authors of great and publike offences c. We will shew a compendious way how these thinges may be brought to passe I No small number of reasons may chiefely be deryued from those places which we sée to be in vse with the Orators as Of the honesty Of the cause or matter Of the iustice and equitie Of the cause or matter Of the goodnesse Of the cause or matter Of the profitablenesse Of the cause or matter Of the surety Of the cause or matter Of the comlynes cōmendation Of the cause or matter Of the necessitie Of the cause or matter Of the easines or possibilytie Of the cause or matter II To declare any thing to be iust godly praise worthy necessary many grounds and proofes may be drawen out of the most plentifull storehouse of the sacred Scriptures whiche thou mayste dispose in what order thou wilte Of the commaundement of God. Of the promises of God. Of the counsell of the holy prophets or Apostles whiche séeme to perswade some such lyke thing Of the examples and déedes of the holy Saints Of the profit and vtilitie which wyl redound to the mindes of the faithfull or to the whole church Of the illustration of Gods maiesty and glory when namely we shew the to the settyng forth of Gods glory to the sanctyfying of his name vpon earth the thing that we speake off wil wonderfully auayle Of the edifying of others when we declare that the same déede wil be profytable to a great number of other to the end they may be confirmed in godlynes For these and such lyke places moe be as ye woulde say domesticall and companyon lyke to diuinitie but to the Orators they are straunge and vnaccustomed if so bee I meane they be handeled after the same maner that we sée them to be handeled in the holy scriptures Now if thou be disposed to exhort or admonish thou hast in this behalfe also certaine places at hand I And worthily in the first place shalt thou put before thée those thinges that may be taken out of Diuinitie as a treasury by it selfe very ritch and plentifull Argumentes are deriued Of the prayse of the thing wherof entreaty is made or also of the persons which we desyre to admonish For so the Apostle doth oftetimes through praysing stirre vp mens mindes Of the hope of the successe For God fauoreth gladly helpeth the endeuorus of the faithfull Of the publike expectation of other brethren or congregations Of the glory to be looked for as well with God as with men For to require a testimony of the trueth of honest good men is an honest poynt And all men ought to labour in this that they may to all euery where bee a good sauour of Christe It behoueth all men to profit a lyke both by good reporte and euill report and to promote the thinges that are Jesus Christes But yet shall no good man couet ouer much to séeke after glory with men much lesse shal he rest in it being gotten and that for this cause least whilest be obteyneth temporall glory of men he be spoyled of a more ample glorye to wit immortall which he should haue enioyed of the immortall God. Of the feare of ignominye or reproche For it may be obiected vnto them that they profit not in Christ but rather reuoult from Christ as we sée the Galathians to be taunted of the Apostle whom he doubteth not to call foolysh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Of the certaintie and greatnesse of the rewards which remayne for vs as well in this lyfe as also in the lyfe to come For there be promises of both kyndes put foorth vnto vs. II And héere againe be effectuall those places that a litle before I reherced to wit Of the commaundement of God Of the promises of God Of the threatnings of God Of the counsell of holy men Of the examples and déedes of the same Of comparisons c. III What shall I saye that of causes moreouer and circumstaunces may no slender argumentes be taken when as in these oft times lye hid many thinges which minister no small force to the styrring vp of mindes IIII Neither shall héere be pretermitted the craft or cunning of mouing of affections For in case thou desyrest to induce the multitude to the loue of vertue to the hatred of vice to compassion towardes the oppressed with wronge to indignation against the despisers of vertuous exercises to the seruēt study of any thing it shal be thy part to set abroch all the engins of art and grace in speaking Hitherto finally do pertaine also communications obsecrations contestations and such like figures as we sée oftentimes the prophets and apostles to haue vsed Furthermore he that wyll prayse eyther a person or déede or thing shall vnderstand that he must somwhat otherwise frame his talke in the Church then the company of Rethoritians is accustomed at the barre or in the Scholes For these truely when they prayse any person doe prefixe before their eyes these places the nation countrey lygnage wounders or miracles that went before the natiuitie name ornamentes of the body as fauour strength comlines moreouer education studies artes also the goodes or ornamentes of the minde as witte docilitye sharpnes of sight prudence gentilnes sobrietye grauitye constancy fortitude godlines zeale of religion then the kinde of life state or condition likewise the benefites of fortune as riches friendships possessions enheritaūces againe the actes done both publickely and priuately afterward the rewardes of the actes done as honours offices triumphes last of all the thinges accomplished in the olde age death end of life opinion after death signes or wonders going before or following after death After this sort I saye are the Orators wont to run through all the degrees of age But somtimes they distribute those places in this order the first they speake of the gifts of the body next of the gifts of fortune and finally of the giftes of the minde But verily the preacher in all this busines vseth somuch vnlike practise I. First truely the Churche hath not bene accustomed to prosecute with prayses those that be a liue still subiecte to all kindes of tempations and sinnes as the Orators haue done in puttinge forth their Panegyricall and plausible Orations vttered in prayse and commendatiō of men as who saith iudgeinge that to be either the propertie of flatterers or of such as prepare a triumph before the victory Of whom that the doinges of those are shamefull of these fonde and folishe it is plaine and manifest But it prayseth and extolleth those onely whom all good men trust assuredly to be now translated into the felowshippe and societie of Saintes II. Againe the Preacher that will celebrate the praises of any good holy man dealeth very slenderly with those places which wée reherced yea so far is it off that he taketh matter of prayse of the benefites of the body and of fortune that he scarce
call diuinitie comprised in the holy writings of the Prophets Apostles The other of thinges humaine in which we doe not only account the artes called Liberal and the parts of Philosophy commonlye handled in the Scholes and likewise the tongues but also ciuill discripline and iudgement of polytyke and â—econonicall affaires And that verely is necessary to the Preacher to thinâ—ent he may sincerely inculke and repeate the principles of Christian religion confyrme the good in their godly opinions confute the euill and these that be of a sinister iudgement And this to th ende he may with the greater grace and dexterytie order al things but chiefely discouer and condemne all kinde of vices whiche raigne in diuers and sundrye sortes of men For how shall hee prudentlye frame his Sermon agaynst Usurye and manye vniuste bargaynes and contractes eyther els agaynste leude and cancred Customes commonlye receiued that haue not some kinde of knowledge of ciuill affayres Esay cap. 22. reprouinge the vaine counsels of the people touching the munition of the Citie wherein the vngodly in the time of warre dyd put more affiaunce then in God hymselfe and in many other places besides wherein he rebuketh diuers sinnes and enormities dothe sufficiently declare that he was not ignoraunt of ciuill matters How many thinges moreouer mayest thou sée in Ieremy Ezechiell Daniell and other of the Prophetes which do not obscurely argue that they were right diligent markers and wise estéemers of a number of thinges perteyninge to the state ciuill The same thinge dothe Christe testifye of hymselfe in many parables of whiche sorte is that of the vniust Stuarde Luke 16 of the Talentes Math. 25. and many of hys whole Sermons béesides Also out of the Sacred Chronicle of the Actes of Thapostles and out of the Epistles may easely be gathered that the Apostle Paule was reasonablye well séene both in the lawes of the Romaines and also in rourtlike and forensicall actions It is requisite therfore by al meanes that ecclesiasticall teachers be not onely some denie skilful in dyuine but also in humayne matters and specially in polytike and a conomicall affayres and so far forth skilful to as may be necessarye to the furtheraunce of their flocke committed vnto them and the impeachment of all kinde of wickednesse and impyetie But no smal number of thinges appertinent to this kinde as well by the familyar acquaintaunce with men of meane wisdome so they be séene in vse and experyence as also by the dylygent annotation of such affayres as daylye come to passe and the inuestigation of the causes and circumstaunces in the same euery good and wel disposed man may easely gather and conceiue Now that sanctimony of lyfe ought to be required in a Preacher of the Gospell euery man may iudge séeinge it profiteth nothing at all to edifye the Churche of GOD in worde if that whiche is already builded vp bee subuerted agayne with euill conditions A good life is as it were a scale whereby sounde doctrine is confirmed in the hearers A thing most vnséemely it is in â—ace hée that professeth to be a Phisition and wyll take vpon him to heale others of their infirmities bée hymselfe all scabbye and full of byles Phisition wyil they all saye heale thy selfe Therefore ought all men to set Christe béefore them as theyr Scholemaster whom we may heare preache not onely in worde but also effectually in déede For whiche cause the Apostle most dilygentlye prescribed what manner of men Bysshoppes or Elders lykewyse Decons with their whole families ought to bée with what vertues hee woulde haue them chiefelye garnished and from what vices hée woulde wyshe them to bée frée Albeit this is also to be added that where wee may not haue altogether so perfect and absolute Preachers in euery respect as we couet and desyre yet ought wee to suffer and imbrace those whose doctrine is sounde and with no sâ—ot of heresye or noysome opinions infected For whither any thorow enuy or thorow contention or thorow occasion doe teache so they preach Christ all is well and God is to be thanked No man is borne without his fault great alwayes is the fragilytie of mankinde and on euerye side euermore are we misers enuironed about with certaine domestical furies as yee would say continually enticing vs to sinne In lyke maner there is no man that can eschewe the bytyng teeth of detraction And in no place mayst thou not in these dayes specially beholde the malignaunt multytude what saye I multitude yea euen those also that take vpon them far beyonde the common sort whettinge their tusshes to slaunder and backbit the ministers of the Churche euen there also where they haue no iuste cause or occasion so to doe A number of Sicophants there be of the sect and faction to that wicked Doeg in whom Ambrose expoundinge the sixt of Luke saieth appeared a type of Iudas the traitor that haue the cast to construe and interprete actions of themselues voyde of all blame as huge crimes and enormities and in their accusations to make more then mountaines of miles or oliphants of flies Whosoeuer therfore is wise wil not rashly giue héede vnto those that commonlye and willingly speake euill of Ecclesiasticall teachers Whether may be referred that which the same apostle no lesse grauely prescribeth touchinge the life and conuersation of Elders then carefully and wiselye admonisheth that an accusation against a priest or elder is in no wise to be admitted without two or thrée witnesses In the thyrde place wee sayde that to a Preacher is néedefull and requisite a spyrite and power in teachinge I vnderstande by the name of Spirite and power a certayne peculyar facultie of proposynge sounde doctrine and also of moouing and drawing of mindes â—â— thintent that as many as is possible may reape most ample fruiteâ— and as few as may be presume to disalowe any thinge as vaine vnfruitfull Which facultie in one place is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 power in an other place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 boldnesse of speache somtime 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 might now and than 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Spirit erewhile agayne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the demonstration of the spirit and power For so doe the Euangelistes testifie of Christ He taught as one hauing power All men were astonied at his doctrine bycause his woord was ioyned with power And the Apostle Paule 1. Corinth 2. My woordes and my preaching were not in flattringe phrases of mans wisedom but in the demonstration of the spirit and of power that your faith might not bee in the wisdome of men but in the power of GOD. Whiche forme of speakinge hee vseth also in the fourthe Chapter of the same Epistle Agayne in the fourth of the Actes Peter filled with the holy ghost is had in admiration for his libertie in speaking And in the same chapter the Apostles pray vnto God that he would giue his seruants grace to speake the word
as manye as professe Christes religion ought to be brought forth and consecrated to God forasmuch as all the glory and benediction of that auncient people is conâ—eighed by Christe to the beléeuinge Gentiles as Peter in his fyrste Epistle Cap. 2. aparauntly teacheth You saith â—ée are a chosen Kinde a Kinglye priesthod an holy nation We are admonished therefore that we should with al studye and dilligence endeuour our selues to obserue the law of God. If Christ the author and lord of the law did humbly submit himself to the law what excuse shal we make wherby we should not obey the law It remayneth therefore that we consecrate our selues wholy vnto God not onely in our younge and tender age but also all our lyfe longe The ceremonies and oblations of Moyses are verilye in our dayes abolyshed neither is it required of vs that we shoulde offer for our children Turtle doues or young pigeons Neuerthelesse it is our part and dutye in cace we haue any children borne vnto vs fyrst to acknowledge them to be giuen by the onelye goodnesse of God and that we owe vnto hym vnspeakable thankes for so great a benefite Moreouer we shall consecrate them vnto the Lorde if so farre forth as lyeth in vs we bring them vp in the feare of God and in the simplicitie of doues in modesty and innocencye and so instruct them throughout all their life as that for their sanctimony and vertues the name of God may be gloryfyed on earth This is one manner of conseeratinge children to the Lorde set forthe vnto al christians Ye fathers bringe vp your children in the nourtour and correction of the Lorde For the whole institution and chastisement ought to be directed to the glory of the Lorde And the childe grew and waxed stronge in spirite and was fylled with wisdome and the grace of God was vpon hym XXIX Doctrine All thinges truely in Christe are very excellent and singuler and that by reason of his dyuine nature ioyned to his humayne Notwithstanding we may iudge also in generall of all children especially those that are borne of faithfull parents that the holy Ghost vouchsafeth likewise to strengthen them which in deede is the most ample benefytte of God toward vs For this cause Christ not in one place greatly commendeth little children Except ye turne and become as young children ye shal not enter into the kingdom of heauen Suffer little children to come vnto me forbid them not for of such is the kingedom of God c. XXX Redargution Who therefore is of so mischeuous a minde to cry out the young children which Christe so muche commendeth can not be partakers of spirituall benefyts and to restraine them from baptisme and all sacred rites God voucheth safe to sanctifye some euen in their mothers wombe whiche is reported of Ieremy and Iohn the Baptist in the scriptures some he sanctifieth eftsoones in their childhood as Samson and others why doste thou theÌ„ enuie such and wilt not suffer them to be consecrated to the Lord xxxi Institution How much better that we doe if we entirely loue young children being so déere vnto god and deuoutely reuerence them as the electe organs of God againe if we pray to our heauenly father that hee woulde enforme their harts with his holy spirite and direct them to learne and imbrace true pietie and godlynes For the feare of the Lorde is the beginninge of wisedome Let children therfore be nourtered and taught in the elements of sounde doctrine Where the foundations shall in this wise be layde the lord will add happy successe and procedinges in the rest Hee wyll fyll them with wisedome and the grace of GOD shall bee vpon them as it shall séeme good vnto the Lorde in whom alone it lieth to prescribe the meane O happy are those children of whom it may in some sorte be iudged that God doth illustrate them with the light of â—is grace xxxii Correction Albeit it chiefelye dependeth of the goodnesse of God that children are made strong in spirite fylled with wisdom and by the speciall grace of God prospered in all their procéedinges yet that a great helpe and furtheraunce herevnto remaineth also in the parentes no man is ignoraunt The first education of children euen alone for the most parte is the cause that we haue either good or ill citiezens For looke what impes we bringe vp such men in a maner doth the common wealth receiue of vs afterward Beware how thou thinkest them to proue good men whom beinge boyes thou séest to be of rude and dissolute maners What great infection of euills children take of their parents and what mischeuous examples they mark oftetimes at this age in their gouerners and masters no man can with toung expresse or declare There is no doubt but that this inordinate education of children which now a dayes we may euery wher behold doth portende some bloody happes and great calamities verye shortly to ensue But let vs praye vnto God that hee will guide vs all with his grace and turne awaye in time the mischiefes hanginge ouer our heades How if consideration be had of the time present then with good right shall be handeled before the Church the 1. and 2. places which are as touchinge the certainty of the christian faith also the 20. 21. 22. 23. of the agrement in doctrine and confession of the same before the Church of God. It is certaine that these places beinge either seuerally at large or ioyntly amonge themselues forsomuch as if thou lokest vppon the matter they are of allyaunce togyther clearelye explayned will ingender no lyttell fruite in the myndes of the hearers and will bringe to passe that a greate number shall couragiouslye imbrace the GOSPELL and with all séeke by all meanes possible to promote and aduance the same Moreouer for those that in these dayes doe slaunder and barke against the labours of godlye teachers and that forge and contriue no fewe thinges whereby they maye bring as well the Gospell it selfe as also the interpreters therof into hatred and hasard it shall bee for the behoofe of the church if the 6. and 7. places against them to whom Christe is an offence bee more largely and amplye declared Where if it lyke thée rather to erect and comfort those that now in many prouinces are most cruelly oppressed for the confession of the trueth thou shalt oportunely entreate of the 9. 10. 11. 12. 20. 21. places But in case any be disposed to frame such a Sermon whereby all sortes of men may be admonished and moued vnto pyetie and sanctimony of lyfe very fyt for this purpose wyll be the 17. 18. 19. places more copyouselye discoursed But who knoweth not what detestable demeanour and corruption of maners is now euery where to be seene in children agayne what great negligence there is as well of parents as of Scholemaisters in the good bringing vp of Children Therfore he should best prouide for the
