Psalm 95 3 4 5 saith is a great God and a great King aboue all Gods in his hands are all the corners of the Earth and the heights of the Mountaines are his To him the Sea belongeth for hee made it and his hands formed the dry Land Knowest thou not or hast thou not Esay 40 28 29 heard saith Esay that the euerlasting God the Lorde hath created the endes of the earth hee neyther fainteth nor is wearie there is no searching of his vnderstanding but he giueth strength vnto him that fainteth and vnto him that hath no strength he increaseth power Hee as Nehemiah saith is Lord alone Nehe 9 6 he hath made heauen and the heauen of all heauens with all their host and the earth and all that therein is the seas also and all that are in them and hee preserueth them all and the host of the heauen worshippeth him Yea all thinges as himselfe saith vvere 2 Esdr 6 6. made by him alone and by none other by him also they shall be ended by none other §. 5. The vvorld saith the Almighty is mine Psal 50 12. and all that therein is I haue made the earth the man and the Ierem 27 5 beast that are vppon the grounde by my great power and by mine out-stretched arme and I haue giuen the same sayth he vnto vvhom it pleaseth mee And that wee may the better be perswaded to beleeue his speeches and some-what the more willingly mooued heerein to admire his wonderfull great might hee presently confirmeth his saying with the example of Nabuchadnezzer King of Babel Into whose handes for a time as Ieremie Iere 27 6 7. writeth God gaue all Lands and beastes of the fielde all Nations for to serue him and his sonne and his sonnes sonne And for the maiestie that GOD gaue Dan 5 19. him all people Nations and Languages trembled and feared before him He put to death whom hee would hee smote whom he would whom he would he set vp and whom he would hee put downe But vvhen his hart was puft vp and his verse 20 21 minde hardned in pride hee was deposed from his kinglie throne and they tooke his honour from him And he was driuen frō the sonnes of men and his hart was made like the beastes and his dwelling was with the wilde Asses they fedde him with grasse like Oxen and his body was wette with the dew of heauen till he knew saith Daniell that the most high GOD bare rule ouer the kingdome of men and that he appointeth ouer the same whom soeuer hee pleaseth Vnto Saule likewise God gaue a great and mighty Kingdome selecting him for 1 Sam 9 21 Prince and Ruler ouer his owne chosen beloued people the Children of Israell he being before by his owne confession but of a small Trybe and very poore familie yea such a fellowe that as the Text sayth he went wandring about the Countrey to enquire and seeke after his Fathers Asses that were lost A man trulie in humaine iudgement by reason of his basenes verie vnlikelie to prooue a King Notwithstanding God which can doe whatsoeuer pleaseth him bestowed the cheefest kingdome vnder the Sun vpon him And afterward when through his disobedience he fell frō the fauour of God the Almighty as wel to make manifest his power in displacing him as for other causes best knowne to his secrete wisedom rent the fore-said kingdom from him and gaue it vnto his neighbour 1 Sam 15 28. saith the holie Ghost that * vvas better then hee Well may we therefore confesse and say Psal 145 3. and 147 5 vvith the Psalmist Great is the Lord our God and most worthy to be praised great is his power his wisedome is infinite and his greatnesse is incomprehensible His Name as Daniell saith be praysed for euer and euer for wisedom strength Dan 2 20 21 22. are his He changeth the times seasons hee taketh away Kinges and hee setteh vp Kings hee giueth wisedome vnto the wise vnderstanding to those that vnderstand hee discouereth the deepe secret things hee knoweth what is in the darknesse and the light dwelleth with him §. 6. VVho is GOD besides the Lord 2 Sam 22 32. saith Dauid Or who is mightie saue our God With him is wisedome and strength hee Iob 12 13 14. hath counsell and vnderstanding Behold he will breake downe it cannot be built hee shutteth a man vp and hee cannot be loosed Behold he with-holdeth the waters and verse 15. they dry vp but when hee sendeth them forth they destroy the earth With him is strength and wisedome hee verse 16 that is deceiued that deceiueth are his Hee causeth the Counsellors to goe as verse 17 18 19. spoyled and maketh the Iudges fooles hee looseth the collar of Kings girdeth theyr loynes with a girdle hee leadeth away the Princes as a pray and ouerthroweth the mightie hee taketh away the speech from verse 20 21 the faithfull Counsellors and taketh avvaie the iudgement of the auncient hee powreth contempt vpon Princes and maketh the strength of the mightie weake Hee discouereth the deepe places from verse 22 23 theyr darknesse and bringeth foorth the shadowe of death to light hee increaseth the people and destroyeth them hee enlargeth the Nations and bringeth them in againe Hee taketh away the harts of them that verse 24 are the cheefe ouer the people of the earth and maketh them to wander in the Wildernesse out of the way c. Hee also giueth raine vpon the earth Iob 5 10 11 powreth downe water vpon the streets hee setteth vp on hie them that be of lowe degree and exalteth the sorrowfull to saluation Hee scattereth the deuises of the craftie verse 12 so that theyr hands cannot accomplish that which they doe enterprise Yea he taketh the wise in their craftines verse 13 14 and ouerthroweth the counsell of the wicked Insomuch that they meete with darknesse in the day time and grope at noone day as in the night Hee also putteth his hand vppon the Rocks and ouerthroweth the Mountaines Iob 28 9 10 11 by the rootes hee breaketh Riuers in the Rockes and his eye seeth euerie precious thing hee bindeth the floods that they doe not ouer-flowe and the thing that is hid bringeth he to light Hee it is that maketh poore and hee it is 1 Sam. 2 7. that maketh rich hee bringeth lowe and hee exalteth Yea hee as Hannah sayth raiseth vp verse 8. the poore out of the dust and lifteth the begger from the dunghill to place them among Princes and to make them inherite the seate of glorie For the pillers of the earth saith shee are his and hee hath sette the round world vpon them §. 7. Behold now saith the Almightie for I Deut. 32 39 I am the Lord and there is no Gods vvith mee I kill and giue life I wound
