raigne and 61. of his age Being dead his people fell to spoile all he had and left himnaked 6. Richard 1. sonne to Henry 2. having in his fathers life 1189. Iul. 6. vowed a journy to the Holy Land had his kingdome in his absence usurped by Iohn his younger brother Much trouble thence arose in England On notice thereof Richard hasted home but in the way he was taken prisoner by the Duke of Austria Whence though he were after 17 moneths imprisonment with a great ransome released and restored to the Crowne yet both he and his hingdome were in continuall trouble As he was besieging a castle which would have yeelded unto him if onely their lives might be saved but he would not accept it on any condition he was shot with a poisoned arrow and thereof died in the 10. yeare of his raigne and 45. of his age and was buried at his fathers feet whom he confessed he had betrayed 7. Iohn younger brother to the foresaid Richard notwithstanding 1199. Apr. 6. Arthur sonne to his elder brother and true heire to the Crowne by might got the Kingdome But himselfe and his subjects either with others or among themselves were in continuall broiles and had many unsuccessefull warres with French Scots and Welch He was opposed by his Lords deposed by the Pope poysoned by a Monke in the 18. yeare of his raigne and 51. of his age 8. Henry 3. eldest son of the foresaid Iohn began his 1216. Oct. 19. raigne when he was not full 10 yeares old and the State very troublesome The miseries of his raigne were almost infinite by Invasions Rebellions Exactions and the sundry calamities that follow such disasters Lewis the French King entred the land many of the Barons tooke part with him On both sides very many were slaine The King himselfe by his Barons with his brother Richard King of Almain and his sonne Prince Edward taken prisoners There were then slaine 4500. He died in the 57. yeare of his raigne and 67. of his age 9. Edward 1. was enbroiled in war against the Sarazens when his father died There he received three wounds 1272. Nov. 16 with a poisoned knife by a treacherous Assasine but by the daily licking of his ranckling wounds with the tongue of lady Elenor his wife he is said to be cured With much glory he returned home and was victorious against the Scots and Welch Yet those victories were not atchieved without the expence of much English bloud He died as he was going with a mighty host against the Scots in the 35. yeare of his raigne and 68. of his age 10. Edward 2. son to Edward 1. was one of the most miserable Kings that have raigned in England The 1307. Iul. 7. Northerne parts were over-run and harried by the Scots In the battell which was called the white battell 3000 Yorkshire men were slaine by the Scots Rob. Bruse King of Scots invading England burned all the country before him He had much civill warre with his Barons and much bloud was shed on both sides He was at length himselfe imprisoned and deposed in the 20. yeare of his raigne and 42. of his age and about 8 moneths after cruelly broached to death withan hot iron spit 11. Edward 3. son of Edward 2. came to the Crowne in 1326. Ian. 25. his fathers life-time by his fathers forced resignation thereof His raigne was indeed glorious by forraigne victories but the Kingdome was much exhausted of men and mony thorow sundry expeditions into Scotland France and Spaine which occasioned great complaints of his Subjects In his time Southampton was burnt by Pirates and Carlile with other places by the Scots to the losse and vexation of many Subjects At the time of his death all of all sorts forsooke him Onely one Priest is said to be with him when he gave up the ghost in the 51. yeare of his raigne and 65. of his age 12. Richard 2. grand-child of Edward 3. came young to 1377. Iun. 21. the Crowne and by ill counsell and ill courses occasioned many Invasions Oppressions Insurrections Rebellions and last the deposition of himselfe and untimely death Wherupon ensued that fatall division betwixt the two houses of Yorke and Lancaster in pursuit of which quarrell were 13. maine battells fought three a a a Henry 6. Edward 5. Richard 3. Kings besides himselfe b b b Hen. 6. his son Edw 5 his brother two Princes heires apparent 12 Dukes one Marquesse 18 Earles one Viscount 23 Barons besides Knights and Gentlemen innumerable were slaine Richard 2. was deposed in the 23. yeare of his raigne and murdered about five moneths after in the 34. of his age 13. Henry 4. as he got the Crowne by violence so he held it by force not without continuall feare having all his 1399. Sept. 29. raigne either warres abroad or conspiracies and insurrections at home which cost the lives of many Nobles and Commons He died in the 14. yeare of his raigne and 46 of his age 14. Henry 5. sonne to Henry 4. spent most of the