the lame 1 Sam. 5.6 might keepe them against all forces of men yet when the Lord is away are nothing but a lye Psal 20.8 Some trust in Charets and some in Horses But we will remember the LORD our GOD from him is our deliverance And therefore in dayes of danger Let every man here learne what to say to God O LORD deliver my soul from the wicked with thy Svvord The thing he desires GOD to deliver here it is his soule that is his life for the soul is the cause of our life Also by the soul here may be understood the soul properly and that the LORD would deliver it from danger either in doing or suffering for when a man doth evill he endangereth his soul or when a man is persecuted his soul also is not without danger If he live except God save and sanctifie him his soul will fret impatiently or will be enflamed with revenge 1 Sam. 25 13 as David was against Nabal for his churlishnesse Or if at the running out of his last sand he die in battell the bloudy sword in the hand except the Lord deliver his soul he cannot be but in great danger The 3 use The third use Let us make good use of these words Deliver my soul they are good for dayes of trouble either for life or for death when it like a ster ne Serjant shall come to arrest our bodyes in the grave By this prayer our life is guarded against the rage of men and by this prayer the Soule is fenced from the danger of damnation In these wordes is advantage both in life and death these words should at all times be in all mens mouthes both at our rysing and at our lying downe in sicknesse and in health But above all let all men of warre in their greatest dangers arme themselves with this ejaculatory prayer LORD delâ—ver my Soul these aâ—e words which every Christian must take with him while he goeth to the battell But because God heareth not the prayers of sinners and this time of trouble is a time of prayer let us endeavour by all meanes with all haste to bee reconciled unto God Truely the best of us may say that we have a huge bottome of sinne to unravell by repentance which we have beene many yeares winding up by our great disobedience the worke is great the time is short wee know not but this warre may make an end of us all Let us therefore no more hazard our salvation upon a may bee we live unto another yeare I confesse that no man should dispaire of GODS mercie at any time but this is as true that no man should presume of it at any time One hath observed this well There was one theese at his lives end saved to take away desparation and but one so saved to take away presumption These from whom David heere prayeth to be delivered are called the wicked Such were the enemies that sought his life The doctrine Observe here that it is no new thing that GODS servants are troubled by the wicked This controversie began very earely For Cain the wicked killed the righteous Abel Gen. 4.8 He had no quarrell against him but because he was more sincere in Gods service then he A thief hateth the light as Ahab hated Micaiah 1 King 22 8 because by the torch of the word he shined upon his workes of darknesse The use The use As long as wicked men are in the world let Gods children look for dangers to their souls There is nothing that will content wicked men but the souls or lives of Gods servants King Ahab was sick ay untill Naboth was dead but as soone as the poor man was dead the wicked King arose up in health 1 King 21 16 and went down to the poor mans vineyard to take possession of it it is health for the wicked to destroy the children of God They are like the Divel it is their meat and their drink to do evill Let this teach us to pray continually that God would deliver our soule from the vvicked Againe whereas the wicked heere according to some interpretation is called Gods Sword Let us learne here when the wicked persecute us not to look so much to them who are the rod Sword or stafe as unto the hand of God in which the rod sword or staffe are it is but for beasts as dogges to bite the staffe when they are stricken but Gods children must fixe their eye upon the hand When wicked Shimei railed upon David and cast stones at him calling him a bloody murderer David would not suffer Abishai to touch him for hee had his eye upon GOD. The LORD 2 Sam. 16 10 said hee hath said unto him curse David who then shall say wherefore hast thou done so This is a great argument of patience for Gods children when they are afflicted or persecuted by the wicked for all the wicked while thâ—y afflict us are but a rod or staffe in the hand of GOD Isa 10.15 If we can get Gods favour we need no more be afraid for the wicked then for a Staffe or Svvord lying upon the ground they should once see this our Captaine with his Sword in his hand they should all fall down as dead-men at his feet when Captaine Gideon went out against the Midianites hee cryed Judg. 7.20 THE SWORD OF THE LORD AND OF GIDEON After that not a man had either heart or hand to fight against Gods people The use The use Let us by all meanes endeavoure by a good life to please GOD that this great Captaine with his sword may be on our side in these dayes of warre the Papists idoll is nothing Hos 8.5 thy Calf O Samaria hath cast thee off But O the LORD will never cast us off If he bee with us wee need not fear who be against us Lappers of water Judg. 7.5 any bodie though both few and weak will prevail easily Luk. 12.32 if GODS Sword be in the Battell Feare not little flock said Christ stand still said Moses to his six hundreth thousand fighting men ye need not draw a Sword the Lord shall fight for you Exod. 14.13 Onely stand still and yee shall see what GOD can doe Yee shall see the Salvation of the LORD Psal 68.21 Who shall wound the head and breake the hairie scalp of all these that in their pride shall rise up against us We shall bee able to stand against all weathers and stormes whatsoever What ever our dangers be the LORD shall give us a riddance We shall be in Covenant with the Stones of the Earth and the Starres of Heaven who as in the day of Sisera shall fight in their courses against all our enemies Judg. 5.20 In the day of Battell the Lord shall breake the Horse hooves of our enemies Judg. 5.22 by the meanes of the pransings the pransings that is tramplings or plungings of
