A Word in Season: BEING A SERMON PREACHED In the Parish- Church of St. James Clarkenwell, on Wednesday the 11th. of December, 1695.  
Being the Fastday.  
By D. Pead, Chaplain to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle.  
LONDON, Printed for Roger Clavel, over against St. Dunstans-Church Fleetstreet, 1695.   
ISAIAH XXX. Ver. 1. woe to the Rebellious Children, saith the Lord, that take Counsel, but not of Me, and that cover with a Covering, but not of my Spirit? that they may add Sin to Sin. 
THUS stood the case of the Jews at the time of this Prophecy; Sennacherib (or by Interpretation the Bramble of destruction) had threatened to Invade the Land of Judah with a Strong and Potent Army: These sad Tidings did fill the Jews with so great Consternation, as both dispirited their Men of War, and distracted the Counsels of the Ancients; insomuch as many concluded their best expedient was to comply with the Assyrians; and these practised underhand to betray all unto the Enemy; nay, so far had their Fear transported them, that the better (as they thought) to commend themselves to the favour of the Conqueror, they had already resolved to espouse as well his Religion as his Language: Others more steadfast to their God and faithful to their Country, could not, nor would not with so great Sacrifices endeavour the appeasing of the Tyrant's Wrath. However, these held it necessary to dispatch an Embassy to Egypt for Aid; these instead of seeking to the Lord their God to cover them from the Fury, Rage, and Insults of Assyria, have recourse to Pharaoh, and by this means (as saith the Prophet) they added Sin to Sin; that is, to their first sin of forsaking God, and not entreating Counsel and Strength of him, they added the other, of trusting in the Arm of Flesh: Against both these the Royal Prophet came armed with a terrible denunciation of Woe, as you read in the Text.  
Our Present Circumstances in part resemble theirs; we are threatened by another Sennacharib, a Tyrant Illbred and Ill-conditioned, a very Bramble that creeps and spreads itself, if possible to pull down or at least hinder the growth of his betters; a very Bramble, good for little but burning; his threaten are Bold and therefore to weak hearts Terrible, insomuch as some among us (though called Christians) are turned very Jews, and would if they could through their unaccountable fear (it being impossible they should do it from a Principle of Love) betray all into his hands, these have already gone so far as beyond their own Language and Religion to meet him.  
Others among us strengthen themselves only in the Confederacy, these are such as have ever walked frowardly with God, that have underhand, if not openly, endeavoured to throw down his Altar, to corrupt the Truth, to ridicule all pure Religion; and therefore cannot in this Exigency have any great heart to put their Confidence in the Living God: They have wore a Form of Religion for a disguise, but that is no encouragement to believe that the Righteous God should now cover them, they have often made it their mock, and therefore cannot reasonably hope it will now be their Sanctuary. Though we have in these things equalled, if not outdone the Jews, yet thanks be to God, the most of us are better advised, and instead of either betraying ourselves to the Enemy or relying upon our supposed Friend in Egypt, we are this day met (as other Congregations in other Places) to seek unto God for his blessing upon the Consultations of this present Parliament; and I am of that Faith, that if in this we are sincere, we shall still eat the good of the Land, we shall notwithstanding all this noise and rumour quietly Praise God under our own Vines, and under our own Figg-trees, and there shall be none to make us afraid.  
If we muster up Legions of Devout, Humble and Fervent Prayers, We may once again hear of Proud Sennacherib's Army destroyed by an Angel, 1 Kings 19.35, 37. If not of himself falling a sacrifice to his Son's Ambition; or his Kingdom's Safety.  
That which is commended to our observation belief and practice, from this reproof of the Prophet, is,  
It is the Wisdom, Duty and Interest of every Kingdom and Nation, knowing and owning the true God, in all their straits and difficulties, in all their fears and dangers to seek unto him for Counsel and Aid.  
Should we in this be negligent or refractory, the diligence of Heathens and Idolaters would condemn us, for they in perilous times sought to stocks and stones; nay, to the very Devils whom they owned and worshipped.  
So zealous in this point was Scipio Africanus, that it is Recorded of him, How that early before the Morning watch he used to go into the Capitol, in cellam Jovis, to the Chancel of Jupiter, and there made a considerable stay, quasi consultans de Re Publica cum Jove, as being in consultation with his God about the difficult affairs of his Kingdom.  
And thus Isaiah telleth us of the Idolaters in his time, how that in their troubles they sought unto them that had familiar Spirit, and unto Wizards; these they accounted as the immediate Servants of their God, viz. Baal: And this their doing they justify; saying, Should not a People seek unto their God? Isai. 8.19. Wherefore have they a God if in such Perilous times they seek not unto him?  
