Meroz cursed, or, A sermon preached to the honourable House of Commons, at their late solemn fast, Febr. 23, 1641 by Stephen Marshall ...
         Marshall, Stephen, 1594?-1655.
      
       
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             Meroz cursed, or, A sermon preached to the honourable House of Commons, at their late solemn fast, Febr. 23, 1641 by Stephen Marshall ...
             Marshall, Stephen, 1594?-1655.
          
           [4], 54 [1] p.
           
             Printed by R. Badger for Samuel Gellibrand ...,
             London :
             1641.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Thomason Collection, British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Fast-day sermons.
           Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 1625-1649.
        
      
    
       A52043  R19516  (Wing M762).  civilwar no Meroz cursed, or, A sermon preached to the honourable House of Commons, at their late solemn fast, Febr. 23. 1641 By Stephen Marshall, B.D. Marshall, Stephen 1642    19600 50 15 0 0 0 0 33 C  The  rate of 33 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           MEROZ
           Cursed
           ,
           OR
           ,
           A
           SERMON
           PREACHED
           To
           the
           Honourable
           House
           OF
           COMMONS
           ,
           At
           their
           late
           Solemn
           FAST
           ,
           
             Febr.
          
           23.
           1641
           
           By
           STEPHEN
           MARSHALL
           ,
           B.
           D.
           Minister
           of
           
             Finchingfitld
          
           in
           
             Essex
             .
          
           Published
           by
           order
           of
           that
           House
           .
        
         
           PSALM
           .
           122.
           
           Vers.
           6
           ,
           &
           9.
           
        
         
           
             Pray
             for
             the
             peace
             of
             Ierusalem
             :
             they
             shall
             prosper
             that
             love
             thee
             .
          
           
             Because
             of
             the
             House
             of
             the
             Lord
             our
             God
             ,
             I
             will
             seek
             thy
             good
             .
          
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           by
           R.
           BADGER
           ,
           for
           
             Samuel
             Gellibrand
             ,
          
           at
           the
           
             Brasen
             Serpent
          
           in
           St.
           
             Pauls
          
           Church
           yard
           .
           1641.
           
        
      
       
       
       
         
           TO
           THE
           Honourable
           HOUSE
           of
           COMMONS
           .
           Now
           ASSEMBLED
           in
           PARLIAMENT
           .
        
         
           IT
           is
           fit
           my
           obedience
           should
           last
           as
           long
           as
           your
           commands
           ,
           for
           so
           I
           have
           alwayes
           interpreted
           your
           Requests
           and
           desires
           to
           be
           .
           As
           I
           never
           had
           the
           confidence
           to
           present
           you
           with
           any
           thing
           properly
           mine
           ,
           so
           neither
           will
           I
           bee
           guilty
           of
           that
           Injustice
           ,
           as
           to
           deny
           you
           any
           thing
           so
           truly
           your
           own
           ,
           as
           is
           this
           fruit
           of
           my
           poore
           yet
           willing
           endeavours
           .
           It
           is
           yours
           
             truly
             ,
          
           but
           most
           principally
           
           the
           Churches
           ,
           whose
           both
           you
           ,
           and
           I
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           you
           can
           doe
           ,
           or
           I
           speak
           ,
           are
           .
           If
           it
           may
           be
           serviceable
           to
           you
           ,
           and
           you
           by
           it
           made
           more
           serviceable
           to
           the
           Church
           and
           cause
           of
           God
           ,
           I
           have
           my
           option
           .
           But
           I
           am
           resolved
           not
           to
           make
           that
           use
           of
           my
           experience
           of
           your
           patience
           in
           hearing
           the
           Sermon
           ,
           as
           to
           try
           it
           further
           with
           the
           length
           of
           a
           Dedication
           :
           Only
           I
           thinke
           it
           my
           dutie
           to
           second
           my
           proposition
           with
           my
           prayers
           ,
           That
           God
           would
           vouchsafe
           a
           blessing
           to
           your
           endeavours
           for
           his
           Church
           ,
           and
           to
           you
           for
           your
           endeavours
           .
           These
           shall
           be
           the
           constant
           and
           earnest
           desires
           of
        
         
           
             Your
             Servant
             
               Stephen
               Marshall
               .
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           A
           SERMON
           PREACHED
           At
           the
           late
           FAST
           BEFORE
           The
           COMMONS
           HOUSE
           OF
           PARLIAMENT
           .
        
         
           
             IUDGES
             V.
             XXIII
             .
          
           
             Curse
             ye
             Meroz
             (
             said
             the
             Angell
             of
             the
             Lord
             )
             curse
             ye
             bitterly
             the
             inhabitants
             thereof
             ,
             because
             they
             came
             not
             to
             the
             helpe
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             to
             the
             help
             of
             the
             Lord
             against
             the
             mighty
             .
          
        
         
           RIght
           Honourable
           and
           beloved
           ,
           
           it
           hath
           been
           a
           custome
           almost
           amongst
           all
           Nations
           ,
           after
           any
           notable
           Victory
           ,
           to
           have
           their
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           their
           Triumphant
           Songs
           ,
           wherein
           the
           illustrious
           acts
           of
           their
           owne
           worthy
           Leaders
           ,
           and
           the
           
           shame
           and
           confusion
           of
           their
           enemies
           were
           celebrated
           ,
           preserved
           and
           so
           delivered
           over
           to
           posterity
           .
           The
           
             Romans
          
           had
           their
           
             Salii
          
           Priests
           ,
           who
           after
           any
           victory
           went
           dancing
           through
           the
           City
           ,
           singing
           their
           
             Hymes
             ,
          
           and
           
             Paeans
          
           to
           
             Mars
             ,
          
           and
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           favourable
           Gods
           .
           And
           the
           
             Grecians
             ,
          
           sometimes
           in
           
             Verses
             ,
          
           sometimes
           by
           
             Sculpture
             ,
          
           used
           to
           set
           forth
           their
           famous
           Battels
           and
           Victories
           ,
           yet
           alwayes
           attributing
           the
           highest
           glory
           of
           all
           to
           their
           Gods
           ,
           who●
           they
           supposed
           to
           bee
           
             present
          
           with
           them
           ,
           
             Protectors
          
           over
           them
           ,
           and
           
             fighters
          
           for
           them
           .
           This
           course
           ,
           I
           thinke
           ,
           the
           Devill
           learned
           from
           the
           Lord
           
             Jehovah's
          
           dealing
           with
           his
           owne
           people
           ,
           who
           alwayes
           directeth
           them
           thus
           to
           celebrate
           his
           noble
           acts
           ,
           and
           their
           great
           deliverances
           .
           Thus
           
             Moses
          
           and
           
             Aaron
          
           sang
           unto
           the
           Lord
           ,
           when
           he
           
             triumphed
             gloriously
             over
             Pharaoh
             and
             all
             his
             Host
             ,
          
           
           
             making
             them
             sinke
             like
             a
             stone
             to
             the
             bottome
             of
             the
             Red
             Sea
             .
          
           Thus
           the
           women
           in
           their
           song
           and
           dance
           celebrated
           their
           victory
           over
           the
           
             Philistims
             .
          
           
           And
           this
           whole
           Chapter
           is
           nothing
           but
           a
           
             Triumphant
             song
             ,
          
           setting
           forth
           in
           an
           elegant
           and
           lofty
           verse
           ,
           the
           great
           Victory
           which
           
             Barak
          
           and
           
             Deborah
          
           and
           a
           small
           army
           with
           them
           had
           gotten
           ,
           (
           the
           Lord
           marching
           before
           them
           )
           against
           King
           
             Jabin
          
           and
           his
           Generall
           
             Sisera
             ,
          
           
           
             who
             for
             twenty
             yeares
             had
             mightily
             oppressed
             the
             children
             of
             Israel
             .
          
        
         
           In
           which
           song
           ,
           First
           ,
           all
           
             prayse
          
           and
           
             glory
          
           is
           given
           to
           
             Jehovah
          
           the
           Lord
           of
           hoasts
           the
           Prince
           who
           lead
           them
           ,
           by
           whose
           strength
           alone
           the
           victory
           was
           obtained
           .
           
             Prayse
             yee
             the
             Lord
             for
             the
             avenging
             of
             Israel
             .
             I
             will
             sing
             unto
             the
             Lord
             .
             Lord
             when
             thou
             wentest
             out
             of
             Seir
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           Then
           the
           Song
           descends
           
           to
           the
           
             due
             praises
          
           of
           their
           generall
           
             Barak
             ,
          
           and
           his
           assistant
           
             Deborah
             ,
          
           yea
           the
           severall
           
             Regiments
          
           and
           Companies
           both
           of
           Horse
           and
           Foot
           doe
           receive
           the
           praise
           and
           reward
           of
           their
           courage
           and
           valour
           .
           And
           not
           only
           so
           ,
           but
           the
           Song
           proceeds
           to
           
             Stigmatize
          
           and
           brand
           with
           reproach
           ,
           and
           marke
           out
           for
           punishment
           all
           such
           companies
           ,
           as
           had
           played
           either
           the
           Traitours
           or
           the
           Cowards
           ,
           or
           were
           otherwise
           wanting
           to
           their
           duty
           in
           this
           great
           expedition
           .
           
             Reuben
          
           had
           other
           Sheepe
           to
           turne
           .
           
             hee
             tarried
             amongst
             his
             Sheepfolds
             to
             heare
             the
             bleating
             of
             his
             flocke
             .
          
           
           
             Gilead
          
           durst
           not
           crosse
           the
           Water
           :
           
             Dan
          
           cowardly
           withdrew
           into
           his
           Ships
           :
           
             Ashur
          
           durst
           not
           come
           from
           his
           owne
           coasts
           .
           God
           takes
           notice
           and
           remembers
           them
           all
           ,
           and
           lets
           them
           know
           he
           had
           great
           thoughts
           of
           heart
           about
           it
           ,
           and
           in
           time
           would
           reckon
           with
           them
           for
           it
           .
        
         
           But
           above
           all
           his
           wrath
           was
           most
           incensed
           against
           
             Meroz
             ,
          
           
           a
           people
           of
           whom
           wee
           finde
           no
           mention
           in
           the
           whole
           Booke
           of
           God
           ,
           nor
           I
           thinke
           in
           any
           other
           Story
           ,
           but
           onely
           in
           this
           place
           ,
           upon
           this
           unhappy
           occasion
           ,
           you
           can
           know
           no
           more
           of
           them
           than
           what
           this
           place
           tels
           you
           :
           and
           these
           few
           reliques
           of
           them
           ,
           remaine
           as
           the
           lake
           of
           
             Sodome
          
           as
           a
           monument
           of
           their
           sin
           ,
           or
           as
           a
           Mast
           of
           a
           Ship
           swallowed
           up
           in
           the
           quicksand
           ,
           to
           warne
           passengers
           to
           take
           heed
           of
           that
           dangerous
           place
           :
           or
           as
           
             Lots
          
           Wife
           turned
           into
           a
           Pillar
           of
           Salt
           ,
           to
           season
           others
           .
           This
           their
           short
           Chronicle
           I
           may
           call
           their
           Grave-stone
           ,
           which
           seemes
           to
           hold
           out
           such
           an
           inscription
           ,
           as
           they
           say
           
             Sennacharibs
          
           Tomb
           had
           ,
           
             Looke
             upon
             me
             ,
             and
             learne
             to
             be
             godly
             .
          
           So
           theirs
           ,
           Looke
           upon
           mee
           ,
           and
           learne
           your
           owne
           duty
           ,
           
           
             Looke
             upon
             me
             ,
             and
             take
             heed
             of
             disserting
             the
             cause
             and
             Church
             of
             God
             ,
             when
             they
             stand
             in
             neede
             of
             you
             .
          
        
         
           A
           Text
           and
           Theme
           exceeding
           
             seasonable
             .
          
           
           Seasonable
           to
           the
           
             times
          
           wherein
           we
           live
           ,
           when
           abundance
           of
           mighty
           enemies
           rise
           up
           against
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           against
           his
           Church
           .
           
             Seasonable
          
           to
           the
           
             temper
          
           of
           most
           people
           who
           generally
           minde
           their
           owne
           things
           ,
           
           and
           not
           the
           things
           of
           Christ
           .
           
             Seasonable
          
           to
           the
           
             occasion
          
           of
           this
           dayes
           meeting
           ,
           which
           is
           purposely
           for
           the
           helpe
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           his
           cause
           ,
           and
           people
           now
           distressed
           in
           
             Ireland
             .
          
           But
           to
           me
           it
           seemes
           most
           of
           all
           
             seasonable
          
           for
           this
           present
           
             honourable
             Assembly
          
           who
           all
           should
           be
           as
           the
           
             Lord
             :
             their
             Horses
             as
             his
             Horses
             ,
             their
             Chariots
             as
             his
             Chariots
             ,
          
           they
           being
           all
           called
           to
           bee
           Leaders
           and
           Captaines
           of
           the
           Lords
           Host.
           
           The
           Lord
           make
           it
           but
           as
           
             profitable
             ,
          
           as
           I
           am
           sure
           it
           is
           
             seasonable
             ,
          
           and
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           we
           shall
           be
           exceeding
           gainers
           by
           it
           .
        
         
           In
           this
           Text
           which
           I
           may
           call
           the
           
             doome
             of
             Meroz
             ,
          
           
           there
           are
           these
           two
           things
           .
        
         
           
             First
             ,
             the
          
           Author
           
             of
             the
             doome
             or
             sentence
             ,
          
           the
           Angell
           of
           the
           Lord
           .
           Curse
           yee
           Meroz
           said
           the
           Angell
           of
           the
           Lord
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           the
           
             Sentence
          
           given
           against
           them
           :
           
             Curse
             ye
             Meroz
             ,
          
           &c.
           
        
         
           Wherein
           likewise
           consider
           these
           two
           things
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           What
           their
           
             fault
          
           was
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           What
           their
           
             punishment
          
           was
           .
        
         
           
             Their
          
           Fault
           
             yee
             have
             in
             these
             words
             ,
          
           They
           came
           not
           out
           to
           the
           helpe
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           to
           the
           helpe
           of
           the
           Lord
           against
           the
           mighty
           .
        
         
           Their
           
             Punishment
          
           was
           a
           
             curse
             ,
          
           and
           a
           
             bitter
          
           one
           :
           
           
             Curse
             ye
             Meroz
             ,
             Curse
             yee
             bitterly
             ,
          
           or
           (
           as
           the
           word
           signifies
           )
           in
           cursing
           ,
           curse
           
             the
             inhabitants
             of
             Meroz
             ,
          
           continue
           to
           curse
           them
           ,
           vehemently
           curse
           them
           ,
           never
           leave
           cursing
           them
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           briefly
           interpret
           the
           words
           ,
           
           and
           so
           proceede
           (
           with
           Gods
           assistance
           )
           to
           some
           profitable
           instructions
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           the
           
             Angell
             of
             the
             Lord
             .
          
           I
           finde
           great
           difference
           among
           Interpreters
           ,
           who
           this
           
             Angell
          
           of
           the
           Lord
           should
           be
           .
           Some
           thinke
           it
           was
           
             Deborah
          
           the
           Prophetesse
           who
           penned
           this
           Song
           .
           Some
           thinke
           
             Barak
          
           the
           Generall
           was
           likewise
           at
           this
           time
           inspired
           by
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           .
           Some
           thinke
           it
           was
           the
           Angell
           that
           led
           them
           ,
           
             Michael
          
           their
           Prince
           who
           went
           out
           with
           them
           .
           Some
           thinke
           the
           Angell
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           signifies
           all
           that
           have
           
             Divine
             inspiration
             ,
          
           but
           all
           agree
           in
           the
           intent
           of
           it
           ,
           namely
           ,
           that
           the
           Author
           is
           alledged
           ,
           that
           all
           might
           know
           that
           this
           curse
           came
           not
           from
           the
           
             private
             Spirit
          
           of
           
             Deborah
             or
             Barak
          
           (
           as
           
             Sauls
          
           once
           did
           ,
           
           when
           he
           cursed
           every
           one
           that
           shall
           taste
           any
           meate
           untill
           the
           evening
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           be
           avenged
           on
           his
           enemies
           )
           but
           was
           pronounced
           by
           the
           direction
           of
           God
           himselfe
           ,
           and
           so
           consequently
           ,
           they
           who
           are
           thus
           cursed
           are
           cursed
           indeed
           ,
           
             The
             Angell
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           that
           is
           
             divine
             Authority
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           
             Meroz
             .
          
           Who
           was
           
             Meroz
             ,
          
           and
           what
           people
           were
           they
           ?
           I
           could
           never
           learne
           whether
           
             Meroz
          
           were
           a
           
             City
          
           or
           a
           
             Province
             ,
          
           few
           or
           many
           ,
           rich
           or
           poore
           ,
           weake
           or
           strong
           ;
           in
           this
           all
           agree
           that
           they
           were
           
             Jewes
             ;
          
           the
           
             Canaanites
          
           should
           not
           have
           been
           cursed
           for
           not
           joyning
           with
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           in
           their
           warres
           .
           All
           likewise
           agree
           ,
           that
           they
           dwelt
           neere
           Mount
           
           
             Tabor
          
           and
           the
           River
           
             Kison
             ,
          
           the
           place
           where
           this
           battle
           was
           fought
           ,
           and
           so
           consequently
           neere
           the
           danger
           :
           and
           in
           all
           probability
           were
           called
           by
           
             Deborah
          
           and
           
             Barak
          
           to
           come
           and
           assist
           them
           .
           Which
           is
           likewise
           judged
           to
           be
           the
           cause
           ,
           why
           they
           had
           a
           heavier
           doome
           than
           any
           other
           .
           God
           cannot
           abide
           to
           have
           such
           ill
           neighbours
           to
           his
           people
           when
           they
           are
           in
           distresse
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           
             Curse
          
           them
           .
           The
           word
           signifies
           ,
           
             Maled●cere
             verbo
             ,
             malefacere
             re
             ,
          
           to
           speake
           evill
           of
           them
           ,
           to
           revile
           them
           ,
           to
           reproach
           them
           and
           wish
           mischiefe
           to
           them
           ,
           to
           doe
           any
           evill
           against
           them
           ,
           to
           execute
           in
           deed
           ,
           what
           they
           would
           wish
           in
           words
           .
           What
           the
           particular
           Curse
           was
           ,
           or
           what
           the
           event
           of
           it
           was
           ,
           no
           man
           can
           determine
           ;
           this
           I
           finde
           ,
           which
           is
           most
           probable
           ,
           It
           was
           ordinarily
           observed
           among
           the
           Iewes
           ,
           that
           whatsoever
           was
           justly
           cursed
           grew
           
             unfruitfull
          
           presently
           .
           If
           a
           
             Woman
          
           were
           cursed
           shee
           proved
           
             barren
             .
          
           If
           the
           
             Earth
          
           were
           cursed
           ,
           it
           brought
           forth
           
             Briars
          
           and
           
             Thornes
             ,
          
           no
           profitable
           Seed
           or
           Plants
           would
           
             grow
          
           there
           .
           If
           
             Trees
          
           were
           cursed
           they
           
             withered
          
           away
           .
           If
           Gods
           curse
           fell
           upon
           
             Houses
          
           or
           
             Cities
             ,
          
           the
           
             Walles
          
           and
           
             Foundations
          
           would
           fall
           downe
           .
           Gods
           curse
           alwayes
           wasted
           that
           which
           it
           fell
           .
           So
           in
           all
           likelyhood
           this
           curse
           is
           the
           cause
           wee
           never
           read
           more
           of
           them
           .
           If
           they
           were
           a
           
             Province
             ,
          
           their
           Land
           proved
           a
           
             desolate
             Wildernesse
             .
          
           If
           a
           
             City
          
           it
           was
           
             destroyed
             ,
          
           or
           grew
           
             unpeopled
             :
          
           this
           bitter
           curse
           like
           the
           
             Water
             of
             Jelousie
          
           made
           an
           end
           of
           them
           .
           
        
         
           4.
           
           They
           came
           not
           to
           the
           helpe
           of
           the
           Lord
           against
           the
           
             Mighty
             ,
          
           Who
           are
           these
           
             Mighty
             ?
          
           
           Without
           all
           question
           by
           the
           mighty
           are
           litterally
           meant
           King
           
             Iabin
             ,
          
           and
           his
           
             Generall
             Sisera
             ,
          
           because
           these
           were
           those
           potent
           enemies
           ,
           against
           whom
           the
           battell
           was
           fought
           .
           But
           in
           Gods
           intent
           (
           this
           being
           a
           propheticall
           Song
           )
           the
           mighty
           are
           all
           ,
           of
           what
           
             ranke
          
           or
           
             quality
          
           soever
           ,
           who
           are
           eminent
           in
           
             wisdome
             ,
             strength
             ,
             authority
          
           or
           
             riches
             ,
          
           and
           mannage
           an
           
             ill
             cause
          
           against
           the
           Lord
           or
           against
           his
           Church
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           they
           came
           not
           out
           to
           the
           helpe
           of
           the
           
             Lord
          
           by
           the
           helpe
           of
           the
           
             Lord
          
           you
           will
           easily
           conclude
           ,
           that
           in
           this
           particular
           ,
           the
           helpe
           of
           
             Deborah
          
           and
           
             Barak
          
           are
           meant
           .
           They
           came
           not
           to
           joyne
           with
           the
           Tribes
           of
           
             Zabulon
          
           and
           
             Nepthaly
             ,
          
           and
           that
           small
           handfull
           of
           
             Israelites
          
           who
           by
           Gods
           direction
           undertooke
           this
           battell
           against
           the
           great
           Captaine
           
             Sisera
             .
          
           Because
           they
           joyned
           not
           their
           strength
           with
           Gods
           people
           ,
           they
           are
           judged
           not
           to
           help
           the
           
             Lord
             .
          
           For
           (
           as
           I
           shall
           shew
           anon
           )
           the
           
             Lord
          
           and
           his
           
             People
          
           are
           so
           
             conjoyned
             ,
          
           that
           their
           friends
           are
           his
           friends
           ,
           and
           their
           enemies
           are
           his
           enemies
           ,
           and
           whosoever
           helpes
           not
           
             them
             ,
          
           are
           interpreted
           to
           
             refuse
          
           to
           
             assist
          
           the
           
             Lord
             himselfe
             .
          
           I
           know
           nothing
           else
           in
           the
           Text
           ,
           that
           hath
           the
           least
           shew
           of
           difficulty
           .
        
