Maister might leane on his hand and so he might serue the King according to his office As godly Ioseph serued wicked Pharao Gen. 41.42 1. Reg. 18.4 Phili. 4.22 vertuous Obadiah serued the Idolatrous Achab and there were many Saints in the house of Nero. And thus dooth Naaman require that he might for a time doo seruice to the King of Aram to how down that he might â—leane on his haÌ„d 2. Reg. 5.17 but otherwise he prououÌ„ceth plainlie that he will offer sacrifice to none but vnto the Lord God of Israell And for a signe and seale thereof he requested to haue two Mules loaded with the earth of Israell to carie with him into the lande of Syria to be a witnesse and as it were a publique confession that he worshipped none but the Lord God of Israell and yet notwithstanding he dooth not instifie this his seruice to a heathen Prince but dooth acknowledge it to be a faulte and therfore desireth the Prophet to pray for him that this sinne may not be layde to his charge And Elisaeus dooth not denie but that it was a faulte but he byddeth him Goe in peace rather bearing with his infirmitie then any wayes allowing it and howsoeuer Elisaeus would not presse him too sore because he was a Nouice and newlie conuerted vnto the true Religion of God yet it dooth not followe that we Christians which haue receyued more aboundaunt knowledge of the trueth béeing confirmed with the death and passion of Christe and witnessed with the blood of so many Martyres should of a particular exsample gather a generall doctrine to couer our dissembling in Religion and renouncing of our Lord and Sauiour And last of all the aunswere of Elizaeus Goe in peace because it is the common phrase whereby the Hebrewes doo bydde a man farewell to saye Goe in peace it must not be referred to the last woordes which Naaman spake of the bowing downe in the Temple of Remmon but generallie to all the woordes which were before spoken betwixt them For their talke béeing ended Eccl. 23.11 he vade him farewell saying Goe in peace and so departed whereby ye sée plainlie that this place dooth nothing allowe any dissembling in Religion neyther by the woordes of Naaman nor yet by the woords of the Prophete An other ensample there is of Paule 1. Cor. 9.20 who amongst the Iewes became a Iewe and amongst the Gentiles a Gentile and became all thinges to all men to winne some This place is abused by many to couer their fleshe with a maske and to transforme their Satan into an Angell of lyght whereby they doo great iniurie to the holie Apostle of Christe For because hee became amongst them which were without the lawe as béeing him selfe without Lawe shall we therefore thinke that amongste drunkerdes he became a drunkerde or amongste théeues a théefe or amongste Idolatours an Idolatour When he was at Ephesus or at Ciprus or at Athens dyd he doo any worshippe or offer any Sacrifice to Diana to Venus Acts. 17.32 19.24 21.28 24.28 to Minerua to Iupiter to Neptune Nay dyd he not so fréelie reprooue and condemne their Idolatrie and preache vnto them the Lorde Iesus that they persecuted him euerie where and moued insurrection against him and sought by all meanes possible to dispatch and to murder him Acts. 16.3 Acts. 18 18. 21.24 Vnto the Iewes in déede Paule became a Iew he went into the Temple at Ierusalem to purifie him selfe and to offer Sacrifice he made a vowe and caused his head to be shauen he circumcised Timothy But why so because these Ceremonies of the Iewes were commaunded of God him selfe and therefore it was lawfull for all men to vse them to edification according vnto Christian lybertie vntyll Iesus Christe was fullie made manifest and by his death and passion had vtterlie taken away all the Iewes Rites and Ceremonies and also vntil the Iewes were perfectlie aduertised of their lybertie in Christe and of the abrogation of their Ceremonies But afterward when Paule sawe that some of them did confirme them selues in superstition and required Ceremonies as necessarie vnto saluation then he cried out against them and openlie condemned them and when he sawe that some false brethren came to spie his libertie Gal. 2.3 Gal 5.2 he could not Circumcize Titus as he had Circumcized Timothie But he accoumpted it damnable and taught men plainlie that if they were Circumcized the death of Christe could nothing profite them So also among the Gentiles Paule became a Gentile But howe Not in allowing their Idolatrie but in obeying their ciuill Lawes pollitique customes and in agréeing to all their déedes which were not repugnaunt to the word of God He obeied also their Princes and Rulers Act. 16.19.38 22.25 26.32 and béeing a Cittizen of Roome appealed vnto Caesar and vsed Heathen Magistrate for the defence of his cause in that they were the Ministers of God But otherwise he neuer applied him selfe vnto their false Religion and Idolatrie neither did he by holding his peace allowe any thing in them which was contrary to the woord of God But what shall we saye to Nicodemus Iohn 3.2 He stole to our Sauiour Christe in the night he durst not confesse him openlie in the daye was he therefore condemned because he durste not openlie with his mouth confesse the Lord Iesus I aunswere that although Nicodemus came to our sauiour Christe in the night it dooth not therefore followe that he dyd blaspheme him or deny him in the daye And although in the beginning his incredulitie and infirmitie could not be excused Iohn 7.50 yet afterwarde he became so zealous and constaunt that he resisted his companions the Phariseis and thought nothing too precious Iohn 19.39 to be bestowed vpon the honouring of his Lorde and Sauiour He declared him selfe with Ioseph of Aramathia to be one of his Disciples when all his Disciples had forsaken him he made then a publique confession with the greatest daunger that might be and when there was more occasion to feare then euer there was then they demaunded the body of Pilate to burie it and Nicodemus bought Myrhe and Aloes mingled together about an hundred pounde and wrapped the body of Iesus in Linnen and swéete Odours to burie it And thus ye see good Brethren that these exsamples doo nothing serue to cullour and cloake the infirmitie of our flesh howsoeuer they séeme at the first to make some thing for vs yet if we examine them thorowlie they are vtterlie against vs. But it fareth with this fleshe of ours as it dooth with a quarrelling man whose delight is onlie to trouble his neighbours in suites of Lawe He goeth to séeke the aduise of some Councellors and Attorneyes and if he lyght vpon such as haue good Consciences and tell him the trueth of his case and bydde him giue ouer his suite for his matter is not good then he goeth away angrie
fruite shall the Trée be knowne Euery good Tree bringeth foorth good fruite and a corrupt tree bringeth foorth corrupt fruite Doo men gather Grapes of Thornes Gala. 5.6 or Figges of Thistles Paule will haue the faith of euery Christian to woorke thorough charity For if the faith of a Christian be compared to a Trée then euen as the roote of a Trée sucketh Iuice out of the earth the body receaueth of the roote the braunch taketh of the body and the fruite shooteth out of the braunche euen so the faithe of a Christian must firste be rooted and grounded vpon the death and passion of Iesus Christ then must it send vp the Sap of loue and loue must blossome foorth in good woorkes And thus if our faith be not a dead faith but a liuely faithe not a barren faithe but a fruitfull faith not an idle faith but a working faith a faithe working thorow charitie then are we pure spiritual Wheate for the Barnes of the Lorde The Church héere ye sée is compared to a Haruest theÌ„ if we bring foorth nothing but Tares of sinne and wickednesse we can looke for no other but to be gathered by the Reapers Math. 13.30 into a bundell and to be throwne into the Furnace of euerlasting fier Isa 5.2 It is compared also to a Viniarde which the Lord hath hedged and gathered out the Stones and planted it with the best Plants and built a Tower in the midst thereof and made a Wine Presse therein then if in stéede of the swéete Grapes of holynesse and righteousnesse we bring foorth nothing but the wilde Grapes of sinne and wickednesse that the Lorde may saye vnto vs as he saith vnto the Iewes Isa 5.4 what could I haue done to my Viniarde which I haue not done and beholde now when I looke for Grapes it bringeth foorth nothing but wilde Grapes then haue we a seuere iudgement denounced against vs by God himselfe he will breake downe the Hedge of the Viniard he wil lay it waste Math. 7.19 he will let in the wilde Boare to deuour and spoile it yea he will hew downe the trees and cast them into vnquencheable fier We are compared also to ground on which the sower doth sowe his seed Luke 8.5 then if we be that harde ground whereinto the Seede of Gods woorde cannot enter but that it is pluckt away by Sathan euen as seede by the high wayes side is snatcht away by the Fowles of the ayre or if we be that drie grounde whervpon the fruite dooth wither away because it wanteth the moysture of the dew of Gods holy spirite or if we be the thorny grounde whereupon the fruite is choaked with the bryers and brambles of cares and ritches and voluptuous liuing then are our hartes euill and vnfruitfull ground Mark 11.13 â—â— therefore before God accursed euen as the Fig tree which had florishing leaues without fruite was by our Sauiour Christ accursed dried vp by the rootes for euer but if we desire to be blessed of the Lord we must indeuor to be good grouÌ„d that is Luke 8.15 as our sauiour dooth himselfe expouÌ„d it with a good honest hart to heare the word of god to keep it to bring forth fruite with patience not to be idle and fruitlesse hearers to let it in at the one eare and out at the other eare to heare it in the Church and leaue it in the Porche but to heare it to kéepe it Rom. 2.13 and to bring foorth fruite with patience for not the hearers of the woord but the dooers shall be iustified Not euery one that saith vnto me Lord Lord Math. 7.21 shall enter into the kingdome of heauen but he that dooth the will of my Father in heauen Luke 11.28 Blessed are they which heare the woord of God and keepe it So then with hearing ye must ioyne kéeping with talking we must ioyne walking with professing expressing with exhortation conuersation with science conscience with faithe charitie For it shall not be asked in the dreadfull day of iudgement what we haue heard nor what we haue learned nor what we haue read but how we haue beléeued Math. 7.19 and what we haue doone and that same Tree which hath not brought forth good fruite shall be hevven downe and throwne into vnquencheable fier they which in the haruest do prooue to be tares shall be bound together by the Angels of God Math. 13.30 and cast into the Furnace of eternall death where the worme neuer dyeth and the flame neuer goeth out We are called also by the Apostle Paul Gods Husbandrie 1. Cor. 3.9 Vos estis Agricultura dei ye are Gods Husbandrie Whereby we are admonished of our dutie that the more that we are husbanded by the worde of God the more plentifull ought we to be in good workes or otherwise our condemnation will be the greater We cannot alledge the ensample of our forefathers nor of any others in this time which haue not the like Husbandrie bestowed vpon them For Mat. 25.20.22 to whom the Lord committeth but two Talents of him he will looke for but the increase of two But to whomsoener he committeth fiue Talents of him he will looke for the increase of fiue The Scholemaister will not require Latin of him that neuer learned any but he which hath learned it he must giue an accoumpt for it When a Maister dooth sende foorth his seruaunt in the night time if he haue missed his way a little he will not deale so rigorously with him but when hee sendeth him in the day time if he misse his way then he shall more hardly be excused Where the Husbandman dooth take great paines in husbandrie there will he looke for much fruite but where he neuer tooke any paines there it will greeue him the lesse to haue some thornes and thistles briars and brambles And therefore consider good people how the Lord hath dealt more mercifully with you of this Towne of Manchester then euer he did with your forefathers or then now he dooth with any place about you He hath giuen you a large Talent he hath reuealed his holy will most plainely and plentifully vnto you he hath sent you foorth in the daye time euen in the light of his glorious Gospell he hath sent his seruaunts early and late to husband your hearts and to sowe therein the seede of his most holy and blessed worde take héede therfore that your fruites be aunswerable therevnto or otherwise assure your selues that your coÌ„demnation shall be the greater Luk. 1â— 47.48 for he that knoweth the will of his Maister and will not doo it he shal be beaten with many stripes and to whom soeuer much is committed of him shall much be required And thus dearely belooued ye see how these allegoryes so often vsed in the Scriptures of Haruest Trées Viniarde Grounde Séede Husbandrie doo all admonish you of Gods great mercy towards you
God continually Who more wretched sinners then Publicanes Math 9.9 Luke 19.6 yet were Mathew and Zacheus the faithfull children of God Who more blinde and obstinate then the Pharisies yet was there amōgst them a godly Nicodemus Ioh. 3.3 7.50 19.39 which was desirous to be instructed by Christ and resisted his companions the Pharisies and thought nothing to déere to be bestowed to the honouring of his Lord and Sauiour Who were more wilfully bēt to withstande Christ the true Messias then were the Iewes to whom he was sent As the Scripture saithe Iohn 1.11.47 he came vnto his owne and his owne receaued him not Yet were there some Nathaniels true Isralites Lu. 2.25.37.38 in whom there was no guile some Symeons which feared God and looked for the consolation of Israel and some godly Annas which serued God day and night with fastings and prayer and confessed the Lord Iesus to all that looked for redemption in Ierusalem so that howsoeuer the seuentie Disciples might imagine the Haruest to be but small yet indéede as Christ telleth them héere the Haruest was great Then dearely belooued we are héere to learne not to measure the Haruest of Christe according to our owne fancies 1. Re. 19.10.18 for if the spirite of Elias could not discerne one when in déede there were seuen thousand how much lesse are we able to perceaue the greatnes of Gods Haruest whose eyes are nothing so bright nor iudgement so cléere nor knowledge so perfect as was in the holy Prophet of God But rather we ought to prayse God continually for the great increase which hee dayly addeth vnto his Haruest and for the blessing which he giueth to the course of his holye worde making the same to fructifye and increase to hundreds and thousands and to praye vnto him incessantlye that as he hath alreadye drawne a great parte of Christendome from vnder the Yoake of Antichriste so it would please him to continue his goodnes and to increase his Haruest daily more and more to the glorie of his holy name and the aduauncement of his kingdome which the Lorde of his infinite mercy graunt for the merits and intercession of his dearely belooued sonne Iesus Christ and thus much for the first part how the Haruest is great Now that our Sauiour Christ hath told his Disciples of the greatnesse of the Haruest he sheweth them in the next place of the small number of the labourers the Labourers saith he are but few By this worde Labourers he meaneth true and faithful Pastors for otherwise of other labourers the Iewes did want no store they had their Leuits they had infinite Sinagogues and therin a great company of Lawyers and Scribes they had their Priestes which challenged to sit in the Chayre of Moyses they had their Pharesies the expounders of the Lawe which were in great estimation of learning and holynesse and how then were the Labourers but fewe Wee must vnderstande that our Sauiour speaketh not of false Hierlings but of true Pastors not of those which beare an ydle name and title of Pastoures beeing Pastores a pascendo tanquam montes a mouendo that is feeders of feeding as mountaines of moouing but of those that doo carefully and painefully feede the flock of Christe And of these the number is very small so that God may still say as he saithe in Ezechiell Ezech. 34.6 Dispersus est grex meus c. My flock is scattered through all the earth and there is none that doth seeke and search after them This phrase of spéeche to call the Ministers Labourers and their Office a labour is often vsed in the holy Scriptures Nos sumus cooperarij Dei saythe Paul 1. Cor. 3.9 We together are Gods Labourers I am in feare of you Gala. 4.11 least I haue bestowed on you my labour in vaine Si quis Episcopatum desiderat 1. Tim. 3.1 bonum opus desiderat If any man desire the office of a Bishop he desireth a good worke It is a worke non honos sed onus not an honour but a burthen or if it be an honour yet hath it alwayes a burthen annexed 1. Tim. 5.17 The Elders which rule well are worthie of double honour Maxime ij qui laborant verbo doctrina especially they which labour in worde and doctrine By all which places we of the Ministery are admonished of our dutie that we ought to be labourers not loyterers not to liue idely and securely but to be painefull workemen in the Haruest of the Lorde Saint Paul had no better reason to perswade the Elders of the Church of Ephesus Actes 20.28 to take heede vnto themselues and to all the flock whereof the holy Ghost had made them ouerseers then to tell them that the Church which they had the charge of was the Church of Christe which he had purchased with his owne bloud neither can there be any thing which ought more to stirre vp vs which be héer present to painefull labour and carefull diligence then to remember that we are appointed labourers to worke in the Haruest not of men but of the Lord and in that Field which Christ hath purchased with his owne most precious bloud We are called the Salt of the earth Math. 5.13 and therefore we ought to season the people of God with the knowledge of his holy word we are called Math. 5.14 Math. 6.22 Apoc. 1.20 the eies of the body the stars of heauē the light of the world therefore we must séeke to driue away all ignoraunce and darkenesse not putting our lightes vnder a Bushell but setting them vpon a Candlestick Isa 56.10 to giue light to all the housholde We are called Watchmen and therefore we must not let the enemie come in while we sléepe and delight in sleeping for as God saith by the Prophet Ezechiel Ezech. 33.6 If the Watchman see the Sword comming and blow not the Trumpet and the people be not warned and so they perish with the Sworde they are perished for their iniquitie but their bloud will I require at the watchmans hand We are called heere Labourers and therefore we ought to labour in the Lordes Haruest dilligently and faithfully Ier. 48.10 For as the Prophet saithe Cursed is he that dooth the worke of the Lorde negligently if this be the worke of the Lorde to punish the wicked and destroye them with the sworde as the Prophet dooth in that place describe then howe much more shall we accompt it to be the worke of the Lord to edifie the soules of the simple to sowe in their hearts the seede of Gods worde to bringe them to repentaunce and amendmēt of life this is the worke of the Lord and cursed is he that dooth the worke of the Lord negligently We are called the Angels and Messengers of the Lord of Hoastes Math. 2.7 the Ministers of Christ 1. Cor. 4.1 and dispensers of the secrets of God and
