A sermon preached at the Chappel of the Rolls on the fifth of November, 1684 being Gun-Powder-Treason day / by Gilbert Burnet. Burnet, Gilbert, 1643-1715. 1684 Approx. 26 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 15 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2004-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A30424 Wing B5880 ESTC R27240 09726092 ocm 09726092 44057 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. A30424) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 44057) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1351:14) A sermon preached at the Chappel of the Rolls on the fifth of November, 1684 being Gun-Powder-Treason day / by Gilbert Burnet. Burnet, Gilbert, 1643-1715. [2], 30 [i.e. 24] p. Printed for the author and are to be sold by R. Baldwin, London : 1684. 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 XXII, 21 -- Sermons. Gunpowder Plot, 1605 -- Sermons. Sermons, English -- 17th century. 2003-10 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2003-10 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2003-12 Mona Logarbo Sampled and proofread 2003-12 Mona Logarbo Text and markup reviewed and edited 2004-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A SERMON Preached at the CHAPPEL OF THE ROLLS , On the Fifth of November , 1684. BEING GUN-POWDER-TREASON-DAY . By Gilbert Burnet , D. D. LONDON : Printed for the Author , and are to be Sold by R. Baldwin , in the Old-Baily Corner , upon Ludgate-Hill , 1684. THis Sermon as it was the shortest I ever preached , so was not at all intended for the Press ; but some Discourses that have been raised upon it , made me conclude , it was in some sort necessary to publish it for my own vindication . I have writ it out with all possible exactness and fidelity ; tho since I do not read my notes , nor repeat them word for word , I cannot answer that either in this or the other Sermons that I have printed , my pen has so governed , or followed my tongue , that there was no variation between them ; I am sure it is here printed as near the words I used , as I can remember them ; and in this I have not depended only on my own memory , but on several of my hearers , who hearkned to that Sermon with more than ordinary attention , and do think that it is very punctually set down here as I spake it . I am sure the last part of it , that presses Loyalty and Obedience , is not at all enlarged beyond what I not only preached in that Sermon , but on many other occasions , in which I appeal to all my Hearers . But I leave the Sermon to speak for it self , and me both ; and will refer it to every mans conscience that reads it , to judg whether or not I can be concluded from it to be a person disaffected to his Majesties Government . PSAL. XXII . 21. Save me from the Lyons mouth , for thou hast heard me from the horns of the Vnicorns . WE have no greater encouragement in our Addresses to God , than the remembrance of past deliverances ; and we never Worship him more decently , than when we mix our acknowledgments for what is past , with our Prayers for what is to come . So David here implores the Divine Protection in an extreme danger , which is poetically exprest , by the Lions mouth , the figure of a Lion importing the strength as well as the rage of his enemies ; and its mouth importing the nearness of the danger , which perhaps relates to the hazards he run of falling into the hands of Saul . And with this he gives the reason of his confidence in God , even in that Extremity ; because in some former dangers , which are expressed by the figure of being on the horns of the unicorn , or Rhinoceros , and so being ready to be tossed up , or torn by it , God had heard him . This perhaps relates to his deliverance from the Lion , and the Bear , or from Goliah . It is needless to enlarge more upon the words . Three things occur very naturally to our thoughts from them , with relation to this present occasion . The first is , the apprehension of danger from a formidable and cruel Enemy . The second is , a hope of preservation founded on former deliverances . And the third is , the mean that is here laid before us for our preservation ; it is prayer to God , that he may save us from the lions mouth , who has before heard us ( that is , in the Seripture-phrase delivered us ) from the horns of the unicorns . For the first Particular , I will use no Preambles , but plainly tell you , That it is the Church of Rome which I mean , that is both so strong and so cruel an Enemy ; and is as a Lion going about seeking how to devour all that differ from it . As for the Strength of this Enemy , it may be measured by the Empire which that Church has assumed , not onely over Mens Persons , but over their Consciences : This being indeed the Fundamental Doctrine of of that Church , of believing as the Church believes ; of delivering up Mens Reasons and Consciences to be led blind-fold into whatsoever Doctrines or Practices their Guides impose upon them ; and making them think , that to doubt of any of these is a Sin , and that