opened and no man shall enter by it because the Lord God of Israel hath entered by it so although the heart of a Christian which is the temple of the holy Ghost may let many things enter into it at other gates yet it must keepe the East gate the most illuminate and highest power and part of it continually shut against all men yea against all the world and opened onely to one thing that is to God who hath alreadie entered into it and enlightened it with his spirit As at the window of Noahs arke there entred in no mist no water nothing else but one thing onely which is light so at this East gate no mist of humane errors no water of worldly cares may enter in but onely the light of heauen and a sanctified desire to be fast knit and perfectly vnited by faith and loue to God As the Altar of perfume was placed close to the golden Censer verie neare the Mercie seate so a Christian heart which is a spirituall Altar of perfume and a sweet sauour to God must alwaies approch nearer and nearer vnto the throne of Grace and continuallye higher and higher aduaunce it selfe to him that is the highest and holiest of all As in a Well except there be some water in it we cannot easily see the baggage that lyeth in the bottome so in the depth of the heart without teares wee cannot see our sinnes Conscience AS Honie is not onelie sweete of it selfe but also it maketh that sweete which before was not sweete so a good conscience is so merrie and so pleasant that it maketh all the troubles and tribulations of this world seeme pleasant and delightfull Lodo. Granat lib. 1. Ducis peccat As they that sit at a banker are made merrie by the varietie of meates and daintie cates and by the presence of their friends with whom they liue so the righteous are made merrie by the testimonie of a good conscience and by the sweete fauour of the diuine presence ibidem As the tast of delitious meat cannot sufficiently bee expressed nor described with words to him who heretofore hath not tasted of it so neither the ioy comfort of a good cōscience to him that neuer felt it ib. As the morning sun when it is scarcely risen and is not yet seene enlighteneth the world with the nearnesse of his brightnes so a good conscience although it bee not fully plainly known yet it reioiceth and gladdeth the soul by her good testimony ibi As a shadow doth alwayes follow the bodie so feare and desperation in al places and at all times do waite vpon an ill conscience As persecution procureth a death to the bodie so a conscience despairing assureth death to the soule As the herbe Nepenthes so much commended of Homer being put into Wine driueth away all sadnesse at a banket so a good conscience being placed in vs dooth abolish all the tediousnesse of life As true loue towards a woman doth not desire a witnes but hath a mough if it enioy her alone so is a wise man contented only by the testimonie of a good conscience Plut. As a beautifull face is grateful and acceptable in the sight of man so is a cleare conscience beautifull in the eies of God Chrisostomus hom 6. operis imperfecti If thou castest a little sparke into a great deepe it is soone quenched so a good conscience doth easily mittigate al griefe idem hom 25. de via recta As there is no raine without cloudes so there is no pleasing of god without a good conscience Marcus Eremita de his quiputant ex operibus iustificari As a brazen wall is a good defence vnto a Citie so is a good conscience vnto a man Lodouicus Viues introductione ad sapientiam capite vltimo As gowtie diseases are full of feare so are ill consciences full of suspition Plut. in Apophth 231. As the shadow followeth the body so an euill conscience doth follow a sinner Basilius apud Antonium in Melissa part 1. sermon 16. Doctors and Doctrine EVen as a plaister is of no vse if it be not applied to the wound and to the diseased place so neither are precepts nor doctrine auailable if by education they be not applied to the life Lodouicus Granat lib. 1. Ducis peccatorum If thou wilt put any good thing into Bottels and Bladders thou must first put the winde and the aire out of them so thou must put pride and disdain out of his mind whom thou wouldest teach Plut. As the seed of a sallow tree cast away before it bee ripe dooth not onely bring forth nothing but is a medicine to procure sterilitie in women that they maie not conceyue so the speeches of them that teach before they be wise do not onlie shewe themselues to be fooles but doe infect their auditors and make them indocible Plin. lib. 16. cap. 27. As a consort consists of diuerse voyces so erudition is a mixture of diuerse disciplines Seneca The meate that swimmeth in the stomacke is no meat but a burthen but the same being digested doth passe into blood and strength so those things which thou readest if they remaine vnconcocted in thy memorie they do thee small good but if they bee digested into thy disposition then they make thee better