out of ten thousand so their armie came to the number of foure hundred thousand tbat drew Sword All these came against the Benjamites vvho vvere but six and tvventie thousand and seven hundred but Israel found that vaine was the help of man for in the first day of the Battell they lost twentie and two thousand in the next day they lost eighteene thousand untill the Lord by fasting and prayer vvas moved to help them they found the truth of my text that vaine is the help of man As man vvithout God is vaine in his help so if he come against God he is more vaine in his hurt God called King Belshâzar that enemy of his Church Tekel a man of no weight or wortâ Behold vvith vvhat a pompe Kiââ Pharaoh gathered the horses aâ charets of Egypt Dan 5.27 ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã for to briââ back Gods people to their boâdage Hee as is said of Kiââ Agrippa Act. 25.23 and Bernice his Queen came ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã with great fantasie pompe or foolâ vaine shew I said he will puâsue Ezod 15.9 I will overtake I will diviââ the spoile my lust shall be satisfâ upon them I will draw my sworâ my hand shall destroy them theâ were King Pharaohs bigge braâ while his army put on the harnâ but God did blow with his winâ and the sea covered them vers 10. they shâ as lead in the mighty water he had to doe vvith one strong then himselfe Senacherib fâ this vvhen God put his hookâ his nose 2 King 19 28 and his bridle in his hâ though his armie was like the sand of the sea shoare for number he vvas not able to hurt Gods people the Papists could not prevaile against this land neither by fire nor vvater by vvater they came by open force by fire they came like black divels under the earth hid in vauts but blessed be the Lord both the one and the other vvas a lie rash false vaine of no vertue not a hurt but a help to teach our Kings and the Nation not to suffer the bloodie hounds of that profession to abide any more in our bosome The use The use Seeing that men without God either in their help or hurt are but vaine a lie false of no vertue let us beware either to trust too much in the forces of men that are for us or yet in a cooled courage to be too afraide for the forces of men that are against us God vvas very vvrââ vvith David for numbering tâ people they vvere thirteene huâdred thousand valiant men 2 Sam. 24 9 bâ because David caused numbâ them as if the help of man hâ not beene vaine the LORD three dayes killed by the pestâlence threescore and ten thousaââ let us beware to count our forââ our forts and our friends oâ Colonels our Captaines and oâ Canons all these things are bâ vaine things they for to striâ them on the right veine are bâ as is in my text a lie If tâ Lords help be not for us thougâ our men were like Saul and Jonâthan 2 Sam. 1 23 swifter then Eagles aâ stronger then Lions the fearfââ day of Gilboah a black saturnâ shall come upon us nothing shaâ be heard but groanes and lameâtations How are the mighty fââlen 2 Sam. 1 27 and the weapons of warre pârished the Lord for our sins shall deliver us into the hands of bruâish men that are skilfull to deâtroy Ezek. 21 31 But if we can be truely humbled if every one will turne from âheir evill wayes and goe to God in sinceritie with fasting and prayer for to seek GODS help whose charets are charets of salvation Hab. 3.8 we shall not need to feare âhe forces of men these who have eyes to see Gods charets of fire round about his Church 2 King 6 17 as âhey were about Elishah may âcorne all the forces of Princes It is for blinde Gehazis when they see great armies of men to tremble and say 2 King 6 15 Exod. 14 13. Alas master what shall we doe If we can stand still with Moses we shall see the salvation of the Lord we shall sing and rejoice when Moses saw King Pharaoh and all his bravest Captaines gasping in that gulfe of the sea wherein they were drowne like dogges he tuned up hiâ song Exod. 15 3. The Lord is a man of warrâ God save our King the anointeâ of the Lord the lap of his gaâment shall never be cut by us but if Gods enemies these Râmish and Arminian troupes wiâ still like the Egyptians pursuâ Gods Church in this land for tâ speak in Pharaohs words Exod. 15 19 to satisfâ their lust upon us let us stand stiâ upon our most holy faith and wâ shall see the salvation of the Lord Scotland shall sing the song oâ Moses The Lord is a man oâ warre Exod. 15.3 if his help come to thâ Battell wee shall not need tâ flie with Israel or in great feare say of a most mighty armiâ as the Israelites trembling said of Goliah 1 Sam. 17 25 Have yee seene thâ man or this armie that iâ come up 2. PART Davids couragious resolution IN the first part of this text we have heard of Davids prayer for Gods help which was backed with a reason taken from the vanitie of mans help in these words for vaine is the help of man In this second part we have Davids couragious resolution through God saith he we shall doe valiantly for he it is that shall treade down our enemies In these words we have two things first Davids couragious resolution before the battell through God wee shall do valiantly Secondly he declareth the ground of all his courage for he it is that shall treade down our enemies 1. Davids couragious resolution THe courage of David hee as ye may see was very great when the armies of Aram Naharaim and of Aram Zobah were ready to go to battell againsâ David David encouraged Joaâ the Captaine and the wholâ armie with these words througâ God we shall do valiantly ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã The Hebrew word Chaijl signifieth valour force power prowesse activitie and couragâ both of body and minde In this sense David tooke it when he said Psal 18.32 God girdeth me with valour the word also signifieth an armie Psal 33.16 because in armies couragious men use to be whose hearts are steeled with stoutnesse David the servant of God heere though in a very great danger was all full of courage Through God said hee we shall do valiantly with his courage he was both godly and wise he was godây for hee relyed not upon his owne valour nor yet upon the âourage and skill of Joab his capâaine nor yet upon the strength of his armie but upon GOD whom king Nebuchadnezzar calâed a LORD of Kings Dan. 2.47 this Lord of Kings was King Davids GOD âhrough whom he would doe valiantly As he was godly
day of clouds and of thick darknesse Zeph. 2 2â the decree is in readinesse to bring forth a fearfull tempest is fast comeing with horrible gale Inimicorum malitia est nostra militia the whole land ãâã like to be turned into a bale a fiââ and therefore our Nation at thiâ houre hath great neede to cry tâ God in the words of this texâ Give us help from trouble The time of trouble the saâ and irksome houre is the timâ of prayer we have both precepâ and prastise and also promises oâ deliverance to these who at suââ times give themselves to prayer The precepts are both in thâ old Testament and new In thâ old Testament God saith Câ upon me in the day of trouble Psal 50.15 the new Testament God saitâ Is any among you afflicted ãâã him pray Iam. 5.13 As we have the precepts also it hath ever been the practâ of all Gods children to pray their troubles Hos 12.4 Jacob in his troâble weept and made supplicatioâ Moses prayed so that God in a manner intreated him Exod. 32.10 to let him âlone as though the power of the mans prayers had overcome his omnipotency from doing his people Jsrael any hurt Est quaedam precum omnipotentia Luther was wont to say There is a certaine omnipotency in prayer