these wordes I haue nourished and brought vp children He declareth their ingratitude rebellion against him in these but they haue rebelled against me This their ingratitude and rebellion hee amplifieth in the verse following by way of comparison or example of brute and dul beasts The Ox knoweth his owner and the Asse his Masters Cribbe but Israel hath not knowne my people hath not vnderstand Thus you haue the summe of the complaint by which almighty God as a most vnhappie father with lamentable voice doth deplore and bewaile the vnkindnes of his people and withall doth recite what how great benifits hee had bestowed vpon them but to no purpose The complaint is verie short if we marke the words but verie haynous and weightie if wee diligentlie weygh and examine the thing it selfe For the Lord seemeth thus to say Oh what an vnhappy father am I to haue such vnthankfull children whome I neither could nor ought more to haue loued than if they had come forth of mine owne loynes For behold he brought them out of the iron furnace of Egipt Deu. 4.20 where their liues were bitter vnto them by sore labor in clay and bricke Ex. 1.14 He went before them by day in a piller of a cloude to lead them the way and by night in a piller of fire to giue them light that they might goe both by day and by night Exod. 13.21 He deuided the red sea in two parts and made Israell to passe through the midst of it which when the Egyptians attempted to do they were drowned Exod. 14.21 Psa 136.13 At their desire he brought Quailes and filled them with the bread of heauen Ps 105.40 in so much that as Dauid saith Man did eate the bread of Angels Psal 78.25 When they were thirstie and had no water to drinke Psal 105.41 he opened the rocke and the waters flowed out and ran in the drie places like a riuer For their sakes he smote diuers nations Psal 135.10 and slew mightie kings Psal 136.19 as Sihon king of the Amorites Og king of Basan and all the kingdomes of Canaan Num. 21.33 and gaue their land to be an heritage euen an heritage vnto Israel his people He made them a mightie nation a fearfull and a terrible to all the princes and potentates of the earth Deut. 32.10 He found them in the land of the wildernesse in a waste roaring wildernesse he led them about he taught them and kept them as the apple of his eye As an Eagle stirreth vp her nest fluttereth ouer her birdes stretcheth out her winges taketh them and beareth them on her wings So the Lord alone led them and caried them vp to the high places of the earth that they might eate the fruits of the fields and suck honie out of the stone and oile out of the harde rock Butter of kine and milke of sheepe with fat of the Lambes and Rams fed in Bashan and goats with the fat of the graines of wheate and drinke the licour of the red grape So in the second of Ieremie the Lorde ringeth in the eares of Ierusalem the summe of his benefits in this sort Iere. 2.2 I remember thee with the kindenesse of thy youth and the Ioue of thy marriage when thou wentest after me in the wildernesse in a land that was not sowne Israel was a thing halowed vnto the Lord and his first fruites chosen aboue all other to serue the Lorde onely and the first offered to the Lord of all other nations And by Ezekiel amongst other his benefites towarde Ierusalem thus saith the Lorde Ezech. 16.6 When thou wast polluted in thy owne bloud to wit when thou wast in thy filthinesse and forsaken of all men I tooke thee and gaue thee life for I saide vnto thee thou shalt liue I caused thee to multiplie as the budde of the fielde and thou hast increased and waxen great and thou hast gotten excellent ornaments thy breasts are fashioned thine haire is growne verse 11. I decked thee vvith ornaments and I put bracelets vppon thine handes and a chaine on thy necke I put a frontlet vppon thy face and earings in thine eares and a beautifull crowne vppon thine head Thus wast thou deckt vvith golde and siluer and thy raymâ—nt was of fine linnen and silke and broidered worke thou diddest eate fine flowre and Honie and Oile and thou vvast verie beautifull and thou diddest growe vp into a kingdome And to bee shorte what benefite was there which the Lorde bestowed not vppon his people What could hee haue doone more vnto his Vineyarde Esay 5.4 which he did not doe vnto it He planted it in a very fruitfull hill he hedged it and gathered out the sâ—ones of it he planted it with the best plantes hee built a tower in the middest thereof and made a wine presse therein This did the Lorde for his Vineyard Surelye the Vineyarde of the Lorde of hoasts was the house of Israell and the men of Iudah were his pleasant plante verse 4. Then the Lorde looked that his Vineyarde shoulde bring foorth sweete Grâ—pes but it brought foorth wilde and sowre grapes hee looked for iudgement but beholde oppression verse 7. for righteousnesse but beholde a dolefull crying for obedience but behold a rebellion I haue nourished brought vp chillldren saith he but they haue rebelled against me I haue nourished and brought them vp I haue done the duty of a father I haue performed what was required of my part I haue caried them out of all danger I haue made them the lot and portion of mine inheritance I haue fed them with the best and cheefest things of the earth I haue bestowed many and infinite good turnes vpon them as before expressed and yet see this is the recompence which they yeeld vnto me for all that I haue done They haue rebelled against me But it may seeme that the Lord doth not iustly charge his people with ingratitude and disobedience for they offered many sacrifices Esa 1.11 they offered the burnt offrings of rammes the fat of fed beasts the bloud of bullocks of Lambes and of goats They did what the law could require They obserued the new moones vers 13. Sabbaths and solemne dayes They had their assemblies and appointed feasts they stretched out their hands and made many praiers And yet for all these which they did or could do they are counted a sinfull nation a people laden with iniquitie a seed of the wicked corrupt children which had forsaken the Lord prouoked the holy one of Israel to anger ver 4. and in such sort as that he hated abhord their feast daies would not smel in their solemne assemblies Amo. 5.21 nor accept their burnt offrings meate offrings nor regarde the peace offerings of their fat beasts and all was because they did these and such like without faith and mercie euen in the full measure of hypocrisie and dissimulation King Vzziah himself called also Azariah 2. Kin. 15.1 in whose time this our
