The vvhole sermons of that eloquent diuine, of famous memory; Thomas Playfere, Doctor in Diuinitie Gathered into one vollume, the titles thereof are named in the next page.

A SERMON PREACHED before the Kings Maiestie at Draytonin Northhamptonshire. August. 6. 1605.

PSAL. 132.18.

As for his enemies I shall cloath them with shame; but vpon himselfe shall his Crown flourish.

THe Royal Prophet ha∣uing setled himselfe in his kingdome accor∣ding to his owne de∣sire; and besides ha∣uing after many wan∣drings to and fro, at length brought backe the Arke againe to Ierusalem; maketh here his most zea∣lous

and deuout prayer to God for the continuance of his fauour both to the Church and Common-wealth commit∣ted to his gouernement. Returne, O Lord, to thy resting place, saies hee, thou a 1.1 and the Arke of thy strength. Let thy Priests be cloathed with righteous∣nesse, and let thy Saints sing with ioy∣fulnesse. For thy seruant Dauids sake turne not away the face of thine anoin∣ted. Now that he might apparantly see how neere the Lord is to all them that call vpon him in faithfulnesse and truth, he waiteth not long for an answer, but carries it away with him before he de∣part: For to Dauids petition, Returne, O Lord, vnto thy resting place, thou, and the arke of thy strength; Gods an∣swer is this, b 1.2 This shall be my resting place, here will I dwell, for I haue a delight therein. I will blesse her victu∣alls with increase, and will satisfie her poore with bread. To Dauids petition, Let thy Priests be cloathed with righte∣ousnesse, and let thy Saints sing with ioyfulnesse; Gods answer is this, I will cloath her Priests with saluation, and her Saints shall reioyce and sing. Last∣ly,

to Dauids petition; For thy seruant Dauids sake turne not away the face of thine annointed: Gods answer is this; There shall I make the horne of Dauid flourish, I, I haue ordained a light for mine annointed. As for his enemies, I shall cloath them with shame: but vpon himselfe shall his crowne flourish. As if he should haue said; Turne away the face of mine annointed? Nay, that will I neuer doe, I will indeede turne away the face of the enemies of mine an∣nointed. Their face shall be couered with confusion, and cloathed with shame: But contrariwise, I haue or∣dained a light for mine annointed. He euer shall haue a light in his face, and a crowne vpon his head. As for his ene∣mies, I shall cloth them with shame: but vpon himselfe shall his crowne flou∣rish.

These words are principally to be vn∣derstood of Christ. For neuer were any so clothed with shame as his enemies the cursed Iewes which murthered him. There citie was sacked, not one stone of it beeing left vpon another, and they themselues as stubble or chaffe were

scattered ouer the face of the earth. So that they are the very shame of men, and the out-cast of all people. Inso∣much as when we would signifie we hate a man deadly, indeede we com∣monly vse to say, we hate them worse then a Iewe. On the other side, Christ is so exalted now, that all power is giuen him in heauen and earth, yea God hath giuen him a name aboue all names, that at the most sweete and most ex∣cellent name of Iesus, euerie knee and euery heart also might doe obeys••nce. And as the Apostle prooueth out of the eight Psalme, the Lord now after all his dolorous paines and torments, hath crowned him with honour and glorie. Neuerthelesse in a secondarie sort, this promise may be applied also to Dauid, who was a notable type of Christ; and so consequently to euery faithfull successor of Dauid, which is Christs vicegerent and lieftenant vp∣on earth. For yee know what was the the ende of all Dauids enemies: Ab∣solon his disobedient sonne hung vp by the goldy lockes of pride. Achito∣phel his trayterous Counsellor made

away himselfe. Shemei, a reuiler of him, and a derractor from him, in his gray haires put to shamefull death. The same may be said of the rest. But holy Dauid himselfe could neuer be o∣uercome. For though many enemies, specially Antiochus Epiphanes, bent all their force, to the very vttermost, to roote out Dauids posteritie, and to de∣stroy Gods people; yet maugre their heads and their hearts, Dauids crowne yet flourished and continued in his stocke, till at the length the sonne of Dauid came into the world; of whom the Angel Gabriel spake to the blessed virgin Marie in this sort; d 1.3 He shall be great, and shall be called the sonne of the most High; and the Lord God shall giue him the throne of his Father Da∣uid, and he shall be ruler ouer the house of Iacob, and of his kingdome shall be no ende. Now if this Scripture be so notably verified in Dauid, bee hauing faithfully serued in his time, and bee∣ing now by the will of God dead: no reason but that we may vnderstand it also generally of euery holy one of God, which treadeth in Dauids steps,

going in and out before Gods people. As for his enemies, I shall cloath them with shame; but vpon himselfe shall his crowne flourish.