it hath an âternitie of vertue all the godly in all times have known this and therefore when great troubles âame their practise was to powre out many prayers when the Amalekites did fight against Israel Moses went up to the mount and prayed for Israel Jonah in the belly of hell prayed Exod. 17.11 Joh. 2.2 out of the belly of hell said he cried I and thou heardst my voice when Christ was in his agonie in the garden he most fervently prayed againe and againe all the psalmes of Davids troubles are most excellent prayers Mat. 26.42 As we have both precepts and practise for praying in trouble also have we most faire promisâ to be heard Psal 50.15 Call upon me in ãâã day of trouble saith the Lord aâ I will deliver thee In the neâ Testament we have Christ crâing Mat. 7.7 Aske and ye shall receivâ seek and yee shall finde the prâmise is made to all as well to thâ beggar on the dung hill as thâ Prince sitting on his Throne Heere is a King begging froâ God the thing that hee seeketh help from trouble that which mâved him to cry for help was hâ trouble and this was his chiefâ trouble that his enemies in grâ number had this often in thâ mouth that God netheir wouldâ could help him Many there said David Psal 3.2 that say of my soâ there is no help for him in GOâ Davids dangers never troubâ him so much as Gods dishonoâ when Gods glory seemed aâ way in jeopardie that was Davids ââouble My teares said he Psal 42.3 have âene my meat day and night while âhey continually say unto me where thy God this chiefly made David âeer to cry for help give help Lord from trouble Observe heere that these who âre truely godly The Doctrine finde no trouble âo sensible as that which is by the âishonour of God Eli was a âood man though he had his own âults in a too great indulgence âowards his children yet in this âee manifested an honest heart âhat nothing troubled him so much as the dishonour of GOD When the messenger came from âhat Battel wherein the Israelites were overthrowne by the Philiââines told him many evil news âe sate still in his chaire and heard âim when the messenger said âsrael is fled before the Philistines 1 Sam. 4.17 âe sate still though with a grieved heart after that the mâsenger said There hath beene ãâã a great slaughter among the peopââ these newes wounded him soâ yet he sate still in his seat afâ that the messenger said Aâ thy two sonnes Hophni and Phiâhas are dead this heard maâ a very great wound in his heaâ yet he sate still in his seate bâ as soone as the messenger hâ said The Arke of God is takâ Eli could sit no longer 1 Sam. 4.18 but from off the seat backward by seate of the gate and his nâ brake and he died The 1 use Seeing this oâ is a day of trouble The 1 use and of tâ sort of trouble that the Arke God is in danger to be taken the Philistines let all men thâ have a Christian heart cry migâtily with their heart Give ãâã help from trouble The Lord coâplained of his people that thâ cried not unto him with their heart Hos 7.14 âhen they howled upon their beds âe all now have great need to ây unto God with our hearts or if our day go down and if âur Gospell the glory depart âom our land we shall say that âe never knew what trouble was ântill now what a sorrow shall ãâã be to us to hear that Israel is âd before their enemies what a ârief to hear that there hath also âene a great slaughter among the ââople what a piercing of heart ãâã hear that Hophni and Phineas âur sonnes or our husbands are ââaine or dead But O who shall âe able either to stand or sit if âhese newes shall come the Arke âf god is taken the Gospell of âesus Christ is in the hands of Gods enemies for to be taken ââom us these shall be the blackâst newes that ever were heard in âur land since the beginning of our reformation then may ãâã godly men and vvomen ãâã vvith the dying vvife of Phineââ Ichabod 1 Sam. 4 21 vvhere is the glory thâ shall bee a trouble indeed aâ therefore before it come let us vvith vvounded and bleediââ hearts cry mightilie to God Give us help from trouble If we do this duetie diligenâ I dare promise in the Name ãâã the Lord that all these who râfuse this day to set up altars to that shamefull thing Jer. 11.13 shall last see a hand work such a glârious work in this land that tââ world shall know that our GOâ is the Lord many nations shââ cry as the Israelites did whââ God brought down fire upon Eââjahs sacrifice The Lord he is tââ God 1 King 19 39 the Lord he is the God bâ otherwise if we be negligent vicious if the Lord hath caâ to say Amo. 2.4 For three transgressioââ and for foure if we by our sins continue to presse our God under ãâã as a cart full of sheaves Am. 2.13 it âay be that he will suffer his ârk his Gospel to be taken priââner and set it in the Temple âf their idols but at last after âhat the Lord hath corrected his âeople for the contempt of his Gospel he shall do with all Poâish idols as he did with the âhilistines Dagon which first he made to fall upon his face to the ââound 1 Sam. 5.3 and after they had set âim up again cut
suffer persecution to saile thorow seas of sorrowes yea to be in the belly of hell like Jonah where troubles like waters shall compasse us about even to the soule Joh. 2.5 as long as the Divel is out of hell he will not cease to devise pestilent plots against all these that walke towards heaven By the Crosse Christ himself went to the Crowne will we be able to finde another way are we dearer to God then David was Hear him heer crying to God Give us help from trouble Jacob that Prince of God Gen. 32.28 an Israel who by wrestlng overcame God Gen. 47.9 walked also in the way of troubles few and evil said he Gen 47.9 have my dayes been Daniel Dan. 10.19 a man greatly beloved waâ cast into a den of Lions after a great vision he fainted and waâ sicke many dayes Dan. 8.27 Christ himselâ is called a man of many sorrovves he suffered hunger Isa 53.3 thirst nakednesse and at last was put to deatâ like a Traitour attached on a rack After him came a world of hiâ worthies of whom the work was not worthy of whom likâ others before him some were tortured and others had tryall oâ cruell mockings Heb. 11 35 and scourgings oâ bonds and imprisonments of other it is said that they were stoned and savven asunder vers 36 and slaiâ vvith the Svvord and that thâ vvandred about in sheep skinnes and goat skinnes being destitute afflicted vers 37. tormented As it hatâ beene so it shall be with God servants on earth untill tbe loâ day of mankinde come to its even seeing it is so let all of us now in these dayes of trouble resolve vvith Ezekiel Eek 12 18 to eate our bread vvith quakeing and drink our drink vvith trembling because vve have sinned if the Lord send a persecution let us purpose yea resolve to cast off our most costly apparell to forsake all other delights for to go vvith Christ haveing the sheep-skinnes or goate-skinnes upon our backes heb 11 37 let us be content in our dayes of tryall for Christ to put on Joshuahs filthie garments Zach. 3.3 the vilest ragges of captivitie We have enjoyed a long rest a most vvonderfull peace vve knovv not but by hearing or reading vvhat the Crosse is now in all appearance the time is come that the Lord vvill let it be seene vvho are his true servants it may be that he permit novv such a cruell triall the like whereof hath not beâ in our land and therefore it is oâ duetie in this day of our publiâ fast to intreate the Lord most earnestly for one of two that eithââ according to the words of mâ text he would give us help from trouble in delivering us rom thâ great evils we feare or els tha hâ would give us strength patience and courage to suffer for his sake yea to rejoice with the Apostle that we are counted worthy to suffer either shame or paine for hiâ name Act. 5.41 Outward torments foâ Christ are nothing to these whâ have a good conscience thaâ heavenly musician singing moâ sweetly day and night One saitâ very well that the teares of good conscience have more pleasure in them then the world greatest joy they are full of thâ sweetest juice marrow honeâ kernell comforts relish thââ the heart of man can conceive Cum suspiriis inenarrabilibus conjunctuÌ est gaudium ineffabile they have an unspeakable joy with inuterable sighs The 2. use The 2 use Judg. 7.16 Let this serve for reproofe to many who have not a minde to suffer any thing for Christ yea not so much as to bear a pitcher for Israel or to cry THE SWORD OF THE LORD AND OF GIDEON As long as Christ will give loaves to such they will most frequently swarme about him Joh. 6.26 they are like Ephraim a cake not turned halfe daugh and halfe backed Hos 7.8 neither raw nor rosted Rev. 3.15 lukewarm âike Loadicea Alas many thousands were ready to sit down with Christ and to eate of his multiplied loaves and fishes but where were all these at Golgotha when the Lord like a Theefe was âanged up between two theeves Yea where then was Peter himself where then was Andrew Peters brother yea where theâ were James and Philip and Barthâlomew Thomas and Matthew and James the sonne of Alpheus where were Lebeus and Simon the Cananite S. Marke saith that they all forsooke him and fled onelie John tarried with him aâ the crosse Mark 14 50 to whom he recommended his mother Ioh. 19.27 what theâ did it was through infirmitieâ they all loved Christ dearly but the fear of death overcamâ their love this was a greaâ fault but many among us carnall men soaked in sensualitieâ who have cursedly feared theââ owne conscience with the hote yron in the Divels forge meâ whose eyes are darkened witâ the mists of hell have no courage for GODS worship thâ Taverne is their Temple their bell is their bible and their god theâ are men of rotten hearts whiââ have so embraced in their armes earthly doung with Demas 2 Tim. 4.10 that they care not for Religion such have no courage for the truth they have no purpose to suffer losse of lands or lives 1 Cor. 1.18 Ezek. 28.3 for the folie of this Gospel Behold they are wiser then Daniel They esteeme all these but fooles that in the torrents of troubles forsake their faire cloathes and houses to put on the goate skinnes Heb. 11.37 and to abide in the caves and dennes of the earth such wise worldlings cannot imagine that Christ is on the suffering side while they rest pleasantly in their beds of yvory and of ease Am. 6.4 they in their hearts scorne at men as fools that quite their lands and their lives their wives and their houses and their wealth for to suffer trouble for religion which fy fy they imagine to be but opinions of men conceits devices of giddie braines Givâ unto such the black Masse anâ all the idols of Rome yea thâ Turkish Alcoran under somâ other more honest names and they shall embrace them all before they quite their sieled houses and their silks Hag. 1.4 for to put on thâ sheep-skinnes for to wander up anâ down with the faithfull servantâ of Jesus Christ Heb. 11.37 while thesâ fooles have a hote gleame oâ earthly glory while the sailes oâ their sensualitie are filled with carnall delights they are at home yea as they thinke in heaven crowned with rose buds and garlands of glory while they thuâ tumble in these earthly pleasures though the Lord Jesus promisâ unto them the Crownes of hiâ Kingdome they are though iâ another sense like the Olive-treâ that would not quite its fatnesse and like the figge tree Judg. 9.9 that would not quite its sweetnesse or like the Vine that would not leave its wine for to be made Kings over the trees
is that shall tread down our enemies The use The use Let all our men of warre learne here to depend upon the Lord and not to goe to battell without the Lord they must all say to the Lord as Barak said to Deborah Jud. 4.8 If thou wilt goe with me then will I goe but if thou wilt not goe with me then I will not goe a Captaine were he never so couragious can doe nothing without the Lord an armie of Samsons without God will not prevaile it was not the cutting of Samsons haire that weakened him no not it is said of him Judg. 16.20 that he knew not that the spirit of the LORD was departed from him when that spirit of the Lord departs from men men have neither heart nor hand to do valiantly they flee like sheep before their enemies 2 Chron. 18.16 Josh 7.11 Israel hath sinned and they also have transgressed my covenant c vers 12 Therefore they could not stand before their enemies said the Lord to Joshua mourning for that shamefull flight of Israel from before the men of Ai It is onely the Lord that giveth courage to men the Lord said Psal 144.1 David teacheth my hands to warre and my fingers to fight onely the men that come from his fence-schoole will be men in the day of Battell he could make the lappers of water the smallest of the host of Israel to doe valiantly Judg. 7.13 a barley cake from his hand was sufficient to overturne all the might of Midian âhe horse saith Solomon Prov. 21.31 is prepared for the day of battell but safetie is of the LORD all victories depend upon him If we remaine still in his favour and keep his Covenant though Senacherib should arise from the dead and cover the whole land with his men in number like the sand of the sea though an armie from Rome or Spaine with all the English Papists and Arminians like an armie of Caldeans Habak 1.6 a bitter and hasty Nation should march through the breadth of our land to possesse the dwellings that are not theirs Habak 1.8 though they should come with horses swifter then Leopards and more fierce then the evening wolves yea and flee as the Eagle that hasteth to eat in a word though wee seeme to our enemies but grashoppers or creeping things that have no ruler over them Hab. 1.14 if we abide stedfastly in Gods Covenant the trueth of my text shall not lie He it is that shall treade downe our enemies he shall make them in their fairesâ greenesse Joh. 4.7 to wither away likâ a Kikajon or gourd some fearful destruction shall teach these thaâ treade in their paths to tremble aâ their end Well then seeing it is the Lord and he onely that treadeth down our enemies so that all depend wholly upon him let us by alâ meanes beware to offend him leâ us take good heede that we looke not to the numbers of out men as Israel did Jud. 20.10 when with foure hundred thousand men they foughâ against the Benjamites let us learn of their losse in all humilitie to begin with fasting and prayer let us take good heed that there bee not among us an Achan Jos 7.18 that made Israel to flee from before the men of Ai let us seeke out all our sinnes as carefully as Joshuah sought out Achan as curiously as the people of Godsought out the leaven and let us cast them away Deu. 16.4 Moses said to Israel at the Passeover There shall not be seene with thee any leaven in all thy coast So the Lord saith to you all this day let not your sinnes your pride your covetousnesse Hab. 2.6 for thick clay your riot your drunkenesse your uncleanesse your chambering your charmeing your railing your backbiting your malice your envie your treacherie Mic. 6.10 and the scant measure which is abominable and all other such scandalous sinnes whatsoever let them no more be seene among you Eph. 5.3 This is the Apostles counsell but