Three things are remarkeable in him .

First , His mournefull behauiour till the Note . 1 Kings returne ; for n n Verse 24 ▪ He had neither washed his feet , nor dressed his beard , nor washed his cloathes , from the time that the King departed vntill hee returned in peace . Oh rare spectacle of prime fidelitie ! What is he else but a MIRROVR of a True-hearted Subiect ? How could a man expresse more passionate respect vnto his Prince ?

Secondly , His innocencie from the least Note . 2 taint of that calumny , and reproach , that was craftily and maliciously cast vpon him by Zibah ; For , he stay at Ierusalem for the reuolution of the Scepter vnto Sauls stock in his person ? No , Absit , Farre be it from him , his innocent heart neuer harboured such a wretched thought . There was laid to his charge a thing that he knew not ; for he counted himselfe bound for euer to Dauid for his life , and meanes , that out of mercie hee had vouchsafed vnto him : For o o Verse 2 All my Fathers house were but dead men before my Lord the King , yet didst thou set thy Seruant among them , that did eate at thine owne Table . Siccine igitur rependam ? What therefore for such gracious fauours shall I returne such blacke requitall ? No , if it please the King to vnderstand the truth , there was one went betweene me and home , that Sycophant Zibah dealt perfidiously , and fraudulently with me , for I spake to him ( being my seruant ) to saddle mine Asse that I might at the first haue gone with thee , Verse 26 and drunke of the same cuppe , but he went and tooke the beast for himselfe , and left mee at home , through lamenesse , not being able to follow ; and thus what with his presents , and glozing speeches hath hee raysed vp an euill report against me ; But , oh King , thou hast wisdome enough to see his subdolousnesse , my vprightnesse ; to thee therefore doe I referre it , p p Verse 27 My Lord the King is as an Angell of God , doe therefore thy pleasure . Thus MEPHIBOSHETH assoyle and acquit him selfe from the imputation of that bitter slander , shewing that he stayed not at Ierusalem to stirre vp sedition , nor vpon this occasion of Dauids troubles to worke his owne endes , and aduantages , but was constrayned there to remaine , and all the while of the Kings absence continued a peaceable and well-wishing Subiect .

Thirdly , His generous answere vpon Dauids too too moderate satisfaction ; for before vpon Zibahs smooth tale Dauid had giuen away all MEPHIBOSHTHS Lands to Zibah , q q ● Sam. 16 Behold , thine are all that pertained to MEPHIBOSHETH . But now perceiuing MEPHIBOSHETH to be guiltlesse hee thought it vnmeet , vnreasonable , but that some restitution should be made him , therefore adiudge hee , r r ●erse 29 Thou and Zibah deuide the Lands : Now though Zibah deserued rather to haue bene diuided in pieces , then to haue any diuision of the Lands ; yet , doth MEPHIBOSHETH carry himselfe discontentedly ? No , Non frendet , non labrum mordet ; He shewes no token of dislike , for see his notable demeanour , nay , heare his resolute and Laudable answere . It is not my goods , saith he , that I care for , but the Kings life , and therefore ( that I may appeare to be what I plead for , a well affectionate subiect ) My Lord the King being come home in Peace , I am so ouerioyed with it , that I respect no wordly wealth , and that I may manifest it , I submit my selfe to thy determination , that Zibah should haue halfe my meanes , nay , that he should possesse the whole portion . Yea ( saith good MEPHIBOSHETH ) Let him take all , seeing my Lord the King is come home in Peace .

This Alablaster Boxe of MEPHIBOSHETHS matchlesse answere doe I purpose to open amongst you , and to powre out the precious Spiknard in the same , that the whole house may bee filled with the sauour of it , and all of vs incited to some semblable ioyfulnesse vpon the happy returne of our Illustrious Prince .

In the words there are two parts . A wonderfull transporting . A cause of weight importing .

First , for the wonderfull Transporting , Yea let him take All.

This Transporting seemes to be wonderfull for three respects , of The Person Him , Yea let him The Proffer Take , Yea let him take The Portion All , Yea , &c.

