A SERMON Preached at ISLINGTON, Upon the 26th day of July, 1685, (In the Afternoon.) Being the Day of Solemn Thanksgiving To Almighty God for His MAJESTIE'S late Victories over the REBELS. By Shadrach Cook, M. A. Chaplain to the Right Honourable the Earl of AYLESBURY. Behold their threatenings, Acts 4. 29. Rusticus es Corydon, nec munera curate Alexis: Virg. LONDON, Printed by R. N. for Walter Kettilby, at the Bishop's-Head in St. Paul's Churchyard. 1685. To the Right Honourable ROBERT EARL of Ailesbury and Elgin, Viscount Bruce of Ampthill, Baron Bruce of Wharlton, Skelton, and Kinlos; Lord Lieutenant of the Counties of Bedford, Huntingdon and Cambridge; Hereditary high Steward of the Honour of Ampthill; Lord Chamberlain of His majesty's Household, and one of the LORDS of His majesty's most Honourable Privy Council. MY LORD, I Humbly offer This to Your Lordship, not only as an acknowledgement of Your Lordship's many Favours, and my hearty Gratitude for them; but also with a design of craving Your Lordship's farther goodness in protecting This against the clamorous opposition of unreasonable men: For by what I have already experienced, I may easily guests at the unwelcome entertainment it is like to meet with from some, for whom yet it bears the most Christian and Charitable design. And though (of late especially) I have met with unkind usage, and very severe reflections for doing my duty in speaking seasonable Truths, yet I declare, I think I could not be more Kind and Charitable even to our Enemies, than in Preaching against what they are most guilty of. And now the ensuing Discourse is so far from railing, as they have termed it, (their usual Character of what dislikes them) that I hope it will appear to Your Lordship to have in it, a good natured and Charitable intention. For having before spoken to the subject of Praise, for our late Deliverance (for which I was disturbed, and belied in the very Church) I thought I could make no better improvement of the late Solemn Thanksgiving, than in the design of the ensuing Discourse; which I looked upon as peculiarly proper for the Afternoon, being so suitable to that most pious Prayer (for our Enemies) therein appointed. My Lord, I shall forbear reflections on those, who make severe ones on this, and the like, when they heard it from the Pulpit. Considering it would be no very decent entertainment for Your Lordship: and a means, I hope, to make them more candid Interpreters in the Reading, than they were in the Hearing of it. Though in the midst of all, it has been, I must confess, no small support and satisfaction to me; That I have had the particular signal Respect and Encouragement of that Reverend Canon (for whom, Your Lordship has so great and just esteem) for some of those Discourses that have suffered under the untoward reproach of others. Now Your Lordship knows with what Authority I might term Him one of the most Learned men, and best Preachers of this Age. And when I consider This, together with the cool reception even He found among some, when he urged them lately and so well, To give unto Caesar, the things that are Caesar's: 'Tis well the case is no worse with me. But I must consider, that minutes, now especially, are precious with Your Lordship. And that high Place, to which a most gracious and discerning Prince has exalted Your Lordship, suffers too much by this tedious interruption. And yet I have not performed what is the usual entertainment in these Applications: Having given no account of Your Lordship's great Virtues and Accomplishments. Nor should I need to do it if I could; all men's mouths being filled with the Praises of Your Lordship and most noble Son (who would almost convince us of the Natural, Parental Production even of humane souls) so exactly resembling Your Lordship in untainted Loyalty and Goodness. And here I enter on a large field; Your Lordship being the happiest of Parents, having a truly Noble and most dutiful Offspring: And a Family, that for a strict Conformity to the Church, and staunch Loyalty to the King, can scarcely be matched or surpassed by any. I speak not these things out of design or flattery, but can assert them from some experience, and dare challenge any that know Ailesbury house to contradict me in the least particular. Though I the less wonder at that strain of Goodness and Loyalty, which runs through the whole Family, when I consider that it has Two such eminent Examples, which shine so illustriously before it. And we all know that the best way to obtain my Lords and Lady's Favour, is to Fear God and Honour the King. Which (by the Grace of God) shall evermore be the most hearty and constant endeavours of, My Lord, YOUR LORDSHIP'S most Obliged, Obedient, and humble Servant, and Chaplain, SHADRACH COOK. IMPRIMATUR. Jo. Battely, RRmo more P. D no Guil. Archiep. Cantuar. à Sacris Domesticis. Ex Aedib. Lambeth. Aug. 1. 