A Threefold Preseruatiue against three dangerous diseases of these latter times 1. Non proficiency in grace 2. Fals-hearted hypocrisie 3. Back-sliding in Religion Prescribed in a Sermon at S. Pauls Crosse in London September 17. 1609. By William Sclater Batcheler in Diuinity and sometimes fellow of the Kings Colledge in Cambridge Heb. 3.12 13. Take heed brethren lest at any time there be in any of you an euill heart and vnfaithfull to depart away from the liuing God But exhort one another daily while it is called to day lest any of you be hardned through the deceitfulnesse of sinne Imprinted at London by S. S. fox Richard Bonian and Henry Walley and are to be sold in Pauls Churchyard at the spred Eagle neere the great North doore 1610. To the right worshipfull Master IOHN COLLES Esquier at Wilchcombe in Sommerset mercy and peace be multiplied SIR I haue often catched at some opportunity to giue publike testimony of my thankefull remembring your deceased Fathers kind euery performed to me A duty it was to present freely to me a Kindnesse that I was selected The recompence expected I haue carefully made good by instructing my people with what industry God knowes with what fruit I thanke God many soules can witnesse This kind of testimony I the rather embraced for that it afforded occasion to cleare my selfe of some fond imputations and of stopping the mouthes of vnreasonable men that euen for paines haue made me their by-word It were long to reckon vp all slanders of the malicious These are the chiefe Vnlearned singular turbulent factious As touching Learning I neuer much vaunted but by the grace of God I am that I am He knowes much Phil 3 10 1. Cor 2.2 Act. 7.22 that knowes Christ crucified and the vertue of his resurrection yet had I the learning of Moses who was skilled in all the learning of the Egyptians yea the knowledge of men and Angels I would endeuour in preaching to obscure my selfe that the power might bee knowne to be of God For Singularity this is mine Apology single I may go more shame for those should keepe me company singular I am sure I am not sith neyther I affect lonenesse would God all the Lords people were Prophets all Prophets labourers and the course I held is prescribed with a thundering adiuraâ—ion hauing euer also bene holden by all faithfull Pastours The way of trauell is indeed least trauelled Gen. 49.15 and Issachar loues his ease yet thus I resolue rather then lose heauen to go alone and neuer to be so good a fellow as to run with Idlers to hell for company My Turbulentnes let these things witnes my parting with many rights for peace sake disgesting iniuries I say not onely without Reuenge but euen without seeking for iust defence raylings slanders assaults hazard of life indeed what not and vnlesse they will indite mee for not admitting sicam totam into my bowells Cic. pro Rosc Amerin I know not what show of turbulentnesse they can accuse me of For Faction let my courses speake in regard of the Church for doctrine I teach none but what she professeth for discipline throughout conformable to the orders prescribed If this be the matter that the multitude is deuided the cause would be inquired whether mine or Gods Not where dissentions are there presently is the Preacher factious It hath euer bene one Accidentall effect of the Gospel to worke seperation Luk. 12.51 shall I say betwixt a man and his neighbour nay betwixt a man and his child nay betwixt a man and himselfe And let others please themselues in their peaceable Ministery I shall neuer thinke hee knowes the vse of the Fanne Mat. 3.12 that is alwaies tossing and makes no seperation My comfort is in the middest of these trialls Mat. 5.12 Thus persecuted they the Prophets that were before me Concerning this present Sermon your Worship may thus vse it with profit as 1. a spurre to Proficiency 2. a whip for Security 3. a preseruatiue against Apostasy The Lord graunt you and yours me and mine the whole Church of God a right vse of it And thus iudge of the Authour Hee wisheth you more good then he can do you and rests euer Your thankfull obseruant fauourite William Sclater From your Pittmister October 10. 160â— A THREE-FOLD preseruatiue against three dangerous diseases of these latter times 1 Non-proficiency in grace 2 Fals-hearted hypocrisie 3 Back-sliding in Religion Heb. 6.4 5 6. 