Thus did David, Josias, Jehosaphat and Hezekiah; they sought to God in the days of their trouble and danger, and if any shall answer, the manner of our Kingdom is not as was that of the Jews: If it be not yet, what hinders but our Devotion ought to be as true and fervent, if not more than theirs?  
St. Judas Prophesied, that in the latter days there should come Scoffers, and behold they are come; for how do some flout and ridicule the Parliament, barely because they so earnestly desite that their meeting might be made Auspicious by the Prayers of the Nation; this some have the face to represent as a mere piece of Pageantry, others deride it as frivolous and unnecessary. As to the first, how they should so well know the minds of others, I see not, except it be by judging them by the model of their own; as to the other, that would supersede their request herein, as being needless.  
I would prefer this to consider on; is it not proper and expedient for Religious, Wise and Conscientious Persons having the cares, fears and hopes of Three Kingdoms depending on their debates to desire the help of Public Prayers! What though Praying hath been sometime the Preface to bad Purposes, doth it therefore follow that it must not be to good? This were all one as to tell us, some wicked Persons have been known to Pray when they went about their mischievous Designs, and therefore an Honourable Assembly of Christians, who have the Glory of Almighty God, the Preservation of a Great and Noble King, the Good and Peace of Church and State; the Safety and Welfare of many Thousands, together with their Posterity and Country before them, should not desire and beg the Divine Assistance to their Consultations: In short, whoever is against our Praying this day, and upon this Occasion, are not well wishers to Prosperity any day.  
We are this day called together to pray for God's Blessing upon the Consultations of the present Parliament, and I know not the minds of others, but according to the best of my judgement from this action, these following thoughts must necessarily offer themselves to your minds.  
First, The Prevalency and Advantage of a good and Pious Example is herein very apparent.  
Theodorick King of the Goths informed the Roman Senate, Facilius esse eerrare naturam, quam dissimilem sui Principem Rem Publicam formare; that Subjects did commonly comport themselves; suitably to the Copy their Sovereign set before them; so that the Prince who desired successfully to commend Piety to his People, must do it by virtue of his own practice:  
In the Spring our King Solicited the Prayers of his People, as knowing that God was the Lord of Hosts; and now in Fall the Parliament request your Prayers, as knowing that burr God is the God and giver of Wisdom.  
Secondly, From this days Fasting and Praying we may collect and be satisfied in the Wisdom of the Parliament.  
If Solomon's Rule be true, That the Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom; How wise are they who will not begin their weighty Affairs till they have Invocated his Blessing and Assistance: It were unreasonable to expect the Blessing they fought not, and as weak to believe their Consultations should be effectual if they were unblessed.  
They are not like the Jews for sending an Embassy to Egypt, but for sending one to Heaven, and therefore have ordered the concurrence of your Prayers with their own, that thus jointly wrestling with the God of Mercy, you may obtain a blessing.  
Our Saviour while in the flesh, undertook no extraordinary work without Prayer; and accordingly by Practice as well as Precept he commended this great duty to his Followers, while others therefore question, let us gratefully acknowledge their Wisdom, who in this act of Devotion, not only Imitate their Lord and Master, but also look up unto him, as the Author and Finisher of their Salvation, as well Temporal as Spiritual.  
Thirdly, That we are this day met in the house of God by Prayer and Fasting, to Supplicate a blessing upon the Consultations of the present Parliament (this being the effett of their Address) demonstrates their Humility; no Impartial person can think otherwise than that the flower of the nation for Learning, Wisdom and Experience, are now in conjunction, yet are they persons of that exemplary and admirable Modesty, as they will not tolerate Self-confidence, and I may say, such is their Piety that they have learned from the Spirit of God, not to lean on their own understanding, Prov. 3. 5,6. They desire to acknowledge God in all their ways, and therefore invocate him, and no doubt will Prosper the better for it.  
The greater submission the more Grace, God resisteth the Proud, he opposeth the strength, and infatuates the wit in which they confide, but ever giveth grace to the humble.  
