things things indifferent not regarding the decision which christ hath to the contrary in this behalfe speaking of the washing of the hāds of the Pharisies Mar. 7.2 although washing of the hands be a thing in it selfe not only indifferent but such as might wel couer it selfe with the cloake of honesty cleanlinesse Others in lieu of contenting themselues with the vocations and callings ordained by the holy ghost for the gouernment administration of the church of god folowing heerein those among the kings of Iuda haue so reformed the church that notwithstanding they haue left the high places to stand vp still in such sort that in the end if God prouide not the better against it they shal find they are fallen out of a cold ague into an hot feuer The lord of his mercy remedy it according as this spouse heere teacheth vs the aunswere which is made her afterwards by her bridegroome 2 It pertaineth therfore to god alone to teach vs the forme of reforming his building which is for this cause called the building of God 1 Cor. 3.9 wherunto we are yet farder to adde that it is belonging to him alone euen then when he hath adorned her to giue vs eies to know her to be such as shee is that so we may adioin our selues vnto her For otherwise the ghospel which is the ornament of the church which beutifieth it discerneth seuereth it frō the world the apparance shew whereof doth deceiue vs 1. Cor. 7.31 wil be vnto vs either an offence or a mockery 1. Cor. 1.23 He must therefore giue vs eies to see Psal 146.8 eares vnto our hart to heare Psal 40.8 in a word we must be taught of him Esay 54.13 of him I say who leadeth vs into al truth Ioh. 16.13 which the spouse in this place desireth in this desolation of hers wherein we see her to be at this daie For if this light is not then knowen of men when it shineth most clearly 2. Cor. 4.4 what might it be when God so long a time withdrew this light from the world It is therefore to God that we must say shew me where thou feedest thy flock But this is not yet enough to desire to learne this of him but wee must demaund with a true ardent desire not bringing anie thing else but a true and vpright affection and desire of the aduauncing of the glorie of God And this is it which this spouse testifieth by these words O thou whom my soule loueth that is to say O my Bridegroome and Sauiour vnto whom I haue dedicated and yeelded vp my whole affection It is no maruaile therefore if we see at this daie the woorke of God insteede of going forward to go backward yea the darknes redoubled in manie places in the which the sunne of truth began to shine verie clearely for experience hath prooued vnto vs that there are but too manie which haue spoiled the harlot of her trinkets and iewels not to doe with them as Moses did with the golden calfe Exod. 32.20 or as Ezechias with the brazen serpent 2. King 18.4 as neither is it requisite wee should alwaies doe the like or that wee may not turne that to good and holie vses which was before applied vnto superstition but dare I speak it Yea but make their own state the mightier by that of another leauing Iesus Christ as the soldiers did which crucified him either stark naked or at least but badly soryly cladded the effects whereof we see already giuing them occasion which are culpable of this euil to think vpon it to thē which haue done better to thank god therefore to take heed of it For so to doe is not to loue God but the goods of God more then God and without God whereas the true spouse protesteth here that shee loueth and seeketh after her Bridegrome with all the affection and desire she hath That shee therefore maketh protestation of this loue of hers towards God it is not to alleadge her own merit or deseruing as if God were therefore bound to graunt her her request For contrarywise sith the loue which wee beare vnto our God is the free gift of him who loued vs first 1. Ioh. 4.10 then when we were his enemies Rom. 5.10 it followeth that if wee loue him we are therefore beholding vnto him and not hee vnto vs besides that our loue importeth him nought at all It is therefore an absurd thing and contrarie to the grace of God to thinke that this dilection or loue is meritorious but this letteth not but that wee may and ought to make mention vnto him of his own giftes to the end it would please him to acknowledge vs for his and blesse vs for those markes wherewith it hath pleased him to marke vs. 3 Let vs come now vnto that which the spouse desireth to know of him which is in summe that it would please him to tel her the place where hee feedeth and causeth his flocke to rest at noone that is to say in the heat of the day This is a thing verie common and accustomable in the Scripture to attribute the name of Pastor or sheepeheard to our Lord Iesus Christ and the name of flock vnto his church Hence it followeth that by the pasture or foode wee must vnderstand the worde of God and by the pasturing places those places where this word is sincerely taught and administred This needeth no proofe because the whole scripture both of the old of the new testament is full of proofes and testimonies hereof Insteede therefore of standing vpon the reasons grounds of this allegory albeit they containe a goodly and excellent doctrine we will first of all aunswere and resolue a doubt which may bee made in this place For if the church which is but one is brought in speaking in this place and herselfe is the flocke of Christ what is this flocke which she asketh and seeketh after If hereupon some man reply and aunswere that it is true indeede there is but one Church of God but that this church is parted and diuided as it were into two namely into that companie which is alreadie gathered vp on high which we commonly call the triumphant Church composed and made of the spirits and soules of the iust whereof mention is made Heb. 12.23 and that which is here belowe which we call the Church Militant as Saint Paul also diuideth this familie into two whereof the one part is in heauen the other in the earth Ephes 1.10 Coloss 1.16 and 20. if a man I say so aunswere this doubt although it be indeede in heauen that our true repose and rest lieth yet is this nothing to the matter For there is no parching of the noone-day Farther the verse going before and the answere of the Bridegroome contained in the verse following sheweth that the point in question here is of the comforting reestablishing of the Church desolated and wasted by disorders
vnto his infirmitie which may bee compared vnto the fiansailes and secondly according vnto his glory which he obtained after his resurrection beeing nowe the true husband of his Church replenished himselfe with glory though shee bee yet remayning in part vpon earth Now as touching this psalme Christ is therein proposed vnto vs as being already in his glory and as he who hath begonne already to accomplish in deede this holy marriadge with his Church Christ therefore as husband is this true king of his Church so perfite in respect of himselfe in all beautie that there is nothing wanting vers 2. As touching the good grace he hath to winne all heartes vnto himselfe and euen to chaunge and turn them altogether the same also appeareth in the preaching of the gospell accompanied with a vertue power of the spirite which cannot be expressed Himselfe in asmuch as hee hath taken vpon him the nature of man hath receiued in the same nature the spirite of God without measure in such aboundaunt wise that he poured it as it were ouer in all his saintes He is girded also with a sword and that not in shewe onely without effect but which he draweth and vnsheatheth in deede namely then when he maketh his worde to pearce vnto the diuiding of the soule of the spirite vers 3. He is besides described to bee furnished and prouided with arrowes with which he shooteth thorough transpearceth all his enemies ver 5. which maketh also that al praise ought principally souerainly to be yeelded vnto him who sheweth himselfe of so ready and mighty a power that hee is able to succour and defende such as are his to breake in sunder and ouerthrow the strength of such as rebell against him ver 5. To this purpose he is introduced as being trained in his chariot by these three horses Truth Meekenes and Righteousnes which are conducted by the word as by him that guideth this