fornication and uncleannesse or covetousnesse let it not be once named among you as becometh Saints If yee would have God to be with you in the day of danger Ezek. 21.6 sigh now with the breaking of your loines and with bitternesse because the Lord is angrie with our nation and therefore loath your selves in your owne sight for your iniquities Eze. 36.31 let not your old sins abide any more in your companie let them no more be named among you woe to the pot whose scumme is in it now Ezek. 24.6 Dearly beloved strive now to redeeme the time Eph. 5.16 Yee may all see that the dayes are evill and therefore I exhort you to keepe GODS charge Zach. 3.7 and walke circumspectly not as fools Let every man turn from his evill wayes Bee like a people that hath made a Covenant with their God like a people with whom God hath made a Covenant of life and peace Mal. 2.5 If we break our Covenant with God Note which we have so solemnly sworne we shall be more fearfully plagued then that King Vladislaus who by the instigation of the Pope brake the League of a concluded Peace with Amurah the Turkish Emperour he swearing upon the Euangelists and the the other by his Ambassadours upon their Turkish Alcaron when the Turke saw the Battell joined and remembered the Christians perfidie in breaking their Covenant with him he pluckt the writing out of his bosome wherein the League was written and holding it up in his hand with his eyes cast up to Heaven said after this manner Behold thou crucified Christ Hist of the Turkes pag. 297. this is the League thy Christians in thy Name made with me which they have without cause violated now if thou be a God as they say thou art and as we dreame revenge the wrong now done unto thy name and me and shew thy power upon thy perjured people who in their deeds deny thee their God In that bloody battell of Varna as the historie records Certatum est totos dies noctesquâtres diu fortuna ancipiti sed tanto animorum ardore utrinque tantoque impetu ut caesorum sanâguine campi stagnarem That is the space of three dayes and three nights this bloody batâtell continued so that the field where it was foughten was turned into a poole of blood If such shame and calamities befell the Christians for breaking their League with an Infidel whaâ worlds of miserie shall come upoâ this Nation if we like the dog returning to his vomit break the Covenant which wee have so solemnly made with our GOD 1 Pet. 2.22 Doubtlesse all the miseries that ever came upon a Nation shall have their Rendevous heer famine pestilence and war shall not faile to revenge the quarrell of Gods Covenant By famine God shall make these who are now like Nazarites whiter than milk Lam. 4.7 to become
dry like a stick and blacker than a coale by pestilence we shall fall downe in heapes by war we shall be abolished like Jabin in Endor our bodies shall become doung on the Earth Psal 83.9 Our Land shall bee an Aceldama a field of blood a land of bloody pooles And therefore O Scotland if thou would henceforth be under a mighty Ministry a Goshen for God a land of life of light and libertie free of all the damned mists of the doctrines of Devils if thou would be free of a Service Booke Romes yoke and of all the Ceremoniall Clouts of that varnished Whoore if thou woulâ have God as it is in my text tâ treade downe all thine enemies for sake not the Covenant of thy Goâ breake never thy league made wiâ him have no fellowship with thâ unfruitfull workes of darkness but walke as Children of light Abâhorre all idolatrie Mic. 6.16 the statutâ of Omri and returne to the ancââent paths Jer. 18.15 let the Lord no morâ have a controversie with the inhaâbitants of the land Hos 4.1 then shall yâ see that the Lord shall worke great work in this land Habak 3.2 accordinâ to Habakkuks prayer hee shaâ revive the worke in the midst of tâ yeeres Our nation shall finde that GODS mercie is not dead though our armies in the eyes oâ our enemies 1 King 20 27 Judg. 7.5 Amo. 5.15 seeme but like littâ flockes of Kiddes or weake likâ Gideons lappers of waters if ouâ wayes please the Lord the Lorâ shall be gracious unto the remnanâ of Joseph One of these shall come to passe Either which wee desire most God in a melting temper shall convert our enemies and make an incorporation of them unto us like the two sticks of Israel and Judah Eze. 37.17 who were joined one to another into one sticke being no more divided in profession which Oh that wee might register in the catologue of his favours Or if not so the LORD shall change the mindes of our enemies as he did to Esau Gen. 33.4 and shall make them that come against us to embrace us as brethren of one Isle though not in Religion Or if not so the Lord by some forraine enemy shall turne them away 1 Sam. 23 27. as he turned Saul from David by sending the Philistines against the land Or if not so he shall make them fight one against another as hee did to the Midianites whose bodies were all gore bloud by mutuall wounds Or if not so if hee permit ouâ armies to joine which the Lorâ avert after that by many fast and prayers we have laid dowâ our bleeding hearts in his boâsome and by ardent desires havâ powred out our soules beforâ him wee in the Name oâ our God will set up our Banners The Lord being with us Psal 20.5 ouâ Captaines shall be swifter the Eagles and stronger then Lions our souldiers shall not say 2 Sam. 1 23 I aâ sicke Isa 33.24 the Lord himself shall bâ Scotlands great Generall he shaâ give us help from trouble he is that shall tread down our enââmies Gog and Magog papisâ and Arminians brethren in evil the combined friends of man rotten righteouânesse he alsâ shall tread down their gods theiâ Moloch and Chion their images Amos 5.25 Act. 7.43 the starre of their god Remphan their gods of stock and stone with all their gods baken in the Oven Hos 4.7 the LORD shall change their glory into shame the world shall hear it and shall wonder But as for us the children of his Covenant if we be not unstable as water Gen. 49.4 but stedfast in that Covenant if wee abide in the bonde of love like Scilurus arrowes in a sheafe the Lord shall blesse us our Gospel shall flourish our land shall bee fruitfull and blossome as the rose Isa 35.1 our church shall be most orient and glorious âike a hill of pearles a Cristall mountaine or a rock of Daimonds then shall our hearts be filled with joy and our mouths with laughter Moses and Miriam both men and women shall most sweetly sing these words of triumph Exod. 15.3 The LORD is a man of warre who hath set his triumphing foot upon the neck of aâ his enemies as upon his vaââquished vassals 1 Tim. 1.17 Now unto the King eternall immortall invisible the onely wise GOD be honour and glory for ever and ever AMEN A SERMON FOR A BATTELL Isa 9.5 Every Battell of the warriour is with confused noise and garments rolled in blood Exod. 15.3 The LORD is a man of warre the LORD is his Name Psal 18.34 Hee teacheth my hand to warre so that a bow of steele is broken by mine armes By M. Zacharie Boyd Preacher of Gods word at Glasgow Printed at Glasgow by George Anderson 1643. POST FVNERA VIRTVS VIVET TAMEN ETSI MORS INDIES ACCELERAT A SERMON FOR A BATTELL Psal 17.13 Arise O Lord disappoint him cast him down deliver my soul from the wicked with thy Sword THE Prophet David made this Psalme in the dayes of his great troubles while he was hunted 1 Sam. 26 20. 