THIS Psalm, whereof my Text is a part, was Compil'd by the Military Monarch David, when he and his Army waged War, or strove with Aram Naharaim, and Aram Zoba, even at the return of Joab the Son of Zerviah, (who was a Chief Officer over the Host of David (from slaying of the Syrians or Edomites in the Valley of Salt, to the number of Eighteen Thousand Men. The History of which Engagement, you may find Recorded in 2 Sam. 8.1, to 17. and also in 1 Chron. 18.1, to 16. in which Relation we may observe, that Holy David was very Successful in his Warlike Enter­prizes, for he overcame many Potent Kings and Kingdoms, thro' a fixed Affiance in the Faithfulness and All-sufficiency of an Infallible and Omni­potent God, who is the most Magnificent Monarch, and Mightiest War­riour, of whom Moses saith in Exod. 15.3. The Lord is a Man of War, the [Page 4]Lord is his Name, or his Name is Jehovah, which denotes both his Holi­ness and Hostility. This Military Description of God may be fitly stil'd the Soldiers Armory or Magazine, where not only his Carnal, but also Spiritual Weapons, Accoutrements and Ammunition are constantly kept in a Warlike Readiness: It is as it were the Tower of David, whereon there hang a Thousand Bucklers, all Shields of Mighty Men, as you may Read in the 4th Chapter of Canticles or Song of Solomon, at the 4th Verse: Or as that Tower of Solomon mention'd in Prov. 18.10. where it is said, that— The Name of the Lord is a strong Tower, the Righteous runneth into it, and is safe. Therefore let us betake our selves to this strong Citadel, or Invincible Garison, which is the Christian Combatant's Fort Roval, where the Captain of our Salvation is Christ Jesus, and the Generalissimo of our Believing Forces, God Almighty, whose Banner over us is Love, and that stronger than Death; for many Waters could not quench his Love, nei­ther could the Floods drown it, as you may note in Cant. 8.7. This is that Love which surpasseth Knowledge, whereof the Apostle St. Paul speaks in Eph. 3.19. The Superlative Transcendeney of which is apparently made manifest in the Miraculous and many Renown'd Victories obtain'd (over their Enemies) by the Adventurous Armies, and Couragious Champions of the Living God; under whose Irresistible Power, not only Royal David in particular, but also his Loyal Host in general, did Va­lorously resolve to Encount or and Conquer their Adversaries, yet so, as at the same time, and in the mean space, that with one Unanimous and Harmonious Consent, they voluntarily and devoutly ascrib'd unto God, (to whom it was due) even the Glorious and Praise-worthy Success of their Valiant and Vigorous Victories, according to these Heroical or Mar­tial Expressions of my present Text, where Divine and Undaunted Da­vid, as it were after an Alarm to take up Arms, made this Consolatory Speech unto his Army, Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our Enemies.

This Portion of Scripture, being the Subject of my Warlike Discourse, hath its Foundation laid on the most durable and unmoveable Rock of Ages, namely, God himself; and that by a Matchless Monarch of Israel, to wit, the Militant and Triumphant David, in which Text, as a Gari­son Town, or City of Refuge, he hath Erected on the East-side an Hea­venly Castle of Safety, and on the West an Holy Tower of Security: The Heavenly Castle of Safety, importing God's Favourable Presence with his People, in Countenancing them to defie the fierceness of their Enemies, according to these former words of my Text, Through God we shall do valiantly: The Holy Tower of Security, implying God's power­ful [Page 5]Providence to his People, in Encouraging them to Defeat the Forces of their Adversaries, as concurring with these last Expressi­ons in my present Subject, For he it is that shall tread down our Ene­mies.

Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our Enemies.

In walking the Rounds of this Text, Town, or City of Refuge, which hath God seated in the Circuit, Situation and Centre thereof, for its Safety, as also Sallying the Ports, viewing the Rampiers, Platforms, Counterscarps, Fortresses, Flankers, Battlements, Bul­warks, and Batteries thereof. Besides, a Castle and a Tower Erect­ed on the Eastern and Western sides, to prevent the Storming, Sur­prizing, Besieging, Invading or Taking of the same by Force; I likewise discover'd it strongly fortify'd on the North and South­sides, with two other Regal Citadels, or Royal Forts of Defence, and they are these which I shall describe unto you.

First, King David's Divine Consideration, That the Foundation of a Just War in the Defence of his Peoples Lives, Laws, Liberties and Religion, hath its Victorious Dependency on the Supream Power and Providence of God, the which is apparently evident in the front of my present Text, where the purpose of God in preserv­ing his People from the violent Enterprizes of their Enemies, is thus Elegantly and Excellently exprest, Through God we shall do valiantly.

Secondly, King David's Divine Suggestion, That tho' the People of God may be Instrumental in subduing their Enemies, yet the Success that makes their Foes their Footstool, is a principal Preroga­tive only peculiar to God himself: And this is likewise apparent in the Rear of my present Subject, where the pleasure of God in punish­ing his Peoples Adversaries, is thus Emphatically and Pathetically worded, For he it is that shall tread down our Enemies.

Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our Enemies.

I have divided my Text into Two Parts or Portions, like Two Regiments or Battalions of Soldiers, in which respect it represents [Page 6]the Right and Left Wings of an Army. But having thus open'd my Text, both to the Right and Left, that I may put it again in a pro­per form, I shall reduce the Divisions as they were, and thereby bring it to its close Order, drawing up the main Body thereof into a more Compleat and Warlike Posture, by demonstrating unto you in a considerable measure, what Glorious Conquests the Successful and Successive Sabaoths or Hosts of God, obtain'd in former Ages over their Adversaries: In order to which Demonstration, I design thro' God's Gracious Assistance, to speak unto the Two Chief Generals, or General Heads, posted at the Royal Standard of my Text; as in the

First place, To King David's Divine Consideration, That the Foundation of a Just War in the Defence of his Peoples Lives, Laws, Liberties, and Religion, hath its Victorious Dependency on the Su­pream Power and Providence of God.