1. For it is impossible that they which haue bene once enlightned and haue tasted of the heauenly gift and haue bene made partakers of the holy Ghost 2. And haue tasted of the good word of God and of the powers of the world to come 3. If they fall away should be renewed againe to repentance seeing they crucify againe to themselues the Sonne of God and make a mocke of him THIS Scripture was of old peruerted by Nouatians to the establishing of their desperate heresie denying pardon and place for repentance to men falling through infirmity after baptisme Ambros de Peniten lib. 2. cap. 2. and at this day through misunderstanding hath proued the racke of many a weake conscience herein Nouatians against themselues that they thinke pardon cannot be obtained for any sinne against knowledge and conscience Bellar. de iust lib. 1. Cap. 14. Hunâ—ius vbiquâ— Of late it hath bene wrested to proue that euen cast-awaies may be by faith vnited vnto Christ truely iustified as truely sanctifiâ—d as Gods owne children prepared to gâ—ory with this difference onely permanency of penitency or recouerablenesse in the elect instability in reprobates And with as great confidence though lesse probability vrged to proue that Gods children chosen to saluation called according to his purpose may at least for a time fall from the state of grace lose iustification not onely in foro conscienciae and in respect of feeling but euen before God lose sanctification both in respect of exercise and measure as also the very habit The more diligence is required of vs in the vnfolding of it For the context therefore it lyeth thus Cap. 5.12 c. is set downe a sharpe reproofe of the people for their non proficiency in knowledge and obedience that hauing had so long time plentiful meanes of bettering themselues in grace they still stucke in the rudiments and very elements of Christian Religion In this Chapter verse 1. is an exhortation to greater progresse Let vs be led forward to perfection The Argument perswading it is layd downe in this text taken from the danger of standing at a stay for hereby they hazard themselues to vtter Apostacy and falling from grace receiued And how fearfull that state is it here showne euen desperate and past recouery wherfore to auoide it they must hasteÌ„ to perfection In forme thus If by not proceeding we incurre dang r of reuolting then must we be led forward to perfectâ—on But the first is true Therefore
receiued I cannot in fewer or more pithy termes expresse it then Master Iunius hath done before me thus Paralel lib. â— Cap. 6. when as a man falles 1. Totus 2. Ex toto 3. In totum The whole man in iudgement will affections actions from all grace to all impious enormityes Saint Peter thus When a man turnes away from the holy Commandement giuen vnto him 2. Pet. 2.21 22. is againe intangled and ouercome returnes like the Dog to his vomit and with the Sowe to her wallowing in the mire The Repentance of such men so falling is impossible Impossibility is of 2. sorts one Absolute the other ex hypothesi Absolutely impossible it is not they should be renewed for what contradictioÌ„ implies it But supposing the vnchangeable wil of God to the contrary so it is impossible they should euer repent because the righteous Lord hath determined thus to punish their malicious desertioÌ„ Repentance they may come perhaps ad metamelegan so did Iudas Sap. 5.4 and if the damned in hell befoole themselues for impiety why may not these men come to such an after thought-taking and wish that their sinnes had neuer beene committed But to a godly sorrow and change of their minds ad metanogan it's impossible they should euer be renewed 2. Pet. 2.21 Therefore saith Peter It had bene better neuer to haue knowne then after Knowledge to turne backe And their latter end because more hopelesse therefore worse more discomfortable then their beginning that is then their state before Calling Will you now see the equity of this will in God weigh 1. their fact in it selfe 2. Compare it with the courses of meÌ„ such as we all hold equall For their fact They crucify to themselues againe the Sonne of God expose him to infamy The Scripture vseth to implead our actions not so much considering their euent which the Lord by his power vsually disappoints as waighing our intentioÌ„s and the nature of our deeds in themselues considered Example 1. Cor. 8.11 By thy meat shall thy weake brother perish for whom Christ died Vnderstand it not of the euent but of the Nature of the action So here the Lord Christ indeede risen from death now dieth no more but liueth for euer clothed with maiesty and honour Yet for that their facts in themselues considered are semblable to the cursed cruelty of the Iewes they are sayd againe to crucify the Sonne of GOD. What to make Christ our pack-horse for our wilful sinnes to frustrate as much as in vs lieth the end of his death to draw him downe againe from Heauen to make new satisfaction for our presumptuous rebellions to fill the mouthes of Pagans with blasphemy of that holy name after which we are named What had the Iewes cruelty more execrable in it Such Mis-creants who will not say but they are iustly depriued of the benefit of Christs sacrifices and perish