p. 77. Homily of Obedience it is said So shall we please God and have the exceeding benefit Peace of conscience rest and quietnesse in this world c. In the second part of the * T. 1. p. 6. Homily an Exhortation to holy Scripture it is said Let us pray to God the onely Author of these heavenly studies that we may speake thinke beleeve live and depart hence according to the wholesome Doctrine and verities of the holy Scriptures And by that meanes in this world we shall have Gods defence favour and grace with the unspeakeable solace of Peace and quietnesse of conscience and after this miserable life we shall enjoy the endlesse g Luke 16.25 and 23.43 blisse and glory of heaven Saint Paul saith to the Romanes Therefore being justified by faith we have h Rom. 5.1 2. Peace with God through our Lord Iesus Christ Great i Ps 119.165 Peace saith David have they that love thy Law and nothing shall offend them Isaiah saith Thou wilt keepe him in perfect k Isa 26.3 Peace whose minde is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee In another place he saith And the worke of righteousnesse shall bee Peace and the effect of righteousnesse l Isa 32.17 18. quietnesse and assurance for ever And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation and in sure dwellings and in quiet resting places David saith The meeke shall inherit the earth and shall m Ps 37.11 Of Long suffering delight themselves in the abundance of Peace The fourth fruit of the Spirit is Long suffering which is signified to the Ephesians where it is said With all lowlinesse and meeknesse with n Eph. 4.2 Long suffering forbearing one another in love So in the Epistle to the Colossians where it is said Put on therefore as the Elect of God holy and beloved bowels of mercy kindnesse humblenesse of minde meeknesse o Col. 3.12 13. Long suffering forbearing one another and forgiving one another if any man have a quarrell against any even as Christ forgave you so also doe yee The servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle unto all men apt to teach p 2 Tim. 2.24 25 26. patient in meeknesse instructing those that oppose themselves if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the Devill who are taken captive by him at his will Paul unto Titus signifieth that wee should speake evill of no man be no brawlers but gentle shewing all q Tit. 3.2 3. meeknesse unto all men For wee our selves were sometimes foolish disobedient deceived serving divers lusts and pleasures c. Of Gentlenes The fift fruit of the Spirit is Gentlenesse The which property may be knowne out of the Apostles words where it is said to the Thessalonians Not of of men sought we glory neither of you nor yet of others when we might have beene burdensome as the Apostles of Christ But wee were r 1 Thes 2.6 7. gentle among you even as a Nurse cherisheth her Children c. In the third part of the * T. 1. p. 98. Homily against Contention it is said If you be provoked with evill speaking * 1 Per. 4.1 arme your selfe with patience lenity and silence either speaking nothing or else being very ſ Prov. 15.1 soft meeke and gentle in answering t Rom. 12.19 20 21. Overcome thine adversary with benefits and Gentlenesse Of Goodnesse The sixt fruit of the Spirit is Goodnesse which as one saith burceth none but willeth well to all The fruit of the spirit saith Saint Paul to the Ephesians is in all u Eph. 5.9.10 Goodnesse and righteousnesse and trum Ioseph of Arimathea is said to be a w Luke 3.50 51 52.53 Good man He consented not to the counsell and deed of the Iewes against Christ Hee waited for the Kingdome of God He performed all the honour he could unto the body of Iesus The seventh fruit of the Spirit is Faithfulnesse Of Faithfullnes faith or trust as in promises and in bargaines or contracts yea in all businesses and matters both Ecclesiasticall and temporall Moses was x Heb. 3.5 faithfull in all Gods house Solomon saith Most men will proclaime every one his owne goodnesse but a y Prov. 20.6 Faithfull man who can finde Yet such as are endued with the spirit of Iesus Christ are Faithfull in a good measure Concerning Faithfulnesse Christ saith He that is z Luke 16.10 11 12. Faithfull in that which is least is Faithfull also in much and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much If therefore ye have not beene Faithfull in the unrighteous Mammon who will commit to your trust the true riches And if yee have not beene faithfull in that which is another mans who shall give you that which is your owne Of Meeknesse The eighth fruit of the Spirit is Meekenesse In the * T. 2. p. 247 248. Homily concerning the state of Matrimony it is said to married persons the Husband and Wife Doe the best ye can of your parts to custome your selves to softnesse and Meeknesse and beare well in worth such over sights as chance and thus shall