ENGLAND's Royal Stone At the Head of the Corner, Through the wonderful Working of ALMIGHTY GOD. Set forth in A SERMON Preached in the Cathedral Church at Gloucester, the 28th day of June, Being a day of public and solemn Thanksgiving for His Majesty's HAPPY RESTAURATION. By Joh. Nelme, M. A. and Pastor of S. Michael's in the said City. MICAH 7. 8, 9 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto m●. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgement for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness LONDON: Printed by Ja. Cottrel, for Henry Fletcher, at the sign of the three Gilt Cups in S. Paul's Churchyard. 1660. To the truly Honourable Sir EDWARD MASSEY, Knight and Baronet; Sitting as Citizen of Gloucester, IN The Honourable House of COMMONS, Assembled in Parliament. Honoured Sir, THis Sermon, in the hearing, was so acceptable to the Generality of that City (for which you serve in Parliament, with your worthy Colleague, James Stephens Esq one of the Aldermen of the said City) that it is really extorted from me, into the public View. Their importunity shows their affection to the Subject Matter thereof, (I suppose) rather then to the Manner of its composure and handling, as being altogether too low for such a Subject, in this day of England's Liberty, by God's Blessing restored to the Right Keeper thereof, his most sacred Majesty. But however it be, such as it is, I humbly crave your patronage thereof. England hath scarce been England for many years, till the day of His Majesty's happy Restauration, wherein you were, under God▪ so instrumental, even to the hazard of all, that you cannot but rejoice in the poorest Memorials of its accomplishment in so peaceable a manner. This Mercy is the Subject of this Sermon: Wherein so much of God was seen, that you must pardon me, if I allowed no time to speak to the Honour of those Humane (but never to be forgotten) Instruments, who put their Hands to this Work. It was a Day wherein GOD was to be glorified, and not Man. It is our work to improve it to his honour, who, in mercy to the Kingdom, set his Excellency, yourself, with many other worthy Patriots, on, and prospered you and them in the prudent managing of this Noble Undertaking. I am sure, when we consider our former Bondage, especially in respect of our conscience, which by reason of the power that was over us, we could hardly keep safe to ourselves, without the violation of our outward peace, and hazarding▪ all that was near and dear to us; we cannot but acknowledge the mighty and merciful hand of God, in this remarkable turn of his Providence; praising and blessing his Name, that we are Restored to the liberty of owning our own thoughts, and to the opportunity of endeavouring a reformation in a Legal, and not a Tumultuary way; and the freedom of crying Hallelujahs for, and Hosannas to his Majesty's happy Return to his People. Which is, and shall be, the constant practice of From my Study in Gloucester, July 5. 1660. SIR, Your Honours humbly devoted, John Nelme. England's Royal STONE AT The Head of the Corner. PSAL. 118. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. The stone, which the bvilders refused, is become the head stone of the Corner. This is the Lords doing: it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. ALong Text is not always unmeet for a short Discourse, especially, when the Words, Matter, and Occasion, do meet in one. Such a Text▪ of Scripture hath the Almighty fitted us with at this time. For the suitableness of the Words, with the Occasion of our present meeting, I have no need to make an Apology: Every one that hears them, can tell that they sound well enough to our purpose. But whether I may not misapply them, will be a doubt: because some of them are applied by holy men of God (and such as spoke by inspiration too) unto a better King, and a better Kingdom, than this days Festival doth bring unto our minds, viz. Messiah the Prince▪ King Jesus, and his spiritual Kingdom upon earth. Our Saviour himself applies some of these words to the Jews rejection of Him from reigning over them, and to his wonderful exaltation to the Kingdom notwithstanding: and that in a prophetical way, before Mat. 21. 42 it came to pass. Saint Peter applied it to the same purpose; but in an historical way, after the business was done and over. This is the stone which was set at nought of Act. 4. 11. you bvilders, which is become the head of the Corner. And to this History the same Apostle doth allude, when he calls Christ the livingstone, that was disallowed indeed of men, but 1 Pet. 2. 4. chosen of God, and precious. But to solve all doubts and suspicions of our misapplication of these words to the business of this day, you must know, that it is no unusual thing, in the Scriptures of the New Testament, to accommodate several passages of the Old Testament, unto events that fell out in the new, especially in the person of Christ, in whom many of those things were acted and done over again in one respect, which were long before done in the persons of others, in another respect. This is the Case here. What fell out Christo Domino, unto Christ the Lord, in respect of his spiritual Kingdom, was acted long before, in Christo Domini, the Anointed of the Lord, King David, in respect of his temporal Kingdom: and now that it hath in the same respect been acted over again, in another of the Lords anointed Ones, King Charles; I cannot but look on this Psalm, as a Psalm for the day, and on the words read, as the fittest subject to be spoken to, on this solemn Occasion. For the whole Psalm is nothing else, but a sacred Anthem, Hymn, or Song of praise, composed (as Interpreters agree) by King David himself, and delivered to the Singers, to be sung in the public worship of God, on some solemn Festival. Which Festival is supposed to be occasioned by David's full settlement and establishment in the Kingdom of Israel and Judah, to which he had been foreanointed of God, and from which he had been kept by force seven years and six months, and in which he was twice disturbed by the inroads of the Philistines, so soon as ever the rest of the Tribes were joined unto him. Well, the whole Kingdom over Israel, as well as Judah, was now confirmed unto David; the Philistines quashed, the Ark about to be brought home. David bethinks