A sermon preached at Dublin upon the 23 of Aprill, 1661 being the day appointed for His Majesties coronation : with two speeches made in the House of Peers the 11th of May, 1661, when the House of Commons presented their speaker / by John Lord Archbishop of Armagh, Primate and Metropolitan of all Ireland. Bramhall, John, 1594-1663. 1661 Approx. 67 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 26 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2005-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A29208 Wing B4235 ESTC R25292 08838567 ocm 08838567 41946 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. A29208) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 41946) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1277:14) A sermon preached at Dublin upon the 23 of Aprill, 1661 being the day appointed for His Majesties coronation : with two speeches made in the House of Peers the 11th of May, 1661, when the House of Commons presented their speaker / by John Lord Archbishop of Armagh, Primate and Metropolitan of all Ireland. Bramhall, John, 1594-1663. 48 p. Printed by William Bladen, Dublin : 1661. Reproduction of original in the Cambridge University 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 CXXVI, 7 -- Sermons. Sermons, English -- 17th century. 2003-05 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2003-05 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2005-03 Judith Siefring Sampled and proofread 2005-03 Judith Siefring Text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-04 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A SERMON Preached at DUBLIN , upon the 23. of Aprill , 1661 , being the day appointed for his Majesties CORONATION ; With two SPEECHES made in the House of Peers the 12th . of May , 1661 , when the House of Commons presented their SPEAKER . By the most Reverend Father in God JOHN Lord Archbishop of Armagh , Primate and Metropolitan of all IRELAND . DVBLIN , Printed by William Bladen , Anno Domini 1661. PSALME . 126. V. He that now goeth on his way weeping , and beareth good seed , shall doubtless come again with joy , and bring his sheaves with him . IN the saddest afflictions and blackest storms , that can befall a man in this world , ( give me leave to make this thankful acknowledgment ▪ ) there is no companion or comforter like the Psalmes of David . He , that speaketh experimentally , is the best Physician both for soul and body . Being to speak unto this auditory upon his Majesties happy restitution , I fitted and fixed my thoughts to the first Verse of this Psalm , when the Lord turned again the captivity of Sion , then were we like to them that dream . When the Lord , not the Lord Cyrus in relation to the Jews , though the edict for their restitution came out from him , but the Lord of Cyrus , nor the Lords of Parliament in relation to us , though they helped to lay the foundation of our present happiness , but the Lord Paramount of Heaven and Earth . VVhen the Lord turned . In God there is no shadow of turning by change . But vvith us there is nothing but turning , and returning , we are all turning shadows upon the old exchange of this world . VVhen the Lord turned again the captivity , that is , the Babilonish Captives , by an ordinary hebraism . So it is said of Christ , he led captivity captive , that is , those who were captives to Sin and Satan , he reconquered them and made them to become his own servants ; And what were we better then Babilonish captives , while we sojourned in idolatrous and superstitious Countries ? There are two sorts of captivity , corporal and spiritual ; both are bad , but the latter ten times worse . In a corporal captivity the Tyrants are external , but in spiritual captivity they are internal , in our bosomes and bowels . There the stings are sharp , but nothing so sharp as the stings of a guilty conscience , corporeal Tyrants may dispossess us of our wealth , our life , our liberty ; but spiritual deprive us of our Souls , of Gods image , of eternal blessedness . There , one or two members do sinful and slavish offices , but here all our members are weapons of unrighteousness . Corporeal captives have but one Master , but spiritual captives have many Masters , Pride commands to spend , and covetuousness to spare Nay the same vice distracts them with contrary commands , as vain-glory forceth them at the same time to soar aloft in the air , and yet to creep beneath upon the earth , to swell inwardly with pride , to crouch to the meanest persons , to obtain popular applause . Corporal s●…aves have hope to escape by flight , but in spiritual captivity no flight can help us unless we could flie away from our selves . Lastly , corporal captivity doth end with life . Death is a perfect cure of all humane miseries . But in spiritual captivity death is but a beginning of slavery , and a shutting of the door of liberty with the key of eternity . But can Mountains be led away captives ? otherwise what signifieth captivity of Sion ? I ansvver , that as vve say , there is more of Mon Martyr at Paris , then there is of Mon Martyr at Mon Martyr . So it might be truly said , there vvas more of Sion carried to Babylon than vvas left at Sion . First , the Temple vvhich vvas the glory of Sion , vvas demolished , then the Ceremonies , and Sacrifices , and Ordinances of Sion vvere abolished . Thirdly , the holy vessels and garments , and other utensiles and sacred ornaments vvere exported . Lastly , the P●…iests and Levites , and people of God vvere all carried avvay captive . These vvere the living Sion , vvithout these Sion vvas but a dead carkass of it self . Justly therefore is the captivity of the people of God called the captivity of Sion . Then were we , that is , by vvay of Historical narration , or then we shall be , by vvay of prophetical prediction . Either sense may be admitted . Like them that dream , that is , like those vvho are betvveen sleeping and vvaking ; the events vvere so strange , so unexpected , so incredible , that we doubted whether they vvere real events or vain fancies and drowsie imaginations . Others translate it , like those that are comforted , or like those that are recovered from some languishing sickness , and restored to their former strength and vigour . But vvhilest I vvas making a paralel betvveen the Jevvish captivity , and our English captivity , and of our deliverance and restitution vvith theirs , I see the flovver , vvhich I had designed for the subject of my discourse , cropt avvay before my face ; this necessitated me to alter my meditations from the first Verse to the last Verse of this Psalme . The former vvas more emphatical for the Jevvish captivity . But the later suites altogether as vvell vvith our present condition . He that now goeth on his way weeping and beareth forth good seed , shall doubtless come again with joy , and bring his sheaves with him . It is not my manner to amuse my hearers much vvith various lections or translations . Every language hath its proper idiotis●…nes , or peculiar forms of expression , vvhich differ more in sound than in sense . The vvorst reading or translation is commonly not so ill , as those clashings , and uncharitable altercations vvhich are about them . Various lections may sometimes bring some light to the understanding , but they shake that Christian faith which is radicated in the heart . Break ice in one place , and it vvill crack in more . Suffer the truth of sacred vvrit to be questioned in a vvord or a syllable , and you vveaken the authority , and lessen the venerable estimation of the vvhole text . That vvhich satisfyeth me , and may satisfy any good christian , is this , that God who hath given the holy Scriptures to his Church , to be the key of his revealed counsels , the anchor of their hope , the evidence of their blessedness , will not suffer those Scriptures to be so far corrupted in any thing that is fundamental and necessary , that it can hinder the salvation of his servants . Take this Text for an instance , that there is no such danger in various lections or translations , if they be expounded according to the analogy of faith , and that sence of the Scriptures which the Holy-Ghost did give to the Church , together with the Scriptures . He that going goeth saith the original , He that goeth on his way saith