1 Sam. 23 14. from place to place like a partridge or a flea his danger was great in Keilah from Keilah he fled unto the wildernesse of Ziph verse 14 where being discovered by the Ziphites he fled unto the wildernesse of Maon where he abode on a rock there also David made haste to get away for fear of Saul for Saul and his men there had compassed David and his men round about to take them behold how mans wrath runs like wilde-fire but even while Davids life was in his hand there came a messenger unto Saul saying haste thee and come for the Philistines have invaded the land wherefore Saul returned from pursueing after David for which cause that place was called Selah Hammahlekoth 1 Sam. 23 28 that is the rock of division because there the Lord did separate Saul from David these dangers were the occasion of the composing of this Psalme wherein David most earnestly seeketh Gods assistance against the price craft and crueltie of his enemies David in this psalme is like the Nightingale which singeth most sweetly though she have a thorne against her breast The division of the Psalme THe parts of the Psalme are three In the first part from the beginning untill the tenth verse the royall Prophet David in confidence of his integritie craveth defence of God against all his enemies In the second part from the tenth verse untill the thirtenth hee declareth their pride craft and crueltie comparing them to Lions greedy of their prey In the third part from the thirteenth verse untill the end he prayeth against them with great confidence in God The division of the text IN this text which is a prayer of David to God against his persecuters there be two parts In the first part we have him to whom the prayer iâ directed it is
without him they can do nothing for these ends Christ would sleepe in the ship in time of tempest Mat. 8.25 when all was in greatest danger to perish The use The use If when we are in calamitie either private or pubâicke the Lord seeme to delay his help and to neglect us let us not despare of his mercy but let us cry the more earnestly help O Lord though he seeme to our weake judgement to be sleeping he is not like Baal of whom by way of scorn Elijah said to his Priests crying a loud to him in their prayers 1 King 18 27 Cry a loud for he is a God either he is talken or he is pursueing or hee is in a journey or peradventure he sleepeth and must be awaked our GOD sleepeth not he that keepeth Israel will not slumber Psal 121.3 hee never lieth down he is never wearied in waiting upon us for to doe us good there is no need of a drumme of five houre bell to waken him in the morning Againe whereas the servant of God here in his fear crieth to the Lord Arise I observâ that there is weaknesse in thâ best of Gods servants they often in their troubles have basâ thoughts of God it is a very base thing to thinke that Goâ is wearied or that he is lyeâ down to rest him or that hâ hath not will to arise untill wâ rouse him up by our cries Seâ we not these great bodies of thâ heavens turned about both nighâ and day with an unspeakablâ swiftnesse it is Gods arme thaâ turneth them all about the greaâ bodie of the earth hath no other ground-stone but his Almighty power what I pray you hath still so constantly borne up that great masse these so many thousand yeares onely Gods arme and yet he is not wearied he seeketh not our help to turne about these heavenly wheeles or to ease him under the burden of the whole earth it is but a very base thought to think that the Lord is lyen downe to rest him that afterward he may arise The use The use Let us learn to have great thoughts of God concerning his power and good will What is unpossible to him who is able to make a Camel to passe thorow a needles eye Mark 10 25 what will he not doe for us who gave his own Sonne to the death for us when we pray we may be sure that he will hear To him we may well say LORD thou can if thou wilt nay Lord thou both can and wilt if it be for thy glory and our well if wee thinke otherwise we may well say this is our infirmitie The second Petition Disappoint him AFter that the Prophet hatâ desired the Lord to arise which is the first degree of his deâliverance he requireth that thâ Lord would disappoint King Saul and all the rest of his enemies Sauls Doegs and dogges whom hâ includeth all under the word hiâ and that because they were joine all together like one man in the malice against David the servanâ of the Lord. The doctrine First whereas here he calletâ all his enemies him as one man foâ their banding together I observâ the great policie of the Divel who by all meanes possible enâdeavoures to keepe his servants iâ unitie that they may all doe eviâ together as it were with one shoulâder for he knoweth that if hiâ Kingdome were divided it could not stand I read in Scripture oâ Michael and his angels Rev. 12.7 fighting âgainst the Divel and his angels but â can not read in any part of one Divel fighting against another âhey are all guided by one Spirit ând have all their mindes one way âent to doe evill though they may bee called legion for their âudge great number for the way âo Hell hath great store of passenâers yet they all agree and goe âs it were one Divel ready with âoth hands to doe a mischief The use The use Let us by the practise of the wicked learne to abide together and to be all as it were âne man it is GODS will Judg. 20.8 it is Gods commandement that we love one another Joh. 15.17 Silurus a little before his death called all his children and offered unto them a sheafe of arrowes knit together desireing any of them to breake them which when they could not he divided the arrowes and gave unto them one after another to be broken which they brake easily After that hee said unto them So shall it be with you if yee abide together in unitie none shall be able to overcome you but if yee be divided yee shall easily be overthrowne Now let us consider what the Prophet here requires it is that God would disappoint his enemies Antevertere anticipare The Hebrew word is Kiddam which properly signifieth to prevent or disappoint for he that is prevented is also disappointed All Sauls designes were how to trap David for to kill him Davids prayer heere is that the Lord would disappoint him or according as it is in the Hebrew Kaddemah panau The doctrine that he would prevent his face Observe here that great men may intend great matters against Gods servants but there is a great God in heaven who can easily disappoint them whiles by wisedome and whiles by strength As for his wisedome Dan. 2.22 he understandeth all things Daniel saith that the light dwelleth with him he is infinitly wise to prevent or avert perill or to rid us out of danger When King Saul intended to kill David in his bed the Lord by his wisedome delivered him by directing Michal his wife to lay an image in his bed 1 Sam. 19 13 having a pillow of goates haire for his bolster so when Sauls servants came to take him they were disappointed they found nothing in the bed but a Teraphim an image with a pillow of goats haire As by wisedome so the LORD can by strength disappoint his enemies when the Philistines called for Samson to make them sport Jud. 16.25 the Lord put a new strength in that blinde man whereby he drew downe the house upon his enemies who got death for their sport and so were disappointed In this land at home we have proofes sufficient of God disappointing our enemies In the eightie eight year there was nothing in Spaine to be heard but a glorious victorie against Britaine Have they not sped Jud. 5.30 have they not divided the prey to every man a damosell or two said the Spanish Ladies with the mother of Sisera All our possessions were appointed for that barbarous and cruell nation but God disappointed them All their bragging was at last turned into bâgging the Lord made them beggars in our land After that deliverance the Papists intended with six and thirtie barrels of powder under the Parliament house to blow up all the Royall Blood with the flowre of all our Nobilitie and Counsellours and after that MISSA massa
