Clavis mystica a key opening divers difficult and mysterious texts of Holy Scripture; handled in seventy sermons, preached at solemn and most celebrious assemblies, upon speciall occasions, in England and France. By Daniel Featley, D.D.

THE LORD PROTECTOR OF PRINCES; OR DEUS ET REX, GOD AND THE KING. A Sermon appointed to be preached before his Grace at Croydon, August 5. 1620. THE SIXTH SERMON.

PSAL. 21.1.

The King shall joy in thy strength, O Lord: and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoyce? Or, (as wee reade in the Bishops Bible)

The King shall rejoyce in thy strength, O Lord: exceeding glad shall he be of thy salvation.

THat manifold, or (to make a new compound to translate a compound) in the Originalla 1.1 multivarious wisedome and goodnesse of God, which hath illustrated the firmament with varietie of starres, some more, some lesse glistering and glorious; enamell'd the meadowes with choyce of flowers, some more, some lesse beautifull and fragrant; in∣riched the sands of the Sea with pearle, some more, some lesse orient; and veines of the earth with metals, some more, some lesse pre∣tious: hath also decked and garnished the Calendar of the Church with va∣riety of Feasts, some more, some lesse holy and solemn. You may observe a kinde of Hierarchy among them; some have a preheminence over the rest,

which we call greater and higher Feasts. Among which this day challen∣geth his place, on which we refresh the memorie of his Majesties rescue out of the prophane and impious hands of the Earle Gowry and Alexander Ruthwen. A paire of unnaturall brethren; brethren in nature, and brethren in a most barbarous and unnaturall attempt against their Soveraigne the Lords annointed: brethren by bloud, and brethren also in bloud: who by the just judgement of God cleansed that study with their owne bloud, which they would have for ever stained by the effusion there of the Roy∣all bloud of the most innocent Prince that ever sate on that or this Throne: whom almighty God seemeth not so much to have preserved from those imminent dangers he then escaped, as reserved for these unvaluable bles∣sings we now enjoy by the prorogation of his life; enlarging of his Scep∣ter and propagation of his Issue. In his life the life of our hope is revived; in his Scepter the Scepter of Christ is extended; in his stocke the root of Jesse is propagated, and shall, I hope, flourish to the end of the world. For this cause the King shall rejoyce, &c. he shall rejoyce in thee, we in him; he in thy strength, we in his safetie; both in thy salvation. Here is God assi∣sting, and the King trusting: God saving, and the King rejoycing: God blessing, and the King praising: lastly, the King desiring, and God satisfi∣ing his desires to the full, as you may see through the whole Psalme. In this verse you may discerne three remarkeable conjugations or couples.

• 1. God is joyned with the King.
• 2. Strength with confidence.
• 3. Salvation with exceeding great joy. And thus they depend each of other.

• 1. The King of God.
• 2. Confidence of strength.
• 3. Joy of salvation.

• 1. God exalteth the King.
• 2. Strength begetteth confidence.
• 3. Salvation bringeth with it exceeding joy.

• 1. God is above the King.
• 2. Salvation is above strength.
• 3. Exceeding joy above confidence.

If the King seeke God, in him he shall find strength, and in his strength salvation, and in his salvation exceeding great joy. Marke the word King; it standeth as a cliffe before a song, which directeth the singers how to tune the notes, and lift up or depresse their voyces. If the King stand here as a lower cliffe for David, then strength is aid, salvation victory, rejoycing thanks-giving: but if the word King be set as an higher cliffe for Christ, then strength here is omnipotencie, salvation redemption of mankinde, re∣joycing the exaltation of the humane nature to the highest degree of cele∣stiall glory and happinesse. This heavenly Manna of Evangelicall doctrine which the Fathers finde within the golden pot, that is, the inward sense of

the words; the Jewish Rabbins note to be carved in the outside of the let∣ter: to speake yet somewhat plainer, that minde and meaning which the Christian Expositors make of the words, by referring them to the truth whereof David was a type, they gather from the very characters, for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 transposed, is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Anagram as it were of the word which sig∣nifieth to rejoyce is Mesiach, that is, Christ, or the annointed.

