bosome Psal 73.6 because they prosper therefore pride compasseth them about as a chaine violence covereth them as a garment Note All their joy is without and not within because they want a good conscience the Bird of the Bosome which sings most sweetly in the day of trouble they are rocked in securitie and often live in outward ease untill the end come then doth the Lord cast them down to destruction As a dreame vvhen one avvaketh he will despise their image Psal 73.20 that is their shadowes their transitorie estate the moment of their fugitive folies and fadding pleasures He that hath beene in the Sanctuary a Scholler of God will never envie their prosperitie No not let them keep still their honours and their rents and their riches and their glory and all their good things I leave them in their pestilent path unto him who is the righteous Lord who is preparing for them Tophet a pit Isa 30.33 a lake of fire eternall flames streames of brimstone and gnashing of teeth hell it self is groaning for them My chief earand in this psalme is to seeke out wisedome for to teach the godly what to do in the dayes of their distresse the text is most fit for this purpose it sends you away from men to seeâ— the help of God Give us helâ— from trouble for vaine is the helâ— of man through GOD vve shaâ— do valiantly c. These are word most fitting for a Commander when with his troupes he marcheth to the Battell THE SWORD OF THE LORD AND OF GIDEON are the matter of mâ— Text. Of the Title of the Psalme BEfore I come to the words will first illustrate unto yoâ— the title or inscription of thâ— psalme whereby ye may the beâ—ter understand the nature the occasion and subject of the whole the inscription is in these words To the chief Musician upon shâ— shan-eduth Michtam of David to teach vvhen he stroâ— vvith Aram Naharaim and vvith Aram-Zobah vvhen Joab returned and smot of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand 1. Shushan BY Shushan here some understand a six stringed instrument upon which the chief Musician was ordained to play the praises of God contained in this psalme we have the like title prefixed to the fourtie five psalme To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim that is a six stringed instrument so called from the Hebrew word Shesh which signifieth six 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 others not without good reason think that this psalme be so called for its beautie because it is pleasant and of a good savour like a Lillie who for its six leaves is in the Canticles called Shoshan Cant. 2.1 I am the Rose of Sharon and the Lillie of the Valleyes Dearly Beloved this day have brought for yoâ—â— comfort this most pleasant Lillâ—â— from the Garden of God 2. Eduth SEcondly it is called Eduth thâ—â— is the testimonie this declaretâ— the Psalme to be a testimonie oâ— Davids faith in the day of troublâ— wherein both through God anâ— for God he did most valiantly or it may be called Eduth the testâ—monie because it was ordaineâ— to be sung by the Priests befoâ—â— the Arke Exod. 40.5 which was called Aron-Eduth the Arke of the testâ—monie because it was a Testimonie or witnesse of Gods presenâ— among his people 3. Michtam of David to teach THirdly the Psalme is calleâ— Michtam of David to teacâ— that is a golden Psalme full of â—olden doctrine to teach chiefly â—en of warre on whom to reâ—â—y in a day of Battell The Heâ—rew word Michtam is from that other word Cethem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signiâ—ieth most fine gold the Spouse â—n her Song giveth this word to Christs head My beloved said â—he is white and rudy Cant. 5 10 the fairest â—mong ten thousand his head is Cethem as the most fine gold Massa auri vel auram obrizum Such â—s this Psalme well in the margent â—f your Bibles called a Golden Psalme there be great riches I â—ring unto you this rich propine â—rom God a most excellent treaâ—ure and offer it unto you this day The thieves the men of warre may steele or spoile you of your Gold as the Danites did to Miâ—ah when they bereaved him of his Silver-images Judg. 18.18 but if ye get this gold ye shall live and die rich â—n despight of all the world I think that there was Silver and Gold in great aboundance iâ— Laodicea whose words were sâ— rich Rev. 3.17 I have need of nothing but because that Church had verâ— little of this Gold Christ Jesuâ— proclaimed her a begger misâ—rable and poore If ye consider this most finâ— gold this land of all lands is thâ— most rich in Gold mines there 〈◊〉 no such plenty of Gods word under the cope of heaven as by hâ— favour we have this day Goâ— word is our gold for this golâ— we must all be ready to lay dowâ— our lives Rev. 3.11 It was Gods counseâ— to Philadelphia Hold fast thâ— which thou hast that no man taâ—â— thy crown let us do so with thâ— gold of GODS word let nâ— man take it from us This gold is better then anâ— gold of the earth the earth golâ— is both dumb and dead it can saâ— nothing for the comfort of itâ— owner in the terrours of death but this gold is a teacher it is heer called Michtam of David for to teach This is not the gold of Papists idols Elilim teachers of vanities So called from Elil 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lev. 26.1 that is nothing these golden nothings with their golden beards have mouthes and speake not eyes and see not eares and heare not Behold a great plague these that make them are like unto them Psal 135.18 so is every one that trusteth in them or maketh any religious use of them It is no wonder that Papists can not easily be drawne from their idolatrie the reason is this there is a fearfull curse upon them they are by GOD in his wrath stupified and made deaf like their golden idols Blessed be the Lord our Bibles are Michtams jewels of gold for to teach souls what to do in such terrible dayes as are these wherein we live therein we have comforts both in life anâ— death 4. When he strove withâ— Aram Naharaim and with Aram-Zobah when Joab returned and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelvâ— thousand THe occasion and Subject oâ— this Psalme were many enemies Syrians and Edomites gathered in Battell against David whâ— fought against them and by thâ— power of GOD ouercame them The enemies who were Syrianâ— are here called Aram Naharaiâ— and Aram-Zobah the Syrianâ— are called Aramites from Aram the Son of Shem the Son Noah Shem had Elam and Ashur and Aram and Arphaxad the Assyrians came of Ashur and the Syrians of Aram Gen. 10.22 and the Israeliteâ— came of Arphaxad for Arphaxad begat Salah and Salah begat Heber from whom GODS people were first
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
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