Selected quad for the lemma: enemy_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
enemy_n	hand_n	lord_n	stretch_v	1,025	5	9.8952	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A34784	The Covenant with a narrative of the proceedings and solemn manner of taking it by the honourable House of Commons and reverent Assembly of Divines the 25th day of September, at Saint Margarets in Westminster : also two speeches delivered at the same time, the one by Mr. Philip Nye, the other by Mr. Alexander Hendersam.	Henderson, Alexander, 1583?-1646.; Nye, Philip, 1596?-1672.	1643 (1643)	Wing C6621; ESTC R3970	18,809	36

they not be willing in the day of his power to enter a religious Covenant with him and amongst themselves Whatsoever be the condition of the people of God whether in sorrow and humiliation before deliverance or in rejoycing and thanksgiving after deliverance this is it which the Lord waits for at their hands which they have been used to performe and with which he hath been so well pleased that it hath been the fountaine of many deliverances and blessings unto them When a people beginneth to forget God hee lifteth up his hand against them and siniteth them And when his people humbled before him lift up their hands not only in supplication but in Covenant before the most high God he is pleased such is his mercy and wonderfull compassion First to lift his hand unto them saying I am the Lord your God as we have it three times in two verses of the 20th of Ezekiel And next he stretcheth out his hand against his Enemies and theirs It is the best work of Faith to joyn in Covenant with God the best work of love and Christian Communion to joyn in Covenant with the people of God the best work of the best zeale to joyne in Covenant for Reformation against the Enemies of God and Religion the best work of true loyalty to joyn in Covenant for the preservation of our King and Superiours and the best proofe of naturall affection and to bee without naturall affection is one of the great sinnes of the Gentiles to joyn in Covenant for defence of our Native Countrey Liberties and Lawes Such as for these necessary ends doe withdraw and are not willing to enter into Covenant have reason to enter into their own hearts and to look into their faith love zeale loyalty and naturall affection As it is acceptable to God so have we for it the precedent and example not onely of the people of God of old of the Reformed Churches of Germany and the Low-Countreys but of our own Noble and Christian Progenitors in the time of the danger of Religion which is expressed in the Covenant it selfe The defect was They went not on throughly to enter in a Solemn Covenant an happinesse reserved for this time which had they done the corruptions and calamities of these dayes might have been prevented And if the Lord shall be pleased to move loose and enlarge the hearts of his people in his Majesties Dominions to take this Covenant not in simulation nor in luke-warmnesse as those that are almost perswaded to be Christians but as becommeth the people of God it shall be the prevention of many evils and miseries and a meane of many and rich blessings spirituall and temporall to our selves our litle ones and the Posterity that shall come after us for many Generations The neere and neighbouring example of the Church and Kingdome of Scotland is in this case worthy of our best observation When the Prelats there were grown by their rents and Lordly Dignities by their exorbitant power over all sorts of his Majesties Subjects Ministers and others by their places in Parliament Councell Colledge of Justice Exchequer and High Commission to a monstrous dominion and greatnesse and like Gyants setting their one foot on the neck of the Church and the other on the neck of the State were become intolerably insolent and when the people of God through their oppression in Religion Liberties and Lawes and what was dearest unto them were brought so low that they chused rather to die then to live in such slavery or to live in any other place rather then in their own native Countrey Then did the Lord say I have seene I have seene the affliction of my people and I have heard their groaning and am come down to deliver them The beginnings were small and contemptible in the eyes of the presumptuous Enemies such as use to be the beginnings of the greatest works of God but were so seconded and continually followed by the undeniable evidences of Divine Providence leading them forward from one step to another that their Mountaine became strong in the end No tongue can tell what motions filled the hearts what teares were poured forth from the eyes and what cryes came from the mouthes of many thousands in that Land when they found an unwonted flame warming their breasts and perceived the power of God raising them from the dead and creating for them a new world wherein should dwell Religion and Righteousnesse When they were destitute both of moneys and munition which next unto the spirits and armes of men are the sinewes of Warre the Lord brought them forth out of his hid treasures which was wonderfull in their eyes and matter of astonishment to their hearts When they were many times at a pause in their