IT hath beene a godly custome of the faithfull , although not obserued so customably alwaies as by Phil . 4.6 . Col. 3.17 . 1. Thes . 5.18 . the Rules of faieth it ought , that when they receiued any special benefit , either in atteining to things commodious for them , or in auoiding of discommodities : they lifted vp their voices to the autor of it , the Father of mercies , the god of al comfort , and did honour him with giuing special thankes for it . Melchisedek , king of Salem , a man of power & credit in the land of Canaan , had not so great cause to care for the state of Abram and Lot , two strangers in the land . Yet when Abram had rescued Lot being taken , & had spoiled the spoilers : Melchisedek brake forth into his praise who gaue the victory , Gen. 14.20 . Blessed be the high God , which hath deliuered thine enemies into thy hand . The state of the Israëlites touched Moses neerer : how much the lesse is it to be marueiled at if hee thought it his duty to Exod . 15.1 . magnify the Lord for guiding them out of Egypt through the red Sea , and drowning Pharao with his host . Though that the children of Israel themselues , an vnchankful , murmuring , and stifnecked nation , should ioyne therein with Moses , all , both men and women : it is a president woorthy to be noted to the shame of Christians , if in greater measure of the grace of God wee shewe lesse gratitude for his graces . The feasting and ioy that the Est. 9.17 . Iewes kept for their owne deliueraunce out of the snares of Haman , and for his destruction with the partakers of his conspiracie , might seeme to bee onely a profane reioycing as worldly minded men commonly do vse at their good successes . But , that it was holy & seasoned with a sacrifyce , such a sacrifice as lawfully they might offer there where then they were dispersed , the circumstance of sending partes vnto the poor , with Deuer . 16.14 . precepts & Neh . 8.11 . examples of daies in like sort kept holy to the Lord doth argue . We are assembled at this present , fathers and brethren beloued in the Lord , to giue him most humble and most harty thankes for his great & singular goodnes shewed vnto vs in discouering the traiterous intent of graceles wretches , who vilanously conspired to take away the life of our gracious Queene ( whom God long preserue , ) and to kindle flames of vprores through the realme , to the vtter wasting of her faithfull subiectes . O that wee had the harts to praise him for it with the like religious affection of spirite in zeale and sincerity , as Melchisedek did for Lot recouered by Abram , as Moses & the Israëlites for the Egyptian yoke broken , as the Iewes for their safety and the destruction of their enemies . Sure we haue greater causes so to doe , then any of them had . For Lot was but one , and that a meane man : nor much indangered more then of losse of libertie . Here a most excellent Princesse was in hazard , not of libertie , but of life : with God knoweth how many righteous Lots besides . And the bodily coiles which the Israëlites endured in Egypt vnder the taske-masters that Pharao placed ouer them , were nothing in comparison of the spiritual bondage of the Antichristian tyrantes , to whom , might these Egyptian impes haue had their willes , we should ( it is likely ) haue beene most lamentably enthralled . Neither hath the Lord so mercifully deliuered vs out of the Lyons mouth at this time onely , but at sundry other heretofore often : that the Iewes could not bee so much beholding to him for that of Hamā , who did not liue to put them more then once in danger . Wherefore that wee may accept the more thankfully and dutifully esteeme of his inestimable goodnesse , in sauing our gratious Queene and vs her subiectes from so great , so many so imminent mischiefs : I haue thought good to take for the ground of mine aduertisement and exhortation these woordes , which you haue heard , written by the godly Prince and Prophet Dauid in the eighteenth Psalme , a song of thankes geuing , which he made when the Lord had deliuered him out of the hand of all his enimies and out of the hand of Saul . For so is it noted in the title thereof , and manifested farder by the course of the storie in the second of Samuel , 2. Sam . 22.1 . where the same is wholly registred againe wel-nigh word for word , as a most worthy and memorable monument to bee thought vpon eft soones of all posterity , that on like fauour receiued of the lord they might shew themselues alike grateful to him . In these wordes therefore comprehending brieflie the purport and drift of the whole Psalme by way of conclusion , two thinges are recommended to our considerations : one is the benefit of God in deliuering Dauid from his enemies ; the other , the thankfulnes of Dauid vnto God for that deliuerance . The benefit of God in deliuering Dauid is signified by that he saith , The Lord liueth . For he meaueth not that the Lord liueth in respect of his beeing , his euerlasting essence , in which sense notwithstanding Act. 14.15 . Reu . 