suffer persecution to saile thorow seas of sorrowes yea to be in the belly of hell like Jonah where troubles like waters shall compasse us about even to the soule Joh. 2.5 as long as the Divel is out of hell he will not cease to devise pestilent plots against all these that walke towards heaven By the Crosse Christ himself went to the Crowne will we be able to finde another way are we dearer to God then David was Hear him heer crying to God Give us help from trouble Jacob that Prince of God Gen. 32.28 an Israel who by wrestlng overcame God Gen. 47.9 walked also in the way of troubles few and evil said he Gen 47.9 have my dayes been Daniel Dan. 10.19 a man greatly beloved waâ— cast into a den of Lions after a great vision he fainted and waâ— sicke many dayes Dan. 8.27 Christ himselâ— is called a man of many sorrovves he suffered hunger Isa 53.3 thirst nakednesse and at last was put to deatâ— like a Traitour attached on a rack After him came a world of hiâ— worthies of whom the work was not worthy of whom likâ— others before him some were tortured and others had tryall oâ— cruell mockings Heb. 11 35 and scourgings oâ— bonds and imprisonments of other it is said that they were stoned and savven asunder vers 36 and slaiâ— vvith the Svvord and that thâ— vvandred about in sheep skinnes and goat skinnes being destitute afflicted vers 37. tormented As it hatâ— beene so it shall be with God servants on earth untill tbe loâ— day of mankinde come to its even seeing it is so let all of us now in these dayes of trouble resolve vvith Ezekiel Eek 12 18 to eate our bread vvith quakeing and drink our drink vvith trembling because vve have sinned if the Lord send a persecution let us purpose yea resolve to cast off our most costly apparell to forsake all other delights for to go vvith Christ haveing the sheep-skinnes or goate-skinnes upon our backes heb 11 37 let us be content in our dayes of tryall for Christ to put on Joshuahs filthie garments Zach. 3.3 the vilest ragges of captivitie We have enjoyed a long rest a most vvonderfull peace vve knovv not but by hearing or reading vvhat the Crosse is now in all appearance the time is come that the Lord vvill let it be seene vvho are his true servants it may be that he permit novv such a cruell triall the like whereof hath not beâ— in our land and therefore it is oâ— duetie in this day of our publiâ— fast to intreate the Lord most earnestly for one of two that eithâ—â— according to the words of mâ— text he would give us help from trouble in delivering us rom thâ— great evils we feare or els tha hâ— would give us strength patience and courage to suffer for his sake yea to rejoice with the Apostle that we are counted worthy to suffer either shame or paine for hiâ— name Act. 5.41 Outward torments foâ— Christ are nothing to these whâ— have a good conscience thaâ— heavenly musician singing moâ— sweetly day and night One saitâ— very well that the teares of good conscience have more pleasure in them then the world greatest joy they are full of thâ— sweetest juice marrow honeâ— kernell comforts relish thâ—â— the heart of man can conceive Cum suspiriis inenarrabilibus conjunctuÌ„ est gaudium ineffabile they have an unspeakable joy with inuterable sighs The 2. use The 2 use Judg. 7.16 Let this serve for reproofe to many who have not a minde to suffer any thing for Christ yea not so much as to bear a pitcher for Israel or to cry THE SWORD OF THE LORD AND OF GIDEON As long as Christ will give loaves to such they will most frequently swarme about him Joh. 6.26 they are like Ephraim a cake not turned halfe daugh and halfe backed Hos 7.8 neither raw nor rosted Rev. 3.15 lukewarm â—ike Loadicea Alas many thousands were ready to sit down with Christ and to eate of his multiplied loaves and fishes but where were all these at Golgotha when the Lord like a Theefe was â—anged up between two theeves Yea where then was Peter himself where then was Andrew Peters brother yea where theâ— were James and Philip and Barthâ—lomew Thomas and Matthew and James the sonne of Alpheus where were Lebeus and Simon the Cananite S. Marke saith that they all forsooke him and fled onelie John tarried with him aâ— the crosse Mark 14 50 to whom he recommended his mother Ioh. 19.27 what theâ— did it was through infirmitieâ— they all loved Christ dearly but the fear of death overcamâ— their love this was a greaâ— fault but many among us carnall men soaked in sensualitieâ— who have cursedly feared theâ—â— owne conscience with the hote yron in the Divels forge meâ— whose eyes are darkened witâ— the mists of hell have no courage for GODS worship thâ— Taverne is their Temple their bell is their bible and their god theâ— are men of rotten hearts whiâ—â— have so embraced in their armes earthly doung with Demas 2 Tim. 4.10 that they care not for Religion such have no courage for the truth they have no purpose to suffer losse of lands or lives 1 Cor. 1.18 Ezek. 28.3 for the folie of this Gospel Behold they are wiser then Daniel They esteeme all these but fooles that in the torrents of troubles forsake their faire cloathes and houses to put on the goate skinnes Heb. 11.37 and to abide in the caves and dennes of the earth such wise worldlings cannot imagine that Christ is on the suffering side while they rest pleasantly in their beds of yvory and of ease Am. 6.4 they in their hearts scorne at men as fools that quite their lands and their lives their wives and their houses and their wealth for to suffer trouble for religion which fy fy they imagine to be but opinions of men conceits devices of giddie braines Givâ— unto such the black Masse anâ— all the idols of Rome yea thâ— Turkish Alcoran under somâ— other more honest names and they shall embrace them all before they quite their sieled houses and their silks Hag. 1.4 for to put on thâ— sheep-skinnes for to wander up anâ— down with the faithfull servantâ— of Jesus Christ Heb. 11.37 while thesâ— fooles have a hote gleame oâ— earthly glory while the sailes oâ— their sensualitie are filled with carnall delights they are at home yea as they thinke in heaven crowned with rose buds and garlands of glory while they thuâ— tumble in these earthly pleasures though the Lord Jesus promisâ— unto them the Crownes of hiâ— Kingdome they are though iâ— another sense like the Olive-treâ— that would not quite its fatnesse and like the figge tree Judg. 9.9 that would not quite its sweetnesse or like the Vine that would not leave its wine for to be made Kings over the trees
farinaria to set up their Dagon of dowe but the Lord by his wonderfull wisedome disappointed them After that the enemies of Christs Gospel have beene still undermining this poore Church under a covering of ceremonies but when they were almost come to the cope of their desires even to give us the Masse cloathed with an English coat most cunningly woven from the top throughout with juggling wordes wordes of two faces like the Oracles of Apollo which one way had a sense for Gods glory but another way a sense for to make Christ Iesus a dumb and a deafe idoll that all this nation at last should be partly entised partly constrained to returne to worship a god of bread which can not defend himself from the teeth of a Mouse When this was almost atchieved and done the Lord in a most wonderfull manner disappointed them After that they gathered their forces by Sea and Land to doe by violence what they could not performe by wiles the Lord and not we disappointed them the Lord blessed for evermore at Dunce-hill Har-ezer mons adjutorij the hill of help and at Newburne wrought their disappointment East West South North the Lord hath done great things for us the LORDS hand hath beene seene by Sea and by Land Except our enemies hearts bee harder then the heart of Pharao they must confesse and say with Pharaohs Magicians Exod. 8.19 This is the finger of GOD. The 1 use The 1 use Let us learn here to trust in God in greatest dangers even when there is nothing but confufed noise Isa 9.5 with garments rolled in bloud though our enemies were never so strong our God is able to disappoint all their designes hee will not suffer any weapons to prosper that are lifted up against his servants if we can stand still with the foot of faith Exod. 14 13 we shall not faile to see the Salvation of the Lord Psal 23.4 In the valley of the shaddow of death we shall not need ro feare any evill for he shall bee with us Exod. 15.3 the Lord said Moses is a man of warre and therefore let not our hearts tremble for the boast of men who are but like dogges barking at the Moone it is but little or nothing that man can doe What is he worth Isa 2.22 wherein is hee to bee accounted of the Lord can easily disappoint all his designes Let GOD arise Psal 68.1 and his enemies shall bee scattered These that hate him shall flee before him As smoak is driven away so shall the Lord drive them away as waxe melteth before the fire so shall the wicked perish at the presence of God The 2 use The second use When the enemies of God are strong and are in plotting great designes against GODS inheritance let us heere learne how to pray to God let us take unto us words even these words of this text Arise O Lord and disappoint them If we cry unto the Lord Arise the Lord shall not faile to answere Now will I arise Isa 33.10 saith the Lord When Hee is risen he will worke wonders Isa 33.11 Mine enemies saith He shall conceive chaffe and bring forth stubble thus all their counsells shall be but a conception of chaffe and when their designes are ready to be borne they shall be but children of stubble David in the second Psalme considering how God maketh the counsels the conceptions of wicked men to be but false conceptions cryed out Psal 2.1 Why doe the heathen rage and the people imagine a vaine thing the word in the Hebrew signifieth a trifle RIK inane or emptinesse a nothing He also there scorneth the vaine Kings and Rulers of the earth and that because they take counsell against Christ He that sitteth in the heavens saith He shall laugh Psal 2.4 the Lord shall have them in derision After that for a space hee hath laughen at their follie hee will breake them with a rod of yron vers 9 and dash them in pieces like a potters vessell Thus the LORD bringeth down the plots and designes of high-towring ambitious wicked men Behold a real disappointment where now I pray you will all their designes and their boasts and their armies bee when the Lord hath broken them all into Shardes like an old pitcher Behold the men that would but burn and slay Behold the men thaâ— would have all their will Beholâ— the men that would neither beâ— ruled by Gods law nor Mans law but by their owne wilfull wills the LORD hath throwne theâ— downe the evill they would havâ— done it lay not in their hearts oâ— hands to doe it the LORD hath treade them downe he hatâ— wounded the head of his enemies and the hairie scalpes of such a goe on still in their trespasses they are nothing but like a broken sheard Psal 68.21 Behold them bridled by the power of this greaâ— LORD who according to the prayer of his servant heere hath clearly before the eyes of the world disappointed them Let railing Rabshakehs not onely boast men but also GOD himselfe with where is the god of thiâ— place 2 King 18 34 and the god of that placeâ— the gods of Hamath and of Arpad the gods of Sepharvaim Henah and Juah Let great men with Rabshakeh threaten to cause Gods people eate their owne dung 2 King 18 27 and drinke their owne pisse but the LORD hath hookes for their nose 2 King 19 28 and bridles for their lips for to turne them back from their course He shall so crosse their designes that they shall goe away disappointed with shame and disgrace Jos 5.14 Christ the Captaine of the Lords 〈◊〉 is all fire for the glory of 〈◊〉 Father and the well of his â—â—â—rch his zeal was such that it did eate him up Joh. 2.17 but alas for our heart it is but like a cold sinder in our bosome The third Petition Cast him downe NOw it follovveth that vvee heare Davids third petition Cast him downe The Prophet heere in his prayer goeth on as Abraham did in hiâ— request for Sodome He sought ayâ— more and more first that Goâ— for fifties sake Gen. 18.24 would spare thâ— Cities 28 Secondly that for fivâ— and fourties sake 29 Thirdly thaâ— for fourties sake Fourthly thaâ— for thirties sake 30 Fiftly that foâ— twenties sake 31 32 Sixtly and last that for tennes sake he woulâ— spare all the rest So David firâ— here intreated God but to arise After that he desired God to do more even to disappoint his enemies Thirdly here he desireth more that the Lord would hurlâ— and cast down his adversaries The doctrine Observe here what it is to be once familiar with God Thâ— more a man be acquaint with God he groweth in boldnesse in hiâ— sutes the prayers of a Christian must not be dwarfes still iâ— one stature They must grow up â—nd be enlarged A man
