Paul our wedding garment of loue according to his white robe of mercie Col. 3. 12. Now therefore saith he as the elect of God holy and beloued put on the bowels of mercie kindnesse modestie meeknesse and long-suffering forbearing one another and forgiuing one another sicut euen as Christ forgaue you As the elect of God that is if ye haue any internall seale to your soules of your election holy if any externall signe of sanctification to make it sure to your selues beloued if any experience of the loue of God to his Saints put on not for a forenoon like your cloake which in heat straight goes off againe nor for an houre like your hat which goes off at euery wrong that meetes you in the way but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 put on f Beza 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Col. 3. 12. neuer to put off againe the bowels of mercie toward the vnmercifull kindnesse toward the vnkind modestie toward the immodest meeknesse toward the cruell and long-suffering toward the hasti-minded man After whose example sicut euen as Christ forgaue and loued you his enemies as himselfe gaue them this new commandement Ioh. 13. that we loue another sicut euen as he loued vs that we loue one another A new commaundement g â—erus 〈◊〉 in Ioh. 13. because by him renewed from that Pharisaicall tradition h Mat. 5. 43. Thou shalt hate thine enemie New because oftener and more excellently commaunded in the new then old Testament new because otherwise in the new then the old commanded in that with a sicut teipsum loue thy neighbour as thy selfe in this with a sicut â—go dilexi vos as I haue loued you that ye loue one another New because now confirmed with greater examples of God the Father and Christ his sonne new because though iudiciall and ceremoniall yet this euangelicall loue remaineth for euer and new because though to day discharged tomorrow it must be renewed to loue one another sicut euen as he loued vs. And what was the measure deare Christian of that sicut His Apostle meteth it out by foure adiuncts of our basenesse and demerit Christ when we were yet of no strength died for the vngodly Rom. 5. 6. Christ the onely Sonne of God died the most shamefull death of the crosse for vs when we were yet of no strength by nature yea sinners by profession yea vngodly by defection nay enemies by rebellion We had neither strength to stand in iudgement nor righteousnesse to satisfie the law nor godlinesse to moue mercie nor friendship to procure pardon and yet saith the Apostle yet notwithstanding or rather withstanding all these Christ when we were yet all these died for vs. Christ suffered saith i 1. Pet. 3. 18. Peter the death most ignominious for sinnes the cause most odious the iust for the vniust the persons most vnequall that he might bring vs to God the end most glorious This sicut of his loue himself measureth out with a sic dilexit Ioh. 3. 16. as if he had bene sicke of loue as the spouse Cant. 2. 5. k speaketh and that sicknes of loue with those foure dimensions brâ—adth length heighth and depth of his loue Ephes 3. 18. himselfe meteth The onely Sonne of God there is the height was sent downe there is the depth into the world there is the breadth that it might haue euerlasting life without end there is the length of his loue Saint l Ser. t. de Adâ—â— Dom. Bernard measureth the quantitie of his loue with the same dimensions what was the cause sayth that Father Vt maiesâ—as tanta there is the height De tam longinquo there is the length Descenderet there is the depth In mundum locum tam indignum this is the breadth of his loue Quia misericordia magna quia miscratio multa quia charitas copiosa because his mercie reached vnto the clouds because his mercie was for euer without end because it reached to the deepe below because his mercie was ouer al his workes as the Psalmist speaketh it was a sic dilexit a loue-sicke affection strong as death that he should loue vs Tantus tantum tantillos tales he so great vs so little such enemies and with such loue saith m De dilig Dâ—o Bernard alluding to those foure dimensions of Saint Paul O that I had the tongue of men and Angels to decipher his loue to thee his enemie that this n 2. Cor. 5. 14. loue of Christ might constraine to do good to thy foes O remember we in the loines of our father Adam like strangers from God were going downe from Ierusalem to Iericho from heauen to hell and fel among theeues who robbed vs of our raiment and robe of righteousnesse O remember how they wounded vs so sore that from the top of the head to the sole of the foote there was no whole part in our bodies and soules but wounds and swellings and sores full of all corruption leauing vs not halfe like that traueller but quite dead in trespasses and sinnes Ephes 2. 1. and forget not deare Christian how then this good o Luke 10. 