10.6 . & 15.7 . hee is said to liue , and to liue 1. Tim . 6.1 . only : but in respect of his woorkes , his effects to Dauid ward , in whose preseruation he sheweth that hee liueth , and saueth his , and ruleth all thinges by his eternal prouidence . Which meaning Dauid openeth in that he adioyneth , and my blessed strength : calling god his strength , his fortresse , his rock , his blessed strength and foretresse , because his life , his safetie , his wel-fare is mainteined by the might and mercy of the liuing God . As in Psal . 18.2 . the beginning he testified also : The Lord is my rocke , and my fortresse , and my deliuerer , my God , my strength in whom I will trust , my shield , & the horne of my saluation , my refuge . And this is the benifite of God vnto Dauid . The thankfulnes of Dauid vnto God foloweth : Therefore let the God of my saluation be exalted . Wherein , by the way , the cause of his thankfulnes , to weet , the benefit , is repeated . For though in our toung the name of saluation is by common vse referred to the blisseful state of life eternal in the Kingdome of heauen , whereto the scripturephrase doth likewise oft refer it : yet is it applied in ● . Heb . {αβγδ} the Prophets language heere to bodily safety and temporal preseruation of this present life . As {αβγδ} saluations also are vers . 51. afterwarde mentioned , or as our English translation interpreteth it ) deliucrances : and vers . 3. before , he set downe the general proposition with the same worde , I cal vpon the lord who is worthy to be praised , & I am {αβγδ} safe from mine enimies . vnto this author then of his safety he rendreth praise and honour : and that in such sort as may stir vp others thereunto withal , that God by the thanks-giuing of more may be more glorified , let him be exalted . To the perfourmance of the which dutie that he may geue a sharper edge and hotter zeale to himselfe and others : he amplifieth and openeth more particularly both the cause of the duty , and the duty it selfe , in the verses following . Touching the cause of the duty , he saith , The mightie God , that giueth mee reuengementes , and bringeth people vnder me , that deliuereth mee from mine enemies : yea , thou hast exalted mee aboue them that rose vp against mee , thou hast deliuered me from the cruel man . A summary but pithy rehearsal of the specialties of the fauour doone him by God against 1. Sam . 18. & 19. & 23. & 24. & 26. Saul , against 2. Sam 2. & 3 & 4. Sauls sonne Ish●bosheth , against the 2. Sam . 5. & 8. Philistines , the 2. Sam . 8. Moabites , the 2. Sam . 8. & 10 Syrians , the 2. Sam 8. & 10. & 11. Ammonites , the 1. Sam . 30. & 2. Sam . 8. Amalekites , and the 2. Sam . 8. & Psal . 60. Idumaeans , against 2. Sam . 15. & 17. & 18. Absalom , against 2. Sam . 20. Sheba , with their rebellious complices of Israël and Iuda too . Of whem a great many were punished in iustice : 2. Sam . 4.8 . the Lord auenging him , of some , by other mens handes ; 2. Sam . 10.18 . & 18.31 . of some by his owne , as being armed thereunto with Rom. 13.4 . the sworde of vengeance . The rest though their liues wer spared in mercy yet were they brought in awe and subiection vnder him . So himselfe , his enemies either not remaining or not remaining enemies , at the least not daring to practise their enmitie was deliuered from them . Yea , ( which he vttereth more emphatically by turning of his speech to god ) God did exalt him & aduance him higher then any of his aduersaries that rose vp against him , & deliuered him from Saul , who of long time pursued him most fiersly and put him oft in present daunger of his life , from the cruel , violent , Heb . the man of violences . 2. Sam . 22.49 . the most violent man . Touching his duty whereupon , he addeth , Therefore will I confesse thee , ô Lord , among the Gentiles ; and I wil sing vnto thy name : he geueth great deliuerances to his king , and sheweth mercie to his anointed , to Dauid and to his seed for euer . To confesse the Lord , is to acknowledge him to be the autour & giuer of whatsoeuer good we haue : to sing vnto his name , is with ioyfull melodie of voice to acknowledge it . Both these thinges doth Dauid vow that hee wil do : and therein will testify , euen before the Gentiles , that the Lorde , who made him king , and anointed him , doth geue him great deliuerances , and sheweth him mercy , nor only him , but his too , his seed , his posteritie and progenie for euer . The very literal sense of the which words doth import an excellent thankfulnesse in Dauid , that would yeeld such tokens therof among the Gentiles , Psal . 