through Christ all the faithfull haue in them likewise the seedes of all vertues needfull to saluation and hereupon they both can and doo endeuour to yeeld Perfect obedience vnto God according to the whole law God reuealeth his will vnto vs by Preaching 1 AS a man if he be of credite maketh the hid thoughts of his hart to be knowne by speaking Euen so God who is the truth it selfe reuealeth vnto vs by the Preaching of the Gospell his counsell and his will touching our adoption and saluation and confirmeth this reuelation by the vse of the holy Sacraments 2 As a Ship is held fast by the Anchor that it might not be carried away of the wind Euen so God wold that the reuealing of his counsell by the doctrine and Preaching of the Gospell should hold vs fast and assure vs against all doubts of our Adoption yea and to pearce euen into the very heauens with assurance whereof our forerunner Iesus Christ hath taken possession both for himselfe and for vs. Puritie of soule and body to entertaine God offering to dwell with vs. 1 LIke as if a man were certified that a Prince would come to his house hee would dresse it vp and haue all things in good order as might be Euen so much more wee ought to endeuour to Purifie and clense our soules and bodies from all sinne that they may bee fit Temples for the entertainment of the holy Ghost whome Christ Iesus hath sent to bee our comforter 1. Cor. 6.9 Iohn 14.16 16.7 2 As the Shunamite was careful to entertaine the man of God Elisha for shee said to her husband Let vs make him a little Chamber I pray thee with Walles and let vs set him there a bed and a stoole a table and a candlesticke So likewise much more carefull ought we be to entertaine God himselfe who is content to come and dwell with vs and therefore wee must adorne our bodies and soules with grace that he may lodge and sup and dine with vs as he hath promised but on the contrarie if wee defile our bodies with sinne wee banish the holy Ghost out of our hearts and suffer the diuell to dwell in vs. 2. King 4.10 Reue. 3.20 Professors that seeke themselues and not God AS the foolish Virgines went forth to meete the bridgroome with Lampes in their hands as well as the wise but they neuer so much as dreamed of the horne of Oyle till the comming of the bridgroome So likewise many men liue in the Church of God as members therof holding vp the Lampe of glorious Profession but in the meane season they seeke onely for the things of this life neuer casting how they may assure thēselues in conscience touching their reconciliation with God till the day of death come Math. 25.1 2. c. Patience in all crosses whatsoeuer so that we may liue with God afterwards 1 AS the Prodigall and desperate Sonne who did so humble and submit himself that he desired no more to be taken for a Sonne but to be put to labour as a day labourer and an hired seruant so that hee might but onely remaine in his Fathers house Euen so whatsoeuer God sendeth we ought to take Patiently so that wee may but onely dwell in the house of God in heauen with him euerlastingly Luk. 15.18 19. 2 As that Pilot is to bee praysed which can rule a Ship cunningly not onely in calme weather but in time of tempests So hee is a good gouerner of himselfe which can do it not onely in prosperitie but doth also ouercome aduersitie with Patience 3 As Noes Arke the higher the water and floud was the higher it did rife So must our courage and Patience be in the deepest troubles Prosperitie most pleasant after long aduersitie AS the spring time following comming immediatly vppon the rough and hard winter is the more acceptable pleasant and welcome vnto vs Or as a battell the sorer our enemies doo assault and fight against vs the greater is the ioy and triumph at the victorie and ouerthrow of them Or as hee that hath kept his bed a long time and lyen sicke a great season afterward when he is recouered health is a more precious treasure vnto him then euer it was before that hee felt what sicknesse was and also such as mourned and were sorie for his sicknesse doo receiue an infinite ioy and an exceeding reioycing at his restoring vnto health againe Euen so doth God depriue vs for a time of riches wealth prosperitie our naturall countrie bodily health and such other transitorie benefits for this purpose that when hee giueth them againe vnto vs we may the more reioyce be gladder of them Math. 18.12 13. Luk. 15.22 23 24. Of greatest Paines greatest gaines AS Roses which are the most pleasant flowers doo spring and wax out of thornes Euen so of hard and great trauell springeth the most pleasant fruit In Prosperitie we must prouide for aduersitie AS a waterman or Marriner will neuer let out his sayle so farre but that he may soone pull it in againe Euen so euerie man as long as all things stand well and vpright with him he ought to foresee and prepare in time for the contrarie Perseuerance in Prayer AS the Heathnish woman of Canany al hope and comfort in the remedie and counsell of man set apart desireth helpe and succour of Christ and although the Lord giueth her at the first a rough and sharpe answere yet she is nothing abashed nor will not be so answered Euen so hold thou on likewise with this Cananitish woman saying and crying still O thou Sonne of Dauid haue mercy vpon me and so shalt thou heare at length this comfortable Gospell and absolution Thy faith is great bee it vnto thee as thou desirest Math. 15.22 c. Prosperitie is sometime hurtfull 1 AS it happeneth to him that is quiet and at ease that he falleth soone a sleepe and hauing an Apple or any other thing in his hand it falleth or is easily takē from him So the ease of the fleshe bringeth vs a sleepe in the world and causeth vs to leese the spirituall good things and to suffer them to fall to the ground 2 As the great lake in India called Asphaltites is neuer troubled with any waues stormes or tempests but is euer quiet Euen so such are they which lead their liues in tranquilitie peace and quietnesse and are neuer pressed nor broken with any calamities nor tossed and troubled with any sorrowes or miseries in the world but are euer at hearts ease and liue as they list 3 Euen as a straunger in a farre Countrie hauing and enioying all things seruing either for necessitie or pleasure careth litle for returning home So he which hath all things needfull for this life in aboundance at his hearts desire little careth for heauen or heauenly things Counterfeit Professors are most enemies to the Church 1 EVen as of all the enemies that Iuda had the tenne Tribes of
doo make a prophane washing and so administer no Sacrament of the Lords 2 Like as if the will of a Prince do ordaine one certaine man to confirme writings that by his onely Seale which hee hath appointed for that purpose so that although an other vse an other Seale made without or against his will of the same matter and fashion and in all things like it yet it is treason to vse it and the same is none of his Seale Euen so by much more ought the will of God which is that onely those should minister the Sacrament which haue a publike calling therevnto and haue that authoritie giuen them from the Lord should minister the Sacrament and none other although an other doo it in the same order and with the same instruments 3 As by the Seale which the Prince hath set apart to seale his Graunts and Letters Pattents with when it is stolen and set too by him that hath no authoritie there groweth no assurance vnto the partie that hath it So if it were possible to be the Seale of God which a woman should set too in Baptizing Infants yet for that she hath stolen it and put it too not onely without but contrarie to the commaundement of God we see not how any can take any assurance of the doing hereof For as well and as lawfully may she preach publikely in the Church and minister the Sacrament of the Lordes Supper openly or otherwise as to Baptise in time of necessitie c. 4 As a Seale added to a Deede or Euidence by such as hath no authoritie to put to the same hath no force to ratifie or confirme the Couenants and Graunts in the Writing which kinde of Seale hath beene alwayes deemed no better then a counterfeit and plaine forgerie Euen so the outward seale of Baptisme