that is to say My Father my father the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof so we also may not without good cause complaine of our master Hyperius thus taken from vs Although in very déede when I wey more déepely the whole matter with my selfe most worthy Senatours I scarcely sée what sparke of hope to be accounted off is left not onely to vs but also to all Germanye Pure religion was in the time of our fathers sore oppressed through the tiranny of the Bishops none otherwise then was a great while agoe the Common wealth of the Hebrues thorugh the violence and oppressions of the bordering Nations As the Lorde in olde time had mercy vpon the Hebrues so hath he had now also compassion vppon vs that like as then he stirred vp valiaunt Capytaynes and godly Iudges that did set the people in their former libertie so now in these dayes had be raysed vp many notable Doctors that might and did restore religion to hiâ— former puritie and deliuer vs from that pontificall tyranny Which either Capitaynes or Doctors of the Church séeing the Lorde doth now by littel and littel call awaye to himselfe as in the yeares past Luther Bucer Melanchthon and many other and in these last xv monethes Martyr Musculus our Hyperius wée are truly to be afrayed least these so many and great lightes of the churche beinge extinct considering that very few men or none remayne of like dignitie of like learning and experience there succéede other which not as the former will defend and maynteyne our liberty restored but will hamper vs againe in â— newe seruitude and bondage Yea verily when as those Capytaines being taken away euery man may séeme to doe and say what he list it is greatly to be feared least for our offences all our religion be againe enwrapped in most vgsom darkenes and so vtterly obscured and defaced For vndoubtedly as for the light of the trueth which after those dolfull times of darkenes wherein our forefathers were entangeled by the great benefit of God hath shined vnto vs our people can now in these dayes so ill away with all that they doe not onely openly and manifestly contemne the cléere light but euen couet also most gréedely to returne backe againe to their former darknes as it were to the flesh pottes of Aegipt Furthermore what the life of our Countrimen is what the maners of them are that glory of the profession of pure religion we sée I speake not onely of the cÌ„omon people basest sort of men but I speake of those whom wée all haue in admiration whom wée reuerence whom wée prayse and highly estéeme off So great is the contempt of religion amongest a great number so great the neglecting of godlines so great the suppression of vertue that they may well séeme to be no Christians at all but very saluage and barbarous people Which thinges séeing they are true there is no man verily that can imagine this our dread and feare to be vainely or without cause conceiued God winketh for a time at our sinnes and enormities as he is a longe suffering GOD and slowe to wrath But neuerthelesse when he séeth there is no hope lefte of amendement of lyfe and that our sinnes doe proclame nowe euen open warre agaynst heauen it selfe then sodenly prouoked to anger he prepareth himselfe to take vengeaunce Which when he intendeth to doe he oftetimes taketh good men from vs least they should the good with the bad the godly with the vngodly be enwrapped togither in these plages But nowe I maye séeme peraduentuÌ„re to giue an ouer vnlucky ghesse as touching the state of our Scholes and Churches wherefore then doe I not rather turne my talke vnto you most graue and prudent fathers Whom I praye and beséech most hartily that you would euery one of you so far foorth as ye are able bend all your trauayle and dilignce to the mayntenaunce and preseruation of godly studies And you especially I call vppon most excellent Companions thée I say most reuerend Rector Lonicerus thée most vigilant pastor Rodingus and you al furthermore that teach the holy Scriptures either in the Schole with vs or in the Church herevnto I beséech you bend all your coâ—itations and all your endeuours namely that our sacred and diuine studies may prosper and florish Procéede to teach as you doo diligently and faithfully study for the maintenaunce of peace and tranquilitie Let vs propound vnto our hearers not idle questions as touching vaine and friuolous matters but as our Hyperius alwaies did those principles most chiefely of the doctrine of religion which shall be necessary to the conseruation of the puritie of faith and most profitable to the information of lyfe and maners Let vs haue no dealing wâ—th vnlucky contentions whereby we sée now some Scholes to be most grieuously battered and shaken Let this our Schole rest as by Gods grace it hath already many yeares rested from importunate striuings and brablementes Let vs follow alonely in teaching the chiefe points of religion the holy Scripturesithe writinges I meane of the Prophetes and Apostles Let no mans authoritie so preuaile with vs let no Counsell be of such credite no patched writing of such force that wée shoulde depart so much as a heares breadth either from the authoritie of the Scripture or from the phrase of Thapostles or from the formes of speaking vsed by the holy GHOST himselfe These markes let vs prescribe vnto our selues as it were to ame at Let vs kéepe vs with in the compasse of these bouÌ„ds For so yea so it will com to passe that we shall not be caried about hither thither with the winde vanitie of euery doctrine but shall ramayne constant in our profession and shall alwaies froÌ„ time to time kéepe a certaine forme of sâ—uÌ„d doctrine And you also most diligent hearers you I say that are studious of the holy Scriptures I doe not onely exhorte but also pray and beséech you wey with your selues the state of Religion and the state of our Churches consider what perills hange ouer our heades in these dayes by reason of the wickednes of our liues and maners beholde how many famous Doctors and notable lights of the Church our almighty father hath in a short space-taken froÌ„ vs All the most excellent Teachers our heauenly father calleth out of this life by littell and littell home to himselfe many other neither so well learned neither such louers of peace concord he leaueth stil aliue which are not so carefull as touching the safetie and preseruation of the Churches as they be for their owne priuate authoritie and gaines which séeke not so much the peace left vnto vs of Christ as they doe their owne prayse and glory though it be by fetting the Lordes Sanctuary on fyre and which if thy were not brideled by thautoritie of godly maiestrates would confounde heauen and earth togither Consider I say and seriously ponder all these thinges
and by his prouidence gouerneth the same when also the doctrine is expounded concerning the thrée persons the properties of euery person of the church of the law of sin of the gospell of repentaunce of faith of charytie of hope of the sacraments of the resurrection of the dead of eternall lyfe c. These and such lyke places are frequentlye founde in the Scriptures explaned in a iust method and after the popular mener of teaching Redargution or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is no other thinge then a destruction or confutation of false and eronious opinions which are obtruded of the enimies of truthe to deceue the ignoraunt and vnlearned For it is necessary that theyr mouthes be stopped by thautority of gods word for which cause the Apostle would haue him to be a Byshoppe or teacher of the church that coulde 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say reproue and conuince the gaynâ—speakers Thou shalt sée not seeldome times in the Sermons of the Prophetes of Christ and thapostles the phantasticall surmises of the Gentiles of the false prophets Pharisies and such lyke grieuously assaulted and vtterly ouerthrowne Furthermore Institution 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vnderstand to be that whereby the lyfe and maners are informed vnto Godlines The holy Scriptures doe abounde with precepts and exhortations of this kinde into whiche sufficiently tedyous and prolixe euery man slippeth euen without occasion and intending some other matter Correction 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is after a contrary order occupyed in reprouing of corrupt maners and of those crimes where vnto many men are perceiued to be giuen The Prophets Apostles in their Sermons are in nothyng more busye then inueyinge against their sinnes and wickednesse whom they couet to traine to repentaunce and to haue them become honest and vertuous Last of all vnder the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Consolation what oughte to be vnderstoode there is no man that can be ignoraunt seeing euery one of vs beynge daily conuicted of our owne iniquitie doe feele by experyence how greatly we stand in neede of consolations prepared for all euents And surely of comfortes and consolations which may assuredly stay erect vp afflicted mindes the sacred scripture is a most plentifull storehouse If therefore we will heare S. Paule what soeuer thinges may profitably be spoken out of the scriptures it is requisite that they be referred to these fiue ends or chapters Why then may we not say that accordinge to these same chapters all kindes of sermons ought to be distincted and deuided Herevnto is added that there is no treaty that hapeneth any where in the sacred scriptures which may not be placed vnder some one of these chapters as vnder a certayne captayne and guide It were no long work to demonstrate in the volumes of the Prophetes and Apostles iust Sermons the arguments and titles wherof might most aptly be prefixed after the sayde Chapters a proofe of which matter we wyll bringe in the sequell hereof and especially in the second Booke where shal be noted diuers and sundry examples And what if all thinges necessary to be knowne to a man carefull of his saluation are founde to be layde vp aboundantly in the same chapters for what things soeuer pertayne to sincere religion and christian piety are referred either vnto 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say knowledge or science or els vnto 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is action or doyng The author of this particion least any maÌ„ should finde fault therwith we haue the Apostle Paule which prayeth vnto God that all the godly may be filled as well with the knowledge of the misteries and will of God as also that after the measure of knowledge which fell vnto them they might fructifie in all good workes And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 verely is then made perfect when as those things are perceiued and allowed which bene true and agreeable to the first truthe manifested by the holy ghost and agayne those thinges be reiected which are false and vntrue Here then are eftsoones perceiued 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doctrine and râ—dargution But 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 leaning vpon actitons or works is altogither in this continually that it may shew forth worthy examples of honesty and vnfeigned holynes and as for thinges filthy and reprochefull shonne them with all indeuour In the meane while in that one poynt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or institution bewrayeth it selfe In this other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or correction Where as if againe it chaunceth any man eyther in these thinges which are referred vnto 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or in those that perteyne vnto 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to doubt wauer or feare in such sort that some great daunger of falling séemeth to hange ouer his head then must seasonable remedy bée applyed by ministringe apte consolations It is playne therefore that the order of comfortinge in the fift place ought in this wyse of necessitie to bée adioyned vnto the premisses Moreouer thrée thinges by the consent of all men are determined to be of themselues most worthy in which the spirituall lyfe of man doth wholely consist namely Fayth Charitie and Hope For when these things be in any man the diuine oracles testify that he shal neuer perishe And surely Fayth stickinge fast to the certeyne rules of the holy Ghost is susteyned and fortefied with doctrin and redargution Charitie busily applying to good workes is furthered and holpen forward with Institution and Correction Lastly Hope is nourished and cherished with swéet consolation and comfort Yea in thorder of these Chapters may al those thinges bée disposed also which the Rhetoricians doe comprehende in the thrée sayde common kyndes of Cases But on the other side not all the thinges agayne that are comprised in those Chapters can haue place vnder those kyndes of cases For those thinges that amonge the Oracles are ascribed to the kynde Iuditiall may conueniently bee handeled in redargution or correction Of which that one is applied to the state definit and this other to the state of qualytie But those thinges which are attributed to the kyndes delyberatiue and demonstratiue bée very aptelie placed vnder institution touching which matter we shall haue an other place agayne else where to entreate of But if thou shouldest requyre of the Rhetoritians a kynde of case to the which doctrin or consolation might be referred they coulde giue none at all as those that haue euermore set ouer the whole practise of Teachinge and comfortynge to the Philosophers of Vniuersities and thin-habitauntes of Scoles giuinge themselues to ouer muche ease and idlenesse in the meane tyme But hée that will followe the course and direction of those fiue Chapiters or fountaynes shall pretermit no order of Teaching which maye serue any thinge at all to the furtheraunce and information of the myndes of wretched men Which thinges séeinge they bée so it is very méete and