18.43 . the heathens whom he had subdued : a more excellent goodnes and graciousnes in God , who raised him to roial state , and mightily preserued him in it , and ridde him out of many dangers , and shewed mercy still to him , yea to his ofspring also that should raigne after him . But al this is base in respect of that which the holy ghost in a spiritual meaning doth hereby signify and botoken . For Dauid was anointed king of the Iewes , made conquerour of Gentiles , cast into perils , troubles , paines of death , and by speciall grace againe deliuered from them , to the intent he might be a figure ( as wee terme it ) an image and picture , an historical picture , and a liuing image , that should resemble and represent the person of an other Ezck. 34.23 . & 37.24 . Dauid , Ier . 23.5 . & 33.15 . his sonne our Sauiour Christ . Which mistery Act. 2.30 . him self knowing as a Prophet , did write ( by inspiration from God ) sundry thinges , whereof the full and perfit accomplishment appeereth in Christ and his kingdome , as , Mat . 27.35 . Mar. 12.10 . Ioh . 2 17. & 19.28 . Act. 4.25 . & 13.33 . Rom 15.3 . Heb . 2.12 . & 10.5 . the scriptures teach vs : though a thinne and slender performance of the same was before expressed and drawen out , as it were , by lineaments and shadowes of a type and figure in Dauid & his state . So the great deliuerances and saluations temporal , geuen and assured to Dauid , and to his seed for euer after a sort , that is for long continuance of many yeares succession , did prefigure greater spiritual deliuerances , and saluations simply and absolutely eternal , which should be likewise giuen to Christ and to his Esai . 53.10 . Ier . 33.22 . seede , that is , to Ioh . 1.12 . the faithfull , the children of God whom 2. Cor . 5.20 . Christ doth beget in his Church 1. Pet 1.23 . by the immortall seede of his woorde . To Gen. 3.15 . Christ and to his Rom. 16.20 . seede is giuen the treading downe of the serpent , Reu . 12.7 . the ouerthrow and victorie of Satan and his Angels . To 1. Co. 15. ver . 25. Christ and to vers . 55. his seede is death quelled , the graue vanquished , the power of hel daunted , and all their enimies put to flight . To . Mat . 4.6 . Christ and to Heb . 1.14 . his seede is Psal . 91.12 . a gard of Angels appointed for their safety , Heb . 9.12 . & 10.19 . an entrance into Heauen opened , and Psal . 16.11 . Act. 2.28 . Reu . 21 , 4. the ioyes of life , of euerlasting solace , of endlesse rest , assured . Which most excellent mercies , deliuerances , saluations , as the Prophets commonly in the ende of their prophecies doo commend to men by figuratiue speeches of Israël , of Iuda , of Sion , of Ierusalem , & blessinges incident theretoo : so in this conclusion of his song of thankes doth Dauid ascend to them by the other , to shew himselfe grateful vnto God for them . A proofe whereof we haue in the last woordes that he concludeth with . For therin he seemeth to respect the promise , that Sam . 7.12 . the Lorde woulde set vp his seede after him , and stablish the throne of his kingdome for euer . Which the Angel Gabriel , sent to the Virgine Marie , expoundeth of Christ , telling her that Luk . 1.32 . God shal giue vnto him the throne of his Father Dauid , and hee shall raigne ouer the house of Iacob for euer , and of his kingdome shall be no end . And a farder proofe in the former clause touching his confessing of God among the Gentiles : considering that S. Paul declareth the goodnes of Christ in Rom. 15.9 . receiuing the Gentiles to his glory to be meant thereby . As if the holy Prophet had said that he would vse a newe and vnaccustomed thankfulnesse to God for his passing singular and vnspeakable benefits : neither would confesse him among the Iewes onely , as then the faithful did according to their order of praying in the Temple ; but among the Gentiles also in time to come , when they being called to the church of Christ should be made acquainted with his Psalms and Hymns , and learne to praise the Lorde with him . So that I may saie the same of these words , that on like occasion our Sauiour did of other , Luk . 4.21 . This day is the scripture fulfilled in your eares . Howbeit not only these words of this scripture are fulfilled this day : but the other too , that lay foorth the fauour of God vnto his children in sauing his anointed . For what more commoditie did the Iewes receiue by King Dauids meanes , then we by our soueraine Lady Queen Elisabeths ? What enimies , what dangers , what deaths did he escape : from the like whereof the Lorde hath not as often , as woonderfully , preserued her Maiestie ? The arke of the couenaunt , wherein Exod . 