Selected quad for the lemma: mercy_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
mercy_n	lord_n	psal_n	trust_v	3,209	5	9.2539	5	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A58858	Mirabilia dei, or, Britannia gaudio exultans Opened in a congratulatory sermon for the safe return of our Gracious Soveraign, and happy restitution to the full and free exercise of His royall authoritie. Preached on the 14th. of June, [16]60. which was the day set apart for the members, master, and students of the Kings Colledge, in the town and parish of Old Aberdeen, to commemorat and solemnly praise the Lord for the rich mercies above mentioned: by Alexander Scrougie preacher of the Gospel, and minister at Old Aberdeen.	Scrogie, Alexander, d. 1661.	1660 (1660)	Wing S2127; ESTC R218663	34,871	47

holinesse fearfull in praises doing wonders Exod. 15. 2 3. 11. Let the King say with David It is God that avaingeth me and subdueth the people under me he delivereth me from mine enemies yea thou liftest me up above these that rise up against me thou hast delivered me from the violent man therefore will I give thanks unto thee O Lord and sing praises unto thy name Great deliverance giveth he unto his King and sheweth mercy to his Anointed c. Psal 18. 47 48 49 50. Let all of us say O Give thanks unto the Lord for his mercy endureth for ever to him who alone doth great wonders for his mercy endureth for ever Psal 136. 3 4. Vse 5. Fifthly Rely upon God alone in time of trouble for he alone doth great things for his people It is better to trust in the Lord then to put confidence in man then to put confidence in Princes Psal 118. 8 9. Put not your trust in Princes nor in the son of man in whom there is no help Psal 146. 3. Yea the Lord curseth him that trusteth in man that maketh flesh his arm and whose heart departeth from the Lord. Make not wealth our strong City as the rich do Prov. 18. 11. for neither silver nor gold shall be able to deliver in the day of the Lords wrath Prov. 11. 4. Ezek. 7. 19. Zeph. 1. 18. But let the Lord be our City of ●●fuge and strong Tower run unto him for he sees our affliction and hears our cry Exod. 3. 7. 1 Pet. 3. 12. and He will save us Psal 18. 3. Prov. 18. 10. for salvation is of him Jonah 2. 9. Obs 3. Thirdly Gods great doing should be well noticed the Heathen did it vers 2. and his people in the Text. Moses and Aaron with the men and Miriam with the women of Israel took notice of their deliverance from the Egyptians Exod. 15. 1. 20. David was very carefull to remark Gods dispensations and pens many a Psalm on that account Debora and Barak so noticed the deliverance of Gods people from Jabin and Sisera that they commemorate it with songs of praise Judg. 5. When the men of Judah got their young King Joash restored to the Crown beyond expectation they observed it with clapping their hands and prayer for him 2 Kings 11. 12. And when Athalia the Tyrant was slain all the people of the Land rejoyced verse 20. the Lord commands his people to notice his doings Psal 46 8. Come and see saith the Psalmist the works of God Psal 66. 4. the nature of his works call for it being great honourable and glorious and wonderfull Psal 111. 2 3 4. The godly takes pleasure to seek them out Ibid. verse 2. God sheweth his people the power of his works verse 6. that they may notice them Vse 1. Come then and behold what the Lord d●th done for us Psal 46. 8. take reasons to move you 1. Ye offer a great indignity to God the doer if ye remark them not When a great Crafts-man hath brought a great and rare peice of Work to perfection and calls on us to look upon it if we refuse do we not affront him The Lord will sure take it as a high contempt if we do not consider his workings 2. His doings and workings are so full of ravishing wisdom power and love that there is in them a magnetick vertue to draw out our con●ideration and meditation and make us cry out as of all Gods works so of these in particular There are no works like unto thy works Psal 86. 8. Who is like unto thee O Brittain O people saved by the Lord Deut. 33. 29. Ask now of the dayes that are past and and a●k from one side of the heaven unto the other whether there hath ●●en any such things as these great things are Deut. 4. 32. Who hath heard or seen such things Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day or shall a Nation be born at once Isa 66. 8. but sudainly so smoothly so wisely so gloriously hath the Lord done these great things for us 3. These things are done in our sight God did marveilous things in the sight of his people in Egypt in Zoan Psal 78. 12. he hath done them in our sight that we with open face might behold them 4. Strangers noticeth them they are saying as the Heathen did verse 2. and crying This is the finger of God Exod. 8. 19. and shall we not with the people in the Text Echo them and recognize his doing 5. It is a signe of a wicked man that when Gods hand is lifted up he will not see Isa 26. 