A sermon preached in the Cathedral & Metropolitical Church of St. Peter in York, on Sunday, Novemb. 17. 1695 by George Halley ...

A sermon preached in the Cathedral & Metropolitical Church of St. Peter in York, on Sunday, Novemb. 17. 1695 by George Halley ...

Table of contents

Title page

To His GRACE THE Duke of LEEDS, Lord President of his Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council.

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PSALM CXXII. 6.‘Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.’

THis Psalm was compos'd by the Royal Prophet King David, after his translation of the Ark of the Lord to Jerusalem; the place which God had appointed for his solemn worship and adoration, and whither all the Jews, wheresoever inhabiting, were oblig'd by the testimony or law given to Israel, to go up thrice every year, to commemorate the mercies of God towards them, and to offer up unto him the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Thither the Tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord according to the testimony or commandment, to give thanks unto the Name of the Lord, v. 4. there also are set thrones of judgment, even the throne of the house of David, v. 5. that is, there is the supreme judicature of the Nation, there is the administration of justice and judgment, the great Court for the decision of the highest matters, for the conduct and management of the most important affairs. Thus at the time of this Psalms composure, there was a re-establishment [Page] of Piety and Religion, Justice and Judgment, Liberty and Property; the Sun had once again dazled the rays of prosperity upon the Jewish Church and State; and for this, in the beginning of the Psalm, we find Holy David in a transport of joy and exultation: I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand in thy gates, O Jerusalem, v. 1, 2. and here in the Text he passionately excites and calls upon his subjects, upon all good men, to express an ardent love, a sincere affection for Jerusalem, to pray to God for its happiness, for a continuance of the great blessings, of the many precious advantages which it then enjoy'd: and as an argument to influence and perswade them so to do, he assures them that it tended to their own inexpressible interest and advantage, to their temporal and eternal felicity, that in the peace thereof they should have peace: that upon the peace of Jerusalem depended the peace and prosperity of the whole Kingdom. O pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee

And here, what thus concern'd the people of the Jews doth no less concern us Christians. We of this Church and Nation have as strong reasons, as nervous arguments, as powerful motives to pray now for the peace of our Jerusalem. Praised be the [Page] Lord, great and inestimable are the blessings which we enjoy: We have the true Religion established amongst us, a pure, an easie and substantial Religion, which infinitely transcends that of the Jews: We have the blissful prerogative of peaceable publick Assemblies, we are not debarr'd from coming into the Courts of the Lord. We have liberty and ease, justice and judgment, plenty and abundance, peace and tranquillity in a great measure here at home, and the Almighty hath lately made us victorious and triumphant abroad, thro the incomparable conduct and heroic valour of our Glorious Prince, whose hands God hath taught to war, and his fingers to fight. Now all this great happiness lies at stake, now seems to be the Crisis of our affairs both Ecclesiastical and Civil, the peace and prosperity both of this Church and State seeins to depend upon the peace and unity, upon the harmony and concord of that August Assembly which is nigh at hand; for which reason I thought it not improper to call upon you to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. A word spoken in due season, how good is it? saith Solomon. Prov. 15.23. All our happiness, I say, seems to depend upon the unity and concord of that August Assembly which is nigh at hand.

A Multitude of Counsellors, in them is our safety, if they prove worthy Patriots, if they employ and [Page] unite their counsels together for the publick good, if they be such as fear God, men of truth and hating covetousness, if their hearts be truly English, inflam'd with love and affection for their Country's interest, for the present Government, and for the Protestant Religion, for the honor and glory of the Nation, for the grandeur and reputation of our Prince, then may we promise to our selves Halcyonian days, then shall we have a charming Prospect and a comfortable assurance of a more compleat and established felicity. When such wise and prudent men govern affairs, what can be the effect but all temporal bliss and prosperity? if such Pilots are plac'd at the Helm, the Ship must sail in an Ocean of peace and tranquillity. Oh! therefore let us make it our important business, at this time especially, to pour forth our prayers and supplications to the God of Heaven, with ardor and zeal, with fervency and devotion, for a blessing upon all their consultations: that their hearts and minds may be as uniform as the graceful buildings of that Metropolis, whither they are going, where is the seat of Judgment, where is our Prince's Throne O my Brethren, let me beseech you in the affectionate words, in the passionate language of the Royal Prophet, King David, to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. O pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

[Page]From which words I will endeavour to shew you

1. The importance and signification of Peace.

2. What method we must of necessity take, what means we must make use of to enjoy the Blessings of Peace. But first, in the first place I will endeavour to shew you the importance and signification of Peace.