learned Seneca The earth which bringeth foorth salt bringeth foorth none other thing so wittes fruitfull in learning are not of such validitie in other matters Plin. lib. 31. cap. 7. Wine powred into vessels made of Yew becomes deadly so erudition otherwise wholesome if it fall into a pestilent nature becommeth daungerous by his maners As the Lawrell alwayes continueth greene so the fame of learning dooth neuer waxe olde nor wither Plin. lib. 15. cap. 30. As they that are of a ranke smell doe sauour more rammish when they are annointed so the rumour of naughtinesse is more filthie when the celebritie of learning maketh it more conspicuous and more common in the mouthes of men As a precious stone is a little thing and yet is preferred before great stones so learning and doctrine is but little in shew and ostentation but great in value and price Artes and disciplines AS they that often frequent theaters and play houses with their pleasure doe also reape some profite so Artes and Disciplines besides their pleasure and dignitie do bring also profite and commoditie Plut. A tree of her owne nature dooth bring forth but one onely fruit but by grafting it becomes loaden with fruites of diuerse kinds so he that followeth his owne nature is alwayes the same but hee that is guided by Art is vnlike himselfe Plin. lib. 17. cap. 14. The Turbot the Skate the Raie and the Puffen being most slow fishes yet haue often found in their bellies the Mullet being the swiftest of al fishes which they take by cunning and policie so many by Art and skill do far excell those that be mightier in riches and strength Plin. lib. 9. cap. 42. Plutarch testifieth that he
bee something without a smell but there cannot bee a smell without some thing so a woorke without prayer is something but prayer without a good worke is nothing and if thou prayest thou prayest not of fayth Idem hom 18. As fire doth scowre off the rust from iron so prayer dooth scowre our soules from the rust of sinne Idem hom 42. ad pop Antioch As no medicine can cure a wound if the iron remaine within it so no prayer profiteth his soule who hath deadlie hatred festring and rankling in it Augustinus de rectitudine Catholicae conuersationis Plato wryteth that the Lacedemonians were neuer heard to pray for anye thing but that which was good and profitable so a Christian should neuer pray for any thing but that which is good in the eyes of God and profitable for himselfe Isidorus Clarius orat de fructu orandi tom 1. Almes deedes AS the Princes of this worlde determining a voyage doe sende their furniture treasure and prouision before them and they themselues folow after so we are to diuide our goodes amongst the poore that they may prepare an entrance into life for vs. Stella de contemptu mundi As water sprinkled vpon an hot glowing gad of iron although it seeme to coole the hote burning iron yet at the length it causeth it to burne the more vehementlie so the workes of mercie albeit at a blush they seeme to make the soule lesse feruent by reason of the sundrie businesses which happen in exercising them yet they make it more earnest and vehement in the wayes of the Lord. Lodouicus Granat lib. de deuotione Euen as nothing is more naturall vnto God then to doe well vnto all his creatures so hee that participateth more of the spirit and goodnesse of God hee is more readie to doe good vnto others ibidem As in a treasurie they vse to mingle no false mony which outwardlie hath a little golde and seemes to be good yet inwardlie is a mixture of most base mettalles euen so and no otherwise are the woorkes and almes deedes of Hypocrites who outwardlie will appeare iust as if they were no sinners when inwardlie they haue seared and foule deformed consciences Stella de contemptu mundi As water quencheth burning fire so almes deedes resisteth sinnes Clemens Alexand lib. 3. paedagogi cap. 7. As seede cast into the earth bringeth forth profit to the sower so bread cast into the lap of the poore will in time to come yeelde thee great commoditie Basil hom in dite scentes As corne kept in thy garner is deuoured of vermine but being cast into thy lande is not onelie preserued but increased so riches kept in thy Chest vnder locke and key doe waste and fade but if thou disperse them into the bellies of the hungrie they doe not onelie not vanish but rise to greater value Chrysostomus homil 7. de poenitentia As an vnfruitfull Elme giueth moysture to the Vine that the Vine maye bring forth fruite both for it selfe and for the Elme so let thy substance further the reliefe of the poore in this world that their sanctitie may further thee in the other Chrysost hom 12. operis imperf As hee that wryteth an Epistle to a friend whilest hee writeth seeth in his heart the person of his friend to whom he writeth so hee that giueth almes for Gods sake seeth no man in his heart but the person of GOD alone for whom hee giueth it Idem homil 13. operis imperfect As worldlie men by Vsurie encrease their pelfe to their damnation so spirituall men by almes deedes encrease and multiplie the loue of God towardes them to their saluation Chrysost hom 7. in Epist ad Rom. As no man sorroweth to receiue a kingdome or greeueth to haue remission of his sinnes so let no man sorrowe to lay out his money vpon maintenance for the poore because hee shall receyue great gaynes by it Idem Homil. 