Ireland's Advocate: OR, A SERMON PREACHED AT A PUBLIC FAST HELD BY Authority, July the 27. in behalf of bleeding IRELAND.  
BY John Geree, Pastor of Tewksbury, in .  2 Chron. 19.11. 
Deal courageously, and the Lord shall be with the good.  
Published by Authority.  
Printed at Dublin, and reprinted at London for William Bladen, 1642.   

TO THE HONOURABLE Sir John Temple Knight, MASTER OF THE ROLLS, and One of His Majesty's most Honourable Privy COUNCIL.  
SIR,  
THis pious Advocate of ours (like the good Samaritan at a dead lift stirred up by God to be so charitable) do I with the more humble boldness thus send abroad in your Honour's Name, that (in so great a work) it may help to further Him, who (to my knowledge) much honours it, (both in Your own Person, and honoured good friends in England.) His own Worth makes him most welcome where ever he is known, (his sweet disposition and great gifts:) Here (where he is a Stranger) Your Honour's Countenance will ingratiate him to all pious minds, and every where much advantage the Cause that he hath in hand. Which I recommend to God's Blessing, together with Your Honour's Zeal, Praying for more Blessings thereon, than to  
Your Honours many ways much bounden Servant, Joh. Harding.   

Ireland's Advocate: OR, A Sermon preached at a Fast held by Authority July 27. in behalf of bleeding Ireland.  JUDGES 5.23. 
Curse ye Meroz (said the Angel of the Lord) curse ye bitterly the Inhabitants thereof: because they came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty.  
THe special Occasion of this days solemn Assembly, is for the People and Cause of God in Ireland. Great Might is there raised against God's people; and so against the Lord. They sue for help to Our dread Sovereign and Parliament. Help is spiritual or temporal. This latter is restrained to fewer; the former belongs to All. Both have their seasons. On this day we are assembled by the gracious Command of Authority to yield our Brethren spiritual help: which that we may be earnest and hearty in what can be more moving than this censure of the Holy, Ghost against all that desert God and his Church in the times of grand Opposition. Curse ye Meroz, etc.  
These words are part of Deborahs' 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or Song of triumph for their victory over Sisera. Wherein  
1 Chief Glory is ascribed to God as the Author of all the good which they received, which is amplified by the greatness of their miseries before deliverance. vers. 2.8.  
2 Due thanks and praise is given to the instruments of this deliverance, which is illustrated by their freeness, they were all Volunteers. vers. 9 etc.  
3 There's an expostulation with the Tribes who did not put their helping hands to this work. There's an Action of unkindness (as it were) commenced against them. And yet because they were not without excuse, by reason of distance of place, there's no severe censure denounced against them. vers. 15.16, 17.  
4 There's more sharp dealing with Meroz, a City (it seems) near; who had opportunity and wanted only heart to the work, so there was either coldness or falseness, and therefore their burden was heavy, as you hear, Curse ye, i.e. pronounce misery and mischief upon her from God; saith the Angel of the Lord, that is, Barac, say some; All that are endued with the Spirit of God, say others; Or, what if we understand here the Angel of the Covenant, the Redeemer of his Church, who appeared to Joshua with a drawn sword, as the Church's Deliverer and Avenger. Josh. 5.13, 14, 15. whom ever we understand in particular: it imports thus much in the general, That this was no ●arnall Curse, flowing from any carnal spirit of revenge, but dictated by the Spirit of God. And as it was not carnal, so neither was it rash, for it is reiterated and aggravated, Curse ye bitterly, Let her undergo the bitterest censure without remorse. But what's the Reason of this so great severity? Were the Merozites persecutors? or abettors of the malignant party? No, there's no such intimation. But they were not helpful. They went not forth, they would be at no cost, pains or danger to help the Lord. Why hath the Lord need of help? or was the war against him? Answ. The war, in as much as it was against the Lord's people, was against the Lord. And God, as in an ordinary way he works by means, may be said to need help, that is fit instruments to serve his Providence to effect his pleasure. His Church needs help, and that is the Lords need. And here again is a rhetorical repetition, or musical expolition, to the help of the Lord against the mighty. The Greatness of the enemies, that made help needful, its likely discouraged these faithless cowardly Merozites, that they pulled in their horns, as many now adays do; being afraid to show themselves in the Lords Causes against the mighty. So then, here you see 1. A Curse denounced. 2. The enjoiner of it; which shows the Purity and Validity of it, The Angel of the Lord. 3. The iteration of it with aggravation, Curse ye bitterly, showing the seriousness and certainty of it. 4. The Object, Meroz and her inhabitants. Vrbs & Civitas; as though Meroz should be made like jericho, desolated in regard of building and inhabitants, unless we understand a Metonymy in the first. 5. The Cause; for not helping the Lord against the mighty. I will not now insist upon all the points that this Text holds forth. I will not stand to enlarge myself on this, That the Church's enemies and battles and needs are the Lords. Nor will I stay to show you, that the enemies of God and his Church are many times mighty. Though points neither unuseful nor impertinent, would the time permit the handling of them. But being it is now the latter end of the day, I shall study rather to be lively than long, and therefore content myself with this one observation.  
