Sermon Upon Psalm 18

JOHN RAINOLDES, to the reader: grace & peace in Christ.

THe reasons that moved me (good Christian reader) to preach this short Sermon upon shorter warning than gladly I would, have prevailed with me to set it down in writing also at more leisure, & to publish it. For both the godly subjects may be stirred up thereby to greater thankfulness for the manifold blessings that God by her Majesty's means, and in her safety, hath bestowed upon us: and the discontented may be put in mind to content thenselves with the waters of Shiloah, albeit running softly, least the great and mighty waters of the River go over all their banks, break into Judah, and ouerflowe it. The former whereof I know that I cannot be deceived in: because rain and snow do not fall in vain upon fruitful ground. In the latter, I hope, I shall not altogether. Unless with Religion both wit & reason have forsaken them: that they care as little for honesty, as for piety; for profit, as for honesty. Eor what can they look for at the hands of foreiners, though knit in never so strait confederacy with them, & joined in profession of the same faith, or perfidiousnes rather, of the falsely named Catholic religion, more then the Jews had of the Assyrians? by whom for all their altar erected to the pattern of the Assyrian at Damascus, they were often grievously vexed and pilled. When the citizens of Papia in Italy were at dissension by reason of the faction between the Guelphes and the Gibellines: the Gibellines procured a fauorer of theirs, called Facinus Canis, to come and assist them with a power of men, upon agreement & covenant that he should have the goods of the guelphes for his pay, But he, being come once into the city with his men of war, spared neither of them: his soldiers would be served. Whereof when the Gibellines did complain unto him, saying that their goods too were spoiled against agreement: he answered, that themselves were Gibellines, and should be safe: but their goods mere Guelphes, and must pay for it. The Gibellines of Papia could not foresee this: our Catholics by them may. Let them leave their brainsicke desires and devilish purposes of bringing a Facinus Canis into their country: least by experience they feel (which God forbid) that though themselves be Catholics, their goods may be Heretics; perhaps some Heretic-blood in their bodies also, by cōtagion of ours. The lord take away this stony heart from them, and give them an heart of flesh, a new spirit: that we may all jointly praise him for the deliverance of our gracious Queen, and pray for the continuance of her blessed government, to the honor of his name, the furtherance of his gospel, the welfare of his Church, the peace and prosperity of our English Judah, the grief and disappointment of Popish Assyrians, and the confusion of Antichrist. At Corpus Christi College in Oxford, Octob. 24. 1586.

IT IS WRITEN IN THE BOOKE OF Psalms, the eighteenth Psalm, the fortiseuenth verse, & the rest that follow.

IT hath been a godly custom of the faithful, although not observed so customably always as by the Rules of faith it ought, that when they received any special benefit, either in attaining to things commodious for them, or in avoiding of discōmodities: they lifted up their voices to the autor of it, the Father of mercies, the god of all comfort, and did honor him with giving special thanks for it. Melchizedek, king of Salem, a man of power & credit in the land of Canaan, had not so great cause to care for the state of Abram and Lot, two strangers in the land. Yet when Abram had rescued Lot being taken, & had spoiled the spoilers: Melchizedek brake forth into his praise who gave the victory, Blessed be the high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. The state of the Israelites touched Moses nearer: how much the less is it to be marveled at if he thought it his duty to magnify the Lord for guiding them out of Egypt through the red Sea, and drowning Pharaoh with his host. Though that the children of Israel themselves, an vnchankful, murmuring, and stiffnecked nation, should join therein with Moses, all, both men and women: it is a president worthy to be noted to the shame of Christians, if in greater measure of the grace of God we show less gratitude for his graces. The feasting and joy that the Jews kept for their own deliverance out of the snares of Haman, and for his destruction with the partakers of his conspiracy, might seem to be only a profane rejoicing as worldly minded men commonly do use at their good successes. But, that it was holy & seasoned with a sacrifice, such a sacrifice as lawfully they might offer there where then they were dispersed, the circumstance of sending partes unto the poor, w ^t precepts & examples of days in like sort kept holy to the Lord doth argue. We are assembled at this present, fathers and brethren beloved in the Lord, to give him most humble and most hearty thanks for his great & singular goodness shown unto us in discovering the traitorous intent of graceless wretches, who vilanously conspired to take away the life of our gracious Queen (whom God long preserve,) and to kindle flames of uproars through the realm, to the utter wasting of