prophet begā to prophesie after that God had blessed him maruellously had giuen him many notable victories thereby was grown to be strong lifted vp his heart and vsurped the priests office and went into the temple of the Lord to burne incense vpon the altar of incense and when he was willed to leaue off would not but waxed wroth as it is in the second of Chronicles and 26. chap. v. 19. Ierusalem a faithfull citie and which had promised fidelitie vnto God as a wife to her husband is now become a common harlot and a filthie strumpet Esa 1.21 She was once full of iudgement and iustice was lodged within her brest but now she is full of rauen crueltie and deceit verse 22. Her siluer is become drosse and her wine is mixt with water The testimonies of the Lord which sometime were pure and without drosse like vnto siluer that is tried with fire are now defiled with pharisaicall traditions and doctrines of men The commandements of the Lord which were like vnto pure wine reioycing the heart through watery dregs haue lost their strength colour and beautie verse 23. The princes of the people were rebellious and companions of theeues they loued giftes and followed after rewardes they iudged not the fatherlesse neither did the widowes cause come before them Ierem. 2.8 The Priests said not so much as where is the Lorde and they that should minister the lawe knew not God Deut. 32.15 He that should haue beene vpright when he waxed fatte and grose and was laden with fatnesse spurned with his heele and forsooke the Lorde that made him regarded not the strong God of his saluation And therefore the state and condition of Iudah Ierusalem being thus corrupt whom neither the benefits of God could win nor his punishments amend the Lord by his Prophet dooth iustly charge them with ingratitude and disobedience in this sort They haue rebelled against me Wherein they did rightly imitate and follow their forefathers Psal 78.8 a stubborne and rebellious generation a generation whose heart was not aright and whose spirit was not faithfull vnto God For no sooner had God brought thē out of Egipt out of the house of bondage with a mighty hand and stretched out arme Psal 106.7 but they forgate his great goodnesse and rebelled at the Sea euen at the red Sea Exo. 16.3 In the wildernesse of Sin they grudged for bread and flesh Exod. 17.2 and in Rephidim for water They made a calfe in Horeb Exod. 32.4 worshipped the molten image Psa 106.19 They maliced Moses Aaron the holy one of the Lord. v. 16. They would haue stoned Caleb and Ioshua Nom. 14.10 They ioined themselues vnto Baal peor did eat the offrings of the dead Psa 106.28 They sacrificed their sonnes and daughters vnto deuils shed innocent bloud euen the bloud of their sonnes and daughters whom they offred vnto the idols of Canaan Deut. 32.17 gods whom they knew not new gods that came newly vp forsooke the Lorde God of their fathers which brought them out of the land of Egipt and followed other gods as Baal and Ashtaroth the gods of the people that were round about them and bowed vnto them Wherefore the wrath of the Lord was hote against Israel and he deliuered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them and solde them into the hands of their enemies round about them Notwithstanding the Lord raised vp Iudges which deliuered them out of the hands of their oppressours ve 16. but they would not obey their Iudges for they wet a whoring after other gods and worshipped thē Iudg. 10.6 as the gods of Aram Zidon and Moab the gods of the children of Ammon and of the Philistins forsooke the Lorde God and serued not him And thus they rebelled and their posteritie to the dayes of Iohn the fore-runner of Christ and his Apostles insomuch that of Christ before him of Iohn the Baptist they are called Progenies viperarum the generations of vipers Mat. 3.7 And because they were the children of them which murthred the prophets fulfilled the measure of their fathers Mat. 23.31 the lord vpbraideth casteth in their teeth not onely their owne but also their fathers malice Many a time would the Lord haue gathered them together Matt. 23 37. as the hen doth her chickens vnder her wings but they would not And therefore did Stephan to their faces charge them with stubbornesse and rebellion calling them Act. 7.51 stifnecked and of vncircumcised hearts and eares alwaies resisting the holy Ghost as their fathers did So that though Israel and Iudah after a sort could colour their rebellion and stifnesse of heart against the Lord and against his annointed with the multitude of sacrifices Esa 1.11 with the burnt offerings of Rams and fat of fed beasts with the bloud of bullockes of Lambes and of goates with the obseruation of new moones Sabbaths and solemne daies with the stretching out of hands and making many praiers yet we see what they are and the Lord who alone looketh into the harts of all by the prophet here chargeth the very Rulers to be rebellious companions of theeues ve 23 yea and the whole packe of them for their impietie and wickednesse to be like vnto the princes of Sodoma and people of Gomorah The application And now to applie these former points vnto our selues before we come to the exaggeration of this peoples ingratitude and vnkindnesse let vs take some short view whether our condition be the same with the condition of Israel and Iudah or whether ours be better than theirs was The Lorde our God as yee all know hath nourished and brought vp vs his children in as good and ample manner as euer he did the Iewes his elect and chosen people He hath giuen vs for our comfort Psa 8.7.8 the beasts of the field the foules of the ayre and the fishes of the sea He brought vs out of the yron fornace of Romish Egipt at what time the Egyptian tyrants made vs wearie of our liues with sore labourin the clay and bricke of hellish superstition and with all maner of bondage which they laide vpon vs most cruelly Hetherto the Lorde hath gone before vs by day in a pillar of a cloude and by night in a pillar of fire to lead vs the way and to giue vs light that we might go both by day and by night out of all danger He hath giuen vs Manna frō heauen not Manna of which the Fathers did eate in the wildernesse and are dead but a liuing Manna a Manna that giueth life vnto the world a Manna of which he that truly eateth shall liue for euer Ioh. 6 38. The Israelites after they had drunke of the water out of the rocke thirsted againe but of the water which he shall giue vs if we once drinke we shall neuer be more a thirst Joh 4.14 for it is the water of life euen the grace and loue of God in
hereafter if they practise conspire and rebell as they did This florishing peace hath made not only this Citie but also the whole lande to flowe like another Canaan with milke and honie The God of peace hath done this for vs he be praised therefore and prosper her maiestie by whom it is gouerned and maintained Whereas the Nations about vs struggle in the field tumble in warre and wallow in bloud expecting no end of their miseries but vtter ruine and desolation we in the meane while sit at home by our fires in our furred gownes corked slippers trimmed buskins and warme mittons Am. 4.6 We lie vpon our costly beds and stretch out our selues vpon them we eate the Lambes of the flocke and the Calues out of the stall verse 5. We sing to the sound of the Violl the Harpe and Pipe and wine are in our feasts and the wine we drinke in bowles Esa 5.12 Am. 6.6 In which great peace and plentifulnesse God make vs worthily to consider the workes of his handes and to be sory for the affliction of Ioseph and his bretheren Vers 6. of which now many are slaine in Fraunce Flanders and els wheare in defence of the Gospel propagation of the truth and safetie of this Land Moreouer whereas the nations people about vs do eate in feare and drinke in dread and like fearefull hares doe flee awaye at the wagging of euerie leafe we sit quiet and safe as did Israel and Iudab 1. King 4.20 like vnto the sand of the Sea in number eating drinking making mery euery man vnder his vine and vnder his Boothe from Dan to Beer-sheba to wit from the one end of this land to the other For God hath made the bars of the gates of our Ierusalem strong Psa 147.5 and hath blessed our children within hir He hath set peace in hir borders and satisfied hir poore with the floure of wheate His worde is come from Iaacob and his statutes from Israel vnto vs the best and greatest blessing that may be He hath not dealt thus with euerie Nation vers 20. as hee hath dealt with vs the least Nation of all Our punishment and fall will bee the greater if we be not thankefull It must be confessed that some stonnes haue bin raised in hir Maiesties daies before time in the daies of hir deare brother King Edward the sixt which