this For after that he had spoken of the great povver of God in breaking his most mighty enemies vvith a barre of yron as though they vvere the vessels of a potter he cryed out this notable vvatch-vvord Psal 2.10 Bee wise therefore O yee Kings c. Serve the LORD with feare Kisse the Son lest hee bee angry If ye doe it not yee shall all perish from the way by the sharpened keene edge of his justice when his wrath is kindled but a little All things would he say shall then turne enemies to you All the creatures both Angels and Men shall hate you the Divels shall accuse you and Christ shall judge you O then may be said Anselm Heu miser sic deprehensus quo fugias latere erit impossibile apparere in tolerabile O wretch whither wilt thou flee while thou art thus surprised for neither may thou lurke neither darre thou appeare This is said to thee who in great pompe marchest with thy traine a proude enemie of God and his Gospel For a time the LORD may suffer thee in thy caroch to be gloriously whirled through the streets but tarry a little and God at last shall make of thee a foot-boy to run before a promoted Mordâ—cai The 2 use The second use Let this serve for comfort to Gods children when they are threatned with death by mighty Monarches because like Shadrach and his fellowes they will not worship an idoll like that which was by King Nebuchadnezzar Dan. 3.1 set up in the field of Durah Let us remember well what these children Dan. 3.28 who changed the Kings word and yeelded their bodies said to that King threatning them with death if they would not worship his idoll Our God whom wee serve Dan. 3.17 said they is able to deliver us without his permission all the potentates of the earth can not make a haire to fall from our head though for a time they trouble us at last the Lord shall come and cast them downe Yea and drowne them in a whirle-poole of his wrath where no corke shall bee able to beare them aloft were they Kings if they persecute Gods Saints at last the Lord shall cast them downe So at last 1 Sam. 31 4. 1 King 22 35. Dan. 5.6 he cast downe King Saul upon Gilboah and he cast downe King Ahab in his bloody charet and he cast downe King Bellhazzar fitting among his whoores hee cast downe that great Alexander that vaine man Dan. 12.13 that could not with Daniel rest and stand in the lot content with his station but whined for lack of elbow roome because there was not another world The LORD made a short coffin to containe him whom a whole world could not content Behold all the Emperours in Nebuchadnezzars image which hee saw in his sleep Behold there the golden head of the Caldeans the silver breast of the Persians the brasen belly of the Grecians and the yron legs of the Romanes But O again behold a little stone cut out of the quarrey of heaven without hand even Christ Iesus the great Captaine of Salvation Heb. 2.10 who smote that image on the feet so that all these Emperoures with their Crownes and Scepters Dan. 1.22 became like the chaffe of the Summer threshing floores Neither their Scepters nor their Crownes nor their Guards nor their Armies can uphold them when the LORD commeth to cast them downe All their armies become like these keepers about Christs grave who for fear at his resurrection Mat. 28.4 became as dead men The Lord God is against them to justle with them in his wrath and therefore they cary hel even a trembling heart in their bosome and the brand of vengeance in their foreheads the shrewde wages of their wickednesse Let these observations stand for our comfort The third use The 3 use Seeing the Lord is so powerfull to cast downe Princes and Potentates let this serve for reproofe to these who can not trust in God but tremble like aspen leaves when they see the great forces of men or heare of them Such are not fit for Christs wars they gladly would dwell on Tabor with him sitting betweene Moses and Elias but forsake him at Calvarie hanging between two Thieves they like well his robbes of glory but abhorre his ragges of povertie Hosanna hath a sweet sound in their eares but anone they shrink back at these bitter bloody cryes of Crucifie Crucifie Israel had never conquered Canaan if they had been fearfully affraid of the sons of Anak Away with men that will not believe except they touch and see Such mens understandings are led by their senses they give more trust to their eyes Plus oculo quam oraculo then to the word of promise if we could rightly fear God if we had but the least graine of faith we would never fear things that have their breath in their nostrils Isa 2.22 What is man that he should be feared what can he do though he had permission to do all that is in his power he can but kill the body and so send us home to our Lord If men kill us not a fever or a fluxe or a Cancer as well as a Canon or one of a thousand diseases will come and take away our life If we did truely fear God the terrours of men would not trouble us much But because we are negligent in prayer and in prying into the heavens for to know what store of joy and contentments are there therefore when a word of death or danger is heard we are like that Pashur whom Jeremie called Magor-Missabib that is fear round about Jer. 20.3 ly upon us that any thing should be able to affright us unto whom the Lord hath made so fair promises that he will be unto us a shield and a shadow a Sconce a strong tower and a fortresse a hedge a wall of fire and of brasse Is any man stronger then God If any Prince can be found that can cast downe God let us tremble and shake If any other God can be found to whom a man may say in the words of may text Arise O LORD disappoint him cast him down then let us tremble and goe with Zedekiah from chamber to chamber for to hide our selves But this God of my text is the onely true GOD He is the God of gods when he is angry he casteth down the gods as he threw downe the Philistines Dagon 1 Sam. 5.13 and did execute judgement against all the gods of Egypt Exo. 12.12 this our Lord at last shall bring a black day upon all the wicked the enemies of his Church their groanes in hell shall honour his justice so well as the songs in Heaven shall glorifie his mercy Now their conscience is like a clocke when the poise is downe the wheeles are without motion all is quyet there is no noise in the heart but O as soone as the LORD
time Remember not against us our former iniquities forgive them and forget them pitie us and pardon us Be pleased with us for the sake of Christ Jesus in whom thou art well pleased Now LORD this day is appointed for the Battell and every battell of the warriour is with confused noise Isa 9.5 and tumbling of garments into bloud Wee know that he that girdeth on his harnesse 1 King 20 11 must not boast as he that putteth it off The prosperous successe of all good enterprises is to bee looked for from thee It is as easie for thee to save by few as by many and therefore we all heere armed for thy honour depend onely upon thy assistance Wee trust that according to thine infinite goodnesse thou wilt bee powerfully vvith us and for us who stand heere ready to lay down our lives at thy feet for thy glory the good cause for that holy Covenant which wee have made with thee and which now we minde to seale with our bloud Though wee deserve to bee deserted of thee because of our manifold sinnes and great ingratitudes yet for