shall melt for fear Let these I say and many other Improvements too many for an Epistle but not too many for our Thankfulnesse to enquire into let these Speak 10. And all this whether it have not been the cheapest Purchase the Parliament hath made since it was constrained to redeem this poor sold Nation with Money and Blood I appeal to your Selves and to that exhausted County which in the pursuit of this Service hath to their exceeding Honours issued not much lesse if I be not misinformed then 40000 l. the very last vital blood that was left in their veins Psal 110. â—â— Surely the Lord made them a willing people in this day of his power There is yet a passage or two wherein you shall behold Mercy and truth meeting together Righteusnesse and peace kissing each other 11. Vpon the same day that the enemy began to fortifie the City of Chester and make their Outworks that very day three yeers the Parliaments Forces entred the same Feb. 3. 1642. Feb. 3. 1645 12. The King mustered the Cheshire Forces summon'd disarm'd the Train-bands upon Holt-Heath Sept. 24 1642. and upon the same day three yeers the Kings Army was routed upon Routon-we may rightly call it Routing-Heath and another Brigade which was intended for a Reserve commanded by the Earl of Lichfield and the Lord Gerard defeared upon Holt-Heath as I take it so it is called where the Earl of Lichsield was slain and all this in the Kings view He then standing in Phoenix-Tower in Chestr Lord when thy hand is lifted up they will not see but they shall see I pray God to Repentance and not to Shame Vide Passages and Treaties of the Siege and taking of Chester Honouâ—able Parriots these sew passages to which you have already further discoveries and may sinde more hold forth much of God His Wisedom his Strength his Justice his Mercy beaming forth in the Light of this day And this you may observe as the result of all It is Fidelity God prospers and Crowns in his Service Now that God who hath made your Armies faithful to you make you every day more and more faithful to himself that what was Moses Honour and His too who is Moses and your Lord the Lord Jesus may be the Parliament of England 's renown to all Generations They were faithful to him that appointed them in all his House in doing all things according to the patern Which as it was the travel of this Cautionary Heb. 3.2 not Accusatory Sermon now the second time waiting upon your Commands so it shall be the daily prayer of Your Honours not more desirous to live then to serve Christ in you THO. CASE To the truely Noble Sir William Brereton Baronet Commander in Chief of the Parliaments Forces in Cheshire and to all those worthy Commanders and Gentlemen whom God hath honoured with the beginning managing and now happily finishing of the Work in Cheshire Honourable and ever to be honoured Gent. WHat Encomium the Apostle gave the beloved Disciple I hope the world wil give me leave to bestow upon you without the the least suspition of Flattery You do faithfully whatsoever you do in the Publike Trust committed to you 1. Joh. v. 5. and I beseech you look upon it as Gods honouring of you more then your honouring of God a heart to be faithful and happinesse to be successeful in Gods designes is a double engagement which I heartily desire may not lift up your hearts unlesse it be in the ways of God in whose Name you have gone out and prospered So that you may go and bear a part in his * Barak Judg. 5.13 Excellencies Song Then he made him that remaineth to have dominion over the Nobles among the people the Lord made me have dominion over the mighty As an acknowledgement of which honour God hath done you give me leave humbly to suggest a few Returns of Thankfulnesse that will no lesse become you then crown and perfect your work 1. Make it I beseech you your prime designe to surrender up that Citie to God which God hath surrendred up to you by engaging your best abilities and interests for the bringing in and encouragement of a learned godly Orthodox Ministery into the City the Spiritual Militia that must secure the peace thereof If Heresie and Schism break in I shall set down and cry Chester is lost the second time and in which more miserable it will not be easie to determine Agrippins to Nero. 2. Studie onenesse in your affections and onenesse in your Counsels Unitie and you are unconquerable Remember whose suggest it was Divide impera 3. Let your distinguishing favours run counter-motion to the enemies let Malignants have no more encouragement then may demonstrate you more studious of their Reformation then their Ruine Let them have no more cause to call the proud happie Hagg. 3.15 Vers 18. nor to say They that work wickednesse are set up but let them return and discern between the righteous and the wicked between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not 4. Be tender O be tender I say as of your own lives of the willing faithful party who in City or Countrey have served you in this Cause of Christ and the Parliament to the very last drop of livelihood and blood O to studie now the Rest Refreshing Recruiting of that languishing people more then your own interests and advantage will render you more truely honourable then all your Victories and bring the blessing of perishing families upon you and your posterity To that end imitate the true gallantry of Nehemiah read his 5 Chapter especially from the 14 verse to the end and the Lord grant you may get it by heart Then shall they that are delivered from the noise of the archers in the places of drawing water rehearse the righteous acts of the Lord Judg. 5.11 even the righteous acts towards the inhabitants of the Villages in Cheshire then shall the people of the Lord go down to the gates 5. Studie Self-conquests Sin-victory He that is slowe to anger is better then the mighty and he that ruleth his spirit then he that taketh a City Prov. 16.32 Fortior est qui sequam qui fortissima vincit moenia If after ye have conquered the Lusts of men you are conquered by your own Lusts if after you have led your enemies captive Satan can take you captive at his will you are undone for ever The Lord make you every way more then Conquerors c. 2 Tim. 2.26 Rom. 8.37 6. Lastly remember what General Joab did when he had taken Rabbah of the Ammonites and do ye likewise now ye have taken this Cheshire-Râ—bbah send for King David yea send for that King who is Davids son and Davids Lord King JESUS give him possession and set the Crown of glory upon his Head bowing your beads before him and casting down your Crowns saying Not unto us O
deliverance of Promise as well as of Providence a Covenant-mercie in that she rejoyceth Vers 8. yea if it be but bread and water as I said before she looks in what it is served He hath given meat to them that fear him Why He will be ever mindful of his Covenant Psal 111.5 Her meat how course soever was served in in the great silver Chaâ—ger of the Covenant And this was the rise of Thankfulnesse in the Churches Grace q. d. Blessed be God that hath fed me with bread of promise that hath commanded his Covenant to bring me in provision And so for her deliverances and redemption from enemies temporal and eternal He sent Redemption to his people Verse 9. he hath commanded his Covenant for ever holy and reverend is his Name It was a Covenant-victorie and Redemption and for this she bows her head and adores the Name of the Lord. Now carnal people never look after these things they be dry and empty notions to them give them meat so it be fat and dainty give them Deliverances and Victories so they be full and gallant be it by promise or providence come they in by sonship or creatureship be it the Covenant that helps them or Fortune it is all one they know no difference and therefore rise no higher in their joy and gladnesse then the possession of their desirable good things This is the first Rise Second Ground Return of Prayer A Second Rise of Thankfulnesse is The Return of Prayer The children of God when they have pray'd do not forget their prayers as carnal people do but when they have prayed they look after their Prayers Psal 85.8 I will hearken what God the Lord will speak c. when he had done praying he begins hearkning And so again In the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee Psal 5.3 and I will look up A childe of God looks after his prayers and he knows them when he sees them again and says Oh here comes the answer of such a prayer the return of such a day of Humiliation and this