Here are two parts. His enemies; himselfe. His enemies, first shall haue shame; secondly shall be cloathed with shame. Himselfe, first shal haue a crown: secondly shal haue a flourishing crown. As for his enemies I shall cloath them with shame; but vpon himselfe shall his crowne flourish.

The shame which the Lord God as∣sureth Dauid shall light vpon his ene∣mies, is a very droadfull iudgement a∣gainst them. Nicetas saies plainely; No punishment so greiuous as shame. And Nazianzene yet more expressely; Bet∣ter were a man die right out, then still liue in repro••ch and shame. This, di∣uerse valiant worthies haue shewed to be true, ridding themselues volun∣tarily of their life, that so they might be rid of their shame. Aiax beeing readie to dispatch himselfe, vsed these as his last words; No greife doth so cut the very heart of a generous and magnanimous man, as shame and re∣proach.

What should I speake of any more Grecians, or Romanes, as of Bru∣tus, Cassius, Antonius, Cato Vricensis, and such others? In Scripture we haue a plaine proofe. Mighty Sampson, bee∣ing about to pull the whole house vpon his owne head,* 1.4 saide thus: O Lord God I pray thee strengthen me at this time onely, that I may be at once auen∣ged of the Philistims, for my two eies. Hee desired rather once to die vali∣antly, then long to liue wretchedly. For as Saint Ambrose writing of Sam∣son, saith, h 1.5 For a man to liue, or die, is naturall: but for a man to liue in shame and contempt, and to be made a laugh∣ing stocke of his Enemies, is such a matter, as no well bred and noble min∣ded man that hath any courage, or sto∣macke in him, can euer digest it. Yet the Lord God promiseth Dauid his a∣nointed, that shame shall be the re∣ward of all his enemies; shame I say which is a great deale worse then death it selfe. As for his enemies, saies he, I shall cloath them with shame.

Secondly, they shall be clothed with shame. To be cloathed is an Hebrewe

phrase, signifying to haue any thing vnseparably cast vpon one. And it is ta∣ken both in the better and in the wor∣ser part. As a little before; I cloath her Priests with saluation: that is, I will furnish Syons Priests with such indow∣ments and graces from aboue, which they shall be as it were inuested into; that both by their life and doctrine, they shal still further the saluation both of themselues; and of them which heare them. Contrariwise, in this place I will cloath them with shame; That is, shame shall so vnseparably accom∣pany them, that as wheresoeuer a man goeth, he carrieth his cloathes with him; so wheresoeuer they goe, they shall carrie their shame with them. And that which is strangest of all; they which are ashamed, vse to cloath or couer their shame, and then thinke themselues well enough. But Dauids e∣nemies shall be so shamed, that euen the verie couering of their shame, shall be a discouering of it; and the cloathing or cloaking of their ignominie, shall be nothing else but a girding of it more closely and more vnseparably vnto

them. So the Prophet speaketh else∣where, i 1.6 Let them be put to confusion and shame together, that reioyce at mine hurt. Let them be cloathed with rebuke and dishonour, that lift vp themselues against me. O Lord God, say Amen to it; let it be euen so, O Lord, Let them be clothed with rebuke and dishonour that lift vp themselues against thine annointed. And againe, k 1.7 Let shame be vnto him as a cloake that he hath vpon him, and as the girdle that he is alwaies girdled withall. And yet againe, l 1.8 Let mine aduersaries be cloathed with shame, and let them co∣uer themselues with their owne confu∣sion as with a cloake.

But to leaue the word, and come to the matter. The enemies of Dauid shall be clothed with shame three waies: In their owne conscience; In the world; In the day of iudgement.

Touching their owne conscience, S. Austin saies well, m 1.9 All vnordinate de∣sires, as none are more vnordinate then trayterous and rebellious enterprises, carrie in themselues that bane which poysons and punishes them at the last.