be endewed with power from an high they are not fit Pastors for the Church of Christ This then is the first thing which is required in vs that are appointed to be labourers in the Lordes Haruest that we vnderstand the misteries of God â— Tim. 2.5.6.7.15 and know how to labour For as Paul sheweth Timothie as he which striueth for a Maisterie is not crowned except he striue as he ought to doo no more can the Husbandman reape any fruite vnlesse he labour as he ought to doo and therefore he prayeth the Lorde to giue him vnderstanding in all things that he may be able to shew himselfe a workeman that néedeth not to be ashamed rightly deuiding the word of truth For if the Ministers be not able thus to deuide the worde of trueth then are they nothing els but labourers without tooles Stewards without Talents Teachers without doctrine Sheepeheards without Pastures Bels without Clappers Cryers without voyces Watchemen without eyes builders without handes Captaines without weapons Fishers without Nets Lanternes without lights Embassadours without tongues Feâ—rs without meate Sowere without Seede leaders without sight Salâ—e without sauour and therefore good for nothing but to be troden vnder foote to be cast out of none and throwen vpon the Dounghill The second thing which is required in a Labourer is Luk. 12.42 1. Cor. 4.2 that he doo his worke faithfully without all fraude and deceit Who is a good and faithfull Steward say the Christe and Paule affirmeth this to be required in all the dispensers of Gods worde Colos 1.7 Hebr. 3.5 that euery one be found faithfull such alone was Epaphras a faithfull Minister of Christ such a one was Moses who was faithfull in all his house and such ought all Ministers to be to doo the worke of the Lord faithfully Saint Paule teacheth vs 2. Cor. 2.17 not to make marchandise of the worde of God 2. Cor. 4.2 but to speake of Christ in sincerity as of God in the sight of God and to cast from vs the cloakes of shame not to walke in craftines neither to handle the worde of God deceitfully but in the declaration of the trueth to approoue our selues to euery maÌ„s coÌ„science in the sight of God Hereby then is condemned all wresting of the holy scriptures to satisfie our owne humours also all ouercurious haÌ„dling of the word of God 2. Cor. 12.3 2. Cor. 4.5 1. Cor. 2.1.2.4.15 wherby the minds of meÌ„ are corrupted froÌ„ the simplicity that is in Christ And therefore we ought to preache not our selues but Christ to preach him not in excelleÌ„cy of words nor in painted eloquence nor in the intising speach of mans wisdom but in plaine euidence of the spirit and power confessing that we knowe nothing but Iesus Christ and him crucified Saint Paule will haue the Ministers not to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. Cor. 2.17 Cauponantes vel adulterantes verbum Dei not to mingle it as Vintners doo their Wine and as false Huksters doo their wares but to preach it in sinceritie and trueth Héereby then is condemned the vnaduised mingling of prophane writers and inuentions of men with the heauenly worde of God as many nowe a dayes doo running vp and downe from Scriptures to Doctors from Prophets to Poets from Peter to Ouid from Paule to Horacâ— from Christ to Virgil to the great derogating from the authoritie and maiestie of our Sauiour Christ and his glorious Gospell whereas Heb. 4.12 â—phe 6.17 â— Cor. 10.5 indéede onely the woord of God is the Sworde whereby we must cut downe sinne and wickednesse and bring into captiuitie euery thought vnto the obedience of Christ and the câ—use why there appeareth so small fruite of many of our Preachings is because wee trust not to that weaponâ— which God dooth deliuer vs. Ierem. 23.22 For so sayeth God by the Prophet If they had stood in my counsell and had declared my words vnto my people theÌ„ they should haue turned them from their euill way and from the wickednes of their owne inuentions And therefore why the labour that we take in the Lords Haruest is often in vaine is because we labour not with the right toole and instrument the worde of God which as it is there set downe by Ieremy is onely Ier. 23.29 the Hammer to bruse the stonie heart I confesse that to illustrate and make plaine the trueth the Preacher may vse what comparisons he can as Christ drew his Parables from the Haruest the ground the Seede the Viniarde and such other things as are moste familiar and best knowne vnto the common people he may also vse the sayings and sentences of Doctours and Fathers yea and of prophaine Philosophers Poets sometimes as Saint Paul dooth alledge somtimes halfe verses sometimes whole verses out of Aratus Menander Acte 17.28 1. Cor. 15.33 Tit. 1.12 Exod. 3.22 and Epimenides which were all prophane and Heathnish Poets and by this meanes we may as it were spoile the Aegiptians of their Iewels But this must be doone sparinglie seldome and with great iudgement not so much to establish and confirme the trueth as to illustrate and make plaine the trueth Iohn 20.31 Rom. 1.16 2. Tim. 3.16.17 For otherwise for the confyrmation of any doctrine we ought to leane onely to the authoritie of the word which dooth fully perfectly coÌ„taine althings necessary to our saluatioÌ„ is the power of God to saluation to all beleeuers And therfore they are no faithful Embassadors which wil do the message which their Prince neuer gaue them in coÌ„missioÌ„ neither are they faithfull labourers which will neglect that which their Maister coÌ„maundeth doo what séemeth good in their own phantasies Héere then the Papists are condeÌ„ned for vnfaithfull Stewards whose doctrine is altogether either a cleane coÌ„trary alteration or els a wicked additioÌ„ vnto the word of God so that God may say vnto theÌ„ as he saith by the propher Esay Isa 1.12 Acte 8.28 17.11 2. Peter 1.19 Who required these things at your hands Who required this at your hands that ye should cause my holy blessed word to be locked vp the decrées of Antichrist to be placed in stéede therof Who required this of you to take your obedieÌ„ce froÌ„ your naturall Prince Rom. 15.1 to whom it is due Tit. 3.1 1. Peter 2.13 to giue it to a proud Prelate of Rome that he by his pensions and Pardons and Peterpence 1. Cor. 14.14.15.16 may impouerish the whole lande Who required this at your hands to patter vp prayers in an vnknowne tongue which ye vnderstaÌ„d as well with your héeles as with your hearts and to make your prayers not to me the Father of Heauen Psal 50.14 Ioâ— 2.32 whoÌ„ am onely to be called vpon but to giue mine honour to Angels and Saints to Idols and Images to stocks and stones to blockes Bones Math. 26.27 1. Cor. 11.25 Who
Mamples Crosier staues Miters not with sundrie such sottish ceremonies foolish gestures as haue bin vsed héeretofore in the creating of popish Bishops and Priests greasie shauelings and Idolatrous Massemongers but simplye and plainely with laying on of hands and with prayer And for this cause my Lorde hath thought it conuenient at this time not to ordayne the Ministers secrety in his Closet as hath beene wickedly practised of others heeretofore but to bring them into the face of the congregation to the end that we altogether might with one heart and one voyce praye vnto the Lorde of the Haruest that hee will make them profitable Labourers in his Haruest And nowe therefore deare brethren let vs not accoumpt this busynesse A Spectacle to bee gazed vpon but let vs all with one accorde lifte vp our mindes vnto the Father of Heauen thorough the merits and intercession of his welbelooued sonne Iesus Christ Let vs pray vnto the Lorde of the Haruest that hee will graunt not onely to these which are nowe to be sent foorth but also to all vs which are sent already the grace of his holy and comfortable spirite Luke 24.49 that he will endew vs with power from an high that he will so powre out vpon vs the spirite of wisdom and vnderstanding Cor. 4.3.4 Ephe. 6.19 that we may know the myseryes of his will that he will so open vnto vs the dore of vtterance that we may bouldly publish the secret of the Gospell that we may with discretion wisely painefully faythfully and dilligently feede the flocke of Christe which he hath purchased with his bloud so that no vnthankfulnesse of the world may discourage vs or driue vs from the performing of our dutie that we may fulfill our Ministerie Colos 4.17 1. Tim. 4.16 and continue in doctrine not to put our handes to the Plough and then to looke backe againe as many in these our dayes preach dilligently for a time while they haue nothing but when they haue gotten good liuings then the fat â—ennes laye no Egges For if we thus looke backe agayne Luke 9.62 then we haue our iudgement denounced against vs by Christ him selfe that we are not fit for the kingdom of God Let vs also pray vnto God that he will roote out all rauening Wolues all Hierlings Timeseruers and dombe Dogges 2. Thes 3.1 Psa 51.18 which hinder the course of the Gospel that he wyl giue his word free passage and builde vp the walles of Ierusalem that he wil giue vnto vs al the spirite of sanctification that we may let our light so shine before men Math. 5.16 that they may see our good woorkes and glorifye our Father in Heauen that so we may labour with both handes in the Haruest of the Lorde with exhortation and conuersation with life doctrine whereby there may be plentie of pure spirituall Wheate to the lawde and prayse of God and great heapes of true beleeuers to be gathered into the Barnes of euerlasting ioyes And finally that he wyll blesse all Schooles of Learning with increase in all godly knowledge and graunt vnto all Students that they may alwayes haue his feare before theyr eyes and make this the chéefe end of all their Studyes the glory of his holy name the profit of the Church and the maintenaunce of the common wealth whereby the number of true Labourers may be increased for the Haruest is great and the Labourers are but few And thus good people that I may nowe draw to an end yée haue heard out of this charge giuen by our Sauiour Christe vnto his seuentie Disciples all such profitable Lessons as my slender Tallent would suffer me at this tyme to delyuer vnto you Much more might be spoken heare Math. 21.22 Ephe 3.12 Iam. 1.6 Hebr. 4.16 Luke 11.9.10 of the manner how we ought to pray to the Lord of the Haruest that we must pray in faith grounded vpon Gods promises with full assuraunce that our request shall be graunted and that he will not forsake his church and againe that we should be touched inwardly Rom. 8.26 Iohn 4.24 1. Ioh. 5.14 Psalm 25.1 with the want of the thing that we desire and therefore that we praye in spirit and trueth in heart lament as well the small number of true and faithfull Labourers as also the great aboundaunce of Wolues and Hierlings Luke 18.1 Rom. 12.12 1. Thes 5.17 Colos 4.2 and that we ought to continue in praier although we haue not our requests at the first but that Théeues murderers doo dayly créepe in more more and that we must pray onely Iohn 1â— 13 1. â—im â— 5 1. Iohn 2. â— Math. 3.17 for the merits and intercession of Iesus Christ who is only the mediator betwixt God and Man in whome the Father ir well pleased that the Flocke may not perrishe for which he shed his bloud Psalm 50.15 Iam. 1.5 and finallye that we ought to direct our prayers onely to the Lord of the Haruest who is onely able to heare vs Ioel. 2.52 Actes 10.26 Apoc. 19.10 Rom. 1.25 and onely of power to helpe vs and not to any Saint or Angell in Heauen ascribing that to the Creature which is due vnto the Creator who be blessed for euer and euer But because these matters require a larger discourse then the weakenesse of my voyce wyll nowe permitte me to vtter I haue thought good rather to passe them ouer bréefely then by continuing my speach either to weary you and my self or to withhould you any longer from a far more learned exhortation which shall immediatly be giuen you The Lord of his infinite mercy giue vs grace so to laye vp these profitable Instructions in our hearts that as we haue heard them attentiuely so wee may bring foorth fruite accordingly that we of the Ministerie maye with all wisdome and discretion feede the Flocks committed to our charge that we may labour so dilligentlye faithfullye and paynefully in the woorke of the Lorde that no vnthankfulnesse of the worlde may driue vs which haue now put our hands to the Plowe to looke back againe that wee maye take heede vnto our selues and to our doctrine and continue therein whereby we maye saue our selues and those that heare vs that we may not gather with the one hand and scatter with the other hand but labour with bothe hands with worde and lyfe as well by our agreeing together with brotherly looue and gooing hande in hand together in the woorke of the Lorde as also by all integritie holynesse and purenesse of liuing least while we preach vnto others 〈◊〉 selues become reprobates And the 〈◊〉 â—e out the dew of his holy spirit 〈◊〉 you that are the hearers that the séede which we sawe amongst you may neither 〈◊〉 out of your hearts by Sathan as the seede by the high way side is deuoured by the Powles of the ayre nor choaked with the Briars and Brambles of voluptuous liuing and
all excusable And secoÌ„dly by the lawe of nature which God hath ingrafted in their hearts their owne consciences eyther accusing or excusing them The Iewes he condempneth by the written lawe of God which they read and heard continuallie yet not withstanding were daylie transgressours of the same so that they which were without the lawe did perish without the lawe and they which were vnder the lawe were iudged by the lawe and therefore that bothe Iewes and Gentiles were all sinners and depriued of the glorie of God were iustified fréely by grace through the redemptioÌ„ that is in Christ Iesus which he prooueth bothe by the ensample of Abraham who about fouretéene yéeres before he was circumcized was counted iust only by faith and by the sentence of Dauid who pronouÌ„ceth That man only blessed whose iniquities are for giuen whose offences are couered and to whome the Lorde dooth not impute his sin Afterward he maketh a comparisoÌ„ of Christ with Adam of Death with Life of the Lawe with Grace In the sixt Chap. he descendeth from Iustification to Sanctification shewing them by an argument taken of Baptisme That they which were baptized in Christe were baptized into his death And therefore as Christe was raysed vp from the dead by the glorie of God the Father so they also should walke in newnesse of life not giuing their members seruaunts to vncleannes and iniquitie but making them seruants to righteousnes and holines of life Which that they might the better doo he sheweth them in the next Chapter of the right vse of the Lawe and of the bent ready will which euerie Christian ought to haue to the vttermost of his power to performe the law of God and with the vertue of his spirit to striue against the flesh And then he setteth downe the conclusion of the first part of his Epistle next after his salutation to wit That there is no condempnation to them which are in Christ Iesu which walk not after the flesh but after the spirit because the spirite of adoption which they haue receyued in their harts wherby they cried Abba Father dooth so seale in them the hope of euerlasting life that nothing â—s able to seperate theÌ„ froÌ„ the loue of God which is in Iesus Christe their Lord. Now in the thrée Chapters following the .9.10 â— 11 He disputeth Of the iust reiecting of the Iewes and of the free calling of the Gentiles Wherein after that he hath in the last Chapter layde downe the foundation thereof in the frée election purpose of God Who will haue mercy on whome he will haue mercie and whome he will he hardeneth and dooth of the same luÌ„pe of clay make some vesselles of honour some of dishonor some vesselles of mercy to shewe foorth his goodnesse and some vesselles of destruction to be glorified in his power Now in this tenth Chapter least God should séeme vniust in reiecting those whome he had ordained to be vessels of wrath He sheweth an other seconde cause of the casting away of the Iewes because they were ignoraunt of the righteousnes of God and went about to establish their owne righteousnes and would not submit them selues to the righteousnes of God And because the Apostle S. Paul did long for nothing so much Rom. 10.3.4.5 as that Israel might be saued so that for their sakes he desired to be seperated from Christe for his brethren which were his kinsmen according vnto the flesh He therefore beginneth héere to instruct them in the faith of Christe teaching them That Christe was the end of the lawe for righteousnes vnto al beleeuers And shewing them that the promise of God in Deuteronomy Deut. 30.14 The woord is verie neere vnto thee euen in thy mouth and in thy heart for to do it Was it therfore spoke because they were not able of them selues to performe the â—awe of God and to obtaine righteousnes thereby but that in that place God dooth signifie the woord of faith which we doo preache which is néere vnto thée in thy mouth and in thy heart for If thou shalt confesse with thy mouth the Lord Iesus and beleeue in thine hart that God raised him againe from the dead thou shalt be saued In which péece of Scripture we haue two thinges to consider first That we are iustified only by faith in the death and resurrection of Christ Iesus SecoÌ„dly That we must shewe foorth the fruite of our faith to confesse him with our mouthes But because the confession of our mouthes is first set downe in this place as well in the sentence of Paul and also in the woords in Deuteronomy The woord 〈◊〉 neere vnto thee euen in thy mouth and â—n thy heart I haue thought it best at this â—me to followe the same order which the â—oly Ghost dooth vse in this place and to speake first Of the fruite of confession And secondly Of the tree of faith rooted and grounded vpon the death and resurrection of Christe Rom. 10.9 If thou shalt with thy mouth coÌ„fesse the Lord Iesus c. The Apostle beginneth héere first with the Mouth because the Tongue is one of the principallest partes of mans body as S. Iames sayth If a man sinne not in woord he is a perfect man able to bridle the whole body For if the tongue be well vsed he compareth it to a little bit which ruleth the Horse be he neuer so fierce vntamed and to a rudder which though it be small yet it gouerneth the huge Ships béeing tossed assaulted with many blustering stormes and tempests But if it be ill vsed he sayth It is a world of wickednes it defileth the whole body it setteth a fire the course of nature and is it selfe set on fire of hell And therfore Anacharsis the Philosopher béeing asked What was the best wholsomest part of any thing and what the wurst and most vnholsome When it was thought that he would haue made aunswer of two seuerall partes to a double question he aunswered in one single woorde saying The Tongue Because béeing well vsed it is of all partes of mans body the best and on the other side béeing yll vsed the wurst and therefore if we imagine the case â—o be thus that we should carie about with vs two boxes whereof the one conteyneth most deadlie Poyson and the other a soueraigne Remedy against all diseases what great héede would we take vnto them least if the one of them should run out we should be most daungerouslie infected or if any of the other should be spilt we should loose so precious a Iewel In the Tongue there is bothe there is venemous Poyson and there is also a soueraigne Medicine for all infirmities and maladies and therefore what great care â—ought we to haue least eyther by abusing it we be infected or otherwise by out negligence loose the right vse thereof To rehearse all the poysons of the Tongue as Rayling vaine babling filthy talke lying slaundering cursing
