The churches hazard deliuered in a sermon in the cathedrall church in Norvvich, vpon the fifth of Nouember. 1629. By Tho. Reeve, Minister of Gods Word at Coleby in Norfolke.

THE CHVRCHES HAZARD . NEHEM. 4.11 .

And our adversaries said , they shall neither know , nor see till wee come into the midst of them , and slay them , and cause the worke to cease .

THe Church is a Particle of Heauen , a quint-esse●ce I am sure from this earth Hortus inclusus a Garden enclosed , Cant. 4.12 . seuered like Paradice from all the world ; Gods Suburbs below ; the Royall Citie aboue , the Suburbs below ; that Sedes Beatorum this Renatorum ; that the Seate of the Glorified , this of the Sanctified . a a Constitu●● sibi locum vnum aus condidis vniuersum . He which made the whole world , reserved this one place to himselfe . Whether God dwell not here , let the shaking of his Scepter manifest ; Iudicia indicia , His iudge menti are testimonies . I can read God present amongst his people aswell in the patent of his workes , as in the charter of his Scriptures ; for b b Pagina authorem suum nunquam tacentes , Amb. ep lib. 10. ep. 84. These are volumes that neuer conceale their authour . How comes it that the Church hath stood all this while against the formidable rage of the world , but that it is a fenced Citie ? It had long since beene made a ruinous heape , but that it is the Pallace of the great King . c c Extingere voluit , sed Deo gratias non valuit . Bern. ep. 2. The enemy of Sion would haue extinguished it , but God bee praised hee could not . d d Ramos confregit , radici non nocuit , Chrys hom. 10. de diuite & paupere . Hee brake of some of the branches but hee could not hurt the roote . From the mouthes of our aduersaries let vs bee resolued , whether this be not the Great Gods Station ; for the deuises , designes haue beene many mischieuous against it , yea e e Innumerae pestes Ereb● . infinite Fiends of Hell , haue beene busie , boysterous , for the demolishing of it , why preuailed they not ? why were they defeated ? Oh they fought stoutly , but God had the vpper ground of them , their swords were too short , and blunt to fight with the Almighty ; they felt heere Digitum , a Finger more weighty and mighty then mans to oppose them ; Euery succour then to the Church is a Charactar , and euery deliuerance an Oracle to euidence Gods presence amongst his people . How wonderfully did God here preserue Iudah , when danger was imminent ? God I say , and not f f Relliquia Danaum , atque immitis Achildes . the Reliques of Ba●ylons oppression , the strength of the captiuity returned ; no , God to shew the preheminence of his power , the perogatiue of his Church . Let Iudah goe on to build the wall , to repaire the breaches of Ierusalem , their zeale is commendable , their paines acceptable ; all awfull and laudable ; yea the Deed is Gods , and the Defence shall bee Gods ; Iudah is Gods Promoter , and hee will bee her Protectour . g g Iupiter al●itonans . That great God , that can make the battlements of heauen to cracke , and the Axel-tree of the world to fall in pieces with his thunderbolts , takes vpon him the Patronage of Iudah . Let Sanballat h h v. 1.2 . scorn● and Tobiah i i v. 3. deride yea a Senate of wits meet together euen k k v. 7.8 . Arabians , Ammonites , Asbdodites to consult , conspire about a worke of ruth and ruine , yet God will be a tutelar , safegarding power . For that is the purport of this sentence , it is rehearsed as a point of blisse when Iudah lay at the bleeding point , if God had not helped they had beene helplesse ; helplesse ? yea liuelesse , for they had beene slaine , and their worke ceased before they had either knowen or seene . For our aduersaries said , They shall neither know nor see , till wee come into the midst of them , and slay them , and cause the worke to cease .

Our , stand here like a people seuered from all the Babylonians , they peculiar to God and hee to them , for hee is a friend though there bee Aduersaries ; hee hath concluded no harme vnto them though they sayd it ; hee had eyes ten thousand times brighter then the Sunne to discerne their secretest practises , though they had thought to come vpon them before they should either know or see , they shall not touch the hemme of Gods garment , nor rase the skinne of his body , not come to the out-skirts of his people , though they thinke to come into the midst of them ; Gods people are secured though they coniecture they should bee slaughtered , slayne ; the conspiracie shall cease , though they suppose the worke shall cease . For our Aduersaries , &c.

Our , shew a company , and a company they had need to be , and well knit together , for they are a l l genus inuisum . hated stocke , they haue Aduersaries ; and no commune Aduersaries but such as were full-b●nt vpon a wretched purpose , they had vared as it were vpon it , they had said ; yea and close dangerous Aduersaries , which would come vpon them in no manly sort , giue no warning of their wrath , send no open defiance of their displeasure , for then Iudah might haue brought forth m m pares ●●ullas , & pila minantia pili● ▪ col●urs alike and forces alike , but come vpon them before they shall either know , or see ; neither will the refuse people satisfie them , no they would bee for the flower of the garland , for the most insigne , and illustrious , for the Midst and not ther●o shew an angry brow ●ny , or to pa l●y the reason o● their distast , but to make hauocke ; to expresse their minds at the swords point , a sharpe discouery of mens intentions ; confodere , configere to wound to stab , to slay ; and not onely so , but a greater spight is yet behind , to ouerthrow the meanes of Gods seruice , ●o get a conquest vpon religion , or these people are strengthening them●elues , say they in this holy Citie , they are reedifying the wal●s of Ierusalem , that their God might againe bee worshipped , well this holy attempt they would hinder ; the Worke is the eye-sore , and the W●rke shall cease Our Aduersaries said , &c.

In the Text consider .

A holy Congregation — Our . A hellish opposition — Aduersaries . A firme resolution — Sayd . A cunning proiecting — They shall neither know , nor see . A high attempt , — till wee come into the midst of them . A mercilesse designe — and slay them . A rancour against religion — And cause the worke to cease .

Our .

