his staye of Gods protection penneth this Psalme to his comfort and to the Churches instruction for all times to come declaring his rest in Gods decree whose holy hād is euer stretched out which his mighty strength for euery his annointed The euent aunsweared according his expectation 2. Sam. 3.28 For not onely Abner is slaine by an other lyke himselfe but also Ishboseth that turbulent pretensed king suffered slaughter by two of his captaines in his bedchamber who yet for their Treason to their Lorde and maister For the Lorde wil bee reuenged of euerye Traytour 2. Sam. 4. whether it bee agaynst the soueraigne Prince or beloued maister they were both slayne by the Kings commaundement And the Phylistines Ammonytes 2. Sam. 5.24.8 10. Amorites and the forrayne Nations mightely by Dauid Nay by the LORDE for Dauid were slaine in battaile This Psalme is also Propheticall foreshewing the malice of Sathan agaynst the Lordes Christ in the action of our redemption by the Iewishe people and Heathen Prince Herode Pylate and the Romayne power in Hierusalem And it remayneth to signifye to all christian kinges and Potentates what they are to looke for at the hands of wicked men at home and abroade if once they bende their best to set forth Gods glory Though many auncient histories in the daies of Israell and other times may proue this yet neede we no other search for testimony hereof then the present viewe of Sathans endeuour in the fresh traiterous attempt of this newe conspiracy by these sinfull Satanistes the Popishe gentiles I meane the Romaine confederates and our Englishe Italienated Papistes part of which the axe of Iustice hath discerned and cut off and the rest doe yet attende as ready to their deserued hire Whose harts the Lord in mercye according to his good pleasure alter to repent whose heads and hands with the remenant of their cursed company here and beyond sea whether noble or ignoble I hartely pray to God and his Magistrates that they maye bee signes For they hung redde Ensignes to the terrour of all turbulent Traytours for his holy names sake Why doe the heathen rage c. This text doth offer vs this diuision First it declareth vnto vs the nature of their conspiracy And Secondly that their attemptes is all in vaine The conspiracye shall best bee seene if wee first looke vpon the persones that purpose so wicked an indeuour and then order will offer vs the viewe of their decree The persons were of sundry nations but one in purpose and profession that is to saye to bereaue good Dauid the Lordes annointed both of kingdome and life So is the trayterous attempt present against the sacred Maiestie of God and our gracious soueraigne his annointed Elizabeth by the Popishe combineds Romaine confederates and our Englishe Italienates both Traytours to God and her Maiestye and in their Religion very Heathens and not other So as wee may rightly saye of them as Dauid sayde of those Why do the infernall Heathen of the West-church rise vp in tumult and conspiracie against the Lorde and agaynst his Christe our gracious Ladye and onely Queene of England The Papistes woulde bee counted Catholiques in respect of their mother that strumpet of Rome but beeing her children they are therefore Heathen and not of the common weale of the christian Israell It is no hard labour to finde the Romanistes still to remaine heathen Gentyles And first by the place and Churche whereon they rest Secondly by the practise in profession of the auncient gentles whose steppes they treadde in greedy purpose And last of all by the permanent accomptes whiche the GOD of heauen doth make of such For the place Rome it is the roote of all euill the mother of these men whiche bragge to beare her name shee is by the Scriptures and approued fathers ycleaped by the name of Babylon Babylon A Citie not onely of the Gentyles but of Heathen profession Idolatrous religion and prepared to confusion And for the very lyke effectes Rome beareth her name that the godly shoulde beware of her The Scriptures doe also call her Babylon in