remaineth sure and hath this seale The Lord knovveth vvho are his And the Almightie himselfe talking with his seruant Moises saith * Thou hast Exod. 33. 17 found fauour in my sight I know thee by name Likewise vnto the Prophet Ieremie in the very beginning of his booke hee vseth these words * Before I formed thee in thy Ierem 1 5. mothers wombe I knew thee and before thou cammest out of the wombe I sanctified thee ordained thee to be a Prophet vnto the Nations §. 5. Now as by these few former places wee finde it most apparantly prooued that the freends and seruaunts of Almightie God are alvvayes knowne vnto him so may we likewise by this ensuing example speech of the Prophet to Senacharib certainly assure our selues that the Lord God knoweth vvho are his enemies also For when that proude-daring King of 2 Reg 18 28. 29 30. â— the Assvrians sent Rabsaketh his foule-mouthed messenger to blaspheme the Holie one of Israell the Almightie returned him this aunswere by the mouth of Esay saying * I knowe thy dwelling yea thy 2. Reg. 19 27 28. going out and thy comming in thy furie against mee And because thou ragest against mee and thy tumult is come vp to mine eares I will put my hooke in thy nostrils and my bridle in thy lippes and will bring thee backe againe the same way thou cammest Moreouer the Lord our God as Esdras affirmeth knoweth all them that sinne 2 Esd 15. 26 against him and therefore deliuereth hee them vnto death and destruction For there is as Iob sayth no darknesse Iob 34 22 nor shadow of death that can hide the wicked dooers from his sight Hee declareth the things past and the Ecclê° 42 19 things that are to come he also discloseth the path of those things that are secrete Hee searcheth the ground of the deepe 2. Esd 16. 49 and the treasures thereof hee hath measured the Sea and knoweth what it containeth §. 6. Let all men therefore as Cicero vvell sayth in this be truly perswaded that God â— Citeâ—s is the onely moderator gouernour of all things and that all things also be done by his power and appoyntment And that he it is which most cleerely beholdeth euery man both what hee doth what he admitteth in himselfe with what minde and godlines he doth loue fauour Religion and that hee hath also a respect to the proceedings both of all godly and wicked men Yea the Lord our God onely as Siluius Siluius saith by his eternall wisedom hath made all by his euerlasting prouidence hee preserueth all and by his most absolute vnderstanding he knoweth all For of him and through him and for Rom 11 36 him as the Apostle saith are all thinges to him be glory for euer Amen ¶ Of the great mercie and louing kindnesse of God §. 1. THE Lord our God according to Nehe. 9. 17 the confession of the Leuites in the ninth of Nehemiah is a GOD of mercies gracious and pittifull of long suffering and of great mercie Hee is as Dauid saith good to all and Psal 145 9 his mercies are ouer or aboue all the rest of his workes Yea hee is full of compassion mercy Psal 103 8 9. slow to anger and of great kindnesse Hee will not alway chide neither will he keepe his anger for euer Hee hath not dealt with vs after our sins nor rewarded vs according to our iniquities verse 10 11 12 13 For as high as the heauen is aboue the earth so great is his mercie toward theÌ„ that feare him and as far as the East is from the West so farre hath he remoued our sinnes from vs. * As a Father hath compassion on verse 14. 15. his children so hath the Lord compassion on them that feare him For hee knoweth whereof we be made hee remembreth that wee are but dust §. 2. Where saith Micah is there anie God Micah 7 18 like vnto the Lord our God that taketh away iniquitie and passeth by or winketh at the transgressions of the remnant of his heritage He retaineth not his wrath for euer because mercy pleaseth him Hee is as Salomon saith gracious and Wisd 15 1 true long suffering gouerneth al things by mercy Hee is as Sirach saith kinde pittiful Ecclus 2 12 hee pardoneth and forgiueth sinnes hee saueth in the time of trouble hee is a defender of all theÌ„ that seeke him in the truth And * as his greatnes is so is his mercy Eccâ—us 2 21 Cyrill For he can no more cease to be mercifull then he can cease to be God The mercie that a man hath saith Sirach Ecclê° 18 12 reacheth vnto his neighbour but the mercy of the Lord is vpon all flesh He is the Father of mercies the God 2 Cor 1 3 of all comfort His mercie reacheth vnto the heauens Psalm 36 5 his faithfulnesse vnto the clowdes His mercie is euerlasting and his truth Psal 100. 5. endureth from generation to generation §. 3. Oh how excellent as Dauid saith is the Psalm 36 7 mercy of the Lord our God! therefore the chyldren of men saith he put theyr trust vnder the shadow of his winges The very remembrance of Gods mercie Bernard saith Bernard maketh glad the harts of all the godly and the hope of heauens helpe is comfortable to euerie penitent person The tongues of all men liuing saith Marlorate Marlorate cannot tell out Gods mercie nor the pennes of all the VVriters in the vvorld sufficiently expresse the same His wrath as Erasmus saith is alvvaies Erasmus giuen by weight but is mercie is infinite without either end or measure Besides if wee aske yet further after the Augustine seuerall workes of Gods mercy wee shall finde as S. Augustine saith that they passe all number as there can be no nuÌ„ber made of our miseries and daily necessities For what man liuing saith Becon can Becon tell how often through frailtie he hath offended or truely reckon how many waies he hath been preserued froÌ„ perrill through the onely mercy of the Almightie extended towards him Also If the sinnes of all the world were as S. Chrisostome saith in one man yet Chrisostome would they be nothing to the mercy of the Almightie but the burthen of them in comparison of his mercie woulde seeme like the Spyders webbe before the boysterous winde Yea the multitude of all mens offences â— Fulgentius in respect of Gods mercie is like a small drop of raine to the greatest Sea §. 4. Furthermore the mercy of the Lorde Chrisostome our God is as S. Chrisostome saith both generall and speciall It is generall in supplying the present wants both of the iust and vniust It is speciall in succouring the iust onely It is likewise temporary saith he in sparing the wicked for a time and it is euerlasting concerning the
preserued according to that speech of Ieremie in his Lamentations where hee sayth * It is the Lords mercies Lam 3. 22. that we are not consumed because his coÌ„passions faile not For hee hath mercy on whom hee will Exod 33 19 haue mercie and hee hath compassion on whom he will haue compassion ¶ Of the iustice of Almightie God §. 1. AS it is a matter most needfull for euerie Christian beleeuer to knowe that God his Creator is very kinde and mercifull so is it likewise greatly necessary for him to remember that the Lord of euerlasting glorie is also iust and true For he that dooth continue in his sin running the race of his life in all kind of wilful negligence and buildeth the whole burden of his iniquities vpon the perswasion of his Makers mercie without any reckoning or regard of his iustice such a man for certaintie liues in a most lothsome state and is ready at euery step which hee treadeth to set his foote with Pharao in the perrilous path of presumption Contrariwise he that doth acknowledge God to be iust seuere and true by too much hammering the same in his braine looseth or letteth slippe the sweete taste feeling comfort of his vnspeakeable loue and mercie entertaineth by this meanes a seruaunt more then he needeth who wayting continually at his elbowe neuer ceaseth to prompt and perfect his maister in * Caines part vntill the disquiet of his Gene 4 13 minde driue him to the soule-destroying sinne of desperation Wherefore sith we haue already found in our short discourse of Gods mercy the precious potion which presently cureth the dangerous disease of all such troublesome and distempering thoughts Let vs now likewise by expressing some few speeches of Gods iustice seeke out such simplâ—s as may dreadfully keepe vs from the offence of too much boldnes in ouer-prouing the great patience of our most mightie Preseruer §. 