the Lord Arise O Lord c. In the second part wee have the petitions of his prayer which are foure in number 1. Arise 2. Disappoint him 3. Cast him downe 4. Deliver my soul from the wicked which is thy Sword Let us now come to the glosse and interpretation of every part of the text I. PART To whom the Prophet here maketh his Prayer HEE to whom the Prophet heere maketh his prayer is the Lord Arise O Lord. Observe heere the wisedome of David when he is in distresse The doctrine he goeth to the right hand even directly to the Lord As for Abraham he knew him not and therefore he spake not a word to Abraham to Jsaac or Jacob Psal 73.25 in any of his troubles whom have I in heaven but thee was his saying unto God The 1. use The 1 use Let us learne here in whom to trust at all times it is in the LORD All other things whatsoever will faile but the Lord faileth never Some helpers faile in will though they may they will not and some faile in power though they will they may not but the Lord is sure on all sides there is nothing that may doe us good but God is able to doe it looke how able he is in power he is as willing for our well If we want any thing that we desire it is either because we aske it not Jam. 4.3 or because wee aske amisse that wee may consume it upon our lusts or because what we aske is not expedient for us wee often seeke from God and weepe for things which we would have as children weepe for knives which their parents will not give unto them because they would be hurtfull unto them Many of Gods children have crying desires for wheate Psal 4.6 wine and oyle this worlds wealth and ease but God knowes that many would be hurt thereby and therefore grants not unto them their desires The Lord forbid that God had suffered us to get our hearts desire at all times the best of us had been in hell ere now if God had given us all our will a yeares peace or plentie O what a change maketh it among a people O how hurtfull is it to the souls of many who crammed with hypocrisie can crake of pietie and soulder their gracelesse doings with great ostentation The 2. use The 2 use Let this serve for reproofe to Papists who all slabbered in the dirt of mans inventions most foolishly distrusting GODS good will Jon. 2.8 forsake their owne mercie in steede of crying to the LORD they court the Lâ—dy Mary which is their Queene of heaven Isa 44.7 they also run from God to the Saints as though they had a greater regard unto us or loved us better then God If we had done the thousand parts of the wrongs to them that wee have done unto God though they had beene our fathers and our mothers they had all cursed us Gen. 9.25 as Noah did to Cham Cham so farre as I can reade had but once scorned his father and for that once his father cursed him but wee have ten thousand times scorned God and yet he hath blessed us and blesseth us still His wayes are not our wayes Isa 55 8 and his thoughts are not our thoughts for as farre as the heavens are above the earth as farre are his wayes above our wayes and his thoughts above our thoughts so it is of his mercy and love Isa 49.15 though a mother forget her childe the Lord can not forget his children thus they who goe to others then to God are deceived as if men not content with the light of the Sun would goe to seeke light from the Moone who hath all her light from the Sunne Of all such God may well say as he said in the dayes of Jeremiah Jer. 2.27 they have turned the back and not the face Jonah marketh such with this black blot Jonah 2.8 These that observe lying vanities forsake their owne mercie It was not so great a wonder under the law to see men idolaters Cant. 2.9 bcause then Christ but looked out at a window and shewed himselfe through a lattesse darklie but O now in his Gospel he come out at doores clearâ— with Behold me Behold me â— for us let our refuge in all diâ—esses bee to God and Christ his Sonne Iohn 17.3 this is life eternall said Christ in his prayer only Christ is Mediator onely by him our prayers are heard many Pagans did excell in morall things but because they knew not Christ they could not finde the doore of heaven this made a father to say of that great Philosopher Aristotle August Vae tibi Aristoteles laudaris ubi non es damnaris ubi es Wo to thee O Aristotle who art commended where thou art not and condemned where thou art The second Part. The Prayer WE have heard unto whom the Prophet here maketh his prayer it is unto the Lord now let us consider the prayer iâ— selfe Arise disappoint him caâ— him down deliver my soul from the wicked which is thy sword Iâ— this prayer there be foure petitions 1. Arise 2 Disappoinâ— him 3. Cast him down 4. Deliver my soul from the wicked witâ— thy sword Angustiati animi suspiria one calleth well thesâ— foure petitions the groanes of soul in a great straite The first Petition Arise THe first thing that the Psalmist here requireth of the Lord is that he would Arise and make him ready for his help Arise O LORD When God for causes known to himselfe delayes his help he seemeth to his servants to be like a man lying or sleeping Hence are all these formes of speaches of the godly Arise Psal 3.7 O Lord save me Psal 10.1 why standest thou afarre off O Lord why hidest thou thy selfe in times of trouble Againe Arise O Lord Psal 10.12 O God lift up thine hand forget not the humble Againe Awake Psal 44.23 why sleepest thou O Lord Arise cast us not off for ever againe vers 26 Arise for our help for thy mercies sake the Scriptures are full of Arise and awake which distressed men cry unto God whilâ— he delayes to help them The doctrine Observe here first that Goâ— cometh not ever at the first unâ—to his servants in their afflictions he will have them to taste yeâ— whiles to drink of the bitter cup before he let it passe from them that afterward they may thâ— better taste and see how good 〈◊〉 the LORD Psal 34.8 when he hath delivered them Cum differt auxilium videtur Deus sedere otiosus Isa 26.16 God sometime will seeme to his servants very carelesse of their miserie as iâ— he were a man lyen down to sleep but all that is to stirre up the hearts of his servants to cry the more mightily unto him and also to let them see their owne weaknesse of faith and how that
off his head and â—he palmes of his hands vers 4 onely the â—mp of Dagon was left to him â—fter that where ever Gods Ark â—emained prisoner the Lord smot â—is enemies on the hinder parts â—ith Emrods they had no rest â—ntill they sent it back againe â—â—us the Lord most gloriously â—elped his people from trouble If we will continue in sinceritie to fast and pray there shall 〈◊〉 be a stone in the field but shall be like that stone of Samâ—el which he called Eben-ezer tâ— stone of help in whatsoeâ—â—â— danger we shall be we shall 〈◊〉 with Samuel 1 Sam. 7 12 Am. 4.1 Hitherto hath 〈◊〉 Lord helped us hear this word yeâ— of Bashan who push with yoâ—â— hornes against Gods dear sâ—â—vants as though God did 〈◊〉 regard or could not give us from trouble The 2 use The 2. use Let this serve reproofe to these base and beaâ— bodies whose names are wriâ—â—â— in the earth Jer. 17.13 who have neitâ—â—â— heart nor hand nor tongue foâ— help Gods Church from trouble thâ—â— have not a thought of pitie thâ—â— know not what it is to be gâ—ved for the affliction of Joseâ—â— they have made their hearts an Adament-stone Amo. 6.6 they are 〈◊〉 and beastly Zach. 7.12 they have no courage in their hearts they have â—o hands for the good cause â—heir tongue by their words as â—y a Sibboleth bewrayeth them Jud. 12.6 â—at they are not on Gods side 〈◊〉 send such to hearken Deborah 〈◊〉 her song cursing bitterly all â—hose that come not to help the â—ord Jud. 5.23 to help the Lord against the mightie If Meroz was cursed because â—hey came not to help the Lord â—ll the curses of Ebal shall like fire â—nd brimstone raine downe upon â—ll these who for a short glance â—f proseritie for a vaine hope of preferment for a vanitie of â—anities for a golden dreame â—ome against the Lord for to â—urt the good cause a cloud of wrath a world of woe a hell â—pon earth shall one day come â—pon all these who rejoyceing â—n the Churches desolations say â—th so would we have it Psal 35.25 such shall either perish by fire wiâ—â— that companie of Corah or swallowed up with Dathan shall die by the sword with â—laam or shall burne themselvâ—â— with Zimri or shall hang theâ— selves with Judas and Ahitophâ— the Lord shall set wicked nâ— over them Psal 109.6 7.8 c. Satan shall stand their right hand when they shâ—â—â— be judged they shall be condeâ—ned their prayers shall be turâ—â—â— into sinne their dayes shall few and another shall take thâ— office their children shall be â—â—therlesse and their wives widowâ— their children shall be vagaboâ—â— and beg the extortioners shall caâ— all that they have c. In a vvoâ—â— their possessions shall be made tâ— breeding of nettles and a perpetâ—â—â— desolation Zach. 2.9 all the imprecatioâ— that David made in that Psalâ— against his enemies shall come â—pon these that refuse to help tâ— LORD and his Church from trouble The vvord trouble here is in the Hebrew Tsar 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth straitnesse or distresse as vvhen a man is so driven into some narrow place that he knovveth not to vvhat hand to turne him When God being angry at King David for numbering the people ordained his Prophet Gad not in a smooth and silken Court-sermon but in a divine authoritie to give the King his choise of seaven yeares famine or of three moneths flying before the enemies or of three dayes pestilence David the King said unto the Prophet 2 Sam. 24 14 I am in a great strait in the Hebrew it is Tsar-li as if he had said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I am besiedged on all sides I know not to what hand to turne me I doubt of what plague to make choise Observe heere The Doctrine vvhat is often the condition of Gods dearest children their life heere is full of troublesome turnings their condition of life is to be driven into great straits this vvas the complaint of the Church They have often afflicted mee from my youth Psal 129.1 and againe immediatly after they have often afflicted me from my youth the doore of heaven is called the straite gate and the vvay thereunto is called the narrow vvay Mat. 7.13 Satans rage is restlesse his trade is a trade of blood he is that old spevving dragon vvho casts out of his mouth floods of venime after the Church Rev. 12.15 vvhat is Christs Church on earth but like a scorched heath or a root in dry ground All these that novv sing in heaven have mourned heere before they came to these mansions of joy they all past thorovv the valley of Baca a vvorld of teares and troubles S. John in the Revelation saith that one of the Elders of heaven came unto him and said Rev. 7.13 What are these that arc arraide in vvhite robes men all filled with joy S. John could not tell what kinde of men they were Sir said he thou knowest then the Elder said to John these are they which came out of great tribulation vers 14 there be no soules in heaven now but first on earth they have beene in great tribulations they in great terrours and anxietie have all cryed Give us help from trouble in the day of their small things they all have beene in a great strait Zach. 4.10 The 1. use The 1 use Let us all heere learne that in this world many swarmes of sorrowes and vexations are prepared for us that minde the way to heaven the best hearts below are often crammed with sighs and groanes the grief of minde consumes their marrow chills their bloud wasts their spirits shortneth their life maketh them pale and wanne that we should not startle in our feares Christ hath foretold and said Joh. 16 33 In the world yee shall have tribulation Againe the vvorld shall laugh Joh. 16.20 but you shall vveep the divel the Prince of this vvorld Joh. 12.31 still goeth about to fasten his fangs upon redeemed soules and to spite fire bals at the faces of best Christians the church by Zacharie is compared to mirtle trees in a bottome Zach. 1.8 or low valley that is in a low base and contemptible condition heere is not our rest and therefore let us not thinke among so many dogged Doegs cursed Curres to come to heaven but by a way that is straite narrow and troublesome a way of deepest sighs and saltest groanes a way strovved vvith losses and crosses Satan can not forget his trade of tempting and of spewing floods of troubles against the Saints the word of God tells us that he hath fearful depths Rev. 2.24 2 Cor. 2.11 craftie devices and strange plotted wiles to bring a mischief upon all these that truely feare God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eph. 6.11 If we live godly in Christ let us resolve to