her faithful subjects. O that we had the harts to praise him for it with the like religious affection of spirit in zeal and sincerity, as Melchizedek did for Lot recovered by Abram, as Moses & the Israelites for the Egyptian yoke broken, as the Jews for their safety and the destruction of their enemies. Sure we have greater causes so to do, then any of them had. For Lot was but one, and that a mean man: nor much endangered more then of loss of liberty. Here a most excellent Princesse was in hazard, not of liberty, but of life: with God knoweth how many righteous Lots besides. And the bodily coiles which the Israelites endured in Egypt under the task-masters that Pharaoh placed over them, were nothing in comparison of the spiritual bondage of the Antichristian tyrants, to whom, might these Egyptian imps have had their willes, we should (it is likely) have been most lamentably enthralled. Neither hath the Lord so mercifully delivered us out of the Lions mouth at this time only, but at sundry other heretofore often: that the Jews could not be so much beholding to him for that of Hamā, who did not live to put them more then once in danger. Wherefore that we may accept the more thankfully and dutifully esteem of his inestimable goodness, in saving our gracious Queen and us her subjects from so great, so many so imminent mischiefs: I have thought good to take for the ground of mine advertisement and exhortation these words, which you have heard, written by the godly Prince and Prophet David in the eighteenth Psalm, a song of thanks giving, which he made whē the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies and out of the hand of Saul. For so is it noted in the title thereof, and manifested farther by the course of the story in the second of Samuel, where the same is wholly registered again well-nigh word for word, as a most worthy and memorable monument to be thought upon eft soones of all posterity, that on like favor received of the lord they might show themselves alike grateful to him. In these words therefore comprehending briefly the purport and drift of the whole Psalm by way of conclusion, two things are recommended to our considerations: one is the benefit of God in delivering David from his enemies; the other, the thankfulness of David unto God for that deliverance. The benefit of God in delivering David is signified by that he saith, The Lord liveth. For he meaueth not that the Lord liveth in respect of his being, his everlasting essence, in which sense notwithstanding he is said to live, and to live only: but in respect of his works, his effects to David ward, in whose preservation he showeth that he liveth, and saveth his, and ruleth all things by his eternal providence. Which meaning David openeth in that he adjoineth, and my blessed strength: calling god his strength, his fortress, his rock, his blessed strength and foretresse, because his life, his safety, his well-fare is maintained by the might and mercy of the living God. As in the beginning he testified also: The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my strength in whom I will trust, my shield, & the horn of my salvation, my refuge. And this is the benifite of God unto David. The thankfulness of David unto God followeth: Therefore let the God of my salvation be exalted. Wherein, by the way, the cause of his thankfulness, to weet, the benefit, is repeated. For though in our tongue the name of salvation is by common use referred to the blisseful state of life eternal in the Kingdom of heaven, whereto the scripturephrase doth likewise oft refer it: yet is it applied in the Prophets language here to bodily safety and temporal preservation of this present life. As salvations also are afterward mentioned, or as our English translation interpreteth it) deliucrances: and before, he set down the general proposition with the same word, I cal upon the lord who is worthy to be praised, & I am safe from mine enemies. unto this author then of his safety he rendereth praise and honor: and that in such sort as may stir up others thereunto withal, that God by the thanks-giving of more may be more glorified, let him be exalted. To the performance of the which duty that he may give a sharper edge and hotter zeal to himself and others: he amplifieth and openeth more particularly both the cause of the duty, and the duty it self, in the verses following. Touching the cause of the duty, he saith, The mighty God, that giveth me reuengementes, and bringeth people under me, that delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou hast exalted me above them that rose up against me, thou hast delivered me from the cruel man. A summary but pithy rehearsal of the specialties of the favor done him by God against Saul, against Saul's son Ish • bosheth, against the Philistines, the Moabites, the Syrians, the Ammonites, the Amalekites, and the Idumaeans, against Absalom, against Sheba, with their rebellious complices of Israel and Judah too. Of whem a great many were punished in justice: the Lord avenging him, of some, by other men's hands; of some by his own, as being armed thereunto with the sword of vengeance. The rest though their lives wer spared in mercy yet were they brought