person_n in_o the_o day_n of_o battle_n but_o manage_v all_o his_o war_n with_o abner_n absolom_n and_o sheba_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o joab_n which_o give_v he_o mean_n and_o opportunity_n to_o provide_v for_o himself_o though_o all_o his_o force_n have_v be_v rout_v and_o their_o general_n take_v but_o our_o great_a master_n put_v himself_o into_o the_o head_n of_o his_o army_n venture_v his_o life_n for_o the_o redemption_n of_o his_o people_n charge_v and_o recharge_v through_o the_o thick_a of_o his_o enemy_n the_o first_o that_o come_v into_o the_o field_n and_o the_o last_o that_o leave_v it_o and_o thereby_o gain_v the_o honour_n though_o he_o lose_v the_o victory_n of_o the_o day_n by_o what_o miraculous_a mean_n he_o be_v preserve_v from_o death_n in_o that_o fatal_a overthrow_n and_o with_o what_o loyal_a secrecy_n convey_v from_o one_o place_n to_o another_o be_v not_o so_o clear_o and_o distinct_o know_v as_o the_o cause_n deserve_v &_o therefore_o to_o be_v wish_v that_o it_o may_v public_o be_v declare_v by_o his_o sacred_a majesty_n that_o god_n may_v have_v the_o glory_n of_o his_o own_o great_a mercy_n and_o all_o good_a man_n the_o honour_n of_o their_o brave_a fidelity_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o may_v with_o piety_n believe_v that_o he_o be_v either_o carry_v off_o by_o god_n on_o the_o wing_n of_o angel_n so_o that_o none_o can_v reach_v he_o or_o else_o envelop_v round_o about_o with_o a_o cloud_n of_o darkness_n so_o that_o none_o can_v see_v he_o aencid_n cernere_fw-la ne_fw-la quis_fw-la eum_fw-la ne_fw-la quis_fw-la contingere_fw-la poss_v it_o as_o virgil_n tell_v we_o of_o aeneas_n in_o the_o last_o condition_n 31._o and_o then_o again_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n be_v far_o more_o visible_a in_o his_o restitution_n for_o be_v it_o not_o a_o marvellous_a kindness_n that_o god_n be_v please_v to_o preserve_v a_o strong_a party_n for_o he_o which_o have_v not_o be_v infect_v with_o the_o error_n and_o corruption_n which_o then_o reign_v among_o we_o that_o in_o a_o time_n of_o such_o a_o general_a defection_n from_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o church_n so_o many_o thousand_o shall_v be_v find_v of_o all_o sort_n and_o sex_n which_o have_v not_o bow_v the_o knee_n to_o baal_n nor_o to_o the_o golden_a calf_n of_o dan_n and_o bethel_n nor_o the_o more_o guild_a calf_n that_o graze_v and_o bleat_v upon_o these_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o that_o far_o more_o shall_v keep_v their_o heart_n entire_a and_o loyal_a in_o those_o time_n of_o danger_n when_o they_o can_v find_v no_o mean_n to_o signify_v it_o by_o their_o tongue_n and_o hand_n and_o this_o not_o only_o be_v a_o kindness_n and_o a_o marvellous_a kindness_n but_o misericordia_fw-la sua_fw-la the_o lord_n kindness_n also_o most_o proper_o to_o be_v call_v the_o work_n of_o god_n who_o do_v both_o bow_n their_o heart_n and_o advance_v their_o hand_n and_o use_v they_o both_o for_o the_o facilitate_v of_o the_o king_n reduction_n 32._o 44._o in_o which_o conjuncture_n of_o affair_n a_o little_a cloud_n arise_v from_o the_o northern_a sea_n after_o the_o heaven_n have_v be_v shut_v up_o for_o some_o year_n together_o which_o though_o it_o be_v no_o big_a than_o a_o man_n hand_n in_o the_o first_o appearance_n yet_o bring_v along_o with_o it_o such_o