as a perpetuall and standing refuge to the Church in all succeeding generations wherein shee shall be kept secure and unmoved God is in the middest of her shee shall not be moved Ver. 5. Ver. 5. Though the earth be removed and the mountaines be carried into the middest of the Sea For he is not onely a rock against which the gates of hell cannot prevaile but he is watchfull and alwayes ready at the Churches right hand in the time of danger Psal 110.5 * Juâ—ius Auxilium praesentissimum a very present help that never comes too late This the Church had late experience of how easily he could defeat her enemies when they rose up in greatest rage and fury ver 6. The heathen raged the kingdomes were moved he uttered his voice the earth melted and therefore shee makes this the maine of her dittie while shee triumphes over feares and dangers and enemies in the Text The Lord of Hosts is with us c. The words are a kind of Chorus or burden in this Song of praise once again repeated as being that strain wherein the Church now big with praises could best deliver her selfe in them note 2 generalls viz. 1. What it is wherein the Church so triumphantly rejoyceth in Gods presence and protection He is with us He is our refuge 2. Why Gods preseÌ„ce is matter of such joy triumph to the Church there bee two grounds thereof viz. 1. He is the generall Soveraigne having all creatures at command Lord of Hosts therefore he can help her 2. He is God in Covenant with the Church The God of Jacob therefore he will never faile her Words opened Lord of hosts Lord of Hosts or Lord of the Armies of creatures whether visible or invisible whether creatures in heaven or earth for so largely the word is taken Gen. 2. 1. The heavens and the earth were finished and all the host of them They are called Hosts in respect of their multitude order and obedience to their Maker * Creaturae scuÌ„ Deo conserantur sunt tanquaÌ„ milites nutum ducis expectantes Arist alicuâ—â— in Metaph as an Army in martiall order or battalia ready to fall on when or where the word of command from their Generall shall require And though some conceive that name may be given unto God upon a more speciall ground as having a more especiall hand in disposing Armies and ordering the events of warre yet the former and more generall interpretation of this style in relation to all the creatures as it is particularly set forth Psal 148.2 c. whereby is holden our Gods universall dominion and soveraignty over them all suites better with the Churches purpose in this place Is with us Is with us These words hold out Gods presence with the Church But what priviledge may that be since God is every where in heaven above in hell beneath and in the utmost parts of the earth and Sea Psal 139.8 Psal 139.8 9. 9. Am I a God neere at hand and not a God far off Jer. 23.23 24. Doe not I â—â—ll heaven and earth saith the Lord Jer. 23.23 24. Yea it is his nature and it cannot be otherwise * Anâ—â—â—â—â— Deus in se noâ— recipit locorum vel temporum distinclionem saith one what advantage then that God is with his Church seeing he is also with her enemies Two-sold presence of God For clearing this phrase wee must observe there is a two-sold presence of God first his generall and common presence whereby he is reâ—â— tâ—â—â— in all places and things without distinctioÌ„ or difference which is Gods omnipresence in which kind of presence to have God with her is no peculiar priviledge of the Church Secondly there is a speciall presence of God or his presence testified by some remarkable works or speciall demonstrations Effectivè whereby God may be so present in some places things as he is not in others in which kind to injoy the presence of God so it be in away of mercy is a speciall priviledge Three fold speciall presence Againe There be three sorts of Gods speciall presence all which may be justly accounted the Churches priviledge First His glorious presence or his presence testified by eminent glory and the residence thereof Thus God is said to be in heaven differentially so as he is not any where else and heaven is therefore called his throne or dwelling place 1 King 8.39 1 King 8.39 As a King is no where so majestically as upon his throne or in his Chaire of state and this is so great a priviledge of the Church as that she comes not to injoy joy it untill she be triumphant in heaven and therefore is not the presence here intended Secondly His gracious presence or his presence testified by tokens of his grace and favour toward a people whether visible as in the Temple where he chose to place his Name and wherein above all places he would be worshipped in which respect he is said to dwell between the Cherubims 2 Sam. 6.2 2 Sam. 6.2 or spirituall tokens of his grace as assistance and acceptance in the duties of his worship together with injoyment and benefit of his Ordinances Thus he is present with his Church and people in times of the Gospel Mat. 18.20 Where two or three are gathered together in my Name there am I in the middest of them Mat. 18.20 This kind of presence is a priviledge of the Church militant that he will be with her in holy and spirituall administrations and Ordinances yet this is not the presence principally intended here Thirdly His providentiall presence or his presence testified by acts of speciall providence wherein