in awe and subjection under him. So himself, his enemies either not remaining or not remaining enemies, at the least not daring to practice their enmity was delivered from them. Yea, (which he uttereth more emphatically by turning of his speech to god) God did exalt him & advance him higher then any of his adversaries that rose up against him, & delivered him from Saul, who of long time pursued him most fiersly and put him oft in present danger of his life, from the cruel, violent, the most violent man. Touching his duty whereupon, he addeth, Therefore will I confess thee, ô Lord, among the Gentiles; and I will sing unto thy name: he giveth great deliverances to his king, and showeth mercy to his anointed, to David and to his seed forever. To confess the Lord, is to acknowledge him to be the author & giver of whatsoever good we have: to sing unto his name, is with joyful melody of voice to acknowledge it. Both these things doth David vow that he will do: and therein will testify, even before the Gentiles, that the Lord, who made him king, and anointed him, doth give him great deliverances, and showeth him mercy, nor only him, but his too, his seed, his posterity and progeny forever. The very literal sense of the which words doth import an excellent thankfulness in David, that would yield such tokens thereof among the Gentiles, the heathens whō he had subdued: a more excellent goodness and graciousnes in God, who raised him to royal state, and mightily preserved him in it, and rid him out of many dangers, and shown mercy still to him, yea to his offspring also that should reign after him. But all this is base in respect of that which the holy ghost in a spiritual meaning doth hereby signify and botoken. For David was anointed king of the Jews, made conqueror of Gentiles, cast into perils, troubles, pains of death, and by special grace again delivered from them, to the intent he might be a figure (as we term it) an image and picture, an historical picture, and a living image, that should resemble and represent the person of another David, his son our Savior Christ. Which mistery himself knowing as a Prophet, did write (by inspiration from God) sundry things, whereof the full and perfect accomplishment appeareth in Christ and his kingdom, as, the scriptures teach us: though a thin and slender performance of the same was before expressed and drawn out, as it were, by lineaments and shadows of a type and figure in David & his state. So the great deliuerāces and salvations temporal, given and assured to David, and to his seed forever after a sort, that is for long continuance of many years succession, did prefigure greater spiritual deliverances, and salvations simply and absolutely eternal, which should be likewise given to Christ and to his seed, that is, to the faithful, the children of God whom Christ doth beget in his Church by the immortal seed of his word. To Christ and to his seed is given the treading down of the serpent, the overthrow and victory of Satan and his Angels. To Christ and to his seed is death quelled, the grave vanquished, the power of hell daunted, and all their enemies put to flight. To. Christ and to his seed is a gard of Angels appointed for their safety, an entrance into Heaven opened, and the joys of life, of everlasting solace, of endless rest, assured. Which most excellent mercies, deliverances, salvations, as the Prophets commonly in the ende of their prophecies do commend to men by figurative speeches of Israel, of Judah, of Zion, of Jerusalem, & blessings incident theretoo: so in this conclusion of his song of thanks doth David ascend to them by the other, to show himself grateful unto God for them. A proof whereof we have in the last words that he concludeth with. For therein he seemeth to respect the promise, that the Lord would set up his seed after him, and stablish the throne of his kingdom forever. Which the Angel Gabriel, sent to the Virgin Marie, expoundeth of Christ, telling her that God shall give unto him the throne of his Father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom shall be no end. And a farther proof in the former clause touching his confessing of God among the Gentiles: considering that S. Paul declareth the goodness of Christ in receiving the Gentiles to his glory to be meant thereby. As if the holy Prophet had said that he would use a new and unaccustomed thankfulness to God for his passing singular and unspeakable benefits: neither would confess him among the Jews only, as then the faithful did according to their order of praying in the Temple; but among the Gentiles also in time to come, when they being called to the church of Christ should be made acquainted with his Psalms and Hymns, and learn to praise the Lord with him. So that I may say the same of these words, that on like occasion our Savior did of other, This day is the scripture fulfilled in your ears. Howbeit not only these words of this scripture are fulfilled this day: but the other too, that lay forth the favor of God unto his children in saving his anointed. For what more commodity did the Jews receive by King David's means, then we by our sovereign Lady Queen Elisabeths? What enemies, what dangers, what deaths