❧ Our trust against trouble. Very expedient for the time, composed for our better consolation, and consideration of these crosses of warre, lately attempted, and still intended against vs. With diuers speciall prayers and Meditations, very requisite to be remembred of vs, before, in and after the time of our trouble. By Charles Gybbon.
¶ Beholde famine, plague, trouble, and anguishe, are sent as scourges for amendement.
Séene and allowed.
At London, Printed by Iohn Charlewood, dwelling in Barbican at the signe of the halfe Eagle and the Key, and are there to be solde. 1589.
To the right worshipfull Sir Iohn Heigham Knight, long life and happy daies.
THe proofe of your worships goodwill, hath made me presume to present these my paines vnder your fauourable protection: not doubting, but as your worship is zealous in Religion, conformable in liuing, and a supporter of godly enterprises, so you will become a Patron to any good proceedings. Thus beeing lothe to trouble your patience with any prolixius or tedious discourse not omitting my humble duetie, I commit your worship to the tuition of the Almightie.
❧ To the courteous and Christian Reader.
IF euery Christian well considereth the course of his life, he shall finde it nothing els but a continuall warre, for the Spirite hath three carnall enemies which daily incounter with it, the flesh world & deuill, what more filthy then the fruites of the flesh.
Rom. 8.13If ye liue after the flesh yee shall die what more wretched then the worke of the world.
1. Ioh. 5, 19The whole worlde lyeth in wickednesse, what more detestable then the deedes of the deuill.
1. Pet, 5, 8,As a roring Lyon hee goeth about seeking whom he may deuoure.
Now if we will expell these enemies we must vse these remedies.
Rom. 8, 13If wee mortifie the deedes of the bodie we shall liue.
1, Ioh. 5.5If we beleeue that Iesus is the sonne of God, we shal ouercome this world
Iam. 4.7If we resist the deuil he wil flie frō vs. [Page 5] And no doubt these externall troubles [...] war (wherewith we were lately visi [...]) were sent of God for our good, to [...]tifie vs in this spiritual fight. For he [...]ing the aduersaries readye to pre [...]le, did (by the same scourge) put vs [...] mind of his indignation, because we [...]ginne to faint in so good a fight. We [...]ue liued a long time in peace (the [...]ord be praised for it and still prolong [...] but wee haue abused this blessing, Psal. 30.6 [...]d saide in our prosperitie (as Dauid [...]d) we shoulde not be mooued. Our [...]ts haue lulled vs a sleepe in security, [...]e fleshe hath followed all sensualitie, [...]e worlde hath bewitched vs with [...]eere vanitie, and the deuill hath nus [...]d vs in iniquitie. Insomuch that it [...]as high time for the Lorde to touche [...] with these troubles, least we had pe [...]hed in our sinnes, and although hee [...]th begunne very mildlie, in hope of [...]r conuersion, we may be assured hee [...]ll proceede to punishe vs more ex [...]eamelie, if there be no reformation.
Therfore now let vs learne to amend [Page 6] our liues for feare of a further affliction. Let vs heare the word of God with more dilligence, and followe it in our life with more obedience, and though we liue in the flesh, 2. Cor, 10, 3. let vs not warre after the flesh. Though wee are in the world, 1. Cor. 7.31 let vs vse it as though we vsed it not. Ephe. 4.27. Though the deuill dailie followe vs, let vs not giue place to him.
Thus by resisting euill, wee shall grow in grace, and so by the meanes of our amendment, we shall pacifie the vvrath of God, and consequentlie appease the furie of our foes, which GOD graunt. Amen.
¶ A prayer for the good protection of our gracious Queene and Realme.
✿ An other godly Prayer verie good and necessarie to be vsed in these troublesome dayes.