In the lively oracles of God, Peace is a word of a large extent and signification; it comprehends all kind of happiness and prosperity: Sometimes it imports a freedom from inward sorrow and trouble, a satisfaction or contentment of mind; a happiness which such are possest of, as come into the house of the Lord, and worship him there in the beauty of Holiness, as keep his Sabbaths and reverence his Sanctuary, as serve the Lord with fasting and prayers night and day.

Nothing but a good and religious life can secure to a man that thing which ought to be valued by him above all the things in this world, namely, the inward peace and tranquillity of his mind: such only can have this great peace as love the law of God▪ as sincerely endeavour to live up to the precepts and obligations of the Gospel. A vertuous man hath peace and an Heaven in his bosom; the greatest transports of joy possess and surround his breast, such a man is satisfy'd from himself, Prov. [Page] 14.14. hath quietness of conscience; this is the thing which gives him abundant satisfaction: for there is such a natural principle as conscience which God hath implanted in every man, this is the Angel-Guardian which God and Nature hath plac'd within every ones own breast, this is the scale which impartially weighs all our actions, all our works, whether they be good or whether they be evil: when we do the good, it creates in us delight and pleasure, complacency and satisfaction, it entertains us with this sweet and grateful Eccho, well done good and faithful servants, you shall enter into the joy of your Lord: When we do the evil, it lashes us, fills us full of regret and trouble, shame and disgrace. It is this natural principle which is the great repository and Magazine of all those pleasures, which can afford any solid refreshment to the soul: When there is a calmness and serenity in the conscience, then a man properly enjoys all things, and what is more, himself; and nothing can make a mans conscience to applaud and comfort him, but a life conform to the Divine Laws, a conscience void of offence both towards God and towards men. There is no pleasure comparable to that which springs from a good conscience; all other pleasure is transient and momentary, vanishes and is gone immediately after its fruition or enjoyment, and generally [Page] leaves a sting behind it; but the pleasures and satisfactions which flow from purity and holiness; these fan the mind, entertain the conscience with sweet and comfortable, with durable and lasting reflections.

But the case is far otherwise with a wicked man; such a one is a great stranger to inward peace and tranquillity of mind; because of his evil deeds, his conscience flashes in his face, casts abroad its thunder, and strikes him the greatest terror and affrightment. A life of ungodliness is always tormenting, and the expectation of a future Judgment is always terrible; his conscience tells him that in the world to come, he shall have such a punishment assign'd him as is proportionable to his vicious life and immoral conversation. The Holy Scriptures compare a wicked man to a troubled Sea, Isaiah 57.20. a wicked man is like a troubled Sea! how? he is always working, restless and uneasie; and when he comes within sight of the port of eternity, what storms and tempests are then rais'd in his Soul? he is seiz'd with the greatest anguish and horror, with sadness and confusion of Spirit. No, if we will believe the Lord our God, there can be no peace to the wicked, v. 21. No, this is only the good Man's portion, it is he alone who hath peace and tranquillity of mind, [Page] it is he alone who hath a comfortable expectation of the life to come, his conscience only, as a glass, represents to his sight the Beatific Vision, the ineffable pleasures and the endless joys of eternity. But

2dly, By Peace may be understood a deliverance from War, from strife and contention both in Church and State; and this is the proper import and signification of peace in the words of my Text. O pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