         
           Were
           this
           Text
           to
           bee
           handled
           at
           large
           in
           many
           Sermons
           ,
           such
           Observations
           as
           these
           could
           not
           briefly
           be
           passed
           over
           :
           as
           first
           ,
        
         
           That
           although
           Gods
           people
           must
           (
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           )
           
             blesse
             ,
             blesse
          
           I
           say
           ,
           and
           not
           
             curse
             .
          
           Curses
           are
           edged
           tooles
           ,
           dangerous
           to
           be
           medled
           with
           ,
           yet
           there
           may
           fall
           out
           such
           cases
           ,
           that
           Gods
           blessed
           servants
           must
           come
           downe
           from
           Mount
           
             Gerizim
             ,
          
           the
           
           Mount
           of
           
             blessing
             ;
          
           and
           go
           up
           on
           Mount
           
             Ebal
             ,
          
           the
           Mount
           of
           
             Cursing
             ;
          
           and
           there
           
             curse
             ,
          
           and
           
             curse
             bitterly
             .
             Curse
             yee
             Meroz
             said
             the
             Angell
             of
             the
             Lord
             .
          
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           That
           although
           it
           bee
           true
           that
           the
           curse
           causelesse
           shall
           not
           come
           ,
           yet
           when
           Gods
           people
           according
           to
           Gods
           direction
           ,
           
             (
             clave
             non
             errante
             )
          
           do
           curse
           ,
           their
           curse
           is
           like
           the
           
             flying
             Roule
          
           which
           we
           read
           of
           ,
           
           
             it
             consumes
             the
             house
             it
             lights
             upon
             ,
             the
             timber
             thereof
             ,
             and
             the
             stones
             thereof
             .
          
           It
           is
           like
           the
           Wolfes
           foot
           ,
           of
           which
           they
           say
           ,
           that
           no
           herbe
           upon
           which
           it
           hath
           once
           trod
           will
           grow
           afterwards
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           That
           the
           mighty
           do
           frequently
           oppose
           the
           Lord
           :
           it
           is
           no
           new
           thing
           to
           finde
           the
           Mighty
           in
           strength
           ,
           the
           Mighty
           in
           authority
           ,
           the
           Mighty
           in
           wealth
           ,
           the
           Mighty
           in
           parts
           ,
           in
           Learning
           ,
           in
           Counsell
           ,
           to
           engage
           all
           against
           the
           Lord
           ,
           his
           Church
           ,
           and
           Cause
           .
           The
           Lambes
           followers
           and
           servants
           ,
           are
           often
           the
           poore
           and
           off-scouring
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           
           when
           Kings
           ,
           and
           Captaines
           ,
           Merchants
           ,
           and
           Wisemen
           ,
           being
           drunke
           with
           the
           Wine
           of
           the
           Whores
           fornications
           ,
           proceed
           to
           make
           warre
           with
           the
           Lambe
           ,
           and
           to
           give
           all
           their
           strength
           unto
           the
           Beast
           ,
           till
           the
           Words
           of
           God
           shall
           be
           fulfilled
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           That
           when
           the
           mighty
           of
           the
           World
           do
           oppose
           the
           
             Lord
             ,
          
           Gods
           
             meanest
             servants
          
           must
           not
           be
           afraid
           to
           oppose
           the
           
             Mighty
             .
          
        
         
           And
           fifthly
           ,
           That
           whosoever
           come
           out
           to
           joyn
           their
           strength
           ,
           and
           to
           give
           assistance
           to
           the
           Lords
           
             people
             ,
          
           the
           Lord
           doth
           interpret
           them
           all
           to
           give
           helpe
           and
           assistance
           to
           
             himselfe
             .
          
        
         
         
           But
           because
           my
           Discourse
           upon
           this
           Text
           ,
           in
           this
           place
           must
           be
           hedg'd
           into
           one
           Sermon
           ,
           I
           may
           not
           let
           it
           out
           into
           such
           a
           spacious
           field
           .
           I
           shall
           passe
           by
           all
           these
           and
           many
           other
           seasonable
           truths
           ,
           which
           in
           this
           Text
           are
           obvious
           to
           all
           your
           eyes
           ,
           and
           betake
           my selfe
           to
           cleare
           one
           lesson
           only
           ;
           which
           you
           will
           quickly
           see
           to
           be
           the
           maine
           scope
           and
           intent
           ,
           not
           only
           of
           this
           
             verse
             ,
          
           but
           of
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           this
           
             Chapter
             ,
          
           and
           most
           seasonable
           for
           these
           times
           ,
           for
           this
           Assembly
           and
           occasion
           ,
           
           
             viz.
             
          
        
         
           All
           people
           are
           cursed
           or
           blessed
           according
           as
           they
           do
           or
           do
           not
           joyne
           their
           strength
           and
           give
           their
           best
           assistance
           to
           the
           Lords
           people
           against
           their
           enemies
           .
        
         
           I
           beseech
           you
           see
           how
           cleare
           this
           is
           ,
           
           not
           only
           in
           this
           
             verse
          
           (
           God
           laid
           nothing
           else
           to
           
             Meroz
          
           charge
           but
           only
           this
           ,
           they
           came
           not
           out
           to
           help
           the
           Lord
           against
           the
           mighty
           )
           but
           in
           other
           passages
           of
           this
           
             Chapter
             .
          
           
           
             My
             heart
             is
             toward
             the
             Governors
             of
             Israel
             ,
             that
             offered
             themselves
             willingly
             among
             the
             people
             .
             Hallelujah
             ,
             Praise
             the
             Lord
             .
          
           
           They
           are
           not
           so
           much
           as
           named
           without
           an
           
             Euge.
             
          
           The
           
             Princes
             of
             Issachar
          
           are
           
             blessed
          
           for
           being
           with
           
             Barak
             .
             Zebulun
             and
             Nepthali
             were
             a
             people
             that
             jeoparded
             their
             lives
             to
             the
             death
             in
             the
             high
             places
             of
             the
             field
             .
          
           These
           are
           blessed
           also
           .
           
             Blessed
             above
             women
             was
             Iael
             the
             wife
             of
             Heber
             the
             Kenite
             .
          
           
           What
           made
           
             Jael
          
           such
           a
           
             blessed
             woman
             ?
          
           
           Even
           this
           ,
           
             she
             put
             her
             hand
             to
             the
             naile
             ,
             and
             her
             right
             hand
             to
             the
             workmans
             hammer
             ,
             and
             with
             the
             hammer
             she
             smote
             Sisera
             ,
             she
             smote
             off
             his
             head
             ,
             when
             she
             had
             pierced
             and
             smitten
             through
             his
             temples
             .
          
           On
           the
           other
           side
           see
           the
           
             displeasure
          
           that
           there
           is
           against
           the
           Tribes
           who
           came
           not
           out
           to
           helpe
           in
           this
           
             expedition
             .
             Ruben
          
           had
           businesse
           of
           his
           own
           ,
           his
           flocks
           were
           to
           be
           attended
           .
           
             Gilead
          
           could
           plead
           that
           the
           River
           
             Jordan
          
           divided
           him
           ,
           from
           
           
             Barak
          
           and
           his
           company
           :
           
           
             Asher
          
           had
           his
           own
           breaches
           to
           make
           up
           ,
           and
           the
           Sea
           coasts
           to
           looke
           to
           .
           A
           man
           might
           think
           ,
           these
           were
           faire
           
             excuses
             .
          
           But
           God
           had
           
             great
             thoughts
             of
             heart
             against
             them
             all
             .
          
           And
           wo
           to
           him
           ,
           or
           them
           ,
           against
           whom
           
             God
          
           hath
           
             great
             thoughts
             .
          
           The
           whole
           Chapter
           runs
           in
           this
           straine
           ,
           they
           are
           cryed
           up
           ,
           they
           are
           honoured
           and
           
             blessed
             :
          
           not
           only
           the
           heart
           of
           
             Gods
             people
             ,
          
           but
           the
           soule
           of
           God
           himselfe
           (
           as
           I
           may
           say
           )
           tooke
           pleasure
           in
           them
           ,
           who
           appeared
           on
           the
           Churches
           side
           ;
           his
           
             displeasure
             ,
             indignation
             ,
             wrath
          
           and
           
             curse
          
           did
           rise
           against
           all
           ,
           who
           came
           not
           to
           the
           helpe
           .
        
         
           This
           is
           most
           plaine
           in
           many
           other
           Scriptures
           .
           I
           shall
           cull
           out
           but
           three
           among
           three
           hundred
           ,
           
             Jer.
             48.
             10.
             
          
           That
           whole
           Chapter
           containes
           the
           
             doome
             of
             Moab
             .
          
           
           Gods
           curse
           was
           now
           to
           be
           executed
           upon
           
             Moab
             ,
          
           and
           you
           may
           read
           of
           
             Moab
             ,
          
           that
           the
           Lord
           once
           sent
           to
           him
           when
           his
           people
           were
           in
           distresse
           .
           
           
             Let
             my
             out-casts
             divell
             with
             thee
             Moab
             ,
             be
             thou
             a
             shelter
             to
             them
             in
             the
             time
             of
             a
             storme
             .
          
           But
           
             Moab
             was
             too
             proud
          
           to
           listen
           to
           Gods
           counsell
           .
           
             Moab
          
           was
           alwaies
           an
           ill
           enemy
           to
           
             Israel
             .
          
           Now
           God
           comes
           to
           reckon
           with
           him
           for
           it
           .
           Now
           the
           spoyler
           shall
           come
           upon
           all
           his
           Cities
           .
           And
           to
           
             them
          
           who
           were
           to
           
             execute
          
           this
           vengeance
           of
           God
           against
           them
           ,
           marke
           what
           a
           
             charge
          
           is
           given
           in
           the
           tenth
           verse
           ,
           
             Cursed
             is
             he
             that
             doth
             the
             worke
             of
             the
             Lord
             negligently
             ,
          
           or
           fraudulently
           ,
           or
           deceitfully
           ,
           as
           the
           word
           signifies
           ;
           Now
           what
           was
           the
           worke
           which
           was
           to
           be
           done
           ?
           the
           next
           words
           will
           tell
           you
           ,
           
             Cursed
             is
             every
             one
             that
             withholds
             his
             hand
             from
             shedding
             of
             bloud
             :
          
           the
           strangest
           reason
           of
           a
           curse
           that
           ever
           was
           read
           of
           ,
           if
           ever
           a
           man
           might
           have
           pleaded
           (
           with
           
             Peter
          
           when
           the
           voice
           said
           unto
           him
           .
           
             Arise
             Peter
             kill
             and
             eate
             )
             not
             so
             
             Lord
             .
          
           
           I
           have
           not
           beene
           accustomed
           to
           this
           ,
           here
           were
           roome
           for
           such
           a
           
             plea
             ,
          
           when
           his
           worke
           was
           to
           go
           and
           
             embrew
          
           his
           hands
           in
           the
           
             bloud
             of
             men
             ,
          
           to
           spill
           and
           
             powre
          
           out
           the
           
             bloud
          
           of
           
             women
          
           and
           
             children
             ,
             like
             water
          
           in
           every
           street
           .
           But
           he
           is
           a
           
             cursed
             man
             that
             withholds
             his
             hand
             from
             this
             ,
          
           or
           that
           shall
           do
           it
           
             fraudulently
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           if
           he
           do
           it
           as
           
             Saul
          
           did
           against
           the
           
             Amalekites
             ,
          
           kill
           some
           and
           save
           some
           ,
           if
           he
           go
           not
           through
           with
           the
           work
           :
           he
           is
           a
           cursed
           man
           ,
           when
           this
           is
           to
           be
           done
           upon
           
             Moab
          
           the
           
             enemy
             of
             Gods-Church
             .
          
           So
           that
           
             whatsoever
             imployment
          
           men
           are
           put
           to
           ,
           they
           are
           cursed
           men
           ,
           that
           take
           not
           part
           with
           God
           in
           his
           worke
           .
           Another
           place
           you
           shall
           find
           in
           
             Psal.
             137.
             v.
          
           8
           ,
           9.
           
           The
           daughter
           of
           
             Babylon
          
           was
           there
           to
           be
           destroyed
           ,
           observe
           now
           the
           epithete
           which
           God
           gives
           to
           the
           
             executioners
          
           of
           his
           
             wrath
          
           against
           
             Babylon
             .
             Blessed
             is
             the
             man
             that
             rewardeth
             thee
             ,
             as
             thou
             hast
             served
             us
             .
             Blessed
             is
             the
             man
             that
             makes
             Babylon
             drinke
             the
             same
             cup
             ,
             which
             Babylon
             had
             made
             Gods
             people
             to
             drinke
             .
          
           Now
           he
           that
           reades
           the
           booke
           of
           the
           Lamentations
           ,
           may
           finde
           how
           
             Babylon
          
           had
           used
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           ,
           they
           had
           
             broken
          
           their
           
             bones
          
           as
           a
           
             Lion
          
           breakes
           the
           bones
           of
           a
           Lamb
           ,
           brought
           their
           
             necks
          
           under
           
             persecution
             ,
          
           made
           their
           
             skin
             blacke
             like
             an
             oven
             ,
             hang'd
             up
             their
             Princes
             by
             the
             hand
             ,
          
           and
           which
           is
           most
           of
           all
           cruell
           ,
           had
           
             dashed
             their
             children
             against
             the
             stones
             .
          
           Now
           saith
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           
             Blessed
             is
             the
             man
             ,
             that
             thus
             rewards
             Babylon
             ,
             yea
             ,
             blessed
             is
             the
             man
             that
             takes
             their
             little
             ones
             and
             dashes
             them
             against
             the
             stones
             .
          
           What
           
             Souldiers
             heart
          
           would
           not
           start
           at
           this
           ,
           not
           only
           when
           he
           is
           in
           
             hot
             bloud
          
           to
           cut
           downe
           
             armed
          
           enemies
           in
           the
           
             field
             ,
          
           but
           afterward
           
             deliberately
          
           to
           come
           into
           a
           subdued
           
             City
             ,
          
           and
           take
           the
           
             little
             ones
          
           upon
           the
           
             speares
             point
             ,
          
           to
           take
           them
           by
           the
           heeles
           and
           
           beat
           out
           their
           
             braines
             against
             the
             walles
             ,
          
           what
           inhumanity
           and
           barbarousnesse
           would
           this
           be
           thought
           ?
           Yet
           if
           this
           worke
           be
           to
           revenge
           Gods
           Church
           against
           
             Babylon
             ,
          
           he
           is
           a
           
             blessed
             man
             that
             takes
             and
             dashes
             the
             little
             ones
             against
             the
             stones
             .
          
        
         
           But
           there
           is
           one
           Text
           of
           Scripture
           (
           if
           no
           other
           were
           to
           be
           found
           in
           the
           whole
           booke
           of
           God
           )
           which
           is
           a
           
             sufficient
          
           proofe
           
             that
             all
             are
             blessed
             or
             cursed
             ,
             according
             as
             they
             doe
             or
             doe
             not
             helpe
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             in
             their
             need
             :
          
           and
           that
           you
           shall
           finde
           ,
           
             Matth.
             25.
             33.
             
             &c.
          
           The
           summe
           whereof
           in
           a
           few
           words
           is
           this
           ,
           At
           the
           latter
           end
           of
           that
           Chapter
           is
           a
           description
           of
           the
           
             day
             of
             judgement
             ,
          
           and
           of
           the
           
             manner
          
           of
           Christs
           
             proceeding
             at
             that
             day
             .
          
           First
           ,
           that
           when
           
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           shall
           come
           in
           the
           glory
           of
           his
           Father
           ,
           he
           will
           divide
           all
           the
           
             godly
          
           to
           the
           
             right
             hand
             ,
          
           and
           all
           the
           
             wicked
          
           to
           the
           
             left
             hand
             ,
          
           as
           the
           Shepheard
           divides
           the
           Sheep
           from
           the
           Goates
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           he
           pronounces
           all
           on
           his
           right
           hand
           
             blessed
             ,
          
           all
           upon
           the
           left
           hand
           
             cursed
             :
             Come
             yee
             blessed
             ,
             goe
             ye
             cursed
             .
          
           Here
           are
           all
           the
           
             blessed
             ,
          
           and
           
             there
             are
          
           all
           the
           
             cursed
             .
          
           Marke
           now
           what
           is
           assigned
           as
           the
           only
           reason
           and
           evidence
           why
           the
           one
           sort
           are
           
             blessed
             ,
          
           and
           the
           other
           
             cursed
             .
          
           It
           is
           most
           plaine
           in
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           that
           at
           
             that
             day
          
           the
           Lord
           will
           call
           people
           to
           an
           account
           for
           
             all
             they
             have
             done
             in
             their
             whole
             course
             ,
             whether
             good
             or
             evill
             :
          
           but
           in
           
             this
             place
             ,
             Christ
          
           gathers
           all
           that
           shall
           be
           opened
           and
           come
           to
           receive
           blessing
           or
           cursing
           ,
           reward
           or
           punishment
           to
           this
           one
           head
           ,
           according
           as
           they
           
             did
             or
             did
             not
             helpe
             and
             succour
             his
             Church
             and
             people
             in
             their
             time
             of
             need
             .
          
           To
           ,
           the
           one
           side
           ,
           
             Come
             yee
             blessed
             ,
             receive
             the
             Kingdome
             prepared
             for
             you
             ,
          
           for
           you
           visited
           my
           
             Church
          
           when
           it
           was
           
             sicke
             ,
          
           you
           gave
           
             meale
          
           to
           my
           
             Church
          
           when
           it
           was
           
             hungry
             ,
          
           you
           gave
           
             my
             people
             
             drinke
          
           when
           they
           were
           
             thirsty
             ,
          
           you
           tooke
           
             them
          
           in
           when
           they
           were
           
             strangers
             ,
             you
             cloathed
             them
             when
             they
             were
             naked
             ,
             you
             came
             to
             them
             when
             they
             were
             in
             prison
             :
             Inasmuch
             as
             you
             have
             done
             it
             unto
             these
             ,
             even
             unto
             one
             of
             the
             least
             of
             these
             my
             brethren
             ,
             you
             have
             done
             it
             unto
             me
             .
          
           On
           the
           other
           side
           ,
           
             Go
             ye
             cursed
             ▪
          
           Why
           are
           they
           cursed
           ?
           
             I
             was
             hungry
             and
             ye
             gave
             me
             no
             meat
             ,
             I
             was
             thirsty
             and
             ye
             gave
             me
             no
             drink
             ,
             I
             was
             a
             stranger
             and
             ye
             took
             me
             not
             in
             ,
             naked
             and
             you
             cloathed
             me
             not
             ,
             sick
             and
             in
             prison
             and
             ye
             visited
             me
             not
             :
             Verily
             I
             say
             unto
             you
             ,
             inasmuch
             as
             you
             did
             it
             not
             unto
             the
             least
             of
             of
             one
             of
             these
             ,
             ye
             did
             it
             not
             to
             me
             .
          
           As
           if
           the
           Lord
           at
           that
           great
           day
           did
           take
           notice
           of
           nothing
           ,
           but
           what
           the
           carriage
           of
           all
           people
           hath
           been
           to
           or
           against
           his
           Church
           and
           children
           .
           What
           greater
           evidence
           can
           there
           be
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           that
           men
           are
           
             blessed
          
           or
           
             cursed
             ,
          
           than
           this
           ?
           that
           they
           either
           
             do
             ,
          
           or
           
             do
             not
             help
          
           the
           
             Church
             of
             God
             .
          
        
         
           This
           will
           yet
           be
           clearer
           if
           we
           consider
           the
           
             Church
             ,
          
           
           First
           ,
           as
           it
           stands
           in
           relation
           to
           
             God
             .
          
           Secondly
           ,
           as
           
             we
          
           stand
           in
           relation
           to
           the
           
             Church
             .
          
        
         
           First
           ,
           
           as
           the
           Church
           stands
           in
           relation
           to
           God
           :
           when
           I
           speake
           
             of
             God
          
           in
           relation
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           or
           the
           Church
           to
           God
           ;
           you
           must
           alwayes
           understand
           
             God
             in
             Christ
             ,
          
           
           
             Emanuel
             .
             God
             is
             in
             Christ
             reconciling
             the
             world
             unto
             himselfe
             .
          
           And
           thus
           the
           Churches
           relation
           to
           God
           ,
           gives
           us
           two
           excellent
           grounds
           of
           this
           doctrine
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           the
           Church
           and
           the
           meanest
           member
           of
           it
           is
           
             united
          
           to
           him
           ,
           made
           one
           with
           him
           ,
           they
           are
           not
           only
           his
           
             servants
             ,
          
           his
           
             friends
             ,
          
           such
           as
           he
           
             loves
             ,
          
           but
           he
           and
           they
           make
           but
           one
           
             person
             ,
          
           I
           meane
           one
           
             mysticall
             person
             .
          
           Insomuch
           that
           throughout
           the
           whole
           Scripture
           he
           that
           blesseth
           them
           blesseth
           him
           ,
           he
           that
           curseth
           them
           curseth
           him
           ,
           he
           that
           relieveth
           them
           relieveth
           him
           ,
           he
           that
           
           fights
           against
           them
           fights
           against
           him
           ,
           
           he
           that
           touches
           them
           touches
           the
           Apple
           of
           his
           eye
           ,
           all
           the
           relations
           which
           argue
           intimacy
           ,
           tendernesse
           and
           dearenesse
           ,
           meete
           in
           this
           conjunction
           betwixt
           God
           and
           his
           Church
           ,
           he
           is
           their
           
             Father
          
           they
           are
           his
           
             children
             ,
          
           he
           is
           their
           
             head
             ,
          
           they
           are
           his
           
             members
             ,
          
           he
           is
           their
           
             husband
             ,
          
           they
           are
           his
           
             wife
             ,
          
           yea
           they
           are
           called
           by
           
             his
             name
          
           and
           he
           vouchsafes
           to
           be
           called
           by
           
             their
             name
             .
          
           Take
           but
           this
           for
           granted
           ,
           and
           you
           will
           make
           no
           doubt
           ,
           but
           all
           men
           are
           blessed
           or
           cursed
           ,
           as
           they
           do
           or
           do
           not
           help
           the
           Lord
           .
           The
           Lord
           
             Jehovah
          
           is
           the
           fountaine
           of
           all
           blessednesse
           more
           than
           the
           Sunne
           is
           the
           fountaine
           of
           light
           ,
           from
           his
           favour
           and
           good
           will
           necessarily
           flows
           all
           happinesse
           ,
           and
           consequently
           all
           are
           blessed
           or
           cursed
           ,
           according
           as
           the
           aspect
           betweene
           God
           and
           them
           is
           malignant
           or
           benevolent
           .
           This
           ground
           is
           fully
           laid
           downe
           in
           that
           forementioned
           placed
           ,
           
             Matthew
             25.
             
