Votiuæ Lachrymæ. A vovv of teares, for the losse of Prince Henry In a sermon preached in the citie of Bristol December 7. 1612. being the day of his funerall. By E.C. Batchelar in Diuinitie, and publike preacher to that citie.

VOTIVAE LACHRIMAE A VOWE OF TEARES , For the losse of Prince HENRY . LAMENTAT . 5. vers. 15. 16.

The ioy of our heart is gone : our dance is turned into mourning .

The crowne of our head is fallen : woe now vnto vs that we haue sinned .

What was , vowed in secret before the Lord , in the day when first ill tydings , as a winged : messenger , came with the sharpe sword of sorrow , to pearce through our soules [ The publike bewailing , namely of our so great and generall Losse ] that , now at length through Gods ouer-ruling prouidence , in the most fitting oportunity , are we mette in this holy and great assembly , purposely gathered , on this day of solemne sorrow , religiously to performe .

And for this purpose , to mooue our hearts , ( otherwise inclinable inough to follow the fashion of the Court , ) to ioine at this time in this occasion of publike sorrow : behold , what choise it pleased God , at that very first , to suggest vnto mine heart , that , and none other , make I bold to offer .

A text indeed befitting , as I conceiue it , if any other , this mournefull accident , and which I doubt not but you also , Fathers and Brethren , all heere present , will so esteeme ; shall ye not onely marke the wordes , like to Ezekiels role , Ezek. 2. 10. all full of Lamentations , Mourning , and Woe : but withall , take notice of the speciall cause moouing that holy Prophet Ieremy ( a man liuing if euer any of the Prophets , in times of misery ) so to complaine .

For howsoeuer it be manifest , that in this booke hee more generally lamenteth the distressed state of the Church of God , the ouerthrow of the City Ierusalem , and burning of the Temple , the spoile and slauery of the whole nation ; al which he liued to behold : yet that this his so bitter wailing was in part at least , and that a chiefe part , for the death of that Prince of so great proofe and hopes , Iosiah ; witnes what is recorded . verse 25. 2. Chron. 35. And Ieremiah lamented Iosiah , and all singing men and singing women mourned for Iosiah , in their Lamentations , to this day , and made the same for an ordinance vnto Israel , and behold they are written in the Lamentations : that is , in this booke ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 which howsoeuer in the Hebrew original , it be without any name , saue onely that it is stiled , by the first word of the booke ( as are also the 5. Bookes of Moses ) yet is it in the Hebrew Commentaries , as Ierome noteth , so called , and accordingly by the 70. Interpreters ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Lamentations . The Lamentations of Ieremy .

Wherein , as it is generally agreed , that hee expresly mourneth for King Iosiahs losse , ( that being the beginning and presage of all their ensuing sorrowes ) the best Expositors hereto referring , that complaint , Chap. 4. 20. The breath of our nostrels , the annointed of the Lord , was taken : of whom we said , vnder his shaddow we shall bee preserued aliue , among the heathen . So , in more particular , touching the very words of my text , I see not , why wee should not take them also , as a part of the Lamentation , if not wholly , yet chiefely , for that losse ; the phrase of the falling downe of the Crowne , so rightly fitting .

Since , howsoeuer I am not ignorant , that some Interpreters vnderstand to bee meant heereby , the defacing and decay of the Temple , and seruice of God , with other things wherein that people gloried , as in their crowne ; and others , as if hereby were signified onely , that the garlands , and other ornaments of delight , vsed in their nuptials , and other times of ioy , were now laid aside ; as if the Prophets purpose were hereby only to expresse their wailing and wofull state : yet is there no interpretation that can bee giuen , comming neerer to the nature of the Metaphor heere vsed , then to vnderstand it of that , which hee had before vnder other termes lamented , the fall of their Soueraigne Prince wearing the Diademe ; according as of the setting vp of such an one , is else where spoken in the like phrase : Psal. 21. 3. Thou didst preuent him with liberall blessings , and didst set a crowne of pure gold vpon his head .

Against which Exposition if any shal except , that heere the Prophet speaketh of the fall , not of the Kings crowne , but of the peoples rather ; The Crowne of our head is falne ; which may seeme more generally to signifie , the decay and fall of all their honour , wealth , and beauty , all the glory of both their Church and Common-wealth : wee will not sticke to grant that more generall extent , so this particular of the Princes fall bee therein especially conceiued ; As it needes must bee , Prou. 14. 28. since as the wise Salomon hath told vs , that in the multitude of the people is the honour of a King : so is it certaine on the other side , that the peoples crowne and honour is in their Prince or King , especially if a good Prince , such as Iosiah was .

For the sal of whom therefore , how well might they lament , as for the falling downe of their crowne vnto the ground , crying out , as heere , in bitter griefe , The crowne of our head is fallen : especially , since this fall of the Prince did presage ( if they did not with speed preuent it ) Gods farther iudgement vpon the people , whose sinnes had doubtlesse prouoked him thus farre already : as therefore the humbled Prophet in their name acknowledgeth with a prefixed note of sorrow in the last words , Woe now vnto vs that wee haue sinned .

Vpon which subordinate causes of sinne and iudgement , depend those two consequents mentioned in the former verse ; First the inward sorrow affecting their hearts whereof hee complaineth , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 The ioy of our heart is gone , or [ ceased . ]

Secondly , their Lamentation or humiliation outwardly expressing that inward sorrow , and vsed for remedy to preuent farther iudgements , which hee thus Emphatically expresseth , Our daunce is turned into Mourning .

And in this order , obseruing first the causes , and then the consequents ; The meaning of the whole complaint being a part of the Prophets praier in the behalfe of the Church afflicted , and by affliction now humbled , what is it in effect and summe , but this briefly , That alasse ! now they see by lamentable proofe , by the fall of their Crowne , the taking away of their Prince , that they haue by sinning procured their own woe , and moued God to wrath and indignation against them : and therefore how can it be but that their ioy should bee quite gone , and insteede thereof bitter griefe possesse their soules ; yea therefore high time for them to exile and put away their mirth and dauncings , and on the contrary betake themselues with speed to mourning and repentant praier , thereby to stay Gods anger , and so to keepe off from their heads all farther euill .

