Gods soveraignity, His Sacred Majesties supremacy, the subjects duty asserted in a sermon, preached before His Majesties high commissioner, and the honourable Parliament of the kingdom of Scotland, at Edinburgh, the 31. of March, 1661 / by Mr. Hugh Blair ... Blair, Hugh. 1661 Approx. 88 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 12 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A28328 Wing B3126 ESTC R38836 18177012 ocm 18177012 106895 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A28328) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 106895) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1119:9) Gods soveraignity, His Sacred Majesties supremacy, the subjects duty asserted in a sermon, preached before His Majesties high commissioner, and the honourable Parliament of the kingdom of Scotland, at Edinburgh, the 31. of March, 1661 / by Mr. Hugh Blair ... Blair, Hugh. [4], 19 p. Printed by Robert Sanders ..., Glasgow : 1661. Reproduction of original in the British Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Bible. -- O.T. -- Psalms LXXXII, 1 -- Sermons. Sermons, English -- 17th century. 2000-00 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2001-10 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2001-11 TCP Staff (Michigan) Sampled and proofread 2001-11 TCP Staff (Michigan) Text and markup reviewed and edited 2001-12 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion GODS SOVERAIGNITY , HIS SACRED MAJESTIES SUPREMACY , THE SUBJECTS DUTY . Asserted in a SERMON , Preached before his MAJESTIES High COMMISSIONER , and the Honourable PARLIAMENT of the KINGDOM of SCOTLAND , At Edinburgh , the 31. of March , 1661. By Mr. HUGH BLAIR , Minister of the Gospel at GLASGOW . Give unto Cesar the things which are Cesars , and unto God , the things which are Gods , Mat. 22. 21. Jam pleno redeant tempora circulo Promissumqumque serant diem . Cujus jussu homines nascuntur , hujus jussu & Reges constituuntur . Irenaeus lib. 5. c. 24. GLASGOW , Printed by ROBERT SANDERS , and are to be Sold at his Shop : ANNO DOM. 1661. TO THE TRULY HONOURABLE , AND NOBLE LORD , The EARLE of MIDLETON , Lord Clairmont and Fettercairn , His Majesties High Commissioner for SCOTLAND . May it please your GRACE , I Can not so overlove and overvalue this ensuing Discourse , as to hold it worthy of Your GRACES judicious eyes , much less of Your HIGHNESSE Patronage , yet now my verie dutie hath commanded me to look thus high , and tells it would be no lesse then injurious , if I should not lay down my work where I discharged my service , and that I should offend , if I presumed not t●us : Whether should the Rivers run , but into the Sea whence they came . This being first Preached upon a call from Your GRACE , and the Honourable Court of PARLIAMENT , and being a little Mite from one who desires to carrie in his bosome a Religious and Loyal heart to GOD the Supreme Law-giver , and ●o our Sacred SOVERAIGN . May it please Your GRACE therefore , with an favourable aspect to look upon this as a present for CAESAR , though a verie mean one , yet the little All I have , and as a testimonie of that Religiou● Reverend , and due respect I owe to Your GRACE , for the undeserved favour soown to Your GRACES humble , and unworthie Servant , knowing also that such Pieces are ob●oxicus to the obloquies , malice , & envy of some , whether could I flee more rationally for shelter then ●o Your GRACES Pa●rociny and Protection , whose high understanding in all knowledge Divine and Humane , and especially in these Primitive Truths here asserted , is no mean accession to all Your ot●er Noble and Heroicall indowments . Much is now expected ●rom Your GRACE , both by the Almightie GOD , raising and reviving Your GRACE as another Joseph out of the Dungeon , and another Jonah out of the b●lly of the Whale , the depths of the earth ; And from Your Sacred SOVERAIGN , thus exalting You to this highest Pinacle of Honour , and for reviving the languishing Laws of this withering Nation . Unto all which that Your GRACE may be sutablie answerable , and that the LORD may make You eminentlie instrumentall as a skilfull Pilot , to bring this tossed and only not sinking Vessell of this poor distracted Church and State to the desired Harb●rie of truth and peace , and for restoring His MAJESTIES just P●iviledges , and Royal Prerogatives : And that the Grace of GOD may be assistant to Your GRACE to go on in the Work of GOD , and Your GRACES Master , THE LORDS ANOINTED , the breath of our nostrils : Shall be the humble desire and heartie prayer of him who is lesse then the least of Your GRACES Servants . So intreating this may passe under Your GRACES favourable Patrocinie : And commending Your GRACE to the Protection of the ALMIGHTY GOD. I am , and remain still , Your GRACES in all humble observance and duty , HEW BLAIR . GODS SOVERAIGNITY , HIS SACRED MAJESTIES SUPREMACY , THE SUBJECTS DUTY . PSAL. 82. 1. God standeth in the Congregation of the mighty : He judgeth among the gods . THere is here a Congregation , yea , a Congregation of great ones , yea , of Gods , convocat and congregat together . And O how necessary is Gods presence in all Congregations and Assemblies ; even as necessary as the presence of the soul is to the body naturall , as necessary is his presence to the body politicall , or as the Sun to the air and to the earth , to recreate all with his light , to revive all with his hot beams ; therefore Moses the supream Magistrate , the hie Governour , who was appointed to lead his people like a flock through the wildernesse , he doth breath out this as the marrow of all his desires , that the Lord would go alongst with him , If thy presence go not with me , let us not go up hence , for wherein shall it be known here , that I and thy people have found favour in thy sight , is it not in that thou goest with us , so shall we be separate from all the people which are on the face of all the earth , Exod. 33. 15. And as his presence is necessary , so it is promised here to you thus convocate together , he who said , Mat. 18.20 . Wheresoever two or three come together in my Name , there will I be in the midst of them , in futuro , here he performeth what he had promised , and saith in praesenti , God standeth , &c. Surely that deep wound given to his Disciples by our dear Lord , Yet a little while and ye shall not see me ; filled their heart with so much sorrow , that it was only curable by that plaister and promise , Behold I am with you , Mat. 18.20 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , O that every one in this great Congregation might say from his personall experience , with divine Bernard , nunquam à te , absque te recedo , I never come to to thee in any Ordinance , duty , dispensation , that I go away without thee , without some lively stamp up on my spirit , speaking thy presence with me , expect then in faith , and ye shall enjoy his presence , even in him , in whom all the promises of God are yea , and Amen , 2 Cor. 1. 20. Keep thy promise made to thy servants , wherein thou hast caused us to trust , Psal. 119.49 . These words begin in the Hebrew Text , as the sacred Bible , with a Verb in the singular , and a Name in the plurall Number , Elohim Nitsab , as Barah Elohim , dii stat , as dii creavit , that as the ineffable mystery of the blessed Trinity of Persons is holden forth in the unity of Essence in the one , so the presence of the blessed Trinity is holden out here , or to point out the necessity of unity , unanimity and sweet harmonie among you who are thus convocat together , so what is in the Plu●all Number in the first and last words , is in the Singular in the midst of the Verse , that alone is Gods own Congregation , as Grotius observes here , which is thus lawfully convocat and united . PSAL. 82. 1. God standeth in the Congregation , &c. There is here couched up together in these words three secret and sacred Riddles , which only can be understood by these who plough with his Heifer . 1. Here is Jehovah the only God , yet mention of many gods , yea , these many gods convocat , called , counten●nced by this one God. Hath not this great Jehovah said , Thou shalt have no other gods b●fore my face , but me , Exod. 20.3 . and , Hear , O Israel , the Lord our God is one Lord , Deut. 6. 4. Yet that same Jehovah here creating and approving many gods , countenancing and authorizing them in their great Congregation , stamping them thus created and convocat , with such deep impre●sions of divine Majestie , power and authority , that Divinum quid in illis appareat , when Moses went up to the Mount , little difference betwixt Aaron and him , but when he came down as Law-giver , with the two Tables of stone in his hand , then his face did so shine , that not only all Israel , but Aaron himself could not behold him , but did all flee from him , Exod. 34.29,33 . Such brightnesse of glory was put on him , as the supream Magistrat , and as eustos utriusque tabulae , Gods then they are unto men , but they are but men unto God , therefore as he behoved to be vailed when he spake to Israel , so when he went to speak with God he took off hi● vail , his brightnesse to men , was but basenesse to God , and so the Apos●le , 1 Cor. 8.5,6 . looseth this Riddle , though there be that are called gods , whether in heaven or earth ( as there b● gods many , and lords many ) But to us there is but one God , the Father of whom are all things , and we by him , even these go●s have their being as men , as Christians , as gods from this one God , from him and for him as their Alpha and Omega . 2. This one great Jehovah standeth , these many and petty gods sitting in their Cong●egation , we know that standing is the posture of a servant befo●e his Master , and sitting the posture of the Master befo●e the Servant , Blessed are these thy servants , which stand alway before thee , said the Queen of S●eba to Solomon , 1 King. 10.8 . And you shall have place among them that stand by , is promised to Zechariah , Zech. 3.7 . Joshua even with his Mitre , as hie Priest , see for this also , Luk. 17. 7 , 8. Or it is the posture of the Pa●ty to stand , and the Judge to sit ; Hence , Moses father in Law sayes to him , Exod. 18.14 . What is this thing thou dost to the people ? Why fittest thou thy self alone , and all the people stand by thee from morning to even ? Yet here the Master is brought in as standing , the servants sitting , the Party sitting , the Judge standing : This though spoken then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is to be understood 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 1. Then he standeth , as standing is opposed to falling , ver . 