THE TOMBSTONE, AND A RARE SIGHT.  
LONDON, Printed by Tho: Roycroft, for Edw: Dod, and Nath: Ekins, and are to be sold at the Gun in Ivy Lane, 1653.   

THE TOMBSTONE, OR, A broken and imperfect Monument, of that Worthy Man (who was just and perfect in his Generations;) Mr. JOHN CARTER, Pastor first of Brainford, and last of Belsted in SUFFOLK.  
Erected above eighteen years after his decease:  
BY His unworthy Son JOHN CARTER, Preacher of the Gospel, and as yet sojourning in the City of NORWICH.  PROV. 10. 7. 
The memory of the Just shall be blessed.  
London, Printed in the Year, 1653.   

HERE under this stone lieth hid a Rich treasure, The Precious Dust of that holy man, that burning, and shining Light Mr john Carter: first Pastor of Brainford, and afterwards of Belsted in Suff: With Esther, his Faithful Consort, both of them Waiting for a blessed Resurrection.   
2 Tim. 4. 
7. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the Faith.  
8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge shall give me at that day: and not to me only; but unto them also that love his appearing.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, And that both by the first, and also by the second Birth: To the truly Noble, Worthy, and Religious Lady, the Lady FRANCES HOBARTE.  
Madam,  
ATYS, the Son of Croesus the Rich King, was dumb in his Childhood, & so continued many years: he was never heard to speak a word, till Cyrus entered Sardis, and then, the Child seeing a common Soldier running upon his Father with a drawn sword to kill him, broke forth into violent and articulate speech, O man, kill not Croesus! So that he, who till that time lived mute to himself, than became a clear speaker for the saving of his Father.  
This, Madam! in a sense, is my very case. I had thought to have been mute in this kind for ever, and never to have spoken again by my Pen in Print. Though many, and amongst the rest, even your Honour have endeavoured often to persuade me to make some poor pieces of mine public: But bring sensible of mine own weakness, I stood out, and was resolved forever to forbear. For jam a Child, and cannot speak; at least, not with that skill, and energy that the Printing-presse calleth for: Yet now at last seeing my precious Father his name in hazard (not of being stained, it's not capable of that; Nor of being utterly forgotten, for his name is written in the Book of Life, with Golden letters, and his praise shall be for ever in the Gospel; but that his remembrance amongst men (after this Generation) might have been cut off by devouring time; to save the memory of my Father alive, I break silence.  
I annex to his life, a piece of mine own. The reason why I do so, and why I put forth this Sermon rather than any other, it is not for any worth that I apprehend in it, but because I had a special calling to it: So soon as it was preached, the Major with the Aldermen, and some Ministers came to me, and with great earnestness, desired me to print the Sermon, that so they might again see what they had already heard. I did not yield to them at that time. But now seeing that God hath within these fow days stirred up my Spirit, to do something whereby I might honour my Father, before I go hence to meet him in another, and a better Country, I remembered my Friend's request, and did resolve to answer their desires, according to my poor ability, though some few years after.  
Why I presume to tender this homely piece to your Honour, I shall humbly give a short account; Partly for my Father's sake. joseph, to honour his good old Father jacob, brought him, and set him before the King. Give me leave also, Elect Lady! to bring my Reverend Father into your Honour's presence: It will be some grace to him on Earth; and had your Ladyship known him, you would have honoured him.  
Also, because the Subject is so suitable to your Honour all the way. Your Ladyship loves the sweet perfume of the dead Saints. And as for the Lion, it is the Ensign of Nobility, and Magnanimity; and your Honour bears the Lion in your own Coat of Arms. But as for the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, you bear him in your heart, and embrace him with the Arms of your precious faith. My Nail, and Wheel, I presented to your Ladyship out of duty and gratitude only. The Subject of those worthless papers, did not so aptly close with your Honour's condition; they did more immediately concern the Magistracy. But in this work of mine, my whole design is to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ; I set him up before you as an Ensign; which I know your Honour will with all cheerfulness follow.  
Yet further, your Honour cannot be ignorant of the frame of my spirit that as the blessed Apostle Paul said concerning his Corinthians, so I of your Ladyship. Madam! you are in my heart; Christ lives in your Honour, and where so much of Christ appears, who can but give Honour?  
Finally, As Saint Paul writ to Philemon, Thou owest to me even thine own self; In a like phrase I may speak to your Ladyship; jowe even mine ownself to your Honour, which I would have acknowledged to the whole world, & made it out in some particulars; but that I fear (such is your humility and goodness) your Ladyship would not have resented it well. Accept, I beseech your Honour! this poor Present, with the same Candour it is offered. And be assured, Madam! that I am,  
As Your Honour's humble Servant, So Your Ladyships faithful, and constant Orator at the Throne of Grace: And So shall continue, whilst he hath a heart, or a tongue to pray, JOHN CARTER.   

TO ALL HIS WELL-BELOVED NEPHEWS, AND NIECES: Even all the Remnant that are yet surviving of his Father's House.  
WHen Saint Paul called to remembrance the unfeigned faith that dwelled in the Grandmother Lois first: He was easily persuaded that the same dwelled in Timothy the Grandchild also. So truly, when I consider the unfeigned faith and holiness, that dwelled first in your good aged Grandfather, and Grandmother; I cannot but conceive some hope, that there is some measure of the same faith, and sanctity even in you.  
Now to the end that any of you, who (being of the elder sort) have received any Godly Principles, immediately from your Grandfather and Grandmother, when they were amongst the living, That you, I say, may the better retain those godly Instructions to the end; And that you may teach them to your Children, and children's. Children, I do here send you your Reverend, and Pious Grandfather, in some measure revived.  
It is, I confess, but an imperfect and blind delineation of so deserving, and perfect a man. Consuming time hath worn off much of his orient lustre: yet there is so much remaining, as hath a great deal of beauty in it, enough to refresh your memories. Here, take him for your pattern; Be ye followers of God, of Christ, & of your good Grandfather also as dear Children, and tread in his steps.  
It was the saying of a learned and godly Divine unto his children, when he was at the point of death. How will you look me in the face, before the dreadful Tribunal of Jesus Christ, if any of you appear before me then, in an unregenerate condition? How will any of you look your Venerable Grandfather in the face at that terrible day; If you be found in any Error, Heresy, Schism, or inordinate walking, as becomes not the Gospel of jesus Christ? It is our great honour that we had such a holy root, such a Father of our Family: It will be our greatest shame, a blot never to be wiped out, if any of us shall degenerate. This was the Brand and Ignominy of multitudes of the jews; they boasted, and said, We have Abraham to our Father: but Christ said to them again, Ye are of your Father the Devil, for the lust of your Father ye will do. These things I write, not that I suspect you, much les condemn you, (Of many of you I am confident) but in tenderness of love to warn you, and excite you to walk accurately. The blessing of my Father's God be upon you al.  
Accept in good part this poor remembrance, from  
Your Affectionate Uncle, JOHN CARTER.   

To his well-beloved Countrymen, the Inhabitants of BRAINFORD, AND BELSTED in Suffolk.  
EVen Nature teacheth us 
Nescio qua natale solum dulcedinecunctos ducit, & immemores no● sinit esse sui.  to love dear the Land of our Nativity. I cannot but wish well to that place, and people where I drew my first breath; viz. Brainford: as also to that place, and people where my good Father finished his course, and breathed his last: viz. Belsted. To both those places, and peoples I send Salutations. But that is not my main design.  
Brethren! My hearts desire, and prayer to God for you, is, that you may be saved. The means of Salvation you enjoyed a long time, under the Ministry of your Ancient Pastor, my dear Father, Mr. John Carter. He appeared to you all that while, as that bright Star, Matth. 2. By his light, and motion, by his Doctrine, and Conversation, he guided you to Christ. He so long as he was in his Tabernacle of Clay, was not negligent to put you always in remembrance of those things which concern your everlasting peace. That which I drive at, is, Now that he hath put off his Tabernacle, now in his stead to admonish you. Remember therefore 
Revel. 3. 3.  how you have received, and heard, and hold fast, and repent. Remember how he was an example 
1 Tim. 4. 12.  of Beleivers, in word, in conversation, in Charity, in Spirit, in faith, in purity. Consider, how shall you escape, if you neglect so great Salvation: Will it not be more tolerable for the Land of Sodom, in the day of judgement then for you? Now for the eternal good of your Souls, here I send now your old Pastor again. I confess his lively voice, that cannot be recalled, but his life and example I endeavour to revive again. The rich man in 
Luk. 16. 30.  Hell spoke thus; Father Abraham! If one were sent to my Father's house, from the dead, they would repent. I commend unto you your ancient spiritual Father, in some sort raised from the dead. Now look to your faith, look to your repentance, look to your holy walking; else his Ministry will rise up in judgement against you. For he being dead, yet speaks. O that you would now so conform to his Doctrine, and practise, that when he, and you shall stand together at the last day, before the great Shepherd of the Sheep: He that had the rule over you, might be able to say with joy; Lord here I am, and the Children which thou hast given me.  
This is, and shall be the prayer of him that is  
Your wel-wishing Friend, and Countryman, JOHN CARTER.   

TO HIS REVEREND BROTHER, AND Fellow-Labourer in the Lord's Vineyard, Mr. Samuel Clark, Pastor of Bennet Fink, LONDON.  
Worthy SIR,  
THAT which Naomi spoke to Ruth concerning Boaz; He hath not left off his kindness to the living, and to the dead: It is fully verified of yourself; you cease not to show kindness to the living, and to the dead. To the living; by your preaching and Ministry, you make Saints daily. To the dead Saints you show kindness, by perpetuating their Names, to their honours, and the good of many. And herein you are a great gainer; you shine yourself, by making others shine. Amongst the rest of those that honour you, I am one, though I never saw your face, otherwise then in the Frontispiece of your learned Books.  
In your first part of the marrow of Ecclesiastical History, We had information, that you did resolve to add a second part; and to put in the Lives of such godly Divines, and others, as were eminent in these latter times, if you were furnished with faithful information. Hereupon, divers did set upon me with very great importunity, to write the life of my dear Father, and to send it up to you. Truly, Worthy Sir! I was desirous of the thing, but durst not undertake the work: I was sensible of mine own weakness; and also that his sayings, and doings had so far slipped the memories of this Generation, that I should have brought to light such an imperfect thing, as rather would have been a blemish to so eminent a Saint, than an honour. Hereupon, I laid all thoughts aside of meddling, or attempting such a thing. I knew that he is glorious in heaven, and on the Earth too, so far as his name is spread.  
Now, good Sir! let me be bold to give you a short account of myself. Some few days since, I went about to make a new Diary for myself. I was desirous in the first place, to set down some passages of my Father, for mine own satisfaction, and use. I began so; and before I was aware, it amounted to so much, as I thought better that published, than nothing at all: and at the last my Spirit grew restless; I could not satisfy myself, till I had digested it into some order, and made it public. And now, Sir, here it is; I present it to your judicious view: accept it in good part from a mere stranger. Because it was so short, therefore I joined it to a weak and unworthy piece of mine own, to make it a Book.  
My humble request to you, worthy Sir, is this, that (though I slipped the last opportunity, yet) if you shall set forth any more lives; or if you shall have a new Impression of any of the former: that you would extract so much of my precious Father's life, as you shall judge fit, and place it where you please, in your Ecclesiastical History. Your Monuments will be lasting in after ages, when my poor Pamphlet will be worn out with time. Pardon my boldness: The Lord strengthen out your days, for the good of his Church, and the honour of his Saints.  
Your most observant Friend, and Brother, that truly honoureth you, JOHN CARTER.   

