❧ Our trust against trouble. Very expedient for the time, composed for our better consolation, and consideration of these crosses of war, lately attempted, and still intended against us. With divers special prayers and Meditations, very requisite to be remembered of us, before, in and after the time of our trouble. By Charles Gybbon. 2. Esdras. 16, 15. ¶ Behold famine, plague, trouble, and anguish, are sent as scourges for amendment. Seen and allowed. At London, Printed by john Charlewood, dwelling in Barbican at the sign of the half Eagle and the Key, and are there to be sold. 1589. To the right worshipful Sir john Heigham Knight, long life and happy days. THe proof of your worship's goodwill, hath made me presume to present these my pains under your favourable protection: not doubting, but as your worship is zealous in Religion, conformable in living, and a supporter of godly enterprises, so you will become a Patron to any good proceed. Thus being loath to trouble your patience with any prolixius or tedious discourse not omitting my humble duty, I commit your worship to the tuition of the Almighty. Your worships to command. Charles Gibbon. ❧ To the courteous and Christian Reader. IF every Christian well considereth the course of his life, he shall find it nothing else but a continual war, for the Spirit hath three carnal enemies which daily encounter with it, the flesh world & devil, what more filthy than the fruits of the flesh. Rom. 8.13 If ye live after the flesh ye shall die what more wretched than the work of the world. 1. joh. 5, 19 The whole world lieth in wickedness, what more detestable than the deeds of the devil. 1. Pet, 5, 8, As a roaring Lion he goeth about seeking whom he may devour. Now if we will expel these enemies we must use these remedies. Rom. 8, 13 If we mortify the deeds of the body we shall live. 1, joh. 5.5 If we believe that jesus is the son of God, we shall overcome this world jam. 4.7 If we resist the devil he will fly from us. And no doubt these external troubles 〈◊〉 war (wherewith we were lately visi●) were sent of God for our good, to netifie us in this spiritual fight. For he ●●ing the adversaries ready to pre●le, did (by the same scourge) put us 〈◊〉 mind of his indignation, because we begin to faint in so good a fight. We ●●ue lived a long time in peace (the ●ord be praised for it and still prolong 〈◊〉 but we have abused this blessing, Psal. 30.6 ●d said in our prosperity (as david ●d) we should not be moved. Our ●ts have lulled us a sleep in security, ●e flesh hath followed all sensuality, ●e world hath bewitched us with ●eere vanity, and the devil hath nus●d us in iniquity. Insomuch that it ●as high time for the Lord to touch 〈◊〉 with these troubles, lest we had pe●hed in our sins, and although he ●th begun very mildly, in hope of ●r conversion, we may be assured he ●ll proceed to punish us more extremely, if there be no reformation. Therefore now let us learn to amend our lives for fear of a further affliction. Let us hear the word of God with more diligence, and follow it in our life with more obedience, and though we live in the flesh, 2. Cor, 10, 3. let us not war after the flesh. Though we are in the world, 1. Cor. 7.31 let us use it as though we used it not. Ephe. 4.27. Though the devil daily follow us, let us not give place to him. Thus by resisting evil, we shall grow in grace, and so by the means of our amendment, we shall pacify the wrath of God, and consequently appease the fury of our foes, which GOD grant. Amen. Yours in the Lord, Charles Gibbon of Bury S. Edmond. ¶ A prayer for the good protection of our gracious Queen and Realm. Eternal good and gracious God, stretch forth thy saving hand: Let not our sins provoke thy wrath, but look upon this land. In thee we do repose our trust, as one that never fail, Subvert both far and fawning foes, they never may prevail. Alas what are we of ourselves and want thee on our side, But even as chaff against the wind, not able to abide. Extend therefore thy heavenly help, and though there be but ten, They shall affright ten thousand foes, if thou do say Amen. Have mercy on us all O Lord, For Christ our saviours sake Accept our prayers in good part, and present pity take. Remember our good sovereign Prince, thine own anointed dear, Expel her foes, increase her friends, no hurt may happen here. Give to her subjects faithful hearts, to love her as they ought, In any wise not to rebel, or think a wicked thought. Not once to suffer or consent to harm her any way, As we by duty all are bound, because she is our stay. ✿ another godly Prayer very good and necessary to be used in these troublesome days. O Eternal & everliving Lord, although we thy wretches (by reason of our manifold sins and offences) are unworthy to cry or call upon thee for comfort, in these thy crosses of tribulations come upon us: yet seeing (O Lord) thou hast willed us in our trouble to call upon thee, Psal. 50.15 and thou wilt hear us: and in the burden of our sins to come unto thee, and thou wilt ease us, Math. 11.28 we presume to prostrate our humble prayers before the throne of thy majesty, beseeching thee of thy rich mercy in Christ, to forgive our sins, by thy daily renewing spirit, to amend our lives, and by thy favourable protection, to defend us in these our troubles, that we may not be made a prey unto the lust of our enemies, whereby we may be made a reproach among those profane people, and thereby they may triumph against thee in our overthrow, and say. Where is now their God. Confound and scatter (O Lord) these our enemies, in their impious enterprises and proceed, Gen, 11, 8 as thou didst those presumptuous people at Babel. Enfold them in the folly of their filthy devices, as thou didst to ahithophel. 