And this being , so farre as I can reach , the true sence and substance of these words ; wee see , not onely the sorrowfull estate of those distressed people therein expressed , but also our owne present condition plainely exemplified , and our selues for an holy vse thereof directed , to a sourefold consideration . First , what hath been our losse : Secondly , what we may reckon the cause of this losse : Thirdly , how we should bee affected with this losse : Fourthly and finally , how wee may best preuent all farther losse . The first and second are offered from verse 16. for , the crawne of our head is falne , there is our losse ; and , Woe vnto vs that we haue sinned , that is the cause . To the other two we are pointed var. 15. The ioy of our heart is gone , thus should we be heere with affected : yea farther , Our daunce is turned in to nigurning , loe this the meanes to haue all feares for the future preuented . Of which therefore in order , beginning with the consideration of our losse , from the first branch of the latter vers. The Crowne of our head is fallen .

What the speciall crowne of their heads was , from whom wee borrow this complaint , you haue already heard , to wit , their worthy and good King Iosiah ; and whose death no maruell if they reckoned none other , then the falling of their Crowne downe from their head , the losse and spoile to them of all their glory , with presage of farther woe and ensuing misery .

But what ? is our Crowne ( to make application ) so fallen from our heades vnto the ground ? Oh , God forbid ; No , blessed be the God of Iaacob , the royall Crowne , and Diademe Imperiall , set by God vpon our heads , it still remaineth flowrishing , Great Britains glory . And long , and long , so may our Hezekiah liue and raigne , and wretched , thrice wretched may they be , that euer so much as wish in heart , to see his fall .

But it is the Princely Coronet of hope and future expectation , onely looked on , and with the lustre dazeling our sight , that we haue lost ; our good Iosiah , herein onely differing , in that before we needed to haue him set as a crowne vpon our head , it hath pleased his God and ours , to take him hence , to crowne him with an euerlasting diademe in heauen . Howbeit though hee haue thereby gained rather , yet wee haue lost , alas , farre more then euer we enioied , except in hopes , and downe our crowne is fallen , as well wee may complaine with mournefull hearts , before that euer by Gods hand it was fastned on our heads .

Our Crowne , our Diademe . Oh , why should wee not so reckon him ? who was not onely borne a Prince , but created also our Prince , and acknowledged to the world by his roiall Father , long agone ( as the beginning of his might , Gen 49. 3. the excellencie of dignitie , and the excellency of power ) to be his dearest sonne , Basilic dor. in epistola nuncupstor . and naturall successour ; the rightfull heire to the imperiall crowne and diademe of all his kingdomes . In whose vntimely losse ( as we may count it , but that God the king of Kings , who reserueth times to his owne prerogatiue , was pleased so to order it ) behold , what wee haue suffered , all the true subiects of this Realme , the fall of our very Crowne ; our second diademe now in present , and chiefest in future hope : a losse inualuable nor of a Prince onely , but of such a Prince , adorned with so rich graces , in tender yeeres yeelding such hopes ; that ( excepting onely that paragon of , otherwise matchlesse , price , Edward the sixth ) I presume wee may without wrong to any speak it , neuer yet had this Realme euery way the like .

Touching whom , if any yet shall doubt , whether we haue reason to reckon him so , as to esteeme his losse the downe-falling of our Crowne : let vs for proofe first consider , whether hee were not as the people sometimes spake of Dauid , 2. Sam. 18. 3 worth ten thousand of vs . Surely if but in regard of his blood and place , which made vs in reason to conceiue of him , as of an Izhak , an heire of promise , in whome we hoped for a blessing : or as of a Noah borne in an happy houre to be our comfort ; on whome , howsoeuer not for the present , yet for the hopes of future generations , was set , as Samuel sometimes spake , 1. Sam. 9. 20. all the desire of Israel , as on a rising sunne , hoped to be hereafter , what Dauid is intituled , 2. Sam. 21. 17. The light of Israel .

Neither was this the hope of vs subiects onely , but the endeauour and expectation also of his Royall Father , whose Princely care ( no way better approued to God and his Church ) for the welfare of more then one generation ; as it made him more then a Kenophon , In Cyro . paed . euen a Dauid , labouring the religious institution of this Solomon , both by his owne treasury of Kingly counsels , In Basilic . dor. and the emploiment for that seruice of men of cheefest ability and trust : so would it no doubt haue been fully satisfied , had God so pleased , that hee might haue left the fruit of these hopefull seedes , as a ioifull haruest to bee reaped by the ensuing ages .

For our parts , we saw the blooming , and reioiced in the sweet sent of this goodly growing plant ; yea not wee onely , but Strangers also were so affected with the fragrant odour of the same , that it was doubtfull , whether our hope in him , or their admiration of him , were the greater . They , like to Hiram , such as did but heare of him , with reioicing blessed God for him , 1. King . 5. 7. as for a Wise sonne , appointed to succeed his victorious father ouer this mighty nation : and how much more with the Queene of Sheba , 2. Chron. 9. 3. such as came to behold and see his religious cariage in the worship of God , both in publike and priuate ; his prudent care for the well ordering of his Court , and that rare temper of magnificence and frugality , in the managing of his Princely estate .

But as for vs , whome the hopefull appearances of his piety and vertue did more neerely and properly concerne , how could we , as many as are true hearted to the Religion and state ; but seriously reioice , to foresee an English Iosiah , beginning in his tender yeeres to seeke after the God of his Fathers ? 2. Chro. 34. 3. Insomuch that now , looking backe to that hope we had too confidently embraced , we may euen seeme to speake ( borrowing to an inferiour sence that phrase of the two Disciples trauailing to Emaus ) but wee trusted , Luke 24 21. that it had beene hee , that should haue deliuered Israel .