They neither presume nor Glory in their own Abilities nor do they defy their Enemies upon the Imagination of what themselves can do, though their power be truly great, but you see their intentions are to meet them, and their dark designs in the Name of the God of Israel: they will like Hezekiah, Isa. 37.41, 15. First repair to God, and by Prayer and Humiliation endeavour the Appeasing his Wrath, and then Provide against the threaten of the Enemy; they will take care to humble themselves before him who they believe will in due time exalt them If they defy their Enemies, it is not because the Judgements of God are far above out of their sight; but because in this act of Devotion, God is in their sight, his Goodness and Love, his Wisdom and Power, his Truth and Mercy are before their Eyes: The God of Truth hath said it, That he dwelleth with him that is of a Contrite and Humble Spirit, Isa. 57.15. To revive the Spirit of the humble, and to revive the Heart of the Contrite one; if he therefore dwelleth with one such, we may well hope he will not withdraw his comforting and cherishing presence from a whole body of the same gracious temper.  
Fourthly, That we are at this time called together to offer up our humble and hearty Prayers, that God would be Gracious unto, and bless the great Assembly of Parliament, argues likewise the Piety and sincerity of them that promoted this days meeting.  
It is on argument they are not gathered together against the Lord, nor against his Anointed; for than had it been unpardonable Impudence to have Expected the Benediction of the Righteous God, who is the great and best preserver of Religious Kings and Princes.  
Jeroboam who had been false with God, was driven more out of necessity than love to seek unto God in behalf of his sick Son, but being Conscious of his own Hypocrisy, observe his manner and way of seeking, 1 Kings 14.2. He dispatched his Wife upon his Errand for privacy, and to be yet more private, she must go in a disguise. And thanks be to God, we may well believe they who have this day put us upon seeking unto God, have hearts right towards God, they love him, they love his worship, they love the Government, they love the People; they really affect and desire our good, or otherwise it had been no good policy to call a good God to their Council.  
Time has been that Persons have striven hard and spent much to be chosen for the Service of their Country in Parliament, but what Hearts did many of them come with? The same as the Romans of old went to their Governments, with, Tanquam ad auream nussem, as ●o a golden and profitable, not a painful and laborious Harvest.  
Too many accounted the house no other, than Danae's Tower, for if sitting there Jupiter did not dissolve himself and Kingdoms upon them in Golden showers, his true service and interest seldom entered the●● breasts.  
They came its true upon their Summons, but wherefore, only in hopes to return like so many Jasons, with every one a Golden Fleece, but now we hear other things, now you are by them desired to pray that God would inspire them from above, that they may wisely, unanimously and cordially consult what is best for God and their King's Honour, for their own and Countries good and safety: Blessed are our Ears that hear ihese things; hard our hearts if we believe them not, and dull our Souls if we pray not that they may in due time be fulfilled.  
Tho I acknowledge the true Love of God to be the properest and sweerest Inducement unto Prayer, yet I also observe, that many are Strangers to this Love, and that the Spirit of their Devotion is barely Fear or Hope: So that their Prayers, properly speaking, are owing to their Interest and Advantage; they find that God is the God of their Mercies, and therefore they resolve that he shall be the God of their Prayers as well as Praises. Were not God bountiful and gracious, and were not we poor Mortals subject to Want and Necessities, Heaven would not be stormed by so many Prayers as it is. I therefore undertook to represent the Nation's hopes ●s reasonable from this Sessions of Parliament as I possibly could, that the People might the more generally, frequently, willingly and fervently mind it in their Supplications.  
Having therefore dispatched this, and I hope both shown the occasion and reason of praying, and likewise stirred up some Desire and Propensity in your Mind to pray, I now proceed to direct you,  
First, What to pray for.  
Secondly, Why we should pray for these things.  
Thirdly, To what end and purpose we should beg these things.  
In the first place, in the subject Matter of your Prayer, I hold it necessary that we,  
1. Be instant and urgent with God now in the Church, and anon in our Closets, to pity this sinful Nation with the Grace of Repentance; that we turning from our Sins, he may let go his Displeasure.  
Whoso shall tell you this Advice is not seasonable and necessary, must speak against his Knowledge; and he that persuades you to hope for God's Blessing before you repent, encourages you to hope against your Belief.  
Amsterdam is reported to be a Medley of Religion; and to speak without Flattery, London may properly be termed a Sink of Sin. Have we not amongst us the Sensuality of the old World, the Lust of Sodom, the Cruelty of Egypt, the Carelessness and Security of Laish, the Drunkenness of Persia, the Stallions of Jerusalem, the Idolatry of Babylon, the Infidelity of Bethsaida and Chorazin, the Pride of Capernaum, the impertinent Curiosity of Athens, the Flattery of Zidon, the Lying of Greece, and the Lukewarmness of Laodicea?  