11. Notice then Gods doings but do it First advisedly not slightly Men should wisely consider of his doings Psal 64. 9. Stand still and see this great sight Exod. 3. 3. Who is wise and will observe these things even they shall understand the loving kindnesse of the Lord Psal 107. 43. Secondly With joy and delight The righteous should see and rejoyce Psal 107 42. for God doth his works to make his people glad Psal 92. 4. Thirdly Believingly and profitably to the strengthning our Fath and Hope for times to come that we may set our hope in God and keep his Commandments Psal 78. 7. Vse 2. Then justly reprovable are three sorts of men who come short of this duty in noticing Gods doings First carelesse and ignorant ones who like Swine take no notice of these Pearles How great are thy works O Lord a brutish man knoweth not neither doth a fool understand this Psal 92. 5 6. some are like the Israelites of whom it is said Psal 106. 7. that they understood not Gods wonders in Egypt but these provocketh God as it is in that same verse Secondly Despisers who undervalue his doings They regard not the works of the Lord nor the operation of his hands Psal 28 5. Isa 5. 12. like Swine preferreth the Accorn to the Pearl or children in knowledge triffles to Gold to such may be said as it is Act. 13. 41. Behold ye despisers and wonder and perish God will destroy such and not build them up Psal 28. 5. Thirdly Envious persons who envieth the glory of our King and the happinesse of these Lands of such the Prophet Isaiah speaketh chap. 26. 11. But they shall see and be ashamed for their envie c. for their envious and spightfull carriage towards God's people they shall be ashamed and confounded Obs 4. Fourthly Gods great works should be publickly acknowledged not only noticed but acknowledged noticed with solemn Narrations and Commemorations so did Moses and the Children of Israel notice and commemorate with publique confessions and praises Debora Jud. 5. is large in acknowledging Gods great doings It is commanded that we declare among the people his doings Psal 9. 11. and David engageth to do it in that Psalm verse 1. I will shew forth saith he all thy marvellous works and Psal 26. 6 7. I will compasse thine altar O

and Wife exults at the return of the Parent and Husband after a long absence and the poor captive being set at freedom rejoyceth with joy unspeakable and should not a Nation rejoyce and exult when after many and sore pangs and troubles under misery when after a long and dark night of calamity when after long pantings often desired but withholden comforts the Lord comes with both his arms full of blessings and cleares up a fair Sun-shining day of prosperity and knocks off the Fetters and delivereth a fainting people from all their miseries and smiles upon them and satisfieth their longing desires and sits down in the midst of them and biddeth them live in his sight Sure these must quicken the heart and fill it with joy glorious and abundant Promises of good things rejoyceth the heart and cheareth the spirit how much more suppose ye when they are turned to deeds and fulfilled If the promise have such an Influence then how much more when perfected and enjoyed Vse 1. Let us resolve the Doctrine into practice to day and with glad hearts and joyfull lips sing This is the day which the Lord hath made let us rejoyce and be glad in it and say Blesse the Lord O my soul and all that is within me blesse his holy Name blesse the Lord my soul and forget not all his benefits c. Psal 103. 1 2. And say O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good for his mercy endureth for ever Who remembered us in our low estate and hath redeem'd us from our enemies for his mercy endureth for ever Psal 136. 1. 23 24. We will sing and praise thy power O Lord Psal 21. 13. But let us take heed that our joy fall not short of the Jews joy let us endeavour to resemble them in it 1. Let it be great like theirs and like the joy of the people when Solomon was anointed after whom they piped with pipes and rejoyced with great joy so that the earth rented with the sound of them 1 King 1. 4. Secondly Let our joy be full Let our heart be glad and our glory rejoyce Psal 16. 9. Thirdly Let it be sincere and cordial saying My heart is fixed O God my heart is fixed I will sing and give praise Psal 57. 7. Fourthly Universall like the joy of Israel upon their deliverance from Egypt and of the people at Solomons Coronation when All rejoyced 1 King 2. 4. Fifthly Manifest the Jews were not ashamed to publish their joy God was not ashamed to have done these great things for us but did them with delight in the open view of men and Angels and shall we be ashamed to publish our joy with loud acclamations Sixthly Constant not for a flash The Jews desires to perpetuate their joy And ye may observe in the Psam joy upon joy and joy after joy and such should our joy be rejoyce continually let not the memorial of it become wearisome to us like Israél whose praises and prayers ended almost assoon as they passed the Red-sea within three dayes turning their melody unto murmuring Exod. 15. 