One , who we hoped , and wished , as Dauid in his praier for Solomon , Psal. 72. 6 might come downe like the raine vpon the mowen grasse , vers. 7. and as the showers that water the earth : in whose daies the righteous should flourish and aboundance of peace be happily established : of whom , we promised our selues , that he should be Isaiahs good King , Isai. 32. 2. reigning in iustice , and ruling in iudgement , as an hiding place from the winde , and as a refuge for the tempest , as riuers of water in a drie place , and as the shadow of a great Rocke in a weary land : finally , one of whom wee hoped ( what the Aduersary more then feared ) that , treading in the steps of his religious Father , our present gratious Soueraigne , and going on where he should leaue ( as Ioshuah after Moses in subduing of the Canaanites ) he would Iosiah like compell all that were found in Israel to serue the Lord . 2. Chro. 34. 33

Behold , beloued , these , and many more not mentioned , the conceiued hopes that we had in him , who was expected in the succeeding age , not without iust reason , to become our Crowne . The vnexpected losse of whom so suddenly ( Oh that wee should need so lamentable a document ; to make vs giue care to the Psalmists counsell , Psal. 146. 3. Not to put trust in Princes &c. ) Alas ! how hath it cast vs downe from the hopes , which in him we conceiued , and forcibly brought vs to acknowledge , as in our text , The crowne of our head to be fallen ?

Surely not a great man onely in Israel , 2. Sam. 3. 38. as Dauid sometimes spake of Abner , but the very crowne and glorie of our Israel ; who , howsoeuer hee be taken away in Gods great mercy and loue to him ( no doubt , ) as Enoch , of whom is chronicled , Gen. 5. 24. that hee walked with God , and was no more seene ; for God tooke him away ; or as Iosiah , to Whom was promised as a speciall fauour from the Lord , that he should be : gathered to his fathers , and be put into the graue in peace , 2. Chro. 34. 28 that his eies might not see the euils , which God purposed to bring vpon that place and people : yet for ourselues , well may wee dread , lest this his taking away , hath beene in Gods displeasure rather towards vs , who were neither worthy of , nor yet truly thankfull for , such and so great a blessing .

Whom therefore God , according to that threat in Ezelkiel , of taking away the Diademe and the Crowne , Ezek. 21. 26. hath taken away from vs ; by the losse and misse , to bring vs to conceiue more rightly of the worth of such a gift . The Lord grant wee may take it to heart , to make a right vse of it . Since for the cause procuring ( so farre as it concerneth ourselues ) alas ! what may we reckon it , but our sinnes deseruing iustly so great , yea a greater iudgèment ? as in detestation of our selues therefore , wee truely may , and wil redily , if once throughly humbled , acknowledge in our Prophets wailing words , Woe vnto vs that wee haue sinned . Since if wee also shall more question of the cause , or say in our heart , wherefore are these things thus come vpon vs ? leremy our Prophet hath long agone made vs heereto answere , Ierem. 13. 22. For the multitude of thine iniquities , are thy skirts discouered , and thy heeles made bare .

For surely so , as it is generally sin , that brings shame and iudgement vpon any people , as on the old world , on Sodome , and the Canaanites , &c. to the very rooting out of them from the earth : so more particularly and for the purpose , that it is for the peoples sins that princes are taken away , witnesse that testimony , Prou. 28. 2. For the transgression of a land there are many Princes thereof ; often changes of the Crowne , being euermore dangerous to a Common-weale ; as wee may see for instance . 1. King . 16. In the disioynted state of Israel .

Yea farther , not to vrge many proofes to this purpose , looke but in Isaiah 3. How as a maine iudgement , Verse 1. the Lord of Hostes threatneth to take away from Ierusalem and Iudah , Vers. 2 the stay and strength , the strong man , and the man of Warre , the Ruler , and the Prophet , the Prudent , and the Aged . Appointing children to be their Princes , vers. 4 and babes to rule ouer them . But what may be imagined the cause of all this ruine ? It followeth after , Doubtlesse lerusalem is fallen , verse . 3. and Iudah is fallen downe ; because their tongues and works are against the Lord , to prouoke the eies of his glory . Yea the triall of their countenance testifieth against them , vers. 9. they declare their sinnes as Sodome , they hide them not ; and therefore , Woe now vnto their soules , for they haue rewarded euill vnto themselues , ver. 14. 16. And hee instanceth after in the end of the Chapter , in two chiefe euils , the tyrannous oppression of their gouernours , and their womens want onnesse and pride . The fruit of which and all the rest , redounding to the ruine and subuersion of the state , wee may read concluded in the last verse . verse 26. Therefore shall her gares lament , and mourne , and shee being desolate shall sit vpon the ground .

To bring no more for confirmation of this generall truth , that it is the sin of the people that mooueth God to take away their Princes ; a thing which both Nehemiah and Daniel , and here and elsewhere our Ieremy , and all the faithfull in such cases truly humbled haue acknowledged : haue not wee reason in this case to suspect our selues , yea to conclude that for our sinnes , God Almighty in his displeasure , hath sent this losse of losses , and made this breach vpon vs ?

It may be ( to make coniecture ) for our great vnthankefulnesse ; in that God hauing affoorded vs heretofore many great and maruellous , if not miraculous , Deliuerances ; as to name but two most memorable , from the inuasion of our professed enemies , and their inuincible Armado in 88 ; and since from that hellish designe ( worthy a lasting monument for detestation ) of the Popish pioners : wee haue not rendred according to the reward bestowed on vs , 2. Chr. 32. 25. but haue had our hearts lift vp : for which therefore wee may iustly feare , that this wrath is come vpon vs .