out of ten thousand so their armie came to the number of foure hundred thousand tbat drew Sword All these came against the Benjamites vvho vvere but six and tvventie thousand and seven hundred but Israel found that vaine was the help of man for in the first day of the Battell they lost twentie and two thousand in the next day they lost eighteene thousand untill the Lord by fasting and prayer vvas moved to help them they found the truth of my text that vaine is the help of man As man vvithout God is vaine in his help so if he come against God he is more vaine in his hurt God called King Belshâ—zar that enemy of his Church Tekel a man of no weight or wortâ— Behold vvith vvhat a pompe Kiâ—â— Pharaoh gathered the horses aâ— charets of Egypt Dan 5.27 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for to briâ—â— back Gods people to their boâ—dage Hee as is said of Kiâ—â— Agrippa Act. 25.23 and Bernice his Queen came 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with great fantasie pompe or foolâ— vaine shew I said he will puâ—sue Ezod 15.9 I will overtake I will diviâ—â— the spoile my lust shall be satisfâ— upon them I will draw my sworâ— my hand shall destroy them theâ— were King Pharaohs bigge braâ— while his army put on the harnâ— but God did blow with his winâ— and the sea covered them vers 10. they shâ— as lead in the mighty water he had to doe vvith one strong then himselfe Senacherib fâ— this vvhen God put his hookâ— his nose 2 King 19 28 and his bridle in his hâ— though his armie was like the sand of the sea shoare for number he vvas not able to hurt Gods people the Papists could not prevaile against this land neither by fire nor vvater by vvater they came by open force by fire they came like black divels under the earth hid in vauts but blessed be the Lord both the one and the other vvas a lie rash false vaine of no vertue not a hurt but a help to teach our Kings and the Nation not to suffer the bloodie hounds of that profession to abide any more in our bosome The use The use Seeing that men without God either in their help or hurt are but vaine a lie false of no vertue let us beware either to trust too much in the forces of men that are for us or yet in a cooled courage to be too afraide for the forces of men that are against us God vvas very vvrâ—â— vvith David for numbering tâ— people they vvere thirteene huâ—dred thousand valiant men 2 Sam. 24 9 bâ— because David caused numbâ— them as if the help of man hâ— not beene vaine the LORD three dayes killed by the pestâ—lence threescore and ten thousaâ—â— let us beware to count our forâ—â— our forts and our friends oâ— Colonels our Captaines and oâ— Canons all these things are bâ— vaine things they for to striâ— them on the right veine are bâ— as is in my text a lie If tâ— Lords help be not for us thougâ— our men were like Saul and Jonâ—than 2 Sam. 1 23 swifter then Eagles aâ— stronger then Lions the fearfâ—â— day of Gilboah a black saturnâ— shall come upon us nothing shaâ— be heard but groanes and lameâ—tations How are the mighty fâ—â—len 2 Sam. 1 27 and the weapons of warre pâ—rished the Lord for our sins shall deliver us into the hands of bruâ—ish men that are skilfull to deâ—troy Ezek. 21 31 But if we can be truely humbled if every one will turne from â—heir evill wayes and goe to God in sinceritie with fasting and prayer for to seek GODS help whose charets are charets of salvation Hab. 3.8 we shall not need to feare â—he forces of men these who have eyes to see Gods charets of fire round about his Church 2 King 6 17 as â—hey were about Elishah may â—corne all the forces of Princes It is for blinde Gehazis when they see great armies of men to tremble and say 2 King 6 15 Exod. 14 13. Alas master what shall we doe If we can stand still with Moses we shall see the salvation of the Lord we shall sing and rejoice when Moses saw King Pharaoh and all his bravest Captaines gasping in that gulfe of the sea wherein they were drowne like dogges he tuned up hiâ— song Exod. 15 3. The Lord is a man of warrâ— God save our King the anointeâ— of the Lord the lap of his gaâ—ment shall never be cut by us but if Gods enemies these Râ—mish and Arminian troupes wiâ— still like the Egyptians pursuâ— Gods Church in this land for tâ— speak in Pharaohs words Exod. 15 19 to satisfâ— their lust upon us let us stand stiâ— upon our most holy faith and wâ— shall see the salvation of the Lord Scotland shall sing the song oâ— Moses The Lord is a man oâ— warre Exod. 15.3 if his help come to thâ— Battell wee shall not need tâ— flie with Israel or in great feare say of a most mighty armiâ— as the Israelites trembling said of Goliah 1 Sam. 17 25 Have yee seene thâ— man or this armie that iâ— come up 2. PART Davids couragious resolution IN the first part of this text we have heard of Davids prayer for Gods help which was backed with a reason taken from the vanitie of mans help in these words for vaine is the help of man In this second part we have Davids couragious resolution through God saith he we shall doe valiantly for he it is that shall treade down our enemies In these words we have two things first Davids couragious resolution before the battell through God wee shall do valiantly Secondly he declareth the ground of all his courage for he it is that shall treade down our enemies 1. Davids couragious resolution THe courage of David hee as ye may see was very great when the armies of Aram Naharaim and of Aram Zobah were ready to go to battell againsâ— David David encouraged Joaâ— the Captaine and the wholâ— armie with these words througâ— God we shall do valiantly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Hebrew word Chaijl signifieth valour force power prowesse activitie and couragâ— both of body and minde In this sense David tooke it when he said Psal 18.32 God girdeth me with valour the word also signifieth an armie Psal 33.16 because in armies couragious men use to be whose hearts are steeled with stoutnesse David the servant of God heere though in a very great danger was all full of courage Through God said hee we shall do valiantly with his courage he was both godly and wise he was godâ—y for hee relyed not upon his owne valour nor yet upon the â—ourage and skill of Joab his capâ—aine nor yet upon the strength of his armie but upon GOD whom king Nebuchadnezzar calâ—ed a LORD of Kings Dan. 2.47 this Lord of Kings was King Davids GOD â—hrough whom he would doe valiantly As he was godly
in his couâ—age so also he was wise for as â—hrough God he hoped to preâ—aile so also he would do someâ—hing himselfe he went not to â—he other extremitie as to say All is well now the Lord will be unto us a vvall and a sconce â—nd therefore we need not trouble our selves any more we may all sleep now and take our rest for God will doe all no not David himself would also doâ— something for to help the Lord through God said he vve shaâ—â— doe valiantly that Prophet saiâ—â— wisely to the King of Israel 1 King 20 22 gâ— and strengthen thy self and marâ— and see vvhat thou doest Goâ— himselfe said to Zion Zeph. 3.16 Let 〈◊〉 thine hands be slack The use The use Let us all this dâ— learne of David so to depend upon God that we neglect not tâ— doe something our selves If thâ— Lord hath a Sword Jud. 7.18 let Gideâ—â— have another THE SWORD Oâ— THE LORD AND OF GIDEON the neglect of the meanes is tempting of God when Chriâ—â— was by Satan set upon the pinacâ—â— of the Temple Mat. 4.5 he would not caâ— himselfe downe from thence aâ— Satans desire for needlesly to trâ— Gods power in his preservatioâ— but used the meanes in comminâ— downe by the staire God will never help these who are carelesse to help themselves I confesse God hath no need of our help though a mighty armie like that of the Syrians which filled the countrey should come against us gathered like two little flockes of Kiddes 1 King 20 27 the Lord should not have need to say to us as Joab said to Abishai 2 Sam. 10 11 If the Syrians be too strong for mee then thou shalt help me but if the children of Ammon bee too strong for thee then will I come and help thee the Lord hath no need of any mans help against all the armies of men though all the world were in Battell array against him and his Church what are all the strongest armies of the world but shadowes and bubles like these which little boyes out of spittle and sope in their pastimes blow up with their quils which anone being but winde within water burst of themselves what reaâ— help can such brettle things makâ— to the Lord though men neitheâ— can properly help God neitheâ— hath hee properly neede of any mans help yet he declareth thesâ— cursed with Meros who in thâ— fearefull dangers of Gods church doe not their endeavour to helâ— the Lord Judg. 5.33 to help the Lord againsâ— the mighty In such dayes of distresse leâ— all men goe to worke let thâ— young men in Abners language arise to play 2 Sam. 2 14. and let the old meâ— in Gods language arise to pray If young Joshuahs fight in the valleyes Num. 17.9 let old Moses pray on thâ— mountaines though God beâ— sufficiently able to do all yet thâ— faithfull man must doe through God through God said Daviâ— heere we shall doe valiantly leâ— these who can not do through God lye still like drones let them eat drinke lye and sleep still like Epicures but these who doe through God shall not faile to doe valiantly In the word valiantly heere I observe that the servants of God who doe through God The doctrine are the onely men of courage men qualified for valour the reason is because what they doe they doe it through God that is by Gods help and for Gods glory onely such are men of valour this was a part of Balaams prophesie Num. 24 18 and Israel shall do valiantly David speaking of his enemies said I did beat them small as the dust before the winde Psal 18.4 I did cast them out as dirt of the streets it is the Lord that giveth the heart onely Gods servants have true courage the wicked not excepting the stoutest are called the Fearfull Rev. 21.8 such sometimes may seeme to be valiant but all their courage is but rage likâ— wilde Bulls or Boares or likâ— madde dogges they may whileâ— furiously fight but he hath onely courage who is assured to enter heaven after death there be many Colonels and Captaines who will goe boldly to an assault but if they fear not God they are but madde men Onely these are valiant who can truely say in the faith and feare of God with David Through God wee shall doe valiantly what true courage can a wicked man have to die that incontinent after his death is to goe from the earth unto the hells unto the divell and his angles The use The use Before we goe to warre against men let us first make warre against our sinnes let us by repentance kill all our Minion delights and Captaine sinnes that they reigne no more in our mortall bodies Let us all now in these dayes of warre so studie the practice of pietie that all our doings may be through God that is both directed by him and for him that is by his power and for his glory If this wee doe sincerelie under Christs banner our courage shall never fail wee in greatest dangers shall be like Saul and Jonathan swifter then Eagles 2 Sam. 1.23 and stronger then Lions in the valley of the shadow of death we shall not fear any evil yea tbough the earth be removed Psal 46.2 and though the mountaines were caried into the midst of the sea we shall remaine stedfast like mount Zion if we have God with us in his favour wee shall not tremble in trouble no not Dan. 3.18 with Shadrach wee shall boldly face a fierie furnace Dan. 6.16 and with Daniel we shall not feare the Lions denne what hath made so many martyres poore simple bodies in the worlds language precise fooles so couragiously to affront and out-face the most fearfull frownings of cruell tyrants yea with the wings of faith to out-soare the hight of all humaine miseries what enabled them to suffer most horrible torments which Captaines were not able to abide the reason was this they walked with GOD and their doings were through God and for GOD and therefore through God they both did and suffered valiantly Zach. 10.5 they said Zacharie shall fight because the Lord is vvith them that was a brave speach of Luther Note Since I am sent for I am resolved and certainly determined to enter wormes in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ yea though I knew there were as many divels to resist me as there are tiles to cover the houses in wormes Now it is time in this time of triall fast comming to amend our life to be sure of Gods love to be sure of heaven after this life that when it shall come either to doe or die for the good cause we may through GOD either doe or die most valiantly let Zedekiahs 1 King 22 11 false Prophets with their hornes of yron stout in peace be Magor missabibs trembling Jer. 20.3 fearfull cowards in trouble in the dayes