O Eternall & euerliuing Lord, although we thy wretches (by reason of our manifold sinnes and offences) are vnworthy to cry or call vpon thee for comfort, in these thy crosses of tribulations come vppon vs: yet seeing (O Lord) thou hast willed vs in our trouble to call vppon thee, Psal. 50.15 and thou wylt heare vs: and in the burden of our sins to come vnto thee, and thou wilt ease vs, Math. 11.28 wee presume to prostrate our humble prayers before the throne of thy maiestie, beseeching thee of thy rich mercy in Christ, to forgyue our sinnes, by thy daily renuing spirite, to amend our liues, and by thy fauourable protection, to defende vs in these our troubles, that wee may not bee made a pray vnto the lust of our enemies, wherby we may be made a reproch among those prophane people, and thereby they may triumphe against thee in our ouerthrow, and say. Where is now their God. Confound and scatter (O Lord) these our enemies, in their impious enterprises and proceedings, Gen, 11, 8 as thou diddest those presumptuous people at Babell. Infolde them in the folly of theyr filthy deuises, as thou diddest to Ahithophell. 2. Sa. 17.23 Infeeble theyr force, and smite them with thy Angell, as [Page 10] thou didst the power of Saneherib In theyr terrible and desperat attempts, 2. Re. 19.35 let them bee drowned, as was Pharaoh. Intrap & ouertake them in their treasons, Exo. 14.16 as thou diddest Absalom. Turne them (if any be to bee conuerted) as thou diddest Manasses, 2. Sam. 15 7 otherwise let them feele their due punishment, as did Corah and the rest of his conspiratours. Num. 16.31 So we thy people and shéepe of thy pasture, shall prayse thee for euer, and from generation to generation, wee will sette foorth thy prayse. Heare vs O mercifull Father, for Iesus Christes sake, our onely Mediator and aduocate. Amen.
A Shielde for a Souldiour. Selected out of the Scriptures, contayning very necessarye Meditations, and prayers to be vsed in the time of trouble.
LOrd it is nothing with thée to helpe with many or with no power. 2. Ch, 14.11 Help vs O Lord our God, for we rest on thée, and in thy name are wee come against thys multitude. O Lorde thou art our God, let not man preuaile against thée.
O our God wilt thou not iudge them, 2. Ch. 20.12 for there is no strength in vs to stande before this great multitude y e commeth against vs, neither doo we know what to doo, but our eyes are toward thée.
In God doo I trust, I will not bee afraid what man can doo vnto mée. Psal. 56.11.
O Lord our God, I beseeche thee saue thou vs out of our enemies hand, 2. Re. 19.19. that [Page 12] all the kingdomes of the earth may know y t thou O Lord art onely God.
Psal, 25, 1, 2,Vnto thée O Lorde, lift I vppe my soule, my God I trust in thée, let mee not be confounded, let not mine enemies reioyce ouer mée.
Psal. 21.13Be y u exalted O lord in thy strength, so shall wee sing and praise thy power.
Psa. 22.4.5Our fathers trusted in thée, they trusted and thou didst deliuer them. They called vpon thée & were deliuered, they trusted in thee & were not confounded.
Psa. 25.17.18.19.The sorrowes of my hart are inlarged, draw me out of my troubles, looke vpon my affliction, and my trauel, and forgiue all my sins. Beholde mine enemies for they are many, and they hate me with carnall hatred.
Psal. 30.10Heare O Lord and haue mercie vpon me, Lord be thou mine helper.
Psal. 27.12Giue me not vnto the lust of my aduersaries.
Psa. 31.15.16My times are in thy hande, deliuer me from the hands of my enemies, and from thē that persecute me, make thy [Page 13] face to shine vpon thy Seruant, and saue me through thy mercie.
Our soule waiteth for y e Lord, Psal. 33.20. for hee is our help & our shielde, let thy mercie O lord be vpon vs, as we trust in thee.
Plead thou my cause O lord with thē that striue with me, Psal. 35.1.2 fight thou against them that fight against me. Laie hande upon the shield and buckler and stande up for my help.
Let not them that are mine enemies uniustlie triumph ouer me. Psal. 35.19
Let not them say in their harts, Psa. 35.25 O our soule reioyce, neither let them saie we haue deuoured him.
Be mercifull vnto me O GOD, Psa. 56.1.2 for man wold swallow me vp, he fighteth continuallie and vexeth me.
Mine enemies would daily swallow me vp, for manie fight against mee O thou most high.
Haue mercy vppon me O God, Psal. 57.1 haue mercy vpō me, for my soule trusteth in thée, & in the shadow of thy wings will I trust till these afflictions ouerpasse.
Psa. 60.11.Giue vs helpe against trouble, for vain is the help of man. Through God we shall doo valiantly, for he shal tread down our enemies.
