The sacrifice of thankfulness A sermon preached at Pauls Cross, the third of December,…The sacrifice of thankefulnesse A sermon preached at Pauls Crosse, the third of December,…

Posse et nolle, nobile: That thou mayst harm and wilt not, is laus tua, thy praise: that thou wouldest and canst not, gratia Dei, is Gods providence. Haman would hang Mordecai and cannot: he is a villain in Hell for his intent. David, when he had Saul in the Cave, could hurt and would not: he is a Saint in Heaven. Shimei would, but can not kill (though rail on) David: David can, and will not kill Shimei. The hot Disciples would have Fire from Heaven to destroy the Samaritans, and could not: Christ could command it, and would not. How rare is a man of this disposition among us? If advantage hath thrust a Booty into his hands, the Lamb is in the Wolves Cave with more security. Plead what thou wilt, prostrate thy own innocence, aggravate the Oppressors cruelty: he answers as Aesop's Wolfe answered the Lamb; Thy Cause is better then mine, but my Teeth are better then thine; I will eat thee. And this is a shrewd invincible argument, when the cause must be tried out by the Teeth. Pactum non pactum est,¹ non pactum pactum est; quicquid illis lubet: Bargain or not bargain; the Law must be on their sides: Nemo potentes tutus potest aggred•: Hee comes to his cost,² that comes to complain against them.

Posse et nolle, nobile: That thou mayst harme and wilt not, is laus tua, thy prayse: that thou wouldest and canst not, gratia Dei, is Gods prouidence. Haman would hang Mordecai and cannot: hee is a villaine in Hell for his intent. Dauid, when hee had Saul in the Caue, could hurt and would not: hee is a Saint in Heauen. Shimei would, but can not kill (though rayle on) Dauid: Dauid can, and will not kill Shimei. The hote Disciples would haue Fire from Heauen to destroy the Samaritans, and could not: Christ could commaund it, and would not. How rare is a man of this disposition among vs? If aduantage hath thrust a Bootie into his hands, the Lambe is in the Wolues Caue with more securitie. Plead what thou wilt, prostrate thy owne innocence, aggrauate the Oppressors crueltie: hee answeres as Esopes Wolfe answered the Lambe; Thy Cause is better then mine, but my Teeth are better then thine; I will eate thee. Aud this is a shrewd inuincible argument, when the cause must be tryed out by the Teeth. Pactum non pactum est,¹