2. Vnderstand therfore that when the Altie discended from heauen in a clowde proclaimed his Name vnto his seruaunt Moises in Mount Sinai because he would haue him know that hee was the God of iustice as well as the Lord of mercie hee vttered these speeches as he passed by him saying * The Lorde the Lorde strong Exod 34 5 6 7 mercifull and gracious slow to anger aboundant in goodnesse and truth reseruing mercie for thousands forgiuing iniquitie and transgression and sinne Then followeth And not making the wicked innocent visiting the iniquitie of the Fathers vpon the chyldren vpon childrens children vnto the third fourth generation The same Moises likewise that he might cause the people to consider Gods iustice as wel as make them mindful of his mercy forgetteth not in his repetition of the Law to tell them That the Lord theyr God is a Deut 5 9 10. iealous God visiting the iniquitie of the Fathers vpon the chyldren euen vnto the third and fourth generation of them that hate him and shewing mercy vnto thousands of them that loue him and keep his commaundements And to the intent also that Gods iustice might be as well remembred as his mercie the Prophet Ieremie in his prayer which hee made vnto the Lord in prison spareth not to speake of them both together saying * O Lord our GOD it is thou that Ierem 32 17 18. hast made heauen and earth by thy great power and by thine out-stretched arme and there is nothing hid from thee Thou shewest mercy vnto thousands and recompencest the iniquity of the Fathers into the bosome of theyr children after them Besides the Prophet Dauid in the ninth Psalme plainely affirmeth that * the Lord Psalm 9 16 our God is knowne by executing iudgement §. 3. Saint Chrisostome as we read speaking generally of the iustice of Almighty God maketh breefely this definition therof saying The iustice of God is that wherby all Chrisostome those good things be performed which do belong vnto a true God and can be doone by none but by him alone As namely his creating and making of those things which be not and his breeding increasing gouerning continuall preseruing of those things which be But Saint Ambrose speaking more particulerly of Gods iustice deuideth the same into three parts saying The first is that as Ambrose hee is God so hee is the onely Creator and conseruer of all things vvhich is nothing else but the goodnes of his own nature The second is that as he is Lord maister so he gouerneth all things by iust authoritie according to the pleasure of his owne will The third is that as hee is Iudge so hee will deale rightly in iudgement with all men and revvarde euery one at his death according to the workes which hee hath doone in this life And like as S. Ambrose maketh mention of three sorts of iustice to bee in God so S. Augustine speaketh of three speciall Augustine causes which daily mooue men to sinne against their Maker The first is saith he when we foolishlie flatter our selues in our iniquities thinke that the Almighty seeth not our sinnes The second is when wee perswade with our selues that GOD careth not for our sinnes The third is because we weigh not Gods iustice but supposing him to be onely mercifull we will therefore of purpose vvexe more and more sinful But let not my brother saith S. Bernard Bernard the subtilties of sathan so seduce thee that by too much buzzing in thy braine the greatnes of Gods mercy he thereby cause thee cleane to extinguish the remeÌ„brance thou should'st haue of thy Creators iustice Neither bee thou dravvne at any time through his inducements to tempt and abuse Ambrose the patience of the most Mighty for it is the next way to shutte thee out of the grace of saluation vtterly to disappoint thy selfe of all the mercy and fauour which the Almighty was minded to haue vsed towards thee §. 4. VVe read in the fift of S. Iohn that our Sauiour Christ hauing by the onely power of his worde miraculously made vvhole a man which had beene diseased eyght and thirty yeeres chaunced afterward to finde the same fellow in the Temple and before they parted hee gaue him this kinde and freendly admonishment to forewarne him saying * Beholde thou art made vvhole Iohn 5 8 14 sinne no more least a worse thing come vnto thee The like counsaile also in effect giueth Sirach vnto all men in the fift of his booke where he saith Because thy sinne is forgiuen Ecclê° 5 5 6. thee my sonne be not without feare to heape sinne vpon sinne neyther say vnto thy selfe The mercy of God is great he will forgiue my manifold sinnes for mercie and wrath come from him and his indignation commeth downe vpon sinners And * as his mercy is great so is his punishment Ecclê° 16 12 also for hee iudgeth a man according to his workes §. 5. Perfect as Moises saith is the vvorke of
vnto you that they haue their reward VVherefore vvhen thou giuest thine almes let not thy left hand know what thy right hande doth that thine almes may be in secret thy Father which seeth in secret will reward thee openly §. 14. Likewise regard vvell that the Almes Isidorus which thou art willing to bestowe on the poore be taken from some part or portion of thine owne true-gotten goods for other-wise in giuing thou shalt highly prouoke GOD to anger and sooner bring downe a curse then a blessing vpon thee For the offering of the righteous maketh Ecclê° 35 6 the Altar fat and the smell thereof is sweete before the Lord. But he that giueth an offering of vnrighteous Ecclê° 34 18 goods offereth a mocking sacrifice and the gifts of the vngodly please not God The sacrifice of the righteous is acceptable Ecclê° 35 7. and the remembrance thereof shall neuer be forgotten But the most High doth not allowe the Ecclê° 34 20 offerings of the wicked neither is hee pacified for sinne through the multitude of their sacrifice For the sacrifice of the wicked is an abhomination Prou 15 8 vnto the Lord. And he that bringeth an offering of the Ecclê° 34. 21 goods of the poore doth as one that sacrificeth the sonne before the fathers eyes VVhich as in reason euery man may well perswade himselfe that the father of such a child would neuer willingly be content eyther to see or suffer so by the testimony of these few former places may wee certainely assure our selues that God vvill much more vnlikely be pleased with the gifts of ill-gotten goods ¶ Of Humilitie and Obedience §. 1. THe greater thou art saith Sirach the Ecclê° 3 19. more humble thy selfe in all things so shalt thou find fauour before the Lord. For thus saith hee that is hie and excellent he that inhabiteth the eternitie whose Esay 57 15. Name is the Holie one I dwell in the hie and holie place with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit to reuiue the spirit of the humble to giue life to them that are of a contrite hart §. 