your conversation be most pleasant and comfortable S. Peter saith A a Pet. 3.4 Meeke and a quiet spirit is in the sight of God of great price The ninth fruit of the Spirit is Temperance Of Temperance And of it there is some delivery in the 80. Chapter afore CHAP. 86. Of sundry other Vertues prescribed in the Divine Service Of Honesty IN the * T. 2. p. 108. Homily against excesse of apparell it is said It is not the goodlinesse of apparell nor the excellency of beauty nor the abundance of Gold that maketh a woman to bee esteemed but modesty and diligence to live b 1 Tim. 2.2 Honestly in all things In the third part of the * T. 2. p. 119. Homily concerning Praier it is signified That it behooveth one that cōmeth to a King to speake and aske onely those things which are rightfull and honest Saint Paul commandeth all Professors of Christianity to walke c 1 Thes 4.12 Honestly toward them that are without and to have lacke of nothing To the Romanes he saith Provide things d Rom. 12.17 Honest in the sight of all men To the Hebrewes he saith Pray for us for wee trust we have a good Conscience in all things willing to live e Heb. 13 18. Honestly To the Philippians he saith Whatsoever things are f Phil. 4.8 Honest thinke on the same To the Thessalonians he saith See that none render evill for evill unto any man but ever follow that which is g 1 Thes 5.15 good both among your selves and to all men Saint Peter saith Dearely beloved I beseech you as Strangers and Pilgrims abstaine from fleshly
g Ezech. 18.15 exceeded all other no lesse than the Sunne in brightnesse and light exceedeth euery small and little Starre in the firmament He was made h Genesis 1.27 according to the image and similitude of God he was endued with all kind of Heauenly gifts he had no spotte of vncleannesse in him he was sound and perfect in all parts both outwardly and inwardly his reason was vncorrupt his vnderstanding was Pure and Good his Will was obedient and godly he was made altogether like vnto God in i Ephe. 4.241 righteousnesse and holinesse c. And it is sayd in the first part of the * T. 2. p. 261. Homily of Repentance Therefore did God create and make men that he might haue whom he should do good vnto and k Psal 8.6 Col. 1 make partakers of his heauenly Riches In the like manner Dauid sayth thou l Psal 8.5 hast made man a little lower than the Angels and hast Crowned him with glory and Honour c. God sayth Moses created man in his owne image which Paul expresseth to be in righteousnesse and true holinesse Concerning mans partaking of Gods heauenly riches Paul signified to the Ephesians that m Eph. 3.8 vnto him grace was giuen for to Preach among the Gentiles the vnsearchable riches of Christ And hee sayth vnto them I cease not to n Eph 1.16 17.18 giue thankes for you making mention of you in my Prayers that the God of our Lord Iesus Christ the Father of glory may giue vnto you the spirit of Wisdome and Reuelation in the knowledge of him the eyes of your vnderstanding beeing enlightned that yee may know what is the hope of his Calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints is In the booke of Wisdome it is sayd God o Wisd 2.23 created man to be immortall and made him to be an image of his owne Eternity Hee p Wisd 1.14 created all things that they might haue their beeing and the generations of the World were healthfull and there is no poyson of destruction in them nor the Kingdome of Death vpon the earth CHAP. 9. Of Mans falling from God and of the Misery of Mankind thereby IN the second part of the * T. 1. p. 33. Homily of good Workes it is sayd That Adam notwithstanding Gods Commaundement gaue credit vnto the Woman seduced by the subtile perswasion of the Serpent and so followed his owne will and left Gods Commaundement Whereby it came to passe as it is deliuered in the * T. 2. p. 168. Homily of the Nativity of Christ that as before he was blessed so now he was accursed as before hee was loued so now he was abhorred as before he was most beautifull and precious so now hee was most vile and Wretched in the sight of his Lord and Maker c. Which misery fell not onely on him but also on his posterity and Children for euer So that the whole Brood of Adams flesh should sustaine the selfe same fall and punishment which their fore-father by his offence most iustly had deserued Saint Paul sayth q Rom. 5.12.14.18 By one man sinne entred into the World and death by sin and so death passed vpon all men for that all haue sinned And death reigned from Adam to Moses euen ouer them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adams transgression who is the figure of him that was to come And as by the offence of one iudgment came vpon all men to condemnation Euen so by the righteousnesse of one the free gift came vpon all men vnto iustification of life Accordingly Esdras hath testified