Not to yield aid to the Lord against the enemies of the Church is a most accursed Sin. 
Doct.  This omission exposeth to the severest judgements. judg. 8.6, 7. When Gideon had discomfited the Midianites, and was in the pursuit of his victory, he and his men waxed faint, and he required help from the men of Succoth, but they rejected him: wherefore they were first threatened, and after felt a most fearful punishment, being torn with thorns and briars of the wilderness, vers. 16. to teach them, more to respect the Lord in his battles. Into the same sin ran the men of Penuel, vers. 8.9. And they received answerable misery, vers. 17. judges 20. When such folly was committed on the Levites Concubine, and the Tribes were ass nbled to put away sin from Israel by punishing the sinners, which was to be done by War, because the Benjamites would take upon them the protection of their brethren, children of belial, vers. 12.13, 14. The children of Israel then vowed a vow, that whosoever came not up to help the Lord, should be put to death judg. 21.5. And the men of jabesh Gilead being found delinquents, vers. 9 They fell every mother and mother's son; none were saved but 400. young Virgins. So unworthy a thing was it esteemed, not to help the Lord against the mighty. Deut. 23.34. There's an heavy curse laid upon the Ammonites and Moabites, vers. 3. and why? because they helped not the Lord in his Church; they met not his people with bread and water, vers. 4. But hired Balaam against them.  
Reas. 1. Because not to help the Lord in his Church's quarrel s discovers a traitorous and rebellious heart against the Lord and his people. And you know treason and falseness against a King and his liege people, how odious and dangerous it is: it draws the weight of the King's displeasure on the guilty. And Christ our King hates treachery, as much as any. He that is not with me, saith Christ, is against me, Mat. 12.30. And he that is against Christ, doth deserve and will not avoid his Curse. He whose heart is right, accounts Christ's cause his own, and cannot choose but be active. Want of help discovers then a traitorous heart to Christ's Kingdom. By the like reason, in this present Irish Rebellion, if any will not put his hand against the Rebels, may we not aswell conclude, his heart is with them; and so it is traitorous to God's people, and in them to the Lord.  
Reas. 2. He that cometh not to the help of the Lord, doth, as much as in him lieth, expose the Name of God to dishonour, and the Church to ruin; and so will be Accessory to all the dishonours of God, by the insultation and blasphemy, and all that the Church suffereth by the cruelty of their enemies. Qui non vetat peccare cum possit, jubet; he that hinders not when he may, commands; and he that helps not the Lord, hinders not his enemies. Here, for aught that the Merozites did, the Church might have continued under the bondage and cruelty of jabin King of Canaan; and the Lord thereby under reproach and blasphemy. Yea, Barao and Deborah might have been overthrown in this service, their innocent blood shed, the Tyrants more enraged, and God more dishonoured, if every man had sit at home like the inhabitants of Meroz. And is it not a sinful and accursed thing not to help the Lord against the mighty?  
Reas. 3. He that comes not to the help of the Lord in the quarrels of his Church, breaks many bonds and engagements. We are the work of God's hands; made after his own Image; in him we live, move, and have our being; we profess Redemption by him; are in league with him; and should we desert this Lord? what ingratitude were that? For Subjects to desert a gracious King, in a good cause, wherein he will take good care for their indemnity; how vile were it? so is the case between us and Christ. And is it not an accursed thing not to help the Lord? Besides, we also neglect the bonds and engagements between us and the Church, which are many, great and precious.  
Reas. 4. Neglect to help the Lord comes from such evil Causes as do discover it to be an accursed sin. For whence ariseth it, but either from Hypocrisy, when our persons are with the Church, but our hearts with the enemies? Or from profaneness, when men are not affected with the dishonours of God or his Cause; as it is like the men of ●abesh Gilead were not, judg. 21. Or from an heart hardened against the miseries and moans of the Church. Or from carnal fears, arising from the enemy's greatness; as it is like it was with the men of Succoth, judg. 8.6. Or from diffidence of God's protection. All which roots are of so hateful a nature to God, that he cannot choose but cast his curse on so foul a sin flowing from them.  