the power wisdome or any other of Gods attributes are eminently put forth either by way of assistance or defence for a people Thus the Lord was present with Israel in the Wildernesse by the pillar of fire and of a cloud Exod. 13.21 Exod. 13.21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud to lead them the way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light And as this presence was intended for a guide so was it also for a defence to his people against their enemies at which their enemies the Aegyptians were troubled Exod. 14.20 Exod. 14.20 By this kind of presence the Lord is with his Church militant in reference to her externall regiment more especially in her warfare standing up for her with her against her enemies and this is the Churches priviledge in these words The Lord of Hosts is with us The God of Jacob. The God of Jacob Jacob is in Scripture sometime the name of a person sometime the name of a people It is the proper name of Abrahams grand-child the fathe of the Patriarches and one of the feoffees in trust for the covenant of grace together with Abraham and Isaac And if any shall aske me why
then the God of Jacob more then the God of Isaac shough it might suffice that the Spirit of God is pleased so to speake yet Mr Calvin gives this reason 〈…〉 â—r 〈…〉 is â—â—râ—â—â—pâ—â—uâ—â—â—â—ed magâ—â—â—oâ—â—◠〈…〉 of â—der is um Aâ—â—â—â—â—◠〈…〉 Calvin in Isaiam the covenant of grace was more solemnly made publickly ratified with Abraham and Jacob then it was with Isaac and therefore when he will be looked upon as a God in covenant with his people he holds forth himselfe more frequently by the name of the God of Abraham and the God of Jacob then of the God of Isaac albeit somtime he is pleased to take upon him that style also As a common name it carries in the compasse of it all the people of God in those times that were the children of Abraham Isa 14.1 The Lord will have mercy on Jacob and will yet choose Israel â—â—a 14.1 and set them in their owne land And by representation it is to be taken for the Church and people of God in all ages with her he is in covenant So that this phrase the God of Jacob doth import the neere interest that is between God and his Church by covenant which makes her thus triumph in him the God of Jacob. Our refuge Our refuge or strong hold where the Church as a Ship in quiet haven may anchor ride safe or it may be a metaphor from the dennes or burroughes where weaponlesse creatures find shelter when they are hunted and pursued by their enemies Pro. 30.26 as Prov. 30.26 The conies are but a feeble folk yet make they their houses in the rockes They are safe in the rock if they can get thither tho never so weak in themselves So the Church though pursued by bloudy enemies and though weak in her self if yet she get under the wing of the God of Jacob she may be fearlesse for she is safe there he is our refuge The sense of all together is briefly thus That God who by a Soveraigne power hath every creature at his command is effectually with us by a speciall presence of his providence whereby he will not onely ayd us in time of opposition and desend us in time of danger but fight for us and destroy our enemies And this he will not faile to doe for ever because he is ingaged to us by an everlasting covenant of his own free grace In the sense and experience of this the Church cannot choose but break out again and again in this joyfull ditty The Lord of hosts is with us the God of Jacob c. The words thus opened with relation to ver 6. where the church had experience of God with her when her enemies rose up in rage against her offer this point In times of opposition God sides with his Church Doct. 1 and takes part with his people against their enemies With assurance of this truth the Lord incouraged Israel to go out against their enemies to battell Deut. 20.3 4. Deut. 20.3 4. He appointed the Priest when they came nigh unto the battell to say Heare O Israel you approach this day unto battell against your enemies let not your hearts faint feare not and doe not tremble neither be yee terrified because of them for the Lord your God is he that goeth with you to fight for you against your enemies to save you Which promise though it was made to Israel only in the time of their warres concerned the Church in succeeding ages being hereditary to Israel in the mystery as well as to Israel in the letter As may appear in that David long after in his experieÌ„ce found this promise verified in Gods rising up with him against the enemies of the Church in his time that opposed his kingdome government whereby he was so much incouraged Psal 118. â— 7 Psal 118.6 7. The Lord is on my side I will not â—eare what can man doe unto me the Lord taketh my part with them that help me therefore shall I see my desire on them that â—ate me 〈…〉 Muâ—â—uâ—â—â— in loâ—â—â—â— He was I say so much herewith incouraged Ut de eo considentèr gloriatur fuerat enim id saepenumero â—e ipsa expertuâ— saith one He glorieth in it against all his enemies were they never so many and his helpers never so few This advantage of having God to take his part raised up his spirit above all the odds that were between him and the uncircumcised Goliah and it is notable to observe what a description of God David sets before the eye of his faith when he was