And indeed, it is this Peace which is the greatest temporal happness: this is the peace which makes a Nation glorious and flourishing: this blesseth the people with affluence of prosperity; this gives them richly all things to enjoy; without this, riches and honors, the greatest plenty and abundance is but a dubious and an uncertain felicity. And this sort of peace we of this Church and Nation are comparatively blessed with, beyond many other Nations in the world. The greatest part of Europe lies now a bleeding, involv'd in blood and confusion: how doth fire and sword, distress and persecution rage in several places beyond the Sea? how many Cities are there by War laid waste and demolished? how many noble structures are turn'd into ruinous heaps? how many thousands abroad are in trouble and sorrow, detain'd from the comforts of [Page] Gods solemn worship, fed with the bread of weeping and have nothing but plenteousness of tears to drink? When, in a great measure, the beauty of our Church and State is as yet unsullied; when we sit under our own Vines; when we have the true Religion, and can come into the Courts of the Lord; when we can appear before the presence of our God without disturbance or molestation. It is true indeed, we are engag'd in a chargeable and expensive, in a very bloody war; but still we are happy in respect of other Nations, because it is a War nor at home but abroad: A War that is absolutely necessary, we can have no prospect of happiness without it; and if we will but so exercise our selves as to engage the Lord of Hosts to be our God, we may see it shortly produce an honorable and lasting Peace, durable tranquility. O pray for the peace of Jerusalem. But

3dly, Peace, in the Holy Scriptures, not only imports a good conscience, satisfaction or contentment of mind, not only a deliverance from war, from strife and contention both in Church and State, but also it signifies all kind of temporal happiness and prosperity: and according to this comprehensive signification we enjoy Peace in a great degree.

[Page]We are blest with the best of Princes and the best of governments, with a most incomparable constitution: we live in the most temperate part of the temperate Zone: our habitation is encompassed with the Sea, as a Wall of defence to us on every side. ‘Et penitus toto divisos orbe Britannos.’ And we enjoy a Government as temperate as the Climate itself; the beams of Soveraignty are neither so perpendicular over our heads as that they can scorch us, nor yet so oblique, but that they are able to warm and cherish us; there is nothing but what enjoys the auspicious influence, the comfortable heat thereof. A government which made our fore-fathers happy at home and famous abroad. If you consult such as are men of wisdom and experience, as have seen many things by travelling foreign Countries; read but the accurate remarks and curious observations of such understanding persons, and they will tell you that no Polity is more amiable and lovely, more graceful and glorious than our own. If any Nation under Heaven can, we may justly say that the lot is faln unto us in a fair ground: let us therefore humbly beg of God a continuation of these his Blessings. O pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

[Page]And this leads me to the second observable, namely, what method we must of necessity take, what means we must make use of to enjoy the blessings of peace.

And here, the Text chalks us out a method, prescribes us such means, as, if rightly made use of, will effectually procure us the blessings of peace; and that is Prayer. We must pray for it. O pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

The time would fail me to tell of the virtue and efficacy, the force and energy, the wonderful strength and power of prayer. Such cannot be ignorant of this as believe the Holy Scriptures, as are conversant in the lively oracles of God. What strange and prodigious things are recorded there, unto which prayer hath given an accomplishment and perfection? how many Victories hath it obtain'd? how hath it stay'd the course of the Sun and Moon? how hath it made those glorious Luminaries to stand still in the midst of Heaven for the space of a whole day? how hath it brought down rain from Heaven to refresh and enrich the parched ground? this important truth is illustrated by several Examples in the Sacred Records. We find there, that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much; that God is graciously pleas'd to be prevail'd upon, and overcome [Page] by prayer; that this is the way to storm the Mansions of Eternity; that by this artillery, if well planted the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent, the obstinate suppliants, take it by force. If therefore such be the virtue and efficacy, the force and energy, the wonderful strength and power of prayer, O pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

But 2dly, Prayer, as well as peace, is a word of comprehensive signification. Prayer, which is the necessary means for the obtaining the blessings of peace, implies a putting our trust and confidence in the Lord our God. If we must pray unto God for peace, it supposeth that we must place all our hopes in him; for in vain should we pray unto him, if we did not make him the object of our hope, if we did not put our trust in him. No, when we pray, we must say, with the Royal Psalmist, Let thy merciful kindness, O Lord, be upon us, like as we do put our trust in thee, Psalm. 33.21. Or in the words of our excellent and incomparable Liturgy, O Lord, let thy mercy be shewed upon us, as we do put our trust in thee. O therefore not only pray unto, but put your trust in the Lord for the peace of Jerusalem.