Secondly, To King David's Divine Suggestion, That tho' the People of God may be Instrumental in subduing their Enemies; yet the Success that makes their Foes their Footstool, is a principal Pre­rogative only peculiar to God himself: Both which Observations are inseparately included, and compleatly comprehended within the Bounds and Limits of my Celestial Subject, where in Expecta­tion of Aid from the Deity to suppress his Adversaries; it is thus Dictated by Devout David, Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our Enemies.

In all the Series of Holy Scripture, we may evidently behold, that when Almighty God intended to accomplish some Notable Delive­rance to his People, he gave them to understand (in the mean space) that it was not so much their own Might and Manhood, as it was his meer Mercy that saved them: And this is very Conspicuous in the Couragious Resolutions, and Admir'd Actions of the Religious Is­raelites, who by their Military Affair, and God's Favour, overcame no less than Thirty One Considerable Kings and Kingdoms; as you may Read in the 12th Chapter of Joshua, where there is a perfect Catalogue of their Names and Number; the first being the King of Jericho, mention'd in the 9th Verse; and the last the King of Tirza, specify'd in the 24th Verse, which consummates or concludes the same Chapter.

Thus you see, according to the Words of my Text, how the Israelites did valiantly; for God did tread down their Ene­mies.

Israel, above all the Nations in the World, had the Honour of fighting the Lord's Battels; and when they wanted Champions or Conducts for their Encouragement, God was entreated by them, that his Power might appear in the cause of their Warfare: Who, according to his own good pleasure, sent several Rescuers, that pro­tected them from Multitudes of malicious Enemies; one of whose Deliverers, or Saviour's, (as his Name imports it) was Joshua the Son of Nun, Moses his Minister and Successor; for he destroy'd the Anakims in the Land of Israel; he also overcame many Prince's that resisted them, and hang'd five noted King's, on five several Trees, that were their Adversaries; namely, Adoni-Zedeck King of Jeru­salem, Hoham King of Hebron, Piram King of Jarmuth, Japhia King of Lachish, and Debir King of Eglon, as you may read in the 9, 10, 11, and 12 Chapters of Joshua. Thus Joshua did valiantly; for God did tread down his Enemies.

Secondly, The Israelites were delivered from the bold Attempts of the Aramites, by Othniel the Son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger Bro­ther, and the Land had rest forty years, as it is observable Judg. 3.9, 10, 11. Thus Othniel did valiantly; for God did tread down his Enemies.

Thirdly, The Israelites were preserved from the Molestations of the Moabites, by Ehud the Son of Gera a Benjamite, a Man left-handed, when they slew of the Children of Moab about Ten thousand Men, all lusty, all Men of Valour; so that the Land had rest fourscore years, as you may note in Judg. 3.15, 29, 30. Thus Ehud did valiantly; for God did tread down his Enemies.

Fourthly, The Israelites were succour'd from the Fury of Phili­stines, by Shamgar the Son of Anath, who slew Six hundred Philistines with an Ox-goad; and he also delivered Israel, as it is apparent in Judg. 3.31. Thus Shamgar did valiantly; for God did tread down his Enemies.

Fifthly, The Israelites were desended from the Incursions of the Canaanites by Deborah a Prophetess, the Wife of Lapidoth, and Ba­rak the Son of Abinoam of Kadesh-Nepthali, who by the assistance of God, prevailed against Jabin King of Canaan, until they had destroy'd Jabin King of Canaan; as is specified in Judg. 4.6, 24. Thus De­borah and Barak did valiantly; for God did tread down their Ene­mies.

Sixthly, The Israelites were saved from the Mischiefs of the Mi­dianites by Jerubaal, that is, Gideon the Son of Joash the Abi-ezraite, who discomsited an Host of Men with broken Potsherds, Lamps, and Rams-horns, together with the Noise of the People, who cried earnestly before their Enemies, until they were daunted, routed, and ruined: The Sword of the Lord, and of Gideon, as it is recorded in Judges 7.20, 21. His Messenger also took two Princes of the Midia­nites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the Rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the Wine-press of Zeeb; and they pursued Midian, and brought the Heads of Oreb and Zeeb unto Gideon, on the other side Jordan, as it is remarkable in Judg. 7.24, 25. Also Gideon arose, and slew Zeba and Zalmunna, two chief Kings of Midian, as farther appears in Judg. 8.21. Thus Gideon did valiantly; for God did tread down his Enemies.

Seventhly, The Israelites were protected from the Arms of the Ammonites, by Jepthah the Gileadite, a mighty Man of Valour, who smote the Children of Ammon from Aroer till thou come to Minnith, even twenty Cities; and unto the Plain of the Vineyards, with a very great Slaughter. Thus the Children of Ammon were subdu'd before the Children of Israel, as you may find it written in Judg. 11.33. Thus Jephthah did valiantly; for God did tread down his Ene­mies.

Eighthly, The Israelites were freed from the Forces of the Phili­stines by Samson, who slew a Lion: He kill'd thirty Philistines for thirty Changes of Garments; burnt their Corn with Firebrands tied to three hundred Foxes Tails; carried away the Gates of Gaza; de­stroyed a thousand Men with the Jaw-bone of an Ass; and by pulling upon him the Theatre of the Philistines, slew more at his death than he did in his life-time, as the Histories thereof make mention, in the [Page 9]14th, 15, and 16th Chapters of Judges. Thus Samson did valiant­ly; for God did tread down his Enemies.

