that is angry for every thing will be angry for nothing as we say But it rests in the bosom of Fools sayes Solomon Proverbs Though Moses was sometimes angry with Israel yet he wished his name might be blotted out of the Book of Life rather than God should destroy them Exod. 32. 32. He granted part of the request and lov'd Moses the better for it And Paul had a brave strain of this nature for his Country-men the Jews Rom. 9. 3. Surely these were as great Saints as ever liv'd and lov'd God as much 'T is a sin not to think there is a Providence but what a sin is it to think there is no God nor Providence yet such Atheists there be on Earth if not in Coffee-houses Yet in Hell there is none but will feel there is a God to punish with everlasting destruction evil doers as well as to reward with everlasting salvation the well doers And if he did not both why should not men do what they please And sayes Joshua when he had pressed them to the Love of God Do what you will I and my house will serve the Lord Josh 24. 15. And 't is better to beg our bread here if it be his will than to beg Water in Hell as Dives did Luk. 16. 23. A thankful heart will bless God for a little when abundance abuse him for his many many mercies but happy are they to whom God is nearer than the nearest and dearer than all relations in the world For he that loves Wife and Children best shall never be saved See this Text Luk. 14. 26. But before Christ came into the world God was in Christ reconciling the world to him But when he died the work was finished said Christ bowed the head But God took Christ's word before that and saved millions of his Servants before Christ came into the world we find a hundred and forty thousand in the Text Rev. 7. 4. But now that Christ hath shed his blood and payed by suffering on the Cross for the debt and sin of his people he doth as it were take the Father's word now for all that shall be saved to the world's end Time was when this Gospel was thinn sown but thick come up and many thousands converted by hearing one sermon but now many sermons to one conversion Oh! Conversion Conversion of souls how have I aimed at thee when Melancthon was a young man he had so much Zeal Rhetorick and Elegancy that he thought no hearer should be able to withstand him but at last he sadly complains that old Adam was too hard for young Melancthon but all Apostates are the Devils prisoners brook loose and caught again sayes one and when strangers ride apace through a village little dogs bark And if good men be more ordinary zealous in the way to heaven wicked men do the like many times saith Burroughs but God will not ask men why they were no more rich nor fair nor learned but why they were no more zealous the word of God is a rich Jewel it should lie in our hearts as well as hang in our ears but as one broke her looking glass for shewing her wrinkles in her face so many are angry with the Minister and the word when the fault is in themselves One said a proud Rome but all other Cities were but villages to that but honest London is a Sion to that sink or Sodom in comparison of sin and David loved that and hated Mesech Psal 120. 5. We may love relations well and too much but we can never love God and his Church enough Oh! that men were as wise as those wise men who came from far to see Christ Matt. 2. 1. but men forsake him and damn themselves a little time and pains for this world is enough but much for heaven is too little because God Christ Holiness and Happiness is there and ever will be Some men trade along time for nothing but others get heaven Jacob served for one wife and then for another Gen. 29. 27. longer than some getting God and Christ for ever The first Adam found a place for his Children and lost it but the second Adam is gone to Heaven to prepare a place in heaven which shall never be taken from them Joh. 14. 2. Some like Rachel weep for their Sons Matt. 2. 18. when sick or dye but never for their sins a Printer prints and hath money for composing what he doth he doth not like sometimes and so have some men for preaching though they do not practise such water-men which look one way and row another may chance to bring others to heaven but they will never get in themselves though a Christian do not good works that he may be seen of men Matt. 15. 16. yet he may and ought that they be seen with men namely good works the Proud Italian Beggars many times use this phrase Do good for your own sakes they get most that do most good Pray good Ladies consider this and do not forget the Lady Vare and Warwicks good example they gain most that do most for God and Religion sake and the giver gets most Contentment turns all to gold but grace is better than that Oh beg of Christ this Eye-salve Rev. 3. 