daunger of shipwracke Euen so we in this our pilgrimage must cast from vs the most precious things we enioy if it be our eye or our hand if they hinder vs in the race of godlinesse and doo presse vs downe so that we cannot goe on chearefully as we ought Mat. 5.29 30. 18.8 Husband the head ouer his wife 1 LIke as the head seeth and heareth for the whole bodie ruleth and guideth the body and giueth it strength of life Or as Christ doth defend teach and preserue his Church and is the Sauiour comfort eye heart wisedome and guide thereof Euen so must the Husband be head vnto his wife in like maner to shew her like kindnesse and after the same fashion to guide her and rule her with discretion for her good and preseruation and not with force and wilfulnesse to intreate her 1. Cor. 11.3 Ephe. 5.23 24 25. c. 2 Euen as the Maister is to counsel his seruant and likewise to heare the good counsell of his seruant as Naaman heard his seruant 2. King 5.13 14. So in like manner the Husbandes dutie is to counsell and admonish his wife yet so as that when he fayleth in dutie hee is to heare her good counsell admonition either concerning heauenly matters or worldly affaires shee notwithstanding considering her estate and condition vnder him and in humilitie confessing her selfe to be the weaker vessell 3 As when a Lute or other musicall instrument two strings concurring in one tune the sound neuerthelesse is imputed to the strongest and highest Euen so in a wel ordered Houshold there must be communication and consent of counsell and will betweene the Husband and the wife yet such as the counsell commandement may rest in the Husband Gene. 3.16 1. Pet. 3.1 Col. 3.18 Ephe. 5.22 4 Like as the Church must depend vpon the wisdome discretion and will of Christ not follow what it listeth So must the wife also rule and applie her selfe to the discretion and wil of her Husband because the gouernment and conduct of euery thing resteth in the head and not in the body Ephe. 5.24 1. Cor. 14.34 Numb 30.7 5 As it were a monsterous matter and the meanes to ouerthrow the person that the body should in refusing all subiection obedience to the head take vpon it to guide it selfe and to commaund the head So likewise were it for the wife to rebell against the Husband Hypocriticall heretickes 1 AS the Card-thystle or Teasell hath Celles and Cabbins like the Honie combe and in them first white flowers but after their falling away a bitter seede So the wicked haue their Sinagoges and a faire shew of words but in the end bitter fruites 2 As the heads or knoppes of Card-thystle are hollow within and for the most part hauing Wormes within So the chiefe ring-leaders of the wicked haue hollow harts and commonly the worme of conscience gnawing them Hiding of faultes AS they are very hardly cured which haue no sence nor feeling of their disease for example those that haue the Lethargie and the Phrensie Euen so none are more hardly brought to goodnesse then they which doo Hide their faultes The Husband and wifes dutie 1 AS the auncient Counsellers of King Saloman gaue wise aduise and counsell vnto Rehoboam King of Israel to the ende that hee might winne the loue and good liking of the people speake kindly vnto them said they and they will serue thee for euer after which counfell not being followed great inconuenience and mischiefe after befell vnto him c. Euen so likewise if the Husband bee desirous to procure the loue of his wife and to winne her to God or if the wife would also procure the loue of her Husband and winne him to God then they must drawe on one an other with sweete and gentle words of loue speaking kindly one to an other because gentle wordes doo pacifie anger as water quencheth fire but if they shall vse taunts or wordes of reproach and despight one against an other much hurt may ensue thereof For a little leauen sowreth the whole lumpe 1. King 12.7 c. Prou. 15.1 2 As the spitefull Iewes which hated the Lord Iesus would not vouchsafe to giue him his name when they talked of him or with him but to shew their vtter dislike of him they vsed to say Is this he or art thou hee that wilt doo such a thing Is not this he c. Againe whither will he goe that we shall not find him They would not say Is not this Iesus Christ Or the Sonne of God This is a most despightfull kinde of speaking and dooth bewray aboundance of malice that was hidden in their hearts Euen so it sometimes falleth out betwixt the Husband and the wife betwixt the Father and the Sonne betwixt the Maister and his Seruant c. That they could speake dutifully one to an other but contempt and disdaine and anger and malice will not suffer the one to affoord vnto the other their names and their titles least they shoulde bee put in minde of those duties which these names require where out Sathan sucketh no small aduauntage Whereas many times the verie name of a Husbande or Wife Father or Sonne Maister or Seruaunt c. doth greatly so much helpe to