Ninthly, The Israelites were secur'd from the Onsets of the Am­monites, Moabites, and Inhabitants of Mount Seir, thro' the gracious and seasonable Advice of good King Jehosaphat, together with the Divine Assistance of Almighty God; as it is penn'd 2 Chron. 20.20, 21, 22. where the Relation is thus worded: Here me, O Judah, and ye Inhabitants of Jerusalem; believe in the Lord your God, so shall you be established; believe his Prophets, so shall ye prosper. And when he had consulted with the People, he appointed Singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the Beauty of Holiness, as they went out before the Army, and to say, Praise the Lord, for his Mercy endureth for ever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set Ambushments against the Children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, which were come against Judah, and they were smitten, Thus Jehosaphat did valiantly; for God did tread down his Enemies. In the

Tenth place, I shall, thro' God's Providential permission, demon­strate unto you some of the Noble Acts of Royal David, who (be­ing the Man after God's own Heart) always won the Field of the Lord's Battel under the Lord's Banner; according to these expres­sions of my present Text: Through God we shall do valiantly; for he it is that shall tread down our Enemies.

We read in the Acts of renowned David, that when he was but a ruddy Youth, he kill'd a Lion and a Bear, as also slew the Chief Champion of the Philistines, namely, the Great Goliah of Gath; as you may read in the 17th Chapter of the First Book of Samuel. He smote two hundred Philistines, for which Exploit he had the Ho­nour of Majestical Assinity, in being made the King's Son-in-Law, as appears in 1 Sam. 18. He took a Spear, and a Pot or Cruise of Wa­ter that stood at Saul's head, as you may note in 1 Sam. 26. He warred the Lord's Warfare, and slew Rechab, and Baana his Brother, the Sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, as you have it observable in 2 Sam. 4. He overcame the Philistines twice; he took the Fort Sion; he restored the Ark; he prepar'd for the Building of the Temple he overthrew the Aramites, and all his Enemies, as you may far­ther remark in the 5th and 6th Chapters of the Second Book of Sa­muel. Thus, according to the words of my Text, David the Dar­ling [Page 10]of God did valiantly; for He did tread down his Ene­mies.

These are some of the Royal Prophet's Atchievements, who up­on such Undertakings always consided in God's willingness and readi­ness to assist his Endeavours, in all necessary Engagements: For the Lord himself, who is a Man of War, vested him in an heavenly and impenetrable Coat of Mail, or spiritual Armour, according to those prudent and prevalent Expressions, of his unbyass'd Resolution and Reliance, recorded Psal. 27.1, 2, 3. where he thus expostulated with himself, touching his holy Warfare: The Lord is my Light and my Salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the Strength of my Life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the Wicked, even mine Ene­mies and my Foes came upon me to eat up my Flesh, they stumbled and fell. Tho' an Host should encamp against me, my Heart shall not fear: Tho' War should rise against me, in this will I be consident.

This ought to be the couragious Resolution of all sincere Chri­stians, but more especially of Christian Soldiers, who seem to carry their Lives in their Hands, and are observed to stand upon the brink of the Grave: Yet if such conside with David, in the corroborating Power of God, taking cognizance of the Equity of our late conti­nued War, and the just demerit of the Cause thereof, being in de­fence of Christ's Gospel, and such Kingdoms, Territories, Domi­nions, and Provinces, as maintain his true Religion, together with the Lives, Laws, and Liberties of free-born Subjects, who are there­by protected from infringing their Priviledges, invading their Pro­perties, and infecting the Principles of their pious Profession: Doubt­less such necessary Warriors may have a welcom Access to the ac­knowledgment of my present Text, in order to defend God's Word with David's Sword, and there to say with the sacred Psalmist: Through God we shall do valiantly; for he it is that shall tread down our Enemies.

In this place, I have form'd or fram'd my Text, to bear a lively Representation of the late Assairs of our Brittish Nation; where a Party of its Inhabitants, like the disturb'd Israelites, have had several Commotions both with domestick and foreign Enemies: This Truth is experimentally memoriz'd by many of us, who, through God's gracious permission, have our continuance hitherto in the Land of the [Page 11]living. But what shall we say to these things? since God hath been for us, who could be against us? For through God we have done va­liantly; he trod down these our Enemies.

It was the good Pleasure of God Almighty, in sundry, and some late years past, to send variety of Judgments upon the Kingdom of England, that the Inhabitants thereof might learn Righteousness; as Isaiah speaks, Chap. 26.9. But as the pious Prophet David saith, in Psal. 28.5. we have not regarded the Works of the Lord, nor the operation of his Hands, either in the late noisom Pestilence which swept away thousands (in the Metropolitan City of the said Realm, namely, London) hurrying them into the dark and gloomy Chambers of the Grave; nor the raging Fire, which burnt up the Dwellings of many thousand Families, burying them in their own Ruins; nor the revenging Sword, that in the Series of War slew a marvelous multitude of our Martial Men, in their Engagements with furious Enemies: And because we are not yet reclaim'd by all these signal and singular Tokens of God's Displeasure with us, we may justly fear, that Providence prepares some other severer Judgment, either utterly to destroy us from off the face of the Earth, or to force us in it unto better Obedience. And to this purpose are those terrible Threatnings of a rewarding God, recorded in Levit. 26.15, 16, 17, 18. where he speaks these dreadful Expressions: If ye shall despise my Statutes, or if your Soul shall abhor my Judgments, so that you will not do all my Commandments, but that ye break my Covenant: I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you Terrour, Consumption, and the burning Ague, that shall consume the Eyes, and cause sorrow of Heart: And ye shall sow your Seed in vain, for your Enemies shall eat it. And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your Ene­mies. They that hate you, shall reign over you, and ye shall flee when none pursueth you. And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then will I punish you seven times more for your sins.