25.16 . the testimonie was laid , wheron the mercie-seate was placed , from which Numb . 7.89 . the voice of God was hearde , at which 2. Sam . 6.2 . his name was called vpon , whereto 1. Chro . 13.3 . they had not sought in the daies of Saul , 2. Sam . 6.12 . King Dauid brought into his cittie : and caused 1. Chr. 15.16 . the Leuites ioyfullie to play on instrumentes of musicke , and lift vp their voices at the bringing of it . Queene Elisabeth hath brought vs the body and trueth of that whereof his ceremonies were but shadowes onlie , the free vse and Christian doctrine of the Gospell , the word of God , the holy Scriptures , the praiers and publike seruice of the highest , al in a language knowen to all : and hath mooued her Subiectes to receiue these means of their 1 Cor . 14.19 . instruction and 2. Tim 3.15 . saluation with Col. 3.16 . Psalmes , and hymnes , and spiritual songs , singing with a grace in their harts vnto the Lord . Dauid to those heauenly treasures added earthly , & enriched his kingdome 2. Sam . 8.10 . & 12.30 . with siluer and goulde . The puritie of coine restored by her Maiestie for base and copper moonies wherewith she found the realme pestered , doth say no lesse for her : beside place of siluer and golde with other ornamentes in so great plenty , as if God would verifie according to the letter that which he promised his Church in a mysterie , Esa . 60.17 . For brasse wil I bring gold , and for yron wil I bring siluer . Much did it make for the safetie of Iury , that 2. Sam . 8. Dauid put garisons in Syria and Idumaea , countries that bordered vpon the North and South thereof . Much . But more for England , that Elisabeth ( to passe ouer the fortifieng of borders ) hath furnished it with all sort of armour , and munition , neuer more or better : and thereto with a roiall nauie of vessels , so stately , so strong , so wel apointed for wars , that our lande is fensed with walles , not only of wood Herodot . in Polymnia . as Gręcia was against Xerxes , but of brasse & yron too against forein enimies . The people of Israel confessed of them-selues that 2. Sam . 19 9. they were deliuered out of the hand of the Philistines , and other enemies by that King . The warres which our Queene hath had for our safegard in Scotland and France , euen Lod . Guicciardin comment . de reb . memorab in Europ . lib . 3. Buchana . rer . Scot . lib . 16. & 17. Comment . de stat . rel & reip . in Gal. lib . 5. & 6. aliens haue seen and shewed to the worlde that they were atchiued with maruellous honour and aduantage to her selfe & her realm . As this ( by Gods grace ) which she hath presently The Queens declarat . touching aide geuen to the low countries . vppon the like ground in the low countries , shal be in due time also . Again , how sweet a peace haue we so long enioied vnder her at home , as vnder a King . 4.25 . Salomon in that consideration rather then a Dauid ? The fruites whereof , if nothing from abroade had sprong to our wealth and wel-fare ( which hath notwithstanding in no smal abundance ) might counteruaile the profites 2. Sam . 8.2 . that did growe to Iury by Dauids warres and victories , Yea , our dearth and sickenes the chastisementes and afflictions that nowe we doe tast , or did heretofore , ( as Heb . 12.7 . needes wee must some , and Psal . 119.71 . expedient wee should ) haue been but gentle threats to her Maiesties subiectes , in respect of his : 2. Sam . 21.1 . the famine , that lasted three yeares together ; the plauge that consumed 2. Sam . 24.15 . seuenty thousand men . And though by occasion of difficulties and wants , what of men , what of maintenance , her highnes hath not yet bin able to prouide that wise & faithful workmen for the perfite edifieng of the house of God with doctrine and discipline shoulde be set in euery Church through her dominion ; as neither was 1. Chr. 22.8 . Dauid by reason of his warres to build vp the Temple : yet as hee prepared thinges necessarie for it , that it might be the better doon when time should serue , so hath shee by fostering Colleges and Schooles , the nurseries of the ministerie . Her princely care wherof hath appeered specially of late vnto vs in a branch of our Oliue that was almost withered , the state of Queenes College . Which she hath refreshed , confirmed , aduaunced , with benefits and immunities so bountifully and noblely : that wee and our posteritie haue as iust cause to thinke of Queene Elisabeth in the name therof , as of Queene Philippa . Our whole Oliuetree did generally feele it before in the famous and woorthy Act of Parlament 18. El. c . 