our translation , or he that goeth forth , that is , forth of his house to sow , or forth of his Countrey into exile , weeping , or pensive , or sorrowing , And beareth forth good seed , vvhether we read beareth or draweth , good seed , or precious seed , or the sowing seed , or the hopper or seed-basket , is not material . Shall doubtless come again with joy . The original is , in coming shall come , that is , shall come vvithout fail . Shall doubtless come again with joy . This wo●…d onely seemeth to me to be translated over flat , and might be rendered more aptly with a shout of joy , or with joyful acclamations , by allusion to those harvest dames , which they use in many places , when they bring in the last load of their harvest with great pomp , and shouts , and acclamations of joy . And bring his sheaves with him , that is , the increase of his seed , the fruit of his labour , the reward of his patience . In the words we may observe a double qualification , The former , he that now goeth on his way weeping , the latter , and beareth forth good seed . And a double prognostick , the former , shall doubtless come again with joy , the latter , and bring his sheaves with him . We may observe how going forth and coming again , weeping and shouting for joy , seed and sheaves do ansvver one another . And now that we have seen the sence , let us see how fitly these words do agree to the exile and happy rest●…tution of our Soveraign King CHA●…LES the second . First , he went on his way more like indeed some Bode or ordinary messenger then a great Prince . He went forth of England into France , from France to Holland , from Holland a●…ter some lesser excursions into Scotland , ( Fishes and Guests gain little by long keeping , ) where , to speak modestly , he was not entertained like the hundred and tenth Prince of that family , To give a civil honour to Gods vicegerent was to idolize the creature . But no honour could be too much at the same time for a consistory of their own Commissioners . There was nothing to be heard but the Commissioners of Christ , the Tribunal of Christ , the Scepter of Christ , the eternal Gospel , Oh partiality , how dost thou blind mens eyes ! Before this adventure for Scotland , he had thoughts for Ireland , where the greatest and best part of the Kingdom did either profess to hold for him , or desire to return to him , onely two Cities did hold out against him , Dublin and Londonderry , And , if my intelligence do not fail me , those expected onely his own presence to have submitted vvith more honour and advantage . Hovvever it vvas , I did vvish , if it had been Gods vvill , that he had come over , that Ireland might have had a signal honour in his restitution then , as it contributed largely aftervvards , but God disposeth all things svveetly . From Scotland he went on his way for England . But the iniquity of the Amorites was not yet full . God had something to do with his rod before he cast it into the fire , something in Iamaica , something in Ireland , something in Scotland , something in England it self , to bring the first contrivers of our miseries to shame and condigne punishment by their own power , to prepare and facilitate a way for his Majesties restitution , without effusion of blood . God hath more noble means , and fitter opportunities to effect his own designes , than man can comprehend . VVe praise thee , O God , we acknowledge thee to be the Lord. That English voyage , though otherwise unsuccessful , was an happy presage of this great blessing which we now enjoy , that God vvho preserved his Majesty so miraculously then , had some great work to do with him . From England he returned to France , from France to Germany , from Germany to Flanders , from Flanders to France back again , thence to Spain , thence to Flanders , thence to Holland , and so for England , where long , and long , and long may his Crown flourish . Was ever Soveraign Prince so tost to and fro , and bandied hither and thither by the racke●…s of a cont●…ary fortune ? changing his stations as of●…en as the old Patriarchs did whilest they dwelled in Tents . This was no comfortable life to be always rolling up and down . Which the next word in my Text implies , that is , weeping , He that goeth on his way weeping . I may say of weeping , a●… our learned Countriman the Lord Uerulam●…aid ●…aid of hope , that it was a good Breakfast , but an ill Supper , Early tears , like the mist descending , prognosticate a sayr serene day . As April showers bring forth May flowers . They who prove Benjamin's sons of the right hand , are commonly first Benonies sons of sorrow . Christ himself did wear a Crown of Thornes before he obteined a Crown of Glory . Ioseph was first clapt up close in a dungeon , where he ●…avv neither Sun , nor Moon , nor Starrs for a season , before the Sun , Moon , and Starrs did fall down and worship him , No man can rationally doubt whether our dread Soveraign d●…d ●…ow in tears , before he reaped in joy , who considers sadly what a misery it is , for a great King to be banished from all his relations , to be thrust out of his native Country , and hereditary Kingdoms , into the merciless world , to live in want . A French Author of good note relates with pity and commiseration , the deplorable condition of the Lancastrian family , being of the blood royal of England , in the Court of CHARLES Duke of Burgundy . That whereas God and nature had provided so bountifully for all other creatures , the fowls of the air , and the beasts of the field , that they never feared the want of food , onely men , the best of creatures , and Princes the best of men , should sometimes not know where to find sustenance for to morrow . A man may justl●…●…ear want of money , or want of means , or want of friends , but ▪ want of sorrows and tears he need not fear . Forreign kindred and allies do seldom contribute much to the wiping away of these tears . Like winter brooks , they ●…well with kindeness when one hath no need of them , but when they should be u●…eful , they are dryed up . And he , that trusts unto them , may expect S. Peter's lot , when his nets were full , he needed but to beckon to his fellows , and presently they were all at his elbow , but when he did sing his lachrymae , he had not one of them to comfort him . Every one is a kinsman to him that is prosperous , but a friend in need is a friend in deed . And truly , when I compare our necessary expences in the long time of our banishment abroad , with our commings in , I cannot attribute our preservation so long to anything , but to a secret blessing of Almighty God. He that fed the Israelites with Manna in a barren wilderness , and preserved their shoes and their raiment from wearing , and waxing old , He that fed Eliah by Ravens , He that blessed the poor widows handful of meal , and her cruse of oyl , vvill not suffer his Servants to die for hunger . But the cares and troubles of Princes are incomparably greater , and their vvants more pinching than those of private persons . Their Motto may be the candle , burning vvith these four letters , A. S. M. C. Aliis Serviens meipsam contero . In serving others I vvast avvay my self . Their cares extend to all their follovvers , to provide for their necessities as vvell as for their ovvn . The sufferings of all their Subjects and Relations do touch them more nearly than others . Thoughts troubled Nebuchadnezzars head , vvhilest his Subjects slept securely upon either ear . When the Preacher hath but fallen upon the Martyrdom of our late Soveraign , or those instructions vvhich he left behind him , hovv have I seen his Majesty dissolve into tears ? that brought to my mind that of S. Austin , proruperant stumina oculorum meorum acceptabile tuum sacrificium . The f●…oods of mine eyes did break forth an acceptable sacrifice unto thee O God. This is the first qualification , He that goeth on his way weeping . The second follows , and bringeth forth good seed . It is a Metaphore taken from sowers , What a man sowes that he may certainly expect to reap . But what is the good seed which our Soveraign did bear forth with him ? I answer , first , a good title , Dieu & son droit , God and his right . There is a 〈◊〉 error lately crept into the world , and almost thrust out again , That Dominion is founded in grace , not