21. in Epist ad Rom. As rich mens sonnes for an ornament doe weare Golde Chaynes about their neckes as a signe of their greatnesse and Nobilitie so wee ought alwayes to bee arrayed in the roabes of bountie that wee may shewe our selues to bee the sonnes of him who is mercifull who causeth his Sunne to arise both vpon the good and badde idem Hom. 1. ad Philippen As in physicall confections one herbe is predominant so in spiritualll matters almes deeds are in especiall account with God idem hom 9. ad Hebraeos As Iudges hauing receiued gifts do not suddenly proceed to pronounce sentence but endeuour to agree the parties so the Lord dealeth with them whose giftes are giuen to the poore August ser 146. As wee are not once to doe well but alwayes so we are not once to giue almes but alwayes Chrysosthm hom 1. in Epist ad Philippen A lumpe of vnmolten Lead put into a vessell full of holes doth rest in one side of the vessell but if it be melted with fire it filleth all the holes so an heape of mony being frozen with the colde of auarice lieth in the chest profitable to no man but if it be melted with the fire of diuine loue and powred out it floweth to all partes of the poore and relieuing the needy it filleth all the holes crannies of pouertie Hector Pintus in cap. 5. Ezech. 37. As the sea is fed by land Riuers which hath no neede of them when as the lande is left drie so manie bestowe their largesse and bounty vpon them that haue no need and let the needie and distressed perish idem in cap. 18. As sheepe and oxen are not eaten except they be dead and dressed so many Churles giue no almes but when they are dead and buried idem in cap. 16. As mount Oliuet according to Augustine was a mountaine of oyntment and vnction of fatnesse and refection of medicine and cure by reason of the abundance of oyle there growing so a mercifull man may be fitly resembled to this mountaine by reason of his almes which are the oyle of mercie and pitie As that seed is the best which is white within so are those almes deeds the best which come from a pure intent F. Ioannes a S. Geminiano lib. 3. de vegetabilibus Plant. cap. 20. As one Torch borne before dooth giue more light then foure borne behinde so one good deede done in life time is more acceptable vnto God then fortie after death Polancus in Methodo adiuuandi eos qui moriuntur Deuotion HE that woulde haue Iron alwayes to glow and shine redde hot it is necessary that hee alwaies applie it to the fire for if hee take it from the fire forthwith it returneth to his naturall coldenesse so the most noble affection of Deuotion so dependeth of that that man bee continuallie vnited vnto God by actuall loue and contemplation that if hee turne himselfe but a little from him forthwith hee slideth backe to the bosome of his mother that is to the olde disposition which before hee
are riches here to day and gone to morrow to day it is this mans ground to morrow his and next day anothers Basil in Psal 61. Welles that are drawne haue sweeter water but beeing vntouched become putrified so the rest of riches is vnprofitable but their motion and publike vsing is profitable and fruitful Idem hom in ditescentes Clemens Alex. lib. 1. Stromat As that earth which is a little remoued from the roote is the nourishment of the plant but that which lieth the neerest vnto it doth depresse and burthen it so if riches fall close vpon the soule of a man they driue it downe to hell but if they bee somewhat remooued and distributed to the vse of the poore then the possession of them is in the right kinde Idem in cap. 5. Esayae As Lions Leopards and Beares become wilde and fierce because they are brought vp in darkenesse so riches being kept close and hoorded vp are more fearefull then wilde beastes and roare more terribly then a Lion but beeing brought into the light and bestowed on the poore of lions they become lambes and of dangerous rockes calme hauens Chrysost hom 14. de auaritia As a ship too heauie loaden doth drown but being moderately gaged sayleth prosperously so when thou burthenest thy selfe with more riches then is requisite they easily drown thee but when thou layest vp what is meet for thy necessitie when a storme happeneth thou maist easily flote ouer the waues ibidem As we seeing a rich man and a poore man painted vpon a wall do neither enuie the one nor despise the other because they are not true things but fained shadowes so if we well knew the nature of riches and pouertie of glorie and reproach and