The Reason and Vse of this Treatise .

Declaring the right hand of the Lord with His servants , in the way of working salvation for His Kingdomes : which way is so demonstrated to every man , that he must see himselfe stand charged in particular to worke for himselfe in the same way , as be regards the salvation of his owne soule .

I Must necessarily suppose , that no man , in the Christian world , can be a stranger to the affairs of these times ; what the condition of England ( not to speake of Ireland ) is at this present time ; what fraud has been used to under-mine the Church , the City of God there , these many years ; what forcing against her these yeares by-past ; what forcible waies have been taken to storme it this last yeare , that it might be no more a Citie , or called by that name ; This very thing , I say , how angry the Nations are ; how those , who should be ( as David speakes of his adversaries ) the Churches guides and friends , how these have magnified themselves against her , have consulted and parlied together ( for an Assembly of Robbers , is called a Parliament in Oxford ) against Thy hidden ones , saying , Come let us cut them off from being a Psal. 83. 4● . Nation : that their name way be no more in remembrance : All this is well knowne to all , that are not willingly ignorant . So also , what waies have been taken by the friends of the LORD CHRIST ( those few that have appeared for Him ) so defend His Church from the furious assaults of bloody men ; and how wonderfull their LORD has appeared on their side ; how He has taken ●o Himselfe power , has discovered those , that magnified themselves against Him ; has exalted His right Hand in all his peoples sight , in delivering , rescuing , protecting , MARVELLOVSLY seperating betwixt His Friends , and His Adversaries ; so maintaining His cause and His servants standing-up for His cause , against the power and policie of all opposers : All this also , is knowne in all the earth , a a Isa. 12. 5. therefore sing unto the LORD and exalt His name Jah : ●or , though the gates of hell stood all this while wide open upon Gods people , yet these gates prevailed not , All this violence , and wrong could not hinder the worke of the LORD , but promoted it rather in all the peoples sight : Blessed be the LORD . Indeed it is the fairest and most admired prospect , that ever was seene , to stand still , and behold the works of the LORD , and the operations of His Hand , reached forth to His servants out of the clouds ; yet is His Hand made visible now before all the Christian world , carrying on and steering the hand and way of his people through seas of proud waters , stormes and tempests , mighty troubles , towards their promised land , a wealthy place . To leave the figure and to speake properly ; The Almighties Hand , steering and guiding His people-in and throughout this whole posturing worke , is cleared now to the eye of flesh , and is wonderfull in our eyes . I shall speake a little here , for it is but a little , which man can speake in this , how wonderfully the Lord has appeared for His servants all along the way , they have gone , to advance His glorie ; but I shall shew openly the way they have gone , to be the very same , wherein all the truely noble in the world have walked , when the Lord was pleased to use their hands for the strengthening themselves , and well-posturing His Kingdomes . This way is cleared to sense and reason , and demonstrable to every man by comparing a Body naturall , with a Body-politique , when there is no soundnesse in the one , nor in the other , but wounds and bruises , and putrifying sores b b Isa. 1. 6. : comparing the one Bodie with the other , and earthly things with spirituall , every man may understand the way of posturing a Kingdome , and himselfe : for that is chiefly intended here , and of chiefe concernment , else the well posturing of a Kingdom will be nothing unto him .

The whole Kingdome is but the great Body politique , whereof 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . M. Ant. Medit. B. 1. Sect. 15. p. 12. he himselfe is not a part ( for so the Philosopher would not have him called , but ) a member . Suppose now , that such a Body , which the naturall man is better acquainted with , a Naturall bodie , lyes here before us , in the same case , as we have read and seen this great Bodie of the Kingdome to be-in , languishing neare unto death , The whole head sicke , and the whole heart faint ; Suppose it so ; and yet we need not make it a supposition , for so it was . We will not now goe to the Colledge of Phisitians to aske them , what is to be done in this case ? Whether something must be put upon the body , or something put into it ? We will put something into it sure enough , so sense and reason tels us , for we are not so forsaken of both , as to clap an head-peece upon this Bodie , then a Breast-plate , so other peeces of armour in order one after another , and then call to him , as once to Sampson , up and quit thy selfe like a man , the Philistins are upon thee . Alas ! The Bodie is weake , because the humours within are so strong , the spirits wasted and spent , because of something within , which must be purged forth first . If you put Armour upon him , it will but cumber him the more , and be a meanes to presse-out , that little spirit , which remaines . The Physitian for the Bodie knowes his worke here , so does the soule-physitian : If the LORD has intrusted them to discretion , they both worke together , and give their directions orderly ; And the maine consultation is about the casting-out of the bad humours , the inabling the man to fight with his disease , and to overcome it : Here the Elders of the Church ( soul-Physitians ) see their worke , they must pray for him [ for the body under such distempers , the mind sympathising with the body , cannot pray for it selfe ; the elders must be called-in now , and that instructeth us not to put off the great work , making peace with God , to our sick bed ; we can doe nothing for our selves then , the Elders must doe all , they must pray for the sick , and ] as the case may be , and humours so strong , fast for him also : for some humours , as spirits , will not out by other meanes . Physitians will prescribe a way how to inable the patient to fight with his disease ; how he may recover his spirits , and fortifie them , make them quick and lively ; Then they will prescribe him a diet , how he may keep himselfe strong , by keeping close to his prescriptions , and to the GOD of his strength , and from all that is hurtfull , may grieve the Spirit of his God , and so a worse thing fall unto him . Now put Armour upon . this man● and speake to him as to Sampson , and he will doe as at other times , when GOD was wi●● him , and he walked with God . It is just so in the posturing of a Kingdome , in the setting that great Body in a posture of Defence ; It is as the diseased Body we read of , but of this in due place .

