Great Britaines, great deliuerance, from the great danger of Popish powder by way of meditation, vpon the late intended treason against the Kings most excellent Maiestie, the Queene, the Prince, and all their royall issue: with the high court of Parliament at Westminster, there to haue been blowne vp by the Popish faction, the fift of Nouember, 1605. If God of his great mercy had not preuented the mischiefe.

Great Brittaines , Great Deliuerance , from the great danger of Popish Powder

THe Papists of these our daies , falsly called Catholicks ( vnles it be in this , that they be vniuersally euil ) haue euer since the first yeare of Elizabeth , our late Queene of famous memory , euen to this day , endeuoured the subuersion of their dear Country , to set vp their Babel of all confusion : And haue sought by all possible and potent meanes to make this Church & Country , ( the noblest of Nations ) an Akeldema , or field of blood .

Witnesse all their Rebellions that haue bene raised since that time , either in England , Ireland , or Scotland , euer fed with the grosse Viands of Popish Bull , and Indulgence , fetched from Rome , by Saunders , Morton , Felton , Edmond Campion , and Robert Parsons , most or all factious Priests & Iesuites , and since spred and divulged by the poysoned breath of thousandes of their Seminaries , vermine of the Church , and bane of Christendome .

These haue done much , and deuised more against the state then euer was thought vpon in elder times , and not so much by open hostilitie , as secret treasons , excommunications , & confiscations , against the liues , soules and goods , both of Prince & people , who were not pleasing to their deuotions .

But of all that euer were , this last deuise of Gun-powder to blowe vp all , was most detestable , diuellish , & damnable , as wherin hel was shaken , with all it furies , to haue effected their thrice bloudy practise , with this firy resolution , of their angry Goddesse Iuno . Flectere si nequeo superos Acheronta mouebo .

If God will not , 2. King . 8. 11. 12. &c. the diuel shall . Wherevpon when I do thinke , it is with me , as it was with Elisha , when hee looked vpon Hazael his person , and sawe in his countenance his entended crueltie toward the Israel of God , he looked vpon him stedfastly , till Hazael was ashamed , and the man of God wept , & Hazael said ; Why weepeth my Lord ? Wherevnto the Prophet answered , Because I know the euil that thou shalt doe to the children of Israel : for their strong Cities shalt thou set on fire , and their young men shalt thou slaie with the sword , and shalt dash their Infants against the stones , and rent in peeces their women with childe . Then Hazael said ; What is thy seruant a dog , that I should do this great thing ? And Elisha answered ; The Lord hath shewed mee that thou shalt be King of Aram.

We haue stedfastly looked vpon you , O ye Romish Aramites , more cruell then Hazael , and lesse compassionate then he , we haue wept ouer your tyrannie as Elisha did , and ye are not ashamed , as Hazael was , the prints of your former cruelties haue pierced our hearts , but this last impression hath euen wounded our soules , wherin we see nothing but traces of blood , and ( as it were ) the blacke face , and countenance of confused desolation .

King , Queene , Prince , with all their Royall issue , the onely remaine of our religious hope , Councel , Peeres , and Prophets , the next support of our happie estate , graue Iudges , and learned at Lawes , with the Knights of the Parliament , and Commons there assembled , a third pillar bearing vp the kingdome , all these our honors had gone in a day . Woe vnto vs that euer we sinned , to deserue the hazard of so great a iudgement .

Which once accomplished to their full , then had we felt ( to our wofull experience ) how speedily , the mischief wold haue spred it self into the body & bowels of all the kingdom , wherin nothing should haue bene heard , but rumbling of shot , and chrashing of armor , outcries of mothers , and yelling of children : nothing seen but sacking of cities , burning of towns , racing of towers , & wasting of the land , with destruction of parts , and desolation of the whole : Quorum animus meminisse horret luctuque refugit . And yet as all this were nothing , or not enough , we should haue seene these miscreants , neuer sated with the bloud of the Saints , til they had changed our religion for superstition , our knowledge for ignorance , our preaching for massiing , our subiects for Rebels , our Councellors for conspirators , and so haue brought vpon vs , and ours : A most wofull Sabaoth , when both the lawes of God & man ( which are the sinewes of a sanctified state ) had bene dissolued , and silent .

Now if any shall say as Hazael did , Am I a dog , that I shall do this great euil ? I answere with Elisha , though in differing tearmes , yet in equall sense , The Lord hath told me , & experience hath made it good , that where Romish Hazael is King , there is crueltie .

Fraterno primi maduerunt sanguine muri . The first walles of Rome were laide in blood , and euer since they haue bene symonted with such morter , as is euident , by the ten cruel persecutions of Emperors , in the first 300. yeares after Christ , and by the crueltie of Popes euer sithence , wherein Emperors haue bene Dogges to bite , but Popes haue bene diuels to deuoure , and make hauocke of Gods Saints , nay worse then diuels , and more audatious , according to that , Non audet stigius Pluto tentare , quod audet effranis Monachus , plenaque fraudis Anus . Vnbrideled Monke dare vndergoe , what diuel himselfe hee dare not do .

And here might I seasonably taxe the perpetuall hatred , and intollerable crueltie of that Roman Antichrist , toward the professors of Gods truth and Religion , of whom I may truly say , as the Prophet did of the Babilonians , that they are and euer haue bene a people vile in name , and sore in affliction .