First , for the transporting as it seeme wonderfull in respect of the Person . Him . Let him , Zibah . Had it beene some ancient friend , or entire approued acquaintance , it had beene lesse maruellous , but Let Him . What the treacherousest Miscreant that euer MEPHIBOSHETH had against him ? He that had brused his heele , empeached his credit , that dead flye that had made the sweet oyntment of his fame to stincke ? That faithlesse wretch who being one of his owne Houshold , had layd a wound vnd●r his side ? What Let him ? Yes , Let Him , saith MEPHIBOSHETH :

Obserue . Oh , what see we here but a heart offended , relenting , and inclining to peace ? Was hee euer grieued against Zibah ? Were it so , yet Nescit odisse , he knowes not how to hate : as Dauid will keepe his eyes from looking vpon vanity ; so Mephibosheth his heart from muzing vpon vengeance : He will poure coales of fire vpon his Enemies head for , Let Him .

How choise and conspicuous is this Paterne ? How many amongst vs can thus hide reproofes in our bosomes ? and when our cheekes are nipped , our faces smitten , long furrowes made vpon our backes , not feele the smart of the same ? No , it was a true speech of s s Laert. lib. 5. cap. 1. Aristotle who being demanded , what was the first , and what was the last thing that waxed olde , answered , Gratia & Jniuria : a good turne first , a bab turne last : because of kindnesses we are so soone forgetfull , but of vnkindnesse , valdè tenaces such long remembrancers . t t Prou. 19.11 . The glory of a man is to passe by an offence , but this glory is esteemed of many the greatest ignominy : for , what forget an indignitie , bury a greeuance , oh this were a Dastardly thing indeede ? no , wreacke our teene , feede our eyes with the ruine of our Aduersaries , this is manly , this is glorious : — scribunt in marmore laesi . The dust is no fit Register for wrongs , but they write them in Tables of Marble , and til they see due repaiment there is no true content ; an eye for an eye , and a tooth for a tooth , we are rather Esaus then Mephibosheths : As it is reported of u u Herod . lib. 5. Darius that hauing receiued an abuse from the Athenians , he shot vp an arrow into Heauen , and fell into an extreame rage , withall commanding one of his seruants that euery Supper time he should say , Here memento Atheniensium , Master remember the Athenians . So fares it with vs vpon the least ill turne , wee fall into furious behauiour , and vse all meanes whereby the memorie of such things might remaine fresh with vs continually . But oh in the meane while where is the power of diuine grace ? Haue wee so learned Christ ? Is this the light that Gods blessed truth instructeth vs in ? No , The w w Iam. 3.17 Wisdome that descend from aboue is peaceable , easie to bee intreated . x x Prou. 24.29 . Say not , I will doe to him as he hath done to me , I will recompence euery man according to his workes . y y Rom. 12.2 Be not ouercome with euill , but ouercome euill with goodnesse . Away then with those vindictiue and implacable Spirits , which boile with nothing but rancour , and thirst after the ouerthrowe of their foes , and aduersaries . Oh let Aspes haue these galles , but in the bosomes of Saints let them neuer bee found ! Amongst vs let there be rather Jndolentia then Jnuidia , yea so tractable and flexible let vs seeme to be to our deadliest enemies , that wee be ready rather to benefit them , then infest and mischiefe them . See here a renowned example , Zibah had grossely , deepely , basely abused Mephibosheth ; yet see his sweet nature , to this man will he be courteous , For , Let him take all .