to enter the lists with that Philistim 1 Sam. 17.45 1 Sam. 17.45 Thou comest to me with a sword and with a speare and with a shield but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts the God of the armies of Israel whom thou hast defied he sets God forth in his soveraigntie over all creatures whereby he commands and rules over enemies and in his relation to the Church whereby he stands ingaged to assist and maintain those that stand up in her cause which David looks upon as more then all those weapons * Pro istis omnâ—bus unuÌ„ tantum teâ—um habâ—o sed mâ—ximi pondâ—â—is nâ—me Doâ—â—i Peter Martyr that Goliah brought into the field against him for God will not faile to use both the one and the other as the Church in her need shall require he will bridle her enemies by divisioÌ„ if there be no other way to restrain them and he will send from heaven to keep them play if there want humane help to manage her cause against them See Calvin on place Of both which we may see an experiment when Cambyses became a Persian scourge unto the Church the Lord sends first a single Angel then Michael the Prince to divert him and in after-ages he raised up the Prince of Graecia to oppose the Persian lest he should have oppressed the Church with his might Dan. 10.13.20 21. Gods fiding with his Church appears in three things Dan. 10.13.20 21. And as this is a truth in it selfe so the Lord is pleased to manifest it by the Churches experience in three things First In that God upholds his Church and people from ruine in the middest of destructive miseries as the bush that burned and was not consumed and against the cruelties of men which are skilfull to destroy in whom many times there wants not either malice or power This the Church acknowledged with all thankfulnesse Ps 124.1 2 3. Psal 124.1 2 3. in reference unto those manifold insurrections which the heathen made against the Church not onely in the time of David If it had not been the Lord who was on our side now may Israel say if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when men rose up against us they had swallowed us up quick when their wrath was kindled against us Such were our enemies and such our
her Now wee are to look upon the words in reference to the scope and purpose of them namely to hold forth the ground of the Churches triumph in Gods being with her not onely that he will be with her alwayes but because his being with her secures from others being against her so as to do her hurt or prevaile against her so that as she triumpheth she shall triumph and that this is the ground may appeare from ver 5. God is in the middest of her Ver. 5. she shall not be moved The Churches confidence is built upon a stronger mountain then Davids was note Gods presence with his Church secures her in time of danger and makes her for ever invincible Doct. The opposition that Kings and Rulers of the earth can make against the Church though they be the greatest of men and combine themselves is but matter of derision unto God Psal 2.4 Psal 2.4 No more likely to prevaile against her then an earthen vessell against an iron mace which easily breaks it into pieces ver 9. God will make Jerusalem a burdensom stone for all people Ver. 9. all that burden themselvs with it shall be cut in pieces though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it Zach. 12.3 Isa 8.9 10. Zach. 12.3 As appeared when the King of Assyria in all his glory came against her 8.9 10. Isa 8.9 10. All her enemies though they associate and gird themselves they shall be broken in pieces saith the Prophet their counsell shall come to nought their word shall not stand and all because God is with us And indeed the Lord is at hand even at the Churches right hand to strike through Kings for her sake in the day of his wrath Psal 110.5 Psal 110.5 In a word Gods presence with his Church is the summe of all that God hath promised her for temporall salvation whereby to incourage her in times of greatest danger and difficultie It is enough that God is with her though she walk in the valley of the shadow of death as David said Psal 23.4 It is a Supersedeas to the crueltie of fire water those mercilesse Elements Isa 43.1 2 3. Feare not Isa 43.1 2 3. O Jacob O Israel saith God when thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee for I am the Lord thy God the holy One of Israel thy Saviour Vartis excreemur aerunmis sed tandem cripimur stuviis umpetimur sed non obruimur flammis urimur sed non consummur Calvin By water fire are meant all kind of miseries and temptations which the Church can be obnoxious to on earth though she be brought into varietie of calamities sometime into the water sometime into the fire yet she shall also be brought through them into a better condition through fire and through water into a wealthy place Psal 66.12 Gods presence shall both beare her up in troubles and give her rest from troubles at length as Exod. 33.14 it did to Israel and so make her to triumph for ever All this Gods presence can doe for the Church Reason 1 First Because this interest of presence brings with it an interest and ingagement of all other attributes of God who is mightie to save for the salvation of the Church So that if it be in his wisdome or goodnesse or power or faithfulnesse or soveraignty if it be in any or all to save her