the honour of thy Name Let not thine Israel this day shamefully turne their backe before the enemie Deut. 32.27 O LORD fear the bragges of thy foes who if wee be tread downe will scornfully say where is now their God and where is their Covenant and where is their good Cause they will surely say Ibid. Our hand is high and the LORâ— hath not done all this Seeing now LORD vve are presently for to rencounter with the forces of men and for to set our breasts before the Canon Musket Sword and Spear in this valley of the shadow of death be thou our Captaine Psal 23.4 goe before us give us wisedome and courage and strength take the hearts from our enemies make their hands faint and their knees feeble make thy promise good five of you shall chase an hundred and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight Lev. 26.8 O LORD the protector of thy servants make all feare of death now flee farre from us give us the boldnesse of David with his good successe in going out against these uncircumcised enemies of thy truth They come out â—â—ainst us with the force of Men â—â—d Munition vvith Horses Svvordes Speares and Shields but vvee goe against them under thy standart in the name of the LORD of hostes the GOD of Armies of Israel Through thee we shall do valiantly But LORD if for such causes as are knovvn to thee it be thy will that at this time an end bee made made of any of our lives let it please thy sacred Majestie to receive our soules into the bosome of thy love Though our bodies fall into the hands of men Let our soules fall into the hands of God vvhose compassions faile not Now Father into thy hands we commend our Spirits Now in thy Name under thy Banner we thy Servants and Souldiers goe to this chocke O Lord be our captain and go before us and fight for thine own cause Generall Moses wordes to his Armie in a great strait at the red Sea Exod. 14.13 Feare yee not stand still and see the Salvation of the LORD which he will shew to you the day Calebs wordes of courage to Israel concerning the Cananites Numb 14.9 They are bread for us their defence is departed from them and the LORD is with us fear them not Captaine Joabs wordes to Abishai immediatly before the Battell against the Syrians and the Ammonites 2 Sam. 10.12 Be of good courage and let us play the men for our people and for the Cities of our GOD and the LORD doe that which seemeth him good Asas wordes when Zerah the Ethiopian came in Battell array against him with a thousand thousand men and three hundred Charets 2 Chron. 14.11 And Asa cryed unto the Lord his God and said Lord it is nothing with thee to help whether with many or with them that have no power Help us O LORD our GOD for wee rest on thee and in thy Name we goe against this multitude O LORD thou art our GOD Let not man prevaile against thee Hezekiahs prayer after that he had received King Senacheribs blasphemous letter full of threatnings 2 King 19.14 And Hezekiah received the letter off the hand of the messengers and read it And Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD and spread it before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD and said O Lord God of Israel which dwellest between the Cherubims thou art the God even thou alone of all the Kingdomes of the earth thou hast made heaven and earth Lord bow downe thine ear and heare open Lord thine eyes and see and heare the words of Senacherib which hath sent to reproach the living God Of a trueth LORD the Kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands And have cast their gods into the fire for they vvere no gods but the work of mens hands wood and stone therefore they have destroyed them Now therefore O Lord our God I beseech thee save thou us out of hâ— hand that all the kingdomes of the earth may know that thou art the Lord God even thou only Davids prayer against his Enemies Psal 68.1 Let God arise let his enemies be scattered let them that hate him flee before him As smoke is driven away so drive them away As waxe melteth before the fire so let the wicked perish at the presence of God Victory promised to the Church Mic. 4.11 Now also many nations are gathered against thee that say let her be defiled and let our eye look upon Zion 12 But they know not the thoughts of the LORD neither understand they his counsell For he shall gather them as the sheaves into the flooore 13 Arise and thresh O Daughter of Zion for I will make thine horne yron and I will make thy hooves brâ—sse and thou shalt beat in pieces many people and I will consecrate their gaine unto the LORD and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth Mica 4.11 Now also many nations Are gath'red against thee That say let her now be defil'd On Zion cast our eye 12 But they the Lords thoughts do not know Nor yet his counsell pure For he by force shall gather them As sheaves into the floore 13 Arise O deare daughter Zion Thine enemies to threin For I will now make thine horne yron And will make thy hooves brasse And I unto the Lord of Hostes Will consecrate their gaine And to the Lord of the whole earth Their substance will ordaine A thanksgiving after the Victorie O Lord what thy servant Moses said in his song at the red Sea that may we all say this day Exo. 15.3 The Lord is a man of warre the Lord is his name Thy name O Lord is glorious and worthie to be praised the sorrowes of death had compassed us and the floods of ungodly men had made us afraide but thou hast been our strength and our stay in the day of our danger In the valley of the shaddow of death thou hast beene our Captaine and defender Psal 23.4 Through thee we have done valiantly and thou hast treade our enemies under our feet by thy strength we have pushed them dovvne the safetie is ours but all the glory shall be thine Zach. 1.3 vvho art the Lord of Hosts vvho by thy mightie arme hast brought low the high lookes of these who trusted in their Horses and Charets which thou hast teared in pieces thou hast driven them away as smoake Psal 68.2 and hast made them to melt like waxe before the fire O LORD by thy almighty power vve have run through their troupes and put them to a speedie flight Wee have pursued our enemies and overtaken them neither did vve turne againe till they vvere consumed vve have vvounded them that they vvere not able to rise they are fallen under our feet for thou hast girded us with strength unto the Battell thou hast subdued under us these that rose against us thou hast given us the necks of our enemies We have beaten them small as the dust before the vvind vve have cast them out as the dirt of the streets Thy gentlenesse hath made us great By thee this day is ours vve most heartily acknowledge all the matter of our joy to be from thee O LORD who is like unto thee who is GOD save the LORD or who is a rocke save our God The Lord liveth and blessed bee our rock let the God of our salvation be exalted Psal 18.34 who hath taught our hands to warre Let all creatures praise the Lord praise him from the heavens praise him all yee his Angels and Hostes praise him yee Sunne and Moone and all ye Starres of light praise him from the earth fire and haile snow and vapour heat and cold rivers hills and vallayes all weapons of warre swords speares musquets and conons and all other things that have beene steadable to help the Lord to help the Lord c. Judg. 5.23 With all these we the whole body of this armie with our hearts to heaven do sing Hallelujah most humbly acknowledging both the victorie and every one of our particulare safeties to be from thee who art God over all things blessed for ever and ever Amen Psal 57.12 Thy vowes are upon us O God we will render praises unto thee Let us now in a most heartie thanksgiving sing the eighteenth Psalme from the 33. verse untill the 39. 