Πανηγυρὶς D. Elizabethae , Dei gratiâ Angliae , Franciae , & Hiberniae Reginae .

A SERMON PREACHED AT PAVLS in London the 17. of November Ann. Dom. 1599. the one and fortieth yeare of her Maiesties raigne , and augmented in those places wherein , for the shortnes of the time , it could not there be then delivered .

Wherevnto is adioyned an Apologeticall discourse , whereby all such sclanderous Accusations are fully and faithfully confuted , wherewith the Honour of this Realme hath beene vncharitably traduced by some of our adversaries in forraine nations , and at home , for observing the 17. of November yeerely in the forme of an Holy-day , and for the ioifull exercises , and Courtly triumphes on that day in the honour of her Maiestie exhibited .

By THOMAS HOLLAND , Doctor of Divinity , & her Highnes Professor thereof in her Vniversity of Oxford .

AT OXFORD , Printed by JOSEPH BARNES , and are to be solde in Pauls Church-yard at the signe of the Bible . Ann. Dom. 1601.

THE principal contents of this smal booke ( loving friends and deere Country-men ) comprehendeth summarily , in one sermon , a perspicuous narration of the holy , honorable , and laborious , peregrination , of the Queene of the South , Mat : 12 : 42● 1 : King : 10 : 2. Chro: 9 : Luke : 11 : who came from the vttermost parts of the earth , to Ierusalem to heare the wisedome of King Salomon . This history in the old Testament , is mentioned at large , by the sacred register thereof , inspired by the holy Ghost : and this history is briefly and perspicuouslie alleadged , by our Saviour Christ , Ierusalem &c How often wold I haue gathered thy children togither , as the hen gathereth her chickens vnder her wings , and yee woulde not . Mat. 24.37 . in the new Testament , by the way of comparison , and inferred most pertinently to that ende , where-vnto it was by him applied ; namely , to convince the stiffe-necked Iewes of impious incredulity , and barbarous impiety : who at that time , to their owne confusion , & eternal destruction , refused the light of the ●ospel offered by our Saviors ministery vnto them ; preferring obstinately darknesse before the sunne-shine of righteousnesse , errour before trueth , foolishnesse before wisedome , death before life .

This peregrination of the Queene of the South in the words before I tearmed Holy , Honourable , Laborious . Holy , in consideration of the sacred matters and divine treasures , mystically wrapped vp in the letter of this History , recapitulated out of the old Testament by our Saviour in the New Honourable , in regard of the circumstance of the action , and the condition of those persons who are in my text mentioned & described . Laborious in regard of the longe , toilesome , daungerous , and chargeable iourney that this wise and holy Queene vndertaketh , and by Gods assistaunce and grace in al honour , discretion , magnifical bounty , princely modesty , & industry performeth .

This Text , how it fitted the time , place , and persons ; the mutual resemblance , by the way of comparison , in the two persons , then spoken of in the sermon , evidently declared : the annual celebrities of the 17. of November , being in these times yearely the day wherin this whole Realme giueth thanks to God , by publike service , and sheweth great signes of ioy , in each parish , and general assemblies , for the happy regiment of our Q. Elizabeth , plainely demonstrateth .

Menander Plutarch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c As God ●ath fixed in heauen the Sunne and the Moone , excellent resemblances of his glory so in a citty God hath ordained the Prince to shine as a patterne & a ●irror of his excellent Maiesty . The person in the Text by our Sa●iour commended is a woman ; by birth , vocation , descent a Queene , by consequente thereof , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a liuing Image of God : And ( as I haue by good reason proved in the sermon ) a Mayden Queene . The Person for whom we doe the 17. of November according to the rule of the B Apostle make supplication , praiers , intercessions , & giuing of thankes is by sexe a woman by birth , auncient descent , vocation , title , right of inheritance , and regal investure a Queene ; by honour , integrity of life , grace given by God almighty from aboue , a Mayden Queene .

The Queene of the South a woman of great wisdome , a woman endued with rare learning . The demonstration and experience of the rare wisdome & skil of tongues giuen by God to the Queene of England , hath not bin inclosed within the walles of her Courte , neither confined within the limits of her kingdome only , but hath beene sounded in forraine nations , to her everlasting honour , & great admiration , not by the reference of her owne people chiefly , but by the testimony of many wise & graue Embassadors sent from mighty Princes and great states to congratulate her Maiesty : with whom she hath conferred in several languages , Learning is in poore men , riches : in nobility , it shineth as gold : in Princes , like an o●●ent pearle and glistering emeraud Mat. 12 42. 1 King 10 2 Chron. 9. Luke . 11. answering them readily in those tongues , which they haue chosen of purpose to deliver their embassadge in .