1685. A SERMON PREACHED On the 26. of July 1685. The day of Solemn Thanksgiving to Almighty God for His MAJESTIE'S Late Victories over the REBELS. S. MATT. XXI. 32. And ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward. WE are this Day to Bless and Magnify the name of God, who has manifested his great goodness towards our King and his Kingdoms, in giving Him so absolute and signal victories over the late Rebels. And I dare say that there is no truly honest Loyal Soul among us, but does it with a great deal of hearty Zeal and Cheerfulness; For tell me, did not your Hearts burn within you? were you not wonderfully enlivened, and almost transported at the first news, or certainty of that utter defeat and overthrow? Though (which is very sad to think of) we could not but observe, nor can we well forget, the quite different humour and behaviour of too many among us, who showed as much as men could, or dare, their open dislike of God's special Providence in this matter. I need not tell you how brisk and pleasant they would appear on every vain report (raised by their own Party) of the hopes or success of the Rebels in both Kingdoms, and which is more prodigious, what pains and industry they used to defame and discredit that good true news which they had no mind to believe. Had we not seen it, we could scarce have imagined, that men should thus resolutely oppose the Truth, and be so given over to believe a lie. But when this Goodness of God became unquestionable, and they were now utterly confounded, and the Devil had no more lies in store to buoy them up with: Doth their belief and conviction now influence their heart, and that, their practice? Since the Villainy is so plainly discovered, are they ashamed of, or sorry for it? Doth this goodness of God to others, lead them to repentance? Do they lay these things to heart? Do they seriously consider, that these Rebels, their Adherents and Abettors, are guilty not only of Imprudent, hot or rash actions, but of mortal and damnable sins? and does it prompt them to suitable acknowledgements and expressions in Mourning, Sorrow and Lamentation; for this, which is to us a good day, a day of Joy and rejoicing, to such as these should be a day of sorrow and humiliation, not as some may make it, because the mischief did not succeed; but for their being any ways concerned or instrumental in it: for it will be your most aggravated crime and condemnation, if you yet continue your obstinacy. And ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterwards. So that this great goodness of God in our present most gracious deliverance, should now at length prevail upon such, who were concerned in the Rebellion, or any ways favourable to it, to be sincerely penitent for their great sin in this case; Though God knows, and with sorrow we speak it, their obstinacy appears even yet to be very great, and almost incorrigible. And ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward. In speaking on this Subject, I shall consider, I. What it is in the case before us that should prevail with men to repent; where we shall remember the great mercy and goodness of God in some of our late Deliverances. II. The persons that yet continue Impenitent. III. The little or no grounds or reasons we have to believe them Penitent. Notwithstanding, IV. The great cause they have to be so at this time or occasion. V. We shall lay down the more particular signs or tokens of their Repentance, which we may and do justly expect from them. I. Were we to consider the several mercies, favours and deliverances God has bestowed upon us, the time would fail us to speak of them. However we may very usefully for a while entertain ourselves on this point, by representing to you some short account of those many and great deliverances, God has given us from these Fanatical Republican Spirits, that are near at hand, or fresh in our remembrance. 1. And here we might in the first place bring to Your minds the Great Rebellion which some of you have known or been concerned in; which cannot but call to our minds, the dismal Scene of a most distressed and unhappy Nation; overwhelmed with Blood, Ruin and Confusion both in Church and State, and will be evermore black and remarkable for that most horrid murder of the best of Kings. But how good and gracious was God towards us, even in the midst of this great Calamity: for that good Prince who is lately gone to his long home; and our present Sovereign, that were the great sufferers in those times, and chiefly aimed at, were wonderfully preserved in great dangers by land and by water, and at length brought to succeed and sit in their rightful Inheritance. And indeed when we consider the present, we have great reason to call to mind and bewail those rebellious times; for These among us have been some of the very same men, that were then notorious for this villainy, and is no doubt the selfsame Fanatical Spirit that runs through all these designs, which is and ever will be addicted to Treachery and Rebellion. So that we do in a great measure owe all or most of our present Sects, Factions or Parties to those times: These being the Tares now grown up, that the Devil did then sow among the Wheat. 2. The next remarkable deliverance from this sort of men, is very legible in that impious design of Excluding our present Prince from What was inviolable by the strictest laws of God and Nature. A design full of Ingratitude and Irreligion: Therein more resembling a Fanatic contrivance. He that had suffered such hard things for his Country's good, and was banished from his own home; He that had ventured his own life, and lost his dear Royal Father in the defence of Truth and a good Cause; He who when restored to his own Country and native soil, would yet again resolutely hazard himself in a most dangerous Naval fight. He that has often ventured his life for the defence of this Nation, must now for a requital be debarred from that his most undoubted and inviolable Right in it. What an unparallelled baseness and ingratitude is this? and such as will be a lasting shame to the Impenitent Promoters and Abettors of it in all ages; Being withal most unchristian, profane, and impious, contrary to our Solemn Oaths, and all the obligations both of Scripture and Conscience. So that for the honour of our Nation and Religion too, all honest Loyal Churchmen must look upon and bless God for our deliverance, from that impious unchristian and truly Fanatic Conspiracy. 