6. He will stand when they all shall fall as men , Job 19. 25. Or , he standeth as attentive to all that is spoken or done by you as gods in his Name and stead , he standeth then not only as present with you , but seriously and attentively , observing every one of your hearts , voices , acts passing f●om you , weighing them all in the Ballance of the Sanctuary . Or , he standeth as waiting for an Invitation to be intreated to sit down with you , Behold I stand at the door and knock , &c. Rev. 3. 20. Or doth he stand , because he alone can make all stand fast which is inacted by you , The Counsel of the Lord standeth for ever , the thoughts of his heart to all generations , He spake and it was done , He commanded and it stood fast , otherwise who is he that sayeth , and it cometh to passe , when the Lord commandeth it not ; If you do all as from him , as before him , as for him , he will sit down with you , and make all stand fast which is done be you . The 3 Riddle is , This great Jehovah with whom is no variablenesse , nor shadow of changing , yet , here changing his site , with these many and mighty , yet petty gods , and taking the place due to him and sitting down on the bench , even as the Supream Judge , and bringing these gods thus congregat before his barr , to give an accompt to him of all he hath done in the body , as men and Christians , much more of all you have done , or shal do in this their bodie made up of so many gods to ●ender to every one according to his works done in the body , and the Acts of this their body thus convocat , which is a great check to their high and honourable tittle of gods given you in the text , least dotting too much with Nar●issus on their own shaddow , some we●tigo s●ould overtake you , while ye sit as gods : Behold an antidot to prevent this , ye shall dye as one ex vulgo yee P●inces , shal be judged their selves who judge others , two ingredients of death , and judgment to make their plumes to fall , and their combs to crowch , you sit on the Bench , He standeth , but you shall stand at the Bar , and He sit down on the Throne to all Eternity , and your Lordships shal think it your greatest happinsse to have places to walk among these that stand by , Zach. 3. 7. But how judgeth hee , among the gods , in the Original it is Beker●belohim , in medio deorum the 70. turn it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the mids , and surely the word is taken for the mids and inward parts of every one , Jer. 31. 33. Ps. 49.11 . In the mids then , 1. As the center of their felicity as Men and Christians , the ●oul finds no rest , can have no satisfaction but in him , or as the center of their Authority as gods and Judges , yee have all from him , and shall be accomptable to Him. Or , in medio to keep you in unity among your selves , surely after our Lord arose from the dead , twise did our Saviour come unto his Disciples , the Doors being shut , and stood in the midstst , and said , peace be unto you , Joh. 20. 19. 26. so doth He now judge in medio . Or , is it in medio singulorum , having his Deputy sitting in the midst of every one of you , as His Depu●ies on Earth , accusing or excusing , cherrishing or convincing each of you , so K●reb imports . Or in medio betwixt you all , in that day when he shall make the separation and set some of you it may be on his right hand , and some on his left , if there be any left handed men , here , which ( God forbid ) who for a bribe , or for respect to persons will pervert Justice and Judgement . Or , in medio Deorum , because of his supream , and illimited Power and Authority over all , all creatures must be subject to him , He ruleth therefore in the midst of his enemies . Ps. 110. 3. All must submit to His Soveraignity , and when the Son himself shall be subject , as Man and Mediator , His mediatorie Kingdome being at an end , then shall all these gods be subject also , that God may be all in all to all eternitie : which the very H●athen saw be the light of nature , so the Poet saith , Regum timendorum in proprios greges Reges in ipsos imperium est Jovis . Clari Gigontaeo triumpho Cuncta supercilio moventis . Therefore Calvin saith , Who could have expected such a Testimony from a Hea●hen of the Almighty Power of this great Jehova , be his brow commanding all , and subduing all the●e gyants on earth so called : Gen. 6. be his verie frowning upon them . The last thing is He judgeth , ei●her in praesenti , because these gods judge in His Name , and somtime He even on earth executeth judgement in the view of the world on evill doers , that man may say Verily there is a God that judgeth on earth , as wel as a God that will judge from Heaven ; Ps. But in the Originall their spot is in the future , because he hath appointed a day , wherein Hee will judge the world , and sentence against every evill Work , and Worker is not executed speedily , He is so patient and long-suffering , giving every one time to judge themselves , and that with a promise , If yee will judge your selves , you shal not be judged : Thus for the explication of the Words . But I hasten to the Divine truths holden out , in these Words , 1. I see that the high and Honourable Tittle o● being gods , is given here to Judges and Magistrats , especially to the Supream One , even be his Great and only Almighty Jehovah , and that Kings hold their C●own , Scepter , and Sword , Honour , Power , and Autho●ity immediatly from God : v. 6. Ego dixt Dii est is . 2 That it is expedient , yea sometimes necessar that those Magistrats , Judges and Law-givers , be congregat together , and that lawfully , by the Power and Authority of the Supream Magistrat , for the Word Guadah , signifieth only such a Cong●egation as is cited and convocat together be Authority , being come from Jagnad condicere coetum , judicere locum & tempus conventus : see Ex. 12. 3. 21. convocat be Moses is thus called . There is an Hebrew Word Kalah that signifieth any , though tumultuary and unlawfull meeting , as Ex 32. 1. as well as lawfull ; but Guadah is never used but for a lawfull Congregation gathered , citante Magistratu , and a Synagogue be the Archi-Synagogues , named were no other lawful Synagogues : Acts 18. 8. 17. As the light which for three dayes was dispersed throw the whole Heavens , Hee was pleased to gather together in one body , and unite into one Sun , that that one Star might be the Treasury of Light both to Heaven and Earth , to show how well this God of Order loveth the union and reduction of all things of one kinde , to their own head and center ; so the general Light diffused in the three dayes , was called together , and compassed in one Sun 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . So Stars Ye are my Lords , and Stellae primae magnitudinis , yet one must be to you thus convocat your Sun , by whose Authority alone ye come together , and by whose lightsome Beams heat , and influences you are countenanced and cherished in this your Congregation , and so you give light to the Inferiour World , yea , so pleasant is this subordination to the God of Order , that when He had made two great Lights in the Firmement , The one to rule the Day , the other the Night . Gen. 1. 16. Yet will he have all the World taking notice , that the one of them borrowes all its Light from the other . If ye be fair as the Moon , he is clear as the Sun , ere Ye can be terrible as an army with banners : If ye be all of you the Sons of the most High , yet is he the first born , whose priviledge it is , Be thou Lord over thy Brethren , and let thy Mothers Sons bow down to thee . Gen. 27. 29. And so God hath given in the Heavens an Sacred Emblem of the Royal Monarchick Power in a subordination of all Powers unto Him as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , no coordination with the Supream Power , Nec Regna socium ferre , nec tae dae sciunt : The Throne and the Bed admit of no rivals one or many , he must then be as your Sun , Aureo vitalique calore suo , vos cunstos creatque fovetque alitque . Ps. 19. 6. 7. And therefore when the 70 Elders were to ease Moses of his insupportable burthen under which he groaned and complained to the Lord , Numb . 11. 16. 7. The Lord himself commandeth those 70 to come to the doore of the Tabernacle of the Congregation , and there I will come down and talk with Thee ; and I will take off the Spirit that is upon Thee Moses , and I will put it upon them and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee : O the great necessity then of their Dependance on their Supream Lord : How is it here eminently and clearly holden out , while He calls the Spirit of Government gevin the 70 Elders , ( which were the Parliament of Israel ? ) No , the Spirit of God ( though it be so mediate ) but the Spirit of Moses , from Him the Power is derived both for Convocation , Gubernation , and Action , So that KINGS are that same to the State Politick which humid radicall is to the body naturall , for as when it is dryed up the blood becomes pituit , and hurtfull Predominant humors do infest the body , so in those Dayes wherein there was no KING in Israel , See what fell out : Judg. 17. 6. &c. 3. Observ. The presence of God as it is exceeding necessar to those Gods thus convocat , so is it given and performed as is promised . 4. That this his presence is in posture of standing , and that God is very attentive and diligently observeth , their whole carriage in all particulars coming before them . And as it is spoken of the land of Israel as its P●iviledge , The eyes of the Lord thy God are alwaies upon it from the beginning of the Year to the end of it ; Deut. 11. 12. So from the beginning of Your sitting down , to the close , the Eyes of the Lord Your God are upon You , even those Eyes of the Lord which run to and fro thorow the Earth , to show himself strong in the behalf of those whose heart is perfect . 2 ch . 16. 9. 5. That this God who standeth as a Witnesse will sit down , as a Judge , the only Judge : And this is in futuro : This judge is so mercifull , that He giveth those Judges , yea all Men tyme to Judge themselves and fit them for Judgement . 6. That He Judgeth in medio , and that You all shall be gathered by His Angels on his Right or Left Hand , and hear His sentence , whcih shall stand in force to all Eternity● So that You may all say of Your selves of those Words as David saith of Himself , Ps. 102. 10. Thou hast lifted mee up and cast me down again . O how highly are Ye exalted be Him from whom promotion cometh ! In the first , But O how low are Ye laid in the close of this verse , when brought to the bar before this Righteous Judge . 