Now let vs come to the Proffer . Take . Had it beene let him enioy a gracious looke , or a good word it had beene much ; but let him Take , what see wee heere but a most faire Proffer ? Obserue . Would Mephibosheth thus to his enemy part with some of his Estate rather then stand , after Dauids iudgement giuen , contending ? Oh , might not this serue to charme our wearisomlesse Law-wormes , which are giuen to interminable Suits , and many of them not ( as Mephibosheth might haue stood out heere for ) due right , but for such Possessions as haue beene tyrannously gotten , and are violently kept . How many of these are there whom no Iudges mouth can satisfie , nor Iuries equally chosen , and impartially dealing can bring to a cessation of their troublesome Courses ? No , there are such , which of their Rights are neuer resolued till their estates begin to bee dissolued ; the Lions cannot indure to part with spoyles gotten once into their iawes : for let euidence and oath declare neuer so cleerely ; yet they see nothing , they yeeld nothing , but bend themselues to another pleading , another tryall : many there are that haue these grieuous Vexators continually molesting them , as the Poets feigne Prometheus had a Vulture continually gnawing at his heart , whose lengthened Suites are as famous as Bellum Decommale Troiae , as the tenne yeares Siege of Troy . Yee may know by some Sergeants and Councellours fat cheekes , if there be not such a pestilent breed ; for who know not these are the Pleaders good Benefactors ? Let a Lawyer bee neuer so poore at the first ; yet , if hee can but happen vpon such a Booty , a wilfull Richling , the leane Kine will soone eate vp the fat ; the Offerings of Moloch at the seuen Aumbries were neuer more costly and chargeable , ( saue that of the liuing Child ) then the Lawyers Oblations ; as Pharoah made the Israelites gather straw , and make bricke for him ; so these make their Clyents to gather and spare , racke , rend & teare to discharge their Writs and Fees . I speake the truth in the Lord , I lye not . Yet let the expences be neuer so great , where there are great Spirits , men will not bee daunted ; many there are that had rather spend halfe of their meanes vpon such , then to part with a quarter to make restitution for their il-gotten goods : and whereas God hath giuen men wealth to maintaine good Neighbourhood , and to liue comfortably in their owne Families , rather then these men will satisfie what conscience requireth , if either their owne power or their Councellors wit can withold it ; let Hospitality be neglected , and the whole family eat the bread of carefulnesse .

But for these endlesse contentions , are not the Pleaders as deep in the guilt , as the gaines ? Yes . Who know not that many of them when they see the cause neuer so cleere against their Clients , and in Conscience they ought to wish them to stirre no further , but to let the honest man haue his due ; yet seeing hope of profit comming , they tell them this Demurre may be made , and that Quirke of Law pleaded , which fuell being administred , a great flame soone breakes foorth : therefore as a Pardall meete with a Lion to beget a Leopard ; so the Pleaders conioyne with their Clyents to breede vniust wearisom Sutes ; when the Clients are at their wits end , and their spirits waxe blunt ( for want of knowledge of any further scruple to be found and stood vpon ) to prosecute further quarrell , they goe to these as the z z 1 Sam. 13 20. Israelites went to the Philistimes to sharpen their Mattockes and their Axes : and is it not much for these to disanimate Clients desirous of contention ? Yes , it is as hard for Lawyers not to incite men to Sute , as it is for Panders not to entice men to vncleannesse , they know what will come of it , Incidit in Scyllam qui vult vitare Charybdin .

Hee that will eschew in this kinde an euill conscience , there will be small custome , little commings in , hee must walke in a thried-bare gowne , and course vp at Termes without buxome Attendants , and this Lawyers feauer commonly worse then the clawes of Belzebub . All this while I trust I am not runne into Scandalum Magnatum , but haue onely endeauoured to break Capita Draconum : I thought it conscience , meeting them thus rightly , to smite them friendly , it may be a meanes to do them more good then to breake their heads with precious balmes , and to iustifie their abominable courses with the a a Eccl. 7.7 . Songs of Fooles , as Salomon calles flattering speeches in a bad cause .

Thus yee see how I haue reproued the indefatigable Contender , and the heartening Pleader , and can there in this any iniurie be done to either ? Horat. No , Arcades ambo — both of them deserue the blacke Coale .

Well if this Fire can kindle it may be a means whereby there shall be no long variances , but quicke agreements , though it bee with losse ; like to the course of Mephibosheth here , whom Dauid adiudged to diuid the Lands with Zibah ; now he being of no proterne refractary disposition , nor hauing no prompting Ploydon at his elbow to tell him hee might make more worke , and bring about againe , yeelded something , as ye may see already , in this Proffer , for Accipiat , Let him Take .