Graues are pregnant , and would bring foorth their dead to plead their iust cause against their cruelties , and Abels innocent blood crieth vengeance out of the earth against these cursed Canites , & from vnder the Altar , me think I heare the soules of them that are killed for the word of God , and for the testimony which they maintained , cry with a loude voice , saying ; How long Lord , which art holy and true , doest not thou iudge and auenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth .

Of many , take these fewe for all , Et leonem ex vnguibus , Nor will I kallender any but moderne cruelties , and such as are yet fresh bleeding in the memories of men liuing , of this age and clymate .

Mariana tempora , Anglicana stigmata . Maries times are English staines , and who gaue the dye , but that Romish red Dragon , bloudy beast , and whore of Babylon ? not sated with the blood of the Martyrs then liuing , but ransacked the bones of their dead , and burned them , to glut vp their crueltie . Witnesseth the buried bones of Paulus Fagius , and Martin Bucer .

Andwarpe and Naples , can witnesse like crueltie vpon a mother Queene , and Prince of great hope , whose Funeralls as some say , were solemnized both in one moneth . At Naples with ioy , and at Andwarpe with griefe , done by that Sanguinary Inquisition of Spaine , Reuel. 9. 17. Romish red Dragon , and bloody beast of Babylon , whose Horses mouthes fume nothing but fire , smoke , and brimstone .

Paris and France , doe yer streame with the blood of the innocent , murthered and slaine in that cruell massacre on Bartholomew day , 1572. wherein the Shatilian was slaine , and diuers others , noble & excellent men , with all the flower of the Gentry , and Protestants in France , to the number as is thought of 100. thousand , all done & deuised by the two Cardinals of Lorraine , See the Mutabilitie of France , for the number . and Peluey , conntenanced by the Queene mother of France , aided with her Guisian faction , & executed by Mandolet , with such crueltie , that out of the Court of the Gaile called the Archbishoppes prison , the bloud was seene in the broade day-light , to the great abhorring and feare , of many that beheld it , runne warme , and smoking into the streets of the Towne , and so downe into the Riuer of Scene .

So great a dishonor , and so great an infamie to that nation , as the most part of them are ashamed at this day of their owne Countrey , defiled with two most filthy spots of Popery , falshood , and crueltie , of the which , whether hath bene the greater in that religion , it is hard to say .

I passe , to speake of the Butchery of Henry , late King of France , by two Iacobin Friars , with poisoned kniues in their handes , and Popish Bull in their bosomes , which Guignard the Iesuite was not ashamed to call an heroicall act , and a gift of the holy Ghost .

I say nothing of Parry his stab of death , & Lopas his Pill of poyson , intended against Queene Eliza : of famous memory , by their owne confession , the best natured and quallified Queene , that euer liued in England : yet this may I say , that the dagger was sharpened , and the Pill was poysoned with the venome of Popery , else Benedetto Palmio , and Hanniball Codrotto , two factious Iesuites , had neuer bene traduced as bellowes to blowe the fire , and kindle the coales of so great a mischiefe , with this warrantie , to enflame their hellish hearts , that the fact was lawfull and meritorious .

But if all these were clapt in one , they may not ballance with the waight & woe , of our late entented dismall day , if God of his great mercy and wonted clemency had not put by the deadly blow .

For a day of death , like that of doome , in Ictu oculi , had put out the light of Englande , King , Queene , Prince , Peere , and people ; All had perished , and all at once .

Seruants had ruled ouer vs : Lamen. 5. 8. &c. & none could haue deliuered vs , out of their hands : our inheritance had bene turned to the straungers , and our houses , to the Aliants : our Fathers had beene childlesse , and our children fatherlesse : In our English Rama , had bene a voice heard mourning & weeping , and great howling : Mothers weeping for their children , and children for their mothers ; and neither had bene comforted , because they were not .

We should ere this , Lamen. 5. 4. &c. haue drunken our water by measure , and eaten our bread by waight , our skinne had bene blacke as an Ouen , because of the terrible famine , they had defiled our women in Sion , and our maides in the Cities of Iuda , our neckes ere this had bene vnder such persecution , as we should haue bene weary of our liues , & neuer haue had rest when our soules had bin put into the hands of so viperous a generation , who would haue shut vp our liues in the dungion , Lamen. 3. 5. 3. & cast a stone vp vs : I say so generall a iudgment , so speedie and so bloudie , had neuer bene in any kingdome .

Nay more , that deadly blow at once , and in Ictu oculi , ere this , had taken the elder from the gate , & the yong men from their songs , it had silenced the Prophets , and dissolued the lawes , both of God and the Nation , I say still , as formerly I haue said , so general a iudgement , so speedie , and so bloudie , had neuer bene seene in any kingdome .

The Royall Pallace of Westminster , Citie , and Sanctuary there , built by the Noble Kings of this Land , and now honoured with the presence of as mighty a Monarch as euer went before , with as wise a Councel as euer England had , with as full a Senate of Nobles as euer satte there , with Bishops for learning , gifts , and graces , equalling ( if not aboue ) the reach of former times , and with Knights and Commons of the lower House of Parliament , in all respects sutable , this Royall Place and Presence , with all the Honor , Puissance , & Pietie therof , to haue bin blowne vp at once , and in Ictu oculi , I say still , so generall a iudgement , so speedie & so bloudie , had neuer bene seene in any kingdome .