eternally in fearefull expectation of vengeance Heb. 10.26 27. and of violent fire to deuoure them Againe Compare the Lords dealing with that which we all couÌ„t equal amoÌ„gst men When a man hath spent the vtmost of his paine and cost and sâ—ill in manuring his ground hoping to reape benefit by his industrious and costly husbandry yet finds no crop but thornes and briefs say we not of such soyle that it deserues not the second paynes of the owner but to be left as a Desart and dwelling for wild Beastes yea to be accursed for euer and deuoted to the fire And when the Lord hath laboured with such barren hearts ploughed vp their fallow ground sowne the seedes of eternall life watered them with the dew of heauen lookes as iustly he may for fruits of obedience reapes none but the cursed fruites of contemning his graces and wilfull Apostacy is it not equall with the Lord to giue hardnesse of heart to destinate to destruction neuer to be recouered This is the righteous Lords dealing with Apostates this the recompeÌ„ce he reapes for all his paines bestowed on them Holy therefore and iust and equall is this will of God in giuing vp such to hardnesse and impossibility of repenting Now Brethren we haue heard the meaning of the Text we haue seene the truth of what is here taught Application with the equity of this iudgemeÌ„t of God vpon their soules Let me now exhort in the Apostles words Heb. 3.12 Take heed I say againe take heed lest there be in any of vs an euil heart and vnfaithfull to depart from the liuing God Surely except the Lord should presently send vs downe to the place of our iniquity where is payne endlesse easlesse remedilesse he could not inflict a greater iudgement then thus to permit vs to Apostasie And let no man say this caueat concernes not him If any man seeme to himselfe to stand 1. Cor. 10.12 let him of all others take heede lest he fall Yea I would to God there were not too euident tokens I say not of Apostasie but of declinings at least to a worse condition in many of vs. There is beside this vniuersall reuolting another kind of Apostasie which we call partiall a fearefull incliner to this irrecouerable conditioÌ„ And it is of three sorts 1. in Iudgement 2. in Affection 3. in Practise In Iudgement when a man in some particulars falls froÌ„ the soundnes and sincerity of iudgement The Apostle layeth this to the charge of the Galatians that hauing bin rightly instructed in the meanes of iustification and saluation Gal. 1.6 3.3 they were presently carried away to another Gospell and hauing begun in the spirit would be perfected in the flesh And are there not euidences ynow of such Declinings in many of vs We were wont to haue our Schooles and pulpits ring of this truth Apoc. 18.4 The Pope is Antichrist Rome Babylon and that whosoeuer wil be saued must forsake communion with her Of late we haue be thought our selues of a new See for Antichrist new Rome rather then the old a new Citty set on seuen hills neuer dreamt of till of late discouered by Popish Geographers But blessed be God that hath directed the heart and pen of our learned Soueraigne Mâ—â—it pref prefix Apol. so graphically to be be paint him by his place properties time of reuealing c. So that now I doubt not Antichrist shall againe be Antichrist Rome Babylon and our people exhorted not so much to bethinke themselues of returning to Rome as their mother as to flye froÌ„ that scarlet whore made drunk with the bloud of Gods Saints We were wont to be taught iustification by faith onely without workes of Nature Law yea or of Grace it selfe Shall we not say they decline apace that will haue workes enter Iustification tincta sanguine Christi died red in the bloud of Christ Auricular Confession we were iustly taught to detest as a snare of mens Consciences a burthen not to be indured by Christians How then say
children of GOD. But to Iobs knowledge neuer came Reprobate I know that my Redeemer liueth Iob. 19.25 Gal. 2 20 Ps 66.16 Phil. 3.10 to Pauls neuer Christ loued me and gaue himselfe for me neuer to Dauids I will tell you what he hath done for my soule Thirdly there is a Knowledge consisting in Theorie there is another which is ioyned with sence and experience when we know and feele the power of Christs death Phil. 3.10 and the vertue of his resurrection In the Theoricall excell the wicked not so in the Experimentall Lastly there is an Idle and vnfruitfull Knowledge there is againe a Knowledge that is mother of holy obedience 2. Pet. 1.8 1. Ioh. 3.3 And this distinct particular experimentall practicall Knowledge is that that vndoubtedly accompanieth saluation Let me apply it thus to these times full of science voyd of conscience wherein how many blesse themselues in this that they know and yet know not in what poynt of knowledge they