The right wayThe right vvay

Come we now therefore to the Application of the Point.

1. Too great cause of just complaint may here be taken up,¹ by reason of mens slight and careless observing ⟨p. 29⟩those means which are warranted and prescribed by Gods Word, for pacifying his wrath, and procuring his favour. The Lord may justly upbraid to us our fasts, as he did to the Israelites before mentioned, Isa. 58. 3, &c.

1. Too great cause of just complaint may here be taken up,¹ by reason of mens slight and carelesse observing ⟨p. 29⟩those means which are warranted and prescribed by Gods Word, for pacifying his wrath, and procuring his favour. The Lord may justly upbraid to us our fasts, as he did to the Israelites before mentioned, Isa. 58. 3, &c.

1. 1Lamentation for mens slighting fastsLamentation for mens sleighting fasts

This complaint may justly be taken up, not only against the profaner sort of people, but also against many that look Zion-ward. There be of them that on our monthly days of fast, not only forbear to join with the assembly of Gods people in those solemn sacred duties: but also follow their secular affairs: yea their pleasures and pastimes, in a kind of dislike, if not a detestation of these duties. I will not lay to their charge their disavowing of these duties, as if so be they thought fasting and prayer unlawful: but their disesteem of our monthly days enjoined by public authority.¹ The authority was first his Majesties Proclamation, straitly charging and commanding, That a General, Public and Solemn Fast be kept and held on the last Wednesday of every month, during the troubles in the Kingdom of Ireland. This Proclamation was given the eight day of January in the seventeenth of his Majesties reign. It hath been also ratified by sundry Orders and Ordinances of Parliament, for a due observing thereof; and it hath continued now almost seven whole years, and that upon just and weighty causes: for the very ground of that Proclamation still remaineth, namely, The lamentable and distressed estate of Ireland. Now why this monthly fast should not be duly observed, I see no good reason. It may be, that it is disesteemed by many, because it is enjoined by authority. But that seems to me a strange reason, that that which is a ground warranted by Gods Word (as out of this text we have formerly showed) should be a ⟨p. 30⟩reason to slight it. I know not how it comes to pass, but so it is, that mens minds are averse from such things as are enjoined by authority, though they be things lawful and agreeable to Gods Word. Never were Orders and Ordinances of Parliament more slighted then now, and that in things that concern their own good. O tempora! O mores! To what times are we reserved? What are the minds and manners of men?

This complaint may justly be taken up, not only against the prophaner sort of people, but also against many that look Sion-ward. There be of them that on our monethly daies of fast, not only forbear to joyn with the assembly of Gods people in those solemn sacred duties: but also follow their secular affairs: yea their pleasures and pastimes, in a kinde of dislike, if not a detestation of these duties. I will not lay to their charge their disavowing of these duties, as if so be they thought fasting and praier unlawfull: but their disesteem of our monethly daies enjoyned by publike authority.¹ The authority was first his Majesties Proclamation, straitly charging and commanding, That a Generall, Publike and Solemn Fast be kept and held on the last Wednesday of every month, during the troubles in the Kingdome of Ireland. This Proclamation was given the eight day of January in the seventeenth of his Majesties reign. It hath been also ratified by sundry Orders and Ordinances of Parliament, for a due observing thereof; and it hath continued now almost seven whole years, and that upon just and weighty causes: for the very ground of that Proclamation still remaineth, namely, The lamentable and distressed estate of Ireland. Now why this monethly fast should not be duly observed, I see no good reason. It may be, that it is disesteemed by many, because it is enjoyned by authority. But that seems to me a strange reason, that that which is a ground warranted by Gods Word (as out of this text we have formerly shewed) should be a ⟨p. 30⟩reason to slight it. I know not how it comes to passe, but so it is, that mens mindes are averse from such things as are enjoyned by authority, though they be things lawfull and agreeable to Gods Word. Never were Orders and Ordinances of Parliament more slighted then now, and that in things that concern their own good. O tempora! O mores! To what times are we reserved? What are the mindes and manners of men?

1. 1The ground of our monthly fasts.

1. 1Fasts may be continued while the occasion remains

I grant that if there were not a continued occasion of this constant course, there might be some ground of scruple: but that particular ground of enjoining this monthly fast, still remaining, and other weighty grounds also more nearly concerning us, namely, the troubles of our own Kingdom, why should we not persevere in using the means for averting Gods wrath, and the fearful effects thereof from us? That which is recorded of the Jews annual fasting, in certain set months, seventy years together (because the judgements, which moved them first to take up those fasts, continued so long) may be a warrant for our continued monthly fasts. For they are so mentioned by the Prophet (Zech. 7.¹ 5. & 8. 19.) as they are rather ratified then disavowed.

