comfortablie will aunswere I knowe whom I haue beleeued and I am sure that in loue hee hath adopted mee to bee his Childe that hee is true in his promise and powerfull in performance And these three so strengthen my heart that no want of merit no consideration of my owne vilenesse no greatnesse of the future blessednesse canne cast mee downe from the height of hope wherein I am soundlie rooted This is the three-folde corde c. To this effect haue many other Fathers written also but I omit them Lastly this example of God in this place as it teacheth patience and long suffering when we are abused so doth it notablie also teach cōstancie in loue where we once haue loued A thing worthie following if I had not béene too long in this Note I will therefore reserue it to some other place onely now praying you to remember whom you resemble if this grace be in you and from whom you swerue if it bee not It is enough to mooue a Childe of God 6. Of this striking of the Rocke there is often mention made in the Scriptures and therefore a thing worthie good consideration Hee claue the hard rocks in the Wildernes and gaue them drinke thereof as if it had beene out of the great depthes He brought waters out of the stonie rock so that it gushed out like the riuers Againe in another Psalme He opened the rocke of stone and the waters flowed out so that riuers ranne in drie places For why he remembreth his holy promise and Abraham his seruant The things we may thinke of are these The fall of Moses and Aaron at this time The figure and allegorie of this rocke Concerning the first reade what is written in the Booke of Numbers Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rocke and Moses said vnto thē Heare now yee Rebels shall we bring you water out of this rocke And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron Because yee beleeued me not to sanctifie me in the presence of the children of Israel therefore yee shall not bring this congregation into the Land which I haue giuen them Héere you sée it reuealed that Moses and Aaron staggered at this matter and offended the Lord. Whereby we are notably taught that although there be many in this world who through the grace that is giuen them fight a good fight hauing faith and a good Conscience yet there is not one frée from all sinne sauing Iesus Christ alone But euen Moses himselfe héere that Great light hath his darknes and his infirmitie Hee that had wrought such Great miracles and deuided the maine Sea through the power of him that now biddeth him strike the rocke yet héere hee doubteth and fainteth in Faith as God himselfe witnesseth of him Truly therefore said the Prophet Dauid If the Lord shall marke what is done amisle Who Who shall be able to abide it And the Apostle likewise There is none that is righteous no not one All haue gone out of the way And in the sight of God can no flesh liuing be iustified Let not Sachan then amaze vs with our imperfections for the swéetest Roses haue their prickels and Christ came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance On the other side againe Let not Sathan tempt vs to a conceipt of purity or perfection either in our selues or others for if Moses fall if Dauid fall if Samuel fall if Iob fall if Abraham fall and all haue fallen who shall say my heart is cleane Beware of these extremities both wayes walking in the middle way take holde of Christ by him fearing no imperfection and for him flying all vaine thoughts of absolute integritte Againe learne heere and forget it neuer what an odious thing in the sight of God any doubting in him is which yet the Doctrine of Rome so laboureth to maintaine For when for this onely fault the Lord is so moued with his déere seruant Moses that he reiectech him from conducting his people into the promised Land and burieth him in the Desert certainly we may not entertaine doubting in our hearts touching any promise of his and especially in so great a matter or in such a graund Article of Faith as the Remission of sinnes is 7. For the second thing namely the Type you reade in the Apostle that this rocke was Christ that is a Figure of Christ With which kinde of phrase would the Romish Teachers not wrangle that Great contention about the Sacrament néeded uot For to giue the name of the thing signified to the signe signifying was neuer strange among learned men and in this very particular of the Sacrament S. Augustines words are well knowne Non dubitabat Dominus dieere hoc est corpus meū cum signum daret corporis sui The Lord doubted not to say This is my bodie when he gaue a signe of his body To which end also speake other of the Fathers abundantly if it were any purpose here to enter into his matter 8 For the thirde thing namely the Allegorie thus is it noted by the learned That when all mankind was to be smitten by the Law for sinne yet through the infinite loue of God the Rocke onelie was smitten that is Christ of whom the Law laid hold for vs hée submitting himselfe for vs was smitten off it for vs. Thus saith the Prophet He was smitten for our transgressions and with his stripes we are healed Other Scriptures also That God so loued the world that he gaue his onely be gotten Sonne to suffer c. That he himselfe bare our sinnes in his body on the tree c. This blessed rocke thus smitten for vs hath gushed out swéete water for vs to drinke to coole that scalding heate of burning sin in our soules which els would quickely kill vs and be our bane Whosoeuer drinketh of the water that I shall giue him saith this our Rocke and Sauiour shall neuer be more a thirst but the water that I shall giue shall be in him a well of water springing vp to euerlasting life But let no man thinke that this water that is the swéete and cheering comfort of the Gospell is to be got by mans merites as some teach but euer remember the Prophets words Ho euery one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and ye that haue no siluer come buy and eate come I say buy wine and milke without siluer and without monie c. The Prophets words are sull of force First calling to All to come and excepting none which is a great cōfort thē offering mercy without money that all cursed cogitations of workes and worthes in our selues might euer die and be abhorred Come vnto me all ye that trauell and are heauy laden and I will refresh you not your owne merits and works The blood of Iesus Christ clenseth vs saith the Apostle from al sin al sin I say againe and not our workes
Comfortable Notes Vpon the bookes of Exodus and Leuiticus as before vpon Genesis Gathered and laid downe still in this plaine manner for the good of them that cannot vse better helpes and yet are carefull to read the Scriptures and verie desirous to finde the comfort in them BY The Reuerend Father in God Geruase Babington Doctor of Diuinitie and Bishop of Worcester With a Table of the principall matters contained in this Booke PSAL. 1. Blessed is that man whose delight is in the Law of the Lord and in his Law doth exercise himselfe day and night AT LONDON ¶ Printed for Thomas Chard Anno Dom. 1604. * ⎠* Clemens Alexandrinus lib. 1. Strom Pag. 116. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. id est Si ambo verbum praedicant hic quidem scripto ille voce quomodo non sunt ambo admittendi qui effecerunt vt fides operetur per dilectionem c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. id est Praedicandi quidem scientia est quodammodo Angelica vtrouis modo iuuans seu per manum seu per linguam operetur quonlam qui seminat in spiritu de spiritu metet vitam aeternam Erasmus Praefat in Aug. Quia perspiciebat librorum vsum multò latius patere quà m vocis in hanc operam quicquid poterat temporis suffurabatur Clem Alex. Lib. 1. Strom. Pag. 127. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est Neque honestus est ille cibi apparatus qui plura habet condimenta quam ea quae nutriunt nec est bellus vrbanusue orationis vsus qui auditores magis potest delectare quà m iuuare Clemens Alexandrinus in his first booke Strom. Pag. 116. If both preach the word this man by writing and that man by speaking why are not both to be approued which haue caused faith to worke by loue c. The knowledge of preaching is in a maner Angelicall whether it worketh by hand-writing or by tonguespeaking because he which soweth in the spirit shall of the spirit reape life euerlasting Erasmus in his Preface vpon Augustine Because he perceiued the vse of bookes to extend farther then the vse of speech he did withdraw what time he could to this employment Clemens Alexandrinus in his first booke Strom. Pag. 127. Neither is that prouision of meate allowable which is set forth with more sauces then which nourish neither is that vse of speech conuenient or seemely which may more delight then profit the hearers ¶ A Table setting downe Alphabetically the principall matters contayned in this booke of Exodus A. AAron how he was Moses his Prophet 81. his rod kept in the Arke 383. his calling 406. his apparell 408. the seuerall parts of his garments 409. his consecration 413. his yeelding to the people for an Idol 439. and making an Altar before it 441. Adamant in the Ephod mens gesses of it 411. Admonitions from God before he striketh 45. 124. 117. 125. 159. 160. Adulterie wilfully commited is made but a sleight matter by Papists 46. 47. Adoration of the Bread an ancient errour 423. Aduersitie 30. Affliction noted by the heate of the Sunne 208. it followeth Prosperitie 4. God seeth vs in it 36. and pitieth vs vnder it 72. when it is most extraordinarie it doth not shew that the partie is disliked of God 37. but in the midst thereof God regardeth and acknowledgeth 62. and helpeth in the end 210 for it shall haue an end 27. 65. 67. 92. 138. 305. and sometime it is turned to great ioy 20 171 172 242. in it we must be patient 74 167. and constant 226 227. and returne to the Lord. 70 72 75 112 278 384. for though there be diuersities of crosses 94 129. 224 291 333 yet all come to vs by Gods prouidence 112 116 210. the time when they shall begin and when they shall end is in his hand 110 and therefore in and vnder them we must â—aâ—rie his leasure 57 69 167 201 226. God sendeth to the wicked one crosse vpon the necke of another 121. and encreaseth his crosses where there is no amendmeÌ„t 89 91 92 115 159 163 181. euen to the godly one crosse succeedeth another to shew that this life is a warfare 277. to trievs 213 426. to discouer to vs and others our vnknowne weakenesse 238 261. to correct vs 5. to drawe vs to obedience 181. and to other ends 331. to traine vs vp in Gods schoole 290 by it we learne more good than by prosperitie 29 321. Alexander the great his reuerence to the high Priest 414 415. Allegories 398. Altar why there was but one and why of earth and why without steps 326. Altar of burnt-offering a figure of Christ 403. Altar of incense 427. Altar of brasse signified Christ his humiliation the golden Altar his exaltation 428. Altars in Poperie 326 403 404. Alteration 25. fine 29 30. Ambition 40 329. Answere must be readily made when God calleth 34. Antichrist 43 79 424. Angell a name giuen to Christ 31 32 216. Angels subiect to Christ 387 they are our seruants 388 we being in Christ are ioyned to their companie ibid. Anarchie 307 310. Anabaptists confuted touching warre 290. concerning magistracie 307 309. for refusing Ministers and the vse of the sacraments 407. for casting away meanes 240. Athiests 416 417. Antiochus called himselfe God 80. Appearing of God diuersly to diuers ends 32 33 it is to some fearefull to some comfortable 357 358. Apparell of Ministers 408. herein the orders of a Christian Church must be obeyed 412. The Arke was an outward signe of Gods presence 380. called by the name of God and by other names 381. a figure of Christ 382. Authoritie of the booke of Exodus 1. Authoritie in all superiors must be reuerenced 301. The Authors intent in writing this booke 28 90 289 299 332. B. Baptisme not euerie want but the contempt the 〈…〉 â—f damneth 60. not to be administred by women ibid. Names giuen at Baptisme 21. the wordes of the institution paraphrased 384. Banishment for good causes not to be ashamed of 27. Baites to allure the wicked to destruction 210 211. Backeparts of God 454. Beautie ioyned with pietie a great blessing 16 17. Beare-baytings c on the Sabboth 269. Beades 427. Beasts are cared for by God 336. Bed we must remember God and pray to him when we goe to bed 176 177 128 428. Beginnings of repentance are hard 66. Beginnings of errour are to be stayd 441. Beginnings of the yeere was diuersly taken 184 185. Bels about the Priests garment signified that a Minister should not be dumbe 412. Bible 155. Bispop vniuersall 133. Bispops in Popery why buried in their robes 421. Birth not to bee regarded so much as Gods graces 463. Blessing of God 272. Bitter waters 235. Blood of Christ 189 416. Booke of Creation 154. Booke of life 447. A Booke that hath but two leaues White Red 164. Borrowed things must be restored 179. Boasting of the wicked against the godly 233. Bribes 352 353. Bread
by reason knowledge so differeth one man from another by more more knowledge in this Booke Woe to those Teachers then that lull vs a sléepe and tell vs that Ignorance is the Mother of Deuotion that giue vs not leaue either to reade or pray or doo any duty in a tongue that we know but like those cursed Scribes and Pharises those hypocrites shut vp the Kingdome of Heauen before men neither going in themselues nor suffering others that would enter to come in Let this now spoken make vs sée their fault and that miserie so to liue as also this most swéet blessing of knowledge now vouchsafed to vs by the mercie of God through the happy gouernment of his Annointed seruant our déere and dread Souereigne and sending vp to God our thankfull thoughts both for it and him and begging the continuance of both long and long vnto vs. 2. It followeth in your Chapter But all the children of Israel had light where they dwelt Which surely was a very admirable thing the houses of Egyptians and Israelites ioyning as it should séeme one close to another as ours in these daies doo For else why should the blood be striked vpon the doore posts of the Israelites for a signe to the destroying Angell where to kill and where to passe ouer if all the Israelites had dwelt by themselues and had not béene mingled with the Egyptians This minde was Gregory Nyssen of and therefore hee saith Nontantum in Gosen vbi cōmuniter morabantur sed cum inter Aegyptios promiscue etiam habitarent in hoc maximum miraculum Not onely in Gosen where onely Israelites for the most part dwelled but among the Egyptians being mingled and dwelling together the Israelites had light and the Egyptian darknes And heerein was the greatest miracle The good wee may take by this strange worke of GOD is first to learne how able our Heauenly Father is to make a separation betwixt his Children and the Wicked when he executeth wrath and Justice if his good pleasure be so to doo though they be in one field together in one house together and in one bed together yet can bee choose the one and refuse the other Wherefore true is that Saying of the Psalme If his wrath be kindled but a little Blessed are all they that put their trust in him Feare wee not then in the time of Plague of Warre or other Publique calamitie least we should perish with the wicked hand ouer head but remember this Place and say in your heart with comfort and faith O Lord my GOD and gracious Father I knowe thine able hand to make a separation if thou please in this calamitie betwixt thy poore Lambes and the Goates as thon diddest in that darknes betwixt the Israelites and Egyptians therefore I flie vnto thee in humble acknowledgement of my sinne and for him that had no sinne I begge that if thy good pleasure may bee so thou wouldest vouchsafe to saue mee from this Sword of thine to let the light of thy mercie and louing countenance shine about my dwelling as thy chéerefull light did about the Israelites So shall my soule and heart euer praise Thee and thanke Thee But if otherwise LORD and Father thy Will bee done and not mine onely in the world to come acknowledge mee as I doo not doubt but thou wilt and it shall suffice Secondly let this place be obserued as a very plaine Figure of that which wee sée amongst vs euery day At one house dwelt an Egyptian and it was all darke at the next an Israelite and it was all light so nowe at one house dwelleth a superstitious Recusant or a prophane Atheist and all is darke At the verie next house dwelleth a zealous Professour of the truth who readeth the Scriptures heareth them preached frequenteth the Sacraments and faithfully laboureth that himselfe with his whole Familie may liue according to the Word and héere is all light which shall leade to the light eternall with God and all his hoste when the good houre commeth God strengthen our hearts euermore in the loue of this light and make vs truly thankfull for these lightsome daies Amen 3. The couetousnes of this great Tyrant verse 24 shadowing the greedie mindes of all Persecutors The stoute care of godlie Moses to haue the Lords whole Will performed and not to rest in a part verse 25. 