abundance_n of_o rain_n as_o do_v not_o only_a comfort_n and_o refresh_v the_o afflict_a land_n but_o force_v our_o politic_a ahab_n and_o their_o follower_n too_o to_o take_v their_o chariot_n and_o make_v haste_n away_o to_o some_o other_o place_n before_o the_o storm_n shall_v overtake_v they_o and_o certain_o this_o must_v needs_o be_v misericordia_fw-la sua_fw-la as_o well_o god_n mercy_n in_o itself_o as_o to_o be_v reckon_v for_o a_o mavellous_a mercy_n in_o the_o eye_n of_o man_n for_o neither_o the_o party_n be_v so_o weak_a nor_o the_o cause_n so_o desperate_a as_o to_o be_v break_v by_o the_o come_n of_o so_o small_a a_o power_n as_o rather_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o guard_n to_o their_o general_n person_n then_o of_o sufficient_a force_n to_o oppose_v that_o army_n before_o which_o two_o great_a king_n be_v not_o able_a to_o stand_v and_o then_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o such_o as_o draw_v their_o sword_n upon_o god_n anoint_v use_v common_o to_o throw_v away_o the_o scabbard_n also_o and_o find_v no_o way_n of_o do_v better_a but_o by_o do_v worse_o 2._o nil_fw-la medium_n inter_fw-la summa_fw-la &_o praecipitia_fw-la no_o middle_a way_n for_o they_o to_o walk_v in_o but_o either_o to_o bear_v up_o like_a prince_n or_o to_o die_v like_o traitor_n but_o it_o be_v otherwise_o in_o the_o case_n which_o we_o have_v before_o we_o god_n so_o prevail_v on_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o man_n of_o war_n that_o they_o become_v no_o less_o ready_a to_o receive_v their_o king_n than_o his_o own_o party_n to_o invite_v he_o and_o they_o which_o first_o engage_v in_o the_o war_n against_o he_o expulse_v he_o hence_o and_o vote_v he_o uncapable_a of_o the_o regal_a dignity_n be_v now_o as_o zealous_a as_o the_o best_a to_o advance_v he_o to_o it_o nay_o they_o contend_v eager_o with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o subject_n as_o once_o the_o man_n of_o israel_n do_v with_o the_o man_n of_o judah_n which_o of_o the_o two_o shall_v show_v most_o zeal_n for_o his_o restitution_n and_o do_v not_o only_o send_v word_n to_o he_o that_o he_o shall_v return_v both_o he_o and_o his_o servant_n with_o he_o but_o some_o of_o they_o pass_v over_o the_o flood_n that_o they_o may_v bring_v he_o back_o unto_o his_o country_n with_o the_o great_a glory_n et_fw-la certant_fw-la ipsi_fw-la secum_fw-la utrùm_fw-la contumeliosius_fw-la eum_fw-la expulerint_fw-la a_o honorabilius_fw-la revocaverint_fw-la as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o alcibiades_n be_v observe_v by_o justin._n 33._o but_o possible_o our_o gideon_n with_o such_o a_o handful_n of_o man_n may_v not_o have_v be_v of_o power_n sufficient_a to_o effect_v the_o enterprise_n if_o our_o great_a city_n have_v not_o open_o appear_v in_o favour_n of_o it_o and_o thereby_o give_v encouragement_n to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o subject_n who_o heart_n stand_v firm_a unto_o the_o king_n a_o treble_a city_n of_o three_o town_n together_o but_o all_o of_o they_o unite_v in_o one_o common_a name_n as_o jerusalem_n be_v and_o no_o less_o strong_a than_o that_o in_o regard_n on_o the_o multitude_n but_o strong_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o power_n and_o riches_n of_o the_o people_n of_o it_o for_o here_o it_o be_v in_o this_o strong_a city_n the_o principal_a city_n