2. Sa. 17.23 Enfeeble their force, and smite them with thy Angel, as thou didst the power of Saneherib In their terrible and desperate attempts, 2. Re. 19.35 let them be drowned, as was Pharaoh. Entrap & overtake them in their treasons, Exo. 14.16 as thou didst Absalon. Turn them (if any be to be converted) as thou didst Manasses, 2. Sam. 15 7 otherwise let them feel their due punishment, as did Corah and the rest of his conspirators. Num. 16.31 So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture, shall praise thee for ever, and from generation to generation, we will set forth thy praise. Hear us O merciful Father, for jesus Christ's sake, our only Mediator and advocate. Amen. A Shield for a Soldier. Selected out of the Scriptures, containing very necessary Meditations, and prayers to be used in the time of trouble. LOrd it is nothing with thee to help with many or with no power. 2. Ch, 14.11 Help us O Lord our God, for we rest on thee, and in thy name are we come against this multitude. O Lord thou art our God, let not man prevail against thee. O our God wilt thou not judge them, 2. Ch. 20.12 for there is no strength in us to stand before this great multitude the cometh against us, neither do we know what to do, but our eyes are toward thee. In God do I trust, I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Psal. 56.11. O Lord our God, I beseech thee save thou us out of our enemy's hand, 2. Re. 19.19. that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou O Lord art only God. Psal, 25, 1, 2, Unto thee O Lord, lift I up my soul, my God I trust in thee, let me not be confounded, let not mine enemies rejoice over me. Psal. 21.13 Be thou exalted O lord in thy strength, so shall we sing and praise thy power. Psa. 22.4.5 Our fathers trusted in thee, they trusted and thou didst deliver them. They called upon thee & were delivered, they trusted in thee & were not confounded. Psa. 25.17.18.19. The sorrows of my heart are enlarged, draw me out of my troubles, look upon my affliction, and my travel, and forgive all my sins. Behold mine enemies for they are many, and they hate me with carnal hatred. Psal. 30.10 Hear O Lord and have mercy upon me, Lord be thou mine helper. Psal. 27.12 Give me not unto the lust of my adversaries. Psa. 31.15.16 My times are in thy hand, deliver me from the hands of my enemies, and from them that persecute me, make thy face to shine upon thy Servant, and save me through thy mercy. Our soul waiteth for the Lord, Psal. 33.20. for he is our help & our shield, let thy mercy O lord be upon us, as we trust in thee. Plead thou my cause O lord with them that strive with me, Psal. 35.1.2 fight thou against them that fight against me. Lay hand upon the shield and buckler and stand up for my help. Let not them that are mine enemies uniustlie triumph over me. Psal. 35.19 Let not them say in their hearts, Psa. 35.25 O our soul rejoice, neither let them say we have devoured him. Be merciful unto me O GOD, Psa. 56.1.2 for man would swallow me up, he fighteth continually and vexeth me. Mine enemies would daily swallow me up, for many fight against me O thou most high. Have mercy upon me O God, Psal. 57.1 have mercy upon me, for my soul trusteth in thee, & in the shadow of thy wings will I trust till these afflictions overpass. Psa. 60.11. Give us help against trouble, for vain is the help of man. Through God we shall do valiantly, for he shall tread down our enemies. Psa. 70.1.2 O Lord hast thee to deliver me, make haste to help me O lord. Let them be confounded & put to shame that seek my soul, let them be turned backward and put to rebuke that desire my hurt. Help us O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name and deliver us, and be merciful unto our sins for thy name's sake. Psal 36.1.2. Psa. 79.6.9. power out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name. So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture shall praise thee for ever, & from generation to generation we will set forth thy praise. Psa. 86.1, 2 Incline thine ear O lord and hear me for I am poor and needy. Preserve thou my soul for I am merciful, my God save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto me O God, for I cry upon thee continually. Rejoice the soul of thy servant, Psa. 86, 4, 5 6, 17. for unto thee O lord do I lift up