time of 1412. Mar. 20. his raigne in warres in France Very victorious he was therein but hastened his death thereby and in the 10. yeare of his raigne and 34. of his age leaving his crowne to an infant What followed thereupon is now to be shewed 15. Henry 6. sonne of Henry 5. was crowned in the first 1422. Aug. 31. yeare of his age with the Crownes of two Kingdomes but that of France which his father wonne was soone lost and this of England was twice pluckt from his head in his life time Many bloudy battels were fought in England betwixt the two great factions of Yorke and Lancaster wherein many thousand subjects perished This King at length was taken and imprisoned the Queene his wife exiled his sonne and heire kild his Counsellours slaine the Crowne conferred on his corrivall in the 39. yeare of his raigne and he himselfe murdered in the 50. of his age 16. Edward 4. being of the house of Yorke obtained the Crowne with much bloud there being in one battell slaine 1460. Mar. 4. 36776 English men There were civill warres almost all his raigne He was taken and imprisoned whence escaping he was forced to fly the land but returning with much hazard to his person and death of many subjects recovered the Crowne but so as his children had little joy thereof On a sudden after a sort he died in the 23. yeare of his raigne and 41. of his age 17. Edward 5. Sonne of Edward 4. was for the space of two moneths and 16 dayes accounted King but never 1483. Apr. 9. crowned For he was murthered in the Tower in the first yeare of his raigne and 12. of his age 18. Richard 3. brother to Edward 4. a bloudy tyrant usurped the Crowne caused his Nephew then King together 1483. Iun. 22. with his brother to be murthered many of his Nobles and others
GODS THREE ARROVVES PLAGVE FAMINE SVVORD In three Treatises I. A Plaister for the Plague II. Dearths Death III. The Churches Conquest over the Sword By WILLIAM GOVGE Doctor in Divinity and Preacher of GODS Word in Black-Friers LONDON EZEK VI. XI Alas for all the evill abominations of the house of Israel for they shall fall by the Sword by the Famine and by the Pestilence Famem pestilentiam bestias pessimas quicquid aliud malorum sustinemus in seculo propter nostra venire peccata manifestum est Hier. Comment l 2. in Ezek. 5. LONDON Printed by George Miller for Edward Brewster and are to be sold at his Shop at the Signe of the Bible at the great North doore of Pauls 1631. TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE SIR THOMAS COVENTRY Knight Lord COVENTRY Baron of Alesborough Lord Keeper of the Great Seale of ENGLAND Right Honourable EVen he that joyned his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vox honorem exhibentis omnia bono precantis Abrek his joyfull applause with the joyfull acclamations of many when your Lordship Gen 41. 43. was first advanced to your honourable place doth now see further cause to adde this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vox congratulantis collandantis Deum Rev. 19. 6. in psal saepissimè Halelu-jah his congratulation praising God for your continuance as in your place so in your approved Integrity which hath beene found as the Apostle saith of the faith of Christians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c 1 Pet. 1. 7. unto your praise and honour and glory like good gold which from the furnace appeares more solid and resplendent For your kind of judicature according to the nature of your place and your owne purpose is not onely to use Aug. ad Marcel Epist 158. Saint Augustines phrase Iudicis mollire sententiam mitiùs vindicare quà m leges but it is like that which a Zac 8. 16. Prophet calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iudgement of peace which Hier. Comment lib. 2. in Zac. cap. 8. Saint Hierom thus expounds Hoc est judicium pacis ut propositum Iudex habeat pacificare discordes This is no small difficulty since according to the same Hier. Comment lib. 1. in Esa cap. 1. Hierom Non est omnium rectè judicare sed eorum qui prudentes sunt who are made wise from above Therefore Salomon in visione per somnium hoc à Deo postulavit ut accepta sapientia justè populum judicaret Ibid. Salomon in a dreame asked this of God And shall not the praise thereof by him that receiveth it by them that partake of the benefit of it be returned to him from whom descendeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sie distinguo ut denationem ab ipso dono Beza 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But my good Lord least telling the truth of your selfe may seeme flattery to others and flattery neither sorts with your disposition nor becomes my profession give mee leave in mine high esteeme of your Honour and humble expression of mine affection to publish my poore paines under your honourable name