dry like a stick and blacker than a coale by pestilence we shall fall downe in heapes by war we shall be abolished like Jabin in Endor our bodies shall become doung on the Earth Psal 83.9 Our Land shall bee an Aceldama a field of blood a land of bloody pooles And therefore O Scotland if thou would henceforth be under a mighty Ministry a Goshen for God a land of life of light and libertie free of all the damned mists of the doctrines of Devils if thou would be free of a Service Booke Romes yoke and of all the Ceremoniall Clouts of that varnished Whoore if thou woulâ— have God as it is in my text tâ— treade downe all thine enemies for sake not the Covenant of thy Goâ— breake never thy league made wiâ— him have no fellowship with thâ— unfruitfull workes of darkness but walke as Children of light Abâ—horre all idolatrie Mic. 6.16 the statutâ— of Omri and returne to the ancâ—â—ent paths Jer. 18.15 let the Lord no morâ— have a controversie with the inhaâ—bitants of the land Hos 4.1 then shall yâ— see that the Lord shall worke great work in this land Habak 3.2 accordinâ— to Habakkuks prayer hee shaâ— revive the worke in the midst of tâ— yeeres Our nation shall finde that GODS mercie is not dead though our armies in the eyes oâ— our enemies 1 King 20 27 Judg. 7.5 Amo. 5.15 seeme but like littâ— flockes of Kiddes or weake likâ— Gideons lappers of waters if ouâ— wayes please the Lord the Lorâ— shall be gracious unto the remnanâ— of Joseph One of these shall come to passe Either which wee desire most God in a melting temper shall convert our enemies and make an incorporation of them unto us like the two sticks of Israel and Judah Eze. 37.17 who were joined one to another into one sticke being no more divided in profession which Oh that wee might register in the catologue of his favours Or if not so the LORD shall change the mindes of our enemies as he did to Esau Gen. 33.4 and shall make them that come against us to embrace us as brethren of one Isle though not in Religion Or if not so the Lord by some forraine enemy shall turne them away 1 Sam. 23 27. as he turned Saul from David by sending the Philistines against the land Or if not so he shall make them fight one against another as hee did to the Midianites whose bodies were all gore bloud by mutuall wounds Or if not so if hee permit ouâ— armies to joine which the Lorâ— avert after that by many fast and prayers we have laid dowâ— our bleeding hearts in his boâ—some and by ardent desires havâ— powred out our soules beforâ— him wee in the Name oâ— our God will set up our Banners The Lord being with us Psal 20.5 ouâ— Captaines shall be swifter the Eagles and stronger then Lions our souldiers shall not say 2 Sam. 1 23 I aâ— sicke Isa 33.24 the Lord himself shall bâ— Scotlands great Generall he shaâ— give us help from trouble he is that shall tread down our enâ—â—mies Gog and Magog papisâ— and Arminians brethren in evil the combined friends of man rotten righteouâ—nesse he alsâ— shall tread down their gods theiâ— Moloch and Chion their images Amos 5.25 Act. 7.43 the starre of their god Remphan their gods of stock and stone with all their gods baken in the Oven Hos 4.7 the LORD shall change their glory into shame the world shall hear it and shall wonder But as for us the children of his Covenant if we be not unstable as water Gen. 49.4 but stedfast in that Covenant if wee abide in the bonde of love like Scilurus arrowes in a sheafe the Lord shall blesse us our Gospel shall flourish our land shall bee fruitfull and blossome as the rose Isa 35.1 our church shall be most orient and glorious â—ike a hill of pearles a Cristall mountaine or a rock of Daimonds then shall our hearts be filled with joy and our mouths with laughter Moses and Miriam both men and women shall most sweetly sing these words of triumph Exod. 15.3 The LORD is a man of warre who hath set his triumphing foot upon the neck of aâ— his enemies as upon his vaâ—â—quished vassals 1 Tim. 1.17 Now unto the King eternall immortall invisible the onely wise GOD be honour and glory for ever and ever AMEN A SERMON FOR A BATTELL Isa 9.5 Every Battell of the warriour is with confused noise and garments rolled in blood Exod. 15.3 The LORD is a man of warre the LORD is his Name Psal 18.34 Hee teacheth my hand to warre so that a bow of steele is broken by mine armes By M. Zacharie Boyd Preacher of Gods word at Glasgow Printed at Glasgow by George Anderson 1643. POST FVNERA VIRTVS VIVET TAMEN ETSI MORS INDIES ACCELERAT A SERMON FOR A BATTELL Psal 17.13 Arise O Lord disappoint him cast him down deliver my soul from the wicked with thy Sword THE Prophet David made this Psalme in the dayes of his great troubles while he was hunted 1 Sam. 26 20. 