Touch not mine annointed nor doe my Prophetes no harme Doth not God in Iustice threaten to require bloud for bloud at the hand of euery murtherer Gen. 9.7.6 And if men shedde the bloud of men doth he not promise that by men shall their bloud be shed again Yea wicked Caine though cursed and excommunicâ—ted from God is marked â—f the 〈…〉 câ—ulde slaye 〈…〉 God is there 〈…〉 though 〈…〉 â—mselâ—◠〈…〉 not from his church in earth alone but from his fauour loue whose brothers bloud doth call for vengeaÌ„ce vp to heauen yet that man that killeth Caine shal be punished seauen folde for that murther Gen. 4.15 although it be done vpon so cursed a wretch But for Princes as they are the Lords annointed so are they in a sort incorporate into the shadow of Gods most sacred person maiestically beare the name of Gods Ego dixi dij estis are so mightely garded by the Lorde Psal 82. That not onely his heauenly Angels are made their soldiours 2. Reg. 19. 2. Chr. 32.35 against all their earthy infernall enemies but also the Sun Moone shal be obedieÌ„t to their coÌ„maund Ios 10. Yea the thundring Aire shall driue a terror to their camped enimies 2. K. 7.6 as if Chariot wheels did scoure the Coasts earth sea shall send theÌ„ succour Yea the birds of the Aire shall bewray Eccle. 10.80 the smallest worde souÌ„ding to their dishonor the most secrete thought withiâ— the closet of our secre◠〈…〉 against our 〈…〉 â—losed 〈…〉 Maiesty conspiring hurt to his annointed king Drawe Dauids heart into thy bosome set his lore be a law to thee if thou wilt rightly fear the Lord who wheÌ„ he had his soueraign in his hand a man cast of from God excommunicate by the Lord froÌ„ being king Dauid now annointed as in his place to inioy the kingly Crowne dignity yet he would not because he could not be guiltles lay violent hands vpon Saule as yet the Lords annointed Nay wheÌ„ Dauid might haue slaine him or his seruaunts which were more then willing therto he onely in the Caue cutte a peece of his garment the which his face when hee more deepely had considered did mightely wound his soule as the story reporteth But to vse violence to the body of Saule 1. Sam. 24.6 no man coulde perswade Dauid because hee was his Maister his king soueraign now that Lords annointed For truely whosoeuer shal strike the body of his soueraign king 〈◊〉 Queen â—oth the 〈◊〉 euen wound to 〈…〉 Christ Ie◠〈…〉 â—istes coÌ„â— Mat. 25.34 〈…〉 accompted of Christ Iesus to bee done to himselfe how much more shall that diuine Maiestye on hie for such horrible bloudshed though onely done to his peculiar Image his king on earth the Lord exhibitng by him his own right arme to vs accompt I say the same as done vnto him self The consideration herof caused holy Dauid to saye being the next heire to Saule his Crowne whose seruants also hungred greatly Saules death in fauor of Dauid their future king The Lord keepe me 1. Sam. 26.9 saith hee from doing that thing vnto my maister the Lords annointed so Dauid ouercame his seruants saith the place A lesson concerning such future hopes vpon whom wickedly many do depend had they good right yet ought they not to hearken to their false fauning parasites to both their ouerthrowes but to discountenaunce as traytors speaches against the present Dauid for the hope of a counterfeit Ishâ—boseth al such 〈…〉 so shoâ—â— they disco◠〈…〉 deadly 〈…〉 call 〈…〉 〈…〉 â—â—cond time when Saule was cast into a dead sleep all his Camp the Dauid with his hungry Abyshay entred the kings pauilion tooke away his spear from his beds head Abner and the hoast lying on sleepe about him looke to thy watch more faithfully Abner God hath closed thine enimye saith Abyshay to Dauid into thy hands this day therfore I pray thee let me smite him once with a speare I wil not smite him again his meaning was he would kill him at the first blowe to Abyshay Dauid said destroy him not His reason why is 1. Sam. 26.9 for who can saye his haÌ„d on the Lords annointed be giltles No neither Samuell