TO passe ouer the Title of this Psalme , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Sept. consule Lorinum , Hugonem cardinalem , Helmichium & Fabritium , de hac inscriptione . A song of degrees , as not much materiall , whether it bee so called , for the lifting vp of the voyce in the tune , as some haue coniectured , or , because it was sung vpon the Staires of the Temple , as others haue ghessed ; or for the excelcellency of it , which is most probable , sith it containes a Declaration of the Iewes deliuerance from the seruitude and slauerie of the brutish Babylonians and cruell Chaldaeans : which was a type and figure of our redemption , Lege Tilem●nū , Heshusium , in bunc Psalmum . from the bondage and captiuitie of sinne and Satan : it may be diuided into these three principall parts or mayne branches , viz.

In the Declaration or Relation of their deliuerance , in these words , The first generall part . When the Lord brought againe the captiuitie of Sion , we may obserue : 1. A Redeemer , The Lord . 2. The partie redeemed , Sion . 3. The redemption , in bringing againe their captiuitie . 4. The circumstance of time noted out in the particle , When.

Their deliuerer was principall , and instrumental ; principall God himselfe . Their principall deliuerer , the Lord . Instrumentall , Cyrus whom the Lord stirred vp to set his people at libertie , who had now serued vnder the yoke of the King of Babel , no lesse then three score and ten yeeres , as it was prophesied aboue an hundred yeeres before the birth of Cyrus . Cyrus , thou * * Isai. 44.23 . art my Sheepheard , and shalt performe all my desire , saying to Ierusalem , thou shalt be built ; and to the Temple , thy foundation shall surely be laid ; and albeit Cyrus may be thought to haue beene wise and hardie , noble , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 E●●ip . Musculus in Psal. 14. and expert in marshall policie , yet because that valour auaileth man nothing , if hee haue not the Lord aiding and assisting : the Psalmist doth ascribe their deliuerance to the Lord onely , Nameius est liber are cuius est in captiuitatem tradere ; for as by the Lords permission they were led into captiuitie , so onely by his power they were set at libertie . When the Israelites had serued in a strange Land foure hundred yeeres , it was not Moses , but Iehouah , that brought them out of the Land of Egypt , and out of the House of b b Exod. 10. & Psal. 106. boudage . In like manner it was Hee and not Deborah , that freed them from Iabin , after they had beene vexed twentie yeeres vnder the c c Iudg. 4.3 . Cananites . It was Hee and not Gideon , that brought them out of the hands of the Midianites , after seuen yeeres d d Iudg. 5.2 . seruitude . It was Hee and not Ipthab , that deliuered them from the Phylistims and Ammorites , after eighteene yeeres e e Iudg. 11.8 . oppression . Although in all these Hee did imploy Moses and Deborah , Gideon and Ipthah as instruments for their deliuerance ; and so it was not Cyrus valour , but the Lords power , not his policie , but Gods wisedome that ouerthrowing the enemie gaue to Cyrus the victorie , and put it into his heart to set his people at libertie , for he vp-held his hands to subdue Nations , Hee did weaken the loynes of Kings , and did open the doores before him , he did goe before him , and made the crooked places straight ; and hee did breake the brazen doores , and burst the yron f f Isai. 15.12 . barres . From whence wee may see that if the Lord had not inabled Cyrus , hee of himselfe could haue done nothing , and therefore their deliuerance is attributed to God alone , who is here for his power called Iehouah the Lord .