affects his heart and this raiseth up his soul in the love and praises of God Psal 116.1 I love the Lord because he hath heard my voice and my supplication Yea and for this he calls in help to this great work of praising God as the disciples beckoned to their fellows to come and help them when they had taken such a great draught of fishes that their ship began to sink again so I say the Psalmist upon a great draught of mercles which even sinks him again with the weight of them calls in the Saints to his help Come neer all ye that fear God Psal 66.16 and I will tell you what he hath done for my soul Why what was it He tells you I cried unto him with my mouth Vers 17. and he was extolled with my tongue A speedie return of Prayer q.d. I kept a day of prayer wherein I sought him for such ahd such mercies and desiverances and anon after he gave me occasion to keep a day of Thanksgiving for being found of me and this endears his heart to God more then the mercy it self whatever it was Blessed be God that hath not turned away my prayer Vers 20. nor his mercie from me This is the second Rise A third Rise or Ground of Thankfulnesse whereby it differs from meer natural Gladnesse A third Ground Spiritual advantages is Spiritual Advantages If National and Publike Mercies and Deliverances the Saints eye the Spiritual part of them Surely salvation is nigh unto them that fear him Psal 85.9 When we were nigh to perishing our God was nigh to save to save us in such a Battel and in such a danger to give up such and such a strong-hold out of which the enemies did vex and plague us because he had a people among us that feared his Name I but now there was a Spiritual part in this Deliverance and that follows That glory may dwell in our Land What is the glory of a people but the Ordinances of God The glory is departed from Israel cried that dying Saint when the Ark of God was taken 1 Sam 4.12 why so now the Church looks upon the socuritie and improvement of the Ordinances of God as the fruit of this deliverance and that is the ground of her triumph And so if they be personal mercies and deliverances the people of God enquire what portion will fall to the souls share what improvement for grace they can finde in their mercies The living the living shall praise thee as I do this day so sings Hezekiah Have mercie upon me Isa 38.19 O Lord consider my trouble which I suffer Psal 9.13 c. That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Sion so prays David both single out the Spiritual part of the Deliverance in the mouth of it they finde food for the grace of Thankfulnesse to feed on That I may shew forth thy praises and that they make the ground or rise of their rejoycing Yea the Prophet David is so intent upon the matter that whereas with carnal hearts the lean kine eat up the fat the earthly part of a mercy devours the heavenly and spiritual with this man after Gods own heart and if ever he was so it was in this the spiritual part devours and swallows up the earthly where he doth encourage his soul Psal 42.1 Hope thou in God for I shall yet praise him c. He was waiting for a Deliverance from the persecutions of bloody Saul and he hath forgot and lost both it and himself in the heavenly-soul-part of the mercy he saw it would be fuel for the grace of love and thank fulnesse and that so takes up all his thoughts that he can speak nothing else but praise praise not I shall yet be delivered but I shall yet praise him c. Oh happie Losse indeed I to lose Earth in Heaven I to lose the Creature in God I lose the mercy of God in the God of mercy I Surely he that so loseth a mercy findes it with infinite advantage I might instance in more particular graces but I must leave much to your own enlargement But there is yet an higher Rise then all these of the Saints Thankfulnesse for Mercies and Deliverances and that Fourthly is that God is exalted The fourth Rise Gods exaltation Exod. 15. Thus if you will peruse that song of Moses Exod. 15 from the first Verse and so forward you shall finde that which most affects him and the children of Israel in the drowning of Pharroh and the Egyptians in the Red-sea was not so much their being freed from the fear of the Egyptians pursuit as that thereby God was exalted I will sing unto the Lord Vers 1. for He hath triumphed gloriously The Lord is my strength and my song my fathers God Vers 2.
as eternal as the God of those wonders And to that end Tenthly in longing to praise God in heaven Tenthly and lastly gracious spirits in laid and enamel'd with Thankfulnesse because they can live but a while to praise God on earth and their generations too shall not continue after them for ever to do this work therefore they breathe after heaven where in the presence of God their praises shall be perfected and perpetuated here they are weak weary full of natural and sinful mixtures and defilements there they shall be vigorous active pure perfect as unchangeable as interminable as eternitie it self They rest not day and night Revel 8.4 saying Holy holy holy Lord God Almightie which was and is and is to come Thankfulnesse is a pure flame of a restlesse motion ever mounting upward till it come to its element the Quire of Saints and Angels in heaven where it shall sing everlasting Hallelujahs to him that sitteth upon the throne and to the Lamb where it shall keep a day of Thanksgiving that shall never know an evening And thus have I done with the fourth and last difference between Gladnesse and Thankfulnesse sc their operations and so with the whole Doctrinal part of my Discourse I should now come to improve it to Vse and Application two ways especially 1. By way of an Examination 2. By way of Direction But truely the very opening of the Doctrine unto you hath done both these already to your hands or at least furnisht you with materials upon which you may do both your selves Take this Model or Platform of true Thankfulnesse lay it before you operate upon it in your serious and impartial thoughts and if you would know whether you are a thankful people or no you may easily resolve into an Vse of Examination while every branch under all these four heads of differences will serve you as Note of Trial whereby you may make some Judgement upon the question Whether you do more then others of the world in this great work of Thankfulnesse And if you would know how you might be thankful set this Model in your eye and it will serve you as Directory wherein every branch again will be a Rule whereby you may form and proportion your Thankfulnesse according to the Word and the example of those Saints who have excell'd in this grace and duty of Thankfulnesse Truely Honourable and Beloved you had need to do it and to do it with your best and purest intentions for I professe to you the most not most of men onely but of Christians do wofully mistake both this duty and themselves too The world yea the greatest part of the Gospel-world is extremely out in this great businesse of Thankfulnesse It is sad and fearful to observe with what skins and shadows and almost mockeries God is turn'd off in stead of this pure holy spiritual active grace and duty of Thankfulnesse God looks for praise and we turn him off with a natural lazie selfish Gladnesse Some haply go not so far but like the elder Brother in the Gospel stand murmuring quarrelling without whilst in our Fathers house there is feasting and musick Many malignant spirits there be who fret and repine and gnash their teeth at the glorious Successes wherewith God hath been pleased to crown the out-goings of his servants and people in these later days But truely that sads not my spirit so much as to see a people whom God hath strived to endear unto himself by so many miracles of preservation Deliverances and Victories to mock God out of his praise and themselves at length out of their mercies Surely we may weep over our Deliverances and turn our days of Thanksgiving into days of mourning and lamentation to consider how we dally with God and put him off with a few empty formal Complements in stead of that real and spiritual and vital dutie which he expects and deserves at our hands And therefore I said when I heard I was designed to the service of this day I will not stand to analyse this mercie nor take in pieces this work of God the surrender of that strong impregnable Hold of Chester though very great and worthy to be sought out by all them that take pleasure in the works of the Lord but I will tell the Parliament and tell the Kingdom