testimonies whilest among so many treacheries of hypocrites and horrible enterprises of Tyrantes he maruellously defendeth and preserueth his Churche It shall be our partes therefore to depend vpon him alone with a strong and vnshaken fayth to feare and worship him in spirit and in truth Whosoeuer shall this doe can neuer be confounded For this is the voyce of Christ Iesus Matth. 28. Beholde I am with you euen to the end of the worlde To him bee giuen blessing honour glory and dominion for euer and euer Amen Sermon 10. The text 28. ANd after this will I poure out my spirit vpon all fleshe and your sonnes and your daughters shal prophesy your old mē shal dreame dreames and your young men shall see visions 29 And also vpon the seruantes and vpon the handmaids in thōse dayes will I poure my spirit 30 And I will shewe wonders in the heauens and in the earth blood and fire and pillers of smoke 31 The sunne shal be turned into darknes the moone into blood before the great terrible day of the Lord come The argumēt vse of this present place Gene. 3. AS God promised vnto our first parentes his sonne Iesus Christ for a redeemer who being made man of a woman should crush and breake in pieces the heade of the serpent so did he afterward oftetimes repeate the same promise yea would haue al other to be groūded therō For inasmuch as in him he is recōciled with vs 2. Corin. 1. for his sake alone also is giuē to vs whatsoeuer good we receiue frō him As oft therfore as the prophets promise to the anciēt people either deliuerāce frō enemies or peace or plentiful increase of the earth or other tēporall benefits of like sort they alwayes for the most part enterlace in their promises prophesies as touching Christ to the end that by thē the godly may vnderstād that god wil not be wanting to his people of whō it behoued the promised redeemer of mankind to be borne nor that they should doubt of the promises of cōmon benefites when as God would perfourme greater matters in his sonne The selfsame thing doth Ioel obserue heere in this place who being about to comfort those that were altogether dismaid by feare of the Assyrian warre hitherto hee hath promised manye things which make to the happines of this life as plentie of corne graine victory peace trāquilitie so far forth that they might vnderstand that god would ratifie confirme his couenant dwell euen in the midst of thē These things that he might the better warrant withall warne the Iewes least sticking fast in these earthly commodities they should neglect the more excellent testimonies of Gods grace now he cōmeth down vnto Christs times Actes 2. of which that this place ought to be expounded the Apostle Peter expressely teacheth And there is in this place together with the things that follow to the end of this chapter a verye notable prophesie of Christs kingdōe which ought of vs diligently to be considered for that it conteineth many things the knowledge wherof is necessary vnto vs both to the attayning and retaining of saluation For first he prophesieth of the sending downe of the holy Ghost so teacheth what maner of kingdome Christ should haue vpō earth what we ought to seek for in it Secondly what the stat condition of this worlde will be whē Christ shal be exhibited he instructeth the godly against the offēce of the cros Thirdly he cōpriseth the order of our saluatiō in a short sum sheweth what we ought to doe if wee minde to holde faste the saluation which Christ hath purchased for vs. At this present wee will declare onely the two former partes and speake of the third part in the Sermon following Prophesiyng of Christes kingdome he beginneth with the sending down of the holy Ghost First and formost he prophesieth of the sending of the holy Ghost which shoulde be both more common and plentifull then euer at any time before Where first of all we haue to obserue that being about to prophesie of Christes kingdome amongest the innumerable benefites whiche God hath giuen vs in him hee chiefelye celebrateth the gifte of the holye Ghost The cause is for that next after Christ giuen vnto vs there could nothing be giuen more excellēt and more necessary then that spirit of whō heere he speaketh For albeit al the treasures of Gods grace goodnes be giuē vnto vs in Christ Iesus yet can wee by no meanes enioy them without the gift of the holy Ghost 1. Cori. 2. Rom. 7. For why naturally we abhor from Gods kingdome we perceiue not the misteries therof we are vanquished with the entisemēts of sinne we yeeld giue ouer to temptatiōs to the crosse therfore we either apprehēd not saluatiō in Christ or if we do apprehend it yet wee hold it not fast But al these things the holy Ghost remedieth who by the seede of the eternal word of God begetteth vs againe 1. Pet. 1. Ioan. 3. illuminateth our mindes and inflameth them with the loue of heauenly thinges resisteth the affections of the fleshe in temptations is a most certaine pledge of saluation 2. Cor. 1.5 and mourning vnder the crosse confirmeth vs with most effectuall cōsolatiōs Not without cause therfore doth the Prophet chiefly cōmend his gift yea by this meanes hee assureth thē of euerlasting saluation vnto whome hytherto hee had promised earthly and temporall benefites In the meane time this order of the prophet admonisheth vs The conditiō of Christes kingdome what ought to bee sought for in it what the state and condition of Christes kingdome is vpon earth and what wee ought to hope looke for in it This thing is very necessary to be obserued For in as much as a great number doe gape onely after earthly thinges and vnder colour of Christian libertie hunt eyther for riches and promotions or els seeke the libertie of the flesh and freedome of sinning the faith commonly which they professe with their mouthes they denie in their liues in the time of triall and persecution shamefully shrinke and fall away But the kingdome of Christe is not of this worlde as hee himselfe protesteth vnto Pilate but consisteth in ioy of the holy ghost Ioan. 18. Rom. 14. and offereth those thinges vnto vs which make to the inheritance of the heauenly life Let vs therefore couet after Spirituall giftes to the ende that being renewed and borne again in him we may liue a life worthy the profession of our faith by the crosse couragiously wrastle foorth to the heauenly kingdome The holy ghoste is promised vnto al. Moreouer the Prophet expresseth the maner of this sending and who they are that shal be partakers of the holy Ghoste I will powre out saith hee my spirite vpon all fleshe c. By the worde of powring out hee promiseth