Neither without reason , seeing he was onely able to free them from the seruitude of that proud King and sauage Nation . Ierusalem was made so solitarie , that notwithstanding her continuall lamentation among all her Loners , shee found none to comfort her : g g Lam. 1.1.2 . all her friends were become her enemies : Mount Sion was so desolate , that Foxes runne vpon h h Lam. 5.18 . it . What thing ( saith Ieremiah ) shall I liken to thee , O daughter of Ierusalem , what shall I equall to thee , that I may comfort thee , O Virgin , daughter of Sion ? for thy breach is great like the Sea who can heale i i Lam. 2 13. thee ? for her bruising was incurable , her wounds were dolorous , there was none to pleade her cause , none to apply a plaister ; there were no medicines nor belpe for her ; all her Loners had forgotten her , and sought her not , for the Lord had striken her with a sharpe chastisement , and with the wound of an k k Ierem. 30.12 , 13 , 14. Bern. in Cant. enemie : and now it onely remayneth , that vnde morbus irrepsit , inde remedium intret , from whence came the sore , from thence should come the salue , and it is the Lord that killeth and giueth l l Deut. 32.39 . life : woundeth and maketh whole , bringeth downe to the graue , and raiseth m m 1. Sam. 2.6 . vp : who according to his promise gaue health vnto her , and healed her of her n n I●r. 30.17 . wounds .

This serueth for our instruction , whensoeuer we are deliuered out of any trouble or affliction , to impute all the praise to God alone . Iehosaphat , when the Lord had giuen him a maruelous victorie against his enemies , hee returnes to Ierusalem praising God with Viols , Harps and Trumpets , ascribing vnto the Lord all the glorie o o 2. Chron. 20● 1.6 29. Templum Ora●rium . thereof . Theodosius being told of the wonderfull ouerthrow of the Vsurper , Iohn his aduersarie , he and all his followers resorted to the Temple , where they passed ouer the day with praise and thanksgiuing , acknowledging that God by his owne Arme and power had cast downe that Tyrant . And Fl. Heraclius being deliuered from Cosroe the King of the Persians , Socrat. bist . Eccl. lib. 7. cap. 23. and hauing his Kingdome freed from his tyrannie , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 did in the hight of his triumph at Bizantium , openly praise God for his deliuerie , and the more to shew his thankfulnesse , did cause to be stamped vpon his coyne with his owne Image , these words , Glorie bee to God in heauen , because he hath broken the yron doores , and hath deliue●●d the holy Kingdome of Heraclius : if then wee bee freed from persecution , let vs confesse with Dauid , Reusu . in Symle is Caes . Rom. class 2. that saluation is of the p p Psal. 3.8 . Lord : if we be brought from the jawes of death and the gates of the graue , let vs say with Ezekiah , the Lord was readie to saue q q Isai. 38.20 . mee : and if wee bee brought from the deepe of destruction , and the very gulfe of hell ; let vs acknowledge with Iona , that mercy and saluation is of the r r Ion. 2.9 . Lord , for the saluation of the righteous is from the Lord : and he is their strength in the day of f f Psal. 37.39 . trouble : and therefore it is said here , that the Lord brought againe the captiuitie of Sion .

Moreouer , here we ought to learne in whom we should put our confidence , and on whom wee should rely in time of trouble , not in man , nor in his strength , for cursed is the man that putteth his trust in man , and maketh flesh his arme , and withdraweth his heart from t t Ier. 17.5 . God : not in riches , nor gold , for they cannot saue vs in the day of the Lords anger and wrath , they cannot deliuer vs in time of vengeance and u u Pro. 18.11 . Eccles. 5.1 . Ezek. 7.19 . indignation : not in the multitude of alliance and acquaintance , for they , in time of aduersitie , like Dauids familiars , will flee from vs ; and like Iobs friends , will forsake vs , not in Idols and works of mens hands , which haue eyes and see not , eares and heare * * Psal. 115. Quis tam demens qui arbitretur aliquem quod ipse non babet ●are alteri posse , Lact●lib . 1. cap. 15. de fals. Relig. not , and so cannot helpe vs ; nor yet in Saints deceased , who neither heare nor see vs , all these like an Egyptian reede , and like a broken staffe will faile vs , if we leane vnto them ; but we must trust in him , whose all-seeing eye doth behold our afflictions ; and whose all-hearing eare is euer open to harken to our lamentations ; and whose powerfull hand is euer able to helpe vs out of all our tribulations ; in him we must trust , who onely can see the seruitude of his x x Exod. 3.7 . Israelites ; in him who can heare the complaint of y y Psal. 18.6 . Dauid ; in him that can bring Ioseph out of prison ; Daniel out of the Den ; and Ieremiah out of the Dungeon : in him who can restore sight to blind Bartimeus ; health to sicke Ezekias ; limmes to lame Aeneas ; and life to dead Lazarus ; yea , and blessed are they whose hope is in God , and who trust in , the Lord that brought againe the captiuitie of Sion .