of_o our_o nation_n the_o abstract_n or_o epitome_n of_o all_o britain_n in_o britanniarum_fw-la compendio_fw-la as_o my_o author_n call_v it_o that_o the_o design_n be_v most_o advance_v though_o not_o there_o contrive_v and_o here_o it_o be_v in_o this_o strong_a city_n that_o this_o great_a miracle_n of_o mercy_n do_v receive_v accomplishment_n by_o open_v both_o their_o gate_n and_o heart_n and_o hand_n to_o receive_v their_o sovereign_n let_v they_o continue_v in_o that_o obedience_n to_o our_o lord_n the_o king_n &_o they_o shall_v wipe_v away_o the_o memory_n of_o their_o former_a error_n nay_o our_o posterity_n shall_v behold_v they_o with_o a_o cheerful_a gratitude_n as_o the_o restorer_n and_o preserver_n of_o our_o common_a happiness_n by_o give_v good_a example_n to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o kingdom_n for_o certain_o the_o practice_n of_o great_a city_n be_v exemplary_a not_o only_o in_o their_o moral_n but_o their_o politic_n too_o according_a to_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o primum_fw-la mobile_a the_o low_a star_n and_o planet_n move_v in_o their_o several_a sphere_n and_o think_v it_o no_o disgrace_n to_o be_v sometime_o retrograde_a or_o in_o their_o motus_fw-la trepidationis_fw-la when_o the_o first_o orb_n begin_v to_o be_v irregular_a or_o seem_v to_o be_v leave_v destitute_a of_o those_o intelligence_n which_o be_v say_v to_o move_v it_o 34._o and_o therefore_o it_o concern_v great_a town_n and_o populous_a city_n upon_o who_o action_n all_o man_n eye_n be_v fix_v and_o busy_v to_o be_v a_o pattern_n of_o good_a work_n of_o loyalty_n and_o of_o due_a obedience_n to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o people_n faction_n and_o opposition_n to_o authority_n be_v two_o dangerous_a plague_n more_o fatal_a and_o destructive_a to_o the_o great_a empire_n than_o the_o sword_n pestilence_n or_o famine_n which_o if_o they_o get_v into_o a_o city_n or_o a_o town_n of_o note_n non_fw-la ibi_fw-la consistunt_fw-la ubi_fw-la caeperunt_fw-la 2._o infect_v not_o there_o alone_o where_o they_o first_o break_v out_o but_o as_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o plague_n be_v observe_v to_o be_v from_o thence_o it_o spring_v into_o the_o village_n adjoin_v and_o in_o the_o end_n to_o all_o the_o quarter_n of_o the_o kingdom_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o
god_n and_o to_o inquire_v his_o will_n and_o pleasure_n in_o all_o difficult_a case_n the_o want_n whereof_o necessitate_v the_o unhappy_a tyrant_n to_o have_v recourse_n for_o counsel_n to_o the_o witch_n of_o endor_n as_o if_o he_o have_v be_v force_v upon_o that_o desperate_a resolution_n in_o the_o ancient_a poet_n flectere_fw-la si_fw-la nequeo_fw-la superos_fw-la acheronta_fw-la movebo_fw-la that_o since_o he_o can_v not_o move_v the_o god_n he_o will_v try_v the_o devil_n 15._o nor_o be_v all_o this_o a_o kindness_n only_o or_o a_o great_a kindness_n ☞_o as_o the_o old_a translation_n and_o misericordia_fw-la mirabilis_fw-la a_o marvellous_a great_a kindness_n in_o the_o eye_n of_o all_o man_n but_o it_o be_v misericordia_fw-la sua_fw-la the_o lord_n own_o kindness_n &_o factum_fw-la domini_fw-la the_o lord_n own_o do_v to_o which_o no_o humane_a prudence_n can_v pretend_v a_o title_n this_o david_n understand_v none_o better_a and_o therefore_o attribute_n his_o safety_n and_o deliverance_n