Chariot vers 4. Nowe to declare at large the sense and meaning of euery of these things here proposed it would require a great volume Notwithstanding we may as it were by the way obserue somewhat out of them if we make a comparison on the contrarie side of the traine they kepe and on what chariot they cause them-selues to be carried I meane the kinges Princes who serue that master which is opposed altogether vnto this head of the Church in whose whole furniture and prouision is nothing but Ambition Pride Insolencie Crueltie Dissolution with an horrible trāpling vnder oppressing of them which are their subiects We must also diligently note that which is added that albeit the worlde will not accept this most iust and most milde gouernement of his that notwithstanding this so iust a king gouerneth alwaies most happily that the more men oppose and set themselues against him the more hee maketh his power to appeare whether it be in that so iust and assured defence which hee causeth those who are his to feele or whether he strike his enemies within vnto death by a most diuine power namely when hee casteth them into a reprobate sense to make them-selues the instruments of their own ruine destruction Now albeit these things come to passe euery day inasmuch as this good king doth alwaies defend all his elect to the end that none of them perish inasmuch as he doth vengeance vpon their enemies according as it pleaseth him to shewe the markes thereof notwithstanding this appeared most expreslie in the first beginning of this marriage as it seemeth to be here in some sort touched when he shewed such vengeaunce on that vngrateful synagogue of the Iewes obstinatly perseuering in her incredulity in which she continueth vnto this date reseruing notwithstanding the remnaunt of his elect according vnto his expresse mercy which he promised vnto the race of Abraham howe rebellious so euer it doth shew it selfe Now after this king hath obtained such a victorie hee is here seated on his seat of Iustice and Righteousnesse which is called eternal and euerlasting ver 6. to giue vs to vnderstand that it is not of this woorld and that not onely because that Iustice establisheth the seat of the king in this world as it is written Prou. 27.28 but especially because here the question is of a king who is together both true God eternal and true Son of Dauid according vnto the fleshe vnto whom also in asmuch as he is man is giuen all power both in heauen and in earth beeing exalted aboue euerie name as this place is alleaged Heb. 1.8 in so much that the Church hath no more manie kinges then one woman can haue manie husbandes neither is he whom she hath for her husband so God that he is not also man seeing otherwise the marriage would not agree betweene him the Church which is gathered from among men as neither is hee man in such sort that hee is not God too because that otherwise the Church should not haue an head and husband mighty enough to defend her Afterwarde is declared the most righteous gouernment of this goodlie kingdome to wit of the Church ver 7. for there is no kingdome but the Church which is gouerned by the true rule of a most iust and moderate discretion bee it in publicke charges or in priuate duties and particular charges because it is in it properlie that the spirite of God doth raign which ordereth directeth indeed the senses gouerneth the affections of the true faithful beleeuing And the reason of this point which is added is of great waight namely because that this king of the Church both in respect of his person as also of his office is annointed aboue his companions that is to saie we must set him by himselfe in another order degree then other kings are For euen in the most excellent kings yea in Dauid himselfe there haue beene many defects and imperfections but in such a king as this is there is nothing but all perfection As for that which is added of the most exquisite robes and vestiments of this king vers 8. this is referred partly vnto that proper voice which the father caused to be heard when he was baptized saying This is my welbeloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased by which voice is giuen vs to vnderstand the ful and perfect reconciliation with the father by that most sweet odor aswel of the integrity and righteousnesse resiant in the parson of Christ our Immanuel as also his obedience vnto death euen the death of the crosse These same vestiments also and robes of his are referred vnto that which the Apostle saith 2. Cor. 2.15 we are the sweet odor of Christ as of him who hath beene made vnto vs Wisdome Righteousnes and Sanctification Redemption 1. Cor. 1.30 which blessings hee powreth downe vpon vs from those pallaces of Iuory which are those heauenly places where hee is seated and from whence hee looketh vpon vs and
that in this life which the Apostle Saint Paul 1. Cor. 15.45 maketh to consist of a liuing soul man had receiued neither hurt nor chaunge but had beene maintained and continued therein so long as it had pleased God But man hauing so wretchedlie and carelesly offended God did most iustlie enthrall and make himselfe subiect vnto death Rom. 5.12 and thereupon haue entred all the disorders and confusions by which death hath beene caused aswel within men as without among the which wee are to account among the principal causes the chaunging of the seasons through which there happen these coldes and heates moistures and droughs which are as it were so manie preachers of the sinnes of man and so manie executioners of the iust condemnation of him This notwithstanding it is a marueilous naie an infinite grace fauor that the Lord hath so ruled this vnrulinesse so ordered this disorder signified by Moses where hee saith that God beeing prouoked by the sinne of man cursed the earth Gen. 3.17 that for all this the woorld is maintained and continued by a reciprocal and enterchangeable succession of foure seasons which is reckoned vp for a speciall fauour vnto mankind after the deluge Gen. 8.22 the sharpnes of the winter being bounded with the sweete and gracious spring-time as if death were chased away by life the parching heat deaded by the tēperature of the autumn-time according as the sunne accompanied with light and with heat commeth near or goeth farther from vs a work of God maruailouslie nay infinitly admirable 2 Now if this visible woorlde and which tendeth vnto his ende and terme bee subiect to such varieties of years seasons moneths and daies the other worlde which is spirituall albeit it tend vnto immortality is yet more turning wheeling not on two stars which the Astronomers call Poles but vpon the wheele of Gods prouidence conducting this other woorld by the springs of a motion altogether secret and vnknowen vnto vs except it be so far as it please God to make vs more particularlie to knowe and perceiue them I vnderstand by this other world him whose sinnes are taken awaie by the Lambe Ioh. 1.29 him for whom the father gaue his sonne Ioh. 3.16 and who is opposed vnto him for whom Iesus Christ saith that hee praieth not Ioh. 17.9 and from whom also wee are seuered Ioh. 17.16 In a worde it is the Church that is here spoken of and which hath so long as it continueth here belowe her spring-time and her sommer her autumne her winter not ruled by the course of the starres but as I haue said by a speciall motion of him who hath made the heauens and the earth to beginne and ende where and how far and in what sort it pleaseth God Neither is it therefore to bee said that the Church beeing composed of men passeth not through the colde and heat of this lower and elementarie world and by the effectes which follow thereof as are barrennes famines plagues and other inconueniences nay that sometimes it suffereth not in these things more then others as this argument is handled at large Ps 73. yet notwithstanding this naturall disposition of seasons is not it whereby wee must iudge the seasons of the Church because her spring time is often in the greatest and sharpest winter of others and contrariwise that which is the spring-time to others is vnto her the most rough and tempestuous winter For shee hath her sunne by her selfe the approching whereof with a milde and quickning heate not parching or scorching bringeth her alwaies a most pleasant spring-time for her better sowing budding florishing afterward a tēperat sūmer for the bringing forth of her fruit after that a goodlie autumn to gather it in his ripenesse finally a good winter for the enioying thereof and preparing of another seede Contrariwise when this sunne withdraweth it selfe or distributeth not the influence of his light and heate as the necessities require there are no good times of sowing or of haruest or of vintage but a general barrainnes and mortal famine in a word a perpetual winter that a man cannot see so much as one greene leafe though all the woorlde besides bee in great good health and tranquillitie with plentie and abundance of al dainties and delicacies This sunne is this Bridegroome that sunne of righteousnesse who carrieth health vpon his wings Malac. 