I grant that if there were not a continued occasion of this constant course, there might be some ground of scruple: but that particular ground of enjoyning this monethly fast, still remaining, and other weighty grounds also more nearly concerning us, namely, the troubles of our own Kingdome, why should we not persevere in using the means for averting Gods wrath, and the fearfull effects thereof from us? That which is recorded of the Jews annuall fasting, in certain set moneths, seventy years together (because the judgements, which moved them first to take up those fasts, continued so long) may be a warrant for our continued monethly fasts. For they are so mentioned by the Prophet (Zech. 7.¹ 5. & 8. 19.) as they are rather ratified then disavowed.

1. 1Public fasts in former times rare, Quid mirum si Christianis temporibus iste mundus tanquam servus jam sciens voluntatem Domini sui & faciens digna plagis vapulat multis Aug. vict. ep. 122.Publike fasts in former times rare, Quid mirum si Christianis temporibus iste mundus tanquam servus jam sciens voluntatem Domini sui & faciens digna plagis vapulat multis Aug. vict. ep. 122.

No marvel that Gods judgements have so long lien upon us, and our neighbouring Nations; seeing the means of removing them are by most either despised, or too much slighted.

The great complaint of pious Christians in former times was, that public fasts were not enjoined by public authority. Sometimes a dozen, sometimes more years passed in this Land and Kingdom without any ⟨p. 31⟩public fasts, and yet sundry Parliaments called in those years: sundry Armies sent forth, and sundry judgements inflicted. I can remember a solemn fast proclaimed, and most solemnly kept in the year 1588. upon the approach of that Spanish Armada, that carried the stile of Invincible. Admirable was the blessing that followed upon that fast: for soon after, that proud Armada was strangely dissipated. I do not well remember another public fast betwixt that and the first year of King James, wherein was such a raging Plague, as we have not heard of the like before in this Land. Thereupon a weekly fast was enjoined by public authority, till it pleased God to remove that plague.

The great complaint of pious Christians in former times was, that publike fasts were not enjoyned by publike authority. Sometimes a dozen, sometimes more years passed in this Land and Kingdome without any ⟨p. 31⟩publike fasts, and yet sundry Parliaments called in those years: sundry Armies sent forth, and sundry judgements inflicted. I can remember a solemn fast proclaimed, and most solemnly kept in the year 1588. upon the approach of that Spanish Armado, that carried the stile of Invincible. Admirable was the blessing that followed upon that fast: for soon after, that proud Armado was strangely dissipated. I doe not well remember another publike fast betwixt that and the first year of King James, wherein was such a raging Plague, as we have not heard of the like before in this Land. Thereupon a weekly fast was enjoyned by publike authority, till it pleased God to remove that plague.

Very few public fasts were betwixt that and another greater plague, in the year, 1625. when there was also a weekly fast enjoined by public authority: at which time God gave a very gracious return to the prayers of his people: for the plague decreased much faster then it increased, and in short time from the number of five thousand two hundred and five that died in one week, it came so utterly to cease, as not one at all to die of that sickness.

Very few publike fasts were betwixt that and another greater plague, in the year, 1625. when there was also a weekly fast enjoyned by publike authority: at which time God gave a very gracious return to the praiers of his people: for the plague decreased much faster then it increased, and in short time from the number of five thousand two hundred and five that died in one week, it came so utterly to cease, as not one at all to die of that sicknesse.

If it be said, that in those times wherein there were so few or no fasts, God exceedingly blessed this Kingdom, I answer:

1. That God might put off his displeasure for neglect of those duties, till after and worser times, and that he may in these our days, remember that neglect. Such an answer doth Jeremiah give to the men of Judah that made such an objection, Jer. 44. 17, &c.

1. That God might put off his displeasure for neglect of those duties, till after and worser times, and that he may in these our daies, remember that neglect. Such an answer doth Jeremy give to the men of Judah that made such an objection, Jer. 44. 17, &c.