theyr sinnes and are so farre from bewayling them that rather they glory in them like vnto Doeg the Idumean against whō Dauid for this cause inueigheth Psal 52. But least that any shoulde thinke repentāce to consist in outward weeping hee repeateth that wherein the substance of the whole matter standeth when hee addeth And rent your hearte and not your garments and turne to the Lord your God For they of the East countrie were wont to teare their garments if any thing had happened vnto them which seemed to bee intollerable But the hypocrites abused that gesture as though the whole order of repentance had cōsisted therein Hee auoucheth therefore that there is a farre other matter required namely that they should he broken in their hearts and vnfeignedly detest their sinnes and so vtterly retecting them returne vnto God from whome before they were departed For why God is not delighted with outwarde ceremonies but as wee saide in the beginning hee requireth the heart and the same contrite and humbled hee doth not despise as Dauid admonisheth Psal 51. And of outwarde matters there is no other vse but so farre foorth as both wee are stirred vp by them and the same serue to Gods glory and the edifiyng of others where againe they are reprooued which are wont to place all their repentance in most colde and frozen Ceremonies That our repentance is not vnprofitable But to this doctrine or exhortation hee annexeth reasons deriued from the person of God whereby hee teacheth that our repentance shall not bee vnprofitable or vnfruitefull For as in euery businesse our heartes doe faile vs if in case wee thinke that wee labour in vaine so heere in this especially For heereupon cōmeth eyther sodaine desperation or els an vnbrideled libertie of sinning which at length endeth in desperation Least therefore any such thing shoulde happen also vnto these hee assureth them of Gods grace and goodnes who will receiue them into fauour that turne vnto him And this hee prooueth by the selfe same titles or Epithets wherwith God describeth himselfe in Moses saying Exod. 34. For hee is gracious and mercifull slowe to anger and of great goodnes repenteth him of the euill First hee calleth him gracious or fauourable as hee that by nature is prone and ready to doe good rather then to punish Secondly hee attributeth vnto him mercy or rather if you consider the Hebrwe word the bowels of mercyes wherby are signified the naturall affections of parents towardes their children This Dauid declareth in the Psalmes saying Psal 103. As a father pitieth his children so doth the Lorde Pitie them that feare him For he knoweth whereof we bee made hee remembreth that wee are but dust c. Thirdly hee sayth that hee is slowe to anger that is to say long suffering and one that is not lightly prouoked Fourthly of great goodnesse or bountifulnesse For hee is the bottomelesse fountaine of all goodnesse who is delighted to doe good vnto vs sith for this cause especially hee created men that hee might haue some whom to make partakers of his benefits Fiftly and it repenteth him of the euil that is to say hee reuoketh the sentence of punishment alreadie pronounced when he seeth them to bee amended and conuerted vpon whom hee meant to execute the same Examples heereof are euerye where extant For hitherto belongeth the whole historie of the Israelites if wee consider what was done with them in the desert and afterwarde vnder their Iudges and Kinges To these are added the priuate examples of Dauid Peter and others whome wee reade to haue beene conuerted from many folde and most grèeuous sinnes and to haue returned into fauour with God againe Let these things serue to comfort vs least wee rashly despayre of Gods goodnesse For sith hee suffereth with much lenitie the vessels of wrath as Paule sayeth hee will muche more pardon their infirmities Rom. 9. that acknowledge him and long to bee reconciled vnto him In the meane season these verye thinges ought to stirre vs vp to repentance least wee abuse his goodnesse For theyr faulte is inexcuseable which refuse to come vnto God so willingly offering himselfe vnto them The faithfull speak modestly as touching the remission of Gods punishments Further wee haue diligently to obserue heere with what woordes the Prophet inferreth the conclusion wherein he putteth them in hope of pardon who knoweth sayth hee whether he will turne and repent and leaue behinde him a blessing euen a meate offering and drinke offering to the Lorde your God Which wordes are not so to bee taken as though they proceeded from one doubting of Gods grace and the remission of sinnes which we with constant faith must beleeue but first they resemble the nature and disposition of faith which although it sticketh with vndoubted trust to the promises of God yet is it modest and not malapert or importunate neither doth it rashly presume vpon God Secondly they ought to bee expounded rather of the punishment then of the remission of sinne For albeit wee bee sure and certaine of this neither in deede is it lawefull to doubt yet is there an other consideration to bee had of the punishments which God sendeth in the way of chastisemente neyther doth hee take them away before that hee seeth vs to bee amended and the