of danger let them go from chamber to chamber 1 King 22 25 to hide themselves like Rats and Mice but let all the faithfull servants of God who have Christ for their Captaine lift up their faces in times of trouble saying with the prophet David here through God we shall doe valiantly he that feareth God needeth not to fear any thing Psal 23.4 though he be in th valley of the shaddow of deatâ— he is still under a most suâ—â—sconce Psal 91.1 even the shaddovv of tâ— Almighty who ever hath a eye on every haire of his heaâ— I exhort you all to think stâ— upon this and to doe as Danâ— did Dan. 7.28 who kept the matter in 〈◊〉 heart 2. The ground of Davids courage NOw in end it followeth that we consider the maiâ— ground of Davids great courag it was all from the Lords doing for he it is that shall tread downe enemies neither hole nor hilloâ— nor rock shall be able to hiâ— or shelter them Heere is a Prophecie reveale unto David by him Dan. 8.16 who betweâ— the banks of Vlai declared tâ— vision unto Daniel it is a prophecie of victory from God of whom it is said heere for he it is that shall treade downe our enemies David saith not heere I and my captaine Joab with the great forces of mine armie shall treade down our enemies 1 King 22 11 Mich. 4.13 he saith not we shall push them downe with hornes of yron or we shall thresh them with hooves of brasse he braggeth not of his shields glittering with brightnesse Nah. 2.4 nor of his mighty charets of warre which seeme like torches when they whirle with such furie Nah. 3.2 that the fire sparketh out of their wheeles the praunsing horses and the jumping charets are not his confidence no not what ever good befall he will not sacrifice unto his owne net Hab. 1.16 nor yet burne incense unto his owne dragge but in great vvisedome maketh the Lord the doer of all He saith he it is that shall treade dovvn our enemies Behold hoâ— David here endeth this Psalâ— of vvar by giving all the gloâ— of the victory unto God vvâ— by his infinite povver drive asunder the Nations Hab. 3.6 and scatteâ—â—eth the everlasting mountaine and bovveth the perpetuall hill The Prophet Zachary speakiâ— of Christ the man among thâ— myrtle trees saith that he saâ— him as a man riding upon a râ— horse Zach. 1.8 by that red fiery colour 〈◊〉 did imply his readinesse to be râ—â—venged upon the enemies of hâ— Church when he goeth again them upon this red horse 〈◊〉 doth to them as Jehu did to Jâ—â—sabel 2 King 9 33. he will not honour the with his hands by overthrowâ—ing them by the least finger 〈◊〉 his omnipotent povver but riâ—â—eth over them as on horsebacâ— and tradeth them under foot likâ— dirt or morter he crusheth the by the hooves of his wrath which being sore pressed downe â—ent the hardest rocks into pieces and grinde the greatest mounâ—aines into powder He it is saith David heere that shall treade downe our enemies thus he endeth â—he psalme by giving all the glory of the victory unto God The Doctrine Observe here that it is the Lord who is the Lord of hostes and â—he God of battels on whose side is ever the victory Psal 62.1 God hath spoken â—nce twise have I heard it that power belongeth unto God though Gideon carry a Sword to the Battell it is the Lord that treadeth downe The Prophet Zacharie speaking of that glorious reformation of Gods Church in the dayes of Zerubabel said Zach. 4.6 not by might not by power but by my Spirit saith the Lord of hostes it is so that David heere speaketh in time of warre not by Swordes not by Spears not by Captaines not by Horses but it is the Lord that shall tread downe our enemies it is the Lord that treadeth dowâ— the forces of men that come aâ—gainst his Church what armie can stand before him who mad that little stone in Daniel Dan. 2.34 to grind to dust and powder the foure moâ—narchies of the world Let me seeke all their advantage both oâ— time and place against his peoâ—ple if his people trust in him the Lord shall still overthrow their enemies After that the Israâ—elites by the power of God haâ— treade downe the Syrians on thâ— mountaines the Syrians said their gods are gods of the mounâ—taines 1 King 20 23 therefore they were stronger then we but let us fight against them in the plaine and surely we shal be stronger then they surelie they lied for that same God that tread them downe on the mountaines overthrew them also in the plaine Israel that day was before the Syrians but like two litte flockes of Kiddes Jer. 23.23 but the Lord who is a God at hand and a God a farre off made these Kiddes in the valleys to run over the horses of these who said that all his power was onely upon the mountaines for in the seventh day the battel being joined the children of Israel slew of the Syrians a hundred thousand footmen in one day the rest fled to Aphek into the city and there a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand Behold how neither hills nor valleyes can be able to defend these who are against the LORD Zach. 4.7 who can make a great mountaine to become a plaine the old walls of cities and of houses the wilde beastes of the mountaines yea the very stones of the field are all in Covenant against these who are against the Lord and his Church Who can stand before that mighy One before whom all the Nations are but as the drop of a bucket or thâ— the small dust of a ballance Hiâ— presence melts the mountaines hiâ— voice teares the rocks at his reâ—buke the greatest hilles the pilâ—lars of Heaven doe shake no arâ—mour is at the proofe of his thunâ—ders the blast of his breath disâ—covers the chanels of waters iâ— is Hee that maketh the Judge fooles Job 12.17 vers 21 that poureth contempt upoâ— Princes and weakeneth the strengtâ— of the Mightie When his wrath is kindled his arrowes drinke blood his sword devoureth flesh the fire of his wrath burnes tâ— the bottome of Hell Deu. 32 22 the Heaven is his span the Sea his handfull the wings of the winde his walk his garments are light his paviâ—lion is darknesse his way is in the whirle-winde Nah. 1.3 the clouds are the dust of his feete How easie is it to him Nah. 12.10 in whose hand is the breath of all mankinde to tread downe the greatest Monarchs who are all but wormes and grashoppers under the clouds Nah. 1.3 the Dust of his Feet By all this it is most evident that God is the God of Battels the Lord of Armies None can be able to resist him the Defender of his Church of whom it is heere said For hee it
is that shall tread down our enemies The use The use Let all our men of warre learne here to depend upon the Lord and not to goe to battell without the Lord they must all say to the Lord as Barak said to Deborah Jud. 4.8 If thou wilt goe with me then will I goe but if thou wilt not goe with me then I will not goe a Captaine were he never so couragious can doe nothing without the Lord an armie of Samsons without God will not prevaile it was not the cutting of Samsons haire that weakened him no not it is said of him Judg. 16.20 that he knew not that the spirit of the LORD was departed from him when that spirit of the Lord departs from men men have neither heart nor hand to do valiantly they flee like sheep before their enemies 2 Chron. 18.16 Josh 7.11 Israel hath sinned and they also have transgressed my covenant c vers 12 Therefore they could not stand before their enemies said the Lord to Joshua mourning for that shamefull flight of Israel from before the men of Ai It is onely the Lord that giveth courage to men the Lord said Psal 144.1 David teacheth my hands to warre and my fingers to fight onely the men that come from his fence-schoole will be men in the day of Battell he could make the lappers of water the smallest of the host of Israel to doe valiantly Judg. 7.13 a barley cake from his hand was sufficient to overturne all the might of Midian â—he horse saith Solomon Prov. 21.31 is prepared for the day of battell but safetie is of the LORD all victories depend upon him If we remaine still in his favour and keep his Covenant though Senacherib should arise from the dead and cover the whole land with his men in number like the sand of the sea though an armie from Rome or Spaine with all the English Papists and Arminians like an armie of Caldeans Habak 1.6 a bitter and hasty Nation should march through the breadth of our land to possesse the dwellings that are not theirs Habak 1.8 though they should come with horses swifter then Leopards and more fierce then the evening wolves yea and flee as the Eagle that hasteth to eat in a word though wee seeme to our enemies but grashoppers or creeping things that have no ruler over them Hab. 1.14 if we abide stedfastly in Gods Covenant the trueth of my text shall not lie He it is that shall treade downe our enemies he shall make them in their fairesâ— greenesse Joh. 4.7 to wither away likâ— a Kikajon or gourd some fearful destruction shall teach these thaâ— treade in their paths to tremble aâ— their end Well then seeing it is the Lord and he onely that treadeth down our enemies so that all depend wholly upon him let us by alâ— meanes beware to offend him leâ— us take good heede that we looke not to the numbers of out men as Israel did Jud. 20.10 when with foure hundred thousand men they foughâ— against the Benjamites let us learn of their losse in all humilitie to begin with fasting and prayer let us take good heed that there bee not among us an Achan Jos 7.18 that made Israel to flee from before the men of Ai let us seeke out all our sinnes as carefully as Joshuah sought out Achan as curiously as the people of Godsought out the leaven and let us cast them away Deu. 16.4 Moses said to Israel at the Passeover There shall not be seene with thee any leaven in all thy coast So the Lord saith to you all this day let not your sinnes your pride your covetousnesse Hab. 2.6 for thick clay your riot your drunkenesse your uncleanesse your chambering your charmeing your railing your backbiting your malice your envie your treacherie Mic. 6.10 and the scant measure which is abominable and all other such scandalous sinnes whatsoever let them no more be seene among you Eph. 5.3 This is the Apostles counsell but fornication and uncleannesse or covetousnesse let it not be once named among you as becometh Saints If yee would have God to be with you in the day of danger Ezek. 21.6 sigh now with the breaking of your loines and with bitternesse because the Lord is angrie with our nation and therefore loath your selves in your owne sight for your iniquities Eze. 36.31 let not your old sins abide any more in your companie let them no more be named among you woe to the pot whose scumme is in it now Ezek. 24.6 Dearly beloved strive now to redeeme the time Eph. 5.16 Yee may all see that the dayes are evill and therefore I exhort you to keepe GODS charge Zach. 3.7 and walke circumspectly not as fools Let every man turn from his evill wayes Bee like a people that hath made a Covenant with their God like a people with whom God hath made a Covenant of life and peace Mal. 2.5 If we break our Covenant with God Note which we have so solemnly sworne we shall be more fearfully plagued then that King Vladislaus who by the instigation of the Pope brake the League of a concluded Peace with Amurah the Turkish Emperour he swearing upon the Euangelists and the the other by his Ambassadours upon their Turkish Alcaron when the Turke saw the Battell joined and remembered the Christians perfidie in breaking their Covenant with him he pluckt the writing out of his bosome wherein the League was written and holding it up in his hand with his eyes cast up to Heaven said after this manner Behold thou crucified Christ Hist of the Turkes pag. 297. this is the League thy Christians in thy Name made with me which they have without cause violated now if thou be a God as they say thou art and as we dreame revenge the wrong now done unto thy name and me and shew thy power upon thy perjured people who in their deeds deny thee their God In that bloody battell of Varna as the historie records Certatum est totos dies noctesquâ—tres diu fortuna ancipiti sed tanto animorum ardore utrinque tantoque impetu ut caesorum sanâ—guine campi stagnarem That is the space of three dayes and three nights this bloody batâ—tell continued so that the field where it was foughten was turned into a poole of blood If such shame and calamities befell the Christians for breaking their League with an Infidel whaâ— worlds of miserie shall come upoâ— this Nation if we like the dog returning to his vomit break the Covenant which wee have so solemnly made with our GOD 1 Pet. 2.22 Doubtlesse all the miseries that ever came upon a Nation shall have their Rendevous heer famine pestilence and war shall not faile to revenge the quarrell of Gods Covenant By famine God shall make these who are now like Nazarites whiter than milk Lam. 4.7 to become