First , for the Holy Congregation , Our . This word belongs not to a single soule , but to men vnited , they were scattered , but now they are reducted into one ; in Babilon they lived apart , mourning in their secret , seuerall corners , to Iudah , they are now returned , and there they now speak with a voyce , like the voice of many waters , Our . Though before My aduersaries here , Thine there , This mans in another place , yet now , Our . The scattered stones of Sion are gathered together , the Saints are met , there is a Holy Congregation . Doct. From whence obserue , that the Churches freedome , is a remarkeable , vnspeakeable blessing ; that she which remayned solitary , is come to her happy societies : n n Vas●li Eccles 4.10 . Woe to the church when she is alone , Ioy to the Church in her troupes , the Church is then clad in her rich attire , yea decked like a Bride in her Nuptiall Ornaments , then the o o Monilia circa collum . jewels are about her necke . The Church in persecution is sayd to be in the p p 2. Cant. 1. clefts of the rocks , in the secret places of the stayres , desirous to looke ovt , and yet ashamed to be seene , her profession being in oppression , shee hides head , and shunnes company ; not in th● open streets , nor in the market place doth she take her turnes , but in the clefts of the rockes , in the secret places of the stayres ; not but that shee then is , but not conspicuous ; she wants not interna●l entity , but externall felicity : But a Church flourishing , is the Saints eye-pleasure , the worlds amazement , q q 6. Cant. 4. terrible , like an army with Banners . For an army with displayed , not more goodly to be beheld , then the ●urch with her ranckes filled . r r Gen. 30.1 . Give me children , or else I dye saith B●ch ● , so give me my multitudes saith the Church , or 〈◊〉 ●nguish ; shee is then like a s s Es. 17.6 . Vine shaken with a berry here and there , in the out-most boughes . The lustre of a Church is gone , when Gods Courts are not filled , and Ierusalem , the mother of vs all , seemes to be in her Widdow-hood , when many of her children are not at her knees , professing their faith , praising their God . See the luctuous , dolorous state of the Saints , when the Church is in this distresseful plight . t t 1. Lam. 4. The wayes of Sion doe lament , because none come to the solemne feastes , all her gates are desolate , her Priestes sigh , her virgins are afflicted , and she in bitternesse . Solemne feastes , but no solemne appearance , the gates open , but desolate for want of company ; Oh what a brow of anguish is there then euery where discerned ? the Priests sighing , the Virgins afflicted , and shee in bitternesse . But change this state , and what a change of carriage is there then to be seene ? all glee , and triumph , recreement , and rauishment to beh● d the Church in her excellency , eminency , glory . David describing this state , doth it with most passionate , affectionate termes of exultation ; u u Psal. 68.24 , 15. Jt is well seene Oh God , how thou goest , how thou my God and King goest in the Sanctuary , The singers goe before , the Minstrels follow after , and in the midst are the damosels playing with their timbrels . Then the Church is compassed about with her noyse of musitians ; not waylers , there lamenters , here deplorers in the midst , but singers before , minstrels following after , and in the midst damosels playing with their timbrels . This is Sanctuary jubilation , Gods going in Majestie vpon earth . It is well seene how thou goest , how thou my God and King goest in the Sanctuary , How ! that is , how Magnifically , like a Prince in Trisne . There is not a more delectable spectacle vpon earth , then the face of a Church visible ; then the Church , * * Pacem praefert Iren. Carrys a torch before her , not creepes vp and downe in the darke , but carrieth torch-light in her hand ; yea , though befor no man knew where she was , but held her for lost , yet then they come foorth , and out of joy of heart , and jucundity of spirit , point at her , as at the Moone in the firmament . x x Ecce Luna ecce vbi est . Aug tract . in 1 ep Ioan. Behold the Moone , Behold where shee is ; the eclipse is gone , the wayne is past , Behold the Moone , Behold where shee is . The Church with her Congregations about her , make Gods family to be in it's splendor , then y y Apparet Deus & l●qui turcum sanctis Amb. lib. 2. c. 7. de Iacob . God yeelds an appearance of himselfe , and vouchsafes to haue familiar parley with his Saints . O joyous thing to haue but a sight as it were of Gods bright brow in his house , and to heare but the sound of his lippes going in his family , where there is an vnity , as they termed it of collection , not a Logicall , but a kind of transcendentall Vnity , an Vnitie no other then an Vniuersalitie , Our . Vse . This serues to reproue them which doe so little rejoyce in the happy estate of the Church , or if rejoyce , I am sure are not transported . The Church is visible , but not their spirituall delight , and comfort for the same visible ; their hearts spring not , their tongues chaunt not . God had ferventer affections in the time of the Churches triall , then in the time of the Churches triumph . Our forefathers then wished for Sions prosperity , with groanes in their brests , teares in their eyes ; they wisht for it , and z z Exe●tatus dies omnium v●●is venit Cyp. lib de lapsis . The day longed for of all is come ; We their children enjoy it , enjoy it , but ioy not in it , blesse not G●d for the happy fruition of it . Our religion is not in bondage , but whether the gratitude of most be not , I leaue it to judgement . God hath vnlockt his gates vnto vs , set open his Courts , but we come not into his gates with thankesgiuing , nor into his Courts with praise . I see many professors , but few confessors , that confesse the pretiousnesse of Gods favours vnto vs . Are these the flourishing times of Religion ? it appeares not by our devotion . Where are they that are as if they dreamed , in a holy traunce , to see our Captiuity returned like the Rivers in the South ; to behold the blisse of the times ? no we see the Spouse with her threescore Queenes , and fourescore Concubines , and the damosels without number about her , but we do not count her Blessed . Oh how deserue they to have persecution againe that know not what it is to have freedome , and to have the Altars of God broken downe amongst them , that doe not bind the sacrifices with corde●●o the hornes of the Altar . Oh therefore a a Vbi beneficium ibi sit officium . Amb. where the happy blessing is manifest , there let the dutifull acceptance of it be apparent ; Let your eyes bee dazeled with the bright beames of the light of the Gospel , and your eares glow with the sweete charmes of saluation . If it be comfortable to you to enter into Gods Tabernacles ; into Gods Tabernacles aboue your seeled parlours , into Gods Tabernacles , aboue the palaces of Princes , then cry out b b Psal. ●4 . 1 . O how amiable are thy Tabernacles thou Lord of hosts ! Know the difference betweene Babilons thraldome , and Judahs liberty , ye have not now single soules , or a few priuate persons , but a Congregation ; Yea , c c Ad est militum cohors candida . Cyp. de lapsis . There is a white band of Christian Souldiers to magnifie God , to maintaine profession . We are in our multitudes , Ovr.

Adversaries .

Doct. Now let vs come to the Hellish opposition , Adversaries , Ovr , had a companie , and Adversaries hath a company ; company against company . From whence observe , that the Church must resolve vpon Opposites . d d Io. 15.19 . The world loues her owne , and God forbid we should be her Owne to be loued of her ; no , e e Nigros corrodit lividu● vngues Martial . The envious bites his blacke nayles against vs , we may see his malice at his fingers ends . f f Inter Babilonem , & Ierusalem nulla pax sed guerra continua . Ber ser 2. de pugn . spirit . Betweene Babilon and Ierusalem there is no peace , but continuall variance , Yea , g g Quanta ab exteris passa est Id ser. 29. in Ca●● How many things does the Church suffer of them that are without ? They are without , and so in battell array against them that are within they are Without , and so let them which are within stand vpon their guard . How should the Church be Militant , if she had no standards set vp against her ? The devill would cease to be an enemie if he should raise vp no oppugners ; when can the seede of the woman bee in a sure league with the seede of the Serpent ? when can Christ bee dearely affected of Antichrist ? no he is h h 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Against , his malice is written in his browes , tooke for no benevolent affections from him . Superstition is the professed opposite of truth , whosoeuer carrieth in his mouth the name of a false God , proclaimes deadly feaud to all Gods true followers , as Lucius told Vrbicius for condemning of good Ptolomeus , i i Quod Christians nomine gaudet & gloriatur ad puntendum commotus es . Niceph. Call Ecc. hist. lib. 3. c. 33. Vse . Because he reioyceth , and glorieth in the name of a Christian , ●fore thou settest thy selfe to punish him . Wee must expect no sincere affection from infidels , or Misbeleeuers , no they are Ban-dogges to the Church ; no friends to God , and so our Adversaries . This serues to stirre vs vp to heedinesse ; Adversaries they are , and oh that we should count them friends ! Will the Lambe sit downe , to rest quietly , when the Wolfs jawes are open ? Will the Keepers of the Vineyard be recklesse in their charges , when the Foxes are round about the hedge ? Haue they once maliced vs , and will they be no longer mischieuous ? Yes , k k Serò recusat iugum ferre quod subij● 〈◊〉 . Sen. hardly can any man desist from those courses he hath beene inured to . Wee haue beene once in perill by these Aduersaries , then how ought wee still to be in dread ? They are still Aduersaries , and so still infesters , molesters ; the flame may bee put out , but the aymers are still remaining ; though like the vncleane spirit in the Gospell , they haue beene once dispossessed , yet if they should find the roome swept and garnished for them , they would returne with seuen spirits worse then themselues ; shall wee not thinke them fully to be Aduersaries , till we haue tasted of r●ine by them ? If we should dreame of tranquillity , I am sure there is no security , they that haue once bent their swords against our throats , we should doe ill to sleepe quietly by their sides . l l ●ug 16. 〈…〉 . Vp Sampson , the Philistines are vpon thee . ᵐ Let vs be prepared for buffets and blowes . Looke in envies jaw-bones , and see if there be any white teeth in her mouth , stand at the threshold of malice , and listen if there bee any parley of peace in the house ; no as the Priest tolde G●lba , ⁿ Looke to thy selfe for the Blood-suckers are not farre . Our Adversaries pretences may be faire , but their purposes are dismall ; their blandishments may bee sweete , but let not too much affiance be put in them . o o Sint e●cu●iae . ne sint ●xuviae . Let not our eye-browes be closed , for feare the skinne be pluckt ouer our eares ; their nayles may bee payred , but they will grow againe ; for rancorous , spleenatiue they are , full of amarulency , malevolency , heart-brent , hand-bent , no State - Adorners , no Church-advancers , no God helpe Adversaries , Our , and ●r Adversaries .