2. There be as Orosius saith three degrees Orosius of humilitie the first is of repentance the the second is in hungering thirsting after righteousnesse the third consisteth in extending the workes of mercie to such as haue neede of comfort And the chiefest poynt of all mans true Iust Mar. humilitie consisteth in this to subiect and frame his vvill according to the will of God in all things what-soeuer For them that be meeke wil God guide Psalm 25 9. in iudgement and teach the humble his way §. 3. It is nothing prayse-worthy for a man to Clem. Alex. be humble in aduersitie because necessitie then compelleth him but in the midst of prosperitie to beare an humble minde deserueth great commendation VVherefore if thou desire to ascende Bernard where God the Father sitteth thou must put on the true humilitie which Christ his Sonne teacheth For euery one that exalteth himselfe Luke 18 14 shall be brought lowe but hee that humbleth himselfe shall be exalted §. 4. Pride and humilitie be two contraries Cicero the one is both of GOD and man greatly disliked the other is of God and man very much beloued And as the one directeth the way to hell Mar. Bucer so the other teacheth the way to heauen If thou arrogantly lift vp thy selfe vnto Augustine God hee will flee further off from thee but if thou humble thy selfe vnfainedly before him he will then draw neere come downe vnto thee §. 5. Let nothing saith the Apostle be done Philip 2 3. through contention or vaine glory but in meekenesse of minde let euery man esteeme other better then himselfe For like as lowlines of hart and meekenes Epiphaniâ—â— of minde maketh a man highly in fauour with God so strife vaine-glory and contention procureth hatred and disdaine amongst men And like as pride sleyeth loue prouoketh disdaine kindleth malice confoundeth Pacuuius iustice and subuerâ—eth Weales publique euen so meekenes gentlenes or humilitie doe stirre vp affection augment beneuolence intend charitie support good equitie and preserue in peace concorde both Countries and Common-weales §. 6. It is better saith Salomon to bee of an Prou 16. 19 humble minde with the lowlie then to deuide the spoyles with the proude Now therefore as the elect of God holie Colos 3. 12. 13. beloued put on tender mercy kindnesse humblenes of minde meekenesse long suffering forbearing one another forgiuing one another if any man haue a quarrell to another euen as Christ forgaue you euen so doe yee And aboue all these things put on loue Colos 3 14. which is the bond of perfectnes And let the peace of God rule in your verse 15. harts to the which ye are called in one bodie and be yee thankfull Likewise ye yonger submit your selues 1 Pet 5 5. vnto the elders submit your selues euery man one to another decke your selues inwardly in lowlines of minde for GOD resisteth the proude and giueth grace to the humble Humble your selues therefore vnder the 1 Pet 5 6 mightie hand of God that hee may exalt you in due time Cast down your selues before the Lord Iames 4 10 and hee will lift you vp §. 7. Submit your selues saith S. Peter vnto 1 Pet. 3 13 14. all maner ordinaunce of man for the Lords sake vvhether it be vnto the King as vnto the Superiour or vnto Gouernours as vnto them that are sent of him for the punishment of euill dooers and for the praise of them that doe well Yea Let euery soule be subiect vnto the Rom 13 1 2. higher Powers for there is no power but of God and the powers that be are ordained of God Whosoeuer therefore resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God and they that resist shall receiue to themselues condemnation Be subiect then to the principalities Titus 3 1 powers be obedient and ready to euerie good worke For obedience is better then sacrifice 1 Sam 15 22 23. and to harken is better then the fatte of Rammes But rebellion is as the sinne of vvitchcraft transgression is wickednes and idolatry §. 8. Obedience saith Plotinus is an incomparable Plotinus vertue and due both to God and man that is to say first and cheefely vnto God secondly vnto the Prince and so consequently vnto all other Magistrates that by him are placed in authoritie For as the Prince beeing placed onely Virgilius by the prouidence of God in the highest seate of honour oweth equall iustice and meeke conuersation to all his subiects so ought the people to owe dutifull obedience to their Prince in reuerencing his person and fulfilling his commaundements And hee that rightly obeyeth his superiour Cyrill by his good ensample instructeth his inferiour Also hee that
honoureth and obeyeth Tertullian his Prince honoureth and obeyeth God for the Prince is Gods Vizegerent here on earth and representeth amongst men vsing his authoritie as hee ought the glorious state and high Maiestie of GOD in heauen §. 9. Obey them saith the Apostle that haue Heb 13 17 the ouer-sight of you and submit your selues for they watch for your soules as they that must giue accounts that they may doe it with ioy not with griefe for that is vnprofitable for you The Elders that rule well saith hee are 1 Tim 5 17. 18 woorthy of double honour specially they that labour in the Word doctrine For the Scripture saith Thou shalt not mousell the mouth of the Oxe that treadeth out the corne and The labourer is worthy of his wages Nowe therefore we beseech you brethren 1 Thes 5 12 13 that yee knowe them which labour among you and are ouer you in the Lord and admonish you that yee haue them in singuler loue for their workes sake * And Philip. 2. 29. make much of such §. 10. Honour all men loue brotherly fellowship 1 Pet 2 17. feare God honour the King For the Kings wrath is like the roaring Prou 19 12 of a Lyon but his fauour is like the dewe vpon the grasse And as Princes are men before God so Lactantius are they Gods before men This alwaies yet remember That vvee Acts. 5 29. ought rather to obey God than man ¶ A further declaration of diuers other speciall commaundements which we finde contained in the Booke of GOD concerning our dutie towards him and our loue towards our neighbour With many profitable sayings tending to the same effect and purpose collected foorth of the workes of sundry learned and worthy Writers ¶ Against the worshipping of Images and false Gods §. 1. THus spake the Almightie vnto Israell Exod. 20 1 2 3. in the twenty chapter of Exodus saying I am the Lorde thy GOD which haue brought thee out of the Lande of Egypt out of the house of bondage Thou shalt haue none other Gods but mee Thou shalt make thee no grauen Image verse 4. neyther any similitude of things that are in heauen aboue neither that are in the earth beneath nor that are in the waters vnder the earth Thou shalt not bowe downe to them Exod 20 5 nor serue them for I am the Lorde thy God a ielous God visiting the iniquitie of the fathers vppon the children vnto the third and fourth generation of them that hate mee And shewing mercy vnto thousands in verse 6. them that loue mee and keepe my commaundements §. 2. To vvhom saith Esay vvill yee liken Esay 40 18. GOD or what similitude will yee set vp vnto him Hee is a King euerlasting immortall 1 Tim 1 17 and invisible * And there is none like vnto Deuâ— 33. 