33 He did in order put my hands to battell and to fight To break in sunder bars of brasse he gave mine armes the might 34 Thou teachest me thy saving health thy right hand is my tower Thy love and familiaritie do still increase my power 35 And under me thou makest plain the way where I should walk So that my feet should never slip nor stumble at a balk 36 And fiercely I pursue and take my foes that me annoy'd And from the fields do not return till they be all destroy'd 37 So I suppresse and wound my foes that they can rise no more For at my feet they fall down flat I strike them all so sore 38 For thou dost gird me with thy strength to war in such a wise That they be scattered all abroad that up against me rise The Lord hath done great things for us to him be glory for ever Amen FINIS
bosome Psal 73.6 because they prosper therefore pride compasseth them about as a chaine violence covereth them as a garment Note All their joy is without and not within because they want a good conscience the Bird of the Bosome which sings most sweetly in the day of trouble they are rocked in securitie and often live in outward ease untill the end come then doth the Lord cast them down to destruction As a dreame vvhen one avvaketh he will despise their image Psal 73.20 that is their shadowes their transitorie estate the moment of their fugitive folies and fadding pleasures He that hath beene in the Sanctuary a Scholler of God will never envie their prosperitie No not let them keep still their honours and their rents and their riches and their glory and all their good things I leave them in their pestilent path unto him who is the righteous Lord who is preparing for them Tophet a pit Isa 30.33 a lake of fire eternall flames streames of brimstone and gnashing of teeth hell it self is groaning for them My chief earand in this psalme is to seeke out wisedome for to teach the godly what to do in the dayes of their distresse the text is most fit for this purpose it sends you away from men to seeâ— the help of God Give us helâ— from trouble for vaine is the helâ— of man through GOD vve shaâ— do valiantly c. These are word most fitting for a Commander when with his troupes he marcheth to the Battell THE SWORD OF THE LORD AND OF GIDEON are the matter of mâ— Text. Of the Title of the Psalme BEfore I come to the words will first illustrate unto yoâ— the title or inscription of thâ— psalme whereby ye may the beâ—ter understand the nature the occasion and subject of the whole the inscription is in these words To the chief Musician upon shâ— shan-eduth Michtam of David to teach vvhen he stroâ— vvith Aram Naharaim and vvith Aram-Zobah vvhen Joab returned and smot of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand 1. Shushan BY Shushan here some understand a six stringed instrument upon which the chief Musician was ordained to play the praises of God contained in this psalme we have the like title prefixed to the fourtie five psalme To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim that is a six stringed instrument so called from the Hebrew word Shesh which signifieth six 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 others not without good reason think that this psalme be so called for its beautie because it is pleasant and of a good savour like a Lillie who for its six leaves is in the Canticles called Shoshan Cant. 2.1 I am the Rose of Sharon and the Lillie of the Valleyes Dearly Beloved this day have brought for yoâ—â— comfort this most pleasant Lillâ—â— from the Garden of God 2. Eduth SEcondly it is called Eduth thâ—â— is the testimonie this declaretâ— the Psalme to be a testimonie oâ— Davids faith in the day of troublâ— wherein both through God anâ— for God he did most valiantly or it may be called Eduth the testâ—monie because it was ordaineâ— to be sung by the Priests befoâ—â— the Arke Exod. 40.5 which was called Aron-Eduth the Arke of the testâ—monie because it was a Testimonie or witnesse of Gods presenâ— among his people 3. Michtam of David to teach THirdly the Psalme is calleâ— Michtam of David to teacâ— that is a golden Psalme full of â—olden doctrine to teach chiefly â—en of warre on whom to reâ—â—y in a day of Battell The Heâ—rew word Michtam is from that other word Cethem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signiâ—ieth most fine gold the Spouse â—n her Song giveth this word to Christs head My beloved said â—he is white and rudy Cant. 5 10 the fairest â—mong ten thousand his head is Cethem as the most fine gold Massa auri vel auram obrizum Such â—s this Psalme well in the margent â—f your Bibles called a Golden Psalme there be great riches I â—ring unto you this rich propine â—rom God a most excellent treaâ—ure and offer it unto you this day The thieves the men of warre may steele or spoile you of your Gold as the Danites did to Miâ—ah when they bereaved him of his Silver-images Judg. 18.18 but if ye get this gold ye shall live and die rich â—n despight of all the world I think that there was Silver and Gold in great aboundance iâ— Laodicea whose words were sâ— rich Rev. 3.17 I have need of nothing but because that Church had verâ— little of this Gold Christ Jesuâ— proclaimed her a begger misâ—rable and poore If ye consider this most finâ— gold this land of all lands is thâ— most rich in Gold mines there 〈◊〉 no such plenty of Gods word under the cope of heaven as by hâ— favour we have this day Goâ— word is our gold for this golâ— we must all be ready to lay dowâ— our lives Rev. 3.11 It was Gods counseâ— to Philadelphia Hold fast thâ— which thou hast that no man taâ—â— thy crown let us do so with thâ— gold of GODS word let nâ— man take it from us This gold is better then anâ— gold of the earth the earth golâ— is both dumb and dead it can saâ— nothing for the comfort of itâ— owner in the terrours of death but this gold is a teacher