without him they can do nothing for these ends Christ would sleepe in the ship in time of tempest Mat. 8.25 when all was in greatest danger to perish The use The use If when we are in calamitie either private or pubâ—icke the Lord seeme to delay his help and to neglect us let us not despare of his mercy but let us cry the more earnestly help O Lord though he seeme to our weake judgement to be sleeping he is not like Baal of whom by way of scorn Elijah said to his Priests crying a loud to him in their prayers 1 King 18 27 Cry a loud for he is a God either he is talken or he is pursueing or hee is in a journey or peradventure he sleepeth and must be awaked our GOD sleepeth not he that keepeth Israel will not slumber Psal 121.3 hee never lieth down he is never wearied in waiting upon us for to doe us good there is no need of a drumme of five houre bell to waken him in the morning Againe whereas the servant of God here in his fear crieth to the Lord Arise I observâ— that there is weaknesse in thâ— best of Gods servants they often in their troubles have basâ— thoughts of God it is a very base thing to thinke that Goâ— is wearied or that he is lyeâ— down to rest him or that hâ— hath not will to arise untill wâ— rouse him up by our cries Seâ— we not these great bodies of thâ— heavens turned about both nighâ— and day with an unspeakablâ— swiftnesse it is Gods arme thaâ— turneth them all about the greaâ— bodie of the earth hath no other ground-stone but his Almighty power what I pray you hath still so constantly borne up that great masse these so many thousand yeares onely Gods arme and yet he is not wearied he seeketh not our help to turne about these heavenly wheeles or to ease him under the burden of the whole earth it is but a very base thought to think that the Lord is lyen downe to rest him that afterward he may arise The use The use Let us learn to have great thoughts of God concerning his power and good will What is unpossible to him who is able to make a Camel to passe thorow a needles eye Mark 10 25 what will he not doe for us who gave his own Sonne to the death for us when we pray we may be sure that he will hear To him we may well say LORD thou can if thou wilt nay Lord thou both can and wilt if it be for thy glory and our well if wee thinke otherwise we may well say this is our infirmitie The second Petition Disappoint him AFter that the Prophet hatâ— desired the Lord to arise which is the first degree of his deâ—liverance he requireth that thâ— Lord would disappoint King Saul and all the rest of his enemies Sauls Doegs and dogges whom hâ— includeth all under the word hiâ— and that because they were joine all together like one man in the malice against David the servanâ— of the Lord. The doctrine First whereas here he calletâ— all his enemies him as one man foâ— their banding together I observâ— the great policie of the Divel who by all meanes possible enâ—deavoures to keepe his servants iâ— unitie that they may all doe eviâ— together as it were with one shoulâ—der for he knoweth that if hiâ— Kingdome were divided it could not stand I read in Scripture oâ— Michael and his angels Rev. 12.7 fighting â—gainst the Divel and his angels but â— can not read in any part of one Divel fighting against another â—hey are all guided by one Spirit â—nd have all their mindes one way â—ent to doe evill though they may bee called legion for their â—udge great number for the way â—o Hell hath great store of passenâ—ers yet they all agree and goe â—s it were one Divel ready with â—oth hands to doe a mischief The use The use Let us by the practise of the wicked learne to abide together and to be all as it were â—ne man it is GODS will Judg. 20.8 it is Gods commandement that we love one another Joh. 15.17 Silurus a little before his death called all his children and offered unto them a sheafe of arrowes knit together desireing any of them to breake them which when they could not he divided the arrowes and gave unto them one after another to be broken which they brake easily After that hee said unto them So shall it be with you if yee abide together in unitie none shall be able to overcome you but if yee be divided yee shall easily be overthrowne Now let us consider what the Prophet here requires it is that God would disappoint his enemies Antevertere anticipare The Hebrew word is Kiddam which properly signifieth to prevent or disappoint for he that is prevented is also disappointed All Sauls designes were how to trap David for to kill him Davids prayer heere is that the Lord would disappoint him or according as it is in the Hebrew Kaddemah panau The doctrine that he would prevent his face Observe here that great men may intend great matters against Gods servants but there is a great God in heaven who can easily disappoint them whiles by wisedome and whiles by strength As for his wisedome Dan. 2.22 he understandeth all things Daniel saith that the light dwelleth with him he is infinitly wise to prevent or avert perill or to rid us out of danger When King Saul intended to kill David in his bed the Lord by his wisedome delivered him by directing Michal his wife to lay an image in his bed 1 Sam. 19 13 having a pillow of goates haire for his bolster so when Sauls servants came to take him they were disappointed they found nothing in the bed but a Teraphim an image with a pillow of goats haire As by wisedome so the LORD can by strength disappoint his enemies when the Philistines called for Samson to make them sport Jud. 16.25 the Lord put a new strength in that blinde man whereby he drew downe the house upon his enemies who got death for their sport and so were disappointed In this land at home we have proofes sufficient of God disappointing our enemies In the eightie eight year there was nothing in Spaine to be heard but a glorious victorie against Britaine Have they not sped Jud. 5.30 have they not divided the prey to every man a damosell or two said the Spanish Ladies with the mother of Sisera All our possessions were appointed for that barbarous and cruell nation but God disappointed them All their bragging was at last turned into bâ—gging the Lord made them beggars in our land After that deliverance the Papists intended with six and thirtie barrels of powder under the Parliament house to blow up all the Royall Blood with the flowre of all our Nobilitie and Counsellours and after that MISSA massa
before â—e hath tried Gods love and liâ—eralitie will but seek small things â—rom him But assone as he hath â—een these Oceans of mercies that â—re in Gods widest bowels he will seek and seek ay more and more When ever he lookes upon God he sees a full hand ready â—o give he heares a mouth of mercy crying unto him Psal 81.10 Open thy mouth very wide and I will fill â—t unto thee It is not possible that man that is not acquaint with God can imagine how loving â—nd liberall the Lord is for this â—ause the wicked who are thick â—ghted and by false spectacles â—ee him but a farre in the workes â—f the Creation but not neere â—n Christ seeke nothing from God but earthly things Psal 4.6 as wheate wine and oyle When they are â—ull of these things like a horse â— dogge or a cowe that is full of meat they lye downe to sleep and seeke no more Such meâ— are but beasts who know noâ— what good things the LORD hath in his treasures for his Children If they get the earth and earthly things they rest content singing a Requiem to their soules with that foole in the Gospel who bad his soul eate Luke 12.19 drink anâ— be merrie because he had provided much for it Est aliquid quod in ipsis floribus angat Jon. 4.7 and that foâ— many yeares This joy lasteth not The flovvre of it hath â— vvorme like Jonahs gourd it wilâ— anone vvither and passe avvay The use The use Let us be carefulâ— to knovv GOD and his goodnesse If vve vvere once vvel acquaint with him in our prayers vve should wonder what a boldnesse should enter into ouâ— hearts to go to GOD and to seeke and seeke ay more and more If he see our hearts honest if vve speake to him vvith sense and feeling Psal 109.164 though seven â—imes a day he vvill never say â—o us Mal. 2.7 as he saith to Papists baâ—ling on their beeds yee weary â—e with your words No not he is so glad of our conference â—hat he hath commanded us to â—ray continually 1 Thess 5.16 Yee cannot beâ—eeve the half of that which I â—ay untill yee make proofe and â—ake a tryall of that which yee heare O the unspeakable kindnesse of God When the Queene of Sheba who had heard much of Solomons glory came her selfe and saw She said that the report which She had heard of him was â—rue and that She could not beâ—ieve the wordes untill her eyes had seene it But behold said She 1 King 10 7 â—he halfe was not told mee thy wisedome and prosperitie exceedeth the fame which I heard Much more may this bee said in things pertaining to God the tongue of Angels can not expresse thâ— half of Gods goodwill toward the sonnes of men David kneâ— this and therefore he most earnestly exhorted all the godly tâ— get knowledge of Gods goodnesse by their owne experience O taste and see how good is the LORD Psal 34.8 O but Gods childreâ— are deare to him Oh that theâ— were dearer to us then they are Alas beasts and fowles hawke and houndes are more dear to many then the dearest children oâ— God Julius Caesar perceiving women bearing litle dogs under theiâ— armes enquired if they had nâ— children So it may be enquire of many that with great coaâ— feede foules and beasts for theiâ— pleasure if GOD have no chiâ—â—dren for their charitie But O though men contemne such yâ— are they deare to GOD yea sâ— that the more familiare they bee with him they are the more welcome The more they seeke they come the better speed Yea he is willing that they leane and â—est upon him so that others seeâ—ng this Cant. 8.5 may wonder at such a familiaritie and say who is this â—omming up from the wildernesse â—eaning upon her welbeloved Now let us consider the petition it selfe it is in these wordes Cast him downe The Hebrew word Carang signifieth properâ—y to bow to throw downe with â—reat violence The Psalmist â—eaking of these gluttons among â—e Israelites that cryed for flesh â—aith that after they were filled â—he wrath of GOD came downe â—pon them Pal. 78.31 and smote downe the â—hosen men of Israel The originall word there signifieth that he made them to bow or that hee â—hrew them downe when a man falleth in a battell or any way 〈◊〉 death he boweth downe This that which David heere desire the Lord to doe to his enemies who could not be diverted froâ— their malicious