that the whole Sermon beâ— applyed to the reprouinge of a false opinion or to the correction and abolishinge of superstitions or of some euill inueterate custome then doubtelesse it is both seemely also very requisite that all thinges bée dissolued in order that are produced of obstinat men for the defence of their errors For great labor and dilligence is néedefull to the extirpinge and rooting out of peruerse opinions wherwith the myndes of men haue any longe tyme bene infected séeinge they alwayes subtilly and craftely goe about to imagine and contriue a number of thinges to establish and confirme their noysom opinions withall For after this sorte wee may sée confuted in the booke of Salomon which is entituled Ecclesiastes the false and erroneous opinions of many touchinge the soueraigne felicitie And the Apostle Paule in his Epistle to the Romaynes Cap. 5.6 and 7. wysely infringeth and dissolueeth no fewe thinges which the aduersaries obiected against the doctrine of iustificatioÌ„ by faith without workes Moreouer the Preacher shall vse all the order and conâ—ing in confutation which wée sée to be prescribed to the Orators and he shall franckely vse negation eleuation translation excusation digression regestion inuersion distinction absolution conquestion inuestigation of the matter and forme of argumentes after the maner of Logicke and whatsoeuer else is of this kynde For of all these thinges examples may be shewed in the Sermons of Christ the Prophetes and Apostles Notwithstandinge he must take dilligent héede of this that his Confutation bée vtterly voyde of all subtill sophistry that it bee without ostentation of the deceytfull drinkes of Logicke and lawelyke craftinesse to be short that it bee without any desyre of cauillinge And that verily for this cause least any man shoulds suspect hym either to trifle or else to bee desirous to circumuent and begyle his auditors Whereof the one is the poynt of shamefull vanitie and the other of malitious subteltie Full well goeth the ecclesiasticall discourse forward that is séene to bee decked and adorned with veritie and simplicitie Some there bee that in confutinge now and then become so hote and vehement that as men enraged wyth ire they brast forth into contumelious reproches yea and somtimes into Thiestes execratioÌ„s which whilest they doo they excéede all measure and mediocritie These men wee wishe to be admonished that they woulde endeuour themselues to restrayne with the bridell of charitie the excursion of their vehement and hasty Oration For it lesse offendeth albeit it bee a sharpe reprehension if it may bee vnderstood to procéede of charitie These thinges touchinge the maner of Confutinge applied to the Popular vnderstanding and congruent to euery kinde of Sermons whither it be a whole booke or a parte of the booke or some certaine place that is expounded or whither we entreat of affayres offred by occasion of tyme may suffise For the thinges that ought besides to be accommodate as proper to the kinde râ—dargutiue or correctiue those things we will with more dilligence declare when we shall seuerally entreat of the same kindes ¶ Of Conclusion Cap. XIII IN euery sacred Sermon eche parte or common place doth craue a briefe conclusion but besides that a certaine apte and conuenient peroration must be added to the whole oration Now it this if many notable places out of a whole booke or a part of a booke haue ben examined a short repetitioÌ„ is rightely made of some principal points Chapters therof If two or thrée places haue bene expouÌ„ded then of euery one in order may be called into memory some certayne proufes such as séeme to be most emineÌ„t probable nowe and then the Preacher strayeth onely in those thinges that pertayne to the last place the doctrine and vtilitie whereof he alonely studiously commendeth But in cace some one certaine place of Scripture or a Theame simple or compound shall thorow out the whole Sermon be declared at large or that the Sermon be taken in hande touchinge businesse which the state of the Church requireth to be handeled then for the most parte a peroration is accustomably bestowed in mouing of affectioÌ„s to the inteÌ„t meÌ„ may be stirred to desire or eschew to alow or dissalowe that whereof entreaty hath bene made Somtyme to Sermons of euery kinde are annexed exhortation or obiurgations vtterly deuided from those places that are before expounded Which then truely rightely commeth to passe when certayne affayres doe happen whereof it behoueth the people to bee admonished So Chrisostom in a place in the ende of his Sermon rebuketh those that neglectinge diuine Sermons vsed to gadd to the Theatre to beholde there the games on horsebacke called Ludi equestres The same in his Hoâ—â—lie 19. vppon Genesis after the Scriptures declared wyth a briefe conclusion hee passeth to an exhortation wherein he detesteth couetousnesse and requireth all men that they woulde endeuoure themselues to helpe the poore and to giue almose vnto them In his Homilie 15. after hee had besought his hearers that they would commende vnto their memory the thinges that had bene spoken touchinge the incomnparable mercy of GOD he admonisheth them that they woulds laboure to passe the residewe of the Lente fruitefully and studye not onely to absteyne from meates but also much more from sinne and wycked attemptes But most commonly he concludeth simply in prayinge and beseacute echinge his audientes that they woulde haue dilligent consideration of the holsome doctrine propounded vnto them that they woulde repeate it after they were returned home somtymes also declare it vnto others which we may sée him to haue done Homilie 2.14 and 20. vppon Genesis and else where and finally conuert it wholely to the amendement of their lyues Moreouer nowe and then the Preachers doe admonish in the conclusion of what matter they are determined to entreate in their Sermon followinge Out of Chrysostom Homilie 4. vppon Genesis also 4. vppon the first Epistle to the Corinth Item his 5. Tome Homilie 28. agaynst Swearinge some gather that the custome was in the church in tymes past that the people after the ende of the Sermon shoulde clappe their handes and make acclamations but so asmuch as this custome séemeth to haue folowed from the Theatre or market place it is worthely obsolete and growen out of vre Much better it is verely to ende all sacred Sermons with prayer or that wee certaynely knowe to bee done in some place wyth the confession of fayth that is to saye with the repetition of the Symboll Apostolyke or Nicaene ¶ Of Amplification Cap. XV. WHatsoeuer thinge is profitable either to teache perspicuousely or also to moue perswade withall all that shall the Preacher purchase to himselfe as most requisite and necessary furniture Therefore let him knowe that argumentations tripartite quinquepartite Enthymemata also Schemes and Tropes further the crafte of amplifying and mouing of affections and finally whatsoeuer else of this order is
that may afterward redounde to potterytie And these places verely may be taken as specifyed of the Orators but out of Diuinitie are deryued groundes of greater weight and importaunce as 8 Of that that wee ought not to be so fylthye and vile as that wee shoulde submit our mindes and bodyes to our enemy the Diuell to serue his wicked and diabolicall suggestions 9 Of that that we incurre the crime of disloyaltie yea and of high treason also if we reuolte from the tents of our sauiour Christ unto Beliall 10 of that that it is a great ingratitude and that more is an extreame cruelty to crucify Christ a fresh through our sinnes and to dispise his blood wherwith he hath once wasshed and sanctified vs. 11 Of that that by defylynge our selues with sin we grieue the holy ghost and doe slaunder the holy angells our kéepers yea and the vniuersall church of God. 12 Of the that by the grace of God assisting vs we may be able to refist the temptor and traitor sathan tame our flesh abandon evill thoughts c. 13 Of that that if we harken vnto the Deuill all the fault shall be imputed to vs and vnto our iniquitie neyther shal it bee lawfull to pretende any excuse at all but euen wee our selues shall bes punished for those enormities whiche by the prouocation of the deuill we commit 14 Of the paines that are threatned vnto sinners and the same not onely temporall but also eternall to the auoyding and eschewing wherof there is no way for vs to be founde except we repenting implore the ayde of Christe Somtimes occasion is offered vnto the preacher to sti◠vp his audients vnto loue that is to saye vnto charytie or beneuolence Which truly then chiefely commeth to passe when as entrety is made of some notable vertue or when the excellent déede of some Patryarke Prophet Apostle or of any other man of worthy memorye is celebrated and solempnised For héere it is conuenient to prouoke the mindes of men and so farforth as may be to enflame them to loue and imbrace so excellent and rare a vertue to the feruent study of imitating so notable a déede To the furtheraunce therefore of this matter much auaylable will be the reasons taken out of the places of thinges to be desyred and thinges to be eschewed to witte 1 Of the honestye Of the thinge 2 Of the godlynesse Of the thinge 3 Of the religiousnesse Of the thinge 4 Of the gloryousnesse Of the thinge 5 Of the easynesse Of the thinge 6 Of the necessitie Of the thinge All which thinges may briefely be confirmed and illustrated by reasons sentences examples similitudes deryued out of the treasurie of the sacred scriptures Item 7 Of the causes of thinges 8 Of the circumstaunces 9 Of the signes or accidents as well 10 Antecedent and 11 Adioyned to the matter it selfe as also 12 Conssquent c. Which kinde of places verily and those deduced out of Diuinite we sée the holy Prophets to vse as oft as thei exhort vnto rightuousnesse vnto modestie vnto humilitie vnto the confession of the knowne trueth vnto the diligence obseruation of the true worshippinge of god Neyther dothe any thinge what soeuer appertinent to this kynde of busynesse lesse notably appeare in those Sermons of Chrysostom in which he endeuoureth to traine men vnto pacience sobryetie hospitalytie liberalitie towardes the poore and other such lyke vertues Now to cause that feare of gods iudgemēt to be imprinted in the mindes of the hearers will be a helpe and furtheraunce proofes drawen forth 1 Of the the greatnesse of our sinnes which it behoueth to be amplyfyed out of the law by and through all the circumstaunces thereof 2 Of our owne vnworthynes and proper offence 3 Of our owne imbecilitie and weakenesse We that are voyde and destitute of all kinde of vertues what shall we obiect against the iudement of God 4 Of that that it is necessary the threatninges of God thould be accomplished without any exception 5 Of the grieuousnes of the paynes that are euidentley mentioned and set forth in the threatnings of God. 6 Of that that God executeth those things indifferentlye whereby both his iustice becommeth famous and his mercy also apparaunt 7 Of the examples of those men whō we know to haue bene sharply punished of God for their sinnes 8 Of that that God if he punisheth not by and by and if not in this lyfe yet after a shorte time or at least after this lyfe he repayeth due penalties accordynge to the desertes 9 Of that that no euasion of mans wisdom or industrye will serue to escape and winde out of Gods iudgement It is no difficult matter to accorde also some other places vnto these arguments touched before in the premisses The controlling Sermons of the Prophets and Apostles or of Chrysostome and other holy fathers doe throughlye abounde in this kinde Further to the procurement of hope and desyre of mercy doe conduce a number of places accustomed to be vsed in consolations but especially these 2 Of the confession of sinnes before God. 3 Of our humilytie or mortification 4 Of the continuall imploration of Gods ayde God despiseth not the prayers of them that humble themselues and dispaire of their owne strength 5 Of the power of the spirit assistinge vs in our prayers 6 Of the promises of God. 7 Of the naturall goodnesse of God that is the promiser whereby he will both be prayed vnto and also graciousely graunt our peticions 8 Of that that God delighteth to stande by his woorde and promise and will deceiue no man. 9 Of the intercession of Christ our mediatour 10 Of the effect of the death and all the merits of Christ 11 Of that that our father knoweth our necessities yea euen before the aske 12 Of our election vocation iustification 13 Of that that God neuer vtterly forsaketh those that be his but with fatherly compassion helpeth them before they fall into any extreame daunger To the furtheraunce also hereof let the Sermons consolatory or comfortatiue be read disposed to the fortifiynge and erecting of mindes in the conflicts of temptations and no doubt a much more plentifull matter will offer it selfe in them then can of vs in few words be comprised Lastly if thou intendest to prouoke the mindes of men vnto pitie and compassion which then truely is expedyent to be done when the people is to be admonished and required to be helpfull to the poore and needye to succour them that are afflicted with sicknesse shypwracke casualtie of fyer rage of waters warre or such lyke calamitie to labour with all dilygence to reduce those that erre or those that are almost fallen into desperation into the right way agayne or to pray vnto God for their health and safety thou shalt conueniently gather some reasons of these places followynge 1 Of the age as if it be a childe or an olde man that is afflicted 2 Of the sexe 3 Of
the condition or impotencye of the partye as if it be a poore man if it be a widow orphan c. 4 Of the innocency of lyfe Of hym that hath hurt no man nor shamefully and prodigally coÌ„sumed his substance we sooner take pitie and compassion 5 Of the former estate happy prosperous c. 6 Of the kinde of the calamitie 7 Of the greatnesse therof 8 Of the comparison of the present euill with other discommodities 9 Of the place time instrument maner and other circumstaunces 10 Of the power and crueltie of those that inferred the iniury 11 Of the prouidence of God disposing all thinges wisely and to the best which also would have present examples of calamities to be extant for our sakes to the ende a tryall might be had how we ought to behaue our selues in the afflictions of other men and that wee mighte haue occasion to exercise the duties of Charytie towardes the oppressed 12 Of the dignitie of hym that is distressed as namely that he is our brother pertaker of the same spirituall regenâ—ration with vs and redéemed with the self same blood of Christ 13 Also of that that our brother which is oppressed doth not suffer onely for his owne offences but rather for the example of others as Christ interpreteth the casualtye of those men that were slayne by the fall of the Tower in Siloe 14 Of the feare of the lyke euills hanginge ouer our heades For the punishments which we sée inflicted vnto others we ought to knowe that the same also are prepared for vs at all times by the good will and iuste iudgmente of God. 15 Lykewise of the precepts of God wherby we are commaunded to be mercyfull vnto other 16 Of the promises that are set forth vnto those that exercise the déedes of mercy 17 Of the threatninges both of temporall and eternall paynes which doe hang ouer as well the body as the soule of those that are not touched with compassion towardes others 18 Of the auoydyinge and contemninge of the sleightes of our spirituall enemies the fleshe the worlde the deuill that call vs away from well doyng and continually séeke to drawe vs into daunger misery and thraldom But bée it sufficient to haue rehearced these places in order which doe minister occasion wherby also other fitte and conuenient places may bée excogitate Moreouer somtime are published the most ample benefites purchassed by Christe very well therefore shall the Preacher with all force of wordes and couragiousnes of minde extimulate his hearers to wheigh exactely the greatenes of Christes benefites to the intente that by their ameÌ„dement of life and by their good and godly conuersation hereafter they may endeuoure to showe themselues thankfull for the same In this behalfe therefore hée shall not without good cause bestowe greate laboure and diligence But as we saide before lyke as these thinges are properly pertaininge to Diuinitie euen so the places applied to the mouinge of affections can not more conuenintly bée collected out of any other faculty those onely excepted which wee sée to bee contained amonge the rules of the Rhetoricians then out of Diuinitie it selfe Howebeit to stande longer vpon these pointes and to occupy the time in repeating and discoursing of these and such like places would be but a superfluous labour We séeme to haue perfourmed that which to our duty appertayneth in as much as we haue after a sorte shewed away wherein they that beginne at any time to trace shall easely enure themselues to drawe out of the fountaynes of Diuinitie places apte for euery kynde of argumente For Diuinitie is very ritch and ministreth most plentifully and liberally to euery one that seeketh all kynde of furniture requisite to the faculty of well speakinge But as touchinge figures which serue to the mouing of affectioÌ„s it is not neéedfull that wée should ad any thing further then the Orators haue done For such as they haue taught to bée profitable for this purpose all those shall the Preacher at his liberty appropriate to his owne oration Wherefore repetition heapinge of matter increasemeÌ„t contention exclamation interrogation subiection apostrophe communication dubitation permission silence hyperbole effiction imagination hypotyposis and other figures of the same kynde doe take place béeinge wyth iudgement applyed Albet oftetymes also the Preacher settinge a side all arte and cunninge and vtterly excluding all furniture and preparation doth vehemently moue and enclyne When namely the oracles of God the testimonies of the Prophetes the preceptes promyses comminations of God himselfe the interpretations of the holy Prophetes by reason of their certeynty dignitie and grauitie are perceyued to bée of so great weight and importance especially if a certayne comely and graue maner of elocution bée adioyned therevnto that they may eftesoones drawe yea and compell also euen those men that are stiffe and rude vnto mercy indignation hatred feare hope loue study and disire of imitation For it behoueth that to be true which the Lorde hymselfe sayth by the Prophet Ieremy namely that his word is as it were a fyre and lyke vnto a hammer that breaketh in sunder the harde stone Also that which the author of the Epistle to the Hebrues affirmeth The worde of GOD is very quicke and mighty in operation and sharper then any two edged sworde and entreth through euen to the deuiding a sonder of the soule and the spirite and of the ioyntes and the marye and is a discerner of the thoughtes and of the intentes of the harte In which behalfe truely that the Preacher is in better cace then the Orator all men must néedes confesse Furthermore where the Orators bée of opinion that it is not good to sticke longe especially in the affections that are ouer vehemente in that pointe wée also assente vnto them séeinge the thinges that are ouer vehement can in no wise bée of any longe contynuauÌ„ce But as for the gentiller sorte of affections to disperse them through euery parte of the Sermon it is very séemely and profytable for the Oration the alwayes créepeth lowe by the ground and neuer at any time mounteth vp a lofte or waxeth hote it is very lyke that such a one will bringe tediousnes bée disliked of the hearers Such as bée luke warme in the actions of pietie the Lorde hateth promiseth the he will spewe theÌ„ out of his mouth what shall wée then iudge of their Sermons that make others luke warme also Wherefore I might worthilie add herevnto examples wherein affections are moued out of the Prophetes and Apostles and likewise out of the holy fathers I myght also explane some thinges perticulerly by themselues makinge a perfect demonstration of the whole arte but I feare lest my discourse thould excéed hir prescribed compasse Howbeit some points I wil shew briefely by the way To the care of obteininge saluation Esay soliciteth Cap. 23. Ezechiell Cap. 6.16 18. Also Peter in he 2.