Or may it not be , for yet a farther degree of foule ingratitude , that hauing beene blessed by God , as much as euer any Nation , with aboundance of long peace in a fruitfull Countrey , wee haue giuen him cause to complaine of vs , as in that song of Moses Deut 32. Verse 15. against his people , that we that should haue beene vpright , when we waxed fat haue spurned with the heele ; yea being fatte and grosse and laden with fatnesse , haue either quite forsaken God that made vs , or not as wee should regarded the strong God of our saluation , Verse 16. but haue prouoked him to anger , if not with strange Gods , yet certainclie , with many foule abominations and crying sinnes ? So that as the widowe of Sarephath , when shee saw her childe breathlesse , cried out in a passion vnto Elijab 1. King . Verse 16. 17 : O thou man of God , art thou come to mee , to call my sinne to remembrance , and to stay my sonne ? So may wee acknowledge , with humiliation vnder his hand , that God is come vnto vs , to call our sinnes vnto remembrance , and therefore hath taken away our Prince . And whether farther yet , his purpose be to proceede against vs , except by speedy turning from sinne we stay his hand , wee haue cause to feare .

But surely by this already done , the Lord God hath more then manifested , that his are vpon vs , ( as of old he threatned Israel ) as vpon a sinful kingdome , Amos 9. 8. with whom he hath already entred action , Leuit. 26 25. as meaning to auenge the quarel of his couenant : and to maintain his controuersie against vs ; the same verily and none other , Hosea 4. 1. which in Hosea he prosessed to haue with the inhabitants of the Land of Israel , viz. for the crying sinnes of our Land prouoking the eies of his glory .

For howsoeuer by the mercy of God , we haue wherewith to stop the mouth of the blasphemous Aduersary , both in regard of our profession after the way which they cal Heresie , Acts 24. 14. worshipping the God of our Fathers , beleeuing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets ; and in regard of practise , Rom. 6. 17. not being destitute of those , who from the heart haue obeyed vnto the forme of Doctrine , whereunto they haue beene deliuered : yet so few in comparison are they that ioine these two together , or willingly brooke the Narrow way to life , The strait gate &c. vpon Luk 13 13. 24 ( as hath beene shewed in the treatise formerly written touching that Argument , ) that vpon the body of our professors may iustly light that exprobration of the Propher Ieremy , Ierem. 7. 8 viz that they doe but trust in lying words when they cry so loud , The Temple of the Lord , The Temple of the Lord , &c.

For alas show can it secure or profit vs before the Lord , that we haue the vndoubted marks of a true visible church , in soundnesse of Doctrine , and forme of worship , whiles the matter of cortroucrsie betweene God and vs remaineth , no truth , Hosca 4. 1. nor mercy , nor found knowledge of God in the lands No , but insteed there of for all the Lords care of his Vinoyard & our paineful preaching ( and what , then thinke you would be if the Lord should let fall his care , if there were no preaching , no planting of the best plants . no plucking vp of the euill weedes ? ) A plentifull Vintage of those wilde and sowre grapes , of impiety and vnmercifulnesse , wherwith in Esaies time his teeth were set on edge ; Isai. 5. 4. and which by his Prophet Hosea hee casteth in the teeth of the wicked Israelites , Hos. 4. 2. who by swearing , and lying , and killing , and stealing , and whoring , are said to breake out and bloud to touch bloud . vers. 3 And therefore no maruel if the land mourneth , &c.

And yet behold , we are by the same Prophet immediatly after directed , to take knowledge of a sinne of lowder cry in the Lords eares , then any of the forementioned , where hee saith , yet let none rebuke nor reprooue another , verse 4 as if he should say , it is but lost labour , for thy people are as those that rebuke the Preist . Amos 5. 13 An euill time indeed when the prudent shall bee aduised to keepe silence , 1. King . 22. 8. because , as Ahab could not away with Micaiah , so , men hate him that rebuketh in the gate , verse 10 and abhorre him that speaketh vprightly . So euill a time , that where this sinne preuaileth it may bee feared the time of vengeance is not farre of ; as the Lord himselfe sheweth , iustifying his seuere proceeding against his people in the captiuity of Babylon , 2. Chr. 36. 16. because they mocked his messengers , despised his words , misused his Prophets , vntill the wrath of the Lord arose against his people , and till there was no remedy , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 or ( as the word imports ) no farther [ healing . ]

What shal I seeke for more particulars ? for those crying sinnes that pulled fire from heauen vpon Sodome , euen those foure Cardinall crimes which the Prophet Ezekiel : Ezek. 16. 49. expresly mentioneth , viz. Pride , Fulnesse of bread , Abundance of idlenesse , Cruelty in not strengthening the hand of the poore and needy : Oh! that we could say our land were free from them ! But alas , we cannot .

For first , who seeth not that Pride , that setteth it selfe out to euery eic in their outward habit , proportionable neither to the body that weares it , nor to the estate that should maintaine it , nor to the sober liking of those that should approue it ? in al which regards , it falleth vnder the same condemnation with the strange and disguised attire , Isa. ●● . ●5 . Zeph. 1. 3. by the old Prophets so long agoe seuerely censured . But there is yet another Pride , that keepeth it selfe more out of view , surking secretly in the heart ; yet not so secretly , but , either by the trial of the countenance and gesture , or by words , especially when there is occasion of boasting and contention , or by port and affecting of high place ; or lastly by intruding into Gods office , rashly passing censure vpon anothers seruants , it doth more or lesse discouer it selfe to be that Pride of heart that God abhorreth .

Secondly for fulnes of bread , comprehending not onely gluttonous eating , but also that fowler abuse , now a daies , and more vniuersall deluge of excessiue drinking : are not these the times which our Sauiour said should paralel the daies of Noah ? and we of this nation the persons of whom nothing is to be storied , but that we are found as it were [ at racke and manger ] eating and drinking as if wee had no other care , Math. 24. 38. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 but to nourish our hearts as in a day of slanghter ? Iam 55. and God grant it bee not against the day of our owne slaughter . So fearefully are wee ouerslowne with the inundation especially of the sinne of drunkennes , that it is hardly beleeued that excesse in drinking and quassing is a sinne , in such as can beare it away or stand vpright with it : although the Prophet Esay hath left a special woe against them that are mighty to drinke wine , Isai 5. 22. and strong to poure in strong drinke . 1. Pet. 4. 3. And Th' appostle Peter among the lusts of the gentiles ( of all that truly professe Christ to bee abandoned ) reckoneth euen those [ drinkings ] and carrowsings ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 the shamefull sinne of our nation . Oh! if some part of those huge healths , that haue beene heaued vp as a supposed honour to our late renowned Prince , had beene conuerted into humble and feruent praiers to God for his preseruation : we might possibly haue had him now liuing amongst vs , and God surely lesse offended at vs .