Their instrumentall and subordinate deliuerer was Cyrus , The instrumentall deliuerer , Cyrus . of whom ( though hee bee not named in this place ) it shall not bee much impertinent to the purpose , to speake of some things commended in him , and to bee imitated of vs , as

First , Many worthy and commendable parts in Cyrus . First , his thankfulnesse . his worthy acknowledgement of Gods gracious goodnesse towards him , in his preferment and promotion , for whereas the Lord had giuen into his hands all the Nations of the Earth , and had made him as sole Monarch in the East : hee did not take the praise thereof to himselfe , like Zaneherib , bragging of his owne a a Isa. 36. and 37. chapters . strength : nor like Nebuchadnezzar , boasting of his owne b b Dan. 4.27 . power ; but hee acknowledged all to haue proceeded from the God of c c Ez● . 1.2 . 1. Esd. 2.3 . heauen , a memorable president to bee imitated and thought vpon , by all who are beyond their expectation placed vpon the Stage of preferment , for promotion commeth neither from the East , nor from the d d Psal. 75.6.7 . West , but from him who arrayed Ioseph with fine lining and gold e e Gen. 41.42 . rings ; Mordecai with the Kings apparell and Crowne f f Esth. 6.8.11 . Royall ; Daniel with purple and chaines of g g Din. 5.29 . gold ; and who brought Saul from seeking his fathers h h 1. Sam. 9. Asses ; and Dauid from the i i Psal. 78.71 . sheep-cote , to hold the Scepter and weare the Crownes of Princes ; for thus shall it bee done to the man whom the King ( the King of Kings ) will honour .

Secondly , Secondly , his obedience to perform Gods will . his mindfulnesse of Gods Precepts , whereby it was foretold many yeeres before , that Ierusalem and the Temple should bee reedified and repayred by him , and withall his willingnesse and obedience to performe the same ; for first , by publike Proclamation hee giues the Iewes libertie to returne to raise the walls of the Citie , and to reare the Temple k k 2. C●ro . 36.23 . 〈◊〉 ● . againe ; and besides he restores all the Vessels of gold and siluer , to the number of fiue thousand and foure hundred to Zerubabel the Prince of ludah , which Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the Temple . A commendable patterne to be followed of all Peeres and higher powers , they ought not with Manasses to pollute the House of l l 2. Chron. 33. God : with Shishake , King of Egypt , to rob m m 1. King . 14.26 it ; or with Antiochus to ransacke n n 1. Macc. 1.21 , 22. it , but with Ioash to repayre o o 2. Chron. 24. it ; with Iosiah to renew p p 2. Chron. 34. it ; and with Cyrus to reare it and raise it againe .

Thirdly , he was benigne and bountifull and liberall , Thirdly , his liberalitie to the poore Iewes . to all such as were imployed in this worke , or resorted home to Ierusalem ; for all such as through pouertie were not able to returne , hee caused to bee releeued with siluer , gold , substance , cattell , and willing q q Ezra 1. offerings , strictly charging and commanding that for the building of Gods House , the expences and charges should be raised out of his r r Ezr. 6. reuenues : if all Christian Princes were as forward as he was , the Foxes durst not so boldly walke vpon Mount Sion , nor the little Cubs destroy her Vines , nor deuour her Grapes . What is the cause that euery where wee see so many Churches ruinated , and so many Chappels razed to the ground ; the Lords Houses so defaced , and his Seruants so disgraced ? but because Naboths Vineyard is impropriated to be Ahabs f f 1. King . 21. Orchard ; and Strangers eate Panem sanctisicatum , the hallowed bread which belonged to Aaron and his t t Exed . 29.32 , 33. sonnes : and our great ones like Nebuzaradan , with their vnhallowed hands doe rob Gods House of it u u 2. King 25. treasure . Hence it is that in many places the estate of the Church is like vnto that of the Iewes : The carued worke of Gods House is broken downe with Axes and Hammers : the Synagogues of God are burnt vp , and the dwelling place of his Name is euen defiled , and pulled downe to the * * Psal. 74. ground . Hence it is that so many poore Ministers are dieted with Michaia with bread and x x 1. King . 22.27 . water , and are apparelled with Dauids seruants , with garments cut off by the y y 2. Sam. 10.4 . buttocks , and goe like famished Nazarites , with a visage blacker then a z z Lam. 4.8 . cole , and trauell like the Gibeonites with torne clothes and clouted a a Iosua 9.5 . shooes , but let all Symoniacall and sactilegious persons take heed of the curse that hangs ouer them , for spoiling of Gods Church , and pilling of his Ministers ; For you are cursed with a curse , because you haue spoiled mee ( saith the Lord ) in Tithes and b b Mal. 3.8.9 . Offerings .