my soul. For thou Lord art good and merciful, and of great kindness unto all them that call upon thee. Give ear Lord unto my prayer, and hearken to the voice of my supplication. Show a token of thy goodness toward me, that they which hate me, may see it, and be ashamed, because thou O Lord hast helped and comforted me. O Lord hear my prayer and let my cry come unto thee. Psa. 102.1, 2 Hid not thy face from me in the time of my trouble, incline thine ears unto me, when I call make haste to hear me. Help me O Lord my God, Psal. 109, 26, 27. save me according to thy mercy. And they shall know that this is thy hand, and that thou O Lord hast done it. Our help is in the name of the Lord which hath made heaven and earth. Psa. 124, 8. Deliver me O Lord from mine enemies for I hide me with thee. Psal. 143. Psal. 144.11 12. And for thy mercy slay mine enemies, & destroy all them that oppress my soul, for I am thy servant. Rescue me and deliver me from the hands of Strangers, whose mouth talketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood. That our Sons may be as the plants growing up in their youth, and our Daughters as the corner stones, graven after the similitude of a Palace. Psal. 144.13.14, 15 That our corners may be full, abounding with divers sorts, and that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets. That our Oxen may be strong to labour, that there be no invasion, nor going out, nor crying in our streets. Blessed are the people that be so, yea blessed are the people whose God is the Lord. ❧ Our trust against trouble. ¶ That we may the more patiently, thankfully, and joyfully carry & overcome the cross of tribulation & trouble. Let us first of all consider who is the Author of it. 1. It is God that sendeth war. AND that is approved unto us in these words. Behold now for I, I am he, and there is no Gods with me, Deu. 32.39 I kill and I give life, I wound & I make whole, neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. The Isralites confessed all their afflictions to come from God. Come (say they) let us return to the Lord: Hosea, 6, 1 for he hath spoiled and he will heal us, he hath wounded us, & he will bind us up. etc. So that we may learn by this, two profitable instructions. 1. Albeit the wicked do make war, we must not suppose they do it of themselves, for God doth after a sort use and send them as his servants, (and so very fitly calleth them) because he maketh them to serve him by constraint, and that which they do of malice, he turneth to his honour and glory, as he did by Nebuchadnezer, who when he besieged jerusalem, he did it not of his own accord, for the Lord had said before, I will send Nebuchadnezer my Servant. Jere, 25, 9 etc. 2. Although our enemy's attempt to trouble us, yet this is our assurance, they can proceed no further than God will permit or appoint them, because they are but as instruments to execute his indignation. Esay, 10, 5, Sith it is God that sendeth war, we are next to consider wherefore or for what cause he doth commonly use to send it, for he never sendeth his visitation in vain. 2 War is sent as a scourge for sin. And that may appear unto us by this sentence. Psal. 89, 31, If they break my statutes & keep not my commandments, then will I visit their transgression with the ●●d & their iniquity with strokes. And may further proved to us in ●ese places. Leu. 26, verse, 17 Deut. 28, verse, 20, 22 2, Chro. 20, verse, 9 The jews attributed all their afflictions to their sins. Baru. 2, 5, 6 The sins which so provoke the Lord punish us, no doubt are these amongst ●anie other. ●use of his word. contempt of his Minist. covetousness. ●●tortion. Pride. Whoredom. Drunkenness, and such like. These and such 〈◊〉 sins reigned in Israel, jerusalem, and judah. For which sins the Lord did send his word amongst them, as you may ●ad at large, in Esay. 28. Eze. 22. jere. 5. So that we may observe in this, be special considerations. That we must not take these trou●s to come of course, but acknowledge 〈◊〉 sins to be the cause, and thereby we all perceive that God by sending them, ●th seek nothing but our good, premo●hing us gently, lest we perish in our sin securely. 2, Esd. 16, 15 Behold famine, plague trouble, and anguish, are sent as scourges for amendment. Pro, 3, 12, For whom God scourgeth he loveth. 2. That if we show an unfeigned confession, and make a true and hearty contrition for our sins, leading our lives in better obedience of the word of God, these troubles shallbe taken away from us. For the Lord hath said to those that do so, Leu, 26.6, 7 I will send peace in your land, ye shall sleep & none shall make you afraid, & the sword shall not go through your land, ye shall chase your enemies▪ and they shall fall before you upon the sword, & five of you shall chase an hundred, & an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight, & your enemy shal● fall before you upon the sword. For th● Lord taketh no pleasure in the destruction of sinners, 2, Chr, 12, 12 Ezek, 18, 32 but in their conversion 3. That if we still persevere in ou● sins without repentance (making 〈◊〉 account of this mild correction lately sent us) Rom, 2, 5 we shall not only heap vnt● ourselves wrath against the day of ●●dgment, but also in this life, Leu, 26, 16 Nehe, 9, 28 procure ●he Lord to punish us seven times more according to our sins, and make ●im give us over unto the lust of our enemy's. (which God defend.) 