somwhat disturbed our happy rest But the Prince of peace soueraigne Lord of our tranquillitie soone ceased the waues of the sea stilled the fury madnes of those heathen miraculously preuented their wicked deuises and confounded the deuisers of them Thus was the Lorde of Hoasts iealous for his Zion with great iealouzie he was iealous for hir with great wrath Zach. 8.2 Hee was not vnmindfull of his people nor forgetfull of his inheritance A mother may forget hir childe and take no compassion on the son of hir wombe Esay 49.15 such stepmothers there are But though such vnnaturally giuen forget yet will not the Lord forget Zion for he hath grauen hir vppon the palme of his hands and hir walls are euer in his sight Christ the shipmaster our saluation Matth 8.24 slept in the shipp on a pillow the ship couered with waues the Disciples Mar. 4.38 with no litle diffidence and distrust awoke him they put him out of his napp A faithles and needles labour For hee that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleepe Psal 121 4. wee haue felt the experiment For the Lorde in our Cities distresse in the time of Commotion as we call it or insurrection awaked as one out of sleepe and as a Giant refreshed with wine Psal 78.65 He smote his enemies and ours in the hinder parts and put them to a perpetuall shame verse 66. They ran about vs like Bees but they were extinct sodainly as a fire of thornes Psal 12. Our soule escaped euen as a bird out of the snare of the fowler the snare was broken and we deliuered Psal 124.7 The Plowers would haue plowed vpon our backs and made long furrowes at their pleasure Psal 129.3 But the righteous Lord tooke in hand the two edged sword of his iustice and hewed the snares and cordes of those wicked in pieces vers 4.5 He in like measure reward as many as haue euill will at Sion This was the Lords worke and it is maruellous in our eies Psal 118.23 This is the day which the Lord made we will reioice and bee glad in it verse 24. This is the day which you call Iesus daie whether because it is so fixed in the Calender I knowe not but sure I am that it was Iesus day vnto you a day of saluation For if Iesus the Lord had not been on our side Psal 114.1 may not Israal but Exeter now say if the Lorde had not bin on our side when men rose vp against vs they had swallowed vs vp quicke so vnable wer we to resist when their wrath was kindled against vs. The waters had drowned vs the streame and swelling waters had gone ouer our soule verse 4. But praised be the Lord who gaue vs not ouer for a pray vnto their teeth And thus hath our good gratious God continued his fauor toward vs to this present day that there is no leading into captiuitie nor any complaining in our streets Psal 144.14 Blessed are wee that bee in such a case yea blessed are we which haue the Lorde for our God For this great calme for this miraculous peace let vs thanke the Lord. But what are we thankefull vnto him for these and other his blessinges or liue we as children obedient to a father If we do not would we did all doo not For behold how many of vs like vnto Israel Iudah are turned backe and started aside like a broken bowe Psal 78.57 The Lorde looketh that we should bring forth sweete grapes but wee bring forth sowre ones There are at this very day in our streets vsury deceit crueltie and oppression Wee haue as the Iewes had our Sabbaths and solemne dayes our assemblies and appointed feasts we stretch out our hands and make manie praiers as they did and yet see as theirs were our harts if not our hands are full of blood Esa 1.13.15 Nowe that wee are waxen fatte and grose nowe that wee haue what wee would haue as did Israel we spurne with the heele we forsake the Lord that made vs and regard not the mightie and strong God of our saluation Deu. 32.15 We beginne to loath Manna and to long for the flesh pots of Egipt Num. 11.6 Wee professe that wee know God but our workes testifie that we denie him Exo. 19.3 As for the word of the Lorde wee count it vaine Tit. 1.19 we can be content to say to the Sâ—ers see not and to the Prophets prophesie errours Esa 36.10 Like vnto the meÌ„ of Anathoth we desire to bee flattered and soothed in our sins Ier 11.17 The Lord hath set watchmeÌ„ ouer vs that crie take
FVLFORDO ET FVLFORDAE A SERMON Preached at Exeter in the Cathedrall Church the sixth day of August commonly called Iesus day 1594. in memoriall of the Cities deliuerance in the daies of King EDVVARD the sixt Wherein is intreated of the goodnes of God toward Man and of the ingratitude of Man toward GOD. By IOHN CHARLDON Doctor of Diuinitie In which also some fewe thinges are added then omitted through want of time Psal 127.1 Except the Lord keepe the Citie the keeper watcheth in vaine LONDON Printed by Iohn Danter and are to be sold by VVilliam Barley at his shop in Gratious streete 1595. ⧠To the worshipfull Master Thomas Fulford Esquire loued in the truth of all that haue known the truth for the truths sake Mercie peace and loue be multiplied in Iesus Christ YOV had from mee which you desired the Sermon preached at Exeter in commemoration of the Citties deliuerance or at the least you receiued the very summe substance thereof which I supposed might haue contented you and the zealous Gentle-woman your wife without further adoo but finding you and hir greatly inclined to vulgar profit and to make common vnto many which was then vttred vnto fewe that so the benefit of it might redound also vnto many knowing you both to bee such as truely and sincerely loue and fauour the holy Gospell of Iesus Christ and the Ministers thereof and seeing your request to stand with so good reason and Godly purpose and that my Office and function bindeth mee to doo all the good I can to the Church of God â— Pe. 5 2 and that willingly of a ready mind to satisfie your honest desire and charitable meaning haue suffred that poore Exercise to bee published which I doe presente vnto you as a simple New-yeares-gift Of which if any take benefit let them first praise God and next thanke you that according to the rule of Christ will haue the meanest talents and graces of God bee they fiue Mat. 25 15. or two or one many or few more or les deliuered his seruants for the worke of his seruice to bee well and profitably employed and occupied that gaine and increase may come thereby Luk. 19.10 and not to bee laid vp in a napkin or hidde in the earth to the good of none And so beseeching the Lorde to kindle daily more and more in you and in your good wife many such holy motions of his blessed spirit and to establish you in euery worde and good worke I wil commend you vnto him and to his might who is able both to fulfill whatsoeuer waÌ„teth in you throgh his riches with glorie in Iesu Christ and also of power to keepe you that you fall not to the very day that you shall be presented faultles and without blame before the presence of his Maiestie with ioy In the meane while quench not the Spirit grieue not that holy of God by whome you are sealed to the day of redemption I will pray alwaies for you that GOD may settle and confirme you and make you worthy of his calling that the name of the Lorde Iesus may be glorified in you and you in him Pray you also for mee for I trust that through your praiers I shall the sooner be giuen vnto you againe The Lorde bee with you London the first of Ianuarie 1594. Yours in Christ Iohn Charldon AD D. THOMAM FVLFORDVM 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Non mea sunt quae nune mitto tibi sed tua quare Ne tua detineam quae tua mitto tibi Quae mea si dicas tua tanta modestia fulget Vt cum parua feram magna dedisse putes AD EVNDEM TOTIVS CONCIONIS 