1. Doct. That this high and Honourable Title of being Gods is given , &c. To Judges and Magist●ats qua tales , and therefore in a higher Degree to him who is higher be the shoulders then You all . They are fi●st intituled so be the Prophet , v. 1. And least this should seem to drop from the pen of the Prophet without a warrand from him by whose Command they speak , the Lord is brought in , v. 6. speaking Emphatice , Ego dixi Dii estis , and this is not only verbum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . But if I may call it so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , even by the same Word whereby He created all things , and called those things which were not , as if they were his Word being his Work. Dixit , & facta sunt omnia , dixi & facti estis Reges , Qui Coelos verbi Reges verbo ille creavit , dicendo fecit quos jubet esse Deos. Gods calling , it is still that makes the difference betwixt pe●sons and things , surely the rod of Aaron laid up in the Tabernacle , Ex. 17. was not more precious in the matter of it , being of that same Wood , neither were the Characters fairer , but be Gods calling and confi●ming him in it be its budding and blossoming , as Moses and Aaron , are differenced , so is Aaron from the rest of the Princes and Competitors , Therefore Justinus sayes on this place , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . And hee from whom they have their Name , from him also they have their Power sutable to this their name , per me Reges regnant By me there is great odds betwixt the giving of Names in the Person of One , and in the Person of Another , a Creature may give to its Fellow-creature Nomen rei , but onlie the Creator giveth it r●m Nominis . Our fi●st Mother called her Son Cain , a Builder , but hee proved a Destroyer : The wisest of KINGS , His Son Rehoboam a gatherer of the People , behold he scattered ten Tribes from him at one imp●udent answe● ; But when God giveth the name , so the thing futeable to it , as when he changeth Abrams Name to Abraham , He saith , For a Father of many Nations have I made Thee , Gen. 17. 5. So hath hee given the Kingly power and Divine stamp of Authoritie , by calling them Gods on Earth . I hear also that proud father of lies , promising the same to our first parents , when he tempted them to eat of the forbidden fruit , Gen. ● . 5 . though it be in futuro , you shall be as Gods , yet never intending to give what he promised , nor being able to perfo●m though he had intended it , for he lyed when he said , all these are mine , Mat. 4. And hath he not deceived many in these our last and worst dayes , prophe●iet of by Paul , wherein there should be many traitors , headie , and hie-minded , 2 Tim. 3. 45. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 &c. by the ●ame proffer tempting them to eat of the forbidden fruit , Psal. 105.15 . Touch not mine anointed . The lap of whose garment cannot be touched by godly Davids , but their heart will smite them , 1 Sam. 24.4 . Surely if this lyar with this bait had not intised and prevailed with many , so many had not been found ready to rub reproaches , cast aspe●sions on , and root out so far as in them lay , Sacred and Royal Authority , whom God hath now made to lick the dust as men , yea , as stinging , subtill , deceived , and deceiving serpents , yea not as base men only , but as devils , te●pting many ●o sin with them , their memory as of devils to be d●testable to all posterity : So great difference there is betwixt him who saith in praesenti , dii ●stis , and him who promiseth in futuro dii critis , hea●ken never then hereafter to such a liar , surely thir Kingdoms have drunk deep of Pandora's Box , by hea●kening to this subtill and inchanting Serpent . And lest this should only seem to be Old Testament , as the Anabaptis●s fondly dream , we have our Saviour asserting the same under the New Testament , and that ●s a Law to stand in vigor for ever : Is it not writ●en in their Law , I said ye are Gods. Joh. 10. 34. If he called them Gods unto whom the word of God came and the Scripture cannot be b●oken , i. e. with the best expositors , the warrand and commission to be Magistrats , who thus have their Commission and Designation to their Office from God , though this may be in an ordinary call , even by men ; so he p●oves it lawfu●l to give them this Title of Gods ( with a due subordination to him alone by whom they are such ) and to ow and bea● all reve●ent regard , both to their Persons , Places , and Power , and to have an high esteem of such Assemblies as this , when so many Gods are gathered together by lawfull Authoritie So th● KING is thus created as a God upon Ear●h by Him who saith , per me Reges regnant and this p●r is not permission only as we say , per me licet , the Hebrew 〈◊〉 nor the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , not admi●●ing this , but it is a per creativum like that per ipsum facta sunt omnia , by Him all things w●re made . Joh. 1. 3. Yea , it is per approbativum , God approving this Government above others , therfo●e sayes th●t Q●een of Sheba to Solomon ; Because the Lord thy God loved Israel ; therefore h●th He given thee to be KING over them : 1 Kings 10. 9. Yea , per praeservativum like that Col. 3. 18. by Him all things consist , God in a speciall manner owning the Interest of KINGS , and taking them into his own pro●ection . It is he that giveth deliverance to Kings , and preserveth David His Servant from the hurtfull sword . Ps. 144. 10. And this day is this fulfilled in Your ears and eyes : Yea , I may say it is per decretivum , or a per by a Decree and Comission from God , for the powers that are ordained of God , Rom. 13. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , even like that decree of our Election , for this same word is used by the Apostle , Acts 13.48 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . As many as were ordained to Eternall life believed , so that if the dec●ee of Election be Effectual for Salvation , this Decree for the Supream Powers is to stand in force for ever for establishing of KINGS on the Throne ; and so we must not only obey for fear , but ●or conscience sake : He is not given ex importunitate populi , For though it be true that they did by their p●ecipitancie anticipat and hasten the pace of his purpose , in which respect it is said , dedi vobis R●gem in ira mea , Hos. 13. 11. yet that the Lord did purpose to govern his Israel by KINGS and Monarchie , not by Aristocracie , or Democracie . It well appears by Jacobs Testament , that he pu●posed I say , to govern them by KINGS , and that of one Tribe and lineall succession while he saith ; The Scepter shal not depart from Judah , nor the Law-giver from between his sect until Shiloh come , Gen. 49. 10. And be that of Moses giving Laws for the King thus set over all his B●ethren of Is●ael , Deut. 17. 14. And as he gave them one of the Tribe of Benjamin ( which was not the right and Royal T●ibe ) to chasten them for their importunity : So when he gave them One of the right and Royal Tribe , it was a man according to his hea●t , a David of the Tribe of Judah ; yea , he promised to build him an house , and that he should not want a light in Israel . 2 Sam. 21. 17. 1 Kings 11. 36. And surely the keeping up of this Royall Race of our KINGS , in one Line for so many Generations , without interruption : And when of late He had chastened them with the ●ods of men , not taking his loving kindnesse from them , but cutting off so speedily , those blinded , deluded , and malicious enemies of Mona●chy , speaks eminently in the Ears , and to the hearts of all Gods people , his purpose to make the Throne of Our Sacred Soveraign , as the Sunne before Him , and to establish it for ever as the Moon , and as that faithfull witnesse in Heaven , and the performance of that P●omi●e ; Their will I make the horn of David to bud . Ps. 89. 36. Ps. 132. 17. ●8 . O that still it may be so , a David with a cornu feriens & penetrans inimicos , and a cornu germinans , budding , nempe post Hiemem temporalis desertionis , I have ordained a Lamp for my A●ointed , and this Lamp never to want oyl . Ps. 92. 10. Thou shall anoint Him with fresh oyl the D●y whereof approacheth to our great joy , and sad may all their hea●ts bee , who blesseth not God for this budding , and this furniture and supply of f●esh oyl , from that Olive Tree standing before the Ru●er of the whole earth . Zach. 4. 11. 14. KINGS then are justly thus inti●uled and Authorized by God , Is it fit saith Elihu in Job to say to ● KING Thou art wicked , and to Princes , ye are ungodly : Job 34. 18. If he that reproacheth the poor , rep●oacheth his Maker ; surely hee that rep●oac●eth Princes , reproacheth much more their Maker : Therefore , Solomon saith , where the word of a King is , there is Power , and who may say to Him , what doest thou ? Eccl. 8. 4. And he giveth ●or this , a wholsome advice , I counsel thee to keep the KINGS commandement , and that in regard of the oath of God. Eccl. 8. 2. which , makes me the more to admire that great Count●y-men of ours nisi deliquisset in vno , & hoc u●u● est instar omnium , who asserens idem jus esse multi●udini &c. An●we●ing that objection of Paul to the Rom. chap. 13. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4. Thus replyes , that it was but temporary : quasi inquit Doctor quidam Ecclesiae jam scriberet ad Christianos sub turcis d●gentes , ad homines re tenu●s , animo demissos & inermes & paucos & ad omnem omnium injuriam expositos , quid quaeso aliud consuleret ; As if obedience Active and Passive were not due to him , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . T it 3. not only for fear , but for conscience sake , O the hallucination of such a one , as an evill Divine , pace tanti viri dixerim , as if obedience were only for fear or want of Power , when they have not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who have never 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; But observe , 1. That he cals the blessed Apostle Doctor Ecclesiae , surely Doctor is but a ordinary Office-bearer in the Church , and may erre ; while an Apostle is a extraordinary and cannot erre , And such an one was Paul , not inferiour to any of the Apostles ; the●efore he ought not to be intituled by anie so . 2. That he speaks of the Roman Empire as if it were idem with that of the Turcik , where quicquid libet , licet : Surely the best of our Divines do otherwise assert , that the Roman Empire now being so long established , with consent , and having a Senate above them , though some personally were monsters among men , yet saith , Acts 25. 