Davids Recognition, WITH A Parallel betwixt his and our present Soveraigns Sufferings and Deliverances; Set forth in a SERMON PREACHED At Grymston in Norfolk, Before the Right Worshipful Captain Roger Spelman and his Foot Company, there celebrating the 30. Aniversary of his Majesties Nativity, May 29. 1660. By R. FELTWELL, Vicar of East Walton.
LONDON, Printed for the Author, and are to be sold by Thomas Parkhurst, at the Three Crowns, in the lower end of Cheapside. 1660.
To the right worshipful Sir EDWARD BARKHAM, Knig [...] and Baronet, his ever honored Patron, the best of felicitics here and hereafter.
I Should be stupendiously ingrateful, should I not acknowledge you by whose bounty I enjoy my livelihood, and consequently my life; by whose goodness (even when it was Treason to be, or own a loyal Subject) I was taken as a brand out of the flames of persecution, and set in a secure place. I present you with this Recognition, as an evidence of my constant and unfeigned zeal to serve you. I desire that you would receive this as the First-fruits of his labors, who is ambitious to subscribe himself,
TO His much honored Col. Roger VVhitley, Fulness of Grace and good things in this life, and the overflowings of Glory in the life to come.
NExt after my religion to God I have always esteemed my Allegiance towards my Soveraign, as the Apple of mine own eye, in testimony whereof I present this Panegyrick (preached at our gracious Soveraign his return to his Kingdoms) to those eyes which were witnesses how far I adventured in the cause of his Majesties Father, even when the Ignominious tree was fixed, and Royal the grave was ready for me.
Accept I beseech you of this handful of Goats-hair, which is as cordially dedicated to the Altar of Loyalty as any others gold, silver, blew, silk or purple whatsoever.
Davids Recognition, WITH A Parallel between his and our present Soveraigns Sufferings and Deliverances,
THe title of this Psalm speaks the Author and the occasion, namely, tis a sacred solemn Panegyrick uttered by that sweet singer of Israel, the Prophet David, when Almighty God had given him settlement instead of banishment, beauty for ashes, and a crown of gold for a crown of thorns: So you see in the Prescript, To the cheif Musician, a Psalm of David the servant of the Lord, who spake unto the [Page 2] Lord the words of this song, in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul.
The words are the sum of a royal Charter granted by the King of Kings, to his King David; and readily divide themselves into
1. A Preposition, He giveth great deliverance, and sheweth mercy.
2. An Exposition, unto his King, and unto his Annointed, To David and to his seed for evermore. Or thus, here is,
1. Donation, Great deliverance and mercy.
2. Donor, God, intimated in the word He.
3. Donee, His King, his Anointed, David and his seed for evermore.
In the Donation we meet with, 1. Quid. 2 Quantum. 3. Quamdiu.
1. Quid, In respect of the quality, Deliverance, Mercy.
2. Quantum, in respect of the latitude, Great deliverances, great Mercies.
3. Qamdiu, In regard of the continuance, for evermore.
First, The Donation,
Deliverances relate to precedent pressures, mercies may be referred to present favors; David had born the yoke of affliction in his youth, and David now wears the Scepter of Royalty at his full age.
God humbles those whom he means to exalt, and many times keeps them lowest for whom he hath reserved the highest dignities and advancements: [Page 3] David a man after Gods own heart, and yet encompast and encumbred with dangers and afflictions; whence here he acknowledgeth diliverance.
The best of Gods Saints have affliction for their portion in this life, and the purest mettal oftenest passeth the furnace, and fineing pot; Christianus crucianus, he that will follow Christ must do it with the cross upon his own shoulder, 2 Tim. 3. 12. All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
It is a general Axiome which St. Augustine sets down, Nullus servus Dei sine persecutione. It is recorded of the Eagle, that she makes proof of the legitimation of her young ones, by carrying them aloft towards the scorching beams of the sun, which if they endure, (she fosters them, if otherwise she exposes them to ruine by rejecting them: God deals so with his servants, Heb. 12. 7, 8. If ye endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards and not sons.
Nor doth God permit afflictions to his dearest servants, nor they groan under the rod of their opprossors without great reason. As
1. The best of Gods Saints have their sins, and therefore it is just with God to make them sufferers. Death (that is daily calamity) passeth upon all men, for that all men have sinned: Quotidie crescit poena, quia quotidie crescit culpa. Aug. Ser. de Temp. Dom. 7. post. Trin. Ser. 3.