Here we have a satisfactory Account, in what way or method God usually proceeds to inflict his Wrath upon refractory Sinners: First, he imposeth one Calamity; and if that reclaim them not, then he will add a second, sometimes doubling that with a fourth, or trebbling it with the sixth Affliction. And if all these work not up­on the hardness of their Hearts, then will he prepare another, that like Nebuchadnezzar's Fiery Furnace, shall be seven times more pu­nishable [Page 12]than the former. Moreover, it is the Customary Phrase of God in Scripture, when his Holiness would deter us from Vice, to threaten our Destruction with Vengeance, as in Deut. 32.35. where he saith, To me belongeth Vengeance and Recompence. Again, he speaks in Ver. 41. of the same Chapter, If I whet my glittering Sword, and mine Hand take hold on Judgment, I will render Vengeance to mine Ene­mies, and will Reward them that hate me. And in Ezek. 25.17. thus saith the Lord concerning the Destruction of the Philistines and Cherethims, I will execute great Vengeance upon them with furious Re­bukes; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall lay my Ven­geance upon them.

Hence it is observable, that as the heavy Judgments of God are made so unconceivably intolerable, by the weight of Divine Ven­geance, our safest Course in avoiding of them, is to flee from Sin to his Sanctuary, and there humbly and devoutly pray for the Peace of Jerusalem, for they shall all prosper that love Communion with the Church of God; and that your Requests may be made conformable to God's most holy Will, at all times, in all places, and upon all oc­casions, both Christ and his Church to that end have furnish'd you with sufficient Rules of Devotion, he in the form of his gracious Pe­titions, and she in the frame of her Pious Ejaculations: He in his Petitions saying, Lead us not into Temptations but deliver us from Evil; and she in her Allusive Ejaculations saying, From all Evil and Mischief, from Sin, from the Crasts and Assaults of the Devil, from thy Wrath, and from Everlasting Damnation, good Lord deliver us.

Many Material Circumstances might be alledg'd to demonstrate our Church and its Government consistent with the Divine Will and Pleasure of God, for she is so highly in Favour with the Highest, that he remov'd those who caus'd her Breaches, far from her, in or­der to uphold her Walls and Bulwarks; yea, her Interest appears so Interested in God, that he lately Dethron'd a King that offended her, and in his stead, Enthron'd a King to defend her. This is the Lord's doing, it is Marvellous in our Eyes; as the Kingly Prophet ex­presseth it in Psal. 118.23. For Promotion cometh neither from the East, nor from the West, nor from the South. But God is the Judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another, as appears, Psal. 75.6, 7. That this Dethronement and Establishment was God's own Handy­work, is Divinely Vindicated by the Prophet Daniel in the Unparal­lel'd [Page 13]Case; and Preternatural Condition of King Nebuchadnezzar; who for his unsufferable Arrogance, was Exil'd from the Society of Rational Men, to take his Abode and Food with the unreasonable Beasts of the Field; touching whom the said Daniel in his second Chapter at the 20th and 21th Verses, spake on this Wise, Blessed be the Name of God for ever and ever: for Wisdom and Might are his. And he changeth the Times, and the Seasons: He removeth Kings, and setteth up Kings: He giveth Wisdom unto the Wise, and Knowledge to them that know Ʋnderstanding. Again, we Read in the 37th Verse of the same Chapter, that the Prophet said to the King on this man­ner, Thou, O King, art a King of Kings; for the God of Heaven hath given thee a Kingdom, Power, and Strength, and Glory. Moreover Daniel told him in the 4th Chapter of his Prophesie at the 25th Verse, That the most High ruleth in the Kingdom of Men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. Thus we see that the disposal of Earthly Kingdoms, is a peculiar Prerogative absolutely pertaining to the King of Heaven; for God being an Universal Monarch, hath agene­ral Title attributed unto him, in Jer. 10.7. where he is stil'd by the Prophet, The King of Nations. And that because all Emperors, Kings, and Princes, in their Enthronements, wear their Crowns, sway their Scepters. govern their Kingdoms and Principalities, by God's own special Authority: This Truth bears the Badge of his warrantable and undoubted Testification, in the 8th Chapter of So­lomon's Proverbs, Ver. 15. where he speaks these certain and signifi­cant Expressions, By me Kings Reign, and Princes Decree Justice. This Assirmation hath sufficient Assertions of Scripture to assure it, as in 2 Sam. 12 7. where God by the Mouth of his Prophet Nathan, spake these words unto David, I anointed thee King over Israel: So­lomon also acknowledg'd, that the Lord had plac'd and establish'd him on the Throne of his Father David, as you may Read in 1 Kings 2.24. Moreover it was the saying of Ahijah in the Person of God to Jero­boam, I will give the Kingdom unto thee; as it is observable in 1 Kings 11.35. By all these Scripture Instances it plainly and punctually ap­pears, that the removing and setling of Crown'd Heads, relate to God's Dispensative Power; and therefore we may say of God in such Cases, as Job spake concerning the Life and Death of his Children, in, Job 1.21. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the Name of the Lord. Having thus prov'd unto you, that the Go­vernment of this Lower World, is according to the Rule of God's undeniable and unlimitted Authority; so neither the Kingdoms, nor [Page 14]Power of Princes, but all things else proper unto them, are after a peculiar manner God's, their Crowns, their Anointing, their Globes, their Scepters, their Thrones, and the Government there­of are his; and their Persons adorn'd with all these Endowments, are so Sublime and Sacred, that they are compar'd for Excellent Emi­nency, or Eminent Excellency, unto the Angels of God, in 2 Sam. 14.17. and also stil'd Gods, by a Deify'd kind of Dignity, and call'd the Children of the most High, in Psal. 82.6.