Alas! in whom shall we trust, in whom shall we repose our hopes for the peace of Jerusalem but in the [Page] Lord our God? Shall we trust in our Naval Force? Vain are all these helps without God our defence. Our Ships may be consum'd by fire: such a surprizing and terrible tempest may arise, as may drive the Walls of our Nation upon rocks, or else they may be dash'd in pieces with the violence of the waves. They that go down to the sea in ships and occupy their business in great waters, do see the works of the Lord, and behold his wonders in the deep; such men frequently see the sad and dismal effects of a rough wind and a tempestuous sea; for at his word the stormy wind ariseth which lifteth up the waves thereof, they are carry'd up to the heaven and down again to the deep, their soul melteth away because of the trouble; they reel to and fro and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits end, but when they cry or pray unto the Lord, when they trust in him, he delivereth them out of their distress. O therefore pray unto, and trust in God, for the peace of Jerusalem, whom the winds and the seas obey. Shall we trust in prudent Politicians? Alas! God by a secret and irresistable power can stop or countermine the deepest projects can split the closest counsels, and smite the most refined policy with frustration and a curse: God can infatuate the wisdom of the wise, and turn all their counsels into folly, as he did the counsels of Achitophel.

[Page]Shall we trust in the strength of tough, well-disciplin'd and veteran Troops? God can strike a terror into their hearts, He can make them hear a a noise of Chariots, a noise of Horses, even the noise of a great Host; He can fill their hearts with such a fear as shall put them all into disorder and confusion, as shall enforce them to decamp and fly: Thus He did with the Host of the Syrians. 2 Kings 7.6.

Shall we trust in the power and friendship of our Allies? Shall we depend upon the strength of Leagues and Confederacies? God can dissolve and break such chains in sunder: God can set Ephraim against Manasses, and Manasses against Ephraim, and both against Judah. No; let us pray unto, and trust in the Lord our God for the peace of Jerusalem. Tho here, mistake me not, I do not declaim against a Naval force, against prudent Politicians, against a well-appointed Army, or against the power of Leagues and Confederacies: No, these are necessary as well as Prayer, as well as a trusting in God; tho not in the same height or degree: it must be our prime and supreme care, our principal study, we must in the first place have our recourse to God by prayer and supplication; for all is in vain, if God goeth not forth with our Fleets and Armies; without Gods favour and loving kindness [Page] we must not expect the blessings of peace. Thus, I say, a Naval force, a well appointed Army. Leagues and Confederacies, are necessary as well as Prayer, tho not in the same degree; for, such is the dispensation of Divine Providence in this sublunary world, that it requireth humane means, our own labor and indefatigable industry in conjunction with it; we must not expect Miracles at this time a day. You know the Fable in Anianus; A Country man, that had laid his Waggon fast in a Slough, did nothing but call upon Hercules to help him out of the mire; no, set your shoulder to the Wheel, and then is your time to pray; and this is emblematical of our duty and obligation: We must not lie with our fingers in our mouths, no, we must exercise all our powers and abilities, we must not expect the gracious assistance of Divine Providence, except we set our own shoulders to the work: So that it is necessary to fight, to have good forces both by Sea and Land, as well as to pray for peace, for our temporal bliss and felicity. And here how happy are we, who have a Courageous Prince to head his Armies, to fight our Battels; a Prince of a sound and steady understanding, of a great spirit and heart, who runs upon the very mouth of the Cannon, for the peace of Europe. That unfortunate Gentleman (Mr. Godfrey) [Page] was slain by a Cannon-ball, when standing very near his Majesty in the Trenches, in the late famous Siege of Namur: Thus has He expos'd himself in places of greatest danger, and is still ready to charge through storms and tempests of flame, for our happiness and prosperity. It is He whom God hath made the happy instrument of our preservation: it is He who gives the miserably harrassed and disturbed part of Christendom a glorious prospect of its former peace and tranquillity. Let us pour forth our supplications, let us heartily pray to God for him, that he would be pleas'd to protect his Royal Person, and crown all his enterprizes with success.

But this is not the whole of our Duty. Let us serve him with our lives and fortunes, let us cheerfully and willingly contribute to the support of his government proportionably to our respective abilities. Money is the nerve, the strong sinew of War; without this what peace can we expect? without this, as well as prayer, how can He break the power of the ungodly and malicious? how can He humble the troubler of Israel? A Denial of this takes off the Chariot wheels, and makes things drive on not vigorously but heavily, and then what can [...] for but an inundation of misery and distress [...] let us not imitate the foolish and inconsiderate [Page] Constantinopolitans of old who, tho they were the richest Citizens in the World, yet, when their City was besieg'd would find nothing to give their Emperor for its defence and security, tho He implor'd it of them with the greatest importunity: But when once the Ottoman Power became its insulting and triumphant Conqueror, then those narrow hearted Citizens, who before had nothing to give, had more than enough to lose. We had better give the greatest part of what we have, than be expos'd to the plunder and rapine, to the ravage and fury of the common enemy and oppressor.