The Father indeed speaks this, as describing the cursed condition of the rebellious and Idolatrous [Page 4] Samaritans, whose sufferings increased their sins, and their sins their sufferings; yet it may be true too in the deerest servants of God, whose unwilling rebellions proceeding from the will and war of the members against the minde leads them captive to the power of sin and death, until a through heart-change is wrought upon them by the grace of God co-operating with, and in affliction. Again
2. The dearest Saints of God are afflicted that they may be kept, contained and continued in their due obedience; Prosunt nonnunquam supplicia & tribulationum sarcinis animi sepius corriguntur. Afflictions are profitable; and the loads of tribulation many times cure the looseness of the mind; It was our Davids case, Psal. 119. vers. 67. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now have I kept thy word. The Ox that is intended for service, is used to the yoke, that for flaughter, is suffered to wanton in the pasture; the child whom the father intends to make his Heir, is kept under Tutors and Governors, he that is grown past hope is left to himself: God deals so with the Sons of men, Heb. 12. 6. Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. It might have been our Davids case, the height of his mettal and the hopes of his advancement to the Crown of Israel might have drawn him to some juvenile follies, which he was not guilty of, and yet he had enow, witness his petition, Psal. 25. 7. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me, for thy goodness sake, O Lord. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth, Lam. 3. 27. Again,
3. The dearest Saints of God are afflicted to keep them humble, and allay the conceit and temptations of what they have in possession, and hope for in reversion. The world affects riches, pleasures, honors, the love of riches produceth evil; the thirst after pleasure bringeth forth filthy, and the desire of honor is the mother of vain and ambitious thoughts, delights, juglings: Tribulation confines the thoughts, exercises the mind, and chains up inordinate and ambitious affections; that great Apostle unto whom God afforded a glimpse of that glory, which shall be revealed on us hereafter, and being caught up into Paradice, heard unspeakable words, such as is not lawful (the original hath it, [...], not possible) for a man to utter; He had given unto him a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet him (and that to this end) lest he should have been exalted above measure through the abundance of those revelations which God had afforded him. Si cessarit Deus, & non miscerit amaritudines faelicitatibus seculi: oblivisceremer eum. Should God sit still and not infuse some bitternesses into that mundane felicity which we enjoy, we should be ready to forget him, saith St. Augustine, but when the waves of affliction beat against the bark of our flesh; faith which Jonas-like was asleep, is awakened and the soul brought to his knees to acknowledge its emptiness, without his supply, whose fulness filleth all things. Again,
4. The Saints of God are exercised in the Shool of affliction, that their constancy and patience [Page 6] may be the more remarkable and resplendent, Prov. 17. 3. The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but the Lord trieth the heart. That is, as the Royal Preacher expounds himself; Though the righteous be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality: And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: For God proved them, and found them worthy for himself. As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering. And in the time of their visitation they shall shine and run too and fro, like sparks among the stubble, Wisdom 3. 4, 5, 6, 7.
Aurifcx donec aurum bene purgatum viderit, de conflatorio non extrahit, sic Deus non abducit hanc nubem donec nos penitus emendaverit. Chrysost. The Goldsmith takes not the precious mettal out of the Chrusible, till he seeth it perfectly refined.
So God removes not this cloud (of affliction) untill he hath throughly purged us and fitted us for his service. God suffered men to ride over Davids head, he carried him through fire and water, before he would bring him to a wealthy place. Again,
5. Gods Saints are afflicted that they may be made conformable to the image of Christ, that suffering with him, they may in his due time come to reign with him, 2 Tim. 2. 12. Per varios casus, per tot discrimina rerum, Tendimus in Canaan. Tota vita Christi crux fuit & Martyrium: From the Manger to the cross, from the day [Page 7] when his mother wrapped him in swadling cloaths, until that whereon the Souldiers parted their garments, and cast lots for his vestment, nothing but affliction and persecution; And yet for this cause God highly exalted him, and gave him a name above every name, Phil. 2. 8. So the Servants of God through many tribulations attain felicity; And our light afflictions, which are but for a moment, work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 2 Cor. 4. vers. 17.
Secondly, The next thing to be considered of is, the Quantity, as of Gods deliverances and mercies, so of the Saints sufferings and miseries, Great deliverance giveth he, &c.