I think it more pertinent to this place , to say this , That this is the very end the LORD does point at in all his sore judgements upon Kingdomes , and in all the plagues , stroakes , sicknesses , sorrowes , He inflicts on the children of men ; This is the great end , That the plague of the heart may be discovered to every heart : Therefore 1 King . 8. 38. the earth is shaken terribly , that the blood-shed there may be discoverd ; That the Idolls there may be utterly abolished ; The very end , why the Lord ariseth now to shake the earth terribly : And He will not leave shaking till the Idolls be cast-out to the moles and to the batts . In a word , Therefore the Lord has done , and does the evill of punishment , That He may discover to every man , the evill of his sinne ; And so I would descend from a generall to a particular ; for when I have said every man , I have , indeed , spoken to no man , for no man will think it spoken unto him : And indeed it is but a beating of the ayer also , lost labour , to speake unto 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a certaine man , some-body , but I know not whom , who , when you have talked about Posturing a Kingdome , the way how to set it in a good posture of Defence , will not thinke himselfe to be spoken unto , though he can thinke himselfe wholy concerned therein : for this is an old saying , and very true ; he that speakes to every body , speakes to no body : and what is every bodies work is no bodies work , and so by all neglected ; And though every-body would share in the common blessing , yet no-body is so ready to share in the duty ; he would be safe , and have his cabbin and goods so to be , whatever become of the Ship , I meane the Common-wealth ; not considering that he sailes along upon the sea of the world , in the same ship ; and , where others are , there is his cabbin too , his interest is there , the publick welfare concernes himselfe , and his owne safety . But this is not all , suppose that the ship , by the care and the wisedome of the stecremen , come safe to land , yet this mans comfort shall be , but according to the proportion of his care , in seeking the preservation of the ship ; Nay more than this , and so I will speake more plainely , for I intend the information of the simple ; What if the Militia of the Kingdome were fully setled and maintained , what good were that , to that man , who , in the meane time , lyeth quite naked , exposed to all the malice of the Devill and his owne heart ; what were it to him , that the Kingdome is set in a safe and good posture , if in the meane time , he himself be , as a Towne without walls , or as a City whose walls are broken downe ; who or what will may come-in , and goe-out , and make a prey there ? Therefore I will point a few words directly to him , even that particular man , that lookes to have comfort , safety and peace in the Kingdomes safety . That is his hope , But there is an hope , which makes ashamed , like waters dried-up in summer : Is it a true hope ? Then the man has this ground , That all this time , while the Kingdome has been posturing , he has , with the good souldier , learned well to posture himselfe ; he has not neglected to doe that every day , which omitted , will be the greatest cut and grief to our hearts , on that day , the great day , when the ways and secrets of all hearts shall be opened , and all the prizes , the opportunities put-into our hands , let slip thence , and lost there , shall be presented to our knowledge : This will be the Hell indeed . Therefore , that this hope may not be a conceit only , but an Anchor , sure and stedfast , to the soul , amidst the great water-floods , It concernes this man to consider as followes :

He has heard the Drumme beate every day these three yeares together ; It was his Alarm ; he was called upon to put himselfe in a posture of Defence ; for when the houre of temptation and sore agony comes upon him ( it is come upon the world ) and he be found naked , he must be left the more naked of excuse , because he was called-upon every day to maintaine his Militia , to quit himselfe as a good souldier of Jesus Christ : He must think also , if he thinks of himself , and common reason forsakes him not , ( which must needs tell him , ) That sooner or later he shall meet with enemies enough to combate with , though none of those destroyers , ( so busily employed now in working-out their own destruction , and against their intent , the salvation of Gods people ) though none of these , he meet with , yet he must looke to meet with those as bad to combate with , with the Prince ruling in the ayre , Principalities and powers , those mighty adversaries , might and power it selfe ; Besides , vehement winds , and a scorching season , will beat upon the head of every man sooner or later , and down he falls , he knowes not how low , unlesse his standing be sure upon the Rock , in a good posture of Defence ; when a sicknesse unto death comes , then this will be , even the sense of all this , if the heart be not , at that time , as Naballs was , like a stone , dead and past feeling ; Before the man dies ; then , I say , the sense of all this will be ; The man may be now like a wild-Asse traversing his way , but in that Moneth he shall be Jer. 2. 24. found .

But before this day comes , who knows what terrible things he may see ! He may see the tearing-up of mountaines by the rootes , and hurling them into the midst of the sea , as the Prophet expresseth Psal. 46. the terrible commotions , concussions , distractions , which have been , are and will be in posturing times , troublous times ever , when the breaches in Jerusalems wall are making-up ; He may feele the earth trembling , Divells and men raging , garments rouled in blood ; he may see Townes fired ; Cities laid-wast ; all desireable things taken from him , and what his soul loaths given into his hands , instead thereof . Then , if he hath maintained his Militia , if he be , as the good souldier , in a posture of defence , happy is he . If otherwise , neither he nor I can expresse how miserable his case will be ; very miserable and beyond expression . Sinners in Zion , men professing the truth , but not shewing forth the power thereof in their life , these shall be afraid , fearfullnesse and trembling will come upon him , sorrow will overwhelme him ; The proud waters will goe over Psal. 55. 5. his head ; terrours shall make him afraid on every side ; brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation . Job 18. 11.

There is one thing more in this , and commands our serious consideration . Suppose this carelesse person should be instrumentall to the posturing the Kingdome , in throwing out Persons and Things , which have troubled the peace of the same ; Suppose so , while yet he himselfe is an unreformed person , his own Militia is quite neglected ; Then this will follow , That all this he has done , though according to the command of God , is upon his score , and he shall be reckoned with for it , even for the good , he hath done , because after an ill manner . He ( as was said of old ) rebuked pride with another pride ; he has throwne-out Idoll-Persons , and their Idoll services , but is as Idolatrous as were they : They set-up Idolls before their eyes , he setts-them up in his heart : It was Jehues case , a most notable case ; He destroyed Ahab and his house , and had a word for it , the command of God , But he did it for the glory of his own name ; with a zeale burning-hot , but it was for his own house , and was such an Idolater , as Ahab was : Therefore saith the Lord ( it is terrible ) I will avengeth blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu . This Scripture is fully and usefully cleared to me and thee , ( for Mr Burrought upon Hosea , c. i. v. 4. there is a deceit in Generalls ) how dangerous a thing it is to professe our selves teachers of others , and yet not teach our selves ; A reformer of others , and yet our selves unreformed ; An enemy to Idols standing without the man , but a friend to Idols standing-up in his own heart : This is to abhorre Idols , yet to commit sacriledge . It is of great , of infinite concernment . Let me speake this over once more to the Gallio of these times , I would single him out though he is plurall ; I meane them , whose hearts , and hands may be with the Parliament , but they regard the things that are done , no more than Gallio did the beating of Sosthenes ; To this man I Acts 18. 17. would point these few words . 1. He can think it very fit that all that which exalts it selfe in a Kingdome , to the destruction of King and Kingdome , be taken downe ; the Idols there throwne away , for they make a Kingdome naked ; and he can be active this way ; But he heares not himselfe speak all this while unto himselfe , That it more concernes him to throw-out the Idols all , which exalt themselves in his own heart against the Lord Christ , and his own peace . 2. He can , perhaps , command Prayer and Fasting also , think all this seasonable in these troublous times ; but regards not how slack and cold he is at that performance in his house and closset . 3. So for the word of GOD , the power of GOD unto salvation , he can help to widen the doore , to give it a free passage , and yet shut his own heart against it , not subjecting himselfe to the rule and power thereof . 4. So for the Lords day ; he has perhaps helped to vindicate that day from its horrible pollutions , and yet the duties performed on that day , what a wearinesse to him ? 5. So for the Covenant , he can perswade others to enter-into it , and yet not perswaded in his own heart , to stand unto it , though he has lifted-up his hand to the high GOD , and subscribed his name , that so he will doe . He complaines of the publick miseries , but indeed they are the private , that trouble him * * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Isa. 1● . The Ladies saith Homer , wept heartily with Brisei over the body of Patroclus , but it was because their own Lords were slaine in the same ba●tle . ; he helps to quench the fier in the Kingdome with all speed , for he feares the fier will take his dwelling place ; he stands-up against the robbers and spoilers , least they enter his own doores . I could tell him here a very apt and pertinent discourse between Lypsius and Langius , touching the troubles and miseries of Belgia ; But because I suppose this man well skilled in the Latine tongue , as Gallio was , being a chiefe person , a Deputy , I will point only to this discourse in the Lips . de Constant . l. 1. c. 8. Margin , and entreat him heartily to read it , That I may not delay the Reader any longer from taking a full view of the method , and well ordered way , the Nobles and Worthies have taken in this posturing worke : then we shall see , That the Good Souldier has taken the very same way in the posturing himselfe : And so , by the good hand of God with him , he stands as a well postured Kingdom , more stable than are the everlasting hills , and perpetuall mountaines ; The blast of the terrible ones against him , mooves him no more , than does a blast of wind shake a wall of brasse .