wishing I were able besides my observance to your Lordship in my zeale to Gods Church Gemmas offerre But with Origen Quia haec supra me sunt pilas caprarum habere merear c. For whatsoever my weakenesses bee are not these times seasonable I would they were not for such a Subject as is here handled Treatises of Plague and Famine yea and of Warre too For though by the Prudence Providence of our royall Soveraigne Sonne and Heire of the great Peace-maker 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 warre be kept out of our land yet in other parts of Christendome it and the restrage like over-flowing flouds to the ruine of many States and of true Religion The Lion hath roared who will not feare The Lord God hath spoken who can but prophesie Yet are these Treatises neither to terrifie for what is past nor to prophesie of what is yet to come but rather to heale the wounds that have beene made by the fore-intimated arrowes and to direct us how to keepe the Lord from further shooting out the like It is the part of us Ministers of Gods Word out of his Word to declare what he intendeth and expecteth when he smileth or frowneth on his people Magistrates who by reason of their places are in Canaans language stiled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gods and children of the Psal 82. 6. most high have the power to cause divine directions to bee put in execution Thus therefore doth an ancient Father paraphrase on that text bringing in God himselfe thus speaking to Magistrates I have given you mine own honour and dignity 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iustin Mart. Quest Resp ad Orthodox q 142. and title Therefore judge the people as if I my selfe judged it To whom now may those seasonable Treatises which do as it were with the finger point at Gods particular dealing with us be more fitly presented then to him who under his most excellent Majesty hath so great a place and part with others to settle orders for succouring poore people wounded as aforesaid and for sheltring them from those arrowes Of the Treatises thus commended to your honourable Patronage gracious acceptance is in all humility craved by him that professeth himselfe to be At your Honours command WILLIAM GOVGE TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE RIGHT Worshipfull and other my Beloved Parishioners Inhabitants of Black-Fryers LONDON all Happinesse Right Honourable Right Worshipfull Beloved BEhold here a Testimony of my due Respect to you Behold here an Apology for my seeming Neglect of you I do acknowledge that all the Respect which by a gratefull Pastor may be due to a loving People is by me due to you In that respect I do here Treatises presented to my parishioners 1 The whole Armont of God 2 Domesticall Daties 3 A Guide to go to God 4 Gods three Arrowes the fourth time give publike testimony thereof by presenting to you in speciall that which is made publike to all The neglect of you objected against me is my seldome preaching among you this last yeare This ancient undeniable aphorisme Vltra posse non est esse ncc velit quidem A man can do no more then he can giveth a just answer thereto Great hath beene the weakenesse of my body first occasioned by a very dangerous disease in August last how low I was brought thereby many of you are witnesses and further increased by two relapses one in Nov. the other in Febr. following Of Gods goodnes in my recoveries I shall have fit occasion to speake on The Saints Sacrifice shortly to be tendred unto you Had I no other excuse this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys Hom. 1. in cap. 1. ad Tit. were sufficient Saint Chrysostome where he granteth that by the weakenesse of Ministers bodies the Churches commodities may be intercepted concludeth that Ministers in such cases are not to be blamed But howsoever my
evidence that II. God can many wayes destroy men By causing the earth to open it selfe he destroyed some by fire he consumed others yet besides these 14700. die of a plague The manner of expressing the former judgements by relation to Korah thus in the matter of Korah giveth proofe that III. The bloud of accessaries lieth upon the principalls Korahs matter was the peoples death In that others died about that matter it further giveth instance that IIII. Accessaries make themselves liable to the judgement that falleth on the principall §. 70. Of a plagues devouring I. * See §. 69. A Plague can quickly destroy a multitude Here within lesse then a day 14700. are destroyed by a plague There is mention made before this of a plague which though the precise number of them that died be not expressed may be thought to have destroyed as many as this plague for it is said that a Numb 11. 