himself of returning thanks to God, in the public Congregation. For which he composed this Anthem or Song of Praise, to bless the Lord for his many deliverances of him, and for the full settlement of him at the last, in the Kingdom whereunto he had fore-designed him. At this time, and on this occasion, Mollerus and Musculus suppose this Psalm to be composed, and made use of. Calvin is not so punctual in the time, but saith, Whatsoever time it was composed, this was David's drift in it. Having through many oppositions gotten full possession of the Kingdom, he calls upon all the people to give thanks unto God for it. The Psalm is digested into several parts: the King, People and Priests each bearing a part therein; the greatest part falling to the King's share. First, we have the King a Vers. 1, 2, 3, 4. calling upon the People and Priests, and all that feared the Lord, to the public acknowledgement of the Lords singular mercy; and making a narrative of the singular goodness and mercy of God to him, in b Vers. 5, 6, 7. hearing his prayers, being on his side, and taking part with his friends: all which he mingleth and Vers. 6, 7, 14, 17. pursueth with singular expressions of his abundant confidence in the Lord, and of the large experience he now had, how good a thing it was to trust in God, rather than Vers. 8, 9 in man or Princes; and of the strong assurance he now had Ver. 10, 11, 12. (through God's help) of vanquishing all his Enemies. At length you have him calling upon the priests (whose Office Ver▪ 19, 20. it was) to open to him the gates of God's Sanctuary, that he might go in, and praise the Lord. At length, he comes in the text to make a short Apostrophe 21. to God himself, repeating his resolution to praise him; together with a general and particular account of that his resolution. General: Because he had heard him, and was become his salvation. Particular: Because the stone which the bvilders refused, 22. was now become the head stone of the corner. Thus far goes the King's part. Now comes in the people's part, that of the whole Chorus, (as it were) consisting 1. In their acknowledgement of the hand of God in 23. this Providence, and their admiration at the strangeness of it. This is the Lords doing, it is marvellous in our eyes. 2. In their joyful Acclamation to the happiness of that 24. days Festival. This is the day which the Lord hath made. 3. In their acceptation of the King's Royal invitation to that Day's Duty. We will rejoice, and be glad in it. 4. In their humble, hearty, and seasonable supplications 25. for the prosperity of the King and Kingdom. Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. And then, behind our Text, follows the Priest's part, Vers. 26. praying for a blessing upon the King, welcoming him into the Tabernacle, saying, Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord; and upon the people, blessing them out of the House of the Lord; acknowledging that, it was Vers. 27. the Lord, that had shown them light; and inviting them to keep the Festival with joy and thanks unto God, to bind the sacrifices with cords to the horns of the altar (according to the use of God's ancient people, in their public solemnities.) All this seems to be concluded with a return of the Piissimus Rex, Psalmum concludit. Musc. King's part: consisting of A solemn repetition of his former resolution: Thou art my God, and I will praise thee; thou art my God, I will exalt thee. And a solemn repetition of his former invitation to them all, to give thanks unto the Lord with him: O give thanks unto the Lord: for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. The whole Psalm is contrived, as if it had been to be sung in a solemn procession to the Tabernacle on that solemn day, the singers going before, and the players on instruments following after. (As it was at the like solemnity a little after, at the bringing home of the Ark from Obed-Edom's House: for which processional use, the 86th Psalm Psal. 86. 25 was penned, wherein we read of such an order observed.) However it was, the words we have culled out of the Psalm for the subject of this present discourse, are this day again fulfilled in our ears. Our Gracious Sovereign (for his part) being, after a long and tedious exile, restored to his people, and his people to him; as he hath resolved to render the tribute of praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God in his own person this day, for his happy restauration: so he hath by his Royal Proclamation required all his Subjects of England and Wales to join with him in this Duty. And Subjects (for their part) never more joyfully consented to a duty of that nature, than I think and hope they do, over all the Kingdom this day. Whilst the King saith, I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my Salvation; methinks, I hear all the people, like men astonished at the wonderfulness of the mercy, crying out, This is the Lords doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes: and (like men overjoyed) making loud acclamations to the happiness of this days Festival; gladly running to the Duty, whereunto they have this Royal Invitation, ready to give out their Hosanna, their well-wishes and prayers for the King and Kingdom, upon this happy revolution of affairs into that hopeful posture, wherein now they stand. I begin first with the King's part, his pious resolution to praise God; with the general and particular account of that his resolution. And first, of the account in General, which he gives of this resolution, verse 21. I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. In which words we have the pattern of an afflicted King, and a praying King; a delivered King, and a praise-returning King. David is the pattern for all this. He was an afflicted King. Some would have this expressed in the Text: I will praise thee: for thou hast afflicted me. The Original word will bear both Interpretations; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thou hast afflicted me, or, Thou hast answered me. But however, his afflicted condition is employed enough in the news we have in the Text of the return which God had made unto his prayers. Again, He was a praying King. Thou hast heard me, or thou hast answered me. It should seem then, that he had been calling and crying unto the Lord. Yet thirdly, He