulgar pcrfons, yet what coloura- ble paintings were there for a juft ordering of all things, as if they had had nothing but God and the Common-wealth en- graven in their bofomes ? they had folemn praicrs morning and evening by Comers their Chaplain, and they protefted that they Holl'mh. were tne Kings true Leigc-mcn, and thru they fought nothing Foxe but his honour and wellfare , yea fo zealourry did they ieem to be a&s and taken up with deftres of juftic?,that they fe: up a new Tribunal for Mom*. legal proceedings , which they tenncd the oak of Reformation, sp m j anc * werc tne ^ c ^ vec: charmes wanting in the commotion of Tork- fhlre ( in the fame Kings rcigne ) under Ombler, 'Dale and Ste- venfon ? no,though every one had a Common-wealth in his head, and they refolvcd to ufe the King as an intruder, and that four Governoursof their own fhould be appointed to order the Nati- on,wh:n the Commons fhould meet in Parliaments their p ophc- cy fa id ) affembled from the four windes, yet their pretences were faire ( faith the hiftory ) as to rcftorc to the Church her 1 ight, and to Sheba's head caH over the T»all. 131 to disburthcn the land of all greviances impofcd. Therefore ife- vcry glowing fervour, or {parkling motion of jritice ( as to do God fei vice and to procure a redrerTe of reigning corruptions in the Common-we2!th)might be approved,' how might thefc bran- ded rebels go for Saints, and admired Patriots ? they are not lau- dable things then, but a lawfull calling ( which is ever wanting in any manner of rdlftance of Subjefls againfl their Pi ince ) that • , can j-'frify the taking up of Armes. The nintcenth objection is drawn from theharmslefneffe of the refinance, wherein .s intended no fhedding of bloud, but the pre- serving of ancient rights , cogere Trlncipem inordinem, Anf. G enter e pr'mcipem in ordinem, by mourneful grones, and humble fuites to bring a King into order I like well, but by gathering of trained bands, or muttering up of formidable troopesl can by no meanes approve of it,for it is not only a courfe too Rout for fubjcils, but too hazardous for the Naticn,for if a King upon iuch fouldier- like Rhetorick will not yield ( as what King that is not curfed in his fubje£b Allegiance or his friends Alliance will hearken'to fuch Bellumc* arming Oratory ) we know the Cataftrophe,this compelling the vilepqw King into order will compel the icTingdome into definition, every f Jf e < f omi " one turne forrager, and Fury to his brothcr;oh that this were a fuf- n \** l f * picion, or a {launder, but we have by fad experience a fenfible p Ayen \ u i apprehenfion of the truth of it, even in our dry vcines and emptie coffers* A King then is not to be compelled into order; for the fouldier that undertakes fuch a quarrel, though the hilt of his fword be a little better hatcht and enameldthen the blunt rebels, yet the ejge of it cuts deep, and for all his harmelcrfe profelfion he is but a more artificial cut-throat, or melior homlc'ida, the bet- Tertnl.de ter mill the: cr, :s the Father faith in another kind. All the xz-rfw'tt. v.cnge then a fub jeer, can take of an evil Pi ince is to look upon his opprellions with watry eyes or to fend him out of the world with dghs & deteilation cf his Cover nment,to make him damnat*. memorise. So I find the ancient Egyptians wont to ufc their Kings, they did not difturbe them, or defame them whiKt they were live- ing, but they did execiate them when they were dead ; for They were bound to the obfervation of many things , yet if they did not perform them , accufari vivi -non pot er ant, fed mortuorum accufa- Diod. Shi batur memoria faith Diod. Siculns^They could not be accufed^' 1 * whilfi they were livings but the memory of them being dead was accufed; 232 Shebas head ca/i over the *toall. accufed ; or as a fign of their high diflike of their Government , Grcgous they were wont oftentimes to deny them their dead-right , a r o- l'h l ' lema Funeral ; fo I find the Grecians ferved ain to refift him, for what doth the name of Subject imply , but one that hath reiigncd himfelf to the direction of another ? this .tranfaclion is not as in other agreements , where upon a voluntary compact the party is no further tied, then the obligation of con- ditions bind him : but as an acute writer clears this point , here is an efYe 61 of necetfity involved , that the Subjedt. muft inevitably be o- cdient, Si cut muiier (as he faith) qu&vlrumfibi accept , cut parere femper necejfe efl. This then for the power of Parliaments, that they have no authority more then others to relift Kings. Secondly , I fay that a Parliament is not fo infallibly directed, but it may want juftice ; a general Council may , and why not a Parliament ; Yes, though by the ability, and number of thofe worthies chat may meet together, there are fingular furtherances for iafe and warrantable courfes to be taken, yet this is not a con- G g ftant 234. Shebas heaicaji overt he T»atl. ■ ftant happineflTe annexed to that Court ; for fuch perfons may meet there as may want gifts, as in the Parliament called Lack- learnin«V6r want-temper, as in the Parliament called Parliament turn infantum. Therefore though Parliaments have been the' Springs of much comfort to this Nation, and the Brefls from whence a great part of our fweetcftjiQUiiflimen; have been fuckt, yet the Spiings may be troubled, and :le Brefts corrupted; We read of ftrange mifcarriages ( if with humble reverence truth may be uttered ) in Parliaments, as in that Parliament in the reign of Speed m Edw. 2. in which it is faid that the Barons warres were forged in IBAtt. 2. the'Paiiiament Houfe, wherein they forced on the King p.efum- t' * 9 ' ptuous and trcafonous Ordinances from time to time, whereby the Peers challenged not onely to reform the King's Houfe,and Coun- cel ; and to place, and difplace all great Officers at their pleafurc, but even a joint- intereft in the Regiment of the Kingdome, toge- ther with the King, which William Inge a Judge of the Common Lawtraiteroufly perf waded them to be according to Law. And Speed in whereas the Duke of Suffolk^'m the reign of Henry the 6. had He "' made known to both Houfes his counfcls , and Cervices concerning 833/I7. a. marriage contracted betwixt that, King, and the daughter of Re- 48. nate, and both the Houfes approved of his doings , for Burleigh Speaker for the Houfe of Commons, and a great part of the body- of that Houfe , and the Lords likewife kneeling upon their knees requeftcd the King that the whole matter might be approved, re- corded, and enrolled, for the Dukes future difchargc and acquit- tal, which was accordingly done ; yet was it not ( as the Hiftory faith ) the moft vile part of a Parliament^ accufetion , afterwards to charge that for a crime upon thcDuk: ( by the potency of a prevalent faction ) which themf elves had univcrfally in a former Parliament afTented to and ratified ? yes, and banifhed him, whereby being taken in his paflage over Sea, his head was {-truck oft' upon the fide of a Cock-boat. Was it not by Parliaments that King Henry 6. was often crowned and uncrowned ? Was it not a Parliament, that not oncly authorized the divorce of the firrt Queen Katharine mar ricd to Henry the 8. and pronounced her Speed in irTue illegitimate, but "by ac\ of Parliament divorced Anne of **• y « Cleve from the faid Henry, when no lawful caufe could be iliewn? *iiVi' y cs ' an( ^ ^ ecrccc ^ tnc 6. Articles to be Herefie and death to all that p. 1030. Should oppofc them. Was it not a Parliament that made the Duke Shibas head cafi over the lull. 2 3 5 of Torkji a Protectour to Henry the fixth when he had reigned 39. yeares,as if he had been ftill a child ? yes, and afterwards admit- ted of his Title to the Crown , as much as they feemed a alhed at his firfi fitting in the-Chair of State, and bringing in his unexped- ed claim, which they knew to be condemned by former Parlia- ments. Was it not a Parliament that fued to the Ufuiper to take ^ the Crown ? yes , by a folcmn Petition framed by all the Eftat s *rj* he was intieatcd to accept of the Regal authority, and they we:e^ 9 ^, not contented onely to place him in the Throne , bur in the moil 914.915, difg acefull manner that could be they defamed the famous govern- ment of£V/w.the 4.8c fcandalized his royal pofterity,infomuch