24. They song his praise but they soon forgot his works Psal 106. 12 13. Be ever ready to embrace all fresh occasions whereby our slumbering affections may be awakned and pray That the Lord wilt not only make us glad according to the dayes wherein he hath afflicted us but that we may r●joyce and be glade all our dayes Psal 90. 14 15. Seventhly Let our joy be chiefly spiritual singing Psalms Jam. 5. 13. Speaking in ●salms and Hymns and spiritual Songs singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord Eph. 5. 19. singing praises to the name of the most high Psal 92. 1. and 98. 5. Let no drunken ca●●all or ranting joy be once heard or seen which will but provock the Lord Remember the Statute among the Jews upon their deliverance from Haman to keep dayes of feasting and to remember the poor by sending them gifts Esth 9. 22. Eightly Let our joy be practicall and strongly influentiall upon our lives follow after holinesse of Conversation which is a reall Thanksgiving Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord saith the Psalmist Psal 106. 2 Who can shew forth all his praise and he sheweth in the 3. verse the best way to do it is to keep Gods Judgements and do righteousnesse at all times seeing the Lord hath done so great things for us break not his Commandements any more least he be angry with us and consume us Ezra 9. 14. Vse 2. What shall we think and say then of these in whom these great doings of the Lord produceth no real joy but through the corruption of their hearts occasions these following evils First Sorrow and indignation like Haman grieving at the safety and advancement of Mordecai or like Athalia renting their hearts with indignation because of Joash his advancement to his own and his Fathers Throne 2 King 11. 14. The wicked see it and be grieved he gnasheth his teeth and melts away Psal 112. 10. Secondly Envie like Sheba fretting against the Instruments of Davids reduction and against David himself and turning away Israel from owning him because he had not the chief hand in calling him home 2 Sam. 20. 1 2. Thirdly Confusion Mi●●● 7. 16. being confounded to see their power and glory to vanish into smoak Fourthly Fained submission bowing down with their faces towards the earth Isa 49. 23. and licking the 〈◊〉 a serpent Micah 7. 17. Fifthly Counterfeit joy like Shimei 2 Sam. 19. 18 19 20. or Rufus of whom Tacitus 〈◊〉 lib. 2 who came to Vitellius after his Victory Laetitiam 〈◊〉 vultu 〈◊〉 at animo anxius Counterfeiting joy yet with rep●ning hearts ●rinding and grieving these 〈…〉 ●●●●ming to themselves the fa●●●on 〈…〉 tongues to speak the language of Canaan in thanksgiving but it is of no price with God who weigheth the heart As dale of death so do I hate that kind Whose heart from mouth whose tongue dissents from mind Quest If any ask how shall I know such And secondly What be the reasons of it Answ To the first it is answered they may be known First by their countenance Ex tristitia cordis sequitur tristitia oris saith Gregory on the place a sad countenance discovereth the want of joy Secondly If men have learned the arte of dissimulation and not so ingenious as the former they may be discouered by a quavering voice a tremblying note or some such thing while they are speaking of these great transactions Or Thirdly some word falls through inadvertancy from their lips that bespeaketh their sorrow and anguish of heart Or Fourthly Qualifications and reserves in their speaking and praying or preaching crying up and crying down with the same breath now Hosanna then Crucifie in the neck of it as for example God save the King if he be for this or that else c. Secondly The reasons why men are not really glad are 1. Misapprehensions and Jealousies some being void of charity that thinks no evil but of disposition suspecting the worst and interpreting all to the worst and therefor fear possessing their hearts choaks their joy 2. Deep rooted malice having contracted a habite of hating Kingly Government the King and the Royal Family and inured their tongues to revile it and Him therefore are tormented to see that Government re-established and the King restored 3. Old guiltiness being guilty of so execrable wrongs that although Shimei like they anticipate others and professe subjection yet their guilty consciences doth so affright them still fearing Shimei's reward that still echoes in their ears had Zimri peace that slew his Master 4. Envie choaks the joy of some others being chief in the Imployment in bringing home the King and turning away our captivity and ther●●●●● like to be chief in Thanks Honour and Reward This 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so ready to revolt when Sheba blew the trayterous Trumpet 2 Sam. 20. because they thought the men of Judah would have the greatest thanks for bringing King David back 2 Sam. 19. 