was a delivered King. Thou art become my salvation. And last of all, He was a praise-returning King. Therefore I will praise thee. From all this, I shall point out unto you three things of special and seasonable remark, which I shall lay down as the groundwork of all that I have to say from this Verse, and them that follow in the Text, on this solemn occasion. The First is, That, God is wont sometimes to exercise the Kings of 1 Note. the earth, yea, and the best of the Kings of the earth, with afflicted conditions. David was a man after Gods own heart, a King for God's turn, (if I may so speak) called to the Kingdom by God himself, by his especial appointment and designation. But yet he must taste of the bitter cup of affliction, before he came there; and many a sharp shower he must undergo, before he could wear the Crown which God had designed for him. God trained him up for the Royal Dignity in the School of Afflictions, and such afflictions too, as one would have thought might set him beyond a possibility of ever recovering the Crown of Israel and Judah. He lived a long while in Exile, skulking now here, now there, for his safety. Sometime we hear of him in the woods; 1 Sam. 23. 15, 25. now in the Wilderness of Ziph, then in the Wilderness of Maon; as soon again we hear of him in a Cave. One 1 Sam. 24. 1 1 Sam. 21. 12, 13. while we have him in a Disguise (and a strange one too) for fear of being known, and taken for what (indeed) he was. Another while, we have him serving in the wars of 1 Sam. 27. a foreign Prince, and beholding to him for his subsistence, till the Lords of the Country suspected him, and would by 1 Sam. 29. no means suffer his tarriance among them. In this Exile of his, he was under a temptation to go and serve other 1 Sam. 26. 19 gods. At leastwise, the Court-Politicians hoped, by the possibility of such a revolt, to keep him out from ever returning more. And when, upon the death of Saul, he was crowned King of Judah in Hebron; yet the rest of the Tribes had no portion in him; Ishbosheth and Abner kept him out: and at length, when, by a strange contexture of Providences, all Israel was brought under his Jurisdiction, the Philistines invaded his Territories. And many disquiets he had, before all was firmly settled to him. And when all was as firm as the general consent of the people could make it, his own Son risen up in Rebellion against him: 2 Sam. 15. and after him, Sheba the Son of Bichri blew a Trumpet of 2 Sam. 20. sedition, to draw away his people from him. Though he were a King to God's mind, as much as ever any; yet he was ttained up in, and enured to afflictions, both before he came to, and after that he enjoyed the Crown. I mind you of this point the rather, for two Uses I would have to be made thereof. First, That no man should think so highly of himself, because of his Earthly Dignities, above others, as if he were therefore exempted from the afflicting hand of God. Princes, they are but Men, though they be Men in Honour, Psal. 82. 6. and Gods (in a manner) standing in the place of God's Vicegerents upon the earth. And though they be above the reach of earthly Judicatures; yet there is an Higher Eccles. 5. 8. than they, who can, in what way best pleaseth him, take them to task, pouring out strange contempts upon them, Job 12. 21. and their Families, when they prove disobedient to him. Again, as they are common Blessings to their people, the Fathers of their Country; so God knows how to punish a sinful Land, by divesting them of their lawful Princes, and suffering Tyrants and Usurpers to rule over them. Yea, Hos. 12. 11. God thinks fit sometimes to train up Princes to their Crowns, in the School of Adversity, that they might not forget the Lord, but remember that they hold all they have of him, and that all the shields of the earth belong unto God, to place or displace them at pleasure; and that Crowns and Sceptres are wholly at his dispose: and that he might tie them in a stricter bond of subjection to himself, whilst he denieth them, or holds from them a while, the Prerogative of ruling over others. No man then can be so high, as to plead an exemption from God's afflicting hand. Secondly, that no man presume to enter into God's Judgement-seat, and pass their Verdict upon the Kings and Princes of the earth, as accursed, and hated, and rejected of God, because of the sad afflictions which do sometimes befall them and their families. It is enough for a Shemei, when the Rebellion of Absalon took place, to go ● Sam. 16 7, 8. out, and curse David. But let none of Shemei's language come out of our mouths, to vaunt it over the Lords anointed Ones, in their afflictions. The Scripture saith, Blessed are they, O Lord, whom thou chastenest. And shall we call them accursed because they are chastised? God forbidden! And yet (the more is the pity) we have not wanted in our times, men as inconsiderate as this comes to (to say no worse) to make this unchristian use of the sufferings of our present Sovereign, and His Royal Father of glorious Memory, as if the Family of the Stuarts were accursed of God, and cast out, and forsaken, as much as ever Saul's was. And all this, upon design to harden people in their disloyalty to their King, and Usurpations over their fellow-subjects. But all this, happy Experience now tells us, was a judging before the time. David (you see) might be an afflicted King, and yet a King after Gods own heart. The second Note observable from the words, is this. Even Kings themselves are, and must be beholding to 2 Note. God for their Deliverances, Settlements and Establishments in their Kingdoms. Thou hast heard me, and thou art become my salvation, (said King David:) He ascribed his instauration and establishment in the Kingdom, neither to his wisdom and policy, nor to his prowess and valour; and yet he was a man good at both: He confesseth himself solely beholding to God for this Deliverance. This (indeed) was David's constant wont so to do: as appeareth not only in the Text, and the Psalm before us, but also in other Psalms. Still he expresseth himself as beholding to God for all that he had, and all that was in any kind worth taking notice of, in him. He calls him his Strength, Rock, Fortress, his Deliverer, Psa. 18. 