O vnnaturall and degenerate Englishmen , how could you euer endure , to thirst after the destruction of so sacred a Senate , and sweete an assembly ? how could you finde in your hearts to seeke the destruction of so benigne a Prince , and so Royall an issue , with the vtter subuersion of so glorious a state● by bringing into the bowels thereof that Romish Apolion , mentioned in the Reuelation , who where he is victorious , Reu. 9. 11. staineth the earth with bloud , the aire with blasphemy , and the heauens with his abominable , and luxurious incontinences .

The old worthy Romanes the two Decij , thought it the most heroicall thing that might bee , to vowe themselues to death for their Country , and euen to spend their liues in defence of their Altars , Temples , and Monuments , of their Elders , but you seeke to see your Countrey bathing in the bloud of your Prince , Peeres , and Prophets , in the bloud of your parents , kindred , and friends , to see the cities , graues , and temples , of your predecessors , consumed with fire : to see your Records burned , your Actuaries destroyed , your virgins deflowred , your women rauished , and finally , to bring the noblest of Nations to a perpetuall slauery , and seruitude , by as deadly and dolorous a blow , as euer was deuised , or done , in any kingdome , except in that kingdome of darknesse , where is nothing else but hell , horror , and all confusion .

Surely , surely , for this your entended mischiefe , and your former murthers , the worme that neuer dieth , will gnaw your rebellious hearts , and the furies of hell which neuer giue rest , will haunt you in your habitations : where euer ye goe , they wil speak in the voice of those Kings , Queenes , and Princes , with whose bloud you haue embrewed your trayterous hearts , and hands , as it is said Caesars ghost did to Brutus and Cassius , whom in the Senate they murdered with such crueltie .

O vnkinde Countrymen , and cruell Caitiffes , I haue bene your blesse , but you are now my bane : I haue bene your mirth , and you are now my moane : I haue bene your wealth and shadow in a florishing Empire , but you are now my want and woe : in a decaying estate , I haue preserued your wiues to your comfort , and your children to your great ioy , but ye haue made my wife husbandlesse , and my children fatherlesse , to their vnspeakable griefe , I cloathed you with scarlet , and hanged ornaments of gold vpon your apparell , spotted with the purest Armines , but you haue couered my dead corpes with a Carpet of greene grasse , diaperd with my dearest bloud . Finally , I haue kept your Daggers within your sheathes , and you haue sheathed them within my heart : Fie , fie : Flee , flee : And whither can you flee , but the Hagge will euer haunt you ? nor can you euer fare well , till the Fury , finde you faultlesse . Interim nos ad sepulchra vadimus . We sleepe in peace .

The Lord deliuer our Church & Country from all such Brutish & Cassian cruelties , so as neuer they be able either to touch the Lords annointed , or do his Prophets any harme , and praised be the Lorde which hath not now giuen vs a praie vnto their teeth , for our soule is escaped , euen as a bird out of the snare of the Fowler , the snare is broken , & we are deliuered .

Let this suffice for the danger deuised by men , but vndone by God , and if any would know by what men , and of what Religion ) I answere , by Englishmen , and of the Popish Religion : Nor will I say that all of that faction were priuie to the practise , yet may I say , that none ( for ought I yet heare ) were of the conspiracie , but the popishly affected , & so branded , which when God hath the glorie , and the truth is knowne , then will it appeare how farre the humour hath spred it self into the bodie of all the kingdom , too much ( God wot ) decaied with that deadly maladie .

Yet I hope well in time , if such be the fruits of popish Religion , that fewe will gather Apples of that blasted tree , a tree of Sodome ▪ faire in sight : but in truth , and touch , nothing but Cindars , and rottennesse , and of all the staines that euer Popery had , I am perswaded that this is of the deepest die .

For in stead of blowing vp vs , they haue blowne vp themselues , & their Religion , with such a wound to their Cause , as will neuer be cured by any craft , being blotted with one of the horriblest Treasons , that euer was contriued , and such as God & Nature could neuer brooke to be amongst the cruellest Cannibals , Turkes , or Scithians , that euer were . No maruell then ▪ if Ciuil states abhorre it , Christian Nations detest it ; Religious Kings spit at it ; and the Cronicles of all times record it : for such an Antichristian stratagem , Romish Monster , and Popish prodigie , as neuer might endure the sight of any Sunne , but was strangeled in the birth , ere it could bee borne , and kild in the blade , ere it came to any growth .

Strangled ( I say ) and killed , by no other hand then the hand of God , and euen then when the deuisers deemed it done , for the Vault was readie , the Powder was laide , the traines were made , the match was prepared ; Percy was busie , & Faukes was bloudie in resolution to giue the charge ▪ with a Crucifix about his necke , and haire about his loines , to tell you of what Tribe he was , yet euen then , and in the rage of all this fury , the Lord said , Staie thy bloudie hand , the sacrifice is not pleasing .

For what hath England done , to deserue so heauie a iudgement ? I am their God , they are my people , and for my great name sake , I will be propitious , and make them glorious by deliuerance : The Sun-shine is theirs , and the gloomie day is yours : your designes are vpon your owne heads , your Daggers are turned vpon your selues , and sheathed in your owne bowels , ye haue bene fighters against God , ye will not be warned , Acts 5. 39. that ye might be armed : Wherfore now Discite iustitiam mouiti non temere diuos .

Your owne Letters shall discouer the treason , and the writing of your owne hands shall betray the mischiefe of your owne hearts , I will fight against you with your owne weapons , and I wil weary you in your owne waies .