to_o the_o lord_n alone_o ipse_fw-la sit_fw-la licèt_fw-la magna_fw-la unique_fw-la cura_fw-la &_o industria_fw-la usus_fw-la 31._o as_o musculus_fw-la have_v night-well_a observe_v though_o he_o himself_o have_v use_v all_o possible_a industry_n and_o care_n for_o his_o own_o preservation_n he_o have_v his_o agent_n and_o intelligeneer_n in_o the_o court_n of_o saul_n to_o give_v he_o notice_n of_o the_o secret_a purpose_n of_o his_o mortal_a enemy_n he_o entertain_v abiathar_n in_o a_o place_n both_o of_o trust_n and_o nearness_n that_o by_o his_o mean_n he_o may_v maintain_v a_o correspondence_n with_o the_o rest_n of_o that_o order_n and_o when_o necessity_n compel_v he_o to_o engage_v in_o battle_n he_o send_v out_o joab_n a_o man_n of_o most_o undaunted_a courage_n to_o encounter_v abner_n with_o who_o he_o be_v competitor_n for_o the_o palm_n of_o victory_n more_o providence_n and_o care_n can_v no_o man_n use_v then_o david_n do_v and_o yet_o he_o call_v it_o misericordiam_fw-la domini_fw-la only_a god_n mercy_n and_o his_o marvellous_a kindness_n by_o which_o he_o be_v preserve_v in_o the_o day_n of_o trouble_n 16._o and_o so_o indeed_o it_o be_v mere_o god_n mercy_n and_o his_o marvellous_a great_a kindness_n by_o which_o he_o be_v preserve_v in_o the_o day_n of_o saul_n and_o raise_v to_o the_o throne_n of_o israel_n on_o the_o death_n of_o ishbosheth_n for_o what_o can_v david_n have_v effect_v with_o all_o his_o diligence_n have_v not_o god_n secret_o forwarn_v he_o of_o those_o danger_n which_o be_v near_o at_o hand_n or_o what_o advantage_n can_v abiathars_n discovery_n have_v procure_v unto_o he_o have_v not_o god_n send_v the_o spirit_n of_o infatuation_n among_o the_o prince_n of_o saul_n house_n supplant_v their_o design_n and_o turn_v their_o wisdom_n into_o foolishness_n or_o what_o can_v joab_n with_o all_o his_o valour_n have_v achieve_v against_o so_o many_o enemy_n have_v not_o god_n break_v they_o in_o piece_n have_v not_o god_n throw_v among_o they_o such_o a_o ball_n of_o discord_n such_o a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o make_v they_o turn_v their_o sword_n upon_o one_o another_o in_o which_o dissension_n the_o royal_a nothing_o be_v dispatch_v on_o his_o bed_n of_o ease_n and_o dispossess_v at_o once_o both_o of_o crown_n and_o life_n before_o he_o have_v serve_v out_o his_o indenture_n in_o the_o trade_n of_o government_n which_o also_o must_v be_v factum_fw-la domini_fw-la the_o lord_n be_v do_v only_o as_o to_o the_o order_n permit_v and_o dispose_v of_o it_o though_o abner_n and_o the_o son_n of_o riâ—mon_n have_v their_o own_o vile_a end_n for_o who_o but_o god_n can_v turn_v his_o own_o sword_n upon_o he_o and_o so_o infatuate_a the_o counsel_n of_o his_o chief_a commander_n as_o to_o contrive_v the_o ruin_n of_o their_o near_a kinsman_n by_o who_o sole_a power_n they_o stand_v and_o may_v have_v long_o stand_v in_o all_o apparent_a probability_n in_o their_o former_a greatness_n 17._o 1._o except_o the_o lord_n do_v keep_v the_o city_n say_v the_o royal_a psalmist_n the_o watchman_n watch_v but_o in_o vain_a except_o the_o lord_n do_v build_v the_o house_n their_o labour_n be_v but_o lose_v that_o build_v it_o what_o then_o shall_v then_o the_o workman_n play_v 9_o and_o the_o watchman_z sleep_n not_o so_o say_v origen_n â—mpendant_fw-fr ipsi_fw-la quantum_fw-la in_o se_fw-la est_fw-la laboris_fw-la et_fw-la