1 Sam. 23 14. from place to place like a partridge or a flea his danger was great in Keilah from Keilah he fled unto the wildernesse of Ziph verse 14 where being discovered by the Ziphites he fled unto the wildernesse of Maon where he abode on a rock there also David made haste to get away for fear of Saul for Saul and his men there had compassed David and his men round about to take them behold how mans wrath runs like wilde-fire but even while Davids life was in his hand there came a messenger unto Saul saying haste thee and come for the Philistines have invaded the land wherefore Saul returned from pursueing after David for which cause that place was called Selah Hammahlekoth 1 Sam. 23 28 that is the rock of division because there the Lord did separate Saul from David these dangers were the occasion of the composing of this Psalme wherein David most earnestly seeketh Gods assistance against the price craft and crueltie of his enemies David in this psalme is like the Nightingale which singeth most sweetly though she have a thorne against her breast The division of the Psalme THe parts of the Psalme are three In the first part from the beginning untill the tenth verse the royall Prophet David in confidence of his integritie craveth defence of God against all his enemies In the second part from the tenth verse untill the thirtenth hee declareth their pride craft and crueltie comparing them to Lions greedy of their prey In the third part from the thirteenth verse untill the end he prayeth against them with great confidence in God The division of the text IN this text which is a prayer of David to God against his persecuters there be two parts In the first part we have him to whom the prayer iâ— directed it is
day of clouds and of thick darknesse Zeph. 2 2â— the decree is in readinesse to bring forth a fearfull tempest is fast comeing with horrible gale Inimicorum malitia est nostra militia the whole land 〈◊〉 like to be turned into a bale a fiâ—â— and therefore our Nation at thiâ— houre hath great neede to cry tâ— God in the words of this texâ— Give us help from trouble The time of trouble the saâ— and irksome houre is the timâ— of prayer we have both precepâ— and prastise and also promises oâ— deliverance to these who at suâ—â— times give themselves to prayer The precepts are both in thâ— old Testament and new In thâ— old Testament God saith Câ— upon me in the day of trouble Psal 50.15 the new Testament God saitâ— Is any among you afflicted 〈◊〉 him pray Iam. 5.13 As we have the precepts also it hath ever been the practâ— of all Gods children to pray their troubles Hos 12.4 Jacob in his troâ—ble weept and made supplicatioâ— Moses prayed so that God in a manner intreated him Exod. 32.10 to let him â—lone as though the power of the mans prayers had overcome his omnipotency from doing his people Jsrael any hurt Est quaedam precum omnipotentia Luther was wont to say There is a certaine omnipotency in prayer it hath an â—ternitie of vertue all the godly in all times have known this and therefore when great troubles â—ame their practise was to powre out many prayers when the Amalekites did fight against Israel Moses went up to the mount and prayed for Israel Jonah in the belly of hell prayed Exod. 17.11 Joh. 2.2 out of the belly of hell said he cried I and thou heardst my voice when Christ was in his agonie in the garden he most fervently prayed againe and againe all the psalmes of Davids troubles are most excellent prayers Mat. 26.42 As we have both precepts and practise for praying in trouble also have we most faire promisâ— to be heard Psal 50.15 Call upon me in 〈◊〉 day of trouble saith the Lord aâ— I will deliver thee In the neâ— Testament we have Christ crâ—ing Mat. 7.7 Aske and ye shall receivâ— seek and yee shall finde the prâ—mise is made to all as well to thâ— beggar on the dung hill as thâ— Prince sitting on his Throne Heere is a King begging froâ— God the thing that hee seeketh help from trouble that which mâ—ved him to cry for help was hâ— trouble and this was his chiefâ— trouble that his enemies in grâ— number had this often in thâ— mouth that God netheir wouldâ— could help him Many there said David Psal 3.2 that say of my soâ— there is no help for him in GOâ— Davids dangers never troubâ— him so much as Gods dishonoâ— when Gods glory seemed aâ— way in jeopardie that was Davids â—â—ouble My teares said he Psal 42.3 have â—ene my meat day and night while â—hey continually say unto me where thy God this chiefly made David â—eer to cry for help give help Lord from trouble Observe heere that these who â—re truely godly The Doctrine finde no trouble â—o sensible as that which is by the â—ishonour of God Eli was a â—ood man though he had his own â—ults in a too great indulgence â—owards his children yet in this â—ee manifested an honest heart â—hat nothing troubled him so much as the dishonour of GOD When the messenger came from â—hat Battel wherein the Israelites were overthrowne by the Philiâ—â—ines told him many evil news â—e sate still in his chaire and heard