4.2 that braunch of light or daie-spring from on high Zach. 3.8 Luke 1.78 lightenning them whom hee found in the shadow of death Esai 9.2 and shining on his Ierusalem Esaie 60.1.2 And because that this is by the order which he hath established that this world of his is gouerned I meane by the sincere preaching of his word and the administration of his sacramentes accompanied with the efficacie of his holie spirite according as the sunne drawing neare or going farther off appeareth vnto the worlde we must necessarilie conclude that according as this holie ministerie hath his force or is depriued of it whether it be for a time eclypsed or whether it cast forth his beams mightily but mē loue darknes stil more then this light in such sort that litle effect thereof appeareth it is vpon this diuersitie and difference wee must iudge of the good and faire weather or of the il and hard time of the Church not according vnto the outward either prosperitie or aduersitie of this worlde belowe Notwithstanding when it so pleaseth God the sunne of the Church and the sunne of this world meet to cherish it in al kind of sortes as sometimes on the contrarie both of them are withdrawen together to bring on it a marueilous rough and as it were a deadlie winter 3 Examples hereof are sowen throughout the sacred histories and appeare yet most clearly in our time but I wil content my selfe with the allegation of a few notable examples vnto the which Salomon himselfe might seem to haue had an especiall regard I say then that if euer the Church enioyed a goodly and faire time of weather it was vnder Iosua and the gouernours of that time the people beeing planted together with the seruice of God most triumphantly in the land of promise as appeareth by that which is written in Iosu 24.35 Afterwarde for al the time of the Iudges vntill Samuel if it had one faire day it had an whole yeare of stormy weather and tempestes And what a witnter was that time in the which the Arke of the couenant was taken captiue Silo ruined briefly all brought into an vtter confusion God draue away afterwarde this storme of fowle weather by his Samuel who also reformed the schooles of the Prophets But this sun-shine was scarcely appeared when horrible darckenesse was brought in by Saul the Priests themselues beeing massacred sorcerers and southsaiers set vp and restored and the people exposed to ignominie among their enimies beeing as a body without an head vntill that Dauid not without grieuous rough stormes being made king by
the Lord the goodly clear fair wether indeed began to arise which continued as it were vnto his full noone vnder Salomon who furnished the house of the Lorde both within and without with a most triumphant magnificencie at which time God graunted so long a peace vnto his Church with aboundance and plenty of all temporall blessinges and it may be that the Bridegroome setteth before the eies of his spouse that happy change of the time inuiting bidding her to awake to haue the fruition thereof As much may we and ought we to say to haue come to passe in the time begunne about these threescore yeares since the lord hauing of his infinite bountie and mercy driuen away out of a great part of Christendome the horrible and deadly darckenesse of that Idolatry brought in by the false whore with such an efficacie of the spirite of error that the greatest part of them who attribute vnto themselues the name of great Catholickes and Christians are yet therewith vnto this day enchanted and bewitched This spring-time therfore was sent by the Lord from heauen who raised vp in our time these great and famous personages in the holy ministerie of his woorde and on the other side placed in the seates of magistrates his Ezechiasses and Iosiasses who mightily destroyed the newe Baalimes and Astarothes 4 And what did they els but call and inuite this spouse being awaked to come vnto her Bridegroome and to accompany him into those goodly gardens of true delights wherof the Prophet maketh mention Psal 22.36 And we which are succeeded after them what other thing doe we but crie in your eares in the name of this Bridegroome Arise come the winter is past the goodly weather is come the acceptable time the day of Saluation 2. Cor. 6.2 But alas what shall I say Euery one playeth the deafe mā euery one is asleep euery one is shrowded nestled in I know not what retchles securitie against the which though we haue long cried yet we crie still in vaine so that the end is wee are likely to be shortlie awaked by other maner of messengers In the meane time let vs take a viewe of the excellent description of this goodly season whereof mention is made by Dauid Psal 118.24 to the end that they who haue eares may heare what the Bridegroome here saith and reioyce in this merry good morowe of his 5 The winter saith the Bridegroome is past the raine is past it is gone away We know that the winter is nothing els but the death as it were of the woorld besides that the stormie colde and the obscuritie and darknesse of the ayre couered throughout with thicke cloudes depriue men of the vse both of the heat as also of the light of the sunne The Church on the contrarie side is the kingdome of light Ioh. 5.6 and 1. Thess 5.5 And because that Iesus Christ is the life Ioh. 11.25 nay hath life in himselfe Ioh 5.26 it followeth that the church only is in life as the worlde is in death and therefore is she also compared vnto a forrest of trees not dead and such as are ready to be cut down and cast into the fire Mat. 3.10 but alwaies greene florishing and laden with fruite Psalm 1.3 yea and that when they are extreme old Psal 92.14 The reason is added in that place because they are planted by the riuers of running waters and of what waters Certainly of those which flowe forth vnto eternal life Ioh. 4.14 not of that which is in ditches and welles rising from out of the bowels of the earth but of the water saith this Bridegroome which I giue which issueth from aboue not which this sun draweth vp from the earth but sendeth down into the earth as flowing proceeding from him as it is said Psal 110.3 that the Church is borne of the dew of this morning and Matth. 5.45 beeing borne anew by the water which is from aboue which is the spirit of God Ioh. 3.15 much lesse that water which is drawne out of some standing poole or cestern but that which is most pure and most cleane Ier. 2.13 namely not the water which men haue digged in the earth but which himselfe sendeth from heauen and whereunto hee calleth and inuiteth all those who are his Esay 55.1 These things being well considered teach vs to know the true Church from the false I meane the liuing Church from the dead Apoc. 5.1 the true woord of God powred from heauen vpon the Prophets and Apostles to carry abroade and disperse it through the whole woorld Esay 2.20 Apoc. 22.2 from the false proceeding from the earth and out of mens braines Esay 29.13 and Coloss 2.22 and consequently the true christian from the superstitious and from the hypocrite 6 That which the Bridegroome addeth of flowers with which the earth is tapistred is referred vnto the same that that before beeing meant hereby the efficacie and working of the holie ghost in the Church when it pleaseth God to blesse the labour of his ministers and seruants in such sort that the whole ground of the Lord is throughout platted with flowers which cast a sweet smel euen vnto heauen being most pleasing vnto the Lord I meane in Iesus Christ saith the Apostle 2. Cor. 2.15 and not in themselues that men forge not vnto themselues merites out of the qualities of the fairest and sweetest flowers which our garden can bring though it be blessed from aboue so far is it that that ground on which the pestilent and contagious windes which come forth of the holownes of the earth doe blow can produce these flowers which are heere mentioned how euer they smel sweete vnto men who beare themselues in hand that the filth of their inuentions sauour of musk before Lorde These flowers then are such as God soweth in his ground 1. Cor. 3.9 namelie by the ministerie of such as hee hath ordained to plant and to water 1. Cor. 3.16 for which cause the Apostle calleth the Philippians his ioie and crowne Philip. 