in nature , That the wicked have no interest in their possessions or estates , but are like moths , which make their houses in other mens garments , That all things belong properly to the elect , Paul , Apollo , Cephas , things present , things to come , all are theirs , if they be Christs . Ex his praemissis necessariò sequitur collusio . Admit this once , and then they vvho take themselves to be true Israelites , may with a good conscience rob & plunder the profane Egyptians of this world . Nothing is more hidden than true grace . We know it not in another , hardly in our selves . Therefore , if grace should give an interest to possessions , no mans title should be certain , from whence of necessity must follow an incredible confusion . But our God is a God of order . Religion neither alters , nor takes avvay any mans right . Ananias vvas no Saint , yet S. Peter told him , that he had a good interest in his estate , was it not thine own ? The truth is , Dominion is founded in nature , not in grace . It vvas said to our first parents , immediately upon the creation : Replenish the earth , and have Dominion , &c. Every son of Adam may challenge an interest in his ovvn estate by virtue of this concession . All is yours , saith the Scripture , that is , not every individual creature , but every species , or kind of creatures . All is yours , that is , not by vvay of civil possession , but by divine ordination . All things by Gods disposition , serve for the good of the Church , and help forvvard the salvation of Gods servants . Or , All is yours , and you are Christs , that is , you onely vvho are Christs , have the sanctified use of the creatures . This is far enough from a civil possession , far enough from a just title , Such as King CHA●…LES had , not grounded upon a Fana ick exposition of a text of holy Scripture , nor upon the fickle humors of a giddy multitude , nor upon the traiterous dictates of a seditious oratour , but upon the evident Lavvs of God , of Nature , of Nations , and the municipal Lavvs of these ●…ingdoms , upon a radicated succession from royal progenitors , He himself being the hundred and tenth person of one family , vvho hath svveyed the Scepter . I do not yet knovv any Prince in Europe , or in these parts of the vvorld , that can say the same . A title so clear , as if it vvere vvritten vvith a beam of the Sun , vvhich no true English man in his right vvitts , did ever yet oppose , but one or tvvo forreign pensioners , maintained on purpose abroad , to kindle scath fires at home , vvho gained nothing by the question , but to render themselves ridiculous . This vvas the good seed , vvhich King CHARLES did bear forth vvith him , A good title , vvhich though it seemed for a time , to perish under the clods , yet vve see it sprouts up again . A tempest brings Achilles his arms to Ajax's tombe , to reverse an unjust sentence : And Aaron's rod devou●…ed the rods of the enchanters , to the comfort of all loyal Subjects , and the confusion of all Egyptian Juglers for ever . This is the first good seed , vvhich King CHARLES did bear forth vvith him . A good title . A second sort of good seed , vvhich King Charles did bear forth vvith him , vvas the testimony of a good conscience , void of offence , towards God , and towards man. A good conscience is a better proof of innocence , then a thousand vvitnesses , and vvill make it self a garland of the lying reports of Sycophants . When King CHARLES was first chased out of England , his age was not capable of much guilt , and his onely crime was , that ( which in truth was his chiefest glory , ) he was the Son of such a Father . Those accursed jealousies and fears , which the first devisers and spreaders of them , did know assuredly to be damnable lies , are now vanished . Truth the daughter of time , hath discovered them to all the world , to have been counterfeit shews . They feared an apostasy to Popery , yet King CHARLES the Father , dyed a glorious Martyr , and King CHARLES the Son , lives a Noble Confessour of the true faith , professed in the Church of England , having shewed evidently by a thousand proofs , that he is no such reed shaken with the wind . They complained of tyranny against him , whose onely defect was overmuch goodness , and lenity . Let their high Courts of Injustice speak ▪ let their black roll of Sequestrators and committee men speak , let all the great Towns in England , ( which they made shambles of good Christians , and loyal Subjects ) speak , let Tredah speak , and that torrent of loyal blood , which vvas poured out there , barbarously ▪ upon cold and deliberate thoughts , like water upon the face of the earth , who vvere the Tyrants . Cajus the Emperour , out of a ridiculous affectation to make himself like the Gods , did assume Mercurie's rod , Apollo's bow and arrows , Mars his sword and shield . But King CHARLES hath ever better ensignes of the Deity , Justice , Mercy , Piety , and Temperance . These make up the image of God , where these abound , the bird in the breast sings sweetly . He , who hath these may with comfort expect an happy deliverance from all his troubles . He that goeth on his way weeping , and beareth forth this seed with him , shall doubtless come again with joy . The third sort of good seed , which King Charles did bear forth with him , was a good Religion . A Religion not reformed tumultuously , according to the brain sick fancies of an half witted multitude , dancing after the pipe of some seducing charmer , but soberly , according to the rule of Gods word , ( as it hath been evermore , and every where interpreted by the Catholick Church , ) and according to the purest pattern of the primitive times . A Religion , against which , the greatest adversaries thereof , have no exception , but that it preferreth grace before nature , the written vvord before uncertain traditions , and the allsufficient blood of Jesus Christ , before the stained works of mortal men . A Religion , which is neither garish with superfluous Ceremonies , nor yet sluttish , and void of all order , decency , and Majesty in the service of God. A Religion , which is as careful to retein old Articles of faith , as it is averse from new Articles . The essences of all things do consist in indivisibili . Faith is ad●…lterated , as vvell by the addition of nevv Articles , as by the substraction of old . A Religion , vvhich is not like to perish for vvant of fit organs , like those imperfect creatures produced by the Sun upon the banks of Nilus , but shaped for continuance , The terrour of Rome . They fear our moderation more than the violent opposition of others . The vvatch tovver of the Evangelical Churches . I have seen many Churches of all sorts of Communions , but never any , that could diminish that venerable estimation , vvhich I had for my mother , the Church of England . From her breasts I received my first nourishment , in her armes I desire to end my days . Blessed be he that blesseth her . This good seed ▪ that is , the Religion of the Church of England , King CHARLES did bear forth vvith him . This he brought home vvith him , vvithout turning either to the right hand or to the left ; And like the Laurel tree , ( the tree of Conquerers ▪ ) he gathered strength and vigour , even from opposition , Crescit sub pondere virtus . I cannot deny , but that some of us have started aside like broken bovves , out of despair in this their bitter trial , wherein they have had their goods plundered , their estates sequestred , their persons imprisoned , their Churches aliened , wherein they have been divorced from their nearest relations , and disabled to discharge the duties of their callings to God , wherein ●…ome of them have been slaughtered , others forced to mantain themselves by mechanick labours , others thrust out of their native Countries , to wan●…er like vagabonds , and exiled beggars up and down the merciless world . But , God be praised , they are not many . If we compare this with any the like persecution in Europe , you shall never finde , that so few Apostated . As if they had been inspired with the free spi●…it of S Chrysostome ; will they banish me , the earth is the Lords , and the fulness thereof . If they cast me ●…nt the sea , I will remember Jonas , if into a fiery ●…urnace , t●…e three children , if among the wilde