The three Kingdomes Case OR Their sad Calamities together with Their CAVSES and CVRE Laid down in a SERMON PREACHED AT A Publique Fast at Kingston upon Hull With some very remarkable Passages of Providence worthy of generall Observation By JOHN SHAWE M. A. sometimes of Christs Colledge in Cambridge and now Lecturer at Hull aforesaid JER 12. 10 11 12. They have made my pleasant portion a desolate wildernesse being desolate it mourneth unto me the whole land is made desolate because no man layeth it to heart the spoylers are come upon all high places through the wildernesse for the sword of the Lord shall devoure from one end of the land even to the other c. no flesh shall have peace Nullus ferè credit quod propter peccata nostra variis modus Deus animadvertat in homines hujus secule maior pars securè praeterit quaecunque profert Deus irae suae iudicia alii fortunae tribuunt quae videntur in orbe conversiones ac mutationes in summâ pauci sunt vel propemodum nulli qui manifesta dei iudicia expendant Aug. Plectimur à Deo nec flectimur tamen corripimur sed non corrigimur Salv. London Printed by T. B. for John Bartlet and are to be sold at his Shop in Pauls Church-yard at the Signe of the gilt Cup under Saint Austins Gate 1646. To the Christian and wel-affected READER especially to my worthy and loving friends both the Inhabitants within the Town and Country of Kingston upon Hull and also the Parishoners of Bradfield in the West-riding of Yorkshire Grace Mercy and Peace be multiplied Christian Readers and friends I Have looked with Elijah's servant more then seven times to see what would be the issue of these troubles 1 Kin. 18. 43. and I long since espied a great cloud bigger then his ver 44. yea like that ver 45 and trembled because of this matter and for the great 〈◊〉 Ez. 10. 9. my self have felt neither few nor small drops of these troubles as you know and truly stil if I did not see that the great and wise God had a speciall hand in carrying on and ordering al these wars and combustions I yet see so much malice private spleen even in those who return home and sit still such factions scisms and upon any occasion apostacies in a word so much of that many-headed Monster Selfe yet in the Kingdomes that I could hardly expect fair quiet sun-shine dayes of long but that the Lord raigneth and therefore may the earth rejoyce and this poor Island be glad thereof Psal 97. 1. I have in the ensuing lines opened and applied as I could what the word and sword my Text and times hold out unto you My Text tels of war plunderings spoilings which a In locum Hierom refers to the overthrow of Jerusalem after Christ by Titus because the Jewes rejected Christ the Son of God and salvation by him ostendens ferociam Romanorum saith he in populum Judaeorum qui idcirco punitus est quia Dei filium non recepit Piscator refers to the troubles of the Jewes by Zenacherib and the Assyrians Calvin to the plague famine wars and all such miseries laid on them by the Lord at severall times others to Nebuchadnezzars desolating wars and the Jewes seventy yeers captivity Musculus to the war and misery which Israel endured by the Philistines Idumaeans Amorites Moabites Syrians Assyrians c. notwithstanding all which troubles Israel could not be perswaded that sin was the cause but either chance or because they wanted their number of men and were not strong enough but the Prophet prophesieth sin to be the true cause and confesseth that he living among them had contracted sinne and guilt so as that he had a hand in bringing downe these Judgements we have sinned yet presently in the same verse changeth the person his sin not being so wilfull contemptuous and perserved in as theirs ver 24. they would not walk yet in these sad wars and combustions of ours in England like those in the Text I see some grounds of hope as first a budding generation comming up hungring and gasping after Christ and the means of grace a good signe that God is not leaving our land but that the time of the promise drawes nigh Acts 7. 17. Isa 49. 20 21. Secondly many active and eminent spirits raised up like Moses Aaron Phineas like Zerubbabel and Joshua for the work of the Lord in Church and State with boldnesse Hag. 1. 12 14. Jer. 50. 2. Micah 5. 5. Thirdly cleerer light shines in the Kingdom even by contentions which satan stirs up to overthrow the truth and in many dark corners Dan. 12 4. adde to these that the iron and clay break asunder daily Dan. 2. 41 42. and the stone cut out without hands growes more and more Dan. 2. 