the Reuelation and discouereth her aswell by her scituation Reuel 13.17.18 c. as Soueraigne power and Heathenish practise in the Churche of GOD. The Fathers doe lykewise so terme her as Augustine Hierome Prymasius Bernarde and others In Psal 44. in praefat lib. de Spiritu Sancto Reuell 16. Shee is that whorishe harlotte whiche bringeth out the bastarde broode of heathen Poperye whose religion is descrybed by the Apostle Iohn to bee not other then spirituall fornication Lib. de consid 4. and all her Children to bee sealed vp in her gentility Of necessitye therefore the Trayterous Papistes Children of this second beast must bee of her second Babilonians not for their scituation but for their gentile profession which what it is the Apostle Paule Ro. 1.23.25 doth tell vs to the Romaines saying when they thought themselues wise they became fooles and turned the glorye of God to the mortality of menne and beastes and hys infallible truth to a manyfest lye seruing creatures so forsaking the Creator whiche is blessed for euer The Papistes ioyne full and open handes with their former fathers in the practise of this gentilitye for no Paganisme is more pregnaunt then Poperye in the inuention of forraine Pettye Gods and will-worshippe or more grosse Idolaters seruing either liuing creatures or deade stockes and therefore worthely this proued by demonstration wee maye secondly conclude them to bee Heathen gentiles The Popishe Churche doth ioye in this gentilitye shee maketh choyse therefore of creatures both sensible and sencelesse namely the spirites of Saintes and the Images of their earthy forme For the Saints their worshippe is no lesse to them then if they were our God they inuocate their names with the perswasion onely dewe to the eternall father and most wickedly they giue the grace of our most louing Christ to a painted crosse of siluer woode or other substaunce Doth not their confirmed Popish Christianitie in the councels of Trident wel declare the same What meaneth else these manner of praiers to the virgin Marie in that blasphemous Hymne Aue Maris stella and the lyke to the signe of the Crosse and in sundrie other places where contrary to their cōmon assertion they endeuour to make both that holie virgin and the prophane piece of wood not mediators of intercession but workers and giuers of our saluatiō For thus you are there taught to pray Haile starre c. poure thou peace into vs so loose thou the bonds and chaines of sinners bring thou light to the blinde driue thou awaye our euils and procure to vs all goodnes vse thy motherly aucthority shew thy motherly power lette thy Sonne heare our praiers by thy mediation O Virgin pearlesse the meek amongst all make thou vs meeke and chaste giue thou vs a pure life prepare thou vs a safe passage c. Againe
kinges line namely Ishboseth Saule his sonne 2. Sam. 2.8.9 and had Abner one of the mightiest men in the lande to be their Agent And the forraine foes supposed now their fittest time to make attempt when cyuill warres were rise in Isrâ—ell deeming Dauid now to be more weake and them-selues to finde good friendes in the Lande against him both which people had some shewe of reason for these matters bee not of small moment in ciuill seditions But yet the parties against whome ought to haue beene first regâ—rded Israel was taught before and Abner could tell it Ishboseth that the Lord had sworne to remoue the kingdome from Saâ—◠〈…〉 and that hâ—◠〈…〉 of 2 Sam. 3.9.10 Daniel 〈…〉 euen 〈…〉 done vnto Dauid especiâ—lly since the Lorde did so delight to 〈…〉 gloryous Israelâ— kâ—o◠〈…〉 â—uer 〈…〉 â—r dayes the Phâ—ly 〈…〉 â—r enimies that the 〈…〉 fiâ—ht for Israâ—ll 1. Sam 4 8.6 â—0 7.13 and they were 〈…〉 â—â—â—ses e it So likewise our Cathâ—lique Pâ—pists with their forraine confederates in this their sauage Treason bee â—uer inconsiderate for they in hate of our most honorable Elâ—zâ—â—eth neuer so much as dreame of her most holy God euen the God of Israell the Lord of Heastes vnder whose standard she standeth constant with her displaied banner