Fourthly , Fourthly , his wisedome and valour in Martiall affaires . I may obserue in Cyrus , wisedome ioyned with valour , policy with power : the Prophet setteth downe , the fiercenesse and furiousnesse of the Chaldaeans , by comparing them for forwardnesse , to Leopards : and for their fiercenesse , * * Hab. 1.8 . to Wolues ; beasts so rauenous , that the one for eagernesse leapes and jumps ; and the other , with open mouth , for greedinesse runnes vpon the prey : by which comparisons , hee manifestly expresseth the nature and condition of that sauage Nation ; yet the Lord inabled Cyrus to subdue them , and girded him with strength and power to ouer-come c c Isai. 45.1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5. them ; and as bee inabled him with power and valour , so he indued him with wisdome and policy . Vide Di●d . Sicul r●um antiq. l. 3. c. 4. de aedificatione Babylonis caepit ●rbem Cyrus , quam vel bumano opere extrui ●otuisse , vel bumana virtute destrui posse , v●runque pene incredile apud mortales erat . Or●sius . Babylon was immured with strong Walls , so fortified with Rampires and Towres , so impeopled with thousands of Souldiers , and so fenced with the Riuer Euphrates , that to the Inhabitants it seemed invinsible ; and therefore Balthasar with his Princes fearing no danger , sits securely , feasting and drinking in the sacred Cups : but Cyrus diuides the Riuer into so many Channels , that hee with his Souldiers passe through safely , and so comes vpon the Chaldaeans , as Gideon came vpon the Amalekites , at vnawares ; and whilst they are in the height of their jollitie , the Medes Inuadunt vrbem somno vinoque sepultam . enter into Babylon , as the Graecians entered Troy , whilst some of them are drowsie through sleepe , and some drunke with wine . Wisedome and valour are required and expected in Rulers , and specially in a Warriour ; hee must not be like Rehoboam , a child and e e 2. Chro. 13.7 . faint-hearted : nor yet like Ahab , too aduenturesome and f f 2. Chron. 18. forward ; but like Iudith , bold as a Lyon , and yet like Dan , wise as a g g Gen. 49.9 . and 17. Serpent . Iosuah , though hee was animated and incouraged by the Lord himselfe to fight against all the Kings of h h Ios. 1. Canaan ; yet warily he sends Spyes to view and search the i i Ios. 2. Land , and politikely lyes in ambush , and takes the Citie of k k Ios. 8. Ai. Iudas Macchabaeus was strong & valiant from his l l 1. Macc. 2.66 . youth ; yet priuily he assaults his Enemies in the night , comes vpon them at vnawares , and burnes vp their Townes and Cities on a m m 2. Macc. 8.6 , 7. Phil. Mel. Chro. lib. 2. sudden .

