2d. Paire let be those two Acts of Parliament concerning Parliaments.
1. One for a Trienniall Parliament. 2. The other for the Continuance of the present Parliament. These two mercies are too good and great, to be served in, in one dish, and yet thus I am forced to contract. Brethren, the former of these [A Trienniall Parliament] I do look upon it as the poole of Bethes∣da; There an Angell came downe at a certaine season, * 1.1 and made the waters compleatly medicinall; so here is a certaine season appointed (by that Act) for the cure of all our Nationall dis∣cases. But I may compare the latter Act (for the Continuation of the present Parliament) to that blessed Oyle and Meale of the perishing Widow, which out-lasted all the time of the famin. * 1.2 Or unto the multiplied Oyle of that other poore indebted wi∣dow, which continued running till all her Ʋessels were filled, * 1.3 her debts payd, and enough remaining to sustaine her selfe and children. But the dullest Vulgar doth conceive this [Paire] to be a great mercy, * 1.4 yea even those which are insensible of spi∣rituall favours: I shall therfore conclude it with the words of the wise King, Where no counsell is the people fall; but in the mul∣titude of counsellers there is safety. Yea again and againe he saith it.