Blessed be God we have now a King, who leaves nothing unattempted for our peace and quiet, for our ease and repose, for the security of our government and the Protestant Religion, even to the hazard of his own sacred Person; and shall we be wanting in any thing to so noble an enterprize, to so glorious and heroic an atchievement? No, let us serve him with our lives and fortunes, and pray fervently for the peace of Jerusalem.

But 3dly and lastly, in order to all temporal bliss and happiness, and that the God of heaven and earth may hear your prayers for the peace of Jerusalem, I humbly offer to your consideration these two things, and I beg of you to observe and practice them; and they are

[Page]1. To dwell together in unity.

2 To glorify God by purity of life and holiness of conversation.

And first I humbly beg of you to dwell together in unity. Behold how good and joyful a thing it is for brethren to dwell together in unity Psalm 133.1. to this the Lord hath promised his blessing and life for evermore, v. 4 Alas! what peace can we expect if we dwell not together in unity? A Kingdom divided against it self cannot stand. What was it that facilitated the conquest of the old Britains by the Romans but their civil Factions? and what exposeth this nation now to such a conquest, but our deplorable dissatisfactions, schisms, and religious dissentions? O pray for the peace of the Church, they shall prosper that love her.

Let us be all of one heart, one mind, and of one religion, the excellent religion of the Church of England, a religion which is first pure, then peaceable, which is wisdom from above; a religion which may be easily prov'd to be primitive and Apostolical, to be the faith which was once delivered to the Saints. Oh that we could justifie our lives as well! Oh that we would make it our business to live up to the precepts and obligations of this incomparable religion! then would God hear our prayers for the peace of Jerusalem. But alas! how many are [Page] there that refuse fellowship and communion with us? that have particular places to meet in, and a singular way of worship to themselves? What reason can be assign'd for their disunion, but a leaning too much to their own understanding? a spirit of obstinacy and contradiction? Can they object against the substantials of our worship? Are we defective in any essential part of Religion? No, they cannot deny but our Religion is substantially true and pure, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, holy and without blemish. Can they object that our way of worship hath the Roman complexion, that there is in it any thing of Popery and Superstition? No surely, if they have understanding and ingenuity, they must be convinc'd, they must confess that our Church hath no inclination at all to Popery: Her admirable deportment and gallant behaviour in the late Reign must satisfie any reasonable man, that she is the most strong and standing Bulwark of Protestancy, and hath been so ever since the Reformation. In the late Reign how did her Dove like innocency appear? when the weather was hard and severe, when the season was tempestuous, when the rain descended and the floods came, when the winds were strong and boystrous and vehemently beat upon her, she did not, like a subtle Serpent, creep into a hole, but bravely show'd her [Page] self upon the face of the earth, and vindicated her principles with such a mouth and wisdom as all her Adversaries were not able to gainsay nor resist; and stood, like a Rock, impregnable against all the assaults made against her. The charming voice of antiquity speaks in behalf of our Religion: What then is the matter? What occasions Nonconformity? What just reason is there of complaint and dissatisfaction?

There are some Ceremonies which they cannot away with. As for her Ceremonies, there is nothing in them but what is harmless and innocent, discreet and primitive, in number few, in use decent, peaceable in regard of conformity, and highly conducive to Devotion. I am sure, our Holy Mother the Church treats her Children with all imaginable tenderness and moderation, she commands nothing but what very well suits with St. Paul's Canon, let all things be done decently and in order. That there should be Ceremonies, it is of absolute necessity; no outward work can be performed without ceremonial circumstances, and that there should be constitutions concerning them, it is necessary, tho not simply and absolutely as the former, yet necessitate convenientiae. If this were not, then every man might have his own fashion by himself, and so consequently there would be nothing but infinite [Page] distractions and horrible confusions in the Church. No, the Holy Apostle hath taught us better things, God is not the Author of confusion but of Peace, 1 Cor. 14.33. and 1 Cor. 11 16. If any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the Churches of God. But it is a Jesuitical Artifice to promote Separation. Nothing can better advance the interest of Rome: It is their business to delude, to break the peace of the best constituted Church in the whole World. They are highly sensible that enmity amongst our selves is the only gate that can possibly give Popery an entrance into this Kingdom. O let us then in time unite, and see the things which belong unto our peace. Let us meet all together with one accord in one place, let us live together in Love and Unity. Upon this vertue of Unanimity, our Riches, our Honors, our Laws, our Religion, our King and our Country all our hopes depend. Then shall we see happy days, and peace upon Israel. O pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