what it is to be thankful that they may see how much they are mistaken and what wrath hangs over our heads for the carnality rottennesse hypocrisie of our rejoycings over all the wonders which God hath done for England And therefore Noble Senators and all you that stand before God this day or to whom the words of this day may come sit down I beseech you seriously examine your selves by and compare your selves with this Model of Thankfulnesse held forth to you this day and see whether indeed you do come up to the Law of that Service which all the wonders that God hath done for you doth call for at your hands and what course you are to take for the preventing and averting of that wrath which I am afraid is gone forth against us for this thing I cannot stand to convince you by each particular in this Model Give me leave to single out but one branch and to deal faithfully with you in that particular it is a main one and such as will include many other It is the fifth branch of the fourth head of Difference between Gladnesse and Thankfulnesse namely Paying of Vows or keeping of Covenant with God Noble Patriots and all you that come hither to keep a day of Thanksgiving to God this day come on set up tribunals and place Conscience thereon as an impartial Judge to keep a little day of Judgement in your bosoms this day We must all appear before the Judgemedt-seat of Christ one day 2 Cor. 5.10 and how soon the Lord onely knows Come start not back better judge our selves then be judged of the Lord If we cannot stand before our own Consciences how shall we be able to stand before that Judge who is greater then our heart and knoweth all things 1 Joh. 3.20 the great-heart-maker and the great-heart-searcher Come on then I say and see whether in this one branch of Thankfulnesse we can approve our selves to God to be a thankful people I will not ravel into your bosoms to enquire with what dispositions of spirit upon what grounds and interests to what ends and references you entred into the Solemn League and Covenant though I wish with all my heart that you would perhaps you would finde a pad in the straw in your entrance into this Covenant possibly you may discover rashnesse in opposition to judgement hypocrisie in opposition to truth and sincerity it may be base lowe carnal ends and aims in opposition to Righteousnesse which are the Qualifications of a religious Covenanter Jer. 4.2 perhaps such workings of heart as sometimes brought the Sichemites into Covenant with the sons of
Jacob Gen. 34.23 Shall not their cattel and their substance and every beast of theirs be ours c. perhaps the gaining of such an office securing the estate the keeping of such a Living was in the eye c. Oh let the Kingdoms enquire into this and let every man look into his own heart for if it were so know of a certin that this was first source and fountain of all that sin and mischief which hath broken in upon us since the day of our Covenanting with God and with one another But this I leave the thing that I would close upon with your Consciences is this How have you kept your Covenant with God Men and Brethren have ye paid your vows unto the Lord the Vows which ye uttered in this place in the day wherein you lifted up your hands to the most high God If you shall say Yea we have paid our Vows and with Saul We have obeyed the voice of the Lord let me demand with Samuel What means then the lowing of the oxen and the bleating of the sheep in mine ears What means that brutish and beastly noise of Heresie and Schism and Profanenesse in mine ears Did ye not indeed Covenant with God the preservation of Religion in the Church of Scotland c. and the Reformation of Religion in the Kingdoms of England and Ireland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government according to the Word of God and the example of the best Reformed Churches Oh what is the reason then that to this day the House of God lieth waste in some places there being no Ministery for want of Ordination in others indeed in all places there being no Discipline or Government for want of a Rule according to the Word no Discipline I say unlesse it be amongst those whose impatient zeal suffers them not to wait for your civil Sanction Will ye say The time is not come Hagg. 1.2 the time for building the Lords House is not come I cannot give you the Prophets answer I must confesse you have not spent your time in building your own houses and ceiling them nay some of your houses have been pull'd down to the ground and the ceiling destroyed with axes and hammers in the Psalmists language But this I pray with all my soul that you have not said so long The time is not come the time is not come we are not yet in a fitting posture Oh my soul trembles to speak it till God say The time is past The time is past Because I would have purged and thou wast not purged Ezek. 241.3 thou shalt not be purged thou shalt not be purged from thy silthinesse any more till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee Oh if the Lord should speak such a word against us England is undone for ever I am much afraid if you time it out sse any more till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee Oh if the Lord should speak such a word against us England is undone for ever I am much afraid if you time it out a little longer you will have no materials to build the Lords house withal unlesse you will build it with the shrubs and thorns of the wildernesse But further how comes it to passe I beseech you since you are under the Covenant of God to reform according to the Word and example of the best Reformed Churches that some are so startled at the very mention of such a Clause According to the Word of God and example of the best Reformed Churches as if they saw a monster some hideous apparition which had in it the face of Treason and Blasphemie But I must proceed Have you not Covenanted to extirpate Superstition Heresie Schism Profanenesse and whatsoever shall be found contrary to sound Doctrine and the power of Godlinesse c. How comes it to passe then that these abound more then ever they did and that under your Noses while there is such a numerous encrease of Errours and Heresies as I blush to repeat what some have affirmed namely that there be no Isse then One hundred and eighty several Heresies propagated and spread in this neighbouring Citie which hitherto hath been so famous for soundnesse of Doctrine and the power of godlinesse and many of them also of such a nature as that I may say in Galvin's language The Errours and Innovations under which we so much groaned of later yeers were but tolerabiles ineptiae tolerable trisles childrens play compared with these damnable Doctrines Doctrines of devils as the Apostle calls them Polygamy Arbitrary Divorce Mortality of the Soul No Ministery no Churches No Ordinances No Scripture yea the very Divinity of Christ and the holy Ghost questioned by some denied by others And the very foundation of all these laid in such a Schism of boundlesse liberty of Conscience viz. Believe what you will and preach what you believe and such lawlesse Separation of Churches and all these not onely whispered in corners but preacht on the house top yea published in Print before your faces with so much virulency and impudence that I verily believe no Age since the Apostles times could ever parallel Fathers and Brethren Acts 18.17 how will you call this Keeping of Covenant with God Had we a Parliament of Apostate Julians August Epist 166. of whom it is reported that at what time he opened the Temples of the Heathenish gods he set open the Christian Churches call'd home all the Christians whom he had banisht both Orthodox and Heretick and gave them as we call it Liberty of conscience but as Austin more truely phraseth it Libertatem perditionis Liberty to destroy themselves Eo modo putans Christianum nemen posse perire de terris c. for that was his policie and end namely by liberty of all Religions to destroy the true and the professors thereof too or had we a Parliament of carelesse Gallio's we should not wonder but for a Parliament of Christians Protestants Professors the choisest the most active that could be cull'd out of a Christian State the like not under heaven that these things should be done and you hold your peace and be able to keep your places and not to put on righteousnesse as a brestplate Isa 59.17 and the garments of vengeance for your clothing as it is said of God this makes the Churches abroad to wonder what England's Parliament is a doing and all at home that love the Lord Jesus Christ more then their own interests and notions to be fill'd with unspeakable trembling and astoshnishment to wit what God means to do with this poor bleeding Church and State But further Have we not lifted up our hands to the most high God to amend our lives and each one to go before another in the example of a real Reformation Ah God where is it to be found Is not the drunkard a drunkard still and the swearer a swearer still and the adulterer an adulterer still