pride of our fleshe to bee crushed and broken But heere is the obedience of faith needefull which both patiently submitteth it selfe to Gods will and euen then also hopeth well of his mercy when the tokens of his wrath seeme still to appeare And that hytherto also these thinges ought to bee referred it appeareth by the wordes following wherein he saith And leaue behinde him a blessing that is to say giue a plentifull increase of the earth so as wee may againe celebrate his Sacrifices which for want and necessitie haue for a time ceased Where againe appeareth the nature of faith which that it is chiefly carefull of Gods worship we haue often sayde alreadie For they craue the fruites of the earth not to guzzle and glutte themselues or to pamper theyr bodies with the pleasures of the fleshe but to the ende they might serue God and yeelde vnto him his due worship They are therfore a great way off from the nature and propertie of faith who so they may abound in delight is and ydlenes doe seldome or neuer bethinke themselues eyther of the conseruation or instauration of Gods worship and glory It shall bee our parts to acknowledge the goodnesse of God and forsaking our sinnes and errours to turne vnto him by fayth in Christ who both giueth vs repentance and also pardon and forgiuenes of sinnes To him bee giuen blessing honour glory and dominion for euer and euer Amen Sermon 7. 15 BLowe the trumpet in Sion sanctifie a fast The text call a solemne assemblie 16 Gather the people sanctifie the congregation gather the elders assemble she children and those that sucke the brestes
all faces shall gather blacknes 7 They shall runne like gyants or strong men and goe vp to the wall like men of warre and euery man shall goe forwarde in his wayes and shall not stay in their pathes 8 No man shall thrust his brother but euery one shal walke in his path and when they fall vpon the sworde they shall not be wounded 9 They shall runne to and fro in the citie they shall runne vppon the wall they shall clime vp vppon the houses and enter in at the windowes like a theefe 10 The earth shall tremble before him the heauens shall shake the Sunne and the Moone shall be darke and the Starres shall withdrawe their shining 11 And the Lorde shall vtter his voyce before his host for his armie is very great for hee is strong that doeth his woorke for the day of the Lorde is great and very terrible and who can abide it Sermon 5. The argumeÌ„t of the second Sermon IOel beginneth now his other Sermon wherein hee handleth the same that he did in the former but hee intreateth more largely and euidently of euery point adding also some things which are not there mentioned yet serue they excelleÌ„tly wel to the preseÌ„t treatise For he exhorteth them to repentance that were oppressed with a greeuous warre by the Assyrians And there are three partes of his discourse In the first hee agayne describeth the danger to the entent that they beeing wakened by the consideration therof might perceiue that they had neede of repentance In the seconde hee teacheth the maner of true repentance and sheweth in what pointes it consisteth In the last hee declareth the effectes or fruites thereof and by that occasion prophesieth of the happie state of the Godly and destruction of the enemies which finally is fulfilled in the kingdome of Christ Now these things are so to bee considered of vs that wee beeing distressed with aduersities and afflictions may from hence fetch those thinges that serue to our instruction and comforce at this time wee will onely examine the first part A Tragieaâ— beginning wherein chiefly he stirreth vp the Prophets The beginning of his Sermon is very tragicall and warlike wherein hee rouzeth vp the secure and carelesse that they might prepare themselues for the punishmentes nowe readye to light vppon them And because they were to bee punished with warre he alluding to afeate of warre willeth the watchmen or spies to sound out Alarum and proclaime the batteil For hee sayth Blow the trumpet in Sion and shout in my holy mountayne Hee maketh mention of Sion and of the holy hill or Temple partlye leaste they shoulde thinke themselues to hee safe for the holynesse of the place and partly that they might vnderstand this thing especiallye to bee enioyned to the. Prophetes whome GOD had appointed watchmen to his people Ezech. 3.33 as wee may read in Ezechiel He addeth Let all the inhabitantes of the lande tremble Hee nameth all leaste anye shoulde thinke him selfe to bee without faulte And he biddeth them tremble to the end they might perceiue God to deale in good earnest and therefore that they also must not dally Whereunto serueth the cause which he by and by addeth For the day of the Lord commeth that is the time is at hand which God hath nowe long since appointed for veÌ„geaÌ„ce which euen now also waiteth at your dores Heere commeth the goodnes of God to be noted of vs who like a kinde father first dealeth in woordes The goodnes of God in giuing warning before he punisheth before hee addeth stripes Neyther doubtlesse are suche prophesiynges in vayne or appointed to stirre vp a vayne feare or terrour For as many as beeing terryfied with them are conuerted to GOD doe escape the punishments as GOD himselfe promiseth in Ieremie But if in cace the number of the wicked doe preuayle Ieremie 18. vnto whom these thinges seeme but as toyes and trifles and therefore GOD cannot deferre the punishment yet doe the Godly receiue greate comforte hereby For when they call these prophesiynges to minde they vnderstande also that all these thinges are ordered by Gods gouernment who because hee is faythfull and loueth vs suffereth not his to be tempted aboue their strength but that for his mercies sake hee causeth that all thinges woorke for the best vnto them God vseth his ministers as watchmen Further wee haue to marke that God oftentimes by his Prophets and ministers