Quest. How many ways may help be afforded to the Lord in his Church?  
Answ. Help to be yielded to the Church is either Spiritual or Temporal. Spiritual are Preces & lacrymae, Prayers and Tears.  
1. Repentance. Lacrymae, Tears for sin. The worst enemies of the Church are her Sins. Their Sins strengthen their enemies, and weaken their friends. Dan. 8.12. An Host was given the grand enemy of the Church to cast the truth to the ground: and why? because of transgression. And he practised and prospered. See; Transgression makes Error to prevail against Truth. So Isa. 59.1, 2. Sin weakens God's hand, as it were, who is our best friend. Hence Psa. 78.58, 61, etc. for the superstition and profaneness of his people, God's strength is said to be delivered into captivity and his glory into the enemy's hand. They then in the first place do the Church great assistance, that help to take a course with Sin; that drown sin in the Sea of penitent tears; that kill it by mortification. For were it not for sin, one would chase a thousand. Deut. 32.30.  
2. Preces. Supplication to set God on work. God can overcome, if he would but stir: but he will not stir for us, unless he be set on work by us. We must overcome God by our prayers, and then we shall overcome by Him. Gen. 32. When Esau was coming with an Army against jacob, jacob stays behind, as is conceived, to wrestle with God in prayer, and thereby he prevailed with God, and so with men. See Gen. 32.24, 28. Hos. 12.4, 5. When Israel was fight with Amalck, Moses did so help by holding up his hands, that victory depended more on that, then on Ioshua's Valour. So those that can Pray well, are as the Horsemen of Israel and the chariots thereof, and help the Lord against the Mighty.  
There is also Temporal help; which is either, 1. in the purse, by gift or loan, to support the oppressed, or to maintain the war. For which God will give you opportunity shortly for Ireland. Or 2. It may be in person, when men are called, as Barac. Yea, Deborah would go rather than fail. And the Princes and Tribes are praised that offered themselves willingly. All may help some of these ways: and some may help in all of them.  
The Cases where in God hath need of help, are either of an higher nature, as in open murdering wars: or of inferior alloy, as when the Christian and Antichristian party are striving in our land, like twins in the womb of Rebeccah, who shall have the upper hand, and advance the Cause they profess.  
Use 1. To inform us what a Curse this land in general lieth under: which to take off aught to be one special work of this day. There's a quarrel this day in Ireland, between the limbs of Antichrist, and the Lord jesus in his truth and members. And the Lords enemies are mighty; if not in their particulars, yet in their multitude. Insomuch that the Lords flock is driven away, and the Lord hath been (as I may say) put to the worse. And have we helped the Lord against the mighty? or helped in any measure considerable in reference to our ability and engagements? Oh no! my brethren, I tell you a sad thing, not fit to be mentioned, but (as St. Paul spoke of the profaneness of some Phillipians) with tears; Our Brethren in Ireland have fled into divers parts, not only three months from before their enemies (which was one of the great burdens that put David into such a strait. 2 Sam. 24.13.) but almost twice three months now; And we have been as the waters that fail; Nay as Egypt that broken reed, that did not support but wound those that stayed on her: Even so in some respect and degree have we been to them. Read that excellent Speech of one of the Worthies of our Nation, the renowned Pim, which he had before the Lords at a Conference, and you will see confirmed what I say. How long have their and our Brethren of Scotland, (Christianly forgetting the supplies that Ireland rashly offered against them in the day of their calamity, truly honourable for that forgetfulness) How long did they stand offering assistance, before it was effectually accepted? Was this to help the Lord, to delay the help of others? Are not our delays the cause why Ireland may sadly lament before the Rebels, as David before Absalon, Psal. 3.1, 2. Lord how are they increased that trouble me? Many are they that rise up against me. Many are they which say of my soul, there is no help for him in God. Selah. Are not our delays the causes of those many heart-cutting insultations of the Rebels over the Loyal? Where's your aid from England, your hope, your God? Have we not had a Call from God, aswell as Barac and the Princes of Israel? Have not their moans and cries come in their Petitions to King and Parliament? Did not they rely on Us? Are not we engaged to them? and is not the quarrel Religion, and so the Cause the Lords? Are not we then in Meroz her sin? Oh! may not much of the blood of Ireland, and Gods dishonour there be charged on England for want of our coming forth to help the Lord? And what shall I do now? make intercession