beasts , Daniel . If they stone me , I have S. Stephen for my companion , ●…f they behead me , John Baptist ; if they plunder me , naked I came out of my mothers womb , and naked must I return again . Or with the heroical mind of S. Ambrose , Vultisne ad vincula me abripere ? voluptas est mihi , &c. Will ye hale me to prison ? it is a delight unto me . To death ? I vvill not incircle my self with a guard of trusty followers , nor lay hold on the altars as a supplyant to save my life , but will be freel●… offered up for the altars of my God. Spices being brayed in a morter , smell more sweetly ; so these servants of Christ , being beaten and bruised by persecu●…ors , do yield a more fragrant odour in the noseth●…ls of God and man. The ground of their constancie , next to the goodness of God , was the examples of our dread Soveraign his courage and perseverance . The example of a great Prince , is like the great wheel of a clock , which sets all the lesser wheels a going . This , shall one day Crown his temples with a diadem , more bright than the beams of the Sun , as far excelling that Crown , which he is to receive this day , as the radiant splendour of the Sun , doth exceed the dim shining of a glow-worm . Then , if Tully , an ●…eathen , could say , that the Romans did owe their victories , and good successes , more to their religious piety , than either to their numbers , or strength , or policy ; why should Christians despair , or doubt , that King CHARLES , who vvent on his vvay vveeping , and did bear forth such precious seed vvith him , should come again vvith joy , and bring his sheaves with him . The last sort of good seed , which King CHARLES did bear forth with him , was the prayers and good affections of his Subjects . Tyrants might deprive him of his other contributions , this they could not deprive him of . If S. Austine did attribute so much to the prayers and tears of his Mother Monica , what might not be hoped from the prayers and tears of so many thousands , powred out to God in private , for their King and Country , Church and Commonwealth , Liberty and Religion . At a German Dyet the Princes fell upon a controversy , which of them had the best Country ▪ The Palati●…e commended his , for the fruitful soil ; the S●…xon his , for the silver mines ; the Bavarian his , for stately Cities ; the Duke of VVittenberge , in praise of his Country , said onely this , that he durst lay his head in the lap of any Subject throughout his Dominions , either by day , or by night : fortunati ambo , an happy Prince of an happy people , where that evil spirit had not walked , which set dissension between Abimelech , and the men of Sichem . England was not always so happy , when some counterfeit Physicians , ( like the wolf in the sable , ) perswaded against her own sense , that she was sick to death , without all kind of recovery , unless she vvould put her self into their hands to be cured . She did so . And vvhat the issue had been , if God almighty had not looked dovvn upon us from heaven , vvith an eye of pity , vve have seen . Yet this vvas but a green sickness fit . When that fit vvas over , she threvv avvay her chalk and coles , vvhich she had eaten in corners , and returned to eat more healthful food at her Fathers table . Or , it vvas a short fit of madness . O Phocion , ( said Demades ) look to thy self , when the Athenians fall into their mad fits . And thou Demades , ( replyed Phocion ) look to thy self , when they return to their right wits ▪ But , God be praised , even vvhilest this epidemical distemper did rage the most , there vvere not onely seaven thousand in England , but seaventy times seaven thousand , vvho never bovved their knees to Baal Berith , the God of the Covenant , but continued loyal Subjects , and orthodox Christians , and vvere not afraid vvith the Serpent , to expose their bodies to the blovvs , and their estates to be a prey to their persecutors , that they might save their head , first , their spiritual head , that is , Christ ; secondly , their political head , that is , their Soveraign Prince ; and lastly , their ecclesiastical head , or lavvful superiours in the Church . These vvere the true Israels , vvho vvrestled vvith God by their prayers , and prevailed . I have done vvith the second qualification , and beareth forth good seed . I come novv to the catastrophe : Shall doubtless come again with joy . Every vvord in my text proclaims , that there is an interchangeable vicissitude of all humane affairs . Here vve have , going forth and coming again , weeping and acclamations of joy , sovving and reaping , seed and sheaves . He that goeth on his way weeping , and beareth forth good seed , shall doubtless come again with joy , and bring his sheaves with him . That of Solomon , There is a time for every thing , a time to plant , and a time to pluck up , a time to build , and a time to pull down holds in Cities and publick ●…ocieties , as vvell as private Families , and they may set the Moon upon their gates , as vvell as the old Romans did upon their shoes , to put them in mind of the unstability of this vvorld . One is , another vvas , and a third shall be , even as it pleaseth God , in vvhose hand , there is a chain to lift them up , or let them dovvn at his pleasure . The greatest Monarchs and Monarchies in the vvorld , in comparison of him , are but guttae roris antelucani , drops of morning devv , quickly dryed up vvith the heat of the Sun , or easily dispersed vvith the least puff of vvind . All places have their days and nights , their summers and vvinters , their sunshine and storms . No sublunary thing is stable . The Sun hath its eclipses , the Moon its vvaxings and vvainings , the Sea hath its ebbings and flovvings , the elements their successive changes . Peace and vvar , sickness and health , plenty and dearth , do succeed one another . The vvhole vvorld is a restless vvhirligig , running violently , sometimes this vvay , sometimes that vvay . A reed shaken hither and thither , vvith every puff of vvind . A tottering quagmire , vvhereupon it is impossible to lay a sure foundation : like a sick man , that can take no rest in his bed , but is continually tossing , and turning from side to side . Saint Paul doth describe our right image , in tvvo metaphors , 4. Ephe. 14. That we henceforth be no more children , tossed to and fro , and carryed about with every winde of doctrine . The former metaphor is taken from little children . You may dravv a child any vvhither from his duty , from his interest , from his ingagements , with a fair word , or an apple , or some new fangled toy , or fear of some bugbear , or promises of golden mountains . So we like children , are easily led into a fooles paradise , not with apples of Eden , but with apples of Sodom , which turn to dust when they come to be injoyed . The other metaphor is taken from a Ship lying at Hull , tossed to and fro , and carryed about with every wind , even ●…o do we fluctuate between the broken waves , and contrary billows of different opinions and desires . Thus we are changeable in our minds , but we are as changeable in our estates . Now we abound with wealth , God knows how soon the best of us may be necessitated to begge an halfpenny of passengers with great Bellisarius . Now every mans tongue is a silver trumpet to sound out our praises , which perhaps deserve not to be piped upon an oaten reed . God knows how soon this hosanna may be changed to crucifige , and we be loaden with more unjust calumnies , than ever was blessed Athanasius . Now we enjoy the sweet sauce of all temporal bessings , that is , health , God knows how soon sickness may cast us upon our restless beds , and change our sweet repose into wearisome tossings . God knowes how soon we may be choaked with the fumes of a vitious stomack , or d●…ovned with hydropical humours , or burnt up with cholerick distempers , or buryed alive in the grave of melancholick imaginations . Now we sit in the beauty of peace , every man under his own Vine , and his own Figge tree . We know not how soon our ringing of bells may be changed to roaring of canons . It is the mercy of the Lord , that these mischiefs do not overwhelm us . This vicissitude of humane affairs , is necessary to the being of the world . Beasts would multiply without number , if none vvere