Thirdly , that there is no want among vs of Aboundant idlenes , witnes the very liues , that all men looke vpon , of base vagarants ; who like those afflicted and assamished wretches spoken of by the Prophet , Isai 8. 21. are suffered too much euery where ( not for want of good lawes , but of due execution ) to goe to and fro the countrie , wandring about in swarmes to doe mischiefe , and ready when they be hungry to freat themselues , and curese both their King and God ; whiles they wilfully remaine in want because their hands refuse to worke , Prou. 21. 25. hauing nothing but what they get by spoile or beggery from others , to the shame of our christian common wealth , and contrary to the prouision made by that old statute law in Moses ; Deut. 15. 4. That there should bee no begger in Isruel ; renewed and confirmed by Saint Paul as by a latter act of Parliament vnder the Gospell , where he telleth the Thessalonians , 2. Thes. 3. 10. how he had warned them here of before , that if any would not worke being able , hoe should not eat .

Howbeit , I would to God there were not others guilty of this Sodomsinne of Idlenes , that would be accounted as their place requireth , of farre better reckoning ; yea euen of the greater ones , the Nobles and gentrie of our Land , especially yonger brothers , liuing without any calling carelesly , Amos 6. 1 not a few , who as those in Amos , against whom God denounceth a fearefull woe , ver. 3 liuing at ease in Sion , and therefore putting away farre from them the euil day , ver. 4 doe stretch themselues on beds of Iuory , eating the lambes of the flocke , and the Calues out of the stall , singing to the sound of the Violl , &c. and drinking wine in bowles , no man being sorrie for the affliction of Ioseph . As if they had beene placed by God on earth to doe nothing else , but what Leuiathan is made to doe in the sea , Psal. 104. 26 euen to play and sport themselues ; as those rich ones in Iames , Iam. 5. 5 against whom we read that indicement , inough in the last day if there were none other to condemne them , yee haue liued in pleasure vpon the earth .

Fourthly that there is amongst vs ( notwithstanding many wholsome lawes , better then which no kingdome euer had in that behalfe ) cruelty and miserable oppression of the poorer sort , insteed of strengthning their hands , practised for maintenance of riot and Idlenes in the rich ( for idlenes must haue maintenance from others labors ) as in those idlers in Saint Iames , Iam. 5. 4 that are noted to haue kept backe the Laborers hire , ver 6 and to haue condemned and killed the righteous , that were not able to make their partie good against them : let the racking of rents , and raising of fines , turning out of Tenants , and decay of titlage by inclosures , the greedines of hard-hearted Vsurers &c. with the teares of many an oppressed fatherlesse and widdow , beare witnes ; who if they bee not heard , and their wrongs redressed , God that alwaies hath an eare open to such complaints , Isa. 5. 9 will come neere in iudgement , and bee himselfe a swift witnesse , Mal. 3. 5. against such wrong doers , Col. 3. 25. who shall receiue for the wrong that they haue done , of him with whom there is no respect of persons .

Adde hereto finally , that luke-warmnes both in profession and in practise , ouer-spreading our Church , sometimes reproued in Laodicea , Reu. 3. 16. whiles we conceit but too well of our owne perfections : and that conniuence and suffering too much , as in Thyatira , of the woman lezabel , Reu. 2. 20 and her seducing shauelings : together with the little reckoning and light regard , that most make , not onely , as Manasses in his prosperity , 2. Chro. 33 10 of instructions from the word of God , but also , as those in Isaiah , of the corrections and rod of God , that God may now despaire of vs , and say as to his people , Wherefore should yee be smitten any more , Isai 1. 5 for ye fall away yet more and more ? So dangerously are wee ouer growne with that roote , bringing forth gall and wormewood , Deut. 29. 18 that whether wée heare the words of Gods curse , wee blesse our selues in our he iris , verse 19. saying we shall haue peace though we walke after the stubbornes of our owne hearts , thus adding drunkennes to thirst , till the Lord statly refuse to be any longer mercifull : verse 20 or whether wee feele the stroke of his hand smiting vs , as hee hath done , with pestilence , famine , inundations , drought , tempestuous weather , and the rauening teeth of those wild beasts , pernicious Pirates I meane , who haue gathered head , so that the seas are at this day , like tho high waies of Israel , Iudg. 5. 6 in the daies of Shamgar and Iael , unoccupied in manner ; and Trauailers forced to seeke out by-waies for their safetie , wee are so farre from returning to him that hath smitten vs , Isai 9. 13 that wee rather seeke to enter couenant with death and with hel , Isai 28. 15 that vnder the refuge of falshood wee may auoid the scourge ; or howsoeuer , persisting with branded Ahaz in the time of tribulation to trespas yet more , 3. Chro. 28. 22 against the Lord .

All these laid now together vpon the heape , alasse , men and brethren , what thinke you that wee may iudge of our selues ? or thinke you that it is not high time for vs , 1. Cor. 11. 31 as the Corinthians are aduised by the Appostle , to iudge our selues , that we be not yet farther iudged of the Lord ? yes verily , neither shall we neede , Iosh. 7. 14. as Ioshua brought the tribes , families and housholds of Israel , so to bring forth and as it were cast lots vpon these our sinnes to find out the Achan that hath troubled Israel : since all these sinnes , where euer they house or harbour , within the wauy confines of this I le , they be the wretched Achans , euery kind and one of them , that haue by prouoking against vs Gods displeasure beene thus farre troublers and quenchers of the light of this our Israel .

