shall separate vs from the loue of Christ Shall tribulation distresse or persecution or famine or nakednesse or perill or swords no in all these we are more than conquerours through him that loued vs. Not that Gods Saints and Martyrs are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 altogether sencelesse like stoicks or stocks rather for they feele the smart and paine of their tortures els they could not be valiant Martyrs seeing true fortitude consistes in the patient bearing of those things which are most afflictiue to flesh and bloud but they are comforted 1. In the sense of Gods present mercies a Psal 94.19 whose comforts doe refresh their soules 2. In the certaine expectation of their future glory b 2 Cor. 4.17 for we know that these light afflictions which are but for a moment doe cause vnto vs a farre more excellent and aeternall weight of glory So that in all their afflictions persecutions faith supports them that they fall not hope comforts them that they despaire not patience quiets them that they murmure not and their inward peace of conscience sweetens their outward troubles with comfortable cordials that they faint not c Chrys in Loc. As he therefore that beates vpon an Adamant is himselfe beaten with his owne blowes for he is wearied but the Adamant not pierced which is impenetrable And the waues that dash against a rocke are themselues broken but the rocke standeth immooueable and hee that d Act. 9.5 kickes as gainst the pricks is himself wounded with his own stroaks so he that persecutes Gods faithfull children hurts himselfe not them for he makes them haue fellowship with Iesus in being partakers of his sufferings and bearing in their bodies stigmata Christi that is the prints of his precious wounds while himselfe hath fellowship with Iudas in betraying and persecuting Christ in his members e Phil. 1.8 Be nothing therefore terrified with your aduersaries which to them is a token of perdition but to you of saluation and that of God Ratio The reason of this immooueable constancy and stability of Gods Saints is f V. 25. Because the spirituall aedifice of their soules and bodies is built vpon a rocke for they haue these three rocks to support and strengthen them in all their rroubles 1. The might and mercy of God the Father who is the maine pillar of power and fountaine of goodnesse of whose fauour they doubt not because he hath passed it vnto them in his holy word by promise indenture couenant and g Heb. 6.13 c. oath and that before immooueable h 1 Ioh. 5.7 8 witnesses the best in heauen and the best on earth 2. The merits of Christ for their true and sauing faith doth rest it selfe in the precious wounds of Christ as the k Cant. 2.14 doues in the clefts of the rocks that it cannot bee remooued 3. The comforts of the holy Ghost who dwells in them as in his l 1 Cor. 6.19 temples and reignes in their hearts as in his kingdome directing them into all truth and goodnesse and comforting them in all their troubles as being the a Eph. 1.13 14. seale of their adoption and earnest of their aeternall inheritance And with these impregnable bulwarks the fortresse of their faith is so strengthened that neither raine flouds nor wind b Rom. 8.38 39 height nor depth life nor death principalities nor powers c. nor the gates of hell nor the whole force and power of the kingdome of darknesse can once shake much lesse ouerthrow it because it is builded vpon a rocke For though Gods Saints bee troubled on euery side yet are they not distressed c 2 Cor. 4.8 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 .i. Haesitantes non haerentes Arr. Mont. perplexed but not in despaire persecuted but not forsaken cast downe but not cast away or destroied But if any build vpon the sand of humane Traditions 1 Casus malorum or their owne fancies or the worlds vanities both building and builders fall together like d Dan. 2.35 Nebuchadnezzars Image when the stone hewen out of the mountaine without hands fell vpon it and become like the chaffe of the summer threshing floures or the sand they build vpon or the dust which the wind scatters from the face of the earth Iust primâ— 1. He that goes to build vp the ruines of Babell in his soule shall with it fall to ruine for as one Angell cryed concerning Babilon e Apoc. 14 8 9 10 Cecidit cecidit It is fallen it is fallen so another angell immediately following the former cryed wieh a loud voice If any man worship the beast and receiue his marke in his forehead or his hand the same shall drinke of the wine of the wrath of God powred out without mixture into the cup of his indignation and shall be tormented with fire and brimstone for euer Maruaile not therefore at the Apostacy of many to Popery in these dayes they are such as neuer built on the rock of truth and right but on the sands of their owne fancies or the world by presumption securitie worldlinesse or hypocrisie and therefore God