A MODEL OF True Spiritual Thankfulnesse Delivered in a SERMON Before the Honourable House of COMMONS Upon their day of THANKSGIVING being Thursday Feb. 19. 1645 for the great Mercy of God in the Surrender of the Citie of Chester into the hands of the Parliaments Forces in CHESHIRS under the Command of Sir WILLIAM BRERETON By THO. CASE Preacher in Milkstreet London and one of the Assembly of Divines ISA 1.25.3 The strong people shall glorifie thee the citie of the terrible Nations shall fear thee ISA 1.26.2 Open ye the gates that the righteous Nation which keepeth the Truth may enter in London Printed by Ruth Raworth for Luke Fawne at the signe of the Parrot in Paul's Church-yard 1646. Die Lunae 23 Februarii 1645. ORdered by the Commons assembled in Parliament That Master Rous do give Thanks to Master Case and Master Woodcock for the great pains they took in the Sermons they preached at the intreatie of this House on Thursday last being a day set apart for a day of publike Thanksgiving for the taking of Chester and to desire them to print their Sermons And it is ordered that none shall print their Sermons without license under their hands writing H. Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Com. I appoint Luke Fawne to print my Sermon THO. CASE To the Honourable House of Commons in Parliament now assembled NOBLE SENATORS TO serve Your and the Kingdoms Thankfulnesse for the late mercy of God in putting Chester into your possession give me leave from the Presse to present unto your view what might have been burdensom from the Pulpit a short List or Catalogue of some eminent Providences wherewith the mercy of the day being clothed will appear very rich and glorious 1. And first you may please to observe that the very lengthning of the Siege was the advance of the Designe while in the issue it appears to have been nothing else but an ambushment of Providence laid of purpose to draw on the enemy to their own destruction Surely their pride and power have not met with a more burdensome stone in all their bold and confident Adventures then the Siege of Chester upon which God bath broken them with breach upon breach and blest you with victory upon victory worth many Chesters and when he had done cast that also in for an advantage Thus many times do we look upon disappointments of our hopes as frowns of displeasure which afterwards we finde to be Plots of Mercy Who would not wait upon that God who if be withhold a mercy for a while pays interest for the forbearance of more worth many times then the principal it self 2. That in three Storms of the greatest disadvantage that height of walls depth of trenches impregnablenesse of Forts and multitudes of enemies as many in the City as yours in the Siege could render the Forces were confest by the enemy to have done more execution then they received either in their assault or retreat wherein one particular providence must not be silenc'd * Lieut. Col. Venâ—bles an active Commander who was four times upon the walls and though through the unexpected disadvantages of the designe not seconded according to expectation yet was brought off harmlesse save onely a slight wound on his arm to minde him what arm it was that made his rescue 3. That in all the Sallies which the enemy hath made upon the Parliaments Quarters they had more cause at their returns into their strong Hold to wring their hands then to ting their bells being always sent home with more blowes then they give 4. That our Engines during the Siege have constantly done more execution upon the enemy within then theirs have done upon our men without though the oddes of all offensive and defensive advantages were on their side whereby God would manifest the difference between having walls and bulwarks for Salvation Iâ—a 26.1 and having Salvation for walls and bulwarks 5. It was onely an unexpected Help to our side that a Blinde of Providence caused them to leave the Prospect of a Steeple so neer the City-walls undemolished from whence our men did perform daily justice upon the Rebels slaying one of their steruest and divers others So God oftentimes beats the enemie with their own weapons 6. The patience and constancy of your Souldiery was eminently remarkable which was such as though there were temptations enough to storm it as extremity of weather want of pay clothes food unparallel'd hard duty all the time of the siege being forced many times to fetch their water from * â— Sam. â—â— 15 the gate of Bethlem and that not for wantonnesse but for necessity their bread from the enemies Quarters the stores of the languishing Countrey being drained and expected supplies from neighbouring Counties failing to the extreme harassing and hazarding of their Forces both abroad and at home I say such notwithstanding was their constancy and patieâ—ce that none of all these could conquer it Providence always stepping in with timely Supplies and admirable Resenes in their deepest discouragements and desertions In the mount the Lord hath been seen Gen. 22.14 7. The nature of your Forces which performed this service renders it the more observable they being not an united Brigade cull'd and form'd for such a designe but a collective Body out of some few adjacent Counties the more capable of discontent and uncapable of Commands had not God put a singular Spirit of Wisedom and Activity into the Commanders and of willingnesse or awe into the Souldiers So that here you have that word made good again Zech. 46. Not by might nor power but by my Spirit saith the Lord of Hosts 8. The enemy were not so high all the time of the Siege in their demands but your terms were as honourable in the Surrender which received this addition Magmon est testimohium pro â—o qui judicium ad â—â—sario comminit Abulens that the enemies themselves confesse Conditions were never better kept since the wars began A testimony out of the mouth of an adversary is double honour 9. Of what Consequence the Successe is let Chesters expectation from Ireland and the preparations of the Irish Cut-throats for Chester the Key of this Kingdom the Rest of that poor fainting County the trembling of all the malignant neighbouring Strong Holds in Wales and the securing of your Northern Leagur from the approach of an enemy the opening of the way of Trade between London and these parts the dashing in pieces of the Enemies Designes who lo were hastning now to the Infallible relief of their Garisons in Cheshire and Lancashire the reducing of the North the absolute Conquest of Scotland and then back again to the sharing of England for all this and more too Sisera-like they had not onely designed but dispatcht in their vain Confidences The strengthning the hands of our Friends thorow the whole Kingdom who shall hear and rejoyce the weakning of the Enemy who shall hear and their heart