43 44 45. and I see all this carried on above and contrary to the power and policy of the subtillest heads by the mervailous hand of God Zach. 4. 6. let me to the only praise of the wonder-working God and the better to perpetuate the memories of his miracles of mercies to this Town of Kingston upon Hull which place if ever any is most infinitely indebted to God who hath shewed mercies indeed to other places but to this town miracles let me I say instance in some particular mercies which God hath afforded to this town wherein it appears that God himself hath bared his arme and saved it beyond and contrary to the wit and will of the subtillest enemies and seeming friends and made the very enemies to help on your safety and their owne ruine as appears first in that a little before these wars began your Castle and block-houses were out of repair and too much through long peace and dis-use unfit for service upon which pretence some of the Kings Coachmen begged them of the King and sued you for them whereupon you presently repaired them which Forts thus on this occasion repaired helped now to keep out the Kings party Secondly whereas formerly you had no draw-bridges to keep out an enemy Captain W. Legge and others of that party caused draw-bridges to be made about the Town on purpose to keep out our Brethren of Scotland when first they came into this land for our assistance but these bridges kept out Captain Leg and that party Thirdly Arms were also sent hither for above 20000. men under the managing of the said Cap. Leg after that a Garrisonof 1000. should here planted having not bin any here for many yeers before under the command of Sir Tho. Glenham by the direction advice of the Earl of Strafford for the same purpose aforesaid and yet all this turned to keep out that very party Fourthly in the dawning of these troubles Captain Leg being setled in this Town and having this strength and power aforesaid and the Earl of Newcastle being also sent hither by the King with his Commission to be Governour here
under my Subjects girdles either rule at your own will and keep them under or adventure all 1 King 12. 6 7 8 9 10 11. and see what rents in the Kingdom followed ver 16. Fourthly it 's a sad thing when malignant Counsellours and parasites about the King who study the humours of Princes lye at watch to spye an advantage while they may take the King in a fit mood to perswade him to ruine the Church and people of God yea subtilly entrap the King and get his hand and seal or else signe it themselves and counterfeit his hand to a decree destructive to the honest party and by their deep plots draw the Kings heart away from them thus did the enemies of Daniel subtilly work upon King Darius and got a decree signed for Daniels ruine though against the Kings mind whose conscience told him that Daniel was a faithfuller and honester Subject then they Dan. 6. 5 6 9. they pretend they stand for the Kings honour and that this decree is only for the Kings greater glory ver 7. the King ere long saw himself abused by them but could not mend it ver 14. Fifthly it 's a sad thing when flatterers about the King perswade him that those who are Gods best servants and the Kings faithfullest Subjects are Rebels and Traitors and the Kings enemies thus they accuse Christ to be enemy to Caesar and that he would hinder his tribute and revenues of the Crown Luke 23. 2. and they that favoured him were no friends to Caesar that word struck deep John 19. 12. thus the three childrens enemies perswade the King that they are enemies and rebels against him Dan. 3. 12. so did Daniels enemies Dan. 6. 13. thus At halia cryes treason treason but who was the Traitor so foul-mouthed Rabsbekah cryes rebellion rebellion 2 King 18. 20. thus Courtier Haman would preswade King Ahasuerus that the Jewes Gods best servants and the Kings best subjects whereof one Mordecai had done more faithfull service to the King then an hundred flattering Hamans were a factious perverse people regarded not the King nor his lawes and were against his profit Ester 3. 8. Sixthly it 's a sad thing when those that are neer a King not only whisper and tell lyes and tales to draw his heart away from his best Subjects but also use all means yea adventure purse and life and all to ruine such Balaam the Witch Josh 13. 22. Numb 24. 1. would seek to Heaven and Hel to ruine Israel Moabites and Midianites were content to make their daughters whores to ruine them so desperate is the old Serpents malice see Numb 25. 1. Rev. 2. 14. thus Haman who would never give a penny to a good cause not only makes the King glad with his lyes Hos 7. 