against England, as Eliah sometime did against Israel? Rom. 11.2. What shall I say now? Curse ye England? O God forbidden! We are come together for deprecation of evil, and not imprecation. But I must tell you, or I should not deal faithfully; that the Curse of Meroz hangs over England for this, till it be bewailed and deprecated. Oh then now bewail this sin, pray God to pardon this Omission this day. If we truly bewail it, God may make this sin find out the Actors of it, and we may be free: but unless it be bewailed, it's England's sin. We have this to comfort Us: The King of England cried, haste, haste, (when he was yet in Scotland) or else Ireland will be lost. The Commons of England offered aid more than Ireland asked, within as short a time as could be expected. The Petitions from all coasts cried for speedy help for Ireland. This is some clearing of the Nation; yet, help was not afforded, where was the stay? Popish Lords and Prelates (harken ye Petitioners for Prelates) stayed all in the Lord's House. So the Lord in Ireland was not helped against the mighty: England did not help, though many in England would have helped the Lord. This sin than is committed in England, and will be the sin of England till it be bewailed. Oh then, above all sins, lament this day this desertion of the Lord. What if a foreign enemy had come in all this while, where had Ireland been? Nay, where England? Under what guilt and danger? Therefore lament this omission. Unless we do lament it, God will not respect our Prayers this day of Intercession. If we pray mercy for Ireland, yet we shall pray none for ourselves. This Curse will prevail against the Blessing. Blot it out therefore with Tears of Repentance.  
Use 2. For Terror and Reproof of such as help the mighty against the Lord. They must need be subject to a double curse, having double guilt. But are there any such? Answ. Yes, Too many; and they of divers sorts.  
1 Those Popish Lords and Prelates, and all that malignant party, that have laid blocks in the way to hinder help from Ireland, hindering thence either men or money. Those helped the Rebels in Ireland, Encouraging and strengthening the hearts and hands of those Murderers, and giving them opportunity to act their cruelties, and increase their party; But greatly discouraging the hearts, and weakening the hands of the Lords side, (of God's poor people and party there.) Those therefore are worse than Meroz.  
2. Those, that (when help had been long delayed, and the House of Commons had discovered the main cause of the sticking of this, and other of God's causes to be the opposition of the Popish Lords and Prelates in the house of Peers) would yet petition for the Prelates, and so labour to keep up those, that hindered help for Ireland, and so did themselves hinder God, and help the mighty; (To say nothing what mighty enemies many of them have been against the Lords Servants and Ordinances in this Nation;) They were part of the Mighty against Ireland. Nor will their plea of not-Petitioning for the evil, help here: for in this cause they must light a candle to find out a good in their office (not to prejudice their persons) unless they may possibly be thought to be on the Lord's side, that are justly in durance for Protesting against the Parliament, [the maine Refuge, as things stand, both for Ireland and England.] And therefore, Brethren, (I speak not in passion, but compassion) Those that have endeavoured to uphold them, have helped the Mighty against the Lord. The only Plea left is Humiliation and Confession, which we in this place have cause to be careful in this day; because, notwithstanding our light and profession, yet (by what means you know) we have been deep in this transgression. Blot out (this day) this guilt and stain with penitent tears.  
3. Those people that go on impenitently in any crying sins, Drunkenness, whoring, swearing, etc. Those Magistrates, that protect and countenance sinners, (Whores, Drunkards, Sodomites, Murderers, etc.) These help the Mighty. Our sins strengthen our enemies, weaken our friends, as we have showed from Dan. 8.12. Isa 59.1, 2. Therefore sinners that repent not, help the Mighty against the Lord. Sins make God as a Mighty man that cannot save, as appears by Jeremyes' complaint, Cap. 14. Quest. Why shouldst thou be as a Mighty man that cannot save? and God's reply, vers. 10. Thus have they loved to wander; Therefore the Lord doth not accept them. As holy Prayer doth hold God's hands that he cannot strike, Exod. 32.10. Let me alone: So foul sins hold him that he cannot help. He is burdened with our sins, Amos 2.13, 14. Good Magistrates, by punishing sin, save the Lords flock; as Phinchas did; and then those that protect evil, make them a prey. Now those that bring spiritual or temporal weakening, help the Mighty against the Lord. Oh consider this! To be more guilty than Meroz; deeper under God's Curse than they, what an evil thing and bitter is this? Oh lay it to heart and repent!  