perswade the mind and to winne the affection yea the very mentioning of these names doo oftentimes leaue a print of dutie behind in the conscience Ioh. 7.11.15.35 3 As the mistresse Bee abideth alway in the Hiue and will not suffer any Bees to bee idle and those Bees that should worke and labour without shee sendeth them to their worke and whatsoeuer any of them bringeth home shee marketh receiueth saueth and disposeth it vntill the time come that it must bee occupied and when the time commeth that it must be occupied then shee distributeth euery thing according as reason requireth and those Bees that abide within shee causeth them to weaue and make the faire Honie combes after the best manner and she taketh care that the young Bees bee well fed and orderly brought vp but when they come to that age and to that point that they bee able to worke shee sendeth them out with one the which they follow as their guide and Captaine Euen so a good House-wife must abide within the house and those her seruants which must worke abroad shee sendeth them to their worke they that must worke within shee sendeth them to it and such prouision as is brought in she receiueth it and that which must be spent of it shee parteth and diuideth it and that which remayneth of it shee layeth it vp and seeth it kept fafe vntill time of neede and shee is carefull that that which is appointed to be spent in a twelue month bee not spent in a month 4 As he that poureth water into tubbes full of chincks and holes thinking to fill them looseth his labour Euen so the Husband that prouideth things necessary for house keeping shall
and braggeth neuer so much of the name of a Christian that perfectly knoweth not the duties belonging to a Christian man 2. Thes 1.6 7 8 9. Rom. 3.12 4 As no man will bee content to entertaine and giue wages to a seruant that professeth â—â—â—selfe in wordes to be a Husbandman and yet neither knoweth nor can doo any part that belongeth to husbandrie Euen so we may not thinke that God wil allow or like of such men as outwardly in words professe themselues to be Christians by saying they hope and beleeue well and yet are Ignorant and not able to render a reason of any point of Christianitie Leuit. 4.2 5 Like as the Physition cannot communicate his health to and with his sicke patient Or as the liuing man cannot diuide or depart his life with the dead body of an other man but euery man enioyeth his owne health and liueth with his own life So the knowledge that another man hath profiteth not him that is Ignorant and vnlearned but euerie man must knowe and learne himselfe the grounds and principles of Christianitie if hee will bee saued 6 Like as if a child bee borne and brought vp in a dungeon of a pryson and grow to some yeares neuer seeing light if one tell him of trees and mountaines and Birdes and other ceátures hee cannot tell what he meaneth So likewise it is with vs which are borne in blindnesse and Ignorance we know not what heauenly thinges meane till we be told and shewed them by the light of the Scriptures Iustice of God in desertions LIke as if a Magistrate giue a man for a iust cause to bee hanged hee doth but Iustice So likewise God if he for our disobedience giue vs vp to Sathan he dooth but iustly Now if the hangman doo misuse him grieuously there is no faulte in the Iudge or Magistrate but in the malice of the hangman So likewise no fault in God if the diuell doo cruelly handle vs beeing giuen ouer vnto him Infirmitie of falling diminisheth not the grace of Christ. THough God forgiueth and pardoneth not sinners because they should sinne Yet dooth not infirmitie of falling diminish the grace of Christ where faith with repentance worketh Rom. 6.15.16 c. All must appeare before the Iudgement seate of Christ but yet diuersly 1 LIke as some do come to the Assises or Sessions there to receiue their Iudgement and condemnation other some also come to giue euidence against them and to ayde and assist the Iudge in the execution of his office Euen so after the same manner shall it bee at the last day For the reprobate vngodly and mercilesse shall appeare there to receiue their deserued condemnation but contrariwise the faithfull shall then with the Angels come to assist and waite vpon their Iudge Christ Math. 18.28 29. c. Math. 19.28 Luk. 22.29 1. Cor. 6.2 3. 2 As at the barre of an earthly Iudge the malefactor is brought out of prison and set before the Iudge and there examined Euen so in that great day shal euery man without exception bee brought before the Lord to be tryed Rom. 14.10 2. Cor. 5.10 Idolatrie 1 LIke as if men take and account it for a despite and a great reproach to be termed named an Idol Euen so much more wil God our heauenly Father be offended if any shall call Images the likenesses of God 2 As the breach of wedlocke and defiling of the marriage bed by filthie Adulterie is a most wicked and detestable sinne So likewise is Idolatrie a most shamefull and execrable thing when as the honour and glorie due to the liuing God is prophaned and giuen to an other Iere. 16.11 Ezech. 