A sermon preached before the honourable House of Commons at their late solemne monethly fast Januarie 29th, 1644 wherein these foure necessary considerations are plainly proved and demonstrated out of the holy Scriptures, viz ... / by George Walker ...
         Walker, George, 1581?-1651.
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A71286 of text R6426 in the  English Short Title Catalog (Wing W364). Textual changes  and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more  computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life.  The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with  MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.  This text has not been fully proofread 
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         EarlyPrint Project
         Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO
         2017
         A71286
         Wing W364
         ESTC R6426
         11966310
         ocm 11966310
         51712
         
           
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         Early English books online.
      
       
         (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A71286)
         Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 51712)
         Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 232:E26, no 22)
      
       
         
           
             A sermon preached before the honourable House of Commons at their late solemne monethly fast Januarie 29th, 1644 wherein these foure necessary considerations are plainly proved and demonstrated out of the holy Scriptures, viz ... / by George Walker ...
             Walker, George, 1581?-1651.
          
           [6], 43 p.
           
             Printed by T. B. for Nathaniel Webb ...,
             London :
             1645.
          
           
             Four considerations: "1. The bands of the brethren in iniquity, the pernicious brambles, the plague and curse of a land and kingdome. 2. All the brethren in these bands, sharpe pricks of the cursed bramble, sharers in the sinne, and subject to the destruction thereof. 3. The righteous kept by God from the full sense and feeling of the mischiefe which they are sharpely set, and cruelly bent to bring upon them. 4. The terrrible, sudden, and totall destruction of the bramble, and every hurtfull prick thereof, by Gods dreafull storme.
             Reproduction of original in Thomason Collection, British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Bible. -- O.T. -- Psalms LVIII, 9 -- Sermons.
           Fast-day sermons.
        
      
    
       A71286  R6426  (Wing W364).  civilwar no A sermon preached before the Honourable House of Commons, at their late solemne monethly fast, Januarie 29th. 1644 wherein these foure neces Walker, George 1645    22992 40 60 0 0 0 0 43 D  The  rate of 43 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the D category of texts with between 35 and 100 defects per 10,000 words. 
        2004-11 TCP
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        Sampled and proofread
      
        2005-01 Ben Griffin
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        2005-04 pfs
        Batch review (QC) and XML conversion
      
    
  
   
     
       
       
         
           Die
           Mercurij
           Januar.
           
             29th
             .
             
             1644.
             
          
        
         
           ORdered
           ,
           that
           Sir
           
             Thomas
             Dacres
             ,
          
           and
           Master
           
             Whitacre
             ,
          
           doe
           from
           this
           House
           give
           thanks
           to
           Doctor
           
             Wincopp
             ,
          
           and
           Master
           
             Walker
             ,
          
           for
           the
           great
           paines
           they
           tooke
           in
           the
           Sermons
           they
           preached
           this
           day
           ,
           at
           the
           intreaty
           of
           this
           House
           ,
           at
           St.
           
           
             Margarets
             Westminster
             ,
          
           (
           it
           being
           the
           day
           of
           publike
           Humiliation
           )
           and
           to
           desire
           them
           to
           Print
           their
           Sermons
           :
           and
           they
           are
           to
           have
           the
           like
           priviledge
           in
           printing
           of
           them
           ,
           as
           others
           in
           the
           like
           kinde
           usually
           have
           had
           .
        
         
           
             H.
             Elsynge
             Cler.
             Parl.
             D.
             Com.
             
          
        
         
           I
           Appoynt
           
             Nathaniel
             Webb
          
           to
           Print
           my
           Sermon
           .
           
             GEORGE
             WALKER
             .
          
        
      
       
       
         
           A
           SERMON
           Preached
           before
           the
           Honourable
           House
           of
           
             Commons
             ,
          
           at
           their
           late
           solemne
           Monethly
           Fast
           ,
           
             Januarie
          
           29th
           .
           1644
           Wherein
           these
           foure
           necessary
           Considerations
           are
           plainly
           proved
           and
           demonstrated
           out
           of
           the
           holy
           Scriptures
           ,
           
             viz.
             
          
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Bands
           of
           the
           brethren
           in
           iniquity
           ,
           the
           pernicious
           Brambles
           ,
           the
           Plague
           and
           curse
           of
           a
           Land
           and
           Kingdome
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           All
           the
           brethren
           in
           these
           Bands
           ,
           sharpe
           pricks
           of
           the
           cursed
           bramble
           ,
           sharers
           in
           the
           sinne
           ,
           and
           subiect
           to
           the
           destruction
           thereof
           .
        
         
           3
           The
           righteous
           kept
           by
           God
           from
           the
           full
           sense
           and
           feeling
           of
           the
           mischiefe
           which
           they
           are
           sharpely
           set
           ,
           and
           cruelly
           bent
           to
           bring
           upon
           them
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           The
           terrible
           ,
           sudden
           ,
           and
           totall
           destruction
           of
           the
           Bramble
           ,
           and
           every
           hurtfull
           prick
           thereof
           ,
           by
           Gods
           dreadfull
           storme
           .
        
         
           
             By
             GEORGE
             WALKER
             ,
          
           Batchelor
           of
           Divinity
           ,
           Pastor
           of
           
             Iohn
          
           Evangelists
           ,
           
             London
             ,
          
           and
           one
           of
           the
           Assembly
           of
           Divines
           .
        
         
           Published
           by
           Order
           of
           the
           House
           of
           
             Commons
             .
          
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             T.
             B.
          
           for
           
             Nathaniel
             Webb
             ,
          
           and
           are
           to
           be
           sold
           in
           
             Pauls
          
           Church-yard
           .
           1645.
           
        
      
       
       
       
         
           TO
           The
           Honourable
           House
           of
           COMMONS
           ,
           Now
           Assembled
           in
           PARLIAMENT
           .
        
         
           
             Renowned
             Worthies
             ,
          
        
         
           WHEN
           I
           received
           your
           Message
           ,
           sent
           to
           me
           by
           one
           of
           Your
           Worthy
           Members
           ,
           that
           you
           had
           appoynted
           mee
           to
           Preach
           before
           You
           ,
           at
           the
           Monethly
           Fast
           then
           next
           to
           come
           ,
           mine
           Insufficiency
           ,
           
             a
          
           Age
           ,
           and
           Weaknesse
           of
           Body
           ,
           began
           immediately
           to
           put
           a
           just
           excuse
           ●●
           my
           mouth
           :
           But
           the
           strong
           obligation
           in
           which
           the
           whole
           Land
           is
           obliged
           unto
           You
           ,
           (
           being
           the
           onely
           powerfull
           
             b
          
           Saviours
           under
           God
           ,
           of
           Church
           and
           State
           ,
           from
           ruine
           and
           destruction
           ,
           when
           they
           were
           allready
           over-runne
           ,
           and
           at
           the
           poynt
           to
           bee
           swallowed
           up
           by
           the
           
           Bands
           of
           Antichrist
           )
           did
           silence
           all
           Excuses
           .
           Besides
           ,
           I
           was
           afraid
           to
           incurre
           the
           blame
           or
           suspicion
           of
           ingratitude
           to
           them
           who
           had
           
             delivered
             me
             from
             the
             paw
             of
             the
             Lyon
             ,
          
           which
           thirsted
           after
           my
           bloud
           ;
           and
           had
           set
           mee
           at
           liberty
           after
           two
           yeares
           imprisonment
           ,
           and
           Voted
           a
           just
           recompence
           of
           the
           wrongs
           done
           to
           mee
           ,
           and
           a
           Satisfaction
           from
           mine
           Oppressors
           ,
           for
           all
           my
           losses
           and
           dammages
           ,
           by
           their
           malice
           sustained
           .
           Which
           recompence
           ,
           through
           your
           favour
           and
           forwardnesse
           to
           relieve
           mee
           I
           had
           certainely
           received
           ,
           if
           the
           multitude
           of
           Malignant
           spirits
           ,
           then
           too
           prevalent
           among
           you
           ,
           but
           now
           expelled
           out
           of
           your
           Assemblie
           ,
           had
           not
           opposed
           and
           hindred
           the
           transmission
           of
           my
           Cause
           in
           due
           time
           ,
           to
           the
           
             Honourable
             House
             of
             LORDS
             .
          
           I
           saw
           also
           a
           speciall
           hand
           of
           GOD
           in
           calling
           mee
           to
           Preach
           to
           so
           
             Honourable
             an
             Assemblie
             ,
          
           and
           his
           power
           and
           providence
           ,
           in
           frustrating
           and
           bringing
           to
           nought
           the
           Counsells
           and
           purposes
           of
           the
           proud
           persecuting
           
             Prelate
          
           of
           
             CANTERBURIE
             ,
          
           
           who
           on
           the
           same
           day
           of
           the
           VVeeke
           of
           the
           same
           moneth
           of
           the
           Yeare
           ,
           six
           yeares
           before
           ,
           brought
           mee
           to
           answer
           
             Ore
             tenus
          
           in
           the
           Star-Chamber
           ,
           with
           full
           intent
           to
           lay
           a
           heavie
           Censure
           on
           mee
           :
           And
           when
           the
           truth
           of
           GOD
           for
           which
           I
           suffered
           ,
           did
           beare
           mee
           out
           against
           all
           his
           Slanders
           ,
           and
           false
           Accusations
           ,
           hee
           most
           proudly
           affirmed
           ,
           and
           bid
           me
           assure
           my selfe
           of
           it
           ,
           
             That
             I
             should
             never
             come
             in
             a
             Pulpit
             to
             preach
             any
             more
             .
          
        
         
           Vpon
           these
           Considerations
           ,
           I
           did
           cheerefully
           submit
           my
           shoulders
           to
           beare
           this
           burthen
           ,
           though
           it
           seemed
           farre
           heavier
           then
           my
           strength
           was
           able
           to
           sustaine
           and
           undergoe
           .
           And
           now
           ,
           
             Yee
             Worthies
             of
             GODS
             Israel
             ,
          
           I
           humbly
           begge
           this
           favour
           at
           Your
           hands
           ,
           that
           You
           will
           accept
           of
           the
           willingnesse
           of
           the
           
             Workman
          
           to
           serve
           
           You
           ,
           not
           the
           worth
           of
           the
           
             Service
          
           it selfe
           :
           Looke
           upon
           the
           pure
           ,
           precious
           matter
           here
           handled
           ,
           chosen
           out
           of
           a
           golden
           Psalme
           of
           
             DAVID
             ,
             the
             sweet
             Singer
             of
             Israel
             ,
          
           not
           on
           the
           weake
           handling
           of
           it
           .
           I
           conceived
           it
           verie
           seasonable
           for
           the
           Time
           and
           Occasion
           :
           For
           the
           present
           Calamities
           by
           which
           the
           LORD
           calls
           us
           to
           publike
           and
           generall
           
             Fasting
          
           and
           
             Humiliation
             ,
          
           proceed
           from
           the
           
             Bands
             of
             the
             Brethren
             in
             Iniquitie
             ,
          
           which
           are
           so
           many
           cursed
           Brambles
           of
           severall
           sorts
           ,
           pestering
           the
           whole
           Land
           ,
           and
           stinging
           us
           with
           their
           hurtfull
           pricks
           ,
           which
           abound
           in
           everie
           
             Band
             ,
             Sect
             ,
          
           and
           
             Faction
             .
          
           The
           thing
           for
           which
           wee
           seeke
           unto
           GOD
           by
           Fasting
           and
           Prayer
           ,
           is
           Deliverance
           of
           our
           Church
           and
           State
           from
           the
           mischiefe
           which
           they
           are
           sharply
           set
           to
           bring
           and
           inflict
           upon
           all
           that
           are
           Righteous
           and
           Religious
           in
           the
           Land
           .
           This
           Deliverance
           cannot
           bee
           fully
           and
           perfectly
           obtained
           ,
           till
           the
           Lord
           our
           God
           bee
           pleased
           to
           cut
           downe
           these
           cursed
           Brambles
           ,
           and
           to
           ridde
           these
           three
           Kingdomes
           of
           them
           .
           And
           this
           the
           LORD
           will
           doe
           verie
           speedily
           ,
           so
           soone
           as
           hee
           sees
           us
           made
           ripe
           for
           Deliverance
           by
           true
           unfeigned
           repentance
           ,
           and
           amendment
           of
           our
           lives
           :
           For
           then
           
             he
             will
             take
             away
             ,
             as
             with
             a
             Storme
             and
             Whirle-winde
             ,
          
           not
           onely
           the
           great
           Faction
           of
           the
           
             Antichristian
             Papists
             ,
             Atheists
             ,
          
           and
           
             Malignants
             ,
          
           banded
           together
           ,
           and
           wageing
           open
           VVarre
           against
           us
           ,
           but
           also
           all
           the
           Sects
           of
           
             Anabaptists
             ,
             Antinomians
             ,
             Libertines
             ,
          
           and
           
             Schismaticall
             Separatists
             ,
          
           who
           by
           opposing
           the
           Reformation
           ,
           and
           union
           of
           our
           Church
           ,
           with
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           best
           
             Reformed
             Churches
             ,
          
           both
           in
           
             Doctrine
          
           and
           
             Discipline
             ,
          
           according
           to
           the
           written
           VVord
           of
           God
           ,
           do
           act
           strongly
           for
           
             Antichrist
             ,
          
           and
           by
           raising
           up
           Divisions
           and
           Distractions
           ,
           in
           the
           City
           ,
           Countrey
           ,
           and
           all
           our
           Armies
           ,
           doe
           as
           much
           as
           in
           them
           is
           ,
           to
           weaken
           us
           ,
           make
           breaches
           in
           our
           VValls
           ,
           and
           to
           lay
           us
           open
           and
           naked
           to
           the
           violence
           and
           furie
           of
           our
           
           open
           enemies
           :
           All
           these
           things
           my
           Text
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           faithfully
           opened
           and
           expounded
           it
           ,
           doth
           offer
           to
           your
           grave
           and
           wise
           consideration
           ;
           and
           in
           this
           Sermon
           I
           have
           proved
           every
           particular
           by
           cleare
           testimonies
           out
           of
           holy
           Scriptures
           ,
           and
           in
           obedience
           to
           your
           command
           ,
           I
           have
           committed
           it
           to
           the
           Presse
           ,
           and
           here
           humbly
           present
           it
           to
           your
           Honourable
           Assembly
           ,
           with
           my
           hearty
           desire
           and
           prayer
           to
           God
           for
           you
           ,
           that
           by
           it
           ,
           and
           many
           other
           most
           godly
           and
           more
           learned
           Sermons
           ,
           which
           sound
           continually
           in
           Your
           cares
           ,
           You
           may
           take
           occasion
           to
           observe
           and
           note
           the
           danger
           in
           which
           our
           Land
           is
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           those
           many
           Sects
           and
           Hereticks
           ,
           and
           Schismaticks
           ,
           which
           like
           so
           many
           cursed
           Brambles
           grow
           up
           and
           increase
           daily
           ,
           even
           to
           the
           over-spreading
           of
           the
           whole
           Kingdome
           ▪
           which
           when
           you
           come
           to
           doe
           once
           seriously
           ;
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           your
           zeale
           will
           stirre
           you
           up
           ,
           to
           curb
           so
           many
           of
           them
           as
           are
           curable
           ,
           and
           to
           cut
           off
           those
           that
           are
           incorrigible
           :
           even
           such
           Thorns
           and
           Brambles
           as
           
             David
          
           describes
           in
           his
           last
           words
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
             The
             sons
             of
          
           Belial
           
             are
             all
             of
             them
             as
             Thornes
             thrust
             away
             ,
             because
             they
             cannot
             be
             taken
             with
             hands
             .
             But
             the
             man
             that
             shall
             touch
             them
             ,
             must
             be
             fully
             fenced
             with
             Iron
             ,
             and
             the
             staffe
             of
             a
             Speare
             ;
             and
             they
             shall
             bee
             utterly
             burnt
             with
             fire
             in
             the
             same
             place
             .
             2
          
           Sam.
           
             23.6
             ,
             7.
             
          
           The
           great
           God
           ,
           who
           hath
           so
           often
           ,
           and
           wonderfully
           preserved
           You
           heretofore
           from
           the
           secret
           treachery
           and
           open
           furie
           of
           these
           wicked
           men
           ,
           bee
           still
           your
           shield
           ,
           and
           your
           defence
           ,
           and
           make
           his
           great
           worke
           to
           prosper
           in
           your
           hands
           .
           So
           prayeth
           ,
        
         
           
             Your
             humble
             and
             hearty
             (
             though
             weak
             and
             unworthy
             )
             Servant
             in
             the
             Lords
             Work
             ,
             GEORGE
             WALKER
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           A
           Sermon
           Preached
           before
           the
           Honourable
           
             House
             of
             Commons
             ,
          
           at
           their
           late
           solemne
           monethly
           Fast
           ,
           
             Januarie
          
           29th
           .
           1644.
           
        
         
           
             
               PSALME
               58.9
               .
            
             
               Before
               your
               Pots
               can
               feele
               the
               Thornes
               ,
               hee
               shall
               take
               them
               away
               as
               with
               a
               whirlewinde
               ,
               both
               living
               ,
               and
               in
               his
               wrath
               .
            
             
               
                 Or
                 thus
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 Hebrew
                 Text
                 ▪
              
            
             
               Before
               they
               shall
               feele
               your
               sharp
               pricks
               ,
               O
               Bramble
               ,
               he
               will
               take
               away
               everie
               one
               of
               them
               as
               with
               a
               Tempest
               ▪
               or
               whirle-winde
               ,
               as
               well
               the
               green
               as
               the
               drie
               .
            
          
        
         
           IT
           is
           one
           of
           the
           Proverbiall
           sayings
           of
           the
           wise
           King
           
             Solomon
             ,
          
           that
           
             if
             a
             Ruler
             hearken
             to
             lyes
             ,
             all
             his
             servants
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           Officers
           and
           Ministers
           
             (
             Meshart●●
             )
             are
             wicked
          
           ▪
           His
           Father
           
             David
             ,
          
           
           in
           the
           dayes
           of
           the
           reigne
           of
           the
           wicked
           Tyrant
           
             Sam
             ,
          
           had
           still
           experience
           of
           this
           to
           his
           grief
           .
           For
           after
           that
           God
           had
           rejected
           
             Saul
          
           for
           his
           
             disobedience
             ,
          
           from
           being
           
             King
          
           over
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           and
           had
           declared
           his
           purpose
           to
           him
           by
           
             Samuel
             ,
          
           an
           evill
           spirit
           of
           fury
           ,
           jealousie
           ,
           and
           tyranny
           came
           upon
           him
           ,
           and
           made
           him
           looke
           upon
           his
           faithfull
           servant
           
             David
          
           with
           an
           evill
           
           eye
           of
           envie
           and
           suspition
           ,
           so
           that
           hee
           hated
           him
           to
           the
           death
           ,
           and
           all
           good
           men
           who
           did
           love
           and
           favour
           him
           for
           his
           upright
           dealing
           :
           and
           his
           eares
           were
           open
           to
           hearken
           to
           all
           lyes
           ▪
           slanders
           ,
           and
           false
           reports
           ,
           which
           wicked
           flattering
           Courtiers
           ▪
           or
           other
           〈◊〉
           ●●formers
           would
           bring
           against
           him
           .
           Hereby
           it
           came
           to
           passe
           ▪
           that
           
             D●●g
          
           the
           Edomite
           ,
           and
           
             Cush
          
           the
           Benjamite
           ,
           and
           many
           others
           ,
           even
           a
           whole
           band
           of
           wicked
           men
           like
           unto
           them
           ,
           came
           to
           be
           chiefe
           Counsellors
           of
           State
           ,
           Officers
           ,
           and
           Iudges
           about
           
             Saul
             ,
          
           chiefe
           executioners
           of
           his
           unjust
           and
           cruell
           commands
           ,
           and
           held
           the
           chiefe
           places
           of
           Iudicature
           under
           him
           .
           
             David
             ,
          
           and
           all
           the
           good
           people
           ,
           who
           had
           relation
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           favoured
           him
           ,
           were
           sore
           afflicted
           ,
           oppressed
           ,
           and
           persecuted
           by
           this
           wicked
           Band
           .
           But
           the
           Lord
           his
           God
           ,
           unto
           whom
           he
           had
           continuall
           recourse
           by
           prayer
           ,
           did
           comfort
           him
           inwardly
           ,
           and
           revealed
           to
           him
           by
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           that
           though
           he
           suffered
           him
           to
           be
           persecuted
           ;
           yet
           he
           would
           not
           destroy
           him
           by
           these
           wicked
           instruments
           ,
           but
           would
           preserve
           him
           from
           feeling
           the
           evill
           which
           they
           intended
           ,
           which
           was
           to
           cut
           him
           off
           .
           And
           hereupon
           he
           doth
           compose
           this
           golden
           Propheticall
           Psalme
           ,
           
           the
           Title
           whereof
           is
           ,
           
             (
             Thou
             wilt
             not
             destroy
             )
          
           and
           
             a
             golden
             Psalme
             of
          
           David
           ▪
           
             for
             the
             chiefe
             Musician
             ,
          
           In
           which
           :
        
         
           First
           ,
           he
           doth
           as
           it
           were
           face
           to
           face
           ,
           direct
           his
           speech
           to
           this
           wicked
           band
           ,
           and
           doth
           chide
           and
           rebuke
           them
           in
           the
           two
           first
           Verses
           ,
           saying
           
             Doe
             ye●
             〈…〉
             speak●●●ghteousnesse
             ▪
             ô
             band
             ,
             or
             Congregation
             ?
          
           (
           The
           word
           in
           the
           originall
           signifies
           ,
           first
           ,
           and
           properly
           ,
           
           a
           sheafe
           of
           Corne
           ,
           or
           herbes
           and
           flowers
           bound
           together
           in
           a
           bundle
           ▪
           and
           metaphorically
           ,
           a
           Band
           of
           souldiers
           ,
           or
           of
           theeves
           and
           robbers
           combined
           together
           in
           a
           bond
           ,
           or
           league
           .
           )
           
             Doe
             yee
             judge
             uprightly
             ,
             ô
             yee
             sons
             of
             men
             ?
             yea
             ,
             in
             heart
             yee
             work
             wickednesse
             ,
             you
             weigh
             the
             violence
             of
             your
             hands
             in
             the
             earth
             .
          
           That
           is
           ,
           under
           pretence
           of
           holding
           the
           scales
           of
           justice
           in
           your
           hands
           ▪
           you
           weigh
           out
           ●o
           Gods
           people
           wrongs
           ,
           injuries
           ,
           and
           violent
           oppression
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           he
           proclaimes
           to
           the
           world
           their
           inward
           and
           habituated
           malice
           ,
           and
           iniquity
           in
           the
           third
           ,
           fourth
           ,
           and
           fift
           verses
           .
           
             The
             wicked
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             are
             estranged
          
           (
           that
           is
           ,
           alienated
           from
           God
           and
           all
           goodnesse
           )
           
             even
             from
             the
             wombe
             ,
             they
             goe
             astray
             as
             soone
             as
             they
             are
             borne
             speaking
             lyes
             .
          
           (
           That
           is
           by
           custome
           and
           continuall
           practice
           of
           their
           naturally
           inbred
           malice
           ,
           they
           get
           a
           habit
           of
           lying
           ,
           and
           falsehood
           ,
           and
           increase
           their
           wickednesse
           )
           
           
             their
             poyson
          
           (
           that
           is
           of
           spite
           and
           malice
           )
           
             is
             like
             the
             poyson
             of
             a
             Serpent
             ,
             they
             are
             like
             the
             deafe
             Adder
             that
             stoppeth
             her
             eares
             ,
             which
             refuseth
             to
             hearken
             to
             the
             voyce
             of
             the
             charmers
             ,
             charming
             never
             so
             wisely
             .
          
           That
           is
           ,
           they
           harden
           their
           hearts
           ,
           and
           stop
           their
           eares
           against
           all
           just
           reproofes
           ,
           wise
           Counsels
           ,
           wholesome
           admonitions
           ,
           charming
           and
           alluring
           perswasions
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           hee
           breaks
           out
           into
           a
           Propheticall
           imprecation
           ,
           in
           which
           he
           doth
           by
           way
           of
           wishing
           ,
           foretell
           Gods
           just
           proceeding
           against
           them
           in
           judgement
           severall
           wayes
           ;
           as
           first
           ,
           that
           though
           they
           be
           armed
           with
           power
           ,
           and
           weapons
           of
           cruelty
           ,
           as
           Lyons
           are
           with
           sharp
           and
           strong
           teeth
           ;
           yet
           God
           will
           break
           their
           power
           ,
           and
           their
           strongest
           weapons
           in
           their
           hands
           ,
           as
           if
           one
           should
           breake
           the
           teeth
           of
           Lyons
           in
           their
           mouthes
           ,
           and
           dash
           out
           their
           great
           jaw
           teeth
           ,
           
             verse
          
           6.
           
           Secondly
           ,
           as
           waters
           which
           runne
           continually
           melt
           and
           passe
           away
           ,
           so
           shall
           they
           vanish
           :
           and
           when
           they
           attempt
           to
           wound
           or
           slay
           the
           innocent
           ,
           their
           purposes
           and
           endeavours
           shall
           be
           frustrate
           like
           Arrowes
           cut
           in
           pieces
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           flying
           out
           of
           the
           bow
           ,
           
             verse
          
           7.
           
           Thirdly
           ,
           They
           shall
           be
           consumed
           as
           a
           Snayle
           that
           melteth
           away
           ,
           and
           as
           the
           untimely
           birth
           of
           a
           woman
           ,
           which
           never
           seeth
           the
           light
           of
           the
           Sun
           ;
           so
           shall
           they
           never
           come
           to
           see
           the
           light
           of
           Gods
           savour
           ,
           nor
           any
           true
           blessing
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           8.
           
           Thus
           far
           he
           proceeds
           by
           way
           of
           Imprication
           .
           But
           in
           the
           fourth
           place
           here
           in
           my
           Text
           ,
           he
           turnes
           his
           Speech
           again
           to
           that
           cursed
           crew
           and
           band
           of
           wicked
           Counsellors
           ,
           and
           comparing
           them
           to
           that
           great
           Bramble
           ,
           or
           Bryar
           which
           is
           in
           the
           Hebrew
           called
           
             Atad
             ,
          
           
           and
           in
           Greek
           
             Cynosbatos
             :
          
           That
           is
           the
           
             Dog-bryar
             ,
          
           and
           of
           all
           Brambles
           is
           most
           full
           of
           sharp
           hooked
           pricks
           ,
           some
           hardned
           and
           dryed
           with
           heat
           of
           Sunne
           ,
           so
           that
           they
           rend
           and
           teare
           where
           they
           catch
           hold
           ;
           and
           others
           ,
           though
           very
           sharpe
           ,
           yet
           are
           more
           green
           weake
           and
           tender
           :
           He
           tells
           them
           that
           before
           Gods
           people
           shal
           feell
           the
           utmost
           extremity
           of
           their
           malice
           and
           furie
           ,
           or
           before
           they
           can
           fasten
           on
           them
           the
           mischiefe
           they
           intend
           ;
           the
           Lord
           will
           destroy
           ,
           scatter
           ,
           and
           take
           them
           away
           all
           and
           everie
           one
           as
           with
           a
           storm
           ,
           or
           whirle-winde
           ,
           as
           well
           the
           young
           and
           greene
           as
           the
           old
           ,
           dryed
           and
           hardned
           in
           their
           malice
           and
           crueltie
           .
        