The old Florentines had a Bell , which they called their Martynella , and they rung it euer before the siedge of any Citie , to warne the besieged , either to yeeld , or die ; It was a mercy , to preuent a miserie . But your Martynella hath giuen no such warning to vs : and therein were you lesse mercifull then the Florentines ; How be it , so it is , that your Bell hath rung your passing Peale , and the Lord hath turned your owne writings , to be death to you , and life to vs , blessed be his name therefore .

One saith well , Vbicun que fuerit prouidentia , frustrantur Vniuersa contraria , Where the Lord hath a prouidence , all other encounters are defeated ; If his prouidence be vpon the fire , it burneth not : If vpon the seas , they swell not : If vpon the winds , they blow not : Iosua . 10. 12. &c. If vpon the aire , it infecteth not : If vpon the Lions , they deuoure not : If vpon the Sun , it goeth not , but standeth stil in Gibeon , and the Moone in the valley of Agelon : If I say , his prouidence be vpon the graues , they detaine not , but yeeld to deliuer their dead , and Lazarus must come forth .

How then should any creature stirre to the subuersion of so blessed a state , whilest the prouidence of God houered ouer it , like the wings of the Cherubims ouer the mercie seate : yea his prouidence it was , to preuent vs with mercy and louing kindnesse , and ere euer we praied to be propitious , to thinke vppon vs , ere wee thought vppon him , to deliuer vs from the blow , before we saw the danger . And to conclude , it was his mercifull prouidence to turne your praiers into our bosome , a crosse to that you ment it , ominous to you , but giorious to vs . I hope ( saith the Writer ) God will giue you the grace to make good vse of it , and what better vse could euer haue bene made , either to Gods glory , the good of his Church , the safetie of the King , Queene , and Prince , with all their Royall issue ( I say ) what better vse could euer the receiuer haue made to shewe his loyaltie to his Prince , and loue to his Country , then by dealing as he did ? Eccle. 44. 8. &c. for which he shall be honourable in this generation , well reported of in his time , and be of them that haue left their name behinde them , so as his praise shall be spoken of .

I may conclude with Zachary , and make good the Lords prouidence ouer this English Nation , to the great comfort of all the godly , and the astonishment of the wicked elsewhere in the world : Cease your attempts against the Truth , Zach. 4. 9. &c. for the handes of Zorobabel haue laide the foundation of this house , his hands shall also finish it : & who seeing the stone of Tinne in the hands of Zorobabel , shall despise the daie of the small thing ?

The house is the church of God here in England , Zorobabel is our Christ here in England , he hath laid the foundation in England , hee will also finish it in England : And who seeing the line in his hand to ▪ build by , which is his word , in England , & the stone of Tinne to build vp , which is his people of England , dares euer despise the ●ay of the small things ? small to the ●e●ly and sensuall eye of flesh and bloud , despicable to the worldly monarchies , & of small beginnings , Psal. 149. 4 yet precious to God , and now made glorious by deliuerance . Zach. 4. 10. 11. &c. His prouidence is ouer all : And as the Prophet saith , these seuen are the eyes of the Lord , that goe through the whole world , his graces still abound , and are a continuall current in his Church , like the two Oliue branches , emptying themselues through the golden pipes into the gold .

Golden Prince , golden Peere , golden Prophet , golden people , fined from the drosse of sin , & superstition , to be pure mettall , and as it were spangles of gold in the holy Sanctuary of your God : Emptie , ô emptie your praises , pipe by pipe , from the highest Maiestie , euen to the lowest of the people , and giue God the glory .

And thou virgin daughter London , write vpon thy walles Peniel , Gen. 32. 3● . and say the face of God was towards me : Thou Princely Pallace Westminster , write vpon thy seates of Iustice , and high Court of Parliament , write vpon thy Vaults , Cells , and Sepulchers , write vpon thy doores , Gen. 1● . 14 posts , and passages , Beer-lahai-roy● , and say , Thou God lookest on me , thou Emperiall seate of great Brittaine , fragrant for thy flowers , and for thy Coller of Mirtles twisted with the Roses of both houses , dignified with the Diadem of Rubies , wreathed with the Armes and supporters of both kingdomes , ( I say ) thou great Brittaine , famous as at the first for thy olde name , honourable now for thy new birth , and euer blessed for thy happie and so desired an vnion , whereby our former ruines are repaired , streames of bloud are stopped , old mallice is worne out , and deadly fude is forgotten : for all which abundant great mercy , as also for this thy late deliuerance , Hose. 2. 1. write Ruhamah , Ruhamah , Mercy , mercy . Write vpon thy Ports , Holds , & Castles , Mercy . Write vpon thy Towers , Townes , & Temples , Mercy . Write vpon thy fields , waies , & wastes , Mercy . Write vpon thy Corne , Coine , and Cattle . Mercy . Say the Lord hath had mercy vpon vs , he hath had pleasure in his people , Psal. 149. 4 and hath made the meeke glorious by deliuerance .

For all which Mercies , Psal. 74. 13 say God is my King of old , the helpe that is done vpon the earth , he doth it himselfe .

Say with Elephus Iob his friend , Iob. 22. 29. 30. but Great Brittains Prophet , when others are cast down , then shalt thou say , I am lifted vp , and God shall saue the humble person , for the innocent shall deliuer the Iland , and it shall be preserued by the purenes of thine hands .

