not be dumbe nor tongue-tyed And thus much touching the person of Elias In the person of king Ahab I note how stronglie and forciblie an euill example of a wicked Prince draweth the people to imitate and to make all the subjectes with whome they liue as like vnto them in naughtinesse as Bees are like vnto Bees Regis ad exemplum totus componitur Orbis Wee all knowe the force of Example Like people Esa 24.2 like Priâ—st like seruant like Maister like maide like Mistris like buyer like seller like lender like borrower like giuer like taker to vsurie So that the greater the example is the greater autoritie it hath to draw to similitude When Abimelech cut downe his bough and bare it on his shoulder then all the people did so and followed him Iudi 9.48 1. King 12.28 When King Ieroboam made two golden Calues no great maruell if the people straight-waies beganne to Sacrifice in Dan and Bethel Dionysius had no sooner left off the study of Philosophie but all the Courtiers by and by gaue it ouer Princes therefore and such as are placed in higher degrees had need to take heede and diligently to beware how they sinne the sinne of Ieroboam which not onely sinned himselfe but caused Israell to sinne and so binde two sinnes together The reason is because the verie credite and countenance and prioritie of their places being so eminent makes others the bolder to sinne because they sinne with such actors And yet this may seeme strange in the corruption of mans nature that the coÌ„mon people are more easily giuen to follow their euill exaÌ„ples and offences then ready to take benefite of the good gouernement of godly and religious Princes 2. Chron 17.6 Iehoshaphat was a good king who lifted vp his heart vnto the wayes of the Lorde walking in the first wayes of his father Dauid yet was not his good example so potent and forcible to retaine his people in the profession of the true worship and seruice of God as the euill example of Ahab was of power to entice his Subiects to become worshippers of Baal the Idoll of the Sydonians And whereas Iehoshaphat in pollicie ioyned affinitie with Ahab and gaue his Sonne in marriage vnto Athaliah daughter of Iezabel beeing perswaded that by this matche there would growe a perpetuall peace betweene the two kingdoms being by blood so neerely conioined together and withall concerning an assured hope by this means to reduce the ten Tribes to the true worship of the God which then flourished in IerusaleÌ„ he was deceiued so farre off from attaining to his wished and desired ende that the Kings of Israel stood most stifflie in maintenance of their priest-mate idolatrie and by their wicked exaÌ„ple drew almost all Iuda to the same most abhominable worship of Baal For as the storie of the scripture recordeth Iehosaphat was no sooner dead but Iehoram his sonne by the counsell of wicked Athalia his wife being placed in the kingdome of his father and making himselfe strong slew all his brethren with the sword and so continued to walke in the way of the kings of Israel 2. Chro. 21.4 the reason whereof is set downe by the holy ghost because he had Athalia the daughter of Ahab to wife but the Lord plaguea him because he made Iuda and the inhabitants of Ierusalem to goe a whoring 2. Chro. 21.13 as the house of Ahab went a whoring and had slaine the brethren of his father which were better then himselfe So that after many calamities that befell Iehoram the king for his falling away from God the Lord smote his bowelles with an incurable disease and so after two yeares his guttes fell out with his disease His sonne Ahaziah partly moued by the example of his father to commit idolatrie partly egged on by the perswasion of his mother Athalia who counselled him to doe wickedly and principally choosing onely such to be his counsellers which were of the house of Ahab which were indeed to his destruction going with Iehoram his vncle the sonne of Ahab to fight against Hazael king of Aram was slaine by the hands of Iehu whom the Lord had annointed to destroy the house of Ahab whose destruction came of the Lord because he ioyned himselfe with goddes enemies After his death Athalia seeing that her sonne was dead to the intent there should remaine none of the royall progenie of Dauid that should make title and claime to the crowne and kingdome of Iuda she arose and destroyed all the kings seed of the house of Iuda But God almightie because of the couenant which he had made with Diuid and because he had made a promise to giue a light vnto him and to his sonnes for euer stirred vp the heart of Iehoshabeath the daughter of the king and sister of Ahaziah to commiseration who tooke Ioes the sonne of Ahaziah and stole him away from the kings sonnes that should be slaine and put him and his nurse in the bedchamber and so by hiding of him in the house of God during those sixe yeares wherein Athaliah raigned ouer the land preserued his life Thus we may see what it is for godly Princes to ioyne affinitie with the house of Ahab and how quickly Iuda and the inhabitants of Ierusalem were inticed and drawne to goe a whoring as the house of Ahab went a whoring whereas none of all the kings of Israel could euer be drawne by the voyces of the Prophets of God sent vnto theÌ„ to worship the Lord in Ierusalem which was the place where the Lord coÌ„manded his name to be called on We reade how the Egyptians notwithstanding the people of God continued many yeares among them in Egypt where they might see how God was truly to be worshipped yet for all their conuersing with them were litle or nothing the better for them but plaine it is that the Israelites after their departure from Egypt did many yeares after smell of the leuen of Egypt where they saw before their eyes both calues sheepe and oxen worshipped in stead of gods which caused them many times to commit most grosse abominable idolatrie the reason why the nature of man is so pliable to learne all manner of wickednesse for dociles imitandis turpibus prauis omnes sumus is because the nature of sinne is such so potent strong that easily and quickly it creepeth and corrupteth which in good things a man shall hardly see A litle sowre will spill a great deale of sweete but it is no small store of sweete that will take away but a litle bitternesse A litle blacke wil marre a great deale of white but it is not so in the contrarie It is not so easie for a drop of water to quench a great fire as it is for a litle sparke to burne vp a whole citie By this which hath beene alreadie said it may sufficiently appeare how strongly the euill example of wicked Princes doth induce and draw the
