An A. B. C. FOR LAYEmen othervvise called the Lay-mans Letters AN ALPHABET for Lay-men deliuering vnto them such Lessons as the holy Ghost teacheth them in the worde by thinges sensible very necessary to be diligently considered AT LONDON Printed by Robert VValde-graue for Thomas Man and William Brome 1585. TO THE RIGHT Honorable his very good Lord Syr William Cicill Baron of Burgley Lord high Treasurer of England c. And to his honourable Patrone Syr VVALTER MILDMAY Knight Chauncellour of her Maiesties Exchequer GEORGE VVITHER vvisheth Grace and peace vvith all heauenly blessings from the father of our Lord Iesus Christ. IT is an vsuall manner right honourable for all those that goe about to publish any work or writing of theirs to dedicate it to some one or other eyther to be a Testimony to the World of their mutuall loue and friendshippe or else to witnesse their dutifulnesse or thankfulnes for benefites receyued or else that vnder the protection defence and fauour of authority their works may the better passâ— and be the safelier guarded and defended against all busie reprehenders Wherefore vnwilling to break the receiued custome looking amongst the Honourable to when for benefites I am bounde As I confesse that amongest them I haue founde many and great welwillers so to you two whome my estate hath compelled to trouble and vse moste for your constant good will and continued fauour shewed and benefites bestowed I am aboue all others most bounden and therefore as a thankfull remembrance haue dedicated this simple sily labor vnto your honors God in these our days hath raised vp a number of worthy learned carefull men for the Church of â—od whereof some bestowe themselues wholy in teaching of their flockes others for the more generall benefite of the Church spend part of their time paines in writing Of the latter sort some translate into our tongue the learned works of other some set out learned Sermons Catechismes and other treatises for the admonition instruction of the people some shew their learning in mightily refuting and confounding the common aduersaries Yet amongest them all one thing I see wanting For where I see that God hath giuen vnto men two manner of Instructions and teachings one by his word another by his creatures and for to help our dulnesse â—o learne by his creatures hath by his Spirite in his holy Worde giuen a meruellous number of Lessons drawne from thinges sensible In the former manner of teaching God hath blesse vs in comparison of our Fathers aboundantly But in the latter I haue not seene any man of our time that of purpose hath taken paynes Which want no doubt is some cause that by these outwarde thinges which God hath appointed to bee so many helpes not onely for the present necessities of this life but also to Heauen Men ignoraunt of the good Lessons which the Holy Ghoste giueth by them for want of further and deeper consideration are detayned vppon earth and drowned in earthly thinges and doe not possesse but are possessed of their possessions Wherefore in some little part to supplye that wante but cheefelye to giue to others of greater learning and giftes occasion to bestowe this way some part of their leasure I haue collected into the order of an Alphabet these fewe Lessons giuen by the spirite of God Wherein as I haue cheefely respected the benefite of the ruder sorte so to accommodate my selfe vnto them I haue endeuored with playnesse asmuch breuitye and shortnesse as I possibly could and therein for the moste part I haue deliuered the very wordes of the Holy Ghoste worde for worde And wheresoeuer I haue gone a little from them yet there the very wordes giue manifest occasion of the collection Which that it may of all men the better and with lesse payne bee seene and viewed I haue in the Margent noted not onely euery Chapiter but also euery verse whence I haue gathered the note set downe If then any may be occasioned by meane hereof by the sight and vsing of earthly blessings to lift vp their minds to heauenly contemplation and thankfull consideration of the Power Wisedome and goodnesse of God then haue I my desire and that which I onely seeke for Thus I commit your Honours to the protection of Almighty God whoeuer preserue both you and yours Danbury the 29. of Ianuary 1585. An Alphabet for laymen deliuering vnto them such lessons as the holye Ghost teacheth them in the worde by thinges sensible Abundaunce WHen God blesseth vs with Abundaunce then are wee to call to minde whose gift and liberalitie it is namely that the earth is the Lordes and all that therein is and that manifold are his workes all which hee hath in wisedome made and the earth is full of his riches Hee gyueth it to men and they gather it he openeth his hand and they are filled with good thinges Yet notwithstanding they must beware of couetousnes For though they haue Abundance yet their life standeth not therein But they must remember that they which be rich in this worlde are charged to be readie to giue and glad to distribute For if they haue this worldes good and see their brother haue need and shut vp their compassion from him the loue of God dwelleth not in them And then shall this iudgement light vpon them that as their goods increase so shal they increase that eat them and no good shall come to the owners but the beholding of it with their eyes and they shall beget Sonnes and in their hands shal be nothing els though they haue riches treasures and honour and want nothing of all that their heart desireth yet they shall not haue power to eate thereof but straungers shall eat it vp Adamant BEcause wicked men are impudent and stif-headded and also in great number and countenaunce therefore God promiseth