3 Which brings us to consider a Third Instance of their wicked designs and our great deliverance. That of the Rye Conspiracy being the result of their disappointment in their former design; for when the pretence of Law would not effect their business, now comes out That their black & hellish contrivance of Murdering the Royal pair after a most dismal and horrid manner: which when one of the designed Actors in it did openly confess, He acknowledgeth himself to be a Hearer of the Baptists, Independents and Presbyterians. Now we cannot but look upon this to be a most Providential and remarkable Instance of God's wonderful mercy and deliverance towards us; A sudden fire hastening Their return before the Villains were ripe and prepared for that horrid execution. 4 And now as a branch and consummation of that, and all their other Plots, let us as behoves us, consider and reflect upon our deliverance from their late horrid traitorous Conspiracy, that unnatural open Rebellion, for which we are now especially to magnify the Lord and exalt his Name together. I shall not need surely to spend much time in showing you the heinousness of all Rebellion, and this in particular, having done it already in some late Discourses; only let us remember that our Religion, our Prince, the lives of all honest men, and whatever is dear to us in this world, were in danger, by the designs of these ambitious, restless and blood thirsty men. To whom had God given us over as a prey (as our sins most justly deserved) our blood would have been spilt like water upon the ground, we must have lost all that is dear to us in this world, and we should have been overwhelmed in a deluge of Sects and Heresies, of wars and confusions, of which we could not have expected to see any other issue than the final ruin and destruction of this Kingdom and God's Church among us. This is in short the account of our deliverance, or the grounds of our Joy for it; and certainly if any thing can make us truly cheerful and pleasant, and heartily thankful to God, we have abundant reason to be so, for this his present mercy and goodness towards us. Who has so graciously rescued us from these most accursed and damnable designs, contrived and carried on by the several Sects and Parties of pretended Religion, the known and avowed enemies to the present Government and Constitution both in Church and State. Which brings us to consider our second Particular. II. The several Sects, Parties and Divisions among us being the great Authors, Incouragers and Promoters of these most impious designs and practices, as being most agreeable to the Principles or Sentiments of these men; for nothing can be more plain and demonstrable, than that they have all of them made it almost their constant endeavour in all their discourses public and private (especially such as have been managed in a pretended religious way) to set themselves all they could against the present Government and Constitution both in Church and State. And were I at leisure to manifest this from what is the usual way and method of proving men's Principles, I could abundantly confirm it from their numerous writings and professions in this kind, the main drift of all, or most of them, as to this particular, being to destroy the Church, disturb the Kingdom, debauch men's Principles, and pervert the Scriptures; so that I the less wonder at these practices, which are but agreeable to their Profession, and the very constant design and natural result of these Schisms and Factions; for a man cannot be a Fanatic or Schismatic, but he does and must actually forfeit his duty to the Church and the King. Nor is this any more than what is agreeable to former and present experience. That they have been the constant disturbers of our Israel, is I think already manifest, and might be more largely proved, were there occasion for it: And look now into the very late Rebellion, and then tell me what you think of it, whether it was not purely and solely Fanatical? that the several Sects and Separatists from our Church were not chiefly or only concerned and engaged in it? some of their pretended Ministers were actually in it, and most or all of them knew of it? And as we before intimated, I do verily believe that they did not act inconsistently to their own Ways or Principles (if they have any). And had I been one of the Party or Separatists, I do not see how I could have acted congruously to my own pretences, or that Schism or Separation, had not I consented, conspired or acted in these designs for promoting their True Protestant Cause against pretended Popery and Arbitrary Power. Wherefore I do more wonder that any should be exempted from it, than that all should be in it: for I cannot see how a man could be a Fanatic, and could tolerably excuse himself in this case. Nor do I think but that every one of them did as much carry on the Rebellion, as all Loyal honest men were against it. III. But did this need further proof; 'tis too plain and manifest from their continued impenitency. Which is our Third particular. Which is too evident, either first, from their own Profession; or secondly, their excuses for it; or thirdly, their continuance in their former ways and practices. A greater sin than that which these men have been guilty of, can hardly be imagined, being (as I have showed you very lately) a complication of almost all kinds of wickedness, bearing in it Treason, Sacrilege, Murder, and what not? And now when such as are thus guilty come to reflect upon themselves, one would expect and hope for in this case a most profound humility, and strict repentance, but whether most or any of those that so justly suffered for this Cause, have given sufficient demonstration of their extraordinary sorrow for their designs and practices, let any impartial man consider. When men come to die, especially in their strength and vigour, they have then more abundant advantages to consider and understand their Case and Condition; but have you known them then to deal plainly and freely as becomes such a state and circumstances? 