CHAP. I. The first worke in Posturing a Kingdome , is ,

The casting-out of Abominations thence , Persons and Things The cheife Heads and Leaders only named ; Whereto are added , Masters of Schooles and Colledges . And to the Abominable things are added , blasphemous Pictures , Divine names given to unhallowed places fignes and dayes . This work is first in designe , last in performance : It is doing , but never done , Much is done , and mighty Reasons given , why there is no more done .

I Must review the comparison betwixt the Civill Body and the Naturall : In this , there were malignant humours as evill spirits ; In that , there are malignant Persons and Things . Malignant Persons , I will but name the chiefe , specially those , who have Defiled the Land with blood ; polluted it with Idolatries ; leavened it with Atheisme and prophanenesse ; All these might be pointed at with the finger . 1. The murtherers first , men of bloods , mighty hunters before the LORD , who have slaine the bodies of men ; spilt their pretious blood like water . God will require it ; At the hand of every beast will GOD require it a a Gen. 9. 5 , ● . At the hands of these beastslike-men , much more , woe unto him and them , who have spilt this blood ; They have defiled the land , and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood , that is shed therein , but by the blood of him that shed it b b Num. 35. 33. . 2. Those , that have ( what in them lay ) spilt the blood of soules , for whom the LORD Christ has shed His most pretious blood : Woe unto them ; a double woe upon Arch-bishops and Bishops , who have , by their abominable doctrines and practises , slaine the soules of men ; so as the Church has complained bitterly , Woe is me now , for my soule is wearied because of murtherers c c Jer. 4. 3 ● . ; murtherers in the highest degree d d Illud perniciosum , quod in aternitate juguiabit , &c. Sal. ad Eccles. l. 2. ● . : The Lord has lifted-up His hand against these ; and by command from Gods mouth , man has lifted-up his hand also , and subscribed his name for the casting of these forth : for they have leavened the land with Atheisme and with Idolatry , and with horrible prophanations : It were endlesse to reckon-up singulars here , This Atheist and that Idolater , these prophane persons , who swarme every where , this were an infinite work . I le name but one single person more , but he is plurall , many , if not a legion ; He is the Catechiser , a Master in the Schoole and Colledge ; Men of infinite use to the places where they are , if they study to be usefull ; If good , then as were the figgs , very good : If bad , very bad e e Jer. 24. 3. : The Schoolemaster , he distilleth , infuseth , droppeth into children what pleaseth them , and that is ever what is worst , whereunto corrupt nature stands most bent and baised . Children are not as we commonly say , tanquam rasae tabula , As a cleane table , or paper , wherein nothing is written , but you may write therein what you please . There is some truth in it , and of excellent use : yet , I say , children are not as cleane paper ; there is something written in them before the father took them into his armes , which all the fingers in the world cannot take forth : The more care is to be had into whose fingers you commit your children ; and under what droppings they are set . If the little vessell be ill seasoned at first , it is more then a doubt , it will never prove good for service , or honourable use * * Childs pa●● . c. 1 , 2. &c. 9. : Much might be said here , and to very great purpose ; I le say but this , and this I will say , because I have observed nothing done or said against these men hitherto : These Catechisers if evill , are as evill as are the evill Priests ; nay more corrupting , if more can be , than are those brutish Pastours ; Take them together , they are altogether corruptours , All as lepers , pests and plagues in a common-wealth . So much to Schoolemasters , that there may bê eyes set upon them : So also upon Masters of Colledges , and Tutours there ; These are as were the former , If bad , very bad . Children are ( so they are now adayes in yeares and understanding ) transmitted too soone to the Colledge , ( a slippery place and in a slippery f f Lubricus locus & lubrica aetas : & facilis est in eâ prolapsio , Cic. age : ( The Masters there , and the Tutours admit these children , take the Parents money , and returne home their children , Asses g g Accipimus pecuniam & remittimus Asinos . , ) which was the old complaint ; Parents may complaine more bitterly now ; Our children , good when we sent them to the Colledge h h Aula tua recipit , non sacit bonos . Childs patr. c. 9. , have spent our money there , and a pretious stock of time there , and have gained nothing but what tends to their eternall losse , corruption in their judgement and manners : O the sad complaints this way ! They shall be heard now : The Schoole and the Colledge it shall be visited ; high time ; for there are malignant persons many , and things not a few , I must point to these next .