3. as before but will give ten thousand talents to the Churches ruine Ester 3. 8. so that cursed Edomite Doeg a stranger but now made a Courtier not onely lyes against the honest party and sets on the King who of himself was eager enough against them Psal 52. 3. but himself when the rest refused playes the Butcher not onely slaying the Priests as he was bidden 1 Sam. 22. 18. but also man woman and child beyond his commission ver 19 and so brings much crying guiltlesse blood upon the King and his owne head Seventhly it 's a sad thing when Ministers that should be men of God advise and harten a King on to such a warre as a matter of conscience thus Zedekiah with four hundred Prophets or rather satan by them 1 King 22. 21. perswades Ahab to go up to a battle which proved destructive to himself 1 Kin. 22. 11 12. and how bitter was Zedekiah against the true Prophet ver 24. a godly Minister hath not a worse enemy in the world then a wicked wretched Minister see Jer. 26. 8 11. with ver 16. hence followed a war that ruined King Ahab Eighthly it 's a sad thing when some bloody minded men even force a King for their own safety gain or ends beyond his own inclination Let me put a case I can tell you of a King that had two Nephews his own sisters sons the elder of these was General of the King his Uncle's Army he was a furious bloody-minded man yet oft times the King his Uncle could not restrain him but at last the King and he fell out and the blood that he shed fals in time upon his own head my meaning is David the King had a sister called Zerviah d 1 Chron. 2. 15 16. she had two sons for the third was dead 2 Sam. 2. 18 23. Joah the elder of these was David's his Uncles General of his Army he was bloody very bloody 1 King 2. 5. yet his Uncle sometimes could not rule him 2 Sam. 3. 39. at last they fell out 1 King 2. 5 6. and his cruelty is revenged upon him 1 King 2. 32 34. Ninthly it 's a sad thing when there is emulation and envy amongst Commanders in Armyes or betwixt chief persons of the same side so that out of envy some desert the cause leave off or turn to the other side how did Aaron and Miriam envy Moses Numb 12. thus great General Abner makes Ishbosheth King 2 Sam. 2. 9. as the great Earl of Warwick said it 's more honour to make then be a King Ishbosheth afterwards reproves this Souldier for whoring 2 Sam. 3. 7. presently Abner takes this in snuffe and revolts to the other side and loseth Ishbosheth his Kingdom 2 Sam. 3. 9 10. ere long Joab and Abner two great Commanders envy one another and Abner is slain ver 27. see Achitophel and Hushaâ—s clashings Tenthly it 's a sad thing when Souldiers make but a play of war and killing men 2 Sam. 2. 14. Let the men arise and play before us and care not how long the wars last or what ruine is done so they may thrive saying with Demetrius by this craft we get our wealth Acts 19. 25. all these are sad things which are but the beginnings and occasions of war But the point will further appear if we consider war it self especially ours and that but in a word for I at once consider my time and your occasions Therefore Secondly view a little what a sad thing war is first of all judgments war seems to be the sorest by David's choyce 2 Sam. 24. 14 c. secondly of all wars civill wars e Graud Saâ—â—ifice are wont nothing got but grating one upon another like mil-stones without grist as I have shewed elswhere f Summum Brute nes as Civilia bella satenuer Ceto apud Claud. 1. 2. in many particulars at large thirdly of all civill wars English war is g Bella pox Emitheos plus quam Civilia Campas. See Mark 3. 24 25. the worst see the Barons war compared with forraigne troubles fourthly of all English wars these present wars is worst if we consider first the truell bloody minds of the adversaries who
professe they had rather the Turk or Devil prevailed then the Round-heads secondly in former times of calamity as in Queen Maries dayes there was an Ireland to fly to not now then sixty or seventy suffered now so many thousands then lands descended to the Martyrs heirs but if this Parliament be by force brought down you may write upon the doors of your Liberties and estates Lord have mercy upon us Aâ—â—â—e 3ly the consequents of war I will clean but a few as first plague secondly famine h Ier. 14 3 4 â— 52. 6. Lam 4. 7 10. 2. 20. 2 King 6. 26 30. 2 Sam. 24. 13 15. read Jeremy and Josephus for both these on Jerusalem once and again thirdly firing Jer. 52. â—3 Judg. 1. 8. 20. 48. c. fourthly plundering i Where is strife there is every evil work Iames 3. 16. Isa 13. 