of God in this Shadow Take these away Nothing will be left but Darkness and Confusion 3. Morality is the Law of the Natural Man to Expire when this Husband dies The Wall may as well cease to be Warm and Bright when the Sun shines upon it As the Natural Man cast off Morality when Jesus Christ looks forth in the Spirit Spirituality is the Gold Morality the Guilding Jesus Christ is the Sun the Law of the Letter the Reflection of that Sun on our Fleshly Part. The Flesh of the Saint is the Loving Dog that cannot sit at the Table but would pick up the Crums which fall on the Ground 4. The Cross of Christ Crucifies the Lusts and Passions of the Flesh first then the Flesh then the Beauty of Flesh fades when Man dies So the Stone from the Mountain strikes the Feet of the Image mixt with Iron and Clay the Image falls the Golden Head and Silver Arms are broke to Pieces by the Images fall 5. The Way of Christ is to make a Less Glory lose it self in a Greater The Outward Man with its Excellency must sweetly Consume and Expire in a Fire of Love not of Lust in the Arms of a Heavenly Glory not of a Hellish Confusion 6. Doth the Spirit of God burn up the Gold of our Earth to leave the Dross Throw down our Finer Flesh to set it up in Filth But the Prophet proclaims Wo to them that call Bitter Sweet Sweet Bitter He makes this Reprobate Sense a Seal of Wrath upon them for the Present He that defaceth the Prints and Image of the Eternal Word in his Natural Man Crucifies his Saviour in the Flesh a Second Time Blessed in the First Place are they who have Oyl in the Vessel of their Spiritual Man and the Lamp of their Natural Man Burning They are Happy in the Second Place who have Oyl in their Vessel though their Lamp be Extinct Such will be awakened with the Cry of the Bridegroom when He comes and enter into His Chamber with Him Right Honorable I have onely one word more to you If I have in my Sermon set Persons for General Figures of Things I have done it with Authority of Scripture and Allusion to the Sense of the Names as Saul for a Monarchy by Will Ishbosheth for the Fruit of that Monarchy Cruelty and Confusion David for Christ Warring Ishai for the Natural Image of God in Man Solomon for Christ Triumphant But I have been too long I rest Praying Continually for your Honors in my Spirit and Professing my self Your Honors Servant in Jesus Christ for the Gospels sake PETER STERRY A SERMON Preached before the High Court of Parliament on Thursday the first of November 1649. being a publike Thanksgiving for the Victories obtained by the Parliaments Forces in Ireland especially for the taking of Droghedah since which Wexford also was taken Psal. 18. v. 1. To the chiefe Musician a Psalm of David the servant of the Lord who spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul and he said I will love thee O Lord my strength THIS is a Psalme of Praises this is a Day and an Age of Praises I hope you will see anon how well they fit one another The Title of a Psalm is Scripture as truly as the Body of the Psalm endited by the same Spirit recorded by the same Pen It is sometimes the First Uerse entire alwayes Part of the First Verse So it is in my Text so it is Part of my Text My Text hath Two Parts 1. Part the Title 2. Part the Ground-worke of the whole Psalme My Method shall be First to goe over the words in Generall then to select one particular Doctrine out of them 1. Part the Title of the Psalm To the chiefe Musician the Psalme of David the servant of the Lord who spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hands of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul This Title consists of three Particulars 1. Particular the Dedication To the Chiefe Musician 2. Particular the Author David the servant of the Lord 3. Particular The Occasion of the Psalm who spake the words of this song to the Lord in the day that God delivered him c. 1. Particular the Dedication To the Chiefe Musician The Roote of this word thus translated signifies a Conquest by Conflict out-lasting and out-wearing all Opposition It hath a threefold sense in which it is used by the Pen-men of the holy Scriptures 1. For Excellency 2. For Victory 3. For Eternity The Expression in this place hath a two-fold Interpretation The first Interpretation relates to the Jewes the second to Iesus Christ 1. Interpretation The Iewes had all sorts of Musick both Instruments and Voyces in their Divine worship Each sort of Musicians had their Chiefe their President the Master of the Musick When any holy song was designed for the publique service of God it was given up into his hands This is