of his woord doth foretell his punishments and that as before wee haue sayde hee ordeyned them to the ende that as watchmen they shoulde sounde the Trumpet and stirre vp the people committed to their charge vnto that spirituall fight which consisteth especially in the exercise of repentance and woorde of GOD and whiche alone is able to turne away the plagues imminent and at hand The consideration hereof admonisheth as well ministers as also the whole people and euery creature particularly of their dueties For it belongeth vnto them to attende vppon theyr flocke and to marke the state and condition of euery one and with all the dangers that eyther publikely or priuately â—ang ouer their heades Moreouer to reprooue and denounce the same so as euery man maye perceiue what hee ought to doe This did the holy Prophets in times past and the selfesame doeth Paule very grauelye require of the Ministers of the new Testament Actes 20. 2. Tim. 4. Mat. 24. and 25. And they that doe their duetie in this behalfe shall enter into the ioye of their Lorde But as many as are carelesse and negligent at their handes shall bee required the blood of them that perishe Againe it shall bee the parte of all those that will bee numbred amongest the people of GOD to tremble at the sound of Gods woorde Ezechi 33. and with speedie repentance to preuente the daye of the Lorde The Prophet admonisheth vs thereof when hee sayth it is at hande For by that threatning he putteth them in hope that they may as yet escape the punishmentes nowe ready to light vpon them if they will applye them selues vnto GOD giuing them warning These thinges were of vs to be considered O Brethren when as turmoylinges and dangers doe euery where arise And GOD truly for his parte executeth his office neither want there faythfull watchmen by him raysed vp whiche reprooue sinne and denounce the plagues hanging ouer vs. But in the meane time there want not such as are negligent also Esay 56. who eyther by diminishing Gods threatnings do fauoure and maynetayne wickednes or else by the lewde example of their life doe shamefully prostitute the authoritie of the woorde and ministerye This occasion euery lewde and wicked verlet catcheth holde of and heerevppon it commeth that the carelesse libertie of sinning doeth euerye where preuayle and the warninges of the faythfuller Ministers are wicke dly scoffed at and laughed to skorne But Gods iudgement shall not slacke who will rayse vppe most cruell enemies
number but that the matter fell so out in very deede wee may gather out of Esay also the whole discourse of the historie Esai 37. Hytherto maketh it that God nourished the Israelites forcie yeeres together after a wonderfull maner in the wildernesse to the ende hee myght teache vs by that example that weâ— liue not by bread onely Deut. 8. but by euery woorde that proceedeth out of his mouth And in the reigne of King Ioram wee reade howe that after a horrible and more then desperate scarcitie sodenly there was giuen an vnlooked for and most plentifull foyson of corne and vitaile 2. Kin. 8. Many examples like vnto these wee may see euery yeere both publikely and priuately of all which this ought to bee the vse vnto vs that wee may trust in GOD our father humbly obey his commaundements c. Secondly hee saith 2. Glory and honour I will no more make you a reproche among the Heathen For they had complained of this chiefly because his glory was in hazarde Hee promiseth therefore that they shall no more bee troubled with any such matter They therefore doe best prouide for theyr owne glory that make most of Gods glory so as they can preferre this before all maner of riches of their owne For this is Gods promise 1 Sam. 2. I will honour them that honour mee and againe contrariwise Whereby it appeareth what wee haue to doe in these dayes as well privately as publikely if in case wee desire to bee deliuered from reproches and â—â—aunders Let vs be inflamed with the zeale of gods glory and iâ—â—uour our seâ—â—eâ—â—â— aâ—uannce the same and euen foorthwith wee shall perceiue that God also will prouide for 〈◊〉 same and glory 3 Victorie against the enemie But forâ—omuch as the huge power of the Assyrians made them astonied so as they couâ—â— scarcely giue credite to these thinges hee telleth them in the third place what shall be come of that matter And hee calleth them the Northren armie for because the Assyrians haue their situation Northwar â—e from the Iewes I will driue saith hee this Northren armie farre away from you By the worde driue hee Theweth howe easily and with howe 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 he will dâ—ing this thing to pâ—â—â—e euen like as if a man with a â—â—â—â—â—lappe wouâ—â— driue away flyes or as the grasâ—â—â—â— vs are driuen away with the â—ittde which before ocâ—â—â—â—ed all places both farre neete Neither is there any cause why ye should thinke that there will bee no place lefte whither to driue him For I will driue him into desolate places so as one parte of so great an armie shall bee dispearsed euen to the East Sea and another part shall flie to the West And truly it is to hee thought that so many as eseaped from the slaughter made by the Angel being distressed with horrible feare and perpleritie were scattered by flight into diuers sundry places But he addeth And his stinck shall come vp c. Hee meaneth the infamous memorie of his name which onely and alone of so great attempts Sennacherib shoulde leaue behinde him The cause For that hee hath magnified himself to do this that is he hath proudly unpiously exalted himselfe as though hee woulde after his owne lust and liking ouer rule both God and men To the exposition of this place make those thinges Esai 10.36 The pride end of tyraÌ„ts that are recited at large in Esay as touching his outragious boasting But by this example is finely set out the pryde of Tyrants and the vnhappie ende of the