therefore it must be opened to the Priest , and cannot be taken away , but by his leave , and Pardon given by him . The Mystery of Popery lies not so much in other Speculative Opinions , as in this main Point , That we ought not to trust neither our Reason nor our Senses in the examining such Articles as that Church proposes to us , but must take them all , and her Authority to boot , which determines all the rest , upon her own Word : So that the main thing in controversie between the Church of Rome and us , is , Whether we ought to inquire into the Will of God our selves , or must take it upon trust from our Guides ? A Church that has established such a Tyranny upon the tenderest Part of our Natures , our Reason , which is the most jealous of its Liberty , as well as the most desirous of it , no wonder if she takes it ill to see so sacred a Secret look'd into ; for , as it will not bear an Inquiry , so every Inquiry into it , is a Step towards the shaking it off . And therefore , as her Power is absolute over her own Votaries ; so she must bear an extreme Hatred to any that will be so impudent as to pretend , that their Understandings are exempted from her Yoke . Other things concur in that Church to confirm this Empire . The Belief of the Priests Power , both of Transubstantiating the Bread and the Wine , and of granting Absolution , makes it seem very reasonable to trust a Body of Men , that are so wonderfully qualified , with the Keeping and Conduct of other Mens Consciences . And after the most essential , as well as the most uneasily subdued Power of a Man was conquered , no wonder if the lesser Matters , such as Wealth and Dominion , should follow the other , as a sort of Perquisits . He that can forgive the Sins of the Living , and redeem the Souls of the Dead , will drive a sure Trade for himself ; for though it cannot be sure that what he does is ratified in Heaven ; yet the Belief of it , whether it gives Heaven to the Purchaser or not , is sure to bring the best part of this Earth to the Seller . Men do not return to tell that they were cheated in the Bargain , and to demand an Equity . On the contrary , in dark Ages nothing was more common than pretended Apparitions and Voices to confirm the Imposture ; which have vanished in an Age that is more apt to suspect and examine such things , as the Illusions of our Dreams fly from us whenever we are awake . But the Night was so long and so dark , that no wonder if so gainful a Trade was carried on with great success : And who would stand much upon the Case , after they had parted with the Jewel ? So Mens Reasons being once given up , no wonder if Wealth , and all other Secular Advantages , were thrown into the Bargain . A Church established upon such a Bottom , and supported with so much Wealth and Power , and defended by such Multitudes , who as they have all their Proportion of the Spoil , so are tied to it by Vows , as well as engaged in it by Interest ; and that has subdued so great a part of the World , and claims a more than ordinary Title to us , as having been once a very valuable Part of her Empire , is justly to be looked on as a great and formidable Enemy . But it is not the Greatness of an Enemy , that makes him so Formidable ; it is his Rage and Cruelty that gives the most mortal Apprehensions . The old Romans made the Nations that they subdued , Gainers by the Conquest they made of them : But the Modern Romans are more unrelenting Enemies . They first make all their Votaries look on such as are not of their Party , as Hereticks , that is , Men hated of God , and devoted to Damnation . Now it will be no hard thing to inspire Men with Cruelty , when they are once possessed with such inveterate Hatred and Aversion to a sort of Men who they believe are to burn in Hell for ever ; and so they think they but co-operate with the Justice of God , if they help this forward , and bring it on a little the sooner ; especially when such Fires purifie the Air , which would be otherwise corrupted with their Heresie . A Church that has substituted this Wild-fire of Rage and Cruelty , to these gentle Flames of Love and Charity ; and that , in stead of making us love one another , makes us destroy and burn one another , is the most opposite thing possible to a Society founded on the Gospel ; as if , in stead of the Union that ought to be among Christians , we ought onely to be bundling up Numbers of them in Faggots , to be burnt or blown up . All means possible are taken to impose this Cruelty on the World , which without some Practice and extraordinary Endeavours could not be wrought up to such a Pitch , as to lay down the Bowels of a Man , and take up the Rage of a Wolf or Lion. Bishops among them are made to swear at their Consecration , That they shall persecute Hereticks to the utmost of their Power . Decrees of General Councils have been made for the Extirpating Hereticks ; and Indulgence , with the Pardon of Sins , have been promised to such as should assist at it . And because there is somewhat Great and Generous in the Nature of most Princes , therefore they have decreed , That if they are remiss in this Affair , of Extirpating such as the Church condemns of Heresie , which is onely a soft Word for being the Churchmens Executioners , they shall be first Excommunicated ; and if they persist in their merciful Inclinations , they are next to be Deposed , their Subjects to be acquitted of their Oaths of Allegiance , and their Dominions to be disposed of to other more Zealous , that is , less Merciful Catholicks . Thus all possible Ways are taken to engage all sorts of People , both Clergy and Laity , both Princes and Subjects , into these Cruel Practices ; and therefore the Bloody things that have been done among them , are not so much the Excesses of Particular Persons , as the Natural Effects of the Established Doctrines and Rules of their Church , which seems to have forced them upon all within it , with so affected a Care , as if those who had managed it had been jealous that Good Nature and Common Humanity would have been too hard for them , if this Machin had not been set on by so many strong Springs , that nothing should withstand it . So in short , here is an Enemy that if it prevails it must either swallow up our Souls , or will be sure if that project fails , to succeed in that which it has in reserve , it will devour our Bodies . If any say , that these were effects of heat long ago , which are now disowned by that Church . To such this must be answered , That as Bellarmine says , the Church does not always put in practise her power of deposing Princes , because she is not always able to execute her Censures ; so this Doctrine of extirpation is either really hid from some good-natured Proselytes , whose hearts might perhaps turn against a Church that should authorize such barbarities ; or is cautiously and prudently enough disowned by those who know it , till they see a fair conjuncture and a fit opportunity : and those who do not now see it , may perhaps then feel it . But we are not to seek long for instances of this cruelty , when we have such a crying one in our eyes in the business of this day , which is the second thing I proposed to speak to . Where we have a Crime before us that far past all the invention of former Ages : for never was there any one single action , that would have produced such mischievous effects , as one spark of fire would have done here , if God had not heard and delivered us from the horns of the Vnicorns . None could suspect the nature of man of so black a design : and it was less to be apprehended from men of the same Countrey , if the becoming a Proselyte to Rome did not make a man both forget that he was a man , and an English-man . Nor was there any violent oppression in the case , which often makes even a wise man mad , for they were under so little pressure , that the Government was a little censured for its remisness : so that a Merciful Prince and a gentle Reign do not allay their fury . It had been long in consultation among them , as may appear by this one instance among many more that might be given , Delrio a Jesuite in a book Printed at Leuvain , but five years before this , puts a Case , Whether if a Confederate discover in Confession that he or some else have placed Gunpowder , or such like matter under such or such a house , and unless it be removed , the House will be blown up , the Prince destroyed , and as many as are in or going out of the City , will sustain great mischief , or run an extream hazard , the Priest ought to reveal it ? It is determined in the Negative , that he ought not to do it ; and for this he cites a Bull of Pope Clement the Eighths , against the taking any notice of things discovered in Confession , which though it related only to Superiours , and required them to take no notice in their Government of such things as they know in Confession , yet the Jesuite argues from thence , that the Pope approved the opinion , that Confessors ought to behave themselves in all respects , as if they had heard nothing at all in Confession . This being published so near England , and so near the time when this Train was laying , shews that it was then in their thoughts : for it is a case that had never before fallen out , and so was not likely to have fallen into a mans thoughts , if the thing had not been in consultation among them . In conclusion , when a sufficient number were cemented by so many Oaths and Sacraments in such a black design , then it was laid with so much artifice , that it was not probable it could have miscarried . Thus were our Fathers upon the horns of the Vnicorns , when by an unlookt for accident it appeared , that that eye to which those dark places lay naked , took pitie on us , and laid this open to the preservation of King , and Queen , and Prince , the Clergy and Nobility , the Commons and all others whom that great solemnity of the meeting of a Parliament commonly brings together ; besides the crouds round about the place , who would very probably have had a large share of so devouring an Earthquake , as so much Gunpowder must have produced . It is true , some humanity was left , but it was only to their own Party ; warning was given to so many , that there were not above Three worth Saving , in their account , in all that vast Assembly , who were not advertised to absent themselves , as Sir Everard Digby writ out of Prison to a Friend . One of these Advertisements being conveyed very odly to a Lord of that Religion , gave him the happy opportunity of being the instrument that brought out all this secret provision for so many deaths that was laid up in store . The bold Incendiary that undertook the thing , was taken , and all broke out : but then , though a great many of those who had not learnt the depths of Satan , were so far overcome by the Discovery , as to confess all , yet as one of these was prevailed with to retract that afterwards , but a few minutes before his death in prison , which prevented his suffering by the hand of Justice , so the Jesuites shewed on this occasion how they can steel their Consciences , both in undertaking the blackest Crimes ; and in throwing off that guilt with the most impudent denials . Garnet their Provincial did this to a degree of assurance , that astonished those who took his Examinations . Sir Everard Digby , one of the Conspirators in his Letters , of which I have seen the Originals , calls that Conspiracy , A Cause dearer to him than his Life ; and so powerfully had the poyson of that Religion corrupted his thoughts , that in all his Letters writ during his imprisonment , even in his last Advices to his Children , there is not the least hint of Repentance for his engagement in so vile a design , though in all other respects he appeared to be a man that was both Vertuously and Religiously inclined , such an influence has that Religion even on the best natures . If after all this , these had been only the execrable practices of some Assassinates , though it would have left some Imputation on a Church , for having such Members in her bosome , yet it might be well enough put by with this ; that there will be still cockle among the Wheat , and that there was a Traitor among the Twelve Apostles . But if these things were done pursuant to the Doctrines of that Church , that makes it lawful to Kill Hereticks , to Depose Princes , to dissolve the Bonds of Allegiance , and to give their Dominions to other ; then we may more justly charge the guilt of this day upon the Church it self . It gives very just grounds of suspicion that the Pope never made any Declaration of his detestation of that Crime , though , as I have been credibly informed , it was much desired : on the contrary , two Priests that had engaged in it , getting beyond-sea , were well received and provided for by the Pope even in Rome it self . And the Jesuites have made Prints and Pictures for Garnet as a Saint , and fables of straws that wrought miracles by virtue of some drops of Blood that fell on them , which afterwards were converted into little pictures , have been proposed to the World as evidences of his Saintship . In a word , it is plain that these who engaged in this Conspiracy , were carried into it by the Principles of their Religion , and that they were so far from being condemned for it , that they were supported and justified both living and dead for what they did in it . And that Learned King , though by the goodness of God he never felt the effects of the bloudy rage of that cruel Religion , yet he knew it well , and therefore upon a solemn occasion he protested to his Councellours , That he would never so much as grant a Toleration of that Religion , but would spend the last drop of bloud in his body before he would do it ; and pray'd that before any of his Issue should maintain any other Religion than what he truly professed and maintained , that God would take them out of the world . Since then , notwithstanding the close management as well as the secret contrivance of this cursed Plot , which was so near its execution , that the whole State both of this Church and Nation was in a danger , not unfitly expressed by their being on the horns of the Vnicorns ; God yet heard our Fathers and delivered them , who have handed down to us the remembrance of that great Salvation that he wrought for them on this blessed day ; then all the Royal Family descended from that King , all the Nobility and Gentry , whose Ancestours were markt for destruction , all the Clergy to whose burning that fire was the forerunner , unless they resolved to save themselves by Apostacy , and the whole English Nation that was then like to have seen so black a day , and have fallen under so dark a night , ought all to joyn together and say , O give thanks unto the Lord , for he is gracious , for his mercy endureth for ever , Amen and Amen . And because his mercy endureth for ever , therefore we ought still to pray to him to preserve us , and to say to him , Save me from the Lions mouth , which is the third thing in my Text. We believe there is a secret providence that governs the World , and that discriminates between the good and the bad , and therefore we ought to