THE LIFE OF Mr. JOHN CARTER, Pastor of Brainford in Suffolk.  
MAster John Carter, my dear Father of blessed memory, and now a glorious Saint in Heaven, was borne at Wickham in Kent near Canterbury, about the year of our Lord 1554.  
He was descended but of mean Parents, (yet religious, and of good repute) not able to maintain him, at the University, wholly at their own charge. One Mr. Rose, a rich man in Canterbury (as my Father hath told me) Surely, taking notice of his piety, in those his tender years, and of his studiousness, and proficiency in all Learning, beyond the pitch of a Grammar Scholar, and finding him hopeful, likely to prove a precious instrument in the Church of Christ; took him into his care, and disbursed monies from time to time (as was needful) for his maintenance in Cambridge. He was of Clare Hall: Pupil to Doctor Bing the famous Civilian, Master of that House: (whose Son, Doctor Robert Bing, a learned and worthy Gentleman, was my Tutor afterwards in the same College) when he was first admitted into the College, he was presently taken notice of, to be of singular learning, and ripeness for one of his years. He had, with the rest of his year, a Theme given him to make. The Thesis was, Frugalitas virtutum maxima.  
When the young Scholars brought in their Themes, the Lecturer took them, and read them; and when he came to Carters Theme: he stood a little at a stand: at last, says he before them all: here is the best Theme that I ever read: and gave him money, commended, and encouraged him: and always after had a careful eye over him: and sought opportunities to do him good.  
After my Father had taken his degrees, Bachelor, and Master of Arts: His Tutor Doctor Bing (out of his singular love to him, and respect to his learning, and piety) gave him a Chamber in his own lodgings, where he continued a year or two, which made much to the completing of him for the work of the Ministry. And all that while he continued a gremiall in the bosom, and Lap of his Mother the University, he had constant meetings with divers of his famous contemporaries, and that weekly: Doctor Chaderton, Doctor Andrews (afterwards a Prelate) Master Culverwell, Master Knewstubs, etc. and divers others, whom God raised up, and fitted to send forth into his Harvest, to gather his Corn, then ripe for the Sickle, into his Barn. At their meetings they had constant exercises. They prayed together: they bent themselves to the study of the Scriptures: one was for the original Tongues, another's task was the Grammatical interpretations; another for the Logical Analyse: another for the true sense, and meaning: another to gather Doctrines. Thus led they their several employments; till at last, they went out like Apollo's, eloquent men, and mighty in the Scriptures. And the Lord was with them. They brought in a great Harvest into God's Barn.  
He would not run before he was sent: he would not enter upon the exercise of the holy work of the Ministry, till he had, not only an inward calling, but also an outward: viz. an assignation, approbation, and solemn admission, by the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery. When he was ordained, the Bishop (who in those days was primus Presbyter, or praeses) going about to oppose him: asked him this question: Have you read the Bible through? Yes, said he: I have read the old Testament twice through in the Hebrew: and the New Testament often through in the Greek: and if you please to examine me, in any particular place, I shall endeavonr to give you an account. Nay, said the Bishop, if it be so, I shall need to say no more to you. Some words of Commendation, and encouragement he gave him. This passage I had from my Fathers own mouth.  
An. 1583. The Vicarage of Brainford in Suffolk near Ipswich fell void. Mr. Rose of Canterbury, before mentioned, procured the presentation of it for my Father, from the Dean, and Chapter of Canterbury. The salary was only twenty Marks per Annum at first: afterward the Church raised it to twenty pounds per Annum, and that was the most that ever he had there.  
He accepted of it: and being settled in it, he set himself to do the work of Christ faithfully, with all his might, as a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.  
Every Lord's day he preached twice very powerfully, and Catechised the younger sort. He preached a Lecture every Thursday; to which multitudes from Ipswich and other adjacent places did resort. And God gave such success to his Ministry, that from time to time, many were gathered in to Jesus Christ. There are many precious Christians that remain unto this day, that acknowledge their conversion was by Mr. Carter's Ministry.  
Before Sermon he prayed very short: and ever in the same words. After Sermon he was large, and full, and expressed himself with great variety, and fervency: and always closed with Christ's Prayer.  
He was very diligent in visiting the sick: especially the poor. He never went to the house of a poor creature, but he left a Purse-Almes, as well as a spiritual Alms of good Heavenly advice, and Prayer. No poor body ever came to his door that went away empty. And this my dear Mother would see to as carefully as himself.  
The Milk of his Cows he gave to the poor of the Town every Saturday throughout the whole year. I am confident he gave more to the poor every year, than the Revenue of his slender Vicarage came to in all.  
Yet God so blessed him, that whilst he was in Brainford, he quickly paid Mr. Rose of Canterbury, all the money he laid out towards his education in Cambridge: and before he left Brainford, he purchased about twenty pounds per Annum. God's blessing only makes rich.  
He brought up both my elder and only Brother, and myself, at the University in a good fashion: and for myself, I must acknowledge, beyond my desert, or rank.  
He was Orthodox and sound in his judgement: an able and resolved Champion against all manner of Popery and Arminianism; as also against Anabaptism, & Brownism, that then did begin to peep, and infest the Church: and to tear the Seamles Coat of Christ.  
He was always A Nonconformist, One of the good old Puritans of England. He never swallowed any of the Praelaticall Ceremonies against his Conscience. He was often in trouble by the Bishops; but God ever raised him up friends that brought him off. He was of a peaceable Spirit; and never censured any that were conformable, if he judged them conscientious, and saw any thing of God in them.  
At his first coming to Brainford he saw the travel of his Soul: he had a plentiful Harvest! many Souls were added to the Church daily by his powerful Ministry, and holy life.  
But after many years the people were glutted with Manna, and began to loathe it; there grew a great decay in their first love.  
About the year 1615. or something before, there arose up a Generation of malignant men, haters of a faithful, and painful Ministry, and of the power of Godliness.  
These were of the Gentry, and chief of the Parish: these rose up against my Reverend Father, pressed him to conformity, complained of him to the Bishop, and threatened that they would make him conformable, or else out him.  
At this very juncture of time, the Rectory of little Belsted fell to be void: a very small Village, some three miles from Ipswich, a solitary place: the means better than Brainford: yet short of a competency for such an eminent pillar of the Church; some 50, or at most 60 pounds per Annum.  
The Patron Mr. Blosse became a Suitor to my Father to accept of it. He refused it again, and again. His resolution was to endure persecution at Brainford, to grapple with all difficulties, and die there, rather than to remove. But the providence of God overruled him. At Brainford he saw he must be outed: Mr. Blosse would take no denial: he found favour in the eyes of the Bishop; and was instituted without subscription, or any ceremonies: and then at last, God taking him by the hand, and pulling him whether he would or no, he removed from Brainford (after some 34 years' service in the work of the Ministry) to Belsted Parsonage, where he continued eighteen years, before God caused him to rest from his Labours. In all that time he discharged his holy Function just as he did at Brainford; and though his Congregation there were but small, yet he had many Fish that came to his Net, from Ipswich, and other adjacent Towns, destitute of faithful Shepherds: So that his latter Crop in God's harvest-field was very considerable.  
Little Belsted was a Tusculanum to him; where in his age he had much secret and sweet Communion with God, in the house, and with Isaac in the fields; a beginning of that glorious communion he now enjoys with God in the mountains of Spices.  
He being dead, yet speaks; his Works praise him in the gates. From the Press we have had his learned, and pithy Commentary on the Sermon of Christ in the Mount: And two short, but substantial, solid, and profitable Catechisms. One Milk for Children. The other, Winter evenings communication.  
His pains in the study of the Revelation were indefatigable. He writ much in a little room. But these Labours of his never yet saw the light. Many Ministers that conversed with him privately, did light their Candles at his.  
For his carriage and deportment in his Family, it was very religious. He had the Morning and the Evening Sacrifice; his house was a Church. Twice a day he had Scripture read, and after the Psalm or Chapter were ended, he would ask of all his Children and Servants, what they remembered; and whatsoever sentences they rehearsed, he would speak something to them that tended to edification. For his habit, and my dear Mother's appareling, it was very plain, and homely; of the old fashion, yet very cleanly and decent; insomuch that all that came to the house would say, they had seen Adam and Eve, or some of the old Patriarches.  
And in all his House there was nothing but honest plainness. He was such an one as Jacob, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a plain, sincere, I had almost said, a perfect man: I am sure a true Nathanael, in whom was no guile.  
He never used Plate in his house, but Vessels of Wood, and Earth: Pewter and Brass were the highest Metals for his utensils. All the days of his housekeeping he used constantly at his Table a little wooden Salt, which with age was grown to be of a duskish black, which was much taken notice of by all comers.  
He never feasted, but always had wholesome, full, and liberal diet in the house. And all fared alike: He, and my Mother, never thought his Children, and Servants, and poor folks, did eat enough.  
The righteous man is merciful to his Beast: he was careful even for the bruit Creatures, that they should be fed to the full. All his cattle were like the first Kine that Pharaoh saw feeding in the Meadow, they were fat-fleshed, and well-favoured; in so much that I have heard some godly people say merrily, If they would be a Cow, or a Horse, or a Hogg, or a Dog, they would choose Mr. Carters house.  
He had a sharp wit: and was sweet, mild, and pleasant in his conversation; yet not any of his most facetious passages, that did not savour of holiness. His discourse was ever heavenly, and his eyes, almost, ever lifted up to Heaven. he did not eat, or drink, without praising God with his mouth and eyes; his whole conversation was in Heaven.  
Besides his Family prayers, and duties, he prayed constantly in his Closet, whensoever he went into his study, and before he came out to Dinner or Supper. He prayed very loud, and mostly very long. For the extension of his voice (I conjecture) he had a double reason; one, that by his earnest speech he might quicken up his own heart and devotion: the other, that he might be a pattern of secret prayer to his Children and Servants. And I never heard him close any prayer, without the Lords Prayer.  
And I know his ground: he judged his own best prayers imperfect, and Christ's prayer most perfect, and comprehensive.  
That you may the better be satisfied concerning his sense and judgement in this matter, I will here transcribe one passage out of his Printed Commentary upon the sixth of Matthew, v. 9 Where after he hath set forth the excellency and perfection of Christ's Prayer: he addeth, He now directeth us to the right performance (Viz. of the duty of prayer) After this manner pray ye. Or as Saint Luke setteth it down, [When you pray, say] Not binding us strictly to use these words always, and none other, but to use the matter, manner, and like affection. But as for them who cannot so well enlarge their suits in other words, or for those also, who can, and do it, yet remain still unsatisfied, as not having done it sufficiently (and who can do it sufficiently?) the Lord hath left this most excellent help, to use the very words of this divine prayer, as the most worthy Servants of God ever have done: And learn we here by the way, what an absolute necessity lieth upon us (which ought to be our greatest glory and comfort) to pray in these words, or in this manner: For it is the undispensable Commandment of our Lord Christ. After this manner pray.  
Thus far he.  
He had a special dexterity in comforting afflicted consciences, resolving doubts, and answering questions. When some came to him (not long before he left this Earth) and told him of the tyranny of the Prelates, how it heightened every day, of their persecuting conscientious Ministers, of their Innovations, and the Book of Liberry for sports on the Sabbath day, tending to the fearful profanation thereof; He used these expressions: I have had a longing desire to see, or hear of the fall of Antichrist: But I check myself. I shall go to Heaven, and there news will come thick, thick, thick.  
When others came to him, and pressed him with importunity, to tell them his judgement concerning the future state of the Church; saying to him, That he had traveled much in the Revelation, and they were persuaded, God had revealed something more than ordinary to him: What do you think? Shall we have Popery once again, or no? He answered, You shall not need to fear fire and faggot any more, but such dreadful divisions will be amongst God's people, and professors, as will equalise the greatest persecutions.  
A man met him near his house, and called to him. O Mr. Carter! what shall I do? My Wife is entering into her Travel, and I think she will die with very fear. Says he to the man, Make haste, run to your Wife, and tell her I am going to my Closet as fast as I can to pray for her; bid her not faint, but be of good comfort: The man ran to her, and told her what had passed. Presently her fears vanished, God gave her strength, she was delivered immediately, and very safely; and her Husband came back to my Father (as I remember before he came out of his Closet) to tell him what God had done.  
Another time a poor man met him by the way, and cried to him piteously, Mr. Carter! What shall become of me? I work hard, and fare hard, and yet I cannot thrive, I continue bare, and know not how in the World to live. He answered him, You want one thing; I will tell you what you shall do, Work hard, and fare hard, and Pray hard, and I warrant you thrive.  
There dwelled in his Parish a Tanner, a very godly man, and one that had much communion with my Father: This man, as he was very busy tawing of a Hide with all his might, not so much as turning aside his head any way; My father coming by accidentally, came behind him, and merrily gave him a little clap upon the back; he started, and looking behind him suddenly, blushed. Sir, saith he, I am ashamed you should find me thus. To whom my Father said again, Let Christ when he comes find me so doing. What? says the man, doing thus? Yes, saith my Father to him, Faithful in the duties of my Calling.  
Being at Dinner in Ipswich, at one of the Magistrates houses; divers other Ministers being at the Table: One amongst the rest (who had years enough, & learning enough to have taught him more humility) was very talkative, bragged of his parts and skill; and made a challenge: He said to them, Here are many learned men; do any of you propound any question in Divinity or Philosophy, and I will dispute with you, and resolve and satisfy you fully. All the Table (but he himself) were silent a while. Then my Father (when he saw no body else would speak) said to him (calling him by his name) I will go no further than my Trencher to puzzle you. Here's a Sole: Now tell me the reason why this Fish, always living in the salt water, should come out fresh? My Gentleman could not say any thing to it; and so he was laughed, and shamed out of his vanity.  
A certain man came to him, and made his moan: Saith he, I have lost the greatest Friend I had in the World; I had in a manner my livelihood from him. My Father answered him, When the Fountain dries up in one place, God will open it in another.  
To me he said once, John! God hath always brought water for me out of the hard flinty rock: Those covetous, hardhearted men who have been enemies to my person and Ministry, have many times come in, and given me countenance and maintenance.  
My elder, and only dear Brother (a blessed Instrument in the church of Christ) being dead: my Father took care of his eldest Son; he sent him to Cambridge, and walking with him towards the Stable, took his last leave of him in these words, in Latin, Cave, mi fili, fastum, ignaviam, Antichristum: i. e. My Son, beware Pride, Sloth, Antichrist.  
He would say, a Traveller must have a Swine's belly, an Ass' back, and a Merchant's purse: Meaning, to far with all diet, to bear all injuries, and to provide for vast expenses. We are Pilgrims, and Travellers here, and we must prepare for Want, Wrongs, and spoiling of our Goods.  
It may well be said of him, Semper erat, ubi non erat: His heart was where his head is, and where now his soul is; in Heaven.  
His whole life was nothing else but a Communion day. I have often thought that old Jacob lived in him. I am sure the spirit of God breathed as much in him, in his words, writings (holiness dropped from his Pen in every ordinary Letter that he writ) in his actions, Soliloquies, as in any man of later times. He was always distilling precious precepts, exhortations, instructions, consolations, into those with whom he had to converse.  
A godly Woman told me once, That she had been servant to a religious Gentleman, to whose House my Father did often resort; and that she was won to Christ at first by the heavenly speeches, and sweet principles which dropped from him, as she was warming his Bed, and waiting upon him in his Chamber.  
A man he was most just and exact in his dealings: he put a clause into his Will for the careful payment of his debts: And when my Sister Eunice, and I (his Executors) enquired, we could find nothing that he owed, except to the Smith for shooing of a Horse or two.  
In his Library, I found two or three Books (I believe not one of them worth a groat) upon which he had written. This Book is borrowed of such an one: Let it be restored; or if the Owner cannot be found, allow something to the poor for it, and that liberally.  
Once being in a journey many miles from home, in changing a piece of Gold at a Shop, he took a half crown piece in stead of a shilling; neither he nor the Shopkeeper minded it: As soon as he came home, he found that he had taken a half crown for a shilling: He could not rest, but next day he took a long journey on purpose to that Town, to carry back that half crown again.  
He was of a sweet, mild, and gentle nature, and of a gracious spirit: A loving and faithful Husband, and an indulgent Father; if he failed in any thing, it was in his carriage to his Servants; for truly he did not carry himself as a Master to Servants, but as a familiar friend to his friends. He would make them to sit down with him, and drink to them at meat.  
He, and my Mother were married together well-nigh sixty years; and I am confident in all that time, there never was a distasteful word between them. And indeed, how could there be? He lived with her as a man of knowledge; he was a wise, faithful, and tender guide; and she was humble and meek, did reverence, and highly esteem him: Every word he spoke was an Oracle to her, and her will ever closed with his Judgement.  
He lived to eighty years of age: When I (the youngest of nine, and the unworthiest of all) was born, he was forty years of age. He called me the Son of his age, yet lived to see me forty years old before he died.  
He was much and frequent in secret fasting: And when he kept a day, he told none of the house of it, save my Mother only (who would not eat that day that he fasted, but ofttimes she was with him in his retiring Chamber, to join with him in prayer) yet all the Family knew it, because at night he supped not; but only had a Toast, and a draught of ordinary Beer to sustain nature.  
On the Sabbath day he never had any thing roast to Dinner, because he would have none detained at home from the public Ordinances. The Pot was hung on, and a piece of Beef and a Pudding in it; that was their constant Lordsday Dinner for well-nigh sixty years.  
His Church at Belssed stood in a very solitary place: He always kept a Key of it, and would often resort thither all alone. A Gentleman once espying him going to the Church-ward on a private day, hid himself till my Father was past, and in the Church; then he came close up to the Church wall, desirous to peep in at some Window to see what he did, and to listen him, if he said any thing. And the Gentleman told me, the last time I was at Belsted, that he prayed, then read a Chapter, and after that prayed largely, and very heavenly, as if he had been in his Family, or in the public Congregation.  
He vigorously held on the course of his Ministry to the last. It may be said of him, as of Caleb, and Joshua; he was as fit for Service in God's Harvest-field at fourscore, as he was at forty.  
Some abatement of bodily strength there was, as old Age did steal upon him: After his afternoon Sermon on the Sabbath, he would be something faint; and commonly when he came home, he would call for some comfortable Draught; and when he had lifted up his eyes to Heaven, and taken it, he would say to them about him, these are Crutches to shore up a ruinous house.  
But in his Intellectuals, and Spiritual strength, there was no failing. I cannot but here intersert a Passage that now comes in my mind.  
Old Mr. Benton of Wramplingham in Norfolk, a holy man of God, being upon occasion in Suffolk, in those parts, could not but give a visit to his old friend Mr. Carter of Belsted. Being with him, he heard him discourse with holy Gravity, & a mixture of all kind of Learning, Solidity, and Wit; he stood amazed, and said, Mr. Carter! I see you are like the Palm, and Cedar, that bring forth more Fruit in your Age. I thank you (said my Father) for telling of me what I should be.  
And now the time of his departure was at hand. Some fortnight, or three weeks before his translation, there appeared some decays in his Body, and his memory did a little fail. He would sometimes (but very rarely) call to go to Sea, and to his better Country. Yet he sat up from morning to night, and walked commonly up and down the Room, and never failed the performance of Prayer, and other Family duties; and so as none could discern any considerable defect in his spiritual, or natural strength. Only this, when he had done, he would presently call to begin again; and say, Daughter Eunice, (for my Mother being dead about two years before, she was the stay of his house, and staff of his Age) shall we not go to Prayer? and when she should answer him, you have been at Prayer already, and you are weary; he would answer, I fear we have not done what we should do.  
It was an ordinary, yea, a constant passage in every Prayer, that God would vouchsafe a merciful, and easy passage out of this life; And most graciously did the Lord answer it.  
Febr. 21. 1634. being the day before the Sabbath, in the Evening he calls very earnestly for Paper, Ink, and two Pens: for by God's grace, saith he, to morrow I will Preach twice: But God knows, he was not in a fit condition for Study: yet with that resolution he went to Bed, and God gave him some rest that night. In the morning upon the Sabbath-day, he did rise out of his Bed, as he used to do, came out of his Bedchamber into the Hall, and after Prayer he called for his ordinary Breakfast, before he went to the Church, (for still he held his resolution of Preaching) which was an Egg; he took it in his hand, but alas it would not down.  
Eunice! saith he, I am not able to go to Church yet; I prithee lead me to my Bed, I will lie down a little, and rest me. So he arose up out of his Chair, and walked, she supporting of him. And when he came to the Parlour-door, before he put his foot over the Threshold, Oh Eunice! says he, what shall I do? Put your trust, saith she, in that God of whom you have had so much experience, who never yet did leave you, nor forsake you.  
He said, The Lord be thanked.  
So he gathered up himself, went to the Bedside, sat down upon it, and immediately composed himself to lie down: He lifted up one of his Legs upon the Bed, without any great difficulty, laid down his Body, and rested his head upon the Pillow: My poor Sister stood by, expecting still when he should lift up his other leg; she thought he had been fallen asleep: And she was not mistaken; so it was, it proved his last sleep, and before she could discern any change in him, his Soul had taken its flight to Heaven, even into the Arms and Embraces of his blessed Saviour, whom he had faithfully served.  
He intended a Sabbaths Labour for Christ, and Christ gave him rest from his Labour; even the rest of an eternal Sabbath.  
When my Sister began to speak to him, and lift him, she found that his breath was departed, and yet no change in his Countenance at all: his eyes, and his mouth continuing in the same posture they used to be in his sweetest sleeps.  
Thus the Lord gave unto his faithful Servant, the desire of his Soul; such an easy passage, that his death could not be discerned from a sweet natural sleep.  
Not many days before he died, he called my Sister: Daughter, saith he, remember my Love to my Son John, I shall see him no more in this life; and remember me to the rest of my Children, and Family, and deliver this message to them all from me.  
Stand fast in the Faith, and love one another. This was the last message that ever he sent.  
He ended his life with a Doxology, breathing out his last, with these words; The Lord be thanked.  
When he had thus yielded up his spirit into the hands of his heavenly Father, my Sister Eunice dispatched a Messenger to me to Norwich: For so he had given order before he died, that his body should not be put in the Coffin till his Son John came. God carried me through the journey in hard weather: and through his good providence, I arrived at Belsted early on the Tuesday. And going to the house of mourning, I found the body of my deceased Father still lying upon the Bed. They uncovered his face: Sweetly he lay, and with a smiling countenance, and no difference to the eye between his countenance alive and dead, save only that he was wont to rejoice and bless me at my approach, now he was silent.  
I fell upon his face, I confess, and kissed him, and lift up my voice and wept, and so took my last leave of him, till we meet in a better World.  
In the afternoon, February 4. 1634. at his interring, there was a great confluence of people from all parts thereabouts, Ministers and others, taking up the words of Joash the King of Israel: Oh my Father! my Father! the Chariots of Israel, and the horsemen thereof! Old Mr. Samuel Ward, that famous Divine, and the glory of Ipswich, came to the Funeral, brought a mourning Gown with him, and offered very respectively to Preach his funeral Sermon, now that such a Congregation were gathered together, and upon such an occasion.  
But my Sister and I durst not give way to it: For so our Father had often charged us in his life time, and upon his blessing, that no Sermon should be at his burial. For, said he, it will give occasion to speak some good of me that I deserve not, and so false things will be uttered in the Pulpit.  
Mr. Ward rested satisfied, and did forbear: But the next Friday at Ipswich, he turned his whole Lecture into a Funeral Sermon for my Father, in which he did lament, and honour him, to the great satisfaction of the whole Auditory. Gloria fugientes sequitur.  
Glory is like a shadow; follow it, and it will fly away: fly from it, and it will follow.  
For humility he was most eminent. Humble in his habit, humble in his company: for though his gifts called him before great men, yet his most ordinary converse was with those of inferior rank, in whom he saw most of the power of Godliness.  
He writ very much; but he left nothing behind him, save what is Printed: and his Exposition of the Revelation; and a Petition to King James for the taking away of burdensome Ceremonies out of the Church: nothing else but a few broken Papers, which, I suppose, he looked upon as Waste paper. Surely, he burned the rest, when he saw his appointed time draw near, merely out of a low opinion of himself and gifts.  
He baulked all things that might tend to outward pomp, and ostentation: He would have no Funeral Sermon: He gave order to be buried, not in the Church, but in the Churchyard: where he and my sweet Mother, that glorious Pair, lie interred together, without so much, or rather so little as a poor Grave-stone over them.  
He had learned of Christ to be meek, and lowly in heart; he was humble in his life, and humble in his death; and now the Lord hath highly exalted him.  
He kept a constant Diary, or day-book, in which he set down every day God's extraordinary dispensations, his own actions, and whatsoever memorable things he heard or read that day.  
He cast up his accounts with God every day; and his sins were blotted out, before he was called to his last reckoning: His day of refreshing is come, he rests from his Labours.  
Plus vivitur exemplis, quam praeceptis, saith Seneca: Examples of the dead are Sermons for the living. And though when I first set Pen to Paper, I intended only to recollect some of his doings and sayings (now eighteen years after his decease) for my own memory, instruction, and comfort; yet I cannot but conceive, that the example of this holy man of God, if it be communicated, may be useful and profitable to the Church of God.  
He was a true child of Abraham; and the blessing of Abraham fell upon him, I will bless them that bless thee, saith the Lord; and I will curse them that curse thee. Not long since I was at Brainford; there dwelleth an ancient Gentleman, one of great quality, my friend, and my Father's old friend; he spoke thus to me: Mr. Carter! I have now lived to see the downfall of all your Father's opposers, and enemies. There is not one of them, but their Families are scattered, and ruined. Let the Enemies of Gods faithful Messengers hear, and fear, and do no more wickedly.  
I cannot but add one thing more; It may be truly said of him, and his faithful Yoke-fellow, as it is written of Zacharias, and Elizabeth: They were both righteous before God, walking in all the Commandments, and Ordinances of the Lord, blameless. I dare say, the World will testify, that neither of them did ever do that thing that was unjust, or evil, or scandalour, or uncomely, their Enemies being Judges. They were as to men without blemish, their life was a sweet savour, and they went out of this life as a fragrant perfume.  
I confess I have drawn his life very imperfectly. I must say as the Queen of Sheba; the one half hath not been told you. It will not be long before the Lord Jesus Christ shall open the Books at the last, and great day, then, and there you shall read his complete Story.  Prov. 10. 7. The Memory of the Just is, and shall be blessed.  

Reader,  
IT is said of Christ's sayings, and doings; that if they should be written every one, the World itself could not contain the Books. far be it from me to attribute so much to my worthy Father. Yet this much I am certain of, that there are many things in his Life, and those of very great concernment, which have slipped me. Therefore I leave these ensuing Pages vacant, that so as thou remember'st any of his holy sayings, and doings, not mentioned before, thou mayst write them down, for thine own benefit, and the good of others.   

Isa. 58. 1. 
Lift up thy voice like a Trumpet.  Joh. 19 14. 
Behold your King!  1 Cor. 1. 23. 
We preach Christ crucified.  Joh. 1. 29. 
Behold the Lamb of God.  Revel. 13. 8. 
The Lamb slain from the foundation of the World.    

A RARE SIGHT. OR, THE LYON: Sent from a far Country, and presented to the City of NORWICH; in a Sermon upon the Solemn Guild-day, June 18. 1650.  
By JOHN CARTER, Preacher of the Gospel; And as yet Sojourning in the City of NORWICH.  Joh. 1. 21. 
Sir! We would see Jesus.  
LONDON, Printed in the year 1653.   

TO THE RIGHT Worshipful Mr. WILLIAM BARNHAM, Major of the City of NORWICH; As also to Mr. Barnard Church, who with much Honour managed the chief Place of Magistracy in the said City, the last year, JOHN CARTER. Humbly presents this rare Sight,  
AS a Testimony of his respect, love and thankfulness to them, for all their undeserved Favour, and faithfulness. As also because they have a just claim thereunto. Mr. Matthew Lyndsey, who deceased in the midst of his Majoralty 1650. had the true right to it. The Sermon was preached at his request, and at his Inauguration. He dying, it descends by Inheritance upon these his Successors.  
The Sight is very rare indeed, but very poorly, and meanly set forth; Such as it is, the unworthy Author humbly tenders to them, with apprecation of all Grace, Honour, and Happiness.   

A RARE SIGHT, OR THE LYON.  REVEL. 5. 5. Behold, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah! 
AT great Solemnities, and extraordinary confluences of people, it is the ancient use, and custom, to bring out strange sights, and show farrfetched Rarities.  
This is a solemn day; the City's great anniversary Feast, for the Inauguration of the chief Magistrate: Here's much concourse from several parts. I shall therefore at such a time as this, being called to stand in the midst of such a multitude; produce my Spectacle, and present to your view, the godliest sight, that ever Heaven or Earth afforded; a stately, and a generous Lion from a far Country. Behold the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.  
Concerning which, I shall propound two things to your observation, the parts of the Text. 

1. The Trumpet Sounded: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Behold.  
2. The Sight or Show presented.    
A rare, and strange Living Creature described from His 

1. Species, kind. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Lion.  
2. Original, pedigree, and Country: the most noble, and best bred Lion in the WORLD.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Of the Tribe of JUDAH.  
These are the parts, and particulars of the Text. But I will not tie myself strictly, and punctually to these: or at least, I will lay them aside a while: and according to my plain, and usual way, I shall concerning this Little, yea this great portion of Scripture, dispatch these four things.  
1. I will speak something of the sense, and meaning of the words.  
2. I will give you the sum, & substance of all, in one general proposition, in one plain doctrine.  
3. Then, in the third place, I will return to the parts and particulars: I will review, search, and examine them, for such special observations, and Instructions, as may be profitable: besides the main, and general doctrine.  
4. And last of all, I will (as God shall enable me) endeavour to make profitable use, and application of all.  
I stand here by call, and commission from God. It's my duty to lift up my voice like a Trumpet to Usher in this rare spectacle: 
Exod. 3. 3.  and it is required of you, that with Moses, you will now turn a side, and see this great sight.  
Let him that hath an ear, hear, and let him that hath an Eye behold. And let the Eye of the God of Heaven be upon us all for good: and let the Lion of the Tribe of Judah be with us, and help us and bless us, Amen.  
1. And first I am to open and expound the Text.  
Behold!] This demonstrative, hath singular weight, and moment. Aliquid repentinum, et insperatum demonstrat. It points to something that is sudden, unexpected, unhoped for: something that is rare, excellent, and admirable. It hath here in this place a two fold use.  
1. To excite, and stir up attention, and intention: it calls for your ears, and eyes.  
2. To command. Thus Christ made use of it. It was his word of command. He said unto them In his Doctrine, Harken, Behold. I command you to attend.  
So here: it's the sounding of the Trumpet: it invites, it commands you all to fix your Eyes upon this rare, and excellent sight which is now coming forth.  
Behold then! But first, I pray, before you look for the Lion, Lift up your eyes a little higher, to the first Verse. There you shall see A Throne set in Heaven, and one sitting upon that Throne, in great glory, 
c. 4. 2.  Majesty, and brightness. That is— God the Father! In his right hand he holds a book, written within, and on the backside, and sealed with 7. Seals V. I.  
Q. What Book may this be?  
A. It is none other but this Book of the Revelation.  
Would you know the Contents of this Book? It is a Propheticall-Historicall Decretal.  
Not only decreed, but as it were engrossed in the Court-Roules of Heaven: It was a great Roll written on both sides for the multitude, and variety of matters, as containing a complete History of the Church unto the World's end: and therefore took up both sides of the Book, Volume, or Roll.  
It contains the decrees, Counsels, and will of God, concerning the future state, and government of the Church. It contains great Mysteries; Of the Kingdom and Tyranny of Antichrist: of the persecutions, troubles, and afflictions of the Church in all Ages, till Christ shall come the second time, and deliver up the Kingdom to God even the Father. It foreshews the patience, and constancy of the faithful; the utter ruin of their Enemies: and their eternal glory, and felicity at the general judgement, and Consummation.  
These Mysteries are written in a Book. i e. in God's eternal Prescience, Providence, and Decree.  
But this Book is clasped up and sealed. 1. For matter most excellent, and Divine: kept secret from the knowledge of all creatures: and with seven Seals: most surely as mysteries of the greatest moment, Worth and Certainty.  
Therefore behold: vers. 2. A strong Angel proclaiming with a land voice: Like a Herald or Officer. Who is worthy, for the excellency of his person, or for his deserts, To open the Book, and to lose the Seals thereof? To disclose these secret decrees, and counsels of God: to dive into these most deep mysteries, that he may make them know to the Church of God in all ages?  
Who? O it's a hard, and difficult matter to open the Book, and to lose the Seals. Verse 3. None in Heaven. No Angel. None in Earth: No Saint living. None under the Earth. No Saint departed, whose body is underground: or more generally, no creature in Heaven, Earth, or Sea, was able to open the Book, to read, understand, or divulge it; Neither to look thereon. To have any thing at all to do with it.  
Alas! alas! This is a sad thing! Behold verse 5. John the Divine weeps much, Because no man was found worthy to open, and to read the Book, etc. He wept much, to see himself, and others, deprived of so deep, so sweet, and so excellent Mysteries; but especially to think, that God should be deprived of the glory of them. What then? Shall the Church never know the Contents of that Book?  
Yes; yes, it shall. Behold, in the fifth verse a word of Consolation. One of the Elders saith unto me, weep not. One of the body, of the Council of State; one of the Assessors, one of the glorified Saints; representing all the faithful; one, to whom the secret of the Lord was revealed. He said to John, weep not. q. d. This is thine infirmity; what hast thou forgotten? Art thou a Master, and Teacher in the Church of God, and dost thou not remember, that great Prophet, the only begotten Son of God, which is in the bosom of his Father; who from the beginning of the World unto the end of it, ever leadeth the Church into all needful Truths? Weep not then so much, cheer up thy Spirits. Order is taken for the opening, and revealing of the Book.  
Behold! behold! Lift up thine eyes now; dost not discover a rare Sight? a Lion! Behold! That Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the root of David, he hath prevailed to open the Book, and to lose the seven Seals thereof.  
I have now brought you down to my Text: your eyes are by this time upon the rare Sight, and I shall endeavour to keep them fixed there from henceforth.  
The words read, are nothing else but an Elegant, Metaphorical description of him, who can, and only can open, and reveal the Decrees, Counsels, and will of God to the Church.  
Behold! with admiration, and joy, this is the Lion. I find in the Scripture a threefold Lion. 1. Of the Forest. 2. Of the Internal Pit. 3. Of the Tribe of Judah.  
1. A Lion of the Forest, Jer. 5. 6. bred in the Woods, and Deserts. This is a rare, and Noble Creature, the chief among Beasts; this is properly called a Lion.  
2. The Lion of the Infernal Pit; that is, the Devil, called so by way of similitude; because he is like a Lion. In the Hebrew, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Lion, springs out of the root 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 decerpere to pluck, rend and tear. Such is the Devil, 1 Pet. 5. 8. Your adversary the Devil, as a roaring Lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour.  
3. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah. What is he? Indeed it is a Male, a Noble, Generous, and Famous Lion: Yet not a Beast, (as some blasphemous Heretics have spoken, horresco referens, in these leprous times) no! here we must leave the Letter, and understand it Metaphorically. It is a Lion not to be found amongst men, (mere men) nor Angels. Would you know certainly who it is? The next verse will tell you. Behold! there you shall see standing in the midst of the Elders A Lamb, as it had been slain, this is the Lion; for verse 9 you shall find, it was this Lamb, who was worthy to take the Book, and to open the Seals thereof. Here the Lion, 
Isa. 11. 6.  and the Lamb meet in one; plainly therefore, The Lion, or the Lamb, is he that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by his own blood, even the Lord Jesus Christ, the root of David. He, and none other is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.  
Of the Tribe of Judah. viz. Of the Posterity of Judah; which excelled all the other Tribes in Courage, Dignity, and Renown.  
You must conceive, that here is an allusion to the armorial Ensign, or Arms of that Tribe.  
The Lord commands the children of Israel, Num. 2. 2. Every man shall pitch by his own Standard, with the Ensign of their Father's house: far off about the Tabernacle of the Congregation shall they pitch. All the while they travailed in the Wilderness, they pitch their Tents as an Army, round about the Sanctuary in a Square. The Israelites consisted of twelve Tribes. And these were divided into four Regiments: 
Ezek. 48. 20. Revel. 21. 16.  To each Regiment three Tribes, of which every one had a particular Standard or Banner, differing in colour, and form, and in the Ensign a Coat of Arms.  
In the front were Judah, Issachar, and Zabulon.  
In the Rear Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasses. 
Ainsw. Num.   
In the North-wing, Dan, Aser, and Naphtali.  
In the South-wing, Reuben, Simeon and Gad.  
Judah carried a Lion in his Standard: Reuben a Mandrake, Ephraim an Ox, and Dan an Eagle.  
Judah carried a Lion in his Standard. The occasion of this Coat of Arms you have, Gen. 49. 9 Viz. jacob's blessing. Judah is a Lion's Whelp. And here you have the original of Arms; GOD was the first King of Heralds: He commanded them; also the antiquity and use.  
Arms were tokens, or resemblances, signifying some Act, or Quality of the Bearer. In their Banners, Shields, or Targets they did engrave, emboss, embroider, or depict some Beast, Bird, Fish, or other thing, whose nature and quality did best quadrate with their own. There was a kind of sympathy between the Arms, and their bearers, to note their quality, and disposition. Such Arms were remunerations for Service, bestowed by Kings, Emperors, and their Generals: Hereditary Testimonies of their glorious Merits.  
This armorial Ensign, the Lion, was given to Judah, to show, 1. The Courage of that Tribe above the rest; and 2. That it should be the governing, the Law-giving Tribe, 1 Chron, 5. 2. For Judah prevailed above his Brethren, and of him came the chief Ruler. And 3. That God had decreed Monarchical Government for that people, when they should be settled in a perfect state. And 4. That (David as the Type, & afterwards) at the fullness of time, the Lord Jesus Christ the Antitype, should be born of that Tribe according to the flesh, and lineally descended, through the Loins of many Kings, Successive one to another, as to his humane Nature. And so came forth the Famous Lion of the Tribe of Judah. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah. Heb. 7. 14.  
And thus you have the sense, meaning, and exposition of the words.  
2. I shall now in the second place, give you the sum, and substance of all in one general proposition, which I will give you in no other terms then the very words of the Text.  
The Lord Jesus Christ is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. For the evidence and demonstration 
Doct.  of this Thesis, I will lay it out unto you in three Branches.  