2 or do we not find, in the Second place, Excuses and Palliations instead of true sorrow and Repentance? and as is said of a great one among them, we find enough (from them) to show their guilt, but not their repentance. Now seeing that many or most of them are so industrious in excusing themselves or others, and take hold of any little opportunity, either to justify or extenuate their crimes; This is too great a sign of an impenitent or relentless heart. For the true and sincere penitent, is more, industrious to discover and aggravate, than to hide or lessen his sin; in This consists the true nature and comfort of Repentance. If therefore you are Conscious to yourselves, or we find any to be given to the covering or extenuating these sins, or the promoters of such horrid practices, this I think is an undeniable proof to any sober judicious man, of their continued impenitency. 3 Especially if we add to this in the Third place, The continuance in their former ways and practices. Such people are not and cannot be accounted truly penitent, who yet persevere and continue in their former courses which did really and actually encourage and promote these rebellious designs. Whoever therefore are glad of any occasion or opportunity to vilify the Church, and reproach Government; to discourage such that do their hearty endeavours for discountenancing Schism, Faction and Rebellion, that do herd among, or can think or speak well of such that are known and professed enemies to the constitution both in Church and State. This is a sign that such are so far from being penitent, that they are rather hardened and obstinate in their impieties. IV. Though in the Fourth place we shall find, that now especially, they have great cause to be truly Penitent: Considering, I. First, That by these late actions, there is 1. given to the world a plain demonstration of such men's guilt and impiety. Grant that some or many of them did follow these people, or had a kindness for them out of a presumption of the goodness of their Cause, or the strict piety of their persons: Now upon this discovery and defeat of their Villainy, Men of any sense or reason cannot but have other Sentiments, and must look upon themselves to be miserably deluded or mistaken in them; so that now upon this better knowledge, this thorough and indeed plain demonstration, you may recede very justly and honourably, and not suffer yourselves to be any longer deceived by them. We may hope therefore, and do expect, that such who in the simplicity of their hearts were led away and seduced by them, will now, if ever, come to themselves; and if after such plain conviction and undoubted proof against them as this is, they will still continue in the ways and courses of Faction and Sedition, they can be accounted no better than incorrigible Rebels. 2. Seeing withal in the Second place, the Result of their Designs, which is not any longer, as some have been made to believe, for the love or fear of God, the Protestant Religion, Tenderness of Conscience, Christian Liberty, and the like; But, as you have heard and seen, the main drift and tendency of all is to imbrue a Nation in War, & Tumults, Blood and Murder, to ruin our Church, destroy our Prince, and all true Loyal men. Is not this sufficient cause to make them look about them; and now at length seriously to repent of, and renounce all such impious ways and practices? 3. Considering in the Third place, That this seems to be both the greatest and the last means and method God may use for the bringing these men to repentance, and a sound mind; for what is there that can or will be prevalent with them, if this be not? If after all those demonstrations God has given us of his mercy, and their impious designs, you will not see and repent, you give the world too much reason to believe, that you lie under that Pharisaical judgement, to have eyes and see not, ears and hear not, hearts and will not understand. And therefore, Sirs, as you will answer it to your Consciences now, and to God hereafter, be roused out of this fatal Lethargy, and hearken to this awakening, and perhaps last call of Almighty God; be not still perverse and obstinate to your utter ruin both of Soul and Body: 'tis high time to look about you, and now at length having seen all this, to show your Repentance; which we earnestly hope and desire to see, in these following respects: which is our Fifth particular. V. I. In an utter renouncing of your former ways and doings, those especially that have had any manner of Aspect or tendency to the promoting or encouraging these impious designs and practices; cast a serious sincere and impartial reflection upon your late and your former actions, and see whether you have not one way or other justified, encouraged, or promoted these designs; whether by herding with the multitude against public Rule and Government, by countenancing or speaking, or thinking well of them that did, by acting or voting what you knew was displeasing to the King, and contrary to the practice of undoubtedly Loyal men; by discouraging truly Loyal, honest, Orthodox Preachers, that would tell you the Truth without guise or dissimulation, and adhering to or thinking well only of such that you knew or fancied to be otherwise. In a word, Examine