             You
             did
             it
             to
             them
             ,
             therefore
             you
             did
             it
             to
             me
             ,
             you
             refused
             it
             to
             them
             ,
             therefore
             you
             refused
             it
             to
             me
             .
          
           It
           is
           clearely
           there
           taught
           ,
           but
           I
           believe
           there
           is
           no
           man
           on
           earth
           that
           understands
           it
           ,
           or
           believes
           it
           fully
           .
           And
           that
           very
           Text
           gives
           me
           a
           hint
           to
           thinke
           so
           .
           Because
           the
           very
           
             righteous
          
           themselves
           ,
           though
           they
           do
           all
           to
           the
           Saints
           out
           of
           the
           good
           will
           they
           beare
           to
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           yet
           when
           
             Christ
          
           shall
           acknowledge
           this
           and
           say
           ,
           
             Come
             ye
             blessed
             ,
             you
             fed
             me
             ,
             you
             cloathed
             me
             ,
             you
             visited
             me
             ,
             They
             shall
             answer
             ,
             Lord
             ,
             when
             saw
             we
             thee
             an
             hungred
             ,
             or
             thirsty
             ,
             or
             a
             stranger
             ,
             or
             naked
             ,
             or
             sicke
             ,
             or
             in
             prison
             and
             administred
             unto
             thee
             ?
          
           It
           shews
           that
           themselvs
           did
           not
           fully
           understand
           how
           neare
           they
           were
           to
           Christ
           for
           whom
           they
           did
           all
           these
           things
           .
           I
           have
           somewhere
           read
           a
           story
           of
           a
           
             Sarazen
          
           Embassador
           ,
           who
           being
           with
           a
           Christian
           Prince
           ,
           and
           seeing
           Nobles
           and
           great
           men
           to
           wait
           upon
           
           him
           ,
           
           and
           the
           Prince
           himselfe
           to
           waite
           upon
           a
           Table
           full
           of
           poore
           ragged
           people
           ,
           desired
           to
           know
           what
           they
           were
           ,
           to
           whom
           he
           shewed
           so
           much
           respect
           ,
           he
           answered
           to
           this
           effect
           ,
           they
           were
           the
           servants
           of
           his
           Lord
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           served
           his
           Saviour
           in
           them
           .
           Well
           said
           the
           Embassador
           ,
           if
           your
           Lord
           have
           no
           better
           servants
           than
           these
           ,
           I
           desire
           to
           be
           none
           of
           them
           .
           I
           care
           not
           for
           your
           Religion
           .
           And
           truly
           it
           is
           a
           hard
           thing
           to
           perswade
           not
           only
           
             Sarazens
          
           but
           even
           
             Christians
          
           themselves
           ,
           that
           whatsoever
           is
           done
           to
           poore
           abjects
           ,
           the
           off-scouring
           of
           the
           world
           should
           be
           done
           to
           Christ
           himselfe
           .
           No
           earthly
           Prince
           would
           do
           so
           ,
           equally
           to
           accept
           and
           reward
           him
           ,
           that
           should
           give
           a
           nights
           lodging
           or
           any
           succour
           to
           one
           of
           his
           meanest
           and
           basest
           groomes
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           had
           beene
           done
           to
           the
           person
           of
           himselfe
           or
           of
           his
           son
           .
           Yet
           this
           is
           the
           very
           case
           betwixt
           Christ
           and
           his
           Church
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           another
           ground
           from
           the
           Churches
           relation
           to
           God
           ,
           is
           this
           ,
           that
           as
           their
           persons
           are
           neerely
           united
           to
           him
           ,
           so
           their
           
             cause
          
           is
           his
           cause
           .
           As
           they
           account
           every
           cause
           of
           God
           to
           be
           their
           cause
           ,
           so
           God
           accounts
           every
           cause
           of
           theirs
           to
           be
           his
           cause
           ,
           
           2
           
             Chro.
             20.
             
             Moab
             and
             Ammon
          
           and
           they
           of
           
             Mount
             Seir
             ,
          
           came
           with
           a
           huge
           army
           against
           
             Jehoshaphat
             ,
          
           hee
           and
           his
           people
           being
           suddenly
           surprised
           betake
           themselves
           to
           prayer
           ,
           and
           seeke
           helpe
           from
           God
           :
           Now
           marke
           what
           Gods
           answer
           was
           ,
           
           
             Be
             not
             you
             afraid
             nor
             dismaied
             by
             reason
             of
             this
             great
             multitude
             ,
             the
             battell
             is
             not
             yours
             but
             Gods
             .
          
           Was
           not
           the
           battell
           theirs
           ,
           all
           they
           were
           worth
           lay
           upon
           that
           battell
           ,
           their
           wives
           and
           children
           ,
           their
           lives
           and
           liberties
           ,
           their
           countrey
           and
           religion
           ,
           lay
           all
           at
           the
           stake
           ,
           and
           yet
           the
           battell
           none
           of
           theirs
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           not
           so
           much
           theirs
           as
           Gods
           ,
           so
           in
           
           the
           74.
           
           
             Psalm
             .
          
           When
           
             Asaph
          
           had
           laid
           down
           all
           the
           Churches
           sufferings
           ,
           the
           pulling
           down
           of
           their
           Synagogues
           ,
           the
           wasting
           of
           their
           Countrey
           ,
           the
           reproach
           and
           scorn
           cast
           upon
           them
           by
           their
           enemies
           ,
           
           he
           interests
           God
           in
           all
           this
           ,
           
             Arise
             O
             God
             ,
             plead
             thine
             own
             cause
             ,
             remember
             how
             the
             foolish
             man
             reproacheth
             thee
             ,
             forget
             not
             the
             voyce
             of
             thine
             enemies
             .
          
           Thus
           is
           their
           cause
           Gods
           cause
           ,
           their
           enemies
           Gods
           enemies
           :
           and
           indeed
           ,
           if
           we
           look
           into
           it
           narrowly
           ,
           whatsoever
           is
           done
           to
           them
           and
           their
           cause
           ,
           good
           or
           evill
           ,
           is
           done
           for
           Gods
           sake
           .
           This
           then
           is
           a
           strong
           argument
           to
           prove
           men
           blessed
           or
           cursed
           ,
           according
           as
           they
           joyn
           with
           ,
           or
           oppose
           the
           cause
           of
           God
           .
           Because
           first
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           Gods
           cause
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           
             good
          
           cause
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           
             noble
          
           cause
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           
             successefull
          
           cause
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           I
           say
           it
           is
           a
           good
           cause
           .
           
             The
             just
             Lord
             that
             is
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             his
             Church
             will
             do
             no
             iniquity
             .
          
           
           
             The
             righteous
             Lord
             loveth
             righteousnesse
             .
          
           
           Now
           you
           know
           it
           is
           a
           blessed
           thing
           to
           have
           a
           good
           cause
           ,
           
           though
           it
           be
           a
           meane
           cause
           .
           
           
             David
          
           often
           pleaded
           this
           before
           God
           ,
           that
           his
           cause
           was
           just
           ,
           his
           cause
           was
           upright
           .
           
             Let
             them
             shout
             for
             joy
             ,
             that
             favour
             my
             righteous
             cause
             .
          
           And
           on
           the
           other
           side
           it
           must
           needs
           be
           a
           
             cursed
             thing
          
           to
           manage
           a
           
             cursed
             cause
             :
          
           when
           
             David's
          
           cause
           was
           
             good
             ,
          
           his
           adversaries
           must
           needs
           bee
           
             evill
             ,
          
           and
           then
           he
           could
           foretell
           that
           
             they
             should
             be
             ashamed
             and
             brought
             to
             confusion
             ,
          
           
           
             clothed
             with
             reproach
             and
             dishonour
             who
             opposed
             themselves
             against
             him
             .
          
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           
           being
           Gods
           cause
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           
             noble
          
           cause
           :
           a
           man
           may
           possibly
           among
           men
           have
           a
           good
           cause
           and
           the
           thing
           but
           a
           trifle
           ,
           a
           thing
           of
           no
           great
           consequence
           :
           but
           if
           it
           be
           Gods
           cause
           ,
           let
           it
           appeare
           never
           so
           contemptible
           ,
           it
           is
           subservient
           to
           the
           highest
           end
           ,
           that
           can
           possibly
           
           be
           thought
           of
           .
           
           The
           salvation
           of
           soules
           ,
           the
           glory
           of
           God
           ,
           
             &c.
             
          
           Honour
           uses
           to
           put
           men
           upon
           hard
           and
           desperate
           services
           ,
           men
           will
           runne
           ,
           wrestle
           ,
           fight
           for
           a
           
             crowne
             ,
          
           
           though
           but
           a
           
             corruptible
             crowne
             .
          
           There
           is
           comfort
           in
           doing
           good
           to
           one
           ,
           but
           to
           advance
           the
           good
           of
           many
           ,
           especially
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           ,
           how
           honourable
           ,
           how
           glorious
           is
           it
           ?
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           
           Gods
           cause
           is
           a
           
             successefull
          
           cause
           ,
           
             no
             weapon
             can
             prosper
             that
             is
             formed
             against
             it
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             every
             tongue
             that
             rises
             up
             in
             judgement
             against
             it
             shall
             be
             condemned
             .
          
           The
           mouth
           of
           the
           Lord
           hath
           spoken
           it
           .
           
           This
           
             Gamaliel
          
           saw
           ,
           when
           he
           advised
           the
           councell
           of
           the
           high
           Priests
           ,
           and
           Pharisees
           ,
           and
           Rulers
           ,
           to
           refrain
           from
           opposing
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           
             If
             this
             work
             be
             of
             men
             it
             will
             come
             to
             nought
             ,
             but
             if
             it
             be
             of
             God
             ye
             cannot
             overthrow
             it
             ,
          
           it
           is
           in
           vaine
           to
           fight
           against
           God
           .
           Since
           then
           the
           Churches
           cause
           is
           Gods
           cause
           ,
           and
           consequently
           a
           
             good
          
           cause
           ,
           a
           
             noble
          
           and
           
             succesful
          
           cause
           ,
           you
           may
           easily
           hence
           conclude
           the
           
             happinesse
          
           that
           accompanies
           the
           promoting
           of
           it
           .
           And
           on
           the
           contrary
           as
           easily
           discern
           ,
           how
           cursed
           a
           thing
           it
           is
           ,
           not
           only
           to
           undergo
           the
           disgrace
           of
           mannaging
           a
           wicked
           and
           base
           enterprise
           ,
           but
           to
           fail
           of
           that
           which
           wicked
           men
           use
           to
           cherish
           themselves
           with
           ,
           the
           hopes
           of
           the
           comfort
           of
           reward
           and
           obtaining
           their
           desires
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           
           consider
           our
           
             relation
          
           to
           the
           
             Church
             .
          
           And
           that
           affords
           three
           other
           excellent
           arguments
           to
           prove
           men
           blessed
           or
           cursed
           ,
           according
           as
           they
           help
           or
           help
           not
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           whatsoever
           abilities
           any
           man
           enjoyes
           ,
           wherewith
           he
           may
           any
           wayes
           be
           usefull
           ,
           
           they
           are
           all
           given
           him
           to
           this
           very
           end
           ,
           to
           make
           him
           serviceable
           to
           the
           Church
           .
           
             All
             the
             manifestations
             of
             the
             spirit
             are
             given
             to
             profit
             withall
             .
          
           
           All
           the
           gifts
           which
           Christ
           powred
           out
           
           when
           he
           ascended
           up
           on
           high
           ,
           are
           
             for
             the
             perfecting
             of
             the
             Saints
             ,
             and
             the
             building
             up
             of
             the
             body
             of
             Christ
             .
             As
             every
             one
             hath
             received
             a
             gift
             ,
             so
             let
             him
             minister
             ,
             as
             good
             stewards
             of
             the
             manifold
             graces
             of
             God
             .
          
           
           The
           Church
           is
           the
           common
           storehouse
           to
           which
           all
           our
           wealth
           must
           be
           carried
           .
           
           
             Salus
             Ecclesiae
             suprema
             lex
             .
          
           Which
           being
           so
           ,
           the
           happinesse
           of
           every
           thing
           being
           the
           attaining
           of
           the
           end
           for
           which
           it
           was
           appointed
           ,
           and
           the
           curse
           of
           it
           the
           perverting
           of
           it
           to
           a
           wrong
           end
           ,
           they
           must
           needs
           be
           blessed
           who
           serve
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           he
           must
           needs
           be
           cursed
           that
           deprives
           the
           Church
           of
           its
           own
           due
           .
           
             Salomon
          
           saith
           ,
           that
           
             he
             that
             withholds
             corne
          
           in
           a
           time
           of
           famine
           ,
           
           
             the
             people
             shall
             curse
             him
             ,
          
           though
           it
           were
           his
           owne
           corne
           ,
           but
           suppose
           a
           man
           had
           the
           keeping
           of
           the
           provision
           of
           the
           whole
           town
           corne
           ,
           which
           were
           none
           of
           his
           
             owne
             ,
          
           he
           only
           
             intrusted
          
           with
           the
           keyes
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           should
           let
           the
           people
           starve
           for
           want
           of
           that
           food
           ▪
           which
           he
           should
           keepe
           purposely
           for
           them
           :
           or
           that
           a
           man
           had
           the
           keeping
           of
           a
           Magazen
           for
           an
           Army
           to
           furnish
           them
           with
           what
           might
           make
           them
           victorious
           ,
           and
           their
           safety
           and
           victory
           hazzarded
           ,
           if
           not
           lost
           through
           his
           default
           ,
           were
           not
           this
           man
           a
           villaine
           and
           a
           traitor
           to
           his
           country
           ?
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           
           Consider
           how
           
             neare
          
           the
           relation
           is
           betwixt
           the
           
             Church
          
           and
           
             us
             ,
          
           (
           except
           we
           be
           of
           the
           
             malignant
          
           Church
           ,
           of
           the
           
             Dragons
          
           army
           ,
           and
           then
           no
           more
           need
           be
           said
           to
           prove
           men
           cursed
           .
           )
           The
           
             Church
          
           is
           our
           
             Mother
             ,
          
           and
           all
           the
           
             Saints
          
           are
           our
           
             Brethren
             ,
          
           a
           Relation
           which
           all
           Lawes
           of
           God
           and
           man
           do
           fasten
           duty
           upon
           .
           
           
             The
             eye
             that
             mocketh
             at
             his
             father
             or
             despiseth
             to
             obey
             his
             mother
             ,
          
           
           
             the
             Ravens
             of
             the
             vally
             shall
             picke
             it
             out
             ,
             and
             the
             young
             Eagles
             shall
             eate
             it
             .
             Paul
          
           thought
           he
           did
           no
           more
           than
           his
           duty
           ,
           when
           
             he
             had
             great
             heavines
             and
             continuall
             
             sorrow
             in
             his
             heart
             ,
             and
             could
             wish
             himselfe
             accursed
             from
             Christ
             for
             his
             Brethren
             his
             kinsmen
             ,
             who
             were
             Israelites
             .
          
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           All
           our
           own
           blessednesse
           
             stands
          
           or
           
             falls
          
           with
           the
           blessednesse
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           
           The
           Church
           is
           such
           a
           corporation
           or
           mysticall
           body
           ,
           as
           hath
           in
           it
           all
           the
           properties
           of
           a
           naturall
           body
           wherein
           no
           members
           can
           be
           happy
           in
           an
           abstracted
           sense
           ,
           
           but
           as
           parts
           conjoyned
           with
           the
           whole
           :
           because
           every
           part
           hath
           besides
           the
           neare
           relation
           to
           the
           whole
           a
           subsistency
           in
           it
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           foundation
           of
           any
           other
           good
           it
           receives
           .
           And
           so
           consequently
           ,
           the
           good
           or
           gaine
           of
           the
           whole
           is
           the
           gaine
           of
           every
           member
           ,
           and
           whatsoever
           tends
           to
           the
           dissolution
           of
           the
           whole
           ,
           cannot
           but
           be
           destructive
           to
           all
           the
           parts
           .
           As
           when
           a
           company
           of
           Merchants
           have
           but
           one
           joyned
           stocke
           ,
           every
           penny
           gained
           or
           lost
           is
           gaine
           or
           losse
           to
           them
           all
           .
           Or
           as
           it
           is
           with
           a
           company
           of
           passengers
           in
           the
           same
           Ship
           ,
           save
           the
           vessell
           and
           you
           save
           all
           ,
           sinke
           the
           Ship
           ,
           and
           every
           mans
           Cabbin
           is
           cast
           away
           .
           Now
           this
           is
           a
           more
           prevailing
           argument
           than
           reason
           can
           make
           ,
           it
           is
           grounded
           in
           nature
           which
           must
           prevaile
           with
           all
           ;
           Nature
           makes
           heavy
           things
           to
           ascend
           ,
           rather
           than
           the
           whole
           should
           be
           endangered
           by
           a
           
             vacuum
             .
          
           Nature
           teaches
           the
           tongue
           to
           cry
           out
           ,
           when
           the
           toe
           is
           trod
           upon
           ,
           the
           hand
           to
           work
           ,
           that
           the
           belly
           starve
           not
           ,
           the
           feet
           to
           runne
           ,
           that
           the
           back
           be
           not
           cold
           .
           Every
           man
           finds
           this
           in
           the
           naturall
           body
           ;
           and
           Gods
           Spirit
           dwelling
           in
           all
           the
           Saints
           workes
           the
           same
           spirituall
           disposition
           in
           them
           that
           are
           partakers
           of
           the
           divine
           nature
           ,
           
           
             That
             there
             be
             no
             Schisme
             or
             division
             in
             the
             body
             of
             Christ
             ,
             but
             that
             all
             the
             members
             may
             have
             the
             same
             care
             one
             for
             another
             ,
             That
             whether
             one
             member
             suffer
             ,
             all
             the
             members
             should
             suffer
             with
             it
             ,
             or
             one
             member
             be
             honoured
             ,
             all
             the
             members
             should
             rejoyce
             with
             it
             .
          
        
         
         
           By
           this
           time
           I
           hope
           it
           is
           cleare
           ,
           that
           if
           we
           look
           upon
           
             Gods
             promises
          
           or
           
             threatnings
             ,
             mens
             experience
          
           in
           all
           ages
           ,
           or
           the
           
             Churches
             interest
          
           in
           
             God
             ,
          
           his
           
             neare
             union
          
           with
           it
           ,
           his
           
             affection
          
           to
           it
           ,
           his
           
             owning
          
           the
           Churches
           
             cause
             ,
          
           or
           if
           we
           consider
           our
           own
           
             engagements
          
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           our
           neare
           
             conjunction
          
           with
           it
           ,
           and
           under
           God
           the
           
             dependance
          
           of
           all
           our
           comforts
           and
           wellfare
           upon
           it
           ,
           we
           may
           and
           must
           conclude
           ,
           
             that
             all
             men
             are
             blessed
             or
             cursed
             according
             as
             they
             help
             or
             help
             not
             the
             church
             of
             God
             .
          
           
        
         
           The
           rest
           of
           the
           time
           I
           shall
           spend
           in
           the
           Application
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           what
           is
           thus
           cleare
           to
           your
           judgement
           and
           conscience
           ,
           may
           by
           
             Gods
          
           blessing
           take
           due
           place
           in
           your
           hearts
           and
           conversations
           .
           And
           there
           are
           but
           
             two
          
           collections
           which
           I
           shall
           make
           for
           use
           .
           The
           first
           ,
           briefly
           for
           
             terrour
          
           and
           
             reproof
             ,
          
           the
           second
           more
           largely
           ,
           for
           
             exhortation
          
           and
           
             duty
             .
          
        
         
           First
           ,
           
           for
           reproofe
           .
           This
           speaks
           very
           sadly
           against
           two
           sorts
           of
           people
           whereof
           (
           God
           knowes
           )
           there
           are
           many
           hundreds
           of
           thousands
           who
           yet
           professe
           themselvs
           to
           be
           Christians
           .
           As
           first
           ,
           Are
           all
           they
           cursed
           that
           doe
           not
           thus
           helpe
           the
           Lord
           against
           the
           mighty
           ?
           what
           then
           are
           they
           ,
           who
           instead
           of
           
             helping
             the
             Lord
             against
             the
             mighty
             ,
          
           do
           help
           
             the
             mighty
             against
             the
             Lord
             ?
          
           who
           instead
           of
           joyning
           all
           their
           strength
           ,
           and
           giving
           all
           their
           assistance
           to
           the
           Church
           in
           her
           distresse
           ,
           doe
           give
           all
           the
           assistance
           they
           can
           to
           the
           enemies
           of
           the
           
             Church
             ,
          
           that
           they
           may
           do
           mischief
           against
           the
           
             Church
             ?
          
           What
           shall
           we
           thinke
           of
           these
           men
           ?
           How
           many
           are
           there
           who
           have
           as
           it
           were
           entred
           their
           names
           into
           the
           
             Dragons
             muster-book
             ,
          
           openly
           bidding
           defiance
           against
           the
           
             Church
          
           of
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           in
           every
           good
           cause
           ?
           who
           walke
           Antipodes
           against
           the
           cause
           of
           God
           ,
           like
           
             Antiochus
             ,
          
           making
           war
           against
           the
           Saints
           ,
           like
           the
           little
           horne
           in
           
           
             Daniel
             ,
             wearing
             out
             the
             Saints
             of
             the
             most
             high
          
           in
           all
           places
           where
           they
           can
           prevail
           ?
           how
           many
           others
           ,
           like
           the
           Kings
           and
           Princes
           in
           the
           2.
           
             Psal.
             Set
             themselves
             ,
             and
             take
             counsell
             against
             the
             Lord
             and
             against
             his
             Annointed
             ,
             digging
             as
             deep
             as
             hell
             for
             counsell
             to
             do
          
           all
           the
           mischiefe
           they
           can
           to
           the
           servants
           of
           the
           
             Lord
             Iesus
             Christ
             ?
          