brought to the shambles . Fishes vvould fill the Sea , and Fovvles the Air , if the greater did not devour the less , and both serve for the use of man. By nature vve are born thicker into the vvorld , than vve die out of the vvorld , every age builds Cities , Tovvns , Villages , so , as if God did not sometimes thrust in the sickle of his justice into the over rank field of this vvorld , and svveep avvay vvhole multitudes by vvar , or famine , or pestilence , tvvo vvorlds could not contein us , ten vvorlds could not nourish us . If any place could have pleaded a priviledge to exempt it self from this changeable vicissitude , vvhat rather than Hierusalem ? yet it had not one stone left upon another . Or Capernaum , vvhose magnificent buildings vvere lifted up to Heaven ? yet it vvas cast dovvn to hell . Pliny and Strabo vvrite vvonders of the vvalls of Babylon , yet novv it is become a place for ovvles to screech in , and for satyrs to dance in . And novv grass grovvs vvhere once Troy stood . Alas , vvherein can any City or Society place their confidence , to protect them from this common vicissitude ? In navies or Armado's ? hovv easily may they be cast a vvay , or dashed in pieces against the rocks : as the Shippes of Iehoshaphat vvere at Ezeon Geber . Or , in vvalls and fortifications ? when the vvalls of Hiericho fell dovvn at the sound of rams hornes , and the shout of an enemy . Or , in prudent politicians ? vvhen God can infatuate the vvisdom of the vvise , and turn all their counsels into folly , as he did the counsels of Achitophel ▪ Or , in numerous armies of experienced Souldiers ? when he can fill their hearts vvith panical fears , so that ten shall chase an hundred . Or , in leagues and confederacies ? vvhen he can set Ephraim against Manasses , and Manasses against Ephraim , and both against Iuda . Navies , Armies , Garrisons , Counsellours , Confederates , are no more able to prevent this common vicissitude of all humane affairs , than a shield of paper , to resist the shot of a Canon . First then , seeing that by the Ordinance of God , there is such a necessary vicissitude of all things , let us not think vainly to translate this valley of tears into a paradise of perpetual bliss , or to clip the vvings of prosperity , that it should never fly avvay . Eve called her eldest Son Cain , a possession , and he proved a vagabond . Then as skilful Pilots , vvhilst the season is calmest , do provide for a storm , and as good Souldiers do keep a vigilant centry in the time of truce : so vvhen vve have enough , let us remember the time of hunger , and vvhen vve are rich , think upon poverty and need , Eccles. 18. 25. When vve are at home in peace , let us think upon those times , vvhen vve hanged our Harps upon the vvillovvs by the rivers of Babylon : stear the vvorst , and the best vvill save it self . Darts , that are foreseen , seldom do any great hurt . Above all , take heed that thou never boast of to morrovv , for thou knovvest not vvhat a day may bring forth , Secondly , since there is such a vicissitude of all humane affairs , vvhy should any man murmure , or repine at his present condition ? The murmuring speeches of men , are like arrovvs shot up in de●…yance against Heaven , which always fall down again upon their own heads . Should we receive good at the hand of God , and not evil ? who can say that his sufferings are equal to his sins ? God rewardeth many beyond desert , but he never punisheth any beyond desert . I know that the Saints themselves are involved in national judgements , as well as others , as Hieremy , Ezekiel , Daniel , in the captivity ; but it was a blessing to them , not a punishment . As it were madness for a boatman , to think that by the strength of his arm and cable , he was able to draw the main rock to his little boat , and not to pull himself and his little boat to the main rock : So it were a mere folly for any man to think that by his strugling against the stream of humane affairs , he should be able to change the course of the world , and to make it plyant to his desires . It is both pious and prudent to think that to be evermore best for us , which God sends . Thirdly , since humane affairs are so mutable , no extremity should make us despair . When the bricks are doubled , when our miseries are at the highest , when all the help of man doth seem to fail us , then comes Moses to deliver us . When Pharaoh's Butler had forgotten Ioseph , then God remembred him . An U●…urer will trust a Banquerupt upon a pawn . And shall not we trust God almighty with our deliverance , unless he give us a pawn for performance of his word ? Remember that judgement which fell upon the Samaritan Lord for his infidelity . Though the Lord ( said he ) should make windows in Heaven , could this thing be ? The Lord did not make windows in Heaven , yet that thing was , and came to pass at the time prefixed , but he lived not to injoy the benefit of it . God hath unimaginable ways to bring his own designes to effect , as we see with wonder & admiration this day . Thus , as the woman of Canaan did pick comfort out of the name of a dogge : so we may gather hope out of the vanity and vicissitude of all sublunary things . After darkness we may hope for light , after a tempest for a calm , after wearisome tossings for sweet repose ; when the storm is weathered , and the black clowds overblown which darkened the face of the skie , and seemed to take possession of the whole region of the air , and to pierce the very Heavens , suddainly behold a viciss●…tude . As no prosperity is permanent : so no adversity is perpetual . After exile , comes a Country , after seed time comes harvest , and after vveeping comes joy . He that now goeth on his way weeping , and bea●…eth forth good seed , shall doubtless come again with joy . I told you before , that our translation , which renders it onely joy , seems to me over flat , and short of the original , which signifies a shout , or acclamation of joy , such as harvest men do use when they b●…ing home their harvest dame , or the last load of their lummers crop , with musick , and feasting , and shouting . If ever this was verifyed in any exiled Prince , who had gone forth weeping , and came again with joy to his Kingdom and native Country , it was verifyed in King CHARLES at his happy restitution , and entrance into his Royal City . I have seen high expressions of joy in forreign parts upon the like occasion , I see vvhen the King of France that novv is , returned to his City of Paris , after he had been thrust out of it by his ovvn Subjects ; but such loud acclamations , such universal expressions of joy , I did never see or hear , as vvere then made to vvelcome in King CHARLS ; that as a Father said hyperbolically of the sin of Adam , that it vvas an happy fault vvhich obteined such a redeemer : so vve may say in the same sense ( and no other , ) that it was an happy exclusion vvhich produced such a restitution . There remains onely one word yet untouched in this part of my text , that is , doubtless , shall doubtless come again with joy . What then is it so undoubted a truth , that every one who is thrust out of his right here , shall be restored with such joyful acclamations ? O no , God's judgments in this life are imperfect , and the dispensations of them are inscrutable , In rebus divinis magna est caligo , there is a great mist in the ways of God. Gods temporal promises ought to be understood with an exception of the Cross , unless he see it to be othervvise expedient for the advancement of his ovvn glory , and the eternal good of his servants . God punisheth some sinners here , to shevv there is a just judge , and leaves others unpubished , to shevv there is a judgement to come . This truth is affirmed expressly by Solomon . Ecles . 7. 