33. The Lord smote the people with a very great plague After these but before they went out of the wildernesse at one time there b 259. died in a plague 24000. c 2 Sam 24. 15. In Davids time there died within the space of three dayes almost three times 24000 of a plague viz. 70000. d 2 King 19. 35 In Hezekiahs time when Sennacherib came against Ierusalem there died of a plague in one night more then twice as many of the hoste of Sennacherib as did of all Israel in the foresaid three dayes viz. 185000. Other histories relate very great destructions caused by plagues Thucydides maketh mention of a plague that began at Lib. 2 Belli Pelopon anno secundo Ethiopia fell downe into Egypt and Afrique and into the greatest part of Persia and invaded Athens on a sudden where dying men lay tumbling one upon another Their Temples were filled with the dead Lawes of funerals were broken every one burying where he could find roome And while fires were made to burne some dead corps others were brought and cast thereinto Eusebius recordeth a plague at Alexandria which made Ecclesiast Hist lib. 7. cap. 21. every man to howle thorow the City by reason of the multitude of dead corps which daily fell There was not an house where no course was found And the Heathen there left their dead unburied to be devoured of dogs At Rome when Camillus died there died ten thousand Heurm de peste cap. 1. every day of the plague And under Vespasian and Commodus Emperours two thousand were every day taken away with that infectious disease Vnder Iustinian a plague with such violence fell upon Bizantium and the bordering places as every day there died Alsted in Thesaur Chronol Mirab. Dei an 547. Idem Ibid. an 729. Idem Ibid. an 1348. five thousand and some dayes ten thousand At Constantinople a plague swept away three hundred thousand persons Vnder Charles 4. an Epidemicall plague wasted the whole world for three yeares together At Lubeck it destroyed fourescore and ten thousand and at Florence an hundred thousand In Petrarchs time so fierce a plague invaded Italy that Idem Ibid an 1359. there remained alive scarce ten of a thousand But to leave Forraigne parts we will give some instances of the multitudes of such as have beene devoured by the plague in our owne Country In the raigne of Edward 2. there was so grievous a mortality Stow in his generall Chron. of Engl. an 9. Edw 2. Idem Ibid. an 22. 23. Edw. 3. of people as the quicke might unneath burie the dead In the raigne of Edward 3. a farre greater plague happened It came from beyond sea into the townes and parts of England joyning on the sea-coasts in Dorset-shire where even as in other countries it made the country void of Inhabitants so as there were almost none left alive Thence it passed into Devon-shire and Somerset-shire even unto Bristow where it much raged It came also to Glocester Oxford and London and finally it spread over all England and so wasted the people as scarce the tenth man was left alive When Church-yards were not large enough to bury their dead in they chose certaine fields appointed for that purpose For the dead in London * The Charter-House was afterwards built thereon Register of the Charter-House excarta a peece of ground called Spittle-croft containing 13 acres without the barres of West-Smithfield was purchased enclosed and dedicated In that place were buried the yeare following more then fifty thousand persons * Acts Monum an Edw. 3. 22. An. Dom. 1348. Two thousand are said to be there buried every day from Feb. 1. till the beginning of May following besides those which in other places in and about the City were buried Of that plague there died in Norwich from Ian. 1. to Iuly following fifty seven thousand an hundred and foure and in Yarmouth seven thousand fifty two In Richard the seconds time a great pestilence was in Stow. in his generall Chrō Rich. 2. 15. An. Dom. 1391 Ibid. Edw. 4. 18 An. Dom. 1479 Norfolk and other countries Besides other places in a short time there died therof in the city of York eleven thousand Vnder Edward 4. an innumerable company of people died of the plague in London in divers other parts of the Realm In the raigne of Henry 8. there was such a plague as in Ibid. Hen. 8. 5. An. Dom. 1513 one house to wit the Minories without Aldgate there died 27. professed Nunnes besides lay-people and servants in that house In the raigne of Edward 6. was also a great pestilence In Queene Elizabeths time many English being sent to Ibid Edw. 6. 2. 1548. Ibid Q. Eliz. anno 4. New-haven for the safeguard thereof such a plague there fell as the streets lay even full of dead corps not able to be removed by reason of the multitude that perished From thence the souldiers brought the infection into England Besides those that died in other parts of the Realme there died in London liberties and out-parishes from Ian. 1. 