1588.  
A SERMON PREACHED ON THE Queen's day.  
Being the 17. of November. 1587. at the town of Lidd in Kent, by ISAAC COLFE, Preacher of the word of God.  
LONDON Printed by john Wolf, for Harry Car, and are to be sold at his shop in Paul's Church yard.   

¶ TO MY WORSHIPFUL FRIENDS, THE bailiff and jurats of the town of Lidd: Isaac Colfe wisheth all prosperity in this life, and life everlasting in the world to come.  
Having Preached this Sermon amongst you (worshipful Sirs) seeing the General well liking thereof, and therewithal the desire of some to have the copy of the same: I chose rather to commit it to the Printer, then to copy it out in writing: because that as the labour should be easier unto myself, so the benefit should be greater unto more. And this I have done, not upon the absolute well liking of the manner of my labour therein, which I confess simple: but only the consideration of the matter thereof which for this time I see necessary: containing, as appeareth in the discourse thereof, the wonderful advancement of our most gracious sovereign Q. Elizabeth to the crown of this Realm, to the singular benefit of us all: that upon the consideration thereof we might be the more stirred up to yield dutiful thankfulness and prayer unto God for her: the one in that he first advanced her thereunto, and preserved her hitherto therein: the other, that he would still preserve and prosper her in the government of the same. And I have thought it requisite to dedicate this my labour unto you: not only because it was preached amongst you: but principally because of those passing great courtesies which I have continually received at your hands: For the which as I can not but acknowledge myself wholly indebted far beyond my power fully to requite: so do I acknowledge myself every way bound to testify my thankfulness unto you, which is the only recompense, which either you demand, or I can give again for them. Wherefore vouchsafe, I pray you Worshipful Sirs, (as an undoubted testimony thereof) to accept this same at my hands: who as I am always, and by all ways ready priest, according to duty, with all the power of body and mind, to seek your spiritual profit: so am I as ready at this present, herein to satisfy your Godly desires. The Lord heap upon you the manifold graces of his holy Spirit in abundant measures, to the benefit of his Church, whereof ye are members: of the Common wealth, whereof ye are subjects: but yet principally of that Corporation, whereof ye are Magistrates, to your praise on earth, and eternal glory in the highest Heavens. At Lidd. this first of january. 1587.  
Your worships to be commanded in the Lord, Isa. Colfe.   

A Sermon.  Text Psal. 118. verse. 22. etc. 
22 The stone which the builders refused, is the head of the Corner.  
23 This was the Lords doings, and it is marvelous in our eyes.  
24 This is the day which the Lord hath made: Let us rejoice and be glad in it.  
25 O Lord I pray thee, save now: O lord I pray thee now give prosperity.  
26 Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.  
THis Psalm (worshipful and beloved in our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ) was framed by David: and that, as it seemeth, when, after so many dangers avoided, he had obtained the kingdom of judah, & reigned in Hebron. 2 Sam. 2. And it containeth 
2 Sam. 2.  partly the words of David, exhorting the house of Israel, the house of Aaron, yea and all them which fear the Lord, to praise the Lord for his great goodness and abundant mercy towards him: which how great & abundant it was, he himself thankfully expresseth. And partly the words of the people, who upon the consideration of the wonderful advancement of David, notwithstanding all the outrageous practices of his enemies: and of the happiness thereof redounding to their singular and unspeakable benefit, with a solemn observation of the day thereof, give thanks to the Lord therefore: also joining prayer thereunto for the safety and prosperity of David their king: to which latter part are these words to be referred, which I have at this present hereout, in respect of this present occasion through the goodness of God so happily multiplied unto us, made especial choice off to deliver unto you: and therefore are to be taken, and understood, as being the words of the people, and not as being the words of David.  
They do contain 2 principal parts 1. A declaration of the wonderful and happy advancement of David to the kingdom. 2 Their loving and dutiful behaviour upon the consideration thereof.  

The first part.  
A declaration of the wonderful and happy advancement of David to the kingdom. Wherein yet more particularly the people express first the advancement of David verse 22. Secondy how it came to pass. verse. 23. Thirdly the benefit thereof vers. 24. until the midst thereof.  
1 The advancement of David, verse. 22. The stone which the Builders refused, is the head of the Corner: For the more lively describing, and full expressing whereof, we see, they use a metaphor comparing the common wealth unto a building: the subjects unto stones therein: the Princes and rulers unto the builders thereof: the King unto the head Corner stone of the same: For albeit that these words be referred unto Christ: of whom David was a Type and figure, and therefore are so used by Christ. Math. 21. And by 
Matt. 21. Act. 4.  the Apostle S. Peter. Act. 4. and else where: yet as they were spoken by this people in this place, they were applied unto David: thereby showing that David a subject of that Common wealth, although refused and persecuted by the Princes and Rulers thereof, yet was advanced to be King of the same, where, First, let us observe the fit use of this metaphor by the examination of the parts thereof. Secondly, the application thereof to the purpose of the people.  
First concerning the fit use of this Metaphor, it is apparent by the partituler examination of the several parts thereof. For every Commonwealth is as a building consisting of many parts, which being coupled together in one according unto art, make one house: of this house first every subject is a stone serving in one place or other, and to one use or other in the building, whereby as we learn how perilous in each common wealth contention is between the subjects of the same: that it is even such as if the stones of one building should forsake their places & refuse their offices in keeping in and supporting of one another, & should divide themselves the one against the other, to the beating out and breaking of each other: whereby it must needs come to pass, that the house, yea be it never so goodly and stately, never so firm and strong, must have a downfall, and come to destruction: for a house divided against itself can not stand, as it is written Mat. 12. 
Matth. 12.   