6. for the maintenance of Colleges & the reliefe of Scholers in both the Vniuersities , & also Winchester & Eaton . An Act that I haue hard men of iudgement say & I am perswaded that they said truely , ( God grant the care of Heades and industrie of Students do bring it to effect , ) may proue as beneficial for the encrease of learning , as might the erecting at least of two Colleges . The commodities then , which wee haue receiued by her blessed gouernement are as great & many , as those which the Iewes did receiue by Dauids . That we can not chuse but acknowledge gods fauour to haue been as singularly extended vnto vs in preseruing her , as it was to thē in preseruing him . For although her Maiestie hath not been assaulted by so many foreine enimes as Dauid : yet by more domestical . Wherein her deliuerances are to be esteemed so much the more precious , by howe much it is easier to beware of open foes , then of secret ; of vipers that are farder off , then in our bosomes ; of 2. Sam . 2.22 . Abners , though valiant , who professe hostilitie then of trecherous 2. Sam . 3.27 . & 20.9 . Ioabs , who pretend amitie . First ( in Queen Maries time ) the house of Saul , I meane the broode of them who 1. Sam . 15.21 . prefer will woorships before obedience to God , fearing , as 1 Sam . 20.31 . Saul did , that their seedes succession should not be established as long as Dauid liued , desired & deuised to bring that to passe which D. Story . Sander . visib . Monar . lib . 7. one of them sithence made mone it was not done , the boughes were cut off , the root was not hewed vp . But the axe , which he wished to the pleasant roote , fel on the roote of bitternes his owne hearie scalpe : the deuises of the wicked were disappointed by the Lorde , and their desires frustrated . Afterward the vsurper , the Ish-bosheth of Rome , indeed an That is to say , a man of shame and confusion . Ish-bosheth , when she was anointed and settled in her throne , sought to dispossesse her by his accursed curse and Antichristian sentence declared and published in his Bul . Moorton sent from him , to stir vp wicked spirites to the executing of it . The Earles of Northumberland & Westmerland in armes , with thousands of rebels . When they were fled and scattered : their outrage renued by Dacres and his legion . The Bull it selfe proclaimed , as it were , by Felton , to gather mo conspiratours to it . Al in vaine stil . For the hand of the Lord was ouer his handmaid , & made his woord good , that Prou. 26.2 . the vndeserued curse came not vpon her : it Ps. 109.17 . came to them who loued it and they were clothed with it as with a garment . Yet behold an other rebellion intended by certaine Norfolk gentlemen , chiefly Iohn Throckmorton . But crushed in the shel , before it was hatched . And looke what successe had the gentlemen of Norfolke , the same had the Duke . Whose purpose to depriue her Highnes of the crowne and set it on his own head by mariag of the Scottish Queene : howe hee was incouraged thereto by the Pope , Dodici mille scudi . how much mony offered by him : in the mean time , & at a time appointed Diece mille fanti . how many thousand souldiours , with as many thousand moe by the king of Spaine : Ad Harwich where they should haue landed , and thence ( being ioyned with the Dukes forces ) haue gone to surprise the Tower of London : on of their own sect a man of reputation , Histor . nou . da l'ann . 1570. sino all ann. 1572. lib . 3. Emilio Maria Manolesso doth write in his Italian storie : lamenting the case , that so braue a com-plot had so vnhappy an ende . Nowe what should I say of the traitours in Ireland ? of Stukeley the rakehell , Pontificius Prefectus , Marchio Hibernae Genebrad . Chronog . lib . 4. the Popes Irish Marques , sent thither to subdue it slain in Barbarie by the way ; of Sanders the priest , the firebrand of sedition , dead there agreeably to his life ; of the arcth-rebels , the Earle of Desinond , and his brother , serued both like 2. Sam . 20.22 . Sheba ; of the whole rable of their mates and souldiours , Italian , Spanish , Irish , feeling by the vengeance of deserued miseries the follie and furie of their lewd attempts . What of the brainesicke youth , Summerfield ? Whose interprise in substance like vnto Achitophels , did purchase 2. Sam . 17.23 . Achitophels euent and end vnto him . What of Parry , the proude miscreant ? who hauing opportunity to worke his diuelish vow , and being resolute to do it , The declarat . of W. Parrys treason . the Pope incensing him with allowance of the fact and plenary pardon of his sinnes , the Cardinal of Como with commendation and request , the Papists some with counsel , some with praier for him , some with remembrance at the altar , and Allens traiterous libell making it cleere in his conscience that it was lawfull and meritorious , euerie word therein a warrant to a minde prepared : there was but 1. Sam . 