6.4 2. King 17.4 1. Cor. 10.14 3 As it cannot bee otherwise but whereas the ayre is corrupted there must follow pestilence and infection of the bloud So where the mind is not purely perswaded of God must follow this grosse and censible Idolatrie that would honour God in an Idoll The Lord and his people are inseparably Ioyned together AS a man girdeth himself with his girdle Euen so God tyeth his people to himselfe Iere. 13.11 Incorporation with Christ 1 AS the Imp or grasse is translated from his natiue tree to growe in an other So we as many as bee true Christians are translated from Adam to Christ and from being Gentiles to bee of one body with the posteritie of Abraham Rom. 6.5 Rom. 11.17 2 As men graffe to that ende that the Verdure of the stocke may correct and amend the taste of the fruite that it may bee the more pleasant to the eater So Christians should haue their corruptions corrected and amended by Christ and his spirit working in them that they may the better taste to God 3 As the Graffes liue not by his naturall Iuice but by the Iuice or moysture receiued from the roote of the stocke whereinto hee is graffed So wee that are true Christians may liue by the power of Christs spirit working in vs or rather Christ liueth in vs. Gal. 2.20 Iustice of God AS farre as the great mountaine exceed the rest of the earth So farre dooth the Iustice of God exceed and excell the righteousnesse of any creature Psal 36.6 The reward of Iniquitie AS ploughing reaping and eating the fruite doo successiuely follow one an other So hee that plougheth wickednesse shall reape Iniquitie and eate the fruite of lyes Esay 28.24 Prou. 22.8 Ingratitude of the Church AS a Vine planted which neither for choyse of good ground neither for any other thing which the hand of the Husbandman might doo to it can iustly complaine of any want and yet deceiueth the Husbandmans expectation and maketh him to loose both paine labour and cost Euen fo such is the vnkindnesse of people oftentimes who would be counted for the people of God and whome God hath diligently called to the knowledge of himselfe by the preaching of the word and yet proceed in impietie and vngodlinesse Esay 5.1 2. Image of God 1 LIke as when so oft as a man thinketh of some knowne man beeing absent hee doth as it were draw in his minde the proportion of his body which hee beholdeth thinking of him that is absent out of the minde as when a Painter draweth with his hand the portraiture of that body whose Image hee painteth to the intent that the painted Image may represent as much as may be the shape of him that is absent So likewise when the Scripture saith that man was created in the Image and after the likenesse of God we must diligently marke how farre hee is said to haue beene so made and that there was in him whereby hee did resemble the excellencie of his Creator and did as it were represent God himselfe in a Glasse 1. Cor. 11.7 Ephe. 4.14 2. Cor. 3.18 2 Like as a bodily Image which representeth vnto vs the face of a man ought liuely to set before vs all his lineaments and proportions that by the counterfeiting or engrauing we might
nature requireth are fruitfull in yeelding both bigger and sweeter Grapes so godly Christians the braunches of Christ the true Vine so long as they abide in him shall be manured by God the Father that carefull Husbandman that their fruite shal be both in quantitie more aboundant and in qualitie more pleasant vnto him 20 Like as euery man that trieth maistries whether it be in running wrestling or buffeting doth with great warinesse and diligence forbeare the meates pleasures and all other things that weaken the powers of the body or which may abate their nimblenesse and either hinder or disappoint them of the victorie Euen so euerie Christian sustaining a continuall encounter and wrestling with the diuell and their owne sinfull lusts and outward enticements must throughout the whole race of their life abstain from all things that offend either God or godly and weake persons 21 As the Householder that feareth theeues will cause his house to be diligently watched and looked vnto least the theefe come vpon him at vnawares So likewise Christians should be warie and watchful and be prepared for the comming of our Lord and Sauiour who will come in an houre wherin we least look for him Mat. 24.43 Iames. 5.7 8. 