deliberations and brought to such perplexity that they knew not what to chuse or to do for prosecuting the work of God only their eyes were toward him not only the feares and furies but the plots also and policies of the Adversaries opened the way unto them their devices were turned upon their own heads and served for the promoting of the work of God The puritie of their intentions elevated above base and earthly respects and the constant peace of their hearts in the midst of many dangers did beare them out against the malitious accusations and aspersions put upon their actions all which were sensible impressions of the good providence of God and legible characters of his work which as the Church and Kingdom of England exercised at this time with greater difficulties then theirs have in part already found so shall the Parallel be perfected to their greater comfort in the faithfull pursuing of the work unto the end Necessitie which hath in it a kinde of Soveraignty and is a Law above all Lawes and therefore is said to have no Law doth mightily presse the Church and Kingdom of Se●tland at this time It is no small comfort unto them that they have not been idle and at ease but have used all good and lawfull meanes of Supplications Declarations and Remonstrances to his Majestie for quenching the combustion in this Kingdome And after all these that they sent Commissioners to his Majestie humbly to mediate for a reconcilement and Pacification But the offer of their humble service was rejected from no other reason but that they had no warrant nor capacity for such a Mediation And that the intermixture of the Government of the Church of England with the Civill government of the Kingdom was such a mystery as could not be understood by them Although it be true which was at that time often replyed that the eighth demand of the Treatie and the answer given thereunto concerning the Uniformity of Religion was a sufficient ground of capacitie and the proceedings of the Houses of Parliament against Episcopall Government as a stumbling block hindering Reformation and as a prejudice to the Civill State was ground enough for their information The Commissioners having returned

THE COVENANT WITH A Narrative OF The Proceedings and Solemn Manner of Taking it by the Honourable House of COMMONS and Reverent Assembly of DIVINES the 25th day of September at Saint Margarets in Westminster ALSO TWO SPEECHES Delivered at the same time The one By Mr. Philip Nye The other By Mr. Alexander Hendersam Published by speciall Order of the House LONDON Printed for Thomas Vnderhill at the Bible in Wood-Street 1643. THE COVENANT That was read svvorn unto and subscribed by the Honourable House of Commons and Reverend Assembly of DIVINES the 25. of September WE Noblemen Barons Knights Gentlemen Citizens Burgesses Ministers of the Gospell and Commons of all sorts in the Kingdomes of England Scotland and Ireland by the providence of God living under one King and being of one Reformed Religion Having before our eyes the glory of God and the advancement of the Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ the Honour and happinesse of the Kings Majestie and His posterity and the true publique Liberty Safety and Peace of the Kingdomes wherein every ones private condition is included And calling to minde the treacherous and bloody Plots Conspiracies Attempts and practises of the enemies of God against the true Religion and Professors thereof in all places especially in these three Kingdomes ever since the Reformation of Religion And how much their rage power and presumption are of late and at this time encreased and exercised whereof the deplorable Estate of the Church and Kingdome of Ireland the distressed Estate of the Church and Kingdome of England and the dangerous Estate of the Church and Kingdome of Scotland are present and publique Testimonies We have now at last after other meanes of Supplication Remonstrance Protestations and Sufferings for the Preservation of our selves and our Religion from utter ruine and destruction according to the commendable practise of these Kingdoms in former times and the example of Gods people in other Nations after mature deliberation resolved and determined to enter into a mutuall and solemne League and Covenant wherein we all subscribe And each one of us for himselfe with hands lifted up to the most high God doe sweare 1 That wee shall sincerely really and constantly through the Grace of God endeavour in our severall Places and Callings the preservation of the Reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government against our common enemies The Reformation of Religion in the Kingdomes of England and Ireland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government according to the Word of God and the example of the best Reformed Churches And shall endeavour to bring the Churches of God in the three Kingdomes to the neerest Conjunction and Vniformity in Religion Confession of Faith Forme of Church Government directory for Worship and Catechizing That we and our Posterity after us may as Brethren live in Faith and love and the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us 2 That we shall in like manner without respect of