18. And that it may be like the house of David and sin like Saul s weaker and weaker God sayes sometimes to his Servants as a King said to a Courtier that desired to be gone to provide for himself No sayes the King do my work first and I will do thine So sayes God Seek ye first my Kingdom and the righteousness thereof and all things shall be added unto you Matt. 6. 33. Judas sold his master and salvation both cheap yet they that paid the money bought dear for they bought their own damnation as is much to be feared but some have an easie kind of way for sin A French King wore a Crucifix in his hat and when he swore he kist that as if all was well some swear drink and do worse and yet cry God forgive me it was but once or twice and a trick of youth but such tricks will trip you into hell without mercy and repentance the world was once destroyed with water for the heat of lust and other wickedness but shall at length be burnt with fire for bewitching men to sin 2 Pet. 3. 11. a foolish witty Gentlewoman being told the world and the glories of it was but vanity 't is true said she Solomon said it but he first tried it and so will I but Solomon was a double great Type first of wretched sinful miserable man who can do nothing but sin of himself secondly of holy happy Blessed Christ who is all righteous we should imitate him in his wisdom and holiness not in his sin and wickedness for that brings death here and hereafter Rom. 6. 23. but good men should not dote upon the world because the world loves its own Joh. 17. 14. it never loved Christ
his sake And now said they We do commit thy Soul to the Devil We believe it was in the Name of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost for usually such wickednesses are so pronounced But I said John Huss do commit it to my dear Redeemer Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ As he lifted up his head the Crown of Paper fell off but they put it on again saying Let him be burnt with his Masters the Devils And as they tied his Neck with the Chain he smiling said This I suffer for Preaching of the Holy Gospel singing three times with a loud voice Lord Jesus Christ thou Son of the Living God have mercy on me He told them at his Death God would raise up out of the Ashes of the Goose for so Huss's Name signified in the Bohemian Language in 100 Years a Swan in Germany whose Singing would affright all the Vultures which was exactly fulfilled in Luther But for Jerom of Prague he was so bold and zealous that he wrote certain Letters which he sent to Constantine to be set up upon the Gates of Noblemen and Cardinals shewing the purity and clearness of his Faith and Doctrine for which he was accused and that he was ready to come and make good all he had Preached His great Crime was he had thundered against the ill Lives of the Monks and Fryers but being taken into custody he was sadly used fed with Bread and Water and tyed almost Neck and Heels together so that he sell sick After a long time they required him to subscribe That John Huss was justly put to Death which he did partly for fear of Death and hoping to escape their hands But he soon repented saying before the Council All the Sins he ever committed in his Life did not half so much gnaw and trouble his Conscience as that pestiferous Sin When they had condemned him he said I Cite you all to answer it within 100 Years before the most High Judge of Heaven and Earth in the mean time I leave a remorse and nail in your Consciences He was bound to the Image of John Huss and had a Paper-Crown of red Devils painted on his head When the Executioner went to kindle the Fire behind him he bade him do it before his Face saying If I had been afraid of Death I had not come to this place for I had opportunities to escape but this Soul of mine in burning flames Oh Christ I will offer thee And for his Oration that he made before the Council it is said That no Tongue is able to express that learned Elegancy and Braveness of his Speech shewing what the Best of Men had still suffered in all Ages Latimer was a zealous Papist till Mr. Blinny converted him and then he was made Bishop of Worcester he preached twice a day and in Queen Maries days he was laid up in the Tower As he rode through Smithfield he said that had groaned for him many Years He used to pray for three things First That as God had made him a Preacher of his holy Word that he might seal it with his Blood if called thereunto Secondly That God of his Mercy would restore his Gospel to England once again once again Shall we not prize it Thirdly That the Lord would preserve Queen Elizabeth and make her a Comfort to the Comfortless Realm At his Burning the Blood run out of his Heart so abundantly as if all the Blood in his Body had gathered there according to his Prayer which struck the beholders with