couetousnes Exod. 18. In this present place therfore the Prophet complaineth that wrongfull dealing did by force come vppon them publikely and that their court or towne-house for pleading causes became a spoyling place for robbers in that that hee compareth the iudges to hungry wolues But seeing they were such vnder Iosia that most godly and wel disposed king what shall we thinke they were vnder Manasses and Ammon who were them selues farthest of all from Religion therefore the order of that common wealth which hangeth of one alone is full of daunger because it is impossible that one should either heare or sée all thinges that are done among the people But let them which trusting of this doe peruert Iudgement remember that they haue God a séeing witnesse of al that they doe which is wont alwaies to be in the midst of the assemblies of Iudges according as it is written Psal 82. God is in the companie of Gods hee is Iudge among Gods 3. Prophets Furthermore he passeth from the Iudges to the teachers saying Her Prophets are lyght and wicked men He speaketh of the false Prophets of which sorte it is wel knowne by Ieremy that there were many with whome he had much a do He calleth them light as well for their learning as also for the loose conuersation and corrupt maners of lyfe For as for their doctrine they framed it to the mindes of their hearers and spake pleasaunt things as the vngodly in Isay do commaund the prophets But this is an especiall parte of lightnesse vnder the cloake of the name of God to séeke for priuate commoditie and to take part with sin wherewith it is well knowne that God is angry But that in the course of their life they were most dissolute it appeareth by Isay Isay 56. who accuseth the seducers of his time of dronkennesse and loue of gluttonie such as are wont to be had in reputation among the vngodly First because of the likenes of their manners then because they willingly laye open their authorite neither can they withstand those whome they sée to liue very licenciously The Prophet therefore doth not without good consideration had reckon them amonge the number of those that were the authors of their common destruction which thing I would to God all ministers woulde in these dayes consider and whosoeuer are also delighted with such whome Christ affirmeth to bee like vnsauerie salte c. 4. Priestes Lastly he reproueth the Priests and these saieth he haue defiled the sanctuarie and broken the Law By the name of sanctuary he vnderstādeth al the outward woorship and whatsoeuer holy rites were then vsed the priestes did defile them partly because they did execute or minister thē carelesly or prophanely partly because they did peruert their vse and made a cloake for their wickednesse by that wherewith all men ought to haue beene stirred vp to the studie of godlines and consideration of the promised Sauiour For they placing in these outwarde thinges the recompence of their sinnes and desert of saluation made the temple with al the holy exercises therof a den of theeues as Ieremie speaketh of them But because this could not be done without the corruption of doctrine he saith that they brake the law that is they wrested it violently into a contrary meaning which was done then when as I said euen now they placed desert or merit in those thinges which did rather argue the corruptiō of our nature and which should haue led them as it were a schoolemaister vntoo Christ This corruption of woorshippe and doctrine reigned also in Christes tyme who openly bringeth certain examples thereof and teacheth that it must bee amended And I would to God that the same were not founde in many Churches in these our dayes For what do those papall fellowes that to the Pope and his horned Bishoppes do violently wring those thinges which by the Apostles were spoken as cōcerning the Church and ministerie of the woorde and so by the woord of Christ do establish their outragious tyrannie when also they doe defend their more then vnchast single life The differences of meates Images the sacrifice of the masse and other vngodlinesse of like sort by the testimonies of the scriptures falsely reported and wickedly wrested aside and doe therewithall liue in such order that through them the whole ministerie of the Church is euill spoken of I will not now speak of their selling of priestes orders their Simoniacall faire of sacraments their woorkes of supererogation their indulgences their fire of purgatorie their holy Masses of Requiem and dyriges for them that be dead and whatsoeuer other thinges els they haue inuented to the impayring of the merit of Christ and contrary to the doctrine of his trueth therefore the same tymes and the same manners doe requyre the same punishmentes whereof it shall be spoken in their place Now let vs note the example of Zephaniah who being but one alone tooke vppon him the cause of the trueth against the Prophetes and Priestes and doeth accuse them openly For that wee may let passe those Prophets whome wee knowe by Ieremy to haue runne and were not sent Yet it is well knowne that the Priestes were appoynted by