12. the Horn of his salvation, and his High Tower. His Wonderful Escapes he attributes to God. By thee I have 29. V 33. run through a troop, and by my God have I leapt over a wall. He was a man that was light of foot. One pair of heels was of more use to him, than two pair of hands (as our English Proverb goes.) Now this swiftness of foot in him, he attributes to God. He was a stout man; but it was God that taught his hands to war, that a bow of steel was broken 34. by his arms. God delivered him from the strive of the 43. people; avenged him, and subdued the people under him. Of 47. the like import are many passages in the next Psalm save two. David reckoned it all upon God's score, that was to Psa. 21. 1, 2. seqq. his advantage, in the subjection of the hearts of all Israel to him, and in the settlement of him in the dominion overthem. And this is the constant Language of good Kings, whoever else be the instruments, or whatever else be the means of bringing them to their Crowns. The Queen of Sheba's 1 Kin. 10. 9 Language to Solomon, was, The Lord thy God delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: And Solomon himself was not a whit behind her in this acknowledgement; 2 Chro. 1. 8 Thou, O God, hast showed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. Yea, Cyrus the King 2 Chro 36. ult. of Persia, had as much Religion as this came to: The kingdoms of the earth hath the Lord God of heaven given me. None but such a one as the proud Assyrian, will dare to Isai. 10. 13. say, By the strength of my hand I have done this, or that; and by my wisdom, for I am prudent. The proud Axe boastead itself against him that hewed with it; and the presumptuous Saw against him that shook it. Nabuchadnezzar took too much upon him, when he vaunted on that Dan. 4. 30. manner, Is not this great Babylon that I have built, by the might of my power, and for the honour of my Majesty? Not a word was there of his being beholding to God in all that speech: But God presently taught him by sad experience, that he was wholly beholding to him for his Kingdom; and that it was in his hand both to give it to him, and to take it from him. It was a close rebuke which God once gave unto the Prince of Tyrus for his sacrilegious pride: his heart was lifted up, and he said of himself, that he was a god, and sat in the seat of God: But God said he would make him know that he was a man: for he would bring strangers, even the terrible of the Nations upon him, with drawn swords against him: And them (saith God in an holy Sarcasm) Wilt thou yet say before him that Ezek 28. 9 slayeth thee, I am God? But thou shalt be a man, and no God in the hand of him that slayeth thee. And lest he should mistake himself, as if he had set himself in that glorious state, for which the Princes of Tyrus were famous in the world, as being like a tree planted in the garden of God, wanting nothing that Nature or Art could furnish him V 14. withal▪ God tells him plainly, I have set thee so. Though he were, for his Royal Dignity, a glorious Creature, yet was he so by God's Creation, and not his own. God keeps this to himself as his Royal Prerogative; By me King's Prov. 8. 15. reign, and Princes decree justice: They could neither have, Joh. 19 11. nor exercise any power▪ were it not given them from above. It is to God (really) that even Kings and Princes, as great as they are in the earth, are beholding for their deliverances, settlements and establishments in their Kingdoms. Much might be learned from hence, that I cannot now insist on. The Kings and Princes of the earth might be advised from hence to be so wise, as to own, honour and serve this their Deliverer▪ Settler and Establisher; to keep their Kingdoms for God▪ and lay out all their power to keep their Kingdoms in subjection to God▪ to execute judgement and justice according to the will of God; to devote themselves, their power, their lives, their all, to the magnifying or making his Name great in their Kingdoms, who hath been their Saviour, Settler and Establisher in so great power under him, over their people. David's resolution (in the 101 Psalms) when he came to the Crown, is a most excellent pattern for all the Kings and Princes of the earth in this respect. Read the Psalm throughout. But I need not dwell upon this, being abundantly prevented by the thankful Expressions of our Sovereign to God for his happy restauration, attributing his Deliverances and Return to, and settlement in his Kingdom solely to him; and his pious Resolutions and Professions to study to serve and honour that God, who hath heard his Prayers, and is become his salvation: Which leads me to the third Note observable from the words, viz. That Prayers and Praises are Duties, wherein even Kings 3 Note. themselves are bound to wait upon God. Let David be the pattern. He was a praying, and a praise-returning King. I will praise thee, for thou hast heard me. He had been praying (it should seem) and crying to God, and now he was resolved upon praising him. In the time of his Exile, Prayer was the work that he devoted himself to. Praise was the work that he vowed to perform whenever God should set him at liberty. Therefore in his Exile, he prayeth, Hold not thy peace, O God of Pal. 109. 1, 2, 3, 4. my praise: This was his practice, whilst the mouth of the wicked, and the mouth of the deceitful were opened against him, and they spoke against him with a lying tongue; whilst they compassed him about with words of hatred, and fought against him without a cause; whilst for his love to them, they were adversaries to him, he gave himself unto prayer. But now that God had heard his prayer, and all succeeded to his hearts content, you have his mouth filled with thanksgivings, calling all the people to join with him in offering up these Eucharistical Devotions to the God of his mercies. Though a King, yet he did not count these pieces of piety too low for him. This point is much strengthened by the former: For if even they are, and must be beholding to God for their deliverances, settlements and establishments in their Kingdoms; than it is but fit, that even they should wait upon God in their duties, praying to him for the mercies they want, and praising him for those which they have recovered by the prevalency of importunate prayers to the God of their salvation, and calling upon all their Subjects to join with them in so doing. This was not only King David's practice, but the practice of all the good Kings of Judah; as may be seen in the examples of Jehoshaphat and 2 Chro. 20 2 Chro 29 Hezekiah. All that I shall learn you from hence, is, First, to acquaint you, that it is good news to a people, when the Kings, whom the Lord hath set over them, are praying, and praise-returning Kings. It is (you see) the Character and practice of God's david's, such as are Kings after Gods own heart, to pay these just tributes to the Divine Majesty, to whom they are beholding for their Crowns and Sceptres. It is not only a good example of piety in them, for others to walk by; but it is a practice that promiseth much of happiness not only to their royal persons, but to their Kingdoms too. A praying King will have the better of 2Chro. 33. 