33. Samaritane as he iourneyed and came from the bosome of his father cured vs when both Priest and Leuite like Iobs friends Phisitions of no value passed by vs no eye pitied vs to do any thing vnto vs or to haue compassion vpon vs nay no creature in heauen or earth p Psal no man could deliuer his brother or make agreement vnto God for him for it cost more to redeem their soules so that they might let that alone for euer Then then this Sunne of righteousnesse being in the q Phil. 2. forme and glorie of God went backe ten degrees in our nature as the Sunne did in the diall of Ahaz and tooke on him the forme of a seruant that in the rags of our flesh he might Câ—drus-like tast death for his people He then came vnto vs when like r Ezek. 16. Israel we lay tumbling in our blood and bloodie sinnes bound vp our wounds and said Ye shall liue powred in not oile and wine but sweate and blood into our sores set vs on his owne beast nay Å¿ 1. Peter 2. 24 caried our sinnes on his owne body on the tree made prouision for vs and tooke out not two pence siluer and gold or t 1. Pet. 1. 18 19 corruptible things but his precious blood that great price of our redemption 1. Corinth 6. saying for man his enemie to his offended father like that good Samaritane to the host for the stranger Whatsoeuer he hath spent I will recompence it or as v Philem. 17. 18 Paul gaue his word to Philemon for his vagabond seruant Father if thou count our things common receiue him as my selfe if he hath hurt thee or oweth thee ought that put on mine accounts I Iesus haue written it in blood with mine owne hand I will recompence
their other wares into Egypt and to make their gaine x Lyra Tâ—st Aâ—ul â—n 〈◊〉 locum raised the price and sold him againe at second hand at a higher rate to Potiphar king Pharaohs steward vers 36. But though Ioseph whom they sold to be a bond-slaue in Egypt became afterward y Psal 105 21. lord ouer all Pharaohs house and ruler of all his substance yea gouernor throughout all the land of Egypt Gen. 45. 8. and was now armed with power to reuenge yet see how he recompenceth them good for euill see when his enemies did hunger how he fed them and when they were thirstie gaue them drinke For whereas they had z Gen. 37. â—â— stript him of his parti-coloured coate in recompence of that a Gen. 45. 2â— he gaue them all change of raiment he gaue them a measure running ouer into their bosome They sold him for twenty peeces of mony and put him in their purse and in recompence of that he would not sell them corne but gaue it them freely for nought and put their money in their sackes Gen. 42. 25. he gaue them a good measure pressed downe and shaken together They cast him into a pit to feed him with bread water of affliction Ge. 37. 24. and in lieu thereof he brought them into his owne lodging and feasted them sumptuously with delicate fare and sent them dishes from his owne princely measse Gen. 43. 33. 34. and with what measure they had met to him he would not mete to them againe Holy Dauid trode the steps of good Ioseph for â— Dauiâ— when Saul had bent his bow and made readie the arrowes within his quiuer to b Psal 1â— 2. shoote at this vpright in heart and sweet singer of Israell yea when this fouler c 1. Sam. 26. â—0 hunted him like a partridge to the mountaines so that his soule was faine to aske for the wings of a Doue that he might â—lie away and be at rest yet see when his mortal foe was deliuered into his hand in the cauâ— where he couered his feet he would not lay hands on his enemie nor suffer his bloud-thirstie followers to fall vpon him but onely to giue his notice what he could haue done cut off the lap of his garment and rendred him good for euill as Saul himselfe confessed 1. Sam. 24. 18. Yea againe when he sound him asleepe in the field and tooke him napping he spared his life which was in his hand and to giue him a second warning took away his pot of water and his speare that was sticked at his bolster 1. Sam. 26. and therefore might this Doue safely contestate his harmlesse mind and innocent hands to Cushies accusation that he sought Sauls life Psal 7. O Lord my God if I haue done this thing or if there be any wickednesse in mine hands if I haue rewarded euill to him that had peace with me yea I haue deliuered him that without cause is mine enemie then then let mine enemie persecute my soule and take me yea let him treade my life downe vpon the earth and lay mine honour in the dust No no when he found but one Egyptian rouer in the field he gaue d 1. Sam. 30. 