GOD and by lawefull succession they did discende from Aaron notwithstanding the Prophet Zephaniah blameth them and doeth pronounce them worthy of punishment From whence then hath the Pope obtayned that his priuiledge who although hee leade soules to hel will yet bee reproued by no man But wee reade that Peter was rebuked of Paule and that openly when hee went not right to the trueth of the Gospell Gala. 2. Or who canne beare them in these dayes which say that manyfest and open abuses are not to bee taken away except it bee by the authoritie of a generall councell whereof now there can bee no hope and wherevnto they that now haue some yeares beene accused will neuer submitte them selues But will godly Princes and heades of the people hazarde the lyfe of so many thousandes of soules while these deceauers gette vnto them selues as it were a whot sering yron Let them rather by this one argument acknowledge the tyrannie of these men But let them which haue escaped their handes shewe them selues thankfull vnto GOD let them followe his worde and receiue his correction But let them haue all hope of saluation onely in his grace and to him that calleth let him draw néere by Christ Iesus who is the way the trueth and the lyfe to whome all thanks giuing honour glory and power bee due for euer Amen The nienth Sermon The text 5 THe iust lord is in the mids therof he will do none iniquitie euery morning doeth hee bring his Iudgement to light He faileth not but the wicked will not learne to be ashamed 6 I haue cut of the nations their Towers are desolate I haue made their streetes waste that no man shall passe by their Cities are destroyed without man and without
in minde superstitious praiers and do teach the same to their children so sowing the séedes of superstition into their tender mindes These men are the most noysome plagues of the Church for it commeth to passe that by them the doctrine of the word cannot haue his profit with those which at home haue their teachers of errours and the same doe forthwith conceiue great hatred against the trueth if at any time their manners bee somewhat more fréely rebuked by the word of God But there is no doubt but GOD hath his broomes wherewith hee wil purge not without their great plague and punishement those reliques of superstition Secondly he threatens that hee will cut of the name of Chemarim with the Priests Kemarim 2. hee speaketh of the ministers of forbidden and vnlawful worshippe which were many and diuers against God his ordinaunce For he had sanctified vnto him selfe the tribe of Leuy out of that tribe ought to be taken the high Priest vnto whome the authoritie of the word and holy rites apperteined he had those which together with him did minister about the worde and sacrifices for that saluation which was common to all and if there were any other offices those did God distribute amongest the rest of the Leuiticall families as in the bookes of Moses it is set out at large But they being not contented with the one and onely true God enterteined straunge Gods and therefore they stoode in neede of new sacrificing Priests to do seruice for those said false Gods herevpon it came that priestes were appoynted vnto Baal of whome there is often mention made in sacred historie neither is it to be doubted but that other Gods also had their sacrifices which tooke vpon them these forē ceremonies which before were neuer known There were moreouer besides these a kind of seueral priests called Kemarim 2. Reg. 23. which as we read were appointed by the kings of Iuda to burn Frankencense in the high places and in the citites of Iuda and all about Ierusalem which as some suppose tooke their names of their blacke apparel some thinke they were so called because of their feruentnes First because they were set on fire with a wonderfull zeale of religion or rather superstition as those Seraphical doctors are which of foolish and superstitious men are called the lightes of the worlde But because they were especially appoynted to burne Frankencense I suppose they were rather so called by reason of that office For this worde Kemar among the Hebrewes signifieth to ware hotte and also wax blacke and because the Prophet doeth coupple them with the Priestes it is euident that they were a kind of men of inferiour degrée skilfull in those mysteries or that they were as it were clearks or sexstons or some vnder minister to them which were in the highest rowme as in poperie the Masse Priests chappell Clarke or vnder Curat alwaies attending vpō the Church and seruing the turn of the rich and fat Canons and Pastors such are woont to be greatly accounted of because the other fatlings taking their plesure carelesly these do throughly go thorow with do perfourme al holy rites ceremonies belonging to the Church and these I warrant you liue not only by begging And this was the cause that although those fatter Baalites were taken away yet these fellowes togeather with their Idolles and certaine Priestes seeming more holy then others were priuily maintained of such as were superstitious But because this was done contrarie to the Lawe Deut. 13. which appoynteth that the false Prophet and seducer must bee put to death God himselfe draweth out the sworde of his iudgement against them But these things agrée meruellous fitly vnto these our times For it is well knowne that Christ vnto his Church hath appoynted teachers which should gather it together and gouerne it with the doctrine of the Gospel Ephe. 4. 