Gods three arrows plague, famine, sword, in three treatises. I. A plaster for the…Gods three arrovves plague, famine, svvord, in three treatises. I. A plaister for the…
Gods three arrows plague, famine, sword, in three treatises. I. A plaster for the plague. II. Dearths death. III. The Churches conquest over the sword. By William Gouge Doctor in Divinity, and preacher of Gods Word in Black-Friars, London.Gods three arrovves plague, famine, svvord, in three treatises. I. A plaister for the plague. II. Dearths death. III. The Churches conquest over the sword. By William Gouge Doctor in Divinity, and preacher of Gods Word in Black-Friers, London.
William Gouge 1578–1653London: printed by George Miller for Edward Brewster, 1631
[16], 128, [8], 129-176, [16], 177-436, [12] p. · 148k words · STC 12116 · ESTC S103284
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
I. *Chief Governors are to take chief care for public acts of piety. aGod himself beareth witness to Abraham's care herein. bIt was also a charge which God expressly gave to Jacob: whereof he took especial care. Where we read of altars built to worship God, we shall find them erected by chief Governors: such as cNoah, dAbraham, eIsaac, fJacob, and others, who in their life time were of highest authority in the Church of God. So other acts of piety were ordered by them under God. gMoses ordered all the duties of piety in the wilderness. David in time of hwar and ifamine sought the Lord: and kin time of plague built an altar to pacify Gods wrath. Yea he
Kings, and other supreme Governors in their dominions, have accounted it a duty belonging unto them to take care of the Church of Christ, and to appoint orders for matters of religion and piety. Constantine the Great, who was the first Christian Emperor, being established in his royal government,
He caused piety to be observed, and God to be worshipped in his armies. He procured the holy Scripture to be dispersed every where. In fine, he maketh this profession of himself.
I. *CHiefe Governours are to take chiefe care for publique acts of piety. aGod himselfe beareth witnesse to Abrahams care herein. bIt was also a charge which God expresly gave to Iacob: whereof he tooke especiall care. Where we read of altars built to worship God, we shall find them erected by chiefe Governours: such as cNoah, dAbraham, eIsaac, fIacob, and others, who in their life time were of highest authority in the Church of God. So other acts of piety were ordered by them under God. gMoses ordered all the duties of piety in the wildernesse. David in time of hwarre and ifamine sought the Lord: and kin time of plague built an altar to pacifie Gods wrath. Yea he lbrought the Arke to aresting place: mappointed the orders and offices of Priests and Levites, and nmade the patterne of the Temple. Salomon his sonne obuilt the Temple, pmade all the holy vessels appertaining therto, and qdedicated the same. Asa rreformed religion, and sentred himself with his people into a covenant with God. Iehosaphat tsent Levites into his cities to teach the people: and in fear of danger uproclaimed a fast. xIoash tooke order for repairing the Temple. yHezekiah, zIosiah, aad aNehemiah purged corruptions crept into the Church, redressed abuses, and bcaused the holy feasts of the Lord to be observed. Thus Christian Emperours, 27Kings, and other supreme Governours in their dominions, have accounted it a duty belonging unto them to take care of the Church of Christ, and to appoint orders for matters of religion and piety. Constantine the Great, who was the first Christian Emperour, being established in his royall government, cmade lawes for the peace of Christians, and a free profession of their religion, and worshipping of the Lord Iesus Christ. dHe rooted out idolatry every where: and eopposed himselfe against the errours and heresies that had crept into the Church. fHe convocated the ⟨p. 324⟩first generall Councill at Nice, and sate President therein. gHe built and adorned many Churches. hHe wrote sundry letters to Bishops time after time, for well ordering matters of piety and Church-affaires. iHe promoted sundry Bishops to their places. kHe was carefull to see the Lords Day sanctified. lHe caused piety to be observed, and God to be worshipped in his armies. He procured the holy Scripture to be dispersed every where. In fine, he maketh this profession of himselfe.
mI acknowledge that this end, above all others, is to be set before me, that in the holy company of the Catholic Church, one faith, sincere charity, and an uniform worship towards almighty God, be preserved. Much also might be declared of Theodosius, and other ancient Christian Emperors care about matters of piety. The made many edicts and laws thereabouts. nAn ancient Bishop of Rome thus writes to Theodosius: The care of your Clemency will suffer nothing in the Catholic Church to be tumultuous nothing factious. Yea othe same Bishop saith, that, It behoveth a Christian Prince to be careful for the integrity of the Catholic faith. I would the latter Popes of Rome had been, and still were of that opinion. If they were, they would not usurp such authority as they have done, and still do over Christian Princes, to the disturbance of their States. But to come to our own time and country. King Henry 8. put down the Popes Authority, and began a reformation of Religion. Edward 6. perfected that reformation. Queen Elizabeth restored it. King James and King Charles continued it. Thus by the divine providence this title Defender of the Faith, is most justly put into our Kings stile.