Psa. 70.1.2O Lord hast thee to deliuer me, make hast to help me O lord. Let thē be confounded & put to shame that séeke my soule, let them be turned backwarde and put to rebuke that desire my hurt.
Help vs O God of our saluation, for the glory of thy name and deliuer vs, and bée merciful vnto our sins for thy names sake.
Psal 36.1.2. Psa. 79.6.9.Powre out thy wrath vpon the heathen that haue not known thée, and vppon the kingdoms that haue not called vpon thy name. So we thy people and shéepe of thy pasture shall praise thee for euer, & from generation to generation we will set forth thy praise.
Psa. 86.1, 2Incline thine eare O lord and heare me for I am poore and néedy. Preserue thou my soule for I am mercifull, my God saue thy seruant that trusteth in thée. Be merciful vnto me O God, for [Page 15] I cry vpon thee continually.
Reioyce the soule of thy seruaunt, Psa. 86, 4, 5 6, 17. for vnto thée O lord doo I lift vp my soule.
For thou Lord art good and merciful, and of great kindnes vnto all thē that call vpon thée. Giue eare Lorde vnto my prayer, and harken to the voice of my supplication.
Shewe a token of thy goodnes toward me, y t they which hate mee, may sée it, and be ashamed, because thou O Lord hast holpen and comforted me.
O Lord heare my prayer and let my cry come vnto thee. Psa. 102.1, 2 Hide not thy face from me in the time of my trouble, incline thine eares vnto me, when I call make hast to heare me.
Helpe me O Lord my God, Psal. 109, 26, 27. saue mée according to thy mercie. And they shal knowe that this is thy hande, and that thou O Lord hast doone it.
Our help is in the name of the Lord which hath made heauen and earth. Psa. 124, 8.
Deliuer me O Lord from mine enemies for I hide me with thee. Psal. 143.
Psal. 144.11 12.And for thy mercie slay mine enemies, & destroy all them that oppresse my soule, for I am thy seruant.
Rescue mee and deliuer me from the hands of Strangers, whose mouth talketh vanitie, and their right hande is a right hand of falshood. That our Sons may be as the plants growing vppe in their youth, and our Daughters as the corner stones, grauen after the similitude of a Pallace.
Psal. 144.13.14, 15That our corners may be ful, abounding with diuers sortes, and that our sheepe may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets.
That our Oxen may be strong to labour, that there be no inuasion, nor going out, nor crying in our streetes.
Blessed are the people that be so, yea blessed are the people whose God is the Lorde.
❧ Our trust against trouble.
¶ That vvee may the more patientlie, thankfully, and ioyfully carry & ouercome the crosse of tribulation & trouble. Let vs first of all consider who is the Author of it.
1. It is God that sendeth warre.
AND that is approoued vnto vs in these words. Beholde nowe for I, I am he, and there is no Gods with me, Deu. 32.39 I kill and I giue life, I wounde & I make whole, neither is there any that can deliuer out of my hand. The Isralites confessed all their afflictions to come from God. Come (say they) let vs returne to the Lord: Hosea, 6, 1 for he hath spoyled and hee will heale vs, he hath wounded vs, & he will bind vs vp. &c.
So that we may learne by this, two profitable instructions.
1. Albeit the wicked doo make war, wée must not suppose they doo it of thē selues, for God doth after a sort vse and [Page 18] send them as his seruaunts, (and so verie fitly calleth them) because hee maketh them to serue him by constraint, and that which they doo of malice, hee turneth to his honor and glory, as hee did by Nebuchadnezer, who when he besieged Ierusalem, hee did it not of hys own accorde, for the Lorde had said before, I will sende Nebuchadnezer my Seruaunt. Iere, 25, 9 &c.
2. Although our enemies attempt to trouble vs, yet this is our assurance, they can procéede no further then God will permit or appoint them, because they are but as instruments to execute his indignation. Esay, 10, 5,
Sith it is God that sendeth warre, we are next to consider wherfore or for what cause hee dooth commonly vse to send it, for he neuer sendeth his visitation in vaine.
