Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	father_n	pray_v	son_n	6,693	5	5.8977	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A96886	The churches thank-offering to God her King, and the Parliament, for rich and ancient mercies; her yeares of captivity; her first yeare of iubile; that is, for the marvelous deliverances wrought with God the first wonderfull yeare (since the yeare 88) beginning at September 1640. and ending the ninth of the same moneth following: in all which time, the Lord appeared for his church, as in the dayes of old, out of the middest of the bush, so the church burn'd with fire, and was not consumed. In the preface, the thank-offering is vindicated, and set free, from all the cavills and charges against it; where also it is cleared to be, as every mans duty, so every mans purpose, to offer willingly now, who doth not make full proofe, that he falls short of pagan, papist or atheist; and is wilfully resolved to walk crosse to the most supreme law, the highest reason, and the unquestionable will of God.	Woodward, Ezekias, 1590-1675.	1642 (1642)	Wing W3484; Thomason E122_1; ESTC R18182	151,993	158

performe according to the PROTESTATION even the Lord shake him out and emptie him c Neh. 5. 1● The Lord grant thes● Malignants th●se sonnes or B●liall these troublers of Israel vvho will be bound by no other cord but by the cords of their owne sinnes may be cut off even all cut-off that trouble the Church those that love peace and pursue it These sonnes of Beliall cannot frame to pronounce an holy just and good Commandment ô that they vvere dealt vvith now as those persons vvere vve reade of in the Text Then they tooke him and sl●w him at the passages of Jordan d Iud. 12. 6. The Church knowes that there vvould be a greater slaughter then was that vve reade of and there fell at that time of the Ephramites fourty and two thousand Heere comes in a doubt and it will bee easily resolved The Obj●ction ●s Ob. The Church is a peaceable Mother in Israel her Father is the God of peace her Lord the Prince of peace her servants the children of peace then sure the Church doth not know vvhat spirit shee is of that prayes for Fire and Sword to come downe from Heaven Answ Yes the Church knows she hath the Spirit of God dwelling in her and by that Spirit she can and doth pray as afore-said ●nd will fight anon and be a peaceable vvoman for all this and a true Mother in Israel and follow the Lambe here also for in some cases and none riseth higher then this He even the Lambe hath wrath and that must be executed by her Sword Nay more as she prayeth for this thing so she can rejoyce to see this vengeance and to wash her feet c Ps ●8 10. in the bloud of the wicked and the whole City with her yea and to shout for joy d Prov. 11. 10. These are wicked persons professed enemies to God and His Christ Without naturall affection truce breakers false accusers inconti●c●t fierce despisers of those that are good Traitors heady high-minded lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God not having so much as a forme of Godlinesse e 2 Tim. 3. 3 4 5. Pitty these vvicked Malignant persons and you destroy the Good shew mercy here you are cruell to the Church spare such and they will make havocke of Gods Servants as you see they doe and have done in all ages Wicked persons they and desperately bold and daring They would turne the Songs of the Temple into howlings f Amos 8. 3. She can rejoyce to see the vengeance yea and to wash her feet in the blood of these slaine And till this be done she never looks to have peace on the Earth for these are they who have taken peace from her Therefore she is resolved upon it now she vvill not onely pray but use her WEAPONS too Yes you will say PRAYERS and TEARES True for these are the Churches weapons and very prevailing nay commanding they are Prayers command God He is pleased to say so much and to yeeld g Esa 45. 11. so farre but the Church said she will fight too in a case wherein her Prince His State Crowne and Dignity is concerned for in all this the Church is concerned her Lawes Liberties Religion Life In such cases He vvill fight Let it goe it is good construction to apply a Masculine vvord to so Heroicke a spirit as I reade Queen Elizabeth did not well digest that Grammaticall nicety to be prayed for by the Title of DEFENDRESSE of the Faith DEFENDER vvas better concord in her Eares And indeed never any man Answered the Title better I was saying the Church hath another weapon which vvee call the Sword and she will make it drunke in the bloud of these Adversaries and yet doe no more then what she hath done in all Ages from the Primitive time downe-ward For though Prayers and Teares and these onely are her Sonnes and Daughters vveapons as they are private persons Yet as they are publike persons That alters the case and exalted in the Earth the Sword belongs unto them as their proper right and they stand bound to use it though then also They STVDIE TO BE QVIET h 1 Thes 4. 