1562. to Dec. 31. 1563. twenty thousand one hundred thirty and sixe besides those which died of other diseases Againe from Dec. 29. 1592. to Dec. 20. 1593. there died in London and the liberries of all diseases 17893. of the plague 10673. In the first yeare of King Iames from Dec. 23. 1602. to Dec. 22. 1603. in London and the liberties thereof there died of all diseases 38578. Of the plague 30578. In the first yeare of King CHARLES from Dec. 22. 1624. to Dec. 23. 1625. of all diseases 54267. of the plague 35417. It hath beene * §. 48. before proved that a plague is an effect of Gods wrath an immediate stroake of his hand Such a stroake must therefore needs be heavy and destroy many where it lighteth especially when the Lord so striketh therewith as he will shew that he is angry §. 71. Of the terrour of a plague O Make not
of raine that fell in harvest so that a quarter of wheat was sold before Mid-sommer for 30 shillings and after for 40 shillings An high rate in those daies The beasts and cattell also by the corrupt grasse whereof they fed died whereby it came to passe that the eating of flesh was suspected of all men For flesh of beast not corrupted was hard to find Horse-flesh was counted great delicates The poore stole fat dogs to eate Some as it was said compelled thorow famine in hid places did eat the flesh of their owne children and some stole others which they devoured Theeves that were in prison did plucke in peeces those that were newly brought amongst them and greedily devoured them halfe alive When Henry 6. raigned scarcity and dearenesse of corne Ibid. H. 6. 18. 1440. forced men to eate beanes pease and barley more then in an hundred yeares before Bread-corne was so scarce in England that poore people made them bread of Fern-roots In the time of King Henry the eight there fell such raine in November and December as thereof ensued great flouds Ibid. H. 8. 18. 1527. Famine caused by much raine which destroyed corn-fields pastures and beasts Then was it dry till the 12 of Aprill and from that time it rained every day and night till the third of Iune whereby corne failed sore in the yeare following Againe in the time of the said King such scarcity of bread was in London and in all England that many died for Ibid. H. 8. 19. A president for Princes default thereof The King of his goodnesse sent to the City of his owne provision 600. quarters or else for one weeke there had beene little bread The bread-carts comming from Stratford-Bow towards London were met at Mile-end by the Citizens so that the Major and Sheriffs were forced to go and rescue the said carts and to see them brought to the markets appointed Many more instances of exceeding great dearth in other Kings times might be added but these are sufficient §. 27. Of uses to be made of the terriblenesse of famine BY the forementioned instances of famines in this our and it is manifested what may befall us how patient the Lord is toward us what cause we have to feare God and to take heed how we provoke him to inflict even this judgement which may prove very fearefull as hath beene proved and finally how it standeth us in hand when there is cause to feare a famine or when a famine is begun to search out the causes thereof to confesse before God our sinnes to turne from them humbly heartily earnestly extraordinarily with weeping fasting and prayers to supplicate mercy of the Divine Majesty We have a late evidence of the efficacy of such meanes used For in the yeare 1626 it rained all the spring and all the summer day after day for the most part untill the second of August on which day by publique Proclamation a Fast was solomnly kept thorowout the whole Realme of England and Principality of Wales as it had by the same Proclamation beene solemnized in the Cities of London and Westminster and places adjacent on the fift day of Iuly before On the said second of August the skie cleared and raine was restrained till all the harvest was ended Which proved a most plentifull Harvest Thus the famine threatned and much feared was with-held So as Gods ordinances duly and rightly used are now as effectuall as ever they were FINIS An Alphabeticall Index of the speciall Points of this Treatise of Famine A ABundance exhausted by famine 135 Accessaries to sinne 149 Acknowledge plenty to come from God 138 B BAnishment of mens selves caused by famine 136 Barrennesse of earth causeth famine 159 Bread bought at high rates 165 C CAterpillars cause famine 159 Charity to poore 139. 144 Childrē how punished for fathers sins 148. 