charge to bring them vp in learning and good manners 6 As a vessell will long retaine and keepe the sauour of that wherewith it is first seasoned Euen so if Children be taught good things whilest they be young and tender they will abide and sticke the longer with them Pro. 22.6 Deut. 4.9.14 32.46 7 Euen as a Plant will sooner take nourishment and thriue better in the soyle where it first grewe and sproong vp then in any other ground because it liketh his owne soile best So likewise children will sooner take instruction and good nurture from their Parents whom they best like and from whom they had their first being then from any other 8 Like as our first Parent Adam and so all other after him haue beene a meane of falling to all their posteritie in begetting Children in their owne image which according to the lawe of creation should haue bene borne in Gods image So now in lieu of this all Parents should lend their hands to their children to lift them vp againe by good Education and neuer cease vntill they see in some measure the beautie of the first image and the vertue of the second Adam Pro. 22.6 Deut. 4.9 11.18 19. 9 As life and death is in the power of the tongue So also we may well say life and death is in the Education of our children for if they be well brought vp it shal be life vnto them but if it be otherwise they are trained vp to euerlasting death Pro. 18.21 10 Euen as a weede if it growe in a rancke soyle will waxe out of measure noysome So children comming of honourable Parents brought vp in ease and pampered with the delights of gentrie they wax immeasurably vitious whom neither Lawes nor Magistrates nor any other good meane can hardly keepe vnder 11 As the brute Oxe and Asse would neuer endure their hard labor except they were held in by their yoake but would stray euerie way So vnbridled man if hee be not in his youth held in by the yoake of painful labor and vertuous education he wil neuer abide it when he is old but wil run out into euerie path of destruction Lament of Iere. 3.26 12 As Alexander the Great attained to haue such a puissant Armie whereby he conquered the world by hauing children borne and brought vp in his Campe wherby they became so wel acquainted and exercised with weapons from their swadling cloathes that they looked for no other wealth or Countrey but to fight Euen so if thou wouldest haue thy children either to do great matters or to liue honestly by their owne vertuous endeuours not to gape vniustly for other mens goods but to be content with the blessing of God vpon their labours thou must acquaint them with paines taking in their youth and so to bring them vp in the nourture and information of the Lord. Eccle. 25.27 13 As those which haue experience in keeping and repairing of the Sea bankes can easily tell vs that if the raging waues should be suffered to breake ouer but one tide they should hardly in many dayes recouer it againe Euen so if Parents suffer their Childrens affections throgh want of good Education to haue the full swing and course yea but a small season they shall hardly or neuer againe win this breach Pro. 11.20 29.15 14 Euen as the fattest soyle bringeth forth the ranckest weedes So pampered Children brought vp without due gouernment and discipline thrust foorth the greatest and most ouergrowen vices 15 As young Plants being straightned while they be tender and trimmed with pruning and other parts of husbandrie will grow very goodly to behold in their greatnesse which being neglected are many times very crooked and vnfit for diuers vses So likewise do young men and women for the most part proue as they are nurtured in their youth Christes second comming to iudgement 1 SO quickly as the lightning in the East is seene vnto the West Euen so suddenly shall Christ appeare vnto the whole world at his second comming Mat. 24.43 44. 2 As a Theefe so neare as he can commeth closely to rob an house then when men thinke least of him So likewise vpon a like sudden when men least thinke of it shall Christ come againe to iudgement 1. Thess 5.4 2. Pet. 3.10 3 Like as when the Sunne is vp which is the most excellent light although the Moone and the Starres doo remaine still in the element yet are they not seene but are euen as though they were all fallen downe from heauen Euen so the comming of Christ to iudgement shall be so glorious and so bright that in comparison of it the light of the Sunne then the Moone and the Starres shall be as though they were not at all Math. 24.29 Esa 13.10 Ezech. 32.7 Ioel. 2.31 3.15.16 4 Like as men waxe cunning to foresee what weather will shortly happen by the standing of the winde by the gathering of the cloudes and by other tokens which as it did condemne the carelesnesse of them which liued in the time of Christ because they were not carefull and diligent to marke the tokens whereby they should haue knowne the comming of Christ So also it will condemne vs if we marke not neither obserue the tokens of the second comming of Christ 5 As a guiltie man whose conscience doth accuse him would neuer see the Iudge and a traytor would neuer willingly be espied of his Prince nor a disloyall person of one that knoweth him and on the other side a true and faithfull subiect that hath done dutifull seruice desireth the presence of the Prince in hope to be well rewarded So the wicked and vngodly ones of the world are grieued to heare of Christs comming to iudge the quick and the dead but they that haue liued with good consciences do grone for his comming Christ the onely obiect of faith which iustifieth LIke as when the children of Israel were bidden of Moses to looke vp to the brazen Serpent neither could the Serpent haue helped them except they had looked vp nor yet their looking vpward haue profited them vnlesse they had directed their eyes vpon the said Serpent as the onely obiect set vp to the same purpose for them to behold So our faith in like case directed to the body of Iesus Christ our Sauiour is onely the meanes whereby Christes merits are applied vnto vs and we now iustified before God Rom. 10.9 Christ our Mediator 1 LIke as Christ Iesus is our looking glasse in which we behold the inuisible and glorious God to be our louing and mercifull father more readie to heare then wee to pray So the same our Sauiour Christ is also our feete by which we go to the father our mouth by which wee speake to the Father and our hand by which we offer our prayers and all our seruice yea our soules and bodies as a liuely reasonable and acceptable sacrifice to his Maiestie 2 As no man is able
Christ the greater glorie and gaue Sathan the greater shame Christ suffered and died as he was man AS the precious stone called the Carbuncle to see too is like an hotte burning cole of fire shining exceeding brightly the which feeleth no fire neither is it molten chaunged or mollified therewith If thou shalt take it and close it fast in a ring of lead and cast it into the fire thou shalt see the lead molten and consumed before thy face but the Carbuncle remaining sound and perfect without blemish as before for the fire worketh vpon the leade but vpon the Carbuncle it cannot worke Euen so Christ our Sauiour being in the hotte scorching fire of his torments suffered and died as hee was man but as hee was GOD hee neither suffered nor died the fire of his afflictions wrought then vpon his manhood but his diuinitie and godhead continued perfect and vtterly vntouched The Crosse maketh peace AS in a ciuell gouernment and common-wealth nothing is more occasion of war then ouermuch peace So in the Church and among Ministers of the Church as nothing is more pernicious then too much quietnesse so nothing more ceaseth priuate contentions oftentimes arising amongst them theÌ„ the publike Crosse of persecution The personall vnion of Christ. AS a certaine soule beeing ioyned to a certaine body maketh one certaine person as Peter Paul Iohn So the eternall word of the Father tooke vnto it that flesh of the virgine that is to say made the same so proper vnto it selfe that from hence commeth and proceedeth that person which is called Christ Christ the resurrection and life 1 LIke as in a perfect body when the head hath sense and motion the hand that is of the