         
           Fiftly
           ,
           in
           the
           tenth
           verse
           ,
           he
           comforteth
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           with
           a
           Prophesie
           of
           victorie
           ,
           and
           triumph
           which
           the
           righteous
           shall
           obtaine
           over
           these
           persecuting
           enemies
           .
           
             The
             righteous
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           even
           everie
           righteous
           man
           )
           
             shall
             rejoyce
             ,
             when
             hee
             
             seeth
             the
             vengeance
             ,
             he
             shall
             wash
             his
             feet
             in
             the
             bloud
             of
             the
             wicked
             .
          
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           he
           sheweth
           what
           shall
           be
           the
           end
           and
           issue
           of
           all
           ,
           both
           of
           the
           destruction
           of
           the
           wicked
           in
           the
           very
           height
           of
           their
           persecutions
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           heat
           of
           their
           rage
           and
           fury
           against
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           also
           of
           the
           deliverance
           of
           the
           righteous
           ,
           and
           of
           their
           victory
           ,
           joy
           ,
           and
           triumph
           over
           them
           :
           namely
           this
           ,
           That
           the
           world
           shall
           see
           ,
           and
           earthly
           men
           shall
           say
           ,
           
             Verily
             there
             is
             a
             reward
             for
             the
             righteous
             ,
             verily
             there
             is
             a
             God
             that
             judgeth
             in
             the
             earth
             .
          
           That
           is
           ,
           all
           shall
           turne
           to
           the
           glory
           of
           God
           at
           last
           ;
           and
           the
           men
           of
           the
           world
           shall
           acknowledge
           that
           nothing
           comes
           to
           passe
           on
           earth
           by
           chance
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           most
           troublesome
           times
           of
           greatest
           confusion
           ,
           God
           over-rules
           all
           by
           his
           wisedome
           and
           providence
           ,
           and
           hath
           in
           store
           a
           good
           reward
           ,
           which
           hee
           will
           give
           to
           the
           righteous
           ,
           as
           a
           fruit
           of
           their
           faith
           and
           patience
           ;
           and
           a
           just
           recompence
           of
           revenge
           and
           judgement
           for
           the
           wicked
           ▪
           which
           he
           will
           render
           to
           them
           even
           here
           on
           earth
           .
           This
           is
           the
           summe
           of
           this
           golden
           Psalme
           :
           And
           so
           I
           passe
           from
           the
           
             Coherents
          
           to
           the
           Text
           it selfe
           ,
           which
           in
           our
           new
           English
           Translation
           runnes
           thus
           ;
           
             Before
             your
             Pots
             can
             feele
             the
             Thornes
             ,
             hee
             shall
             take
             them
             away
             as
             with
             a
             whirle-winde
             ,
             both
             living
             ,
             and
             in
             his
             wrath
             .
          
        
         
           In
           all
           the
           Book
           of
           God
           I
           doe
           not
           remember
           any
           sentence
           so
           variously
           and
           differently
           Translated
           ,
           as
           this
           verse
           which
           I
           have
           chosen
           for
           my
           present
           Text
           .
        
         
           The
           Greek
           Septuagints
           ,
           and
           the
           vulgar
           Latine
           ,
           which
           followes
           them
           
             verbatim
             ,
          
           doe
           thus
           render
           the
           words
           ,
           
             Before
             your
             Thorns
             can
             feele
             the
             Bramble
             he
             will
             devoure
             them
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             alive
             ,
             and
             as
             it
             were
             in
             wrath
             .
          
        
         
           The
           Chaldee
           Paraphrase
           runs
           thus
           ,
           
             When
             as
             yet
             the
             wicked
             are
             not
             made
             tender
             ,
             they
             grow
             hard
             as
             the
             great
             Bramble
             ,
             as
             long
             as
             they
             are
             green
             ,
             like
             an
             unripe
             sowre
             Grape
             ,
             hee
             will
             destroy
             them
             with
             a
             whirle-winde
             .
          
        
         
           But
           the
           Translation
           which
           
             Hierome
          
           made
           out
           of
           the
           Hebrew
           Text
           ,
           hath
           the
           words
           thus
           :
           
             Before
             your
             Pricks
             grow
             up
             into
             the
             great
             Bramble
             ,
             a
             Tempest
             like
             wrath
             shall
             snatch
             them
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             alive
             .
          
        
         
           
             Austine
          
           upon
           this
           place
           reads
           this
           verse
           thus
           ,
           
             Before
             the
             Bramble
             bring
             forth
             your
             pricks
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             alive
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             in
             wrath
             he
             swalloweth
             them
             up
             .
          
        
         
           
             Pagnin
          
           thus
           Translates
           the
           words
           ,
           
             Before
             your
             Pricks
             understand
             
             the
             Bramble
             ,
             so
             living
             ,
             so
             wrath
             will
             with
             a
             Tempest
             snatch
             him
             away
             .
          
        
         
           The
           old
           English
           Translation
           runnes
           thus
           ,
           
             Or
             ever
             your
             pots
             are
             made
             hot
             with
             Thornes
             ,
             so
             shall
             indignation
             vex
             him
             as
             a
             thing
             that
             is
             raw
             .
          
        
         
           The
           English
           made
           at
           
             Geneva
          
           is
           thus
           ,
           
             As
             raw
             flesh
             before
             your
             Pots
             feele
             the
             fire
             of
             thornes
             :
             so
             let
             him
             carry
             them
             away
             as
             with
             a
             Whirle-winde
             in
             his
             wrath
             .
          
        
         
           
             Tremelius
          
           and
           
             Junius
          
           come
           nearest
           of
           all
           to
           the
           originall
           Hebrew
           Text
           ,
           and
           thus
           they
           render
           the
           words
           ,
           
             When
             as
             yet
             your
             pricks
             ,
             which
             are
             pricks
             of
             the
             Dog-bryar
             ,
             are
             not
             felt
             ,
             hee
             will
             destroy
             as
             with
             a
             whirle-winde
             every
             one
             ,
             as
             well
             the
             living
             ,
             as
             the
             parched
             .
          
        
         
           
             Ainsworth
          
           thus
           ,
           
             Ere
             ever
             they
             shall
             perceive
             your
             Thornes
             of
             the
             Bramble
             ,
             even
             alive
             ,
             even
             in
             wrath
             he
             will
             tempestuously
             whirle
             it
             away
             .
          
           That
           is
           ,
           every
           Thorne
           or
           prick
           of
           the
           Bramble
           .
        
         
           This
           variety
           of
           Translations
           ariseth
           chiefely
           from
           the
           originall
           Hebrew
           word
           ,
           
             Sireth
             ,
          
           which
           in
           the
           Hebrew
           tongue
           signifies
           ,
           First
           ,
           Pots
           ,
           or
           Caldrons
           ,
           wherein
           flesh
           is
           sod
           ,
           
           as
           
             Ex.
          
           16.3
           .
           and
           38.3
           .
           
             Ezech.
          
           11.11
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           Thornes
           ,
           and
           pricks
           of
           Thornes
           and
           Bryars
           ,
           as
           
             Isa.
          
           34.13
           .
           
             Hos.
          
           2.8
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           because
           the
           pricks
           of
           the
           great
           Bramble
           are
           very
           sharpe
           and
           hooked
           :
           this
           word
           is
           used
           to
           signifie
           fish-hooks
           ,
           
             Amos
          
           4.2
           .
           In
           all
           our
           English
           Bibles
           of
           the
           old
           ,
           new
           ,
           and
           
             Geneva
          
           Translation
           ,
           and
           some
           Latine
           Bibles
           ,
           this
           word
           is
           taken
           to
           signifie
           Pots
           or
           Caldrons
           .
           But
           the
           Septuagints
           ,
           
             Hierome
             ,
          
           vulgar
           Latine
           
             Austine
             ,
             Pagnine
             ,
             Tremelius
             ,
          
           and
           all
           others
           that
           I
           have
           seene
           take
           this
           word
           in
           the
           second
           sense
           ,
           for
           the
           sharp
           pricks
           of
           Thornes
           and
           Brambles
           .
           Here
           certainely
           this
           word
           signifies
           the
           sharpe
           pricks
           of
           the
           great
           Dog-bramble
           ,
           which
           here
           in
           the
           Hebrew
           Text
           is
           
             Arad
             ,
          
           and
           is
           used
           ,
           
             Iudg.
          
           9.14
           ,
           15.
           in
           
             Jothams
          
           parable
           ,
           to
           signifie
           the
           Bramble
           ,
           which
           being
           made
           King
           of
           the
           Trees
           ,
           kindled
           a
           fire
           ,
           which
           devoured
           the
           
             Cedars
          
           of
           
             Lebanon
             .
          
           Now
           this
           Bramble
           in
           the
           body
           ,
           and
           every
           branch
           of
           it
           is
           beset
           with
           sharp
           hooked
           pricks
           ,
           some
           of
           which
           are
           green
           ,
           and
           have
           life
           ,
           and
           moysture
           in
           them
           ,
           and
           though
           they
           be
           sharpe
           ,
           yet
           they
           are
           not
           so
           stiffe
           and
           strong
           as
           to
           make
           any
           deep
           wound
           in
           a
           mans
           flesh
           .
           Others
           are
           greater
           ,
           more
           hooked
           ,
           and
           hardned
           by
           drying
           and
           parching
           with
           vehement
           heat
           of
           the
           Sunne
           ,
           and
           they
           strike
           to
           the
           quick
           ,
           and
           hold
           fast
           ,
           or
           teare
           where
           they
           catch
           hold
           of
           mans
           
           
           
           skin
           ,
           or
           flesh
           .
           The
           first
           are
           here
           in
           my
           Text
           called
           
             a
          
           living
           or
           green
           :
           The
           other
           are
           called
           
             b
          
           dryed
           ,
           parched
           ,
           and
           hardned
           ;
           and
           the
           Propheticall
           Psalmist
           affirmeth
           ,
           
             That
             God
             who
             judgeth
             in
             the
             earth
             ,
             will
             take
             away
             and
             destroy
             as
             with
             a
             tempestuous
             whirle-winde
             ,
             every
             one
             of
             them
             ,
             as
             well
             the
             green
             ,
             as
             the
             dry
             ,
          
           as
           
             Tremellius
          
           out
           of
           the
           originall
           doth
           most
           truely
           Translate
           the
           word
           .
           These
           things
           well
           considered
           ,
           lead
           us
           to
           the
           full
           sense
           and
           true
           meaning
           of
           the
           whole
           Text.
           First
           ,
           here
           is
           a
           manifest
           Apostrophe
           ,
           that
           is
           the
           Psalmists
           turning
           of
           his
           speech
           to
           the
           Band
           or
           Congregation
           of
           wicked
           Counsellors
           ,
           unjust
           Iudges
           ,
           and
           violent
           persecutors
           ,
           and
           oppressors
           to
           whom
           he
           spake
           before
           in
           the
           two
           first
           verses
           .
           For
           he
           speaks
           not
           of
           them
           onely
           ,
           but
           to
           them
           being
           a
           multitude
           in
           the
           second
           person
           plurall
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
             Before
             they
             feele
             your
             pricks
             .
          
           Secondly
           he
           cals
           them
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           a
           Band
           ,
           
             Atad
             ,
          
           which
           name
           signifies
           the
           great
           Dog-bramble
           ,
           and
           the
           word
           here
           is
           of
           the
           Vocative
           case
           ,
           and
           may
           fitly
           be
           Translated
           ,
           
             ô
             yee
             Bramble
             ,
          
           whom
           I
           doe
           by
           a
           Metaphor
           call
           a
           Bramble
           ,
           for
           the
           resemblance
           and
           similitude
           between
           it
           and
           you
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           he
           doth
           not
           limmit
           and
           restraine
           this
           Prophesie
           to
           himselfe
           ,
           and
           his
           godly
           friends
           persecuted
           by
           
             Saul
          
           and
           his
           wicked
           Band
           :
           but
           he
           extends
           it
           to
           all
           Gods
           people
           ,
           persecuted
           by
           such
           Bands
           in
           all
           future
           times
           .
           For
           he
           doth
           not
           say
           ,
           
             Before
             we
             ,
          
           but
           
             before
             they
             feele
          
           :
           that
           is
           ,
           Gods
           people
           in
           generall
           ,
           of
           all
           ages
           doe
           feele
           the
           furie
           of
           you
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           yee
           are
           .
           The
           Hebrew
           word
           in
           the
           Text
           containes
           so
           much
           in
           the
           full
           signification
           of
           it
           .
           
           Fourthly
           he
           doth
           resemble
           the
           severall
           sorts
           of
           Persecutors
           in
           such
           wicked
           Bands
           ,
           to
           the
           severall
           sorts
           of
           pricks
           in
           the
           great
           Bramble
           :
           for
           some
           of
           them
           are
           green-headed
           ,
           like
           the
           green
           Thornes
           ,
           not
           so
           cruell
           ,
           crafty
           ,
           and
           able
           to
           hurt
           .
           Others
           by
           long
           custome
           are
           hardned
           in
           their
           malice
           ,
           and
           habituated
           in
           cruelty
           ,
           being
           masters
           in
           the
           art
           of
           persecuting
           .
           And
           fifthly
           ,
           he
           foretells
           their
           destruction
           ,
           that
           God
           will
           scatter
           and
           destroy
           them
           all
           ,
           even
           every
           one
           of
           every
           sort
           ,
           green
           ,
           and
           dry
           ,
           young
           ,
           and
           old
           ,
           weaker
           and
           stronger
           ,
           in
           these
           words
           ,
           hee
           will
           take
           away
           every
           one
           as
           with
           a
           whirle-winde
           ,
           as
           well
           the
           green
           ,
           as
           the
           dry
           .
           And
           so
           the
           whole
           Text
           runnes
           thus
           ,
           
             Before
             they
             feel
             your
             thornes
             or
             pricks
             ,
             ô
             ye
             Bramble
             ,
             hee
             will
             take
             away
             every
             one
             as
             with
             a
             whirle-winde
             ,
             as
             well
             the
             green
             as
             the
             dry
             .
             Before
             they
             ,
          
           That
           is
           ,
           the
           righteous
           whom
           yee
           hate
           and
           persecute
           ,
           
             doe
             feele
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           have
           a
           full
           sense
           and
           understanding
           of
           your
           Thorns
           
           or
           Pricks
           :
           That
           is
           ,
           of
           the
           sharpnesse
           ,
           fury
           ,
           and
           mischiefe
           which
           is
           in
           the
           heart
           &
           hand
           of
           all
           and
           every
           one
           among
           you
           :
           for
           every
           one
           in
           your
           Band
           and
           Congregation
           ,
           is
           a
           grievous
           thorne
           ,
           and
           sharpe
           prick
           of
           the
           cursed
           Bramble
           ,
           sharply
           set
           and
           bent
           to
           doe
           mischiefe
           in
           malice
           and
           fury
           to
           the
           people
           and
           Church
           of
           God
           .
           
             He
             that
             is
             God
             who
             judgeth
             in
             the
             earth
             ,
          
           (
           as
           it
           is
           expressed
           in
           the
           eleventh
           verse
           in
           the
           last
           words
           )
           
             will
             take
             away
             as
             with
             a
             whirle-winde
          
           (
           that
           is
           ,
           scatter
           and
           destroy
           tempestuously
           )
           
             every
             one
             ,
             aswell
             the
             living
             and
             green
             ,
             as
             the
             dry
             and
             hardned
             .
          
           That
           is
           ,
           all
           of
           every
           sort
           banded
           together
           ,
           as
           well
           the
           green-headed
           ,
           and
           young
           persecutors
           sharp
           set
           ,
           but
           not
           so
           strong
           to
           hurt
           ;
           as
           the
           old
           and
           dry
           who
           are
           hardned
           in
           malice
           by
           long
           custom
           ,
           and
           in
           power
           and
           policy
           are
           strong
           to
           doe
           mischief
           .
           And
           so
           I
           have
           done
           with
           opening
           and
           expounding
           of
           the
           Text
           .
           I
           proceed
           to
           the
           Doctrines
           which
           the
           words
           and
           phrases
           thereof
           rightly
           understood
           doe
           offer
           to
           us
           .
        
         
           And
           first
           ,
           in
           that
           here
           the
           Band
           of
           wicked
           Counsellours
           ,
           unjust
           Iudges
           ,
           corrupt
           Officers
           ,
           and
           violent
           oppressors
           ,
           and
           persecutors
           of
           Gods
           Church
           and
           people
           ,
           is
           resembled
           to
           a
           Bramble
           ,
           and
           is
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           spake
           by
           
             David
             ,
          
           called
           by
           the
           name
           of
           the
           
             Dog-bramble
             ,
          
           which
           is
           the
           worst
           ,
           
           and
           most
           hurtfull
           of
           all
           Briars
           and
           Thornes
           ,
           which
           God
           layd
           as
           a
           curse
           upon
           the
           earth
           for
           mans
           sinne
           ,
           
             Gen.
          
           3.18
           .
           Hence
           this
           Doctrine
           naturally
           ariseth
           ,
           
             That
             every
             Band
             ,
             Company
             ,
             and
             faction
             of
             wicked
             men
             ,
             whether
             evill
             Counsellors
             ,
             unjust
             Iudges
             ,
             and
             corrupt
             Officers
             
               
                 doctrine
              
               1
            
             in
             a
             Church
             or
             State
             ,
             or
             wicked
             instruments
             ,
             and
             men
             of
             violence
             conspiring
             and
             working
             with
             them
             to
             doe
             hurt
             and
             mischiefe
             to
             Gods
             people
             ,
             and
             to
             persecute
             his
             Church
             ,
             is
             certainly
             most
             hurtfull
             and
             dangerous
             ,
             even
             a
             curse
             and
             plague
             in
             the
             Land
             .
          
        
         
           Secondly
           in
           that
           all
           of
           all
           sorts
           more
           or
           lesse
           able
           to
           doe
           mischiefe
           ,
           
             
               doctrine
            
             2
          
           combined
           ,
           and
           banded
           together
           in
           such
           factions
           ,
           are
           called
           the
           Thornes
           or
           pricks
           of
           the
           cursed
           bramble
           .
           Hence
           flowes
           the
           second
           Doctrine
           ,
           
             viz.
             That
             all
             persons
             in
             every
             such
             Band
             or
             faction
             ,
             working
             together
             against
             Gods
             Church
             and
             people
             ,
             whether
             they
             be
             more
             or
             lesse
             pernicious
             ,
             and
             able
             to
             doe
             mischiefe
             whether
             hypocrites
             ,
             working
             under
             hand
             ,
             or
             open
             profest
             persecutors
             ,
             they
             are
             all
             sharers
             in
             the
             same
             wickednesse
             with
             the
             worst
             and
             most
             malignant
             of
             that
             cursed
             crew
             ,
             and
             shall
             perish
             in
             the
             same
             destruction
             .
          
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           in
           that
           it
           is
           here
           said
           of
           the
           righteous
           ,
           that
           before
           
             
               doctrine
            
             3
          
           they
           feele
           the
           pricks
           of
           the
           Bramble
           ,
           God
           will
           take
           away
           every
           
           one
           ,
           both
           green
           and
           dry
           ,
           more
           or
           lesse
           grievous
           and
           pricking
           ,
           and
           hurtfull
           to
           them
           .
           Hence
           we
           garher
           a
           third
           Doctrine
           ,
           viz.
           
             That
             God
             is
             so
             tender
             and
             watchfull
             over
             his
             Church
             and
             people
             ,
             that
             he
             frustrates
             the
             wicked
             Counsells
             and
             practises
             of
             their
             enemies
             ,
             and
             scatters
             and
             destroyes
             their
             persecutors
             ,
             before
             they
             proceed
             and
             prevaile
             so
             farre
             ,
             as
             to
             make
             them
             feele
             and
             undergoe
             the
             evill
             and
             mischiefe
             which
             they
             are
             sharply
             set
             ,
             and
             cruelly
             bent
             to
             inflict
             and
             bring
             upon
             them
             .
          
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           from
           the
           words
           which
           here
           threaten
           destruction
           to
           the
           sharpe
           pricks
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           the
           enemies
           and
           persecutors
           of
           the
           
             
               doctrine
            
             4
          
           righteous
           ,
           that
           
             God
             will
             take
             away
             every
             one
             as
             with
             a
             whirlewind
             ,
          
           a
           fourth
           Doctrine
           ariseth
           ,
           which
           is
           this
           ;
           
             That
             when
             Gods
             Church
             is
             most
             dangerously
             beset
             ,
             and
             assaulted
             by
             the
             bands
             of
             enemies
             ,
             and
             persecutors
             of
             severall
             sorts
             ,
             the
             Lord
             will
             terribly
             ,
             suddenly
             ,
             and
             totally
             scatter
             and
             destroy
             them
             all
             ,
             and
             none
             shall
             escape
             .
          
        
         
           Of
           these
           foure
           Doctrines
           I
           purpose
           to
           speak
           in
           order
           ,
           and
           to
           prove
           and
           apply
           them
           severally
           ,
           as
           God
           shall
           assist
           ,
           and
           time
           permit
           .
        
         
           The
           first
           Doctrine
           which
           teacheth
           us
           ,
           
             That
             every
             Band
             and
             Faction
             of
             the
             wicked
             ,
             who
             consult
             ,
             conspire
             ,
             and
             worke
             together
             against
             the
             Church
             and
             people
             of
             God
             ,
             is
             most
             hurtfull
             ,
             dangerous
             ,
             and
             pernicious
             ,
             even
             the
             plague
             and
             curse
             of
             Lands
             and
             Kingdomes
             in
             which
             they
             are
             ,
          
           is
           aboundantly
           confirmed
           by
           Testimonies
           and
           examples
           ,
           which
           the
           holy
           Scriptures
           doe
           plentifully
           afford
           and
           minister
           to
           us
           .
           For
           cleare
           testimonies
           we
           have
           all
           those
           places
           wherein
           all
           and
           every
           one
           of
           these
           wicked
           men
           banded
           together
           ,
           are
           called
           by
           the
           name
           as
           of
           Bryars
           ,
           and
           Thornes
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           curse
           of
           the
           earth
           ;
           so
           also
           ▪
           of
           Serpents
           ,
           Scorpions
           ,
           Wolves
           ,
           Lyons
           ,
           Beares
           ,
           and
           other
           hurtfull
           and
           noysome
           Creatures
           ,
           as
           
             Mich.
          
           7.3
           .
           the
           Prophet
           inveighing
           against
           the
           practises
           of
           such
           Counsellors
           ,
           Iudges
           ,
           Officers
           ,
           and
           other
           wicked
           persons
           banded
           together
           under
           an
           ungodly
           Prince
           ,
           saith
           ,
           
             They
             hunt
             every
             man
             his
             brother
             with
             a
             net
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             doe
             evill
             with
             both
             hands
             earnestly
             ,
             or
             cunningly
             :
             the
             Prince
             requireth
             ,
             and
             the
             Iudge
             also
             asketh
             for
             a
             reward
             ,
             and
             the
             great
             man
             uttereth
             the
             mischiefe
             of
             his
             soule
             ;
             so
             they
             wrap
             it
             up
             and
             twist
             it
             together
             :
             The
             best
             of
             them
             is
             a
             Bryar
             ,
             the
             most
             upright
             is
             more
             sharpe
             and
             pricking
             than
             an
             hedge
             of
             thornes
             ,
             or
             Bryars
             .
          
           Also
           the
           Lord
           by
           the
           Prophet
           
             Ezekiel
             ,
          
           Chapt.
           2.6
           .
           saith
           of
           such
           men
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           Bryers
           ,
           Thorns
           ,
           and
           Scorpions
           :
           
             And
             thou
             son
             of
             man
             be
             not
             afraid
             
             of
             them
             ,
             or
             of
             their
             great
             words
             ,
             though
             Briars
             and
             Thornes
             bee
             with
             thee
             ,
             and
             thou
             dost
             dwell
             among
             Scorpions
             ,
             be
             not
             afraid
             of
             their
             words
             ,
             nor
             dismaid
             at
             their
             lookes
             ,
             though
             they
             be
             a
             rebellius
             house
             :
          
           That
           is
           a
           Band
           and
           faction
           of
           rebellious
           men
           .
           And
           in
           the
           Propheticall
           Song
           of
           
             Moses
             ,
             Deut.
          
           32.32.33
           .
           It
           is
           said
           of
           such
           men
           cleaving
           together
           ,
           as
           Grapes
           in
           a
           cluster
           ,
           
             That
             their
             Vine
             is
             the
             Vine
             of
          
           Sodome
           ,
           
             and
             of
             the
             fields
             of
             Gomorah
             :
             their
             Grapes
             are
             Grapes
             of
             Gall
             ,
             and
             their
             clusters
             are
             bitter
             :
             their
             Wine
             is
             the
             poyson
             of
             Dragons
             ,
             and
             the
             cruell
             venome
             of
             Aspes
             .
          
           And
           
             Ezech.
          
           28.24
           .
           The
           Lord
           promising
           to
           remove
           the
           plague
           and
           curse
           from
           his
           Land
           and
           People
           ,
           saith
           :
           
             There
             shall
             be
             no
             more
             a
             pricking
             Bryar
             ,
             nor
             any
             grievous
             Thorne
             unto
             them
             .
          
           When
           he
           riddeth
           his
           Land
           of
           such
           grievous
           oppressours
           ,
           persecutors
           ,
           and
           such
           pernicious
           persons
           .
           Likewise
           
             Isaiah●9
          
           .
           4
           ,
           5.
           
           It
           is
           said
           of
           the
           men
           of
           this
           ranke
           ,
           
             who
             speake
             vanity
             ,
             trust
             in
             lyes
             ,
             conceive
             mischiefe
             ,
             and
             bring
             forth
             iniquity
             ,
             that
             they
             hatch
             Cockatrice
             Egges
             ,
             and
             weave
             the
             Spiders
             web
             ;
             he
             that
             eateth
             of
             their
             Egges
             dyeth
             and
             that
             which
             is
             crushed
             breaketh
             out
             into
             a
             Viper
             .
          