4.1 7 For who else soweth these flowers but the Lorde who sendeth them from an high by his most precious woorde dispensed and administred by the order which hee hath established Esai 5.2 namelie vnder the Lawe in that magnificent temple togither with all his furniture and prouision by that so wel ordered armie of the Priestes and Leuites in that magnificencie which is particularlie painted out vnto vs in the first of the Kings the first of the Chronicles wherunto we must adioine the wisedom of Salomō which gaue his shining brightnes vnto the ends of the world accōpanied with al other blessings of God by which his people became admirable wōderful to al the natiōs of the earth But yet were al these flowers nothing in comparison of the ministery of the gospel committed first vnto the Apostles Euangelists his most excellent and diligent planters and sowers 1. Cor. 3.9 by whom the garden-plat as it were
earth towards men Luk. 2.14 and his song or charge what is it Come vnto mee all yee that are heauy laden and oppressed and I will ease you Math. 11.28 And what is that of the Apostle Reioyce alwaies saith he and againe I say vnto you reioyce Philip. 4.4 And to the end we should not think that the crosse which is an inseparable companion of the gospell hindreth any whit at all this ioy In asmuch saith he by the mouth of Saint Peter as you are partakers of Christes sufferinges reioyce yee 1. Pet. 4.13 which lesson himselfe had learned of his maister Math. 5.12 12 Behold then the time whereof the Bridegroome heere speaketh beholde the songs of this turtle which calleth her mate vnto her which faileth not to answere her with the like as we see the examples thereof in the songes and Canticles of the Saintes whereunto the yong birdes also inuite vs knowing the time of their chast mating coupling for which cause we are to our great reproch that iustly sent back vnto them by the Prophet to learne our duty Ierem. 8.7 And let vs note that when wee speake of songs which ought to ring in the Church the question is not so much of the voice albeit the mouth must confesse that which the heart beleeueth Rom. 10.10 but the heart within and the mouth without must accord that we be not touched with that reproch This people honoreth mee with their lyps but their heart is far from me Esay 29.13 And in an other place what hast thou to do to recite my ordinaunces and to make mention of my Law within thy mouth Psal 50.16 And therefore the Prophet saith not onlie that we must praise God but that his praises are sitting vnto them who walke vprightly Psal 33.1 Secōdly the true faithful mā is composed altogether of mouthes and of tonges neither thinking nor saying nor doing anie thing nor in a word hauing ought in himselfe but that which declareth testifieth the glory of him whose newe creature hee is created for his glorie Ephe. 1.12 and 1. Cor. 10 13. otherwise wee know not what this spring-time meaneth For how euer it be the land of the Lord is of songs and thankesgiuings Psalm 118.15 13 And this is cause why the spouse addeth for other marks of the spring-time that the figg-tree hath yeelded foorth her yong figges that the vines are shooting out their young grapes to shew vs that in the Church of God grace is giuen vs not onelie to will which is as it were the flower but also to do which is the fruit to wit the effect of our will Philip. 2.13 Eph. 2.2 14 And let vs note that he speaketh of two kinds of fruit the most delicate that bee to shew vs the difference which is betweene the appearaunces of vertues ordinarilie called Morall vertues such as they are which a man may meet withall in them who are not regenerat in whom god doth in some sort represse that naturall wickednes which is in all whose woorkes notwithstanding are without either tast or sauour according vnto that which is saide that whatsoeuer is without faith is sinne Rom. 14.23 and that without Iesus Christ there is nothing which can please God vnto saluation and the works of the children of God gouerned by the spirit of regeneration Rom. 8.9 For which cause it is also saide that faith which is without workes is but a dead thing Iames. 2.26 15 Farther let vs note that he speaketh in this place of the Church not as of a ground planted altogither newe but as an ancient possessiō heritage which being for a time laid wast or fallow hath been husbanded anew and manured For as for the true Church of God shee shalbe alwaies found to be more old and auncient then the false seeing that truth is before lying and that which is sound and entire before that which is false and corrupted So was Adam created after the Image of God before he was deformed by sinne and after sinne was entred Adam and Eue beleeuing the promise of saluation for otherwise there should haue been no Church in the world the Church which is the citty of God had her beginning before the citty of Satan which began from Caine his But seeing that men haue time without mind accustomed to set foorth and commend themselues vnder the name of Antiquitie especially vnto them who are ignorant whose ignorance they abuse who liue by this abuse behold how it commeth to passe that they which will not suffer themselues to be better taught take often times that which is newe for olde and that which is olde for newe Such are they of whome Saint Peter speaketh who saide of that time when a man spake vnto them of the second comming of the sonne of God to iudge the world which wee yet wait for that al things were as they are now since the first fathers which thing is false saith hee For they should knowe that the world was not created in such sort in the beginning as now it is and that God hath already executed an horrible iudgement on the corruption thereof In this sort after the captiuitie they reproched Ieremie that he had marred all and that then and before he mealed with preaching vnto them they and their fathers found themselues in good case by calling vpon the Queene of heauen and burning incense vnto her Ierem 44.17 nay which more is when they heard Iesus Christ himselfe to speake they saide What kinde of new doctrine is this Mar. 1.27 But Iesus Christ answered them Search the scriptures for they speak of mee Ioh. 5.39 Now this Queen of heauen was the sunne as the phrase of the Hebrue toung doth import and in my time what other difference hath there been but this that by the Queen of heauen is ment not the sunne but the Virgin Mary as if there were a Queene mother in heauen For it is certaine that there is a Queen the spouse of this Bridegroome which is already partly in heauen and partlie yet languishing here on earth to wit the Church being coheire with Iesus Christ as shee is also called by this name of Queene Psal 45.10 but this is not because shee should be adored Not the whole church I say so farre is that the blessed virgin euer required or yet requireth that which is properly belonging vnto her sonne or that she allowed of to admit that shee coulde vnderstand them these titles ful of most horrible and most execrable blasphemy to be called a Mediatrix mother of mercy our life our hope hauing power to commaund her son And yet to find fault with al this were a point of greater impiety in the opiniō of them who call themselues chiefe Christians then if a man had denied God an hundred thousand times For behold say they there was neuer yet any since Christes time that called not vpon this Queene of heauen al the Saintes yea who gaue not credit