1. Cor. 12. and that hee would not haue it ouerburdened with an idle companie of superstitious men For although Paule may séeme to haue appointed in the Church degrées of Ministers saying that some were appoynted Apostles some teachers some Euangelists and some prophets yet all those were ordained vnto this end that the doctrine of the Gospel might bee reteined wherewith the Church can onely and alone be gathered together and preserued But after that the Gospel being neglected Rome beganne to bee mad for superstition new orders of Ministers also crept in and seauen generall degrées were appoynted First dorekéepers readers exorcistes or adiurours attendentes subdeacons deacons priestes or sacrificers But againe among these some were chappel clarkes or vndercurats vpon whose backes for the most parte was laide the care and charge of the holy Church matters other were pastors of parishes or Canons who vnder pretence of religion gaue themselues to ease and pleasure and of these some were wardens or such as had the ouersight of matters some were Deans other some were gardians others were chaunters the vnder priestes in like manner according to the number of their Gods and offices had their seuerall names and vnto these the Monks the Nuns the Friers the Lolhards the Begutes those of the elder sorte and of the younger the heremits c. And surely thou shalt find an innumerable companie of idle persons 2. Tim. 3. or els very ill occupied whereof some did fraudulently take their Church goodes to their owne vses Other some as Paule saith crept into houses and abused the simplicitie of the superstitions and made traines also to get the priuate goodes of many men And because those inferior orders do cary amōg the vnskilful multitude the perswasion of pouertie and religion they also found many fauourers if at any time the reformation of the Church were begunne But they did especially hurt the Church for this cause that although they feigned them selues to giue place to the gospel yet amongst their like they did priuily defend the superstitious worship and did incense the minds of very many against the truth and Ministers thereof Example may bee brought euery where for this matter and christian Princes and cōmon wealthes not a few haue tried how much men of this kinde of grist can do But let al these know that God will defend his owne cause who also with deserued punishmēt will amearce these Kemarims such as fauour thē 3. The Starre worship Thirdly he threatneth those that worship the host of heauen vppon their house tops Hee meaneth the star worshippers for they are called the host of heauen as well for their mouing and order which they haue kept euer since the creation as also because men being superstitiously led haue thought that the same haue a working power vpon the earth and haue accustomed vnder them as it were vnder Gods to subiect the affaires of men This was a very olde errour especially amongst them of the East which first of al others beganne to view the mouing of the stars and according to
themselues But they that are punished for their wickednesse whether it be publikely or priuatly let them remember these men and neyther murmure against God neyther yet conceaue in their mindes that there was either hatred or vniust desire of punishment but let them rather bée still in the presence of the Lorde with pacience submitte themselues vnto his correction for so it will come to passe that those thinges will worke together vnto them for good which otherwise would bring destruction the examples which make for this purpose we haue els where alleadged He nameth those that be for all others ought to be finished as of Dauid Daniel the Emperour Mauritius whervnto many others may be added which they that reade histories doe euery where méet wtal But let vs returne again to our Prophet who in order beginneth to name those which especially deserued to be punished and surely he reckoneth those first which in comparison of other thoughte themselues safe without all danger of hurting Where wée may sée how full of danger the condicion of prophets and ministers of the woorde is for that they are constrained too accuse or reproue them whom most of al it behoued to haue fauourable and assistent vnto them which also were able to doe them the greatest harme But he reckoneth vp three sortes of men vnto whom afterwarde hee addeth the fourth The first place he appoynteth to the Princes and to king Iosia his sonnes Of whom doubtlesse he therfore beginneth bicause they were the chiefe Authours of wickednesse and offences and the sacred hystory doeth sufficiently witnesse that these threatninges were not in vayne For Ioachas that came vnto the kingdome after his Father