Now omitting to speake of Cyrus his education , which some haue thought to haue beene vnder Daniel in the Palace of Shusan , in the Prouince of Elam , and other memorable gifts wherewith God had indued him , lest I should bee too prolixe and tedious ; yet in that the Lord vseth him as an instrument , to deliuer his people out of the hands of their Enemies : it should animate and encourage all Christian Princes to sight the Lords battels manfully , in resisting all the Enemies of the Truth , to Gods glorie and the good of his Church . God promised and purposed to roote out the prophane inhabitants of Canaan , and yet he excites Moses and Aaron , Iosua and Caleb , to warre against them : the Lord can with water drowne his Enemies , as hee did the n n Exod. 14. Egyptians : by an Angell destroy them , as he did the o o Isa. 37.36 . Assyrians : with a noyse to affright them , as he did the p p 2. King 7.6 . Aramites : and fell them with hailestones , as he did the q q Ios. 10.11 . Ammorites : yet to verifie his word , Whosoeuer sheddeth mans blood , by man his blood shall bee r r Gen. 9. shed : Hee will vse man as an instrument , to punish the crueltie of man . God in his Decree and iust Iudgement , hath determined to destroy and ouerthrow this Westerne Babylon , and though hee might destroy it with fire from Heauen , as he did f f Gen. 19. Sodom ; yet will he haue the Inhabitants of the earth to bee instruments and agents herein . For the Kings of the earth shall make her desolate and naked , they shall eate her flesh and burne her with t t Reuel. 17.13.16 . fire . And who knowes whether euen this bee not the time appointed , for the destruction and desolation of that whorish Citie and bloody See ? For the deliuerance of Gods Saints from all Antichristian and Babylonish bondage , and for bringing againe the captiuitie of Sion .

But mee thinks , I heare how the Aduersarie insults ouer the Saints , as if they had the better of them ; nay , the whole victorie , and had carryed them already into captiuitie , It is not for any respect that God hath to the wicked , that hee suffers often his children to be oppressed and vexed by them . boasting and bragging of the equitie of their Cause , the truth of their Profession , and the soundnesse of their Religion : but I answere them , It was for no goodnesse that was in Nebuchadnezzar , that the Lord deliuered his people into his hands , for his Idolatrie was great , greater was his crueltie , and greatest was his pride . As for his Idolatrie , it was such , that according to the custome of other Heathen , when they were about to enterprise any thing , they were wont to immolate and sacrifice vnto their heathenish Gods , and by the looking into the intrailes of the beast sacrificed ( where the Deuill gaue them some signe ) they coniectured what would be the end and euent of their enterprize ; so Nebuchadnezzar , doubting whether hee should wage warre against Ierusalem or the Ammonites , did immolate and offer sacrifice vnto his Idols and Gods .

He stood at the parting of the way , and did looke into the u u Ezekiel 21.21 . liuer . As for his crueltie , hee made the whole world as a wildernesse , he destroyed the Cities thereof , and opened not the house of his * * Isa. 14.61 , 17. prisoners . And as for his pride , the holy Ghost calls him Lucifer , the sonne of the morning , who said in his heart , Ibid. vers. 12 , 13 , 14. that he would ascend into heauen , and exalt his Throne aboue the Throne of God , hee would ascend aboue the heigth of the clouds , and bee like the most High . Now , I hope , our Aduersarie will not say , that for any desert in Nebuchadnezzar , the Lord put his people into his hands ; no more is it ( may I say ) for their merits or works of supererogation , or for the worth and worthinesse of their Nebuchadnezzar , their high Priest , their Prince , their God , that the Lord suffered , and in many places as yet doth suffer his owne to bee vnder them in captiuitie : for their breaden God , their woodden Images , their canonized Saints , &c. paint out their foule Idolatrie ; their torturing and tormenting , martyring and massacring of Gods Seruants , doth sully paint out their crueltie ; and his Holinesse assuming vnto himselfe , and their attributing vnto him all power in Heauen , Earth and Hell , doth demonstrate their vanitie and ignorance , and his ambition and insolence . But as the Iewes transgressions were the cause of their captiuitie , Foure reasons why the godly are often ouerthrowne by the wicked . so our sinnes are the cause of our afflictions . And if you would be further satisfied why the Lord did , and doth often suffer the wicked to preuaile against the godly : let vs to his glorie and our owne shame confesse , first , 1. Their owne sinnes generally . that our wickednesse is the cause thereof . Why was the children of Israel deliuered into the hands of the Philistimes fortie yeeres ? because they did euill in the sight of the x x Iudg. 13.1 . Lord . The case is ours , it is for our sinnes that the Lord suffers vs often to haue the ouerthrow of our enemies . The wicked flee when no man pursueth , but the righteous are bold as a y y Prou. 28.1 . Leuit. 26.36 . Lyon , saith Salomon ; doth not the Lord himselfe plainly tell vs , that if we harken diligently vnto his Voyce , and doe his Commandements , then we shall be blessed when we come in , and blessed when wee goe forth ; our enemies shall bee smitten before our face , they shall come out one way against vs , and flee seuen wayes before vs : but if we doe not harken to the Voyce of the Lord , nor obserue his Statutes , then the Lord will cause vs to bee smitten before our enemies : Wee shall goe out one way against them , and flee seuen wayes z z Deut. 28. before them .