added by women hath no force by Gods institution to confirme any in the promises of saluation because women haue no warrant in the word to Baptise for euerie washing of the childe in the name of the Trinitie is not a Sacrament of Baptisme neither can there bee rendered any cause why the Lords Supper ministred by them should not bee counted as good a Sacrament as their Baptisme Baptisme 1 EVen as they which were in the Arke of Noah were preserued from the floud So whosoeuer doth earnestly sticke to the couenant of their outward Baptisme are deliuered from the euerlasting floud that is to say from the paynes and torments of hell by Iesus Christ 2 As the floud did preserue so many as were within the Arke but sunke the rest So likewise is Baptisme auaileable to so many as are Baptized into the Church of Christ by faith but helpeth the rest no more then it did Simō the sorcerer Act. 8.9.10 c. Mar. 16.16 1. Pet. 3.10.21 3 As in the Floud both sinne and sinners did perish So also in the floud of Baptisme sinne sinketh but the sinner is safe Tit. 3.5 Iohn 3.5 4 As the Purse of a true man in the hand of a theefe doth not make or proue him to be a true man Euen so Baptisme though it be in the assemblies of the Churches of Rome yet it noth not proue them to be the Churches of God neither doth it appertaine vnto them but vnto an other hidden Church of God which he hath in all ages gathered forth of the midst of them 5 As the graffe receiueth substance and nourishment of the roote into which it is graffed So they that receiue Baptisme with such faith as they ought do truly feele the effectualnesse of the death of Christ in the mortifying of their flesh and therewithall also they feele the effect of his resurrection in the quickning of the spirit Rom. 6.3 Col. 2.12 Reading of Authors 1 AS Vlisses stopping his eares with waxe escaped the danger of the Sirenes So ought we to auoyde such things as are found filthy in Bookes and Authors though they seeme pleasant if we will auoide the danger ensuing such things 2 As the like pleasure is not to him that goeth into a goodly garden garnished with diuers kindes of hearbes and flowers and that there doth no more but behold them of whom it may bee said that hee went in for nothing but that hee would come out and to him which besides the corporall eye pleasure knoweth of euerie one the name and propertie So verily much difference is there in reading of Authors and in sundrie sorts of men that doo it and much more pleasure and profit hath hee which vseth art and iudgement then the other which with great studie indeed turneth them ouer but for lacke of the knowledge of precepts wanteth also the fruite and delectation that he more amply might obtaine Christs Body is not inclosed or conteined in the bread vnder the bread or with the bread neither the bloud in the wine vnder the wine or with the wine 1 AS the bloud of our Sauiour Christ doth cleanse vs from all our sinnes 1. Ioh. 1.7 and yet we need not to haue it really present with vs for to be washed or bathed in it So Christ our Sauiour according to his promise doth daily or whensoeuer we do come worthily to his holy Supper feed both our bodies and soules with the wholesome and heauenly foode of his precious Body and bloud and this doth he by his eternall and almightie Spirit so that he needeth not therefore to come downe at the becke of euerie iugling popish Priest and to be really present in their wafer Cake after that they haue with gaping and blowing spoken foure or fiue words vpon it Receiuing of the Sacrament Iohn 13.20 Luk. 10.16 Math. 25.41 c. 1 LIke as Christ doth recouer and impute that to bee done vnto him which is done to his Ministers or poore needie members So also doth he recouer and impute that to bee done vnto his Body and bloud that is done vnto the Sacrament of the same 1. Cor. 11.27 2 Like as he that sinneth against a Minister or a poore man sinneth against * Act. 9.4 Zach. 2.8 Christ himselfe although in the meane while hee hath not hurt Christes person in any point Euen so is he also guiltie of the body and bloud of Christ whosoeuer receiueth the Sacrament of the Body and bloud of Christ vnworthily although in the meane season he hath not receiued the very Body and bloud of the Lord. 3 Like as if a Rebell should tread vnder his feete the Seale Letters or Coyne of the Prince although he touch not the Prince himselfe nor tread him vnder his feete yet is he said to haue troden the Prince vnder his feete and is accused not for hurting the Seale or defiling the Letters or defacing his Coyne but hee is charged of treason and accused for treading the Prince vnder his feete Or if one man should send a gift or token vnto an other man as a peece of bowed siluer a Nutmeg or a Rasing of Ginger if the partie
the liquor So it is with the Creature when God doth appeare in perfect glory in regard wherof the Angels themselues are said to couer their faces least they should behold it how much more then hath man who is but dust and ashes and whose life is in his nosethrils iust cause of feare Esa 6.2 Psal 29.3 c. 2 As the Aduouterous Woman hath no more to doo with her husband nor with any thing of his for because of the transgression of this principall law and Couenant and the breach of the faith of Wedlocke Euen so they haue no more to do in the Couenant of God which by worship of other â—ods haue broken the chiefe point thereof and loosed the faith due vnto one God alone Deut. 5.6 7. 3 Like as if a man would take to his wife a common woman out of the open stewes and would first of all prescribe vnto her in this sort If thou wilt abide in this fellowship of our Wedlocke first it is necessarie that thou abstaine from all other men and keepe the faith and Couenant of marriage whole and vnbroken onely to mee else thou canst not bee my wife nor I thy husband if thou doo with mee take others and returne vnto thy accustomed filthinesse of whoredome So likewise the Lord dealt with the Israelites who were vsed before in Egypt to the worshipping of other Gods who charged them first to cast away the gods which their fathers serued in Mesopotamia and in Egypt and to serue and worship him onely otherwise he would be no God to them nor they a people for him Iosua 24.14 And so the case is now betwixt God and vs. Church 1 AS a Ship in the midest of the Sea goeth not toward the hauen vnlesse it haue a prosperous gale of winde Euen so the Church of God goeth not to his wished hauen to wit the Kingdome of heauen vnlesse it be blowne with the Spirit of God and directed and set on by the same spirit 2 As a woman that is barren yet after a long time childeth Euen so it is with the people of God though they be neuer so fewe and the Church neuer so small yet God will multiplie and increase it 3 As the flowers of water Betonye with the leaues and sprigs though they die often and yearely yet the roote is ay-lasting from which they come and to which they belong so though discipline and the outward bewtie of the Church change and often die yet the Church is lasting and of all continuance 4 As in the blew Lysimachus Cowe-wheate and winter Sauorie and likewise the Affodill the lower partes and braunches of them begin to flower So in many Churches and families the inferior persons begin to professe God first and shewe foorth themselues by an holy profession 5 As the hearbe Sophia groweth especially and best where as there hath bene in times hast any building now laide waste So many cannot grow well and waxe rich inough without the Church be laid waste many growe best where they haue pulled downe all but the Church groweth best where Poperie is vtterly defaced and pulled downe 6 As the flowers of Goates-beard and Sansprge do alwaies bend toward the Sunne So the Church bendeth alwaies to Christ 7 As by the description of the Facon and nature of the true Meum the common vsed is found counterfeit So by the description of the true Church the common reputed is found false 8 As the diseases of the body be of two sorts some cureable and some incureable which are to death So the Church though it be subiect to sundrie falles cannot erre in foundation to death for the errors of Gods children be cureable 9 As where the dead