From these and such like Observations, the sanctify'd Vessel St. Paul, that great Apostle and Patron of the Gentiles, compil'd an Excellent Lecture of Loyalty, in order to oblige both Religious and Rebellious Subjects, to bear true Allegiance and submissive Obedi­ence unto their Supream and Lawful Superiors; the which you may find Recorded in Rom. 13.1, 2. where it is thus worded, Let every Soul be subject unto the Higher Powers; for there is no Power, but of God. The Powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the Power, resisteth the Ordinance of God; and they that resist, shall receive to themselves Damnation. Hence it is observable, that as every individual Person ought to be in subjection to his superior and inferior Rulers, by reason that the Power of their Government is derivative from God, and the Governours now in being, Esta­blished by his Ordinance, whom to resist, is plain opposition to God's own Order, for which resistance they become liable to receive unto themselves the Reward or Stipend of Damnation. Therefore to abandon Disloyalty, being the Cause of this Damnable Alot­ment, as Religious Servants to God, Loyal Subjects to the King, and Loving Sons of the Church: Let us that are her Empal'd Chil­dren firmly stand in God's, the King's, and the Church her Cause, resolving, that in case no other Kingdom or Nation, should accom­modate us with their Assistance, neither to dread, nor to be dis­may'd at it, although our present Enemies, whomsoever they are, may seem much more in number than our selves, for the Race is not always to the swift, nor the Battel still to the strong, but to those that have God for their powerful Copartner; for there is no re­straint to the Lord, to save by many or by few, as it is observable in 1 Sam. 14.6. This Truth is farther confirm'd by the Divine Ex­pressions of Asa, who with an Army of Five Hundred and Fourscore Thousand Men, waged War with Zerah the Ethiopian, whose Host consisted of a Thousand Thousand in number, as you may note in [Page 15]2 Chron. 14.8, 9, 10. Moreover it is said in Verse 11. That Asa cryed unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no Power: Help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy Name we go against this multitude; so the Lord smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and be­fore Judah, as you may Read in Verse 12. of the same Chapter: These Excellent Observations have their full and clear Evidence in Deut. 20.1, 2, 3, 4. where God granted unto Israel a Warlike Com­mission Seal'd with his own Hand, and deliver'd with his own Mouth, in these Expressions Recorded by Moses, When thou goest to Battel against thine Enemies, and seest Horses and Chariots, and a People more than thou, be not afraid of them; for the Lord thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the Land of Egypt. And it shall be when ye are come nigh unto the Battel, that the Priest shall ap­proach and speak unto the People, and shall say unto them, Hear, O Is­rael, you approach this day unto Battel against your Enemies; let not your Hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terri­fied because of them; for the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your Enemies, to save you. In this Divine Com­mission, we have a Reviving Cordial to cheer up the drooping Spirits of a faint-hearted Soldier; for it is matter of no great moment to him whether his Enemies are many or mighty, since he hath the In­fallible Promise of the most Mighty to take his part in all Lawful En­gagements; then a Thousand may fall at his side, and Ten Thou­sand at his Right Hand, but it shall not come nigh him. God will be with him in Trouble, to deliver him, and honour him. With long Life also will he satisfie him, and shew him his Salvation, as it is exprest in Psal. 91.7, 15, 16. Therefore for such a Deliverance as is here promis'd, let us give unto the Lord the Glory due unto his Name; for God is never more pleas'd with us, than when his Hea­venly Maiesty is most prais'd by us: A frequent Acknowledgment of God's Praises, is an undeniable means of obtaining our desir'd Deliverances: And to this end, because our frail Lives are uncertain, by reason of Destructive Wars, with other daily Casualties; and that while we have our continuance on this side the Grave, we may live in God's fear, and in our departure hence, Die in his Favour, thereby to obtain Eternal Felicity. I humbly crave your Christian Patience for some few Moments, that I may discover unto you what Praise is, together with the Fruits and Effects of it in Ten brief Par­ticulars; [Page 16]also how God is to be praised, in Six Compendious Points.

First then, Praise is the End, or Ultimate part of our Devout Pe­titions; for we call upon, and importune God to bestow on us out of the Rich Treasury of his Bounty, and unexhausted Supplies, such Benefits as are most necessary or needful, both for our Corporal and Spiritual Necessities, that we may bless and praise him for the same; to which purpose Holy David in 1 Chron. 16.35. teacheth us a Di­vine Method how to sweeten our Prayers with Praises, according to these Expressions, Save us, O God of our Salvation, and deliver us, that we may give thanks to thy Holy Name, and Glory in thy Praise.

Secondly, Praise maketh Petition powerful, for God is most rea­dy and willing to hear their Petitions, whose Hearts are inclinable to praise him, in giving due Thanks for former Benefits, we do as it were engage God thereby, to confer upon us further or future Blessings. For on this Direction of David in Psal. 50.14. Offer unto God Thanksgiving, the Lord himself made this Gracious Promise in the next Verse, Call upon me in the day of Trouble, I will deliver thee.

Thirdly, Praise is a due Debt, which Petitioners are bound to pay; for he that inviteth thee to call upon him, and promiseth thy Deliverance from Trouble, requireth and expecteth that Compen­sation or Recompence from thee, as to Reward his Promise with thy Praise, according to these Expressions of deserv'd Retaliation, Re­corded in Psal. 50.15. Thou shalt glorifie me.

Fourthly, Praise is the full Requital that we can give unto God for every good and perfect Gift, which his Divine Benignity be­stoweth upon us; for when the praying and praising Psalmist pro­pounded this Question in Psal. 116.12. What shall I render unto the Lord, for all his Benefits towards me? The Answer or Resolution was thus given in Ver. 13. I will take the Cup of Salvation, and call upon the Name of the Lord: As if David should have said, I will offer a solemn Sacrifice, wherewith, wherein, or whereby I may clearly manifest the numerous and tremendous Deliverances or Preservati­ons which God hath afforded to me; for by way of Exposition, he addeth these words in Ver. 17. of the same Psalm, I will offer to [Page 17]thee the Sacrifice of Thanksgiving, and will call upon the Name of the Lord.

Fifthly, Praise is a Satisfactory Evidence of that good Respect which we owe to the Lord our God. By Petition, we show that fa­vour which we bear towards our selves. The Ten Lepers who came unto Christ, lifting up their Voices, and saying, Jesus, Master have Mercy on us, Luke 17.13. shew'd a care of their own welfare, only one who return'd to give Glory unto God, discover'd his Care­fulness of the Lord's Honour.