the Chiefe Musician in the First Sense 2. Interpretation Some expound this Chiefe Musician to be Jesus Christ and accordingly they translate the Word thus To him that Excelleth The Phrase may be applyed to the Lord Iesus in Foure Senses 1. As it signifies Excellency Hee is the only Excellent One the Choysest of Ten thousand 2. As it signifies Eternity He only with the Father hath Immortality 3. As it signifies Victory He is the Conquerour the Captain of the Lords Host 4. As it signifies the Chiefe Musician All the Musicke and Musicians among the Jews were but Types of Jesus Christ Hee is the whole Quire and the Master of the Musicke Himselfe in his own Person There is a Musicke of Hearts Ephes. 5. 19. Making melody to the Lord in your hearts There is a Musicke of Angels The Four Beasts have their Harps Revel. 5. 8. Jesus Christ is the Head of all this spiritual and heavenly musick This Dedication affords us Four short Notes to direct our Thankesgiving 1. Note Dedicate all your Praises for every Mercy to the Lord Jesus He is the Exceâ—â—â—ng mercy Raise him above the Head of all your Mercies Let your Thankefulnesse glance onely at other Blessings but aime at and fixe in your Saviour as its proper Mark As the Prophets and Psalmists do so make it your end in all your Songs by all your Deliverances and Delights to shadow out Jesus Christ the Substance and Life of them all 2. Note Entitle all your Victories to the Lord Jesus He is the Conquerour By Him you have overcome Take to your selves the words of the Prophet Psal. 124. v. 1 2 3. If it had not been the Lord Jesus who was on our sâ—de now may England say if it had not been the Lord Jesus who was on our side when men rose up against us Then they had swallowed us up
quick when their wrath was kindled over us 3. Note Wind up and wrap up all your Mercies into the Person of Jesus Christ In him they are all Yea and Amen â— Cor. 1. 20. He is the Eternall One by whom and in whom our Blessings are made Eternall Mercies are Sweet when they are the Sure Mercies of Jesus Christ When our Salvations and our Joyes savour of the Lord Jesus they become the sweet Savour of an Everlasting Memorial upon our owne Spirits in the Nostrils of God the Father Without Him they vanish at the presence of every new Tryall as the Morning dew before the rising Sunne 4. Note Offer up all your Thanks to God by Jesus Christ Hee is the Chiefe Musician He alone can tune your songs and set them in order before the Lord to make them Spirituall Musicke Our blessed Saviour is the Altar that must sanctifie the Gold of our praises Thus begin and end your Praises with the Lord Jesus Make him the First and the Last Dish in your Feasts the Seasoning of all your Dishes Engrave upon your Hearts in all your Mirth set at the Head of all your Songs this Inscription or Title To the Chiefe Musician in Heavenly things To him that excelleth To Iesus Christ I have done with the First Particular in the Title of the Psalme the Dedication 2. Particular The Author He is described Two wayes 1. By his Name or Person David 2. By his Relation the Servant of the Lord 1. By his Name or Person David David was the Type of a Just Power in Foure Respects 1. David was sought of God to rule his People after his owne Heart 1 Sam. 13 14. Samuel tells Saul God hath sought him a man after his owne Heart and he hath commanded him to be Captaine over his People A Ruler must be sought out by a Divine Spirit Divine Providence or Both He must have a Command either Exprest or Imprest upon his Heart He must command out of Obedience not Ambition 2. David was the Sonne of Ishai 1 Sam. 16. 1. God saith to Samuel I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite I have provided me a King from among his Sons Jesse or Ishai for Both are one signifies Man in his Excellency in the true Being of a Man that is so farre as he hath any Reliques or Prints of that Image of God in which Man was first made 3. David had Iesus Christ for his Lord and Son Matt. 22. 45. Iesus puts this Riddle to the Jewes from the 110th Psalme If David call Him Lord how is He then his Son David had Christ for his Lord He raigned Obedientially as being subject to the Messiah Deuteron 34. 