same They are wont to conceâ—e mightie matters in their minds and can scarcely in the whole worlde finde any place fit to receiue them Yea and beeing aduanced aboue the cloudes in their conceites they promise to them selues euerlasting memorie vaunt forth theÌ„selues amongst men for some gods vpon earth But assone as they haue finished their course God euen in a moment scattereth their forces and enterprises so farre foorth that of all their glory and triumphes they conueigh ouer nothing els to their posteritie then a shameful remeÌ„braÌ„ce of their tyraÌ„ny which like vnto stinke rysing vp from a rotten carkasse filleth and infecteth the whole worlde Examples heereof wee haue in Histories euery where plentie For to this ranke belongeth the first authour of tyrannie Genc 10. Nimroth with all those that haue followed his steppes of which forte for the most part were all the Babylonian and Assyrian princes the Aegyptian Pharaos the Chananites Antiochusses Herodes Romayne Emperours Ezech. 32. and as many as beeing like vnto these haue caused their feare as the Prophet saith to be in the land of the liuing Let no man therefore bee afraide of their attemptes and threateninges but rather let vs feare GOD and then beeing safe vnder his protection wee shall leaue behind vs a holy and renowmed memorie of our names howesoeuer the wretched worlde deuise all kinde of reproch against vs. 4. The ioyfull restitution of the land and of the creatures But to the intent hee might prouide for their infirmitie whome the present danger held still in doubt and perpleritie he ampliâ—eth at large the happie condition of all thinges which by Gods reconcilement shoulde immediately followe And like as in the beginning hee had threatened that the sense and feeling of Gods wrath shoulde reache euen vnto the earth it selfe and bruite beasts also so nowe bee promiseth that GOD with his fauour will reioyce the earthe and likewise the beastes And hee vseth a feate figure whereby hee speaketh to the earthe and beastes as though they were endued with sense and reason Feare not O lande reioyce and bee gladde for the Lorde will doe greate thinges As though hee should say God seemeth nowe to lie along and sleepe seeing Sennacherib so proudly exalteth himselfe but euen foorthwith God wil cast him downe and shew forth his own power and restore a glad countenance to the earth And you O beasts whom famine compelleth as yet to wander about and mourne nowe lay aside all feare For the pastures of the deferr shall floorish and so shal al trees and Likewise the figtrees and vines shal bring foorth their fruite whereby foode shall be ministred both to you and vnto men And thus woulde he comforte the people and stirre vp the same to the consideration of Gods benefite that from thence foorth they might yeelde themselues thankefull and obedient vnto God For as we said of late a foule shame it is for men not to acknowledge the hande of God which euen the grosse earth and bruite beasts doe perceiue But more of this shal be saide in that which followeth It shall bee our partes in the meane time to awaken our selues by the consideration heereof and to giue thankes vnto God without eeasing Who hath giuen vs greater thinges then these in Christe Iesus who hath destroyed the power of the diuell defaced his kingdome and
would haue the knowledge of saluation to bee common vnto alhis people therefore behooued the Apostles to be indued with the holy ghost that they might put vs in mind of the things that come to passe at this day in the Church c. The perillous estate of the â—â—ttâ—r time But least any man at the springing vp of Christes kingdome shoulde promise to himselfe all thinges ioyfull and prosperous Ioel consequently setteth downe what a huge masse of mischiefes and dangers shoulde euery where arise partly to the ende hee might remedie the offence of the crosse and that hee might commende and set foorth faith in Christe which alone is able to saue vs in these dangers and partly that by rehearsing of these thinges hee might terrifie and dismay those that shoulde come after least otherwise they should refuse the redeemer giuen vnto theÌ„ of God I will shew saith the Lord wonders in heauen and in earth blood fire and pillers of smoke The Sunne shal be turned into darkenesse and the Moone into blood before that great and terrible day of the Lorde come And because hee maketh mention of that greate day wherein Christe shall come to iudgement it is euident enough that hee comprehendeth all the time from Christes manifestatioÌ„ in the flesh euen to his last comming in which hee will accomplishe his kingdome in his elect and punish his enemies with the paines of eternall death and damnation And hee sheweth that there wil euery where appeare tokens of Gods wrath and that such shall bee the countenance of the whole worlde as that all the partes thereof might seeme to haue conspired together to the destruction of mankynde Heereunto agree those thinges that Christe foretelleth in the gospel of the later times Mat. 24. Mark 13. Luke 21. And they beganne to bee accoÌ„plished by and by after his ascention into heauen as touching the nation of the Iewes For there were seen wonders of al sortes after the which followed immediately the destruction both of their citie and nation But vnder the Romane Empyre whereunto the whole worlde was then subiect there raged in horrible wise seditions warres pestilences famines and all maner of mischiefes whatsoeuer and the histories are full stuffed with the rehearsall of straunge tokens These thinges haue continued euen vnto our time neither as yet are they come vnto an ende For who is ignoraunt of the Cometes and blasing starres of the Swoordes Speares and other like thinges which haue now certaine yeeres past beene seene in the skies As for Earthquakes and Inundations of waters wee haue seene very many And in some places great quantities