make publique confession of their faith in the blood of Iesus Christ to pray for things necessarie to heare the sacred and blessed woord of God to be thankfull to him for all his benefites to receyue his holie Sacraments And he which slieth from these thinges which are so often commaunded by the Lord God in flying from the Church he flyeth from the Celestial Ierusalem he flyeth from his own saluation he flyeth from God him selfe What caused the Iewes to lament so pittifullie to wéep by the Riuers of Babilon and to hang their Instrumentes vpon the Willowes Psa 137.1.2.3 saying How shall we sing the song of the Lorde in a â—traunge lande If I forgette thee O Ierusalem let my right hand forgette to play â—f I do not remember thee let my tongue leaue vnto the roofe of my mouth if I â—oo not remember Ierusalem in all my mirth No doubt when they were captiues â—n Babilon they prayed vnto the Lorde â—ut therefore they wept by the waters of Babilon because they could not visite the Temple of GOD in Ierusalem there to make publique confession of their Faith â—nd openlie to magnifie the name of the God of Iacob And in the same place the Rulers enuying that Daniel should be set â—uer them caused the King to confirme â—nd seale a decrée that Dan. 6.7.10 Whosoeuer should â—ke any peticioÌ„ of any other God sauing â—nly of the King for the space of thirtie â—nyes he should be cast into a den of LioÌ„s 〈◊〉 man might thinke it to be but a small â—ffence to abstaine from praying openly or the space of thirty dayes Daniel might â—r so short a time haue prayed to God in â—eart onely or he might haue prayed seâ—retlie in his bed and in his Closet But he knewe that his whole body was made to glorifie the name of God and therefore when the decrée was published he went into his house and his windowe béeing open in his Chamber towardes Ierusalem he knéeled vpon his knées thrée times a daye and prayed and praysed his God as he had done aforetime He opened the windowe towards the Cittie that all men might sée that he serued the Lord his God not with heart onelie but with the tongue the knées and the whole body Peter denied his maister in mouth But no doubt Math. 26.70 in heart he beléeued in him and he denied him not for feare of loosing his worldlie goodes but for feare of present death not willinglie and of set purpose but through the infirmitie of his flesh because he sawe his Maister forsaken of his fréendes and taken of his enimies and therefore could finde out no other way to saue his lyfe but in heart he styll beléeued in the Lord. Héere some peraduenture may iudge this fault of Peter to be somewhat excusable But moste certainlie it was a wicked and an heinous offence and vnlesse the Lorde had looked vppon him wherby he went foorth and wept bitterly no doubt it had béene to his vtter condemnation and destruction bothe of body and soule Math. 10.33 For our sauiour sayth Who soeuer shall deny me before men him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaâ—en And it is not sufficient not to deny Christ vnlesse we doo in all places openly confesse him fréely reprooue those which blaspheme his holy name For we are not â—orne to our selues but first to the glorie of God as Christe commaundeth vs To let our lyght so shine before men Math. 5.16 1. Pet. 2.12 4 11. that they may see our good workes and gloriâ—ie our father in heauen And secondlie to â—he edifying of our Brethren and to win them vnto Christe as Paule sayth Exâ—ort one another and edifie one another 1. The. 5.11 And Saint Iames sayth If any man hath â—rred from the way Iam. 5.19 and some man hath conuerted him let him knowe that he which hath conuerted a sinner from going a stray out of his way shall saue a soule from death This is the lawe of God in Leuitticus Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart Leuit. 19.17 but thou shalt plainly â—ebuke thy neighbour and suffer him not â—o sinne Where the Lord dooth accoumpt â—t the extréemest hatred that can be to â—atter our neighbours in their sinnes We are coÌ„maunded by the woord of God â—hat For as much as we are all members of â—he same body in Iesus Christe we should be charitable one to an other and doo good one to an other by all meanes possible Nowe if it be accoumpted charitie to féede the body howe much more is this charitie to féede the soule with holy admonitions and godlie instructions And if we be bounden by the law of God Exod. 23.4 That when wa see our enimies Oxe or Asse going astray we shall bring it home againe Howe much more ought we when we sée the soule of our brother going astray to séeke by all meanes possible to bring it home againe Saint Iohn willeth vs That if any man bring not the doctrine of Christe 1. Ioh. 2.10.11 we receyue him not into our houses neyther byd him God speede for he that biddeth him God speede is pertakar of his euill deedes And therefore if thou heare or sée a man which holdeth any wicked opinions and heresies if thou doo not instruct him to the vttermost of the power but sufferest him to continew in his errour and blindnesse and biddest him God spéede thou art partaker of his wickednesse And if thou heare any man blaspheme the glorious name of Christe if thou doo not saye vnto him Exod 20.7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine Eccl. 23.11 A man that vseth much swearing shall be fylled with wickednesse and the plague of God shall neuer depart from his house Thou art partaker of his iniquitie and the same plague which hangeth ouer him for his blasphemie in speaking the same is due vnto thée for thy silence in hearing For if thou doo not confesse Christe thou doost denie him as our Sauiour sayeth He that is not with mee is against mee Luk. 11.23 and hee that gathereth not hee scattereth And therefore we must euerie one of vs in such manner confesse the Lorde Iesus with our mouthes that by our confession other may be edified and the greater that the assemblie is the more boldnesse should be in our confession There are many of vs which before one or two will paraduenture rebuke a swearer which blasphemeth the name of Christe But if it be in a Feast or in a Banquet or otherwise before many then wée are verie mannerlie and ciuill we dare not speake for feare of offence we accoumpt it a point of modestie to beare with their wickednesse But what is this else but to kéepe the honour of God for holes and préeuie corners and to offer vp sacrifice openlie to the deuill Iohn 12.43 What is this else But to looue
the prayse of men more then the prayse of God Thou art peradueÌ„ture ashamed to séeme holy before a coÌ„pany and great assemblie but the holie Scripture sayth Mark 8.38 that Whosoeuer shall be ashamed of Christe and of his woords among this adulterous sinfull generation of him shall the sonne of man be ashamed also when he commeth in the glorie of his Father with his holie Angelles Thou art afeard least thou shalt be mocked and scorned of wicked worldlinges I aunswer with the Apostle that If thou seeke to please men Gal. 1.10 thou canst neuer be the seruaunt of Christe And therefore whosoeuer for feare of man doth hold his peace in such offences the woorde of God dooth testifie against the thoughts of his heart that he looueth the prayse of maÌ„ more then the glorie of God and who soeuer for feare of daunger ensuing dooth refuse to confesse the Lord Iesus with his mouth he hath his damnation pronounced that the sonne of God shall neuer confesse him before his father and before his holie Angelles in Heauen And therfore 1. Tim. 6.12 â—f euer we looke to fight the good fight of faith or to lay holde on eternall life we must also professe a good profession before many witnesses A carnall man may thinke it a small offence to dissemble with the mouth that a man may so dissemble with the tongue that notwithstanding the heart maye be kept faithfull vnto God But we must take héede that we deceiue not our selues nor suffer our selues to be deceyued with such fonde imaginations There are many sinnes which séeme vnto vs to be of â—mall waight because eyther we haue no faith to beléeue the woord of God or else we iudge of them according to the corrupt affection of our flesh but if we could iudge according to the iudgement of the spirite of God we should finde that those sinnes which we estéeme light are most gréeuous â—nd abhominable in the sight of God We must take héede least the subtill Serpent â—eceyue vs as he did Adam and Eue 2. Cor. 11.3 who â—hought it could be but a small offence to â—ste of the fruite of a Trée but in the end â—hey prooued the contrarie for they were â—r this their disobedience cast out of Paâ—dize a place of all pleasures into all miserie and mischéefe which they we and all posterity may for euer rue and lament We must especiallie take héede of the beginning and first entraunce of sinne for if we doo a little giue place vnto it it will shortlie after take further possession of vs. We must take heede of giuing the bridle vnto the fleshe for if it once catch the bit into the teethe and feele the bridle loose vpon the necke it will carie vs headlong into all sinne and wickednesse Deut. 5.32.33 We must take héede of going out of the way although it be neuer so little for if we once misse our way goe astray the further we goe forewarde the further we goe out of our way and the more hardly shal we returne into the way againe We must retyre from the Riuers of sinne for if we goe vp and downe careleslie in the streame of wickednesse we are likelie at the last to fall into such a whirlepoole and bottomlesse pitte of mischéefe as whosoeuer is plunged therein can not be recouered We must take héede not onelie of touching sinne but also of approching néere vnto it for it is a plague so infectious and a venim so pestilent and a disease so daungerous that although we flie from it as farre as we can it can not be but that â—e shall be some thing infected therwith Eph. 5.7.11 â—e must drawe no acquaintaunce with â—ne For if we once ioyne our selues in â—itie and fréendship with sinne it will 〈◊〉 come so familliar vnto vs that we shall â—rdlie dispatch our handes of it and therâ—e if with our tongues spéech we conâ—nt vnto Idolatry wickednes and so afâ—r a sort draw acquaintauÌ„ce with it it caÌ„â—ot be but that we shall afterward grow â—to greater familiaritie with it so run â—eadlong into greater mischéefe Isa 1.21 Iere 3 1. Eze. 15.15 But that 〈◊〉 may shew you an ensample to teach you 〈◊〉 giue neither your tongue nor any part â—f your body to Idolatry to coÌ„mit spirituâ—ll fornicatioÌ„ against God coÌ„sider I pray â—ou by what meanes an harlot dooth come 〈◊〉 the vttermost degrée of her infamie and â—bhomination She dooth not become a coÌ„mon struÌ„pet at â—he first day 1. Tim. 2.9 but first she beginneth to pas â—he limits bonds of that shamefastnes modesty which ought to be in a vertuous â—oman the feareth God 1. Cor. 15.33 then she delighteth â—o heare and to vtter lewde and vnchaste â—alke and to sing filthy Rimes of ribauâ—rie Afterwarde she taketh pleasure in â—auncing and to be conuersauÌ„t with lusty â—onkars Eccl. 9.4.5 to féede bothe her eies with their iestures countenaunces and her eares with their lasciuious amorous spéeches And when she hath thus abandoned her tongue her eyes and her eares she is no more chaste nor holie Math. 5.28 For true chastitie must consist in the heart in the soule yea and in euerie part and member of the body After that the tongue eyes and eares are thus possessed of Satan then there follow touchinges and contractions which doo more defile her body and more inflame her vnto wickednesse And when her chastitie is thus crackt and violated hitherto then shortlie after it dooth perish altogether by most abhominable filthy fornication Notwithstanding at the beginning she hath some shame left and she dealeth as secretlie as she can to kéepe it close from the sight of men but in processe of time and by long custome of sinning this shame also falleth away by little and little so that at the last the secrete strumpet becoÌ„meth a knowen common strumpet and hath no regarde reuerence nor feare either of God in heauen or of men in earth or of the deuilles in hell Euen so it is also in spirituall fornication A man dooth not become an open idolatours at the first but by little and little â—irst â— Tim. 3.3 4.3.4 he delighteth to heare the blaspheâ—ies of wicked men wherewith they â—aspheme the trueth of God and layeth â—s eares open to their lyes and forgeries â—en he giueth his tongue to slaundering â—nd giuing at the profession of the Gospel â—nd to maintaine grosse errours for dispuâ—ations sake Afterward he delighteth his eyes with â—he glorious shew of gylded Crosses painâ—ed Images goodly Tapers precious Orâ—aments Coapes and Vestments and all â—he superstitious iestures vsed at the Masse â—s masking and mumming turning and â—alfe turning some times at the right side â—f the Aultar some times at the lefte some â—imes crying out some times whispering â—oftlie some times looking vp some times â—owking downe besides all their other â—oyes and foolishe iestures as twinckâ—ing
and chafing with him selfe and accoumpteth them but fooles dastardes ignoraunt beastes and men of no iudgement in the Lawe because they haue tolde him the trueth and foorthwith he séeketh other Aduocates and Procters which shall better satisfie his honour At the last be lyghteth vppon such a one as hath no conscience nor feare of God neither serueth any other God but golde and syluer He séeeth that the man is wilfullie bent to be reuenged of his neighbour whatsoeuer it cost him and to dâ— him a displeasure he followeth his affection and telleth him that his case is good although it be the shamefullest matter that can be deuised Then is he glad that he hath founde such a one as he woulde haue and he accoumpteth him the learnedst and the wisest man in the world But what commeth héereof in the ende when the matter is come to be tried the sentence of iudgement is giuen not by the aduocate nor by the Procter nor according to the affection and appetite of the plaintiffe but it is giuen by the Iudge him selfe according to equitie and lawe And when the man is ouerthrowne maister Procter goeth his waye and leaueth him in the myer he hath his desire he hath pluckt the goose he hath his money paide and then he hath no more care neither of the Client nor of the cause and so the man hath lost his will and also his paines and charges Euen so it fareth with this corrupte flesh of ours in matters of Faith and Religion If we heare any reasons which flatter vs in our sinnes we are straight way ready to embrace them and we accoumpt them forcible learned profound argumentes But if we heare any reason which tendeth to the beating downe of this flesh of ours then we let it passe by our eares as the winde we iudge it to be but a foolish argument and to no purpose and we make no accoumptes thereof not considering that the Lord the righteous iudge at the last day when the secretes of of all hearts shall be opened shall not pronounce the sentence of iudgement according to the reasons which we haue framed as procters to cloak and couer our sinnes nor according to the corrupt affections of our flesh but according to the equitie and iustice of his most holy blessed woord as Christe sheweth vs that the woord which he speaketh vnto vs Iohn 12.48 shall iudge vs in the last daye For if we would call to minde the iustice equity of the righteous iudge it could not be that we should so foolishlie set our affections vpon the flattering reasons of such wicked procters Let vs take héede then that we doo not cloake or couer our sinnes with the examples of Naaman the Sirian of Paule or of Nicodemus béeing wrasted against the trueth but let vs sée what is euidentlie and plainly commaunded vs by the woord of God and there we shall finde that a liuelie faith and open confession are vnseperable in a true Christian As the Soule and lyfe as fyre and heate as the Sunne and bryghtnesse can not be seperated so can wée not seperate a true Fayth from the confessing of the Lorde Iesus For if wée beléeue in the heart then Christe dooth dwell in our heartes by Faith Ephe. 3.17 and if Christe be there it is not without his holie spirite and therefore Paule sayeth That if any man haue not the spirite of Christe Rom. 8.9 he is not of Christe Nowe where the zeale of the spirite is there must néedes be confession For howe is it possible that God should be in the heart and the Deuill in the tongue the hands and the other parts of the body which take their life from the heart and are gouerned thereby Saint Iames speaking of the nature of the toÌ„gue sayeth Iam. 3.9.10 That out of the same fountaine there can not come sweete water and bitter nor out of the same mouth blessing and cursing By the tongue we blesse God the Father and by the same we curse men which are made after the Image of God Howe can this be so Euen so may I say also by the tongue we confesse that we are redeemed by the blood of Christe and with the same we blaspheme his most holie and blessed name How can this be so It cannot be that faith in the heart should be constaunt vnlesse the tongue also do constauntlie continew in confessing praysing and glorifying the Lord Iesus For faith is not a dreame or an idle fancie or a lyght imagination conceyued in the braine but where soeuer it is it sheweth it selfe accordinglie as appeareth notably in the exsample of Ieremie who was wearie of forbearing and could not forbeare as he sayeth I am had in derision euerie daye and euerie one mocketh me Iere. 20.7.9 for since I spake and cryed out of wrong and proclaymed desolation the woorde of God was made a reproche vnto me and I was had in derision daylie then sayde I I will make no more mencion of him nor speake any more in his name but his woord was â—n mine heart as a burning fyre shut vp in my bones I was wearie of forbearing and â—ould not forbeare If then the woorde of God be as a burning fire shutte vp in our bones howe is â—t possible but that it should sende foorth â—he lyght and heate of open confession 〈◊〉 speake not this good brethren to fauour â—nd allowe a number of rash and enraged â—pirites which without wisedome and disâ—retion will counterfeyt them selues to be â—ealous professours of the Gospell which will crie out against they can not tell what without kéeping any measure withâ—ut searching the occasions without conâ—dering the circumstaunces which doo â—nelie serue to trouble and offende the weake and to hazarde and put in daunâ—er those which truelie serue God And â—o cullour their phrensie and furour they alledge the zeale of Ieremie which was wearie of forbearing and coulde not forbeare But these are more like the glorious Elihu the Buzite then the zealous Ieremy the Anatothite for Elihu the Buzite one of the comforters or rather discomforters of Iob crieth out Beholde I am full of matter Iob. 32 18. and the spirite that is within me compelleth me beholde my bellie is as the wine that hath no vent and like the bottelles that burst therfore will I speake that I may take breath c. Euen so many nowe are lyke the newe wine which must breake the vessell vnlesse it haue issue But we must learne that as the spirite of God can not be idle in the heart of man so dooth it not compell any man to passe the lymittes and bondes of Christian modestie It dooth not allowe the zeale which is without knowledge and spirituall wisedome Rom. 10.2 And therefore the Apostle sayth That the spirites of the Prophets are subiect vnto the prophetes 1. Cor. 14.32 As he him selfe shewed by experience for although he was most excellent in the giftes of