So hereout we are taught, with what carefulness every one of us, of what estate and condition, of what vocation and calling soever we are, aught to procure according to the same, the benefit of the Common wealth, whereof we are subjects, in that we are borne to be stones in this building for the benefit of the same: Which Tully an heathen orator lib. 1, de office. could 
Cïc. de office lib. 1.  see and say. Non nobis solum nati sumus etc. which notable saying he had out of Plato: although therefore we are borne partly for the benefit of ourselves, partly of our parents, partly of our friends (yea & of our enemies also) yet principally for the benefit of the common wealth: and surely as that stone is unworthy to lie on the Earth which will serve to no use in the building: so is that man as unworthy to live on the earth, which in nothing either can not, or will not benefit the common wealth. Again in this house the counsellors, nobility, rulers, & all men in authority are builders: whose office is, if they see this house down, to build it up, if decayed to repair it: if weakened to strengthen it: if falling to hold it up: if assaulted, to defend it: if strong, for to maintain it: and this is, first, by ordaining of good & wholesome laws according to the present times & occasions. 2. by the diligent & faithful execution of them being established: 3. if need require, by spending their goods & adventuring their lives in the defence of it. Thus ought they to be builders of the house of the Common wealth: otherwise well they may bear the name of builders, but they are indeed pluckers down of the same. He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me, he scattereth. Luc. 11. there is no middle nor third thing 
Luc. 11.  between the one and the other. Again of this house, the King is the head of the Corner, whereby the whole building is strengthened and held up. For as the sides & quarters of the house are strengthened by joining unto the corners thereof: and as the corners of the house being taken away, the house can not stand, job. cap. 1. So are all the 
job. 1.  parts and members of the Common wealth sustained and strengthened by the power of the King, and where there is no King, that Common wealth is like unto an house rend from the corners thereof, which can not stand, but come to confusion. One notable example, whereof is to be seen even in this Common wealth of Israel, in the book of the judges: which albeit, it was directed and governed with all good and necessary laws not invented by man, but ordained by God himself: yet Samson being dead, there being no judge in Israel, all things came to a miserable confusion, as appeareth. judic. 17. 18. 19 20. 21. Thus 
judi. 17. 18. 19 20. 21.  we see how fitly this Metaphor is here used in all the parts thereof.  
And now secondly followeth the application of the same unto the purpose and meaning of the people, which was thereby to express the more fully and manifestly the advancement of David to the kingdom: For this is the profitable use of Metaphors, & Allegories, parables or similitudes, lively to describe those things, which otherwise could not so fully be expressed. Wherein First, they begin with his rejection, by the builders: Secondly, come to his exaltation afterwards.  
First they begin with his rejection, that his exaltation might appear the more glorious: for the lower the abbasing is, the more notable is the lifting up: the greater the danger is, the more worthy is the victory. The stone which the builders refused. Lo this is the rejection of David. David was a stone of the house of Israel, a subject of that Common wealth: and albeit, by birth he was not great, the son of Ishai, a mean Israelite: yet in respect of his noble acts, he was a most precious stone, and a principal upholder of the glory of the same, as amongst other things most evidently appeareth 1. Samuel 17. in his encountering 
1 Sam. 17.  with, and over coming of Goliath the Philistine: for when this Goliath a man of mighty stature, and of like strength defied the host of Israel, and no man durst go down unto him: this David being yet but of young years, and of tender age, yea being also unarmed, valiantly encountered with him, and victoriously overcame him, whereby the honour of Israel was preserved, yea and advanced: and the enemies vanquished & destroyed. But what was his reward? This stone the builders refused: They which should have advanced him, rejected him: yea so rejected him, as that they did not only esteem him unworthy to be the chief stone of the Corner, but also to be even an inferior stone in the building, for they would clean have taken him away from the house of Israel: whereunto tended all those tyrannous persecutions practised against him, whereof we read abundantly in the first book of Samuel. Well, thus we see the rejection of this Stone by the builders.  
Now followeth his exaltation. The same is the head of the Corner: although the builders refused this stone, yet the Lord had chosen it, yea & although they had rejected it, yet the Lord had taken it up, and exalted it: and that not only to be a mean stone in the building, but even to be the head in the Corner of the same: that is, not only to be a fellow subject amongst them in the common wealth, but even to be king over them in the government of the same. Whereby first we learn that as those things which are highly esteemed before men, are many times abomination in the sight of God, Luc. 16. so that on the other 
Luc. 16.  side oftentimes those things which are rejected of the world, are most accepted of God, & that the things which are most vile and contemptible before men, are most precious and glorious before God. David, a stone refused by the builders, but allowed & chosen of God. 2. Hereout we learn how impossible a thing it is for a man to prevent the purpose of God: God preventeth man in his purposes: man purposeth, but God disposeth all things: but no man is able to prevent God in his purposes: who shall resist his will? There 
Rom. 9  is neither wisdom, understanding, nor counsel against the Lord. Pro. 21. For the 
Prou. 21.  Lord our God is in heaven, & doth whatsoever 
Psal. 115.  he will: yea even notwithstanding all the practices of man to prevent him. The Lord had preferred jacob before Esau, the younger before the elder: Isaac would have prevented it, but the Lord prevented him. Gen. 27. The Lord had 
Gen. 27.  appointed that joseph should be Lord over his brethren, and that his brethren should bow unto him and do him reverence: they would have prevented it by selling him to the Ismaelites; but the Lord prevented them: they were glad to bow and crouch before him. Gen. 
Gen. 42. 43  42. 43. And what need more examples herein? The Lord had anointed David king over Israel, by the Ministry of Samuel. 1. Sam. 16. the Princes withstand 
1. Sam. 16.  it, yea Saul himself withstandeth it: but all in vain. David is advanced to the kingdom of judah, and at the length also to the kingdom of Israel, as 2. Sam. 5. Thus is this stone 