Now the title of King is attributed to Christ in Scriptures sometimes ab∣solutely, sometimes with additions; but such as make him more absolute, exalting his crowne as farre above all corruptible crownes as the heaven is above the earth. For his stile given by the sacred Heralds is King immor∣tall, King of Heaven, King of righteousnesse, Prince of peace, Lord of life, Lord of quicke and dead, Lord of all, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. This heavenly crowne in glorie, as much obscuring the lustre of earthly Diadems as the Sun doth the least blinking starre, belongeth to our head Christ Jesus by a threefold right:

• 1. Of birth.
• 2. Of donation.
• 3. Of conquest.

His birth giveth it him; for he is the first born of the Father, and thereforeb 1.2 heire of all things, and Lord of all.

By gift also he hath it.c 1.3 Aske of mee, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy posses∣sion.

It is his also by conquest, for he hath overcome the world, John 16.33. he hath conquered hell and death, and hath the keyes of both, Rev. 1.18. If you demand where his throne is, I answer, above at the right hand of his Father, Psal. 110.1. below in the hearts of all the faithfull, whom he ruleth by the Scepter of his word.

Thus much for the cliffe, I set now to the notes, which are either

• 1. In rule.
• 2. In space.

1 The note in space I take from the coherence of this Psalm with the for∣mer; the last words of the former Psalme are Salvum fac Regem, Lord save the King, or Save Lord, let the King heare when we call: the first of this, Exultabit Rex in salute, The King shall rejoyce in thy salvation. That which there the Church prayeth for the King, here the King praises God for. The Chuch prayeth God there, ver. 1. The name of the God of Jacob defend thee, send thee helpe, and strengthen thee out of Sion. And ver. 4. grant thee thy hearts desire, and fulfill all thy mind: and doth not the King in this Psalme trace the former footsteps, and follow the same notes in this Psalme of thanks-giving? The King shall rejoyce in thy strength, ver. 1. And, thou hast given him his hearts desire, ver. 2. What instance I in divers Psalmes? In the same Psalme, for the most part, in the beginning the Pro∣phet soweth in teares, and in the end reapeth in joy; in the beginning hee complaineth, in the ending he prayseth; in the beginning he cries for sor∣row,

in the end he sings for joy; in the beginning we have a storme of pas∣sion, in the end the sunshine of Gods favour. The countenance of the Pro∣phet, drawne to the life in this booke of Psalmes, resembleth the picture of Diana at Delphos, quae intrantibus tristis, exeuntibus hilaris videbatur, the face whereof seemed to frowne upon all at their comming in, but to smile upon them at their going out. Such a copie of Davids countenance wee have Psal. 6. lowring at the first verse, Lord rebuke mee not in thine anger, &c. but clearing up at ver. 8. Depart from me yee workers of iniquitie, for the Lord hath heard the voyce of my weeping. How dolefully doth the 22. Psalme begin? My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken mee? but how sweetly doth it conclude from ver. 22. to the end? I will declare thy Name to my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee, &c. O the wonderfull power and efficacy of prayer, which in a moment pier∣ceth the clouds, and bringeth backe a blessing before wee can imagine it is gone out of our lips! Like a piece of Ordnance highly mounted it battreth the walls of heaven before the report thereof be heard on earth. No na∣turall agent produceth any effect before it selfe be produced: nothing bringeth forth before it selfe is brought forth: yet prayer worketh often∣times before it is made, and bringeth forth some good effect before it selfe is perfectly conceived: for God understandeth the thoughts before the notions are framed; he heareth the heart dictating, before the tongue, like the pen of a ready writer, copieth out our requests.