same body hath also sense motion conuenient for it So likewise Christ being the resurrection and the life as there is spirituall life in him so euery member of his shall feele in it selfe spiritual sense and motion whereby it is raised vp from sinne and liueth vnto God Ioh. 5.25 6.63 2 As the Burgesse of a Towne in the Parliament house beareth the person of the whole Towne and whatsoeuer he saith that the whole Towne saith and whatsoeuer is done to him is also done to al the towne So Christ vpon the Crosse stood in our place and bare our person and what he suffered wee suffered and when he died all the faithfull died in him and so likewise as hee is risen againe so are all the faithfull risen in him 3 As Christ by the merite of his death wipeth out our iniquities and by his bloud clenseth our consciences from all mortall sinne So in like manner by his resurrection from death he declareth himselfe to be righteous and in all respectes perfectly pure according to the law of God Rom 4.25 Psal 16.16 Christ hath prepared a place for vs in heauen LIke as if a man were assured that there were made for him a great purchase in Spaine or Turkie so as if he would but come thither hee might enioy it he would not forbeare to aduenture the daungers of the Sea and of his enemies also if need were that so hee might come to his owne Euen so seeing that Christ Iesus hath made a purchase for vs in heauen and there is nothing required of vs but that we will come and enioy it wee ought to refuse no paines or feare in the way but carefully to striue to get in Luk. 13.14 Christ our Intercessour LIke as he that would know whether the sunne shine in the firmament must not clime vp into the cloudes to looke but search for the beames thereof vpon the earth which when he sees he may conclude that the sun shines in the firmament Euen so if wee would know whether Christ in heauen make intercession for vs let vs ransacke our owne consciences and there make search whether we feele the spirit of Christ crying in vs Abba Father As for those that neuer feele this worke of Gods spirite in them their case is miserable whatsoeuer they be Rom. 8.26 Calamitie EVen as a cloud darkneth the ayre and couereth the sunne So Calamitie and miserie maketh cloudie the mind of man taking from him all his ioy it leaueth him bare and naked without comfort and full of sorrow 2 Like as lightnings do smite whatsoeuer they find in the earth except the Lawrel tree as Plinie affirmeth Euen so great Calamitie is able to take away and to ouerthrow whatsoeuer is in man or that hee hath saue onely firme and constant vertue for constant vertue is a goodly Lawrell tree euer flourishing and greene and will not be consumed burnt vp nor destroyed with any fire that breaketh out of the cloudes be it neuer so fierce nor with any violence of torments and troubles whatsoeuer Rude and wanton Children LIke as when any are stinged with the poyson-ful sting of Serpents foorthwith they labour for remedie against the same least the wound rot and put them to further annoyance Euen so such Children as bee infected and diseased with wanton Idlenesse being also destitute of good maners and learning must be sent to the schoole to be cured of their maister with the rodde of correction and vertuous education False Christians LIke as among a great sort which are striken with extreame sickenesse and diseases some doo alwayes scape as it pleaseth God So it is to be hoped that among an infinite number of false Christans God will touch some to bring them backe from the filthinesse and corruptions of the worlde and to leade them to the fearing of himselfe It is impossible to know who is a true Christian before he die LIke as in a ground sowed with diuers seedes no man can certainly knowe some seede from an other which shall bring forth fruite and which shall not yea though it haue alreadie put foorth yea and that more is though it be eared Euen so no one man can know an other man throughly to bee a Christian which is the greatest felicitie that is before the end of his race because no man is to bee counted happie before his deathes day by reason of many miseries and calamities which may befall him Christ the cause of our resurrection and life 1 AS the first Adam was the roote of all mankind and he conuyed sinne by sinne death to all that sprang of him Christ onely excepted So likewise Christ the second Adam which is the roote of all the elect conueyeth life both in body and soule to al that are vnited to him and by the vertue of his resurrection they shall rise againe after this life 2 Like as the power of the Godhead of Christ when â—he was dead in the graue raised his body the third day So also shall the same power of Christ his Godhead conuey it selfe vnto all the faithfull which euen in death remaine vnited vnto him and raise them vp at the last day Why God afflicteth his Children AS a godly and wise Surgeon purposing to cut
and by the hand of the souldiour against the heart of Christ when he suffered death 10 As Dauid hauing heard Golias prate and talke his pleasure when they came to the poynt at the first stroke ouerthrew him So Christ with that very selfsame speare which at his death gaue him a litle venny in comparison or if it bee lawfull so to speake but a philip on the side which was soone after recured gaue the diuell a deadly wound in the forehead which with all his pawes he shall neuer be able to clawe off 11 As Dauid onely with his sling did vanquish and ouercome Golias So Christ onely by his death and by the power of his crosse did conquer and subdue the diuel 1. Sam. 17.51 54. 12 As Penny-royal being hung vp in the larder-house yet buds his yealow flower Or as Noahs Oliue tree being drowned vnder the water yet keepes his greene braunch Or as Aarons rod being clung and drie yet brings foorth ripe Almonds Or as Moses bramble-bush being set on fire yet shines and is not consumed Or as the Palme tree though it haue many waights at the toppe and many snakes at the roote yet still it sayes I am neither oppressed with the waights nor distressed with the snakes So Christ the right Penny-royall the true Noahs Oliue Tree the right Aarons rodde the true Moses bramble-bush and the true Palme tree though all the Iudgements of GOD and all the sinnes of the world like vnsupportable waights were laid vpon him yea though the cursed Iewes stood beneath like venemous snakes hissing and byting at him yet hee was neither so oppressed with them nor so distressed with these but that euen vpon his crosse he did most flourish when he was most afflicted 13 As Epaminondas being sore wounded in fight demaunded of his souldiers standing by whether his enemies were ourthrowne or no They answered yea Then whether his buckler were whole or no They answered all I. Nay then said he all is well This is not the end of my life but the beginning of my glory For now your deare Epaminondas dying thus gloriously shall rather be borne againe then buried So Christ likewise was sore wounded but his enemies death and the diuel were ouerthrowne and spoyled his buckler which was his Godhead was whole and vntouched therefore there was no harme done his death was no death but an exaltation vnto greater glorie Iohn 12.32 14 As Gedeons fleece when it was moyst the earth was drie but when it was drie the earth was moyst So when Christs fleece was moyst as a greene tree then were all we drie like rotten sticks but when his fleece was drie all the bloud and water being wroong out of his precious side then were we moystned with his grace Iudg. 6 37 38 39. 