2. Though there were not such extraordinary means publicly used:¹ yet they were by pious and devout Christians privately, and that frequently and fervently used. ⟨p. 32⟩Never was a Parliament called, never was an Army sent forth, never was there any public weighty occasion, but that such Christians as are before mentioned, assembled together, by prayer and fasting, to seek a blessing of God. I well remember, that at that very time when the Gun-powder treason was discovered (a Parliament being summoned) there were many assemblies that by prayer and fasting, earnestly sought of God a blessing upon that Parliament. Have we not cause to judge, that God had a gracious respect to the prayers of his children, who almost miraculously discovered such a dangerous, devilish and matchless treason, as the Gun-powder treason was.

2. Though there were not such extraordinary means publikely used:¹ yet they were by pious and devout Christians privately, and that frequently and fervently used. ⟨p. 32⟩Never was a Parliament called, never was an Army sent forth, never was there any publike weighty occasion, but that such Christians as are before mentioned, assembled together, by praier and fasting, to seek a blessing of God. I well remember, that at that very time when the Gun-powder treason was discovered (a Parliament being summoned) there were many assemblies that by praier and fasting, earnestly sought of God a blessing upon that Parliament. Have we not cause to judge, that God had a gracious respect to the praiers of his children, who almost miraculously discovered such a dangerous, devilish and matchlesse treason, as the Gun-powder treason was.

1. 1Frequent fasts of old in private.

Through the good providence of God, we have had more fasts by public authority enjoined, in the reign of our present Sovereign, especially since the beginning of this Parliament, then before time from the beginning of the Reformation of Religion. But they have been so slightly and carelessly performed, as we have cause to fear, that this among other sins, hath been one that hath caused Gods heavy wrath so long to lie upon us. This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation.

Thorow the good providence of God, we have had more fasts by publike authority enjoyned, in the reign of our present Sovereign, especially since the beginning of this Parliament, then before time from the beginning of the Reformation of Religion. But they have been so sleightly and carelesly performed, as we have cause to fear, that this among other sins, hath been one that hath caused Gods heavy wrath so long to lie upon us. This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation.

But to leave complaints,¹ the Doctrine which you have heard largely handled, doth justify that course which the great Council of this Land hath taken about this days fast. The means that we use, hath been showed to be extraordinary. He that sees not that the case wherein we now are, and the occasion of this days solemnity is extraordinary, is blind, and cannot see far off.

But to leave complaints,¹ the Doctrine which you have heard largely handled, doth justifie that course which the great Councel of this Land hath taken about this daies fast. The means that we use, hath been shewed to be extraordinary. He that sees not that the case wherein we now are, and the occasion of this daies solemnity is extraordinary, is blinde, and cannot see far off.

1. 1The weighty occasion of this days fast.The weighty occasion of this daies fast.

I will not now stand to aggravate this civil war (the severest of Gods judgements) nor bring to your mind the houses,¹ Towns, and Cities that have been burnt or plundered, or spoiled: nor the distressed estates of many ⟨p. 33⟩who in a night of a rich Job have bin made a poor Job: nor the abundance of blood that hath been shed: nor the alienation of affections, and bitter contentions that have been betwixt such as have been near in blood and alliance, in neighbourhood and friendship, yea also and betwixt such as profess in truth and sincerity to seek the right and perfect way of the LORD: neither will I here insist upon the errors, heresies, and blasphemies that in these days are published: nor the great rent that is made in this Church by schism. These and other like occasions of humbling our selves deeply before the LORD, and of crying mightily unto him, I now let pass.

I will not now stand to aggravate this civil war (the severest of Gods judgements) nor bring to your minde the houses,¹ Towns, and Cities that have been burnt or plundered, or spoiled: nor the distressed estates of many ⟨p. 33⟩who in a night of a rich Job have bin made a poor Iob: nor the abundance of bloud that hath been shed: nor the alienation of affections, and bitter contentions that have been betwixt such as have been near in bloud and alliance, in neighbourhood and friendship, yea also and betwixt such as professe in truth and sincerity to seek the right and perfect way of the LORD: neither will I here insist upon the errours, heresies, and blasphemies that in these daies are published: nor the great rent that is made in this Church by schisme. These and other like occasions of humbling our selves deeply before the LORD, and of crying mightily unto him, I now let passe.

1. 1The calamities of these times.

The particular occasion of fasting and praying on this day is to obtain a blessing from heaven upon the Treaty betwixt his Majesty and our Parliament, that is now through Gods blessing agreed upon.

The particular occasion of fasting and praying on this day is to obtain a blessing from heaven upon the Treaty betwixt his Majesty and our Parliament, that is now thorow Gods blessing agreed upon.

Surely this is a very extraordinary case, and that in regard of the Necessity, Excellency, and Difficulty of the matter undertaken.