it is heer called Michtam of David for to teach This is not the gold of Papists idols Elilim teachers of vanities So called from Elil 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lev. 26.1 that is nothing these golden nothings with their golden beards have mouthes and speake not eyes and see not eares and heare not Behold a great plague these that make them are like unto them Psal 135.18 so is every one that trusteth in them or maketh any religious use of them It is no wonder that Papists can not easily be drawne from their idolatrie the reason is this there is a fearfull curse upon them they are by GOD in his wrath stupified and made deaf like their golden idols Blessed be the Lord our Bibles are Michtams jewels of gold for to teach souls what to do in such terrible dayes as are these wherein we live therein we have comforts both in life anâ— death 4. When he strove withâ— Aram Naharaim and with Aram-Zobah when Joab returned and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelvâ— thousand THe occasion and Subject oâ— this Psalme were many enemies Syrians and Edomites gathered in Battell against David whâ— fought against them and by thâ— power of GOD ouercame them The enemies who were Syrianâ— are here called Aram Naharaiâ— and Aram-Zobah the Syrianâ— are called Aramites from Aram the Son of Shem the Son Noah Shem had Elam and Ashur and Aram and Arphaxad the Assyrians came of Ashur and the Syrians of Aram Gen. 10.22 and the Israeliteâ— came of Arphaxad for Arphaxad begat Salah and Salah begat Heber from whom GODS people were first
if such temporisers keep fast their earthly good things Luk. 16.25 their cursed bagges with holes they care not for crownes in heaven Hag. 1.9 their earthly ease is To sweet that they purpose not to passe thorow the pikes for to have need of this prayer Give us helpe from trouble what ever side is strongest they minde to laugh with these like our swallowes who forsake us in winter In terras apricas for to flie most swiftly unâ—o lands warmed with a hoter Sunne If our ship go well before the winde they will saile with us they will make up a navie and goe in companie but as soone as they finde the winde blow another way they follow the blast and set their sailes according to the weather being fully resolved never to run hazard so but that they may ever have one foot loose the fear of troubles so nettles their nature which is of such a cowardly constitution that they can not want their ease Let such know that by the doome of divine wisdome a great woe is denunced against all their ease and pleasures which shall soone come to an end whetheâ— they be Nobles or Church-men or Gentlemen or of the Common sort that will not quite theiâ— ease for to follow Christ with a Crosse at the houre of death they shall all finde that they have been but fooles After that thesâ— Nobles or Gentlemen havâ— in their worldly pleasures scoured the plaines with their horses and the fields and woods witâ— their hounds and the heauens witâ— their hawkes and have enjoyeâ— heere what their heartes coulâ— wish the short gleame of their glory shall passe in a moment â—hen death shall cry to these fools soaked in ease and vanitie Alight from your horses and goe to the dungeons of stinke As for Church men who are cowards behinde whereas they should be Captaines before like the seven Priests with their seven trumpets Josh 6.4 for to encourage the men of war to fight Gods battels they shall be greatly disappointed like a poore man in a golden dreame or a hungrie man at a feast in his sleepe behold when they are wakened there is nothing but poverty and emptinesse Of all that sort of whatsoever ranke they be that are not zealous for God truely may be said they are lovers of pleasures more then of God 2 Tim. 3.4 they may have â—ome forme of godlinesse but â—eeing they deny the power thereof the Apostles counsell is that we turne away from such leâ— them be untill their day comâ— when GOD shall let loose thâ— cordes of their conscience upoâ— their bed of death so that in manner they shall bee strangle with the horrours of hell anâ— damned above the ground wormes scorpions feare fire furies wormewood and gall shall be the last portion of thesâ— fearfull Rev. 21.8 who have no couragâ— for the trueth while it is iâ— any danger 2. The reason For vaine is the help of man WEE have heard of the petition Give us help from trouble now let us heare hiâ— reason it is in these wordes foâ— vaine is the help of man as if he had said to God O Lord we depend upon thine help alone and not upon the strength of our armie which without thee is but a vaine thing David had learned this when he fought against armed Goliah having nothing but a scrip and a sling If David had not known that an armed man had beene a vaine thing he durst never have looked Goliah in the face It is written that when the Israelites armie saw the man 1 Sam. 17 24 they fled from him and were sore afraid vers 25 and the men of Israel said one to another Have yee seen this man that is come up as if they had said we never saw such a man as this But David who had the Lord with him cared not for him for he saw him but a vaine man and that all the help that he could make for the Philistines should be nothing but a vaine help for aâ— is heere said vaine is the helâ— of man whether mans help bâ— for us or against us this remaines sure and true Vaine iâ— the help of man the Hebrew word Shave signifieth a lie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rash false vaine idle of nâ— vertue or worth Observe here what are these most mighty armies that men can make either for to help us The doctrine or to hurt us they are but men the Scriptures say What is man He is but flesh Psal 8.4 and all flesh is grasse 1 Pet. 1.24 what are his bones theâ— pillars and master timber of his tabernacle how easily are they broken and bruised into powder I said Hezekiah reckoned till morning Isa 38.13 that as a Lion so will he breake all my bones the most valiant Captaines the bravest souldiers if the Lords strength sinew not their armes and leggs are all but a deceiving lie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a lie â—ntill it be known seemes to be some thing whether it be to â—ejoice us or to affright us but as soone as it is known either â—he joy or the fear it brought unto us perish away like smoak If we see a great armie for us if Gods help be not with us mens help will be but a lie even a staffe of a broken reede Isa 36.6 whereon if a man leane it will goe into his hand and pierce it Men without God have neither hearts nor hands to fight Behold said Nahum thy people in the midst of thee are women that is Nah. 3.13 fearfull and faint hearted bodies when Israel went out with their armie against the Philistines having the Arke of God with