Innocent King , Gen. 18. 23. &c. innocent Queene , innocent Prince , Peere , Prophet , and people , If not for fiftie sake , yet for fortie : If not for fortie , yet for thirtie : If not for thirtie , yet for twentie : If not for twentie , yet for ten iust persons , the Lorde hath put by this terrible blowe of these wicked Shebaes : For should not the God of all the world do according to right ?

Pleade thou our cause ( O Lord ) with them that striue with vs , Psal. 35. 1. 25. and fight thou against them that fight against vs : Let them not say in their hearts , there , there , so would we haue it : Neither let them saie , We haue deuoured them . Which and if they had , then might we haue said with the Prophet , Esay 24. 11. 12. There is a crying in the streetes , all our ioy is darkened , the mirth of the world is gone away , in the Citie is left desolation , the gate is strucken with destruction .

Then might we haue sung with Dauid , that mournfull Lamentation hee vttered of his King to his Country ; 2. Sam. 1. 19. &c. O noble Israel , hee is slaine vpon thy high places , how are thy mighty ouerthrowne , Saul and Ionathan , were louely in their liues , and at their deaths they were not diuided .

Then might we haue said , that vpon the fift day of Nouember , wee should neuer haue kept merry feast , the day of the dissolution of so blessed an estate .

We might haue said indeed , that this yeare 1605. had beene a yeare of Reuolution , and that Tuesday were our dismall day Criticall in Scotland , the fift of August , for Gowry his treason . And dismall in England , the fift of Nouember , for Faukes his designe , plotted by bloudie Papists , the bane of Christendome : and Dolmans dogges now warranted by a new doctrine , to barke at Kings , and bite the Lords annointed , if they be not pleasing to their deuotions .

Thus endaungered , and yet thus deliuered ; endangered by men , but deliuered by God : Now let vs ioyntly giue him the glorie .

Dread Soueraigne , deare Queene , sweet Prince and progeny , cast downe your Crownes at the feete of your Sauiour , and say , We haue bene saued by thee . Earles , Nobles , & Barons , laie by your Robes of state , with your ensignes of honor , praise him who hath preserued you , and say , We haue beene saued by thee . You Officers in Court , resigne vp your staues into the hands of God , and say , We haue bene supported by thee . Ye learned Bishops , and Fathers of the Church , slide from your Consistories , and say to the great Bishop of your soules , Wee haue bene kept by thee . Ye Knights , Squiers , and Gentry of the Land , vnarme your selues , and with your Crests lay your Lawrel in the lap of Christ , and say , Wee haue conquered through thee . Thou high Court of Parliament , dissolue for a time , and say , O Angell of the great Councell , We will consult with thee . And lastly , Thou Lord God of Gods , and preseruer of men , let there be silence in heauen , for the space of halfe an houre , Reue. 8. 1 , &c. till these Saints praises and praiers be offered vp .

So shall we sing with a godly Ouation , and a grace in our hearts , Kings of the earth , & all people , Princes , and all Iudges of the world , yong men , & maids , old men , Psal. 148. 11. &c. and babes , praise the name of the Lord , for his name onely is excellent , and his praise aboue heauen and earth : hee hath exalted the horne of his people , and his Saints shall praise him , euen the children of England , whom he loueth , and hath made so glorious by deliuerance .

Praise the Lord , ô virgin daughter London , Praise thy God ô England , the Glorie of Kingdomes , and beautie of all Europes honor , Psal. 147. 12. &c. for he hath made fast the barres of thy gates , and hath blessed thy children within thee , hee hath set peace in thy borders , and satisfied thee with the flower of wheat , Let the praise of God therefore be euer in thy mouth , and a sharpe two edged sword in thy hands , to be avenged of the heathenish Atheist , Psal. 149. 6 &c. and to rebuke the bloudie Papist , such honor haue all Saints .

And now to speake to you Authors , and Abetters , of these desperate Treasons , Cease your Rebellions , laie by your bloudie designes , recount which your selues ; your former , both faithlesse , and fruitlesse attempts , against the Lord , and against his annointed ; Recken with your selues your former losses , in the year 1588. when the windes , the Seas , Rocks , & Shelues , fought for vs , Iudg. 5. 20. 21. when the Riuer Kishon swept them away , from our English Coast , to Dingle Cush in Ireland , with a Beesome of such destruction to their great Armado , & frighting to our English Fugitiues abroad , and of their fauorites at home , as by the grace of God hath brought them out of all heart , out of all abilitie , and possibilitie euer to attempt the like .

Learne what it is to fight with God , We must encrease , you must decrease , for Babilon is fallen , so told you by the Angel , Io. 3. 30. as a thing alreadie past and done , Reue. 18. 2. &c. and doubled in speech like Phan●●s dreame , to tell you of the certaintie and expedition thereof . Cease , Gene. 41. 32. O cease to prouoke the Lord any longer , and end your mallice against his Saints , ere mallice end you , lest he say vnto you , as he did vnto Mount Seir , Because thou hast had a perpetuall hatred , Ezec. 35. 56. and hast put the Israel of God to flight by the force of the sword in the time of their calamitie , when their iniquitie had an end : Therfore as I liue , saith the Lord God , I will prepare thee vnto bloud : and bloud shall pursue thee : except thou hate blood , euen bloud shall pursue thee .