11. and know themselves CALLED VNTO PEACE so they may have TRVTH too i 1 Cor. 7. 15. The Church hath her Ioshaah's and they must not lye upon the face * Iosh 7. 10. wishing those even cut-off that trouble us k Gal. 5. 12. He must rise and cut-off those TROVBLERS it is his office so to doe The Church hath her Nehemiah's they may build with one hand and hold the Sword in another Shee hath her Davids the truest Subjects in the world as then hee was and yet their H●ast may be as his was as the HOAST OF GOD l and all for their owne safety and to maintaine as ● Chr● 12. ●2 David did their Masters peace The Church hath her Princes and her Nobles and her Worthies blessed be God for them all to whom the Sword belongs and they are charged to use it for the cutting off those that trouble her and are enemies to her Lords Crowne and Dignity They are charged to be of good courage and to play the men for their King and His people and the Cities of their God and the Lord doe that which seemeth Him good d 2 Sam. 10. 12. Then in the last place ¶ 4. Private Persons must make Supplications THe Church makes her Supplication to you That you would rise up and be doing that you would avenge her of these Adversaries who have done what they can to take peace from the Earth All is contained in your Covenant every whit Remember that and you remember all and the Lord remember His Covenant with you for the darke places of the Earth are full of cruelty e Ps 74. Doubtlesse the Lord Who keepeth Covenant and mercy for ever will not breake with you now Remember f Deut. 7. 18. WELL what the Lord your God hath done for you That will give you assured confidence for the time to come Onely deale couragiously g 2 Chron. 19. 11. stand to what you have said and what in you lyeth cause the Covenant to passe through the Land and doe as the good King did vvhat you can to make the people stand to it h 2 Chron. 34. 32. and the Lord shall be with the good i 2 Chron. 19. 11. Amen for they will make their prayer to Him which cannot be in vain k Esa 45. 19. being one of the most prevailing things in Heaven or Earth but it is reserved for the time when ye as Esther l Est 4 16. commanded Prayer then it will appeare how prayer commanded for you SECT IV. The engaging the heart to God engageth God to our Businesse then they slide-on the loftinesse of Man shall be bowed downe and the ●aughtinesse of Men shall be made low Idols and Idol-men and Idoll-garments and bloody Courts shall

יהוה GOD IN THE FLAMING-BVSH EXOD. 3. 2. Moses looked and behold the Bush burned with fire and the Bush was not consumed EXOD. 3. 3. And he said I will now turne aside and see this great sight why the Bush is not burnt DEUT. 33. 16. Blessed of the Lord be His Land for the precious things of Heaven And for the precious things of the Earth and for the good-will of Him That dwelt in the Bush ESA. 63. 9. In all their affliction He was afflicted and the Angell of His Presence saved them Published for a memoriall of the first wonderfull yeare The day of the LORDS vengeance and yeare of Recompences for the controversie of Zion THE CHVRCHES THANK-OFFERING To GOD Her KING and The PARLIAMENT FOR Rich and ancient Mercies Her Yeares of Captivity Her first Yeare of IVBILE THAT IS For the Marvelous Deliverances Wrought with God the first Wonderfull Yeare since the Yeare 88 beginning at September 1640. and ending the ninth of the same Moneth following In all which time The Lord appeared for His Church as in the dayes of old out of the middest of the BVSH so the Church burn'd with fire and was not consumed In the PREFACE The THANK-OFFERING is vindicated and set free from all the Cavills and Charges against it Where also it is cleared To be as every Mans Duty so every Mans purpose To Offer Willingly now who doth not make full proofe that he falls short of Pagan Papist or Atheist and is wilfully resolved to walk crosse to the most SUPREME Law The HIGHEST Reason and The unquestionable WILL of GOD. 1 Chro. 17. 19. O Lord for Thy Servants sake and according to Thine own heart hast Thou done all this greatnesse in making known all these great things Psal 1●6 17 I will offer to Thee the Sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call upon the Name of the Lord. Nehem. 5. 