Now if the prayer of one righteous man prevaileth so much with the Omnipotent, how much more the united prayers of the whole Church? If one trumpet sound so loud in the eares of the Almighty, how much more a consort of all the silver trumpets of Sion sounded together? If one sigh is of force to drive our barke to the wished haven, how much more a gale of sighes breathed from a million of Gods afflicted servants? What judgement cannot so many hands lifted up beare off from us? what bles∣sing are they not able to pull down from heaven? Wherefore, as the whole Synagogue with one mouth prayed God for their King, so according to Saint Pauls precept, the whole Christian Church offered up their united devotions for the Roman Emperour. The matter and forme of their pray∣er is set downe byd 1.4 Tertullian; With hands spread abroad, because innocent; and bare head, because not blushing, we are alwayes praying for all Empe∣rours, that God would grant unto them a long life, a happie reigne, a safe house, victorious armies, a faithfull councell, a loyall people, and a peace∣able world. And if according to Sainte 1.5 Cyprians passionate admonition we would joyne publickly our prayers to their prayers, and our teares to their teares, and our sighes to their sighes, who groane under the heavie yoake of heathenish or antichristian tyranny; who knoweth whether God would not change the face of Christendome, and not onely wipe bloud from the bodie, but also all teares from the eyes of his most disconsolate Spouse?

Thus much of the notes in space; the notes in rule are specially

* 1.61. That the onely securitie of Princes and States is in the strength of the Almighty.

* 1.72. That God holdeth a speciall hand over Soveraigne Princes.

3. That Princes mightily defended and safely preserved by the arme of God must thankfully acknowledge this singular favour, and deliver their deliverances to after ages, that the children yet unborne may praise the Lord as we doe this day.

1. That Princes and states have no safe repose but under the shadow of the Almighty, I need not alledge any one Psalme for proofe: it is the burthen al∣most of every song. Not a string in Davids harp but soundeth out this tune, briefly,f 1.8 happy are they that put their trust in him.g 1.9 Thou Lord onely makest me to dwell in safety.h 1.10 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but wee will remember the Name of the Lord our God.i 1.11 The King trusteth in the Lord, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.k 1.12 I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. In God wee boast all the day long: and praise thy Name for ever. Selah. Upon this note how excel∣lent doth he divide?l 1.13 The Lord is my rocke, and my fortresse, and my deli∣verer: my God, my strength in whom I will trust, my buckler, the horne of my salvation, and my high tower.m 1.14 It is not the golden Scepter wee see Princes leane upon that supporteth them, it is the loyalty of their loving subjects which beareth them up: withdraw this golden Scepter from them they cannot stand.n 1.15 The best guard of a Prince, saith Plinie, is his owne innocencie, the best defence and munition to need none, for armes are provoked by armes; nei∣ther can a Prince be guarded from his owne guard but by his buckler of faith, and the right hand of the Almighty: Dextra mihi deus est, My right hand is my god saith he in the Poet falsely and blasphemously: but David truely and most religiously, The Lord is the strength of my right hand.o 1.16 Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vaine that build it: except the Lord keepe the City, the watchman waketh but in vaine. Except the Lord protect the royall person of a Prince, the States-man counselleth, the Cap∣taine fighteth, the Guard waiteth but in vaine: no magazine of treasure, no arsenall of armour, no fleet by Sea, no forces by land, no alliance with neighbour Princes, no allegeance of subjects can secure their persons for a moment.

Those in the bath who forsake their guides and will venter to goe of themselves are often drowned: and travellers who refuse or distrust their convoy when they passe through theevish places, dismissing them or stealing away from them, for the most part by escaping seeming danger, fall into certaine danger: so it fareth with them who rely not upon the protection of the Almighty, but seeke other helpe, aid and support, from the arme of flesh, or the braine of worldly Politicians.p 1.17 Cursed is hee who maketh flesh his arme, and trusteth not in the Lord his God. To the truth of which verdict the greatest Potentates in the world have subscribed with their owne bloud. Nebuchadnezzar trusted in his Citie Babel, and it be∣came his Babel, that is, his confusion. Xerxes trusted in his multitude of men, his multitude encumbred him. Darius in his wealth, his wealth sold him. Eumenes in the valour of his regiment called the Silver-shields, his Silver-shields bound him and delivered him to Antigonus. Roboam in his young Counsellers, his young Counsellers lost him the ten Tribes. Caesar in his old Senatours, the Senatours conspired against him. Domitian in his guard, his guard betrayed him. Adrian in his Physicians, his Physicians