13. it first or last. Manasseh (you know) lost his Kingdom; but Manasseh recovered it again by true humiliation, and unfeigned prayer to God. And David by his prayers did not only do himself good, but the Kingdom too. He out-prayed 2 Sam. 15. 31. Absalom's conspiracy, and Achitophel's policy, and the Confusions that befell his Kingdom by their means. He prayed away the three years' famine that fell upon his 2 Sam. 21. 1 Land because of the Gibeonites whom Saul had slain, contrary to the League that Joshua had entered into with them. He prayed a stop to the pestilence, that raged among his 2 Sam. 24. 17. people. A praying King is, as pious to himself, so profitable to 2 King. 19 19, 35. all his Subjects. Hezekiah prayed 185000 Assyrians dead in one night. Jehoshaphat had a victory over the Moabites, 2 Chro. 20. 6, 22. Ammonites, and them of Mount Seir, brought in upon the wings of his prayers. They are marvellous things that praying Kings may do with God. I mind you not of this for nothing, (Beloved:) For I do it to aggravate the mercy of this day, that God hath set a King of Prayers over us; not only passively so, as one whose happiness and restauration hath been the subject of the prayers of God's people for many years; but also actively so, as one, who, in his exile, is famed by such as knew his Conversation, for frequent and constant converse with God in this duty: which I must needs say is a promising Omen of a great deal of happiness to our Land in his return. And now, that the tribute of praise is, by his Majesty's Proclamation, to be returned to God for this mercy this day, not only by himself, but by all his people; This may serve (in the second place) to teach you the justifiableness, and the needfulness of this Duty. His Majesty doth but write after David's Copy in it, and the Copy of the good Kings of Judah. And we do but keep up the ancient custom of the Church and people of God in so doing. Our Precedents for this practice are unquestionably authentic. Further yet, it is good reason We should be praising God: For God hath heard Us, and is become Our salvation. As He hath granted the desires of the King's heart, and the request of the King's lips; so hath he granted the desires of his people's hearts, and the requests of his people's lips. I dare say, whole Armies of Prayers have by God's people (though not so publicly as might be wished, through the iniquity of the times) been dispatched from earth to heaven, about this very mercy that we are making mention of before the Lord this day. And if it becomes His Majesty to second the Returns of His prayers, with returns of praise; it surely behoves Us to second the returns of Our prayers for him, with returns of praises for him. Besides, this is no other than a Gospel-Duty. We are commanded to make Thanksgivings to God for Kings, and 1 Tim. 2. 1. all in authority, as well as to make Supplications and intercessions for them. Much more must we make thanksgivings for them, when they are bestowed on us by way of return to our supplications, and intercessions for them. God, the King of kings hath enjoined us hereunto, as well as his Vicegerent upon earth. It is God's commandment as well as the King's commandment, that we are called to obey this day. And (for further satisfaction) consider; It is a well-grounded and every way a well-warranted Duty, which a Christian may go about without doubting. Here be no snares in it, to entangle the consciences of men: some such as we have had ere now, when the throne of iniquity was up, and mischief established by a Law, and England's miseries were by a Law, to be reputed and taken for England's mercies; and through the insolence of prospering iniquity, men were forced to miserable shifts, to preserve their peace. There is nothing of a puzzling nature here. The Mercy that we have before us, is a plain mercy: may it be but a sanctified mercy, I shall venture to prefer it before any temporal mercy, that England ever yet received. For (which is another argument to quicken you to this days Duty) consider, God is become our Salvation, in becoming Salvation to our King. It is a salvation of common concernment, this. For in delivering him from the plots and conspiracies that were laid against his Person and Crowns, and settling him in the throne over us, he hath First, saved us from all the mischiefs that did, and must of necessity accompany an enforced change of Government. From the mischiefs of Anarchy, Usurpation, Democracy, and (which is worst of all) of the Arbitrary power of the Sword. Secondly, by this means God hath saved unto us our right to the best of Governments, the Honour and Freedom of our Parliaments; which can never be preserved but by the Union of the Royal Head to that Honourable Body. Once more: God by this means hath saved us from the violence that was offered to our Laws and Liberties, and Properties. Before, men could scarce say what was Law. Our learned Lawyers were puzzled what to pronounce for Law. What men would have pass for Law, they durst not subscribe. What was Law indeed, they durst not utter. Who were the Keepers of our Liberties, none could tell: but the general outcry, was, that they were kept from them, not for them. While some might do what they would, few could do what they should. And such Confusion befell many Families, through the unjust and enforced alienation from them of what was properly their own, as is unspeakable. From all these mischiefs (we trust) the Lord hath now delivered us in his Majesty's Return. But not to stay upon