his assistance to his Ministers and to giue them boldnesse and constancie in their calling and to make their foreheades as hard as the Adamant so that they shall not feare the great lookes of them that rebell against God Adder THE Adder expresseth the nature of obstinate wicked men For as he is by nature enclined and desirous to sting and to hurt with his poyson whomsoeuer he may so all their counsels tend to the increase of wickednesse and mischiefe And as this euill in the nature of an Adder can by no meanes be redressed no not by enchauntment for he stoppeth his eares against the charmer So there is no hope of the conuersion of these obstinate wicked ones who stubbornely refuse to here all wholesome doctrine and good counsell that proceedeth out of the Word wherof we haue example in the counsell that stoned Steuen for they stopped their eares And in the Papists amongest vs who will not come into those places where the Word is read and preached Age. TO liue long is a blessing giuen of God to them that
soudenly our life vanisheth away as in dry weather Cloudes that threaten raine but are indeede emptie and vanish So is the liberality of greate braggers and boasters which will promise apace but perfourme slowely As of cloudes when they be vanished away there is nothing seene so the synnes of godes people when he forgeueth them are clearlie put both out of sight and remembraunce As a morning cloude that at the Sunne rising vanisheth away So is the prosperity of the wicked False and vntrue teachers are like these emptie cloudes which are blowne away with the Winde for they bring not that which they brag off Cloakes AS a good and fayre cloake being large so couereth a man that many things may be carried vnder it and conueyed cleanly which wee woulde be loth and ashamed to haue seene so hypocrites craft and deceit hideth and couereth their vntrueth which to bee plainly seene and perceiued they would bee ashamed Also we are to take heede that we make not Christian liberty a cloake to couer the satisfiyng of our lewde lusts and wicked affections withall Coales AS we see one coale kindle another woode to be apte matter to make a fier so those that be disposed to contention and brawling be apt to kindle strife to set men together by the eares Contribution WHen we see anye Contribution or gathering made for Preachers then we are to remember that it is but dutie that men should minister to them carnall thinges that made them partakers of spirituall thinges Corne. COrne that is blasted afore it be ripe admonisheth vs of the state of such cities as God hath determined shortly to destroy for the â—innes of the inhabitantes continually prouoking him vnto wrath Councell WHen we see men runne vpon head and that there is no man amongst them that giueth good and wholsome Councell there we may well conclude that they shal shortly perish But where there are many that can giue good Councell and there Councell is obeyed and embraced the common wealth shall flourish But good councellers muste not truste to their owne braines and wisedome but must seeke to direct them selues according to the Word and wisedome of the Lorde otherwise God doth accurse their Councels Men that will be wise in their latter end must heare Conuncell and receiue instruction For the deuises of a mans heart are manye but onely the Councell of the Lord shall stand Otherwise the Councels of the wicked of what might or wisedome so euer they be they shall not take effect nor be brought to passe Craftesmen THe gaines that commeth by Idolatrie to diuers sundry sortes of craftsmen purchaseth their friendship maketh them earnest enemies against the Gospell truth of God Otherwise the skil cunning of craftsmen are the good and praise worthy giftes of almighty God such as no common wealth without great inconuenience and daunger can want or be without But these craftesmen muste take heede that for couetousnesse they make them not parteners of other mens sins in becomming instrumentes to beautifie idolatry superstition vanitie curiositie c But labour onelye that which is good that they may not only be able to suffice their own need but relieue others Creation THe omnipotencie of the Worde seeing by it all thinges were made is declared in the creation of the worlde and of all that is in it Whatsoeuer may be knowen of God is manifest and maye be seene in the creatures and in their creation so that thogh men had no more teaching then that which the workes of God represent to their eyes yet are they left quite voyd of scuse for ignoraunce more the creatures reioyce to keepe their course to worke his will and to execute his commanndement But aboue all they are exceeding glad that GOD hath glorified him selfe by redeeming his people and bringing them into an assured expectation of beeing deliuered from the seruitude of corruption Crowne A Crowne because it is a token of the highest dignitie and honour in this life the holye Ghost vseth it to expresse the greatnes of the dignitie and honour wherevnto the children of God shall be aduaunced in the life to come an incorruptible crowne a crowne of righteousnes a crowne of life Crueltie WHen we see the meeke oppressed and the godly scorned and cruell men raging taking on at their pleasure then let vs call to mind that the time shall come when the cruel man shall cease and the scornefull shall be consuâ—med and all that hasted to iniquitie shall be cuâ—â—off For crueltie is proper to the wicked and vnâ—godly whose very bowels are cruel But euen as they do so God doth pay them home againe and iudgement mercilesse shall be to them that shew no mercy namely depart yee cursed into euerlaâ—sting fire which is prepared for the Deuill