           And
           
             Isa.
          
           27
           4.
           the
           Lord
           saith
           ,
           that
           while
           he
           keeps
           the
           Church
           ,
           his
           Vineyard
           of
           red
           Wine
           ,
           these
           enemies
           of
           it
           ,
           
             are
             Bryars
             and
             Thornes
             set
             against
             him
             in
             Battaile
             .
          
           This
           holy
           Psalmist
           doth
           not
           onely
           here
           in
           this
           Psalme
           ,
           
             verse
          
           4.
           call
           them
           
             deafe
             Adders
             ,
          
           and
           saith
           ,
           
             their
             poyson
             is
             like
             the
             poyson
             of
             a
             Serpent
             :
          
           but
           in
           other
           Psalmes
           also
           hee
           calls
           them
           Dogs
           ,
           and
           Lyons
           ,
           as
           
             Psal.
          
           22.16.20
           ,
           21.
           
           
             Many
             Dogs
             are
             come
             about
             me
             ,
             the
             assembly
             of
             the
             wicked
             have
             inclosed
             mee
             ,
          
           and
           
             verse
          
           21.
           
           
             Save
             me
             from
             the
             Lyons
             mouth
             ,
          
           and
           
             Psalme
          
           57.4
           .
           though
           they
           be
           
             sons
             of
             men
             ,
          
           yet
           they
           are
           said
           to
           bee
           soule-hunting
           and
           devouring
           Lyons
           ,
           like
           their
           Father
           the
           Devill
           ,
           and
           set
           on
           fire
           of
           hell
           .
           
             My
             soule
             is
             among
             Lyons
             ,
             and
             I
             lye
             among
             them
             that
             are
             set
             on
             fire
             ,
             even
             the
             sonnes
             of
             men
             ,
             whose
             teeth
             are
             Speares
             and
             Arrowes
             ,
             and
             their
             Tongues
             a
             sharpe
             sword
             .
          
           And
           
             Psalm
             .
          
           140.2.3
           .
           He
           complaines
           against
           them
           ,
           and
           calls
           them
           men
           of
           violence
           gathered
           together
           to
           doe
           mischiefe
           ,
           
             who
             have
             sharpened
             their
             tongues
             like
             a
             Serpent
             ,
             and
             Adders
             poyson
             is
             under
             their
             lips
             .
          
           And
           
             Ezech.
          
           22.27
           .
           and
           
             Zeph.
          
           3.3
           .
           they
           are
           called
           
             roaring
             Lyons
             ,
             and
             evening
             Wolves
             ,
             ravening
             for
             the
             prey
             ,
             to
             shed
             bloud
             ,
             to
             destroy
             soules
             ,
             and
             to
             get
             dishonest
             gaine
             .
          
           Besides
           these
           ,
           with
           many
           like
           testimonies
           ,
           we
           have
           also
           most
           pregnant
           examples
           .
           In
           the
           Book
           of
           
             Judges
             ,
             chap.
          
           9.
           we
           read
           that
           
             Abimelech
          
           the
           son
           of
           
             Gideon
             ,
          
           by
           a
           Concubine
           ,
           being
           assisted
           by
           a
           band
           of
           wicked
           Counsellors
           ,
           
           who
           were
           prevalent
           ,
           and
           leading
           men
           in
           
             Shechem
          
           ;
           and
           by
           the
           helpe
           of
           vaine
           and
           light
           persons
           ,
           which
           he
           hired
           to
           be
           his
           followers
           with
           money
           which
           they
           gave
           him
           ;
           did
           usurpe
           the
           Kingdome
           after
           the
           death
           of
           his
           father
           ,
           and
           slue
           his
           seventy
           brethren
           ,
           who
           had
           more
           right
           to
           reigne
           than
           hee
           ;
           and
           what
           a
           curse
           and
           plague
           by
           so
           doing
           they
           proved
           to
           him
           &
           themselves
           ,
           and
           to
           their
           City
           and
           Countrey
           ,
           the
           event
           shewed
           ;
           for
           he
           was
           the
           Bramble
           in
           his
           Brother
           
             Iothams
          
           Parable
           ,
           and
           they
           the
           trees
           which
           anoynted
           him
           to
           be
           King
           over
           them
           ,
           and
           by
           an
           evill
           spirit
           which
           God
           sent
           between
           him
           and
           them
           ,
           they
           became
           Traytors
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           he
           destroyed
           their
           chiefe
           City
           ,
           slue
           the
           inhabitants
           ,
           beat
           down
           the
           walls
           ,
           and
           sowed
           salt
           in
           it
           ,
           to
           make
           it
           a
           cursed
           place
           :
           and
           pursuing
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           people
           who
           betooke
           themselves
           for
           refuge
           to
           a
           strong
           Tower
           ,
           he
           had
           his
           skull
           broken
           by
           a
           stone
           which
           a
           woman
           cast
           upon
           his
           head
           :
           and
           lest
           it
           should
           be
           said
           that
           a
           woman
           slue
           him
           ,
           he
           caused
           his
           Armour-bearer
           to
           thrust
           him
           through
           with
           his
           sword
           ,
           and
           so
           he
           dyed
           desperately
           ;
           and
           
             Iothams
          
           parable
           was
           verified
           in
           him
           ,
           and
           his
           Band
           of
           wicked
           Counsellors
           ,
           and
           abettors
           ;
           they
           proved
           to
           be
           a
           most
           pernicious
           and
           destroying
           plague
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           a
           curse
           to
           their
           City
           ,
           State
           ,
           and
           Countrey
           :
           and
           a
           fire
           came
           out
           from
           him
           ,
           to
           devoure
           them
           as
           in
           that
           Chapter
           is
           shewed
           at
           large
           .
           In
           the
           same
           book
           Chapter
           20.
           we
           read
           that
           the
           banding
           together
           of
           wicked
           Counsellours
           ,
           and
           men
           of
           
             Belial
          
           in
           
             Gibeah
             ,
          
           the
           chief
           City
           of
           
             Benjamin
             ,
          
           proved
           destructive
           to
           the
           whole
           Tribe
           ,
           and
           no
           small
           plague
           to
           all
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           who
           lost
           above
           forty
           thousand
           men
           in
           a
           bloudy
           Civill
           war
           ,
           which
           by
           Gods
           Law
           they
           were
           bound
           to
           make
           and
           pursue
           against
           them
           for
           putting
           away
           abhominations
           ,
           and
           destroying
           cursed
           Malefactors
           ,
           out
           of
           
             Israel
             .
          
           Those
           unjust
           Iudges
           ,
           and
           wicked
           Counsellors
           ,
           patrons
           of
           filthy
           abomination
           ,
           refused
           to
           deliver
           up
           to
           justice
           the
           sonnes
           of
           
             Belial
             ,
          
           who
           had
           most
           villanously
           abus●d
           the
           
             Levites
          
           wife
           unto
           death
           ;
           and
           by
           their
           authority
           stirred
           up
           all
           the
           Children
           of
           
             Benjamin
          
           to
           take
           up
           armes
           against
           all
           their
           brethren
           of
           the
           other
           Tribes
           ,
           who
           were
           commanded
           to
           execute
           justice
           in
           such
           cases
           under
           paine
           of
           a
           curse
           ,
           and
           to
           cut
           off
           such
           abhominable
           sinners
           ,
           though
           with
           great
           dammage
           and
           bloud-shed
           on
           their
           own
           side
           .
           But
           in
           the
           end
           this
           proved
           an
           heavy
           curse
           to
           the
           whole
           
             Tribe
             ,
          
           which
           in
           that
           unjust
           cause
           which
           they
           maintained
           by
           the
           sword
           ,
           was
           cut
           off
           ,
           and
           utterly
           destroyed
           ,
           except
           onely
           five
           hundred
           
           men
           ,
           who
           escaped
           by
           flight
           unto
           the
           Rock
           of
           
             Rimmon
             ,
          
           and
           the
           wildernesse
           .
           
             Saul
          
           also
           ,
           the
           first
           anoynted
           King
           over
           all
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           when
           God
           had
           rejected
           him
           for
           his
           disobedience
           ,
           gathered
           to
           himselfe
           a
           Band
           of
           wicked
           Counsellors
           ,
           corrupt
           Officers
           ,
           and
           Iudges
           ,
           and
           other
           instruments
           of
           his
           violence
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           cruelty
           ,
           to
           persecute
           
             David
             ,
          
           and
           such
           as
           favoured
           his
           righteous
           Cause
           ,
           as
           
             Doeg
             ,
          
           and
           others
           ,
           of
           whom
           the
           beginning
           of
           this
           Psalme
           speaks
           .
           And
           mention
           is
           also
           made
           of
           them
           ,
           1
           
             Sam.
          
           22.
           
           By
           them
           he
           was
           stirred
           up
           to
           pursue
           
             David
          
           his
           chiefe
           Champion
           against
           the
           uncircumcised
           
             Philistims
             ,
          
           the
           common
           enemies
           of
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           to
           drive
           him
           out
           of
           his
           Land
           :
           So
           that
           for
           want
           of
           his
           helpe
           ,
           he
           was
           in
           his
           great
           straits
           and
           feares
           drawne
           to
           consult
           with
           the
           devill
           ,
           by
           the
           witch
           of
           
             Endor
             ,
          
           to
           the
           destruction
           of
           himselfe
           ,
           and
           of
           those
           his
           wicked
           followers
           ,
           by
           whose
           Counsells
           he
           was
           led
           :
           For
           with
           them
           ,
           all
           his
           valiant
           Sonnes
           were
           slaine
           in
           Battaile
           ,
           the
           army
           of
           
             Israel
          
           routed
           and
           smitten
           ;
           and
           he
           himselfe
           so
           hotly
           pursued
           ,
           that
           he
           had
           no
           hope
           to
           escape
           :
           and
           in
           bitternesse
           of
           anguish
           hee
           fell
           desperately
           upon
           his
           owne
           Sword
           ,
           and
           dyed
           a
           selfe-murtherer
           ,
           1
           
             Sam.
          
           31.
           and
           so
           this
           wicked
           Band
           proved
           a
           curse
           to
           him
           and
           themselves
           ,
           and
           a
           plague
           to
           all
           Israel
           .
        
         
           It
           was
           a
           Band
           of
           wicked
           Counsellors
           ,
           among
           whom
           
             Achitophel
          
           was
           president
           ,
           which
           animated
           
             Absalom
          
           to
           become
           a
           Traytor
           to
           King
           
             David
          
           his
           owne
           Father
           ,
           and
           to
           raise
           up
           in
           Rebellion
           all
           
             Israel
          
           against
           him
           :
           
           which
           as
           it
           was
           an
           heavy
           plague
           to
           
             David
             ,
          
           and
           a
           curse
           to
           his
           family
           and
           Kingdome
           :
           so
           especially
           to
           themselves
           ;
           for
           
             Achitophel
          
           the
           president
           hanged
           himselfe
           ,
           and
           the
           rest
           with
           
             Absalom
          
           were
           destroyed
           in
           Battaile
           ,
           and
           miserably
           perished
           .
           The
           like
           misery
           did
           
             Rehoboams
          
           Band
           of
           heady
           Counsellours
           ,
           and
           ill-affected
           followers
           ,
           proud
           young
           men
           ,
           bring
           upon
           him
           and
           his
           Kingdome
           ,
           for
           being
           led
           and
           ruled
           by
           their
           Counsell
           ,
           his
           Kingdome
           was
           wofully
           rent
           ,
           ten
           Tribes
           forsooke
           him
           ,
           and
           great
           calamity
           fell
           upon
           him
           ,
           and
           upon
           
             Ierusalem
             ,
          
           the
           royall
           City
           ,
           which
           was
           by
           this
           rent
           left
           naked
           of
           defence
           ,
           and
           
             Sheshak
          
           King
           of
           
             Egypt
          
           robbed
           it
           ,
           and
           tooke
           away
           all
           the
           Treasures
           which
           
             Solomon
          
           left
           in
           the
           house
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Kings
           house
           ,
           &
           all
           the
           Shield
           of
           Gold
           which
           he
           had
           made
           ,
           1
           
             Kings
          
           12.
           and
           2
           
             Chron.
          
           12.
           
           Likewise
           the
           Princes
           and
           flattering
           Counsellours
           of
           
             Ioash
          
           King
           of
           
             Iudah
             ,
          
           who
           conspired
           together
           ,
           and
           were
           authors
           to
           draw
           
           the
           King
           to
           Idolatry
           ,
           and
           to
           persecute
           to
           death
           the
           Prophet
           ,
           who
           was
           the
           sonne
           of
           that
           renouned
           Priest
           
             Jehoiadah
             ,
          
           by
           whom
           he
           himselfe
           had
           been
           saved
           alive
           ,
           nourished
           ,
           and
           set
           up
           in
           the
           Throne
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           ;
           they
           were
           most
           pernicious
           ,
           they
           brought
           a
           curse
           on
           the
           King
           ,
           his
           family
           ,
           and
           Kingdome
           ,
           and
           on
           themselves
           :
           for
           they
           were
           destroyed
           by
           the
           small
           Bands
           of
           the
           
             Syrians
             ,
          
           which
           God
           for
           their
           sinnes
           raised
           up
           to
           cut
           them
           off
           ,
           and
           their
           great
           Host
           ,
           and
           the
           spoyle
           of
           them
           was
           sent
           to
           
             Damascus
          
           :
           and
           the
           King
           himselfe
           being
           left
           by
           the
           enemies
           in
           sore
           diseases
           ,
           was
           slain
           by
           his
           owne
           servants
           :
           and
           this
           was
           the
           plague
           and
           curse
           which
           his
           wicked
           Counsellors
           ,
           by
           whom
           hee
           was
           led
           ,
           brought
           on
           him
           and
           themselves
           .
           2
           
             Chron.
          
           24.
           we
           read
           also
           in
           the
           Prophesie
           of
           
             Ieremiah
             ,
          
           that
           King
           
             Zedekiah
          
           was
           altogether
           led
           and
           rul●d
           by
           a
           Band
           of
           wicked
           Counsellors
           ,
           Princes
           ,
           Priests
           ,
           and
           false
           Prophets
           ,
           which
           at
           length
           over-awed
           him
           ,
           when
           they
           had
           brought
           him
           into
           great
           straits
           ,
           
             Jer.
          
           38.24
           ,
           25.
           
           These
           were
           the
           men
           who
           persecuted
           
             Ieremiah
          
           for
           prophecying
           to
           them
           from
           God
           ,
           laid
           wait
           to
           catch
           him
           in
           his
           words
           ,
           smote
           him
           ,
           put
           him
           in
           the
           stocks
           ,
           and
           caused
           the
           King
           to
           cast
           him
           into
           the
           Dungeon
           .
           What
           cursed
           men
           these
           were
           ,
           and
           what
           dreadfull
           vengeance
           and
           wrath
           of
           God
           followed
           them
           and
           their
           families
           ,
           the
           Prophet
           sheweth
           ,
           
             Ierem.
          
           18.21
           .
           and
           20.11
           ,
           12.
           
             viz.
             That
             their
             children
             shall
             be
             delivered
             up
             to
             the
             sword
             ,
             their
             wives
             shall
             be
             widdows
             ,
             and
             a
             cry
             shall
             be
             heard
             from
             their
             houses
             :
             Gods
             vengeance
             shall
             be
             seene
             on
             them
             ,
             and
             their
             everlasting
             confusion
             shall
             never
             be
             forgotten
             .
          
           What
           a
           plague
           and
           curse
           they
           were
           to
           the
           King
           ,
           to
           his
           sons
           ,
           and
           to
           his
           City
           ,
           and
           Kingdome
           ,
           the
           same
           Prophet
           testifieth
           :
           They
           made
           him
           and
           his
           people
           reassume
           their
           dismissed
           Bond-servants
           ,
           and
           break
           the
           Covenant
           of
           God
           ,
           
             Ier.
          
           34
           11.
           
           Yea
           ,
           and
           the
           Oath
           of
           God
           which
           he
           made
           to
           the
           King
           of
           
             Babylon
             ,
          
           when
           he
           set
           him
           up
           to
           be
           King
           ;
           and
           they
           hardned
           him
           by
           their
           evill
           Counsell
           to
           stand
           out
           against
           the
           word
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           untill
           God
           gave
           him
           and
           his
           sons
           ,
           City
           ,
           and
           Kingdome
           ,
           into
           the
           hands
           of
           the
           King
           of
           
             Babylon
             ,
          
           who
           slue
           his
           sonnes
           before
           his
           face
           ,
           then
           put
           out
           his
           eyes
           ,
           bound
           him
           in
           Chaines
           till
           he
           dyed
           ,
           tooke
           the
           City
           ,
           laid
           it
           waste
           ,
           burnt
           the
           Temple
           ,
           led
           the
           people
           captive
           ,
           and
           left
           the
           Land
           desolate
           ,
           as
           we
           read
           
             Ier.
          
           39.
           
           But
           yet
           there
           was
           another
           Band
           and
           conspiracy
           of
           wicked
           Counsellors
           ,
           unjust
           Iudges
           ,
           persecutiong
           Rulers
           ,
           and
           ungodly
           Officers
           ,
           and
           other
           instruments
           of
           violence
           ,
           more
           
           pestilent
           and
           pernicious
           then
           all
           these
           who
           were
           such
           a
           plague
           and
           curse
           to
           their
           whole
           Nation
           ,
           that
           they
           brought
           the
           wrath
           of
           God
           on
           it
           to
           the
           utmost
           ,
           and
           on
           all
           their
           posterity
           untill
           this
           day
           ;
           that
           was
           the
           great
           Counsell
           of
           the
           Iewes
           in
           our
           Saviours
           dayes
           ,
           by
           which
           the
           publishing
           of
           the
           Gospell
           was
           desperately
           opposed
           ,
           the
           blessed
           Messiah
           persecuted
           and
           murthered
           ,
           his
           Apostles
           and
           Martyrs
           scourged
           ,
           imprisoned
           ,
           slaine
           ,
           and
           scattered
           ,
           as
           the
           History
           of
           the
           Gospell
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Acts
           of
           the
           Apostles
           testifie
           .
           For
           they
           by
           their
           pernicious
           Counsells
           and
           practises
           ,
           brought
           a
           totall
           destruction
           upon
           their
           whole
           nation
           ,
           people
           ,
           City
           and
           Temple
           ;
           so
           that
           a
           generall
           curse
           cleaves
           to
           their
           children
           ,
           and
           they
           have
           for
           1600
           yeares
           been
           a
           by-word
           ,
           a
           reproach
           and
           a
           hissing
           in
           all
           Nations
           where
           they
           are
           scattered
           .
           These
           dreadful
           examples
           are
           so
           many
           lowd
           voyces
           proclaiming
           from
           God
           to
           our
           eares
           ,
           and
           witnessing
           to
           our
           hearts
           the
           truth
           propounded
           in
           this
           Doctrine
           ,
           viz.
           
             That
             every
             Band
             ,
             Company
             ,
             and
             Faction
             of
             wicked
             men
             ,
             consulting
             to
             doe
             mischiefe
             ,
             and
             practising
             against
             Gods
             Church
             and
             people
             ,
             are
             most
             pernicious
             and
             dangerous
             Brambles
             ,
             the
             plague
             and
             curse
             of
             Lands
             and
             Kingdomes
             .
          
        
         
           I
           have
           been
           large
           in
           producing
           a
           multitude
           of
           examples
           ,
           because
           I
           would
           have
           you
           take
           notice
           ,
           that
           wicked
           Rulers
           and
           Kings
           mentioned
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           never
           wanted
           pernicious
           Counsellors
           ,
           nor
           Bands
           of
           cursed
           instruments
           to
           spur
           and
           drive
           them
           on
           to
           destruction
           ,
           and
           to
           bring
           a
           curse
           on
           their
           Kingdomes
           .
           This
           is
           no
           new
           ,
           nor
           strange
           thing
           to
           be
           wondred
           at
           ,
           and
           to
           dismay
           and
           astonish
           us
           .
           But
           that
           ,
           in
           times
           when
           Kings
           and
           Princes
           were
           Tyrants
           ,
           oppressors
           ,
           and
           back
           sliders
           from
           true
           Religion
           to
           Idolatry
           ,
           and
           had
           bands
           of
           wicked
           instruments
           ,
           and
           of
           men
           of
           violence
           at
           command
           ,
           God
           was
           so
           mercifull
           to
           his
           Nation
           ,
           and
           people
           of
           old
           ,
           as
           to
           reserve
           to
           himselfe
           a
           prevayling
           party
           ,
           and
           to
           put
           wisedome
           and
           courage
           into
           the
           great
           Counsell
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           ,
           to
           resist
           their
           violence
           ,
           to
           preserve
           Religion
           from
           ruine
           ,
           the
           people
           from
           oppression
           ,
           the
           Land
           from
           spoyling
           ,
           to
           oppose
           the
           bands
           of
           the
           wicked
           ,
           to
           scatter
           them
           ,
           and
           execute
           justice
           on
           them
           :
           this
           we
           finde
           not
           in
           the
           Book
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           all
           the
           Histories
           from
           the
           first
           to
           the
           second
           
             Adam
          
           :
           this
           is
           a
           mercy
           proper
           to
           the
           times
           of
           the
           Gospell
           ,
           and
           to
           those
           Nations
           and
           Kingdomes
           in
           which
           Christ
           ruleth
           by
           his
           holy
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           his
           Church
           is
           surely
           established
           ,
           by
           the
           word
           of
           God
           faithfully
           preached
           ,
           &
           true
           religion
           is
           planted
           in
           the
           hearts
           of
           the
           people
           .
        
         
         
           But
           now
           for
           the
           cursed
           Band
           of
           pernicious
           Counsellors
           ,
           and
           other
           agents
           of
           violence
           and
           iniquity
           ,
           which
           here
           I
           am
           to
           deale
           with
           .
           That
           we
           may
           see
           most
           clearely
           what
           just
           cause
           all
           Nations
           and
           people
           have
           to
           hate
           ,
           abhorre
           ,
           and
           spue
           them
           out
           ,
           as
           enemies
           of
           all
           righteousnesse
           and
           peace
           ;
           and
           the
           plague
           and
           curse
           of
           the
           Lands
           ,
           states
           ,
           and
           kingdome
           in
           which
           they
           rise
           up
           ,
           and
           beare
           sway
           :
           I
           will
           launch
           forth
           a
           little
           further
           ,
           to
           discover
           the
           depth
           of
           their
           malice
           ,
           how
           pestilent
           and
           mischievous
           they
           must
           needs
           be
           ,
           wheresoever
           they
           prevail
           ,
           and
           are
           countenanced
           ;
           and
           this
           I
           will
           doe
           by
           three
           reasons
           ,
           drawe
           .
           First
           from
           their
           originall
           and
           chiefe
           author
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           from
           their
           actions
           and
           practises
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           the
           unhappy
           events
           of
           their
           doing
           .
        
         
           
             
               reason
            
             1
          
           First
           ,
           it
           is
           most
           certaine
           ,
           that
           all
           sons
           of
           
             Belial
             ,
          
           children
           of
           the
           Devill
           ,
           and
           seed
           of
           the
           old
           Serpent
           ,
           especially
           when
           a
           faction
           of
           them
           is
           banded
           together
           ,
           are
           most
           hurtful
           and
           dangerous
           to
           the
           Church
           and
           people
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           a
           plague
           and
           curse
           to
           the
           State
           in
           which
           they
           rule
           and
           have
           power
           :
           For
           God
           hath
           put
           enmity
           between
           them
           and
           the
           elect
           seed
           of
           the
           woman
           ,
           Christ
           ,
           and
           his
           true
           members
           :
           there
           can
           be
           no
           peace
           ,
           but
           perpetuall
           warre
           with
           them
           ,
           till
           their
           head
           be
           bruised
           ,
           and
           their
           power
           scattered
           :
           which
           victory
           for
           the
           most
           part
           doth
           c●st
           Christians
           ,
           as
           it
           did
           their
           head
           Christ
           ,
           the
           bruising
           of
           their
           heele
           ,
           
             Gen.
          
           3.15
           .
           What
           a
           curse
           the
           sons
           of
           
             Eli
             ,
          
           who
           are
           called
           sons
           of
           
             Belial
             ,
          
           1
           
             Sam.
          
           2.12
           .
           did
           bring
           upon
           the
           Land
           of
           Israel
           ,
           and
           on
           their
           fathers
           house
           ,
           we
           may
           read
           at
           large
           ,
           chap.
           2.11
           .
           and
           chap.
           4.
           
           The
           Arke
           of
           God
           could
           not
           secure
           them
           from
           Gods
           wrathfull
           stroak
           ,
           and
           visiting
           hand
           .
           And
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           the
           covetousnesse
           ,
           theft
           ,
           and
           treachery
           of
           Iudas
           ,
           who
           was
           a
           Devill
           incarnate
           ,
           doe
           discover
           sufficiently
           what
           mischiefe
           abounds
           in
           the
           children
           of
           the
           devill
           .
           Now
           wicked
           Counsellors
           ,
           unjust
           Iudges
           ,
           and
           all
           other
           ungodly
           men
           banded
           together
           ,
           to
           lye
           ,
           to
           seduce
           ,
           and
           to
           worke
           mischiefe
           in
           their
           hearts
           ,
           are
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           proclaimed
           sons
           of
           
             Belial
             ,
             children
             of
             the
             Devill
             ,
             and
             the
             seed
             of
             the
             old
             Serpent
          
           :
           So
           God
           by
           
             Moses
          
           calls
           them
           ,
           
             Deut.
          
           13.13
           .
           So
           
             David
          
           in
           his
           last
           words
           ,
           and
           saith
           ,
           
             That
             they
             are
             all
             of
             them
             as
             Thornes
             thrust
             away
             ,
             because
             they
             cannot
             bee
             taken
             with
             hands
             ,
          
           2
           
             Sam.
          
           23.6
           .
           And
           our
           Saviour
           tells
           the
           Iewes
           banded
           together
           to
           oppresse
           ,
           hurt
           ,
           lye
           ,
           slander
           ,
           and
           persecute
           ,
           that
           
             they
             are
             of
             their
             Father
             the
             Devill
          
           :
           they
           have
           their
           originall
           from
           Hell
           ,
           the
           devill
           is
           the
           chiefe
           author
           of
           their
           malice
           ,
           and
           president
           
           of
           their
           conspiracy
           and
           counsell
           ,
           
             Iohn
          
           8.44
           .
           And
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           calls
           
             Elimas
          
           the
           Sorcerer
           ,
           who
           laboured
           to
           turne
           
             Sergius
             Paulus
          
           from
           the
           faith
           ,
           
             the
             enemy
             of
             all
             righteousnesse
             ,
             the
             child
             of
             the
             Devill
             ,
             full
             of
             all
             malice
             and
             subtilty
             ,
             Acts
          
           13.10
           .
           For
           indeed
           the
           old
           Serpent
           the
           Devill
           ,
           inspires
           subtelty
           into
           men
           ,
           suggests
           wicked
           counsells
           ,
           and
           draws
           them
           into
           conspiracy
           in
           evill
           ;
           and
           the
           more
           they
           are
           banded
           together
           ,
           the
           more
           hee
           prevailes
           in
           them
           ,
           and
           workes
           more
           mischiefe
           by
           them
           :
           and
           therefore
           their
           originall
           ,
           and
           the
           author
           of
           their
           Counsells
           demonstrates
           them
           to
           be
           such
           as
           this
           Doctrine
           teacheth
           .
        