2 Warre is sent as a scourge for sinne.
And that may appeare vnto vs by this sentence. Psal. 89, 31, If they breake my statutes & keepe not my commaundements, then [Page 19] will I visit their transgression with the [...]d & their iniquitie with strokes.
And may further prooued to vs in [...]ese places.
- Leu. 26, verse, 17
- Deut. 28, verse, 20, 22
- 2, Chro. 20, verse, 9
The Iewes attributed all their afflic [...]ons to their sinnes. Baru. 2, 5, 6
The sins which so prouoke the Lord punish vs, no doubt are these amōgst [...]anie other.
- [...]use of his worde.
- [...]ontempt of his Minist.
- [...]ouetousnes.
- [...]tortion.
- Pryde.
- Whoredome.
- Drunkennes, and such like.
These and such [...] sins raigned in Israell, Ierusalem, and Iudah.
For which sins the Lord did send his worde amongst them, as you may [...]ad at large, in Esay. 28. Eze. 22. Iere. 5. So that wee may obserue in this, bee speciall considerations.
That we must not take these trou [...]s to come of course, but acknowledg [...] sins to be the cause, and therby we all perceiue that God by sending thē, [...]th séeke nothing but our good, premo [...]hing vs gently, least wee perrish in [Page 20] our sin securely. 2, Esd. 16, 15 Behold famine, plague trouble, and anguish, are sent as scourges for amendement. Pro, 3, 12, For whom God scourgeth he loueth.
2. That if we shew an vnfained confession, and make a true and harty contrition for our sins, leading our liues in better obedience of the worde of God, these troubles shalbe taken away from vs. For y e Lorde hath said to those that doo so, Leu, 26.6, 7 I wil send peace in your land, yee shall sleepe & none shall make you afraid, & the sword shal not goe throg [...] your land, yee shal chase your enemies▪ and they shall fall before you vpon the sword, & fiue of you shal chase an hundred, & an hundred of you shal put ten thousand to flight, & your enemy shal [...] fal before you vpon the sword. For th [...] Lord taketh no pleasure in the destruction of sinners, 2, Chr, 12, 12 Ezek, 18, 32 but in their conuersion
3. That if wee still perseuere in ou [...] sins without repentaunce (making [...] account of this milde correction latel [...] sent vs) Rom, 2, 5 we shall not onelie heape vnt [...] [Page 21] our selues wrathe against the daie of [...]dgment, but also in this life, Leu, 26, 16 Nehe, 9, 28 procure [...]he Lorde to punishe vs seauen times more according to our sins, and make [...]im giue vs ouer vnto the lust of our e [...]emies. (which God defend.)
3. How we ought to remedy and defend these afflictions.
In that they come of God and not of [...]an, wee may learne thrée singuler lessons.
1. That we must not altogether de [...]ende vppon the ordinary and lawfull meanes as Men, Munition, Worldlie [...]ower and Pollicie, for that is abhomi [...]ation in the sight of God, as may appeare by that which is pronounced against the Isralites, Woe vnto thē that goe downe into Egipt for helpe, Esay, 31, 1, & stay vpon Horsses & trust in Charrets, because they are many, & in horsemē because they are very strong, but they [...]ooke not vnto the holy one of Israell, nor seeke vnto the Lorde. And afterward there is produced a reason to reprooue [Page 22] them. The Egiptians are men & not gods, Esay, 31, 3, & their horses fleshe and not spirit, & when the lord shal stretch out his hand, the helper shall fall, & he that is holpen shall fal, and they shal altogether faile. And y e Prophet Ieremie saith. Cursed be the man that trusteth in mā, Iere, 17, 5 and maketh flesh his arme, and withdraweth his hart from the Lord. Iudg, 20, 20. The same Isralites trusting in their strength were discomfited by the Beniamites, for it is written. 1, Sam, 2, 9 In his owne might shall no man be strong.