farinaria to set up their Dagon of dowe but the Lord by his wonderfull wisedome disappointed them After that the enemies of Christs Gospel have beene still undermining this poore Church under a covering of ceremonies but when they were almost come to the cope of their desires even to give us the Masse cloathed with an English coat most cunningly woven from the top throughout with juggling wordes wordes of two faces like the Oracles of Apollo which one way had a sense for Gods glory but another way a sense for to make Christ Iesus a dumb and a deafe idoll that all this nation at last should be partly entised partly constrained to returne to worship a god of bread which can not defend himself from the teeth of a Mouse When this was almost atchieved and done the Lord in a most wonderfull manner disappointed them After that they gathered their forces by Sea and Land to doe by violence what they could not performe by wiles the Lord and not we disappointed them the Lord blessed for evermore at Dunce-hill Har-ezer mons adjutorij the hill of help and at Newburne wrought their disappointment East West South North the Lord hath done great things for us the LORDS hand hath beene seene by Sea and by Land Except our enemies hearts bee harder then the heart of Pharao they must confesse and say with Pharaohs Magicians Exod. 8.19 This is the finger of GOD. The 1 use The 1 use Let us learn here to trust in God in greatest dangers even when there is nothing but confufed noise Isa 9.5 with garments rolled in bloud though our enemies were never so strong our God is able to disappoint all their designes hee will not suffer any weapons to prosper that are lifted up against his servants if we can stand still with the foot of faith Exod. 14 13 we shall not faile to see the Salvation of the Lord Psal 23.4 In the valley of the shaddow of death we shall not need ro feare any evill for he shall bee with us Exod. 15.3 the Lord said Moses is a man of warre and therefore let not our hearts tremble for the boast of men who are but like dogges barking at the Moone it is but little or nothing that man can doe What is he worth Isa 2.22 wherein is hee to bee accounted of the Lord can easily disappoint all his designes Let GOD arise Psal 68.1 and his enemies shall bee scattered These that hate him shall flee before him As smoak is driven away so shall the Lord drive them away as waxe melteth before the fire so shall the wicked perish at the presence of God The 2 use The second use When the enemies of God are strong and are in plotting great designes against GODS inheritance let us heere learne how to pray to God let us take unto us words even these words of this text Arise O Lord and disappoint them If we cry unto the Lord Arise the Lord shall not faile to answere Now will I arise Isa 33.10 saith the Lord When Hee is risen he will worke wonders Isa 33.11 Mine enemies saith He shall conceive chaffe and bring forth stubble thus all their counsells shall be but a conception of chaffe and when their designes are ready to be borne they shall be but children of stubble David in the second Psalme considering how God maketh the counsels the conceptions of wicked men to be but false conceptions cryed out Psal 2.1 Why doe the heathen rage and the people imagine a vaine thing the word in the Hebrew signifieth a trifle RIK inane or emptinesse a nothing He also there scorneth the vaine Kings and Rulers of the earth and that because they take counsell against Christ He that sitteth in the heavens saith He shall laugh Psal 2.4 the Lord shall have them in derision After that for a space hee hath laughen at their follie hee will breake them with a rod of yron vers 9 and dash them in pieces like a potters vessell Thus the LORD bringeth down the plots and designes of high-towring ambitious wicked men Behold a real disappointment where now I pray you will all their designes and their boasts and their armies bee when the Lord hath broken them all into Shardes like an old pitcher Behold the men that would but burn and slay Behold the men thaâ would have all their will Beholâ the men that would neither beâ ruled by Gods law nor Mans law but by their owne wilfull wills the LORD hath throwne theâ downe the evill they would havâ done it lay not in their hearts oâ hands to doe it the LORD hath treade them downe he hatâ wounded the head of his enemies and the hairie scalpes of such a goe on still in their trespasses they are nothing but like a broken sheard Psal 68.21 Behold them bridled by the power of this greaâ LORD who according to the prayer of his servant heere hath clearly before the eyes of the world disappointed them Let railing Rabshakehs not onely boast men but also GOD himselfe with where is the god of thiâ place 2 King 18 34 and the god of that placeâ the gods of Hamath and of Arpad the gods of Sepharvaim Henah and Juah Let great men with Rabshakeh threaten to cause Gods people eate their owne dung 2 King 18 27 and drinke their owne pisse but the LORD hath hookes for their nose 2 King 19 28 and bridles for their lips for to turne them back from their course He shall so crosse their designes that they shall goe away disappointed with shame and disgrace Jos 5.14 Christ the Captaine of the Lords ãâã is all fire for the glory of ãâã Father and the well of his ââârch his zeal was such that it did eate him up Joh. 2.17 but alas for our heart it is but like a cold sinder in our bosome The third Petition Cast him downe NOw it follovveth that vvee heare Davids third petition Cast him downe The Prophet heere in his prayer goeth on as Abraham did in hiâ request for Sodome He sought ayâ more and more first that Goâ for fifties sake Gen. 18.24 would spare thâ Cities 28 Secondly that for fivâ and fourties sake 29 Thirdly thaâ for fourties sake Fourthly thaâ for thirties sake 30 Fiftly that foâ twenties sake 31 32 Sixtly and last that for tennes sake he woulâ spare all the rest So David firâ here intreated God but to arise After that he desired God to do more even to disappoint his enemies Thirdly here he desireth more that the Lord would hurlâ and cast down his adversaries The doctrine Observe here what it is to be once familiar with God Thâ more a man be acquaint with God he groweth in boldnesse in hiâ sutes the prayers of a Christian must not be dwarfes still iâ one stature They must grow up ând be enlarged A man