5. Covetousnesse men ha●e gained on the Kings Revenues and Church Patrimony by the c●●ft of pulling down Kings they have their wealth and places of Trust and by the Kings restitution they see their gain in danger and therefore Demetrius-like Acts 19. 24. they are full of wrath 6. Love to their opinions lusts and fancies like little Children who desire not their Father may recover that without controle they may run up and down They fear the Kings bands and cords will ty them too straitly Conclusion But I hope there is none such here ye have been better instructed in the principles of obedience and loyalty by my Reverend Father now with the Lord once your Pastor whose Doctrine and loyall Conversation notwithstanding of his removall from you ye have lively expressed in all these Revolutions And therefore let us all rejoyce in our Kings salvation Psal 20. 5 and pray Save Lord the King and let him hear us when we call Psal 20. 9. Let the Vniversity say O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good for his mercy endureth for ever Psal 118. 1. Let Old Aberdeen and the Parish say The Lord hath done great things for us whereof we are glad And blesse thou the Lord O my soul Let us all say This is the day which the Lord hath made we will rejoyce and be glad in it Psal 118. 24. God save the King The Name of the God of Jacob defend Him and grant Him according to his own heart and fulfill all his Counsel Psal 20. 1 4. Amen and Amen FINIS

MIRABILIA DEI OR BRITANNIA GAUDIO EXULTANS Opened in a Congratulatory Sermon for the safe Return of our Gracious Soveraign and happy Restitution to the full and free exercise of His Royall Authoritie Preached on the 14 th of June 〈…〉 which was the day set apart for the Members Masters and Students of the KINGS Colledge in the Town and Parish of Old Aberdeen to commemorat and solemnly praise the Lord for the rich mercies above mentioned By ALEXANDER SCROVGIE Preacher of the Gospel and Minister at Old ABERDEEN Psal 〈◊〉 1. The King shall joy in thy strength O Lord and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoyce Psal 〈◊〉 6. Now I know that the Lord saveth his Anointed Prov. ●4 21. Fear thou the Lord and the King and medle not with them that are given to change 1 Sam. 26. 9. Destroy him not For who can stretch forth his hand against the Lords Anointed and be guiltlesse Ambros ad Scapulam Colimus Imperatorem ut hominem a Deo secundum c. A●nob cont ●entes lib. 8. Vo● ethnici conscios timentes nos vero conscientiam solum 〈…〉 H Printed by a Society of Stationers 1660. To the Right Honourable and NOBLE LORD WILLIAM Earle of GLENCAIRN Lord of Kilmawers c. Lord High Chancellour of the Kingdom of SCOTLAND MY LORD GOD left not mankind in a confusion like beasts but hath appointed a Magistracy by which Policy receives it's order Quod Magistratus sunt saith Chrysost Quod Chryst 〈…〉 23. 〈…〉 ad 〈…〉 〈◊〉 quidem imperant isti vero pareant quod non simpliciter at temere cuncta ferunt●r nec populi fluctuum instar huc at que illuc circumaguntur Divinae sapientiae opus esse dico and blessed be God that hath given such power to men Government is so necessary that better no Creation then no Government better not to be at all then not to be under Rule When there was no King in Israel every man did that which was right in his own eyes Micah and his Mother ●rivate Judg. 17. 〈◊〉 and c. 18. 〈◊〉 and ● 21. 2●● persons made a goodly Image and had a house of gods Judg. 17. 4 5. Gibea a City ravished the Levites Concubine to death Judg. 19. 25 26. and the Tribe of Benjamin countenanced their villanie Chap. 20. 13 c. The Danites a Tribe robbed and set up Idolatry Chap. 18. 17 18. 30. Ubi Princeps non est saith Athanasius ibi prorsus disturbatio nascitur Athanas in Orat. ad versus idola Where there is no King there is nothing but overthrow confusion and trouble First Of all Governments Monarchy is the best 1. For Antiquity 2. For Order 3. For Peace 4. For Strength 5. For Stability It is the best because God setled it among his People and the most perfect being the last he established among them See Justin in Orat. ad gen●tes Cyprian ●de idol vanit Hieron in Epist ad Rusticum Monachum Thom. in 1. part 4. 103. Art 3. lib. 4. cont gent. Arist polit l. 8. c. 10. Plato in polit Plutarch in Opusc de Mo●●●●hia 〈…〉 serm 〈…〉 〈…〉 civ 〈…〉 5. 29. Secondly Kings have their Authority from God Rom. 13. 1. its given them from above Joh. 19. 11. He setteth up Kings Dan. 2. 21. and by him they reign Prov. 8. 15. They are Gods Anointed 1 Sam. 12. 3. 5. 2 Sam. 19. 