their Kingdom is not of this world 1 Cor. 2. 6 8. True it is that godly men as David c. may be temporall Princes but not Quatenus godly men and Christs seed And we had need to clear this for great temporall Monarchs are very fearfull of any claime to their Kingdomes or medling with their Titles Our Chronicles mention one Burdet a Merchant of London dwelling at the sign of the Crown in Cheapside in the dayes of our King Edward the fourth Anno 1483. who jestingly said to his Son that he would leave him heire to the Crown meaning the sign of the Crowne where he lived for which he was apprehended and within four hours hanged drawne and quartered for so saying Kings love not that men should Pulcheria the vertuous and discreet sister of Theodosius the second seeing her brother the Emperor to signe many writings without reading them caused a writing drawn and tendered wherein he consigned into her hands his wife Eudoxia formerly before Baptisme call'd Athenais a poor woman daughter of Leontig who seeking at the Court for Justice in a private cause took the Emperors affections was baptized and married him Eudoxia said it was too great a game to jest and play upon Diadems though the good Emperor much reformed by it jest with their Crowns how fearfully startled was Herod when he heard tell of some Wisemen asking for one that was borne King of the Jewes Mat. 2. 1 2 3 indeed worse afraid then hurt the Saints are not by vertue of their birth from Christ temporall but spirituall Kings though carnall men mens slander is very common that Gods people rebell and aime only to be temporall Kings Nehem. 6. 6 7. But know that it 's far better to be a spirituall Prince with God then meerly a temporall Prince over men Which will appear 1. Because the greatest Kings on earth have usually more crosses on earth then externall comforts there is a great vanity in the chiefest person and places on earth Psal 62. 9. The world hath now stood above 5000. years and the greater half of this time was spent ere the Jewes had any setled King at last about the year of the world 3761 God gave them a King Saul by name and there were but three Kings that governed and ruled over all the twelve Tribes viz. Saul David and Solomon and one of these viz. Saul came to a violent death slew himselfe though perhaps the Amalekite helped to dispatch him * If so then Saul who had been cruell to David 〈…〉 cruell to him self and he that spared the Amalekites and never prospered after is at last slain by an Amalckite 1 Sam. 15. 14 23. See Lightfâ—â—â— on that place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is onely used it 2 Sam. 1. 9. and signifies both 〈…〉 tremor vel argustre when his coat of male somewhat hidered his own spear from making that speedy end which he desired as the words in the Hebrew may be read 2 Sam. 1. 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 After these three Kings deaths the twelve Tribes were divided into two Kingdoms two Tribes clave to Rehoboam Solomons Son and Hâ—â—â— and made up the Kingdom of Judah and ten Tribes to Jâ—â—oboam Solomons Servant and made up the Kingdom of Israel Now after this division which began about the year of the world 2969. untill the captivity of Babylon and destruction of Jerusalem by Neâ—uchaâ—â—â—zzar there were but twenty Kings of Judah and of there eight suffered a violent death and of Israel before their lasting captivity 2 King 17. 6. there were but nineteen Kings whereof not one feared God among them all and of these nine died a violent death besides others imprisoned cruelly used c. In England since the coming in of the Norman William which is usually stiled the Conquest there hath been five and twenty Princes of whom nine came to a violent death and many more of those 109. Kings of Scotland I say it for this â—ad to shew what crosses and calamities do oft times attend great persons and places which cause their troubles to exceed their comforts which made Solomon complain of the vanity of vanities in all conditions Eccl. 1. before him his Father David say that he had seen an end of all perfection Psalm 19. 96. Nay see how somtimes Gods heavy hand goes out against a whole great Family or â—ine thus we find Ahab and Jezabel guilty of blood of godly Nabathe blood see what became of all that race â—nd line Ahab was shot to death by a man that shot at â—venture and timed not at him more then any other 1 King 22. 34. as he went up against Ramoth-Gilcad but it was purposely levelled fore-told and directed by God against Ahab 1 King 21. 19. as Elijah had told the King ere he went up thither so also Micaiah 1 King 22. 28. and Jezabel who was wife mother and daughter to a King even she was slain 2 King 29. 33. King Ahaziah son to Ahab never recovered of hâ—s fall through the Lettice 2 King 1. 2 16 17. then Ahabs other son Jehoram was King of Israel 2 King 3. 