26. The fearefull driuing away of Moses from his presence shewing the rags of Tyrants towardes their end to bee greater and so comforting the godlie that when they sée the like they may knowe the time is not long and remembring vs what a dangerous thing it is to driue away Gods Ministers from vs with diuers other things in the ver 28. and 29. because I haue béeste too long in this Chapttrr I will leaue to your owne Meditation and so end héere CHAP. 11. There is nothing more common both in these Bookes of Moses and other Bookes of Scripture than to set that after which in precise order was to goe before so is it in this Place For what now is said in these first Eight verses of this Chapter by due order should be put before the 28. verse of the former Chapter which if you doo and bring in the 28. verse after those words in the 8. verse And after this I will depart then the 29. verse of the former Chapter will followe well and after that the end of the 8. verse of this Chapter to wit So he went out from Pharaoh very angry c. The chiefe Heads of this Chapter are these three 1. A Denuntiation of a new plague 2. An Admonition to the Israelites what to do 3. The Plague it selfe 1. COncerning the first it is contained as you sée in these wordes Yet will I bring one plague more vpon Pharaoh and Egypt And to make vse to our selues of it you that are acquainted by your priuate reading with the Course of the Scriptures very well knowe the manner of Gods dealing in this matter from the beginning to the end First how milde it was then how by degrées it encreased to sharper and sharper till the deliuerance of his Church and people were effected At the first he appointed Moses and Aaron with the Elders of Israel to goe to Pharaoh and to entreate him mildly and dutifullie saying The Lord God of the Hebrewes hath met with vs WEE PRAY THEE therefore let vs goe three daies iourney into the Wildernes that we may sacrifice vnto the Lord our God But this praying would not serue wherefore the Lord went néerer them by great and powerfull wonders yet by degrées touching them and not with the greatest at the first He caused Moses rod to be turned to a Serpent c. A thing that hurt them not yet in all reason should haue moued them Then he turned their waters into blood which did somewhat touch them After when that preuailed not hee annoyed them
wisheth a Benefice forget his dutie when hee hath got it and suffer his people the Lords Lambes to perish by his sloath Thus doth the Seruant when hee is become a Maister and thus doo thousands who when they were vnmaried and had little thought and said if they had some portion to liue vpon some reasonable competent estate O how would they serue God and doo good things to their power But all is forgotten and they are not the same persons when the Lord in mercie hath giuen them more cause to serue him than euer they had Followe this Meditation farther your selfe and thinke often in your heart what a swéete killing poyson Prosperitie is to many a one and how néedefull this Note of Moses was That they should Remember their duties to God when they were come into that pleasant Land of Promise 15. The Cōmaundement To teach their children what the Passeouer meant noteth vnto vs how the Word Sacraments should goe together not hiding in an vnknowne tongue by neglect of preaching what Gods ordinance is but plainly openly euer ioyning Doctrine to it that the people of God may knowe the Lords meaning in his holy Sacraments so vse them as they ought to his glory and their cōfort Yea the children you sée should not be brought vp in ignorance as ours are to the great prouocation of Gods wrath against vs. But euen when they are young taught and tolde what a Sacrament is and what is meant by the Paschal Lambe for thus would they prooue good seruants of God when yéeres came on and the Lord be honoured in our séede when we are dead Which whether it can be without a blessing from his hand both vpon them and whatsoeuer we leaue vnto them iudge in your owne soule when you haue considered well how sweete and gracious God is how many are his promises how faithfull he euer is in them Doo therefore as followeth in this your Chapter of this people ver 7. They bowed thēselues and worshipped That is they thankfully receaued the Lords pleasure at Moses mouth not as the word of man but as it was in déede the Word of God And they went their way and did as the Lord commaunded Moses and Aaron A blessed obedience both in hearing and doing a chéerefull alacritie and readines such as gladded the heart of Moses and euer will glad all godly Ministers Chronicled héere vp in the Booke of God by the direction of God to the lasting praise of them that were so touched and moued to obey God in his mercie make it also profitable to thy soule good Christian Reader that thou likewise in the Booke of life mayst be Chronicled vp for euermore Amen The second part 1. COncerning the death of the first borne which was the second generall Head noted before to be in this Chapter that which hath béene spoken before in the Denunciation may suffice to which I refer you praying that héere may be obserued the great care of Almightie God to haue this thing well remembred when againe he thus repeateth it with all his Circumstances of time of persons their awaking their crying their desire to bee rid of the Israelites their forcing of them away in all hast c. Surely Gods works for mankinde in generall or for any of vs all in particular to be forgotten must néedes be most displeasing vnto him when we sée such care as this to preserue in his church children a due Remembrance of them Theodoret speaking of these first-borne saith Cur interfecit primogenita Aegypti Propterea quòd Israële prmimogenita Dei Pharaoh nimis durae subiecerat seruituti Hoc enim ipse Dominus Deus dixit Filius meus primogenitus Israel c. Why did he slay the first borne of Egypt Euen because Pharaoh had subiected his first borne Israel to too hard and cruell a bondage For thus speaketh the Lord of Israel Israel my first-borne Sonne c. Againe in this that the first-borne only dyed both of man and beast not the second-borne nor the third-borne wée may with profit well obserue how the differences of children are knowne to God who is first who is second and who is third which may yéelde this vse neuer for any childe to goe about with craft and subtilty or any vnlawfull inuention of man to thrust himselfe into the place and prerogatiue thereof which God in his prouidence hath not giuen him but to abide in the order disposed to him of God and to trust in his mercy who so disposed for feare lest God who knoweth our order seuerely punish vs for breaking his order He could haue made the yongest the eldest if he had pleased he could haue made the 3. to be the 2. if he had so liked But he hath not done it and what he doth is euer best til his owne hand alter the same A contented minde much pleaseth God and a working spirit contrary to his Will as much offendeth him Let it be thought on for there is too much cause in the world giuen and sinne is counted Wisedome 