11 him bread to eate when he was hungrie and when he was thirstie he gaue his enemie drinke And as did Dauid so did his sonne and Lord Christ Iesus 5 Christ the sonne of righteousnes from whose brightnesse these starres borrowed this light of grace whose words of truth as they were instructions to their minds so were his workes and actions medicines and cures to the bodies of his deadly foes healing their sicke cleansing their leapers restoring their lame to their legs making their blind to see though they would not behold the light of the world making their deafe to heare though they stopped their eares at the wisedome of the world making their dumbe to speake though they blasphemed the God of the world Yea when their sinne was a bloudie sinne a scarlet sinne a crimson sinne Esa 1. 18. of a double die dyed in the threed being a seed of the wicked and corrupt children and dyed in the web be being a sinfull nation laden with iniquitie and therefore worthie of that double die morte morieirs of the first and second death yet how did he shed his most precious bloud to make their crimson sinnes like wooll and their scarlet sinnes white as snow Yea when with the malice of hell in greatest industrie they went about the act of his condemnation most mercifully with greater diligence he went about the worke of their saluation when they shed his bloud to quench their malice he swet water and bloud to wash their soules Thus the sunne of righteousnes shined on the euill and the good though it softened the waxe and hardened the clay Thus the raine of righteousnesse descended on the iust and vniust though the blessed earth brought forth herbes meete for the dresser and the reprobate ground briers and thornes whose end was to be burned Yea God the Father though he be debter to none doth benefite 6. God his foes to testifie his loue The Father of lights maketh his Sunne to arise on the euill and the good and the fountaine of grace sendeth raine on the iust and vniust Math. 5. 45. A blessing indeed not much esteemed nor iustly weighed as it ought euen of the godly themselues as e Zanch. lib 5. do Nat. Dei cap. 2. quaest 3. one noteth yet in it selfe of great estimate and value seeing by these two Sunne and raine all things as f Ib. c. 1. quaest 1. he noteth are begotten and bred and they be the parents of earthly blessings For seeing the whole condition of mans life dependeth on these two Christ did fitly instance in them saith g In hunc locum quast 353. Abulensis because the former being the cause of siccitie and heate the latter of moisture and frigiditie which foure qualities as our h Ariâ—â— lib. 2. de anâ—â— cap. 3. maister in the schoole of nature teacheth the food and nourishment of all liuing creatures they comprize omnia bona nostra al our earthly blessings as the causes of their effects by a synecdoche coÌ„preheÌ„d innumerable other benefites saith Caluin euen those which Musculus on these words recounteth that he giues life to the euill as to the good that he bestoweth necessaries for life on the euil as on the good that he hath giuen the earth to be inhabited of euill as of good for the i Psal earth hath he giuen to the children of men and k Acts 17. 26. made all mankind to dwell on the face of the earth his fire warmeth the bad as the good his bread doth feede and his wine drinke both alike his rayment doth clothe and his cattel serue both alike Yea the wicked his enemies receiue these blessings from his hand and almes-basket in greater abundance then
b Mat. 5. 47. saith Christ and if ye go no further what reward shall ye haue This is but imperfectae charitatis saith c 2. 2. Quaest 27 art 7. Thomas out of d Euchir cap. 73 Austine a point and signe of imperfect charitie nay vsura charitatis but the vsury and gainefull vse of loue For shame then of our profession at least for feare of losing our reward let vs go before Publicanes and sinners in the kingdome of grace lest Publicans and sinners go before vs into the kingdome of heauen For how great punishment shall we be worthie of e Homil. 18. â—â— Mat. 5. saith Chrysostome if when we should as children follow our heauenly Father and be perfect in this as he is perfect we be found but equall and perchance inferior to the very Gentils that know not God if when we are commaunded to exceede Scribes and Pharisees in our righteousnesse we come short of the Ethnick pagans what torments shall we suffer We reade that euen heathen men haue done good to their very enemies f Li 5 exem c. 3. Sabellicus and g Li. exemp c. 2. Fulgosus bring a cloud of witnesses as of Lycurgus the Lacedemonian to Alexander a boy whom when by chance he had strucke out his eye he tooke home intreated him curteously and instructed him wisely Of Caesar to Catullus whom notwithstanding his defaming verses he inuited to supper and fed his foe Of Augustus his bountie to his enemie L. Câ—nna Vespasian to Vitellius and Titus his son â—o those two patricians that affected his Empire These were their humani affectus saith mine author a part and point of humanity but ours should be more Pietatis religionis partus the birth of religion and the fruites of the spirit But what do I speake of mens reason when the vnreasonable