22 As bones in mens body being the stronger beare vp the skinne and flesh which is the weaker So likewise Christians whom God hath endued with greater streÌ„gth should learne to beare with many infirmities in others Rom. 15.1 23 As a tree bringeth forth first leaues then blossomes and then fruite So a good Christian ought first to bring forth good thoughts then good speeches and after a godly life to the honour of God the good of his children and the saluation of his owne soule 24 As our Sauiour Christ did not breake the brused reede nor quench the smoaking slaxe that is did beare with many infirmities in those which were his Disciples least he should breake off or quench those good things which began to appeare in them Euen so such as are sound and strong Christians ought also to beare and forbeare to cherish and foster such good things as they shall perceiue to beginne to liue and growe in their weake bretheren Rom. 15.1 1. Cor. 9.22 Gal. 6.1 2. 25 Like as men-seruants and maid-seruants attend vpon their maister and mistresse and yeelde their duties vnto them vpon hope of finding helpe and friendship at their hands euen so euery good Christian ought to be diligent and careful to please God and to be well content to tarrie his leisure for those graces and mercies which he looketh for at his hands Psal 123.2 Math. 8.9 26 As the child which as yet can vse no reason is for all that a reasonable creature and the man in a sowne feeles no power of life and yet he is not dead So likewise the Christian man hath many quames come ouer his heart and hee falles into many a sowne that none almost would looke for any more life of Christ in him yet for all that he may be a true Christian 27 As straungers and trauellers abstaine in Countreys where they are straungers from many things which which would hinder them in their voyage So good Christians in their passage through this world should abstaine from the lusts of the flesh which hinder their soules from life euerlasting 1. Pet. 2.11 28 As that vnprofitable seruant was greeuously punished who had receiued a talent of his maister and went and digged it in the earth and hid it Euen so such Christians as haue receiued any gifts of God and doo not employ them to the common vse benefite and profit of the Church and people of God shall receiue heauie and grieuous iudgements of God for so doing Math. 25.30 29 As Theeues and such other malefactors are executed and suffer due punishment according to their deseruings So all Christians are to take heede that they deserue not to suffer as murtherers theeues euill dooers oâ— busie bodyes but if they suffer for a good Conscience then they are not to be ashamed 1. Pet. 4.15.16 30 As braunches cannot bring forth fruite except they abide in the Vine So likewise Christians cannot bring forth fruites of Righteousnesse except they abide in Christ Iohn 15.1 2 3 4 5 6. 31 Like as they which runne or wrestle for the best game do of their owne accord abstaine from all things which may either make them short winded or hinder their lightnesse strength or nimblenesse Euen so much more then ought Christians cast off and abstaine from all those things which may hinder them in the way course of euerlasting life 1. Cor. 9.25 32 As an Owle peepes at the Sunne out of a barne but dares not come neare it So likewise some Christians peepe at Religion and will not come to it but stand aloofe pinking and winking as though they were more afraid of God then the diuell 33 Euen as a candle that it may giue light vnto others it selfe is burned and consumed or as salt it selfe is brused and molten that it may giue good season and a sweete sauour vnto meate So a true Christian especially one aduanced to dignitie and placed in authoritie should spare no labour but euen breake himselfe with studie and care and vndergo any paines to do good to profit many and to win some soules to God Math 5.13.14 34 Like as in great and sore diseases all the best remedies that can be deuised are wont to be applied with all speede Euen so the more that Christians see wickednesse â—nd vngodlinesse to abound the more ought they to conâ—ider by what meanes they may be remedied that some may be saued among so many thousands which are â—ard-hearted and enemies to all good warnings 35 Euen as the children of this world do witnesse â—hemselues themselues to be all one with the world by â—ollowing their worldly lusts ambition couetousnesse and pleasures So in like case Christians shew themselues to be made one with Christ by his holy spirit when they follow Christ steppe by steppe and make his life to serue them as a most perfect rule to leade theyr life by 36 Euen as the Saylers Gnomon or rule which is commonly called the Marriners Needle doth alwayes looke towards the North-poole and will euer turne towards the same howsoeuer it bee placed which is maruellous in that instrument and Needle whereby the Marriners doo knowe the course of the windes Euen so euery Christian man ought to direct the eyes of his minde and the wayes of his heart to Christ who is our North-poole and that fixed and constant North-Starre whereby wee ought all to bee gouerned for hee is our hope and our trust hee is all our strength wherevpon we must still relie 37 Like as the Gnomon dooth euer behold the North-starre whether it bee closed and shut vppe in a Coffer of Golde Siluer or Woodde neuer loosing his nature So a faithfull Christian man whether hee abound in wealth or bee pinched with pouertie whether hee bee