Sayd :

Now let vs come to the firme resolution , Sayd ; And if about a good businesse , well sayd , but be the businesse neuer so bad , yet not toung-tied in it , though it were a thing not fit to be thought , yet sayd . Aduersaries , and so spightfull , Sayd , and so wilfull , for that is the meaning of the word , they were inflexibly , irrevocably bent vpon it . Doct. From hence obserue the rash resolutenesse of vngodly men , euen to the most damned practises , they haue sold themselues to commit euill , as it was sayd of Ahab , p p Hos. 9.9 . they are deepely set . Pusillanimity they hold a base defect , but basenesse they hold no excesse , there is in them a fiduciary fortitude ( as the Moralists terme it ) to things vnseemely . Is it courage to attempt evill ? yet q q Psal. 6● . 5 . they encourage themselues in an euill purpose ; for be the action neuer so evill , yet they are as full of animosity about it , as if it were about the saving the liues of their parents r r Sueton 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Caligula was wont to commend one word Vnmooueablenesse , that were the action neuer so odious , cruell , yet he would neuer change colour nor countenance at it , so these are daunted , deterred at nothing ; they say vpon that , that all the world shall say against the horriblenesse of which fact , shall make the eares of all to tingle , and the eyes of Infidels to gaze ; they say , that is gage themselues to vngodlines , as if all the powers of heauen should not be able to crosse them , they are s s 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Aristot . firmed in their opinions ; they firmed , and looke that others might be confirmed . t t Prou. 27.17 . Iron sharpneth Iron , that their confederates might not start backe , they bind them to it by a solemne couenant of their lippes , it is sayd , and so not afterwards to be gain-said , no man must speake against it , desist from it , for his promise is out to the contrary ; that it might be setled , it is sayd , Our aduersaries sayd . Vse . This serues to exhort all persons to carry in their bosomes mollified hearts , and tender conscienc●s to quake at sinne ; for if mens hearts come to be stupified , and their consciences cheualrised , what villany are they not fit for ? whilest u u C●h●bet vires ingeniumque pudor . Ouid. shamefastnesse remaines in man , it restraynes both power and wit in euill things ; but if the cheekes haue once lost modesty , and the conscience remorse , the blacke face , and deformed visage of the most nefarious , horrid intendment will not terrifie them , no not so much as make them blush ; be it a piacle , and most execrable offence , yet they retract not from it , but devou●r themselues vnto it , Say , Our Aduersaries sayd .

Doct. Now let vs come to the cunning projecting , They shall neither know nor see . From hence obserue , that there is no mischiefe like to the secret . * * Gravis est illis fortuna quibus est repentina : the Posie of Germanicus . Those accidents are grieuous which are sudden , vnexpected , vnsuspected dangers , how difficult are they to be auoyded ? a close villany is an ambushment , a latitant foe , a pitfall , the hand of mischiefe hath giuen the blow before it was knowne to be lift vp , the snare is on the heele before it was discerned to be layd , the poyson is in the throate before it bee seene what manner of liquor it be , yet these are the priuy practises of the wicked , their attemps clandestine , they serue vnder the Prince of darkenesse , and therefore they loue to doe all in darkenesse : knowledge they thinke would make their actions abhorrid , and therefore their actions are couert ; x x Cum vincere apertè , Non datur , insidias armaque tecta parant . Calamitatis abstrusa illecebresa fallacia . Cyp lib. 1. ep 2. when they cannot openly destroy , they prepare treacheries and engines of craft , ʸ there is a flattering face of a hidden calamity . A thiefe they say comes of a word that signifieth z z Fur of Furvus . darke , because he takes the opportunity of darkenesse , to accomplish his ends , so these by st●alt●iue , surr●p●itions courses , put in practise their designes . Dalilah will sh●●e off Sampsons seuen locks , before she tell him of any Philistins , so these take away all strength before the forehead of an aduersary be discerned ; looke for no Worthies here , for they shun light , nor for any signall of battell to be giuen , for they trust more to their projects then their prowes● , a a Ps 11 2. They would shoot secretly at the vpright in heart , b b Psa. 10. ● . They lurke like Lyons in their dens . So that Archers , and Lyons they are ; Archers , but no noone-day , but mid-night Archers , or Archers that would shoot in a cloud ; and Lyons they are , but lurking ones , not roaring in the fields , but watching in their dens . Cain doth not challenge the field of Abel , no c c Gen 4 8. walke into the field with Abel , like a brother , not like a butcher , yea , Abels blood is shed , before Cains malice seene . Ioab embraced Amasa ; though embruing be his purpose , yet embracing is his practise ; he embraces till Amasa fals dead out of his armes ; he cries not Estne pugna ? come shal we try our valour ? but d d 2. Sam. 20.9 . Estne pax ? Is it Peace ? and thus with a sword hid in the scabberd of peace , doth he strike him into the fift rib that he died ; is this captaine-like ? no caitiffe-like . Go fetch the child that I may e e Mat. 2.8 , Worship him , saith Herod . Herod it seemes would become very deuout , but let not the Wisemen trust him , for then he will make them loose the title of Wisemen , yea , make Babes of the Wisemen , for Herods purpose is not f f Non seruire sed saeuire , Raulins , ser 3. in Innocent . to Worship , but to worry . And thus the Churches Aduersaries loue to doe all in obscurity , their chiefe prop is subtilty ; g g Egregiam vero laudem , &c. Noble praise , high honour , no doubt : All men may see they are giuen to jgnominious courses , which would do such things , as till they be effected , men should neither know nor see ; they are all for surprisals , to take men on the suddaine , that men might be wrecked before warned , and they might be felt as Aduersaries before they be either knowne , or seene . From hence I might cast shame vpon the faces of our Aduersaries , for how may all the world take notice of them to be but base-spiritted , whose chiefe engine is craft ? it seemes they are ashamed of their God , which cannot be helped but by such priuie practises . Vse . But vpon this I will not stand , onely from hence let me exhort you all to cleaue close to God , for if he watch not for vs , wee are like to fall into sudden dangers from such subtill enemies . Oh that the perils of the Nation should be so many , and the prouocations of the Nation so rife , that wee seeke not by reuerence , and obedience , to keepe Gods eye vpon vs , to search out the purposes , and to discerne the practises of the wicked against vs . h h Heb. 4 13. All things are naked before him , but many things are hid from vs . Therefore seeing wee cannot watch sufficiently for our selues , let vs get God to keepe vigils for vs ; wee had neede to keepe him sure , or else we are not sure of safety . Our Aduersaries haue secret projects in hand , not bruited in our streets , nor hung vp vpon our City gates , but privily contriued , they would be vpon vs before wee should either know or see . Our Aduersaries sayd , they shall neither know nor see .

Till we come into the midst of them .

Doct. Now let vs come to the high attempt : They are for the Midst . Till wee come into the Midst of them . From hence obserue that the ambition of the Aduersaries is at the Grandies , that not a few poore abiects might endure the smart of their power but the chiefest liuers , that as i i Sueton. Caligula would haue men so to be slaine that they might know themselues to dye , so these would bee Authors of such a misery , as it might be felt to be a misery , they would be in the midst to bee in the midst of mischiefe , k k Vniuerse● praem●nult vt non pe●tus , n●n ●orum latera , sed faciem ocul● s●ue gla●iis , ac tell ▪ impeterent . In his Phars●lian warre against Pompey , Plut. that as Julius Caesar commanded his souldiers to fight at the eyes of his enemies , so these would fight at the Eyes of the Countrie , that these being strooke out , the rest of the body might not know how to guide it selfe ; the cropping of ordinary hearbes in the Garden will not serue their turnes , no they are for striking off the heads of the tallest poppies in the Garden , as l l Plut. Tarquinius the proud was ; Let Nehemiah heere and his chiefe followers bee laid hand on , and the spirits of the rest will soone faile ; command the Midst , and Master of all . Vse . This serues to exhort Great men to bee great Promoters of religion , not to excell more in the fame of their descents , then in the feruour of their deuotions ; not only to looke to be great Wonders in their Countrey , but great Beauties to the Church . For Rich men , Neuters ? Great men , Atheists ? Am I in the bosomes of none ? The Country complaines her ancient Gentry is decayed , the Church complaines her religious Gentry is decayed ; their Fore-fathers bowed their knees to God , and they to their Paramours ; that means which the one spent in almsdeeds , and the maintenance of the Gospell , the other spend in pride , and riot . Are there none that in steed of being Great Ornaments to their Countrey are Great Botches , or Great Burth●ns to their Countrey ? their Greatnesse seruing them to no other end , but either to bee a shelter for licentiousnesse , or a club to dash out the braines of pouerty with ? Some there are I know , that stand vpon their true termes of honour ; that as their Christian names are set before their sir-names , so they preferre piety before gentry : And oh let all be thus addicted , and that euen for the very perill greatnesse stand in . For Aduersaries there are , and at wh●m are their aimes ? the Infimates ? no , the Potentates ; the loftier the pedigree , the greater foment of their malice ; at their high blood , are their high aims ; whatsoeuer these simple soules may endure , yet the gentle sp●rk is he whom they would quench , m m Cui ger●●a proauis ingena . which hath the race of famous Beau-pieres to illuster his stocke . The Aduersaries loue to ruffle the purples , to giue a Rent in scarlet , to twitch at the golden chaines , to enter in at the painted portals . Greatnesse is their eye-marke , they would bee in the Midst . Our Aduersaries said , they shall neither know , nor see till wee come into the Midst of them .