mI acknowledge that this end, above all others, is to be set before me, that in the holy company of the Catholique Church, one faith, sincere charity, and an uniform worship towards almighty God, be preserved. Much also might be declared of Theodosius, and other ancient Christian Emperours care about matters of piety. The made many edicts and lawes thereabouts. nAn ancient Bishop of Rome thus writes to Theodosius: The care of your Clemency will suffer nothing in the Catholique Church to be tumultuous nothing factious. Yea othe same Bishop saith, that, It behoveth a Christian Prince to be carefull for the integrity of the Catholique faith. I would the latter Popes of Rome had beene, and still were of that opinion. If they were, they would not usurpe such authority as they have done, and still do over Christian Princes, to the disturbance of their States. But to come to our owne time and country. King Henry 8. put downe the Popes Authority, and began a reformation of Religion. Edward 6. perfected that reformation. Queene Elizabeth restored it. King Iames and King Charles continued it. Thus by the divine providence this title Defender of the Faith, is most justly put into our Kings stile.
mHunc mihi prae omnibus finem praepositum esse debere judicavi, ut in sanctissima Ecclesiae Caetholi cae multitudine, una fides, sincera charitas, & consentiens erga Deum omnipotentem religionis cultus conservetur. Euseb de vit. Constant. l 3.
nSolicitudo clementiae tuae in Catholic â Ecclesiâ nihil impacatum, nibil vult esse diversum. Leo Papa ad Theodos. Epist. 12.
oPro integritate fidei Catholicae Christianissimum Principem oportet esse sollicitum. Idem. Epist, 10
To this end, namely to defend the faith, maintain religion, and advance piety, hath God given them that supreme authority which they have, to be in all causes temporal and ecclesiastical over all persons, in their dominions under Christ supreme Governors. pHe hath set them on his throne, and given them his own title. For, he saith of them, qYe are Gods, children of the most high. And to show that their authority is not only for State-policy, but also for ⟨p. 325⟩Church-piety, they are styled rNursing Fathers of the Church; and they are made keepers of both tables. Thus both their power and their place require of chief Governors an especial care of public piety: whereby they shall give evidence of their own pious intention and affection: and also draw on others under their government to be like minded.
To this end, namely to defend the faith, maintaine religion, and advance piety, hath God given them that supreme authority which they have, to be in all causes temporall and ecclesiasticall over all persons, in their dominions under Christ supreme Governours. pHe hath set them on his throne, and given them his owne title. For, he saith of them, qYe are Gods, children of the most high. And to shew that their authority is not onely for State-policy, but also for ⟨p. 325⟩Church-piety, they are stiled rNursing Fathers of the Church; and they are made keepers of both tables. Thus both their power and their place require of chiefe Governours an especiall care of publique piety: whereby they shall give evidence of their owne pious intention and affection: and also draw on others under their government to be like minded.
*As this putteth Magistrates themselves in mind of their duty, so it teacheth subjects to pray for them, that they may do what by virtue of their place they are bound to do, and by their obedience to such pious orders as their pious Governors prescribe, to encourage them in their pious care.
*As this putteth Magistrates themselves in mind of their duty, so it teacheth subjects to pray for them, that they may do what by vertue of their place they are bound to do, and by their obedience to such pious orders as their pious Governours prescribe, to encourage them in their pious care.
*See § 40. See also Dearths Death on 2 Sam. 21. 1. §. 15.
II. *Public praise is to be given to God for public deliverances. Such was the praise that for the public 2deliverance from Pharaohs tyranny, was given by Moses. For, it is said, that Moses, and the children of Israel, and Miriam, and all the women, sang praise unto the Lord. The women came out with timbrels and dances, and answered the men: so as it was most public. bSuch was Deborah's and Baraks kind of praising God: and cJehoshaphat's after his deliverance from the Moabites, Ammonites, and Inhabitants of Mount Seir. Such are many of Davids Psalms. The phrases of praising God din the middest of the congregation: ein congregations; fin the great congregation, among much people: gin the presence of all Gods people: in the courts of the Lords house; in the middest of Jerusalem.
II. *PVblique praise is to be given to God for publique deliverances. Such was the praise that for the publique 2deliverance from Pharaohs tyranny, was given by Moses. For, it is said, that Moses, and the children of Israel, and Miriam, and all the women, sang praise unto the Lord. The women came out with timbrels and dances, and answered the men: so as it was most publique. bSuch was Deborahs and Baraks kind of praising God: and cIehosaphats after his deliverance from the Moabites, Ammonites, and Inhabitants of Mount Seir. Such are many of Davids Psalmes. The phrases of praising God din the middest of the congregation: ein congregations; fin the great congregation, among much people: gin the presence of all Gods people: in the courts of the Lords house; in the middest of Ierusalem.