Use 3. To reprove those that help not the Lord against the Mighty enemies in Ireland, (or elsewhere.) That help not spiritually or temporally. For Temporal help to Ireland we have had yet but little opportunity. And therefore I shall more press our defect of spiritual help. They then are reprovable that labour not to kill their own sins. The Sins of Ireland and England, these are the greatest enemies; and our Repentance is their death. It was never said, that the Lords hand was shortened that it could not help, 
Isa. 59.1, 2.  in regard of the strength, rage, or plots of enemies; but in regard of the sins of the Church. They then that suffer sin to live and sway, help not against the most dangerous enemy. Is not it help to disarm Enemies? the sting of sins is their guilt; which repentance takes off, and so disarms them they can do no more hurt. Will you suffer then a sting in the hand of the Lords enemies? You then that repent not of Personal and Nationall Sins, especially the growth and countenancing of Popery, which hath given Papists advantage to rise up, arm, and plot against us, and may move God to sell us into their hands, you I say help not the Lord. You also that play not the jacob's, striving with God in Prayer for Ireland. You that have not held up your hands with Moses against Irish Amalekites. You that have not with Nehemiah fasted and prayed, nor journeyed neither for the Church of God, you have not yielded all that help to the Lord which was within your sphere. You are guilty of that sin that holy Samuel put an absit, a God forbidden, upon. 1 Sam. 12.23. God forbidden that I should cease praying for you. Harken to this all ye that have not counted German, and especially Irish misery, a just Occasion of humbling and praying you have not helped the Lord; and how will you avoid Meroz Curse? Oh then, see your sin in this, and repent; yea, carry this home to your Neighbours, that would not set this day apart, nor here afford their presence. Tell them, I say, that this was a day appointed for the help of the Lord against the Mighty, and they not coming forth to it, they are surely and justly under Meroz Curse; press them therefore to fear, repent, and reform so foul, so dangerous a neglect.  
Use 4. To press all upon all occasions in all ways to help the Lord against the mighty. Should we not fly all sin, but especially such as be Crying, as this is? Should you not fear, and avoid the Curse of God, especially such a bitter one? then help the Lord. Would you not be found false in the Brotherly Covenant with the Church, Amos 1.9. nor treacherous to the Lord Christ? then help the Lord. What are you when your day comes without the Lords help? With what face can you expect or challenge help from God, when you have deserted him? Oh then help the Lord against the Mighty with all manner of help within your power.  
1 Yield spiritual help by Repentance, disarming and killing sin; and by Prayer, awakening, setting God on work. This day is set apart for this purpose, (think not much with it, though a Market day, if it be employed in humbling and prayer; it will be better in regard of soul and safety than a Fayre-day.) Improve then this day for the bewailing of thine own sins, and the sins of others. Pray God for the pardon of England's and Ireland's sins; to sanctify their sufferings and trials for refining, that sin this day may be vanquished, and then the work is the better-half done. Play the Israelites this day; deserve the title of the Israel of God, 
Gal. 6.16.  by wrestling this day even to prevailing over God. Take from him the burden of your sins, 
Jer. 14.9. Psal. 62.11.  that make him as a man that cannot save. Oh, if you thus behave yourselves, God will be grieved for you, and deliver you. Power belongs to God. His will overrules all: and this is the way to rule with our God. If the work be not done this day, other Fast days will succeed; and when they come, remember then that they are part, a chief part of the help of the Lord against the Mighty: See you do not dare to be weary of them, or neglect them, for fear of the Curse of Meroz.  
2. Help the Lord with your purses. You will be called on ere long for gift or loan to Ireland. Remember when that comes, it is to help the Lord against the Mighty. And then can you, dare you be sparing? Is it not the Lord that gives all, keeps all, blesseth all; and can blast all; or take away all? and dare you be hand-bound? If you look no higher than poor Ireland, you know what the Apostle saith, 1 Joh. 3.17. He that hath this world's goods, and seethe his Brother in need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion, how dwelleth the love of God in him? Would not this move you? But it's to help the Lord in Ireland against the Mighty. Will you not be glad of an Opportunity to express Bounty? It's the Lord (who hath not made you Proprietaries, but Stewards of what you have) that calls now to you to lay out for him in Ireland. Can you be slack, and not unfaithful? We read 1 Chron. 29. of a voluntary Contribution, (and it was a mighty one) and when it was effected, the people rejoiced, and especially David, and blessed God most affectionately, that gave them first substance, and then hearts to offer. Now there's as much Necessity in this offering, as Excellency in that; and should not we be as forward as they. Read and study that Chapter, and it will enlarge your hearts, (or fill your faces with blushing) by your forwardness in this to give your Sovereign and Parliament occasion to rejoice in you, to bless God for you, as they did to David. Nay, you of this place have one peculiar way of helping your Brethren in Ireland, without hurt, it may be with benefit to yourselves. For, behold here an Ordinance of Parliament, for such as carry any provision into divers ports of Ireland, to receive their money for it in convenient time out of the Chamber of London. And therefore let this incline you to traffic that way, to help your Brethren in want and yourselves at once.  
