The romish Iudas A sermon preached at Saint Maries in Oxford the fifth of Nouember, 1610. By Iohn Ravvlinson Doctour of Diuinitie.

THE TEXT . Luc. 22.48 .

Judas , betraiest thou the Sonne of man with a kisse ?

MY Text then ( as yee see ) for the vicinitie and readinesse of it , is like Iacobs Venison , f f Ge. 27.20 . Gen. 27. a peece of tame and home-bred Kidde , in stead of wilde Deere , farre fetcht , and hunted afarre off : rather found than sought , because the Lord my God hath brought it vnto my hand . Yet is it not more ready and neere at hand , than apt and apposit to the present businesse . Before ( I am sure ) it was no abortiue borne out of due time ; for it doth but too-too-fitly sort with Tempus , the generalitie of the times wherein wee liue , being the same whereof the Apostle propheticallie spake , g g 2. Tim. 3 4 2. Tim. 3. that in the last daies should come perillous times , for men should bee vngratefull , vnnaturall , Truce-breakers , Traitors . But now to the Tempestiuitas , or present opportunitie of time , it is as pertinent and proper , as if the Holy Ghost had dictated and destinated it heereunto . Onely it is my burden , and my disaduantage , that for want either of time , or skill , or both , I shall not bee so well able to fit it , as it the time ; but am faine to come ( as h h Plutare de educ . lib. Pericles excused himselfe ) 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , not so thorowlie prepared as haplie vpon more mature warning I would haue beene .

Judas , betraiest thou , &c.

In which our Sauiours expostulation , I haue heeretofore noted two things :

1 The one is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the matter or substance of it ; and therein An Action , Treason . The Agent , Iudas , The Patient , Christ . The Instrument , a Kisse . 2 The other is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the Style or Character of our Sauiours speach , which is twofold : 1 Compellatiue , in this word Iudas . 2 Interrogatiue , in the words following , Betrayest thou , &c.

The one , an Intimation of our Sauiours Lenitie and mildnesse .

The other , an Insinuation of his Inspection and insight into the couert plot and practise of Judas .

These be the limmes and lineaments of this Text. Of the first limme , which is the Action , was framed the whole body of my last Sermon , as the woman was made of one ribbe taken out of the man .

I should now proceede to the anatomizing and cutting vp of the Agent , ( Thou ) who , ( as I doubt not , ye well remember ) by the iust and fearefull iudgement of God , was hang'd , ( for he hang'd himselfe ) at our last Session . But for this time I will wholly apply my selfe to the cursed ( shall I say , or blessed ? ) occasion of this meeting : for it was both ; cursed of God and men in regard of the attempt , but in regard of the euent , blessed of God , blessed and euer to be blessed of men , till the world it selfe shall bee consumed with a Floud of Fire , as once before it was with a Floud of Water .

And because I shall endeuour to fit the treason of Iudas to the Embryo or inchoate treason of this day , next to it the greatest that euer was , post homines natos , since men began , nay , post diabolos incarnatos , since Englishmen Italionate beganne to bee diuels incarnate ; I must begge this leaue , that I may make a little excursion extra oleas , beyond the bounds of my text , and take in such other circumstances as I shall meete with in the Storie of Judas his treason : the rather , because indeed there is none of them but reductiuely falls into my text , as doe all other Seas and Riuers into the maine Ocean ;

— i i Homer . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 .

I must confesse , that in one , and that a maine materiall point , which is the Patient , there is an infinite disparison and disproportion betweene them ; for because this of Iudas was High Treason against Christ the sonne of the most high , all other treasons are so infinitely short of it , that ( compared with it ) they are all but as it were petite treasons . And yet to make amends for that one circumstance , wherein the Powder-treason falls short , examine it , and yee shall finde other three wherein it exceeds it .

1 The extent of the Patient : for the treason of Iudas was not against all the Apostles , or Disciples , or Frinds , or Followers of Christ , but against Christ alone : But this was not only against his Maiesties royall person , who is - multis è millibus vnus , such a one as is not among many thousands , or rather , as it was said of Dauid , k k 2. Sa. 18.3 . 2. Sam. 18. vnus solus pro decem millibus , such a one as is worth ten thousand of vs : in whom Maiestas & amor - , Maiesty and Serenity are met together , Mercy and Truth haue kissed each other ; so as neuer any King whose person might more aggrauate a treason intended against him : but it was also against the Queene , the Prince , the rest of that Royall Stemme . — l l Homer . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 against m m 2 Re. 2.12 . the Chariots and Horsemen of Israel : the thousands and ten thousands of Israel .

Flos delibatus populi , Suadaeque medulla :

the choicest of the Nobilitie , the Clergie , and the Gentry of this Land . And to summe vp Jliada malorum , the Iliads of all our miseries at once , Ouid. ( I may well call it the Iliads , for n Haec facies Troiae , cùm caperetur , erat : such a fiery face had Troy when it was taken , as our Troynouant should haue had ) it was against

Rem , Regem , Regimen , Regionem , Religionem .