And slay them .

Doct. Now let vs come to the mercilesse designe , And slay them . From whence obserue that nothing , but Bloodshed can truely satisfie the Aduersaries of the Church ; they come not to make sport , but spoyle , not to fray , but to Slay ; not to marke out enemies , but to massacre them ; not to plead the right of a quarrell , but to subdue , subuert ; they bring n n Iacula mortifera , Ps. 7. Weapons of death along with them , they are men throughly armed . Did yee neuer see the mouth of enuy open ? Heare what dreadfull menaces she sends forth ; o o Diglutiamus eos , ps 124. Let vs swallow them vp quick ; p p Disperdamus eos de gente , Ps 83. Let vs scatter them from being a Nation , q q Exinanite , exinanite , Ps. Downe with them , Downe with them euen to the ground . Haue not the Aduersaries , thinke yee , wide throats that can swallow vp men quicke ? Doe they not carry a whirle wind in their lips , that can scatter men from being a Nation ? are they not pernitious Artisans , yea some of Sathans dismantlers ( who is called the r r 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Rev 9.11 . Destroyer ) that neuer cease till they come to the ground-worke ? yet this is the mercilesse rage of the Churches Aduersaries , Desolation , Destruction is that they aime 〈◊〉 ; their swords they thinke neuer shine bright , till they g●●●r with the blood of the Saints ; they are not worthy they suppose to bee counted Aduersaries , vnlesse they can sacrifice to their Dagon a fat burnt offering of Professors corpses . Howling is their melody , firing of Cities , breaking of Scepters , casting downe Thrones , dying the stones of the streets in crimson is their pleasurable object ; that as Sylla filled a po●le of blood , and then set his hands by his sides , Ob quam 〈…〉 . Plut. and cryed out , Oh what a noble act haue I done ; and as Claudiu● killed men only that hee might see how fine a thing it was for men t t Vt exper●ntium fac●es videret . Suet. to breath out the last gaspe ; So these exercise all sort of barbarous sauagenesse , and count it but their recreation the perfection of their Religion ; they meditate vpon Slaying . Vse . This serues to shew vs what kindnesse wee are to expect from our Aduersaries , what but bloodshed ? I know not whether thy life bee deere vnto thee , but sure I am this is that they deerely thirst for . u u Netu● feritate Lyc●on . The enemy of profession is knowen well enough in his cruelty . Christendome hath his dolefull pictures hanging vp in euery corner . There are some happily that care not if the Aduersaries were now in the Midst of vs , for begin they not to palliate their dealings , to collaud their courses ? yea euen to censure them , that thinke hardly of them ? Oh what are such but Sicophants , assentatory spirits ? they extoll Crocodiles , magnifie Vipers ; * * Deus dicit Homicida est , & tu ad illum tanquam ad medicum curris ? Chry. orat . 5. in Iudaeos . Does God tell vs they are murtherers , and shall we hold them as Phisitians ? hath God marked them out as Aduersaries , and shall wee esteeme them men of mercy ? no I say God keepe vs out of their furies , or els sure I am we haue seene our best dayes , so soon as they preuaile our Kingdome euen giues vp the Ghost ; a truculent , sanguinary people are they , giuen to slaughter ; as heere , Our Aduersaries said , they shall neither know nor see , till wee come into the Midst of them , and slay them .

And cause the Worke to cease .

Now let vs come to the rancour against Religion . And cause the Worke to cease . As if they should say this Citie they count the holy Citie , this they are now fortifying that they might sacrifice , worship ; well this we will hinder , this frustrate , And cause the Worke to cease . Doct. From whence obserue , that the free exercise of Religion is anexcruciation , a prime grieuance to the Aduersaries . For let that bee suppressed , and then they are quiet , but let that haue any liberty , and then their hearts gnaw them , their galls flow ouer , and they are ready to fall out into any outrages ; x x Mat. 10 22. Yee shall bee hated of all men for my names sake . y y Christ● sol●● causa omnis odit & persecutionis . Musculus Christ alone is the cause of all hatred , and persecution . As they are men they can bee at peace with them , but as they are Christians they detest them . Caius Sceius ( said the Heathens once ) is a good man , euill onely because a Christian : So that if men weare the open cognisance of Christianity , z z Bon●s vir C. Se●us malus tantum quod Christianus , Tertul. Apol. adv. Gent. i● there bee a cleere brow of profession seene , it is enough to set all the world in a tumult against them ; as sore eyes cannot endure the brightnesse of the Sunne , so superstiti●n cannot endure the light of the truth . If the Woman be clothed with the Sunne , and haue the Moone vnder her feet , a a Rev 12.1 . and a crowne of twelue stars vpon her head , let her looke to her selfe , it will not be long before the great red Dragon will lift vp his seuen heads , and ten hornes , and persecute her into the wildernesse , b b Plin. as the noyse of timbrels make Tigers run mad , so the melodious sound of profession make the maligners of the Church to rage ; they cannot cease , till the work cease . This teaches vs how highly we ought to esteem of religion ; Non est res parua quam sic infectantur hostes . Bern. ser. 31. that is most pretious that is most maliced , ᶜ It cannot bee no small matter , that the enemies are so offended with . Our aduersaries spleene may teach vs the excellency of our Religion ; they most enuy it , therefore wee ought most to prize it ; Religion aboue birth , aboue goods , aboue life . Oh that thou shouldst valew any thing , and vilifie Religion ! no , d d Mat. 6.11 . Where the treasure is , there let the heart bee also : bee not recklesse , or remisse wherby the deuotions of it be slacked , or the purity of it corrupted ; contemne all things about thee , rather then Religion . That ought most to rejoyce thee , because it most teenes the Aduersaries ; it is the grand incentiue of their distast , the vpshot of their malice ; the hindring of the Worke they aime at more , then at the slaughter of the persons . For our Aduersaries said , they shall neither know , nor see , till wee come into the midst of them , and slay them , and cause the Worke to cease .