sollicitudinis_fw-la etc._n etc._n let_v they_o continue_v their_o endeavour_n in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n and_o let_v the_o watchman_n watch_n and_o the_o workman_n labour_n though_o god_n be_v all_o and_o that_o our_o safety_n be_v from_o he_o and_o from_o he_o alone_o yet_o he_o have_v tell_v we_o that_o the_o lazy_a person_n shall_v not_o eat_v and_o the_o careless_a person_n shall_v not_o prosper_v it_o be_v the_o hand_n of_o the_o diligent_a which_o make_v rich_a and_o he_o become_v poor_a that_o deal_v with_o a_o slack_a hand_n faith_n the_o wiseman_n solomon_n god_n in_o the_o order_n and_o dispose_n of_o humane_a affair_n be_v like_o the_o pilot_n in_o a_o ship_n it_o be_v the_o pilot_n only_o which_o do_v steer_v and_o guide_v the_o vessel_n and_o bring_v it_o safe_a into_o the_o haven_n yet_o it_o be_v expect_v that_o every_o several_a mariner_n do_v discharge_v his_o duty_n and_o yield_v obedience_n to_o the_o whistle_n of_o the_o boatswain_n 18._o but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n it_o be_v not_o therefore_o to_o be_v think_v that_o we_o may_v warrantable_o entitle_v either_o our_o industry_n or_o strength_n or_o wisdom_n to_o the_o right_n of_o god_n the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o wise_a say_v paul_n be_v it_o not_o foolishness_n with_o the_o lord_n what_o man_n be_v there_o say_v david_n that_o can_v save_v himself_o by_o his_o much_o strength_n yea_o or_o by_o take_v think_v say_v the_o son_n of_o david_n can_v add_v one_o cubit_n to_o his_o stature_n man_n purpose_v but_o god_n dispose_v and_o when_o we_o have_v most_o spend_v our_o spirit_n and_o consume_v our_o body_n in_o the_o well_o order_v of_o our_o fortune_n yet_o it_o be_v all_o in_o vain_a and_o fruitless_a and_o of_o no_o effect_n except_o the_o lord_n even_o our_o own_o god_n do_v give_v we_o his_o blessing_n ascribe_v we_o therefore_o to_o the_o lord_n the_o glory_n of_o his_o own_o exploit_n and_o let_v we_o not_o presume_v to_o say_v in_o any_o of_o our_o prosperous_a action_n that_o this_o my_o own_o right_a hand_n have_v do_v or_o my_o wit_n effect_v though_o david_n do_v as_o much_o as_o care_n and_o wisdom_n can_v perform_v for_o his_o own_o security_n yet_o he_o refer_v it_o all_o to_o god_n and_o reckon_v it_o his_o mercy_n only_o and_o his_o marvellous_a kindness_n whereby_o he_o be_v preserve_v from_o danger_n make_v master_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o settle_v after_o all_o his_o trouble_n in_o so_o strong_a a_o city_n 19_o in_o a_o strong_a city_n that_o be_v the_o next_o in_o civitate_fw-la munita_fw-la in_o a_o fence_a city_n say_v the_o latin_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o city_n wall_a and_o ditch_v about_o as_o the_o greek_a text_n read_v it_o in_o civitate_fw-la robusta_fw-la &_o firmata_fw-la a_o city_n strong_a in_o man_n and_o as_o strong_o fortify_v in_o st._n hierom_n gloss._n only_a tremelius_fw-la with_o some_o notable_a difference_n from_o all_o man_n else_o do_v translate_v it_o thus_o benedictus_fw-la dominus_fw-la bless_v be_v the_o lord_n for_o she_o have_v show_v his_o marvellous_a kindness_n to_o i_o in_o as_o great_a a_o measure_n ut_fw-la in_o civitate_fw-la munita_fw-la collocans_fw-la i_o as_o if_o he_o have_v enclose_v and_o keep_v i_o safe_a in_o a_o town_n of_o war_n as_o if_o i_o have_v be_v billet_v and_o strong_o