But 2dly and lastly, Let us glorifie God by purity of life and holiness of conversation. This we must of absolute necessity do, or else the Almighty will not hear our prayers for the peace of Jerusalem. It is infallibly true which we read in several places in Holy Writ; thus Prov. 28.9. He that [Page]turneth away his ear from hearing the law, he that hearkens not to the Lord his God and obeys not his laws, the prayer of that man is an abomination. Thus Psalm 66.18. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: but Psalm 34.15. The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers. Thus in the ninth Chapter of St. John's gospel verse 31. we read, that God heareth not sinners. Yes, God hears and sees whatsoever is transacted upon the stage of this World. God is a witness and spectator of all mens actions; not so much as a thought can escape him, neither can any word be hidden from him: to him all hearts are open, all designs are known, and from him no secrets are hid; every mans heart is as pellucid, as clear to him as Crystal, he knows what is done in the inner rooms of the heart. The eye, indeed, of the Adulterer, the Thief, the Murderer, waiteth for the twilight, for the evening, for the black and dark night, saying, no eye shall see me; and disguiseth his face. Alas! he labours under the grossest mistake and delusion: the night, with God, is as clear as the day, the darkness and light to him are both alike. Oh, that such men would but consider that God is the Author of their frame and constitution! It is he who hath enriched us with the noble powers and excellent faculties of hearing and seeing. It is by him that [Page] we are thus fearfully and wonderfully made. Now what man of sense or understanding can imagine him to want any power or excellence which He alone hath imparted to his creatures? If the effect be so glorious, what is the cause? surely he hears, he sees, in a superior degree, in a more eminent manner than we can possibly comprehend, his eyes must be ten thousand times brighter than the sun. He that formed the eye, shall not he see? He that planted the ear, shall not he hear? Psalm. 94.9. God heareth not sinners. These words were spoken by the man who was blind from his birth, and whose eyes our Blessed Saviour had opened; such an astonishing miracle as confounded the Pharisees, as made them fly to opprobrious language and Excommunications such a credential, such an infallible testimony as illustrated his Divinity, as sufficiently evinc'd and prov'd his divine original and authority. God heareth not sinners! That is, God patronizeth no sin, God worketh no miracle to authenticate or justifie the mission of a sinner: Wicked men are always hateful to God, he rejecteth and refuseth the prayers and requests of sinners, that is, such as live in a state of impenitency, such as run on in sinful and debauched courses with the greatest boldness and presumption, such as affront him by avowed wickedness and impiety. Nothing [Page] will endear the God of heaven to us but purity and holiness: the God, with whom we have to do, is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity; this will certainly make a separation betwixt him and us, this will enforce him to withdraw from us the light of his countenance. If we continue in our sins, then when we cry, He will not hear; when we call, He will not answer. O then let us lead holy and exemplary lives, let us live with especial regularity and strictness of conversation; let us glorifie our Heavenly Father by works of meekness and humility, charity and patience, sobriety and temperance: thus if we perfect holiness in the sight of God, we shall then have evident demonstrations of his power and audience; he will graciously hear us when we pray for the happiness and prosperity both of Church and State for the peace of Jerusalem? God will then direct the consultations of the High and Honourable Court of Parliament now at hand to the advancement of his Glory, to the good of this Church, to the safety, honour and welfare of our Sovereign, and his Kingdoms. We shall than have a comfortable hope that all things will be settled by their endeavours upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, the Protestant religion, and true Christian piety will be establish'd among us for all generations.

[Page] Which God of his infinite mercy grant, for Jesus Christ his sake, to whom, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be ascribed of us and the whole Church, all power, glory and praise, now and for evermore. Amen.