1. he goes against Ramoth-Gilead and takes it which his father Ahab could not do and having received some wounds in that service he leaves Jehu one of his Captains Commander in chief over his Army â—t Ramoth-Gilead and goes himself to be cured at Jezreel presently Jehu by Gods appointment 2 King 9. 1 2 3 7 8. c. drawes all the Army against King Jehoram his King his Master and his Master Ahabs son and slew him 2 King 9. 24 25. and that the blood of Naboth which Ahab had a hand in was a maine cause of all this appears because it 's expressed that in the same place where Naboths blood was shed both Ahabs and Iehorams blood was spilt 1 King 21. 19. and 2 King 9. 25 26. and so of Iezabel 2 King 9. 36 37. Athaliab the daughter of Ahab was married to Jehoram King of Judah 2 King 8. 16. 17 18. she was slaine 2 King 11. 16. her husbands bowells fell out 2 Chron. 21 18 19. none prospered that medled with that Line their elder sons were slain or carried captive by the Philistins and Arabians 2 Chron. 21. 17. and 22. 1. Ahaziah King Ahabs grandchild and some think he married againe into that stock 2 Kings 8. 27. he joyned with Jehoram in that war and after to visit him 2 King 8. 28 29. he was slaine 2 King 9. 27. and 42. of Ahaziahs brethren or kindred of Ahabs stock were slaine 2 King 10. 14. and seventy more of Ahabs sons and grand-children by severall wives were slaine 2 King 10. 1 7. so as none remained of that line and family 1 King 21. 21. see the like of Baasha another King of Israel his line 1 King 16. 11. Who hath not read the continued succession of calamities that attended Mary Queen of Scotland mother to the late King James 〈◊〉 her cradle to
to say Am I for the Plaintiff or Defendant no matter which and when you see the cause naught body more distempers still do appear Hos 7. 1. Thus in Christs Time Scribes Pharisees Herodians in Apostles days in Primitive Times Ebion Cerinthus * Arrius his Heresie was condemned by the Councel of Nice Anno D. 330. Macedonius by the Councel of Constantinople Anno D. 383 Athanasius rose up mightily against Arrius in Constantines days and Basil against Maced in Theodosius days Nestorius was condemned by the Councel of Ephesus an 490 and Eutiches by the Councel of Calcedoâ— Anno 456 When Austin mightily spred the Gospel Pelagius alias Morgan spred His Errors both of them were born on one day Austin in Africk and Pelagius in Wales In our flight from Rome saith Mr Bayly some heretofore stopt too soon as the Lutherans and after them Cranmer Ridley c. who lest too much Popery And others ran too far saith he as Anabaptists and after them Bolton Brown Barrow c. and the Brownists Sure I am if the late Bishops stopt too soon many now adays run as much too far Mos iste in Ecclesia semper viguit ut quo quisque fo et religiosior co promptius novellis adinventionibus contrairet saith Vincent Lirinens Arrius Macedonius Nestorius Eutyches Pelagius in Luthers days many Sects Anabaptism Antinomianism in Calvins Servetus but this is sad that what was owned by all to be profainness twelve years ago as to swear commonly not to pray nor confess sin nor sanctifie Sabbath nor frequent Gods Ordinances to deny the Scriptures c. if a man now do the same things and say he holds an Opinion or it is his Opinion that he may do thus then it should be accounted no profaneness but Religion Cursed Errors draw the best spirits saith holy and learned Mr Hooker of New-England from the heart to the head turn Religion into a Dispute and make it onely a matter of questions and words and eat out in very many the very heart of godliness It was the great grief of holy Mr Burroughs not long before his death that he could not see that practical power of godliness in the professors of these days which he saw in those that dyed immediately before these Times began but that we seem said he to have more light but less life Oh this doth not beseem spiritual Princes of Jesus Christ A forraign Writer three years ago to our shame published Anglia his quatuor annis facta est colluvies lerna omnium Errorum ac Sectarum nulla à condito orbe Provincia tam parvo spatio tot monstrosas Haereses protulit atque haec c. 5. Let this be a Caveat to all persons to take heed they offer Vse 5 no injuries to godly men for they are spiritual Princes You know how dangerous Scandalum magnatum and Crimen laesae Majestatis were accounted to be Take heed how you rail against or affront a godly man for godliness sake truly you kick against the pricks Christ will own it Saul Saul why persecutest thou me Act. 9. These are Gods anointed touch them not at your peril Psal 105. 14. They are the dearly beloved of Gods Soul Jerem. 12. 7. Gods Hephzibah Isai 62. 4. Gods delight is in them These are the Spouse of Christ and Christ will say Will you force the Queen before me as Ahashuerus said of Haman Esth 7. 8. These are the Lords portion take heed what you do to these men c. The sixth Use is for Comfort to all the Saints because they Vse 6 are spiritual Princes 1. Kings and Princes are not usually tryed at an ordinary Court but some special Court for them Truly godly men shall not be tryed 1. At mans Bar not stand to mans day * 1 Cor. 4. 3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 When Woodroof the sheriff called Mr Rogers our Protomartyr Heretique that shal be known said Rogers at the day of Judgment who usually rail against them and mock them 3. Nor at the Bar of strict Justice but at the Chancery of free mercy their debts being payd persons covered in Christ and their Husband their Judg. Secondly These Princes have two of the best Kingdoms that we ever heard of the one of Grace the other of Glory that whiles others glory of Corn Wine Oyl Psal 4. 7. and petty Mannors the Saints may say as the King of France commanded his Herauld to cry still King of France King of France so they Heirs of Grace and Glory Thirdly Princes are an honour to the place where they are born and bred So Psal 87. 5 6. Of Sion it shall be said this and that man was born in her So many godly men in a Town so many Princes in a Town It is an honor to Boston in Lincolnshire that learned and holy Mr Fox that wrote the Book of Martyrs was born there to Manchester that heavenly Mr Bradford the Martyr was born there to Dean and Leigh in Lancashire that George Marsh the godly Martyr was born in the first and Jeffrey Hurst in the latter and Mr Robert Bolton at Blackborn in the same County Mr William Perkins at Marston in Warwick-shire Holy Mr Latimer at Thirkesson in Leicestershire Martyr Cranmer at Arselacton in Nottinghamshire Doctor Willet at Ely in Cambridg-shire Mr Whateley at Bambury in Oxfordshire a Many worthy men born in Lancashire Dr Whitaker Mr Nouel Mr Bentley Mr R. Balton Mr Bradford George Maâ—sh Jesfrey Hurst c. In Devonsh re Bishop Juel Dr Reynolds In Northumberland Bishop Ridley Martyr Cumberland Archbishop Grindal Westmoreland Mr Gilpin Buckinghamshire Dr Humphred Shropshire Dr Holland Hampshire Mr Philpot. Kent Mr Ed. Deering Nottinghamshire Archbishop Cranmer both Mr Chappels c. c. 7. In all these hurryings and clatterings of the Times while Vse 7 every one is contending about Kings and Princes at home and abroad such stirs plottings and actings about them and about Government in Church and State let us cry to God that we may be and content our selves to be spiritual Princes to Christ to raign over our lusts and to have the Government of Christ in our hearts Let this be our greatest contention and strife and beg direction from God for them in whose hands is the power of setling external Governors and Government Take heed we be not of those that say in our hearts We will not have Christ to raign over us Luk. 19. 37. Content not our selves that we are related to godly men heavenly Princes John of Valoys was Son Uncle Brother Father to a King yet himself was never King so here 8. Labor what we can the advance and propagation of the Vse 8 Gospels Ministry It 's the means through Gods Mercy to beget Princes to God in every town and place where it comes Follow it to Ireland Wales the Northern Counties c. with your prayers yea into the dark corners of the world that Christ may have Princes
eating of that bunch of Grapes his fellow-Soldiers chid him saying He ought then to minde somewhat else To whom he said I beseech you Sirs do not envy me my Grapes they will cost me dear you would be loath to have them at my rate So do not you envy nor murmur at wicked men alass when the reckoning comes you would be loath to have their sweet bits at their rate 4. Carry noble mindes of Princes Though Kings are served by the plough yet their minds are taken up with higher Eccles 5 5 matters of State It is written of our King Edward that he had a burning desire to go to the holy Land Zechar. 2. 12. for so they called the Land of Canaan though now I think there is no Land more unholy but being prevented by death he charged his Son to carry his heart thither So though we be below and trade and meddle in things here below yet let our hearts and affections be above Though we have our Commoration on Earth let us have our Conversation in Heaven Phil. 3. 20. which is a sure evidence that we are risen again already Col. 3. 1 2. 5. Let us keep company with Princes even godly men Would it not be a great shame to see the honorable Judges of Assize go off the Bench leave the Society of the Justices and Gentry of the Country and onely keep company with the Prisoners at the Bar Sheep and Wolves Princes and base Peasants have small converse together Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness Eph. 5. 11. 