she shall not miscarry for besides that expression Isa 45.11 Concerning my sons Isa 45.11 and the work of my hands command ye me whereby is intimated that the prayers of his people shall have the power and the effect of a command with him so that they should prevaile with him as I may say ad ultimum potentiae in the Churches behalf though some understand the place otherwise we find God opening himself to King Asa suitable to our purpose by Hanani the Seer when the King relied not on God as before time after the Prophet had galled him with a repetition of former experiences which might witnesse Gods power and faithfulnesse unto him in past deliverances he sets down this character of God that he doth not only take notice of his own people but will shew himselfe strong in their behalfe 〈◊〉 16.9 as 2 Chron. 16.9 The eyes of the Lord run to fro throughout the whole earth to shew himself strong in behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him God will make himself strong so the word imports by collecting stirring up all the strength that is in him to put it forth in the help of his people after the manner of men for so we must understand it who have undertaken any thing upon strong ingagements and will doe all that lyes in them to bring it about It was a confident speech of Luther No man shall hurt us Nemo no◠laedet nisi qui Deum vincit but he that can first overcome God And it was upon this ground that God is so much ingaged to the defence of his Church and people that he must and will set all his wisdome and all his power on work and do all he can as we say for their defence if the Church be over-witted by politique subtile enemies Gods wisdome shall be too hard for them the foolishnesse of God is wiser then men if she be over-matched in power behold here is such a reserve for the Church as cannot faile even the power of God whose weaknesse is stronger then men what a treasure of invincibilitie would here be discovered should we go thus on with the rest of Gods attributes which yet are all equally ingaged for the good of the Church No marvaile then if all be considered that wee say the Church is built upon such a rock as against which the gates of hell shall not prevaile since God himselfe will be her rock and refuge by being with her The heathen were wont when they came against any city to besiege take it to charm out the city-gods before they would assault or storm it as cōceiving it not possible while their gods remained in the Citie against them if they had so high an opinion of their Idols that were the work of mens hands how much more should we account of Gods presence in the Church that made heaven and earth how impossible must it be to take the Church by assault of enemies or any other way while God remaines in the middest of her 2. Gods presence with his Church diffuseth it self into all those instruments or means that are imployed for the Churches help Reason 2 so that they shall prevaile and prosper because God is present with them So it was with Joshua when he was imployed as Generall of Israels Forces the Lord promised to be
desired no more encouragement to undertake the Churches cause then that hee might bee assured the Lord would be with him therein What great exploration he makes Judg. 6. Judg. 6. He questions vers 12 13. then he requires the signe of consuming his present in the nature of a Sacrifice vers 17. Then another signe by the dew upon the fleece and the ground dry And again by the dew on the ground and the fleece dry vers 36. And all this that he might but be sure the Lord would be with him in the Churches warres against the Midianites and that hee might but write this Motto upon his Ensigne The Sword of the Lord and of Gideon * Malus miles qui gemens Imperatorem sequitur What faint heart would not gather spirit to follow such a Leader cheerfully and that in such a cause as is unconquerable Luther did hearten himselfe and his followers in the work of Reformation even the same reformation that is now a doing that Christ was with them * Si nos ruemus ruet Christus und scilâ—cet regnator ille mundi Luther and that if the did sinke therein Christ also the governour of the world must sink with them It was wont to be the word of encouragement from God to his servants of old in any great undertaking Goe and I will be with you Let it be the encouragement of men at this day to shew themselves and to be really active in the great affaires of the Church and Kingdome 2. To support the hearts of Gods people that they may hold out in these discouraging times wherein apsition is great distractions are many and deliverances long a comming Gods presence with the Church is a sufficient pawne of a good issue at length to make faith patience hold out Deliverance shal come saith Mordecai though the Queen upon whom depends much of the Churches hope should be unfaithfull to the cause Est 4.14 Icrem 8.15 Est 4.14 The case of England at this day is much like the calamitous coÌ„dition of the Jews Jer. 8.15 We looked for peace but no good came and for a time of health and behold trouble We have passed through and beyond so many horizons of hope expecting the period of our trouble to have lien in their severall compasses as that such a battell will bring things toward an issue such a man and such an army will give a good stroke