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Die mihi corda virum quae sic dementat Erinnys Vt. spernant magni iusta colenda Dei Si poteris narra quali furor incitet oestro Pectora quae perhibent nos ratione regi Bos possessorem nouit cognouit asellus Praesepe et Domini bestia tarda sui Fuste nimis rigido quanuis pulcetur asellus Bosque sub immenso pondere pressa cadat Terga grauata tamen praebent fericuda magistri Vtráque seruitium bellua victa subit Ast genus electum Christi diuina propago Dura negat tenero colla premenda iugo Aspectant coeli fastum tellusque fatiscens Quae nostrae testes proditionis erunt Aethereae volucres â—eluti Grus Turtur Hirundo Brumales norunt annumerare dies At nos quos docuit patris Sapientia summi Quos nutrit pascit sustinet ornat amat Quos ab immani Jethalis fauce Leonis Seruat hostiles dat superare manus Nos inquam Domini praesagia non meditamut Temnimus ah potius tradita scita Dei Obtusasaures praecludimus Aspidis instar Ne feriant sophiae ferrea corda soni Vastorum solito bellamus more Gigantum Déque sua volumus pellere sede Iouem Nunc vbi turgescit nimiá pinguedine corpus Obruit nostrum nulla procella caput Bella damus superis ventosus pectora fastus Obliti veteris conditionis agiâ— Tu tamen alme parens hominum qui fecta gubernas Suscipe quas moesto fundimus ore preces Tu gemitus nostros nostri suspiria cordis Exaudi solitâ pro bonitate Deus Pristina chare pater nobis peccata remitte Postmodo dáque tuis carnea corda pater Nou caperis fuso vitulorum sanguine centum Nec caperis longo thuris honore pater Te placare solet quoniam compunctio cordis En compuncta damus corda benigne pater Ne nos abijceas igitur quos dextra creauit Sit nobis charitum candida iuncta cohors Conseruet ma nos miseratio magna misellos Inde tibi nomen mite parentis erit AD EVNDEM Discito Fulford Sit tibi Christus Iussa Iehouae Mens tua gestitâ— Fronte Serena Scire laboras Pectore puro Quomodo possis Discito Christum Viuere sanctè Anchora vitae Sanctáque tandem Prora salutis Tecta Superni Fons bonitatis Cernere coeli Vita perennis Voluito libri Dogmata sacri Itur ad arces Consule Christi â—andide â—homa Dicta magistri Temnito mundum Consule Christum Dilige Christum Is tibi pandet Dilige Christos Voce paterna Praemia Christi Qua ratione Sunt diuturna Cuncta gubernes Praemia mundi Ille docebit Sunt peritura Te pederecto Nunc tibi multa Claudere cursum Nunc tibi paucae Alta Sionis Singula nostra Moenia saluo Singula nulla Scandere gressu Mors truculenta Claustra â—onantis Mors fuâ—ibunda Sydera laeto Auferet vno Visere vultu Tempore duro Est via Christus Parta labore Vera salutis Omne caducum Est via salua Quicquid habetur Tuta quieta Concidit omne Hâc licet ire Floris Imago Hâc penetrare Sole micante Coelica magni Fulua recedit Castra parentis Vt fugit vmbre Haec via munda Lubrica transit Haec via
heed of the sound of the Trumpet but we say we will not take heed Ier. 6.17 He hath commanded vs to aske for the old waie which is the good way the waie wherein the patriarks and prophets haue walked directed by the worde of God ver 16. but we say we wil not walke therein we will go rather the broad way that leadeth to destruction Mat. 7.13 we drinke iniquitie like water wee haue as great a desire to sin as they that are thirstie haue a desire to drinke Iob. 15.16 We draw wickednes vnto vs with cordes and sin as it were with cart ropes Esa 5.18 wee vse all the allurements and prouocations that canbe to freese together the conscience in sin and impietie And yet we can speake of truth and of veritie of iustice and mercie of the knowledge of God and his lawes and of sundrie other high points but when we are brought vnto the ballance we are found too light when we are drawen vnto the touchstone for trial we proue drosse For what do the Sunnes of men find in our shops shop-houses in our wares and ware-houses but fraud and deceit if not worse Truely said Tertullian Lib. de patientia pag. 13. sect 7 Lata atque diffusa est operatio mali The operation or handicrafte of mischiefe is wide and diffused all abroad more nowe than euer it was Iohn the Apostle left written many yeares past that the vvhole vvorld lieth in vvickednes First Iohn 5. Chapter and 19. verse which if it lay buried in wickednes then how may wee thinke it to lie buried in wickednesse now being old bowing and winding it selfe euen for age to the pit of destruction Hosea must bee iust and his Prophesie commeth homeward to our dores and the Lorde as then with the inhabitants in Israell so nowe with vs in England hath a controuersie because in Hos 4.1.2 there is no truth nor mercie nor knovvledge of God in the land but svvearing and lying killing and stealing and vvhoring they break out and blood toucheth blood mischiefe vppon mischiefe one still falling on the neck of another and all these with many moe committed without any dreade or feare of God at all For so man dooth not see vs we passe not fearing more the face of man than the wrath of God insemblance the very sonnes of Ammon who coueting to force his sister Tamar 2. Sam. 13. caused euery man to go out from him as ashamed to worke that villanie before men which hee feared not to commit in the sight of his God This Ammon wicked Ammon hath left Ammons in great store behinde him as much forgetfull of God and his lawes as euer himselfe was if not more For as he feared so do we the eyes of men and thus and thus we think in our hearts Eccle. 23.18 Who seeth vs wee are compassed about with darkenes the walls couer vs no body marketh vs whome neede wee to feare the most High will not remember our sinnes albeit hee remembreth them well inough and still looketh downe vppon them from his holie Mountaine and beholdeth them in the most secret parts his eies beeing ten thousand times brighter than the sunne beames beholding all the vvaies of men and the ground of the deepe And therefore such imaginations of the thoughts of mens hearts shall perish and they in them such shifts and turning of deuises shall be esteemed as the Potters clay Esay 29.16 For notwithstanding all their craft they shal bee able to escape the Lordes wrath no more than the clay that is in the Potters hand of power to deliuer itself But so long as men will dwell in this minde and opinion that he that planted the eare doth not heare and that hee that formed the eye doth not see what merueile is it if they giue themselues vnto wantonnes to work all vncleannes euen with greedines Eph. 4.19 But there is another sort of vs who thogh we perceiue and will confesse that there is nothing so hid which God seeth not that hee knoweth our downe sitting and our vprising Psa 159.2.3.4 that he vnderstandeth all our thoughtes long before that he is about our pathes and about our beddes and spieth out all our waies that there is not a worde in our tongues which he knoweth not altogether yet wee rest perswaded that God hath feete of woll and will punish slowly or neuer As for the deserued tokens of his wrath nowe hanging ouer our heades and readie to be powred vpon vs for our manifold sinnes and damnable iniquities what of them We count them as buggs bugges to fray children The Lorde our God hath gone by vs in a mightie strong winde but we say the Lord was not in the winde After the minde came an earthquake but wee say the Lord was not in the Earthquake After the Earthquake came fire but we say the Lorde was not in the fire After the fire came a still and soft voice and yet wee will not obey If God withdraw his heauy hand for a time to trie if we wil amend with a gentle correction before hee lay on vs a sharper we fall to our old fashions we forget God his rodde our dutie and his reuerence attributing