6. If you are Princes contend not for every toy Regium est malé audire quum bené feceris Jesus Christ is Prince of Life Acts 23. 15. Prince of Peace Isai 9. 6. Prince of the Kings of the Earth Dan. 8. 25. Rev. 1. 5. and he hath made us great Princes and shall we contend for every quarrel 1 Cor. 6. 1. to 7. It 's reported of Judg Dyer that when any petty Controversies came before him especially of poor men he used to say That either the parties were wilful or their neighbors uncharitable 7. In the cause and way of God go on undauntedly and with princely courage yea both in doing and suffering for Christ And here give me leave to apply it more particularly and 1. To you my Lords whom God hath been pleased to call to these publique places and that you may go on undauntedly for God and your Country Look 1. That your principles be sound and upright else however you judg men now yet poor men will judg you another day when all the Saints shal judg the world 2. Look you be upright in your ways uprightness hath boldness do not steer your course according to friends or foes or mens corrupt humors It 's said of Baldwin the French Lawyer that he had Religionem Ephemeram every day a new Religion but constant to none Beza and therefore saith Beza he became Deo hominibusque quos toties fefellerat invisus Some of you have read of a very great Courtier of this Land who was a great Favorite to King Henry the eighth a Papist to King Edward the sixth a Protestant to Queen Mary a Papist to Queen Elizabeth a Protestant and kept both great favor and places being asked how he could do so he answered I always imitated L. Pawlet the Willow and not the Oak was ready to bow and bend to the lusts of great men and humors of the Times as one not tyed to John Baptists Conscience but giving elbow-room to Jeroboams policy c. I can tell you of a Judg God ever deliver you from his steps that raised a most strange conclusion from honest Premisses I mean Pilate Luk. 23. 14 15 16. who saith concerning Christ I have examined him and found no fault in this man therefore I will chastise him Unjust Judg nay therefore chastise him not Or as it is related by John cap. 19. 6. I finde no fault in him therefore take ye him and crucifie him nay rather ought he to rescue and deliver him Epaminondas a Heathen man being poor and tempted with great presents used to say if the cause was good he would do it without a bribe because it was good if bad not for a world 3. Look your ends be right the Devil knows that that is a prevailing temptation wherewith he thought to have undone Job when all other shafts failed doth Job serve God for nought Job 1. 9. as if he had some by-ends in it This undid Jehu who executed judgment severely on the house of Ahab which God commanded and yet God revenged all that very blood upon Jehu's house Hos 1. 4. because of Jehu's by-end in the work Secondly A word to you Right worshipful and worthy 2. Take heed lest any of you favor drunken Alehouses to uphold your Rents price of Corn or Your Clerks fee◠Holy Mr Fenner saith that he heard a Clerk of the Assizes say that he was glad there were so many rogues because he got more money Justices of peace I pray you pull out the beams out of your own eyes first be not you guilty of those vices which you ought to punish in others so shall you go on with courage You see at these Assizes divers devouring Wolves arraigned would you pursue them to their den you should finde most of this to spring from and be hatched at debuched Alehouses I pray you know neither friend or soe Justice is pictured blinde as to mens persons but quick-sighted in causes Shall I punish my friend for whom such a one speaks an old servant to my Father to my Wife Son c. No nor your foe neither With all my heart spare your friend but punish the Malefactor Teach men in your Ridings and Sessions that Norman distinction that William the first taught an * Odo brother to K. William Earl of Kent and Bishop of Bayeux in Normandy Earl of Kent whom the King would punish for his foul misdemeanors the Earl being also Bishop of Bayeux in France pleaded he did not do the fault as he was Earl but as he was Bishop and so then not under the temporal Jurisdiction To whom the King replyed neither do I punish you as a Bishop but as an Earl however the party was punished spare your friend yea and your foe also if you will but punish the Malefactor 3. To you Gentlemen of the long robe to whom I spake freely 3. Britania rediviva yet truly here the last Assizes and therefore no more now but this plead now as you may with courage stand up at last and have Christ plead your cause I do not say when or while causes are dark and doubtful but when it clearly and plainly appears that the cause is untrue and unjust Do not do your best or worst to colour it over and to cause unjustice to be done or else it shall not want your furtherance Think not that this is enough