suffers them to fall into errors as a iust punishment of their sinnes and they shall at length fall into the fierie lake as an aeternall punishment both of their sinnes and errors f 2 Thes 2.10.21 12. Because they receiued not the loue of the truth that they might be saued for this cause God shal send them a strong delusion that they should beleeue a lye that they might be damned who beleeued not the truth but had pleasure in vnrighteousnes For a Cypr. imperfectum in Loc. how should he abide in Christ that neuer was in Christ or how should the truth hold him that neuer held the truth or righteousnesse preserue him that neuer kept the wayes of righteousnes No no such buildings though they be built as high as the tower of Babell b Gen. 11.4 whose top did euen reach to heauen or as the tombe of Manseolus or Pyramides of Aegypt and be as faire and stately for outward shew as the temple of c Act 19.27 Diana at Ephesus the wonderment of the world or the costly palace of Alcinoous the walls whereof were brasse the gates gold and the entries siluer yet downe they must they and their builders shall fall and d Iinex v. 27 Ruina magna their fall shall be great The fall of an house is great first when it falls not in part but totaly that is not the roofe or a wal or a roome onely but is turned topsey-turuey from the very fouÌ„dation 2. when it falls finally and irrecouerably neuer to be raysed vp againe like the walls of Iericho e Ios 6.26 Such I am persuaded shall in Gods due time bee the fall of Babilon as a f M. Higgoâ—s in his mysticall Babilon learned Diuine of ours hath of late euidently prooued though the Babilonish
and raise the walles but roofes the top and perfects the building this heauenly Husbandman doth not onely plant and sow by doctrine but water by Application that the seed may yeeld the more copious increase as he doth elsewhere a Ioh. 13.17 Jf yee know these things blessed are yee if yee doe them Wherein the b 1 Pet. 2.25 chiefe Shepheard and supreame Bishop of our soules teacheth all his subordinate Pastors especially in these dayes wherein there is c Beza much science but little conscience to bend thâ—ir endeauours rather d Bern. ad imbuenda corda quam exprimâ—nda verba to reforme mens liues then either to tickle their itching eares or informe thâ—ir curious vnderstandings and to seeke not so mâ—ch e Phil 2.21 the things that are their owne that is their owne vaiâ— glorious applause by curious straines of wit or painting ouer their Sermons with the Vermillion of humane Eloquence as the things that are Iesus Christs by certefying mâ—ns Consciences and conuersations and seeking to bring home many sheepe to Christ his folde many soules to his Kingdome Otherwise those croking Frogs of Rome I meane the Iesuites and Seminary Priests which now more then euer swarme in our Coasts like the Grashoppers and Caterpillers of f Ex. 10.12 Egipt will still get ground of vs while we seeke to please mens eares and they to worke vpon their consciences the strongest band to tye men fast to God and his sacred truth and so in time the Israelitish Prouerbe may be inuerted to our great shame and the scandall of our Religion h g 1 Sam. 18.7 Dauid hath but his 1000. and Saul his 10000. Pardon therfore my plainnesse Right Honourable c. If I striue that my doctrine may be deliuered h 1 Cor. 2.4 rather with the euidence of the spirit and power then with the enticing words of mans wisedome and eloquence for my desire is not to please carnally nor to tickle the eares of the curious but to win those that are truely religious to a constant perseuerance in truth and godlinesse and I wish that wordes may be vnto you as nailes and goads fastned by the masters of the Assemblies to pricke you forward to good workes i Eccles 12.11 and make you cleaue fast to Christ and his truth continually Concerning the sense of the Text I finde a difference among Interpretors 1 Some by this house built on a rocke vnderstand the Christian Church in Generall built on the rock of Christian Doctrine which is called a 1 Tim. 3.15 The House of the liuing God Of this House 1. Christ Iesus is the chiefe corner stone b Eph. 2.19.20 2 The Prophets and Apostles foundation stones and 3 The faithfull liuing stones made a spirituall house c â— Pet. 2.5 4 The two opposite walles are the Iewes and Gentiles 5 The foure corners of the House are the foure Euangelists 6 The Pillars are the Prelates of the Church 7 The Windowes wherâ—by the light is conneyed vnto it are the Pastors and Doctors of the Church 8 The Dore is Christ Iesus the dore of the sheepe d Ioâ— 10.7 9 The Curtaines wherewith this House or holy Tabernacle of God is adorned are the Precepts of the Law and Promises of the Gospell 10 The Table of this House is the sacred Scripture holy Eucharist 12 The spirituall meat set vpon this Table is Christ e Ioh. 6.31 the celestiall Manna the bread of life broken to vs in the Word