         
           The
           second
           reason
           is
           drawne
           from
           their
           actions
           ,
           and
           practises
           .
           First
           of
           all
           their
           thoughts
           are
           against
           the
           righteous
           for
           evill
           ,
           
             
               reason
            
             2
          
           
             Psalme
          
           56.5
           .
           
             They
             work
             mischief
             in
             their
             hearts
             ,
          
           verse
           2.
           of
           this
           Psalme
           ,
           
             devise
             it
             on
             their
             beds
             ,
             Psal.
          
           30.4
           .
           
             they
             glory
             and
             boast
             in
             it
             ,
             Psalme
          
           52.1
           .
           
             they
             consult
             together
             to
             cast
             down
             the
             righteous
             from
             his
             excellency
             ,
             they
             delight
             in
             lyes
             ,
             blesse
             with
             their
             mouth
             ,
             but
             curse
             with
             their
             heart
             ,
             Psal.
          
           62.3
           ,
           4.
           
           
             In
             the
             balance
             of
             Iustice
             which
             they
             hold
             as
             Iudges
             in
             their
             hands
             ,
          
           and
           under
           colour
           and
           pretence
           of
           judgement
           ,
           
             they
             weigh
             out
             the
             violence
             of
             their
             hands
             ,
          
           (
           that
           is
           ,
           wrongs
           and
           injuries
           )
           
             in
             the
             earth
             .
             Psalme
          
           58.2
           .
           
             They
             plot
             against
             the
             righteous
             ,
             Psalme
          
           37.12
           .
           
             They
             lye
             in
             wait
             for
             bloud
             ,
          
           
           
             Mich
          
           7.2
           .
           
             they
             talke
             together
             of
             laying
             snares
             for
             the
             innocent
             ,
             they
             consult
             with
             one
             consent
             ,
             and
             take
             crafty
             Counsell
             together
             against
             Gods
             people
             ,
             even
             his
             hidden
             ones
             ,
             who
             are
             his
             jewells
             and
             his
             treasure
             :
             they
             are
             confederate
             against
             God
             himselfe
             ,
             Psal
          
           83
           3.5
           .
           
             they
             judge
             unjustly
             ,
             accept
             the
             persons
             of
             the
             wicked
             ,
             Psal
          
           82.2
           .
           And
           in
           a
           word
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           evil
           action
           ,
           or
           unjust
           practice
           ,
           which
           men
           of
           wicked
           counsells
           ,
           banded
           together
           ,
           will
           not
           doe
           
             earnestly
             with
             both
             hands
             ,
             Mich.
          
           7.3
           .
           Let
           
             Abimelechs
          
           example
           by
           evill
           counsell
           ,
           and
           ayd
           of
           wicked
           instruments
           ,
           slaying
           his
           70.
           innocent
           brethren
           ,
           
             Iudg.
          
           9.
           
           
             Doegs
          
           accusing
           first
           ,
           and
           after
           murthering
           the
           Lords
           Priests
           ,
           1
           
             Sam.
          
           24.
           and
           such
           like
           ,
           bee
           an
           evidence
           of
           this
           .
           Now
           what
           state
           is
           not
           miserable
           where
           a
           Band
           of
           such
           wicked
           Counsellors
           rule
           and
           judge
           ?
           What
           man
           can
           securely
           enjoy
           his
           lands
           ,
           goods
           ,
           liberty
           ,
           or
           life
           ?
           what
           peace
           or
           safety
           can
           be
           to
           any
           righteous
           man
           ,
           if
           God
           doth
           not
           stop
           these
           Lyons
           mouthes
           ,
           and
           extraordinarily
           protect
           him
           ?
           Every
           good
           man
           may
           say
           with
           
             David
             ,
             My
             soule
             is
             among
             Lyons
             ,
             and
             I
             lye
             among
             them
             who
             are
             set
             on
             fire
             ,
             even
             the
             sons
             of
             men
             ,
             &c.
             Psalm
             .
          
           77.4
           .
           
             O
             that
             I
             had
             wings
             like
             a
             Dove
             ,
             &c.
             
             Psal.
          
           55.6
           .
           and
           
             Ier.
          
           9.2
           .
           Therefore
           this
           Doctrine
           is
           a
           certain
           truth
           .
        
         
         
           
             
               reason
            
             3
          
           The
           third
           Reason
           is
           drawn
           from
           the
           bitter
           fruits
           ,
           and
           unhappy
           event
           and
           issue
           of
           their
           evill
           Counsells
           ,
           and
           actions
           .
           The
           Prophet
           
             David
          
           upon
           certaine
           knowledge
           of
           the
           evill
           and
           mischiefe
           which
           followes
           them
           ,
           proclaims
           
             the
             man
             blessed
             that
             hath
             not
             walked
             in
             their
             counsell
             ,
             Psal.
          
           1.1
           .
           First
           ,
           they
           bring
           woe
           and
           misery
           on
           themselves
           ;
           as
           it
           is
           reported
           of
           the
           Dog-bramble
           ,
           that
           in
           hot
           Countries
           ,
           being
           vehemently
           shaken
           with
           the
           winde
           ,
           and
           one
           branch
           dashed
           against
           another
           ,
           it
           teares
           and
           grates
           it selfe
           ,
           till
           it
           sets
           it selfe
           on
           fire
           ,
           and
           the
           woods
           round
           about
           it
           :
           so
           these
           men
           by
           consulting
           wickedly
           together
           ,
           and
           by
           their
           restlesse
           rage
           ,
           they
           mutually
           enflame
           one
           another
           ,
           and
           the
           Lord
           against
           whom
           they
           set
           themselves
           ,
           conspiring
           against
           his
           anoynted
           holy
           ones
           ,
           
             will
             speak
             to
             them
             in
             his
             wrath
             ,
             and
             vex
             them
             in
             his
             hot
             displeasure
             ,
             Psal.
          
           2.2.5
           .
           
             He
             will
             destroy
             them
             ,
             and
             make
             them
             fall
             in
             their
             own
             imaginations
             ,
             Psal.
          
           5.10
           .
           And
           when
           they
           associate
           themselves
           ,
           and
           take
           counsell
           together
           ,
           
             their
             counsell
             shall
             come
             to
             nought
             ,
             and
             they
             shall
             be
             broken
             in
             pieces
             ,
             Isa.
          
           8.10
           .
           
             and
             the
             fruit
             of
             their
             Counsells
             which
             they
             seek
             deep
             to
             hide
             ,
             and
             of
             their
             workes
             which
             are
             in
             the
             darke
             ,
             is
             woe
             ,
             Isa.
          
           29.15
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           they
           involve
           in
           the
           same
           misery
           and
           destruction
           with
           themselves
           ,
           
             the
             City
             and
             State
             wherein
             they
             act
             with
             power
             ,
             and
             all
             those
             who
             walke
             in
             their
             Counsells
             ;
             they
             bring
             the
             sword
             on
             their
             City
             with
             Captivity
             and
             slavery
             ,
             Hos.
          
           10.6
           .
           The
           Counsellors
           of
           the
           King
           of
           
             Assyriah
             ,
          
           and
           of
           proud
           
             Babel
             ,
             brought
             them
             downe
             to
             hell
             and
             destruction
             ,
             Isa.
          
           10.15
           .
           and
           47.13
           .
           And
           in
           all
           the
           examples
           before
           mentioned
           ,
           as
           of
           
             Abimelech
             ,
          
           of
           the
           men
           of
           
             Belial
          
           in
           
             Gibeah
             ,
          
           of
           
             Saul
             ,
             Absolom
             ,
             Rehoboam
             ,
             Ioash
             ,
          
           and
           of
           the
           wicked
           Princes
           ,
           Priests
           ,
           Rulers
           ,
           and
           people
           in
           the
           dayes
           of
           
             Zedekiah
             ,
          
           before
           the
           captivity
           to
           
             Babel
          
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           dayes
           of
           Christ
           and
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           before
           the
           destruction
           of
           City
           ,
           Temple
           ,
           and
           Nation
           of
           the
           Iewes
           by
           the
           
             Romans
             :
          
           we
           may
           see
           as
           in
           a
           clear
           glasse
           the
           cursed
           fruits
           ,
           and
           woefull
           events
           of
           the
           evill
           counsells
           ,
           and
           actions
           of
           the
           wicked
           banded
           together
           in
           an
           evill
           cause
           :
           And
           upon
           these
           premisses
           the
           Doctrine
           followes
           as
           a
           necessary
           conclusion
           :
           
             That
             the
             bands
             and
             factions
             of
             the
             wicked
             associated
             to
             consult
             and
             act
             against
             justice
             ,
             religion
             ,
             and
             the
             Church
             and
             people
             of
             God
             ,
             are
             pernicious
             and
             dangerous
             ,
             a
             plague
             and
             curse
             to
             Lands
             ,
             States
             and
             Kingdomes
             ▪
          
        
         
           
             
               vse
            
             1
          
           And
           now
           I
           come
           to
           the
           Application
           :
           first
           of
           all
           to
           you
           the
           Honourable
           members
           of
           the
           House
           of
           Commons
           in
           Parliament
           ,
           
           not
           by
           way
           of
           exprobation
           ,
           but
           of
           exhortation
           :
           for
           you
           are
           the
           chosen
           worthies
           of
           this
           Land
           and
           Kingdome
           ,
           the
           representative
           body
           of
           the
           Common-wealth
           :
           And
           it
           hath
           been
           the
           ancient
           Priviledge
           of
           the
           great
           Counsell
           of
           this
           Kingdome
           ,
           the
           high
           Court
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           whereof
           you
           are
           Members
           ;
           by
           the
           supreme
           power
           of
           judicature
           given
           you
           in
           your
           Election
           ,
           to
           call
           to
           account
           all
           unjust
           Iudges
           ,
           corrupt
           Officers
           ,
           and
           the
           wicked
           Counsellors
           of
           your
           Kings
           ,
           to
           depose
           them
           from
           their
           Offices
           ,
           to
           strip
           them
           of
           their
           power
           and
           authority
           ,
           to
           dissolve
           their
           Courts
           ,
           and
           for
           treacherous
           Counsells
           and
           attempts
           against
           the
           Lawes
           ,
           Liberties
           ,
           and
           Religion
           ,
           sometimes
           to
           cut
           them
           off
           by
           the
           sword
           of
           
             Iustice
             .
          
           I
           hope
           that
           you
           who
           are
           so
           vigilant
           over
           others
           ,
           will
           be
           as
           watchfull
           to
           keep
           all
           such
           out
           of
           your
           assembly
           ;
           or
           if
           any
           such
           be
           discovered
           ,
           to
           note
           and
           observe
           them
           ,
           and
           upon
           the
           first
           occasion
           and
           opportunity
           ,
           to
           remove
           them
           ,
           lest
           they
           band
           themselves
           together
           ,
           make
           divisions
           ,
           and
           prove
           pricking
           Bryars
           ,
           and
           grievous
           thornes
           among
           you
           .
           And
           it
           is
           my
           hearty
           desire
           ,
           and
           prayers
           to
           God
           for
           you
           ,
           that
           no
           Prophet
           ,
           Preacher
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           or
           faithfull
           Messenger
           of
           God
           ,
           may
           have
           any
           cause
           or
           colour
           to
           speake
           to
           you
           ,
           as
           here
           the
           Propheticall
           Psalmist
           doth
           to
           King
           
             Sauls
          
           great
           Counsell
           ,
           in
           the
           two
           first
           Verses
           of
           this
           Psalme
           ,
           
             Doe
             yee
             indeed
             speak
             righteousnesse
             ,
             ô
             Congregation
             ?
             doe
             yee
             judge
             uprightly
             ,
             ô
             yee
             sonnes
             of
             men
             .
             Yea
             ,
             in
             your
             heart
             yee
             worke
             wickednesse
             ,
             and
             weigh
             the
             violence
             of
             your
             hands
             in
             the
             earth
             .
          
           I
           dare
           be
           bold
           on
           the
           contrary
           to
           speake
           to
           you
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           the
           common
           voyce
           of
           all
           that
           are
           godly
           ,
           and
           well-affected
           to
           Religion
           and
           Iustice
           .
           O
           yee
           Honourable
           Assembly
           ,
           the
           great
           Counsell
           of
           this
           Kingdome
           ,
           and
           noble
           Worthies
           of
           this
           Land
           ,
           that
           yee
           have
           not
           onely
           spoken
           righteousnesse
           and
           upright
           judgement
           ,
           but
           also
           by
           your
           zealous
           Votes
           ,
           as
           by
           the
           voyce
           of
           Thunder
           ,
           you
           have
           scattered
           the
           Bands
           of
           wicked
           Counsellors
           ,
           and
           corrupt
           Offices
           ,
           dissolved
           some
           tyrannicall
           Courts
           ,
           hurled
           downe
           unjust
           Iudges
           from
           the
           seats
           of
           justice
           ,
           who
           had
           set
           up
           wickednesse
           for
           a
           Law
           .
           You
           have
           driven
           away
           as
           with
           a
           whirle-winde
           all
           those
           malignant
           and
           factious
           spirits
           from
           among
           you
           ,
           who
           have
           opposed
           your
           godly
           and
           religious
           endeavours
           to
           relieve
           the
           oppressed
           ,
           to
           reforme
           both
           Church
           and
           State
           ,
           and
           to
           purge
           out
           all
           corruptions
           ,
           and
           intollerable
           geievances
           out
           of
           both
           .
           And
           you
           have
           for
           the
           terrour
           of
           the
           present
           ,
           and
           future
           Ages
           ,
           cut
           off
           many
           malignant
           and
           
           desperate
           instruments
           of
           violence
           ,
           rebellion
           ,
           and
           treason
           by
           the
           sword
           of
           justice
           and
           warre
           .
           The
           Lord
           is
           with
           you
           ,
           the
           mighty
           men
           of
           valour
           goe
           on
           in
           this
           your
           might
           ,
           and
           
             Gideon-like
          
           yee
           shall
           save
           from
           destruction
           this
           perishing
           State
           ,
           and
           shall
           set
           up
           the
           Kingdome
           of
           Christ
           over
           us
           .
           Though
           you
           meet
           with
           many
           difficulties
           ,
           and
           great
           opposition
           of
           crafty
           ,
           subtle
           ,
           fierce
           ,
           and
           cruell
           enemies
           ,
           yet
           be
           not
           discouraged
           ;
           but
           perswade
           your selves
           ,
           that
           these
           are
           the
           dayes
           of
           the
           devills
           rage
           ,
           who
           hath
           great
           wrath
           ,
           because
           he
           knoweth
           that
           he
           hat
           but
           a
           short
           time
           .
           While
           he
           fights
           against
           you
           in
           the
           forme
           of
           a
           great
           red
           Dragon
           ,
           with
           all
           the
           power
           of
           the
           beast
           ,
           and
           assailes
           you
           openly
           on
           all
           sides
           ,
           with
           all
           the
           forces
           of
           the
           Romish
           
             Antichrist
             ,
          
           raised
           up
           at
           home
           ,
           and
           from
           abroad
           ;
           he
           sends
           in
           among
           us
           grievous
           Wolves
           in
           sheeps
           cloathing
           ,
           who
           by
           faire
           shewes
           of
           more
           refined
           Religion
           ,
           piety
           ,
           and
           godly
           life
           ,
           seek
           to
           insinuate
           themselves
           into
           your
           favour
           ,
           and
           under
           pretence
           of
           new
           light
           ,
           and
           tender
           consciences
           ,
           to
           purchase
           at
           your
           hands
           liberty
           to
           live
           as
           they
           list
           ,
           under
           no
           rule
           or
           government
           ,
           but
           every
           company
           and
           particular
           Conventicle
           to
           doe
           what
           seems
           good
           in
           their
           owne
           eyes
           ,
           without
           controll
           of
           any
           superiors
           :
           others
           rise
           up
           dayly
           ,
           and
           speak
           perverse
           things
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           draw
           Desciples
           after
           them
           .
           The
           severall
           Bands
           of
           
             Anabaptists
             ,
             Antinomiaur
             ,
             Familists
             ,
             Libertines
             ,
          
           and
           
             Separatists
             ,
          
           are
           so
           multiplyed
           ,
           that
           they
           begin
           to
           threaten
           ,
           and
           speake
           big
           words
           .
           And
           besides
           these
           we
           have
           blasphemous
           Hereticks
           ,
           or
           rather
           Atheists
           ,
           who
           begin
           to
           gather
           Assemblies
           ,
           and
           to
           teach
           people
           ,
           that
           one
           Spirit
           rules
           in
           all
           living
           Creatures
           ,
           men
           and
           beasts
           ;
           and
           the
           Spirit
           which
           dwells
           in
           the
           Saints
           is
           no
           other
           but
           the
           same
           which
           worketh
           in
           the
           children
           of
           disobedience
           .
           And
           that
           the
           Doctrine
           concerning
           the
           person
           of
           Christ
           ,
           God
           and
           man
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           preached
           in
           all
           Orthodox
           Churches
           ,
           is
           but
           a
           fiction
           ;
           for
           every
           man
           ,
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           new
           light
           comming
           into
           him
           ,
           becomes
           a
           Christ
           ,
           God
           and
           man
           in
           himselfe
           .
           That
           mens
           souls
           dye
           as
           beasts
           doe
           with
           their
           bodies
           ,
           and
           live
           not
           till
           the
           day
           of
           resurrection
           :
           As
           for
           hell
           ,
           damnation
           ,
           and
           differences
           of
           Elect
           men
           blessed
           ,
           and
           reprobate
           cursed
           ,
           they
           hold
           them
           to
           be
           Dreams
           ,
           fictions
           ,
           scar-crowes
           ,
           and
           idle
           fancies
           .
           There
           is
           also
           a
           new
           Sect
           of
           
             Seekers
             ,
          
           who
           renounce
           the
           Scriptures
           as
           blinde
           guides
           ,
           and
           wait
           for
           new
           lights
           to
           lead
           them
           to
           the
           true
           Religion
           ▪
           which
           (
           as
           they
           conceive
           )
           is
           not
           yet
           to
           bee
           found
           ,
           while
           the
           Temple
           is
           full
           of
           smoak
           :
           and
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           they
           
           will
           seek
           ,
           and
           suspend
           ,
           and
           fasten
           on
           no
           Religion
           ,
           till
           the
           new
           lights
           appeare
           .
           But
           such
           is
           the
           efficacy
           of
           Satan
           in
           all
           these
           Sects
           ,
           of
           so
           contrary
           opinions
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           maine
           they
           are
           not
           divided
           :
           but
           all
           agree
           in
           this
           ,
           that
           with
           lyes
           ,
           slanders
           ,
           revilings
           ,
           and
           reproaches
           they
           strive
           to
           over-lade
           ,
           teare
           and
           rend
           the
           true
           Orthodox
           reformed
           Churches
           ,
           and
           spare
           not
           Christs
           pure
           redeemed
           flocke
           :
           but
           by
           flatteries
           ,
           forgeries
           ,
           and
           new
           fangle
           opinions
           ,
           draw
           away
           many
           well-meaning
           people
           ,
           and
           steale
           away
           and
           destroy
           the
           sheep
           of
           his
           fold
           .
           Now
           these
           many
           factions
           and
           Sects
           ,
           with
           all
           their
           favourers
           and
           abettors
           ,
           (
           if
           any
           such
           should
           rise
           up
           among
           you
           )
           they
           are
           the
           Bands
           of
           the
           wicked
           ,
           and
           the
           Brambles
           of
           which
           my
           Text
           speaks
           :
           which
           I
           have
           in
           the
           Doctrine
           now
           in
           hand
           proved
           to
           be
           most
           pestilent
           and
           dangerous
           ,
           even
           the
           very
           curse
           of
           the
           land
           in
           which
           they
           get
           footing
           ,
           and
           increase
           .
           And
           yee
           renowned
           Worthies
           ,
           as
           yee
           tender
           the
           good
           and
           welfare
           of
           your
           Countrey
           ,
           and
           of
           those
           who
           have
           entrusted
           you
           with
           defence
           and
           safety
           of
           their
           Religion
           ,
           Lawes
           ,
           Liberty
           ,
           and
           Lives
           ,
           and
           as
           God
           hath
           called
           you
           to
           the
           highest
           place
           and
           Court
           of
           Iudicature
           :
           so
           let
           it
           be
           your
           first
           care
           and
           worke
           of
           Reformation
           ,
           to
           remove
           all
           such
           Brambles
           out
           of
           the
           way
           :
           and
           because
           some
           are
           but
           green
           thorns
           ,
           or
           pricks
           ,
           seduced
           and
           drawn
           into
           the
           faction
           by
           the
           sleights
           and
           subtelty
           of
           deceivers
           ,
           have
           compassion
           on
           them
           ,
           and
           put
           a
           difference
           ,
           pulling
           them
           out
           of
           the
           fire
           ,
           by
           the
           hand
           of
           justice
           tempered
           with
           mercy
           :
           and
           by
           the
           rod
           of
           correction
           ;
           but
           others
           who
           are
           men
           of
           
             Belial
             ,
          
           hardned
           in
           their
           malignity
           ,
           such
           as
           
             David
          
           in
           his
           last
           words
           resembles
           to
           Thornes
           ,
           thrust
           away
           ,
           because
           they
           cannot
           be
           taken
           with
           hands
           ,
           but
           the
           man
           that
           will
           touch
           them
           ,
           must
           be
           fenced
           with
           Iron
           ,
           and
           the
           staffe
           of
           a
           Speare
           ,
           and
           they
           shall
           be
           burnt
           with
           fire
           in
           the
           same
           place
           :
           cut
           them
           downe
           with
           the
           sword
           of
           Iustice
           ,
           root
           them
           out
           and
           consume
           them
           as
           with
           fire
           ,
           that
           no
           root
           may
           spring
           againe
           ;
           let
           their
           mischiefe
           fall
           upon
           their
           own
           heads
           ,
           that
           the
           Land
           may
           be
           eased
           ,
           which
           hath
           a
           long
           time
           ,
           and
           doth
           still
           groane
           under
           them
           ,
           as
           under
           an
           heavy
           curse
           .
           I
           doe
           not
           use
           this
           exhortation
           ,
           as
           a
           Spur
           ,
           but
           as
           an
           incouragement
           to
           you
           ,
           who
           are
           wise
           ,
           and
           of
           your selves
           willing
           and
           forward
           ;
           that
           when
           you
           are
           put
           in
           minde
           ,
           and
           have
           it
           set
           before
           your
           eyes
           ,
           what
           a
           plague
           and
           curse
           such
           bands
           of
           wicked
           men
           are
           in
           a
           laud
           ,
           and
           to
           what
           misery
           and
           mischiefe
           all
           their
           counsels
           and
           doings
           tend
           ;
           and
           what
           woefull
           events
           follow
           their
           cursed
           designes
           ;
           
           you
           may
           proceed
           with
           courage
           to
           quell
           ,
           scatter
           ,
           and
           destroy
           them
           ,
           never
           doubting
           ,
           but
           that
           in
           so
           doing
           you
           doe
           the
           worke
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           judge
           ,
           and
           execute
           justice
           for
           him
           ,
           and
           he
           is
           with
           you
           in
           the
           judgement
           ,
           and
           by
           cutting
           off
           such
           
             Achans
             ,
          
           you
           turne
           away
           his
           wrath
           from
           the
           Land
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           this
           Doctrine
           serves
           for
           wholsome
           admonition
           to
           us
           all
           this
           day
           ;
           For
           by
           discovering
           to
           us
           the
           evil
           ,
           and
           mischief
           of
           wicked
           Counsells
           ;
           and
           what
           a
           plague
           and
           curse
           the
           Bands
           of
           the
           ungodly
           are
           in
           a
           Land
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           combined
           together
           to
           worke
           wickednesse
           in
           their
           hearts
           ,
           to
           oppresse
           and
           persecute
           Gods
           people
           by
           injustice
           and
           violence
           ,
           and
           to
           oppose
           necessary
           Reformation
           :
           It
           puts
           us
           in
           minde
           of
           the
           plague
           &
           curse
           which
           still
           presseth
           sore
           ,
           and
           lyeth
           hard
           and
           heavy
           upon
           the
           Kingdome
           at
           this
           time
           ;
           and
           of
           our
           sinnes
           which
           have
           procured
           all
           this
           evill
           unto
           us
           ,
           which
           great
           sinnes
           we
           have
           not
           yet
           subdued
           ,
           neither
           have
           so
           washed
           our
           hearts
           from
           wickednesse
           by
           true
           and
           sound
           repentance
           ,
           as
           to
           make
           our selves
           ripe
           for
           deliverance
           .
           Although
           the
           Lord
           by
           our
           Parliament
           hath
           wrought
           wonderfully
           in
           scattering
           the
           bands
           of
           wicked
           Counsellors
           ,
           unjest
           Iudges
           ,
           and
           corrupt
           Officers
           ,
           in
           removing
           them
           from
           their
           Assembly
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           seats
           of
           Iustice
           ,
           and
           Courts
           of
           judicature
           :
           yet
           they
           are
           still
           combined
           together
           to
           do
           mischiefe
           in
           severall
           parts
           of
           the
           Land
           ;
           they
           have
           raised
           up
           ,
           and
           doe
           still
           maintaine
           a
           most
           unnaturall
           bloudy
           civill
           warre
           ,
           and
           have
           brought
           upon
           us
           the
           great
           and
           sore
           judgement
           of
           the
           sword
           :
           they
           have
           also
           subservient
           Bands
           of
           malignants
           ,
           who
           do
           work
           for
           them
           secretly
           under-hand
           ,
           and
           are
           ready
           upon
           every
           occasion
           to
           helpe
           forward
           their
           cursed
           designe
           :
           we
           have
           but
           few
           garrison
           Townes
           ,
           or
           fortified
           places
           ,
           wherein
           they
           have
           not
           had
           some
           Band
           of
           combined
           Traytors
           ,
           plotting
           to
           betray
           them
           ,
           as
           we
           have
           seen
           in
           many
           former
           and
           late
           discoveries
           .
           And
           as
           the
           whole
           Kingdom
           groaned
           under
           the
           pressure
           of
           those
           tyrannicall
           Courts
           lately
           dissolved
           ;
           so
           many
           parts
           of
           the
           Land
           are
           still
           miserably
           oppressed
           by
           their
           scattered
           Bands
           ,
           and
           we
           all
           sigh
           and
           groane
           with
           our
           oppressed
           brethren
           ,
           and
           have
           a
           fellow-feeling
           of
           their
           calamities
           ▪
           Surely
           our
           great
           sinnes
           have
           pulled
           this
           plague
           and
           curse
           upon
           the
           Land
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           still
           continued
           ,
           because
           wee
           continue
           in
           our
           sinnes
           .
           The
           unclean
           spirits
           which
           vex
           us
           are
           not
           to
           be
           cast
           out
           ,
           but
           by
           faithfull
           fervent
           prayers
           ,
           and
           such
           holy
           Fasts
           as
           God
           hath
           chosen
           ,
           and
           we
           have
           not
           kept
           .
           