God is witnesse , before whom I stand in the sight of men and Angels , that I speake not this to seeke the bloud of any , their bloud be vpon themselues , and theirs , till they haue dried it vp by vnfained repentance : I wish the conuersion of all ( vijs & modis ) by all good meanes . I wish our Lawes may still bee written in milke , and that his Maiesties Royall heart , may continue a depth of rare mercy . I wish our preaching may sauour peace , and that the Magistrate may still strike with a trembling hand .

Yet giue me leaue to pray withall , that the rage of the enemy neuer grow so sower as to turne our milke into bloud , mercy into iudgement , peace into warre , sythes into swords , and them to be hallowed in the bloud one of another , which I feare , both must and wil ensue , if they grow so great in the contempt of God , so greeuous to their Soueraigne , and so intollerable to the state : which if they doe , then be wise ô ye Kings , Psal. 2. 10. &c. be learned , ye that be Iudges of the earth : Let mercy and truth meete together in you : Psal. 45. 10 Let righteousnes and peace kisse each other . Iudg. 8. 20. 21. Take the sword into your owne hands , and strike , ô ye Worthies of Israel , for Zeba and Zalmana will neuer be killed by the weake hands of Iethro : for as the man is , so is his strength : the Minister may speake , and the inferior Magistrate may strike : and both with a trembling heart and hand , like the child Iethro : but assure your selues , that Romish Zeba , and Popish Zalmana , will neuer die till you rise vp , and with your own hands fall vpon them , as Gedeon did : for as the man is , so is his strength .

Sit in vobis materna pietas , & paterna seueritas : exhibite vos matres fouendo , patres corripiendo : extendite vbera , sed producite verbera . That is , Let there be in you a motherly pittie , and a fatherly seueritie ; shew your selues Mothers in cherishing , but Fathers in correcting : Laie out your brests , but withall draw forth your rods , and euer so , Vt nec vigor , sit rigor , nec mansuetudo dissoluta , as neither your force be rigorous , nor your forbearing retchlesse , but say with the Orator in the temper of both , Natur a me clementem fecit , Respub : seuerum postulat . sed neque natura , nequeresp : me crudelem , efficiet : Nature hath made mee mild , the common-weale requires I should be seuere : yet neither Nature , nor the common-weale , shall euer make me cruell .

And if any man shall scandilize thee of crueltie in thy iust seueritie , & say , ô where is loue ! I answer : Ne timeas contra charitatem esse , sivnius scandalum multorūpace cōpensaueris . Melius est vt pereat vnus , quam vnitas , Neuer feare the breach of Charitie , where with the scandall of one , yee may recompence the peace of many ; for better it is that one dye of many , then that the vnitie of all should be dissolued .

He was wise that said it , Prou. 25. 4. and I hope the wisedome of this age will approue it , take the drosse from the siluer , and there shall proceed a vessell for the Finer : take away the wicked from the King , and his throne shall be established in righteousnesse : but beware of delaies , for they are dangerous : & in the execution of iustice they are deadly dangerous : according to that ; Eccl. 8. 11. Because sentence against an euill worke is not executed speedily , therefore the heart of the children of men is fully set in them to do euill .

Witnesseth Ely , his impunitie towards his children , which lost him the Priesthood with his life , 1. Sam. 4. 21. 22. and brought vpon him and all Israel so heauie a iudgement , as Phinchas wife dying , left the memory thereof for all succeeding ages , when she bore a sonne , and called him Iuabod : that is , the glory is gone from Israel .

Happily Ely spared them , for that they were his children , and out of his loue and fatherly affection towardes them . He deemed it lesse sin to shew some indulgence , but one saith well ; Iustitia non nouit patrem , non nouit maetrem , non nouit seipsum , Responde mihi Iuditium dixit Nathan , & sic Dauid dedit inditium contra seipsum . Dauid gaue iudgement against himselfe in a Plea of faith , 2. Sam. 12. 5. &c. and fact : How then may Princes spare others , if they bee found guiltie in either of both . Hierome is more peremptorie in a case of like importance , When hee saith ; Licet paruulus excollo pendeat nepos , licet sparso crine , & scissis vestibus Vbera ( quibus tenutriuit ) mater ostendit , licet inlimine pater iaciat , percucatum perge patrem , & siuis oculis ad vexillum crucis euola , solum pietatis genus est in hacre esse crudelem , gladium tenet hostis , vt me perimat , & ego de matris lacrimis cogitabo ? propter Patrem : Christi militiam deseram ? cui etiam sepulturam christi cause non debeo , which I may English thus ; Although thy little Grandchild cling about thy necke , and say spare father ; Although the mother come forth , with spred haire , and torne raiment , and shewe thee the pappes : where once thou-sucked thy life , with her loue , and say ; spare sonne : Although the father cast himselfe downe vpon thy threshold to keepe them , tread vpon thy father , and with dry cheekes fly to the execution of thy profession . It is an onely point of godlines in this case to be cruel , and a soueraigne Pittie , to be pittilesse : Shall the enemie hold vp his hand to Wound the Church ? and shall I think vpon the teares of my mother ? shal I because of my father , cease to fight for my Christ ? to whom I owe no buriall , for the cause of my Christ , but am to leaue the dead , to burie the dead : whilest I followe him .

Whereupon I may wel say , that mercy may haue it excesse , and pittie may be great crueltie : especially then , when it ouerflow ●●to the good mans danger : mistake mee not , I like of loue , but when it is tempred with feare , I like it better : I know it may do much with the better sort , but not with the greater : according to that of Augustine , Meliores sunt quos dirigit Amor , sed plures sunt quos corrigit timor . They be better whom loue directeth , but they be moe , whom feare correcteth : and therfore the temper of both is melodious in the eare of a sanctified & setled estate .