Is it not easy to find a bloody Cain, an oppressing Nimrod, a complying Aaron, a revengeful Simeon, an over-indulgent Eli, a massacring Haman, a deceitful and treacherous Joab, a blaspheming Rabshekah? Have we not David's Liars, who as soon as they are born, go astray, speaking Lies? Have we not his Cursers, who cloth themselves with Cursing as with a Garment? Have we not his false Hearts, whose Flatteries are smother than Oil, whose Calumniations are sharper than a two-edged Sword? Have we not his Courtiers who eat at his Table, are free to his Chapel, and yet lift up their heel against him? Have we not his Fools, who say in their heart, there is no God? Nay, we have greater, who in Print declare the Son of God was no Saviour!  
Have we not Ephraim's Drunkards, the Scribes false Witnesses, St. Paul's Assassins? Have we not a Demetrius to roar out for Diana? a Demetrius to obstruct the preaching of the Truth? Have we not a covetous Simon, and an Apostatising Demas? How many amongst us neither fear God, nor regard Man? These and many more are the Sins of this Age and Place; I know many Graces but no Sin that we want, and if we did, it would soon be brought on the Stage.  
But when we look upon these Sins with respect to their Circumstances, O wretched Nation, who shall deliver thee! Our Sins are aggrandized in that they are committed not for want of a Law, or a Law explained, for we sin against the Law of Nature implanted in our Minds, against the Law of God and the wholesome Laws of the Land; our Sins bid Defiance not only to the Light of Reason, but to the glorious Light of the Gospel; we sin in Contempt of the Ministry of God's Word which is so plentiful amongst us: We sin with an high hand, for we sin against the Principles of our Religion, against our Baptismal Vow, against the Stir of the Spirit of Grace, against the Reproofs of God's Word, and the painful Gripes of our Consciences; our Sins have been committed against Mercies and Judgements, against Warnings, Calls, Promises and Profession of Repentance and Reformation.  
Now is it not high time for God to be avenged on such a Nation as ours, to ease himself of such grand Enemies and notorious Rebels? It would further increase our Gild, to believe that ever God would hear such Sinners before they repent them of their Wickedness; thus to believe, were all one as to suppose God to be such an one as ourselves: Let us therefore implore God first to bless us, in turning every one of us from our Sins, before ever we dare to expect he should favour our Affairs: If we will continue in the way of the Ungodly, we must believe nothing will prosper.  
We must either believe that there is no Knowledge in God, that he neither knows nor regards our Do, or else that he is departed from Justice, if ever his Blessings light upon us while we continue in our Sins. How is it possible God should guide us with his Eye, when he cannot behold us? for he is of purer Eyes than to behold Iniquity with Approbation. How vain is it to hope that God will stretch forth his hand to work our Deliverance, when we still put forth our hands unto Wickedness▪ We may cry when our Calamities overtake us, but God will not regard their Prayers who entertain Wickedness in their hearts.  
We are plainly told (I wish we had the Grace to believe it) that our Sins withhold good things from us, Jer. 5.25. And if we are not speedy in our Repentance, I fear, amongst the rest of good things, our Sins will withhold and keep back God's Blessing from the great Assembly of the Nation.  
God hath said it, Psal. 33.10. The Lord bringeth the Counsel of the Heathen to nought: And what are wicked Christians better than Heathens! and he maketh the Devices of such People of none Effect.  
We read a notable Instance how God bloweth upon the Counsel of his Enemies: He leadeth, as Job saith, such Counsellors away spoiled, and their Counsel is carried headlong, it is too rash and hasty. Isa. 8.10. God there speaks to the wicked Assyrians coming against his People, Take Counsel together, and it shall come nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand. He let them assemble, he suffered them to consult, but all to no purpose: wanting his Blessing they were as they that had neither Strength nor Understanding. God often turneth the Counsel as well as the Sword of wicked Men against themselves, Job 18.7. he maketh their own Counsel to cast them down: and this God does either when he leaves Men to their own Counsels, suspending his Light, and then they fall into thousands of Errors; then the more their Wit, the greater their Parts, the more inevitable their Ruin: Or else he causes their Counsels to cast them down, by turning the Hearts of the People against their Advice. A notorious Instance of frustrating Human Counsel we had the last Reign; we may be so sensible of it as to tell it to our children's Children, that it may be had in everlasting Remembrance.  