Whereupon the Prophet saies, n 1.10 Hide me, O Lord, vnder the shadow of thy wings, vntill iniquitie be ouerpast, as the Septuagint translate it. But wee read it, Vntill this tyrannie be ouer∣past. And others transla••e it, Vntill this Calamitie, or this Miserie be ouerpast. Which indifferent acceptation of the Hebrew word, sheweth that nothing doth so tyrannize ouer the conscience, nothing is such a calamitie and misery to the minde, as iniquity and sinne. Iudas after he had betraied his Lord and Master, was so confounded in his owne conscience, that he cryed out and said, o 1.11 I haue sinned, in betraying inno∣cent blood. Proditer Casca, vile tray∣tour: if his blood be innocent, then thy conscience is guilty. And if thou canst confesse thou hast sinned, when it is too late, why diddest thou not take heede of sinning when t'was time? I haue sinned saies he, sinned in betraying innocent blood. A thousand hells could not haue more tormented him, then this desperate sorrowe, and extreame shame wherewith his consci∣ence was cloathed, tearing his bowels

whilst he was aliue, and powring them out when he died.

Now as for shame in the world, we reade p 1.12 that God did set a marke vp∣on Cain the murtherer of the iust Habel; and so consequently the ring-leader of all Dauids enemies. Therefore as when men see a wolfe or a foxe, or any such h••rtfull beast in the forest, they set all their dogs vpon him; so the enemies of the Lords annointed, beeing burnt as it were and branded with the markes of shame, are howted and hunted where∣soeuer they goe. One example at this time shall suffice. Maxentius a wicked rebell against his own Lord the famous Emperour Constantine the great, deui∣sed to haue a bridge made with cocke∣bo••tes chained together ouer a riuer neere Rome, thinking to traine the Em∣perour that way, and there to drowne them in the riuer. But God so wrought for his chosen seruant, that the enemie himselfe beeing compelled to flie that way, was taken in that pit which he dig∣ged for others. And so as Pharaoh was cloathed with shame in the open viewe and fight of all the world, when he and

all his host were drowned in the redde sea, after the same fashion Maxentius was drest,

Lastly, touching shame in the day of iudgement, Dauids enemies at that day shall stand before the tribunall ••••ate of Christ, beeing naked in all respec••••else, but onely couered with their owne shame. Then they shall be vexed with horrible fearer 1.13, and cloathed with con∣fusion; whereas the righteous shall bee cloathed with incorruption;* 1.14 yea though in this life with the rich glutton, s 1.15 they haue beene cloathed with purple, and fine linnen, yet then their attire shall be dishonour, and their garment shall bee shame. Thus will the Lord cloath the enemies of his anointed with shame; cloath them in their owne conscience; cloath them in the world, cloath them in the day of iudgement. As for his e∣nemies I shall cloath them with shame; But vpon himselfe shal his crowne flou∣rish.

The one halfe of this Sermon is now past, the other shall be as soon dispacht. But vpon him shal his crowne flourish.

First, himselfe shall haue a crowne.

Tertullian t 1.16 reporteth out of Diodorus Siculus, that the first that euer ware a crowne was Iupiter. The soldiers gaue him a royall crowne for a reward of his victorie and triumph ouer the Titans. Hereupon Iupiters Priest u 1.17 brought buls and crownes to the gates of Listra, and would there haue sacrificed to Paul. Af∣terward, when Gods people the Israe∣lites would needs haue a King, as other nations had round about them; then their Kings would needs haue crownes also, as other Kings had round about them. Hence we reade, that Dauid ha∣uing vanquished the King of Rabbath, x 1.18 tooke the crowne from off his head, and found it the waight of a talent of gold, with precious stones in it; and set it vpon his owne head. Though indeede long before that the y 1.19 Amalakite brought him a crowne, which he tooke from Sauls head when he slew him.