them they thought that the victorie was certaine and therefore they all shouted with a great shout so that the earth rang againe 1 Sam. 4.5 but because God was not at thâ— battell with them all their coâ—rage and force was found to bâ— but a lie All the Captaines oâ— Israel were that day like the greaâ— grassehoppers Nah. 3.17 which camp in thâ— hedges in the cold day but wheâ— the Sunne ariseth they flee away and the place is not known wherâ— they are likewise on Gilboaâ— where Saul and Jonathan werâ— slaine in the Battell all the captaines that day were found to be but a lie How 2 Sam. 1.25 said David are thâ— mighty fallen in the midst oâ— the battell When Israel wenâ— to battell against the Benjamites for the quarrell of the Levites concubine that ruefull spectacle they understood not this part of my text vaine is the help of man they knew not that mans strength and courage was but a lie and therefore relying upon the strength of men they resolved to bring to the battell against Benjamin the tenth man of the land wee Jud. 20.10 said they will take men of an hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel and an hundred of a thousand and a thousand
without him they can do nothing for these ends Christ would sleepe in the ship in time of tempest Mat. 8.25 when all was in greatest danger to perish The use The use If when we are in calamitie either private or pubâ—icke the Lord seeme to delay his help and to neglect us let us not despare of his mercy but let us cry the more earnestly help O Lord though he seeme to our weake judgement to be sleeping he is not like Baal of whom by way of scorn Elijah said to his Priests crying a loud to him in their prayers 1 King 18 27 Cry a loud for he is a God either he is talken or he is pursueing or hee is in a journey or peradventure he sleepeth and must be awaked our GOD sleepeth not he that keepeth Israel will not slumber Psal 121.3 hee never lieth down he is never wearied in waiting upon us for to doe us good there is no need of a drumme of five houre bell to waken him in the morning Againe whereas the servant of God here in his fear crieth to the Lord Arise I observâ— that there is weaknesse in thâ— best of Gods servants they often in their troubles have basâ— thoughts of God it is a very base thing to thinke that Goâ— is wearied or that he is lyeâ— down to rest him or that hâ— hath not will to arise untill wâ— rouse him up by our cries Seâ— we not these great bodies of thâ— heavens turned about both nighâ— and day with an unspeakablâ— swiftnesse it is Gods arme thaâ— turneth them all about the greaâ— bodie of the earth hath no other ground-stone but his Almighty power what I pray you hath still so constantly borne up that great masse these so many thousand yeares onely Gods arme and yet he is not wearied he seeketh not our help to turne about these heavenly wheeles or to ease him under the burden of the whole earth it is but a very base thought to think that the Lord is lyen downe to rest him that afterward he may arise The use The use Let us learn to have great thoughts of God concerning his power and good will What is unpossible to him who is able to make a Camel to passe thorow a needles eye Mark 10 25 what will he not doe for us who gave his own Sonne to the death for us when we pray we may be sure that he will hear To him we may well say LORD thou can if thou wilt nay Lord thou both can and wilt if it be for thy glory and our well if wee thinke otherwise we may well say this is our infirmitie The second Petition Disappoint him AFter that the Prophet hatâ— desired the Lord to arise which is the first degree of his deâ—liverance he requireth that thâ— Lord would disappoint King Saul and all the rest of his enemies Sauls Doegs and dogges whom hâ— includeth all under the word hiâ— and that because they were joine all together like one man in the malice against David the servanâ— of the Lord. The doctrine First whereas here he calletâ— all his enemies him as one man foâ— their banding together I observâ— the great policie of the Divel who by all meanes possible enâ—deavoures to keepe his servants iâ— unitie that they may all doe eviâ— together as it were with one shoulâ—der for he knoweth that if hiâ— Kingdome were divided it could not stand I read in Scripture oâ— Michael and his angels Rev. 12.7 fighting â—gainst the Divel and his angels but â— can not read in any part of one Divel fighting against another â—hey are all guided by one Spirit â—nd have all their mindes one way â—ent to doe evill though they may bee called legion for their â—udge great number for the way â—o Hell hath great store of passenâ—ers yet they all agree and goe â—s it were one Divel ready with â—oth hands to doe a mischief The use The use Let us by the practise of the wicked learne to abide together and to be all as it were â—ne man it is GODS will Judg. 20.8 it is Gods commandement that we love one another Joh. 15.17 Silurus a little before his death called all his children and offered unto them a sheafe of arrowes knit together desireing any of them to breake them which when they could not he divided the arrowes and gave unto them one after another to be broken which they brake easily After that hee said unto them So shall it be with you if yee abide together in unitie none shall be able to overcome you but if yee be divided yee shall easily be overthrowne Now let us consider what the Prophet here requires it is that God would disappoint his enemies Antevertere anticipare The Hebrew word is Kiddam which properly signifieth to prevent or disappoint for he that is prevented is also disappointed All Sauls designes were how to trap David for to kill him Davids prayer heere is that the Lord would disappoint him or according as it is in the Hebrew Kaddemah panau The doctrine that he would prevent his face Observe here that great men may intend great matters against Gods servants but there is a great God in heaven who can easily disappoint them whiles by wisedome and whiles by strength As for his wisedome Dan. 2.22 he understandeth all things Daniel saith that the light dwelleth with him he is infinitly wise to prevent or avert perill or to rid us out of danger When King Saul intended to kill David in his bed the Lord by his wisedome delivered him by directing Michal his wife to lay an image in his bed 1 Sam. 19 13 having a pillow of goates haire for his bolster so when Sauls servants came to take him they were disappointed they found nothing in the bed but a Teraphim an image with a pillow of goats haire As by wisedome so the LORD can by strength disappoint his enemies when the Philistines called for Samson to make them sport Jud. 16.25 the Lord put a new strength in that blinde man whereby he drew downe the house upon his enemies who got death for their sport and so were disappointed In this land at home we have proofes sufficient of God disappointing our enemies In the eightie eight year there was nothing in Spaine to be heard but a glorious victorie against Britaine Have they not sped Jud. 5.30 have they not divided the prey to every man a damosell or two said the Spanish Ladies with the mother of Sisera All our possessions were appointed for that barbarous and cruell nation but God disappointed them All their bragging was at last turned into bâ—gging the Lord made them beggars in our land After that deliverance the Papists intended with six and thirtie barrels of powder under the Parliament house to blow up all the Royall Blood with the flowre of all our Nobilitie and Counsellours and after that MISSA massa