speech of that learned father is truely verified this day in the church of Antichrist where the Papists can make their Crosses to speake their Idolles to goe their images to weepe to sweate to laugh to shift themselues from place to light their owne lamps Yea the vnholy fathers of the societie of Iesus to set a glorious countenance of their miracles tell vs in great sadnes that with their holie-water they haue calmed the Sea chased away mice out of the countrey and haue made barren women to conceiue and beare children But against such miracle-mongers saith Augustine My God hath armed mee saying Tractat in Ioh 13. in the latter dayes there shall arise false Prophets working signes and wonders to deceiue the very Elect of God if it were possible True it is the Apostles wrought miracles but it was thereby to confirme the Gospel they preached as the Euangelist writeth The Lord wrought with them Mar 16.20 confirmed the word with signes that followed And the Apost to the Hebrues likewise saith that saluation at the first begā to be preached by the Lord was confirmed vnto vs by them that heard him meaning the Apostles bearing witnes thereunto with signes wonders with diuers gifts of the holy Ghost Heb 2.3.4 according to his will In the first beginning then and gathering of the church miracles were necessarie But as when wee goe about to plant a tree so long we water it vntill we see it hath takē root but when it is once substantially grounded and branches spread abroad wee take no more paine to water it So likewise as long as the people of the world were altogether faithlesse this meanes of miracles for confirmation of doctrine was of Indulgence graunted then But when once spirituall instruction had taken better place the corporall signes surceased straight The kingdome and Church of Christ was planted in the power of doctrine and miracles by the power of the holie Ghost Now therefore it is against faith if any looke for miracles againe to confirme the Gospell which is alreadie so confirmed that if an Angell from heauen should preach vnto vs any otherwise then that which hath bene preached vnto vs let him be accursed Seeing then the doctrine this day taught professed and preached in the Church of England is the verie same doctrine which Christ himselfe deliuered to his Apostles and they to their aftercommers there needeth no other confirmation by miracles to be wrought by vs. Thus haue I with what perspicuitie and breuitie the proportion of the time allotted vnto mee would permit runne ouer this portion of holy scripture The Lorde giue a blessing vnto the wordes which you haue heard this day with your outward eares out of my mouth and by the secret working of his holy spirite giue such force vnto them that they may become fruitfull in the hearts of you all And forasmuch as the Lord in these Halcion and happie dayes of ours hath dealt with vs in farre greater mercie then hee hath done with any other nation besides in that wee haue of his great clemencie these many yeares together enioyed with libertie of bodie and freedome of conscience the greatest ioy and felicitie that euer betided any people euen the sincere preaching of his most sacred word and Gospell with the right and due administration of his Sacraments with health peace libertie and quietnesse vnder the wise godly and most peaceable gouernment of his chosen seruant Elizabeth our late Queene and Mistrisse now at this time vnder the gouernement of our most gracious Soueraign Lord King Iames whose life the Lord preserue and long continue among vs that considering how the Lord hath multiplied his graces and blessings vpon vs that we may euermore continue constant and stedfast in the profession of his eternall truth that what opposition soeuer we find in the world of fawning flatterie or persecuting crueltie that we neuer suffer our selues to be remoued from the same but that we may striue for the truth euen to death holding fast that which we haue vntill the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ that we neuer halt or double in matter of religion nor waue betweene two opinions but that wee may stedfastly cleaue vnto the Lord all the daies of our life that wee neuer admit any fellowship or communion with the Church of Rome knowing that the whole religion of poperie wherein it differeth from vs is nothing else but a most wicked apostacie from the ancient faith So that being confirmed and strengthened and established in that Gospel which hath beene preached vnto vs which we haue receiued wherein we continue and which is able to saue vs we may euery day more and more grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ to the which Christ Iesus together with the father and the holy Ghost be ascribed all power glory dominion and Maiestie both now and euermore Amen FINIS