2. Sam. 5.  which the builders refused, become the head of the Corner.  
I am not come at this time into this place, worshipful and beloved, historically to show unto you what hath of old come to pass unto David of Israel: but chief, in consideration of the day, by way of application to put you in mind, what hath been in your own days done unto Elizabeth of England. The stone which the Builders refused, is the head of the Corner. Elizabeth that precious stone of the house of England refused: by whom? by the builders thereof: but what is the event? the same is the head of the corner. Elizabeth refused, by what means? Elizabeth a stone of the house of England, not of any strange country or foreign nation, and therefore not unfit: yet had they refused her: yea Elizabeth a stone not of the base, but of the most precious sort a stone of the head corner stone, proceeding from the loins of the kings of this land: yet had they refused her: yea Elizabeth a stone not ragged but every way squared, not by the hand of man but by the finger of God, fit for the place and purpose, and yet had they refused her. And by whom was she refused? even by those which were chosen to be the builders of the house of this common wealth: these were the counsellors & Nobility of this Realm, in the days of Queen Mary her sister, who albeit they were the sworn assisters of the rightful heir apparent to the Crown of this land: yea, and albeit they knows by succession to be heirs, and that not by extraordinary anointing as the kingdom of Israel came to David, but by natural descent from her Father, and confirmed by the last will and testament of her Father of famous memory king Henry the eight, yet contrary to law, contrary to their oath, and contrary unto conscience they refused her: and what ways and means they devised and put in practise not only to deprive her of the Crown, but also of her head whereon the Crown should stand, as the history thereof in the book of the acts & monuments of the Church recorded expresseth it, & many of you yet sufficiently remember it: so it should be needless for me now to spend any time in the delivering of it. Only therefore this I say (which boldly I may say) that never did Saul & his coherents seek more ways to destroy David, than they sought to destroy her: neither was David at any time in greater danger of death being persecuted by Saul, nor Peter in greater peril of beheading being fast bound in the prison by Herod, Act. 12 
Act. 12.  nor the three children in greater danger of burning when they were in the hot burning furnace. Dan. 3. nor Daniel in 
Dan. 3.  greater danger of devouring when he was in the Lion's den. Dan. 6. nor 
Dan. 6.  jonas in greater danger of death being already devoured into the Whale's belly swimming in the midst of the sea. jonah. 1. than she was being in the hands 
jonas. 1.  of her enemies. But what was the event? The same is the head of the Corner: notwithstanding all this, her enemies had no power over her, they prevailed not in their purposes, but were confounded in their devices: as for Elizabeth, she is advanced to the kingdom, she sitteth in the throne, she weareth the Crown, she beareth the Sceptre. The stone which the builders refused, is the head of the Corner: and thus much concerning the advancement of David.  
2. How it came to pass. Now the people express how it came to pass that David was advanced to the kingdom: how this stone being refused by the builders, became notwithstanding the head of the Corner. verse. 23. This was the Lords doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes. Where they first attribute their working thereof only to the Lord. Secondly, they confirm it by the merueilousnes thereof in their eyes.  
First they attribute the advancement of David to the only working of the lord It is the first doing and right dutifully: for it is the Lord which hath all things under his government and direction: neither is there any thing done which the Lord hath not done: the least things of this world which we see done, are the Lords doing: the holding forth of our arms, the opening of our lips, the lifting up of our eyes, nay the fall of the Sparrow, nay the fall of the leaf: or if there be any thing less than the least of these, it is the Lords doing, and therefore how much more the things which are greatest? Again in the placing and disposing of the members of the body of man, that one member is lower or higher than another, that the head is highest and the foot lowest, it is the Lords doing. Again amongst those Celestial bodies, that the Sun is placed above Moon and Stars; or (to use the words of the Apostle. 1. Cor: 15.) that there is 
1. Cor. 15.  one glory of the Sun, and another of the Moon, & another of the Stars, and that one Star differeth from another in glory: this is also the Lords doing: and so likewise in the politic body of the commonwealth, that one is advanced above or below another, before or behind another: that one is the chiefest, another the basest, this is also the Lords doing: it is the Lord that casteth down and exalteth: it is he that raiseth the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill to set him amongst the princes, that he may inhabit the seat of glory, as Anna confesseth in her song 1. Sam. 2. and as David speaketh, Psal. 
1. Sam. 2.  75. Preferment cometh neither from 
Psal. 75.  the East nor from the West, nor from the South, but God is judge: he maketh low & maketh high: and therefore saith the Lord, by the wisdom of Solomon, Prou. 8. By me kings do reign: and 
Prou. 8. Rom. 13.  the Apostle, Rom. 13. There is no power but of God, and the powers that be, are ordained of God: if therefore we see any advanced unto the seat of worship, honour, or majesty, yea whether it be by birth, friends, conquest, or by any other means of man, yet this we must acknowledge, that it is the Lords doing: For albeit that man was the instrument, yet the Lord is the only author and ordainer thereof. But yet when this people here acknowledge the advancement of David to be the Lords doing, it is after a more special manner, as it is opposed against the doing of man, thereby showing that it was brought to pass, only by the power of the Lord, without the help, and beyond the expectation of man: for albeit that even those things which are brought to pass by the ministry of man, are said to be done of God, who used man as the instrument, yet most properly are those things said to be the Lords doing which by his absolute power are brought to pass without the help & beyond the expectation of man: thus was the destruction of Pharaoh his host, of Senacheribs host, of Herod: and thus wss the preservation & deliverance of the Israelits, of the three children, of Daniel, of Peter, the Lords doing: and thus do this people affirm the advancement of David to be the Lords doing.  
Secondly that it was the Lords doing, they prove by the marueilousnes thereof. And it is marvelous in our eyes. As if they had said: David is advanced to the kingdom, but without the help, yea beyond the expectation, yea above the reason and understanding of man, yea in so strange a manner, as that in our eyes it is a thing most marvelous: and therefore surely it is the Lords doing. And was it not a strange thing & worthy to be marveled at, that David a man of a mean parentage in the common wealth of Israel, the youngest of all his brethren, and one fetched from the sheepfold, should be anointed to be king? yea & notwithstanding he found so many enemies, and so few friends; so many perils, and so small safety; being a man rejected and persecuted by Saul and his princes, yea being a man despised and scorned of the people, as he himself speaketh: Psal. 22. Should (Saul 
Psal. 22.  being dead, reign over judah, and at the length also (Ishbosheth being slain) over Israel? yet this came to pass: David that little one was anointed: that persecuted and despised one was advanced first to be king over judah: and then also over Israel. This therefore was the Lords doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.  