Prince in Quéene Maries tyme they were Protestauntes and nowe they are Papistes that by this meanes they maye not onely séeme vnto the worlde to be holie deuout and singular men but also if any chaunge should come which God forbidde they might happily héereafter liue of the spoyle of theyr Brethren and so come to some preferment and Promotion These maye well bee compared to Gedeons Fléece which Iud. 6.37 when the grounde was wette it was drie and when the ground was drie it was wette So these men when they are among Protestauntes they are Papistes and when they are among Papistes they are Protestauntes and thus they séeke alwayes to be singuler when in déede they are wurse then nothing I say wurse then nothing before God Others there are which are of an other pollicie they will alwayes be of the same Religion with the companie wherein they are present As I haue heard of a certayne Astronomer which on a tyme to deceyue the eyes of the simple people walked vppe and downe in the Stréetes looking vppe into the Skyes as though hee were some learned and profounde Doctour when one asked him what weather it should be he sayde fowle weather when an other asked him in the nexte stréete he aunswered fayre weather On the next day when the weather prooued in deede to be fowle then came he to him to whome he had foretold that it should be fayre and sayd Maister Doctor you were deceyued yesterday you sayd it should be fayre weather and nowe it prooueth contrarie The Astronomer aunswered Oh I did but iest with you but aske what I sayde to such a man in such a stréete Euen so these pollitique Religious men keepe alwayes two tongues in their heades that which goeth against them that is in iest and that which bringeth any profite to them that is in earnest These are like their graundfather the deuill 2. Cor. 11.14 which to deceyue an other can turne them selues into Angelles of lyght When they come into any daunger then will they saye we are conformable men we come to the Church we receyue the Sacrament we obserue our Princes Lawes we obeye Iniunctions we followe orders we are as good Subiectes as any can be But if they come amongste theyr fellowes and others of their owne crew Then they stomacke and skorne at the preaching of the Gospell they gybe and scoffe at the dooinges of the godlie and learned they whisper of straunge newes and gape for theyr golden daye they deride and mocke the simpler sorte of the professours of Gods woorde they defend and maintayne their grosse errors and superstitious opinions they crie the Popes day againe in euerie corner These maye peraduenture deceyue the eyes of men but God is not deceyued with any Sophistrie These are lyke Camaelions which can turne them selues into euerie cullour sauing white and be all thinges but what they shoulde be These carie two faces vnder one hoode lyke Iaâ—s two hearts in one body lyke Magus two tongues in one heade lyke Iudas These are the chyldren of this world Luk. 16.8 Math. 10.16 which are wiser in their generation then the chyldren of lyght They are not as Christe woulde haue them Wise as Serpentes and symple as Dooues which haue godly simplicitie ioyned with their wisedome but they are subtill Serpentes 2. Cor. 11.3 of the olde Serpent the Deuill they are not as Paule would haue them wise to that which is good Rom. 16.19 but simple to that which is euill But as Ieremie sayeth Ier. 4.22 To doo mischeefe they are wise enough but to doo well they are starke fooles These confesse the name of Christe as the Herodians called him Maister but they holde on their purpose Math. 22.16 to séeke to snare him and persecute him in his members they seeme to be desirous of the knowledge of Christe but it is with the minde of Herode who sayde to the wise men Goe and search dilligentlie for the Babe Math. 2.8 and when ye haue found him bring me woorde againe that I may come also and worshippe him When as the Foxe did purpose nothing else but to deuoure the chylde Iesus and murder our Lorde and Sauiour Mark 10.17 The young man which came running vnto Christe confessed him to be his Maister when he sayde Good Maister what shall I doo to possesse eternall lyfe But he would neither obey his commaundement nor take vp his Crosse follow him Iudas confessed Christe with his mouth when he sayd Maister Maister Mark 14.44.45 and kissed him But with the same mouth he sayde He it is take him and leade him away But the confession of a true Christian Math. 15 8. must procéede from a pure and constaunt heart not openlie to confesse the name of Christe and secretlie to betray him 2. Tim. 3.5 not to honour him with our lippes our hearts beeing farre from him not to haue a shew of godlinesse and in déede to denie the power thereof There are many of these which beare a shew and countenaunce for a tyme which if the daye of triall doo once come wyll eyther forsake the Apostle and embrace this present world with Demas 2. Tim. 4.10.14 Gen. 4.8 Luk. 22.5 or worke Paule much euill with Alexander the Coppersmith I praye God they doo not murder with Caine or sell with Iudas There are an other sorte of pollitique and worldly wise men which will professe no faith at all but kéepe their Religion secrete vnto them selues But they must learne out of this text of saint Paul to cast away all care and desire of worldly promotion also all feare of daunger losse death or of any trouble whatsoeuer and fréelie with the mouth to confesse the Lord Iesus For otherwise howsoeuer they thinke it a prayse to be close men and to keepe their Religion secrete vnto them selues yet where they thinke they hide them selues most there they lay widest open their shame and where they endeuour to keepe it vnknowen of what Religion they are this their dissembling and close dealing dooth proclaime lowder then with the blast of a Trumpette that they are of no Religion at all before God The last kinde of pollitique men are such as will in deede confesse openlie of what Faith and Religion they are and yet notwithstanding they will kéepe company with the enimies of the Gospell and ioyne them selues to them in the league of amity and fréendship in hope that heereafter if any trouble or pesecution doo come they may receyue some comfort by them And thus the wise wicked â—oward hopeth to be entertayned of them which haue consented with him in his vnrighteous dealing not in robbing a earthly Maister of a fewe measures of Oyle or Wheate but in robbing the Lord of heauen Luk 16.4.5 of his honour and glorie But these are commaunded by the Apostle Paul Rom. 16.17 to auoide those which holde any doctrine contrary to the woord of God
and by Saint Iohn 1. Ioh. â— not to receyue them into their houses nor to bydde them God spéede much lesse to ioyne them selues in any league or amitie with them or to suffer such to haue any dealing vnder them Abraham refused to take of the King of Sodom so much as a thread Gen. 14.23 or a shoâ— latchet least he should say Eâ—dr 4.3 I haue enritched Abraham Zerobabell would not suffer the Samaritanes to lay lyme and stone in the building of the Lord. 1. Reg. 13.16.18 The young Prophete for eating bread with the wicked olde Prophete was denowreâ— of a Lion Euse lib. 4. Cap. 14. Nicepb lib. 3. Cap. 14. Euse in vit Const lib. 1 Cap 11. Iohn the EuaÌ„gelist would not tarie in the same house with the heretique Cerinthus Constantinus to trie his men commaunded that all which would not doo sacrifice to Idolles should be thrust out of his seruice and when many for feare obeyed the coÌ„maundement he put them all away Psa 110.6.7 for he would suffer none to serue him which would not also serue the Lord and he knewe that they could not be faithfull to men which were vnfaithfull vnto God Theo. lib. 2. Cap. 6. Liberius going into banishment refused all the gifts of the Emperor and his wife saying Let them giue those thinges to Auxentius and Epictetus their Arrian heretiques Ephe. 5.11 2. Cor 6.14 we must haue no fellowship with the vnfruitfull workes of darknesse nor any way yoake our selues with Infidelles Leuit. 19.19 We are commauÌ„ded by the lawe of God not to plowe with an Oxe and with an Asse nor to sowe our ground with diuers seede nor to make our garmentes of Linsey wolsey Wherefore we must auoide all mingling of contraie Religions and in no wise ioyne our selues with the wicked but endeuour our selues that we may say with Dauid Psal 110.6.7 Mine eyes shall be vnto the faithfull of the lande that they may dwell with me he that walketh in a perfite way he shall serue me There shall no deceiptfull personne dwell within my house he that telleth lyes shall not remayne in my sight O Lorde doo not I hate them which hate thee Psa 139.21.22 and doo not I earnestly contend against those that rise vp against thee yea I hate them with a perfect and vnfeyned hatred as they were mine vtter enimies But what is the cause why these pollitique worldlie wise men doo so familllarlie ioyne them selues with the wicked and so many wayes withdrawe them selues from the true confessing of the Lorde Iesus Surely this is onelie the cause for that they are afeard least a chaunge should shortlie come whereby they might be compelled eyther with shame to turne their coates or else incurre great daunger of suffering for the name of Iesus Christ Saint Iohn sheweth Ioh. 12.48 howe many of the chéefe Rulers beléeued in Christe but because of the Phariseis they durst not confesse him least they should be cast out of the Sinagogue for they looued the prayse of men more then the prayse of God As many there are nowe which would gladly professe the true faith of Christe and yet because they are eyther TenauÌ„ts to such Landlordes or Seruaunts to such Maisters as are backwarde in Religion and frowardlie bent to superstition or else because they are afeard of afterclaps and perilles which may héereafter ensue they dare not with their mouth confesse the Lord Iesus These doo not consider that which our Sauiour Christe sayth That who soeuer will be his Disciple Math. 16.24 Luk. 14.27 must take vp his crosse and followe him Nor that which the Apostle sayth That we must through many afflictions Acts. 14.22 enter into the kingdome of God and that they which will liue godlie in Christ Iesu must suffer persecutioÌ„ Neither doo they consider 2. Tim. 3.5.12 that trouble and affliction is profitable yea and necessary for the Church of God For whome the Lord looueth he chasteneth Pro. 3.11 Apo. 3.17 Hebr. 12.6.7.8 and scourgeth euerie Sonne that he receyueth If ye endure chastening God offereth him selfe vnto you as vnto sonnes For what Sonne is he whome the Father dooth not chasten If therfore ye be without correction whereof all are partakers then are ye bastardes and not sonnes Psa 119.67.71 Before I was afflicted sayeth Dauid I went astraye but nowe I keepe thy woorde it is good for mee that I haue beene afflicted that I may learne thy statutes Iohn 15.2 When the Vine groweth out of order it must be husbanded pared and drest when the bodie aboundeth with euill humours Eccle. 2.5 1. Pet. 1.7 it must be purged Golde must be tryed in the fire before any precious worke be made thereof Stones must be hewed and Tymber must be squared before wée can rayse vp any buylding Corne must be thresht Grapes must be prest before we can haue eyther bread or wine And all this is wrought in vs by trouble and affliction for affliction is the sickle which dooth pare and dresse the braunches it is the purgation which doth purge our soules from our former wickednesse and driue vs to repentaunce and amendment of life it is fire wherein the Golde is tried it is the toole whereby we are hewed and squared and made sit for the building of the Lord it is the instrument whereby we are thresht and prest and made as pure spiritual wheate fit for the Garner and storehouse of euerlasting ioyes And therefore Ignatius sayde when he was brought to be cast into the den of Lions Thus it behoueth me to be grounde with the teethe of Lions that I may be made a sweete manchette for the Lord. The Faith of a Christian is compared to Camamill which the more it is tread vpon the more it dooth florishe and the better it dooth prosper as Paule sheweth Howe the outward man must perishe before the inwarde man can be renued 2. Cor. 4.10.16 and we must beare in our bodyes the dying of the Lorde Iesus that the lyfe of Christe maye be made manifest in vs. And what is the cause now why many doo liue so careleslie and carnallie setting their mindes wholie vppon the glorie and riches and vaine pleasures of this world and hauing no care at all eyther of the honour due vnto the name of the immortall God and the setting forwarde of the glorious Gospell of Christe or of the saluation of their owne soules Surely the cause is onely this for that they are drunken with too much prosperity the outward man dooth not perishe they doo not carie about in their bodies the dying of the Lord Iesus For I am fullie perswaded that there are a great nuÌ„ber in England which nowe doo shewe them selues carnall and carelesse which if GOD should laye vppon them his rodde of correction would become much more holie and farre more zealous for the trueth of God Our Lord God hath two waies
to bring his people home to repentance amēdmēt of life the one is by the loouing countenaunce of his mercy the other is by therod of correction procéeding from his iustice if the one will not serue hee must must needes put in vre the other The Lord giue vs grace to returne truly vnto him that we may be brought to amendment of life rather by the mildnes of his mercy then by the rigour of his iustice And the Lord long preserue our gracious Princesse Elizabeth that she may haue a long happy and prosperous raigne ouer vs that we may a long time in peace and tranquillity inioy the glorious gospell of Christ and vnder her lead a quiet and a peaceable life in all godlinesse and honestie and the Lord confound all the bloody interprises of trayterous Rebels and as he hath alwayes hetherto discouered and preuented their deuises so the Lord of his mercy discouer them and preuent them heareafter But déerely belooued whatsoeuer troubles doo happen vnto vs let vs alwayes remember that saying of our Lord and Sauiour Mat. 10.28 Feare not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soule But rather feare ye him which is able to destroy both body and soule and to cast them both into hell fyre feare him Luk. 14.26 Mat. 10.37 He that looueth father or mother or wife or children or brethren or sisters or lande or liuing or his owne life more then me is not worthy of me If any man vvill be my disciple let him take vp the crosse and follovv me But here I thinke I heare some of you say a mong your selues it is an easye matter to talke of constancie in bearing the Crosse and suffering affliction for the name of Christ but it is not so easye to performe it indéede There are many of you of the ministry which exhort to constancie in the profession of the Gospell which if any trouble should come are likely to turne your coates as soone as any other What we should doo in the like case 2. Cor 3.5 Phil. 2.13 God onely knoweth who is the giuer of all strength and without whom wee are not able to thinke a good thought but it is God which woorketh in vs both to will and to performe It may be that some which make the greatest brags say with Peter though all men in the vvorld should be offended by thee Math. 26.33.35 yet vvill not I be offēded though I should dye vvith thee yet vvill not I deny thee Ioh. 13 37 Lorde vvhy can not I follovv thee novv I vvill lay dovvne my life for thy sake It may be I say that they shall bee the first which shall deny and forsweare but good people the question is not what I or be or any other particular man shall doo but the question is what ought to be doon of euery Christian and therefore we must euery one of vs pray vnto God continually that he wil vouchsafe to account vs woorthye to suffer any thing for the name of Iesus Christe and that he wyll giue vs patience to endure whatsoeuer his mercifull hand shall lay vpon vs. Some may paraduenture thinke that this doctrine of patience to suffer for the name of Christe is not needefull to be preached at this time when all thinges are in quiet But is not he a foolish Souldiar which will neuer thinke vpon his weapons and armour vntyll the howre come that he must hasten into the feelde And howe vnwise then is that Christian whych will neuer thinke vppon hys armour of patience vntill the time come that the Crosse shall sodainly be layd vpon him Let vs thinke vpon our weapon in time déere brethren let vs pray for it day and night that so wee may finde comfort in the day of tryall 1. Pet. 1.7 that the tryall of our fayth béeing much more precious then gold may be found to our prayse and glory at the appearing of Iesus Christ Let vs set before our eyes the example of our Lord and Sauiour 1. Pet. 2.21 who as Peter sayth did suffer for vs leauing vs an example that we should follow his steppes Let vs looke vnto Iesus the author and furnisher of our fayth Heb. 12.2 who for the ioy that was set before him endured the Crosse and despised the shame and is set at the righte hand of the throne of God The scholler is not aboue his Maister Mat. 10.24 Ioh. 13.16 nor the seruaunte aboue his Lord nor the embassador greater then him that sent him wherefore if they haue called the Maister of the house Belzebub how much more will they reuile them of the housholde If they haue called the Maister Christ himselfe a glutton and a drunkarde and a companion of Publicanes and sinners Mat 9 34 11.19 and a caster out of Deuils through the Prince of the Deuils how much more will they giue reprochefull woordes vnto the schollers If they haue cruelly intreated the Lord himselfe with haling him about frō place to place with blasphemous lyes and false accusations with whips and scourges prickes and thornes buffets and blowes mocks and mowes cordes and ropes scoffing and spitting rayling and reuiling nailes and gibbet thirst and vineger réede and speare and lifting him vppe betwixt two theeues leauing no droppe of blood in all his blessed body howe can the seruaunte looke for any better let vs also call to minde the ioy which is layd vp in heauen for those which suffer any thing for the professing of the Lord Iesus as hee sayth Blessed are ye when men reuile you Mat 5.11 and persecute you and falsly speake all manner of euill against you for my sake Reioyce and be glad for great is your reward in heauen for so they persecuted the Prophets before you Mat. 23.35 euen from the blood of Abel the righteous vnto the blood of Zacharias the sonne of Barachias whom they slew be-tweene the temple and the Aultar 2. Cor. 11.25 Rom. 8 18 S. Paule was most cruelly persecuted stoned beaten with rods imprisoned yet he counteth all his afflictions not worthy of the glory which should be reuealed vnto him Blessed is the man vvhich endureth temptation Iam. 1.12 for vvhen he is tryed he shall receiue the crovvn of life which the Lorde hath promised to them that loue him Last of all let vs call to remembraunce the heauye iudgementes of God which from time to time haue béen shewed vpon them which haue not continued constant in the confessing of the Lord Iesus Iulian the Emperour who for his moste wilfull renouncing of his Lord and Sauiour Hilar. is called the Apostata was counted at the firste a gracious and religious Prince But afterward being drawen away with the vain intisements of Philosophy he began to account the Gospell of Christ to be but foolishnes be persecuted the professors of his name with many scoffes and tauntes saying that they must doo