him Now the temporal gifts blessings which god bestoweth vpon his Church are a smal thing in comparison of the spiritual treasure which is proper vnto her although whosoeuer offendeth the children of God euen in these they shall haue the worst the Lorde himselfe hauing giuen this charge Touch not mine annointed Psalm 105.15 So that no sacrilegious person no not among the Paynims and worshippers of false Gods had euer his wickednesse vnreuenged and Aegypt and Babylon caried not farre the outrages they committed against the people of God In a woord it is not without cause that the head speaking of his members cryed from heauen Saul Saul why persecutest thou me Act. 9.4 But heere the matter concerneth spirituall blessinges and the proper and peculiar treasure of the Church namelie the enioying of the Bridegroome in his woord and the gouernment of his house Pharao woulde needes seeke to hinder the children of Israel from this blessing first simplie afterwarde by certaine conditions Wee see what it cost him The Assyrians and Chaldaeans who ruined the Temple and destroyed the Cittie fared no better So sped the Kinges of Persia who hindered the building of the Temple Contrariwise God blessed in carnall and woorldly things Alexander the great who bare himselfe otherwise how ambitious a Paynim so euer he were His successours the Kinges both of Syria and of AEgypt maie serue vs for example heerein both on the one side and on the other according as they fauoured with al peace and tranquillitie this mutuall repose of this Bridegroome and spouse or otherwise endeuoured to hinder it Those two Romane Captaynes Crassus and Pompee who were the first which spoyled the Temple of God although it were then most vilanouslie polluted by the gardiens and keepers of it themselues perished so exemplarilie and wretchedlie that hee is blinde who perceiueth it not The third who was Titus escaped no better And the Romane empire when God had serued himselfe with it to reuenge the vnthankfulnesse of his people making warre against this spouse neuer ceased since to bee the executioner and hang-man of itselfe vntil it fell in peeces 2 The beast mowled and fashioned vpon this Empyre against which monster wee are still in combate at this daie wil saie as much against vs putting her selfe in the place of this spouse But wee haue two peremptorie replies against them The one that all histories make contrarie proofe heereof if wee iudge thereof not by the beginning of a false prosperity but by the issue and ende of houses and families which haue fauoured this beast on whom the horrible iudgement of god hath finally bin brought The other that by the iust permission of God the prince of this world must keep some promise with his seruantes whom he telleth euery daie shewing them the kingdomes of this world Al these wil I giue you if you wil fal downe and worship me and therefore they contrarie to that which Christ aunswered him Matth. 4.9 take him at his woord and become his seruantes But such a master faileth not in the end to pay such seruants their wages And if we haue but eies to see the examples of our time which haue been shewed vpon the greatest of Christendome both in the East Weast North and South wee shall not neede to search anie auncient recordes for this matter Such is then this gallaunt and holie confidence of the spouse to braue her enemies in whose person the Apostle speaking wee see how hee dealt with Elymas Act. 13.10 howe he defieth all creatures high middle lowe Rom. 8.37 how hee beareth downe euerie high thing which presumeth to make head against God 2. Corinth 10.5 And indeede what power is there of any monarcke whatsoeuer which can vaunt of this promise Whatsoeuer you bind on earth shall bee bound in heauen Matth. 6.19 Vnderstand it not of one alone no not of Saint Peter himselfe but of the Church Matth. 18.17 and 1. Corinth 5.4 and of the true Church not exceeding the limites of her commission and established by him who is her garder and defender 3 It followeth in our text What is she that mounteth vp out of the desert like palmes of smoke Whereupon a man maie first of all demaund what personage is brought in in this place Some thinke that these are the Daughters of Ierusalem vnto whom this charge was giuen but there is no reason of this It is therefore the Bridegroome which speaketh discoursing and talking with his spouse in her Mothers Chamber and magnifieng with her the graces and blessings which himselfe had bestowed on her And this very changing of the person namely that he turneth his speech so as if he spake to a third person although hee spake to her herselfe hath a marueilous grace Neither must we take this for a question or demaund as if the Bridegroome asked and enquired after one which hee knewe not but we must take it as a kinde of admiration touching the goodly comelines and grace of this spouse He compareth her therefore vnto a pillar which is high and streight as were the palmes or date trees of that countrie a pillar Isay of a vapour or fume mounting countermount from the mountaines of the desert or wildernesse which vapour hee also saith to proceed from hence that the spouse is so perfumed with al sortes of excellent odors that the fume thereof mounteth as I may say vp vnto heauen whereof wee shal speake anon Such thē is this cōparison which seemeth to haue beene borowed from this that a multitude marching together and comming from any place resembleth as it were a clowde as the Apostle speaketh Heb. 12.1 For how euer this spouse be brought in speaking in this Canticle as it were one person onely it hindereth not for all that but that the whole company of the faithfull and beleeuing be vnderstood by her person ioyned together notwithstanding in one bodie and quickened by one and the same spirit as it is described vnto vs Act. 4.32 4 And if hereupon any man demaund wherefore there is here mentiō made of the desert I answere that it is in respect of the first beginning of this people which before their iourneying into the desert was but one family and began first to be a people in the wildernesse where god ordained thē a maner of policie and common-weale and gaue them a forme of a people neither are we to stay our selues on this desert of Arabia namely that of Sinay and Pharan For to speak in a more generality the Church being chosen out of the midst of the world not onely in respect of that time but from age to age according as some die and others succeede them shee was indeed drawen and is yet euery day drawen out of the most horrible hideous deserts that cā be in nature in consideration whereof Iosua warneth the people to remember that Abraham himselfe Thare were takē drawen out of the desert of Idolatry Iosu 24.2 which
his eies Ps 96 97. and in others following Whereunto belongeth that also which the Lorde himselfe saith of Abraham that seeing the daie of the Lorde hee reioyced Ioh. 8.56 But whereas the fathers saw him not but afar off in the promises and shadowes of the Lawe Heb. 11.13 it is no maruaile if they desired some thing more for which Simeon giueth God thanks in his song seeing the Saints at this daie since his first comming insteede of beeing satisfied therewith desire yet more feruentlie his returne as witnesseth that demaund of ours euerie daie in our praier That his kingdome come or else wishing to bee dislodged quickly from below as the Apostle crieth out Rom. 7.24 and Phil. 1.23 which is nothing else but to bee drawen vnto him leauing here below the old cast garment of this bodie vntill it be chaunged taken againe in incorruption 2. Cor. 5.5 Now the spouse hauing ended her former speech by the which shee was raised as it were aboue the cloudes by the winges of faith and hope shee entereth here now into another as hauing cast her eies both vpon her companie and traine and vpon hir selfe and others which beheld hir And this hath Salomon here set downe not without great reason as shal appeare by the handling of this matter For it cannot bee but such considerations wil often arise in the mindes and thoughts of such as are most perfect for which cause it is more then necessarie we prouide before hand that wee be nothing shaken by them as manie in our daies are This Queene therefore hauing bosted her selfe that if shee were drawen by the king her beloued shee would come running vnto him with a goodlie and triumphant companie and hereupon beginning to consider what this troupe and traine of hers could be in comparison of them whom shee calleth here Daughters of