to the businesse by such and such a time wee shall see what will become of things this yeere and that Summer Verse 20. we hope will put an end to all and still have been deceived of our hopes as ver 20. The Harvest is past and the Summer is ended and yet wee are not saved so that now when wee would comfort our selves against sorrow Verse 18. ver 18. our hearts are faint in us Against these faintings of our hopes apply this truth now set before you Gods presence with the Church makes her for ever invincible and then with faithfull Abraham we may against hope believe in hope Rom. 4.18 though the vision be yet for an appointed time we may believe the Prophets word and therefore may follow the Prophets counsell Hab. 2.3 Hab. 2.3 At the end it shall speak and not lie though it tarry wait for it because it will surely come it will not tarry 3. To be a preservative against carnall fears which may sometimes surprize the hearts of people well affected to the cause and Church of God when the Church is brought low even under the power of an insulting enemy that would be as mercilesse as fire against water the Lord applies this his presence with the Church the assurance thereof as a present remedy in such a case Isa 43.1 2. Feare not Isa 43.1 2. for I will be with thee both in fire and water When the Prophet David considered his interest in God he is carried above all feares and expostulates as if it were unreasonable for a man to feare any man Psal 27.1 or any thing in opposition to God Psal 27.1 The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I feare The Lord is the strength of my life of whom shall I be afraid It were to undervalue God if wee should feare the creatures when he is with us Antigonus when he over-heard his souldiers reckoning how many their enemies were hee steps in unto them suddenly demanding And how many do you reckon mee for so God may at once both shame and incourage our fearfull hearts when they are too much apaled at the multitude or strength of enemies if he should put us to the question how many we reckon the Lord for and whether he be not an over-match for all the enemies that the world can possibly muster against the Church Let us therefore improve Gods presence with his Church to stave off all carnall feares as Caleb and Joshua did incourage the Israelites who had been discouraged from looking after the land of Canaan by the former Spies that had told them the Inhabitants were sons of Anak and the cities in Canaan were walled up to heaven whereby the hearts of Israel were strongly possessed with carnall feare Caleb and Joshua strove by this truth to raise up their hearts Numb 14.9 saying Numb 14.9 Only rebell not yee against the Lord neither feare yee the people of the land for they are bread for us their defence is departed from them and the Lord is with us feare them not 4. To highten our praises his mercie endureth for ever as Gods presence is a Shield and Buckler to the Church against present danger whereby our liberties lives and religion which have been and still are at stake are preserved and the Kingdome not given up to desolation so is it a pledge of perpetuall safety the Church shal not need to fear that ever her enemies shall overcome and lay her waste it makes her for ever invincible the Prophet gives this as a reason why God is so greatly to be praised in the mountain of his holinesse Psal 48.1 because God will establish it for ever Psal 48 1. vers 48. It makes every publick mercie which the Church receives an everlasting mercy our deliverances everlasting deliverances our victories everlasting victories for though the Church may hereafter in her militant coÌ„dition suffer under the hands of cruel men for a time it shall be but for a time for she is like the wise mans house in the Gospell builded upon the Rock Mat. 7.24 25. even that Rock against which the gates of hell shall not prevaile the stormes may beat upon her but they cannot beat her downe she shall out-live all trouble through Gods presence with her and that shall give her rest as God promised Moses So our Psalmist concludes Vers 5 vers 5. God is in the midst of her shee shall not be moved God shall help her and that right early Praise yee the Lord. FINIS
us also rejoyce in your willingnesse among the people that are the Princes of our Tribes and the Governours of Israel that we may say Praise yee the Lord when we see you right Honorable doing what in you lies to keep God with us and that he may continue to take our part Three things to be doâ—â— by Maâ—istâ—ates to keep God 〈◊〉 ouâ— side to foward you therein amongst all your other pious endeavours let me exhort you to be carefull in a speciall manner of these three things viz. First Be zealous for God especially in those things that more immediately concerne him namely matters of Worship and Religion which God hath ranked in the first Table the highest forme of commandements and which our Saviour calls the first and great Commandement Mat. 22.38 These lie so neere his heart as I may say that if you be faithfull to him and tender of his honor in these you shall strongly ingage him for this cause and kingdom David upon a tender consideration laying to heart how meanly the Arke was provided for while he himselfe dwelt in a house of Cedar had but a purpose of building God an house and