1. That the Lord Jesus Christ is a Lion.  
2. That he is the Lion.  
3. That he is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.   

Branch. 1. The Lord jesus Christ is a Lion.  
The truth of this, with the reason, I will give you both together. It is both prophesied, and typified, Gen. 49. 9 juda is a Lion's Whelp. judah! this cannot be meant of the person of Judah, that's certain: for he crouched, and bowed down to Joseph his younger Brother, and died in Egypt.  
Therefore it must be understood first, 
Num. 24. 9  of the posterity, of the Tribe of Judah. The Offspring of Judah shall be a Lion's Whelp: but for what cause is he so described? Propter dignitatem Regiam. The Lion is Rex quadrupedum: The noblest of all fourfooted creatures: and the King of all beasts. Pro. 30. 30. 31. A Lion, and a King put together. In the 8, 9, and tenth Verse of that 49. cap. of Gen. you have a graphical description of the Kingly power and Sovereignty that should be in the Tribe of Judah many Generations after: showing, that judah shall meet with many potent, and implacable enemies to conflict withal: that he shall conquer and subdue them all. Ver. 8. Thy hand shall be in the neck of thine Enemies. Ver. 9 From the prey, my Son thou art gone up. 1. judah shall tear his Enemies in pieces, as a Lion rends his prey. He stooped down, he couched as a Lion, and as an old Lion. That notes a full victory over all his Enemies: The Lion's couching is not for fear, but because he hath conquered his prey, and scattered all opposition; and now, lieth down by it in triumph, feeding and resting himself in peace. So shall Judah tread on the neck of all his enemies, and sit down in peace. But to raise it to the height, it signifies, that Judah shall be the Kingly Tribe, in which should be the Regal power. 1 Chr. 5. 2. Judah prevailed above his Brethren, and of him came the chief Ruler. This signified, Vers. 8. Thy father's Children shall bow down before thee. Vers. 10. The Sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a Lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come: And this was fulfilled in David first, and in Solomon.  
But though the Prophecy were in part fulfilled in the temporal Kingdom of Judah, yet chiefly all is verified in Christ; and it hath its compliment in the Kingdom of Christ, and is interpreted, and fully fulfilled in my Text. Jesus Christ is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, which words are nothing but a Periphrasis, an elegant metaphorical description of the Kingdom of Christ: Jesus Christ is a Lion; that is, Jesus Christ is a King: Christ a King.  
Promised, Jerem. 23. 5. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgement and justice in the Earth.  
Born. Matth. 2. 2. Where is he that is born King of the Jews?  
Proclaimed, Zechariah 9 9 Rejoice greatly, Oh Daughter of Zion, shout oh Daughter of Jerusalem! Behold thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having Salvation, etc. Inaugurated, Matth. 21. 5. Crowned, Psal. 21. 3. Thou settest a Crown 
Leo Coronatus.  of pure Gold on his head. Cantic. 3. 11. Go forth ye Daughters of Zion, and behold King Solomon. That is, Jesus Christ, with the Crown wherewith his Mother Crowned him in the day of his Espousals. Revel. 6. 2 He had a Bow, and a Crown was given him. Cap. 19 12. On his head were many Crowns. And verse 16. Thus runs his royal Title, 
Leo regnans  KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.  
He was qualified with all Kingly graces, and gifts. He was anointed a King: The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psal. 45. 7. God, thy God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Of old they did anoint their Kings; but Christ had an Unction above all other Kings. Saul had a Vial of oil poured on his head; Jehu 
1 Sam. 10. 1. 2 King. 9 3. 1 Sam. 16. 13.  a box of oil, David a horn of oil: every one had their measure: But Christ was anointed, not with material oil, as they, but with the Holy-Ghost, and that with all fullness: God gave the Spirit unto him, non ad mensuram, Not by measure. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  He was anointed within, and without, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  all over.  
1. Within, his inward Unction was with Kingly graces. There are certain gifts, and qualifications requisite for the discharge of the Kingly Function; without which no Monarch can wield the Sceptre happily. 1. Strength and Courage: the King must be a mighty and a valiant man to defend his people, and fight their Battles. 2. Wisdom, and understanding, to discern between good and bad, and to judge his people, 1 King. 3. 9 3. Justice, Prov. 16. 12. The Throne is established by righteousness. 4. Mercy, Prov. 20. 28. Mercy and truth preserve the King, and his Throne is upholden by mercy. All these were eminently, yea infinitely in Jesus Christ; and therefore he was meet to be a King. He was a Lion.  
1. The Lion is strongest among Beasts, Prov. 30. 30. Courageous, and Magnanimous. So Jesus Christ, he excelled all others in power, might, and courage. The Government is upon his Shoulder. And he is called the mighty God. Isa. 9 6. All power is given him in Heaven, and Earth Matth. 28. 18. He is the Almighty. Rev. 1. 8. Christ is the generous Lion of undaunted Courage, and invincible strength, to grapple with the Hunters, and savage Creatures.  
2. The Lion is an Emblem of Wisdom, as well as of Strength, a Creature that hath great Sagacity. Strange things are written of the wisdom and policy of the Lion, (by, and by you shall meet with some of them.) He is crafty in waiting for the Prey, watching his opportunities, Psal. 10. 9 He lieth in wait secretly, he lurketh in his Den. He is subtle in deceiving the Hunter: When he is hunted, sometimes 
Gesner.  he goeth forward, sometimes backward, and sweeps out his footsteps that are from the Hunter, with his tail, that no tract of his may be found. Whence it became a Proverb, Leonis Vestigia quaeris.  
In this grace also Christ excelled all others. Solomon was famous for wisdom, (for he had sought it of God) for there was none like him before, nor after. But behold! 
1 King. 3. 12.  here is a greater than Solomon, a wiser than Solomon; the Lord Jesus Christ. In him are hid the treasures of Wisdom, and Knowledge, Col. 2. 3. And wisdom (for Government) is better than Strength.  
3. In the Lion is observed strict Justice. Non punit ultra condignum; If any one hit him, or throweth a dart at him, & hurts him not, the Lion will only rush against him that struck the blow, & throw him down, but not hurt him: If any wound the Lion, and draw blood, the Lion will turn again, and tear him, but not to death; but if any kill the Lion's Whelp, the Lion will slay him.  
In this grace of Justice Christ excelled all others. He shall order his Kingdom, and establish it with Judgement, and with Justice for ever. Isa. 9 7. He loveth righteousness and hateth wickedness. Psal. 45. 7. A Sceptre of righteousness is the Sceptre of his Kingdom. Heb. 1. 8. He is Melchesidec, King of righteousness, Heb. 7. 2.  
4. In the Lion also is clemency, and mercy. He is benevolent to mankind, spares them that prostrate to him, and will not hurt Women, nor little Children.  
And in this grace also Christ exceeded all others, Matth. 21. 5. Behold! the King cometh unto the Meek, and sitting upon an Ass, and a Colt, the foal of an Ass.  
Isa. 42. 2. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. 3. A bruised Reed shall he not break, and the smoking Flax shall he not quench.  
He wept over jerusalem, and had compassion 
Luk. 19 41. Matth. 9 36 Heb. 2. 17.  on the multitude. He was a faithful, and a merciful high Priest; And he was a faithful, and a merciful King. See the oil with which he was inwardly anointed, poured upon his head altogether, Isa. 11. 2. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom, and understanding, the Spirit of Counsel, & might, the Spirit of Knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord.  
Here are his Kingly graces, his Lion-like qualifications, whereby he was fitted to wield the Kingdom. No man, Angel, nor Archangel; none in Heaven, and Earth, can be found meet to under-go this Office, only Jesus Christ, God-man could bear it.  
You have seen how the Lion, Messiah the Prince, was anointed within.  
Now secondly, I will make out his Title to the Crown: He had an external Unction, he was anointed a King. The ancient anointing of Kings, was an outward manifestation, and declaration to the whole World, of their undoubted Right, and Title to their Kingdoms; it was also a public Assignation.  
And this external Unction had Jesus Christ; not with material oil, but he had a full, and undoubted right to the Government: He was no usurper, he had a solemn calling from God the Father to this Office; and from him he derived a threefold right.  
The Kingdom was his.  
1. By Assignation from the Father, Psal. 2. 6. I have set my King upon my holy Hill of Zion. Act. 2. 36. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath ●ade that same JESUS who was crucified, both LORD, and CHRIST.  
2. By inheritance, Psal. 2. 7. I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. Heb. 1. 2. God hath appointed him heir of all things. Even the wicked Husbandmen acknowledged thus much, This is the heir, Mat. 21. 38.  
3. By free Donation, Psal. 2. 8. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.  
By this time, the first branch, or Proposition is true and evident. Christ is a Lion, that is, A King. Therefore as after the anointing of Jehu, they blew with Trumpets, and proclaimed, saying, Jehu is King: So here, having seen the anointing, I blow the Trumpet, & proclaim, Behold, Christ is King: Behold, Christ is King.   

Branch 2. The Lord Jesus Christ is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, The Lyon.  
The Lion of Lions; The most excellent Lion, the only Lyon. Christ is a 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  King, and there's no King but Christ. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Isa. 43. ●. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  I am the Lord, and beside me there is no Saviour. The chief Priests said, We have no 
Joh. 19 15.  King but Caesar. Christian's must say, We have no King but Christ.  
But haply, some will object, Are there 
Ob.  not many other Kings? Were there not Kings of Israel and Judah? Had not Egypt their Pharaohs, and the Philistims their Abimeleches? Do we not read in 
Dan. 2. 32.  Daniel, of the head of Gold? the Silver breast and arms? the Brass belly and thighs? the Iron Legs? the four ancient and famous Monarchies? Did we never hear of the Emperors of the West? And are there not many Kings at this very day, in the World? What, is there but one Lion in the Forest?  
I answer with Saint Paul, There are 
1 Cor. 8. 50.  Lords many: many Kings: And Saint Peter mentions, The King as supreme, and that as an Ordinance. But such a King as the Lord Jesus Christ is not in the whole World. And I will show you some differences between Christ the King, and all other Kings.  
1. Christ is the only absolute, supreme, sovereign, independent King; the only Lord Paramount: all other Kings have but a derived, delegated power from him. Pro. 8. 15. By me King's reign (saith the Lord Jesus, the wisdom of the Father) and Princes decree Justice. All other Kings are but subordinate, Viceroys, Lord-Deputies.  
2. All other Kings are men, mere men; Jesus Christ is God and man; as he is the man Christ Jesus, so he is God over all, 
1. Tim. 2. 5. Rom. 9 5.  blessed for ever. No other King God-Man, but he.  
3. In regard of bounds: all other Kings, they have Dominion only over some part, and a little part of the World: Indeed there have been Monarches that have styled themselves Emperors of the World; but they were mistaken two ways: First, in their times scarce half the habitable part of the World was discovered: Secondly, Had they had all they laid claim to, it was but to the lower and base part of the World, the Earth: But the Lord Jesus Christ hath an universal Kingdom. Psal. 72. 8. He shall have Dominion from Sea to Sea, and from the River unto the ends of the Earth. v. 9 They that dwell in the Wilderness shall bow before him, and his enemies shall lick the dust. v. 10. The Kings of Tarshish, and of the Isles shall bring presents; the Kings of Sheba, and Seba shall offer gifts. v. 11. Yea, all Kings shall fall down before him, all Nations shall serve him. He is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; yea, he is King of Heaven and Earth, and of all things in them. There is no universal King but he.  
4. In respect of duration: All other Kings are men that die, and their Kingdoms have their fatal periods: few Kingdoms continue above five hundred years: We use to say, So many years reigned the Chaldeans and Babylonians; so many the Medes and Persians, so many the Grecians, and so many the Romans (that I meddle not with the fatal mutations in our Nation.) The Lord often speaks to earthly Kings in his wrath, The Lord hath rend 
1 Sam. 15. 28.  the Kingdom of Israel from thee; saith Samuel to Saul: even this day he hath done it, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou. And this was the Writing that was written concerning Belshazzar, Thy Bingdome is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.  
But unto the Son; unto the Lord Jesus Christ, the Father saith, Thy Throne O God is for ever and ever. God the Father speaks concerning his Son, as Jupiter is brought in speaking of the Romans: His ego nec metas rerum, nec tempora pono, Imperium sine fine dedi.  
His seed will I make to endure for ever, 
Psal. 89. 29. 36. 37.  and his Throne as the days of Heaven. His Throne shall be as the Sun before me. It shall be established for ever as the Moon: and as a faithful witness in Heaven. SELAH.  
The Angel Gabriel was sent from God to the Virgin Mary, with this Oracle, Thou shalt conceive, & bringforth a Son: and 
Luk. 1. 31. 32. 33.  shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his Father David. And he shall reign over the House of David for ever, and of his Kingdom there shall be no end. Jesus Christ is the Lyon. The Lion is a Creature (as Pliny writes) that lives long to an incredible age, but Christ is the Lion that never dies. And there is no eternal King but Christ.  
You have the second Branch or Proposition: I pass to   

Branch 3. Jesus Christ is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.  
First, And according to the Letter, He was King of judah. He had a just right, and title to the temporal Crown and Kingdom. He was of the Seed of David according to the flesh; lineally descended 
Rom. 1. 3.  from his loins, and by undoubted succession the King and Prince, being of the Kingly race. This will appear by the Genealogies. Saint Matthew, chap. 1. sets down the Pedigree of joseph, the Husband of Mary, his supposed Father. He descended from David through the loins of Solomon. Saint Luke, chap. 3. 23. describes the Pedigree of the Virgin Mary his Mother that bore him; she descended from David through the loins of Nath●n.  
The Husband and Wife were both of the same Family; and therefore Christ had a title to the temporal Kingdom, Crown, and Dignity, both by the Fathers and Mother's side. Heralds came from the East to proclaim him King there, saying, Where is he that is borne King of the jews? For we have seen his star in the East, Matth. 2. 2. This Pilate subscribed, and would not revoke it, jesus of Nazareth the King of the jews.: He was a Lion true bred.  
But as for this temporal Kingdom and Dominion over Judah & the other Tribes, our Lord Jesus Christ would not meddle with it. He had indeed, jus ad rem: but would never take possession. They would have taken him by force to make him King, Joh. 6. 15. but he perceiving it, departed, and hid himself in a Mountain. He departed from his own right: abdicated the earthly Kingdom, and would not meddle with it.  
Therefore secondly, By the Tribe of Judah, we must understand the same thing that is signified by Mount Zion, and the City of the living God: and, the heavenly Jerusalem, Heb. 12. 22. And what is that? Vers. 23. will tell you, The general assembly and Church of the first borne, which are written in Heaven. The whole company of the Elect, who are ordained to life eternal.  
Christ is the King of his Church, and the Church is Christ's Kingdom: The Elect, the company of true Believers are his subjects, and none else. Psal. 2. 6. I have set my King upon my holy hill of Zion: that is, over the Church. As Pharaoh made Joseph Governor over all his House, so God the Father made his Son Jesus 
Act. 7. 10.  Christ King, and Governor of the house of God; that is, the Church of God. This Nathanael confesseth in his little Creed; John 1▪ 49. Thou art the son of God: thou art the King of Israel: His peculiar jurisdiction is over the Church,  
Quest. But is not Christ a great King over all the Earth? Psal. 47. 2.  
Answ. Christ hath a twofold Kingdom.  
1. Regnum potentiae: his Kingdom of power; by which, as God, together with the Father, and the holy Ghost, he powerfully rules over all Creatures in Heaven and Earth. And so all Men and Women in the World are his Subjects; yea, whether they will or no.  
2. Regnum gratiae, The Kingdom of grace: Whereby as Mediator, he calls and governs his Church and chosen: And in regard of this latter he is said properly, and peculiarly to be the King of his Church, and of his Church only.  
Thus you have seen:  

1. That Christ is a Lion, a King.  
2. That he is the Lion, the only King.  
3. That he is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.   
Now attend to the reason of all together. Why must the Lord Jesus Christ be such a Lion? such a King?  
He must be a Lion, a King, because he is Mediator of his Church. This great and 
Reason.  high office of a King was so necessary, that the Church could never have been saved, except Christ had born it.  
A Mediator is for the reconciling of parties that are at variance: and he that undertakes the work, must be in grace and favour with both parties, and he must deal, not only between, but with both parties; with the party offended, and the party offending. Here the parties at odds, are God and Man. God is the party offended, Man is the party offending: You know how the quarrel began; man by transgressing against the Commandment, and eating of the prohibited Tree, highly provoked God: here came in the enmity, and man cast under 
Gen. 3.  an eternal acurse; and must have remained under the sentence of death for ever, without a Mediator to take up the quarrel, and make peace. The Lord Jesus Christ undertakes this office. There is one 
1 Tim 2. 5.  Mediator between God and man: the man Christ Jesus. He therefore must deal and negotiate with both parties; and to this end he puts himself upon a threefold office, of a Prophet, Priest, and King.  
1. And first he deals with the party offended; with God for men. This he doth in his Priestly office. Every high Priest 
Heb. 5. 1.  saith the Apostle, is taken from among men; is ordained for men [〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉] in things pertaining to God; that he may offer gifts and sacrifices for sin. Here you see, he deals with God, on the behalf of men offending, and how? by offering sacrifices: that is, by way of satisfaction. The sentence was our, That day thou eatest, that day thou sinnest, thou shalt die certainly. God's justice now could not be satisfied, nor any reconciliation made without death; no nor without the death of such a person as was without sin, without any exception; yea such a person as must be God as well as man, because the satisfaction must be infinite. Jesus Christ is willing (Oh the infinite grace of the Lord Jesus Christ!) to negotiate in this great business with his Father: and on man's behalf he doth three things. 1. He suffers whatsoever man should have suffered, to satisfy God and acquit sinful man. They write of the Lion, that he always hath a quartain ague: I am sure Jesus Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, he had a quotidian for us. He was a man of sorrows, well acquainted with grief, from his birth to the Cross: Yea, he died a bloody and a most accursed death, to appease the wrath of God, and slay the enmitty. And 
Eph. 2. 16.  here the Lion becomes a Lamb; brought as a Lamb to the slaughter: and is the very 
Isa. 53. 7.  Lamb mentioned in the next Verse, which stood in the midst of the Elders, as it 
Rev. 5. 6.  had been slain. Thus he satisfieth.  
A second business he doth for man, is, as a Priest, to pray, and intercede to, and with his Father, that his Sacrifice may be available, and effectual to the salvation of his Church. I pray (saith Christ) for these with me now, and for all them also 
Joh. 17. 20.  that shall believe on me.  
Thirdly, He doth engage to his Father, that all that the Father hath given him, shall believe. That he will work faith in them by his Spirit, John 6. 3. All that the Father giveth me, i. e. all the Elect, shall come to me, i. e. they shall believe. Thus Christ is an agent for man with God. And in this Priestly office, he purchased his Kingdom: Therefore, saith God the Father, will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death; and he was numbered with the transgressors, and he bore the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.  
Again secondly, it is necessary, that he deal and negotiate on God's part, with men; and this he doth as a 