Sixthly, Praise is so prevalent a Duty, that it moves God to shew good Estimation or Respect to Men; for he that said in 1 Sam. 2.30. Them that honour me, will I honour, without Controversie will per­form so punctual a Promise.

Seventhly, Praise is the greatest Honour that we can give to Al­mighty God, for it is his own Declaration or Acknowledgment, in reference to his Divine and Essential Fame, Recorded in Psal. 50.23. He that offereth Praise, glorifieth me.

Eightly, To Praise God, is the most Excellent Piece of Religi­ous Service that in this World can be perform'd; and also all the Celestial Spirits are concern'd herein, as it is observable in Rev. 5.13. where he saith, That every Creature which is in Heaven, and on the Earth, and under the Earth, and such as are in the Sea, and all that are in them, heard I, saying, Blessing, Honour, Glory and Power be unto him that sitteth upon the Throne, and unto the Lamb for Ever and ever.

Ninthly, A setting forth of God's Praise, is an indubitable means to enliven the Spirit, and to make the Heart of Man more ready, active, and chearful in performing the Duty of Prayer; for when David's Heart was in a prepar'd Temper to praise God, he present­ly applies himself thereto, and by confessing his stability therein, said to his Tuneable Tongue, and Musical Instruments, in Psal. 57.7, 8. 9. My Heart is sixed, O God, my Heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. Awake up my Glory, awake Psaltery and Harp, I my self will awake early. I will praise thee, O Lord, among the Peo­ple, I will sing unto thee among the Nations. When the Spirit of a [Page 18]Man is under an undisposedness to pray, let him then meditate on the Mercies and Excellencies of God, by which Divine Contemplati­ons, he shall find a Spiritual Vivification and Vigour put into him.

Tenthly and Lastly, Praise is comely or pleasant, as Devout Da­vid phrases it in his acceptable Psalms of Thanksgiving; but Ingra­titude is one of the most odious and vicious Qualities that can be nam'd, for Israel's ungratefulness or unthankfulness was the only Cause of their Captivity, as you may Read in 2 Chron. 36.16, 17. where part of the History is thus related, They mocked the Messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his Prophets, until the Wrath of the Lord arose against his People, till there was no Remedy. Therefore he brought upon them the King of the Chaldees, who slew their young Men with the Sword, in the House of their Sanctuary, and had no Compassion upon young Man or Maiden, old Man, or him that stooped for Age; he gave them all into his Hand. We find that unthankful­ness was the main Reason why God gave the Gentiles over to a Re­probate Sence, in Rom. 1.21. and Christians over to Antichristia­nism, as you may note in 2 Thes. 2.9, 10, 11, 12. This also caus'd that Nebuchadnezzar was transform'd into the Nature of a Beast, as you may Read in Dan. 5.20, 21. And that Herod was eaten up of Worms, as it is Recorded in Acts 12.23. Therefore let us learn from their harms to beware of Ingratitude, and even at this present instant, or juncture of time, return Thanks unto God for those great Deliverances and manifold Mercies, which we continual­ly Enjoy'd from the Moment of our Nativity, to this present Op­portunity, resolving from henceforth (until our departure out of this Life) to render Praise unto him for whatsoever Benefits or Bles­sings his good Providence may treasure up for us in order to our fu­ture Happiness; saying with the Sacred Psalmist in Psal. 72.18, 19. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious Name for ever, and let the whole Earth be filled with his Glory, Amen, and Amen. Thus have I shew'd you what Praise is, together with the Fruits and Effects of it in Ten Particulars.

In the next place, I design by God's permission to demonstrate unto you how God is to be praised, and that in these Six Compendi­ous Points.

First of all, God is praised by acknowledging him to be what he is, in Himself, in his Son, in his Spirit, in his Properties, and in his Attributes: For Moses, in his Psalm of Thanksgiving, Exod. 15.3. did praise God by speaking of him on this wise: The Lord is a Man of War; The Lord is his Name.

Secondly, God is praised by attributing unto him that which is his, as holy David did, 1 Chron. 29.10, 11, 12, 13. where it is thus written: Wherefore David blessed the Lord before all the Congregation: And David said, Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our Father, for ever and ever. Thine, O Lord, is the Greatness, and the Power, and the Glory, and the Victory, and the Majesty; for all that is in the Heaven and the Earth is thine; thine is the Kingdom, O Lord, and thou art ex­alted as Head above all. Both Riches and Honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all, and in thine hand is Power and Might, and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now there­fore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy Holy Name.

Thirdly, God is praised, by acknowledging that which his Provi­dence seemingly effects, to be only done or perform'd by himself. Thus doth Moses praise God, by ascribing unto him the Overthrow of Pharoah and his Hosts in the Red Sea, as you may observe Exod. 15.4. So also doth the Psalmist, in most of his Psalms of Praise; as in Psal. 136.1. and from the 15th Verse to the 23d. where it is thus worded: O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good; for his Mercy endureth for ever. To him that overthrew Pharach and his Host in the Red Sea: To him which led his People through the Wilderness: To him which smote great Kings, and slew famous Kings; Sihon King of the Amorites, and Og the King of Bashan; and gave their Land for an Heritage; even an Heritage unto Israel his Servant: And this he did, because his Mercy to his People endureth for ever.

Fourthly, God is praised by owning that which he disposeth, to be only given of himself; this was David's candid acknowledgment of God's hounteous Benefits and liberal Gifts, in 1 Chron. 29.14. where he thus spake unto the Lord: All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. Also St. Paul saith, in Rom. 11.36. Of him, and through him, and to him are all things; to whom be Glory for ever. Amen.

Fifthly, God is praised by declaring or mentioning unto others all the fore-named Points concerning him. Thus did the sweet-tongu'd David, that singular Singer of Israel, 1 Chron. 16.8, 9. where he speaks these godly Expressions: Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his Name; bring an Offering, and come before him: Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness.