2 This mightie power of God is fearefull and comfortable Fearefull for that in one night yea in one instant and with one word as it were he destroyed so many first-borne in Egypt Comfortable because what iudgment soeuer he vseth and executeth against the wicked yet he can saue his owne in the very middest of death and danger So that not a haire of their heades shal be hurt Thousands may fall on the right hand and tenne Thousands on their left yet no harme happen to them Also this gratious Clemency and Mercy in the Lord is most comfortable who when he could as easily and as iustly haue destroyed all yet in his goodnes that hath neither bottome nor measure he taketh but the first-borne so gratiously humbleth thē by a few This is that which the Prophet speaketh when he beggeth of the Lord in wrath to remēber Mercy so noting his manner and nature euer full of pitty long suffering 3 Then Pharaoh called to Moses and Aaron saying get you hence c. That is he sent his Messengers vnto them to will them to depart For Moses saw him no more after the departing mentioned in the tenth Chapter the last verse And in the eleuenth Chapter verse eight you sée Moses foretold that thus his seruants should intreat him to depart Euer till now Pharaoh had some exceptions either of their Children or of their Cattell c. But now all are put in a libertie graunted vnto all and glad and glad to be deliuered of them Thus can God with his mighty arme bring downe the proude stomakes of the greatest and make them yéelde to his Will wholly not in part A fruitfull consideration for those that dayly amongst vs vse to limmit their obedience to God saying either openly or secretly in their hearts Herein will I follow my Teacher and herein I will not Adultery
degrée of sinne in them Which all men doo when they doubt of his power his will and his truth when they take vpon them to prescribe waies meanes how they wil be helped and doo not patiently expect his comfort by such waies and meanes and in such time as to him shall séeme good That thus they tempted him the 7. ver sheweth where they say Is the Lord among vs making that a Question which was so manifest vnlesse they might haue what they would when they would and as they would Had euer people greater Testimonies of Gods presence amōg them than they Did not they euen at this time receiue euery morning a tokē of it whē they gathered Manna O impatiece then whither wilt thou carry our corrupt nature if God stay thée not far otherwise did that Saint of God Dauid when in as great a distresse as this hee said Carry the Arke of God againe into the City if I shal finde fauour in the eies of God he will bring me againe and shew me both it and the Tabernacle thereof But if he thus say I haue no delight in thee hehold here am I let him doo to me as seemeth good in his eies Here is patience and contentment in Gods holy wil whatsoeuer it is bée it to weale or be it to Woe bee it to Life or be it to Death And what Man or Woman euer loste by carying themselues thus towardes their GOD Dauid founde a blessing of this course and returned in safetie to his house The Rebelles against him beeing confounded and scatered in GODS powerfull iustice Pray it therefore with your heart as you doo with tongue and pray it often both with Heart and Tongue Thy will be done Thy will bee done O my Father with me euer In it will I rest in it will I ioye by thy helping grace and bee alwaies assured of thy true Worde All thinges euen all thinges worke for the best to them that loue thee I could note by these mutinies and stirres the difficultie of gouernment the nature of the multitude the lot of Gods Ministers and such like but before they haue béene touched vpon diuers the like occasions nothing must discourage a man in that calling that God hath placed him in Vae tibi si praes non prodes sed vae grauius si quiapraeesse metuis prodesse refugis Woe be to thee if thou gouerne and doest not profit but more woe be vnto thee if because thou art afraide to gouerne thou refuse to profit saith S. Bernard 4. Then Moses cried vnto the Lord saying what shall I doo to this people for they bee almost readie to stone me The true refuge of Magistrate Minister and all godlie is euer to flie vnto the Lord by hearty and earnest prayer as héere you sée Moses doth Thus againe when Pharaoh pursued to the red Sea and in bath places his prayer is called a crying for the earnestnes of it in his heart although he spake neuer a word with his mouth So saith Dauid in his Psalme Thus and thus they abused me but I gaue my selfe to prayer It is a blessed course and neuer faileth them that vse it But stand you not amazed at the other part of the verse namely that they were readie almost to stone Moses such a man such a Magistrate so déere to God so profitable to them so famous in all Egypt and almost ouer the world for those great works wherewith it had pleased God to grace him O turba quám semper es turbulenta O world world what trust is to be reposed in thee this is the constancie of thy fauour euer The Multitude is thus to be reckoned of be a mans deserts neuer so good and yet how hunt many after this breath howe spend they how spoile they themselues and all theirs to be great with the people and to be spoken of by the multitude neuer thinking in due time of the nature of this greatnes and what all monuments of learning haue saide of it Doo not the Scriptures shew vs how reuerently the Pharisies sent vnto Iohn and yet after affirmed him to haue the Deuill Whereupon our Sauiour Christ vttereth a Sentence worthie to bee written in a wise mans heart for euer Iohn was a burning and shining candle and yee would for a season haue reioyced in his light Marke these wordes for a season and settle them soundly in your heart that they may euer shewe you that were you as great as Iohn Baptist who had not a greater amongst them that were begotten of women yet your credite is but for a season with worldly men and with the common multitude To day a man to morrowe a beast to day none better to morrowe none worse to day a God to morrowe a Deuill The Lord Iesus himselfe found this measure and all his Disciples and Seruants after him Absalon would write kindly to Ioab to day and tomorrowe set his corne on fire The world weigheth without Ballance numbreth without Counters and measureth without Rule The Ballance Counters and Rule of the world is a fickle fading hote and hastie humour for a time Howe close and fast will the Quicke-filuer cleaue vnto the gold you would thinke it could neuer be gotten away yet as soone as the fire commeth it is gone and no signe to be séene of it Euen so is the liking of the world not louing in GOD and for GOD. They that runne at Tilt looke to the Iudges what they say and not what the vulgar people say So must a wise man euer looke what his Iudge in Heauen alloweth and not what inconstant men on earth praise If anie-man would warne you of the fall of the house wherein you are you would soone bee gone and shall no warning serue to make you auoyde the tottering applause of the worlde Glorious Haman howe soone is hee downe and his glorie gone as if it had neuer beene Great Holophernes that was so fearefull with his power falleth and vanisheth in a moment Mightie Antiochus the King of Syria what a change found hee in an instant Hee that hangeth vpon the worlds opinion shal to day bee great to morrow little and the third day no body In one day and almost in one houre Ioram the King of Israel Ochozias the King of Iuda and wicked Iezabel all secure in peace and worldly comfort are slaine by Iehu and their pompe gone That potent Monarch Alexander after such glory and fame dieth in his flower and lieth 30 daies vnburied his friends being busie in sharing his Kingdomes Valerian the Emperour taken of the Persian King is made a footestoole for him to tread vpon in going to his horse Such Stories manie our Bookes haue but these suffice for a tast If God and man haue found the worlds loue fickle shal you onely finde it fast beléeue it not But remember worthie Moses héere readie to be stoned by those that euen now