Neither yet , Iam 3. 21. were it not for the Neuer . failing , compassions and faithfulnesse of the Lord , might wee hope for future peace or safety ; 2 King . 9. 22. whiles these witchcrafts and whoredomes of that Iezabel of naturall corruption , are yet in so great number , Prou. 30. 20 that if we as the adulterous woman , should wipe our mouth and say we haue done none iniquity , yet could the Lord of heauen & earth , euen the Iudge himselfe , beare witnesse and reproue vs , Amos 5. 1 a saying as in Amos , I know your manifold transgressions , & your mighty sins : To which therefore ( to conclude at length this second point ) let vs , without either blaming supposed second causes , or accusing God of too strict iustice in this behalfe , learne in true humility to referre all our losse , crying as heere our humbled Prophet , Woe now vnto vs , for we haue sinned , and therefore loe the Crowne of our head fallen . With which fall if yee desire to heare how wee ought to bee affected , it commeth now to bee considered from the first words of the 15. ver. The ioy of our heart is ceased .

For , this being an vndoubted consequent , of the feeling apprehension of their present calamitie , accompanied with feare of farther miserie ; hence ( to 〈◊〉 enlarging ) may wee take direction , how we also with our losse should bee affected : how ? but as the holy Virgiue to whom the many sorrowes for her blessed son were ( as old Simcon compared them ) a sword that should pearce through her soule . Luk. 2. 35. A dangerous wound , and deadly , if not to the life , yet to the ioy and comfort of the heart . For verily those hearts must needs bee armed with stony , yea adamantine hardnesse ; which are not pierced with this sword of sorrow : which melt not , 2. Chro. 34. 28 as Iosiah his heart , at the apprehension of Gods iudgement : yea which , with Ieremy , wish not the head a cesterne of water , Ierem. 9. 1. and the eies as fountaines of teures , to weepe day and night for the fall of their crowne .

The greatest cause of sorrow , and most important losse , excepting that one ( if that were greater , which was so soone and graciously by God himselfe repaired ) of our last renowned Soueraigne Queene Elizabeth , that euer in our age befell this flourishing state & kingdome : able to make all true hearted Subiects to weep , til with Dauid and his followers at Ziklag , 1. Sam. 30 4 we be able to weepe noe more . If not for him somuch , who was taken from our head to be translated into blisse , yet , as our Sauiour said to the daughters of Ierusalem , Luk. 23. 28 for our selues and for our children , who feele all the losse .

Whereat howsoeuer wee haue iust cause to grieue , and somuch the more because we may easily conceiue how Gath and Ashkelon and the vncircumcised hollow hearted Philistines within our selues , 2. Sam. 1. 20 if not happily Moab , Ammon , and Edom , some of our bordering euill neighbours also doe reioice ( to whom wee haue to answer with the Church in Micah , Mica . 7. 8. Reioice not against me , Lam. 4. 21 ô mine enemy , though I fall , &c. For , may not the cup also passe through vnto thee ? ) yet are wee not left destitute of most Princely hopes , in those royal branches , more than one , springing from the same blessed roots ; and now a third , in lieu of that fallen off , we trust by Gods owne hand , for the increase of strength and honour to this kingdome , happily into the same stocke to be inserted . So happy a Match , howsoeuer the il willers to Sion may maligne it , that hardly could the Christian world , for purity and parity of true Religion , in all points fundamentall , agreeing with our Church ( witnesse that worthy Palatine Catechisme , expounded by learned Vrsinits ) affoard the like .

That yet we may haue good hope , 1. Sam. 4 , 21 that Ichabod is not borne , Num , 24 , 23 nor the glorie to depart from Israel ( for , who shall liue when God doth this ? ) nor we to be left , 1. King . 22 , 17 as Israel in Micaiahs vision scattered vpon the mountaines , as sheepe without any Shepheard : vnlesse as our vnthankefulnesse hath already defeated our first hope , Isa. 9. 12. so the want of feeling of this heauy stroake cause the hand of God to bee still stretched out against vs , Lam. 3. 65. till , maugre our dulnesse and obstinacie , he haue giuen vs sorrow of heart , euen his curse vpon vs . but , oh let it thus befall thine enemies and ours , O Lord ! and such as reioice in our sorrow , or refuse to sorrow with vs , giue them sorrow in due time ; but without vs . As for vs , whose names the Almighty hath changed from Naomi to Marah , Ruth 1. 20. teaching vs , not only by nature to lament the sorrowfull effect , but also by grace to be humbled for the sinnefull cause , let vs in the fourth and last place learne how to expresse and testifie our repentant sorrow , as the meanes to turne away Gods anger and prcuent our farther danger , from the practise of this holy Prophet , and people of God , professed in the last words of the 15 verse , our dance is turned into mourning .

How could they , yea how can wee better suite our selues , to the hand and minde of God , ( who calling to mourning , chargeth men to bee no more mockers , Isai 28. 22 lest their bandes encrease ) then when all ioy is darkened , Isai. 24. 11 and the mirth of the world is gone away , to turne our Harpes into mourning , Iob 30. 31 and our Organs into the voice of them that weepe ? For , howsoeuer the Lord delighteth not in the affliction and sorrow of his creatures , being therefore to bee euer magnified , Psal , 35. 27 because he loueth the prosperity of his seruants ; yet knowing best what is for our good , and prouiding mercifully that by timely sorrow for sinne , we may haue peace in our latter end : he doth not cease both by voice & hand , to inforce this duty of humiliation vpon vs . One while with loud threatning hee crieth out as by our Prophet Ieremy 13. 15. 16. Heare and giue eare , and be not proud , for the Lord hath spoken it : giue glorie to the Lord your God , before hee bring darkenesse , and or euer your feet stumble in the dark mountaines , &c. Yea , verse 18. Say vnto all [ high and low ] humble your selues , sit downe , for the crowne of your glory shall come downe from your heads . Another while , the former not predailing , hee vndertaketh by strong hand to create a day , or rather night , of mourning : In that day , saith he by the Prophet Amos , Amos 8. 9 I wil euen cause the Sunne to goe downe at noone , and I will darken the earth in the cleere day , &c. And I will turne your feasts into mourning , Verse 10. and all your songs into Lamentations , and I will bring sackloth vpon all loines , and baldnesse vpon euery head , and will make it as the mourning of an onely sonne , and the end thereof as a bitter day . One while he informeth vs how we must sit our selues so to draw neere vnto him , that hee may drawe neere to vs : Iam. 4. 9. [ Afflict your selues ] and sorrow and weepe ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 yea , let your laughter be turned into mourning , and your ioy into [ a sad looked ] heauinesse . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Another while , he lets vs vnderstand , how indignely he takes it , that when hee calles to mourning , men should giue themselues to mirth and feasting : It was declared ( saith the Prophet ) in the cares of the Lord of Hosts . Isai. 22. 14. But what followeth ? Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till yee die , saith the Lord of Hosts .

