SEEING it hath pleased God for our sins to take from vs that renowmed , & most victorious Prince the King of Sweden , Iudges . 16 28. victorious euen in his death ( as was Samson ) the most couragious champion , heathen , or Christian , that euer God raised vp , or can be read of in any Historie , to haue acted so much in so short a time : his small beginnings , and great oppositions considered . An other Caesar , veni , vidi , vici , A Sauiour , and deliuerer of Gods Church , of whom the world was not worthie , for our sins ( I say ) taken from vs : for the which we ought to lament ( lament answereth a wofull echo , and thereby our great losse : An other Judas Machabeus : how is the valiant man fallen that deliuered Israel ! ) but not to lament for him , 1 Mac. 9.21 . who now triumpheth most gloriously in heauen , with all the Holy Angels and Saints ( as he did on earth ) ouer all his enemies . It were a shame , and dishonour to God , and his annointed that is with God , and a derision to the enemies of God ( who now reioyce , and insult ouer his dead bones , whom liuing they durst not once looke in the face ) to suffer these so glorious , and blessed beginnings ( and blessed shall they be ) to fall to the ground . Those great designes , both against the Antichristian , and Mahometan tyrannie : both which had he liued , in short time , by all lyklihood , had been throwne to the ground . For the further managing whereof , & finall accomplishment , ( in these lest dayes to be accomplished , according to the Holy Prophecies ) it is to be wished , and daily prayed for , by the whole Church of Christ , that all those christian Princes and States , who professe themselues Defenders of the true Christian faith , would ioyne together in a firme , and inviolable league , and vnion : an Euangelicall vnion , in the name of Iesus Christ and his Church , ( all differences of opinion in matter of Religion set apart , with those bitter names of Luther , and Caluin &c. ) as Christians , Act. 11.26 . for so were we first called in the primitiue Church at Antioch : an Euangelicall vnion ( I say ) in the name of Iesus Christ and his Church , to defend the same , and his holy Euangill , or Gospell , against all the professed enemies thereof , both Antichristian , and Mahometan . They that will not , will not , answeareth , the echo , ioyne together to prosecute the will , and directions of that noble King , dead as well as liuing : yea rather now much more , who hath euen sacrificed his lyfe in their defence , and the cause of Religion : they that will not : will not answeareth the echo againe , ioyne together in this cause , and quarell , which is euen Gods cause , the Lord of hoasts , whereof he himself is Generall , and Commander , let them be Anathema Maranatha : let the whole Church of Christ explode them with this bitter curse : 1 Cor. 16.23 . Iud. 5.23 Curse ye Meros , said the Angell of the Lord , curse ye bitter lie the inhabitants thereof , because they came not to help the Lord , to help the Lord against the mightie . Whom the Lord also himself in the end wil curse , explode , and euen spue out of his mouth : for they that are not with vs are against vs , Mat. 12.30 . & so to be accounted of , euen as enemies . Let them declare themselues , ( as our Sauiour wisheth ) hot , or cold , for Religion , or against Religion : for the common libertie of their conscience , and their country , Reu. 3.15 or against it : I would thou wert cold , or hot , ( saieth our Sauiour ) but because thou art lukewarme , and neither cold , nor hot , I will spue thee out of my mouth . And it is to be wished , and prayed for lykewise by the whole Church of Christ ( for that is all we can doe , to wish and pray , and that we all ought to doe ) for we are all members of that his mysticall bodie , and euery one hath an interest in the weale or woe thereof , and may freely spend his voice . We are all Hypocrates twins , we must either , laugh together , or weepe together : wept we haue a long time . I say it is to be wished , and prayed for lykewise that his Maiestie of Great Britainne , who professeth himselfe Defender of the faith , catexochen aboue all other Kings and Princes , ( and long may he liue to maintayne it ) would now declare himself by summoning , or calling ( quam timeo , how doe I feare to name it ? I onely wish and pray for it ) a Parliament : [ O that the name of a Parliament should now be so hainous , and odious , as no man dare once name it , scarce thinke of it : that high court of Parliament so named , so reverenced in times past , that great counsell of state , & of the whole Land , assembled as one man to prouide for the good of the state , and of the whole Church of God , and oppugne the enemies thereof : which counsell had his Majestie and royall father been pleased to haue embraced and not the counsell of those wicked Rohoboami , pravis consultoribus impulsi : impulsi answeareth the echo againe to dissolue , and break it of from time to time , one