15. All things have I seen in the days of my vanity , there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness , and a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness . And if vve had not plain Scripture for it , the example of our late dread Soveraign King CHARLES the first , vvas proof sufficient , vvho vvas murthered by his ovvn Subjects , ( that had svvorn allegiance to him , ) in his Capital City , before the gates of his ovvn Pallace , in the sight of his own people , in the face of the sun , under a sormality of Justice . God did see all this then , and doth now require it , require it here in part , but will require it hereafter to the uttermost farthing , from all those , who had an hand in that crying paricide , and have not , or shall not wash away the guilt with unfeigned tears . That happy Martyr is now following the lamb in his whites , and reaps in joy what be did sovv in tears ; And his Son is this day Crowned with his Royal diadem , with the shouts and acclamations of his Subjects . So true is that of my text , that either here , or hereafter , or both , He that goeth on his way weeping , and beareth forth good seed with him , shall doubtless come again with acclamations of joy , and bring his sheaves with him . This brings me to the last clause of my Text , and bring his sheaves with him . This life is a seed time , whatsoever we sow here , we are sure to reap hereafter , even to a glass of cold vvater . As surely as vvhen thou seest a man casting seed out of an hopper , thou mayest foretell vvhat shall be the crop . The seed and the sheaves cannot chuse but be the same graine . Onely the sheaves are seed multiplyed , it may be thirt●… fold , it may be sixty fold , it may be an hundred fold . So sheaves do signi●…y all those advantages vvhich vve reap by his Majesties restitu●…ion . The first sheaf is Peace , the ne●…rer that societies approach to unity , the farther they are from fear of dissolu●…ion ▪ When the Romans did find themselves in any great peril , they ever submitt●…d themselves to one Dictator , as a sacred anchor , and sure remedy to take avvay their divisions . His Majesty hath not onely stopped up the spring of all our divisions by his just title , but hath purchased our peace by parting vvith his ovvn just rights , to satisfy the interests of all parties . Let his example be our pattern , to do vvhatsoever vve can vvith justice for the publick peace , although it be to our ovvn private prejudice . The Pythagoreans had a rule to leave no print of the botom of the cup in the ashes , that is , in reconciliation to re●…ein no re●…entment of former quarrels . The d●…vided sides of a vvound do meet together in a skarre . And strange plants by inoculation , do become one tree . It vvere hard that quarrels should be immo●…tal , or more durable than n●…ture , or that the passions of the mind should be more maligna●…t and difficult to be clo●…ed , than the vvounds o●… ulcers of the body , and that no vvay should be le●…t to unite the divided members of Christ. Doth God delight as much in the observation , or not observation of indifferent Ceremonies , as he doth in the love & unity of brethren , and just obedience to lavvful superiours ? or is it his vvill , that for a fevv innocent rites established by Lavv , Kingdoms should svvim vvith blood , Monarchies be turned upside dovvn , and innocent Christians be brought to utter beggary ? It is a folly to dote so upon the body , as to cherish the sores and ulcers thereof : or out of hatred to the ulcers to destroy the body . The not distinguishing betvveen the essences and abu●…es of particular Chu●…ches , hath been the cause of all our miseries . This is the first sheaf vvhich King CHARLES brings vvith him , that is , Peace . The second sheaf is the opening of our Courts , the restoring of our Lavvs to their vigour , and the establishment of Justice among us . What a vvretched condition vvas this poor Kingdom in , vvhich neither had Court open , nor Sheri●… legally appointed , nor so much as a 〈◊〉 of Peace for so long time together ? It vvas the mercy of God , that the policie and frame of this Kingdom vvas not utterly destroyed , and brought to confusion . The Lavv is like the vvrest of a musical instrument , vvhich puts the jarring strings in tune . It is the ballance of the Commonwealth , which gives the same weight to gold and lead , the rule and square of justice , the standard and measure of the Kingdom , the foundation of liberty , the fountain of equity , the life and soul of policy . Parents may leave a patrimony to their children , but the Law preserves it ; Armes may conquer Kingdoms , but laws establish them . A City may be safe without walls , but never without Laws . That we eat and sleep in quiet , that our houses are not fired over our heads , nor our daughters deflowred before our eyes , it is the benefit of the Laws , without which , we s●…ould bite and devour one another , as the greater fishes do the less . This is the second shea●… which King CHARLES brought with him , that is , the Laws . A third sheaf is his experience . VVo be to thee O Land , when thy King is a child , Eccles. 10. 16. That is , a child in understanding and experience . The inexperience of Reh●…boam and his young counsellours quickly destroyed the Kingdom . We use to say , a new Physician must have a new Church ▪ yard . A new Physician is not more dangerous to the body , than a new Politician to the state . It is written of Darius , that in opening a fair Pomegranate , one demanded of him , of what thing he desired so many as there were kernells in that Pomegranate ? He replyed , so many Zopyrus's , that is , prudent and experienced counsellours . God be praised , our Darius may be a Zopyrus to himself , having had that advantage which none of his predecessours ever had , to have viewed with his own eyes the chiefest of his neighbour Courts , Kingdoms , and Commonwealths , their Interests , their Laws , and forms of Government , their strength and weakness , their advantages and disadvantages , both in Warre and peace , things of excellent use to a Prince , and may well pass for a third sheaf . And shall bring his sheaves with him . A fourth sheaf , and the last , which I shall mention at this time , is Security . Usurpers are always full of jealousies and fears . The reason is evident , VVisd . 7. 11. VVi●…kedness condemned by her own testimony is very timorous , and being pressed with conscience , allwayes forecasteth grievous things . It was observed of Richard the third , that after he had murthered his Nephewes , and usurped the Crown , he wore his hand continually upon his Dagger . A plain signe of inward guilt . When the wise men made this demand , where is he that is born King of the Iews ? Herod was troubled , and all Hierusalem with him . Successor instat , pellimur , satelles i , ferrum rape , perfunde cunas sanguine . A successour is come , we are chased away . Go Souldiers , catch your swords , and make the cradles swim vvith blood . These inward fears render them cruel and vindictive , and make them multiply their Souldiers and their guards , vvherein their onely hope of safety doth consist . These grovv chargeable to a Commonvvealth , and easily from Servants turn Masters ; From all these burdens and suspicions vve are freed by the restitution of the right Heir . So every vvay King CHARLES brings his sheaves with him . A Prince , as supereminent above others in goodness , as Saul vvas in stature , and more adorned vvith virtues than vvith his purple . To vvhose happy Coronation this day is dedicated . Much may he give , long may he live , a nursing Father to the Church , a patron to the Commonvvealth , a protectour to his friends , a terrour to his enemies , an honour and a darling to his Country . Let the hopes of all those vvho envy this dayes happiness , melt avvay as vvinter ice , and flovv avvay as unprofitable vvaters . And long , long may his Crovvn flourish , vvhich this day first adorns his temples , until he change that corruptible Crovvn vvith an immarcescible Crovvn of glory . When I consider vvith my self the condition of the most flourishing Commonvvealths , as Athens , hovv satall they have for the most part been to persons of eminent virtues , vvhereof fevv escaped both banishment and poyson , I cannot but admire our happiness under the best of Monarchies ; When I compare those arts and exactions , vvhich are used in our neighbour Countries , vvhere the vvhole esta●…e of the Commonvvealth goes through the Magistrates hands in the short compass of a very fevv years . Much good may the mock liberty of their tongues do them , which their purses pay for . I cannot but proclaim , O happy England , if thou knewest thine own happiness . But neither the time permitts me , nor my desires invite me to fall upon this subject . I will turn my