Prophet.  
King.    
1. As a Prophet: He is sent out of the bosom of his Father unto men, to open the Book, Revel. 5. 7. 9 to declare and 
Joh. 1. 18.  make known the secret counsel and will of God concerning the great work of redemption: what a new contract is drawn up between the Father and the Son; what Jesus Christ hath done for man; how he hath satisfied his debt, which he was not able to pay, and how God hath accepted of it, for all those that do believe in him. The sum of which negotiation you have, John 6. 40. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one that seeth the Son (i. e. believeth on him) may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.  
2. As a King: To impute and apply that great benefit of Redemption to man, and to make it effectual: And to accomplish this, he must be a Lion, he must be a King, and that for these causes.  
1. To gain and gather his Kingdom: To gain them first into the Kingdom of grace, and at last to gather them into the Kingdom of glory. Now to effect this, he must be a Lion, a potent King; for he must conquer before he can reign, yea he must make a double conquest. 1. He must conquer his subjects; he finds them all Enemies at first, all Rebels: it is truly said of all the Children of Adam: This people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart. Now these rebellious hearts Christ must subdue, and bring into subjection, making them a believing, a loving, a willing people. Christ cannot gain a Subject into his Kingdom but he must first conquer. 2. He also must conquer another Lion, the Enemy-Lyon: he is described by Saint Peter, Epist. 1. chap. 5. Vers. 8. Your adversary the Devil, as a roaring Lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour. In the paws of this Lion are all men and women in the World by nature. The Prince of the power of the air, that evil Spirit worketh in the Children of disobedience, Ephes. 2. 2. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, must conquer that roaring Lion the Devil, before he can gather a Kingdom, and reign.  
Quest. But how doth he conquer the Devil? how doth he conquer his Subjects?  
Answ. He conquered the Devil, as he was God, by force and might, by his infinite power. As man and Mediator, he conquered him by his blood, by the merit and efficacy of his passion. He took part of our flesh and blood, that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the Devil. And deliver them who through fear of death, were all their life time subject to bondage, Heb. 2. 14, 15. He spoiled Principalities and Powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it: that is, in or upon his Cross, Col. 2. 15. Faith seeth Christ upon the Cross, as sitting in a triumphal Chariot. Duo (saith Origen) in cruse affixi intelliguntur: Christus visibiliter, sponte sua, ad tempus: Diabolus invisibiliter, invitus, in perpetuum.  
He conquers the rebellious hearts of his Subjects; and gathers together into one 
Joh. 11. 52.  Kingdom, the Children of God that were scattered abroad, by his voice, Sceptre, and Sword.  
By his voice. The Lioness, as the learned 
Vocation.  write, brings forth her Whelps dead, and so they continue three days: then the other Lion doth set out his voice, and roar over them, and then they revive and live. Christ is the Lion, his people are his Whelps: They are all stillborn: Dead 
Eph. 2. 1:  in trespasses and sins. Christ lifts up his voice, and roars in the Preaching of the Gospel, by which he recovers the life of his people. Verily, verily, I say unto you, saith our blessed Saviour, Joh. 5. 25. The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live.  
By his Sceptre: And that is the same, even the Preaching of the Gospel, Psal. 110. 2. The Lord shall send the Rod, or the Sceptre, of thy strength: that is, the Ministry of the Gospel, out of Zion: and by it, thou shalt rule in the midst of thine Enemies: Those that were enemies, by that spiritual Sceptre, thou shalt make them loving Subjects, and a willing people, vers. 3.  
By his Sword: And that's the same still, the Preaching of the Gospel. This is the sharp two-edged Sword that went out of Christ's mouth. Revel. 1. 16. this is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged Sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. This is the two-edged Sword in the 
Psal. 149. 6.  hand of the Saints; which binds Heathen Kings in Chains, and Nobles in fetters of Iron: That is, the Gospel brings Heathen Princes and people into subjection to the Lord Jesus Christ. This is that Sword of the spirit, even, the Word of God, spoken of by 
Eph. 6. 17.  Saint Paul: And there you have the consummation of the conquest: Yes, when the spirit seconds the Word, when the holy Ghost carries it home to the heart. Thus the Lion, the King, the Lord Jesus Christ conquers, thus he calls his subjects together into one Kingdom, by the Word outwardly Preached to the ear, and by the spirit effectually working upon the heart; moving, and sweetly persuading it to obey the calling of Christ.  
2. Christ must be a Lion, a King, to govern his subjects, his Church: Without Government no Society can stand; when there was no King in Israel, every 
Judic. 17. 6.  man did what seemed good in his own eyes: and all things went to wrack. Christ must be a King, to give Laws: So Christ: There is one Lawgiver: even this Lion: and to 
Jam. 4. 12.  rule, so Christ; he rules in the hearts of his people, and governs them by his spirit, They are led by the spirit of God, as 
Rome 8. 14.  many as are the sons of God. Judah, that is, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, is his 
Psal. 60. 7.  Lawgiver: And he doth not only give Laws, but (that which no King nor Potentate else in the World can do) he puts his Law in their inward parts, and writes it in their hearts, Jer. 31. 33.  
3. Christ must of necessity be a Lion, a King, to protect and defend his Church, people, subjects. The Lion will stand to the defence of his young ones, even to the death; and having the prey in his paw, the more any offer to take it from him, the faster he holds it: So the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.  
The Kingdom of Christ is ever beset with Enemies, The Heathen rage, the people conspire: the Kings of the earth set themselves, 
Psal. 2. 1, 2, 3.  and the Rulers take Counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed: against his Christ. They have, not only, flesh and blood, but Principalities and 
Eph. 6. 12.  Powers also; the Rulers of the darkness of this World, and spiritual wickedness in high places, to wrestle withal. And therefore without a strong Protector, this kingdom would soon be dissolved and laid desolate. Now the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Lord Jesus Christ undertakes the protection of it. He will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her Assemblies, a cloud, and a smoke by day, 
Isa. 4. 5.  and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. And the Gates of Hell shall not prevail 
Matth. 16. 18  against it.  
4. The Lord Jesus Christ must be the Lion, the King, to exercise judiciary power, to execute judgement.  
To bring Malefactors to condign punishment, to destroy the implacable Enemies of his Church and Kingdom. He is therefore a Lion, and a Bear too, Hos. 13. 7. Therefore will I be unto them as a Lion, as a Leopard by the way will I observe them. Vers. 8. I will meet them as a Bear that is bereft of her Whelps, and will rend the Caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a Lion: the wild beast shall tear them. Luke 19 27. But those mine enemies that would not that I should reign over them, bring hither and slay them before me.  
He also must be a Lion, a King, to distribute rewards to his good and faithful Subjects. The Lion doth tear in pieces enough for his Whelps, and strangled for his 
Nah 'em. 2. 12.  Lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and his dens with Ravine: So the Lord Jesus, Divides the spoil with the strong. He spoiled 
Isa. 53 2. Psal. 68 18.  Principalities and Powers. He ascended up on high, he led Captivity captive, and gave gifts to men, Ephes. 4. 8. As a King he will, he will enrich his subjects with grace here, and glory hereafter: he will reward his followers, not for their merits sake, but for his mercy's sake. He will say to one, Well done thou good servant, because 
Luk. 19 17. 19  thou hast been saithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten Cities: And to another, Be thou also over five Cities. And they that follow him in the Regeneration, 
Matth. 19 28. 29.  when Christ the King shall sit in the throne of his glory; they also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or Brethren, or Sisters, or Father, or Mother, or Wife, or Children, or Lands, to become his subjects, shall receive an hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life.  
Thus have you the general Doctrine.  
3. Before I come to make application of it, I will address myself to my third task, and return to the parts of the Text, and take a review of them; and speak something to them, and observe something from them distinctly and very shortly. The parts you may remember are two.  

1. The Trumpet sounded.  
2. The sight, or show presented.   
1. For the first: The Trumpet sounded. Behold! This demonstrative, as it points to some admirable thing, so it is a word of command. Here  
Observe, It is the duty of every Christian to behold the Lord Jesus Christ. As Saint John the Divine is here called upon to behold; so is every one enjoined to eye the Lion: that is, the Lord Jesus: John the Baptist calls as much upon his Disciples, to behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the World, John 1. 29. Even Pilate could call unto the Jews, saying. Behold your King! John 19 14.  
But why must we always set our eyes 
Reason  upon Christ? There are many reasons: I will fasten only upon one, namely, We must always behold him, that we may imitate and follow him. Behold thy King, 
Zech. 9 9  saith the Prophet Zechariah, how he cometh, he is just, meek, and lowly. And why must we thus behold him? Christ himself will give you the reason, Matth. 11. 29. that you may learn of him to be meek and lowly in heart. I have given you my example, saith the Lord Jesus, John 13. 15. that you should do as I have done to you. Judah had a Lion in their Standard, and that they were to follow. Jesus Christ is our Standard, The root of jesse: i. e. Christ, springing out of David's stock, shall stand for an Ensign of the people. Luke 2. 34. Behold, saith Simeon, this Child jesus, is set 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, for a Banner, which shall meet with contradiction: a military sign. It is our duty to follow our Ensign, and that is a Lyon.  
2. You have heard the Trumpet sounded: I will now lead you to the second part of the Text, Viz. The sight, or show, The Lion of the tribe of judah: and why of the Tribe of Judah? The Apostle shall give you the reason clearly, Heb. 7. 14. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of judah.  
Observe then, the Pedigree of this Lyon. He came out of the loins of Judah, the fourth Son of Jacob, and was born in that Tribe. In the words next following my Text, Christ is called the root of David: which metaphorical expression doth imply two things.  
1. That Christ indeed is David's root, David sprang from him. David in spirit 
Matth. 22. 43.  called him Lord, and he might also call him Father, for Jesus Christ is the everlasting Father, Isa. 9 6. All things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made, that was made, john 1. 3. Even David had his original from him.  
Secondly, and most properly, the meaning is, that David was the root of Christ: that is, Christ sprang from David. God raised up Christ out of the decayed House of David, by his mighty arm. So plainly Isa. 11. 1. There shall come forth a Rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.  
You have both together, Revel. 22. 16. I am (saith Christ) the Root, and the Offspring of David. I bear David, in regard of my Deity: and I come of David, in regard of my Humanity: The whole amounts to thus much, That Christ is Man. He is God of the substance of his Father, begotten before the Worlds: and Man of the substance of his Mother, borne in the World: Of a reasonable soul, and humane flesh subsisting. Jesus Christ our Lord was made of the Seed of David, according to the flesh, Rom. 1. 3. He took our flesh, he took all our infirmities, sin only 
Heb. 4 15.  excepted.  
4. I have by God's gracious assistance finished the Doctrinal part: I enter now upon my fourth and last task, but not the least: It is, to make application. Put all together that I have spoken, and it will be profitable. 1. To instruct. 2. To convince. 3. To exhort. 4. To comfort. I shall prosecute these distinctly: the Lord order and direct my tongue, and rightly dispose your hearts for the obedient receiving of the word. Behold, and hearken.  
And first it will serve for our Instruction. 
1.   
From all that hath been said, we may gather divers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: Corollaries, Consectary conclusions; as additions for our better information, concerning this Lion, this King.   

Obs. 1. Quale Regnum.  
What manner of Kingdom, the Kingdom of Christ is: A Spiritual, not a temporal Kingdom.  
The Conquest of temporal, and earthly Kings, is of Countries, Cities, Castles, Navies. The Conquest of Christ our King, is of the hearts of his people; he brings them into subjection. The Rule of Temporal, and Earthly Kings, is over the bodies, and goods of their Subjects. But Christ's Throne is set up in the Souls of his people; by his Spirit he rules in the inward man. Temporal Kingdoms are obtained, & defended by force of Arms, carnal Weapons, the Arm of flesh; but Christ's Kingdom is won, and maintained by Spiritual Weapons; the Word, and Spirit. For the Weapons of our Warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, to the pulling down of strong holds, casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the Knowledge of God, and bringing into Captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2. Cor. 10. 4. 5. Christ himself renounceth all temporal, and earthly Dominion. Thus jesus answered Pilate: My Kingdom is not of this World; if my Kingdom were of this World, then would my Servants sight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is my Kingdom not from hence, Joh. 18. 36. In respect of Dominion, Right, and Title; all the Kingdoms of the World are the Lord jesus Christ's. He hath jus ad rem: But in regard of Possession, and use, he abdicates all. He never owned any temporal Possessions: When they would have come, and taken him by force, to make him King, he departed alone himself, and hid himself in a Mountain, joh. 6. 15.  
The more is their folly, that by being Subjects of Christ's Kingdom, expect chiefly temporal good things, Riches, Honours, and Pleasures. So the jews, they always dreamt of a worldly Kingdom, and yet expect a Messiah to come with outward Pomp, and worldly Glory. Yea the very Apostles were nibbling at this. Act. 1. 6. Wilt thou at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel? And the Mother of Zebedees' Children lingered after this: Grant that these my two Sons may sit, the one at thy right hand, and the other on thy left, 
Matth. 20. 21.  in thy Kingdom. She means a temporal Kingdom: But what saith jesus Christ to her? Ye know not what you ask; are you able to drink of the Cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptised with the Baptism that I am baptised with? Can you drink of a cup of deadly Wine, with me? Can you endure to be plunged over head, and ears, in a flood of Afflictions? This you must look for in my Kingdom: Riches, and Honours, and Offices, these are not the good things of Christ's Kingdom; no, no. The Kingdom of God, is not meat, and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy-Ghost, Rom. 14. 17.  
2. Against the Chiliasts, or Millenaries: That the 1000 years' reign of the Saints upon the Earth, is but a mere dream, a falsehood, a gross error. They fancy to themselves, that a 1000 years before the general resurrection, Christ in his humane nature shall come to jerusalem, where he was crucified: that all the Martyrs, and Saints departed of the old and new Testament shall rise in their bodies: and that they, and all the liviug Saints shall reign with him 1000 years. They shall subdue with bloodshed all wicked Princes, and disobedient Nations. They shall live without any disturbance from any enemy without, or within.  
That they shall all live without sin, and without Ordinances: that they shall pass these 1000 years with all manner of earthly delights, begetting many children, eating and drinking, and making merry. This error, (first set a foot by that Arch-heretick Cerinthus) I will not enter the lists to encounter it, I will not meddle with the controversy. I shall only speak a word, if it may be, to shame the fautors of this fond fancy. What, a Saint? and so addicted to carnal pleasures? Did Christ ever enjoy such an earthly Kingdom? Alas, alas! The Foxes have holes, and the fowls of the Air have nests, but the Sun of man had 
Matth. 8. 20.  not where to lay his head. He contemned these low things. And what must the Saints his followers look for upon earth? Christ himself shall tell them: If any man 
Matth. 16. 24.  will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his Cross, and follow me. Christ went through this World bearing the Cross; and shall the Saints look to wear Crowns here below? The generous Lion will not eat any dead thing, or stinking carcase, only what is living, and sweet: he takes his prey & eats it whilst it bleeds, and trembles. These earthly things, riches, honours, pleasures, are but dead things, stinking carcases. Surely all those whose hearts and affections feed upon them, they are not right whelps of the Lion of the Tribe of judah.  
If you be not ashamed of the love of the World, The lust of the flesh, the lust of the 
1 Joh. 2. 16.  eyes, and the Pride of life; The world's Trinity, Pleasures, profits, preferments; Yet be ashamed to affect a temporal reign, because Christ renounced it. I shall say no more to them that expect such a carnal reign with Christ on earth, but what Saint Augustine saith to the Thief upon the Cross, in his elegant Prosopopoeia, Lord, says the Malefactor to Jesus, remember me when thou comest into thy Kingdom? 
Luk. 23. 42.  Kingdom, says Augustine, Quid Regium vides? What royalty, Oh! wretched man, dost thou behold? what Crown dost thou see, but a Crown of Thornes? what Robe? what Purple? but a Common Soldiers 
Matth. 27. 29.  tattered Red-coat? what Sceptre but a Reed? what homage, but the mocks and taunts of the raging multitude? what throne but the Cross? what guard, but the barbarous executioners?  
Here's Christ's reign upon earth; he reigned in suffering, he conquered by dying, he triumphed in the Cross: go thou and be content to do likewise.  
Obser. 3. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the King of his Church.  
Then, the government of the Church is Monarchical. This is the happiness of the Church: Monarchy is the best Government, and Christ is the best King: And no King of the Church but Jesus Christ. God hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church, which is his body, Eph. 1. 22, 23.  
Here at one blow, off goes the triple Crown. The Pope's Kingdom is overthrown, and the High Priest of Rome, the Universal Bishop is deposed; if the Pope be King, then there are two Kings of the Church, and Jesus Christ is not THE Lion, the only King.  
Bellarmine grants it, that Christ is the only King, and Monarch of the Church, which doth spiritually and invisibly govern it: yet saith he, the Church being corporal and visible, it stands in need of some one to be the visible and highest judge to decide controversies, to compose all strifes about Religion, to ordain all inferior Officers, Bishops, Pastors, etc. To contain them in their duties, and keep them in unity; and the visible government of the Church must be Monarchical. The Church of Rome hath found out other Lions, besides the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. They usually called their Pope's Leones. In 440. they had their Leo Magnus, and ten since him have borne the same name. But the Pope must change his kind, and be content to be another Beast. A roaring and a devouring Lion we will allow him to be, who rents and tears the Saints of God. But Christ is the only Lion of Judah, the only King of his Church.  
That there is a visible, and external government of the Church, distinct from the Political, by the word and discipline we affirm: But Jesus Christ hath ordained it, not Monarchical, but Aristocratical, Matth. 18. 17. Acts 20. 17, 28. 1 Tim. 5. 17. It must be governed by the Bishops, Pastors, Teachers, Elders, and Deacons; in the several Precincts. The whole world is too large a Diocese for any one mortal Creature to take care of. The care of all Churches is beyond the strength of any one man. Only the Lion of the Tribe of judah can open the Book, and read it to all Churches: He only can rule, and govern all Churches. Christ himself is present to all his Churches; namely, by his Spirit, which is more to the advantage of all Churches, than his bodily presence would be, joh. 16. 7. And therefore none of the Churches stand in need of the Pope, to give Laws to them, or to govern them. He is an Usurper, and must down; Christ is the Lion, the only King of the Church.  
Observe. 4. Christ is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah; that is, lineally descended from the Patriarch judah. That may seem strange; why should not the Messiah have sprang rather out of Reuben? Because he was the firstborn: judah was the fourth Son of jacob. The reason hereof 
Gen. 35, 22, 23, etc.  you have, Gen, 35. 22. Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his Father's Concubine. He committed this foul sin, and Israel heard it: And for this cause he disinherited Reuben, and the blessing of the Birthright fell upon judah's head. He became the Lion; the Sovereignty and Princedom was his. Observe then, Sin disinheriteth: See this, Heb. 12. 16. Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau; who for one morsel of meat, sold his Birthright, 17. For ye know that afterward when he would have inherited the Blessing, he was rejected. Here you have 2 distinct examples to confirm this truth. First, the Fornicator, namely Reuben, who defiled his Father's Concubine, and for that was disinherited. Secondly, Esau was the firstborn, yet lost the Inheritance, the Lordship, and Dominion, because of his profaneness; For the sentence was passed from the mouth of God: The Elder shall serve the younger, Gen. 25. 23.  
Haply, some vile, and desperate Sinners will make nothing of this. Tush, say they, let them look to this that are borne to Lands, and great Possessions; our Fathers have not a penny to leave us, we have no Inheritance to lose: What, no Inheritance? Then are you Bastards and not Sons. Then God is not your Father; all the true Children of God have a twofold Inheritance. The grace, favour, and blessing of God in this life, and eternal glory in the life to come. They be Heirs of God, 
Rom. 8. 17.  and joynt-heires with Christ. But to the ungodly the Lord saith: Know ye, that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God: Be not deceived, neither Fornicators nor Idolaters, nor Adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thiefs, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall ever inherit the Kingdom of God.  
Observe. 5. For our instruction: How miserable, deplorable, and desperate our condition is by nature: so lost, as that nothing in Heaven or Earth could recover us, but the power, strength, wisdom, goodness, and courage of such a Lion as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. We are all borne dead (as you have heard) and should never have revived, if this Lion had not roared over us. We are blind by nature: The natural man receiveth not 
1 Cor. 2. 14.  the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them: He is ignorant of God and of Christ, and of the will of God concerning man's salvation: and in that ignorance must have perished everlastingly, if the Lion of the Tribe of Judah had not opened the Book, and unloosed the Seals thereof. No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him, joh. 1. 18. We were all by nature under the guilt of sin, under the wrath of God: we could never have been acquitted, we could never have been reconciled, but must have lain under God's fierce anger for ever, if the Lion of the Tribe of Judah had not stepped in between the party offended, and the party offending, and made peace: For Jesus Christ is our peace. And to effect this, the Lion was forced to change his Kind, and to become a Lamb: a true Paschall Lamb, and to be sacrificed for us. I beheld, saith Saint john, verse 6. and lo! in the midst of the Throne and of the four Beasts, and in the midst of the Elders stood a Lamb as it had been slain. Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the World, Joh. 1. 29. For he is our peace, having abolished in his flesh the Enmity. And that he might reconcile 
Eph. 2. 14, 15. 16.  both unto God, in one body by the Cross, having slain the Enemy thereby.  
We were in the Jaw, and Paw of the 
1 Pet. 5 8.  roaring Lion: who could have snatched us out of his Fangs? We had been the Bondslaves of Satan for ever: we had been Captives in the Prison, in the Dungeon of Hell for ever; we had been utterly devoured, if the Lion of the Tribe of Judah had not conquered the Lion of the infernal Pit. But when he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no Intercessor, therefore his arm brought Salvation unto him, and his Righteousness it sustained him. O the depth of our misery, in our natural, in our lost condition!  
Observe. 6. That from Genesis to the Revelation, the Church of God gives the same coat: viz. The Lion: the Arms were given, Gen. 49. 9 And the same Ensign is advanced here again in the Text more plainly. The jews, and the Gentiles have all the same Christ. One, and the same Lyon. Jesus Christ is the Lion of the Tribe of judah: And he is the Lion of the Gentiles also; Jew's, and Gentiles are all under one Prophet, Priest, King, and Captain. All that are saved, from the beginning of the World, to the end thereof, they obtain Salvation by jesus Christ. There was never any way of Salvation but one. The ancient patriarchs, and Prophets: the ancient jews were all Christians; when Moses was persecuted in Egypt, he bore the reproach of Christ, Heb. 11. 26. When the Israelites sinned in the Wilderness, they tempted Christ, 1 Cor. 10. 9 The Prophets from the beginning preached Christ, and Salvation by the Messiah only. Christ began at Moses, and went through all the Prophets, and expounded unto them in all the Scriptures: viz. Of the old Testament, the things concerning himself, Luk. 24. 27. All the Jews believed in the same Christ that we do. There is one, and but one faith, Eph. 4. 4. And they were all saved by the same faith, in the same Christ; who was revealed by Oracles from Heaven, foretold, and prophesied by the Prophets, typified in the Sacrifices. Though Christ were not manifested in the flesh, till the fullness of time; though he was crucified in the last age of the World, yet the virtue of his death was effectual, and available for the Salvation of all the Elect, from the beginning of the World, to the end thereof; Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever, Heb. 13. 8. He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the World, Revel. 13. 8. The old people, and the new people, they are all of one House, and Family, and so have all one coat of Arms; The Lion of the Tribe of Judah. All this Saint Peter shortly concludeth in the Counc 〈…〉 Jerusalem. But we believe, that through the grace of our Lord jesus Christ, we shall be saved even as our Fathers were. Act. 15. 11.  
Observe. 7. The Lion is a growing creature. Christ's Kingdom is a growing Kingdom. This is to be noted from Gen. 49. 9 to which this Text relates. The Patriarch Jacob there useth three several words, to signify three degrees of the Lion's growth. 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Catulus a Lion's Wh●▪ 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Leo perfectus; a Lion in fullst 〈…〉 gth, he couched as a Lyon. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Leo Major, as an old Lyon. Those several words do set forth the beginning, Progress, and compliment of Christ's Kingdom. Of the increase of his Government, and peace there shall be no end. Esa. 9 7. The bounds of Christ's Kingdom seemed at first but small. In Judah was God known, his name was great in Israel: In Salem was his Tabernacle. Psal. 76. 1. Salvation was of the Jews only: John 4. 22. They were a very small people in comparison of the rest of the Nations of the World. But afterwards Christ coming in the flesh, he brings light to the Gentiles. And all the 
Luc. 2. ●32  ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Psal. 98 3. Christ is the stone which is cut out with out hands: (which being at first but small) became a great Mountain, and filled the whole earth. Dan. 2. 34. 35.  
These Observations I have propounded to you for instruction, and information. Now I shall pass on to   