knowest that victorie is gotten rather by the faith of the Emperour than by the valour of the Souldiers Both together fight strongly against all foes and forces as you sée And in this place I pray you well note what followeth 5. And when Moses helde vp his hand Israel preuailed but when hee let his hands goe downe Amalech preuailed Thus shewed the Lord to all posteritie and succéeding ages the force of holy prayer in battell or else-where Surely surely it is euer with the Lord a preuailing power as shall be good for the parties vsing it Is any sicke amongst you saith S. Iames let him call for the Elders of the Church and let them pray for him c. And the prayer of faith shall saue the sicke and the Lord shall raise him vp and if he hath cōmitted sinnes they shall be forgiuen him For the prayer of a righteous man auaileth much if it be feruent Elias was a man subiect to like passions as we are and he prayed earnestly that it might not raine it rayned not on the earth for three yeeres and six moneths And he prayed againe and the Heauens gaue raine the earth brought forth her fruit Agréeable héereunto is that great commendation of prayer in Sirach Hee heareth the prayer of the oppressed He despiseth not the desire of the fatherlesse nor the widowe when shee poureth out her prayer Doo not the teares runne downe the widowes cheekes and her crie is against him that causeth them for from her cheeks they goe vp to Heauen the Lord which heareth them doth accept them He that serueth the Lord shall be accepted with fauour and his prayer shall reach vnto the clouds The prayer of him that humbleth himselfe goeth through the clouds and ceaseth not till it come neere and will not depart till the most High haue respect thereunto to iudge righteouslie and execute iudgement c. As Dauids Harpe wrought when the euill spirit vexed Saul saith a learned man so shall thy hartie and zealous prayer quiet thy troubled minde in all distresses and comfort thy heart in all assaulting feares Wilt thou be raysed vp saith Another then first cast thy selfe downe in feruent and humble prayer For no man is raysed that first is not downe Ioshua by prayer obtained to haue the Sunne stand still that hee might haue day enough to slay the enemies of the Lord. In the host of M. Aurelius a companie of Christian Souldiers by prayer obtained rayne when all the host was like to perish for want of water They also obtained thunderbolts to bee throwne from Heauen in the faces of their foes and thereon had a name giuen them of the same Oratio oranti subsidium Deo sacrificium Diabolo flagellum Prayer therefore to him that prayeth is a helpe to God a sacrifice and to the Deuill a whippe But sée our corruption If wee receaue not what wee pray for at the first asking wee faint and cease our praying streight not remembring how often wee vse a medicine for the body before wee can bee whole how manie strokes an Oake must haue before it will fall and how we ouer and ouer againe and againe plough our land and delue our Gardens to reape and gather fruite from them Let vs then amend this fault in our prayer héereafter and neuer forget the force of true and godlie prayer in time Whilest Moses held vp his hands that is continued praying so long Ioshua and the Israelites whō he prayed for preuailed But when he gaue ouer the enemie preuailed Thus shall it be in your case and in my case and all others that be troubled 6. But Moses hands were heauie therefore they tooke astone and put vnder him and hee sate vpon it And Aaron and Hur stayed vp his hands the one on the one side and the other on the other side so his handes were steadie vnto the going downe of the Sunne And Ioshua discomfited Amalech with the edge of the sworde This heauinesse of Moses handes may teach vs the weakenes of all flesh in Christian exercises Wee cannot holde out and continue as we ought but heauines and dulnesse will steale vpon vs and séeke to coole vs and hinder vs. The helpe that Aaron and Hur performed vnto him may teach us the benefit of Christian companie in such holy exercises and the néedefull dutie of praying for him that prayeth for vs that God would be with his spirit that is strengthen him and quicken him and ayde him so to pray so to continue his prayers as the end may be to his glorie and our comfort In regard whereofour Booke of Common prayer hath that answere And with thy spirit The outward gesture may héere also be noted which you shall finde in the Scriptures to be diuers Salomon knéeled Ezekias turned to the wall Christ fell prone vpon his face the Publican knocked vpon his breast and héere Moses lifteth vp his hands All which gestures please God as long as they arise from zeale and truth within and are not hypocriticall And what the Custome of the Church wherein we liue establisheth and vseth wise peaceable persons will kéepe and follow 7. Lastly the Lord commaundeth them to write this for a remembrance in a Booke And Moses built an Altar c. All this hath vse to tell vs howe carefull wee must be in keeping a Register in our hearts of Gods mercies and fauours towards vs in our selues in our friends in our Countrie in our Magistrates and Ministers or any way The point hath béene touched héeretofore when we spake of Manna and therefore I passe it ouer nowe but I pray you remember Examples in this case and followe them Deborah Iudith Hester Anna Mary Toby the one cleansed Leaper that returned to giue thanks the Israelites when they passed ouer the Red Sea c for all these built Altars in their hearts for Gods fauours by being truly and feruently thankfull The earth rendreth the Husbandman her fruite for his paines bestowed on her so doth the Horse and Oxe their labour for the meate which they haue giuen them How much more should man remember what he receaueth and be thankfull to his good God But I stay héere These thinges may yéeld you a taste of the vse of this Chapter if you will now reade ouer the Text againe and obserue the particulars for what is my desire but to worke a liking of reading the Text by shewing some fruite which we may receaue when we are destitute of better teaching CHAP. 18. In this Chapter we haue two generall Heads The comming of Iethro to his sonne in law Moses And the appointing of more Iudges to heare causes 1. COncerning the first the Text saith When Iethro the Priest of Midian Moses Father in law heard all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people and howe the Lord had brought Israel out of
it not moue such as be the Lords to carefulnes in well doing Iudas watcheth when the Apostles sléepe why watcheth he but for a mischiefe The High Priests all that rable assemble together betimes euen before day will the wicked be working euill While men sleepe the enemie soweth Tares among the good seed that was sowen If the driuer of horses either strike or speake but to one all the rest set themselues to it amend their paces Let God and Nature the Word and Experience worke with wise persons vnto good And for Iustice what a blessing to the people and what a praise to the carefull executer of it who knoweth not Heathen Aristotle could say that no starre is so beautifull in the skie as Iustice is on earth Mens wisedom may make them reuerenced their power may make thē feared but Iustice Iustice is that which winneth mens harts maketh them beloued and the more faithfull and painfull they are in doing thereof the more honoured aliue and dead Looke vpon Moses in this place 3. And as Iustice is a blessing so are good lawes ordinances in a kingdom in the praise whereof much might be said as not a litle against idle superfluous hurtful lawes against obscure deceitful penning of them leauing holes gaps in them for all the good intended by them to run out at and neuer be séen but I leaue it to your owne meditation 4. In this excellent man Moses doth not Iethro his inferiour far finde iustly a fault very well aduise him to a better course which Moses followed with Gods approbation Let it tell vs that no man is perfect in all things but may receaue counsel euen frō a meaner person Let Moses modesty in