your own knowledge and Consciences, and make a thorough search of whatever way, means, or actions, through fault or misfortune, you have promoted the Cause and Interest of such as are thus Factious and Rebellious; and be now at last convinced of your error, detest what you have done this way, with zeal and heartiness. This is the first mark and token of Repentance we desire and expect from you. 2. Hereupon ensues another very signal mark and token of your sorrow, Repentance and true Conversion, and that is a sincere and hearty Loyalty to your Prince. That you practise this yourselves, and promote it among others to the utmost of your skill and power; that whoever are in your families, under your care, or committed to your charge, may be instructed in the sound Principles of Loyalty and Obedience, according to the Doctrine and Institution of the Church of England. And is it not high time seriously to enter upon this course and practice, seeing the fatal designs and consequences of disobedience and Rebellion, the works of those that forget or abandon their Duty and Allegiance to their Prince; you will not, and cannot secure yourselves from such impious practices but by your being thus heartily and truly Loyal, in Thought, Word or Deed, to the utmost of your Power: for if it be only in outward formality or expression, or according to the indifferent and moderate way and manner of some men; 'Tis such as will be neither acceptable to God, serviceable to your Prince, or safe to yourselves. Wherefore to show yourselves truly penitent, you must endeavour to be eminently Loyal, and remarkably Obedient, and dutiful to the King for the future, which is the only opposite to Faction, Sedition and Rebellion. 3. As another sign of your true Repentance, we do exhort you to, and expect from you, a thorough and strict conformity to our Church; The best, if not only Constitution, that does sincerely teach and promote true Loyalty and Obedience: for you may take this as a sure rule, which you'll find true by constant observation and experience, the more any do dissent from, or dislike, the present Constitution of our Church, the greater friends or promoters they are, or have been of what either was, or tended to Sedition or Rebellion; against which there is no prevention or security but by a firm and strict adherence to the Church of England. And this besides other incomparable advantages, shows the great privilege of those who are truly of it, and the miserable state of such that are bred up in any other courses. Wherefore to repent of what you have been or done, and to avoid or prevent such designs or calamity, and to be heartily honest, Dutiful and Loyal for the future; You must be sincerely conformable to the Church of England, studying it yourselves; and teaching others its Doctrines, and Principles, frequenting its Communion, devoutly joining in its Prayers, and doing every thing that becomes a sincere Conformist, and a true Churchman. And thus, as you have heard, are you to manifest your Repentance, First, by an utter renouncing your former ways and practices that have been any ways Factious or Seditious. Secondly, to become heartily Loyal and dutiful to the King. Thirdly, sincerely and strictly Conformable to the Church. And as we just now prayed, may God to this end take from them all their Prejudices and all their Passions, their confident mistakes, their carnal ends, and their secular interests, and open their eyes that they may see (at least in this their day) the things which belong to their peace, and soften the most obdurate heart, into a meek, humble and docible temper, that they may no longer resist the truth; bow down the stiff neck, and the iron sinew, take away the brow of brass, and the whore's forehead, sweeten (if it may be) the gall of bitterness, and lose the bands of iniquity, and guide their feet into the ways of peace. 4. After which, you will be fit and ready for the Fourth and last advice, which is, to show your Repentance by joining with us in returning Praise and Thanksgiving to Almighty God for this great Deliverance; for I dare say, whoever is heartily thankful to God for this Mercy and Blessing, was either altogether unconcerned in those horrid designs, from which we are thus delivered, or does sincerely repent of them; Let us therefore with one heart and voice glorify God by giving him the honour due unto his Name: The sole glory of our deliverance. That we acknowledge it to be the Lords doing, and the day which the Lord hath made. And let us endeavour to express our gratitude not only with our lips but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to his service, and studying to serve him all the days of our lives. For the Lord your God, he it is that fighteth for you. Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the Lord your God, Josh. 23. 10, 11. And now I cannot instance in any one thing, that does so much manifest our Religious Duty and Thankfulness together, as that of Charity and Beneficence to the Poor; the great obligation of a Christian at all times, but peculiarly necessary, and almost indispensable at a solemn time of Praise or Thanksgiving: Were your Charity, which we now beg of you for our Poor, large or bountiful, it would be but a slender return for this present Deliverance, and the Mercies we enjoy by it. However 'tis an acknowledgement of God's goodness towards us, which therefore we cannot omit without being insensible of his mercies, or ungrateful for them. May none of you therefore slight or neglect such a fair, seasonable, and blessed opportunity of showing yourselves Thankful to God, Loyal to the King, and Charitable to the Poor. FINIS.