5. It is said of Moses that He died according to the word of the Lord The Hebrew hath it At the Mouth of the Lord The â—ewes say God tooke Moses's Soule from him with a Kisse So David raigned at the Mouth of the Lord Iesus The Kisses of Christ's mouth breath'd a Ruling Power and Skill into him David had Iesus Christ for his Son David was Christ's Predecossour in the same Line and His Type The End of David and his Kingdome was to Figure and to further the Comming of the Lord Iesus 4. David signifies Beloved He was Gods Favourite protected and blessed by Him By the Blessing of the Lord thorough many Dangers in the midst of many Difficulties he was setled in his Kingdome now when he sung this Song of Praise Thus David was the Type of a Iust Power Right Honourable and Noble Patriots You are that Iust Power of which David was a Type if you not Seeking bâ—â—Sought by the Lord to Command rule this People not according to your owne Hearts but His owne Heart You are a Iust Power while you are Sons of Ishai Representatives of the People not after their Lusts and Humours but â—o farre as they retaine the True Being of Men having the Image of God stampt upon them in Righteousnesse and true Reason 〈…〉 are a Iust Power while you have Iesus Christ for your Lord and Sonne while you make the End of your Rule to be the Exaltation and Manifestation of the Lord Iesus to Serve Shadow forth Usher in Iesus Crrist Upon these Grounds you have been Beloved of the Lord eminently Favoured and Blest by Him By the Blessing of the Lord after many Dangers in the midst of many Difficulties you are Setled to a good degree in your Government now when you keep this Day of Praises But there is One thing more Remarkable in David and Applicable to your selves Honoured Senatours which I cannot let passe That is this David stands between Two Contrary Raignes the Raigne of Saul a Prince of Disobedience Witchcrafts Idolatries and the Raigne of Salomon a Prince of Righteousnesse Peace and Glory David was a Man of Blood all his time full of Warres and Troubles He was not suffered to build an House to the Lord because he had shed much Blood upon the face of the Earth before the Lord 1 Chron. 22. 8. Davids Raigne was a Type of the Kingdome of Christ in its Conflict of the Church in her Passage from the Land of Darknesse and Bondage under Anti-Christ to the Land of Rest David raigned fourty yeares from Saul to Salomon according to the yeares in which the Children of Israel were journeying through the Wildernesse according to the Dayes in which Eliah was travelling without foode to the Mount of God when he fled from the face of Iezabel 1 Kings 19. 8. according to the Dayes in which Iesus Christ was encountred and tempted of the Devil in the Wildernesse Right Honourable If we may give credit to Reverend Learned and Holy Men You are now upon the Entrance into those Times You have had the Honour to be made Instruments in the Hand of God to bring about the Beginnings of those Times of the Church to which Davids Kingdome was a Type and no more Iesus Christ is now comming forth with his Garments dyed Red in the Blood of his Enemies The Prophet Isaiah saw these Times when he cryed out Esai 63. v. 1. Who is this that commeth from Edom with Dyed Garments from Bozrah The Iewish Rabbins teach us that Edom in the old Testament points out Rome which is the Seate of the Whore The Prophet goeth on v. 2. Wherefore art thou red in thy Aparrell He answers concerning his Enemies v. 3. at the latter end Their Blood shall be sprinckled upon my Garments and I will staine all my Rayment This is the First Raign of Christ after the similitude of David that is in the Power of his Death This Power of our Saviours Death must have a Double Effect One to cover the Earth with His Slaine the other to crucisie the Earthly Part in his Saints I will here crave leave to insert one place of Scripture which seemes to suite my present Purpose It is Daniel 12. ver. 11. And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away
fulfilling of this part of the Revelation Yet we read also of the same Season as of a Season of great Trouble as also of great Triumph to the Saints themselves Trouble in the Flesh but Triumph in the Spirit because now Jesus Christ in His Members is exalted in the Power of his Death Page 12. Here is the Patience of the Saints whâ—le they are â—innowed from all their Hâ—sks and Straw that nothing may be left but pure Corn for the Gaâ—ner Here are they that keep the Commandements of God and the Faâ—th of Jesus They are now Discovered who are built upon the Rocke of a Divine Principle who live by Vâ—ion with Jesus Christ not looking upon things that are seen but upon things that are not seen Now is the Tryall of those who are not carryed about with the Winds of Fancy Philosophy or Divers and Delusive Spirits but cleave fast to the Commandements of God Concerning these it is Proclaimed by the Spirit page 13. Blâ—ssed are the Dead which dye in the Lord namely by reason of the Troubles and Perillousnesse of these Dayâ—s For they rest from their Labouâ—s and their Works follow them For the End will be suddenly The Resurrection from the Dead with the Burning up of the World and the Consummating of the Saints now maketh hâ—st and iâ— even at the Door In the yeere 1656. the Floâ—d came upon the â—iâ—st World Then it rained forty Dayes and forty Nights Genesis 3. 