Divine. I have read in some Politicians, that though that of ⟨p. 8⟩Augustus. —Festina lent, 1do well agree to calm and peaceable times: yet Alexander his [Greek or Hebrew] nihil cunctando, is fitter for times of trouble and war, and so they reconcile the one with the other▪ Kekerm. discurs. de consilio quaest. 7. It is not safe to dispute long, in the time of a present combustion, nor to consult long about the cure, when the patient lies a dying; But I desire to argue from the principles of my own profession: God did of old reprove his people, because they said, The time is not yet come, the time that the Lords house should be builded. This they said at that time when Judah and Benjamin had powerful adversaries, when the land was not secured, nor the walls of Jerusalem built. They might have pleaded for themselves enough of this kind, but all this could not excuse them at Gods hands: he would have them build the Temple before the walls of Jerusalem. And in this they harkened to the Prophets of God, and did so. Thereafter God taketh themselves to witness, whether he had not blessed them from that very day when they laid the foundation of the Temple: Nay I dare say it is not only good Divinity, but good Policy, that the Parliament should mind the things of Christ, more then their own things: for if (as I suppose) you will believe Machiavelli, he teacheth you that the setting up of the ordinances of Christ, is the best way to make a Kingdom flourish in prosperity and peace. I conclude therefore that procra•tinations in reforming Religion may prove very pernicious aswell to the Common-wealth, as to the Church. And for my part I must confess, I am afraid that the Parliament hath felt, and shall yet feel Gods hand against them i• other things, because of their doing the work of the Lord so negligently, and at the best by halves. I wish the Honourable ⟨p. 9⟩House of Commons may remember what they were about at that instant, when the sad news of the dispersion of the Army in the West, were brought to them: And if they shall inquire at God,2 as Job did, Show me wherefore thou contendest with me. I doubt not but they shall hear the voice of his servants, the voice of his rods, and the voice of their own Consciences telling them that he hath somewhat against them:
Divine. I have read in some Polititians, that though that of ⟨p. 8⟩Augustus. —Festina lente, 1doe well agree to calme and peaceable times: yet Alexander his 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 nihil cunctando, is fitter for times of trouble and warre, and so they reconcile the one with the other▪ Kekerm. discurs. de consilio quaest. 7. It is not safe to dispute long, in the time of a present combustion, nor to consult long about the cure, when the patient lyes a dying; But I desire to argue from the principles of my owne profession: God did of old reprove his people, because they said, The time is not yet come, the time that the Lords house should be builded. This they said at that time when Iudah and Benjamin had powerfull adversaries, when the land was not secured, nor the walls of Ierusalem built. They might have pleaded for themselves enough of this kind, but all this could not excuse them at Gods hands: he would have them build the Temple before the walls of Ierusalem. And in this they harkened to the Prophets of God, and did so. Thereafter God taketh themselves to witnesse, whether he had not blessed them from that very day when they laid the foundation of the Temple: Nay I dare say it is not only good Divinity, but good Policy, that the Parliament should mind the things of Christ, more then their own things: for if (as I suppose) you will believe Matchiavell, hee teacheth you that the setting up of the ordinances of Christ, is the best way to make a Kingdome flourish in prosperity and peace. I conclude therefore that procra•tinations in reforming Religion may prove very pernitious aswell to the Common-wealth, as to the Church. And for my part I must confesse, I am afraid that the Parliament hath felt, and shall yet feel Gods hand against them i• other things, because of their doing the work of the Lord so negligently, and at the best by halfes. I wish the Honourable ⟨p. 9⟩House of Commons may remember what they were about at that instant, when the sad newes of the dispersion of the Army in the West, were brought to them: And if they shall inquire at God,2 as Iob did, Show mee wherefore thou contendest with me. I doubt not but they shall heare the voice of his servants, the voice of his rods, and the voice of their owne Consciences telling them that he hath somewhat against them:
- 1Hag. 1.2. De Repub. l. •. c. 12. Quicunque Principes atque Re•pub. Semet ipsas conservare cup unt, in id unum prae caeteris, incumbere debeu•, ut verum religionis cul•umrecte instituant & vanerentur. Et infra, quod si haec tam d•ligens cura divini cultus, à Reipub. Christian• Princip•bus observata esset, secundum primā institutionem, & praecepta ejus, qui illam nobis primum tradidit: long majori faelicitate, a• pace in orb Christi••• frueremur. Valerius Maximus l. 1. c. 2. gives us fix instances of exemplary judgements among the Romans; which were observed to fall upon such as despised Religion, & the honour of the Gods.Hag. 1.2. De Repub. l. •. c. 12. Quicunque Principes atque Re•pub. Semet ipsas conservare cup unt, in id unum prae caeteris, incumbere debeu•, ut verum religionis cul•umrecte instituant & vanerentur. Et infra, quod si haec tam d•ligens cura divini cultus, à Reipub. Christian• Princip•bus observata esset, secundum primā institutionem, & praecepta ejus, qui illam nobis primum tradidit: longe majori faelicitate, a• pace in orbe Christi••• frueremur. Valerius Maximus l. 1. c. 2. gives us fix instances of examplarie judgements among the Romans; which were observed to fall upon such as despised Religion, & the honour of the Gods.
- 2Job. 10.2.Iob. 10.2.