Thus haue I told you a story out of Iudah , and is it not the vine Image of our owne Country ? were they in danger , and were not wee at an exigent ? What was this but the most fatall , exitiall day that euer was appointed for our Nation ? It should haue beene Englands autumne , Romes springtide ; Englands Vespers , Romes Mattens ; Englands Exequies , Romes Festiuall : They began to cry out with them in the Tragedy , e e Thebis laeta dies adest , Ara● tangite supplices , pingues ca●ite victimas . Senec. Rome thy joyfull day is at hand , once let vs sing high Masse , and make a fat sacrifice of the Protestants . They had a long time cursed vs at Rome , and they saw wee waxed neuer the leaner ; they told the world in their Councels , and Controuersies that we were Heretickes , and they saw their word would not be taken , for we shewed Christendome the true Heretick● in the Conclave ; these courses they saw would take no place , therefore they would fall to other practises ; the penne they saw could doe no good , therefore they would try what policy could doe ; ay , f f Hoc , hoc ministro noster vt ●tur dolor . Senec. This , this is the onely medicine for our grieued minds . Conspiracy is the Popes onely weapon , treason the last refuge of Rome : They had often tryed what their Gun-pouder would doe aboue ground , and they euer found it flashed backe in their faces ; the blisters were still to bee seene in Spaines cheekes , therefore they will try what their Gun-powder will doe vnder ground ; their Saint Peter falls to Salt-peeter , a Cracke with that they thinke should make the heart strings of the Land to breake , and of the world to tremble ; they had spent so much Gun-powder vpon vs before that their Indies were almost wasted , well they will now be at lesse charge , 36 barrels shall worke the feate ; what , England that was held before even impregnable , now to be conquered with 36 barrels of Gunpowder ? Yes , if a place convenient can be but found out ; and may wee not let these men alone to chuse their advantages ? Well , what shall the project be , to winne Dover Castle ? no , that had too tough walls for such scant provision ; what then , to be Masters of the Tower ? no , there were too many roaring Watchmen vpon the walls to drive them from that attempt ; what then , to destroy the Vniversities ? no , that they knew would have stood them in small stead , learning now so abounding , that they should have found an Vniversity all over the Kingdom ; what then , to blow vp Tiburne ? that indeede they spighted much , because it had quartered many of their Traytors ; yet they considered , that that pluckt downe , there was more Timber to have been gotten in England ; what then , to batter downe the Princes Pallace ? that indeede had beene something , yet there they should have wanted some of their Adversaries : the project therefore in conclusion was for the Parliament ; if wee know not where the strength of our Land lay , our Adversaries can shew vs ; where but in the Parliament ? and not in this openly to assault , but secretly to blow vp ; a Parliament was gathered together , and Rome would have dismissed it with a stratagem ; an abrupt manner of breaking vp , they would have dissolved it with Gunpowder ; broken vp , blowne vp ; England gave the summons , and Rome would have given the writ of departure . Could this plot have beene so layd , that it might have come from above , a man would have thought it had beene Heavens-blow , the stroke of God ; but the Papists have no power above , all their strength lies beneath , it had come but from H●ll , it had beene but the ve●y of the Devill . The Papists say they would faine bring vs to Heaven , but then the force of their courtesie lies in pulling of vs vp thither with Gunpowder ; as for all their E●gines of Doctrines , they doe but push ●owne , strike to hell . I have read that in Rome there was once via sacra a Holy way , shall I thinke that sti●l remaining ? no , I rather beleeve there is Via sanguinea , a bloody way . They say their Images have sweat blood , and that they have found blood in the Sacrament , let them talke of those miracles as long as they will , so long as they worke not this miracle to make a Kingdome sweat blood . But this they would doe , yea this they had done , if God had not wrought a Miracle , to make Tiburne sweat blood in stead of the Parliament ; wee lay at the point of death , and the Papists were comming with this plot as extreame vnction to send vs out of the world with ; For , for the State to have received the stab , and Religion the stifle , was as this day determined , decreed . Our Adversaries had said they shall neither know nor see till we come into the midst of them , and slay them , and cause the worke to cease . Give me leave to runne short descant vpon my Text , and to fit every parcell according to the present occasion .

Our .

Were wee not at this time gathered together into companies ? was there not the face of a Holy Congregation , a Church visible amongst vs ? Ye● , Babylons yoake not long before had beene vpon our neckes , since the dayes of Queene Mary the grasse was scarce growne , where their flames had beene ; they needed then no barrels of Gun-powder , their pitch-barrels and faggots served the turne ; yet I say at this time our captivity was ended , and our Church come to a most fulged estate ; for by the comming of that famous Queene Elizabeth to her Throne ; Elizabeth indeede , the oath of God , or the fulnesse of God , sworne to his cause , replenished with his heavenly endowments ; shee , who was as a polished corner in Gods Temple , as a golden pot of Mannah in his Sanctuary , the Orient pearle of the Christian world , yea the Bright starre of the Earth in her dayes . Oh whom should I recount thee to be , Oh quam 〈◊〉 memorem ▪ as incomparable , as invincible ; not greater in the conquest of her enemies , then the peerelesnesse of her vertues ; the Queene of England by her title , of the world by her desert ; g g Heb. 11. Who being dead yet speaketh ; who●e memory is written in the hearts of her subjects , the best Chronicle ; a virgin , and yet the Gandame of Honour ; a Woman , and yet a h h Terror Achivis . Terrour of Ter●magaunts ; which paid h●r soul ●●rs with the gold of India , and m●de Cadiz the tiring roome of her Captaines ; which turned an invincible Armado into a Sea-bonfire , and made 88 like a Clim●ct ricall yeare to the state of Spaine ; which in her dayes for her Princely deportment , seemed the Master peece of Royall perfections , and for her manifold preservations , the Miracle of Gods providence ; whose governm●nt was throughout glorious , not like the Reignes o● some Princes that wee read of in other Histories , whose governments h●ve pr●ved to their su●jects , like the seasons of the yeare , a cheerefull spring at first , comfor●able Summer afterwards , but at last ●●ar●full ●●●f●-●●ll , and a nipping Winter ; or 〈◊〉 i i Dan. 3. N●buc●●dnezz●●s Image , the hea● of gold , the breast of silv r , b●t 〈◊〉 w●rds nothing but brasse , iron , and c●ay ; as Ne●o wi● f●r k k Ad quinque nu●m . Su●t . five yeares was n●table in his government and Caligula ●f whom Suetonius thus r●port , l l H●nus qu●si de Principe , reliqua vt de m●ni●ro n●rra● 〈…〉 Hitherto haue written as ●f a Prince , but afterwards I must write as of a M●●ster ; But as for her , the s●epter fell out of her 〈…〉 with honour , h● last yeares be●n● as famous as h r first , her people blessing their selv s that they dyed before 〈◊〉 , ●cause the 〈…〉 a Prince behind them , a● it was said of the Subiects in the dayes of Augustine ; wh ch lived with more M●j●stie , and dyed with more ●eare● then any of her Predec●ss u●s in a thousand yeares before h r ; which deserved a tombe of gold at her death , as Constantine the Great h●d ; and to haue had Statues set vpon her honour in every house , as Marcus Aurelius had after his departure ; whose Sepulcher , ( and ah that I should speake off her Sepulcher ) is the monument of euerlasting renowne , more to bee regarded with all due respect , then any of the Paynims vrnes , or the Popish shrines ; whose name is the joy of our hearts , the Triumph of our tongues ; which can scarse to this day bee pronounced without panting brests , and dropping eyes ; whose body is gone to sleepe in a bed of safe repose , whose soule is in the Chauntry of Heauen , for m m Gaudet vnus ●uis●ue Angel 〈◊〉 tantum 〈◊〉 tangere . Chry. hom 15. de diuit . & paupere . Euery one of the Angels desired to catch , to carry such a burthen to God . Shee I say , for Faemineo generi tribuuntur . All these blessings of the Church are to bee attributed to her , as the happy restorer of them ; Illa Ecclesiae scintilla , shee , the bright Sparke of the Church warmed vs , when wee were almost frozen to death in that brumall season of Popery , and like a good Surgeon st●nched our dropping veines , when they were almost l●ft empty of blood ; shee brake the yoke of Egyptian bondage , led us through the red Sea of prepared dangers , seated vs in the land of promise , fed us with the honey and milke of Evangelicall truth , brought home the Arke of God with Triumph , and set our Church like a Citie upon a hill ; as Ani●lasinutha , that renowned Queene , who followed Theodoricus that vessell of blood , n n Vas sanguinis decreta mala emendavit . Platina mended all the cruell decrees ; So this renowned Princesse remoued all the sharpe statutes , and the shadow of her Throne proued a shadow of refreshing to the Professours of Religion . o o Iudg. 5.7 . Surrexi ego Deborah , Surrexi ego mater in Israele ; I Deborah arose , I arose a mother in Israel . A step-mother wee seemed to haue before , a naturall mother now ; fourtie fower yeares nourcing up her subjects with the brests of sincere profession : And her successour prouing a successour of her faith , as well as her Throne : King Iames memorable for his wisedome , and graces , confirmed this happinesse vnto vs ; in so much that Paradice seemed not fuller of pleasant fruits , then wee of faithfull Protestants : not a scattered flock were we at this time , but a fold well filled , wee were in our multitudes . Our

Aduersaries .