his plagues to vnseasonable weather pestilent aires or to some vnhappie chaunce as though they were not sent of God to nurture vs rightly in the dutie and obedience of Children to a father So in the daies of most cruell Poperie and bloodie persecution wee cried O Lord our God deliuer vp this once and wee will euer take heede hereafter howe wee fall to Apostasie and offende thy diuine Maiestie But nowe beeing deliuered wee are worse more vnthankefull and disobedient than euer before which apparant wickednesse surely the righteous God in his due time will not suffer to escape without some manifest token of his high indignation and most heauie displeasure When Prince Edvvard the sixt was taken away for our vnthankefulnes there ensued Mariana tempora Lamentable times and then too this was the wish of many one bounded with a vowe O that the Masse Booke were burnt the Communion booke restored againe O that these mitred Bishops were sent packing zealous Pastors placed in their roomes for then said they We vvill enter into the house of the Lord and in his feare vvill vve vvorship tovvard his holie Temple The Lord in his great mercie pitied their desire and heard their mone Queene Marie died Our gracious Ladie and Queene Elizabeth succeeded whom almightie God long preserue with all health wealth and peace to gouerne and the booke in better sort than in former daies through Gods goodnes and hit Maiesties carefulnes was restored againe But of it now A booke saith one blowen vp like vnto a bladder with the wind of confusion and profanation The orders saith another prescribed earthly beggarly dungie drossie lousie Antichristian The frequenting of the Lordes house and worshipping in his holy temple in his feare vowed with the lips and
promised with the mouth what of it Christ if hee were here on earth should not neede so much a whip to driue them out of the Church so fewe come there as hee should neede a great sort of whips and that good ones to driue them thither As for the Bishops which they wished to be remoued mitred ones were thrust out of their holdes sooner than they thought and exiles and other very zealous men placed in their steads But what of those then and of their successors now Euen as of the Bishops and Elders of the Churches in saint Pauls time Reuiled euill spoken off made Os pericatharmata tou cosmon as the filth of the world 1. Cor. 4.13 Panton peripsema the ofscowring of all thinges vnto this time the very practise of auntient Sectaries who by dispraising and reuiling others sought to purchase fame and glorie to themselues But this is not all for Captaine Cuffe of the bouncing band of all Surebies the olde sheep ebiter which pricketh at the bodie and spareth not the fleece will haue their Mannors and landes to make his brats Gentlemen Their houses must goe downe their liuings must be clipped or clean taken away and they set to petrie pensions The Captaine with the helpe of his surebies like an other Xerxes will suppe vp whole countries before him and snatch vp houses and woods dales and mountaines vallies and hills people and all into the budget of his wrath Hauocke must be made of the Churches inheritance without contradiction either of Prince or people els the trumpet soundeth à stylo ad macheram Tertul. de prescrip pag. 110. Sect. 15. Sirs no more words but blows and al for Church patrimony vnder the colour of religion Captaine Cuffe belike in his Itinerario or Kalender of miles smelt that Abbey lands c. so well pretended to be employed to the inriching of the King maintaining of schooles and releeuing the poore were vnto some very sweete and the best feather of their taile who perhaps hauing spent the better part if not the totall vppon backe and belly himselfe could bee content to consume in like proportion the remnants that are left Heare ye this O Elders and hearken ye all inhabitants of this Citie whether such a thing hath beene in your daies or yet in the dares of your fathers The Palmer worme hath his part and so hath the Grashopper and canker worme and now residuum erucae the residue of the canker worme 〈◊〉 the Caterpiller eate if hee may Such is the thankefulnes which these and others yeeld both to the Lorde and also to them who haue ministred and to this day doo minister in his sanctified labours It is presupposed that some Clergie men haue too little some too much and some nothing at all to liue by and therefore very requisite that iust and equall diuision were made that all might bee sufficiently prouided for A deepe charity dipped in as deep hypocrisie But Sirs of the corporation of Mal-contents who shall make the diuision There is iust cause why we may stagger at putting the Church patrimony to arbitrement lest while diuision bee pretended some Quintus Fabius adiudge the better part thereof to the Senate of Rome Cicero Offic li. 10. Et ita erit nouissimus error peior priore And so shall the last errour bee worse than the first Matthew Chapter 27. verse 64. But all this is the wicked working of Satan the moulder of mischief whose drift hath been euermore to decay learning that there should be none learned in the Scriptures to commit the flockes vnto which hee attempted to accomplish First by seducing spirits Secondarily by force of tyrants and now lastly by impayring the liuings of the Ministers of the worde to the intent that they oppressed with pouertie should forsake the Ministerie so the little miserable flocke of Iesus Christ left destitute of the foode of life should become in time like vnto the horse and mule which haue no vnderstanding Psal 32.9 In regard whereof what good Christian is there which may not vpon so iust occasion iustly cry out in the bitternesse of his heart O tempora O mores O times O manners seeing the times so dangerous and men in their manners so monstrous whome the Lorde notwithstanding hath nourished and brought vp as his children and yet doth but they rebell For in what one point can they more significantly expresse and make knowen their rebellion against the Lorde than by battering the walls and shaking the foundations of his Church than by annoying his seruaunts the Prophets contrary to his commaundement touch not mine annointed and do my Prophets no harme Psal 105.15 than by diuiding mangling and impairing the portions of the Leuites as in the daâ—â—s of Nehemiah cap. 13. vers 10. which caused them for that they receiued not according to the Lawe prouided in that case to forsake the house of God as not able to execute the worke any longer and to flee euery one away to his owne Land This it was and will be when the Lords portion is pinched the mouth of the Oxe musled that treadeth out the corne it must needs breed and bring Anarchy and confusion euen the riune vtter ouerthrow of all good learning and true religion For take away once the patrimonie and maintenance of the Church at which that Axe of theirs striketh especially as at a sweete and pleasant roote and intreate the Lords Ambassadors as Hanun did Dauids messengers 2. Sam. 10.4 ye take away learning take away learning ye take away teaching Dauids messengers sent to comfort Hanun must of forc tarry at Iericho with shame inough vers 5. vntill their garments bee lengthened and their beards growen when will that be when the children of Ammon vers 6. band themselues and hire other to worke them if they may some further despite And so you may lightly coniecture what will become of the Church of Christ For where no vision is the people decay Pro. twentie nine Chap. and 18. verse Howbeit beloued we hope better trust that the Lord of Hoasts in his accustomed mercye will continue a strength vnto Israel and a defence for Iudah yea wee trust that Iehouah will so blesse vs out of Zion Psal 128.5 that we shall see our Ierusalem to flow with prosperity peace plenteousnes and true religion all the daies of our life that the destroyers of the vineyard Psal 80.13 and young Vine which the Lord hath made so mightie and strong for himselfe shall perish in their appointed time at the rebuke of the countenance of our God But if so be the Lords arme bee stretched out toward vs if his wrath be kindled against vs if matters fall out in the ende otherwise than well let vs burden and blame no man but our selues for wee are a crooked and rebellious nation as badd as euer were the Iewes if not worse and looke what sinnes raigned among them Ezec. 16.49.50 and we haue exceeded