So that the thing God promiseth is this: that any crown which king Dauid should get, either by conquest, or by succession, or by any other iust title, should still flourish more and more. Some there are in the world which to

be sure of outward ornaments enough, will needes weare a triple crowne, O∣thers haue beene vnwilling to weare that one which they might. Ca••••tus, that wa•• absolute King almost of fi••e kingdomes somewhat before the con∣quest, vpon a time in his progresse ri∣ding neare the Thames, lighted and sat downe before the shoare. Then as it were to try a conclusion, he commanded the water beeing now ready to ari••e a∣gaine and to flow, not to come 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nee∣rer him. But the water keeping his na∣turall course, came still vp higher and higher, til it began to wet him. Where∣upon turning to his Nobles, which were about him, You call mee (saies he) your King and Master, and so indeede I am; and yet loe yee, I cannot commaund so much as this little streame, but do what I can, that will do still as it list. Where∣upon presently he posted to Westmin∣ster, and resigned his crowne to the cru∣cifixe there; neither could be euer 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this be perswaded to weare it any more. Now as the pride of that man of sinne, which sits vnder the signe of the triple crowne, is too intollerable: so on the

contrarie part, this was too much nice∣nesse in Canutus. Seeing, it followeth not, because he could not command the sea and the waters, as Christ did, and therefore he might not weare a crown. For neither doth Christ himselfe in hea∣uen weare such a crown as Kings of the earth doe. But the truth is this, that royaltie and maiestie, which is essenti∣all to God, hee is content to communi∣cate to his holy ones, and to his anoin∣ted, by participation and grace. There∣fore the Lords anointed, which is as it were his fauourite, may very well do all these three things at once; weare the crowne which God giueth; and yet de∣test the pride which God abhorreth; and still admire the Maiestie which God in∣ioyeth: So that the Lord promising his seruant Dauid a crowne, promiseth him wealth, wisedome, renowne, dignitie, prosperitie; in one word, all royalties belonging to a crowne. But vpon him∣selfe shall his crowne flourish.

Secondly, he shall haue a flourishing crowne. Flourishing is metaphorically attributed to a crowne. As in the next verse before. There shall I make the

horne of Dauid to flourish. A meta∣phor taken from those goodly crea∣tures, as stagges, and such like; whose cheifest beauty and strength consisteth in their hornes, especially when they budde and branch abroad. So in these words, But vpon himselfe shall his crowne flourish. A plaine allusion to those flowres which either continually, or else a very long time, keepe fresh and greene. Besids at the first, kings crowns were not made of gold and pearles, as I told you of Dauids crowne, but one∣ly of greene oken leaues, as that of Iu∣piters, or else of some other bran∣ches or flowres, as others. The Lord then meaning that Dauids kingdome should be established for euer, and that his lasting glorie should still growe greene, he maketh this louing promise vnto him; But vpon himselfe shall his crown flourish. How flourishing beau∣tifull flowers are, consider but the Lil∣lie, and you shall soone perceiue. Marke (saies our Sauiour) z 1.20 how the lillies of the field doe growe, they labour not, neither doe they spinne, yee doe I say vnto you, that euen Salomon in all his

royaltie was not cloathed like one of these. Now if God so cloath the flow∣ers of the field, which growe to day, and to morrow are cast into the ouen, how much more shall he cloath Dauids enemies with shame: but vpon himselfe make his crowne flourish? For euen as in Salomons Temple, fiue candle∣sticks at the right side, and fiue at the left standing before the Oracle, and be∣ing made for matter of pure gold, for forme with branches and flowers, did well nigh dazil the eyes of any that en∣tered into the Temple a 1.21; so the Lord here giues his word, that the Kings crowne shall euer flourish in the house of our God, disparkling and display∣ing those rayes of Maiestie: those beames of beautie, which shall amaze the world, and be a wonder as well to Angels as to men. Wherefore, as I said euen nowe of his enemies shame, that it should be threefold: so here I repeat the same againe of his crownes flou∣rishing: His crowne shall flourish in his owne conscience: in the world: in the day of iudgement. Touching his owne conscience, the blessed Apostle

calleth the Philippians his ioy, and a crowne b 1.22. And to the Thessalonians hee writeth thus, What c 1.23 is our hope, or ioy, or crowne of reioycing? Are not euen you it, in the presence of our Lord Iesus Christ at his comming? yes, yee are our glorie and ioy: Now, if this precious vessell of honour reioy∣ced in nothing so much, as in the testi∣monie of his conscience, that in sim∣plicitie and godly purenesse, and not in fleshly wisedome, but by the grace of God, hee had his conuersation in the world, the power of Gods spirit work∣ing still most mightily by his ministerie to the conuersion of the world to Christ: how much more shall the Lords anointed haue his conscience crowned with flourishing ioy, with comfort, with content, with heauenly peace, when he shall remember, that not onely for matters of religion and Gods true seruice, hee hath beene and still is with Saint Paul profitable to the Church; but also is a strong bulwark and a tow∣er of defence to maintaine euen the out∣ward felicitie and prosperitie of Gods people; yea the very particular right,