3. How we ought to remedy and defend these afflictions. In that they come of God and not of ●an, we may learn three singular lessons. 1. That we must not altogether de●ende upon the ordinary and lawful means as Men, Munition, Worldly ●ower and Policy, for that is abomination in the sight of God, as may appear by that which is pronounced against the Isralites, Woe unto them that go down into Egypt for help, Esay, 31, 1, & stay upon Horses & trust in charets, because they are many, & in horsemen because they are very strong, but they ●ooke not unto the holy one of Israel, nor seek unto the Lord. And afterward there is produced a reason to reprove them. The Egyptians are men & not gods, Esay, 31, 3, & their horse's flesh and not spirit, & when the lord shall stretch out his hand, the helper shall fall, & he that is helped shall fall, and they shall altogether fail. And the Prophet jeremy saith. Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, Jere, 17, 5 and maketh flesh his arm, and withdraweth his heart from the Lord. judge, 20, 20. The same Isralites trusting in their strength were discomfited by the Beniamites, for it is written. 1, Sam, 2, 9 In his own might shall no man be strong. 2. That as we must not neglect the instrumental & lawful remedy to with stand the adversary. So we ought especially to respect the efficient cause, (which is God) who sendeth the enemy, remembering what the Psalmist saith. Blessed is the man that maketh the lord his trust, Psal, 40, 41 Jere, 17, 17 for God can aswell without as with weapon, terrify & destroy the enemy. 2, Chr, 14, 11. Abiiah making war against jeroboam, got the victory not altogether with the multitude of men. But it is there said, he did the rather prevail, because he and his stayed upon the Lord ●od of their fathers. 2, Chr, 13, 18 David fight against Goliath, the huge Giant, although ●e did not contemn the Armour King ●aul put upon him, yet (because he could ●ot away withal) he did not wear it. Notwithstanding, betaking himself to ●●s sling, and committing his trust in God, he overcame his enemy, because ●he Lord will have his power known 〈◊〉 prevail. Assuring us thereby, 1, Sam, 17 51, 54, that 〈◊〉 we fight in faith under his defence, ●e will never fail us. 3. That we must both fight with our ●●ndes and pray with our hearts together, following the good example of our forefather's in their afflictions. 1, Sam, 7, 8, 9 The Children of Israel did not only fight ●gainst the philistines, but requested Samuel (that notable Prophet) to cry vn●o the Lord for them. 2, Ch, 20, 12, jehoshaphat fight against his enemies, did withstand with weapon & prostrate his Prayer. Asa warring against the Ethiopians; 2, Ch, 14, 11 did both resist with weapon, and persist in prayer, for as we must not omit the lawful ordinance (God hath appointed) to defend us. So we must commit ourselves to him, who giveth the success, & submit both to his protection. 4. How we may take comfort in these crosses of trouble. Let us but consider what moveth the enemy to intermeddle with us. Surely nothing else but sinister occasions as some of these ensuing. Pretending, 1. To hurt our sovereign Queen the Lords anointed. 2. To hinder the free passage of God's word amongst us. 3. To destroy the little flock of God's fold in this land. 4. To set abroach all superstition and abomination. No doubt as their intent is evil, so their success will be such. Exo, 14, 16 Paraoh (that tyrannical rebellor) making war against the Isralites (that chosen people of GOD) could not prevail, 2, Ch. 20, 22 for the Lord drowned him and all his host in the Sea. The Moabites & Amonites (that perverse & wretched people) making war against jehoshaphat the good King of judah) they were so far from overcoming that one enemy did help to destroy an other of his adversaries. Sanaherib that great blasphemer making war against Hezekiah that godly Prince, 2, Re, 19, 35. had so good success in his enterprise, that the Angel of the Lord went out and in one night smote in the Camp, an hundred, fourscore and five thousand of his men. Zerah of Ethiopia, 2, Chr, 14 12, 13, making war against King Asa, was so far from giving the overthrow, that he and his were enforced to fly, & receive the foil. Thus we may see by these examples that although God will sometime punish his children for their sins, by suffering the nenemy to assault them, yet he will not permit the enemy to prevail over his people, so they repent and be sorry for their sins, & repose their trust in their troubles under his defence. Let us not be terrified because of the multitude of men, but let us remember that notable saying of Asa in his trouble, 