confusion 2 As the sonnes of Princes are in great account with men in this world Euen so the Children of God are in greater account with God and all godly men both in this world and in the world to come 3 As the Children of Kings are attended vpon by Noble men and guarded with strong men yet both but men whose breath is in their nosthrils and their hands cannot accomplish the deuice of their heart Euen so the Children of God are attended vpon by God himselfe whose eye is alwayes ouer the righteous they are guarded by the Angels of God who for their swiftnes are said to haue wings for their readinesse they are said to stand in the presence of God and for their strength incomperable 2. Kin. 19.35 Psal 34.15 4 As the pleasures of the sonnes of men are such as the world doth affoord carnall securitie worldly prosperitie fleshy delights beastly sensualitie with pride and ease wealth fulnesse of bread and such like Euen so the pleasures of the Children of God are such as the world can neither giue nor take as the loue of righteousnesse delight in the law of God patience in affliction loue of the Saints which excell in vertue and such like Psal 1.2 16.3 1. Cor. 2.9 5 Like as the riches and treasures of the sonnes of men are gold and siluer houses and lands Lorships and manners rents and reuenues and such like which theeues may steale or moathes may eate or rust may freate or fire may consume or water may ouerflowe or time may weare or death may end So likewise the riches and treasures of Gods Children are the word of GOD Gods fauour forgiuenesse of sinnes freedome from hell and the diuell libertie with the Saints the spirit of contentation peace of conscience continuall ioy in the holy Ghost and a Kingdome of glorie in heauen with such like which no theefe can steale no rust can freat no fire can burne or consume no water can drowne no plague can infect no time can weare nor death can end 2. Cor. 3 17. Gal. 5.22 Esa 11.2 6 As those are in most honour with Princes which are said to stand in their presence and attend vpon them in their Courts as Daniel did So Gods Children shall stand in the Courts of God and haue the full fruition of his comfortable presence and therefore on the contrarie side the vngodly are herein accursed in that they are shut from the presence of God to wit his gracious presence for otherwise all things whatsoeuer are in his presence The Children of God 1 LIke as a heathen man beeing asked why hee did weare such a long bushie beard answered that so often as he beheld it he might commit nothing vnworthy the grauitie of the same hee would not be like a Tauerne with a bush at the doore and no wine within So likewise if any man shall aske the Children of God why they are called Christians the Church of God the spouse of Christ Citizens of heauen and by such like names of loue and honour they are to answere that so often as they remember these names and titles they ought not to commit any thing vnworthy the grauitie and maiestie of the same 2 As many Papists and some Protestants too who be superstitious and Popishly affected doo not remember what titles they haue nor by what names they be called and therefore they must haue puppets and images in their Churches and houses to put them in minde of their dutie to God Euen so some mens Religion and holinesse is all in their titles of Gods Children and in naked names of Christians which onely they hold when indeed all Christianitie is banished from them 3 Like as it is counted a shame for a Citizen to go like a Courtier or for a man to put on womans apparell or a woman to weare on mans apparell which is an abhomination to the Lord Euen so it is a greater shame for the Children of God who are Cittizens of heauen to go after the fashion of the Courtiers of hell or after the manner of the world Rom. 12.2 4 As when Christ the Lord of life was put to death there was darknesse vpon the face of the earth the vaile of the Temple rent the graues opened and the dead arose c. at the sight whereof the very enemies of Christ which watched him were afraide for that they had done vnto him yea they were constrained to confesse and say Doubtlesse this man was the sonne of God Math. 27.54 So likewise the Children of God that be or ought to be dead with Christ their head vnto sinne as he died for our sinnes then there will follow a wonderfull alteration in their liues there will appeare such zeale in professing of the Gospell such pittie in relieuing the poore such patience in bearing the crosse such faithfulnesse in performing of promises such charitie in iudging their brethren such mercie in forgiuing offences such sinceritie in worshipping of GOD such constancie in defending of the truth such watching ouer all their wayes and such wisedome in winning men â—o God that their very enemies which before did mocke â—hem hate them and persecute them shall be constrained with shame to say These are no doubt the Children of God these are good men these are true professors inâ—eed c. Rom. 6.4 5. c. 5 Like as worldly men in their houses in their apparell 〈◊〉 their feastings in their furniture and in euerie thing â—hey striue to haue matches all their things sutable So â—â—kewise the ChildreÌ„ of God must striue to haue their titles â—nd names their liues and qualities their profession and practise sutable and answerable the one to the other and so to depart from iniquitie 2. Tim. 2.19 6 As carnall men desire to be gorgeously apparelled Euen so the Children of God desire to be cloathed with their house which is from heauen 2. Cor. 3 4. 