can commaund it nor Dauid the future annointed may do it much lesse ambitious Abyshay can attempt or any other person to bereue with priuate hand the Lords annointed of his life and bee without daunger nay condeÌ„nation of the deepest treasoÌ„ sauage slaughter that possibly can be coÌ„mitted â—oth in 〈◊〉 of God and of naturall 〈…〉 sure I 〈…〉 with 〈…〉 â—his the king Oh that our Catholique Traytors would thinke that Dauid had as much holines Samuell that Apostles had as great aucthoritye more then any Bishop can haue and yet these neuer did or durst leaue the people to their liberty but brought them vnder the bands coardesâ— of Princely gouernmeÌ„t yea vnto heathen Princes were so fart from commaunding or procuring violent handes vpon such the Lords Christs as on the contrary they called all christians into due obedience to theÌ„ to most willing submissioÌ„ teaching threatning gods heauy iudgement to all the transgressors And now though I haue tried loÌ„g your patience in this profitable discourse yet I see me thinketh a willing minde in you to heare the last breach of this our labour that is to shew by proofe how vain it is for the vnnaturall subiect to rise to the ruine of his liege and natural king and how vnable they be to bring their shamefull indeuour to 〈◊〉 â—â—rowfulâ— ende The◠〈…〉 blinde 〈…〉 th◠〈…〉 chiefly aime at the heart of our Elizabeth But the euent doth prooue that as God for Dauid so our king Christ for his holy annointed doth take this Catholike treason as doone vnto himselfe and therefore in vaine is all your toyle in treasonable affaires To our singular comforte lette vs remember these wordes of our text Why doe ye murmur c. In vaine in vain yea and that in a double vanitie doe our Papists conspire and rage For neither shall they bee able to hurt our gratious Queene Elizabeth nor yet be able to auoide Gods heauie displeasure by the hand of her authoritie They shall neuer preuaile in their attempt Psal 2.2.9 for these reasons following First whosoeuer sette themselues against an absolute power armed of God must needs be ouercome but the Catholike traytors do so as before is said Ergo c. Againe when the purposes of earthly 〈…〉 the decree of the 〈…〉 â—ust needes 〈…〉 â—ses of 〈…〉 â—en Psal 2.7.8 〈…〉 are so bent Ergo c. The eternal decree is sette downe in this Psalme First for the Lord Christ in his Church that hee shall raigne ouer the kinges of the earth for euer and nexte for his annointed Princes that they shall raigne in his Syon vnder
and yet therefore neyther was he deposed his kingdome by Priest or people or was it lawfull to cease to doe him seruice Saule I meane the king of Israell Samuel denounced the Lords excommunicatioÌ„ saying The Lord hath cast thee out from being king 1. Sam. 15.23 the Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day and hath giuen it to thy neighbour Psal 28. that is better then thou Here is if yee note it a famous excommunication by the Lorde decreed and denounced by the Prophet Samuel against Saule Yet for all this God neyther commaunded Samuel or yet Samuel the Subiectes of Saule to â—â—ll backe their subiection from 〈…〉 lâ—wfull king Fo◠〈…〉 lyfe the◠〈…〉 And t◠〈…〉 the 〈…〉 pretended his death as doe our present Catholikes This assertion is confirmed moste surely by the holie annointed Dauid himselfe and that by his oth to Abner the Counceller of Saule and Captaine of his bande moste sharplie reproouing him for his shamefull sleepe in the daungerous Campe saying Abner hearest thou not 1. Sam. 26.14 And art thou a man And who is like thee in Israel so trusted of the king or put in suche aucthoritie Wherefore then hast thou not kepte thy Lorde the King Note that he confesseth Saule notwithstanding his excommunication still yet to bee Abner his Lorde and king also For there came one to destroye the King thy Lorde This is not well done of thee As the Lorde lyue 〈…〉 woorthie to dye becauâ—◠〈…〉 your Mayâ—◠〈…〉 〈…〉 Dâ—â—id the 〈…〉 â—â—yth 〈…〉 his seruaunt