and his aungels Cup. AS we see men take the cup one at an others handes and drinck in course so we when we haue tasted of the cup of Gods wrath for our sins if we repent are to comfort our selues that it shal be taken out of our handes and giuen to our enemies euen to those which hitherto haue made a spoyle of vs and they shall sucke out the dregges thereof The people by whome God plagueth others are likened to a golden cup which serueth to make many drincke withall Those who haue seene others taste of the cup of Gods wrath and yet perseuer and go forwarde in the like sinnes as they haue seen others punished for shal drinck of the same They which are the Schollers of Christ are to make account to drinck of the same cup that their maister did When we see cups verye fayre on the out side and within sâ—uttishly kept then are we to remember that they are a plaine patterne of hipocrisie and to looke into our selues least seeming something to the worlde we be carelesse how we appeare to God who looketh to the heart and inner partes Also a fayre cup that hath dregges or bad drincke in it shoulde make vs mindfull of the cup full of abhominations and filthines which is in the hand of the Romish Antichriste otherwise called the Whoore of Babylon and whereof all the kinges of the earth haue druncke and heedful least we all be partakers of her sinnes and so receiue of her plague Day FIrst in the creation of day which was madâ— 3. dais before y e sonne we haue to consider y e almighty power of God who is not tied to any inâ—feriour or instrumental causes For carnal reason wisdom is not able to reach to it or to conceiuâ— how daylight should be without the Sonne Seâ—condly as they that vse the benefite of the day tâ— trauell and walke in needeth not to stumble anâ— fall at the things that lie in their way
children of God and that we doe not enuy prosperity to such children of God as he aduaunceth neither yet disdaine nor contemne the basest of those to whom God vouchsafeth to be a Father and aduaunceth to the dignity of his children The ioye that a father conceiueth and expresseth when his sonne that hath been wild and an vnthrift returneth to frugalitie and thriuing expresseth to vs how pleasant and acceptable a thing to God the conuersion of a sinner is He by whose ministerye it pleaseth God to regenerate vs and beget vs a new ought to be esteemed of vs as our father Fathers THe ordinary course of the world teacheth vs that fathers get and laye vp in store for their Children and for that purpose make no spare of labour trauaile and toyle in viewing whereof the ministers of the Worde are to learne the paines and care that they shoulde haue for their flocke of whome God hath made them fathers to make no spare of them selues but to bestow them selues and all their giftes fully and wholly vpon their flocke And as a Father comforteth exhorteth and beseecheth his children euen so ought a Minister his flocke A father ought carefully to teach the lawe of the Lord vnto his children and moderately to correct them Fatherlesse WE are to take heede how we contemne or neglect the fatherlesse for God is the Father of the fatherlesse and his fatherly care is howrely seene in prouiding for them Feast WHen Friendes meet at Feastes and banquettes they giue them selues to bee merrye and exile all cares and thoughts that might hinder mirth out of their minds then they should remember that those ioyes that their banquet bringeth them to at that time a good conscience would aforde them continually and therfore should study and care to keepe a good conscience Further in the middle of feasting men must take heed that God be not for-gotten nor his liberality vnthought on but that there be of it amongest them a thankfull remembraunce Fieldes WHen in the Corne fieldes we see Tares grow amongest the wheate till Haruest which can not well be rooted out afore we are admonished that wicked hypocrites and other euill men of whom there is hope that they may be conuerted shall be alwayes in the outwarde account of the Church till the ende of the worlde But it is euill husbandry to let tyne and such other weedes grow as both may easelye bee discerned and also are noysome and hurtfull vnto the corne Also if we hurt our neighbours fielde we are to make recompence with the best y t groweth in our owne field Further we ought not to encroch by remouing y e bonds or taking away the landmarkes of our neighbours field Fier GOD taketh vengeaunce of his enemies by Fier For as Fier quickly consumeth stuble and straw so the wrath of the Lorde kindleth as Fier and consumeth the wicked for contemning his word and for the wickednesse of their inuentions Experience hereof we haue in the destruction of Sodome and Gomorrha by Fier The burning of Nadah and Abihue Aarons sonnes The plaging of the people that murmured by fier The burning of two hundred and fifty that offered incence vnto the Lord by Fier that proceeded from the Lorde The consuming with fire from heauen of the twoo Captaines and their bandes which were sent for Eliah It appeareth manifestly therfore that our God is a consuming fier and that all his enemies are but as thornes briers which are easely and quicky consumed by fier but fier shall not hurt the godly because God is with them and protecteth them Hereof we haue manifest experience in the three children cast into the fierie furnace by the King of Babell The worde of the Lorde hath also the same property that God hath for it shall be to the vngodly as fier to consume them and the vngodly to it as wood to be consumed by it The Church of God also shall by the iust iudgement of God be a fier to consume the vngodly withall euen all the enemies of his