Astonishment In the Fire he stroakt his Face with his Hand crying out Oh! Father of Heaven receive my Soul and so died 1555. Ridley in the same Year writing to Latimer he said Good Father assist me with your Prayers for unless God stand by me I shall play but the part of a white liver'd Knight At his hearing he stood bare till the Cardinal named the Pope and then he put on his Cap. A Woman weeping for him a day before his Suffering he cried Ah! Mistress I see you love me not it appears you will not be at my Marriage to Morrow meaning his Burning nor will be therewith contented A Friend offering to watch with him he cried I intend to go to Bed and sleep as quietly as ever I did in my Life At the Stake he cryed Into thy Hands I commend my Spirit Lord Jesus receive my Soul But the Fire being prest down by much Wood he desired for Christ's sake to let the Fire come up to him his lower part and Legs were quite burnt before his upper part so that he fell into the Fire He going one day by Water the Thames being very rough and the Watermen being a little fearful he cried Fear not you carry one that must be Burnt and not Drowned John Bradford was persuaded by Booker to enter upon the Ministry and he modestly complained of his want of Parts and Learning Oh! says Booker be not discouraged if you have not fine Manchet give them Barley Bread But being in Prison Condemned one comes running to him Oh! Mr. Bradford I bring you heavy News you must be burnt to Morrow I saw your Chain a buying At which he plucked off his Cap saying I thank God for it the Lord make me worthy lifting up his Eyes to Heaven saying Life with God's displeasure is worse than Death and Death with his true Favour is better than Life Oh England repent of thy Sins repent beware of Idolatry and false Preachers and take heed they don't deceive you A good Prayer And to another he said Be of good comfort my Brother for we shall have a merry Supper with the Lord. He was so Charitable that in a hard Time he sold his Jewels and Rings to relieve them that were in Want He was so humble that he often subscribed some of his Letters The most miserable hard Hearted unthankful Sinner John Bradford a painted Hypocrite Rowland Taylor was a great Preacher and would often visit the Poor and Sick and relieve them too when Bedridden but being threatned by the Bishop's Pursurvant he said I know my Cause to be so good and just that I will appear before them and to their Beards resist their false Doings I fear not their Lordly looks nor the Proudest of them all Going to the Fire he told the Sheriff I shall deceive a great many being a fat Man for said he I thought the Worms in Hadley Church-yard must have had me but now I see I must be Burnt Giving one or two Leaps and said God be praised I am almost at Home But the People cryed Oh dear Father and good Shepherd God help and succour thee as thou hast done us many times and our poor Children and so they went weeping all along the Streets for him To whom he said I have preached to you God's Truth and Word and now am going to seal it with my Blood In the Flames he cried Merciful Father of Heaven for Jesus Christ my
12. And we are now lately called Protestants from the seven Princes of Germany protesting against the Pope's Supremacy but are indeed the true real Catholicks because we hold the Universal truths which were from the Beginning are and shall be so to the Worlds end the main of which is the Worshipping of God in and through Christ and loving Him and his Son for ever But many beyond Sea are called Lutherans Calvinists and Hussites for following those great Lights and their Doctrine But now this Righteousness of God Christ Abraham Jews Gentiles and Believers is called the Saints for two or three Reasons First Because it is this that makes them so Christ's Righteousness is our Justification and Sanctification too before God and it is that and his holy Spirit sanctifying of us which makes us Saints in the Eyes of God and before Men in this World too take three distinctions and they will end 20 disputes about this Point ☜ for Christ justifies us before God by his Blood Life and Death Faith that is the object of Faith Christ justifies us in our own Consciences so that it is not so much Faith in a strict sense as Christ by Faith Justifies us and that too And indeed Faith being imperfect at the best needs a Christ for Justification as well as other Graces though it still shews us Christ as in a glass for our justification and good Works which are really so and the fruits of God's Spirit namely good Works these do justifie us before Men And therefore says Christ let your light so shine before Men that they may see your good Works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven Mat. 5. 