And no less marvelous, (if we consider it) was the advancement of Queen Elizabeth to the Crown of this Realm: for what though the kingdom successively by right appertained unto her? yet if we consider the multitude and mightiness of her enemies that withstood her: the infinite number of their subtle and devilish devices and practices to destroy her: again if we consider the small number of her able friends to defend her, and her less ability to defend herself: being a maiden virgin, and therefore unmeet: unarmed, and therefore unfit to resist: again being fast shut within the stone walls of strong holds, and therefore not able to fly, but enforced to adventure the extremity of those dangers which by her bloody enemies were daily threatened against her, and prepared for her: again on the other side, if we consider how suddenly and wonderfully the chiefest of her enemies, when she was in chiefest danger of death, and in the judgement of man in desperate estate of life, were brought to destruction: whereby (Queen Mary being dead) she was advanced to the Crown: I say if we thoroughly consider these things, and accordingly weigh them in the true balances of an upright mind, we shall find the advancement of Queen Elizabeth, a thing most marvelous in our eyes: yea and the more we consider it, the more marvelous we shall find it: yea & I assure myself, & you (dearly beloved) that of all those marvelous works which through the mighty hand & outstretched arm of the Lord, we have either with our eyes seen in our days, or else with our ears heard in the days of our fathers to have come to pass, this one is the greatest & the most marvelous in the eyes of all those which thoroughly and uprightly consider it, even this, the advancement of Queen Elizabeth to the Crown of this land: It was marvelous in the eyes of her very enemies, who were amazed at the sight of it, and whose hearts are yet astonished at the remembrance of it: if therefore it seem not marvelous in the eyes of any, it is in the eyes of those which consider it not. Wherefore if we are not too sottish, we can not but see, and too malicious, we can not but acknowledge that it is the Lords doing, and not man's: that it is the Lord which hath pleaded her cause, and revenged her wrong, and that he only which is mighty and almighty hath magnified her, saying: It is the Lords doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.  
3 The benefit thereof. After that the people have expressed the wonderfulness of David's advancement, they likewise express the benefit thereof, Vers. 24. This is the day which the Lord hath made, even to the singular benefit of the whole Commonwealth. For here they speak of a special day made by God unto a special use: for otherwise there is no day which the Lord hath not made, and that even for the use of man: as appeareth Genes. 
Gen. 1.  1. The Lord made the light, and dividing it from the darkness, called the light, Day, and the darkness, Night, and so he made the first, second, third, fourth, fift, and sixth, in which he made the world and all the creatures therein: and the seventh, wherein he rested from all his 
Gen. 2.  work which he had made, and so he likewise maketh every day unto the end of the world: for as now and always in his providence he appointeth what things in every day from day to day shall be done; so he also in the same his providence, maketh every day wherein all things shallbe done. Here therefore, as I said before, they speak of a special day made of God unto a special use for the same people: and that not of a special day made for the sending of a special plague (for thus also is the day of tribulation and of affliction for the punishment of the sins of the ungodly, a special day which the Lord hath made to a special use: and therefore the day appointed for the captivity and destruction of the jews, jerem. 30. joel. 1. Amos. 5. Zophon. 1. is called the day of the 
jerem. 30. joel. 1. Amos. 5. Zophon. 1.  Lord,) but of a special day made by him to their special benefit and commodity: this day was the day of the advancement of David unto the kingdom, whereby the whole common wealth after the unhappy reign, and happy death of Saul, was wonderfully blessed: and therefore say they, this day the Lord hath made, not to the benefit of one, or a few, but to the benefit of the whole common wealth. The Lord had made many days for the benefit of that people before the time of David both in the time of Moses, and of josua, and of the judges, and of Samuel, as appeareth in the perusing of those books: but yet amongst those there was not one, wherein they had received greater blessings, then in this day of the advancement of David: and how greatly they were blessed thereby, he that peruseth lib. 2. of Sam. and lib. 1. of the Chronicles, shall find the same most truly recorded, and fully discoursed: and whereas infinitely they were blessed thereby, yet the blessedness consisted principally in two things: first in his happy victories to the subduing of his enemies, whereby his subjects were preserved in peace, and maintained in prosperity. Secondly, in his fervent zeal to religion, whereby his people under him were trained up in the true service of God, and therefore worthily do they acknowledge This day the Lord hath made. Now as this people speaking of the day of the advancement of David to the kingdom of judah, acknowledge the same to be a special day wherein the Lord had showed mercy unto them, in pouring out his blessings upon them: so likewise have we (dearly beloved) the people of this land as great cause upon the consideration of the advancement of Queen Elizabeth to the Throne thereof, to acknowledge the day thereof, a special day ordained of the Lord our God for the singular benefit of the same: saying with this people, This is the day which the Lord hath made. I might express the blessed estate of this land, by conferring the same under her majesties government, with the estate of judah & Israel, under the government of David, of old: or I might express it by conferring the estate thereof with the estate of other nations round about us, & bordering upon us at this day, either of which might easily prove it unto us: but that I might not seem nimis curiosus in aliena Republica, I will make it manifest by conferring it with itself. The estate of it now with the estate of it in times past: neither do I mean to this end, to call back the consideration of the estate thereof in the days of her Progenitors whom we knew not: but only to examine it, by conferring the estate thereof now with the estate of the same in the days of Queen Mary her sister, whom as you, for the most part know, so what the estate of the Common wealth was under her, you for the most part can not but remember: that having conferred things together which you have known, and had full experience of, you might the better judge between the one and the other: here therefore if we consider how it was governed & left by the one, and how it hath been maintained & governed by the other, the benefit of this day of the advancement of Queen Elizabeth to the Crown of this land, shall most clearly shine, & fully be confirmed unto us. Queen Mary left it vexed with the insolency of the Spanish nation whom she brought in. Queen Elizabeth hath eased it, Mary left it in war, Elizabeth hath governed it in peace: Mary left it in debt, Elizabeth hath discharged it: Mary left it in poverty, Elizabeth hath enriched it: Mary left it weak, Elizabeth hath strengthened it: nay further, (wherein the perfection of our present happiness consisteth) Mary banished true religion, Elizabeth hath restored it: Marry persecuted it, Elizabeth hath defended it: Marry cast it down, Elizabeth hath advanced it. Marry with the intolerable superstitions of Antichrist, defiled it, Elizabeth by casting them out, hath purged it: so that now with liberty of body we enjoy freedom of conscience, in stead of being strangers in other lands, our land is become a safe receptance for the godly persecuted of other nations: as in worldly, so in all spiritual blessings we are wonderfully enriched: briefly, we all of us more fully feel the blessedness of our estate, than any tongue, much less mine, is able to express. If therefore the Lord ever made any day for the benefit of Israel, yea or any day for the benefit of any nation under the heavens, than even this day of the advancement of Queen Elizabeth to the kingdom of England hath the Lord made for the unspeakable happiness of the same. Happy did England think itself in the days of King Henry her noble father: happy did it think itself in the days of king Edward her godly brother: but yet never could it repute itself so happy, as it hath been during the reign of victorious Queen Elyzabeth: so unspeakable an happy day was this, of the advancement of Queen Elizabeth: and therefore how shall we but acknowledge this day made & appointed of the Lord our God for the happiness of England? surely never did the Lord make any such day before it, neither will he ever make any such day after for the happiness of England. The Lord therefore vouchsafe to lengthen this day, not only as the day of josuah, but even as the days of Heaven and Earth. And thus much concerning the first part, containing the declaration of the wonderful and happy advancement of David to the kingdom.   