The men of God are men of sorrows, and those not a few, but many; not small, but great, so Psalm 34. vers. 19. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, &c. According to our last Translators; Great are the troubles of the righteous, after our vulgar version; Many for multitude, great for magnitude; In respect of their multitude, comparable to the waves of the Sea, vexed with a boisterous wind, one billow tumbling upon the neck of another, or like Jobs Messengers, one hath no sooner ended his sad relation, but another succeeds with a more lamentable story. In respect of their Magnitude, like the Sons of Anaak, these assailants are Giants, against Defendants like Grashoppers; thus our Davids incumbrances were multiplied as the [Page 8] sand on the sea-shore, and every one of them like his grand Enemy Saul, higher by the head and shoulders then those of the people: But here is our comfort, the Saints afflictions are but momentany, John 16. 29. Paululum & non videbitis me, & iterum paululum & videbitis me; A little while and ye shall not see me, and again, a little while and ye shall see me. The healing face of God, the light of his countenance, may vail it self under a seeming cloud of affliction, or withdraw it self like the sun in a conceived dereliction, Psal. 30. vers. 5. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy commeth in the morning. For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord our Redeemer, Isaiah 54. vers. 7, 8. While he is scourging he sheweth mercy, and when he leadeth down to hell he bringeth up again; chaste Joseph, patient Job, holy David, yea all the Saints of God sufficiently evidence this truth, That God in great tribulations is ready to afford great deliverances, &c, Again,
Gods assistance is more remarkably evident in most intricate and inextricable dangers, presures, troubles, Jehovah-jireth, Deus providebit, is an old true, and to those that trust in him a perpetually infallible proverb. When the promised seed, Abrahams beloved Isaac was, (as his Father thought,) by the All-commanding Potentate designed for slaughter; even then when [Page 9] the Altar was built, the wood laid in order, and the supposed sacrifice bound and laid on the Altar upon the wood; when the knife is drawn and the indulgent Father is stretching forth his hand to cut the thread of his beloved sons life, then, even then doth the Lord appear in the mount, sends an Angel to reprieve Isaac, and fastens a ram in a thicket to be offered instead of him for a burnt offering; It was so with our David, when Israels Territories were too strait, or rather too hot for him; when he had scarce any hopes ever to see so much as his Fathers Bethlehem; behold a sudden revolution, his persecutors are destroyed, and all Israel elect, acknowledge and send for him as their Soveraign. Great deliverances.
Thirdly, And now we come to the Quandiu, the continuance of Gods deliverance and mercy, To his King, to David and his anointed, and to his seed, and that is, for evermore.
Gods favours you see are not confined to the persons onely of his servants, but his blessings are entaild to posterity, he that in his Justice proceeds no farther then the third and fourth generation, of them that hate him, in his mercy extends his loving kindness unto thousands in them that love him and keep his commandements; thus God promised to David, Psalm. 89, 29. His seed will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of Heaven. and verse, 36. His seed shall endure forever and his Throne as the Sun before me, it shall be [Page 10] established for ever as the Moon, and as a faithful witness in Heaven. vers. 37. And though Ten Tribes were snatched from Rehoboam and the other Two from Zedekiah, as the just punishment of those Princes, and their peoples miscarriages, yet God performes his promise still, and even then when the Scepter was departed from Judah, and a Lawgiver from between his feet, when Herod an Idumean had Usurped the Royal Seat and Scepter of Judah and Jerusalem, even then comes Shilo, Jesus Christ, the Son of David, and of his Kingdome there is, there can, there shall be no end, as God hath promised he hath performed his mercies to his King, to David his Anointed are perpetual not personal; Great deliverance, &c.
The Second General, the Donor, in the word, HE.
Would you know to whom this Relative He, is to be referred, look back to the first, second, and third, verses, and there you have David naming him. I will love thee O Lord my strength, the Lord is my Rock, and my Fortress, and my Deliverer, my God, my strength, in whom I will trust, my Buckler, and the Horn of my Salvation, and my high Tower, I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, so shall I be saved from mine Enemies. God onely is able, God onely is willing, to work deliverances for to shew mercy to his King, his anointed David and his seed, &c. He found by experience that it is better to trust in the Lord then to put any confidence in [Page 11] man, it is better to trust in the Lord then to put any confidence in Princes. Psal. 118. 8, 9. The sons of men (though never so mighty) if they would cannot work deliverances for the Lords anointed; the Sons of men are so perfidious, that though they could, perhaps they would not show loving kindness unto distressed Kings, to David and to his seed, Achish King of Gath indeed raised a War against Saul, Davids grand Enemy, but tis probable that his own ends, not that afflicted Princes interest were the main promovers of that designe, it was he that is the Father of the Fatherless, and the Husband of the widow, even he by whom Kings reign and Princes execute Justice, even he that raiseth the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghil, that he may set him with PRINCES, &c. That delivered David from his strongest Enemy, that subdued those under him, that rose up against him, that gave him the necks of his Enemies that he might destroy them that hated him, that lifted him up above those that rose up against him. vers. 48. That gave him great deliverances, mercies; great deliverances giveth, &c.
