An Anniversarie MEMORIAL OF ENGLAND'S DELIVERY FROM The Spanish Invasion: DELIVERED IN A Sermon on Psal. 48.7.8. By THOMAS GATAKER B. of D. and Pastor of Rotherhith. LONDON, ¶ Printed by John Haviland for Philemon Stephens and Christopher Meredith, at the Golden Lion in Paul's Churchyard. 1626. TO THE WORSHIPFUL HIS VERY LOVING Friend M. Thomas Chapman, Son and Heir to the Religious Founder of this Exercise. Worthy Sir, WHat yourself, and others with yourself have through your means formerly by word of mouth heard from me, you shall now upon your second request receive here in writing. I should not have deemed it worthy the reservation, but that it pleased you (who have best right to it) to require it. In scattered notes only (like Absyrtus his limbs) I had the sum and heads of it; which I have again here recollected, & cast (as near as I could) into that mould and frame that it was delivered in at first. If much seem missing of that little grace that it than had, it must be remembered, that the liveless letter for vivacity and efficacy cometh far short of the living voice. As it is, you have it, and no more than your own in it, from him, who for your pious building on your worthy Father's foundation in this kind, doth deservedly affect you, and shall always continue Yours to be commanded in the Lord, THO. GATAKER. TO THE READER. BE pleased (good Reader) to understand in few words the occasion whereupon this Sermon was preached, and thou wilt judge it to be a kind of necessity to make that public to the common view, which was first intended for the ear only of a private Auditory. There is, we see, too great and general a want (in these our days) of monuments and memorial of that miraculous deliverance which God wrought for this Land in 88 When Tongue and Pen, Pulpit and Press are silent for that, we may expect the stones to cry out against us, and to celebrate that praise to God whereof we are neglective. But man's memory being a table book to register acts passed, and not able to comprehend all that is to be recorded therein, when new things of note come to be imprinted in it, the old are wiped out: so God affording us a daily supplie of new preservations, those other which we have formerly received grow quite out of date, are razed out, and buried in oblivion. Therefore to revive this blessing (which ought never to be forgotten) amongst the rest in this Land, and for it to eternize God's praise amongst us, it hath been religiously provided by Mr. Thomas Chapman (sometimes a worthy Citizen) that yearly three Sermons shall be preached in the Church of St. Pancras in Soper-lane, where he lately lived a well deserving parishioner: One of the Sermons to be preached Novemb. 17. in thankful remembrance of the coronation of that Virgin Queen ELIZABETH of famous and neverdying memory, with whose gracious government accompanied much happiness to our kingdom; but this as chief of all, (scil.) the establishment of that truth of the Gospel & discipline of the Church which we now enjoy under our dread Sovereign Lord King CHARLES (whom God long preserve a religious Defender of this truth and peace amongst us.) Another Sermon to be preached August 12. for our deliverance from that Spanish Armado (in which course this Sermon was preached.) A third Novemb. 5. for the preservation of our King and State from that damnable powder-plot as yet unparallelled in any age since the world began. In each of these we may behold God's goodness: first in bringing us to the glorious light of the Gospel by making that Queen a Mother over his Israel and a Nurse over his Church: neither was it less goodness in him to preserve us in this happy state, then to confer it upon us; and this he hath done maugre the malice of our enemies, who have not wanted both power and policy in these their attempts, yet when they were strong and many, our God was mightier than they, and there were more with us than against us: when they had laid their plots and trains, God confounded the wicked imaginations of those Achitophel's, and let them fall into the pit they had digged for others. This good man, famous in his generation, in thankful remembrance to God of these three blessings, in his life time solemnly observed three Sermons, and hath left large Legacies at his death for their continuance unto posterity; that in succeeding ages fathers may declare unto their children how great things God hath done for us in the old times before them. By this godly care of his, he hath built himself a monument of fame to remain longer than those Egyptian Pyramids, or that Pillar which Absolom reared up in the King's dale for the perpetuity of his name upon earth. Thus they that honour God, God will honour them, in seeking the glory of God's name, God hath made an honourable memorial of his name to redound upon his own head. He was second to none, being the first Founder (of late) of this pious act: but I hope he shall not stand alone, but that there will be many found to second him hereafter in so good a work worthy the imitation. So now (Reader) I commit this Sermon to thy perusal: whilst in it thou seest Gods wonderful works which he hath done for our Nation, or what good soever thou shalt reap else in this Exercise, be thankful to God and pray for the Author. PSALM 48.7, 8. 7. As with an East wind, thou breakest the Ships of Tarshish; so were they destroyed. 8. As we have heard, so have we seen in the City of the Lord of Hosts, in the City of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah. AS in all well-governed States there are public a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 siue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ezr. 6.2. Et 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 siue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ester 6.1. & Ezr. 4.15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Hesych. Archiva; quae & Tabularia Ciceroni pro Arch. & Virgilio Georg. l. 2. ubi actus publici continentur. Seru. Registers, and Records, that the memory of judgements and Acts may not perish: So hath God in man's Soul erected a Register, to wit, the faculty of b Memoria est vis animae accepta retinens, praeterita repetens, elapsa re colligens. Aug. nom. de sp. & an. c. 37. Omnium rerum thesaurus, & custos est memoria. Ibid. c. 34. Memory is the storehouse of the Soul, and the Register of the Mind. Morton threefold state of Man, l. 2. c. 4. §. 1. The Memorative faculty is the Guardian and Register of all species and images apprehended by the sense, and reserved and sealed up by the Imagination. Charron of Wisdom, l. 1. c. 12. Hoc est quod Scalig. de subtle. exerc. 307. §. 