carkasse is thither resort the Eagles Euen so where are men that truly beleeue in Christ there is the Church 10 As false and counterfeit Coyners who would not haue men to know and discerne their money by the finenesse of Gold and Siluer and by the touchstone but by the waight by the sound by the stampe by the colour which they may easily falsifie Euen so our aduersaries the Papists would make vs beleeue that the true Church cannot be knowne by these two markes to wit the sincere preaching of the word and the administration of the Sacraments according to the institution of Christ but rather by certaine outward markes to wit by antiquitie multitude succession of places and persons by miracles and reuelations which markes in very deed are common both to the pure and sound Church and also to the impure and corrupt Church 11 Like as if one should tie or fasten to the body of a man some peece of flesh bone or sinew were it done neuer so cunningly yet that should not be counted or called any part or member of that body seeing it receiueth neither life nor motion from the soule thereof but doth wholly depend vpon the cunning and workemanship therof So we confesse that here vpon earth is a Church a fellowship and communion of Saincts that is to say the congregation of the faithfull not gathered together by the will of man humane reason or worldly inuension but thorow the holy Ghost not tied or limited to any one place but distributed according to Gods good will and pleasure to the which Church hypocrites and such like are ioyned and tyed but not vnited or participating like as members thereof Mat. 16.17 1. Cor. 12.3 12 As a heape of wheate though it haue chaffe in it is yet called wheate or as a tunne of Wine though it haue Lees in it is yet called wine or as a field wherein tares appeare with the wheate is a corne field Euen so the visible Church is the Church though it consisteth of good and bad and be mixed of the elect and reprobate yet are they called Gods Church for the elect sake and haue their denomination from the better not the bigger part Math. 25.32 3.12 13.47 2. Timo. 2.20 13 Like as a wife is a wife although shee obey not her husband as long as shee keepeth the faith shee plight in marriage and defileth not her selfe with an others bedde Euen so is it in the Church that although shee be manifoldly vndutifull towards her husband Christ Iesus eyther by Atheisme or by Idolatrie yet she remaineth still the wife of Christ 14 As a wife that hath broken her saith and promise made in Wedlocke is not forthwith out of the account of a wife vntill shee being conuicted thereof be for that cause diuorced from her husband Euen so the Church notwithstanding her spirituall adultries is not vnchurched nor ceaseth to be reputed a Church vntill such time as the Lord by taking away from her the ministerie of the word and the administration of the Sacraments hath as it were by bill of diuorse disauowed her by taking away from her all her Iewells and Ornaments wherewith hee bewtified her when first he contracted with her 15 Like as a Garden or Vine decayeth
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
may not controll his Creator AS it is vnreasonable for a peece of clay to challendge the Potter for the forme shape or vse that it is made for Euen so it is an intollerable presumption of man to reason against his maker for the end that he is made for whether it be honour or dishonour Iob. 10.9 Psal 103.14 Rom. 9.20 21. Esa 64.8 The wonderfull Chaunge of Christians AS it is a great miracle for a dead man to be raised again So likewise is the chaunge that Christ hath made in those that be his wonderfull 1. Pet. 4.6 Christians in great miserie if God forsake them AS women traueyling in childe-birth and haue not strength to bring foorth their fruite are in great miserie So likewise are the Children of God in great distresse in the dayes of trouble and affliction if God leaue them and forsake them therein Esay 37.3 Contentious Spirits are daungerous AS we are to take heed of Dogges when they are fighting and brawling for a bone that we be not too busie in kicking them least we be caught by the shinnes Euen so are we to take great heede of such as be vnquiet troublesome spirits that are readie to wrangle and disquiet the Church about euery trifle Phil. 3.2 Christ the appointed Reconciler LIke as there was a certaine person by whom sinne entered into the world and by sinne death and so became as it were the cause and foundation of falling away from God and entering into league with the diuell So also must there be a certaine person appointed of God that might be the foundation cause of Reconciliation and of neuer breaking the same coniunction with God the fountaine of all happinesse Custome an other nature AS impossible as it is for a Black-moore to cast away his skinne and to become white and for a Leopard to put away his spots So impossible it is for them that noosell themselues and accustome themselues continually with euill doing to chaunge their custome and to endeuour to do well Iere. 13.23 Christians are to pray chiefly for spirituall graces AS Achsha begged of Caleb her Father a blessing to her dowrie and springs of water to her drie soyle So must all Christians intreate Almightie God to giue them the grace of his holy spirit with the gift of his heauenly Word that they may pay vnto him the tribute of honour Iosu 15.19 The benummed Conscience is senselesse of spirituall graces AS the sicke man lying vpon his bed is not able to go to the Phisition to seeke for his health but the Phisition is to be intreated to come to minister to him Euen so such people as are ignorant and sicke of sinne vnto death are not able to go to the spirituall Phisition the Preacher or haue any minde so to do because they neither vnderstand their disease nor the daunger they be in nor yet feele the griefe thereof so that oftentimes when the godly Preacher commeth vnto them and ministreth wholesome medicines and consolations yet are they not able to receiue the same Ephe. 2.12 2. Tim. 2.25 26. Good Counsell not to be refused of the wisest LIke as they that are giuen to gather wealth although they haue great store of wealth at home yet if Golde and Siluer be brought to them from other places they do not refuse it and the richer they be the more they desire So wise Magistrates whose treasure is to consist rather in the wisedome and faithfulnesse of good men then in the hugest masse of money that can be though they be most wise and rich that way yet they ought not to refuse the wise aduise of any but be willing glad to heare it whose soeuer it be Affectionate Admonitions vnfruitfull LIke as he that obserueth the wind shall neuer sowe So likewise they which haue an eye alwayes vnto the affections of men and will know what entertainment their admonitions and reproofe shall haue before they wil bestow them can neuer profit thereby for that in so doing they seeke rather to please men and feede their humours then that God should haue his glory increased thereby Prea 11.4 Gal. 4.10 Christ comforteth his AS the Raine maketh the new mowne grasse freshly to spring againe and showers so comfort the earth that it yeeldeth the fruites therof Euen so shall Christ refresh foster nourish and cherish his people Psal 72.6 Christ a sure Rocke AS hee that setteth the foundation of his house vpon a firme Rocke may be sure that the foundation shall be â—ble to beare the weight of that which shall be set vpon â—t and that no raine or flood shall wash it away So hee that buildeth his faith vpon Christ as hee is set out and preached vnto vs in the Gospell shall bee sure that hell gates that is al the power force and cunning of the diuel shall neuer be able to preuaile against him Math. 7.24.25 Mat. 16.18 The compleat armour of Christians 1 AS a Souldier if hee be not shod but barefooted shall quickly bee surbatted and vnable to trauaile Euen so a Christian not hauing the Gospel of peace cannot endure Ephe. 6.15.16.17 2 As it is an absurditie for a Souldier to put himselfe into the field naked without armour and weapon as well to strike the enemie as to defend himselfe So also is it alwaies necessarie for a Christian to be armed at