The Queene of the South enchronicled in the holy writte of the olde Testament , and honoured by the testimony of our Saviour in the New , for vndertaking so great and worthy a iourney , as is specified in the place marginally cor●● : a iourney laborious , toilesome , perilous , chargeable , in regarde of the paines , place , person , &c. yet honourable in cause & ●ffect : a iourney laborious , in regard of the greate distance betweene Meroe & Ierusalem , Pomp. Mel. Africa inculta , arena sterili obducta , ob situm coeli de serta , saepe multo ac mal●fico animalium genere infesta , &c. Africa serpentibus adeo faecunda est , vt mali meritò illi pot●ssimum palma detur . Solin . cap : 40. Serpentum largo coquitur fecum da veneno Africa . Si● . Strabo . lib. 2. Herod . 4. Diodor. l. 4. Virg. Egl : 1. Sitientes ibimus Afros Galust . bell : lug. desc . Afric . the substance whereof is discoursed at lardge in the sermon : toilesome , in regard of the extreame heate whereunto those countries , through the which she was to passe , were by nature of the clymates subiect vnto : perilous , in respect of the danger of those viperous , venemous , and deadly vermine , which naturally each part of those countries ingendreth : Chargeable , in regard of the traine that she was attended and accompanied with , and in regard of the great magnificence wherewith King Salomon was by her in all regal bounty rewarded : Although the comparison heere wil not holde betweene the Queene of the South & the Q of England for vndertaking a iourney &c. Yet neverthelesse how laborious , perilous , toilesome , chargeable the regiment of this mighty kingdome , in these daungerous daies , hath beene to Queene Elizabeth , al Christendome knoweth to her great honour , & we her subiects doe acknowledge , glorifying God that hath wrought so great workes by her , for the establishment of religion , and manifold good of this Realme .

The Queene of the South a daughter of peace ; which appeareth partly by her learning , partly by her long peregrination : wherof the first is not so easily obtained without peace and quietnesse : The other may be verefied to be true by the fruites of her peregrination . For it is to be presumed to be a thing infallibly true , that shee durst not haue vndertaken such a iourney , vnlesse her countries had beene settled in great peace at home . The Q. of England , Cicer. pro Muren . Simul arque in crepuit suspicio tumul tus , artes illicò omnes conticescunt . Bach Lyri . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Mr. A●●ham speaking of the Q in his School . master , fol. 19. Besides her perfitte redines , in Latine , French , & Spanish , shee readeth heere nowe at Windsore more Greek every day , then some Prebendaries of some churches do read latine in a whol week . a mirrour of peace in these troublesome daies , at her first comming to the crowne , she came , like the doue to the Arke of Noah , with the oliue leafe , a signe of peace , in her mouth , as I haue mentioned in my treatise adioined to the sermon : & hath remained ever since , a continuer of that peace which was first brought in by Gods goodnes vnder her regiment . For her Maiesties : learning I refer you to Mr. Ascams testimonie marginallie coted , and speake the lesse of it , because it is contained in that parte of the comparison , wherein her skill in languages is mentioned .

The Queene of the Souths holy wisdome thereby was ennobled , and deserved everlasting commendation , in that shee was an embracer of true religion , and with an holy zeale endured extreame paines and peril of a long iourney , to come to Ierusalem , to bee resolued in such doubts by King Salomon , as concerned the grounds of her salvation . The Q. of England , a zealous imbracer of his doctrine whom K. Salomon shaddowed and prefigured , a defender of that faith , which the blood of Iesus Christ hath sealed & sanctified . For the which , although shee hath not vndertaken any laborious peregrination , yet hath shee endured , for the defence and maintenance therof , many bitter stormes , and escaped by Gods goodnes many great dangers , which for the defence of the Gospell haue beene complotted against her . They that doubt of this , let them but call to memory the fearefull danger of the Northren rebellion in the yeare of our Lorde , Stowes Chron. An. 1569. 1569. and the 12. yeare of her Maiesties raigne , blowne vp to a head by the bellowing of Pius Quintus bloody Bull , let them remember , I say , Babingtons & Ballards conspiracy , Hardings imagery , Par●ies treasons , and vnnatural cruelty ; let them put before their eies the attempts of the Spanish fleete , 1588. the Popish leagues , cruel , pollitike , and vnmerciful confederacy , Lopez , & Squires poisonable and venemous treachery . In the which doubtlesse , we had al perished , & had bin swallowed vp quicke , if the Lord had not beene on our side , Psalm. 124. and God had not giuen wisedome to her , and her Counsell , to prevent the drifts of our mighty adversaries .

The Queene of the South a rare Phenix , and a bright starre eclipsing with the light of her vertue & knowledge al the Princes before her and after her in Aethiopia , as farre-forth as by any record of the Aethiopians History it hath bin discovered vnto vs . How rare a Phenix the Q. of England hath beene , & how bright a starre in these daies , our owne Chronicles can manifest , and the experience of her blessed regiment this one & forty yeares demonstrateth more evidently , then my pen can depaint . For in the fruits of her peace she wil shine as a star in the Catalogue of her honorable predecessours , and for her learning and wisedome wil be as a Phenix renowned by many famous writers to the people of that age , which shal succeede her . Not meaning to presse this similitude or comparison any further , lest I should seeme to misdoubt the discreete iudgment of the intelligent Reader , to whom one word is sufficient to insinuate a matter of lardge discourse : and since it is a point in al learning obserued , that no comparison , reference , Nulla similitudo quatuor currit pedibus . or resemblaunce similitudinary should hold in each part : and for that there are many things appropriate to the person of the Queene of the South , which cannot to any creature else be applied by any apt relation : And since al know that wisedome , I meane the faithful Iames 1. learning knowledge , fortitude , mercy , &c. and al good & perfect giftes , as beames from the Sun , issue , and are derived and giuen from and by the Father of lights &c. and that no good nor perfitte gifte shineth in man , but what he hath receiued from aboue , and for the which he is bound to be thankful to God the giuer : Cirill : de recta fide ad pientiss . reginas . &c. I end this part with this sentence of Cyrill : Vbi fides recta et irreprehensibilis cum honorum operum honestate coniungitur , & aquo cur su admittitur , illic omninò est in omni bono perfectio , & sanctificationis integritas : Where a right and vnreprovable faith is conioined with the excellency of good workes , and entertained in one current with them , ther is a perfection in al goodnesse , and there flourisheth the integrity of sanctification .

I haue adioined to this Sermon ( wherin I haue discoursed at lardge of each point of the Texte prefixed to it ) an Apologetical discourse not impertinent to those thinges , wherunto the application of the sermon then tended wherein I haue fully and faithfully confuted al such slaunders , wherewith our Natiue Country , and Gracious Prince hath beene vntruely and vncharitably charged & traduced by divers malicious adversaries in the greatest consistories of Christendome , for that to the glory of God and honour of Q. Elizabeth the 17. of November is yearely celebrated in festivall and ioyful manner by the subiects of this land in these times : our thankes giving to God being grounded on the Apostles precepts the 1. 1 : Tim: 2 : to Timothy and the 2. Chap. our other exercises of ioy being of that quality as by Christian people in most ages since Christs Incarnation haue beene vsed in the world , Euseb: de vlt. pan . Const. 1.2 . at set times , in the honour of their soveraignes .

The motiues that induced mee to vndertake the treatise of these matters were these . First for that this argument fitted the vse of the doctrine which I handled in Paules the 17. of November Anno Domini , 1599. and was a necessary consequent in the Application . Secondly for that by sundry things expressed in the contentes of the Apologie each indifferent Reader may palpably descipher the fruites of venemous malice , and malitious disloialty . Lastly , for that this Apology may serue as a Caveat for al good subiects to beware of al seditious spirites , who , in such places where they may be bold , and hope to passe away without controlement , cease not to set abroach sclaunders of this nature : hoping , by the intoxication of this venoum , to breede in many her Maiesties subiects a mislike of the present government , a wearinesse of wel-doing , a loathing of the sincere and Apostolike religion , which by Gods blessing this flourishing Realme enioyeth in these times vnder the peaceable and bright sunne-shine of Queene Elizabeths Regiment .