farinaria to set up their Dagon of dowe but the Lord by his wonderfull wisedome disappointed them After that the enemies of Christs Gospel have beene still undermining this poore Church under a covering of ceremonies but when they were almost come to the cope of their desires even to give us the Masse cloathed with an English coat most cunningly woven from the top throughout with juggling wordes wordes of two faces like the Oracles of Apollo which one way had a sense for Gods glory but another way a sense for to make Christ Iesus a dumb and a deafe idoll that all this nation at last should be partly entised partly constrained to returne to worship a god of bread which can not defend himself from the teeth of a Mouse When this was almost atchieved and done the Lord in a most wonderfull manner disappointed them After that they gathered their forces by Sea and Land to doe by violence what they could not performe by wiles the Lord and not we disappointed them the Lord blessed for evermore at Dunce-hill Har-ezer mons adjutorij the hill of help and at Newburne wrought their disappointment East West South North the Lord hath done great things for us the LORDS hand hath beene seene by Sea and by Land Except our enemies hearts bee harder then the heart of Pharao they must confesse and say with Pharaohs Magicians Exod. 8.19 This is the finger of GOD. The 1 use The 1 use Let us learn here to trust in God in greatest dangers even when there is nothing but confufed noise Isa 9.5 with garments rolled in bloud though our enemies were never so strong our God is able to disappoint all their designes hee will not suffer any weapons to prosper that are lifted up against his servants if we can stand still with the foot of faith Exod. 14 13 we shall not faile to see the Salvation of the Lord Psal 23.4 In the valley of the shaddow of death we shall not need ro feare any evill for he shall bee with us Exod. 15.3 the Lord said Moses is a man of warre and therefore let not our hearts tremble for the boast of men who are but like dogges barking at the Moone it is but little or nothing that man can doe What is he worth Isa 2.22 wherein is hee to bee accounted of the Lord can easily disappoint all his designes Let GOD arise Psal 68.1 and his enemies shall bee scattered These that hate him shall flee before him As smoak is driven away so shall the Lord drive them away as waxe melteth before the fire so shall the wicked perish at the presence of God The 2 use The second use When the enemies of God are strong and are in plotting great designes against GODS inheritance let us heere learne how to pray to God let us take unto us words even these words of this text Arise O Lord and disappoint them If we cry unto the Lord Arise the Lord shall not faile to answere Now will I arise Isa 33.10 saith the Lord When Hee is risen he will worke wonders Isa 33.11 Mine enemies saith He shall conceive chaffe and bring forth stubble thus all their counsells shall be but a conception of chaffe and when their designes are ready to be borne they shall be but children of stubble David in the second Psalme considering how God maketh the counsels the conceptions of wicked men to be but false conceptions cryed out Psal 2.1 Why doe the heathen rage and the people imagine a vaine thing the word in the Hebrew signifieth a trifle RIK inane or emptinesse a nothing He also there scorneth the vaine Kings and Rulers of the earth and that because they take counsell against Christ He that sitteth in the heavens saith He shall laugh Psal 2.4 the Lord shall have them in derision After that for a space hee hath laughen at their follie hee will breake them with a rod of yron vers 9 and dash them in pieces like a potters vessell Thus the LORD bringeth down the plots and designes of high-towring ambitious wicked men Behold a real disappointment where now I pray you will all their designes and their boasts and their armies bee when the Lord hath broken them all into Shardes like an old pitcher Behold the men that would but burn and slay Behold the men thaâ— would have all their will Beholâ— the men that would neither beâ— ruled by Gods law nor Mans law but by their owne wilfull wills the LORD hath throwne theâ— downe the evill they would havâ— done it lay not in their hearts oâ— hands to doe it the LORD hath treade them downe he hatâ— wounded the head of his enemies and the hairie scalpes of such a goe on still in their trespasses they are nothing but like a broken sheard Psal 68.21 Behold them bridled by the power of this greaâ— LORD who according to the prayer of his servant heere hath clearly before the eyes of the world disappointed them Let railing Rabshakehs not onely boast men but also GOD himselfe with where is the god of thiâ— place 2 King 18 34 and the god of that placeâ— the gods of Hamath and of Arpad the gods of Sepharvaim Henah and Juah Let great men with Rabshakeh threaten to cause Gods people eate their owne dung 2 King 18 27 and drinke their owne pisse but the LORD hath hookes for their nose 2 King 19 28 and bridles for their lips for to turne them back from their course He shall so crosse their designes that they shall goe away disappointed with shame and disgrace Jos 5.14 Christ the Captaine of the Lords 〈◊〉 is all fire for the glory of 〈◊〉 Father and the well of his â—â—â—rch his zeal was such that it did eate him up Joh. 2.17 but alas for our heart it is but like a cold sinder in our bosome The third Petition Cast him downe NOw it follovveth that vvee heare Davids third petition Cast him downe The Prophet heere in his prayer goeth on as Abraham did in hiâ— request for Sodome He sought ayâ— more and more first that Goâ— for fifties sake Gen. 18.24 would spare thâ— Cities 28 Secondly that for fivâ— and fourties sake 29 Thirdly thaâ— for fourties sake Fourthly thaâ— for thirties sake 30 Fiftly that foâ— twenties sake 31 32 Sixtly and last that for tennes sake he woulâ— spare all the rest So David firâ— here intreated God but to arise After that he desired God to do more even to disappoint his enemies Thirdly here he desireth more that the Lord would hurlâ— and cast down his adversaries The doctrine Observe here what it is to be once familiar with God Thâ— more a man be acquaint with God he groweth in boldnesse in hiâ— sutes the prayers of a Christian must not be dwarfes still iâ— one stature They must grow up â—nd be enlarged A man