people The Princes and Captaines of Gods people shall be vnto their enemies round about them as Coales of fier to wood and as fierbrandes in a sheafe of straw to consume all that lift vp their handes against them The gospell also is a fier which Christ by his preaching kindled vpon the earth As by fier mettalles so by the word euery mans workes shall ve examined and tryed what they be As a very little fier kindleth neuer so great a heape of matter apt to kindle so the tongue setteth the whole course of nature on fier and is kindled it selfe of hell Fier purgeth and fineth metalles so God purgeth the drosse of his children by afflictions And as it is a common matter to trye Golde and Siluer by fier so it should not seeme straunge to the children of god to be tryed by tribulations Fisher. AS Fishers with nets and hookes catch fishe in great number so shall they that GOD stirreth vp to execute his iudgements against any people catch and destroye great plentie of them On the other side when it pleaseth God to bestowe his graces in abundaunce then his Preachers shall be like y e Fishers that fish in the maine Sea and shall catch men with the preaching of the Worde in as great aboundaunce and varietie as Fishers doe fishe Therefore Christ called his Apostles from fishing and made them Fishers of men And when they had laboured all night and caught nothing yet in the day they cast out againe at the commaundement of Christ and inclosed a great nomber to teach vs neuer to dispayre though we doe not see that we winne any by the word For God will for vs espy oportunitie for that purpose Firmament THe brightnesse of the firmament setteth out the glorious estate of those in the resurrection of the iust who shal be found wise with godly wisedome Flaxe THe care of Christe in bearing with the weaknesse and infirmities of his children is set out in the similitude of not quenching of smoking flaxe Fleshe THey that trust in the helpe of men and not of God of fleshe and not of spirite because of the multitude of their warlike furniture shal fal and perishe togeather with their helpes For cursed is the man that trusteth in man and maketh fleshe his arme and with-draweth his heart from the Lord. Cease therfore from man whose breath is in his nostrelles For wherein is he to be esteemed Trust vnto the Lord with al thine hart and leane not vnto thine owne wisedome for the wisdome of the fleshe is enimytie against God and therein dwelleth no goodnes The carnall man is sold vnder sinne and fleshe longeth continually against the spirit and the fruites thereof are all kindes of impietie
first fruits all the Fruites of the earth were sanctified so by Christ the first Fruites of them that slepe the promise of the rising againe of our bodies to life euerlasting is to vs confirmed and assured Nothing is iudged fruitefull but that which bringeth foorth Fruite plentifully so it is not one or two good thinges whereby wee must bee iudged good Christians but we must be filled with the Fruite of righteousnesse Freendes HE that will haue freendes must shewe him selfe freendly that his freendes may thinke that hee esteemeth and setteth store by them For a sure freend is more to bee esteemed and set by then the neerest Kinseman that is for the loue of suche a freende is at all times shewed and his heartye Counsayle doth reioyse the heart Therefore him that hath beene thy Fathers freende and thy freende forsake thou not Frogges FRogges was one of the great plagues wherewith God plagued Ggipt there was neither feelde nor house free For what place coulde they be kept out of when the kinges priuy chamber was annoyed with them Foxes THe foxes excell in subtilty and shifts wherein false Prophetes and corrupt teachers doe rightly resemble them The foxes haue hoales and boroughes in the grounde where to repose them selues and their yong ones but the Sonne of man hath not of his owne where to rest his heade They therefore that pretende to followe Christe and yet seeke them selues and their own benefite profite and commodity looke to bee in better estate then their master and often times being deceiued chaunge their course Gayne GReedinesse of gaine troubleth the house of the couetous person and often bringeth him selfe in daunger For they which will be rich fal into temptation and snares and into many foolish and noysome lustes which drowne men in perdition and distruction For the desire of mony is the roote of all euill It maketh men erre from Faith and pearce themselues through with sundry sorrowes Therefore filthy lucre is to bee fled from and shunned of all men but especially of the ministers of the worde Gawle THe bitternesse of affliction of the soule of the godly when the Church and people of God is cruelly persecuted of the vngodly is like vnto the bitternesse of Gaul So also is the impiety and wickednesse of the heart of the vngodly Gardens WHen we recreate our selues in our Gardens the liberality of God present is thankfully to be considered by occasion whereof we are to call to minde howe pleasaunt that Garden was which God him selfe planted and placed our first father in and with how great vnkindnesse and ingratitude God was recompenced a gaine whereby both Adam and wee euer since haue beene depriued of so greate felicity and happinesse Girdle AS a man girdeth himselfe with his Girdle so God tieth his people to himselfe And as a souldier girdeth his armour to his body with his arming Girdle that his armour doe not hang loose or fall of from him so must wee our spirituall armour with the Girdle of trueth Giant AS a Giant is too strong for mean men of middle size as his voyce and looke is fearfull to such enemies so will God be to all such as rise