2. That as wee must not neglect the instrumental & lawful remedy to with stand the aduersary. So we ought especially to respecte the efficient cause, (which is God) who sendeth y e enemie, remembring what the Psalmist saith. Blessed is the man that maketh the lord his trust, Psal, 40, 41 Iere, 17, 17 for God can aswel without as with weapon, terrifie & destroy the enemy. 2, Chr, 14, 11. Abiiah making war against Ieroboam, got the victory not altogether with the multitude of men. But it is [Page 23] there said, hee did the rather preuaile, [...]ecause he and his staied vpon y e Lorde [...]od of their fathers. 2, Chr, 13, 18 Dauid fighting a [...]inst Goliah, y e huge Giant, although [...]e did not contemne the Armour King [...]aul put vpon him, yet (because he could [...]ot away withal) hee did not weare it. Notwithstanding, betaking himself to [...]s sling, and committing his trust in God, hée ouercame his enemie, because [...]he Lord will haue his power knowne [...] preuaile. Assuring vs thereby, 1, Sam, 17 51, 54, that [...] wee fight in faith vnder his defence, [...]e will neuer faile vs.
3. That we must both fight with our [...]ndes and pray with our harts toge [...]her, following the good example of our [...]refathers in their afflictions. 1, Sam, 7, 8, 9 The Children of Israell did not onelie fight [...]gainst y e Philistims, but requested Samuell (that notable Prophet) to cry vn [...]o the Lord for them. 2, Ch, 20, 12, Iehoshaphat fight [...]ng against his enemies, did withstand with weapon & prostrate his Prayer. Asa warring against the Ethiopians; 2, Ch, 14, 11 did [Page 24] both resist with weapon, and persist in prayer, for as we must not omitte the lawful ordinaunce (God hath appointed) to defend vs. So we must commit our selues to him, who giueth the successe, & submit both to his protection.
4. Howe wee may take comfort in these crosses of trouble.
Let vs but consider what moueth the enemy to intermeddle with vs.
Surely nothing els but sinister occasions as some of these ensuing.
Pretending,
1. To hurt our soueraigne Queene the Lordes annointed.
2. To hinder the free passage of Gods word amongst vs.
3. To destroye the little flocke of Gods folde in this land.
4. To sette abroche all superstition and abhomination.
No doubt as their intent is euill, so their successe will be such.
Exo, 14, 16 Paraoh (that tiranicall rebellor) making warre against the Isralites (that [Page 25] chosen people of GOD) could not preuaile, 2, Ch. 20, 22 for the Lord drowned him and al his hoste in the Sea.
The Moabites & Amonites (that peruerse & wretched people) making war against Iehoshaphat y e good King of Iudah) they were so far from ouercōming that one enemy did helpe to destroy an other of his aduersaries.
Sanaherib that great blasphemer making war against Hezekiah that godlie Prince, 2, Re, 19, 35. had so good successe in his enterprise, y t the Angel of the Lord went out and in one night smote in the Campe, an hundred, fourescore and fiue thousand of his men.
Zerah of Ethiopia, 2, Chr, 14 12, 13, making warre against King Asa, was so farre from giuing the ouerthrow, y t he and his were enforced to flie, & receiue the foyle.
Thus we may sée by these examples that although God will sometime punish his children for their sins, by suffering the nenemy to assault them, yet hee will not permit the enemy to preuaile [Page 26] ouer his people, so they repēt and be sory for their sins, & repose their trust in their troubles vnder hys defence.
Let vs not be terrified because of the multitude of men, but let vs remēber that notable saying of Asa in his trouble, 2, Ch, 14, 11 Lorde it is nothing with thee to help with many or with no power. For no doubt we may say of our enemy (as Hezekiah did of Sancherib, With him is an arme of flesh, but with vs is the lord our God, for to helpe vs and to fight our battels.
Let vs pray without dispaire, considering what the Lord hath said. Psal. 50, 15 Call vpon mee in the time of trouble, and I will heare thee. Exo, 17, 11 When Moyses lyfted vp his hand, Israell preuailed, but whē he let downe his hand, the Amalekites preuailed, teaching vs thereby to prostrate and perseuere in our prayers, without fainting, for the Lorde is nigh to all those that call vpon him in fayth. Psal, 145, 18,
5. How we ought to behaue our selues after troubles for the good successe is sent vs.
We must offer to God the Sacrifice of prayse and thanksgiuing.