conscience and reproach to vs and our posteritie 8 As Wine and drunkennesse make a man sencelesse c. So Lust and pleasure peruerteth the sense and weakneth the soule 9 As Feuers or Agues the heate or cold wherof though they be internall yet are they more extreame and more painefull to be endured then the coldest or hottest season of all the yeare So likewise there is no fire whatsoeuer whose heate is so forceable as is the schorching flame of our owne Lusts and concupiscences Liberalitie to the poore AS housholders if they keepe their Corne in their Barnes all the yeare the vermine will consume it and so it will decrease but if they sowe scatter it in the field then they receiue increase thereof So likewise if we doo not scatter and bestow our welth and riches on the poore and needie God will rather decrease them then increase them Math. 6.19 2. Cor. 9.9 10. 1. Timo. 6.17 Hebr. 6.10 13.16 Married folkes are one a helpe to the other LIke as in the parts of a mans body there is a mutuall helpe and participation of the one towards the other Euen so ought it to bee also among Married folkes the one ought to bee an eye eare mouth hand and foote to the other In trouble the one must be the comfort of the other In aduersitie must the one bee the others refreshing yea and in all their life must the one be the helpe and succour of the other Gene. 2.18 Man 1 LIke as God hath created all things in the world for Mans vse and seruice Euen so he hath created Man alone for his glorie Act. 17.24 25. 2 Like as al things in the world serue Man and are subiect to man Euen so ought Man to be subiect to the Lord and to serue him and for this end man was created Act. 17.27 28 29. 3 As things that be nought worth are stil throwne out cast away not fit for any good purpose but to be reiected and troden vnder feete Euen so is Man a thing of nought Psal 144.4 4 As the excellent and noble Hauke called a Faulken vpon the fist of the fouler seeing a pray flying on high dooth by and by spread his wings and offer to breake the strings wherewith shee is holden and to bee gone after the pray but if shee be hooded she neither seeth the pray nor is any whit mooued Euen so Man whose nature farre excelleth all other liuing creatures thinking vppon the things that are aboue in heauen with God and with the eyes of his mind beholding eternall blisse and endlesse felicitie he is inflamed and pricked with a great and wonderfull desire to attaine vnto the same but if he bee hooded with ignorance spiritual blindnesse and a loue of this world he will neuer bee touched with any heauenly motion nor any whit moued with any right loue of God nor once turne so much as an eye of his mind towards heauen nor God Psal 42.1 2. Phil. 21.23 5 As the Crocodile is a creature of an incredible bignesse and yet hath his beginning of a very small and little Egge and is knowne onely to Egypt and to those Countries which are watered with the ryuer Nilus and in this thing is very admirable that no liuing creature that hath so small a beginning as of an Egge doth grow to such an exceeding bignesse Euen so such a one is Man when he forgetteth his originall and the foule matter of his beginning waxeth insolent and proud and yet in this one thing hee is more admirable that being moulded out of the earth and dust hee will make his heart a nest for pride and all abhomination to build and to dwell in Gene. 2.7 3.19 18.27 Iob. 4.19 10.9 to 13. Psal 146.4 78.39 Esay 40.6 7 8. 6 As the earth by his naturall course is borne downeward and is lowest of all Elements So Man borne by the talent and motion of his flesh is beyond horse and mule and is by the Prophets warned to learne wisedome by the Swallow by the Ant by the Spider by the Oxe by the Asse and almost by all the beasts in the field 7 Like as if a begger who hath not a ragge to couer him wil notwithstanding brag that he is the greatest Man and the richest in all the countrie and in all assemblies is not ashamed to take the highest place euery Man would iudge such a man worthie to be whipt Or if there were a theefe who being conuicted of many great crimes notwithstanding would be so shamelesse and so stately that he wold not hūble himself before his iudge nor any other Man he deserueth without any pitie to be punished with all seueritie Euen so in like maner if Man dissembling his beggerly estate his vice and ignorance will presume that he is wise rich vertuous he doth by this meanes make him selfe vnworthy of Gods mercy whereof he should participate if by an humble confession of his miserie he would seeke for it 8 As a vessell cannot be knowne whether it be whole or broken vntill it haue liquor in it So can no Man be knowne what he is before he be in authoritie Man wholly corrupted 1 AS we say not the essence of the Load-stone doth draw yron but the properties thereof So likewise the whole nature of Man is corrupt not in respect of the essence of the soule or bodie but in respect of the qualities The soule is corrupt not in respect of the essence which is spirituall but in respect of the qualities which be in the soule Psal 24.4 5. Ephe. 4.22 23 24. 