wealth, life of euery one of them; all this I say, and a 100, things more, when he considereth, what a great and a glo∣rious instrument he hath beene euery way of Gods glory: O Lord God what a heauen shall he haue in his heart? what a sweet paradise of pleasure in his soule? what security? what assurance of Christs loue? what a confident and vndaunted hope of eternall glory? what a flourish∣ing crowne of reioycing shall he haue men in his very conscience? vpon him∣selfe shall his crowne flourish. Touching the world, our holy Prophet speaking to God, though in the third person, yet of himselfe saies, Thou hast preuented him with liberall blessings, and hast set a crown of pure gold vpon his head. His honour is great in thy salvation, glory and great worship hast thou laid vpon him. Now that crowne which is of gold, yea of pure gold, must needes be very flourishing euen in the viewe and face of the world. Neither is this to be vnderstood of Dauids person one∣ly, but euen of his posterity in all ages to come. How was he himselfe crow∣ned with conquests and victories ouer

his enemies? How was his sonne Salo∣mon crowned with riches, with wise∣dome, with same & glory i•• the whole world? which flourishing of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 soone, as of a noble branch, graced in a ••••••ner the ••etie roo••e of Dauid himselfe. For, as his worthi•• sonne teacheth, Chil∣drens children are the ••ed one of the el∣ders,c. 1.24 and the glory of the children ••re their fathers. Therefore, as children may ••ustly glorie of the renowne of their fathers vertue and honour: so the excellent father is in a sort crowned with happinesse in this world, when he sees his childrens children like to grow vp and flourish after him. But vpon himselfe shall his crowne flourish. Last∣ly, touching the day of iudgement then, then shall all the righteous flou∣rish, when as hauing beene faithfull vn∣to the death, they shall receiue the crowne of life. A crowne as S. Peter calleth it immortall and vndefiled,* 1.25 and that fadeth not away. Denying that euer it fadeth away, he affirmeth that it euer flourisheth. I would here be bold, if I might doe it without offence, as I hope I may, to shew you one goodly

cluster of grape•• of vhe land of Canaan, a land flowing with milke and honie, whether you are now going, before you enter into it.* 1.26 A worthie and ver∣••••us gentleman▪ whom I neede not name in this place, because, no doubt many ages will name him, and renowne him hereafter, giueth for his armes three crownes with this posey, Quarta perennis erit. As if he should say, these three crownes, which I beare in my coat, are but the difference of my house and gentry, but Quarta perennis erit: the fourth crowne which I look for in hea∣uen shall be euerlasting and immortall. That ••ourth, though it bee but one crowne, yet shall be worth all those three crowns, yea three thousand more such as these are; The fourth shall be e∣ternall. Now, if he, and we that are such a•• he no question is, faithfull to God, and loyal to the chosen seruant of God, may well hope for a most flourishing incorruptible crowne of glory, then much more may Dau••d himselfe reioyce in God his Sauiour, and say, Quinta aut sexta perennis erit: The fift, or the fixt shall bee eter••all. This crowne

which God of his grace with his owne right hand and his holy arme 〈…〉〈…〉 vpon mine head, is indeede (thankes and praise hee giuen vote the s••me God) a very flourishing crowne flou∣rishing in mine owne conscience: flourishing in the world, both for my person, and for my posteritie; But it is nothing, in respect of that flourish∣ing crowne which I shall receiue at the day of iudgement. For the g 1.27 iust shall flourish like a palme tree, and shal grow like •• Cedar in Lebanon. Such as hee planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God. And then indeede shall this bountifull pro∣mise of God be most fully performed, But vpon himselfe shall his crowne flourish. As for his enemies, I shall cloath them with shame, but vpon him∣selfe shall his crowne flourish.