15 As a Lambe is much more nimble and liuely for shearing So Christ the Lambe of God by this shearing of his death which was a kinde of quickning to him and onely a trimming to him before he ascended to his Father as Ioseph was trimmed and polde before he appeared to Pharaoh 16 When Adam slept his side was opened So wheâ— Christ died his side was opened 17 As Adams side being opened flesh and bone were taken out So likewise Christs side being opened wateâ— and bloud were taken out 18 As of Adams flesh and bone the woman was builtâ— So of Christs water and bloud the Church was built so that the death of Christ is nothing but the sleepe of Adâ—â— 19 As Iacob trauelling towards Haram when hee had laid an heape of stones vnder his head and taken a nap by the way was much reuiued with it after his tedious iourney So Christ trauelling towards Heauen when he had slept a litle in that stony Sepulchre which was hewen out of a Rocke liued then most princely after his painfull passion Gen. 28.10 c. Math. 27.60 20 Euen as when many birds are caught in a net if a Pellican or any other great bird that is among them get out all the rest that are litle ones follow after So likewise Christ by his death as a great bird hauing broken throgh the net of death all we escape with him 21 As Honey being found in a dead Lyon the death of the Lyon was the sustenance of Sampson So Christes gall is our honey and the bitter death of Christ by reason of his righteousnesse is the sweete life of man Iudg. 14.8 9. 22 As Debora reioyced when Barack put Sisera to flight Euen so we haue great cause to reioyce seeing Christ by his Death hath put death to flight Iudg. 5.1 c. 23 Euen as a noble Champion hauing alreadie had a legge and an arme slasht off when all the stage in admiration of his vallour and manhood cries Saue the man saue the man yet puts out himselfe and standing vp on one legge and striking with one arme fights still as stoutly as if he had neuer bene hurt at all So Christ hauing bene scorned scourged already when the whole Theater of heauen and earth wept for him yea when the powers aboue the heauen came down and the dead vnder the earth rose vp to mone and pittie him onely he himselfe would neither aske any fauour of others nor yet shew any fauour to himselfe but was very angrie and called him Sathan that gaue him such counsell yea though all the Saints in heauen and earth did bleede at the very heart in a maner as much as himselfe did vpon the crosse to see so good a man so shamefully despited yet nothing could stay him but still he went on forward as pleasantly and as chearefully as to any banket or feast to this most rufull and dreadfull death 24 As when the heart of a man hath receiued a deadly wound he is accouÌ„ted for dead because he cannot escape death So sinne in the Death of Christ hath receiued a deadly wound so that by reason of that neare coniunction which by faith we haue with Christ we are said to be dead with him Rom. 6.3 4 c. Christ betrayed and sold AS Ioseph was sold of his owne brethren into the hands of straungers Euen so was Christ our Sauiour betrayed and solde of Iudas his owne Disciple and deliuered of his owne Nation into the hands of Pilate and the Heathen Math. 26.15 16. Christ dyed to deliuer vs. 1 AS Sampson who dyed himselfe to deliuer his people from the Philistines So likewise Christ to deliuer vs from the Diuels dyed himselfe Iudg. 16.30 2 Like as if a man should go to prison for debt or any such matter and one of his friendes should come in the meane season and pacifie the Creditor by satisfying and paying the debt then wee may well say that hee hath deliuered this man out of prison although hee came not there but should haue gone thither Or as when wee say such a man hath deliuered his friend from the gallowes wee meane not that hee was already hanged for then
King and saith Come ye blessed of my Father possesse the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the world Then come the Angels who carry them like Lazarus into Abrahams bosome to reioyce for euer with them and with the other holy Fathers Math. 25.21 34. 10 Like as some pleasant companions and merily disposed will often say that God fauoureth a man when he taketh away his wife by Death especially if she be euil and of bad condition So likewise if this be true we may safely say that God bestoweth a maruellous grace vpon vs and doth vs the greatest pleasure that may be when as by Death he deliuereth vs froÌ„ our flesh which is the most treacherous and disloyal wife that can be and which doth so torment the poore mâ—nd with whom she is married that she vexeth disquieteth her silly husband with the greatest and most intollerable griefe that may be 11 As we see in the seasons of the year that from the beginning to the end they are appointed of God that in such sort that all the meÌ„ in the world thogh they shuld imploy all their whole force counsels and endeuours to the contrarie were not able to alter them Euen so likewise may we be assured that our liues are so limited and bounded by God that neither king nor Prince power nor Potentate can any manner of wayes shorten or prolong them Yea and that which may wonderfully comfort vs so often as we remember it that God doth oftentimes prolong our dayes by the meanes of wicked tyrants which would cut them off by Death As Moses and Daniel were Exod. 2.2.3 c. Dan. 3. toto 6.5 c. 12 As the brazen Serpent was so far from hurting the Israelites that contrariwise it healed them So after the same sort Death is now so farre from hurting any godly Christian that on the other side that if affliction as a firie Serpent sting vs or if any thing else hurt vs presently it is helped and redressed by Death 13 Euen as a Bee stinging a dead body takes no hurt but by stinging aliue body many times looseth both sting and life together So likewise Death so long as it stung mortall men which were dead in sinne was neuer a whit the worse but when it stung Christ once who is life it self by and by it lost both sting and strength 14 As they which wil needs play the hob-goblings or the night-walking spirits as wee call them all the while they speake vnder a hollow vault or leape foorth with an vgly vizard vpon their faces they are so terrible that hee which thinkes himselfe no small man may perhaps bee afrighted with them But if some lusty fellow chaunce to step into one of these and cudgel him well fauoredly and pull the vizard from his face then euery boy laughes him to scorne So it is with Death who was a terrible bulbegger and euery man afraid of him a great while but Christ dying buckled with this bulbegger and coniured him as we may say out of his hollow vault wheÌ„ as the dead comming out of the graues were seene in Ierusalem and puld the vizard from his face when as hee himselfe rising left the linnen cloathes which were the vizard of Death behinde him Math. 27.52 53. Ioh. 20.6 15 As that Asse called Cumanus asinus ietting vp down in a Lyons skin did for a time terrifie his maister but afterwards being descried did benefit him very much So in like manner Death stands now like a silly Asse hauing his Lyons skin puld ouer his eares and is so farre from terrifying any that it benefits all true Christians because by it they rest from their labours and if they be oppressed with troubles or cares when they come to Death they are discharged Death as an Asse doth beare these burdeÌ„s for theÌ„ 16 As he that felleth a tree vpon which the Sunne shineth may well cut the tree but cannot hurt the Sunne Or as he that powreth water vpon yron which is red hot may well quench the heate but he cannot hurt the yron Euen so Christ the Sonne of righteousnesse did driue away the shaddow of Death and as glowing yron was too hot and too hard a morsell for Death to digest 17 Like as all the while that Adam did eate any other fruite which God gaue him leaue to eate he was nourished by it but when he had tasted of the forbidden tree he perished So Death had free leaue to deuour any other man Christ onely excepted but when it went about to destroy Christ then it was destroyed it selfe 18 Euen as those barbarous people called Cannibals which feede only vpon raw flesh especially of men if they happen to eate a peece of rosted meate commonly they surfet of it die So likewise the right Canniball the only deuourer of al mankind Death I meane tasting of Christs flesh finding it not to be raw such as it was vsed to eate but wholesome and heauenly meate indeede presently tooke a surfet of it and within three dayes died 19 Euen as when Iudas had receiued a sop at Christes hand a non after his bowels gushed out So likwise Death being so sawcie as to snatch a soppe as it were of Christs flesh and a little bit of his body was by and by like Iudas choked and strangled with it faine to yeeld it vp againe when Christ on Easter day reuiued 20 As a fire goeth out when al