26 to him Take therefore good heede vnto your Deut 4 15 16. selues for ye saw no image in the day that the Lord spake vnto you in Horeb out of the middes of the fire that yee corrupt not your selues make you a grauen image or representation of any figure whether it be the likenes of male or female The likenes of any beast that is on the verse 17 18 earth or the likenes of any fethered foule that flieth in the ayre The likenesse of any thing that creepeth on the earth or the likenes of any fish that is in the vvaters beneath the earth c. For the Lord thy GOD is a consuming Deut 4 24 fire and a ielous God §. 3. Confounded be all they saith Dauid Psalm 97 7 that serue grauen Images and that glorie in their Idols Miserable are they and among the dead Wisd 13 10 is their hope that call them Gods which are the workes of mens hands For the worshipping of Idols vvhich Wisd 14 26 ought not to be named is the beginning the cause and the end of all euill The inuenting of them was the beginning Wisd 14 11 of whoredome and the finding of them is the corruption of life For they were not from the beginning verse 12. 13 neyther shall they continue for euer The vaine-glory of men brought them into the world therefore shal they come shortly to an end They haue mouthes and speake not Psalm 115 5. 6. 7. they haue eyes and see not they haue eares and heare not they haue noses and smell not they haue hands and touch not they haue feete walk not neither make they any sound with theyr throate They that make them are like vnto theÌ„ and so are all they that put theyr trust in Psal 115 8 them But cursed be the Image the image-maker Wisd 14 8 hee because hee made it and it because that beeing a corruptible thing it was called God §. 4. VVho-soeuer saith S. Augustine adoreth or maketh his prayer beholding an Image Augustine hee is so moued thereby in his owne minde that he thinketh the Image heareth him and also hopeth that it will performe his peticion An vnhappy memory therfore is that which to remember Christ vvho neuer Carolus magnus ought to depart out of the hart of the iust man standeth in neede of a sightfull conceite nor otherwise can haue the presence of Christ within him vnlesse hee haue his Image painted on a vvall or expressed in some other matter for such a memory as is nourished and kept by Images proceedeth not of harty loue but necessitie of eye-sight And out of all doubt there is no true religion Lactantius to be looked for wheresoeuer an Image hath any abyding ¶ Against swearing §. 1. THou shalt not take the Name of the Exod 20 7 Lord thy God in vaine for the Lorde will not holde him guiltlesse that taketh his Name in vaine Yee haue heard that it was saide to them Math 5 33 of old time Thou shalt not forsweare thy selfe but shalt performe thine oath vnto the Lord. But I say vnto you sweare not at all neither verse 34 35 by heauen for it is the throne of God nor yet by the earth for it is his footestoole neyther by Ierusalem for it is the Cittie of the great King Neyther shalt thou swear by thine head verse 36. because thou canst not make one hayre white or blacke But let your communication bee Yea verse 37 yea Nay nay for vvhat-soeuer is more then these commeth of euill §. 2. Aboue all thinges my brethren sweare Iames 5 12. not neither by heauen nor by earth nor by any other oath but let your yea be yea and your nay nay least yee fall into condemnation Accustome not thy mouth to swearing Ecclê° 23 9 for in it there are many falles neyther take vp for an ordinary vse the naming of the Holy one for thou shalt not escape vnpunished for such things For as a seruaunt
that is often beaten verse 10. cannot be without some skarre so hee that sweareth and nameth GOD continually shall not be faultlesse But as hee blasphemeth the Name of Sigismund GOD by his often swearing so he dailie procureth vnto himselfe many plague for his punishment Yea the man that vseth much swearing Ecclê° 23 11 shall be filled with wickednes the plague shall neuer goe from his house when he shall offend his fault shall be vppon him and if hee acknowledge not his sinne hee maketh a double offence if hee sweare in vaine he shall not be innocent but his house shall be full of plagues Vse not thy mouth therefore to ignoraunt Ecclê° 23 13 rashnesse for therein is the occasion of sinne ¶ Of sanctifying the Sabaoth-day §. 1. REmember thou keep holy the Sabaoth Exod 20. 8. day Sixe dayes shalt thou labour and doe all that thou hast to doe But the seuenth day is the Sabaoth of the verse 9. Lord thy God in it thou-shalt do no manner of worke neither thou nor thy sonne nor thy daughter nor thy man seruaunt nor thy mayd seruaunt nor thy cattell nor the stranger that is within thy gates For in sixe dayes the Lord made heauen verse 10. and earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the seuenth day wherefore the Lord blessed the seuenth day and hallowed it §. 2. If saith the Almighty thou turne away Esay 58. 13. thy foote from the Sabaoth from doing thy will on mine holy day and call the Sabaoth a delight to consecrate it as glorious vnto the Lord shalt honour him not dooing thine owne wayes nor seeking thine ovvne vvill nor speaking a vaine vvord Then shalt thou delight in the Lorde verse 14. and I will cause thee to mount vpon the hie places of the earth feede thee vvith the heritage of Iacob thy Father for the the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it But take heede to thy foote when thou Ecclesi 4 â—7 entrest into the House of GOD and be more neere or ready to heare then to giue the sacrifice of fooles for they know not that they doe euill ¶ Of honouring our Parents §. 1. HOnour thy father thy mother that Exod 20 12 thy dayes may be prolonged in the Land which the Lord thy GOD giueth thee Honour thy father from thy whole hart Ecclus 7 27 28. forget not the sorrowes of thy mother Remember that thou wast borne of them and how canst thou recompence them the things that they haue done for thee Obey thy father therfore that hath begotten Prou 23 22. thee and despise not thy mother when shee is old For the Lord will haue the father honored Ecclus 3 3 of the children and hath confirmed the authoritie of the mother ouer them §. 2. It is the first lawe euen of nature saith Val. Max. Valerius that we should in all kindnes and affection deerelie loue our parents And the honour which wee owe vnto Chilo them is no otherwise to be vnderstood but to iudge discreetly reuerently and honourably of them to esteeme wel of all their dooings not onely because they are our elders but chiefely because they are our parents whom it pleased God to vse as instruments to the intent that by them wee might haue our first beginning and naturall entrance into this world by whom also after our birth wee be most tenderlie brought vp carefully attended on naturallie beloued and most daintily fedde and nourished both in sicknes in health Also in dutifully honouring of our parents Chilo wee doe not onely honour the great vertue and power of God but also the excellencie of his goodnesse whereby we are made men and borne into the world euen of the blood of man §. 