out-strip a Reprobate Try theÌ„ the light which is in thee whether it be more then may be in the children of darknesse For which purpose to the former distinctions adde also these two characters Looke first If Humility be ioyned with Knowledge Knowledge vn-sanctified puffeth vp the heart 1. Cor. 8.2 and makes it swell with contempt of our Brethren Now would God there were not too euident footsteps of this vncharitable despising our brethren How are our papers stuffed with contemptuous speaches of them English diuines Nouices Abecedaries in diuinitie are now the best speaches we can affoord our fellow-labourers perhaps lesse trauelled in the Ancients than our selues yet as fruitfull in their ministery as they that to them selues seeme greater Clearks Alas beloued who hath seperated thee or what hast thou which thou hast not receiued eyther what piety teacheth to vpbtaid with Ignorance those who haue not reached to thy measure of scorning Knowledge Ignorance if any would be pitied not insulted ouer especially in Brethren Pro. 10.21 Consider secondly whether there be in thee a desire of Communicating The lips of the Righteous feed many saith Salomon and againe Pro. 15.7 The lips of the wise spread abroad Knowledge knowledge where euer it is in souÌ„dnesse is as new wine in vessels desirous of vent What then may be thought of those Seraphicall Doctours as they would seeme the onely Gnasticks of these times for whose profound learning no one soule can say he is the better But I hasten to the next step The second degree Haue tasted of the heauenly gift To omit the coniectures of others This heauenly gift I take to be Iesus Christ with those treasures of wisdome and righteousnesse which the Lord hath stored vp in him and tenders to euery of vs to be receiued by the hand of faith If thou knowest the gift of God and who it is that saith vnto thee c. Ioh. 4.10 These latter words some take exegeticos intimating that this gift noted with that exoke is Christ Iesus himselfe made to vs of God wisdome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption Compare herewith Rom. 8.32 This then is the thing which the Apostle affirmes that euen Reprobates attaine vnto viz. An ouerly apprehension of the excellency of Christ Iesus and the blessed estate of those that are made partakers of him by faith they may see what is the comfort of remission of sinnes of a conscience sprinkled with the bloud of Christ of free accesse with confidence to the throne of grace As Agrippa hauing heard Paul deliuer the summe of the Gospell the humiliation and glorie of Christ the benefits thence accruing vnto vs as one rauished with the excellency of these things cries out Act. 26.28 Almost thou perswadest me to be a Christian And Balaam that wretch beholding the blessed estate of Gods people desirous to partake with them in happines passionately thus prayes Oh that my soule might dye the death of the righteous Num. 23.10 and my latter end be like his What is then the difference betwixt the sweetnesse which Gods children find in Christ and that which the Heires of perdition apprehend Ans A child of God seeing the excellency of Christ Iesus values him at so high a rate Scobala Phil. 3.8 as that for winning of him he accounts all things dung and drâ—sse what euer profit it lose him what euer trouble it gaine him he striues as for life and death to be partaker of him Epâ—st 1. ad Isehodor That pious cruelty Saint Hierome speakes of you shall see in him If father mother wife children any thing lye in his way to hinder him from Christ he treads all vnder foot for Christs sake and loues not life vnto death hauing once tasted of the sweetnesse of his bloud desires to drinke deeper of it yea though much bitternes of the Crosse be therewithall mingled With Hypocrites it is farre otherwise if wishing would winne him they would not want him or if together with him they might enioy the pleasures of their sinnes nothing should be more welcome But to sell all for Christ and his Crosse to exchange the treasures of Aegypt for his rebuke this is an hard saying no Reprobate can endure it The third degree The 3. step in their progresse followeth Partakers of the holy Ghost Some hereby vnderstand Renewing I would beleeue Ioh. 14.16 Ioh. 4.14 but that Christ tells me He the Renewing spirit abides for euer is immortall seed a Well of liuing waters springing vp to life eternall What then is the holy Ghost here mentioned and how farre are they partakers of him Ans What if we vnderstand it of those extraordinary gifts of the spirit whereof in the history of the Acts is frequent mention Learned Interpreters seeme not to dissent But let me adde something more Other gifts of the Spirit there are which Reprobates partake of kinne perhaps to sanctification but yet not sanctification 2. Tim. 1.7 Rom. 8.15 Heb. 12.17 1. That spirit of Compunction and Feare how many Cast-awaies are possessed withall howling euen with the voice of Dragons for their sinnes as causes of that horrour wherewith their Consciences are surprised 2. Out of this Feare flowes an excellent measure Externall reformation and restraint so powerfull as were it not the Issue discouers Hypocrisie thou wouldst sweare they were true Nathaniels right Israelites indeed 3. Yea more then this A wonderfull seruency of zeale for the Lord of Hostes Come with me and see the zea e that I haue for the Lord sayth halting Iehu 2. Reg. 10. 