2 The second is the Extent of the Agent . In the treason of Iudas there was but one to one ; one Iudas against one Iesus : but here it is twelue Iudasses , twelue Scholars of the Priests and Iesuites , against a number of the Friends and Followers of Iesus . And multitudo peccantium multiplicat peccatum ; the multitude of offenders multiplies the offense .

3 The third is the extent of the Action , together with the speedinesse of the execution . Iudas betraied Christ to one corporall death , which because hee suffred sensìm , peece-meale as it were , by little and little , Quot mortes in vna morte ! Lord , how many deaths in that one death of his ! But these would haue betraied the King and his to two deaths at once , a corporall and a spirituall death ; but the spirituall death , which is the second death , worse than ten thousand millions of corporall deaths : and to both these deaths , not sensìm , by little and little , but sine sensu , at vnawares . Their comming was like the comming of a theese in the night , stealing vpon vs to kill vs :

o o Horat. Vt tugulent homines , surgunt de nocte Latrones ;

Or like the comming of the Sonne of man at the last day , to iudge the world with fire ; in a moment , in ictu oculi , in the twinckling of an eie , p p 1. Cor. 15. 1. Cor. 15. And againe , in ictu , at one blow : I say not , at the blowing or sounding of the last trumpe , but at the sounding of the hollow vaur , and at the blowing of the first sparke ; and their blow had beene like the blowing of two contrary windes at once ; for our bodies had been blown vp towards heauen , but our vnprepared soules ( without the singular mercie of God , whereof in so good a cause we had the lesse cause to despaire ) had beene blowne downe to hell .

So then three points there are of disquiparancie and dissimilitude , wherein this daies treason surpasseth this of Iudas : only one ( for ought I can see ) wherin this of Iudas out-goes it . But ( I thinke ) for euery other circumstance of note , that Antichristian plot of theirs was so neare of bloud , and of such consanguinitie with this most Antichristian plot of Iudas against Christ , that of all other treasons it had best right to inherit Iudas his halter . Non ouum ouo similius , One cockatrices egge is not more like another , which in the end will exire in Regulum , breake forth into a Basiliske , a flying and a fire-breathing Serpent , whose deadly eie will spare neither Prince nor people . Howbeit , I wil not striue to make another Maiores Concordantias between them ; but as the Israelites passed thorow the red Sea , and yet neuer wet their feet , so will I thorow this Mare rubrum , this bloud-red Sea of matter which is before mee , only sicco pede , drie-footed , that is , as lightlie and briefly as I may .

1 The action . 1 First then compare wee them in their Action ( Betraiest ) and therein note we Ingressum , Progressum , Egressum ; the Antecedents , the Concomitiants , and the Subsequents .

The antecedents were seuen .

1 The consultation to kill Christ was q q Mat. 26.3 . In aulâ Pontificis Maximi , in the hall of Caiaphas the high Priest : so this consultation to kill the King and his , was in aulâ Pontificis Maximi , in the Hal , or Court of that High Priest Caiaphas of Rome , who because hee is farre worse than the other Caiaphas , said not as he did , r r Ioh. 11.5 . Ioh. 11. It is expedient for vs , that one man die for the people , and that the whole Nation perish not ; but , It is expedient for vs , that not one man alone , but the whole Nation , or at least wise the Synopsis , or representation of the whole Nation perish : as if he were of Maximinus his minde in s s Tertull. in Apolog. Tertullian ; Christianorum sanguinem Dijs victimam esse omnium gratissimam that the bloud of Christians is the best-pleasing sacrifice to God : or as if hee made it his pride and his glorie , with t t Funce Chr. lib. 7. Attila King of the Hunni , to bee called Flagellum Dei , the scourge of Gods wrath : or with u u Andre Hondorff . Theatr. hist. one of the Frideriks , Malleus Orbis , the hammer of the whole world : or lastly , with * * Melanct. Chron. l. 4. Otto , Pallida mors , the pale death , not Saracenorum , of the Saracens , as he was , but Christianorum , of Christians . And ( that ye may know him to be Pallida mors indeed )

* * Horat. aequo pede pulsat pauperum Tabernas ,

Regumque Turres ; — Hee knockes as well at the Kings Palace , as at the poore mans shop : so that now it is raraauis , a thing almost as rare as a Phoenix , to heare of a King that dieth in his bed .

y y Inuenal . Ad generum Cereris sine caede & sanguine pauci Descendunt Reges , & siccamorte —

2 The z z Mat. 26.4 . chiefe Priests and Scribes consulted how they might take Iesus by subtiltie , and kill him : so did the Priests and Iesuites take counsel how they might by subtilty root out a a Esa. 9 14 caput & caudam , head and taile , branch and rush , Prince and people both in one day . And it was a subtiltie with a witnesse ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , a darke subtiltie , darker than any Scotus among all his Subtilties euer could inuent . I thinke the blacke Prince of darknesse , with all the diuels in hell , sate together in counsell with them , when they deuised it .

3 Iudas went to the chiefe Priests , and said , b b Mat. 26.15 Quid dabitis ? What will ye giue me , and I will deliuer him vnto you ? and they appointed vnto him thirty peeces of siluer : So did these Traitors goe to the chiefe Priests and Iesuites , and for a Quid dabitis ? a thing of nothing , ( suppose the canonizing and kalendarizing of them for as good Saints , I dare say , as any are in hell ) aduentured vpon that infernall and hellish exploit .