3. Honour thy father thy mother saith Ecclê° 3 9 10. Sirach in deede and in word and in all patience that thou mayst haue Gods blessing and that his blessing may abide with thee in the end For the blessing of the father establisheth the houses of the chyldren and the mothers curse rooteth out the foundations Helpe thy father in his age and grieue Ecclus 3 13 him not as long as he liueth And if his vnderstanding faile haue patience verse 14. with him and despise him not when thou art in thy full strength For the good intreatie of thy father shall verse 15 not be forgotten but it shall be a fortresse for thee against sinnes And in the day of trouble thou shalt be verse 16. remembred thyne iniquities also shal melt away as the yâ—e in the faire weather §. 4. Who so honoureth his father his sinnes Ecclê° 3 4 5 shall be forgiuen him and he shal abstaine from them and shall haue his daily desires And he that honoureth his mother is like one that gathereth treasure VVho so honoureth his father shall verse 6 haue ioy of his owne chyldren and vvhen hee maketh his prayer he shal be â—eard Who so honoreth his father shall haue a verse 7 long life and hee that is obedient vnto the Lord shall comfort his mother But hee that forsaketh his father shall Ecclê° 3 17 come to shame and hee that despiseth his mother is cursed of God Hee also that curseth his father or his Exod 21 17 mother shall die the death And that childs light shall be put out Prou 20 20. in obscure darknes ¶ Against Pride §. 1. THere are sixe things as Salomon saith Prou 6 16. 17 18 19. which the Lord hateth yea his soule abhorreth seauen namely these hautie or proude lookes a lying tongue the hands that shedde innocent blood a heart that imagineth wicked enterprises feete that be swift in running to mischiefe a false witnes that speaketh lyes and him that raiseth vp contentions among bretheren §. 2. Pride as Pacuuius saith is a subtile Serpent Paâ—uuius which slilie insinuateth her selfe into the mindes of men and the very cheefe cause of all superstition and enuie It is an vgly and lothsome monster both Plato in the sight of God man continually accompanied with these foure bad companions Folly Rashnes Audacitie and Impudencie The beginning of mans pride is to fall Ecclê° 10 13 away from God to turne away his hart from his Maker For pride is the originall of sinne he verse 14. that hath it shall powre out abhomination till at last himselfe be ouerthrowne But the rewarde of humilitie and the Prou 22 4 feare of God is riches honour health §. 3. Pride enuie and impatiencie are the Augustine three capitall enemies of mans constancie And it commonly falleth out that hee Arnobius which is proud himselfe thinketh it a matter vnpossible for any man to be humble Pride is also such a turbulent euill to him Ambrose that is possessed there-with that it maketh his maister like a shyp
tongue to slaunder them that be dead Be alwayes one to thy friende aswell in Mar. Aur. aduersitie as in prosperitie and keepe thy promise as truly as thou wouldest pay thy debt Vse in all things and towards all men a Socrates simple veritie without fraude deceit or guile eyther in word or deed And be not ashamed to doe iustice to euery Boetius man for what-soeuer is doone vvithout iustice is tyrannie §. 30. Doe no secrete thing before a stranger Ecclê° 8 18 for thou canst not tell vvhat hee goeth about Neither tell the thoughts of thy heart Ecclê° 8 19 vnto euery man least he be vnthankfull to thee and put thee to reproofe Dishonour no man in his olde age for Ecclus 8. 6 they were as wee which are not old Sit not at all with another mans wife neither Ecclê° 9 11 lie with her vpon the bed nor banket with her least thine hart incline vnto her and so through thy desire thou fall into destruction Be not glad of the death of thine enemy Ecclus. 8 7 but remember that wee must die all and so enter into ioy Be gentle and curteous to euery one but Theophras flatter no man neyther suffer thy selfe to be flattered of any Be familiar with fewe men and beware Macrobius whom thou trustest Be patient constant in the time of aduersitie Arnobius and in thy prosperitie be of an humble spirit §. 31. If thy parents wexe poore supply theyr Socrates want with thy wealth if froward with age beare patiently with their imperfections And striue not with thy father mother Anacharsis in words although thou tell the truth If thou haue sonnes bring them vp in Ecclê° 7 23 nurture and learning hold them in awe euen from their youth Chasten thy childe while there is hope Prou. 19 18 and let not thy soule spare for his murmuring For it is better that thou should'st make Antisth thy sonne weepe in his youth then hee should make thee mourne when thou art old If thou haue daughters keepe theyr bodie Ecclê° 7 24 and shewe not thy face cheerefull towards them Suffer not thy daughter to walke abroad Anaxag after her owne will for it is the ready vvay to bring her to wickednesse If thy daughter be not shamefast holde Ecclê° 26 10 her straitly least she abuse herselfe through ouermuch libertie Take heed of her that hath an vnshamefast Ecclê° 26 11 looke meruaile not if she trespasse against thee For. as one that goeth by the way and Ecclê° 26 12 is thirstie so shall shee open her mouth drink of euery next water by euery hedge shall she sitte downe and open her quiuer against euery arrow §. 32. Let no couetous man haue any rule ouer Aristotle thee neither yeeld thy selfe subiect vnto couetousnesse for the couetous man wil deceiue thee of thy goods and couetousnesse will defraude thee of thy life If thou intendest any thing whereof may Xenocrates grow any goodnes deuise to proceed with all diligence but if by thy workes may chaunce that which is euill then be as forward to conquer thy will Sowe good works and thou shalt reape Socrates the flowers of ioy and gladnesse When thou risest in the morning determine Pythagoras so to spend the day following as though at night a graue should be thy bed Endeuour thy selfe at all times to doe so Plato well that the wicked may rather enuie thee for thy vertuous life then good men pitty thee for thy euill liuing So liue and so hope as though thou Thales shouldest die immediatly Order thy selfe so that thy soule may alwayes Pythago be in good estate what-soeuer become of thy body §. 33. Be not as a Lyon in thine owne house Ecclus 4 30 neyther beate thy seruaunts for thy fantasie nor oppresse them that are vnder thee Doe nothing vvithout aduisement so Ecclê° 32 20 shall it not repent thee after the deede Be not excessiue toward any without Ecclê° 33 28 discretion doe nothing Let reason goe before euery enterprise Ecclê° 37 16 and counsell before euery action Thinke first then speake and last of all Isocrates fulfill Liue alwayes with thine vnderlings as Mar. Aurel. thou wouldest thy betters should liue with thee do to all men as thou wouldest be done by §. 34. Be not ashamed to heare the truth of Socrates whomsoeuer it be for truth is so noble of it selfe that it maketh them honorable that pronounce it Be sober and chast among young folkes Plato that they may learne of thee and among old that thou mayst learne of them Learne those thinges whilst thou art a Anaxag chylde as may afterward profite thee by practise when thou art a man And let it not grieue thee in youth to Socrates follow vertue for if thou deferre it off till age it will seeme like a heauie burden vnpleasant to be borne §. 