would haue stickt a knife into his owne heart Iosephus de antiq li. 17. cap. 8 if Achiab his kinsman had not with houlden his hande and yet he did not so escape the vengeaunce of God for he was striken with Feauers with wonderfull swellinges and last of all with Woormes to deuoure him moste horribly to beholde Iohn 19.22 Suppl cron Eutrop. lib. 7. cap. 7. Euse lib. 2 cap. 7 Pilate vniustly crucified Iesus of Nazereth whom he coulde not but confesse to be the King of the Iewes but within a fewe dayes after he was driuen to hang himselfe Nero a blood thirsty Tyraunt persecuted imprisoned and murdered Paule many other Christians in Rome which professed themselues to bee the seruants of the Lord Iesus But in the end â—e was moste gréeuously plagued for the â—ame for béeing wonderfully troubled with terrours and teares and fearefull â—reames he would haue had some fréende â—o haue cut off his head he coulde not get so much fréendship he would haue drowned himselfe in the riuer Tibris but that â—he was holden backe by one Phaon and at the last hee thruste his knife into his owne throate And thus wee sée that they which persecute the confessors of the Lorde Iesus rather then they shall want a hangman they shall become hangmen vnto themselues I might rehearse also diuers others Emperours of Rome which although they were of greate mighte and power in the world yet dyd they in vain kicke against the spurre when they persecuted the professors of the Gospell of Christ Valerian the Emperor was a blody persecutor of the Christians his rewarde was to be caryed away in a Cage Act. mon pag. 30.31 59.75.86.89 by Sappores the King of Persia who brought him to such slauery that he made of him a blocke to get vp vpon his Horsse Maxentius Maximinian and Dioclesian béeing Emperours of Rome they cruelly murdered the Saints of Christe But escaped not Gods vengeaunce volat lib. 23 when one of them fell of a bridge with his Horsse harnes the other was plagued with lice and vermine gusshing out of his entrals And the last was driuen to this extremitye to poyson himselfe Sundry other examples I might recite vnto you of latter yéeres but that the time will not suffer me and these may be sufficient to testifie vnto vs all what a horrible thing it is not onely to renounce the Lorde Iesus our selues but also to speake by any meanes whatsoeuer to compell others therevnto And now therefore that I may drawe to an ende let vs consider in a woorde or two whom it is whom Saint Paule will haue vs to confesse with our mouthes we must confesse with our mouthes the Lorde Iesus that is we must coÌ„fesse Christ onely to be our Sauiour and that we looke for saluation in none other for this is signified by the name of Iesus Math. 1.21 as the Angell sayth to Ioseph thou shalt call his name Iesus for he shall saue the people from their sinnes Peter when he was examined by what meanes the impotent man was made whole aunswered Act. 4.10 Be it known vnto you all and to all the people of Israell that by the name of Iesus Christe of Nazereth whom ye haue crucified whom God raised againe from the dead euen by him dooth this man stande before you whole This is the stone caste aside of you builders which is become the head of the corner neither is there saluation in anye other for among men there is giuen none other name vnder heauen by whom we must be saued but onely by the name of Iesus of Nazereth Then as often as we heare the name of Iesus we must call to minde how God the father which cannot lye hath commaunded by an Angell from Heauen that the name of Iesus that is a Sauiour should be giuen to his Sonne béeing made manifest in the fleshe and therefore that hee will moste certainlye saue vs full and perfectlye both in bodye and soule And we must call to remembraunce the sweete promises of the Gospell whych laye hydde vnder this name of Iesus that he by his merrites hath saued vs from our sinnes and by his vertue and power dooth dayly mortifie the Reliques of sinne in vs and quicken vs with his holy spirite and kéepe vs vnto saluatioÌ„ 1. Pet. 1.5 which is prepared to be shewed in the last time as Paule sayth While we were yet sinners Rom. 5.9 Christ died for vs much more then being now iustified we shall be saued from wrath through him For if when we were enemies wee were reconciled to God by the death of his sonne much more being reconciled wee shall be saued by his life Esa 53.5 And therefore doth Christe beare the name of Iesus because by his stripes we are healed because by him we haue redemption through his blood Ephe. 1.7 2 Tim. 1.10 Heb. 2.14 euen the forgiuenes of sinnes according to his rich grace because by hys death death is destroyed and he that had the power of death that is the Deuill And therefore for our cause hee beareth that excellent name giuen him of his Father from Heauen to wit Iesus a Sauiour that he might indede effectually shew foorth the trueth of his name in my saluation and in the saluation of all beléeuers 1 Cor. 10.13 He is faythfull which beareth the name of Iesus and therefore Hebru 10 2â— 2. Tim. 2.13 as he is called a Sauiour so no doubt he will indéede shew himselfe a Sauiour vnto vs he is also able to saue vs for to him is all power giuen in heauen and in earth séeing that God hath highly exalted him and giuen him a name aboue euery name that at the name of Iesus euery knée should bowe bothe of things in heauen and of things in earth Phil. 2.9.10 and of things vnder the earth that euery tongue should confesse that Iesus is the Lorde to the glory of God the father And this cannot but be a great comfort to the heart of euery Christian that the Lord Iesus is true and therefore as he is called a Sauiour so will he shew himselfe indéede he is also omnipotent and therefore able to performe it to the saluation of all beleeuers Rom. 4.21 so that we may bouldly say with Paul 1 Cor. 15 55.5â— O Death where is thy stinge O Hell where is thy victory Thankes be to God which hath giuen vs the victorie thorough our Lorde Iesus Christe Iam. 1.6 1. Pet. 1.13 Heb. 10.22 2. Tim. 1.12 Whosoeuer then dooth doubt of his saluation béeing like a waue of the Sea which is rossed about with euery winde and dooth not fully perswade himselfe that he is of the number of them for whom Christ dyed vpon the Crosse and whosoeuer dooth put his trust in any other thing but onely in the death and passion of Iesus Christe these doo bothe deny and renounce their Lorde and Sauiour
they professe they knowe God Titus 1.16 but in their workes they deny him 2. Pet. 2.1.3 and therefore Saint Peter dooth call them Hereticks which deny the Lord that bought them which Heretikes Paul dooth bid vs reiect and auoyde after once or twise admonition Titus 3.10 The Papists doo teach this doctrine very earnestly that Hereticks ought to be auoyded and for this cause with their reasons of refusall and their Popish shauelings créeping frō place to place they perswade mē to absent them selues from the church teaching them that it is a damnable thing to commmunicate with Hereticks Then in this point we agrée bothe in one that Hereticks if they can by no meanes be reclaimed must be reiected But héere onely lyeth the question who are they which by Gods word are cōdemned for Heretikes Tertull. Quodcunque aduersus veritatem sapit est Haeresis etiam vetus consuetudo Whatsoeuer dooth sauour against the trueth if it be obstinately defended it is an Hearesie although it be neuer so auncient a custome But the Apostle Saint Peter ◠Peter 1.3 dooth more perfectlye discribe an Hereticke by two markes and propertyes There shall be saith he false teachers among you which shall hring in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 damnable Heresies first 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 denying the Lord that hath bought them and secondly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they shall for lucres sake make Marchandise of you with fayned wordes Nowe who séeth not that these two points are plainely and fully accomplished in our aduersaries for firste they deny that the Lord hath bought them they call the Lord Iesus their Sauiour they confesse that he dyed vpon the Crosse but they denye that he bought them with his death for if he bought them with his owne moste precious bloud what néede they to bee bought againe with Popes Pardons Indulgences Mans Merits Masses Dirges Trentals or any such paultrie deuises and lewde inuentions of man And who knoweth not that all these thinges are nothing but subtill practises too picke mennes purses and too make Marchaundise of Soules for coueytous Lucre. Then thease are the Hereticques whiche we must auoyde which denye the Lorde that bought them which to inritch themselues defende such monstrous opinions as do all derogate frō the death and passion of Christ Titus 1.16 which professe that they knowe God but in their works they deny him Our Sauiour Christ is annoynted of God to be our Kinge our Priest Luke 1.33 and our Prophet Our King as the Angell saide to Marie he shall raigne ouer the house of Iacob for euer and of his kingdome shall be no ende Psal 110.4 Hebr. 4.14 7.26 Our Priest as the Prophet saith the Lord hath sworne and will not repent thou art a Priest for euer after the order of Melchizedec And our Prophet Luke 4.18 Math. 17.5 Iohn 1.18 Hebr. 1.2 because the spirite of the Lorde hath annoynted him to preach the Gospell vnto the poore and he is the belooued sonne of God whom only we must heare who beeing in the bosome of the Father hath declared him vnto vs. Then whosoeuer doo teach vs that any man can rule the hearts of men Psalm 2.9 Math. 9.6 Colos 1.13 Psal 110.1 Rom. 16.20 Rom. 6.6 Mich. 7.19 1. Cor. 15.55 1. Peter 1.3 or forgiue sinnes or destroy the power of darkenesse or make his enemies his footestoole or treade downe Sathan vnder his féete or kill the olde man with all his concupiscence with the power of his spirite or raise vp the new man in holinesse and righteousnesse or vanquish sinne Hell Death and damnation or establish in vs a hope of the inheritaunce of euerlasting life but only our Lorde and Sauiour Iesus Christe that man denyeth the kingdome of Christe And whosoeuer dooth offer Sacrifice for the quicke and the dead but onely the Lord Iesus who béeing the last Priest the Priest for euer did offer himself once vpon the Crosse for the sinnes of all mankinde as the Apostle saith Heb. 9 2◠He appeared once to put away sinne by the sacrifice of himselfe and Heb. 10.10.14 Sanctificati sumus per oblationem Iesu Christi semel factam we are sanctified by the offering of the body of Iesus Christ once made for with one offering hath he consecrated for euer them that are sanctified he denyeth the eternall Priesthood of Christe and whosoeuer affirmeth that anye mortall man can dispence with the worde of God or that the Bible ought to be locked vp and that our faithe ought to be grounded vpon the Popes decrées decretales or vpon any Dunses or Doctors or Fathers or Counsels whatsoeuer he denyeth our Sauiour Christ Math. 17.5 to be our Prophet the welbelooued sonne of God whom onely we must heare and therefore the Papists howsoeuer they haue the name of Iesus often in their mouthes 2. Pet. 2.2 yet indéede they deny the Lord that bought them and therfore Titus 3.10 are suche Heretiques as are to be auoyded But we must confesse our Sauiour Christ to be onely our kynge to gouerne the heartes of his electe people with the vertue of his holy Spirit and as for the wicked Rom. 8.14 to crush them with a Scepter of Iron Psalm 2.5 to break them in peeces like a Potters Vessell onely the Priest which offered hymselfe without spot to God Hebr. 9.14 to purge our consciences from dead workes to serue the lyuyng Lorde and onely the Prophet by whom in these last dayes Hebr. 2.2 Deut. 18.18 the Lord doth speake vnto vs and whome God promised to Moyses that he would raise him vp amonge his Brethren whome who so euer should heare Gen. 3.15 12.3 should not be destroyed We must confesse that he onely is the seede of the woman which hath brused the Serpents head Isa 7.14 the seede of Abraham in whom all the Nations of the world should be blessed The Childe whiche a Virgyn should conceiue and beare call his name Emanuell whome many kynges and Prophetes haue desired to sée we must confesse him to be our Iesus by whom we are saued and that vnder Heauen there is no other name giuen nothyng in Earth nothyng vnder the Earth nothyng in Heauen nor in the Heauen of Heauens Actes 4.10 no vertue no power no strength no name els that is named in which or by which we can be saued but onely by the name of Iesus of Nazareth Math. 3.17 Iohn 1.1 2. Cor. 4.4 1. Cor. 1.24 Actes 3.15 Hebru 2.10 12.2 1. Cor. 2.8 Iohn 10.11 14 We must confesse him onely to be the welbelooued sonne in whom the Father is well pleased the woord of God the Image of God the power and wisdome of God the Prince of life the Prince of saluation the Prince of faithe the Lorde of glorie the Heir of all things in Heauen and earth We must confesse him to be the onely good Shéepeheard by
holy holy Lord God of Hoasts glory be to thee O God most high To the which heauenly company and confession the Lord hasten vs all for the merits of his welbelooued sonne Iesus Christe to whom with the Father and the holy ghost be all prayse and dominion for euer and euer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 16.27 A GODLY and Learned Sermon Containing a charge and Instruction for all vnlearned negligent and dissolute Ministers And an Exhortation to the common people to séeke their amendment by Prayer vnto GOD. Preached at Manchester in Lancastershire before a great and worshipfull Audience by occasion of certaine Parsons there at that present appointed as then to be made Ministers By Simon Harwarde Preacher of the worde of God and Maister of Art late of New Colledge in Oxforde Hilar. lib. 8. de Trinitate Non statim boni atque vtilis Sacerdotis est aut tantummodo innocenter agere aut tantummodo scienter praedicare cum innocens sibi tantum proficiat nisi doctus sit et doctus sinc doctrinae sit authoritate nisi innocens sit vita cius ornetur docendo Doctrina viuendo A learned Sermon of Instructions to the Ministerie Luke 10. verse 2. ¶ The Haruest is great but the labourers are but few pray therfore the Lorde of the Haruest to sende forth Labourers into his Haruest THE occasion of these wordes of our Sauiour Christ right reuerende and dearely beloued is that which is set downe in the verse last goynge before how the Lord appointed 70. Disciples and sent them two two before him into euerie cittie place where he himselfe should come wherein we haue first to consider how all the dooinges of our Lord and Sauiour were not onely fore-toulde by the Prophesies but also fore-shadowed by the deedes of the Patriarkes and holy Prophetes of God For as the posteritie of Iacob had the twelue Patriarkes Apoc. 21.14 Gen. 46.27 Num. 11.16 as the chiefe fountaynes from the which their offspringe was deriued euen so hath Christe sent forth his Apostles to the foundation of his church as Iacob went down into Egipt with seuenty soules as God coÌ„maunded Moses to chuse out seauentye of the Elders of Israel to beare the burthen of the people with him which gouernment was in a maner afterwarde renewed when the people were retourned from Babilon for they had their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which was afterward corruptly called Sanedrin consistinge of 71. Seniors whiche had the hearing of most waighty affaires eueÌ„ so our Sauiour Christ Colos 2.16 Heb. 10.1 doth here seÌ„d forth 70. disciples before him into euery citie place where he himselfe should come thus is our Sauiour become the truth of al figures the body of all shadowes Gen. 2.22 He is the secoÌ„d Adam which was as it were cast on sleepe for a time when he lay in the Sepulchre vntil the Spouse his church was framed out of his side He is the AbrahaÌ„ Gen 13.16 whose seed is as the stars of heaueÌ„ as the dust of the earth in nuÌ„ber He is the Priest for euer after the order of Melchizedec Psal 110.4 Exod. 12.13 He is the pascal lamb the lamb of god Iohn 1 29. Naâ— 21.9 Iohn 3.14 Gen. 28.12 slain froÌ„ the begiÌ„ning of the world He is the Brasen Serpent which was lift vp vpoÌ„ the cros to cure all our maladies He is the Ladder which Iacob saw wherby only Gen. 1â— 17 22.9 we must asceÌ„d into heaueÌ„ He is that Isaac which being born against the course of nature was sacrifised vpon the Alter of the Crosse Gen. 37.28 43.30 45.3 yet remained safe and sounde He is that pitifull Ioseph which was soulde of his Brethren yet so louingly affected that he afterwarde being aduaunced in glorie was not ashamed to confesse his Bretheren Iohn 1.13 He is that valiaÌ„t Iosua which leadeth vs into the Land of Canaan flowing with milk and hony He is that Dauid which being persecuted by Saule his enemies became a worme and not a man Psal 22.1.14.15.16.18 a very shame of men and the contempt of the people whose harte was molten lyke waxe in the middest of his bowels and his strength dried vp lyke a potsharde whose handes and feete they pearced and cast lots vpon his garments so that he was compelled to crie out my God my God why hast thou forsaken mee 1. Reg. 10.23 Iud. 16.30 He is that wise Salomon which ruleth his people with peace and tranquillitie He is the couragious Sampson who by his death ouerthroweth all his enimies Num. 11.17 And héere hee is that carefull Moses which for the profit and comfort of his people doth chuse out seuentie Disciples to beare the burthen with him sendeth them out two and two into euery Cittie and place where hee himselfe should come Héere also we haue to learne the vnity and louing agréement which ought to bée amongst the Ministers and Preachers of the Gospell of Christ Our Sauiour sedeth sorth his Disciples by two and two signifiyng vnto them the mutual agréemeÌ„t which they ought to haue one with another how they ought one to aide and assist another and in al their dooinges to goe as it were hand in hand togeather So the Euangelist Saint Marke sheweth how Christ sent foorth his Apostles also by two and two Mark 6.7 and when hee chose his Apostles hee called them two and two For first he called Simon Peeter and Andrew his Brother Mat. 4.18 And going a litle farther he saw two other Bretheren Iames the sonne of Zebedaeus and Iohn his Brother mending their Nets in a Ship With Zebedaeus their Father and he called them Wherby wee are admonished of a Brotherlye loue which ought to bee as amongst all meÌ„ so especially amongst the preachers of the Gospell of Christ Let vs then of the Ministerie learne héere to lay aside al hatred and malice not to enuy or maligne our fellâ—w brethren not to seeke to supplant one an other not to deuide our selues one from another with vaine vnprofitable contentions as many doo to the great slaunder of the Gospell but to goe all as it were hand in hand together with one hart and one voice to glorifye God the father of our Lord Iesus Christ Let vs say one to another as Abraham sayde to Lot I pray thee Gen. 13.8 let there bee no strife betweene thee and mee neither betweene my Heardmen and thy Heardmen for wee are all Brethren We are all Bretheren Brethren by nature Brethen by callynge Brethren in Religion all made by one God al redéemed by one Iesus Christ all called to the same office and ministerie all braunches of one vine all shéepe of the same shéepfold all members of the same bodye all fellow seruantes of the same housholde all partakers of the same baptisme of the same faith of the same hope of euerlasting
Cittie and place where hee himselfe should come it appeareth that our Sauiour dyd not shew himselfe like these corner créepers 2. Tim. 3.6 these Howletes Night Birdes whiche doo créepe into Houses and lead captiues Women laden with sinnes but he would haue hys commyng to be openlye knowne to all the Countrie Omnis qui peruerse agit odit lucem Euerie one that doth euil hateth the light neither commeth he to the light least his déedes should be reproued but he which dealeth trulye commeth into the light Vt manifesta fiant facta ipsius quod secundum Deum fiant That his deedes might be made manifest that they are wrought according vnto God And therefore if there were nothinge els to cōdemne these popish shauelings which beinge disguised doo créepe about from place to place to perswade the people to withdrawe their obedience from their natural Soueraigne to whom it is due and to giue it to a forraine Prelate a Priest of Rome this one thinge were sufficient to bewray them and to discredit their cause for that they are ashamed to shew their faces and doo vse such harde shiftes such subtill practises and sleightie deuises to kéepe them selues close that thei may not be called to their answer whereas most certenly Trueth seeketh no corners as héere you see how our sauiour Christ dooth send his seuentie Disciples as it were forerunners to make proclamation of him in euery Cittie and place where hee himselfe should come whiche though it were perillous for according to the wordes of our Sauiour in the thirde verse It was nothing els but to sende Lambes among wolues Luk. 10.3 yet was there more respect to be had of the trueth then of any daunger of death what so euer When our Sauiour hath thus sent foorth his seauentie Disciples before him into euery Citie and place where hee him selfe should come he beginneth now their charge in these wordes whiche I haue reade vnto you The Haruest is great and the Labourers are but few pray therfore the Lord of the Haruest to sende Labourers into his Haruest whiche peece of Scripture might fitly bee deuided in two partes the first is An exhortation to prayer that we pray to the Lorde of the Haruest to send foorth Labourers into his Haruest The seconde contayneth The reasons of the Exhortation whiche are two first because the Haruest is great and secondly because the Labourers are but few But I think it best at this time not to inuert the words of our Sauiour but to intreate vpon them orderlye as they lay in the text First of the greatnes of the Haruest Secondly of the small number of the Labourers Thirdly of the meanes wherby that small number shall be encreased if we perfourmed our dutie to praye vnto the Lorde of the Haruest to sende foorth Labourers into his Haruest Firste our Sauiour Christe telleth them that the Haruest is great whereby hée signifyeth the number of the faithfull which hunger and thirst after righteousnesse and haue an earnest desire to heare to receaue and to imbrace the heauenly treasure of his most holye and blessed word And thus doth our Sauiour oft name the Congregation of his faithful people by the name of Haruest Ioh. 4.35 when he saw the Samaritanes commyng to him out of Sichem he sayd behould lift vp your eies looke on the Regions for they are white already vnto the Haruest Math. 9.37 And in the Gospell after Saint Mathew he sayth Surely the Haruest is great c. where he dooth vse the selfe same wordes which he dooth in this place although to another purpose For there he hath especially respect vnto the people on whom he had compassion when he saw them dispersed and scattered abrode as it were Shéepe hauing no Shéepheard and therefore he sayde Surelie the Haruest is great but the labourers are but few pray c. But héere he hath respect not so much vnto the flock as vnto the Disciples themselues that although they sawe but few among the Iewes which fauoured his doctrine and therefore might hardly conceaue any hope of dooing any good yet they should not dispaire For the Haruest was great howsoeuer in their iudgemēt the nūber of the faithfull was but small Rom. 11.2 yet they should not be discouraged For the Haruest was great Elias being in a Caue in the Mount Horeb 1. Re. 19.10.18 was in a māner discouraged when he saw all the Prophets of God slaine his Altars broken downe and he left alone whose life they sought also But the Lord appeared vnto him and comforted him saying Rom. 11.4 I haue reserued vnto my selfe in Israell 7000. men which haue neuer bowed their knees to Baal nor kissed him with their mouthes Here then we that are Ministers are to learne not to be dismayed although we sée but small fruite of our labours but to go on forwarde diligently and painefully in the worke of the Lorde knowing that the Haruest may be greater then we do imagine although in our iudgement ther be few or none which returne vnto repentaunce yet there may be seauen thousand in the sight of God therfore although we may say with Peter I haue trauailed all night Luke 5.5 and haue taken nothing yet we must remēber that we say also Neuerthelesse at thy cōmaundemēt O Lord I will still let downe the Net Semper tibi pendeat hamus In quo non credis gurgite piscis erit The Church is called an Haruest and therefore we must not looke that it should increase and growe to perfection all at once but by little and little and that with much a doo for as the seede is first cast into the ground then couered with cloddes afterward kept vnder with Frost and Snowe and when it is growen vp it is parched with heate almost choaked with briars and weedes and beaten downe with stormes and tempests at the last with much labour it is brought into the Barnes Euen so the Séede of Gods worde when it is sowen in the hearts of men it is longe before it take any déepe roote and hardly dooth the fruit appeare and when it is spronge vp it is parched with the heate of many troubles and miseries it is almost choaked with the briers brambles of voluptuous liuing and the thornie cares of this world it is beaten downe with the stormes tempests of sundry temptations at the last with much a doo it dooth make vs fit to be receaued into the Barnes of euerlasting ioyes then onely is the Haruest perfectly purged for so lōg as we remain heer in this vale of misery we must looke for nothing els but to haue the tares mingled with the wheate the chaffe with the graine the wicked with the good the goates with the shéepe therefore the church is cōpared to a family or household which conteineth not only sons but slaues also Rom. 9.21 2. Tim. 2.20 not all vessels to