the fuel is spent but burneth as long as that lasteth So Death died when sin ceaseth but where sinne aboundeth there Death rageth 21 As the little worme that groweth out of the tree gnaweth and consumeth the tree of whom it hath his beginning So Death groweth and waxeth out of sinne and sinne with the body it consumeth 22 Like as if one that is about to shoote a Gun bee vnsteadie at the letting of it goe he misseth altogether and al that he prepared for it afore is in vaine Euen so at the end of this life are the diuels most busie to turne vs from the right marke that our former trauaile and labour may be lost for as much as they know that there remaineth but a very small time of life So that if the soule escape theÌ„ now they shall afterward goe without it for euer 23 Euen as mightie enemies doo besiege lay assault to a Citie So the diuels compasse the soule of man at the houre of Death with violence subtiltie to take possessâ—on of the poore soule to apprehend it and bring it to hell 24 Like as if an old siluer goblet bee melted and new fashioned after a beautifull manner then is it better then afore and neither spylt nor destroyed Euen so haue wee no iust cause to complaine of Death whereby the body being deliuered from all filthinesse shall in his due time be perfectly renued 25 As the Egge-shell though it bee goodly and faire fashioned must bee opened and broken
that they may immediately teach not seeking thereby to amend and make better themselues 2 As vessels that are to bee filled are bowed and made apt to receiue the liquor that is powred therein So ought a Learner to accommodate and applie himselfe that nothing of that which is profitably spoken doo scape him 3 Like as in meates one and the selfe same dish is diuersly set forth according to the inuention of the dresser and appetite of the eater Euen so in Learning one and the selfe same point is diuersly handled according to the discretion of the writer and capacitie of the reader 4 Like as choyse and good Wine looseth his verdure and strength if it bee put into a vile and vnpure vessell Right so a good word or sentence if it bee spoken of an euill man or Learning if it chaunce to a wicked man taketh none effect 5 As the Diamond enchased and set in Gold giueth a farre brighter glosse then if it were set in leade yron or other baser mettal Euen so the loue of godlinesse and vertue planted in a Learned mans breast bringeth forth farre greater and more excellent fruit then if an vnlearned man enioyed the same graces Lying of God and his truth most offensiue AS hee sinneth most grieuously which deceiueth trauelling men by shewing them a contrarie way Euen so much more hainously offendeth he that in matters of Religion doctrine and godlinesse doo bring men into errours through Lying because he doth therby as it were thrust them out of the kingdome of heauen Ezech. 13.6 8 10 19. Iere. 23.25 26 35. 14.14 Esay 9.15 16. 1. Cor. 15.15 Iam. 3.14 Lords Supper 1 LIke as in the person of Christ his manhood was seene on earth and his Godhead being not at all seene did notwithstanding great and wonderfull things without any chaunging or confounding of natures Euen so in the Lords supper we see the bread and Wine Christs body we see not which notwithstanding worketh in vs. 2 As the body of the Sunnes light aboue is in it selfe whole albeit it bee dispersed heare beneath So likewise Christ in heauen aboue is whole notwithstanding he suffereth vs in his supper each one to bee full partakers of his body and bloud when hee giueth himselfe vnto vs and yet without any diminition at all of himselfe when he offereth himselfe vnto vs which are weake without beeing inclosed in vs when he is receiued of vs and without any dishonour at all to his maiestie when he commeth into our small cottage and will haue our hearts to be his Temple and dwelling place 3 Like as the forbidden fruit which Adam and Eue did eate in the Garden of Eden by Sathans prouocation procured their death Euen so that heauenly Manna which Christ hath appointed for our spirituall foode in his supper dooth bring vnto the worthie receiuers thereof euerlasting life Gene. 2.17 4 As the sicke man the weaker hee knoweth himselfe to bee should so much the more earnestly desire meate both to receiue nourishment and to refresh his strength Euen so so farre off it ought to bee that our weaknesse should keepe vs from the receiuing the Lords supper that it ought rather to spurre vs forward to come vnto it that by it we might be strengthened in faith and repentance 5 As the word of God is all one whether it fall vppon the euill or vpon the good surely it is all one in the minds of the hearers So the Sacrament of the Lords body and bloud is all one whether it be receiued of the good or of the euill and as the Gospell in it selfe is the power of God to sauing it doth also saue but it is not al alike to the vnbeleeuing as it is to the beleeuing So the Sacrament is of it selfe the body of Christ but to the wicked which doo contemne it and to them which do receiue it vnworthily it is farre otherwise 6 As a mother hauing brought foorth her little one dooth not forsake it but nurseth and bringeth it vp So Christ hauing ordained Baptisme to bee as a seale and pledge of our spirituall new birth into his Church did institute the holy supper to the end that by participation in his body and bloud we might the more bee strengthned in this assurance that Christ is ours together with all his benefites and so feede our soules spiritually to life euerlasting 7 As a litle waxe powred vpon other waxe is made all one with it Euen so they that receiue the Sacrament of the Lords supper worthily abide in Christ and Christ in them 8 As the Child when he commeth to age is bound to honour his parents not onely for his begetting and bringing into this life but also because they haue fed and brought him vp and still do continue the same duties vnto him Euen so should it be with vs whome God hath as it were begotten into his Church through our Baptisme and to whome hee hath since in his holy supper ministred the foode of our soules in the Communion of the body and bloud of Iesus Christ for not onely our spirituall new birth by Baptisme but also the spirituall foode which that good Father giueth vnto vs in his holy supper doo binde vs to honour him yea and should thereto mightily induce vs considering that for foode of our soules hee hath deliuered his onely Sonne Iesus Christ to bee crucified for vs. 9 Like as if any man had a child so sicke that nothing coulde serue for his foode and recouerie but precious Pearles confected or preserued this child should be much bound to loue and honour his parents that for his reliefe had not grudged at such cost and expences Euen so wee shall deserue great reproofe of our heauenly Father who feedeth vs in his holy supper not with pearles but with the very flesh and bloud of his Sonne Iesus Christ in case wee should make no account to please him by amendment of life withall considering that as there is no comparison betweene pearles the body and bloud of Iesus Christ so the spirituall life of our soules is without comparison much more excellent then the life of our bodies 10 As meate and drinke ministred vnto the body doo maintaine the life motions and senses of the body So from the communion in the body and bloud of Iesus Christ which is the foode of the soule must proceed the spirituall and heauenly life cogitations affections words and deedes 11 As it were a straunge case if the body by eating and drinking should gather no sustenance and consequently want all motions sense and bodily operation So were it a monstrous matter that the soule communicating in the body and bloud of Iesus Christ should gather no spiritual foode that might bring foorth newnesse of life and holynesse in words and deeds 12 As the hololy supper is the table of Gods children the faithfull and members of the Church of Iesus Christ So the communicating thereat is a solemne protestation