21. Cujus jussu nascuntur homines ejus jussu constituuntur principes by whose appointment they be born men by his appointment and no other are they made Princes saith Iren. lib. 5. and that is only by God Inde illis potestas unde Spiritus thence have they their power whence they have their breath saith Tertuli Apol. p. 695. Thirdly Kingly Government and Authority is not founded upon sanctifying Grace nor is it lost by sin which was the dangerous error of some Hereticks called Pseudoapostoli who as Bernard relates taught Omnem potestatem tam politicam quam Ecclesiasticam amitti per peccatum mortale ac proinde illis qui mortalis culpae reï sunt non esse obtemperandum August saith well Qui Mario Imperium dedit ipse Caio Caesari qui Augusto ipse Neroni qui Vespasiano vel Patri vel Filio suavissim●s Imperatoribus ipse Apostatae Juliano All Kings are Gods Anointed not only David 2 Sam. 19. 21. Solomon 2 Chro. 6. 42. Josiah Lam. 4. 20. but wicked Saul 1 Sam. 12. 5. 13. and Cyrus a Heathen Isa 45. 1. want of Religion doth not un-make a King for then Cyrus had been no King nor had their been any King of old but in Judah nor any now but some Christian Kings and but few of them both too Tyranny un-makes them not else Saul a Tyrant and persecuting Emperors had been no Kings Heresie un-makes them not for then Constantius Valens Valentinian the younger who were Arrians Anastasius an Eutychian Heraclius a Monothelite and others had been no Emperors Excommunication divests them not of their Authority for then Saul deserted and excommunicate of God 1 Sam. 15. 18. had been no King Yea Apostasie it self deprives them not of their Crown Julian then had been no Emperour But God acknowledged Cyrus and Saul and other wicked Kings as his Anointed and Kings And the Primitive Christians acknowledged and obeyed these Hereticall Emperours yea and obeyed Julian the Apostate No Christian ever enterprised or taught or stirred up the Subjects to De-throne them be their Religion what it will and themselves never so wicked they continue Kings and by God they Reigne Good Kings Per Deum propitium wicked ones Per Deum iratum but still per Deum by God Fourthly The persons of Kings was still accounted Sacred their Office and Power Sacred and they reverenced as Gods Ignat. Ep. 7. ad Smyrn Tertul. in Apolloge● c. 30. 33. 37. Tertulli ad Scapulam Anointed that could not lawfully be touched 1 Sam. 24. 6. 10. 1 Chron. 16. 22. Neque enim rege quisquam praestantior aut quisquam ei similis in rebus creatis saith Ignatius Rex à Deo primus post Deum secundus saith Tertul. He is the second from God and the first after God count not God and the King is the first count God and he is the second He is solo Deo minor saith that same Author and om●ibus major dum solo vero Deo minor est How sacred and highly did holy David esteem the person of King Saul may appear from 1 Sam. 24. 6 10 12 13. and Chap. 26. 9 10 11. and from 2 Sam. 1. 14 15 16. of the heroick reverence of primitive Christians towards their Emperors will a little appear from the next Section Their Writ was stiled Sacri apices their Word Divalis Jussio their presence Sacra vestigia their Warrant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sacra praeceptio piissima Jussio jussum pium and pium decretum these were the usual stiles of Councels when they

27. Matth. 22. 21. 7. To obey them for conscience sake 1 Pet. 2. 13. 8. To be thankfull unto God for a good KING 1 King 1. 40. 2 King 11. 12. and Psal 118. which was Penned to teach the Subject how to entertain with joy and thankfulnesse Davids advancement to the Throne of Israel How greatly stand we of these Nations engaged to God for re-establishing among us the best of Governments and setling it upon the right shoulders and restoring to us our King It was our sins which deprived us of Him because we feared not the Lord Hos 10. 13. and did not thankfully and reverently entertian Him when He was with us as became dutifull Subjects The more tyes lyes upon us to blesse the Lord that notwithstanding of our unworthinesse yet he hath restored Him and set Him upon His Throne with Glory and Honour and so much the rather in that His Majesty is no stranger by Birth but our rightfull King no stranger by Religion not a Jeroboam to make the Land sin but of that same Orthodox Profession with us and Fidei defensor Not a Rehoboam not able to advise Himself but a Solomon a David wise as an Angel of God to discern between good and evil not a Zedekiah but a Josiah fearing the Lord not a Manasseh but gentle and mercifull as David not a covetous Ahab but willing rather to dispense with part of His own Revenues God hath not delt so with every Nation and in this he hath magnified His mercy toward us in giving us such a King a King Primae intentionis of special favour God hath been Schooling us under the rod of Oppressors to know the worth of our King and teach us better principles how to entertain Him with more sincere chearfull and constant Loyaltie and I wish all may learn their Lesson well My Lord To testifie our thankfulnesse in this place with publick Narrations Confessions and Praises for