The second part.  
The loving and dutiful behaviour of the people upon the consideration thereof.  
Which consisteth in 3. things: first, in a rejoicing, vers. 24. secondly, in a prayer, verse 25. thirdly, in a blessing, verse 26.  
1 A rejoicing, which is uttered by way of mutual exhortation, stirring up one another unto the same, verse. 24. Let us rejoice, & be glad in it. Which is the loving nature of God's children towards their brethren: if they see and know themselves to be such as they should be, they envy not those that be like unto them, but rather wish and desire that they all were such as they themselves are: so Paul. Act. 26. assuring himself 
Act. 26.  unfeignedly to serve the Lord, wisheth that not only Agrippa, but also all they which heard him speak that day were altogether such as he himself was, only his bands excepted: & therefore in all godly actions which they dutifully exercise, not satisfying themselves with their own diligence, they also stir up one another by exhortation to join with them in them according to the present occasion offered: as if occasion be offered to hear the word preached, they stir them up unto hearing with them: if to exercise themselves in prayer, to pray with them: if in fasting, to fast with them: if in lamentation, to lament with them: briefly, if in rejoicing, to rejoice with them: as the people in this place, having occasion of joy and rejoicing given unto them by the advancement of David, exhort each others thereunto, saying: Let us rejoice and be glad. In which their rejoicing, yet more particularly we are to observe 3. things: first the persons who are exhorted of one another to rejoice. Let us: secondly the time when. In it: that is, in this day which the Lord hath made: thirdly, what manner of rejoicing it should be.  
First concerning the persons who are exhorted by each other to rejoice, they are, we. Let us rejoice and be glad. Albeit, that so great happiness came to that common wealth, by the advancement of David to the kingdom: yet notwithstanding all rejoiced, not thereat, neither were glad thereof: but many no doubt, of the foolish people which knew not what was good for themselves inwardly, grieved thereat, yea and many we know stormed at the same, and laboured what in them lay to depose David from his Throne, and to deprive him of his Crown: of these was Abner the chief Captain of saul's host the chief, who seeing David now reign in Hebron over judah, took Ishbosheth saul's son, and made him king over Israel. 2 Sam. 2. This, know 
2. Sam. 2.  this people, the thing was notorious amongst them: & yet comfortably they say one to another, Let us rejoice and be glad: as if they had said to each other what though many of the foolish people grieve at the advancement of our king David: yea and what though rebellious Abner & his confederates of the house of Saul storm thereat, and by the advancement of Ishbosheth to that crown of Israel, do not only labour to keep him back from the Crown of Israel, which yet he hath not, but also to depose him from the Crown of judah, which he now enjoyeth, yet as for us Let us rejoice and be glad of it. In like sort, notwithstanding the great and unspeakable happiness of this Common wealth by the advauncenent of Queen Elizabeth to the crown thereof, yet all rejoiced not thereat, neither have they been glad thereof: but many no doubt of the foolish & superstitious people have grieved at it: yea and many rebellious ones, we know by insurrections openly, and by conspiracies secretly, have laboured what in them lay, & have adventured there lives to deprive her of it, but yet notwithstanding (dearly beloved) as for us, let not their foolishness besotte us, but let us rejoice, and be glad thereof: yea even so many of us (which I hope is all of us) as have a love to the present prosperity of the Church of Christ amongst us, or a love to the present peace and happiness of this common wealth: yea or a love to the present welfare of ourselves, let us rejoice and be glad: for even all these things, next under God, spring herefrom: even from the advancement of Queen Elizabeth.  
Secondly, concerning the time of this rejoicing, let us (say they) rejoice and be glad In it: that is in this day which the Lord hath made for the advancement of David. Whereby we see that this people solemnly observed and kept the day of the advancement of David to the kingdom of judah: which notwithstanding is not that observation of days dissliked and rejected by the Apostle Saint Paul Gal. 4. & Coloss. 2. 
Gal. 4. Col. 2.  where only the superstitious observation of days and times are condemned: but religiously to observe those days wherein the Lord hath done principal things either for the benefit of his Church whether general or particular amongst us: or for the benefit of the common wealth wherein we live, as I find neither commandment, nor counsel, nor example to condemn it, so find I manifold examples not amongst the Heathen people recorded by profane writers (which I willingly omit): but amongst the people of God themselves, set down in the holy scriptures (which I can not overslip.) What days the people of Israel were commanded to keep holy unto the Lord you may read, Deut. 16. and else where 
Deut. 16.  even the days of the passover of Pentecost, Tabernacles and some others, in remembrance of those great blessings, which they had received at the hands of the Lord. Again, when by the means of Queen Hester, the jews under Ahashuerosh were preserved from the destruction practised against them by Haman, and having overthrown their enemies had gotten rest, and were in safety: she by the advise of her godly uncle Mardocheus gave commandment unto the whole people of the jews through out all the provinces of the king Ahashuerosh, that they should every year keep the xiiii. and xv. days of the month Adar holy, in remembrance of their wonderful deliverance. Ester. 9 Again 
Ester. 9  when the same people by the means of Simon the high priest, had been delivered from the tyranny of Tryphon. Simon ordained that the same day: even the 23. day of the second month should be kept every year with gladness: 1. Mac. 13. and what need more 
1 Mac. 13.  examples? This people here seeing David advanced to the kingdom of judah, as a day wherein they had received so great a blessing at the hands of the Lord, they solemnly observe the same, and that with rejoicing, saying: this is the day which the Lord hath made: let us rejoice and be glad In it. If ever the people of Israel had any just cause to observe with rejoicing any day in remembrance either of any evil avoided, or of any benefit received at the hands of the Lord: yea, or if any people under the heavens hath had at any time just occasion to do the same: surely then have we even the people of this Common wealth, as great cause as they that have had the greatest, whether in respect of the one, or in respect of the other, solemnly with rejoicing to observe this day, wherein we now breath, the 17. of November: which is the day of the memorial of the beginning of the happy reign of our most gracious sovereign Queen Elizabeth over this land: for on this day, now 29. years it was, that the Lord in mercy remembering us when we little hoped, and less deserved, by taking away of Queen Mary, advanced Queen Elizabeth over us: whereby what plagues we were delivered from, and what blessedness we reaped, you heard before in part, but