2 Like as if a Man being fallen into a pit should rather be inquisitiue how he fell in then how to come out Or as a Man deserueth to be counted madde and vnwise that hath his house on fire will stand thinking how it came and not rather labour to quench it Euen so hee may be counted a foolish Man that is more carefull to know how he became wholly corrupted through originall sinne then to know and learne how rather to come out of it and so escape the daunger of it Maisters dutie towards their Seruants 1 AS the Centurian who had many seruants vnder his authoritie and they were all at his becke and commaundement most readie to obey him in any thing that he set them about and this good order hee brought them too by reason that his said seruants were deare vnto him that is he made a speciall reckoning of them and was as a father vnto them So likewise all Maisters are in conscience bound to esteeme and account well of their seruants and to vse their authoritie that they haue ouer them mildly and Christianly and then if their seruants do perceiue that they are deare vnto their Maisters so may the Maisters in time worke them like waxe to their owne minde except they be such as haue sold themselues to worke wickednesse Ephe. 6.9 2 As Maisters and Dames doo loue and cherish
where no Fowler is Euen so God reuealeth not his secrets to his people but by his Ministers Amo. 3.5 7. 12 As a Candle that is lighted ought not to bee put vnder a bushell but set vpon a Candlesticke that all they that come into the house may see light by it Euen so the Ministers of the word ought not to hide their giftes but so plainely to set foorth the light of Gods most holye word that euerie man in the Church may thereby bee guided and directed in his calling Psal 18.28 Mark 4.21 Math. 5.15 16. 13 Like as Aarons rodde beeing afore withered and dried by diuine vertue became greene againe budded and brought foorth good and wholesome fruit Euen so likewise it is meete that such as bee called to the Office of the Ministerie in the Church of God should shewe foorth the fruites of vertue and good workes in themselues and by wholesome doctrine also instruct others vnder their charge to doo the like and to shewe foorth â—heir sound and liuely faith by good and Christian actiâ—ns Numb 17.8 14 As the paines of a woman in child-birth is great and wonderfull Euen so the paines toyle and griefe of body and minde which true and faithfull Ministers of Christ take and suffer to forme and fashion Christ in them that pertaine to their charge is excessiue great Gal. 4.19 15 As naturall Fathers doo make no spare of labour trauaile and toyle to get and lay vp in store for their childreÌ„ Euen so the true Ministers of the word ought to take great care paines and to make no spare of themselues but to bestow themselues and all their gifts fully and wholly vpon their flocke to winne them to God who hath made them Fathers ouer his people 2. Cor. 12.14 15. 1. Thes 2.11 16 As fishers do oftentimes catch with their nets great store and plentie of fish in the Sea Euen so when it pleaseth God to bestow his graces in aboundance then his Preachers by the preaching of his word shall catch great store and varietie of mens soules and so conuert them to God Ezech. 47.9 10. Mark 1.17 17 As the Apostles when they had laboured all night in fishing and caught nothing yet in the day time they cast out againe at the commaundement of Christ and so inclosed a great number Euen so godly Ministers are neuer to dispaire though they doo not see that they winne any by the word yet God will blesse their labours when he seeth it good Luk. 5.5 6. 18 As Hiram bestowed much labour vpon the materiall Temple Euen so should Pastors and Preachers take much paine with the people of God which are his spirituall temple 1. King 7.13 14. c. 19 As the Israelites might not plough with an Oxe and an Asse So onely those Ministers must instruct the people of God who are able to teach them Deut. 22.10 20 Like as the runners looke euer to the marke and the Champions employ all their shifts and practises to smite their aduersarie and start not aside with blinde braides ne beate the aire with rash stroakes Euen so euery man in his vocation but specially the Ministers and teachers of the Church ought to chuse out wisely the meanes that leade straight to the right end and in exercising the same to vse diligence and continuance that they may in the eternal life attain the promised reward of their diligence 1. Cor. 9.24 25. 21 As hired seruants will not tend mens sheepe and cattell longer then there is money and profit comming to them for it Euen so such Ministers which serue in the Church of God if their end be their owne profit and promotion then they surely giue ouer and chaunge their copie when dayes of prosperitie faile and when stormes and persecution for the word begin to growe Iohn 10.12 13. 