7 Euen as plants trees do spread abroad their rootes in the earth from whence they haue their nourishment So likewise the Children of God because they be fedde with delicates and dainties from heauen and are norished with the grace fauour of God they hold vp their hands they turne vp their eyes they lift vp their hearts mindes to God that is in heaueÌ„ from whence their soules receiue comfort ioy saluation and euerlasting life Saluation onely to be had in Christ if men know how to finde him 1 LIke as if a man knew certainly that in such a wood an infinite masse of money were hid if the owner thereof would giue it vnto him yet if by no meanes hee could finde the same what should the gift of such a treasure profit him thogh it were of value to purchase a kingdome nothing at all Euen so standeth the case betweene Christ and vs though we know neuer so well and certainly that saluation and all kinde of treasure is permanent and to be found in him and do belong
that the young chicken may slip out of it Euen so none otherwise doth Death dissolue and breake vp our body but to the intent that we may attaine vnto the life of heauen 26 As the mothers wombe carrieth the child seuen or nine moneths and prepareth it not for it selfe but for the world wherein wee are borne Euen so this present time ouer all vpon earth serueth not to this end that wee must euer be here but that we should bee brought foorth and borne out of the body of this world by Death into another and euerlasting life Ioh. 16.21 27 Like as a childe out of the small habitation of his mothers wombe with daunger and anguish is borne into this wide world Euen so goeth a man thorow the narrow gate of Death with distresse and trouble out of the earth into the heauenly life For to die is not to perish but to be first of all borne aright 28 As the brazen Serpent which hauing the forme and proportion of a Serpent was yet without byting without mouing without poysoning Euen so though Death be not vtterly taken away yet thorow the grace of God it is so weakned and made voide that the onely bare proportion remaineth 29 Euen as when the maister of the Shippe perceiueth that he is not wide from the hauen place where he must land and discharge he sayleth on forth the more chearfully and gladly So likewise the nearer we draw vnto Death where we must land the more stoutly ought wee to fight and withstand our ghostly enemies 30 Like as he that goeth a far iourney hath vncertaine lodging trauaile and labour desireth to return home to his owne country to his father and mother wife children and friends among whom he is surest and at most quiet by meanes wherof he forceth the lesse for any rough carefull path or way homeward Euen so all we are straungers and pilgrimes vpon earth Our home is Paradise in heauen our heauenly Father is God the earthly father of all men is Adam our spirituall Fathers are the Patriarkes Prophets and Apostles which altogether waite and long for vs. Psal 39.5 6. 1. Pet. 2.11 2. Cor. 5.1.2 Phil. 3 2â— Heb. 13.14 31 Like as when a man liue in a darke miserable prison with this condition that he should not come forth till the walles of the Tower were fallen downe vndoubtedly he would be right glad to see the walles begin to fall Euen so our soule is kept in within the bodie vpon earth as in captiuitie and bonds now assoone as the bodie is at a point that it must needs fall we ought not to be sory therefore for by this approacheth our deliuerance when we out of the prison of miserie shal be brought before the most amiable countenance of God into the ioyfull freedome of heauen Psal 142.7 32 Like as it is no grief for a man to go sleep nor when he seeth his parents and friendes lay them downe to rest for he knoweth that such as are a sleepe do soone awake and rise againe So when we or our friends depart away by Death we ought to erect and comfort ourselues with the resurrection 33 As a good Housholder maketh prouision for himselfe and his familie and buyeth afore-hand fewell victualls and such things as he hath need of for a moneth or for a whole yeare c. according as hee is able Euen so much more ought a ChristiaÌ„ to prouide before his Death that which concerneth not onely one moneth or one yeare but an eternitie that hath no ende 34 Like as faithfull seruants