all points especially to haue the shield of faith the helmet of saluauation the sword of the spirite which is the word of God Christian freedome AS seruants when they haue serued a time chaunge their maisters and are maisterlesse or serue others Euen so Christians are to remember that their condition is so vnstable and vncertaine in the Church of God except they haue the spirit of freedome namely the spirite of adoption of children and so by Christ and in Christ bee truely made free Ioh. 8.35.36 Christ our graund Captaine AS souldiers are to resort to their standard So faithfull Christians are appointed to flocke to Christ Esay 11.11.12 Contemners of the truth 1 AS Swine will moozell vp and downe in the mire whatsoeuer precious thing shall be offered them So wicked contemners and despisers of the word doe as it were treade vnder their feete whatsoeuer promise is offered or in iudgement threatned to them out of the word 2 As they which are displeased with all things that profit them not Or as a deafe man who seeing the lippes of speakers to moue thinketh them too lauish of their tongues Or as a blind man which groping by the walles and windowes of a faire house doth find fault with the windowes because they are not so smooth as the walles Euen so such are they that find fault with the Scriptures because they shew as well the spots as the beautie the vice as the vertue Math. 7.6 Comfort from Gods spirit AS water refresheth the thirstie and as floudes doo moysten the drie land and make it fruitfull so God by his spirite reioyceth
the people of his Church and powreth out aboundaunce of his blessings vppon them Esay 44.3 The growth of grace by Christs death AS Wheate except it bee sowen in the ground and there die doth not spring againe and so multiplie Euen so the knowledge of those benefites which wee haue by Christ are encreased grewe and multiplyed throughout the whole world by his death Iohn 12.24 Calling 1 LIkewise a sword being committed into the hands of a Souldier by the Captaine generall hee is not to smite before he bee commaunded to fight and before the Trumpet bee sounded to battell Euen so though a man haue excellents giuen him yet hee is not to execute any function especially publikely before hee receiue a particular warrant and Calling from God Reue. 16.1 2 As Sampson though he had strength giuen him that he was able to haue defended the Israelites and reuenged them of their enemies yet hee could not take vpon him the gouernment of the people vntill such time that the Lord had called him vnto it So likewise the Ministers of the word albeit they haue neuer so notable gifts of knowledge vtterance c. yet they are not in any case to entrude themselues into the Ministerie vnlesse they haue a particular Calling from the Lord. 3 As the Ostrige hath wings and flieth not So some men haue a Calling but they answere it not they haue knowledge but they practise it not they haue words but they worke not 4 Like as if a straunger should violently thrust in himselfe to bee the shepheard of thy sheepe thou wouldest aske him who sent for him what hee hadde to doo there and thou wouldest rather thinke him to bee a theefe and a murtherer of thy sheepe then to bee a faithfull and trustie seruant So surely if thou come to take charge of Gods people before he inwardly moue thy conscience to pitie his people and outwardly by order call and place thee where hee thinkes good hee will iudge thee a theefe a woolfe a deuourer and not a feeder Beautie AS a Ring or Iewell of Gold is very vnseemely and dooth not become the filthy snoute of a swine that is alwayes rooting in the dyrt and myer So vncomely is Beautie to a woman that hath not wit nor discretion to behaue her selfe Benefites AS the Moone doth shew her light in the world which she receiueth from the Sunne so we ought to bestow the Benefits receiued of God to the profit and commoditie of our neighbour The Authoritie of the Church not aboue the word of God 1 LIke as it is not reason nor iust that a Wife should controll or be superiour and aboue her Husbands word and commaundement hauing a wise and discreete Husband to gouerne and commaund her So likewise it is no reason or right whatsoeuer the Papists say that the Authoritie of the Church which is the Wife should be greater and of more force then the word and will of the Husband Christ Iesus Ephe. 5.24 2 As man is not aboue God nor the Wife aboue the Husband for otherwise to say the one is blasphemie and the other absurd Euen so it is blasphemie and absurd to say that the Authoritie of the Church is greater then the word and Scriptures of God Wise Counsell of a friend AS the sent and sauour of a sweete Oyntment or Perfume is comfortable to the braines and heart So is the wise and heartie Counsell of a mans assured friend Pro. 27.9 Cities and Countries AS a Pot of meate seething on the fire which no body skimmeth must needs be full of loathsome filth So Cities and Countries continuing in bloudie violence without repentance and amendment must needs be â—oathsome and abhominable in the eyes of God Ezech. 24.6 Men must be fitted to their Callings and the Callings to the men LIke as a member of a mans body out of ioynt is daungerous and hindereth his health and welfare So in like maner the setting of Children to Callings vnfitting their gifts and affections is daungerous and hurtfull both to the Church and Common-wealth Distinction of Callings LIke as the members in a mans body although they liue by one life and one soule are notwithstanding distinct and diuerse one from an other in functions as the foote seeth not but the eye the eare heareth and not the hand c. Euen so also the members of Christ howsoeuer they liue all by one and the same faith are notwithstanding in their particular functions and Callings one to be distinguished from an other Gods Creatures admirable AS when men behold any curious worke of a cunning and skilfull Craftsman straightway they will leaue the worke and enquire after him that made it that they may praise his skill Euen so it is the dutie of Christians in this case when they come abroad and behold euerie where in all the Creatures the admirable and vnspeakeable wisedome goodnesse and power of God then they must make haste from the Creature and go forward to the Creator to praise and glorifie him Reue. 4.11 Christ our Lord. 1 AS in former times the custome hath beeâ—â— that when one is taken prisoner in the fieldes hee that payes his raunsome shall become alwayes after his Lord Euen so likewise Christ when we were bondslaues vnder hell death and condemnation paid the ransome of our redemption and freed vs from the bondage of sinne and Sathan and therefore in that respect he is our Lord. Christ tooke vpon him our infirmities LIke as if a man be sicke of some grieuous disease and if a friend come vnto him that hath beene troubled with the same disease hee will shewe more compassion then twentie others Euen so Christ hauing felt in his owne soule and body the anguish and the manifolde perplexities that wee feele in our temptations and afflictions hath his bowels as it were a running towards vs euermore beeing prest and readie to relieue vs in all our miseries Heb. 2.17 4.15 Esay 53.3.4 Christes humane nature AS the Plant called Mistell hauing no roote of his owne both growes and liues in the stocke or body of the Oake or some other Tree So our Sauiour Christes humane nature hauing no proper substance is as it were ingrafted into the person of himselfe and â—s wholely supported and sustained by it so as it should not bee at all if it were not sustained in that manner Contempt of the Minister AS Husbandmen that misvse their Land-lord and his seruants which hee sendeth to them for the rents and profites of his lande are woorthily and iustly thrust out and others planted in their roomes So likewise were the Iewes cut off from being the people and Church of God for misvsing of Christ his Apostles and Prophets and so assuredly shall all they be that despise and set naught by and cruelly misvse and intreat the Ministers of the Gospel and the Preachers of his word which are sent vnto them A fruitlesse Confession AS it is bootelesse for a man that is very