4 Iudas did c c Mat. 26.16 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , wait an opportunitie to betray Christ : and his opportunitie was this ; he came by night , because d d Ioh. 18.3 . hee that euill doth , hateth the light : e e Mat. 26.43 dormientibus discipulis , while the Disciples were asleepe : so did these 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Lucifugae , children of the night of eternall darknesse , attend the like opportunitie , being the very same which that old Seminarie the diuell watched , wherein he might superseminare zizama , sow his tares amongst the good corne . They came by night , dormientibus hominibus , while men slept , and neuer dreamt of any such matter fortifying their crueltie with our incogitancie ; as indeede what time so likely for that Dolus Apocryphus , that Apocryphall and hidden mysterie of iniquitie , as their Horae Canonicae , canonicall night-houres , wherewith the Church of Rome had acquainted them .

5 Judas was deuising and hammering his treason in Coenaculo , in the Parler where Christ was eating the Passeouer with his Disciples : so were these Traitors framing and machinating their treason in Senatu , or at leastwise sub Senatu , vnder the Parliament house , where the King was to haue consulted with his Nobles .

6 Iudas f f Matth. 26.6 . receiued the Sacrament of the Lords Supper but newly before his treason : so did these Traitors immediately before their treason ; yea they bound themselues to it with a double Sacrament ; Sacramento Iurisiurandi , with the Sacrament of Oath , and Sacramento corporis & sanguinis Christi , with the Sacrament of the body and bloud of Christ .

7 And lastly g g Ioh. 13.27 after the eating of the soppe which Christ reached vnto Iudas , Satan entred into him , in interiora cordis eius , ( saith h h Theophyla . ibid. Theophylact ) into the very inwards of his heart , and he was made as it were one spirit with him : so these Traitors , after the eating of the soppe ( if I may so speake ) of the body and bloud of Christ , Satan entred in interiora cordis , into the hell of their consciences , and was made as it were one spirit with them .

2 The second thing which I noted in the Action , was the Concomitants , which were two :

1 The one , the Manner of it , wherein they shewed themselues to bee farre deeper Politicians than euer Iudas was : for Iudas his policie wrought but aboue ground , but theirs wrought vnder ground : and the tooles of their treason were not i i Matth. 26.47 . swords and staues to apprehend , but spades and pickaxes to vndermine . Ingeniosa crudelitas ad poenas , they were men of cruell wits , cruell as the graue : Sepulchrum patensguttur eorum ; their throat was an open sepulcher to haue swalowed vs vp quick , exardescente in nos trâ eorum , ( as k k Ps. 124.2 . Tremellius reads it Psal. 124. ) while their iealousie burnt against vs like fire .

— l l Ouid. Itum est in viscera terrae , At que oculis capti fodêre cubilia talpae :

These blinded moales and pyoners , out of a blind , yet fiery zeale , went downe into the bowels of the earth ; not as did Curtius that noble Roman , when he cast himselfe in hiatum terrae , into a vast vaute , for the incolumitie and preseruation of his Country ; but Genimina viperarum , viperous broode as they were , they first gnawed out the bowels of their Grandmother Earth , that so they might afterwards gnaw out the bowels of their Mother-Country , by turning the Parliament-house into a slaughter-house ; as if they had gone before , to bespeake a place in hell for vs , and in that Hypocaustum , or firevaute of theirs to haue offred vp both Prince and people vnto diuels , tanquam Holocaustum , as a whole burnt offring ; like those Idolaters that in the valley of Hinnon offred vp their sonnes and daughters vnto diuels : and Coniuratores , Traitors ( shall I say , or Coniurers ? as they would haue beene ) because our Religion , which is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , from aboue , did not please them , they would 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , from beneath , by Sorcery and Geomancie haue coniured vp another of their owne , and that ( if ye will beleeue them ) a truer , a better than ours . But beleeue them not ; theirs smells too-too-ranklie of the neither-most lake .

2 The second Concomitant , is the Matter of their treason . When Iudas betraied Christ , for Christs death no torments were thought exquisite enough . There were plura parata supplicia , quàm membra , more punishments prouided for him , than he had members : So in this treason there was prepared for the King and his companie , though not a Crosse , with the Appendices thereof to crucifie them , yet a Pile of fire and fagots , iron barres , timber-peeces , and huge stones , with thirty-six barrels of gunpowder , all to haue beene broacht at once , and to haue made but one volley of shot to haue blowne them vp , and so not onelie with their powder to haue burnt them , but lest ( Salamander-like ) they should haue liued in that fire , with their wood , stones , and iron to haue grinded them to powder : for they haue a Law , and by that Law wee must haue died ; Turne , or burne ; Turne , or be ouer-turned .