19. Thinke upon mee my God for good according to all that I have done for this people London Printed for T. V. at the signe of the Bible in Wood street 164● TO THE LORD the most high GOD Possessour of Heaven and Earth TO IESUS CHRIST His only Son our LORD Prince of Peace King of Saints To the blessed SPIRIT the Truth and leading thereinto BLessed be Thy glorious Name which is exalted above all blessing and praise Thou alone workest wonders and in so doing hast magnified Thy Selfe and honoured man Thou shewedst signes and wonders upon Thy Adversaries for Thou knewest they dealt proudly against Thee So didst Thou get Thy selfe a Name as it is this Day and herein didst Thou use man as an instrument Dust and Ashes he is give him grace to magnifie Thee Blessed Saviour Rock of our Salvation Desire of the Nations Hope of Israel in time of trouble Thou wast content to be made of no esteeme that Thy people might be greatly beloved to be made a curse that Thy people might become a blessing content to be made low that Thou mightest exalt man So Thou hast done Thou hast exalted him even to sit in Thrones next to Thy selfe Give him an heart to exalt Thee to honour Thee to love Thee much for Thou art worthy Blessed Spirit Thou hast done great things and marvellous not by a Nihil aliundè mutuatur Deus ad Ecclesiae suae conservationē ergò vult sibi Vni acceptam referri Ecclesiae saturē Cal. humane might nor by power but by Thy selfe b Zach. ● 6. Nec tamen omnia immediatè per se agit Deus sed tantum ostendere v●l● Ecclesiam erigi et conservari non humano vulgari modo sed mirabiliter praeter omnes spes sensus nostres Cal. in locum ô blessed Spirit saith the Lord of Hosts take to Thy selfe the Glory even all Almighty Father Sonne and Holy Ghost Trinity in Unity and Unity in Trinity unspeakably Three in One and One in Three One in Authority Will and Worship of all Three King of Kings Lord of Lords Spare Thy Servant according to the greatnesse of Thy mercy Thy hand-maid is recording Thy ancient thoughts of Grace and Peace towards Thy Servants her Sons and her Daughters Ancient mercies towards them when they lay in their blood for that was a time of love c Ezech. 16. 8. Mercies toward them exceeding Mercies when they were in the fornace of affliction for then Thou didst DWELL with them and they had ENOVGH Mercies towards her Land and People this former yeare strange Rescues wonderfull Deliverances admirable Discoveries what then can Thy Servant say now Even as Thou shalt be pleased to open her Mouth and give her inlargement She would take with her words d Hos 14. 2. but from Thy owne mouth and of Thy owne chusing Thou must give first for all things come of Thee and of Thine owne have we given Thee e 1 Chro. 29. 14. Thy servant must now speake Thy high Praises then Thou Lord must tune my spirit and raise it up else it will flag or like a Bird without wings now up and presently down How insufficient Thy Servant is for so high and excellent an imployment Thou knowest for Thou even Thou onely knowest the hearts of all the children of men f 1 Kin. 8. 39. At this present indeed now that I have some high thoughts of Thy glorious excellencies Thy Servant can speake as one brought downe to the ground whose speech whispereth out of the dust yet as one presently stolne away from her selfe she can with that Sorcerer thinke her selfe some GREAT ONE g Act. 8. 9. Lord rebuke this proud spirit and cast a spewing upon Selfe-glory h Hab. 2. 16. for truth Lord something it would be and something it would doe though a thousand experiences have told us that nothing it is nothing it can i Ier. 3. 5. but sinne against Thee Thy grace in us doth all no more power in selfe no more canning except the contrary way then can the instrument of late held in the worke-mans hand but now cast-out or lying by him Lord leave me not no not a little worke all in me and for me then worke by me for what we give to Thee is from Thy own hand to us first And though flesh and bloud would share here yet suffer it not but say where Thy voyce is there is power it shall not be so and so take to Thy self Thy proper right all the glory Let not so excellent a thing as the Spirit is so vast and capacious be lost in selfe which is nothing but let it runne forth to Thee and though it will be lost there also amidst such an Ocean yet there it finds a proportionable good even all in Thy self for Thou art All. Behold now I have taken upon me to speake unto my Lord that am but aust and ashes Thou wilt suffer this once and leade me into Thy Treasure-house to behold Thy mercies there which I am no more able to understand then I

can the treasures of the snow and of the haile k Iob 38. 22. nor comprehend no more then I can measure the wind in my fist or Heavens with my Span for I must looke backe to the dayes of eternity and Thy ancient thoughts towards Thy Sons and Daughters before the foundation of the world And behold Thy wayes there as undiscernable as the way of an Eagle in the Aire or of a Serpent upon the Rocke l Pro. 30. 19. as is the path which no foule knoweth and which the vultures eye hath not seen m Iob 28. 7. But blessed be Thy Name though there in that darke path the soule can find no rest nor feels any bottome yet in Thy Christ * De praedestinatione d●sputaturu● incipe ● Christi vulneribus Mel. Ad. in vitâ Sta●●p Vera est ea poenitentia quae ab amore justitiae Dei incipit we have a foundation even according to the good pleasure of Thy will towards us in Him to the praise of the glory of Thy Grace n Eph. 1. 