hands be fenced with hedging gloues So are wicked Neighbours very cumbersome except a man bee well defended and take great heede vnto himselfe 2. Sam. 23.6 The Nobilitie of auncestors nothing auailable to those that are loose and lewd of life 1 AS it profiteth not a Ryuer to flow from a pure and cleare fountaine if it selfe be foule filthie and vnwholesome Euen so the Noblenesse of Fathers and the honour of elders and ancestors doth nothing pleasure at all their Sonnes when they themselues degenerate from their Noble and honourable parents bragging onely of their Nobilitie and chalenging their honour but despising their vertues doo shew themselues wicked loose and lewd of life For he that is not Nobled for some worthie acts of his owne nor renoumed by reason of some famous vertues knowne and found to be in himselfe there no honour in very deed is to bee looked for seeing there is nothing in himselfe that is good but onely a vaine and proud challenging of the worthinesse and excellencie of other men Esay 1.4 Ezech. 16.3 Ioh. 8.39 42 44. 2 Euen as Aesops Iay being clad with the faire feathers of other Birds did namely take vnto himselfe a beautie but beeing discouered and stript of all for a reward was throughly scorned and was turned into his olde blacke gowne when euerie bird had taken from him his owne feather So they that make their boast of the Noble acts of others and doo vaunt themselues of the dignitie of their predecessors and doo vsurpe vnto themselues the Nobilitie of auncestors themselues being naked of all vertue and vtterly void euen of common honestie temperance and sobrietie are constrained many times with great ignominie shame to put off other mens vesture and with no smal disgrace to forgo their vsurped honoâ—â— It is therefore a thing farre more honourable and worthier commendation that a man nourishe and be famous with his owne vertues and iust deserts then to borrow his prayse and honour of others Men are fitly though not naturally called the Sonnes of them whose deedes they doo and whose vices or vertues they immitate Obedience to God the whole dutie of man 1 LIke as amongst Archers there is but one onely marke whereto they must direct their arrowes to shoote well and yet many meanes to misse and shoote short So is there but one onely holinesse whereunto we must aspire and seeke after which is a setled desire fully resolued wholly to obey God but there are many kinds of vices and meanes to disobey him and to withstand his will 2 As it is a common practise of sicke men when they make their willes on their death beddes in the verie first place to commend their bodies to the graue and their soules to God that gaue them in hope of a better â—â—urrection and all this is well done but afterward they bequeath their goods gotten by fraude oppression and forged cauillation to their owne friendes and children without making any recompence or satisfaction but alas this should not be so Euen so Obedience that goes with good conscience must bee performed to all Gods comâ—â—undemens without exception and if it be done but 〈◊〉 some alone it is but counterfeit obedience and hee â—â—â—t is guiltie in one is guiltie in all Obedience of Christes death LIke as by the determinate counsell of God the Obedience of Adam conueyed it selfe by naturall propagation from him to all his ofspring foreuer Euen so on the other side the Obedience of Christes death appertaineth fully to all those that are spiritually begotten of him by a liuely faith Originall sinne 1 LIke as Corne how cleane soeuer it bee purged from the chaffe and straw if it bee fowne will neuerthelesse spring vp againe both with straw and chaffe Euen so in like manner how cleane so euer the children of God themselues are purged from their sinnes by the bloud of Christ yet their children notwithstanding doo grow vp with the seeds of all sinne in them 2 As a great house is darke hauing but a little window and not because there is any fault in the Sunne that shineth into it Euen so wee are euil of our selues and not by any fault that is in God Psal 5.4 Old men readie to imbrace superstition LIke as young Children that want reason and discretion will catch at the burning candle which if theâ— knewe that it would hurt them they would not doo iâ— So likewise Old men and Old women will soonest be drawne into superstition because it hath a glitterinâ— shew which they would not doo if they knew the hâ—â— that it bringeth to their soules Col. 2.23 One manner of sinning in the godly and another in the vngodly AS a wicked man when he sinneth in his heart heâ—ueth full consent to the sinne But the godly thouâ— they fall into the same sinnes with the wicked yet thâ— neuer giue full consent for they are in their minds wills and affections partly regenerate and partly vnregenerate and therefore their willes will partly abhorre that which is euill Rom. 7.22 Math. 26.69 70 71 72. Offenders ought to be reprooued and admonished 1 AS hee that seeth a murtherer and standeth by and giueth him the looking on without giuing foorth any thing to shew him his disliking of the fact is worthy to be accounted accessarie to his murther Or as hee that seeth a blind man running into a pit and neither stayes him from running into it neither yet helpeth him out being falne into it but letteth him there bee drowned is guiltie of his death Euen so is hee to be accounted that seeth his brother kill his soule by sinning and will not endeuour to doo what hee can by rebuking him to stay him from so doing Hebr. 3.13 Leuit. 19.17 Gal. 6.1 Ephe. 5.11 1. Thessa 5.11 14. 2 As one member is ready to helpe an other as the hand is readie to plucke out a thorne or thistle by the dilection of the eyes euen out of the least toe So godly Christians ought to be readie by admonition and repreâ—ension to plucke out sinne and errour one out of an oâ—er that as speedily as may be least they be like Caine. â— Cor. 12.14 Gene. 4.9 3 Like as if there be a Moate fallen into the childs eye â—he Mother thereof will take and bestow great paines by â—â—iping and blowing and licking to get it out and all this â—hee doth of loue to her child because shee knoweth that â—he moate would in time be noysome perillous and doo â—â—ch harme to her childs eye Euen so if there were that â—he in Christians one towards an other that ought to be â—â—y could not but do their best endeuor by admonition and reprehention one to helpe an other to get out the least more of sinne and errour that their brethren are infected with Math. 7.4.5 4 As Physitions doo oftentimes cut off a rotten member least it corrupt and putrifie the other members So it behooueth men of authoritie if they will preserue the
knowledge and by Thummim holinesse So dooth hee hereby declare what vertues are requirred in a Preacher to wit knowledge and vnderstanding in the word of God and godlinesse in liuing manners and conuersation 24 As the Cocke in the darknesse of the night foretelleth the light to come So the Preacher in the darknesse of this present world foresheweth the light of the ioyes of life euerlasting to come 25 Like as when a man lies in his dead sleepe cannot awake except some noyse waken him or some other call him So in like manner wee cannot arise out of sinne except the spirit of God or his Preachers which are his watchmen with often crying vnto vs awake vs vp Esay 58.1 Proud through honour 1 LIke as Bucephalus the horse of Alexander the great beeing vnsadled would receiue on his backe the horse keeper but beeing adorned with Trappers and Barbes hee would suffer none other then Alexander himselfe to ride him Euen so many being poore and base wil suffer many things which they being in prosperitie wold despise and contemne 2 As a tree set vpon the top of a mountaine is mightily shaken and easily rent vp by the rootes with euerie blustering blast and storme of wind Euen so man in this world the more and higher he is exalted to honour the more and greater daungers is hee subiect vnto Luk. â— 52 53. Iam. 4.6 Preparation of the heart before holy exercises LIke as honestie and ciuilitie requireth that our bodie be well ordered and setled when we shall haue talke and communication with men of more honour then our selues Euen so it is much more meete that our mind be very well disposed when we shall pray and speake before God in the sight of his Angels Persons of men not to be regarded in iudging of vertues c. AS the little precious stone is but a small thing yet is it esteemed aboue all huge and greater stones So a little man but of excellent wit is more to be regarded then the long large and dull dolte Papists like the old heretickes LIke as if the Physiton should say to two men of one age of one disposition and sicke of one disease that the medicine that heales the one will kill the other Euen so the Papists thinke they are greatly iniured when they bee compared to the heretickes the Datians who denied matrimonie to all men but they prohibite it onely to the order of their Ecclesiasticall Ministers as though they condemned not matrimonie because they denie it not to all but to some but the Scripture is altogether against them Gene. 1.28 9.1 2.18 Leuit. 