the deuises of mannes wisdome But assone as they perceiue themselues to be conuinced as well by the Scripture as by naturall reason they knowe not in the worlde which way to turne them Wherefore they conuert themselues to deceites and wiles and when they are fully bent in their mindes vppon mischiefe and in the meane time stand in doubte of all thinges they séeme as though they were moued with some fauour and zeale of the truth but in very déed they imagine nothinge els then howe to deface and oppresse it But at the length their malyce one way or other brusteth forth in such wise that the godly may both eschew them and auoide their snares pryuily prepared xxxi Institution All the godly therefore are admonished to béeware and circumspecte and to obserue diligently so far forth as may be the tokens whereby they may finde out the fraude and impietie of those men with whom they haue to doe Those that goe about to oppresse the truthe some are tirauntes some hipocrites of either of them we may beholde the image and paterne in Herode alone and goe no further Both of them at the first coulloure their deuises yea and fame themselue to séeke with the godly to promote the sincere worshipping of God as Herode saith here that hee will worshippe Christ But surely those affections of the mindâ— shime not forth neither doth that spirite appeare to bee in them which otherwise is to bee founde in the godly sort but rather alwayes there are noted in them either some wordes or déedes out of which it is no harde matter to gather their contempte and hatred of pure religion Such a one is this where Herode héere not without disdayne calleth Christ a childe sayinge Serch diligently for the younge childe Neither truely can the wicked any otherwise doe then extinuate the dignitie of Christ the worde of God the Church the ministery of the gospell and one while openly an other while ouerthwartly giue some signifycation of their malignante minde especially when they feare either that it will come to passe that their enormites shal bée disclosed and reproued or els their credite and commoditie any thinge empayred There is no doubt but that the Iewes perceiued some such signes in them which after they were brought out of Babilon into Iury would haue ioyned themselues as inhabitauntes vnto the Iewes returned out of captiuitie in buildinge of the Temple Howbeit Zorobabell would not admit them and that for good cause For albeit they auouched themselues to worshippe together with them one and the same GOD yet notwithstaÌ„ding sone after they declared many wayâ—s how cruel vnmercyful enemies they were of pure sincere religioÌ„ And loâ— the Starre which they had seene in the Easte went before them tyll it came and stoode ouer the place where the childe was XXXII and XXXIII Doctrine and Institution The iudgement of the Scriptures is heard the common incklinge engrauen in the mindes of all men likewise naturall causes are considered and that to the intente all those thinges so farre forth as may bée beinge compared amonge themselues bothe our Faith might be confirmed and also the knowledge of spirituall thinges chiefely of the rightuousnesse goodnesse mercy and power of God myght growe and encrease in vs. To which ende and purpose God himselfe oft times is accoustomed els where to adioyne eftesones vnto his worde and doctrine notable workes and effectes Let vs not contemne therefore the reasons and naturall causes which doe illustrate and set forth vnto vs the knowledge conteyned in the woorde of God and wonderfully helpe forwarde our weake vnderstandinge XXXIIII Doctrine There was néede of a Starre which shoulde shewe not onely the Citye but also the house yea and the childe himselfe It is very lykely that all thinge there were so vile and abiecte that no man woulde haue thought Christ the king to bée there Albeit the Scripture be a faithfull wytnes testifyer of the truth yet is it néedefull for vs to learne many thinges of men of causes naturall of signes and other of the same kinde which are ordynary and allowed of God and so be made certaine of many particular thinges necessary to be knowne And when they sawe the starre they reioyced exceedingly with greate ioye XXXV Institution The doctrine touchinge spiritual matters by which we are directed vnto Christ doo profite in Christ we ought to imbrace with gladd ioyfull minde and also to giue thanckes vnto God for the same Which thinge truely they gladly wil doe that haue any vnderstandinge at all what great vâ—iliâ—ie and profyte commeth of sounde doctrine And entring into the house they founde the young childe with Mary his Mother and fell downe and worshipped him and openinge their treasures they presented vnto him giftes Gode and Frankensence and Myrhe XXXXVI and XXXVII Doctrine and Institution Faith fyxed on the promises of God is not dcceiued but like as god that promiseth is true so the faith also of the belieuer fyndeth at the length the trueth by experience and perceyueth in déede the large fruites of fayth By fayth the wise men were drawen out of farre Countries into Bethlem for howe shoulde they haue taken vppon them so longe difficulte and daungerous a iorney the way being altogether vnknowne vnto them except they had bene incensed with a wonderfull Fayth there then they founde in very déede that which afore they beléeued Therefore let vs also lokinge vppon the promises of god touchinge the benefytes as well of the life present as to come neuer caste away our faith but by the example of the faithfull Abraham beyond hope beléeue vnder hope nothinge doubtinge but that God will performe his promises if not for our cause which verely are vnworthy of his benefytes yet for his owne sake xxxviii Doctrine The wise men whilest they honour Christ with that honour which is due to God alone doe confesse Christ not onely to be man but also true and perfecte God. Which thing they fyrst learned in Persia by reuelation from heauen afterwarde in Iury by the oracles of the Prophetes XXXIX and XL. Redargucion and Doctrine Here are conuinced all heretikes as the Ebionites Cerinthians and such like which contended that Christ is onely pure man and not god But much more grieuously are confuted the Iewes which when they had heard partly of the wise men partly out of the Scripture many and most certaine testimonies touchinge Christ yet would they not adioyne them selues to the wise men to the intent to worshippe him as neyther they will be perswaded to this daye to worshippe and ackonwledge Christ to be true god Howe much better had it bene neuer to haue had any knowledge of Christ at all for vndoubtedly looke how much more manifestly Christ is declared vnto them so much more grieuously shall they be punished whiche refuse to beléeue in him beinge knowne But in déed those thinges ought to be fulfilled which God longe before by his Prophetes
be feared Certaine it is that if we which haue longe since receyued the light of the gospell doe not procéede to bringe forth fruites worthy of the gospell otherwise then hitherto we haue done God will soner then we be aware take him kingdome away from vs and giue it to a nation that will bringe forth worthy fruites in déede When will ye â—wake O ye stubburne and stiffenecked people oppressed with continuall sléepe XI and XII Institution and Consolation With what force and power all wiches hypocrites false teachars heretickes and tyrauntes haue to this presente day withstoode our sauiour and redéemer Christe from the time that he was fyrst manifested in the fleshe may partly out of the Euangelicall history Actes and writinges of the Apostles partly out of the Ecclesiasticall stories inough and to much appere And surely in Christ which is in many thinges set forth to vs for an example shineth a type or figure of the christian lyfe and euen of the whole Church Wherefore séeinge Christ himselfe hath alwayes susteyned contradictions and controlementes it is not to bée meruayled at if the godly also bée oftetymes and in many thinges spoken againste For contradiction or persecution we may knowe to bée as a sure token whereby the true Church of Christ is discerned from the sinagoge of Sathan For so it is prouyded that as many as will liue godly in Christe Iesu muste suffer persecution And as hee that was borne after the fleshe persecuted him that was borne after the spirite euen so is it nowe And our Lorde Christe hymselfe vnto his disciples If yee were of the worlde saith he the worlde woulde loue his owne If they haue persecuted mee they will also perâ—ute you But let vs be of a good courage and comfort our selues in aduersitye by the example of Christe goinge before vs. We knowe well ynoughe that seruauntes can not be in better place then their lorde is in wherefore let vs valyauntly susteyne the lot that God hath appointed vs in the confession of the Gospel nothing doubting But that if we suffer and be humbled heere with Christ we shall also with him be exalted and haue the fruitioÌ„ of eternal glory And moreouer the sworde shall pearce the soule that the thoughtes of many hartes may be opened XIII Doctrine The blessed Virgin hir selfe sufferd no doubt excedinge much griefe and anguishe for Christes cause For what hart had she may we thincke I say not when for feare of Herode she was driuen to flye into Aegipte and there liue longe time an exull nor wheÌ„ afterwarde beinge loste by the way she fought hir sonne very carefully in euery company but when she sawe him hanging on the crosse and distressed with al kinde of contumelies There is no doubte but that she was then vehemensly troubled and had almost thought that he was not the true Messias whom afore she beleued of whom she had conceiued a most certaine hope Such an offendicle therefore or at least such inwarde heauines is noted by the Metonimye of a sworde bringinge sorowe with it Howebeit héere we may learne that no man is so perfect but that nowe and then he suffereth some offence vaynquished by the infyrmitie of the fléesh by reason of Christ or the Gospell For euen the Saintes also doe oftetimes complaine that their féete are well nie caused to slide whiles they behold the godly here on earth to bée afflicted and the wicked to florishe in sprosperitie But so it is God helpeth his chosen in due tyme and by streatchinge forth as it were his hande lifteth them vp whom he perceyueth to be in daunger Temptations are not perpetuall neither doth God suffer any to bée tormoyled with them aboue their strength XIIII Institution Let vs acknowledge therefore our owne weakenes and if at any tyme it chaunceth vs to wauer and fayle either in doctrine or déedes let vs remember that we are not better then the residue of the Saintes and with all let vs require and expecte at gods hande that he woulde confyrme vs in the trueth XV. Doctrine Ruine or vprisinge as they happen for Christes cause are not light or hidden such as manye be apprehended onely by thoughts but very graue sharpe vehement and such as are apparaunt and open so that all men haue power to iudge of them For all maner of offences doe first springe in the harte where the thoughts doe accuse or also excuse one an other and as ye would saye striue and conflicte amonge themselues notwithstanding a litle while after they breake forth into wordes or else into manifest déedes So lurked the offence of CHRIST some whiles in the hart of Peter whylest he priuily thought That Christ whom the Iews so spitefully entreated was in no wise the true Messias But in short space aster his thoughtes were disclosed when he openly reuolted from Christ yea and flatly denyed that euer he knewe him Wherefore howe Christ was to him an occasion of ruine or fallinge euery manne myght then easily iudge Contrarywise they that beléeue doe fyrst in their harte beléeue vnto rightuousnesse and afterward with their mouth make confession to saluation Which whilest they doe all men maye iudge howe CHRIST is to them a resurrectyon or vprisynge againe XVI Institution Seing therfore the cace standeth thus that euery offence is first conceyued in the hart and after commeth abrode into light It be honeth vs truely to pray vnfeignedly to God that he would vouchsafe so to purge and fortify our hartes with his spirite that no offenses take any roote in them Or if at any time we beginne to wauer and doubte as touching the dignity of Christ or excellency of the Gospell then that he would by his holy spirite and word strengthen vs before such cogitations come to light whereby extreme destruction should of nessitye folowe And there was one Anna a prophetisse the daughter of Phanuell of the tribe of Aser she was of a great age and had liued with an husband seuen yeres from hir virginitie And she had bene a widowe about fower score and fower yeres which departed not from the temple but serued god with fastinges and prayers night and daye XVII Doctrine In this seconde parte touchinge the confession of Anna where many thinges are rehearced attributed to hir persone as the name of Anne the gifte wherewith shée was adorned prophesie hir parentes tribe age hir former state of life hir widdowehoode place she departed not out of the temple hir exercise or maners she serued GOD with fastinges and praiers night and daye these thinges I say thus attributed vnto hir wee shall perceyue to bée heaped together to the amplifyinge and augmentinge of hir dignitie by reason whereof the autoritie of hir testimonye or confession which she made of Christe is of necessitie also illustrated and increased Herevpon wée haue to consider that there is no estate or degrée of men which God refuseth but that euen to all so
where it is described what maner of person the sayde Anna was how godly and vnblameably she lyued very oportunely next after those wordes briefelye declared shall be added that wheresoeuer the confession of faith taketh place ther ought also manifest fruits of faith and manifold exercises of pietie to be seene Finally that confession is known to be perfect which on the one syde is accompanied with the perils of temptations perfecution and on the other side with the notable fruites of faith With suche a confession God is delighted the rest of the godly are strengthened the enemies are directed and discouraged the Diuell hymselfe is discomfited and subdude Fourthly Anna is reported to haue confessed lyke wise and agreeing in al poynts with SimeoÌ„ to haue spoken 〈◊〉 so of Christ to al the looked for redemption Not without cause therfore shall be declared in the last place how it behoueth the a confession in al the partes members therof be agreeable with the worde of god further the it remayne apparaunt franck firme and constant euen to the ende of lyfe And thus the whole sermon very neere shall be spent about one common plate touching the making of a confession of faith But I feare least ther be some that wil cry out and accuse me to be ouer tedious wherfore I forbeare to adde any more examples Further there is no cause why any man shoulde suppose the héere are digested allegorical interpretations For the state is alwaies drawen forth out of certaine words apparauntly placed in the narration Neither is digressioÌ„ made in the explication of the parts from the natiue sygnifycation of the words which in euery allegory is accustomed to be done Besydes there is no other thing sought for héere then that the interpretation of the parts may both be directed to one fountaine or common place also conuerted to the coÌ„mon instruction of life in rightuousnes For if somtimes out of doctrines yet for the most parte we sée al this order of interpreting to be gathered out of institutions which otherwise according to that forme that I haue exhibited in the thirde chapter may be excerpted out of the same meÌ„bers And now theÌ„ there happeÌ„ such narratioÌ„s as séeme to minister very little matter to teache wherefore it is no lesse requisite then profytable that the partes thereof be expounded after this sort as touching some certaine common and large stretching place Thefore truely a man may more rightly terme all this kind of â—narration instructiue or morall then allegorycall And to be true that we saye we will shewe it by an example taken out of Christom For he in his homilie 67. vpon Mathew séeking occasion to prouoke his hearers to deserue well of the poore selecteth two partes out of the text of the euangelical histore which he interpreteth of one the same coÌ„mon place procéeding in the like order that wee haue done and so longe taryeth he in them as he iudgeth to be most fyt conuenient The one part is of Christ the king méeke poore whiche was contented to be caried vpon a she Asse wherin Chrisostom teacheth that those things are only of vs to be sought for which the necessary vse of lyfe doth require and that pouerty is to be taken in good part of al men The other wherein it is sayd that some layde their garments vpon the Asse some spread them in the way this Chrisostom explaneth as touching helping and clothinge of the poore Therefore to the commending and setting forth of the poore tendeth the explications of the cause of the two partes and standinge somwhat long vpon either of them with great sharpenes of speache setting abroche all the engings of arguments he exhorteth vrgeth soliciteth impelleth all men to indeuour to be benefyciall to the poore Nowe that héere are to be séene allegorycall interpretations no man being in his right minde will affirme but all men may easely perceiue them to bee playne instructions Howbeit in the same sermon Crisostom there rather vseth an allegory where he auoucheth that by the Asse is sygnifyed the Iewish people accustomed to beare the burthen of the lawe and by the Colte the Gentiles which liued alwayes without the law without burthen without the discipline of Gods commaundements That the Asse like wise and hir Colts were brought of the disciples forasmuch as the Apostles by the preaching of the word ought to conduct both the peoples vnto Christ That Christ moreouer rode vppon either beast as theyr Lord for that he gathered to himselfe of either people an obedient Church and that the Gospell is paciently heard of their both That no man forbad the beasts to be brought vnto christ bicause it lyeth not in the power of any man to stop the course of the Gospel In the Colt so sodenly admitting one to take his 〈◊〉 without kicking to be shewed the prompt ready minde of the Gentiles in receiuing of the Gospell Agayne whilest the Asse commeth after the Colte to be signifyed that after Christ hath drawen vnto hym all the Gentiles the Iewes also will one day with greate zeale follow after By the disciples putting their clothes vpon the beasts that Christ might the more conueniently syt to he mente the teachers of the Gospell which ought not vnwillingly to bestow all that euer they haue yea euen their bodye and soule so that their hearers may be furthered and the glory of Christ more and more set forth And thus muche welnigh hath Chrisostom in that place But yet there is no man that séth not the interpretations to be very discrepant where one sayeth that forasmuche as Christe was contented to be caryed on an Asse and hir Colte we are taught that wee ought to liue contented with a fewe thinges and pacientlye to beare our necessetie and agayne for that Christe was caried vppon an Asse and hir Colte to bee signified twoe peoples to wit the Iewes and Gentiles that shoulde acknowledge Christ to be their Lord and receyue his gospell Agayne there is founde no smal difference in case where the disciples are reported to haue layed their garmentes vpon the beastes whereon Christ ought to sitte it be one while added that all men are there admonished willingly to giue clothes and other necessarys to the poore an other while it be sayde to signifye howe it behoueth the Preachers of the Gospell to bestowe all that they haue yea euen their body and soule for their flock Certes those former interpretations are excerpted out of the natiue sense of the words standing in the text and be perspicuously referred to the institution of lyfe whiche thing is the cause why Chrisostom discusseth them with a more plentifull discourse but in the later interpretacions digression is made from the proper signifycation of the wordes wherefore that they are allegorycall and for that cause the lesse profitable to the information of lyfe and mouing of affections there is no man that canne well dissemble