But now let vs come further , and consider the Portion . All. Let him take All. Not Halfe , Obserue . but All : What see we heere but that ingenuous people , good natures performe more then is required , wheresoeuer this vertue shines , it is a kinde of a bright Image of God , for he vse to giue more abundantly then wee can aske or craue . As Salomon desired but wisdome of him , and not onely that is vouchsafed him , but b b 1 Kin. 3.13 . Also ( saith the Lord ) J haue giuen thee that which thou hast not asked , both Riches and Honour , so that among the Kings there shall be none like vnto thee all the daies of thy life : and this good God good people desire , endeauour to resemble , as c c Ruth . c 2. Booz when Ruth craued leaue to gleane in his Field , not onely granted what she requested but added , that she should haue victuals and sustenance with his Seruants : So d d 2 Sam. 24. Araunath when Dauid desired but to buy the Threshing-floor , yet he offered ( though afterwards Dauid would not accept any thing but vpon purchase ) most freely , Let my Lord the King take and offer what seemeth him good in his eyes , behold the Oxen for the burnt offering and Chariots , and the instruments of the Oxen for wood , and it is said , All these things did Araunath as a King giue vnto the King . In like manner e e Neh 5. Nehemiah when the people complained that they were oppressed with the Vsury of their brethren , did not onely cause that to bee released , but would not take the bread of the Gouernour , and maintained a hundred and fiftie Iewes continually at his Table : so that so prompt are all well deuoted persons that they exceede expectation ; and are not their practises answerable to Christs counsells ? Yes , f f Mat. 5.40 . ●1 . If any man will haue thy coate , let them take thy cloake also , and whosoeuer will compell thee to goe with him a mile , goe twaine . How much are they to be blamed then , who are so farre from doing more then is desired ; that they are backward to doe that which is meet and requisite , which satisfie no lawfull desires but slenderly and grudgingly ; yea , with a repining , and cheerelesse Spirit doe they stretch out their hand to any good dutie , & were it not happily that shame may moue them , or authority force them , they would turne the All into Nothing . Nabal sent Dauids messengers away with an emptie answere , and Diues will not vouchsafe to Lazarus so much as the crummes : and so indeed if many might haue their owne wills , litle it is that should be giuen to Poore , Church or State , be the occasions of demaunding neuer so forcing , the reasons of requiring neuer so iust . But at last , let such be ashamed of their nigardizing , and endeauour to haue bowells enlarged , so that they may not onely fulfill , but exceede iust motions , let them not be too much set vpon the world like Mephibosheth , there Let him take All.

Thus much for the wonderfull Transporting briefely handled , because I aime not now so much at Explication , as Application .

Let vs now come to the cause of weight Importing , wherein there are three things likewise to be considered , The Man Matter Measure The Lord the King is come home In Peace .

First for the Man , Since my Lord the King . Was this the inducement that made him so free ? no , some good thing that happened to his Lord the King . Then from hence obserue , Obserue . that both the Persons , and blessings of Kings ought to be precious in the peoples eyes , and accounts : for if they be enriched with any singular fauour , this ought to be to them singular Ioy . Oh whensoeuer Heauens Power is gracious vnto them , they should euen be rapt and rauished with the same ? For a rotten member is that that feele no comfort when the HEAD is annoynted with Balme , all should seeme sweetly to participate of the Superiours felicities . g g 2 Sam. 18 3. Thou art worth ten thousand of vs , and therefore whatsoeuer beneficial thing such enioy for glory and dignitie should bee highly esteemed of all them that belong to them . Oh wretched they therefore which haue little minde of their Lords their Kings , either concerning their persons or blessings , they liue in a Common wealth , as in a house ouer which they remember no Master to be set ; for let the distillations of Gods loue be neuer so plentifull , it workes in them no admiration , no delectation . But what are such diuided branches ? If not , Why doe they not reioyce in the sappe of their Roote ? euery one should stand blessing of himselfe in the happinesse of his Soueraigne , as we vse to blesse our selues when wee behold the Sunne rising in brightnesse . Thus fared it with Mephibosheth heere . Let him take all since my Lord the King .

But is Dauid heere called Mephibosheths Lord and King ? Why so ? for two reasons .