vp against him This is a speciall comfort to all those that for Gods cause are assayled of wicked men and therefore are assured that God will stick to them to defend his owne cause and ouertâ—â—â—w their persecutors Glasse SUch difference as there is betwixt vewing of a man in a darke or dimme Glasse and the sight of him face to face in a bright day so much difference is there betwixt our present knowledge of God in this life and that which shall be in the life to come As he that looketh his bodily face in a Glasse and by and by departeth away about other businesse and forgetteth his fashion and forme such are the forgetfull hearers of the word which neuer practise that which is taught them But as a man may the better both spie his spots that he may wash them and also set his attier in the better order about him if for that purpose he diligently veiwe him selfe in a glasse so he that is carefull to auoyd that which he shoulde not doe and to execute that which he ought to do hath very great helpe by hearing the Word and printing of it in his mind Golde THe godly are tryed of God by tribulation and come foorth like tryed Golde out of the Fier Wisdome cannot be bought with gold or any earthly treasure of what price soeuer it be The worde of the Lorde giueth Wisedome to the simple and therefore is more to bee disired then golde yea then much fine golde It is better to vs then thousands of Golde and siluer The Church of God when it is afflicted by persecution is like dimme golde which though it bee fine hath lost his glorious brightnesse and shining colour Though wicked Cities haue neuer so great heapes of golde and treasure yet God in his good time shall spoile them That golde will abide the fire and passe through the more pure teacheth vs that wee shoulde builde vppon Christ that which will abide the triall of the word Gold though neuer so well tried and pure yet in continuance wasteth and corrupteth But faith approoued by good triall endureth to the appearing of our Lorde Iesus Wee are not redeemed by gold or any corruptible thing of what price soeuer but by the bloud of the vndefiled and vnspotted lamb Iesus Christ. Gold that lieth in the coffers till it be rusty and canker fretted shal be a witnes against wicked and couetous hoorders at the last day and a cause to encrease their torments Goates AS often as we see Goates we should remember the miserable estate of them that Christ shal place at his left hand in the day of iudgemeÌ„t and the terrible sentence of condemnation which shall bee pronounced against them which should make vs feareful of encurring the like and carefull to liue heere so as that there wee may be acquited and discharged of that sentence Graffing WHen wee graffe or see others graffing we shoulde consider that as the graffe is translated from his natiue tree to growe in another so we as many as be true Christians are translated from Adam to Christe and from beeing Gentiles to be of one body with the posterity of Abraham that as the graffes nowe liueth not by his naturall iuice but by the iuice or moisture receiued from the roote of the stock whereinto he is graffed So we now liue by the power of Christes spirit working in vs or rather Christ liueth in vs. And as to that end we graffe y t the verdure of the stock may correct and amend the taste of the fruit that it may be the more pleasant to the eater so we shoulde haue our
Christ preached in the worde is the true Light which lightneth all that come into the worlde that are lightned The benefite that wee receiue by light setteth out the benefite of the knowledge of Christe And as they that loue it hide their doings in the dark it is a manifest token that their owne consciences beareth them witnesse that their doings bee naught So they that loue and choose rather ignoraunce then the knowledge of Christ It is a manifest token that they loath to see the filthinesse of theire owne workes Moreouer it is a manifest token of condemnation when they shut their eyes againste the trueth As Light endureth not alwayes but darknesse succeedeth so the times and means to get knowledge endureth not alwayes but wee are to vse them whilste God doth giue them Otherwise as he that goeth in the darke catcheth a shrewde turne afore he wotteth of it so he that walketh in ignoraunce runneth headlong to destruction when hee least thinketh of it Whosoeuer thinke that they beleeue in Christe and yet abide in their olde ignoraunce and care not for knowledge deceiue themselues The light that shineth vnto vs out of darknesse is the knowledge of the glory of God in Christe And those which are endued with this knowledge are nowe light in the Lord whatsoeuer they haue bene ought carefully to walk as is comely for the children of light For many things which whilste they were in darknes ignoraunce seemed not were not thought of them to be faults vices are discouered made manifest by y e light of knowlege and therfore to be diligently auoided and eschued of theÌ„ which willingly wilfully wil not continue in wickednes For it is a vain perswasion for meÌ„ to thinke that they haue fellowshippe with God who is light and in whom is no darknes and yet walk in darknes still Also they are fowly deceiued that think themselues to be in the light yet hate their brethren Lilly AS the lilly doth florish and spring in the feeld or garden so God doth make the penitent whose sinnes he forgiueth pardoneth to growe and â—lorish The lilly of the feeld whose beauty exceedeth the glory of the richest raiment that euer any king or potentate in the worlde ware declareth what God is able to doe for those that rest and repose themselues vpon his prouidence when ordinary means faile Lion GOd killeth