Chap. 22. An Expofetion open the Bockof J OB. Verf. 30. the Lord would withdraw thole evills which threaten to come in, at the breach likearmed men and lay waft a Nation. And forafmuch as men ofpure hands, or Godly men have this priviledge to bea common good,by being the deliverers ofNations from common evills and calamities, I (hall hint Tome few things from it more diftinetly. Firfl, We fee wherein (under God) the ftrength and fafety of Kingdornes and Common-wealths Both confifl. It is not, fo much, in the wifdome of the Counfeller, or in the courage of the. Souldier, It is not, fomuch, in A rnyes at Land,or Navies at Sea; is not, fo much, in walled Cities and fortified Celtics; It is not; fo much in union at home,ór in leagues and confederaciesabroad, as it is in the purity ofmens hands, or in the holines of their lives. Godlines is the Sampfons leck,wherein theffrengeh ofa Nation lyes. AHeathen could fay, that Apeople were never fafe by the hand- ing of their walls, whilethemfelves were falling in their virtues. Rig therefore (if there were nothing better in it). good policy to encourage piety, and to endeavour theencreafe of a Holy Stettin any Nation. For as the Prophet fpeaks (Ifa. 6. t 3.) As a teile. tree andas anoak! whofefubffanoe to in them,. when they caft their leaves, fo the holyfeed Jhallbe thefubffance thereof Secondly, 'In this we fee the honour which God puts upon: Godly men. What canbe greater then this, to b: really(though perhaps farce from being accounted fo ) the Deliverers and Savi. ours of their Country ? What anhonour was it to Abraham when God told a King, that he was beholding CO Abraham for his life, or that favour muff be granted'to himat the fuite and as it were fent him by the hand of Abraham (Gen. 20.7.) He flszrt pray for thee, and thou Jhale live. Anhonour midi like this God put upon yobal1o, at the latter end of this Bloke (Chap. 42.8.) My fervam 7:.b fall pray for you, for him will Lace pt, left Ideale with you after yourfolly,Such anHonour (w force degree) have.all the Saints. Thirdly, Let menhonour thole whom God honours thus and let thePrinces and powers of the world be glad when they heare that they havemany loch in their- Dominions. When filch are fiabje t to t hem, as rule with God. It is faid of Terxes (the Greetefl Monarch in the world in his time) that when ihemifto- eles Caineover to him (whowas a manEminent for wifdome and 297
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