35. Holde friendship with many men neuerthelesse Ecclus 6 6 haue but one counsellour of a thousand If thou get a friende proue him first verse 7 8 be not hastie to credite him For some man is a friende for is owne occasion and will not abide in the day of thy trouble Againe some friende is but a companion verse 10. at thy table and in the day of thine affliction he continueth not But in thy prosperitie he will be as thou verse 11. thy selfe and will vse libertie ouer thy seruaunts If thou be brought low he wil be against verse 12 thee and will hide himselfe froÌ„ thy face Contrariwise a faithfull freende is a verse 14. strong defence hee that findeth such an one findeth a treasure §. 36. Abide not thou in the errour of the vngodly Ecclê° 17 27 but prayse the Lord before death For thankfulnes perrisheth from the verse 28. dead as though hee were not but the liuing and he that is sound of hart praiseth the Lord and reioyceth in his mercy Number not thy selfe in the multitude Ecclus 7 16 17 of the wicked but remember that vengeance will not be long in tarrying and that the rewarde of the vngodly is fire and wormes Seeke not death in the error of your life Wisd 1 12 13. destroy not your selues thorow the works of your owne hands for GOD hath not made death neither hath hee pleasure in the destruction of the liuing Righteousnes is euerlasting and immortall Wisd 1. 15 but vnrighteousnes bringeth death To depart from euill is a thankful thing Ecclus 35 3. to the Lord and to forsake vnrighteousnesse is a reconciling vnto him ¶ Of trouble and affliction whereby GOD tryeth the harts of all such as faithfully loue him PROVERBS 17. verse 3. As is the sining pot for siluer and the fornace for gold so the Lord tryeth the harts ¶
his vertuous patience thorowly prooued Iob 42 12 13 14. c. we find in the latter end of his booke that it pleased God to blesse him not onely with twise so much riches as he lost but also with as many sonnes daughters the length of an hundred and fortie yeeres life So that before hee died hee sawe his sonnes and his sonnes sonnes euen foure generations §. 6. Thus God as Salomon saith prooueth Wisd 3 5 6. the righteous and findeth them meete for himselfe Hee tryeth them as the golde in the fornace and receiueth them as a perfect fruite offering Hee also chasteneth them measurablie Wisd 12 2. that goe wrong and vvarneth them by putting thē in remembrance of the things wherein they haue offended that leauing theyr wickednesse they may beleeue in him Yea whom-soeuer the Lorde loueth Heb 12 6 him he chasteneth and he scourgeth euery sonne that he receiueth If ye endure chastening God offereth verse 7 himselfe vnto you as vnto Sons for what sonne is it whom the Father chasteneth not But if yee be without correction whereof Hebr 12 8 all are partakers then are ye bastards not sonnes §. 7. My sonne saith the wise-man refuse Prou 3 11 12. not the chastening of the Almightie neyther be thou greeued with his correction for the Lord correcteth him whom hee loueth euen as the father doth the childe in whom he delighteth And as a Father nurtureth his sonne so Deut 8 5 the Lord thy God nurtureth thee His rodde or scourge of affliction is no Fulgosius signe of his disfauour to those that beare it with patience but rather a most necessarie meane to put a man in remembrance of his former iniquities and to cause him to liue more godly euer after for feare of some further chastisement It is a heauenly Herrald sent from God Hermes to forewarne men to leaue the loue of transitory pleasures and to seeke after such things as cause comfort in death It is a speciall benefite vnto all the chyldren Iust Mar of GOD in that it reformeth them from vnrighteousnesse and maketh them meete to receiue wisedome and vnderstanding §. 8. Thus much in effect confesseth Dauid in the 119. psalme where hee saith * It is Psal 119 71 good for mee ô Lord that I haue beene afflicted that I may learne thy statutes Before I was afflicted I went astray but Psal 119 67 now ô Lord I keepe thy word Also in the 94. psalme hee plainly pronounceth those men to be blessed whom it pleaseth the Lorde to correct saying Blessed is the man whom thou chastisest ô Psalm 94 12 13. Lord and teachest him in thy Lawe that thou maist giue him rest from the dayes of euill whiles the pitte is digged for the vngodly And blessed likewise doth holy Iob account Iob 5 17 the man whom GOD correcteth therefore refuse not thou the chastising of the Almightie For hee maketh the wound bindeth verse 18 19 it vp hee smiteth and his handes make whole Hee shall deliuer thee in sixe troubles and in the seauenth the euill shall not touch thee He will not forsake for euer But though Lam. 3 31 32 hee send affliction yet will hee haue compassion according to the multitude of his mercies For hee will not lay on man so much Iob 34 23 that hee should enter into iudgement with God §. 9. VVee haue had saith the Apostle the Heb 12 9 fathers of our bodies vvhich corrected vs and we gaue them reuerence should vvee not much rather be in subiection vnto the Father of spirits that we might liue For they verily for a few daies chastened verse 10 vs after theyr owne pleasure but hee chasteneth vs for our profit that we might be partakers of his holines If we would iudge our selues we should 1. Cor 11 31 not be iudged But when we are iudged we are chastened of the Lord to the end we should not 1 Cor 11 32 be condemned with the world §. 10. Let not then the force of anie affliction Ignatius ouer-throw the vertue of thy patience For patience and perseuerance in vveldooing Tertullian are two speciall notes whereby the children of God are truly discerned from hypocrites counterfets dissemblers But rather follow the counsell which S. Iames giueth saying * If any man be afflicted Iames. 5 13 let him pray For the Lorde is neere vnto them that Psal 34 18 are of a contrite hart and will saue such as be afflicted in spirit Yea the Lorde our God is good and Nahum 1 7 as a strong hold in the day of trouble and hee knoweth them that trust in him Hee is neere vnto all that call vpon him Psal 145 18 Yea to all that call vpon him in truth Hee will fulfill the desire of them that verse 19 feare him hee also will heare theyr cry and vvill saue them * Because they trust in Psal 37. 40 him For he knoweth how to deliuer the godly 2 Pet 2 9 out of tentation to reserue the vniust vnto the day of iudgment to be punished §. 11. My brethren saith the Apostle count Iames 1 2 3 it exceeding ioy when yee fall into diuers tentations knowing that the trying of your fayth bringeth forth patience and let patience haue her perfect worke that yee may bee perfect and entire lacking nothing For this know that trouble affliction Eugeniu◠is sent of God vnto good men not vniustly or cruelly but for a good consideration and most louing intent like vnto the dooings of a kinde and discreete Father who greatly desiring to bring his son whō he loueth to perpetuall honour dignity by such manner of exercise most aptly trieth his vertue and proueth his patience It is also very necessary that the chyldren Gueuara of God should be often tryed in thys life by trouble and affliction that thereby they may the better be brought to knowe theyr owne weakenes thorowly taught in all theyr conflicts to lift vp theyr eyes vnto heauen for helpe succour Besides as yron except it bee sundry Pet. Lomb. times scoured will speedily corrupt and wexe rustie so the vncleane hart flesh of man except it be often scoured with the whetstone of aduersitie it will quickly forget God and soone be ouer-growne vvith the rust of all filthines and sinne §. 12. Indeed it cannot be but that the mindes Cicer◠of men are oftentimes through trouble affliction moued with vexations griefes but yet a meane must be kept in all calamities what-soeuer beyond the which no man that is wise ought of right to passe For although no chastising for the present Heb 12 11 time that it lasteth seemeth to be ioyous but greeuous yet afterward it bringeth the quiet fruite of righteousnesse vnto them which are thereby exercised And euery man ought for his