can not fully be expressed: wherefore now in this day let us rejoice and be glad, yea, and although every day ought to be unto us a day of rejoicing thereat: yet principally we ought to rejoice in this day. How can we but every day rejoice thereat, when as every day we reap the benefit thereof? There doth not one day throughout the year, nay throughout the whole course of our lives, pass over our heads, but that therein every one of us, high and low, rich and poor, young and old, do many ways both see in others, and feel in ourselves the unspeakable benefits of the advancement of Queen Elizabeth: and therefore every day ought to be unto us a day of rejoicing: every day have we just cause to fall down on our knees, and give God thanks for Elizabeth: but yet principally we ought to rejoice in this day, which now we solemnly observe in memorial thereof, for that this is the end wherefore all such solemn observation of special days for special benefits have been ordained and used: even that they should be bestowed in rejoicing: not in fasting: but in feasting, not in weeping, but in rejoicing: wherefore principally in this day we ought to rejoice for that advancement of Queen Elizabeth. Therefore, Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Let not our so long enjoying of her, slack our joy, or quail our reioucing for her: but rather as the longer we enjoy her, the more we are blessed by her: so have we every year renewing of this day, the greater cause to rejoice for her, and therefore even in this day let us rejoice and be glad thereof: yea every way let us testify unto the whole world this our rejoicing: let the cheerfulness of our countenances, the decency of our garments, the songs of our lips, the clapping of our hands, our melody on instruments of music, the making of bonfires, the ringing of bells, the sounding of trum pettes, the displaying of banners, the shooting of guns: yea, and whatsoever means have been used, or may be devised as testimonies of rejoicing, let them be used of us as an evident testimony of our unfeigned and hearty rejoicing this day, for the advancement of Queen Elizabeth.  
Thirdly concerning the manner of this our rejoicing, it must also be observed: for there is areioycing which is evil, as the Apostle speaketh. 1 Cor. 5. The end of which is, weeping: as Christ testifieth 
1 Cor. 5. Luc. 6.  Luc. 6. woe be unto you which now laugh and rejoice: for ye shall wail and weep. This our rejoicing therefore must be only in the Lord: in the same we must not forget God: which fault man for the most part falleth into in the midst of his rejoicing: in his rejoicing he is so overjoyed, as that he clean forgetteth to rejoice in him in whom he ought to rejoice: the rejoicing in the gift, maketh him forgetful to rejoice in the giver: if God give wealth, health of body after poverty and sickness: strength after weakness, peace after war, plenty after scarcity, etc. every man is glad thereof and rejoiceth thereat. But who is he that rejoiceth in him, who hath bestowed those things on him? the people of Israel being brought out of Egypt from the slavery of Pharaoh, and of the Egyptians, they were, no doubt glad thereof and rejoiced thereat, but as David speaketh, Psal. 106. They forgot 
Psal. 106.  God their Saviour which had done great things in the land of Egypt, wondrous works in the land of Ham, and fearful things in the red sea for them: so those ten Leapors spoken of in the Gospel, Luc. 17. being healed of their leprosy 
Luc. 17.  by Christ, were all, no doubt, full glad thereof, and rejoiced: but yet all forgot to rejoice in him who had showed this mercy unto them: for only one of them (who was a Samaritane) returned back, falling downs on his face gave him thanks, and with a loud voice gave praise unto God. Of all those blessings, which we the people of this nation at this present enjoy, or ever in times past have enjoyed: this one, even the advancement of Queen Elizabeth over this land is not the least but rather the greatest, and therefore not the least, but the most worthy to be rejoiced at of all of us which reap the benefit thereof: but yet in this our rejoicing we must be mindful to rejoice in him who hath given Elizabeth unto us, and advanced her over us: For this was the Lords doing and not man's, but even without the help of man, yea even beyond the expectation of all men: nay further, contrary to the will of the chiefest men of this world, as you heard before, the Lord brought it to pass: in whom therefore should we rejoice but in him? for in whom should we rejoice but in him who hath been the worker thereof? he only is worthy of the praise, who alone hath done the work: yea and to this end it is, that he hath so miraculously brought the same to pass, that no flesh should rejoice in his presence: but that he which rejoiceth, should rejoice in him: saying: Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give the praise, for thy loving mercy and for thy truths sake, Psal. 126. Let this our rejoicing 
Psal. 126.  testify our thankfulness unto him for the same: We are not worthy of the least of all his mercies, Gen. 32. 
Gen. 33.  much less of this: and all which we have, or can give unto the Lord our God is not worthy the name of a recompense for the least, much less for this: & yet such is the mercy of our God unto our weakness, as that this only he requireth at our hands for all his unspeakable benefits in so overflowing a measure powered upon us, even this, that we should give thanks unto him: and rejoice in his holy name: therefore David upon the consideration of the wonderful mercies of God towards him, falling into this godly meditation: what shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits bestowed upon me? Psal. 116 
Psal. 116.  thereby acknowledging that he was both altogether unworthy of them: & all which he could give was no proportional recompense for them, and at the length resolving himself what recompense to give, breaketh forth into these words. I will take the cup of salvation, and will call on the name of the Lord: Lo then, this one payment doth fully satisfy the Lord for all his graces, benefits, and blessings powered upon us: And therefore also for this. O therefore that we could truly rejoice in him, and heartily be thankful unto him this day, and even for Elizabeth: that the Lord may this day and ever bless us with Elizabeth: God forbidden that our unthankfulness unto him should bereave and deprive us of Elizabeth, & of this so great happiness which we have so long time enjoyed, and now at this present do, and long time hereafter may (which God grant) enjoy by Elizabeth: as therefore this day the Lord hath made for our singular benefit and unspeakable happiness: so let us rejoice and be glad in it, and bestow the same in thanksgiving unto him for the advancement of Elizabeth.  
2 A Prayier, from rejoicing they come unto prayer. Non minor est virtus quam quarere, parta tueri: as David could not without the help of the Lord obtain the kingdom: so neither could he without the help of the Lord defend himself and govern it: and therefore as they saw just occasion to rejoice in him for the one, so they saw as just occasion to pray unto him for the other, saying verse. 25. O Lord I pray thee save now: O Lord I pray thee now give prosperity. Where we say they pray for two things in the behalf of David the King: first Salvation, secondly Prosperity.  