Next Aduersaries . And who are Aduersaries to vs , if not Romes squi●t-eyed brood ; they are Papists , wee Protestants , and as the saying was of old , p p expectas vt Quintilianus ametur . Dost looke that Quintilian should be loued ? Quintilian that was the Oratour against the vices of the times ; so dost looke that any Protestant , that hath laid open the nakednesse of the whore of Babylon should be tendered by her Followers ? no as Fabritius enuied all that Marcus Aurelius did : so we must looke for nothing but the spirit of contradiction , and contention in all our passages . q q Ganius Arianus quod os suum obturaverat Chrysostomus , coepit tyrannidem exercere . Erasm in vita Chrys . Ganius the Arrian because S. Chrysostome had stopped his mouth , burst out into tyranny : So because we haue gagged the obstreperous throate of Romanists , that they cannot so rifly , or succesfully belch out their Doctrine of Deuils amongst vs , they swell with malice against vs ; yea they haue sacrificed in hatred against our cause , as it is reported of Caligula , that he sacrificed to Enuy : Marke Rome , and see if it be an auspicious planet to our Church , no it lookes with malignant aspects ; I will looke for honey in the nests of Dragons , as soone as for affection in the followers of Antichrist ; their Vatican is the Councell-chamber of mischiefe to vs , the Popes keyes are but picklockes to our state ; It was neuer well with Christian states , since Popes came to weare Triple Crownes ; what hath hee to doe with Crownes ? r r Plat. the Phrygian Miter that Syluester 1. wore vpon the cold Mountaine of Soracte , would become him well enough ; when Popes come to weare Triple Crownes , then oh yee Christian Princes your Crownes shake on your heads ; but why a Triple Crowne ? a Triple jest ; that his Followers might thinke they could want no meanes vnder such a Diadem'd head ? or wherefore else ? where is hee King ? of Pasquius poste , the Lady Ioanes porphiry Chayre ? and the Curtisans stewes , where like a Prince hee takes tribute ? Constantines donation proued to be ridiculous . I know no other Kingdomes he hath , vnlesse I would credit some Iesuits , who say hee is King of Heauen , Earth , and Purgatory ; as for Heauen indeed ( though Rome boast of many miracles ) yet I neuer read , nor heard , that God sent him downe a Crowne from heauen ; for Earth strange it is that Christ ( whose Vicar the Pope pretends to be ) neuer woare crowne but that which was put vpon him in scorne , a Crowne of Thornes , and yet that the Pope must haue his browes filleted : as for Purgatory indeed , that is a Newfoundland , and if the world were well rid of Popes , it were no matter if there hee woare a Crowne . But in the meane time till this doubt bee resolued , by what right the Pope c mes by his Triple Crowne , I am sure of the ruth that hath followed vpon it : triple woe is threatned to all them , that will not yeeld obedience to the T●iple Crowne : wee like not of his pride , then the proud man waxes ●e●uish , and t●trical to all them that will not approue of him : ●●e Church of Rome is the s s Genius Euange●●i , Calv●n . ad Regem Ga●l●ae . Fi●nd , and ●ury to haunt the Gospel ; the Protestants Little-ease : I know not whether all amongst vs will count thes● Aduersaries , but sure I am that they are they that once chayned vs vp in the botome of their l thsome prisons , and burnt our bodies t ashes , they left vs no other visibility of our Church but Martyrdome , nor no other monuments of our Religion , but such as were fetched from their flaming st●kes , they suppress●d our writings , depriued vs of our liues , and suffer●d none but their owne sworne Scribes to bee pen-men of h st●ries , and then , askt vs where was our Church before Luther : Are th●se friends courtesies ? I know not , let brainsicke lymphaticke , bewitched , besotted persons led away with an as●●ntatory , or an abderitious spirit conceit them to bee Friends , but sure I am when time was they were such deere Friends as made vse of their time , and vse of our blood : therefore for my part I see the enemies eye in their heads , the gall of Aspes in their bosomes , Aduersaries they are : Our , and Our Aduersaries .

Sayd .

Next , Sayd . And oh that it should be sayd , that Rome should not say , to any thing ! what the intrepid men of the earth , and not hardy to any enterprise ? They scotch at a mischiefe ? and be faint-hearted in any pestilent pernitious deuise ? Let them serue no longer vnder Antichrist , who is sayd , to be t t 〈…〉 ●deus facie Dan. 7 20. a man of an impudent countenance , as if he could blush for nothing ; their Master can infuse courage into them , they shall merit by it ; and when he that sits in the chayre , will thus authorise , countenance sinne , and lay down hire aforehand , euen to put them into his Rubricke , to record them in his Kalender for Saints ( the highest preferment these men looke for ) what villany will not our Aduersaries undertake . u u Plutarch . Scipio sayd , that if he bade his souldiers throw downe themselues from the toppe of a rocke , they would not refuse it : So these men will throw downe themselues into the bottome of hell at the Popes command . Here was an action odious , horrible enough , yet was it not Sayd ? Yes , they had bound themselues vnto it by oath ; and taken Sacrament vpon it ; Romes oathes ! Romes Sacraments ! oathes , the spring-heads of conspiracy ; Sacraments , the broad seales of treason : Now then beeing thus mortised in mischiefe , what can ye looke for , but pertinacy in the worke . Excordes ? no , Effrontes ; heartlesse ? no browlesse in it ; fervid and vigorous , that it might have beene dispatched , two yeeres space could not rebate their edge , nor make their hearts relent from this horrid enterprise , with joynt consent , and vnchangeable purpose , doe they settle themselues to it : when Faux was apprehended , and examined , whether it touched not his conscience to bee the Actor of such a wretched intendment , hee answered like a man steeped in Roomes Lees , that it repented him of nothing , but that it was not executed ; so that this was not some floating conceit , or swimmering resolution , but as solemnly concluded and obstinately vowed vnto , as euer was any thing ; it was decreed , it was Sayd , Our Aduersaries sayd .

They shall neither know nor see .

Next , They shall neither know nor see . This is the point of cunning , and doubt not of that to be there , when Rome is the Schoole-mistrisse of subtilty , the very Accademy of hellish pollicy ; where Iesuits are lutors , the Pupils cannot but bee subdolous ; If ye would have a snare to bee layd , send for these crafts-masters ; they are the ex● cunning Artizans of the world , versed , exercised in all versute , fraudulent courses . Would ye haue a taste of their subtilty ? there needes no more to relish your palates , then the remembrance of this dayes intention . I haue read of many craftie plots , as of u u Gen. 34. Simeon and Leui , that set vpon the Sichemites , whilst they were sore of their circumcising , of x x 2 Kings 19 Adramalech , and Sharezer that slew Senacherib when he was worshipping in the Temple of Nisroch , of y y Knolles . Chasis Ilbeg , who s ying vnto Hadrianople , like a discontented fugitiue and hauing gotten some authority in the Citie , on the suddaine set vpon the warders at the gates , and having slaine them , let in his ambushment not farre off , and so betrayed it into the hands of the Turkes , of z z Knolles . Terhates Bassa , who feyning himselfe to be at the point of death , sent for Ales-Beg , and his foure sonnes , with pretence , that if he should die , he would commend his gouernement into his hands , till Solyman his Master should otherwise dispose of it , and so with this wily devise , hauing drawne them to him presently put them all to death , of a a The watch-word beeing Nir● , in which were thirty thousand slain at Constantinople . Procop●et Euagr. those desperate wretches in the dayes of Iustinian , that went with sharpe weapons secretly vnder their garments , and stabbed men to death , no men knew which way . But of all subtill deuises , this carries the superiority . For consider the passages in it : To the Priest it is disclosed vnder seale of confussion , so that he must not r●ueale it . Next , the Actors had sworne , that neither directly , nor indirectly , by word , nor circumstance they would discouer it , so that they had made sure worke at home , Confessors , and complices are bound to secrecy , like Angerona the goddesse of silence , that the Poets speake of , which holdes her finger vpon her lippes , with a tablet vpon her breast , and this inscription vpon it , Heare , see , and say nothing , Papirius was not more ready to cut his tongue out of his mouth , because he should haue beene forced to confesse his treason , then these would haue beene ready to haue beene discerpted , eviscerated , to haue had limbe torne from limbe , rather then they would haue had any thing brought to light . Consider further .