Thus having endeavoured to remove the grand Obstruction of our Impenitence and want of Reformation, give me leave to refresh your Mind with what I hope the first Lesson for this Morning's Service hath imprinted, Isa. 1. you find God promised by his Spirit of Grace, v. 25. to purge them purely from their Dross and their Tin; by sanctified Chastisements and Afflictions he would bring them out of Love with their Corruptions and Vices, he would reform their Manners, and enliven their Devotions, freeing the one from Hypocrisy, and the other from Sin and Wickedness: And then, ver. 26. I will restore thy Judges as at the first, and thy Counsellors as at the beginning: afterwards thou shalt be called the City of (Righteousness, the faithful City. Had we no farther Good to expect than upright Judges and faithful Counsellors, yet 'twere worth our Repentance to obtain these. Now then, if the present Consultations succeed not, we know where justly to lay the Blame, not on the great Council, but in the great Sins, and greater Impenitence of the Nation: But I hope better things of you, that you are persuaded, and that God will by his holy Spirit assist you in the great Work of Repentance, so that you will cry and pray unto God hearty, that you will wrestle with God for public and private Pardon. Thus you have seen the first thing you ought to request of God, Grace to repent and reform; you have also seen the Reason, because till then it is but Folly to expect a Blessing.  
2. The second thing you are at this and other times to beg of God for the great Council of our Nation, is Counsel.  
We must pray that God would counsel our Counsellors, and give our Senator's Wisdom: And that none may excuse the non-performance of this Duty by pretending Unskilfulness, I shall show them where they may collect an excellent form of Prayer suitable for this occasion, it is short but comprehendsive, viz. Psal. 32.8. Lord, instruct them in the way they should go, and guide them with thine Eye, then will their Consultations be both sound for the Matter, right for the Way, and justifiable by the End.  
For this we should pray,  
1. Because Counsel is expedient and proper for their present Occasions. The Affairs that require their Inspection and Advice are many and great, weighty and intricate, it is no such easy matter to persuade an untoward Generation to better Manners. The purging away the Dregs of Popery and Socinianism is not so soon accomplished, the Stain of Superstition, Idolatry and Error are not lightly washed away; and if there be not that appearance of drowning in a Gulf of Popery, yet the Floods of Socinianism come on apace and rise high: small matters will not revive decayed Piety, nor subdue stubborn and daring Vice, it is a difficult Province to keep fantastical Subjects in due Obedience. How hard is it to stretch the Sinews of War farther when they are even now ready to break? How wise ought they to be who would find out what thing with Wings betrayed our Ships at Sea? A few bare Wishes will not recover our Peace, compose our Divisions, nor unite men's Affections: And when such extraordinary Long-suffering and Clemency of the Government will not reclaim Men of perverse Principles, it will deserve some Consultation by what Methods of Justice they may be reduced, or at least prevented in their malicious Intentions. These and many more Particulars that want Redress, may make you sensible what necessity there is to pray for Counsel; it were not therefore amiss that we all prayed this day, to morrow, and every day, that God would bless the Consultations of the Parliament.  
The wise Man assures us from his own Experience, that had we nothing else to condole or dread, to look for or prepare against, yet the very War wherein we are so much concerned requires more than ordinary Counsel, Prov. 11.14. Counsel and Strength are necessary for the War: for in a War with ambitious and bloody, with cruel and barbarous, with false and perfidious Enemies, whose Power is not easily resisted, and whose Faith is not to be credited, we have need of able Counsellors.  
Hear we him again, Prov. 15.22. Without Counsel Purposes are disappointed; but in the multitude of Counselors they are established. So again, Prov. 20.18. Every Purpose is established by Counsel. Wise and faithful Counselors sit at the Helm like Pilots guiding the Ship, so that it may pass with Ease through the roughest Waves, and with Safety by the threatening Rocks; the Pilots therefore see the Quicksands, and prevent the Danger.  
Romani sedendo vincunt, was the old Proverb; the ancient Romans defended themselves from the Craft and Power of their Enemies; they also extended their Dominion, and made their Name revered in remote places, more by the Prudence of their Counsels, than by the Valour of their Armies.  
And what mighty ancient and powerful States and Kingdoms have been broken and overthrown either by neglect of Counsel, or by precipitate and immature Advice?  
Counsel and Strength are the main Pillars that bear up a Government, yet the former seemeth to have the Pre-eminence. A good Head surpasseth a strong Arm, yet in as much as Counsel doth but chalk out the way to Action, it requireth a strong Arm; and when these two happily conjoin in the same Service, what Wonders do they produce?  
Understanding finds out the Matter to be done, Counsel, Reason and Debate provide and fit Means proper thereunto; then Wisdom undertakes the managing of those Means, and by the help of Strength in due time the desired End is obtained.  