and Sacraments 13 The Vessels of honour appertaining to this House are f Rom. 9.22 23 the Vessels of mercy prepared vnto glory and the Vessels of dishonour are the Vessels of wrath prepared to destruction For the visible Church is like h Gen. 7.2 8.7.8 Noahs Arke which contained both cleane and vncleane Beasts and had in it as well the greedy Rauen that flying out of it neuer returned againe as the harmlesse Done which out of the Arke found no rest for the soale of her foot but with an Oliue branch in her mouth returned to the Arke againe This was figured in i Gen. 4.1 Adams family Typ Eccl visib which had in it a bloody Cain as well as an innocent Abel k 9.18 c. in Noahs which had a cursed Cham as well as a blessed Shem and Japheth l 21.9 in Abrahams which had a persecuting Jshmael as well as a persecuted Isaack and in Isaacks m 25.33 which had a prophane Esau selling his Birthright for a messe of Pottage as well as a godly Iacob that obtained the Blessing n 27.27 But the wicked Jn vnitate Ecclesiae non corporis Eccl. Alexan de Hales although they bee in the vnity of the Church visible yet not in the vnity of the Churches body mysticall or if they be it is but as corrupt humours are in the body naturall which must be purged out before the body can be healthy and strong but not as sound sollid and substantiall parts of the same body For of those that liue in the visible Church there are three sorts 1 Some are members thereof by Profession only 2 Others both by profession and affection for the present but not in resolution 3 Others both by profession affection and resolution hauing their hearts fast knit vnto God for euer And of Professors there bee foure sorts 1 Some professe the Cnristian faith but not wholly and intirely as Heretickes 2 Others professe the whole sauing truth but not in vnity as Scismaticks 3 Others professe the whole truth in vnity but not in sincerity nor with a resolute and vndaunted constancie as temporizing hyppocrites Exposit 2 and all these 3 sorts build vpon the sand 4 Others professe the whole sauing truth in vnity and sincerity and with an irrefragable constancie and these only build vpon the rocke a Mat 25.2 Exposit 2 2 Other Interpretors vpon this place vnderstand not the Church in generall but the particular members of the Church whereof some are wise some foolish builders as elsewhere a Mat 25.2 they are compared vnto wise and foolish Virgins 1 The wise Builders are they that both by hearing and practising build their faith on the rocke Christ and his sacred truth whose faith neither the raine of prosperity can corrupt or â—eaken nor the flouds of aduersity vndermine nor the winds of diabolicall suggestions shake downe and ouerthrow because the foundation on which they are built is immoueable namely the rocke Christ and his sacred truth 2 The foolish builders are they that by bare hearing without due practising build their false temporary faith vpon the sands of humane traditions or their owne vaine fancies and superstitions which euery win of vaine doctrine storme of affliction or tempest of temptation may easily ouerthrow because it is built on the sand and the fall of such buldings and builders will be great because they fall finally
totally irrecouerably from Gods grace and glory into the bottomlesse pit of perdition and destruction But this difference seemes to me rather verball then reall because the Church is nothing els but a Mullarum vnita vel potius vnanimitas animarum Bern Serm 61 in Cant a collectiue consisting of many particular men conioyned in the generall Profession of the same Christian faith though some bee true Israelites some cursed Edomites some professing the truth in sincerity others in hypocrisie some constantly cleauing thereto euen in the mouth of danger others quickly startling aside from it like a broken bow This Text therâ—fore is Gods fanne to discerne this corne from that chaffe His true touchstone to trye this pure gold from that counterfeit copper and the iust ballance of his Sanctuary to discerne thâ— weight of a sound sollid and sincere profession of Christianity from that which is deceitfull vppon the weights and lighter then vanity it selfe Diuision For it doth expresse a threefold difference betweene wise and foolish builders First in the manner of their building for the wise builders perfect their building both by hearing and practising but the foolish builders leaue it vnperfect hearing but not practising Secondly in the foundation of their building the wise build vpon a sure and immooueable foundation namely a Rocke but the foolish either on none or a weake foundation namely the superficies of the earth or the sand Thirdly in the effect and issue of their building for whereas both buildings are violently assaulted and beat vpon by raine stormes and wind the one stands fast like Mount Sion b Psal 125.1 c. the other thereof falls downe flat and the fall thereof is great Both begin wâ—ll and consent in the first act namely of hearing Christs words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 V. 24. 