behold what a good influence this had upon his Kingdome the Lord ingageth himselfe thereupon for Israel 2 Sam. 7.2.10 2 Sam. 7.2.10 I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more neither shall the children of wickednesse afflict them any more as before time a David-like piety in you might have a like influence upon England at this day You have lately a By an humble Addresse from the Assembly heard what horrible blasphemies have been belched out against heaven and the glorious Name of our great God in some corner-Sermons You know what intrusions are made into the Ministery and what confusion is threatened by divisions and diversities of opinions lay these things to heart settle worship settle government speedily now that you are b Directory for Worship carried up to the House of Peeres called upon Secondly See that the Covenant be both taken and performed 'T is no lesse an honour to you that you are custodes foederis then that you are custodes utriusque tabulae It is the Covenant of the most high God who will be much provoked sure by the neglect of it since we find him angry with Zedekiah for breaking a private covenant between him and the King of Babylon Ezek. 17.16.18 So that the Lord will let him die in Babylon Ezek. 17.16.18 seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant when loe he had given his hand And he is well pleased with paying our vowes in way of thankfulnesse as may appear in Davids care therein Psal 116.14 You have holden forth a pious example in entring into our solemne League and Covenant for reformation like the much honoured Prince Josiah and that with the same sinceritie I hope with all your heart and with all your soule to perform the words of the Covenant 2 Chron. 34.31 32. O accompany that noble King one step farther in causing all in Jerusalem and Benjamin to make it and to stand to it when they have made it 2 Chron. 34.31 32. It is not more matter of joy to the Churches c See the Letter from the Churches of Wallacria to the Assembly lately printed abroad that you have brought forth such a covenant for the three Kingdoms to be united in then it may be matter of grief shame to us at home that it is so much neglected as it is many refuse to take it many that have taken it make no conscience at all of keeping it Thirdly Execute Judgement if the Lord see the want of judgement among us it will displease him Isa 59.15 By this Phinehas turned away wrath from Israel Isa 59.15 and who can tell what you may do for England if you be not wanting in this The Lord would have pardoned Jerusalem if he could have found but one man therein that had executed judgement Jer. 5.1 Jer. 5.1 As he took away the famine which he had brought for Saul and for his bloudy house when David wisely condescended to the Gibeonites and gave up seven men unto the hand of Justice for their cause 2 Sam. 21.14 2 Sam. 21.14 God was intreated for the Land as if the bloud of those delinquents had been a sacrifice to atone the Lord The executing of judgement is the Lords work and they shall be cursed that do it negligently Jer. 48.10 Jer. 48.10 And cursed shall they be that keep back their sword from bloud in this cause You know the Story of Gods Message by the Prophet unto Ahab for letting Benhadad goe upon composition 2 King 20.42 2 King 20.42 Because thou hast let goe out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction therefore thy life shall goe for his life and thy people for his people In all this I am a messenger of peace I plead not for the shedding of any mans bloud but as a Physician sometimes prescribes bloud-letting to prevent bleeding I plead for Justice upon those few that would destroy to prevent judgement upon all the kingdome Revive therefore noble Patriots those good Lawes which we have received from our fathers and honorably put them in execution upon those that would subvert them and so deprive us of our birth-right The Philosopher was wont to say that City was safe where the Citizens obeyed their Magistrates and the Magistrates obeyed their Lawes The Subjects of this Kingdome as they are zealous so they will be incouraged continue the more to obey you if they see you zealous to maintain their Laws in force which is the next priviledge of the Subject unto the freedome of their consciences and which would be a way to render this miserably wasted Kingdom happy Remember for what end the Lord put the sword of justice into your hands even to execute wrath upon them that doe evill and for the good of them that doe well Rom. 12.3 Rom. 12.3 4. 4. And hearken to the counsells of our righteous God who judgeth among you the gods of the earth The Aethiopian Judges were wont alwayes to leave the highest place upon their bench empty as a room for God we know Honored Lords you reserve a place emptie for the highest on earth and it is the griefe of honest English hearts this day that it is empty among you so we hope you reserve a place for the most high God in your counsels and that it is not emptie but he is among you to preside and govern all your consultations in the execution of justice for which wee shall ever pray Hitherto of the point observed from the words in their coherence and relation to the sixt verse 2. Point where the Lord shewed himself with the Church when her enemies rose up in rage to have consumed