These are , I know not how many , but I will gather them-up into as short a summe as I can . 1. Idols , and Idoll services , with their appurtenances , all things belonging thereunto ; all these are no sooner set-up , adorned and served , but a kingdome is made naked , and cast-downe . 2. With these I must ranke blasphemous pictures , and representations hung up for signes g g Holy Lambe , salutation , &c. in many places . 3. Sacred names h h St Saviours . St. Faiths . given to our meeting places , commonly called Churches : To i i The Providence . Ships also , and to dayes , which we call holy : So we should not doe , for we have but one Holy-day , and that is the LORDS Day ; Other dayes there are , good dayes a a Esth . 9. 22. dayes of praise and thanksgiving : and dayes of attonement , Fasting dayes , soule afflicting dayes : As for holy dayes , we know not where to find them , unlesse in Romes Calender : and if we have them thence , then sure we must cast them-out of ours : And greater reason yet , why it should be so ; Because old Latimer said long since , The Devill has more service done him upon one holy day , then he has on ten working dayes . The strongest plea for keeping in these dayes is , That children and servants must have dayes for recreation . Yes , but let them not be called holy dayes . There shall be fit times appointed , wherein children and servants , yea and masters too , may take meet and fitting recreations ; [ I meane by meet , such as are recreations indeed ; truly so called , comely for Christians , such as will indeed make them fit for warre : ] But when we have said all , or enough touching this grant or allowance , for lawfull recreations , and fit times for them , yet holy dayes , as we ignorantly , or wickedly call them , shall be cast-out , when all is done . 4. Bookes next ( for so some mis-call them ) those accursed things , so filled-up with blasphemies , heresies ; such in-lets to atheisme and prophanenesse , making roomth for Rome , and bringing-in Sodome to Jerūsalem ; These shall be cast-out . To name the last first , Bookes ( as they call them ) which deny , that the Law of GOD has any coercive , or binding power ; Man is a lawlesse creature now ; let him doe what he has a will to doe , GOD sees him not ; Though it be said every where , they did evill in GODS sight , yet GOD sees no sinne in His children . What Booke shall we heare of next ? We need not question it ; A Booke denying the immortality of the soule , or affirming , That the soul does sleepe with the body : I could tell the Reader how an Heathens booke was served , who had written but doubtfully touching such a matter ; It is high time , &c. but I know my place and station .

I might be large here , and yet say little , because vile , treacherous and prophane Persons are so many ; and Things , defiling and destructive to a Nation , are , as many ; Therefore , if I should say more , yet . I should not say the halfe ; The halfe ! when we shall heare what the Good Souldier will say , who will give us the life and use of all this , and speake all he knowes faithfully touching his own heart , the Malignant lords there , ( for every lust there , not crucified is a lord there : ) And Things , yet he cannot speake the halfe of that evill , or malignancy , he finds within himselfe , his own heart ; A great part whereof he never knew ; A great part of it , and of the evill therein , is to him as the terra incognita to us , There is a space left for it in our Maps : So is there a prayer put-up by this man every day , for pardon of that evill , which he discernes not , but he knowes it is there . Therefore sith it will be upon confession anon , That there is more evill in one mans heart , than he can possibly take notice of ; I forbeare to name any more Persons or Things , which are to be found in a Kingdome , That I may take the more time to satisfie the Reader touching this objection , What is done against all these malignants , that are knowne , and discovered , for the cutting them off , or casting-them forth of the Kingdome , that our Kingdome may be the LORDS Kingdome ; that He may come-in and delight amongst us ? thus now , the objections runs-on .

Ob. There are many malignants not pointed at , The Blasphemer , 〈…〉 the LORDS Name , every da : Tho proph●●e person , th● swea●er , the drunkard , and the cor●●●nt , who ●●●●heth on this side , and on that , would have all , and would lea●● his neighbour nothing at all . And for the great A●●●● the troublers , the Princes within●er , who are roaring Lyone● 〈◊〉 Judges . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , these all are where they were they hold their pl●●●s ; These murtherers are lively and strong at this day ; The ●abernacles of Robbers * * Called a Parliament in Oxford , The vilest men upon earth called themselves Concillon Deorum , an Assembly of Gods . the assemblies of wicked men ( 〈◊〉 to ) 〈◊〉 , and to stand upon their tearmes ; If ye will Trone of Peace and think now ye may to be of yoabes , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cibmsciences , then you musT Treat with Robbers and murthere● touching that matter ( those conscientious men ) and 〈◊〉 them halfe way , where you must not give a polt , but ●am ( as they call it ) to plot-cats . Idolaters prevaile very much and hope to prevaile-yet more ; v●e and light Prophets , and b●●i●ish Priests have spread themselves throughout the Land , and leavened the same : Treacherous men , Hoth●● the Father and the son . Walker and 〈◊〉 are not out-off no not these , when Clement Walker * * A Check to the checker , give us a clear understanding in this matter , & makes a full answer . who was never good for himselfe ( yet all for himselfe his private wealth ) and worse for the publike , hun●ed the blood of the Righteous , hath pe●●ioned for h●● head , who ●● worth a thousand of ours as like the father as can be● an orpament to his Countrey , pretious in the eyes and heart● of all that are godly ; to whom yet the surrender of Bristoll is an grievous as it ought to be : But they see Gods hand in it making way for his wrath at present , and for a wonderfull salvation to His people in His own time , shortly : Thus for maligna●● Persons . And for Things , Idols are held up in many places still ; Idoll services maintained still ; Abominable Bookes are thrust ou● here and there yet not thrust into the fier : Dayes are called holy still ; Persons and Things are as they were : That is the summe of the objection , I cannot fr●me a short answer to all this ; We are upon the prime and first worke , the foundation work , for a stable and glorious building , we must goe gradually on-ward and expect with patience while the mountaines and Hills are made Zach. 4 7. and the head-stone is brought forth with shootings , crying . grace , grace unto it . So I proceed and answer . First ,

I. That indeed the cutting-off these mighty opposers should be the first worke in the well posturing a Kingdome ; if that were done , we should deale well enough with others . True it is , there is not a drunkard in the parish , but he is a plague there ; So is a swearer , a blasphemer , a Sabbath-breaker , these are malignances , very ●●sts and plagues to the places where they liue ; But it cannot be conceived now that all these can be cut off . If some one man , whom the Scripture calls a ●oaring Lyon , and an evening wolf● , some one chiefe troubler of Israels peace , be out off ; If one head , that has contrived , and plotted the down-fall of Israell , he struck-off , even this is a good beginning , and according to rule ; for the striking off this one head , has weakened all hands , that were for the service , and at the back of this Head . Saul had killed many Philistines , Thousands . David has killed but one , but that one was Go●●●h , a Chieftaine amongst the Philistines , Now heare what the women say , comming forth to meet King Saul ; Saul hath sl●●● his thousands ; 1 Sam. 18. 5. and David his ten thousands . Marke that ; Ten thousand slaine in one Goliah . that huge Philistine Captaine of the H●st , that blasphemed the Living GOD. I cannot doubt to say thi● now and to affirme it , That , when Goliah was slaine . Ten thousand ●●●●ies were slaine at that time : for all the host of the Philistines , Gods enemies , were discomfited on that day * * May , 12. 1641. when this work was done A wonderfull worke ; for He , who only does wonders did that , that is my first answer .