12. When this Flood was spent and the dry Land appeared Noah came forth from the Ark at the Commandment of the Lord and planted a Vine About the same number of yeeres from the last Man may God rain Blood upon the Face of the Earth for the space of forty Yeeres to weare out the Race of the Wicked and to wash off the Worldly part from the Righteous In the mean time shall the Saints be lifted up above the Earth upon the Face of this Deluge being â—id with Christ in God the true Ark After this shall Jesus Christ come forth and all His Saints with him Then shall He plant Himself as a new Vine upon the Face of the whole Earth to cheâ—r both God and Man with His Wine But the Waters of the Flood prevailed upon the Earth one Hundred and Fifty Dayes though it rained onely Forty Dayes Genesis 7. In this last Deluge God will wonderfully shorten His Worke and contract the Times Mat. 24. 22. Accordingly the Difference in Daniels last Number which reacheth to the Resurrection of the Just from His first Number is Five and no more above Forty Happy and Blessed are you that live to the Brinke of these Times Happy and Blessed are your Eyes that see Jesus Christ lifted up in the World by His Crosse This is your Season to rejoyce Now in the midst of Wars and Rumours of Wars for now your Redemption draweth nigh Luke 21. 18. Now lift up your Heads and look forth your Redeemer is comming as a Gyant refresht with Wine to run his Race thorow the World over the Necks and Brests of His Enemies When He hath finisht this Course He will come forth as a Bridegroom from His Chamber to receive you into his Everlasting Embraces Here is the Faith and Patience of the Saints Here is the Faith of the Saints to see their Saviour raigning like David in Blood Here is the Patience of the Saints to wait all this Forty yeers of His First and David like Raign for His great and last Appearing Then shall â—e come like Salomon the Prince of Peace having changed His Red Apparell for the Whâ—te Garments of Righteousnesse and everlasting Joy I have done now with the Auther of the Psalme as he is described by his Name and Person David 2 Description His Relation The Servant of the Lord Davids Wisedome â—nâ— Courage had a great share in Victories which he obtained Yet he gives all the Glory to the Lord and puts in himselfe only under this Title the Servant of the Lord A Servant is a living Instrument David was carried from a Shepherds life through many Dâ—fficulties and Dangers safe to a Kingdome He ownes nothing of all this Neither the Design nor the Working of it were his He was an Instrument a Toole a Weapon in the â—and of his God and no more The Highest Praises come from the Humblest Hearts Noble Patriots This is your Copy after which you also are to write in this Day of your Praises your Titles the Servants of the Lord I appeale to your own Breasts whether God hath not wrought you and perhaps is still working you to Great things beyond your Ayâ—â— or Imagination As the Paper in a Letter so you Right Honourable have had the Honour to Convey the Words the Works of God to us But the Head that beares the Sense and Contrivance the Hand that formed them these have been the Lords nor Yours I have done with the Second Particular in the Title of the Psalm the Author 3 Particular The Occasion of the Psalme This is twofold 1. Generall 2. Particular 1 Generall A Universall Deliverance from all his Enemies to that day When God had delivered him from the hand of all his Enemies 2 Particular and from the Hand of Saul Saul signifieth Askt Saul was given to the People in Displeasure For they desired a King upon a Heathenish Ground that they might be like the rest of the Nations 1 Samu. 8. 5. Now make us a King to judge us like all the Nations They desired a King upon a Profane Ground in Opposition to their Thearchy their Government under God by Judges 1 Sam. 8. 