cast him away: Multitudo medicorum perdidit Adrianum Imperat orem. These all leaned upon Egyptian reeds, which not onely brake under them, and so deceived their trust; but also ran in to their hands and sides, and wounded them. By whom let us all learne to distrust all meanes of trust and confidence, save in the continuance of Gods favour, and the support of his power and Grace. St.p 1.18 Prosper out of St. Austine happily concludeth this point; Whosoever standeth upon himselfe standeth not; hee who is confi∣dent in his owne support, by this his arrogancie loseth the support of true confi∣dence; opinion of selfe-sufficiencie inferreth a deficiencie from him inq 1.19 whom is all our sufficiencie.

I have shewed you the pictures of those who have suffered shipwracke by making worldly policie their Pilot, and committing their bodie and goods to those brittle barkes which I before mentioned: behold now the cheerefull faces of those who in a deluge of troubles have yet arrived to the faire havens, being steered by the compasse of Gods Word, and carried safe in the arke of divine protection. How many mutinies against Moses? how many stratagems against Joshuah? how many attempts against Da∣vid? what preparations against Hezekiah? what combinations against Jehosaphat? what armies against Constantine? what fulminations from Rome, what Armadoes from Spaine, what poysons, what dags and daggers from Traitours at home against Queene Elizabeth? Yet all these were compassed as it were with a wall of brasse, and castle of Diamond, the Divine protection. Abijah and his people joyning battaile with Jero∣boam smote him and all Israel, and slew five hundred thousand, and tooke Bethel with the Townes thereof, and Jeshanah with the Townes thereof, and Ephraim with the Townes thereof; and the children of Israel, though farre more in number, were at that time brought under, and the children of Judah prevailed. Why? Because they were better soul∣diers? or better armed? or led by a more expert Generall? or because they had advantage of the place? Nay, rather they were every way disadvanta∣ged. Forr 1.20 Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them: so they were before Judah and the ambushment was behind them. To put you out of doubt, the holy Ghost yeeldeth a reason of Judahs prevailing,s 1.21 be∣cause they relied upon the Lord God of their fathers. St. Austin parallels this wonderfull victorie with the like that fell out about his time. Whent 1.22 Rha∣dagesus King of the Gothes with a puissant army environed Rome, and by reason of the small preparations in the City no hope could be expected from man, how did God performe the trust by his Saints reposed in him, and fought for them in this their greatest extremitie, and so discomfited the enemies, that in one day an army of a hundred thousand was utterly defea∣ted, not a man of the Roman side being slaine, nor so much as wounded? God loveth those best who trust him most, and he saveth them above meanes who hope in him above hope: as did Abraham the father of the faithfull. Beleeve him who spake it out of his owne experience:u 1.23 They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Sion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.x 1.24 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be affraid for the terrour by night:* 1.25 nor for the arrow that fly∣eth by day: nor for the pestilence that walketh in darknesse: nor for the de∣struction that wasteth at noone-day. A thousand shall fall by thy side,* 1.26 and ten thousand at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee. There shall no e∣vill befall thee, nor any plague come nigh thy dwelling.y 1.27 Salvation belon∣geth to the Lord.z 1.28 It is hee that giveth salvation unto Kings who deli∣vereth David his servant from the hurtfull sword. Why is the accent up∣on Kings? as likewise in the words of my text, The King shall rejoyce in thy strength, exceeding glad shall Hee bee of thy salvation. Doth not the wing of Gods provident care extend to all his Children? are they not all safe under his feathers? They are all; yet Kings are nearest to his breast, they receive more warmth from him, hee hath a speciall care of them, according to my second observa∣tion:

[Obser. 2] That God taketh Princes into his peculiar protection. He keepeth them as the Signet of his finger, because in them the Image of his Soveraigne Majestie most brightly shineth. It concerneth him in honour to maine∣taine them who are his Vicegerents upon earth. It concerneth him in love to defend the defenders of the faith, and cherish the nursing Fa∣thers of his deerest Spouse. It concerneth him in wisedome to save them who are the breath of so many thousand nostrils; to keepe them whole who are thea 1.29 bond which holdeth together the whole Common-wealth. In the danger of a King is the hazzard of a State, in the hazzard of a State the ruine of a Church, in the ruine of a Churchb 1.30 Gods honour lyeth in the dust. The heathen Poet glanced at this truth, when every where he sti∣leth Kings 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as it were bred up and fostered in the bosome of Jove, or rather Jehovah. Keepe me, saith David, as the apple of thine eye: Who can endure the least pricke in the apple of the eye? no more will God abide his annointed to bee so much asc 1.31 touched: Nolite tangere unctos meos.