therefore we ought to dispense the word faithfully in season and out of season 2. Tim. 4.2 knowing that if any doo perish thorough our default a seuere accompt shall be required at our hands We are called builders to edifie build the body of Christ Isa 49.17 Ephe. 4.12 15. that is his Church and to ioyne it vnto the head Christ and therefore we muste labour painefully and take heede where we laye our foundation that we build not vpon the sand but vpon the foundatioÌ„ of the Prophets and Apostles Ephe. 2.20 Iesus Christ himselfe béeing the chiefe corner Stone We are called Luke 6.39 the leaders of Gods people to leade them into all trueth and therefore we must take héede that we haue alwayes the word of God a Lanterne to our feete and a light vnto our pathes Psal â—19 105 for otherwise if the blinde leade the blinde Math. 15.14 they shall bothe fall into the Ditche we are called Sheepeheards and Pastors and therfore we ought to feede the stock committed to our charge or otherwise there is no loue of Christ in vs. Iohn 21.15 For our Sauiour mooued the question thrife to Peter Simon thou sonne of Iona doost thou loue me his aunswer was Lord I loue thee Lorde thou knowest that I loue thee Then feede my Sheepe feede my Lambes And therefore it is vnpossible that there should be any sparckle of the loue of Christ in our hearts except we haue a care to feede those Lambes for when he shed his bloud Ezech. 34.4 to strengthen the weake to heale the sick to binde vp the broken to bring home that which is driueÌ„ away to seeke that which is lost and to defend theÌ„ froÌ„ being deuoured of the wild beasts of the field which we câ—Ì„ neuer do vnlesse we be able to interpret the scriptures to apply them to the instruction comfort of the people therefore 〈◊〉 â—3 2 〈◊〉 2.24 Paul requireth in the Minister that he be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sit to teache alâ— commauÌ„deth Timothy to shew himselfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rightly deuiding the worde of trueth 2. Tim. 2.15 not onely and barely reading for that were to giue whole loaues vnto Children for the which they should be neuer the better but cutting and deuiding the worde of trueth Math. 4.19 Luke 5.5 and as it were breaking vnto them the bread of life We are Fishers of men and therefore we must at Christes commaundement continually let downe our Nets We are called Gods Stewards Luk. 12.42 16.1 and therefore we ought to be faithfull and wise and giue vnto the Household of God their portion of meate in due season Happy is the Seruaunt whom the Maister when he coÌ„meth shall finde so dooing We must euery one of vs be as it were Gen 41.57 another Ioseph that when the Aegiptians are pinched with famine they may finde reliefe at Iosephs hande The first thing then that is required in a Minister is that he haue knowledge and vnderstanding how to doo his Embassage how to feed with discretion first with Milke and theÌ„ with stronge meate how to labour in the Lords Haruest how to builde how to leade the people of God how to watch ouer them how to lighten their hearts and to season them with the knowledge of Gods holy worde The Prophet saith Math. 2.7 that the lippes of the Priest must preserue knowledge that the people may seeke the lawe at his mouth For he is the Messenger of the Lord of Hoastes and not onely should their lippes preserue knowledge but they must euen eate the rowle of Gods booke Ezech. 3.2 3. Apoc. 10.9 and fill their bowels with the volume thereof whereby is signified the profounde and deepe knowledge and inward digesting of the worde of God which ought to be in euery Minister Esai 56.10 The Prophet dooth greatly complaine of the blinde watchmen which cannot sée and the dombe Dogges which cannot barke and God denounceth a seuere iudgement against them saying Ezech. 13.3 Woe be vnto the foolish Prophets which follow their owne spirite and haue seene nothing Exod. 28.33 About the skirts of the robe of Ephod were goulden Bels alwayes sounding to signifie that the Priest wheresoeuer he went should be able to found out the worde of trueth and therefore we which are called to be labourers in the Lords Haruest to instruct the people in the worde of God Let vs first learne how we must doo it for labour wee neuer so painefully 2. Tim. 2.5 yet if wee labour not as we ought to doo our labour is all in vayne The labouring Husbandman must firste be able to choose good Seede and then to Sowe it with discrescion euen so the Minister must first be able to disseuer the trueth from falsehood light from darkenesse and meate from poyson and then to vtrer his Doctrine applying it to the profit and comfort of the hearers The Husbandman must fyrste Plowe the Soyle and bruse the Cloddes before hee commit the Séede vnto the ground euen so must the Minister fyrst bruse the cloddes and knotty affections of mens hearts by the Preaching of the Lawe and then Sowe therein the sweete promises of the glorious Gospell of Iesus Christ Some are of this iudgement that onely the lawe and the threatnings of God against sinne ought now to be preached bothe because the manners of men are growen to be so wicked and desperate that they haue néede of a sharpe and desperate remedie and also because that Christian libertie the more it is preached the more it is abused I confesse these thinges to be true and too true the Lorde be mercifull vnto vs But how so euer sinne be increased and Christian libertie abused yet good brethren we must so procéede in teaching that rather Christe be framed in the hearts then Moses and that rather by acknowledging Gods benefits men may be drawen to loue him then be driuen by feare to flie from him For if Christe doo come into our hearts it is vnpossible but that he should bring with him new vertues new actions new motions and a spirite sanctifying all thinges and where Christe is not receaued there is it in vaine to speake of any morrall vertue or vice whatsoeuer Eph. 3.17 If Christe doo dwell in our hearts by faythe then must it néedes follow that wee should bee rooted and grounded in looue and saye with the Apostle 2. Cor. 5.14.15 The loue of Christe constrayneth vs for this wee knowe that if Christe dyed for vs wee which liue should not liue vnto our selues but liue vnto him which dyed for vs and rose againe that as he gaue his body and bloud vpon the Crosse for vs so we should giue our bodyes and soules to serue him and shew our selues thankfull for the worke of our redemption knowing that he did not therefore die for vs that we should wallow in sinne and wickednesse
required this at your hands that ye should take the sacrameÌ„t of my bloud which I shed for al meÌ„ froÌ„ the common people so to make my supper rather an excoÌ„munication then a Communion who required this at your hands that ye should rather thrust your children into Abbeis Couents there to liue an idle a Swinish life being pampered vp with all dilicious fare which may stir theÌ„ vp to all filthines theÌ„ to set theÌ„ to some homest occupatioÌ„ Gen. 3.19 2. Thes 3.12 to get their liuing with the sweate of their browes to the profit and furtherance of the Common wealth Who required this of you that ye should accompt it a more meritorious work to gilde an Image their to cloathe a poore naked man and a better déede to go a gadding on Pilgrimage to séeke dead bones then to tarie at home and visite the poore members of Christ which laye sick and bedred lame and impotent 1. Iohn 1.7 Eccle. 12.7 Luke 23.49 Actes 7.59 Apoc. 14.13 who required this at your hands that ye should make any other Purgatorie then the bloud of Iesus Christ which dooth purge you from all your sinne or that ye should place your holynesse in kissing of Reliques créeping to crosses choyce of meates contempt of mariage sprinkling of holy water ceÌ„sing of Herbs boughes auricular shriuing in consecrated war Agnus Deis Crucifyres Palmes Creame Spittle Salte Oile Ashes Bels Beads Ladies Psalters Portuises LegeÌ„daries MaÌ„s merits work of supererogatioÌ„ Shrines Roodes Tapers Frankencense Masses Dirges Trentals Buls Pardons Indulgences and all such trashe and trumpery wherof there is no mention at all in my holy worde Who required these things at your hands if I neuer required them but rather forbad them and commaunded the cleane contrarie then are ye no faithfull labourers 2. Peter 2.3 ye labour for your owne gaine to make Marchandise of soules for Lukers sake but ye are no labourers in my Haruest Apoc. 22.19 to bring increase into my Barnes and therefore ye are accursed and haue no part in the booke of life Thus good brethren ye sée how we shall be faithfull labourers we must Deut. 4.2 12.32 Pro. 30.6 adde nothing to the woord and take nothing from it neither to decline vnto the right hand nor to the left for if it be vnlawfull to adde or to chaunge Gala. 3.15 or to abrogate any thing in the Will and Testament of men how much lesse shall it be lawfull to put too or to diminish or to disanull any thing in the Will and Testament of the euerliuing God and if in making of the Tabernacle Exod. 25.40 2. Cron. 8.14 or building of the materiall Temple it was not lawfull for the workemen to doo any thing but what the Lorde appointed how much lesse may the builders of the spirituall Temple the Church of God decline from that rule which God hath prescribed in his holy worde Moreouer that we may be faithfull labourers this is required of vs that we auoide all flatterie and without respect of persons doo bouldly that Message Gala. 101 whereunto the Lorde shall send vs knowing that if we seeke to please men Ezech. 13.12 we cannot be the seruaunts of Christ â—ech 13.18 The Prophet denounceth an woe against those which sowe Pillowes vnder mens elbowes and crie peace peace where as no peace is and God dooth threaten by Ieremie that hee will come against those Prophets which haue sweete lips Ieâ— 10. and flatter men in their sinnes Woe be to them which speake good of euill and euill of good which put darkenes for light and light for darkenes which put bitter for sweete find sweete for sower Pro. 12.2 Disperdat Dominus omnia labia adulationum the Lord â—ut out all flattering lips saith the Prophet Dauid and as flattering lippes are abhominable in all meÌ„ so especially they ought to be abhorred of vs which are the Messengers of the Lord of Hoasts We must all Ephe. 6.19 open our mouthes bouldly to publish the secret of the Gospell Howsoeuer it be a daungerous thing for Lot to reprooue the filthy and beastly Sodomites Gen. 19.7 assaulting his house yet he must not cease still to say I pray you my bretheren Proâ— â—0 2 doo not so wickedly Howsoeuer the wrath of a King be the roaring of a Lion and he that dooth prouoke him to anger dooth hazard his owne life yet if Princes offend the Prophet of God must say the Princes are rebellious Isa 1.23 companions of theeues euery one loueth bribes they iudge not the fatherles nether doth the widdowes cause come before the Ezech. 22.27 the Princes of Iuda are like rauening wolues sucking bloud and destroying soules for couetous Lucre. Although it must cost Iohn Baptist his life yet must he not cease to say to Herod Math. 14.4 It is not lawful for thee to haue thy brother Phillips wife And not onely the wicked but the godly also wheÌ„ they fall they must be bouldly sharply reprooued so that Nathan must say vnto Dauid thou art the man 2. Sam. 12.7 it is thou that hast done this deede doubt not but the Lord will so worke with it that thy smiting shall be taken for a benefit Psa 141.5 and thy reproouing for a precious balme which will not breake his head howsoeuer the wicked doo kick spurne against thy godly admonitioÌ„s yet no vnthankfulnes of the world ought to driue them froÌ„ performing thy duty but that the more stormy tempests that the weather dooth bring the more painefull thou shouldest be in the Haruest of the Lord What though thou be sent as Christe héere sent foorthe his seuentie Disciples as Lambes among VVolues Luke 10.5 What though thou be Sawde in péeces with a Sawe of wood as the Prophet Isay was or haue a Naile of Iron driuen into the Temples of thy head with Amos or be beheaded with Iohn Baptist or be Stoned with Steuen or slaine with the Sworde with Iames or most cruelly put to death with Peter Paule and the rest of the Apostles or haue thy portion among the blessed Martirs of God whereof some were deuoured with wilde Beasts some burnt with fier and Faggot some broyld vpon hoate coales some hanged some drowned some torne in péeces with wilde Horses yet must you alwayes remember the comfortable promise of Christe Math. 5.10 that great shal be thy rewarde in Heauen Blessed is the man that endureth temptation Iam. 1.12 for when he is tryed he shall receaue the Crowne of life which the Lorde hath promised to them that loue him Thus must the Ministers labour faithfully and not onely faithfully but willingly as Peter sayth feede the flock of Christ 2. Peter 5.2 which dependeth vpon you caring for it not by constraint but willingly not for fylthy luker but of a ready minde For if the laboring Seruaunts which are hyred to doo
shall be pronounced Giue an accompts of thy stewardship Luk. 16.1 thou maist be no longer Steward The Texte saith that the euill Stewarde 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he was first accused to his Maister that he wasted his goods and then he was called to his reckoning Euen so shall all blinde guides dombe Dogges vnfaithfull Stewards Idole Sheepheards slouthfull loiterers first be accused to God and then called to their accompts who shall be their accusers euery slothfull and vnfaithful Steward of what calling soeuer he be shall haue thrée accusers Rom. 2.15 The first is their owne conscience for that will be as good as a thousand witnesse Iuuenal Nocte dieque suum gestare in pectore testem A corrupt conscience is called a continuall Hangeman Gen. 4.7 it is sinne laying at the doore of our hearts it is called of the Prophet Esay a Worme that neuer dyeth and a Sea which alwayes rageth without rest Isa 66.24 1. Tim. 4.2 of Paul a fearing with a hoate Iron and in the Epistle to the Hebrewes Hebr. 10.26 a terrible looking for of iudgement and violent fier to deuour the aduersaries and therefore as often as they call to minde remember how they haue eaten the fat Ezech. 34.3.4 cloathed themselues with the Woll but that they haue not fed the Sheepe nor strengthened the weake nor healed the sick nor bouÌ„d vp the broke nor brought againe that which was driuen away nor sought vp that which was lost but haue ruled their slocks with rigor and cruelty this corrupt conscience Rom. 2.15 wil be as good as a thousaÌ„d witnesses to accuse coÌ„demne theÌ„ before the throne of God Isa 57.21 2. Tim. 1.7 Sap. 17.10.11 There is no peace to the wicked the Lord hath sayd it but they shal cary in their brests feare terror tormeÌ„ting furies coÌ„tinually citing theÌ„ before the tribunall seat of Christ And if there be any which with vayne pastimes and pleasures of this worlde doo driue away the remembraunce of Gods iudgements for a time yet are they neuer the better for it for although they séeme to reioyce yet as Salomon sayeth Pro 1.14.13 20.17 Euen in the laughing the hart is sorrowfull and the mirth dooth end in heauines Although the bread of deceipt be sweet in the mouth for a while yet in the end the mouthe shal be filled with Grauell although for a time they liue without remorse of conscience Luke 11.21 and the stronge man dooth so possesse all things that all things seeme to be quiet yet in the end they shall be neuer the better for it no more then the stall fedde Oxe is the better because he knoweth not that he is taken out to the slaughter house for a sodaine death will haue the greater feaâ—e 1. Cor. 1.12 And therefore good brethren let euery one of vs endeuour as much as we can to kéepe the testimonie of a good conscience for as of all the treasures and pleasures in the worlde a quiet conscience is the greatest Pro. 15.15 as Salomon saith a good conscience is a continuall feast so it is the greatest horrour in the world to make Shipwrake of a good conscience 1. Iohn 3 21. for if our hart condemne vs God is greater then our heart and therefore let euery one of vs labour faithfully and painefully in the Lords Haruest let vs as good stewards giue vnto the household their portion of meate in due season that whensoeuer we must leaue our flocks we may euery one of vs in the testimonie of a good conscience say as Paule saide to the Elders of Ephesus Act. 20.26.27 I take you all to recorde this day that I am pure from the bloud of all men for I haue kept nothing back but haue shewed you all the counsell of God The second witnesse which shall accuse thée if thou be an euil Steward is the crie of the poore people which by thy negligence are pinched with the famine of the worde of God Amos. 8.11 for if in plaging of the body of goods that be true which the wiseman saith Ecclc. 35.15 that the teares which runne downe from the Widdowes cheekes go vp into heauen and the Lord which heareth them doth accept them and that which Iames saith Iam. 5.4 the crye of the poore dooth enter into the eares of the Lorde of Hoastes and that which Dauid affirmeth that Psal 56.8 God dooth put the teares of his Saints in his bottell how much more shall the teares and the cry which commeth by the plaging of the soule go vp into the eares of the Lord of Hoasts when the People shall huÌ„ger thirst for the foode of Godsword thou hast none to giue them when they shall crie for their portion of meate and thou hast none neither for thy selfe nor for them This crie goeth vp into heaueÌ„ and the Lord which heareth it dooth accept it when he calleth thée to thy reckoning he will one day remember it The thirde witnesse which shall accuse all euill Stewards is the hurt dammage which is done in the Lords Haruest by their negligence Gen 4.10 for if the voice of the bloud of Abell did crie out of the earth for vengeance and if in building of houses with the oppressioÌ„ of the poore one stone doo crie vnto another â—bac 2.11 one beame crie against an other woe be to him that buildeth of bloud How much more shal the bloud of the soules of meÌ„ the maintaining of our wealthy estates by the perishing of so many soules cry continually out of the earth to the Lord for vengeance And thus if thou be an vnfaithfull and negligent Steward thou hast three accusers continually citing thee before the throne of God and the Lord which heareth their accusations will one day call thee to thy reckoning when he himselfe shall descende from heauen with a showte 1. The. 4.16.17 and with the voice of the Archangell with the trumpet of God and thou shalt meete him in the Cloudes where thou shalt see heauen aboue thee ready to receaue the saints of God Hell beneathe thee gaping to deuoure thee round about thee the world burning the Elements melting with heate thine owne sinnes on the one side of thee and the sinnes of all those which haue perished by thy negligence on the other side of thee behinde thee the Deuill ready to accuse thee within thee a conscience already condemning thee and before thy face the terrible Iudge accompanied with thousands of Angels calling thee to giue an accomptes of thy Stewardship And if it be founde that Luke 12.48.45.46 thou hast not giuen to the Househoulde of God their portion of meate in due season but hast smitten thy fellow seruauÌ„ts and giuen thy selfe to eate and drinke Math. 25.30 and to be dronken then moste assuredlye thou shalt be cut off and haue thy portion