2. Imaginationis Memoria seruatrix est. Acceptas enim species ab imaginatione reponit, conditque in thesauris. Remembrance, for the preservation of such occurrents, as are of weight, and may be of use for the direction of man's life. But this Register is very much abused by the greatest part of those that have the custody of it. For if the Records that the most enter therein, and keep there, were surveyed, c See Bern. serm. parv. 1. Morton ibid. §. 2. and Marbury of Repentance. there would be found filled there large rolls fraught with frivolous and frothy stuff, of little weight, and less use, yea (it may be) with much filthy, and unsavoury matter, d Ephes. 5.3, 4. not once to be mentioned, much less to be remembered: scarce any script, or scroll of aught, that is aught worth, or worthy to be entered in so e Archiwm planè regium, imò etiam divinum. royal a Register. Now if any thing deserve to be there carefully recorded, that it may by that means be transmitted to posterity, it should be f Psal. 105.5. & 111.2, 3, 4. Malac. 4.4. God's word, and his works, his extraordinary Acts especially either of judgement, or of Mercy. For the former, the Prophet joel willeth the people of his time, both to record them themselves, and to cause their Children to record them, and them also to relate them to their posterity. g joel 1.2. Tell it you to your Children; and let them tell it to their children; and their Children to those that rise in their room. Of the latter saith the Psalmist, h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Asaphi Psalmus. jun. A Psalm of Asaph. Reg. Bibl. for Asaph. Geneu. Asaph, or who ever he were; i Psal. 78.5, 6. He commanded our Fathers to teach it to their Children, that posterity might know it, and the Children that are yet unborn might declare it to their Children hereafter; that God's works might not be forgotten. In which kind the pious, and religious Act of k Mr Thomas Chapman. the Founder of this Exercise is very much to be commended, who having culled out three principal Acts of God's extraordinary Mercy exhibited to the Land wherein we live, as great as any ever vouchsafed to any State whatsoever, hath established a l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. solemn Anniversarie Memorial of them to perpetuate them to all posterity. Occasion. To my Lot is fallen that m Octogesimus octaws mirabilis annus Clade Papistorum; faustus ubique p●js. Fulk. in Rhem. admirable Deliverance in 88 from that n The invincible Navy. See Hackluits' relation. Invincible Armado, as it was then styled and termed. For the remembrance whereof, and of God's mercy in it, I have made choice to entreat of some o Psal. 48.7, 8. parcel of this Psalm, not unbefitting (as you may soon see) the present occasion. Text. The Psalm, is a Psalm (not so much p Piscat. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Summe of the Psalm. as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and q junius. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) of Praise and of Triumph. Of the praise of God, and his goodness to his Church. Parts 2. Of triumph over God's enemies, and the enemies of his Church. Part 1. The r Verse 1. 5. Praise of God, Praise. and his goodness to his Church, is laid down from the first verse to the fifth. Part 2. The special ground of this praise s Verse 5. 10. a victory through his assistance achieved against his enemies, Triumph. and the enemies of his Church is, by way of triumph, related from the fifth verse to the tenth. Relation. And in the Relation hereof there is, 1. Attempt. First t Verse 4. the enemies Attempt; and therein 1. Praeparatio; their preparation; 1. Preparation. Conuenerunt pariter; they met together. 2. Expeditio; their expedition; 2. Expedition. Progressi sunt pariter; they went on together. Secondly, the issue, and event of it: 2. Event. not like that of Caesar, u Sueton. Caes. c. 37. Sic de Pompeio Atheniens●s, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Veni, vidi, vici; I came, I saw, I overcame: but, venerunt, viderunt, veriti sunt, victi sunt: they came, they saw, they were overcome, with astonishment, with fear, with defeature. 1. x Verse 5. Contemplati sunt; they but viewed the Land that they came to invade. Degree 1. Degree 2. 2. Obstupuerunt, they wondered that they were able to make head against them. 3. Conturbati sunt; they were troubled, disarrayed, disappointed. Degree 3. Degree 4. 4. Festinaverunt; they made all the haste they could to be gone. Degree 5. 5. y Vers. 6. Timor eos apprehendit; they were full of fear, & affrightment, when they found not free passage. Degree 6. 6. Et dolour, ut dolores parturientis; they were surprised with pains, being thus cast into such straits and distresses; like a woman in her travel. Degree 7. Lastly, z Verse 7. Euro conteris naues Oceani, they were discomfited, and destroyed, as the Ships of the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unde Grae. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Brought. Oceanus, sed peculiariter Mediterraneus, à regione Tarsis, i. Cilicia, quam alluit. Levant Seas are, when with a furious Eastwind they are bruised, and battered, and broken to pieces against the rocks. Application. If I should say no more, but add only the words following: a Verse 8. Prout audivimus, & vidimus; What we have heard with them, we have seen done for us; it were a very pregnant description of this our deliverance. But somewhat more must be said, that we may learn what use to make of it. Illustration. The Relation of this Victory achieved for them by God (for b Psal. 44.2, 3. & 115.1. to him alone it is ascribed) is here c Verse 8. further illustrated. 1. By a report of what was passed: 1. Report. the words seem to have reference not to the d Ab adiuncta praedictione, & promissione divina. Piscat. Ita & R. Kimchi. Amb. Apollin. Aug. Ruffin. Theodoret. Euthym. Lomb. Cassiod. Hug. Lyr. Bucer. Brent. Moller. Strigel. Loss. etc. unde Aug. O beata Ecclesia, quodam tempore audisti; quodam tempore vidisti: audivit in promissionibus, vidit in exhibitionibus. Verum isti plaerique sensum mysticum sequuntur. d Ab exemplis antegressis. Chrysost. Beza. Buchan. Hessec. Sic Psal. 44.1. utrumque ponunt Calv. Muscul. jun. predictions of God's Prophets, but to former examples rather of the like done for God's people: What we have heard done in our forefather's time for them, we have seen done in our days for us. 2. By a promise of further future protection. God will establish it for ever. And their thankfulness followeth in e Verse 9 the next Verse: 2. Promise. Thankfulness. (that which we through God's mercy survive to do this day) We recount, or meditate on thy mercy, o Lord, in the midst of thy Temple, that is, in the midst of the Congregation there gathered together. Thus you see briefly the Sum, Transition from Distribution to Instructions. Instruction 1. and the Substance, as of my Text, so of the former part of the whole Psalm. I come now to some Instructions that out of it