waite for their maister So in like manner wee ought to looke for the comming of Christ when hee shall call vs out of this wretched world by Death Luk. 12.36 37 38 39 40. Math. 24.42 c. The time of our Death vnknowne LIke as Christ wold haue his last coÌ„ming to be hidden from men So also hee would haue the time of their Death for the very same cause to be vnknown vnto them vnlesse that he openeth the same vnto some either by particular reuelation or by probable coniectures Mat. 24.36 How to Draw neare vnto God LIke as hee is said to depart from God which doth abandon and giue himselfe to the lustes of the world by which he Draweth neare vnto the diuell So likewise he which departeth from these is said to Draw neare vnto God and so cleaueth vnto him by faith and true obedience Iam. 4.8 No Diuinitie except it be against God is prescribed to the Minister AS there is no Lawe by the which a Preacher for his doctrine may be punished if he speake not against the Prince So there is no Diuinitie by the which a Preacher is particularly prescribed or generally ordered if he speak not against God the mightie prince of peace Desires of heauen AS they that are straungers in a forraine countrie and haue parents and great wealth in their natiue soyle being hardly entreated where they soiourne and vppon the point to returne home into their countrie are vndoubtedly very glad thereof euen already they seeme to see their houses lands and possessions and in their conceites doo talke with their parents and feele a feruent Desire to be soone there Euen so we if wee remember that we haue treasures of eternall riches an vndefiled inheritance immortall incorruptible which is reserued for vs a heauenly Father that loueth vs in his welbeloued sonne our elder brother Iesus Christ in glory the Angels and holy Spirits inioy and that we their felow Burgesses haue our portion in al these goods and are euen vpon the point to be really in heauen with them we ought then to be rauished with a feruent desire to be lifted vp thither Phil. 1.23 Rom. 7.24 Daunces AS Apothecaries do couer their bitter Pilles with some sweete substance whereby to make them goe downe the easier So the Diuel vnder the sport and pleasure of Daunces maketh men to swallow lustfull desires and albeit they proceed to no greater iniquitie yet is this a mortall wounde to the soule considering that we knowe that such lusts are accursed in the sight of God Exod. 32.6 18.19 1. Cor. 10.7 1. Pet. 4.3.4 5.8 Rom. 12.2 2. Tim. 2.22 Iudg. 21.21 Ephe. 5.3 4 16.18 The Dutie of Parishioners to their Ministers 1 AS they that sit at a Table do eate chewe and digest their foode So they that be Parishioners and heare the word of God ought to listen vnto it meditate vpon it and print it in their hearts that so they may receiue the nourishment signified by the word and dutie to feede commended to the shepheards of Christs flock 1. Thes 5.12 Phil. 2.29 2. Cor. 7.15 Hebr. 13.17 2 As in meate we are not so much to seek licorousnesse as health So must it be in the preaching of the word for Ecclesiasticall assemblies be not lâ—ke to common Playes whereto men resort for pleasure but in Sermons we are to looke for that which is health
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
affection and the reason is because they haue one spirit to guide them all Act. 4.32 Esay 11.6.7 56 Euen as in the field there groweth vp not onely sound corne but also tares cockell and darnell Or as in the Floore there is not onely pure Wheate but also Chaffe and as in the Nette there is not onely good things but bad as filth and such like So in the militant and visible Church the field floore and Nette of the Lord there are not onely sincere and faithfull but also hypocriticall and faithlesse worshippers of GOD not onely constant and vpright dooers of the word but also vaine and idle talkers of the same yea not onely such as with good consciences pure hearts and faith vnfained do serue the Lord and his Church but such also as be reprobate to euerie good worke whose ende is to bee cast eternally from the presence of God and to bee burned as chaffe in the fearefull furnace of Gods wrath and euerlasting indignation 57 As the appetite of a woman ought to be to her husband so the appetite of the Church ought to be to Christ Cant. 5.7 58 As the woman bringeth forth her children in sorow and paine Euen so the Church bringeth forth in griefe of member and losse of limmes 59 As a woman must be obedient to the voyce of her husband and learne of her husband at home euen so the Church that is good must be ruled by Christ and not rule Christ Christes scholler and not Christs schoolemaister 60 Euen as Iohn that bare witnesse of Christ did confesse that he was not worthy to loose Christes shoo-latchet Euen so the Church though it beare witnesse of Christ in respect of credit and authoritie is not worthy to loose Christes shoo-latchet 61 Like as when Christ put forth himselfe and began to be knowne to the people Iohn said It behoueth me to wax lesse and him to wax greater So when the Church hath giuen a man to vnderstand of Christ and that Christ beginneth to appeare vnto vs the Church decreaseth in authoritie and estimation like Iohn and Christ encreaseth and waxeth greater in authoritie and credit 62 As the light of the Sun auaileth not him that lieth in a darke and close dungeon where is alwayes night and neuer day Euen so the graces of God doo nothing helpe those that lie in darknesse and shadowe of death vntill they haue accesse into the Church of Christ and so to be of the number of the faithfull Ephe. 2.19 Rom. 5.10 63 As a builder or chiefe maister of any workes doth not offend in building but because it hapneth sometimes that being occupied with other thoughts and fantasies not pertaining to the building he doth sometimes slide and faile in his worke Euen so it cannot be gathered by the force of the promise made to the Church that all things alwayes are rightly defined in the Church for the greater part ouercommeth the lesser and the worst the better 64 Like as when Hester had procured safetie for the Iewes and libertie to reuenge themselues vpon their enemies it is said that many of the people of the Land became Iewes Hest. 8.17 Euen so considering Christ hath procured freedome from hell death and damnation for all that beleeue in him we should labour aboue all things to become new creatures ioyning our selues alwayes to the true Church of God 65 As the body is blinde that wanteth eyes to see withall and lame maymed or deformed whereof the shoulders armes hands or other principall parts are wanting or displaced and disordered So in like maner that body of a Church cannot be said to be perfect and entire wherein there are not Ministers of the word who by the light thereof may direct the people in the wayes of God or Elders that may discouer and descrie euery matter that may threaten any daunger to the body or Deacons who may distribute liberally according to that that is in their hands for the reliefe of the poore 66 As Christ himselfe when he was rayled vpon gaue no euill words againe Euen so the true Church of Christ is knowne in this that it suffereth persecution and doth not persecute againe 67 As wise King Salomon iudged her to be the true mother of the child which had such compassion on it that she had rather forgo the whole then haue it diuided and dismembred and the other to be the harlot that had ouer-laine her childe which had also consented to the death of the other childe Euen so in like maner we may discerne euidently the Romish Church of Antichrist by her bloodie persecutions from the true Church and spouse of Christ the one with sworde and fire seeketh alwaies to quench the truth the other through the spirit of lenitie to win men to the same the one by compulsion violent oppression the other by perswasion meeke intercessiō the one by the sword the other by the word the one goeth about to peruert and depraue the other seeketh all meanes to conuert and saue 68 As a King is stablished in his Kingdome when his godly Lawes are taught and kept and that Realme is strongly builded and blessed of God where good order is mainteined So is Gods Church and congregation well and surely builded where Gods word and Religion is purely taught sinne punished and vertue embraced 69 Like as whatsoeuer is in the body receiuing no life nor power from the body is not properly a part of the body howsoeuer it seeme to be ioyned to the body So the wicked although they be in the outward face of the Church yet because they are not partakers of the spiritual life thereof by Christ are not truly to be iudged members of it 70 As in euery well ordered Kingdome the whole Realme should be of more authoritie then the King So the Church ought to be of more authority then the Pope though he were Prince thereof 71 As the Arke was carried from place to place and neuer rested in one certaine place So likewise the millitant Church here on earth hath no certaine place but is posted from piller to post Iosu 3.14.17 1. Sam. 4.3.4 c. 72 As in the body of a man there is a full furniture of all members needfull to the discharge of their seuerall duties which are knowne both how many they are and what they are Euen so likewise is it in the Church 73 As the want of a member as one eye or a hand breedeth griefe So in like maner the want of a member in the Church as a faithfull Minister which is the eye or of a Deacon which is the hand must needes be greeuous 74 As the disorder of a member in the body as to haue an eye where a nose should be or a foot for the hand c. causeth both horror and griefe So the like disorder in the Church of God must needes be horrible and greeuous 75 Like as in the body of man euery member hath his seuerall function to