Is God so tender over Princes safety, and ought not they to bee as tender of his honour? Is hee so gracious to them, and ought not they bee as gratefull to him? The planets that receive more light from the Sunne, reflect more backe againe: the earth that receiveth raine from hea∣ven, returneth it backe in vapour: Cessat decursus donorum si cesset recur∣sus gratiarum: [Obser. 3] God will shut the windowes of heaven, and restraine the golden showers of his blessings, if we send not up the sweet vapours and exhalations of our thankes-giving and praise. Hee forfeiteth his tenure who refuseth to doe his homage, bee it but the tendering of a red rose in acknowledgement of service. Such a kinde of homage Almighty God requireth of us for all we hold of him, the red roses of our lips, and the sweet savour of our devout meditations. Verily hee deserveth to lose his garden who will not afford his Landlord a flower. Si ingra∣tumd 1.32 dixeris, omnia dixeris; if you call a man unthankefull you need say no more, for you cannot say worse: whosoever deserveth to be bran∣ded with a marke of Ingratitude, hath his conscience feared with a hot Iron. For what ise 1.33 Religion, but Gratitude to God; Pietie, but Gratitude to Parents; Loyaltie, but Gratitude to Princes; Charitie

and friendship, but gratitude to our neighbour. Now of all men Princes are most obliged to be thankfull to God, because the beames of his fa∣vour shine most bright in their Crownes and Scepters, he sets them in his owne seat of authoritie, investeth them with his owne robes of maje∣stie, armeth them with his owne sword of justice, supporteth them with his own Scepter of power, adorneth them with his owne Diademe of roy∣all dignitie, and graceth them with his own stile of Deity, Ego dixi dii estis, I have said yee are Gods,e 1.34 and all of you are children of the most High. Above all therefore Princes ought to be most gratefull to God, because God hath placed them in that high condition, that all other owe dutie and thankfull service to them, and they to him alone. Thankes are not thankes-worthy if they flote onely in the mouth for a time, and spring not continually from the heart. That gratitude is gratefull and acceptable to God and men, whose root is in the heart, and blossomes in the tongue, and fruits in the hands; whose root is love, and blossomes praises, and fruits good works. The root in the heart cannot be seene of any but God, the blossomes in the lips are blowne away with a breath, but the fruits in the hands are more lasting. Wherefore Noah was not contented after he and his fami∣ly were saved from the deluge to offer up a sweet smelling sacrifice of thankes-giving upon the Altar of his heart; but he leaveth behind him an Altar of stone, Jacob an house to God, Joshua a Trophey, Solomon a Tem∣ple, the Centurion a Synagogue, Veronica a statue of brasse, Constantine many Churches and Hospitals, Paula a magnificent Monasterie at Bethle∣hem, where our Lord was borne. The Heathen after they had escaped shipwracke hung up theirf 1.35 votivas tabulas to Neptune. After victorie, be∣sides supplications per omnia pulvinaria deorum, they put garlands upon the Images of their gods, and left the chiefe spoyles taken in warre in the Temple of Mars. The Jewes by the commandement of God reserved a golden pot of Manna in the Arke, in memorie of that Manna which fell in the Wildernesse. In a thankfull acknowledgement of the deliverance of their first borne in Egypt, they offered every first borne to God: and to eternize the memoriall of their passage out of Egypt, and freedome from servitude, they altered their Calendar, and made that moneth in which God by Moses delivered them out of the house of bondage theg 1.36 beginning of their moneths.