may be observed. The first of them is this. f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Hesiod. oper. l. 1. Prou. 11.27. Quaerunt ruinam, qui ruinam cogitant. They bring destruction upon themselves, that seek the ruin of Gods elect. g Psal. 37.12, 13. The wicked (saith the Psalmist) practiseth against the righteous; and seeketh occasion to slay him. But the Lord the while laugheth him to scorn: for he seeth that his day is coming. h Ibid. 14, 15. The wicked have drawn their sword and bend their bow, to overthrow, and destroy those, that be of an upright conversation: But their sword shall be sheathed in their own side; and their bow shall be knapped in two i Isai. 41.11, 12. All that provoke thee (saith God by the Prophet Esay to his people) shall be confounded, and brought to nought; all that contend with thee, shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them. All that strive with thee shall be as nothing: all that war upon thee, as a thing of nought. And k Zech. 12.2. I will make (saith God by the Prophet Zachary) jerusalem as a cup of rank poison to all those that besiege her; which when a thirsty man lighteth upon, and swalloweth down suddenly, he findeth his bane in that, that he hoped to quench his thirst with. l Ibid. 3. I will make jerusalem an heavy stone to all people; such a one as m Matth. 21.44. shall crush to pieces all that attempt to lift it, or to remove it: so shall she tear to pieces all that attempt to stir her, though all the nations in the world should join together against her. n Zech. 12.6. I will make the Princes of juda like coals of fire among seare-wood, and like a firebrand in a sheaf; & they shall devour, & destroy all the people that beset them on the right hand, and on the left. The Reason hereof: Reason 1. 1. Dei qui Ecclesiam impetunt, Deum petunt. They that fight against God's Church, o 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Act. 5.39. & Tertull. ad Scapul. fight against God himself. p Non tam vos, quam Christum in vobis persequuntur. Saluian. de provide. lib. 8. cap. 4. Patitur enim in vobis Deus. Martial. epist. 2. c. 18. They persecute not you so much, as Christ in you, saith Saluian. q Act. 9.4. Saul, Saul (saith our Saviour) why dost thou persecute me. And in so doing, they do but as one (saith the Comic) r Verberare nol● lapidem n● laedas manum. Plaut. Curcul. 1.3. that beateth a stone, and spoileth his hand; or s Acts 9.5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Aeschyl. Prometh. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Pindar. Pyth. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Eurip. Bacch. Quae inscitia est, adu●rsum stimulum calces ● Ter. Ph●rm. 1.2. as the beast that spurneth at the goad, that he was pricked with; t 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Scholar Aeschyl. Si stimulos pugnis caedis, manibus plus dolet. Plaut. Trucul. 4.2. vide & Chrysost. in Psal. 11. he maimeth but his foot by it, & getteth a worse wound; or u 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Greg. Naz. ad Eunom. 5. as the Boar, that runneth fiercely upon the Spear, and so receiveth into his body the whole weapon that the Huntsman holdeth. x Psal. 2.1, 2. Why (saith the Psalmist) do the Nation's rage, and the people keep such a coil to no end? The Kings of the earth band themselves together, and the Princes assemble themselves together, against the Lord, and against his Anointed? Therefore against the Lord himself, because against the Lords Anointed. And as y Qui insurgit in Christum Domini, insurgit in Dominun Christi. Sic Psal. 89.51. he that riseth against the Lords Anointed, riseth against the Lord by whom he is anointed: So they that rise against the Church of God, rise against God himself, whose Church it is; z Esai. 37.29. Because thou ragest against me (saith God to Senacherib) therefore I will put my ring in thy nose, and my bit in thy jaws, and bring thee back the same way thou camest. a Psal. 17.8. Keep me (saith David) as the apple of thine eye: hide me under the shadow of thy wings. They that deal with them, deal with those that are as dear unto God, as the very apple of his eye, that that the eyesight consisteth in; And therefore saith God, b Zach. 2.8. I will be as a wall of fire about jerusalem (he saith c Non saxeus, non aheneus, sed igneus, qui & cominus arceat, & eminus terreat. Theo. in Zach. not, saith Theodoret, a wall of stone, or of brass, but of fire, that it may both fray afar off, and keep off too at hand; that may not only protect them, but destroy those that assault them) because d Zach. 2.5. he that meddleth with you, meddleth with me, even with e Ad exprimendam teneritudinem p●etatis suae, tenerriman (said & charissimam) partem humani corporis nominavit, etc. Saluian. de provide. l. 8. c. 4. the apple of mine eye. 2. f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Pythag. an Radamanth. Aristot. ethic. lib. 5. cap. 5. Lex talionis verè lex aequissima. Reason 2. The Law of retaliation, or like-recompence, is most equal. g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Pindar. Nem▪ 4. Quod quisque fecit, patitur. Sen. Herc. fur. 3.2. Non est iniuria pati, quod prior feceris. Sen. de ira, lib. 2. cap. 30.- neque enim lex iustior ulla est, quam necis artifices arte perire sua. Ouid. art. l. 1. It is not evil, that they suffer evil, that have done evil to others. h jam. 2.13. There shall be judgement (saith S. james) without mercy to those that would show no mercy. i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Cleon apud Thucyd. l. 3. It is no cruelty to use them cruelly, that have showed cruelty to others. For k Misericordiam qui non praestat alteri, tollit sibi. Petr. Chrysol. ser. 42. he excludeth himself from mercy (saith Chrysologus) that denieth it to another. l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Pythia Glauco apud Herodot. lib. 6. But they stand guilty of destruction that have m Decrevisti facere? iam perfecisti. August. de verb. Dom. 43. a purpose to destroy. For n Voluntas faciendi reputatur pro opere facti: & actionis crimine cogitatio condemnatur. Pel●g. ad Demetr. the bare will alone goeth with God for the work, and the very endeavour, desire, yea or o Nam scelus intra se tacitè qui cogitat ullum, Facti crimen habet. Iwen. sat. 13. thought, for the deed. p Iosu. 24.9. Balak rose, and fought with Israel, saith josua. And yet the story saith nothing so. But q Fieri dicitur, quod tentatur aut intenditur. Riber. in Amos 9.5. that is said to be done, that is either intended, or attempted, saith Ribera. He did it not, only because he durst not: and the woman (saith the Heathen man) r Quae quia non licuit, non facit, illa facit. Ouid. amor. lib. 3. el. 4. Non dicam pudicam, quae aut legem, aut virum timuit: non immeritò in numerum peccantium refertur, quae pudicitiam timori praestitit, non sibi. Sen. de been. l. 4. c. 14. that doth not evil, because she dare not, when she would do it, if she durst, though she do it not, yet she doth it. s Matth. 