16. many godly men left thouslesse without Harbour victuals goods money in an hour by one party nor by another what the palmer-worm leaves the locust ranker worm or caterpillar eats Joel 1. 4. we whose goods escape the sword of Hazael yet plundered by Jebues c. Sabenns Chaldeans c. fifthly want of means of grace k Amos 8. 11 12. neglect of studies Pastors dare not come at their Flock but hide themselves Jor. 36. 26. nor Flocks at the Congregation the wayes to Sion mourn Lam. 1. 4. Psal 74. 7. sixthly want of execution of good l Iudg. 5. 11. 17. 6. Lam. 2. 9. Inter Arma silent leges laws where all things are lawfull nothing is right seventhly want of christian society of Saints who are scatteved perhaps never meet together again husband and wife parents and children in this world Acts 8. 1. Math. 2. 14. eighthly want of treding none dare passe the high-wayes Judg. 5. 6. Levit. 26. 22. Lam. 4. 18. Isa 33. 8. 2 Chron. 15. 5. ninthly many like Mephibosheth lamed wounded want arms legs c. tenthly many whose blood is precious in Gods sight are slain and their blood run down the street part from their friends and never returne againe Acts 12. 2. 2 Chron. 35. 23 24. Judg. 20. Isa 3. 5. Lam. 4. 5. 5. 8. 21 25 35 c. and many of the beggarly and baser sort rifle houses and domineer over the persons of such worthies whom they durst heretofore scarce look at But I have much work yet to do and little time I adjourn the reasons the truth of the point is apparent and I accoast upon an Use or two Vse 1. Ad Magistratum all you that be in places of authority and power use all lawfull means doe what in you lyes for the sheathing up of the sword the preventing plunderings spoilings c. and removing these sad calamities c. Secondly Ad Clerum as we use the phrase pray we and preach and use our best endeavours for the composing of these differences preventing these spoilings and robbings to our griefe we see it the Papists take away the second Commandement the Courtiers did take away the fourth Commadement Plunderers the eighth and the abuse of these wars in many places the praâ—â—ice of all Thirdly Ad Populum and that in divers things and first be we all affected with mourning spirits for these sad judgments war and the fruits of it as were Vriah Nehemiab Jeremiah c. Jer. 4. 19. Ezek. 21. 9 10. My bowels my bowels c. Should we now make mirth c. take we up the lamentation Lam. 3. 48 49. 51. Look away from me I will weep bitterly c. Isa 22. 4. considering first what a land we lately had like the Garden of God before these wars Joel 2. 3. secondly how wofully now spoil'd especially in many places like a desolate Wildernesse ibid. 2 Chron. 15. 5. no peace to him that goes out or comes in Thirdly by whom all this is viz. one neighbour against another yea and by Papists and their confederates who in quieter times burnt living men women and children and digged others out of the grave to burn their dead bodies what would they now doe Fourthly how long it may yet last m The first Carthaginian war lasted 23 yeers that betwixt the Hollanders and Spain about 70 yeers we see the differences are greatned miseries hightned and gape widened every day divisions in Church grow greater and divisions in the State not lesser see also how long the calamities were upon Israel in Aegipt upon the Jews in Babylon upon Germany of late yeers c. Secondly pray hard for those of our Brethren that be in and under the sury of battle and the cruelty of the enemies and that first they may not sin that they may keep a good conscience alas this is their hour of temptation and sore triall Satan is winnowing them pray their faith may not fail Revel 3. 10. Luke 22. 31 32. see our case Ezek. 22. 26 31. Isa 62. 6 7. pray God to keep them from sinning Psal 74. 20 21. Jer. 14. 19 21. Secondly pray God to sanctifie these troubles to them to take away the scum Ezek. 24. 6. to fan away the chaffe purge away the drosse Isa 27. 9. Mal. 3. 2 3. Thirdly in due and the fittest time to deliver them from their troubles and recompence the enemy Psal 79. 11 12. Thirdly endeavour in thy place and calling to stench these wars this bleeding wound by first repenting towards God secondly not willingly assisting the Enemies of the Common-wealth so as to hinder Delinquents from justice or in what we are able any other just way Fourthly Prepare for the worst who knowes what sad dayes we may yet see Jer. 25. 