truth 1 LIke as they which builded again the material and stone wall of the earthly Ierusalem had not only the Trowell in one hand to build withall but moreouer the sword in the other to beate back their enemies which assaied to hinder the worke that was in doing So in like maner those men whoÌ„ the Lord hath appointed to build vp this spirituall Ierusalem of his the Church of God it behoueth them not only to hold fast the word of truth to edifie withall but moreouer they must bee of abilitie through the plentiful knowledge of the word to confute and confound all their gaine-standers Nehe. 4.17 18. c. Ioh. 17.17 2. Cor. 6.7 Ephe. 1. 13. Colloss 1. 5. 2. Tim. 2.15 Iam. 1. 18. 2. Tim. 3.16 17. 2. Timo. 2.25 2 As the Proclamation is the Princes who first set it foorth though it be afterward published againe of the Cryer So the word is Gods who first vttered the same though it be rehearsed a new of any learned writer 3. And as he that calleth the Kings Proclamation repeated by the Cryer the Cryers proclamation had need of a fauourable Interpreter to saue him from rebuke Euen so if any shall auouch the word and authorities of Gods Spirit repeated of learned men to be their authorities had need of a verie partiall hearer to quite him from blame 4 Like as if a man were sent on a message froÌ„ his Prince and by the way should heare his message repeated of one of his fellowes or more if when hee commeth to doo his message he should say thus saith my companion or thus saith my Lord the King my companion together what might we thinke of such one in so saying In like manner they which take so much paines to alleadge the words of the Lord or the summe and meaning of them vnder the name of learned writers or ioyne God and men togegether as cospeakers to make the matter sufficient as though otherwise it were not enough for they are vnwise to thinke that men will regarde what man saith in such matters 5 Like as if any Noble man of wisedome and credite shuld be called to witnesse the truth in any doubtful matter which hee well vnderstood and hauing declared the whole truth the partie that requireth the same should answere thus I would the rather belieue this that you haue said to be true if so be that I might heare some of your seruants to witnesse the same In this doing might not this Noble man well thinke that he were greatly abused that could not be credited vnlesse his men should also testifie thereof Euen so how can the Lord take it in good part seeing hee hath so often in his word commaunded that wee should speake nothing vnto his people but that which commeth from his mouth without any other additions and hath sufficiently set downe in his word the whole truth both what is needful for vs to doo and what to leaue vndone and yet many will not belieue him vnlesse they heare Heathen men and other learned writers to witnesse the same 1. Pet. 4.11 Deut. 18.18 Iere. 9.1 King 22.14 2. Chro. 17.7 8 9. Ezech. 3.4 17. 33.7 6 Like as if a Scholler will not beleeue that which his maister hath taught him vnlesse his schoole-fellow will say it is so this fond opinion of the Scholler maketh not the teaching of his Maister insufficient Euen so when a man will not beleeue that the word of God dooth teach or refell and confute this or that vnlesse the Doctors do so expound the same yet this proueth not but the Scripture of it selfe is sufficient to doo it though hee make not so much account thereof Esay 59.21 Hebr. 4.12 Iere. 23.29 22. Psal 19.7 8. Ministers must obey Christ AS no Ambassadour can haue any higher authoritie then is limited and expressed by plaine words in his Commission by the Prince or whosoeuer it bee that graunteth it and as euerie one of the Commissioners to whome a Commission is directed haue that authoritie which in their Commission is mentioned and no other Euen so in the Commission that Christ gaue to his Apostles euerie one of them ought obediently to obserue their maisters commaundement with his authoritie giuen to them and not to breake it and goe beyond the bounds and limitation of it The dutie of Ministers both to seducers and the seduced LIke as parents wheÌ„ their child is hurt with the biting of a Dogge are wont to pursue the Dogge onely but the weeping child they bemone and speake faire vnto it comforting it with most sweete words So likewise godly preachers must bee impatient zealous sharpe and vehement in condemning and detesting the false iuglings deceits of the Authors of false doctrine and maintainers of sects but contrariwise they must with all mildnesse good affection and gentle speech behaue themselues â—owardes those that are mysled gone astray and falne â—hrough weaknesse and so to reclaime them Gal. 6.1 Mens deuises LIke as if a wicked seruant doo take vpon him to serue his Maister with wholesome foode should mingle therwith some secret poyson to annoy him withal deserueth due punishment according to his demerites Euen so as displeasantly shall the confused minglings and foolish deuises of Men be taken of the Lord in making mixtures of their owne deuises with his worshippe and seruice Mens traditions 1 AS when the naturall Sunne is darkned with cloudes that doo arise from the waters and from the earth Euen so our Sauiour Christ which is the true Sonne of righteousnesse is wonderfully darkned with the mysts and clouds of Mens traditions and dreames so that many times his comfortable light is cleane taken away from the eyes of our soules and consciences 2 Like as if the Sunne bee darkned the Moone of necessitie must loose her light Euen so when the chearefull light of the true Sonne of righteousnesse is taken away by Mens inuentions and superstitious doctrine and Popish traditions without all doubt the Church must vtterly loose her light it must needes bee without all heauenly vnderstanding and knowledge it must needes be in horrible darknesse and in the shadow of death Moderation of worldly care LIke as a traueller in his iourney is troubled with care for nothing but that which shall bee necessarie for him in his iourney So wee in the pilgrimage of this life must bee carefull for nothing but that which may benefite vs in our iourney to life euerlasting Man of no continuance 1 AS a dreame smoke vapour a puffe of wind a shaddow a bubble of water hay grasse hearbs flowers leaues a Weauers shuttle dried stubble are things of smal account and lesse continuance Euen so the glorie beautie magnificence strength and wisedome of Man is nothing else then vaine britle transitorie and ruinous vnlesse it bee sustained vpholden and vndershored by the heauenly power of the sure and eternall word of God Psal 73. â—â— Iob. 20.8 Psal 103.14 15. Iob. 7.6 7. 8.9
also conserue and nourish vs in the same by the right vse of his holy Sacraments and wil make vs to grow and wax strong and accomplish the worke which he hath begunne in vs and al this by his Sonne Iesus Christ 25 As it is not enough that a shepheard doo onely gather his sheepe into the fold or sheepecoate but also that hee prouide meate for them and pasture Or as it is not sufficient that a Maister doo onely entertaine his seruant into his seruice by giuing him his Liuerie coate badge whereby hee is openly knowne to be his man but also that hee prouide and giue him meate and drinke dayly to feede him So surely dooth the Lord with vs in these Sacraments For by baptisme doth hee admit vs to his seruice and by the Supper doth hee feede vs that we perish not with hunger 26 Like as mans body is nourished and sustained by bread and Wine So also our soules are sustained spiritually with the body of Christ giuen for vs and with his bloud shed for our sakes Iohn 6.32 33 35. 1. Cor. 11.24 25. 27 As bread nourisheth our bodies So thereby we learne that Christes body hath most singular force spiritually by faith to feede our soules Ioh. 6.50 55 56. 28 And as with Wine mens hearts are cheared and their strengths confirmed So we learne also that with his bloud our soules are refreshed thorow faith 29 And further as surely as we know that we haue receiued the bread wine with our mouths and stomacks So surely thereby we are assured that Christ maketh the faithfull beleeuers partakers of his body and bloud Ioh. 6.54 63 64. 