* 1.37According to which religious presidents our gracious King, being as upon this day pulled out of the paw first of the Beare, and then of the Lion and his seven clawes, hath erected a lasting, living, and which is more, a speaking monument of his thankfulnesse to God, by appointing the feast we now keepe to preserve from oblivion his Majesties wonderfull preser∣vation on this day from imminent destruction. When a motion was made in the Senate of dedicating a statue of massie gold to the honour ofh 1.38 Germa∣nicus, Tiberius the Emperor opposed it, but upon a very plausible pretence, that Images of brasse and gold are subject to many casualties; they may be stolne away, they may be defaced and battered, foule indignities and scorns be put upon them. Those are the true Statues of vertue and Altars of fame which are set up in mens mindes: such Altars hath our Soveraigne ere∣cted in the hearts of all his loving subjects, upon which wee offer this

day throughout all his dominions the sacrifice of praise and thankes-giving for his Majesties marvellous deliverance, unparalleld in our age.i 1.39 One day shall tell another, and one night shall proclaime it to another what great things the Lord did upon this day for his Annointed, whereat we rejoyce. How was his Majestie wrapt over and over in the snares of death, when under colour of taking a Seminarie Priest (as he was made beleeve) newly arri∣ved with a pot full of golden seeds to sow rebellion and treason in his King∣dome, he was led by Alexander Ruthwen through so many chambers into that study which was a long time before appointed for the stage whereon to act that bloudie tragedie, whose catastrophe was as happy to the King and Kingdome, as dismall and fatall to the principall Actors. If ever study might be rightly termed according to the Latine name armarium, this was it; for it was not musaeum, but campus Martius, not a students treasurie, but a traitors armorie: here he findeth but two Authors, and they should both have beene Actors. In stead of the gold which was promised, here he seeth Iron and steele, and no strange coyne as he was borne in hand, but his own, I meane the crosse daggers, not stamped on metall, but readie to be driven into his sacred breast, and sheathed in his bowels. Well might the King here cry uponk 1.40 Philo as Croesus did upon* 1.41 Solon when hee stood on the pile to be burned, and the fire was kindled at the bottome: O Philo, Philo, I finde thy words to be gospell, though thou wert an unbeleeving Jew. Mans ex∣treamest necessitie is Gods chiefest opportunitie: then commeth helpe from heaven when the earth is at a stand, and man at his wits end. What hope was here from man? whence could the King expect any helpe being unarmed, unattended, unguarded, betweene two Traitors (as Christ be∣tweene two theeves) with the point of a dagger at his heart, in that darke roome? Whence or how should there breake in any light of comfort from any the least chinke? Where should his hope cast anchor? Upon his servants and traine? But besides many doores, lockes, bolts and barres betweene them and his Majestie, most of them by the Earle Gowry upon a false alarum were sent out of doores to post after him in the field. Upon the Traitor himselfe? But his respectlesse and barbarous carriage, his desperate speeches, his execrable oathes, his bloudie lookes, his sparkling eyes, and glistering poynard drawne threatned nothing put present death. Upon himselfe? But alas he had no weapon defensive or offensive, and now the signe was at the heart, I meane the daggers point at his breast. O the dread of sacred Majestie! O the bulwarke of innocencie! O the power of eloquence! O the force of conscience! which though they could not blunt the point of the Traito•• dagger, yet they dulled the edge of his malice for a time. When a scholar of St.l 1.42 John the Evangelist, mis-led by ill company, had turned to a Ruffian, and common hackster, and robber by the high way, and drew at his master; upon a word only, spoken to him by St. John, he re∣lents, flings away his weapon, falls downe upon his knees, craveth pardon with teares, and promiseth for ever to abandon his wicked course of life. So powerfull is the ministerie of the word and mighty in operation, so reverend is the calling of the dispencers of Gods mysteries, that the naming only of a dead Preacher M^r. Rollock preserved for a time the life of our So∣veraigne. Ruthwen cannot endure to heare that the soule of Master Rollock