22 As a carefull Housholder is not onely content with prouision for the present time but prouideth aforehand and hath by him store of things needfull both old and new as well for his houshold as for the entertainment of his friends Euen so he that is a Minister in the Church of God ought by long studie and meditation aforehand to be throughly furnished and stored with all maner of doctrine and comforts needfull for euery sort of men Math. 13.52 23 As that is counted the life of men wherein they most delight and reioyce So that is a good Ministers life to see his flock stand fast in the Lord. 1. Thes 3.8 24 Like as a Nurse dooth fauour and with all mildnesse softer and cherish her children Euen so ought a Minister with all kindnesse and lenitie to cherish his flock 1. Thes 2.7 25 As a Souldier taketh wages of them for whom hee fighteth and goeth on warfare Euen so a Minister of the Gospell may lawfully receiue maintenance at the hands of them to whom hee preacheth the Gospell 1. Cor. 9.7 26 As a Souldier pressed forth to the warres entangleth not himselfe in other ciuill affaires Euen so a Minister which is Gods Souldier ought to keepe himselfe free from all such things as might hinder him from his calling 2. Timo. 2.4 27. As one candle cannot light an other if it selfe bee put out So likewise a Minister and Preacher shall not inflame others with the loue of God and godlinesse himself being voyd and without the same loue and godlinesse Iob. 21.17 Luk. 22.32 28 Like as the Trumpet soundeth out aloude to giue souldiers and seruitors warning to prepare and put themselues in a readinesse for that which they are appointed for Euen so much more should godly Ministers straine their voyces and crie aloude both to Princes and people to shew them the dangers that are imminent and at hand for their sinnes Esay 58.1 29 As the Trumpetter that is set to watch for the comming of his enemies is guiltie of the bloud and death of the Citizens and people if through his negligence and for want of warning by his Trumpet the enemie steale vp vpon them and make slaughter and hauocke of them at vnwares Euen so the Ministers of the word also if the people perish in their sinnes for want of continuall admonition and calling vpon to repent their bloud will bee required at theyr hands Ezech. 33.2 c. 3 17.1â— 19. 30 As the wrestler obtaineth not the crowne oâ— garland except hee striue for it according to the Lawes of wrestling So likewise Ministers are not to looke for any reward except they doo their diligent endeuour to doo their duties faithfully 2. Timo. 2.5 31 As work-men that labour faithfully and painefully in their calling are worthie to haue their hire and wages well paide them Euen so much more such Ministers which labour carefully in the Church of God for the saluation of soules deserue to haue the reward allotted and appointed them for their paines Math. 10.10 32 Like as a man that hath meate and drinke enough but no stomacke to digest it and so the more hee eateth
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
and brimstone vppon the third it would make them afraid Preachers must be faultlesse AS when the Priestes did offer they did especially prouide that their sacrifice should haue no spot on it least it should not be acceptable to God So the Preachers of the word must haue a speciall care that there bee no blots in their liues or Sermons Prophets AS wee looking on those things which are before our eyes doo see them no otherwise then they are So the Prophets did foresee things to come as though they were present and as they were in deed Philosophie AS the earth heauen and ayre and such like are not therefore to be contemned because some haue abused them and worshipped them as Gods So Philosophie is not to be despised though it haue errors in it but what profit soeuer can be gathered out of it the same is to bee applied to the vse of our life Vaine Pleasures 1 AS pilgrimes and straungers doo not vse to delight themselues with the Pleasures of the Country whither they trauell as straungers but so vse them that they set not their hearts on them but are readie and willing to leaue them if it were to morrow So also must we being pilgrimes heare on earth neuer set our hearts or affections on the vain Pleasures of this life but vse this world as though we vsed it not 1. Pet. 2.10 2 Euen as there is a kind of tickling in the flesh which causeth laughter that is both vncomely and vnseemely and like vnto a convultion and shrinking of the sinowes So likewise all those Pleasures of the body which are prouoked onely by fantasie and conceit of mind are sottish feeble troublesome and farre differing from nature 3 Euen as the affection which a wicked person beareth to a strumpet dooth exceedingly diminish the loue which