           How
           many
           others
           with
           
             Balaam
             ,
          
           doe
           what
           in
           them
           lies
           to
           curse
           them
           for
           reward
           ,
           who
           for
           very
           malice
           raile
           upon
           and
           revile
           the
           children
           of
           the
           most
           High
           ?
           How
           many
           others
           ,
           with
           
             Edom
             ,
             look
             upon
             the
             affliction
             of
             Israel
             ,
             rejoycing
             over
             them
             in
             the
             day
             of
             their
             destruction
             ,
             speaking
             proudly
             in
             the
             day
             of
             their
             distresse
             ,
          
           
           
             crying
             out
             against
             Ierusalem
             ,
          
           
           
             down
             with
             it
             ,
             downe
             with
             it
             even
             to
             the
             ground
          
           How
           many
           others
           ,
           with
           
             Amal●k
             ,
             smite
             the
             hindmost
             of
             Gods
             Church
             ,
             all
             who
             are
             weake
             and
             feeble
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             faint
             and
             wearie
             ,
          
           adding
           sorrowes
           and
           increasing
           the
           burthen
           of
           the
           afflicted
           ?
           How
           many
           ,
           with
           
             Sanballat
          
           and
           
             Tobiah
             ,
          
           are
           grieved
           when
           any
           are
           found
           to
           doe
           good
           in
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           endeavouring
           to
           hinder
           the
           building
           of
           
             Sion
             ,
          
           and
           to
           
             further
          
           the
           repairing
           of
           the
           walls
           of
           
             Babylon
             ?
          
           God
           knowes
           there
           are
           too
           many
           such
           ,
           I
           hope
           not
           many
           such
           present
           here
           this
           day
           before
           the
           Lord
           .
           But
           concerning
           these
           ,
           if
           there
           should
           be
           any
           such
           here
           by
           what
           name
           or
           title
           shall
           I
           call
           them
           ?
           The
           Gyants
           who
           make
           war
           against
           heaven
           ,
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           fighters
           against
           
             God
             ,
          
           I
           know
           no
           appellation
           fitter
           for
           them
           .
           But
           whatsoever
           they
           delight
           to
           be
           called
           ,
           I
           most
           earnestly
           beseech
           them
           in
           their
           most
           secret
           thoughts
           to
           answer
           these
           few
           questions
           .
           By
           what
           injurie
           hath
           the
           Lord
           provoked
           thee
           thus
           against
           him
           ?
           what
           iniquitie
           hast
           thou
           found
           in
           him
           ?
           what
           hurt
           hath
           Christ
           done
           to
           thee
           ?
           what
           evils
           are
           his
           righteous
           servants
           guilty
           of
           against
           thee
           ?
           Or
           if
           thou
           canst
           give
           no
           reason
           of
           
           this
           ,
           but
           only
           ,
           
             non
             amo
             te
             ,
             nec
             possum
             dicere
             quare
             .
          
           I
           know
           no
           reason
           ,
           but
           my
           heart
           stands
           against
           them
           .
           What
           
             honour
          
           or
           
             reward
          
           dost
           thou
           expect
           for
           this
           desperate
           service
           ?
           What
           hope
           hast
           thou
           of
           speeding
           ?
           Canst
           thou
           make
           thy
           forces
           strong
           enough
           to
           carry
           the
           day
           ?
           O
           friend
           though
           thou
           beest
           
             proud
          
           and
           
             daring
             ,
          
           yet
           be
           not
           
             mad
             ,
          
           no
           weapon
           will
           prosper
           which
           is
           formed
           against
           them
           God
           hath
           sworne
           it
           against
           all
           the
           people
           who
           fight
           against
           
             Jerusalem
             ,
          
           
           that
           
             their
             flesh
             shall
             consume
             whilest
             they
             stand
             upon
             their
             feet
             ,
             their
             eyes
             shall
             rot
             in
             their
             holes
             ,
             their
             tongue
             shall
             consume
             away
             in
             their
             mouth
             .
          
           O
           set
           not
           
             Briars
             and
             Thornes
             to
             fight
             against
             devouring
             fire
             .
             Let
             the
             potsheards
             strive
             with
             the
             Potsheards
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
          
           but
           let
           not
           a
           poor
           worm
           fight
           against
           his
           maker
           .
           
           Thou
           art
           too
           weake
           to
           strive
           with
           God
           .
           
           Kicke
           not
           against
           these
           prickes
           ,
           abstaine
           ,
           
             abstaine
             from
             those
             men
          
           of
           whom
           the
           Lord
           hath
           said
           ,
           
             he
             that
             touches
             them
             ,
             touches
             the
             apple
             of
             mine
             eye
             .
          
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           
           There
           are
           others
           (
           not
           open
           enemies
           professing
           to
           take
           part
           against
           the
           Church
           )
           who
           stand
           as
           
             neuters
             ,
          
           who
           stand
           a loofe
           off
           ,
           shewing
           themselves
           neither
           open
           enemies
           nor
           true
           friends
           ,
           like
           the
           
             Samaritans
             ,
          
           who
           feared
           the
           Lord
           and
           served
           their
           Idols
           ,
           of
           whom
           also
           
             Josephus
          
           saith
           ,
           that
           when
           the
           
             Jewes
          
           were
           in
           prosperity
           the
           
             Samaritans
          
           were
           their
           friends
           ,
           
           but
           were
           ever
           severed
           from
           them
           in
           their
           adversity
           .
           But
           as
           the
           Lord
           said
           of
           them
           when
           they
           feared
           the
           Lord
           and
           served
           their
           Idols
           ,
           
             they
             feared
             not
             the
             Lord
             :
          
           so
           he
           will
           one
           day
           say
           of
           these
           ,
           they
           love
           not
           the
           Lord
           .
           They
           say
           such
           as
           stand
           
             neuters
          
           are
           ordinarily
           crushed
           ,
           which
           side
           soever
           wins
           ,
           but
           the
           Lord
           acknowledges
           no
           
             Neuters
             .
          
           This
           text
           
             curses
          
           all
           them
           who
           
             come
             not
             out
             to
             helpe
          
           him
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           those
           who
           
             came
             to
             fight
          
           against
           him
           ,
           
           And
           our
           Saviour
           at
           the
           last
           day
           will
           as
           well
           denounce
           
             go
             ye
             cursed
          
           against
           them
           ,
           who
           
             gave
             them
             not
             bread
          
           when
           they
           were
           hungry
           ,
           as
           them
           who
           
             plucked
             their
             bread
             away
             from
             them
             .
          
           And
           in
           this
           case
           it
           is
           a
           certaine
           rule
           ,
           for
           it
           is
           Christs
           rule
           ,
           
             he
             that
             is
             not
             with
             me
             ,
             is
             against
             me
             .
          
           And
           of
           these
           Neuters
           there
           are
           two
           sorts
           .
           First
           ,
           some
           stand
           Neuters
           out
           of
           
             policy
             ,
          
           
           because
           they
           will
           see
           which
           side
           shall
           prevaile
           ,
           
           that
           they
           may
           be
           sure
           to
           joyne
           with
           the
           winning
           side
           ;
           
           of
           these
           we
           have
           a
           notable
           example
           
             Judg.
          
           8.
           when
           
             Gideon
          
           was
           pursuing
           
             Zeba
          
           and
           
             Zalmunnah
          
           the
           Kings
           of
           
             Midian
             ,
          
           he
           cals
           to
           the
           men
           of
           
             Succoth
             ,
          
           and
           the
           men
           of
           
             Penuel
             ,
          
           to
           help
           to
           victuall
           his
           Army
           .
           
             Give
             ,
             I
             pray
             you
             ,
             loaves
             to
             them
             that
             follow
             me
             ,
             for
             they
             are
             faint
             .
          
           But
           they
           would
           first
           see
           what
           would
           be
           the
           event
           of
           the
           war
           ,
           
           
             Are
             the
             heads
             of
             Zeba
             and
             Zalmunnah
             in
             thine
             hands
             ,
             that
             we
             should
             give
             bread
             unto
             thine
             Army
             ?
          
           As
           who
           should
           say
           ,
           if
           you
           gave
           gotten
           the
           day
           ,
           we
           are
           for
           you
           ;
           if
           not
           ,
           you
           must
           pardon
           us
           ,
           we
           will
           looke
           on
           a
           while
           longer
           ;
           and
           even
           so
           do
           many
           falsehearted
           friends
           deale
           with
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           ,
           turne
           
             Jewes
             ,
          
           when
           they
           have
           an
           honoured
           
             Mordecai
             ,
          
           and
           as
           ready
           to
           cut
           their
           throats
           when
           
             Haman
          
           prevailes
           against
           them
           .
           They
           will
           be
           sure
           to
           be
           of
           the
           winning
           side
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           save
           their
           own
           stake
           ;
           but
           what
           
             Gideons
          
           answer
           was
           to
           the
           men
           of
           
             Succoth
          
           and
           
             Penuel
             ,
             when
             the
             Lord
             hath
             delivered
             Zeba
             and
             Zalmunnah
             into
             mine
             hand
             ,
          
           
           
             then
             then
             will
             I
             teare
             your
             flesh
             with
             briars
             and
             thornes
             of
             the
             wildernesse
             ,
             then
             will
             I
             beate
             down
             your
             Towers
             ,
             and
             slay
             the
             men
             of
             your
             City
             ,
          
           and
           accordingly
           did
           it
           :
           such
           like
           doom
           and
           execution
           shall
           all
           politick
           Neuters
           receive
           from
           the
           hand
           of
           Christ
           .
        
         
           2
           There
           is
           a
           second
           sort
           of
           Neuters
           who
           neither
           oppose
           the
           Church
           nor
           helpe
           it
           ;
           
           not
           out
           of
           policy
           ,
           
           but
           meere
           sluggishnesse
           and
           desire
           of
           ease
           or
           basenes
           of
           spirit
           :
           loving
           only
           their
           worldly
           profits
           and
           sensuall
           pleasures
           ,
           nothing
           regarding
           what
           concernes
           religion
           ,
           or
           the
           Church
           :
           like
           
             Gallio
          
           the
           Deputie
           of
           
             Achaia
             ,
          
           who
           when
           the
           
             Iewes
             ,
          
           one
           while
           beat
           
             Paul
             ,
          
           another
           while
           the
           Ruler
           of
           the
           Synagogue
           (
           as
           the
           Text
           sayes
           )
           cared
           for
           none
           of
           these
           things
           .
           
           If
           it
           had
           beene
           a
           matter
           of
           
             right
             or
             equitie
             ,
          
           things
           belonging
           to
           the
           
             Roman
          
           lawes
           ,
           he
           was
           ready
           to
           appeare
           ,
           but
           if
           it
           be
           a
           
             matter
             of
             Religion
             ,
          
           it
           was
           out
           of
           his
           element
           ,
           he
           is
           indifferent
           ,
           whether
           the
           Beare
           bite
           the
           Dog
           ,
           or
           the
           Dog
           bite
           the
           Beare
           ,
           it
           is
           all
           one
           to
           him
           .
           Abundance
           of
           these
           are
           to
           be
           found
           every where
           ,
           of
           whom
           we
           may
           say
           ,
           as
           
             Salomon
          
           in
           another
           case
           ,
           
             The
             heart
             knowes
             his
             owne
             bitternesse
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           They
           neither
           know
           the
           Churches
           bitternesse
           ,
           
           nor
           are
           acquainted
           with
           the
           joy
           of
           it
           .
           
           Such
           (
           I
           thinke
           )
           were
           the
           men
           of
           
             Iabesh
             Gilead
             ,
          
           who
           when
           all
           the
           Tribes
           of
           Israel
           had
           bound
           themselves
           by
           oath
           to
           prosecute
           that
           bloody
           murder
           of
           the
           
             Levites
          
           Concubine
           ,
           against
           the
           
             Benjamites
             ,
          
           and
           never
           to
           returne
           untill
           they
           had
           avenged
           it
           ,
           they
           let
           both
           sides
           alone
           ,
           they
           had
           businesse
           enough
           of
           their
           owne
           at
           home
           ,
           not
           doubting
           but
           there
           were
           men
           enough
           to
           do
           the
           work
           ,
           though
           they
           kept
           themselves
           quiet
           .
           But
           this
           neutrality
           of
           theirs
           cost
           them
           deare
           in
           the
           end
           ,
           their
           owne
           heart
           blood
           paid
           for
           it
           :
           and
           it
           is
           most
           probable
           ,
           that
           
             Meroz
          
           in
           this
           Text
           was
           guilty
           of
           no
           other
           fault
           .
           The
           Lord
           grant
           that
           they
           may
           be
           warnings
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           we
           bee
           not
           made
           warnings
           to
           others
           .
           I
           hope
           this
           may
           suffice
           for
           reproofe
           .
        
         
           The
           second
           Use
           ,
           
           and
           that
           which
           I
           most
           aime
           at
           ,
           is
           for
           exhortation
           .
           Oh
           that
           I
           were
           able
           to
           speake
           somewhat
           to
           raise
           up
           your
           spirits
           ,
           to
           make
           you
           these
           blessed
           
           men
           who
           willingly
           helpe
           the
           Lord
           against
           the
           mightie
           :
           I
           confesse
           the
           
             day
             ,
          
           the
           
             occasion
          
           of
           our
           meeting
           ,
           this
           
             Text
             ,
          
           and
           your
           
             place
          
           and
           office
           .
           (
           Right
           Honourable
           and
           beloved
           )
           give
           me
           an
           infinite
           advantage
           to
           speake
           ,
           
           if
           I
           were
           able
           to
           improve
           all
           for
           your
           good
           .
           The
           thing
           I
           aime
           at
           ,
           is
           ,
           to
           send
           you
           home
           with
           
             Luthers
          
           resolution
           ,
           who
           protested
           to
           God
           ,
           that
           no
           portion
           ,
           which
           God
           could
           give
           him
           in
           this
           world
           should
           content
           him
           but
           onely
           this
           ,
           to
           bee
           Gods
           Servant
           ,
           to
           bee
           a
           
             usefull
          
           man
           in
           his
           Church
           ,
           he
           would
           care
           neither
           for
           silver
           nor
           gold
           ,
           neither
           for
           honour
           nor
           reproach
           :
           ease
           and
           labour
           should
           bee
           all
           one
           ,
           so
           that
           hee
           might
           bee
           accepted
           and
           usefull
           .
           And
           would
           the
           Lord
           vouchsafe
           to
           make
           my
           labour
           effectuall
           with
           you
           in
           this
           thing
           ,
           I
           should
           bee
           a
           blessed
           man
           in
           my
           worke
           ,
           and
           you
           should
           goe
           home
           the
           blessedest
           company
           that
           ever
           met
           in
           such
           an
           Assemblie
           .
           To
           this
           end
           I
           shall
           endeavour
           two
           things
           ,
        
         
           First
           ,
           
           to
           give
           you
           
             motives
          
           or
           incentives
           to
           inflame
           your
           hearts
           after
           such
           a
           temper
           of
           spirit
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           be
           willing
           to
           give
           up
           your selves
           to
           the
           help
           of
           the
           Lord
           and
           his
           Church
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           some
           
             directions
          
           to
           enable
           you
           in
           truth
           and
           realitie
           to
           be
           usefull
           .
           And
           although
           most
           of
           the
           things
           that
           I
           shall
           speake
           doe
           chiefely
           concern
           you
           ,
           our
           honourable
           Worthies
           ,
           yet
           they
           will
           in
           their
           proportion
           reach
           the
           meanest
           in
           the
           congregation
           .
        
         
           To
           stir
           you
           up
           ,
           
           consider
           these
           three
           motives
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           the
           honour
           of
           God
           .
           Certainly
           the
           highest
           end
           of
           our
           living
           in
           this
           world
           ,
           is
           to
           honour
           God
           .
           Hallowed
           be
           thy
           name
           ,
           is
           the
           first
           petition
           of
           every
           one
           that
           saith
           the
           Lords
           Prayer
           .
           Now
           a
           man
           
           never
           gives
           glory
           to
           God
           as
           God
           ,
           never
           sets
           up
           God
           in
           his
           right
           place
           ,
           till
           he
           have
           devoted
           himself
           wholly
           and
           absolutely
           to
           serve
           him
           in
           what
           is
           most
           acceptable
           with
           him
           .
           And
           I
           have
           made
           it
           apparent
           that
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           is
           that
           field
           from
           which
           he
           expects
           the
           most
           plentifull
           crop
           of
           glory
           ,
           and
           and
           therefore
           would
           have
           the
           most
           cost
           bestowed
           on
           it
           ;
           He
           gets
           glory
           by
           all
           our
           actions
           ,
           but
           in
           what
           wee
           doe
           for
           the
           Church
           ,
           wee
           give
           him
           glory
           and
           that
           in
           the
           highest
           degree
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           
           as
           for
           
             Gods
          
           sake
           ,
           so
           for
           the
           
             Churches
          
           sake
           .
           It
           is
           ever
           well
           with
           the
           Church
           ,
           when
           the
           members
           of
           it
           ,
           doe
           preferre
           the
           Churches
           good
           above
           their
           owne
           .
           
             Polititians
          
           and
           
             Historians
          
           observe
           this
           of
           States
           and
           Empires
           ,
           that
           they
           usually
           thrive
           when
           the
           Subjects
           are
           
             Common-wealths
             men
             ,
          
           every
           one
           endeavouring
           to
           promote
           the
           
             publick
          
           good
           .
           
             Livie
          
           observes
           this
           of
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           that
           so
           long
           as
           men
           would
           leave
           their
           trades
           ,
           farmes
           and
           merchandise
           ,
           Ladies
           part
           with
           their
           Jewels
           and
           ornaments
           ,
           rather
           than
           any
           detriment
           should
           come
           to
           the
           Citie
           ,
           all
           Nations
           were
           subdued
           to
           them
           :
           But
           when
           they
           grew
           
             private
             ,
             wealths
             men
             ,
          
           every
           one
           labouring
           to
           preserve
           and
           adorn
           his
           owne
           Cabbin
           only
           ;
           the
           ship
           presently
           was
           endangered
           and
           went
           to
           decay
           .
           This
           is
           as
           true
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           In
           all
           the
           rising
           times
           of
           it
           ,
           God
           hath
           ever
           stirred
           up
           such
           noble
           and
           generous
           spirits
           ,
           who
           have
           given
           themselves
           to
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           the
           service
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           In
           the
           
             Acts
          
           of
           the
           
             Apostles
          
           you
           shall
           find
           
             that
             they
             were
             all
             of
             one
             heart
             and
             one
             mind
             .
          
           
           
             No
             man
             said
             that
             ought
             of
             the
             things
             that
             he
             possessed
             was
             his
             own
             ,
             they
             had
             all
             things
             common
             .
             Sold
             their
             possessions
             and
             goods
             ,
             distributing
             them
             as
             every
             man
             had
             need
             ,
          
           and
           lived
           so
           ,
           as
           if
           
           one
           soule
           possessed
           them
           all
           :
           This
           was
           the
           thriving
           time
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           Then
           their
           multitude
           increased
           by
           thousands
           and
           ten
           thousands
           and
           walking
           in
           the
           feare
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           the
           comfort
           of
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           were
           multiplyed
           .
           But
           when
           once
           men
           grew
           to
           seeke
           their
           
             owne
             things
             ,
          
           and
           not
           
             the
             things
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
          
           and
           his
           Church
           ,
           the
           Church
           soone
           fell
           into
           a
           languishing
           condition
           .
           
           As
           therefore
           you
           desire
           to
           keepe
           up
           the
           spirits
           and
           strength
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           so
           labour
           to
           keepe
           up
           your
           own
           spirits
           for
           the
           Church
           ,
           as
           you
           desire
           that
           may
           not
           faint
           ,
           so
           doe
           you
           take
           heed
           of
           fainting
           in
           the
           service
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           as
           for
           Gods
           sake
           ,
           and
           the
           Churches
           sake
           ,
           so
           for
           your
           owne
           sake
           ,
           
           for
           your
           owne
           comfort
           and
           benefit
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           many
           respects
           .
           As
           first
           ,
           Such
           a
           frame
           of
           Spirit
           as
           this
           will
           bee
           the
           best
           evidence
           of
           your
           owne
           safe
           condition
           ,
           of
           your
           peace
           with
           God
           ;
           t
           is
           a
           comfortable
           thing
           for
           a
           man
           to
           hate
           his
           lusts
           ,
           to
           strive
           against
           them
           ,
           to
           waite
           upon
           duties
           ,
           to
           attend
           upon
           Ordinances
           ,
           
           to
           bee
           often
           enquiring
           ,
           
             What
             shall
             I
             doe
             to
             bee
             saved
             ?
          
           but
           all
           this
           may
           bee
           but
           selfe
           love
           (
           although
           such
           a
           love
           God
           approves
           of
           )
           but
           when
           the
           soule
           comes
           to
           enquire
           ,
           what
           shall
           I
           doe
           that
           Christ
           may
           bee
           glorified
           ,
           that
           his
           Church
           may
           bee
           edified
           ?
           to
           know
           no
           crosse
           but
           the
           Churches
           crosse
           ?
           to
           preferre
           the
           joy
           of
           the
           Church
           before
           all
           his
           owne
           peace
           and
           wellfare
           ?
           this
           is
           not
           only
           an
           Argument
           of
           a
           man
           looking
           Heaven-ward
           ,
           but
           one
           that
           hath
           proceeded
           farre
           in
           the
           way
           ;
           A
           Scholler
           of
           the
           first
           and
           highest
           forme
           ;
           and
           this
           is
           that
           which
           Saint
           
             Iohn
          
           meanes
           ,
           when
           hee
           doth
           so
           frequently
           ang
           all
           our
           evidence
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           upon
           Love
           of
           the
           
           brethren
           ,
           
             Hereby
             wee
             know
             that
             wee
             are
             translated
             from
             death
             to
             life
             ,
             because
             wee
             Love
             the
             Brethren
             ▪
             In
             this
             are
             the
             Children
             of
             God
             manifest
             from
             the
             children
             of
             the
             Divell
             :
             Hee
             that
             loves
             not
             his
             brother
             ,
          
           
           
             is
             not
             of
             God
             :
             Hereby
             wee
             know
             that
             wee
             are
             of
             the
             truth
             ,
             and
             shall
             assure
             our
             hearts
             before
             him
             .
             Every
             one
             that
             loves
             God
             ,
          
           
           
             loves
             him
             also
             that
             is
             begotten
             of
             him
             .
          
           And
           many
           other
           expressions
           ,
           as
           if
           Saint
           
             Iohn
          
           knew
           no
           other
           evidence
           but
           Love
           ;
           now
           what
           Love
           is
           it
           ?
           Hee
           meanes
           it
           not
           of
           an
           inward
           affection
           only
           ,
           to
           wish
           well
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           so
           forth
           ,
           but
           by
           love
           to
           serve
           our
           brethren
           ,
           to
           lay
           out
           our selves
           ,
           our
           lives
           ,
           and
           parts
           ,
           and
           all
           to
           serve
           them
           ,
           
             To
             lay
             downe
             our
             lives
             for
             the
             Brethren
             ,
             as
             Christ
             laid
             downe
             his
             life
             for
             us
             .
          
           
           This
           was
           that
           that
           bore
           up
           
             Hezekiahs
          
           heart
           in
           the
           time
           of
           his
           sicknesse
           ,
           
           when
           hee
           could
           pleade
           ,
           
             Lord
             ,
             remember
             that
             I
             have
             done
             that
             which
             is
             good
             in
             thy
             sight
             .
          