alwaies an entier booke not alwaies a parte of a booke is offered to be declared but ofte times it behoueth the Sermon to bée framed to the people of one onely sentence or of one place of Scripture and the same also not very largely stretchinge But that the same order of gatheringe diuers common places shoulde héere bée vsurped which we haue shewed to be profitable in the premisses it can by no meanes bée What then will some man saye remaineth to bée done In what maner and method shal one place or one certain sentence bée fruitfully declared Wée so far forth as we maye will set forth a most syt and absolute forme which excepte any shall deuise a better it shall bée expedient for him to folowe and as well for breuities sake as also that it may become the more clere and euident we will comprehende the same in certaine obseruations I. Before all thinges it is conuenient very carefully to consider and to declare vnto the people vppon what occasion or to what ende the author of the sacred booke out of which the place or sentence is taken spake and pronounced those wordes And that for this cause that whilest wée declare of what matter wée will speake and what our purpose is we may credibly auouche that we will in no wise abuse an other mans sayinge neither transfer it vnto other purposes theÌ„ is méete but vsurpe it altogeher in the same or at leaste in the like cause for which the author himselfe did so speak After this maner we may sée Peter Act. 2. intendinge to interprete certayne wordes taken out of the Psalme 16. as touchinge Christe risynge againe from death prudently to add some thinges of Dauid and of his meaninge and iudgemente in those wordes And truely it standeth vs very much vppon to deale faithfully and vprightly in this behalfe For it is a greuous offence yea and the holy Ghost is moued with vnspeakeable reproch in cace a man doth force or wreste any sentence out of the scriptures to any other ende or purpose then becommeth him He that shall be founde to haue done this but once doth quickly loose all his authoritie with the hearers and afterwarde yea euen then when he alledgeth the Scriptures aright he shall hardely bee credited To apply aptely and properly the Scriptures to present busines and affaires is the principall vertue that belongeth to a preacher II. Where it is nowe discouered of what matter wée minde to entreate and declared that the sentence taken out of the holy scripture accordeth to our purpose the next poynt is that we diligently consider whether that very sentence as it standeth in the sacred writer doth minister any proofes at all of causes circumstaunces signes or discriptions agréeable to the busines of which entreaty is made As many as are founde to be such shall worthily before any other be brought forth and as those that be of greate weight and importaunce forasmuch as they answer to the minde and method of the author from whiche it is not lawfull vnaduisedly to depart and doe in all pointes agrée with our matters shall studiously be digested adorned and inculked Neither is it a hard matter to drawe forth such kinde of proofes or argumentes partly out of the thinges that lye hid and are included in the sentence it selfe and partely out of those things that either goe before or folowe after the same Of this kinde I would affyrme it to be tht Peter Act. 2. in that Sermon whereof mention is made before to the intent he might shew the he rightely vsurpeth the sayinge of Dauid reduceth into memory howe Dauid in that he was a prophet knewe before hand that Christe after the flesh should take his beginning out of his posteritye and therfore also by the inspiration of the holy Ghost prophesied before of Christes rising againe And whosoeuer is but meanely exercised in the holy scriptures may easely perceyue that in the same Psalme as of the death and great deiection of Christ so also certaine thinges are ioyntly spoken of his resurrection It is not much vnlyke that the Apostle Galat. 3. speakinge of the Gentiles that should be blessed in the séede of Abraham affirmeth those that are of faith to be the sonnes of Abraham and howe it was longe before tould vnto Abraham that it would please God to iustifie the Gentiles by fayth againe where he addeth that the inheritaunce was giuen vnto Abraham by promise III. Moreouer it is very profitable to make as it were a certaine resolution of the whole sacred sentence and to examine in a iust balaunce euery words therein and diligently to ensearche the significatioÌ„ force and vse of them And that to thintâ—nt out of euery of them may be gathered certaine argumentes or proofes agreable to the state of th appointed Sermon and may afterward be oportunely applied to teache and instruct the hearers Of which craft and diligence I meane in drawing foorth of proofes out of euery worde well nighe of any one sentence we haue the holye Scripture it selfe as a moste expert maistres and most faithfull teacher Which thing we will straight wayes make playne and euident III. After the wordes wisely weighed and considered it is requisite that we procéede with like industrye to a more exacte contemplation of the matters themselues or affayres which in euery sentence are signified For it is not very lykely that there shoulde any where happen thinges of them selues so barren that a man may not out of theÌ„ if at least he be not altogither endued with a blount and blockishe witte deuise and excogitate some profes profitable to teach He that hath once throughlye sifted and examined the thinges whereof he entreath may easely finde the meanes to make his oration become both frutefull plentious and delectable We see in this behalfe the Apostle Paule after arguments draweÌ„ out of euery worde of one peculiar sentence to heape vp still a plentifull matter of other proofes and the same flowing out of the nature of the thinges themselues The examples which we will a litell after touche shall plainely testifie this thinge to he true V. Last of all to him that feareth and suspecteth that he shall want sufficient matter of speaking we giue this aduice namely that he put before his eyes the places of inuencion which he knoweth to be attributed vnto that kinde of Sermons to which the sentence of the sacred author appertayneth For euery kinde of sermon as is afore sayde hath certayne proper and peculiar places of inuention the order whereof beinge attentiuely considered we are eftsones admonished of many thinges which maye aptely be spoken of eche kinde of busines taken in hande Therefore him that shall speake of a sentence or state of the kinde didascalick we remitte to the places of inuentioÌ„ as well diuine as other not diuine that he may so longe exercyse himselfe in them as that he maye procure for his true méete and sufficient furniture therby Of which
within thy palaces In the second tome is read an homilie concerninge those words of Math. 25 That which ye haue done to one of these little ones ye haue done vnto mee In the thirde tome are expounded in entire Sermons these places out of Iohn 4. The true worshippers shall worship the father in spirite and trueth Out of Iohn 15. Yee are my friends if ye doe whatsoeuer I commaund you which sentence he explaneth in two homilies Out of the i. Cor. xi There must be heresies that the approued might be knowen Out of other writers other examples may be had Howbeit whensoeuer the members of a sentence or any place be in that order which is spoken off expounded and declared it is the parte truely of a wise interpreter to consyder what speciall poyntes bene expedient out of them according to the state of the church and the publike vtilitie or necessitie either largely or compendiouslye to be handeled This thing is also to be vnderstoode that those to whom it apperteyneth to preache of present businesse affaires offered by occasion doe sometimes excerpte some sentence or place out of the scripture and apply it to their purpose somtimes agayne vse no place of scripture at all in the beginninge What time therefore they prefixe to their Sermon any place of Scripture they shall very aptlye haue recourse vnto that forme of interpreting whiche in this presente Chapter we haue indeuoured to shew and commend vnto all men ¶ A simple Theame how it ought to be discussed in the kinde Didascalick Cap. VIII OFt times in this didascalik kind in which we are yet busy hauing one while no reding or sentence of the holy scriptures going before an other while agayne after the somewhat hath bene declared out of the scriptures it behoueth vs to handle simple theames and to entreat somtime more largely somtime more briefely of faith loue hope the law sinne death of the Gospel and such like Luke reporteth Act. 24. that Saint Paule disputed before the president Felix as touching iustice and temperaunce of the iudgement to come Which disputations would god we might haue had they would haue bene no doubt greatly for our commodyty Neuerthelesse we will assay to exhibit a certayne order of examining those theames profytable and easye to be knowne to all men It must bee called to remembraunce that there were two formes or orders of places of inuention once attrybuted of vs vnto this kinde in the former wherof we reherced the diuine places of vs afterwarde termed somewhere generall that is to say doctrine redargution institution correction and consolation in the latter we disposed partly the places which commonlye after the receyued maner they call logicall and reduce them to certayne questions partelye other also taken out of Diuinitie it selfe Now therfore let vs sée howe by the direction and ayde of those places a single theme may and ought to be expounded with the fruite of the hearers But to the intente all this deuise may become the more cléere and euery man the sooner perceiue it wee will comprise in certayne obseruations whatsoeuer conduceth therevnto I It séemeth good by all meanes that he that wyll declare a simple theme doe prescribe to himselfe following the example of the Logicians a certayne order of questions and exactly serch First What it is of which the sacred Sermon is appointed secondly what partes or how many formes be thereof thirdelye what the causes bee fourthly what the duties or effectes fyftely what thinges be of aliaunce therevnto sixtly and lastely what contraries it hath Neither shall any man thinke this order to be dispised séeing it is very much profytable as well for the teacher as also for the learners to haue a certayne method reteined and kept But me thinketh I here some man obiecting vnto me that this forme of entreating which I speake off is more frequented of Aristotle and of his followers the Logicians then of the Diuines And that very seldom or neuer among the prophets or holye fathers are to be founde any sermons simply declared in this method Verily I wyll say that which is trueth To the enserching and drawing forth of the nature of euery thing out of darknesse as many certes as are wisely occupyed in the office of preaching so oft as they wyll entreat of simple theames doe set before them as a rule this order of questions But yet this difference is to be marked betwene a Logician or philosopher and a diuine preacher The Logician truely by his owne proper right as he the vndertaketh and promiseth that he will vtter bring forth whatsoeuer may probably be sayde of euery argument that is offered imagineth the he hath disciples desyrous to bee come philosophers very curiouslye and subtelty pursueth the course of all the saide questions But the Diuine and specially the Preacher whiche professeth himselfe to be the teacher of the whole multitude and in it of a greate number of vnlearned suffereth not his oration to be enclosed in so narrow straightes but as one raunging in a champion fielde choseth those questions onely to be explaned whiche he supposeth to be moste congruent to the vnderstanding of his hearers and also most fyt for the place and time Wherfore albeit be premeditating at home in his studye what thinges are expedyent to bee propounded in the Church haue those questions before his eyes as the moderators of his thoughtes yet after that hee hath some while debated the matter he sticketh faste in the inuestigation onelye of one or two or els of thrée questions at the most Herevpon therfore grew the custome whereby for the most part the pastors of churches do in the first place learnedly discouer what the thing is of whiche they purpose to entreate Where if they be perswaded that the thing is knowen already to the hearers then with good cause pretermit they that question From thence they procéede to an other question whiche they déeme to be most conueniente for the place time and persones and doe alledge somewhat peraduenture of the thirde question whiche is as touching the causes This being accomplished they passe to that whiche is the fourth in number namely concerninge the duties or effectes And in this wise with the explication of two or haply of thrée questions they make account to satisfy their hearers Somtimes and that not seldome there happen thinges which in no cace doe admit all the said questions in Diuinitie As for example there is offered a thing that can be deuided into no parts or formes Why then should there be a question prefixed of diuers partes or formes In lyke maner when there can be giuen no contraryes of a thing doubtles it were very ridiculous to assigne a question to be discussed of contraryes To be short there may happen also such a theame as may easely be conueighed through all the orders of questions yet notwithstandinge the godlye Preacher forasmuche as he enioyeth as I sayde frée
is this knowledge touching the condemnation of wicked affections imprinted in the mindes of al men that euen the heathen lawe makers and iudges doubted not to pronounce that the will somtimes is to be estemed as the déede it selfe Which thinge also the Satyricall Poete in his Satyre 13. noted in these verses followinge These paynes and penalties of sinne the onely will sustaynes For looke in whom a secret thought on mischiefe sette remaynes Hee guyltie is of thactuall deed c. Now hitherto doe these thinges tende and therefore are they thus appointed to the intent we may know how that God like as he would haue man by him created to consist of two most excellent partes that is to saye of minde and body so also that he would perpetually kéepe and reteine him wholly adicted to himselfe and bee of him deuoutly worshipped in eyther of the said partes But God veryly is a spirite and therefore that kinde of worship chiefely pleaseth him which procéedeth from the moste noble part of vs to wit the minde the spirite or soule And to the ende this thinge might the more conueniently be in this wise of men accomplished it hath pleased God to impart his spirit also to the faithfull by the which their spirite may be stirred vp gouerned and holpeÌ„ forward to the right exhibitinge of spirituall worship By meanes whereof the spirite of god also witnesseth together with the spirite of the faythfull that they are the sonnes of god by like indeuoure induceth them to crye Abba Eather Moreouer by this meanes the minde the harte the soule the spirite the affections thoughtes will study and by what name soeuer it may be called whatsoeuer is found to be most excellent in man doe procéede further in the internall and true spirituall seruice of God and in the same are exercised without intermission Againe forasmuch as the same God is the creator also of mannes body it is very méete doubtles that this wonderfull worke in like maner doe acknowledge reuerence and celebrate his maker Wherefore it behoueth vs also to worship God in our body This thinge is the cause why the Apostle Romaines 12. beseecheth all the beleeuers that they woulde make their bodies a quick sacrifice holy and acceptable vnto God their reasonable seruice And Rom. 6. he exhorteth them in this maner As you haue giuen your members seruauntes to vncleaÌ„nes and iniquitie from one iniquitie to an other Euen so nowe giue your members seruauntes vnto rightuousnes to holines Which thinges forasmuch as they are so consider O maÌ„ and applye thy selfe vnto this that thou maist with all thine indeuour consecrate thy selfe wholly vnto god serue him with all thine harte with all thy soule and with all thy strength yea and with all thy bodye also Kéepe thy handes and beware least thou commit anye wicked acte with them Refraine thy tongue neither let any reproch filthy speakinge leasinge scurrilitie or euill language procéede out of thy mouth last of all studye also to bridle thy corrupt affections and cogitations Take héede thou be not brought into that beliefe that thou maiste followe thy fancye as touchinge thoughtes for that they are not séene neither can any man reproue thée for them Inasmuch as out of theÌ„ all maner of offences whither they be coÌ„mitted with the tongue or any other members doe take as Christ witnesseth Marke 7. their beginninge But when thou féelest thy selfe ouer weake and almost destitute of strength knowe that it is thy part duty to cal coÌ„tinually vpon god thy heauenly father and with inwarde groninge teares to praye vnto him that he would create a pure harte within thée that he would turne awaye thine eyes least they behold vanytie that he would apply thy tongue to speake that which is good and godly that he would direct thy handes to the doinge of laudable actions and such as are acceptable vnto him that he would kéepe thée wholly both in minde and body harmeles and innocent and that he would alwaies further thée to the exercising of the duties of godlynes and pietie For vndoubtedly except God of his mercy doe prouide that thou be not tempted or if temptation come that thou bée spéedily deliuered from it thou canst in â—o wyse be frée from sinne But thus far touchinge the question what the thing is I feare least ouer much For in case wee should séeme to proséede in this order our discourse would grow to be ouer tedious It is requisite therefore that we vse henceforwarde breuitie and note onely certayne poynts of things briefely as touching the seconde question The sinne in which we are borne is by the fall of our first parentes deriued into all their posteritie wherof so great is the force that we can neuer be inclyned to that whiche is good nor obey the law of God wherefore we are founde guilty also through our owne offence There is a sinne the euery man wheÌ„ he is now come to perfect reasoÌ„ vnderstanding coÌ„mitteth of his owne wil by transgressing the law of god either in thought word or déede That sinne they cal oryginall this actual of which chiefely we haue hitherto entreated Moreouer the holy scripture coÌ„memorateth sins of omission ignoraunce as namely when one is founde to be gilty for that he hath not perfourmed those things which he ought or in such order as he ought to haue done agayne when he sinneth where he least thought yea supposed also the he had done well after which sorte S. Paule confesseth in moe places then one the he had grieuously offended Furthermore some sins are called straunge or extraordinary as when a man commeth into daunger sustayneth blame for an other mans offence And what wil ye say to that sinne where Christ pronounceth him worthy of most grieuous punishmeÌ„t which shal minister to an other an offeÌ„ce occasioÌ„ of falling But how hard a thing is it to know whether the brethren the are present be weake soone offended or whether they be strong throughly instructed Againe further the sin committed against the holy ghost is saide neuer to be forgiuen Now among so many sundry sorts of sins Iohn teacheth 1. epist. cap. v. the there is one kinde of sin vnto death an other not vnto death But what shal néede many wordes We are compelled to â—btles to say with the prophet Our errors or sinnes who may comprehend So great therfore is the varyetie in sinnes that it enforceth vs to confesse the law of god to be most largely spred abroad neither that we can so easely attayne the sence and effect thereof as a great number doe suppose For what soeuer thinges are any where discoursed or rehersed in the sacred scriptures as touching good or euill déedes those thinges ought with very good right to be taken of vs for a commentary and interpretation of the same law Moreouer it behoueth vs héere to consider the seuerytie of Gods