to be in all the Ministers of Christ to haue a zealous and a tender care of the Church of God which Christ hath purchased with his moste precious bloud and therefore our Sauiour dooth héere commaund his seuentie Disciples that in all their prayers they should not haue so much respect vnto themselues as vnto the Haruest of the Lorde and biddeth them pray the Lord of the Haruest to sende foorth labourers into his Haruest And this is the dutie not onely of the Minister but generally of all men Psal 137.5.6 to pray for the peace of Ierusalem and the prosperous estate of the Church of God Ephe. 6.19 to pray for the Ministers that vtteraunce may be giuen vnto them that they may opē their mouthes bouldly to publish the secret of the Gospell to pray 2 Thes 3.1 that the word of God may haue free passage and be glorifyed among them to pray for their Pastors Colos 4.3.4 that God wyll open vnto them the doore of vtteraunce that they may so speake the Misteries of Christ as it becommeth them to speake to pray with Dauid that the Lord will be fauourable vnto Sion Psa 51.18 and build vp the walles of Ierusalem And finally to praye heere with the seuentie Disciples that the Lord of the Haruest will send foorth labourers into his Haruest and this shall euery one of you performe a great deale more carefully if ye will call to minde either the great comfort which commeth vnto you by the paines of faithfull Labourers or els the miserable estate that ye stande in if ye want these Labourers For first what greater comfort can there be to a trauayler béeing in a straunge place and among his enemyes then to be well armed and to haue a good weapen to defēd him Neither can there be any greater comfort to vs that Psalm 39.12 are straungers and Pilgrimes in this vale of misery and continually assaulted with most cruell enemies the world the flesh and the Deuill then to be well weaponed with the sworde of the spirite Ephe. 6.17 Hebru 4.12 the word of God which shall cut downe sinne in vs and enter thorough euen to the deuiding a sunder of the soule and of the spirite of the ioyntes and of the marrowe Then we ought alwayes to pray with Dauid I am a straunger vpon earth Psal 119.19 O hide not thy commaundement from me What greater comfort to a man which walketh in darkenesse and in a daingerous place Ephe. 5.8 Psa 119.105 2. Pet. 1.19 Ephe. 5.8 then to haue a light to be brought vnto him Neither can there be anye greater comforte to vs which of our selues are nothing but darkenesse as Paule saythe then to haue the worde of God a Lanterne to our feete and a Candle shining in a darke place whereby we may be made light in the Lorde and walke as the children of light What greater ioye vnto a poore man then to shrowde himselfe vnder the winges of some Nobleman or Gentleman and to weare his Liuerie and Cognisance neyther can there be any greater ioye to a true Christian then to weare the Badge of a Christian which is a zeale to heare the worde of God Iohn 8.47 1. Ioh. 4.6 Iohn 10.27 that hearing Gods worde he may be knowne to be of God and hearing the voyce of Christ may be knowne thereby to be one of the Sheep of Christ and therefore such a one as cā neuer perrish There is no man but he would willingly be reconciled to his Landlorde or any other which is able to hurt either his body or goods The Gospell of Christ is called 2. Cor. 5.19 Math. 10.28 the worde of reconciliation whereby we are reconciled to him which is able to destroy bothe body and soule and cast bothe into Hell lier No man but he would willingly be saued Iam. 1.21 Rom. 1.16 Isa 12.3 it is called the worde of saluation which is able to saue our soules and therfore we ought with ioy to draw water out of the Wels of saluation as the Prophet speaketh ther is no mā but he would willingly be preserued frō errours falshood it is called 2. Cor. 6.7 Iohn 17.17 the word of truth No mā but if he haue any sparkle of grace he would willingly be deliuered frō the bondage of sinne iniquitie It is the Law of God Psal 19.7.11 119.9 which is perfect conuerteth the soule the Testimony of the Lord is sure giueth wisdom vnto the simple by thē is the seruāt of God made circūspect by teaching improouing 2. Tim. 3.16 correcting instructing they make the mā of god absolute perfect in al good works There is no mā but if he haue enemies suing him at Lawe for a péece of Land he would gladly haue the aduise of good and learned Counsellers our enemyes séeke to pluck from vs the kingdome of Heauen and therefore our delight ought to be in the statues of God for they are our Counsellers Psal 119.24 saith Dauid if we haue any suite we are desirous to know the end how that iudgement shall passe Christ saithe If any man receiue not my woords Ioh. 12.48 Sermo quem loquutus sum iudicabit eum in nouissimo Die the word which I haue spoaken shall iudge him the last day There is no man but if his Father haue made a Will and Testament and therein bequeathed vnto him any worldly goods or possessions he wyll read the Will ouer and ouer againe to see what his father hath bequeathed vnto him But the Minister dooth bring vnto you not the Testament of any mortal man but the Will and Testament of our Lord Iesus Christ Rom. 11 27. 2. Cor. 3.6 Hebru 8.8 9.15 1. Pet. 1.18 wherein he hath bequeathed vnto you not temporall riches but the euerlasting ioyes of Heauen purchased not with Siluer nor Gould but with his owne precious bloud How much more then ought ye to héere marke and commit vnto me morie this Will and Testament of our Lorde and redéemer When the Market day commeth that we must prouide for foode and rayement for our bodyes we wyll applye it dilligently to our great costes and charges Behoulde the Lorde hath appointed many dayes especially the Sabbaoth dayes to be the Market dayes of our soules wherein we may fréely prouide for some thing to the nourishment and comforte of our soules What a great care then ought wee to haue to resort vnto the Church Apoc. 3.18 Isa 55. ◠to buy Gould tryed by the fier that we may be riche and white rayment that we may be cloathed and as the Prophet saythe to buie Wyne and Mylke without Siluer and not so to care for the body which shortly shall be Wormes meate that we haue no care of the soule which shortly shall be in the companye of Angels There is none of vs but he would willingly conceaue some hope of eternall life and
be punished with euerlasting perdition from the presence of God and from the glory of his power great cause ye haue to lift vp your harts vnto the Lord earely and late and continually to praye vnto the Lorde of the Haruest to sende foorth labourers into his Haruest and not onely to praye for labourers but also to praye that the labours and paines of the labourers may be profitable vnto you Actes 16.14 For except the Lorde doo open the hart of Lydia she cannot so much as marke those things which Paul speaketh Neither can the word of God any thing profit you vnlesse with the planting of Paul 1. Cor. 3.6 and watering of Appollo God doo giue the increase and as the Prophet saith Ezech. 11.19 put a new spirit within your bowels and take away your stonie hearts and giue you hearts of flesh And therfore whensoeuer the séede of Gods word is sowen in your hearts praye vnto God that he will so water it with the dew of his holy spirit that it may take such déepe roote that Sathan be neuer able to plucke it awaye assuring your selues that the Diuill dooth goe about nothing so dilligently as to keepe you in ignoraunce and blindnesse 〈◊〉 and to snatche the seede of the worde Luke 8.12 out of your heartes least ye should beleeue and be saued When a mā hath taken away the weapon from his enemy then may he worke his pleasure and use him as he will Euē so if Sathan can pluck away our weapon The sworde of the spirit out of our hands then may he handle vs as he wil when we know not the trueth Ephe. 6.17 he may intangle vs in his snares at his owne will drawe vs vnto all wickednesse and mischiefe 1 Tim. 2.25.26 and therefore his chéefe endeuour hath euer béene to kéepe the people vnarmed and to maintaine his Bulwarke of ignoraunce blindenesse for this cause he sendeth his Messengers to sowe this doctrine in the hearts of men that Ignoraunce is the mother of deuocion that the Bible ought to be lockt vp and nothing to be heard but the traditions of his sonne the Pope that it is Heresie to heare the word of God that the people may indeede come to the Church to be Christened to be Maryed and to be buryed but in no case to pray or to heare the Gospell of Christ And thus the God of this world hath blinded their eies that 2. Cor. 4.4 the light of the glorious gospell of Christe which is the Image of God should not shine vpon thē Others thinke that if they come to the Church orderly customably to pray that then they haue gon far enough as for hearing the worde of God they make small accompts of it therefore if they can get such as can read thē morning euening prayer they care for no other labourers in the Haruest But these doo not consider that which Salomon saithe Hee which turneth awaye his eare from hearing the law euen his praier shal be abhominable Prou. 28.9 although hee patter vp neuer so many prayers yet vnlesse he shew therwithall a zeale to héer the word of God his praier is abhominable in the sight of God this is a plague of all plagues that that prayer whereby we should aske all good things at Gods hands that prayer shall be come abhominable An other spiritual plague is the taking away of the foode of our soules and the depriuing vs of the Gospell of Christ which the Lorde dooth threaten to all the contemners of his word Amos. 8.11 Behould the dayes come sayth the Lorde God that I will send a famine in the Lande not a famine of bread nor a thirst for water but a famine of hearing the worde of God and they shall wander from the North vnto the West from one Sea to another they shall runne too and fro to seeke the worde of God and shall not finde it Math. 21.43 And Christ dooth threaten the Iewes that for their vnthankfulnesse the kingdome of God the preaching of the Gospell should be taken from them and giuen to an other nation which should bring foorth the fruite thereof And surely if we consider our owne vnthankfulnesse in this Realme of England we shal be compelled to confesse that we haue deserued long a go to haue this plague to be brought vpon vs that the worde of God should be taken from vs and giuen to an other nation which shall bring forth the fruite therof For what one among a thousande hath any care for the heauenly foode of his soule what one among a thousand doth praye earnestly to the Lord of the Haruest to sende foorth labourers into his Haruest Naye we are rather glutted with it it is but a vile meate thinke we Numb 11.5 we had rather returne into Aegipt to feede on our Onyons Leekes and Garleeke then to taste of the sweet Manna the worde of the euerliuing God Iohn 1.10 The light came into the world and men looued darkenesse more then light The Lorde of his aboundant mercy Luk. 19.42.44 open our eyes that we may once sée those things which belong to our peace and know the time of our visitation that by our vnthankfulnes wee neuer deserue to haue the glorious Gospell of Christ to be taken from vs. Alas déere brethren we consider not the heauie iudgements of God which hange ouer our heads and shall moste certainely be powred vpon vs vnlesse we repent vs of this our vnthankfull contempt of the word of God It did nothing gréeue the Sodomites Gen. 19.16 when Lot was departed from them The olde world made no accompt of it Gen. 7.1 when Noah the Preacher of righteousnesse went from them entered into the Arke Amo◠7.10 Exod. 32.6 1. Cor. 10.17 All the lande of Iurie was not able to abide the words of Amos when Moses was away then were the people of Israell all merry they sate downe to eate drinke and rose againe to playe And so also it is with vs we rather wish that these labourers which we haue already should be taken away then that the number of them should be increased we had rather haue their absence then their presence their roome then theyr cōpany But I beséech you consider how in the end they were all most miserably plagued The Sodomites with fier brimstone from Heauen The old world with the floud ouerwelming the whole earth Exod. 32.27 2◠The Isralits with a lamentable murther staying euery man his brother and euery man his companion and euery man his neighbour The Iewes with a miserable captiuity in Babilō for the cause of their destruction was onely the despising of the Prophets of God as the Lord sheweth by his Prophet Ierm 29.18 I wil persecure them with the sworde and I will make them a terrour for all Kingdoms of the earth and a curse and astonishment and an
hissing and a reproche among all nations where I shall cast them because they haue not heard my words saith the Lorde When I sent vnto them my seruaunts the Prophets rising vp early and sending them but yee would not heare saith the Lord. But while they mocked the Messengers of God and despised his worde and misused his Prophets 2. Chro 36.16 beholde the Kinge of the Chaldaeans comming with a fearce and terrible Armie brake downe the Walles of their Cittie fiered their Temple burnt all their Towers destroyed Man Woman and Childe so that none escaped death but such as were ledde into Captiuitye and all the Goulde and Treasures bothe of the Temple and of the Noble men was all caryed awaye into Babilon The Lorde knoweth whether the like Captiuitye be reserued for vs or no and the Lorde graunt that the dayes of our Gracious Prince Elizabeth be not shortened for our vnthankfulnesse There was neuer Countrey that euer despised the Prophetes of God but it afterwarde felte the scourge of God and shall wee which are most guiltye of this synne be onelye frée from the punishment No no it cannot be but either we shall taste of a miserable Captiuitie in this world or els of a farre greater Captiuitie 2. Thes 1.8.9 when Sathan shall lead bothe body and soule into the bottomlesse pit of Hell there to be punished with euerlasting perdition from the presence of God and from the glory of his power These things good people if they were well pondered in our minds they would make vs continually to flie vnto God with feruent and hartie prayer and to say with Dauid Blessed art thou O God Psalme 119.12 18 19 33 35 97 135. O teach me thy Statutes open mine eyes that I maye see the wonders of thy Lawe teache me O Lord the way of thy Statutes and I will keepe it vnto the ende direct me in the pathe of thy commaundements for therein is my delight O how I loue thy law it is my meditation continually shew the light of thy countenaunce vpon thy seruaunt and teach me thy commaundements and they would make vs carefully to performe this which our Sauiour dooth commaund his seauentie Disciples To prave the Lord of the Haruest to sende forthe Labourers into his Haruest and not onely to pray for faithfull Labourers but also to put to our helping hands and to indeuour by all lawfull meanes possible to prouide for such as shall painefully labour in the Haruest of the Lord for otherwise if we will in words seeme to pray for them and then indéede can not finde in our harts to bestow any peny vpon them that the Labourers may haue their hier that they which sowe vnto you spirituall things Math. 10.10 1. Tim. 5.18 1. Cor. 9.11.14 Gala. 6.6 may in like māner reape of your carnall things that they which preach the Gospel may liue of the Gospell as the Lord hath ordeyned then are our prayers nothing els but mockeries and plaine Hipocrisie before God for outwardly we praye for them but inwardly we are not touched with the want of the thing that we desire Héere then is a Lesson for all Latrones as they are but Patrones as they should be that in bestowing their liuings they séeke not to enritche themselues by Sacriledge and Church robberie nor yet to prouide for such as will flatter them in their sinnes and sowe Pillowes vnder their Elbowes and crie Peace peace where as no peace is Ezech. 13.18 Ierem. 23.30 nor such as haue sweete lippes and will passe and repasse vnder their armes at their own pleasure nor such as are domb Dogges and cannot barke blinde guides and cannot see Isa 56.10 but that they trauaile to the vttermost of their power to place faithfull labourers in the Haruest of the Lord or otherwise they are accessarie to the murder of so many soules as perish And héere also is a lesson for you of the inferior sorte that séeing our liuings are so spoyled by impropriations that they are not able to maintaine Preachers amongst you for ye know that we haue but the chaffe and others the corne we the parings and other the Aples we the shels and others the Kernels and ye sée how euery day it waxeth worse worse so that he now dooth account him happiest which can pill the Church moste yet ye must not follow their wicked and desperate ensample but euery one contribute something to the maintenaunce of some learned Pastor to instruct you in the word of God which is able to saue your soules Set not your mindes so vpō worldly things Luke 14.18 as vpō your Oxen your Farmes and your Wiues that in the meane time Math. 13.46 ye neglect the Heauenly Supper which is prepared for you by Iesus Christe Ye must accompt the Gospell of Christ to be that Precious Pearle which when a Marchaunt man hath found it he selleth all he hath to bine it Phil. 3.8 Math. 6.33 ye must accompt all things but doonge so that ye may win our Lord Iesus Christ Seeke ye firste the kingdome of Heauen and then all things shall be giuen vnto you Spend not your substaunce in pride riot drunkennesse and excesse to the destruction both of your soules and bodies but bestowe it to the glory of God to the comfort of your brethren to the godly reléeuing of your familyes and to the saluation of your own soules Dauid saith Psalm 69. ◠O Lorde the zeale of thy house hath eaten me vp but we may say the zeale of our owne houses the pride and excessiue riotousnesse of our owne houses hath eaten vs vp but few of vs can say with Dauid O Lord the zeale of thy house hath eaten me vp Especially ye that are Landlordes and haue all the swéete and fatte of the earth ye are to looke vnto it that there be prouision made for Labourers in the Lords Haruest and that ye bestowe your portion liberally thereunto for what a great shame is it that ye whom the Lord hath blessed with so great aboundance should prodigally spende it all vpon your owne backes all vpon your owne bellyes all vpon your owne Kitchins all vpon your owne Stables all vpon Hanking and Hunting all vpon Whores and Hounds and nothing vpon the Church of God nothing vpon the honour of your cheefe Lord in Heauen nothing vpon the common wealth nothing vpon your brethren in Christe deerly bought with the bloud of Christ And what a shame is it that ye should accompt the liuings of the Church to be your owne to giue them to buie them to sell them to farme them at your owne pleasures in the meane time to thinke that the care of the Church dooth nothing appertaine vnto you As the Prophet requireth of Princes Isa 49 23. so also all inferior Maiestrates ought to be Nurcing Fathers Nurcing Mothers to the church of God Now the dutie of a Nurce is not onely to