5.28. He that looketh but on a woman to lust after her (saith our Saviour) t 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Clem. Rom. constit. Apost. l. 1. c. 1. hath already in his heart committed adultery with her. And, u 1 John 3.5. He that hateth but his brother, (saith S. john) x Quantum ad te pertinet, occidisti, quem odisti. Aug. homil. 42. hath already murdered him in his heart. y Res mira: ille vivit, tu tamen homicida 〈◊〉; illa casta est, tu tamen adulter es. Aug. de verb. Dom. 46. & the 10. chord. 3. & de temp. 237. & homil. 5. & 40. & 42. said & Council. Tolet. 11. c. 4. A strange matter (saith S. Augustine) the man is alive still, and yet thou art a murderer: the woman is honest, and yet art thou an adulterer. z Latro est etiam antequam manus inqu●net, qui ad occidendum armatus est, & habet spoliandi, atque interficiendi voluntatem. Sen. de benef. l. 5. c. 13. Illo ●s homicida venenum quo misces die. Idem de constan. c. 7. The minding then of destruction, maketh a destroyer. a Potest aliquis nocens fieri, quamuis non noc●at. Omnia scelera ante effectum operis, quantum culpae satis est, perfecta sunt. Sen. ibid. He is guilty of it that doth but intend, or attempt to destroy: and deserveth himself to be destroyed. b Deut. 19.19. If a witness (saith God) shall rise against a man to take his life away from him, you shall even do unto him (not, as he did, but) as he would have done unto his neighbour. The second point of Instruction: Creaturae Deo dilectis militant. God's creatures fight for those that are Gods; for those that love him, and whom he loveth; Instruction 2. against the enemies of his Church. c Exod. 8. & 9 & 10. The Frogs, Flies, Lice, Locusts, etc. fought for God's servants against Pharaoh, and his people. d judg. 5.20, 21. The Stars from heaven fought in their courses against Sisera: and the river Kishon swept his armies away, as the Red Sea had done Pharao's before. e josua 10.13. The Sun stood still to assist joshua in the pursuit of the Canaanites: and f Joshua 10.11. the hailstones slew more of them than the sling or the sword did. g Vers. 7. And as here with the Eastwind dost thou dash to pieces the Ships of the Mediterranean Sea; * Exod. 14.27, 28. & 15.4. So h Milites nobis qui aderant, retulerunt, extorta sibi esse de manibus quaecunque iaculabantur, cum à Theodosit partibus in adversarios vehemens ventus iret; & non solum quaecunque in eos iaci●bantur concitatissimè raperet, verume●iam ipsorum tela in eorum corpora retorqueret. Aug. de civet. l. 5. c. 26. the winds fought for Theodosius in that famous battle against Maximus, carrying the darts, and arrows of his companies full into the faces of their enemies, and returning back those of their enemies upon their own bodies: That which even i A Christi nomine al●enus. Aug. ibid. an Heathen Poet admiring, broke out into that speech; k O nimium dilecte Deo, cui militat Aether; Et coniurati veniunt ad classicaventi! Te propter gelidis Aquilo de monte procellis Obruit adversas acies, renolutaque tela Vertit in autores & turbine reppulit hastas. Claudianus 3. Coss. Honor. O how highly art thou beloved of God, whom the heavens fight for; and the Winds as thy confederates come in to assist thee! To thine aid came the boisterous Northwind down from the Hills, and bore down before thee the troops that came against thee, with whirling blasts repelling their spears, and retorting their arrows, and darts upon their owners. The Reason hereof. Reason 1. 1. The Saints are in league, and confederacy with God. l Psal. 50.5. Gather me my Saints (saith he) that have made a league with me. Now as Princes that are in league of amity together, may have the m 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Eurip. Electr. & Phaeniss. & Orest. Amicorum inter se communia sunt omnia. Ter. Adelph. 5.3. free use of either others forces at need: n 1 King. 22.4. 2 Chron. 18.3. My horses (saith jehosaphat to Ahab) are as thy horses; and my people as thy people: thou mayest use them as thine own. So the godly being in league with God, may have all his forces, and armies for their help, and assistance, whensoever need shall be. And what are all the Creatures but God's hosts? He is o Dominus exercituum. Amos 4.13. verse 8. the Lord of Hosts: and (as p Vide Davidem Kimchi in Radic. the Rabbins well observe) he hath two general troops, as his horse, and foot, q 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the upper troop, and r 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the lower troop, or s Copiae tam inferiores, quam supernae. Mercer. the creatures above, and the creatures beneath, all ready pressed to be employed, in wars, either defensive, or offensive, for the safeguard of his favourites, or the destruction of their opposites. Even t Psal. 34.7. the Angels themselves (saith the Psalmist) pitch their tents about those that fear God, etc. u Piis assident; impios obsident. Ambros. in Psal. they lie in garrison, about the godly, to defend and deliver them; they lie in camp against their enemies to offend, and to destroy them. Reason 2. 2. What are the Creatures, but God's Sergeants at Arms to arrest, and attach Rebels? x Psal. 119 91. All the creatures (saith the Psalmist) are at his service. y Psal. 104.4. The winds are his messengers, and the fire and flame his ministers. And z Psal. 148.8. the hail, and snow his officers, and the executioners of his word: they serve him all, and they do his will, though a Nec operis sunt consciae. Bern. de great. & lib. arb. they know not what they do. But they rebel against God himself (as we have heard b Point 1. before) that are up in arms against any of those that be his: Reason 1. whom he hath undertaken the protection of; and concerning whom he hath given so express a charge by the Psalmist, c Psal. 105.15. Touch not mine Anointed; that is, any one of mine holy ones. The place is commonly misunderstood; not spoken of Kings directly (though d 1 Sam. 24.7. & 26.9, 11. concerning them also, as being in a more special manner e Psal. 89.20. Gods Anointed;) but to Kings ( f Psal. 105.14. He rebuked even Kings for their sakes) in the behalf of his Saints, by him g 2 Cor. 1.21. spiritually anointed to be h Apoc. 1.6. & 5.10. & 20.6. 1 Pet. 2.9. Kings, and Priests to him. These being in such manner his, the Creatures are all as his Pursuivants, and his Sergeants at Arms to apprehend, and attach them all that make head against them, and i Insectantur vos & in vobis Deum. Saluian. de provide. l. 8. c. 4. against himself in them; and either to bring them in, or to make his charge good upon them, by destroying them, as he did k Esai. 37.36. Senacheribs' host, in the place. The third Point of Instruction. Est civitas Dei, Deus quam protegit. It is the City of God, that l Esai. 37.35. God thus protecteth. Instruction 3. m Verse 8. In the City of the Lord of Hosts; (saith my Text) in the City of our God. And before, n Verse 1. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the City of our God: o Verse 3. In her Palaces it is that God is known for a sure retreat. It is p Zech. 2.5. jerusalem, that God is a wall of fire about. And upon them it was that q Apoc. 20.9. fire fell down, and devoured them, that beset the beloved City. The Reason hereof. Reason 1. 1. It is the place of God's residence, where he especially resideth, r Psal. 132.14. This is my rest for ever (saith he) Here will I dwell, for I take delight in it. And Princes, though they have a general care of their whole kingdom, yet s 2 Sam. 5.9. a more special care of the places of their principal abode. Reason 2. 2. It is God's inheritance. t Deut. 9.29. They are thy people and thine inheritance, saith Moses. And we know how loath men are (witness u 1 King. 21.3. Naboth the jisrelite) to lose, or to depart with their inheritance, or any part of it. Reason 3. 3. It is God's Vineyard. x Esai. 5.7. Surely the Vineyard of the Lord of Hosts is the house of Israel; and the men of juda his pleasant plantation. And his Vineyard he saith y Esai. 27.3. he will keep, and watch continually night and day, without any moment of intermission, that no enemy assail it, that none break into it, to make spoil and havoc of it. Reason 4. 4. It is God's Garden. z Cant. 4.12. My Sister, my Spouse, is as a Garden enclosed. And we know how careful men are of any place to fence and pale in their Gardens, whatsoever place else, field, or Orchard, they suffer to lie open. Nor let us think that God hath any whit less care of his, which he delighteth so much in. Objection. But how cometh it to pass then (may some say) that the Psalmist complaineth in that manner? O Lord the Heathen are come into thine inheritance, they have made jerusalem an heap of stones, etc. I answer. Solution 1. 1. a The house of God. Gen. 28.19, 22. Beth-el sometime becometh b The house of vanity. Hosh. 5.8. & 10.5 Beth-aven. c Esai. 1. 2●. The faithful City sometime turneth Harlot. And it is just with God then d Esai. 50.1. jer. 3.8. to cast her off; e Heb. 8.9. She kept not covenants with me, and I cast her off, saith the Lord. 2. God's children sometime grow f Hosh. 4.16. Tanquam indomita iwenca. Quae velut latis eq●a trima campis ludit exultim, metintque tangi. Horat. car. 3.11. wanton, and provoke God to wrath. Solution 2. In which case God useth the wicked as g Vtitur Deus creatura rationali, sed malevola tanquam disciplinae virga. Bern. de lib. arb. rods, and scourges to correct them with. h Esai. 10.5. Ashur (saith God by the Prophet Esay) is but the rod of my wrath. i Eius consiliis militant, etiam qui eius consiliis repugnant. Greg. mor. l. 6. c. 14. Even they also (saith Gregory) work for him, yea, and for them (though k Esay 10.7. they are not aware of it) that in such case fight both against him and them. 3. Even in the deepest of their distresses God ceaseth not to regard them: Solution 3. l Deus suos non negligit cum negligit. He neglecteth them not, when he seemeth most of all to neglect them. Though m Esai. 49.14. Zion complain that God had forgotten her: yet God assureth her that n Ibid. 15. he could no more forget her, than any Mother could her child. o Ibid. 16. He carried her picture about him engraven on the palms of his hands, and her walls were ever in his eyes. And, p Ezek. 11.16. Albeit (saith God) I have cast them far off among the Heathen, and have scattered them into many countries, yet will I be as a little q Esai. 8.14. Sanctuary unto them in all places, wheresoever they shall become. And so pass we to the fourth, and last point of Instruction. Ecclesia Dei, nunquam dimovebitur. God's Church maugre the r Psal. 25.19. malice of all her s Psa 3.1. & 69 4. many, and t Psal. 18.17. & 69 4. mighty adversaries, Instruction 4. shall never be utterly rooted out, or destroyed. u Psal. 125.1. They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, that standeth fast, and can never be removed. x Matth. 16.18. Upon this Rock (saith our Saviour) will I build my Church, and the gates of Hell shall never prevail against it. The y Apoc. 2.5. Candlestick may be removed from place to place; but z Esai. 60.19, 20. the light itself can never be put out. The a Apoc. 12.14. Woman may be hunted, and chased into b Heb. 11.38. the Wilderness; but never driven utterly out of the World. In the very Wilderness will c Apoc. 12.14. God provide a place for her, where she● shall be safe; and find succour, till it please him to bring her abroad again. Reason 1. The Reason hereof. 1. d Verse 8. God establisheth it, (saith my Text) and therefore standeth it fast for ever. e Psal. 46.5. God is in the midst of it: and therefore shall it not stir. Yea f Zach. 2.5. he is not in the midst of it only, but round about it too. g Psal. 125.2. As the Hills stand about jerusalem, so standeth God about his people from henceforth and for evermore. He is about it to protect it; in the midst of it to support it. He that upholdeth the Heavens, upholdeth it: for this is indeed his h Coeli sancti & iusti: sanctae animae omnes, in quibus habitat Deus, & quae factae sunt sedes eius. Aug. in Psal. 18. & ●9. & 67. & 96. & 122. Esai. 57.15. & 66.1, 2. Coelum Ecclesia est. Tychon. in Apoc. 11.19. & 12.1. Heaven upon earth. And as soon may men, or devils pull down Heaven itself, as destroy it. 2. i Matth. 16.18. Christ himself hath built it, and he hath founded it upon himself. Reason 2. For k 1 Cor. 10.4. he is the l Psal. 18.31. only true Rock, the m Esai. 26 4. Rock of eternity; the only o Esai. 28.16. Quoth Bellarm. blasphemè Papa tribuit in praefat. ad lib. de Pont. Rom. sure foundation, that his whole Church is built upon. And what he buildeth can by no created power be pulled down again; n 1 Cor. 3.11. the house that is built upon that Rock cannot be overthrown. p Matth. 7.25. Though the winds rose, and the rain fell, and the floods came, and beat all together upon that house, yet the frame fell not, because it was founded upon that Rock. It is Christ's Masterpiece; that that he would show his Deity, his divine Power in. Would you have me (saith Chrysostome speaking to the jews) prove unto you, that Christ jesus is God? what needs it? q Luke 21. ●4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Chrysost. quod Christus Deus. Ejus ipsius, cuius fuerunt negatores, persecutores, interfectores, ubique sunt testes. Aug. epist. 