26. c. Whosoeuer heareth c. but in the latter they differ as farrre as the East is from the West or the heauen from the earth for the one conioynes hearing and doing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 heares and doth them v. 24. the other disioynes what God would haue conioyned 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hearing but not doing v. 26. And this is that which makes such a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or wide distance between them First in their properties the one sort being tearmed wise the other foolish builders Secondly in their worke the one building on the rocke the other on the sand Thirdly In the successe of both for the issue of the one building is firme stability but of the other vtter ruine The first difference betweene these wise and foolish builders is in the manner of their building the first by hearing onely the second by hearing and practising But both heare for the eares are the open doores by which the knowledge of those things entereth into the soule which haue no visible species for the eyes to apprehend a Rom. 10.17 faith comes by hearing which is the b Heb. 11.1 euidence of things not seene Insomuch as the Centurion who saw Christ crucified beleeued not on him by seeing but by hearing for hearing him giue vp the ghost with a loud cry contrary to the nature of that lingring death he concluded c Mar. 15.36 Surely this was the Sonne of God d Ber. Ser 28. in Cant. Auditus iuuenit quod non visus oculum species fefellit auri veritas se infudit His eyes saw him e Esa 53 2 3. despised and reiected of men a man full of sorrowes hauing no forme nor beautie that he should be desired but by his voice he beleeued and acknowledged to bee the Sonne of God not by his face being herein a patterne for all Christs sheepe and an Idea of them all f Ioh. 10.27 My sheepe heare my voice c. Aquin. 1.2 Q. 12. The Scholemen say there is a threefold booke wherein we know God First of nature secondly of Scripture thirdly of life By the two first we know him in this life but in part and as it were in a glâ—sse darkely but by the third we shall know him in the life to come when wee shall see him face to face g 1. Cor. 13.9 For the learning of the first booke wee neede vse nothing but our eyes h Rom. 1.20 for the inuisible things of God to wit his eternall power and Godhead are by the creation of the world made visible i Aug 5.55 in Joh Tom. 10. Aske the ornament of the heauens namely the brightnesse of the Sunne the beautie of the day and the eye of the world and the splendour of the Moone and order of the Starres the solace and ornament of the night aske the aire replenished with birds natures quiristers who by their pleasing notes and chirping voices dayly chaunt out the prayses of their Creator aske the earth adorned with trees and plants and replenished with foure-footed beasts and creeping things and made the'receptacle habitatioÌ„ of Man the litle world the epitom of Gods workmanship and idea of diuine section Lastly aske the sea the profound volume of Gods wonders swarming with admirable and innumerable sorts of Fishes aske them all and they will really answer thee The Almightie hath created vs a Vniuersus mundusnâ—l aliud est quam deus explicatus Athenag for the whole world is nothing els but a large booke wherein God is expressed whose creatures are such faire Characters that we may reade them running We need but looke and learne see and perceiue yea we may not onely see b Cypr. de card Câ—â— operibus smell tast and feele how gratious the Lord is when we smell taste and feele his creatures For the learning of the second booke we must vse both our eyes and eares in reading and hearing but especially our eares for although reading of the Scripture be no small edifying as appeares by the fruit thereof in the Israelites c 2. Reg 33.2 c when the booke of the law was read by Hilkiah the Priest in the dayes of Iosiah and d Neh. 8.31 c. by Ezra the Scribe in the time of Nehemia yet hearing of the Scriptures opened and applyed by preaching is a more powerfull meanes to aedification and saluation for many e Act. 8 3â— with the Eunuch may reade the Scriptures and not vnderstand them vntill the liuely voice of some Philip be as a key to open the closet of Gods hidden treasures that is the mysteries of the Gospell vnto them Dignum esset per superiores oculorum fenestras veritatem intrare in animam c. Ber. Ser. 38 in cant It were to be wished that the light of truth might enter into our soules by the windowes of our eyes but this is reserued for vs in the life to come when we shall with most pure and perfect eyes reade in the booke of life and see God face to face But now wee receiue the remedy as the disease first crept