           What
           was
           the
           good
           that
           
             Hezekiah
          
           had
           done
           ?
           even
           this
           ,
           Hee
           had
           set
           himselfe
           to
           purge
           Religion
           ,
           to
           set
           up
           Gods
           Ordinances
           ,
           to
           make
           the
           Church
           prosper
           ,
           given
           up
           himselfe
           to
           the
           publick
           service
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           ,
           This
           made
           
             Nehemiah
          
           comfortably
           to
           goe
           to
           God
           ;
           Oh
           my
           God
           ,
           wipe
           not
           out
           the
           good
           deeds
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           done
           for
           the
           House
           of
           my
           God
           ,
           
           And
           indeed
           ,
           there
           neither
           is
           nor
           can
           be
           ,
           any
           more
           certaine
           or
           infallible
           signe
           of
           a
           living
           member
           of
           Christs
           body
           ,
           and
           of
           our
           communion
           with
           Jesus
           Christ
           in
           his
           holy
           Spirit
           ,
           that
           Spirit
           which
           dwels
           and
           acts
           in
           his
           whole
           mysticall
           body
           ,
           then
           this
           ,
           to
           sympathize
           with
           the
           Church
           ,
           to
           suffer
           in
           the
           sufferings
           of
           it
           ,
           to
           rejoyce
           in
           the
           consolations
           of
           it
           and
           to
           preferre
           the
           good
           of
           it
           ,
           before
           that
           of
           
           our
           owne
           soules
           :
           Secondly
           ,
           the
           honour
           of
           it
           may
           provoke
           you
           .
           Ingenuous
           and
           Noble
           Spirits
           will
           doe
           more
           for
           their
           honour
           than
           for
           their
           gaine
           ,
           now
           if
           you
           waigh
           it
           in
           the
           Ballance
           of
           the
           Sanctuary
           ,
           
           you
           shall
           finde
           ,
           that
           to
           bee
           a
           publick
           servant
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           to
           have
           an
           influence
           into
           the
           wellfare
           of
           many
           ,
           
           is
           the
           greatest
           honour
           which
           God
           communicates
           to
           any
           Creature
           ;
           The
           Creatures
           which
           are
           for
           publick
           and
           universall
           use
           ,
           are
           most
           noble
           and
           excellent
           ,
           the
           World
           might
           stand
           well
           enough
           without
           Pearles
           and
           Jewels
           ,
           and
           a
           thousand
           such
           like
           things
           ,
           but
           the
           fire
           ,
           the
           water
           ,
           the
           Sunne
           ,
           the
           Earth
           ,
           which
           are
           servants
           to
           all
           ,
           the
           World
           were
           ruined
           without
           them
           .
           Yea
           this
           will
           make
           us
           like
           to
           the
           Angels
           ,
           the
           excellentest
           of
           all
           Gods
           creatures
           ,
           whose
           delightfull
           employment
           is
           to
           bee
           
             Ministring
             Spirits
             ,
             sent
             forth
             to
             Minister
             for
             them
             ,
             who
             shall
             bee
             heires
             of
             salvation
             .
          
           What
           shall
           I
           say
           ,
           this
           makes
           us
           (
           more
           than
           any
           thing
           else
           )
           like
           unto
           God
           himselfe
           ,
           
             thou
             art
             good
             and
             doest
             good
             :
          
           almost
           all
           the
           knowledge
           which
           we
           have
           of
           the
           glory
           of
           God
           ,
           comes
           from
           the
           good
           which
           God
           diffuseth
           into
           the
           Creature
           ,
           and
           they
           partake
           most
           of
           Gods
           nature
           ,
           and
           most
           eminently
           beare
           his
           Image
           ,
           who
           are
           his
           most
           usefull
           instruments
           in
           doing
           good
           to
           his
           Church
           and
           people
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           marke
           it
           ,
           wee
           shall
           seldome
           finde
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           in
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           to
           point
           out
           any
           as
           truly
           honourable
           ,
           but
           under
           this
           notion
           ,
           that
           they
           study
           the
           wellfare
           and
           good
           of
           Sion
           .
           Marke
           them
           whom
           Saint
           
             Paul
          
           commends
           in
           the
           twelfth
           to
           the
           
             Romans
             ,
          
           and
           yee
           shall
           see
           this
           is
           the
           matter
           of
           their
           praise
           ;
           
             Phaebe
             was
             a
             servant
             of
             
             the
             Church
             at
             Cenchrea
             ,
             shee
             was
             a
             favourer
             of
             many
             :
             Aquila
             and
             Priscilla
             were
             Pauls
             helpers
             ,
             ready
             to
             lay
             downe
             their
             neckes
          
           for
           a
           publick
           good
           .
           
             Mary
             ,
             Andronicus
             ,
             Vrban
             ,
             Triphena
             ,
             Triphosa
             ,
          
           and
           many
           other
           ,
           this
           is
           their
           commendation
           ,
           
             They
             laboured
             much
             in
             the
             Lord
             .
          
           So
           the
           houshold
           of
           
             Stephanus
             ,
             Paul
          
           would
           have
           all
           of
           them
           subject
           to
           the
           houshold
           of
           
             Stephanus
             ,
          
           he
           would
           have
           them
           numbred
           among
           the
           
             Patricii
             .
          
           
           What
           was
           the
           house-hold
           of
           
             Stephanus
             ?
          
           It
           may
           bee
           some
           honest
           Tradesman
           in
           his
           Civill
           ranke
           :
           but
           here
           is
           the
           Crowne
           :
           
             They
             addicted
             themselves
             to
             the
             service
             of
             the
             Saints
             :
          
           
           and
           of
           the
           messengers
           of
           the
           Churches
           ,
           some
           good
           men
           that
           came
           on
           the
           Churches
           errand
           ,
           the
           Apostle
           saith
           ,
           if
           any
           inquired
           what
           they
           were
           ,
           what
           ranck
           or
           qualitie
           they
           were
           of
           ,
           hee
           answers
           ,
           they
           were
           
             The
             Messengers
             of
             the
             Churches
             ,
             the
             glory
             of
             Christ
             .
          
           Yea
           Saint
           
             Paul
          
           of
           himselfe
           ,
           who
           seldome
           gloryed
           of
           himselfe
           ,
           who
           though
           hee
           were
           the
           greatest
           Apostle
           ,
           esteemed
           himselfe
           the
           greatest
           sinner
           ,
           yet
           could
           not
           forbeare
           glorying
           in
           this
           ,
           
             That
             hee
             laboured
             more
             abundantly
             than
             any
             others
             ,
             that
             the
             Care
             of
             all
             the
             Churches
             lay
             upon
             him
             ,
             that
             hee
             became
             all
             things
             to
             all
             men
             ,
             that
             hee
             might
             save
             some
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             Stigmata
             ,
          
           the
           brands
           or
           markes
           that
           hee
           bore
           about
           his
           body
           for
           his
           service
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           hee
           did
           more
           glory
           in
           ,
           than
           any
           Noble
           man
           can
           of
           his
           George
           or
           Blew
           Ribband
           :
           You
           shall
           see
           it
           ,
           
             Galathians
          
           6.
           verse
           17.
           
           The
           
             Galathians
          
           had
           used
           Saint
           
             Paul
          
           somewhat
           coursely
           ,
           judged
           his
           actions
           and
           intentions
           ,
           and
           marke
           how
           Saint
           
             Paul
          
           seemes
           to
           take
           state
           upon
           him
           ,
           
             from
             henceforth
             let
             no
             man
             trouble
             mee
             ;
          
           
           What
           made
           him
           thus
           high
           in
           his
           Spirit
           ?
           
             I
             beare
             in
             my
             body
             ,
          
           the
           
             Stigmata
             ,
             the
             markes
             of
             the
             Lord
             Iesus
             :
          
           this
           was
           a
           badge
           of
           his
           honour
           ,
           and
           therefore
           they
           must
           use
           him
           honourably
           ,
           and
           indeed
           if
           wee
           compare
           the
           honour
           and
           glory
           that
           rests
           upon
           men
           for
           the
           service
           of
           Christ
           and
           his
           Church
           ,
           and
           that
           which
           vaine
           men
           seeke
           in
           other
           things
           ,
           the
           truth
           of
           this
           would
           easily
           bee
           seene
           .
           Suppose
           one
           man
           could
           say
           ,
           this
           would
           I
           received
           in
           fighting
           for
           a
           
             Mistris
          
           in
           a
           Duell
           :
           Another
           thus
           ,
           my
           state
           is
           empaired
           in
           brangling
           suites
           at
           Law
           ,
           Another
           in
           gameing
           and
           Whoreing
           .
           What
           fruit
           ?
           what
           glory
           is
           in
           these
           things
           ?
           but
           now
           on
           the
           other
           side
           ,
           when
           a
           servant
           of
           God
           can
           say
           ,
           
             Haec
             manus
             ob
             Ecclesiam
             pugnando
             ,
             &c.
          
           these
           offices
           I
           lost
           ,
           this
           preferment
           I
           went
           without
           ,
           thus
           was
           I
           scorned
           ,
           thus
           is
           my
           body
           wasted
           for
           Christs
           sake
           and
           for
           his
           Churches
           sake
           ;
           this
           is
           glory
           indeed
           ,
           this
           glory
           exceeds
           the
           happinesse
           of
           mortalitie
           ,
           and
           will
           outlive
           all
           wealth
           and
           pleasure
           .
           And
           all
           experience
           shewes
           us
           ,
           that
           however
           such
           men
           are
           most
           opposed
           and
           scorned
           by
           the
           enemies
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           who
           alwayes
           most
           fight
           against
           the
           Capraines
           and
           Leaders
           ,
           yet
           among
           the
           Saints
           these
           are
           the
           most
           precious
           men
           ,
           one
           of
           them
           esteemed
           worth
           a
           thousand
           of
           others
           :
           and
           this
           some
           thinke
           Saint
           
             Paul
          
           to
           aime
           at
           in
           the
           fifth
           to
           the
           
             Romans
             ,
          
           when
           he
           saith
           ,
           
             scarcely
             for
             a
             righteous
             man
             will
             one
             dye
             ,
             yet
             peradventure
             for
             a
             good
             man
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           a
           usefull
           Man
           ,
           a
           serviceable
           Man
           ,
           a
           Man
           whose
           life
           and
           labours
           benefits
           many
           ,
           
           
             Some
             would
             even
             dare
             to
             die
             .
          
           Thirdly
           ,
           nor
           is
           the
           Reward
           lesse
           ,
           
           at
           the
           present
           it
           may
           bee
           such
           instruments
           
           may
           loose
           
             Houses
             ,
             or
             brethren
             ,
             or
             children
             ,
             or
             lands
             ,
             and
             their
             owne
             lives
             ,
          
           but
           they
           shall
           finde
           it
           againe
           ,
           
             in
             this
             life
             a
             hundred
             fold
             besides
             the
             inheritance
             of
             everlasting
             life
             .
          
           Bread
           cast
           upon
           these
           waters
           is
           seed
           sowen
           in
           fertile
           ground
           ;
           the
           bosome
           of
           the
           Church
           is
           the
           most
           fruitfull
           soile
           in
           the
           world
           .
           Flesh
           and
           blood
           will
           never
           believe
           this
           ,
           but
           Jesus
           Christ
           the
           Lord
           of
           Life
           and
           Glory
           ,
           whose
           all
           the
           Silver
           and
           Gold
           in
           the
           World
           is
           ,
           who
           hath
           power
           enough
           to
           promote
           his
           servants
           and
           savourites
           ,
           hath
           sufficiently
           assured
           us
           of
           this
           in
           his
           Gospell
           ;
           Men
           will
           securely
           adventure
           their
           estates
           upon
           Ropes
           and
           Cables
           in
           the
           deepe
           Seas
           ,
           when
           the
           ensuring
           office
           is
           ingaged
           for
           their
           securitie
           ;
           if
           yee
           dare
           trust
           the
           insureing
           office
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           goe
           on
           ,
           serve
           the
           Church
           ,
           I
           promise
           in
           the
           Name
           of
           Christ
           to
           you
           ,
           yee
           shall
           bee
           paid
           every
           penny
           ,
           every
           houres
           sleepe
           which
           yee
           have
           broken
           ,
           every
           gray
           haire
           which
           is
           hereby
           scattered
           upon
           your
           head
           ,
           every
           disease
           which
           yee
           have
           contracted
           ,
           every
           reproach
           which
           you
           have
           suffered
           ,
           ye
           shall
           loose
           nothing
           by
           all
           or
           any
           of
           these
           ,
           he
           will
           repay
           it
           you
           in
           this
           world
           an
           hundred
           fold
           in
           better
           things
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           with
           trouble
           and
           persecution
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           world
           to
           come
           ye
           shall
           have
           life
           everlasting
           ;
           Thus
           farre
           the
           motives
           ,
           which
           would
           the
           Lord
           let
           sinke
           into
           your
           hearts
           :
           how
           would
           yee
           with
           
             Paul
          
           rejoyce
           to
           be
           offered
           up
           a
           Sacrifice
           for
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           ?
           how
           willingly
           would
           yee
           continue
           to
           spend
           ,
           and
           to
           bee
           spent
           in
           so
           good
           worke
           ?
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           some
           directions
           how
           we
           may
           be
           able
           to
           doe
           this
           :
           where
        
         
         
           First
           ,
           I
           shall
           shew
           what
           is
           requisite
           to
           prepare
           us
           and
           fit
           us
           to
           bee
           the
           Churches
           servants
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           how
           and
           wherein
           they
           that
           are
           fit
           should
           help
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           
           men
           must
           bee
           fitted
           for
           it
           ;
           this
           
             Mercury
          
           is
           not
           made
           of
           every
           wood
           ;
           the
           Lord
           needs
           no
           Instruments
           ;
           if
           hee
           use
           any
           ,
           it
           is
           
             propter
             munificentiam
             ,
          
           not
           
             propter
             indigentiam
             ;
          
           because
           hee
           meanes
           to
           honour
           them
           ,
           not
           because
           they
           can
           benefit
           him
           :
           and
           therefore
           hee
           will
           make
           them
           choice
           spirits
           ,
           rare
           and
           singular
           men
           ,
           
           to
           whom
           he
           will
           thus
           communicate
           his
           owne
           glory
           ,
           and
           three
           things
           must
           meet
           in
           them
           .
           
           First
           ,
           They
           must
           be
           godly
           ;
           a
           Generall
           in
           an
           Army
           neither
           gives
           pay
           nor
           command
           to
           any
           ,
           untill
           they
           bee
           duly
           entred
           into
           his
           muster-book
           :
           Now
           men
           are
           never
           numbred
           among
           the
           Lambs
           followers
           ,
           their
           names
           are
           not
           entred
           into
           his
           List
           ,
           untill
           they
           be
           Saints
           .
           Read
           
             Revelation
             ,
          
           where
           ever
           the
           Lambs
           followers
           are
           described
           ,
           
           
             They
             are
             such
             as
             have
             washed
             their
             Robes
             ,
             made
             them
             white
             in
             the
             blood
             of
             the
             Lamb
             ,
          
           
           
             serving
             him
             night
             and
             day
             ;
             they
             are
             redeemed
             from
             the
             earth
             ;
             in
             their
             mouth
             is
             found
             no
             guile
             .
          
           They
           that
           are
           with
           the
           Lamb
           are
           
             called
             ,
             and
             chosen
             ,
             and
             faithfull
             .
          
           And
           it
           must
           needs
           be
           so
           ;
           for
           so
           long
           as
           men
           are
           in
           their
           unregenerate
           condition
           ,
           they
           are
           Satans
           vassals
           in
           the
           maine
           ;
           there
           is
           not
           in
           them
           a
           
             substratum
          
           of
           reall
           usefulnesse
           to
           the
           Church
           ;
           their
           heart
           cannot
           be
           with
           the
           Lord
           nor
           his
           people
           :
           'T
           is
           only
           the
           new
           life
           which
           is
           the
           right
           principle
           of
           this
           service
           which
           is
           here
           expected
           :
           If
           therefore
           the
           Lord
           hath
           kindled
           in
           any
           of
           your
           hearts
           a
           desire
           to
           doe
           him
           service
           ,
           I
           
           beseech
           you
           ,
           first
           ,
           humble
           your
           souls
           deeply
           before
           God
           for
           your
           sinnes
           ;
           get
           your
           Robes
           washed
           in
           the
           blood
           of
           the
           Lamb
           ,
           rest
           not
           till
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Christ
           come
           to
           dwell
           in
           you
           ,
           and
           when
           yee
           have
           ,
           once
           with
           the
           
             Thessalonians
             ,
          
           given
           your selves
           first
           to
           the
           Lord
           ,
           then
           yee
           are
           fit
           to
           give
           your selves
           to
           the
           Church
           for
           the
           Lords
           sake
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           
           as
           they
           must
           be
           
             godly
             ,
          
           who
           would
           be
           servants
           to
           the
           Church
           ;
           so
           they
           must
           learn
           to
           
             deny
             themselves
             ;
          
           they
           must
           be
           taken
           off
           from
           all
           private
           selfe-engagements
           ;
           they
           must
           set
           light
           by
           their
           own
           ease
           ,
           their
           own
           profit
           ,
           and
           their
           own
           life
           :
           
             If
             any
             man
          
           (
           saith
           Christ
           )
           
             come
             to
             me
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             hate
             not
             his
             father
             ,
             and
             mother
             ,
             and
             wife
             ,
             and
             children
             ,
             and
             brethren
             ,
             and
             sisters
             ,
             yea
             ,
             and
             his
             own
             life
             also
             ,
             he
             cannot
             bee
             my
             Disciple
             .
          
           Search
           through
           all
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           you
           shall
           hardly
           finde
           a
           man
           who
           ever
           was
           fitted
           to
           bee
           usefull
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           till
           he
           had
           set
           himselfe
           aside
           ;
           
             No
             man
             that
             warreth
             ,
          
           
           
             entangleth
             himselfe
             with
             the
             affaires
             of
             this
             life
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             please
             him
             who
             hath
             chosen
             him
             to
             be
             a
             souldier
             .
          
           And
           therefore
           it
           was
           the
           
             A
             ,
             B
             ,
             C
             ,
          
           which
           Christ
           taught
           all
           his
           followers
           ,
           even
           this
           lesson
           of
           
             selfe-deniall
             :
          
           You
           shall
           read
           
             Mat.
             20.
             v.
          
           22.
           
           That
           when
           the
           mother
           of
           
             Iames
          
           and
           
             Iohn
          
           came
           to
           seek
           
             preferment
          
           at
           Christs
           hand
           for
           her
           two
           sonnes
           ,
           that
           the
           one
           might
           sit
           at
           his
           
             right
          
           hand
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           at
           his
           
             left
          
           in
           his
           Kingdome
           ;
           Christ
           presently
           nips
           that
           motion
           in
           the
           head
           ,
           and
           tells
           them
           ,
           that
           instead
           of
           expecting
           such
           high
           and
           pleasant
           things
           in
           this
           world
           ,
           they
           must
           (
           if
           they
           meant
           to
           be
           his
           Apostles
           )
           prepare
           to
           
             drink
             of
             his
             cup
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             baptized
             with
             his
             baptisme
             ;
          
           that
           is
           ,
           take
           paines
           and
           suffer
           trouble
           .
           
           And
           verily
           sad
           experience
           hath
           taught
           this
           ,
           that
           men
           are
           never
           cordiall
           to
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           ,
           who
           
             embrace
             this
             present
             world
             .
          
           It
           is
           recorded
           of
           the
           King
           of
           
             Navarre
          
           then
           a
           Protestant
           ,
           being
           pressed
           by
           
             Beza
             ,
          
           to
           appeare
           more
           in
           the
           cause
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           owne
           religion
           to
           the
           purpose
           :
           He
           makes
           him
           answer
           to
           this
           effect
           ,
           That
           he
           was
           their
           friend
           ,
           but
           he
           resolved
           to
           put
           no
           further
           to
           Sea
           ,
           than
           that
           he
           might
           
             get
             to
             shore
             if
             a
             storme
             should
             rise
             ;
          
           he
           resolved
           not
           to
           hazzard
           his
           hopes
           of
           the
           Crown
           of
           France
           ,
           and
           you
           know
           what
           became
           of
           him
           .
           So
           when
           men
           will
           make
           religion
           as
           
             twelve
             ,
          
           and
           the
           world
           as
           
             thirteene
             ,
          
           they
           will
           in
           sad
           tryals
           ,
           
           with
           
             Demas
             ,
             forsake
             the
             cause
             and
             servants
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             embrace
             the
             present
             world
             :
          
           Like
           those
           Potters
           recorded
           in
           the
           first
           of
           the
           
             Chro.
          
           who
           
             dwelt
             among
             plants
             and
             hedges
             :
             There
             they
             dwelt
             with
             the
             King
             for
             his
             work
             .
          
           A
           brand
           which
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           sets
           upon
           them
           ,
           who
           when
           
             Cyrus
          
           proclaimed
           liberty
           and
           encouragement
           to
           returne
           to
           
             Ierusalem
             ;
          
           to
           rebuild
           the
           Temple
           ,
           and
           set
           up
           the
           worship
           of
           God
           ,
           refused
           to
           goe
           back
           with
           their
           brethren
           ,
           and
           chose
           rather
           to
           dwell
           among
           
             plants
          
           and
           
             hedges
             ,
          
           than
           to
           hazzard
           a
           gainefull
           trade
           ,
           which
           they
           made
           of
           the
           Kings
           work
           .
           O
           beloved
           ,
           take
           heed
           of
           these
           choaking
           thorns
           ,
           the
           riches
           ,
           cares
           ,
           and
           pleasures
           of
           this
           world
           ;
           especially
           beware
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           when
           it
           comes
           with
           flattering
           allurements
           :
           Many
           ships
           have
           been
           swallowed
           in
           a
           
             calme
             ,
          
           when
           they
           have
           out-rid
           severall
           
             stormes
             .
          