Againe , it is to be doubted there bee too many cursed Achans amongst vs , 2. The couetous mind of common souldiers . whose heart is onely set vpon the accursed thing , I meane , their mind is not to fight so much for Gods glorie and the good of his Church , as it is for the prey , the accursed Babylonish garment and siluer Shekels , this forced the children of Israel to flie before the men 2 2 Ios. 7. of Ai , and this may be the cause why we flie before the face of our Enemie .

Thirdly , 3. Want of deuotion amongst our selues . there is but too little deuotion amongst vs : we are not so feruent in prayer , nor so zealous in our supplications to God as wee ought : doe wee not remember that when Moses hand was lifted vp that Israel preuailed , but when his hand fell downe , then Amalek b b Exod. 17.11 . preuailed : it was not Iosuahs sword , but Moses wordes : not Iosuahs power , but Moses his prayer that discomfited Amalek .

Lastly , 4. For the wickeds further condemna●ion , and the godlies triall and humiliation . the Lord doth often suffer the wicked to haue the better hand of the godly , for the ones humiliation , and for the others destruction . Doe we not read in that lamentable conflict betwixt the children of Beniamin , and the children of Israel : Israel had the better part , first , in the equitie of the cause , for both the wickednesse was committed amongst the Beniamites ; and then they maintayned their folly in not harkning vnto the good aduice of Israel , and deliuering vp the offendors the children of Belial , to suffer for their lewdnesse and to put away euill from Israel . Secondly , there was great oddes in number , for Israel was almost twentie for one . Lastly , they were permitted and licensed by the Lords owne mouth to goe against them , and yet for all these they were twice discomfited , and fortie thousand of Israel slaine ; but what , did this worke contrition and humiliation in Israel , for they sorrowed and wept before the Lord , but in the other pride and presumption , for they said among themselues , they are smitten downe before vs as at the first ; but what followed in the end , Israel hath the victorie ; the Beniamites are wholly ouerthrowne , sauing a sew that fled to the wildernesse vnto the rocke c c Indg. 20. Rinnon ; these are the reasons why the Lord doth often suffer the godly to haue the ouerthrow by their Aduersarie ; but if the godly would preuaile against their Enemie , they must not doe euill in the sight of the Lord , they must stone out all accursed Achans forth from amongst them , they must lift vp their hands nay , their hearts vnto the Lord , and they must weepe and lament before him , then gird your swords vpon your thigh , O you most mightie , according to your worship and renowne : good lucke haue you with your Honour , ride on because of the Word of Truth , of Meeknesse , and of Righteousnesse , and your right hand shall teach you terrible d d Psal. 45. things : pull downe the walls of Iericho ; strew the gates of Sichem with salt ; burne vp the Citie of A● , for blessed is hee that rewardeth Babylon as shee hath serued vs , yea , blessed shall hee bee that dasheth her children against the stones , and assure your selues , that as the Lord hath decreed , so in his owne time he will bring againe the captiuitie of Sion .