to such as can find him yet if we can by no meanes find him what shall the vnderstanding hereof profit vs nothing at all 1. Cor. 28.10 Esa 55.6 Christ to be found by hearing the word preached and read 1 LIke as if one haue a Moyne of Copper Tinne or Leade he vseth great paine and diligence to come by the same but if it proue a veine of Siluer or Gold then the owner thereof setteth Pyoners on worke who with great care courage and comfort labour night and day in hope to be greatly enriched thereby and albeit the veine sinke downe verie deepe and proue most hard and difficult to winne yet do they not cease or slacken their labor but rather adde so much the more diligence in hope that their gaines will double their paines when the Moyne is once wonne for this they holde as a rule infallible that the lower any mettal doth lie in the earth the better and more gainful it prooues in substance Euen so it is in the studie of the Scriptures and in hearing the same read and preached the more paines and diligence one vseth therin the more increase of sound knowledge wisedom comfort is gotten in the ende being that most rich and vnvaluable Moyne wherein all the treasures of wisedome and vnderstanding are to be found conteining and comprehending all the counsels and commaundements of the Lord c. 1. Chro. 28.10 Pro. 3.13 14 26. 8.18.19 Ioh. 30.31 Mat. 7.7 8. Children dying before they be baptized are not damned 1 AS by Circumcision which was a cutting off of the the fore-skin the Children of the Hebrewes were brought vnto God were sealed vp with the Seale of his Couenaunt and receiued into his Church to the great comfort and ioy of the Parents which were certified by the same that God was not only their God but also the God of their posteritie and seede and yet if any thing had happened vnto them afore they could bee circumsized they mistrusted not but that GOD would by the vertue of his Testament saue them So by Baptisme the Children of Christians are brought vnto Christ are sealed vp with the Seale of the people of God receiued into his Church as members of his sonne Iesus Christ and fellow-heires with him of his heauenly Kingdome which thing vnto the faithfull parents must be a heauenly comfort For by it they are certified and assured that their sinnes be not only washed away with the bloud of our Sauiour Iesus Christ but also the sinnes of their posteritie and Children But if it be not the pleasure of God that the fathers and mothers should see their Children aliue for to offer and present them vnto him by Baptisme yet there is no cause why they should thinke that they should be damned because the grace of is not bound to the Sacraments For if there were some good man among the Turkes or else among the Idolaters and Infidels which had the knowledge of the Gospell and a true faith in our Sauiour Christ and yet could by no maner of means come by the Sacrament of Baptisme or be baptized yet no man ought so much as to thinke that such a one for want of a little water should be damned seeing he hath the chiefe and principall that is to say a true iustifying faith else the water should haue more vertue and efficacie then the bloud of our Sauiour Iesus Christ or at least as much and the Minister that should minister the outward Baptisme should be of as much power as Iesus Christ himselfe 2 Like as the Water and Minister can do nothing without the spirit and bloud of our Sauior Christ So it should follow if Children be damned that die before they be baptized that Iesus Christ his spirit and bloud should be able to do nothing without the water and Minister And so by this means our Sauior Christ and his Spirit should be as subiect vnto the Minister and Water as the Water and Minister should be subiect vnto Christ and his holy spirit and so consequently his grace and mercie should be alligated and bound vnto corruptible elements and made subiect vnto men Whereby it should come to passe that Iesus Christ should be no more true God nor yet true Sauiour 3 As the fleshly Children of Abraham and such as came of his flesh which departed this life before the eight day of Circumcision were not damned but by the vertue of the promise and couenant of God were saued So also after the same maner the spirituall Children of Abraham that is to say the Infants of all the Christians are not condemned if they decease before Baptisme but are saued by the efficacie of the promise of God and by inuisible Baptisme wherewith our Sauiour Christ Baptizeth them who by his death and precious bloud hath redeemed them Cares of this world coole the loue and desire of heauenly things 1 AS the Sea that the winde hath laine sore vpon is yet tossed and troubled after the winde is laid and the tempest gone Euen so mans mans minde lately comne out of the businesse and Cares of the world still casteth and studieth the same things and panteth after them and cannot after this come straight to it selfe and so to meditate and exercise spirituall matters Math. 13.22 Luk. 