Lord not unto us but to thy Name give the praise Ezek. 48.35 O let not the City be called by your Name but let the Name of the City be from this day Jehovah-shammah The Lord is there Worthy Sirs what is now my faithful advice to you shall be always the humble request for you at the Throne of Grace of Psal 115.1 Your Honours to serve you in all Gospel offices THO. CASE To the Maior Aldermen and the rest of the Citizens and Inhabitants of the City of Chester Grace with Peace be multiplied Right Worshipful and Beloved I Desire to rejoyce with you and for you in this great mercy of God in restoring you to your Habitations from which some of you have been so long divorced or to your Liberties in the surprise whereof you have been no better then prisoners in your own Houses Which that it may be a mercy indeed give me leave as one that loves you to commend unto you a few Cautions 1. Take heed I beseech you now that you are returned to your old Houses you do not return to your old sins now you are restored to your Civil Liberties you do not backslide to your former sinful Liberties What they were you best know give me leave to minde you what your Christian friends in the Kingdom have taken notice of and bewailed in you Pride in your apparel sumptuousnesse in your houses excessive delicacie on your Tables whose sins these were Ezek. 16.49 will tell you profanation of Sabbaths contempt of the faithful Ministery of the Word compliance with Episcopal Superstition formality in Religion almost scorn of the godly and of the power of Godlinesse and the like Gal. 4.16 I speak not these things to shame you but as a Minister of Christ and a friend to admonish you and I hope I shall not become your enemy because I tell you the truth I le assure you Friends you have as much cause to keep days of Humiliation in Chester for your old sins as days of Thanksgiving for your new Mercies A voice was heard upon the high places Jer. 3.21 weeping and supplication of the children of Israel for they have perverted their way and have forgotten the Lord their God This was the posture of Israel returning out of Captivity and I wish from my soul it may be Yours 2. Enquire the way to Sion with your faces thitherward and to that end purchase to youâ—selves an inward spiritual Jer. 50.5 powerful Ministery whatever it cost you Say not you are poor or if you do know that this is the next way to recruit your estates the Gospel never comes empty-handed to a people it bears its own charges with advantage Prov. 23.23 O then buy the truth and sell it not buy it at any price sell it at no price Prove God herewith I beseech you and see if he do not open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing upon you and make your later end with Job more prosperous then your beginning Mal. 3.10 Job 42.12 2 Tim. 3 5. 3. Labour to be Christians in good earnest A form of godlinesse will not serve the turn it is a moth that will insensibly eat out the beauty strength of a Church or people Studie the power of it You have now made an Experiment whose service is better Deut. 28.47 48. Gods or your Enemies If God be God with you now serve him and serve him like Himself Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect Matth. 5. ult if after all this you dally with God and settle upon your lees again I must prophesie to you in the Name of the Lord The troubles you have suffered have been but the beginnings of your sorrow 4. From henceforth know your friends from your foes learn to distinguish between Complements and Realities The Bramble said to the trees Come and put your trust under my shadow Trust Brambles no more 5. Studie Thankfulnesse for this blessed turn of Providence in returning your Captivity They say abroad in the Kingdom The Lord hath done great things for you Judg. 9.15 Will not you eccho back again Yea the Lord hath done great things for us whereof we rejoyce The Lord teach you to prâ—ze your naked walls more then you have done formerly your sumptuous surnisht houses to improve your Freedoms to better purpose then ever heretofore How you may be thankful this ensuing Sermon preached for the Celebration of your Deliverance will direct You bear the greatest share in the mercy I wish you may bear the greatest share in the duty 6. Finally Brethren farewel Be perfect be of good omfort be of one minde live in peace and the God of Love and Peace shall be with you So prays Your real friend and servant in the Lord Tho. Case A Model of true SPIRITUAL THANKFULNESSE Delivered in a Sermon before the Honourable House of COMMONS Upon their day of Thansgiving being Thursday the 19 of Febr. 1645. for the great Mercy of God in the Surrender of the City of CHESTER into the hands of the Parliaments Forces in Cheshire under the Command of Sir William Brereton PSAL. 107.30 31. Then are they glad because they be quiet So he bringeth them into the desired haven O that men would praise the Lord for his goodnesse and for his wonderful works to the children of men IN the two former Psalms the holy Psalmist doth celebrate the mighty Acts of God in the deliverance and preservation of his Church In this Psalm he contemplates the wonders of Providence towards all Mankinde For after he had in the beginning of the Psalm finished the mention of his mercy and loving kindnesse to his Redâ—emed in the eight first Verses he descends to take notice what God doth For the Hungry Vers 9. For the disconsolate and afflicted Vers 10 11 12 13 14. For the sick and languishing Vers 17 18 19 20. Fâ—r Sea-men and such as travel upon the waters from the 23 to my Text. He takes notice what he doth in the great turns of Providence turning plenty into famine wherein his Justice is magnified Vâ—rs 33 34. And back again famine into plenty wherein his Mercie is advanced Vers 35.36 37 38. What he doth in breaking the power of mighty Princes turned Oppressors and Tyrants in making them contemptible and â—ain like Vagabonds to wander up and down in desert and hungry places Vers 40. And in lifting up the heads and restoring the habitations of their poor oppressed Subjects and People Vers 41. Upon each of these admirable Turns of Providence the Psalmist sets a Crown of glory breathing out his enlarged and repeated desires that when men have the comfort God might have the praise of all his wonders of Providence Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodnesse c. It is the burden of the Song Oh that men would praise the Lord My Text is the fourth repetition of this gracious breathing poured out
over the fourth work and wonder of Providence namely The admirable and even stupendious deliverances which God vouchsafes Mariners and Sea-men in many a black dreadful furious death-threatninâ— storm and tempest exprest to the life in the 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Verses I shall not meddle with the Dâ—liverance it self though if I should it would be neither impertinent nor improper for the work of this day for certainly a man might easily run a parallel between the state of the Mariner in thâ— storm and the condition of this poor and yet bleeding Church and State In Ireland and England We that have gone down into the Sea this Red-sea of Blood and have had our businesse now for these four or five yeers in these great waters of Civil war surely we have seen the works of the works of the Lord and his wonders in the deep Verse 24 If ever people saw the works the wonders of the workings of Jehovah we have We have lived I think I may safely speak it in the greatest Age of wonders that ever the Church knew We use to say Miracles are ceast but truely if men have ceased to do Miracles God hath not and yet he hath done them by men too in this Deep of Englands and Scotlands and Irelands troubles and â—fflictions For he commandeth and â—â—â—seth up the stormy winde Verse 25. which lifteth up the waves thereof Surely all the storms and tempests that have beaten upon these three Kingdoms have not come by chance and fortune this afâ—â—iction hath not risen out of the dust but as it was with Solâ—mon afâ—er his heart began to depart from God it is saâ—d 1 Kings 11.14 The Lord stirred up an Adversary unto Solomon Hadâ—d the Edâ—mite c. And Vers 23. God stirred him up another Adversary Rezin the son of Eliadah Adversary after Adversary and all stirred up by God So hath it been and is yet with us Storm after Storm Tempest after Tempest one cloud of blood and wrath after another Eccles 12.2 The clouds have returned after rain and all raised up by God in his righteous Judgement upon these sinful backsliding Nations We have as it followeth been mounted up to heaven and then hurl'd down again into the depths Oh the various changes that have been upon us I Somtimes up and somtimes down somtimes raised up as high as heaven by wonderful Deliverances and glorious Victories anon cast down even as lâ—we as hell As in the West c. by sad breakings of our Armies and losse of our Strong-holds Surely our souls have been melted because of trouble Our hopes have been melted and our hearts have been melted Oh how oft have I seen palenesse in mens faces the very shadow of death upon mens countenances I how oft have I seen men with their hands upon their loyns while fear hath taken hold upon them and sorrow aâ— pain upon a woman in travel Have we not been in the day of sad tidings from the West and other places in the Kingdom Vers 27. like drunken men full of the fury of the Lord and rebukes of our God reeling to and fro in our spirits and staggering in our Councels at our wits end Parliament at their wits end and Citie at their wits end and Armies at their wits