5. For Him we blesse Thee we praise Thee we adore Thee for Thy glorious manifestations secret inspirations immediate workings for all the meanes of conveyance whereby Heaven is pleased to condescend and to have communion with earthly creatures and earthly creatures have fellowship with the FATHER and the SONNE For Thy Sons sake all this therefore we blesse Thee for that unspeakable gift with Whom Thou givest all things a subduing of iniquity victory over sin sinne is not left to bring forth its owne cursed fruit an exceeding mercy pardon of sinne communion with Thy selfe joy in the Holy Ghost then the strongest when we are weakest and our sufferings the greatest Then the highest elevation of spirit then the floud of consolation runnes highest when the floud of wickednesse runnes over the head and seemes ready to swallow up This is that the world stumbles at nay we shrinke at too at sufferings at persecution though yet a thousand experiences tels us Persecution is the signe of a Thes 1. 7. the true Church and to them who are persecuted Rest with us and our Rest is in Thee and with Thee at last and then even in that houre of temptation then dost Thou administer abundant consolations even according as the sufferings are through fire yet not consumed through water yet not drowned o Esa 43. 2. Surely this is because Thou dost guide Thy Servants by Thy Councell we are not carefull whether we goe when Thou hast us by the hand being assured the end of the way is GLORY And now that the people may flow in hether cause them to turne aside and behold this sight why the BVSH burnes and is not consumed All that looke on must resolve it thus because Thy GOOD WILL DWELLS IN THE Esa 63. 9. BVSH In all their affliction Thou wast afflicted and the Angell of Thy presence saved them O blessed be the Father Son and Holy Ghost for Thy GOOD-WILL That dwels in the Bush O let not my Lord be angry and I will speake yet but this once we Thy people have said in our haste Our hope is cut-off we shall be termed FORSAKEN and our Land DESOLATE But we behold and wonder Thou hast shewen grace unto us to give us a nayle in Thy Esa 62. 4. Holy place and hast revived our hope That we shall be called HEPHZ●BAH and our Land Beulah Truly Lord Thou hast comforted all my waste places Thou hast made my WILDERNES like EDEN and my DESERT like the Garden of the Lord ioy and gladnesse is found therin Thanksgiving Ezr. 9. 8. and the voyce of Melody * Esa 51. 3. But Lord why is it so Why such severity towards our sister-Churches and such goodnesse towards us and our Land Even so because it pleaseth Thee It is Thy good will so Be it so but we are over-charged with the consideration thereof and are silent Truly Lord we stand wondering at Thy works beholding terrible things r Esa 64. 3. which our Fathers saw not and we look'd not for The turning councels upside downe c. for had Thy Servant the tongue of an Angell she could not expresse it but at our selves we wonder most of all at the drossinesse the dregginesse of our spirits not yet resolved into a spirit of Thankefullnesse no not yet though we have seene such and such things above all such forbearance such a patient suffering our manners o Act. 13. 18. at such a time as this Why Lord God Thou didst send unto us Saviours we should have looked through them as through a thin covering to Thy arme made bare for our Salvation we did not so it was a thicke covering before our eyes it hid Thy Almighty Arme quite from us We did leane upon that Reed such is the helpe of flesh yet did it not pierce nor breake O wonderfull it is not Thy manner so the prop of flesh did not breake though we laid so great a weight of expectation thereupon notwithstanding it hath held c. for Thy Servant is overcome more she would speake to that point and is not able But she hath wherewith to answer Thy Adversaries as followeth The Enemy reproacheth Thy Name daily and asketh where is now your God Our God is in Heaven and thence Thou hast declared Thy selfe against Thy Enemies confounding them and for Thy people reviving their hope Thou hast exalted THY CHRIST before our Eyes and received Thy people into COVENANT these two things Thou hast done this last yeare And if Thou dost no more in our dayes yet thy Servants have ENOVGH And by Thy good hand upon them they have out-plotted all their enemies Thy Servants have no more to say but Remember Lord Thy Covenant and keepe the hearts of Thy Servants close with thee therein Thou art Lord of Lords and King of Kings and onely art able to make Thy Servants to performe the words of Thy Covenant and to STAND TO IT p 2 Chro. 34. 31 32. and then though the Enemy rage he shall not hurt though he conceives mischiefe he shall bring forth a lye God in Covenant defeates all their hellish counsels weakneth all their power answers all Arguments against Thy people or their Cause nothing shall doe them hurt every thing shall doe them good It is Thy Promise Lord I will not turne away from them to doe them good a Ier. 32. ●0 All shall worke together for their good losses in the World for their good troubles in the flesh for their good come what can come all is sanctified by all Thou wilt doe Thy children good Reproaches wants necessities Persecutions Captivities b Ier. 24. 5. All to doe them good even so Amen And yet Lord we remember Thou hast spoken good words and gracious concerning the Church for the time to come We humbly conceive now is the time when Thou art making good this good word to Thy people