3. Help with your Persons. You that are pressed, or may be pressed, or may have friends in that service, see, it is to help the Lord, our great Sovereign, our best friend. He is in distress in Ireland in his members; withdraw not, go cheerfully, do valiantly. You see, rather than the Lord should be deserted, Deborah (a woman) would go forth to War, Judg. 4.8, 9 and who shall withdraw? You are not now going (through mistake) against the Lord, as in the Scottish expedition. Wherein, you and we may bless God and his instruments, as David did Abigail, 1 Sam. 25.32, 33. that prevented shedding of Blood. But you are to go against Antichristian, bloody, unjust, filthy, barbarous Irish Rebels, many of whom have deserved an hundred deaths. You cannot fight, die, or overcome in a better, or more honourable quarrel. Now every good Christian will pray, God's blessing on you. They will honour you returning prosperous, pity and help you and yours, suffering. It's next to martyrdom to die in such a Cause; and the most glorious and comfortable Victory to overcome in such a quarrel; and therefore let all be encouraged, that have a just call, with Zebulum and Nephtali, 
Judg. 5.18.  to jeopard their lives in the high places of the field; because it is to help the Lord against the Mighty,  
Need you any more Motives than this, that it is for the Lord? Shall I not disparage and displease you, if I should think you need further encouragement? yet, when the Spirit is willing, the flesh many times is weak; and therefore, give me leave to add a few Considerations more to quicken you to the help of the Lord against the Mighty in Ireland.  
1 Consider, In helping Ireland you help yourselves. For you cannot or need not be ignorant, what Irish Rebels aim at; or what they threaten. If England help not Irelond, than Ireland is utterly undone; lost: and what will become of England? but to be the next bit; all our Privilege will be to be devoured last.  
2. Consider the forwardness of the Scots; willing of themselves, and praying that their help might be accepted, as the Macedonians in another case, 2 Cor. 8.3.4. May not then the forwardness of the Scots be made a Motive to Us, to help the Lord in War, aswell as the Macedonians Example was used by the Apostle, to excite the Corinthians to relieve the Saints in want? 2 Cor. 8.8.  
3. Hereby we shall especially manifest our piety and charity: that, to the Lord; this, to his Church. And so we shall much refresh our brethren's souls; and occasion much prayer and thanksgiving to God, as the Apostle excellently expresseth the fruit of help and supply to Christ in his members, 2 Cor. 9 12, 13. All charity and mercy is precious; but that is best, where need and misery is most; and such is theirs that are under the Oppression of the Mighty.  
4 Consider what a mercy it is unto Us, that it is our part to help Others. God might have made it our lot to have needed help. Therefore since we are set on the better side, shall we not be careful and cheerful in dischargeing our duty?  
5. Consider how God hath helped us, to engage us. God hath done for England above all the Nations under the Sun. Many a time have we been in straits, but did God ever leave us in the suds? Remember 88 The 5. of November: The 4. of jannary; all the Plots and attempts of late; yet we live, we prevail, we flourish. And shall England desert God in the Opposition of the Mighty? God forbidden! Rather let us say with David against the oppositions of carnal Michal, 
2 Sam. 6.21  It was for the Lord who chose me, etc. So let us say, It's for the Lord who hath chosen us to profess the truth, and protected and helped us so many times; therefore (by help of his Grace) we will be forward, answerable too, yea (with the Macedonians) above strength, 