as it is required of vs that we should expound a parte of an holy boke or also some certaine place taken out of the holy Scripture it is by all meanes very requisite that we expresse the state or summe of those thinges whereof wée will entreate in one theame compounde And that the like thinge happeneth somtimes when entreatie is made of an entier booke of Scripture wée haue already by examples brought as touchinge Ecclesiastes Cantica Salomonis and the Gospell after Iohn aboue declared Besides when any thinge falleth out by occasion to be talked off in the pulpit it is necessary that the same be propounded in a theame compounde Of this sorte it is if I say Honger or drouth is paciently and quietly of vs to be endured God by his iust iudgement sent the calamitie that fell through haile Of the one Theame Basilius Magnus most grauely entreateth of the other Gregorius Nazianzenus Now hereby it maye plainely appeare that the vse of those thinges which are to bée touched in this Chapter is of very great importance in the Church of god In the meane time it shall be lawfull briefely to absolue these thinges forasmuch as very many pointes doe accorde herevnto which are sufficiently at large discussed in the former Chapters I. Where if so bée therefore thou be determined to handle a theame compounde when a whole booke is taken in hande to be declared or a part out of any booke of scripture is proposed to the multitude there is no man that seeth not the very text of the diuine wordes which are recited in the sacred assembly to minister and suggest by it selfe many and diuers things which may both godly and relygiousely be vttered and through euery part thereof be aptly dilated and amplified It shall then therefore be best to imitate followe some one of those orders of expoūding which we haue comprised in the 3.4.5.6 chapters of this present boke II. But where as no reading or lecture of holy Scripture ouer longe shall goe before but onely either a briefe sentence or a place out of some sacred booke shall be taken in hande or els no wordes at all be premised out of the scriptures thē truely it shall be expedient thoroughly and exactly to consider all those thinges in order which we haue in certaine obseruations comprehended noted in the seauenth Chapter as touchinge the maner of handelinge one place or sentence of scripture For it is conuenient that the same consideration be had as well of a sentence as of a theame compounde A proufe hereof is this that oftentimes those that are purposed to declare a theame compound doe gladly borrowe some sentence out of the scriptures which may be agreable to their purpose doe prefixe it before their Sermon or in any wise insert it The Apostle to the Romaynes 4. intendinge to proue that man is iustified by faith taketh that sentence out of Gene. 15. Abrahā beleeued god it was imputed vnto him for rightuousnes In the Epistle to the Galathians handeling the same matter he produceth out of Geneses 22 the promise of god made vnto Abraham In thee or in thy seede shal al the nations of the earth be blessed Moreouer in the two sayd Epistles in that to the Hebrues is prefixed a theame compounde or briefe sentence out of the prophet Abacuc 2. The iust man shall liue by fayth That the same craft or cunning therfore is aptly to be applied to the tractatiō of a theame cōpound which a litell before we shewed to be requisit to the discussing of a sētence or place of holy scripture ther is no cause why any man should doubte III. And forasmuch as wée then also admonished that it is somtime very necessary in case a resolution of a sentence or place taken out of the Scriptures be had and all the partes therof examined a parte it shall be profitable also to vse the like experience in the tractation of a theame compounde When this thinge is to be done it shall be conuenient not onely to goe that waye to worke which we haue shewed to bee open vnto vs in the holy Scriptures and that truely very excellent but also wée shall gette furniture of teachinge both substanciall and plentious out of those thinges whiche in the former Chapter bée of vs declared as touchinge the explanation of simple theames For certes the places which deuided into two formes or orders we shewd to be attributed to the kinde didascalicke doe giue occasion of deuising and finding out great and weightie thinges of euery theame that is offered Wherfore wee shall not without cause require ayde and succoure of them As touching all which thinges here to repeate againe with many wordes that which hath bene already sayd would bée very superfluous IIII. And surely séeinge the multitude and varyetie of thinges is infinite that are treated off in the Church so ofte as the vse and order of time doe require there can no better counsaile or aduice be giuen then that euery man haue a speciall regarde vnto their Sermons which haue most aptely and holily handeled theames compound and that he endeuour so far forth as lieth in him to render and expresse in his sermons that which he perceyueth to haue most force and grace in them Such Sermons are with great care and exacte iudgement to be pervsed to the intente thou maist examaine euery thinge occurrent in them and that which is best to bee liked choycely digest and put in order as things to be adioyned to thy household stuffe to be vsurped as thine owne when time and occasion shall serue To make any futher declaration it is not necessary But examples wherein theames compounde of the kinde didascalick are most learnedly explaned these inespecially be commended in the sacred Scriptures In the Epistle to the Romaynes the Apostle declareth at large that men are iustified by faith without the workes of the lawe Againe cap. 9.10.11 That the Iewes are reiected of god and the Gentiles called to be the people or Church of god In the first Epistle to the Corinthes cap. 15. it is proued by stronge argumentes that the deade doe all rise or reuiue againe In the Epistle to the Galathyans it is againe confirmed that men are iustified by fayth without the workes of the lawe in the last part of the second Chapter and also in the 3.4 and some parte of the 5. Chapters In the Epistle to the Ephesians Thapostle teacheth in thrée Chapters that men by the onely grace of God in Christ are elected called iustified and glorified The author of the Epistle to the Hebrues in two Chapters declareth with wonderfull perspicuitye that Christ is true God and true man. In the same Epistle cap. 7.8.9.10 out of one sentence of scripture are drawen fower distinct theames compounde and euery one of thē is with certaine and assured reasons established and explaned whereof the first is that Christ is a preist after the order of Melchisedec
well the wordes as matters be agréeable and correspondent to our purpose â–ª For thou séeste how the prophisies and promises of the prophetes are of Christ Peter expounded of those things that then came to passe in Iudea thou séest Rom. 4. a very shorte sentence touchinge the maner whereby Abraham was iustified to be applied to the interprised disputation thou séest Rom. 10.1 Corinth 10. Gal. 4. historicall examples to be added to And in the place where the apostle 1. Corinth 9. goeth about to proue that to the ministers of the Gospell all thinges necessary for this lyfe are duly to be ministred of the hearers he taketh out of Duet 25. a certaine precept and showeth it to agrée very well with the cause that he hath in hande Speake I these thinges after the maner of men Saith not the lawe the same also For it is writen in the lawe of Moses Thou shalt not mosell the mouth of the oxe that treadeth out the Corne. Doth god care for oxen Sayth he not this altogether for our sakes Yea for our sake is this writen that he which eareth might eare in hope and he which soweh in hope might be partaker of his hope It is no harde case to note in readinge many moe examples in which diuers things that are spoken off may aptlye be ioyned together and may aunswere accordingly to the purposed matter For like as the Prophets doe take and apply those their sayinges out of the law Christ and the Apostles both out of the lawe and the Prophets So haue we frée lyberty to borrow all maner of sentences whatsoeuer out of the law prophets and apostles And not onely olde and auncient matters out of the holy Scriptures but also late and new not much past our memory or the memory of our fathers yea and such daily as styll come to passe adde also thinges taken out of other writers as Poets Historiographers and such like may somtimes fittely and opportunly be adioyned to the confirmation of any thing belonging to the present state of thinges For Christ when he laboured to moue all men alyke to repentaunce to the entent they might so with feare and trembling looke for the comming of the Lorde and some were then present that shewed hym of the Galilaeans whose bloud Pilate had mingeled with their sacrifices he aunswering them that told him such newes sayth Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners aboue all other Galilaeans bicause they suffered such thinges I say vnto you no for except yee repent yee shall all likewise perish Either els suppose ye that those eighteene persons vpon whom the towre in Siloe fell and slew them were detters more then al the inhabitaunts of HierusaleÌ„ I say vnto you no but except ye repent ye shal al likewise perish And Mat. 11. Luk. 7. Christ speaking of the stiffenecked Iewes which would neither admit his preaching nor the preaching of Iohn Baptist To whom shal I resemble saith he the men of this generation whoÌ„ are they like They are like vnto childreÌ„ sitting in the market place crying one to an other saying we haue piped vnto you ye haue not dauÌ„ced we haue song vnto you a mournful song and ye haue not wept For Iohn Baptist came neihter eating bread nor drincking wine and ye saye he hath the diuell The sonne of man came eating and drincking and ye say Behold a great eater and drincker of wine a friend of Publicans and sinners And wisedome is iustified of all hir children Likewise the interpretations of the parables as they are of Christ hymselfe made and put forth be replenished with this kinde of craft and workmanship of applyinge And how the Apostle in his most graue Sermons and Epistles hath vsed the testimonies or sayinges of the Poets to witte of Aratus Act. 17. of Menander 1. Cor. 7.15 of Epimenides Titus 1. it is better knowne then that it shall be needefull to reherce the places themselues But out of this admonition touching the heaping together of proofes or argumentes to be skilfully and conueniently applyed to the businesse of which intreaty is made or to the present state of the Church floweth an other exhortation as holesome and necessary as any other That is that all men would wisely weigh and consider with themselues how farre forth it shall be expedient to vse the holy sermons whiche other haue made and setle forth The causes of this exhortation when thou shalt heare whosoeuer thou art I knowe thou wilt pronounce theÌ„ to bée iust and lawfull Wée se which is greatly to bée marueled at the minysters of Churches euery where to be so tied and fastened wholly to the bookes that conteyne the diuine sermons coÌ„piled with no litle study by others that by reason therof they neglecte to reade the sacred Byble there wanted litle but I had sayd plainely contemne it But it can not be dissembled that the authors of those sermons doe ofte times adnixe long and tedious digressions also interlace without order reasons and argumeÌ„tes somwhat discrepant from the scriptures openly recited namely forasmuch as they iudged them in especially to be méete and conuenient for the place and time Now it can not be that those selfe same thinges shoulde be apt and correspondent to the present state of the church wherein thou supplyest the office of teaching Howbeit let vs admit that there be no digressions at all and that the holy scriptures are simply and sincerely expounded in them but what maketh that to thy purpose I praye thée if the whole explanation as it lyeth be directed most chifely to those poyntes of Christian doctrine whiche in those places and times were in déede very aptely and with great grace handeled of the Preachers and fauourablye receiued of the hearers where as nowe in these dayes and with thy audienâ—es they will all bee out of season To what ende serueth the explication of that portion of Scripture wherein are confuted the mayntayners and defenders of two contray beginninges the Manichees or other hereticks whose assertions haue now no where any place What shall it profyt to inueigh against those that gad to the Lystes or Theater to beholde playes and games before that people whiche is vtterly ignoraunt what those termes meane Moreouer it is no poynt of wisdome nor conuenient to vtter straight wayes euery thinge openlye especially in diuine matters that is gathered together by the labour and iudgement of other men For they doe alledge in déede out of the Scriptures sentences examples proofes and probations of all sorts but forasmuch as some of them doe note the same very briefly and onely as ye would saye by poyntes or titles some also doe scrape them together at all aduentures out of others whiche haue lykewise lately published and put forth Sermons it is very requisite except thou wilt cast as well thy selfe as thy hearers into open daunger that thou shouldest diligently examine euery thing takynge a narrow new of the