garrison_v in_o a_o fort_n and_o city_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o god_n mercy_n be_v the_o sure_a hold_n to_o which_o we_o may_v commit_v our_o safety_n the_o strong_a castle_n of_o defence_n to_o which_o we_o may_v intrust_v our_o person_n a_o fortress_n against_o all_o our_o foe_n a_o antidote_n against_o all_o plague_n a_o remedy_n against_o all_o disease_n he_o that_o be_v so_o defend_v need_v no_o other_o arms._n horat._n non_fw-la eget_fw-la maurus_fw-la jaoulis_n nec_fw-la arcu_fw-la not_o shield_n nor_o bow_n nor_o poison_a arrow_n god_n mercy_n be_v all_o kind_n of_o weapon_n to_o he_o both_o for_o annoyance_n and_o defence_n no_o armour_n be_v so_o sure_a of_o proof_n but_o it_o may_v be_v break_v nor_o town_n so_o strong_a but_o may_v be_v take_v nor_o wall_n so_o high_a and_o close_o to_o keep_v our_o contagion_n put_v if_o god_n mercy_n do_v protect_v we_o and_o his_o power_n defend_v we_o if_o we_o be_v compass_v round_o about_o with_o his_o deliverance_n as_o with_o a_o wall_n we_o will_v not_o be_v afraid_a through_o war_n and_o poverty_n and_o sickness_n do_v conspire_v against_o we_o for_o we_o be_v sure_a that_o
then_o we_o be_v in_o such_o a_o city_n which_o neither_o enemy_n can_v force_v nor_o want_v of_o trade_n impoverish_v nor_o disease_n infect_v deus_fw-la meus_fw-la &_o omne_fw-la let_v god_n be_v i_o and_o i_o be_o strong_a enough_o against_o all_o the_o world_n against_o all_o violence_n against_o all_o practice_n against_o all_o misfortune_n i_o can_v enlarge_v myself_o on_o this_o general_a topick_n as_o to_o the_o moral_a of_o my_o text_n but_o that_o i_o be_o to_o keep_v myself_o to_o the_o literal_a sense_n to_o the_o strong_a city_n herein_o mean_v by_o the_o royal_a psalmist_n 20._o and_o if_o i_o keep_v myself_o to_o the_o literal_a sense_n we_o must_v inquire_v what_o city_n be_v here_o mean_v by_o david_n and_o we_o shall_v find_v upon_o a_o very_a short_a inquiry_n that_o it_o be_v either_o ziglag_n hebron_n or_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o last_o most_o likely_a st._n austin_n and_o st._n hierome_n so_o resolve_v for_o certain_a with_o who_o the_o modern_n do_v agree_v as_o to_o that_o particular_a all_o tell_v we_o that_o god_n declare_v his_o marvellous_a mercy_n unto_o david_n by_o settle_v his_o affair_n in_o civitate_fw-la jerusalem_fw-la in_o the_o strong_a city_n of_o jerusalem_n in_o the_o fort_n of_o zion_n for_o there_o he_o find_v a_o end_n of_o his_o former_a sorrow_n thither_o he_o bring_v the_o ark_n to_o that_o place_n he_o remove_v the_o trabernacle_n and_o there_o do_v he_o fix_v his_o royal_a palace_n with_o the_o court_n of_o justice_n and_o thereby_o draw_v unto_o it_o by_o degree_n all_o the_o wealth_n of_o the_o kingdom_n and_o there_o he_o reign_v in_o great_a glory_n and_o renown_n than_o any_o of_o the_o king_n and_o prince_n which_o be_v round_o about_o he_o 21._o now_o city_n be_v account_v strong_a in_o two_o respect_n first_o in_o the_o strength_n of_o situation_n or_o of_o art_n and_o next_o in_o the_o multitude_n and_o natural_a courage_n of_o the_o people_n and_o in_o both_o these_o jerusalem_n as_o it_o flourish_v in_o the_o time_n of_o david_n may_v worthy_o be_v call_v a_o strong_a city_n as_o indeed_o it_o be_v civitas_n munitissima_fw-la as_o my_o author_n have_v it_o for_o first_o it_o be_v well_o situate_v and_o strong_o fortify_v