3 The third thing which I noted in the Action , was the Subsequents , which were two :

1 The Pension , as of Iudas his treason , so of theirs , was Suspension : for Iudas hang'd him selfe ; they were hang'd by others . Both had not the hap to execute their treason alike ; but it was both their haps to be alike executed for their treason . Iudas executed his treason , and his treason likewise executed him : but these Traitors could not execute their treason , and yet their treason executed them . 2 With the reward of Iudas his treason was purchased the m m Act. 1.19 . Potters Field to bury strangers in ; and that Field is called Aceldama , the Field of bloud : so the reward of their treason is this , that to Rome , which is Campus Figuli , I will not say , Peters Field , as they would haue it , but the Potters Field , ( the Field of the Pope , who together with his seruants and apprentises the Priests and Iesuites , is Figulus Proditionum , the Potter and Plotter of so many treasons ) I say , to Rome it hath purchased this name , Aceldama , the Field of bloud ; a Field to burie those in , that will bee strangers to their Religion .

That 's for the first point , which is the Action .

The second is the Agent ( Thou . )

2 The Agent . A man would thinke , that there had beene a transmigration of Iudas his malus genius into these Traitors ; so aptly doe they accord both in Name and in Person .

1 For their Name ; Iudas n n Polycarp . Lyser . li de ●ass . Dom. had his name of Iudah a Patriarke of that Tribe , of which our Sauiour himselfe descended ; who is therefore called Leo de Tribu Iudah , the Lion of the Tribe of Iudah , o o Apoc. 5. Apoc. 5. And yet in nature hee is Iudas de Leone , Judas of the Tribe of those Lions , of whom our Sauiour saith , p p Psal. 57.4 . Psalm . 57. Eripuit Deus animam meam de medio catulorum Leonum ; God hath deliuered my soule from the midst of Lions whelpes . So the Iesuites , the Authors of this treason , haue their names of Iesus , the Lion of the Tribe of Iudah ; but yet in nature they are of the Tribe of Lions :

q q Virgil. — Hyrcanaeque admôrunt vbera Tigres .

Againe , the name of Iudas r r Ambros in Apoc. 7. signifieth Confession , which is a notable meanes of saluation ; for Ore fit confessio ad salutem , s s Ro. 10.10 . Rom. 10. but yet his practise was Confusion , euen the killing both of Christ and himselfe . So the Jesuites , the Authors of this treason , take their name of Iesus , the only name vnder heauen by which wee must be saued ; and yet their only practise is the confusion & ruinating both of Kings and Countries ; as if their societie and brotherhood were founded vpon that fraternity and brotherhood which t t Basil l. de inuidiâ . S. Basil speakes of , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , enuie and slaughter , which ( as he noteth ) were founded vpon the first Fraternitie that euer was , which was that of Cain and Abel : for Cain first enuied his brother , and then hee slew him .

Againe , Iudas had also another name , and that was Iscariot ; which is ( as u u ●●iuret . some interpret it ) Vir occisionis , or Vir exterminationis , a murderer or a destroier . So the Agens aggregatum , the whole aggregate Agent of this treason , being ( as * * Ps. 67.33 . Dauid speaks , Psal. 67. Congregatio Taurorum in vaccis populorum ) the Priests and Iesuites the Authors , and the twelue which were the Actors , they were all of them Iscariots , or viri exterminantes , murderers and destroiers , not only Sonnes , but Fathers also of perdition : Viri sanguinum & dolosi , bloud-thirstie and deceitfull men ; Boanerges , sonnes of Thunder from beneath , and of sudden Lightning before death : in a word , the Diuels Hell-hounds , who is Parson of two great Parishes , Hell and Purgatorie ; or rather the Popes Bloud-hounds , who is his Curate , to see both places diligently serued .

2 For their Persons and Callings ; Iudas was a Priest , and yet a Father of Runnagates , for that 's one of his curses , x x Psal. 109. Psal. 109. Let his children be vagabunds . So the Priests and Iesuites , they are ( many of them ) Fugitiues themselues from this their natiue Countrey , but all of them the Fathers and begetters of Fugitiues .

Againe , Iudas was a Disciple , and an Apostle of Christ : so the Actors of this treason were Disciples , and Apostles ; but Disciples of the Priests and Iesuites ; Apostles , and as it were Legati à Latere from the Pope .

Againe , Iudas was a Friend , and Seruant , and natiue Country man of Christs , graced with many fauours and kindnesses at his hands : so these Traitors , seeming Friends , and Subiects , and naturall vnnaturall Country-men of the Kings ; vpon whom hee had cast , or rather , cast away many kindnesses ; for besides that he had pardoned both them , and others that were eiusdem monetae , of the same mine and mint that they were , many pecuniary mulcts for Recusancie , and had spared them both life and liberty , when yet they deserued neither , some of them hee had adorned with titles of dignity and honor , others with more than titular fauours . But

Perit quodfacis ingrato : And Improbus à nullo flectitur obsequio .

These poore and frozen snakes , whom the King had cherished in his owne bosome , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , ( as y y Greg. Nazianz . in od . Gregorie Nazianzen speakes ) when once they had receiued warmth & liuelihood from him , they were turned into fierie Serpents , to haue stung him to death . More than Cyclopicall Monsters of men ! for that Captaine-Cyclops Polyphemus ( in the Poet ) promised , not to deuoure Vlysses King of Ithaca , so long as he had but any one of his companions to feede on ; and his reason was , because hee had begun to him in noble and generous wine . But these most ignoble and degenerous monsters of men , notwithstanding those many fauours wherewith his Maiestie had vouchsafed in a manner to inebriate and ouercharge them , would haue deuoured both him and all his companions at once ; but his Maiestie rather than any , or all his companions besides .