21.7 1. Cor. 7.2 9. 1. Timo. 3.2 4.3 Hebr. 13.4 The Pastor not aboue the Prince 1 LIke as if the King should commaund his Guard to keepe his Nobles out of his Court or Pallace yet were not the Guard superiour or aboue the Nobles So though the Pastor should restraine and keepe the Prince from receiuing the Communion it cannot hence bee concluded that the Prince is inferiour to the Pastor as Doctor Bilson truly saith Pag. 222. 2 Like as if the Prince doo yeeld to the instruction of his Pastor out of Gods word this yeelding is to bee accounted to God not to his Pastor for the Pastour as Minister in Gods steed doth speake vnto him So when by the commaundement of God any Church censure is exercised against a Prince it is God and not the Pastor that doth it 2. Cor. 5.20 Peace of conscience 1 AS all men naturally in Adam are corrupte so all men naturally haue corrupt and defiled consciences accusing them and arraigning them before Gods iudgement for their sinnes in such wise that euerie suspition of death and feare of imminent daunger maketh a naturall man stand agast at his wits and knowing not what to doo but by faith in Christ the Christian is perswaded of remission of his sinnes and so the disquietnesse of his conscience is appeased and hee hath an inward Peace in al extremities which cannot be taken from him Hebr. 10.22 Rom. 5.1 15.16 2 As he that drinketh quencheth his thirst So likewise he that thirsteth after the Peace of conscience with God and righteousnesse to bee allowed at his iudgement seate findeth it and quuencheth his thirst by drinking of the bloud of Christ Ioh. 6.54 55. 3 Euen as after great showers and stormes of rayne the ayre is clensed and cleared So after great troubles sorrowes afflictions and temptations cleannesse of heart quietnesse of mind and Peace of soule and conscience doo follow Precepts of godlinesse LIke as to the sicke persons there is not only ministred medicines but there be also Precepts or diets prescribed vnto him to follow least the operation of the medicine should bee hindered Euen so Christ commaunded that his Precepts which do serue to the following of true godlinesse should be laid vnto them that be baptised least they should fal from his grace vnto the Sacrament wherof they be admitted and consigned Plague or Pestilence AS the Lyon is a most rauenous and cruell beast who teareth all other beastes in peeces especially then when she hath yong the shee Lyon spareth as they say no pray Euen so the Plague or Pestilence spareth no sorts of men 2 As there is none comparable in strength to the Lyon Euen so the Plague or Pestilence of all other diseases is most strong and deadly and brings downe to the earth as well the strongest as the weakest 3 As the Lyon is a beast of a most hotte and fierie nature Euen so is the Plague for the infected complaine much of their extreame burning Praysing God 1 AS in a Garland it sufficeth not that the flowers bee fine vnlesse the hands of him that maketh it be faire and cleane Euen so in Praysing God it is not sufficient that our words be godly and religious vnlesse our hearts agree with our words 2 As nothing is more tedious and displeasing to the eares of a good Musition then gerring of strings So nothing in the eares of the Lord can be more displeasing then not to sing and vtter Prayses vnto him with vnderstanding Deut. 32.1 Iudg. 5.1 c. Luk. 1.46 Psal 98.1 103.1 Prince or Pastor 1 AS the flowers of Sysynriehion be many whereof one alwayes is open that standeth at the top So though in a Common-wealth or Church there bee many or all good men yet they which are in the chiefest places as the Prince and Pastor must be most vigilant 2 Like as the Sunne shineth not more vnto the rich then vnto the poore but is vnto all alike So a Prince or Magistrate ought not to haue respect vnto the person but vnto the cause or controuersie Exod. 23.3 Leuit. 19.15 3 As a Horse for the leannesse is not to be blamed but the horse-keeper So the rudenesse and ignorance of the people is to be imputed vnto their Prince and Pastor 4 Like as a little Wart or blot is sooner perceiued in the face
the first dash Regenerated but this Regeneration riseth by degrees and being once begun then it proceedeth faire and softly and by little and little encreasing euerie day till we come to euerlasting life in the heauens 2 Euen as that begger which hath but a patched or an ouerworne robe had euer need to be carefull in peecing and mending the same least otherwise his nakednesse appeare vnto all So surely this Regeneration or righteousnesse of ours beeing in respect of our selues but a torne and tottered robe wee had need euerie houre to labour and exercise our selues in the repayring thereof least our filthinesse breake foorth and euen to sigh and to groane vntill we be with our house which is from heauen 2. Cor. 5.3 Reue. 3.18 16.15 Righteousnesse not in vs. 1 AS an euill tree cannot bring foorth any good fruit nor a rotten or worm-eaten seed can engender any thing but like it selfe So we for so much as our thoughts our affections our words our actions and generally our whole life and nature being examined it shall bee found that in vs there is nothing but vanitie and the verie matter of death and damnation and that we neither doo nor can doo any thing that may be able to abide the Righteous examination of the iustice of God but onely to flie to him for mercie Math. 7.17 18. 12.33 Psal 51.7 53.2 3. Ose 2.3 Luk. 15.18 18.13 14. Rom. 3.10 11 12. 2 As they that are sicke of the Dropsie who by reason of the grosenesse of their bodies seeme to bee in good estate notwithstanding they be ful of nothing but water and euil humors which in the end are the cause of death Euen so such as are arrogant presumptuous and puffed vp with a vaine conceite of their owne Righteousnesse though they be in great credit reputation in the world yet before God their state is miserable and abhominable Luk. 16.15 3 As Marchants who praise and esteeme their wares and marchandise more then they are worth and as olde Images newe gilded ouer which outwardly hath some glistering and shew but within are nothing but dust and durt or as counterfeit money which is naught how goodly a print so euer it hath Euen so all our Righteousnesse vertues and good workes when they shall be examined and prised by those which knowe them as by the spirit of God and his word they are altogether iudged as old ragges torne tied together and patched vp againe Esa 64.6 Dan. 9.5 c. Phil. 3.8 4 Like as if a man would boast of his strength health and yet were subiect to a thousand diseases Or of his knowledge and yet were ignorant of all good learning Or of his riches and yet were indebted and endaungered to the whole world would not one mocke him as an Idiote and a foole Euen so wee as well shew our ignoraunce and what slender vnderstanding we haue when wee will attribute any Righteousnesse to our selues and boast our selues in it be it neuer so little Iere. 9.23 5 As the basest Gold though it bee rayed with some durt is alwayes more precious then the brightest Copper or Lead that a man can find Euen so the Righteousnesse of a Christian man though it bee defiled through many infirmities and imperfections yet notwithstanding is more to be esteemed then all the Righteousnesse of hypocrites and Infidels 6 As there is no man so hard to be healed as hee that thinketh himselfe to be hoale For as much as he alwayes refuseth counsell of the Physition and will take no remedies nor keepe any good diet or gouernement of