16. And says St. James Shew me thy Faith by thy Works and do not tell me so much thou hast it but let me see it by thy Works So that to God we must plead the Blood of Christ and nothing else and to our Consciences shew the Blood of Christ and witness all to others by good Works and a Godly Conversation and this is the Saints visible and invisible Justification And now had I the Tongue of Men or Angels 1 Cor. 13. 1. I could never enough set out the Blessedness or Blessednesses of Men or Women that do Hunger and Thirst that is Long Love and secretly wish and pray for day by day this Righteousness and to be found in it namely this of God and Christ and the sanctifying graces of his Spirit for they shall be satisfied yea they shall certainly be satisfied in the discovery of it and present comfort also yea in the everlasting wearing and enjoyment of it in the highest Heavens For as Kings Cloath all their Yeomen in their Gold Embroidered Coats So Christ the King of Kings doth spiritually Cloath the Souls of all his and by vertue of this They shall shine as the Sun in the Kingdom of his Father for evermore Mat. 13 43. Yea all his Rich and all his Poor and all his Gifted and all his Ungifted that hunger after it Here one has his Silken Suit and another his Thred-bare Habit here one has their Holland Shifts and fine Laces others want course Linnen but Time shall pass and Time shall come when all wants shall be done away and small Gifts and no Gifts scarce shall be equally happy with the greatest for all shall everlastingly shine as the Sun in the Righteousness of Christ which is the Blessedness here hunger'd after which is the White Linnen and the Wedding Garment so often spoken of in the Revelations Rev. 19. 8. And that which Paul would so feign be found in Counting his own Righteousness but dung and dross in comparison of it Phil. 3. 8 9. But Fifthly Our Lord and Saviour goes still on with his Blessings saying Blessed are the Merciful for they shall obtain Mercy Mat. 5. 7. And the merciful Man will be merciful to his Beast saith Solomon And now Noble Ladies give me leave to plead with you a little from this good Text The Mercies of God are dear and tender Things the choicest chiefest things in Heaven and Earth We have nothing to hang upon Living or Dying but the tender Mercies of God in Christ which he proclaims and shews to us Exod 26. And he was with Joseph and shewed mercy in the Pit Isa 39. 21. Prov. 11. 17. And A merciful Man saith Solomon doth good to his own Soul And if you will shew a little to some 30 or near 40 poor and fatherless Boys now in your School at Highgate you will shine as lights before men and your candle shall be on a hill and not under a bushel which Christ bids you do and in doing of it do good to your own so saith Solomon Prov. 11. 17. and in this and doing something for it you will to yours But you will say You have ways enough and need not a new design for Charity Oh! but you can never have too many ways nor do too much good in the world and if it be new 't is the more pity that so many brave Noble English Ladies as there be that profess the true Religion and are Religious also that they have not done some publick thing for the honour of it as well as old Sutton when you see so many burnt to ashes for the Gospel and that Religion which you profess Oh then do a little eminent and something that may have a little notice taken of it for the honor of their Lord Master Religion and your own also all which this would do surely the great and famous Hospitals of London are famours praise-worthy things and honourable to Religion and should nor you most Great and Noble English Ladies which all the world must needs give place unto do something for the honour of it If they did well that did build and set up them as you will not say but they did you cannot do amiss in a little countenancing this Those were done by some one particular person at first which would swallow up a great and whole Estate this would hurt no more than a little Tradesmans Bill because there are so many of you to join in this good and pious Work surely God will incline some of your hearts yea many we yet hope to it The Wiseman saith You will do good to your own Souls And we are certain it can be no hurt to your children come and take Christ's counsel and lay up treasure in Heaven where no Rust nor Moth nor Thief can ever come and to the merciful God will shew himself merciful But if you do not love your Souls care for treasure in Heaven nor the tender mercies which is the Rise Spring-head and Fountain of all we hope for or can hope for from God in this world or t'other you need not mind these sayings in this blessed Book of his Oh! but you dare not say or think so in the least for God and his mercies are your last and lasting Refuges Oh! then dear good Ladies