That s for the second point , which was the Agent .

3 The Patient . The third is the Patient , ( the Sonne of man ) who because he is euery way of a super-superlatiue excellencie by himselfe , can admit no exact comparison with any the sonnes of men . And yet , forasmuch as the Holy Ghost himselfe hath thought it no robberie , to make Dauid and Salomon types of Christ ; let it not bee thought presumption in mee , if I take vpon me to shew you some few of many Analogies betweene the Patients in both treasons : Christ in the one , and the King ( as the marke chiefly shot at ) in the other .

The Analogies hold chiefly in foure things : their Persons , their Names , their Offices , and their Adiuncts .

1 In their Persons . Christ was 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , God and Man : so the King , in sensu modificato , in a qualified sense , is also God and man . I would not be mistaken : I say not an heauenly , but an earthly God : a God , not by nature , but by regiment . And therefore the Psalmist , after Dixt Dijestis , I haue said , ye are Gods , z z Psal. 82.6 . Psalm. 82. presently subioines an Item of mortalitie , Sed sicut homines moriemini ; Gods though yee bee , yet ye shall die like men .

2 In their Names . Christ was called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , or Vnctus Dei , the anointed of God : so is the King 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Vnctus Dei , the anointed of God . And concerning Kings hath God giuen this expresse charge ; Nolite tangere Christos meos , Touch not mine anointed .

Againe , Christ was called Iesus , which a a Luc. 2. signifieth a Sauiour , because hee saued his people from their sinnes : So may the King , like another Ioshua , bee called Iesus , because by meanes of that diuine Reuelation , whereby hee vnriddled the meaning of those Vriahs-like Letters of theirs , he was a temporall Sauiour of vs his people , as Ioshua was of his .

3 In their Offices . Christ was both a King , and the Sonne of a King , euen the King of heauen and earth : So the King is both a King , and the Sonne of a King , who was once a King on earth , but now a King in heauen .

Againe , Christ was Sacerdos , a Priest for euer after the order of Melchisedech , King of Shalem , b b Ge. 14.18 . who brought forth bread and wine to Abraham , after Abrahams victorie ouer the King of Sodom : So is the King Sacerdos , a Priest for euer after the order of Melchisedech , King of Shalem , King of peace , bringing foorth ( as appeareth this day ) bread and wine , as a Sacrifice of thankesgiuing , to offer vnto the God of Abraham , after his victorie ouer the King of Sodome the Pope , whose hope was , that , as this day , wee also should haue beene c c Rom. 9. facti tanquam Sodoma , and haue died of Sodomes consumption with fire and brimstone , not from heauen , but from hell . Yea , and before this conquest also , his Maiestie in a thankfull commemoration and recognition of another no lesse mighty than merueilous deliuerance , had appointed , and doth still religiously obserue ( and obserue , O Lord , let him , if it bee thy will , many and many yeeres ) a continuall morning-sacrifice of thanksgiuing vnto God , euery Tuesday thorow out the yeare .

Againe , Christ was Propheta , a Prophet , nay plusquam plusquam Propheta , more than John the Baptist , who was more than a Prophet . So is the King Propheta , a Prophet , yea and more than a Prophet , euen Regius Propheta , as was Dauid , a Kingly Prophet ; a Prophet skill'd , as was Moses that man of God , in all the learning of the Aegyptians , in all good secular arts and sciences , ( these very walles haue beene eare-witnesses of it ) and not only so , but in expounding of holy writ ( Opera testantur de eo , his workes testifie of him ) and ( which more is ) in encountring , nay quelling ( as Hercules did the many-headed Hydra ) that most Tortuous and subtill Serpent of Rome : but then most a Prophet , when by inspiration and reuelation from aboue , be discyphered the hidden meaning of those most obscure and mysticall Letters . And as Christ himselfe , both a Prophet and the God of the Prophets , was the first that detected Iudas his treason ; so the King , as a Prophet inspired by that God , was the first that discouered and defeated this treason .

4 In their Adiuncts or Attributes . Christ was not only verax , true , one that taught the way of God truly ; but he was Ipsa Veritas , Truth it selfe . d d Ioh. 14. Ioh. 14. So the King is not only verax , true in his Tenet of Religion , but hee is also 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , a Propugner and Defender of the truth of Christ .

Againe , Christ was Mitis & Mansuetus , meeke and gentle : his Meekenesse such , that he reuiled not his aduersaries when they wrote this inscription ouer his head , as in a scorne ; This is the King of the Iewes : but rather made it his Crowne , and his reioicing : and his Gentlenesse such , that he was more ready to reuiue the dead , than to kill the liuing . So the King is Mitis & Mansuetus , meeke and gentle ; his Meekenesse such , that though his aduersarie write a booke against him , yet will hee take it vpon his shoulder , and binde it as a Crowne vnto him , ( as the holy man e e Job 31.35 Job speakes , chap. 31. ) and his Gentlenesse such , that more ready he would bee ( if it were in his power ) to reuiue the dead , than to kill the liuing .