contriued and couched togyther but other places much more holesome and fitte for the enformation of the hearers such as are these of preparation vnto death that death is the penaltye of sinne of the miseries of mannes lyfe of the delyueraunce from them by death of the contempt of the world and all earthely things of desiring the felicitie of the lyfe to come of the immortalytye and eternall blessednes of sowles of the resurrection of bodyes of the last iudgement how an accompt is to be made therin of all the life past of Gods mercy open to all sinners if they repent but euen at the last gaspe againe that the deade are not immoderately to be bewayled or lamented but that GOD rather is to be thanked which hath deliuered them out of the most filthy prison of theyr body that the death of the sayntes is pretious in the lordes sight that they are all happye and blessed to whom it is giuen to sléepe in the LORDE that is to saye in the confession of a true fayth and who is able to recken vppe the residewe II. Where if so be it be thought good after these places declared that somewhat be sayde of the brother which is brought to buriall then add they briefely and as ye woulde say shamefastely some thinge touchinge the kinde of life that he imbraced and shewe how deuoutly he serued God therin by diligent performinge of those thinges that were his dutye to doe Wherby the hearers also are giuē to vnderstand what great industry it behoueth them to employe to the intent euery of them in their callinge and kinde of life may become acceptable to God. III. Peraduenture also they commende and set before them the be aliue to be followed one or other vertue wherin the brother deceassed excelled or some notable acte done by him for the behoofe of the Church for the common wealth for redressinge the calamities of the poore or his confession of Faith made in the very conflicte of death Further as touchinge the Doxologiae whereof wee made mention before they are not now in vse They were bestowed altogether in aduauncinge and cōmendinge of gods goodnes towarde mankinde and in times past were premised in the sacred assemblye to the intent the people might with more willinge mindes and with greater deuotion sing holy himnes vnto God giue thankes to him for his most ample benefites poured vppon them as well spirituall as corporall But now commonly for the most part in some partes of the Sermon is commended and set foorth after the same rate the goodnes and clemency of God his iustice seueritie wrath power prouidence and other poyntes to him attributed and that verily to the ende men might be moued and induced to thankes giuinge to eschewe vice to repentaunce to amendement of life to put their trust and confidence in God. But how these partes ought to be absolued and accomplished it may be knowne out of those thinges that bée already saide Bée it therefore sufficient to haue in this wyse giuen enstruction touchinge all these thinges now will wé add certayne Cantions and then afterwarde examples I. The first Cantion The Preacher must not endeuour himselfe to perswade any thinge to the multitude but that which is necessary and showeth foorth presente profite and vtilitie II. In perswasions or exhortations there must appers in the speaker a francknes or libertie ioyned with a certaine fauourable simplicitie For the one addeth weight or importaūce and vehemently moueth the other putteth away al suspicion that the preacher be not thought either craftily to handle his cause or otherwise to séeke his owne priuate commoditie Some there be that endeuour to set foorth certaine things and doe cunningly pretend a certaine veyle of religion but by litell litell they bewraye themselues to tender more their owns gaine and lucre then the furtheraunce of true religion Of which sorte of craftesmen our age alas the while hath brought foorth to to many whom the successe hath openly proued to be such as haue sought meanes to pamper their gréedy paunch and to gaine not soules to Christ but money to the vnsaciable God their helly III. By like reason he must take héed that in any wise he be not perceyued to submit and abase himselfe in perswading more then is méete for that truely is the point not of teachers with grauitye but of flatterers with great leauitye He that teacheth the multitude ought not to be carelesse in defending of his owne authoritye IIII. Further as our exhortations ought to be-voyde of all rude inciulitye so againe must we prouide that we séeme not ouer nice secure colde or timerous V. Neither certes shall a man thincke that he doeth as much as he néedeth to doe when he once or twise putteth his hearers in minde of any thing or exhorteth them to doe this or that but he must often times and with great feruentnes repeate the selfe same cause and that so longe till he shall perceyue owe fruites to followe Chrisostome that it ought so to be declareth in many wordes in his sixt homilie vppon the first Epistle to Timothye And we may sée in the Sermons of the sayd father diuers and sondry admonitions sometimes also very longe and applied to the mouing of affections as touching the selfe same matters This likewise must not be forgotten Where there be many ministers in one Churche to sustayne the laboures of teaching there they shall viligently common and entreate amonge themselues of those affayres which they shall iudge to be profitable and necessarye for the behouse of the Church that with like study and agréement they may handle the same before the people VI. Again he that purposeth the time so requiring to publishe and set forth the prayses of some holy men shall doe it very sparingly yea and shall purposely auoide fond and fabulous histories and the vaine rablement of miracles There be some stories of Saintes carried about which are altogither vnsauory and vntrue some also openly reiected as it may appere Distinctione XV. C. Sancta Romana Paule the Apostle to the Romaines 15. reporteth that he by the power of Christ had done many signes and wonders and yet Luke in the Actes toucheth very fewe Let vs therfore likewise followe here in the wysdome of Luke II. In the prayse and commendation of déedes and of thinges nothinge must in any wise be spoken for fauour or flattery But as in other thinges so also in prayses ought a meane and measure to be prefixed VIII Besides in all prayse he must be sure to obsteine from such comparisons as may engender enuy grudge For comparisons are wont for the most part to procure hatred and offence euen in prophane matters Wherefore ther is no cause why thou shouldest hope that they will bée well thought off and allowed in diuine matters IX And with the same modesty prudence it behoneth him to procéed in funerall Sermons in which some thing is inserted to
the Corinthes and homilie 5. vppon the first to the Thessalonians Now let vs distinguish and sorte out the kindes of men to the intent it maye appere and become euident vppon whom chiefely the dartes and dint of rebukes ought of right most frequently to be throwne XVI As it is apparaunt that there is no state or degrée of men voide of lustes or frée from sinne so the Preacher shall in no wise let to blame and accuse the enormities of all men without exception To which effecte it perteineth that the apostle writinge as well vnto Timothy as to Titus so prouidently teacheath them how and after what sort they should behaue themselues in oxhorting reproouing of al sortes of men And againe the same hath generally coÌ„maunded that those which offend should openly be reprooued to the terrour also of others That in like maner is vniuersally to be taken which long before to the prophet Ezechiell cap. 3. god him selfe said If thou shalt not warne the vngodly nor speake vnto him to disswade him from his wicked way that he might liue I will require his bloude at thy hande But if thou doest admonishe him theÌ„ hast thou delyuered thine owne soule Wherefore to come to that which I was about to say the Teacher of the people shall iudge all his hearers indifferently in this behalfe to be accompted in the selfe same order and that ther is none amonge them all whiche ought not to be subiecte to Ecclestasticall discipline XVII But in the meane time there appéereth to bée some difference made of holy Teachers in reproouinge comptrollinge of persons The prophetes doe in their wordes both more often and also more bitingely stinge the Iewes vnto whom had shined plentifully the knowledge of gods will then the Gentiles drowned in the diepe gulfe of ignoraunce Againe the apostle Paule more seuerely chideth the Galathians then he doth the Corinthians or any other beside The same admonisheth Titus that he shoule sharpely reproue the Cretensians And this he doth truely not as though they should thincke it méete to haue regarde onely of the crimes themselues but also of their qualities and kindes Moreouer wee sée the Prophetes Apostles and CHRIST chiefe Capteyn of the preaching schole to be accustomed as most coÌ„monly so also most grieuously to assault the vngodly priestes Doctors Scribes Pharyseis the authors of false opinions and that for this cause inespecially in that settinge out their externall and counterfet rightuousnesse they sought meanes to haue the internall and true rightuousnes in déede to be vtterly buryed vnder foote and agayne for the they preferred mens traditioÌ„s before the law of god With lyke lyberty of speach doe the prophets oft times shake vp the corrupt Iudges terming them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and oppressors of the poore againste all righte and equitie And peraduenture for this cause doe they assayle both the sortes that is to saye one while the priestes an other while the Iudges for the of these two kindes of men depeÌ„d the safety of the whole citie séeinge that from them sins and vices are soone deriued into all the people and againe these being brought into order it is an easy matter to reduce all the rest of their subiectes to the obedience of lawes What néede many wordes we may gather out of these things that how much the more fowlely any are fallen or be of more obstinate dispositions or hurt more through their offences then others so much the more studiously and seuerely are they to be corrected xviii But in noting and reproouinge the vices of maiestrates there is néede of singular iudgement For some potentates there be which wyll suffer themselues to be rebuked of some men but not of euery man some againe will admit no teacher or instructer at all Sainct Ambrose as it is recorded in the Tripartite history lib. 9. cap 30 trusting to the goodnes of his cause which he had in hand vnbashfully reprooued the Emperour Theodosius and he so worthy a prince tooke wel at worth the reprehension of so worthy a doctor although it were bytter publique For vnto Ambrose was known right wel the notable towardnes of the Emperour and the feruâ—t zeale of his minde enclyned to equitie againe Theodosius had perfect trial experience of the wisdom integrytie of Ambrose And certes where the preacher himselfe leadeth a pure and vnspotted lyfe the maiestrate for his part vnfeignedly imbraceth iustice there doe the holsome endeuours of the minister of the Gospell aspire to most happy successe Iohn Baptist doubted not openly to repâ—oue the wicked kinge Herod he againe as the Euangelist witnesseth feared and reuerenced Iohn Christ Luk. 12 ouerthwartly pinched Herode calling him fox Nathan séemed to vse as it were a certaine stratageme or fine poleey when intending to reprooue kinge Dauide he sodeinly deuised a parable of two men the one riche the other poore Neither is it a straunge thing to obserue other parables also put foorth of the prophets in hard and difficult matters as Esay 5. Iere. 24 c. To be short it is plaine and euident that maiestrates are to be reprooued in time and place as ofte as they depart from the path of rightuousnesse but with what foresight and prouision that is expedient to be done no man canne certeinly demonstrate by rules but it is necessarye that euery man according to his owne discretion doe partely out of the sermons of the prophets and of Christ partely out of the kinde causes circumstaunces of matters incident gather and deuise with him selfe Neither truely doe I knowe very well how it commeth to passe that in the Sermons of the Apostles wee finde not any thing ouer hardly spokeÌ„ against any maiestrates but rather there occurre many thinges whereby subiects are admonished to obey them yea though they be euyll and wicked But I suppose two causes may be rendred of that matter One for the al gouerners of coÌ„mon weales at the time were euery where ethnicks vnbeléeuers and therfore not as yet receiued into the societie of the church whervnto the Apostles knew right wel that their authorytie only stretched For those that were without they left vnto GOD alone to be iudged The other that forasmuch as the doctrine of the gospell was euery where euill spoken off of a great nuÌ„ber also flaundered as seditious and tending to the decay of common weales the Apostles iudged it very vntimely to exasperate them with the ouer sharp controlment of their priuate vices whoÌ„ being stirred vnto wrath they knewe would forthwith séeke by all meanes possible to hinder and stop the course of the gospell Where I might adde that the apostles peraduenture enstructed by the holy ghost saw before that in reproouing the princes of that age whoÌ„ God as yet vouched not safe to call they shoulde loose all their labour and trauaile But the processe of our talke groweth further then wee think for XIX Certes that we
ought more modestlye to deale sometimes with those that supply any publicke charge and are placed in the degrée of worshippe or dignitie the apostle séemeth to insinuate where vnto Timothy he saieth Rebuke not an Elder but exhort him as a Father And we may doubtles prosecute the cause of religion and of the Church with great feruentnes and may also vrge the seuerity of ecclesiastical discipline but yet this whole busines requireth a certaine moderation and discretion Wherefore of some is improoued the sharpnes of Chrisostom in his correctory Homilie entituled against Eutropius of which sée the Tripartite histo lib. 10. cap. 4. The like iudgment haue a number giuen of the homily wherin the same Chrisostom by reason of Eudocia the Empresse whom he knew to be grieuously displeased and to practise wiles against him displaied and layed open the vngraciousnes of women Like wise of an other against the saide Eudocia the beginning where of is Herodias once againe waxeth mad and is troubled shee longeth once againe to gette Iohns head in a dish XX But howsoeuer we prepare a Sermon to reproue our fuperiours we must take diligent héede leaste wee vnaduisedly powre foorth any thing wherby the vngodly may snatch occasion either to vtter or attempt any thing seditiously So to secke to take away offences that greater offences grow thereby séemeth to be the part of an vnaduised or rather of a mad man And vndoubtedly euery Ecclesiastical reprehension ought to tende to amendement not vnto tumult to edification not to destruction XXI And albeit so oft as any degrées of men are touched by way of rebuke it be expedient to refrayne from their names yet when entreaty is made of such persons as procure destruction to the whole multitude of whiche sort inespecially are the authors of sects and open rebels then is it lawful to vtter their names or to paint foorth their persons in their coolours For so doth Paule the Apostle 1. Timothy 1.2 Timoth. 2. call Himenaeus Alexander and Philetus hetitickes by name and willeth them to be auoyded Againe in the same Epistle cap. 4. he toucheth Alexander the copper Smith But least any man shoulde alledge and saye that this is done in an epistle writen priuately to one looke Esay cap. 22. openly preaching against Sobna the scribe xxii Thou must not think much to reproue the selfe same crimes often times and in diuers sermons and truly so long till thou shalt perceiue some amendement to follow Touching this thing Chrisostō admonisheth in a certaine homily entituled of Dauid and Saule and of tolleration or sufferaunce The same also hath left vnto vs notable examples especially where hee inueigheth against swearing wrath c. xxiii Now and then also he that hath the ouersight of the Church doth wisely threaten those that declare by euydent proofe that they wyll by no meanes forsake theyr vycious lyuinge howe hee wyll exclude them according to Christes institution from the holy table of the Lord that is as they vse to speake excommunicate them especially where the crimes be such that they minister reproche to the Church onely where they are committed and be supposed to require such a remedye or medicine Which thing we may sée Chrisostom to doe with a stout and valiaunt courage in his tome v. homilie 26. 28. where he entreateth against those that vsed vnaduisedly to sweare XXIIII Neither is this ynough The Preacher shal admonish also and exhort the christian maiestrate to put to his helpinge hande to the suppressinge of sinne and vice Which thing truely he may easely bring to passe in case he will but inioyne a certaine ciuyll penaltye to those that dispise or deride the worde of GOD and the censures of the Church For what shall the Preacher of the Gospell preuaile with brutish and degenerate people though he stoutly set forth things profitable comptrole the contrary if so be the maiestrate doth not acknowledge it also to bee a parcell of his charge to aide and assist him Truely there shall neuer be any common weale established worthy the name of christian where it commeth to passe that how much the teachers of the Churche doe build vp through their trauaile in declayming continualy against vices so much againe the ciuil maiestrates doe pluck downe through their negligence in neuer séeinge execusion done vpon those that be offenders XXV But in all the order of reprouinge of sinnes it is very necessary that the minister of the worde doe studiously teach by what meanes sinnes and the custome of sinning may best be auoyded of euery man. Chrisostom in his tome v. homily 5. doth skilfully show a way how the wicked custome of swearinge might be eschewed Ezechiel whilest cap. 34. hee reprooueth euill pastors by the same diligence declareth what the office of a good sheapheard is xxvi I had almost forgotten this Vnto euery bitter and vehement rebuke shall be adioyned some temperature of comfort and that chiefely by propoundinge vnto them that repent certayne and assured hope of mercy which god accustometh bountifully to exhibit to all those that vnfeignedly craue it at his handes The maner is among the Phisitions of bodies to put to their simple purging medicines when by their sharpenosse they molest the stomack or other parts of the bodye certaine thinges to allay their strength yea and with all bitter medicines least the mouth should be brought out of fast to intermedle swéet thinges We sée therfore that this deuise hath lyked also the prophets the Phisitions of soules whose perpetuall fashion in a maner is vnto rebukes to ioyne consolations and vnto threatnings to add promises And why it ought so to be this is the reason The preacher must with all diligence bende him selfe to this that he bring sinners not onely to sorrow of minde or contrition as they call it but also vnto faith for in these two partes that is to say contrition or mortification faith is repentaunce accomplished and that for this cause least such as finde themselues gilty of euerlasting dampnation being cast downe by the seuerytie of Gods iudgement should be driuen headlong into desperation xxvii At length when the preacher féeleth and perceyueth that by his fidelity and diligence by his timely and vntimely entreatings pursuinges cryings twitchinges instigations some are brought to amendement of lyfe he shall at some conuenient time prayse them and comfort them either publikely all in generall or some also priuately as much as lieth in him shall be the author vnto them of perseueringe in their good and godly purpose Which thing also we may perceiue the prophets to haue done oft times whilst they commende and set foorth the felicitie of them that reuoltinge from the tents of vngodlynesse do repayre to the Ensignes of fayth and repentaunce And it commeth to passe truely by this meanes that they doe not lightly returne againe to the filth of their former life neither can iustly be touched with these prouerbes The dog