persons endeavour the extirpation of Popery Prelacy that is Church-government by Arch-Bishops Bishops their Chancellours and Commissaries Deanes Deanes and Chapters Arch-deacons and all other Ecclesiasticall Officers depending on that Hierarchy Superstition Heresie Schisme Prophanenesse and whatsoever shall be found to be contrary to found Doctrine and the power of Godlinesse lest we partake in other mens sinnes and thereby be in danger to receive of their plagues And that the Lord may be one and his Name one in the three Kingdomes 3 We shall with the same Sincerity Reality and Constancy in our severall Vocations endeavour with our Estates and Lives mutually to preserve the Rights and Priviledges of Parliaments and the Liberties of the Kingdomes And to preserve and defend the Kings Majesties Person and Authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdome That the World may beare witnesse with our Consciences of our Loyalty And that we have no thoughts or intentions to diminish His Majesties just Power and Greatnesse 4 We shall also with all faithfulnesse endeavour the discovery of all such as have beene or shall be Incendiaries Malignants or evill Instruments by hindering the Reformation of Religion dividing the King from his People or one of the Kingdomes from another or making any Faction or Parties amongst the People contrary to this League and Covenant that they may be brought to publicke tryall and receive condigne punishment as the degree of their offences shall require or deserve Or the supreame Judicatories of both Kingdomes respectively or others having power from them for that effect shall judge convenient 5 And whereas the happinesse of a blessed Peace betweene these Kingdomes denyed in former times to our Progenitors is by the good providence of God granted unto us and hath beene lately concluded and setled by both Parliaments We shall each one of us according to our Place and Interest endeavour That they may remaine conjoyned in a firme Peace and Vnion to all posterity And that Justice may be done upon the wilfull opposers thereof in manner expressed in the precedent Article 6 We shall also according to our Places and Callings in this common Cause of Religion Liberty and Peace of the Kingdomes assist and defend all those that enter into this League and Covenant in the maintenance and pursuing thereof And shall not suffer our selves directly or indirectly by whatsoever Combination Perswasion or Terrour to be divided or withdrawn from this blessed Vnion and Conjunction Whether to make defection to the contrary part Or to give our selves to a detestable indifferency or neutrality in this Cause which so much concerneth the Glory of God the good of the Kingdomes and Honour of the King But shall all the dayes of our lives zealously and constantly continue therein against all opposition And promote the same according to our power against all Lets and Impediments whatsoever And what we are not able our selves to suppresse or overcome we shall reveale and make knowne that it may be timely prevented or removed All which we shall doe as in the sight of God And because these Kingdomes are guilty of many sinnes and provocations against God and his Sonne Iesus Christ as is too manifest by our present distresses and dangers the fruits therof We professe and declare before God and the world our unfained desire to be humbled for our owne sinnes and for the sinnes of these Kingdomes especially that we have not as we ought valued the inestimable benefit of the Gospel That we have not labored for the purity and power thereof and that we have not endeavored to receive Christ in our hearts nor to walk worthy of him in our lives which are the causes of other sinnes and transgressions so much abounding amongst us And our true and unfained purpose desire and endeavour for our selves and all others under our power and charge both in publicke and in private in all duties wee owe to God and man

you find not anywhere Reformation made in any age either in Doctrine or Discipline without great stirre and opposition This was foretold by the same Prophet cap. 2. vers. 7. the promise is He will fill his house with glory but what goeth before vers. 6. Yet once it is a little while and I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land that is all Nations as in the words following This place is applied Heb. 12. to the removing Jewish Rites the moveables of Gods house The like you finde in the Apostles times Acts 17. the truth being preached some beleeved others did not here beginneth the stirre vers. 6. those that beleeved not took unto themselves certaine lewd fellowes of the baser sort and gathered a company and set all the City in an uproare and when they had done so complained of the brethren to the Rulers as men that turne the world upside downe ver. 6. Read also Acts 21. 