II. It may suffice for present , If some Acha●● , troublers of the common-wealth and peace of Israell , be cast-downe , when they cannot be cast-out , which is done , by taking away their dominion , soveraigne power , and Lord-ship : As King Asa removed his mother from her regency , from being Queene . And that , is a kind of death , the casting the vile person-out of his throne , taking from him his Bishoprick or office ; this work is done also . It is so also , in casting the Rebels-out of the heart ; these are never cast-out , but these are cast-downe , subdued they are , put from their regency , out of their throne , they shall have no dominion , no power there ; And that is a kind of death , as good as a casting-out , or better , the good God so ordering it , when rebels are kept so under , that they shall rather doe good than hurt , cleane contrary to their nature , poysonous and hurtfull , yet they shall doe the man good . But I have preveated my selfe , I answer ,

III. That this also is a great casting-downe of the Adversaries , when the Lord , against Whom they strive , degrades them , smites them in their intellectuals , makes them like a wheele , or , as the Princes of Zoan , fooles , their Counsellours brutish a a Isa. 19. 11. : so as they shall prosecute their own way of sinne and death , to their own destruction ; Providentia ab eo tollitur , ne &c. Solv . make their own pit wide , and large , and then fall into it blindfold and headlong ; But here the sober man will say ;

A. That the Adversaries are no fools , they are speedy in consultation , and quick for action ; and if they have a victory they follow it ; And though God has indeed mingled a perverse spirit , amongst them , some are for the Spanish faction , others for the French , yet all drive-on furiously to the same end ; as Herod and Pilate , all are made friends , that they may unite their forces , as they against the Lord Christ , so these miscreants against His faithfull servants all the world over .

B. It is a truth , that these prophane and wicked ones are wiser in their generation than are the children of the resurrection ; and yet notable fooles for all that ; for when they say , as their Fathers before them , come let us deale wisely , let us make the people of the Exod. 1. 10. land serve with rigour , and their lives bitter with hard bondage , yet in this the Lord does befoole the Adversary wonderfully . For first , the hotter the furnace of the Adversaries rage is , the nearer God is to His people in that fornace : The more desolate the Land is , the more it mourneth to the LORD a a Jer. 12. 11. The Lord will heare the mournings of his people . 2. The Adversary does doe now no more , then what the Egyptian Magicians or Sorcerers did once and againe ; They did but adde to their own plagues ; they must drinke of those waters which themselves had turned into blood : So doe these Adversaries now ; they doe but helpe-forward their own affliction ; work out their own destruction ; lay desolate their own land ; consume , destroy their own blessings , poyson their owne springs ; adde to their own plagues ; turne their own waters into blood ; corrupt their own mercies . A miserable imployment ! A most deceitfull worke , to poison those waters which , when they have all done , these Egyptians also must drinke : and then be made dunken with the blood they have coused , spew and fall and rise no more . And when these destroyers have done all the mischiefe , in the power of their hands to doe , yet shall they not be able to hurt the servants of the Lord , not able to impoverish them ; notwithstanding all the Adversaries rage , BREAD shall be given these servants : Their WATERS shall be sure b. The conclusion Isa. 33. 16. q Ac si diceret puris & integris Dei cultoribus nihil defuturum : panis euim & aquae nomine significantur omnia , Cal. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . is , That these Abaddons , Appollyons , These destroyers , doe now with one hand work-out their own destruction ; and with the other hand , salvation to the Churches ; so God befooles His Adversaries for the present . I answer .

IV. We must not conceive that a Kingdome is not Postured till all the malignant Persons and Things be cast-out ; that will never be ; this casting out these , is a worke still doing but never done . It is very observeable , that Davids triumphant song , which he sang unto the LORD in the day the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies , and out of the hand of Saul , ( who persecuted 2 Sam. 22. 1. him with with an open face , before all Israell and before the Sun ; and was as openly punished : ) This triumphant song was but Davids breathing immediately before he breathed forth his last words ; now these be the last words of David ; Immediately before , 2 Sam. 23. 1. we have that triumphat Psalme , and not before . We may note this by the way ; That this Posturing worke , whether it be of a Nation , or of a Man only , is a mighty worke , long a doing , for it is never done ; I meane , not compleated , no not till a little before we are speaking our last words ; But I shall reserve this for a full Chapter , that we may the more fully see , how we may be mistaken in the Parliaments worke , and in our own also , for this may be added hereunto ;

V. That this cutting-off and thrusting-out Malignants , is indeeds , as the end is , whereof the Logicians say , That it is the first in our intention , proposition and designe ; but it is the last in execution : It is first intended , though it be last , yea , though it be never attained . The purging-out of Rebels is the end , the result of all Consultations , Acts and Ordinances , all these resolve and empty themselves in thither : all counsells and Acts have a tendency thereunto . It is true , we ought to be heaving at these Persons and Things as we doe at some indigested bits , which clogg the stomack and oppresse nature , not strong enough to cast-them out : So in the Body politick . But there must be an endeavour to the utmost to cast-out these oppressours . And yet the Lord may suffer these to be too hard for His people , for mighty reasons ; To exercise His servants graces in their war-fare , their Faith , their Humility , their Patience .

1. Their E●●th , That He , Who has begun this good wor●e will perfect it in ●●●own time , the ●●st time : The Lord 〈◊〉 given His ●●●vants the necke of their Adversaries ( ten Thousand necks in one 〈◊〉 . Then the Lord said unto His servants , as His servant * * Chap. 10. 2● . Joshu● said 〈…〉 ●●smaid , be strong und of good courage , for thu● shall the Lord doe to all your enemies against whom you fight : shall smite your enemies and stay them , and some of them you shall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 D●●●d see● ●ioliah shjaine in the ●ou● and the Beare . The drowning of the Egyptian Host in the red sea , gave the Isa. 5● . 9. Psal. 74. 14. Annona suit huic reposita quâ vesceret populus , Calvin , Ibid. Thank-offe●ing , p. 55. ●ee Cure of ●eares . p. 47. Church assured confidence for ever ; It was laid-up ( says Calvin ) as ●e●● for Israel against a deare yeare . When the Church was under the cruell tyranny of Anti●●hus ( so Interpreters doe agree upon the occasion of that Ps●lme l l Psal. 85. Then their mouth was widest open in prayer and praise● . And reade I pray you , how they 〈◊〉 bear-up themselves upon former experiences of Gods comming in unto them : Thou hast , Thou hast , six times repeated . But this is the great worke , that God hac done for them ; Thou hast forgiven 〈◊〉 of Thy people m m ver. 2. sin is pardoned ( pardon my sins and do● what Thou ●●lt to me , said Luther n n Met. Adam . vit. Luth. p. 108. ) Surely Gods salvation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 foare him o o ver. 9. that is comfortable ; The ●yranny of Antiochu● seemed 〈◊〉 the people , That GOD and his salvation was forre off ; no sure , God is never nearer to His people , ( as a Father to his children ) then when they are under the sorest 9oppressions : But the greatest mercy is behind ; Thou fast given us the Lord Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , with Him , Thou canst deny us nothing ; We have the greatest Blessing , SALVATION , its selfe ; we cannot So the 10th verse is interpreted . doubt of salvation now from under the bloody hands of Antiochus that tyrant ; mercy and Truth are met together ; Righteousnesse and peace have kissed each other ; We can salute that ver. 10. promise afarre off ; Let GOD alone now ; He will doe His people no hurt : If he holds their necks yet longer under the yoake , it shall be for their farther enlargement anon , and higher exaltation after they are humbled more : Secondly then to exercise .