â—im when the messenger said â—srael is fled before the Philistines 1 Sam. 4.17 â—e sate still though with a grieved heart after that the mâ—senger said There hath beene 〈◊〉 a great slaughter among the peopâ—â— these newes wounded him soâ— yet he sate still in his seat afâ— that the messenger said Aâ— thy two sonnes Hophni and Phiâ—has are dead this heard maâ— a very great wound in his heaâ— yet he sate still in his seate bâ— as soone as the messenger hâ— said The Arke of God is takâ— Eli could sit no longer 1 Sam. 4.18 but from off the seat backward by seate of the gate and his nâ— brake and he died The 1 use Seeing this oâ— is a day of trouble The 1 use and of tâ— sort of trouble that the Arke God is in danger to be taken the Philistines let all men thâ— have a Christian heart cry migâ—tily with their heart Give 〈◊〉 help from trouble The Lord coâ—plained of his people that thâ— cried not unto him with their heart Hos 7.14 â—hen they howled upon their beds â—e all now have great need to â—y unto God with our hearts or if our day go down and if â—ur Gospell the glory depart â—om our land we shall say that â—e never knew what trouble was â—ntill now what a sorrow shall 〈◊〉 be to us to hear that Israel is â—d before their enemies what a â—rief to hear that there hath also â—ene a great slaughter among the â—â—ople what a piercing of heart 〈◊〉 hear that Hophni and Phineas â—ur sonnes or our husbands are â—â—aine or dead But O who shall â—e able either to stand or sit if â—hese newes shall come the Arke â—f god is taken the Gospell of â—esus Christ is in the hands of Gods enemies for to be taken â—â—om us these shall be the blackâ—st newes that ever were heard in â—ur land since the beginning of our reformation then may 〈◊〉 godly men and vvomen 〈◊〉 vvith the dying vvife of Phineâ—â— Ichabod 1 Sam. 4 21 vvhere is the glory thâ— shall bee a trouble indeed aâ— therefore before it come let us vvith vvounded and bleediâ—â— hearts cry mightilie to God Give us help from trouble If we do this duetie diligenâ— I dare promise in the Name 〈◊〉 the Lord that all these who râ—fuse this day to set up altars to that shamefull thing Jer. 11.13 shall last see a hand work such a glâ—rious work in this land that tâ—â— world shall know that our GOâ— is the Lord many nations shâ—â— cry as the Israelites did whâ—â— God brought down fire upon Eâ—â—jahs sacrifice The Lord he is tâ—â— God 1 King 19 39 the Lord he is the God bâ— otherwise if we be negligent vicious if the Lord hath caâ— to say Amo. 2.4 For three transgressioâ—â— and for foure if we by our sins continue to presse our God under 〈◊〉 as a cart full of sheaves Am. 2.13 it â—ay be that he will suffer his â—rk his Gospel to be taken priâ—â—ner and set it in the Temple â—f their idols but at last after â—hat the Lord hath corrected his â—eople for the contempt of his Gospel he shall do with all Poâ—ish idols as he did with the â—hilistines Dagon which first he made to fall upon his face to the â—â—ound 1 Sam. 5.3 and after they had set â—im up again cut
THE SWORD OF THE LORD AND OF GIDEON To this is subjoined a Prayer for an Armie going to Battell and a thanksgiving after the Victorie By M. Zachary Boyd preacher of Gods word at Glasgow Prov. 21.31 The horse is prepared for the day of Battell but safety is of the Lord. Printed at Glasgow by George Anderson 1643. UNTO HIS EXCELLENCE MY LORD GENERALL LESLY EARLE OF LEAVEN c. Please your EXCELLENCE MOre then fifeteene hundred yeares ago Christs beloved Disciple heard a loud voice saying in heaven Wo to the inhabitants of the earth the reason is subjoined Rev. 12.12 for the Divel is come downe having great wrath because he knoweth that he hath but a short time his time is now shorter therefore his rage is increased for this cause hath he taken the Antichrist the man of sin by the hand 2 Thes 2.3 who with all his followers breath nothing but crueltie It is storied of the mother of Dominicus who after became a greaâ— patron of Monks that when she waâ— with childe of him she dreamed thaâ— she had in her womb a wolfe witâ— a burning torch in his mouth sucâ— indeed be all Babels beasts that camâ— out of the Antichristian den tâ—â— whelps of that great beast of Româ— they are all Ravenous wolves Mat. 7.15 thâ—â— have nothing in their minde but fiâ—â— and Gunpowder to blow up Kinâ— and Parliaments and if that suâ—ceed not to make havock of all renting the head from the member even the King from his most faithfuâ— Subjects whom they at this time â— being the loyall Catholick Subjectâ— declare to be but traitours and râ—bels as if the Fox would make tâ—â— flock believe that the shepheards dâ— were their great enemie and did dâ—prive them of many faire Prerogâ—tives but if he were in his place thâ—â— should have all according to the Good will and Pleasure This is the maine quarrell of Briâ—aine this day Satan in great wrath