is retired to his old vomit and the sowe washed to hyr wallowing in the mire xxviii After all these thinges if it happeneth that the Preacher by reason of his franck and seuere but yet iust and necessary rebukes doe fall into the hatred displeasure of some men yet shall he therefore in no wise bee faint harted nor as one discouraged cease from his work but rather he shall more and more harden him selfe and goe forward by all meanes to wrastle out amongst them to the intent that thinge may come to passe in very déede which he coueteth most chiefely to sée And let him oft times call to remembraunce what an excellent function he is called and aduanced to not of men but of God himselfe also what incomparable rewards be prepared of the same prisemaker God for all those that doe valyauntlye scriue and continue to the ende of theyr course There is no doubt but that which is pryuie in himselfe that he hath with al diligent endeuour and fidelitie faithfully perfourmed and accomplished whatsoeuer his duty was to doe but that he I say shall féele present comfort neuer wanting vnto him and the holy Ghost shall surely witnesse with his spirit that he hath God in so great labours and difficulties fauorable and merciful vnto him and that he wil not suffer him through the vnbridled rage of his enimies to be oppressed or by any other meanes to faint and giue ouer But the preacher himselfe moreouer shal molify break in sunder the hartes of a great number shall preuent the matter least they shoulde wrathfully be inflamed against hym if so be he sometimes inculke in his sermon that he doth that which he doth altogether by vertue of his office that it is not lawful for him so much as the bredth of a nayle to depart from the lyne of trueth whiche the Lorde himselfe hath limited That he is the ambassadour and messenger of the highe GOD for so doth the Prophet Malachy call the ministers of Churches Angels and therfore that he neither can nor will vtter any other thing then that which hys mighty prince hath giuen him in charge Againe that all thinges whiche he speaketh are grounded vpon the diuine Oracles and defended by the force of the inuincible trueth That he in no wise feareth the iudgements of godly and learned men which shall vprightly indifferently weigh and consider his cause That he for his part full sore against his wil and neuer without great griefe of minde commeth to the painefull reproofes and rebukements of sinnes but that he is drawn and enforced vnto it seeing both publike necessity requireth it and the common profite of his hearers perswadeth him therevnto That he chiefely doth that which good Phisitians vse to doe who not after the will of the pacientes but after the nature of the diseases doe minister medicines some sharper some gentiller That it is a thinge very vnciuill and agaynst all humanitye to deale contumeliously with hym that well deserueth that that sicke body is altogether vnworthy of help at his Leaches hand which would rewarde hym offryng an holsome though somewhat bytter potion vnto hym with reuilement for his labour Last of all that he whiche will néedes stande presumtuously agaynst the pastor of soules doth nothynge els then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say kéepe battayle with God himselfe and that it is a harde matter in the meane time which God sayd somtime to Saule for him to kicke against the pricke And that in déede the poore minister of the Church may for a time as one hated and dispised of the worlde be vexed and afflicted but the trueth it selfe can neuer bée troden downe or extinguished By these I saye and such like reasons the Teacher of the people shall partly fortify and confyrme himselfe and shall as ye would say pricke forwarde himselfe to the vnfearefull executinge of his office and partely shall prouide and foresée that fewe or none be offended with him by reason of that which he doth in reproouinge and comptrollinge of sinne Besides this the kinsfolkes and familiars of those that are stayned with the infection of sinnes and doe stande in néede of the percinge meditine of rebukes ought gentilly and friendly to admonishe them that they would not conceiue any displeasure against him that enformeth thē of such things onely as are iust true profitable and necessary And that which is more it behooueth the magistrates themselues to prouide and with all diligence to endeuoure that the Preachers bée not of any man baynously molested for their holesome reprehensions sake or the sounde doctrine that they teach For the Apostle in moe places then one willeth those that laboure in the worde and in teachinge to bée highly estéemed to bée had in honour to be preserued from all hostile violence to the intent they may liue with vs without feare or daunger and with ioye and alacritie execute their office But let this bée sufficient Wée haue gathered into this place as it was méete and conuenient manye Cantions but yet many moe may euery man get and obserue as well by the diligence perusinge of affayres incident as also by the very order and procéedinge in preachinge We will add herevnto some notable Examples of this kinde of Sermons Esay cap. 28. griuously inueigheth against the excesse and superfluitye of the Iewes and withall threateneth punishment vnto them Cap. 58. he condemneth the glorious workes of the hipocrites and requireth of them the déedes of true godlines Against the same also be preacheth cap. 59. Ieremy cap. 2.3.4.5.6 hath left vnto vs a notable Sermon which may not without good cause be put for an Example as wherein he vpbraydeth and obiecteth to the pastors their ignoraūce vnto all in common their neglecting of gods lawe their felowship with the Gentiles their oppression of the holy Prophetes their cruelty to the poore Citizens theyr Idolatrye periuries adultries corrupt iudgementes c. Through all which thinges he teacheth that they had deserued great plagues and threateneth that vnlesse they repent a mende their liues they will shortly fall vpon thē The same in a maner he doth cap. 7.8.9 Ezechiell cap. 11. laboureth in reproouings their contempt of gods word their crueltye to their subiectes Cap. 13.14 he toucheth false teachers and hipocrites Cap. 16. are accused the Idolatrye and ingratitude of the Iewes Cap. 17. he compttolleth the felsehood of Zedechias And cap. 19.20 he detecteth the wickednes of the princes and rulers wherevpon he falleth to the condempning of the common impietye and Idolatrye of all men Cap. 22. 23. he is in hand with the same matter Cap. 28. he entreateth against the pride of the kinge of Tyrus Cap. 34. against the auarice and slouthfulnes of the priestes Hose cap. 1.2.3.4 hath a full Sermon disposed against sondrye enormities but chiefely Idolatrye Of the like argument be the 5.6.7 chapters To be short looke how many prophetes there
be so many masters hast thou excelling in this craft Againe such as these be a number of Christes sermons wherein he reprooueth the vngraciousnes as well of the rude multitude as also of the Scribes and Pharisees Looke Math. cap. 11.12.16.21.23 Mark. 2.8.11 And further to this ende ought to be referred the histories or actions tendinge to the extirpation of vices as that touchinge the castinge out of the Temple those that bought and solde Neither want there examples in the Epistles to the Galathians and Corinthians For 1. Corinth 5. the Apostle expostulateth against those that had committed offence and willeth them to be chastened by the censure of the Church Cap. 6. he inueigheth against brawelinges in lawe and wisheth rather iniury to be suffered In the same Chapter he speaketh against sondry vices but especially against leachery and sensualitie Cap. 11. against the custome whereby men prayed in the sacred assembly with their heads couered and women with their heads bare Likewise against those that came not soberly and â—â—aritably to the Lordes Supper Cap. 12. against strifes raysed by reason of spirituall giftes and chiefely through prophesy and tongues To the Galat. 6. he teacheth how spirituall brethren ought to be haue themselues towardes those that are fallen In Chrysostome are extant diuers and sondry Sermons against the detestable custome of swearinge and periury whereof some be wholly applied vnto this ende alone as the 27. and 28. other some haue onely certaine pointes mixed here and ther to that effect as homilie 5.6.7.8.9.10 11.12.13.14.15.16.19.26.28 Of which in some thou mayst finde also certaine thinges scattered against backe biting Against that vice are the homilies 29.30.31 against ambition the 43. against enuy 44.45.53 Against dronkennes and riot 54.55 against such as come vnworthily to the holy misteries in the Lordes Supper 60. 61. also that we giue no offence to any man that we followe not the concupiscence of the fleshe against slouthfulnes in well doing against the desire of vayne glory aginst leachery and other pleasures c. Moreouer it is be noted that vnto these two kindes of Sermons the Instructiue I meane Correctiue may iustl be added those thinges which the Rethoritians in the kinde iudiciall doe affirme to make statum qualitatis seu iuridicialem the state of the qualitye or the state iuridiciall For when entreatye is made of déedes and it is called into question whither a thing be done lawfully or iniuriously or whether a déede be iust or vniust to the doing truely of those thinges that be iust men are admonished and prouoked or if they be don already praised and commended but the thinges that be vniust men are deterred and diswaded from or it they be already committed blamed and coÌ„dempned and the verily by the groundes and reasons taken out of those very places which to these two kindes instructiue and correctiue we haue sayde to be accommodate Of the kinde Consolatory or Comfortatiue Cap. XIIII THat all mortall affayres are tossed and turmoyled euermore with the tempestuous waues of innumerable daungers and that we bee all the sort of vs borne in that state and condition that as well through the offence of our first parentes Adam Eue as also through our owne corrupt nature we are continually oppressed with sondry aduersities and calamities it is not néedfull to be declared in wordes séeing the dayly euents the happen doe much more euidently then were to be wished verify and demonstrate the same For truely we sée by experience that the greatest number of men is miserably vexed and distressed one while with warre or besiegement or sedition an other while with dearth and scarcitye of victuals as hauinge thei corne fildes destroyed through vnseasonable weather somtimes wiâ—thâ—â—stilence and other contagious disseases sometime with ouerflowinge of waters somtime with the rage of fire and burning of villages or some part of the citye sometime with eruell persecution for the confession of faith He therfore that in these publike calamities can lift vp those that be downe comfort the sorowfull confirme tho weake and wauering shall be thought verily to deserue well of all men and to haue fulfilled the dutye both of a good pastor and also of an expert phisition But as touching the Rhetoritians they haue vtterly cast from theÌ„ this part leauinge it to the Philosophers the masters of lyfe and maners Howbeit none in very déede can handle adorne it more excellently then Diuines as the profession of whom like as it doth far awaye surmount excell all others so is it peculiarly ordeyned to the easing and asswaging of soro we and griefs Wherfore whosoeuer is destrous to comfort the afflicted must first of all borrow certaine rules or proofes out of the places of the kinde instructiue with which we vse either to perswade or disswade For what is it els to comfort but to disswade froÌ„ griefe Then shall he procéede to places of Diuinitie Of the first sort therfore be these places I. Of the honesty of the cause It is the part of a wise man with a strong and inuincible courage to stand stedfast in euery daunger It becommeth men chiefely to imbrace all manhood and prowesse but especially constancye II. Of the iustice and equitye of the cause It is méete and conuenient to lay a side mourning especially séeing we are more fauourably dealt withall then our desertes doe require III. Of the profit or disprofit What profiteth it thée to lye tumbling in deformitye to wast and consume thy selfe with sorrowe Thou art grieuous both to thée and thine thou disquietest both thy body and minde in vaine IIII. Of the comelines and commendation All the be of a sound iudgement doe thincke it very vncomly and womannishe to lament without measure to take so impaciently the chaunce that happeneth All thinges doe inuite thée to pacience V. Of the easines Thou so oft procurest to thy selfe a freshe newe heauines as oft as thou procéedest to bewayle thy case VI. Of the necessitie What meanest thou Thou must bears and not blame that which cannot be remedied These rules also bée taken out of the frontiers the Philosophers VII Of the kinde of euills which wée suffer to witte that they are not so gréeuous as they be commonly taken yea that they bée rather benefites then euiles as being certaine prouokementes vnto vertue Againe that they bée not neither can bée continuall that they molest the body onely and not the minde which is frée from all dammage and detriment that they bée common to vs with many that they are recompensed with other commodities that in respect of many other inconueniences they are very small that wée haue before valiantly susteined the like and also greeuouser thinges Nowe to the places of the other sort Truely there bée conueighed alongest the féeldes of Diuinitie very pleasaunt and delectable riuers of Consolations when as it appéereth to bée giuen of GOD vnto mankinde especially to this ende I meane to
iudgement when as wretched man is so many wayes euery where beset with perils and for the causes that he least supposeth found giltie of sinne For by this meanes the whole worlde is in daungered to God and God concludeth al men vnder vnbeléefe which neuerthelesse we may not so interpret to be done that he shoulde destroy all men and damne them for euer but rather that he shoulde haue compassion vpon all men and by that meanes set forth and make knowne his goodnesse euery where Howbeit these thinges doe admonishe all the sorte of vs that we should be sober vigilant ware circumspect and that we should studiously avoyde not onely open and manifest but also priuy and secret sinnes yea all occasion of sinne and euen suspition also We are lilke vnto Pilgrimes or to those that trauaile in a straunge and vnknowne country by waies in which we are euery moment in daunger of théeues wilde and venemous beasts waters downe falles such lyke hurtful and perillous things The diuell the worlde and our flesh doe neuer cease to lye in awayt for vs they séeke by a thousand wiles to draw vs into their nets and snares But we must resist valiantly striue against thē by faith prayers fastings by the word of God and other spiritual weapons which Christe the inuincible confounder of all vices and wicked spirites hath prepared hath vouched safe to shew vs how we should vse them 1. Pet. 5. Ephe. 5. Math. 4.17 c. Thou séest what great plenty of things doe offer themselues and how large fields are opened vnto him that wyll procéede after this maner Wherfore we will make an ende In asmuch as the other questions may be reserued tyll an other time namely that touching the causes of sinne and another touchinge the effectes of which sort in the scriptures are handeled no smal number and alas wretches that we be in so many troubles and calamities of our times great store may dayly be obserued But forasmuch as death also is numbred amonge the effects of sinne we will adde lykewise an example but briefely handeled as thouching this He that will speake therfore of death may aptly prefixe two questions out of which he shall finde sufficient plenty of matters that he may declare to the commodytie of his hearers Let them therfore be these What death is and what the effects of death For a description or definition of death this may be had Death is the penalty of sinne iustly inflicted of god vnto al men like as al men also are sinners It is deriued of the causes and aboundantly proued by the testimonies of the scriptures God threateneth the payne of death vnto sinners The reward of sinne is death Through one man sinne entred into the world and through sinne death and so death came vpō al men inasmuch as al we haue sinned In which place are touched the chiefe causes of death man I say sinne whervnto may be added out of Gene. 2. the the Serpent also or the diuell is the author of death which to the Hebrues 2. is sayd to holde the empier of death Heb 9 it is saide This is appointed to all men that they shall once dye and after that commeth the iudgement Out of which places diuers and sundry things may be drawen to demonstrate more amply what Death is And by like industrye may the godly be excited to true humilitie of minde to the contempt of carthly thinges to passe theyr lyfe in the feare of God to call vpon Gods mercy for the intigation of the paynes whiche we through our sinnes haue deserued c. When he shall come to the question of the effectes it shal be necessary to discerne the effects of death in the Godly from the effects of death in the vngodly and that partlye by this meanes first The godly are perswaded that death shal in no wise happen vnto thē to their condemnation destruction but rather to their health and saluation inasmuch as the sentence of dampnation now long since pronounced agaynst vs is by the death of Christe vtterlye cancelled and rased out The law of the spirite of lyfe through Christe Iesus hath made me free from the law of sinne and death Christe by his death hath abolished the power of death Christe hath once suffered for our sinnes the iust for the vniust that he might bring vs to god We know that if our earthly māsion of this tabernacle bee destroyed wee haue an other building of God a mansion not made with handes but eternal in heauen But as touching the vngodly◠they know that death is appointed to them as a moste bitter paine doe féele vndoubtedly the heauy iudgement of damnation by reason whereof it commeth to passe also that in temptations but chiefely in their extreame conflictes they are vehemently troubled afflicted and doe miserably faint and giue ouer I will not say for the most parte vtterly dispayre For what can they els doe in whom remayneth no hope or confidence at all touching the remission of their sinnes Euill shall slea the vngodly and they that hate the rightuous shall be desolate Secondly The godly forasmuch as they suffer continually many aduersities and so long as they liue in this worlde are vexed of the vngodly doe willingly longe after death and with ioyfull mindes imbrace it as they that are not ignoraūt that by it is giuen vnto them an entraunce to a happy blessed life I desyre saith Saint Paule to be dissolued and be with Christ We mourne inwardly in our selues for the adoption looking for the redemption of our body We grone in this our tabernacle longing to be translated into that which is from heauen And after a few words Wee truste and doe better lyke to be farre away absent from the body and to be present with God. And 2. Pet. 1. Death is called the putting off of this tabernacle On the other side the vngodlye for that they enioy héere in this life wealth prosperitie and all thinges happen vnto them for the moste part after their hartes desyre are plucked away sore against their willes and doe take it very grieuouslye if a man doth but once make mention of death vnto them But what followeth When they flatter themselues most of all and thinke to settle themselues heere most sure sayinge O soule thou haste great aboundance of wealth enioye it at thy pleasure Not long after yea the very same time when they least do suspect they héere it sayde Thou foole this night shall they fetch thy soule from thee And generally both of the godly and vngodly we reade 2. Thes 1. It is a rightuous thing with God to render vnto those that persecute you afflictiō vnto you that are persecuted peace tranquilitie with vs when our lord Iesus shall be reuealed from heauen And moreouer Abrahā saieth vnto the ritch man Luk. 16. Sonne remēber that thou in thy life time receiuedst