           Troubles
           and
           persecutions
           ,
           (
           like
           the
           wind
           in
           
             Plutarchs
          
           Parable
           )
           make
           men
           gird
           their
           cloak
           (
           their
           profession
           of
           religion
           and
           service
           to
           the
           cause
           of
           God
           )
           closer
           to
           them
           ,
           when
           the
           
           warme
           Sunne-shine
           of
           preferments
           steales
           it
           from
           them
           :
           
        
         
           Rebus
           in
           adversis
           facile
           est
           contemnere
           vitam
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           a
           notable
           story
           of
           a
           souldier
           of
           
             Antigonus
             ,
          
           one
           whom
           the
           Prince
           observed
           to
           be
           a
           very
           valiant
           man
           ,
           ready
           to
           adventure
           upon
           any
           desperate
           service
           ,
           and
           therefore
           much
           favoured
           him
           ;
           and
           observing
           that
           he
           still
           looked
           pale
           and
           lean
           ,
           would
           needs
           know
           what
           he
           ayled
           ,
           and
           finding
           that
           he
           had
           a
           secret
           and
           dangerous
           disease
           ,
           he
           caused
           all
           possible
           meanes
           to
           be
           used
           for
           his
           recovery
           ;
           which
           when
           it
           was
           accomplished
           ,
           the
           Prince
           observed
           him
           to
           be
           lesse
           forward
           in
           service
           than
           formerly
           ,
           and
           demanding
           the
           reason
           ,
           he
           ingenuously
           acknowledged
           that
           now
           he
           felt
           the
           sweetnesse
           of
           life
           ,
           and
           was
           loth
           to
           lose
           it
           .
           And
           thus
           doe
           many
           thousands
           ,
           who
           with
           
             Ionathan
          
           when
           they
           come
           into
           a
           wood
           that
           drops
           with
           honey
           ,
           leave
           the
           chase
           of
           Gods
           enemies
           ,
           and
           feed
           upon
           the
           sweetnesse
           of
           worldly
           advancement
           .
           But
           ,
           O
           yee
           Worthies
           ,
           
           
             fly
             all
             these
             things
             ;
          
           with
           
             Paul
             ,
             esteem
             your
             lives
             not
             deare
             to
             you
             :
             Let
             no
             earthly
             thing
             move
             you
             ,
             so
             you
             may
             finish
             your
             course
             and
             service
             appointed
             you
             from
             and
             for
             the
             Lord
             Iesus
             Christ
             :
          
           and
           conclude
           with
           
             Esther
             ,
             if
             I
             perish
             ,
             I
             perish
             .
          
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           
           whosoever
           would
           bee
           a
           reall
           usefull
           instrument
           for
           the
           good
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           must
           get
           an
           
             unfaigned
             love
          
           to
           the
           Church
           planted
           in
           his
           heart
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           beare
           fruit
           in
           his
           life
           and
           actions
           .
           All
           we
           do
           is
           nothing
           but
           
             our
             labour
             of
             love
             .
             Love
          
           will
           force
           more
           than
           the
           strappado
           ,
           draw
           more
           than
           a
           yoke
           of
           
           oxen
           ;
           It
           is
           a
           sweet
           and
           strong
           tyrant
           .
           When
           the
           Apostle
           
             Paul
          
           had
           pressed
           the
           
             Corinthians
          
           earnestly
           to
           study
           for
           the
           best
           gifts
           to
           make
           them
           usefull
           in
           the
           Church
           :
           and
           to
           this
           purpose
           gives
           them
           a
           catalogue
           of
           the
           severall
           gifts
           and
           graces
           which
           Christ
           ,
           for
           this
           end
           ,
           had
           shed
           abroad
           ,
           when
           hee
           ascended
           up
           on
           high
           :
           
           Yet
           in
           the
           last
           verse
           of
           that
           chapter
           hee
           promiseth
           to
           
             shew
             them
             a
             more
             excellent
             way
             ,
          
           and
           that
           is
           the
           way
           of
           
             love
             ,
          
           which
           he
           layes
           downe
           in
           the
           thirteenth
           chapter
           :
           which
           will
           
             doe
          
           all
           things
           ,
           
             endure
          
           all
           things
           ,
           without
           which
           if
           men
           had
           the
           tongues
           of
           men
           and
           Angels
           ,
           all
           other
           gifts
           of
           prophesie
           ,
           knowledge
           ,
           &c.
           
             they
             are
             but
             as
             sounding
             brasse
             ,
             or
             tinckling
             cymbals
             .
          
           This
           is
           the
           reason
           why
           Saint
           
             Iohn
          
           throughout
           all
           his
           Epistles
           calls
           for
           almost
           nothing
           but
           
             love
             ;
          
           because
           in
           that
           he
           calls
           for
           all
           .
           
             My
             little
             children
             ,
             love
             one
             another
             .
          
           And
           this
           is
           also
           the
           reason
           why
           the
           Devil
           doth
           so
           infinitely
           labour
           to
           sow
           the
           tares
           of
           division
           in
           the
           field
           of
           the
           Church
           ;
           hee
           knowes
           if
           he
           can
           break
           the
           
             bond
             of
             love
             ,
          
           he
           breaks
           the
           
             bond
             of
             perfection
             ,
          
           and
           opens
           the
           
             flood-gates
          
           to
           confusion
           .
           Rest
           not
           therefore
           ,
           who
           ever
           thou
           art
           that
           desirest
           to
           do
           good
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           till
           the
           love
           of
           it
           be
           fixed
           in
           thy
           breast
           ,
           as
           deeply
           as
           the
           love
           of
           the
           
             Ark
          
           was
           in
           the
           heart
           of
           the
           wife
           of
           
             Phinehas
             ,
          
           who
           
             died
          
           for
           griefe
           when
           the
           Arke
           of
           God
           was
           taken
           :
           Or
           as
           
             Calice
          
           is
           said
           to
           have
           been
           in
           Queen
           
             Maries
             ,
          
           who
           affirmed
           ,
           that
           
             if
             her
             body
             were
             opened
             Calice
             would
             bee
             found
             in
             her
             heart
             .
          
           To
           this
           end
           ,
           consider
           often
           how
           deare
           the
           Church
           is
           to
           thy
           deare
           Redeemer
           ;
           how
           comely
           and
           beautifull
           it
           is
           in
           it self
           ;
           
             comely
             as
             the
             curtains
             of
             Solomon
             ,
          
           even
           when
           it
           is
           
             black
             as
             the
             tents
             of
             
             Kedar
          
           with
           persecution
           :
           How
           deformed
           ,
           uncleane
           ,
           and
           every
           way
           vain
           
             all
             other
             societies
          
           are
           in
           comparison
           of
           
             this
             ;
             As
             the
             Lilly
             among
             the
             thorns
             ;
          
           How
           near
           to
           thy selfe
           ,
           begotten
           of
           the
           same
           seed
           ,
           laid
           in
           the
           same
           womb
           with
           thee
           ,
           and
           thou
           also
           wert
           laid
           in
           its
           womb
           ,
           and
           sucked
           its
           breasts
           ,
           redeemed
           with
           the
           same
           blood
           ,
           enjoyest
           all
           the
           same
           priviledges
           ,
           hast
           all
           thy
           welfare
           in
           this
           world
           wrapt
           up
           in
           its
           welfare
           ,
           and
           expectest
           to
           live
           with
           it
           to
           all
           eternity
           in
           the
           same
           glory
           .
           These
           thoughts
           rightly
           working
           upon
           thy
           heart
           ,
           would
           make
           thee
           willingly
           spend
           and
           be
           spent
           for
           the
           Churches
           good
           :
           thy
           services
           would
           not
           be
           as
           the
           motion
           of
           a
           stone
           cast
           out
           of
           a
           sling
           ,
           at
           first
           swift
           by
           virtue
           of
           a
           violent
           impression
           ;
           but
           constant
           ,
           and
           strongest
           rather
           toward
           the
           later
           end
           ,
           as
           those
           motions
           are
           said
           to
           be
           which
           proceed
           from
           a
           naturall
           inward
           principle
           .
           So
           then
           you
           easily
           apprehend
           the
           excellent
           use
           ,
           and
           indeed
           the
           necessity
           of
           the
           concurrence
           of
           these
           three
           qualifications
           of
           
             godlinesse
             ,
             self-deniall
             ,
          
           and
           
             love
             ,
          
           to
           the
           making
           up
           of
           a
           good
           Chruch-man
           :
           the
           Lord
           make
           them
           evident
           in
           all
           your
           hearts
           and
           wayes
           .
        
         
           Next
           followes
           ,
           
           What
           men
           thus
           accomplished
           may
           and
           must
           doe
           for
           the
           Church
           .
           The
           service
           required
           may
           be
           reduced
           to
           these
           two
           heads
           :
        
         
           First
           ,
           somewhat
           to
           prepare
           us
           for
           action
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           to
           act
           as
           we
           are
           prepared
           .
        
         
           By
           way
           of
           preparation
           three
           things
           are
           requisite
           .
           First
           ,
           
           carefully
           to
           
             informe
          
           our selves
           of
           the
           state
           and
           condition
           in
           which
           the
           Church
           is
           ,
           otherwise
           wee
           deprive
           our selves
           of
           all
           possibility
           of
           being
           helpfull
           to
           it
           .
           Be
           a
           man
           never
           so
           willing
           ,
           and
           never
           so
           
           able
           to
           relieve
           the
           distresses
           of
           his
           brethren
           ,
           hee
           can
           neither
           heal
           the
           sick
           ,
           nor
           help
           the
           poor
           ,
           unlesse
           hee
           knew
           who
           and
           where
           they
           were
           that
           needed
           ,
           
           and
           what
           helpe
           they
           wanted
           .
           This
           made
           
             Nehemiah
          
           so
           diligently
           to
           enquire
           concerning
           
             Ierusalem
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             his
             brethren
             which
             were
             left
             of
             the
             captivity
             .
          
           This
           made
           
             Daniel
          
           search
           into
           
             Ieremiahs
          
           Prophesies
           ,
           
           to
           know
           the
           condition
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           learn
           his
           own
           duty
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           This
           enquiry
           must
           not
           be
           out
           of
           Athenian
           curiosity
           ,
           
           as
           most
           people
           enquire
           after
           newes
           ;
           but
           so
           to
           know
           ,
           as
           to
           work
           our
           hearts
           to
           a
           
             fellowfeeling
          
           of
           their
           condition
           ,
           otherwise
           all
           our
           intelligence
           will
           be
           as
           dry
           clouds
           ,
           flying
           over
           our
           heads
           without
           a
           drop
           of
           raine
           .
           Thus
           did
           
             Nehemiah
          
           as
           soone
           as
           hee
           understood
           that
           
             his
             brethren
             were
             in
             great
             affliction
             and
             reproach
             ,
          
           
           
             the
             wall
             of
             Ierusalem
             broken
             downe
             ,
             and
             the
             gates
             thereof
             burnt
             with
             fire
             ,
             he
             sate
             down
             and
             wept
             :
          
           this
           prepared
           him
           for
           the
           good
           service
           he
           did
           afterward
           .
           
           Thus
           also
           did
           
             Daniel
             ,
          
           who
           when
           God
           had
           shewed
           him
           ,
           though
           but
           in
           a
           vision
           ,
           the
           calamities
           that
           were
           to
           come
           upon
           the
           Church
           of
           the
           Jewes
           by
           
             Antiochus
             Epiphanes
             ,
             he
             fainted
             ,
             and
             was
             sick
             certain
             dayes
             .
          
           And
           the
           want
           of
           this
           fellow-feeling
           is
           both
           taxed
           and
           threatned
           by
           God
           in
           
             Amos
             6.
             
             No
             man
             is
             sorry
             for
             the
             affliction
             of
             Ioseph
             .
          
           God
           esteeming
           it
           an
           argument
           of
           little
           love
           to
           sit
           downe
           with
           
             Haman
          
           at
           a
           banquet
           ,
           when
           the
           City
           of
           
             Shushan
          
           is
           in
           perplexity
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           As
           wee
           must
           know
           and
           bee
           affected
           with
           the
           Churches
           want
           ,
           
           so
           we
           must
           enquire
           what
           is
           in
           
             our
             power
          
           to
           do
           for
           it
           ,
           wherein
           
             we
          
           may
           be
           helpfull
           .
           This
           I
           shall
           have
           occasion
           to
           speak
           of
           afterward
           .
        
         
         
           The
           second
           sort
           of
           directions
           are
           for
           action
           .
           And
           these
           may
           be
           brought
           to
           two
           heads
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           
           somewhat
           we
           must
           do
           immediately
           
             to
             God
             for
             the
             Church
             .
          
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           somewhat
           wee
           must
           doe
           
             for
             the
             Church
             from
             God
             .
          
        
         
           First
           ,
           
           that
           which
           wee
           are
           to
           doe
           to
           God
           for
           the
           Church
           is
           to
           pray
           for
           it
           .
           I
           name
           this
           
             first
             ,
          
           because
           it
           is
           the
           first
           and
           chiefest
           service
           that
           we
           can
           perform
           .
           If
           any
           other
           talent
           bee
           a
           penny
           ,
           Prayer
           is
           a
           pound
           .
           This
           is
           the
           talent
           of
           all
           talents
           :
           concerning
           which
           I
           shall
           speak
           a
           little
           more
           fully
           ,
           as
           the
           seasonablenesse
           of
           it
           requires
           .
        
         
           First
           it
           must
           be
           granted
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           friends
           of
           the
           Church
           
             may
             help
             it
          
           with
           their
           prayers
           :
           if
           with
           
             Peter
          
           they
           have
           no
           silver
           nor
           gold
           ,
           but
           will
           give
           such
           as
           they
           have
           ,
           they
           may
           afford
           a
           subsidy
           of
           prayer
           .
           They
           have
           all
           the
           spirit
           of
           adoption
           ,
           enabling
           them
           to
           cry
           ,
           
             Abba
             ,
             Father
             :
          
           So
           that
           what
           the
           Master
           of
           the
           ship
           said
           to
           
             Ionah
             ,
             What
             meanest
             thou
             ,
             O
             sleeper
             ?
             arise
             and
             call
             upon
             thy
             God
             :
          
           (
           though
           he
           could
           neither
           sit
           at
           sterne
           ,
           nor
           handle
           the
           tacklings
           ,
           yet
           he
           might
           pray
           ;
           )
           may
           be
           said
           to
           any
           man
           in
           regard
           of
           the
           Church
           ;
           though
           thou
           canst
           neither
           runne
           ,
           nor
           ride
           ,
           nor
           write
           ,
           nor
           fight
           ,
           yet
           thou
           canst
           pray
           :
           Awake
           ,
           awake
           .
           And
           as
           plaine
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           
             God
             requires
          
           it
           should
           bee
           so
           .
           
             O
             pray
             for
             the
             peace
             of
             Ierusalem
             .
          
           
           
             You
             that
             make
             mention
             of
             the
             Lord
             keep
             not
             silence
             :
          
           
           
             give
             him
             no
             rest
             ,
             till
             hee
             establish
             and
             make
             Ierusalem
             the
             praise
             of
             the
             earth
             .
             You
             that
             have
             escaped
             the
             sword
             remember
             the
             Lord
             afar
             off
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             let
             Ierusalem
             come
             into
             your
             minde
             .
          
           But
           the
           chiefe
           thing
           I
           aime
           at
           is
           ,
           to
           discover
           the
           power
           of
           
           Prayer
           .
           Which
           I
           shall
           never
           bee
           able
           fully
           to
           expresse
           :
           None
           can
           tell
           what
           
             Prayer
          
           can
           do
           ,
           but
           he
           that
           can
           tell
           what
           
             God
          
           can
           do
           .
           
           Yet
           these
           few
           conclusions
           may
           give
           some
           light
           toward
           it
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           
             God
             hath
             not
             promised
             to
             do
             any
             thing
             without
             it
             .
          
           It
           is
           confest
           ,
           he
           doth
           many
           things
           without
           Prayer
           ,
           but
           he
           hath
           not
           
             promised
          
           to
           do
           any
           thing
           for
           his
           Church
           without
           it
           .
           
           
             All
             this
             will
             I
             doe
             ,
          
           (
           saith
           the
           Lord
           )
           
             but
             for
             all
             these
             things
             will
             I
             be
             enquired
             by
             the
             house
             of
             Israel
             .
          
           Secondly
           ,
           As
           he
           hath
           promised
           to
           do
           nothing
           without
           ,
           
           so
           he
           
             will
             do
             all
             things
             by
             it
             :
             I
             will
             visit
             you
          
           (
           saith
           God
           )
           
             and
             performe
             my
             good
             word
             toward
             you
             ;
          
           but
           you
           must
           
             performe
          
           your
           
             good
             work
          
           towards
           me
           :
           
             Then
             shall
             ye
             call
             upon
             me
             ,
             and
             you
             shall
             goe
             and
             pray
             unto
             me
             .
          
           
           
             Aske
             and
             you
             shall
             receive
             :
             this
             is
             the
             confidence
             that
             we
             have
             ,
             that
             whatsoever
             we
             aske
             according
             to
             his
             will
             ,
             we
             know
             that
             we
             have
             the
             petitions
             that
             we
             desire
             of
             him
             .
          
           What
           cannot
           Prayer
           doe
           ?
           It
           is
           able
           to
           overthrow
           all
           enemies
           :
           
           
             When
             I
             pray
             ,
             mine
             enemies
             shall
             turn
             back
             .
          
           
           An
           hundred
           eighty
           five
           thousand
           were
           overthrowne
           in
           one
           night
           ,
           
           after
           the
           Prayer
           of
           
             Hezekiah
             .
          
           It
           is
           able
           to
           turne
           away
           all
           plagues
           ,
           
             pestilence
             ,
             famine
             ,
             sword
             ,
             wild-beasts
             ;
          
           whatsoever
           plague
           or
           sicknesse
           there
           be
           ,
           prayer
           and
           supplication
           will
           heal
           all
           .
           It
           is
           able
           to
           bring
           downe
           all
           mercies
           ;
           it
           is
           the
           key
           of
           heaven
           :
           
             Eliah
             ,
          
           a
           man
           subject
           to
           the
           same
           infirmities
           with
           us
           ,
           hee
           prayed
           ,
           and
           the
           heaven
           was
           
             shut
             ;
          
           he
           prayed
           again
           ,
           and
           the
           heaven
           was
           
             opened
             .
          
           It
           is
           the
           most
           efficacious
           engine
           in
           the
           world
           ;
           it
           opened
           the
           prison
           doores
           ,
           and
           the
           iron
           gate
           ,
           to
           set
           
             Peter
          
           at
           liberty
           .
           It
           is
           the
           summe
           of
           all
           wisdome
           ,
           strength
           ,
           and
           policy
           .
           What
           should
           I
           say
           
           more
           ?
           It
           prevailes
           over
           God
           himselfe
           .
           
             Iacob
             wrastled
             with
             God
             ,
          
           and
           prevailed
           :
           What
           was
           his
           wrastling
           ?
           What
           was
           the
           strength
           ,
           
           whereby
           ,
           
             as
             a
             Prince
             ,
             he
             had
             power
             with
             God
             ?
          
           Even
           this
           ,
           
             hee
             wept
             and
             made
             supplication
             to
             him
             .
          
           It
           will
           not
           only
           stop
           the
           Sun
           in
           his
           course
           ,
           as
           
             Ioshua
          
           did
           ,
           
             Sun
             stand
             thou
             still
             in
             Gibeon
             ,
             and
             thou
             Moon
             in
             the
             valley
             of
             Ajalon
             ;
          
           but
           (
           with
           reverence
           be
           it
           spoken
           )
           it
           holds
           that
           hand
           which
           rules
           heaven
           and
           earth
           .
           Let
           mee
           alone
           ,
           said
           God
           to
           
             Moses
             ,
          
           
           
             that
             I
             may
             destroy
             them
             :
             Moses
          
           prayer
           hindred
           God
           from
           doing
           what
           hee
           seemed
           resolved
           to
           doe
           .
           
             Hee
             said
             hee
             would
             have
             destroyed
             them
             ,
             had
             not
             Moses
             his
             chosen
             stood
             before
             him
             in
             the
             gap
             ,
             to
             turn
             away
             his
             wrathfull
             indignation
             ▪
          
           And
           thus
           some
           interpret
           that
           place
           of
           the
           Prophet
           
             Isaiah
             ,
          
           
           
             Ask
             mee
             of
             things
             to
             come
             ,
             concerning
             my
             Sonnes
             ;
             and
             as
             concerning
             the
             works
             of
             my
             hands
             command
             ye
             me
             :
          
           as
           if
           God
           had
           made
           over
           his
           own
           omnipotency
           to
           Prayer
           .
        
         
           But
           whence
           is
           it
           that
           Prayer
           becomes
           thus
           efficacious
           ?
           
           What
           is
           there
           in
           the
           submissions
           and
           supplications
           of
           poor
           worms
           to
           work
           such
           wonders
           ?
        
         
           I
           answer
           ,
           
           These
           four
           things
           meet
           in
           prayer
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           strength
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           may
           be
           your
           satisfaction
           .
           First
           ,
           The
           
             persons
          
           who
           pray
           are
           Gods
           
             owne
             children
             ,
          
           dearer
           to
           him
           than
           heaven
           and
           earth
           ,
           tender
           as
           the
           apple
           of
           his
           own
           eye
           :
           and
           we
           who
           are
           parents
           know
           how
           prevalent
           the
           cryes
           of
           our
           own
           children
           are
           :
           
             we
             being
             evill
             can
             give
             good
             things
             to
             our
             children
             .
          
           Secondly
           ,
           Gods
           
             owne
             Spirit
             dictates
          
           and
           endites
           their
           prayers
           for
           them
           :
           
             Wee
             know
             not
             what
             to
             pray
             for
             as
             wee
             ought
             ,
          
           
           
             but
             the
             Spirit
             it selfe
             makes
             intercession
             for
             us
             .
          
           Now
           as
           it
           is
           said
           of
           the
           Sonne
           ,
           
             I
             know
             thou
             hearest
             me
             
             alwayes
             ;
          
           so
           may
           it
           be
           said
           of
           the
           Spirit
           .
           What
           regard
           soever
           he
           may
           bear
           to
           
             us
          
           poore
           sinners
           ,
           he
           will
           certainly
           regard
           the
           intercessions
           of
           his
           
             owne
             Spirit
             .
          
           Thirdly
           ,
           The
           Prayers
           of
           Gods
           people
           they
           are
           offered
           up
           and
           presented
           to
           God
           by
           
             his
             owne
             Son
             ,
          
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           
             the
             high
             Priest
             of
             our
             profession
             ,
             the
             Angel
             of
             his
             presence
             ,
             who
             is
             at
             the
             right
             hand
             of
             God
             ,
             who
             daily
             makes
             intercession
             for
             us
             ,
          
           as
           the
           Spirit
           makes
           
             intercession
             in
             us
             ,
          
           and
           mingles
           
             his
             incense
             ,
             with
             the
             prayers
             of
             the
             Saints
             ,
          
           
           
             upon
             the
             golden
             altar
             which
             is
             before
             the
             throne
             .
          