A doome sufficient , if there were nothing else , to awake and rouse vs vp to sorrowing , Zach. 12. 11. to send vs to Iladadrimmon , and make vs all to fall downe weeping and wailing as in the valley of Megiddon ; yea to present our selues before the Lord , that mercifull great King of Israel , 1 Kings 20. 32 like Benhadads seruants , with ropes about our necks , acknowledging what wee haue demerited . For loe this the ready way to find compassion and abundant kindnes with the Lord ; who hath himselfe , in Ioel 2. 12. directed vs vnto this course , of renting our hearts , ver. 13. and with fasting , weeping and mourning , to turne vnto him , that is gracious , and mercifull , slow to anger , and of great kindnes , repenting of the euill . For , verse 14 as it followeth , who knoweth , if hereupon he will repent , and returne and leaue a blessing behind him ? especially , shall we to this noise of mourning , adioine the voice of feruent and humble crying ( as verse 17. they were directed ) both priest and people , weeping between the porch and the altar , and saying , spare thy people , O Lord , and giue not thy heritage vnto reproch , for wherefore should they say among the people , where is their God ? for surely being thus once truly humbled before the Lord , wee shall finde , as there is added ver. 18. that the Lord he will be iealous ouer his land and spare his people , hee will not giue his heritage vnto reproch , not suffer the enemie to say , where is their God ?

No , for seeing the kingdome is the Lords , who howsoeuer mortall Princes perish , Lamen. 5. 19 yet rein lineth for euer , hauing prepared his throne in heauen , Psal. 103. 19 and by his kingdome ruling ouer all , being he onely by whom Kings doe raigne , Prou 8. 15 and to whom , as Hannah sung , belong the pillers of the earth , 1. Sam. 2. 8 who will preserue the feete of his Saints , verse 9 when the wicked shall be put to silence in the darke ; who dwelleth among vs as a King in the armie , Iob 29. 25 and as hee that comforteth the mourners , saying , Isai 51. 12 I , euen I am he that comfort you ; who are wee that wee should feare any mortall man , or the sonne of man who shall bee made as grasse ? verse 13 forgetting the Lord our maker that hath spread out the heauens , and laid the foundation of the earth , &c. Doubtles there is none like God , Deut. 33. 20 O Iesehurun , which rideth vpon the heauens for thine helpe , and on the clouds in his glory , nor any like vnto thee ô people saued by the Lord who is the shield of thine helpe , verse 29 and the sword of thy glorie .

Onely let our Asae , with all Iudah and Beniamin heare the condition of amitie long agoe proclaimed by the Lords prophet ; 2. Chro. 15. 2 The Lord is with you , while you bee with him ; and if yee seeke him he will be found of you : Isai 62. 5 Then shall we be a crowne of glory in the hand of the Lord , and as a roiall Diademe in the hand of our God : yea , he himselfe , the Lord of hostes shall bee vnto vs for a crowne of glorie , Isai 28. 5. and for a diademe of beautie : and to our King especially , as to his seruant Dauid , 2. Sam. 22 51 a tower of saluation shewing mercy to his annointed , euen to his seruant Iames our Soueraigne , and to his seed after him for euer .

Wherefore , for conclusion , to apply our selues both to that ancient counsell , and the present hand of God ; ( this being as the Philosopher told the Romane Emperor , Herodian l. 1 Non hoc , Iudorum tempus , ô Commode , &c. no fit time for sporting , when as not the sword of Perennius , or any mortall enemy , but the glittering sword of the immortall God , may seeme to bee vnsheathed and shaken at vs , ) let vs , as many as desire to see the welfare of Ierusalem , and peace vpon Israel , so addresse our selues to mourning , Amos 4. 12 that we may prepare to meet our God comming out against vs , who will no doubt be pacified towards vs , and repenting of the euill , 2. Sam. 24. 16 will say to the destroying Angel , it is sufficient , hold now thine hand ; when hee shall behold vs humbling our selues before him in vnfained repentance , and hearty praier .

First , in repentance . For seeing the Lord hath himselfe begunne to search vs , as he did this people , and that wee suffer doubtles for our forenamed sinnes ; Lament. 3. 40 what should we , but ( after their example ) search and try our waies , and turne againe vnto the Lord ? who now assuredly hearkneth whether any speake aright , Ierem. 8. 6 repenting him of his wickednes , and saying , what haue I done ? which if he may heare , behold a booke of remembrance , Malach. 3. 16 shall bee written before him for them that feare the Lord , and thinke vpon his name . Oh then , let vs for our parts , write our booke of Remembrance , & because of all this , Nehe. 9. 38 make a sure couenant with the Lord , and we our Princes & our Priests , put hand and seale vnto it . Into which whosoeuer shall refuse to enter , and to say with vs , woe now vnto vs that wee haue sinned , Ierem. 4. 13 shall certainly one day bee forced to cry out , woe and alasse vnto vs , for wee are destroied .