20.3 . a step betweene her and death , had not God bewraied him by his Ionathan , and by the hand of iustice giuen him that meed which his vow did merie . An intent as mischteuous and more potent meanes had the next conspiracy , The discouery of Fr. Throckmort . treasons , & of the Earle of Northum . which dealt in before by Francis Throckmorton , was after prosecuted by others . The Popes aide ( as alwaies ) ready , to gaine kingdomes ; the Spanish Kinges assistance ; the Scottish Queenes fauorers ; the Duke of Guise with forces to inuade the realm ; the plots of coastes and hauens for his fit arriuall ; the names of recusants with hope of their furtherance ; the heathens raging , and the people murmuring , kings banding themselues , and princes taking counsel against the Lord & his anointed . Yet euen in that also , were their powers and policies neuer so out-reaching , there shewed himself aboue them a mightier and wiser : Psa . 2.4 . who sitteth in the heauens , & laugheth them to scorne , discouering and dispersing the smoaky puffes of their endeuours . Which of his accustomed goodnes and bounty he hath done in this too , the last , & I beseech God it be the last , that now he hath disclosed . In the discomfiting whereof , and of the former , his out-stretched arme hath appeared the more glorious : because the vnderminers of her Maiesties state haue cloaked their attemptes with pretense of Religion , and saluation of soules , most suttle meanes & forcible to inueigle men : and , to steal away her subiectes heartes from hir , haue reconciled them to hir dead lie enimie as to their soueraine Pastor : & made them sure vnto him by badges and pledges of halowed graines , of medals , of beades , of Agnus-deis , of crusifixes , of pictures , with A Popish embleme fit for Atheists . See Prou. 23.26 . Fili , da mihi cor tuum , & sufficit , Sonne , geue me thy heart , and it sufficeth , & other such spiritual sorceries . A practise more damgerous thē any of Dauids aduersaries did vse , yea then 2 Sam . 15.1 . Absalom himself the cunningst of them al : who had no High Priestes that would take vpon them to depose Dauid ; nor meritoriousnes to fee diuels incarnat with to murder him ; nor The Popes Bul granted to D. Harding & others , anno Dom . 1567 autorities for Harding , & others , to assoile thē that would reuolt from him ; nor The exec . of iustice in Eng. for treason . faculties for Persons and Campian , to instruct them to Ne Bulla Pij Quinti obligei Catholicos rebus sic stantibus : as they stood anno Dom . 1580. obey , or Tum demum quando publica ciusdem Bullae exequutio fieri poterit . rebell , as thinges should fall out , nor Iesuites , and Seminarie-Priests , ( like the Augustin . contr . epist. Parmen . l. 1. c . 9. & . l. 3. c . 6. Donatists ) to spreade seditious doctrine , and beare the world in hande that Bristow Motiu . 15. Concertat . eccl . cath . in Angl. aduers . Calu & Purit . Ecclesiae Anglicanę trophaea , Roma . when they were punished for it , they wer Martyrs . Wherfore all the woordes of the text , that I treat of , which doe lay before vs the most prouident care and fatherly loue of God in sauing and deliuering our most excellent Princesse out of the hand of her enimies , of Papists , of Atheists , of Malcontents , base and noble ; secret and open ; externall and domestical ; are fulfilled and verified in our eares this day . It remaineth that the rest which concerne our duty to God for this benefite , be likewise fulfilled and verified in our eares , or in our heartes rather , naie both in heartes and bodies also . The foremost degree and step whereunto is to acknowledge that the Lorde , our blessed strength , our mightie God , is the autour of it : it is he that liueth , that saueth his anointed , that geueth her reuengements , that bringeth people vnder her , that deliuereth her from her enimies , from the cruel man , that exalteth her aboue them who rise vp against hir , that giueth great deliuerances , and sheweth mercy to her , yea to al his seruants , the children of God , the seed of Christ , for euer . And this haue our soueraine prouoked vs to doe by her owne example : The Queens letters to the L. Mayor of Lond . and his brethren . ascribing not onely the present detection and apprehension of traitors to the great and singular goodnes of God , but also the infinite blessings laid vpon her , as many as euer Prince had , yea rather as euer creature had . The Lord hath endued her Maiesties person with most rare prudence ; her state with Counsailers very wise and faithfull ; her Realme with many thousandes of dutiful louing subiectes , Nor is it to bee doubted but that sundry circumspect eies and loyal handes of these haue been occupied in finding out and bringing to light the conspiracie . Yet because the Lorde is Iam . 