16. 4. And to conclude with how many holy motions are such men inspired how often heare they that voice behind them Is 30.21 This is the way walke in it yea purposes also conceiued to follow the spirits guidance In this point therefore wherein do Gods childreÌ„ go beyond them Ans That alwayes is accomplished in the Saints which S. Paul prayeth for the Thessalonians that they are
sanctified throughout in their whole spirit 1. Thess 5.23 and soule and body and that especially in them is eminent Their hearts are renewed to an vnfayned lâ—ue of God in Christ Iesus so that whatsoeuer they do in Gods seruice proceeds froÌ„ this fountaine Loue of God in Christ 2. Cor. 5.14 Followeth their fourth staire The fourth degree Luk 2.10 Rom. 10.15 Haue tasted of the good word of God I like that exposition The good word of God that is the Gospell that tidings of good things and great ioy to Gods people For herewith are the wicked affected euen to reioycing They receiue the word with ioy Mat. 13.20 Now briefly the differences betwixt them and Gods children in reioycing are these 1. Grounds of ioy in the Reprobates are carnall deepe mysteries things nouellons and rare much affect them as Athenians Act. 17.20 Mar. 12.37 2. Misunderstanding the promises rauish them the Conditions are distastefull Restraints vncomfortable As to malefactours in prison the tydings of a generall pardon after a Parliament how welcome is it the preface especially runnes merrily It pleaseth the King of his mercifull inclination to pardon all faults and offences But when the restraints come in the after-clause Except murther Treasons and Burglaries c. how is all that ioy turned into mourning and murmuring at the grace of the Pardoner from which they are excluded 3. This ioy ariseth suddenly like a flash of lightning Mat. 13.20 Incontinently saith our Sauiour they receiue the word with ioy Whereas neuer was child of God suddenly brought froÌ„ Hell to Heauen from the discomfort of a wounded conscience presently to reioyce in the Gospell 4. As suddenly wrought so as suddenly and irrecouerably lost whereas the ioy of the Saints is durable Ioh. 16.22 5. This sweetnes once tasted by a child of God by an heart seasoned with grace so affects them Pro. 23.23 that all things are sooner parted with then the Gospell An Hypocrite likes well of the word ad haras vsque till it touch him in his earthly profits howbeit rather then the sâ—ine should perish Christ himselfe shal be entreated to depart out of their Coastes Mat. 8.34 The last degree Caieton ad locum The highest pitch they can reach vnto remaines Tasted of the powers of the world to come Caieton me thinkes well aymes at the meaning To taste of the powers of the world to come sayth he is when a man for the world to come for the future resurrection and the last iudgement begins to set vp the regiment of the soule ouer the body Thus speaks hee like a Philosopher of flesh and spirit Let me adde something for more distinct explanation Men are sayd to taste of the powers of the world to come when as the meditation of the life to come beginning at the last iudgemeÌ„t works powerfully in their hearts How powerfull this meditatioÌ„ is Luk. 13.24 we may see in many seeking to enter but not being able Take for instaÌ„ce those poore soules in the Church of Rome drunken with the wine of that harlots fornicatioÌ„s What voluÌ„tary macerating of the body distributing their goods abandoning the world see we in them and all to purchase their heauen Neuer were the Priests of Baal more zealous for their Idoll then these for themselues to winne saluation And shall we say they enter If any man so thinke Rom. 9.31 32. I may commend his charity but shall neuer approoue his iudgement Heare the Apostle Israel which followed the law of righteousnesse attayned not to the law of righteousnes Wherefore Because they sought it not by faith but as by the worke of the law The application is easie And though I will not say but that some man holding iustification by workes in theft may perhaps be saued yet this I think I may be â—old to affirme whosoeuer holds it in hypothesi for his owne particular a