end 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 All their wisdom swallowed up as the Hebrew signifies nonplust and lost not knowing what to do next unlesse it were with the Mariners in my Text for the most part the profanest of men to go and cry to God in our trouble Vers 28. betake our selves to our fasting and prayers when God hath shewed himself easie to be intreated 2 King 20.12 very gracious at the voice of our cry and hath brought us out of these distresses and straits wherein were calming the storms and stilling the waves the pride and rage Verse 30. the power and policie of our devouring Adversaries Thus hath the Lord done as often heretofore so now wonderfully of late at Dartmouth and Plymouth at Hereford at Belvoyre and at Chester the Wonder of mercy which we this day celebrate Thus you see if I should pitch upon the Deliverance it self here would be a foundation upon which we might build a Discourse not unseasonable or unsutable to the work of the day But it is not the Deliverance it self but the Return which hath called out my thoughts and now humbly calls for your attention And this Return is Twofold 1. What they do Then are they glad c. 2. What they should do O that men would praise the Lord c. And to hold you in the porch no longer though many Observations might be raised from the words I shall onely from the comparing of these two together sc What men do when mercies and deliverances come in They are glad with what they should do O that men would praise the Lord for his goodnesse c. hold forth to you this Point of Doctrine Every man in the world can be glad of mercies and deliverances but the duty that God expects is that men should praise him for his mercies Then are they glad I but that will not serve the turn it is a Return of an high nature which God looks for Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodnesse c. Or thus if you please There is a great difference between Gladnesse and Thankfulnesse It is one thing to be glad of a mercy or deliverance it is another thing to be thankful for it What that difference is and wherein it doth consist is all I intend to do upon the Doctrinal part of this Truth They differ in these four things sc in respect of their 1. Nature The difference between Gladnesse and Thankfulnesse 2. Rise or ground 3. Duration 4. Operation 1. In their Nature First Gladnesse and Thankfulnesse differ in their Nature Gladnesse or Joy is but a natural affection Some of the Stoick Philosophers have defined or described it to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysippus and other Stoicks Elatio animi propter aliquid quod optandum esse videatur it is the lifting up or widening or enlargement of the heart upon the coming in of any sutable and desirable good And it is found not onely in * Psal 105.38 Lam. 1.21 natural men but even in the bruit creatures even these you see do expresse in their way a great deal of gladnesse and contentment when they meet with that which is sutable to their natures and dispositions But now Thankfulnesse which is here commended is a divine grace wrought in the soul by the Spirit of God whereby the heart is drawn out towards God in gracious and holy desires and endeavours to praise and exalt the Lord who is the Author and Donor of the Mercie as here it is expressed by this chiefest and highest act of Thankfulnesse Oh that men would praise the Lord c. Let them exalt him
so much when that strong Garison Samson was surrendred up into their hands and offered a great Sacrifice to Dagon their god Judg. 16.23 c. I say If Carnal joy go into the Temple hear Sermons sing Psalms lift up the voice in Thanksgiving in all these it gets no higher then the dutie The dutie looks upon God the heart doth not or if God be propounded God is not exalted When ye fasted c. did ye at all fast unto me Zech. 7.5 even unto me And when ye did eat and when ye did drink did ye not eat to your selves and drink to your selves In fasting and feasting that is in days of Humiliation and in days of Thanksgiving they rested the in duty self was uppermost in both God was the object of the duty indeed but self was the end Ye did eat and drink to your selves And when the dutie is done all is done the Fasting of carnal people is but the holding downn the head like a bulrush for a day and their Thanksgivings are but the holdiâ—g up the head like a reed for a day Nothing outlives the day or the dutie Publike Duties are are the end of the carnal mans rejoycing they are but the Medium of the holy mans rejoycing that serves to advance him for further and higher Returns Springs we say will rise as high as they fall and so doth the Saints Thankfulnesse as it is a grace which comes down from heaven so it is a grace that ascendeth up back again to heaven True Thankfulnesse works it self out and carrieth up the soul with it thither and that 1. In exalting God 1. In high admirations and exaltations of God I will extol thee O Lord for thou hast lifted me up thou hast lifted me up and therefore I will lift thee up Psal 30.1 and he calls in others to help him in this great work O magnifie the Lord with me Psal 34.3 and let us exalt his Name together And this is the duty the Psalmist here commends to the sons of men O that men would praise the Lord Let them exalt him also in the Congregation of the people and praise him in the Assemblie of the Elders He would have God more exalted and man lesse Secondly it works heaven-ward and God-ward in holie prayer David got safe to the Crown thorow all his wars 2. In Prayer and troubles and persecutions resolves by way of Render Psal 116.13 I will call upon the Name of the Lord and to binde the Sacrifice with Cords to the horns of the Altar he doubles the engagement upon his own soul Vers 17. I will offer to thee the Sacrifice of Thanksgiving and call upon the Name of the Lord. One would have thought he might now have given over praying God had put an end to his troubles and he might put an end to his prayers nay but that is the note of an Hypocrite to cease praying when troubles cease What is the hope of the hypocrite c. Will he always call upon God No Job 27.10 there be two times when the Hypocrite will not call upon God First when troubles are too heavie Secondly when troubles are removed despair will not suffer him to pray then and lazinesse will not let him pray now With the truely-thankful it is other wise as prayer begets deliverance so deliverance begets prayer and so he shews that it is not necessitie makes him pray onely but love Love to prayer and love to the God of prayer That is a third thing wherein his Thankfulnesse operates 3. In love sc Love it carries out the heart in exceeding love to God I will love thee Psal 18.1 Title O Lord my strength c. so sings David in the day that the Lord had delivered him from the hands of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul And this Love the Saints expresse in these three ways especially 1. In labouring to know more of God after God had done so many miracles and wonders for Israel Moses presents God with this Petition I beseech thee shew me thy glory Exod. 33.18 He had seen much of the wonders of God now his love is fired with desires of seeing the God of these wonders He would fain be acquainted with that God which did all those wonders 2. In labouring to enjoy more of God to have him for their God Thou art great and doest wondrous things I but that will not serve the turn Psal 86.10 Teach me thy way O Lord unite my heart to thee to fear thy Name Vers 11. he would know the way to God that he might enjoy more communion with God Vnite my heart c. not the things of God but God himself will content a thankful heart as Luther profest to God when the Princes and States of Germanie sent him a whole Table full of Plate Lord saith he thou shalt not turn me off with these things A gracious heart could take little comfort in Victories and Deliverances and other comforts unlesse the God of those Victories and Comforts were his too And therefore thirdly this love doth expresse it self in glorying in God So the Church in that Psalm of Thanksgiving Psal 48 Psal 48.3 4 5 6 7 12 13. when she had told all the world the great Victories God had given by Land and Sea how he had routed mighty Kings and Princes and made them glad to betake themselves to their heels they came and so went home again after she had led the Spectator round about the Line of Communication and invited him to behold the beautie and strength of her Towers and Fortifications she concludes the Psalm with this triumph as that which infinitely transcended all the rest This God is our God for ever and ever Verse 14. The God that hath done all these wonders is my God She glories not so much in the Victories God had given her as in interest in the God of those Victories Well that is the third thing wherein Thankfulnesse acts Love to God The Fourthly Self-denial Fourth is Self-denial for Gods sake And after all this is come upon us since our God hath punisht us lesse then our iniquities deserve and hath given us such deliverance as this Exra 9.13.14 should we again break thy Commandments so argued thankful Ezra I tell you Sirs there is more Thankfulnesse in one act of Self-denial then in twenty days of Thanksgiving Fifthly in Payment of Vows Fifthly true Thankfulnesse works God-ward in payment of vows What shall I render saith David I will pay my vows And again vers 18 I will pay my vows to shew he would be much and watchful Psal 116.14 and exact in that Return of Thankfulnesse And doubtlesse it is as proper a return as any for all the mercies of God to his people whether National or Personal whether Victories or Supplies they are all the making good of his Covenant to them as I