purpose even thâ— he would bow them down by hâ— strong and mighty arme The doctrine Observe here what the Lorâ— both can and will doe to the enâ—â—mies of his servants he will no faile to cast them downe This that which David heere require This is the prayer of the Churcâ— when the godly are persecuted bâ— malicious men who will not 〈◊〉 recalled God is a hearer of prayers hee will not faile to throâ— down to the ground all these thâ— maliciously set their face agaiâ— him If yee vvould have a proâ— of this hear the speaches of Goâ— and of the proude King of Baâ— vvho smote Gods people in wraâ— vvith a continuall stroake I saâ— that King will ascend into heaven Isa 14.13 I will exalt nâ— throne above the Starres of God that is I vvill do vvhat I please let God say what he liketh but he lied But what said the Lord vers 15. the Lord spake truth Thou shalt be brought downe to hell I shall cast thee dovvne A man vvhat ever he be if once the Lord in vvrath lay hands upon him shall be cast dovvne yea dovvne to the earth yea downe to the hells yea so dovvne that he shal never be able to rise again I will overturne overturne Eze. 21.27 overtuâ—ne said the LORD The 1 use The first use Let this serve for instruction to great men as Emperours Kings and Princes let such bevvarre according to Gamaleels counsell Act. 5.39 to fight against GOD. They for a space in the pride of their hearts may ruffle and strout like Nebuchadnezzar in his palace vvith Dan. 4.30 Is not this great Babel yea some vvill boast Goâ— himselfe vvith Pharao saying who is the LORD Exod. 5.2 but such 〈◊〉 all their greatest grandour are buâ— like Chessemen vvhich have somâ— prerogatives upon the Chesseboard but O vvhen the game is ended death shuffleth both the King and the Pawne into one bagge vvitâ— God is no respect of persons hâ— careth neither for King nor Kesâ—â— if they proudly repine against hiâ— Majestie Psal 20.12 vvhen his wrath is kindled but a little Eze. 21.27 he will overturne overturne overturne their royall estates breake their scepters into pieces make their crovvne like the chaffe of the Summer threshing floore David a King knowing this that scepters and crovvnes vvhen GOD is provoked are noâ— Thunder-proofe gave unto alâ— Kings his counsell concerning
this For after that he had spoken of the great povver of God in breaking his most mighty enemies vvith a barre of yron as though they vvere the vessels of a potter he cryed out this notable vvatch-vvord Psal 2.10 Bee wise therefore O yee Kings c. Serve the LORD with feare Kisse the Son lest hee bee angry If ye doe it not yee shall all perish from the way by the sharpened keene edge of his justice when his wrath is kindled but a little All things would he say shall then turne enemies to you All the creatures both Angels and Men shall hate you the Divels shall accuse you and Christ shall judge you O then may be said Anselm Heu miser sic deprehensus quo fugias latere erit impossibile apparere in tolerabile O wretch whither wilt thou flee while thou art thus surprised for neither may thou lurke neither darre thou appeare This is said to thee who in great pompe marchest with thy traine a proude enemie of God and his Gospel For a time the LORD may suffer thee in thy caroch to be gloriously whirled through the streets but tarry a little and God at last shall make of thee a foot-boy to run before a promoted Mordâ—cai The 2 use The second use Let this serve for comfort to Gods children when they are threatned with death by mighty Monarches because like Shadrach and his fellowes they will not worship an idoll like that which was by King Nebuchadnezzar Dan. 3.1 set up in the field of Durah Let us remember well what these children Dan. 3.28 who changed the Kings word and yeelded their bodies said to that King threatning them with death if they would not worship his idoll Our God whom wee serve Dan. 3.17 said they is able to deliver us without his permission all the potentates of the earth can not make a haire to fall from our head though for a time they trouble us at last the Lord shall come and cast them downe Yea and drowne them in a whirle-poole of his wrath where no corke shall bee able to beare them aloft were they Kings if they persecute Gods Saints at last the Lord shall cast them downe So at last 1 Sam. 31 4. 1 King 22 35. Dan. 5.6 he cast downe King Saul upon Gilboah and he cast downe King Ahab in his bloody charet and he cast downe King Bellhazzar fitting among his whoores hee cast downe that great Alexander that vaine man Dan. 12.13 that could not with Daniel rest and stand in the lot content with his station but whined for lack of elbow roome because there was not another world The LORD made a short coffin to containe him whom a whole world could not content Behold all the Emperours in Nebuchadnezzars image which hee saw in his sleep Behold there the golden head of the Caldeans the silver breast of the Persians the brasen belly of the Grecians and the yron legs of the Romanes But O again behold a little stone cut out of the quarrey of heaven without hand even Christ Iesus the great Captaine of Salvation Heb. 2.10 who smote that image on the feet so that all these Emperoures with their Crownes and Scepters Dan. 1.22 became like the chaffe of the Summer threshing floores Neither their Scepters nor their Crownes nor their Guards nor their Armies can uphold them when the LORD commeth to cast them downe All their armies become like these keepers about Christs grave who for fear at his resurrection Mat. 28.4 became as dead men The Lord God is against them to justle with them in his wrath and therefore they cary hel even a trembling heart in their bosome and the brand of vengeance in their foreheads the shrewde wages of their wickednesse Let these observations stand for our comfort The third use The 3 use Seeing the Lord is so powerfull to cast downe Princes and Potentates let this serve for reproofe to these who can not trust in God but tremble like aspen leaves when they see the great forces of men or heare of them Such are not fit for Christs wars they gladly would dwell on Tabor with him sitting betweene Moses and Elias but forsake him at Calvarie hanging between two Thieves they like well his robbes of glory but abhorre his ragges of povertie Hosanna hath a sweet sound in their eares but anone they shrink back at these bitter bloody cryes of Crucifie Crucifie Israel had never conquered Canaan if they had been fearfully affraid of the sons of Anak Away with men that will not believe except they touch and see Such mens understandings are led by their senses they give more trust to their eyes Plus oculo quam oraculo then to the word of promise if we could rightly fear God if we had but the least graine of faith we would never fear things that have their breath in their nostrils Isa 2.22 What is man that he should be feared what can he do though he had permission to do all that is in his power he can but kill the body and so send us home to our Lord If men kill us not a fever or a fluxe or a Cancer as well as a Canon or one of a thousand diseases will come and take away our life If we did truely fear God the terrours of men would not trouble us much But because we are negligent in prayer and in prying into the heavens for to know what store of joy and contentments are there therefore when a word of death or danger is heard we are like that Pashur whom Jeremie called Magor-Missabib that is fear round about Jer. 20.3 ly upon us that any thing should be able to affright us unto whom the Lord hath made so fair promises that he will be unto us a shield and a shadow a Sconce a strong tower and a fortresse a hedge a wall of fire and of brasse Is any man stronger then God If any Prince can be found that can cast downe God let us tremble and shake If any other God can be found to whom a man may say in the words of may text Arise O LORD disappoint him cast him down then let us tremble and goe with Zedekiah from chamber to chamber for to hide our selves But this God of my text is the onely true GOD He is the God of gods when he is angry he casteth down the gods as he threw downe the Philistines Dagon 1 Sam. 5.13 and did execute judgement against all the gods of Egypt Exo. 12.12 this our Lord at last shall bring a black day upon all the wicked the enemies of his Church their groanes in hell shall honour his justice so well as the songs in Heaven shall glorifie his mercy Now their conscience is like a clocke when the poise is downe the wheeles are without motion all is quyet there is no noise in the heart but O as soone as the LORD
shall set their wheeles on worke and waken them out of their unhappy dream then shall their heart breake and their tongue confesse and their Eyes weepe and their Hearts wring with these doolefull desperat cryes Rev. 6.16 Rocks and Mountaines fall upon us this shall bee most sweet musick in the Eares of the Godly whom they in the world did tread under feete as most contemptible dongue The fourth Petition Deliver my soule from the wicked with thy Sword THE fourth petition is contained in these words Deliver my soul from the wicked with thy sword In this petition David seeketh his life from God deliver my soul that is save my life Because it is by the soule that we live the life is called the soul For when once the soul is removed from the body the life tarieth no longer In this petition also may well be included a holy desire for a spirituall deliverance of his soul from sinne and Satan his spirituall enemies for doubtlesse wheâ— the enemies of the body are busie seeking our life the Diveâ— like a roaring Lion 1 Pet. 5.8 seeketh us most earnestly that when we arâ— slaine he may get our soules Satan is most vigilant and busie tâ— cause Battels of bloud that wheâ— mens bodies are slaine in an evilâ— quarrell he may get many soules And therefore this should at a times be the man of warres ejaculatorie prayer O Lord deliveâ— my soul from the vvicked vviâ— thy svvord This is for the preservation both of soul and body The words of this petition are diversly interpreted Some esteeme that the wicked here are called the Sword of God Qui tibi vice gladii est that is in steed of a Sword thus all the meanes of mens destruction are the Lords Sword According to this Isa 66.16 Isaiah saith that by fire and sword the Lord will pleade with all flesh The same Prophet in another place saith Isa 27.1 that the Lord with his sore and great and strong Sword will punish Leviathan The Prophet Jeremiah cryeth out O thou Sword of the Lord Jer. 47.6 how long wilt it be ere thou bee quiet Zeph. 2.12 The Lord in Zephaniah said to the Ethiopians yee shall be slaine by my Sword According to this interpretation all meanes that God useth either to afflict his children or to destroy the wicked are called his Sword In this sense the wicked in my text according to the new Translation are called Gods Sword deliver my soule from the wicked which is thy Sword that is the instrument of thy correction Other interpret the words after this manner deliver my soule from the wicked with thy Sword In the Hebrew there is onely thy Sword for with thy Sword The Chaldee hath Charbecha for Becharbecha who deserveth to be slaine by thy Sword the Greeke glosse hath using thy Sword against him The sense of the whole petition is this that the Lord would deliliver his life from the wicked which are the Sword or rod of his wrath Isa 10.5 Or that by his Sword he would destroy the wicked and so deliver his soule or his life this last interpretation seemeth best for it is more likely that David here desireth the Lord to deliver his soul from the wicked with his Sword then that the wicked are GODS Sword against him for in this Psalme he pleadeth for his own innocency in all that concerned his enemies I confesse that if we look to God in our affections though we be most unjustly wronged by men yet the Lord is ever righteous and most justly may with the wicked as vvith a rod scourge us for our trespasses against him both interpretations are good Now to come to the petition Deliver my soule from the vvicked vvhich is thy Sword or vvith thy Svvord After that he had prayed against his enemies he prayeth for himselfe that the LORD would deliver his soule The destruction of our enemies is but half comfort except that the Lord deliver us from dangers Indeed the destruction of Gods enemies is a fair way for the deliverance of Gods servants After that Haman was hanged Gods people had joy and gladnesse Esth 8.17 a feast and a good day The use The 1 use Let us learn the right method of prayer in these dayes of trouble The Church of God now hath many adversaries who are runne together in a cluster like one man in the singular number Heere we may learn what to say Arise O Lord disappoint him Cast him dovvne downe with Doeg the Deputie the cursed courteour down with Zedekiah Canterburrie the false Prophet who by his tyrannie hath smitten many a good Micajah on the cheeck for couragiously withstanding of his Arminian lies Down down with that proud Prelate whose lips should have kept knowledge Mal. 2.8 and yet like these wicked Priests in Malachie hath made many to stumble at the law Yea and at the Gospel also by corrupting the Covenant of Levi The court made him foâ—ge his Master Christ as the second Coch of Egypt taught Joseph â—o sweare by the life of Pharao Make thy arme now bare Gen. 42.16 Lord â—nd cast downe all thine enemies among us but chiefly LORD now downe with these bloudie hounds of Ireland these cruell Cannibals 1 King â— 5 who like bloudy Joab have shed the blood of warre in peace and have put the blood of war upon their girdles that were about their loines and in their shooes that were on their feet Let not their hoare heads goe downe to the grave in peace If any others by authoritie or counsell have had hand in that bloud as the Prophet Zacharie said when men were murdering him at the commandment of the King The Lord looke upon it 2 Chron. 