discourse into prayers that the great God of Heaven and earth will give his Majesty a long life , a secure empire , a prudent and faithful Council , a loyal and obedient people , expert and valiant Armies . Blessed be he that blesseth him , and let every loyal Subject ●…ay Amen . The first Speech by my Lord Primate to the Speak●…r of the House of Commons . SIR , THe Lords Justices of this Kingdom have graciously heard that relation which you made unto them from the Honourable House of Commons , touching their election of You to be their Speaker , together with your modest desire to decline the place as two heavy for you . They know right well , the great importance of the place : But they know as well your great abilitie to discharge it . Neither do they look upon you as a Child , that hath the reins put seemingly , and for a shew into his hands , but as upon an experienced Charioter , who knows how to discharge all the duties that belong unto his office dexterously , and without ostentation , and to dispose and direct the hand of that little one by occult motions of his own , to seem to do that , which in truth is his own proper work . They know that the Honourable House of Commons is no little Fly-boat , but a Ship royal of the second magnitude , and the Cargazoon as rich as the Ship is great . Therefore they have committed the charge of it to you , as to a skilful Pilot. In summe , the Lords Justices do exhort you to addecourage and resolution to your modesty and other great parts , that you may adorn that Province , which by the 〈◊〉 of that House is committed to your care . For as the House of Commons have advisedly chosen You their Speaker , so the Lords Justices , by his Majesties authority , do as advisedly confirm You their Speaker . And now Mr. Speaker , I have one thing more to adde , which I am required by the Lords Justices to impart unto you ; That is , that You being by your place an assistant to the House of Peers , and summoned by writ , to the discharge of that trust , yet the House of the Lords taking into their serious consideration the possibility , or rather the probability that some of their assistants might perhaps be chosen Speaker , to let all the world see , that they are equally careful of the priviledges of both Houses , in order to the common good of the Kingdom , they passed a Vote this morning , that if any of their assistants should be chosen Speaker of the House of Commons , they would dispense with him pro 〈◊〉 vice , saving allways to the House of the Peers all their just rights and priviledges for the future . So that there remain●… nothing , but that you gird your self to your Office which is cast upon you from all hands . The second Speech by my Lord Primate to the Speaker of the House of Commons . Mr. Speaker , YOu style this place aptly , a mount of transfiguration , and truly so it is . We behold the greatest transfiguration here that ever was seen in this Kingdom , on such a suddain , either in our days , or in the days of our forefathers . A conversion from the greatest Anarchy , and confusion , to order , and a settled form of Government . If nothing else did evince it , this change and transfiguration alone , were able to make good the truth of that old maxime . Res facile redeunt ad pristinum statum . Things do easily return to their former condition . Otherwise it were impossible that so much confusion should be attended with so much order , or the worst of Anarchies , with the best of Monarchies . It is better to live under the Sicilian Tyrants , or the Roman 〈◊〉 , o●… the thirty Athenian usurpers , than to live in an Anarchy , where there is no Government . It is better to live where nothing is lawful , than where all things are lawful . Better one Tyrant than a thousand . I shall not need to press this further . Cast but your eyes back to the by passed years , and you will see this better demonstrated by experience , than it is possible to do it by reason . But behold a suddain transfiguration . Neither the morning nor the evening starre in the Heavens is more beautiful , than justice and good government upon earth . To it we owe our prosperity , our liberty , our security , all we are , all we have , all we can be in this world , without which we should be like Fishes in the Sea , or Fowles in the Air. The greater devour the less : pisces sic saepe minutos magnus comest ; sic aves enecat accipiter . Those innovators and incendiaries who labour to pull down a settled form of government , are like a phrenetick person , who takes pains to hew down the bough whereon he himself doth stand , As those two signes , or rather meteors , Castor and Pollux , when they appear double to seafaring persons , promise serenity and a prosperous voyage , but when they appear single or divided , they threaten a storm , whether it be by reason of the densi●…y or rarity of the matter , or what other natural causes , I leave to the Philosophers to determine . So where power and justice do meet together , it promiseth prosperi●…y and peace , but where they are divided , power without justice , or justice without power , it prog●…osticates a tempest to a state . From your mount of transfiguration you shew us a King , You House of Commons behold a King. As Anarchy is the worst of misgovernments , so Mo●…archy is the best of governments , he most ancient , the most universal , th●… most natural , the m●…st noble , the m●…st advantageous form o●… government . I do not deny the 〈◊〉 of other forms , but I do altogether deny that any other form is so noble , so naturall , or so much from God. There is one God in the world , a Monarchy ; one soul in the body , a Monarchy ; one sun in the Heavens , a Monarchy ; one Master in each family , and one Monarch in each societie . It was good counsel , which Lycurgus gave a mutinous citisen , that would have had him bring a democracy into the state , that he should try it first how he liked it in his own house , and suffer his Servants to be his Quartermasters . The silly Bees do teach us thus much , who know no Law but the Law of nature , yet they have their King. And that which is much more strange , which I have seen by ocular experience . Take their King prisoner in a cane , as it is usual to do , and they will feed him with honey through the nicks and crevises of the cane . So long as you detein him there , they will never swarm , nor seek for new habitations for themselves . Remove him and his prison into another hive , and they will all flock after him , and travail for him . Put a strange King into his cane or prison , and they will be so far from feeding him , that they will stop up all the holes of the cane with wax , and starve him for an usurper . How much are the silly Bees more observant of the Laws of nature , than degenerated men , In summe , the soul of Soveraign power , which is infused by God into Democracy and Aristocracy , is the same that it is in Monarchy . But the organ is not the same , nor so apt to attain the end . But God and nature do allwayes intend that which is best , that is , Monarchy . And in some cases the existence of Kingly government is from God , as well as the essence . But God never instituted any other form than Monarchical . He himself vouchsafed to be King of his people , and gave them first Moses as a Viceroy , Moses was King in Jesurun . And afterwards he gave them a radicated succession of Kings . No Commonwealth hath the like plea for it self . And as Monarchical government is the best form of governments , so our English Monarchy is the best form of Monarchy . By the blessing of God , we live in the most temperate part of the temperate Zone . And injoy a government as temperate as the climate it self . We cannot complain either of two much Sun , or two little Sun. The beams of Soveraignty are neither so perpendicular over our heads that they can scorch us , nor yet so oblique but that they are able to warm us . Should we go about in a madding humour to dissolve a frame of government , which made our forefathers happy at home , and famous abroad , or loath our own Manna , and long after the Fleshpots and Onions of Egypt ? If we dote upon forreign polities , it is onely because we do not know them . Consult but with those that do know them , and we will quickly say , our lot is fallen in a fair ground . And so