these general Arguments, to quicken you to this duty, give me leave now to take up the particular account, which the Royal Psalmodist (in the Text) gives of this Resolution of his, and to see whether that will not fit our case too. I will praise thee: (saith he) for the stone, which the bvilders refused, is become the headstone of the corner. Which words are spoken proverbially, by way of allusion to the practice of foolish bvilders: who, though they have a stone ready at hand, every way fitted for the most useful and eminent place in the building, do yet cast it by among the rubbish, as useless and unserviceable, and (it may be) mar all the building for want of that stone; until better bvilders come in place, and correct their folly, and set that very stone at the head of the corner, the chiefest place in the building. This is the allusion. The meaning of it, as applicable to King David, the Type, is briefly this. David was fitted of God every way to succeed Saul in the Kingdom; there was not such a man again to be found, for Israel's turn, as David was. It was in love to Israel, that God had anointed David for this service. He had squared and framed, and fitted him so, that there was not a fit Stone to be found, in all the heap to make the chief-corner-stone of, in the building of Israel's Commonwealth, than he. But Saul, and his Counselors, and the great men of Israel (who are here compared to Builders) would not so much as let him lie in the building, not suffer him to have any place of abode, in the Lord's inheritance, but hunted him up and down, as a Partridge is hunted in the mountains; laid him utterly aside, made him the Common Enemy. And, when, after Saul's death, David was crowned King in Hebron over Judah, the Elders of the rest of the Tribes would not hear of his being King over them, no not they. Till at length, God takes the building in hand himself, and by his overruling providence, sets this stone at the head of the corner, beyond all expectation, seats him in the throne of Israel and Judah both. Both the walls of this politic Structure now met in David, as the head-corner-stone, that kept them together. The meaning of the words, as applicable unto King Christ, the Antitype, is briefly this: Jesus was the Messiah that was to come, anointed of the Father, to be the Saviour of his People, the King and Head of the Church. Now the chief Priests and Elders of the Jews (who are compared to bvilders) instead of giving him that honour in the building, that he ought to have had, utterly laid him aside: persecuted him to the death, as unfit to live, thrust him out of the world in a most shameful manner. But yet for all this, whether they would or no, God takes the building into his own hands; raises Jesus up again from the dead, takes this precious Stone out of the rubbish, and sets it in the head of the Corner, even at his own right hand in heavenly places, far above all principality and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come, etc. The words are under consideration at this time, as applicable to David's Case (which is the prime import of the Psalm) and they being thus briefly, but truly opened, your thoughts cannot but outrun my words, to the making a pertinent application thereof. They are urged by David, as an Argument of his resolution to praise God. I shall urge this for the same end upon you, to quicken you to this days Duty. For which end, I beseech you to consider with me, 1. England's late Misery. 2. England's present Mercy. First, England's late Misery by falling into the hands of foolish Builders; who took upon them to set fast the Fabric of our tottering State, that was ready to fall asunder by the unhappy Divisions that fell out between His late Majesty, and his two Houses of Parliament, (of which three Estates, the goodly Structure of the English Government is composed.) The two walls of the building unhappily fell from the chief-corner-stone, which before held them together; and then there was no likelihood but that all would tumble; except some skilful hands might interpose, to cement them together. This was hopefully endeavoured, until some busy Swordmen, presuming they could handle the State-Trowel, as well as the Martial Sword, took the matter in their own hands, and in stead of building, destroyed and pulled down to the ground that most excellent Structure, which our wise Ancestors left framed and fitted to our hands, and beautified with all the Ornaments of a most flourishing Kingdom, and all the most desirable Immunities of the freest People. They left scarce a Pillar standing, that was any ways useful to support it. And the stones of the best use and worth, they all fling out of the building. Only one cracked piece of that politic Fabric they left in being, which, by a strange Synecdoche, still retained the name of the whole: and these they made no further use of neither, then to pelt the Head of the Corner quite down withal. Which was done on that fatal day of the execrable Murder of the Lords Anointed; the saddest Day that ever England saw; it being an Act of the most abominablest Treachery and Unfaithfulness that ever the Sun beheld. Well, this desperate Turn being served, our foolish bvilders in a while began to see a necessity of pulling down all that they had left standing, and to enter upon fresh counsels of building all anew again. And here, to see our misery so much the more, consider, First, what a loss we were at. After a tedious contest on pretence for King and Parliament, religion, laws and liberty, we had fairly sought ourselves out of all, having neither the one nor the other left unto us; But all swallowed up by the alldevouring sword. There was only a name of religion left and owned by these dovourers. But it proved but a name in the issue. A form, a vizor of Godliness. But it was not thick enough to cover the covetousness, pride, blasphemy, ingratitude, wickedness, and treachery of those in power, who went under that mask. Secondly, consider what an advantage there was of settling all again, and setting up the old and best frame of Government on firm foundations; and yet how foolishly this advantage was not laid hold of, but slighted, neglected, and scorned. Our Royal Sovereign, that now is, was a stone fittest to make the head of the Corner, of all that were to be found