parliament after an other : aliquam , quae nunc † † Buchanan in his Epist. ded . before his trag : Bapt: Nulla in comparison of our former famous and flouwrishing estate &c. nulla est , rempublicam haberemus : both Church and state had still flourished , as in the dayes of Queene Elisabeth of famous memorie : since vtterly decayed , the glorie gone from Israel , and nothing prospered that we haue vndertaken : nor lyke to doe , till it please God to put into his Majesties heart to call it againe , to bewished I say and prayed for continually . ] By calling a Parliament ( I say ) and cutting of the Popish , and Spanish faction : I may not name them neither , I dare not : I need not : their characters are written in such great and capitall letters , as a man may read them running : as it is in the Prophet . That great Gordian knot , or threefold cord not easie to be broken , nor possible to be loosed , but cutt in peeces by him that beareth the sword , and ( I hope ) not in vaine , our Great Alexander . The Popish , Rom. 13.4 . and Spanish faction ( I say ) with their adherents , flatterers , and time seruers , their vassals , and creatures , of all others most base and vnworthy : creatures of creatures , vassals of vassals , worthy also to be cutt off , as King Dauid denounceth : Psa. 12.3 The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips &c. nostrì fundi callamitas ; the callamitie of this our once so famous , and flourishing a Kingdome , and of the whole Church of God , and the reformed Religion : which they haue endeavoured to ruine , if it were possible , by diverting his Majestie , and Royall father King Iames , Vt eos quos tutari debeant desertos esse patiantur . from giuing that countenance & assistance therevnto , which in all honour , in respect of that royall tytle and in their owne royall disposition otherwise they both ought and would haue don . Bound therevnto by a more particular obligation to their owne flesh , and blood , now lying a bleeding , both the one , and the other . Both the cause of Religion , her chieffe champion slaine , and that distressed , and comfortles Ladie the Queene of Bohemia , and her royall issue , like to suffer as she hath don hitherto beyond all patience : which yet in the end will ouercome all . Whereof ( I say ) the Popish , and Spanish faction , which we nourish euen in our owne bosomes , are the cause , and in the end , lyke vipers , will eate out euen their owne mothers bowels , and vtterly ruine this our famous Kingdome , Church and state , if they be not cut off . Now is the axe laied , to the roote of the trees . Mat. 3.10 Trees in the plurall number : euen the high and mightie Cedars of Lebanon , Kings & Caisars , for with God there is no respect of persons . No respect of persons answereth the echo . 2 King . 20 1. Set thyne house in order for thou shalt dye and not liue , saith the Lord by his Prophet to Hezekiah King of Iuda , and in him to our Hezekiah , a lyke gentlie warned of late , and to all other Kings , and Princes . God graunt they may all repent , mourne , and lament , as he did : that so , many yeeres may be added to their liues here in this world , and after , eternitie of glorie in the world to come . Gently warned ( I say ) by a lyke visitation , immediatly after the newes came of the death of the two Kings , verie remarkable . A lyke visitation ( I saie ) pestilenciall , The small pocks , pestilentiall , and inclyning to the plague , & commonly a forerunner . and mortall too to many , cosen german to that great visitation so called the plague : which was ( as some hold ) the deadly disease of Hezekiah , sick vnto death , as it is in that place . A faire warning , if so taken , and not slighted as an ordinary , and casuall visitation , ( as I feare we doe ) but the circumstances make it not casuall , but extraordinary , and ( as I said before ) verie remarkable . No occasion at all of infection precedent , but immediatlie from the hand of God , and the verie finger of God therein . A gentle visitation indeed , God giue vs grace to make vse of it , before the destroying Angell come with his sword drawne , and cut downe all before him . Now is the axe laid to the roote of the trees . Kings and Princes , they now see they are mortall , and shall die like men . Euen be sick , wounded , slaine and die lyke other men : The words vsed at the buriall of the dead , in the booke of common prayer . and that they are but earth , dust , and ashes : earth to earth , ashes to ashes , dust to dust &c. And therfore the Prophet cryeth vnto them : earth , earth , earth , heare the word of the Lord . Now therefore let vs leaue off our revelling , and daunsing , our maskes , and playes , vnseasonable ( especially on the Lords day ) when the Lord calleth to prayer and fasting , weeping and mourning . When ( I saie ) the Arke of God is in campe against the Philistims . For feare we doe not act the last part of the tragaedie alreadie begun , 1. Pet. 4.17 . already begun answereth the echo : iudgement already begun at the house of God &c. for our God is euen a consuming fire . It is already kindled , & the flame or it be long will surely break forth , if in the meane time we doe not quench it with the teares of repentance . We haue had diuers faire-warnings , and fore-warnings first and last , which haue wrought verie litle impression in our senseles , stony , and hard hearts . Two great plagues : one vpon the first comming of King James to the crowne : The other of King Charles : manie thousands consumed as in the dayes of King Dauid . God open our eyes , as he did his , 1. Chron. 