Thus also have I show'd you, in six compendious Points, how God is to be praised.

If therefore, according to these pithy and practical Points of Piety, our Hearts are inclinable to praise God, who is the most Victorious Conqueror and matchless Man of War, under whose Bellonick or Warlike Banner, we seem terrible in sight of our Adversaries; be­cause, as Abijah said to the Israelites, in 2 Chron. 13.12. That God Himself is with us for our Captain, triumphing gloriously for the Discomfiture and Destruction of his Peoples Enemies: As Moses speaks concerning the Overthrow of Pharaoh, in Exod. 15.4. and of whom David saith, Psal. 98.1. That he hath done miraculous things; for nis right Hand, and his holy Arm hath gotten him the Victory: That by this means (as Zacharias prophesied of Christ and his believing People, Luke 1.74, 75.) We being delivered out of the hands of our Enemies, might serve him without fear, in Holiness and Righteousness before him all the days of our life; renewing the Vow and Covenant that we made with Christ in our Baptism, of fighting manfully under his Banner against Sin, the World, and the Devil; and to continue his faithful Soldiers and Servants unto our Lives end: To which end, in order to prolong our Lives and see good Days, by keeping our Tongues from Evil, and Lips from guile, we must aban­don and abominate all horrid and rash Jurations, all hasty and hurt­ful Protestations, all hellish and heinous Imprecations, all envious and evil Communications, with all unchaste Desires and uncivil De­portment in our Lives and Christian Conversations; for in so doing, we have God's own inviolable Promises, to be still aiding or assisting to us, in all Manly and Military Enterprizes. So that we may well agree in the pious Opinion and divine Disposition of indubitable and undaunted David, to say in the Dialect or Warlike Words of my Text: Through God we shall do valiantly; for he it is that shall tread down our Enemies.

This Portion of Scripture, is a Text befitting the holy Parade and Camp of the Lord of Hosts; for we have God in the Front, God in the Center, and God in the Reer of it: If we wheel the Text to the Right hand, there we shall find God triumphing; if to the Right about, there triumphing valiantly; if we move the Text to the Left hand, there we shall find God trampling; if to the Left about, there trampling down our Enemies: If we place the Words as they were, either upon their orderly Guard, or in their close Or­der, and as on the Patrol, walk the Rounds of my Text, Through God we shall do valiantly; for he it is that shall tread down our Ene­mies.

Having thus rendezvous'd, countermarch'd, exercis'd, or muster'd my Text, and form'd the Bands, Battalions, and Squadrons of our Camp in Battel Array, let us proceed in the Name of the Lord of Hosts, to display unto our Enemies the Flag of Defiance, and make our Proclamation with holy David, Psal. 18.1, 2, 3. saying on this wise: We will love thee, O Lord our Strength: The Lord is our Rock, and our Fortress, and our Deliverer: Our God, our Strength, in whom we will trust; our Buckler, and the Horn of our Salvation, and our high Tower. We will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall we be saved from our Enemies. Like to this cordial and cheerful Pro­clamation, was that comfortable Speech which good Hezekiah made to enliven and encourage his Army, who being but few in number, as compared with their Enemies, the great Host of Senacherib King of Assyria, were nevertheless, by a setled Dependence on God's Power, both willing and ready to give them the Encounter, as you may read in 2 Chron. 32.7, 8. where it is thus related: Be strong and couragious, be not afraid nor dismayed for the King of Assyria, nor for all the Multitude that is with him; for there be more with us than with him: With him is an Arm of Flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to sight our Battels. And the People rested themselves upon the Words of Hezekiah King of Judah: And while the People rest­ed on the Words of Hezekiah, behold the Lord sent a destroying An­gel, that on the same night smote in the Camp of the Alliances, an hundred and fourscore and five thousand. And when the People rose up early in the Morning, behold they were all dead Corpses, as you may read [...] in the 2d of the Kings, Chap. 19. Vers. 35.

Hence we may observe, that a King who had the best Cause, never fail'd of the best Courage: The same may be said of WILLIAM the Third, King of Great Britain and Ireland; for God hath given him a good Cause of War against his Enemies, as, namely, the securing of pure Religion, the procuring of last­ing Peace, the uniting of divided Kingdoms, the composing of Peoples Differences, the preserving of wholesom Laws, the correct­ing of disloyal Servants, and the protecting of Loyal Subjects. These being the Causes of God, the King, and the Church, do so enhance his Majesty's Spirit, that he is not afraid to meet his Enemies in the Gate, but seems to declare his Interest in the Lord, with holy David, Psal. 118.6, 7. where the Propheti­cal King speaks on this wise: The Lord is on my side, I will not fear what Man can do unto me: The Lord taketh my part with them that help me; therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.

Hence we may find it observable, that the Lord also ta­keth part with our King's Party, in order to fulfil his Desire upon his Enemies. This Truth visibly appears in the late Wars that were managed both in the Kingdom of Ireland, and the Ter­ritories of Flanders, where God wonderfully preserv'd his Maje­sty's Sacred Person from the violent and revenging Peril of the Sword; as if no Weapon form'd against him should prosper; like one interested in those Escapes of David, mentioned Psal. 18. v. 50. namely, Great Deliverances giveth he to his King, and sheweth Mercy to his Anointed, to David and to his Seed (and Re­ligious Successors) for evermore. Many miraculous Deliverances hath his Majesty already experienc'd, as if a Guardian or en­camping Angel, had a special Commission from Heaven, at all times, in all places, and upon all occasions, to protect or pre­serve his pious Person. Such a Commissionated-Angel we read of in Psal. 34. vers. 7. where it is said, That the Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. But of all the miraculous Deliverances and Preservations which Hea­ven decreed for his Safety, the most capital and remarkable was his last Escape from a cursed Cabal of Assassinates, who by mis­chievous Machinations, hatch'd a Hellish Stratagem how to em­brew [Page 23]their hateful and unhallow'd Hands in the scarlet and crim­son Dyes of his Royal Blood, had not God (as the Anointed of Himself) prevented the Martyrdom by a matchless Miracle of my­sterious Mercy.