FINIS.

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A SERMON Preached in the Cathedral & Metropolitical Church OF St. Peter in York.

On Sunday, Novemb. 17. 1695.

By George Halley, M. A. and Rector of St. Cuthberts in York

In his days shall the Righteous flourish, and abundance of peace, so long as the Moon endureth.

Psalm 72.

He shall have dominion also from Sea to Sea.

V. 7, 8, 9.

Jerusalem is built as a City that is at Ʋnity in it self.

Psalm 122.

LONDON, Printed for Rob. Clark in the Minster-Yard, in York. 1695.

To His GRACE THE Duke of LEEDS, Lord President of his Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council.

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May it please your Grace,

WHen I reflect upon the many Great Services you have done to this Church and Nation, and the vast obligations they both owe to your Grace for their Peace and Prosperity; it raises in me not only an admiration of your Person, but a grateful sence of them, and fills my heart with wishes for your Health and Happiness.

It is upon this consideration, My Lord, that I humbly presume to dedicate to Your Grace this ensuing discourse, which, I hope, out of the known candor and goodness of your Nature, you will be pleas'd not only to pardon but accept of, as a small tribute of thankfulness, [Page] and to give it your Noble Patronage and Protection.

It is a Sermon, which, tho mean enough in its composure, yet sincerely exhorts my Fellow Subjects to pray for the welfare of His Sacred Majesty, and to serve him with their Lives and Fortunes. Now, at whose Feet can I better lay it than at Yours, who have hazarded all that is near and dear to you in this world for his Present Majesty's Interest, for the Support of Monarchical Government, and the Protestant Religion; for which Your Illustrious Name ought to be had in everlasting Remembrance.

It is true indeed, some Pamphlets have, of late, appear'd abroad with a full design to blacken Your Grace, and injure your Reputation. Such things, as these, have been in all ages and will be still incident to Great Men: for such as move in High Spheres and with a vigorous lustre, must needs (as the Sun) raise many envious Exhalations: But God be thanked Your Graces merit and integrity are so well known, your Glorious Name and reputation shine so bright in the English Horizon, as makes it beyond the power and capacity of a Pamphleteer to eclipse or blemish them.

Alas! we live in an Ʋngrateful Age: The King himself, tho the Author of the greatest happiness to this Nation, yet hath his Enemies. How many have we amongst us, whose Madness and Stupidity make them [Page] desire to exchange a golden Sceptre for an iron Rod of French Cruelty and Popish Revenge; Who repine and murmur, complain and conspire against the best of Princes? Some long for troubl'd waters to fish for an Estate in, impatiently wait for the moving of the water, to repair their broken, or heal their lame fortunes; so great is the Vice and Immorality of some, that they hate such a Governor as enlightens the sublime Orb he moves in, with the bright lustre of an exact and an exemplary Conversation, and studies nothing more than a general Reformation of Life and Manners, and so endeavours, as much as in him lies, to make His People happy, by having the Lord for their God.

All I have to add, is my hearty prayers that nothing may undermine our State, or shake King William's Throne, that nothing may disturb our Happiness and Tranquillity, that God may preserve Your Grace and Noble Family, and give a Blessing to all your faithful Endeavors for the Peace and Prosperity both of this Church and Nation. I humbly beg leave, My Lord, to subscribe my self,

Your Graces most humble and obedient Servant, George Halley.

Information about this book

Title statement

A sermon preached in the Cathedral & Metropolitical Church of St. Peter in York, on Sunday, Novemb. 17. 1695 by George Halley ...

Halley, George, 1655 or 6-1708.

Edition statement

1695

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2009-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A86987

ID [STC]

Wing H455B

ID [STC]

ESTC R42409

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

36273511

ID [OCLC]

ocm 36273511

ID [VID]

150081

Availability

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A86987)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 150081)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 2229:3)

Source

— A sermon preached in the Cathedral & Metropolitical Church of St. Peter in York, on Sunday, Novemb. 17. 1695 by George Halley ..., Halley, George, 1655 or 6-1708..

Extent

[6], 25 p.

Printed for Rob. Clark ...,. London :: 1695.. (Dedication to Thomas Osborne, first Duke of Leeds, contains references to Leeds' position in the council of William III.) (Reproduction of original in the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, University of California, Los Angeles.)

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