Againe , Christ was Innocens , innoxious and harmelesse , and therefore it is his plaint in the Psalme ; Principes persequuti sunt me gratis ; the Princes persecuted mee without a cause , and without any desert of me , O God . So the King , most innocent . God thou knowest his righteousnesse , and his innocencie is not hid from thee . And heerein was the Traitors cruelty like that of Herod , who would haue killed the poore Innocents that were bimuli , of two yeares old and vnder : for so would they haue killed the King when hee had raigned little more than two yeares among vs , though innocent as euer was Bimulus , any childe of two yeares old . And as Herod , rather than not kill Christ , caused his owne sonne to be killed among those Innocents ; so they , rather than not kill the King , would haue blowne vp some Catholikes of their owne with him , to haue beene burnt as Martyrs with him for companie .

That 's for the third point , which was the Patient .

4 The Instrument . The fourth and last , is the Instrument ( with a Kisse . ) From whence there ariseth a twofold contemplation : one , of the colour ; another of the cause of Iudas his treason ; the false colour , and the true cause .

1 For the Colour . Iudas his treason had 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , which I may call either a goodly glosse , or a faire tongue , ( for the words signifie both ) & it had also a faire paire of lips , like the harlot ( in the f f Pro. 30.20 Prouerbs ) when shee wipeth her mouth , as if she had no ill thought with her . For hee comes vnto Christ with Aue Rabbi , All-haile Master , and withall he kisseth him . Both were colourable pretexts ; I say not , to commend and honest , but to cloake and couer his crueltie . So had this treason also a faire tongue ; for who more ready than these Traitors , to say Aue Rex , God saue King Iames ? It was as familiar to them almost as their Aue Maria. And it had also a faire paire of false harlots lips , offring osculum pacis , a holy kisse of peace , ( many treaties and supplications for toleration of their intolerable Religion among vs ) as if they , forsooth , had sought nothing but the pretended good of their owne soules , when indeede they minded nothing so much as the internecion of Protestants , body and soule .

2 The true Cause , and ( as I may say ) Fodina , the quarry and the rocke whence this treason was hewen , was two-fold .

1 The one was Ambition . For when g g Ioh. 19.15 Pilate asked the high Priests , Shall I crucifie your King ? meaning Christ ; they answered , We haue no King but Caesar . And afterwards h h Verse 21. when Pilate had written Christs Title , and set it ouer his head on the Crosse , they said vnto him , i i Mat. 27.37 Write not , The king of the Iewes , but that he said , I am king of the Iewes : and that must be set ouer his head as the cause of his sufferings . So the quarrell of the Priests & Iesuites against our King was , that he would bee an absolute King , and head of the Church within his own dominions , and not submit both his head and head-ship to the Pope . They will heare of no King , but Caesar ; no head , no not of any particular Church , but the Pope . It were therefore to be wished , that the Pope caried a mind but as gentle , as it is gentleman-like : for as Gentlemen ( many of them ) thinke they haue neuer elbow-roome enough , till they haue shoued & shoulderd out al their poore neighbours out of their housen , and taken their housen into their owne hands : so the Pope thinkes he hath neuer Rome enough , till he haue thrust all Christian Kings , that wil not stoope to his lure , out of their thrones , kingdomes , liues and all . His pretence is , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 that he doth it for the Lords sake ; but the truth is , that hee doth it 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , for Lordships sake , that he may 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , carry an imperious hand ouer the Kings of the nations .

2 The other cause was Couetousnesse . k k Ioh. 12.5 . Iudas was angry that the ointment was poured vpon Iesus his head , and that mony was not made of it to his bagge . So the Priests and Jesuites , who are the Popes Bursars and Treasurers , if not to beare , yet to fill his bags , were angrie that the ointment which was poured vpon King James the anointed of the Lord , had not been turned into mony : that 's as much to say , that the King was not content to become tributarie to the Pope .

Againe , Iudas because hee had lost 300. pence in the ointment , to regaine what he had lost , betraied Christ for 30. pence , euery one of which ( as some write ) was equiualent to ten vsuall pence , and so by that meanes he made himselfe a sauer . So the Priests and Iesuites , because the Pope lost somewhat that hee might haue gained by the ointment , that is to say , if our Anointed had beene Catholike , to repaire that losse ( as they hoped ) by a successour of their owne making , that might bee for their turne , would haue throwne our gracious Soueraigne out of throne and life at once .

Thus ye see ( beloued ) how the most execrable Treason of this day doth euery way match , if not master , the treason of Iudas ( excepting onely that euer to bee excepted circumstance of the altogether vnmatchable person of the Patient , Christ ) and that both of them so neerelie iumpe together , as if that had beene the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , or prime-copie of this Treason , this but an extract or transcript of it , with some few additions of an higher streine , wherein it goes beyond it .