them yea and haue iustified them as did Ierusalem hir two sisters Sodom and Samaria verse 51. in all the abhominations which we haue done The pietie and godlines which many of vs pretend when it is at best is but Iewish hipocrisie or some sodaine passion of the minde or violent motion and therefore endureth but a while soone hote and soone cold as was Esaus to Iaakob Ge. 33.4 27.41 32.6.36.6 Sauls to Dauid 1. Sam. 24.5.17.18 1. Sam. 26.2 and the peoples to Christ which spread their garments in the way that hee went which cut downe branches from the trees which greeted him with Hosanna Mat. 21.8.9 and shortly after cried Crucifige crucifige eum Crucifie him crucifie him Luke 23.21 So inconstancy in brotherly loue gentlenes tender mercy kindnes humblenes of minde meeknes and other such liuely fruits of faith which S. Paule biddeth vs Coll. 3.12 as the elect of God to put on betrayed these and so it betrayeth vs. Wee as these men and people were like vnto Clouds without water Iude. verse 12. are carried about of windes hauing no continuance in that which is good Wee thinke that wee haue done God good and great seruice when wee haue left some pretty shewes of Christianitie though within a while after with the Dogge we returne to the vomit 2. Pet. 2.22 VVe deale with the Lorde as Israel did with Ioshua How was that say you Surely thus VVe giue out many faire and large promises as that all shal be amended which is amisse that we will do so and so no more that wee will waxe better and better euery day God forbid say we that we should forsake the Lord our God who deliuered vs when we were in miserie and scattered our enemies round about vs therefore the Lord our God will we serue and his voice will we obay This was Israels vowe and promise then Ios 24.16.24 and the same is ours nowe though quickly forgotten as theirs was For as they not long after that the couenant was made and written by Ioshua in the booke of the law of God and a great stone pitched in the remembrance and testimonie thereof prouoked the Lord to anger so do we And as did Israel we haue said and sworne that we will serue the Lord onely but yet marke behold there are of vs that serue and follow other Gods as bad in effect as the Gods of Aram the Gods of Zidon the Gods of Moab and the Gods of the children of Ammon and the Gods of the Philistines Iudg. 10.6 VVherefore as Ioshua saide vnto the Israelites so giue mee leaue to say vnto you that say and doo such things Yee are witnesses against your selues Ios 24.22 The stones of the streete which the Pauier pitched shall testifie against you for by trampling treading on them with your feete they are wakened haue hard the words which ye haue spoken concerning the Lord. So that rather than mans dissimulation mans ingratitude mans vnkindnes mans rebellion and Apostasie shall escape vnpunished the verie stones of the street deafe and dumbe creatures shall call and cry for vengeaunce against it and who so is wise will ponder this in his heart Brethren with the Apostle I will shewe you this secret of which I would not that ye should be ignorant least ye should bee arrogant Although it hath pleased God in his abundant mercie to make vs his people which in time past were not a people 1. Pet. 2.10 to graffe vs a wilde oliue tree wilde by nature contrarie to nature in the right oliue tree Roman 11.17 let not the wilde oliue though some of the braunches be broken off graft in for them and made partaker of the roote and fathes of the oliue tree boast it selfe against the branches For if God spared not the naturall branches take heede least hee also spare not vs. Wherefore let vs not be high minded but feare let vs behold the boundtifulnes seueritie of God and ponder well the one the other toward the Iewes which haue fallen seueritie but toward vs bountifulnes vers 22. if we continue abide therin Beloued these and such like are written to warne vs that wee should beware of the like sinnes least we feele the like plagues Let vs remember then what manner of people we were in time past and what wee are now in Christ Iesus Let vs consider that we haue had yet haue a God that is gracious and mercifull long suffering and of great compassion no otherwise affected toward vs than a father toward his owne children for he hath nourished and broght vs vp thogh we haue rebelled against him and yet doo But if wee continue and goe onward walking in the wayes of our hearts hee will call vs to a sharpe account euen to the ballaunce of his iudgement Eccles 11.9 and because hee will make due and iust proofe of our guiltinesse hee wyll summon the heauens and earth to witnes against vs and the brute and dumbe creatures of the world to condemne vs. For so doth the Lord heere against his owne people the Iewes calling to recorde agaynst them first the heauens and earth and now to aggrauate their ingratitude and rebellion against him their father the oxe the asse in this forme and manner of speaking The oxe knoweth his owner and the asse his masters cribbe but Israel hath not knowen my people hath not vnderstand By which kinde of comparison or example demonstratiue the most iust God so iustly prouoked dooth declare that the most brute and dul beasts did more acknowledge their dutie toward their masters which notwithstanding pressed them downe with sore heauie burdens than did his people toward him of whom they had receiued benefits without comparison In like sort the Lord in the eight chapter of the prophet Ieremie and the sixt verse complaineth of the Iewes that turned back by a perpetuall rebellion and saith I hearkened and heard but none spake aright no man repented him of his wickednes saying What haue I done euerie one tourned to their race as the Horse rusheth into the battell Verse 7. Euen the storke in the aire knoweth her appointed times and the turtle and the crane and the swallow obserue the time of their comming but my people knoweth not the iudgement of the Lord. Hee accuseth the Iewes because they were more ignoraunt of the iudgements of their God than were these birds of their appointed seasons to discerne the cold and heate But a strange thing and a wonderful They that shuld haue been like the Angels in heauen that should haue expressed and that most liuely the similitude and likenes of God are not to be preferred to the brute creatures of the earth Israel the Lords people Israel the Lords inheritance Israel the lot of his inheritance Deu. 32.9 Israel the Lords seruant Esa 44.21 Israel the Lords portion Israel a thing halowed to the lord Ier. 2.3 Israel the first fruites of the Lord Israel the first