against all his and her enemies But her Maiestie seeing the weakenes of their trust and her power to rest in the Lorde her strength Psal 2â— â— as Dauid then in good simplicity so hâ—r highnes may now in sounde si◠〈…〉 with the Psalmist Why 〈…〉 Catholiques the people my 〈…〉 â—oâ—ne and the gentiâ—e Ro◠〈…〉 madnes 〈…〉 â—ble mischiefe 〈…〉 whom they 〈…〉 Lord God also who hath mercifully sette mee ouer them Why doe they so This question Quare is not without his double Emphasis Fyrst the question is pearcing it is much more forceable to say Why doe they so Then if Dauid had said but simply thus The enemies doe thus rage against mee for it rowseth vp the sences and asketh the spirites of menne a reason of their bodely endeuours This figurate speach contayneth first a kynde of admiration as thus Is it not a wonder to see such menne so madde What cause haue I geuen them thus to rage agaynst me Secondly it offereth the checke with his inuincible mate vnto these inconsiderate Catholiques Why doe yee so hotly take in han◠〈…〉 â—odigie as neuer canne th◠〈…〉 or canne 〈…〉 â—ger of 〈…〉 yo◠〈…〉 2. king 6 1â— Hoastes but you shall bee brought before the Lords annoynted who is commaunded to crushe you with his Iron rodde To the first Quare then as a sufficient Impedit to all Popishe Patrones and Catholique practisers in Popishe treasons lette vs lende our eares I pray you Her Maiestie in the simplicitie of her soule doth demaunde of you her naturall borne subiects for though her bountye hath not wrought the confederates much benefite yet she wondereth not at them so much why do you my english subiects thus rise in rebellion against me Are yee not my naturall subiects borne am I not your louing and lawfull Queene answere me I pray you to satisfie my self driuen into mighty wonder for this your insolent folly The seduced Catholique with his D. Story shâ—peth her Maiestie this short answere we are not your subiectes So said stone of the late executed we haue 〈◊〉 your words deserâ—ted to die we haue 〈…〉 and wee are iustâ—◠〈…〉 in deede wee are 〈…〉 and inditeâ— and condemned for Beholde a mighty worke of God in this his holy name be alwaies blessed which hath to the shame of all Papistes and the preuention of credite to that counterfaite booke by the Romish runagates at Rheymes promised to be posted ouer hither wherein they will counterfeit to deny these men to belong to the Catholiques with the former also whiche in any sorte haue sought the alteration of the state or hurt to her Maiestie For we say they pray for the Queene of England euery daye Oh subtile Sathan but the stronger Captain hath ouerthrown thee this deuise is to base Saunders D. Sâ—und in 〈◊〉 Monâ—â—â—â— not 〈…〉 books before these mens voluntarye confessions now doe laye open thy infectuall treacherye They haue told vs 〈◊〉 â—sking sorrowing at t◠〈…〉 â—â—ason again 〈…〉 colou◠〈…〉 this 〈…〉 Quâ—ene you pray for we pray also if it please God to graunt her better grace But we be not Papistes our ioy is not in Mary the mother No we reioyce in Iesus Christ the sonne onely and in his annointed our Queene Elizabeth as in the Lord it becommeth vs and haue our hearts and hands ready against you your Queene whensoeuer you should haue taken assaye of our preparation For as Israell cryed against the Medianites for the Lord and his Gedeon Iudg 7 1â— so doe we â—rew Englishe subiects cry against all Catholique Traytors and their future trust for the Lorde and his Elizabeth And he that beareth not this mind here or else where in any wise belonging to her Maiestie whether he bee an Abner or Abyshaye noble or ignoble the Lord conâ—ert him or confounde him for his mercieâ— sake to our English Israell 〈◊〉 But ye haue not yet answered this 〈◊〉 Arâ— yea not her Maiesties subâ—â—◠〈◊〉 ye English Emperors yes 〈◊〉 of you chosen into chiefe place of 〈…〉 of her secret bodye 〈…〉 of whose bountye yee are largely fedde But yet are not now what is your reason forsooth Syr Preacher this it is your Queene is by the holy father excommunicated and all her subiectes by