And so to draw towards an end , and at last to conclude , out of that which hath bene spoken , both of former Popish cruelties , and out of our happie deliuerance from their last entended treasons , powdered with so many mischiefes : ( I say ) in caution of future peril by men of that generation ; Take heed of Poperie , take heed of Papists , and tollerate neither their cause nor person : for if you tollerate the cause , it will infect the person : if you tollerate the person , it will credit the cause : therefore to tollerate neither of both , in a state so sanctified as ours is , I hold it safest . What then is to be done , will some say , away with both head , and taile : for Poperie kept vnder , will practise treason : if it get aloft , it will play the tyrant : therefore no way to haue it , is safest , and with least danger .

Further my aduise is , that you trust them as little as you may , & neuer conuerse with them but for their conuersion , & if after once or twice admonition they grow refractary Deuita , knowing that he that is such is peruerted and sinneth , being damned of his owne selfe : I say trust them not , for they are faithlesse , and hold it for a doctrine , that fides non ●st seruanda-cum Hereticis , of which number , they reckon all the Protestants of this land to be .

Againe , take heede of them , for they are busie bodies , and walke inordinately amongst you : they are impatient of our profession , great peace , and much plentie , Mat. 23. 15. they compasse Sea and land , to make one of their owne profession , and when he is made , he becomes two-fold more the child of hel , then he was before . Reue. 14. 11. These busie bodies take no rest , and to haue no rest day nor night , is proper to such as worship the beast and his Image , and to whomsoeuer receiueth the print of his name .

Beware of their blind guides , Iesuits , Seminaries , and Seedsmen , who to betray the truth , sowe the tares of all treasons , at all times , and in all places ; they are the Frogs of Egypt , that leap into kings chambers , & busily possesse the Courts of Princes , & mightie men , either to poison their hearts with the enchaunted Cup of Romish superstition , or to bereaue them of their liues : if they fashion not to their deuotions , they leaue the Pulpits , they flye from the hornes of the Altar , they disclaime the Oratories , and they become men of estate , managing the Empire , and marshalling the common-weale of Princes : so as I may well say of these new Nouices , as was said of the Monks of old .

Quicquid agit Mundus , Monachus vult esse secundus ; Where euer the world is one , the Romish Cleargie will be another .

Lastly , beware of mixture , and shun the sinnes of Samaria , who were a mixed people , and of a confused Religion , tollerating both the persons and causes of Idolatry : As you may reade in the 2. of Kings . 17. vers. 24. for the persons . And vers. 23. for the cause . And the Iewes in the daies of Christ , thought it as greeuous an imputation as they could deuise , Ioel. 8. 48. to laie vpon him , when they said , Say we not wel , that thou arta Samaritan , and hast a diuel ? And surely so it is , for to be of two religions , is to be of no religion : and to tollerate both , is to confound all , either in a kingdome , or in a conscience .

It is memorable , and it may goe for a Caution to all Christian Kings and Princes , what is recorded in this case , of the vnconscionable offer , of great Chan , the Tartarian Prince , of whom Lipsius reporteth , that when Stephanus , that mightie King of Poland was dead ; he amongst others , sent his Legat to the assembly where the new Creation was , with these three motiues , to moue them to make him King . 1. First , that he was mightie , and could bring myriads of horsmen out of his owne lands , either for the defence or inlarging of their kingdome of Poland . 2 Secondly , Lipsij monita & Exemp . that he was frugall , & could liue in time of famine , onely with horse flesh . 3. Thirdly , for the Religion , whereof he heard there was much dispute among them , Polit. 3. lib. 20. 11. that he was indifferent , saying ; Tuus pontefex meus pontefex esto : tuus Lutherus meus Lutherus esto . Your Pope , shall be my Pope : and your Luther , shall be my Luther : It was the Tartarians sinne , to be so indifferent , and so readily to offer a tollerance : and it was the Polonians sinne , so long to suffer a mixture of many or moe religions then one in a kingdome . And yet how euer , either feare or folly , moued the Polonians for the time to endure it , and to staine their kingdome and conscience , with so great a brand of wickednes , ( notwithstanding the Emperours large offers otherwise ) yet that of Religion was thought so ydle , as they reiected it with laughter , saying ; Ecce hominem paratum , omnia sacra & deos deserere regnandi causa .

But good Lord , how inestimably are we beholding to thee our good God , for so great a mercy , as to giue vs a King in thy loue , when we were a people not to be beloued : whose Princely relish sauoring true pietie : did so much distast either an alteration of the religion we haue : or a tolleration of any other , as in publique he did contest against both , in these words . I doe protest before God and his Angels , that I am so constant for the maintenance of the Religion publikely professed in England , as that I would spend my deerest blood in defence thereof , Rather then the truth should bee ouer throwne : And if I had ten times as many moe Kingdomes as I haue , I would dispend them all , for the safetie and protection thereof : And likewise , if I had any children , that should yeelde either to the Popish faith or faction , I desire of God , that I may rather see them brought to their graues before me , that their shame may be buried in my life time , neuer to bee spoken of in future ages .