           For
           we
           have
           not
           loosed
           the
           bands
           of
           wickednesse
           ,
           wee
           have
           not
           undone
           the
           heavy
           burthens
           ,
           nor
           relieved
           the
           oppressed
           ,
           nor
           broken
           every
           yoke
           .
           Many
           people
           in
           the
           Countrey
           are
           intollerably
           eaten
           up
           with
           free
           Quarter
           of
           our
           Souldiers
           ,
           and
           yet
           have
           as
           heavy
           taxes
           laid
           on
           them
           as
           any
           others
           .
           The
           laborious
           Ministers
           are
           robbed
           of
           their
           livelihood
           by
           bands
           of
           Anabaptists
           ,
           Separatists
           ,
           and
           other
           profane
           covetous
           persons
           ;
           and
           have
           no
           reliefe
           ,
           nor
           remedy
           ,
           but
           that
           which
           is
           worse
           than
           the
           disease
           :
           And
           yet
           when
           any
           taxe
           is
           layd
           on
           their
           parishes
           ,
           they
           are
           assessed
           more
           deeply
           ,
           than
           some
           of
           double
           and
           trible
           ability
           .
           This
           I
           speak
           ,
           not
           that
           I
           have
           any
           cause
           to
           complaine
           ,
           but
           I
           am
           grieved
           to
           see
           the
           palpable
           wrongs
           ,
           and
           to
           heare
           the
           complaints
           of
           my
           suffring
           brethren
           .
           The
           Church
           of
           Christ
           is
           wofully
           rent
           and
           torne
           by
           the
           bands
           of
           of
           Schismaticks
           ,
           and
           blasphemous
           Hereticks
           ,
           who
           when
           they
           have
           rob'd
           the
           folds
           of
           the
           Pastors
           ,
           and
           stollen
           away
           their
           sheep
           ,
           do
           raise
           up
           Hue
           and
           Cry
           against
           them
           ,
           for
           demanding
           their
           owne
           :
           and
           while
           they
           persecute
           with
           the
           sword
           of
           their
           slanderous
           tongues
           all
           godly
           Orthodox
           Ministers
           ,
           who
           desire
           to
           walk
           in
           the
           beaten
           way
           of
           all
           Reformed
           Churches
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           guided
           therein
           by
           the
           cleare
           light
           of
           Gods
           word
           and
           spirit
           :
           they
           cry
           out
           ,
           persecution
           ,
           persecution
           ,
           worse
           than
           Prelaticall
           ;
           we
           are
           persecuted
           ,
           imprisoned
           ,
           banished
           ,
           for
           our
           Consciences
           ,
           and
           not
           suffered
           to
           enjoy
           Christian
           Libertie
           .
           Indeed
           if
           heresie
           ,
           blasphemy
           ,
           mutiny
           ,
           raised
           up
           in
           the
           Church
           and
           State
           ,
           and
           open
           affronts
           offered
           to
           this
           religious
           Parliament
           be
           Christian
           Liberty
           and
           Conscience
           :
           some
           of
           them
           have
           been
           lightly
           imprisoned
           for
           such
           doings
           a
           few
           dayes
           ;
           but
           of
           any
           other
           persecution
           for
           Conscience
           ,
           we
           have
           not
           yet
           heard
           .
           These
           great
           and
           scandalous
           sinnes
           ,
           with
           horrid
           blasphemies
           belched
           out
           against
           Christ
           ,
           the
           Gospell
           ,
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           holy
           Scriptures
           ,
           while
           they
           are
           not
           punished
           by
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           nor
           by
           the
           offenders
           repented
           of
           ,
           nor
           generally
           mourned
           for
           by
           us
           all
           ,
           nor
           with
           godly
           griefe
           and
           sorrow
           bewayled
           ,
           they
           provoke
           God
           to
           continue
           our
           plagues
           ,
           and
           to
           strengthen
           the
           hand
           of
           the
           wicked
           against
           us
           ,
           
             and
             his
             anger
             is
             not
             turned
             away
             ,
             but
             his
             hand
             is
             stretched
             out
             still
             .
          
           Besides
           ,
           it
           is
           to
           be
           feared
           ,
           that
           we
           have
           not
           throughly
           repented
           ,
           nor
           so
           grieved
           ,
           and
           bitterly
           mourned
           for
           our
           iniquities
           ,
           which
           provoked
           God
           to
           give
           us
           in
           his
           wrath
           tyrannicall
           Lords
           and
           Lordly
           Prelates
           to
           rule
           over
           us
           with
           rigour
           :
           neither
           have
           we
           humbled
           our
           soules
           as
           we
           ought
           ,
           even
           
           to
           shame
           our selves
           by
           publike
           confession
           ,
           and
           open
           detestation
           of
           those
           offences
           and
           crimes
           whereof
           we
           are
           generally
           guilty
           in
           one
           measure
           or
           other
           ,
           in
           that
           out
           of
           cowardly
           feare
           we
           yeelded
           our
           necks
           to
           the
           Antichristian
           yoke
           of
           Prelaticall
           Tyrants
           ,
           receiving
           without
           contradiction
           ,
           or
           resistance
           ,
           their
           Popish
           Ceremonies
           ,
           superstitious
           Rites
           ,
           and
           Idolatrous
           Innovations
           ,
           and
           too
           many
           soothed
           them
           in
           their
           usurped
           power
           ,
           and
           Lordly
           dominion
           over
           Gods
           inheritance
           ,
           fathering
           it
           on
           them
           by
           Divine
           Right
           .
           Some
           have
           out
           of
           wilfull
           ignorance
           ,
           and
           some
           out
           of
           flattery
           ,
           some
           out
           of
           ambition
           ,
           and
           a
           covetous
           desire
           of
           preferment
           by
           their
           means
           been
           instruments
           to
           confirme
           them
           in
           their
           pride
           ,
           and
           power
           unlimitted
           :
           As
           the
           Lord
           by
           the
           Prophet
           
             Ieremiah
          
           complained
           against
           the
           Iewes
           ,
           in
           a
           time
           when
           their
           Church
           and
           State
           were
           desperately
           corrupt
           ,
           and
           incurable
           ,
           ready
           to
           be
           wholly
           ruined
           ,
           
           saying
           :
           
             A
             wonderfull
             and
             horrible
             thing
             is
             committed
             in
             the
             Land
             ,
             the
             Prophets
             prophesie
             falsely
             ,
             the
             Priests
             rule
             ,
             and
             take
             power
             into
             their
             hands
             by
             their
             means
             ,
             and
             my
             people
             love
             to
             have
             it
             so
             ,
             and
             what
             will
             yee
             do
             in
             the
             end
             thereof
             .
          
           So
           it
           might
           have
           been
           truely
           said
           of
           us
           ,
           our
           Prophets
           prophesied
           falsely
           ,
           they
           preached
           for
           the
           pompe
           and
           Lordly
           power
           of
           
             Bishops
             ,
          
           and
           
             Metrapolitanes
             ,
          
           proclaimed
           them
           to
           be
           Lords
           over
           mens
           consciences
           ,
           and
           the
           onely
           Pastors
           of
           all
           the
           Churches
           in
           their
           Diocesses
           and
           Provinces
           ,
           and
           all
           other
           Ministers
           to
           be
           no
           Pastors
           ,
           but
           onely
           their
           Curats
           and
           slavish
           vassalls
           ,
           bound
           by
           oath
           to
           obey
           their
           Dictats
           and
           Canons
           .
           By
           this
           meanes
           they
           took
           into
           their
           hands
           the
           whole
           power
           of
           Church
           and
           State
           :
           they
           tyrannized
           ,
           and
           Lorded
           it
           in
           their
           high
           Commission
           Courts
           ,
           not
           only
           over
           Ministers
           and
           their
           flocks
           ,
           but
           also
           over
           the
           Nobility
           and
           Gentry
           ,
           who
           were
           compelled
           to
           crouch
           to
           them
           :
           they
           haled
           men
           to
           prison
           ,
           &
           by
           hard
           and
           close
           imprisonment
           murthered
           the
           innonocent
           ,
           they
           robbed
           men
           of
           their
           estates
           by
           arbitrary
           fines
           ,
           they
           over-awed
           Iudges
           ,
           Counsellors
           ,
           and
           Officers
           of
           state
           ,
           so
           that
           by
           them
           they
           made
           their
           owne
           will
           and
           lust
           law
           ,
           just
           judgements
           were
           restrained
           ,
           and
           wrong
           judgment
           proceeded
           at
           their
           command
           ,
           the
           wicked
           were
           favoured
           and
           promoted
           ,
           and
           all
           godly
           people
           ,
           especially
           faithfull
           Orthodox
           Ministers
           were
           hated
           and
           hunted
           after
           with
           nets
           ;
           and
           the
           people
           loved
           to
           have
           it
           so
           :
           for
           they
           were
           ready
           to
           seeke
           their
           favour
           by
           accusing
           and
           slandering
           their
           Preachers
           ,
           exposing
           them
           to
           their
           fury
           ,
           and
           betraying
           them
           into
           their
           mercilesse
           hands
           :
           And
           what
           remained
           then
           
           for
           us
           to
           doe
           ,
           but
           in
           anguish
           of
           soule
           to
           cry
           out
           and
           complain
           in
           the
           words
           of
           the
           Prophet
           
             Isaiah
             ,
             chap.
          
           59.11
           ,
           
             &c.
             We
             roar
             like
             Bears
             ,
             and
             mourne
             sore
             like
             Doves
             :
             we
             looked
             for
             light
             ,
             and
             behold
             obscurity
             ,
             justice
             is
             turned
             backward
             ,
             equity
             cannot
             enter
             ,
             truth
             faileth
             ,
             and
             he
             that
             departeth
             from
             evill
             maketh
             himselfe
             a
             pray
             .
          
           And
           except
           the
           Lord
           of
           Hosts
           had
           left
           unto
           us
           a
           small
           remnant
           of
           faithfull
           praying
           people
           ,
           we
           should
           have
           beene
           as
           
             Sodome
             ,
          
           and
           we
           should
           have
           been
           as
           
             Gomorah
             .
          
           But
           when
           he
           saw
           our
           afliction
           ,
           he
           looked
           on
           us
           with
           compassion
           ,
           and
           seeing
           that
           there
           was
           none
           to
           help
           ,
           his
           own
           arme
           brought
           salvation
           to
           us
           ,
           &
           his
           righteousnesse
           it
           sustained
           us
           ;
           hee
           put
           on
           garments
           of
           vengeance
           for
           cloathing
           ,
           and
           was
           clad
           with
           zeale
           as
           with
           a
           Cloak
           ;
           and
           according
           to
           their
           deeds
           ,
           accordingly
           he
           hath
           repayed
           fury
           to
           our
           oppressors
           ,
           and
           recompence
           to
           his
           and
           our
           enemies
           :
           hee
           hath
           broken
           rheir
           nets
           ,
           and
           we
           are
           delivered
           .
        
         
           Here
           if
           any
           object
           and
           say
           ,
           If
           the
           Lord
           be
           with
           us
           to
           deliver
           us
           ,
           why
           are
           we
           thus
           troubled
           and
           vexed
           stil
           with
           feares
           of
           open
           enemies
           ;
           and
           with
           dangers
           of
           Malignants
           among
           us
           ?
           I
           must
           say
           againe
           ,
           I
           feare
           wee
           have
           not
           rendred
           to
           God
           thanks
           and
           prayse
           ,
           with
           the
           slaughter
           of
           our
           sinnes
           and
           lusts
           ,
           and
           the
           sacrifice
           of
           new
           obedience
           ,
           and
           the
           honour
           due
           to
           his
           name
           for
           these
           beginnings
           of
           his
           mercy
           :
           neither
           haue
           we
           sorrowed
           and
           mourned
           to
           amendment
           of
           life
           :
           our
           former
           sinnes
           and
           iniquities
           are
           too
           many
           and
           great
           to
           be
           with
           so
           few
           teares
           and
           sighes
           washed
           and
           blowne
           away
           :
           If
           we
           could
           weep
           teares
           of
           bloud
           for
           them
           ,
           and
           rend
           our
           hearts
           with
           godly
           remorse
           ,
           and
           be
           ashamed
           ,
           and
           confounded
           in
           our selves
           for
           our
           unthankfulnesse
           to
           so
           gracious
           a
           God
           ,
           so
           bountifull
           a
           Father
           ,
           and
           so
           mercifull
           a
           Lord
           and
           Iudge
           ,
           al
           is
           too
           little
           .
           Let
           us
           therefore
           in
           these
           our
           publike
           Fasts
           ,
           both
           Ministers
           and
           peope
           ,
           powre
           out
           our
           soules
           in
           humble
           confession
           of
           our
           vilenesse
           ,
           and
           by
           aggravating
           our
           unworthinesse
           ,
           let
           us
           labour
           to
           make
           our selves
           and
           others
           more
           sensible
           of
           the
           greatnesse
           of
           his
           mercy
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           the
           prayse
           of
           his
           goodnesse
           and
           bounty
           to
           such
           vile
           sinners
           more
           admirable
           and
           glorious
           :
           Let
           us
           loose
           the
           bands
           of
           wickednesse
           ,
           and
           the
           more
           cowardly
           ,
           and
           fearefull
           we
           have
           been
           ,
           like
           
             Peter
          
           in
           the
           dayes
           of
           tryall
           ,
           the
           more
           bitterly
           let
           us
           weep
           with
           
             Peter
          
           :
           the
           more
           share
           and
           hand
           we
           have
           had
           in
           soothing
           Prelates
           ,
           and
           promoting
           their
           pride
           ,
           the
           more
           zealous
           let
           us
           be
           in
           trampling
           their
           pride
           under
           foot
           ,
           and
           in
           abhorring
           all
           appearance
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           in
           shewing
           open
           
           detestation
           of
           all
           their
           Iniquity
           ,
           Superstiton
           ,
           and
           Idolatry
           .
           
             David
          
           was
           a
           man
           after
           Gods
           heart
           ,
           and
           when
           through
           fleshly
           frailty
           ,
           he
           had
           fallen
           into
           great
           and
           scandalous
           sinnes
           ,
           adding
           to
           his
           adultery
           ,
           murther
           ;
           though
           upon
           his
           confession
           of
           his
           sin
           ,
           the
           Lord
           forgave
           the
           iniquity
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           the
           Prophet
           told
           him
           ,
           
             that
             the
             Lord
             had
             taken
             away
             his
             sin
             ,
             he
             should
             not
             dye
             ,
          
           nor
           undergoe
           any
           destroying
           punishment
           of
           wrath
           and
           vengeance
           :
           yet
           he
           rested
           not
           in
           confessing
           ,
           fasting
           ,
           mourning
           ,
           and
           praying
           for
           a
           day
           ;
           but
           out
           of
           loathing
           ,
           and
           abhorring
           his
           sinfull
           corruption
           ,
           he
           afflicted
           his
           soule
           seven
           dayes
           ,
           lying
           upon
           the
           ground
           ,
           fasting
           ,
           weeping
           ,
           and
           making
           supplication
           with
           strong
           cries
           ,
           and
           saying
           ,
           
             Have
             mercy
             upon
             me
             ô
             God
             according
             to
             thy
             loving
             kindnes
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             multitude
             of
             thy
             tender
             mercies
             blot
             out
             all
             my
             transgressions
             :
             wash
             me
             throughly
             from
             my
             wickednesse
             ;
             deliver
             me
             from
             bloud-guiltinesse
             ,
             create
             in
             mee
             a
             cleane
             heart
             ,
             restore
             to
             me
             the
             joy
             of
             thy
             salvation
             ,
             Psal.
          
           51
           ▪
           And
           againe
           ,
           
             O
             Lord
             rebuke
             me
             not
             in
             thy
             wrath
             ,
             I
             am
             troubled
             ,
             I
             am
             bowed
             greatly
             ,
             I
             goe
             mourning
             all
             the
             day
             long
          
           :
           As
           wee
           may
           more
           at
           large
           see
           in
           his
           penitential
           Psalmes
           ,
           in
           which
           his
           sorrowes
           are
           ingraven
           and
           recorded
           to
           all
           posterities
           .
           And
           all
           this
           repentance
           proceeded
           not
           from
           horrour
           of
           conscience
           or
           feare
           of
           death
           and
           hell
           ,
           as
           that
           of
           
             Ahab
             ,
          
           and
           
             Iudas
          
           did
           :
           but
           out
           of
           true
           remorse
           and
           godly
           sorrow
           ,
           for
           that
           he
           had
           sinned
           against
           a
           God
           ,
           so
           gracious
           and
           full
           of
           tender
           compassion
           :
           His
           owne
           words
           shew
           the
           true
           ground
           of
           his
           griefe
           ,
           where
           he
           saith
           ,
           
             Against
             thee
             ,
             thee
             only
             have
             I
             sinned
             .
          
           It
           was
           his
           love
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           sense
           of
           Gods
           love
           and
           mercy
           to
           him
           ,
           which
           made
           him
           so
           hate
           his
           sinnes
           ,
           and
           loath
           himselfe
           .
           And
           indeed
           this
           is
           true
           Evangelicall
           repentance
           ,
           which
           works
           effectually
           to
           the
           mortifying
           of
           the
           old
           man
           ,
           killing
           the
           body
           of
           death
           ,
           and
           subduing
           the
           rebellious
           lusts
           of
           the
           flesh
           :
           this
           makes
           our
           former
           sins
           hatefull
           and
           grievous
           to
           us
           ;
           and
           terrifies
           us
           from
           falling
           in
           to
           the
           like
           againe
           .
           O
           how
           happy
           should
           we
           be
           ,
           if
           we
           could
           thus
           repent
           ,
           if
           we
           could
           thus
           humble
           our
           soules
           in
           these
           our
           Fasts
           ,
           Gods
           bowels
           of
           compassion
           would
           yearn
           towards
           us
           ,
           as
           the
           bowels
           of
           tender
           parents
           doe
           over
           a
           deare
           child
           when
           they
           see
           him
           grieving
           at
           the
           heart
           ,
           and
           mourning
           for
           his
           offence
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           disobedience
           to
           them
           ,
           When
           the
           Lord
           our
           God
           sees
           us
           thus
           penitent
           ,
           he
           will
           answer
           us
           graciously
           ,
           meet
           us
           ,
           and
           embrace
           us
           with
           love
           ,
           make
           us
           behold
           his
           face
           with
           joy
           in
           the
           righteousnesse
           of
           Iesus
           Christ
           ,
           accept
           his
           ransome
           for
           us
           ,
           and
           
           will
           say
           to
           your
           soules
           ,
           
             I
             am
             your
             salvation
             .
          
           His
           scourging
           rod
           ,
           the
           cursed
           Bramble
           ,
           with
           all
           the
           Thornes
           and
           Pricks
           thereof
           ,
           all
           the
           bands
           of
           the
           wicked
           which
           trouble
           us
           ,
           shall
           be
           thrown
           away
           into
           the
           fire
           ,
           burnt
           and
           consumed
           .
        
         
           I
           proceed
           to
           the
           second
           poynt
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           resemblance
           of
           the
           severall
           sorts
           of
           ungodly
           ,
           malicious
           ,
           and
           ill-affected
           persons
           banded
           together
           to
           consult
           ,
           devise
           ,
           and
           practise
           evil
           against
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           ,
           &
           to
           oppresse
           ,
           persecute
           ,
           and
           doe
           mischiefe
           to
           Gods
           people
           ,
           unto
           the
           severall
           sorts
           of
           pricks
           on
           the
           great
           Bramble
           ,
           of
           which
           some
           are
           green
           and
           more
           tender
           ,
           others
           dryed
           and
           hardned
           ,
           but
           all
           sharp
           pricking
           and
           hurtfull
           ,
           and
           are
           all
           to
           be
           taken
           away
           as
           with
           a
           whirle-wind
           .
           This
           ministers
           to
           us
           the
           second
           Doctrine
           .
        
         
           
             That
             all
             persons
             combined
             in
             any
             Band
             or
             faction
             ,
             consulting
             and
             working
             together
             against
             Gods
             Church
             and
             people
             ,
             whether
             they
             bee
             
               
                 doctrine
              
               2
            
             more
             or
             lesse
             pernicious
             ,
             and
             able
             to
             do
             mischiefe
             ,
             whether
             Hypocrites
             ,
             working
             under
             hand
             ,
             or
             open
             profest
             persecutors
             ,
             they
             are
             all
             sharers
             in
             the
             same
             wickednesse
             ,
             and
             being
             all
             of
             the
             same
             cursed
             Band
             and
             crew
             ,
             they
             shall
             perish
             in
             the
             same
             destruction
             .
          
        
         
           This
           is
           further
           confirmed
           by
           Gods
           own
           words
           ,
           
             Psal.
          
           50.16
           ,
           
             &c.
             But
             unto
             the
             wicked
             said
             God
             ,
             what
             hast
             thou
             to
             doe
             to
             declare
             my
             Statutes
             ,
             and
             to
             take
             my
             Covenant
             in
             thy
             mouth
             ,
             seeing
             thou
             hatest
             instruction
             ,
             and
             castest
             my
             word
             behinde
             thee
             ?
             when
             thou
             sawest
             a
             Thiefe
             thou
             consentedst
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             hast
             beene
             pertaker
             with
             the
             adulterers
             ,
             thou
             givest
             thy
             mouth
             to
             evill
             ,
             and
             thy
             tongue
             frameth
             deceit
             :
             thou
             sittest
             and
             speakest
             against
             thy
             brother
             ,
             and
             slanderest
             thine
             owne
             mothers
             son
             .
          
           In
           which
           words
           I
           observe
           ,
           that
           some
           wicked
           men
           make
           a
           profession
           of
           Religion
           ,
           declare
           Gods
           Statutes
           ,
           and
           take
           his
           Covenant
           in
           their
           mouth
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           that
           they
           hate
           instruction
           ,
           oppose
           Reformation
           ,
           and
           break
           their
           Covenant
           with
           God
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           that
           by
           sitting
           in
           Counsell
           with
           persecutors
           ,
           speaking
           evill
           with
           their
           mouthes
           ,
           and
           framing
           deceit
           with
           their
           tongues
           ,
           and
           consenting
           to
           the
           deeds
           of
           evill-doers
           ,
           they
           are
           pertakers
           of
           their
           sinnes
           .
           Fourthly
           ,
           that
           Gods
           wrath
           is
           kindled
           against
           them
           ,
           and
           if
           they
           doe
           not
           repent
           he
           will
           teare
           them
           in
           pieces
           ,
           and
           none
           shall
           deliver
           them
           .
           And
           
             Psalme
          
           26.4.5
           .
           The
           holy
           Psalmist
           pleading
           immunity
           from
           sliding
           ,
           and
           that
           God
           will
           not
           take
           him
           away
           ,
           nor
           gather
           his
           soule
           with
           sinners
           ,
           nor
           his
           life
           with
           men
           of
           bloud
           ,
           in
           whose
           hand
           is
           mischief
           ,
           because
           he
           hath
           not
           sate
           with
           vaine
           persons
           ,
           nor
           gone
           in
           with
           
           dissemblers
           ,
           but
           hath
           hated
           the
           Congregation
           of
           evill
           doers
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           sit
           in
           Counsell
           with
           the
           wicked
           ;
           doth
           necessarily
           intimate
           ,
           that
           all
           they
           who
           do
           joyn
           in
           counsel
           with
           the
           wicked
           ,
           &
           help
           forward
           their
           designes
           ,
           are
           pertakers
           of
           their
           sinnes
           ,
           and
           shall
           perish
           with
           them
           .
           And
           to
           the
           same
           purpose
           the
           Prophet
           
             Ieremy
          
           speaks
           ,
           
           saying
           ,
           
             I
             sate
             not
             in
             the
             assembly
             of
             the
             mockers
             ,
             nor
             rejoyced
             :
             why
             is
             my
             paine
             perpetuall
             ,
             and
             my
             wound
             incurable
             ,
             which
             refuseth
             to
             be
             healed
             ?
          
           which
           words
           import
           ,
           that
           they
           who
           are
           of
           the
           Band
           of
           Scorners
           ,
           and
           rejoyce
           in
           their
           evill
           doings
           ,
           are
           pertakers
           of
           their
           wickednesse
           ,
           and
           their
           wages
           shall
           be
           perpetuall
           paine
           and
           wounds
           incurable
           .
           All
           in
           
             Corah's
          
           conspiracy
           ,
           
           even
           women
           and
           children
           ,
           were
           found
           guilty
           before
           God
           of
           that
           rebellion
           and
           perished
           in
           it
           .
           And
           in
           a
           City
           falling
           away
           to
           Idolatry
           ,
           
           all
           in
           it
           ,
           yong
           &
           old
           are
           guilty
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           cut
           off
           .
        