And although the Sermon runneth only in the general heades of discourse : yet I thought it most expedient to handle the things contained in the Apology scholastically , or after the maner of Schools , partly for that the truth or falshood of things of this quality wil easier appeare , and is sooner brought to head and issue by questional debatement truely and faithfully collected and alleadged , then by long discoursing . Offring with al to ioine issues in this Argument , or any other now professed or defended in the Church of England with any learned or modest adversary , that shal vndertake to gainesay any thing that is laid downe either in the Sermon , or in the Apologie . The learned and modest adversary only I provoke . For reviling and sclaunderous adversaries deserue no answer , but only that which Michael the Archangel in Saint Iude his Epistle giveth to Sathan 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : The Lord rebuke thee . And as holy Zachary saith , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 72. Interp. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Lord rebuke thee , O Satan , even the Lord that hath chosen Ierusalem reproue thee , &c. Partly , I say , I haue entered into this manner of exercise , for that I hope by this forme of discussing , I shal provoke many of my sonnes , ( whom I so tearme , for that by my Academical service in the Chaire of Divinity it hath pleased God that they should be invested in the titles of Theological degrees ) to ioine with me in this kinde of writing since ( as the proverbe is ) I haue begunne to breake the ice vnto them in this matter , and saie vnto them , not Ite , but Eamus , setting apart al excuses , and shaking of al impediments . which vsuallie are suggested by Satans policie , and of purpose , to quench al good sparckles that may kindle flames of light , apte to discover the pathes of Gods glory .

And although the vse of discoursiue Divinity bee profitable for the Church of God , and is questionlesse an holy , and a fruitful labour , if it be performed by men of learning and discretion : Yet neverthelesse in these times giue me leaue to thinke the Scholastical manner of writing more convenient , for the Church of God . First for that in long discourses quarrels are very often piked in wordes by cavilling and vnconscionable adversaries , and yeelde many evasions to Sophistical wranglers , as appeareth by Stapletons Antidot : Stap Antid Stap. Tripl . and his Triplic : against Doctor Whittakers Divers Tractes of Possevine a Iesuite , printed Ann. Dom. 1●87 . at Collen , to the which we may adioine diuerse Pamphlets printed in High Almaine in the defence of Vbiquity : many of which bookes and manie others entitled with monstrous names ( as Calvinus Iudaïzans : Calvinus Iudaiz us Asinus Avis . Calvino-turcism . Asinus Avis ; Calvino-turcismus ) doe ( in mine opinion ) in most places resemble the dish that Prometheus in his banket entertained Iupiter with in derision , covering the bones with skinne and sinnowes , defrauding his guestes of the flesh and fat : Of al which bookes and treatises I say with Saint Austin , Aug: conf. lib. 1. ca 15. Vae tibi flumen moris humani , quis refistet tibi ? quamdiu non siccaberis ? quousque volves Evae filios in mare magnum & formidolo sum , quod vix transeunt , qui ligna transcendunt ? that is , Woe be to thee thou wicked woont or common custome of mankind , who shal crosse the tide with thee ? how long shal the floating of thy waters not be drained ? how long wilt thou role the sons of Eue to that great and troublesome sea , which they that passe them by ship can hardly escape : Psal. 4. and with the holy Prophet David in the 4. Psal. ô filij hominum &c. O sonnes of men , how long wil ye turne my glory into shame ? louing vanity , & seeking lies .