better coÌ„fort in this case to lay sure holde on the words of the Apostle vsed vnto the Corinthians where he saith * There hath no 1 Cor 10 13. tentation taken you but such as appertaineth to man God is faithfull which wil not suffer you to be tempted aboue your strength but will euen giue the issue vvith the tentation that yee may be able to beare the same His grace alone is sufficient for as many 2 Cor 12 9 as shall vnfainedly put theyr confidence in him and his power is made perfect through our weakenes §. 13. And although as Dauid affirmeth the Psal 34 19 troubles of the righteous are great yet this comfort euen by the selfe same mans saying presently followeth that the Lorde deliuereth him out of them all Hee also maketh the afflictions of the Tertullian godly serue as fit occasions to drawe theyr mindes wholy vnto him and in the end turneth all the sufferings of his Saints to theyr names eternall prayse their soules greater glory So that it is a surer signe of Gods loue Gregory and fauour towards vs when hee giueth vs force and strength to beare troubles then it is when hee taketh the same temptations away from vs. And no man deserueth to be counted Bernard constant in his tryall except he arme himselfe with patience and be renewed vvith fresh courage euen in the midst of his afflictions Remembring that all the miseries in mans life can neuer be so sharp and bitter Erasmus as euerlasting felicitie will proue vnto the godly sweet and pleasant §. 14. Hold fast therfore the vertue of patience Mar. Aurel. in all thine aduersitie Sorrow truly for thy former sinnes and Eugâ—nius practise to please GOD by thy vertuous amendement Let hope encourage thee to be constant Euagoras though thy miseries be daily augmented And put alwaies such faithful trust in the Rauisius promises of Gods mercy as may keep thee from despaire make lesse thy calamity §. 15. Behold wee count them blessed vvhich Iames. 5 11 endure Yee haue heard of the patience of Iob haue knowne what end the Lord made For the Lord as hath already been said is very pittifull and mercifull VVho-soeuer shall call vpon his Name Rom 10 13 shall be saued And hee that trusteth in the Almightie Ecclê° 32 24 shall take no hurt §. 16. Consider saith Sirach the old generations Ecclus 2 11 of men marke them well was there euer any one confounded that put his trust in the Lord or who hath continued in his feare and was forsaken or whom did hee euer despise that called vpon him I haue been young and nowe am olde Psal 37 25 saith the Psalmist yet neuer sawe I the righteous forsaken nor his seede begging bread Wherefore though the Lord seeme for Ambrose a time to be angry with thee and to turne away his face from beholding thine affliction yet be not thou any whit thereby discouraged but rather endeuour to be the more patient thou shalt assuredly find that hee will not forget thee For hee endureth but a vvhile in his anger Psalm 30 5. but in his fauour is life weeping may abide in the euening but ioy commeth in the morning Hee himselfe hath commaunded vs to call vpon him in the time of our trouble Psal 50 15 and with more then promise to heare hee hath plainly said that he will deliuer vs we shall glorifie him Doubtlesse hee is now no lesse powerfull then heere-to-fore hee hath been for hee is still * God all-sufficient Gene 17 1 His hand is not shortned that it cannot Esay 59 1 saue neyther is his eare heauie that it cannot heare But hee delighteth in them that feare Psal 147 11 him and attend vpon his mercie And is theyrs onelie that patientlie abide Ecclê° 34 19 him in the vvay of truth and righteousnesse ¶ Of trouble and persecution for the Gospells sake where-vnto euery faithfull Christian is continually subiect during this life §. 1. IF any man will follow me saith Christ Math 16 24 let him forsake himselfe and take vp his crosse and follow mee Yea if any man will come after me Luke 9 23 let him denie himselfe take vp his crosse daily and follow mee For whosoeuer beareth not his crosse Luke 14 27 and commeth after mee cannot be my disciple §. 2. Thinke not saith hee that I am come Math 10. 34 to sende peace into the earth I came not to sende peace but the sword For from hence-foorth there shall be Luke 12 52 53. fiue in one house deuided three against two and two against three The Father shall be deuided against the sonne and the sonne against the father The mother against the daughter and the daughter against the mother the mother in lawe against the daughter in law and the daughter in law against her mother in law And who-soeuer will seeke to saue his Mark 8 35 Luk 17 3â— life hee shall lose it but who-soeuer shall lose his life for my sake the Gospels he shall saue it §. 3. Hee that loueth father or mother more Math 10 37 then mee is not worthy of mee And hee that loueth sonne or daughter more then mee is not worthy of mee If any man come to me and hate not his Luk 14. 26 father and mother and wife and chyldren and brethren and sisters yea his owne life also hee cannot be my disciple The disciple is not aboue his maister nor Math 10 24 25 the seruaunt aboue his Lord. It is enough for the disciple to be as his Maister is and the seruaunt as his Lord. And who-soeuer will be a perfect disciple Luke 6 40 shall be as his Maister is §. 4. Behold saith our Sauiour vnto his followers Math 10 16 17 18. I send you foorth as sheepe in the mids of wolues be ye therefore wise as Serpents and innocent as Doues But beware of men for they will deliuer you vp to the Counsels and will scourge you in theyr Sinagogues and ye shal be brought to the Gouernours Kings for my sake in witnes to them and to the Gentiles Yea the brother shall deliuer the brother Marke 13 12 to death and the father the sonne and the chyldren shall rise against their parents and shall cause them to die And yee shal be hated of all men for my verse 13 Names sake but who-soeuer shall endure vnto the end he shall be saued If the world hate you yee knowe that it Iohn 15 18 19 hated mee before you If yee were of the world the world would loue his own but because ye are not of the world but I haue chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you Remember that I saide vnto you The verse 20. seruaunt is not greater then his maister If they haue persecuted