did he escape: from the like whereof the Lord hath not as often, as wonderfully, preserved her Majesty? The ark of the covenant, wherein the testimony was laid, whereon the mercy-seat was placed, from which the voice of God was heard, at which his name was called upon, whereto they had not sought in the days of Saul, King David brought into his city: and caused the Levites ioyfullie to play on instruments of music, and lift up their voices at the bringing of it. Queen Elisabeth hath brought us the body and truth of that whereof his ceremonies were but shadows only, the free use and Christian doctrine of the Gospel, the word of God, the holy Scriptures, the prayers and public service of the highest, all in a language known to all: and hath moved her Subiectes to receive these means of their instruction and saluatiō with Psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with a grace in their harts unto the Lord. David to those heavenly treasures added earthly, & enriched his kingdom with silver and goulde. The purity of coin restored by her Majesty for base and copper moonies wherewith she found the realm pestered, doth say no less for her: beside place of silver and gold with other ornaments in so great plenty, as if God would verify according to the letter that which he promised his Church in a mystery, For brass will I bring gold, and for iron will I bring silver. Much did it make for the safety of Jury, that David put garrisons in Syria and Idumaea, countries that bordered upon the North and South thereof. Much. But more for England, that Elisabeth (to pass over the fortifieng of borders) hath furnished it with all sort of armor, and munition, never more or better: and thereto with a royal nauie of vessels, so stately, so strong, so well appointed for wars, that our lande is fenced w ^t walls, not only of wood as Gręcia was against Xerxes, but of brass & iron too against foreign enemies. The people of Israel confessed of them-selves that they were delivered out of the hand of the Philistines, and other enemies by that King. The wars which our Queen hath had for our safeguard in Scotland and France, even aliens have seen and shown to the world that they were achieved with marvelous honor and advantage to her self & her realm. As this (by God's grace) which she hath presently upon the like ground in the low countries, shall be in due time also. Again, how sweet a peace have we so long enjoyed under her at home, as under a Solomon in that consideration rather then a David? The fruits whereof, if nothing from abroad had sprong to our wealth and well-fare (which hath notwithstanding in no small abundance) might countervail the profits that did grow to Jury by David's wars and victories, Yea, our dearth and sickness the chastisementes and afflictions that now we do taste, or did heretofore, (as needs we must some, and expedient we should) have been but gentle threats to her Majesty's subjects, in respect of his: the famine, that lasted three years together; the plauge that consumed seventy thousand men. And though by occasion of difficulties and wants, what of men, what of maintenance, her highness hath not yet been able to provide that wise & faithful workmen for the perfect edifieng of the house of God with doctrine and discipline should be set in every Church through her dominion; as neither was David by reason of his wars to build up the Temple: yet as he prepared things necessary for it, that it might be the better doon whē time should serve, so hath she by fostering Colleges and Schools, the nurseries of the ministry. Her princely care whereof hath appeared specially of late unto us in a branch of our Olive that was almost withered, the state of Queens College. Which she hath refreshed, confirmed, advanced, with benefits and immunities so bountifully and noblely: that we and our posterity have as just cause to think of Queen Elisabeth in the name thereof, as of Queen Philippa. Our whole Oliuetree did generally feel it before in the famous and worthy Act of Parliament for the maintenance of Colleges & the relief of Scholers in both the Universities, & also Winchester & Eaton. An Act that I have hard men of judgment say & I am persuaded that they said truly, (God grant the care of Heades and industry of Students do bring it to effect,) may prove as beneficial for the increase of learning, as might the erecting at least of two Colleges. The commodities then, which we have received by her blessed government are as great & many, as those which the Jews did receive by David's. That we cā not choose but acknowledge gods favor to have been as singularly extended unto us in preserving her, as it was to thē in preserving him. For although her Majesty hath not been assaulted by so many foreine enimes as David: yet by more domestical. Wherein her deliverances are to be esteemed so much the more precious, by howe much it is easier to beware of open foes, then of secret; of vipers that are farther off, then in our bosoms; of Abner's, though valiant, who profess hostility then of treacherous Joab's, who pretend amity. First (in Queen Mary's time) the house of Saul, I mean the brood of them who prefer will woorships before obedience to God, fearing, as