8.14 2 Like as when a Riuer or Fountaine is troubled there can no water be taken or drawne out of them but such as is full of mudde Euen so when the minde is troubled and choked with the ouer carefull and vnquiet sauour of the mire and dyrt of this peeuish world there can neither holy prayers nor any godly exercises be found there The breach of Gods Commaundements 1 AS many worldly men deale with their Creditors who will hardly let slip one houre or day but will take the aduantage and forfeiture of their Bondes and Obligations without any more delay Euen so if our good God and mercifull Father should deale as precisely and stricktly with vs in taking aduantage of the Bonds forfeytures and penalties wherein wee daily fall into by breach of his Commandements many wayes then our estate should be most miserable Iob. 9.2 3. 2 As euill debters when their day of payment draweth neare and when their Creditors are at hand to demaund the same doo seeke to hide themselues and to shunne their Creditors presence So likewise the most part of the world bee so carelesse in keeping that couenant vowe and promise which they made to God at their Baptisme that euen wilfully they throw themselues indebted vnto GOD and thrall vnto Satan some by one sinne and some by an other through violating and breaking of Gods Commaundements that when by sicknesse or death they are summoned to render an account of their bayliwicke then they wish that the mountaines would fall vpon them to hide them from the presence of God but all in vaine Esa 2.19 Hose 10.8 Luk. 23.30 Reue. 6.16 Luk. 16.2 Christ is not a Redeemer but
that we are the children of God true belieuers and members of the Church of Christ and that so we seperate our selues from the prophane worldly and vicious people and do purpose to liue holily righteously and religiously as it beseemeth the children of God and faithfull members of the Church Such therefore as communicating in the holy supper doo not neuerthelesse amend their liues but walking after the world the flesh are giuen to swearing whordome drunkennesse gluttonie couetousnesse deceit fraud ambition pride enuie hatred backbiting with other like vices and corruptions doo shew themselues counterfeits and hypocrites doo eate and drinke their owne damnation and doo horribly scandalize and offend the Church whereof they should be members together with the doctrine that they doo professe 13 As Loue is the fulfilling of the Law and the marke of Gods children So is there nothing that can more mightily induce vs thereto then the vse of this holy Supper 14 As the bread made of many kernels is but one bread So wee that communicate in the bread and Wine of the holy supper are one body vnder one head Iesus Christ 1. Cor. 10.17 12.12 15 As bread hath this propertie through Gods blessing giuen it to feede and strengthen our naturall bodies in this life So likewise the body of Christ beeing represented effectually vnto vs in the Lords supper by that bread hath the selfe same propertie touching our soules to strengthen and to nourish them spiritually 16 As Wine doth comfort and make mans heart glad So our full ioy and spirituall comfort is to bee found in Christ alone 17 As our diet is then full whole and perfect as it were when it consisteth of these two things Bread and Wine or Drinke So we must know that the fulnesse and perfection of all spirituall nourishment is to bee found in Christ alone and no where else whilst that he is become as well the drinke as the meate of our soule not onely in this double signe helping our infirmitie as it were but also teaching vs to seeke the heauenly refection and nourishment of our soules fully and wholly in Christ and no where else 18 As the Bread is made of many graines and the Wine of sundrie and seuerall Grapes and yet all make but one Bread and one Wine So al the faithful should be instructed thereby that though they bee seuerall and distinct persons one of them from an other as the members in the body are yet they al compacted together make but one body Rom. 12.4 5. 1. Cor. 10.16 17. 19 Like as when drie Waxe is put into that which is melted it is presently mingled and vnited with it So we are vnited to Christ by faith in worthily receiuing the mysteries of his body and bloud in the Sacrament 20 Euen as wee are by the bloud of Christ cleansed and by the holy Ghost in Baptisme regenerated So wee beeing cleansed and regenerated are spiritually fed and nourished by the benefite of the body and bloud of Christ rightly vsing the Lords supper according to his owne institution 21 Euen as there is no liberall hearted Gentleman that maketh a feast but hee is desirous that his gestes should haue a lusting greedie and hungrie stomacke Euen so our heauenly Father is desirous that all men that are bidden to this heauenly feast should bee partaker of the mysteries of his body and bloud should haue hungring and thristing stomackes which