before â—e hath tried Gods love and liâ—eralitie will but seek small things â—rom him But assone as he hath â—een these Oceans of mercies that â—re in Gods widest bowels he will seek and seek ay more and more When ever he lookes upon God he sees a full hand ready â—o give he heares a mouth of mercy crying unto him Psal 81.10 Open thy mouth very wide and I will fill â—t unto thee It is not possible that man that is not acquaint with God can imagine how loving â—nd liberall the Lord is for this â—ause the wicked who are thick â—ghted and by false spectacles â—ee him but a farre in the workes â—f the Creation but not neere â—n Christ seeke nothing from God but earthly things Psal 4.6 as wheate wine and oyle When they are â—ull of these things like a horse â— dogge or a cowe that is full of meat they lye downe to sleep and seeke no more Such meâ— are but beasts who know noâ— what good things the LORD hath in his treasures for his Children If they get the earth and earthly things they rest content singing a Requiem to their soules with that foole in the Gospel who bad his soul eate Luke 12.19 drink anâ— be merrie because he had provided much for it Est aliquid quod in ipsis floribus angat Jon. 4.7 and that foâ— many yeares This joy lasteth not The flovvre of it hath â— vvorme like Jonahs gourd it wilâ— anone vvither and passe avvay The use The use Let us be carefulâ— to knovv GOD and his goodnesse If vve vvere once vvel acquaint with him in our prayers vve should wonder what a boldnesse should enter into ouâ— hearts to go to GOD and to seeke and seeke ay more and more If he see our hearts honest if vve speake to him vvith sense and feeling Psal 109.164 though seven â—imes a day he vvill never say â—o us Mal. 2.7 as he saith to Papists baâ—ling on their beeds yee weary â—e with your words No not he is so glad of our conference â—hat he hath commanded us to â—ray continually 1 Thess 5.16 Yee cannot beâ—eeve the half of that which I â—ay untill yee make proofe and â—ake a tryall of that which yee heare O the unspeakable kindnesse of God When the Queene of Sheba who had heard much of Solomons glory came her selfe and saw She said that the report which She had heard of him was â—rue and that She could not beâ—ieve the wordes untill her eyes had seene it But behold said She 1 King 10 7 â—he halfe was not told mee thy wisedome and prosperitie exceedeth the fame which I heard Much more may this bee said in things pertaining to God the tongue of Angels can not expresse thâ— half of Gods goodwill toward the sonnes of men David kneâ— this and therefore he most earnestly exhorted all the godly tâ— get knowledge of Gods goodnesse by their owne experience O taste and see how good is the LORD Psal 34.8 O but Gods childreâ— are deare to him Oh that theâ— were dearer to us then they are Alas beasts and fowles hawke and houndes are more dear to many then the dearest children oâ— God Julius Caesar perceiving women bearing litle dogs under theiâ— armes enquired if they had nâ— children So it may be enquire of many that with great coaâ— feede foules and beasts for theiâ— pleasure if GOD have no chiâ—â—dren for their charitie But O though men contemne such yâ— are they deare to GOD yea sâ— that the more familiare they bee with him they are the more welcome The more they seeke they come the better speed Yea he is willing that they leane and â—est upon him so that others seeâ—ng this Cant. 8.5 may wonder at such a familiaritie and say who is this â—omming up from the wildernesse â—eaning upon her welbeloved Now let us consider the petition it selfe it is in these wordes Cast him downe The Hebrew word Carang signifieth properâ—y to bow to throw downe with â—reat violence The Psalmist â—eaking of these gluttons among â—e Israelites that cryed for flesh â—aith that after they were filled â—he wrath of GOD came downe â—pon them Pal. 78.31 and smote downe the â—hosen men of Israel The originall word there signifieth that he made them to bow or that hee â—hrew them downe when a man falleth in a battell or any way 〈◊〉 death he boweth downe This that which David heere desire the Lord to doe to his enemies who could not be diverted froâ— their malicious purpose even thâ— he would bow them down by hâ— strong and mighty arme The doctrine Observe here what the Lorâ— both can and will doe to the enâ—â—mies of his servants he will no faile to cast them downe This that which David heere require This is the prayer of the Churcâ— when the godly are persecuted bâ— malicious men who will not 〈◊〉 recalled God is a hearer of prayers hee will not faile to throâ— down to the ground all these thâ— maliciously set their face agaiâ— him If yee vvould have a proâ— of this hear the speaches of Goâ— and of the proude King of Baâ— vvho smote Gods people in wraâ— vvith a continuall stroake I saâ— that King will ascend into heaven Isa 14.13 I will exalt nâ— throne above the Starres of God that is I vvill do vvhat I please let God say what he liketh but he lied But what said the Lord vers 15. the Lord spake truth Thou shalt be brought downe to hell I shall cast thee dovvne A man vvhat ever he be if once the Lord in vvrath lay hands upon him shall be cast dovvne yea dovvne to the earth yea downe to the hells yea so dovvne that he shal never be able to rise again I will overturne overturne Eze. 21.27 overtuâ—ne said the LORD The 1 use The first use Let this serve for instruction to great men as Emperours Kings and Princes let such bevvarre according to Gamaleels counsell Act. 5.39 to fight against GOD. They for a space in the pride of their hearts may ruffle and strout like Nebuchadnezzar in his palace vvith Dan. 4.30 Is not this great Babel yea some vvill boast Goâ— himselfe vvith Pharao saying who is the LORD Exod. 5.2 but such 〈◊〉 all their greatest grandour are buâ— like Chessemen vvhich have somâ— prerogatives upon the Chesseboard but O vvhen the game is ended death shuffleth both the King and the Pawne into one bagge vvitâ— God is no respect of persons hâ— careth neither for King nor Kesâ—â— if they proudly repine against hiâ— Majestie Psal 20.12 vvhen his wrath is kindled but a little Eze. 21.27 he will overturne overturne overturne their royall estates breake their scepters into pieces make their crovvne like the chaffe of the Summer threshing floore David a King knowing this that scepters and crovvnes vvhen GOD is provoked are noâ— Thunder-proofe gave unto alâ— Kings his counsell concerning