First , for Defence : For gracious Soueraignes must bee the Peoples Lord-Protectors , by their power they must preserue them in safety , as the Cherubims kept the way of the Tree of Life with the blade of a fiery sword shaken . The Lord cryeth out against the h h Zach. 11.17 . Idol Shepheard that left the flock ; so indeed a miserable thing it is when the Prince hath no care of the welfare of his poore Subiects , they must carry their people in their bosomes , and i i Numb. 11 12. as a Nurse carryeth a sucking Child ; that is very regardfully and tenderly , ready to shelter them from them that seeke to mischiefe them , and to hold them vp in their Princely armes from falling into any dangers : It is not enough to bee knowne to be a Soueraigne as Augustus Caesar was , by taxing his whole Dominions ; but chiefly in safe garding the peoples Persons and Estates .

Secondly , they are Lords & Kings for command , for what are they to bee vsed onely as walles of an House to keepe out dangers , or as Flood-gates to keepe out Inundations , Indeed so many ; too many carry themselues vnto them , they are nimble to dispute what a Soueraigne stould doe ; but they cannot hit of the veyne to conceiue what he should haue , how he should be respected , how reuerenced , how obeyed ; for their honours are slightly giuen them , their commands coldly performed , their Tributes murmurringly paid , and all things wherein their Kingly Soueraignty consists , faintly executed . Where is now then that of our Sauiour , k k Math. 22.21 . Giue vnto Caesar that which is Caesars ; and that of the Apostle ; Admone eos Principibus & Potestaribus subditos esse , l l Tit. 3.1 . Put them in remembrance that they bee subiect to the Principalities and Powers . Famous is the commendations of Mutezumaes Subiects , who durst not looke vpon his face for very reuerence , and if he did but send his Ring from his finger to the greatest Commander vnder him ( as it appeared in the dismall Story of Qualpopoca at the instigation of Cortez ) in all the Dominions of the Mexicane Empire , though it cost him his life , out of obedience he would not denye to come , and whatsoeuer by way of Tribure hee demanded , or by Edict published , all his people with the greatest alacrity shewed their loyalty . Oh therefore , as we ought to pray vnto God that our Soueraignes with all care , conscience , compassion may defend vs : So wee ought to beseech God to giue vs grace that in all submission and subiection we may obey them .

But are the Lords and Kings for defence of vs and for command ouer vs ? then who see not heere the necessity of Royall Authority ? for , how should wee euer bee in safety of our liues without their defence ? and how would wee euer liue in any vertuous manner ▪ without their commands ; take away the first , and wee are but like Sheepe without a Shepheard , ready to bee torne in pieces by euery beast of prey ; take away the second , and wee are but like wilde Asse-Colts , snuffing vp the wind at our pleasure , prone to doe nothing but that which is good in our owne eyes : Siccine habet ? goeth the matter thus ? Let no man think then the Calling of Princes to be onely a matter of State and Pompe , where they might sit in a Chayre of Magnificence , weare a Crown , shake a Scepter , but of vse and worth . m m Rom. 13.4 . Hee is the Minister of God for thy good , Rom 1● . 4 . Let those meane conceits therefore of the Regall Office bee banished , euer thinke highly of this Ordinance ; for yee see it is not so much for Superiority and preheminence , as it is for vtility and emolument .

Now let vs come to the matter , is Come home , Since my Lord the King is come home .

Quid deinde ? What of that ? Is that so great a matter ? Yes , with Mephibosheth it was a motiue of great validity . Obserue . From hence then who see not , that the absence of Princes from their people , is a great darkening of their ioy ? For , how can they misse them but with as great want as the want of the Sunne out of the Firmament ? the Wife without her Husband hath no solace , nor the Kingdome without the King any true comfort ; how can the Corner stone be taken from the building , and not great deformity ? how can the chiefe string bee wanting from the Instrument , and not faint Musicke ? So , how can there bee any hearty delight when the Lord the King is not in the midst of the people ? n n 1 Sam 9. Did Saul thinke that if hee were wanting but three dayes , that his father would begin to sorrow for him , and not much more the Subiects euen languish in themselues when their Princes are in remote Parts : o o Psal. 82. I haue said ye are Gods : Oh , how do the People reioyce in the presence of their Gods , be it but to eye them , and behold such royall Vessels wherein the rich Treasures of their blisse and happinesse are stored vp . So that seeing the presence of Princes is so great a comfort , Mephibosheth heere you see had matter enough to bee wonderfully affected . For The Lord his King was come home .

Now let vs come to the measure , In peace : Seeing my Lord the King is come home in peace .