great wrath The Enemy comes in like a flood with open mouth to devoure all REMEMBER the Lord Who is GREAT His Spirit will set up a Standard against them r Esa 59. 19. When the sonnes of Belial do as their Name imports breake bands and cast away coards then the Lord will laugh ſ Psal 2. And then said Luther well he would not cry like a child he would be merry as a Man and sing for joy of heart the 46. Psalm For he remembred the Lord WHO IS GREAT It follows and TERRIBLE To his Adversaries fury to them t Isa 59. 18. and He has them under His feete already like unto fine brasse u Rev. 2. 15. and He can stampe them to pouder but He is patient He will endure a little while their wrigling sooner then you can a worme under yours Nay you have had assurance ever since the dayes of Joshua x Josh 10. 25. That you shall set your feete upon them too It seemes the Lord is fulfilling this good word to you now nay doubtlesse He hath fulfilled it even now He hath done as He promised to His worme Jacob He hath taken you a company of wormes yee are no better worme-like men He hath given you armes of steele and feete like brasse and you have threshed the Mountaines like straw and have come upon the Princes as upon Morter and as the Potter treadeth clay y Isa 41. 15 25. Thus the Lord hath done Who is GREAT and TERRIBLE even now in all the peoples sight Remember Him you cannot be afraid And remember where you are And yet as one saith a Nihil interest ubi sitis in saeculo qui extra saeculum estis Tert. ad Martyres chap. ● no matter where you are in the world who have your thoughts above the world and managing the great things of Christ there But yet to tell you what you know and what your security is you are in Gods hand b Deut 33 3. Now put all together and consider on it God He is GREAT and TERRIBLE He is your God you are His by covenant you are in His hand your enemies under His feete nay under your foote The Result from hence is A Glorious Dependance upon this Lord Who is Great yea a TRUST FOR EVER in Him Who is EVERLASTING STRENGTH c Isa 26. 4. and that is a sure ground for EVERLASTING CONFIDENCE That though the earth should shatter to peeces and the mountaines be taken off from their everlasting foundations yet God is good to Israel you shall not be greatly moved your head may ake but you may repose it in the Lap of your EVERLASTING FATHER certainly He will sustaine you you may lay your selves downe in peace He will make you dwell in safety The enemy shall not be able to come neare you to doe you hurt no nor to sad your spirits who in all this time have not spoken one word whereby to sad the heart of the Righteous Yee must the promise is so d Isa 65. 13 14. reioyce when the Adversary shall be ashamed yee must sing for ioy of heart when your enemies must howle for vexation of spirit your Name must be a blessing theirs a curse This is glorious matter for faith to worke upon it will make you pray in the Holy Ghost You need not be entreated to take leisure for that it is the very breath of faith and it hinders nothing at all but sets forward businesses exceedingly it makes them glide-on I give my selfe to prayer said David e Ps 109. 4. when he was in the very case you are in f ver 2 3. He made prayer his worke what ever he was doing and so his worke slided-on he had an easie passe through all hee could leape over this wall and that mountaine was a plaine before him and his enemies were given into his hands for he gave himselfe to prayer What ever we omit we must not omit prayer It commands your Marke that betwixt the Kings Question to Nehemiah and his Answer there is a prayer his Answer was as ready as the Question was but he would pray first q Neh. 2. 4. A hint only is enough to wise men Your prayer shall be short you may lengthen it in your closset pray as Nehemiah did he beleeved as you doe and you have done as he did and you have as many enemies as he had and so envious against you They would make you afraid too they would weaken your hand from the work that it be not done pray now THEREFORE O GOD STRENG THEN OUR Ne. 6. 9. HAND AND REMEMBER US O OUR GOD FOR GOOD Now there is a voice gon up that never returnes in vaine and cryes aloud in the eares of the Lord like the sound of many waters saying AMEN Mercy and Truth be with you AMEN And the God 2 Sam. 15. 