of blood haue gushed out of the earth and els where it hath rayned blood from heauen I let passe the monstrous shapes and birthes which if I shoulde stande to recount the day woulde scarce bee sufficient And that these are no vaine scare-crowes the thing it selfe testifieth when as the wretched worlde is vexed and disquieted with warres famine pestilence other plagues innumerable The cause of the calamities of the latter time But some man may aske what the cause is of these calamities and why GOD seemeth nowe to bee more offended with all mankinde then hee was in times past before Christe was giuen vnto vs in the fleshe This question is not superfluous considering that in times past the enemies of the Christian faith tooke heereby occasion to slaunder it in that after the rising thereof they saide whole swarmes of mischiefes brake into the worlde And among the Christians there are not a fewe that are greatly troubled with the consideration heereof But if we coÌ„sider the thing it self it will appeare that the cause of these euils commeth not of the Christian faith or religion but proceedeth from the people For among these the greater part is of the wicked and vngodly who either as hogges of Epicures heard giue themselues to the lustes of the fleshe and despise all religion or els beeing superstitious and Idolaters doe dayly deuise and heape vp vnlawfull worshippinges And both these sortes hate and persecute the light of the truth so as notwithstanding that they followe diuers practises of life yet in this one thing they egregiously agree and by their wickednes it commeth to passe that there seemes no enormitie worthie of greater punishement then if any make a fyncere and free confession of the truth Is it therefore to be thought any maruell or a thing vn worthy if God punish the desperate boldnesse of these men with all kinde of plagues which wilfully refuse the saluation offered This doubtles is the cause for the which Christe himselfe foretold that the nation of the Iewes should bee rooted out Mat. 21.23 Luke 19. for which also the Romane Empire was manifoldly afflicted as Orosius in diuers places witnesseth But for so much as a number in these dayes followe and imitate the wickednesse of the Iewes and Emperours it is nieete and requisite that they shoulde suffer and abide the selfe same paines and punishments with them Where if so bee wee looke vpon those that haue giuen their names vnto Christe although they bee of a right iudgemente as touching faith and religion and also do refreine themselues from the grosser sins and superstitions yet concurre there many thinges in them which deserue the sharper kinde of discipline and chastizemente For some blinded with the loue of this worlde couet after honours and riches othersome hauing too good an opinion of themselues are made secure and carelesse others there be that become slaues to their affections and followe without measure their owne lustes and pleasures As therefore it is necessarie that these shoulde bee brydeled and prouoked to a more feruent desire of Godlinesse so the iustice of God requireth that in punishing the sins of the wicked worlde 1. Pet. 4. hee shoulde begin first with his owne house least hee might seeme to allow those things in his owne which hee so seuerely punisheth in others No man therefore hath any cause to complaine of GOD. For in as muche as the state and condition of the worlde will bee alwayes alike it is good reason also that the same should be vexed with the like punishments and afflictions vntill that great day of the Lorde appeare which as it wyll bee terrible to the wicked as the Prophete signifieth Luke 21.1 Thes 4 so will the same bee ioyfull to the Godly and bryng vnto them their full and perfect redemption Heereby are confuted the Chiliastes and as many as in these dayes doe restore againe their dotages whylest they promise to themselues a certayne golden worlde vpon earth And withall the goodnesse of GOD is to bee obserued The vse of strange tokeÌ„s who before hee bring foorth the punishments which wee haue deserued is accustomed to forwarne vs not onely by his worde but also to awake vs by signes and wonders Examples of this forte are extant in the histories of all ages and as
the authoritie of God him selfe for albeit for the present time they laugh it to scorne abuse it with their vnseemely scoffes and iestes yet notwithstanding in their season they fynde those thinges to bee true which they will nowe by no meanes beleeue and then beyng conuicted in their owne heartes they feele horrible boylinges in their consciences In the meane tyme wee are admonished that in the Churche whiche as Paule sayth is the house of the liuing GOD 1. Tim. 3. In the Church the word of God is only to bee taught there ought nothing to bee taught and set foorth but the woorde of God For if so bee this thynge were so diligently obserued of the Prophetes and Apostles whose calling GOD confirmed by infinite argumentes and testimonies howe much more then ought the same to bee regarded of those that are by no meanes comparable vnto them Detestable therefore is their boldenesse and unpudence whiche in these dayes thinke euery thing to bee lawefull for them and that which eyther they them selues haue deuised or else receyued from their most superstitions fathers they thrust into the Churche for vndoubted oracles As for vs let vs bee mindefull of Christ who sayth My sheepe heare my voyce and they followe mee a stranger will they not follow but will flie from him because they knowe not the voyce of strangers c. Iohn 10. In the beginning of this first Sermon hee procureth attention The procuring of attention whiche is verye needfull in conceiuing the worde of God And first he stirreth vp the Elders who as they are furnished with the experience of things and therfore more apt fit to giue iudgement so by authoritie of their example they may drawe the