should accuse him before Christs tribunall, for defiling the doctrine of the Gospel which he taught him, by the bloud spilt by him of the Lords An∣nointed. His heart gives in, and he withdraweth himselfe for a while, and thereby giveth his Majestie time to breathe, and meanes to cause the study window to be opened, at which entred some light of comfort.m 1.43 Sed urget ea∣dem fortuna quae caepit; his Majestie must yet beare a worse brunt. For like as a Toad, being eased of his swelling for a time by eating of a planten leafe, if he meet with a Spider afterwards receiveth new poyson, and swel∣leth more than before: even so Alexander meeting with the Earle Gowry his brother, (who was the Spider that spun all the web of this treason, which within a few houres was swept downe and himselfe in it with the besome of destruction) receiveth new poyson from him, and now is so bigge with ma∣lice and treason that he is ready to breake. In therefore he comes againe to the study with two rapiers, and first binding himselfe by oath to bereave his Majestie of his life, he offereth to binde his royall hands. But the King put∣ting on the resolution of the Oratour,n 1.44 If we must die let us die as free men, looseneth his hands, and fastning upon the Traitors hand and sword grap∣pleth with him, and by maine force drew him to the window (a little be∣fore opened) whence by speech and signes he made knowne to his faith∣full servants, at that instant passing under the window, how things stood with him, and how neer he was to utter ruine by trecherous villany. As soon as they heard his Majesties voyce they made all possible speed to rescue their master; yet before they could force the way through so many doores, lockes and barres betweene them and their immured Soveraigne, the light of all Israel had in all likelihood beene extinguished, but that one of the Kings servants by the secret conduct of divine providence ligh∣ted upon the false doore opening to the staire case, which hee had no soo∣ner got up, but he seeth the King on the ground, and the Traitor grap∣pling with him, whom after hee had loosened from the King, with many wounds he tumbled downe the staires to receive his fatall blow from two other of his Majesties servants, who by this time had found the blind way leading to the turnepecke. And thus was the first act of this bloudie tragedy ended by the exit or going out of the first Actor Alexander Ruthwen, first out of that stage, and soone after of this world. The next act though more bloudie yet was by so much the lesse dreadfull, because the King by his servants, veluto 1.45 homerica nube tectus, was saved out of murthers way. Now his Majesties honourable attendance must prove their valour, and testifie their loyaltie by as many mouthes as they received wounds in that hot skirmish, wherein their Antagonists had the advantage of all things save the cause: double they were in number, better appointed of weapons, and more acquainted with the place. For the Earle Gowry (like the man possessed in the Gospel, whichp 1.46 walked through drie places, and took to him seven spirits worse than himselfe) armed himself, and took seven of his servants with him, more hardy and desperate than himself, and finding his brother newly slain, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, was so enraged with furie and revenge, that he swea∣reth at his entrie into the chamber that not a man of them should scape, cal∣ling them by hisq 1.47 owne name Traitors. Here malice and love, fury and courage, trechery and loyalty, villanie and pietie trie it out at the point of

the sword, and the combat is soon ended by the death of the Arch-Traitor. Upon whose fall the hearts of the rest faile, and they are now easily driven out of the room, and fresh aid commeth to the King by the rest of his train, who by this time had broken down all the doores, and made a passage into the study, where now they finde the King safe, and the Earle Gowry lying dead at his feet. Whereupon they all fell upon their knees, and praised the mighty God of Jacob, who giveth salvation to Kings, and then had delive∣red his servant James from the perill of the sword: then were the words of my text verified, The King shall rejoyce in thy strength, O Lord, exceeding glad shall he be of thy salvation. Then, if ever, our King joyed in thy strength, and in thy salvation excessively rejoyced. And not long after the words fol∣lowing (ver. 3.) were fulfilled in him; Thou preventedst him with blessings of goodnesse, and thou didst set a Crowne of pure gold upon his head, viz. the Crowne of England; which shortly after fell unto him, and hath ever since flourished upon his head: and so Lord may it still till he changeth this his corruptible crowne with an incorruptible, and his mortall state with an immortall, purchased for him and all of us by the death and passion of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit be rendred all glorie, honour, praise and thanks-giving now and for ever. Amen.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Eph. 3.10. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• b 1.2