20. of both these give you favour in the eyes of the Man Amen wipe not out the good deeds that you have done for the Ne. 13. 14 22. house of your God and for the Offices thereof AND SPARE YOU ACCORDING TO THE GREATNESSE OF HIS MERCY AMEN AMEN The PREFACE clearing the way through this Treatise and the READERs understanding touching the proceedings in Parliament the clearnesse of the Lawes and Iustice therein his Knowledge also of the times and cleare WILL of GOD and what Israel ought to do notwithstanding the contradictions of sinners and crosse wils of Malignant Men. Reader IVnderstand well the use and Law of a Preface it should containe no more but what could not be put into the booke that is observed here And yet it will be very large and that I could not helpe I have an hundred sheets tending much the same way this Treatise goes If a Providence should call forth all or any part of it I might trouble thee with an Epistle but never more with a Preface How willingly I would have forborne it here I know and God knows but then I strongly conceived I had left thee in the darke but now I shall shew thee the way in much clearenesse if thou wilt not blind-fold thy selfe and render thee in the close a Thankefull man This is the tendency and purpose of all this And so that thou mayest reade with profit understanding what thou readest and then shew thy selfe an understanding man I shall endeavour to cleare the way before thee and give thee cleare resolution to the matters in debate some more easie and quickly resolved other some more hard and admitting more contention 1. Touching the Person who offers Thankes that is easily cleared 2. Then the Thank-offering there will be the knots for Collegiate men the Eyes of the Land these are set against it and some say the Law also we must examine their reasons and cleare the proceedings against these men and that will take up some time 3. In the last place the Method the clearing of that is very

World She could stand still waiting the salvation of her God though indeed she s●w plainly That she was in a wildernesse where she saw no path Then the Church remembred the Lord and was comforted He is wonderfull in all His Administrations but especially in these which He worketh in a wildernesse Now the Church could leane on her Beloved O how willingly did she reach forth her hand to Him who is given a Leader and Commander to the people a Isa 55. 4. Marke that He is a sure Leader to His Church Who The Lord Christ for He commands her The Church heares no other voice obeyes no other but as commanding from His mouth and leading unto Him This in passage But I say how willingly and confidently did the Church reach forth her hand to this Leader and Commander she did assure her heart a 1 Iohn 3. 13. He would leade her because He doth command her He could and is able to leade her because He maketh a way in the Sea and a path in the mighty waters He bringeth forth the Charet and the Horse the Army and the Power b Isa 43. 15 16. c. The Lord did the same thing now He made a way in the Wildernesse and Rivers in the Desart So He lead His people even those Ver. 19. that are commanded by Him The manner how commands our Marke He brought the blinde by a way He lead them in paths that they have not knowne He made darknesse light before them and crooked things straight These things He hath done unto them and not forsaken them c Isa 42. 16. Truly This Scripture is this day fulfilled in our eyes The Church commands us to observe it in these particulars wherein it will appeare That the Lords Thoughts Thoughts of Mercy and of Peace were as high above mine or yours nay above the Churches Thoughts as the Heavens are above the Earth It appeareth d Isa 55. 8. ● thus SECT III. What our Thoughts were how high the Lords thoughts were above the Churches thoughts ¶ 1. OUr eyes were in the Heavens as in such times it is our manner a Sol nisi cum de sicit spe●tatorem non ha● ● c. Sen. ●nd behold they were very darke and covered with thick clouds Our thoughts were and strait-way thus we said there will be a great storme So it was a Starme indeed haile-stones and coles of fire beating sore ●gainst all expectation upon the hairy scalpe of the wicked Man but a sweet shower to the City of God sweetely and seasonably refreshing them as the after-raine the parched ground We looked up againe to Heaven whether else should we looke for peace seem'd to be taken from the Earth but behold it was very red I purposely speake in the Almanack-M●kers Dialect strait way we said for such our Thoughts were it will be wind and so it was against all expectation and that which was threatned b Ier. 4. 11. a wind indeed but not a dry wind for it did fan and cleanse even a f●ll wind ●gainst high places scattering the wicked as with the breath of Gods mouth and so they did flee as the chaffe before the vvind or as they fled from before the Earth-quake c Zach. 14. 