nurture and correct but also to feede the Childe Then if Iustices of Peace and Magistrates will punish the people for their sinnes as their murders Thefts and such other crimes and in the meane time neuer sée them fedde with the sincéere Milke of Gods worde then they are not Nurcing Fathers and Nurcing mothers but Stepfathers stepmothers for they beate but they doo not feede Pharao was a cruell tyraunt yet when all his people were so oppressed with hunger that they were compelled to sell their Cattle and grouÌ„d for Corne whereby all the Countrey was come into the Kings hands yet he would not onely not suffer the Priests to sell their possessions nor séeke any gaine by their hinderaunce but also of his owne costes he prouided for them Gen. 47. â— for the Text saith The Priests had an ordinarie of Pharao and they did eate the ordinary which Pharao gaue them and therefore they did not sell their ground Iezabell 1. Reg. 18.9 so prouided for the Préests of the Groues that she kept foure hundred at her owne Table The papists haue thought nothing too much to be bestowed on the maintenauÌ„ce of their foolish superstition and all the Heathen people in the world are bountifull and liberall vnto their Priests and Southsayers how much more then ought we Christians to be carefull to prouide not for idolatrous Massing Priests nor Heathenish Southsayers but for faithfull labourers in the Lordes Haruest to feede the flock of Christe which he hath purchased with his bloud for otherwise moste certainely the blinde deuotion of the Papists and Infidels will condemne vs and it will be more easie for them then for vs at the dreadfull daye of iudgement for as nothing ought to be more deare to the Minister then his flock that he may say vnto them Phil. 1.8 4.1 as Paul saith vnto the Philippians God is my record how I long after you all froÌ„ the verye hart roote in Iesus Christ my brethren belooued and longed for ye are my ioy and my crowne continue in the Lord my belooued So on the other side the people should haue ioy in nothing so much as in the Ministers and therfore God saith to the Church Isa 49.17.18 1. Thes 5.13 by the Prophet Esay Thy builders make hast as I liue saith the Lord thou shalt surely put them all vpon thee as a Garment and girde thy selfe with them as a Bride shewing thereby that the ioye and Crowne of the Church ought to be the good and godly estate of the builders therof that they may be able according to the word of God 1. Cor. 9.4.5 1. Tim. 3.2.4 â— Cor. 9.14 not onely to sustaine themselues with meate and drinke but to maintaine a wife being a sister as Paul saith to keepe Hospitallity to the credit of their calling to prouide for their children liuing vnder obedience with all honesty in all points wel and honestly to liue of the Gospel and not to be brought to such miseryas they are now in a maner to beg from dore to dore And thus ye see it is your dutie not onely to pray for faithfull labourers but to seeke by al meanes possible to maintaine faithful Labourers and likewise to keepe out all Hierlings theeues and murderers And therfore you my Lorde are here also admonished not to regard the pittifull and lamentable complaints of those which alledge their charges heeretofore and their present pouertie that vnlesse their sonnes be nowe admitted they must needes take them from the Schole and set them to the Plowe and Carte but to aunswer them as Vlisses answered Andromache intreating for her boy Astianax Thy teares O woman moue me much but the teares of my countrey-women ought to mooue me more your coÌ„plaints indeede are lamentable but muche more pittiful are the teares of the Church the spouse of Iesus Christ And last of all ye that are the parents are here to learne to weigh the gifts ability of your childreÌ„ before ye seek to bring theÌ„ into the Ministery It is a common vse custome among you if your children haue any good gifts of nature or any great token of towardlinesse then to set theÌ„ to some occupation or to place them in seruice with some Gentleman but if they be good for nothing then to seeke by countenaunce of letters to make them Ministers to serue the Church of God so that with the best ye will serue the world and God must take that which is left whereas indéede ye ought to thinke none to good to serue the Lorde although ye had but one 1. Sam. 1.22 and him as deere vnto you as Samuell was to Elcana and Anna but to accompt it as King Dauid did a more honorable thing to be a dorekeeper in the house of his God Psalm 84.10 then to dwell in the tabernacles of wickednesse what more vile office then a dorekeeper Yet Dauid béeing a King had rather be a doore keeper in the house of his God then to dwell in the Palaces and Tents of vngodlinesse The scornefull kéeping back of the worthy and the carelesse and impudent thrusting in of the vnworthy is a manifest signe that ye haue not that care for the Lords Haruest which ye ought to haue séeing that ye séeke to place therein loyterers thrust in by your selues and not labourers sent from God Ye sée by the words of Christ in this place that none ought to labour in the Lords Haruest vnlesse he be sent of God which is the Lorde of the Haruest Rom. 10.15 therefore Paul saith How shall they heare without a Preacher or how shall they preach vnlesse they be sent No man taketh this honour vnto him but he that is called of God euen as Aaron was Hebâ— 5. â— Now they only are truely sent and called of God which inwardly haue God the Author of their calling and be fully perswaded in hart that God hath chosen them to be fit Labourers for the profit and benefit of his Church outwardly haue the Church or the Elders therof by the ordinance of God to lay this office vpon them If any doo thrust in them selues before they be thus sent of God doo preache the worde or Minister the Sacraments being either men which are not called or women which may not be called to that publique function 1. Tim. â— 11 1â— Numb 16.31 they are no better then Core Dathan and Abiram who with two hundred fifty men offered Incense to the Lorde without calling but the earth claue vnder their feete and opening her mouthe swallowed vp both them and their Tabernacles and a fier comming foorth from the Lord consumed the two hundred fiftie meÌ„ which offered the Incense and therefore although there be great want of Labourers in the Lords Haruest and few to Preach the word of God yet none ought to intrude themselues 1. Thes 5. â—1 Iam. 5.19 Deut. â— 7 before they be called and sent
them the dew of his holy spirite and make them fruitefull labourers in his Haruest that they may not gather with the one hand and scatter with the other but labour profitably with bothe hands bothe with worde and life Tit. 2.7 1. Tim. 4.16 Exod. 28.3 with Vrim and Thummim with light and perfection with exhortation and conuersation And héere cōmeth in the last part which conteyneth the dutie bothe of Minister and people to flie vnto God by prayer that séeing the Haruest is great and the labourers are but few we should praye vnto the Lorde of the Haruest to sende foorth labourers into his Haruest where firste we must learne what those labourers were for whom our sauiour would haue them pray to be sent foorth into the Lords Haruest They are set downe all in one verse by Saint Paule Ephe. 4.11 some Apostles some Prophets others Euangelists others Pastors to the knitting together of the Saints to the worke of the Ministrie and to the building of the body of Christ The seauen Popish orders Then to be a labourer in the Lordes Haruest is not to chaunt and bleat in Quiers it is not to iangle the Bels and to looke to the Vestery as was in time past the office of the Porter it is not to reade and singe lessons and to hallow bread and all greene fruite as was the charge of the Reader it is not to Charme or to Coniure as was the office of the Exorcist it is not to carye Candlesticks and light Tapers as the Acolites it is not to prouide water against Masse to wash the corporasse clothes to vow chastity to giue the Chalice couer to the Deacon as the Subdeacons it is not to serue at the Altar to read the Gospell for the quick and the dead as was wickedly placed for the office of Deacons it is not to mumble vp Masses and to offer vp sacrifice for the quick and the dead as the shaueling Priests it is not to sit Imperiously with the Maiesty of a Triple Crowne and to dispose kingdoms nor to beare a Crosier staffe and blesse and challenge power to giue the holy Ghoste remit sinnes at their owne pleasure as the Pope and his Bishops it is not to weare a Cardinals Hat nor to lyue vnto themselues and their own bellies as the swimish Cloister mē Abbots Priors Munkes Friers it is not to serue mēs humors as elbow Chaplaines but to be a labourer in the Lords Haruest is Phil. 2.25 Act. 14.14 1. Cor. 11.4 Actes 13.1 Actes 21.8 2. Tim. 4.5 to feede the flocke of Christe with the heauenly foode of his blessed worde as did the Apostles Prophets and Euangelists in the primitiue Church as is now required of Pastors such Elders or Bishops which are appointed as watchmē ouer certain flocks congregations to rule and gouerne the same by the preaching of the Gospell Tit. 1.5.7 Actes 20.28 by the administring of the Sacraments by the exercising of Ecclesiasticall discipline of the Doctors whose charge is especially to expound the right sence vnderstāding of the Scriptures to instruct those which are Catechumenoi in the points principles of christiā religiō But what néede we of these Pastors Doctors Obiectio 1 séeing that the holy ghost is promised to be our Doctor Iohn 16.13 Ioel. 2.28 to leade vs into all truth I answer that although it be the peculiar office of the holy Ghost to lighten vs within to lead vs into all trueth yet the outward Ministerie of the word is necessary because God vseth the same as an inferiour a secōdary mean to bring vs therunto The light of the sū cā nothing helpe blinde eyes nor the lowdenes of the sound profit deafe eares no more cā the word pearce the hardnes of the hart vnlesse it be mollified by Gods holy spirite but bothe must goe together firste to haue the eyes opened and then the Sunne to shine and giue light and therfore the spirite of God and his word are by Christ bothe ioyned together when he saithe to his Disciples Iohn 15.26 the Comforter shall come and teache you all things Quaecunque dixi vobis whatsoeuer I haue tolde you where you sée how with the working of the holy ghost he ioyneth his worde No Text no glose no Scripture no spirite What then shall we say to that place of Saint Iohn Ye knowe all things Obiectio 2 1. Ioh. 2.20.27 the annointing which ye haue receaued dwelleth with you and you neede not that any man should teache you therefore it should séeme to be néedelesse to haue any labourers in the Lords Haruest But Iohn writeth not this vnto them to signifie that they had no néede of teaching for then to what purpose should he haue written his Epistle vnto them if they had no néede of teaching but he sheweth them that they were not rude Scholers and altogether ignoraunt but well skilled and of great knowledge in the matters which he propounded vnto them and therefore that he did not so at large set foorth these points as though they were altogether vnknowne vnto them but that he did onely bring these things to minde that they might remember them as Peter saythe 2. Peter 1.12 I will not be negligent to put you alwayes in remembraunce of these things though that ye haue knowledge and be established in the present trueth Another doubt may arise of that place in Ieremie where the Lorde saithe thus Obiectio 3 And they shall teache no more euery man his neighbour Ierem. 31.34 and euery man his brother saying Know ye the Lord for they shall know me from the least euen to the greatest this is ment of the state of the Church vnder the new Testamēt therefore there néedeth no labourers in this haruest I answer that indéede God maketh there a comparison betwixt the people vnder the Lawe and the other vnder the Gospell that the light of the Gospell of Christe should be common and familiar vnto all whereas in the law it was darkely figured by tipes and shadowes But he sayeth not simplye that there shall neede no more teaching but he addeth saying Know the Lord they shall no more néede to be taught the first A.B.C. and first Principles of Christian religion Gala. 4.1 as the old fathers which were as yonge Children ignorant of the first rudiments but they shall haue greater knowledge and yet notwithstanding diligently indeuour to go forwarde more and more Isa 2.3 and say as is in the Prophet Come and let vs go vp into the Mountaine of the Lorde into the house of the God of Iacob and he will teach vs his wayes then this is a perpetuall decrée and ordinaunce of Christ vnder the Gospell that his people should be taught from time to time Rom. 10.14 that so◠faithe may come by hearing and hearing by the worde preached and because none can preache vnlesse
they be sent we must continually beare in minde this cōmaūdement of our Sauiour Christ that we praye vnto the Lord of the Haruest to send foorth Labourers into his Haruest Which cōmaundement because Christ gaue it in this place to his 70. Disciples Let vs of the Ministery firste apply it to our selues and learne heere our dutye which is that with all laboures we ioyne our prayers vnto the Lorde of the Haruest For if in temporall things nothing can prosper without the blessing of the Lorde as the Prophet Dauid saithe Psal 127.1 Except the Lord build the house their labour is but lost that builde except the Lorde keepe the Cittie the Watchemen watcheth but in vaine It is in vaine for you to rise vp earely and to lye downe late and to eate the bread of carefulnesse as we sée by experience euery day many rise early and lay downe late and eate the bread of carefulnesse but they prosper not because the Lord doth not build the house if worldly riches be the blessing of the Lord as Salomon saith it is the blessing of the Lorde which maketh men riche if in fishing in the Sea Luke 5.5 Peter may fishe all night catch nothing vntil our Sauiour Christe voutchsafe to come into the barge thē how much lesse shall we think that we can build the Lords house or watch ouer the flock of Christ or gather a rich haruest vnto the lord or catch the soules of mē with the spiritual net of gods word vnlesse with our rising early lying downe late eating the bread of carefulnes we alwaies let our praier supplicatiō be made to God with thāksgiuing Phil. 4.6 Iob. 31.27 Iobe saithe If my heart did flatter me in secret or if my mouthe did kisse mine hand this had bin an iniquity to be condemned for I had denyed the Lorde aboue where Iob maketh the ascribing of our temporall goods to our owne handie worke and saying Haec sunt opera manuum mearum these are the workes of mine owne hands to be nothing els but a denying of the Lord aboue How much more then doo we deny the Lorde aboue if in spirituall graces we doo not confesse and acknowledge that it is nothing for Paul 1. Cor. 3.6 2. Cor. 3.5 to Plant and Appollo to water except the Lord doo giue the encrease that we are not sufficient of our selues to thinke one good thought as of our selues but all our sufficiencie commeth of God who hath made vs able Ministers of the new Testament that Isa 6.5.7 Ierm 1.6.9 the Prophet Isay is a man of polluted lippes bēfore the Lorde doo purge them that Ieremie is but a Childe and cannot speake before the Lord doo put his woords into his mouthe and therefore that in all our endeuours we trust not to our owne wisdome to our owne learning to our owne pollicie to our owne gifts of nature but that in all our laboures we doo in feruencie of spirite Psalm 51 1◠pray with Dauid O Lorde open thou my lippes and then my mouthe shall shew foorth thy praise Héere also in that our Sauiour dooth commaund his Disciples to pray the Lord of the Haruest to send foorth labourers into his Haruest we haue to consider the tender care which euery Minister ought to haue of the Church of God still to pray vnto God for the same and not onely to pray vnto God but also with great griefe of hart to remember as well the small number of the faithfull labourers as also the great number of the peoples sinnes This vehement zeale and tender care for the Haruest of the Lord was in Moyses when he prayed so earnestly for the people that he sayde Exod. 32.32 O Lord pardon their sinnes or els raze me out of the booke which thou hast written Gen. 18 24. This was in Abraham for when he saw how the sinnes of the Sodomites had prouoked the scourge of God against them he prayed vnto the Lord and sayd Lord if there be but fiftie righteous in the Citie wilt thou destroy the place and not spare it for the fiftie righteous and againe behould I haue begonne to speake vnto the Lord and am but duste and Asshes If there lack fiue of fiftie wilt thou destroy them for fiue And againe what if but fortie And againe what if thirtie what if twentie And againe let not my Lord be angrie if I speake once againe what if but ten shewing thereby sufficiently the earnest zeale which he had 2. Pet. 2.7 for the saluation of the people This was in Lot who was vexed with the vncleane conuersation of the wicked for béeing righteous and dwelling among them in séeing and heareing vexed his righteous soule from day to daye with their vncleane and foule déedes This zealous care for the Lords Haruest was also in Samuel 1. Sam. 7.9 Psal 119.136 who cried vnto the Lord for Israell And in Dauid whose eyes gusht out with Riuers of water because his people kept not the Lawe of God This was in the Prophet Isay Isa 22.4 who in the aboundance of looue bewayled his bretheren which would needes perishe saying Turne away from me I will weepe bitterly labour not to comfort me for the destruction of the Daughter of my people Ierm 9.1 Ierem. 14.17 This was in Ieremy who cryed out O that my head were full of Water and mine eyes a Fountaine of Teares that I might weepe day and night for the slaine of the daughter of my people Let myne eyes droppe downe teares night and daye without ceasing Dan. 9.7.16.18.19 This was in the Prophet Daniel who when he heard out of Ieremie that the Captiuitie should continue seauentie yeares he turned his face vnto the Lord with fasting with Sackcloth and Ashes and prayed saying To thee O Lorde belongeth righteousnes to vs open shame and confusion O Lord I beseeche thee let thine anger be turned away from thy Cittie Ierusalem thine holy Mountaine We doo not present our selues vnto thee trusting in our owne righteousnesse but in thy great and tender mercyes O Lorde heare O Lorde forgiue O Lord consider and doo it not for our sake but for thyne owne sake O my God This was in the holye Apostle Sainte Paule Actes 20.31 Phil. 3.18 Rom. 9.1 who ceased not to warne euery man bothe daye and night with Teares and hee called God to wytnesse that hee spake the trueth howe hee had great heauynesse and contynuall sorrowe of heart for hys Bretheren and that for their sakes Luk. 19.41 he wished himselfe to be seperate from Iesus Christe This was also in the chéefe Shéepheard our Sauiour Christ who when he beheld the Citty Ierusalem and the iniquitie thereof he wept ouer it and cried out with gréefe of heart O if thou hadst knowen at the least in this thy day these things which belong vnto thy peace but nowe they are hidde from thine eyes and this ought