yéelding make our spirits humble in like occasion where God dwelleth it will be so pride is a sure signe of an ill heart The head scorneth not the foot in our bodies and the very foote is carefull for the head Make vse application of it your selfe Time spent in these meditations is well spent euer and will please God profit you 5. The Properties noted by Iethro to be in Magistrates Gouernours are worthy much obseruation Prouide men saith he of courage fearing God men dealing truly hating couetousnes All great graces shining ornaments in men of authority as by a seuerall consideration of euery one may well appeare The first is Courage or an inuincible cōstancie wherewith al such as are in authority ouer others to minister iustice iudgment vnto them ought to be endued to the end that neither by loue or hatred they encline more to one or other than standeth with the right of their place and to the end that neither with flattering prayses or bitter backbitings of men giuen to tempt the good disposition of such Gouernours they be moued and drawne aside discouraged or set downe in the worke of their Calling but what is iust and right that soundly and reundly they doo ministring iustice to all without feare or fainting looking to him that must iudge them and who will assuredlie reward their well doing and iustly punish all their deprauers and hinderers In the Booke of Chronicles we reade it for no small blemish in a King and no small rod to the people vnder him that Rehoboam the sonne and successor of Salomon was but a childe meaning in heart and courage that is in déede weake and faint harted and so could not resist those vaine and wicked men which made themselues strong against him Therefore God willed Ioshua to be strong and of a most valiant courage A good Exhortation gaue Dauid to Salomon his Sonne saying Be strong and shew thy selfe a man for I goe the way of all the earth c. Such godly fortitude was in the Apostle when he saide Wee are reuiled and yet we blesse wee are persecuted and suffer it Wee are euill spoken of and we pray c. Meaning that hee gaue not ouer or fainted in his dutie for all these thinges The second is the feare of God a vertue also most requisite in Iudges for héereupon hang all vertues as might at large be shewed if it were néedefull But let that Example of Abraham suffice who thinking that the feare of God was not in Gerar vtterly despaired of any other vertue and therefore mooued his wife to say shee was his sister In this respect the feare of God is both by Dauid and Salomon called the beginning of wisedome that is the roote and fountaine of all goodnes and therefore of all Justice and true Judgement in Judges The third is a loue of truth and true dealing for who more than Iudges should be frée in themselues and abhorre in all others traude and deceipt lying and false witnes bearing by which all Iustice must néedes be ouer-throwne the wicked iustified and the haltar put about the true mans necke to the great offence of God the fearefull punishment of the Iudge that not louing truth or not so carefull for it as he ought hath suffered such iniquitie to be done The last is that Iudges be haters of Couetousnes the plague and poyson of all Iustice as might be shewed by much proofe were I willing to stand vpon so knowne a Common place It stoppeth eyes it stoppeth eares it tieth tongues and worketh wonders wofull and hatefull c. To men of this sort that is endued with these vertues aboue saide authoritie happily and to the great good of many thousands is giuen and God for his mercie sake encrease the number of them In Deutro these things will come to be spoken of againe and therefore I am here the shorter CHAP. 19. AT this Chapter beginneth the second part of this Booke of Exodus wherein you haue these points First a Preparation of the people to heare the lawes of God deliuered by God himselfe to them for the gouernment of their liues and actions and that is in this 19. Chapter Secondly the Lawes them selues in the next Chapter Thirdly other Lawes tending to the explication of these 10. principall Lawes called the 10. Commaundements together with the punishments of the transgressors Chap. 21. 22. and 23. Fourthly Moses ascending vp to the Mount first with the Elders after without them all alone and his receauing direction for the Tabernacle and the worship of God Chap. 24. vnto the 32. Fiftly the sinne of the people their punishment and Moses prayer for them to the 35. Chap. where certaine lawes are also repeated Lastly the building of the Tabernacle the gifts giuen the finishing erection and dedication to the end of the Booke The Preparation is generall and particular The generall hath first an Argument drawne from the authoritie of the spéech to wit that Moses did not commaund out of his owne bead but was called vp to the Mount to God and there was required to say to the house of Iacob and to tell the
of gold that so it might shadow and shew that all though Christ should suffer die for sin yet he should himselfe haue no sinne but be pure as gold that is holy iust vnspotted the immaculate Lambe of God in whom there is no blemish of impuritie In all things saith the Apostle he was tempted in like sort yet without sinne 3 There were two Cherubims set vpon this Mercie seat in manner as you sée expressed in the picture of your Bible which Cherubims whatsoeuer Iosephus saith were in the most receiued opinion like Angels happely to shadow out the subiection of all Angels to Christ and their readie seruice at his commaundement for the Church and any particular member thereof For vnto which of the Angels saith the Apostle did God say at any time Thou art my Sonne this day begat I thee No it is said Let all the Angels of God woship him And of the Angels he saith He maketh the Spirits his messengers and his ministers a flame of fire Also to shew as they are obedient and seruiceable at all appointments so should we be remembring the incomprehensible goodnes of our God who among other his infinite fauours whereby he bindeth vs to his seruice hath made euen this one That these holy Angels also are our seruants by his appointment A mightie motiue to a good and thankfull minde to labour to become obedient and dutiful to such a Father to such a Creator to such a God Lastly to figure out that when we draw néere to the Propitiatorie a figure of Christ and are of God in his great mercie adopted in Christ for his sonnes we are called and as it were ioyned to the companie and societie of the Cherubims and holy Angels of God A comfort also for vs that come vnto him 4 The Cherubims stretch their wings on high couering the Mercie Seate with their winges so representing the maiestie of Christ who though he should humble himselfe to a verie low estate for mans good yet indéede was of that glorie and brightnesse in his Godhead as no flesh could be able to behold but must hide their eyes and acknowledge their infirmitie if but a small glimse thereof should be shewed them Figuring also the most comfortable protection of the Lord Iesus our Sauiour who spreadeth as it were his wings ouer his Church and euerie member of it to repulse any harme that might happen other than he will graciously turne to his glorie the Church or parties good which then indéed is no harme but a benefit rather although bitter to the flesh disgracefull in the world Thus spread he his winges ouer Iacob and saued him from Laban ouer Ioseph saued him from his brethren ouer Eliah saued him from Iesabell ouer Elisha 2. King 6 and thus euer as the Hen to her chickens so is the Lord our gracious God to all that truly feare him A maruellous swéet Meditation if you follow it 5 The faces of these Cherubims were one towards another and both of them toward the Mercie Seat so representing the consent of the Old and New Testament in both which there is but one truth and one doctrine the Olde hauing his face towards the New and the New also looking at the Olde For what is the Olde Testament but the newe obscure and what the new Testament but the Olde made plaine And both Olde and New looke vpon Christ the promised seed of the woman that should bruise the Serpents head They being saued in the olde Testament by beleeuing he should come and we being saued in the New by beléeuing he is come 6 And there saith God I will declare my selfe vnto thee and from aboue the Mercie Seat betweene the two Cherubims which are vpon the Arke of the Testimonie I will tell thee all things which I will giue thee in commaundement vnto the children of Israel Still note the excellencie of this figure of the Mercie Seat For as God before had spoken out of the bush Exod. 3. 