vp them y t disobey the voice of his words by the cruelty of raging of lions So was the Prophet that prophecied against Ieroboams calfes for eating in Bethel contrary to the precept of the Lord destroyed and slaine by a lion So were the Samaritans newly planted by y e king of Ashur in the land of Israel for not fearing the Lord destroied by lions But God can shut vp the lions mouths make them calme and meeke to them which fear and serue him As lions rage and roare when they seeke after their pray so doe wicked men when they seeke to destroy them that feare God So fearfull as the roaring of a lion is so terrible is the wrath of a king And as the lion and lions whelps fiercely rageth on his pray so shall God on the enimies of his Church when he riseth vp to defend it Rauening lions expresse the nature of tyrants that make hauock of the people committed to them The lion caught in a net or pitfall expresseth the miserable estate of a king taken captiue and held in captiuity As a raging lion spoileth and deuoureth all that hee can catch or come by so the Lorde deuoureth and spoileth the wicked that fall from him and exerciseth all maner of cruelty vpon them As when y e lion roareth whosoeuer is within his danger can not choose but be afraid so when the Lord speaketh what prophet or preacher of his can holde his peace Leopard AS impossible as it is for a black-more to cast awaye his Skinne and to become White and for a Leoparde to put awaye his spottes So impossible it is for them that noosell themselues and accustome them selues continuallye with euill doing to chaunge their custome and to endeauour to doe well The swiftnesse of the Leopard is not comparable or equall to the pace of their horses whom God stirreth vp to plague the wickednes of them that that prouoke him to wrath or anger Leauen A little leauen hidden in a greate lumpe of Doughe by little and little leaueneth all which teacheth vs not to be amazed or astonished at the small and vnlikely beginnings of the gospell but patiently to waite and abide Gods leasure till the fruite and encrease thereof be made apparant And as sweete Dough is made sowre by a little leauen So is the sweetenesse and comfort of the doctrine of trueth corrupted if it be neuer so little entermedled with humane doctrine or mans traditions The like is to bee seene in our conuersation If the leauen of malitiousnesse and wickednesse remayne in vs. We must take heede therefore of suffering a little euill and fostering a fewe wicked personnes amongest vs. For it doth quickly corrupt much and many the beginnings therefore of wickednesse are to be refrained Life AS that is counted the life of men wherein they most delight and reioice So that is a good ministers life to see his flock stand fast in y e Lord. God gaue vnto his people stacutes and declared his iudgements vnto them which whosoeuer doth shall liue in them But this life all men lost death preuailed in all because all men sinned that is to say transgressed the law But God of his mere mercy fauor and goodnes hath giuen vs life eternal in Christ and when we were deade in sinne hath quickened and raised vs againe in Christ hath reuealed it to vs by the preaching of the Gospell to the ende that all that beleeue should not perish but be partakers of life euerlasting Man WHen we see any possession kept by strength force of armed men which cannot bee remooued but by greater strength force then also we are to remember that eueÌ„ so we were kept by y e prince of this world whose possessioÌ„ we were and whose force could be by no means remoued but by the might of our God shewed in his sonne Christ that victorious lion of the tribe of Iudah by whome the prince of this world was cast out of dores When we see a man robbed or woundded or in any other kind of necessity then are we to remember that he is that mans neerest neighbour that dealeth moste neighbourlie by him giueth him most and best comfort how farre soeuer hee dwell from him or whatsoeuer enimity or strangenesse haue beene betweene them Mariage AS often as wee are present at any mariage and see man and wife coupled together in holy
which haue seene him shall say where is he The tokens then of pryde that abound and are plentiful amongst vs do shew sharpe vengeance and iudgementes at hand Because the Daughters of Sion are hautie and walke with stretched out neckes and with wandering eyes walking and minsing as they goe and making a tinckling with their feet Therefore the Lord shal make the heades of the Daughters of Sion balde and the Lord shall discouer their secreat partes For god doth resiste the proud and giueth grace to the humble and meeke Pleasure WHen we see foolishe men drowned in voluptuousnesse and pleasures and not hauing any regarde to godlinesse honesty or comelinesse then are we to remember Salomons admonition that pleasure is neuer comely for a foole and most commonly the immoderate loue of pastime bringeth them to pouerty and beggerie Raine THe Raine maketh the new mowen grasse freshly to spring againe and showers so comfort the earth that it yeeldeth the fruites thereof Euen so shall Christe refreshe foster nourishe and cherishe his people As a raging Raine beateth the Corne downe and washeth away al before it so when one poore man oppresseth an other commonlye it is without pittie or mercy Raine and snow falling from heauen retourneth not thither againe but watereth the earth and maketh it fruitfull Euen so the worde that commeth out of Gods mouth shall not retourne voyde but shall accomplishe and bring to passe that which God will and shall prosper in that wherevnto he sent it The raine falling from Heauen and causing the earth to yeelde her fruit was at all