so great and rich a mercy It was resolved upon by the Masters and Members of the Kings Colledge here and Me to set apart a solemn day for that gratfull imployment which was solemnly gone about by all here and many others both Ministers and Professors from several places of this Countrey and among others the Magistrates and many Inhabitants of the Honourable and Loyal City of Aberdeen And in this we had the precedencie before many of this Nation that we celebrate here the fourteenth day of June whereas others followed after upon the ninteenth day This Sermon was a part of the work of that day which when ended I laid it by not intending to have sent it abroad to publick view But the Masters of His Majesties Colledge by their often and earnest entreaties fo far prevailed with me as to send it to the Presse Vpon which when I had resolved then immediately some magnetick vertue from your Lorddship drew my thoughts towards you and sweetly yet powerfully engaged me to transmit it under your Lordships Protection The Sermon it self is plain in which is nothing but the words of truth and sobriety I speak most in the words of God for in preaching Gods Word should have the preheminence and therefore I purposely forbear to garnish it with Testimonies of humane Writers My Lord When mean men speaks to the King they do it by the means of some Courtiour and when Scholers speaketh to the Kingdom they do it under the Protection of some worthy Patern I have made bold to transfer this Sermon to the Nation under your Lordships Name and Protection Reasons moving me were these First The subject of the Sermon is concerning the King and who should more own and countenance it then your Lordship beloved of the King and advanced by Him to the highest place in this Kingdom Secondly The eminencie and concatenation of Gods Graces and Heroick resplendent Vertues in you as they have drawn the eyes and hearts of all good and Loyall Subjects so mine too towards your Lordship and in this I am happy Wisdom leadeth men to shelter themselves and their Labours under the wings of the most eminent for Piety Learning and Vertue and such is your Lordship by the harmonious testimony of truly good men Thirdly Your Lordships good affection manifested to honest Loyal Ministers countenancing and incouraging them receiving them when they came with chearfulnesse intertaining them courteously and dismissing them with contentment Fourthly Your Lordships zeal for His Majesties restauration testified by your valorous undertaking When others would not ye went with a handfull of Loyal Subjects and jeoparded your self in the high places of the Field and so wisely and valorously acquit your self that ye became a terrour to the Enemy But when the Lord was not pleased to carry on his work by that mean then your Lordship testified your Loyalty by suffering for your Prince To you it was given not only to act but to suffer for Him Fifthly Tour Lordships activity and wisdom in advancing the work of His Majesties restauration when God offered the opportunity by dealing with the Lord General Monck now Duke of Albemarlie and others of his Army as I am credibly informed When open acting would have exasperated enemies and retarded the Designe ye acted secretly and successively for which your praise is through the Churches of God in these Lands to the perpetuating your Name to future Ages Sixthly Your several testimonies of love and respect which your Lordship was pleased to extend to my Reverend Brother Master William Scrougie Minister at Rathven and on singular among others which your Lordship procured to him from the Kings Majesty Be pleased therefore most Noble Lord graciously to accept of this my humble addresse and grant me and this Sermon your favourable Protection for the dayes are evil I have one word more and so I have done it is my hearts prayer to God that he will blesse His Majesties Person and Government and make the Crown to flourish on His head for many years and on the heads of His Posterity till there be no more time That He will blesse His People with Loyalty Vnity and Obedience The Ministers of the Gospel with zeal for God and the King The Church of God in this Land with the continuance both of His precious Truth in Power and Purity and of the Priviledges and Government thereof and that He will grant to continue your Lordship long in the high Charge His Majesty hath laid most worthily upon you to the Honour of the King the good of the Commonwealth the comfort of the Church the Glory of God and your own comfort in Him and that He will perfect His Graces in you and after many prosperous years on earth will minister an entrance to you into His everlasting Kingdom And I humbly beseech your Lordship to conceave of me as I am and shall be Your Lordships humbly devoted Servant in all dutifull submission ALEXANDER SCROVGIE MIRABILIA DEI. Psal CXXVI 3. The Lord hath done great things for