15 16. especially if we seriously look at first our sins and abuse of great mercies secondly what far better men then we have suffered before us thirdly how many clouds and mountains seem yet to be betwixt us and a quiet end fourthly how sins in every part of the Land yet encrease fifthly how all Treaties and probable means of reconciliation still knap asunder we thought if ever the Armies met one battle would do it but c. sixthly what selfishnesse and ends are yet in men what envy and emulation that sometimes we cannot agree to follow the probablest means close Therefore prepare I say for the worst that can come and trust not first to policy how little hath been done in these warres by the deepest dungeon politicians those who were thought the wits and Achitophels of our time even as much as Balaam and Achitophel did God hath befooled men I Cor. 1. 19. secondly nor to riches oft-times they make men fare the worst as at Jerusalem o 2 King 25. 9 12. and massacre at Paris thirdly nor to strong wals works as was said to Phocas Nahum 3. 12. fourthly nor to multitude of souldiers strength of men and horse But first turn to him that smiteth speedily cordially throughly Isa 9. 12 14. Hosea 6. 1. Secondly
14 15. 2 Chro. 22. 1. 1 King 12. 1 c. much more in any other Kingdoms the institution of government is of God but the constitution of this or that particular government is from men Thirdly if any Nation be governed by Kings yet what line or family shall be the Kings or chiefe governours there this is from man or according as the people first made their compact gave their binding consent and choice Marriage is Gods Ordinance but whether this woman shall have this man to be her head is by her own choice and consent God hath not said thou such a one be thou King of Spain c. Fourthly suppose this line or family King of this or that Nation yet whether he shall be King for yeers or for life or to him and his heirs or to him and his heirs males for ever this is Jure humane a humane Ordinance 1 Pet. 2. 13. according as that Nation first made their bargain agreement c. Fifthly what priviledges Prerogatives such a King shall have what liberties immunities that people under him shall have this is Jure humano according as they have and do make the bargaine according to the fundamentall constitutions agreements and laws of that Land for France Spain Denmark Hungary c. are not all bound by any word of God to have just the same liberties laws prerogatives c. but according as themselves agree so they be not against the generall rules in Scripture so that I herein concur with the Lord Digby that our case is not so much to be resolved by Divinity but law and properly to be determined by those who are Judges of what is or is not law what are or are not the fundamentall constitutions of our government Now to the case in England the King was never made or esteemed Judge of Law men used not to goe to the King to know what is Law if he said this or that to be Law it was but his own opinion neither are our Lawyers or inferiour Courts the ultimate Judges but the last Judge from which there is no appeal with us is the supream Court of Parliament now no Court of the Kingdom is null or the acts of it void because the Kings person is not there or his mind against it This supream Judicatory affirming and declaring to me that by the fundamentall constitutions and constant agreements and laws of this land we may defend our laws liberties lives estates c. by arms and that now is this case and necessity thereof I beleeve it and have no further to goe for resolution in this case The objection of conquest is fond and frivolous an unjust conquest without just title meerly because another is stronger gives a man no right to my purse without my consent some way much lesse to a Kingdome should the Turk or Spaniard unjustly make wars upon our King Charles and conquer him have they a just right therefore to his Kingdom But secondly I conceive a man may very much see the hand of God in these wars going along with the Parliament if we consider first the beginning of them and that first when we were very low when by reason of flatterers c. many were banished and terrified so as it was thought no man durst lift up his head Zach. 1. 21. yet thousands appeared presently secondly when it was thought that by idlenesse and long disuse we were grown so effeminate rusty and unfit for war yet have we found men not bred but made as gallant souldiers on the sudden as any in the world thirdly when we were embroiled in a war with our brethren of Scotland yet some of both Nations delivered like brands out of the fire for this work Zach. 3. 2. Secondly if we consider the growth of them first God hath wrought upon mens spirits and that is above mans work Haggai 1. 14. God touched mens hearts Ezra 1. 