The second reason why I thinke it most convenient , wherfore the most parte of controversies should be handled scholastically , is , for that long writing oftentimes bringeth a great disadvantage to the Authors , & Readers , and serueth much the turne of the cavilling gainsayers . To the Author , for that longe discourses oftentimes enforce him to reiterate & inculcat the same thing , and make him seeme tedious to the Readers : To the Readers , long discourse breedeth inconvenience . For the length of the speech , & the overmuch heaping of things consequently one vpon an others necke , causeth a forgetfulnes of that which hath beene said before : the memory and vnderstanding of man beeing not infinite , but faculties finite infused by God to the reasonable soule of man , and ordained to conceiue knowledge & learning non per intuitum , sed per discur sum , not by the first insight , but by much discoursing and debating on all sides , as the Schoolemen speake . The School mens distinction of Intuitus and Discursus . The gainsaiers only get advantage therby . For at their pleasures , Here they make an assaie , There they leaue , , Here they assault , There they relinquish , Here they wrest , There they depraue Here they inverte , There they perverte wordes inveagling them vpon each smal quidditie to turne themselues like changeable Proteus into al shapes : Homer . Odyss. 4. Plyny . de nura Saep . and in the end encourage them to play the partes of the fish Sapiae which ( as Pliny saith ) is accustomed to darcken the water , where hee is fished for , with an effusion as blacke as incke , attempting thereby to escape the handes of the skilful fisher-man , angle hee never so skilfully , and sufficiently . I am enforced in this vehemencie to vtter my minde , for that manie in these daies , I finde in writing rather to seeke glory of men then of God , and to dwel rather vpon wordes then matter : which course of writing ( as the Apostle saith ) rather breedeth strife , 1. Tim. 1. c. v. 4. then godly edifying , that is , by faith . Yet ( deare sonnes and loving fellow-souldiours in Christ ) let not this my censure be a discouragement vnto any one ( that approveth this order of dealing with the Adversary ) from his good labours , since no question , ( if any incline this way ) this kinde of writing is a gift given him from aboue . Assuring him that my wordes heerein are no causes of discouragement vnto him , or anie others that shal labor in this course ; but I wish in the Lord that these admonitions may serue as caveats , and watchwordes , and wardwordes ( as some of late haue written ) to al such as preferre this kinde before anie other , and take this the fittest field for them to bestowe their manuring of : and the best ground to til ; & the ground , which wil yeelde greatest blessing to their labours . For their circumspectnesse herein wil doe great good both to the matter , and method . This advertisement I thoughte good here to inserte , as appertinent to the purpose , for that this kinde of writing vnlesse it bee managed in such sort , as I haue specified before , breedeth most inconvenience to the Author , troubleth most the Reader , and least disadvantageth the adversary . But whether long discourse , or scholastical method best serue your studies , and bee most fit for controversie writers , I wil not here further discusse , but refer each man in the Lord to his owne inclination , neither am I to prescribe to any one what course to take , only I speake therein mine opinion , as one that by Gods mercy haue long travailed in these exercises : and as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lorde to be faithfull . 1. Cor. 7. Asserteining that these 2. Plutarch . Virgil. Math. 25. waies are not like the Bivium of Hercules , neither the letter of Pythagoras , nor the right hand , nor the left in the day of iudgment . But , if they be wel handled , like the 2. Apoc. 11. Nazian. Tetrast . 1. oliue braunches and two candelstickes which wil stand before the God of the Earth : And like those 2. goodly pearles of life whereof Nazianzene speaketh in his Tetrastikes , of which whosoever shal embrace either , he shal not loose his labour . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : that is , both of them are fitte & louely .

But here I finde 2. sortes of people misliking my present exhortation . First some wil deeme that by this discourse I meane to reduce againe into the Church the olde Dunsery of the Schoolmen , long agoe condemned in the world , & by special verdit exiled out of the Church , reputed by al graue and learned divines rather a trade of blinde Sophistry , then a right course of sound divinity ; To these that obiect vnto me in this eager bitternes , I answere on this maner . If they meane the matters that the Schoole-men debate in their darke and cloudie affected obscurity , & prophane mixture of Philosophie with divinity , let them assure themselues , this course I condemne as wel as they , and repute such schooles in many places worthy to be striken with that thunder-bolte of the Prophets : Esaiae . 1. Ier. 2. How is the faithfull city become an harlott ? Thy silver is become drosse , thy wine is mixte with water , My people hath forsaken me the founteine of liuing waters , & digg them pittes even , broken pittes that can holde no water : What hast thou to doe in the way of Aegypt to drinke vp the water of Nilus ? or what makest thou in the way of Assur to drinke the water of the river ? And that al that follow these courses in that forme with them , are no better than those impure Philistines that filled the welles with earth , Gen. 28. that Abraham the holy Patriarch had digged . If otherwise , I say , that noe man of learning and iudgement can iustly condemne the scholastical method , Their manner of briefe distinguishing , Their short obiecting Their art of summary and material aunswering , Their practise of short & substantial concluding . Neither is this mine opinion alone herein but also the iudgment of Anthony Sadeele a man for knowledge of Divinity aboue al exceptions of any gainesayer , Antonius Sadeele de vera methodo Theologicè simul ac Scholasticè disputandi . vnto whose censure I doe appeale heerein , to whose opinion I doe subscribe , & to whose tract of this Argument I referre the Readers . Assuring al learned Schollers , that if the drosse & tinne of Schoole-divinity be purged and burned away by the true fire of Gods word , that the method of Schoole-learning is not lightly to be reiected , neither vtterly to bee condemned .