In short, it was by the grave Advice of Parliament that our gracious King first condescended to enter into this present War; and if it please God to assist the Wisdom of this present Parliament, and to direct and bless their Consultations, he may make an happy end thereof, sooner than they expect, who presume to say it is not yet begun.  
2. Another Reason prompting us to comply with this Day's Order, and to pray for Counsel for this present Parliament is, Counsel is the Gift of God.  
It must be confessed, that the Majesty of the Prince, the Fidelity and Wisdom of his Counsellors, the Prudence and Justice of his Judges, and the Valour of his Soldiers, are great Supports to a Nation; yet unless God affords his Counsel to every one of them in their respective places, these will totter and fall, and come to a fearful end: Convenient is it therefore that we who must otherwise suffer in the common Ruin, be zealous at the Throne of Grace suing for Divine Wisdom and Counsel to aid them in time of need; for it is he that gives Wisdom to the Head, Courage to the Heart, and Strength to the Hands.  
Thus wise Solomon instructs us; Prov. 16.1. The Preparations of the Heart in Man, and the Answer of the Tongue, is from the Lord: So that the wisest Man hath neither the Ability of devising what is fit and proper, nor yet of uttering what he so finds devised, till he hath received it from God; nor are such precious Talents entrusted with all Persons indifferently; Eccles. 2.26. God giveth to a Man that is good in his sight, Wisdom and Knowledge.  
We are taught, James 1.17. that every good and perfect Gift cometh from above, and cometh down from the Father of Lights; who if he sees fit to suspend his Light, the sharpest Wits, the most acute Judgements grope but in the dark.  
That God should be the Fountain of Wisdom and Knowledge, is a Principle all have assented to: for even the very Heathen in all their Distress did usually apply unto their Gods for Direction and Help. Nor are we left without sufficient Precedents of this nature, Judg. 18.5. five Persons of the Tribe of Dan, Men of Valour, were sent out as Spies, they confided not in their own Policy or Strength, but like wise Persons, desirous to discharge their Trust effectually, they ask Counsel of the Lord, whether the way they had designed to go should prosper? it was their Belief that God only knew, and it was their Resolution to follow his Direction.  
Again, Jugd. 20.18. Israel being to engage with the Tribe of Benjamin, relied not upon their Numbers, for they had often seen that the Battle was not to the Strong, but trusted in the Counsel they should receive from God, and therefore before the Battle was begun, went up to the House of God, and asked Counsel of God.  
Let others therefore look to their Achitophel, Machiavelli, Anaxagoras, Panaetius or Polybius, or to the Conclave of Babylon; yet let your Eyes look up unto the Lord, and beg hard for the Wisdom which is pure and peaceable, and then shall your Enemies by their sitting hatch but a Cockatrice Egg, or spin a Spider's Web; God will frustrate their Devices and make their craftiest Projects of none effect, while your own Counsellors shall be guided in the ways of Peace and Happiness.  
Pray to God; for he hath assured you, Prov. 8.14. that Counsel, sound Wisdom, Understanding and Strength are his; vain and fruitless Devices the Devil may furnish his Instruments with, but sound Counsel and Wisdom is only from the Lord.  
3. Pray to God hearty that he would give the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding to the Honourable Houses of Parliament, for God hath promised upon our praying to bestow this Blessing.  
Hear how our Saviour reasons with the Jews, Luke 11.11. they had been poisoned by entertaining some false Notions of God, and were jealous of him in respect of his Love and Bounty: to them our Saviour faith, if you that are rash, fiery and inconsiderate Creatures, subject to sundry Passions and Humours, have notwithstanding that Affection for your Children that you gratify them in what they ask, provided it be useful and good to them, why then should not your heavenly Father, the God of Love and Mercy, who is not subject to those Distractions and Changes which are incident to Flesh and Blood, most freely give you the best things, even the Spirit of Wisdom, provided you ask as you ought? if therefore we ask, they shall receive.  
For our farther Encouragement, St. James from God hath told us, James 1.17. that if any Man lacketh Wisdom, he should ask it of God, who giveth to all Men liberally, and upbraideth not. Fear no Reproach for ask, your Petition shall not be thrown out, provided it be delivered with Faith, Humility and Fervency; you shall not be browbeaten for thus addressing, but you may believe, that he who hath told us he loveth a cheerful Giver, is himself a liberal Benefactor.  