learned and religious auditorie of the parish of S. Martins in the fieldes Thus presuming as you see of your Graces acceptance and bolde dedicating this small and simple discourse vnto your Grace which I confesse to be much vnworthy your worthinesse I will not cease to pray vnto God to requite and recompence seuenfolde into your bosome both this and all other your vndeserued fauours towards me And thus beseeching the God of heauen and earth againe and againe to multiplie his richest blessings and mercies towards you by giuing you honour here and honour euer in his happie Kingdome of eternall comfort I rest Your Graces humbly deuoted Chaplin in all dutie to be commanded Iohn Seller TO MY CHRISTIAN AVDItors of S. Martins in the fields BEloued in the Lord this Sermon was lately preached in your parish it is now to be acted if I may say so vpon a Theater Theatrum mundus I am intreated as it were a prologue to say vnto you Come and see (a) Ioh. 1.46 I need not to doe it for you who are carefull to come and heare will I hope be as carefull to come see Come therefore I beseech you and behold another Iohn Baptist in the spirit of Elias preparing in your harts a way for the Lord (b) Luke 3.4 and saying vnto you as God saith to all This is the way walke in it (c) Isay 30.21 Are you desirous of a guide in this way here are two offering of themselues God Baal the one will conduct you to the land of Canaan (d) Ios 1.2 the other will lead you blindfold to Samaria (e) 2. King 6.19 If you follow the one you wil worship in mount Zion (f) Is 2.2.3 If the other you must goe vp to mount Gerizim (g) Ioh. 4.20 and there adore Ieroboams calues (h) 1. King 12.28 This latter is a way pleasing now a daies to many but the issues thereof are the waies of death (i) Prou. 14.12 And when the passing bell calleth there is so litle cōfort in that passage that many who haue gone it forsake it at the last I reade of a learned popish doctor in Germanie who at the howre of his death entring into a meditation of the insufficiencie of his merits cried out after this manner (k) Selnec Instit pag. 386. Alas what shall I now doe No workes doe me any good none comfort me none cheare me Since then I finde nothing in myselfe to stay vpon this will I doe Haue mercy vpon me O Lord for thy sonne Christs sake and receiue my soule It is the safest way as Bellarmine confesseth and the onely way as the scripture proueth Looke not then vpon Baal with his 450. false Prophets (l) 1. King 18.22 but looke vpon God with his seruant Eliah (m) 1. King 18.30 Baal as an Vlysses will transforme you as a Syren seduce you as an Helena corrupt you and as Naash the Ammonite make no couenant with you vnles he may plucke out your right eye of knowledge and so bring a shame vpon Israel (n) 1. Sam. 11.2 Our God is not like their God our aduersaries being iudges (o) Deut. 32.31 He is our sunne (p) Psal 84.11 without him it is night our starre (q) Reu. 2.28 without him it is darknes our life (r) Ioh. 11.25 without him it is death and our guide without him wee shall neuer make our pathes straight (ſ) Ps 25 8. It is better to limpe in the strait waies of God then to runne and rampe on in the broad pathes of Baal you know these things happie are ye if ye doe them (t) Ioh. 13.17 In a word learne by this godly treatise to detest that faith not of Iesus but of the Iesuites which teacheth that you must eate your God and may kill your King Qui cum Iesu itis non itis cum Iesuitis You that doe follow Iesus trace will neuer like the Iesuites pace The Lord make you as beautifull in the eyes of God as you haue made your Church to the eyes of man Aprill 16. 1611. Your ancient seruant in the Lord Robert Hill A SERMON AGAINST HALTING betweene two opinions 1. King Cap 18. Ver. 20. 21. So Ahab sent to all the children of Israell and gathered the Prophets together to Mount Carmel And Elias came to all the people and saide how long halt ye betweene two opinions If the Lord be God follow him If Baal be hee goe after him And the people answered him not one word AMong other blessings which God bestoweth vpon his Church a good Prince is one of the greatest being set ouer his people for the defence and maintenance of true religion and vertue And for this cause it is that the Apostle S. Paule willeth vs first and aboue all other things to pray for Kings and for all that are in authoritie 1. Tim 2.1.2 that vnder them we may leade a quiet and peaceable life in all godlines and honestie In the which words the Apostle setteth downe three speciall good things which wee enioy vnder the gouernment of a godlie and religious Prince namely godlines honestie and peace which being ioyned together are the onely supporters and vpholders of all Christian Common-wealths and Kingdomes but being seuered one from an other there falleth out a cleane contrarie sequele For what is godlines without honestie but plaine hypocrisie or what is honestie without godlines but meere heathnish gentilitie or what is peace without honestie and godlines but carnall securitie Now as for honestie and godlines without peace there can bee no great practise of either of them both It was a great hindrance to the people of Israel in their deuotions when by the crueltie of Pharao they might not be permitted to goe into the wildernes to serue God And afterwards in the captiuity of Babylon they were forced to sing the Lords song in a strange land Peace and tranquilitie are euer an occasion of great increase and edification In the Acts when the Churches had rest thoroughout all Iudea and Galilie and Samaria they were edified Acts 9.31 and walked in the feare of the Lorde and were multiplied by the comfort of the holie Ghost Where wee may see how in a quiet and peaceable Church daily teaching and preaching is of verie great force to plant godlines and the feare of God in mens hearts and withall discipline of manners whereas in a Church which is vnder the crosse it falleth out still for the most part that ecclesiasticall assemblies are hindered and forbidden to be practised Ministers and Preachers are either imprisoned driuen away or put to death Parents and fathers of Families driuen away out of their houses whereby such houses being dissolued children are bereaued of good education godlie men are seuered one from another in which dissipation sound doctrine is not to be had Faith languisheth all godly exercises in training vp of youth