Ezâ—kiel c. giving the hand Ezek. 17.18 or as with us lifting up the hand to the most high God doth God aggravate their Covenant-violation when lo he had given his hand God speaks with indignation as of an eminent and remarkable treachery and persidiousnesse When lo he had given his hand And for this indeed now they begin to judge themselves We have no King because we feared not the Lord that is because we have not feared the Oath of the Lord but have dealt falsly and treacherously in the Covenant it is just with God we should have no King that our King should break Covenant with us that have broken Covenant with our God yea they judge themselves not onely for what is past but unworthy to sinde mercy for the time to come not onely We have no King but What then shall a King do to us q. d. We deserve never to see the face of our King any more but to be left to perâ—sh in our Confusions and Divisions while every man doth what is good in his own eye or if our King should come back out of Captivity What should he do to us Can we expect a King should do us any good while our God is angry with us for our Covenant-wickednesse No if he should come out of Babylon again God might make him a curse in stead of a blessing a plague and a snare to our destruction Men and Brethren this I take to be the sense of the place and I need say no more Surely every one of you here before God have with trembling hearts prevented me in the Application onely let me adde this If God were so angry and threatens so furiously the breach of a Covenant made with an Heathenish Tyrant an Infidel with whom the other Babylon Mystical Babylon teacheth no faith is to be kâ—pt because it was made before God and by the Name of God shall he prosper shall he escape that doth such things Jer. 17.19 or shall he break the Covenant and be delivered As I live mine Oath that he hath despised and my Covenant that he hath broken even it will I recompence upon his own head c. Oh how shall she escape yea of how much sorer punishment shall we be thought worthy if we be found guilty of so high a perjury in breaking and despising a Covenant made not onely before God in the Name of God but with God himself In so solemn and sacred a manner with Fasting and Prayer and Sermons and lifting up our hands to the most high God Oh that as we have sinned with this people and beyond insinitely beyond the line and measure of their transgressiâ—ns so we would judge our selves with them in the bitternesse of our spirits We have no King because we feared not the Lord speaking words swearing falsly in making a Covenant and what then should a King do to us We hope an end shall be put shortly to these bloody desolating wars and we cry to the Sword Oh thou Sword of the Lord Jer. 47.6 how long will it be ere thou be quiet put up thy self into thy scabbard rest and be still but the Sword will not obey our voice and no wonder for we have not obeyed the voice of the Sword we have not heard the Sword and who had appointed it and therefore methâ—nks I hear the Sword replying How can I be quiet since the Lord hath given me a charge against England Vers 7. Yea methinks I hear God renewing the Commission of the Sword in the words of that threatning I will bring a sword upon yoâ— that shall avenge the quarrel of my Covenant We keep now a day of Thankâ—giving for the surrender of a strong Hold in the Kingdom Levit. 26.25 and God hath sent us in the glad tiding of a great Victory in the West to fill up our joy and to bespeak more days of Rejoycing and Thankfulnesse but for my part I fear that for these things the Sword hath yet a Commission to come up to London to passe thorow the Kingdom and that we shall hear ere long as fast of Losing Cities and Castles and the strong Garisons of the Kingdom as now of gaining them and read our Catalogue of Deliverances and Victories backward with sad hearts Chester lost Hereford lost Dartmonth lost sic in caet If you would prevent so sad a turn of things give me leave humbly to commend to you these two short Advices 1. Proclaim I beseech you a solemn Fast wherein we may professedly humble and afflict our souls for our Covenant-violations whereby God is so deeply provoked and wherein if it might seem good to your wisdoms the Covenant might be renewed in a more solemn and serious manner with our God that as Samuel called the people to Gilgal to renew the Kingdom upon Saul so you that are England's Samuels 1 Sam. 11.14 might call the people together to this Galgal where the Lord first rolled away our reproaâ—h by bringing us into the bond of the Covenant to renew the Kingdom upon our Lord Jesus whom God hath appointed to be King in his holy Hill of Sion Psal 2.6 For think not Brethren I beseech you that because we have broken our Covenant with God therefore we are disobliged from our Covenant that were an easie way to get loose indeed if when we are weary of our Vows it were but to go and sin against them and then we are disengaged But it is with the Covenant as it is with the Law there is a twofold obligation the one to duty the other to a curse and if we break the one the other will hold us fast enough Did not my words take hold upon your fathers How Zech. 1 6. Surely not in the commanding power of them but in the executionary power they took hold on them with a vengeance And therefore our way is to bring our selves again under the commanding power that we may not lie under the condemning cursing power of the Covenant Indeed the Covenant is then broken and not fully till then when a people will not own their Covenant with God and therefore Oh that the Lord would help us in this our day to consider the things that belong unto our peace before they be hid from our eyes 2. To that end studie real Thankfulnesse To you that sit at the Stern guiding the Ship of this Church and State in this troublesome Sea let me commend unto you but this piece of Thankfulnesse Set up God Vers 23. Exalt him in the congregation of the people by setting up the Ministery of the Word Let this be your wisedom and honour that when God hath given up the strong Holds of the Kingdom to you you would render them up back again to God by placing able and faithful Ministers in those eminent places of the Kingdom that may undeceive the poor mifled people and to season them with Principles of Religion and Loyaltie to