149 Child by owne mother eaten 167 Clemency defers judgements 150 Cold excessive causeth famine 159 Confession of sin 143 Conversion from sin 143 Corne violently taken away 166 Corne at an high rate 166 Corne hoorded up eaten by vermine 170 Cries of the starved 169 Cruelty to strangers 140 Cruelty occasioned by famine 164 D DAies how taken 131 David what it signifieth 132 David punished for Sauls sin 149 Dearth See Famine Death desired in famine 165 Death by famine miserable 137 Decay of graine and other food causeth famine 160 Deferring judgement a part of clemency 150 Diseases from famine 137 Desperatenes caused by famine 136 Dogs eaten by men 170 Dogs eate men 169 Drunkennesse causeth famine 140 Dung eaten in famine 136. 166 E ENemies cause famine 160 Englands fearefull famines 170 Enquire after God how we may 132 Enquirie to be made of God in and by his Word 161 Extremity of famine by sieges 163 Extremity of famine other waies 168 F FAith in Gods promises 144 FAMINE Famine in Davids time when 130 Famine a judgement 134 Famines effects 135 Famine how prevented 138 Famine by what sinnes caused 139 Famine how moderated 141 Famine how removed 143 Promises for succour in Famine 145 Famine removed and persons therein succoured 146 Famine in pious polities 147 Famine long continued and why 152 Famine long continued what duties it requireth 153 Famines causes to be searched out 153. 154 Famine caused by God 157 Famines meanes what they be 158. 159. 160 Famines meanes ordered by God Ibid. Famine makes unmercifull 169 Famine causeth cruelty 164 Famines extremities 163. 168 Famine forceth to eate any thing 168. 170 Famines fearefull in England 170 Famine caused by much raine 171 Famine fearefull by siege 163 Famine what uses it teacheth 171 Fasts frequent in famine 142 Fathers sinnes how punished in their children 148. 149 Flesh of mens owne selves eaten by famine 137 Food of any thing made by famine 136 Food bought with dearest things 168 Food snatched out of others mouthes 164. 166 Food made of unwholsome things 168 Frost overmuch causeth famine 159 G GLory of God to be aimed at in the use of all things 138 Gluttony causeth famine 140 GOD. God how enquired after 132 God able and ready to helpe in extremity 146 God to be sought unto for removing judgements 157 God causeth famine 157 God ordereth meanes of famine 158 God to be enquired in and by his Word 161 GOVERNOVRS Governours though good may have famine in their daies 147 Causes of judgements under good Governours 147 Duties which judgements under good Governours require 151 Governours care in publique judgements 151. 153 Governours as shepheards 156 Governours power to command others 156 Governours examples 156 Governours to be prayed for 152. 156. 157 Governours piety must not make people secure 151. 152 Grashoppers cause famine 159 H HArd heartednesse caused by famine 136 Houses broken up for corne 163 Humiliation for sin 143 I IMpious subjects cause judgements in the time of pious Princes 147 Inhumanity from famine 137 Injustice caused by famine 136 Ingratitude causeth famine 140 Insensiblenesse of
said I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart 1 King 3. 12. so that there was none like thee before thee neither after thee shal any arise like thee This Salomon enjoyed much peace and had a promise to enjoy peace all his daies and had no cause to feare any assaults or invasions of enemies all the nations round about being brought under by his Father David Yet this Prince of Peace built fenced cities with walls gates and barres and chariot-cities and cities of horsemen and had his 2 Chron. 8. 5 6 9. trained men of Warre which are here noted in my Text yea to shew his store of warlike provision it is expresly noted that he had 40000 stalls of horses for his chariots 1400 1 King 4. 26. 2 Chron. 1. 14. Abrahams Artillery Garden chariots and twelve thousand horsmen The first Father of that stocke wise Abraham whose house was a place of peace for the feare of God fell upon all nations round about him they honored reverenced him they accounted him a Prince of God yet had this Abraham his Artillery Garden wherein Gen. 14. 14. The number by Patent granted to the Artillery Company of London is 500. which number was not full at the time of preaching this Sermon were trained up and fitted for Warre such as were borne and brought up in his house the number of which Company I suppose was greater then the number of your Company For at once on a sudden he armed and led to the War more then three hundred trained men And it is not likely that he left his house destitute of all defence He had questionlesse many more of that his Artillery Company Now note the benefit hereof On a sudden in a time of necessity and case of extremity he had them ready to rescue five Kings that were overthrowne by their enemies To presse this patterne yet further for the point in hand the Holy Ghost noteth that Melchizedek King of Salem whose name declared him to be a King of Righteousnesse whose nation shewed him to be a Prince of Peace this Melchizedek King of Gen. 14. 