1.17 . the father of lights , & 1. Cor . 4.7 . what hath any man that he hath not receiued ? neither can he effectuate ought with that he hath except the Lord blesse it , Psal . 127.1 . except the Lord build the house , they labour in vain that build it ; except the Lorde keepe the citie , the keeper watcheth in vaine : therefore doth her Highens in the meanes themselues & aboue the meanes acknowledge the woorking of the principal agent , vnder whose protection her selfe resteth safe , and seeth vengeance powred on them that wish her euil . Which I would to God the dissoyall hartes , if there bee any more yet , of that broode of Cockatrices , did acknowledge also : and , as Psal . 4.4 . the Prophet willeth , did weigh it with themselues , and think vpon their bedde of it . Then were it to bee hoped that in consideration thereof they would bee still : and after 1. Sam . 24.5 . & 26.8 . his example , whose aduise that is , detest the very breath of such as make mention of laying violent hande vpon the Lordes anointed . For though it were true , as The answ . to the execut . of iust . ca. 5. the traiterous libeller endeuoureth to perswade men , that the Popes sentence against her were as lawefull , as Samuels was against Saul ; which yet is most false , and D. Bilson of Christian subiect . part . 3. proued so to be ; but grant it were true : yet had they to remember that Dauid did refraine to lay hand on Saul after Samuels sentence ; nether of humanitie onely , but of duty : 1 Sam . 26.9 . for who can lay his hand on the Lordes anointed ( saith he ) and be giltles ? At least , if they would not be still , as he was , for conscience sake , yet for Rom. 13.4 . fear they might be : seing that Eccl. 10.20 . a foule of the aire shall cary the voice , and a bird shall declare the matter , if they but speak euil of the king , yea in their thought , much more if they intend to doe him any euil . And sure , Psal . 7.12 . if they turne not , if they whet their swords , bend their bows and make them ready , and getting themselues deadly weapons prepare their arrowes for persequutors : they haue traueiled with lewdnesse and conceiued mischiefe to bring forth a lie ; into the pit , that they haue digged , they shal fal ; their mischiefe shal returne vpon their owne heads , and on their owne pates shal their cruelty light . For God doth giue reuengements vnto his anointed , and sheweth mercie to his Queene , aduauncing her aboue them who rise vp against her . But whether they do vse this benefit of God to their good , or no : let vs , my deere brethren , let vs and our houses ( as Ios . 24.15 . Iosua said ) serue the Lord . And that not by acknowledging onely Gods goodnes in this & al his benefites , the foremost step to thankfulnes : but the next also , I meane , by confessing of him among the Gentiles , and singing to his name with yeelding him al glorie for it . For the Heathens themselues , in that smal knowledge of God which sinne left them , did acknowledge him to be the worker and autour of the commodities that they had . In the Greeke Poets {αβγδ} . the Gods are surnamed , by a common title , the giuers of good things . Plini . hist . natur . lib . 15. cap 30. The Captaines of the Romans hauing conquered their enemies , tooke part of the lawrel ( which they did hear in signe thereof ) and laid it in the lap of Iupiter . The Caldean king subdued diuerse nations , tooke their holdes , spoiled their cities , seazed on their welth , Hab. 1.11 . ascribing that his power & force to his God . But Rom. 1.21 . they did not glorify God as they ought , neither were thankful . They robbed him of his honour & gaue it vnto 1 Cor . 8.5 . many Gods , Dan . 5 4. their owne Idols , and Rom. 1.23 . Images of mortal creatures . Yea part of the lawrel they kept to themselues : Hab. 1.16 . sacrificing to their nets and burning incense to their yarns , because by them their portion was fat , and their meate plenteous . The time of this ignorance is ouerpast , brethren , and the daies are come whereof it was Esai . 11.9 . prophecied , that the earth should be full of the knowledge of the Lorde , as waters coouer the sea . How much the more excuseles shal our fowle ingratitude and vngodlinesse be : if wee bee no thankfuller to him then the Heathens , then the Greeks , the Romans , the Caldeans were . Chiefly sith beside the temporall benefit of the preseruation of our Prince and vs , wee haue receiued graces more excellent and precious to endure for euer : namely , the enioying of his Sonne Christ Iesus , 1. Cor . 