Iew or Infidell may be saued as soone as he What is then the odds betwixt Gods child and a reprobate in this behalfe Ans A Reprobate makes himself the onely or principall terme of his intention in all his performances nor otherwise can desire Gods glory then as subordinate to his owne benefit A meere mercenary affection shall you see in all such no one thing done of loue towards God or with sincere desire to glorifie his name Gods child though he vseth meditation of saluation as a spurre to obedience yet beholds something beyond it more to be desired that is That God in all things may be glorified And if euer the question could come betwixt Gods glory and the saluation of his soule whether should be preferred Rom. 9.3 rather had he be Anathema from Christ then that the glory of GOD should be impeached It s an excellent speach of Bernard Bernard de diligendo Deo cap. 3. Non sine praemio d ligitur Deut etsi absque praemit intuitu diâ—gendus sit and againe Vacua â—amque vera charitas esse non potest nec tamen mercenaria est And this is the vndoubted character of our adoption and regeneration to that immortall vndefiled and neuer-fading inheritance reserued for vs in the heauens Now brethren for closing vp of this point Application 2. Cor. 13.5 giue mee leaue to exhort as the Apostle doth Prooue your selues whether you be in the faith or no examine your selues Hee doubles the exhortatioÌ„ because its a matter waighty and of most difficult performance and Peter 2. Pet. 1.10 Giue diligence to make your calling and election sure Beloued in Christ Iesus it s no so ordinary a grace as we commonly imagine to be assured of saluation or adoption For behold how many great things euen Reprobates attaine vnto Knowledge of the mystery of Christ apprehension of his excellency worthy gifts of the holy Ghost reioycing in the Gospell many powerfull effects of the world to come and yet are neyther chosen to saluation nor indeed truely regenerate to a liuely hope in CHRIST IESVS Alas beloued how many are there amongst vs boasting of vndoubtfull assurance of saluation that neuer reached to this scantling of Reprobates I say therefore againe Proue we and examine ourselues sift we these deceitfull hearts of ours to the bottome that we may attaine some measure of wel grounded assurance that we are the sonnes of God Let this also be the touchstone which the Lord seemes to commend vnto vs. Compare we our measure of grace with that wee find Reprobates to haue attained nor let vs euer please our selues in any one till we can say of euery one Herein yet I goe beyond a Reprobate Thus farre could neuer cast-away ascend What if wee haue the knowledge of Christ what if faith so that wee could remoue mountaynes and want obedience Can that knowledge saue vs can that faith assure vs Behold euen Reprobates alleadge for themselues Lord Mat. 7.22 haue not wee prophecied in thy name and in thy name cast out Deuills
some amōgst vs there needes no more but a modification separate some few abuses in the maner the thing may well be restored in the Church These are strange declinations GOD graunt not fore-runners of greater Apostasy In affection when the heat of our zeale for God loue of his truth is abated in vs. Apoc. 2.4 I haue a few things against thee saith the Lord to the Angell of Ephesus that thou hast left thy first loue Shall I say the Lord hath a few things and not rather many against the Church of England for leauing her first loue where it that ancient seuerity and strict hand ouer Papists of whom I may well say They are generally of the slauishest nature of any mē vnder the Sunne the very children of Hagar a little of her Masters indulgence what insolency workes it longer then she feeles the rod of her mistresse ouer-insolent And who euer saw the fruite of lenity this way that the number hath bin any way abated and not rather increased by forbearance How odious once was that Idoll of the Masse when if men would needs adore it Ezek. 8.12 Hos 4.13 it must be in the chambers of their Imagery made in the walles Now if Fame bee not too foule a lier on euery hill vnder euery greene tree may the louers of the whore commit their fornications yea euē in London the eye of the Land no where more frequent In Practise when in manners we grow more dissolute and leaue our strictnes And here beloued Christians where should I begin to complaine that which Isaiah speakes of Israel in respect of Gods Iudgements is it not as true of Englād in regard of her sinnes Isa 1.6 The whole head is sicke the whole heart heauy from the crowne of the head to the sole of the foote there is nothing sound but all full of swellings and putrified sores The Court and City full of effeminate delicacy the Country of hellish profanenesse Magistrates shamelesse in bribery