2. Their Humility , To make them humble , and to keep them so : The Lord suffe●● these Adversaries to prevaile over His servants , to be as 〈◊〉 in their eyes , and as thornes in their sides , because , when they might have cast-out these Persons , and their accursed thing● them the servants of the Lord were slack and would not ; now they would and cannot : These Adver●●●● 〈…〉 is aforesaid , to be as pricking briars and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that the servants of the Lord may follow the commands of their LORD fully for the thrusting of them-out , as the LORD shall be 〈◊〉 in after time to put power into their hands . And for the present time they are taught to walke humbly with their God , and to commune with their own hearts seriously , whether they , who are 〈◊〉 apart by God Himselfe to reforme others are selfe-Reformers . If not , it will retard and hold-back that we call Reformation , ●●●●tlly , and keepe in malignant Persons and Things , to despight ou● hearts , to be unto us as vexing thornes , and grieving b●●●s . If they have not purged themselves , who are gone forth to purge 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 theren , then may they , Gods people though they are , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 againe before their enemies ; and these enemies may stand-up and pro●per , as once it was * * See Covenant Asserted . p. 14. & 1● . This consideration prevailes evenmore with the people of God , and keeps them very humble , makes ●●●lye law , and walke softly ; And so they exercise

3. Then Patience , that it may have a perfect worke , 〈◊〉 wate now their-Lords time , His appointed time , He is now performing his whole worke upon mount Zion and no Jerusalem● when that in done , the Lord will punish these proud men , who ●●ave Isa. 10. ●● . been so stout against Him ; He will pluck down their stout hearts and the glory of their high lookes . The Lord his discovered these enemies already ; He has showen them openly , and their ●●●●●●nesse , their shame before all the Christian world : Their judgement li●greth not : and their dam●ation slumbreth not * * 1. Pet. 2. 5. The ●●●vants of the Lord can waite the Lords time , touching this matter , therefore I answer .

VI. Though the first work in the building-up and forsifying a kindgome , is ever to throw-downe to the ground all accursed Things , Altare and Images , which , no sooner made and set-up , but ● Kingdome is made naked , set under foote , cast-down and undone b b ●rod . ●● . 23. 2 Ch●o . 18. 19. : Though this was the first worke , which the Pr●nee● . Priests and people of old , set their hands and hearts unto , even the breaking in pieces these accursed Things , and throwing them down [ For very notable it is , how they used these dunghill things , they never left hacking , and cutting , and hewing and destroying , and ●utning , and drowning till they had utterly destroyed them all , * * Chro. 31. 1. I Though I say , this was the first worke , yet we reade , The high places were not taken away , [ that is , those high places , where they served The high places where the people sacrificed to false gods were taken away . 2 Chro. 17. 6. The other were not taken away , 2 Chro. 20. 13. the true God after a false manner , ] these were not taken away : And the reason is given , for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers . It relates to us fully ; These high things , that doe offend the people of God are not taken away ; and for the very same reason . Perhaps , nay past all question , every thing , that exalts it self , even in their own hearts , is not cast-downe , therefore these high things are not taken away : I should be large at this point , but I will proceed .

VII . In the next place this may be noted ; that this is our duty , to vow and protest against all these accursed Persons and Things ; to enter into a curse for the casting of them forth ; And having done so , having entred into covenant , having lifted-up the hand , and subscribed the name for the casting forth all these , we must doe as our vowes are , use all meanes for the purging our selves and the Land : That is all we can doe , our duty , use the meanes earnestly as men inflamed with zeale , let the Lord alone with the rest : In the Neh. 3. 20. last place then ,

VIII . We must not make haste ; we must waite the Lords time : which is not yet : For 1 , The Lord will , by the greatnesse of His Exod. 15. 16. power , make His enemies as still as a stone : But He will first silence the murmurings of His people ; He will still the surgings and risings in his servants hearts first . 2. The Lord will not doe it till such a time , when His people are so low , and their enemies so high , that the fetching-up of his people , and the casting-down their enemies requires the putting-forth the Greatnesse of GODS Power . 3. The Lord will not deliver His people till they be fit , and meet , and prepared for deliverance ; not till then . When He takes off the yoake , He will make His people goe upright ; He will not remove the plaister , till the wound be throughly healed ; He is now searching and tenting our wounds to the bottome , which were putrified and very corrupt : The Lord will not give His people their Lands , Houses , Liberties , &c. for their corruptions to feed-upon any more ; or to feed their corruptions , to be fewell to lusts ; He will kill His peoples lusts now , they shall raigne in them no more , Amen . 4. The Lord will purge-out the Rebels all ; it is His promise a a Eze. 20. 38. ; But he will purge the hearts of His servants first . The house of

Jacob shall be a fier , and the house of Joseph a flame ; and the house of Esau for stubble , ( i. e. ) The Church of God shall devoure all Obad. 18. their enemies , There shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau , for the Lord hath spoken it . But this shall not be till the sons of Jacob be purified , till the Lord has purely purged away their drosse , and taken away their tinne c c Isai . 1. 25. The Lord is now upon His Refining worke , and for that great end , His fier is in Zion , and His fornace in Jerusalem d d Isa. 31. 9. . These children of Belial , most abominable persons , that have broken ( all the yoakes ) the Lawes of Heaven and Earth , have cast-off Piety , and humanity altogether ; men ( if I may call them men ) of no use , e e Deut. 13. 13. Men of Beliall , Homines nequissimi quasi absque ●ugo , qui jugum legis Dei excusserunt : vel qui nullius frug is & utilitatis sunt . Men of lesse use then is their owne dung . B●xt . must yet do their Lord this service , they must serve Him as scullions , to purge , to whiten f f Dan. 11. 35. , and to purifie the vessels appointed for honour ; And when that work is done , the fier from Jacob , and the flame from Joseph shall kindle upon these Adversaries : and devoure them . The conclusion is , Idols and Idoll men , and Idoll services shall be all cast-out , when every thing , that exalts it selfe in His childrens hearts , shall be cast-down , and subdued ( according to the line of men . ) This shall certainely be , but His people must waite , and they can waite and leave God to His own time , using the means , which are mighty ( through God ) to bring to passe all this . These meanes shall be mentioned particularly and insisted upon . But now we must see how this good Souldier has quitted himselfe at this high point , and acted his part against these Malignants , Persons and Things within his own breast .