7. They have not rejected Thee but Me that I should not reign over them This Saul was forsaken by the Lord haunted by an Evill Spirit could finde no Reliefe from It except only by the Sweet Strokes of Davids Harp Yet he hunts David all his Dayes for his Liâ—e as a Paâ—tridge upon the Mountains David was now delivered from the Power and Malice of King Saul Yet Saul left a Son His name was Ishbosheth which signifies a Man of Shame He had the Affections of the greatest Part of the People and succeeded his Father in the Kingdome of the Ten Tribes He acted nothing in his own Person but by his Servants especially Abner his Chiefe Captain He was a Slight and a Short trouble to David He never prospered still declining He continued not above two yeares â—Sam 2. 10. He was betrayed and flain by those of his own Camp and Court God hath delivered you Right Honourable not only from Saul but also from Ishbosheth in a very great Degree by those laâ—e Victories and Successes in Ireland I have journeyed thorow the First Part of my Text the Title of the Psalme I passe now into the Second Part The Second Part. The Ground-work of the Psalm I Love thee O Lord my Strength This Part hath Two Particulars in it 1 Particular A Profession of Affection I love thee O Lord 2
Particular An Expresâ—ion of the Reason My Strength I love thee O Lord my Strength 1 Particular The Profession of Affection I loâ—e thee The Word translated Love is taken from the Belly the Bowels the Inward Parts Rechem It implyes a Three-fold Property in Love 1 Property Inwardnes Divine Love is from a Divine Principle not from Sense or Fancy but the Heart not a Guilding upon the Ouâ—-side of Flesh but Pure Gold growing in the Inward Hidden Mine of the Spirit He is a Jew that is One Inwardly saith St. Paul Rom. 2. 29. He is a Lover of God who is One Inwardly The true Love of God is a Spiriâ—uall Fire in the Bowels It consumes the Inward Parts like the Fat about the Heart which was to be consumed by Fire in all the Sacrifices Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine Heart saith Iesus Christ in the Gospel 2 Property Tenderness Love to God must be a Sensible Sympathizing Lâ—ve The Bowels the Inward Parts are Seats of Tenderness Passion Sympathy When Two Lutes are rightly tuned one to another touch a String upon One Lute and the same String upon the other Lute will answer it with a like Sound Iesus Christ and a Saint are thus tuned by mutuall Love each to other Their Bowels are Musicall Strings Let One be touched in any Kinde and the Bowels of the Other will sound 3 Property Strength Spirituall Love hath one Seat and Root with Life our Inward Parts Love is strong as Life nay it is stronger than Life For Love is strong as Death which masters Life Cant. 8. 6. The Loving Kindnes of God is Better Sweeter than Life saith the Psalmist Psalm 63. 3. For when Life can afford no Comfoâ—t but is full of Bitternes the Love of God will then Sweeten Life When Life failes us the Love of God will then receive us into its Mansions So the Love of a Saint to God is Stronger then Life For he may lose his Life but not his Love to his Saviour Yea he will lay down his Life for the love of the Lord Jesus The Love of a Saint to God is stronger then Death It will carry him thorow Death make him more then a Conquerour over it Thus much for the First Particular the Profession of Affection 2. Particular the Expression of the Reason My Strength O Lord my Strength The Word is Ghazak It hath Foure Senses 1 Sense Durablenesse The Lord is a Strength upon which nothing can make Impression to shake or weaken it 2 Sense Puissance God is the Lord of Hosts He beares down all things before him 3 Sense Praevalency God can doe any thing He can bring forth all things out of the Treasury of His Fulnesse He is Full and Fruitfull He is not onely an Active Potentiality like a Living Spring but a Potent Vâ—iâ—ersall Act like the Over-whelming Sea before the Dry Land appeared God can out-doe and out-goe all things in all Kindes of Excellency Activity and Fruitfulnesse Thus God is round about His own A Wall encompassing enclosing them round a Fire devouring Outwardly every Evill that would break in upon them a Light shining inwardly multiplying upon them all Formes of Life all Beautifull Glorious Manifestations shooting ten Thousand Beames of Joy into their Hearts Thus the Lord hath been a Wall to us a Sea-wall a Wall between us and a Sea of Blood The Lord hath been a Fire for us Consuming our Enemies He hath been a Light standing still over our Heads like the Sun over the Head of Ioshua while he pursued the Canaanites and made an End of them He hath been a Calme Sweet Light to us in the midst of a Thick Darknesse and a Tempest I have now gone â—ver my Text in Generall Now Honoured Patriots I hope you will give me leave and cause to repeat my Text in your Names with a little Change after this manner To Him who Excelleth To the Conquerour To the Chiefe Saviour and Singer of Israel To Iesus Christ A