The second Use, of Reprehension, and that  
1. OF all those that do not bow down, and prostrate before this Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Such as receive not the Lord Jesus Christ to be their King, but reject him. That say, as those Ephraimites, Hos. 10. 3. We have no King, because we fear not the Lord. Or, as those malignant Citizens, that hated Christ, and sent him this message: We will not have this man to reign over us. Luke 19 14. or in the Language of those Heathen Kings, and mutineers. Psal. 2. 2, 3. That take Counsel together against the Lord, and against his Anointed, his Christ, saying, Let us break their bonds in sunder, and cast away their cords from us.  
But are there any such? so desperately rebellious? Let that be tried. The design of a reprehension is not to charge at all adventure, but to convince, There goeth more to make a subject of Christ's Kingdom, than a naked, and formal profession. All men, and Women in the world are under Christ's Kingdom of power, and that Whither they will or no. But the question is, art thou a subject of Jesus Christ in the Kingdom of grace? I will give you some signs of trial, whereby you may prove that. Knowledge. All that 
Sign. 1.  are the Subjects of Jesus Christ, they know their King: As it shall be at Christ's second coming against men: Every eye shall see him. Revel. 1. 7. So is it in the Kingdom of grace, when Christ comes into men: every eye sees him. They know Christ their King: his Natures, Person, Offices, Laws, his graces, and excellencies. No ignorant person is Christ's subject. God delivers those, from the power of darkness. 1. Of Ignorance, whom he hath translated into the Kingdom of his dear Son. Col. 1. 13.  
Go no further than this Character, and alas! how few Subjects hath Christ? how many are there that know nothing of Christ more than his bare name, Jesus▪ That they can swear by: use it for a Charm, and bow to it; put of the Hat, and make a leg, ot a curtsy. But ask them any thing of his Person, Offices, Laws, of his Incarnation, Passion, Resurrection, Union with Christ, etc. and they have nothing to answer, but as Nabal did to David's servants:— Who is David, and who 
1 Sam. 25. 10.  is the Son of Jesse? who is Christ? who is the Son of David, who is the Son of jesse? They know him not.  
Loyalty: Fidelity, Sincerity: to give 
Sign 2.  him the whole heart.  
It stands in Renouncing all other power, Serving of him, and none else, Loving of him with all the heart, and trusting in him in Kissing the Son, Psal. 2. 12.  
But alas! what abundance of disloyalty is there? how little true faith? It hath been formerly observed, that many were sworn servants to the King of England, that yet underhand were Pensioners to the King of Spain. So are there multitudes who took juramentum fidelitatis, the oath of Allegiance, and fidelity to Christ the Lion, the King, in their Baptism: but they are Pensioners to the Devil: they serve him wholly, by sinning, Lying, Swearing, Killing, Stealing, Sabbath-breaking, Adultery, etc. There are disloyal wives, whorish women: who as they they sit at table, will look their Husbands in the face, and smile: and at the same instant tread upon the Toe of their Adulterous Lovers. So may the Lord, who is the Husband of the Church, complain: as Ezek. 6. 9 I am broken with their wherish heart, which hath departed from me; and with their eyes which go a whoring after their Idols. They seem to fix their Eyes upon Christ: yet run after their Covetousness, and sinful pleasures: contrary to the faith which they have plight with Christ, whom they call Husband.  
Honour, and fear. Honour the King. 1 Pet. 2. 17. My Son fear God, and 
Sign 3.  the King. Prov. 24. 21. Here is the Character of a good subject, to honour, and fear his Prince.  
Quest. But whereby is this Honour, and fear manifested?  
Answ. By service, and obedience. Serve the Lord with fear. Psal. 2. 11. They that dwell in the Wilderness shall bow before him. All Nations shall serve him. Psal. 72. 9 10. According to this Rule, come to the trial of yourselves and alas, how few are there that are true, and faithful Subjects to the Lord and King Jesus Christ? how few bow to this Lion? Do not the most say? if not in down right Language, yet in their practice, do they not speak as Pharaoh? Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice? I know not the Lord, 
Exo. 5. 2.  neither will I let Israel go.  
May not the Lord write it before them in 
Esa. 30. 8, 9  a Table, and note it a Book: that this is a rebellious people? They many of them know the Laws of their Prince, and yet transgress against them, and walk contrary. Christ saith, thou shalt not be angry with thy Brother rashly: but they will continue malicious, and revengeful. Christ 
Matth. 5. 22.  saith, Thou shalt not look upon a Woman to lust after her: but they have eyes, and 
Vers. 28.  hearts full of Adultery. Christ saith: swear not at all: but they upon every light 
Vers. 34.  occasion, upon no occasion, blaspheme the name of God, and take it in vain. Christ saith: Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them 
Vers. 44.  that hate you; but they continue full of malice, returning rebuke for rebuke, curse for curse, wrong for wrong, evil for evil. Christ saith, He that will be my Disciple, let him Deny himself: they make self their 
Matth. 16. 24.  God. Christ saith; Let my Disciple take up his Cross, and follow me: They say, as the reviling Passengers! if thou be the 
Matth. 27. 39, 40.  Son of God, come down from the Cross, free us from the Cross, or we will not follow thee? Christ saith, Learn of me to be meek, and lowly, but they are fierce, and proud. Christ commandeth faith, and love: These are the two great Gospell-Lawes; 
1 Joh. 3. 23.  but the most of the Children of men are full of unbelief, and haters of the Brethren. O, what a little Kingdom is Christ's Kingdom!  
Sign. 4. Faithful payment of Tribute; as Augustus Caesar, so the Lion of the 
Luk. 2. 1.  Tribe of Judah, Christ, the King of his Church, doth lay Taxes upon all his Subjects. And it is the Character of a right Subject, to render Tribute, to whom Tribute 
Rom. 13. 7.  is due, and to give to Caesar, the things which are Caesar's. And according to this rule, how small is Christ's Kingdom in comparison? There is a Tribute of our time due to him; every seventh day is his: but alas! How many profane persons give away that day to the Devil? Yea (which is more sad) how many are there in these days, that mask under the name, and shape of Saints, that deny this Tribute altogether, and maintain it, that there is no such day due to Christ at all now under the Gospel: The morality of the Sabbath is gone, every day is a Sabbath, no day is a Sabbath. This is the Doctrine of Devils, and Rebels against Jesus Christ. There is a tribute to go out of our time every day we live. There is a certain Kingdom (I remember not the name of it at present) in which there is sometimes (but rarely) a Fish taken; which by reason of the greatness, and excellency, and rarity, is the Kings Right, and Royalty, and therefore called the King's Fish. The King always gives the bulck and body of this Fish to those that catch it; but he reserves to himself Capita, & Caudas, the heads, and the tails, as a tribute, and acknowledgement, that all was his, & due to him. In like manner, precious time, it is all Christ's own, all due to him: yet he gives his Subjects the body of time; the body of the week, the body of the day: he reserves to himself only capita, & caudas, the ends of time, the Morning, and the Evening, and what other convenient time may be redeemed, these are his tribute: But how few pay this Little faithfully? How few, who give to Jesus Christ a Morning Sacrifice? How few with Isaac, go out to meditate in the Evening? How rare is it, to find a man, that with David, will pray, and cry aloud, Evening, and Morning, and 
Psal. 55. 17.  at Noon.  
There is a Tribute due to Christ our King, out of our Estates; and here the poor Members of Jesus Christ are his Receivers. Withhold not good from them to whom 
Prov. 3. 27.  it is due. The poor are (in a sense) owners of some thing in our hands, we are but stewards under Christ, to distribute to them. I persuade myself, this kind of tribute, I mean Alms, is as unjustly, and brokenly paid in this City, and in this whole Nation, as it is in any part of the Christian World: and this, I fear, Christ's Collectors, and Receivers will witness against this hardhearted Generation.  
There are extraordinary Taxes, upon extraordinary occasions; you are pretty well acquainted with them. Such there are in the Kingdom of Christ; in times of trouble, and persecution, Christ calls for thy Goods, Liberty, Life, for thy dearest blood. Tell me, art thou willing to part with these, when Christ requires them? 
Sign. 5.   
A good Subject will fight for his King: If my Kingdom were of this World, says Christ, then would my Servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews, Joh. 18. 36. But alas! alas! how few Champions hath the Lord Jesus Christ? Nabuchadnezzar made a Degree, that every People, 
Dan. 3. 29.  Nation and Language, which speak any thing amiss, against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses be made a dunghill: But now Heretics that speak amiss of God, and of Christ, and of the Scriptures; and most horrid Blasphemers do swarm; and are, I had almost said, tolerated, and cherished. Who fights against them? Who opposeth them? Who contends for the 
Judas. 2.  faith, for the truth, and for the honour of Jesus Christ? To endeavour the increase, and honour of his Kingdom. In the multitude 
Sign. 6.  of people is the King's Honour, Prov. 14. 28. He that is a right and faithful Subject, will endeavour with all his might to bring in Subjects to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. I will put you upon examination now. Let Magistrates ask their own hearts, whether they in their places by executing Judgement, do seek to lessen Satan's Kingdom, and to enlarge the Kingdom of Christ. Let Ministers ask their own hearts, whether they in their places, by preaching, and practise, by life, and Doctrine, do endeavour to lessen Satan's Kingdom, and advance the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Let Parents, and Masters ask their own hearts, whether they in their places do endeavour by private inflructing of their Families, to bring their Children, and Servants, and all committed to their charge, out of the Devil's Kingdom, into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Andlet all that are before me this day, ask their own hearts, whether they do (outof a zealous desire of the increase, and honour of Christ's Kingdom) incessantly pray, that all those that are held in captivity under Satan, under chains of darkness; that the Lord would translate them out of the Kingdom of darkness, 
Col. 1. 13.  into the Kingdom of his dear Son. Do they daily pray, thy Kingdom Come?  
7. For a ful-do. And not so much a new sign, as the sum of all before: Is sin? Is Satan cast out? Hath Jesus Christ his Throne in thy heart? Doth he rule in thee altogether? art acted, not by Satan, not by the World, not by the Flesh, but by the Spirit of jesus Christ; then thou art his Subject.  
But they that are not ruled, and governed by Christ, by his word, and Spirit, they reject Christ, and say, we will not have this Lion, this King to Reign over us. These are under another King; Sin 
Rom. 6. 12.  reigns in them, and they have a King over them indeed; it is the Angel of the bottomless Pit, whose name is Abaddon, and Apollyon, Revel. 9 11. The Devil is their King, and they are his Vassals. These lie under the wrath of God: And how dreadful that is, Solomon will tell you; The King's wrath is as the roaring of a Lion, but his favour is as the dew upon the grass, Prov. 19 12. And do they say? we will not have this King to reign over us; they shall be subject at the long-run; if they will not bend in time, they shall be broken; if they will not come into the Kingdom of grace, they shall be subdued by the Kingdom of his power. I have sworn by myself, saith the Lord; the word is 
Rom. 14. 11.  gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to me every Knee shall bow, Isa. 45. 23. They that here will not kiss his golden Sceptre, shall at the last, and dreadful day, be dashed in pieces with his iron Rod. Then shall he say to his mighty Angels: Those mine Enemies that would not that I should Reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me, Luk. 19 27. Those that in time will not prostrate to this Lion of the Tribe of Judah, he will be to them at last, a fierce, and furious Lion; and will rend, and tear them to pieces, when there is none to help.  
Reprehends. 2. Is Jesus Christ the Lion of the Tribe of Judah? This checks not only the arrogance and boldness, but also the madness and folly of all such as provoke this Lion, and rise up against him. There are such, fighters against God, who oppose themselves, and exalt themselves above 
Act. 5. 39 2 Thes. 2. 4.  all that is called God. This is Antichrist. And as Saint John speaks in his first Epistle, Chap. 2. 18. Even now there are many Antichrists, whereby we know that it is the last time. Not only that Antichrist, the great 
Revel. 17.  Whore of Babylon, sitting upon seven Mountains, with a Golden cup in her hand, full of abominations and filthiness, and drunken with the blood of the Saints, and with the blood of the Martyrs of Jesus. But all Heretics and Blasphemers that rise up against this Lion, Viz. Such as rise up against the very person of Christ, some against his Divinity, others against his Humanity, and many against whole Christ: Such as rise up against the Scriptures of God, crying them down for a mere humane invention; such as rise up and fight against the truth of Christ, the Gospel of Christ, all the Ordinances of Christ, the Government of Christ. These my Beloved! Christ's Gospel, Truth, and Government, are his Sceptre: The rod of his strength, which he sends out of Zyon: 
Psal. 110. 2. Revel. 1. 16.  These are the sharp two-edged Sword which cometh out of the mouth of Christ, whereby he conquers and rules in the midst of his enemies: And all such as oppose the truth, Ordinances, and Government of Jesus Christ, they set up their power against the power of Christ; they draw out their, Sword against Christ's Sword. Against these the Lion of the tribe of Judah will roar, yea he will tear them in pieces.  
But especially he will be fierce and terrible against them that hurt, and kill his Whelps. But who are the Whelps of this Lion? The old Patriarch Jacob shall tell you: Judah is the Lion's Whelp, Gen. 49. 4. Judah: that is, the Church and people of God: The anointed of the Lord, his Prophets, and his Saints, Psal. 105. 14, 15. And here I may turn my reprehension into lamentation: Oh God the Heathen are come into thine inheritance, thy holy Temple 
Psal. 79. 1.  have they defiled, they have laid Jerusalem on heaps. The blood of thy Saints have they shed like water round about Jerusalem. We 
Vers. 3.  are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn & derision to them that are round about us. The Lord hath sent Prophets, & wise men, and Scribes, and some of them have they killed, 
Matth. 23. 34.  and crucified, and some of them have they scourged, and persecuted from City to City.  
I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the 
Revel. 20. 4.  word of God: and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his Image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands.  
But it may be said, as the King answered Ester, Who is he? and where is he that 
Hester. 7. 5. Vers. 6.  durst presume in his heart to do so? And Ester said, The Adversary and Enemy is this wicked Haman. He was a great Favourite, politic, and potent; and he presumed upon his own greatness. So may I say, the Adversaries and Enemies that have done these things, are a wicked Generation; but how dare they do these things? How dare they not? They are great in power, and riches, and strength, able to crush all that stand in their way; they are politic and crafty, who can overreach them? they stand strong, and who can bring them down? They have said, We will prevail, who is Lord over 
Psal. 12. 4.  us?  
But can they prevail against the Lion of the tribe of Judah, whose Whelps they have injured and killed? Let me tell these deceitful and bloody men, two or three things.  
1. That there is no creature more tender of their young ones, than the Lion: the Lion will defend his Whelps from injury till he fall down dead; I have read so much in approved Authors.  
2. Let me tell them, they are indeed Lions themselves, base savage Lions of the Forest. David's cruel Persecutors were gaping, ravening, and roaring Lions. Nero was a Lion, and such are all Tyrants. 
Psal. 22. 13. 2 Tim. 4. 17.  But the Lion of the Tribe of Judah is stronger than they: He is the strongest among Lions: and a King against whom there is no rising up, Prov. 30. 30, 31. He is a fool that will contend with one that is mightier than himself, Eccles. 6. 10.  
3. Let me tell them yet further; the Lion may seem to sleep a while, even whilst his Whelps suffer; but he will rouse up and roar. Some write, that the Lion never sleeps, but often seems to sleep when he is most awake. I am sure the Lion of the Tribe of Judah doth neither 
Psal. 121. 4.  slumber nor sleep: He may seem to sleep, but he will awake as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of Wine: And he will smite his Enemies in the hinder parts; he will put them to a perpetual reproach, Psal. 78. 65, 66  
4. And lastly, let me tell them a Story which I have read in a learned and approved 
Gesner de Quadruped.  Author, which he relates, and affirms to be true: his end is to prove, as the strength, so the wisdom of the Lion, above other creatures.  
A Lion and a Lioness, having Whelps, went both out to hunt for prey: In their absence a Bear entered their Den, tore and killed the young Lions, not able to defend themselves; soon after the old Lion, with the Lioness, returned to their Den, and finding their young ones slain, they were filled with bitter grief and great rage: out they go together to find out the Enemy, and be revenged; they quickly espied the Bear, yet bloody, and pursued it: The Bear, to escape their fury, climbed up into a tree, and so got out of their reach for the present: The lioness stood still at the root of the tree: the other Lion went away, and ranged up, and down in the Mountains; till at last, he came where a man was hewing of wood. He makes to the man; the poor man in fear let fall his Hatchet, and began to run away; after hastens the Lion, gets to him, casts his tail round about him like a Girdle, embraced him and licked him; and by the strength of his tail pulled him (led him, says my Author) whither he would or no: First he brought him to his Hatchet, and pointed to it with his foot, to have the man take it up: he understood not the Lion's language: the Lion then took up the Hatchet in his own mouth, and so carried it, leading the man into his Den. There he laid down the Hatchet a while, looked upon the man, and then looked upon his murdered Whelps, made piteous moan, and then wound his tail about the man again, took up the Hatchet in his mouth, and (having showed him that doleful sight) led him directly to the tree where the Bear was on the top, and the Lioness standing at the root. The Lion looks up, showed him the Bear; and then the man began to suspect, that it was the Bear that had done the wrong to the Lion: He takes his Axe, heweth the tree, down falls the Bear, and the Lion and his mate fall upon him, and tore him to pieces: that done, the Lion carried the man, with the Hatchet, just to the place where he found him, and there left him unhurt, to hew wood again.  
This is credibly related: I will not warrant the Story to be Gospel, but I will warrant the application to be no less. Tyrants and Persecutors, that murder the Whelps of the Lion of the tribe of Judah, that massacre the Saints of Christ, are usually called Bears in holy Writ. 
Dan. 7. 5.   
For their security and safety they climb up their tree; and their tower is the arm of flesh: their greatness, their multitudes, their amunitions, their military skill, their riches, their friends The rich man's wealth is his strong City, and as a high wall in his own conceit, Prov 18. 11. They think in their ruff and gallantry, that none can pluck them down; they vaunt, who shall us control! How soon can the Lion of the Tribe of Judah fetch Hewers out of the Mountains, and hew down their Tree wherein they trusted, and tear them in pieces, when there shall be none to help? Jesus Christ can soon call in Carpenters, to 
Zech. 1. 20. Verss. 1  cut and saw of the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.  
And he will certainly do it. I will pass their doom (yet not I, but the Lord) and so leave them. Therefore the Lord will be unto them as a Lion, as a Leopard by the way he will observe them: He will meet them as a Bear that is bereft of her Whelps, and will rend the Caule of their heart, and there will he devour them like a Lion, the wild Beast shall tear them. Hos. 13. 7. 8.  
From hence I shall slip to the third Use: 
Use. 3.  viz.  
Exhortation; And here I sound the Trumpet again: Behold!  
Christo Duce Sequimini.  
Behold! the Lion of the Tribe of Judah! The Lion couchant was the Ensign of Judah's Tribe, and Family. And the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, is the Ensign of his Church. And in that day, there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an Ensign of the people: to it shall the Gentiles seek, Isa. 11. 10. Behold this Child, the Child Jesus, is set 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for a Sign, or Banner, for many in Israel, for the Church.  
Then follow, follow your Captain, your Ensign. Eye him by knowledge, by faith walk after him: tread in his steps, imitate him. Christ is now lift up, here he stands 
Judic 7. 17.  as Gideon, and saith to you all, Look upon me, and do likewise: Or as Abimelech, 
Judic. 9 48.  what you have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.  
And here I must crave liberty to branch out my Exhortation: and that I may, as a faithful Steward, divide to every one in God's house their part, and portion; I shall direct my Exhortation  