1. 1 Sam. 10. 26. and hath fitted men like Bezaleel and Aholiab Exod. 31. beyond their naturall temper for this work of weak made strong of dull made quick see Judg. 6. 1 6. a strong potent enemy ver 5. yet a poor Leader a thrasher Gideon mean person mean family mean furniture weapons c. prevailed Thirdly consider how God hath befooled the strongest wits and subtillest deepest plots in this businesse how little mens deepe plots have done in this work but God hath carried on-things beyond the wit of man 1 Cor. 1. 19. Isa 44. 29. had those reaching wits many a time taken a quite contrary course how much in probability had we been endangered Fourthly we have gone most forward by going backward gained most by our losses like that plot Josh 8. 20. 22. at our losse of Albertan Bristol Leicoster c. how did our seeming friends turn and were discovered and when we were weakest we did most in most great victories we almost quite lost all ere we conquered as Keinton Newbery Hessam-More Naseby c. at Atherton we first won then lost all Fifthly our enemies have helped and furthered us much in this work how came the Bishops to be shut out of the House of Lords Delinquents from the House of Commons but by their own deeds trecherous persons and plots discovered the enemies victories and plots knit the Houses firmlier together when any breach and won them a peg higher see Daniels three childrens and Josephs enemies raised them this is Digiâ—â— Dei. Sixthly Religions purity the plots and filth of popery more discovered tell me of any war in all the world Grecians Romans c. that ever looked at the power and purity of Religion so much as this Seventhly the work is done not by might or by power but Gods way by Gods spirit Zech. 4. 6. like Jericho's wase the way that Babybon must down Revel 14. 6 7 8. and Antichrist fall 2 Thes 2. 8. Ezra 5. 1 2. Object But Antichrist seems to befar from his fall and going down Answ Consider if as great things and as unlikely have not been done in England within these few yeers he that should have told thee but six yeers agoe that we should have an indissoluble Parliament save by its own power that it should The Lord is gone out besore us Iudg. 4. 14. last above five yeers together that there should be never a Monopoly or Bishop in England that the Book of Common-prayer and twenty such things should be removed would you have beleeved them may not we say God hath done wonders that we looked not for Isa 64. 3. Bâ—â—d 15. 11. and who knowes but God may say thou shalt see greater things 〈◊〉 these John 5. 20. then may we change our praises as they Jer. 16. 14. Secondly when Antichrist goes down he will goe down suddenly like his Master Luke 10. 17. like Pharaoh Human Belshazzar unexpectedly see Revel 18. 8 10 17 19 21. like a great mil-stone thrown down violently Eightly God hath done much already he hath already made
that good to us in Isa 14. 2. that Gods people take them captives whose captives they were and rule over their oppressors but the time warns me let this serve for the first point and I will dispatch the rest in few or else prorogue them The next is Observ 3 That when wars plunderings c. befall a Nation it 's God that sends them that gives up a people to them 2 King 24. 3. 2 Chron. 15. 5 6. Amos 3. 3. the enemies are Gods rod Isa 10. 5. Gods sword Psal 17. 13. Gods battle-Axe Jer. 51. 20. And this is not without reason if we look at Gods glory on his peoples benefit Reas 1 First at Gods glory he hereby manifests wisdome in discovering the cowardly trecherous and rotten-hearted the plots of open enemies and falshoods of seeming friends are in times of wars and plunderings much discovered many such visions like that Ezek. 8. 8. hath God revealed to us Secondly his power that he can make medicines of poysons bring light out of darknesse and much good to his people and Church by wars and losses 2 Chron. 12. 9. and in the first time eft times as worst as Isaac deliver them 1 Cor. 10. 13. 2 Pet. 2. 9. make devouring Whales and Lyons help and save them as Jonah Daniel Thirdly his love when the wars and spoilers have left them nothing but a God to live upon yet oft times then have they most enlarged full comfort as John in Patmos c. Apostles Acts 4. â—â—â— Reas 2. In regard of his people God suffers plunderers and that First hereby to put them in mind of their former abuse of their houses lands estates and liberties therefore suffers them to be plundered of them and to teach them to prize and value them better another time and God in them Secondly to prevent some spirituall disease or sore evil that he sees would else grow upon them perhaps pride carnal security loosnesse therefore he hedgeth their way with these thornes Hos 2. 