in sacrifices as when his voyce is obeyed 1. Sam. 15.22 To obey with him is better than sacrifice and to hearken is better than the fat of rammes Rebellion in his sight is as the sinne of witchcraft and transgression is wickednesse and idolatrie Whereby wee are taught that the Lorde hateth nothing more than the sinnes of ingratitude disobedience which in his owne people hee punished diuers and sundrie waies that they might knowe and acknowledge the God that had made them and the mightie one of Israel that had redeemed them The Lord giue vs grace to amend the like faults by the correction and punishment of them Happie were we if by their harmes we could learne to beware For beloued the workings of God whether in blessing or afflicting present or past to our selues or others particularly well and carefully examined would learne vs manie a fruitefull lesson if wee had the grace to consider them S. Paul feared the Corinthians in his first Epistle written to them the tenth chapter and the sixt verse with the examples of the Iewes past long before that they should not vse the like vices which they did least they should be destroyed as they were Now let vs make those examples ours for as the same apostle saith in the eleuenth verse of the forementioned chapter they are written to admonish vs also whom the ends of the world are more nighly come vpon that we lust not as they lusted that we be not idolaters as were some of them that we commit not fornication as some of them committed fornication that we tempt not Christ as some of them tempted him that we murmur not as some of them murmured to be short that we rebel not as some of them also rebelled least following the like impieties wee incurre the like punnishments and to our manifest and iust condemnation cause and procure the heauens and earth the hils and mountaines the rocks and mightie foundations yea and the beasts of the land and the foules of the aire before mentioned to testifie against vs and our obstinacie As for the heauens and earth they in great measure haue already witnessed Gods most heauie wrath and indignation against vs that in regard of the violating of his law contempt of his word If these maye not serue yet then greater tokens of his wrath than these in his creatures about and vnder vs shall appeare toward vs and finalnally vnles we repent we shall perish in his iustice vtterly that in his mercie refused to embrace him and his truth obediently For if wee regard not the bountifulnes and loue of God our Sauiour toward vs if wee despise the riches of his goodnes patience and long suffrance Rom. 2.4 if we contemn his word the word of saluation if the seed thereof shall not fructifie in our hearts if the peace which we haue with God ingender impietie if our ciuill peace breed nothing than beastly securitie if plentie work pride if with Israel Num. 1◠6 wee loathe Manna if we fall a lusting after flesh and set a nought the food of angels if we tempt God as wearie of our profession i◠we be waterlesse clowdes carried about of winds Iude ver 12. if we be corrupt trees without frute if we despise gouernment and speak euil of them that are in authoritie Iude 8. if wee liue as a people caring neither for God law nor religion if we forsake Christ and bid him farewell if we sit downe and fall asleepe in the seate of the scornefull Psal 1.1 if with the deafe adder we stoppe our eares at the voyce of the charmer Psa 58 4.5 then shall all the blessings of God bee turned into curses the message of life shal be vnto vs a sauor of death vnto death our vineyard shal be laid wast Esa 5.5 6. the hedge thereof shal be eaten vp and the wall broken and troden downe it shall not bee cut nor digged but briers and thornes shal growe vp and the cloudes shall not rayne vpon it Deutronom 28.37 wee shall bee a wonder a prouerbe a common talke a reproach an astonishment an hissing Ier. 24 9. a curse in all places Ieremie the fiue and twentieth and the ninth tenth verses a iust reward of our vnkindnesse and rebellion against the Lord ther shal be taken from vs the voyce of mirth and the voyce of gladnes our laughter shall be turned into mourning and our ioy into sorrow our former wealth and pleasure shall but adde a greater burden vnto our woe Thus shall all the curses of God come vpon vs shall pursue vs and ouertake vs till we be consumed and that because wee would not obey the voyce of our God to keepe his commaundements and his ordinaunces which hee commaunded vs Deuter 28.45 For would the Lord plague the Citie where his Name was called vppon Ierem. 25.29 and should we goe free But ô Lord God and Father of mercies this bee farre from vs and our posteritie for euer And so brethren I will commend you to God and to the word of his grace Act. 20.32 which is able to builde further and to finish his woorke in you and to giue you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified And withall I giue you that exhortation which Ioshua gaue to the Children of Israel in the three and twentieth chapter and eleuenth verse Take good heed vnto your selues that ye loue the Lord your God And in the seauenth vearse Ioyne not your selues to the Gentiles companie not with the Nations which wander in and out among you I meane not Perizzites but Papists not Iebusites but Iesuites for as did the Scribes and Pharises Matth. 23.15 they compasse sea and land to make one of their profession and when he is made they make him two-fold more the childe of hell than they themselues are Wherefore deare Brethren beware of them for as Saint Paul warned the Galathians in the fourth chapter and seauenteenth verse of the like sort of men Depereunt vos non benè they are iealous ouer you amisse euen to serue their owne turne they would exclude you from the loue that you beare to GOD his truth from the loue that ye beare to his Ministers who preach not themselues 2. Corinth 4.5 but Christ Iesus the Lord and themselues your seruaunts for Iesus sake to this end that ye shuld altogether loue them and follow them But beloued doo not so Sticke fast vnto the Lord your God as ye haue done vnto this day Ios 23.8 Yee know in all your hearts and in all your soules what and how great things the Lord hath done for ye Now therefore feare the Lord and serue him in vprightnes and in truth and awaye with those Gods which your fathers serued beyond the floud and in Egypt and serue ye the Lord Ios 24.14 Be not vnequally yoked with the infidels 2. Cor. 6.14 the match is vnequall Come out from among them vers 17. and seperate your selues touch
no vncleane thing The frute will be this You shall eate your bread in plenteousnes and dwell in your Citie safely Leuit. 26.5 6. God will send peace in the land and ye shall sleepe and none shall make you afraid He will couer you vnder his wings Psal 91.4 and you shall bee safe vnder hys feathers his truth shall be your shield and buckler You shall not be afraid of the feare of the night nor of the arrowe that flyeth by day for he shall giue his Angels charge ouer you vers 11. to keepe you in all your wayes And this will the Lord doo for you and much more if you feare loue serue obey him For he will receiue you he will be a father vnto you and you shall bee hys sonnes and daughters 2. Corinth 6.17 18. hee will dwell with you and walke among â—ou he will be your God and you shall be â—â—s people Leu. 26.12 Finally that I may conclude with the Prophet with whom I began if ye consent and obay ye shall eate the good things of the lande Esaie 1.19.20 But if ye refuse and bee rebellious yee shall be deuoured with the sword for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it This same our Lord God who alone pondereth 2. Chron. 