Ministers euen benummed with idlenesse the people generally become Libertines in Religion Gal. 5.7 Beloued yee did run well who hath let you still to obey the truth Courtiers were wont to account Religiō their glory he was of old esteemed most honorable that was most carefull to promote the Gospell How now begin they to cast lots for Christs coate and to share amongst them the portion of Leui Gen. 47.22 things which amongst the barbarous Egyptians were accounted holy And when till now lacked the English Court some Tribunes of the people carefull to keepe from thē ouer-grieuous impositions How do all men seeke their owne Mich. 3.2 Is 1.21 and almost pluck off the skinnes of the people How is the faithfull City become an harlot It was full of iudgement and Iustice lodged there but now they are become murtherers their siluer is become drosse their wine mixed with worse then water It was wont to be reckoned the blemish of Germans to be giuen to bowzing Is it not so that what was wont to be their shame is now accounted our glory to be mighty to drinke wine strong to powre in strong drinke To say nothing of that presumptuous and euen defended prophanation of the LORDS Sabboths that rifenes of Oathes Ie. 28.10 euen in these dayes when the land mournes for them Are not these then apparent euidences of our declinings And as I sayd ere-while God graunt they be not harbingers of greater mischiefes Preseruatiues against Apostasy Speciall I will draw now toward conclusion some few preseruatiues onely against this fearefull downfall shal be prescribed and then an end These some of them concerne men of publique place Magistrates and Ministers some euery of vs euen priuate Christians For Magistrates As touching Magistrates they are or should be pillers of the people and meanes especially to support thē And first by vigilancy That charge of the Apostle giuen in generall to Gods people belongs by an exoche to men in authority Heb. 12.15 Take heed that no man fall away from the grace of God see another caueat Subordinate Let no roote of bitternes whether in doctrine or maners spring vp and trouble you lest thereby many be infected Know you not Gal. 5.9 that a little leauen leaueneth the whole lumpe sayth he againe pointing at corruption in doctrine which same sentence is also applyed to euill example in life 1. Cor. 5.6 Beloued these are the things requiring the speciall vigilancy and care of Magistrates We haue bin taught not by Tertullian onely but by the Lord himselfe 2. Tim. 3.16 to reuerence the fulnes of the Scriptures If any now shall arise and deny the sufficiency of them for determinations of all controuersies in substance or circumstance of Religion let the Church officers hold and censure him as a Destroyer Wee were wont to exhort our people old young men women to diligent conuersing of the Bible If any shall attempt to make enclosure of this common benefit to the Cleargy let him tast the seuerity of Ecclesiasticall discipline These are Gangrenes indeed in the Church such speaches as will encrease to more vngodlynes 2. Tim. 2.16 The like I say of euill examples in life if any such arise thither let the Magistrate hasten to restraine them Corruptions in iudgement slow commonly from neglect of good life 1. Tim. 1.19 They haue put away good conscience sayth Paul and then as concerning faith make shipwracke This exhortation is often vsed to the Magistrates of this place Wee heard the last day of 4. capitall sinnes raging amongst you my purpose is to insist in one onely which if any other is the bane of all grace in the heart that is Adultery whoredome and wine c. steale away the heart And it 's true Hos 4.11 Adultety and Idolatry they are contiguous vices they were the very bane of Salomon the wisest King that euer raigned ouer Israel And if my little obseruance deceiue me not the great sinne as of this Land in generall so of this City especial I come not oft into your City yet let me tell you what I saw in my very entrance vpon your suburbs A woman right of a Courtisans behauiour as Salomon describes her Pro. 7. at whose gates alas how many young spend-thrifts waite as weary of their patrimony and soules saluation Right honourable might it please you to be aduised to obserue the wayes of such strumpets These are they which of all others encrease transgressions amongst men these the Deuills very netts and snares wherein alas how many are entangled euen to destruction for this no doubt is the Lords dreadfull visitation still vpon vs Ier. 5.7 9. because men committed adultery and assemble themselues by companies in the barlots houses The Country likewise swarmes with idle ignorant scandalous Ministers yea I am perswaded all those Emissary Seminaries that haue come vnto vs from Rome neuer did halfe that harme