from Kings you come to Parliaments , which have evermore had a venerable esteem in the world , if not under the name of Parliaments , yet under a more ancient name of Councills , or Conventions . As the inferiour orbes do by their transverse and opposite yet vincible motions , stay and moderate the rapide force of the primum mobile , or first Sphere : So Parliaments by their Fabian Counsells do temper and moderate the quick motion of Soveraign power . I speak not this of any danger that hangs over us . God be praised , we have no such young Phaetons , but one that hath been as much and as long acquainted with Fabius as with Marcellus , and knows how to use the Buckler as well as the Sword. But Parliaments have a further advantage than that of Counsell onely , namely in republicks to aggravate and unite , and to render the whole society one political body , and in M●…narchies to supply , and second , and execute . Then the affaires of a Kingdom go prosperously on , when they joyn one and all in advancing publique designes . From Parliaments in general , I come to the reasons of summoning this Parliament in particular . But that is so evident , that he , that runs , may read it . Yet though it be so obvious , that no man can miss it , or mistake it , and that it may seem superfluous to do that over again , which hath been done so excellently allready by my Lord Chancellour , as one of his Majesties representatives : yet for order and method sake , I shall assigne three reasons for convocating this present Parliament . The first is , discrimination of persons , and distinction of possessions . Me thinks I am now in one of the fields of Egypt , upon the banks of Nilus , presently after the inundation of that river , when it is just returning into the old channel . And all you , that hear me , look like so many measurers that are here on purpose to give every proprietor his right possession , and to set them out their true bounds . Never did an inundation of Nilus make a greater confusion of distinct possessions and interests , than the late Rebellion hath made in Ireland , blending all estates in one confused mass , Kings , Dukes , Bishops , Knights , and pawns are all confusedly mixed together in one bagge . It were folly , Noble Peers and Patriots , to ask what you do here ; As great , as if one should inquire upon the banks of Nilus what the measurers do there presently after an in●…ndation . It is to fix every man in his proper sta●…ion , wherein he is to serve his King and Country . This is the first end of this Parliament , the distinction of possessions . A second reason is that , which is commonly the reason of summoning all Parliaments , that is , to satisfy the just debts of the Kingdom , and disingage the publique faith . We could not do it , it was impossible . And necessity must yield to impossibility . But his Maj●…sty hath done it for us , and satisfyed the publique debts out of his own rights . The time hath been , that the publique faith of the Kingdom hath been slighted . No man had a publique trust , and so no man could be sued upon a publique faith . But King CHARLES hath redeemed the publique credit again , by satisfying the publique debts ; But he satisfyes them in a Parliamentary way . S. Paul saith , that an oath is the end of all strife , so is a Parliament . For as there lyeth no appeal from God in the interiour Court. So there lyeth no appeal from a Parliament in the exteriour Court. I mean , a compleat Parliament of King , Lords , and Commons , whose act is the act of each individual Subject . This is the second reason of calling this Parliament , to satisfy the publique debts of the Kingdom . A third reason of convocating this Parliament , is the providing for the Army for the future , without imposing too great a burthen either upon the English or Irish Subject . Two things make a Prince gratefull to his people . Easy eares to hear grievances , and light hands i●… imposing Subsidies . And to speak the truth , a great part of the dissensions in England have sprung from this source . The King could not live upon the revenues of his Crown without running into debt , nor those debts be paid without raising new Monopolies , or imposing new taxes , as Ship-money , or the like , or parting with some branches of his Prerogative Royal. Hitherto England hath been necessitated to supply the defects of Ireland , it is to be feared not over willingly . Now it hath pleased God to put into his Majesties hands an opportunity of advancing his revenue to a competencie , that Ireland may be able for the future to bea●… it s own burthen , without charging either the English or Irish Subject in ordinary cases . And this opportunity he puts wholly into the hands of his Parliament , as the proper judge , both to supply the necessities of the Kingdom , and to prevent them . These are the three reasons of calling this Parliament . 1. The distinguishing of possessions . 2. The satisfaction of just debts . 3. And the raising the Revenues of the Crown to a just competency . Lastly , Mr. Speaker , you descend to the unity of both Houses . His Majesty hath done whatsoever hath been desired of him , and is yet ready to do whatsoever can be desired of a gracious Prince . It is our own faults , our own Frowardness and unseasonable opposition one to another , if we be not happy . All things preserve themselves by unity , and the nearer they approach to unity , the farther they are from fear of dissolution . This lesson old Sillurus taught his Sons by a bundle of rods , whilest they were tyed together , all their conjoyned strength could not so much as bend them ; but when the bundle was divided , and every Son had his single rod , they did easily snap them in sunder . So said he , You my Sons are invincible whilest you preserve unity , but if you suffer your selves to be divided , you are lost ▪ This lesson Menenius Agrippa taught his hearers by the wel-known apology of the belly , and the other members , whilest they did nourish unity , and all acted for the publique advantage of the whole body , each member had his share and dividend in this happiness ; but when they began to mutiny and divide interests , and to weigh their own particular merits too narrowly , and all to grumble at the belly as an idle , gluttonous , and unprofitable member ; they found by costly experience , that their well and ill fare were inseparably interwoven together , and that they wounded that member which they maligned through their own sides . On the other part , disunion is the ready way to destruction . Si colli●…imur , frangimur , if we be beaten one against another , we are both broken in pieces . It was not the power of Rome , but the divisions and subdivisions of the Britains , which rendered them an easy prey to their Conquerers . It was not Philip , but the dissensions of Athens , Thebes and Sparta , that ruined Greece . It was not Scipio , but the factions of Hanno and Hanniball that destroyed Carthage . Our own eyes have seen a small handful of confederated Provinces able to oppose the greatest Monarch in Europe , and were so far from sinking under the weight of such a warre , which had been able to break a back of steel , that like Palme trees they did grow up under the weight , from distressed orders , to high and mighty states , or like Moses his bush , not onely not consumed , but sprouting and blossoming in the midst of the flames . This virtue of unanimity , is that whereupon our Riches , our Honour , our Religion , our Laws , our Liberties , our King and Country , our Fires and Altars , and all our hopes do depend . Hoc opus , hoc s●…udium , parvi properemus & ampli , si patriae volumus , si nobis vivere chari . The answer of the Lords Iustices to Mr ▪ Speakers last propositions . THat they will be very careful and ready to mantain the House in all the just liberties and priviledges belonging to it . 1. A freedom from arrests for themselves and their Servants in all cases whereunto the priviledge of the House doth extend . 2. Modest and moderate liberty of speech void of all licen●…iousness , which their Lordships are confident that the House is so far from desiring to have it tolerated , that themselves would be the first and severest censurer●… of it . 3. Seasonable and free access to their Lordships upon all occasions . FINIS .