The consideration whereof should engender in vs

1 A Detestation of that shamelesse , enticing , sanguin-coloured , Catholike , common whore of Babylon , who is euer in trauell with a Babel , or Chaos of our confusion ; whose Religion is like Draco's Lawes , written with bloud ; whose head , Officina scelerum , the shop where all Treasons and Villanies are forged ; whose heart and hands , Carnificina Sanctorum , the shambles of the Saints of God : and among other her whorish trickes , she hath this for one ; she is Diuaricatis tibijs , ( as the l l Ezech. 16. Prophet speakes ) ready to admit all commers ; burning with lust , and lusting to burne ; to burne all . Those that approch vnto her , shee burnes in that brimstonie lake of hell ; and those that will not come at her , shee burnes in a lake of gunpowder , a borderer and next neighbour to the lake of hell .

2 A Caution and Circumspection , to walke wisely and warily amidst such a crooked and peruerse generation , a generation that set not their heart aright towards vs : and to trust neither flat Recusants , that openly refuse our holy Assemblies , no nor yet our monethly Popish Protestants , and Protesting Papists , the Moone-calues of that Lunaticke Religion , hauing Fidem menstruam , a faith that wexeth and weineth with the Moone , comming to Church once a moneth , ( more for feare of the Law , than for loue of the Gospell ) and then presently hauing a moneths minde to bee out of the Church againe : And to know , that Hora est iam nos de somno surgere ; sith the Papists are so watchfull while wee sleepe ; and all , that they may with least suspicion , & best aduantage , be Fundi nostri calamitas , the baine and bale of this Land of ours ; it's time , high time , that we now awake out of our sleepe ; yea , that the keene sword of Iustice should now awake , and sleepe no longer in the scabbard of cruell pitie ; and to perswade our selues ( as too-too-iustly wee may ) that n n Virgil. Vna salus nobis nullam sperare salutem .

Our only safe course shall be , neuer to thinke our selues safe , so long as this Troian Horse is among vs ;

o o Idem . Equo ne credite Teucri :

And , that though one vaute of theirs be dammed vp , yet so long as there is another , and that a deeper vaute of Treason in their hollow hearts , abyssus abyssum , one vaute will call vp another , and ignis ignem , one fire-worke will kindle m m Rom. 13. another , and simile simile , one like will produce another like to it selfe . Dolent , sibi bolum è faucibus ereptum ; it grieues them , that wee were not giuen ouer as a prey vnto Faux his teeth : and therefore their rage is still as hot as hell-fire against vs , euen 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , a fire that neuer wil be quenched ; and the burning thereof ( if we looke not to it ) will be fire and much wood ; and the breath of the Pope , like a riuer of brimstone , to kindle it for euermore .

3 A Consolation , to confirme and solace our hearts in this assurance , that as at our first redemption de inferiori abysso , from the nethermost hell , Christ cancelled Chirographum , the hand-writing that was against vs , and nailed it to his Crosse , and now againe at this our second redemption ( as I may call it ) de superiori abysso , from the vppermost hell , he also cancelled Chirographum , the hand-writing that was against vs , and nailed it to the Traitors Crosse : so if we shall serue and feare him as we ought , he will euer frustrate and annihilate whatsoeuer purposes and proiects all the diuels either on earth , or in hell can deuise against vs . And , that as Christ was Emmanuel , God with vs , Ad consummationem salutis , for the consummation of our saluation , when , as the Sonne of man , he suffered himselfe to be betraied to the death of the Crosse , as in my text : and againe , Emmanuel , God with vs , as on this day , ad consummationem salutis , for the consummation of this our second saluation , when , as the Son of God , he reuealed , and , as it were , betraied these Traitors to the death of the Crosse : so hee will also be Emmanuel , God with vs , p p Matt. 28. ad consummationem saeculi , to the end of the world , if wee stand fast and immoueable in the faith of Christ , whereby we shall be able to quench all the firie darts of the diuell . For true and faithfull is he that hath promised , that if we will be his people , he will surely be our God . Wherefore , march valiantly , ô my soule ; and ô ye the faithfull souldiers of Christ , bee strong , and comfort your hearts . Christo Duce , so long as your Captain Generall is Christ , feare not what diuell or man can doe vnto you .