30 As those which haue eaten sweete Comficts and seede for the most part on delicate Cates haue sweete breathes Euen so must there needes bee found a sweete smelling Odour in all the words and workes of those which are fed with this spirituall and heauenly foode the bodie and blood of Christ and in whom Christ dooth dwell for they do all things for the profit and edification of their brethren and the glory of God 31 Euen as the Gospell which of it owne nature is the word of life and saluation is yet turned by the wicked vnto the sauour of death So the Sacraments also which are instituted by God vnto the saluatioÌ„ of men are notwithstanding receiued by the faithlesse and the vnwoorthie communicants vnto their condemnation and iudgement and yet do they not desist in respect of God to be true Sacraments still 32 As a sicke man feeles no comfort or nourishment when he eateth meate and yet it preserueth his life So the weake Christian though he feele himselfe not nourished at the Sacrament by Christs bodie and blood yet he shall see in time that his house shall be preserued thereby vnto euerlasting life 32 Like as Souldiers when they receiue their pay do binde themselues to their Captaine by solemne oath Euen so we when we are partakers of the holy Sacraments which God hath appointed in his Church by the which he bestoweth vpon vs spirituall gifts do bind our selues to him by the same oath 34 As we see with our eyes that the bread is broken for vs So we are certainly confirmed in our faith that the bodie of Christ was giuen vnto death for vs. 35 As certainly as we see that the bread and wine to be present So certainly do we beleeue that the bodie and blood of Christ is present with vs also yea we do not beleeue that it is the Supper of the Lord except his bodie and blood be present with vs. 36 As things set before the eyes do mooue the sight Euen so the Sacraments moue the heart to beleeue 37 Euen as sure as we take the bread in the Lords Supper and eate it with the mouth of the bodie and drinke the wine So verely certainly euen at the same instant with the mouth of our faith we receiue the verie bodie and blood of Christ and there it doth as actually comfort and sustain the soule as doth the bread and the wine nourish and comfort the heart and the outward man 38 And as verely as the most soueraigne plaister and salue laid to a wound or soare draweth out the filth and healeth it so verily and really doth the bodie and bloud of Christ thus receiued put away the soares and deformities of the soule and not only maketh it whole but also pure clean without scar wrinkle and spot and so maketh it a delectable louely faire spouse in the sight of God 39 As when many Windows be opened in an house the more light may come in then when there is but one opened Euen so by the perception and receiuing of the Sacraments a Christian mans conscience hath more helpe to receiue Christ then simply by the word preached heard or meditated and therefore the Sacraments may well be called seeable sensible taste-able and touchable words 40 As the Diuel entred into Iudas by the soppe which Christ gaue him yet not that he receiued an euil thing of him but because he did receiue it badly and with an euill mind Euen so the vnworthie communicants eate and drinke their owne damnation not by the eating of the bread and wine which are holy signes but because they receiue the same without faith and repentance hauing in euil conscience 41 As the word Sacramentum was a form of a solemne â—â—h in war wherby the soldier did vow destinat himself to serue his Generall and the Generall in like manner did binde himselfe to his souldiers So also by the vse and institution of the holy Sacraments after that God hath promised that he will be our God and giue vnto vs saluation he doth in like manner binde vs as it were with a solemne oath before himselfe before Angels and men that we will serue him and none other Soule 1 LIke as to be healthie in our bodies it is not inogh not to haue the plague or a plurasie but generally to be free from all diseases Euen so to be holy in our Soules we must be clean from all spots and defilings and we must take the whole lawe of God as an vniuersall rule of all our thoughts affections words and deeds to the end to keepe it from point to point and not to omit any thing which is there commaunded vs. 2 As sweete Oyle powred into a fustie vessell looseth his purenesse and is infected by the vessell So the Soule created good and put into the corrupt bodie receiues contagion thence Rom. 5.13 3 Like as if a man should borrow a thing of his neighbour and vse it so as he doth quite spoyle it he would be ashamed to bring it againe to the owner in that manner and if he doo the owner will not receiue it Euen so vngodly men in this life do so staine their Soules with sinne as that they can neuer be able to giue them vp into the hands of God at the day of death
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
As the heate of the Sunne softneth Waxe and hardneth the myre So likewise Vertue reioyceth and comforteth the good grieueth the wicked consuming and wasting them by little and little and so at length pineth away with sorrow and griefe in seeing good men florish in wealth and prosperitie 9 As we see the fire in the beginning cast foorth a great smoak which quickly vanisheth away as soone as it is well kindled So likwise Vertue causeth great malice and spite in the beginning but if a man be constant and will not be discouraged but burneth more and more in Vertue and goodnesse in the end he shall disperse them as the Sunne beams driueth away the clouds in such sort that at length we shall not know what is become of them 10 Euen as the Stars doo shine in the night but in the day time they lie hidden Euen so true Vertue waxing beautifull by temptation doth as yron with vse shew in aduersitie what force it is off which otherwise in time of prosperitie lay hid in secret 11 As the precious stone Sandastra hath nothing in outward appearance but that which seemeth blacke but being broken powreth foorth beames like the Sunne So Vertue sheweth but bare to the outward eye but beeing peirced with inward desire shineth like Christall 12 Like as in a paire of Tables nothing may be well written before the blots and blurs be wiped out so Vertue and noblenesse can neuer be seene in a man except he first put away his vices 13 As by nature the Cedar will be tall the Diamond bright and the Carbuncle glistring So Vertue wil shine though it be neuer so much obscured 14 Like as an Adamant draweth by little and little the heauie yron vntill at last it be ioyned with it So Vertue and wisedome drawe mens mindes to the practise therof Vaine glorious fooles in preaching AS some Phisitions to the intent they would seeme the more learned do mingle sometimes together diuers kindes of hearbes fetched from the sundry partes of the world So some Vaine and glorious fooles do thinke no Sermons or Orations learned enough vnlesse they rehearse therein the authoritie and sayings of Poets Orators Philosophers together with sentences in Hebrew Greeke and Latine Varietie of Treatises LIke as Varietie of meates do corrupt in the stomacke and breed sicknesse rather then preserue health Euē so Varietie of Treatises vpon one and the self-same thing doth hinder the growth and profiting of diuers in soundnesse of iudgement and godly life Vice 1 AS into the Well or bowe Nette is an easie way or entring but the way going out is altogether hard vneasie So is the entrie into Vice headlong easie but the returning thence into a better life is ful of difficultie 2 As the staining or blot that of long time in the cloth hath continued may not be easily taken away So the Vices wherewith we haue of a long time bene infected may not at pleasure and ease be plucked from vs. 3 As a Strumpet though she be neuer so richly dect and it be with Purple Veluet yet she stinketh the viler in the sight of all honest Matrones Euen so there is no Vice more pestilent then that that is like Vertue there is no such Iudas kisse as with an Apostles face there is no such deceiuing Diuel as like an Angel of light and there is no such dissembling Citie as Ierusalem for hypocrisie 4 As the