As the Lorde hath promised in our troubles to heare & helpe vs, so he hath said. Thou shalt praise me. For of him, Psal, 50, 15 Rom, 11, 36, through him & for him are all things, to him be glory. Least if we forgette or neglect to bee thankfull to him for his benefits, he doth further afflict vs. For it is said of Hezekiah, (after God had wonderfully deliuered him from hys enemies) that he did not render according to y e reward bestowed vpon him, for his hart was lift vp, 2, Ch, 32, 25 and therefore the wrathe of God came against him vpon Iudah and Ierusalem.
Therfore that we may the more effectually offer our prayses to God, let vs obserue two things.
- 1. Comemoration. Of the opposite daunger of our enemie with our safe deliuerie.
- 2. Consideration. Of our vnwoorthy merites, with Gods wonderfull mercie.
In so dooing we shall find Gods goodnes [Page 28] so superaboundant, and our deserts so repugnaunt, that euery one of vs, in the end of our troubles, shall be enforsed to say as Dauid did, Psalm. 116.12, 13, 17 What shall I render vnto the Lorde for all his benefites towards mee? I will take the Cup of saluation and call vppon the name of the Lord. I will offer to him a sacrifice of prayse.
Gen, 14, 19 Melchizedeck gaue thanks for Abrahams victory.
Exo, 15, 1, 2 Moyses and the Isralites song prayses for their deliueraunce.
Iudg, 5, 1, 2So did Deborah, Barak and dyuers others.
For if the Lorde smelled a sauour of rest at the burnt offering of Noah, how acceptable wil our praises be, that procéede from a contrite hart, sith y e Lorde himselfe saith: Psal, 50, 23 Hee that offereth mee prayse shall glorifie me.
A tryumphe after
trouble. Contayning a prayse or thankesgiuing, fit for euery Christian to offer and confesse to God, for the benefite of their deliuerance.
Collected out of the Scriptures.
I Will magnifie thée O Lorde, Psal, 30, 1 for thou hast exalted mee, and hast not made my foes to reioyce ouer me.
By this O Lord I knowe that thou fauourest me, Psal, 41, 11, because my enemy doth not tryumphe against me.
Thou hast turned my mourning into ioy, Psal, 30, 11 thou hast loosed my sacke & gyrded me with gladnes. Therefore shall my tongue prayse thée, and not cease: O Lorde my God I will giue thankes vnto thée for euer.
I will alwaies giue thanks vnto the Lord, Psalm, 34 1, 2, 3, 4 his praise shall bee in my mouth continually, my soule shall glory in the [Page 30] Lord, the humble shall heare it and be glad. Praise ye the Lord with me and let vs magnifie his name together. I sought the Lord and he heard me, yea he deliuered mee out of all my feare.
Psalm, 44, 5 6, 7, 8,Through thée haue we thrust backe our aduersaries, by thy name haue wée troden downe them that rose vppe against vs, for I do not trust in my bow neither can my sword saue mee. But thou hast saued vs from our aduersaries, and hast put them to confusiō that hate vs. Psal. 56, 12 Therfore will we praise God continually, and wil confesse his name for euer.
Thy vowes are vpon me O GOD, I will render praise vnto thée.
Psal, 59, 16,I will sing of thy power and praise thy mercy in the morning, for thou hast beene my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.
Psal, 63, 5, 6My soule shall be satis-fied as wyth marowe & fatnes, and my mouth shall praise thée with ioyful lips, when I remember thée on my bed, and when I [Page 31] think vpon thee in the night watches, because y u hast béene my helper, therefore vnder the shadowe of thy winges will I reioyce.
I loue the Lorde because hee hath heard my voice and my prayers. Psalm. 116 1, 17, 18, I wil [...]ffer to thée a sacrifice of praise & wyll call vpon the name of the Lord. I wyll [...]ay my vowes vnto the lord, euen now [...]n the presence of all his people.
The Lord is my strength and song, Psal, 118, 14, for he hath béene my deliueraunce.
Blessed bee the Lorde my strength, Psa, 144, 1, 2 which teacheth my hands to fight, and my fingers to battell, he is my goodnes and my fortresse my Towre & my deliuerer, my shield and in him I trust.
If the Lord had not béene on our side when men rose vp against vs, Psal, 123, 1, 2 they had then swallowed vs vp quicke, when their wrath was kindled against vs.
Praysed bee the Lorde which hath not giuen vs, Psal, 124, 6 as a praye vnto theyr [...]eeth. Amen.