younger sort to folowe their steppes Notwithstanding least he might seeme to speake onely to the Elders he eftsoones calleth vpon all the inhabitantes of the lande of Israel and exhorteth them not so muche to a vayne and idle hearing as vnto a diligent consideration of those things which they had hitherto suffered and which they were like afterward to suffer yea he commandeth them to commend the same to their posterity to the ende they might serue for a perpetuall instruction vnto all Hearken ye saith he all the inhabitants of the land whether such a thing that is to say any thing like vnto this hath happened in your dayes or in the daies of your fathers Tel your childrē of it let your children shew their children c. The worde of God belongeth to the instruction of all 1. Cor. 2. Psal 119. Where wee are admonished first of all that the word of belongeth to the information of all sortes of men for in as much as by the fall of sinne wee haue all of vs lost that true light of reason whiche was in our first Parentes wee nowe stande all in neede of a newe light which God vseth to offer vnto vs by his worde And hitherto serueth it that hee willeth the Elders especially to giue their attendance whome wee saide euen nowe to goe before others in experience of thinges and in giuing of aduice For albeit we be neuer so diligētly instructed nor neuer so wel seene in the long vse and experience of things yet shall we nothing at all profit in the things belonging to Gods kingdome vnlesse wee bee inlightened from aboue and hearken to God speaking vnto vs by his worde Which is the cause that the Scriptures do euery where exhort vs to the studie of the word and also do reproue the insolencie of those that neglecting it will needes be wise of themselues and follow the swindge of their owne braine How we must be occupied in Gods worde Moreouer wee are taught howe and after what sort wee ought to bee conuersant in the worde of God so as wee may reape some fruite by the exercise thereof First it behoueth vs not onely to bee hearers of it but also to marke the singuler examples of Gods iudgements whereby he vseth to adde credite to his threatnings and oracles For vnlesse wee so doe we shall euermore flatter our selues and not thinke that those thinges will euer happen vnto vs which hee threatneth to the breakers and transgressours of his lawe As oft therefore as wee heare his threatninges whereby hee denounceth his indignation against Idolaters Fornicators Adulterers couetous persons mansleaers drunkardes c. Let vs withall consider what hee hath decreed in times past against suche and besides let vs marke howe euen in our dayes hee punisheth not a fewe that defile themselues with the saide enormities Further let vs not thinke it enough to holde these thinges our selues but let vs also commende the obseruation of them to our posteritie This thing our duetie requireth whereby God hath bounde vs vnto our children and the selfesame doeth the honour and glory of God require also which as it ought to bee most highly regarded of all men so can it no other way more bee inlarged and set foorth then by the diligent instruction and information of our posteritie Exod. 13. Dout. 6. Psal 78. There are extant as touching this matter peculiar preceptes and commandements of God in the Law and in the Psalmes whereas it is written howe GOD ordeyned amongest his people that fathers shoulde declare vnto their children his wonderous workes to the ende that they also might learne to put their truste in God and become obedient vnto him And for this cause it is that GOD commendeth Abrahams soundnesse and synceritie saying I know that hee will commaunde his sonnes Gene. 18. and his housholde after him that they keepe the way of the Lorde and doe righteousnesse and iudgement c. They therefore doe hyghlye deserue of Gods glory religion and publike welfare of men that eyther priuately instructe and bring vp their children in the knoweledge of gods workes or publikely lay before them the histories of their owne countrie or also of other nations to the intent that out of them their posteritie may fetch examples of Gods iudgements and bee admonished of theyr owne dueties But greatly is the wretchednesse of our tyme to bee lamented wherein the exercise of Gods word is of the most part neglected the iudgementes of God marked of very fewe histories corrupted through the peruerse affections of men and as for our children they eyther not regarded at all or els trayned vp in those thinges that it had beene muche better for them neuer to haue knowen This negligence of ours must God needes punishe to the end wee may learne to bee wise by our owne harmes that woulde not be warned by other mens He calleth to remembrance the euils Past But the Prophet goeth on and telleth them what the thinges are in the consideration whereof hee woulde haue them to bee so carefully occupied And hee recounteth vnto them diuers and sundrie calamities which had hitherto depriued them of the fruites and increase of the earth so as euen a blinde man might