They who content themselves for public blessings with an inward ejaculation of the heart, or with secret praise in a secret place betwixt God and themselves, or with ⟨p. 326⟩private praise in a family, or among some private friends, though what they do in this manner they do well, yet come short of that which they ought to do.
They who content themselves for publique blessings with an inward ejaculation of the heart, or with secret praise in a secret place betwixt God and themselves, or with ⟨p. 326⟩private praise in a family, or among some private friends, though what they do in this manner they do well, yet come short of that which they ought to do.
O let our hearts be filled with such zeal towards God, as to take the occasions which by the divine providence are offered us of setting out Gods praises in the most solemn, and public manner that we can. Thus shall we show that we can distinguish betwixt Gods blessings, and in some measure carry our selves answerably to him: that, as he blesseth us not only with private but also with public blessings, so we will praise him, not only privately, but also publicly. Of public praise, see more in The Saints sacrifice, on Psal. 116. §. 91, 114, 116. Of directions for solemn praise, see The whole Armour of God, on Eph. 6. 18. §. 73.
O let our hearts be filled with such zeale towards God, as to take the occasions which by the divine providence are offered us of setting out Gods praises in the most solemne, and publique manner that we can. Thus shall we shew that we can distinguish betwixt Gods blessings, and in some measure carie our selves answerably to him: that, as he blesseth us not only with private but also with publique blessings, so we will praise him, not only privately, but also publikely. Of publique praise, see more in The Saints sacrifice, on Psal. 116. §. 91, 114, 116. Of directions for solemne praise, see The whole Armour of God, on Eph. 6. 18. §. 73.
III. *Memorials of Gods mercies are to be made. Besides the names abefore noted for memorials of Gods judgments (which import also his mercies towards his people as well as judgements on their enemies) there are many others which directly point at his mercies. As many bnames given to children, which the Lord, as an especial blessing gave to his Saints: and cother names, which as memorials of special favours God gave to men and women: and dnames also of places, which were given as signs and evidences of more then ordinary benefits conferred on Gods people: and other visible monuments of memorable mercies, as, eThe pot of Manna, fthe stones which were set in the mid didst of Jordan, and in that place where the Israelites (having passed through Jordan) encamped: gThe booths which were appointed every year to be made. hFreedom of servants in the year of Jubilee: and sundry other like to these: yea, all the Sacraments instituted in the Church.
III. *MEmorials of Gods mercies are to be made. Besides the names abefore noted for memorials of Gods judgments (which import also his mercies towards his people as well as judgements on their enemies) there are many others which directly point at his mercies. As many bnames given to children, which the Lord, as an especiall blessing gave to his Saints: and cother names, which as memorials of speciall favours God gave to men and women: and dnames also of places, which were given as signes and evidences of more then ordinary benefits conferred on Gods people: and other visible monuments of memorable mercies, as, eThe pot of Mannah, fthe stones which were set in the mid dest of Iordan, and in that place where the Israelites (having passed thorow Iordan) encamped: gThe booths which were appointed every yeare to be made. hFreedome of servants in the yeare of Iubile: and sundry other like to these: yea, all the Sacraments instituted in the Church.
By such memorials the memory of Gods mercies is kept fresh: thereby men are the more, and oftener provoked to praise God for them. Yea, thus Gods mercies manifested ⟨p. 327⟩in one age are propagated to many ages: whereby many ages have matter of praising God ministered unto them: yea and of believing in God, and of hoping for like mercies from him. For, God is the Lord that changeth not. These 1memorials therefore giving evidence of what God hath been able and willing to do, they give cause to hope for like mercies on like occasions. So as such memorials are honourable to God, and profitable to present and future ages.
By such memorials the memory of Gods mercies is kept fresh: thereby men are the more, and oftner provoked to praise God for them. Yea, thus Gods mercies manifested ⟨p. 327⟩in one age are propagated to many ages: whereby many ages have matter of praising God ministred unto them: yea and of believing in God, and of hoping for like mercies from him. For, God is the Lord that changeth not. These 1memorials therefore giving evidence of what God hath beene able and willing to do, they give cause to hope for like mercies on like occasions. So as such memorials are honourable to God, and profitable to present and future ages.
Take notice hereof O ye Saints, to whom the Lord vouchsafeth such mercies as are worthy to be had in everlasting remembrance: let them not slip out of your minds. Where public memorials of them are wanting let private Christians make the best private memorials of them that they can.
Take notice herof O ye Saints, to whom the Lord vouchsafeth such mercies as are worthy to be had in everlasting remembrance: let them not slip out of your minds. Where publique memorials of them are wanting let private Christians make the best private memorials of them that they can.