1. To the Newelect, and the other Magistrates.  
2. To the Ministers of the Gospel.  
3. And lastly, to all promiscuously.   
My first address is to the Newelect, 
1.  whose Inauguration we celebrate, and who this day enters upon the chief place of Magistracy in this City; and also to the rest of the Magistrates present, whether of the City or Country, that in his charge they may hear theirs.  
Worthy Praetor, you are ascending this day to the highest place of Government in this place, where God hath laid out the bounds of your Habitation. Behold the Lion of the Tribe of Judah: Behold your King, the Lord Jesus Christ; and follow him, step after step: Be you a Lion also. Judah the Prince, and Governor was 
1 Mac. 3. 4.  a Lyon. Judas Macchabeus, that Worthy, he, in all his acts, was like a Lion, and like a Lion's whelp roaring for his Prey. The Roman Emperors, and Bishops, were called Leones, Lyons. Many Kings, and Commonwealths have the Lion for their Arms. This was symbolised by the steps 
2 Chron. 9 17. 18. 19  of Solomon's Throne: The King made a great Throne of Ivory, and over-laid it with pure Gold: And there were six steps to the Throne, and stays on each side of the sitting place, and two Lions standing by the stays; and twelve Lions stood there, on the one side, and on the other, upon the six steps. And even you also give for you City Arms, a Lion, with your Castle.  
Matth. 8. 34.  
The Lion is a rare Creature, not bred in many places; neither shall we see in the Commonwealth many Lions: indeed many bear in their Banners and Escoucheons the Lion, but in their Administration they perform none of those things, which are propounded in the Lyon.  
Be you a Lion, let the rest be Lions; carry yourselves like Lions. Let me speak to you, as the Prophet did to the Altar, Isa. 29. 1. O Ariel, Ariel; that is, Leo Dei, the Lion of God, so was the Altar called, because fire came down from Heaven suddenly, as a Lion out of his Den, and consumed the Sacrifice. Let fire come down from Heaven upon your heart, even the fire of true love to God, and zeal for God. Aristotle attributes to the Lion a round face. and makes it to represent the Sun, the shaggy hair not being unlike the glorious rays. Be you also like the Sun, arise, and shine. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, which is in Heaven, Matth. 5. 16. And this you shall do, if you will take forth these following, and short Instructions.  
1. Behold! behold the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Eye Christ in all your Government; go forth in the strength of Christ, and follow him step, after step. Ever think with yourself, how Christ would govern if he were in my room. He loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. A Sceptre 
Psal. 45. 7.  of righteousness, is the Sceptre of his Kingdom, Heb. 1. 8. He defends the poor, and fatherless; he doth Justice to the afflicted, and needy: He delivers the poor, and needy, and rids them out of the hand of the wicked. Follow, follow your Ensign.  
2. Jesus Christ is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the King of his Church; that's his charge, as Mediator. Follow your Banner; be a Lion in the Church: Put forth your greatest power, lay out your chiefest care for the Church of God, defend the Ministers, and people of God, let not them be made a prey, provide faithful Pastors for every Flock: Pastors according to Gods own heart, which may feed the people with 
Jer. 3: 15.  knowledge, and understanding. Christ's first care was to open the Book. Bring into the City such able Divines, as may open God's Book, and declare the will, and counsel of God concerning man's Salvation. Give to faithful Ministers countenance, and maintenance. O Norwich if thou perishest, it is thine own fault: Can you spend so much upon Gorgeous Raiment? So much upon Sumptuous Feasts? So much for State; and no man saith, who shall open the Book to us? who shall unloose the Seals thereof? What shall I part with all, to sit under a Soule-saving Ministry? Christ was King of Mount Zion. Let your main 
Psal. 2. 6.  care be of the Church; Be a nursing Father, be all nursing Fathers to the Church. 
Isa. 49. 23.   
3. Jesus Christ was a Lion, be you so, in the City, in the Country, in the Commonwealth: be a Lion, be Lions.  
Not in all things, I pray, take heed of that. In some respects, you must strive to be unlike to Lions, viz.  
1. The Lion hath a fair outside. His Coat is Or continually, of yellow colour, and shines like Gold; but what's his inside? He hath interiora Canis, Entrails like a Dog. Take heed of base Hypocrisy: to 
Gesner.  carry a fair face, a glorious outside to Godly Ministers, and Godly People; and yet within to retain a dogged heart to them. Take heed, of being a Saint in the Congregation: and a Devil in thy Family, and with thy Private, and familiar Associates.  
2. The Lion is stately, Majestical, comely in his foreparts, but he degenerates towards his hinder parts; the more backwards, the more uncomely. So Magistrates ordinarily, in the former part of their year, their Government is comely, very commendable, they show some zeal for God; they roar against the Sins, and Scandals of the City: against Alehouses, profanation of the Lords day, and contempt of the word: but the hinder part of their year is often very ugly; they are remiss in punishing sin, and in the administration of Justice. They may be said to be like the Month of March: they come in like a Lion, and go out like a Lamb; they are just like the year; when the Sun enters into Leo, in July, than the season is hot, and vigorous, but afterwards the year declines altogether, to an Autumn first, and then to a cold Winter. Even so, too too many Magistrates, at their first coming to a place, they show some heat of zeal for the best things, but in a little time they decline in all goodness. I have seen some Magistrates at their first coming into the place, have roared as Lions against scandalous Ministers; and silly dumb, or at least unprofitable Ministers, and have threatened to cast them out of the City, and to get able, and godly Ministers into their room. But I have observed to the end of the year, and what then? Truly some of the most godly, and able Ministers, they have worried, but the scandalous, and unprofitable, still continued in their places, as they were. Well, some Magistrates, if they be Lions, they are like that Lion, in the 1 King. Chap. 13. verse 28. The Lion slew the Prophet indeed, but had not eaten the Carcase, 
1 King. 5.  nor slain the Ass. So there are too many that make away with the faithful and true Prophets of the Lord; but they meddle not with the Carcase, nor with the Ass.  
Some have been better to meet (viz. At their first coming on, then to follow (viz. after their going off.) But as for you, whom God hath lifted up to the chief place of Magistracy in this City, be you better to follow then to meet: leave a good example, and let your last works be 
Revel. 2. 19  more than your first.  
3. The Lion hath a foul mouth and a stinking breath, and a harsh tongue, like a Cat, or rather like a fire: Farr be it from you to be like the Lion in these: Take heed of a foul mouth, let your very language be clean and holy: Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with Salt, that 
Col. 4. 6.  you may know how to answer every man: Light speech, vain speech, rotten speech, is a sign of a rotten heart; a stinking breath comes from putrified entrails. The words of a Magistrate will be watched, and his ordinary discourses will be a great ornament, or a great deformity to him. And take heed of a harsh tongue, I know you will meet with many provocations in your administration of Justice; yet strive against anger and choler, and let your tongue be smooth. Let all bitterness and wrath, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away 
Eph. 4. 31.  from you, with all malice. They are Lions of the Forest that have such foul mouths, and harsh tongues: But learn you of the Lion of the tribe of Judah: full of grace are his lips. Learn of him, for he is 
Psal. 45. 2. Matth. 11. 29.  meek and lowly in heart.  
4. The Lion never seizeth upon any, except he be hungry or angry: and then they spare neither men women nor children; but satiati, innoxy; But when their bellies are full, they do no more hurt. I fear too many Magistrates are such Lions, if they be angry at any man's person, they will seize upon him and punish him severely for a small fault; but another Delinquent of a greater magnitude, being their friend, shall go Scot-free: And are there not hungry Lions? Yes surely, and when they are hungry they will range about, and roar against Swearers, disorderly houses, and prophaners of the Sabbath by buying and selling; but when they have gotten a prey, a few Barrels of Beer, or Runlets of Wine, or Capons, or bread in secret, 
Prov. 9 17.  when they are satisfied with some pretty handsome Bribe, they can be as quiet as Lambs: But far be it from you to be such a Lion: Be you a hater of covetousness, to do the will of God faithfully, and enjoy the light of his countenance, let that satisfy 
Psal. 4. 6:  you.  
They write that in some Regions there are black Lions to be seen; too many such I fear have been seen in our City: I beseech God, I beseech you, that we may see no more of them.  
I have showed you wherein you ought not to be like Lions: I shall endeavour next to show you wherein you are to be like Lions. Be like the Lion of the tribe of Judah in all things; yea, be like the ordinary and common Lion in these following properties, qualities, and deportments.  
1. The Lion is vigilant, a waking and a watchful creature: The names in the Hebrew and Greek import so much: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Videre, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Video. The Lion is of sharp sight, and sleepeth with his eyes open: Herein be you like the Lion; yea, be like the Lord, whose eyes run too and fro throughout the 
Zach. 4. 10.  whole earth: Let your eye be every where, as far as it can possibly reach; have your eye about in the Church, mark what is done there: Let your eye be about in the Market, to see what measures and weights and wares are there: Let your eye be about upon the Sabbath days, in the streets and open places, to take notice how the day of the Lord is profaned: Let your eye be about in every Inn and Alehouse to observe what disorders are there: Make use also of the eyes of others that will be faithful: How can you ever reform what is amiss, if you do not know and see what is out of order. The Lion of the tribe of Judah, is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, 
1 Pet. 2. ult.  Visitator: I will English it in daniel's words, A watcher, and a holy one: Be you so. 
Dan. 4. 13.   
2. Justice appears notably in the Lion, in distributing, and in punishing.  
The Lion is very just in distributing the Prey, he doth not feed one, and leave the rest hungry: but the Lion doth tear in pieces 
Nah 2. 12.  enough for his Whelps: for every Whelp enough, and also for his Lionesses.  
The Lion is also just in punishing, Nunquam se vindicat ultra modum, so they write: He doth never take revenge beyond the measure of the injury he hath received: if any man throw a dart at him, and yet hurt him not; the Lion will throw him down that threw the dart, but not hurt him; if any man wounds the Lion, the Lion will wound him, and no more hurt; if any man kill a Lion's Whelp, the Lion will kill him.  
And herein be you a Lion: All Magistrates! be you Lions, learn righteousness, to execute judgement and justice. It is said of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, The Sceptre of his Kingdom is a right 
Heb. 1. 8.  Sceptre, or a Sceptre of righteousness.  
Be just in your distributions, Viz. of your favours and rewards; ever countenance and cherish those that are good, and fear God: let your frowns be upon those that do evil. It is observed of the Lion that he is benign to men, but fierce against beasts; be you so. To men, First to such as are good, extend your favour, but to Beasts, to a beastly generation, be severe. For Rulers are not a terror to good 
Rom. 13 3. 1 Pet. 2. 14. Dan. 6.  works, but to the evil. Governors are sent of God, for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well. The Lions in the Den will teach you what to do, not to hurt Daniel, but to fly upon false witnesses, and persecutors of the servants of the Lord; to roar and be terrible unto them.  
Be just in punishing offenders, to correct in a proportion: If the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, the Judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault in a certain number, Deut. 25. 2. that is according to the proportion of his sin. They were to moderate the punishment according to the nature of the trespass, and the Delinquents ability to bear the stripes. Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot 
Exod. 21. 24, 25.  for foot. Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. The Law of retaliation is an exact law: God doth all his works of Justice, as well as his works of power, in number, weight, and measure. Learn Justice of the Lyon.  
3. The Lion is eminent for mercy: For mercy, in giving: the Lion is liberal in giving, it eats not the prey alone, but divides it to other creatures which cannot hunt for themselves: Also for mercy, in forgiving: The Lion spares all that prostrate and bow to him. The Lion of the tribe of Judah is gentle and merciful: Behold 
Matth. 21. 5.  thy King cometh to thee, he is meek: Be you also merciful.  
Show mercy in giving, distribute liberally to the necessity of the Saints of Christ. The Lion of the tribe of Judah: what did he give to relieve, and save your Souls? He gave himself. The bread that I will 
Joh. 6. 51.  give, is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the World. Hath Jesus Christ given his flesh, and blood for you, and to you, and will not you give common bread to his poor Members, to comfort their bodies, in these pinching times?  
Show mercy in forgiving. Parcere prostratis scit nobilis ira Leonis. Tu quoque, fac simile.  
The Lion did not tyrannize over the 
1 King. 13. 28.  Carcase when it was down, nor tear the Ass being an innocent thing. The Ruler must have mercy, to show compassion to the oppressed, to use mildness, and lenity to penitent Offenders, to remit, and 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  mitigate the rigour of the Law.  
Parcere subjectis, as well as Debellare superbos.  
You should consider, that even you are not without your Infirmities. All Authors agree in this, that the Lion hath a continual Fever, a quartain Ague. The reason they give is this; God hath so provided, because he is a fierce Beast: and if he had no Infirmities of his own, he would not only insult over, but devour also all the Beasts of the field. So also God hath provided, that the best Christians, and the highest in place, shall ever have some Infirmities, and Frailties, which may temper, and allay their severity against others. Be not so hot in the Execution of Justice, as to rend, and tear every Delinquent, that hath, perhaps, failed in some petty matters. Consider your own Infirmities. Brethren! If any man be overtaken in a salt, 
Gal. 6. 1.  ye which are spiritual restore such an one, in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also he tempted. The Lion 
Heb. 2 17.  of the Tribe of Judah was made like unto his Brethren. God only knows how soon you your own selves may stand in need of mercy: and that, not only from God, but even from men also. What you would that men should do to you, the same do to them. This is Christ's golden Rule: And know, yea and remember it too, That he 
Jam. 2. 13.  shall have Judgement without mercy, that hath showed no mercy.  
4. Have an especial care of your train: I mean your Associates, your Counselors, your Officers that attend upon you: 
Exod. 18. 21. Psa. 16. 3. Psal. 101.  set them be such only as fear God, love the truth, and hate Covetousness. Let your delight be in the Saints, and such as be excellent. Do not vouchsafe to know a wicked, deceitful, proud, lying person. Let your eyes be upon the faithful of the Lord, that they may dwell with you; who so walk in a perfect way, let them serve you. And I shall endeavour to persuade you to the greater care herein, for your Credit's sake. Index animi 
Plin.  cauda, the motion of the Lion's tail, showeth what is in the Lion's mind. When his mind is quiet, his tail moves not at all; but when you see him wag his tail, as a Dog when he fawns, it shows great affection 
cauda blandiri.  to some Creature before him: when you see him beat the earth, and his back violently with his tail, it discovers anger, wrath, and that he is about to do some mischief. Just so it is with a Magistrate: people will judge the motion of his heart to be such as the motion of his Viz. of his Train, his familiars, and followers: If his Train moves Heaven-ward, they will conceive that he doth so too; if his Train wag, and fawn, if they show respect, and love to godly Ministers, and godly people, they will think that he himself loves the Saints. But if the tail of the Lion strikes against godly Ministers, and the power of Godliness; and fawn upon ill-affected, and disorderly persons, all men will say, he is a Malignant, what ever he pretends; we may see the motion of his heart, by the motion of his Train.  
For the City's sake, have a care of your train: There is nothing more mischievous about the Lion then his tail; it being very long and very strong: I have been told of the Lions in the Tower, that though they have been within their Grate, yet they have put out their tail at one of the open places, and done much hurt to a by-standing Spectator: So it may be with you, O Magistrate! O Magistrates! you may be in your houses, in your Courts of Justice, when your train may be abroad doing mischief: They may do disservices in checking and snibbing godly Ministers, and godly people, and cherishing and heartening the ill-affected and disorderly: They may be seducing; and although they be your Servants, yet they may be the Devils agents. Behold, the great red Dragon; 
Revel. 12. 4  that is, either the Devil himself, or else some eminent instrument of the Devil: his tail drew the third part of the stars of Heaven, and did cast them to the Earth: that is, brought them down from minding heavenly truths, and heavenly things, to mind Diabolical errors, and earthly things. The Prophet that teacheth lies, he 
Isa. 9 15.  is the tail: So are Incendiaries: The Foxes they are indeed crafty and subtle for themselves, and greedy of prey; yet I conceive that of themselves they are not Incendiaries; but yet you know if they have a firebrand in their tail, they will set the whole field on fire, and cannot help it.  
Yea have a care of your train, for your own soul's sake, lest you be drawn away yourselves to that which is not good. Many creatures are guided by their tail and train: and so are Lions, I fear, too often. Rehoboam was a stately Lion, but he forsook his old train, the counsel of the 
1 King. 12. 8.  old men; of the grave, wise, religious, experienced Counselors of State, and got him a new train: He consulted with the Upstarts, the young men that were grown up with him. And this was the ruin of ten parts of his Kingdom. Hear, and fear, and beware: let the Lion look to his tail.  
5. The Lion is eminent for Courage, and Magnanimity: A Lion is strongest amongst Beasts, and turneth not away for any. Be you so, be a Lyon. Give me leave to speak to you, as the Lord spoke to Joshuuh; when he entered upon his place to be Lord-Generall, 
Jos. 1. 18.  under the Lord of Hosts. Be strong and of a good Courage, be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed. For the Lord thy God is with thee wheresoever thou goest. Be valiant for the Lord, be not Cowed, nor over-crowed. They write that there is a bastard, adulterate race of Lions, which are begotten of the Female Leopard's, which are degenerate, heartless, and cowardly; they will shake, and tremble at the sight of fire, at the sight of a white Cock, and great Coxcomb, and at the crowing of a Cock, at the noise of empty Chariot-wheels. And if I be not mistaken, such a Brood have I seen both here, and otherwhere. I cannot but remember the Praelaticall Persecution (not so many years ago.) The word given to the Magistrates, was. Stand out against superstitious innovations, stand for your godly conscientious Ministers. Alas! alas, say they, what would you have us do? My Lord Bishop will be angry with us; the King will be informed of us, we shall run into danger: and upon this account you let in all Popish trash, and packed away your most faithful Ministers. Any base thing that is imposed upon the City by great ones, is it not received? Who amongst you will strike down a disorderly Alehouse; if the Brewer that serves it be an Alderman, or a rich man, or a Friend? How many are there of you (some few there are, I confess, and but a few) that dare countenance a godly Presbyterian Minister, or an Orthodox Divine? O no, the times will not bear it: So they might quickly be out of favour indeed. Who dare adventure to punish sin, adultery, drunkenness, swearing, Sabbath-breaking: if it dwell in the house of a great man, or a great-friended man? Are these 
Leonem larva terres.  Lions, that will be scared with Vizards, and Hobgoblins? These are the bastard brood of Lions. Hearts, and Hares, timourous above other Creatures. The generous Lion hath sharp teeth, crooked, and sharp Talons. But as for these they will neither bite, nor scratch. In one respect your City Arms do very well befit you. It is a Lion with a Castle over it. Many of you can be Lions, very Courageous, so long as you have a Castle over you, protection, and countenance; but take away the Castle, and who will expose himself to danger? What a sordid thing is this? There is a Lion couchant, indeed, but that is not the posture of fear, but of triumph; having conquered first, and now lieth down by the Prey. But never yet did I read of a Lion Crouchant, or current. It is worthy the observing in the generous Lion, that he will run apace through the Woods, and range swiftly through the forest after the prey; but when he is pursued & chased by hunters, he composeth himself, and is passant altogether, keeping his pace, and turneth not his head a side for any, but walks on, as scorning, and contemning all danger. Remember that of Solomon, The wicked flee, when no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a Lion, Prov. 28. 1.  
6. There be three things which go well, yea four, which are comely in going. The 
Prov. 30. 29. 30.  Lion is the first, and chiefest of them: The Lion hath a stately gate, majestical, orderly, and resolute: he turns not aside his head for the greatest that he meets, not for the vast Elephant, he will die before he will degenerate into a disorderly pace. And herein, give me leave to exhort you to walk as the Lion walks. How is that? First, in regard of your whole Conversation; let your going be stately, not with proud fantastical affectation, but humbly (an humble gate is a stately gate) soberly, holily, with all Gravity: walk as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah: be you holy, as he is holy. Only (saith Saint Paul) Let your Conversation be such as becometh the Gospel of Christ. 
Phil. 1. 27.  Take heed that you do no uncomely thing, that you set not a step awry: Have a suitable carriage, and deportment, both to the profession of Christianity, and also to your place of Eminency. Will it become a chief▪ Magistrate to walk with vain Persons? to walk to scandalous houses? to walk on in any sin. When one proffered unto Scipio a beautiful Harlot, he said to him, Vellem, si non essem Imperator, were I not a Governor, I would. Let all that are before me this day take forth this Lesson, let your Conversation be such as becomes the Gospel of Christ: move in a higher Sphere than the men of the World. Let your Conversation be in Heaven. Walk like Angels: They 
Phil. 3. 20. Ezek. 1. 12. Revel. 1. 6.  went every one straight forward; whether the Spirit was to go, they went. Remember you are Kings, Christ hath made us so. Then let your going be Kinglike. A King may be known by his Majestical gate, and deportment. What manner of men were they, 
Judic. 8. 18.  said Gideon to Zebah, and Zalmunna, whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, as thou art, so were they; each one resembled the Children of a King. Finally Brethren, 
Phil. 4. 8.  whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think of these things.  
And as I call upon you, to walk as the Lion, stately, gravely, and holily in your whole course of life: So let me exhort you, without offence, more particularly, to walk as Lions, even in regard of outward state, and pomp. The Lion is the King of Beasts, and is of a comely, and stately presence, adorned with shaggy locks, bushy hair, a golden and bright shining Mane which crownes his head, and as Robes do clothe his neck, back, shoulders, and legs: and truly the Lion would be a great deal more contemptible, if he were barbe'rd, and shaved. I say, be Lions; Keep your hair, and skin; maintain your power, and state, and the Ensigns of your Authority. King Agrippa came to the Judgement Seat with great 
Act. 25. 23.  Pomp. And there is good use of these trappings to the common people, Ad populum phaleras. These procure some reverence, awe, and terror in the people. And I do the rather insist upon this, because I see there is an anabaptistical, enthusiastical, levelling Generation, start up; who attempt very subtly, Leonem radere, to barb, and shave the Lion: to overthrow all Magistracy. And they do not go about directly, but slily, and with wiles. They would persuade you at first, only to lay aside your Robes, and your Solemnities, as either being superstitious, or else not agreeable to the simplicity of the Gospel. Have you not lately been preached out of your Scarlet Gowns? and have you not very obediently left them off many times? Do they not inveigh against all manner of Solemnity upon this very day of Inauguration: well, what will the end be? If they can but once shave off the Lion's majestic hair, and flay of his skin: it will be a poor contemptible Carcase that is left. I dare say, though outward state, and Pomp be but a Compliment, yet take that quite away, and the very Magistracy will soon follow. Maintain your State and Power. It is observable in the Lion, that when he walks upon stony, rocky, and rough places, that he contracts and pulls up his Talons, to preserve them; for if they should be broken, he could never after seize upon his Prey▪ Your Power, and the Ensigns of your Authority, are your Talons: be careful to preserve them, else evil doers will contemn you; and you will never be able to give them so much as a scratch.  
7. Know where your strength lieth. The Lion's strength is in his head, and in his breast chiefly. And there lieth your strength, a good head, and a good heart, make a good Magistrate. Labour therefore for a good head; for knowledge, and a good understanding. Harken to the word of the Lord: This book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day, and night; that thou mayst observe to do according to all that is written therein; for than thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then shalt thou have good success. And above all, labour to have a good heart, an honest heart, a sanctified heart, an obedient heart. Such a heart as David had; even an heart according to Gods own heart. Which that you 
1 Sam. 13, 14.  may attain unto, do as Solomon did, pray, pray. Go unto the Lord, and say, And now oh Lord, my God, I thy Servant am in the midst of thy people, which thou hast chosen, a great people: Give therefore thy Servant an understanding heart, to judge thy people, that I may discern between good, and bad: For who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 1 Kin. 3. 8. 9  
Bear away with you these few words of Exhortation; and that you may the better remember them, I shall present all before your eyes in a little Emblem. I am God's Herald, and I will give you a Coat of Arms, an Escoucheon, which if you will own, you will show yourself a generous Lyon.  
You shall bear, not Or, or argent: No no; you must not be carried away with Silver, or Gold, or such earthly, and transitory things; but you shall bear Azure, blue, celestial: Have your Conversation in Heaven.  
Let your charge be a Lion: Now, as for the posture of your Lion, I have spent some serious thoughts.  
It must not be a Lion dormant. I beseech you do not sleep, neither at the Church, nor on the Bench.  
It were a shame to have it, either crouchant, or fugient. Never yet was seen such a Coat, as a Lion current. To flee is a reproach: do not flee away, do not turn your back on God's truth, on God's cause, and God's people; and all for cowardly fear: stand to the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, to the last drop of blood.  
Neither should the Lion be over- rampant: Rampant showeth his gesture in seizing on the Prey. The Prey that a Magistrate pursueth, are evil doers. Pursue this Prey, be rampant, but not over- rampant, not overrigorous; mingle mercy with Justice in your Government. Be not righteous overmuch, Eccles. 7. 16.  
I had thought a Lion passant might have done well. The passant Lion showeth but half his face as he passeth by: this posture showeth much confidence, and resolution: It showeth also much moderation. Be you passant towards the faithful Ministers, and Servants of God: if for conscience, and pure conscience, they cannot swallow all things imposed by the State, pass by it, connive; do not turn your head aside to tear, and destroy a man, that is precious in God's sight; only because he will not sin against his Conscience. The Prelates were Lions indeed, but not passant: and therefore the Lord hath passed over them, even over their fair 
Hos. 10. 11.  neck, and brought them low.  
The Lion therefore which I shall commend to you, and charge your Shield withal, is passant guardant: The Lion passant guardant shows his whole face; which notes not only Courage, and Resolution, but Vigilancy also, and circumspection. Before this Lion is a flame of fire: behind him an empty Chariot, the wheels rattling: over his head a white Cock, with a great red Comb, and crowing: under him Dogs opening their mouths against him, and barking. Yet he keeps on his way undaunted, not changing his pace, or turning his head aside for fear of any. And the word,  
Non retrogradior.  
So go on, oh you Lions of our Forest, you Magistrates of this City And more especially you that are this day to be a Lion ascendent, to rise up to the chief place of Magistracy. Be faithful, and zealous for the Lord.  
Be vigilant in your great Office, not dormant; be salient, nimble, active, and industrious. Be just in dispencing punishments, and rewards. To wicked, and obstinate Offenders be rampant; and divide the Prey in a just manner: distribute rewards, and praises to every one that doth good, according to the proportion of their deserts.  
Be merciful in giving, and in forgiving. And to the Conscientious, that cannot swallow every Imposition, be passant, go by and let them alone.  
Lion! look to thy tail; take heed of a secret malignant train.  
Be bold as a Lion, Courageous, let nothing turn you away from God, from the truth of Christ, from his Ministers, and Servants.  
Walk stately; let your whole Conversation be humble, sober, grave, holy, and as becomes the Gospel: And maintain your State, and Power, and Ensigns of your Authority. You are a Lion, let no anabaptistical shavers flay off your skin, and cut off your hair. Know where your strength lieth, labour for a good head, and a good heart; then in the end you shall Couch with honour, and be Leo quiescens.  
You shall rest from your Labours, and your works shall follow you. 
Revel. 14. 13.   
Now the Lion of the Tribe of Judah strengthen you with his might, protect you with his power, guide you with his wisdom, embrace you with his mercy; and give you rest, and reward in the latter end. Amen.  