         
           And
           indeed
           there
           is
           good
           Reason
           grounded
           on
           the
           word
           of
           
             
               reason
            
             1
          
           God
           ,
           to
           prove
           this
           :
           For
           if
           childred
           are
           punished
           for
           the
           sins
           of
           their
           fathers
           unto
           the
           third
           and
           fourth
           Generation
           ;
           because
           so
           long
           they
           may
           by
           sight
           or
           hearing
           know
           them
           ,
           and
           see
           the
           prints
           and
           monuments
           of
           their
           fraud
           ,
           violence
           ,
           oppression
           ,
           pride
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           ,
           and
           wittingly
           hold
           and
           possesse
           their
           ill-gotten
           goods
           ,
           of
           which
           they
           having
           knowledge
           ,
           become
           pertakers
           of
           their
           sinnes
           ,
           and
           make
           themselves
           guilty
           by
           approving
           ,
           or
           imitating
           them
           ,
           or
           neglecting
           to
           grieve
           and
           mourn
           for
           them
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           restitution
           ,
           and
           not
           removing
           their
           cursed
           things
           out
           of
           their
           families
           .
           Then
           much
           more
           they
           who
           are
           Counsellors
           ,
           abettors
           ,
           actors
           ,
           and
           promoters
           of
           ungodly
           actions
           ,
           and
           have
           an
           hand
           in
           the
           doing
           of
           them
           are
           pertakers
           ,
           and
           guilty
           of
           them
           as
           being
           their
           owne
           sins
           for
           which
           they
           are
           justly
           punished
           .
           Now
           the
           first
           is
           manifest
           ,
           
             Exodus
          
           20.5
           .
           by
           the
           expresse
           words
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           where
           the
           Lord
           saith
           ,
           
             He
             will
             visit
             the
             sins
             of
             the
             Fathers
             upon
             the
             children
             unto
             the
             third
             and
             fourth
             generation
             :
          
           which
           sins
           they
           had
           no
           finger
           in
           when
           they
           were
           first
           committed
           ;
           but
           onely
           approved
           them
           by
           imitation
           ,
           or
           did
           not
           sorrow
           and
           mourn
           for
           them
           ;
           nor
           shew
           open
           detestation
           ,
           nor
           make
           restitution
           .
           Therefore
           much
           more
           they
           who
           joyne
           in
           Counsell
           with
           the
           enemies
           of
           Gods
           Church
           ,
           and
           further
           and
           helpe
           forward
           their
           malicious
           designes
           ,
           let
           them
           seem
           never
           so
           moderate
           and
           zealous
           for
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           welfare
           of
           Church
           and
           State
           :
           they
           are
           all
           hurtfull
           and
           dangerous
           pricks
           of
           the
           cursed
           Bramble
           ,
           brethren
           and
           companions
           with
           the
           malignant
           
           in
           their
           mischiefe
           ,
           guilty
           of
           the
           same
           sins
           ,
           and
           shall
           perish
           in
           the
           same
           destruction
           ,
           if
           they
           do
           not
           repent
           ,
           and
           separate
           themselves
           from
           their
           Congregation
           .
        
         
           The
           common
           Law
           of
           Nations
           also
           confirmes
           this
           ,
           which
           makes
           accessaries
           ,
           though
           not
           desperately
           cruell
           ,
           nor
           so
           hardned
           
             
               reason
            
             2
          
           in
           malice
           ,
           as
           the
           chiefe
           principalls
           guilty
           of
           murther
           ,
           robbery
           ,
           treason
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           crimes
           .
        
         
           This
           Doctrine
           is
           of
           good
           use
           .
           For
           it
           serves
           to
           admonish
           us
           
             
               vse
            
             1
          
           all
           to
           be
           vigilant
           and
           watchfull
           against
           all
           hurtfull
           persons
           ,
           dangerous
           sons
           of
           
             Belial
             ,
          
           who
           are
           so
           many
           thornes
           and
           pricks
           of
           the
           cursed
           Bramble
           ,
           yea
           far
           more
           dangerous
           ;
           for
           their
           teeth
           are
           Speares
           ,
           and
           Arrowes
           ,
           and
           their
           tongue
           a
           sharpe
           sword
           .
           
             Psalme
          
           57.4
           .
           They
           doe
           not
           onely
           catch
           and
           wound
           ,
           and
           teare
           all
           that
           come
           within
           their
           reach
           ,
           and
           touch
           them
           ,
           as
           the
           Pricks
           of
           Brambles
           doe
           :
           but
           they
           have
           bent
           their
           tongues
           like
           a
           Bow
           for
           lies
           ,
           and
           shoot
           forth
           their
           poysoned
           arrowes
           ,
           bitter
           words
           of
           slander
           ,
           to
           hurt
           and
           wound
           at
           a
           distance
           ,
           
             Psal.
          
           64.3
           .
           The
           Prophet
           
             Ieremiah
          
           living
           in
           a
           dangerous
           time
           ,
           in
           which
           there
           were
           many
           assemblies
           of
           such
           treacherous
           men
           ,
           cryed
           out
           in
           great
           feare
           and
           anguish
           ,
           
             O
             that
             I
             had
             in
             the
             wildernesse
             the
             lodging
             place
             of
             wayfaring
             men
             ,
             that
             I
             might
             leave
             my
             people
             ,
             and
             goe
             from
             them
             .
             Ieremiah
          
           9.2.3
           .
           
             David
          
           also
           ,
           beset
           with
           such
           Bryars
           ,
           as
           a
           man
           possest
           with
           horror
           ,
           and
           trembling
           ,
           wished
           that
           hee
           had
           wings
           to
           flye
           away
           .
           
             O
             that
             I
             had
             wings
             like
             a
             Dove
             ,
             for
             then
             would
             I
             flye
             away
             and
             be
             at
             rest
             :
             Lo
             ,
             then
             would
             I
             wander
             farre
             off
             ,
             and
             remaine
             in
             the
             wildernesse
             .
          
           Thus
           Gods
           deare
           servants
           were
           more
           afraid
           of
           these
           pricking
           Brambles
           than
           of
           the
           briars
           and
           thorns
           in
           the
           wildernesse
           :
           wherefore
           let
           me
           exhort
           you
           in
           the
           words
           of
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
             to
             see
             that
             yee
             walke
             warily
             and
             circumspectly
             ,
             not
             as
             fooles
             ,
             but
             as
             wise
             ,
             because
             the
             dayes
             are
             evill
             ,
             Ephes.
          
           5.15
           .
           Let
           us
           not
           be
           deceived
           with
           the
           faire
           shewes
           of
           those
           instruments
           of
           Satan
           ,
           who
           are
           outwardly
           Saints
           and
           Angells
           of
           light
           ,
           professing
           aboundance
           of
           new
           light
           ,
           every
           sort
           and
           Sect
           of
           them
           ,
           but
           inwardly
           are
           ravening
           and
           grievous
           wolves
           ,
           not
           sparing
           the
           flock
           of
           Christ
           ,
           his
           true
           Church
           planted
           in
           this
           Land
           ,
           and
           like
           stinging
           and
           tearing
           pricks
           of
           the
           bramble
           wounding
           and
           tearing
           the
           high
           Court
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           and
           the
           Assembly
           of
           Divines
           ,
           with
           the
           speares
           and
           arrowes
           of
           bitter
           words
           .
           Although
           the
           great
           Band
           of
           wicked
           Counsellors
           ,
           Iudges
           ,
           and
           Officers
           ,
           which
           did
           tyrannize
           over
           our
           soules
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           our
           bodies
           ,
           and
           
           was
           like
           a
           great
           Bramble
           overspreading
           the
           whole
           Land
           ,
           darkning
           our
           light
           with
           the
           shadow
           of
           it
           ,
           is
           by
           Gods
           mighty
           hand
           working
           with
           this
           happy
           Parliament
           ,
           hurled
           out
           of
           all
           high
           Courts
           of
           Iustice
           ,
           and
           removed
           further
           from
           us
           ,
           and
           some
           noysome
           and
           dangerous
           pricks
           thereof
           broken
           off
           and
           destroyed
           :
           yet
           let
           us
           not
           dreame
           of
           peace
           ,
           nor
           suffer
           security
           to
           creep
           upon
           us
           :
           for
           it
           doth
           get
           root
           and
           strength
           again
           in
           other
           places
           round
           about
           us
           ,
           and
           doth
           prevaile
           to
           doe
           misciefe
           ,
           not
           a
           little
           in
           the
           North
           ,
           the
           South
           ,
           the
           West
           ,
           and
           middle
           Countries
           :
           And
           the
           Lord
           calls
           us
           to
           fasting
           and
           prayer
           ,
           and
           to
           great
           humiliation
           ,
           that
           we
           seeking
           to
           him
           may
           finde
           deliverance
           from
           the
           cruelty
           of
           that
           devouring
           Bramble
           ;
           the
           sharpe
           hooked
           pricks
           whereof
           doe
           sting
           ,
           wound
           ,
           catch
           ,
           and
           hold
           whatsoever
           comes
           within
           their
           reach
           ,
           as
           appeares
           by
           their
           robbing
           and
           plundering
           ,
           and
           haling
           men
           to
           prison
           ,
           slaying
           and
           murthering
           many
           harmlesse
           people
           where
           they
           come
           :
           yea
           ,
           this
           Bramble
           shrouding
           it selfe
           under
           the
           shadow
           of
           the
           great
           Cedar
           of
           
             Lebanons
          
           regall
           power
           and
           presence
           ,
           rules
           over
           many
           great
           trees
           and
           Oaks
           of
           
             Bashan
          
           :
           and
           therefore
           still
           troubles
           us
           ,
           and
           puts
           us
           in
           feare
           ,
           and
           Satan
           ,
           and
           Antichrist
           fore-seeing
           the
           fall
           of
           their
           Kingdome
           in
           the
           full
           ,
           and
           destruction
           of
           it
           ,
           combine
           all
           their
           forces
           to
           support
           it
           :
           And
           hence
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           besides
           forraigne
           forces
           ,
           Satan
           hath
           raised
           up
           from
           among
           our selves
           bands
           of
           Malignants
           ,
           Anabaptists
           ,
           Antinomians
           ,
           Libertines
           ,
           Schismaticall
           Separatists
           ,
           all
           which
           are
           so
           many
           treacherous
           enemies
           at
           home
           ,
           and
           do
           all
           worke
           together
           to
           strengthen
           the
           popish
           Faction
           ,
           and
           to
           lay
           us
           open
           and
           naked
           to
           their
           fury
           and
           violence
           ,
           by
           opposing
           and
           retarding
           the
           blessed
           worke
           of
           Reformation
           ,
           deviding
           us
           among
           our selves
           ,
           and
           rending
           the
           Coat
           of
           Christ
           without
           seame
           .
           And
           every
           one
           in
           these
           severall
           factions
           ,
           is
           like
           a
           sharpe
           venemous
           Thorne
           or
           Prick
           of
           the
           cursed
           Bramble
           ,
           stinging
           and
           wounding
           the
           Church
           and
           Common-wealth
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           are
           faithfull
           in
           both
           .
           And
           therefore
           to
           me
           it
           is
           not
           grievous
           ,
           but
           to
           you
           it
           is
           safe
           to
           admonish
           you
           againe
           in
           the
           words
           of
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           to
           beware
           of
           these
           Dogs
           ,
           to
           beware
           of
           these
           evill
           workers
           ,
           to
           beware
           of
           the
           concision
           :
           never
           had
           we
           more
           need
           to
           be
           firmely
           united
           in
           hearts
           ,
           soules
           ,
           and
           affections
           ,
           that
           with
           joynt
           strength
           ,
           and
           one
           shoulder
           wee
           may
           labour
           and
           strive
           to
           dissolve
           these
           wicked
           Bands
           ,
           and
           to
           scatter
           them
           :
           for
           they
           are
           a
           heavy
           curse
           to
           all
           our
           Land
           .
        
         
         
           Secondly
           ,
           this
           Doctrine
           serves
           as
           to
           stirre
           us
           all
           up
           as
           to
           beware
           
             
               vse
            
          
           lest
           these
           men
           of
           
             Belial
             ,
          
           who
           are
           combined
           together
           in
           hurtfull
           Counsells
           ,
           and
           practises
           catch
           hold
           of
           us
           to
           hurt
           us
           ;
           so
           also
           it
           gives
           a
           Caveat
           to
           all
           men
           to
           take
           heed
           ,
           that
           they
           be
           not
           so
           deceived
           with
           the
           seeming
           moderation
           and
           faire
           shewes
           of
           any
           sort
           of
           them
           ,
           as
           to
           seek
           or
           hope
           for
           any
           helpe
           from
           them
           ,
           either
           for
           resisting
           the
           Popish
           faction
           ,
           or
           for
           furthering
           the
           true
           reformation
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           setling
           of
           the
           Land
           in
           peace
           .
           For
           certainly
           ,
           whether
           they
           be
           of
           the
           Band
           and
           Sect
           of
           Anabaptists
           ,
           or
           Antinomians
           ,
           or
           Libertines
           ,
           or
           separating
           Schismaticks
           ,
           or
           Seekers
           of
           new
           light
           ,
           they
           are
           all
           of
           them
           hurtful
           pricks
           of
           the
           cursed
           Bramble
           ,
           and
           all
           their
           counsells
           and
           designes
           tend
           to
           crosse
           and
           hinder
           all
           sound
           Reformation
           ,
           and
           to
           further
           the
           grand
           Antichristian
           faction
           ,
           in
           their
           desperate
           attempts
           to
           ruine
           Religion
           ,
           Church
           ,
           and
           Common-wealth
           .
           Can
           any
           be
           so
           blinde
           and
           voyd
           of
           understanding
           ,
           as
           to
           expect
           any
           blessing
           or
           good
           at
           all
           from
           them
           who
           are
           the
           curse
           of
           the
           land
           ?
           will
           the
           pernicious
           enemies
           of
           Reformation
           ,
           and
           peace
           ,
           contemners
           of
           Lawes
           ,
           and
           lawfull
           authority
           ,
           cordially
           joyne
           to
           defend
           our
           Lawes
           and
           Religion
           ,
           and
           helpe
           forward
           the
           reformation
           of
           the
           Church
           from
           corruptions
           ,
           errors
           ,
           and
           abuses
           ,
           which
           abound
           chiefely
           in
           themselves
           ,
           and
           they
           are
           the
           authors
           and
           abettors
           of
           them
           ?
           Is
           there
           any
           hope
           that
           they
           who
           exclude
           and
           cast
           out
           from
           their
           Communion
           ,
           as
           unclean
           Dogs
           ,
           all
           reformed
           Churches
           ,
           will
           fight
           for
           any
           Reformation
           which
           comes
           neare
           to
           them
           ,
           though
           it
           be
           never
           so
           well
           warranted
           and
           held
           forth
           in
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ?
           We
           read
           of
           
             Manasseh
             ,
          
           the
           King
           of
           
             Iudah
             ,
          
           that
           when
           the
           Captains
           of
           the
           host
           of
           the
           King
           of
           
             Assyria
             ,
          
           came
           against
           him
           ,
           they
           took
           him
           in
           the
           thorns
           ,
           bound
           him
           in
           chaines
           ,
           and
           carryed
           him
           to
           
             Babylon
             ,
          
           where
           he
           was
           in
           great
           affliction
           ,
           2
           
             Chron.
          
           33.11
           .
           
             When
             the
             City
             could
             not
             defend
             him
             ,
             he
             fled
             for
             shelter
             into
             the
             Briar
             bushes
             ,
             and
             there
             he
             was
             caught
             ,
             and
             held
             fast
             by
             the
             hooked
             pricks
             ,
             for
             the
             enemies
             to
             take
             him
          
           :
           and
           even
           so
           it
           will
           be
           with
           us
           ,
           
           if
           wee
           trust
           in
           these
           pricking
           thornes
           ,
           and
           betake
           our selves
           to
           them
           for
           helpe
           ,
           they
           will
           betray
           us
           into
           the
           enemies
           hands
           .
           Wherefore
           let
           us
           set
           our
           hearts
           to
           rest
           wholly
           on
           our
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           seek
           to
           him
           with
           fasting
           ,
           prayer
           ,
           and
           humiliation
           for
           deliverance
           from
           these
           Bryars
           ,
           and
           Thornes
           ,
           and
           from
           their
           hooks
           and
           snares
           .
           And
           because
           while
           we
           regard
           iniquity
           in
           our
           hearts
           ,
           the
           Lord
           will
           not
           heare
           us
           ;
           
           let
           us
           confesse
           our
           sins
           with
           mournful
           hearts
           ,
           and
           forsake
           them
           ,
           and
           the
           Lord
           will
           forgive
           the
           iniquity
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           will
           be
           our
           refuge
           and
           strength
           ,
           and
           a
           present
           helpe
           in
           all
           our
           troubles
           .
           For
           if
           we
           could
           but
           prepare
           our
           hearts
           ,
           and
           fit
           our selves
           for
           deliverance
           by
           obtaining
           mercy
           to
           have
           our
           sinnes
           and
           transgressions
           blotted
           out
           ,
           and
           could
           wash
           our
           hearts
           from
           wickednesse
           ,
           and
           put
           away
           by
           repentance
           our
           sinnes
           which
           doe
           strengthen
           the
           hands
           of
           our
           enimies
           against
           us
           ,
           God
           would
           quickly
           scatter
           all
           them
           that
           rise
           up
           to
           vex
           us
           ,
           and
           not
           spare
           nor
           indure
           them
           for
           one
           moment
           ,
           they
           are
           all
           even
           the
           best
           of
           them
           ,
           the
           hatefull
           pricks
           of
           the
           cursed
           briar
           ,
           fully
           ripe
           for
           destruction
           .
           Sin
           is
           that
           which
           brought
           them
           for
           a
           curse
           upon
           the
           ground
           ;
           and
           repentance
           and
           putting
           away
           of
           our
           sins
           is
           the
           onely
           way
           to
           rid
           the
           land
           of
           them
           ;
           the
           Lord
           is
           ready
           and
           waiteth
           for
           our
           amendment
           ,
           that
           instantly
           and
           without
           delay
           he
           may
           scatter
           them
           as
           with
           a
           whirlewinde
           both
           the
           green
           and
           the
           dry
           .
        
         
           The
           third
           point
           in
           my
           Text
           is
           ;
           That
           God
           will
           not
           suffer
           the
           righteous
           to
           feel
           the
           evill
           and
           mischiefe
           intended
           and
           plotted
           against
           them
           ,
           by
           the
           bands
           of
           their
           enemies
           and
           persecutors
           ,
           but
           will
           most
           timely
           and
           seasonably
           take
           away
           and
           destroy
           all
           and
           every
           prick
           of
           that
           cursed
           bramble
           and
           spare
           none
           ,
           neither
           greene
           nor
           dry
           .
           There
           are
           two
           kinds
           of
           feeling
           ;
           one
           is
           by
           outward
           and
           bodily
           sense
           of
           things
           which
           touch
           us
           ,
           and
           we
           touch
           and
           handle
           them
           ;
           this
           is
           expressed
           in
           the
           Originall
           Scriptures
           by
           an
           Hebrew
           word
           which
           implies
           bodily
           touching
           ;
           The
           other
           is
           the
           inward
           sense
           of
           feeling
           by
           knowledg
           and
           understanding
           .
           
           This
           feeling
           reacheth
           beyond
           bodily
           sense
           of
           the
           flesh
           ,
           even
           to
           the
           soule
           and
           spirit
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           expressed
           in
           the
           Originall
           by
           the
           hebrew
           words
           
             Iadagh
          
           and
           
             Iabin
             ,
          
           
           which
           signifie
           to
           know
           and
           understand
           the
           thing
           bodily
           felt
           .
           Of
           this
           feeling
           we
           read
           
             Prov.
          
           23.35
           .
           where
           it
           is
           said
           of
           a
           drunken
           man
           ;
           
             That
             he
             is
             stricken
             ,
             and
             yet
             is
             not
             sick
             of
             his
             blow
             ;
             he
             is
             beaten
             ,
             but
             he
             feels
             it
             not
             .
          
           It
           is
           certaine
           his
           flesh
           feeles
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           stripes
           leave
           a
           print
           behind
           ;
           but
           he
           hath
           not
           for
           the
           present
           the
           use
           of
           his
           reason
           to
           know
           and
           understand
           ,
           because
           his
           spirits
           are
           drowned
           in
           drink
           ,
           and
           oppressed
           with
           moist
           vapours
           .
           Also
           
             Eccles.
          
           8.5
           .
           it
           is
           said
           ;
           
             that
             he
             that
             keepeth
             the
             Commandement
             shall
             not
             feele
             evill
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           not
           evill
           as
           a
           plague
           or
           curse
           reaching
           to
           the
           soule
           ,
           nor
           as
           an
           evill
           of
           wrath
           and
           revenge
           ,
           for
           so
           the
           righteous
           doe
           not
           feele
           any
           evill
           ,
           though
           they
           feele
           in
           the
           flesh
           many
           afflictions
           
           of
           tryall
           and
           chastisement
           ,
           which
           are
           not
           evill
           but
           good
           to
           them
           .
           Wee
           read
           that
           
             Isaac
          
           did
           bodily
           feele
           
             Iacob
          
           by
           touching
           his
           hands
           and
           neck
           ,
           but
           he
           did
           not
           know
           nor
           understand
           that
           it
           was
           
             Iacob
          
           whom
           he
           felt
           ,
           and
           so
           he
           had
           a
           feeling
           of
           him
           in
           part
           only
           by
           bodily
           sense
           ,
           but
           not
           a
           full
           and
           perfect
           feeling
           of
           him
           in
           soule
           and
           spirit
           by
           knowledg
           and
           understanding
           .
           Here
           my
           Text
           speakes
           of
           a
           full
           sense
           and
           feeling
           ,
           aswell
           inwardly
           in
           soule
           and
           spirit
           ,
           as
           outwardly
           in
           the
           flesh
           ;
           
           For
           the
           word
           
             Jabi●u
             ,
          
           which
           signifies
           such
           a
           feeling
           is
           here
           used
           :
           the
           words
           thus
           opened
           minister
           the
           third
           Doctrine
           ,
           
             viz.
             
          
        
         
           
             That
             God
             out
             of
             his
             tender
             love
             and
             watchfull
             providence
             over
             his
             Church
             and
             people
             ,
             doth
             frustrate
             the
             wicked
             counsels
             and
             purposes
             
               
                 doctrine
              
               3
            
             of
             their
             Enemies
             ,
             and
             scatters
             their
             persecutors
             before
             they
             proceed
             ,
             and
             prevaile
             so
             far
             as
             to
             make
             them
             feel
             the
             evill
             and
             mischiefe
             which
             they
             are
             sharply
             set
             and
             cruelly
             bent
             to
             inflict
             and
             bring
             upon
             them
             .
          
        
         
           The
           full
           Scope
           and
           intent
           of
           this
           Doctrine
           is
           to
           shew
           ,
           and
           to
           hold
           out
           unto
           us
           these
           3
           things
           ,
        
         
           First
           ,
           that
           God
           is
           ready
           to
           prevent
           the
           evills
           intended
           against
           his
           Church
           and
           People
           by
           their
           enemies
           ,
           and
           delivers
           them
           from
           them
           oftentimes
           before
           they
           have
           any
           sence
           or
           feeling
           of
           them
           at
           all
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           that
           though
           the
           Lord
           suffers
           the
           wicked
           to
           afflict
           his
           Church
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           his
           rod
           to
           scourge
           his
           People
           ,
           either
           for
           their
           sins
           by
           way
           of
           sharp
           correction
           ,
           or
           for
           tryall
           of
           their
           faith
           and
           patience
           ;
           yet
           he
           never
           leaves
           them
           in
           their
           hand
           to
           feel
           their
           worst
           ,
           nor
           gives
           them
           to
           their
           lust
           ,
           rage
           and
           fury
           to
           be
           devoured
           and
           swallowed
           up
           of
           them
           ,
           or
           to
           bee
           put
           to
           sense
           and
           feeling
           of
           paine
           intollerable
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           though
           the
           cruell
           enemies
           of
           Gods
           Church
           ,
           and
           persecutors
           of
           his
           people
           ,
           may
           proceed
           so
           far
           as
           to
           kill
           their
           bodies
           with
           sense
           of
           outward
           torment
           and
           violence
           done
           to
           the
           flesh
           ;
           yet
           they
           shall
           never
           reach
           to
           their
           soules
           and
           spirits
           ,
           nor
           prevaile
           so
           farre
           as
           to
           make
           them
           feele
           the
           evill
           and
           mischiefe
           intended
           against
           their
           inward
           man
           ,
           the
           soule
           and
           spirit
           .
           For
           the
           confirming
           of
           this
           Doctrine
           in
           all
           these
           particulars
           ,
           we
           have
           cleare
           testimonies
           ,
           and
           pregnant
           examples
           in
           the
           sacred
           Scriptures
           .
           First
           ,
           that
           God
           prevents
           the
           evil
           intended
           by
           the
           enemies
           against
           his
           people
           ,
           so
           that
           they
           doe
           not
           feele
           it
           ,
           neither
           doth
           it
           touch
           them
           at
           all
           ,
           it
           is
           plainly
           affirmed
           ,
           
             Psalme
          
           91.2
           ,
           3.
           where
           it
           is
           said
           of
           them
           that
           trust
           in
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           make
           him
           their
           refuge
           ,
           
             that
             he
             will
             deliver
             them
             from
             the
             snare
             of
             the
             Fowler
             ,
             and
             from
             all
             other
             
             evills
             which
             are
             most
             terrible
             ,
             so
             that
             no
             evill
             shall
             befall
             them
             ,
             nor
             plague
             come
             neare
             their
             dwelling
             :
             onely
             with
             their
             eyes
             shall
             they
             behold
             ,
             and
             see
             the
             reward
             of
             the
             wicked
             their
             enemies
             .
          
           Also
           
             Psalme
          
           27.2
           .
           
             When
             the
             wicked
             ,
             even
             mine
             enemies
             ,
          
           saith
           
             David
             ,
             came
             against
             me
             to
             eate
             up
             my
             flesh
             ,
             they
             stumbled
             ,
             and
             fell
             .
          
           And
           
             Psalme
          
           37.
           
           
             The
             wicked
             plotteth
             against
             the
             righteous
             ,
             and
             gnasheth
             upon
             him
             with
             his
             teeth
             ,
             he
             hath
             drawne
             out
             his
             sword
             ,
             and
             bent
             his
             Bow
             to
             cast
             downe
             ,
             and
             to
             slay
             such
             as
             be
             upright
             :
             but
             the
             Lord
             shall
             laugh
             at
             him
             ,
             for
             he
             seeth
             that
             his
             day
             is
             comming
             .
             His
             sword
             shall
             enter
             into
             his
             owne
             heart
             ,
             and
             his
             Bow
             shall
             be
             broken
             .
             Thus
             when
             they
             have
             travelled
             with
             iniquity
             ,
             and
             conceived
             mischief
             ,
             they
             bring
             forth
             falsehood
             ,
             and
             when
             they
             have
             made
             a
             pit
             and
             aiggedit
             ,
             they
             fall
             into
             the
             ditch
             themselves
             ,
             and
             their
             mischiefe
             returnes
             upon
             their
             owne
             head
             ,
             Psalme
          
           7.14
           .
           
             and
             in
             the
             net
             which
             they
             hid
             is
             their
             owne
             foot
             taken
             ,
             and
             they
             are
             snared
             in
             the
             worke
             of
             their
             hands
             ,
             Psal
          
           ▪
           9.15
           ,
           16.
           
           Besides
           these
           ,
           and
           many
           such
           testimonies
           ,
           we
           have
           pregnant
           examples
           ,
           as
           that
           of
           
             Iehoshaphat
             ,
          
           2
           
             Chron.
          