times and is still to all ages an open and a plaine euident testimonye of the goodnesse of God so that no man can excuse him selfe of ignoraunce The earth that drincketh in the raine that commeth oft vppon it and bringeth foorth nothing profitable for the vse and behoofe of man sheweth what is to be hoped of that man whome the knowledge of the Worde doth in no part reforme Rasour AS a sharpe Rasour with the least touch that can be shaueth and cutteth so doth also the tongue of a mischeuous lying man Rebellion WHen we see a stubborne frowarde and vnruly Woman brawle skoulde chide and rebel against her husbād we are diligētly to look into our selues how y e case standeth betwixt vs God for commonly y t expresseth vnto vs our vnrulinesse rebellion against God but all that resist God shal be confounded for rebellion is as y e sinne of witchcraft and transgression is wickednesse and Idolatry Therefore Samuel saide to Saule because thou hast cast away the worde of the Lord therefore the Lord hath cast away thee from being king To resist man whome God hath set ouer men is to rebell against GOD. Wherefore God him self hath set vpon rebellion and contumacy against magistrates parentes no lesse penalty then death His wonderful iudgments against such are to be seene in Core Dathan and Abiron and also in Absolom Reede A Reede shaking too and fro with euery little small winde declareth the inconstancy and mutability of the common sort of people whome euery small trifle doth cause to alter their minde and iudgement When wee see any passe by a brused reede and not breake it we are to remember that our sauiour Christ did beare with many infirmities in those which were his least hee shoulde breake of or quench those good thinges which began to appeare in them And of him we are also to learne by bearing and forbearing to cherish and foster such good as we see beginneth to liue and growe in our weake brethren Reward AS the price or best game for running cannot bee obtained of any that eyther runne not or else giue ouer afore they be at the end of their race so none canne attayne the celestiall Crowne of glory but they which perseuer in the right trace of Christianity vnto the end And as they which runne in a race hauing onely regard to the reward make them selues as light and as nimble as they can and therefore throw awaye whatsoeuer is heauy or may hinder their swiftnesse so we in our course to heauen hauing that glory onely before our eyes shoulde throw from vs sinne which like an heauy burthen hangeth vpon vs and whatsoeuer else may hinder vs in the way and course to life euerlasting Yet in this course the greatest paines that can bee taken and the greatest perfection which is possible for men to attaine vnto is not meritorious neither can deserue life And therefore our Lorde and sauiour teacheth vs when wee haue done all that is commaunded vs to say and confesse that we are vnprofitable seruaunts though hee of his meere liberality for our better comfort and encouragement in all good things hath promised large and liberall rewards Robbery WHen we see men which haue no conscience in getting liberall to the poore and to other things in common intendment good Then are wee to put them in minde that God hateth and abhorreth to accept robberye or theeuerye for burnt offerings To loue gifts and to hunt after rewardes in princes and men of Authority is cozen germain to robbery Rockes AS y e rocks that are hard to be clambred vnto are good refuges for the afflicted to fly vnto from the face of their pursuers So God is the safetye of all such as in distresse do flye to him for succour As hee that setteth the foundation of his howse vpon a firme rocke may bee sure that the Foundation shall bee able to beare the waight of that which shal be set vpon it and that no raine or floude shall wash it away so hee that buildeth his faith vpon Christe as he is set out and preached vnto vs in the gospell shall be sure that hell gates that is all the power force and cunning of the Diuel shall neuer be able to preuaile against him Rodde SO oft as the childe seeth the rodde he is to cal to minde these lessons following First that it is fit for the back of him that wanteth wisdome and that therefore correction is necessarye for him that is to be enstructed and taught For correction and instruction is the very way and path to life Wherefore they must thinke that if Father or Master spare his rodde that he loueth not his Childe but that then hee loueth him when he beginneth to chasten him betimes For naturally folly is bound to the heart of euery childe But the rod of correction doth driue it or scowre it away Therefore parents should not with-hold correction from their children For as the commō prouerb is birtch breaketh no bones neither moderate correction bringeth daunger or death but oftentimes it bridleth and keepeth backe him that otherwise woulde runne headlong into hell and so is a meane to saue his soule For it bringeth him