6.30 trieth ruleth the harts of the sonnes of men Pro. 21.2 guide vs our harts to the loue of him 1. Thess 2.4 mollifie and soften vs Act. 1.34 and them by the gratious and mighty working of his holy and blessed spirit 2. Thess 3.5 that we may sensibly feele perceiue how good and louing a God and mercifull father hee hath beene and is vnto vs and that we may shew our selues thankfull and obedient vnto him liuing vnto his lawes and embracing his word and obeying his commandements so dooing wee shall be the Lords chiefe treasure aboue all people â—he will fight for vs as he did for the Israelites his elect chosen children he will carrie vs on Eagles wings as he did them throughout the dangers and troubles of this wofull Egypt till wee come to the hauen of perfect rest to the land of the celestiall Canaan where we shal haue the fruition of endles ioyes 1. Cor. 2.6 which eye hath not seen neither eâ—re hath heard neither haue entred into the hart of man prepared of God for them that loue him Of which ioyes God of his infinite mercie grant vs all to be partakers through the merites and death of Iesus Christ his sonne our Lord and sauiour to whome with the holy Ghost triple in person but one in substance be praise and glory and wisedome and thankes honour and power and might for euermore Apoc. 7.12 Now let vs pray O Lord thou that liuest for euer which beholdest from thy holy hill the things that are done vpon earth heare and hearken we beseech thee vnto the Prayers of thy seruants and receiue into thine eares the petitions of thy creatures Looke not O Lord vpon the multitude of our iniquities and haue no respect to the number of our sinnes let it not bee thy will to destroy vs which appeare worse before thee than the Oxe and Asse for the Oxe knoweth his owner and the Asse his Masters Cribbe but we thy children whom thou hast nourished and brought vp as a most louing father haue not knowne and wee that in time past were not a people but nowe thine owne people haue not vnderstand VVe must acknowledge and confesse vnto thee our Lord and God that euen the byrdes of the Ayre as the Storke and the Turtle and the Crane and the Swallow doo better knowe and obserue the times of their comming then we the iudgments of thee our God Our misdeedes are great and they presse vs downe as an heauy burden Our iniquities are as the sand of the sea in number before thee Thou hast O Lord many and iust causes to doe with vs according to our offences because wee haue not kept thy commandements neither haue walked in duty and obedience before thee but haue rebelled as did thy people the Iewes VVee haue the sickenesse of our Fathers wee haue done amisse and dealt wickedly Notwithstanding O Lord wee trust that thou wilt be fauourable and gracious vnto vs. In a contrite heart and an humble spirite let vs be receiued Deale with vs thy seruants which put their trust in thee after thy louing kindnes and according to the multitude of thy mercies so shalt thou be called mercifull and we shall haue great cause to praise and glorifie thee both for this and all other thy former benefits specially for that as vpon this day thou diddest deliuer vs and our Citie out of the handes of our wicked enemies and hatefull foes which sayd that they would burne our dwelling places and kill our yong men with the sword dash our sucking children against the ground and make our infants as a pray our virgins a spoyle which also sayd we will diuide the booty our lust shall be satisfied vpon them and then wee will draw the weapon and our hand shall destroy them But thou the Lord of Hoasts which art great and glorious maruelous and inuincible in power whose voyce no creature can abide diddest soone bring them and their deuises to naught Thy right hande was glorious in power thy right arme brused the enemy In thy great glory thou diddest ouerthrow them that rose against thee thou diddest send forth thy wrath which consumed them as the stubble and by the blast of thy nostrels the waters came which ran mightily through the channels of our streets so drowned the labours of their hands And so from that day to this as the Egle doth her yong ones thou hast carried vs vppon the winges of thy mercy out of all dangers for which and all other thy blessinges most gracious and louing father we shall from age to age remember thee and thy goodnes this shall bee a feast day vnto vs and our posterity we that are now and they that are to come shall sing prayses vnto thee exalt thy name Thou O Lord wast and art our strength and power thou wast and art our saluation thou hast beene and art our refuge our defence our castle and the rocke of our might thou art our God thou art the God of our fathers we will magnifie thee And here also wee are bolde to make our deuout and harty prayers vnto thee Lord almighty and father of vs al that thou after thine accustomed mercy wilt vouchsafe continually to remember vs from thy holy mount to looke downe vppon vs. Keep vs Lord as the apple of thine eye graue vs as another Zion vppon the palme of thine handes and let our walls bee euer in thy sight VVhen men shall rise vp against vs and shall be wrathfully displeased at vs if wee turne to thee with all our hearts and with all our soules and confesse thy name and pray and make supplication before thee in this house heare thou then O Lord in heauen in the dwelling place of thy habitation what prayer and supplication so euer shall bee made of any man or of all thy people and pardon the sinne of thy seruants and bee mercifull to the transgressions of thy children punish vs not according to our deserts deliuer vs not whom thou hast purchased for a spoile vnto captiuity and death sell vs not into the hands of our enemies round a-about vs giue vs not ouer for a pray vnto their teeth make vs not for a Prouerbe of reproch to the Nations farre and neere lest they aske where is now their God Let not the Heathen say which haue heard the fame of thee because the Lorde was not able to saue this people in the land that he gaue them or because hee hated them therefore hee hath left them in the handes of spoilers to spoile them and of the Nations to raigne as Lordes ouer them Lord we are thy people and thine inheritance which thou deliueredst of olde by thy mighty power and preseruedst by thy stretched out arme Let this greatnes of thy power continue withdraw not thy accustomed fauor from vs hide not thou thy face from vs in the time of troble but be thou mercifull vnto vs according to thy great mercies Let all the earth be filled with the brightnesse of thy glory let all such that beare euill will at Zion which seeke to lay thy vineyard wast which thou so graciously hast planted fortified on euery part to bring thine heritage to confusion be confouÌ„ded by thy great force and power and let their strength bee broken that they may knowe that thou which art called Iehouah art alone euen the most High ouer all the earth Finally O Lorde carry vs thy people by thy great mercie whom thou deliueredst bring vs we beseech thee in thy strength vnto thy holy habitation plant vs in the mountaine of thine inheritance which is the place that thou hast prepared for to dwell in euen in the Sanctuarie O Lorde which thine handes shall stablish make vs ioyfull Citizens of thy holy Citie Hierusalem which is aboue goe before vs both by day and by night in the pillar of thy fauour and goodnesse to leade vs the way that we may safely passe through this vale of misery and wretchednesse and finish this our pilgrimage with ioy And lastly that through the ayde and assistance of our true Ioshua thy son Iesus Christ we thy children hauing passed all difficulties may rest and dwell with thee our father in the Kingdome of all happines and felicitie Euen so Lord Iesus Nomb. 6.24 The Lord blesse you and keep you the Lord make his face to shine vpon you and be mercifull vnto you the Lord lift vp his countenance vpon you and giue you peace to your City and your selues now and euer Amen Soli Deo Gloria FINIS