First , the place wher they wrought vnder the ground . They are not for a roome , where the light of the sun ( that bright and broad eye of the World ) could haue discerned them neither where men with their two sparkling planets in their heads , could ordinarily view them ; no , they lurk in their theuish corners , they are for a caue , a dungeon a vault , a close celler : who could there haue spied out any thing , but he that needed neither eye to search , or to haue window to be opened , or vault doore to be vnlocked , to whom darkenes and light were both alike ? but for men they were sure enough .

The time when they wrought , in the night ; Night is that which wicked men take vp for a mist to their actions , a mantle to their wretchednesse . b b Nocte ●atent mendae vittoque ignoscitur omni . Ovid. Faults haue then gotten their couerts , and men may sinne by a kind of priuiledge . This was the opportunitie they tooke , when honest men were at their rest , then they were watching , and sweating , to conuey in their engines of horror .

The materialls whereupon they wrought , which were chiefely gun-powder . c c Contra terra motum nulla latebra , nulla fuga . Petr. 91. Dial. Against an earth-quake ( saith Petrarch ) there is no hiding , nor shifting ; so say I for Gun-powder . The blast is inevitable , for all them within the compasse , it is a quicke dispatcher ; In a plague , a man may escape , in a battell a man may come foorth aliue , against poisons , a man may haue Antidotes , but from Gun-powder what muniment , or preseruatiue ? no , it is the strongest arrow in deaths quiuer .

The colour they set vpon the worke , it was to lay in winter provision . Were not these men ( thinke you ) much to bee commended that could prouide so well against a hard Winter ? and was not that Master thinke you very happy that had such a faithfull seruant as Faux , to lay vp in store for him ? but the Master should neuer haue made vse of this prouision for himselfe , neuer haue warmed himselfe with the billet , nor haue had so much as a draught out of the 36. barrels , the Master herein me thinkes was a strange kind of prodigall ; oh but it was for friends , it was for a Parliamentary breakfast , and Papists care not to bestow much vpon such a courtesie for vs ; there were Lawes to be made , and they would haue them to be proclaimed , Cum sonitu , with noise : indeed it had beene the lowdest trumpet that euer the earth heard , or shall heare , except the trumpet vpon moun● Sinah , and the last trumpe ; Heere are Popish proc●amations of Lawes , d d Mugitu lam●nta ●li , omnia com●lerent Greg. Naz in Mon. they would fill all the sky with a lamentable roaring .

Well , the devise was so great , that they began to send forth their Prophesies t● their friends , That the memory of novelties should perish with a cracke , and in a moment should their bones be crushed ; yea , they thought a man might have seene any thing in the Aegyptian darknesse , as soone as have had any thing in this enterprise discovered ; in so much that when it was revealed , Faux ( that Cerberi Faux , if it may be lawfull to vse the word , that jawe of Cerberus ) vttered this blasphemous censure , that not God but the Devill had ●icovered it . Now lay all these things together , and consider with your selves whether mans eare ever heard , or mans heart can conceive a more secret plot ; no , our Adversaries were close enough , like Basilisks , they would have kill'd before they had beene seene . Our Adversaries said , they shall neither know , nor see .

Till we come into the midst of them .

Next , Till we come into the midst of them . And were not our Adversaries aymes as haughty ? were they not for the Midst ? the height of authority ? the heart of command ? Yes , Rome would be felt in her stroke . They care not for some eminent man , or some chiefe familie , but for the Nation ; a Nationall Stratagem , e e Ra●● al●o 〈…〉 . our Ki●g●ome must haue perished from her highest toppe . Twelue men were ab●ut to br●ng into bondage , a whole Kingdome with one stroke , yea , with one blow to make a g●nerall thrall ; the Papists strike home . They would put out all the lights of the Land at a blast , what a darke house had there beene ? Rome hath a strange kind of extinguisher . They would batter downe all the bulwarkes of the Kingdome at one Cannon-shot : Mahomet the Great , Solyman the Magnificent , nor any of the mighty martiall spirits in the World , euer had such artillery . The King in his Throne should haue bene blowne vp , the Queene his consort in wedlocke , shou●d haue beene his consort in woe , the Prince at their knees , should haue beene heyre apparant to nothing but their misery , not a Noble-man sh●uld haue beene left , not a Prelate to gouerne the Church , not a Iudge to defend the Lawes , an● many in hundred o● Knights , and Burgesses , should haue be●e fetcht away with the jmpetuous gust of that whirle-wind . How neere soever the Papists might have beene vnto vs at other times , I thinke these had beene in our bosomes , In the Midst . Our Aduersaries s●yd , they shall neither know nor see , till we come into the midst of them .

And slay them .

Next , And slay them . And what but Slaughter can be expected from Rome , when the bloody bourr●●sses of the World , have there their setled mansions ? For there to kill men , to destroy states , f f Peritia est , ar● est , vsus est . Cyp ep 2. it is a skill , an art , a custome . g g Tanquaem Leonin●s catulo● in perniciem Romani Imperis . Plut. Amilcar sayd , he bred vp his foure sonnes , like Lyons whelpes , to the destruction of the Romane Empire : So these like the wilde beast●s breed , are br●d vp to t●are in pieces the bowels of Christian states . h h Orcus vo is ducit pedes . Sueton. Hell rule ouer you , was it sayd in the dayes of Nero. So hell is not greedier to devoure soules , then Rome bodies , Common-wealthes . Caligula after a slaughter , licked off the blood of the edge of his sword , as i● it had beene a Cordial , and indeed to Caligula it might be ; So these murther , an● delight in murthering . The Chu ch of Rom● was wont to be built vp by preaching , and disputations , yea , Mart●rd m● , but now to exalt their Hierarch , they haue found out a more ready , and feate course , by poysons , pistols , ponyards , m●ssacres ; Romes conver●ors , the Iesuits lively doctrine , or deadly ; their operatiue sermons , or rather occisory ; they are waxen peremptory indeed , ( ye know the signification of the wor● , or if ye doe not , there needes no Comment to explaine it , but their practise ) they fetch blood at pleasure , by their new kind of preaching , they are the onely Pulpit-men in the World , that strike to the heart ; they can equivocate a State to death , a lethall deuise . Well , whether this worke had bin a pastime , yea or no , judge yee ; Gunpowder makes mad pastime , a pastime it might haue beene to them , but a perishming it had beene to vs . What one liuing soule had there remained of that Honourable Assembly gathered together ? it had beene the great Funerall of the meeting ; in a day , in an houre , a minute , neuer so many Worthies of our Land ( since the Land had a name ) had breathed out together their last gaspe . — animus me●inisse horret . And for the miseries intended to the Land in generall , the heart may tremble , and the cheekes looke pale at the thought of them , they are incredible , they had beene vnsufferable ; Mee thinkes I see how this whole Land had beene turned into a Charnel-house , where there should haue bene nothing but dead mens corpses , and bones to bee found ; a shambles in euery Citty , a slaughter-house in euery Country , that as Asia was called once the Graue of Rome , for their many Nobles that had beene there slaine , and buried in the time of those warres , so England had bin but the Churchyard of the Protestants , yea , and that which any sober Papist that is not drunken with the Iesuits giddy wine , may tremble at , they had bin mercilesse to men of their owne profession ; i i Lam 4. The Dragons will draw out their breasts to their young ones ; but these cared not for the crushing of them . For it was the gracious resolution of Father Garnet ( who was their provinciall then in England ) that it was no sinne to destroy the innocent with the nocent , the deuill himselfe neuer vttered such a doctrine , hee would not destroy them of his owne Kingdome ; Belzebub therefore may loose his place , and Garnet become hells superintendent . The simple Lay - Papists from hence may see how the Iesuits vphold a R●ligion onely to suck meanes out of their c●f●ers , or as for their liues they care not ; no , as it was said of Caligula that he slew k k Senatores & cognatos . Suet. Senatours , and his owne kinsmen , so they which were of the blood of their owne profession had smarted with the rest . Yea had they by this plot brought in some forraine power here to rule , I wonder what respect English Papists should haue found at their hands ; As it was in vaine for Galba to cry out l l Quid agitis commilitones ? ego vester sum , & vos mea , Sueton. what ayle yee oh my Fellow - Soldiers ? I am yours , and yee are mine ; So in vaine had it beene for them to say , what meane yee our Fellow-professours ? wee are limmes of the Church of Rome , and so are yee ; no they would haue put no distinction betwixt one and other , as m m Hist. of the Neth . Duke D' Alua said once , his sword knew no difference betwixt the throat of a Papist , and a Protestant . A slaughter indeed not to bee paraleld ; I read of many , of Herod that slew his owne sonne , of Dioclesian that killed Aper his father in law , of Selymus that wretch that slew his owne Father ; of Periander that kild his wife , of Bessus that slue his owne Master Darius , of Pyrrhus , that slew his trusty seruant and Secretary . But here , Father , sonne , husband , wife , master , seruant , secretary , the state had gone to it ; Romes-slaughter , a State-slaughter ; yea and not onely vs whom they counted Heretickes , but the Darlings of their owne bosome brought to perdition ; So that of their slaying wee need not doubt . No , Our Aduersaries said , they shall neither know nor see till wee come into the midst of them , and slay them .