2 Cor. 8.3.  in the help of the Lord against the Mighty.  
6 Consider, the Lords side is the better and the stronger side; and therefore help the Lord. Newters you may not be, for in this case Neutrality is no better than treachery. Good men will take the better wise men will incline to the stronger side. If then you would manifest either Goodness or Wisdom, help the Lord. None can doubt, that the Lords side is the better side, who is not Atheistical. And by the same faith we may believe it the stronger side. Those that are on the Lord's side, may say as Elisha to his man, there be more with us then against us. 2 King. 6.16. With this, Hezekiah encouraged his people. 2 Chron. 32.7, 8. With this, Isaiah aforehand insults over the strongest opposition; Associate yourselves, etc. and you shall be broken, for God is with us. Isa. 8.8, 9 The enemies may sometimes prevail a while for the humbling, and trial of his people, and that their own sins may be full and ripe. But God in his good time will take notice of their rage, and put an hook into their nostrils; especially being sought (as now he is) for Ireland. And therefore make sure of victory at last. Though our enemies were as the Anakims, though Pope and Spain, etc. should bandy together, yet so long as we are on the Lord's side, we may encourage ourselves, 
Numb. 14.  and show joshua and Calebs' faith, that they shall be but bread and spoil for us. The blessing of Gad, Gen. 49.19. shall be the portion of Ireland, Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last. 1 Sam. 4. The Philistines prevailed against the Lord, and carried his strength into captivity: but see Chapter 5. and 6. could they keep it, were they not glad to give glory to God, and send it back? Thus God will regain his honour in the ruin of his enemies, they shall fall before him. And then what comfort will it be that we have helped the Lord? what comfort and confidence have they in this Nation, who have petitioned, and have been against the mighty enemies of Purity and liberty, above those that have sided with them? Now we see God making his Servants to prevail, and so will it be much joy of heart that we have helped the Lord against the Mighty in Ireland. When God hath returned the captivity of his people, and made his enemies his footstool, be encouraged then to help the Lord against the Mighty in Ireland, and every where. Because we are this day especially assembled for Ireland therefore I more particularly apply the doctrine to them. But you may in your med itations apply it proportionably to Germany, to all the Catholics in our own Nation which are for God, to stir you up to help the Lords side against the Popish, by all the means you can, power or prayers. And in our own land our Protestation is an inviolable engagement. I will now add some Means to enable to duty.  
Our hearts may be helped in this duty by these Means following. 
Means.   
1. Let us consider the near Bonds that are between us and the Lords people, in reference to whom this help is to be afforded. Between Us and All the Lords people, there is the bond of one body mystical, and one Spirit. One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God, and Father of all. Ephes. 4.4, 5, 6. We all are of the same City, the heavenly Jerusalem; of the same household, the household of Faith; and Brethren in that household, Ephes. 2.19. But the oppressed in Ireland are also under the same King; of the same Nation; and many of them, of our dear friends and allies. Will not so many bonds duly pondered, draw help from us? Undoubtedly they will. If one be oppressed that is near of kin to us, do we not count it a shame to let him be trampled upon, and we not help him? If we be what we profess, shall not Spiritual engagements excite us aswell as civil and natural?  
2. We must labour to get a sympathising heart; an heart moved with compassion to their misery: a thing expressly required, Rom. 12.15. Nehem. 1.3, 4. We shall find Nehemiah first enquiring after the state of the Church, then sympathising and compassionating, whence flowed first the Spiritual aid of Fasting and Prayer, vers. 4. to the end of the Chapter, and then civil help with the expense and trouble of a long journey, and other costly, tedious and courageous endeavours, as largely appears in the sequel of the story, in Chapters 2.3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Compassion is the root of all relief. That moves the heart, and she commands in chief. Oh then, labour to have sympathy in your hearts, and you will help the Lord in his members. And my Beloved, if you would but a little consider Ireland, you would see in them all Motives of Compassion so concurrent, that your hearts cannot choose but be moved for them. Things that move Pity, are 1. 
Arist. Rhet. lib. 2. ca 10.  some things in the evils suffered; as when they are (saith the Philosopher) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 destructory; as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, divers kinds of death; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unworthy beat of the body, such as St. Paul met with, 2 Cor. 11.25. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deforming or dismembering the body, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 famine. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be deprived of friends. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be plucked from friends & familiars is pitiful. Now which of these is wanting in Ireland? Nay, which is not there to be found in the superlative degree? They are destroyed heaps upon heaps, and many times with fearful kinds of death; hanged, starved with cold, famished to death, and what not? So that Ireland may complain with Israel, Psal. 79.2, 3. The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of heaven: the flesh of thy Saints to the beasts of the earth. Their blood have they shed like water round about jerusalem. Their bodies likewise are sometimes disdainfully beaten, sometimes dismembered, and which is more disgraceful and miserable, the virgins and women are ravished by barbarous villains; and daughters of the Nobility and Gentry of best account (and some Wives too) forced to be married to them. For loss of friends it is in the highest degree. They are pulled one from another, to be slaughtered before their eyes: yea, the Infants pulled out of their mother's belly to be murdered in a cruel manner with them. And how can they be free from famine being so many driven from house and home, stripped not only of sustenance, but vestments? And this to have been in the Winter, 
Mat. 24.20.  (an aggravating circumstance which our Saviour taught the Iewes to pray against) when darkness, cold, bogs, water, frost and snow increase the danger & discomfort of such naked flight. Can any heart choose but be moved with compassion at such sufferings? If they should, may not Ireland justly renew the Complaint, Is it nothing to you all ye that pass by? Behold and see, if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, Lam. 1.12.  
