A sermon preach'd at Cotenham, near Cambridge, on the 9th. of September, 1683 being the day set a-part for publick thanksgiving for the deliverance of His Sacred Majesty and the government from the late treasonable conspiracy / by John Fitz-William.

The Summary of the whole Discourse.

S. 1. THe Text explain'd, and divided into three parts, and thence three Doctrines rais'd.

S. 2. The first Doctrine handled, That fearing God and the King are inseperable Duties: and there it is shew'd, That though there be a connexion between all the Commands, yet that there seems to be a closer Union between Fearing God and the King; so that the One cannot be found without the Other.

S. 3. Second Doctrine, As a manifestation of our fearing God and the King, we ought not to meddle with them who are given to change: wherein is treated, §. 1. That we may meddle with them who are given to change, either by consenting to them, or by assisting them; and the medling either way prov'd to be Unlawful. §. 2. By these Arguments, 1. Be∣cause contrary to the Duties of Subjection to Governours, and praying for them. §. 3. 2dly, To the tenor of the Gospel, pro∣ceeding from Ambition, Covetousness, Revenge, &c. §, 4. 3dly, The methods for bringing it about extreme ill; as, 1. by Lies. 2. by hypocritical pretences. 3. by violation of positive Oaths, Natural Obligations, and entring into illegal Covenants. §. 5. 4ly. The means by which it's executed are base Treachery, or open Violence. §. 6. 5ly, The Concomitants and Consequences of it are sad and dismal.

S. 4. The third Doctrine, That the endeavouring a Change is very destructive to those who engage in it: The Danger of this remonstrated in several respects: 1. There is danger it may be discovered while it's carrying on, 1. be∣cause the Design must be entrusted to many. 2. because some

unforeseen accident may administer occasion to the Discovery. 3. there is danger it may miscarry at the point of execution. 4. it's in danger that it may not thrive through this World, even after it hath succeeded, but that the Authors may be o∣vertaken, and punish'd here. 5. however, they run a certain danger of being mightily tormented in the other World.

S. 5. §. 1. The first Use is of Reproof, directed against those who in their Practice dissever the Fear of God and the King.

§. 2. The seccond a Reprehension of those who affect a Change.

§. 3. The third is Exhortatory, to persuade not to en∣deavour a Change, or meddle with them who do.

§. 4. The fourth is Hortatory, to return Thanks and Praise unto God, for his Goodness in preventing the impi∣ety of those who design'd to have work'd a Change here; and to pray unto him that he would still bring to nought such Counsels.