5. So they did flee but hearken what the Lord such He that fleeth of them shall not flee away and he that escapeth o● them shall not be delivered d Am. 9. 1 2 3. Thus the Lord h●th said for after-time and thus He hath done now ever blessed be His Name ¶ 2. VVE heard of warres and nothing but rumors of warres preparation thereto on every side strait way we said for our thoughts were The Sword will be bathed in Heaven e Esa 34. 5. it will be made drunke vvith the bloud of the slaine And so it was in part but it was in the bloud of the Men of blouds that were to call forth to battle and to be leaders thereunto A wonder this also and wrought by Him Who spake of old and made it good now Behold they shall surely gather together but not by Me whosoever shall gather together against Thee shall fall for thy sake f ●sa 44. 15 16 17. c. ¶ 3. VVE beheld here a Troope and there a Troope straight-way we ●aid Lord these are called forth to destroy Thy Iudah and to curse Thy Israel And it was so in the intention of the Adversary and a ●●kely choyce he had made for they were of that number and choyce ones for that purpose to vvhom their spirituall Fathers so they will be called because they savour so much of the Spirit gave an Advousion of liberty and choyce of sports cryed downe by the Heathen g Aug. de civ Dei cap. 31 32 33. vvhich they might take on the Lords-day Certainly said Dion h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dion Orat. 79. speaking of Liberty Hee made bad Lawes indeed he gave a wicked Liberty and writ grievousnesse who prescribed such Decrees and gave such a Liberty which could please none but the bad Such a Liberty was this on the Lords-day which the Bishops gave to the people And see the luck of it the Bishops grant was too large it gave the people more scope then in manners they would take on the Lords-day and so thus they requited their great Dons vvhen it vvas expected that these people vvho had such an Advousion of Liberty as this from the hands of their good Lords should now gratifie the said Lords in fulfilling the whole pleasure of their will they did cleane contrary for vvheras they were called out to curse even these in their manner blessed altogether i Num. 23. 11. and threw-out vvhat the Bishops had brought-in the Rails and Mock-gods there What this people did more needeth not my Relation ●t is vvell known every vvhere all the Land over and vvell observed it vvas even as a vvonder in the eyes and ears of all ¶ 4. VVE saw some of these Troopes hasting towards the North gathered into a mighty body there Instruments of cruelty prepared and sent downe All meanes used vvhich Achi●ophel could suggest vve remember vvhat his councell vv●s even to make an irreconcileable difference betweene Father and Sonne all to set Ephraim against Manasses and Man●sses against Ephraim both against THY IVDAH And so it vvas in the intention of the Adversary But to say so now as one hath done vvhen he praid too vvere a bold arrogant and impious speech if not blasphemous for behold to the admiration of the vvorld Angels and Men the Breach made up a peace concluded and so concluded That it is a Statute now and an Ordinance in Israel That Iudah must rejoyce and Israel must be right glad So they vvill and they vvill tell it to their children and so down-ward and not barely so and no more but they vvill speake thereof vvith rejoycing vvhat the Adversary intended how the Lord disappointed

breath of her nostrills and the life of her soule She doth professe unto you in the presence of her God that she hath but one meanes in her absence from Him whereby to seeke His face To know His mind concerning her and her conversation here below But one means to carry up all her wants and to bring down all her blessings for she accounts nothing a blessing which is not gained by Prayer and shee writes upon every thing she receives ASKT OF GOD But one meanes to hide her selfe in the clifts of the rock till the indignation be over For when the Lord sh●ll shut the Heaven and open His Armory against the earth a Ier. 50 25. bringing forth all the weapons of His indignation Then hath she but one meanes one shift but as one said its 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a greate one and a sure one HE ARE THOV IN HEAVEN THY DWELLING PLACE AND FORGIVE AND DOE This is all her refuge SVPPLICATIONS TO HER GOD. The Church hath much to say at this point But she humbly thankes you that you did not thinke it fit to bind her strictly in her Publike Assemblies to formes of others making Alas they cannot reach her wants nor the boosome of her God The heart knowes its own bitternesse and can best indite her own sorrowes and make them known unto her God But yet the Church will not prescribe heere only she hopes you vvill consider how shee hath been dealt with very lately when a stout Prelate was so daring as to prescribe her a prayer and then cheate the world with her Name The