The second sort of people that wil take offence at this treatise are many such as make supposal , that this persuasion of mine , if it should take effect , would greatly hinder the vnspeakeable benefitte which godlie preaching worketh in the Church amongst Christian people . To this I answere . God forbid that this exhortation or any other by me vttered should be anie impediment , or any waies a motion to hinder the gift of soule-saving preaching , 1. Thes. c. 5 concerning which the Apostle hath written to the Thessalonians in this manner . Quench not the Spirit , despise not prophecying : which , because it doth containe these three benefits , namely , edification , exhortation , and cosnolation , the same Apostle preferreth before the miraculous giftes of tongues , which was the admirable treasure giuen to the Church after our Saviour Christ his ascension to be imploied to the gathering together of the Saints , and for the edification of Christs body . Yet I beseech them that are of this mind faithfully & iudicially to examine how I shal refel by Gods grace this coniecturall supposal , and misconceiued imagination . True it is I must confesse that the gift of preaching , in our church , and in al the Churches vnder the cope of heaven , is a sacred and a most beneficial gift , if it be sincerely ministred : that the true vse of it is farre to bee preferred before the vse of tongues , and many other giftes in the Church : that it was the summe of that commission , which our Saviour gaue to his Apostles , both before and after his Ascension : 2 Tim. 1. v. 14. that it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or that worthy thing that P. commended to Timothy : and that thing which he was by the Apostle commaunded to deliver to faithfull men , which should be able also to teach others : Yet this nothing impeacheth the true vnderstanding of the former proiect , as by the grace of God it shal appeare by this sequele .

There may be numbred in this Realme at these times neere 5000. Preachers , Catechists , Exhorters , God be praised , who increase the number of them . The maine streame and tide of Students in Divinity is caried wholie this way , not without some secret influence of Gods spirite , I doubt not : In the Vniversities the greatest number of scholers desire to haue their names in the register of the sonnes of the Prophets : Now of these 5000. if there were but 50. able men dedicated to this worke , men qualified in gifts , men which like Hur & Aaron would hold vp Moses hands , Exod. 17. whilest Ioshua and Israel discomfite Amalecke : I dare boldly speak , that the studies of these 50. faith fully imploied , ( so that they would not imitate the children of Ephraim , who as it is said in the Psalme being armed and shooting with the bow , turned themselues backe in the day of battell : Psal. 78. ) would rather helpe preaching , then hinder it , increase it ; then diminish it ; multiply it , rather , then substract any thing from it . The master that sturreth at the healme , & the Pilottes that by their cards & sea-markes discover the danger of shelues , sands ; and rocks , hinder nothing either the sailers , or marriners : The scouts and tower-watchmen saue both Captaine and souldiour from many a danger . The kay-keepers of the little houses , the coverwel-heads , and spring-cleansers , ( so that they keepe them free from poison & corruption ) are the causes why the streames of water that issue from the founteines , runne more purely ; and why the rammes & sheepe of Gods pasture may drinke of the liuing waters more delight●omely and safely . So in mine opinion if this or any other course of this quality be in these daies put in practise in the church by them that are the great overseers therof : propheciing or preaching , Prophets and preachers wil bee more multiplied , the Adversary better aunswered , the glorie of God more advaunced . Eight and thirty thousand 1 Chr 13. v 3. 1. Chr. 8 3 2. San● . 7. 1 King●● . ●4 ●5 . Ca●tie 3. v. 7 8. Lastly to aunswere al in one word there were in Israel in the raign of David numbred aboue 30000. Levits , persons ecclesiastical , Priests , musicions , singers : and in the time of Solomon his son , I thinke that they were augmented , since King Davids time was a time of bloode , but Salomons raigne flourished with peace : Yet the garding of the bed of Salomon , figuring the Arke the testimony , ( as it is expounded by the Chaldee Thargum & Lyra his commentaries ) & by consequent therof a type of the church in the new Testament by three-score armed men of the valiant of Israel , Calde targum . Lira com men experte in warre , of which every one had his sword vpon his thigh , for the feare of the night . Was no impediment to the Priests , Levits , musitians , singers , & to thousands of such as served in the ministery of the Tabernacle , & taught Gods law to the people either in the Temple at Ierusalem , or in the seueral Sinagogs in the land of Israel . This seruing to conclude , I boldly may averre , as one that of the Lord hath obtained mercy , that 50. armed in the studies of Divinity , furnished with skil of toungs , laboriously exercised in the scripturs , studiously conversant in the fathers , wel acquainted with the history of times , practised in ready writing , will be no more hinderance of the thousands of preachers of this land , following such a course , as I haue mencioned , then the 60. armed men , that garded & warded the bed of Salomon for the terrors of the night were a scandal , or a clowd either to make Israel to fal , or to ecclipse the light of the blessed countenance , of the Lord of hosts , that shined more bright then the light of the sun , vpon the congregations of Israel . Eccle. 2. God grant that my words may be goads vnto al the godly and good subiects of this Realme , for his Sonnes sake , to whom with the Holy Ghost be al honor , glory , and praise , world without end , Amen .