Exhortation 2.  
To the Ministers of the Gospel. One of the Elders sounds the Trumpet in the care of john the Apostle, and Evangelist; calls upon him to behold, to eye this Lion of the Tribe of Judah. q. d. I charge you to mark this Lion well: And why? Even that he may compose himself to the example of this great Prophet in all things; in the execution of his Ministerial Function. Ministers must be Lions. It is an old conceit: & constat ex pictura, sed non ex Scriptura. That the four living wights, cap. 4. 7. did represent the four Evangelists. Matthew was the Man, Luke the Ox, John the flying Eagle, and Mark the Lyon. It is certain, that those Creatures import the properties of Angels, and are 
Revel. 2. & 3.  Symbols, as of Magistrates, so of Ministers. The Ministers of the Gospel are Angels, and they must be Lions too. In all things comfortable to the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.  
1. The Lion of the tribe of Judah came and took the Book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne, Verse. 7. So the Minister of the Gospel, he must take the Book in his hand: The Book of God, the holy Scriptures: he must deliver nothing to the people, but what he finds in that Book: thence he must fetch the will and counsel of God. Search the Scriptures, John 5. 29. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard from me, 2 Tim. 1. 13. The Minister must take what Saint Paul writes, what the Spirit of God holds forth in the holy Bible. There is a numerous generation now in these days, that cast the written word aside, and pretend altogether to inspirations and revelations; the Spirit, the Spirit. To these I say no more but this, if they have any inspirations or revelations contrary to the Book that Christ took into his hand, I believe verily they are from the Spirit; but it is from the evil Spirit, from the Devil.  
2. The Lion of the tribe of Judah, when he had taken the Book, he opened it, and loosed the Seals thereof. So the Minister of the Gospel, when he hath taken the Book, he must open it: And when doth he take the Book? When a Minister is ordained, and set apart by the imposition 
1 Tim. 4. 14.  of hands, and sent to do the work to which God calleth him, a Bible is given into his hand by the Precedent of the Presbytery: And then, and not till then, he takes the book, and having taken it he must open it; that is, he must expound it, and apply it: So Ezra the Scribe, he took the book of the Law, and opened it in the sight of all the people: He read in the book 
Nehem. 8. 5. 8.  distinctly, he gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. And just so the great Master of the Assemblies, the Prophet and Doctor of his Church: He came 
Luk. 4. 16, 17, 18, 20.  to Nazareth, went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read: And there was delivered unto him the book of the Prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he read his Text out of Isa. 61. 1. And then he closed the book, and preached unto the people, showing how that Scripture was fulfilled that day, and making all plain and clear. Saint Paul gives Ministers their charge, 2 Timoth. 4. 1. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing, and his Kingdom. V. 2. Preach the Word, be instant in season, out of season: reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. Ministers are Lions, Lions must not be mute.  
3. The Minister must be a Lion, bold and courageous in the execution of his office. This he must look for, to meet with great opposition, and especially from the great men of the World, if he shall rebuke them and tell them of their sins plainly: But the Minister of Christ must not fear the faces of men; but with liberty and freedom of speech utter the message of the Lord, And keep nothing of God's 
Act. 20. 27.  counsel back. He must lift up his voice like a Lion, and roar in the ears of Kings, Potentates, and the greatest Statesmen. The Lion must roar, though the Dog's bark, and the Wolves howl, and all the Beasts of the Forest do yell and grin. A soul-searching Ministry is gall and wormwood to unreformed persons. Ministers that cast the Pearls of reproofs before Dogs and Swine, must expect that such brutish creatures will fly in their faces, and if it be in their power, will rend and tear them. But what saith the Lord? Thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee; and whatsoever I command thee, thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces, for I am with thee to deliver thee, Jer. 1. 7, 8. Make thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads, Ezek. 3. 8. Ministers must have undaunted resolutions, and be as bold as Lions.  
4. Ministers of the Gospel must not forget the stately gate of the Lion: The Lion is comely in his going. Ministers should be careful above all others, to walk as becomes the Gospel of Christ: A holy walking, that is the comely walking. I beseech you behold how the high Priest is adorned, and how he walks: He had a plate of pure Gold upon his forehead, and upon that Plate was engraven, 
Exod. 28. 36. Exod. 23. 30.  HOLINESS TO THE LORD. Upon his Breastplate the URIM and the THUMMIM, Viz, the light of knowledge, and the perfection of holiness; these were upon Aaron's heart, when he walketh, when he goeth in before the Lord. He had a Robe down to his feet, and towards the bottom, beneath upon the hem of it a golden Bell, and a Pomegranate, a Golden Bell, and a Pomegranate round about. 
Exod. 28. 34.  The golden Bell signifies the sound of pure Doctrine, and the Pomegranate a sweet, and savoury fruit, notes that holiness of Conversation that was in the Highpriest: view him well, and you see him adorned with holiness' Cap a pe, from head to foot. It is the duty of Ministers, Vivere concionibus, & concionari moribus, to live Sermons, Melius docemur vita quam verbo, Examples prevail more with men than Precepts. In all things show thy 
Tit. 2. 7.  self a Pattern of good Works (saith Paul to Titus) in Doctrine, uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity. In the frame of the Temple upon the borders, were painted, and engraven 
1 King 7. 29.  Lions, Oxen, and Cherubims: To show what kind of persons they ought to be, who serve in God's house. As Angels for knowledge, to dive into the Mysteries of the Gospel; laborious and painful as the Ox. They must be Lions also for courage, and boldness, and they must be comely in their going, their Conversation must be holy, and lovely.  
I shall commend at this time but one thing more to my Brethren of the Ministry, and that is Prayer: Let us be much, and earnest in Prayer. Alas! we shall never be able to open the Book, except the Lion of the Tribe of Judah help us, verse 4. John wept much, because none was found worthy to open the Book, and to read it; We must weep, and pray, pray, and weep, that we may be enabled to open the Book: For there are sublime things in the Book, and hard to be understood. Alas our hearts will fail us, and we 
2 Pet. 3. 16.  shall be afraid of the faces of men, if the Lion of the Tribe of Judah do not strengthen us, and put Courage into us, & keep up our Spirits; to him therefore we nought to make our Addresses. Yea, in this let me beg help for myself, and others: well-beloved, I speak to you all that are before me this day, in the words of Saint Paul, Eph. 6. 18. Pray always, with all prayer, and supplication of the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance, & supplication for all Saints. 19 And for me, and for all the faithful Ministers of the Gospel, that utterance may be given unto us, that we may open our mouths BOLDLY, to make known the mystery of the Gospel.   

Exhortation. 3.  
I pass on now to the third Exhortation, and that is to all in general, men, women, and young ones. And there are various, and sundry duties which I shall endeavour to persuade you to.  
And first, Is Jesus Christ the Lion of the Tribe of Judah? Then prostrate, bow to 
B●e Subjacts.  this Lion, tremble at his voice. Is Christ the King of his Church and People; then come all in, shake off all other yokes; Satan's Dominion, and Sins Reign: and list under this King, be his Subjects, kiss his Sceptre and kneel to him, know your King; be loyal to him, give him your whole heart, honour, fear, and obey him. give to Caesar that which is Caesar's, pay him all his Tribute; of time, of your Estates, of every thing. Fight for him; contend for the faith, the truth, the honour of Jesus Christ: Let the Lord Jesus Christ have a Throne in all your hearts; say, We have no King but the Lord Jesus Christ.  
To move you hereunto, consider the excellency of this Kingdom, above all other Kingdoms in the World.  
It hath the best King, He is fairer than 
Psal. 45. 2.  the Children of men. He is the supreme, the absolute King of himself, all other earthly Kings are but Viceroys, Lord-deputies. All other Kings are but mere men, he is God, and man; all other Kings have but a little piece of earth to set their feet upon: he is the great Monarch of Heaven and Earth; all other Kings wear but a corruptible 
1 Cor. 9 25.  Crown, but his Kingdom endureth for ever. Such a King, there is not another. What the Queen of Sheba said of Solomon, the Type, hath its Compliment, and perfection in Jesus Christ: Happy are the Servants, and Subjects of this King. 
1 King. 10. 8. 9  Blessed be the Lord thy God, Oh thou Lion of the Tribe of Judah! which delighted in thee, to see thee on the Throne of Israel, because the Lord loved his Israel for ever; therefore made he thee King. It hath the best Situation, I have set my King upon my holy 
Psal. 2. 6.  hill of Zion. There is the nether Zion, and the upper Zion, both pleasant. Of the nether, or lower Zion (the Pilgrim Church upon Earth) it is said; Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole Earth is Mount 
Psal. 48. 2. 3.  Zion, the City of the great King. And what is the beauty thereof? The presence of God dwelling in the midst his people, and protects them. God is known in her Palaces for a Refuge Of the upper Zion (the triumphant Church in Heaven) it is said, Ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the City of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of Angels, to the general Assembly, and Church of the firstborn which are written in Heaven; and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus. Heb. 12 22, 23, 24.  
It hath the best Laws. What Nation is 
Deut. 4. 8.  there so great, that hath Statutes, and Judgements so righteous, as all this Law which I set before you this day? Deut. 4. 8. In the Laws of other Kingdoms, in humane Laws, there is the wisdom of men; but in Christ's Laws there is the wisdom of God. Humane Laws may be unjust, Christ's Laws are all righteous, and holy. The Laws of other Kings may be burdensome, and tyrannical, Christ's Yoke is ever easy. 
Matth. 11. 29. Psal. 19 7.  All other Laws are imperfect, but Christ's Law is perfect, converting the Soul. Other Kings they can write their Laws in Tables, and hang them up upon 〈…〉 sts, and Pillars, but they cannot sway the hearts of their Subjects to obedience: but Christ puts his Law in their inward parts, and writes it in their hearts. Jer. 31. 33. Yet more; In this Kingdom are the best Honours, Preferments, Dignities, and Privileges. There are all Favourites, they have ever the King's mouth, and ear: They stand before him and hear him speak to them in the Gospel, and by the secret whisper of his Spirit in their Souls. And he always holds out the Golden Sceptre to them; his ear is ever open to 
Ester. 5. 2.  their Prayers: And is it a small thing to be Favourite to such a King? In the light of the King's Countenance is life, and his favour is as the latter rain, Prov. 16. 15.  
They are, and shall be all Kings. They are already Kings in a state of grace: Christ hath made us Kings, Revel. 1. 6. And they have a better Kingdom in reversion, they shall be Kings in the Kingdom of glory. Fear not little Flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. Luk. 12. 32.  
Come in then, all you that are yet under the tyranny of the roaring Lion; follow the Lion of the Tribe of Judah: And that you may 〈…〉 o so, harken to the voice of his Heralds; he sends them abroad to invite into his Kingdom: The ministers of the Gospel are his Messengers, by them he sends forth the rod of his strength, Psal. 110. 2.  
Pray, pray, Thy Kingdom come, Matth. 6. 10. You have taken the Oath of Allegiance, and Supremacy already, all of you have put your Seal too in your Baptism; Now take heed that you revolt not, come and join to the Tribe of Judah: The Trumpet is blown, now look to it; who is of the Lords side?  
2. Is Jesus Christ the Lion of Judah, the anointed King of his Church? Then be exhorted, in the next place, to partake of his Anointing; take you also Kingly honour, be you all Kings. The men of Judah, 
1 Joh. 2. 27. Be Kings.  yea and the women too, even the whole Tribe were Lions. Behold the people shall rise up as a great Lion, and lift up himself as a young Lion; he shall not lie down, until he eat of the Prey, and drink the blood of the slain. Numb, 23. 24.  
And here I shall give you a Commission to be as bold as Apame, the King's Concubine, in the Apocryphal book, She 
1 Esdr. 4. 30. 31.  took the Crown off the King's head, and put it upon her own; yet in the mean season the King gaped, and gazed on her, and still grew more fond. Do you so, take the Crown of Christ, and put it on; not to depose him, but to communicate with him in his Kingly Office, yea in all the parts of it. For this Lion of the Tribe of Judah hath made us 
Revel. 5. 10.  unto our God Kings, and we shall reign on the Earth, as you have it in the 10. verse.  
Do you communicate with Christ, in the business of Vocation; he gains and gathers his Subjects by calling them in: Do you so; let Ministers of the Gospel in their holy Function, and let every man and woman in their private Station, endeavour to gain, and gather Subjects out of Satan's Kingdom into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ: Do what thou canst to make thy Flock, to make thy Children, to make thy Servants, to make thy Friends the Subjects of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Let the Minister do this by preaching, the private person by education, instruction, and all by Prayer for those under their charge. When thou art converted, strengthen thy Brethren, Luk. 22. 32.  
Communicate also with Christ, in the work of ruling: rule well in your several charges: Let the Elders rule well their Flocks; Let the Householders keep good 
1 Tim. 5. 17.  rule in their Houses and Families; and in especial manner set up Christ's Government in your hearts; rule your unrulely Passions, and Perturbations, and keep them in good order.  
Again, Christ as a King protects his Church, his Subjects. He is a shield to them that trust in him. Communicate with him 
Prov. 30. 5.  in this part of his Kingly Office also: Be every one of you, according to your power and places, a defence, and a countenance to the true, and poor people of God; Magistrates by their Authority, and all people by their Purses and Prayers; let them be as the clefts of the Rock, for Christ's 
Song. 2. 14.  chased Doves to hide and shelter in. And you must be Kings for War: Christ had many sharp, and sore Conflicts: you also must fight, and be ever in the field; you must take up Arms against Satan, against sinful lusts that fight against the 
1 Pet. 2. 11.  Soul. You must war against your own corrupt wills, and carnal reasons; yea, you must fight against self, dearest self. If any man will come after me (saith our King, and Captain) let him deny himself, and take up his Cross and follow me, Matth. 16. 24. Beat down rebellious and stirring Affections. Exercise judiciary power, destroy your Malefactors; slay, mortify your members which are upon the earth, fornication, 
Col. 3. 5.  uncleanness, inordinate affections, evil concupiscence, and covetousness.  
Once more, Communicate with Christ in his Kingly Office, in respect of his triumph and Royalty. When he had conquered, When he ascended up on high, he led Captivity Captive, and gave gifts unto 
2 Sam. 24. 23.  men, Eph. 4. 8. Araunah gave as a King: Christ hath made you Kings, you partake of his Anointing, give gifts unto men: give Alms, spiritual Alms, corporal Alms; This is a Character of a spiritual King. He hath dispersed abroad, he hath given to the poor: his righteousness endureth for ever, his horn shall be exalted with honour, Psal. 112. 9  
Thus let me persuade you to be Kings; For if you partake of his Anointing in grace, you shall also reign with him in glory. There are multitudes that will not strike a stroke for Christ, but let the strong man go away withal. But as for you my beloved, be as the Tribe of Judah, Lions, Kings. Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit, saith the Lord; But Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the Saints, Hos. 11. 12.  
3. Jesus Christ is the Lion, because King, and Governor of his Church. So all other Kings, and Magistrates, they are Lions; Hieroglyphically represented by that generous, and magnanimous Creature. Are they Lions? then be exhorted to prostrate to them also. The Prince of the Tribe of Judah is a Lion: then, his Father's Children shall bow down before him, Gen. 49. 8.  
Let every Soul be subject to the higher Powers, Rom. 13. 1. Give to Caesar the 
Matth. 22. 21.  things that are Caesar's; Honour, Obedience, and Tribute. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man, for the Lords sake; whether it be to the King as supreme; or unto Governors, as unto them that are sent by him, for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well. Fear God, honour the King, 1 Pet. 2. 13. 14. 17. Couch to the Civil Magistrate. The Donatists, and their Successors, Anabaptists, and Libertines take away all Magistracy out of the World; they are Children of Belial, that will not be subject to any Yoke. Though some of them be constrained to acknowledge Magistracy under the old Testament, yet they maintain it unlawful among Christians, under the new Testament. But you have heard it from Christ's own mouth, and Paul's Pen, That Magistracy is a Gospel's Ordinance, and a great blessing. Take away Magistracy, and the World will soon ruin. I exhort you therefore, that first of all, Supplications, Prayers, Intercessions, and giving of thanks he made for all men, for Kings, and for all that are in Authority, that we may lead a godly, and peaceable life, in all godliness, and honesty, 1 Tim. 2. 1. 2.  
4. Christ is the Lion: thereby is signified his Prophetical office, as well as his Kingly. He shall roar like a Lion: Saith the Prophet Hosea: cap. 11. 10. That is, saith the gloss: Christ shall cause the sound of the Gospel to sound all the world over. All God's faithful Ministers are Lions also. Then be exhorted to hearken to the Prophets of the Lord, when they speak in the name of the Lord: I say to thee, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah roars in thine ears. The Lion hath roared: what's that? The Lord God hath spoken. Amos 3. 8. who will not fear, who will not tremble?  
You shall meet with a remarkable story in the first Book of the Kings, cap. 20. 35. One of the Prophets said unto his Neighbour in the word of the Lord: Smite me I pray thee: a strange command, one would think: and the man refused to smite him. q. d. I will obey you in something else, but not in this. What saith the Prophet to him: because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the Lord, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a Lion shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a Lion found him, and slew him. Did the Lord show this severity, for not obeying one word spoken in his name by his Prophet, and that so unusual a command: what shall the end of those be that contradict the Prophets of the Lord? that speak in the language of those, jerem. 44. 16. As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us, in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee. What shall the end of those be, of all those, that in these day's hate, despise, and contemn the Ministers of the Gospel? yea, and the very office of the Ministry, and make it their design to root it out. I fear, I fear, my beloved! that we may read England's doom. 2 Chron. 36. 15. And the Lord God of their Fathers sent to them by his Messengers, rising up betimes, and sending: because he had compassion on his people, & on his dwelling place. 16. But they mocked the Messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his Prophets: until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy: if the Lion of the Tribe of judah be not harkened unto, nor regarded when he roars in the preaching of the Gospel: he will soon roar against those Rebels in fury, and rend them in pieces, and there shall be none to help.  
5. Jesus Christ is the Lion of the Tribe of judah; that is, lineally descended out of that Tribe, from the loins of the Patriarch judah. Then be exhorted to have respect to that Tribe; love, and honour the Jews: What a dear love had Saint Paul to his Countrymen! He calls Christ to witness, that he had great heaviness; and continual sorrow in his heart. That he could wish himself accursed from Christ for his Brethren, his Kinsmen according to the flesh. And why? Because they are Israelites, and the adoption, and the glory, and the Covenant pertaineth to them. But especially, because of them, as concerning the flesh, Christ came. Do you love the branch, and will you not love the root? yea, though it be but the root of his humanity?  
Ob. But some will say, the Jews did crucify the Lord of life, and therefore deserve to be detested. And do we not say well, we hate such a one, as we hate a Jew?  
Answ. Take heed of malice, and bitterness against that Nation. They did slay the Messiah the holy one, its true; but they did it ignorantly in unbelief; and therefore Christ prayeth for them, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do, Luk. 23. 34.  
And they have suffered abundantly for their sin; as their wickedness was exceeding great, so the Lord hath been very severe to them. The blood of Christ lieth heavy upon them, and upon their Children: They are scattered in all Lands, and are for a reproach, and a hissing unto this day. But hath God cast off his people? God 
Rom. 11. 1.  forbid. God will deal more favourably with the Jews. afterward. They have fallen by the edge of the Sword, and are led away Captive into all Nations, and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, till the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled, Luk. 21. 24. Now they are trodden under foot, but its only for a time. They are, as you see, miraculously preserved in all Countries, though hated, and oppressed: And God will not forget his Covenant made with Abraham, and his friend so many ages since. It is not for nothing, that Christ is styled the glory of the people Israel. Luk. 2. 32.  
And doubtless they shall have a glorious Restauration. As for the dream of another temporal, pompous Monarchy on Earth, I leave it to the fanatical Millenaries; but that there shall be a spiritual conversion of the Jews, which shall exceed in glory, I conceive it to be most plain. The Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord: As for me, this is my Covenant with them, saith the Lord; My Spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy Seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth, and for ever. Isa. 59 20. 21.  
For I would not Brethren, saith Saint Paul, that ye should be ignorant of this Mystery, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in, and so all Israel shall be saved: As it is written, there shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob. Rom. 11. 25. 26. Since therefore, they are broken off but for a time, since we look for their restauration, and that ere long there will be one Sheepfold under one Shepherd, since we hope to meet a●remnant of them, according to the 
Rom. 11. 5.  election of grace (as God shall call) in the Kingdom of Glory: Let us do nothing to exasperate them, and so to hinder their Conversion, but let us love them, as the root of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah; and pray for them, that God would persuade Shem to dwell in the Tents of Japhet.  
6. Behold, Here I sound the Trumpet yet again: Behold! and in the sixth place I shall endeavour to quicken, and stir you up to behold the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. My last word of Exhortation is, to persuade you to eye the Lord Jesus Christ with all diligence, and intention.  
Look upon him, that you may imitate, and conform yourselves to him in all things. As I have observed it in the Limner when he draws a Picture; his eye is ever and anon upon the Person whose similitude he takes: a line, and then a look, and all, that he may draw it to the life. So ought you ever to eye Christ, set his example before you continually, that you may be so many living Representations of Christ; that all that behold you, may say, that Christ liveth in you. The Lion was Judah's Ensign, which they followed in their war-fare; Jesus Christ is our Ensign, and Banner: Follow, follow your Colours.  
Follow the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, in His 