Ierusalem and of those of whom shee afterwards complaineth she becommeth at the first as it were ashamed But afterwards considering the quality and not the quantity thereof shee pronounceth cheerefully these wordes The vpright loue thee as if she should haue said wee are indeede a small companie but fayre and good for I bring thee nothing which is not entire and vpright and which beareth thee not a true and sincere affection And a little and good is better then a great deale and naught 2 This is the comfort consolation which hath been yet is most necessary vnto the church according to these words of the Lord Luk. 12.32 Feare not litle flock for it is your fathers pleasure to bestow on you a kingdome There are then no greater deceiuers to terme them in most courteous manner then they who to discerne the true church to the which wee must of necessity ioyne our selues if we wilbe saued from the false from which we must of necessity separat our selues if we wil not perish stand wholy vpon a multitude For first of al euery one is constrained to confesse that euen in the affaires dealings of this world there are alwayes to be found more fools then wise men How is it then when the point concerneth supernaturall wisdome and goodnes If wee will not beleeue that which the Lord himselfe hath saide in expresse termes speaking of the broade gate which leadeth to destruction through which many doe passe and of the streit and narow gate leading vnto life and which fewe doe finde Mat. 7.13 let vs at least beleeue that perpetual experience which wee haue hereof For what was I praie you the number and multitude of the true children of God when the deluge came vpon the world in the which only eight persons were spared which perished not by the waters And afterward what was Abrahams house in respect of the Cananits onely Yea what was the whole people of Israell to comprise therein the hipocrites and false Israelites in comparison of all the nations of the world shut out of the couenant of saluation Eph. 2.12 Yea and then especially when the Bridegroome came into the earth in person to gather and to visite his church who reiected him but the builders who cried away with him away with him crucifie him crucifie him but the multitude what multitude was that first number of sixscore persons by which the the Christian church began in Ierusalem To bee short when our aduersaries at this day who oppose their great number to our small companie shall haue wel counted what are they all together in comparisō of the rest of the world which acknowledge not Iesus Christ The multitude therefore is so far from beeing a true marke of the Church of God that on the contrarie side the greatest number ought rather to bee suspected of vs. 3 Notwithstanding we say not that euery small companie ought alwaies to be followed but it must be withall qualified with this name which is here giuen vnto it to wit the name of vpright which wee ought well to waigh to know not onlie where the true church is but also those which are the true mēbers thereof The true church therefore is that where the vpright and true veritie of God touching our saluation is purely taught and they are indeede of the church who embrace it in their minde and hart and by effect do declare the same And what is this vprightnes but the will of our God witnessed in all perfection by the writings of his prophets Apostles I mean in his law in respect of our applying our selues to perfourme it according to the measure of his grace and in his gospell in respect of that our beleeuing vnto saluation Euery assemblie therefore be it great or litle which holdeth not it selfe to this vprightnes cannot bee the church of God nor he a member of the true church who beleeueth or doth otherwise 4 And we must note wel that this tru vprightnes the loue of God are things altogether ioyned each to other inseparable whēce it foloweth that what doctrine soeuer withdraweth vs neuer so litle from the loue of God as all false religions haue this in cōmon that they stay men either on thēselues or vpon other creatures in whole or in part cannot be the true right way wherof mētion is here made likewise that whosoeuer witnesseth not by his life that he loueth feareth god is no true vpright man nor a Christian though he haue all the knowledge of truth in his head And because the loue of God is declared by the loue of our neighbour whosoeuer loueth not his neighbour is a lyar if he saie that he loueth God Ioh. 13.35 and 1. Ioh. 4.20 5 There follow now after this the words of the spouse turning her selfe to the daughters of Ierusalem which wee must by name discerne distinguish as wel from those which shee called the vpright to wit the ladies of her traine as from them of whom she complaineth afterward and calleth the sonnes of her mother Seeing then that wee vnderstand by this spouse the
eie vpon her not to forsake her 9 For example and proofe hereof let vs compare the time of the captiuity of Egypt of the greatest part vnder the Iudges vnder Saul vnder the ten tribes after their reuolt vnder a great part of the kings of Iuda vnder the captiuity of Babylon vnder which there was no apparant form of state either temporal or ecclesiasticall the time of the miseries and horrible disorders and confusions which happened vnder the empire of the Greekes and vnder the Romans vntill the totall destruction of the Temple and of the nation of the Iewes let vs I say but cōpare these times with the outward estate of the Church vnder Moses Aaron Iosua Dauid Salomon so long as he continued wise Asa Iosaphat Ezechias Iosias Nehemias and other like kings and gouerners when there were any such and we shal neede no farther proofe of this which I haue said And therefore they are themselues deceiued and doe deceiue others which iudge of the church according vnto this outward and visible marke as if it were essential and perpetual beeing most commonly spoiled thereof and yet not leauing therefore to be knowen by them who haue had good eies to marke her natiue and essential inseparable beutie 10 Now to come to the christian Church this point is especially to be noted to wit that whereas the auncient church for the obscurity of the promises which were as it were the contract of this marriage waiting for the visible comming of the Bridegroome had need of these earthly material Iewels as being pledges witnesses of his cōming so the Bridegroome being come as this marriage also is spiritual and tendeth vnto a spirituall life hath made an ende of all this establishing the charges and callings of the officers of his house and of all his outward seruice after a most simple manner and fashion farre different from the former Retaining therefore the soueraign and eternall Priesthood vnto himselfe and likewise the regality in lieu of all the Leuitical Priesthood and other charges offices seruing thereunto he hath first of all set vp his spiritual Temple throughout the world which is the Christian church by his master builders I meane by his Apostles Prophets and Euangelists which being done he hath withal established for gouernours of this building vnto the end and consummation of the world Pastours and Doctours for the administration of the woorde and of the Sacraments likewise Elders for the inspection and ouer-sight of manners and other Ecclesiasticall censures and finally Deacons for the administring dispensing of the Church-almes and other reliefes of the poore and hath also ordained but two Sacramentes common vnto the whole Church and perpetual the most simplest that possiblie might be whether we consider the matter or whether we respect the forme administring of them al this fearing least wee should stay our selues on earthly things to seek after our saluatiō in them or any holines besides And therfore was the Christian Church then in hir glosse and beutifull hew when this simplicitie was diligently obserued therein and maintained as it was in the time of the Apostles vnder whom verilie she florished in this natiue and ingenuous beuty both inward and outward which Esay describeth vnto vs 54 and 60. But alas we may well say that this glittering glosse of hirs was but as a lightening which passeth from East to West and is soone vanished away and gone as the Lorde himselfe foretolde it would be Mat. 24.27 and Luk. 17.24 For behold