           20.
           when
           three
           nations
           were
           banded
           against
           him
           and
           his
           people
           ,
           and
           they
           had
           no
           might
           to
           resist
           ,
           neither
           knew
           what
           to
           doe
           ,
           they
           betooke
           themselves
           to
           seek
           the
           Lord
           with
           fasting
           and
           prayer
           :
           
             and
             the
             Lord
             set
             ambushments
             against
             the
             enemies
             ,
             and
             made
             them
             slay
             one
             another
             till
             they
             were
             all
             destroyed
             :
          
           so
           that
           
             Iehosophat
          
           and
           his
           people
           had
           no
           need
           to
           fight
           ,
           but
           
             did
             only
             stand
             and
             see
             the
             salvation
             of
             the
             Lord
             .
          
           Another
           example
           is
           that
           of
           
             Hezekiah
             ,
          
           when
           the
           
             Assyrian
          
           King
           
             Senacharib
          
           came
           against
           him
           to
           besiege
           
             Ierusalem
             ,
          
           and
           by
           
             Rabshekeh
             ,
          
           threatned
           to
           drive
           his
           people
           to
           that
           extremity
           ,
           as
           to
           eate
           their
           owne
           dung
           ,
           and
           to
           drinke
           their
           owne
           pisse
           ,
           2
           
             King.
          
           18.27
           .
           The
           Lord
           suffered
           him
           not
           to
           come
           to
           the
           City
           ,
           nor
           to
           shoot
           an
           arrow
           into
           it
           ,
           but
           sent
           a
           blast
           upon
           him
           ,
           and
           by
           his
           Angel
           slue
           in
           one
           night
           ,
           185.
           thousand
           in
           his
           host
           ,
           and
           drove
           him
           back
           with
           shame
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           though
           the
           Church
           and
           children
           of
           God
           ,
           may
           be
           sore
           afflicted
           by
           the
           Bands
           of
           the
           wicked
           ,
           yet
           before
           they
           feele
           that
           destruction
           and
           misery
           which
           is
           intended
           and
           plotted
           against
           them
           ,
           and
           Lord
           will
           send
           deliverance
           by
           scatrering
           ,
           and
           destroying
           their
           cruell
           persecutors
           .
           We
           see
           this
           verified
           in
           the
           
             Israelites
             ,
          
           who
           saw
           and
           felt
           much
           affliction
           in
           
             Egypt
          
           :
           but
           when
           it
           came
           to
           the
           upshot
           ,
           that
           
             Pharaoh
          
           and
           his
           Host
           pursued
           them
           to
           cut
           them
           off
           ,
           and
           destroy
           them
           with
           the
           sword
           ,
           God
           overthrew
           them
           all
           in
           the
           sea
           ,
           and
           suffered
           not
           his
           people
           to
           feele
           
           their
           cruell
           hand
           ,
           
             Exod.
          
           14.
           
           Also
           in
           the
           dayes
           of
           the
           Iudges
           ,
           the
           Israelites
           were
           often
           oppressed
           and
           afflicted
           by
           divers
           enemies
           ,
           which
           sought
           to
           cast
           them
           out
           and
           destroy
           them
           :
           but
           before
           they
           felt
           this
           evil
           which
           their
           enemies
           attempted
           with
           all
           their
           power
           ,
           the
           Lord
           delivered
           them
           ,
           and
           scattered
           and
           destroyed
           their
           oppressors
           .
           In
           the
           83.
           
           
             Psalme
          
           mention
           is
           made
           of
           many
           Nations
           which
           were
           consederate
           against
           Gods
           Church
           and
           people
           ,
           and
           said
           ,
           
             Come
             let
             us
             cut
             them
             off
             from
             being
             a
             Nation
             ,
             that
             the
             name
             of
             Israel
             may
             be
             no
             more
             in
             remembrance
             :
          
           but
           when
           they
           invaded
           the
           land
           ,
           and
           began
           to
           cast
           fire
           into
           their
           Sanctuaries
           ,
           God
           made
           all
           those
           Nations
           as
           stubble
           before
           the
           wind
           ,
           and
           persecuted
           them
           with
           his
           storme
           ,
           and
           scattered
           them
           ,
           before
           his
           people
           felt
           the
           evill
           which
           they
           conspired
           to
           bring
           upon
           them
           .
           
             David
          
           and
           his
           followers
           were
           pursued
           for
           their
           lives
           ,
           and
           suffered
           hard
           things
           at
           the
           hand
           of
           
             Saul
             ,
          
           and
           his
           wicked
           Band
           ,
           but
           the
           evill
           which
           they
           chiefely
           sought
           ,
           which
           was
           to
           kill
           and
           cut
           them
           off
           ,
           they
           could
           never
           bring
           upon
           them
           ,
           nor
           make
           them
           feel
           ,
           for
           they
           themselves
           were
           first
           destroyed
           .
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           God
           so
           armes
           his
           people
           with
           patience
           and
           courage
           ,
           that
           they
           goe
           through
           all
           the
           sharpest
           afflictions
           ,
           and
           persecutions
           of
           the
           enemies
           with
           joy
           ,
           &
           that
           peace
           which
           they
           have
           with
           God
           ,
           makes
           them
           rejoyce
           in
           tribulations
           ,
           and
           the
           inward
           spiritual
           comforts
           which
           fill
           their
           soules
           ,
           doe
           swallow
           all
           pains
           and
           sorrowes
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           no
           such
           sense
           and
           feeling
           of
           them
           as
           others
           have
           .
        
         
           The
           third
           perticular
           in
           the
           Doctrine
           is
           ,
           that
           though
           the
           Bands
           of
           the
           wicked
           do
           persecute
           the
           Saints
           for
           their
           true
           faith
           in
           Christ
           ,
           to
           their
           own
           destruction
           :
           and
           are
           permitted
           to
           afflict
           and
           torture
           their
           bodies
           ,
           even
           to
           the
           murthering
           and
           killing
           of
           them
           :
           yet
           they
           can
           never
           bring
           them
           under
           the
           sense
           and
           feeling
           of
           soule-murther
           ,
           by
           compelling
           them
           to
           deny
           the
           faith
           ,
           and
           to
           imbrace
           Idolatry
           ,
           or
           any
           soule-killing
           errors
           and
           heresies
           .
           This
           is
           consonant
           to
           the
           words
           of
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
             Rom.
          
           8.35
           .
           
             Who
             shall
             separate
             us
             from
             the
             love
             of
             Christ
             ?
             shall
             tribulation
             ,
             or
             distresse
             ,
             or
             perill
             ,
             or
             sword
             ,
             or
             life
             ,
             or
             death
             ,
          
           (
           as
           it
           is
           written
           
             for
             thy
             sake
             are
             we
             killed
             all
             the
             day
             long
             ,
             and
             are
             counted
             as
             sheep
             for
             the
             slaughter
             .
             )
             Nay
             in
             all
             these
             we
             are
             more
             than
             Conquerors
             ,
             through
             him
             that
             loved
             us
             .
          
           And
           
             Heb.
          
           1●
           .
           we
           have
           a
           Cloud
           of
           witnesses
           who
           were
           tortured
           ,
           and
           had
           tryall
           of
           cruell
           mockings
           ,
           and
           scourgings
           ,
           and
           of
           bonds
           and
           imprisonment
           ,
           and
           were
           stoned
           ,
           sawn
           assunder
           ,
           and
           slain
           with
           the
           sword
           ,
           and
           yet
           they
           felt
           no
           evill
           in
           their
           
           soules
           ,
           which
           in
           all
           these
           temptations
           did
           remaine
           untouched
           :
           Though
           the
           stiff-necked
           Iewes
           were
           cut
           to
           the
           heart
           at
           the
           hearing
           of
           
             Stevens
          
           words
           ,
           and
           they
           gnashed
           on
           him
           with
           their
           teeth
           ,
           and
           ran
           upon
           him
           all
           at
           once
           ,
           with
           purpose
           to
           destroy
           him
           soule
           and
           body
           ,
           yet
           his
           soule
           was
           not
           touched
           with
           the
           sense
           and
           feeling
           of
           their
           malice
           and
           fury
           ,
           and
           being
           commended
           into
           the
           hands
           of
           Christ
           ,
           whom
           it
           saw
           and
           enjoyed
           in
           death
           ,
           it
           ascended
           triumphantly
           into
           glory
           .
        
         
           
             
               vse
            
             1
          
           This
           Doctrine
           thus
           confirmed
           in
           all
           particulars
           ,
           is
           of
           singular
           use
           :
           First
           ,
           to
           magnifie
           in
           our
           eyes
           Gods
           tender
           love
           to
           his
           Church
           ,
           and
           his
           watchfulnesse
           over
           his
           people
           ,
           for
           the
           preservation
           ,
           defence
           ,
           and
           upholding
           of
           them
           in
           a
           world
           so
           full
           of
           the
           Bands
           of
           wicked
           sons
           of
           
             Belial
             ,
          
           and
           in
           a
           land
           so
           over-spread
           with
           the
           curse
           and
           plague
           of
           Bryars
           and
           thornes
           .
           First
           ,
           in
           that
           he
           keeps
           many
           of
           them
           from
           being
           caught
           or
           touched
           at
           all
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           in
           that
           he
           supports
           them
           when
           they
           are
           caught
           ,
           and
           armes
           them
           with
           strength
           ,
           faith
           ,
           patience
           ,
           and
           courage
           ,
           to
           goe
           through
           the
           Briars
           and
           Thornes
           ,
           without
           any
           sense
           and
           feeling
           of
           the
           sting
           and
           venome
           of
           their
           sharp
           pricks
           :
           as
           wee
           read
           of
           one
           of
           our
           blessed
           Martyrs
           ,
           who
           professed
           that
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           burning
           flames
           ,
           consuming
           his
           body
           ,
           he
           felt
           no
           more
           pain
           ,
           than
           if
           he
           had
           layn
           on
           a
           feather-bed
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           in
           that
           hee
           limits
           and
           restrains
           the
           power
           ,
           rage
           ,
           and
           fury
           of
           the
           sharpest
           ,
           and
           most
           cruell
           pricks
           of
           the
           cursed
           Bramble
           ,
           that
           they
           cannot
           strike
           and
           wound
           them
           to
           the
           quick
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           not
           reach
           unto
           their
           soule
           .
           Of
           this
           the
           Church
           and
           people
           of
           God
           in
           this
           land
           have
           had
           heretofore
           ,
           and
           have
           at
           this
           day
           most
           comfortable
           experience
           .
           First
           ,
           in
           the
           yeare
           88.
           when
           the
           flouds
           of
           
             Belial
          
           made
           us
           afraid
           ,
           and
           the
           armed
           Bands
           of
           Antichrist
           came
           against
           us
           with
           an
           invincible
           Armado
           ,
           (
           as
           they
           proudly
           boasted
           )
           armed
           with
           sharpe
           hooks
           ,
           stabbing
           knives
           ,
           and
           all
           weapons
           of
           cruelty
           ,
           and
           instruments
           of
           death
           ,
           
           the
           Lord
           did
           blow
           upon
           them
           with
           his
           mighty
           whirlewinde
           ,
           scattered
           them
           upon
           the
           face
           of
           the
           great
           deep
           ,
           the
           sea
           covered
           them
           ,
           and
           they
           sunk
           as
           Lead
           in
           the
           mighty
           waters
           ,
           and
           so
           he
           saved
           us
           from
           the
           sharp
           hooks
           and
           pricks
           of
           the
           enemies
           ,
           their
           murdering
           and
           destroying
           weapons
           and
           instruments
           of
           cruelty
           did
           not
           touch
           us
           at
           all
           .
           Likewise
           in
           the
           Powder
           Treason
           ,
           and
           many
           other
           treacherous
           plots
           of
           late
           time
           ,
           when
           wee
           were
           encompassed
           in
           the
           net
           ,
           ready
           to
           fall
           into
           the
           Bryars
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           caught
           in
           the
           snares
           of
           the
           wicked
           ,
           the
           Lord
           
           suddenly
           brake
           the
           snares
           ,
           and
           we
           were
           delivered
           ,
           before
           their
           hooked
           pricks
           could
           fasten
           upon
           us
           ,
           or
           tear
           us
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           though
           the
           Lord
           hath
           suffered
           us
           for
           our
           sinnes
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           tryall
           of
           our
           Faith
           ,
           to
           fall
           of
           late
           into
           the
           Bryars
           ,
           and
           we
           have
           undergone
           sharpe
           and
           cruell
           prickings
           in
           this
           bloudy
           civil
           war
           kindled
           in
           our
           Land
           ,
           yet
           he
           hath
           so
           armed
           us
           with
           Faith
           in
           Christ
           ,
           and
           strengthned
           us
           with
           courage
           ,
           and
           with
           confidence
           ,
           and
           with
           full
           assurance
           of
           his
           love
           ,
           that
           wee
           goe
           through
           all
           cheerefully
           and
           comfortably
           ,
           as
           if
           we
           felt
           no
           hurt
           :
           yea
           in
           all
           the
           afflictions
           we
           feele
           no
           stroke
           of
           wrath
           and
           revenge
           at
           all
           ,
           but
           only
           chastisements
           of
           love
           ,
           fatherly
           corrections
           and
           tryalls
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           faithfull
           wounds
           of
           a
           lover
           ,
           better
           and
           more
           safe
           then
           the
           deceitfull
           kisses
           and
           embracings
           of
           our
           enemies
           .
           Thirdly
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           Thornes
           and
           Bryers
           ,
           when
           the
           Lord
           suffers
           the
           swords
           of
           the
           enemies
           to
           cut
           our
           flesh
           ,
           and
           to
           wound
           and
           kill
           our
           bodies
           ,
           and
           to
           shed
           our
           bloud
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           fill
           up
           to
           the
           full
           the
           measure
           of
           their
           iniquities
           ;
           yet
           he
           suffers
           not
           their
           violence
           to
           reach
           unto
           our
           soules
           ,
           we
           stand
           firme
           and
           stedfast
           in
           faith
           ;
           and
           so
           far
           are
           we
           from
           wavering
           in
           Religion
           ,
           inclining
           to
           Popery
           ,
           forsaking
           the
           cause
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           suffering
           our
           soules
           to
           be
           betrayed
           ,
           wounded
           ,
           and
           slaine
           ,
           that
           wee
           have
           renewed
           our
           Covenant
           with
           God
           ,
           &
           have
           bound
           our selves
           to
           stand
           for
           a
           more
           full
           Reformation
           of
           Church
           and
           State
           ,
           and
           to
           maintain
           the
           true
           
             Reformed
             Religion
          
           with
           our
           bodies
           ,
           lives
           ,
           and
           goods
           ,
           and
           to
           oppose
           popery
           ,
           and
           all
           other
           Sects
           ,
           and
           Opinions
           ,
           contrarie
           to
           true
           godlinesse
           ,
           O
           how
           are
           we
           bound
           to
           admire
           the
           love
           ,
           mercy
           ,
           bounty
           and
           goodnesse
           of
           the
           Lord
           our
           God
           in
           all
           these
           notable
           passages
           of
           his
           providence
           ,
           watchfulnesse
           ,
           and
           provident
           care
           over
           his
           Church
           and
           people
           in
           this
           land
           :
           how
           ought
           we
           to
           love
           ▪
           honour
           ,
           serve
           ,
           and
           obey
           him
           to
           seek
           continually
           to
           him
           for
           help
           ,
           and
           to
           call
           upon
           his
           name
           ,
           and
           to
           humble
           our selves
           even
           to
           the
           dust
           ,
           for
           our
           many
           sinnes
           and
           provocations
           ,
           by
           which
           we
           have
           most
           unthankfully
           borne
           our selves
           towards
           him
           ,
           and
           ill-requited
           all
           his
           kindnesses
           to
           us
           .
           Let
           these
           our
           monethly
           Fasts
           heave
           us
           up
           every
           one
           a
           step
           and
           degree
           higher
           in
           our
           devotion
           ,
           zeale
           .
           and
           reformation
           of
           life
           :
           and
           the
           oftner
           we
           are
           put
           in
           remembrance
           of
           Gods
           mercies
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           our
           sins
           against
           his
           holy
           Majesty
           ,
           the
           more
           let
           us
           be
           humbled
           ,
           the
           more
           let
           us
           crye
           mightily
           to
           God
           in
           confession
           ,
           prayer
           ,
           and
           supplication
           ,
           which
           if
           he
           gives
           us
           grace
           to
           doe
           ,
           we
           shall
           have
           no
           need
           to
           feare
           or
           
           doubt
           ,
           but
           may
           be
           confident
           ,
           that
           he
           will
           scatter
           the
           bands
           of
           our
           enemies
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           cursed
           pricks
           of
           the
           cursed
           Bramble
           ,
           
             he
             will
             take
             away
             every
             one
             as
             with
             a
             whirle-winde
          
           ;
           as
           my
           Text
           here
           speaks
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           this
           Doctrine
           is
           of
           use
           to
           strengthen
           the
           faith
           of
           
             
               vse
            
             2
          
           weake
           Christians
           ,
           and
           to
           put
           courage
           into
           them
           that
           are
           fearefull
           and
           cowardly
           in
           our
           Land
           ,
           now
           in
           these
           perillous
           times
           ,
           wherein
           so
           many
           pricking
           Bryars
           ,
           and
           grieving
           Thornes
           are
           suddenly
           growne
           up
           among
           us
           ,
           and
           severall
           bands
           of
           desperate
           sons
           of
           
             Belial
          
           are
           multiplyed
           within
           us
           ,
           and
           round
           about
           us
           on
           every
           side
           .
           Gods
           love
           to
           his
           Church
           ,
           and
           his
           care
           for
           his
           people
           ,
           and
           watchfulnesse
           over
           them
           ,
           doth
           not
           alwayes
           consist
           and
           appeare
           in
           suffering
           no
           hurtfull
           Bryars
           to
           be
           at
           all
           ▪
           (
           or
           if
           such
           happen
           to
           grow
           up
           and
           increase
           )
           in
           ridding
           the
           land
           of
           them
           speedily
           :
           for
           this
           is
           the
           way
           to
           make
           us
           grow
           secure
           ,
           and
           cold
           in
           prayer
           and
           seeking
           to
           him
           :
           sinne
           not
           corrected
           will
           increase
           ,
           and
           faith
           not
           tryed
           nor
           exercised
           ,
           wil
           grow
           rusty
           ,
           and
           there
           will
           be
           no
           manifestation
           of
           them
           that
           are
           approved
           .
           But
           herein
           especially
           is
           Gods
           love
           and
           care
           for
           his
           people
           manifested
           ,
           when
           hee
           suffers
           Bryars
           and
           Thornes
           to
           grow
           up
           and
           multiply
           in
           the
           land
           till
           they
           grow
           terrible
           ,
           and
           dangerous
           ,
           and
           yet
           preserves
           his
           Church
           as
           a
           Lilly
           among
           thornes
           ,
           safe
           and
           untouched
           ,
           and
           his
           people
           from
           all
           sense
           and
           feeling
           of
           any
           hurt
           from
           them
           ;
           or
           if
           the
           sharpe
           hooked
           pricks
           catch
           hold
           of
           them
           ,
           they
           cannot
           enter
           so
           far
           ,
           nor
           strike
           so
           deep
           as
           to
           wound
           them
           mortally
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           them
           feele
           the
           smart
           of
           a
           wrathfull
           and
           revenging
           stroak
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           girded
           with
           the
           whole
           Armour
           of
           God
           :
           or
           if
           they
           wound
           them
           mortally
           in
           their
           bodies
           ,
           and
           in
           their
           fraile
           flesh
           ;
           yet
           in
           their
           soule
           and
           spirit
           they
           feele
           no
           hurt
           at
           all
           :
           they
           are
           so
           firmly
           built
           on
           Christ
           the
           Rock
           ,
           and
           sustained
           by
           his
           righteousnesse
           ,
           and
           by
           his
           spirit
           ,
           that
           they
           cannot
           waver
           ,
           nor
           be
           moved
           from
           their
           stedfastnesse
           .
           Hereby
           God
           doth
           manifest
           himselfe
           to
           be
           our
           refuge
           and
           strength
           ,
           and
           a
           present
           helpe
           against
           all
           troubles
           ,
           never
           failing
           ,
           no●
           neglecting
           us
           in
           time
           of
           need
           ,
           and
           firme
           friend
           in
           all
           adversities
           .
           Wherefore
           let
           no
           mans
           heart
           faile
           because
           of
           the
           Bands
           of
           the
           wicked
           ,
           Papists
           ,
           or
           prophane
           Atheists
           ,
           gathered
           together
           to
           make
           open
           war
           against
           us
           ,
           or
           malignants
           working
           under
           hand
           ,
           or
           hereticks
           and
           Schismaticks
           ,
           making
           rents
           and
           divisions
           which
           tend
           to
           weaken
           us
           ,
           and
           to
           expose
           us
           to
           the
           rage
           and
           fury
           of
           Antichrist
           ,
           
           and
           his
           Bands
           .
           But
           let
           us
           all
           put
           on
           courage
           and
           strength
           in
           these
           perillous
           times
           ,
           and
           the
           more
           that
           evills
           and
           dangers
           encrease
           ,
           the
           more
           stout
           &
           resolute
           let
           every
           man
           be
           to
           resist
           them
           in
           his
           place
           and
           ranke
           ,
           and
           according
           to
           his
           ability
           .
           
             Feare
             not
             them
             that
             can
             kill
             the
             body
             ,
             and
             can
             doe
             no
             more
             ,
             but
             feare
             him
             rather
             ,
             who
             can
             destroy
             both
             soule
             and
             body
             in
             hell
             ,
             Matth.
          
           10.28
           .
           Cowards
           and
           fearefull
           persons
           have
           no
           place
           in
           the
           new
           
             Ierusalem
             ,
             but
             are
             shut
             out
             with
             unbeleevers
             ,
             and
             the
             abominable
             ,
             and
             murderers
             ,
             and
             whore-mongers
             ,
             and
             sorcerers
             ,
             and
             idolaters
             ,
             and
             lyers
             ,
             which
             have
             their
             portion
             in
             the
             Lake
             which
             burneth
             with
             fire
             and
             brimstone
             for
             evermore
             .
             Rev.
          
           21.8
           .
        
         
           The
           fourth
           and
           last
           poynt
           in
           my
           Text
           ,
           is
           the
           destruction
           of
           the
           enemies
           and
           persecutors
           of
           Gods
           Church
           and
           people
           ,
           in
           these
           words
           ,
           
             He
             will
             take
             them
             away
             with
             a
             whirle-winde
             ,
             as
             well
             the
             green
             as
             the
             dry
             .
          
           The
           Doctrine
           which
           hence
           ariseth
           is
           :
        
         
           
             That
             when
             God
             Church
             is
             most
             dangerously
             beset
             ,
             and
             most
             fiercely
             
               
                 doctrine
              
               4
            
             assayled
             by
             the
             bands
             of
             enemies
             and
             persecutors
             of
             all
             sorts
             ,
             the
             Lord
             will
             terribly
             ,
             suddenly
             ,
             and
             totally
             scatter
             and
             destroy
             them
             all
             ,
             and
             none
             shall
             escape
             .
          
        
         
           First
           ,
           he
           will
           terribly
           scatter
           and
           destroy
           them
           ,
           
             as
             with
             a
             tempestuous
             whirle-winde
             ,
          
           which
           commeth
           with
           great
           violence
           and
           terrour
           ,
           as
           we
           all
           know
           by
           experience
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           he
           will
           destroy
           them
           
             suddenly
          
           :
           for
           nothing
           riseth
           up
           ,
           nor
           rusheth
           in
           more
           suddenly
           than
           a
           whirle-winde
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           he
           will
           destroy
           them
           
             totally
             ,
             all
             ,
             and
             every
             one
             ,
             aswell
             the
             green
             as
             the
             dry
             .
          
           As
           all
           have
           a
           share
           in
           the
           persecution
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           and
           in
           opposing
           true
           godlinesse
           ,
           so
           all
           shall
           perish
           in
           the
           same
           destruction
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           that
           the
           destruction
           of
           the
           wicked
           ,
           who
           band
           themselves
           together
           against
           Gods
           Church
           and
           people
           ,
           shall
           be
           dreadfull
           and
           terrible
           ,
           the
           Scriptures
           aboundantly
           testifie
           :
           For
           the
           day
           of
           Gods
           vengeance
           on
           them
           is
           sayd
           to
           be
           a
           wofull
           day
           ,
           
             Ier.
          
           17
           ,
           16.
           
           
             A
             day
             of
             wrath
             ,
             a
             day
             of
             trouble
             and
             distresse
             ,
             a
             day
             of
             wastnesse
             and
             desolation
             ,
             a
             day
             of
             thick
             darknesse
             ,
             clouds
             ,
             and
             gloominesse
             ,
             Nah.
          
           1.15
           .
           All
           which
           are
           dreadfull
           and
           terrible
           .
           The
           Prophet
           
             Isaiah
          
           ca●ls
           it
           devouring
           by
           that
           fire
           wherewith
           God
           devowreth
           his
           enemies
           :
           
             the
             fire
             of
             thine
             enemies
             ,
             ô
             Lord
             ,
          
           
           
             shall
             devoure
             them
             .
          
           The
           Lord
           is
           said
           to
           whet
           his
           sword
           ,
           and
           bend
           his
           bow
           ,
           and
           prepare
           the
           instruments
           of
           death
           ,
           and
           ordain
           his
           Arrowes
           against
           the
           persecutors
           ,
           
             Psal.
          
           7.12
           .
           
             Hee
             will
             make
             his
             
             arrowes
             drunke
             with
             their
             bloud
             ,
             and
             his
             sword
             shall
             devoure
             their
             flesh
             ,
             and
             he
             will
             render
             vengeance
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             give
             them
             the
             reward
             of
             his
             enemies
             ,
             Deut.
          
           32.41
           .
           And
           in
           a
           word
           ,
           
             the
             soule
             of
             the
             Lord
             so
             hateth
             these
             wicked
             men
             which
             love
             violence
             ,
             that
             he
             will
             rain
             upon
             them
             snares
             ,
             fire
             ,
             brimstone
             ,
             and
             an
             horrible
             tempest
             :
             this
             shall
             be
             the
             portion
             of
             their
             cup
             ,
             Psal.
          
           11.6
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           that
           their
           destruction
           shall
           come
           suddenly
           ,
           the
           Lord
           himselfe
           testifieth
           ,
           
             Deut.
          