Kingly Virtues, Graces.  
Stately Deportment.    
1. In his Kingly Graces; Learn of me, saith Christ, that I am lowly and meek, Matth. 11. 29.  
He is wise, and be you renewed in knowledge, in wisdom according to his Image, Col. 3. 10.  
He is strong as a Lion; be you so: Be strong in faith, Rome 4. 20. Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, Eph. 6. 10.  
He is just, & merciful, I will put them he together. And herein he is a pattern to thee: He hath showed thee, oh man! what is good, and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God, Micah 6. 8. Put on therefore (as the elect of God, holy, and beloved) bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering. Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another. Coloss. 3. 12. 13.  
2. Behold, follow the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, in his stately Deportment, walk as he walks; the Lion hath a comely gate: Let your whole practice be conformable to the example of Christ, I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done, Joh. 13. 15. Let us walk honestly, saith Saint Paul, Rom. 13. 13. The 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. composite.  word signifies decently, composedly. How is that? verse 14. By putting on the Lord Jesus Christ. 1. By expressing the life of Christ in your lives. Christ is represented to you here, as your King, and Captain: behold your King, and as you see him do, so do you. In every Action set Christ before your eyes; and ever think with yourselves, how would Jesus Christ act if he were in my room. Art thou a Magistrate, and going to the Bench: think thus with thyself, how would Christ proceed in executing Judgement if he were in my room? Art thou a Minister, and going into the Pulpit? think with thyself, how would Christ preach of this subject if he were in my room? Art thou a Tradesman, a Husbandman, a Servant, a Child? Think with thyself, how would Christ carry himself in my Calling, in my Relation? Art thou to treat with thy Adversary about reconciliation? think with thyself, how would Christ temper himself? how hath Christ carried himself to us when we were Enemies? You are 
Rom. 5. 10.  now going from hence to a sumptuous Feast; oh! think with yourselves, what would Christ do if he were at the Table? in what measure would he eat, and drink? what divine, and holy discourse would he have? When you are at your rich Dishes, and full Cups: Behold! the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Do all things according to the pattern showed thee in the Mount, Heb. 8. 5. Do not feed yourselves without fear. chrysostom wisheth that people at their Feasts, and Cups would think of Hell, and fear. The Lion trembles at fire: Herein be Lions, think of the fire of Hell, and be afraid.  
Yet further, the Lion loves, and frequents the tops of Mountains: So did the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, often, 
Luk. 6. 12.  very often; whole Nights together he was in the Mountains praying: Mount Olivet was his Chapel of ease, his Oratory. Follow the Lion to the Mount, be much in retirement, in secret prayer, and communion with God.  
One thing more let me commend to you, and then I shall cease exhorting. The doleful times call for it; the Lion is compassionate and liberal: he will distribute of his Prey not only to his Whelps, but 
Gesner.  also to Beasts of another kind, if they be hungry. So the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, he is a compassionate King, and a merciful Highpriest: he went about doing good, healing diseases, visiting the 
Matth. 4. 23. Matth. 14. 15, 16, etc.  sick, feeding the people, thousands of them that were ready to faint in the Wilderness. Herein I beseech you, behold the Lion of the Tribe of Judah! When you are full, distribute of the Prey to those that are hungry, and for whom nothing is prepared, you that are now ascending to the highest Seat of Authority in this City, and the rest of the Magistrates, I beseech you have compassion of the poor: Look into the poor ruinous dismal Towers, and Cottages; mark the many pale and won faces, and the trembling hands, think of the hungry and almost-starved multitude: In the name of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, take care for them; let something be distributed amongst them, to refresh their bowels. ay, but perhaps you will say, you talk of Cost, and this will ask a deal of labour, and take us off from our worldly Affairs; be it so, let me tell you in answer to your Objection, your labour shall not be in vain, your cost shall not be lost: what you do for the poor Members of Christ, Christ takes it as done to himself. The King shall say, in as much as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me, Matth. 25. 40. The Lion is the most grateful Creature in the world: And here give me leave to insert a Story, both for the remarkableness of it, and also for the aptness of it. (as I apprehend) to our present purpose: A. Gell. Noct. Att. Relates the story from Appion Polyhister: Who did affirm to him, that in the City of Rome he saw the thing with his own eyes, he was a Spectator. There were in Rome many monstrous and savage Beasts: Above all the rest there was one Lion, who for vast magnitude, incredible strength, dreadful roaring, long, and bushy hair waving about his head, neck, back, and legs, was terrible to behold, and struck the Beholders with amazement. A Consul's Servant, whose name was Androdus for an offence was brought forth to this Lion, either to fight with him, and conquer him, or else to be torn in pieces by the Lion, and nothing else could be expected. When this fierce Lion saw Androdus afar off, he made a sudden stand, as it were in admiration! afterwards by little, and little he comes on to the man, tanquam noscitabundus: as if he thought he knew him, and were desirous to know him more perfectly. Then he wags his tail after the manner of a fawning Dog, rubs his body against the body of Androdus (who was almost dead for fear) and gently strokes his thighs and hands with his tongue: Upon this kindness of the Lion, Androdus begins to recover his Spirit, and fixing his eyes upon the Lion, he, and the Lion, as knowing one another, began to renew acquaintance, and rejoice, and play together.  
Hereupon there was a strange admiration, and shout. Androdus was called before Caesar; and the cause enquired why the most fierce, and barbarous of all the Lions, should spare him, and none else. Then Androdus gave a full account of the whole matter. I was a Servant, says he, to a Proconsul, a Lord-deputy in Africa; there having hard use, and continual stripes from my Master. I was forced to run away. Wand'ring in solitudes, that I might not be found again by my Master: about Noon-tide in a hot scorching day, I entered a Cave for coolness; presently after, this very Lion came into the same Den with a halting, and bloody foot, sighing, and moaning, and as begging pity. At the first sight of the Lion I was terrified; but the Lion soon espying me in a corner of his Den, came towards me in a peaceable manner, held up his wounded foot, showed it me as craving my help: I pulled out of the plant of his foot, a great 
Stirpem ingentem.  thorn, or shiver that stuck in it, nipped out the blood and corruption, cleansed the wound, and healed it. The Lion finding ease, and cure by my industry, rested his foot in my hand. And from that day I lived three years in that Den, with this Lion: and we had the same diet. For when the Lion had hunted, and caught his Prey, he would bring the fattest, and loveliest pieces to me; and because I wanted fire, I roasted them against the Sun, dried them, and eat them. But growing weary of that kind of life with the wild Beast; when on a day, the Lion was gone out after Prey, I left the Den, and ran away: and after some three days wand'ring, I was taken by the Soldiers, and brought to Rome to my Master; he presently condemned me to be thrown to this Lyon. And I understand, that as soon as ever I was parted from the Lion, the Lion also was taken in his ranging abroad, and brought to Rome: and now shows me this kindness for his cure. Appion said, he heard Androdus make this relation. It was soon published abroad: and all the men petitioned Caesar that the man might be pardoned, and set free, and that the Lion might be given to him. And upon the request of the people, it was granted. Afterwards, saith Appion, we saw Androdus leading the Lion about the City by a small Cord, from Tavern to Tavern: the people gave him money, and all as they met him, would say, Hic est Leo, hospes hominis, Hic est homo, medicus Leonis. Here is the Lion the man's Landlord, and here is the man, the Lion's Surgeon.  
The Story hath been something long, I will give you the Application short and quick: The man plucked a thorn out of the Lion's foot, the Lion gave the man his life for a reward: And will not the Lion of the Tribe of Judah do more than a Lion of the Forest? Dost thou see in any of Christ poor Members, a thorn? a thorn of extreme poverty, and want? a thorn of misery, that they are ready to perish? Pull out the thorn, ease them, help them, refresh their bowels: Christ will give you life, even eternal life for your reward. He will feed and protect you here, and glorify you hereafter.  
Here what this Lion, this King, this Jesus will say to you when he shall come in his glory. Come ye blessed of my Father, receive the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and you gave nee meat, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink, I was a stranger, and you took me in, naked, and you clothed me, I was sick, and you visited me, I was in prison, and you came unto me, Matth. 25. 34. 35. 36. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Matth. 5. 7. You have heard the word of Exhortation; now follows the fourth, and last.  
Use 4. Of Consolation, Jesus Christ is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah; the Almighty, and eternal King of his Church. This opens a wels-spring of comfort to all the Lion's truebred Whelps, to all the Subjects of Christ's spiritual Kingdom. 
Psal. 97. 1. 8.  The Lord Jesus Christ reigneth, let the Earth rejoice, let the multitude of the Isles be glad thereof. Zion heard, and was glad, and the Daughters of Judah rejoiced, because of thy judgements, oh Lord. Various, and manifold are the Consolations, I will propound them to you, that your joy may be full, and as shortly as is possible, because I hasten to a conclusion, and desire not to trespass too much upon your patience.  
Consel. 1. Against all the Church's Enemies. The Church, and people of God, may always sing that Psalm: O Lord how are my Foes increased? And especially 
Psal. 3.  at this time. Now doubtless, Rome, and Hell, all Jesuited spirits, all Heretics, and Sectaries (who love to fish in troubled waters) are busily plotting the overthrow of our Religion, and Peace: But this is the comfort, the Church is not without a King, a p●●ent King: For the Lord Jesus Christ is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King, he will save us, Isa. 33. 22.  
He may seem a Lion dermant for a season, he slept till the tempest was very high, Matth. 8. 24. But the Lion is awake, even when he seemeth to sleep. He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. Psal. 121. 4. The Lord shall awake as one out of 
Psal. 78. 65. 66.  sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of Wine; and he shall smite his Enemies in the hinder parts, and put them to a perpetual reproach. All attempts against the Church are vain. The Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it: The Lord Jesus 
Matt. 16. 18.  Christ will be a Lion to them, and rend, and tear Zions' Enemies in pieces, and there shall be none to help. For he must reign till he hath put all Enemies under his feet, 1 Cor. 15. 35.  
Consol. 2. Against our ignorance and blindness: The poor Christian complains as Agur, Prov. 30. 2. Surely, I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man. 3. I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy. And for this he weeps, and laments: But hear what the Elder saith, Weep not, behold the Lion of the Tribe of Judah hath prevailed to open the Book, and to lose the seven Seals thereof. The Lord Jesus Christ is appointed of God, to reveal the decree, the whole will, and counsel of God concerning man's Salvation. He is made unto us wisdom, 1 Cor. 1 30. No man hath seen God at any time: the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him, John. 1. 18. There followed great joy, Songs, and Music in Heaven, when the Lion of the Tribe of Judah had taken the Book; and undertaken to open it.  
Consol. 3. Against all our spiritual Enemies, the Enemies of our Salvation: Sin, Death, the Devil. The Lion of the Tribe, of Judah 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Vicit, he hath overcome, and prevailed; He hath vanquished Death, Hell, and all the power of the Adversary. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah hath spoilt the roaring Lion, that walketh about, seeking to devour us. He overcame in dying, and so obtained high Dignity, and became Lord of all. Now he coucheth as a Lion, and none can drive him from his Prey, which he caught out of the Dragon's Paws. Saint Paul is Herald to the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, proclaims his Victory, and declares him Conqueror, with a word of triumph, and solemnity. Death is swallowed up in Victory: Oh death! where is thy Sting? Oh Grave where is thy Victory? The Sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the Law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us Victory through our Lord jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 15. 54, 55, 56, 57 All the strength of death and the Devil, was from sin, but Christ hath taken that quite away. Here in this verse john hears of Christ as a Lion, but in the next verse he seeth him as a Lamb slain, sacrificed: and he is the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world, joh. 1. 29. He made peace by the blood of his Cross.  
Consol. 4. Against Defects, wants of righteousness. Alas, saith the poor Creature, without holiness no man shall see the 
Heb. 12. 14.  Lord: And I have no righteousness, or at least very imperfect, none that will justify. It is true Christian, if thou speak'st of thine own righteousness inherent, and actual; it's at the best but as a short Garment, and a spotted Cloth. Woe be to them that have no other Robe to cover them. But look up, and behold the Lion of the Tribe of judah: He hath a Golden Skin to cover thee withal. I will tell you a piece of Heraldry: There are used in Arms Colours, and Furs. Furs are the Skins of certain Beasts stripped from their bodies, and artificially trimmed for adorning of Garments for Kings, and great men. The Lion is judah's Arms; The Lion of the Tribe of judah is the Church's Ensign, and Shield. Jesus Christ will give thee Colours, and Furs. Colours, he will make the white by increasing in the more, and more the grace of Sanctification. And he hath Furs for thee too; his own Skin, his own Righteousness to cover thee, to justify thee withal. Jesus Christ is made unto us Righteousness and Sanctification, 1 Cor. 1. 30. Hast thou nothing in thyself? there is enough in Christ.  
Consol. 5. Against all afflictions and troubles that the Children of God meet withal here: Poverty, Persecution, and the like. Art thou in great straits? Yes, perhaps thou will say, but alas, I cannot pray; yet be of good comfort, Jesus Christ at the right hand of his Father, doth pray, and make continual Intercession for thee. He is of the Tribe of Judah: And you know that Judah was an Intercessor for his Brother: judah said, oh! do not 
Gen. 37. 26.  slay our Brother. And herein a Type of Christ, The Lion of the Tribe of judah making continual intercession for his Brethren. Art thou poor, and knowest not where to get bread? Jesus Christ is thy King, and he is a Lion, and will tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and distribute 
Nah. 2. 12.  it to his hungry ones.  
Do thy afflictions and troubles continue? it is but for a time, it can be no longer than this transitory life continueth, and then Christ will glorify thee, he will give you the Kingdom.  
Here you have had great consolation from Christ's Kingly Office; against the implacable Enemies of the Church: against blindness and ignorance, against all Spiritual Adversaries of our Salvation, Sin, Death, the Devil; against wan●s and defects of righteousness; against all afflictions and miseries of this life.  
Ob. But haply, some will say, is Christ able, and willing to do all this for his people?  
Answ. To this I answer, and that shall be  
Consol. 6. He is able to do it, for he is a Lion: The strongest. The Alpha, and Omega, the beginning, and the ending: which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. He is also willing; for this end he was sent, and for this purpose he took our Nature, and came into the World: he is our bone, and our flesh. The Lion of 
Judic. 9 2.  the Tribe of judah our Kinsman, our Brother, our Husband.  
Ob. But alas, will some poor Christians say, all these things may belong to others; but we are not qualified, we are not prepared, and therefore not capable of these great Prerogatives.  
Answ. To this I shall answer with a Caution, with a limitation: The Consolation doth not belong to all, only to the Lion's whelps, only to the Tribe of Judah; only to such are true and faithful Subjects of the Lion, of the King Christ Jesus. And who are they? I will tell you shortly, such as believe and repent, and this I shall add as a seventh Consolation. Dost thou believe in the Lion of the Tribe 
Consol. 7.  of Judah? in Jesus Christ? be of good comfort, Sin, and Satan shall never hurt thee. To him, to the Lord Jesus Christ give all the Prophet's witness, that through his name, whosoever beleiveth in him, shall receive remission of sins. Act. 10. 43. Pliny writes, that if any one be anointed with the blood of a Lion, or the fat, the bitings of no venomous Creature can hurt him. If thy Soul be anointed with the blood of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, sin cannot sting thee, and the bitings of the old Serpent cannot harm thee.  
Dost thou find wants and defects in thine own righteousness? yet dost thou believe in the Lion of the Tribe of Judah? Be of good comfort, he hath Righteousness enough to justify thee. I read, that Garments wrapped up in the Golden Skin of the Lion, are safe from Moths. Art thou by faith, wrapped up in the glorious Robe of Christ's Righteousness? Be of good comfort, the Moths, and defects of thy Sanctification shall not prejudice thy justification, for thou shalt stand before the Judge of all the World: Not having thine own Righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ. Phil. 3. 9  
Again, Dost thou repent unfeignedly of all thy sins, and transgressions? be of good comfort, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah will have mercy upon thee. They say, if the lioness defile herself, and commit adultery with the Libbard, the Lion will not accompany with her suddenly; but if she go and wash her in the water, the Lion will receive her again. So the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Hast thou defiled thyself with sin? look that Christ shall stand aloof off, till thou wash thyself in a bath of penitential tears, and then he will receive thee to Communion again. Wash you therefore, and make you clean, repent, 
Isa 1. 16.  and be converted, and your sins shall be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Act. 3. 19 Solomon tells us, that a living Dog is 
Eccles. 9 4.  better than a dead Lyon. But I say unto you, my Beloved, that a dead Lion is better than all the World besides. Christ crucified is this dead Lion; unspeakable are the Consolations that spring out of the dead Tree of the Cross. Here is Sampsons' Riddle declared; Out of the Eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness: what is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a Lion? Judic. 14. 14. 18. Christ crucified is sweet. Christ crucified is sweet, Christ crucified is sweetest of all.  
Thus have you heard the Trumpet sounded: The rare Sight hath also been presented to your view. And by this time, verily, you think it is high time that I should dismiss you; I will have done by and by, yet I must take a little liberty more.  
As the Trumpet sounded when this glorious Show was first brought in, so now at the close I sound the Trumpet once more. Behold, behold, behold!  
I come to that which hath been my design, and which I have driven at all this while; viz. To exhalt Jesus Christ. Here in my Preaching I lift up an Ensign to the people: I lift up the Lion of the Tribe of Judah in this Standard. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, saith Christ, will draw all men unto me. I lift up the Lion of the 
Joh. 12. 32.  Tribe of Judah before you, that I may draw all your eyes and all your hearts to him. Eye Christ, know Christ, gaze continually upon Christ; and why? for this end, that you may be drawn to love, admire, and adore the Lord Jesus Christ. My Beloved, My heart is inditing of a good 
Psal. 45. 1. 2. 4. 8.  matter, I will speak the things which I have made touching the King. I will sound forth the Praises of the King, of Christ, the blessed King of his Church. Thou art fairer, oh King! then the Children of men, grace is powered into thy lips. Thou art full of Majesty, truth, meekness, and righteousness, all thy Garments smell of Myrrh, and Aloes, and Cassia. Jesus Christ is the chiefest among 
Song. 5. 10. 11. 16.  ten thousand. He is the GOLDEN LYON. His head is like the most fine Gold, his Locks are bushy. (So is the Nobleness, generousness, and stateliness of the Lion discovered, by his shaggy hair, covering his head, neck, and shoulders.) His mouth is most sweet, yea, he is altogether lovely. The tongues of men, and Angels cannot express the excellency of Jesus Christ in himself; therefore love, admire, adore him.  
Yet eye him a little further, and behold what he is relatively, in relation to us, and then you will see much more to endear you to him. Behold, he is not only a Prophet, but your Prophet, not only a Priest, but your Priest: Not only a King, but your King. Behold, your King; And what is he to you? what! Rejoice oh daughter 
Zach. 9 9  of Zion; Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, he is just, and having Salvation. He brings Salvation along with him for thee, if thou believe in him, and receive him. He is our Mediator, our Redeemer, our Saviour: He hath called us with a holy calling, out of the Kingdom of darkness, into his holy, and heavenly Kingdom. He hath given us divine Laws, and rules us with the Sceptre of the Gospel, and with his holy Spirit. He is the Cloud, and the 
Isa. 4. 5.  defence of his Church: A shelter to it against all Enemies, spiritual, and corporal. He will utterly subdue all the Enemies of the Church, of his people, and he will certainly glorify them, and receive them into an everlasting Communion with himself, and make them all Kings. O then, let Christ be precious to you all, believe in him, love him, honour, and reverence him. This is my aim (the Lord give me the desire of my heart herein) to kindle in all your hearts a greater flame of love to the Lord Jesus Christ. Antoninus Caracalla, Rom. Imp. had a Lion, to which he gave an honourable name, he nourished it, and doted on it. He would not only kiss his Lion in public, but he did admit it to his Table, and his Bed: yet doubtless his Lion was not without his stinking breath, and deformities. How much more should you set your hearts on the Lion of the tribe of judah, whose mouth is most sweet, and who is altogether lovely. 
Psal. 2. 12.   
I will do but one thing more. The chief Magistrate hath had his Shield: Now I will give to every one in the Assembly an Escoucheon, a Coat of Arms; That you may behold it afterwards, and view it for ever. Ever gaze upon it, to engage your hearts more, and more to Jesus Christ. I will give you the Arms of judah.  
The Beleiver must bear Mars, that is red. The charge must be a Lion, Sol; that is, Gold: The Sun of Righteousness is the Golden Lion, in a red field, a field of blood. To speak plain English, the Beleiver must ever bear in his heart the memory of Christ crucified.  
But as for the posture of the Lion in your Banner, or Shield: Let me tell you, the Lion of the Tribe of judah hath gone through all postures, for your sakes, for your Salvation.  
He was conceived in the Womb of the blessed Virgin. Then he was a Lion Latent: She brought forth her firstborn Son: Christ in his Birth was a Lion Issuant. 
Luk. 2. 7.  In his whole life he was a Lion Salient. Behold, he cometh leaping upon the Mountains, skipping upon the Hills. Cant. 2. 8. It was his meat, and drink to do his Father's will, and to finish the work of our Salvation.  
He was a man of sorrows, persecuted, and pursued: and when he was chased, he was a Lion Passant, he went on, and turned not his head a side for any.  
In his Prophetical Office he is a Lion Rugient, he roars in the Preaching of the Gospel.  
In his Priestly Office, upon the Cross, he was a Lion Combatant, he encountered the Enemies of our Salvation. He spoiled 
Col. 2. 15.  Principalities and Powers, he made a show openly, triumphing over them in his Cross. He was laid in the Grave, there he was a Lion Dormant, quiescent, yea, to speak properly, in the Grave he was a Lion Couchant; when he had conquered, he laid down and rested by the Prey, and all the Powers of Hell trembled; he couched down, as a Lion Triumphant.  
In his Resurrection, and going to his Father, He was a Lion Ascendent.  
At his second coming in glory to judge the World, he shall appear a Lion Rampant. Then shall he rend, and tear in pieces his Enemies, and the Enemies of his People. Then shall he divide the spoil, distribute the Prey amongst his Whelps: 
Isa. 53. 12.  as a King he shall give Gifts to his People, and glorify them for ever. Sum up all. He was conceived for us, born for us, lived for us, suffered for us, rose again for us, ascended for us; sits at his Father's right hand to make Intercession for us, shall come again to glorify us. And how should all this work upon us? should not our hearts burn within us? should they not be in●●●med with singular love to the Lion of the Tribe of judah? Should not every one of our Tongues be a Trumpet to found forth ●he praises of our King? Let us 〈◊〉 fulfil the Prophecy of the good old Patriarch Jacob: Gen. 49. 8. Judah! thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise. In the Hebr. there is an elegant paranomosia. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which makes it more emphatical. Let us therefore join with the four living Wights, with the 24. Elders, withal the heavenly Quire. Let us take our Harps, and our golden Vials full 
Vers. 8.  of Odours, and sing a new Song: Thou art worthy oh Lion of the Tribe of Judah, to receive glory, and honour, and power. Thou art worthy oh Lamb of God, which wert slain, to receive glory, and honour, and praise. For thou art worthy to take the Book, and to open the Seals thereof: For 
Vers. 9  thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood: And hast made us unto our 
Vers. 10.  God Kings, and Priests.  
Μονω Τω Θεω Δοξα  
 Emblematic representation of the Lion of Judah 
All Glory to the LYON of the Tribe of Judah.  
Sing Praises to our KING, sing Praises.    
FINIS.