18 19. 20. Heb. 7. 1 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Salem met Abraham with his forenamed troupes blessed him and them gave good entertainement to them all and congratulated their returne giving thereby an evident demonstration of his approbation of Abrahams providence and prudence in maintaining an Artillery Garden for his house The condition of Iehosaphats Kingdome who was the fourth sonne that by lineall discent came from Salomon 2 Chron. 17. 10 11 13 c. and sate on his Throne was much like to Salomons For the feare of the Lord was upon all the kingdomes of the land that were round about Iudah so that they made no warre against Iehosaphat But in Testimony of amity they sent him yeare after yeare many presents Yet he placed sorces in all the fenced cities of Iudah and set garrisons in the Land and had eleven hundred and threescore thousand Men of Warre mighty men of valour that waited on him besides those whom he put in the fenced cities thorow out all Iudah Admirable it is and but that the word of truth records it incredible that in so small a Kingdome as Iudah was there should be so many trained expert valiant men of Warre as were in Iehosaphats time When Iudah and all Israel were joyned together even all the twelve Tribes in one Kingdome that Kingdome was nothing so spacious as England is For some of our Shires are larger then some of their Tribes were and yet our Shires are in number above foure times more then their Tribes were For wee have * * * In England 39. in Wales 13. above foure times twelve shires How farre then do the three Kingdomes under the Dominion of our Soveraigne England Scotland and Ireland how farre do they exceed in spaciousnesse the Kingdome of Iehosaphat Yet question may be made whether in these three Kingdomes there be so many score thousands of trained Souldiers well disciplined men of Warre mighty men of valour as there were hundred thousands in Iudah We account twenty or thirty thousand a great Army fifty thousand a royall Army What then an hundred thousand What an hundred thousand eleven times multiplied and threescore thousand added thereto All these were under their Captaines by name Ready for Warre Waiting on the King to be sent forth at his command and yet all the fenced cities which were very many well replenished with Garrisons over and above those 1160000. Surely they counted it an honour and safety to their land to have store of trained souldiers men expert and ready for Warre at all times Therefore frequent mention is made thereof To omit other particulars in Davids time Ioab gave up the number and summe of fifteene hundred and seventy thousand men of Warre and yet left two 1 Chron. 21. 5. Tribes un-numbred Surely there must needs be many Artillery Gardens and they well replenished Martiall discipline must needs be there much exercised where were so many thousands yea hundred thousands trained up to Warre If the wiseman might send men to the Ants to learne of them Pro. 6. 6 c. to provide meat in the summer and to gather food in the harvest much better may men be sent to such worthy patterns as were guided and approved by God to be alwaies provided with expert Souldiers trained up to Warre even in times of peace A maine difference is herein put betwixt wisemen and fooles We have a proverbe that saith A foole will take his cloake in foule weather But a wise man takes it with him at all times He knoweth that a bright sun-shine day may be soone turned into a cloudy rainy day Peace is not like the unmoveable mountaines but rather like to the variable skie Wisdome teacheth men to forecast the worst that they may be provided against the worst yea and thereby prevent the worst It is an old and true Motto Pax armis Peace is procured preserved secured by preparations and provisions for Warre §. 16. Of the benefits of Artillery Gardens WHere are many Artillery Gardens and they much frequented and Martiall discipline therein daily and duly exercised Amitie with such Kingdomes will be earnestly desired and welcomely embraced Kings of such Kingdomes will be admired of their friends and feared of their foes Subjects of such Kingdomes will find just and kind entertainment in forraigne parts Natives and Allies wil be secured All manner of callings freely exercised Lands and inheritances quietly enjoyed Enemies danted Invasions and insurrections prevented and many many evills avoided They who reverence nor God nor man where they see or heare of an over-mastering power wil be kept within compasse and though conscience do not alter their inward disposition yet constraint will order their outward conversation But on the contrary by fearlesse and carelesse security The damage of neglecting Armes by neglect of Artillery