           Fourthly
           ,
           There
           is
           this
           in
           prayer
           ,
           that
           it
           gives
           the
           
             greatest
             glory
             unto
             God
             .
          
           Of
           all
           gifts
           or
           graces
           which
           God
           hath
           given
           to
           any
           creature
           ,
           never
           any
           thing
           (
           except
           faith
           only
           )
           was
           found
           to
           give
           that
           glory
           to
           God
           which
           prayer
           doth
           :
           especially
           in
           these
           
             two
             things
             .
          
           First
           ,
           it
           
             brings
             God
             into
             the
             field
          
           to
           fight
           the
           battell
           for
           them
           ,
           makes
           him
           to
           work
           all
           their
           works
           for
           them
           ;
           as
           indeed
           he
           doth
           .
           Whatsoever
           a
           man
           prayes
           for
           ,
           he
           doth
           by
           interpretation
           say
           ,
           Lord
           ,
           I
           never
           shall
           have
           this
           ,
           unlesse
           thou
           
             give
          
           it
           me
           ;
           I
           never
           shall
           
             do
             this
             ,
          
           unlesse
           
             thou
             doe
          
           it
           for
           me
           .
           And
           that
           is
           the
           reason
           why
           in
           2
           
             Chron.
          
           20.
           after
           
             Hezekiah
          
           and
           his
           people
           had
           prayed
           ,
           and
           professed
           they
           had
           no
           strength
           of
           their
           owne
           ,
           left
           the
           worke
           only
           and
           wholly
           upon
           Gods
           hand
           .
           Then
           God
           tells
           them
           ,
           
             The
             battell
             is
             not
             yours
             ,
             but
             Gods
             ;
          
           Now
           you
           have
           put
           it
           into
           my
           hands
           ,
           you
           shall
           see
           what
           I
           will
           doe
           for
           you
           .
           And
           secondly
           ,
           When
           the
           work
           is
           done
           it
           ascribes
           the
           
             praise
             and
             glory
          
           of
           all
           to
           him
           ,
           to
           whom
           alone
           it
           is
           due
           .
           If
           we
           mark
           it
           ,
           God
           hath
           little
           glory
           in
           the
           world
           for
           those
           good
           things
           which
           men
           receive
           without
           Prayer
           ;
           their
           friends
           ,
           parts
           ,
           wit
           ,
           industry
           ,
           
           must
           share
           with
           God
           ;
           but
           what
           is
           
             won
          
           by
           Prayer
           is
           
             worn
          
           with
           thankfulnesse
           ;
           there
           being
           a
           naturall
           relation
           betwixt
           
             praying
          
           and
           
             praising
             ,
          
           as
           the
           rivers
           returne
           by
           the
           sea
           from
           whence
           they
           come
           .
        
         
           O
           that
           I
           were
           able
           to
           teach
           you
           the
           right
           use
           of
           this
           engine
           .
           
           And
           first
           let
           mee
           speake
           to
           you
           (
           right
           Honourable
           and
           Beloved
           )
           the
           Lords
           and
           Commons
           assembled
           in
           this
           Parliament
           :
           Give
           mee
           leave
           to
           shew
           you
           the
           true
           spring
           of
           all
           that
           good
           ,
           which
           hath
           come
           through
           your
           hands
           ,
           
           since
           your
           happy
           entrance
           upon
           your
           great
           work
           .
           God
           knows
           I
           would
           not
           eclipse
           your
           worth
           nor
           due
           praise
           :
           We
           rejoyce
           in
           you
           ,
           
           and
           blesse
           God
           for
           you
           ;
           wee
           have
           received
           great
           mercies
           by
           your
           means
           :
           but
           are
           you
           the
           cause
           of
           them
           ?
           Have
           they
           been
           done
           by
           your
           wisdome
           and
           forecast
           ,
           or
           for
           any
           worthinesse
           found
           in
           your selves
           ?
           Hath
           not
           God
           done
           them
           all
           almost
           by
           contraries
           ?
           Have
           not
           you
           been
           many
           times
           at
           a
           losse
           ,
           even
           at
           your
           wits
           end
           ?
           Hath
           not
           God
           marvellously
           discovered
           wicked
           enterprises
           against
           you
           ,
           and
           almost
           miraculously
           preserved
           you
           by
           his
           own
           naked
           arme
           ,
           ever
           since
           the
           beginning
           of
           your
           meeting
           ?
           Give
           therefore
           the
           glory
           where
           it
           is
           due
           ,
           you
           shall
           have
           the
           honour
           of
           excellent
           instruments
           ,
           but
           this
           honour
           is
           too
           high
           for
           you
           .
           Know
           therefore
           ,
           Beloved
           ,
           (
           and
           it
           will
           encrease
           your
           honour
           to
           acknowledge
           it
           )
           that
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           God
           by
           Prayer
           hath
           done
           all
           this
           :
           While
           you
           have
           been
           with
           
             Ioshuah
             fighting
          
           in
           the
           
             valley
             ,
             Moses
             ,
             Aaron
          
           and
           
             Hur
          
           have
           been
           
             at
             prayer
          
           upon
           the
           
             mountain
             .
          
           God
           hath
           poured
           out
           upon
           many
           parts
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           ,
           but
           more
           especially
           in
           and
           about
           this
           great
           City
           ,
           a
           most
           fervent
           Spirit
           of
           
           Prayer
           :
           In
           many
           thousand
           families
           you
           are
           every
           day
           mentioned
           at
           the
           throne
           of
           grace
           ;
           few
           dayes
           of
           your
           Sessions
           have
           passed
           over
           ,
           without
           extraordinary
           fasting
           and
           prayer
           ,
           either
           publike
           or
           private
           on
           your
           behalfe
           :
           And
           when
           prayer
           doth
           thus
           ascend
           ,
           mercies
           must
           needs
           descend
           .
           Let
           God
           therfore
           have
           the
           chiefe
           honour
           for
           pouring
           out
           the
           spirit
           of
           prayer
           and
           supplication
           ,
           the
           fruit
           whereof
           is
           the
           upholding
           your
           hearts
           and
           spirits
           daily
           in
           your
           work
           .
        
         
           And
           this
           also
           intimates
           the
           best
           hope
           wee
           have
           of
           your
           good
           successe
           for
           the
           time
           to
           come
           ,
           
           even
           because
           God
           hath
           put
           it
           into
           the
           heart
           of
           the
           
             Kings
             Majesty
             and
             your selves
             ,
          
           to
           put
           the
           whole
           kingdome
           into
           a
           
             posture
             of
             prayer
             ;
          
           we
           hope
           your
           care
           in
           putting
           the
           Kingdome
           into
           a
           
             posture
             of
             defence
             ,
          
           will
           be
           serviceable
           :
           but
           wee
           expect
           our
           greatest
           help
           and
           advantage
           ,
           as
           from
           our
           
             daily
             prayers
             ,
          
           so
           more
           especially
           from
           those
           
             solemn
             monthly
             dayes
          
           of
           humiliation
           ,
           that
           are
           afforded
           and
           appointed
           us
           .
        
         
           
             William
          
           the
           Conquerour
           ,
           when
           he
           was
           Duke
           of
           
             Normandy
          
           (
           according
           to
           the
           superstition
           of
           those
           times
           )
           builded
           many
           Abbies
           ,
           Monasteries
           and
           Nunneries
           ,
           and
           told
           his
           friends
           he
           was
           at
           this
           cost
           to
           strengthen
           his
           Kingdome
           ,
           esteeming
           them
           as
           strong
           fortifications
           ,
           wherein
           he
           provided
           many
           to
           fight
           against
           the
           devill
           ,
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           the
           flesh
           :
           this
           he
           said
           according
           to
           his
           light
           .
           I
           can
           more
           truly
           speak
           from
           God
           that
           in
           every
           congregation
           where
           godly
           Ministers
           and
           godly
           people
           shall
           ,
           according
           to
           publick
           direction
           ,
           ly
           in
           the
           dust
           ,
           fasting
           ,
           and
           mourning
           ,
           and
           praying
           before
           the
           Lord
           ;
           there
           are
           strong
           holds
           set
           up
           for
           the
           safety
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           .
        
         
         
           Secondly
           ,
           how
           sadly
           doth
           this
           speak
           against
           many
           thousands
           of
           professed
           Christians
           !
           some
           
             cannot
          
           pray
           ,
           
           some
           
             will
             not
          
           pray
           ,
           sure
           I
           am
           many
           
             doe
             not
          
           pray
           ,
           who
           in
           all
           this
           long
           time
           of
           
             Germanies
          
           afflictions
           have
           never
           separated
           themselves
           to
           afford
           one
           dayes
           prayer
           for
           the
           help
           of
           their
           brethren
           :
           and
           in
           all
           our
           owne
           exigents
           and
           darknesses
           have
           never
           stood
           upon
           the
           walls
           to
           help
           either
           
             England
             ,
             Scotland
             ,
             Ireland
             ,
          
           King
           ,
           or
           Parliament
           :
           these
           are
           a
           miserable
           generation
           .
           And
           this
           their
           not
           praying
           for
           the
           Church
           is
           a
           sad
           token
           against
           them
           ,
           that
           when
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           shall
           
             sing
             for
             joy
             of
             heart
             ,
             themselves
             shall
             cry
             for
             sorrow
             of
             heart
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             howle
             for
             vexation
             of
             spirit
             .
          
        
         
           What
           remaineth
           then
           ,
           
           but
           that
           all
           you
           who
           make
           mention
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           bear
           his
           Name
           ,
           who
           have
           received
           this
           mercy
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           have
           accesse
           to
           the
           throne
           of
           grace
           ,
           be
           quickned
           up
           ,
           for
           the
           time
           to
           come
           ,
           to
           stand
           upon
           the
           walls
           ,
           to
           give
           God
           no
           rest
           night
           nor
           day
           ,
           to
           let
           
             Ierusalem
          
           come
           into
           your
           mind
           ,
           constantly
           to
           do
           that
           which
           Master
           
             Bradford
          
           made
           the
           subscription
           of
           his
           letters
           ,
           
           
             pray
             ,
             pray
             ,
             pray
             .
          
           God
           hath
           done
           
             great
             things
          
           for
           us
           ;
           but
           many
           
             great
             things
          
           are
           yet
           to
           bee
           done
           ;
           much
           rubbish
           to
           be
           removed
           ;
           many
           obstructions
           to
           bee
           cleared
           ,
           many
           enimies
           to
           be
           overthrown
           .
           
             Ireland
          
           is
           to
           be
           relieved
           ,
           Religion
           to
           bee
           established
           ;
           
             Prayer
          
           may
           doe
           all
           this
           ;
           wee
           may
           overmatch
           all
           our
           enimies
           by
           
             prayer
             ,
          
           discover
           all
           their
           plots
           by
           
             prayer
             .
          
           Let
           us
           not
           bee
           traitors
           against
           the
           Church
           and
           State
           ,
           in
           slighting
           or
           forbearing
           the
           use
           of
           that
           ,
           which
           may
           work
           all
           our
           works
           for
           us
           ;
           this
           is
           to
           betray
           the
           forts
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           ,
           
           But
           remember
           when
           I
           exhort
           you
           to
           pray
           ,
           I
           mean
           ,
           First
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           
             prayer
          
           indeed
           ;
           many
           can
           read
           
             prayers
             ,
          
           say
           
             prayers
             ,
          
           sing
           
             prayers
             ,
          
           many
           can
           conceive
           or
           utter
           
             prayers
             ,
          
           who
           yet
           cannot
           pray
           :
           Prayer
           is
           a
           pouring
           out
           of
           the
           soul
           to
           God
           .
           And
           secondly
           ,
           this
           spirit
           poured
           out
           in
           prayer
           must
           bee
           a
           pure
           spirit
           :
           
             If
             I
             regard
             iniquity
             in
             my
             heart
             ,
          
           
           
             the
             Lord
             will
             not
             hear
             my
             prayer
             .
          
           And
           thirdly
           ,
           this
           prayer
           must
           bee
           a
           prayer
           of
           faith
           ;
           Pray
           in
           faith
           and
           waver
           not
           :
           And
           in
           a
           prayer
           of
           faith
           three
           things
           must
           meet
           .
           First
           ,
           That
           the
           things
           begg'd
           bee
           according
           to
           the
           will
           of
           God
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           That
           they
           bee
           begg'd
           in
           the
           name
           of
           Christ
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           that
           we
           rely
           upon
           the
           faithfulnesse
           of
           God
           ,
           for
           the
           performance
           of
           them
           .
           This
           is
           to
           pray
           in
           faith
           .
           Fourthly
           ,
           Our
           prayers
           must
           bee
           fervent
           ,
           humble
           ,
           constant
           ;
           and
           when
           we
           have
           prayed
           ,
           wee
           must
           remember
           ,
           that
           though
           prayer
           be
           the
           great
           means
           ,
           yet
           prayer
           is
           not
           all
           the
           means
           .
           Prayer
           must
           quicken
           us
           up
           
             to
          
           the
           use
           of
           other
           means
           ,
           and
           sanctifie
           us
           
             in
          
           the
           use
           of
           other
           means
           ;
           other
           means
           are
           fruitlesse
           without
           prayer
           ,
           and
           prayer
           not
           seconded
           with
           the
           use
           of
           o●her
           means
           ,
           where
           they
           may
           be
           had
           ,
           prevailes
           not
           .
           These
           things
           you
           cannot
           bee
           ignorant
           of
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           only
           point
           at
           them
           ,
           especially
           in
           these
           streights
           of
           time
           .
        
         
           One
           thing
           more
           I
           must
           needs
           advise
           about
           ,
           
           before
           I
           passe
           from
           this
           great
           help
           of
           prayer
           .
           And
           that
           is
           ,
           in
           what
           esteem
           praying
           spirits
           should
           bee
           had
           amongst
           all
           wise
           men
           ;
           I
           know
           the
           world
           slights
           and
           scornes
           them
           ,
           but
           in
           truth
           they
           are
           the
           very
           
             Chariots
             and
             Horsemen
             of
             Israel
             :
          
           Ten
           praying
           men
           might
           have
           saved
           
             Sodom
             ,
          
           and
           the
           Cities
           round
           about
           .
           
           
             Solomon
          
           saith
           ,
           
             There
             was
             a
             little
             City
             and
             few
             men
             it
             ,
             and
             a
             poore
             wise
             man
             by
             his
             wisdome
             delivered
             this
             City
             from
             the
             siege
             of
             a
             great
             King
             ;
          
           
           
             Yet
             no
             man
             remembred
             that
             same
             poore
             man
             .
          
           Truly
           thus
           it
           is
           with
           poore
           praying
           Christians
           ,
           they
           deliver
           the
           Iland
           and
           yet
           no
           man
           regards
           them
           .
           
             David
          
           knew
           how
           to
           prize
           such
           spirits
           ,
           who
           ,
           though
           hee
           were
           a
           King
           ,
           thought
           them
           fit
           to
           bee
           his
           companions
           who
           cal'd
           upon
           the
           name
           of
           God
           .
           
           
             Paul
          
           knew
           how
           to
           prize
           them
           who
           begged
           for
           prayers
           ,
           as
           a
           prisoner
           for
           a
           ransome
           ,
           
             Now
             I
             beseech
             you
             ,
             brethren
             ,
             for
             the
             Lord
             Iesus
             Christs
             sake
             ,
             that
             you
             pray
             for
             me
             .
          
           Yea
           ,
           
             Ioash
          
           though
           an
           Idolater
           ,
           when
           the
           praying
           Prophet
           
             Elisha
          
           lay
           a dying
           ,
           wept
           ,
           and
           cryed
           ,
           as
           sensible
           of
           loosing
           the
           chiefe
           support
           of
           his
           Kingdome
           ,
           
           
             O
             my
             father
             ,
             my
             father
             ,
             the
             Chariots
             of
             Israel
             ,
             and
             the
             horsemen
             thereof
             .
          
           Nay
           ,
           which
           is
           yet
           more
           ,
           a
           heathen
           Emperour
           
             Marcus
             Aurelius
             ,
          
           finding
           by
           experience
           the
           power
           of
           the
           prayers
           of
           Christians
           ,
           gave
           all
           the
           world
           notice
           of
           it
           ,
           staid
           the
           persecution
           against
           the
           Christians
           ,
           and
           call'd
           that
           band
           of
           Christians
           
             Legio
             fulminatrix
             ,
          
           the
           thundring
           band
           .
           Let
           us
           therefore
           not
           fall
           short
           of
           heathens
           ,
           let
           us
           not
           undervalue
           or
           slight
           them
           ,
           who
           carry
           the
           Keyes
           of
           heaven
           at
           their
           girdle
           .
           
           Verily
           (
           Right
           honourable
           and
           beloved
           )
           if
           you
           knew
           what
           blessings
           they
           are
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           the
           land
           ,
           you
           would
           take
           pleasure
           in
           them
           ,
           you
           would
           seek
           for
           
             praying
          
           friends
           ,
           
             praying
          
           servants
           ,
           
             praying
          
           tenants
           ;
           you
           would
           desire
           to
           have
           a
           stock
           goe
           in
           every
           one
           of
           their
           vessels
           .
           You
           would
           say
           to
           them
           all
           ,
           as
           they
           to
           their
           companions
           going
           up
           to
           the
           house
           of
           God
           ,
           
           
             To
             pray
             before
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             to
             seek
             the
             Lord
             of
             hostes
             ,
             I
             will
             go
             also
             .
          
           Yea
           ,
           you
           would
           
             lay
             
             hold
             upon
             the
             skirt
             of
             these
             men
             ,
             saying
             we
             will
             goe
             with
             you
             ,
             for
             we
             have
             heard
             that
             God
             is
             with
             you
             .
          
           This
           is
           the
           greatest
           help
           which
           we
           can
           give
           to
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           .
           This
           wee
           doe
           immediately
           
             to
          
           God
           
             for
          
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           some
           things
           also
           which
           we
           must
           doe
           
             for
          
           the
           Church
           
             from
          
           God
           :
           
           The
           particulars
           are
           innumerable
           ,
           but
           in
           regard
           the
           time
           is
           wholly
           spent
           ,
           I
           shall
           give
           you
           the
           summe
           of
           all
           in
           one
           short
           conclusion
           .
           And
           indeed
           a
           little
           time
           may
           make
           it
           cleare
           to
           your
           understandings
           ,
           although
           the
           practise
           of
           it
           require
           the
           study
           of
           your
           whole
           lives
           .
        
         
           The
           conclusion
           is
           this
           ,
           Whatsoever
           abilities
           any
           have
           received
           in
           any
           kind
           ,
           they
           are
           given
           to
           them
           to
           this
           very
           end
           ,
           to
           be
           serviceable
           and
           usefull
           to
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           with
           them
           :
           
           
             All
             the
             manifestations
             of
             the
             spirit
          
           in
           gifts
           and
           graces
           ,
           
             are
             chiefly
             given
          
           for
           this
           end
           
             to
             profit
          
           the
           Church
           with
           ;
           all
           the
           livelyhood
           of
           our
           naturall
           faculties
           ,
           of
           our
           actions
           ,
           of
           our
           wordly
           wealth
           ,
           of
           office
           or
           authority
           ,
           are
           given
           us
           ,
           not
           for
           our
           own
           carnall
           ends
           ,
           no
           nor
           primarily
           for
           our
           own
           salvation
           ;
           but
           that
           with
           them
           all
           wee
           should
           be
           
             as
             good
             Stewards
             of
             the
             manifold
             graces
             of
             God
             .
          
           
           So
           that
           our
           hands
           if
           skilfull
           to
           write
           ,
           should
           be
           employed
           as
           Secretaries
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           our
           feet
           as
           
             Messengers
          
           of
           the
           
             Church
             ,
          
           our
           tongues
           as
           
             Advocates
          
           for
           the
           
             Church
             ,
          
           our
           Wisdome
           and
           learning
           as
           
             Counsellors
          
           for
           the
           
             Church
             ,
          
           our
           wealth
           as
           
             Stewards
          
           or
           
             Almoners
          
           for
           the
           
             Church
             .
          
           Whatever
           any
           man
           hath
           ,
           the
           Lord
           would
           have
           his
           Church
           to
           be
           the
           Common-storehouse
           ,
           into
           which
           all
           should
           bee
           brought
           ,
           the
           body
           to
           which
           all
           should
           be
           serviceable
           :
           
           just
           as
           it
           was
           when
           the
           Tabernacle
           was
           to
           be
           built
           :
           
           Not
           only
           
             Bezaleel
          
           and
           
             Aholiab
             ,
          
           men
           skilfull
           in
           all
           manner
           of
           work
           ,
           
           were
           to
           bestow
           their
           labours
           upon
           it
           ;
           but
           all
           with
           whom
           any
           thing
           was
           to
           be
           found
           ,
           whether
           silver
           or
           brasse
           ,
           or
           fine
           linnen
           ,
           or
           Goats
           haire
           ,
           or
           Badgers
           skins
           ,
           or
           Rams
           skins
           ;
           all
           with
           a
           willing
           heart
           were
           to
           bring
           it
           in
           ;
           yea
           ,
           the
           very
           women
           ,
           that
           could
           spinne
           either
           linnen
           ,
           or
           woollen
           ,
           or
           haire
           ,
           were
           all
           to
           be
           employed
           to
           further
           the
           work
           of
           the
           Tabernacle
           .
        
         
           This
           needs
           no
           proofe
           ,
           every
           mans
           spirit
           carries
           him
           to
           do
           all
           this
           for
           whatsoever
           is
           his
           
             summum
             bonum
             ,
          
           his
           chiefest
           happinesse
           ;
           such
           as
           make
           Mammon
           their
           God
           ,
           or
           their
           belly
           ,
           do
           readily
           contribute
           all
           they
           
             have
          
           or
           can
           
             doe
          
           to
           the
           service
           of
           them
           .
           I
           shall
           shut
           up
           all
           with
           a
           briefe
           application
           ,
           
           First
           ,
           for
           reproofe
           ,
           Secondly
           for
           duty
           .
        