of all other things whether ioyfull or sorrowfull it would free vs from the perturbations they bring because they are but false shadowes and feined counterfeits of things to come Idem concione 4. de Lazaro As children not knowing how to vse swords kniues do endanger themselues so many men not knowing how to vse mony endamage their soules by buying with it such a burden of vices which depresse them to hell Idem hom 66. in Genesin As shooes too big hinders a traueller and too many cloathes a runner so doth too much money him that trauels to heauen Idem hom 7. de poenitentia As no wise man will build his mansion house vpon the sand so no wise man will build his happines vpon riches which are brittle fading and soone vanish ibidem As if an earthly king should say no rich man shall bee promoted in my kingdome would not all cast away their dishonoured riches so when the heauenlie King dooth say that it is harde for rich men to enter into his kingdome will not they much more cast away these impediments Idem hom 9. in Mat. As hee is a foolish husband man that takes his good graine and castes it into a lake leauing his fruitfull ground vnsowne so is hee a greater foole that hydes his treasure in the earth and leaues the fruitfull grounde of the poore vnsowne ibidem As thornes do pricke being touched so doe riches being griped Idem hom 23. in Ioan. As Scorpions and Vipers do lurk among bushes thorns so do inordinat thoughts couch themselues in the deceitfulnes of riches Therefore Christ calles the cares of this present life and the frauds of riches thornes ibidem As meat kept vndigested in one part of the body doth neither profit it nor nourish the rest but being digestably communicated to all doth nourish all so riches if thou keepest them alone thou shalt receiue no fruit by them but if thou possessest them with others then thou reapest the greatest commoditie by thē idem hom 10. in 1. Cor. As a tree planted in fertill good groūd doth euerie yeare bring foorth seasonable fruit so money planted among the poore and put into their hands dooth not onely euery yeare but also euery day bring forth spirituall fruites that is confidence in God departing from sinne a good conscience spirituall ioy comfortable hope and other good things which God hath prepared for them that loue him ibidem As they that honour thee for thy friends sake saying that thou art worthy of no honour of thy selfe but onely for him doe mightily dishonour thee so riches are the causes of reproch vnto vs whilest they are more honoured then the possessors of them Idem hom 7. ad Colossenses As he that sayth thou thy selfe art worthy of no honour but I honour thee for thy seruants sake dooth reproch thee so do they that honor rich men for their riches ibidem As a good father seeing his sonne doate vpon an harlot doth banish her his sight so our heauenly father seeing that his childrē would doate vpon riches leaue his loue doth either not giue them or else doth take them away Idem hom 33. ad Hebraeos As a whoorish countenance being filthie of it selfe is painted to deceiue others that they by reason of the vaile may not see the filthinesse so riches carrie a faire flourish of pleasure that we may not discerne the paine and plague that they bring with them Idem hom quòd nemo laeditur nisi a seipso As the Moath is bred of cloath rust of iron and theeues of need so couetousnes is bred of riches desire of gaine and gaping for more of much hauing Petrus Chrysologus sermone 7. A flie comming to a barrell of honie if she touch it with her mouth and take that is necessarie departeth safely but if shee cast her selfe into it shee drowneth and there perisheth so a man if hee take what riches hee hath neede of that hee may honestlie sustaine himselfe hee may bee taken from them and flie to heauen but if hee wholie drowne himselfe in them there hee stickes and bringes himselfe to destruction Pintus in Ezeciel cap. 16. As a banket hath no grace without guestes so riches haue no pleasure without vertue Antistenes apud Stobaeum ser 1. de prudentia As they that haue drunke of the same Wine some are drunke some madde and some more milde so they that are enriched alike are not affected alike Aristonymus apud Maximum serm 12. As golde is tried by the touchstone so riches do shew what is in a man Chilo apud Laertium As thou wouldest not bee drowned sayling in a faire shippe loden with golde so thou oughtest not to desire sitting in a large sumptuous house to be ouerwhelmed with the cares of worldly riches Cleobulus apud Stobaeum ser 3. de Temperantia As thou seeing a viper an aspe or a scorpion inclosed in iuory or in a goldē shrine dost not loue them or esteeme them for the excellencie of the matter as happie creatures but rather dost abhorre and detest them for their venemous and deadly nature so thou seeing much mischiefe and wickednes in riches and in the pride of fortune be not amazed at the splendor of the