By the Lawe of GOD , Deut. 22. 11. no man may weare a coate of Linsey-wolsey : If I may not weare a garment so woven vppon my backe , may I weare a Religion so twisted within my heart ? May Princes tollerate it in their Kingdomes ? May fathers in their families ? It were a grieuous imputation to either of both , and that which the aduersarie himselfe would neuer yeelde vs , they will neither tollerate vs nor ours , and why should wee endure either them or theirs ? If the euill will not yeelde to the good , why should the good yeeld to the euill ?

Doe but mention a tolleration of Religion in Rome , and Rome will be ragious : doe but speake of such a thing in Spaine , and it will be thought prodigious . France is fearefull in deliuering it Edicts , and whole Italy is resolute neuer to yeelde either to our cause or persons . Why should wee then endure either them or theirs in their knowne Idolatrie ?

Were the Law of God on foote , Deut. 13. 9. that Idolaters should die the death , soone would the controuersie be determined , and motions for tollerations in Christian common-wealthes , would seldome bee mentioned : but whilest we demurre vpon the point , and stand a disputing whether Papists be Idolaters , whether Rome bee Babilon , the Pope Antichrist , his Religion antichristian , & whether his louers & friends be enemies to the state , and dangerous to a Kingly rule , ( I say ) whilest we demurre vpon such doubts , and are a debating the Question , Poperie will encrease ; and presume to gaine , if not an alteration , yet a tolleration : If not a tolleration , yet a connivence : and if not that , yet such a personall respect , and fauour of some , as will endanger the state of all , if wee endure it any longer .

By the lawe of God , the Idolater ( I say againe ) must die the death . Exod. 22. 20. And if an Israelite will goe in and dally with a Midianite before Moses , and in the sight of all the congregation : zealous Phinehas , with his speare in his hand , may enter the Tent , and thrust them through , that the plague may cease from Israel . Numbers . 25. 6.

The Lord hath sworne that hee will warre with Amaleck , from generation to generation . Exod. 17. And amongst other ordinances laid down by God for his people , this was vrged againe to be remembred , thus . When the Lord hath giuen thee rest from all thine enemies , and the land for an Inheritance to possesse it , then shalt thou put out the remembrance of Amaleck from vnder heauen , forget it not . Deut. 25. 19.

And 400. yeares after Saule was plagued for sparing Agag of the Amalekites , 1. Sam. 15. and not executing of that lawe .

The Lord ( I can assure you ) requireth a through conuersion from sin : And why not a through subuersion of sinne ? The Tabernacle of God hath it Censer , Snuffers , & Beesome , to purge the Sanctuarie , & sweepe away the filth : & if you build , the rubbish must be remoued ere you lay the foundation , be the body neuer so healthfull , it will decay , without an euacuation : and vntill you take away the drosse from the siluer , ye can neuer make a vessel for the Finer .

It was Ieremies moane at Anathoth , in the land of Beniamin , Ieremy . 6. 29. 30. the bellowes are burned , the lead is consumed in the fire , the founder melteth in vaine , for the wicked are not taken away . As if he should say , All our labour is lost , and it is in vaine , that we haue wearied our selues , with our praier and Preaching ; if the wicked be not taken away .

As it is apparant this day by the baser sort of these audatious Rebels , too much emboldened by his Maiesties most gracious and godly clemency , which they haue abused , and whom if they had requited with such an vnkinde kisse of killing crueltie ; yet might he haue said with the Orator , Non vitium nostrum sed virtus nostra nos afflixit .

Yea & to speak from a more powerfull spirit , his Mastie and Senate , being then about a worke of so great consequence , both for the good of the Church and common-weale ; If that Court then had bene their coffin , and they had died so doing , yet might they haue said in the silence of their soules ; Happie is the seruant , whom when the maister commeth , he shall find so doing .

The Lord direct all , as may be most for his glory , though neuer so much to our triall ; and keepe vs : O keepe vs Lord from this ill kind of men : Psal. 12. 7. Roote out Poperie from the hearts of this people , set vp thy truth ô Lord , & saue thine annointed : In Sionis gaudium , & Anglo papistarum luctum . Lord saue thine annointed , that he & his , Isaiah . 32. 2. &c. may be still vnto vs and ours , as an hiding place from the wind , and as a refuge for the tempest : as riuers of water in a dry place , and as the shadow of a great-Rock in a wearie land .

Then shall our-land take vp this prouerbe against the King of Locusts , Isaiah . 14. 4. and all his crawling Agents : It shall say as Israel and Iuda did of their Luciferian tyrant . How hath the oppressor ceased , & the gold-thirstie Babel rested ? the Lord hath broken the rod of the wicked , and the Scepter of the Rulers , which would haue smitten this Land in anger with a continuall plague , and ruled our Nation in their wrath : but thy pompe ô Lucifer is brought downe to the graue , & the sound of thy vialls : The worme is spred vnder thee , and the wormes couer thee , while England is at rest and quiet , ô sing for ioy , and sing to the praise of God in all your flockes and families , the Psalme . 124.

Dauidica sentit , qui Dauidica patitur ; Sing it with Dauids passion , and it will be Mel in ore , in aure melos , in corde Iubiseus , honie to the mouth , musicke to the eare , and a ioy to the heart .

And thou Lord God almightie , maker of heauen and earth , and preseruer of men , so blesse vs out of Sion , as wee may see still the beautie of our Church and Countrey , the Soueraigne safetie of our King , Queene , Prince , and Royall progenie , the honourable Bench of our worthy Councellors , Peeres , and reuerend Fathers , with the subuersion of Antichrist , and peace in this our Israel . Amen , Amen .

FINIS .