§ I. The first worke in well Posturing a mans selfe , is ,

The subduing Malignant selfe , and casting-down Malignant Things . A wonderfull worke and glorious , for which the man admires God , and free-grace , I raises God while he has any being ; and toward his brethren he is pittifull and usefull as a faithfull steward of what he has received .

NOw we will take a view of a well Postured Souldier . An ordinary sight , you will say , an easie worke for one man to posture himselfe . Whether so or not , comes now to be considered : And after due consideration , it will appeare , That it is an easier matter , to subdue Kingdomes , to conquer Nations , than it is , for this man to take them captives , whose captive he was : To rule over his oppressors a a Isa. 14. 2. , ( that is ) to conquer his corruptions , the Malignants in his own heart ; to subdue selfe there . Let us take notice , by the way , what this selfe is ; A stubborne stiffe piece , like an iron sinnew , it will rather break than bend : It will perswade a man rather than stoope , to fall , though he is but to stoope to Law and Right Reason . To maintaine its will , it will hazard all its peace on earth , even a Kingdome there , yea and a Crowne in Heaven ; such a perverse person is selfe . And yet , if he has set his eye upon selfe-righteousnesse , it will so glaze in his eyes , that he will thinke himselfe some great one b b Acts 8. 9. , rich and wanting nothing , when indeed , he is wretched , and miserable , and poore , and blind and naked c c Rev. 3. 17. . This selfe is subdued and abhorred . By what meanes , in whose strength , what a worke it is , and how long a doing , will be pointed at in due time . Now we will heare , what the man speakes in his confessions , he is large there , and he cares not who heares him ; His confession is ; That all this Malignancy in Person and in Things ( we cannot reckon up particulars , ) that all this , this Malignant person is himselfe ; and Malignant things are as himselfe : He will confesse , That he is well acquainted with Malignant Lords ever since he knew himselfe : and that Malignant things troubled him more , than all the Malignants in the Kingdome , for those offended his God most of all . Certainely thus he sayes , That there is a desperate wickednesse in his heart ; and an J●● . 17. inconceiveable deceit there . And surely , if we consider well on it , we shall say every man of himselfe , as St Paul did , O wretched man that I am . Here is no inconsistency now in words , A good man , and yet selfe in him , for man is supposed in a Christian : And where man is , there selfe is more or lesse , and that is himselfe , and Homo supponitur in Christiano . much evill there is . If we see it not in the fruit , yet there it is in the seed and roote , as we shall clearely discerne presently : for this is manifest to all , who have eyes to see , or an heart to understand themselves , That all the malice we have been speaking of , so mightily opposing the good of the great Body , all this is but a glasse , for every man to see himselfe in ; the very modell and representation of every mans own heart * * See ●ts treasury opened , Mat. 15. 19. Mark . 7. 2● . ; he sees his own heart there , and image as he sees himselfe in his child , or as he sees a face in water answering a face ; In a word , This man , beholding the whole world lying in wickednesse , does behold therein , as in a mirrour , a world of wickednesse in himselfe . This wickednesse , malignance we may call it , doth not breake-out and shew its selfe in all alike , but there this malice is in the roote and seed , and fomenting cause of all that , which we have taken notice of . And the very discerning hereof , that so it is , is the first step and degree a man takes in the way and method of maintaining his Militia , the well posturing himselfe . For now he sees , that the worke is of absolute necessity , it must be done . 1. He first discovers an enmity , an opposition from nature within himselfe , to the work of Reformation ; his heart flies from it as from death , for indeed it is a kind of death ; and nature , which is selfe , is as opposite to it , as that Israelite was who counted Reforming a killing a a Exod. 2. 14. . Nature not renewed will oppose this with all its might . And if the heart doe let the Bill passe for the compleating of it , it is because it is over-powred ; because the thunder and haile , some strong motions and feares are upon the spirits ; when those are blowne-over , selfe will be selfe still ; strong holds will stand up still ; strong reasonings to maintaine all the Idols , the abominable things there ; All this will be till selfe be overpowred by an Almighty power , and spoken unto by a strong hand b b Isa. 8. 11. : Then selfe is mastered , then there is a yeilding-up the strong holds , there is no more Reasonings c c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 2 Cor. 10. 5. with selfe for the maintaining of selfe that Malignant person : or Malignant things , Idols or Idoll services . True it is , these Malignants are not cast-forth all , no nor quite subdued all : Though the Body of sin be mortified , yet the life thereof is prolonged , a and the power thereof is ( as the Kingdome spoken of by Daniel ) partly strong and partly broken ; Lord-like-lusts , or Dan. 7. 17. lust-like-Lords will storme his soul sometimes , and force a reentry . And the Lord suffers it to be so , for mighty reasons , which I must resume , in part , as pertinent to this place as to the other : for as it is in the great Kingdome , so it is in the little kingdome within a mans own breast : The mans warfare must be maintained , he must be kept waking and watchfull ; he must see how important a matter it is , and of what infinite concernment , That he keep close to the God of his strength , and his salvation , that is first . And

2. This wickednesse is in the heart but it is hated there ; lusts are there , but not Lords there ; they have no dominion there ; These are put downe from their Regency ; he has prayed against them three times , and as often covenanted against them . Yea looke what malice or evill there is , which the man cannot meete with nor cast-out ( all he cannot ) that remainder , he has dealt with it as the Jewes of old did , the night before their great feast , with their leaven , they searched diligently for it into every corner and cranny of the house , as this man searcheth his heart ; and what they could not find-out they did curse and abominate , saying , never more sowre our lumpe : So this man deales with selfe and its Idols , he makes diligent search after them to throw-them-out ; what he cannot cast-out , not find-out ( for selfe has many darke corners within its selfe , which mans eye could never peirce into ) yet he pryeth into the bottome and root of all , and this he doth curse and abominate , saying , never fruit grow thereon : And what fruit there will grow , he prayeth it may be as an untimely fruit , which never saw the sunne . And so what he cannot overcome , he does hate and abhorre . And mighty reason why he should so doe , abominate and accurse that so fruitfull seed within him : for had not the LORD , according to His servants prayer , kept downe that Roote from putting forth its selfe , according to its activenesse ; had He not restrained that corruption , not susfering it to bring forth according to its fruitfulnesse : Had the Lord suffered this cockatrice to broode-upon and hatch her eggs ; had He left this sinning sinne , within the man , to bring forth its own cursed fruit , then had this man been as vile as the vilest , as proud as the proudest Prelate ; as Idolatrous as are he and she , who lift-up their hearts to the most lying vanities ; as cruell and as bloody as are the Tabernacles of Robbers ; This man might have beene swearing , cursing , blaspheming , tearing , piercing the Name of his God , amongst the Irish rogues , and English monsters ; This man might have beene in the Kings Army , a Prince there , ( by nature he is no better then they ) A child of wrath as others : b b Ephes. 2. 3. If the Lord had not been gratious unto him , added more grace , made him to differ , c c 1. Cor. 4. 7. he had been as one of them , a mighty hunter before the LORD , as a roaring Lyon , or a shee Beare , or an evening Wolfe , such an one he had been , if the Lord had not overpowred his corruption , made him to differ from another wrought gratiously in him , and for him , for which he admireth the Lord in His free-grace , and blesseth His holy Name . The Lord has wrought a mighty worke in him , faith , by which he has overcome the world , escaped the pollutions there , the lusts of the flesh the snares of the world , a world of wickednesse , ( a Grace to be admired ) by which he stood-out against the gates of Hell ; overpowred power its selfe , principalities and powers ; how admirable all this ? This raiseth the heart , first ,