           32.35
           .
           saying
           ,
           
             To
             mee
             belongeth
             vengeance
             and
             recompence
             ,
             their
             foote
             shall
             slide
             in
             due
             tyme
          
           (
           that
           is
           ,
           there
           fall
           shall
           be
           sudden
           ,
           as
           the
           fall
           of
           a
           man
           when
           his
           foote
           slideth
           ,
           and
           downe
           he
           comes
           at
           once
           )
           
             the
             day
             of
             their
             calamitie
             is
             at
             hand
             ,
             and
             the
             things
             which
             come
             upon
             them
             make
             haste
             .
          
           And
           
             Psal.
          
           64.7
           .
           It
           is
           said
           of
           them
           that
           bend
           their
           bowe
           to
           shoote
           at
           the
           perfect
           ,
           
             that
             the
             Lord
             shall
             shoote
             at
             them
             with
             his
             swift
             arrow
             suddenly
             ,
             suddenly
             shall
             their
             stroke
             be
          
           :
           And
           the
           wise
           preacher
           resembles
           the
           fall
           of
           the
           wicked
           in
           the
           evil
           day
           ,
           
           to
           fishes
           taken
           in
           an
           evill
           net
           ,
           and
           to
           birds
           that
           are
           taken
           in
           a
           snare
           before
           they
           know
           and
           be
           a
           ware
           ,
           and
           their
           snare
           and
           destruction
           falleth
           suddenly
           upon
           them
           .
           The
           Prophet
           Isaiah
           saieth
           ,
           that
           
             the
             multitude
             of
             the
             terrible
             ones
             ,
             shall
             bee
             as
             chaffe
             which
             passeth
             away
             ;
             and
             it
          
           (
           that
           is
           their
           scattering
           )
           
             shall
             be
             at
             an
             instant
             suddenly
             .
          
           And
           because
           they
           hate
           preaching
           of
           the
           truth
           ,
           and
           desire
           that
           God
           may
           cease
           from
           them
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           may
           no
           more
           heare
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           trust
           in
           oppression
           and
           perversenesse
           ,
           
             Therefore
             their
             fall
             and
             breach
             shall
             be
             suddenly
             as
             the
             swelling
             in
             an
             high
             wall
             ,
             the
             breaking
             whereof
             commeth
             suddenly
             at
             an
             instant
             Isa.
          
           30.13
           .
           And
           for
           an
           instance
           he
           brings
           in
           Babilon
           the
           type
           of
           Rome
           .
           And
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           and
           Faction
           of
           Antichrist
           ,
           and
           the
           pattern
           of
           the
           whole
           body
           of
           the
           enimies
           of
           Gods
           people
           ,
           and
           persecutors
           of
           his
           Church
           Isa.
           47.1
           .
           Whose
           destruction
           cometh
           on
           her
           suddenly
           ,
           and
           she
           shall
           not
           know
           from
           whence
           it
           riseth
           ,
           and
           desolation
           shall
           come
           on
           her
           suddenly
           when
           she
           shall
           not
           know
           ,
           nor
           be
           aware
           .
           And
           in
           this
           respect
           ,
           the
           Lord
           comming
           to
           take
           vengeance
           on
           the
           Romish
           Beast
           ,
           and
           on
           all
           his
           agents
           ,
           saith
           ,
           
             Behold
             ,
             I
             come
             as
             a
             Thiefe
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           suddenly
           and
           unexpected
           ,
           
             Rev.
          
           16.15
           .
           And
           when
           the
           wicked
           say
           ,
           
             Peace
             ,
             and
             safety
             ,
             then
             shall
             destruction
             come
             upon
             them
             suddenly
             as
             travaile
             upon
             a
             woman
             with
             child
             ,
             and
             they
             shall
             not
             escape
             ,
          
           1
           
             Thes.
          
           5.3
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           that
           their
           scattering
           and
           destruction
           shall
           be
           totall
           of
           all
           ,
           and
           every
           one
           of
           all
           sorts
           the
           Psalmist
           testifieth
           ,
           
             Ps.
          
           62.3
           .
           
           
             How
             long
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             will
             yee
             imagine
             ,
             or
             devise
             mischiefe
             ?
             ye
             shall
             be
             slain
             all
             of
             you
             ,
             as
             a
             bowing
             wall
             shall
             yee
             be
             ,
             and
             as
             a
             tottering
             fence
             .
          
           And
           
             Ier.
          
           11.12
           .
           and
           18.21
           .
           and
           divers
           other
           places
           .
           An
           utter
           destruction
           is
           denounced
           against
           all
           of
           all
           sorts
           ,
           who
           are
           banded
           together
           against
           God
           and
           his
           people
           ,
           men
           and
           women
           ,
           yong
           and
           old
           .
           Priests
           and
           Prophets
           .
           And
           it
           is
           the
           Lords
           commandement
           ,
           
             Deut.
          
           13.15
           .
           That
           the
           whole
           City
           following
           the
           Counsell
           of
           the
           wicked
           ,
           and
           taking
           part
           with
           them
           to
           set
           up
           Idolatry
           shall
           be
           destroyed
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           inhabitants
           slaine
           by
           the
           sword
           .
           The
           whole
           family
           of
           
             Achan
             ,
          
           the
           troubler
           of
           
             Israel
          
           was
           destroyed
           ,
           
             Ios
          
           7
           24.
           
           
             Corah
             ,
          
           and
           all
           that
           conspired
           with
           him
           ,
           of
           all
           ages
           and
           Sexes
           were
           at
           once
           swallowed
           up
           ,
           
             Num
          
           16.
           
           And
           of
           all
           
             Ahabs
          
           fam●ly
           ,
           and
           persecuting
           house
           ,
           there
           was
           not
           a
           man
           left
           to
           make
           water
           against
           the
           wall
           .
           Nor
           one
           man
           of
           all
           
             Baals
          
           Priests
           escaped
           ,
           but
           were
           cut
           off
           .
           And
           of
           all
           the
           wicked
           Faction
           which
           conspired
           against
           
             Ieremiah
             ,
          
           the
           
             Lord
          
           saith
           ,
           
             Cast
             them
             out
             of
             my
             sight
             ,
             let
             them
             goe
             forth
             ,
             such
             as
             are
             for
             death
             ,
             to
             death
             ,
             and
             such
             as
             are
             for
             the
             sword
             to
             the
             sword
             ,
             and
             such
             as
             are
             for
             the
             Famine
             to
             the
             famine
             .
             And
             though
          
           Moses
           
             and
          
           Samuel
           
             stood
             before
             mee
             ,
          
           saith
           God
           ,
           
             my
             minde
             could
             not
             be
             towards
             them
             ,
             Ier.
          
           15.1
           ,
           2.
           
           Besides
           these
           testimonies
           ,
           we
           have
           also
           good
           reasons
           to
           confirme
           this
           truth
           ,
           all
           grounded
           on
           the
           word
           of
           God
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           it
           is
           the
           way
           &
           course
           of
           Gods
           proceeding
           ,
           so
           to
           deal
           with
           men
           as
           they
           deale
           with
           others
           ,
           to
           pay
           them
           home
           in
           their
           kind
           ,
           and
           punish
           like
           with
           like
           :
           
             Adoni
             bezek
          
           felt
           this
           ,
           and
           had
           full
           experience
           of
           it
           :
           for
           as
           he
           had
           cut
           off
           the
           Thumbs
           ,
           and
           great
           Toes
           of
           seventy
           Kings
           ;
           so
           his
           Thumbs
           and
           great
           Toes
           were
           cut
           off
           ,
           and
           then
           he
           ,
           though
           an
           heathen
           King
           ,
           confessed
           and
           said
           ,
           
           
             As
             I
             have
             done
             ,
             so
             God
             hath
             requited
             me
             .
          
           The
           Law
           which
           God
           gave
           to
           
             Noah
          
           and
           his
           sons
           ,
           that
           
             whosoever
             sheds
             mans
             bloud
             ,
             by
             man
             shall
             his
             bloud
             be
             shed
             ,
          
           is
           also
           a
           proofe
           of
           this
           assertion
           ;
           besides
           many
           examples
           in
           Scripture
           .
           Now
           the
           enemies
           and
           persecutors
           of
           Gods
           people
           ,
           they
           are
           called
           the
           terrible
           ones
           ,
           
             Iob
          
           27.13
           .
           &
           
             Isa.
          
           29.20
           ,
           because
           they
           exercise
           cruelty
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           bee
           a
           greater
           terrrour
           to
           the
           meek
           Saints
           :
           they
           count
           it
           their
           glory
           to
           be
           terrible
           ,
           and
           band
           themselves
           together
           for
           that
           purpose
           :
           And
           therefore
           just
           it
           is
           for
           God
           ,
           and
           his
           justice
           requires
           it
           ,
           that
           he
           shall
           lop
           them
           off
           with
           terrour
           ,
           and
           consume
           them
           all
           together
           ,
           branch
           ,
           rush
           ,
           and
           root
           most
           terribly
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           when
           the
           wicked
           set
           themselves
           against
           God
           ,
           and
           
           are
           at
           open
           defiance
           with
           his
           Majesty
           ,
           his
           honour
           is
           enraged
           ,
           and
           his
           great
           name
           will
           be
           blasphemed
           ,
           if
           hee
           doth
           not
           speedily
           take
           terrible
           revenge
           :
           yea
           ,
           his
           jealousie
           will
           break
           out
           like
           a
           fire
           ,
           and
           his
           anger
           will
           smoak
           against
           them
           ,
           and
           move
           him
           to
           destroy
           them
           ,
           as
           we
           see
           by
           his
           owne
           words
           concerning
           
             Pharaoh
             ,
             Exod
          
           14.17
           .
           and
           
             Senacharib
             ,
             Isa.
          
           37.29
           .
           Now
           when
           the
           bands
           of
           the
           wicked
           set
           themselves
           against
           Gods
           people
           ,
           they
           set
           themselves
           against
           God
           ,
           and
           touch
           the
           apple
           of
           his
           eye
           ,
           where
           he
           is
           most
           tender
           ,
           and
           cannot
           abide
           to
           be
           touched
           ,
           
             Zac.
          
           2.8
           .
           And
           if
           he
           should
           suffer
           them
           any
           longer
           ,
           and
           not
           scatter
           them
           when
           they
           are
           swollen
           with
           malice
           ,
           pride
           ,
           power
           ,
           and
           like
           raging
           waves
           ,
           and
           proud
           waters
           ,
           are
           ready
           to
           over-flow
           and
           drowne
           his
           people
           ,
           what
           would
           become
           of
           his
           servants
           ?
           how
           would
           the
           enemy
           rage
           more
           against
           his
           holy
           Majesty
           ?
           and
           what
           would
           they
           doe
           to
           his
           great
           name
           ;
           but
           blaspheme
           it
           ,
           and
           say
           ,
           
             Where
             is
             their
             God
          
           ?
           or
           what
           is
           hee
           that
           wee
           should
           stand
           in
           awe
           of
           him
           ,
           Therefore
           the
           Lord
           for
           his
           names
           sake
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           for
           his
           tender
           compassion
           to
           his
           people
           ,
           will
           suddenly
           and
           totally
           scatter
           them
           ,
           and
           destroy
           them
           with
           terrible
           destruction
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           terrible
           wrath
           and
           vengeance
           are
           laid
           up
           in
           store
           with
           God
           for
           the
           wicked
           ,
           who
           provoke
           God
           every
           day
           ,
           and
           multiply
           their
           provocations
           without
           repentance
           :
           and
           they
           ,
           after
           
             their
             hardnesse
             ,
             and
             heart
             that
             cannot
             repent
             ,
             heap
             to
             themselves
             wrath
             against
             the
             day
             of
             wrath
             and
             visitation
             ,
             Rom.
          
           2.
           
           And
           such
           are
           all
           the
           enemies
           &
           persecutors
           banded
           against
           Gods
           Church
           and
           people
           :
           they
           are
           all
           impenitent
           persons
           ,
           they
           doe
           not
           persecute
           ignorantly
           ,
           as
           
             Paul
          
           did
           ,
           out
           of
           blind
           zeale
           for
           God
           and
           his
           Law
           .
           But
           of
           purpose
           ,
           and
           with
           counsell
           ,
           being
           banded
           with
           desperate
           enemies
           ,
           and
           men
           of
           
             Belial
             ,
          
           and
           of
           the
           same
           faction
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           no
           hope
           of
           mercy
           to
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           repent
           as
           
             Paul
             did
             .
          
           Therefore
           all
           of
           them
           being
           pricks
           and
           thornes
           of
           the
           cursed
           Bramble
           ,
           they
           shall
           perish
           and
           be
           terribly
           destroyed
           ,
           even
           the
           best
           as
           well
           as
           the
           worst
           ,
           as
           well
           the
           green
           as
           the
           dry
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           it
           is
           Gods
           wisedome
           ,
           will
           ,
           and
           delight
           ,
           so
           to
           doe
           his
           great
           works
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           shew
           his
           justice
           and
           power
           in
           them
           ,
           and
           may
           have
           the
           glory
           to
           himselfe
           .
           This
           he
           testifieth
           aboundantly
           ,
           
             Iud.
          
           7.
           and
           in
           divers
           other
           places
           .
           Now
           when
           he
           scattereth
           the
           enemies
           ,
           and
           persecutors
           suddenly
           ,
           terribly
           ,
           and
           totally
           ,
           in
           the
           height
           of
           their
           pride
           and
           power
           ,
           it
           appeares
           to
           all
           to
           be
           his
           worke
           ,
           and
           the
           honour
           and
           glory
           redounds
           wholy
           
           to
           his
           Majesty
           .
           Therefore
           it
           is
           the
           Lords
           wisedome
           and
           delight
           so
           to
           scatter
           and
           destroy
           them
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           this
           Doctrine
           is
           a
           singular
           antidote
           and
           preservative
           against
           the
           poyson
           of
           envy
           ,
           impatience
           ,
           fretting
           ,
           and
           grudging
           
             
               vse
            
             1
          
           at
           the
           power
           ,
           prosperity
           ,
           and
           prevailing
           of
           the
           wicked
           against
           Gods
           people
           ,
           even
           to
           persecute
           ,
           vex
           ,
           and
           afflict
           them
           .
           The
           Prophet
           
             Ieremies
          
           spirit
           was
           so
           stirred
           up
           in
           him
           at
           the
           sight
           hereof
           ,
           that
           he
           expostulated
           with
           God
           ,
           but
           yet
           in
           an
           humble
           and
           submissive
           way
           ,
           
             Ier.
          
           12.1
           ,
           2.
           
           
             Righteous
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             art
             thou
             ,
             O
             Lord
             ,
             when
             I
             plead
             with
             thee
             :
             yet
             let
             me
             talk
             with
             thee
             of
             thy
             judgements
             :
             Wherefore
             doth
             the
             wicked
             prosper
             ?
             and
             why
             are
             they
             blessed
             that
             deale
             treacherously
             :
             Thou
             hast
             planted
             them
             ,
             they
             have
             taken
             root
             ,
             they
             grow
             and
             bring
             forth
             fruit
             :
             thou
             art
             neare
             in
             their
             mouth
             ,
             but
             farre
             from
             their
             reines
             .
          
           
           The
           Prophet
           
             Habakkuk
          
           useth
           greater
           boldnesse
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
             O
             Lord
             how
             long
             shall
             I
             cry
             unto
             thee
             ,
             and
             thou
             dost
             not
             heare
             ?
             even
             cry
             out
             of
             violence
             ,
             and
             thou
             dost
             not
             save
             ?
             Why
             dost
             thou
             shew
             me
             iniquity
             ,
             and
             cause
             me
             to
             behold
             grievance
             ?
             for
             spoyling
             and
             violence
             are
             before
             me
             ,
             and
             there
             are
             that
             raise
             up
             strife
             and
             contention
             .
             Therefore
             is
             the
             Law
             slacked
             ,
             and
             judgement
             doth
             never
             goe
             forth
             ,
             for
             the
             wicked
             doth
             encompasse
             about
             the
             righteous
             .
          
           But
           the
           hypocrites
           ,
           and
           carnall
           professors
           used
           more
           stout
           words
           against
           the
           Lord
           ,
           
             Mal.
          
           3.14
           .
           and
           said
           ,
           
             It
             is
             vaine
             to
             serve
             God
             :
             and
             what
             profit
             is
             it
             that
             we
             have
             kept
             his
             Ordinance
             ,
             and
             walked
             mournfully
             before
             the
             Lord
             of
             Hosts
             .
             And
             now
             we
             call
             the
             proud
             happy
             ;
             yea
             they
             that
             worke
             wickednesse
             are
             exalted
             :
             and
             even
             they
             that
             tempt
             God
             are
             delivered
             .
          
           And
           this
           holy
           Psalmist
           
             David
          
           was
           overtaken
           in
           this
           kinde
           ,
           as
           himself
           acknowledgeth
           ,
           
             Psal
          
           73.2
           3
           ,
           
             &c.
             
             But
             as
             for
             me
             ,
             my
             feet
             were
             almost
             gone
             ,
             my
             steps
             had
             welnigh
             slipt
             :
             for
             I
             was
             envious
             at
             the
             foolish
             ,
             when
             I
             beheld
             the
             prosperity
             of
             the
             wicked
             :
             for
             their
             strength
             is
             firme
             ,
             they
             are
             not
             in
             trouble
             ,
             pride
             compasseth
             them
             as
             a
             chaine
             ,
             violence
             covers
             them
             as
             with
             a
             garment
             ;
             they
             speake
             wickedly
             concerning
             oppression
             ,
             they
             set
             their
             mouth
             against
             heaven
             .
          
           And
           it
           is
           an
           infirmity
           unto
           which
           we
           are
           all
           subject
           .
           But
           this
           Doctrine
           is
           a
           remedy
           to
           cure
           this
           disease
           :
           It
           teacheth
           the
           same
           lesson
           which
           
             David
          
           did
           meet
           with
           in
           the
           house
           of
           God
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           that
           God
           will
           terribly
           ▪
           suddenly
           ,
           
           and
           totally
           destroy
           them
           :
           
             He
             setteth
             them
             in
             slippery
             places
             ,
             and
             casteth
             them
             downe
             into
             destruction
             .
             How
             are
             they
             brought
             into
             desolation
             as
             in
             a
             moment
             ,
             they
             are
             utterly
             consumed
             with
             terrors
             .
          
           
           
             And
             when
             the
             wicked
             spring
             as
             the
             grasse
             ,
             and
             the
             workers
             of
             iniquity
             flourish
             ,
             
             is
             then
             that
             they
             shall
             be
             destroyed
             for
             ever
             .
          
           Wherefore
           let
           us
           beare
           this
           lesson
           in
           minde
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           not
           be
           over-taken
           with
           envy
           and
           fretting
           at
           the
           pride
           and
           power
           of
           ungodly
           persecutors
           for
           a
           little
           while
           ,
           but
           tremble
           rather
           to
           think
           of
           their
           wofull
           end
           .
           And
           if
           we
           have
           slipt
           in
           this
           kinde
           ,
           let
           us
           here
           see
           our
           folly
           ,
           and
           condemne
           our selves
           ,
           as
           
             David
          
           did
           ,
           saying
           ,
           verse
           22.
           
           
             So
             foolish
             and
             ignorant
             was
             I
             ,
             as
             a
             beast
             before
             thee
             .
          
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           this
           Doctrine
           ,
           which
           speaks
           nothing
           but
           terrour
           
             
               vse
            
             2
          
           to
           the
           enemies
           and
           persecutors
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           affords
           matter
           of
           comfort
           to
           the
           faithfull
           in
           times
           most
           feareful
           and
           comfortlesse
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           beset
           with
           feares
           and
           dangers
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           multitude
           ,
           and
           power
           and
           the
           wrath
           of
           the
           enemies
           kindled
           against
           them
           ,
           and
           ready
           to
           swallow
           them
           up
           .
           If
           their
           hearts
           be
           troubled
           ,
           and
           their
           soules
           grieved
           to
           see
           the
           world
           pestered
           ,
           and
           the
           Land
           over-growne
           with
           cursed
           Bryars
           and
           Thornes
           ;
           here
           is
           comfort
           ,
           that
           God
           will
           in
           due
           time
           take
           them
           away
           ,
           and
           rid
           the
           land
           of
           them
           :
           and
           the
           more
           terrible
           they
           are
           to
           the
           godly
           ,
           the
           more
           terrible
           will
           the
           Lord
           be
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           more
           terribly
           will
           he
           destroy
           them
           .
           If
           they
           be
           so
           multiplyed
           and
           increased
           in
           power
           ,
           and
           sharp
           set
           to
           swallow
           all
           up
           at
           once
           ,
           and
           we
           have
           no
           might
           to
           withstand
           their
           fury
           ;
           Let
           this
           comfort
           us
           ,
           that
           God
           is
           more
           ready
           at
           hand
           to
           scatter
           them
           in
           a
           moment
           suddenly
           ,
           and
           will
           doe
           it
           for
           his
           owne
           names
           sake
           :
           he
           will
           bring
           suddain
           destruction
           upon
           them
           ,
           when
           we
           are
           in
           great
           extremity
           ,
           then
           it
           is
           Gods
           opportunity
           ,
           to
           make
           bare
           his
           mighty
           arme
           ,
           and
           to
           cut
           them
           off
           in
           a
           moment
           .
           If
           we
           feare
           ,
           that
           after
           the
           old
           Lyons
           are
           destroyed
           ,
           the
           young
           will
           grow
           up
           :
           and
           when
           the
           hardned
           pricks
           are
           consumed
           ,
           the
           green
           will
           remaine
           to
           continue
           our
           troubles
           ,
           feares
           ,
           and
           dangers
           ,
           let
           us
           pluck
           up
           our
           heart
           ,
           and
           be
           confident
           ,
           
             that
             God
             will
             take
             them
             all
             away
             ,
             both
             the
             green
             and
             dry
             :
          
           none
           shall
           escape
           .
           If
           there
           be
           any
           failing
           ,
           or
           any
           delay
           ,
           the
           fault
           is
           in
           us
           :
           because
           we
           have
           not
           put
           away
           our
           sins
           ,
           we
           binde
           Gods
           hands
           that
           he
           cannot
           strike
           ,
           as
           he
           would
           speedily
           do
           ,
           if
           we
           were
           as
           fit
           to
           receive
           ,
           as
           he
           is
           to
           give
           deliverance
           .
           Wherefore
           for
           a
           conclusion
           ,
           let
           us
           call
           upon
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           sue
           unto
           him
           earnestly
           in
           these
           dayes
           of
           publike
           fasting
           ,
           prayer
           ,
           and
           humiliation
           ,
           for
           the
           assistance
           and
           grace
           of
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           that
           wee
           may
           fast
           from
           sin
           ,
           and
           by
           true
           repentance
           wash
           our
           hearts
           from
           wickednesse
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           be
           saved
           .
           We
           cannot
           more
           earnestly
           desire
           and
           long
           for
           the
           downfall
           and
           destruction
           of
           our
           desperate
           
           and
           deadly
           enemies
           ,
           those
           hurtfull
           and
           dangerous
           Thorns
           and
           Brambles
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           plague
           and
           curse
           that
           lyeth
           heavy
           upon
           our
           land
           ,
           nor
           more
           heartily
           wish
           for
           full
           deliverance
           from
           their
           rage
           and
           fury
           ,
           than
           the
           Lord
           wisheth
           and
           desireth
           ,
           that
           we
           by
           repentance
           ,
           holy
           obedience
           ,
           newnesse
           of
           heart
           ,
           and
           uprightnesse
           of
           spirit
           ,
           were
           ripened
           ,
           and
           fitted
           for
           deliverance
           :
           so
           he
           himselfe
           sheweth
           and
           testifieth
           by
           his
           owne
           words
           ,
           
             Deut.
          
           5.29
           .
           
             O
             that
             there
             were
             such
             an
             heart
             in
             them
             ,
             that
             they
             would
             feare
             me
             ,
             and
             keep
             my
             Commandements
             alwayes
             ,
             that
             it
             might
             be
             well
             with
             them
             ,
             and
             with
             their
             children
             for
             ever
             .
          
           And
           
             Deut.
          
           32.29
           .
           
             O
             that
             they
             were
             wise
             ,
             and
             understood
             this
             ,
             that
             they
             would
             consider
             their
             latter
             end
             .
             How
             should
             one
             chase
             a
             thousand
             ,
             and
             two
             put
             ten
             thousand
             to
             flight
             .
          
           And
           
             Ps.
          
           81.13
           ,
           14.
           
           
             O
             that
             my
             people
             would
             harken
             unto
             me
             ,
             and
             Israel
             would
             walke
             in
             my
             wayes
             .
             I
             should
             soone
             subdue
             their
             enemies
             ,
             and
             turne
             my
             hand
             against
             their
             adversaries
             .
          
           And
           now
           ,
           seeing
           the
           Lord
           is
           so
           ready
           ,
           so
           willing
           ,
           and
           so
           desirous
           to
           save
           us
           :
           Let
           us
           take
           heed
           ,
           lest
           by
           not
           puting
           away
           our
           sins
           ,
           and
           amending
           our
           lives
           ,
           we
           put
           away
           salvation
           from
           us
           ,
           and
           judge
           our selves
           unworthy
           of
           it
           :
           and
           so
           provoke
           the
           Lord
           to
           turne
           away
           his
           face
           ,
           and
           favour
           from
           us
           ,
           and
           leave
           us
           in
           the
           hand
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           will
           of
           them
           ,
           who
           are
           so
           ready
           to
           swallow
           us
           up
           in
           a
           moment
           ,
           and
           whose
           will
           is
           to
           cut
           off
           the
           name
           and
           remembrance
           of
           us
           from
           the
           face
           of
           the
           earth
           .
           From
           which
           heavy
           curse
           and
           judgement
           the
           Lord
           deliver
           us
           ,
           for
           his
           mercies
           sake
           in
           Iesus
           Christ
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A71286e-380
           
             a
             
               63
               years
               ▪
            
          
           
             b
             
               Nehem
               9.27
               .
               and
               Obad.
               21.
               
            
          
           
             
               Ianuar.
               29.
               1638.
               
            
          
        
         
           Notes for div A71286e-820
           
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
          
           
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
          
           
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
          
           
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
          
           
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
          
           
             a
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
          
           
             b
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
          
           
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
          
           
             2
             Sam.
             23.2
             .
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             25.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             64.5
             .
          
           
             
               Jer.
            
             5.30
             .
          
           
             Ier.
             15.17
             .
          
           
             Numb.
             16.
             
          
           
             Deut.
             13.
             
          
           
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
          
           
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
          
           
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
          
           
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
          
           
             Exod.
             15.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             26
             .
             1●
             .
          
           
             Eccles.
             9.12
             
          
           
             Iudg.
             1.7
             .
          
           
             Hab.
             1.2
             ,
             3
             
          
           
             Vers.
             18
             ,
             19
             
          
           
             Psal.
             2.7
             .