2. Pity is moved by consideration of the parties suffering, where two things chief move pity: one, as they are considered in themselves, the other with reslexion on us. 1. In themselves, indignity doth move pity; when such suffer as it is not meet should suffer, as if godly men and women, and godly Ministers suffer; so when the Ancients and Infants suffer. Hence the Prophet in the Lamentations labours to move pity, Lam. 4.7, 8. & 5.11, 12, 13. and doth not this circumstance concur to move pity to Ireland? Are not they most subject to misery that are Protestant's, and will not renounce their Religion? Are not the best Ministers, and best people worst used? There also neither have the young been spared, nor the Ancient honoured, nor the Honourable respected. 2. If you consider them with reflection on ourselves; and there two circumstances chiesly move pity. 1. Unity. 2. Parity. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Familiars.  When there is nearness, and when men are of the same condition. How near they are in bonds to us hath been formerly showed; and there be amongst them to suit the conditions of every one of us: to move virgins to pity, virgins have suffered rapes and violence: to move wives to pity, 
They are moved with pity 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Arist. ubi supr.  they may hear the miseries of wives in the loss of husbands, suffering heinous things before their faces: so Fathers sufferings may work on Fathers: children's suffering on children's: for they may reslect, this might, this may be my case.  
3. Consider the Parties that be apt and should be most moved to pity, and you shall see something in that to move pity. There be chief three sorts of people that should be compassionate. 1. They that have had experience of evil. 2. Those that are sensible of their own infirmity and danger. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, those that are instructed, because able to judge of misery. Now do not all these call on us for sympathy, who have escaped lately, if not the feeling, yet the fear of such dangers, having had not long since two Armies in our Nation, and many Plots against it? And do we not know how subject we are to the like? Have not we (as the Prophet said) sins also amongst us; 
2 Chron. 28 10.  yea, and Papists too, and discontented spirits likewise? And hath not God afforded us ingenuous breeding to judge aright of things? you see then, as sympathy will produce help, so how sympathy may be wrought in us for Ireland's present misery.  
3. Labour to stir up in you zeal and love to the Lord. For where that is, what will we not do where the Lord is engaged? this will constrain us, with St. Paul, 
2 Cor. 5.14 15. 2 Sam. 6.21 22.  to give ourselves to any thing wherein we may serve him: It's the Lord, saith David, to whom I am thus and thus engaged, therefore he would do more and more. And thus will zeal to God work on us.  
4 Add to these Faith and Courage. Mighty enemies are apt to stir carnal fears which must be cured, ere we can put to our hands: by Faith we must apprehend God's assistance, and thereby cure fears; grow Courageous, and then we will own and help the Lord.  
Use. 5. Then hence (last of all) it will follow, that they are Blest that help the Lord against the Mighty. They do not only avoid a blot and a Curse, but get honour and a blessing. God out of his graciousness is more ready to Bless then Curse. So judg. 5.9, 24. The Princes are honoured that offered themselves willingly: and Jael is pronounced blessed above women for putting her hand to the nail; and so it is now. Blessed then be our Gracious Sovereign, that hath so often and earnestly called for help to the Lord in Ireland, and now at last manifested increase of goodness in offering his own Person willingly, to help the Lord in his bleeding Church; if the Parliament shall think fit, (but they will more tender the light of Israel, that it be not quenched!) Blessed be the House of Commons, that have offered so largely, and been so studious to further help to the Lord! And blessed be the Noble Peers, who have joined with them in so good a work! Blessed be the Royal City, who have been so forward with their Petitions and Purses to afford this help! yea, Blessed be they and the Shires near, who might and did offer themselves willingly not only to Petition for Ireland, but to help the Lord in his Worthies of Parliament against the Plotters nearer hand! Blessed be they that give or lend liberally for the Lord's assistance! Blessed be our Sovereign, that religiously commanded, and All you that have religioussy observed this day of Humiliation, to help the Lord against the Mighty in Ireland Blessed (I say) be all the Lords helpers, in their names, estates, bodies, souls, now and for evermore. Amen! Amen!  
FINIS.