his aucthoritie sette at freedome from their othe of alleageaunce and naturall bond of duetye Is this the matter Well we take first that you graunt vs. Videlicet that you were borne her loyall subiectes and that beeing further her seruauntes you were sworne to bee faithfull and loyall to her Maiestie and so by inference yee confesse that before this excommunication shee was your louing Mistres your lawfull Queene also Yea Syr wee doe so well then lette vs that bee good subiectes aske of God and good meuâ—â— â—hether any man in earth caâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 subiect of his de◠〈…〉 â—ince which 〈…〉 po◠〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 that doth take vppon him to discharge vs of this charge and by what aucthority Thirdly his discharge what it is and of what importaunce by which suruey we shall plainly see Sathan to haue seated Antichrist in the consciences of these forlorne Caitiues aboue the Almighty God The Lord God of Israell it is that coÌ„mandeth al subiects to owe in hart performe in faithfull seruice all honorable duety to their superiors in these words Honour thy Parents c. which word honor requireth inward reuerence reuerende accompt and harty affection from the soule of the inferiour and outward seruice with externall reuerence and all kindes of duety according to the bond of the parties obliged And the chiefe parent vnder God is the king or chiefe Potentate of the country as
and yet therefore neyther was he deposed his kingdome by Priest or people or was it lawfull to cease to doe him seruice Saule I meane the king of Israell Samuel denounced the Lords excommunicatioÌ„ saying The Lord hath cast thee out from being king 1. Sam. 15.23 the Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day and hath giuen it to thy neighbour Psal 28. that is better then thou Here is if yee note it a famous excommunication by the Lorde decreed and denounced by the Prophet Samuel against Saule Yet for all this God neyther commaunded Samuel or yet Samuel the Subiectes of Saule to â—â—ll backe their subiection from 〈…〉 lâ—wfull king Fo◠〈…〉 lyfe the◠〈…〉 And t◠〈…〉 the 〈…〉 pretended his death as doe our present Catholikes This assertion is confirmed moste surely by the holie annointed Dauid himselfe and that by his oth to Abner the Counceller of Saule and Captaine of his bande moste sharplie reproouing him for his shamefull sleepe in the daungerous Campe saying Abner hearest thou not 1. Sam. 26.14 And art thou a man And who is like thee in Israel so trusted of the king or put in suche aucthoritie Wherefore then hast thou not kepte thy Lorde the King Note that he confesseth Saule notwithstanding his excommunication still yet to bee Abner his Lorde and king also For there came one to destroye the King thy Lorde This is not well done of thee As the Lorde lyue 〈…〉 woorthie to dye becauâ—◠〈…〉 your Mayâ—◠〈…〉 〈…〉 Dâ—â—id the 〈…〉 â—â—yth 〈…〉 his seruaunt Behold beloued by how manye repetitions Dauid confirmeth Saules authoritie ouer his seruauntes in Court his Subiects in Campe yea and ouer Dauid himselfe though hee bee the heire apparaunt to the Crowne and the successor to Saule euen by the Lords coÌ„maundement so annointed To Abner he saith Saule is thy Lord he saith not he was before he was caste out and before my day of annointment but Saule is still thy LORDE and king Secondly hee saith to the whole seruantes and subiectes of Saule As the Lorde liueth 1. Sam. 26.16 yee are guiltye of death for your vnfaithfulnes to your present Prince and Lorde euen for this that yee haue not doone him more faithful seruice that ye haue not kept his life better to who 〈…〉 this present yee◠〈…〉 â—â—ce and lo◠〈…〉 of yo◠〈…〉 bo◠〈…〉 〈…〉 â—ding place hee is sayth Dauid your Maister your King and stil the Lords annointed Wherefore your fealtie in faithfulnesse is still his giue Caesar therefore his owne And though hee doth mee greate wrong and seeketh my lyfe and though I haue in my band Abishay and his fellowes 1. Sam. 26.8 which as men deuoide of godlinesse