of theire owne bellies is the cause that men stirre vp diuision and contention in the church of God contrary to the doctrine receiued and deliuered vnto vs in the word Shepheard WHen we see Sheepe well kept by reason that they haue a good diligent painefull Shepheard who carefully prouideth as well to feede them as to folde them Then are wee to remember that the people of God can wante nothing because God is their shepherd For he feedeth his he gathereth his Lambes into his armes and carrieth them in his bosom and guideth them that be with yong But when wee see idle shepheards that suffer their sheepe to runne astray and to scatter and perish Then wee are to lament the state of the church wherein wee see such idol ministers as these idol shepheards doe represent to abound and if we our selues be such then are wee to tremble at the woe and heauye iudgements of the Lorde pronounced against vs by his prophets God him selfe will seeke vp his sheepe he wil find that which was lost and bring again that which was driuen away He wil bind vppe that which was broken and will strengthen the weake hee will cause them to lye in a good folde and to feede in a fat pasture hee will remedy all their euills by setting a shepheard ouer them euen his Christ. Shepheards that doe but beare the name of shepheards shew no care of their flock and do small or no duty to them God shall depriue them both of strength wisedome and iudgement The losse of a good diligent painfull shepheard is the discipation and scattering abroad of the sheepe When wee see numbers of people for want of the word in their owne parishes doe stray and scatter abroade hither and thither to heare the word then are we to lament this present estate and to haue compassion vpon that people because they are as sheepe scattered and dispersed without a shepheard The diligence of a shepheard in seeking vp any of his sheepe y t are gone astray is an example to vs to spare neither paine nor diligence to reduce them which are gone astray frō God by reason of any error And the ioy of a shepheard in finding of his shepe again sheweth how ioyfull the conuersion of a sinner ought to be vnto vs. Shepheards that refuse no paine nor perill but do endanger that most certainly their life do represent vnto vs the goodnes of our Christ who moste frankly and freely gaue his life for vs. When we see shepheards careful and diligent about their flocks to feede and cherish them then we are to call to minde that it is the cheefe and almost y e only means wherby Christ doth require his ministers to testify their loue towards him namely the feeding of his sheepe It is lawfull for a shepheard that feedeth a flocke to eat of the milk of it Therefore it is lawfull for the ministers of the gospell to bee partners of the temporall blessings of their hearers Sheepe SHeepe driuen to the shambles to be slaine representeth to vs the state of Gods Children and people here vpon earth Sheepe vnrulye to be driuen and running hither and thither astray out of the waye shew to vs our owne vnrulinesse and aptnesse to straye out of those wayes which God hath appoynted for vs to walke in That sheepe brought to be shorne or to be slaine are dumbe and open not their mouth it representeth vnto vs the great and wonderfull patience of our Christ in dying for vs which we are also to learne at his example As sheepe do represent the people of God so the good pastures and pleasaunt waters doe represent the worde of the Lord wherewith he feedeth his and the treading downe of the pasture and the troubling and stirring of the water whereby it is made thicke and foule sheweth foorth the corrupting and mingling of the word with humaine inuentions and dregges of mans braines Sheepe in the countrie which abounde with wild beastes lost or run astray out of the custody of their sheepheard represent vnto vs the dangerous estate of mē so long as they are not broght or continue not vnder the custody and safe keeping of our Lord Iesus Christ. If it be lawful on the sabboth to pull sheepe or other cattell out of a pit or ditch whereinto it is fallen and wherin it woulde otherwise perishe how much more is it to do good to relieue any kinde of necessitie of our neighboure the same day Further the very sight of sheepe and goates should make vs call to minde the state of men at the last daye of iudgement and make vs carefully to endeuour that the notes and markes of Gods sheepe maye be found in vs that we may be parteners in the sentence come yee blessed c. Amongest other markes this is the principall that as sheepe harken to the voyce of their sheepheard so we giue eare to and obey the voyce of Christ. When we see sheepe in the butchers shop appointed for the slaughter then are we to remember that such is the condition of the godly in this wicked and frayle life When we see sheepe from going astray retourned home to their folde and flocke again Then let vs remember that we lately in y e dayes of ignoraunce were astraye and lately by the benefit of almighty God who hath suffered the sonne of knowledge to shine amongest vs returned to the sheepheard and bishop of our souls Shettle THE sliding to and fro of the shettle in weauing do admonish the weauer how speedely and fast his dayes of this life do slyde away Shield AS a shield defendeth the body from blowes and woundes so the great mercy and fauour of God defendeth those which are his from euil Ships SHips in which men are carryed in safety thorough the raging seas shoulde make vs remember Gods heauy iudgement vpon the world in drowning it for sinne and to giue him thankes for his great mercy that he would not vtterly destroy mankind but taught him to frame the firste ship that euer was for the safegarde of him selfe and his family As a ship beeing neuer so great and huge is turned about with a very small rudder whither so euer it please the maister of the ship to direct it so the the tongue though it be a small member oftentimes ouer-ruleth the whole body and setteth it out of course Shoes WHen we see broomes and other thinges bartered for old shoes then are we to detest the intollerable corruption of bribing officers who for the price of a payre of shoes or such a trifle are ready to peruert iustice and to sell the cause of the poore which is able to giue him nothing The sight of shoes shoulde cause vs to remember how vile and base the moste excellent and moste reuerend ministers of the Worde are