We have not, besides what Divine Revelation affords, a grea­ter Argument to prove this World to be govern'd, and all Things in it, carried on and directed by the vigilant Eye and powerful Hand of Almighty GOD, than the sudden and seasonable Discoveries of such damnable Enterprizes, con­triv'd with the utmost Caution and Secresie; propagated with great Subtilty or Cunning, and being just ripe for execution; yet in an instant blasted, in a trice broken all to pieces, either by a surprizing dread seizing the Conspirators themselves, or an unwary Word over-heard, or an unaccountable Suspicion of ill Designs, though founded upon no reason, or a very trifling one, yet hath proved true; or God smote upon the Conscience of some one of them, and for the ease of his tortur'd Mind, he is forced to a Discovery.

Peradventure their Jealousie of being betray'd by others, hath made some to give notice of it themselves. A Letter miscar­ry'd, a Fright, Mistake, Oversight, or something happening otherwise than was expected, hath brought the hidden Works of Darkness to light, whereby the King and his Liege People, or Loyal Subjects, have been mercifully snatch'd from the Jaws of Ruin, and the Conspirators themselves brought to condign Punishment, according to that remarkable Observation of the Royal Prophet, in his IX. Psalm, at the 16th. Verse; where he saith,

That the Lord is known by the Judgment which he executeth: The Wicked is snared in the Work of his own Hands.

From these Diabolical and Inhumane Attempts, may the Omni­scient, Omnipresent, and Omnipotent God, Protect His Majesties Gracious Person, to improve that prepar'd Portion which we hope Divine Providence hath laid up for him in the Disposal of Sacred Providence, as length of Days in her Right Hand, and in her Left Hand Riches and Honour. For her Ways are Ways of Pleasantness, and all her Paths are Peace, as appears in Prov. 3.16, 17. Seeing therefore that the plain Paths of Wisdom are all of them both pleasant and peaceable, let us learn of her to be so prudent as to make our Addresses unto God, that he would be pleas'd to withdraw our Feet from the rugged Ways of War and Bloodshed, that he may guide them into the smooth and pleasant Paths of Peace; for in so doing, both Church and State will famously slourish. This was a Pious and a Primitive Observation among the Jews, as appears in Psal. 76.1, 2, 3. where holy David speaks these Expressions, In Judah is God known: his Name is great in Israel. In Salem also is his Tabernacle, and his Dwelling-place in Sion. There brake he the Arrows of the Bow, the Shield, and the Sword, and the Battel. But now to the Praise and Glory of God, we Christians may say, That in Britain is God known, his Name is great in England, in the Salem of our British Dominion is his Tabernacle, and his Dwelling-place in the Sion of our Three Kingdoms. There also brake he the Ar­rows of the Bow, the Shield, and the Sword, and the Battel, where the Church of God hath a sound Principled King to her Nursing-father, Elected and Established by Divine Providence, to Defend her from Wrong and Violence; and tho' her furious Foes are many, yet her Faithful Friend is Mighty, for God is in the midst of her, therefore she shall not be moved; God shall help her, and that right early, as holy David well observes in Psal. 46.5. Since therefore that God is a very present help in, Trouble unto his Militant or Warfaring Church, we are in that respect oblig'd to pray unto him for her good Success and Prosperity, as that his Divine Pleasure might be intreated to a­dorn and continue her in the Beautiful Ornaments of Unity, Peace, and Concord; for in her Peace we shall enjoy Peace. It is a certain Truth, that as War is the Producer of Mortality, Poverty, and Perplexity among Men, in that Kingdom or Nati­on wherein it is seated; so Peace is the Procurer of Safety, Plen­ty, [Page 25]and Prosperity, both to Church and State; for which cause the Sacred Psalmist exhorted and excited the People (in his time) to Pray for the Peace of the Jewish Church, which Peti­tions are very suitable and useful for the Church of God under Christianity, as appears in Psal. 122.6, 7, 8, 9. where the sweet Singer, and Orator of Israel, thus spake unto his Fellow-peti­tioners, Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem: They shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy Walls, and Prosperity within thy Palaces. For my Brethren and Companions sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the House of the Lord our God, I will seek thy good.

Next to our Petitions for the Peace of the Church, we ought to Pray for the Peace and Prosperity of the King, that God would be pleas'd to endue him with a Long Life, a Prosperous Reign, a Secure State and Habitation, Unbyass'd Representatives, a Faith­ful Privy-Council and Parliament, Judicious and Consciencious Law­yers, Mild and Merciful Magistrates, Able and Valuable Physicians, a Plentiful and Painful Ministry, a Victorious Fleet and Army, and all sorts of his Subjects that are Professors of Arts, Sciences, or o­ther National Occupations, a Religious, Loving, and a Loyal Peo­ple; all which will very much tend to advance the Fame of His Majesties Grandure, that as he is the Defender of our Ca­tholical, Apostolical, Episcopal, and Protestantial Faith, he may say at the end or full Expiration of his Wars, with the holy Apostle St. Paul in 2 Tim. 4.7, 8, 9. I have fought a good Fight, I have fi­nished my Course, I have kept the Faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness, which the Lord the Righteous Judge shall give at the last Day.

And may also all His Majesties Commanders and Soldiers both by Sea and Land, Experience the Truth of my present Text, where it is thus exprest by the Warlike Psalmist, Through God we shall do valiantly: For he it is that shall tread down our Enemies.

Which God the Father of his Multitudinous Mercies grant, through the Marvellous Merits of God the Son, and the Miraculous Manifestations of God the Holy Ghost; to which Trinity in Ʋnity, and Ʋnity in Tri­nity, be ascrib'd, as is most due, all Honour, Glory, Power, and Praise, both Now, and for Evermore, Amen.