And cause the worke to cease .

Next , And cause the worke to cease . And had not this gone with it ? had not Religion beene driven into banishment ? had not our golden Candlesticke beene throwne downe ? had not our pillar of truth beene raised ? had not the wide dore of the Gospell amongst vs beene lockt vp ? had not the songs of the Temple ceased ? yes , your feete must have trode no more vpon the pavements of these Sanctuaries , nor your eares heard any longer the sweet charmes of salvation , this worke ha● ceased ; And a goodly worke no doubt had come in the ●●ead ; wee should haue had Masses againe , the Masses of ignorance and in devotion , for what manner of supplications are those that are in an vnknowne tongue ? the Priest ma● conjure then if he will , for if ●e doe but conclude Per Iesum Christum Dominum nostrum , he shall have the peoples Amen ; Masses , therefore mockeries , Masses , Ma●king , yea fitter for a M●s●e then f●r Church seruice : And wee should haue had Traditions , the third Testament of Christ Ie●us , the Lip-oracle that Go● would neuer suffer to come to writing , ●n inspiration forsooth , and yet not to haue an inspection ; And we should haue had the Breaden-God , Transubstantiation , translation ; for Christ d●li●ered Bread and Wine , and now it is translated into a God : Romes tra slated Sacrament , a God they haue made it , though God know but a breaden God : For strange it is , that Christ Iesus would leaue his supernall mansion now to dwell in boxes , and pixes , and wafer-cakes ; and that hee which hath incorruptible glory would now come , and roost vnder elements , that are apt to foist , and m●u d , and bee poisoned , and eaten of vermi●● ; a Breaden god indeed , that suffer such deperitions ; And wee should haue had Inuocation of Saints ; Inuocation of Saints ? what is it but indignity to Saints ? For doe the Saints in h●auen thinke God so mere lesse now , that hee must be mediated to by them to shew mercy ? doe these men thinke Christ not a sufficient Medi●●ou , for why ●lse doe they fly to others ? or doe they thinke these as sufficient as Christ , for else how dare they call vpon them ? Rom. 10. How shall they call vpon them in whom they haue not beleeued ? Besid●s it would doe a man good to thinke of their Inuocation of Saints , when Longesse that thrust the speare into the sides of Christ , and St. Chappelet a notorious vsurer and cheater , and many others that were monsters both in life and death , are put into the n●mber of Saints . B sides we sh●● d haue had Holy water , fa●●e water I should haue said ; ●o● why Holy water ? because it can driu● away Deuils ? strange it is , that those Deuils , that can scarce bee driuen away by all kind of watchfulnesse , prayers , teares , vowes , that they should bee driuen away with the sprinkling of a ●ew drops of Holy water ; Rome hath an excellent fountaine : what should I speake of their Indulgences , Purgatory , Cruci●●xes , and the like ? yet this was the Dagon they fought for , to aduance superstition againe , to bring in thei● Worke , and to cause our worke to cease . Our Aduersaries said , they shall neith r know nor see till wee come into the midst of them , and slay them , and cause the worke ●o cease .

Thus beloued at last haue I shewne you the swart face of this detestable treason , the Monster of all cunning inuentions , and cruell conspiracies : yea n n Quae inferna tantum scelus vomuerunt , Amb. what mouth of hell euer vomited ●ut such a mischiefe ? What now remaines ? but that wee should first .

C●mmemorate : And our best commemoration is to make application to God ; to acknowledge , admire , magnifie this worke . For whom should wee magnifie if not God ? And for what should wee magnifie God if not for this ? First whom should wee magnifie if not God ? This great deliuerance was o o 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Homer . Odyss. 1. Eurymachus ad Telemacham . in the knees of God , as the Poets phrase is . In the knees of God , and not in the braines of men ; In the knees of God , and not in the armes of men . For it was neither our fore-sight , nor force that could haue deliuered vs ; 1. not our fore-sight , for all the state-policy in the world could not h●ue helped vs . 2. Not our force , for all our bands of armed souldiers could not haue rescued vs , p p K Iames in his speech to the Parliament . as that King prudently and piously confessed ; if the Lord had not put into the heart of that noble Lord Mount-eagle to communicate the Letter , and into the heart of the King to interpret the abstruse intricate meaning of the Letter , contrary to all Grammaticall sense , it had beene impossible for vs to have beene delivered ; therefore q q Psal. 64.9 . All men shall see , and say , this is the Lords doing , for they shall perceiue that it is his worke ; therefore Non nobis Domine , non nobis , Not vnto vs ( oh Lord ) not vnto vs ; not vnto our wisedome , or valour ; Sed nomini tuo , Vnto thy name , thy might and mercy let all the praise be given . And praise let it be .

For , for what wil we magnifie God if not for this ? r r Quisquis non videt coe●us est , quisquis videt & non laudat . ingratus est . Aug lib. 1. de civit Dei c. 1. Whosoever doth not see this to be Gods work , is blind , whosoever seeth it , and doth not magnifie him for it , is vnthankfull . Oh that there should be faint ecchoes of our praises in Gods Courts as this day , that the roofes of Gods Temples should not shake with our gratulatory sounds ; Oh bring forth the Lute , and the Harpe , the well-tuned Cymballs , and the loude-sounding Cymballs , praise God in the highest for this highest favour , which is the most matchlesse temporall deliverance , that ever the finger of God wrought vpon earth : the people of Rome had so good hopes of Caligula at the first , that that day wherein he beg●n his Reign● ( by decree of Senate ) was called s s Palilia . Su●t . The Day wherein Rome was new built : So we may c●ll this day as the day wherein England was new borne . And shall wee not honour our Birth-day ? thay day wherein God hath granted breath , and ●ife to state , and Church ? yes , consider the streames of that River , that still make glad the Citie of the Lord amongst vs , and honour the Fountaine from whence they fl●w , for , for what will we magnifie God if not for this blessing ?

To detest the Church of Rome ; for how damnable is that Religion , that hath beene the fosterer and producer of such a devillish designe ? Oh let vs abhorre that Church where Murtherers and Traytors are tolerated , yea Canonized , these are t t ●lores non pl●nè fructuum se● pinarum . Aug. fruits not of figge-trees , but of brambles ; Oh that ever Treason should be so deepely rooted in the Popes heart , that hee should not bee ashamed in the sight of the whole world , to mingle the blood of Garne● with the blood of Christ . Oh Holy Father ! Oh pure Religion ! Well , let these practises ex●crab●e , horrid , make vs tremble at their religion , and with constancie cleave to our owne religion ; Yea , seeing God so miraculously , as this day defended our c●use , let vs neither he doubtfull to embrace this faith , nor bashfull to professe it .

To live like a hallowed and consecrated people vnto God ; for , oh that God should be dishonored h●re , where he hath opened his bosome , spread out his wings , revealed his arme ! that his mercies should be fresh before our eyes , and our sinnes stinke vpon earth , cry to heaven ? Oh sacrifice your sinnes before God , that this day did not deliver you over as a sacrifice to the rage of your Adversaries ; vowe your selves to his service , that kept you from them that had vowed your slaughter ; let not your devotions cease , seeing the worke does not cease ; seeke Gods face , that hee may ever seeke your blisse , keepe you from outward invasion , inward conspiracy ; protect your bodies , preserve your soules , deliver you from the malice of men , and the fury of Devils , give you the happinesse of a Church visible vpon earth , and the glory of a Church triumphant in heaven . Which that he may do , God graunt for his mercies sake . Amen .