  Gal. 4.1.
• c 1.3

  Psal. 2.8. Luke 1.32. The Lord God shall give unto him the Throne of his Father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever.
• d 1.4

  Tertul. in apol. Manibus ex∣pansis, quia in∣nocuis, capite nudo, quia non erubescimus, precantes sem∣per sumus pro omnibus Impe∣ratoribus, vitam illis prolixam, imperium secu∣rum, domum tutam, exerci∣tus fortes, Sena∣tum fidelem, populum pro∣bum, orbem quietum.
• e 1.5

  Cypr. de laps.
• * 1.6

  In thy strength.
• * 1.7

  The King shall rejoyce in thy salvation.
• f 1.8

  Psal. 2.12.
• g 1.9

  Psal. 4.8.
• h 1.10

  Psal. 20.7.
• i 1.11

  Psal. 21.7.
• k 1.12

  Psal. 44.6.8.
• l 1.13

  Psal. 18.2.
• m 1.14

  Xen. Cyr. p. ed. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c.
• n 1.15

  Plin. in panegyr. Satellitium principis ipsius innocentia op∣timum muni∣mentum muni∣mento non e∣gere.
• o 1.16

  Psal. 127.1.
• p 1.17

  Jer. 17.5.
• p 1.18

  Prosp. sent. ex∣cerpt ex Aug. Qui in se stat non stat, qui se sibi sufficere confidit, ab eo qui verè sufficit defici••.
• q 1.19

  2 Cor. 3.5. Not that we are sufficient of our selves to thinke a∣ny thing of our selves but our sufficiencie is of God.
• r 1.20

  2 Chron. 13.13.
• s 1.21

  2 Chron. 13.18.
• t 1.22

  Aug. de Ci••. Dei l. 5. c. 23. U∣no die Rhadage∣sus tanta celeri∣tate victus est, ut ne uno qui∣dem non dicam extincto, sed ne vulnerato qui∣dem Romano, multo amplius quam centum millium pro∣sternetur ex∣ercitus.
• u 1.23

  Psal. 125.1.
• x 1.24

  Ps. 91.1.4.5.6.7.10. ver. 4.
• * 1.25

  5.6.
• * 1.26

  7.10.
• y 1.27

  Psal. 3.8.
• z 1.28

  Ps. 144.10.
• a 1.29

  Sen. de clem l. 1. c 4. Ille est vin∣culam pe•• quod respublica co∣haeret: nihil ipsa per se futura ni∣sionus & praeda, si mens illa im∣perii subtraha∣tur. Regeincolu∣mi mens omni∣bus una, amisso rupêre fidem.
• b 1.30

  Vid. Camerar. meditat. hist. c. 30. Magnos vi••os divinitus ab in∣sidiis saepenu∣merò conser∣vari.
• c 1.31

  1 Chro. 16.22.
• d 1.32

  Sen. de bene fic.
• e 1.33

  Cic. pro planc.
• e 1.34

  Joh. 10.34. & Psal. 82.6.
• f 1.35

  Horat. od. Me tabula sacer vo∣tiva paries indi∣cabit humida suspendisse ve∣stimenta Maris deo.
• g 1.36

  Exod. 12.2.
• * 1.37

  Application.
• h 1.38

  Tacit. annal. l. 2. Illae verae sunt Statuae quae in hominum men∣tibus collocan∣tur.
• i 1.39

  Psal. 19.2. Dies ad diem eructat sei mo∣nem, & nox ad noctem annun∣ciat scientiam.
• k 1.40

  Philo de legat. Alex. Ubi cessat humanum auxi∣lium ibi adest divinum.
• * 1.41

  Herod. clio.
• l 1.42

  Ruffin. in hist.
• m 1.43

  Cic. pro Sylla.
• n 1.44

  Cic. in Catil. Si moriendum est in libertate mo∣riamur.
• o 1.45

  Eras. adag.
• p 1.46

  Luke 11.26.
• q 1.47

  Cic. parad. Ex∣••lem me suo nomine vocat.