himselfe which should be meete and healthfull for him Euen so likewiset here is no man farther off from the Righteousnesse of God then he that hath some opinion of himselfe For such commonly are obstinate and cannot without great difficultie bee brought from the perswasion which they haue conceiued of their owne Righteousnesse 7 As newe Wine with the strength of the working thereof will breake old Bouels so that if it should be put into them it should bee but spilt and lost Euen so they who haue placed Righteousnesse in the outward exercises of Religion cannot sauour taste or receiue the doctrine of Righteousnesse by faith onely in Christ Math. 9.17 The Righteousnesse of Iesus Christ which is one onely may be distributed to all the faithfull 1 AS the soule of man is wholly throughout the whole body and euerie part alike Euen so is the Righteousnesse of Iesus Christ wholly in the body of the whole Church as the soule to giue it life and to mantaine it So that it is altogether in euerie of the particular members to make them strong whole stout and of courage to doo all their Offices and duties Or as the voice of a man which beeing heard of a great many persons is in such sort receiued of euerie one of thē prouided that they be attentiue that the same is wholly vnderstood without being diuided or sundred in any respect And as the face of a man may bee receiued in many Glasses and wholly represented to all without any diuision or seperation of the same 2 As an old rotten tattered garment cannot be comely peeced with newe whole and sound cloath Euen so they that plant and place their Righteousnesse in fasting and other externall exercises cannot admit that Righteousnesse that commeth onely and wholly by Christ Math. 9.16 3 As the Israelits were forbidden to cloath themselues with Linnen and Wollen made in one garment So likewise must all true Christians at this day put vpon them the Righteousnesse of Christ Iesus onely not mingling it with their owne merits Deut. 22.11 4 As the Sunne when hee riseth obscureth and darkneth the light of the skies dismisseth scattereth them Euen so the Righteousnesse of faith which for Christ his sake is imputed vnto vs doth vanquish the darknesse and as it were driueth away the night of the glorie of mens workes 5 As the sinne of Adam was the cause of condemnation vnto eternall death So in like manner the Righteousnesse of Christ is the cause of iustification vnto eternall life Rom. 8.1 2. Religion LIke as in labour or worke he that begunne last ought with the more diligence to redresse his slacknesse and recompence his late comming So he which lately began to professe and imbrace Religion vertue or godlinesse ought with the more feruentnesse and zeale to endeuour to attaine the same Reading of Bookes 1 AS they which be thirstie first doo drinke and at leisure doo behold the fashion of the cup if it bee engrauen or bee marked So ought we first to Read things that be most profitable then if leisure will serue vs wee may note and consider things elegant and trim 2 As it is more profitable oft to dung the ground then much and that at one time So is it more for one vtilitie to Read with moderatnesse dayly then at one time and that greedily 3 As a
righteousnesse and of peace and ioy in the holy Spirit attending vntill hee finish in vs the communication of that light ioy holinesse and glorie that we shall haue perfectly in heauen Ephe. 1.13 14. 3 As among men when things that passe too and fro though they bee in question yet when the Seale is put too they are made out of doubt Euen so when God by his Spirit is said to seale the promise in the heart of euerie particular beleeuer it signifieth that hee giues vnto them euident assuraunce that the promise of life belongs vnto them Ephe. 4.30 Sluggards AS the Drunkards drinketh till he hath drunke all the money out of his purse and all the wit out of his head and all goodnesse out of his heart that there is no difference between him and the beast except it be in this that the beast can goe and keepe his way which the drunkard cannot doo So the Suggard sleepeth in all securitie and neglecteth his businesse and puts off all care for doing of all his duties vntill he hath slept all thrift out of his shop and all his friends out of his companie and all Gods graces out of his hart and all comfort out of his soule and all strength out of his body and all conscience out of his dealing till his stocke be spent and his occupying decayed and his customers gone and Gods spirit gone and all be gone and till nothing be left but feare and shame with pouertie penurie and a bare head and feeble shoulders to beare off the blowes Singing of Psalmes 1 AS that is a godly sorrow that driueth vs to prayer a blessed heauinesse that maketh vs seeke vnto the Lord So that is a godly mirth that endeth with Singing of Psalmes and heauenly ioy that at the least wise maketh vs more fit to serue God 2. Cor. 7.10 Col. 3.16 Ephe. 5.18 Iam. 5.13 2. Chro. 35.25 2 As no man can truely pray without the feeling of his wants So no man can Sing from his heart vnlesse he haue some perswasion of Gods fauour and so as affliction driueth him to pray so mirth mooueth him to Sing Act. 15.25 3 As all knowledge is increased especially by hearing reading and conferring about the Scripture So all affections are most of all stirred vp by meditation prayer and Singing of Psalmes Psal 147.1 4 Like as when the light of the Gospell came first in Singing of Ballads that was rise in Poperie beganne to cease and in time was cleane banished away in many places So likewise the sudden renuing of them and hastie receiuing of them euery where maketh vs to suspect least they should driue away the Singing of Psalmes againe seeing they cannot stand together of which wee are so much the more iealous because we see that in other places also where these bee not receiued in yet the Singing of Psalmes is greatly left ouer that it had wont to be 5 As the vngodly haue a grace in their wickednesse and are the better liked of among the vngodly though indeed they are then most deformed So this singing of Psalmes maketh vs comely before God and louely in the eyes of his Church when we hauing prepared our harts therevnto do sing with affection with reuerence with vnderstanding Psal 331. Reue. 14.3 6 Euen as a costly garment may be comely in it selfe yet shall it not become vs vnlesse we be fit for it and it be well put vpon vs So though to sing be neuer so comely in it owne nature yet it becommeth not vs except we be prepared for it and do sing Dauids Psalmes with Dauids spirit Ephe. 5.19 Colloss 3.16 2. Chro. 29.30 7 Like as the expert Phisitions vse for the most part to annoynt the brinks of the Cuppes with hony when they minister their bitter potions to sicke children least they should abhorre their health for the bitternesse of theyr drinkes Euen so the holy Ghost perceiuing that mankind is hardly trained to vertue and that we be very negligent in things concerning the true life indeed by reason of our great inclination to worldly pleasures and delectations hath inuented and mixed in his forme of doctrine the delectation of Musicke by the Psalmes to the intent that the commoditie of the doctrine might secretly steale into vs whilst our eares be touched with the plesantnesse of the melodie so that for this ende be these sweete and harmonious songs deuised for vs that such as be children either by age or children by maners should indeed haue their soules wholesomely instructed though for the time they seeme but to sing onely Sinne the cause of affliction AS no man ought to accuse and blame the Phisitian as though he were the onely occasion of the corrupt humours within the bodie notwithstanding that he hath brought and driuen them out that a man may euidently see and perceiue them but the misbehauiour and vntemperate diet of the man himselfe is the very right occasion and the onely roote thereof Euen so we ought not to ascribe any blame or fault vnto God if he send vs heauinesse paine and trouble but to thinke that it is a medicine and remedie meete for our sinnes and euery man to ascribe the veâ—ie cause and occasion thereof vnto himselfe and his owne sinnes and to referre blame to nothing