Captiuitie is twofold , Corporall of the body , and that either imprisonment , as Ioseph in Pharaohs chiefe Stewards e e Gen. 40.3 . house ; and Ieremie in the house of f f Ier. 37.15 . Ionathan the Scribe , or else seruitude and subiection that one Nation is to another , as Israel to Egypt , and Iudah to Babylon .

Captiuitie Spirituall of the Soule , is either of the regenerate through the corruption of nature ; for there is a Law in our members rebelling against the Law of our minds , and leades vs captiue to the Law of g g Rom. 7.23 . sinne : or of the reprobate whose hearts are hardned in their wickednesse , for be that committeth sinne is the seruant of h h Ioh. 8.34 . sinne : and , of whom a man is ouercome , of the same hee is brought in i i 1. Pet. 2.19 . bondage : now the latter of these is the cause of the former , as the Prophet saith , The Lord afflicted Iudah for the multitude of her transgressions , and her children are gone into captiuitie before the k k Lam. 1. enemie .

Now , in the bringing againe of Sions captiuitie , wee must first obserue the manner , and then the time . The Time is noted out in the particle When , The manner of their deliuerance . the Manner is here not mentioned , but it was thus , first , The Lord inabled Cyrus to subdue their Enemie , and then put it into his heart to set them at libertie : and hence wee might gather for our consolation , that God will not onely free his Church and Children out of all their troubles , but also ouerthrow all their Oppressors and Disturbers : for as a Father burnes the rod when he hath chastised his child ; euen so deales God with the wicked , whom he vseth as a rod to correct his Children , in his indignation hee burnes them , and in his fiery wrath he consumes them .

But is it not iniustice in God , Quest. first , to put his people into the hands of the Heathen , and after to punish the Heathen for their cause ?

No , Answ. because the vngodly , whensoeuer the Lord doth glue his people ouer into their hands , they oppresse and vexe them without all measure or meane iniustice . Summum ius summa iniuria crudeles vocabo quicum puniendi causam habent , modum non habent , Sen. de Clem. ad Ner. Now wee know that the strictest Law proues greatest wrong ; and Seneca calls all such cruell , who hauing cause to punish , yet haue no measure in punishment ; this crueltie kindled the Lords wrath against the Chaldaeans . I am iealous , saith the Lord of Hosts , ouer Ierusalem and Sion , with a great zeale , and am greatly angrie against the carelesse Heathen , for I was angrie but a little , and they helped forward the l l Zath . 1.14 , 15. affliction .

Againe , Answ. 2. I st us est iniustum euadere iuste , quam iustum punire iniuste , Chrysost. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . the wicked are not content to exercise this crueltie vpon delinquents and offenders ; but besides they dare lay violent hands vpon the Lords seruants , whereas it agrees better with equitie to let the guiltie goe as innocent , then to punish the innocent wrongfully , yea , and is is better , faith one , vniustly to absolue , then wrongfully to condemne ; and why ? The one is an offence and iniquitie , and the other wickednesse and impietie . Now the Babylonians kild the Prophets , and murthered the Preachers of the Lord , hanged vp their Princes , dishonoured their Elders , defiled their Matrons , and deflowred their m m Lam. 5. Virgins , and villainously abused them without all distinction of sexe , or exception of n n 1. Esd. 1.53 , 54. 2. Chron. 36.17 . persons : this inhumanitie added vnto their former crueltie , did whet the Lords anger , and did prouoke him to wrath against them , as wee may see , by his threatning of them by the mouth of his Prophet . Sit still ( saith he ) and get thee into darknesse , O daughter of the Chaldeans , for thou shalt no more bee called the Lady of the Kingdomes . I was wroth with my people , I haue polluted mine inheritance , and giuen them into thine hand , thou didst shew them no mercy : but thou didst lay a very heauy yoke vpon the Ancient , therefore shall euill come vpon thee , and thou shalt not know the morning thereof , destruction shall come vpon thee , which thou shalt not be able to put away : destruction shall come vpon thee suddenly ere thou be o o Isai. 47.5 , 6. and 11. vers . aware .