27 30 31. In such a work therefore men had need be of stout resolute and composed spirits that we may be able to goe on in the maine and stirre in the middest of such stirres and not be amused at any such doings It may possibly happen that even amongst your selves there will be out-cries Sir you will undoe all saith one you will put all into confusion saith another if you take this course saith a third we can expect nothing but blood but a wise States-man like an experienced Sea-man knoweth the compasse of his vessell and though it heave and rosse and the passengers cry out about him yet in the middest of all he is himselfe turneth not aside from his work but steereth on his course I beseech you let it be seriously considered if you meane to doe any such work in the house of God as this is if you meane to pluck up what many yeares agoe was planted or to build up what so long agoe was pulled downe and to goe thorough with this work and not be discouraged you must begge of the Lord this excellent spirit this resolute stirring spirit otherwise you will be out-spirited and both you and your cause slighted and dishonoured 2. On the other hand we must labour for humility prudence gentlenesse meeknesse A man may be very zealous and resolute and yet very meek and mercifull Jesus Christ was a Lion and yet a Lambe also in one place he telleth them he commeth to send fire on the earth and in another place rebuketh his Disciples for their fiery spirits Luke 9 54. There was the like composition in Moses and in Paul and it is of great use especially in this work of Reformation I have not observed any disputes carried on with more bitternesse in mens writings and with a more unsanctified heat of spirit yea and by godly men too then in controversies about Discipline Church Government Ceremonies and the like Surely to argue about Government with such ungoverned passions to argue for Reformation with a spirit so unreformed is very uncomely Let us be zealous as Christ was to cast our all to extirpate and root out every plant his heavenly Father hath not planted and yet let us doe it in as orderly way and with the spirit of Christ whose servants we are The servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle to all men apt to teach patient in meeknesse instructing those that oppose 2 Tim. 2. 24 25. We solemnly engage this day our utmost endeavours for Reformation let us remember this that too much heat as well as too much coldnesse may harden men in their wayes and hinder Reformation Brethren let us come to this blessed work with such a frame of heart with such a minde for the present with such resolutions for the time to come let us not bee wanting to the opportunitie God hath put into our hands this day and then I can promise you as the Prophet Consider this day and upwards even from this day that the foundation of the Lords work is laid Consider it from this day will I blesse you saith the Lord Nay wee have received as it were the first fruits of this promise for as it 's said of some mens good works they are manifest before hand 1 Tim. 5. Even so may be said of the good work of this day it 's manifest before hand God hath as it were before hand testified his acceptance while wee were thinking and purposing this free will Offering he was protecting and defending our Armie causing our enemies the enemies of this work to flie before us and gave us a victory not to be despised Surely this Oath and Covenant shall bee Iudahs joy the joy and comfort of this whole Kingdome yea of all three Kingdoms Jesus Christ King of the Saints govern us by his Spirit strengthen us by his power undertake for us according as hee hath sworn even the Oath which hee sware to our Father Abraham that hee would grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies might serve him without feare in holinesse and righteousnesse before him all the dayes of our life Luke 1. Grant unto us also that when this life is finished and we gathered to our Fathers there may be a generation out of our loynes to stand up in this cause that his great and reverent Name may be exalted from one generation to another untill he himself shall come and perfect all with his own hand by his own wisdom even so come Lord Jesus come quickly Amen A SPEECH Delivered by Mr Alexander Hendersam immediately before the taking of the Covenant by the House of COMMONS and Assembly of DIVINES ALthough the time be farre spent yet am I bold Honourable Reverend and Beloved in the Lord to crave your patience a little It were both sinne and shame to us in this so acceptable a time in this day which the Lord hath made to be silent and to say nothing If we should hold our peace wee could neither be answerable to God whose cause and work is in hand nor to this Church and Kingdome unto which we have made so large profession of duty and owe much more nor to our native Kingdom so abundant in affection toward you nor to our own hearts which exceedingly rejoyce to see this day We have greater reason then the leprous men sitting in a time of great extremity at the gate of Samaria to say one to another We doe not well this day is a day of good tidings and we hold our peace It is true the Syrians are not yet fled but our hope is through God that the work begun this day being sincerely performed and faithfully pursued shall put to flight not only the Syrians and Babylonians but all other Enemies of the Church of God of the Kings honour and of our liberty and peace For it is acceptable to God and wel-pleasing in his sight when his people come willingly in the day of his power and how shall