Behold beloued by how manye repetitions Dauid confirmeth Saules authoritie ouer his seruauntes in Court his Subiects in Campe yea and ouer Dauid himselfe though hee bee the heire apparaunt to the Crowne and the successor to Saule euen by the Lords coÌ„maundement so annointed To Abner he saith Saule is thy Lord he saith not he was before he was caste out and before my day of annointment but Saule is still thy LORDE and king Secondly hee saith to the whole seruantes and subiectes of Saule As the Lorde liueth 1. Sam. 26.16 yee are guiltye of death for your vnfaithfulnes to your present Prince and Lorde euen for this that yee haue not doone him more faithful seruice that ye haue not kept his life better to who 〈…〉 this present yee◠〈…〉 â—â—ce and lo◠〈…〉 of yo◠〈…〉 bo◠〈…〉 〈…〉 â—ding place hee is sayth Dauid your Maister your King and stil the Lords annointed Wherefore your fealtie in faithfulnesse is still his giue Caesar therefore his owne And though hee doth mee greate wrong and seeketh my lyfe and though I haue in my band Abishay and his fellowes 1. Sam. 26.8 which as men deuoide of godlinesse and bounden dutie in hope of helpe by mee theyr future Prince doe hunger the death and offer to kill the Lordes presente annoynted yet neyther will I suffer mine to doe so wickedly or yet my selfe to woorke his woe neyther can I with good conscience doe it For hee is my Lorde my mayster and my King I will therefore seeke to pacifie hys fury◠〈◊〉 petition if so I maye but 〈…〉 my peace 〈…〉 with the 〈…〉 slaughter agaâ—nst my 〈…〉 Lordes anoynted 〈…〉 Psal 19. I beseeche thee heare the wordes of his seruant If the Lord haue stirred thee vp against me let him smell the sauour of a sacrifice but if the childreÌ„ of men haue done it cursed bee they c. And as wee see Dauids conclusion for the still continuant dignitie of the excommunicated Saule so I pray you let vs obserue the hast and hate of Abishay who made no bones to shed the blood of the Lordes present annointed in colour of dutie loue to the future prince as more fit to raigne and lawfully elected But let vs with holy Dauid set the staffe of our rest in this his stay and defende the state and life of our presente Prince and that so muche the more for that our Elizabeth is blessed of God as by his myraculous hand for her wonderfull deliuerance he doth assure vs against the batte◠〈…〉 â—orde of the curs◠〈…〉 And 〈…〉 Ab◠〈…〉 Deliuer vs Lord saue our gracious Elizabeth for thy holy names sake Finally note this besotted it is not very difficulte to discerne Abyshaye whose course is to counterfeite obedience in ciuill sort to the present Dauid but in the meane hee sodainely selleth his former profession and hauing an eye to after helpe and present fauour he sorteth his shewe with other such and that of the sodaine as euery way bend their affection to the religion and disposition of their long hoped future Prince If any therefore thus far seduced do feather their winge against the present winde and sodainly shoote with Romish shaft though not with cried aime at the proffering pricke refusing our shot or once more to shoote with vs that dayly hitte the marke Doubt not to deeme them partiâ—â—â—â—◠〈◊〉 â—â—st of the future side if ou◠〈…〉 to measure for 〈…〉 for thy 〈…〉 Abyshay 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 â—ut of 〈…〉 loyalty their hart is firmely set to wait the time and oportunity that their hands may shoote and occasion their crewe to shoute if they shall deadly hit that most precious But their long desired marke But Lord giue them quaking handes fearefull hartes starting bowes broken shaftes dreadful breasts yea all the sort of theÌ„ which purpose deadly shotte at the bosome of our gracious Elizabeth And further now deare brethren let vs call this Quare once againe into question so shall we see as before is said to our great comfort how vnable our papists be to perfect their proud attempt Quare Why doe you saith Dauid that so proudely which neuer can of