beasts are friendly to their feeders The Oxe knoweth his owner and the stupid Asse not onely the crib but his masters crib What shall I tell you of horses as of h Plin. nat hist lib. 8. cap. 42. Alexanders Bucephalus who in peculiar affection and loue to his louing Lord would suffer no man but him to ride him and though when being wounded at the Theban siege he was vnfit for the saddle yet suffered he him not to get vpon another for that seruice in reward of which brutish kindnesse he made him a tombe at his death and called the towne Bucephalon after his horses name as many histories report What shall I tell you of Antiochus his horse who to reuenge his masters death by Centoratus when that enemie after conquest triumphantly ascended him head-strongly gallopped to a steepe and from thence did precipitate him and his rider as the same author and i Lib â— de hist anâ—mal cap. 43. Aelian doth relate And therefore when k Homer I â—ad lib. â— Hector had fed his horses for the Troian warre Now rush stoutly into the battell saith he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 now remember your masters cribbe and repay me my prouender my strong wheate and sweete wine And if we go no further then these our gold is but drosse and horse-gold our charitie is but vsurie and horse-loue who claweth his fellow to be clawed againe Saint l Hexam l. â— c 4 Ambrose giues as great witnesse to mastiues and curs as we shall to our friends thus performe for when Fulâ—eâ— lib. 5. exempl cap 2. T. Sabinus was imprisoned his dog whom often he had fed would neuer forsake him in his bonds but when his Lord was brought forth to be cast headlong into Tyber like a mourner kind curre he stood howling beside his master and when the standers by gaue him bread to stop his mouth Ori domini admouebat he held it vp to his masters mouth and leapt after him into the riuer to hold vp his head But why shew I that at home which dayly your eyes may behold Let vs go into the wildernesse and there shall you see both the n Plin. hist nat lib. 8. cap. 59. Serpents in Tyrinthe and snakes in Syria though strangers they destroy yet spare the inhabitants in whose land they are nourished There shall ye see that an Elephant grieuously wounded with Porus in the warre against Alexander neglected his owne hurts softly with his trunke pulled the darts out of his masters body till by extreame bleeding he perceiued him to faint and then little by little and softly bowed downe himselfe least Porus his body falling too high should more be grieued with so great a fall But why do I speake of these milder beasts the very ramping and roring Lion who o Prouer. 30. 30 feareth not any at whose roare the beasts of the field do tremble is not behind men in this behalfe For when one Androcles a seruant for some notable misdemeanure in Rome had run from his master into the wildernesse of Africa there to shade himselfe from the scorching of the sun he entred a caue which was a Lions lodging gone about his prey whereto the sauage beast after rauen returning with a thorne in his foote he mildly beheld this fugitiue and held him his foot to plucke out the prick after which cure the Lion for his fee fed him as his guest and gaue him his diet of his pray if p Aelian li. 7. de hist animal c. 43 vide Plin. lib. 8. cap. 16. stories store not vp vntruth for three yeares together After which this vagabond leauing his solitary life and rouing about Rome was apprehended by his maister and cast as those bestiarij were in Rome to this Lybian Lion which by chance had then bene caught who seeing his old guest acknowledged his benefactor and in signe of requital fawned vpon him and lay prostrate at his feet yea tore a Pardale to whom his friend was exposed Thus beasts in reason fauour their friends when men become vnreasonable And therefore when some q 〈◊〉 Courtiers about Alphonsus defended that some beasts excelled many men as the Turtle in chastitie the Emmet in prouidence the dog in sagacitie the Storke in pietie and the Bee in industry and reuerence towards his King that good K. of Arragon answered wisely that whether these vertues were in-bred in beasts by nature or giueÌ„ theÌ„ by Gods donatioÌ„ surely they were granted them for no other cause but to shame vs if reason shall not exceed sense and men beasts in the workes of humanitie Wherefore except your righteousnesse exceed the righteousnesse of the Scribes and Pharisees who hate their enemie except it exceed saith Christ the charitie of Publicanes and sinners who loue but their friend nay surely except it exceed the righteousnesse of sauage beasts and your charitie the loue of cruell Lions how can ye hope to enter into the kingdome of heauen when ye do but as horse and mule which haue no vnderstanding and as Dogs or Lions beasts that perish It was diuellish policie which that Florentine