4. vers and out of the cloud Numb 12. 5. vers so hereafter saith he I will speake to you from betwixt these Cherubims and so he did For in the Booke of Numbers you reade thus When Moses went into the Tabernacle of the congregation to speake with God he heard the voyce of one speaking vnto him from the Mercie Seat that was vpon the Arke of the Testimonie betweene the two Cherubims and he spake to him Whereupon the Prophet Esay saith God dwelleth betweene the Cherubims And Dauid in his Psalme also The Lord is King be the people neuer so impatient he sitteth between the Cherubims be the earth neuer so vnquiet And againe Heare O thou Shepeheard of Israel thou that leadest Ioseph like sheepe shew thy selfe also that sittest vpon the Cherubims And fitly did this resemble Christ by whom God afterward would speak vnto his Church whatsoeuer he would commaund As the Apostle writeth to the Hebrewes when he saith At sundrie times and in diuers manners God spake in the olde time to our Fathers by the Prophets but in these last daies he hath spoken to vs by his Sonne which still hee continueth and will vnto the end of the world though not by liuing voice and personall presence in earth as he did for a time How then Still looke vpon the figure Two Cherubims were vpon the Mercie seat representing as you haue heard the Two Testaments and from betweene those two Cherubims God spake so doth Christ still by the Two Testaments the olde and the new the lawe and the Gospell the Prophets and Apostles and so will he still speake to the end Other waies wee must not now expect Reuelations and dreames visions and miracles are ceased and if they will not heare Moses and the Prophets neither wil they beleeue if one should rise and come from the dead vnto them In Moses and the Prophets is the new Testament conteyned though obscurely as you haue heard and therefore still to these Cherubims resort if you meane to heare your God speake Huge is the heape therfore of their sinne that barre Gods people from this way and will make themselues to be Cherubims onely to be heard and beléeued shamefully affirming That the people are not to search the Scriptures but to receiue all things from their Teachers vpon their bare credit not reasoning not disputing not asking any Questions more than the horse asketh his maister why he turneth him this way or that but simply obeying Thus neuer dealt God with people since he gaue them his Scriptures you well know but as the other parts of their spirituall armour Helmet Breastplate and so forth so he bad them take their weapon without which what should armour do euen their sword which saith he is the word of God But truth séekes no darkenesse and lies loue no light Be you armed being warned and go you to the Cherubims where you
in this matter The third part 1 THen Moses prayed and said O Lord c. Heere héere then sée A faithful Magistrate A faithfull Minister A true Shepeheard ouer his people coÌ„mitted to him of God Who knoweth what iudgements godly Gouernours turne away by their earnest intercession to God for their people We sée this place we read what Hester did and the mercie of God is plaine for their sakes It should worke in vs all loue and obedience and dutie to them and make vs day and night pray for the continuance of them Treasons and treacheries raylings and reuilings slaunders and defamations wrongs and iniuries any way are not fit requitals of such good receiued by them and for them This prayer of Moses if you marke it is most vehement as comming from a mooued heart and vseth vehement and vrging arguments vnto God As first of his fauour all waies extended to them vers 11. Secondly of his glorie which would be obscured by the Aâ—gyptians lewd speaches if he destroyed them ver 12. Thirdly of his promises made vnto their fathers Abraham Isaac and Israel the trueth whereof might not be violated vers 13. with which the Lord moued in mercie stayeth as you see Such Reasons serue euen at this day and may be vsed to the Lord in our prayers Hee hath béene good to vs infinite waies and we may intreat him by these passed fauours to vouchsafe future and to stay his wrath which we haue deserued Nothing more commonâ—with Dauid in euerie Psalme if you marke it Againe euen by our punishment the enemie will be proud and speake euill they will call both himselfe and his truth into question and ecclipse his glorie to the vttermost His promises also we haue most richly and therefore in all these respects we may craue pardon and doing of it heartely with true repentance and purpose to amend he is the same God still and we shall finde fauour 2 Upon this earnest praier the Lord saith the text v. 14. changed his minde from the euill which he threatned to doe vnto his people with which comfort Moses came away and drawing neere the host he first heard the noyce of singing vers 18. for they were making merrie about their new God then comming nearer he saw the Calfe and the dancing vers 19. But then although he were the meekest man in the world yet his wrath waxed hote and he cast the Tables out of his hands and brake them in peeces beneath the mountaine Which breaking of the first Tables allegorically shewed that the law of God lighting vpon our vnregenerated nature is brokeÌ„ as it were and by the meanes of our inabilitie cannot iustifie vs. But the second written tables are put in the Arke that is when God by his Spirit worketh in vs we are regenerated and the law is obeyed of vs though not fully yet in measure this imperfect obedience is made perfect by Christ Aug. Magno etiam mysteris figurata est iteratio Testamenti noui qucniam vetus erat abolendum constituendum nouum Quaest 144. By a great mysterie the abrogating of the olde Testament by the comming of the new was figured But vnderstand Augustine rightly Then he tooke the Calfe which they had made and burned it in the fire and ground it to powder and strowed it vpon the water and made the children of Israel drinke of it vers 20. Partly to despight them and partly that they should haue no occasion to remember it After he rebuked Aaron vers 21. And if Aaron now elect High priest a Figure of Christ be so sharply rebuked of Moses surely great men must be reprooued and it is a cursed doctrine that though the Pope should carrie thousands of soules to hell yet no man may say Sir why do you thus Secondly in matters concerning the glorie of God we must rebuke euen our néere ones as others no place for affection After that he called for such as would reuenge this wrong done to the Lord vers 26. and the sonnes of Leui gathering to him he bad euerie man put his sword by his side goe to and fro from gate to gate through the host slay euerie man his brother euerie man his companioÌ„ euerie man his neighbour vers 27. so that there fell of the people the same day about three thousand men vers 28. This was the zeale of his heart to the glorie of God it must be a glasse for vs to look in whilst we liue in this world The Lord hath placed the commaundements in the Decalogue the petitions in the Lords prayer which concern his honor before those which coÌ„cerne our selues to teach vs that we ought to prefer his glorie before all worldly things yea euen life it selfe if they come in Question together Thus did Shadrach Meshach and Abednego thus did Daniel when he he opened his window and made his prayer to God notwithstanding that cruell law thus did the Mother and her seuen sonnes in the Machabees thus did Elias Phinees Dauid and others Thus did not olde Heli and therefore the Lord smote him Mine eyes