which they have been so long strangers To that end hasten I beseech you your Ordinance for Ordination it were a sad thing that the strong Holds of the Kingdom should be taken for God and kept for the Devil for want of Pastors according â—o Gods own heart and that may feed them with knowledge and understanding Vers 32. Secondly Praâ—se him in the Assembly of the Elders by setting up Church-Government according to your Covenant What it is I need not tell you enough hath been said about this mattâ—r and you are wise I will not I need not ask you Whether you intend really and cordially to go about this Work this greatest work wherewith God and the Kingdom have entrusted you I know you do intend it and if you do Why not now when the Lord hath so miraculously broken the power of the enemie and in so great a measure subdued the Kingdom before you as if God of purpose had created you an opportunity to give demonstration to the world that you are in good earnest Onely let me say thus much to you in that plainnesse you give the Ministers of the Gospel leave to use Jesus Christ will not always wait upon States and Kingdoms he will not always come a begging as it were to Parliament-doors He that bids his Servants shake off the dust of their feet Matth. 10.14 in case of refusal of their message knows how to do it himself Psal 2.12 should he be angred out of his patience Time is coming when Kings and Kingdoms would be as glad of Christ as he would be now of them When in their fears and dangers when enemies be upon them and ruine and desolation at their gates then Isaiah lift up a prayer then send the Lamb to the Ruler with supplications Lord Jesus come thou and rule over us But as the Scotch-man said of the English-mans Will Imprimis I bequeath my soul to God c. I but said he Will he tak it man will he tak it so may I question concerning such tenders of Thrones and Kingdoms Will Christ take them will he accept of them when haply they shall be surrendred upon no better terms then a desperate King would deliver up his Crown to any of his Neighbours Vortinger c. even to a Stranger that would come and help him against his prevailing enemies what Christ would do in such a case jude you And therefore Oh kisse the Son lest he be angry Psal 2.12 and ye perish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little blessed are all they that put their trust in him Happie Parliament happie State happie People happie Person that makes Christ their choice and not their necessity I have done Onely suffer me one word more Take heed I humbly beseech you of setting your selves down at the upper end of Christs House and Table and of suffering Him to be thrust down to serve as an underling at the lower and to have no more then the lusts of some and the humours and fancies of others can spare him But you have not so learned Christ and therefore to all you that stand before God this day and to as many as desire to be a thankful people let me adde a word to close up all Here is a Model let it be your wisdom and honour to mould and form your Thankfulnesse for this days and for all your mercies upon it 1. Give all diligence to possesse your selves of the grace of Thankfulnesse as well as of the affection of Joy and Gladnesse to that end ply the Throne of Grace and plead the accomplishment of that promise A new heart will I give you Ezek. 36.26 and a new spirit will I put into you That is done when all the natural affections have a divine spiritual impresse stampt upon them when as they have born the image of the earthly so now they bear the image of the heavenly 2. Studie I beseech you Spiritual Grounds and Rises from which your Thankfulnesse may take flight heaven ward as First Scripture interest studie rather a good Title then great Possessions namely to enjoy what you have by Sonship as well as Creatureship by co-inheritance with Jesus Christ by promise as well as providence with Gods love as well as by Gods leave Studie the Covenant well and then count thy interest better then the principal I tell thee for thy comfort if thou canst do so if Scripture-interest can bring in more content and satisfaction to thy soul then all earthly possessions if Covenant-title can draw out and endear thy heart to Gâ—d more then all the deliverances and provisions cast in by providence fear not thou art a childe of promise Secondly observe the Returns of Prayer if thou hast been a praying Christian all this time of Englands trouble and art such a one as lookest after thine own prayers knowest them when thou seest them again if the hearing of thy prayer can endear thy heart to God more then the bulk of thy mercy whatever it is of these visible treasures I pronounce the a man or woman that hast more cause to rejoyce then if God had given thee this days surrender the City of Chester solely and entirely to thine own share Thirdly be critical to spie out soul-advantages the Spiritual part of every mercy and wear them as the richest piece of all thy possessions Fourthly eye the Exaltations and liftings up of God in all his works especially such as this day brings in to us and let them lie neerest thy heart they will keep it warm with an heavenly influence 3. Be careful to maintain a faithful Remembrance of the mercies of God in your heads and a setled constant frame of Thankfulnesse upon your hearts for know this The mercies of God cannot perish alone but thou shalt perish with them if thou forget them that is with a carelesse gracelesse forgetfulnesse God will forget thee if thou cast the mercies of God out to the dung-hill God will throw thee after them O be often charging thy soul Psal 103 2. with David Blesse the Lord O my soul and forget not all his benefits 4. Designe out for God the choisest and most spiritual Returns such as you have beheld First set up God in your thoughts exalt him in your admiring facultie Psal 66.3 Say unto God How terrible art thou in thy works through the greatnesse of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee Secondly engage your selves and others in Prayer to God say Psal 63.2 O thou that hearest Prayer to thee shall all flesh come Be stedfast and unmoveable always abounding in this work of the Lord 1 Cor. 15. ult forasmuch as you see your labour shall not be in vain in the Lord He never said to the seed of Jacob Seek ye me in vain Isa 45.19 Thirdly let your Thankfulnesse work it self into pure flames of Love to God and expresse it by labouring To Know more of God Enjoy more Communion with God Boast and glory more in God Fourthly studie Self-denial let there be but one will between God and thee and let that will be Gods He is a thankful man indeed that in doing and suffering can say Father not my will but thine be done Fifthly pay your Vows If ever England or thou prosper it must be by keâ—ping of Covenant Ezek. 17.14 Be often rolling that in thy soul Psal 56.12 I will render praises unto thee Sixthly Give glory to God by believing by all the wonders that God hath done learn to trust him in the nâ—xt strait if faith have not produced these Deliverances let these Deliverances produce faith If happie they that have not seen and yet believed what shall become of them that have seen and yet believe not Seventhly look to the ordering of your conversation the dispesing of your way aright The thankfulnesse of the life is the very life of Thankfulnesse Eighthly widen your hearts in enlarged desires that others may praise God go a begging from door to door thorow the whole Creation for praises for thy God Ninthly to that end declare among the people his doings Psal 9.11 Psal 66.2 Sing forth the honour of his Name make his praise glorious It were a good becoming Solemnitie on these days of Thanksgiving if Christians in their private meetings together to feast and rejoyce before the Lord would make it a Law that every one in their turn should remember and repeat some special eminent Victory or Deliverance wrought by God either for the Nation in general especially since the coming together of this happie Parliament and the beginning of these unhappie Wars or for themselves in particular Such conference as this would keep out vain and unprofitable discourse preserve the memorial of Gods Loving kindnesses exceedingly honour God and adorn your Christian meetings together surely such praise were comely for the upright Christians take all the ways you can that Gods praise may live when you are dead Tenthly be continually breathing after heaven where the praises as well as the spirits of just men are made perfect 〈◊〉 use Austins Contemplation with a little variation O Lordâ— says he can no man see thy face and live then let me die that I may thy face Say thou O Lord can no man praise thee and live then let me die that I may live to praise thee for ever And let me speak this one word to the comfort of all you who can spread or as the Hebrew signifies measure your Thankfulnesse upon this Model as Elijah spread himself upon the Shunemites dead son 2 Kings 4.34 mouth to mouth eyes upon eyes and hand upon hand limb upon limb and part upon part yea that do make it a businesse so to do you have begun your heaven on earth die when you will you may change your company but not your work you have begun an everlasting day of Thanksgiving you have the Word of God for it Who so offereth praise Psal 50. ult glorifieth me and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God AMEN FINIS