Solomon being called to the Throne, wisely considered the Weight of a Sceptre, and the Cares of a Crown, and therefore in his first Petition that he made to God, 1 Kings 3.9. he begged an understanding Heart, Counsel and Direction from God, to go in and out before so great a People, that he might exert his Power to the right ends, viz. God's Glory, and his Subjects Good. And if you read 1 Kings 4.29, 30. God both heard and was well pleased with this Prayer; he denied him not the Request of his Lips, but gave him such a measure of Knowledge, such a Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, that he thereby surpassed even to a wonder all his Contemporaries, whether Friends or Foes.  
Daniel and his three Companions made their Supplication before God for Wisdom, they were in a difficult Post, living in the midst of their Enemies, and therefore needed Direction, lest unhappily they gave occasion that the Name of God should be blasphemed; their Prayer was answered, Dan. 1.17. and notwithstanding they were but as Children for Years, they became wiser than the Aged.  
Thirdly. To what ends we should thus Pray.  
The great ends why we should pray for Counsel and Wisdom for these our Representatives, we may find in the Prayer that the Church hath set out upon this particular occasion, namely, that by their Consultations Good may accrue to the Church of God; Safety, Honour and Welfare may be Established to the King and His Kingdoms; and that all things may be so ordered and settled by their Endeavours upon the Best and Surest Foundations, that Peace and Happiness, Truth and Justice, Religion and Piety may be Established among us for all Generations. And what can any Man desire more than that the Church of God may flourish by means of true Religion and Piety; that the King's Honour and Safety, and His Kingdom's Welfare may be preserved by the upholding Truth, and executing of Justice? and these things thus happily Achieved (by God's Blessing upon their Counsels) How Peaceful, how Happy shall we and our Posterity be?  
1. One great end is for the good of the Church, that by means of their Godly Wisdom, Religion and Piety may flourish among us: Religion and Piety, that is, Soundness of Doctrine, and Holiness of Conversation.  
As to the First, that of Doctrine, the un-erring Rule thereof is the Scriptures, which, if duly observed, Heresies and Schisms would vanish from among us: not but that either of these pretend Scripture in their Justification, yet both are not sound in the Exposition of them: and the distinction were easily made, if Men would departed from their Pride and Conceitedness, and with Modesty compare Scripture with Scripture, and where after such comparison, the Truth doth not so fully appear as might be wished, they would then ask Judgement of those Reverend Fathers of the Church, whose Piety and Learning have passed without just contradiction for many Ages.  
Chrysippus' doting on his own Learning and Subtlety in Dispute, boasted, that he oftener wanted new Opinions, than Arguments to defend them: we have of late days heard of some of his Scholars.  
It was the Opinion of some exemplary for Knowledge as well as Piety, that Religion had but Three Grand Enemies, Lukewarmness, Profaneness, and Novelty: with the first we have been a long time pestered; by the second never so much as of late, and that has made way for the other of Novelty: and it seems a just consequence; for seeing True Religion is so much out of Fashion, some have thought it the most opportune time to shut it quite out of the World, ours at least, and have therefore boldly, by Novel Opinions, struck at Two of the Fundamental Points thereof; the Sacrifice of Christ's death, denying it to be Meritorious, and Confounding instead of Explaining the Mystery of the Glorious Trinity, making too fair a way for Polytheisme; this so quietly hitherto suffered, and connived at, (for if some had not Slept, others had not had Opportunity to Sow these Tares) hath encouraged another to attempt the Whole Body of Christianity, denying any thing therein to be Mysterious.  
Need we have to Pray, that God would Inspire with his Heavenly Wisdom them that Sat at the Helm, lest such Hurricanes arising, the Ship of the CHURCH be Over-set, and Religion, as to the Doctrinal Part, be lost in the Storm.  
As much need of help hath the Practical part Religion and Piety, I mean holiness of life; And how shall we be helped unless it shall please God to direct those, to whom he hath given the Power, to be careful that the Wholesome Laws already made be put in due Execution, and to prepare others to Curb and Restrain Wickedness and Vice.  
We lie under a biting Sarcasme (I wish I could say Slander) that none are more wise in devising Laws than the English, but every one exceeds them in the Execution: Sin would not be so fearless, did some present Punishment remind the Sinner of Eternal; time was that Men dare not but appear something towardly and good, but now they are passed all Hypocrisy, and are come up to downright Impudence: they declare their Sin as Sodom, they hid it not. The Constable, the Churchwarden, the Justice, and who not sees it or hears it, and who sees it, so safe they are, they care not: If I may speak, my fear it is this, that unless they, for whom we this Day are to Pray, do, by the help of God's Grace, Suppress the Profaneness, Pride, Drunkenness, Lust, Swearing, Forswearing and Sabbath breaking, so rife among us, there will in a short time be but a little, if any true Church in these Three Nations.  