Saul did, that their seeds succession should not be established as long as David lived, desired & devised to bring that to pass which one of them sithence made mone it was not done, the boughs were cut off, the root was not hewed up. But the axe, which he wished to the pleasant root, fell on the root of bitterness his own hearie scalp: the devises of the wicked were disappointed by the Lord, and their desires frustrated. Afterward the usurper, the Ish-bosheth of Rome, indeed an Ish-bosheth, when she was anointed and settled in her throne, sought to dispossess her by his accursed curse and Antichristian sentence declared and published in his Bul. Moorton sent from him, to stir up wicked spirits to the executing of it. The Earls of Northumberland & Westmorland in arms, with thousands of rebels. When they were fled and scattered: their outrage renewed by Dacres and his legion. The Bull it self proclaimed, as it were, by Felton, to gather mo conspirators to it. Al in vain still. For the hand of the Lord was over his handmaid, & made his word good, that the undeserved curse came not upon her: it came to them who loved it and they were clothed with it as with a garment. Yet behold another rebellion intended by certain Norfolk gentlemē, chiefly John Throckmorton. But crushed in the shel, before it was hatched. And look what success had the gentlemen of Norfolk, the same had the Duke. Whose purpose to deprive her Highnes of the crown and set it on his own head by mariag of the Scottish Queen: howe he was encouraged thereto by the Pope, how much money offered by him: in the mean time, & at a time appointed how many thousand soldiers, with as many thousand moe by the king of Spain: where they should have landed, and thence (being joined with the Dukes forces) have gone to surprise the Tower of London: on of their own sect a man of reputation, Emilio Maria Manolesso doth write in his Italian story: lamēting the case, that so brave a come-plot had so unhappy an ende. Now what should I say of the traitors in Ireland? of Stukeley the rakehell, the Popes Irish Marques, sent thither to subdue it slain in Barbarie by the way; of Samders the priest, the firebrand of sedition, dead there agreeably to his life; of the arcth-rebels, the Earl of Desinond, and his brother, served both like Sheba; of the whole rabble of their mates and soldiers, Italian, Spanish, Irish, feeling by the vengeance of deserved miseries the folly and fury of their lewd attempts. What of the brainesicke youth, Summerfield? Whose interprise in substance like unto Ahithophel's, did purchase Ahithophel's event and end unto him. What of Parry, the proud miscreant? who having opportunity to work his devilish vow, and being resolute to do it, the Pope incensing him with allowance of the fact and plenary pardon of his sins, the Cardinal of Como with commendation and request, the Papists some with counsel, some with prayer for him, some with remembrance at the altar, and Allens traitorous libel making it clear in his conscience that it was lawful and meritorious, every word therein a warrant to a mind prepared: there was but a step between her and death, had not God bewrayed him by his Jonathan, and by the hand of justice given him that meed which his vow did merry. An intent as mischteuous and more potent means had the next conspiracy, which dealt in before by Francis Throckmorton, was after prosecuted by others. The Popes aide (as always) ready, to gain kingdoms; the Spanish Kings assistance; the Scottish Queens favorers; the Duke of Guise with forces to invade the realm; the plots of coasts and hauens for his fit arriuall; the names of recusants with hope of their furtherance; the heathens raging, and the people murmuring, kings banding themselves, and princes taking counsel against the Lord & his anointed. Yet even in that also, were their powers and policies never so out-reaching, there shown himself above them a mightier and wiser: who sitteth in the heavens, & laugheth them to scorn, discovering and dispersing the smoky puffs of their endeavours. Which of his accustomed goodness and bounty he hath done in this too, the last, & I beseech God it be the last, that now he hath disclosed. In the discomfiting whereof, and of the former, his out-stretched arm hath appeared the more glorious: because the underminers of her Majesty's state have cloaked their attempts with pretense of Religion, and salvation of souls, most suttle means & forcible to inueigle men: and, to steal away her subjects hearts from hir, have reconciled them to hir dead lie enemy as to their sovereign Pastor: & made them sure unto him by badges and pledges of hallowed grains, of medals, of beads, of Agnus-deis, of crusifixes, of pictures, with Fili, da mihi cor tuum, & sufficit, Son, give me thy heart, and it sufficeth, & other such spiritual sorceries. A practice more dangerous thē any of David's adversaries did use, yea then Absalom himself the cunningst of them all: who had no High Priests that would take upon them to depose David; nor meritoriousnes to fee devils incarnate with to murder him; nor authorities for Harding, & others, to assoil thē that would revolt from him; nor faculties for Persons and Campian, to