Psalme of Praise of the Commons of England the Servants of the Lord who spake to the Lord the Words of this Song in that Day when the Lord had delivered them from the Hand of all their Enemies and from the Hand of Saul and from the Hand of Ishbosheth that feeble Man that Man of Shame those Men of Same in Ireland by the taking of Droghedah in that Day when they saw the Lord Iesus comming out of His Place to raigâ—e over the whole Earth in the Power of his Death Then they said We love Thee We love Thee Inwarly Tenderly Strongly We love Thee O Lord Our Strength I come now to that which I promised as the Second Part of my Sermon and that is a Particular Doctrine taken up out of the General Sense of the Words and That is This Doctrine The Lord is the Strength of his People I will give you Three Demonstrations of this Doctrine and so descend to the Application 1 demonstr. There is a Neere and Mutual Vnion between God and a Good Man This Vnion is tied by Two Strong and Fast Knots at Both Ends Love is the Knot by which it is fastned on Gods part Faith is the Knot on a Saints part The Spirit is the String or Chain of Gold on which these Knots are Knit St. Paul saith 1 Cor. 6. 16. He that is joyned to the Lord is one Spirit No Things are so capable of Vnion as Spirits They can peneâ—rate descend into dwell in fill possesse one another Those things clasp one another closely indeed which are Spiritually united The Vnion between God and His People is Strict and Strong for it is Spirituall The Nature and Exercise of Faith and Repentance is best exprest by the Fulnesse of this Vnion This Vnion empties a Man of his Lusts the World the Flesh For it makes a man Spiritual a Spirit For it is the Baptisme of a Spirituall Firâ— unto Repentance This Vnion empties a Man of Himself and fills him full of Iesus Christ For it makes a Man to be no more upon his owne Bottome but One Spirit with his Saviour Thus this Vnion is the Helme of Repentance and the Hand of Faith upon that Helme which turnes us quite about and makes the Great Change in us from West to East from Death to Life This Vnion empties a Man quite out of Himselfe into Iesus Christ A Man is no more One Flesh with himself but the Lord and He are One Spirit Here is excercised that Act of Repentance and Faith by which a Man thrusts away from him the Shore of Selfe or Flesh and lancheth forthâ— into Iesus Christ as a Spirituall Sea This Vnion is the very Eye of Repentance by which a Man weepeth out Selfe in Tears and taketh in Christ in sweet Beames It is that Mouth of Faith by which a Man breathes forth himselfe into his Saviour and sucks in Iesus Christ as a Quickning Spirit It is the Putting off Selfe and the Putting on Christ It
Appearance Each beares the Form and Face of the Whole Presence For they are united in One Spirit in One Spirituall Body in the Person of Jesus Christ This is that Glory of God which Ezekiel saw Ezek. 1. 28 v. 26. There was above upon a Firmament a Throne and on that Throne the Likenesse of a Man which is the Glorified Person of our Saviour Vers 5. Below were the Four Living Creatures the Heads of the Invisible Part of Things Vers 15. There are Four Wheeles full of Eyes standing by the Living-Creatures These are the Bodyly Part of things as they shall be in the New Hierasalem recollected into the most Perfect Figure of Vnity in Orbes as the Word may well be and is interpreted by some not Wheels Their Substance being all Transparent as Glass Quickned by a Living Lustre Gold like is set forth by being Full of Eyes Rev. 21. 21. All these were acted Joyntly by One Spirit Vers 20. All made up One Appearance of the Glory of God Vers 18. Each Particular had the Full Form of a Man of that Man that sate over their Heads Jesus Christ Ver. 5. Thus they made a Chariot on which Jesus Christ rides forth This is that Name of God of Christ of the New Hierusalem which shall be written openly upon every Saint Rev. 3 12. In the mean time it is a Hidden Name written upon the VVhite Stone the Spirituall Man which is concealed under the Cloud of the Naturall Man while this World continues Rev. 2. 17. This is the Secret of God with a Saint This is the strength of God Warding about him and Warring for him according to that of Psal. 34. 7. The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about thsoe that fear him or the Angel the Lord David rocketh and singeth himselfe to a Secure and Sweet Sleepe with this Confidence Psal. 3. 