ciuil Magistrates punish Vice lighter faults with some penaltie of money or losse of member So the Church and the Minister especially with the Church hath to punish Vice and faultes by reprehensions and rebukes 5 As the ciuil Magistrate punisheth great faultes by death So the Minister with other which haue interest hath with the sword of excommunication power to kill those which be rebellious to cut them from the church as the other doth from the Common-wealth Vsurer 1 AS it behoueth him that hath fallen into the myre either to be still or with speed to rise for if he should stirre then he shuld therin be the more defiled So ought he that hath to doo with an Vsurer either to rid himselfe from his debt and daunger or at the least to enter no farther therein 2 As an earthen boxe that is close with a hole in the vpper part wherein money is put which money cannot be come by vnles the boxe be broken So likewise a man can get no mony out of the Vsurers bagges or coffers vntil death hath broken the life of the Vsurer 3 As he that is strooken or stung of the little Serpent called Aspis falleth into a pleasant sleepe and so by the sweetnesse of that dead sleepe dieth For then the venemous poyson dispearseth it selfe into euery member So he that borroweth vpon Vsurie thinketh for a time that it is pleasant and profitable vnto him and that he hath receiued a great good turne but in the end this Vsury runneth through all his riches and conuerteth al that he hath into debt Exod. 22.25 Leuit. 25.36 Deut. 23.19 Nehe. 5.1 c. Psal 15.5 4 As the Lawe of Diuorce which was giuen by Moses did not excuse the Iewe before God which vsed it but that he was guiltie of the breach of wedlock Euen so the statute for Vsury dooth not so make it lawfull that the Christian which vseth it to the hurt of his neighbour is cleare or guiltlesse thereof before the Maiestie of God Deut. 24.1 to 5. Math. 19.7 8. Mal. 2.16 Mar. 10.4 5. 5 Like as the Massing Priests who were wont to offer sometimes an halfe-penny themselues to moue the people by their example to offer also and by that meanes for one halfe-penny they got twentie Euen so doth the Vsurer he giueth sometime a litle Vsurie to get thereby a greater 6 As the Raine falling vpon the Flint neither breaketh it selfe or causeth it to grow bigger Euen so the pleasant deaw of Gods word sweetly dropping downe vpon the hard hearted Vsurer can neither make him cease and sin lesse nor yet grow in goodnesse 7 As the Sea is neuer filled with water though all the stormes of the world runne into it Euen so the greedinesse of an Vsurer is neuer satisfied though he gain neuer so vnreasonably Psal 95.5 8 As no man standeth for Nonsidencie but he which is a Nonresident or he which would be a Nonresident So likewise no man standeth for Vsurie but he which is an Vsurer or he which would be an Vsurer 9 As the Iuie loueth the Oke to grow vp by it So the Vsurer loueth the borrower to growe rich by him The Iuie claspeth the Oke like a louet but it claspeth out al the iuyce and sap that the Oke cannot thriue after So the Vsurer lendeth like a friend but hee couenanteth like an enemie for hee claspeth the borrower with such bands that euer after hee decayeth and diminisheth as fast as the Vsurer encreaseth 10 As a very bitter and pinching blacke
are to bee abhorred not to the intent to teach and commaund the same but to the end wee might knowe them the better and iudge thereof not according to the flesh but according to the spirit of God and also that wee might warily auoid them 4 As the precious stone called Drachonites cannot bee polished nor needeth any Art or cunning to make it either trimmer or fairer for it is both pleasant and bright of it selfe Euen so the holy Scriptures hath her glorie and brightnesse of herselfe and needeth not the artificiall colours and shewes either of Phylosophie Rhethoricke or any other Art 5 Euen as the cogitation and senses of man are most hard to bee knowne yet notwithstanding our frindes whome we feruently loue and with whome we are continually conuersant doo oftentimes euen by a becke open vnto vs the cogitations senses of their minds without any token of words and speech by them spoken So shall it come to passe in the holy Scriptures so that a man loue them and be continually conuersant in them hee which seeketh findeth vnto him that knocketh it shall be opened Deut. 30.11 12 13 14. Prou. 14.6 Math. 11.25 13.11 6 Like as in a Marchants Ship are caried diuers things necessary for mans life So in the Scriptures are contained all things needful to saluation Ioh. 5.39 16.13 20.30 31 2. Timo. 3.15 16 17. 7 As whatsoeuer Gold is without the Temple is not sanctified So whatsoeuer sense is without the holy Scripture although vnto some it seeme wonderful yet it is not holy because it is not contained in the sense of the Scripture Math. 12.3 4 5. 15.7 8. 22.31 The Soule that sinneth shall die LIke as euerie man that eateth sower Grapes his owne teeth shall be set on edge So likewise shall euerie one that committeth iniquitie die not for others but for his owne sinne Ezech. 18.2 Iere. 31.30 A Sorrowfull man AS the Pellicane is wont to keepe alone and without companie of other Birds and whose voice or singing hath no pleasantnesse in it So likewise such is the estate of a Sorrowfull man and an heauie hart forsaken of all men euen of those whome sometime he tooke to bee his deare friends Psal 102.6 Impossible to Serue God and riches AS impossible as it is at one and the same time for one man to serue two diuers and sundry Maisters for that he cannot be diligent and imploy himselfe about and vpon the businesse of the one but hee must needes neglect the others affaires So likewise impossible is it for a man to addict himselfe to Serue God and riches or that which belongeth to them Math. 6.24 Slouthfull 1 AS a hedge or good fence of Thorne is hard to passe through So is euerie way of gaining or getting to the Slouthfull Prou. 15.19 2 As Viniger is bad hurtful to the teeth and smoake noysome to the eyes Euen so much more hurtfull then either of both is a Slouthful seruant to them that sendeth or setteth him about any businesse Prou. 10.26 How to carrie our selues in Sicknesse and death AS a man that is to passe through a great water dooth not so much cast his eyes vppon the water as on the bancke that is on the other side So we also in the time of Sicknesse and death are not so much to respect the grieuousnesse of the same as that which followeth death namely life euerlasting Sorrowes 1 LIke as when a man by bleeding at his nose is broght into danger of his life the Physition lets him bloud in an other place as in the arme and turnes the course of the bloud an other way to saue his life Euen so wee must turne our worldly Sorrowes for the losse of goods or frindes to a godly Sorrow for our offences against God 2. Cor. 7.10 2 As the Moaths doo hurt garments and Wormes the wood Euen so doth Sorrow and heauinesse hurt the hart of man 3 Euen as filthie matter or rottennesse of a boyle blaine or push being within the flesh doth greatly grieue and vexe sore the body that is sicke but if it breake and runne out the paine is mittigated So Sorrow being closed and shut vp in the heart of man dooth mightily torment him but beeing thrust out with teares and grones the heart is somewhat eased and the mind a litle pacified Ezech. 24.16 17. 