         
           How
           sadly
           doth
           this
           speak
           concerning
           them
           whose
           serviceablenesse
           to
           the
           Church
           consists
           only
           in
           empty
           and
           barren
           wishes
           !
           
           the
           same
           which
           they
           can
           and
           doe
           afford
           to
           any
           creature
           which
           they
           see
           to
           be
           in
           distresse
           ;
           they
           love
           the
           
             Church
             ,
          
           they
           pity
           the
           miseries
           of
           the
           
             Church
             ,
          
           they
           are
           sorry
           for
           
             Germany
             ,
          
           when
           they
           think
           on
           it
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           but
           seldome
           :
           They
           grieve
           for
           
             Ireland
             ;
          
           but
           require
           either
           their
           hands
           to
           underwrite
           ,
           their
           legs
           to
           walk
           ,
           their
           purses
           to
           contribute
           ,
           their
           authority
           to
           command
           or
           countenance
           ,
           &c.
           they
           can
           spare
           none
           of
           all
           these
           .
           They
           have
           a
           bottomlesse
           
             gulfe
          
           called
           
             selfe
             ,
          
           which
           swallowes
           all
           they
           
             are
             ,
             have
             ,
          
           or
           
             can
             doe
             ,
          
           and
           yet
           is
           never
           satisfied
           .
           Aske
           them
           if
           they
           have
           a
           heart
           to
           do
           nothing
           for
           the
           Church
           ,
           they
           answer
           readily
           they
           
           pray
           for
           it
           with
           all
           their
           heart
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           all
           they
           can
           doe
           .
           But
           let
           all
           such
           false-hearted
           Christians
           know
           ,
           that
           the
           Lord
           needs
           none
           of
           their
           help
           ,
           and
           cares
           as
           little
           for
           their
           dry
           barren
           prayers
           ,
           as
           the
           poore
           beggar
           did
           for
           the
           Bishops
           blessing
           ,
           who
           begging
           for
           a
           peny
           ,
           but
           denyed
           that
           ,
           and
           put
           off
           with
           the
           offer
           of
           a
           benediction
           ,
           told
           him
           that
           hee
           perceived
           his
           peny
           was
           better
           than
           his
           blessing
           ,
           otherwise
           he
           had
           denyed
           him
           that
           also
           .
           In
           the
           meane
           time
           think
           how
           thou
           wilt
           appeare
           in
           the
           day
           of
           thine
           account
           ,
           when
           the
           not
           having
           much
           ,
           but
           the
           improving
           of
           what
           we
           had
           to
           our
           masters
           advantage
           ,
           will
           bring
           the
           
             Euge
             bone
             serve
             ;
          
           when
           others
           shall
           come
           in
           and
           say
           ,
           Lord
           thy
           pound
           hath
           gained
           five
           pounds
           ;
           when
           (
           as
           
             Gregory
          
           sayes
           )
           
             Peter
          
           shall
           come
           in
           with
           his
           gaine
           of
           
             Iudea
             ,
             Andrew
          
           of
           
             Africa
             ,
             Thomas
          
           of
           
             India
             ,
             Paul
             ,
          
           and
           the
           rest
           ,
           of
           many
           Nations
           ;
           Ministers
           bring
           in
           their
           sheaves
           of
           soules
           ,
           private
           Christians
           their
           gleanings
           and
           bundles
           ;
           And
           thou
           appeare
           empty
           ,
           
             thy
          
           talent
           buried
           or
           embezelled
           ,
           
             thy
          
           age
           spent
           ,
           
             thy
          
           candle
           burnt
           out
           ,
           nothing
           done
           by
           
             thee
          
           for
           the
           Church
           ;
           when
           it
           shall
           appeare
           that
           thou
           hast
           had
           gold
           and
           silver
           
             to
             feather
             thy
             own
             nest
             ,
          
           power
           and
           authority
           to
           terrifie
           thy
           neighbours
           ;
           like
           a
           great
           Tree
           crushing
           or
           overdropping
           all
           that
           stand
           neare
           thee
           ;
           and
           hast
           had
           this
           worlds
           goods
           ,
           as
           the
           Leviathan
           the
           Sea
           ,
           onely
           to
           take
           thy
           pleasure
           ,
           and
           satisfie
           thy
           lusts
           in
           them
           .
           
           Woe
           unto
           thee
           if
           thy
           Master
           finde
           thee
           thus
           doing
           .
           This
           gaine
           of
           thy
           Talents
           ,
           
           will
           be
           the
           losse
           of
           thy
           own
           soule
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           for
           exhortation
           to
           all
           ,
           especially
           to
           you
           Right
           honourable
           ,
           and
           beloved
           ;
           What
           words
           
           shall
           I
           use
           ?
           How
           shall
           I
           make
           up
           a
           strength
           to
           prevail
           with
           you
           ,
           to
           give
           up
           your selves
           and
           all
           you
           have
           so
           wholly
           to
           the
           Lord
           and
           to
           his
           Church
           ,
           that
           all
           your
           other
           outward
           occasions
           may
           not
           so
           much
           as
           dare
           to
           expect
           any
           thing
           from
           you
           ,
           so
           long
           as
           the
           Church
           hath
           need
           of
           it
           ;
           that
           your
           pleasures
           and
           superf●uities
           ,
           nay
           your
           profits
           &
           sometimes
           necessities
           ,
           may
           never
           offer
           to
           come
           in
           competition
           with
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           ,
           for
           any
           thing
           which
           you
           call
           yours
           .
           O
           that
           you
           could
           hear
           the
           Lord
           speaking
           to
           you
           in
           the
           same
           language
           as
           once
           he
           spake
           to
           
             Cyrus
             ,
             For
             Jacob
             my
             servants
             sake
             ,
             and
             Israel
             mine
             elect
             ,
             I
             have
             even
             called
             thee
             by
             the
             name
             !
          
           I
           confesse
           that
           instead
           of
           exhorting
           we
           have
           just
           cause
           to
           blesse
           God
           for
           you
           ,
           when
           we
           consider
           how
           you
           ,
           who
           heretofore
           have
           lived
           at
           ease
           and
           in
           pleasure
           enjoying
           the
           delights
           of
           the
           sons
           of
           men
           ,
           have
           now
           changed
           your
           
             pleasures
          
           for
           
             paines
             ,
          
           your
           
             delights
          
           for
           
             dangers
             ,
          
           your
           
             profits
          
           and
           
             gains
          
           for
           
             expences
             ,
          
           your
           
             houses
          
           for
           
             lodgings
             ,
          
           and
           still
           continue
           to
           deny
           your selves
           in
           all
           these
           things
           ,
           and
           goe
           on
           in
           your
           unwearied
           labours
           for
           the
           Church
           and
           cause
           of
           God
           .
           This
           is
           great
           matter
           of
           praise
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           honour
           to
           your selves
           .
           Generous
           plants
           and
           odoriferous
           spices
           (
           they
           say
           )
           grow
           onely
           in
           hot
           regions
           :
           such
           fruits
           as
           yours
           are
           not
           brought
           forth
           by
           every
           plant
           ,
           such
           plants
           as
           you
           grow
           not
           on
           every
           ground
           .
           But
           go
           ye
           on
           ,
           ye
           Nobles
           and
           Worthies
           ,
           forget
           what
           is
           behind
           ;
           God
           and
           his
           people
           will
           not
           forget
           it
           :
           look
           and
           presse
           to
           the
           work
           which
           yet
           remains
           :
           Get
           the
           resolution
           of
           
             Zisca
          
           that
           brave
           
             Bohemian
          
           Captain
           ,
           who
           not
           onely
           was
           willing
           to
           fight
           while
           he
           lived
           ,
           but
           be
           queathed
           his
           skin
           when
           he
           died
           ,
           to
           bee
           
           made
           a
           drum
           head
           for
           the
           service
           of
           the
           warre
           .
           Hold
           out
           to
           the
           end
           ,
           
             Cloath
             ye
             with
             zeale
             as
             with
             a
             cloak
             ,
             put
             on
             righteousnesse
             as
             your
             ornament
             :
          
           Bee
           good
           shepherds
           still
           ,
           
           to
           rescue
           and
           feed
           the
           flock
           committed
           to
           you
           :
           
           Be
           so
           many
           
             Saviours
             upon
             mount
             Sion
             .
          
           All
           this
           shall
           be
           done
           for
           the
           best
           Master
           ;
           all
           this
           seed
           will
           be
           sown
           in
           the
           most
           fruitfull
           ground
           ,
           the
           bosome
           of
           the
           Church
           :
           and
           to
           quicken
           you
           the
           more
           ,
           remember
           how
           much
           of
           the
           golden
           time
           which
           is
           gone
           
             you
          
           have
           wasted
           ,
           with
           
             Domitian
             ,
          
           in
           catching
           of
           flyes
           ;
           how
           much
           of
           
             your
          
           estate
           hath
           bin
           spent
           needlesly
           in
           pictures
           ,
           feastings
           ,
           buildings
           ,
           sportings
           ,
           if
           not
           worse
           ,
           in
           riot
           and
           disorder
           ;
           how
           much
           of
           
             your
          
           strength
           hath
           been
           bestowed
           in
           the
           service
           of
           this
           world
           ,
           and
           the
           God
           of
           it
           :
           and
           now
           when
           the
           gray
           haires
           are
           scattered
           upon
           many
           of
           you
           ,
           and
           God
           might
           justly
           cast
           you
           aside
           as
           broken
           vessels
           ,
           the
           Lord
           should
           choose
           you
           ,
           and
           accept
           you
           in
           the
           most
           honourable
           service
           that
           the
           sons
           of
           men
           are
           capable
           of
           ;
           nay
           that
           service
           which
           he
           employed
           his
           owne
           Son
           in
           .
           How
           readily
           and
           cheerfully
           ought
           you
           to
           consecrate
           your selvs
           and
           service
           to
           this
           work
           ▪
           you
           should
           come
           from
           your
           habitations
           and
           countries
           ,
           as
           the
           
             Levite
             from
             the
             place
             where
             he
             so
             journed
             ,
          
           
           
             with
             all
             the
             desires
             of
             your
             minds
             to
             serve
             the
             Lord
             your
             God
             .
          
        
         
           And
           to
           you
           the
           rest
           ,
           
           beside
           your
           Prayers
           ,
           the
           exigence
           of
           the
           Church
           at
           this
           present
           time
           requires
           from
           you
           many
           other
           things
           .
           It
           may
           be
           some
           of
           you
           may
           be
           called
           ,
           as
           souldiers
           ,
           to
           spend
           your
           blood
           in
           the
           Churches
           cause
           :
           If
           you
           knew
           the
           honour
           and
           the
           reward
           that
           belongs
           to
           such
           a
           service
           ,
           you
           would
           say
           ,
           as
           the
           Martyr
           once
           ,
           Had
           every
           haire
           on
           your
           
           head
           a
           life
           ,
           you
           would
           venture
           them
           all
           in
           the
           Churches
           cause
           .
           It
           may
           be
           others
           of
           you
           may
           ,
           with
           
             Nehemiah
             ,
          
           be
           called
           from
           your
           own
           ease
           and
           honour
           to
           some
           wearisome
           task
           ,
           embrace
           it
           readily
           .
           It
           is
           like
           your
           collections
           and
           contributions
           will
           be
           more
           frequent
           than
           ordinary
           ,
           and
           very
           shortly
           in
           an
           extraordinary
           occasion
           ,
           for
           the
           relief
           of
           our
           distressed
           brethren
           in
           Ireland
           :
           many
           in
           the
           City
           of
           London
           have
           set
           excellent
           examples
           ,
           let
           me
           provoke
           you
           by
           their
           pattern
           ,
           as
           the
           Apostle
           
             Paul
          
           did
           the
           Corinthians
           to
           the
           like
           work
           ,
           by
           propounding
           to
           them
           the
           example
           of
           Macedonia
           :
           Onely
           remember
           this
           ,
           that
           what
           you
           give
           in
           this
           case
           is
           interpreted
           by
           Christ
           as
           given
           to
           his
           owne
           person
           ;
           
           and
           whom
           would
           not
           this
           provoke
           ?
           It
           is
           reported
           of
           Master
           
             Fox
             ,
          
           that
           when
           a
           poore
           man
           asked
           something
           of
           him
           for
           Christ
           Jesus
           sake
           ,
           he
           questioned
           with
           the
           man
           ,
           whether
           hee
           knew
           Jesus
           Christ
           ;
           and
           finding
           signes
           that
           the
           man
           was
           a
           Beleever
           ,
           hee
           gave
           him
           his
           horse
           ,
           when
           hee
           had
           no
           money
           .
           I
           commend
           not
           his
           discretion
           ,
           but
           his
           zeal
           and
           charity
           were
           admirable
           .
           Do
           somewhat
           proportionable
           to
           the
           distresse
           of
           your
           brethren
           ;
           Behold
           your
           Saviour
           comming
           naked
           ,
           and
           hungry
           ,
           and
           banished
           in
           these
           his
           afflicted
           members
           .
           And
           in
           whatsoever
           else
           the
           Lord
           and
           his
           Church
           may
           have
           any
           need
           of
           you
           ,
           remember
           that
           Gods
           blessing
           is
           upon
           them
           that
           come
           to
           helpe
           him
           :
           and
           that
           
             Meroz
             ,
          
           and
           with
           
             Meroz
          
           all
           others
           are
           cursed
           ,
           who
           
             come
             not
             out
             to
             the
             help
             of
             the
             Lord
             against
             the
             mighty
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           
             
               Die
               Veneris
               25.
               
               Febr.
               1641.
               
            
          
        
         
           IT
           is
           this
           day
           ordered
           by
           the
           House
           of
           Commons
           ,
           that
           no
           man
           shall
           Print
           the
           Sermons
           Preached
           on
           the
           last
           Fast
           day
           ,
           before
           the
           House
           of
           Commons
           ,
           by
           Master
           
             Calamy
          
           and
           Master
           
             Marshall
             ,
          
           besides
           themselves
           ,
           for
           the
           space
           of
           these
           two
           moneths
           ,
           without
           the
           particular
           Licence
           and
           Approbation
           of
           the
           said
           House
           of
           Commons
           .
        
         
           
             H.
             Elsynge
             Cler.
             Parl.
             D.
             Com.
             
          
        
      
       
         
           THese
           are
           to
           give
           notice
           ,
           that
           I
           appoint
           
             Samuel
             Gellibrand
          
           to
           print
           my
           Sermon
           .
        
         
           
             Stephen
             Marshall
             .
          
        
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A52043e-240
           
             Introduction
             shewing
             .
          
           
             Exod.
             15.
             
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             8.
             
             The
             scope
             of
             the
             Chapter
             .
          
           
             Iudg
             ▪
             4
             3.
             
          
           
             Verse
             16.
             
          
           
             Especially
             of
             this
             verse
             .
          
           
             And
             the
             suitablenesse
             of
             it
             to
             the
             occasion
             
          
           
             Psalme
             2.
             2●
             
          
           
             Division
             .
          
           
             And
             interpretation
             .
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             14.
             24.
             
          
           
             Numb.
             5
             ▪
             27
             ▪
             
          
           
             Zech.
             5.
             3.
             4.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             17.
             18.
             
          
           
             The
             maine
             Doctrine
             propounded
             .
          
           
             Explained
             .
          
           
             And
             proved
             v.
             9.
             
          
           
             v.
             15.
             
          
           
             v.
             18.
             
          
           
             v.
             24.
             
          
           
             Men
             are
             cursed
             or
             blessed
             .
          
           
             Esay
             16.
             
          
           
             v.
             3.
             
          
           
             as
             they
             help
             or
             help
             not
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             .
          
           
             Demonstrated
             .
          
           
             First
             from
             the
             Churches
             relation
             to
             God
             ▪
             
          
           
             Being
             made
             one
             with
             him
             in
             Christ
             ▪
             
          
           
             All
             are
             cursed
             or
             blessed
             .
          
           
             as
             they
             help
             or
             help
             not
             Gods
             Chur.
             
          
           
             Their
             cause
             is
             his
             cause
             .
          
           
             Verse
             15.
             
          
           
             ●
             .
             22
             ,
             23.
             
          
           
             Zeph.
             3.
             4
             :
          
           
             Psal.
             11.
             7
             :
          
           
             Therefore
             a
             good
             cause
             ▪
             
          
           
             Psal.
             35.
             27.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             35.
             26
             :
          
           
             A
             noble
             cause
             :
          
           
             All
             are
             blessed
             or
             cursed
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             9.
             25
             ▪
             
          
           
             A
             successefull
             cause
             .
          
           
             Isay
             44.
             17.
             
          
           
             Acts
             5.
             38.
             
          
           
             2
             Our
             relation
             to
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
             All
             our
             talents
             are
             given
             us
             to
             serve
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             12
             ,
             7.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             4.
             15.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             4.
             10.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             11.
             26
             
          
           
             Our
             conjunction
             with
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             30.
             17.
             
          
           
             Rom
             ,
             9
             ,
             2
             ,
             3
             ,
          
           
             Our
             standing
             and
             faling
             with
             the
             Church
             Rom.
             12.
             4.
             
          
           
             1.
             Coo.
             12
             ,
             1●
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             12.
             25
             26.
             
          
           
             Application
             
          
           
             1
             For
             reproofe
             to
             them
             who
             help
             against
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             137.
             
          
           
             Deut.
             25.
             17
             
          
           
             Zech
             ,
             14
             ,
             12
             ,
          
           
             Isa
             ,
             27
             ▪
             ●4
             ,
          
           
             Isa
             ,
             45.
             9
             ,
          
           
             2
             To
             them
             who
             stand
             Neuters
             ,
          
           
             2
             Kings
             17
             ,
             33
             ,
             3●
             ,
             41
             ,
          
           
             Mat
             ,
             12
             ,
             30
             ,
          
           
             Of
             which
             two
             sorts
             Some
             out
             of
             policy
             ,
          
           
             Iudge
             ,
             8●4
             ,
             5
             
          
           
             Verse
             6
             ,
          
           
             Verse
             6
             ,
             7
             16
             ,
             17
             ,
          
           
             2
             Out
             of
             slothfull
             carelesnesse
             
          
           
             Acts
             18.
             14.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             14.
             10.
             
          
           
             Iud
             ,
             21.
             9
             
          
           
             Vers.
             10
             ,
             2
             For
             Exhortation
             .
          
           
             To
             give
             our selves
             up
             to
             the
             service
             of
             the
             Chur.
             
          
           
             Motives
             thereunto
             .
          
           
             1
             From
             Gods
             honour
             .
          
           
             3
             From
             our
             relation
             to
             the
             Church
             and
             the
             churches
             gaine
             
          
           
             Cap
             ,
             2
             ,
             44
             ,
             ●
             ,
             4
             ,
             31.
             
          
           
             Act.
             9.
             3.
             
          
           
             3
             From
             our
             owne
             good
             ▪
             both
             
          
           
             In
             our
             in
             ,
             wardpeace
             
          
           
             1
             Ioh.
             3.
             14
             
          
           
             Vers.
             10.
             
          
           
             V.
             16
             
          
           
             Isa.
             38.
             3.
             
          
           
             Heb
             13.
             .
             41
             
          
           
             And
             our
             honour
             before
             God
             and
             men
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             1
             ,
             14
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             6.
             15.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor
             ,
             8
             ,
             23.
             
          
           
             v.
             7.
             
             Thirdly
             in
             the
             greatnesse
             of
             our
             reward
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             1●
             .
             29
             
          
           
             Meanes
             to
             make
             us
             usefull
             .
          
           
             The
             persons
             must
             be
             
          
           
             First
             Godly
             
          
           
             Rev.
             7.
             14.
             
          
           
             14.
             4.
             
          
           
             ●
             Deniers
             of
             themselves
             .
          
           
             Luke
             14.
             26.
             
          
           
             ●
             Tim.
             2.
             4.
             
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             4.
             23.
             
          
           
             Men
             are
             cursed
             or
             blessed
             
          
           
             Acts
             20.
             24
             
          
           
             3
             They
             must
             love
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             12.
             27
             ,
             28.
             
          
           
             What
             these
             friends
             of
             the
             Church
             must
             doe
             .
          
           
             1
             By
             way
             of
             preparation
             ,
             the●
             must
             
          
           
             1
             Know
             the
             wan●s
             of
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
             Neh.
             1
             2.
             
          
           
             Dan.
             9.
             
          
           
             2
             Sympathize
             with
             them
             .
          
           
             Neh.
             1
             4.
             
          
           
             Dan
             8
             27.
             
          
           
             3
             They
             must
             enquire
             what
             is
             in
             their
             hand
             to
             help
             .
          
           
             2
             By
             way
             of
             action
             ,
             they
             must
             
          
           
             1
             Pray
             for
             it
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             122.
             6.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             62.
             6
             ,
             7.
             
          
           
             Ier.
             51.
             50.
             
          
           
             What
             great
             things
             Prayer
             is
             able
             to
             doe
             .
          
           
             Ezek
             36
             37.
             
          
           
             Ier.
             29.
             10.
             17.
             
          
           
             1
             Ioh.
             14
             ,
             15.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             56
             9.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             37.
             36.
             
          
           
             1
             Kin.
             8.
             37
             ,
             39.
             
          
           
             Gen
             32
             26.
             
             &
             Hos.
             12.
             4
             
          
           
             〈◊〉
             .
             32.
             10.
             
          
           
             ●ap
             .
             45
             v.
             10
             
          
           
             Quest
             .
          
           
             
               Answ.
            
             And
             the
             reasons
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             Ro●
             .
             8.
             2●
             
          
           
             Rev.
             8.
             3.
             
          
           
             〈…〉
             
          
           
             〈…〉
             
          
           
             1.
             
             Whence
             all
             our
             present
             mercies
             ●nd
             deliverances
             come
             
          
           
             And
             our
             hopes
             of
             more
             .
          
           
             2
             For
             reproofe
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             5.
             4.
             
          
           
             3
             Exhortation
             to
             help
             the
             Church
             by
             Prayer
             .
          
           
             Motives
             thereunto
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             66.
             
             And
             d●●ction
             herein
             .
          
           
             2
             Exhortation
             to
             p●ize
             such
             ●s
             have
             the
             sp●rit
             of
             Prayer
             .
          
           
             Eccles
             9.
             14.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             15
             30.
             
          
           
             2
             King
             13
             14.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             19.
             24.
             
          
           
             Zech.
             8.
             21.
             &c.
             
          
           
             2
             To
             employ
             all
             our
             gifts
             and
             Tale●s
             as
             Stewards
             and
             servants
             for
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             12.
             7.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             4.
             1●
             .
          
           
             〈◊〉
             are
             cu●s●d
             or
             blessed
             as
             they
             
          
           
             E●o●
             .
             3●
             .
          
           
             〈…〉
             ,
          
           
             1
             For
             reproofe
             of
             most
             who
             are
             strangers
             to
             this
             duty
             .
          
           
             Luk.
             12
             ▪
             45.
             
          
           
             2
             For
             Exhor●ation
             .
             1
             To
             the
             Ho●se
             of
             Parliament
             .
          
           
             Iob
             29.
             
          
           
             Obad.
             v.
             ult.
          
           
             Deut.
             18
             60.
             
          
           
             2
             To
             all
             others
             .
          
           
             Matth.
             25.
             35.