your parts be atchieued your tumultes must bee ouerturned your meditations for murther shal be of no moment your banding shall sodâ—inel◠〈…〉 your consult or 〈…〉 â—sion and 〈…〉 our 〈…〉 chris◠〈…〉 whom the God of strength hath set vp decreed to maintaine He wil therfore laugh at your destruction wil speake to you by his anger vexe you in his sore displeasure he will destroye all you and yours which sought his ouerthrowe in his annointed breake you into yeeces as the potter doth his brittle fiery clay Wherfore be wise ye Princes c. EueÌ„ thus doth the Lord still speak alwayes hath against traytors hande for his annointed The conclusion of your conspiracy ye papists is as these traytors of old Come let vs break their bands asunder cast their coards froÌ„ vs. But your practise is proud your presumption is perillous but ridiculous for your purpose by indeuour appeareth to be no lesse thâ— to bereaue our Dauid Elizabeth the Lords annointed of her life our church of 〈…〉 his blessed gospel 〈…〉 possessed 〈…〉 â—mpiety 〈…〉 more 〈…〉 it 〈…〉 Let vs breake their bandes let vs cast their coards First beloued these words ioyning iust with our present Catholiques purpose doe offer
him their Lorde and king maugre their enemies during his time limited for them Therefore neyther Resyn nor hys partner Romelia nor yet the purposed sonne of Tabeall canne preuayle against Ierusalem Esay 7. nor his Dauid For Gods decree hath saide It shall not bee how cunning mightie or Catholike soeuer hee the conspiracie for earthlie councel cannot preuayle against the Lorde So as to our singular comfortes and Gods eternall praise beloued in Christ wee may safely apply this saying of our most louing GOD to our Church and kingdome because through his greate mercie Gal. 4. wee are a s◠〈…〉 vnyuersall 〈…〉 to who◠〈…〉 net◠〈…〉 All thy Children shall bee taught of GOD Esay 54.13.14 c. and much peace shall bee to thy Children In righteousnesse shalt thou bee established and bee free from oppression and from feare For it shall not come neare thee beholde the enemie shall gather himselfe but without me Whosoeuer shal gather himselfe in thee against mee shal fall Beholde I haue created the Smyth that bloweth the coales in the fire and hym that bringeth foorth an Instrument for hys woorke and I haue created the destroyer to destroye but all the weapons that are made against thee shall not prosper and euerie tongue that shall ryse against thee thou â—halt condemne This is the heritage of the Lords seruants and the righteousnesse is of me sayth the Lord This is the staffe of our stay and the strength of our arme euen the Lorâ—â— iâ—iolable decree for his an◠〈…〉 vs styll to 〈…〉 fully nur◠〈…〉 â—de she 〈…〉 as 〈…〉 many straungers as hunger the Lordes milke without guile in this his English Nurcerie In vaine therefore shall bee your trecherous attemptes against her Maiestie this Church and kingdome though hell be come to your helpe And therefore O Lorde wee offer vnto thee the Calues of our lippes â—ose 14.2 â—eb 13.15 and euer magnifie thy holy name This decree being for vs howe can the Papistes or their Treasons be vnreuenged God sayth respecting their proper nature the enemies shall rise but he sayth straightway they shall fall Their tongues shal raile but wee by truth in God shall condemne them They shal gather themselues but shal not finde vs alone for the Lord raigneth in Syon â—sal 99.1 be the people neuer so vnpatient He will arise and his enemies shal be scattered and as smoke in the wind sal 68.1.2 waxe against the Sunne so shall they melte and flye before him Examples 〈…〉 â—finite for 〈…〉 Lorde 〈…〉 ha◠〈…〉 Princes when they stoode in neede of him When men shall be required his 300. for his Gedeon shall put to flyght his Medianites Iudg. 7 that are exceeding number His haile-stones shall beat to death such enemies as with-stande his Iosua Iosua 10. And the ayrie winde shall russle trees whereon God doth walke before Dauid to his battaile 2. Sam. 5.24 to