16. It is not the custome of the Romans to condemne any man unheard ; Did not Ch●ist himself , ( our dear Lord ) pay T●ibute to Cesar , even by a miracle , and command us and them both ? date Caesaris quae Caesari , Matth. 22. 21. and not to defraud Him of his due under pretext of quae Dei , Deo. 3. That he saith those precepts were but for a time , when Chris●ians were weak &c. while all Divines agree that these Precepts do ever oblige and hold out the rule both for Princ●s to rule ( so that they may be a terrour for evill doers ) and people to obey not only for fear but for Conscience sake , surely the Armies of Theodosius did otherwise , oramus Domine non pugnamus , though they had these thundering Legions and had 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but wanting the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 never du●st attempt to make use of their potentia not having po●estatem a Domino . 4. That he saith , tho he name others whose duties he p●esc●iveth , as of husbands and wives , yet he mentions not the name o● the Magistrate , while as it is evident he nameth them exp●esly be thei● most Honou●able and Favourable Tittles of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 v. 1. of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 v 3. of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) Gods Deacons they are then , having powe● ove● othe●s , and the bl●ssed Apostle Pet●r more particularly , who was with his Lord in the Mount 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , exp●esly with his Royall Prerogative , as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . And that with all Infe●iour Magistrats as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : not referring this to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 b●t 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the best Divines agree , for this would not qua●●at with the scope , ●istinguishing so expresly betwixt the Sup●eam and Subordinat Magistrat . 5. Did he think that that promise was unknown to Paul , made to the Church under the New Testament , I will make Kings thy nursing-fathers . Isa. 49.23 . Had not Paul a large measure of that spirit , which dictat that Prophecy , ●o that as the lawfull M●gistrate is Pater Patriae , the Roman Title , so he is Pater & nutritius Ecclesiae , the Sc●iptural Title , and how evil will it fare with a child when he wants a Father to provide for him , and a Nurse to feed him , let the experience of all ages witnesse : Surely , when there is no King in Israel , Judg. 17. 10. we f●nd a Levit wandering without a charge , and maintainance , glad to be hy●ed , even with an Idolatrous Micah for ten Shekels of silver , a small so●m forsooth , about twenty five shillings ; and for a sute of apparel . And how black coats were hated by these cursed usurpers , our sad expe●ience may witnesse in these dismall dayes , of their prevalency , wherein we might have complained with Jeremiah ● Lam. 2. 6. Thou hast despised in thy in●ignation the King and the Priest ; never shall wee fin● Kings changed and ●espised , but the Priest-hood shall be despised and derided also , as in that under Jeroboam , 1 King. 12. Where every vile man might become a Priest. Far better , and more agreeable to Divine Truth , he who said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Basilius Bono principi tvnquam Deo , malo propter Deum obediendum , or as another learned man ●aith , If the Prince be evill , it is not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , not to the person , but to him who made him such . Gods they are representative , ●s his Deputies and Vicegerents on earth , à quibus nulla nisi ad ipsum deorum Deum d●tur appellatio , Paul may appeal to Festus , to Cesar , but here he reste●h , sisteth , the Lord himself leaving no other remedy to his people , but then shall ye cry unto me , 1 Sam. 8. 18. and indeed this is ●he sorrest of all appellations , if just . Or , as that wittie man said , à Caesare irato , ad Caesarem placatum . Therefore I find Moses the Supream Magistrate , Exod. 4.16 . 7. 1. by the Lord himself called a god to Aaron first , and then to Pharaoh , to denotat his power over Aaron himself , and the Tribe of Levi , who are to be directed by him in the way of going about outy , his power being supream both in Ecclesiasticos , Rom. 13.1 . Every soul , si quis conatur excipere intendit decipere : And in Ecclesiasticis , ad extra , ad intra , as Uziah challenged , and Saul no Christian Prince will claim right , or ought to do so , but in convocanda , moderanda , confirmanda sinodo , power is given him , but of this , infra , therefore is there so great ●if●e●ence betwixt the Rod of Aaron , and the Rod of Moses , when God called Moses to the Magist●acy , Exod. 4. 3. he turned his Rod into a Serpent , that stingeth unto death , but when Aaron his dry stick only became fruitfull . The Rod so laid in , brought forth buds , and blossomed blossoms , and brought forth ripe Almonds , Numb . 17.8 . The power of the Church is for edification , not for destruction , 2 Cor. 13.10 . So there is the Embleme of the Supreme Magistrates power in the one Rod , And the power of the Church in the other , which is to make the dead , dry , withe●ing stock or soul fruitfull in every good word and work . And a God he is to Pharaoh also to inflict be his authority sad and fatall judgements on the wicked , and oppressours of his people , and to denounce war against forraign Nations , infesting them , as the prerogative of these , to whom he said , dii est is . Gods they are also , because as it is not lawfull for any creature to search into the secrets which he hath not revealed , there is a foolish wisdom , saperc supra quod scriptum est , to be wise above what is written ; so the●e is a wise ignorance in not prying too much into the Ark , which the Bethshemites payed dear for , as scrutator Majestatis opprimetur à gloria , so it is never well with a State when they begin to dispute the prerogatives of a Prince , or search them to the bottom , here is abyssus magna , the●e is some arcanae imperii , not curiously to be searched into ; as who knoweth the power of his wrath , P●al . 90. so , the wrath of a King is like the roaring of a Lyon , P●ov . 19.12 . Cum numine ut igne , nec distes nimiumve procul nimiumve propinques . Be not righteous over much , ( saith Solomon ) neither make thy self over wise , why shouldest thou destroy thy self , Eccl. 7.17 . Now because dignity is ever attended with duty , and the Lord never soweth liberally upon any soil but he expecteth a crop suteable : Much being required of them to whom much is given , Luk. 12.48 . Let us see the Uses of this Doctrine , and these shall be in 3. things . 1. What these gods thus created by him , ow to this great JEHOVAH giving them this prerogative . 2. What we ow to God for them . 3. What we ow to them in the Lord. 1. Of these gods thus authorized , it is required that they be humble and thankfull to this their great and dreadfull Lord who hath thus exalted them , therefore David saith , 2. Sam. 7. 18 , 20. Who am I , O Lord God ? and what is my house , that thou hast brought me hitherto ? And , is this the manner of men , O Lord God. 20. And what can David say more ●nto thec ? And O how he bles●eth the Lord as the Author of all his g●eatnesse , 1 Chron. 29. 10,14 . Let that of the Apostle be oft meditat upon , quis te discrevit , 1 Cor. 4.7 . Who differenced thee ? And what hast thou which thou hast not received ? For of him , and through him , and for him are all things , Rom. 11.36 . 2. Of them is required that they be like God , having more lively characters of his Majestie , grace , goodnesse , power , justice and mercy g●aven on them in great letters , He that rul●th among men must be just , ruling in the fear of God : And he shall be as the light of the morning , &c. 2 Sam. 23.3 4. O what manner of persons ought they to be in all holy conversation and godlinesse 2 Pet. 3.11 . As in their plac●s above others , so in their graces and gifts , beyond othe●s , being changed from glory to glory● into that same image , as by the spirit of the Lord , 2 Cor. 3.18 . that they may come as near as possible to the rem nominis , as well as they have from him nomen rei . 3. That their Courts and attendants study to be like these blessed Seraphims that are about the Throne of the King of kings , and deorum Deum , holinesse becometh thy house , saith David , and holinesse is suteable to their house , therefo●e David thus exalted , promiseth to walk uprightly in the midst of his house , and that his eyes shall be unto the faithfull of the Land , &c. It is expedient that not only their more imme●iat attendants , but that all these who are nearer to him , and weigh the danger aright , to shun all show of impiety and prophanity . There is so nigh a relation betwixt these that are gods and the people over whom they are , so that the sin of the one reacheth to the judgement of the other , and the judgement of the one to the smart of both : The King is as the Head , the people as the Stomack , is the Head be sick , the Stomack is disaffected , David sins , the people die , 2. Sam. 24.15 . if the stomack be sick , the head complains ; For the transgr●ssions of the people are many Princes , Prov. 28. 2. both at once and successively , and all evill . Yea , when the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel , he moved Dauid against them to say , Go number Israel , 2 Sam. 24. 1. the very sins of the Princes have oft their rise from the sins of the people : the dayes were when the sufferings of the Nations were charged mainly on the Kings Family , but if we had viewed and weighed our selves aright , what Tribe of all our Israel could have exeemed our selves from being accessory to these sad judgements , wherewith we were nigh crushed . But let me speak it confidently , as every sin is a traitor to a mans own soul , so every wicked man is a traitor to his King , yea every one of his crying sins is powder and b●imstone hid in his pocket , to blow up both his Soveraign and his State , even Matchiavel himself could say , that the giving of God his due is the cause of the prospering of any State● whatsoever Philosophers in their politicks distinguish betwixt bonus vir & bonus cives , yet true Theologie a●d Divinity from Scrip●ure asserts , that as a good man , let be a good Christian , cannot be an evil subject , ( the fear of God and of the King , Prov. 24.21 . being so in●eparably linked together ) so a lewd man cannot be a good subject to a Christian King. Are they any then ●ho rise up early in the morning , that they may follow strong drink , Isa. 5. 