hunger and thurst must be of the soule and not of the body Loue of our neighbour AS hee that Loueth the Lord dooth altogether surely and thorowly depend vppon him in firme faith and cleare conscience and therfore dooth neither admit any other Gods nor serue Idols nor dishonour his name nor prophane his Saboths Euen so he that Loueth his neighbour as well as himselfe will neither contemne his parents nor hurt or harme his neighbours nor defile his wife with Adulterie nor steale his goods nor falsely witnesse of him neither yet couet any iot of all that is his but will hartily seeke his commoditie as his owne Deut. 6.5 Math. 22.37 Mar. 12.30 Luk. 10.27 God Loueth his children 1 AS we will take any thing well at his hands of whom we are perswaded that hee Loueth vs for the assurance of his Loue swalloweth vp and sweetely sendeth downe all the rest if he teach vs we take it if he admonish vs we are contented if hee reprooueth vs we put it vp if he iest with vs we are not grieued yea if he smite vs wee are not offended all is taken in good part because they come from Loue who neuer did hurt his beloued So likewise God dealeth with his children hee teacheth them when they are ignorant hee correcteth them when they goe astray he admonisheth them when they are vnruly he reprooueth them when they transgresse he threatneth them when they are stubborne and hee smiteth them when there is no remedie But yet in his fauour and mercie hee teacheth correcteth reprooueth threatneth and smiteth his children that they might not be damned with the world If hee woundeth vs his fauour is Oyle to cure our wounds if he sendeth flouds and Seas of troubles the assurance of his fauour is like Noahs Arke to beare vs vp from drowning If his wrath shall burne like fire his fauour is water to coole the heate whereof Diues in hell could not get a drop If he send sicknesse either of body or mind the assurāce of his fauor is a present remedy like the brazen Serpent if he send sorrow ouer night his Louing fauour shall bring ioy in the Morning and a ioyful tidings like Sonne bee of good cheare thy sinnes are forgiuen thee If he chide vs his fauour that he beareth vnto vs wil not suffer him to chide for euer If his wrath be kindled against his children his fauour puts out all againe if he sets vs vp as markes to be shot at hee sets his fauour before vs with the assurance whereof wee are defended as with a shield Psal 5.12 103.13 2 As a Fathers anger is rather Loue then anger and his correction is to bee counted rather a Loue token then a punishment So in like manner is Gods anger towards his children which feare him and keepe his couenants and therfore his correction is a Loue token no punishment 2. Sam. 7.14 15. Psal 118.18 3 Euen as when Iesus wept ouer Lazarus the Iewes said Behold how hee Loueth him Yea though hee suffered death to cast him into his graue the common bed of all flesh yet behold how he Loued him So in like maner may Gods children say when the Lord correcteth or reproueth or afflicteth them yet marke how he Loueth vs entreateth vs and wooeth vs and when we see this wee must needs say Behold how he Loueth vs. Ioh. 11.35 4 As Sechem deferred not to doo all that was required of him for the obtayning of Dinah because hee Loued her So also when we stand in need of
subiect to many cares anguishes and vexations Mercilesse Men. 1 AS beasts are not eaten vntill they be dead boyled or rosted Euen so Mercilesse Men whilst they liue will do no charitable deeds or workes of mercy to the poore vntil death hath theÌ„ in his pot ther boyle them after his maner only at their death in their last testament they wil perhaps leaue some Legacies to be giuen when they bee dead but death must be sure of theÌ„ before the pore be sure of a pennie It were better done by much to relieue the poore with their owne hands in their life time it is not amisse that they doo good then but it were better done before Ezech. 16.49 Prou. 14.31 19.17 21.13 Math. 5.7 2 As oftentimes yong children the more the Father doth cocker and dandle them the lesse they care for him and if he say vnto them I wil haue this or that done none so readie to bid him commaund and doo it himselfe as his owne children So it many times falleth out with vs God our heauenly Father hath blessed vs and blessed vs againe and yet when he saith I will haue you to be mercifull and pittifull to your needie brethren like stubburne children we sit still and stop our eares as if we heard not Math. 9.13 Prou. 11.17 Luk. 6.36 Mich. 6.8 No difference of Men after death AS Trees growing in the wood are knowne some by difference of their trunkes or bodies some by the properties of their boughes braunches leaues flowers and fruits but this knowledge is had of them whiles they stand grow are not consumed but if they be committed to the fire turned into ashes they cannot be known for it is vnpossible that when the ashes of diuers kindes of