24 2â— and require it O what a terrible count is above the head of these who have a hand in these most bloody divisions in England now Aceldama a field of blood where so many like these two young men that came out of the two armies to play before Joab and Abner thrust every one his sword into his fellowes side and fall down together O these red fields made red morter with the blood of so many thousands O is there not a God in Heaven Will he not looke upon all this and require it yea and requite it O let us pray that God would cast downe these men of blood After that wee have prayed thus let us intreat the LORD most humbly to deliver our Soules with his sword from the rage of wicked men The 2 use Againe whereas this man of God seeketh heere deliverance from the Lord let us learne to whom to goe for to be in safetie Neither Ships by Sea nor Castels by Land can deliver mens soules or lives All these things are but vaine things a blast of winde will throw down and drowne these Sea towers filled with Canons The strong holds on land though they seeme such as the blinde and
the lame 1 Sam. 5.6 might keepe them against all forces of men yet when the Lord is away are nothing but a lye Psal 20.8 Some trust in Charets and some in Horses But we will remember the LORD our GOD from him is our deliverance And therefore in dayes of danger Let every man here learne what to say to God O LORD deliver my soul from the wicked with thy Svvord The thing he desires GOD to deliver here it is his soule that is his life for the soul is the cause of our life Also by the soul here may be understood the soul properly and that the LORD would deliver it from danger either in doing or suffering for when a man doth evill he endangereth his soul or when a man is persecuted his soul also is not without danger If he live except God save and sanctifie him his soul will fret impatiently or will be enflamed with revenge 1 Sam. 25 13 as David was against Nabal for his churlishnesse Or if at the running out of his last sand he die in battell the bloudy sword in the hand except the Lord deliver his soul he cannot be but in great danger The 3 use The third use Let us make good use of these words Deliver my soul they are good for dayes of trouble either for life or for death when it like a ster ne Serjant shall come to arrest our bodyes in the grave By this prayer our life is guarded against the rage of men and by this prayer the Soule is fenced from the danger of damnation In these wordes is advantage both in life and death these words should at all times be in all mens mouthes both at our rysing and at our lying downe in sicknesse and in health But above all let all men of warre in their greatest dangers arme themselves with this ejaculatory prayer LORD delâ—ver my Soul these aâ—e words which every Christian must take with him while he goeth to the battell But because God heareth not the prayers of sinners and this time of trouble is a time of prayer let us endeavour by all meanes with all haste to bee reconciled unto God Truely the best of us may say that we have a huge bottome of sinne to unravell by repentance which we have beene many yeares winding up by our great disobedience the worke is great the time is short wee know not but this warre may make an end of us all Let us therefore no more hazard our salvation upon a may bee we live unto another yeare I confesse that no man should dispaire of GODS mercie at any time but this is as true that no man should presume of it at any time One hath observed this well There was one theese at his lives end saved to take away desparation and but one so saved to take away presumption These from whom David heere prayeth to be delivered are called the wicked Such were the enemies that sought his life The doctrine Observe here that it is no new thing that GODS servants are troubled by the wicked This controversie began very earely For Cain the wicked killed the righteous Abel Gen. 4.8 He had no quarrell against him but because he was more sincere in Gods service then he A thief hateth the light as Ahab hated Micaiah 1 King 22 8 because by the torch of the word he shined upon his workes of darknesse The use The use As long as wicked men are in the world let Gods children look for dangers to their souls There is nothing that will content wicked men but the souls or lives of Gods servants King Ahab was sick ay untill Naboth was dead but as soone as the poor man was dead the wicked King arose up in health 1 King 21 16 and went down to the poor mans vineyard to take possession of it it is health for the wicked to destroy the children of God They are like the Divel it is their meat and their drink to do evill Let this teach us to pray continually that God would deliver our soule from the vvicked Againe whereas the wicked heere according to some interpretation is called Gods Sword Let us learne here when the wicked persecute us not to look so much to them who are the rod Sword or stafe as unto the hand of God in which the rod sword or staffe are it is but for beasts as dogges to bite the staffe when they are stricken but Gods children must fixe their eye upon the hand When wicked Shimei railed upon David and cast stones at him calling him a bloody murderer David would not suffer Abishai to touch him for hee had his eye upon GOD. The LORD 2 Sam. 16 10 said hee hath said unto him curse David who then shall say wherefore hast thou done so This is a great argument of patience for Gods children when they are afflicted or persecuted by the wicked for all the wicked while thâ—y afflict us are but a rod or staffe in the hand of GOD Isa 10.15 If we can get Gods favour we need no more be afraid for the wicked then for a Staffe or Svvord lying upon the ground they should once see this our Captaine with his Sword in his hand they should all fall down as dead-men at his feet when Captaine Gideon went out against the Midianites hee cryed Judg. 7.20 THE SWORD OF THE LORD AND OF GIDEON After that not a man had either heart or hand to fight against Gods people The use The use Let us by all meanes endeavoure by a good life to please GOD that this great Captaine with his sword may be on our side in these dayes of warre the Papists idoll is nothing Hos 8.5 thy Calf O Samaria hath cast thee off But O the LORD will never cast us off If he bee with us wee need not fear who be against us Lappers of water Judg. 7.5 any bodie though both few and weak will prevail easily Luk. 12.32 if GODS Sword be in the Battell Feare not little flock said Christ stand still said Moses to his six hundreth thousand fighting men ye need not draw a Sword the Lord shall fight for you Exod. 14.13 Onely stand still and yee shall see what GOD can doe Yee shall see the Salvation of the LORD Psal 68.21 Who shall wound the head and breake the hairie scalp of all these that in their pride shall rise up against us We shall bee able to stand against all weathers and stormes whatsoever What ever our dangers be the LORD shall give us a riddance We shall be in Covenant with the Stones of the Earth and the Starres of Heaven who as in the day of Sisera shall fight in their courses against all our enemies Judg. 5.20 In the day of Battell the Lord shall breake the Horse hooves of our enemies Judg. 5.22 by the meanes of the pransings the pransings that is tramplings or plungings of
the mighty ones It shall bee at last sung in a song of victory vers 27. At our feete they bowed and fell at our feete they bowed and fell Where they bovved there they fell dovvne dead All our enemies like Adam in his sinne shall flee away and thrust their head in a bush If we be Gods friends God shall be their enemie whether they fight in valleyes or hills let them hitch up as high as they can were it to set their nest among the Stars Obad. 4. thence shall he bring them down As mountaines could not save his enemies in the day of water neither shall the fountaines save them in the last day of fire GODS friends may well say Psal 66.12 vve vvent through fire and vvater but his foes are burnt in the one and drowned in the other they shall not be able to make any shift for a shelter Let us flee Exod. 14 25. said the Egyptians for the LORD fighteth for Israel This at last shall be the case of all our enemies though they were in number like the sand Judg. 7.12 if we by a reformed life studie to please him who is the GOD of armies for as Moses sang at the red Sea Exod. 15.3 The LORD is a man of Warre he triumphingly at the last sets his foot upon the necks of all his enemies But if wee provoke GOD by our sinnes Josh 7.20 as Achan did at Jericho If we grieve the Angels who clap their vvings for joy at our conversion Luk. 15.10 if wee make griefe to goe to these thresholds of joy if we make these ministring Spirits to blush at our wicked deeds Heb. 1.14 if we draw back Heb. 10.38 so that GODS soul have no pleasure in us if we rebell and vexe his holy Spirit Isa 66.10 and for to speake so morgage our salvation or by some bastard idle thoughts barter away the joyes of a good conscience for any triffles of pleasure profite or preferment like Esau who preferred pottage to his birthright Gen. 25.34 or like the Gergesites who desired Christ the Saviour to depart from their costs Mat. 8.34 that they might save their swine in a word if such wicked thoughts lodge within us vve shall in the day of Battell flee like sheepe scattered on the mountaines 2 Chron. 