11. and continue untill night untill the wine inflame them , against whom the Prophet denounces so sad a wo , any here , who a●e so far from fearing an Oath , that they strive to ou●-swear one another . Let them remember that flying Roll , Zach. 5. 3 , 4. which shall enter into the house of such a one , in the house of the Noble , as we●l as the house of the poor , and consume the timber and stones thereof . These th●ee great sins ( that cursed Trinity ) which too many adore , the lust of the flesh , the lust of the eye , and pride of life , pleasure profite and preferment have some bait to en●ice and deceive the poor sinner , but this sin of swearing , is the devils hook , without a bait , whe●eby many yeeld themselves willingly to be drawn down to the place of torment , by that black leader , where the tongues of such blasphemers shall be bu●nt up with these flames , and not have one drop of water afforde● them . For Gods sake then , for your own ●ouls sake , for your King ( whom ye pretend to honou● ) his sake , fo● bear these grosse wickednesses : Let it not be said that so gracious a Prince hath such gracelesse and godlesse followers and subjects . Let a wicked man swear , carrouse , drink as he will : these grosse sins are as so many treasons secretly contrived against his sacred Soveraign , Church and State where he liveth , for all ruine , Ezek. 18. is from iniquity . Let these words of Samuel sound alwayes in your ears , IF YE SHALL STILL DO WICKEDLY , 1 SAM . 12. 23. BOTH YE AND YOUR KING SHALL PERISH . As for the duties we ow to God in reference to these gods whether we shall repair for redresse , if we want Kings , or if they be unjustly deprived of that power due to them in the Lord , even to him who hath said , By me Kings Reign , and this was our sacred Anchor whether some of us did flee for refuge in these sad dayes of our late confusions , propounding that same question to the Son of God , which he did to the son of Man , Exek . 37. Can these dead bones live . Now the Almighty hath made the four winds to breath life into these slain ones , that they not only live , but reign with glory . And as to have our refuge to him by prayer , so to return unto him the praise due to his Name , when a gracious Prince reigneth over us , or is restored unto us . This late wonderfull Revolution and Restauration of our sacred Soveraign , hath so clear characters of Gods own finger graven on it , that he who runneth may read them . As , 1. That it was done so unexpectedly , When the Lord turned back the captivity of our Zion , Psal. 126. we were like these that dream , even these among the heathen say , The Lord hath done great things for them , and we say cordially , The Lord hath done great things for us , whereof our hearts are glad . 2. That it was done to us undeservedly , to a undeserving , yea , to an ill-deserving Nation . Were they not many of perverse spirits , who were saying with the wicked men , we will not have this man to reign over us , Luk. 19.27 . Yea , some who with that cursed high Priest were prophecying , It is expedient for us that one shuld die rather then the whole Nation perish , Joh. 11. 50. So that for the iniquity of our covetousnesse he was wroth , yet ( saith the Lord ) I have seen his wayes and I will heal him , I will lead him also , and restore comfort unto him and to his mourners , Isa. 57.17,18 . The second Character of his hand . 3. By whom was this delivery first intended and wrought , by one who ruleth in chief among the very souldiers , our noble and renowned Jerubabel , the scatterer of our confusions . When Saul was among the Prophets , the wise among them said , but who is their father , even the Lord was their prime mover . 4. Char. Look to the assisters and carriers on of this great work , we may say of many of them on every hand as Ioseph said of his brethren , whom they had sold , Gen. 50.20 . You did it unto me for evil , but the Lord turned it about to good , as at this day , to save many alive , and to breath life into a dying and languishing Nation . 5. Char. How was it effectuat , sine sudore sine sanguine , not by might , not by strength , no ax , no hammer heard in the erecting this wonderfull fabrick ; may we not cry , Grace , grace unto it , Zech. 4.7 , from the very Alpha to the Omega of it . This then is the Lords doing , and it is marvelous in our eyes , Psal. 118.91 . Therefore since this is the Lords own work so eminently , I would advise all with that Ruler Gamaliel , Acts 5.39 . let us not intend to overthrow it , lest we be found fighters against God. Have we not then cause to blesse this great JEHOVAH by whom Kings Reign . And that 1. That we have a King : the showt of a King is a joyfull shout , saith even Balaam himself , and that he is given to us renascendo , in that same day wherein he was given to the world nascendo , born again in that same day he was born . The first P●ince he is that ever was born Prince of these three Kingdoms . That we have a King as god from God , surely any King , even a Nebuchadnezar , a Jeroboam better nor not one at all . Tyranny it self is better nor Anarchie ; Any one to be King is better no● every one● Tyranny is better● nor Ataxie . Is it not for tbis ( saith Hosea ) that we have no King , because we feired not the Lord. Hos. 10.4 . 2. We are to thank him that we have such a King as is from our selves , and proceedeth from the midst of us . A stranger to be King is a heavy judgement . The Assyrian shall be his King , Hos. 11.5 . is a sad threatning : A King over : Israel de fontibus Israel , Psal. 68.26 . Hath he not restored our Iudges as at the first , and our Counsellours as at the beginning . 3. A King , not a J●roboam ill affected to Religion , but tryed as it were , and proved both by fire and water , in the tract of continued trouble , remained unconquerable by all , that whosoever doubts of his sincerity is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . And such a King as is not a Rehoboam , that could not judge of the advises given , but one to whom God hath given wisdom in the secret of the heart , and is as is said of David , 2 Sam. 17.24 . as an Angel of God. The breath of our nostrils , Lam. 4.20 a Jedidiah beloved of God , to whom God appeared twise , if ever to Solomon , 1 King. 11.9 . in his oak of Mamre , his wonderfull preservation at Worcester , in his miraculous Restauration , without so much as the noise of an ax , yea , whatsoever was done for his Majestie be force of arms succeded not , discovered only and weakened his friends and real followers , which though it was interpreted as a signall token of his being rejected , yet speaks so lowd Gods wonderfull love , in ●aising him to glory and honour , even as the Lord did raise his own Son , Psal. 118.21 . Christum Dominum , so hath he raised Christum Domini , behold he is our Samuel , 1 Sam. 1. 20 asked of God , many prayers and tea●s it cost some of us , he knoweth , who searcheth our hearts , one asked , obtained , devouted to God : A ●Beon● , once to us a son of mourning , but a Benjamin to his father , Gen. 35.18 . The man of his right hand , whom God hath made strong for himself ● Psal. 80.17 . and so may he be till time be no more . O what cause have we to magnifie this God , thus creating and reviving our sacred Saveraign who was buried before under oblivion and obloquies . Let his Majestie as another Noah preserved in the midst of the waves build an altar of rest unto the Lord. Thou w●ich hast shown him sore and gr●at troubles , quickened him again , and b●ought him up from the d●pths of the earth , Psal. 71.20,21 . O increase his greatnesse , and quicken him on every side . But we come to the duties we owe to these dignities thus entituled● thus autho●ized by God , which are , 1. If by Gods own word and authority they be thus created gods , then whatsoever ye do for them , or in obedience to them , do all for conscience sake towards God , & arcessite rivum fideli talis de fonte pietatis , as Gregory saith , draw the streams of your loyalty to your Prince out of the fountain of piety towards God , no other obedience pleaseth God , no man can be constant in his duty of loyalty to his Soveraign , but he who obeyeth in the Lord , and for the Lord. 2 Are they thus Gods on earth , let none presume to dalie with them , or deal deceatfully in the work concredit by Gods Vicege●ent on Earth , for as the Prophet Jer. 48.10 . Cursed is he that doth Gods work deceitfully or negligently , so is it here , some have bene for P●inces , who have looked stil Janus like , with two faces . One 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , another 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; one above the table , and another under it , And as rowlers of an Boat they never looked to that ●Aitto● which they are rowling both with hearts and hands ; But them that turn aside be their crooked way●s will the Lord bring forth among workers of iniquity , Ps. 125. vlt. Let Your Hearts● Hands , Fac●s go one way in t●is great Wo●k befor● You● ( Lo. ) Our Gracious Soveraign now offe●ing the occasion as His bles●ed Father of Eternall Memory said , when He did cast Himself over in the Scots protection , now saith He , will I read the Ridle of the Scots Loyaltie to give them oppo●tunity to l●t the World know they mean not what they do , but what they sa● ; Let your Works and your words be one in the Lord , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Joh. 6. 5. Not with Ey●-s●rvice as pleasing men but with singlenes●e of heart approving your heart to God as the Apostle to se●vants , And be ye all Nathanaels Israelits indeed in whose heart their is no guile . 3. Are they Gods , then hath any Nation changed their Gods even which are no Gods Jer. 6. 10. 