saying r 2 Esdras 3.21 The first Adam bearing a wicked heart transgressed and was ouercome and so bee all they that are borne of him And againe sayth he Å¿ 2 Esd 7.48 O thou Adam what hast thou done for though it was thou that sinned thou art not falne alone but wee all that come of thee Esay declaring the state of man falne sayth t Esay 59.2.3.4 Your iniquities haue separated betweene you and your God and your sinnes haue hid his face from you that hee will not heare For your hands are defiled with Blood and your fingers with iniquity Your Lippes haue spoken lyes your Tongue hath muttered peruersnesse None calleth for Iustice nor any pleadeth for the truth c. Vnto the end of the 15. Verse And Esay sayth also u Esay 64.6 VVe are all as an vncleane thing and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags Saint Paule to the Ephesians likewise telleth them what was their estate afore they were conuerted vnto the obedience of the Gospell Namely that they were w Eph. 5.8 darknesse x Eph. 2.12.2.3 without Christ being Aliens from the common wealth of Israel and strangers from the Covenant of Promise hauing no hope and without God in the World Also that they were dead in trespasses and sinnes wherein they Walked according to the course of this World according to the Prince of the power of the Ayre the spirit that now worketh in the Children of disobedience Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the minde and were by nature Children of Wrath euen as others Reade the whole Homily of the misery of Man CHAP. 10. Of Gods calling of Mankinde IN the first part of the * T. 2. p. 219.220 Homily for Rogation Weeke it is sayd That it is the goodnesse of God which moueth him to say in Scripture It is my delight to be with the children of men It is his goodnesse that mooueth him to call vs vnto him to offer vs his friendship and presence It is his goodnesse that patiently suffereth our straying from him and suffereth vs long to winne vs vnto repentance And what other thing doth his louing and gentle voyce spoken in his Word where he calleth vs to his presence and friendship but delare his goodnesse only without regard of our Worthinesse It is sayd in the * In the Service appoynted to be read on Ash-wensday Comminations Exhortation The wrath of God shall appeare in the day of vengeance which obstinate sinners through the stubbornnesse of their heart haue heaped vnto themselues which despised the goodnesse patience and long sufferance of God when hee * Rom. 2.4 called them continually to Repentance From which places it is taught That Gods call of fallen man is vnto repentance and his friendship and presence according as it is written in S. Peter The y 2 Peter 3.9 Lord is long suffering to vs-ward not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance z Mat. 9.13 I came saith Christ for to cal sinners to repentance And Saint Paul sayth to the Corinthians God a 1 Cor. 1.9 is faithfull by whom yee were called vnto the fellowship of his sonne
from the priesthood That they shoud not eate of the most holy things till there stood up a priest with d Ezra 2.63 Vrim and * In the service of Consecration of Bishops in the Prayer after the Letanie then road the true signification of the words Vrim and Thummim is delivered namely truth of Doctrine and innocencie of life See 1 Esdras 5.40 Thummim Saint Peter saith e 1 Pet. 2.13.14 Submit your selves unto every ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it bee to the King as Supreme or unto governours as unto them that are sent by him c. Samuel told Saul that God had made him the f 1 Sam. 15.17 See the 37. Article of Religion Head of the Tribes of Israel Therefore our King is Head of the Tribe of Levi the supreme governour over all degrees and orders of the Clergie in his Majesties Realmes Dominions aswell as over all other persons Concerning bearing faith and true allegiance to the Kings Highnesse his heirs and successors according as it is prescribed in the oath of allegiance it may first bee considered that in the whole Bible there is no mention of any of Gods people at any time to have done contrary unto such allegiance but ever to have borne faith and true allegiance unto to their Soveraigne the supreme Magistrate over them The Lord Iesus Christ both by g Mat. 12.20.21 precept and also by example taught loyalty to bee performed unto Caesar by all professed Christians all others The Apostle Paul enjoyned Titus to put all professours of Christianity in minde to be h Tit. 3.1.2 subject to Principalities and powers to obey magistrates to bee ready unto every good worke to speake evill of no man to bee no brawlers but gentle shewing all meekenesse unto all men Almost the whole 13. chapter of the Epistle to the Romanes is a declaration how subject and faithfull every soule not excepting any Ecclesiastical