18.16 When the Israelites fled shamefully from before the men of Aï the Lord declared to Joshuah their great Generall the cause of their flight Israel hath sinned Josh 7.11 and have transgressed my Covenant c. vers 12. Therefore they could not stand before their enemies If Generalls of armies vvould not vvith Joshuah bee ashamed of the flight of their souldiers let them by all meanes endeavour that no wicked persons be tolerate in their armies For all such are but like Cuckoos which for a little space in Summer will sing a scurvy note to us but are sure to be gone before the winter blasts come Such profaine villaines vvill do no good in the day of danger when they must face a bloodie field and therefore a Generall must say of his armie as David said of his house I will walke within my house or in my armie Psal 101.2 with a perfect heart vers 3 c. I hate the worke of them that turne aside it shall not cleave to vers 4 mee A froward heart shall depart from me I will not know vers 5 a wicked person Who so privily slandereth his neighbour him shall I cut off Him that hath an high looke and a proud heart will not vers 6 I suffer Mine eyes shall be on the faithfull of the land that they may dwell with me He that vvalketh in a perfect vvay vers 7 he shall serve we He that vvorketh deceit shall not dvvell vvithin my house Hee that telleth lies shall not tarrie in my sight I vers 8 vvill early destroy all the vviced of the land That I may cut off all vvicked doers from the Citie of the LORD The Generall of an armie should not onely honour GOD himselfe but also carefully see that he be honoured by others and should contemne all honour that is joyned with contempt of Christs Majestie It is storied of Gotherey of Boloigne a most excellent warriour that being in the very heate and hight of his honour he refused to bee crowned in Jerusalem with a Crovvn of gold and that because Christ his Lord had there beene crowned with a Crovvn of thornes O then what honour can come from these profaine who by wounds and passions and bloody oathes and other vilest vices Heb. 6.6 doe crucifie againe the King of glory Let these be the wordes of a generous Generall I hate the worke of them that turne aside it shall not cleave to mee a froward heart shall depart from me I will not know a wicked person c. These that delight in lies shall not tarry in my sight these who with Achan play punks for to fill their trunks with a golden wedge Josh 7.21 them will I cut off with all other vicious persons who like drunkards are couragious at the Barrell but cowards at the Battell Tumidi potando timidi pugnando all such that want grace shall have no place in my favour Let all Captaines make this a rule of their militarie Discipline wherewith as by a curb they may powerfullie pull in all these that give loose reines to themselves in all sortes of riot If this be carefully done they shall have their souldiers full of heart and health strength and courage 1 Sam. 17 13 to draw the strongest cities with ropes in a river they like Saul and Jonathan shall be swifter then Eagles 2 Sam. 1.23 and stronger then Lions The LORD shall teach their hands to warre so that a bow of steele shall bee broken by their armes Pal. 18.34 their enemies when they see them shall all agast with gastly lookes cry with the Egyptians at the red Sea Let us flee from the face of Israel Exod. 14.25 for the LORD fighteth for them against us Thus shall it be done to the armie of these that in holinesse fight the Battels of the LORD In whose royall hand is the royall gift of victorie in this life and after this life the victorious wreaths with palmes in hands Rev. 7.9 and crownes on heads in the Heaven of Heavens the place of our desired rest and the rest of all our desires To him bee glory for ever Amen A PRAYER FOR AN ARMIE IN THE DAY OF BATTELL O LORD the great GOD of Armies and commander of Battels in whose hand is the breath of all men who hast a full power to save or destroy there is none like unto thee Wee who stand in great need of thy help intreat thee for thy mercy this day Let not the sinnes of any like the sin of Achan deprive us of thy assistance and protection at this present
time Remember not against us our former iniquities forgive them and forget them pitie us and pardon us Be pleased with us for the sake of Christ Jesus in whom thou art well pleased Now LORD this day is appointed for the Battell and every battell of the warriour is with confused noise Isa 9.5 and tumbling of garments into bloud Wee know that he that girdeth on his harnesse 1 King 20 11 must not boast as he that putteth it off The prosperous successe of all good enterprises is to bee looked for from thee It is as easie for thee to save by few as by many and therefore we all heere armed for thy honour depend onely upon thy assistance Wee trust that according to thine infinite goodnesse thou wilt bee powerfully vvith us and for us who stand heere ready to lay down our lives at thy feet for thy glory the good cause for that holy Covenant which wee have made with thee and which now we minde to seale with our bloud Though wee deserve to bee deserted of thee because of our manifold sinnes and great ingratitudes yet for the honour of thy Name Let not thine Israel this day shamefully turne their backe before the enemie Deut. 32.27 O LORD fear the bragges of thy foes who if wee be tread downe will scornfully say where is now their God and where is their Covenant and where is their good Cause they will surely say Ibid. Our hand is high and the LORâ— hath not done all this Seeing now LORD vve are presently for to rencounter with the forces of men and for to set our breasts before the Canon Musket Sword and Spear in this valley of the shadow of death be thou our Captaine Psal 23.4 goe before us give us wisedome and courage and strength take the hearts from our enemies make their hands faint and their knees feeble make thy promise good five of you shall chase an hundred and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight Lev. 26.8 O LORD the protector of thy servants make all feare of death now flee farre from us give us the boldnesse of David with his good successe in going out against these uncircumcised enemies of thy truth They come out â—â—ainst us with the force of Men â—â—d Munition vvith Horses Svvordes Speares and Shields but vvee goe against them under thy standart in the name of the LORD of hostes the GOD of Armies of Israel Through thee we shall do valiantly But LORD if for such causes as are knovvn to thee it be thy will that at this time an end bee made made of any of our lives let it please thy sacred Majestie to receive our soules into the bosome of thy love Though our bodies fall into the hands of men Let our soules fall into the hands of God vvhose compassions faile not Now Father into thy hands we commend our Spirits Now in thy Name under thy Banner we thy Servants and Souldiers goe to this chocke O Lord be our captain and go before us and fight for thine own cause Generall Moses wordes to his Armie in a great strait at the red Sea Exod. 14.13 Feare yee not stand still and see the Salvation of the LORD which he will shew to you the day Calebs wordes of courage to Israel concerning the Cananites Numb 14.9 They are bread for us their defence is departed from them and the LORD is with us fear them not Captaine Joabs wordes to Abishai immediatly before the Battell against the Syrians and the Ammonites 2 Sam. 10.12 Be of good courage and let us play the men for our people and for the Cities of our GOD and the LORD doe that which seemeth him good Asas wordes when Zerah the Ethiopian came in Battell array against him with a thousand thousand men and three hundred Charets 2 Chron. 14.11 And Asa cryed unto the Lord his God and said Lord it is nothing with thee to help whether with many or with them that have no power Help us O LORD our GOD for wee rest on thee and in thy Name we goe against this multitude O LORD thou art our GOD Let not man prevaile against thee Hezekiahs prayer after that he had received King Senacheribs blasphemous letter full of threatnings 2 King 19.14 And Hezekiah received the letter off the hand of the messengers and read it And Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD and spread it before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD and said O Lord God of Israel which dwellest between the Cherubims thou art the God even thou alone of all the Kingdomes of the earth thou hast made heaven and earth Lord bow downe thine ear and heare open Lord thine eyes and see and heare the words of Senacherib which hath sent to reproach the living God Of a trueth LORD the Kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands And have cast their gods into the fire for they vvere no gods but the work of mens hands wood and stone therefore they have destroyed them Now therefore O Lord our God I beseech thee save thou us out of hâ— hand that all the kingdomes of the earth may know that thou art the Lord God even thou only Davids prayer against his Enemies Psal 68.1 Let God arise let his enemies be scattered let them that hate him flee before him As smoke is driven away so drive them away As waxe melteth before the fire so let the wicked perish at the presence of God Victory promised to the Church Mic. 4.11 Now also many nations are gathered against thee that say let her be defiled and let our eye look upon Zion 12 But they know not the thoughts of the LORD neither understand they his counsell For he shall gather them as the sheaves into the flooore 13 Arise and thresh O Daughter of Zion for I will make thine horne yron and I will make thy hooves brâ—sse and thou shalt beat in pieces many people and I will consecrate their gaine unto the LORD and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth Mica 4.11 Now also many nations Are gath'red against thee That say let her now be defil'd On Zion cast our eye 12 But they the Lords thoughts do not know Nor yet his counsell pure For he by force shall gather them As sheaves into the floore 13 Arise O deare daughter Zion Thine enemies to threin For I will now make thine horne yron And will make thy hooves brasse And I unto the Lord of Hostes Will consecrate their gaine And to the Lord of the whole earth Their substance will ordaine A thanksgiving after the Victorie O Lord what thy servant Moses said in his song at the red Sea that may we all say this day Exo. 15.3 The Lord is a man of warre the Lord is his name Thy name O Lord is glorious and worthie to be praised the sorrowes of death had compassed us and the floods of ungodly men had made us afraide but thou hast been our strength and our stay in the day of our danger In the valley of the shaddow of death thou hast beene our Captaine and defender Psal 23.4 Through thee we have done valiantly and thou hast treade our enemies under our feet by thy strength we have pushed them dovvne the safetie is ours but all the glory shall be thine Zach. 1.3 vvho art the Lord of Hosts vvho by thy mightie arme hast brought low the high lookes of these who trusted in their Horses and Charets which thou hast teared in pieces thou hast driven them away as smoake Psal 68.2 and hast made them to melt like waxe before the fire O LORD by thy almighty power vve have run through their troupes and put them to a speedie flight Wee have pursued our enemies and overtaken them neither did vve turne againe till they vvere consumed vve have vvounded them that they vvere not able to rise they are fallen under our feet for thou hast girded us with strength unto the Battell thou hast subdued under us these that rose against us thou hast given us the necks of our enemies We have beaten them small as the dust before the vvind vve have cast them out as the dirt of the streets Thy gentlenesse hath made us great By thee this day is ours vve most heartily acknowledge all the matter of our joy to be from thee O LORD who is like unto thee who is GOD save the LORD or who is a rocke save our God The Lord liveth and blessed bee our rock let the God of our salvation be exalted Psal 18.34 who hath taught our hands to warre Let all creatures praise the Lord praise him from the heavens praise him all yee his Angels and Hostes praise him yee Sunne and Moone and all ye Starres of light praise him from the earth fire and haile snow and vapour heat and cold rivers hills and vallayes all weapons of warre swords speares musquets and conons and all other things that have beene steadable to help the Lord to help the Lord c. Judg. 5.23 With all these we the whole body of this armie with our hearts to heaven do sing Hallelujah most humbly acknowledging both the victorie and every one of our particulare safeties to be from thee who art God over all things blessed for ever and ever Amen Psal 57.12 Thy vowes are upon us O God we will render praises unto thee Let us now in a most heartie thanksgiving sing the eighteenth Psalme from the 33. verse untill the 39. 33 He did in order put my hands to battell and to fight To break in sunder bars of brasse he gave mine armes the might 34 Thou teachest me thy saving health thy right hand is my tower Thy love and familiaritie do still increase my power 35 And under me thou makest plain the way where I should walk So that my feet should never slip nor stumble at a balk 36 And fiercely I pursue and take my foes that me annoy'd And from the fields do not return till they be all destroy'd 37 So I suppresse and wound my foes that they can rise no more For at my feet they fall down flat I strike them all so sore 38 For thou dost gird me with thy strength to war in such a wise That they be scattered all abroad that up against me rise The Lord hath done great things for us to him be glory for ever Amen FINIS