21.16 2 Sam. 24.17 . that we may see his destroying Angell standing betweene the earth and the heauen with his drawne sword in his hand &c. and acknowledge our sins , as he did : It is I that haue sinned , don euill indeed , don wickedlie &c. Two great falles : the one of King Iames into the riuer at Theobalds horse & all , where after he died : The other of King Charles then Prince in Enfielde chase not far off , taken vp senseles , and carried into a house hard by , but came to himself againe God be praised . The same God preserue him still long to suruiue to his glory . Two great fires : the one at New merket halfe the towne almost consumed where the Kings hunting house is : the other at Whitethall , the banqueting house burnt and consumed . Besides many other great fires elswhere . And euen in London it self the Kings Chamber . [ Yea London bridge , one of the wonders of the world , a great part of the houses built vpon it , verie latelie also burnt , and consumed . ] But all these faire-warnings , and fire-warnings , fore-warnings , and fore-runners of further iudgements , forgotten , or slighted , as ordinary and casuall , as the Iewes did all those prodigious signes before the destruction of Jerusalem , yea the Powder-plot , or Papists conspiracy , as yet remayning in red characters in our almanaks , among our other holy daies celebrated yeerly : but what effect hath it wrought ? The Papists , and Popish faction , euer since increassed , growne stronger , and stronger : euill men still worse and worse , 2. Tim. 3.13 . as the Apostle prophecieth of these last dayes , these last times : and in the end ( as I said before ) will vtterly ruine both our Church and state , if they be not cut of . I say if these faire-warnings one after an other , and gentle visitations in great mercie sent beforehand from God to moue vs to repentance , worke no effect , nor make vs sensible of his iudgements already fallen vpon others , which our sins haue lykewise deserued , if not more : we may feare or it be long , to be made examples to others , as others now are to vs . And see with feare , and trembling , Dan. 55. the finger of that hand writing vpon the wall : Mene , Mene , Tekel Vpharsin &c. The sentence is already gon forth , long since denounced to Hezekiah : Thou shalt die , & not liue , and in him to all other Kings and Princes : I haue said ye are Gods , but ye shall die lyke men and fall lyke one of the Princes . Psal. 82.6 We see it executed before our eyes vpon others , vpon other Princes , and shall we thinke to escape scotfree ? Two lamentable examples , The 5 of Nouember God onely threatned & forewarned by the powder plot : But the 6 paid vs home , & double by the death of these two Princes : Prince Henry , and the King of Sweden , A great iudgement vpon his Church and very remarkable , ( too lamentable indeed : ) two good Princes taken away , and that on the sodaine one after an other . The King of Sweden , the very same day of the moneth the 6 of Nouember old stile that Prince Henry died , that hopefull Prince . And the King of Bohemia immediatly after : and will God spare others ? If he doe , and they doe not , not , answereth the echo , bring for fruits meet for repentance , as Iohn Baptist admonisheth ( which God graunt we all may doe ) to be preserued from one iudgement , is but to be reserued to an other , a far greater , whereof then we shall be sensible and complayne , but too late , and in vaine : as that froward , and stubburne heart complaineth : * * Pr. 5.12 how haue I hated instruction , and my heart despised reprooffe & c ? Our wilfull , froward , and stubburne hearts , they can brooke no instruction , or reprooffe . Therefore ‡ ‡ Ps. 18.26 Mat. 14.4 . with the wilfull , froward , and stubburne , will the Lord shew himself wllfull , froward , and stubburne &c. as it is in the Psalme . But indeed they that should instruct , admonish , and reprooue Kings and Princes & all persons without respects of persons ( as Iohn the Baptist did King Herod , it is not lawfull for thee &c. ) our great Bishops and clergie men , yea and States men too ( with reuerence be it spoken to the better sorte , which is alwayes the least , alwayes excepted ) they are flatterers , and timeseruers ( namque hoc tempore obsequium amicos , veritas odium parit ) all seeke their owne , and none the things of Iesus Christ : Amos 6.6 as the Apostle complaineth . They are not grieued for the afflictions of Ioseph &c: As the Prophet also complaineth . For the afflictions of Gods Church , and Saints , both vnder the Antichristian , and Mahometan tyranny , daily slaine and martyred , and no man considereth in his heart , Whose blood will one daye be required . Let them looke to it whom it concerneth , Kings , Princes , or others : for to whom much is giuen , Isa. 30.33 of him much shall be required . Tophet is prepared of old , euen for Kings , if they repent not . They repent not , answereth the echo , that obey not Gods holy trueth , and Gospell ; who either , offend , or doe not defend the same , to the vtmost of their power against the enemies thereof . Cicero lib. 1 , Offic. Qui non populsat injuriam , qui non defendit nec obsistit si potest injuriae &c. he that doth not protect and defend the innocent , and oppressed , from iuiurie and violence offered , tam est in vitio ( saith a heathen man ) as if he should forsake his parents , or frends , or countrie . And it was one of their great commandements , pugna pro Patria : and is lykewise to euery true Christian : pugna pro Ecclesia ; he thou faithfull vnto death &c. Rev. 2.10 Much more to Christian Princes whom God hath made his Lieutenants , and chieffe-iustices here on earth , and giuen that honour to be nursing-fathers to his Church , to protect and defend it , against al● iniuries and violence whatsoeuer , and against all enemies whatsoeuer . To protect ( I say ) and defend the widowes , and fatherles . Now especially those two comfortles Rachels the Queens of Bohemia and Sweden , and their fatherles children : those towardly yong Princes , and all others oppressed by that tyrannous , and ambitious house of Austria , & help them to their right . As King Dauid admonisheth : Psal. 82.3 defend the poore and fatherles , doe iustice to the afflicted and needie : deliuer the poore and needie : rid them out of the hand of the wicked &c. Be wise now therfore O ye Kings : Psal. 2.10 be instructed ye iudges of the earth . Serue the Lord with feare , and reioyce with trembling . Kisse the sonne lest he be angrie , and ye perish &c. Repent ( as Iohn the Baptist lykewise admonisheth ) for the Kingdome of heauen is at hand . Mat. 3.2 . Now is the axe laid to the roote of the trees . And let vs all repent , euen from the highest to the Lowest , as did the Niniuites at the preaching , of Ionas : Ionah . 3.4 yet fortie daies and Nineue shall be ouerthrowne . And mourne , not onely outwardly , but inwardly for our sins , which indeed are the chieffe cause of all these disasters , which haue fallen vpon our neighbour churches & countries , yea Princes , and great personages , and may lykewise fall vpon vs , how soone we knowe not . Luk. 13.4 For were they onelie sinners aboue all others vpon whom the tower in Silo fell , and slue them ? I tell you nay ( saith our Sauiour ) but except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish . And yet not to be lamented , but our sins & great losse thereby as before . 1 Pet. 4.7 . And was that euer renowmed , and neuer sufficiently lamented King of Sweden , that died in battaile ( as did Josiah : ) The King of Bohemia , that died immediatly after : And that hopefull yong Prince his son that was drowned before ; sinners aboue other Kings , and Princes their neighbours ? I tell you nay , but except ye repent , ye shall likewise perish . Two Kings at once so sodainle to be taken away one after another , ( the circumstance of time also before mentioned considered ) wee must needs acknowledge the very finger of God , and iudgement of God therein to be admired , and feared of all others . For when iudgement begineth at the house of God ( as now it doth , the house of Sued for Sued is Deus , Gods house , ) what shall be the end of them that obey not the Gospell of God ? They obey not the Gospell of God , answeareth the eeho againe , who either , offend , or doe not defend the Gospell of God , to the vtmost of their power : qui non propulsant iniuriam &c. Or was the German nation , or other our Neighbour nations , vpon whom Gods heauy iudgements , of war , and other miseries are fallen , greater sinners than we ? I tell you nay , but except we repent we shall all likewise perish . Isa. 60.12 1. Sam. 12 25. Regnum quod non servierit Deo peribit : that Kingdome which will not serue the Lord shall perish : for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it . Repent therfore for the Kingdome of heauen is at hand , at hand answereth the echo againe . And so I conclude , praying God to forgiue our sins , which haue caused these iudgements , and vpon our repentance to raise vp Sauiours , and deliuerers of his Church ( as I hope he will ) more and more to his glory , and the finall confusion of his enemies both open , and secret , Gog and Magog , now in these last dayes , Reu. 20.8 before the end of the world very neare approaching , to be vtterly destroyed , vtterly destroyed answereth the echo againe Amen , Amen .