three_o town_n in_o one_o of_o they_o seat_v on_o steep_a hill_n and_o all_o of_o they_o environ_v with_o high_a wall_n strong_a bulwark_n and_o unpassable_a ditch_n but_o none_o to_o be_v compare_v with_o the_o city_n of_o zion_n which_o make_v the_o jebusite_n presume_v so_o far_o upon_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o place_n that_o in_o contempt_n of_o david_n force_n they_o man_v their_o wall_n with_o none_o but_o their_o blind_a and_o lame_a 3._o as_o josephus_n tell_v we_o and_o then_o send_v word_n whether_o with_o great_a pride_n or_o folly_n it_o be_v hard_o to_o say_v that_o except_o he_o take_v away_o the_o blind_a and_o the_o lame_a he_o can_v not_o come_v thither_o which_o be_v to_o tell_v he_o in_o effect_n that_o those_o poor_a wretch_n be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v good_a the_o fort_n against_o all_o his_o army_n and_o therefore_o must_v be_v first_o remove_v before_o he_o can_v expect_v to_o be_v master_n of_o it_o such_o confidence_n say_v he_o they_o have_v in_o their_o wall_n and_o trench_n that_o they_o conceive_v they_o able_a without_o further_a help_n to_o keep_v out_o the_o enemy_n 22._o but_o wall_n we_o see_v by_o this_o example_n be_v but_o simple_a strength_n if_o there_o be_v any_o want_n of_o people_n or_o in_o the_o people_n any_o want_n of_o courage_n to_o make_v good_a the_o place_n the_o honour_n of_o a_o king_n consist_v not_o in_o the_o strength_n of_o town_n and_o frequency_n of_o garrison_n but_o in_o the_o multitude_n and_o courage_n and_o good_a affection_n of_o his_o subject_n king_n be_v then_o safe_a when_o they_o trust_v rather_o to_o their_o castle_n of_o bone_n than_o their_o castle_n of_o stone_n according_a to_o the_o aphorism_n of_o sir_n henry_n savage_n a_o old_a english_a soldier_n lycurgus_n also_o seem_v to_o be_v of_o the_o same_o opinion_n when_o he_o prohibit_v the_o spartan_n to_o immure_v their_o city_n or_o to_o use_v any_o of_o the_o art_n of_o fortification_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n lerusalem_fw-la be_v strong_a because_o it_o be_v as_o populous_a and_o no_o less_o capacious_a then_o either_o nineveh_n or_o babylon_n or_o eckbatana_n or_o any_o other_o city_n in_o the_o eastern_a country_n so_o populous_a that_o at_o the_o siege_n thereof_o by_o titus_n there_o perish_v by_o the_o sword_n and_o famine_n of_o all_o sort_n and_o sex_n 17._o 1100000._o and_o above_o as_o josephus_n tell_v we_o and_o so_o prodigious_o capacious_a that_o once_o the_o highpriest_n at_o the_o request_n of_o cestius_n a_o roman_a precedent_n number_v the_o people_n which_o come_v thither_o to_o observe_v the_o passover_n ibid._n find_v they_o to_o be_v two_o million_o and_o seven_o hundred_o thousand_o man_n beside_o woman_n and_o child_n all_o sound_n and_o purify_v and_o fit_v by_o the_o law_n for_o that_o sacred_a ceremony_n a_o number_n numberless_a and_o not_o indeed_o to_o be_v believe_v be_v not_o josephus_n general_o reckon_v for_o a_o true_a historian_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o the_o good_a father_n justin_n martyr_n have_v assure_v we_o of_o he_o and_o though_o these_o numbering_n of_o the_o people_n in_o that_o mighty_a city_n happen_v long_o after_o david_n time_n yet_o the_o city_n after_o david_n time_n receive_v small_a inlargement_n ten_o of_o the_o tribe_n revolt_a on_o the_o death_n of_o solomon_n and_o