1.30 . our wisedome , our righteousnes , our sanctification , our redemption ; the Spirit of adoption Rom. 8.15 . wherby we haue boldnes to crie Abba father , the peace of conscience , tranquillitie of mind , contentednes of hart : the inheritaunce immortal , vndefiled , and that withereth not ; the comfort , the protection , the assurance of his loue : in a word , so many blessinges both of this life , & of the life to come , as neuer any nation vnder heauen greater . Wherefore I beseech you by the mercies of God , who spared not his owne Sonne for our sakes , but gaue him to the death , the vile death of the crosse , that wee might liue through him : let vs confesse him sincerely and faithfully Tit . 1.16 . not onely in wordes , but in deeds ; and confesse him among the Gentiles , euen those which are strangers and altens from the faith that wee may win them to the Lord . Let 1. Pet . 2.12 . our conuersation be honest among them that by our good woorkes , which they shal see , they may glorifie God in the day of the visitation . Let vs cast away profane songs of wantonnes , of lightnes , of vanity ; & sing vnto his name : vsing both our voice & speech in al respects Eph. 5.3 . as it becommeth Saints . To be short , let vs shewe , let vs striue to shew by al partes of duety a thankful acceptance of the great saluations that hee hath wrought for vs , and zealous remembrance of the end wherto : Luk . 1.75 . that we being deliuered out of the hand of our enemies , should serue him without feare , in holines & righteousnes before him al the daies of our life . The godly Prince & Prophet , whose vertuous example as in al the rest , so in this speciallie should be a spur vnto vs , calling into mind how God hath deliuered his soule from death , his eies from teares , and his feete from falling , brake out into these words : Psal . 116.12 . What shal I render to the lord for al his benefites towards me ? I wil take the cup of saluations , and cal vppon the name of the Lord : I wil pay my vows to the lord euen now in the presence of al his people . Neither said he more therein then hee perfourmed . For when 1. Chr. 16.2 . he had offered sacrifices of thanks-geuing , hee made a holy banket therewith vnto the people , in remembrance of the manifold safeties & deliuerances that he had receiued . He praised the Lord , and called vpon his name : his Psalms do witnesse it to this day . Psal . 57.2 . He promised that he would iudge righteouslie : 2. Sam . 8.15 . he did it . Psal . 132.2 . Hee vowed to bring the arke into a place of rest : 2. Sam . 6.16 . hee brought it . How great cause we haue , fathers , & brethren , to say as hee saide , What shall wee render to the Lord : your selues doe well know . How small care wee shew of doing as hee did , in praising God , and paying our vowes before his people : the worlde dooth see . Our slacknesse in frequenting of sermons , of praiers , of celebrating the Lordes Supper , and taking the cup of the saluation of saluations , I wishe it were amended rather then reprooued . Wee haue made vowes and promises to God , al , of perpetual holines in baptisme : some , of special duties , in their seueral callings . And is it to be hoped that euery one of vs , though not with Dauids zeale , yet with some measure of it , will paie them to the Lord ? Sure the greater hope therof is to be had , if that , which hath been moued of order to be taken for ordinarie sermons and preaching of the woorde on our Sabbath-daies in the afternoone , not the forenoon onely , may be effected by the godly forwardnes of them who should say , Heb . 6.3 . And this wil we do if God permit . The father of mercies & God of al comfort , who hath raised vnto vs a most glorious light , and placed a most gratious Princesse in the throne of gouernment among vs , sancrify vs throughout with his holy spirit : that wee may offer vp the sacrifices of righteousnes , the fruits of our lips , of our harts , of our hands , to the glory of his name for al his benefites powred on vs. And as hee hath hitherto giuen great deliueraunces and shewed mercy to his anointed : so beseech we him for his Sonne our Sauiors sake to doe it stil . Saue her , O Lord , saue her out of the hand of al her enemies . Let their roote bee as rottennesse , and their budde as dust , who rise vp against her . Blesse her with the zealous spirite of Iosias , with the peace of Salomon , with the yeares of Dauid : that she may long raign a godly , a happy , an auncient Mother in Israël . Finally continue thy Fatherly loue and fauour towarde her for euer , and towards vs her subiects , the children of thy couenant : that we both in this life & in the life to come may confesse thy goodnesse and sing vnto thy name with thy blessed Seruauntes and elect Angels . Reu . 7.12 . Praise , and glorie , and wisedome , and thankes , and honour , and power , and might , bee vnto our God for euermore . Amen .