Churches Prayer when indeed it was Lincolns Prayer so the prayers have been all this Time some private mens devotions and then called the Prayers of the Church But had this beene all she had held her peace Behold how her Adversary like an imperious WHO RISH WOMAN hath dealt with her these l●st yeares which surely her Lord will take as a FORCING His QVEENE before His Face It is notoriously known that the Adversary hath by his prescribed formes comp●●led her to blaspheme the Name of her God and her own Name to curse her best friends and to bl●sse her worst enemies In consideration of the premises she conceives great hope that if you allow not her children to choose their speakers yet to allow of your choise such an one who is sincerely honest understands their case the weight of his office and is sufficient to be their mouth to their LORD and to make knowne His meaning to them The Church is confident that if you shall well consider her Negotiations you will find them weigh more upon the ballance then those concerning the greatest Prince in the world and yet she will take the grant of this her request as a speciall favour and grace from you though not only a Prince but inferiour persons will challenge so much as their proper Right But she referres her suites to the Closet she is now giving in the tribute of thankes and praise and she blesseth God and thankes you with all her heart for all the labour of Love worke of Faith Patience of Hope towards her Sonnes and Daughters that you have brought them so farre even HITHERTO she sets a marke upon it for it requires speciall observation SECT III. The ninth of September a notable Day to be written and to be named both written because on that Day an unrighteous Decree To establish a Service odious to God one of their own being Judge was made Null and of none effect Named as in Dayes of old forthe same Reason HEre I have concluded the yeare almost in the middest of a Month I could not else have given up the full tale of wonders It was necessary I should goe to the ninth of that Moneth so farre that it might the more fully appeare how farre the Lord hath brought His Church working wonderfully for His people That Day the Worthies adjourned their Court for five weekes that so they might look over their private interests and then returne againe well refreshed for the Common-weale and Gods worke vvhich that Day late at evening had a notable close The Church seemes to heare a voyce now as one of her sonnes once did comming to her eares with a double charge Sonne of man write the name of the Day even of THIS SAME DAY * Ezek. 24. ● And the spirit suggests unto her the same Reason in effect which He did to the Prophet for so doing She remembreth well some there were who that same Day vvould have established the Liturgi● as now it is with all it's faults which all indifferent men doe find there not a few and acknowledge it to b● a Service which God never commanded neither ever ca●e it into His Heart He that pleads so hard for the Liturgy as now it is for that must be remembred still the continuance and est●blishment of it in the Church even the same man t●ls us it is a S●RVICE ODIOVS TO HEAVEN Doth he so Truly I th●nke so but j●dge you No that you w●ll not you will say for you are not a judge let the learned give judgement in these matters and let my spirit be subj●ct thereunto I confesse this is a point of w●sdome and of modesty both But I take judgement here in a vulgar construction and so we may judge for the eare can try words as the Mouth can taste Meat * Iob 12. 11. I will then give you out his wor●s by tale for we find a pretty parcell of them together Thus he saith first GOD WILL HAVE NO WORSHIP OF OUR D. Hals Com. l. 2 p. 138. DEVISING Then God will not allow of all our Liturgy for sure there is something of mans devising therein as no man vvill deny that is not all fore-head and dares deny that Snow is white or fire will burne 2. WE MAY ONLY DOE WHAT HE BIDS US Then we must worship the Father in SPIRIT and in TRVTH for the FATHER SEEKETH such to worship HIM 3. NOT BID WHAT HE COMMANDS NOT. Ioh 4. 23. Then the Curate must not bid Saints dayes to be kept holy for God commands them not He commands His Day to be kept holy which the bold Priest hath count●rmanded and such dayes vvhich are to the Church now as dayes of PVRIM vvere to the Church of old Dayes turned unto them from sorrow to joy and from mourning into a good Day b Est 9. ●● So also dayes of Atonement Fasting Dayes called also Sabbath Dayes 2. The Bishop must not bid his Curate reade all the Liturgy for then he will reade Arch-Angels which he ought not to doe for God commands him not to reade a lye we never heard or read of that word plurall but in the Liturgie 4 NEVER DID ANY TRUE PIETY ARISE OUT OF THE CORRUPT PUDDLE OF MANS BRAINE We believe it and withall that all is not true Piety that is contained in the Liturgy for the worst part of it