59 & in Psal. 39 & 56. & 58. & de temp 31. Nulla turpior seruitus graviorque, quam seruitus judaeorum, quam quocunque ierint post se trahunt, & ubique Dominos offendunt suos. Bern. de consider. l. 1. You yourselves wander up and down, the whole world over, preaching, and publishing his Deity to all those that consider in what sort you continue, and yet continue too, ever since that impious act of yours, in the crucifying of him. You go branded with deep and conspicuous marks of his wrath, and vengeance wheresoever you abide. But would you yet see some other pregnant proof of his Deity? Let this one serve for all. r 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Chrysost. quod Christus Deus. What he razeth, none can rear again; what he reareth, none can raze again. He pulled down your Temple, and it could never be built again. He hath built him a Church, and it could never be pulled down again. It is a memorable story, and the more remarkable, because recorded (besides diverse others of s Greg. Naz. in julian. orat. 2. Chrysost. contr. jud. orat. 2. & quod Christus Deus, & in Matth. hom. 4. Ambr. ad Theodos. epist. 29. Theodoret. hist. eccles. l. 3. c. 20. Cassiod. hist. tripart. l 6. c. 43. & alij. our own,) by t Ammian. Marcellin. hist. l. 23. an Heathen man also, one no friend to Christians, a traducer of Constantine, and an admirer of julian. julian, that wretched Apostata, to spite the Christians, whom he had professed himself formerly to be one of, but now hated most extremely, u Greg. Naz. Chrysost. & Theodor. called the jews to him, and asked them, why they did not now sacrifice as in times past they had wont to do. They made him answer, that by their x Deut. 12.5, 6, 12, 13, 14. Law they might not sacrifice any where but in the Temple at jerusalem: which since therefore it was ruined, they had ceased to sacrifice, and must so do till it were re-edified. Hereupon julian told them that they should have their Temple eftsoons built again, if they would; and to that purpose y Templum instaurare sumptibus cogitabat immodicis, negotiumque maturandum Alypio dederat. cum itaque rei idem fortiter instaret, iwaretque provinciae rector etc. Ammian. l. 23. he sent one Alypius into those parts furnished with much treasure for the dispeeding of the work, and withal caused the Governor of that Province to assist him all that might be therein. Nor were the jews therein backward, z 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Theodor. l. 3. c. 20. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Greg. Naz. stelit. 2. who flocking together out of all quarters, raised a great mass of money, and provided abundance of materials, for the setting forward of so much, and so long desired a work. But a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Chrysost. contr. jud. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Esai. 14.27. Ibid. no might, or industry of man is able to prevail against God, or to effect that, that he will not have done. When all things were prepared now, and they began to fall to their business; First there arose b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Theodor. l. 3. c. 20. Vis magna ventorum repentè spirans, tempestatesque ac procellae subitò factae, quicquid congregatum fuerat, disperserunt. Cassiod. l. 6. c. 43. strange storms, & whirlwinds, that dissipated, and spoiled their materials. And after that, when yet they attempted to do something, c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Chrysost. quod Christus Deus. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Ibid. Metuendi globi flammarum propè fundamenta crebris assultibus erumpentes, fecere locum exustis aliquoties operantibus inaccessum. Ammian. l. 23. fearful balls of fire, not falling down from heaven, but bursting out of the very ground beneath, and that so oft as they assayed to go on with their work, ripped up what they had wrought, and burnt up the workmen, in so much that none durst any more approach the place, and so the very d Ho●que modo elemento destinatius repellente cessavit inceptum. Ibid. elements (saith that Heathen man) obstinately making head against them, they were at length enforced wholly to give over their enterprise. Thus was no power of man able to raise what he had ruined; nor shall any power ever be able to ruin what he hath raised. In stead of the Temple that he ruined hath he erected his Church; which unless the Rock may be removed that it is built upon, shall no power of man, or devil be able ever to overthrow. Though all the wicked in the world, and all the Devils in hell to them, conspire together in one, yet as soon shall they be able to drive Christ himself out of heaven, as to destroy utterly and root out his Church here upon earth. Thus you see then these four Points of Instruction plainly, and evidently proved unto you. Recapitulation. Points 4. 1. That they seek their own ruin, that seek the ruin of God's children. Point 1. 2. That God's Creatures are ready pressed to assist those that be his. Point 2. 3. That it is the City of God, Point 3. that God thus protecteth. 4. That this City, Point 4. or Church of God shall never be utterly overthrown. Let us now proceed to the Uses that of these Points may be made. Uses 4. And first this Text may be to the enemies of God's Church, Use 1. of Point 1. as e Dan. 5.5. those knuckles of a man's hand were to Baltasar, to write them their destiny; or as f Ibid. 24, 25. Daniel was to him, to read it unto them; to inform them, what the end and issue shall be of all their plots and projects against the Church of God. In plotting, and projecting the ruin of it, they * Suo sibi iumento arcessunt malum. Plaut. Amphitr. plot and project but their own confusion: Nor shall their plots, and projects take (as they hope) against it, but they shall take (which they, it may be, little deem, or once dream of) against themselves. g Psal. 9.16. God will show himself to be God indeed by executing of judgement, in causing them to be h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Apolinar. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Dolscius. ensnared, and caught in the work of their own hands, i Psal. 9.15. in a snare of their own setting, k 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Theodoret. dialog. 1. c. 24. in a net of their own weaving: in causing l Ester 7.9, 10. Prou. Ebr. Cippum occupavit ipse, quem fecit, faber. Drus. decur. 1. adag. 4. Et Lat. Gestat faber, quas fecit ipse, compedes. Auson. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Theogn. Haman to be hanged on that Gibbet himself, that for Mordecai he had erected, & bringing him, and m Ester 9.10, 13, 14. his whole House to destruction by those means, whereby n Ester 3.6. he sought the destruction of the whole jewish Nation. Application. In this kind may we well say, o Verse 8. Sicut audivimus, sic & vidimus; What we have heard we have seen; both in that deliverance that through God's goodness this day we survive to celebrate, and in p The powder-plot etc. diverse others also. They that came to sink us, were sunk themselves. They that thought to blow us up, were some of them blown up themselves. They that plotted the ruin, and confusion of our estate, brought ruin and confusion upon themselves, and theirs. q judg. 5.31. So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord. But let those that love thee, and stand for thee, be as the Sun when he shineth in his full strength. Use 2. of Point 2. Secondly, it may serve as to discourage the Adversary, so to encourage the godly. As to discourage the wicked from attempting aught against God's Church, ( r Psal. 21.11. They intended evil against thee, saith the Psalmist; but they were not able to effect it) so to encourage those that s 1 Sam. 18.17. fight Gods battles; they cannot want help. Heaven and earth fighteth for them. Though they may seem the weaker side, and to have fewer assistants, yet t 2 Cor. 12.9. God's power is perfected, and appeareth most in man's weakness: And if we had eyes to see it, we might see u 2 King. 6.16. 2 Chron. 32.7. more with them than against them: x Quocunque se verterit, ibi te videat. Sen. de benef. which way soever they turn themselves, they might see helps always at hand; y Psal. 46.1. God himself, and all the z Job 5.23. creatures of God, ready pressed at God's beck a Psal. 91.11. to attend them, b Dan. 10.12, 13. to assist them, c Psal. 34.7. to guard them, d judg. 5.30. to fight for them, e Exod. 23.28. to oppose those that fight against them. And here we may again sing, Application. f Verse 8. Sicut audivimus, sic vidimus; What we have heard we have seen. g Quam benè te, ambitio, mersit, vanissima, ventus? Et tumidos tumidae vos superastis aquae? Quam benè totius raptores orbis avaros, Hausit inexhausti iusta v●rago maris? Theod. Beza. The winds, and the Seas fought for us, when time was; the one dissipated and scattered, the other swallowed up, and devoured those, that came with hope to have dissipated, and h Psal. 27.2. & 124.3. with open mouth to have swallowed, drown, and devoured us. i Psal. 124.6. Blessed be God, that gave us not up as a prey unto their teeth. Thirdly, is it the City of God, Use 3. of Point 3. that God thus protecteth? Then learn we the reason hence why God hath in this manner done for us. It is for his Church among us, his Name called upon, his Gospel professed by us, his worship retained with us. And certainly (observe we, and we shall undoubtedly find it to be so that) since God's truth and Gospel established with us, and that Romish Idolatry expelled from among us, this Island of ours hath enjoyed the quietest, the peaceablest, the most prosperous times, that ever it did, for so long time together, at any time, that any memory of man, or record of story can be produced of, notwithstanding all the power that that k 2 Thess. 2.3. Man of sin, and all his adherents were able to raise up against us. And as many strange deliverances hath God vouchsafed us, as ever any Nation under the cope of heaven had. Oh that our thankfulness to God were in any good measure proportionable to God's goodness towards us. But it is to be feared, that that of Saluian is too too true of us; l Deus bona dat, ut boni simus. Nos ubi bona accepimus, mala cumulamus. Saluian. de provide. l. 3. God giveth us good things, to make us good: but we when we have received good from God, return evil again to him. And that of Hosea, m Hosh. 4.7. As they were increased, so they sinned against me: and I will turn their glory therefore into shame. Which if it be so; let us remember, that as the same Saluian saith, n Ideò deteriores sumus, quia meliores essè debemus. Saluian. Ibid. Therefore are we worse than others, whom God hath not done the like for, though we be no worse, if but as bad only, because we ought to be better. So, as the Centurists observe, o Ingentia beneficia, ingentia flagitia, ingentia supplicia. Magdeburg. in prafat. ad Centur. 5. great blessings, seconded with grievous sins, will at length draw down extraordinary judgements. And it had been better for us never to have had such deliverances, if we be not careful to show ourselves truly thankful unto him, that hath wrought so great deliverances for us. Use 4. of Point 4. Fourthly, it may teach God's Children not to be dismayed, if the enemies of God's Church seem sometime p Dan. 8.24, 25. Apoc. 13.6, 7. to prevail against it. For q jer. 31.35, 36, 37. & 33.20, 21, 25, 26. they shall never be able to root it out for all that. God's Church is as r Exod. 3.2. the bush, that burnt, and consumed not, as s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 etc. Plut. sympos. l. 8. q. ●● the Palmtree, that spreadeth, and springeth up the more it is oppressed: as t 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Sibyl. Mergitur interdum, sed non submergitur unquam. Merses profundo; pulchrior evenit. Luctere; multa proruet integrum Cum laude victorem. Horat. Carm. 4.4. the bottle, or bladder, that may be dipped, but cannot be drowned: as u Duris ut ilex tonsa bipennibus per damna, per caedes ab ipso ducit opes animumque ferro. Ibid. the Oak, that taketh heart to grace from the maims and wounds given it, and sprouteth out thicker than before. x Sanguis Martyrum semen Ecclesiae. plures efficimur, quoties metimur à vobis. Semen est sanguis Christianorum. Tertull. apolog. Sparsus est sanguis iustus: & illo sanguine tamquam seminatione facta seges surrexit Ecclesiae. August. in Psal. 39 veritas per orbem terrae pullulavit faecundius, cum in Martyrum sanguine sereretur. Idem Civit. l. 22. c. 7. The blood of the Martyrs is the seed of the Church; it springeth again as y V●● est quae reparet, seque ipsa reseminet ales. Ouid. met. l. 15. Faecunda reparat sic morte iwentam. Claudianus in Stilic. l. 2. De Palma quadam in Chora mirum accepimus, cum Phoenice ave, quae putatur ex huius palmae argumento nomen accepisse, emori, ac renas●i ex seipsa. Plin. hist. nat. l. 13. c. 4. Hinc error Tertulliani enatus, qui illud Psal. 92.12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Graecè, de ave (non arbore, Hebraicae linguae ignarus) intellexit, quae se funerans renovat, natali fide decedens atque succedens iterum. Lib. de resurr. Si tamen ut creditur de sua morte renascitur. Aug. de orig. anim. l. 4. c. 20. Vide & Clement. Apost. constit. l. 5. c. 7. Plin. hist. nat. l. 10. c. 2. Oppian. de ancup. Orum in hieroglyph. Claudian. & Lactant. nom carm. de Phoenicia etc. the Phoenix doth out of her own ashes, or as b Non hydra secto corpore firmior vinci dolentem crevit in Herculem succisa serpens caede se reparans sua. Sen. Med. 4.1. the Hydra rather repaireth herself out of her own losses with a much more plentiful increase. c Exod. 1.12. Sic foenum graecum qu● peius tractatur, provenit melius. Plin. hist. l. 18. c. 16. The more Pharaoh oppressed the hebrews, the more they increased, and the mightier they grew. The Children of God in the Word are compared especially to two sorts of silly creatures, to d Cant. 2.14. & 6.9. Matth. 