Iosia was slayne after hée had reygned onely thrée Monethes was ledde away Captiue into Egypt and there was put too death The kyng of Egypt appoynted Ioakim in his stéede which when Nabucadnezar had conquered Egypt became his Tributary and Seruaunt and not long after for his rebellion he was taken carried away captiue by the same Nabucadnezar and dying in the iourney lacked the right of honourable Buriall For the Babylonians threw out his carkase too bée torne in péeces of the beastes and foules of the aire as Ieremy had before prophesied Iere. 12. saying Hee shoulde bee buried as an Asse After him succéeded Iechonias who also healde the kingdome but thrée Monethes and as Ieremy persuaded him he went willingly into banishment and was carried too Babylon with the costly vessels of the Lords house After him came Zedechias who as he passed all that had béene before him in wickednes trechery so he was most greuously punished For after hée had abidden the siege a long tyme at length this Citie being taken and he caught in his flight was carried to Nabuchadnezar in Ribla Who when in his sight he had slaine his sonnes and the more noble men that came out of Iuda and put out his eyes he was bound in chaynes and led away to Babylon The Lorde therefore doth most truely foreshewe this matter by his Prophete Zephaniah saying And it shal bee in the day of the Lordes Sacrifice that I will visite the Princes and the kinges children c. But wée are admonished by these examples what things remaine for those children that doe degenerate from their fathers godlinesse and how they are deceiued that by reason of the vertue of their foreelders doe promise to themselues that all thinges shalbée cocke sure and very ioyfull For it is so farre away that they for this cause should scape vnpunished for their wickednesse that beyng thereby made more without excuse doe susteine more grieuous punishment for that that came to passe vpon these doth also befall many others priuatly yea and lighteth vpon whole nations publikely which haue degenerated from the vertue of their Auncestors Let Parentes in like maner consider these thinges that first of all they may bee diligent in bringing vp their children neither let them thinke that any care therein is superfluous then let them learn pacience if they perceiue that they haue profited but a little by al theyr care and that theyr children doe degenerate for this commonly befalleth the children of God that they seldomly haue children that follow them in godlines and vertue and God suffereth this thing to come so to passe that it may be knowne that the children of God are borne not of fleshe and blood but of the séede of his worde which beyng receyued by true fayth and quickened by the power of the spirite doeth regenerate or beget vs anew This must be marked of vs when wée reade that Ismael Abrahams sonne was a mocker that Esau was geuen too gluttony and lust and that the sonnes of Iacob were wicked both against their father brother and that Absalom was incestuous and a manqueller 2. They that did weare strange Apparrell Secondly God threatneth that hée wil visit those which weare strange attire This may bee expounded twoo wayes For eyther he accuseth their riot and lightnesse wherein they became like other foreine barbarous nations in apparrell or els hée speaketh of the superstitious woorshippers of false Gods which by their straunge and vnaccustomed apparrell did professe their Godlinesse and Religion Neyther shall wée erre as I thinke if wée expound the place of them both For wée knowe out of Ieremy that the Iewes at that time did intreate Leagues with foren nations Which doubtlesse was the cause that they woulde imitate their manners and attire and howe much those that bée superstitious doe attribute vnto apparrell it may be gathered by the Monkes and Masse Priestes which thinke it a sinne that neuer can bée purged if they shoulde alter them neuer so little Here that commeth into my minde which is reported of Pope Iulius the thirde by those that bée of credit He as many men do know was a very vngodly and malapert despiser of all religion Hée doubted not sometime among his acquaintaunce to speake those things wherein he both openly reprehended the boldnesse of the Bishops and also the foolishnesse of the people that so woondred at them It came to passe at a certaine time as hée walked vp and downe his chamber his goune and coate for the great heate béeing layde apart that two of his Cardinals that came too speake with him were at his chamber doore These when they sawe that hée was not clad as hée was woont to be went backe and durst not enter into his chamber But he cōmanded them to come in and not to doubt any thing and being come in he caused them to doe off theyr attire as hee had doone For séeing saith he that I being in the shadowe am so whot how much more are your garmentes a burden vntoo you that haue come so farre too talke with mee doe you therfore in like manner lay aside your gounes and coates and neuer stay at the matter But they prolonging the time because they were bashfull he compelled them