First they pray for Salvation. O Lord I pray thee save now, that is, from the hand of the enemy which laboureth to supplant him: In the time of mirth they remembered eminent dangers, they thought of perils at hand: which the Preacher Cap. 11. exhorteth 
Eccl. 11.  us unto: though a man live many years, and in them all rejoice, yet let him remember the days of darkness, that is, of affliction and trouble. There is no man's estate in this world so quiet, but that it is mixed with many troubles, nor so safe, but that it is subject to many dangers: but yet principally the estate of a King, it is most troublesome and perilous. And therefore they knew that David being now advanced to the throne of the kingdom of judah, and that in such manner as before is declared, could not but find many enemies, by whom he should be subject to no few troubles, nor small dangers, yea & many were the troubles and perils which were laid before him, and stirred up against him, of his desperate enemies both within & without, both for his advancement to judah and Israel: within being advanced to the kingdom of judah: he had those that strived for the advancement of Ishbosheth saul's Son: and these were they of the house of Saul, of whom you heard before: between whom there was a long war, as appeareth, 2. Sam. 3. being advanced to 
2 Sam. 3.  the kingdom of Israel: both within and without viewing him, within: first his own son Absalon: the Sheba the son of Bechin, a man of jemini: both which raised up Israel against David: without, he had the Philistines and other nations oft times making war upon him of both which you may read plentifully. 2. Sam. 5. wherefore 
2. Sam. 5.  they seeing David subject to so many perils, they pray for salvation at the hands of God, saying, O Lord I pray thee save now: For what was David against his adversaries? either in multitude or mightiness? wherefore they fly unto the Lord for refuge and defence: save now, O Lord, even thine anointed whom thou hast advanced from the hands of his enemies, which purpose and practise his destruction.  
Secondly, they pray for the prosperity of their king: O Lord I pray thee now give prosperity: as David could not save himself from the hands of his enemies, except the Lord saved him: so neither could he govern the common wealth, except the Lord prospered him therein: It is no easy thing to govern a kingdom: & to order a common wealth, for the welfare & happiness of the people: if the Lord teach not the king what to do, by whom shall he be directed? If the Lord direct him not, how can he prosper in any thing which he taketh in hand? how shall he prosper in his counsels? how shall he prosper in his enterprises? If the Lord build not the house, in vain do they labour that build it. Psal. 127. They even 
Psal. 127. Gen. 11.  with the sons of men, Gen. 11. think they to build never so lofty a building, yet they build unto themselves nothing else but a Tower of confusion: The common wealth can not prosper, but come to ruin and destruction: wherefore O Lord I pray thee give now prosperity unto David our King: that thou prospering him, the Common wealth may be in prosperity by him. The example of this people (dearly believed) teacheth us that in the midst of this our rejoicing this day for the happy advancement of our most gracious Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth, we must not forget to join prayer thereunto for her, even for the safety and prosperity of Elizabeth: saying, O Lord I pray thee, etc. First for her safety, and that from the hands of her enemies: for albeit that she is advanced to the throne of the kingdom, yet hath she not been neither is she free from her manifold perils: first by her rebellious subjects within, who for the advancement of an Ishbosheth, nay of a jezabel to the Crown, both by open insurrections, levying of armies, displaying of Banners, and pitching of fields: and also by secret conspiracies, with dags and daggers, etc. have practised her destruction: then by foreign enemies of other nations: for we are not ignorant of the often threatened invasions in times past: neither can we be ignorant of the purposed & prepared mischief at this present to depose her from the Crown. Wherefore, O Lord I pray thee save now, even thine anointed: thou which hast lifted her up, hold her up, that thine and her enemies pluck not her down whom thou hast exalted: continue thy wont goodness towards her, as thou hast hitherto saved her, so save her now: make perfect that same good work which thou hast begun in her: yea, Now, O Lord save her: for now is the wrathful indignation of thine and her enemies, as a consuming fire inflamed against her: wherefore, O Lord, save now, yea and save her for ever. Hereunto we must join prayer for her prosperity. O Lord I pray thee now give prosperity unto Elizabeth, being safely couched under the shadow of thy wings, prosper thou her, O Lord, prosper thou the counsels of her heart, prosper thou the works of her hands: yea O Lord, whatsoever she taketh in hand, let it prosper in thy sight: yea and so prosper her, O Lord, in the government of us thy people committed unto her charge, as that we also may prosper under her: and that as in all worldly prosperity, so principally in all godliness and honesty: yea Now, O Lord, give prosperity unto her, as thou hast hitherto prospered her government above all other Kings and Princes of the earth, to the terror of thy enemies, to the comfort of thy chosen, to the admiration of all men: so, O Lord, give now, yea and ever prosperity unto Elizabeth. Thus ought we (dearly beloved) in the midst of our rejoicing to mix prayer unto God for the safety and prosperity of Queen Elizabeth: great is the force of prayer before God: it pierceth the clouds, and assendeth into the ears of the Almighty: and although the Lord heareth not sinners, john. 9 But their 
john. 9  prayer is turned into sin: yet the prayer of the righteous, is even as the sweet incense and as the evening sacrifice most pleasant and delectable in his sight: having this promise, that whatsoever they shall ask, they shall obtain it, yea great is the force of the prayer of one righteous man, if it be fervent, as james speaketh cap. 5. And then how much more 
james. 5.  forcible is the prayer of the whole congregation of the righteous being assembled together before him in his house, which is the house of prayer. Wherefore now being assembled together at this time, upon this occasion into this place: yea & at what time soever, upon any other occasion we assemble ourselves together into the Church of God (that I speak nothing of private prayer in all places) lifting up clean hands and purified hearts, let us pray. O Lord, I pray thee, save now. O Lord I pray thee now give prosperity unto Elizabeth: For as this is the duty of all men one towards another, but principally of subjects towards their Kings and Princes, to commend them in their prayers unto God. 1. Tim. 2 
1 Tim. 2.  so yet chief it standeth us upon, which are the subjects of this Commonwealth to pray for the safety & prosperity of our Queen Elizabeth: for in the safety of Elizabeth consisteth ours: in her peace, ours: in her prosperity, ours: in her life, ours: in her death, ours: in her destruction, ours: If the Lord either by timely or untimely, either by natural or unnatural death should take away Elizabeth from England, it would indeed be a joyful and happy Elizabeth, but a most woeful and miserable England. God grant mine eyes never see, nor mine ears never hear of the death of Elizabeth: Wherefore, O Lord, I pray thee save now: O Lord, I pray thee give now prosperity unto Elizabeth: and let all those which entirely love Elizabeth, say, So be it.  
