to Job, what ever honour, power, or liberty the Chaldeans, the Sabeans, or the devil himselfe can deprive Me of.

Although they take from Me all defence of armes and militia, all refuge by land, of forts, and castles, all flight by sea in My ships, and navy; yea, tho they study to rob Me of the hearts of My subjects, the greatest treasure and best ammunition of a King, yet cannot they deprive Me of My owne innocency, or Gods mercy, nor obstruct My way to heaven.

Therefore, O My God, to thee I flie for help, if thou wilt be on My side, I shall have more with Me then can be against Me..

There is none in Heaven, or in Earth, that I desire in comparison of thee: in the losse of all, be thou more then all to Me: make haste to succour Me, thou that never failest them, that put their trust in thee.

Thou seest I have no power to oppose them that come against Me, who are encouraged to fight under. the pretence of fighting for Me: but My eyes are toward thee.

Thou needest no help, nor shall I, if I may have thine; if not to conquer, yet at least to suffer.

G

If thou delightest not in My safety, and prosperity, behold here I am willing to be reduced to what thou wilt have Me; whose judgements oft begin with thy owne children.

I am content to be nothing, that thou mayest be all. Thou hast taught Me, that no king can be saved by the multitude of an host; but yet thou canst save Me by the multitude of thy mercies, who art the Lord of Hosts, and the Father of mercies.

Helpe Me, O Lord, who am sore distressed on every side, yet be thou on My side, and I shall not feare what man can doe unto Me.

I will give thy justice the glory of My distresse. O let thy mercy have the glory of My deliverance from them that persecute My soule!

By My sinnes have I fought against thee, and robbed thee of thy glory, who am thy subject, and justly mayest thou, by My owne subjects, strip Me of My strength, and eclypse My glory.

But shew thy selfe, O My hope, and onely refuge! Let not Mine enemies say, there is no help for him in his God.

Hold up My goings in thy paths, that My footsteps slip not.

Keep Me as the apple of thine eye, hide Me under the shadow of thy wings.

Shew thy marvellous loving kindnesse, O thou that savest by thy right hand them that put their trust in thee, from those that rise up against them;

From the wicked that oppresse Me, from My deadly enemies that compasse Me about.

Shew Me the path of life. In thy presence is fulnesse of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

XI. UPON THE NINETEEN PROPOSITIONS FIRST SENT TO THE KING; AND MORE AFTERWARDS.

ALTHOUGH there be many things, they demand, yet if these be all, I am glad to see at what price they set My owne safety, and My peoples peace; which I cannot think I buy at too deare a rate, save onely the parting with My conscience and honour. If nothing else will satisfie, I must chuse rather to be as miserable and inglorious, as My enemies can make or wish Me.

Some things here propounded to Me, have been offered by Me; others are easily granted; the rest (I think) ought not to be obtruded upon Me, with the point of the sword; nor urged with the injuries of a warre; when I have already declared that I cannot yield to them, without violating My conscience: 'tis strange, there can be no method of peace, but by making warre upon My soule.

Here are many things required of Me, but I see nothing offer'd to Me, by the way of gratefull exchange of honour; or any requitall for those favours, I have, or can yet grant them.

This honour they doe Me, to put Me on the giving part, which is more princely and divine.

They cannot ask more then I can give, may I but reserve to My selfe the incommunicable jewell of My conscience; and not be forced to part with that, whose losse nothing can repaire or requite.

Some things (which they are pleased to propound) seem unreasonable to Me, and while I have any mastery of My reason, how can they think I can consent to them? Who know they are such as are inconsistent with being either a King, or a good Christian. My yielding so much (as I have already) makes some men confident I will deny nothing.

The love I have of My peoples peace, hath (indeed) great influence upon Me; but the love of truth, and inward peace hath more.

Should I grant some things they require, I should not so much weaken My outward state of a King; as wound that inward quiet of My conscience, which ought to be, is, and ever shall be (by Gods grace) dearer to Me then My kingdomes.

Some things which a King might approve, yet in honour and policy are at some time to be denied, to some men, lest he should seeme not to dare to deny any thing; and give too much in