and bounden dutie in hope of helpe by mee theyr future Prince doe hunger the death and offer to kill the Lordes presente annoynted yet neyther will I suffer mine to doe so wickedly or yet my selfe to woorke his woe neyther can I with good conscience doe it For hee is my Lorde my mayster and my King I will therefore seeke to pacifie hys fury◠〈◊〉 petition if so I maye but 〈…〉 my peace 〈…〉 with the 〈…〉 slaughter agaâ—nst my 〈…〉 Lordes anoynted 〈…〉 Psal 19. I beseeche thee heare the wordes of his seruant If the Lord haue stirred thee vp against me let him smell the sauour of a sacrifice but if the childreÌ„ of men haue done it cursed bee they c. And as wee see Dauids conclusion for the still continuant dignitie of the excommunicated Saule so I pray you let vs obserue the hast and hate of Abishay who made no bones to shed the blood of the Lordes present annointed in colour of dutie loue to the future prince as more fit to raigne and lawfully elected But let vs with holy Dauid set the staffe of our rest in this his stay and defende the state and life of our presente Prince and that so muche the more for that our Elizabeth is blessed of God as by his myraculous hand for her wonderfull deliuerance he doth assure vs against the batte◠〈…〉 â—orde of the curs◠〈…〉 And 〈…〉 Ab◠〈…〉 Deliuer vs Lord saue our gracious Elizabeth for thy holy names sake Finally note this besotted it is not very difficulte to discerne Abyshaye whose course is to counterfeite obedience in ciuill sort to the present Dauid but in the meane hee sodainely selleth his former profession and hauing an eye to after helpe and present fauour he sorteth his shewe with other such and that of the sodaine as euery way bend their affection to the religion and disposition of their long hoped future Prince If any therefore thus far seduced do feather their winge against the present winde and sodainly shoote with Romish shaft though not with cried aime at the proffering pricke refusing our shot or once more to shoote with vs that dayly hitte the marke Doubt not to deeme them partiâ—â—â—â—◠〈◊〉 â—â—st of the future side if ou◠〈…〉 to measure for 〈…〉 for thy 〈…〉 Abyshay 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 â—ut of 〈…〉 loyalty their hart is firmely set to wait the time and oportunity that their hands may shoote and occasion their crewe to shoute if they shall deadly hit that most precious But their long desired marke But Lord giue them quaking handes fearefull hartes starting bowes broken shaftes dreadful breasts yea all the sort of theÌ„ which purpose deadly shotte at the bosome of our gracious Elizabeth And further now deare brethren let vs call this Quare once againe into question so shall we see as before is said to our great comfort how vnable our papists be to perfect their proud attempt Quare Why doe you saith Dauid that so proudely which neuer can of your parts be atchieued your tumultes must bee ouerturned your meditations for murther shal be of no moment your banding shall sodâ—inel◠〈…〉 your consult or 〈…〉 â—sion and 〈…〉 our 〈…〉 chris◠〈…〉 whom the God of strength hath set vp decreed to maintaine He wil therfore laugh at your destruction wil speake to you by his anger vexe you in his sore displeasure he will destroye all you and yours which sought his ouerthrowe in his annointed breake you into yeeces as the potter doth his brittle fiery clay Wherfore be wise ye Princes c. EueÌ„ thus doth the Lord still speak alwayes hath against traytors hande for his annointed The conclusion of your conspiracy ye papists is as these traytors of old Come let vs break their bands asunder cast their coards froÌ„ vs. But your practise is proud your presumption is perillous but ridiculous for your purpose by indeuour appeareth to be no lesse thâ— to bereaue our Dauid Elizabeth the Lords annointed of her life our church of 〈…〉 his blessed gospel 〈…〉 possessed 〈…〉 â—mpiety 〈…〉 more 〈…〉 it 〈…〉 Let vs breake their bandes let vs cast their coards First beloued these words ioyning iust with our present Catholiques purpose doe offer