To drawe then to an ••ode: it may seeme very strange, that Dauid had any enemies. Yet, o•••• of these words. As for his enemies, I shall cloath them with shame; it may be well gathered that some he had. What? had Dauid? meeke Dauid? Lord remember Dauid, and all

h•••• meekenesse, saies he, in the begin∣ning of this Psalme. He was the kindest, and the meekest man aliue. Ween hee had his mortall foe at a vantage, and at a dead lift, as we say, and might haue nailed him fast to the ground with his speare: he onely did cut off a lap of his garment, to shewe, that when he might haue hurt him, hee would not. Posse, & ••olle, ••obile. Yet this meeke Da∣uid, patient Dauid, mercifull Dauid, va∣liant and victorious Dauid, holy Dauid, had enemies. Wherefore you most ho∣nourable and blessed seruants of God, you that excell in vertue, if you haue some enemies, thinke not strange of it. For, if you had nothing in you: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 feare of God, no reuerēce towards his word, no loue and loyaltie towards your So∣ueraigne, no for••itude, no temperance, no good thing in you; yee might per∣haps walke on long enough, and no man enuie you, no man malig••e you, or malice you. But because God hath inspired you with his principall spirit, and endewed you with speciall great graces aboue your fellowes; therefore ••oth your aduersarie the Deuil, the old

enemie of all goodnes and vertue, who is ready to burst to see you doe so well: he, I say, doth bestirre himselfe, and raise vp enemies against you. But (O blessed be our good Lord) what a won∣derfull comfort and incouragement haue all you; what a horrible terrour & affrightment haue all your enemies, in this text? For the holy Ghost saies not, They shall be clothed, or you shall cloth them: but I, euen I shal cloth them with shame. It is impossible, saies he, that you should alwaies be armed at all points, circumspect at all places, vigi∣lant at all times, prouided at all occa∣sions, to preuent the mischieuous practi∣ses of your diuillish enemies. No coun∣sell of man, no policie, no wisedome, no wit, can foresee their barbarous vnder∣takings and complottes, to escape them. But in heauen, in heauen there is an eye, an hand there is in heauen: an eye to desery them, and an hand to per∣secute and punish them: both an eye and an hand to deliuer you from dann∣ger, and to cloath them with shame. Therefore, saith he, Cast your care vp∣on mee; let me alone with them, your

perill is my perill, your case my case: Ile pay them that they haue deserued: He take the quarrell into mine owne hands: He trimme them well enough. As for your enemies, I shall cloath them with shame. Remēber I pray you, beloued, though indeede, they haue made themselues worthie neuer to be remembred, or once to be mentioned i•• our mouthes any more: yet remem∣ber, I say, to their egregious dishonour & reproch, how those are now clothed with shame, who were the first cause of the solemnizing, or as I may say, of the sanctifying of this present day for the day of the weeke, and of yesterday for the day of the moneth, & of the twelue moneth, with so holy an exercise? How odious? how execrable is their very name vnto vs? what true hearted loyall subiect, such as I am sure all are here, doth not detest them, hate them, loath them, as a road, or as a viper, or as some hidious mishapen monster: and curse the very day wherein such a rebellious generation, and such a trayterous blood were borne? Certainly, my good brethren, if the mercie of God, which

is incomprehensible, did not giue them grace, at the l••st gaspe to repe••t, and crie to God for pardon: as they are cloathed with shame in this world, so shall they bee much more in the world to come. And as we hold them for no better then cursed creatures, so shall the Lord at last, say vnto them, Goe ye cur∣sed into euerlasting fire. So let it 〈◊〉〈◊〉, O Lord, euen so to all the enemies of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 anointed, either open of secret, so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be to them: As for his enemies, do them, thou, O Lord, thine owne selfe, do them cloath them with shame.

But vpon himselfe doth his Crowne flourish.

These words, vpon himselfe, either 〈◊〉〈◊〉 altogether impertinent and super••••••∣ous, or else they are very important 〈◊〉〈◊〉 materiall. For it had beene sufficient to haue said; As for his enemies I shall cloath them with shame 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as for hi••∣selfe, his crowne shall flourish. It is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 greatly necessarie, as it should seeme to say, his crowne shall flourish vpon him∣selfe. Yet the Lord in his gracious ••••∣swer vnto Dauide praier, thought good to put in this as a supernume••••••••••