that Dr. Sharp himfelf could not ute worfc Rhetorick at Pauls CrofTe ; which paifage was fo odious that Mr. Speed would neither conceal the Petition, nor retrain his paifion ; For thefe things ( faith he) I have laid forth out of the Parliament-roll,that ye may underhand both what, and how great matters the power of a Prince, the outward ilrew of Virtue , the wily fetches of Lawyers, fawning hope , penfive fear , defire of change , and Godly pretences are able to efTe£t in that mod wife AfTembly of all the States of a Kingdome , even againft all Law and Right : Were they not Parliaments that played fait and loole with Religion? yes, in Edward the fixth's time they banifhed the Pop: with deteftation , and in a fhort fpace they entertained him again with admiration , yea they not only eftabliiried the Popifh Religion , but fought for the return of Cardinal Pool ( againft whom formerly they had made many A6b) and received him as an An^el of Cod, yea, the Honourable Houfe prefented a Petition to be received into the bofome of Rome. There- jw^ ,-„ fore we fee that Parliaments are not exempted from the frailties ofil^Mary other great meetings. Wifdom? may be taken away from the pru-f • un- dent, and counfel from the Scnatours , Omnis homo mendaxfo that we rrinft not take every thing for a juftifleable courie that Parlia- ments iTiall refolve, no more then we 'mutt take every thing for a neceiTary point of faith that the Church propounds , but we mutt examine our rules of odedience, Try all things^and keep that which it good , 1 Thcff.5^2 1 . The greateft Court upon earth mutt not o- vcr-aw US againft the decrees of him that is our prefent Law-giver, and will be our laft Judge , but if the fiery trial hath not yet left aflies enough behind it, we muft be contented to facrifice our felves for 2$ 6 shebas head. c aft over the "W/. for the caufe ; let us be accounted Malignant?, Delinquents, Incen- diaries fo brig as \vc are fure that we follow Chrift in the regene- ration ; God hath only the command of conference, let us not fub- rnit it therefore to the direction of the moft vepvad Sages^for par- liaments may fail in juftice. Perhaps it will be ye: ohje ;led that if Parliaments be denied this refinance there will [ ; found no means upon earth fufHcient co reftrain Tyranny. osfnfw. WJiaC if there be not, Tyrants may afterwards meet with their jufl doom, Potentes potent er torcjuebuntur ; and is it not enough for us , that God willeafe a Parliament of this juridical power } cannot Church and Commonwealth (rand now as well as it hath dene in former ages without a Parliamentary Shore ? yet I fay there is means fuf- ficientiy left to reftrain Tyranny, though not violent ; for is there no way to reftrain Tyranny but by force ? force may increafe it , but feldome reftrain it. The reftraint fhould be by difcreet inti- mations and humble reprefentments of the incongruity of a Princes Government to the laws (for this were to order a h'.fincffe like wife Counfellors , grave States-men , and moderate Ch: iftians) and if the Prince have any fpark of Religion, or touch of Juftice in him, this will reftrain him ; for what more powerful to reclaim a Go- vernour from an undue practice, then the cry of a whole /Cing- dome ringing in his Princely ears agamft the unjuftnefTe of it ? whether this hath not been fufficient to prevail with a gratious Prince to reform all things that bare the name of grievance, let the fruits of a prudent mediatiorvdeclare :he moderate perfwafions and grave advertifements of this parliament. Behold then the right means to reftrain Tyranny , and power fufhVient to effect this without thefword. Thus then have I fatisfted the fcruples of the doubtful , and en- deavoured to remove the {tumbling blocks out of the way. Now God Almighty teach us our true duty, and inftill into our hearts due reverence to our Supcriours, that the frowns againft authority may fmoothen upon our brows , and the refilling fword for ever dropout of our hands, that we draw not more miieiies upon our Countrey , nor a greater guilt of b 1 udfhed upon our own fouls, but we mav look upon the face of on.- earthly 7