yeelde him victorie Architophel shall slaye himselfe as did Bellamie and Gods vengeance cannot suffer the gracelesse Absâ—lon to die a coÌ„mon death The trees therefore shal execute his pride his shagged haire this Spanyels cutte shal be his halter And to omit the Scriptures testimonie for Dauid if we looke vppon Gods present iudgements in this our nation froÌ„ time to time against all traiterous assay in all sorts and callings we shall bee compelled to conclude that all in vaine is their attempt when they without God gather â—â—â—â—selues against theyr So◠〈…〉 wil affoord 〈…〉 â—here◠〈…〉 the Osbert of London and his 50. thousande Traytors An. 1196. Rich. 2. against king Richard 2. were speedily ouerthrown and he their chief executed at the Elmes it maye bee the place of the last execution Peter Spalding betrayed Barwicke to the Scottes and was by the king of Scots caused to be hanged because of his treason against his naturall kyng Edward the second Roger Mortimer conspyring the death of king Edw. 3. his Father An. 1317. was hanged at the foresaid Elmes And that notable rable of Rakehels Iacke Strawe and Wat Tyler that spoiled London and slew the Counsaile bearing bloodie hand against all authoritie and learning so that vppon whom soeuer a penne and yncke was founde he dyed in their tyrannous Treason had yet their desertes For W. Walworth the Maior of this noble Citie of London arrested him with the mace of deat◠〈◊〉 The hon◠〈…〉 conti◠〈…〉 cheâ—◠〈…〉 The perilous treasons by them purposed ioyned iust with the presente Catholike attemptes as Iacke Strawe confessed at his death They meant to haue slaine aswell the king as his Counsaile the Lordes and Gentlemen of accompt the Bishops Preachers of the Land all Iudges and common Lawyers onely the begging Friers auncestors of our present Iesuites should haue beene the Curates of the Country And kinges shoulde haue bene raised froÌ„ the Tilekil for Wat Tyler was decreed the king of Kent so in euery shire such another And because they were miserable beggars their purpose was to haue burned the Citie of London at the foure corners thereof and so to haue easilye gathered her wealth vnto themselues But thankes be vnto God as the purposes of these former Papistes with these our present Catholikes 〈◊〉 â—lone in effect very resem◠〈…〉 Lords lot 〈…〉 â—idge hath 〈…〉 goe 〈…〉 and spend the day in like examples As in Hen. 4. time how his vnnatural Nobilitie with their traiterous Priest Madeline for it is a straunge treason where neither the Pope nor his Chaplaines be partakers by the good seruice of his Subiects of Circester were taken the most of them and put to death And though the Rebelles sette fire on the towne supposing that way to withdraw their seruice yet in loue to their loyaltie and seruice to their Lord and king they did persiste to prosecute the trayterous Rebels and their attendantes to their deserued death But to let al other Princes passe vs would God our Papistes could beholde his mightie hande for our Elizabeth What conspiracies haue they had against her maiestie which Gods maiestie hath not reuealed to her that the wheele of Iustice might rewarde them Plometry the priest 1570. and 〈◊〉 â—erats at Durham 〈…〉 thumb◠〈…〉 〈…〉 Doctor Story with Haunce that foolish priest and table gamester such was his profession and common practise Campion and his fellow champions Arden Someruile Throgmorton and the rest with their trayterous Printer all which in wonderfull wise the Lorde hath laide open to the worlde and by perfect trials as by their own confessions were found deepely dyed in most deadly Treasons and as most wicked weedes were iustly cast out of our Christian garden So likewise beloued this moste odious and execrable purpose by Sauage and other Sathanicall seede so secretlie deuysed and being Imps of very green youth and some of them as sprouts spred into her maiesties Court were therfore for the most parte least suspected of manie which threatned this Nation