5. I laid me down and slept I awaked for the Lord sustained me Vers 6. I will not be afraid of ten thousand Enemies that have set themselves against me round about A Good man may lye downe Securely and sleep Sweetly in a Field of greatest Dangers For the Secret Presence of the Divine Glory is as a Royall Standard or Pavilion pitcht over him And Mighty Armies though unseen by Carnall Eyes Millions of Angels attending upon this Standard encamp round about him See what esteeme Job had of this Secret Job 29. 2. O that I was as in times past Vers 4. As I was in the dayes of my Youth when the Secret of God was upon my Tabernacle Vers 5. When the Almighty was yet with me when my Children were about me Vers 6. When I washt my Steps with Butter c. Right Honourable What will yee render unto the Lord for all His Benefits The Light of the Glory of God hath shewen over your Heads The Secret of God hath been upon your Councell-Chambers in the City and your Tents in the Field This hath been the Reason that you have had your Victories round about you like Numerous Children call'd by the Names of those Places where they have been brought forth as Preston Moore Naseby Dublin Droghedah c. This hath been the Reason that you have washt your Steps in Butter while your Enemies have washt their Steps in their own Blood Should this Secret withdraw it selfe from off your Tabernacles as that Glory of God went off from the Temple and Hierusalem in Ezechiel should this Light cease to shine over your Heads how quickly would you feele a Change how soone might you bid Good-Night to all your Successes and Prosperities I have ended the Third Demonstration and so â—inisht the Proofe of the Point I come now to the Application Vse 1. For Thankfulnes Let us praise the Lord and rejoyce in the God of our Strength There are Four wayes of Expressing our Thankfulnesse to God 1. Way The Recording of His Mercies 2. Way The Restraint of our selves from our Peculier Sins 3 Way A Glorying in the Crosse of Christ 4. VVay A Rejoycing in the last Appearance of the Lord Jesus 1. VVay The Recording of His Mercies This is Davids way in the Title of this Psalme and throughout Let this be our Way Let us answer one another in our Songs how the Lord hath slaine Thousands of Visible Enemies in One Place how He hath slaine His Ten Thousands of Invisible Enemies in another Heart Let us reckon up how many wayes our God hath been our Strength Saint Paul saith 1 Cor. 1. 21. Jesus Christ is made unto us of God VVisedome Iustification Sanctification and Redemption The Lord is a Four-fold Strength to us 1. Strength of VVisedom 2. Strength of Iustification 3. Strength of Sanctification 4. Strength of Redemption 1. Strength of VVisedome It is not in man who walks on Earth to order his Steps or to governe his way thorow the World Poor man is borne into the World as a Wild Asses Colt Iob 11. 12. Rude Un-skild of all things The World about him is as the Whorish Woman in the Proverbs Her Eyes are Snares and her Hands as Bands Her Pleasures and Possessions catch the Soul and Keep it down first entangle then imprison it The Generallity of Mankind are of the Serpents Brood Principled only with Cunning and Malice The Devil the God of this World the Power that acts it that lurks in every Point of it he hath his Methods his Trains his Devises his Depths We say of a Wise man that he hath a Strong Head He that hath Iesus Christ hath of a Truth a Strong Head He hath a Strength of Wisedome by which he breaks the Worlds Snare and Band he Knowes what is in Man neither is he ignorant of the Devils Devises but fathoms all his Depths Blessed be the Lord Iesus by whom a poore Wayfaring Christian though a Fool erres not in the Way Esay 35. 8. Blessed be the Lord Iesus by whom poor Wayfaring England though foolish enough hath not hitherto so erred in the Way as to loose her self It is the Lord who hath alwayes turned the Wisdom of your Enemies into Foolishnesse and often turned your Foolishnes into Wisdom 2. Strength of Iustification Nothing weakens a Man or Nation like to Guilt O the Guilt of our Hypocrisie O the Guilt of our Covetousnesse O the Guilt of our Vncleannesse O the Guilt of our Pride and Oppression O the Guilt of our Profanenesse and Atheisme O the Guilt of our Apostatizings to the Flesh-pots of Egypt O the Guilt of our Blindnes to see the Work of the Lord Iesus in the Spirit O the Guilt of our Hardnes to beleeve those things which all the Prophets and Scriptures have spoken concerning the Lord Iesus in the last times which are now come upon us No Mil-stone fastened to a mans Neck is so Heavy as the Guilt of thâ—se Sins to sink a Person or People down to the Bottom of the Sea of Shame and Perdition never to rise more But Iesus Christ is the Strength of an Everlasting