address our selves to that Providence , as well as to depend on it and submit to it ; and since the Religion that we profess is the Cause of God , and the dearest of all other things to him who delivered it to the world , who sealed it with his own Blood , and in whose hands the government of all things in Heaven and in Earth was put by his Father , we may well quiet our minds , amidst all the fears and apprehensions which melancholy thoughts may suggest to us . God will not abandon his own work , nor will Christ forget that which was the purchase of his own Blood. We may indeed make our selves unworthy of it , and the cry of our sins may go up so loud to Heaven , as to drown these softer whispers of our Prayers and Thanksgivings . It is our contempt of God and Religion ; our unreformed Lives amidst all the noise we make of the Reformation , our forgetting past Mercies , and our insensibility to all the Methods of Divine Providence , that ought to make us fear the Lion's Mouth , and every thing else that is dismal and frightful : and therefore if we would have our Prayers to be effectual , we must take care that our Lives may not defeat our cold and slender Devotions . But as we desire to have our Prayers to be heard , so we must take a particular care to join no Endeavours with them that may argue a distrust of God , or of our Religion : and while we have a zeal against Popery , as a bloody , a rebellious , and a cruel Religion ; we must do nothing to shew that we are acted by the Spirit of Popery , even while we seem to oppose it . All Malice to Mens Persons , all desire of Revenge , the thirst of Blood , fierce Zeal , and indecent Rage , are the Characters of the Persecuting Spirit that reigns there : We must not think ill of every particular Man among them , because of their Corruptions , which perhaps he does not know ; and if he did know them , would disown them . We must think as charitably of men as we can : for tho' there is very little Charity due to the complicated Body , and the governing Part of that Church ; yet we owe a great deal to many particular men in it , who are still in it , because they have not known the Depths of Satan ; and would very probably forsake it , if they saw so well as to discern them . But above all these , we must never forget the Station in which God has put us , as we are Subjects under a lawful Prince , to whom we are tied both by Divine and Humane Laws : and even the Lion's Mouth it self opening to devour us , can never excuse us from our Obligation to submit and suffer , if God had so ordered it by his Providence , that we had not the blessing of being born under a Prince that is the Defender of the Faith , but were born under one that would deliver us up to the LION . Much less ought Jealousies to be so blown into our minds by ill-disposed men , as to make us forget our Duty to God and the King. Suffer me here to speak this freely , that the late Rebellion , as it was managed with a Popish , that is , a Bloody Spirit , so many of the Arguments that were used to defend it , were taken from Popish Authors . When we go out of the way of Patience and Submission , of Obedience , and of bearing the Cross ; when we give scope to Passion and Rage , to Jealousy and Mistrust , and upon this Fermentation in our Minds we break out into Wars and Rebellion ; we forget that the God whom we serve is Almighty , and can save us either from a devouring Fire , or a Lion's Mouth ; and either will save us from these , or reward us infinitely for them : We forget that the Saviour whom we follow , was made perfect by Sufferings ; and that we become then truly his Disciples , when we bear his Cross , even tho' we should be crushed under it : We forget that our Religion ought to inspire us with a contempt of Life and the World , and with meekness and lowliness of Mind : We forget that we are the Followers of that glorious Cloud of Witnesses , who have by Faith and Patience inherited the Promises , and have gone to take possession of the Kingdom that was prepared for them , through Fire , and through Blood , but it was their own Blood. And to sum up all , we forget that our Reformation was the shaking off of Popery , that is , a bloody Conspiracy against the Souls and Bodies of men : against the Souls of the Weak , and against the Bodies of the Firm , but Innocent Professors of this Holy Religion . We are not to share with them in their Cruelty , nor imitate them in their Rebellion . But on the other hand ; If we will live so suitably to our Religion , that we may be thereby entitled to the blessing of enjoying it , and of being secure in it ; and if our melancholy apprehensions make us pray more earnestly to the Great Author of it , then we may lie down in quiet ; for God will either make us to dwell in safety , and deliver us from the Lion's Mouth ; or if he gives us up as a Prey , yet at least we shall even in Death overcome , and obtain the Crown of Life . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A30424-e230 Delrio Dis. Mag. lib. 6. c. 1. Crooks Reports Term. Trin. 2. Iac.