2. We thus pray for Counsel for our Senators, for the good of the State, that for the King's Honour, and his Kingdom's Welfare, they would see to the maintaining Truth, and executing Justice.  
Words can have no greater ornament than truth, 'tis not so much Rhetoric or Elegancy of Language that does Beautify our discourse, as Verity and plainness; and yet now this great beauty is out of Favour, not but that Men may speak truth, for many say King William is our King, and that he ought to be obeyed in all his lawful commands, yet divers speak this truth, but as Judas spoke of Charity, to serve their interest; not that they account it a truth, for it is apparent, that some who say so with their Tongues, yet reserve Rancour, Malice and Revenge in their Hearts, which at particular times and places break forth at their lips. Others are Forgers of Lies, they calumniate the Person and Majesty, or else misrepresent the Anions of onr Sovereign (who were he not as Good, as Great, they long ere this had had no breath to speak with) by this means seeking to rend the hearts of his Subjects from him: Now what such false Tongues deserve, David who was sufficiently persecuted by them declares, Psal. 120.4. Sharp Arrows of the Mighty with Coals of Juniper. Juniper burns extraordinary fierce, and extraordinary punishment such Persons deserve, and if once David's Worthies would see good to command it, this would not only conduce much to the Honour and Safety of David, but leave a Fragrant smell arising thence, which would cherish the hearts of all that truly Serve God and Honour the King.  
Besides this public truth of unfeigned love and Loyalty that ought to be personal for the honour and safety of his Majesty the head of the State, there is also a private truth, for want whereof the body of the State suffers in its Welfare.  
How common is Lying, Perjury, Forswaring and Forgeries from common discourse, Truth seems in a manner quite exploded, and nothing more frequent than Lying, and Banter, and that for the sake of Merriment, and therefore as Solon once told Thespis, so we now find it, Men have practised lying so long for sport, that at last they are become earnest at it; and therefore we find it in Promises and Covenants, and in matters of Trade, Lying, Fraud and Deceit, which are but other names for the same thing are so customary, that one would judge it were a Proverb of solomon's, That plain dealing should die a Beggar: What Nation can entertain a good opinion or seek a correspondence with a State thus habituated?  
As for Justice, we may with Jeremy, Jere. 5.7. Run to and fro thro' the streets of Cities, and also into the Country Villages to find one that professeth it: One Just to God, Just to Caesar, Just to his Neighbour, and Just to Himself is hard to find; how often have we heard that Justice hath not only shunned the common conversation, but hath deserted the very persons and places of its usual abode?  
Let one great in Power, or mighty in Wealth, transgress a Law, provided it be that of Swearing, that of Drunkenness, that of Sabath breaking, or, that of Murder or Adultery; nay, all these and any other, yet where is the Wretch who dare be so hardy as to testify the truth, or if such be to be found, it will be long ere we can find a Magistrate will hear him, so as to execute his Office and discharge his Conscience, Pollio careth for none of these things, Fiat Justitia ruat caelum is gone hence. The fear of the Minister of Justice is often times the security of the offender, or if he is not the Son of Fear, he is the Child of Hope, and a Reward in expectation can mitigate the Severity of the Law, or at least cool his Zeal, and by such means what shall become of Justice?  
Need have we therefore to pray that God would Counsel our Counsellors to be zealous in maintaining Truth and Justice, as well as Religion and Piety.  
To Conclude;  
Your Eyes are upon the Parliament, you watch the doors of their houses, you gladly get into their Company, you consult their Votes, and all to be acquainted with what they are doing or, intent to do for your good, this argues you have a great dependence upon their Counsels; lift up therefore your hearts and voices to God, and assist them and yourselves by your devout prayers; and when God in his mercy shall hear these prayers, then shall Peace and happiness dwell among us, than God will be at Peace with us, and he will either confound or force our Enemies to a Peace, then shall we be happy every way, then shall we be happy in our Country, in our King, in our Laws, in Mutual Love and Concord, then shall we have such a Peace as though we may differ in Judgement, yet we shall Assent in Affection; which happy and peaceful days God, vouchsafe to bestow upon us, for the sake of his Son Jesus-Christ, to whom with the Father, and the Holy Ghost be all Honour and Glory, now and forever, Amen.  
FINIS.