2, Ch, 14, 11 Lord it is nothing with thee to help with many or with no power. For no doubt we may say of our enemy (as Hezekiah did of Sancherib, With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the lord our God, for to help us and to fight our battles. Let us pray without despair, considering what the Lord hath said. Psal. 50, 15 Call upon me in the time of trouble, and I will hear thee. Exo, 17, 11 When Moses lifted up his hand, Israel prevailed, but when he let down his hand, the Amalekites prevailed, teaching us thereby to prostrate and persevere in our prayers, without fainting, for the Lord is nigh to all those that call upon him in faith. Psal, 145, 18, 5. How we ought to behave ourselves after troubles for the good success is sent us. We must offer to God the Sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. As the Lord hath promised in our troubles to hear & help us, so he hath said. Thou shalt praise me. For of him, Psal, 50, 15 Rom, 11, 36, through him & for him are all things, to him be glory. Lest if we forget or neglect to be thankful to him for his benefits, he doth further afflict us. For it is said of Hezekiah, (after God had wonderfully delivered him from his enemies) that he did not render according to the reward bestowed upon him, for his heart was lift up, 2, Ch, 32, 25 and therefore the wrath of God came against him upon judah and jerusalem. Therefore that we may the more effectually offer our praises to God, let us observe two things. 1. Comemoration. Of the opposite danger of our enemy with our safe delivery. 2. Consideration. Of our unworthy merits, with God's wonderful mercy. In so doing we shall find God's goodness so superabundant, and our deserts so repugnant, that every one of us, in the end of our troubles, shall be enforced to say as David did, Psalm. 116.12, 13, 17 What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me? I will take the Cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. I will offer to him a sacrifice of praise. Gen, 14, 19 Melchizedeck gave thanks for Abraham's victory. Exo, 15, 1, 2 Moses and the Isralites song praises for their deliverance. judge, 5, 1, 2 So did Deborah, Barak and divers others. For if the Lord smelled a savour of rest at the offering of Noah, how acceptable will our praises be, that proceed from a contrite heart, sith the Lord himself saith: Psal, 50, 23 He that offereth me praise shall glorify me. A triumph after trouble. Containing a praise or thanksgiving, fit for every Christian to offer and confess to God, for the benefit of their deliverance. Collected out of the Scriptures. I Will magnify thee O Lord, Psal, 30, 1 for thou hast exalted me, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. By this O Lord I know that thou favourest me, Psal, 41, 11, because my enemy doth not triumph against me. Thou hast turned my mourning into joy, Psal, 30, 11 thou hast loosed my sack & girded me with gladness. Therefore shall my tongue praise thee, and not cease: O Lord my God I will give thanks unto thee for ever. I will always give thanks unto the Lord, Psalms, 34 1, 2, 3, 4 his praise shall be in my mouth continually, my soul shall glory in the Lord, the humble shall hear it and be glad. Praise ye the Lord with me and let us magnify his name together. I sought the Lord and he heard me, yea he delivered me out of all my fear. Psalms, 44, 5 6, 7, 8, Through thee have we thrust back our adversaries, by thy name have we trodden down them that rose up against us, for I do not trust in my bow neither can my sword save me. But thou hast saved us from our adversaries, and hast put them to confusion that hate us. Psal. 56, 12 Therefore will we praise God continually, and will confess his name for ever. Thy vows are upon me O GOD, I will render praise unto thee. Psal, 59, 16, I will sing of thy power and praise thy mercy in the morning, for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. Psal, 63, 5, 6 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow & fatness, and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips, when I remember thee on my bed, and when I think upon thee in the night watches, because thou hast been my helper, therefore under the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. I love the Lord because he hath heard my voice and my prayers. Psalm. 116 1, 17, 18, I will ●ffer to thee a sacrifice of praise & will call upon the name of the Lord. I will ●ay my vows unto the lord, even now ●n the presence of all his people. The Lord is my strength and song, Psal, 118, 14, for he hath been my deliverance. Blessed be the Lord my strength, Psa, 144, 1, 2 which teacheth my hands to fight, and my fingers to battle, he is my goodness and my fortress my Tower & my deliverer, my shield and in him I trust. If the Lord had not been on our side when men rose up against us, Psal, 123, 1, 2 they had then swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us. Praised be the Lord which hath not given us, Psal, 124, 6 as a pray unto their ●eeth. Amen. FINIS.