11. I may say that this complaint reacheth us well , It was the Glory of this Nation unparalelled by any other Kingdome under Heaven : Nobis invicta dedere centum octo proavi , an hundreth and eight KINGS of one Line , and Royal Race , but we may say we changed our Glory into the similitude of an Ox that eateth grasse ; and a living Dog was preferred to a dead Lyon , I say supposed to be dead , But that Lion now liveth , and Longa Dics hominem docuit parere Leoni . A little length of time hath taught even those that were most active against His Sacred Majesty now to bow to Sacred Soveraignity : And O that as a Lion he may so roar , that hee may may make all the Beasts of the Foorest , his heart and hand foes , to tremble ; yet Reign so , that He may have more of the Lion nor of the Lamb , least he be led like a Lamb to the horns of the Altar , as that unparalleld Martyr was by that cursed Crew who first began to cry him down as non Deum , not in his due Line of subordination to God , then as non Regem , He might not exercise his Royal power , and at last they made him not hominem , not a Man : And as Your Lordships have begun happily , so go on still to wipe away that sad reproach put upon us , even by a learned man in Print Salmasius 442. pag. which else I would not mention , Presbiterianos perdedisse Regem in Carolo , independentes trucidisse hominem Carolum ; too many things were dona to prejudge him in his Royal Authority ere these cursed and wicked men robbed him of his Life . O my Lords vindicat now the Loyalty of this his Aneient and Native Kingdome , as Your Lordships have begun Laudably to do , so all Posterity shall call you blessed . 4. Are they Gods , then as the Name of God is Sacred and dreadful , Deut. 28. 58. So let all be tender of the Lords anointed . The Jews have a conceit that the sin of that blasphemer who was stoned by a command from the Lord was that he named that ineffable Name JEHOVAH . It hath been the antient policy of all subtile Undermyners of Royal Authority still to begin with pasquils and datraction , so began that cursed imp and unnaturall Son Absolon , who began to challenge his Father and Soveraign before the people , as not appointing any to hear the complaints of his Subjects , 2 Sam. 15. ●3 . And that subtile Jeroboam with his complices , in their addresses to Rehoboam to crave the easing them of his Fathers yoke , as too heavy 1 King. 12. 9. If it be lawfull for any to detract from , or sow disaffection betwixt Princes and people , what will follow , but when Shimeis tongue is not crubed Sheba's Trumpet shall soon blow lowd . Rebellion is the fruit of tollerated Sedition . Consider that of Solomon , My Son , fear thou God and the King , and medle not with them that are given to changes ( Shonim ) is the Word which cometh from ( Shen ) the tooth , changes and seditions begin at the tooth with detracting . The Antient Romans painted pride with three Crowns , on the first whereof was written transcendo , they go beyond the bounds of their station ( Corah ) like , they will speak evill of dignities , despise Dominions . On the second non obedio I will not obey , On the third perturbo , suteable to the carriage of some who troubled the peace of our Israel , If any have hatched a seditious Remonstrance against Soveraignity , if any have wickedly robbed our Prince of His Crown , Authority and Life , into their secret Let not my soul come , my glory , be not thou joyned to their Assembly . Gen. 49. Moses forbids all to curse and revile their Gods , Exod. 22. 28. And if we believe Paul that Interpreter one of a thousand , to speak evil of them , is to curse them Acts 23. 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Thou shall not speak evill of the Ruler of thy People ; and by the Law you know what punishment is due to those that curse their Father or their Mother , Ex. 21. 17. Pro. 30. 17. And the King is Pater Patriae , the Father of His Countrey ; Yea it is Registrat in Sacred Scripture what the Lord did to Miriam , though the Sister of Moses the supream Magistrate because of the Ethiopian Woman whom he had married , no sooner is the Word come out of her mouth , but the Lord is seen at the door of the Tabernacle , in a cloud Nub. 12. 2 3. And as her Tongue swelled with proud aspersions against the lawfull and Supream Magistrat , so is she smitten with a deforming and defiling Leprosie , and seven dayes was She shut out of the Camp , and not healed till Moses cryed unto the Lord for her , One man may kindle a ●re which all the World cannot quench , a plague sore may infect a whole Kingdome . Lastly , If they be thus Gods , then will not that God by whom they Reign , resent and revenge the injuries done to them , as done to Himself : Surely when the People began to flight Samuel , the Lord said , They have not rejected Thee , but Me. And David sayeth , Those that seek my soul to destroy it , will the Lord bring down to the lower parts of the earth , They shall be a portion to Foxes , but the King shal rejoice in God. 2 Sam. 1.7 . Foxes they are , and such shall their portion bee . Hath any Nation delivered their own Gods with their own hands to burned , surely the verie Lycaonians honoured Paul and Barnabas much supposing him to be their Jupiter and M●rcurius Act. 14. The very Heathen man said when a Bird cha●ed , did flee to him for refuge , I will not deliver thee into thy enemies hand , since thou hast fled to mee for a Sanctuary . Two sad acts and sinfull in this kind , which are displeasing to this God by whom they Reign ; I cannot but mention , the delivery of the Sucred Person of the one into his enemies hands , the denying of the interest of our dread Soveraign , the other : But in all those Acts , there is a great difference betwixt the Actors , the Theologs distinguish a threefold Ignorance , the first is natural to all men alienated from the Life of God through the Ignorance that is in them . Eph. 4. 18. The next is voluntar , this saith Peter willingly they know not , 2 Pet. 3.5 . The third is judicial , while men receive not the truth with Love , but imprison their knowledge , they have of God he gives them Judicially over 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to a mind that can not discern . Philosophers have a distinction betwixt ignorantia purae negationis and pravae dispositionis , I shall adde a third pravae tentationis , and so a little compare the denying , the delivering of our Lords Christ in these , Three Apostles were guilty of denying our dear Lord , Paul who persecuted him , but was received to mercy because he did it ignorantly : Peter who denyed him throw a surprising tentation , and was pardoned by his threefold confession , daring to affi●m that he who betrayed him knew all things , knew his heart , loved him . And Judas who betrayed him for love of money , and in delivering our blessed Lord to Pilat , three Actors they were . 1. The people that did it ignorantly to please their leaders : or 2. The Pharisees who did it of envy , because he Ecclipsed his Glory And Judas again for 30 peeces of Silver . To some we may say as our Lord did , Father forgive them , they know not what they are doing : But if any through love to the wedge of Gold have done so to the Lords Anointed Ones , let it be Mithridat in their meat , Wormwood in their Cup , a gnawing Worm in their Conscience , a ded Flee in all their Oyntment , a moth in their Estate and Garment . Josh. 7. And let it do them no more good nor the golden wedge did Ahan which brought the stones about his ears ; or Naboths vineyard did to Achab , or the two Talents to Gehazi . 1 King. 21. 2 King. 5. 27. Who view Scripture aright shall ●ee that the Lord himself hath made such a distinction in that first insurrection against Moses and Aaron , Numb . 86.2 . Corah kindled the fire , the 250 Princes added fewel to it , all Israel warmed themselves by it , yet only the Incendiaries perish , God and Moses know to make a distinction betwixt the head of a faction and the train , betwixt Absolon and those that follow him with a simple heart . 2 Sam. 15. 11. These that have been leaders have ever been plagued , the other lesse censured , forgiven , yea prayed for oft times . But against David the Father , the man according to Gods own heart , and Solomon the Sonne , the wisest of the sons of men , they were 3 great and Archenemies , Absolon in the State , Achitop●el in the Counsel and Army , Abiathar in the Church conspyring with Adonijah , and against all those God write his indgnation in Characters of blood and contempt : Absolon as a paricide , was exemplarly lifted up as a spectacle of Gods wrath , and pierced with three Darts by Joab 2 Sam ●●●●4 . The first for his sin against God , that when he me minded Rebellion , he pretendi●●●ligion , he is become so religious forsooth he must go and pay his vowes at Hebron . 2 Sam. 15.7 . The second D●rt he gave him for his unna●ural insurrection against his own Father to be a monument of his wrath , unto all generations to stubborn rebellious and irreligious children . The third , for his cursed and ●reacherous rebellion against the KING : Ahitophel , whose Wisdome was such , that he was looked on as an Oracle from God , yet dyed as a fool that he hanged himself , 2 Sam. 23. 17. Abiathar was deposed by Solomon , 1 Kings 2. 27. and though ●t be questioned whether he did this as a Prophet or as King of Israel , yet is it needlesse to dispute this ; Since we cannot deny this to Kings which is given to eve●y man by the law of Nature , to defend himself , and in so doing , to kill ere he be killed , if Solomon will not depose Abiathar , Abiathar will depose Solomon . Never was there a treasonable and treacherous plot against the Lords Anointed , but this G●d by whom they reign did signally avenge it when Corah Dathan and Abiram rose up against Moses , The very earth opens its mouth to devour them at once . Num. 16. 31. This Element was not used to devour such morsels , it devours the carcasses of men , but bodies informed with living souls never till now , but as the Heavens hated to give them breathing in their Air , so the Earth abhorred and his●ed to bear such a burthen as a Traitor to the Supream Magistrat , to have them stricken dead instantly on the earth had indeed been fearful , but to see the earth at once , both their executioner and their grave : O this is dread●ull and horrible , who can but see how hateful seditious insurrections are to him who is the God of Order ! and can have no hand as author or fautor in any treacherous rising up , against the suppream Magistrate . He who hath said , By me Princes reign , hath said , By me all traitors shall perish : 1 Sam. 10.27 . Doth not Scripture design those as the Sons of Belial , who slighted even Saul in his Government , & Cuchi say ; The enemies of my Lord the King and all that rise up against Thee to do Thee hurt be as that young man is , 2 Sam 18. 32. When Absolon was exemplarly lifted up as a perk , to make all awarre le●t they should split themselves , and all on that same rock of Rebellion . Those Judges , Rulers , Magistrats , must be so convocat together that they make up a lawfull Congregation , and that in three . 