3 A blessing, verse. 26. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord. Which words, the most usual translations do set down after the form and manner of wishing or desiring. Blessed be he, etc. As if the people had prayed unto the Lord to bless David their King. But the most approved translation according to the Hebrew set them down by way of affirmation, Blessed is he, etc. Wherein the people do affirm David their King to be the blessed of the lord Blessed is David. the which they confirm by two notable arguments. First David cometh in the name of the Lord, that is, David cometh to rule and govern the commonwealth. He obtaineth the Kingdom, not in his own name, but in the name of the Lord: not thrusting himself thereunto, but having the same thrust upon him by the Lord: not usurpingly advancing himself, but being miraculously thereunto advanced by the Lord: and therefore David is blessed: for as they which come in their own names are cursed: so they which come in the name of the Lord are blessed: but David cometh in the name of the Lord, therefore David is blessed. Secondly David is blessed of them that are of the house of the Lord: that is, either of the priests of the lords house, of his Sanctuary, whose office it was to bless, as appeareth Num. 6. and also Deut. 10. or else 
Num. 6. Deut. 10.  more generally even of all those that belong to the house of the Lord, that is, which purely worship him in his Sanctuary, in Zion: And therefore David is blessed of the Lord: for the Lord mercifully ratifieth, and confirmeth the blessings of his Church: he blesseth those whom his Church blesseth: and he curseth those whom his Church curseth. But his Church even the Congregation of his chosen Children, being blessed by David: have blessed David: and therefore David is blessed of the Lord: Lo how invincibly they have proved that David is blessed. The consideration whereof could not but much confirm the hope of the safety and prosperity of David, for which they prayed before: for not only safety, and prosperity, but even all good things follow the blessing of God. The Lord's blessing is no vain nor naked blessing, as is oftentimes the blessing of man: But all good things are heapend upon those which are blessed of the Lord: Let Shemei therefore curse David. 2. Sam. 16. yet David is blessed: yea let the enemies of 
2. Sam. 16.  David conspire together against him: yet shall the Lord give safety and prosperity unto David, because he is the blessed of the Lord.  
In like sort, (dearly beloved) this can not but be unto a singular comfort and consolation continuing our hope of the safety and prosperity of our gracious Queen Elizabeth, because she is the blessed of the Lord. Elizabeth is the blessed of the Lord, and therefore let her enemies curse her with book, bell and candle, the curse shall not fall upon her, but she is blessed, yea & shall be blessed for ever: for there is no repentance in the Lord: God is not as man, that he should lie, nor as the son of man that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? and hath he spoken, and shall he not accomplish it? hath he blessed, and shall he not continue his blessing? yes surely, with him there is no variableness, neither shadow of changing, james. 1. If Isaac 
jam. 1.  was constant in his blessing unwittingly bestowed upon jacob, and notwithstanding all the tears of Esau, would not call back the same, but confirmed it, saying: I have blessed him, and therefore he shall be blessed: Gen. 27. Then how much more constant 
Gen. 27.  shall the Lord be in continuing his blessing upon those his children whom he hath once not unwittingly but willingly blessed, notwithstanding all the tears, outcries, cursings, and bannings of the ungodly? saying, I have blessed them, therefore they shall be blessed. And if the Lord bless, who shall curse? How shall I curse, where the Lord hath not cursed (saith Balaam to Balaac) or how shall I detest where the Lord hath not detested? or if they curse, or detest those whom the Lord blesseth, and rejoiceth in: their cursing shall fall upon themselves: as the Prophet David saith, Psal. 109. As they loved cursing, so shall it come unto them: as they loved 
Psal. 109.  not blessing, so it shall be far off from them: as they clothed themselves with cursing: as with a garment, so it shall come into their bowels like water, and like oil into their bones. But the blessed of the Lord, shall be blessed for ever. That Elizabeth is the blessed of the Lord, I prove even by the self same arguments whereby the blessedness of David is confirmed in this place. First, Bessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, but Elizabeth cometh in the name of the Lord: she came not to govern this land in her own name, but in the name of the Lord: she obtained not the crown by her own power, but by the power of the Lord, who miraculously advanced her thereunto, & no less miraculousily hath hitherto upheld her therein: & therefore this is an evident testimony the she is the blessed & beloved of the Lord. Secondly, She is blessed out of the house of the Lord, as it hath been blessed by her, so it blesseth her amongst all the mighty kings and princes of the earth, there is none by whom the house of the Lord, the Church of Christ hath been so wonderfully blessed, as it hath been by Queen Elizabeth at this day: by her principally it is that the kingdom of Antichrist decayeth daily: by her principally it is, that the Church of Christ within these few years in so many nations is augmented and advanced: by her it is that the banished children of Christ, not having a place where to rest their heads, are lovingly received, and carefully fed and nourished: by her it is that the oppressed once are defended: & they which war for it, are strengthened, and therefore worthily hath she deserved the everlasting blessing of the house of the Lord: yea and no doubt, the whole house of the Lord doth bless her. And therefore we may also assure ourselves, that the Lord ratifying and confirming the blessing of his Church, blesseth her. The consideration whereof, (dearly beloved) as I said before can not but greatly comfort and confirm the certainty of our hope, concerning the safety and prosperity of our most gracious Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth, that notwithstanding, she is cursed by the Pope, the master of misrule, and author of all mischief: and be hated of all his favourers who with all their powers bend themselves against her to subdue her, and bring her to confusion: yet that they shall not be able to prevail over her: but that the Lord for his name's sake: who hath miraculously advanced her, and hitherto preserved her: yea and for his Church sake, which being blessed by her, hath blessed her, he will give safety and prosperity unto Elizabeth, to the continuance of the glory of his name, and the increasing of the blessedness of his Church by her. The which the Lord vouchsafe to grant for his Son Christ his sake, the head of his Church. To whom with the holy Ghost, three distinct persons, and one only God, be rendered all honour and praise, both now and for ever.  
Amen.   
FINIS.