never_o afterward_o return_v to_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n 23._o as_o for_o the_o courage_n of_o the_o people_n and_o inhabitant_n of_o it_o in_o the_o time_n of_o david_n we_o may_v conceive_v it_o equal_a at_o the_o least_o if_o it_o be_v not_o great_a then_o that_o of_o their_o posterity_n in_o the_o time_n succeed_v which_o be_v so_o eminent_a that_o he_o which_o read_v the_o story_n of_o their_o final_a ruin_n when_o besiege_v by_o titus_n will_v find_v the_o roman_n so_o put_v to_o it_o that_o they_o never_o purchase_v any_o city_n at_o a_o dear_a rate_n and_o hereupon_o may_v say_v in_o the_o word_n of_o justin_n et_fw-la tanta_fw-la animorum_fw-la virtus_fw-la fuit_fw-la etc._n etc._n that_o though_o they_o have_v just_a cause_n at_o all_o time_n to_o despair_v of_o safety_n yet_o for_o the_o most_o part_n they_o presume_v and_o come_v off_o with_o safety_n till_o god_n be_v please_v to_o give_v they_o over_o for_o a_o prey_n to_o the_o sword_n of_o their_o enemy_n 24._o and_o yet_o there_o may_v be_v somewhat_o in_o it_o which_o more_o assure_a david_n of_o his_o peace_n and_o happiness_n than_o either_o the_o courage_n of_o the_o people_n or_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o place_n which_o be_v their_o good_a affection_n and_o fidelity_n to_o he_o and_o this_o appear_v plain_o by_o their_o carriage_n towards_o he_o when_o he_o be_v force_v to_o give_v way_n to_o the_o treason_n of_o absolom_n for_o when_o he_o leave_v they_o to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o enemy_n the_o people_n follow_v he_o in_o great_a number_n to_o express_v their_o loyalty_n and_o follow_v he_o in_o tear_n to_o express_v their_o affection_n so_o as_o it_o can_v be_v affirm_v that_o either_o they_o betray_v or_o forsake_v their_o king_n but_o that_o the_o king_n rather_o in_o a_o royal_a pity_n do_v withdraw_v from_o they_o leave_v otherwise_o he_o may_v have_v bring_v some_o evil_n on_o the_o city_n as_o the_o text_n inform_v we_o lay_v all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v together_o of_o the_o strength_n of_o this_o city_n and_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o david_n have_v good_a reason_n to_o extol_v god_n name_n for_o give_v he_o possession_n of_o a_o place_n so_o strong_a so_o populous_a and_o so_o replenish_v with_o a_o loyal_a and_o courageous_a people_n 25._o and_o thus_o i_o have_v run_v over_o all_o the_o part_n of_o my_o text_n as_o they_o declare_v god_n marvellous_a kindness_n unto_o david_n so_o that_o it_o can_v be_v no_o hard_a matter_n to_o remove_v the_o vail_n and_o to_o behold_v the_o face_n of_o our_o own_o affair_n the_o mercy_n of_o this_o day_n and_o the_o glory_n of_o it_o a_o day_n in_o which_o we_o solemnize_v the_o memory_n of_o as_o great_a a_o kindness_n a_o kindness_n as_o remarkable_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o person_n as_o marvellous_a in_o its_o own_o condition_n no_o less_o peculiar_a to_o the_o lord_n as_o the_o author_n of_o it_o and_o in_o a_o place_n as_o notable_a our_o principal_a city_n our_o strong_a city_n of_o descence_n to_o which_o by_o god_n assistance_n and_o your_o christian_a patience_n i_o shall_v now_o proceed_v and_o then_o descend_v unto_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o day_n where_o we_o shall_v meet_v with_o david_n thankfulness_n and_o our_o own_o to_o boot_v