alreadie euen in the Apostles time they of the Circumcision could not abide the taking awaie of the Iudaicall Ceremonies which had bin sometime the decking setting forth of this spouse but had an end at the comming of the bridegroome in person Others began then to mingle vnder the shadow of deuotion their goodly friuolous and altogither superstitious inuentions others not considering that they went about to bee more wise then god himselfe insteed of contenting themselues with this natiue and ingenuous beutie added thereunto the painting of their owne goodly humane wisedome And albeit the Apostle hath so often and so diuersly cried out against all such inuentions and namely by a most singular diuine and cleare distinct setting downe of all these abuses Coloss 2.16 and the verses following yet could he not hinder that this should not come to passe Hereupon is entered into the Church the most part of Ceremonies manifestly and notoriously taken from Iudaisme as namely holy water priestly vestments lights decking of materiall temples shining and glittering with gold and siluer and precious stones without sparing of all maner costly apparell brauerie that might be Afterwards the simplicity of administring the Sacraments seemed ouer light therfore there must be added to the consecration of the water chrisme salt spettle chreme c. As for the sacrament of the Supper it was in the end cleane taken away abolished by Transsubstantiation by a reall and expiatory offering and oblation which men haue inuented Besides al this this goodly humane wisedome hath had that credit a long time to modell and paterne forth ecclesiastical charges after the Romane policy to the ende to fulfill and accomplish that which was foretold by Saint Iohn in the Apocalyps of the Image of the beast From hence insteede of an Aristocraticall order of Bishoppes that is to say Pastours are come * the dignities of Patriarcks and others and last of all two Popes or Oecumenicall Bishops the one in the East whose wings Mahomet hath clipped and the other in the West seated the one and the other vpon the seuen hils and especially hee of the West who doth yet make dronke the Kings and Nations of the earth assisted with his breethren officers of the latest and newest forge called Cardinals I let passe so many superstitions at which a man may presuppose that Sathan himselfe laugheth All this notwithstanding if a man wil beleeue our aduersaries behold the beutie of the Christian Church yea verily if a shamelesse thing painted and diapred by her louers may be this chast and modest spouse of Iesus Christ which hath neither within her nor vpon her any thing saue that which it hath pleased hir Bridegrome to giue hir which cōtenteth hirselfe altogither with the garmentes which the true and faithful woorkmen of the Lorde I meane his Apostles haue cut forth and fitted for her The more then the Church is decked after the Apostolicke fashion the more faire shee is whatsoeuer the minians and bawdes of the false painted Church say to the contrary And if the poore auncient Church brought in here by the holy ghost hath had iust occasion of complaining that shee was as it were disfigured by them either which plucked from her the outward ornaments shee receiued of hir Bridegroome or which loaded and disguised hir with prophane trimmings tifflings vp of her which darckened and obscured hir shining beuty according as the Prophets in
retire himselfe into purer and cleaner flocks if there be any such and where he may be in lesse danger of being corrupted by the contagion and infection of others The other imperfection consisteth in doctrine In which againe there are many circumstances to be considered before we depriue any assembly be it great or small of the name of the Church And that this should be so we see by the first epistle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians that in the church of Corinth not only touching manners the discipline of the church was very loosly obserued and the manner of teaching the word greatly prophaned by a vaine and affected kinde of babling but which more is that the pro and the con touching the article of the resurrection of the dead was stoutly and stifly disputed an article notwithstanding of such ground foundation in the Church that without it the preaching of the gospel would become vaine 1. Cor. 15.17 And yet notwithstanding it was so called and helde of the Apostle for the true and holy Church of God Among the Galathians it was yet worse beeing for the most part of them turned aside by the false Apostles from the principal ground-plat and foundation of the Christian Church namely from the free iustification by the only satisfaction of one onely Iesus Christ and yet all this notwithstanding Saint Paul giueth them the name of Church The reason is as touching the Corinthians because they shewed not themselues incorrigible and past amendment and that though there were some but badlie instructed in the article of the resurrection of the dead notwithstanding the bodie of the Church did stil retaine and hold the truth The Galathians also had not banded themselues against the doctrin of the Apostle but were only turned somewhat aside by a light headdines and yet not al of them as is to be presupposed The like is also to bee seene by that which the Apostle writeth vnto Timothy and likewise by the second of Saint Peter and that of Saint Iude that there were already false teachers and wicked Disciples euen in the bosome of the Churches which notwithstanding for all these imperfections left not to be called true Churches as a man leaueth not to bee a man though he haue some wert or some vlcers biles in one part of his body But the case is otherwise of a body altogether rotten and corrupted in the noblest and principallest partes whereunto the Synagogues of the Iewes may bee compared after that they stubburnely resisted the preaching of the Apostle from which for this cause hee vtterly diuided and disioyned the Church of Ephesus Act. 19.9 and 28.28 and himselfe also hath giuen vs a rule hereof Philip. 3.2 Neither are we otherwise to beleeue or to doe touching such assemblies and congregations be they great or little which notoriously and stubburnly oppose themselues against the principall and fundamental articles of Christian Religion as that assembly doth at this daie which sitteth vpon the seauen hils and opposeth it selfe directlie against the kingdome of Iesus Christ whose name notwithstanding it falsely borroweth and therefore we haue it iustly in execration and hold it accursed following the doctrine of the Apostle Galat. 1.8 To come therefore to our purpose we must take heede in this case how we stand in such sort vpon the defectes and imperfections of one Church or more as therefore not to take them for Churches but we must vse those ordinarie means which God hath appointed to bear with that which is to be borne withal to remedie that which may be remedied and to take heede to our selues we bee not smutted as they saie among colliers applying all our studie and endeuour to mutual edification as the Prophets and Apostles teach vs both by their doctrine and by their example 3 It is verie true notwithstanding that the spouse speaketh here of another kind of blacknesse to wit of the outward ouerthrowe and dissipation of the Church by the vehemencie of persecutions which is the cause that many making no difference betweene the glittering beuty of the kingdomes of this world and the spirituall beuty of that kingdome which is not of this world and suffering themselues to be dazled and blinded with that which hath onely a certaine outward glosse eyther enter not at al into the Church or if happily they bee entered retire themselues afterward out of it to returne againe to their vomit 2. Pet. 2.22 For fault of hearkening vnto this warning and aduertisement not to rely or stand vpon this outward black and hideous appearance of the crosse but contrariwise to waigh and consider well the true and natiue beutie of the Church in the middest of her greatest afflictions According hereunto the Lord hauing warned vs that his kingdom commeth not with such obseruation Luk. 17.20 hath said also That he shal be happy which shal not be offended at him who notwithstanding is called a man of sorrowes and griefes and so disfigured