1. In admiration of free grace ; And you , that were dead in trespasses and sins ; What more ? that is all we find in the Originall ; Ephes. 2. 1. In our English we reade this more , hath He quickened : but in the Greeke only this , And you , that were dead in trespasses and sins : A mercy to be admired ; has He quickened ! That is swallowed-up with admiration ; for it is more admirable then was the making of the world , or creating of light . There is more in this , HAS HE QUICKENED ! Therefore swallowed-up with Job 6. 3. admiration , as Jobs words were with exceeding griefe : You has He quickened ! dead as well as others , whom yet He left in the same death , to perish in their sins : You has He quickened . It is all one as if the Apostle had said , And you has He justified , ungodly though you were ; For you the Father has given His Son ; and the Son has given Himselfe to reconcile you , and to bring you neare , farre off once , and an enemy though you were : And you has He loved with an eternall love , because He loved you ( there is Deut. 7. no other reason of His love , ) He set His heart upon you , and passed over others Thousands , no worse than your selfe ! And you has He seene in your blood , and He said at such a time as that , to you , it is a time of love , live live : * * Twice repeated , as well to shew the greatnesse of His power , as the riches of His mercy . O admirable ! He has observed thy way , wherein thou wentest on frowardly , as others did , yet to thee He said , I will heale thee ; a a Ezek. 16. 8. so He forgave thy sin and healed thee b b Isa. ●7 . 18. All this , so admired of this soule , is contained in this , HAS HE QUICKNED !

2. And now that God has dealt so with His servant , so visited him in his low estate , quickned him , brought him from death to life ; now his heart is filled with admiration , and so is his mouth filled with praise : All without him , all within him , are called upon to praise His Holy Name . For what ? The man cannot expresse that , he is swallowed-up in an ocean of love , from everlasting unto everlasting ; and now he will lengthen out his praise , wider than the Heavens , even to everlasting . His Lord and his God has regarded him , has kept him ; has held him by the hand in the most suppery ages and places ; how many puddles might he have fallen into ? how many mires might he have wallowed-in ? had not the Lord held him upright ; O how does his soule meditate praises ! how does he study Mictams , Hallelujahs ; and holinesse ! O with what Selahs , with what exaltation of heart and voice , does he sing the 103 Psalme , Blesse the LORD , O my soul : you shall heare him out-anon , with what elevation of spirit will he sing this , for it is his triumphant song , which he will sing immediately before he is breathing forth his last words : Then and not till then , for all the time before he must be in a warfaring condition , as the Church is , and it is best for him and the Church both : Yet assured he is as all the faithfull are , that nothing shall doe him hurt now , every thing shall doe him good , even his worst enemies , and he shall be more then conquerour at last ; But not till immediately before his last words , then he will speake to the Lord the words of this song , The Lord has delivered m● out of the hands of all mine enemies , and out of the hand of my selfe ; His name be praised , exalted , magnified for ever and ever , Amen . The time of his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not yet , but yet he knowes the foundation stands sure , he knowes to whom he has committed his soule ; he has a sure standing , he is setled upon the Rock : he stands and shall stand like a wall of brasse against the blast of the terrible ones , and laughs at their storming ; he is at peace with his God , and is not afraid of the beasts of the earth ; Job 5. The Lord is his portion , and his cup runneth-over ; he is poore , perhaps , in esteeme of others , but he is rich in faith ; he is as a man that has nothing , and yet possessing all things . The Lord has satisfied him with the fatnesse of His house , even with the richest mercies ; He has enough indeed , for he has God , and with Him all things . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gen. 33. 11. He is a contented man ; and well he may be content , for he has the fountaine : If the streames be cut-off , intercepted for a time , no matter , he is sure of the I ountaine . The Sonne of Righteousnesse shines upon his tabernacle ; then the night is day to him , for the Sun makes the day , though neither Moone nor Stars appeare , ( i. e. that is ) God is all to him without the creature : the creature nothing to him without God . God is his , therefore is His servants mouth wide open to His praise . But you will aske ; Are there no stormes in his soule , no clouds over his spirit at any time ? Yes sure , many times , you may heare of that anon ; Now ,

3. Behold we how this servant of the Lord carrieth himselfe toward his fellow servants ; he entreats them , he beseecheth them by the mercies of Christ , and , knowing the terrours of the LORD , he perswadeth with all meeknesse , instructing those , that oppese themselves , 2 Tim. 2. 25 , 26. if GOD , peradventure , will give them repentance . He is tender-hearted , forgiving another even as GOD for Christs sake Eph. 4. 32. Coloss. 3. 13. hath forgiven him : He is a friend to his enemies , if they curse him , he will blesse them : for there are three considerations very mighty to prevaile with him this way . 1. That God , for Christs-sake , hath forgiven him much , he knowes not how much ; should not he forgive that little , those few pence , ( such and so small are mans offences against man in reference to those against God . ) 2. That the Lord justified the ungodly . 3. That the night before He was betrayed , Rom. 4. 5 , 5 , 6. He made a Feast for His enemies , even them who pierced Him : He gave His blood for those , who had an hand in shedding ●● blood . This is a melting consideration , and engageth the heart strongly , to give and forgive ; to beare and forbeare with all long suffering and meeknesse . We have enough touching this matter . I come now to consider the meanes , whereby this Souldier has thus postured himselfe , has attained to this height of spirit , which is observed in nothing more , than in his humble carriage , and Christian fortitude . But we must observe it first in the proceedings of Parliament , the steps and wayes they went in well-Posturing the Kingdome .