in the heap; as being, by the Law of God, and of this Nation, the undoubted heir of the Crown; and being endued by God with such regal abilities, as are not every where to be paralleled. But (alas!) our foolish bvilders would have none of him. And yet rather than not be building, they assayed to build without a foundation, setting up a linsey-woolsey Tent upon sticks, surnamed a Parliament, and the supreme authority. But that was quickly weatherbeaten, and fell asunder of itself. A Fabric somewhat like the old, was (at length) resolved on. But him, whom God had fitted to be the head of the Corner, they would none of. And therefore, by a new devised Instrument, they clap in a piece of Iron, instead of the true-corner-stone. And now the Government was rather forcibly cramped, then orderly joined together. This Iron-piece held it by force a while: But it rusted at last, and all came down again. And now our bvilders might have had him, whom God had fitted to be the head of the Corner; But they rejected him still, and put in a piece of soft clay in the room thereof; and pulled it out again as unserviceable, almost as soon as they put it in. And yet him, whom God had fitted to be the head of the Corner, they would none of. All the skilful and conscientious workmen, that knew none would serve, but He, cried shame upon these bungling bvilders. Yet so foolish were they, as to let none meddle with the work, but themselves. And though they did they knew not what, yet they would not give over. Like besotted bvilders, they fall to building without a foundation again, but yet with some of the old stones, that before they had laid aside, wherewith they reared up the old tottered wall of Democracie, supporting it with a few rusty swords; which withdrawing at their pleasure, down it fell. And yet he, whom God and the Laws had fitted to be the head of the Corner, would not serve their turn: And yet who nor what to have, they could not tell. At length they only tacked a government together, for the present distress, with instruments part of Iron, and part of clay; some easy enough to be wrought to any mould, and some headstrong enough to carry all by their own wills. This was such a piece of botchery as every one condemned, and all cried out of. And the people began to grow weary of their Taskers, or their Taskmasters rather, who would have pay too, though they proved such sorry bvilders. Whereupon some, who thought themselves to be better bvilders of State, than swordmen, outwitted them, outworked them, overpowered them, and rook the work out of their hands. And now we were where we were twice before; in as bad a labyrinth as ever. For neither would these, after so many successless attempts in laying the foundation of a Democracie, accept of him whom God had fitted to be the head of the Corner, till God himself took the work in hand, and by an unexpected providence, sent in a supply of better bvilders, only to undo what they had been doing, so to make way for that mercy, which we now enjoy. Thus you have heard a sad allegorical harangue of England's late misery. See we now in the second place, what is England's present mercy. It is so (Christians) we are like men that dream, when we speak of it, as not knowing well how it should be so, though we know it is so. The stone, which these foolish bvilders have rejected all this while, is at the head of the Corner, at firm and full agreement with both the honourable Houses of Parliament. He whom they thought not fit to have any pottion with us, is returned to the inheritance of the Lord. He whom they drove, as much as lay in them, upon temptations to embrace the abominations of Popery, (as being beholding to strangers to the Reformed religion for his Ziklag or place of abode) is returned safe and sound from such pollutions, and confirmed against them. He, whose life hath been sought after as was his Fathers; He, who was hunted from place to place, as unworthy to rest any any where, He is, verily he is at the head of the Corner. He, whose right it is, He, in whom alone, under God, we could look for an hopeful, and happy, and lasting settlement, He is at the head of the Corner. Not only King in Hebron, but King in Jerusalem. Not only King at Scone, but King at Westminster. All the tribes of England, Scotland, and Ireland are United in him. The whole frame of our Ancient Government is resettled, and the topstone laid, and all the people crying, Grace, grace, unto it. This is the Lords doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made, we will be glad and rejoice therein, etc. What must now be done (beloved) upon the income of such a mercy? What! but resolve to join with your King, and praise the lord Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever: let the House of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever: let them now that fear the Lord say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Let every one of you now fall in with your parts in the praises of God for this days mercy. There be but four, and all in the Text. I shall but briefly touch upon them, and dismiss you. The First thing observable in the people's part, is their acknowledgement of the hand of God in this providence, and their admiration at the strangeness of it. This is the Lords doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. The Psalmist brings the godly in, acknowledging this exaltation of David to the throne of Israel, to be the Lords doing. And so must you concerning the exaltation of Our David to the throne of England. Let all that fear the Lord say, This is the Lords doing, the singer of God is here. This can be no other than the hand of God. For though this was so desirable a mercy; yet to humane reason, it was next to impossible not many months ago. Should one have prophesied of it, you would have said with Nicodemus in another case; How can these things be? Powerful and forcible attempts to bring this mercy about, have been in vain. Our Armies by sea & land, abroad and at home, were professedly engaged in building some of the Babel's of confusion before mentione: a great part of the land were sinfully engaged another way, for fear of losing what they had unjustly gotten. And yet all these powers are overpowered, not by might not by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord. T●e