1 Many they must be , of one mind so far as is possible , Jerusalem is not builded but as a citty that is compact together III Psal. v. 3. Many ; where there is no counsel , the people perish , but in the multitude of Counselours there is safety Pro. 11 14. where there is no Counsel the People perish , but in the multitude of Counsellours , there is safety : Ps , 11. 14. Powers dispersed may do some good , but united much more , yea , these things which are of publict concernment can only be wel done by powers gathered together both for consultation and action , that Polititian Tacitus observed , it as the cause of the old Brittons ruine , Raro in communi ●onsultant , & dum singuli pugnant universi vincuntur , The Lord is building up Israel , when he gathereth in one the out casts of Israel , then he healeth the broken in heart and bindeth up all their wounds , O that ye may be so this day , of one mind and Judgement not knit together as Sampsons Foxes Jug . 15.4 . as those cursed enemies of Sacred Mona●chy were quod dulcis odor lucri qualibet ex re , and that Odor was Faetor , even of Rebellion did keep together , but perfectly joyned together in the same mind , and in the same Judgement 1 Cor 1.10 . So the promise holds out where two or three 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : hearts & vows one , then whatsoever ye ask shal be given . In that first famous meeting of the Christian Church they were gathered together 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Act. 2. 1. For the divisions of Reuben great sobs of heart , Jug . 5. 15. As the spirit natural is not infused into the body till it be justly o●ganiz'd , and a●l the members united , So the Holy Spi●it fitting you for Your stations , is not to be expected injoyed , by those who are sweetly dwelling together . Ps. 133. 1. There the Lord commandeth the blessing , whose Tabernacle is in Salem , Ps 76.2 Be war lest that fire be kindled among you , which was betwixt Abimelech and the men of Shechem . Judg. 9. ●27 . 2. They must be convo●at together by the Authority of the Supream and lawfull Magistrat only , they may not alwayes conveen at their own pleasur , Parliamēts are the same to the politick body , which Physick is to the body natural : What more hastens Death then continued and dayly using of Physick , if this become our dayly food , the poor Patient lives miserably ; There was a Parliament in these Nations which sat so long that they caused distempers and diseases in stead of curing them , But when lawfully thus called , they may not refuse to come . Numb . 16 2. 12. Corah refused to come when called by Moses , you know what come of it , and how Scripture speaks of it . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , woe unto them , &c. inde 11. 3. They may not come together when not called , al 's dangerous , when Demetrius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tumultuously gathers his c●afts-men together , no small trouble is in that con●used meeting , a cry for two hours together , Great is Diana , &c. Yea , most , not knowing wherefore they come together , but the wise Clerk dissipats them with an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a hurly burly meeting it is , not a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as heir except gathered be Archisynagogues . Acts 19. 23. 41. And such was the meeting of the children of Is●ael against Moses , when they were ●eady to stone him Ex. 17. 2. 7. This is conjuratio not congregatio , who thus are Scripturally called child●en of Meribah , contention for contending with Moses , and of Massah , because they thus tempted the Lord. The war●and then for meeting must be from the supream Magistrat , whether it be Ecclesiastik or Civil in a Christian and constitute Church , in Ecclesia constituta & Christiana , because the Supream Magistrat is custos utriusque tabulae , God put both the Tables thus into Moses hand twise , Charles the Great had written on his sword , decem Preceptorum custos Carolus , Charles the keeper of the ten Commandements , and he who is , custos utriusque tabulae , is by that same Lord appointed to be custos utriusque tubae , the keeper o● both the trumpets , therefore Numb . 10.1,2 . The Lord spake to Moses , saying , Make thee two trumpets of silver , and they shall be to thee for the calling of the Assembly , and for the journeying of the Camp , both for peace and for war , for the sons of Aaron , and for congregating the children of Israel Church and State , this was a statute in Israel for ever , if this be not his Royal Preregative , who is the Supream Magistrat , he beareth the Sword in vain , if any may meet for things of a publick concernment in reference to any of the Tables without him . Not Moses only , but Joshua his successor did both convocat and dissolve the meeting of the 12. Tribes , even for the renewing of the Covenant of God betwixt him and his people , Josh. 24.1.28 . Thus in after ages even when Kingly power was established , David himself did both for the establishing a place for the Ark , and for setling the Office●s of the Church , in their courses for the Tabernacle , 1 Chron. 15.4 . 16. 43. So it continued in Solomons dayes , 2 Chron. 5. 2. 5. So Asah 2 Chron. 15. 13. Jehoshaphat thus established Judges from City to City , throughout all Israel , see 2 Chr. 17.78 . 19. 5 , 8. And for a Fast , 2 Chr. 20.3 . So in Hezekiahs dayes who expresly convocat them , the Levits came according to the Commandement of the King , for the businesse o● the Lord , see the Margen , to cleanse the house of the Lord , 2 Chr. 29. 15. Yet were all the●e Kings approven of God , no Prophet crying out against this , though Isaiah lifted up his voice like a Trumpet , to show Israel their sin , yet none of them protested aganist this , or appealed from it . After the captivity Nehemiah , Zernbbabel , did so also , Neh. 7.13 . So were all these famous Counsels in the Primitive times convocat , that of Nice , wherein 318. Bishops did sit , totius orbis lumina , by Constantine the great , none for grace , vertue , holinesse , valour for Christ comparable to them , some whereof as Paphuntius , had lost one of his eyes for Christ , and some of them did suffer thereafter ; So that of Constantinople , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . So that at Ephesus , that at Chalcedon be Valentinian and Martian , vide Socr. lib. 1. c. 9. 3. The end of convocating must be considered , this is causa causarum , but I must be short , 1. Meet for the things of the Lord , to help the Lord , Judg. 5.23 . Let him have the preheminence in all , Religion first secured by your Lordship in Doctrine , Discipline and Government , let him be your first and last . Beware of sacriledge , Mal. 3.8 . if ye desire the Lord to delight in you , delight you also , as the great Lord doth , in the prosperity of his servants , Psa. 35.37 . Be ye healers of the breaches of Zion , uniting the minds and hearts of all the sons of Levi in one , whose divisions hath caused sad thoughts of heart , thus the loyns shall blesse you as warmed with the fleece of your favour , and the hearts of many shall sing for joy . For securing the Government in our Sacred Soveraign in himself and his Posterity ; And O what thanks deserve your Lordships for what is done herein ; Go on in this till this be fully established , and these loyall acts pasted by your Lordships in this be as the decrees of the Medes and Persians . Yea , thus it shall be said of the acts thus enacted by your Lordships , as being compared with other acts in his prejudice : as that famous Poet comparing Venice and Rome together , Illa homines dicas , haec posuisse Deos. And as is said of Augustus in reference to Rome , so of your Lordships in reference to Scotland , invenistis latericiam O relinquite marmoream , you find it of Tyle , O build it of Marble . But I hasten to the third point , Gods presence with you thus congregat is necessary , consider the danger if he withdraw , Hos. 9.12 . Wo also unto you when I depart frō you , and that Isa. 29.19 . The wisdom of their wise men shall perish , and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid . Necessary 1. for graces and gifts suitable to your high and honourable station : Every good gift is not only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , not from above only but from heaven , Jam. 1. 17. Philosophers call the eminent endewments of the mind 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and habits : Theologie teacheth us to call them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gifts of free grace , he is the father of lights , if ye be deep Politicians , wise States-men , gracious Christians , who is your father , 1 Sam. 10. 12. There is a spirit in man , but the inspiration of the Almighty giveth understonding , Job 32.7,8 . The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord , Pro. 20.27 . And as for gifts , so for the exercise of their gifts in actu execito , if not acted , assisted , the best of men is but a Dyall without the clear beams of the Sun , when the spirit departed from Sampson , he thought to have done as before , Judg. 16.20 . but his wings were clipped . His presence keeps you in a lively frame for duties , Psal. 73.26 . Luk. 24.32 . 2. It maks your face to shine so , that none shall be able to withstand you , Josh. 1.5 . 3. No businesse shall be intricat to you , but with Paul ye shall be able to do all things , Phil. 4.13 . 4. Freeth you from all fears , Isa. 43.3 . Psal. 23.4 . 5. You shall administrat Justice impartially , 2 Chr. 19.6 . How to have it , and intertain it , I dar not insist on , see only that Psal. . 16.7 , 1. 4. Point , Gods presence is evidenced in his two acts of standing and judging . 1. Of these joyntly : standing as it is opposed to falling , ver . 6. The greatest of Princes shall be brought down to the dust of death as well as the meanest of men , even ye who are gods on earth , saith Job , and he shall keep the field when the battel is fought , Job 19.25 . Your wisdom and power , honour and preferment , yea graces and holinesse cannot exeem you from that first paenall Statute , Dust thou art , Gen. 3.19 . Hence when that Minion complained to his Master , that he was envyed by many , and it was replyed , unus hic dum tibi sit propitius Jupiter , tu istos minutulos Deos flocci feceris , he returned wittily , quasi tu nescias vir magne quam cito emoriantur hum●ni Joves , how soon does humane gods die ? 2. Act , He will judge , gods ye are , but such as must give an account as men and Christians , 2 Cor 5.10 . much more as gods , ye are both dii caduei , and dii judicandi , two strong bits in the mouths of all to curb pride and abuse of power ; your Lordships must be within a little time stripped of all your earthly greatnesse , glory and power , all your Parliamentary and honourable Robs , and make your bed in the earth , and if your bones be full of the sins of youth , they shall ly down with you in the dust , Job 20.11 . and shall rise with you when ye come befo●e the La●b on his Throne , Revel . 