well see the tokens of Gods wrath perceiue them to bee foretellings of a greater misery Wee reade of the like thing in the Prophet Amos Amos. 4. where God by rehearsing the former plagues sheweth howe litle or nothing hee had profited with the stubborne and incurable For so doth hee cast their blockishnesse in their teeth which of thinges past woulde not learne or foresee that which they now did suffer That which is left of the palmer worme hath the grashopper eaten and that which is left of the Grashopper hath the canker worme eaten and that which is left of the canker worme hath the caterpiller eaten The sense is this If one onely calamitie had destroyed the increase but of one yeere alone it might haue seemed to come by chaunce or at least not to deserue so great obseruation But seeing there haue now certaine yeeres together one folowing in anothers necke succeeded in a maner whatsoeuer is wont to bee hurtfull noysome to the fruits of the earth that of the later plagues is deuoured corrupted whatsoeuer was left of the former you must of necessitie be very blockishe that haue not acknowledged the manifest and singuler iudgement of God who would not only punish you with scarcitie hunger but also teach you by those wormes what shold shortly come to passe vnlesse by these smaler punishments you amended your liues namely that forraine enemies with an incredible multitude of souldiers shoulde ouerrunne the whole land and in maner 〈◊〉 Caterpillers or canker wormes wast and destroy all that euer is both farre neerâ— And that this is the meaning of the Propheâ— appeareth sufficiently by his woordeâ— following Small plagues forerunners of greater This place teacheth vs that lesse plagues are as it were forerunners anâ— proclaimers of greater And there beâ— in histories euery where examples whicâ— testifie that by the swarmes of Grashoppers or vnknowen birdes or also by the vnaccustomed floods and ouerflowingsâ— waters haue beene signified and denounced the inuasions of forraine enemies Suâ— a like thing as this in the yeere of our Lord 1545. hath Germanie seene when asâ— kinde of Grashoppers altogether vnknowen before came out of Italy alongest thâ— countries bordering vpon the Alpes by thâ— selfesame way which the yeere next following the souldiers sent from the Pope directly held We ought therefore to markâ— whatsoeuer belong to this kind least at any time we say with the Poet in vaine Oftetimes the trembling trees I do remember well If so bewitcht we had not beene This mischiefe did foretell Heere appeareth also the inuincible power of God and how little the forces of men can doe against him when as he is able by such small and feeble creatures to vanquishe and ouercome them For why he is called the God of hosts not onely for this cause that all creatures do serue him but for that also hee can according to his good pleasure arme them with straunge forces so as they may be sufficient to ouercome euen the most fel Tyrants and most mightie nations A notable example of this thing wee haue in Pharao whose fiercenes god tamed diuers times by mice frogges flyes wormes lice so that he was faine to stoupe and crouch vnto Moses The same happened to the Philistines when as they were in their chiefe pride for the Arke of the couenant which they had taken In like manner wee reade of Antiochus Herode Sylla and diuers other eaten and gnaweÌ„ of wormes of most mightle monarchies vtterly suâ—uerted ouerthrowen by people that weâ—â— before obscure vnknoweÌ„ As for the fruit of the earth wherupon our life dependet God can take them away either by winde or vnseasonable raine or by euery little change of weather that wee may speakâ— nothing nowe of haile frost and otherâ— bruntes of more grieuous teÌ„pests Wheâ—â—fore being mindefull of these things letâ— obserue the examples of gods iudgements and humble our selues vnder his mightâ— hand who will bountifully bestowe hâ—â— grace vpon those that turne vnto him that 〈◊〉 they may preuaile ouer all dangers by faith in Iesus Christ our Lord to whomâ— bee giuen blessing honour glory and do minion for euer and euer Amen Sermon 2. The text 5 AWake yee drunkardes and weepe and houle all ye drinkers of wine because of the liquor for it is pulled froÌ„ your mouth 6 Yea a nation coÌ„meth vpoÌ„ my laÌ„d mightie and without number whose teeth are like the teeth of a Lion and he hath the iawes of a Lionesse 7 Hee maketh my Vine waste and pilleth off the barke of my figtree Hee maketh it bare and casteth it downe the branches thereof are made white 8 Mourne like a Virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth 9 The meat offring and the drink offring is cutte off from the house of the Lorde the Priestes the Lordes ministers mourne 10 The field is wasted the land mourneth for the corne is destroyed the new wine is dried vp and the oyle is decayed 11 Be yee ashamed O husbandmen howle O yee Vine dressers for the wheat and for the barley because the haruest of the fielde is perished 12 The Vine is dried vp the figtree is decayed the Pomegranate tree and the Palme tree and the Aple tree and all the trees of the fielde are withered surely the ioye is withered awaye from the sonnes of men ALbeit God being prouoked by the incurable malice of men The argumeÌ„t and vse of this present place doe sometimes correct and chasten them yet he being perpetually mindefull of his goodnesse euen amiddest their punishments teacheth and admonisheth them by his worde that euen then they might searche out the causes of their sufferings and endeuoure to returne vnto him An example hereof we haue in Ioel. For at that time the Iewes sinned sundrily notwithstanding that they had Ezechias for their king a most excellent and religious priuce as wee sayde of late God had reprooued them by Esay Micheas and others and that very bitterly and often But when as hee preuayled nothing thereby at the length hee mooued Warre against them by the Assyrians And beeing in danger hee gaue Ioel vnto them for to exhorte them to repentance and to put them in hope of pardon if they conuerted vnto him Hee therefore to the intent hee might the more easily obtaine this at their handes is very plentifull in describing the punishments which he so layeth before them that they might vnderstande that they came not to passe by haphazard but were sent by the iust iudgement of God Whither especially serueth this present place wherin he stirreth vp all sortes of men to mourning intending thus much that they that had hytherto careleslye concenmed the iudgementes of God might nowe euery of them enter into their own heartes and seeke for the causes of the present warre in them selues and hauing found them go in hand with ameÌ„dment of life Where wee learne howe that in publike calamities