4 As a great and thicke smoake vapouring out of a foule blacke fire vnlesse it haue free passage and some vent or way where through it may goe out will all too darken bestinch and make blacke the house Euen so Sorrow and griefe proceeding out of the hot fire of aduersities and calamities beeing shut vp in the house of mans heart doth make it exceeding blacke and dooth corrupt it with blacke and bitter choller vnlesse through the mouth or eyes there be a breathing out of sighes fet from the bottome of the heart and streames of teares trickling downe the cheekes Yet an effeminate and desperate wayling either for the dead or for any other cause as of men without hope is vtterly to bee misliked and that Stoicall opinion also that a wise man should neuer bee mooued neither with mercie Sorrow mirth or anger is to be auoided Securitie causeth contempt of Christ. AS they that are in health and haue no neede of the Physition and therefore seeke little or nothing after him So they that know not the daungerous diseases of their soules but think themselues in case good enough doo seeke little after Christ and set little by him Math. 9.11 Mark 2.17 Luk. 5.31 Striuing against God AS he that beateth his heeles and kicketh against sharp prickes dooth nothing but hurt his owne heeles So he that Striueth against God preuaileth nothing but harmeth himselfe Act. 9.5 The Stewards reward 1 AS men be bountiful vnto such seruants whose faithfulnesse and deligence they haue good triall off as well in their absence as presence and on the contrarie side they are angrie seuere and sharpe to them which deceiue their expectation and doo not answere the trust which is reposed in them Euen so much more iustly will God put the like difference in rewarding or punishing the good endeuours or negligence of them to whome hee hath committed seruices of trust in his people and Church Math. 24.45 46. c. 2 As men haue iust cause with more sharpnesse and greater seueritie to punish those seruants to whome they haue shewed their mind and will and yet their businesse is neglected then to others who therefore doo it not because they know it not So likewise God to whome so euer he hath reuealed most and vppon whome hee hath bestowed most greatest giftes of knowledge if notwithstanding they bee negligent in vsing their giftes to the profit of Gods Church them will he most seuerely and sharply aboue all other punish Luk. 12.47 48. Seruants of sinne AS men are their seruants to whose commandements they yeeld all obedience Euen so if
Christians obey sinne they are the Seruants of sin whose wages is death Rom. 6.16 22 23. Gods Spirit purified 1 AS cleane water washeth and maketh cleane our bodies So the Spirit of God maketh our hearts and soules cleane in the eyes and sight of God Ezech. 36.25 2 As no man that hath the Spirit of God can blaspheme Christ and worship Idols So none can acknowledge Christ for Lord and God without the same Spirit 1. Cor. 12.3 3 As Iohn by the fire and Spirit meaneth nothing but the Spirit of God which purgeth and purifieth as the fire doth Math. 3.11 Euen so our Sauiour by Water and the Spirite meaning nothing else but the Spirit of God which cleanseth the filth of sinne and cooleth the boyling heate of an vnquiet conscience as water washeth the thing which is foule and quencheth the heate of the fire Iohn 3.5 Sinne maketh our bodies the Diuels dungeon LIke as if a man had a faire house wherein he must entertaine a King and should make thereof a Swinstie or a stable all men would say that hee did greatly abuse both the house and the King Euen so mans body being at the first made a Pallace for the euerliuing God if a man shal abuse it by drunkennesse swearing lying fornication or any vncleannesse he doth make it in stead of a Temple for the holy Ghost to be a stie or stable for the Diuell For the more filthie a mans body is the more fit it is to bee a dwelling place for Sinne and Sathan 1. Cor. 6.15 Sathans subtiltie 1 AS Naab the Ammonite warring against the men of Iabes Gilead would not raise his siege but vpon condition that hee might thrust out all their right eyes So Sathan the enemie of our soules who seeketh by all meanes possible our destruction neuer ceaseth to assault vs vntill hee haue depriued vs of the eye of right iudgement that wee may not see our saluation in Christ Iesus onely 1. Sam. 11.2 1. Pet. 5.8 2 Like as if men by long experience and obseruation of the naturall causes can attaine vnto such great knowledge of things to come that they can tell twelue yeares before the change of the Moone the Eclips of the Sunne what day hower and minute it shall bee Euen so much more Sathan who is a more excellent nature then man and greater experience hath knowledge of things to come for that he hath beene practised therein from the beginning of the world and is also more circumspect in obseruing of causes because thereby he deceiueth man a poore simple soule 3 As Amalek resisted the children of Israel that they might not enter into the land of Promise So dooth the Diuell with Christians that they should not enter into heauen Deut. 25.17 Exod. 17.8 9. Spirituall man AS a man sore wounded and diseased may for a time or season bee depriued almost of all operations of the naturall life to the outward shewe of his owne indument and feeling Euen so may a Spirituall man be soare wounded by Sathan and diseased by the present sight and feeling of his sinfull corruption specially in temptation that he may thinke yea appeare to others that the life of the spirit is not in him Impenitent Sinners LIke as a Captain that hath taken some hold or Sconse doth rule and gouerne all therein and disposeth it at his wil and pleasure Euen so it is with all blind ignorant and impenitent Sinners not one Diuel alone but euen legions of Diuels possesse them and rule their hearts and therfore how soeuer they may sooth themselues and say all is well for God is mercifull yet their case is far worse then Mary Magdalens was who had bene possessed with seuen Diuels Mar. 16.9 Preuenting of Sinne. 1 EVuen as a Father when hee sees his childe too bolde and venterous about Fire Water takes and holds it ouer the fire or ouer the water as though hee would burn or drowne it wheras his purpose indeed is nothing else but to preuent daunger for the time to come So in like maner Christs subiects are bolde to sinne by nature and therfore to preuent a mischief he doth exercise them with affliction and seemes for a season as thogh he wold quite forsake his Church but his meaning is only to preuent offences in times to come Hosea 2.6 2 As Beasts which going in the way see green pastures and desire to enter in and therefore go to the hedge but feeling the sharpenesse of the thornes dare not venture to go in So likewise Gods people like vnto wilde beasts in respect of sinne viewing the green pastures of this world which are the pleasures therof are greatly affected therewith and if it were not for the sharpenesse of crosses and temptations which are Gods spirituall hedge by which he keepeth them in they would raunge out of the way and rush into Sinne as the Horse into the battell Sentence of condemnation why set downe AS a wise Father of a family will check his seruant and if the cause require correct him in his childes presence and that the child it selfe may learn therby to feare and stand in awe of his father So likewise Christ the most carefull and wise gouernor of his Church hath set downe the Sentence of condemnation against the wicked that the children of God in this world when soeuer they shall heare or read the same might be moued thereby to stand in great feare of God and more dutifully performe obedience to his commaundements Mat. 25.41 The holy Spirite regenerateth not all AS the Sun doth not warme euery thing that it lighteneth So neither doth the Spirit regenerate nor draw to the loue of wisedome all which it illuminateth and to whom he giueth the knowledge of his doctrine but onely the godly and the faithfull Math. 24.46 Mot to grieue the Spirit of God 1 AS men vse their guests friendly curteously shewing vnto them all seruice dutie So likewise must we do to Gods Spirit which is to come to dwell abide in vs dooing nothing in any case which may disquiet or molest him Ephe. 4.30 2 Like as when the Arke of the couenant which was a signe of the presence of God was in the house of O bed Edom then the Lord blessed him and all his house Euen so much more when the holy Ghost dwelles in any mans heart there is more then the Arke of the Lord present euen God himselfe and therfore such an one may looke for a greater blessing if he grieue not him by sinning 2. Sam. 6.11 1 Thes 5.19 The vse of all prescribed meanes to Saluation is necessary 1 IF a King should giue vnto one of his subiects a Princely Pallace vpon condition that he shall goe vnto it in the way which hee shall prescribe hee would no doubt take what pains he could to know the way and afterward endeuour to keep continue in it So likewise the kingdome of heauen is the most glorious and royall Pallace