6. 16. Now of these two Acts severally , 1. He standeth , our great Jehovah is very attentive to all , his eyes are as a flame of fire , and reacheth even to the center of your hearts ; he that planted the ear hears all yo●r words , voices , do all the●efore as vigilantes servi coram vigilante Dousino , saying as to his slumbering Disciples , Can ye not watch with we one honr , Mat. 26. ●9 . 2. Stands wai●ing for your Invi●ation to come in unto you , let it not be your challe●ge , Mat. 23.37 . How oft would I , and ye would not . Say not to the Almighty , Depart from us Job 21.14 . but rather as Gen. 24.31 . Laban to Eleazar , Come in thou blessed of the Lord , the rooms are prepared for thee , as thee , as the Ethiopians le●t empty seats in Judicatories for their gods to sit down with them : And with David say , Psal. 101. 2. O when wil● thou come in unto me ? Thus , The gates of Glory shall be cast open to you , if ye open your everlasting doors , that the King of Glory may come in , Psal. 24. 3. Stands as ready to confirm all your Acts , if done as before him , concerning the works of my hands command ye me , Isa. 45. 11. a strange word , Thou shalt also decree a thing and it shall be established to thee , and his light shall shine on thy wayes , Job 22.26.7.8,9 . 4. He stands pro vobis fi mereamini in vos , as Trajan said : Who dar oppose if he be for you ? Korahs cup the dregs of it shall be for them . But if ye do evill , behold the Judge standeth before the door , Jam. 5.9 . PSAL. 82. 1. He judgeth among the gods . 1. In our Translation it is in the present time , 1. Because all power of judging given to these gods on ea●th is derived from him , neither do they judge but as cloathed with authority from him ●itting in his stead , hence Abraham styles him the Judge of all the earth , Gen. 18. 25. 2 Chron. 19. 6. 2. Because he sometime judgeth even in this life , and judgement returneth unto righteousness , and all the upright in heart follow after it , Psal. 94 15. Psal. 58. 11. And this day this is verified in your eyes , when these cursed ones who usurped the power over these Nations are made spectacles of his wrath to men and Angels , before their pots wherein they in●ended to boil us , could feel the thorns , he took them away both living & in his wrath , Ps. 58.10,11 . The wicked man shall no● rost● Pro. 12.27 . God hath written in deep characters of blood his great indignation against these who rose up in rebellion against the Lords Anointed , to be a caveat to all , for the ages to come . 3. He judgeth because certainly it shall be so , as Solomon , Eccl. 8.11 . Because sentence against an evill man is not executed speedily , therefore the heart of the children of men is fully set to vanity . Though some escape the sad stroak of his pu●suing and revenging justice in this life , yet hath he appointed a day , Acts 17. 31. And they do but treasure up wrath to themselves , Rom. 2.4 . And your Lordships shall be judged , 1. de bonis commissis , of all the good things committed to your trust , by God , or by his Anointed , graces , gifts , talents of wealth , honour , power , a●thori●y , as that man Luk. 16. ● . Mat. 25.14 . De bonis omissis , if ye be not eyes to the blind , ignorantem dirigendo , feet to the lame , impotentem adjuvando , fathers to the poor of the land , indigentt●m subl●vando , and break the jaws of the wicked , and pull the prey out of his mouth ; oppressores conterendo , de malis commissis if any guilty Achan go free , or an innocent Naboth be condemned : He that justifieth the wicked , P●ov . 17.15 . de malis permissis , if any evil fall out in the land , which it was in your power to have prevented , as Eli was for his too great indulgence to his children , 1 Sam. 2.30 . Yet Heb. it is in futuro jisp●t . God in his admirable patience gives gives all men time to judge themselves , and that with a promise , 1 Cor. 11.31 . Let it not be said of you 〈◊〉 2.24 . O let your Lordships beware of unrighteous judgement , justice is holden out , as blind , even with a just ballance and a sword : You shall have no respect of persons in Judgemen● 〈◊〉 . 1. 27. Act. 10.33 . no the poor in his cause , Exod. 23.2,3 . Away with bribes from the rich , ●xod . 23.8 . If golden pillules can cure the desperat and deadly disease of treason , no rich man needs he●eafter fear to be treacherous to his King , or to his Countrey . That Pythian Oracle said to Philip 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , fight with silver Lances and you shall overcome all , thus you shall highly provoke God , For the iniquity of his covetousnesse I was wrot● , Is. 57.17 . and for this too much and too long he hath hid his face from us ; thus you shal make your ●elves contemptible in their eyes from whom ye receive these bribes , as Jugurtha for all his fratricide , escaping looking back to Rome , said with disdain omnia Romae sunt vaenalia , urbis ipsa venalis , si emptorem invenerit : Let us not be double dyed with these sca●let sins . O ●i●e up with the zeal of Phineas , Psal. 106.30 . for Numb . 35.33 . Justice is two wayes wrested , 1. When the sweet wine of Justice ●hrough tedious delayes becomes sowr vinegar . 2. If it become wo●mwood and Justice be perverted . O arise and breath life into the languishing Laws of this withering N●tion , now some years through want of administration of Justice , and establishing the Judicatories of the Land. In the midst he judgeth . The righteous Judge desireth as your Center to have you all united to him , in him , and among your selves , he thus came in after his Resurrection twise unto his Disciples , Joh. 20,19.26 . By concord small things grow great , by discord great things grow small . 2. In the midst of every one of you God judgeth every day , he keeps a Court in your consciences , if ye do wrest Judgement , this Deputy in your inward parts , the minds of you , shall rise up as a witnesse to give Testimony , as a Party to accuse , as a Judge to passe sentence , this one in whom ye now trust , shall judge you , there is no peace saith my God to the wicked , Isa. 57.21 . A hell within them till they fall in a hell without them , and can make any man as Pashur . was , Magor-missabib , terrour round about , Jer. 20 4. Let this be your brazen wall in all your wayes and acts , nil conscire sibi : otherwise caeco verbere tundit , it breaks it , bruises you as in a morter . 3. He judgeth in the midst imports his dominium plenum , full dominion , Psal. 110.3 . over you all , in all your souls , bodies and estates , as when it is said media dominantur in Urbe , it is a full conquesse when the heart of the Town is possessed . 2. It imports a dominium securum , without all fear from any , as the Shunamite sayes , I dwell in the midst of my people , 2 King. 4.13 . Luk. 4.30 . So Gods judging is such that it is i●resistible , Isai. 27.4 . unconquerable . 3. A dominion aeternum , when this Judge hath his sheep on his right hand , and the goats on his left hand . So I close with an exhortation to your Lordships . 1. To your Grace , Set this God as thus judging before you ; be faithfull to the most hie God in this your trust , endeavour to have more and more his grace in you , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , soul-sanctifying , soul-refreshing and saving grace , whereof Paul Rom. 1.5 . grace and Apostleship , grace with your Commission , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , grace with you , assisting grace , 1 Cor. 15.9 . So your Grace shall have a double guard peculiar to his own . The peace of God passing understanding which activê 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall guard your heart , Phil. 4.7 . and the power of God ●or you passivê , ye shall be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , guarded by the power of God , surer then any Life-guard , 1 Pet. 1.5 . 2. Study loyalty to your Sac●ed Master , he an Nathaniel , a true Israelite , &c. and your Grace shall be a Gamaliel , God shall be to you as to Abraham , your great reward , and keep many from fighting against God in his Anointed , Acts 5.39 . according to his counsel . And to Your Noble and Honourable Lordships● : remember this , God will sit when You shall all stand , be unpartiall in all Your actings , let not feed or favour , love or hatred byasse You in Judgement , You are as Gods , to Men be Ye Gods as God is holy , thri●e holie . Is. 6. 2. In his Es●ence , Acts , Decrees , Attendants , so ought Ye to be . 1 Personally holie , For without holynesse Heb. 12. 14. in your actings . Ps. 101. 3. Set no wicked thing before you , in Your followers , the sins of Rulers are a rule for sinning to many : Regis ad exemplum &c. Let His Sacred Majesty read the riddle of Your Loyalty : The poor land the reality of Your piety and pittie : that of His Majesty it may be said , ( by Your help ) as of Solomon , he sate on the Throne of the Lord in stead of his Father . 1 Chr. 29. 23. Thus go on still in the course of Justice as the Sunne in the Zodiack , running your race with Joy , thus the Good shal blesse You , the poor pray for You Your own hear● shall chear you , the great God of Heaven shall reward you , Your gracious and Sacred Soveraign shall call You a blessed and a healing Parliament , and all posterity shall speak t● Your praise and blesse God for You. And all ye Religious and Judicious hearers , fear God and the King , as Solomon Pro. 24.21 . he cannot fear God by whom he Reigneth , who feareth not the King given us of God in love , and he that is void of the invisible God , can neither love nor fear his Deputy on earth ; if any wrong his Majesty , detracting , sowing sedition or disaffection betwixt him and his people , he but shortens or embitters his own life , by stopping the breath of his nostrils the Anointed of the Lord , and he puts out his own c●ndle , who qnencheth the light of Israel , these titles being given him of the Lord , Lam. 4.20 . 2 Sam. 21.17 . Meddle not therefore with them that are given to changes , and blesse God for this wonderfull change and Revolution , praying heartily it may be without change till time shall be changed into Eternity , and this mortall put on immortality . To this God of all these gods , the King of kings , who remaineth the same for ever , be praise , honour and glory for ever , Amen . FINIS