shall set their wheeles on worke and waken them out of their unhappy dream then shall their heart breake and their tongue confesse and their Eyes weepe and their Hearts wring with these doolefull desperat cryes Rev. 6.16 Rocks and Mountaines fall upon us this shall bee most sweet musick in the Eares of the Godly whom they in the world did tread under feete as most contemptible dongue The fourth Petition Deliver my soule from the wicked with thy Sword THE fourth petition is contained in these words Deliver my soul from the wicked with thy sword In this petition David seeketh his life from God deliver my soul that is save my life Because it is by the soule that we live the life is called the soul For when once the soul is removed from the body the life tarieth no longer In this petition also may well be included a holy desire for a spirituall deliverance of his soul from sinne and Satan his spirituall enemies for doubtlesse wheâ the enemies of the body are busie seeking our life the Diveâ like a roaring Lion 1 Pet. 5.8 seeketh us most earnestly that when we arâ slaine he may get our soules Satan is most vigilant and busie tâ cause Battels of bloud that wheâ mens bodies are slaine in an evilâ quarrell he may get many soules And therefore this should at a times be the man of warres ejaculatorie prayer O Lord deliveâ my soul from the vvicked vviâ thy svvord This is for the preservation both of soul and body The words of this petition are diversly interpreted Some esteeme that the wicked here are called the Sword of God Qui tibi vice gladii est that is in steed of a Sword thus all the meanes of mens destruction are the Lords Sword According to this Isa 66.16 Isaiah saith that by fire and sword the Lord will pleade with all flesh The same Prophet in another place saith Isa 27.1 that the Lord with his sore and great and strong Sword will punish Leviathan The Prophet Jeremiah cryeth out O thou Sword of the Lord Jer. 47.6 how long wilt it be ere thou bee quiet Zeph. 2.12 The Lord in Zephaniah said to the Ethiopians yee shall be slaine by my Sword According to this interpretation all meanes that God useth either to afflict his children or to destroy the wicked are called his Sword In this sense the wicked in my text according to the new Translation are called Gods Sword deliver my soule from the wicked which is thy Sword that is the instrument of thy correction Other interpret the words after this manner deliver my soule from the wicked with thy Sword In the Hebrew there is onely thy Sword for with thy Sword The Chaldee hath Charbecha for Becharbecha who deserveth to be slaine by thy Sword the Greeke glosse hath using thy Sword against him The sense of the whole petition is this that the Lord would deliliver his life from the wicked which are the Sword or rod of his wrath Isa 10.5 Or that by his Sword he would destroy the wicked and so deliver his soule or his life this last interpretation seemeth best for it is more likely that David here desireth the Lord to deliver his soul from the wicked with his Sword then that the wicked are GODS Sword against him for in this Psalme he pleadeth for his own innocency in all that concerned his enemies I confesse that if we look to God in our affections though we be most unjustly wronged by men yet the Lord is ever righteous and most justly may with the wicked as vvith a rod scourge us for our trespasses against him both interpretations are good Now to come to the petition Deliver my soule from the vvicked vvhich is thy Sword or vvith thy Svvord After that he had prayed against his enemies he prayeth for himselfe that the LORD would deliver his soule The destruction of our enemies is but half comfort except that the Lord deliver us from dangers Indeed the destruction of Gods enemies is a fair way for the deliverance of Gods servants After that Haman was hanged Gods people had joy and gladnesse Esth 8.17 a feast and a good day The use The 1 use Let us learn the right method of prayer in these dayes of trouble The Church of God now hath many adversaries who are runne together in a cluster like one man in the singular number Heere we may learn what to say Arise O Lord disappoint him Cast him dovvne downe with Doeg the Deputie the cursed courteour down with Zedekiah Canterburrie the false Prophet who by his tyrannie hath smitten many a good Micajah on the cheeck for couragiously withstanding of his Arminian lies Down down with that proud Prelate whose lips should have kept knowledge Mal. 2.8 and yet like these wicked Priests in Malachie hath made many to stumble at the law Yea and at the Gospel also by corrupting the Covenant of Levi The court made him foâge his Master Christ as the second Coch of Egypt taught Joseph âo sweare by the life of Pharao Make thy arme now bare Gen. 42.16 Lord ând cast downe all thine enemies among us but chiefly LORD now downe with these bloudie hounds of Ireland these cruell Cannibals 1 King â 5 who like bloudy Joab have shed the blood of warre in peace and have put the blood of war upon their girdles that were about their loines and in their shooes that were on their feet Let not their hoare heads goe downe to the grave in peace If any others by authoritie or counsell have had hand in that bloud as the Prophet Zacharie said when men were murdering him at the commandment of the King The Lord looke upon it 2 Chron. 24 2â and require it O what a terrible count is above the head of these who have a hand in these most bloody divisions in England now Aceldama a field of blood where so many like these two young men that came out of the two armies to play before Joab and Abner thrust every one his sword into his fellowes side and fall down together O these red fields made red morter with the blood of so many thousands O is there not a God in Heaven Will he not looke upon all this and require it yea and requite it O let us pray that God would cast downe these men of blood After that wee have prayed thus let us intreat the LORD most humbly to deliver our Soules with his sword from the rage of wicked men The 2 use Againe whereas this man of God seeketh heere deliverance from the Lord let us learne to whom to goe for to be in safetie Neither Ships by Sea nor Castels by Land can deliver mens soules or lives All these things are but vaine things a blast of winde will throw down and drowne these Sea towers filled with Canons The strong holds on land though they seeme such as the blinde and
time Remember not against us our former iniquities forgive them and forget them pitie us and pardon us Be pleased with us for the sake of Christ Jesus in whom thou art well pleased Now LORD this day is appointed for the Battell and every battell of the warriour is with confused noise Isa 9.5 and tumbling of garments into bloud Wee know that he that girdeth on his harnesse 1 King 20 11 must not boast as he that putteth it off The prosperous successe of all good enterprises is to bee looked for from thee It is as easie for thee to save by few as by many and therefore we all heere armed for thy honour depend onely upon thy assistance Wee trust that according to thine infinite goodnesse thou wilt bee powerfully vvith us and for us who stand heere ready to lay down our lives at thy feet for thy glory the good cause for that holy Covenant which wee have made with thee and which now we minde to seale with our bloud Though wee deserve to bee deserted of thee because of our manifold sinnes and great ingratitudes yet for the honour of thy Name Let not thine Israel this day shamefully turne their backe before the enemie Deut. 32.27 O LORD fear the bragges of thy foes who if wee be tread downe will scornfully say where is now their God and where is their Covenant and where is their good Cause they will surely say Ibid. Our hand is high and the LORâ hath not done all this Seeing now LORD vve are presently for to rencounter with the forces of men and for to set our breasts before the Canon Musket Sword and Spear in this valley of the shadow of death be thou our Captaine Psal 23.4 goe before us give us wisedome and courage and strength take the hearts from our enemies make their hands faint and their knees feeble make thy promise good five of you shall chase an hundred and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight Lev. 26.8 O LORD the protector of thy servants make all feare of death now flee farre from us give us the boldnesse of David with his good successe in going out