4 And lastly , a Gratulation or Thankesgiuing vnto God , for this his vnspeakable mercie towards vs . For Ecce nunc dies salutis , Behold now the day of saluation . A day in the Church of Rome , _____ - Carbone notabilis atro ; for euer to be marked and signed with a blacke coale , because the fire came not at their coale to make it red : but to the Churches of Great Britannie for euer to stand in their Kalendars like that Vialactea , or milkie way in heauen , q q Ouid. Candore notabilis ipso : and to be noted for a milke-white day , because in it the fauour of God was as milke to represse and quench the wild-fire and the gunpowder , that had otherwise beene vnquenchable , till wee had staunched & quenched the fury of it with a common ruine . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , but not 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , dies , but not in diem , a day , but the memory therof not to last only for a day . Diem pro anno , diem ( inquam ) pro anno tibi dedi , saith God to his Prophet r r Ezec. 4.6 . Ezechiel , c. 4. I haue appointed thee a day for a yeare , euen a day for a yeare . But this is dies pro omnibus annis , a day that must neuer be ouer-year'd , a day for all the yeares of our life to thanke God for : a day ( I say ) wherein s s Psa. 111.4 . the mercifull and gratious Lord hath so done his merueilous worke , that it ought to bee had in remembrance . For it was come to a Tantumnon , and to a paulominùs in inferno habitasset anima nostra . We were euen at the pits brinke , Jn articulo mortis , not onley as men appointed to die , but at the point to die . But God who is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , ( as t t Simplicius in Arist. Physic . l. 1. the Philosopher calls him ) and ( as u u Psal. 9.9 . Dauid ) Deus in opportunitatibus , a God in the needfull time of trouble , when we were thus albicantes ad messem , white for the haruest , and ready to be cut downe , and there wanted nothing but only the thrusting in of Falx , the sickle to cut vs downe ; or Fax , the fire to burn vs vp ; or Faux , euen Guy Faux , or ( if yee will ) Faux Orci , that hellish Faux to haue deuoured vs ; then , then did he send from heauen , and saue vs .

Nocte pluit totâ , redeunt spectacula manè .

All the night long were the vngodly digging a pit for vs , but before the morning watch , I say , before the morning watch , they fell into it themselues . God the watchman of Israel , who neither slumbers nor sleeps , who vnlesse he had kept the City , the watchmen had watched but in vain , he watched them a turne , and turn'd their counsell to their owne confusion . The blow which they had intended vnto vs , was such a blow to themselues , that in euery honest heart the credit of their Lex ignea is quite blowne vp .

O let not vs also play the Iudasses with God , and set light by this and other his mercies towards vs . Ps. 125.4 . If God do * benefacere , do well vnto vs , let it not grieue vs , benedicere , to speak good of his name . Ge. 22.13 . But as ˣ a Ramme was offer'd vp to God for Isaaks deliuery , when wood , fire , and knife were prepared to haue kill'd & offer'd vp him in sacrifice ; Psal. 28.1 . so y Afferte domino , filij Dei , afferte domino filios arietum . For this deliuery of our gracious Iacob and his people , bring vnto the Lord , ô ye sons of God , bring young rammes , ( bring also the calues of your lips ) vnto the Lord ; that is , ( as it followes in the Psalme ) Ascribe vnto the Lord worship and strength , Giue the Lord the honor due vnto his name . And sith our blessed Iacob , as this day , got away the blessing from that Romish Esau , & supplanted those supplanters , & hauing as it were wrestled al night with the destroying Angel , in the morning became Israel , and preuailed with God ; Oh let Iacob and all Israel powre out their hearts in songs of thanksgiuing vnto God , the God of Iacob & Israel . And sith our selues were not made ( as wee had almost beene ) Oblatio matutina , a morning burnt incense to the diuell , igni deuorationis , with their deuouring fire ; let vs make our selues Oblationem matutinam , a morning burnt sacrifice vnto God , igni deuotionis , with the fire of deuotion . And sith Calix mortis , that bitter cuppe of death and destruction , which they had mixed for vs , passed from vs vntouched and vntasted , let vs testifie our thankfulnesse vnto God for it , by taking and tasting of this other cup , which the Lord himselfe hath mingled for vs , euen the cup of his owne bloud ; a bloud that speaketh better things than did the bloud of their cup. For this is Calix salutaris , the cup of saluation , and Calix benedictionis , the cup of blessing , and Calix Eucharistiae , the cup of thanksgiuing vnto God , as for the benefit of Christs suffering , so likewise for the benefit of our not suffering .

And now , beseech wee God ( Quid enim nisi vota supersunt ? ) euen that God who hath hitherto so graciously preserued vs , that if euery haire of our head were a life , it were not too much to spend them al in defence of his truth , that as he turn'd the treason of Iudas to the saluation of mankind , so he would also turn this treason of the Papists to the good of this Land , that it may make vs al wise vnto saluation , that once knowing them , we may for euer learne to auoid them ; that the Regall Diademe may for euer be so nailed and fixed to the head of King James , that the strong and gun-powder breath of the Pope , or any other Prince or Potentate whatsoeuer , may neuer bee able to blow it off : That his Queene may be an ancient Nursing-mother both to him , and our whole Land : That his Children may grow vp as the young plants , & be as Oliue-branches ( pledges of our continuall peace ) round about his Table : That God would also make his enemies , & the enemies of his truth , like vnto a wheele , and strike them with the spirit of giddinesse : That hee would turne their fire-matches into halters for their owne necks , and their swords into their owne bowels : and that hee would euer bow downe their backes , whose neckes are so stiffe , that they wil not bow to the yoake of obedience to their liege and lawfull Soueraigne ; that so , we his people may take vp that 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , or Song of triumph ; z z Ps. 110.1 . Dixit Dominus Domino meo , The Lord said vnto our Lord the King , Sit thou on thy Throne , vntill I make thy foes thy footstoole . And let all the people say , Fiat , Fiat : Viuat , Viuat : Valeat , Valeat : God saue King Iames . Amen , Amen . Amen ; Euen so Lord Iesus .

FINIS .