person ought to bee unto his Prince which beareth the sword which receiveth tribute and custome The higher powers unto whom Saint Paul commanded Christians to bee subject for Conscience sake and to render all their dues to owe nothing but love and honour and hee for to exclude universall ill attempts against ones Soveraigne saith Loveworketh no ill to ones neighbour were not defenders of the Christian faith neither were they favorers of the Gospell the highest powers over i 1. Pet. 1.1 Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia and Bithynia unto whom Saint Peter required those to whom hee wrote for to bee loyally subject If people were not in Conscience bound to bee universally faithfull unto their Soveraigne the society of mankinde could not consist together but the whole world would in short time bee turned into a wildernesse To release any from their duty to their superiours was the k ◠Marke 7.7.8 9 10 11 12 13. Doctrine of the Scribes and Pharises the mortall enemies to Christianity who taught that one having offered a certaine gift though hee honoured not his father or his mother should bee free making thereby the fifth Commandement of God of non effect by that their damnable traditiō And are not Kings l Isa 49.23 fathers Queenes mothers according to the language of the Holy Scriptures Saint Peter saith Feare God and m 1 Pet. 2.17 honour the King Salomon also saith n Eccles 10.20 Curse not the King no not in thy thought How zealous was David that hee would neither do nor o 1 Sam. 24.6.7 and 26.9 suffer to bee done any manner of annoyance towards the Lords annoynted though he were disobedient unto the Law of the Lord Let any search the whole Scripture and more especially all the new Testament and let him observe what manner of innocent life the life of the Christian Religion is prescribed for to bee or is described there and he shall plainely see that it is contrary to the universall Christian p Mat. 20.16 Rom. 16.19 Rom. 13.10 1 Thes 5.15 1 Cor. 13.4.5.6.7 nature for any people not to beare such faith and such true allegiance unto their Soveraigne as is expressed in the oath of allegiance and expounded or delivered in the Booke intituled God and the King What it is to be defective in duty towards ones Soveraigne the Church hath also most divinely declared in the Homily an Exhortation cōcerning good order obedience to Rulers and Magistrates and amply in the Homily against disobedience and wilfull Rebellion the which deliverie of holy Church all persons should often read or heare read unto them CHAP. 71. Of submission to all Powers inferiour to the Kings Majesty IN the first part of the * T. 1. p. 69.70 Homily of obedience it is said Take away Kings Princes Rulers Magistrates Iudges and such estates of Gods order no man shall ride or goe by the high way unrobbed no man shall sleepe in his owne house or bed unkilled no man shall keepe his wife children and possession in quietnesse all things shall be common and there must needs follow all mischiefe and utter destruction both of soules bodies goods and Common wealths But blessed be God that we in this Realme of England feele not the horrible calamities miseries and wretchednesse which all they undoubtedly feele and suffer that lacke this godly order and praised be God that we know the great excellent benefit of God shewed towards us in this behalfe God hath sent us his high gift our most deare Soveraigne Lord king Charles with a godly wise and honourable Counsell with other superiours and inferiours in a beautifull order and godly Wherefore let us subjects doe our bounden duties giving hearty thankes to God and praying for the preservation of this godly order Let us all obey even from the bottome of our hearts all their godly proceedings Lawes Statutes Proclamations and Injunctions with all other godly orders Let us consider the Scriptures of the Holy Ghost which perswade and command us all obediently to be subject first and chiefly to the King Majestie Supreme Governour over all and the next to his Honourable Counsell and to all other Noblemen Magistrates and Officers which by Gods goodnesse be placed and ordered In the second part of the * T. 2. p. Homily of fasting but it is said Positive lawes made by Princes for conservation of their Policie not repugnant unto Gods Law ought of all Christian subjects with reverence of the Magistrate to bee obeyed not onely for feare of punishment but also as the Apostle saith for q Rom. 13.5 Conscience sake Conscience I say not of the thing which of it owne nature is indifferent but of our obedience which by the Law of God we owe unto the Magistrate as unto Gods minister That saying of the holy Ghost by Saint Peter confirmeth all Submit your selves to ever ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it bee to the King as supreme or unto r 1 Pet.