10.16. Doves, and to Sheep. e Vt fugit accipitrem penna trepidante columba, Vt solet accipiter trepidas urgere columbas. Ouid. Met. l. 1. No fowl more preyed upon by Eagles, Hawks, Vultures, and other birds of prey, than the poor Pigeon. And yet, f Quantum vult consumat edacitas vulturum, tamen maior est numerus columbarum. Optat. contr. Parmen. l. 2. let those ravenous fowls (saith Optatus) consume never so many of them, there will be a greater number of Doves still, than of any kind of them. There is more Doves than Hawks, or than Kites, for all that. Again, for the Sheep, it is one of the silliest creatures that is, and most unable to defend itself: neither is it unknown to us (to spare to speak g jer. 50.6. Esai. 56.9. 1 Sam. 17.34. Ezek. 34.5. In praedam lupis ferisque r●liquis exp●siti sunt cum primis ovium greges. Spin. de provide. how they are preyed upon in those places where Wolves, and Bears, and Lions, & other wild beasts are rife) how many of them are h Psal. 44.11, 22. jer. 12.3. Ouium homini cibus frequentissimus, ut nullus fere alius in lavienam veniat. Spin. ibid. slain for man's use; no one sort of creatures cometh so frequent to the Shambles as they; they come not by one, or two, but they are driven by troops thither; as also how many of them die by diseases; they are subject to i Saevissima inter eos pestis gr●ssatur. Ibid. rots, and murreons, that k Illa cateruatim dat stragem. African. in Geopon. make havoc of them by whole sale; nor are they naturally so fruitful as many other beasts are, and those of prey by name, some of them, as the Fox and others, that bring diverse at a litter, whereas l Vnicum duntaxat quotannis parit. Spin. the Ewe hath usually but one. And yet for all this we see what m Nullum animal frequentius in agris accurrit. Idem. plenty there is every where of them. We may see * Oues olim mite pecus, nunc tam indomitum & edax, ut homines devorent, oppida diruant. Th. Morus Vtop. l. 1. Sheep eat out men in many places among us; and whole Towns by them depopulated and turned into Sheep-walks. Such a providence of God is there in the preservation, and increase of that Creature that so n Psal. 23.1, 2. & 74.1. & 77.20. & 79.13. & 80.1. & 95.7. & 100.3. Esai. 40.11. & 63.11. jer. 23.1, 3. & 31.10. & 49.20. & 50.6. oft he compareth his Church and Children unto, whom he hath taken into his special and peculiar protection; and whom therefore their cruel Adversaries shall no more be able to root out, than the Hawks able to destroy all the Doves that are, or the Wolves to woory, and slay all the Sheep in the World. Question. Yea but (may some say) may we in this Land then be sure ever of such safety, Ezek. 34.22, 23, 31. & 36.37, 38. & 37.24, 26. never to be overrun, or rooted out? No: It is God's Church in general, not this or that Church in particular, Answer. that is sure thus constantly to continue. Mica 2.12. & 7.14. Zach. 9.16. & 10.3. & 11.7, 11. & 1●. 7. Matth. 10.16. & 9.36. & 26.31. & 25.32, 33. john 10.2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 15, 16, 26, 27, 28. Now God's Church is not confined to this, or that place; nor is God's protection tied unto, or entailed upon this, or that people. We have o Psal. 119.57, 94. jer. 2.3. no promise of protection longer than we continue God's portion. We have p 1 Cor. 10. 1-12. no better evidence, nor assurance than the jews had: q Psal. 132.14. Here (saith God) shall be my rest for ever. And, r Verse 8. God will establish it for ever. And, s Psal. 89.23. Esai. 41.11, 12. I will destroy all that rise against it. And yet we know t Luk. 19.44. & 21.24. what is become of them at this day, u Matth. 23.38. Their habitation is left desolate. And x 1 Thess. 2.16. The wrath of God (saith the Apostle) is come upon them to the utmost. It is true indeed, that a Deus nisi deserentem se non deserit, priusquam deseratur neminem deserit. Aug. ad imposs. sibi art. 7. Recessurum non deserit antequam deserat. Ibid. 14. Non enim nos deserit fons, si nos fontem non deseramus. Idem in joan. 32. God never leaveth any, but those that leave him. But if b 1 King. 11.7, 9 Solomon leave God, and build Temples for Milcom, and Chamosh; God will leave him, and raise up adversaries on all sides against him. If c 2 Chron. 32.25. Ezekiaes' heart be lift up; d Esai. 39.6, 7. 2 Chron. 32.26. God will pull him down again. If e Esai. 1.21. jer. 3.2. & 9.2. the holy City become an Harlot, or a f Facta est urbs tota lupanar. Iwen. sat. 1. Vnus gurges omnium gula: unum pene lupanar est omnium vita. Saluian. de prou. l. 7. Stews (as he speaketh) no reason but that God should g jer. 7.29. & 12.7. abandon it, and give her h jer. 3.8. a Bill of divorce, and i Ezek. 13.36, 45, 47. deal with Aholah, and Aholibah, as adulterous women are wont to be dealt with. If God's Vine grow not k Hoshea 10.1. barren only, but bear l Deut. 32 32. bitter, m Esai. 5.2. noisome, and n Deut. 32.33. poisonful grapes; it shall be a just thing with God to o Esai. 5.5. Psal. 80.12. pluck up her hedge, and p Esai. 5.6. jer. 12.11. lay her waste, q jer. 9.11, 12. as a wild wilderness, or r Matth. 3.10. & 7.19 Luk. 13.7. to cut her down, and s Ezek. 15.4, 6. cast her into the fire. If t Numb. 11.5. & 14.3, 4. Israel begin to look back into Egypt; it shall be just with God u Deut. 28.68. to bring back his Israel that was, into their former Egyptian bondage again. If the Hebrews live in those abominable courses x Levit. 1.24, 25. Deut. 18.12. for which God cast out the Canaanites, y Levit. 18.28. the Land that spewed out the Canaanite, shall now spew them out. If z Ezek. 5.6. & 16.47, 48. Gods own people grow worse than the Heathen themselves; it shall be just with God, to a Ezek. 7.24. bring the very worst of the Heathen in upon them, and by them, whom they b Ezek. 16.51, 52. justify in some sort, c Ezek. 7.21. to destroy them. Nor may d jer. 25.28, 29. Rom. 11. ●●, 21. we look to far better than they did, if we be faulty as they were. God's Church may stand firm and stable still, though we fall. The Lamp may burn clear elsewhere, though the Light be done out with us. If we desire therefore to have this Protection continued unto us, let us continue to be e Deut. 32.9. Exod. 19.5, 6. Gods, that f Deut. 26.17, 18. jer. 7.23. & 31.33. God may continue to be ours. Let us be careful to keep and maintain a Church of God with us, g Semen sanctum statumen terra. Esai. 6.13. The holy seed upholdeth the state. In a word, as Samuel to his people (whose words I will end all with) h 1 Sam. 1●. 24, 25. Fear the Lord, and serve him with all your heart in sincerity; and consider what great things he hath hitherto done for you. FINIS.