with the forces of Antichrist are in â—he open field The Lord is going to Battell against them and he hath â—hosen your Excellence to be his Gideâ—n Heer is the Sword even the Sword of the Lord and of Gideon I offer it to your Excellence as â—eartily as ever Jonathan gave unto David his Sword and his Bow 1 Sam. 18.4 My alleagance to my dear Master Christ necessitates all my endeavoures to help forward the Good Cause both by tongue and pen that man is happy of whom men may truely say that which Christ said of the Woman that powred the ointment on his head Mark 14.8 she hath done what she could This little book even that which I could is come to your Excellence to beg a look of favour It is not from any presumption of its worth that it durst look so high a lower patron might well have served higher meditations but love whiles maketh folke too forward it made Mary to strivâ— to get Christ in her armes when iâ— was not lawfull to touch him Joh. 20.17 Your Excellence loyaltie couragâ— and zeal still levelling at Gods glory maketh you so dear to all his faithfuâ— servants that glad would we all bâ— to have any thing that might be tâ— you for a testimonie of our sincerâ— affection towards you A mite of love is better than a million of complements While in modestie I disparagâ— this worke as it is from mâ— selfe yet I can not in nicenessâ— altogether deny but GOD hatâ— made my penne to hit upon diverâ— things which may bring profitâ— to the Reader What ever thâ—â— worke bee after it hath been both preached penned and printed if it bee not so precious as purple and blevv silke vvhich the richeâ— sort did affoord at the making of the Tabernacle yet let it bee but like Goats-haire the poore mans gift I vvith a most willing minde offer it to the Lord vvho accepted as vvell the poore mans pigeon as the rich mans ox for a Sacrifice Lev. 12.8 This being such an offering for GOD I humbly desire that by the vvay it may get a favourable glance of your Excellence eye under vvhose patronage it may be respected in the going forth by your honourable authorising though it come far short both of your Excellence desert and of mine ovvne desire the treatise is small but it is an Earnest of more that little I have or am is most sincerely at your Excellence service for vvhom the Urims and Tummims of Levi in this land shall daylie bee presented before the Lord our altars shall still reeke vvith the incense of hearty prayers for your prosperitie and happinesse While at the Battell of Amaleck Joshuah fought in the valley Moses prayed on the mountaine Exod. 17 11 So vvhile your Excellencâ— Gods Joshuah shall in the valleâ— fight for GODS Israel againâ—â— Papists Prelats and Arminians Satans black Squadrons vvâ— the servants of the LORD vviâ—â— climb the hill and hold up ouâ— hands by prayers unto God sâ— that your Excellence may boaâ—â— Gods enemies and say unto them as Abijah threatned the idolateâ— of King Jereboams armie 2 Chro. 13 12 Behold God himself is with uâ— for our Captaine and his Priest with sounding Trumpets to crâ— alarme against you Novv Christ that great Jehovah the Captaine of the Lord host the God of Battels protect youâ— person perfect your graces prospeâ— your vvayes prolong your dayes direct your armie make you still victorious comfortable to your friends Cant. 6.10 terrible to your foes as an armie with banners that after yee vvith honour have finished your course 2 Tim. 4.7 and fought the good fight on earth yee may get glory in heaven vvith all these faithfull Commanders these noble vvarriours these great Generals of Gods armies Moses Joshua Barak Gideon Jephte Samson and Samuel and all others GODS vvorthies vvhose names are vvritten in the Booke of life Your Excellence most humble servant M. Zachary Boyd From Glasgovv the 27 of November 1643. THE SVVORD OF THE LORD AND OF GIDEON Psal 60. vers 11. Give us help from trouble for vaine is the help of man 12. Through GOD wee shall doe valiantly for he it is that shall treade downe our enemies THat was a worthy speach of S. Augustin Aug. conf 6. Deus unicum habet filium sine peccato nullum sine flagello God hath one Son vvithout sin but none vvithout suffering The righteous are onely Gods children and these are the men of many troubles Psal 34.19 many are the troubles of the righteous Note By this means their soules are bleached Dan. 12.10 and as Daniel saith are tryed and made vvhite As for the wicked whose best fruites on earth are but stincking hemlocks Am 6.12 Psal 73.5 they both bud and flourish they are not in trouble like other men neither are they plagued like other men the paltry pleasures of the earth make them to forget God their Saviour Christ and the precious soul that lieth in their
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
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
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