word, ouer and besides the necessitie of the sentence: to teach the good King, and vs all likewise, a very notable les∣son. Namely, that he would blesse the crowne, the dignitie, the flourishing e∣state of his louing ser••ant, not onely in his owne person and his posteritie; in this world, and in the world to come, as I haue shewed alreadie; but also from a lesser ••••ight of glorie, still to a grea∣ter and greater. Vpon himselfe, sai••s he, shall his crowne flourish. For not one∣ly is shall be flourishing, as Dauid left it, at the day of his departure to God, but after his dissolution and death: as fast as his bodie corrupteth in the earth, so fast shall his crowne encrease still in heauen. Trust me, truely, I speake i•• before the liuing Lord, and this high presence, all the whole Church which shall be edified so saluation, by Dauids blessed and godly gouernement, euen after his death, shal yet suffer his crown neuer to die, but shall continually keep in fresh and greene. Yes, as euery one brought to the building of the ••••berna∣cle, and to the reedifying of the temple, such as they were able: so I assure you, I

speake now a great word, euerie parti∣cular subiect, that is faithfull to God, and to his Prince; as he go••••h on for∣ward to God, by the peace, and by the religion which hee hath enioyed vnder his Prince▪ so he shall still beautifie and decke Dauids crowne; & one shal bring a white rose; an other shall bring a red rose, and adde it to the 〈…〉〈…〉 that so vpon himselfe still his crowne may ••••••∣rish, the white rose and the redde rose, that are in the crowne alreadie, beeing euer made more and more fragrant and flourishing. O Christ, what a crowne is this? And what will it growe to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more in the end? You that are mightie Kings and Potentates vpon earth, haue indeede great cares and continuall busi∣nes in your head••; but yet vouchsase I pray you to ••earken a little, what I shall say vnto you. You watch oftentimes ouer vs, when we are asleep our selues. You care for our peace, when it is not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 our power to further it; you procuring good to Sion, and prosperitie to Ieru∣salem, yet many times enioy the least part of it your selues. But no force▪ Take this still for your comfort. Wee that

cannot all our liues long doe the hun∣dreth part of that good, which you doe euery houre, shall haue nothing so flou∣rishing a crowne as you shal haue. Vpon you, vpon you shall euerlasting peace rest, vpō you shal the glory of Gods ma∣iestie shine, vpon you, vpon you shall your crowne flourish. Which the Lord of his mercy grant, I most humbly be∣seech him for Iesus Christs sake: that as Dauids crowne euer flourished, till the first comming of Christ; so our gracious Kings crowne may euer flourish, till the second comming of Christ; and then, that afterward for euer his royall Maie∣stie may be royally crowned with eter∣nall life: thorough the same our deare Sauiour Iesus Christ: To whom with the Father and the holy Ghost, bee all ho∣nour and glory, power and praise, dig∣nitie and dominion, now and euermore. Amen.

FINIS.

Notes

• a 1.1

  v. 8. & dein∣ceps.
• b 1.2

  v. 14. & dein∣ceps.
• d 1.3

  Luk. 1.32.
• * 1.4

  Iudg. 16.18.
• h 1.5

  Viuere & mori naturae functic: ••udibrio esse probro ducitur. Epist. yo.
• i 1.6

  Psal. 35.26.
• k 1.7

  Psal. 109.19.
• l 1.8

  vers. 19.
• m 1.9

  Omnis in or∣dinatus affectus est sibimetipfi poena.
• n 1.10

  Psal. 57.2.
• o 1.11

  Matth. 27.4.
• p 1.12

  Gen. 4.5.
• r 1.13

  Sapien. 5.2.
• * 1.14

  2. Cor. 15.
• s 1.15

  Luk. 16.19.
• t 1.16

  In libro de corona ••ilitis.
• u 1.17

  Act. 14.13.
• x 1.18

  1. Chron. ••0.2.
• y 1.19

  2. Sam. 1.10.
• z 1.20

  Matth. 5.24.
• a 1.21

  1 Reg. 7.••9.
• b 1.22

  Phil. 4.1.
• c 1.23

  1. Thes. 2.19.20
• c. 1.24

  Prou 17.6.
• * 1.25

  1. Pet. 1.4.
• * 1.26

  D. Thomas Bod∣leius, qui plur••∣mis & pulcher∣rimis libris Oxo∣niensem biblio∣thecam in∣struxit.
• g 1.27

  Psal. ••.••2.