instruct them to obey, or rebel, as things should fall out, nor Jesuits, and Seminary-Priests, (like the Donatists ) to spread seditious doctrine, and bear the world in hand that when they were punished for it, they wer Martyrs. Wherefore all the words of the text, that I treat of, which do lay before us the most provident care and fatherly love of God in saving and delivering our most excellent Princesse out of the hand of her enemies, of Papists, of Atheists, of Malcōtents, base and noble; secret and open; external and domestical; are fulfilled and verified in our ears this day. It remaineth that the rest which concern our duty to God for this benefit, be likewise fulfilled and verified in our ears, or in our hearts rather, nay both in hearts and bodies also. The foremost degree and step whereunto is to acknowledge that the Lord, our blessed strength, our mighty God, is the author of it: it is he that liveth, that saveth his anointed, that giveth her reuengements, that bringeth people under her, that delivereth her from her enemies, from the cruel man, that exalteth her above them who rise up against hir, that giveth great deliverances, and showeth mercy to her, yea to all his servants, the children of God, the seed of Christ, forever. And this have our sovereign provoked us to do by her own example: ascribing not only the present detection and apprehension of traitors to the great and singular goodness of God, but also the infinite blessings laid upon her, as many as ever Prince had, yea rather as ever creature had. The Lord hath endued her Majesty's person with most rare prudence; her state with Counsailers very wise and faithful; her Realm with many thousands of dutiful loving subjects, Nor is it to be doubted but that sundry circumspect eyes and loyal hands of these have been occupied in finding out and bringing to light the conspiracy. Yet because the Lord is the father of lights, & what hath any mā that he hath not received? neither can he effectuate ought with that he hath except the Lord bless it, except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the keeper watcheth in vain: therefore doth her Highens in the means themselves & above the means acknowledge the working of the principal agent, under whose protection her self resteth safe, and seeth vengeance poured on them that wish her evil. Which I would to God the dissoyall hearts, if there be anymore yet, of that brood of Cockatrices, did acknowledge also: and, as the Prophet willeth, did weigh it with themselves, and think upon their bed of it. Then were it to be hoped that in consideration thereof they would be still: and after his example, whose advise that is, detest the very breath of such as make mention of laying violent hand upon the Lord's anointed. For though it were true, as the traitorous libeller endevoreth to persuade men, that the Popes sentence against her were as lawful, as Samuel's was against Saul; which yet is most false, and proved so to be; but grant it were true: yet had they to remember that David did refrain to lay hand on Saul after Samuel's sentence; nether of humanity only, but of duty: for who can lay his hand on the Lord's anointed (saith he) and be giltles? At least, if they would not be still, as he was, for conscience sake, yet for fear they might be: seeing that a foul of the air shall carry the voice, and a bird shall declare the matter, if they but speak evil of the king, yea in their thought, much more if they intend to do him any evil. And sure, if they turn not, if they whet their swords, bend their bows and make them ready, and getting themselves deadly weapons prepare their arrows for persequutors: they have traueiled with lewdness and conceived mischief to bring forth a lie; into the pit, that they have digged, they shall fall; their mischief shall return upon their own heads, and on their own pates shall their cruelty light. For God doth give reuengements unto his anointed, and showeth mercy to his Queen, advancing her above them who rise up against her. But whether they do use this benefit of God to their good, or no: let us, my deer brethren, let us and our houses (as Joshua said) serve the Lord. And that not by acknowledging only God's goodness in this & all his benefits, the foremost step to thankfulness: but the next also, I mean, by confessing of him among the Gentiles, and singing to his name with yielding him all glory for it. For the Heathens themselves, in that small knowledge of God which sin left them, did acknowledge him to be the worker and author of the commodities that they had. In the Greek Poets the God's are surnamed, by a common title, the givers of good things. The Captains of the Romans having conquered their enemies, took part of the lawrel (which they did hear in sign thereof) and laid it in the lap of Jupiter. The Chaldean king subdued diverse nations, took their holds, spoiled their cities, seized on their wealth, ascribing that his power & force to his God. But they did not glorify God as they ought, neither were thankful. They robbed him of his honor & gave it unto many God's, their own Idols, and Images of mortal creatures. Yea part of the lawrel they kept to themselves: sacrificing to their nets