Yea further for a speciall proofe of our sincere and serious Repentance , let vs with Asa and the people vnder him vpon the forementioned admonition ioifully enter into a league and oath of association , 2. Chr. 15. 22 not only our selues to seeke the Lord God of our fathers , with all our heart , and with all our soule : but also whosoeuer will not seeke the Lord God of Israel ( but will cleaue to , verse 13 or plead for Baal , and either become themselues , or approue of that accursed Iesuited generation , that account it merit orious , to vndermine and blow vp Parliament houses , to murder and massacre sacred Princes , yea to kill young and old , nocents , as they reck on them , and innocents all together , their friends for company so their foes may perish ) shall I say according to the iustice of that law , let them be staine , whether great or small , whether man or woman ? nay rather in charity , I wish first for their good , that they might be compelled to serue the Lord : 2. Chro. 34. 33 or otherwise for our Churches peace , & kingdomes safety , that either they were exiled quite from among vs , that they might infect no longer , or so curbed at least , that their number and strength might not encrease , to endanger vs farther .

For surely ( to speake plainely ) howsoeuer it be good to repose our confidence alone in God , of whose careful goodnes this land hath had so plentifull experience ; yet shall we , as behoueth vs , consider the continuall machinations , and attempts of these Iesuitish Locusts possessed with the spirit of their Prince Abaddon , Reuel 9. 11 or but looke vpon the wound that freshly bleeding in our neighbors sides ( the reward which that redoubted French King Henry the fourth , receiued for taking downe the statue of reproch , and admitting a-againe this viperous broode into the heart of his kingdome ) how can wee iudge it lesse then a tempting of God to relie still vpon miraculous deliuerances , if wee suffer meane while to the preiudice of our head , the taile of the false Prophet , Isai 9. 15 and popery , to spread it self , as a contagion thorough our land ? Surely if the swarmes of those Locusts fill euery corner , and take liberty secretly to poison and infect both the mother & the children , ( if not to packe them ouer sea to Rome or Rhemes &c. to be farther corrupted ) we are in danger neuer to want pricks in our eies , and thornes in our sides , Numb. 33. 55 to vexvs in the good land , where we dwell ; or cruell Esaus that gape but for a mournfull day , Gen. 27. 41 to take aduantage against their more blessed and therefore hated brethren . The God of counsell work in the hearts , of them who are in chiefest place and power , carefully to prouide for the welfare and safety of this Church and state , especially of that light that maketh great Britain glorious , that al the smoke of the bottomles pit may neuer dazle or eclipse his shining brightnes .

For vs , the best part of our armour against these , & al both enemies & euils , what is it , but ( which before was noted as necessary to be adioined to our Repentance ) to poure forth earnest and seruent praier vnto the Lord , with whom hauing power , Gen. 31. 28 wee shall vndoubtedly preuaile with men .

First , for our selues and land in generall , that our crying sins , the causes of iudgement , vpon our true Repentance being pardoned , there may be an end put to the Lords controuersie ; that the peace being renewed beween God and vs , Iob 22. 21 we may haue all prosperity ; or if the Lord shal see that we stand in need of farther chastisement , he would be pleased yet to allow vs Dauids choise , that we may fal into his hands with whom is mercy , 2. Sam. 24. 14 and not into the hands of vnreasonable and ruthlesse men .

Secondly and principally , let our praier be vnto God for his royall Maiesty , as to preserue his Princely person , making , ( Baruch 1. 11 ) his daies vpon earth as the daies of Heauen , that vnder him we may leade a quiet peaceable life , 1. Tim. 2 , 2 in all honesty and godlines , wishing him what the ancient Christians did vnto their Emperors , Tertul. in apologet , cap. 30. vitam prolixam , Imperium securum , &c. that God would grant him a long life , &c. so to fil his heart with grace to make a right and holy vse of this great and heauy losse , that drawing neerer in humble submission & obedience vnto his God , he may be pleased to cheere vp his humbled soule with the inward sense and sweet feeling of his fatherly loue , and with assurance of his mercy towards himself , his gracious Queene , and their royall seed ; that , both their elder yeeres may bee crowned with long lasting happinesse in themselues , and their seed after them continue as lights in our Ierusalem , to weare the Diademe , 1. King . 11. 36 yea to bee the crowne of these Christian Kingdomes , vntill Shiloh his second comming in glory .

And euen so let the Lord liue , Psal. 18. 46 & praised be our strength , & the God of our saluation be exalted . Psal. 21. 1 Yea , let the King reioice in thy strength ô Lord , & be greatly glad in thy saluation . Giue him his hearts desire , and denie him not therequest of his lips . Preuent himwith liberal blessings , & keepe the crowne of pure gold vpon his head . Yea , ô Lord , that hee may long continue our crown , Adde to his yeers as to the daies of Hezekiah , and let his glory be great in thy saluation , increase of honour & dignity now in his elder yeeres being laid vpon him . Finally , let him remaine in himselfe , and his Progeny to vs and ours , as blessings for euer ; Thou , ô Lord , making him glad with the ioy of thy louing countenance . For why ? The King trusteth in the Lord , and therefore in the mercy of the most high hee shal not miscarry . For behold , Gods hand shall finde out all his enemies , &c.

Amen , holy Father great King of glory , as thou didst deale with gracious Queene Elizabeth , whiles semper cadem shee trusted in thee , & would not yeelde , maugre so many mischieuous attempts against her sacred person , one iot to Antichrist , and as thou hast hitherto also dealt miraculously in preseruing thine annointed seruant Iames our gracious Soueraigne ; so deale with him , we beseech thee , still , and still ; Psal. 132. 10. let all his enemies bee clothed with shame , but vpon himselfe and his , let the crown of these Kingdomes flourish , that happy he may be for euer , Psal. 146. 5. hauing thee the God of Iaacob for his aide , and wee thy people happy , and our land , hauing thee for our God , and thy Christ for our Soueraigne king , and our Princes vnder him , maintaining thy truth , Eccles. 10. 17. the sonnes of Nobles , and our glorious Crowne .

HOS. 6. 1 :

Come , and let vs returne vnto the Lord : for hee hath spoiled , and hee will heale vs ; he hath wounded vs , and he will binde vs vp .