The third General, the Donee, To his King, to his Anointed, to David, &c.
All Gods Saints are his Jewels, he sets them as a seal upon his heart, as a seal upon his arme, as a signet upon his right hand, their love makes an impression upon him, and they are always in his care: [Page 12] Isaiah 49. vers. 15. 16. Can a woman forget her sucking child that she should not have compassion in the Son of her Womb, yea they may forget, but I will not forget thee; behold I have engraven thee upon the palms of my hands, thy walls are continually before me.
But pious Princes are Gods pictures, his impression is stampt upon them, and they are called by his name, thou shalt not revile the Gods, Exo. 22. vers. 28. That is, as it is (Exegetically expounded) in the words following, not curse the Ruler of thy people. Dixi dii estis, I have said ye are Gods and all of you are Children of the most high, saith our David Psal. 82. 6. Their persons are sacred and they that resist their just Authority shall receive to themselves [...], damnation. Rom. 13. vers. 2. Let Kings then consider whose Vicegerents they are, and above all things seek his honour and glory that sets them up, and can at pleasure disinthrone them; and let Subjects knowing who it is that advances, impowers, and protects their Soveraigns, faithfully serve, honour and humbly obey them, in Christ and for Christ, according to Gods blessed Word and Ordinance, otherwise God will avenge his Kings, and preserve the footsteps of his Anointed: If the tumultuous people talk of breaking their bands in sunder, and casting away their cords from them, He that sitteth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn, the Lord shall have them in derision, vex them in his sore displeasure; and in spight of all rebellious designs and contrivances, maugre the [Page 13] power and plots of Saul and his Complices, the Lord will set David his anointed upon his holy hill of Sion, great deliverances giveth be unto his King, and sheweth mercy unto his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.
And now let us leave Palestine and return to Great Britain, and seek if we can find a Parallel for our David, and I hope that without Vanity, Affectation, or Flattery, King Charls (whose happy Nativity and return to his Kingdomes we this day celebrate) will if not equalize yet resemble David in my Text. And First.
First, In respect of their extraction, David descended from Abraham, to whose seed the Land of Canaan was promised Gen. 15. 7. from the Tribe of Juda, to whom the Scepter Royal was entaild, Gen. 49. 10.
Charls our gratious Soveragine by a long series of Ancestors from Malcolmn Conmer King of Scots, and a Sister of Edgar Athelin in right K. of England, [Page 14] by the great Grandmothers Mother from Henry the seaventh that united the houses of York and Lancaster; by the Grandfather from James the wise, who united the Kingdomes of England and Scotland; by the Father, from Charls the good and just, who willingly sacrificed his life, to preserve his people liberties, such was our misery not long since, that we might have seen folly set in great dignity, and the rich set in low place; Servants upon horses, and Princes walking as Servants upon the Earth Eccles. 10. 6, 7. It is now our happiness that our King is the son of Nobles, and our Princes eat in due season for strength, and not for drunkenness, v. 17.
Secondly, David was anointed in his Minority, 1 Sam. 16. 11. Our Gratious Soveragine by that execrable Murther of that glorious Martyr his Majesties Royal Father was inaugurated to his three Kingdoms (for Rex anglorum nunquam moritur) before he attained to 19. years of Age.
Thirdly, David was persecuted by Saul and as he expresses himself, 1 Sam. 26. 20. Was by that Tyrant sought for as a Flea, hunted as a Partridge in the mountaines. And was not our Gratious Soveragin in that sad condition, that all places were searcht to apprehend him, all Ports guarded to prevent his escape; so that in his three large Kingdomes the Foxes had holes, and the Fowls of the Ayre nests, but our Soveragine had not where in safety to lay his head?