gush out with teares saith the holy Prophet because men keepe not thy law And doe not I hate them that hate thee and am grieued with them that rise against thee Yea I hate them right sore euen as though they were mine enemies He that loueth Father or mother more than mee is not worthie of mee And he that loueth Sonne or Daughter more than mee is not worthie of mee c. 3 And when the Morning came Moses said vnto the people yee haue committed a grieuous crime but now I will goe vp to the Lord if I may pacifie him for your sinne Moses therefore went againe vnto the Lord and said Oh this people haue sinned a great sinne and haue made them gods of Gold Therefore now if thou pardon their sinne thy mercie shall appeare but if thou wilt not I pray thee rase me out of the booke which thou hast written When Moses had fought on Gods part with the sword now he striueth for the people with his prayer so both true to God in a holy zeale and carefull of his people in the bowels of loue was this holy man this faithfull Gouernour and leader of this multitude Anotable example for all Magistrates and all Ministers euer to follow But heere is more than I said in the former Note For here is a preferring of Gods Glorie before euen life and comfort eternall which is farre more than this temporall life and all the ioyes of it So shall you sée in Saint Paule to the Romanes and what a measure of Gods holy Spirit it was consider you Farre are we from this that preferre euerie small profit and pleasure before this glorie of God and yet say we hope to be saued as well as they A true féeling of our owne iniquitie herein may much amend vs hereafter and God for
his Sonnes sake giue it vs. Againe you may note here how Moses doubleth ouer and ouer in this Chapter the foulenesse of their fault calling it a great sinne a grieuous sinne c. so learning you not to extenuate faultes before God if you sue for mercie but to set them out in their true colours that mercie may the more appeare 4 Touching this Booke of life you must know it to be a figuratiue Spéech borrowed from the manners of men who vse Bookes and writings for their memorie and not conceiue that God hath or néedeth any such things It is therefore in sense as if Moses had said O Lord pardon them or depriue me of that saluation which is as sure before thee as if it were registred and written in a book Such borrowed speeches you haue more in Scriptures as you may remember In the Psalme you read of a Booke wherein Dauid saith Were all his members written which day by day were fashioned when as yet there were none of them In the Reuelation you read of bookes againe when he saith I sawe the dead both great and small stand before God and the Bookes were opened c. And for the Booke of life you read persons written in it of two sortes one as it seemed the other true indeed Of the first speaketh the Psalme Let them be wiped out of the Booke of the liuing and not be written among the righteous meaning wherein they séemed to be written or might perswade themselues they were written but indêed were not For then they could not be wiped out Of the later you read here and in other places Where though Moses speake of rasing out yet indéede there is no such matter being nothing but the eternall election of God which neuer can be altered This is more plaine in the words following when God answered Moses that Whosoeuer sinned against him he would put him out of the Booke meaning hee would make it appeare that he neuer was written in it For the house built vpon the Rocke can neuer fall They should deceiue the verie Elect if it were possible as if he should say but it is impossible Hee that commeth to mee I neuer cast away No man taketh my sheepe out of my hand and many such other places Lastly consider and note here how he biddeth Moses go on with his charge but for the people he wil visit them vers 34. And so the Lord plagued the people because they caused Aaron to make the Calfe which he made vers 35. It telleth Magistrates and Ministers that they may not desist from their dueties for the peoples frowardnes but indeuouring to their vttermost to reforme them they must go on though they perish and euen in them so perishing they shall be a sweet sauour to the Lord. That Aaron thus escaped among them if you thinke of it Answere your selfe The Lord knoweth whom to spare for their amendment and whom for a time to spare though he know they will neuer amend O how vnsearchable are his iudgements and his waies past all finding out Grieuous and thrise grieuous is the sinne of Idolatrie that not for Moses his so earnest prayer may be fréed wholy from all further punishment though in part the Lord yéeldeth as vers 14. you saw God make it sinke where it is so much vsed by deceiued Romish Recusants CHAP. 33. 1 GReat was the sinne which this people had committed mentioned in the former Chapter and therefore the Lord whose mercie hath neither bottome nor measure not willing the death of any sinner much lesse of so many thousands but rather that by repentance pardon may be procured in this Chapter gratiously vseth the meanes that their hearts may smite them with true féeling of their fault and so they turne and be spared Their sinne I say was great and great sinnes are not so easily repented of as they ought to be Againe in sinnes of this kinde namely when they are coloured and couered ouer with a good intention by them to serue to GOD most hardly are men and women drawen to acknowledge an errour and mistaking Matters of the second Table committed against our neighbour we much better discerne than matters of the first Table concerning the worship of God For here we thinke wholy our meaning should be accepted which was to worship God be the thing we do eyther neuer so void of warrant in the word or neuer so contrarie to the word The meanes that God vseth here is by letting them know that he will be no more with thē as he hath beene nor trauell with them as he hath done Moses shall goe on with them to the land which God had promised to giue thē And to send his Angell to driue out the Canaanites But himself would not go for they were a stif-necked people lest he should consume thē in the way The Lord noteth a maner of repentāce namely to put away their costly rayment frō thē not that this is a necessarie part of Repentance alwaies but that at this time by this outward signe the Lord would haue them testifie that which is néedfull indéed the true remorse and sorrow of their harts And vpon the hearing of this fearefull newes that indéed the Lord would thus deale with them they cast from them accordingly their best attire and sorrowed for their fault 2 For further working of this sauing sorrow in them the Tabernacle wherein the Lord will conferre with his seruant Moses vntill the other now so much spoken of was readie is by the appointment of God to Moses pitched without the host farre of from the host that by this signe also it might be shewed how God was estranged from them for their sinne who earst so comfortably and so powerfully had shewed himselfe for them and amongst them All which things religiously considered manifest vnto our soules what a sweete God the Lord whom we serue is who thus séeketh his lost people euen a father ful of all pittie compassion that they may returne to him againe and haue that which so ill they haue deserued his fauour and loue for euer Will this God can you thinke in your conscience euer cast away the poore sinner that commeth in sorrow when he worketh thus to draw men to sorrow Féele and be comforted with it 3 And when Moses went out vnto the Tabernacle all the people rose vp now reuerencing him whom before they spake verie lightly of saying This Moses we know not what is become of him What caused this but that still he was in fauour with God and they out So so shall a sound and vpright heart to God euer in the end procure honor howsoeuer for a time contēpt may be shewed for God will honour them that honour him it is his Word and it shall neuer fayle That vnion that was betwixt God and his seruant Iohn Baptist when he was true to God and