against these uncircumcised enemies of thy truth They come out ââainst us with the force of Men ââd Munition vvith Horses Svvordes Speares and Shields but vvee goe against them under thy standart in the name of the LORD of hostes the GOD of Armies of Israel Through thee we shall do valiantly But LORD if for such causes as are knovvn to thee it be thy will that at this time an end bee made made of any of our lives let it please thy sacred Majestie to receive our soules into the bosome of thy love Though our bodies fall into the hands of men Let our soules fall into the hands of God vvhose compassions faile not Now Father into thy hands we commend our Spirits Now in thy Name under thy Banner we thy Servants and Souldiers goe to this chocke O Lord be our captain and go before us and fight for thine own cause Generall Moses wordes to his Armie in a great strait at the red Sea Exod. 14.13 Feare yee not stand still and see the Salvation of the LORD which he will shew to you the day Calebs wordes of courage to Israel concerning the Cananites Numb 14.9 They are bread for us their defence is departed from them and the LORD is with us fear them not Captaine Joabs wordes to Abishai immediatly before the Battell against the Syrians and the Ammonites 2 Sam. 10.12 Be of good courage and let us play the men for our people and for the Cities of our GOD and the LORD doe that which seemeth him good Asas wordes when Zerah the Ethiopian came in Battell array against him with a thousand thousand men and three hundred Charets 2 Chron. 14.11 And Asa cryed unto the Lord his God and said Lord it is nothing with thee to help whether with many or with them that have no power Help us O LORD our GOD for wee rest on thee and in thy Name we goe against this multitude O LORD thou art our GOD Let not man prevaile against thee Hezekiahs prayer after that he had received King Senacheribs blasphemous letter full of threatnings 2 King 19.14 And Hezekiah received the letter off the hand of the messengers and read it And Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD and spread it before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD and said O Lord God of Israel which dwellest between the Cherubims thou art the God even thou alone of all the Kingdomes of the earth thou hast made heaven and earth Lord bow downe thine ear and heare open Lord thine eyes and see and heare the words of Senacherib which hath sent to reproach the living God Of a trueth LORD the Kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands And have cast their gods into the fire for they vvere no gods but the work of mens hands wood and stone therefore they have destroyed them Now therefore O Lord our God I beseech thee save thou us out of hâ hand that all the kingdomes of the earth may know that thou art the Lord God even thou only Davids prayer against his Enemies Psal 68.1 Let God arise let his enemies be scattered let them that hate him flee before him As smoke is driven away so drive them away As waxe melteth before the fire so let the wicked perish at the presence of God Victory promised to the Church Mic. 4.11 Now also many nations are gathered against thee that say let her be defiled and let our eye look upon Zion 12 But they know not the thoughts of the LORD neither understand they his counsell For he shall gather them as the sheaves into the flooore 13 Arise and thresh O Daughter of Zion for I will make thine horne yron and I will make thy hooves brâsse and thou shalt beat in pieces many people and I will consecrate their gaine unto the LORD and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth Mica 4.11 Now also many nations Are gath'red against thee That say let her now be defil'd On Zion cast our eye 12 But they the Lords thoughts do not know Nor yet his counsell pure For he by force shall gather them As sheaves into the floore 13 Arise O deare daughter Zion Thine enemies to threin For I will now make thine horne yron And will make thy hooves brasse And I unto the Lord of Hostes Will consecrate their gaine And to the Lord of the whole earth Their substance will ordaine A thanksgiving after the Victorie O Lord what thy servant Moses said in his song at the red Sea that may we all say this day Exo. 15.3 The Lord is a man of warre the Lord is his name Thy name O Lord is glorious and worthie to be praised the sorrowes of death had compassed us and the floods of ungodly men had made us afraide but thou hast been our strength and our stay in the day of our danger In the valley of the shaddow of death thou hast beene our Captaine and defender Psal 23.4 Through thee we have done valiantly and thou hast treade our enemies under our feet by thy strength we have pushed them dovvne the safetie is ours but all the glory shall be thine Zach. 1.3 vvho art the Lord of Hosts vvho by thy mightie arme hast brought low the high lookes of these who trusted in their Horses and Charets which thou hast teared in pieces thou hast driven them away as smoake Psal 68.2 and hast made them to melt like waxe before the fire O LORD by thy almighty power vve have run through their troupes and put them to a speedie flight Wee have pursued our enemies and overtaken them neither did vve turne againe till they vvere consumed vve have vvounded them that they vvere not able to rise they are fallen under our feet for thou hast girded us with strength unto the Battell thou hast subdued under us these that rose against us thou hast given us the necks of our enemies We have beaten them small as the dust before the vvind vve have cast them out as the dirt of the streets Thy gentlenesse hath made us great By thee this day is ours vve most heartily acknowledge all the matter of our joy to be from thee O LORD who is like unto thee who is GOD save the LORD or who is a rocke save our God The Lord liveth and blessed bee our rock let the God of our salvation be exalted Psal 18.34 who hath taught our hands to warre Let all creatures praise the Lord praise him from the heavens praise him all yee his Angels and Hostes praise him yee Sunne and Moone and all ye Starres of light praise him from the earth fire and haile snow and vapour heat and cold rivers hills and vallayes all weapons of warre swords speares musquets and conons and all other things that have beene steadable to help the Lord to help the Lord c. Judg. 5.23 With all these we the whole body of this armie with our hearts to heaven do sing Hallelujah most humbly acknowledging both the victorie and every one of our particulare safeties to be from thee who art God over all things blessed for ever and ever Amen Psal 57.12 Thy vowes are upon us O God we will render praises unto thee Let us now in a most heartie thanksgiving sing the eighteenth Psalme from the 33. verse untill the 39. 33 He did in order put my hands to battell and to fight To break in sunder bars of brasse he gave mine armes the might 34 Thou teachest me thy saving health thy right hand is my tower Thy love and familiaritie do still increase my power 35 And under me thou makest plain the way where I should walk So that my feet should never slip nor stumble at a balk 36 And fiercely I pursue and take my foes that me annoy'd And from the fields do not return till they be all destroy'd 37 So I suppresse and wound my foes that they can rise no more For at my feet they fall down flat I strike them all so sore 38 For thou dost gird me with thy strength to war in such a wise That they be scattered all abroad that up against me rise The Lord hath done great things for us to him be glory for ever Amen FINIS