Fourthly, David fleeing from Sauls fury commeth to Abimelech at Nod, 1 Sam. 21. 1. Who relieves and armes him, for which himself and fourscore and four persons that wear a Linnen Ephod were slain by Doeg the Edomite. Chap. 22 vers. 18. And what one that ever waited at the Alter, during the time of the Royal Fathers troubles, and his Son our Soveragine his exile, durst attest his just rights, and unjust sufferings; but was either Murthered, Sequestred, Banished, Imprisoned, or disgraced.
Fifthly, David was neer surprisal at Keilah the 1 Sam. 23. Our gratious Soveragine, though those Loyal Citizens were more faithful to him then the Keilits would have been to David very miraculously, escaped after the defeat at Worcester.
Sixthly, David indeavoring to preserve his life that Saul so eagarly sought for, betakes himself to a Wood in the Wilderness, of Ziph. 1 Sam. 23. 15. Our Soveragine conceales himself in one neer Woolverhampton.
Seventhly, David makes a Cave in En-gedi his Castle. 1 Sam. 24. 3. His Sacred Majesty uses a hollow Oak instead of a Pallace.
Eighthly, David notwithstanding his and his Souldiers civilities to Nabals Servants is by himself unkindly denied a small courtesie, and (with a shall I take my bread, my water, and my flesh that [Page 17] I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men whom I know not whence they be, 1 Sam. 25. 11.) Cleanly discarded, perhaps the Churl feared Sauls displeasure; Our Soveragin was by a Politick Cardinal Articled out of France, meerly to gain a peace with an Usurping Rebel.
Ninthly, David in his distress is releived by Abigail. 1 Sam. 25. 16. Our Gratious Soveragine had the happiness to have the Conduct of a Loyal prudent Valiant and fortunate Heroina to continue him safe a while here and at length to get him away beyond the Seas, and his Enemies (not malice but) power.
Tenthly, David 1 Sam. 28. 2. Escapes to Achish King of Gath, and there though among a people of a different Religion, yet forsakes not the God of his fathers: Our Soveragin hath expressed that constancy to the protestant Religion, in the profession and practice of it, that to use his Majesties own words, Neither the unkindness of those of the same faith towards him, nor the civilities and obligations from those of a contrary profession could in the least degree startle his Majestie, or make him swarve from it.
Eleventhly, Saul, when Gods time of giving deliverance unto his King, and shewing mercy unto his Anointed, to David, &c. was come, in despair executes Gods vengeance upon himself, and becomes his own murderer. The late Usurper when Gods due time was come for our Soveraign to obtain his just Rights and Interests, returns (tis [Page 16] to be feared, for according to King James his opinion, Rebels and Traytors, if prospering, seldom or never repent) as Judas did, to his own place.
Twelfthly, Abner discontented against Ishbosheth deserts him, and goes to David, 2 Sam. 3. 8, 12. Though no doubt his distaste of the Civil War which he knew would be bitterness in the latter end, ch. 2. 26. was the main motive that carried on the design. His renowned Excellency abhorring the wickedness of those that took up Religion to palliate their Rebellion, and withal laying the sad condition of King and People seriously to heart, by Gods providence and assistance found out and prospered in such ways as have restored his Majesty to his People, the People to hopes of their pristine happiness.
Thirteenthly, David, 2 Sam. 3. 15. by executing Baanah and Rechab for murthering their Master Ishbosheth, and in hopes of preferment for their villany, presenting the King with his head, made it appear, that it was not his enemies ruine, but his own Right that he aimed at: Thus our gracious Soveraign, by his late Letters and Declaration hath evidenced that it is not his enemies ruine but reformation, not confusion but conversion, not lives but hearts, that he desires.
Fourteenthly, David aged thirty years is by all Israel made King in Hebron. This present day [Page 18] is the Thirtieth year since the birth of his sacred Majesty; the people, as then for David, now unanimously appearing and joyfully receiving our gracious Soveraign into his Royal City.
Fifteenthly, David aged seventy years dieth, and leaveth Solomon to succeed: And may the days of his Majesty be lengthned, and his hands strenthned against his Adversaries; May he be beloved, honored, reverenced and obeyed by his Subjects, dreaded by his enemies, and having gloriously served in his generation, may he be gathered to his Fathers in peace, may he leave a Race of Solomons, Asa's, Hezekias, Josias, (their follies and misfortunes excepted.) Let not any weapon formed against him or his prosper: Let his enemies perish like Jabin and Sisera, and those that rise up against him become as Corah, Dathan and Abiram; But upon his head, and the heads of his posterity, let these Crowns flourish, till the Son of David, the Son of Righteousness returns to judgement, and let all Loyal Subjects say Amen.