Let this teach men to take heed , how they vexe or molest Gods Saints , for as Dauid slue the Lion , and kild the Beare , because they medled with his p p 1. Sam. 17.34 , 35. Lambs : so shall the Lord smite , wound and slay , such as deuour his Lambs , whom hee tenders as the apple of his eye : and as Moses killed the Egyptian , because he did contend with an q q Exod. 2.11 , 12. Hebrew , euen so the Lord will deale with all that dare enter the lists or contend with his Seruants ; for it is a righteous thing with him , to recompence tribulation to them that trouble r r 2. Thess 1.6 . Insta malis haec , admisso pro crimine p●ena est , Si que f●cerunt eadem patiantur & ipsi . them , and therefore he will assuredly require the blood of Abel at the hands of Cain ; he will be auenged on the Egyptians , for oppressing his Israelites ; and he will repay double the crueltie of the Chaldeans , when the Lord brings againe the captiuitie of Sion .

The time of their deliuerance , is noted out in this particle , The time of their deliuerance . Ier. 25.11 . Dan. 9.2 . When , and that was not before the threescore and ten yeares , foreprophesied by Ieremiah , were expired . But why did the Lord suffer his people to continue so long in captiuitie ?

The reason is , because they abhorred the Lawes of God , they despised his Ordinances , Quest. Answ. they did violate his Couenant , and they did not keepe his Sabbaths , and therefore the Lord dealt with them according to his Word : if thou wilt not obay mee , nor keepe all these Commandements , I will scatter you among the Heathen , and I will draw out a sword after you , and your Land shall be waste , and your Cities shall bee desolate ; then shall the Land enjoy her Sabbaths , as long as it lyeth s s Leuit. 26.33 , 34. waste . Where wee see that they continued thus long in captiuitie , First , because of their sinnes . Secondly , that the Lords Word might bee verified , and his Threatnings accomplished . Thirdly , that the Land might rest and enioy her Sabbaths : now the Land had fulfilled ten Sabbaths in these threescore and ten yeeres .

Further , Answ. 2. Daniel alludeth his three score and ten weeks vnto these threescore and ten yeeres ; as they were threescore and ten yeeres in captiuitie , before they were deliuered : so it should be but seuentie seuens , foure hundred and ninetie yeeres , till our Redemption should be wrought by Christ , by his death to abolish sinne , bring in iustice , demolish iniquitie , performe euery vision and prophesie , t t Dan. 9.24 . and to anoint the most Holy .

The obseruation which I gather from this place , is , as Salomon saith , That to all things there is an appointed time , and a time to euery purpose under the heauen , a time to bee borne , and a time to die ; a time to seeke , and a time to lose ; a time to reape , and a time to sow ; a time of warre , and a time of u u Eccles. 3.1 , 2. peace : a time of bondage , and a time of freedome ; a time of captiuitie , and a time of libertie ; there is a time of foure hundred yeeres for Israel to bee in Egypt , a time of twentie yeeres for Iacob to be with Laban , a time of two yeeres for Ioseph to be in prison , and a time of threescore and ten yeeres for Iudah to be in Babylon ; yet when these Times are expired , Israel shall come out of Egypt ; Iacob shall part with Laban ; Ioseph shall bee brought out of prison ; and Iudah out of Babylon .

This should teach vs , to rest contented in abiding the Lords leasure , and not presumptuously to appoint him , as it were , a time to free vs out of affliction ; wee must refer that to him : for , when I see conuenient time ( saith the Lord ) I will iudge * * Psal. 75.2 . righteously . Daniel was patient , vntill he vnderstood that the three score and ten yeeres were accomplished , and then in all true humilitie he powred out his Prayers and Supplications to the Lord for their inlargement : so let vs in time of affliction call vpon God , Non est Deus temporibus alligatus , sed pro l berrim● sua voluntate edit opera sua quando ipsi placilum est , Polanus in Dan. cap. 9. to be out Deliuerer ; and yet in the interim , rest contented and wait patiently for the time appointed of God : for we see that Christ our Mediator will interceed for vs in x x Zach. 1.12 . due time , and God will both heare vs in an acceptable time , and helpe vs in a day of y y Isai 49.8 . saluation .