14. 2 Cor. 12. 7. Thirdly to quicken them to duties with more heat to cry more heartily Hos 5. 15. to take away their scum Ezek. 24. 6. to make them shine brighter Dan. 11. 34 35. Isa 4. 3 4. Zech. 13. 8 9. Isa 1. 25 26. 27. 9. and other such good ends which I have formerly mentioned Vse 1. To apply it briefly first art thou robbed plundered spoiled look up higher then man as Job did Job 1. 21. 2. 10. as David 2 Sam. 16. 10. Psal 39. 9. not like dog at the stone Vse 2. Snarl not but learn patience it is God hath done it who is just and wise who may doe what he will who will doe what is best it 's a fathers cup and rod any thing on this side hel is mercy thou art no poorer yet then thou came in and must goe out of the world Consider first such a submitting patient frame of heart God loves and likes and looks for 2 Sam. 15. 26. secondly such a frame of spirit hath a promise of ease and delivery Levit. 26. 41 42. thirdly with such submission cast thy care on God and thou needest take no distracting care in the worst times 1 Pet. 5. 6. Phil. 4. 5 6 7. Vse 3. Is it God here is a cordial in the worst times he can take off these spoilers plunderers again who sent them when he will go to him he can hook back a Zenacherib bring down a Pharaoh Herod Haman when he pleaseth by Angels Stars winds rains above by Lyons Whales lice frogs c. below weak means contrary means no means Job 34. 20. when past hope in mans eye Deut. 32. 36 as Isaac Jonab c. wait on God then in these hardest times and comfort we our selves for first are there not a great number of Abels slain whose blood cries under the Altar Revel 6. 9 10. and will not God avenge his elect speedily Luke 18. 7 8. Jer. 51. 35. Secondly many Saints though dead have left prayers for these times and for this work who sowed what others must reap John 4. and laid the first stone of this work and these prayers are upon the fyle Thirdly there are many thousand Saints alive for whom God will doe much as for ten righteous in Sodom for the wheats sake yea many young ones comming on and we use not to execute a woman while great with child the Lord often blesseth a Potiphar a Labans house for a Joseph a Jacob's sake when the great men of a Kingdom be in a combustion yet the Saints then are the strength of a Land Zech. 12. 5 6. Fourthly we have a thousand of wrastling prayers goe to God daily for this cause if one poor widow can so prevail with an unjust Judge Luke 18. one Jacob Gen. 32. 26. how much more the Armies of prayers that begirt Heaven the thing that we aime at that Christ may raign is the desire of the godly in all Nations Haggai 2. 6 7. Fifthly we have many sweet experiments tastes and beginnings of what we desire already the bush is not consumed two Kingdomes reconciled much done already many grievous yoaks we are freed from Sixthly Gods Name is much engaged in this work Exod. 32. 12. Numb 14. 15 16. Seventhly enemies sins ripen apace Gen. 15. 16. Zech. 5. 9. Ephah fils apace Vse 4. Learn to profit under Gods rod and that first by seeking our wayes more then formerly Haggai 1. 7. Lam. 3. 40. you hear my haste secondly accept the punishment meekly Micah 7. 9. Levit. 26. 41. thirdly learn obedience Heb. 12. 10. 5. 8. fourthly learn reformation Josh 7. Isa 9. 13 14. Hos 6. 1. fiftly prize mercies more hereafter and use them better For first this is Gods end when he sends these robbers and troubles Zeph. 3. 5 7. secondly it was the Churches way Davids Psal 13. 1. Isa 26. 9. thirdly then the plaster will fall off c. But to end it Vse 5. Lastly art thou thy friends or Church distressed look up at him for cure that made the wound meet God Amos 4. 12. seek his face 2 Chron. 7. 13 14. Psal 80. 3. yea cry to God for help now for first the enemies are very cruel Ps 83. 3 4. secondly Church in much need like a woman in travail ready to bring forth an excellent birth but a Dragon stands ready to devour it Revel 12. many are like those wicked spirits Mark 9. when they see they must be cast out they rend all though a Kingdom in pieces thirdly God expects thy cries for his sick Spouse Ezek. 36. 37. fourthly Church expects and cals for it Isa 51. 18. Lam. 1. 1 2 17. But may I but have leave to give you a brief of what I should have said to the other points and I have done Observ 3. Jacobs sins and iniquities are the procuring and meritorious causes of Jacobs punishment Micah 6. 9. Jer 9. 12. Lam. 3. 4. Isa 59. 1 2. and no wonder