Esaie 53.3 that hee is compared vnto a worme of the earth Psal 22.6 to whom notwithstāding the church must be made conformable to bee the true church Rom. 8.29 in such sort that so far it is that the crosse maketh the Church not to be knowen that on the contrarie it is the true mark thereof being giuen to none but to the true beleeuers to suffer for the name of God the Apostle crying out That this is it whereof he wil boast himselfe Gal. 6.14 Mat. 5.10 Phil. 1.19 and elsewhere throughout the Scripture Hereunto is referred the second point which I haue touched being contained in this that the Church which called her selfe black saith that she is Browne as if she should saie to these Daughters of Ierusalem Comparing my selfe with you who are so fresh and so faire it seemeth indeed that there is nothing more black then I but yet if your eies be good you shal find that albeit I be browne and sunneburnt by the parching of the sunne yet am I not for al my tanned hew an Arabian or Aethiopian For ouer and besides that which hath beene said of the happie end issue of the afflictions of the Church there is an exceeding difference between the most miserable estate of those who are blatched before God by his iust vengeances or which are left remaining in their naturall blacknes and betweene the confidences and assurances of the children of god afflicted for righteousnes and for the glory of the Lorde who bestoweth this great fauor and grace vpon them to be glorified in them Farther if we consider of the estate of the church in her greatest afflictions it is not so miserable as men think it is For as the Apostle teacheth vs God is faithful and neuer suffereth such as are his to bee tryed aboue that which they are able to beare 1. Cor. 10.13 And therefore verie true it is that wee are pressed in euerie sort but not crased or broken beeing in want and penurie wee are not
to al these thinges which you cal miserable abuses as neuer yet the time that there was not Masse said a Pope to be gods vicar in earth And what new gospel thē I pray you is this of yours Where was this newe Church of yours I praie you fifty yeares ago Behold their common language But we wil send them backe vnto this text and wil tell them with this Bridegroome that this is that onely vine which hee transported out of Aegypt which hath beene a long time in the handes of wicked not vineyarders but destroiers from whom it is now taken to be restored and husbanded The wild beasts haue broused it but God hath made vp the hedge thereof againe set vp his wine presse in it Psal 80.15 Mat. 21.33 they are the same fig trees which were before but beeing become barraine for want of careful trimming and looking too they now beare litle figs as the vine beginneth to shoote forth her tender grapes Such was the condition of the Church after the storms which fel in Saules time which Dauid by all means sought to remedy but was not able notwithstanding entirely to perfect the seruice ceremonial nor the temple which Salomon afterward hauing compassed he compareth this newe restablishment reformation vnto a plat of ground where the fig trees are laden with young figs and the vine beginneth to yeeld foorth her smal grapes giuing great hope of a goodly vintage 16 But what These young figs and these smal grapes may not remaine at one staie but the young figs must become fair and good figs and the smal grapes must proue faire and goodlie raisins As the young child hangeth not alwaies at the mothers brest to sucke still but liueth and is nourished with solid meat after his sucking time is past 1. Cor. 3.2 In a word we are regenerat and borne a new in Iesus Christ to encrease in him by little and little vnto wee be come vntill his ful stature in vs Eph. 4.12 we are entred the list not to stand stil in the middest of our race but to runne stil on vntil wee sease vpon the crowne of eternal life 1. Tim. 6.12 15 Behold I saie what our dutie is that we be not that vnhappie fig tree which represented the miserable nation of the Iewes whose cutting off was near at hand and whereof mention is made Mat. 21.19 where it is said that the Lord finding on it nothing but leaues cursed it though the season did not serue for figgs And why so To shew the Iewes that the time of iudgement was come because they had let the time of grace and mercie to passe as hee before declared vnto them Luk. 13.6 and therefore said he vnto his Disciples As you know that the summer is neare when the fig tree shooteth foorth his leaues so when you see the signes of my comming knowe you that I am hard at the dore And what shal we say hereupon touching the time that wee are in Truely happie if wee knew how to know the visitation from on high Luk. 1.68.78 but more then thrise vnhappie through the hardnes of heart and rebellion of the world Esai 5.24 For is it not in our time that the lord hath begunne to raise vp this vine which was laide wast and to dig vp the earth round about this fig-tree to mould it better Is it not in our time that the fig trees haue brought forth their young figs and the vine her smal grapes Yea I dare saie it and God be praised for it there haue beene faire and good figges growen goodlie and pleasant grapes yeelded But alas besides that the winds which haue fel and the stormes of hail which we haue brought vpon vs by our sinnes haue shaken the trees and the vine plantes and constrained the Lorde of the vineyard to hasten his vintage in what state is this ground and heritage at this daie Naie how manie fig trees and vine plantes see we plucked vp by the rootes How manie young figs and small grapes are fallen downe And what hope doe the youth of our time yeeld vs Alas very litle the time being rather come wherof mention is made Esa 5.2 the Lord complaining and saying I looked for fruit of my vineyard but it hath brought me nothing but wild grapes What remaineth vs then but that the withered braunches of the vine and the dead bowes of the tree be cut off and cast into the fire Mat. 3.3.10 Ioh. 15.6 And indeed are we so blind as not to see that this is come to passe in the East West North and South and so to continue more more Are we so deaf as not to heare the great blows of the hatchet axe hewing downe the goodly carued seelings of the house of the Lord Psal 74.5 Do we not heare the Lyon roare and the waues of the Sea to make a noise Esai 5.29 And if the Lord haue not spared the naturall braunches will hee spare the small abortiue suckers Rom. 11.21 Let vs therefore craue of our good God eares to heare and praie him that he wil giue vs the spirit of repentance and conuersion and preserue and blesse the residue of this his vineyard which hee expecteth in great patience that wee should bring forth fruites of righteousnesse and of charity which may be pleasing and acceptable vnto him vnto his honor and glorie and vnto our soules health and saluation Almighty God c. THE XXI SERMON Our helpe be in the name of God c. It is written as followeth in the second Chapter of the Canticle of Canticles the 13. and 14. verses 13 Arise my Loue my faire one and come awaie 14 My Doue which keepest thy selfe in the clefts of the rocke in the secret places of the ascent thereof shew me thy face let me heare thy voice for thy voice is sweete and thy face is comelie 1 The Bridegroomes calling to awaken his spouse so often reiterated declareth what naturall heauines and drousinesse is in the best sort which can be corrected by no other meanes then by the voice of the Bridegroome onely who maketh himselfe to be heard 2 The spouse is somtimes made so wild and so hared that shee is forced to giue place vnto her persecutors but yet remaineth a Doue still in her holie puritie 3 Examples of this vnder the olde couenant 4 Examples of the same vnder the newe couenaunt beginning from Iesus Christ himselfe 5 The Romish puttock hath skared the Doue out of the plaine but the Bridegrome hath begun in our time to reclaim her 6 The spouse the Doue thus skared insteed of stooping skirreth aloft where she findeth her sure rock to foote on 7 The spouse beeing brought downe from the rock where for a time shee was hid and remained dumbe must make her selfe to be clearlie seene and heard of her Bridegrome 8 An exhortation to put this doctrin throughlie in practise 9 A reprehension of the negligence of some and the