else Dan. 9.5 6 7. Ionah 1.12 Our Spirit must striue to ouercome the flesh LIke as the Spirite farre passeth and ouercommeth the flesh in Christ Euen so must it do in vs also that we haue more respect vnto God and vnto life euerlasting then vnto this our worm eaten flesh Sinnes of others are not to be imitated or to be our excuses LIke as if in walking thou shouldest see him fall that goeth before thee thou goest not to fall with him but thou art to be so much the more circumspect that thou fall not as he did Euen so we are to remember that those foule falles and grosse faults of Dauid and of S. Peter and of others are set before vs first that they should be to vs as a mirror of the frailtie and weaknesse of man to acknowledge that if we be exempted and freed it is by the grace of God and secondly that we should so much the more stand vpon our guard and be watchfull least we likewise fall Sorrow for imminent daunger of death warre hell c. AS there was great lamentation in Syon because of Gods iustice for their sinnes Or as there was great lamentation for Pharao in Egypt because hee was a Lyon in the land and a Dragon in the Sea and as there was great Sorrow fasting mourning and weeping among the Iewes because the King had decreed their deaths Euen so wee the inhabitants of England haue great cause of lamentation fasting mourning and weeping because death is scaling our windowes the beastes of the fields to wit the Pope and the Spaniard hungring to deuour our bodies to spoyle our Countrie and to shed our bloud as water vpon the
doo saue and keepe the same Euen so ought wee to deale in the holy Word of God wee must passe ouer nothing therein lightly nor despise one Word of al the sacred and diuine Scriptures but eagerly and earnestly to doo our best and greatest endeuours yea and to call and to crie most mightily to the Lord to aide assist and enable vs to dig out of the same VVord whatsoeuer is requisite necessarie for the saluation of our soules and eternall life The Workes of the three persons be vnseperable AS Reason cannot discern good euil truth falshood plainnesse and craft and sophistication without either will or memorie neither Will chuseth what him liketh without the other nor memorie remembreth not things gone without reason and will These actions and VVorkes which are said properly to belong onely to memorie and onely to reason and will in very deede are done by the workmanship of all three So the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost worke all things vnseperably not that each of them is vnable to Worke by himselfe but that they all three are one God one spirit one nature as reason will memorie are one soule Ioh. 5.17 19. Mans Wisedome often erreth AS in a fruitfull fertile ground among many wholesome and very medicinable hearbes some that bee daungerous and ful of poyson doo grow So the wits and Wisedome of men together with some profitable and wholesome counsels and admonitions doo bring foorth perilous and pestilent errors and are therfore with Wisedome and great discretion to be regarded euen as hearbs are to be gathered and vsed Wit 1 AS a Bee is oftentimes hurt with his owne Honie So is Wit not sildome plagued with his owne conceit 2 As emptie vessells make the loudest sound So men of least Wit are the greatest bablers Spirituall Warfaire 1 AS men may haue an ende of bodily warre either by making peace with their enemie by flying far from him or by ouercomming in fight But in the spirituall Warfaire wee cannot lawfully make any peace or agreement with our enemies the Diuell the world the flesh but in so doing it would be our ouerthrow and destruction for they be euen so many traytors and irreconciliable murderers yea it would bee worse for vs then for the sheepe to make peace with the Wolfe neither can we flie and so get from these enemies for the Diuell will follow vs into all places who hath a whole armie of Souldiers within vs euen our affections and couetous lusts that we beare about vs. 2 As God in olde time commaunded Iosua that hee should not feare the Cananites and assured him that hee would bee with him and that by ouercomming them he would bring his people into the land of promise So likewise wee must giue eare vnto God that calleth vs to this spirituall battell with assurance that he will stand with vs and in vs to the end that couragiously fighting vnder his banner against our enemies that labour to turne vs backe and to recoyle wee may finally by his grace and power obtaine full and perfect victorie and so ending his blessed voyage attaine to the fruition of the heauenly and Citie and our true countrey that wee may liue with him in glorie for euer Gods Wisedome may be knowne by the ordering of his creatures AS when thou seest a great and godly Citie consisting of many and sundry sorts of men some of great reputation and very many of small estimation some exceeding rich and infinite others extreamely poore some in their fresh and flourishing youth and some crooked with olde age where all these though among themselues they be diuers and sundrie do liue in great concord and agree well together and are kept all within the bounds and limits of good and godly discipline thou wilt by and by iudge that the Prince or gouernour of the same is iust and very mightie and wise though thou seest him not Euen so in the huge greatnesse of this world and the agreement and well hanging together of the things contained in the same though differing in their natures and the apt and fit placing of the whole it cannot bee but that thou wilt presently conceiue in thy mind that there is a great a wise and mightie Creator and preseruer of these things For not onely the mightie workes of God in this great world that is in man himselfe for so he is called of some doo teach vs the wonderfull knowledge of God Gods Word the more it is searched the sweeter it is AS precious Iewels made of most pure Gold wrought cunningly and curiously with great workmanship the nearer thou shalt come vnto them and the more stedfastly and clearely thou shalt behold them the finer the brauer and more excellent thou shalt iudge them Euen so as thou shalt come nearer in vnderstanding and knowledge vnto the secrets and misteries of God contained in his written Word with the greater puritie of mind the more strength of faith and the brighter light of the grace of God thou shalt looke into them the profounder the deeper the more diuine and heauenly yea and the more comfortable to thy soule will they seeme and appeare vnto thee euerie day In so much that thou wilt iudge thy selfe to haue beene little better then blind and to haue seene nothing as thou ought in the mysteries of the diuine Word Psal 119.18 Wicked men die miserably 1 EVen as those Birdes and soules which fall to the ground to take the foulers baites are taken themselues So likewise those men which doo relie vppon the suggestions and inchauntments of the Diuell world and flesh and are taken in their traps doo die a most miserable and as it may well be called an immortall death 2 As there is neuer a man that beareth the name of a Christian but he will confesse that his great Grandfather Adam was expulsed and thrust out of Paradise for eating one Apple forbidden him by the Lord vppon paine of death and yet the same man that with open mouth will make that confession will euerie day eate seuen Apples as bitter and as straightly forbidden as that that is offend God seuen times as much as that and yet he will thinke to escape better cheape and easier then his Graund-father did that eate but one that is offended God but once but the eater of seuen shall finde the way into euerlasting life as hard yea harder to enter as the way into Paradise was to his Graund-father being once thrust out vnlesse hee speedily earnestly and truly repent him and giue ouer the eating of such fruits as the Lord hath forbidden him 3 Like as no water will sticke nor abide vpon Leapers by reason of the foulenesse and greasie matter of their Leprosie Euen so such Leapers and farre worse are we vpon whom no deawes nor any droppes of the grace and word of God will cleaue abide and continue Ouerweening Wittes despise Gods wisedome LIke as the Iewes said to him