he should beare vnto his lawfull wife So likewise the loue wee beare to these vaine and transitorie things and especially vnto Pleasures which is like vnto an olde and common whore who draweth vs exceedingly from our duties and diminisheth that zeale and affections wee should beare towards our spouse Christ Iesus to those things which he commaundeth vs. 4 As Bees doo first giue Honie and forthwith pricke with their sting So bodily Pleasures of which the Epicures make three sorts namely to feed delicately to drink pleasantly and to liue lecherously the rest seruing herevnto whether they delight the eyes or prouoke the bodie by what meanes soeuer vnto pleasure they call appurtenances beareth a shewe of goodnesse while it tickleth the minde by her enticements but in the end it bringeth most bitter sorrow Prou. 5.3.4 5 As drunkards do by drinking not quench the thirst and satisfie their appetite but encrease the burning thirst of their bodies and the insatiable intemperance of their mindes So all other worldly Pleasures the longer they are enioyed the more greedily they are desired and more obstinately preferred before God and spirituall graces Iere. 13.23 6 As the bough of a tree being by the growth of many yeares become stiffe and strong is now farre more easily broken then bowed So for the most part men of age experience and worldly wisedome doo sooner loose their liues then leaue their vaine Pleasures and carnall desires which they haue carefully nourished and strengthned all their life time 7 As affliction and miserie doo strike at the faith of a Christian So the enioying of worldly Pleasures in the time of prosperitie doth diminish the other parts of sanctification by the immoderate and vnlawfull seeking and vsing of earthly pleasures Keeping of Promise LIke as the Mulberrie-tree is said to be the wisest of all trees because it buddeth last of all and not til the cold be past and bringeth forth fruite first which is ripe before the cold commeth againe So we must be slow in promising and quicke in performing Pride maketh God to take his graces from vs and to bestow them vpon others 1 AS the slaue that hath stolen from his Lord and Maister and wil acknowledge no dutie no rent nor any seruice wherein he is bound vnto him doth deserue to loose all such lands as he holdeth of his Maisters So in like maner if God who requireth nothing of vs but a confession and acknowledgement of the good he hath done for vs seeing vs to refuse this dealeth iustly with vs if he shut vp his liberality from vs and bestoweth the same vpon others 2 Like as if a great Lorde should receiue some poore man into his house giuing him nothing but wherewithall he might maintain himselfe in mean estate and should perceiue that within two or three yeares after he purchased lands put money to vsury kept a great port and to be at other excessiue charges his maister might haue good occasion to thinke he were a thiefe seeing that he had nothing when his Lord tooke him into his seruice So likewise we considering how poore we are by nature that we came into the house of our God all naked laden as it were and couered with filth and beggery if being there we wil vaunt our selues in so doing we should rob God of his glorie and giue him iust cause to take them from vs and to giue them to others Pride corrupteth all our workes 1 AS a little Worme-wood will quickly marre a whole vessel of wine So in like manner when as our life is most perfect godly yea most diuine and angelicall the least Pride that may be wil wholly corrupt it and make it worse and more imperfect then euer it was good 2 As it were a lamentable thing to see a Marchant after a long and prosperous Nauigation suffer Shipwracke in the hauen and losse of al in that place where he hoped to repose himselfe and enioy the fruit of his labours So in like manner it is when a man like vnto the Pharisie hath liued well in this world carefully obseruing the commaundements of God and wisely and politickly carried himselfe among men in the end through a presumption and Pride in himselfe or contempt of his neighbour he vtterly casteth himselfe away 3 Like as when we are on the top of an hill or of some high place we take good heed to our feete and we walke warily for feare of stumbling So in like maner must they behaue themselues whome God hath exalted aboue others either in authoritie knowledge vertue or wealth or any other grace whatsoeuer it hath pleased him to bestow vpon them in particular maner considering that the meanes to bee preserued and continued in that estate wherein they are is to trust in him and continually to cleaue vnto him to the end that they always may liue in his feare and in humble manner retaine and keepe their minds in his obedience in remembrance and consideration of his goodnesse and not to be Proud and arrogant 4 As the Peacocke beholding his gay and goodly feathers waxeth forthwith very proud thereof but as soone as he casteth