very hearts of all men are strangely subdued to this providence. Surely this is the Lords doing. And by good experience now we know, that the hearts of all men are in the h●nd of God, who can turn them whithersoever he pleaseth. Further, the Psalmist brings in the godly admiring at this strange providence. To see all things work so, to bring David in, a man that had been so hated, vilified, and opposed, this was strange to them. And how can you but look on this return of our David, as most marvellous? considering, First, the unlikelyhood of the change in divers respects: as in respect of the force that was kept upon his subjects at home, so that the prudentest were fain to keep silence, scarce daring for many years to impart their affections and desires to one another (there was such treachery and unfaithfulness, and such lurk to supplant the innocent without a cause, and to make them offenders for a word; as also in respect of the long time of his Majesty's exile. He was kept twelve vears out of his royal City; David but seven and an half out of ●erusalem. His cause lay stark dead in a mann●r, ●s a forgotten business. There was scarce any life left in it. His return is as a resurrection from the dead, a making of dead bones to live. Our David had no footing in the Kingdom he was by God designed unto: whereas Is●l's David was King in Hebron all that 7 years, & in a nearer capacity to recover the Kingdom over all Israel in time. 2. It is marvellous, in respect of the suddenness of it. It was but the other day, that some few intemperate men were about to abjure the royal line. But behold, how quickly is the seoene changed! Allegiance and Loyalty dates show its face, when Treason and Rebellion flees into corners. 3. It is marvellous in respect of the peaceableness of it: all this is done without the effusion of blood: some may be spilt by the sword of Justice; the land will be defiled with blood else. But we trust our warfare is accomplished, that our swords are turning into plowshares, and our spears into pruning hooks. This must needs be the Lords doing, and it is marveious in our eyes. The second thing observable in the people's part, is their acclamations to the happiness of that day's Festival. This is the day which the Lord hath made: God makes every day; But he makes ●o●e days more notable than others, for his singular mercies in them: which only is the meaning of this Expression. That day of David's Instauration, was such a notable day in Israel. And on the like account surely the 29th day of May should have a golden Character in our K●lendars for his Majesty's happy Restauration. And this day should be reckoned for a good day, because of the Opportunity which the King and Kingdom have, jointly to celebrate the Memorials thereof. The thi●d thing observable in the people's part, is, their hearty acceptation of the King's Royal invitation to that days duty: We will rejoice and be glad in it. Days of thanksgiving for such mercies as these, should be days of rejoicing and gladness. When King Joash was restored to his Crown by means of his Aunt Jehosheba, who had kept him from being murdered with the rest of the Seed Royal, by Athalia, the text saith, All the people of the land rejoiced. 2 King. 11. 20. ●t is on all hands agreed, that such a time as this, is a time of joy and gladness. Only let me beseech you to see your rejoicing be with sobriety, not breaking out into sinful intemperance, to the dishonour of him who hath wrought these things for you. Let your rejoicing be a rejoicing in the Lord: such as becometh saints, who mind nothing more than the bringing honour to God, by the joy which they express for mercies of any kind, which they receive from God. And, last of all, see that your joy and gladness for this day's mercy, be seconded with Charity to the Poor: Make the bellies of the poor to rejoice with you, that their loins may bless you, and that they may be able to call it a good day to them, as well as to their King, and those of greater ability. The last thing observable in the people's part, is, their humble, hearty, and seasonable supplications to God, for the prosperity of the King and Kingdom. Each man is brought in, making this his prayer: O Lord, I besecch thee: there's the humility of it; and this repeated again: Save I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send prosperity: there's the heartiness of it. The words may be rendered, I beseech thee, save I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send prosperity I beseech thee. The word which is here rendered now 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the T. being sometimes of the same force with the other, that is rendered I beseech thee. But take it as it is here fitly rendered, Save now, prosper now: there's the seasonableness of it. With such humble, hearty and earnest supplications for the King and Kingdom, let every one of us follow the Lord this day, and henceforwards. Let every one of us have his Hosanna up this day, as well as his Hallelujah. In the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 most humble and earnest manner, let us ply the throne of grace, for the continuance and improvement of this blessing to us. Now, now is the time to strike in with God. Save now, I beseech thee: O Lord, I beseech thee, prosper now. We could not look that God should answer our prayers in this kind before. The nation was set upon a wrong bottom. We could not look then that God should hear us, so long as we were so much out of the way. Now that the Lord settled the Kingdom upon Foundations of righteousness again, we may more rationally expect better success in our prayers for peace, and truth, and salvation to our King and Kingdom. And therefore Now, if ever, follow the Lord, with continual prayers for a blessing upon the King, Church, and State, that these prosperous beginnings, may have good proceed, and an happy conclusion; that the hearts of none may be made sad, but all may rejoice in this days mercy. Now, if ever, ply the King of Heaven with your prayers, that this may be a lasting settlement, improved by his Majesty, and the whole Kingdom, to the honour of God's name, the securing of the purity and power of Religion, and the happy concord and unity of all that fear the Lo●d● and to this, let all the people say, Amen. FINIS