and burning incense to their yarns, because by them their portion was fat, and their meat plenteous. The time of this ignorance is overpast, brethren, and the days are come whereof it was prophesied, that the earth should be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as waters coouer the sea. How much the more excuseles shall our fowl ingratitude and ungodliness be: if we be no thankfuller to him then the Heathens, then the Greeks, the Romans, the Chaldeans were. Chiefly since beside the temporal benefit of the preservation of our Prince and us, we have received graces more excellent and precious to endure forever: namely, the enjoying of his Son Christ Jesus, our wisdom, our righteousness, our sanctification, our redemption; the Spirit of adoption whereby we have boldness to cry Abba father, the peace of conscience, tranquility of mind, contentedness of heart: the inheritance immortal, undefiled, and that withereth not; the comfort, the protection, the assurance of his love: in a word, so many blessings both of this life, & of the life to come, as never any nation under heaven greater. Wherefore I beseech you by the mercies of God, who spared not his own Son for our sakes, but gave him to the death, the vile death of the cross, that we might live through him: let us confess him sincerely and faithfully not only in words, but in deeds; and confess him among the Gentiles, even those which are strangers and altens from the faith that we may win them to the Lord. Let our conversation be honest among them that by our good works, which they shall see, they may glorify God in the day of the visitatiō. Let us cast away profane songs of wantonnes, of lightness, of vanity; & sing unto his name: using both our voice & speech in all respects as it becometh Saints. To be short, let us show, let us strive to show by all partes of duty a thankful acceptance of the great salvations that he hath wrought for us, and zealous remembrance of the end whereto: that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, should serve him without fear, in holiness & righteousness before him all the days of our life. The godly Prince & Prophet, whose virtuous example as in all the rest, so in this specially should be a spur unto us, calling into mind how God hath delivered his soul from death, his eyes from tears, and his feet from falling, brake out into these words: What shall I render to the lord for all his benefits towards me? I will take the cup of salvations, and cal upon the name of the Lord: I will pay my vows to the lord even now in the presence of all his people. Neither said he more therein then he performed. For when he had offered sacrifices of thanks-giving, he made a holy banket therewith unto the people, in remembrance of the manifold safeties & deliuerāces that he had received. He praised the Lord, and called upon his name: his Psalms do witness it to this day. He promised that he would judge righteouslie: he did it. He vowed to bring the ark into a place of rest: he brought it. How great cause we have, fathers, & brethren, to say as he said, What shall we render to the Lord: yourselves do well know. How small care we show of doing as he did, in praising God, and paying our vows before his people: the world doth see. Our slackness in frequenting of sermons, of prayers, of celebrating the Lord's Supper, and taking the cup of the salvation of salvations, I wish it were amended rather then reproved. We have made vows and promises to God, all, of perpetual holiness in baptism: some, of special duties, in their several callings. And is it to be hoped that everyone of us, though not with David's zeal, yet with some measure of it, will pay them to the Lord? Sure the greater hope thereof is to be had, if that, which hath been moved of order to be taken for ordinary sermons and preaching of the word on our Sabbath-days in the afternoon, not the forenoon only, may be effected by the godly forwardness of them who should say, And this will we do if God permit. The father of mercies & God of all comfort, who hath raised unto us a most glorious light, and placed a most gracious Princesse in the throne of government among us, sancrify us throughout w ^e his holy spirit: that we may offer up the sacrifices of righteousness, the fruits of our lips, of our harts, of our hands, to the glory of his name for all his benefits poured on us. And as he hath hitherto given great deliueraunces and shown mercy to his anointed: so beseech we him for his Son our Sauiors sake to do it still. Save her, O Lord, save her out of the hand of all her enemies. Let their root be as rottenness, and their bud as dust, who rise up against her. Bless her with the zealous spirit of Josiah, with the peace of Solomon, with the years of David: that she may long reign a godly, a happy, an ancient Mother in Israel. Finally continue thy Fatherly love and favor toward her forever, and towards us her subjects, the children of thy covenant: that we both in this life & in the life to come may confess thy goodness and sing unto thy name with thy blessed Seruauntes and elect Angels. Praise, and glory, and wisdom, and thanks, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for evermore. Amen.