trees are mingled together the tall Pine-tree should bee discerned from the great and huge Oke or the mightie popler from a little lowe shrube or any one tree from an other Euen so Men whiles they liue in the wood of this world are knowne some by the stocke of ancestors some by the florishing leaues of their words eloquence some in the flowers of beautie some in the fruits of honestie many by their sauage ignorance and barbarousnesse and some by their mild lenitie and kindnesse but when death doth bring them into dust and hath mixed and mingled them al together then their ashes earth dust cannot be discerned or knowne for when the ashes and dust of all are mingled together then shall there appeare no difference betweene the mighty Princes of the world and the seely poore soules that are not accounted off of the learned and vnlearned betwixt rich men and beggers or betweene the wise and the foolish Man is borne to loue God 1 AS Birds of all sorts do desire the ayre fishes seeke for water and the fire of the earth mounteth flameth vp towards the Elementall fire and all things seeke their place and centre and doo tend towards the same Euen so we ought to seeke after our God who is our onely rest our centre and onely God 2 As flouds and ryuers with great force runne into the Sea because they came out of the Sea Euen so we ought to loue God to aspire towards him in al feruencie of loue to drawe neare vnto him who is that vnmeasurable Sea of all goodnesse from whence we came for hee hath made vs after his owne similitude likenesse Gene. 1.26 3 As we are bound to keepe the precepts commandements of God So are we most strickly bound to loue honour and obey himselfe 4 Euen as the Horse is ordained to runne the Oxe to plough and the Dogge to hunt So is Man borne aboue all things to loue God Masse AS an harlot who setteth her body to sale dooth paint her selfe to all lasciuiousnesse and vncleannesse doth scrout her selfe with rings Iewels and putteth on costly apparell therewithal to allure to her selfe companions whose substance she may wast away Euen so that whore of Babylon called the Masse commeth abroad set out as it â—ere with Gold and Iewels whilst shee doth vse certaine holie lessons and songs out of the word of God wherby she doth easily deceiue the ruder sort and the simple who deceiued with the outward shew do think her to be a very chast virgin who indeed is a most filthy harlot hurting her companions more then the vilest harlot that may be Vnlearned Ministers are not to be admitted vntill they be fit AS an Egle so long as her yong ones be not very fledge and throughly feathered she doth not suffer them to goe out of the neast and to flie abroad but after they be perfectly winged and in their beautie strength of their feathers she throweth them out of the nest that they may flie and exercise their wings and feathers and vse them to the end wherefore they haue them Euen so our Sauiour Christ that heauenly Eagle after his resurrection commaunded his Disciples to stay at Ierusalem as it were in a neast and not to depart thence vntill in the day of Pentecost he had filled them with the grace of the holy Ghost and then hee commaunded them that passing through the world and trauelling through diuers coastes of the earth they should publish abroad and spread farre and neare the Gospell of his kingdome Act. 1.4 2.2 3 4. Math. 28.19 The Misteries of Gods word are not to be opened to the wicked AS a Marchant that is expert and skilfull in his profession and facultie will not open nor shewe his richâ— wares and costly marchandise vnto those whom he wel knoweth will not buy them which do come into his shoâ— or ware-house either as curious persons or as crafty spies and subtill searchers not with any purpose to buy buâ— to doo some euill and calleth vnto him onely thosâ— whom hee knoweth to be verie willing and desirous to buy Euen so the Lorde his manner is not to open his heauenly Mysteries and the deepe secrets of his sacred and most holy word vnto them whom hee perceiueth and seeth plainly to seek after them vainly and curiously or with a wicked mind and corrupted purpose to search them out to the end they may tread and trample them vnder their feete and dooth call them onely to the true knowledge of his Lawes and ordinances and doth instruct and teach them whom he is sure will profit them selues and others thereby Matth. 7.6 12.38 39. Luk. 23.8 9. When Man in trouble seeketh for comfort from the world he seeketh for life in the house of death AS the blood in the body of a Man being corrupted with a poysoned Arrow dooth by and by flie to the heart euen seeking and hoping as it were to finde some remedie and helpe there and yet dooth euen so soone as it toucheth the hart find death wher it sought for life So Men when they are sore pressed with calamities do make the world their first refuge and
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